Chapter Seven: Ludo

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own Labyrinth, or any of its characters. *sniff*

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She was in the Enchanted Forest; she recognized it at once. The sparkling trees, the untrod paths, the strange bird-calls echoing through the air. Yes, she remembered this place from long ago. Yet, despite its familiarity, Sarah sensed that something was different. The general feel of the place seemed a bit darker, more heated. Sarah started to walk down one of the paths, not really knowing where she was going. She just got the sudden feeling that she should keep moving. Not paying attention to what she was doing, Sarah tripped over an exposed tree root and went sprawling on the forest floor.

Sarah groaned and heaved herself up. She knew she should feel some sort of pain, but she felt none. That was when she realized she was dreaming. Of course, how else would she suddenly appear in the Enchanted Forest? She had been at Jareth's castle before. Sarah got a bad feeling. All her other more recent dreams had been nightmares; why would this one be any different?

Taking an expectant breath, Sarah continued walking. What else could she do? As she walked furthur, the landscape darkened, swiftly becoming cooler. A sense of dread filled Sarah, but she continued to walk. Soon, she heard a familiar sound. It was a mix between a cry, and a growl. Sarah instantly recognized it--Ludo! Sarah ran towards the sound. She came to a small clearing, where Ludo was tied up, just as he had been when she had first met him. Except this time, it wasn't goblins that attacked him. It was something far worse.

Sarah saw the now-familiar shadow looming over even the immense Ludo. Frozen in fear, Sarah watched the horrifying spectacle. Ludo cried out, attempting to call his friends, the rocks. Several nearby stones rolled towards him. They were magically lifted off the ground and hurled towards the shadow. But they were immediately stopped in midair by some force emanating from the shadow.

Conquering her fear, Sarah leapt up from her hiding place, and lunged towards the shadowy being. That cold wind enveloped her once again and she swooned.

"Sawah...!" she heard Ludo call right before the darkness enveloped her, hiding everything from view.

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Sarah awoke in the same room, on the same velvet couch, though this time Jareth was missing from the decor. She shivered slightly, though she was drenched in sweat. That dream couldn't have been real...but she now knew the truth. Ludo was dead, and with him Sir Didymus and Ambrosious. Burying her face in her hands, Sarah let out a sob. Why was this happening?! All her friends were being taken from her forever. And who was this shadow, this menace that was destroying her life?! Jareth had told her the name..Mandos, the Grim Reaper...But what did this creature want from her? Even Jareth didn't seem to know. Wracked with sobs, Sarah continued to weep, her body shaking, and her head buried in her arms.

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Jareth gazed at the crystal. The creature Ludo was dead; Mandos had destroyed it. Jareth couldn't help but notice the connection between the two recent deaths. Both beings had been close friends with Sarah when she had first traveled the Labyrinth; both had helped her on her way. But Jareth didn't know why they were being attacked. Why was this Creature of Night stalking his love? Was it all a plot of vengeance on Jareth? Jareth just didn't know! Throwing the crystal angrily across the room, he watched it shatter into a million pieces. Letting out a growl of rage, Jareth left the room.

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