Chapter six: Brief Awakening
"JARETH! HELP ME! HELP ME, JARETH!"
In the castle beyond the Goblin City, Jareth's eyes flew open, mismatched blue and brown gazing at the ceiling, wide in horror at the scream that had just echoed through his mind.
"Sarah . . .?" he whispered, his voice rusty from weeks of sleep. He looked down to see the sword on his chest. "Hoggle," he muttered, grabbing the hilt. He sat up, and then saw in the mirror opposite what he was wearing: a white ruffled shirt, together with a tight pale blue waistcoat, overlaid with silver embroidery; as he rose from the bed, he saw that on his bottom half (in the mirror opposite) were veeery tight white trousers which fit nicely over his legs and backside, and to complete the outfit long black boots. There was no time to change, but he promised himself that he'd make Hoggle pay. . a lot. He knew it wasn't safe for him to dress in such light colours: in the faery world light colours meant a heart full of light, gentle and gallant. Jareth couldn't afford a heart like that. He wore black: Sarah had given him a taste for the colour. It was a villain's colour: attractive but deadly. Just like he wished to be - just like he was! Only his hair still spoke of his former character, but everybody ignored that, fortunately.
He disappeared, followed the sound waves, and reappeared right in front of a mutated wolf, which was about to bite his head off. The wolf paused. Jareth's eyes narrowed. All of the wolves stopped dead in their tracks. Hoggle and Ludo looked around for the cause of this. Ludo looked puzzled when he saw Jareth. Hoggle went the colour of stale bread.
The wolves were all focused on Jareth's long, gleaming, very sharp sword. It was also edged with blue light, as he casually tossed it from one hand to the other, daring the gigantic lupines to just try and threaten the woman he loved.
Sarah was staring at Jareth. What was he wearing? She shook her head, amazed at herself. More importantly, why the hell was he here? Wasn't he supposed to be asleep? Suddenly, Hoggle's words returned: "If the person they love gets in danger and they call out the victim's name, the victim will wake to save them and all the loved one has to say is that they love the victim." Sarah silently put a hand over her mouth. It couldn't be.
Jareth could feel her eyes boring into his spine. He looked at the wolves and said in a silky voice, "I suggest you all leave. Right now."
The wolves hesitated.
"She called me and I came. You know what that means. GO!"
The wolves galloped off, tails between their legs. Some were whining quietly.
Jareth turned around and looked at Sarah. His eyes glittered. "Sarah," he whispered. "You . . ." Then his eyes fluttered and closed.
Sarah cried out and leapt forward as he fell, catching him just in time. But his weight was too much, and he bore them both to the ground. Jareth's head ended up in her lap, so she now got a full view of the face that had so intrigued her in the dream. As Sir Didimus and Hoggle had remarked, in sleep Jareth was completely different. His face was softened, the lips relaxed and almost smiling, the skin smooth and rosy like a child's, so different from his usual pallor. Sarah touched his cheek, marvelling at the gap between the King she knew, and this Fay who lay in her lap.
"Jareth," she whispered, "I . . ."
Jareth faded from view as the spell claimed him again. Sarah cried out but it was no use, he was gone. She glanced at Hoggle desperately. Hoggle shrugged sadly.
"You didn't say anything," he whispered. "The words must be spoken immediately."
Sarah swallowed and looked away. "But I don't love him," she said softly, almost having to force the words out.
The sun was blotted out and cracks appeared in the ground. The sound of crashing trees broke the silence. The wind screamed again. Hoggle stared at her.
"Then why are you doing this?" he asked, then turned and walked away, towards the castle. As he stepped onto the road to the Goblin City, a tree creaked and fell behind him, blocking the way. Hoggle spun round.
"Sarah!" he cried.
"Hoggle!" she yelled, running up to the tree and trying to jump over it, but the trunk was too broad. It was also too high to climb.
"It's no use. He's blocked you out. I'll try and get some of the goblins to help me shift it."
"Hoggle - wait!"
She heard his footsteps halt.
"Yeah?"
"Why are you doing this?"
"You're still my friend. You said to me after your triumph that friends should always stick by each other, no matter what. Well, this is me sticking. When we both get to the castle, I'll use his last crystal to send you home, and try to think of somebody else he cares about."
Sarah swallowed on a sore throat. "Hoggle, please, wait . . . I . . ."
But he was already walking away. Sarah refrained from swearing at his stubbornness and turned to Ludo. "C'mon Ludo, let's get this moved."
Ludo nodded and started to walk towards her. But suddenly he flickered, as if he were going out of focus.
