By the time she reached her room, Sarah was feeling a little better. Opening the room, she grinned when she saw Sir Didymus, Ambrosius, Ludo, and Hoggle.
Ludo grinned and gave her a hug. Ambrosius barked while Sir Didymus bowed and Hoggle waved shyly. Then all three of them began to ask her where she had gone and if she was ok while Ambrosius lay down to take a nap.
Sarah sat down and told them that she had been exploring the castle and had accidentally wound up in the Escher room. "I finally called for Jareth and instead of helping me he just taunted me until I finally stumbled into a room with no floor. I fell into his arms and then he transported me back to his office."
While Ludo stared hard at her, trying to understand her words, Sir Didymus complimented her on her courage and Hoggle mumbled something about Jareth showing off.
"Okay, Sir Didymus, will you please tell me what's changed? You said you would tell me later," Sarah said, looking at the knight.
He nodded.
"It all started when you left. Our king decided to re-decorate the castle, add gardens and such. The young goblins were sent to school. The older ones work at the farms or around the city-"
"In short," Hoggle interrupted. "Jareth lost his head. I don't think he found it yet either."
Ludo chose that moment to speak up. "Ludo take cawe of big twees and little flowews."
Sir Didymus and Hoggle began to argue about whether or not they should pay respect to Jareth and Ambrosius snuffled.
"Okay, hold it," Sarah said loudly, waiting until everyone fell silent before speaking again. "Do any of you know why Jareth left and went to my world to find me?"
They all looked at each other and Hoggle raised an eyebrow.
"Aint it sort ah obvious?"
Sir Didymus stuttered.
"Ludo thinks Jaweth wants to give Sawah a hug."
Sarah paled and then looked at the three of them. "That's impossible," she whispered.
They looked back at her confused.
"Jaweth can hug Sawah," Ludo said after a long pause.
Hoggle rolled his eyes and Didymus continued to stutter.
"Why would he have taken Toby, why did he make the Labyrinth harder, why did he mock me a few minutes ago in the Escher chamber instead of just helping me? All that seems to contradict what you've said," Sarah murmured, drawing her knees to her chest.
Sir Didymus sat thinking very hard.
"Well what you be say'n is contradict'n what we been see'n." Hoggle said.
"Jaweth's haiw is nice." Ludo said nodding.
Sarah glanced at Ludo for a moment, before looking at Hoggle. "And what do you see?" she asked him.
Hoggle puffed up. "Well he's ok by me, when he's not pitching a fit that is. He can be really whiny you know?"
Sarah looked at him incredulously. "You said that what I spoke of contradicted what you saw. That's what I was asking about."
Hoggle shrugged and limped around the room. "Well he don't taunt us. Why should he taunt you?" He thought for a moment then grinned. "Then again, you have heard what they say when little boy pick on girls? It mean that they-"
"Jaweth wead to Ludo," Ludo said, trying to help.
Sarah sat silently, wondering if screaming would do any good. Probably not, and they were her friends, even if they weren't being terribly helpful.
There was a knock on the door. Hoggle went to answer it and found a short goblin in a dress and bonnet.
"Dinner is ready for ye's," it said before turning and walking away.
"Ludo hungwy."
"I'm not very hungry, give my regrets," Sarah murmured as they stood.
Sir Didymus looked confused as everyone else exited the room.
"Give your regrets to who my lady?"
"You don't eat with Jareth?"
He shook his head, his whisker twitching. "He eats in his rooms."
"Oh, then never mind. I'll see you later," Sarah murmured as Sir Didymus bowed and left, Ambrosius trotting behind him.
Sarah made her way over to the bathroom, filling the sunken tub with water and bubbles. She ran a brush through her hair before stripping and climbing into the tub.
Was what the three had said, true? It couldn't be, could it? Sarah lay looking at the ceiling as she thought about what they had said.
She finally stood and dried off, looking around in confusion as she realized her clothes had vanished. Annoyed, she wrapped a towel around her and went into her bedroom to look through the wardrobe, hoping no one was in the room.
Jareth stood looking at the books on the shelves. He heard Sarah come out of the bathroom and smiled but didn't turn around.
