"Sarah, the church I wanted you to get married in just cancelled! Your wedding's in _three_ weeks, and you don't have a place! What are we going to do?" Karen boomed at Sarah.

"I don't know, Karen. I guess we should look around for one pretty soon. I've been having these dreams lately. I think it'd be best if I got married outside, like in a field or something. I know!" Sarah thought of the perfect place. She was already dressed in comfy jeans and a tee, so she pulled Karen to her feet, dragging her out the door.

"Where are you taking me? It better not be far, the car's in the shop," demanded her stepmother impatiently as she allowed herself to be dragged.

"It is not far at all. I've been there thousands of times when I was younger. Come on! We're almost there!" Sarah pulled Karen along faster, until they reached their destination.

It was the old field where Sarah used to come to recite lines of The Labyrinth, before she actually visited the place. It was the end of spring now, seven years after her trip to the underground. The flowers were in full bloom, and the place looked even more magical than before. Karen gawked at the scene.

"It-it's wonderful. Oh, it will be a beautiful wedding, Sarah. I'll call your father and tell him to meet us here," Karen took out her cell phone. "Oh, darn! There's no reception! I'll be back soon. Wait here and don't move a muscle," Karen walked off, her cell phone raised in the air, searching for signal. Sarah laughed at how ridiculous she looked, taking three steps and stopping, three more and stopping.

"You have a beautiful laugh, my dear. Pity you never laughed in the Underground," sounded a clearly smooth voice in Sarah's mind. She stopped laughing, her smile fading and her body stiffening. She knew that voice all to well. It haunted her in her nightmares ever since that wretched night seven years earlier. She turned slowly around.

Before her perched a snow-white owl on the gazebo railing. Sarah tried her best to look indifferent, but her body began to shake. It had been so long . . . So long since she had seen that owl. . .

"Hello, Goblin King," her words came out trembling, instead of the calm and cold way she intended them to sound.

"Hello, Sarah, my sweet," he spoke into her mind, his words arrogant and teasing. Apparently he heard her voice falter.

'Why that pig! What is he doing here? Why won't he just disappear?' Sarah thought. The owl ruffled its feathers.

"If you're wondering what I'm doing here, there is no need to worry. I only came to wish you well," his voice grew distant, as if he was insulted.

'I know he can speak into my mind, but can he hear my thoughts as well?' Sarah took a step backwards. What was taking Karen so long?

"What's the matter, my dear? Why back away, when you know you only want to get closer?" His tone was like honey now, and she practically melted. A quick mental shake helped her regain her stance.

"I. . . I just. . .," Sarah stuttered, trying to find the perfect retort that wouldn't reveal how she really felt. She looked out of the corner of her eye, looking for somewhere to run.

In an instant, The Goblin King had retained his human form, and he stood inches away from Sarah, his warm breath tickling her cheek.

"Come now, Sarah, don't be alarmed. I'm not going to hurt you," he said, his mismatched eyes boring into Sarah's. Her eyes fluttered closed. No! What are you doing?!

He leaned in, his cheek brushing hers as he whispered into her ear.

"I'll be back, Sarah."

Sarah's heart thumped louder, and her thoughts raced. He'll be back? But the wedding! Sarah would be getting married soon! That would mean. . .

"Sarah?"

Sarah's eyes snapped open. The Goblin King was gone, and Karen was now walking towards her with her father and Toby at her side.

"Are you okay? Your eyes were closed. Are you tired?"

"No, I'm. . . I'm fine. Just imagining what the wedding would look like," she replied quickly, feeling flustered. Her family relaxed, their worried expressions turning into happy ones.

"You're right, Sarah. This would be the perfect place. It is gorgeous! You'll make a beautiful bride," her father said, giving her a big hug.

"And I'm gonna have a big brother!" Toby threw his small arms around her waist.