"How about another beer, Sar?" questioned a handsome fellow in a deep green frock. He lifted his wood-carved cup in offering.
"No, thanks, Todd," Sarah replied. She held up her own bottle, giving her friend a wink. "I'm more of a mead-dinking kind of girl."
Todd Medlow chuckled and took a seat next to his childhood friend. They were the same age, but he still retained a boyish quality, while Sarah had matured into nothing less of a woman. He had sandy-blonde hair, deep brown eyes, and a charming laugh. It had taken a few years, a lot of begging, and later a good bit of bribing for Sarah to be allowed to drag him to her favorite festival. So far, he seemed to be enjoying himself, but it was obvious he was still feeling out of his element.
It was a good thing Sarah had adopted a sense of patience over the recent years, for it was driving the others mad that her friend still said "bathroom" instead of "privy", "bar" instead of "pub", and he continued to stare blankly when they would exclaim there was a dragon as a plane flew overhead. She calmly corrected him every time, but slowly her patience was waning. She may not last much longer if he kept it up. Going with the flow helped create the illusion, but it was easily shattered by that one person who didn't catch on.
"Are you having a good time, at least?" asked Sarah, swiping a bit of dirt from her dress.
"Yeah, yeah. Everyone here is pretty cool," he nodded, flashing Sarah a crooked grin. She watched as his eyes traveled back to a group of dancing ladies. He seemed to be captivated by their happy, flushed faces and bouncing cleavage.
Following his gaze, Sarah smirked. "C'mon, now! Don't be a wallflower! Go over and dance with them!" She playfully slapped his shoulder, wiggling her brows in a way that made him roll his eyes. He was very much like a brother to her. Toby loved and looked up to him, and her family adored him for his kindness.
"I'd rather stay here with you, thanks," he said. Todd took a swig of his beer, his cheeks becoming tinted as the alcohol entered his bloodstream.
At that moment, one of the dancing ladies disengaged herself from the circle and headed their way. Sarah recognized her instantly as her dear friend Isabelle, and she rose to give her a warm embrace.
"Havin' fun, Sar?" she asked, her bright blue eyes quickly scanning over Todd approvingly before returning to her friend's jovial emerald ones.
"As always," Sarah replied, "I see you've already been having a party."
Isabelle laughed jubilantly, flipping her curled strawberry-blonde hair out of her face. "Have I ever! Faire season is the best time of the year!" She put her hands on her hips, turning back to the other girls. They had filled in the gap Isabelle had left in their circle, and were dancing around once again. Isabelle was one of Sarah's older friends. She was a tough woman just entering her early forties. She wore an embroidered burgundy corset with an expensive velvet dress that was decorated with lace and other finery. She had been attending faire since she was a teenager; being one of the faire merchant's daughters. Sarah only hoped to come close to having the finery and collection she did.
"But of course," Sarah smiled, leaning back comfortably against the table. It felt good to stretch her back. She enjoyed wearing corsets, but they could make a girl horribly stiff.
"You weren't at tailgate!" Isabelle huffed, slipping into the seat between Todd and Sarah. She was quick to give Todd an apologetic, if not a bit flirty, smile. Todd didn't seem to mind, even though she could, by a small stretch, be his mother. Sarah couldn't help but feel a little perturbed.
"Sorry I couldn't make it." Sarah said, giving her friend a meaningful look. "Toby was pouting up a storm. Karen couldn't take him, and although I love him to death faire days are exclusively mine."
Isabelle shrugged. "Kids, y'know?" She had no children of her own, but she had grown up in a family much larger than Sarah's. Having one older sibling and two younger gave her plausible experience, not to mention she was like the mother hen of the faire; she kept all the drunkards in line and made sure everyone got safe passage home. "You totally missed this hunk that came through. Dangerous, sexy, and drop-dead gorgeous, he was." She brought out a fan, sighing euphorically as she cooled her heated cheeks. She looked to her friend, a secretive grin lighting up her face. "He told us some great news. Have you heard?"
"Heard what?" Sarah asked quickly. She was thoroughly curious. Isabelle gushed over just about all the men at faire, but Sarah knew what a twinkle in her friend's eye meant.
