Chapter 12 - Story Time

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It was nearly sunset. Hilarity sat on Jareth's throne with a baby on each knee and a ten

year old sat on a stool next to them as well as several other children that sat on the

floor at her feet. She was reading from a large story book but paused occasionally to

answer a question from one of the kids. Twelve more kids had been wished away that

day and it was really getting chaotic. Trin had agreed to deal with the runners in the

Labyrinth while Hilarity delt with the children, goblins and affairs of state, which she

had to admit was better than frightening young girls (something that Trin was a bit of

an expert at).

"But why did Cinderella put up with her step-sisters?" asked one of the older children.

"I don't know really. Maybe because they were the only family she had, she was just

trying to make the best of things." she replied. She was amazed at how quickly the

kids adapted to the situation. It worried her that maybe the Labyrinth was making

them forget about their siblings. Nevertheless, someone needed to look after them and

although the goblins took good care of their captives, Hilarity had a sneaking

suspicion that education was not high on their agenda. So she had done her best and

used the crystal to fetch some toys and games.

"Now then, where was I?" she said "Oh yes, Cinderella was left on her own while her

wicked step-mother and step-sisters went to the ball..."

"I don't like you're hair." said one of the children suddenly.

"No, neither do I." said Hilarity "But that's the way it is."

"I'm bored, I don't like this story." said a little boy. "Can't you tell us another one?"

"Like what?"

"I don't know. Tell us about the Goblin King. What's he like?"

Hilarity wasn't quite sure what to say about this as most of her stories that concerned

Jareth were rated at least a 12 and usually concerned a lot of alcohol consumption.

However she didn't have time to answer because at that moment the door to the throne

room swung open and Knossos strutted in.

"Hey kids! I've got a better idea. Why don't you ask that goblin over there if he'll give

you some ice cream, OK." said Hilarity which automatically sent them speed out of

the room in hot pursuit of the unfortunate creature. She eyed up her opponent and for

the first time in her life she experienced a spark of sibling rivalry. Of course! She was

turning into Jareth and she now felt the same tension towards his brother as he did.

Freaky.

"I see you've set up a little orphanage here." he said nastily.

"Oh Christ! I forgot about you!" she said with disdain. She hadn't liked the man

anyway but now her increasing goblinkingitis had turned her hatred into a ticking time

bomb.

"Have you come to a decision?" said Knossos "Do you agree to surrender?"

"Never!" she shouted dramatically. Her voice held a lot more confidence and her

cockney accent had disappeared. Had there been a mirror in the room, she would have

noticed that one of her eyes had turned a cold Nordic blue while the other one

remained its original shade of vibrant purple.

"Then be prepared to suffer the consequences."

"What consequences? Your no match for me." Trin popped his head round the door as

she said this and tried to calm her down.

"Hilarity! Relax, don't be too hasty. You're not well." he turned to the enraged Troll

King "I don't believe we've met. I'm Trin."

"Knossos."

"Gesundheit!"

"I was just discussing with you're cousin, the possibility of an alliance between our

two kingdoms." said Knossos coolly

"It's a lie! He's been threatening to invade. Guards! Throw this ingrate into the Bog of

Eternal Stench!"

"Actually Hils, the Bog of Eternal Stench was a bit of a health and safety risk for my

new enterprise 'Labyrinth Tours Inc.'" said Trin.

"And..." said Hilarity giving him a scathing look.

"And I had it drained and replaced it with a rather nice swimming pool with a Jacuzzi

and a water slide."

"Well throw him in the Oubliette then."

"Ah! Well, you see that's a bit of a problem too because I converted it into a games

room." Knossos heard this and began laughing evilly.

"Ha! My army will attack in thirteen hours. You have until then to either flee or build

up your defences. I will have great pleasure in capturing the two of you and keeping

you in a cage as a small alien curiosity." and he vanished in a cloud of glitter. His

departure seemed to calm Hilarity down and she collapsed in a heap and burst into

tears.

"Oh Trin! We are so screwed!" she sobbed.