Chapter 6

Thanks for the reviews so far, I really appreciate them!

Mostly Sarah and Tabby in this chapter

Disclaimer: really? you should know this by now...

Sarah stopped short in the entrance to the throne room, half hidden in shadows, watching with amusement the scene playing out before her. Tabby had awoken, and was standing off to the side staring at an intrigued looking chicken. The goblins Sarah had left to watch over her had formed a loose semi circle behind Tabby.

"Good, good," crowed Idgit, nodding. "Now this here one's a bit more diff'cult, cause she's use to it." Tabby, still staring down the chicken, nodded. "Take a run straight at her," he continued, "and don't stop."

"Helps if ya wave yer arms about," Bleug added, flailing his arms.

"An scream a tad louder iffin ya can," said Org, patting her gently on the top of her head.

"Okay, here I go!" Tabby said with a grin. She took off running towards the chicken, waving her arms wildly and screaming like a banshee. The chicken appeared slightly puzzled and took a few steps back before raising its wings and charging at the girl, clucking ferociously. The goblins cheered the girl on, clapping their hands and jumping excitedly.

"Faster, faster!"

"You can scream louder 'an that!"

"Don't stop, keep goin'! "

Sarah stood hidden, grinning, when the girl and the chicken both came to a screeching halt mere inches from each other. Tabby stood breathing heavily, arms held crazily above her head, looking down at her opponent whose wings remained raised and was cocking its head back and forth, looking up at her. The goblins stood by utterly speechless. Then Bleug let out a chuckle and the spell was broken. The chicken gave a flap of its wings and a loud cluck, Tabby turned quickly on her heel, and the room broke out in laughter as the girl was chased around the room.

Sarah stepped into the room, wiping her eyes, and watching as Tabby and the chicken continued to make laps around the room. The goblins were completely useless at the moment, rolling around on the floor gasping for breath in between their bursts of laughter. She walked over to Seaf, still sitting on the window ledge.

"You were to let me know when she awoke" Sarah admonished lightly.

"Girly was too entertaining to leave," Seaf replied with a shrug and slight grin.

"Do you suppose she needs help? She seems to be slowing down," Sarah asked with a grin, glancing at Seaf and then back at the still running child. With a flick of her wrist the chicken disappeared. It took Tabby a moment to realize that her tormenter was gone. She slowly came to a stop beside the recuperating goblins and flopped down next to Idgit.

"Whew," she said, trying to catch her breath, "You were right, that one was more diff'cult."

"You did real good kid," he replied with a lopsided grin, patting her on the back.

"Yeah, good fer a first timer!" chimed in Bleug, nodding emphatically.

"Takes years 'a practice fer some," added Org.

Tabby smiled around at each of them before noticing Sarah on the other side of the room. "Who's that?" she asked, pointing to Sarah. The goblins looked up, noticing Sarah for the first time.

"Oh, that's Sarah," nodded Org, rising to his feet before hauling Tabby to hers.

"Queen Sarah," corrected Idgit, getting up.

"Yep," chimed in Bleug.

The goblin trio trotted happily over towards Sarah and Seaf, Tabby following shyly behind them. They recounted the successful chicken runs that she had completed before her eventual defeat just moments before. Sarah listened in amusement, stopping to ask a question here and there, all the while watching Tabby as she tried to hide behind Idgit.

"Well, Tabitha, it sounds like you've been having a good time so far," Sarah said softly, addressing her with a smile. The girl peered out from behind Idgit and nodded. "Am I truly so frightening? I see no reason for you to hide from me," Sarah said gently, kneeling down on the stone floor. She rested an elbow on her raised knee and rested her chin in her hand, smiling warmly. Tabby stepped out from behind Idgit and stood in front of her. "Much better," Sarah whispered.

"Are you really a queen?" Tabby asked, looking her up and down.

"Indeed I am," Sarah replied.

"You don't look like a queen," Tabby said with a slight frown. The goblins behind her let out a gasp and looked toward their queen.

"And what is a queen suppose to look like?" Sarah asked pleasantly.

"I dunno…you don't have a crown…and your hairs down…and you don't have any jewels." Tabby replied, looking thoughtful.

"Ah, well I would hate to disappoint you," Sarah chuckled. She brought up her other hand and produced a crystal as Tabby watched in amazement. She rolled it over and across her hand before letting it rest on a single finger tip, and extended it gently to Tabby. "Here, take this," she said. Tabby gently picked up the crystal.

"What is it?" Tabby asked in awe.

"A crystal, nothing more," Sarah replied. "Think about what a queen should look like, what you think one should look like." Tabby nodded, then holding the crystal in both hands brought it close to her face and screwed her eyes shut, thinking hard.