Sarah's eyes widened, and her voice became higher. "Ludo?!"
"CHARGE!"
Sir Didimus came galloping into the clearing, having held out a steak in front of Ambrosius' nose. "Have no fear, my lady, your knight has arrived and - what? Where did the mongrels go? You missed it again!" he yelled at his poor steed, who started trembling. "How will you ever get proper experience for battle if you run away from such little skirmishes as this?"
Ambrosius, whose idea of a 'little skirmish' differed somewhat from that of his master, grabbed the steak and started chewing. Momentarily disgusted, Sir Didimus leaped off the sheepdog and then caught sight of Ludo, who seemed to be fading before his very eyes.
"My brother!" he exclaimed.
Ludo moaned, a cry of pain and confusion.
Sir Didimus' eyes darkened. "It is as I feared . . ."
Sarah made to run to the poor beast, but Sir Didimus caught her. His grip was surprisingly strong. "My lady, you must not touch him. He is beyond all help," he said sadly.
"What do you mean? Sir Didimus, tell me, what's going on? What's happening to Ludo?!" Sarah cried, her eyes black as coal in her white face.
Sir Didimus sighed. Ludo's lower half had already disappeared. "It has been happening to many creatures of the Labyrinth," he explained. "The magic can no longer support them, and they vanish."
"You . . you mean they die?!" Sarah whispered, gazing horror-struck at her poor friend.
"No, death would leave behind some remains. They just lose their existence," Sir Didimus corrected, so gently that Sarah almost burst out crying.
"Will this happen to you too?" she cried, turning to the miniature knight.
Sir Didimus bowed his head. "Eventually, dear lady," he replied gravely. "I only hope that I may go in battle, with my sword drenched in my enemy's blood, knowing that even though I may exist no longer, I leave an honourable memory behind me, in having served my King and his lady to the best of my ability."
A cry of pain made them both look at Ludo. All they could see was his head.
"LUDO!" Sarah screamed.
Ludo's tawny eyes smiled at her even in the midst of his pain. "Sarah friend," he said.
"Yes, Ludo," Sarah said helplessly, trying not to cry.
"Cure for King spell . . ."
"What is it, Ludo?"
"To take off mask . . ."
"Yes, Ludo?"
"White rose; kiss; love words."
Then he vanished.
Sarah choked in shock, and fell to her knees. As Sir Didimus had warned her, there was nothing. Not even a red hair. Sarah stared at the empty spot. "Ludo," she whispered, and began to cry.
Sir Didimus also gazed at the space where his blood-brother had been not a few moments before. He closed his eyes and prayed for Ludo's soul, that he would find peace and honour if they could not bring him back. Then his eyes rested on the ebony head of the weeping girl. He straightened, and told himself sternly that such thoughts were unworthy, both of him and the Lady Sarah. Was he not the valiant Sir Didimus, famed throughout the realm for his sense of smell and honour? And was this not the Lady who had managed to solve the Labyrinth and thus inspire hope in the hearts of all its residents that peace and love might at last return to the heart of its King? 'Courage, Sir Didimus! The battle is not yet over!' he told himself.
"My lady," he said gently. Sarah, to her credit, wiped away her tears and stood up.
"I know we have to go on," she said, surprising him, "but I don't know how to get around this trunk, Sir Didimus . . ."
Sir Didimus touched her elbow gently with a paw. "Do not lose hope, dear maiden," he said softly. "I shall endeavour to see if this villainous blockage has any weaknesses."
He mounted Ambrosius, who licked Sarah's hand and they trotted towards the trunk. As soon as they reached it, both of them vanished.
Sarah screamed. "Sir Didimus! Ambrosius!" She ran forward -
straight through the trunk.
Sarah skidded to a halt, confused and uncertain. Before her, outlined in the setting sunlight were Sir Didimus and Ambrosius, just before the gates to the Goblin City.
"Yes, my lady?" asked Sir Didimus.
"You . . you're alright," Sarah said, almost dropping to her knees again, they were so weak with relief. She couldn't have born it if Sir Didimus had left her as well.
"Why yes, my lady. When you said you didn't know how to get around the trunk, it reminded me of your fair account of your first journey in this realm. You used the same language in your description of the outer layer of this labyrinth. I wondered if this tree might not be a hidden door, such as you encountered there, and later with the noble Sir Hoggle . . who seems to be missing."
"Hoggle went off to try and get some goblins to remove the tree trunk."
