Disclaimer: The Labyrinth, its characters, songs, and phrases are
unfortunately not mine. They belong to Jim Henson Productions. However,
Ione, Apollo, and Isis are my original characters as well as the story.
Please do not use my characters without my permission.
Chapter 2: New Beginnings
Sarah entered the park nervously. She hadn't wanted to come, but her curiosity had won out. She soon saw a tall man working on a bush. His features were completely concealed by a cloak, and she could only see the top half of him. Still, there was something about him that seemed familiar. Walking closer she realized he was extremely tall, and it made her think twice about talking to him. But she didn't have any options.
"Excuse me. Could you tell me where to find someone named Ione?"
The man pointed behind her, and she turned quickly. She backed up against the bush when she found herself face to face with a lovely chocolate brown centauress. She turned to look at the man again. He walked out from behind the bush, and she saw he was a lovely palomino centaur, which explained his height. He kept the upper portion of his body concealed, and she could not get a good look at his features. The woman spoke first.
"I know you humans are not accustomed to seeing my kind. That is the reason for our unusual rendezvous."
"But.but you're a."
"A centauress," Ione finished for her. "Yes, my son, Apollo, and I are of the forgotten ones relegated to myth and fantasy."
"It almost seems like I should know you and your son, but I have never met a centaur," Sarah said as she regained her composure.
"You never met us, true, but you may have felt my presence as you journeyed through the Labyrinth where we live." Sarah tensed as she heard their home mentioned. "My son you have not met, but you certainly know Apollo's father."
Ione nodded to Apollo, and he removed the cloak that he'd been using to hide himself. Sarah gasped in shock. He looked exactly like the Goblin King and even wore the same clothing! She noticed absently that, unlike the King, Apollo had an ear pierced; but the resemblance was uncanny.
"Your father." Sarah said breathlessly.
Apollo nodded.
"I am Jareth's son of six years."
It was too much to take in, but she felt a sharp ache in the region of her heart. Ione watched her and knew what she was thinking.
"You must be wondering why I asked you here." Sarah nodded still not trusting herself to talk. "The simple fact is, you must come back."
"What do you mean?"
"The whole Labyrinth knows the King's feelings for you, Sarah. Can it be possible you do not?"
"How can I know? I know now he has children."
"Sarah, Apollo came to be nearly three years before you even entered the King's world. My youngest, Isis, came to be not too long after your dramatic refusal. I do not mean anything to him. I know that." Ione paused. Apollo knew how much it hurt her to realize this fact let alone admit it to the competition. "You meant more to him in thirteen hours than I could ever mean to him in thirteen centuries." Ione was solemn and quiet, but she was in earnest and it showed. "Tell me, if you can Sarah, that you have not looked back on your journey and wondered what would've happened if you had accepted his love." Sarah looked up slowly into Ione's eyes, and the centauress had her answer. The girl's eyes were near tears. "Come, Sarah. You don't have to rescue your brother, and you don't have to fight the Labyrinth. You just need to return to your love."
"But my family."
"Sarah, you need to choose. I can't make the choice for you. His Royal Highness the love of your life or waiting tables at the local dinner where greasy and smelly truck drivers smack your rear."
Sarah looked at the centauress lost for a moment. It wasn't that she wouldn't choose Jareth over her job any day, but what of her parents and Toby?
"Go, Sarah."
Sarah whirled around and found little Toby standing behind her.
"Toby! What are you doing here!"
"I followed you, Sarah. Your letter was from the Labyrinth. I wanted to know what they wanted."
"How did you know, Toby?"
"I remember the glitter." Sarah indeed remembered the embedded glitter in the paper and soon recalled how the entire Labyrinth seemed to be embedded with the same glitter. "Not only that. The crystal brought it." Apollo smiled and held up a crystal like the King's own. It floated towards Sarah, but the instant it touched her hand it turned into a sheet of paper exactly like that of her letter. She noticed words on it. Like This! It read. Toby smiled.
"Yep, that's how it came."
"But I can't just leave my family!"
"Sarah," Ione said her eyes looking deep into Sarah's soul. "What is more important to you?"
Sarah's eyes stung with tears again. She was older now, but she had never stopped comparing the guys that came along to Jareth. Somehow or other they never measured up.
"You know you'll never meet another man like him, Sarah."
"Maybe they'll let me come visit you," Toby said putting a hand on her arm. Sarah smiled. She knew the little boy just wanted her to be happy.
"I'll go."
Ione nodded then turned to Apollo.
"Send Toby home, Apollo, then it's home for us."
The little boy smiled and mouthed a perfect 'I love you' before he vanished. Apollo stood still for a few moments then turned and nodded to his mother. Ione in turn closed her eyes in concentration. Sarah watched as the world around her began to blur and fade then return. But the world that faded in was the strange world of the Labyrinth. Ione smiled.
"Come with me."
"Lady Ione, where will I stay?" Sarah asked as thoughts of how she would live came to the fore.
