Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here is chapter thirteen of "Through Dangers Untold." This chapter features the doorknockers and another of my own area of the Labyrinth. Though Hoggle has changed a lot since his encounter with Sarah, I decided to retain some of his old personality. Just because someone changes for the better does not mean every part of them does so. Stay tuned for chapter fourteen.

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Chapter 13: Resting/The Doorknockers

Jason, Trini, and Hoggle reached the end of the hedge maze within fifteen minutes. They spotted a stone bench under a tree close to a large wall and headed over to it. They sat down, light grunts leaving their mouths. They looked up at the sky, seeing a black eagle fly overhead. They raised their eyebrows before furrowing their brows.

"Talk about a beautiful eagle," Jason whispered.

"Black eagles are the most beautiful eagles in the Labyrinth," Hoggle replied honestly. "You have to be careful. They are very protective of their nests and will attack you if you wander too close."

"Goshawks are very well known for divebombing anyone who wanders close to their nests. They are incredibly protective of them," Trini explained and slipped a lock of hair behind her ear.

"It's nice to know our worlds have lots of things in common," Hoggle said in much warmth. "If you want to know, Sarah is a friend of mine. I helped her beat the Labyrinth along with Ludo and Sir Didymus. We see her from time to time. That is whenever she needs us."

"What was your reaction when you first met her?" Jason wondered very curiously.

"I wasn't fond of her at all. I was annoyed that she thought fairies granted wishes. She kept asking the wrong questions to get into the Labyrinth. She took too many things for granted. However, I realized she would get herself in trouble at some point. I decided to help her. Of course, I was actually in cahoots with Jareth to take her back to the beginning. When we met up with him after I got her out of the oubliette, I mentioned the plan. She was shocked. After we escaped the cleaners, I told her she had no choice but to trust me," Hoggle explained.

"That is very true," Jason agreed.

"We continued together after I had planned to desert her in the courtyard, but she took my jewels to make me stay with her. I ran away when I heard the trapped Ludo roar," Hoggle commented and cleared his throat. "It was so loud that it echoed throughout the air."

"Yikes," Trini whispered.

"When I heard her call for help, I ran to find her. Jareth stopped me and gave me a magic peach to slip to her. I helped her get away from the fieries. We nearly fell into the Bog of Eternal Stench," Hoggle said, shuddering in disgust. "We encountered Ludo there. I passed the bridge Didymus was guarding. Sarah asked his permission to pass. It was granted. She nearly fell into the bog after it fell apart. Ludo called rocks to help her. We left the bog and found ourselves in the enchanted forest."

"Whoa," Trini said in amazement.

"I gave her the peach. I felt really bad when she ate it and fell into a daze. I helped the group fight Humongous the robot. She forgave me for what happened. We got into the Goblin City and defeated the goblin army. We made into the castle. Sarah had to go alone. She managed to defeat him. She called for us after she returned home. We had a fun party in her room," Hoggle finished and sniffled.

"You miss her, huh?" Trini asked.

"Very much," Hoggle admitted with a nod. "She is in college now. She is working to become a medical doctor. She wanted to be an actress, but she decided it wasn't for her. Toby is in grade school. He is the little boy she wished away in a fit of frustration. She didn't like having to babysit him, though her father and stepmother never asked her if it interfered with her plans. Of course, they often didn't ask her."

Jason scratched his neck. He saw how Sarah's frustrations mirrored his own. He was glad she matured during her journey through the Labyrinth. If he and Trini were successful in beating it, he was determined not to take Ellie for granted again. After all, he could never be sure what life could bring for him or her. He turned his head, shock registering on his face.

"Hey," Jason said, rising to his feet along with Trini and Hoggle.

"What is it, Jase?" Trini asked.

Hoggle touched the top of his head. "Yeah. What is it?"

Jason made his way over to the wall. Two doorknockers had appeared on it. Trini and Hoggle joined his side while furrowing their brows. The Red Ranger kept his chin in his hand.

"Where did these two come from?" Jason asked.

"What do you think, Jason?" Trini added and rubbed her nose. "Which of these two ugly characters should we choose?"

Hoggle pointed his finger to the right. "I say we choose neither and head this way."

