Prince of the Labyrinth
Chapter 2:
The girls sat down next to each other as the rest of their English class filed into the room with them. Sarah had ran from Andi's car after being sure that she saw another goblin lurking in a tree and was slightly out of breath.
"What is wrong with you today? You look like you've seen a ghost and for once seem happy to get into English with Mr Cole?" Andi huffed trying to settle herself after following Sarah for what seemed like an hour. She may have been good some things but running wasn't one.
"Well I think I'm coming down with something so I didn't want to be outside because it's cold today," Sarah muttered to her "so I wanted to get in quickly because, when I go to this big family celebration I don't want to be ill especially with all of my younger cousins as I need to feel my best." She finished then saw the look which screamed you really need to learn how to lie better in her friends' bright blue eyes.
"That is total crap Sarah and we both know it-"
"And if Miss James is quite finished we shall start" Came an annoyed voice from in front of them. "Today we will be looking at Mercutio's 'Queen Mab' speech…" droned her teacher. Finally, Sarah thought something that I understand today…
School passed fairly uneventfully for Sarah except for the odd birthday message from a few close friends. Andi was already in her car when Sarah got to her and was surprised to see a rectangular box in the passenger seat.
"I wonder who this could be from." Andi teased "Maybe I left it here by mistake? Or maybe it's from that yummy field hockey player who has a thing for my best friend who for some reason doesn't seem to quite understand this?"
"Subtle, Andi, especially as you know that we are friends and that it." Sarah shot back as she opened her newest gift. Josh was a great friend to her and the fact that he was tall and good looking was a bonus for her but he was always just a friend to her, something that caused many to look at her like she was crazy when she relayed this to people, present company included.
"And I wonder why that is, and not because he's not you're type because I have yet to see proof that you have a type and even then I would only accept a guy as proof." Her friend replied as they drove through the town heading towards Andi's house. Sarah felt a little annoyed at this as she was sure she had a type; blond, with an accent, regal….No! Snapped a voice inside her head. Definitely not anything like a certain king who had been occupying her dreams recently.
"Can't we drop the subject?" Sarah sighed "Then you can let me guess some more about this fantastic gift, you've got me that needs my whole evening to fully enjoy?" Her friend considered this before replying
"Yes. But only because this gift is amazing and you will fall in love with me for giving it to you." She grinned before turning the radio on.
They discussed more and more the gift until they got to the driveway of Andi's house. Although their houses were fairly similar to each other Sarah always was taken aback by how beautiful it was, the house sat comfortably between two large trees and the garden seemed to just expand in every direction as the houses in this part of town seemed to be spaced fairly far apart. When they entered Andi's room Sarah saw a large cardboard box in the middle of the room.
"That's the gift you've been going on about?" Sarah asked as Andi pushed it towards her.
When Sarah opened the box she pulled out the 2 dresses and saw that there was a layer of accessories in the bottom. She opened the first bag and saw that there was a long emerald green dress inside.
"Well. What do you think? Go and try it on!" Andi said and hurried her friend to her en-suite bathroom. When Sarah was left on her own she slipped on the dress and saw that the dress went all the way to the floor. The skirt of the summer dress felt very light as the material swirled around her legs. She exited the bathroom and was greeted by a squeal as she went back into her friends' room as she made her way over to the full length mirror in the corner of the room.
The dress was loose and flowing all over and there were gold accents in the dress along the seams and the top of the dress showed the top of her breasts and the green colour matched her eyes. The light material felt very soft against her skin and she was happy to stay in this dress until another bag was thrust into her hands. Feeling slightly sad at taking off the wonderful dress, she went back into the bathroom to try on the next dress. She gasped slightly as she looked at the new dress. It was a lot shorter than the other dress! She put the dress on and saw that it revealed quite a lot of leg. Bracing herself she went again to the mirror and saw the extent of the exposure of the dress. The dark blue material stopped just above her knee. She was most shocked by the very low neckline, the V shape following the shape of her breasts the lower it went. The dress hugged her curves until her waist when the material flared out and settled at her knee and she looked amazing in the reflection.
"Glad to see that you like the dresses. I thought that seeing as you are going to New York for the weekend, then you better look fantastic when you are there" her friend smiled from behind her, rummaging around in the bottom of the box. "Now, the accessories." She laughed, seeing the look on Sarah's face.
