Dear One...Dear One...Come back to me.
I opened my eyes only to realize I must still be dreaming. Everything around me was a light grey as I sat cross-legged on a soft ground.
You must prepare the way.
"How?" I asked a loud.
You must face the Queen who poisons my land with her fear.
"How?" I asked again.
Come back to me and I will not leave your side as long as you are in my land.
"I don't know if I am strong enough. I'm just a human from the Aboveground." I sighed, looking down.
Dear One...You are so much more...Strength is knowing there is something worth protecting. Someone.
Her words struck me and I felt tears collecting in my eyes.
You have great strength indeed.
"I'm coming." I promised, feeling myself jolt awake.
Scrambling out of the bed I found myself in I blindly ran from the room and down the hallways, not even sure where I was going. Eventually the halls dumped me into a large entrance of sorts and I stopped, my bare feet cold against the stone. The darkness was only barely pierced by torches and it created an eerie effect on the towering room. Out of breath I looked around, if I was truly going crazy I was starting to care about it less.
Strength is knowing there is something worth protecting. Someone. He had something big he needed to protect. A few things, actually.
"Toby?" Sarah's voice made me turn around.
She was standing in the opening of one of the hallways, a concerned look on her face. I took three large strides over to her and pulled her into a tight hug, my height matching hers despite our age difference. She returned the hug after a moment of shock and I leaned my head against hers.
"I always bragged about you, when I was a kid. About my really cool sister my parents said went off chasing all her big dreams." I admitted quietly, listening to her let out a breathy laugh.
"I tried writing to you, but I wasn't sure what to say. I didn't want to string you along and I couldn't promise visits when the kingdom was still recovering from an unsettling war." Sarah sighed. "Every time I saw you through the crystal, you grew up so fast and you seemed happy. You had friends and normal stress and family. You were becoming your own person. I didn't know how to approach that."
"When I was ten I started writing you letters every day until mom said there was no way we could send them. I got so angry I wanted to rip them up but mom had put them up and we never found them again." I released her from my hug only to see a guilty smile appear on her face.
"I know, I happened to check up on you and I saw them stacked on your dresser. I saw they were addressed to me and I couldn't help it. I sent a Goblin to pick them up." She admitted and I could feel my face flushing.
"They were really stupid and pointless. I remember sitting for hours trying to think of anything to put down in writing." I muttered.
"They were wonderful. At least one of us was really trying to reach out. I thought maybe I could respond to them, in a little letter or a card. But then I saw how much mom's words had upset you and I chickened out. Every year I've thought about sending you a birthday present but I had no idea what you liked or needed. It's not like I could be one of those dorky sisters who sent you school supplies or something. I wrote to dad sometimes, telling him how much I missed you all but tried to check up on you when I could." Sarah rambled, it was like we both had so much to say, that we had wanted to say, but never had until now.
"I can't stay here." I finally said. "Here, in the Goblin Kingdom, I mean. She needs me to come back now."
"I know I should be completely understanding, having been in a similar place before, but I'm also a big sister." Sarah sighed, smiling her guilty smile again.
"I've got something that needs me, people who are important to me. I guess I'm growing up too." I gave her a small smile and kissed her forehead.
"I'm putting a lot of trust in the East. I hope she knows that." Sarah giggled. "If you ever need the West, you have it."
"Thank you." I smiled, taking her hands in mine.
"Jareth is only upset because he cares. He knows how much you mean to me and in a way to him. You were right there with him during the first time you were here and he's watched over you just as I have. You're a piece of his family too. He doesn't want to see either of us hurt." Sarah added and I nodded.
"I need to go." I released one of her hands and she clamped both of hers around my remaining hand.
"It's still dark, you've slept all day. Could you not wait until morning?" She asked.
"I can't." I whispered, feeling the words deep in my chest.
"I understand." She sighed, surveying my face once more before releasing my hand. "Our parents would be proud of you."
"They have always been proud of you." I touched her shoulder and then turned to see the Labyrinth already standing at the entrance.