"You aren't hungry Sarah?"
Sarah jumped a foot and clutched the towel to her. "No, not hungry, nope," she said quickly, moving back towards the bathroom door.
"I'm not looking," he said while chuckling. "Honestly Sarah, I have more decency than that!"
She glared at his back, then moved towards the wardrobe, opening it and grimacing at the clothing inside.
"Could you kindly get me some real clothing?" she asked, hoping he was still looking the other way.
He threw a crystal over his shoulder and where it landed on the floor sat a pair of folded jeans, white socks, a white flowing silk shirt, and underthings.
Sarah carefully bent down and grabbed the clothing walking back to the bathroom and shutting the door.
Jareth chucked to himself and changed all the clothing in the wardrobes to more simple attire. Perhaps now she would be satisfied. He was still tired but when Hoggle had knocked on the door telling him that Sarah was still shaky and wasn't going to eat he decided to pay her a visit.
Sarah walked into the bedroom, her damp hair sticking to the shirt. She looked at Jareth as he examined the books. "You can turn around now."
He did, slowly and looked at her, struggling to stay upright. He leaned up against the bookshelf, taking some off the weight off his feet.
"Are you all right Sarah?"
"I'm fine, why do you ask?"
He shrugged and stepped forward off the bookshelf. "I was just wondering why you passed up a meal with your friends."
"I just didn't feel like eating. Are you all right?" she asked, stepping towards him.
He couldn't help himself. "Oh now why the concern?"
"My apologies for asking, it won't happen again," she replied coolly.
Jareth sighed. "I apologize. I didn't come here to fight with you. Thank you for your concern but I'm fine...if a little tired."
"If you're so tired, then why are you in here?"
His cheeks darkened again. "I thought you might be curled up in a ball shaking. You seemed pretty scared when you left."
"Well as you can see I'm fine."
Jareth nodded and started towards the door. "Then if you will excuse me. I'm going to sleep. Goodnight Sarah."
"Night," Sarah murmured, watching him. "Oh, Jareth?" she asked as he opened the door.
He looked back, his eyes dull.
"Yes?"
"Where can I go to get something to eat?"
He smiled and rolled a crystal across the floor to her.
"Touch that and you will join your friends in there meal."
He turned and walked from the room, closing the door quietly behind him.
"Thank you," she called out, kneeling down and picking up the crystal.
Jareth lay sprawled out on his bed staring upward at nothing. His body cried out for sleep but he didn't want to. She had actually seemed pleased with him this afternoon. Maybe she still liked him? A thought struck him and he smiled. He would try it in the morning.
Sarah found herself seated next to Ludo at a dining table, her head spinning slightly from the teleportation.
Ludo, who had a piece of food stuck on his teeth patted Sarah on the head.
"Hi Sawa."
Sir Didymus and Hoggle stared opened mouthed at her.
"You's got magic?" Hoggle asked.
"No, Jareth gave me a crystal to get here," Sarah murmured, thanking a goblin as it set a plate of food in front of her.
Hoggle raised an eyebrow.
"And how is Jareth?"
"Probably asleep," Sarah said as she took a hesitant bite of food.
Hoggle nodded and continued to eat.
Sir Didymus paused. "He was very heroic in his effort to find and rescue you my lady. He must be very very tired indeed."
"What do you mean?" Sarah asked.
Sir Didymus shrugged and speared a piece of meat with his fork. "He was very worried. I don't think he slept much if at all."
"He wan awound like chicken," Ludo said.
"Oh," Sarah murmured, taking a few more bites.
Ambrosius barked and nuzzled her arm, asking for scraps. Ludo grinned and put down his entire plate.
Sarah smiled and finished most of her meal, giving the rest to a semi-full Ambrosius.
101,185,208 goblins later Jareth was still awake...and sick of counting goblins. There really weren't very interesting. He crawled out of bed, having decided to take a walk in the garden.
"I'm going back to my room, I guess I'll see you guys later," Sarah said with a smile and a wave as she stood and left the room. Only after wandering for several minutes did she realize she had no idea where she was. She thought about calling for Jareth, but decided that he needed to sleep. Looking around for a goblin that might be able to direct her in the right direction, she wandered through the halls.
