(AN) Author's Notes: Well, everyone, it is that time again today is my birthday although I am uploading a new chapter this late/ or early in the AM as promised in my recent author's notes I promised my readers I would at least give them a special update treat in celebration of my birthday. Despite it being my birthday it is somewhat of a solemn time for me because as I mentioned in my first author's notes in chapter 1 I am still mourning the loss of my mother who passed away 6 months prior. And in all honesty, if we had to look at what a birthday truly meant if we didn't have mothers to give birth to us their children I don't think birthdays would even exist today. Still, without further Ado, I present to you all of chapter seven. I think all reviews although the number is quite a few for all their nice reviews I really hope more come in me and my cold partner would very much like to see more critical opinions on how we're doing so far with this story. Now enjoy ^^.
Disclaimer: All copyright rights to Labyrinth 1986 musical fantasy film directed/created by Jim Henson, Dennis Lee with George Lucas as executive producer. Based on conceptual designs by Brian Froud, the film was written by Terry Jones. I also need to give credit and thanks to my new co-partner ElauraGrave who is helping me get this story off the ground so soon. All original characters AKA (OC's) belong to me © authoress smcandy I don't want to see anyone rip off/steal or take any of my original characters major to minor without my exclusive permission otherwise there will be consequences.
Warning: The reading of this story will go probably up from rated T to rated M later for mature scenes and scenarios and for mature audiences. This story is not meant for adolescents or children under the specific age of 16. To all parents out there who are not monitoring their children what they read or do not have certain child block programs put up on their computer use publicly do not hold me accountable for what they find or read on the internet if they lie about their age. They should not be reading stories or content that are not in their proper age group. Do not seek to point blame at me when I give a warning of what the rating of the story is for the age group of readers. Readers you have been warned I do not want to be flamed or reported by your parents for your actions of reading material that was not meant for your eyes until you are appropriate to age!
Chapter 7: And a scullery maid is what you'll be.
"Napping on the job, are we?"
Sarah had just plopped down on her new straw bed, feeling quite pleased with herself, when the goblin king's voice interrupted her triumph.
She sat up slowly; once again, he had materialized in her room. Sarah was too annoyed to feel any fear; would he be popping in and out like this daily? weekly? What if she was getting dressed? Or drooling in her sleep? Sarah shuddered at the thought; it seemed as though the air had gotten colder upon his arrival. Sarah stood to face him eye to eye.
"If I am an evil fellow in your eyes," he stated coolly but firmly, "then that's what I'll be." He took a step forward, nearly knocking Sarah off her feet. She tried to back away, but he grabbed her firmly by the arms, securing her in place. She tried to struggle against him, but his grip was like iron.
"I'll be your wicked king. The most wicked of the wicked."
"You're hurting me," she pleaded.
Jareth was unphased. "I do hope you like your new accommodations and attire because they'll be yours for quite some time. Since you have arrived here, I have been generous," he said, drawing her closer to him. "I've suffered your tantrums. I've suffered your attitude. But I've had enough! You've crossed the line and what's said is said. What's done is done. From now on, until I feel I've…forgiven you, you are a scullery made in this castle and on the castle grounds." Sarah tried again to break free from his grasp. He released her left arm from his right hand only to take her by a handful of hair. He pulled hard, causing tears to sting her eyes, and tilted her head up towards him. Sarah nearly gagged as his peach-scented breath tickled her lips.
"You will be a prisoner and treated no differently than my lowest servant. I will give you tasks to do and you will have to complete them without fail. Each day you will be given thirteen hours to do these tasks, whether they are long or short. And should you fail to do any of your chores, I will double your workload for the following day." Sarah turned her face from his glowering sneer, letting out a whimper, but he jerked her head back to face him with a tug of her hair.
"You will not be allowed to rest or have a proper meal until your daily tasks are completed."
"But that's not fair," she protested in despair. "I can't be practically unemployed yet overworked." She tried to reason with him. "A proper work day is eight hours. Let me work eight hours, and you'll have your tasks completed. We're not living in the Middle Ages."