"I believe I am needed to escort you back towards your journey and your transportation." He smiled. "The East can be very restless when she wants to be."
"She has good reason to be." Jareth appeared behind Sarah, stepping to be beside her.
Instead of saying anything I held out my hand to him which he shook, nodding seriously although his eyes had a genuine smile. Sarah tried to keep a brave face but I could see her hands grip her dress and I walked over to the Labyrinth, family would have to come second today.
Kor was ready and waiting on the other side of the Labyrinth walls, freshly saddled and fed. Beside her were some fresh boots and a cloak for me. She affectionately nudged me with her head as I approached and patted her snout. Attached to the saddle was a thin rod with a lantern dangling from it. A soft blue light shone, lighting up the area around them.
"A gift from the East. It is the lantern royalty uses when it needs to pass safely through a kingdom that is not his or her own." The Labyrinth explained as he helped me into my things and then the saddle.
"But I'm not royalty." I pointed out.
"You are a Legend and the brother of Queen Sarah of Goblin Kingdom. That makes you Prince Toby of Goblin Kingdom, by right of decree by King Jareth himself. Enforced by the oath of the Labyrinth, an Ancient and Guardian of the West. You are indeed royalty." The Labyrinth nodded, saying it slowly and clearly.
I nodded, commiting the words to memory. Giving him a small smile I echoed,
"Prince Toby."
The Labyrinth smiled and nodded encouragingly before patting Kor on the neck.
"It is time to find your rider, my dear." He told her and she let out a snort before turning towards the swamp.
"Is it a jinx if we wish him the best of luck?" The hat, who had remained respectfully quiet until now, asked.
"Oh, hush." The Labyrinth chuckled fondly and turned back to his own walls.
Kor led on and I stayed silent, watching the trail ahead as it bent and snaked. Tightening my grip on the reigns, I wondered if the lantern was the only way the East was showing she was helping. As if she already knew my curiousity the trees started to shiver as I neared and bowed over me before returning to their previous stance. The message was clear:
You are safe among us.
True to their promise, I heard no disturbance as we made our way back to the familiar stretch of forest, but instead of moving closer to the Dwarf house, Kor took another trail I hadn't noticed. This must have been the way Rider had first used when he appeared. It was hard to think that was only last night.
It wasn't until even further in that I realized there was another noise in the forest. A soft padded thud was following us. Instead of nudging Kor to go faster I made sure to keep my head high. The lantern was a signal for safe passage and I was in the East, my East, safe among her trees.
"Stop there, stranger." A voice called and I tugged the reigns for Kor to halt. "You are coming before the Queen's castle?"
"I am." I replied calmly.
"On what business?"
"A personal matter with the Queen. I can say no more." I shook my head.
There was the sound of movement and then something stepped into the light, it was completely wolf-like though it stood on two legs, eyes black and feral.
"Is the Queen expecting you at this hour?" It asked.
"Before actually, but I was detained. Dwarves." I explained.
It grunted, clearly not in favor of Dwarves and accepted my short explination.
"Follow."
It returned to four legs and took the lead on the trail, Kor folling behind in a slow trot. Breathing quietly to myself I nudged for Kor to continue on and after a growl of rebellion she complied. Glancing at the trees several high branches twisted in reply and my eyes went back to the trail, the creature turning his head towards the trees as they groaned back into place.
For a moment I was tempted to laugh, the trees had groaned on purpose. Clearly the East didn't care for them and I couldn't say I blamed her.
Just as my left leg started feeling numb the Queen's castle came into view. It looked straight out of a textbook, looming and made of various stones and metal. A dark colored plant grew up the sides of the short walls, looking more for decoration than defense. Two large wooden doors opened as we passed the walls and the creature stopped so I stopped as well.
"Walk from here." It stood and turned, quickly snatching the lantern from the saddle.
Hesitant to leave Kor by herself in this area I paused but climbed down with the reassurance that Rider had said the Queen gave him pardon because of his family. Surely they wouldn't try to do anything to his Cherose.
