Rules, Rules and More Rules
The best laid schemes of Mice and Men
oft go awry,
And leave us nothing but grief and pain,
For promised joy! Robert Burns
Sarah turned white when she realized the full scope of the challenge she just accepted and was about to voice her doubts when Toad suddenly bowed and said, "I must leave, his majesty calls." Sarah turned to him and said, "Wait..." but he had already gone.
Hoggle threw up his arms in exasperation and said, "Missy I canst believe you trust him." In her agitation Sarah harshly replied, "You can't see him the way I do, Toad already explained that." Hoggle raised his eyebrows in disbelief, "And you believe him? Yous knows nuthin in the Labyrinth is as it seems." Sarah realized Hoggle could be right, Toad's allegiance would remain to be proven no matter what she thought she saw. But right now they had to get back to their planning.
The next consideration was how Sarah was going to speak to the Goblin King seeing he probably wouldn't want to see her after she obliterated his castle on her last visit. This took a lot of thinking. Both of them would start to come up with an idea and reject it in mid-sentence with, "How about...no that wouldn't work." "Maybe if...forget it!"
This went on for some time until Hoggle started hopping around in excitement, "I gots it! As guest in the kingdom if yous were to get sick really bad his majesty would have to sees you get well himself...it's the rules." Sarah rolled her eyes, there's those rules again. She hated not knowing all the rules and what havoc it could create for her. "OK Hoggle but there isn't any other rule attached to him saving my life is there? Like would I have to polish his boots or crack his walnuts until I get old or something?" Hoggle shook his head, "Nope, you owe him nothing, it is his duty as King."
Sarah considered what could go wrong, "Can he or his healers figure out I'm faking?" Hoggle replied, "I donst think so, none of them could know all that ails yous humans. It will work Missy, it's got to work." Now all they had to come up with were the symptoms of their newly created mortal disease, Mazeitis.
The following morning found Hoggle bowing low before his majesty in the throne room. "Uh, your highness, I'm wanting a houseguest for the celebration." Jareth knew that most households were throwing their own parties for they were not invited to the castle ball since Sonya considered them only servants. Jareth impatiently waved his hand in Hoggle's general direction, "Yes, yes, Hogwit, whom do you wish to invite...get on with it, can't you see I'm busy?" Hoggle put his hand to his throat, cleared it and said, "I want to invite Sarah Williams to my party."
Jareth's head spun so quickly in Hoggle's direction it should have snapped his neck. Yep, Sarah still got his attention, thought Hoggle as Jareth's eyes bore into his own. No longer relaxed and languid Jareth jumped to his feet swiftly covering the distance between them. His eyes never wavering from Hoggle's he asked, "What mischief is this? Why would you invite her?" Jareth narrowed his eyes and sneered the word "her" like he was speaking of an insect. Seeing the king's reaction Hoggle knew he had the advantage. "Sarah and me is friends, have been for a long time. I know your majesty don't like her but I want to invite hers to my party." Jareth knew he was in a trap. If he said no it would seem he were afraid of the mortal girl and that wouldn't do. He had no choice but to grant the request, after all, he didn't even have to lay eyes on the little witch. "So be it, but make sure her presence here is not felt by me."
Hoggle thanked his majesty with a bow and exited the room leaving Jareth standing in the same spot to which he had so abruptly advanced. As soon as Jareth was sure Hoggle was well out of hearing distance he clasped his hands behind his back and roared over the goblin din. "Out, out...everybody out! Move!" Goblins scurried in all directions to find the nearest door as if their hair was on fire. They were all terrified of his majesty's punishments these days. When the room was clear Jareth slowly stepped up to his throne and quietly sat down, his face an unreadable mask.