So here's my problem...I have more of this story, but not enough for a sequel. I prolly could have ended this one a few chapters ago, but the rest of the story begs to be told. That being said, please note that there are still more chapters to come.
I hope you're all still enjoying it!
-Nico
Morning within the Labyrinth was always a spectacular sight. As the first rays of sun began to wash over the sleeping land, blossoms opened to drink in the warmth. Tiny fairies unfurled their wings, stretching out the kinks of another restful night. Water that had paused in its flow resumed its travels, dampening the ground with rivulets of crystal clear refreshment.
The sun finally reached a large window in one of the more remote corners of the Goblin King's castle. The rays crept into a lavishly decorated room and spilled across a bed of snow-white linens. Within the plush blankets, a raven-haired figure began to stir, yawning as the sun tickled her face.
Sarah sat up almost involuntarily, smiling before she even opened her eyes. Something about this morning was different; there was an element of anticipation…of hope. Yesterday, Sarah had cursed the morning sunrays, seeing it not as a gentle kiss from whatever controlled this place, but a stabbing reminder of her imprisonment.
Yet this morning, the realization that she was still in the Labyrinth was a comfortable one.
She quickly got up and bathed, dressing in a comfortable yet pretty ivory dress. The hem was long enough for her to wear her old Uggs without anyone noticing, so she slipped on the comfortable boots and pulled her still damp hair back with a strip of leather.
It was early; most of the castle's staff was still asleep, including Jareth's trustworthy chef. Sarah hadn't eaten much in the past week, and her stomach rumbled with that particular reminder. She moved in the direction of the kitchen, wondering how difficult it would be to orient herself with the old fashioned décor.
The kitchen was pristine; a stark reminder of the efficiency with which the great Goblin King demanded of every detail of his life. It was easy enough to find the elements of breakfast…sterling silver pans hung precisely where they should be, fresh eggs lay in a basket in an archaic looking refrigerator, which Sarah couldn't help noticing was much cooler than anything aboveground. She grasped some perfectly cut strips of bacon and placed them in the pan, delighting in how the enormous stove lit up automatically, as if expecting her next move.
In less than a half hour, Sarah had prepared the best breakfast of her life. She looked around for a moment and located a tray large enough to accommodate enough food for two. She arranged two plates full of sizzling bacon, ham, eggs, biscuits and hashed potatoes. Fresh juice and hot coffee completed the meal.
Sarah nodded in self satisfaction. Then, she looked up, as if she could see through the ceiling and into Jareth's quarters.
She wondered if anyone had ever brought their king breakfast in bed.
The door to Jareth's rooms was closed, but a quick inspection of the doorknob revealed that it was unlocked. Sarah tiptoed inside, hoping that Jareth wouldn't wake startled at the sight of someone roaming around inside his private quarters.
She slipped through the door and closed it gently, resting her heavy tray on one of the mahogany tables that decorated the living area. She moved quietly towards the back rooms, peeking around the corner to see an empty bed.
She frowned. Where was he?
The bed was still mussed. Slowly, Sarah moved to the right side, running her hand over the sheets.
They were still warm and faintly dusted with glitter.
He couldn't be far.
She moved over towards the window, leaning out to inspect the lush gardens below, wondering if Jareth took advantage of the solace of morning with a walk or possibly even some more vigorous exercise.
"Sarah?"
The deep, melodic voice caused her to jump. She spun around.
The sight in front of her caused Sarah to blush a deep crimson from her toes to the top of her head.
Jareth stood easily in the doorframe of his enormous bathroom, his bare chest still glistening with the evidence of a recent shower. His hair was likewise damp, resting against the side of his face sending drips down his neck and shoulders. Tight black leather pants sculpted to his legs, and without the benefit of a shirt, Sarah could plainly see all of his kingly pride.
She looked away, biting her lip.
"What are you doing here?" Jareth asked, a hint of amusement in his eye at Sarah's obvious embarrassment.