"This year the fair was expanded!" Isabelle burst out, splaying her arms as if she had been waiting on bated breath to tell her the news. "You see, because it's gotten so popular, they were able to secure more land! Best of all, It's only opened to season passers!"
Sarah's eyes grew wide. "No way! Where is it? What's it called?"
"It's over in the back," Isabelle answered quickly. Both girls had lit up with excitement now, as If they were talking about a new brand of clothing from one of their favorite designers. "It's called 'Faeiry Realm.' I hear all the best stores and entertainment are saved for just that area."
Sarah's expression could only be described as a child on Christmas morning. It felt as if the world was actually bending to create what she desired most. "I have to go," she breathed. "Now!"
"What are we waiting for?!" Isabelle jumped to her feet. However, the movement was much too quick for her intoxicated mind, and she swayed dangerously. Todd was able to catch her before she hit the ground.
"Oops." Isabelle giggled drowsily. She batted her eyelashes up at Todd, who smiled despite himself. If Sarah didn't know her friend well enough, she would have thought she had just pulled a stunt. However, Isabelle was known for being somewhat of a faire lush, and such was just usual behavior.
"Uh—go on ahead, Sar," she murmured, a hiccup escaping her. "I think I'm in pretty good hands."
Sarah simply rolled her eyes, and passed Todd her steel mug. "It retains the icy coolness of the drink. Put it on her head to help simmer her down." With a wave, Sarah made her way to the back of the faire, unable to stop herself from trembling. She hadn't felt this exited since that time, so long ago.
Everything was perfect—he had made sure of it. She would be drawn to this place like a moth to a flame. If not for its title, then for the sheer curiosity she would harbor for a new addition to her small world.
He strode along the dewy pathway, still damp from morning, surveying each and every last detail. He had spun his Sarah her perfect dream once again, but this time there was no baby brother, no restraints, and no looming figures to watch and snicker as she passed. He had created her a world inside her world; her own heaven that only she would be able to see.
"'But what no one knew is that the king of the goblins had fallen in love with the girl,'" he quoted softly, his gloved fingers gently caressing the bud of a lily, "'and he had given her certain powers…'" The lily bloomed at his touch, displaying its beautifully curled dusty-pink petals freckled with fresh pollen.
"Not only had he given her the power to wish herself to his kingdom," he continued, walking on to the next booth, and the next, surveying each and every item. "He had given her the power of 'sight.' However, she had to know when to use this power, unless there was a large mass or a special occasion; she would not be able to harness her powers without the proper instruction."
He kicked a stray chicken that had wandered across his path, his thin lips turning down into a scowl. "Instruction he would have been most willing to give her. If not for…" He shook his head, reprimanding himself. No, he could not dwell on the past today. He would need to be a step ahead, careful, and in total control if his hard-boiled plan was to be of effect.
"All in due time," he murmured, pausing to survey the scene of the rising sun. Rich oranges, deep reds, and breathtaking pinks all blended into the clear crystal blue sky. Even the weather of the Aboveground was aiding his cause. This day would be absolutely perfect. There was going to be no stopping him.
"Today, my precious, we will meet again," he whispered to the fading moon. "You will not defeat me with stolen words, you will not be granted aide from the silly creatures you once loved, and your job is not to rescue a crying babe. You will not escape again, Sarah."
"Without further ado… Let the show begin."
(A.N.- *Ignore if you want, this note has nothing to do with the story!
Jareth: No! Not a short chapter! What in the world are you doing?!
Jess (A.K.A. me): *Sniffs and forms a regal pose* Exactly what I want, and you can't stop me.
Jareth: *Fingers twitching and aching to wrap around my neck* You insufferable little wench—
Sarah: Oh stop it, you two! Even if Jess doesn't own us, or Labyrinth, and we belong to Jim Henson, this is her story and she can do as she sees fit!
Jess: Thank you, Sarah.
Jareth: *Grumbles unhappily and crosses his arms*
Don't worry, everyone, I have written beyond this point! But not uploading everything right now will encourage me to keep writing this story, and I have a terrible habit of not being motivated to write until I am in a specific mood… Or at all. But since I want to keep updating I have saved more for later!
Thank you to everyone who has reviewed and followed this story thus far, it really means a lot and helps keep me motivated! Just remember that when you want more! For now, Ta!