Chapter 19 - Snow and Strangers

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A/N - Hi everyone! Thanks for the fab reviews. You're encouragement really means a
lot. I wanted to end the suspense between Hilarity and Thomas today 'cause frankly
they have to get together now, it's absolutely obligatory. But they won't snog until the
end and that is final.

No update tomorrow, I'm off to see Richard Ashcroft perform in London. See ya!

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Night drew in around the little cottage while Hilarity and Hoggle planed the rest of
their journey. Luckily, the house was only a few hours away from the market town of
Warshangburg where they could stock up on anything they needed. After that it was
only a quick trundle through the Forest of Fatality and they were practically at the
entrance.

"Although I wouldn't call it a quick trundle." Hoggle warned "That place is beyond
wilderness and out the other side. And there's no need to guess why it's called the
Forest of Fatality!" he said nervously.

"What are you so worried about? You're already dead."

"No need to get personal. And don't think you're so smart. Just because you're dead
doesn't mean you can't feel pain."

"Oh." said Hilarity. She wasn't really paying attention. All she could think about was
what Thomas had said to her. The poor alien looked so crushed and awkward and he
hadn't said a word since Hoggle had interrupted them. He just gazed unhappily into
the fire in the living room and hardly touched his food that evening. Meanwhile,
Hoggle was very eager to leave as soon as possible. She suspected that he was trying
to avoid someone and she hoped that Jareth would be able to find them in time before
he was left behind. The funny little Gnome carried on talking about nothing in
particular. He recounted his adventures in the Labyrinth with relish especially the bit
where he saved his friends from the giant robotic guard.

"So how comes you know his royal pain the arse then?" he asked, fork in hand, when
the tale was over.

"I got wished away about seven years ago." replied Hilarity, her mind still elsewhere.

"You're a bit old to be an unwanted child aren't ya!"

"Yeah, that was also Trin's fault. And he totally failed to rescue me, he was about five
hours too late."

"So you work for him now?"

"Nope. He let me go and we've been friends ever since."

"Let you go! Are talking about the same person here?" Hilarity nodded "I dunno!
you're dead for one second and everythin' changes."

"That's just the way it is Hogwart."

"Hoggle!"

They spent the rest of the meal double checking their plans. A dusting of snow began
to fall outside the window. Finally, Hoggle went to bed and left them alone with
nothing but a tiny mattress and couch to sleep on. Neither of them were very comfy
and there was no room for their legs. Still it was better than being outside.

"Finally! I thought he'd never go." said Hilarity and laughed, trying to lighten the
mood. It didn't work, her companion still looked very upset. Oh dear, she was crap at
this... "Tom. That thing you said today. Did you mean it?"

Thomas was stunned. Did she want him to admit it again? Her face that was usually
so easy to read was devoid of emotion. Was she going to be angry with him for feeling
that way or was she going to let him down gently and say that they could never be
more than friends. In a way the second one was worse. He didn't think he could bear
to be around her if he knew she couldn't love him. It would have to be all or nothing.
Slowly he nodded.

"Now what's the point in being able to talk if you're just going to nod?" said Hilarity
quietly.

Oh God! This was going to be painful but he knew he just had to get it over with. "I
love you." he whispered half praying, half pleading for her to show some kind of
reaction. She slowly got off the sofa and sat next to him on the floor. For the first time
in the six years he had known her, she looked uncertain and lost for words. Her eyes
seemed to portray an emotional battle and a flurry of thoughts made her irises flourish
with a whole spectrum of colours until they finally settled back to purple. But now it
was a softer, richer shade. She held out her hand and touched his cheek. Her long
fingers explored the contours of his face then moved upwards and stroked his dark red
hair.

"I love you too." she murmured as their faces moved ever closer and for one tiny
second their lips touched, only to be cruelly split apart when the front door was flung
open. The slam vibrated throughout the building and a dark figure cast a shadow in
the doorway while a freezing wind carried thousands of delicate snow flakes into the
cottage, banishing all warmth from the room...