"I have a home in the city that will do for you. Apollo, Isis, and myself live in Jareth's castle so the children can be close to their father. You will have privacy there." Sarah nodded.
"What will I eat?" She remembered being hungry on her last visit.
"Although the Labyrinth is filled with goblin food, you'll find that human palatable food is also sold in the market. I also kept the garden in repair so you'll never lack for fresh produce." Sarah nodded again having run out of questions until she noticed they were now in the Labyrinth.
"Oh no! I'm going to be lost any time I venture out of your home!"
"Not if you live here, Sarah," Apollo replied. "For the first few months, Mother or I will go with you for walks until you are comfortable with the changing passages."
They reached the city easily since Ione and Apollo knew to go left at the worm's opening. The paths always changed, but the left always led straight to the city and castle.
"You see, Sarah, the Labyrinth was built to keep outsiders out. Those of us that live here soon find the rhythm to Jareth's uniqueness." Sarah watched as the centaurs quickly passed through the Labyrinth's dangers and made sure to step where they stepped. She approached the city gates with caution, but Ione and Apollo showed no fear. The guards remained asleep, and the second gate did not stop them. Memories flooded back to her on the whole of their short journey, but her memories were more disturbing as she walked through the city. Ione stopped before a large home close to the castle but far nicer than any of the goblin homes were. It was on the opposite side of the castle, which explained to her why she hadn't seen it in her walk through the Goblin City.
"I have been preparing for your arrival so the house should be livable."
Sarah walked in behind the centaurs and saw the house was spotlessly clean. The cleanliness nearly surprised her since its last occupants were half horses. She noticed that the floors were not hoof marked, and the house did not have the distinct odor of horses common to barns. Everything was in its place. The kitchen almost scared her, and she noticed the special furniture for centaurs. But she also noted that there was plenty of furniture for humans as well. Ione showed her to a bedroom that was beautifully suited to her and apologized that it was the best she could do given the difference in their race, but Sarah assured her it was fine. Indeed it was the nicest room she'd ever seen!
"Apollo and I must return to the castle, but is there anything else you need?"
Sarah hated to ask for anything after her hostess had already been so kind.
"I'm afraid I'm not prepared very well."
Ione understood perfectly.
"I took the privilege of bringing some of your clothes and necessities, but you'll also find some clothing more suited to dwellers of the Labyrinth as well." Sarah smiled her thanks. Both centaurs turned to go, but Apollo turned back. He formed a crystal as she had seen the Goblin King do and handed it to her.
"If you ever get homesick, look into this. It will show you your family." Tears came to Sarah's eyes once more as she smiled and whispered her thanks.
Chapter 2: New Beginnings
Sarah entered the park nervously. She hadn't wanted to come, but her curiosity had won out. She soon saw a tall man working on a bush. His features were completely concealed by a cloak, and she could only see the top half of him. Still, there was something about him that seemed familiar. Walking closer she realized he was extremely tall, and it made her think twice about talking to him. But she didn't have any options.
"Excuse me. Could you tell me where to find someone named Ione?"
The man pointed behind her, and she turned quickly. She backed up against the bush when she found herself face to face with a lovely chocolate brown centauress. She turned to look at the man again. He walked out from behind the bush, and she saw he was a lovely palomino centaur, which explained his height. He kept the upper portion of his body concealed, and she could not get a good look at his features. The woman spoke first.
"I know you humans are not accustomed to seeing my kind. That is the reason for our unusual rendezvous."
"But.but you're a."
"A centauress," Ione finished for her. "Yes, my son, Apollo, and I are of the forgotten ones relegated to myth and fantasy."
"It almost seems like I should know you and your son, but I have never met a centaur," Sarah said as she regained her composure.
"You never met us, true, but you may have felt my presence as you journeyed through the Labyrinth where we live." Sarah tensed as she heard their home mentioned. "My son you have not met, but you certainly know Apollo's father."
Ione nodded to Apollo, and he removed the cloak that he'd been using to hide himself. Sarah gasped in shock. He looked exactly like the Goblin King and even wore the same clothing! She noticed absently that, unlike the King, Apollo had an ear pierced; but the resemblance was uncanny.
"Your father." Sarah said breathlessly.
Apollo nodded.
"I am Jareth's son of six years."
It was too much to take in, but she felt a sharp ache in the region of her heart. Ione watched her and knew what she was thinking.
"You must be wondering why I asked you here." Sarah nodded still not trusting herself to talk. "The simple fact is, you must come back."
"What do you mean?"
"The whole Labyrinth knows the King's feelings for you, Sarah. Can it be possible you do not?"
"How can I know? I know now he has children."