I had to take long strides to keep up with the creature but it helped my leg wake up quickly so I didn't complain. It led me down several hallways before dumping us into a throne room so large I thought it might double as a dance hall.
"My Queen." It bowed low to a large throne, its back facing us.
Slowly the throne revolved, which I have to admit looked cool, and a young woman, not much older than mid-twenties, her black hair pulled up into an ornate design around her crown. Her storm grey eyes looked bored until she took in the sight before her, her lips tightening into a slight frown.
"Who have you brought before me, subject?" She asked.
"He says you were to be expecting him, ma'am. He had this royal lantern." The beast put the lantern down before her, her eyes flickering from it back to me.
"Name yourself, if I am to be expecting you." She demanded and before I could stop myself, I smiled.
This seemed to alarm her. She sat up and leaned forward, scrutinizing me with her gaze.
"You are still a boy. Not yet a man. Royalty? Barely." She surmised a loud. "From where did you come from?"
"The East, your majesty." I bowed my head.
"Preposterous! I am the Queen of the East. Of Dwarves and other such creatures. Few mortals stay in my land. I do not know you!" Her frown deepened.
"You misunderstand me, dear lady." I shook my head. "I do not mean this East. I have been in the Aboveground, finishing my education, you see."
"Then-" She cut herself off and snapped her fingers, a side door opening and a Dwarf being brought in my two beasts.
"Ah, High Brother Buron!" I couldn't help it, I smiled and called out jovially, surprising both Queen and Dwarf.
"You know this subject?" She asked me.
"High Brother Buron was kind enough to invite me to stay at his home but I was due to check in with my family so they knew my travels were being safely executed. A most hospitable subject you have, your majesty. If I may praise them." I smirked at the startled Dwarf.
"This...this is the boy I spoke of my lady! The one Rider so helped escape!" Buron pointed at me.
"Escape? I fear not. I had lost my steed in a rather curious incident with a troll and was wondering about. I convinced another Dwarf to help me find my way back, not aware of the law against helping strangers. When High Brother Buron and two of his fellow Dwarves appeared, the Dwarf tried to help me leave without question but I knew I could not leave letting the others think the fellow had been helping someone dangerous. Rider happened to come by and offered me a ride as far as the swamp so I could continue my journey." I silently thanked Reggie for going through her theatre phase and forcing me to learn how someone would speak in this kind of scenario.
"Is that so?" The Queen said coolly. "Subject Buron."
"Y-yes, my lady?" Buron looked elated at the sound of his name.
"Did this boy tell you his name?" The Queen turned her gaze to the Dwarf who shivered in happiness.
"Yes, my lady! He said he was called Catch." Buron nodded excitedly but his enthusiasm faded as he saw her frown reappear.
"Catch?" She glanced back at me. "Catch?"
"Yes, your majesty?" I looked questioning.
Suddenly she stood and walked down from her throne, a short three steps and paused, the end of her dress pooling at her feet.
"Fool, can you not tell a nickname from a real name?" She glanced at the Dwarf with a piercing glare that made him crouch down.
"A nickname, ma'am?" I asked.
For a second she paused and stared at me and then she snapped her fingers again.
"Bring me Rider, now." She ordered, the two beasts obeying instantly.
It was almost a relief to see Rider again, even if he was bound by chains. He looked confused at first but then smiled once he saw my overall appearance.
"Young Catch, so I see you again." Rider said happily.
"I am returning your Cherose that you traded the jacket for. Thank you for lending her to me." I smiled.
"A service I am happy to have served." Rider bowed his head.
"You know him by name Catch?" The Queen asked.
"I know him by the name he introduced himself in. I know him by no other name but Catch." Rider said honestly.
"Catch, then." Her voice took on a silky quality and suddenly there was a tug on the back of my neck, not incredibly strong but noticeable.
Rider got an alarmed look on his face but I looked at him in confusion. Suddenly it dawned on me what was happening and I looked at the storm grey eyes of the Queen as she took a few steps closer to me.
"No."
