Sydney was too afraid to move. After finding a gap in the floor she had
carefully crawled around it, only to find another gap with only a foot wide
area to get across it. Now she had reached what seemed to be a row of
stairs and platforms, all littered with holes. She could go no further, the
walls were completely gone, and she had nothing to stabilize herself. She
continued to crawl her way though.
Sitting on her knees, she contemplated her next move, then suddenly she actually saw something. Out of the darkness appeared a bubble of light, it landed on the black ground in front of her. Then in a flash, who was standing there? None other than Jareth.
Sydney looked up at him, strange how she was still blind, but his form could clearly be seen. He gave off a soft light around his body, it shimmered like he was a heavenly being. She was confused, she didn't call for him, why was he here? Though she really didn't care, she was elated to see him. He crouched down and took hold of her and stood her on her feet.
"Sydney.stand up, you are not a cowardly animal to crouch on the ground." He said, his voice flowing all around her. he took hold of her hand, his touch felt much to warm, and she saw that he was not wearing his gloves. Perfect slender hands were holding her invisible ones.
"I'll guide you out of here." He whispered turning to start walking. Sydney refused to move at the pace he was going and held her ground. "Trust me my Love, I will lead you to no dangers."
"My Love??" Sydney gasped. Jareth only gave her a calm trust filled smile. He took her hands once again and, slowly this time, stepped around the gaps and holes. Sydney silently followed him step by step, making sure she walked exactly where he had. He commented on how well she was doing and gave her words of encouragement. Soon they were flying though the maze as if Sydney had her sight back.
Finally he stopped and pulled her close to him. "Jareth, why have we stopped? Have we made it to the end?" Sydney asked.
"We have come to the end of this maze and now it is time for me to leave you." He told her, his loving demeanor never swaying.
"Leave, but I don't want you to leave." Sydney was so shocked by what she said that she actually considered taking it back. But Jareth was already backing away as if he didn't hear her.
"I won't leave, not really. I'm in your dreams Sydney, I'll always be here." He said as he let go of her hands and disappeared in a shimmering wave of light.
Alone in the darkness again, she suddenly felt that if she took one step without Jareth their to help her she would surly fall. ' A dream!? What. I don't understand- wait! That bubble it looked like one of Jareth's crystals.' Suddenly Sydney realized that it was all a dream. She dreamt that Jareth was here, she went though the whole maze herself.
Realizing this Sydney suddenly didn't feel very well. She felt the blood drain from her face and she felt like she was about to faint. Fearing she would faint, she took a small step forward and reached out with her hands. A wall was very close to her, and the moment she touched it, it swung open. Suddenly able to see again Sydney turned to see the path she was on, but a wall had already closed behind her, and she never got to see the dangerous maze that Jareth, or at least her dream of Jareth had actually helped her find her way though.
Sarah remembered! Toby, she had to find Toby. This new knowledge caused Jareth's carefully constructed replica of her room at home to crumble. The Junk Lady that had been trying to load her down with all her favorite possessions, scurried away as fast as she could with her back loaded down with her own things.
"Sarah!?" came Ludo's call though the ruined walls of the room. Running over to the wall, Sarah climbed though a large whole in the wall, and was lifted out by Ludo. she gazed around at the large junkyard they were in.
"Are you alright my Lady?" asked Sir Didymus.
""Yes I'm fine, thank you for helping." She said as she hugged Ludo.
"Look my Lady, the castle, it is not far, it lies doth yonder." Sir Didymus pointed.
Looking over Sarah was delighted to see that the city walls were barely seventy yards away, and the castle was in the middle of the city. She didn't know how long she was asleep or wandering around forgetting her mission. So she and Ludo and Sir Didymus made a beeline straight to the gates.
Sydney found herself in what appeared to be a massive junkyard. She looked around, suddenly marveling at everything she saw. Loosing her sight had caused her to realized how much she took it for granted and now wanted to see everything. The sky was a drab mix of colors now that the sun had gone down. Looking at her watch, she gasped when she saw that there was hardly forty minutes left.