"Tut tut," he chided sarcastically. "You're not in the human world; you're in my world. You're in my realm. My kingdom." He released her hair, causing her to sigh in relief. She was startled as he reached for her face. He hushed her, softly shushing her like a child, and Sarah had no choice but to concede. He took her by the chin with a frightening gentleness, grinning wickedly. "You're my prisoner." Sarah's mouth had run dry; she swallowed, trying to make the lump in her throat disappear.
"You're underground in the Labyrinth. My word is law. I am king and now you are a lowly servant." He released her, but Sarah was too afraid to move. She stayed put, worrying that a retreat to the bed would make him follow her. His wicked grin relaxed into an expression that was surely feigned reassurance. When he reached towards her face again, Sarah did not pull away, but her breathing was shallow ragged gasps. He stroked her cheeks with the back of his gloved fingers, twisting a tender gesture into an act of control.
"Despite your insolence, I will show you one final act of mercy. Should you finished certain tasks from the list for the day, and as the king, I expect you will, I will let you help one of your friends—like that dwarf, for example, the one I still have under my thumb." Sarah couldn't help but let an expression of hope cross her face. He bent down until his nose was directly in front of hers.
"Hoggle," he said, pronouncing the dwarf's name correctly for the first time ever in order to exact some dramatic effect. Solace washed through Sarah even though she was in the hold of the goblin king. Upon hearing her friend's name, she knew they would soon be reunited. Her mouth parted in a smile of relief.
"Ah ah ah," said the goblin king, placing a finger over her mouth to halt a grin that was, unbeknownst to her, misplaced. "This is not going to be a friendly reunion. You're here to work. I can't have you frolicking about with friends."
"That's fine by me," said Sarah, not wanting to betray too much joy after hearing they would be reunited. "I can find out what happened to my other friends, and I can personally check on the well-being of at least Hoggle."
"Yes, you will, but it's best you don't think of him as your friend; you'll be working as his apprentice," he sneered, as if being Hoggle's apprentice could somehow be worse than being Jareth's prisoner and servant.
"Also fine by me," Sarah said, feeling her fire return to her. "I don't mind doing work around the castle. I'll get to know the grounds; I'll be allowed to familiarize myself with this place. I'll continue learning your Labyrinth. I'm sure there's much more to be seen than the few passages I ran in order to defeat you." Jareth let out a low chuckle. He roughly released his hold on her face and tapped her on the nose, patronizingly, before disappearing into thin air.
"Not much of an exit," Sarah muttered to herself. She looked around the room again. The light from the window had gotten dimmer, but Sarah noticed a lit candle in a sconce next to the door allowed her to still see her surroundings. On the wall hung another thirteen-hour clock, though this one was, gratefully, different and bordered by a square frame. On the opposite side of the room as the bedroom door stood a small, wooden wardrobe. Sarah ran to it, hoping her backpack had been transported with her. When she saw that it had, she breathed a sigh of relief, but her original clothes were still nowhere to be found. Sarah's heartbeat had returned to its regular pace and she relaxed now that the goblin king was gone.
Sarah couldn't help but facepalm when she remembered how brazen she had behaved, but she didn't regret it. She wasn't going to let him get to her, and she wouldn't be controlled without a fight. After all, now she'd have an excuse to roam around the castle and maybe even the Labyrinth. She'd have to work, sure, but she was grateful for a chance to explore more of the Goblin Kingdom. In the end, Sarah was just glad that her friends were alright. "It'll be a piece of cake," she said audaciously, hoping he was secretly listening. Inwardly, she hoped the work wouldn't be too hard. She figured it couldn't be that difficult to keep the king—and other servants—happy. As long as she got to see Hoggle, she wouldn't start any trouble.
Sarah figured her yawn meant it was time to go to sleep. She slipped her dress and apron off, gently laying them on the rickety wooden chair next to her bed. Her slip would have to serve as her nightgown for now. She blew out the candle and laid herself down for some much-needed rest. Her head hadn't even hit the pillow before she was fast asleep.
A loud banging woke Sarah from her slumber.
Someone, or something, outside of her room was violently banging against the doorframe. Sarah was about to rub the sleep from her eyes, but before her hands even made contact with her face, someone burst through the door. Sarah's jaw gently dropped; a goblin had entered, but this was the first time Sarah had ever seen a female goblin.