"Hoggle, these doorknockers could give us a shortcut to the castle," Trini said matter-of-factly as she and Jason looked in that direction. "Besides, have you ever been in this part of the Labyrinth?"

"Yes, but I have never encountered these doorknockers," Hoggle commented and scratched his neck. "At least, not in a while. Even then, I didn't bother with them."

"We should try these doorknockers for the shortcut," Trini responded with a roll of her eyes.

"This direction is a shortcut too," Hoggle insisted a little annoyingly as he pointed a bit hard. "I say we go this way!"

Jason gestured toward the door knockers. "Well, these doors could provide a better shortcut."

"Ah. I will just go my way! You go yours!" Hoggle yelled with a huff. "We'll see who gets the better shortcut."

"Hoggle, we should be in this together. We were supposed to be a team," Jason scolded.

"Well, I feel my way is better," Hoggle blurted out and began walking away. "See ya!"

Trini rolled her eyes. "Suit yourself."

The couple watched Hoggle until he was gone. They turned back to the doorknockers and cupped their chins in their hands. They tilted their heads somewhat.

"Which door do you think we should choose, Jason?" Trini said, looking at her boyfriend.

"I have no idea," Jason said, moving closer to the doorknockers. He glanced at the first one. "If only—"

"Don't stare! It is very rude!" the first doorknocker growled irritatingly. "You should know better than to do that!"

"I am sorry. We were wondering which door to choose," Jason apologized with a bit of guilt.

"Huh?" the first doorknocker asked.

"He's deaf! He can't hear you!" the second doorknocker shouted in a muffled voice.

"Do not talk with your mouth full!" the first doorknocker scolded in a loud voice.

"I am not talking with my mouth full!" the second doorknocker retorted.

"Hey, we can't understand you," Trini said as she went to the second doorknocker. "Let me help you."

"What was that?" the first doorknocker asked.

Trini grabbed the ring to pull it out of the second doorknocker's mouth. He sighed in great relief. Jason came to her side, his eyebrows raising as he placed his hand on the back of his neck.

"Oh, it feels so good to get that thing out," the second doorknocker said and swallowed hard.

"What did you say?" Trini wondered.

"It doesn't do any good talking to him. He is as deaf as a post," the second doorknocker responded honestly.

The first doorknocker huffed. "Mumble, mumble, mumble! You are a great conversational companion."

"You never talk. You only moan!" the second doorknocker whined.

"No good. I can't hear you," the first doorknocker responded, a snicker leaving his mouth.

"Where do these doors lead?" Jason asked.

The second doorknocker chuckled. "Beats me. We are just knockers."

The second doorknocker went into a fit of laughter. Jason and Trini looked at each other as he became quiet. They were very unsure of which door to choose. Their heart started to beat a little faster.

"Which door would be better, Trini?" Jason asked curiously.

"I have no idea," Trini admitted. "We have never been in a situation like this, not even with Rita."

"That is true," Jason agreed. He cupped his chin in his hand, becoming thoughtful. "Okay. I say we try the first one."

"I do too," Trini said while nodding slowly.

"It's up to you," the second doorknocker commented and cleared his throat. "Wherever path you take may be easy or hard."

"You got that right," Trini commented as she looked at him.

"Just remember to never underestimate Jareth, young man, or the child you wished away will suffer the same fate as many kidnapped children have," the first doorknocker said.

"Okay," Jason assured.

Trini went to the second doorknocker, who opened his mouth. She laughed softly and placed the ring back inside. She tickled his nose.

"You needed that, didn't you?" Trini asked.

"Yes, I did," the second doorknocker admitted.

Trini went to Jason's side as he grabbed the first doorknocker's ring and knocked on the door three times. The door opened, a light peeking through. They stepped through in which they found themselves in what appeared to be a wetland. They took three steps forward before the door closed behind them.

"I hope it doesn't take us long to get through this area," Trini whispered and shuddered quietly.

"Me neither," Jason agreed. "Let's hope we do not end up in the Bog of Eternal Stench."

Trini groaned. "Me neither."

Jason and Trini resumed walking while looking around. They listened to the hissing of snakes and growling of alligators. They increased their strides somewhat.