Chapter Ten: Leilah's Power

"That's it," Jareth vanished the crystal in his hand. "I'm going."

"I thought," Sarah turned on him, "you said Robert wouldn't listen to us."

"That's not my biggest worry anymore." The Goblin King growled. "Leilah is the Lady of Night reborn, and now she remembers."

Sarah dropped her crystal, which clinked as it bounced on the stone floor. "I thought we destroyed here."

Jareth shook his head. "We didn't do anything. It was the Labyrinth, and evidently, the Labyrinth saw fit to put her in a new body and give her a new life." He placed his hands gently on either side of her face. "Don't worry, my love. I'll bring them home safe."

"I want to come," Sarah's voice was thick with tears. "I want to help."

"No. I need you here. What if someone wishes a baby away?" His mismatched eyes searched hers carefully, hoping she would listen to him. "Please, Sarah, if you never do what I ask you to do again, please do this for me. Stay here." Stay safe, he thought to himself.

"I'll watch you," Sarah answered defiantly, "and if it looks like you need help, I'm coming." She threw herself into his arms for one quick embrace.

"I love you, Sarah."

"I love you, Jareth."

And then he was gone.

***

Amazing! The voice in the back of Robert's head intoned. Your parents are still trying to botch things up! You know, it's a wonder I haven't been destroyed yet.

"Will you shut up!" Robert shouted into the blackness.

Finally! I was wondering when you were going to acknowledge me. Listen, we need to talk.

"Huh," Robert scoffed, "Well since you refuse to stop talking I don't see how I have a choice." He took a deep breath and sat down on the ground he couldn't see.

Well, you've certainly found the Shadows, which would be impressive for anyone except you.

"What does that mean?" The Goblin Prince asked aloud, vaguely aware that he had just been paid a compliment.

It means you have immense power and immense magic, and the reason for that is because you and I are linked. I am the spirit of the Labyrinth. I am within you, and I am without you. I am part of you, but I am not you. You, Robert Jeremy Williams, are within me, and part of me, but you are not me. Do you follow?

Robert felt like his head was spinning. "Yeah, I think."

Good. Now, what you need to do, is learn how to use and control your powers. If you relax and reach into yourself, you should be able to feel your energy like a warm bubble in your stomach.

Robert started into the darkness like it was crazy.

Well, what are you waiting for?

The Goblin Prince jumped and took a deep breath. "Okay, okay! Take it easy!"

You don't have time to take it easy. Now feel it out. Feel it pulsing in your arms and legs, feel it bubbling in your stomach.

"Yeah, yeah, I think..." Robert was surprised that he could so easily catch the feeling the Labyrinth was telling him about, but there it was, streaking through him like warm gold light, pulsing in time with his heartbeat. "Wow."

Yes, now, focus on it, gather it all into the palm of your hand. Just focus on leading the energy there.

Robert held out his right hand and focused, feeling the light swirl and pulse down his arm, gathering heat in his palm. He opened his eyes and his jaw dropped. There was a small ball of golden light floating just above his warm palm. "Woah!"

Whoops! The Labyrinth's consciousness suddenly pulled itself together, focusing on a point a few feet away from Robert. Time's up.

With a loud crackling pop, Leilah came into existence along with Brian, who looked like something had scared him witless. They were wreathed in a soft, gray light.

"Leilah!" Robert stood and held up the golden ball. "Look!"

"Ha!" She yelped sarcastically. "So the little baby prince figured out how to use magic after all. How sweet."

"What?" Robert took a step back. "Are you okay?"

Leilah grinned maniacally. "Am I okay?" She laughed. "I'm fantastic." She held out her arms and the Shadows around them moved, twitching, flowing, reaching out to her fingertips. "You see, Robert, I remembered who I am."

"Wait." Robert took a step back, almost forgetting the glowing ball. He remembered just in time to keep it from snuffing out. "Who are you?"

"I," Leilah answered slowly, Shadows swirling in huge loops around her hands, "am the Lady of Night."

The Goblin Prince's eyes widened and he found himself wishing for his parents. Don't drop the ball! The Labyrinth urged. Use your power! Robert looked at the light in his palm, and threw it at Leilah. While she laughed, a Shadow sprang up and swallowed the light.

"Did you know," she giggled, "that candles create more shadows rather than putting them out? Because before you light a candle, it's all one big shadow, but once you light it, there's tons of them. And," she added menacingly, "if the darkness is big enough, it can swallow candles whole."

There was another crackling pop, and Jareth was suddenly standing between Robert and Leilah.

The Lady of Night let out a whooping laugh. "I was wondering when you'd show up!"

Jareth wasted no time with words. He swung his arms together and released a huge burst of golden light that rushed at the Lady of Night.

Robert had never been so happy to see his father before in his life.

Well, don't just stand there! The voice of the Labyrinth barked in his head, help the Goblin King!