Disclaimer: I own nothing. End of story.

Cruel Heart
By Cariah Delonne

Chapter 3: Sir Didymus

Sarah sighed and turned away from her mirror. Things were going so completely awry from how she had imagined them – she had thought that when she got back, life would somehow be better. She understood Karen's insecurities around her; she understood so much about the world, and life in general. Jareth had been right – life wasn't fair. But she had learnt to accept it.

Now, however, things were starting to fly too quickly, too far, too fast. Her dad and Karen argued incessantly, about her, about Toby, about money. She began to wonder if he could possibly hold on to one woman in his life. To make things more complicated, she found herself siding with Karen more and more often, trying to make her father see what he was doing. Nothing worked. They still went out every Friday night, in an effort to keep up appearances, but Sarah knew better. She no longer minded being left at home with Toby – she now wondered what on earth possessed her to make such a foolish wish.

Her mind wandering back to that night, her nightmarish visit to hell, she looked up at the soft toy with the red and gold striped vest, his foxish nose grinning with the expectation of a noble quest. More often, her mind would focus on Hoggle or Ludo, their dependency, their insecurities, rather than the (however foolish and gallant) ravings of the knight.

She turned back to her mirror. "Sir Didymus?" she called softly. Her mind swept in with a thousand foolish remarks, making her feel extremely silly, and foolish – the others hadn't answered, why would he be different? Why wouldn't he have come when she called before? Because you didn't call for him, a small part of her mind argued defiantly.

Once more, she turned away and walked to her window.
"Fair maiden?" came a small voice.

Sarah's head whipped around, her eyes falling with joy upon the small figure seated delicately on her bed.

"Sir Didymus!" she cried, "Why didn't you answer before?"
"I could not come, fair Lady. I did try, and I vowed I would get through to you eventually – and I have succeeded in my noble quest!" he finished triumphantly.
Sarah smiled. "Oh Didymus, where are the others? Could they not come? Are they sick?"

Instantly, Didymus' face clouded. "Fair maiden, bad and terrible things have happened in the Labyrinth since you came away. His highness has been in a most foul mood – indeed, if he knew I was here, he would have me locked away. But do not fear my lady, I do not fear the dungeons – I would go to the ends of the earth for a quest and a fair maiden, and I would triumph!"

Sarah sighed at the exuberance of the little knight – she had indeed forgotten his enthusiasm on matters noble. "What can you tell me of Hoggle, of Ludo?" she said in concern, turning back to the little fox.

"Alas, my brothers were captured upon their arrival back in the underground upon their last visit. Sir Hoggle is now addressed only as Prince Hoggle and my noble brother Ludo is all alone in the dungeons."

Sarah's mouth fell open in horror, before her mind fully registered what he had said. "Prince Hoggle?"
"Aye my Lady – I understand his majesty had quite a temper when they got back – he made Sir Hoggle Prince of the Land of Stench," he replied sadly.
"That too, is why I have been trying to see you – we need your help fair maiden – the inhabitants of the Labyrinth need your help. Jareth is uncontrollable – and I cannot – will not – rest until my brothers are free from their unjust punishments. Will you help us, fair Lady?"

Sarah stared at him, dumbfounded, her problems fallen away behind her, as she faced the enormity of what Didymus was asking of her.

"You want me to lead a rebellion against Jareth?"

A/N: Yeah, I've neglected this one a little bit! Sorry! (Although it was funny writing Didymus - sorry if it's a bit weird - I always think he's a bit centred around quests etc too much, so that's a major thing here!) Thank you for all your reviews =D Please leave me a little thought, what you think of it! I have a pretty clear idea where this is going – my muse has returned! It might even be a JS in the end – now that would be something new for me…
Thank you for reading, please leave a review .
Cariah.