DISCLAIMER: I own not these characters. Just the plot

A/N: Sorry for taking so long. I had a really hectic summer. So, on with the story...when we left our characters...

Chapter Three: A Freedom of Sorts

Sarah's brown eyes took in the ragged silohette of her friend. She looked over at Franz. He seemed unconcerned with her, as he spoken with Hemel. She took a deep breath and put on a regal air. She was an actress after all.

"Yes, my Lady?" he asked. Sarah pointed her finger at Hoggle.

"I want him." Franz's eyes widened.

"M'lady, He is worthless. You will get no work out of him," the slave trader said.

"Do you wish me to take my business elsewhere?" she asked, narrowing her eyes and hoping this wasn't the only slave house in the Underground. She could see his cheeks color slightly as he pulled out his keys.

"No, your Ladyship," he muttered and found the correct key. He unlocked the door and growled at Hoggle, "Get up, slave. You have a new mistress." Hoggle turned weak eyes up to Sarah, recognition dawning on him. Sarah shook her head.

"Come on, you!" Hoggle stood and hobbled out of the cell. Franz handed Sarah a small bronze key.

"This is for his shackles," he said. Sarah nodded, ill at the thought. They went up to the front desk they had passed earlier and registered Hoggle. When finished, Sarah led Hoggle out of the cavern and into the sunlight. Sarah took him to the edge of the Labrynith where the dress had materialized.

After they departed the sight of the guards, Sarah stopped and withdrew the key. She unshackled her old friend. As Hoggle rubbed his wrist, Sarah noticed the jewels she had once taken from him were missing. She looked around at the hedges. They were wilted and brown. She turned back to Hoggle and embraced him.

"Sarah, what are you doing here?" he asked.

"I don't know." Sarah explained what had occurred since she left her house. Hoggle's eyes widened.

"How did you get in there?" she asked.

"I was working one day a month ago and suddenly, I was blindfolded and drugged. When I woke, I was in that cage," said Hoggle. He looked at Sarah.

"His Majesty would be pleased to see you, Sarah," he said. The mention of Jareth sent her stomach spiraling, anger twirled in her.

"Is this," she spat, gesturing to the dying Labyrinth, "his doing?"

Hoggle shook his head. "I don't know what it is. All I know is that the Labyrinth is changing and not for the good."

"We need to get to the Castle Beyond the Goblin City and see Jareth," said Sarah, looking around the hedge, hearing voices. Something wasn't right. "But how?" she asked.

"I know how to get to the Center of the Labyrinth. I know I told you I didn't, but I didn't want to be thrown into the Bog," he said quickly, seeing the look on Sarah's face. He looked out around the hedge and moved quickly. Hoggle didn't have a good feeling about the guards. They moved past them and were apiece away, when the door opened and Franz and a tall snobby looking woman with red-hair emerged. The fat man pointed a finger at Sarah and Hoggle, hollering, "That's them!"

"Run!" yelled Hoggle and they took off with the guards in pursuit.

'Man! I wish I was in my normal clothes again or at least something easier to run in,' thought Sarah. Suddenly, she felt warm again and taking a moment to look down, she noticed she was in her jeans again.

"Sarah look out!"

Sarah didn't look fast enough. She felt the ground leave her feet as she fell.

She fell quickly through the darkness and suddenly landed on something soft. Sarah looked around. It was a cavern with bright floating lights and flora and flauna. There was a thump next to her. Hoggle was laying flat on his back. He shook his head a couple times.

"Hoggle, are you all right?" she asked, helping him up. He nodded.

"Where are we?" she asked, nervously as the lights began to notice them and flit dangerously around.

"The Faery Lands," he whispered.

Review, please. Come on. I know you want to...