"Sarah, Apollo came to be nearly three years before you even entered the King's world. My youngest, Isis, came to be not too long after your dramatic refusal. I do not mean anything to him. I know that." Ione paused. Apollo knew how much it hurt her to realize this fact let alone admit it to the competition. "You meant more to him in thirteen hours than I could ever mean to him in thirteen centuries." Ione was solemn and quiet, but she was in earnest and it showed. "Tell me, if you can Sarah, that you have not looked back on your journey and wondered what would've happened if you had accepted his love." Sarah looked up slowly into Ione's eyes, and the centauress had her answer. The girl's eyes were near tears. "Come, Sarah. You don't have to rescue your brother, and you don't have to fight the Labyrinth. You just need to return to your love."
"But my family."
"Sarah, you need to choose. I can't make the choice for you. His Royal Highness the love of your life or waiting tables at the local dinner where greasy and smelly truck drivers smack your rear."
Sarah looked at the centauress lost for a moment. It wasn't that she wouldn't choose Jareth over her job any day, but what of her parents and Toby?
"Go, Sarah."
Sarah whirled around and found little Toby standing behind her.
"Toby! What are you doing here!"
"I followed you, Sarah. Your letter was from the Labyrinth. I wanted to know what they wanted."
"How did you know, Toby?"
"I remember the glitter." Sarah indeed remembered the embedded glitter in the paper and soon recalled how the entire Labyrinth seemed to be embedded with the same glitter. "Not only that. The crystal brought it." Apollo smiled and held up a crystal like the King's own. It floated towards Sarah, but the instant it touched her hand it turned into a sheet of paper exactly like that of her letter. She noticed words on it. Like This! It read. Toby smiled.
"Yep, that's how it came."
"But I can't just leave my family!"
"Sarah," Ione said her eyes looking deep into Sarah's soul. "What is more important to you?"
Sarah's eyes stung with tears again. She was older now, but she had never stopped comparing the guys that came along to Jareth. Somehow or other they never measured up.
"You know you'll never meet another man like him, Sarah."
"Maybe they'll let me come visit you," Toby said putting a hand on her arm. Sarah smiled. She knew the little boy just wanted her to be happy.
"I'll go."
Ione nodded then turned to Apollo.
"Send Toby home, Apollo, then it's home for us."
The little boy smiled and mouthed a perfect 'I love you' before he vanished. Apollo stood still for a few moments then turned and nodded to his mother. Ione in turn closed her eyes in concentration. Sarah watched as the world around her began to blur and fade then return. But the world that faded in was the strange world of the Labyrinth. Ione smiled.
"Come with me."
"Lady Ione, where will I stay?" Sarah asked as thoughts of how she would live came to the fore.
"I have a home in the city that will do for you. Apollo, Isis, and myself live in Jareth's castle so the children can be close to their father. You will have privacy there." Sarah nodded.
"What will I eat?" She remembered being hungry on her last visit.
"Although the Labyrinth is filled with goblin food, you'll find that human palatable food is also sold in the market. I also kept the garden in repair so you'll never lack for fresh produce." Sarah nodded again having run out of questions until she noticed they were now in the Labyrinth.
"Oh no! I'm going to be lost any time I venture out of your home!"
"Not if you live here, Sarah," Apollo replied. "For the first few months, Mother or I will go with you for walks until you are comfortable with the changing passages."
They reached the city easily since Ione and Apollo knew to go left at the worm's opening. The paths always changed, but the left always led straight to the city and castle.
"You see, Sarah, the Labyrinth was built to keep outsiders out. Those of us that live here soon find the rhythm to Jareth's uniqueness." Sarah watched as the centaurs quickly passed through the Labyrinth's dangers and made sure to step where they stepped. She approached the city gates with caution, but Ione and Apollo showed no fear. The guards remained asleep, and the second gate did not stop them. Memories flooded back to her on the whole of their short journey, but her memories were more disturbing as she walked through the city. Ione stopped before a large home close to the castle but far nicer than any of the goblin homes were. It was on the opposite side of the castle, which explained to her why she hadn't seen it in her walk through the Goblin City.
"I have been preparing for your arrival so the house should be livable."
Sarah walked in behind the centaurs and saw the house was spotlessly clean. The cleanliness nearly surprised her since its last occupants were half horses. She noticed that the floors were not hoof marked, and the house did not have the distinct odor of horses common to barns. Everything was in its place. The kitchen almost scared her, and she noticed the special furniture for centaurs. But she also noted that there was plenty of furniture for humans as well. Ione showed her to a bedroom that was beautifully suited to her and apologized that it was the best she could do given the difference in their race, but Sarah assured her it was fine. Indeed it was the nicest room she'd ever seen!
"Apollo and I must return to the castle, but is there anything else you need?"
Sarah hated to ask for anything after her hostess had already been so kind.
"I'm afraid I'm not prepared very well."
Ione understood perfectly.
"I took the privilege of bringing some of your clothes and necessities, but you'll also find some clothing more suited to dwellers of the Labyrinth as well." Sarah smiled her thanks. Both centaurs turned to go, but Apollo turned back. He formed a crystal as she had seen the Goblin King do and handed it to her.
"If you ever get homesick, look into this. It will show you your family." Tears came to Sarah's eyes once more as she smiled and whispered her thanks.