Jareth rounded a corner and ran right into Sarah. He blinked a few times before slipping into his role again of polite host.
"Excuse me. I didn't see you. Do you need something?"
"My room, it seems to have disappeared," Sarah said with an embarrassed smile.
"Would you like a crystal or may I walk you to your chambers?"
"If I walked, then I'd know my way a little better maybe," Sarah murmured.
He nodded and held out his arm, not quite sure if she would take it but offering the courtesy anyway.
Sarah looked at him for a moment before lightly laying her hand on his arm.
All the hairs on Jareth's arms stood straight up and he smiled. He put his hand over hers and led her through the halls.
"So Sarah...how are you enjoying my labyrinth...or the castle in the center anyway?"
"Other than I can't find my way anywhere and I was stuck for two days in a room I spent ten minutes in, it's all right," she murmured dryly.
He laughed softly. "Perhaps tomorrow will be better."
Sarah stayed silently and shrugged, doubtful.
"Tomorrow I would like to show you my labyrinth."
Sarah froze and looked at Jareth. "I've seen it," she said in a flat voice.
He looked back at her. "It has changed Sarah. You've changed too. It won't be like it was last time."
She didn't say anything and didn't move until he lightly tugged her hand.
He watched her. "How can you be harmed by it if the creator is with you? Besides, you can bring your camera and take pictures."
Nodding reluctantly, Sarah continued to walk beside him, wondering if it was worth it to find her way back to the Escher room before tomorrow.
They reached the main staircase and he stopped. "You can find your way from here Sarah?"
"Yes, thank you. I thought you were sleeping."
He shrugged and stepped away from her. "I was trying but there are still too many thought in my head for me to sleep. I decided to go for a walk and I ran into you."
"Oh, goodnight," she murmured, starting to walk up the stairs.
"Good night Sarah. You know where my room is if you need me," he said with a smile, watching her.
Sarah turned and looked at him for a moment, wondering if he was serious. She shrugged and made her way back to her room, climbing into the bed and quickly falling asleep.
Ludo grinned and gave her a hug. Ambrosius barked while Sir Didymus bowed and Hoggle waved shyly. Then all three of them began to ask her where she had gone and if she was ok while Ambrosius lay down to take a nap.
Sarah sat down and told them that she had been exploring the castle and had accidentally wound up in the Escher room. "I finally called for Jareth and instead of helping me he just taunted me until I finally stumbled into a room with no floor. I fell into his arms and then he transported me back to his office."
While Ludo stared hard at her, trying to understand her words, Sir Didymus complimented her on her courage and Hoggle mumbled something about Jareth showing off.
"Okay, Sir Didymus, will you please tell me what's changed? You said you would tell me later," Sarah said, looking at the knight.
He nodded.
"It all started when you left. Our king decided to re-decorate the castle, add gardens and such. The young goblins were sent to school. The older ones work at the farms or around the city-"
"In short," Hoggle interrupted. "Jareth lost his head. I don't think he found it yet either."
Ludo chose that moment to speak up. "Ludo take cawe of big twees and little flowews."
Sir Didymus and Hoggle began to argue about whether or not they should pay respect to Jareth and Ambrosius snuffled.
"Okay, hold it," Sarah said loudly, waiting until everyone fell silent before speaking again. "Do any of you know why Jareth left and went to my world to find me?"
They all looked at each other and Hoggle raised an eyebrow.
"Aint it sort ah obvious?"
Sir Didymus stuttered.
"Ludo thinks Jaweth wants to give Sawah a hug."
Sarah paled and then looked at the three of them. "That's impossible," she whispered.
They looked back at her confused.
"Jaweth can hug Sawah," Ludo said after a long pause.
Hoggle rolled his eyes and Didymus continued to stutter.
"Why would he have taken Toby, why did he make the Labyrinth harder, why did he mock me a few minutes ago in the Escher chamber instead of just helping me? All that seems to contradict what you've said," Sarah murmured, drawing her knees to her chest.