Struggling though the piles of rubbish, she finally looked around and caught sight of the castle sitting in the middle of the Goblin City not a mile away. Overjoyed she jumped around for a moment before breaking into a run towards the castle. Gone were the walls of the Labyrinth, and she covered ground quickly as she made her was around piles of junk.
Suddenly she felt something grab her ankle, and she fell on the ground. She swiftly turned to see a pair of yellow eyes looking at her.
"You shouldn't run so fast my dear." Said a very old voice. Sydney saw a face that belonged to those eyes and realized as the pile of junk shifted that it was a goblin that had grabbed her, Sydney couldn't see her at first because she had a large pile of junk on her back.
"Who are you?" Sydney asked sharply, was this another diversion or was she here to help.
"It's not polite to ask questions either." Said another grumpy old goblin in front of her.
"Let her ask! She's just a curious young woman!" another snapped, as she moved out to be seen. "We are the Junk Ladies." She continued, giving Sydney a gentle look from under tired brows.
"Ooo, it's been so long since we've seen a new face here." Said a much younger sounding voice. Sydney scrambled to her feet as another Junk lady ambled up to her. She looked much younger that the others. "Are you staying with us?"
"Staying?" Sydney looked around to see them all looking at her to answer. In the distance she could see tiny mounds of junk moving and she assumed they where other Junk Ladies.
"Yes, Did his Majesty put you here?" the young one asked.
"No, I found my way here." She said, anxious to leave these goblins and continue to the castle.
The goblins all sighed, "Oh," said one, slightly down hearted. "His Majesty put us here, we were finding our way much to fast and He had to put us here."
"Not me," piped up the young one. "I ran out of time just as I reached the junk yard, so I had to stay here." She said happily.
"You mean that you were solving the Labyrinth, just like me?" Sydney looked at them as they all nodded.
"I remember when I was as young and as beautiful as you." Said a new goblin as she trudged up to them.
"You were human!" Sydney gasped, was this what happened if you didn't solve the labyrinth. Sydney was terrified.
"Yes and mortal to, are you sure you don't want to stay here with us? It's been so long since we've had a new sister to tell us about Aboveground."
"Yes I'm sure! I have to go now, I don't have much time." Sydney said, masking her panic. The goblins moved closer to her.
"We could hold you here" said the goblin who had grabbed her. The others eagerly agreed. "Yes, hold until time runs out, then you must be our new sister deary."
Suddenly realizing the situation, Sydney burst into a run and dodged the goblins as they attempted to grab her. Sprinting as fast as she could, she easily left the heavily laden goblins. But it seemed that the whole junkyard had been notified of her presence, and herds of them went after her.
Out of breath Sydney had to stop and breath, clutching at her side, cursing her self for being out of shape.
"WHO GOES THERE!"
The thunderous question rang though the air, causing all the Junk Ladies to stop in their tracks. Sydney looked around for the source.
"The City Guard!" shouted a Junk Lady off in the distance. " the other must be at the gates."
Suddenly Sarah's shouts where heard.
" WHO GOES?!" came the call again. Turning to the gates she realized that Sarah was there already. Suddenly a group of Junk Ladies ran up to her. Caught off guard Sydney had to turn and run in the opposite direction.
Jareth was silently lounging in his throne, gazing at the baby with a small grin on his face. Time was almost up, and Sydney had yet to call for him. Surly she knew that she was going to loose. Would she rather be a part of the Labyrinth instead on looking down on it from his castle?
"Your Highness!" came a call from a castle guard. Jareth looked up as he ran in. "Your Highness!" he said giving him a swift bow. "The girl,"
"What?" Jareth said calmly though he was unsure of which he meant.
"The girl who ate the peach and forgot everything." He said hurriedly.
Jareth sighed, closing his eyes praying for patience. "what of her?" he asked still calm, did it really matter. She must be off wandering by now.
