X – Eight hours left
Froud managed to traverse the hedge maze, during which time Sarah marched confidently in her new armour, the holly swaying in her pocket. She was a disturbing sight, with small cuts all over her arms, three cuts in her cheek, a burn on one arm and a ragged, torn dress. Still she persevered, undaunted be her appearance; it had never mattered much to her anyway. Froud had been a bit quiet since their last encounter with Jareth, so she tried to get him talking.
"I hope you don't mind me asking, but can you tell me more about Jareth before he became the king?"
Froud was only too happy to be of assistance, since he had cowered behind a lady earlier on.
"It's fine, you can ask all you need. A lot of rumours and tales hover around the Labyrinth about Jareth and where he came from, but most of it is rubbish; some even suggest he was a powerful goblin that took control of the kingdom. If you're like me and know enough about his fae background, there is literature to back up that when he was born his parents were astounded at his demeanour and physical appearance. Both of Jareth's parents are pale, but have very ebon hair and eyes darker that darkness itself." He shuddered. "I've only ever seen them once when I was extremely young, but I will never forget them. Anyway, Jareth was red-cheeked, bright green-eyed and blond. They were shocked, like he wasn't their child."
Froud paused for a moment, sniffed the air and turned on his heel to go left instead of right.
"As he grew up it became worse. He had lots of pets, used his magic to make lots of glass balls that he threw for the animals to fetch, and he would sing to them too. He was never interested in choosing a suitor either, much to his mother's dismay. Eventually, when Jareth reached eighteen years old, they sent him here on his birthday. Said they had a very special present for him, when really they wanted him out of their realm and in another. They left him to rule the Labyrinth, and ever since then he has been trapped here, hardened inside and out. He still craves the company of animals, but not woodland creatures. Now he surrounds himself with goblins and sings to them, wanting their attention desperately. I saw it; it's like a macabre parody of a previous Jareth."
There was one thing Sarah still could not fathom.
"Then why did he change? Why is he so cruel?"
Froud shrugged.
"Like I said, there are many theories. All I know is that people say the change was instantaneous. I read a report of the coronation. The second he sat in that throne, they say all the bright green colour drained from his eyes and they became mismatched, confused, like there were two different Jareth's in there. He became a tyrant to all. His parents rarely came here, until…"
"Until I won the Labyrinth?"
"They thought he was going soft, that he let you win, but the truth is his parents never bargained on a girl as gifted as you entering the Labyrinth."
Sarah blushed.
"You know, Froud, you are never more confident than when you are telling a story."
Froud joined in the blush. He replied, coyly, "I actually wanted to be a writer, not a Royal Guard. I didn't think I was good enough, and anyway everything I've told you is other people's words."
"I know, but it doesn't matter. Sometimes the best stories work with tales that already exist." She thought of Sir Orfeo and Orpheus, and wished she was tucked up in bed preparing for another Literature assignment.
"We're here."
Froud cut in, because they had finally reached the edge of the hedge maze. Before them was a large pale stone wall covered with decaying vines. Four doors with copper knockers were embedded in the foliage, each bearing inscriptions:
Door 1: It's behind 2 or 3
Door 2: It's behind 1 or 4
Door 3: It's in here
Door 4: It's not in here
The words meant nothing unexplained. Sarah frowned. "What does this mean?"
"Allow me to tell you, my dear."
Once again, Jareth had appeared behind them. His arms were folded and his head was typically cocked to the right nonchalantly. He had actually been there a lot longer, but only long enough to see Froud compliment Sarah and her do the same to Froud. Jareth held back his rage and remained regal, trying to impose in a stately manner as opposed his bogey man stance. His pendant sat on his bare chest and glowed in the sunlight.
"You have a habit of showing up when no one wants you, Jareth."
Froud winced at her words, but Jareth laughed.
"Oh, believe me Sarah, you need me. For behind three of these doors is certain death, and only one allows you to pass on into the third ring of the Labyrinth."
"Great," Sarah teased, "More riddles. And what are the rules, then?"
Jareth's face grew cloudy as she taunted him.
"Three of the inscriptions are false, and one is true. If you get it wrong, you die."
Sarah huffed mainly out of fear.
"I thought you wanted to 'destroy me', not kill me."
Jareth had expected this response, and stared intently at her reaction as he spoke.
"You foolish girl, I know you. You will not go through a door until you are certain you are right. You will be stuck here for hours, and then you shall lose. Then you will be mine."
Sarah pursed her lips. Damn it. He's got me there. As if Jareth could hear her thoughts, he cackled loudly and walked between them, approaching the doors.
"Now, if you will excuse me, I have a rather special event to prepare for." Suddenly, his ears, hair and eyes seemed to prick up, as if he had heard something far off. A sinister expression flashed across his face and a harsh smile ripped his lips apart. "Yes, it will prove to be very special indeed."
And with a turn he was gone, but the sound of him uttering Round Four remained.
Antagonised and filled with dread, Sarah grabbed a stick from the ground nearby and began to clumsily plan in the sandy ground. Froud started to wobble.
"Sarah, I d-d-don't know how to do it-
"Well, I do. At least I think I do. I just don't know how much time it will take."
AN: This Is quite brief, I know, but blame the cliff hanger and not me…!