Chapter 17 - Hoggle's House

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A/N - Yes I know he's dead, but their in the Land of the Dead so technically I can
bring back Sarah's friends. Confused? You should be!

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Jareth had followed the river all night, but there was still no sign of the others and the
rain was too heavy to see clearly. Even if they had been killed, they would not be
gone, they just wouldn't be able to leave this world. The sun began to rise behind the
clouds but there was little light to speak of. He could see some kind of movement in
the distance on the other side of the river. It looked like a horse and cart. Perhaps the
driver could help, or at least give him directions. Now how was he going to get across
that river?...

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Thomas started to regain consciousness. He heard the patter of the rain, a rumble of
wheels and the steady rhythmic sound of horses hooves. He could hear a faint cursing
from somewhere in front. He was obviously not alone. He then realised that he was
lying in the back of a cart under a large canvas canopy like a covered wagon. He
noticed that the cart was filled with all kinds of trinkets and niknaks. Mostly costume
jewellery, but there were a few Christmas baubles there too along with some bags of
old clothes and shoes. The person in front must be some kind of salesman. Hilarity
was lying next to him, breathing quietly. Someone had bandaged her head and
wrapped her in a ragged hessian blanket. He relaxed a little. At least she was going to
be all right and he didn't expect their unseen rescuer to mean them any harm if he had
given her medical attention, even if it was crude. She looked so peaceful, sleeping in
the straw like that. Her long, spidery lashes casting darks shadows on her pale skin
and a relaxed little smile was on her lips. He suddenly felt a great sense of purpose.
Like he had finally succeeded in what he had failed to accomplish so many years ago.
He had saved a loved one and never once hesitated or had been distracted like he had
on Earth.

Hilarity opened her eyes. Everything was blurred but she could still distinguish the
skinny red-headed figure kneeling next to her and the gentle rocking movements of
the vehicle she was in. She wasn't sure what was going on but somehow she felt safe.
Her companion jumped to attention when she tried to move and squeezed her hand
comfortingly.

"Tom? Where are we?" she whispered "And why am I in a potato sack?" she added a
little louder, fully coming to her senses and realising what she was covered with.

"Don't worry, Hilarity. It's going to be all right." she had never heard that voice before
but it somehow she had always imagined it would sound like it did just then. It was
quiet, gentle and rather shy yet it still gave the impression of an intellect that far
exceeded her own.

"Tom! You spoke!" she cried, half with shock and half with delight. "Say something
else."

Thomas wasn't sure if he could talk again. He was a bit out of practise and he wasn't
sure why or how he had talked the last time. But she was beaming at him so joyfully
that he couldn't bear to disappoint her. The trouble was he could only think of one
thing to say, all other thoughts had melted away with that smile.

"I..." he stammered "I..."

"Go on, don't be shy."

Oh sod it! He had nothing to lose. "I love you!!" he blurted out then flinched at how
stupid he had sounded.

Hilarity looked confused and the smile vanished from her face. She looked as though
she was about to say something but then suddenly the cart stopped and the little door
at the back of it was flung open. They both came face to grumpy face with a small
Gnome and the moment was pushed aside.

"Ah! You're awake. I thought you two were goners." he said and wondered off into a
little garden that surrounded a tiny cottage. The roses were terrible she noticed... He
looked a bit familiar and Hilarity strained to remember where she had seen him
before.

"Excuse me?" she said, hopping out of the cart "Do I know you?"

"Doubt it." said the Gnome "I would've remembered meetin' someone as unusual as
you or ya friend."

"That's rich coming from someone with nose hairs you could build a rope ladder
with!" said Hilarity sarcastically. That was weird! The remains of the Metamorphosis
seemed to recognise this creature too. Her train of thought was delayed while the
Gnome continued to argue.

"Well, excuse me!" he said, picking up a watering can and heading for a flower bed
"Don't forget that if it wasn't for me, you would be wolves' meat by now, or worse."

"Oh!" said Hilarity "Sorry, that was rude off me. Thank you for saving us."

"No trouble at all." said the Gnome and winked "I particularly enjoyed the mouth to
mouth resuscitation!"

"You're horrible!"

"No I ain't. I'm Hoggle! Who are you?"

"My name's Hilarity and this is my friend Thomas." said Hilarity indicating the rather
upset looking alien getting out of the cart.

"That's what I thought." said Hoggle.

Hoggle! That was the Gnome she'd squashed on her first trip to the Labyrinth. How
could she have forgotten? He had been Jareth's gardener. Come to think of it... Where
was Jareth?!?

"Um...Higgle?"

"Hoggle!"

"Right. Have you by any chance seen our friend? We kind of got split up during the
storm. He's about...so tall, big hair, mismatched eyes, answers to the name of
Jareth...?"

Hoggle froze and Hilarity noticed a little twitch in his right eye. It was stupid of him
to be getting so upset over one name. His therapist had told him that he was
experiencing post-death stress or PDS. What did he have to fear anymore. He was
already dead, he had nothing to lose! Slowly, Hoggle calmed down.

"Errr...No! I ain't seen anyone like that. You's best come inside." he said nervously
and quickly ushered them inside his tiny cottage.