Return to Labyrinth
iii
Jareth stood tall and stern before his prized throne. His hands were firmly clasped before him. He had expertly carved his expression into an infallible mask. Bored, impatient, angry, was all that they were required to think. Anything beyond that would come at a later time. He had it all planned out. Thus far, his plan was met with success.
Ambrosius came to a sudden halt at the sight of the Goblin King standing, his arms folded and scowling. The abrupt loss of speed sent Sir Didymus flailing wildly for control. An uncouth shriek escaped, ruining his lordly composure. Ludo lumbered in last, oblivious to the atmosphere and Sir Didymus' clear discontent.
"It's about time," Jareth called sternly. "You know very well how I feel about tardiness."
Sir Didymus took a deep breath as he prepared to verbally tear the king to shreds. Ludo, thankfully, intervened in his slow, but pleasant enough voice.
"Why?" he asked, and was allowed no more for Jareth interjected.
"That infernal brat, Toby, is here," he announced. "He is unwelcome in my labyrinth. I suggest that if either of you were to meet him, you would kindly show him back to the beginning."
"Young master Toby?" Sir Didymus exclaimed. "Can it be? You mean the Lady Sarah's younger sibling? What reason hath he for coming here?"
Jareth bared his teeth a little. "That, fox, is none of your concern. I have set you a task, and I suggest that you keep to it. Otherwise, you and your mutt might come to regret living so near the Bog of Eternal Stench."
Sir Didymus snarled. He hopped lithely from Ambrosius' saddle and sauntered up to the Goblin King angrily. In the many years that had intervened since her time in the labyrinth, many questions had been raised. Most were unanswered. The mysterious re-appearance of Toby seemed set to prove what they all had thought. He would be damned if he didn't get those answers – and soon!
Jareth spoke before the fox could begin his rampage. "That is not all, fox. I have one more quest for you. If completed, you may find that our young intruder isn't all that he appears. You have questions, fox. I have answers. All that is left is for Toby to take the blame that is rightfully his."
Ludo cocked his head to the side. "Blame… Toby…"
"Yes, yes," Jareth waved the statement aside. "That is exactly as I said. Now, do you and the mutt want your answers or not? Because if you do – and I sincerely believe that you mangy bunch do – then I suggest that you get to it. The sooner that Toby fails in this quest, the sooner your concerns will be put to rest!"
Ludo lumbered gracelessly from side to side. A confused twinkle shone in his kindly eyes. Jareth almost softened. It was clear why Sarah had taken such an interest in the lummox. The scenario played over in his mind. He was enraptured by it, by the immediacy in which he understood her course of action, and thus was very nearly deaf to the mongrel's whinging.
"… trust you?" Sir Didymus exclaimed. "You have proven a vile king. What truth, prithee tell, can be depended on thee?"
A growl reverberated in the back of Jareth's throat. His scowl deepened. How he wished that the mongrel and his pitiful excuse for a steed would be as obliging as his goblins. It would make his life exceedingly easier. He took great pride in that imagined world. One day, he mused wishfully, someone very kind would come along and grant his wishes, even if only for a day.
His steely mismatched eyes fixed on Sir Didymus. "Because only I can give you what you want. Deep down, mongrel, I think you know that."
Sir Didymus gritted his teeth. He kept his glare fixed firmly on the Goblin King as he called Ambrosius over and mounted his diminutive saddle. He called out to Ludo to follow as Ambrosius lumbered gracelessly from the throne room. The sound of his muttering continued long after he had gone from sight.
Jareth was still standing in front of his throne when silence returned. His castle was once more home only to Sarah and him. A warm feeling spread throughout his chest. He was more than content with that turn of affairs. However, he was plagued with a single thought. How exactly did Sarah and Sir Didymus forge a friendship? He was loud, brash, reckless and all-together a nuisance. His Sarah was kind, warm, and very generous with her time, yes, but it still seemed an odd thing to him.
He almost shrugged when the clock struck. His eyes fell upon it with a merciless glare. Such time had passed already, but he had barely spent any time with his Sarah at all! A low growl echoed in the back of his throat. It would take a great deal of strength for him to walk away from his most precious treasure. A smirk spread across his face. He would walk away, as he had to, but it could wait.
Jareth turned back to his secret chamber. As the door opened he allowed one final grim thought to possess him. What of her actions? His scheming had taken a lot of time, effort, generosity and patience. Thus, he was running considerably short at present. His infallible plan was suspect to change at any and all given moment and all because of one element that he wasn't entirely sure he wanted playing his game. A slap was most certainly coming his way, but as for anything else, he wasn't at all sure, and he didn't at all like that.
As soon as Sarah laid eyes on him her hands were up in the air, begging to be held. The fearsome and terrifying Goblin King smiled kindly upon her. He was all too willing to oblige and she quickly nestled comfortably against his shoulder. The gentle little puffs of her breath against his neck were soothing. Memories of a better, happier time were suddenly running rampant. He pinched the bridge of his nose. He was so close. He couldn't let his hopes get up; couldn't take the chance that it wouldn't all be snatched away.
As painful as it was, he buried the memories deep down. It would hurt far more if he let them be. He gave Sarah's right hand a small squeeze for re-assurance – his own re-assurance. He didn't want to let her go. Why should he? He loved her. He would give everything to her. The same grim expression from earlier spread slowly across his face, and he loathed himself for it.
This pawn, this possibly unwanted piece, this little element that could change every single rule in his game, was burrowing its way into his mind. Right through, it went, despite the many barriers he put up against it, to the very heart of his thoughts. Go back, his mind whispered, go back and change the rules. And he was sorely tempted to do so too.
He held the tiny Sarah away from him. His gentle eyes stared straight into her orbs of absolute blue. A soft smile tugged at the edges of his lips.
"Tell me, Sarah," he cooed gently. "What do you think of this? Have I been too… generous?"
Author's Note: This chapter is decidedly shorter. I'm fully aware of that. It's not something that I'm proud of, but I am falling ever deeper in love with this fan-fiction. Oh, it's so soon but I don't this to end! My head is bursting with ideas about the double sequel, third instalment and double final! Oh, and those other two series that I have planned just won't leave me alone either! How dreadfully infuriating my mind can be!