"I…I…" Sarah stammered, suddenly feeling intrusive and clumsy. She gestured towards the tray of hot food. "I made us breakfast."
Jareth smiled, moving towards the delicious-smelling food. "What a pleasant surprise," he commented, taking a sip of the coffee. He regarded her over the top of his cup, raising an eyebrow. "Who knew that Sarah Williams was so domestic?"
Sarah laughed despite her embarrassment. "Don't get used to it," she warned him.
Jareth chuckled-a warm gentle sound. He gestured to the empty seat across from him. Sarah sat graciously.
And together, in the warmth of the sunlight's creeping rays, Sarah and Jareth shared a meal in comfortable, appreciative silence.
Sarah fiddled uncomfortably in the throne room. Jareth had instructed her to wait here; that he had a surprise. He would say no more than that, but the anticipation was nearly killing Sarah.
She paced, unknowingly following the same path that Jareth had bore into the floor's stones when aggravated or worried.
A commotion could be heard outside the throne room walls. Angry cursing was followed by a long bellow. A dog barked; its master soothed it in a high-pitched, British accented voice.
Sarah froze in place.
The doors of the throne room opened, revealing some familiar faces being escorted by gruff looking guards who were doing their best to treat their guests with forced respect.
"Hoggle! Didymus! Ludo!" Sarah exclaimed, rushing over to the small procession.
"Get your damn hands off me!" Hoggle snapped at the guard who was holding onto the dwarf's arm with a bit more force than necessary. The guard looked at Sarah, who, unused to giving orders, nodded slightly.
"Hmmph," Hoggle grumped. "Looks like yer already in charge around here," he said to Sarah. The dwarf turned to his friends, nudging Didymus in the ribs. "I 'spose all of our worrying was a waste of time."
Hoggle folded his arms across his chest, looking at Sarah with a disdainful look. Sarah pried herself from the bear hug Ludo had been giving her and knelt down to Hoggle's level.
"Hoggle," she said gently, "please don't be mad."
Hoggle merely grumped again. Didymus came up next to the dwarf and placed a furry paw on his shoulder. "Cheer up, old friend!" The tiny fox said. "We were worried she wasn't happy…that she was being treated poorly by His Majesty…and look! That's clearly not the case!"
"We should've just left you to figure out this mess alone," Hoggle continued. "Yer obviously not trying very hard to get home now anyway."
Sarah sighed, turning her attentions to Didymus, who seemed a bit more receptive to their reunion. "Is Lila alright?" She asked.
The fox nodded. "Right as rain, my lady," he assured. "Worried about you, but right as rain."
Sarah nodded, feeling guilty that she had been living in these lavish settings for the past week while her friends worried about her.
She tried to touch Hoggle's arm, a simple gesture of camaraderie, but the dwarf pulled away. Sarah sighed again. "Hoggle," she began gently. "I had no choice but to leave with Jareth. He wouldn't have released you from the Day of Eternal Night if I hadn't."
"You're on a first name basis with him, I see," Hoggle replied nastily.
"Would you have rather spent the rest of your life in that place?" Sarah challenged.
"Would have found a way out," Hoggle muttered.
"Now Hoggle, you know that's not true," Didymus said gently. "We could have searched for a millennium. The only ticket out was through the King, which Sarah so valiantly sacrificed her own freedom for."
"She's not a hero," Hoggle snapped. "She was probably chomping at the bit to get back to him. It's easier to be a prisoner than to lose, isn't it, Sarah?"
Sarah bit her lip, the hostility from her closest friend in the Underworld a bit too much to take.
"I thought you would be happy to see me," Sarah said quietly. "I had hoped that your friendship was one I could count on as I spend my days here."
Hoggle's expression softened a bit, but his hands were still clenched into tiny fists at his sides. "So you're staying here?" He asked.
