So sorry for no updating sooner, folks, but I had to momentarily abandon the story for another. And, also, there's the upcoming birthday to plan. Hey, tomorrow's my sweet 16! Wish me happiness, wellness and all that jazz, will ya?! Kisses, and apologizes for the lack of. I'll be getting on it more now, promise.
Disclaimer: For all future disclaimers, see chapter one.
Sarah talked as she watched. A low mumbling that sometimes Jareth could pick up on and sometimes couldn't. "Blue, they could be blue," she was muttering, "But then they wouldn't really match the men, would they? Bother."
"What are you talking about?" Jareth asked irritably after a good fifteen minutes of this.
She glanced up, glaring at him. They'd been going through the same hedge maze for almost half an hour and she suspected they were going in circles, "I have a wedding to plan for." She said simply.
He gaped at her, "You're thinking about your wedding at a time like this?"
She stopped, and he stopped with her. They had put the candle away a while ago when the entered the hedges, where the sunlight had been so bright it was almost blinding, though it was still that strange tinted red. "Well," she snapped, motioning around her, "What else is there to think of? I plan on finishing this Labyrinth, going home, and getting married, thank you very much."
His stomach gave a twitch, like those you feel when you're sick, but he ignored it. Nerves. "Dionysus should be making an appearance soon."
She paused, her mouth open, obviously not expecting this as an answer. "How do you know?"
"The master of the Labyrinth always contacts the challenger at the beginning of the maze to negotiate the terms of the duel. It's the beginning still, and we'll soon be heading towards the center... he should be arriving shortly." He tugged a lock of wild blond hair, "Be on your guard."
"You seem to be saying that a lot," Sarah commented
Jareth stared at her blankly, "It's true."
Sarah opened her mouth to say something, though she wasn't sure what, when there was an odd slithering sound behind her. She shrieked and turned, hands clutching at Jareth. Jareth, meanwhile, had known who it was and was staring, calmly, at Dionysus.
"Jareth," he said silkily, "I thought you'd given up." He smiled, and it contorted his features so that it looked more painful then cheerful.
Dionysus was a round four foot, two inches, and was by far one of the thickest creatures Sarah had ever seen. He looked like a mail box, if a mail box stank and chewed a black, foul smelling thing that resembled tobacco and had so many scars that there was barely any real flesh left in it. His arms were large enough to be tree drunks, blackened with soot like the worm that they had encountered. He wore traditional leather armor and a broadsword at his side. His hair was greasy, long, and tied into a ponytail that went to the ground.
Jareth bowed his head, "Dionysus, rebel leader and new king of the goblins, I challenge your Labyrinth. State your terms."
Sarah, suddenly, felt nothing. A second ago she was clutching Jareth's arms and staring wide-eyed at the creature before her, and the next thing she knew she was staring at blackness. The sudden blindness, however, was nothing compared to the silence. It was as though someone had blindfolded her and stuffed her ears full of cotton. She could see and hear nothing. But she felt Jareth's arm under her hand, and she dug her nails into him, calling out softly, "Jareth?"
He ignored her, he was rapt on what Dionysus was saying. His breath was coming shallow by the end of it. Dionysus gave him a grin, and disappeared. Sarah came to her previous senses almost immediately afterwards, demanding to know what had happened.
"He's gained more power then I thought," Jareth said quietly, "He struck you blind and deaf, I don't know why." He knew why, though, he knew very well.
"Fine," Sarah said, a hysteric glint in her eye, "Just fine. Where do we go now Oh Mighty Goblin King?"
"Not a goblin king now, Sarah," he said, a touch of warning in his voice, "No longer." His stomach was making knots—actual knots, he had never had them before—and it was good to be distracted. He would have preferred not to be annoyed, but whatever worked, worked. He tugged his arm away from her, "Best be going, the exit's this way."
Sarah glared at his retreating form for a while, and then huffed after him, "What's got your royal panties in a twist?" She snapped as she got even with him.
Jareth ignored her. Seduce the woman that denied you. If you are successful, the way to the castle will be laid bare for you, and you may challenge me. Fail in this, you will fail the Labyrinth, and will wander until the end of your days. The fine hairs on the back of his neck stood up as Dionysus's words whispered again in his ears.
Great start, he thought as Sarah continued to sulk by his side, just blooming wonderful.
Here are my recommended reads (inspired by Amazonian21):
HorridPorrid: Good Inuyasha fanfiction, very amusing. I recommend it to anyone that's even vaguely interested in the series.
Amazonian21: Has some of the best Labyrinth fanfiction around. That I've read, that is.
Crnflkgal: I love her story "Sarah's 18th Birthday", and I recommend you read it. Now.
That's all for now. I'll read and review later.
[[CrimsonSympathy]]
