DISCLAIMER: If it's a character, setting, idea, theme, dialog, etc from "Labyrinth", it's (c) Henson, Lucas, Froud, Lee, Bowie, Connelly, etc, and does not belong to any of the authors. The goblin with the washcloth hat belongs to / is hawthorne-cat.
This is a collaboration with spike30 on deviantArt. I wrote the intro and for the Interviewer. He wrote for the Goblin King. Each of us wrote some of the in-between description / narration. I did some editing for smoothness.
Please see A/N after for general info.
During the King's answer, entreating the interviewer's mind to open and restore those precious memories, neither King nor interviewer notices the goblin slipping through to follow the Lady to her purse. The clever and ever-loyal goblin sketches swiftly, and records the interviewer's facial expressions.
The interviewer reaches her bag and retrieves the aspirin just before the Goblin King starts his question. She manages to swallow a dose during his pause, but remains lost in thought as his words attempt to clear a path through the hedge that has separated part of her history from her own knowledge.
Her facial expression is a plea for him to continue… keep looking for me; keep calling me by name; that is my name… please help me come back; I don't know where I am; help me, Jareth
As the King says "fighting to help her get it back," the interviewer returns to his view. He controls his relief and focuses his attention even more sharply on her. His gaze states his intention of never losing sight of her again, and so he sees everything on her face, in those familiar eyes. The "very clever light scheme" no longer matters. Whether his loyal goblin scribe fiddled with the knobs and switches, or the fact of the tears not quite released from the Lady's eyes fractured the shadows, or something else, Jareth can finally see his Sarah on the other side of the mirror.
And she still doesn't know him.
Interviewer - *a deep breath* Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty. Yes, I have read some of this Queen. Oddly enough, out of the most ancient stories that are definitely about you, nearly all of them mention your Queen. Some call her Lady, or Champion, or use other titles, but there are no pictures, no descriptions of her. Enough legends have told of your appearance that generations have drawn you, but nobody has attempted to catch her likeness… or there are simply no surviving attempts. Now I wonder if you have chosen to preserve those pictures yourself.
Her head aches, threatening to split inside, and she wonders why pain-relievers don't work instantly. Her heart races, but in a wonderful way; it's a sensation that she would like to dwell on, but the situation renders that impossible. As she continues her response, she hears again his words echoing through her mind, as though seeking an opening.
Interviewer – For one who can re-order time, I would imagine that finding her initially at "the wrong time" would be… hmmm… frustrating is probably the mildest reaction. Perhaps those basic facts about her own history are why I enjoyed finding that book; I'm sure that you know my family situation. My brother, actually my half-brother, is much younger than I, and I certainly used to characterize my step-mother in such an "unfair" way, if you'll forgive the use of that word.
She swallows a lump of emptiness in her throat, and takes another deep breath. She feels calmer inside, and hopes that the remedy is kicking in.
Interviewer – Knowing that you understand the value and necessity of undertaking a search in the right way, and using specific words, what advice could you offer me? I know that there's something I'm supposed to find or figure out in my own life; the search led me to spend just over a year investigating the legends around you and your realm, but now that we're talking, I don't know where to go next. Please help me, Jareth.
The undertones of her last sentence send ripples throughout all of arcane existence, as, for only a thin space of time, her eyes meet his in full recollection. The King gives this instant his full attention, and saddens as that moment of clarity departs from his Lady's eyes.
Jareth pauses for thought, lost in the agony of the moment that had just been lost, yet still searching for a way to push her closer and to bring her back: If only I could hold her once more, touch her cheek, and tell her that everything is going to be alright. If only there was a way to bridge the gap between us and bring her back.
Then it hits him. While considering her words closely, he sees, at last, a true opening.
GK – There is a way I can help you find what it is you are looking for. I know where you will find the next piece of your puzzle. I know where you need to look next, and I alone can help you find it. So tell me, Sarah, do you truly wish for me to help like you say you do?
A/N: please see my profile for links to spike30 and hawthorne-cat.
As always, please comment and help me spot typos, etc. Reviews and comments are more than welcome!
And for those of you who also read my stories on dA: Yes, I'm splitting the chapters somewhat differently here.