Honestly, Sarah couldn't see much of a difference between this goblin and the others; if the goblin hadn't been a busty one, its dress and apron probably wouldn't have been enough to convince Sarah it was in fact a female. The short, stocky goblin had beady, red eyes and a wide mug full from which a single sharp tooth protruded. Sarah felt bad for thinking the word "ugly," as she had found even the most frightening goblin to be a little endearing. The goblin's black hair was beginning to turn a gray that matched her green-grayish skin, which Sarah assumed meant the goblin was of middle age.
The little beast was carrying a few articles of clothing and placed them on Sarah's nightstand. Sarah suddenly felt exposed, sleeping only in her undergarments, and wished she could reach for yesterday's dress hanging over the chair. The goblin had not yet spoken or introduced herself, but she laid out an extra dress, apron, two pairs of low-heeled shoes, and two white ribbons. Turning to Sarah, the goblin handed her a piece of parchment which must be the list of which Jareth had spoken. The tasks were scrawled once more in a sweeping cursive that was also written on the invitation Sarah had received; so, the king had personally penned this list himself.
"This is the list for today," grunted the goblin. "You 'ave to finish it. If ya don't finish it before thirteen hours runs out, then it's no sleep and no proper food for you, and the king'll double the load fer tomorrow." The goblin was blunt and seemed a little harsh, and Sarah hoped being polite might win her a friend.
"I'm Sarah," she said cheerfully. The goblin stared at her and continued on without so much as a grunt of recognition that she had even spoken.
"Try not to make the king any angrier than he already is," the goblin continued in her gravelly voice. "An' I already know who you is." And with that, the goblin turned on her heel and headed towards the door.
"Wait!" cried Sarah. "Hoggle, do you know Hoggle? Is he alright?"
The goblin stopped and turned once more to face Sarah. "If you complete the first two tasks on the list, you can visit your Hoggle. I'll show you where you can meet him, but then you gotta finish the rest of your chores." The goblin turned to leave. "Hurry it up," she said on her way out, back still turned. "You 'ave fifteen minutes to wash up an' get ready. I'll be outside, waiting to show you to the kitchen for your first task."
Sarah realized she was still in bed and quickly hopped out. She noticed on the little table next to the wardrobe (had that been there before?) was a bowl full of water and a clean rag. Sarah knew that hadn't been there before, but quickly washed her face anyway. Sarah made a mental note to ask if she would be able to get a proper bath soon. She didn't know if there were showers in the Goblin Kingdom, or if a scullery maid was even afforded a shower, but she did not want to be cursed with the hygiene of a goblin, even if she would be working with them.
"Damn you, Jareth," she swore under her breath as she hurried into her dress. She picked up one of the white ribbons and assumed they were to tie up her hair. Sarah was grateful; she didn't mind hard work, but she did mind her hair getting into the washing and scrubbing. As Sarah dressed, she braced herself for what lie ahead; knowing the goblin king, this would be backbreaking work. She took one last glance at the clock and pulled the strings of her apron tight. Slipping her toes into her shoes, she joined the goblin in the hallway.
"C'mon, feet.
(AN) Author's Notes: As I probably mentioned in past author's notes there will be some more minor original characters (OCs). That will hold a bit more significance just like how the professor in Sarah's World showed a bit of importance this other character this female middle-aged Goblin will also be somewhat of a help to Sarah. I got partly inspired by her appearance based slightly on Molly Weasley from the Harry Potter franchise. I was at one point when I was still a high school student back in the early 2000ss into Harry Potter like everyone else although I only read up to books 1 to 4. I got a little bit disinterested after I finished reading the Goblet of Fire because by that point they were just way too many Harry Potter movies being made it spoiled the fun in my reading the books. Why do you ask? I found way too many movie trailers for Harry Potter being made way too quickly. After I read the Goblet of Fire I didn't bother reading any more Harry Potter books and it'll probably be a long time before I do. It's not that I dislike reading but I'm a hard cookie to convince into reading just about anything right now or especially when I was in high school as a teenager the only books that I found interesting to read besides manga's of my choice were a few of the VC Andrews books and for a time the Harry Potter books since they were all the rave back then in my class.