Sarah nodded. "Yes," she said. "And I'm almost certain that I'm okay with it."
Hoggle made an indignant sound. "Well isn't that fortunate." He turned to Didymus and Ludo, who were watching the scene with trepidation. "Ye hear that?" He asked them. "This whole time we've been riskin' our necks to get her home and it turns out that she's just as happy here."
"Was I foolish to think that you would no longer be my friend, Hoggle?" Sarah asked, ignoring Hoggle's snippy demeanor.
Hoggle stared at her and then let loose an irritated growl. "Of course I'm still yer friend," he exasperated. "I just wish you had tried to contact us sooner."
"She couldn't."
The small group turned to the Throne Room entrance where Jareth stood, his arms crossed over his chest. He walked closer to the group, inwardly wincing as he noticed the fear behind each of their eyes.
"Only I can permit contact between those who live inside of the castle and those who do not," Jareth continued, looking pointedly at the dwarf whose name constantly escaped him. "And I was not prepared to do so until now."
Hoggle's mouth flattened into a thin, angry line. "So," the dwarf said, his voice low and menacing, "does that mean that every time I wish to see my friend, I will have to ask your permission?"
Jareth nodded. "If you don't live in the castle, then yes, you need my permission to visit."
"You see?" Hoggle exclaimed, pointing a gnarled finger at the Goblin King. "He ain't yer friend, and he ain't yer protector," he said to Sarah. "He's a monster who just wants ye for hisself!"
"Hoggle," Didymus said warningly, noticing the slight flare of anger in Jareth's eyes.
"No!" Hoggle exclaimed. "I'm sick to death of cowering before him." He turned his attentions to Jareth. "Ye can't just keep her here and hope that she'll eventually submit to you!"
Jareth pursed his lips, unused to be spoken to by one of his subjects in such a derogatory manner. Yet he stopped himself from banishing the insolent dwarf due to the look of sheer terror on Sarah's face.
"If you had let me complete a thought, perhaps you would not be so hostile," Jareth told Hoggle, keeping his voice void of the anger brimming just beneath the surface.
Hoggle merely crossed his arms again and raised an eyebrow.
Jareth sighed, hating to have to appease this aggravating creature, but he knew that what he was about to offer would help mend some of the wounds he had inflicted upon Sarah.
"The rules by which I live were not decided by me," Jareth began, hoping to alleviate some of the distrust that he could literally taste on Sarah's friends. "This castle protects its inhabitants, and that is why no one may enter unless by invitation." He looked pointedly from Hoggle, to Ludo, to Didymus and the ridiculous dog he used as a mule. "You all have proven your allegiance to Sarah, and therefore to me," he continued. "To show my gratitude, I offer you all my protection, and permanent residency within the castle walls."
Sarah gasped and clapped her hands over her mouth. "Jareth," she breathed appreciatively.
Jareth met her surprised eyes with a warm stare. "I would do anything to please Sarah," he said softly. "And I know that having you all nearby would make her happy."
Tears welled in Sarah's eyes as she looked to each of her friends.
Hoggle's mouth was open in shock, mimicking the expressions of both Ludo and Didymus. Even Ambrosious seemed shocked.
"Will you stay here?" Sarah asked them collectively. Didymus cleared his furry throat.
"If my lady commands it," he said, bowing gracefully. "I accept with much gratitude."
Ludo also bowed his concurrence, bellowing happily.
Sarah turned to look at Hoggle, who still looked angry, yet his face had softened.
"Hoggle?" She prodded gently. "Will you stay?"
Hoggle harrumphed. "I would do anything for you, Sarah," he said softly.
"That makes two of us," Jareth said.
Hoggle turned to the Goblin King. "I ain't saying I like ye, or even respect ye," the dwarf said and then sighed. "But I will stay, and I promise you will have no trouble from me."
Sarah hugged the small dwarf and Jareth smiled, looking at his new housemates.
This second chance was off to a good start.