"She's here with the monster, and Sir Didymus and the dwarf who work for you!"
"WHAT!" Jareth sat up taking hold of the baby.
"They got though the gates," the guard continued his voice rising in panic. " and are on their to the castle."
Jumping out of his throne, Jareth couldn't believe she escaped the poison. "Stop her!!" he yelled. He handed the child to a large goblin at his side. "Take the baby and hide it." then he turned to the room of scattering goblins. "She must be stopped." The warning bell began to ring and the whole castle emptied as they raced to the mortal girl. "Hurry.. move!" Jareth shouted, his anger flowed around him.
Sydney could hear a great battle going on in the city, though she couldn't see it. She was huddled behind a pile of junk, trying to catch her breath. She had eluded the Junk Ladies for the moment and was taking the opportunity to rest. Her watch showed ten minutes left, if she ran, she just might make it.
Suddenly a howl came from inside the city and before Sydney's eyes a stamped of boulders and rocks rolled their way though the front gates and into the city. The destruction was heard by all as the boulders rolled their way around the city. After a minute the city had gone deathly quiet, and Sydney knew it was now or never.
Standing up she sprinted straight for the splintered gates. Closer and closer she got, she could see past the gates. Suddenly a Junk Lady jumped out behind her and started to chase her. Sydney's heart leapt for joy when she saw the goblin trip but it slammed to a stop when the goblin grabbed her leg as she went down, dragging Sydney along with her.
"Let me go!" Sydney shouted as she struggled with the goblin. The gates where only ten feet in front of her. A surge of anger went though Sydney just like when she had lashed out at Jareth. Tired of this whole game, Sydney decided that nothing was going to stop her when she was so close. Sydney kicked the goblin in the face with her free leg, the goblin let her go and howled in pain. Stunned by her violent action Sydney laid there for a moment watching the goblin clutch her bloody nose.
Then she jumped up and ran though the gates, only to find a half destroyed city. All was quiet and still, except the occasional moan from a fallen goblin. No one could be seen.
"Sarah" she called, she got no answer. "Saarrahh" she yelled louder as she picked her way though the broken city.
Sitting on her knees, she contemplated her next move, then suddenly she actually saw something. Out of the darkness appeared a bubble of light, it landed on the black ground in front of her. Then in a flash, who was standing there? None other than Jareth.
Sydney looked up at him, strange how she was still blind, but his form could clearly be seen. He gave off a soft light around his body, it shimmered like he was a heavenly being. She was confused, she didn't call for him, why was he here? Though she really didn't care, she was elated to see him. He crouched down and took hold of her and stood her on her feet.
"Sydney.stand up, you are not a cowardly animal to crouch on the ground." He said, his voice flowing all around her. he took hold of her hand, his touch felt much to warm, and she saw that he was not wearing his gloves. Perfect slender hands were holding her invisible ones.
"I'll guide you out of here." He whispered turning to start walking. Sydney refused to move at the pace he was going and held her ground. "Trust me my Love, I will lead you to no dangers."
"My Love??" Sydney gasped. Jareth only gave her a calm trust filled smile. He took her hands once again and, slowly this time, stepped around the gaps and holes. Sydney silently followed him step by step, making sure she walked exactly where he had. He commented on how well she was doing and gave her words of encouragement. Soon they were flying though the maze as if Sydney had her sight back.
Finally he stopped and pulled her close to him. "Jareth, why have we stopped? Have we made it to the end?" Sydney asked.
"We have come to the end of this maze and now it is time for me to leave you." He told her, his loving demeanor never swaying.
"Leave, but I don't want you to leave." Sydney was so shocked by what she said that she actually considered taking it back. But Jareth was already backing away as if he didn't hear her.
"I won't leave, not really. I'm in your dreams Sydney, I'll always be here." He said as he let go of her hands and disappeared in a shimmering wave of light.