If Labyrinth fans have also noticed this as I have in the 1986 movie they were hardly any female goblins shown in all of the subjects that king Jareth reigns over, all the goblins that served the king were male. It's stated in the manga return to Labyrinth there are female goblins that are present and there is some type of nursery set up for when newly-arrived wished-away human babies are taken care of by them. Also, I noticed because of all the puppets that were made in the Creature Shop by Jim Henson all the Goblins shown in the movie have red eyes I do not know why most fiction writers trade them with yellow eyes but that is not the case probably it depends on the variant of comic they might have read. In the comics variation, they are shown with mostly big yellow eyes so that's probably where a lot of story writers get their appearance from but I go more or less on the movie than the comic versions if it can be helped.
Now there are probably a few of you that are asking questions as to why Sarah got demoted from being a welcomed guest at the castle to a scullery maid? well, it's quite simple if you haven't figured it out already from the way Sarah acted out with the King. I always had intended to have Sarah become a servant even for a temporary time in the story. I mean I did say many times over that I'm trying to keep both Sarah Williams and the Goblin King as best in character as I can and I cannot just picture Sarah succumbing to the rules and orders of the Goblin King and becoming a doll like a pampered princess. As much as Sarah loves to play fairy tales and make-believe she sort of grow up a little bit since the events of the movie although she still has her love for fairy tales, acting out in plays, fantasy and dressing up in costumes at heart Sarah's not the same as she once was before her adventures in the movie.
There are quite a few numbers of stories and I mean quite a slim few fan fictions so I read where Sarah is forced to become a servant or decides to become one out of her violation. Depending on the story at hand and the rating of it sometimes or most of the time the treatment she gets in becoming a servant or prisoner under the king is somewhat less questionable or more darker dank. Others it's not always so but like I said depending on the story The genre and the rating it depends on also the story style of the writer. Especially when she has to return to the Goblin Kingdom or the Labyrinth. It all depends on the writer and questions some prefer to have her come back and be pampered and spoiled to a degree by the king who had a lot of stuff ready for her including her room and an endless supply of different elegant ballroom gown dresses so on and so forth. But I on the other hand have a different approach. Don't get me wrong Jareth will still be offering and generous but Sarah is going to be resisting every turn. I'm comparing her resisting temptation to the devil or how Eve was seduced by the serpent Satan into eating the apple of Knowledge from The Forbidden tree of knowledge in the biblical reference. The only difference is that Sarah more or less has more resistance for at least the time being into falling into any welcoming gentle gesture from the King remember Sarah hasn't forgotten all the obstacles and activities he put her through when she was rescuing her baby brother back in the movie there's just no way she's going to become BFF with him now or let her guard down. She knows in some way or another or fears that if she lets her guard down and becomes seduced or thinks she's safe from the King and accepts any gifts from him it might be another magical trap to ensnare her this time for good.
I got inspired by the old Disney animated classic Cinderella. Well, to be more honest with you I got inspired by Cinderella's scullery maid outfit I got inspired by Cinderella's and partly inspired by Bell's outfit when she was still a commoner in the animated version of Beauty and the Beast. I have a pixel artwork done of her to variant scullery maid uniforms which soon I will post on my deviantART account for all to see. All the outfits that are going to be showing up in each chapter for Sarah Williams will be numbered so people will have a better visual detailed description of what each outfit she wears will look like. You'll see for yourself when you read the chapters that follow where are some areas sort of weekly reflect the old 1950s movie of The Animated Cinderella it just clicked in my head.
Another thing as well since the number 13 in the movie of Labyrinth is somewhat significant the number will show up from time to time since the clocks that were shown in the movie always had up to the numeral 13 it would only make sense that in the least in the round where Sarah's currently residing in the Goblin Kingdom and probably elsewhere there's a 13-hour day compared to the human world where it's 24 hours and we have a clock numbering from 1 to 12. Hence the reason why the Goblin King gives Sarah only thirteen hours each day to complete her daily tasks/chores that he personally writes out and gives to her.
So I hope everyone would be interested in seeing how I'm putting Sarah for the time being in a predicament she's in but trust me it'll be more beneficial in her favour when you read on.
TTFN,
smcandy