They went through the remaining contents of the box until they came to the end and Sarah asked
"So how did you manage to buy all of this stuff, it must have cost a bunch?" to which her friend just looked at her in her knowing way.
"Well, most of this came from the shop and the rest is a bit of a family gift and those green earrings were from Maggie." Andi's mother ran a small shop which sold many of her own creations, which Sarah enjoyed looking through whenever she was planning to sell at the start of a new season. Although Andi was trying to learn the family trade she still had lots to learn before she was as good as her mother. Maggie, Andi's ten year old sister was obsessed with the colour green, so much that she would enjoy just looking into Sarah's eyes for a while. At that moment, the energetic child came running into the room and jumped onto her sisters' bed.
"Food's ready." A voice sang from the middle of the bed. Maggie looked very similar to her sister apart from her hair was longer and curlier than her sister's but they shared the same wild spirit.
The three went downstairs and they ate with the older James's. Sarah was finishing off her desert when she realised the time. After collecting her gifts, she said her goodbyes and then ran into the safety of Andi's car, away from the rain that had started earlier that afternoon. She watched as the night sped past and her thoughts went back to the storm on that night, then began to think about her much she'd changed since had gotten back from the Labyrinth. She no longer found babysitting Toby a chore, but enjoyed watching her little brother grow up. She also had a better relationship with her stepmother, it wasn't perfect but it was not as hostile as it had been and both parties were grateful for that. Tired from the long day, her mind wandered to thoughts of what would have happened if she had exceeded her 13 hours. Images of goblins running around her feet and watching the sun set over the twists and turns of the Labyrinth flicked into her mind, and then faded to two figures dancing in the moonlight. The taller figure was holding his companion close while she played with the silvery strands of his hair and then began to whisper in his ear. The music she had heard stopped and the man whispered "Stay, my love. Stay Sarah."
Sarah woke up with a start and tried to settle her panicked breathing.
"Hey, we're here." Noted a voice from next to her. She took a moment to remember her surroundings and saw the worried face of her friend. "If those dreams are that bad then you need to talk to someone about them." She concluded as she helped her friend carry her gifts to the front door. Just as Andi was about to leave, she spun around and hugged her friend tightly. "You would let me know if something was wrong wouldn't you? You know how I worry about you." When she let go, Sarah smiled encouragingly and waved her off before entering the house and heading for her room.
Sarah was shocked when she entered her room to see on her bed.
"Sir Didymus!" she sighed at the sight of her old friend.
"My lady, greetings and congratulations at this most joyous of occasions." Replied the fox. He shifted off of the bed and bowed before resuming his place. " Sirs Hoggle and Ludo send their deep apologies at their absence, troubles within the Labyrinth have diverted their attention but have assured me that they will return with me when times are easier and we shall celebrate accordingly." Sarah's heart swelled at the mention of her old friends but a stab of fear hit her when she heard of trouble, knowing that the old fox would not reveal more she simply asked
"So what has happened since I left the Labyrinth?" At this his eyes lit up and began to recount tales endless tales whilst Sarah settled on her bed before she succumbed to sleep.
Didymus, upon noticing her slumber, slipped back through the portal in her mirror. Ambrosius was waiting for Didymus.
"Hello dear companion, the Lady Sarah is in good health, but we must away now. These lands must be sate for her return and laziness on our part will not do." He declared, before leading them into the night.
Jareth soared through the night air, enjoying the feeling of relief it brought him. He settled in his usual spot and began to transform back to his human state; he conjured a crystal that allowed him to enter the house. When he fully materialised he heard a small giggle from behind him.
"You should be sleeping young one." He whispered to the young boy and conjured another crystal and played with it for a while at the amusement of the child. He turned to leave and Toby began to cry. " Soon you shall be home, then you can unleash your magic and achieve your true potential." He then left the room.
Walking down the hallway he stared passed an open door and watched his future queen sleep. Scanning what he could of her room, he noticed his gift still inside its box why do you still reject me Precious? He sighed inwardly. Seeing that she looked cold he flicked his hand and a blanket in the corner of the room unfolded and wrapped itself around her. He prepared to leave when he heard his name escape her lips, A most delightful sound he thought before disappearing into the night.