Alone in the darkness again, she suddenly felt that if she took one step without Jareth their to help her she would surly fall. ' A dream!? What. I don't understand- wait! That bubble it looked like one of Jareth's crystals.' Suddenly Sydney realized that it was all a dream. She dreamt that Jareth was here, she went though the whole maze herself.
Realizing this Sydney suddenly didn't feel very well. She felt the blood drain from her face and she felt like she was about to faint. Fearing she would faint, she took a small step forward and reached out with her hands. A wall was very close to her, and the moment she touched it, it swung open. Suddenly able to see again Sydney turned to see the path she was on, but a wall had already closed behind her, and she never got to see the dangerous maze that Jareth, or at least her dream of Jareth had actually helped her find her way though.
Sarah remembered! Toby, she had to find Toby. This new knowledge caused Jareth's carefully constructed replica of her room at home to crumble. The Junk Lady that had been trying to load her down with all her favorite possessions, scurried away as fast as she could with her back loaded down with her own things.
"Sarah!?" came Ludo's call though the ruined walls of the room. Running over to the wall, Sarah climbed though a large whole in the wall, and was lifted out by Ludo. she gazed around at the large junkyard they were in.
"Are you alright my Lady?" asked Sir Didymus.
""Yes I'm fine, thank you for helping." She said as she hugged Ludo.
"Look my Lady, the castle, it is not far, it lies doth yonder." Sir Didymus pointed.
Looking over Sarah was delighted to see that the city walls were barely seventy yards away, and the castle was in the middle of the city. She didn't know how long she was asleep or wandering around forgetting her mission. So she and Ludo and Sir Didymus made a beeline straight to the gates.
Sydney found herself in what appeared to be a massive junkyard. She looked around, suddenly marveling at everything she saw. Loosing her sight had caused her to realized how much she took it for granted and now wanted to see everything. The sky was a drab mix of colors now that the sun had gone down. Looking at her watch, she gasped when she saw that there was hardly forty minutes left.
Struggling though the piles of rubbish, she finally looked around and caught sight of the castle sitting in the middle of the Goblin City not a mile away. Overjoyed she jumped around for a moment before breaking into a run towards the castle. Gone were the walls of the Labyrinth, and she covered ground quickly as she made her was around piles of junk.
Suddenly she felt something grab her ankle, and she fell on the ground. She swiftly turned to see a pair of yellow eyes looking at her.
"You shouldn't run so fast my dear." Said a very old voice. Sydney saw a face that belonged to those eyes and realized as the pile of junk shifted that it was a goblin that had grabbed her, Sydney couldn't see her at first because she had a large pile of junk on her back.
"Who are you?" Sydney asked sharply, was this another diversion or was she here to help.
"It's not polite to ask questions either." Said another grumpy old goblin in front of her.
"Let her ask! She's just a curious young woman!" another snapped, as she moved out to be seen. "We are the Junk Ladies." She continued, giving Sydney a gentle look from under tired brows.
"Ooo, it's been so long since we've seen a new face here." Said a much younger sounding voice. Sydney scrambled to her feet as another Junk lady ambled up to her. She looked much younger that the others. "Are you staying with us?"
"Staying?" Sydney looked around to see them all looking at her to answer. In the distance she could see tiny mounds of junk moving and she assumed they where other Junk Ladies.
"Yes, Did his Majesty put you here?" the young one asked.
"No, I found my way here." She said, anxious to leave these goblins and continue to the castle.
The goblins all sighed, "Oh," said one, slightly down hearted. "His Majesty put us here, we were finding our way much to fast and He had to put us here."
"Not me," piped up the young one. "I ran out of time just as I reached the junk yard, so I had to stay here." She said happily.
"You mean that you were solving the Labyrinth, just like me?" Sydney looked at them as they all nodded.
"I remember when I was as young and as beautiful as you." Said a new goblin as she trudged up to them.
"You were human!" Sydney gasped, was this what happened if you didn't solve the labyrinth. Sydney was terrified.