Sir Didimus raised one white eyebrow. "A splendid idea in theory, but those riff-raff never do anything unless the King orders it."
At that moment, the Gates opened to reveal Hoggle. He was panting, holding an orb. Behind him were a crowd of goblins, screeching in rage at his theft.
Sarah strode forward.
"Sarah!" Hoggle exclaimed, running forward. "I've got the orb!"
"Thanks, Hoggle, but I don't need it."
"You - you don't? I've just risked my life in there getting this for you, what's made you change your mind?!"
"Ludo's gone, Hoggle."
Hoggle went silent. "Oh," he said. "That's awful, Sarah. He'll be missed."
"He's not going to be missed, Hoggle, I'm going to stop this," Sarah replied, eyes burning.
"You can't go ahead and kiss him just because you feel awful about Ludo!" Hoggle yelled. "It doesn't work like that!"
"I KNOW THAT!" Sarah yelled, silencing everyone.
"Then why venture in if your heart does not go with you?" asked Sir Didimus.
"My heart does go with me," Sarah answered. "I've read the faery tales, I know what's required."
"What do you think this is, the weekly shopping?!" Hoggle yelled in exasperation. "This isn't something that you can draw up a list for and tick off the items! You just don't get it, you never do! You have to care! Really care! And not just about the Labyrinth, or Sir Didimus, or Ludo, or even me! You have to care about 'him', as you seem to insist on calling Jareth! But you don't!"
"HOW DO YOU KNOW?!" Sarah yelled, cheeks flaming. "YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN MY HEAD, NONE OF YOU DO! BACK OFF!"
Then she turned and ran towards the castle. Hoggle made to run after her, but Sir Didimus grabbed his arm.
"If her heart was true last time, it will be true now," he said. "If not, then we can do nothing but wait."
Hoggle stared at him and then nodded silently. Both of them, along with the goblins, gazed up at the castle. Suddenly Hoggle looked down at the orb in his hand. "Wait, if she does wake him up, I have to replace this!" he cried, lifted a cobblestone and dropped down the tunnel it presented.
Sir Didimus sighed and shook his head. He glared at the goblins, creating a berth of two metres around him. Then he took out his sword, sat down, hands around the hilt and began to pray. Ambrosius sat beside him. Silence reigned in the town square as the knight prayed, and the goblins waited.
"JARETH! HELP ME! HELP ME, JARETH!"
In the castle beyond the Goblin City, Jareth's eyes flew open, mismatched blue and brown gazing at the ceiling, wide in horror at the scream that had just echoed through his mind.
"Sarah . . .?" he whispered, his voice rusty from weeks of sleep. He looked down to see the sword on his chest. "Hoggle," he muttered, grabbing the hilt. He sat up, and then saw in the mirror opposite what he was wearing: a white ruffled shirt, together with a tight pale blue waistcoat, overlaid with silver embroidery; as he rose from the bed, he saw that on his bottom half (in the mirror opposite) were veeery tight white trousers which fit nicely over his legs and backside, and to complete the outfit long black boots. There was no time to change, but he promised himself that he'd make Hoggle pay. . a lot. He knew it wasn't safe for him to dress in such light colours: in the faery world light colours meant a heart full of light, gentle and gallant. Jareth couldn't afford a heart like that. He wore black: Sarah had given him a taste for the colour. It was a villain's colour: attractive but deadly. Just like he wished to be - just like he was! Only his hair still spoke of his former character, but everybody ignored that, fortunately.
He disappeared, followed the sound waves, and reappeared right in front of a mutated wolf, which was about to bite his head off. The wolf paused. Jareth's eyes narrowed. All of the wolves stopped dead in their tracks. Hoggle and Ludo looked around for the cause of this. Ludo looked puzzled when he saw Jareth. Hoggle went the colour of stale bread.
The wolves were all focused on Jareth's long, gleaming, very sharp sword. It was also edged with blue light, as he casually tossed it from one hand to the other, daring the gigantic lupines to just try and threaten the woman he loved.
Sarah was staring at Jareth. What was he wearing? She shook her head, amazed at herself. More importantly, why the hell was he here? Wasn't he supposed to be asleep? Suddenly, Hoggle's words returned: "If the person they love gets in danger and they call out the victim's name, the victim will wake to save them and all the loved one has to say is that they love the victim." Sarah silently put a hand over her mouth. It couldn't be.
Jareth could feel her eyes boring into his spine. He looked at the wolves and said in a silky voice, "I suggest you all leave. Right now."
The wolves hesitated.
"She called me and I came. You know what that means. GO!"
