The oubliette was dark and dirty and yet, like everything else in the labyrinth, had glitter infused in the walls. The contrast would have made Sarah laugh if she weren't being held prisoner. She paced three feet to the left and then three feet to the right. It was as far as her chain would allow her to roam. She took in a lungful of air and then released it loudly. She had already kicked stones around, looked for the cleaners, and cursing the Goblin King with very colorful language (she was a high school teacher, after all).

It had been hours since Jareth had locked her up, and she wasn't angry anymore. Just bored. Mind-numbingly bored. She hoped her friends would find her soon.

Tugging slightly at her chain, Sarah thought back to Jareth's exact words. Maybe there was some way she would be able to free herself. There had to be…

He and Sarah had appeared above the trap door to the oubliette. He enjoyed watching her try to keep her composure as she fell. He landed gracefully as she, yet again, landed hard on her bottom. I am going to have a bruise on my ass for a week.

"Stand over by that wall." Jareth said sternly. When Sarah did not move fast enough, he flicked his wrist.

To Sarah it felt as if a strong wind was pushing her to the grimy wall. She tried to step forward and resist, but the force was stronger than her.

"Look there." Sarah looked down at an assortment of chains and shackles attached to the wall and floor. "Those are forever locks. Once they are placed on someone, they cannot be opened unless the person who placed them allows it. And that person," He motioned towards the shackles, "is me."

One of them opened like a mouth and began to move towards Sarah. It moved in a winding, snake-like motion, making scraping and rattling sounds. I closed shut with a clack around her ankle. As soon as it did, the push Sarah felt released her. Unbalanced by the counter pressure, she began to fall. Jareth instinctively caught her.

For a brief moment she saw that his eyes had softened and his eyebrows had knitted. Had he been worried about her?

Just as soon as he caught her, he dropped her as if she burned him. She fell onto her hands and knees hard, but not as hard as she would have if he hadn't held her for that second.

The Goblin King brushed his hands off on his jacket, regaining his composure.

"Sarah, Sarah, Sarah," Jareth tsked. "Look at you now. The champion of the labyrinth finally belongs to me."

Where he had been tense and commanding before, he was now triumphant, even gleeful. He came close to her and knelt down so that their noses almost touched. Once again, he held his riding crop under her chin so that she had to meet his eyes.

"I have waited a long time for this."

"So everyone understands?" Hoggle looked at Sir Didymus and Ludo.

Ludo nodded his head. "No."

Sir Didumus jumped up, brandishing his spear, "Yes! We must save the fair Lady Sarah in a heroic act of treason!"

"Yeah yeah," Hoggle hissed quietly, "but keep your voice down. She will be in one of the oubliettes…at least I's think that's what she was tellin' us. The labyrinth is full of 'em. We'll cover more ground if we split up."

"An excellent strategy, Sir Hoggle!"

"Shh!" Ludo put a harry claw to his mouth.

"Ah, yes," Sir Didymus now whispered, "let's be off, then."

All goblins in the castle were celebrating. Pints of beer were passed, stolen, and spilled. Shouts were heard down every hallway. Even a very drunk and very large goblin was singing badly, "You remind me of the babe!"

Their king was happy, and when he was happy they received more food, beer, and could move freely without the fear of his wrath.

Jareth flew open the doors to the throne room, finishing a lyric that fat goblin had started, "I saw my baby cry as hard as babe could cry! What could I do?"

Goblins laughed and cackled as their king danced and twirled around. He was in a pale purple outfit with white leggings and a long white cape that almost dusted the floor as he moved. He was holding a silver cane topped with a crystal. Every so often he would toss it from his left to right hand then back again.

A small wrinkly goblin was so at easy that he leapt onto the throne. "So, sir, are you going to turn her into a goblin?"

Everything stopped.

The music, the singing, and the drinking.

Jareth spun on his heal, causing his cape to swirl around him dramatically. He glared at the goblin for a minute before picking him up by his leather vest. Everyone watched.

And then their king threw his head back and laughed a hearty laugh. It was a long and full laugh, one they hadn't heard from him since that girl had defeated him. The goblin in his hands began to giggle, and soon every goblin was laughing too.

He raised his head again tapping the goblin with his cane in a good-natured way. "No, my little subject. No. I have grander plans for that one."

"Helllooo? Hellooo? Are ya down there m'dear?" A elderly female voice broke the silence on the dungeon.

Sarah jerked awake. She was unsure of when (or how) she had nodded off.

"Helloo…oh!"

Sarah was a sight to see. Her hair was disheveled, her clothing was covered in dirt and dust, and the small trail of drool that had formed while she slept had also collected some dust. Yet, when she saw the old, wrinkled goblin she smiled.

"Well…there you are m'dear. Would you like your din-din?" She held a covered tray towards the prisoner.

"Why yes, thank you." Sarah took the tray eagerly. She took the lid off and offered it back to the goblin. A wave of smells hit her nose at once and she realized how hungry she was. Before her was a full meal: roasted chicken, herb potatoes, a small salad with bright pink berries in it, and something that looked like a pastry crossed with a lollipop. The goblin took the tray and left a goblet of something red on the ground next to Sarah.

With a mouth full of food she thanked the goblin again. "Oh, and what's your name?"

"Helennetria, m'dear, but everyone just says Helen, so you can too. Helen."

"Helen, it is a pleasure to meet you." Sarah carefully wiped her hand on the napkin that had been provided and then offered it to her new friend. They shook hands, both smiling.

"I know you have already been so kind, Helen, but do you think I could have a book to read? I am just so bored down here."

"Oh, of course, of course, m'dear. King Jareth has said to give you whatever you desire."

Sarah, who had been listening while chewing on a potato, stopped eating. "He did?"

"Oh yes. Is there anything else I can bring you?"

Sarah thought for a second. "Perhaps a pillow and blanket? I am not comfortable on the ground."

"Of course! I'll be right back with those. I'll take your tray and cup when I return." Helen had a waddle to her walk, but she moved at a surprising pace. At her last word, she was already on her way through the tunnel to an unseen ladder.

She left Sarah alone again, wondering about her captor and his odd behavior.