Staying Out

It is better to stay out than to get out. Mark Twain

Even if you get to the center of the castle you won't ever get out
again. Hoggle

Once Hoggle started talking about Jareth and Sonya he was like a motorboat out of control. Sarah could tell Hoggle had wanted to speak freely about this for some time but couldn't find anyone he could safely spill all his pent up frustrations to and not get in some kind of trouble. Incident after incident of abuse suffered by Jareth's subjects was conveyed through his rapid monologue without Sarah saying a word. Hoggle lowered his head as he shared with her the despair felt by the subjects of the Goblin Kingdom over Jareth's impending marriage.

Many wished they could move away but being goblins they belonged to Jareth and were his property. While they were poppets, they still had feelings and hopelessness was high on the list. Even the Labyrinth itself had changed. The foliage grew wild and gnarled as though it was responding to some twisted command from a lost soul. The goblins were afraid to venture into it; terrified they might encounter evil spirits or even worse things. Sarah felt pain listening to her friend's heartache and finally said, "I'm sorry Hoggle, I wish there was something I could do to help you." Hoggle shook his head and whispered, "I wish yous could too."

Then a small spark came into his eyes as he raised them to meet hers, "Maybe you could help us, I mean if you wants to." He said hurriedly. "Jareth has decreed that we can invite anyone to the kingdom during the celebration that we wants to...with his permission. I could invite you Sarah and maybe you could talk some sense in him. You have more influence on Jareth than anys I ever seen....you sure got his attention maybe you could again."

Sarah chuckled at Hoggle's absurd plan, "Hoggle, first of all Jareth would never listen to ME.... he would probably throw me into the bog of eternal stench on sight, or worse now that he's changed...Second, even if he would talk to me I can't just walk to the Underground, there's no way for me to get there."

Hoggle became animated, waving his arms. "Of course yous can. Remember the ring you gave to the Wiseman? Sarah, anyone who leaves an object that belongs to them in the Underground can wish themselves to it at any time...it's the rules."

Sarah was astonished at this revelation; she never knew she had access back to the Underground! But of course, nothing was ever as it seemed, and only the inhabitants of the Underground knew the blasted rules.

Sarah tapped the excited Hoggle's shoulder, "Ahem..aren't you forgetting something? How do I get back home? I doubt his majesty will just poof me back here out of the kindness of his heart." Hoggle put his finger next to his nose in thought and agreed, "Aye that's the tricky part."

The dwarf paced the room and then stopped when he had an idea; "Something you own from the Underground would have to be here so you could wish yourself to it." Sarah shook her head at the absurdity of the transportation system, it was worse than a New York subway. Hoggle's face lit up "I gots it! Sarah, I will give you me jewels here and now, and you can wish yourself back to them." Walking over to her he stated, "Sarah Williams I freely give you my jewels to keep." then he placed his prized stash in her hand.

Sarah knew Hoggle was desperate if he would so willingly give away his treasures. Then Sarah had an idea. "Wait, Hoggle, maybe there's another way.... maybe I could "need" all the goblins and wish them here for an extended visit." As soon as she said it she knew it was a stupid plan, what would happen to the Aboveworld with hundreds of goblins running amuck...bad idea. Hoggle mirrored her feelings, "No Sarah, that wouldn't work, theys belong to the Underground and Jareth, it can't be."

Sarah and Hoggle talked long into the night about every solution, every angle they could think of, and there were no other answers they could come up with. They were back to Hoggle's original suggestion. "OK, let's say I can get in and out of the Underground, I still don't see how I am going to talk to Jareth never mind convince him he's making a mistake. I'm sure I can't just waltz up to him and say, "Excuse me your majesty but have you noticed Sonya is the wicked witch of the west?"" Hoggle looked at her and said, "Naw she ain't got a title as grand as all that."

Sarah laughed and then it dawned on her, "You mean she is a witch?" Hoggle impatiently waved at her, "Of course she is...yous don't think his majesty would just marry anybody do you?" Sarah's eyes bugged out, "You mean you want me to piss off a witch? Isn't that dangerous? I mean can't she destroy me or something?" From an unlit corner in Sarah's room a deep voice gently responded, "Not with me to protect you."

Out of the shadow stepped a tinkling harlequin who bowed to Sarah with a dramatic flair. "Allow me to introduce myself, I am his majesty's jester, Toad."

The first thing Sarah noticed about Toad was his voice and grace. His fluidity of motion reminded her of Jareth's but even more so. In Toad there was none of the proud arrogance of mannerism, his carriage suggested an attractive confidence of surety and power. Acknowledging she was in the company of an even more powerful being than Jareth did not frighten Sarah at all. In fact Toad's presence radiated peace and trust that immediately put Sarah at ease. The jester's white face was made up in full harlequin style that beautifully enhanced his perfect features. It was when Sarah looked in the jester's eyes and saw eternity she knew who he was.

Hoggle gruffly spoke up first, "Hows did you get here? What do you want?" It was obvious to Sarah by Hoggle's tone he did not see Toad the same way she did. Toad said to Hoggle with a slight smile, "Let's just say I have my own methods of transportation. And as for what I want, well I have come here to help you." Hoggle whispered to Sarah, "I don't like this, I don't trust him." With sure steps the jester moved closer to the pair and said, "You may not trust me Hoggle, but Sarah does."

Then Sarah spoke in more of a statement than a question, "You are an angel aren't you?" Hoggle snorted, "He's ain't no angel." Looking down in the dwarf's eyes Toad replied, "Sarah can see me with her human soul, you my friend cannot sense the same things."

Sarah regained some of her wits and asked, "If someone like you are here to help us this is bigger than the Goblin King marrying a witch isn't it?" The harlequin nodded and explained the history of the Goblin King and his upcoming choice. Hoggle held his throat and asked, "Does Jareth know who Sonya really is?" Toad shook his head, "Not yet but he will. Sarah you are chosen to champion the light and I am here to help you."

Sarah stood up suddenly angry and shouted, "Who am I to be champion of anything? I'm just an imperfect person who has her own battles to fight. Why me? Why can't you do it Toad? You are much better equipped to champion the light" To the tinkle of bells the jester stepped to the window and looked up at the moon, "I don't know Sarah, but I do know it is part of the His plan and therefore for good reason."

Sarah instantly felt ashamed that she had been yelling at an angel, but good grief she was only human. She knew her angry outburst hid the fear of knowing Jareth had almost won last time. The mature Sarah could admit to herself the irresistible attraction she felt for the Goblin King. What was even more frightening was that even though she knew his implied love for her was a deception she desired it all the same. To her that was Jareth's greatest cruelty.

Almost as if Toad read her mind he turned and said, "Yes Sarah, there is the real risk of failure even with me protecting you. No harm will befall you from others but you have the freedom of choice between good and evil just like Jareth does. I cannot protect you from yourself"

Upon hearing those words Sarah knew why she was chosen. Jareth would not be the only one to decide his path between the stars for this was also her time for choice. Ever since wishing Toby away Sarah felt an unrelenting guilt in her soul as she faced the fact of her own potential cruelty. Facing Jareth again would polarize her and perhaps then she would find out who she was once and for all.

"I accept." She simply said.