(AN) Author's Notes: Greetings and salutations to my readers it's the authoress once again of the LTR story. On a small general note, I'm not looking forward to having to reset my clocks back to when's Daylight Saving Time kicks in sometime next month in November. I like my late mother have grown tired of having to constantly reset our clocks every time we go into the summer or winter season I wish we were like one of the few provinces in Canada that have abolished or never went by that tradition that was something set up during WWII time we're nowhere near as far as I can tell in any next World War and Lord forbid we do or in Nuclear for that matter. But given the activity that's happened in the past few months with Russia still warring with Ukraine and what activity was shown by North Korea one can never be too sure when the next World War will be around the corner I hope to never live through one if you ask me. I hope never in the rest of my life I'll be witnessed or be seen on TV such a thing happening we got enough going on with the war as is although I meant t Warren General it would be nice to think that one day humanity would never have to consider again taking up arms with their neighbouring country or neighbour.

I miss having longer days and I've noticed recently that the days are becoming shorter and the weeks going by much quicker than they used to be over the summer season.

Address to the reviewer or newest reviewer named Amanda Queen. I see where you're getting at with the comment you left for chapter 11 lol ^^ it is a bit ironic and hypocritical on the goblin king's I will say that. But I'm glad you find it a bit amusing. But as I said to you and many other reviewers there's a reason why I'm keeping Sarah Williams in servant mode for the time being and probably retaking up that position later down the road. So without further Ado ladies and gentlemen and all the types of genders available today on the internet, I bring to you now chapter 12. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: All copyright rights to Labyrinth 1986 musical fantasy film directed/created by Jim Henson, and 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. 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 12: She doesn't eat with me, then she doesn't eat at all.

Sarah rose bright and early the next morning before Greta arrived to wake her. She reached her hands over her head and stretched left and right, letting out a long sigh. In spite of her hunger, she had managed to get a full night's rest.

She washed her face and changed into one of her uniforms, deciding on the green one today. The forest green in the soft morning light was soothing, in spite of everything. Sarah gave a small smile and smoothed her hands over her apron, daring the king to come and try to take her happiness from her. As if on cue, Greta knocked and entered before waiting for Sarah's reply. If the goblin king couldn't take away Sarah's happiness, the forlorn expression on Greta's face could. The poor beast looked positively pitiful, her bottom lip quivering and empty hands helplessly held open. Sarah figured Greta was upset that she couldn't serve Sarah breakfast, but Sarah wouldn't let someone else be tormented by the king.

"Oh, don't you worry about me, Greta," Sarah spoke first. "I'll be alright! It's not your fault I can't have breakfast. I'll find something, I will. Just you wait and see. There's loads of food around the castle. I'll be okay." Sarah was giving what she hoped was a reassuring smile and even threw a little thumbs-up into the mix.

"Oh, miss, please don't rebel against the king's wishes. His commands are somethin' to listen to. But I hope you'll be okay." Greta looked behind her and approached Sarah cautiously. She whispered, "If you feel really hungry or sick with an empty belly, I'll see what I can sneak away for ya. There's enough scraps o' cloth what lying around. I can wrap something, an' he'll be none the wiser." Greta gave her a little wink.

Sarah couldn't stop the joy that spread across her face. She smiled and squeezed the middle-aged goblin's hands in her own. "Thank you," said Sarah before giving the little goblin a light hug.

"We should get going before the king gets suspicious," said Sarah glancing behind Greta. Greta nodded and headed for the door. Sarah pulled her list out of her apron pocket and read it as they walked along the corridor.

"Nothing I can't handle," Sarah claimed out loud with all the cheer and determination she could muster.

Sarah's stomach growled loudly.

"Well aren't you a little alarm clock," she said out loud with a sigh. It was high noon already, and Sarah stood in the kitchen ready to return her morning cleaning tools. She contemplated scavenging some leftovers that she was sure goblins would leave lying around here somewhere. Her stomach growled again.

"Alright, alright already." Sarah shoved her mop, still damp from the day's cleaning, back into the broom closet. She smacked her lips; her throat was parched. She had to do something; but what? She couldn't risk sneaking something from the kitchen—she shouldn't risk it, but she didn't see any other option. The water from the well outside would have to serve as drinking water—but surely someone would see her from a castle window and tattle on her. Sarah jumped as a gentle pat on her arm disturbed her scheming. She turned to find Hoggle looking up at her, his brow knitted in concern. Before she could say anything, he placed a finger to his lips and motioned for her to be silent. He beckoned her to follow.

He walked slowly and silently from the kitchen, as if he was afraid a single footstep would alert the guard. His purposeful steps led her back to her own bedroom. Hoggle glanced around one more time before ducking inside with Sarah following close behind. When the door shut behind them, Hoggle let out a long sigh. When he turned back towards her, he held a small, beige cloth in his hand. Sticking out from both ends appeared to be the crisp, round ends of a minuscule baguette.

Sarah's mouth watered so fast, she thought she would start drooling. She couldn't tear her eyes away from the food.

"I heard what the king's ordered, and I thinks that's going a bit too far." He extended the bread towards her. "A bird in a gilded cage still gets fed better than this."

"Hoggle, I…thank you. You know what'll happen if you get caught right?" Hoggle nodded, resolute visage unchanging. "Thank you." She almost tore the bread from his hand, but she restrained herself. She gently took the little parcel and opened it to find not only bread but a hefty hunk of cheese, a thin slice of meat, and a little pile of dried berries. She looked up and smiled at him in gratitude. She tore a bite-sized piece from the bread, deciding to save the rest for later, and hid the remaining piece in the closet. The rest of the food wouldn't keep, so she took a bite of the cheese; as soon as it touched her lips, her incontrollable hunger took over, and she couldn't help but scarf it down.