Sir Didymus sat thinking very hard.
"Well what you be say'n is contradict'n what we been see'n." Hoggle said.
"Jaweth's haiw is nice." Ludo said nodding.
Sarah glanced at Ludo for a moment, before looking at Hoggle. "And what do you see?" she asked him.
Hoggle puffed up. "Well he's ok by me, when he's not pitching a fit that is. He can be really whiny you know?"
Sarah looked at him incredulously. "You said that what I spoke of contradicted what you saw. That's what I was asking about."
Hoggle shrugged and limped around the room. "Well he don't taunt us. Why should he taunt you?" He thought for a moment then grinned. "Then again, you have heard what they say when little boy pick on girls? It mean that they-"
"Jaweth wead to Ludo," Ludo said, trying to help.
Sarah sat silently, wondering if screaming would do any good. Probably not, and they were her friends, even if they weren't being terribly helpful.
There was a knock on the door. Hoggle went to answer it and found a short goblin in a dress and bonnet.
"Dinner is ready for ye's," it said before turning and walking away.
"Ludo hungwy."
"I'm not very hungry, give my regrets," Sarah murmured as they stood.
Sir Didymus looked confused as everyone else exited the room.
"Give your regrets to who my lady?"
"You don't eat with Jareth?"
He shook his head, his whisker twitching. "He eats in his rooms."
"Oh, then never mind. I'll see you later," Sarah murmured as Sir Didymus bowed and left, Ambrosius trotting behind him.
Sarah made her way over to the bathroom, filling the sunken tub with water and bubbles. She ran a brush through her hair before stripping and climbing into the tub.
Was what the three had said, true? It couldn't be, could it? Sarah lay looking at the ceiling as she thought about what they had said.
She finally stood and dried off, looking around in confusion as she realized her clothes had vanished. Annoyed, she wrapped a towel around her and went into her bedroom to look through the wardrobe, hoping no one was in the room.
Jareth stood looking at the books on the shelves. He heard Sarah come out of the bathroom and smiled but didn't turn around.
"You aren't hungry Sarah?"
Sarah jumped a foot and clutched the towel to her. "No, not hungry, nope," she said quickly, moving back towards the bathroom door.
"I'm not looking," he said while chuckling. "Honestly Sarah, I have more decency than that!"
She glared at his back, then moved towards the wardrobe, opening it and grimacing at the clothing inside.
"Could you kindly get me some real clothing?" she asked, hoping he was still looking the other way.
He threw a crystal over his shoulder and where it landed on the floor sat a pair of folded jeans, white socks, a white flowing silk shirt, and underthings.
Sarah carefully bent down and grabbed the clothing walking back to the bathroom and shutting the door.
Jareth chucked to himself and changed all the clothing in the wardrobes to more simple attire. Perhaps now she would be satisfied. He was still tired but when Hoggle had knocked on the door telling him that Sarah was still shaky and wasn't going to eat he decided to pay her a visit.
Sarah walked into the bedroom, her damp hair sticking to the shirt. She looked at Jareth as he examined the books. "You can turn around now."
He did, slowly and looked at her, struggling to stay upright. He leaned up against the bookshelf, taking some off the weight off his feet.
"Are you all right Sarah?"
"I'm fine, why do you ask?"
He shrugged and stepped forward off the bookshelf. "I was just wondering why you passed up a meal with your friends."
"I just didn't feel like eating. Are you all right?" she asked, stepping towards him.
He couldn't help himself. "Oh now why the concern?"
"My apologies for asking, it won't happen again," she replied coolly.
Jareth sighed. "I apologize. I didn't come here to fight with you. Thank you for your concern but I'm fine...if a little tired."
"If you're so tired, then why are you in here?"
His cheeks darkened again. "I thought you might be curled up in a ball shaking. You seemed pretty scared when you left."
"Well as you can see I'm fine."
Jareth nodded and started towards the door. "Then if you will excuse me. I'm going to sleep. Goodnight Sarah."
"Night," Sarah murmured, watching him. "Oh, Jareth?" she asked as he opened the door.
He looked back, his eyes dull.
"Yes?"