The wolves galloped off, tails between their legs. Some were whining quietly.
Jareth turned around and looked at Sarah. His eyes glittered. "Sarah," he whispered. "You . . ." Then his eyes fluttered and closed.
Sarah cried out and leapt forward as he fell, catching him just in time. But his weight was too much, and he bore them both to the ground. Jareth's head ended up in her lap, so she now got a full view of the face that had so intrigued her in the dream. As Sir Didimus and Hoggle had remarked, in sleep Jareth was completely different. His face was softened, the lips relaxed and almost smiling, the skin smooth and rosy like a child's, so different from his usual pallor. Sarah touched his cheek, marvelling at the gap between the King she knew, and this Fay who lay in her lap.
"Jareth," she whispered, "I . . ."
Jareth faded from view as the spell claimed him again. Sarah cried out but it was no use, he was gone. She glanced at Hoggle desperately. Hoggle shrugged sadly.
"You didn't say anything," he whispered. "The words must be spoken immediately."
Sarah swallowed and looked away. "But I don't love him," she said softly, almost having to force the words out.
The sun was blotted out and cracks appeared in the ground. The sound of crashing trees broke the silence. The wind screamed again. Hoggle stared at her.
"Then why are you doing this?" he asked, then turned and walked away, towards the castle. As he stepped onto the road to the Goblin City, a tree creaked and fell behind him, blocking the way. Hoggle spun round.
"Sarah!" he cried.
"Hoggle!" she yelled, running up to the tree and trying to jump over it, but the trunk was too broad. It was also too high to climb.
"It's no use. He's blocked you out. I'll try and get some of the goblins to help me shift it."
"Hoggle - wait!"
She heard his footsteps halt.
"Yeah?"
"Why are you doing this?"
"You're still my friend. You said to me after your triumph that friends should always stick by each other, no matter what. Well, this is me sticking. When we both get to the castle, I'll use his last crystal to send you home, and try to think of somebody else he cares about."
Sarah swallowed on a sore throat. "Hoggle, please, wait . . . I . . ."
But he was already walking away. Sarah refrained from swearing at his stubbornness and turned to Ludo. "C'mon Ludo, let's get this moved."
Ludo nodded and started to walk towards her. But suddenly he flickered, as if he were going out of focus.
Sarah's eyes widened, and her voice became higher. "Ludo?!"
"CHARGE!"
Sir Didimus came galloping into the clearing, having held out a steak in front of Ambrosius' nose. "Have no fear, my lady, your knight has arrived and - what? Where did the mongrels go? You missed it again!" he yelled at his poor steed, who started trembling. "How will you ever get proper experience for battle if you run away from such little skirmishes as this?"
Ambrosius, whose idea of a 'little skirmish' differed somewhat from that of his master, grabbed the steak and started chewing. Momentarily disgusted, Sir Didimus leaped off the sheepdog and then caught sight of Ludo, who seemed to be fading before his very eyes.
"My brother!" he exclaimed.
Ludo moaned, a cry of pain and confusion.
Sir Didimus' eyes darkened. "It is as I feared . . ."
Sarah made to run to the poor beast, but Sir Didimus caught her. His grip was surprisingly strong. "My lady, you must not touch him. He is beyond all help," he said sadly.
"What do you mean? Sir Didimus, tell me, what's going on? What's happening to Ludo?!" Sarah cried, her eyes black as coal in her white face.
Sir Didimus sighed. Ludo's lower half had already disappeared. "It has been happening to many creatures of the Labyrinth," he explained. "The magic can no longer support them, and they vanish."
"You . . you mean they die?!" Sarah whispered, gazing horror-struck at her poor friend.
"No, death would leave behind some remains. They just lose their existence," Sir Didimus corrected, so gently that Sarah almost burst out crying.
"Will this happen to you too?" she cried, turning to the miniature knight.
Sir Didimus bowed his head. "Eventually, dear lady," he replied gravely. "I only hope that I may go in battle, with my sword drenched in my enemy's blood, knowing that even though I may exist no longer, I leave an honourable memory behind me, in having served my King and his lady to the best of my ability."
A cry of pain made them both look at Ludo. All they could see was his head.
"LUDO!" Sarah screamed.
Ludo's tawny eyes smiled at her even in the midst of his pain. "Sarah friend," he said.
"Yes, Ludo," Sarah said helplessly, trying not to cry.
"Cure for King spell . . ."
"What is it, Ludo?"
"To take off mask . . ."
"Yes, Ludo?"