"Honestly," Sarah said with a full mouth, "he wants to starve me until I collapse. If that happens, it'll be on his own conscience then, if he can even feel remorse. He wants me too weak to protest, weak enough for him to control, but I can't let that happen." Sarah tried not to think too hard on what the king would do if he found her unconscious.

"Me neither," chimed Hoggle.

"Hoggle, I want to get away to one of the other kingdoms. I have to find a way to escape to one of these other lands and figure out why the king wants me here. This is more than cat and mouse; I need freedom and I need answers." She finished off the meat and popped a berry into her mouth.

"Sarah, the chances of you getting out are slim and the chances of getting to one of those places are even slimmer. But…" Hoggle rubbed his chin pensively, "it's not impossible. There might be a way." Sarah didn't like his tone; whatever "way" he spoke of didn't sound easy by the timbre of his voice.

Sarah swallowed her bite of bread, her mouth dryer than even before.

"Oh, I's almost forgot," remarked Hoggle reaching under his vest.

"Forgot what?" asked Sarah. As an answer, he handed her a small, squat canteen.

"Don't worry, it's not wine or anything of the sort. Just juice," he said as Sarah took it from him. She drank it with loud gulps.

"You know, Hoggle," said Sarah, the sweet taste of juice still fresh in her mouth, "you don't have to go this far for me. You don't have to do any of this. You should worry about your own well-being and not my doomed existence here." Now that Sarah had eaten and drunk the forbidden food and drink, she felt guilty; her health meant Hoggle's danger. This was selfish, wasn't it? She knew she was just trying to survive, but she hated that it meant putting her friend in danger.

"When it comes to you, Sarah, nothing is too far. Nothing is too hard or out-of-bounds. It would be a travesty if you starved to death on account of the king while I did nothing. And I still feel bad for feeding you that enchanted peach all those months ago," he said turning his eyes downward. "I'll do my best now, Sarah. Though it'll be hard to sneak things past the guards and servants 'round here. Especially Greta—though I think she may have a soft-spot for you know. Still, she is loyal to the king, and if she found food here, she'd be sure to report it.

"Regardless of how loyal she is or isn't, I don't think she'll cause any trouble for us," smiled Sarah, remembering what Greta had said to her that morning. "Besides, how do we know or not know that the king isn't watching us now through a crystal ball? No matter what we do, we're always going to be at risk."

"Oh, I doubt he'll be staring all day and night. No matter how powerful a Fae he is, that much magic use would drain him."

"Even so, he's going to catch on that I'm not passing out from hunger. As soon as he realizes I'm not all weak and starving like he wants, he's going to blame you or maybe even Greta. I don't want either of you in trouble. Greta means no harm, and I sympathize with her to be honest. She's just doing her job and preventing harm from befalling herself."

"If it comes down to that, I'll take the blame," said Hoggle.

"No, I'll take the blame," insisted Sarah. "I'll not have either of you dipped in the Bog of Eternal Stench on my account. I'll fess up to it all." Sarah glanced at the clock. "We shouldn't waste much more time. If the goblin king isn't already on his way, he'll figure out I'm not out at my chores soon enough. You should leave before he finds you here; if anything would make him madder than disobedience, it's our friendship."

Sarah wrapped up the cloth and hid it safely in her backpack with the remaining bread and non-perishables from her world. If they hadn't removed her stuff by now, chances were, they wouldn't bother her things at all.

"Sarah," warned Hoggle, "watch out for him. I mean it. We can discuss a possible escape the next time we work together. I promise. Until then…" Hoggle gave her a tight hug before departing.

Sarah couldn't help but feel watched. She looked around her room, already knowing that she wouldn't see anything or anyone; still, maybe he could see her. She nervously retrieved her backpack and shoved it under her bed. It would be at least a little less obvious there.

"Hi ho, hi ho, off to work I go," she sang, heading towards the door. Before her hand touched the doorknob, a voice boomed around her.

"Sarah, you will join me for lunch and bring me my food," the voice of the goblin king echoed in her ears. Sarah couldn't help but tremble. Did that mean he had been watching? Was that it…?

The voice of the goblin king was silent, but Sarah could hear her heart pounding in her chest. She swept off to the kitchen and hoped that Greta or someone had already prepared something for her to take.

As expected, Greta was already waiting in the kitchen. On the table in front of her was an elegant, covered silver tray which Sarah assumed was the goblin king's lunch. Greta pulled the tray off the table and handed it to Sarah, that forlorn look still on her face.

"I'll be okay, Greta," Sarah reassured with a smile. She continued in a whisper, "Don't worry about me being hungry and all that; it's been taken care of." Sarah gave her a wink, which still didn't cause the stout goblin to smile, but Sarah thought she saw a glimmer of hope in the old goblin's eye.

Sarah turned and stood before the doorway.

"Courage," she said out loud.

When Sarah crossed the threshold, she braced herself. As expected, a light gust of wind brushed through her hair as she was transported away from the kitchen.

(AN) Author's Notes: Again I apologize for another short chapter but it's better than nothing. As people have seen and read Sarah has a plan and it's going to slowly come into action at a gradual pace. Don't worry about Sarah's well-being or if she's getting fed enough there's no way I'm going to make Sarah practically become a skeleton without food. So I hope everyone enjoys chapter 12 keep your eyes out for chapter 13 sometime next week take care.

TTFN,

smcandy