"Where can I go to get something to eat?"
He smiled and rolled a crystal across the floor to her.
"Touch that and you will join your friends in there meal."
He turned and walked from the room, closing the door quietly behind him.
"Thank you," she called out, kneeling down and picking up the crystal.
Jareth lay sprawled out on his bed staring upward at nothing. His body cried out for sleep but he didn't want to. She had actually seemed pleased with him this afternoon. Maybe she still liked him? A thought struck him and he smiled. He would try it in the morning.
Sarah found herself seated next to Ludo at a dining table, her head spinning slightly from the teleportation.
Ludo, who had a piece of food stuck on his teeth patted Sarah on the head.
"Hi Sawa."
Sir Didymus and Hoggle stared opened mouthed at her.
"You's got magic?" Hoggle asked.
"No, Jareth gave me a crystal to get here," Sarah murmured, thanking a goblin as it set a plate of food in front of her.
Hoggle raised an eyebrow.
"And how is Jareth?"
"Probably asleep," Sarah said as she took a hesitant bite of food.
Hoggle nodded and continued to eat.
Sir Didymus paused. "He was very heroic in his effort to find and rescue you my lady. He must be very very tired indeed."
"What do you mean?" Sarah asked.
Sir Didymus shrugged and speared a piece of meat with his fork. "He was very worried. I don't think he slept much if at all."
"He wan awound like chicken," Ludo said.
"Oh," Sarah murmured, taking a few more bites.
Ambrosius barked and nuzzled her arm, asking for scraps. Ludo grinned and put down his entire plate.
Sarah smiled and finished most of her meal, giving the rest to a semi-full Ambrosius.
101,185,208 goblins later Jareth was still awake...and sick of counting goblins. There really weren't very interesting. He crawled out of bed, having decided to take a walk in the garden.
"I'm going back to my room, I guess I'll see you guys later," Sarah said with a smile and a wave as she stood and left the room. Only after wandering for several minutes did she realize she had no idea where she was. She thought about calling for Jareth, but decided that he needed to sleep. Looking around for a goblin that might be able to direct her in the right direction, she wandered through the halls.
Jareth rounded a corner and ran right into Sarah. He blinked a few times before slipping into his role again of polite host.
"Excuse me. I didn't see you. Do you need something?"
"My room, it seems to have disappeared," Sarah said with an embarrassed smile.
"Would you like a crystal or may I walk you to your chambers?"
"If I walked, then I'd know my way a little better maybe," Sarah murmured.
He nodded and held out his arm, not quite sure if she would take it but offering the courtesy anyway.
Sarah looked at him for a moment before lightly laying her hand on his arm.
All the hairs on Jareth's arms stood straight up and he smiled. He put his hand over hers and led her through the halls.
"So Sarah...how are you enjoying my labyrinth...or the castle in the center anyway?"
"Other than I can't find my way anywhere and I was stuck for two days in a room I spent ten minutes in, it's all right," she murmured dryly.
He laughed softly. "Perhaps tomorrow will be better."
Sarah stayed silently and shrugged, doubtful.
"Tomorrow I would like to show you my labyrinth."
Sarah froze and looked at Jareth. "I've seen it," she said in a flat voice.
He looked back at her. "It has changed Sarah. You've changed too. It won't be like it was last time."
She didn't say anything and didn't move until he lightly tugged her hand.
He watched her. "How can you be harmed by it if the creator is with you? Besides, you can bring your camera and take pictures."
Nodding reluctantly, Sarah continued to walk beside him, wondering if it was worth it to find her way back to the Escher room before tomorrow.
They reached the main staircase and he stopped. "You can find your way from here Sarah?"
"Yes, thank you. I thought you were sleeping."
He shrugged and stepped away from her. "I was trying but there are still too many thought in my head for me to sleep. I decided to go for a walk and I ran into you."
"Oh, goodnight," she murmured, starting to walk up the stairs.
"Good night Sarah. You know where my room is if you need me," he said with a smile, watching her.
Sarah turned and looked at him for a moment, wondering if he was serious. She shrugged and made her way back to her room, climbing into the bed and quickly falling asleep.