Chapter Five

I shivered and pulled my jacket tighter around me. I continued walking. I wasn't at the labyrinth its self, yet. There didn't seem to be anyone around. I was completely alone. It was comforting and frightening all at the same time. I made it past a junkyard to a forest-like atmosphere. It seemed to be full of mist. I yawned. I was so tired, but I couldn't rest. I sang to myself to keep awake.

"I can go anyway (way I choose)
I can live anyhow (win or lose)
I can go anywhere (for something new)
Anyway, anyhow, anywhere I choose

I can do anything (right or wrong)
I can talk anyhow (and get along)
I don't care anyway (I never lose)
Anyway, anyhow, anywhere I choose

Nothing gets in my way
Not even locked doors
Don't follow the lines that been laid before
I get along anyway I care
Anyway, anyhow, anywhere

I can go anyway (way I choose)
I can live anyhow (win or lose)
I can go anywhere (for something new)
Anyway, anyhow, anywhere I choose"

I continued walking until I felt the ground beneath me give way. I fell through the air, as I screamed. I landed hard on the ground. I sat up and almost threw up. The smell was horrible. I knew from mom's story that this must be The Bog of Eternal Stench. I held my nose and got up. I looked around and beside the water, if it could be called that, was a big house. I started heading to it.

"Who goes there?" a voice called.

"My name is Melody. Where are you?" I asked.

From behind a tree, a fox-like creature came out. He was wearing fancy clothes and a blue hat.

"My name is-," he started.

"Sir Didymus?" I guessed.

"Yes," he looked surprised. "How do you know?"

"My mother told me about you and how brave you are."

He puffed out his chest and got a proud look on his face.

"Well yes, but who is your mother?" he asked me.

"Sarah. I don't know if you remember her."

"Of course I do." His face turned soft. "Is she well?"

"Yes. She's fine. But I need help getting out of the labyrinth. Can you help me?"

"Sarah's daughter." He sighed. "I only wish I could help you. Wait here a moment."

Sir Didymus headed to the big house and went in its huge doors. He came back out with a red furry monster, an old dwarf, and a white and grey long-haired dog.

"Ludo, Hoggle, and Ambrosius." I stated guessing.

They all nodded and Hoggle spoke first.

"Are you really Sarah's daughter?" he asked.

"Yes I am," I nodded.

"Look like Sarah." Ludo said.

I smiled. They were just like mom had said. They would surely help her.

"I need out of the Labyrinth so I can go home. Can you help me?" I asked.

"We would, but we can't." Hoggle said sadly.

"Why not?" I asked.

"We were banished here for helping your mother. We haven't been able to leave." Sir Didymus explained.

"You've been stuck here the whole time; with this smell?" I asked.

"After a couple months, you get used to the smell." Hoggle said as Ludo nodded.

"We can show you how to get out of the bog, but that's as far as we can go." Sir Didymus offered.

"I guess I'll have to take what I can get," I shrugged. "Show me the way please."

The led me around the muck to a stone wall. There was a door there.

"This will lead you to the other side of the forest." Hoggle explained.

"Thank you," I said as I headed to the door. I turned back around to face them. "What exactly is keeping you from leaving?" I asked.

They all looked at each other for an answer.

"Uh...We're not sure," Hoggle answered.

"Jareth told us we were banished here and could never leave, but he never said what would happen if we tried to leave." Sir Didymus finished.

"Jareth?" I asked.

"The Goblin King's real name," Hoggle explained.

"Well maybe he was just trying to scare you. Maybe nothing will happened if you leave." I suggested.

"Or maybe we'll die," Hoggle added.

I made a face.

"You know, Hoggle," I began, "my mom always said that you thought you were a coward, but she knew you were really a hero. That you all are."

They all looked at each other and then at the ground. I sighed and opened the door. On the other side was a forest similar to the one I had left. I walked out and turned around.

"Bye. I guess my mom was wrong about you." I said sadly.

I started to turn away when I heard Sir Didymus.

"Sir Didymus is not a coward. Come Ambrosius," he said as he approached the door.

I turned back around to see Ambrosius hide behind Ludo. Sir Didymus looked at him.

"You are embarrassing." Sir Didymus said.

He headed to the door and stopped in the doorway. He took a deep breath, puffed up his chest, and walked through the door. He walked to me and looked up at me.

"I'm still alive. You were right m'lady." He said smiling.

"Now come on through you guys. I don't have much time to get out of the labyrinth." I said to the others.

One by one they came to me, Hoggle being last. The door closed behind him and we all jumped. I took a deep breath.

"Come on, we have to go." I started to walk through the forest.