A/N: So I felt like something was missing from the story, and I suspected what it was, and have now fixed it! It was Seth. He needed three lessons. He needed to learn Kindness (La), Respect (Lyra), and Compassion/Being Selfless (Helga). I never finished his journey. So, here is the completion of his journey. Or, his lessons, anyway.

LabyrinthLover30: I hope all is well with you! :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Labyrinth. (But you knew that XD)

Blind

Chapter 17: Selfless

The field before the city walls, for the most part, was grass and dirt for the first mile and a half. But as they continued on, that dirt gave way to mud, and the grass all but disappeared. The group struggled through the mud, trudging at a near snail's pace and pausing at times to help one another or to rest. The squelch of the mud beneath their feet and the huff of their breath was all that was heard.

Not long into the muddy field, La fell with a squeak of terror, into a mud hole. The rabchilla was up to her shoulders by the time Lyra was able to reach out to her and scoop La up and hold the shivering creature in her arms. La thanked the mermaid between chattering teeth, and Lyra smiled lightly, though her forehead was marked by lines of worry.

The group was halfway across the muddy field, when Helga began to slow, her expression twisting as though in pain. Seth called them to a halt when he saw this. "What's wrong?" He asked the good witch.

Helga leaned on her staff, breathing with difficulty. "I'm older and feebler than I look, young man, and my boots are sticking in the mud."

Sure enough, Helga's boots were buried, hiding her feet entirely from sight. Looking over his shoulder at the city gates-still some distance away-his anxiety increased and he bit his lip. "Go." Helga rasped, and Seth's shoulders tensed guiltily. He turned to the old witch as she was waving him away. "I will slow you down otherwise."

Seth frowned at this, his eyes flitting over the mud. He wasn't going to leave her there! She could collapse-or worse! Setting his jaw, he replied firmly. "I'm not leaving you here." He gestured at the old woman. "I'll carry you."

Helga's eyes widened at him in surprise, but she shook her head from side to side. "You will fall if you do that."

Seth insisted. "I'll be fine. I'm stronger than I look. Come on," Seth stepped carefully through the mud until he was beside her. He put one arm around her shoulders and reached down to put the other behind her knees. He raised his eyebrows at her firmly, until she at last grudgingly nodded. She was lighter than he expected; there was a frailty to her hidden by her sturdy independence.

"Thank you, Seth." Helga said, and Seth smiled lightly before he continued on through the mud, Lyra just a few paces ahead of him.

After a few moments had passed, Helga spoke up again. "Are you familiar with the king's story?"

Seth was taken aback by the question, and he shook his head. "Not really. I've only heard the first part. Should I be more familiar with it?"

Helga raised an eyebrow at him, but it was not unkindly meant. "If you wish to save that wished away woman, then yes, I should say so."

This was, of course, rather important to Seth. "Ok." He took a breath as he continued to trudge along. "Will you tell me it?"

They were coming upon a large patch of dry, solid ground, ringed by tall grass, and Helga pointed it out. "I will. Let's rest there a moment-there is enough time." She added at the end to reassure him.

Seth reluctantly agreed, and the group reached the sort of island, and sat down to rest.

While they caught their breath, Helga told them the king's tale. "The king was in love with a girl, and he quickly found himself enchanted by her. Hoping to one day meet her, the king wrote a little red book." Here Helga looked pointedly at Seth, causing his eyes to grow large.

"The same book from the library!" He said, and Helga hummed with a nod.

"A copy, as he gave the original to that girl he so loved." She gestured, and it was odd, but it felt almost like a magical movement-as though she were reaching backward into the past. "Unfortunately, the girl loved the book so much, and was so frustrated by her younger half-brother, that she wished him away. The king was disappointed in this selfish act, but hope returned to him when she chose to traverse the Labyrinth for the babe." Helga's expression fell heavy-and her shoulders fell as though weighed down with sadness.

"In the end, the girl rejected him, speaking certain words that guaranteed she and her brother would return safely home. The king was devastated, and he returned the girl and the babe to their own world." Helga took a breath, thinking through her next words carefully. "He did not fall in love again, for a very long time. He came across a girl in the same situation, one who longed for a more magical life. She was given the book, and loved it. Unfortunately, she too, wished away her half brother."

Helga hesitated, then continued. "She, too, traversed the Labyrinth and spoke certain words that allowed her to save the babe, and both were returned to their world. This same girl grew into a successful, kind woman, until a tragedy befell her." Helga turned thoughtfully and looked intently at Seth, her eyes becoming surprisingly sharp as he met her gaze. "She recovered with time, but her life was drastically altered. That same woman, is the woman you wished away in that library."

Seth felt the blood drain from his face. The blind woman.

The good witch straightened up from where she sat with a huff, pulling her staff closer to her side where it lay. "Now she waits, trapped within the castle until you arrive to speak the certain words, and save her."

A great sense of urgency fell upon Seth. "You said it takes certain words? Can you teach them to me?" He scrambled quickly to his feet as Helga moved to stand, and he helped her up.

"Yes." She grunted.

Lyra and La saw them rising and they, too, came to their feet.

"There are many, but all are needed. I will teach you as we continue to the castle." True to her word, Helga spoke the certain words to Seth as they continued to trudge through the mud toward the Goblin City.

He repeated after her, the journey to the city passing quickly as he focused and endeavored to remember each word. They came to dry, solid land, that circled the city walls, and Helga was able to walk unassisted.

By now, the words were settled properly into his mind, and by the time they reached the gates, he felt a little more confident in his ability to save the woman he had so selfishly wished away.

A/N: So this is a chapter I had considered doing, but didn't. That was a mistake, as it was actually needed. I hope you enjoyed it! :)