"Okay!" she exclaimed, opening her eyes and giving a little jump. Sarah took the crystal and stood up.

"Well then," she said, addressing the curious goblins, "Let's see what a queen should look like." With that she gently tossed the crystal above her. It floated down slowly and landed softly on the top of Sarah's head, where it burst into an explosion of glitter, raining down over her. Tabby began to giggle happily, clapping and jumping up and down, while the goblins stared slack jawed. Seaf merely smirked and shrugged his shoulders. Sarah flicked her fingers and a portion of the wall became a mirror.

Her hair was controlled chaos. It was mass of braids and teased curls, suspended somehow around her head. The light filtering through from behind created a softly glowing halo effect. The petite gold crown sat at a jaunty, gravity defying angle. Her neck was covered in strands of shimmering crystals, as were both wrists. The bodice of her white dress skimmed form fitting down to her hips, before flaring out into layers of soft silk and lace. Small off the shoulder puff sleeves ended in lacey layers.

Sarah turned to see the back of the dress and stopped short. She glanced at the beaming girl before gathering up her skirt and peering at her feet. They were bare.

"Do all the queens where you come from walk around barefoot?" she asked Tabby, raising a brow.

"Well, you never really see their feet, so I skipped that part."

"I see," Sarah replied with a grin. She clicked her heels together twice and a pair of delicate white slippers appeared on her feet. Sarah smoothed the dress back into place. "Not bad Tabitha," she said giving a little twirl in front of the mirror. "A little more…elaborate…than my usual attire…but not bad."

"You look so pretty!" Tabby squealed happily, the goblins nodding in agreement. Sarah stood and regarded the girl, tapping her forefinger against her bottom lip. Tabby blinked. "What's wrong?"

"This will never do," Sarah replied with a sigh.

"What?" Tabby asked with a puzzled look.

"Here I am in such a charming dress, while you stand there in a night gown. No, it won't do," Sarah continued, shaking her head and producing a pair of gloves. She slipped them on, smoothing them over her fingers as she contemplated the girl. She nodded once, produced a crystal and tossed it gently at Tabby.

When the glitter cleared Tabby stared wide eyed into the mirror. Her hair was a mass of curls pulled back with flowers and ribbons. She wore a shimmery fluffy pink dress that ended mid calf, small cap sleeves, and a pair of study pink flats. A delicate chain hung around her neck and from it suspended a small flawless crystal ball.

Tabby wheeled around and hugged Sarah tightly around the waist. "It's perfect! Thank you!" she exclaimed, before turning to twirl in front of her goblin friends.

Sarah stood back and watched as the trio ooh'd and aah'd over the bubbling girl.

"Girly looks like princess," Seaf said with a small nod and smiled.

"They're amusing creatures at this age," Sarah replied.

"They like her," he stated, watching as the trio began to spin along with Tabby in front of the mirror. She nodded in agreement.

"And you?" she asked, glancing towards him.

"Girly amuses Seaf." He answered with a wide grin.

"She amuses me too. Perhaps we'll keep this one for ourselves," Sarah said softly. "How is our runner doing?"

Seaf returned his attention to the crystal still cradled in his hands. "Runner almost to first test," he replied.

"Really?" She asked in surprise. "He was just leaving the worm last I checked."

"Heard girly scream…ran fast," He replied with a shrug.

"Indeed," she murmured.

Tabby ran back to Sarah giggling, the goblins lay dizzily on the floor making unsuccessful attempts to get back on their feet.

"Can we have a tea party? That's what Queens do; they have lots and lots of tea parties!" Tabby asked excitedly, throwing her hands into the air.

"Why, that sounds like an excellent suggestion, my dear Tabitha," Sarah exclaimed with a smile. "Idgit, Bleug, Org," she said with a clap of her hands. "Would you kindly escort Miss Tabitha to the courtyard? We have a tea party to attend." She quietly ushered them to the door. "I'll be right along; I have something to see to at the moment." She smiled and waved them off before returning to Seaf.

"Keep and eye on them please Seaf, I'll be back shortly." Sarah transformed in mid stride and soared out the window and over the labyrinth. Seaf watched until she disappeared from view. He placed the crystal gently in the small bag tied to his belt and jumped down from his perch, off to carry out his orders.

woo hoo! Jareth's challenge next chapter! The blue worm from the last chapter made me think of tea parties...hence the tea party.

Trivia about the goblins - when I started writing this, I had no clue what to name them...how do you come up with a goblin name? not a clue. so I started thinking of what color they were and that's where the names came from.

Seaf - sea foam green

Org - orange

Bleug - blue green

Idgit - indigo

so yay. now you know. :-) critiques and reviews welcomed!