"White rose; kiss; love words."
Then he vanished.
Sarah choked in shock, and fell to her knees. As Sir Didimus had warned her, there was nothing. Not even a red hair. Sarah stared at the empty spot. "Ludo," she whispered, and began to cry.
Sir Didimus also gazed at the space where his blood-brother had been not a few moments before. He closed his eyes and prayed for Ludo's soul, that he would find peace and honour if they could not bring him back. Then his eyes rested on the ebony head of the weeping girl. He straightened, and told himself sternly that such thoughts were unworthy, both of him and the Lady Sarah. Was he not the valiant Sir Didimus, famed throughout the realm for his sense of smell and honour? And was this not the Lady who had managed to solve the Labyrinth and thus inspire hope in the hearts of all its residents that peace and love might at last return to the heart of its King? 'Courage, Sir Didimus! The battle is not yet over!' he told himself.
"My lady," he said gently. Sarah, to her credit, wiped away her tears and stood up.
"I know we have to go on," she said, surprising him, "but I don't know how to get around this trunk, Sir Didimus . . ."
Sir Didimus touched her elbow gently with a paw. "Do not lose hope, dear maiden," he said softly. "I shall endeavour to see if this villainous blockage has any weaknesses."
He mounted Ambrosius, who licked Sarah's hand and they trotted towards the trunk. As soon as they reached it, both of them vanished.
Sarah screamed. "Sir Didimus! Ambrosius!" She ran forward -
straight through the trunk.
Sarah skidded to a halt, confused and uncertain. Before her, outlined in the setting sunlight were Sir Didimus and Ambrosius, just before the gates to the Goblin City.
"Yes, my lady?" asked Sir Didimus.
"You . . you're alright," Sarah said, almost dropping to her knees again, they were so weak with relief. She couldn't have born it if Sir Didimus had left her as well.
"Why yes, my lady. When you said you didn't know how to get around the trunk, it reminded me of your fair account of your first journey in this realm. You used the same language in your description of the outer layer of this labyrinth. I wondered if this tree might not be a hidden door, such as you encountered there, and later with the noble Sir Hoggle . . who seems to be missing."
"Hoggle went off to try and get some goblins to remove the tree trunk."
Sir Didimus raised one white eyebrow. "A splendid idea in theory, but those riff-raff never do anything unless the King orders it."
At that moment, the Gates opened to reveal Hoggle. He was panting, holding an orb. Behind him were a crowd of goblins, screeching in rage at his theft.
Sarah strode forward.
"Sarah!" Hoggle exclaimed, running forward. "I've got the orb!"
"Thanks, Hoggle, but I don't need it."
"You - you don't? I've just risked my life in there getting this for you, what's made you change your mind?!"
"Ludo's gone, Hoggle."
Hoggle went silent. "Oh," he said. "That's awful, Sarah. He'll be missed."
"He's not going to be missed, Hoggle, I'm going to stop this," Sarah replied, eyes burning.
"You can't go ahead and kiss him just because you feel awful about Ludo!" Hoggle yelled. "It doesn't work like that!"
"I KNOW THAT!" Sarah yelled, silencing everyone.
"Then why venture in if your heart does not go with you?" asked Sir Didimus.
"My heart does go with me," Sarah answered. "I've read the faery tales, I know what's required."
"What do you think this is, the weekly shopping?!" Hoggle yelled in exasperation. "This isn't something that you can draw up a list for and tick off the items! You just don't get it, you never do! You have to care! Really care! And not just about the Labyrinth, or Sir Didimus, or Ludo, or even me! You have to care about 'him', as you seem to insist on calling Jareth! But you don't!"
"HOW DO YOU KNOW?!" Sarah yelled, cheeks flaming. "YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN MY HEAD, NONE OF YOU DO! BACK OFF!"
Then she turned and ran towards the castle. Hoggle made to run after her, but Sir Didimus grabbed his arm.
"If her heart was true last time, it will be true now," he said. "If not, then we can do nothing but wait."
Hoggle stared at him and then nodded silently. Both of them, along with the goblins, gazed up at the castle. Suddenly Hoggle looked down at the orb in his hand. "Wait, if she does wake him up, I have to replace this!" he cried, lifted a cobblestone and dropped down the tunnel it presented.
Sir Didimus sighed and shook his head. He glared at the goblins, creating a berth of two metres around him. Then he took out his sword, sat down, hands around the hilt and began to pray. Ambrosius sat beside him. Silence reigned in the town square as the knight prayed, and the goblins waited.