The King and I
I ask for so little, just let me rule you and you can have everything that you want. Jareth
Sonya lay motionless at the bottom of the ice-crusted tub. Viewed from above, her nude perfect form could be clearly seen through the hard crystal like membrane as she floated in suspension. As long as she maintained this daily ritual her flawless beauty was literally captured and "frozen" in time and she would remain ageless.
Drifting as still and silent as a corpse Sonya suddenly opened her black eyes. Even in this repose the sensing spell she cast did not fail her. She knew the human had arrived in the Labyrinth.
The trap was set and Sonya envisioned how the scene would play out as the girl tried to get to Jareth. Of course, Sarah would have to come to the castle and that's when an "accident" with a hooded one would occur. Not only would the girl be out of the way but as an extra bonus Jareth would feel incredibly guilty, after all, it was his idea to employ such stringent security to guard Sonya's safety.
Sonya mentally practiced her reaction to Sarah's demise, "Oh what a tragedy, who would have imagined this unexpected turn of events?" Satisfied with her rehearsal Sonya idly wondered if she would get to hear the girl screaming when it happened. She was told this type of death was horribly painful. Closing her eyes and smiling malevolently, she hoped so.
Sonya was not the only one who sensed Sarah's presence. As soon as Sarah set foot in the Labyrinth The Guardian made the Goblin King aware she had entered his borders.
Still alone in the throne room Jareth slowly smiled canine. Of her own free will Sarah had entered his lands and as her Sovereign had dominion over her. While he had no intention exercising his rights as her King, it was extremely rewarding that he possessed the power to do so. He savored the feeling ruling over her, even if it was a technicality.
Jareth allowed himself to indulge in these feelings. Normally emotions were a luxury that the Goblin King couldn't afford to show, never mind feel. Caught up in the gratification of this small victory he was also open to other closed off emotions and discovered that he wanted to see her again. Sardonically Jareth wondered if he had a death wish, he had barely survived the first encounter. He was sure he wouldn't live though another one.
Closing off his feelings and impassive once again, Jareth stood and was about to leave the throne room when the sweet resonate sound of a violin filled the chamber. The rich cords were perfectly clear and the slow beautiful melody transfixed the Goblin King in place. He looked for the source of this enchantment and saw Toad relaxed on the windowsill gliding a bow across a violin in steady practiced movements.
Jareth sat down and listened as the slow haunting sound changed into a rapid series of notes that possessed a purposed discordant flair. Jareth closed his eyes and could picture the antics of goblins in the throne room Even though they gave him a constant headache he admitted he was a little lonely without someone to frighten and order around.
The pace of the melody slowed once again and all too soon it seemed the final sweet note finished echoing in the room.. Still holding the violin Toad gracefully somersaulted down from his perch. Jareth smiled, "Your skills continue to amaze me." Toad bowed low with his hands behind him, when he stood back up the violin was gone. Jareth asked, "What did you do with the instrument?" The harlequin grinned as he slowly strode towards the throne, "You have one up on me your majesty. What did you do with the goblins?"
"Ah yes the goblins." Jareth sighed and leaned back into the throne. "It seems I've been a little free with discipline lately and the ones who aren't in prison are a little put off. Imagine that, being afraid of me, their gracious King." Toad did a slow back flip and landed sitting Indian style before the dais. "Then let me get you mind off the goblins and interest you with the tale behind the song I played. It is about a noble lord who regretted putting his young son in the tower for stealing bows and arrows. Fortunately, once a year on the winter solace, the lord had the right to release all criminals in honor of the coming festivities."
Jareth suddenly stood up from his throne, "I've just had a brilliant idea, I will free all my subjects immediately in honor of the royal engagement ball as a gesture of my goodwill and well known generosity."
Toad nodded in satisfaction. By the time the jester had arrived in Jareth's court Sonya had already deeply influenced the King by an "obsession" spell. To counteract the spell Toad asked the King to attend his dress rehearsal and sent a torch to sear it away and free his mind. He also had to help the King undo some of the damage Sonya's evil had done. The jester's song and the story had their desired impact. Toad stood in one fluid motion, "Your highness is too kind."
When Sarah said the "right words" she felt her hair was pushed back by a slight wind with a faint whooshing sound. When the sensation was over she tentatively opened her eyes. She and Hoggle were standing at the foot of the book chair in what was the formal garden maze. Where once there were well manicured hedges in an airy space now stood overgrown gnarled bushes with spindly branches that intertwined and blocked much of the light. Heavy vines covered almost everything else with an air of silent strangulation. It was now a place of desolation and gloom. Sarah whispered to Hoggle, "I see what you mean, this place gives me the creeps."
They both jumped when they heard a rustling sound slowly making its way in their direction. The Wiseman shuffled into view as his hat craned down and said loudly, "The suckers are back." With a strained gruff voice the Wiseman looked up and demanded, "Would you be quiet!" The bird rolled his eyes and huffed, "Oh nuts."
As the Wiseman reached the stone chair all the vines suddenly receded from it as though frightened of his presence. He sat down and concentrated his attention on Sarah, "Ha humf...The young girl who was looking for a castle. Tell me young lady, did you find what you were looking for?" Smiling at the paradoxical figure she replied, "Yes and so much more." Hoggle nudged Sarah, "That's all well and good but we best be getting on, come on Sarah." As they walked away the hat blinked and said, "Geez, isn't he a testy one?"
Frightened of the twisted Labyrinth Hoggle hurried Sarah through it using every shortcut he knew. She noticed that the walls were partly covered in a mold like substance that gave off a smell of decay. As the wind blew through the Labyrinth it sounded like deep sorrowful moans were coming from the very stones. Goosebumps went up Sarah's spine and this was in broad daylight, she couldn't imagine being in here at night.
"Hoggle, you don't live inside the Labyrinth do you?" Sarah pointedly asked as she closely followed him. She did not want to lose Hoggle and be alone for one minute in this spooky maze. "No, I live just outside the walls." Hoggle panted. Sarah very was relieved to hear that.
Finally emerging past the outer walls Sarah immediately saw Hoggle's small stone cottage. While it was small it was charming with a blue thatched roof and green shutters. The cottage was also surrounded by a country garden with dozens of frolicking fairies Hoggle grumped and waved his hand in annoyance at the little flying creatures as he led Sarah through the door.
Amazingly the inside of the house was much larger than it looked from the outside, Sarah chuckled, "Things aren't always as they seem in this place." Hoggle led Sarah into a large guest room with it's own fireplace. "I hopes yous be comfortable in here." Hoggle said putting her suitcase on top of the queen-sized bed. "Oh Hoggle, it's wonderful, thank you." Sarah breathed as she surveyed the room's storybook charm.
After Hoggle and Sarah cooked and ate dinner they discussed the next night's plans. "Did you bring the makeup?" Hoggle asked. Sarah wrinkled her nose, "Yep, I asked my gothic friend if I could borrow some of her makeup, I will look like I am on my deathbed all right!" At Hoggle's puzzled expression Sarah explained there were humans who made themselves up to look like they were lifeless on a regular basis, it was a style called Gothic. Hoggle thought that was a silly thing to do and Sarah laughingly agreed.
"Er, Sarah, do you know what are you going to say to his majesty?" Hoggle asked tentatively. "No, not exactly. I'm hoping that buying some time with him will give us a chance to talk and I'll have to wing it from there. I'll have to try and gain some of his confidence first." At this they both went silent into their own thoughts. Hoggle was hoping they could pull their plan off and Sarah wondered how she would react to seeing the cruel Goblin King.