Chapter 3, In Which Sarah Enters the Labyrinth and an Escape is Foiled
Sarah looked at Hoggle, who in turn was looking at the necklace that had formed itself around the young woman's neck. "Hoggle?" The dwarf looked into her eye's belatedly. "What does this mean?"
"Uh, nothing." His voice stuttered at the end, like it did when ever he was nervous.
Sarah quirked an eyebrow. "Fine, keep your secrets. Instead of telling me what I want to know how about you help me get inside the Labyrinth again?" She stood to her full height and looked down at her friend.
Hoggle shuffled his feet nervously. "Not to be rude or anything, but why would you want to go back in? If he is threatening Toby I'll strangle the rat." His face contorted in such a way that he looked nearly ready to actually do good on his word.
The human smiled at her friend's protectiveness of her brother. "No he's not threatening Toby. I just want him to explain what is going on and have him remove this necklace." Her eyes lit up as she thought of another argument that would sway Hoggle to her side. "Besides I haven't gotten to see Ludo, Sir Didymus, and you for several months. I miss all of you and this would be a great time to be in each others company."
Hoggle shifted around, debating with himself. Yes he had been ordered to help Sarah get to the Castle and she had some good reason's for going, but he would be delivering her right into the hands of the Rat King. "Alright then. I'll help you get through the Labyrinth, on one condition." Sarah nodded. "When you sees Jareth get him to take the necklace off and then immediately wish yourself home."
"Alright Hoggle."
The dwarf smiled. "Thank you Sarah, after all I wouldn't want anything bad to happen to my first friend. Now let's get to the castle before the rat comes and pays us a visit shall we." Hoggle moved toward the part of the wall where the door was located. Before he could move very far he was stopped by a hand on his shoulder.
"Thank you, you really are a wonderful friend." Sarah released her friend, watching him blush a deep red. Hoggle continued his march over to the Labyrinth wall, which sensed his approach and opened the doors for its keeper. The two friends walked through and into the first challenge of the maze.
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Toby pelted toward the doors. Ten feet, five feet, one foot, and a gloved hand grabbed the back of his shirt. "Where exactly do you think you're going?" The cool voice of the Goblin King came from behind the boy. Toby turned as best he could and crossed his arms, glaring at the fey.
"I'm going to find my sister." He decided to continue before his captor got a chance to speak. "Why don't you just throw me in an obliet? I wouldn't be able to escape then and isn't that what you do to people?"
Jareth laughed quietly. "I can't have any harm coming to my Queen's brother now can I?" He knelt down so that he was at the same height as the boy. "She would be angry with me and I don't particularly like when Sarah is mad at me. That frame of mind from her has ended up destroying part of my castle before after all."
Toby's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean? Sarah isn't your queen."
The Goblin King ruffled the boy's sandy hair with one gloved hand. "She is my Queen in everything but official title. After all who else could defeat me at my own game and in my kingdom?" Jareth had to smile as comprehension dawned on the boy's face. Toby's dark blue orbs went from being slits to the size of dinner plates in a matter of moments. His jaw went slightly slack and he shook himself to see if he was actually awake.
"You mean the story is true?" His voice came out quiet, afraid.
Jareth tilted his head. "Which part of the story, because all of it happened not to long ago to our dear Sarah." His grin got wider.
"'But what nobody knew was that the King of the Goblins had fallen in love with the girl and he had given her certain powers.' Sarah never mentioned that to be part of her adventures before." Toby looked the Goblin King strait in the eye, waiting for the truth.
Said king continued to grin. "She did not know that I was in love with her when she first came. Now it is time for her to stay here, I did let her go out of my devotion for her." Jareth stood to his full height. "I have brought you a gift." On his palm appeared a crystal, which he handed to the young boy. "Simpy say Sarah's name and it will show you what she is doing. Now come, let us get you settled in."