"Yes and mortal to, are you sure you don't want to stay here with us? It's been so long since we've had a new sister to tell us about Aboveground."
"Yes I'm sure! I have to go now, I don't have much time." Sydney said, masking her panic. The goblins moved closer to her.
"We could hold you here" said the goblin who had grabbed her. The others eagerly agreed. "Yes, hold until time runs out, then you must be our new sister deary."
Suddenly realizing the situation, Sydney burst into a run and dodged the goblins as they attempted to grab her. Sprinting as fast as she could, she easily left the heavily laden goblins. But it seemed that the whole junkyard had been notified of her presence, and herds of them went after her.
Out of breath Sydney had to stop and breath, clutching at her side, cursing her self for being out of shape.
"WHO GOES THERE!"
The thunderous question rang though the air, causing all the Junk Ladies to stop in their tracks. Sydney looked around for the source.
"The City Guard!" shouted a Junk Lady off in the distance. " the other must be at the gates."
Suddenly Sarah's shouts where heard.
" WHO GOES?!" came the call again. Turning to the gates she realized that Sarah was there already. Suddenly a group of Junk Ladies ran up to her. Caught off guard Sydney had to turn and run in the opposite direction.
Jareth was silently lounging in his throne, gazing at the baby with a small grin on his face. Time was almost up, and Sydney had yet to call for him. Surly she knew that she was going to loose. Would she rather be a part of the Labyrinth instead on looking down on it from his castle?
"Your Highness!" came a call from a castle guard. Jareth looked up as he ran in. "Your Highness!" he said giving him a swift bow. "The girl,"
"What?" Jareth said calmly though he was unsure of which he meant.
"The girl who ate the peach and forgot everything." He said hurriedly.
Jareth sighed, closing his eyes praying for patience. "what of her?" he asked still calm, did it really matter. She must be off wandering by now.
"She's here with the monster, and Sir Didymus and the dwarf who work for you!"
"WHAT!" Jareth sat up taking hold of the baby.
"They got though the gates," the guard continued his voice rising in panic. " and are on their to the castle."
Jumping out of his throne, Jareth couldn't believe she escaped the poison. "Stop her!!" he yelled. He handed the child to a large goblin at his side. "Take the baby and hide it." then he turned to the room of scattering goblins. "She must be stopped." The warning bell began to ring and the whole castle emptied as they raced to the mortal girl. "Hurry.. move!" Jareth shouted, his anger flowed around him.
Sydney could hear a great battle going on in the city, though she couldn't see it. She was huddled behind a pile of junk, trying to catch her breath. She had eluded the Junk Ladies for the moment and was taking the opportunity to rest. Her watch showed ten minutes left, if she ran, she just might make it.
Suddenly a howl came from inside the city and before Sydney's eyes a stamped of boulders and rocks rolled their way though the front gates and into the city. The destruction was heard by all as the boulders rolled their way around the city. After a minute the city had gone deathly quiet, and Sydney knew it was now or never.
Standing up she sprinted straight for the splintered gates. Closer and closer she got, she could see past the gates. Suddenly a Junk Lady jumped out behind her and started to chase her. Sydney's heart leapt for joy when she saw the goblin trip but it slammed to a stop when the goblin grabbed her leg as she went down, dragging Sydney along with her.
"Let me go!" Sydney shouted as she struggled with the goblin. The gates where only ten feet in front of her. A surge of anger went though Sydney just like when she had lashed out at Jareth. Tired of this whole game, Sydney decided that nothing was going to stop her when she was so close. Sydney kicked the goblin in the face with her free leg, the goblin let her go and howled in pain. Stunned by her violent action Sydney laid there for a moment watching the goblin clutch her bloody nose.
Then she jumped up and ran though the gates, only to find a half destroyed city. All was quiet and still, except the occasional moan from a fallen goblin. No one could be seen.
"Sarah" she called, she got no answer. "Saarrahh" she yelled louder as she picked her way though the broken city.