Disclaimer: everything from the movie belongs to Jim, not me. I'm just borrowing it.

A/N: *meekly lowers head* yeah, ok, I want to apologize for practically forgetting about this fic. I got this great inspiration for a BtVS story and it just kinda ran wild. But I'm back with this. I replaced chapter two, so all the funky formatting mistakes are fixed. Anyway, hope you enjoy!

Chapter Three: At the Gates Again

Alex blinked as the sparkling glitter settled around her. Her eyes widened as they took in the barren landscape stretching out before her. Bright green orbs swept the small hilltop she was standing on, before concentrating on the sweeping expanse on Labyrinth sprawled upon the valley below. As Alex's gaze traveled closer to the horizon she was not wholly surprised to find a towering castle, its sandstone turrets extending to the bleak golden sky.

"Do you still want to look for him?"

Taren's voice startled Alex out of her perusal of the great maze before her. She turned quickly and found herself face to face with the black clad figure. She swallowed back the lump that had formed in her throat and nodded determinedly, "Of course!" she glanced back at the Labyrinth, "Besides, it doesn't look too far."

Taren spoke directly into her ear causing Alex to shiver, "It's further then you think. Time is short."

Alex turned back around to face him, "That's why I'll be taking my leave of you now, Goblin King." She gave him a mocking little bow before skipping off down the hill.

The Goblin King felt his lower jaw go slack at the young woman's impudence, "Who in the Underground does she think she is?" he continued to watch her as she made her way across the valley and towards the outer walls of the maze, a flaunt her stride that would cause anyone unfamiliar with the place think she ruled the Labyrinth. Taren shook his head, he was going to have to watch this one very closely, that was for sure.

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Pale blonde hair fluttered wildly in a dry breeze as Alex's slender form jogged down the slightly sloping hill. Orange brown dirt cracked and billowed around her in smothering clouds of dust. Soon a small murky pool came into view, its depths obscured by a thick veil of green sludge floating on the surface. Alex slowly walked past the pool, cautiously peering into the water. Something just below the surface caused the muck to ripple. Alex wrinkled her nose and walked away.

Before her a grim wall stretched across the harsh landscape each side disappearing on apposing skylines. Scraggly grey green grass grew up around the tall walls. As Alex watched, small glistening shapes could be seen darting in out among the grass. Alex took a curious step forward. The small glittering shapes cam closer, beginning to dart around the girls pale blonde head.

A small smile light up Alex's face when one of the small shapes stopped and began to hover in front of her face. Her laughing eyes recognized the small figure as that of a pixie's, "Oh how sweet." Slowly she reached a finger towards the small glowing sprite.

"Wouldn't do tha' if I were you."

Alex spun around at the sound of the lilting voice.  Her eyes widened at the sight of the slender red head standing before her. The woman smiled, revealing sharp pointed teeth to match her droopy pointed ears.

"You're a… a, an."

The woman's smile widened, "I believe the word you're searching fo' is elf. M'name's Lhynal, how do ye do?" the red headed elf swept an imaginary hat off her head and bowed deeply"

Alex couldn't help the small smile that crept over her face at the comical picture. Quickly deciding to play along, she curtsied, stretching out an imaginary skirt, "Quite well thank you, but I'm afraid I must make my way across this Labyrinth." Alex eyed the elf, "You wouldn't by any chance know the way would you?"

Lhynal's tinkling laughter filled the air, "M'dear gal, 'course I don't know the way through the Labyrinth! The King be the only person who does."

Alex's shoulders slumped slightly, "Oh. Well then I'm sorry to bother you." She turned and began to walk closer to the wall.

A lithe arm shot out and grasped her by the shoulder with surprising, "Now, jus' because I don't know the exact way through the Labyrinth doesn't mean I can' be of some 'elp to ya."

Alex's bright green eyes met the steely ones of the elf's. she studied the red head's suddenly serious face for a moment before responding with a dazzling smile. She turned around and held out her hand, "Thanks for volunteering."
TBC

A/N: once again I apologize for the late update but here it is! I imagine Alyson Hannigan ('Willow' on BtVS) as Lhynal, only with an Irish accent. As always PLEASE leave a review!

~Winter