There was a land of Cavaliers and Cotton Fields called the Old South. Here in this pretty world, Gallantry took its last bow. Here was the last ever to be seen of Knights and their Ladies Fair, of Master and of Slave. Look for it only in books, for it is no more than a dream remembered, a Civilization gone with the wind... David O. Selznick, Movie Prologue - Gone With The Wind
But who prays for Satan? Who, in eighteen centuries, has had the common humanity to pray for the one sinner that needed it most? Mark Twain
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Sarah was never so happy to be back in the Underground. She was grateful she had survived the ride from hell all in one piece. She swore Jareth was smirking behind those impassive eyes...one day it would be her turn; she could be very patient.
They were back in the throne room, Hoggle was once more recognizable and Jareth was looking as tempting as ever. Damn him, couldn't he have a bad hair day or something? Jareth snapped his fingers and Sarah's bag disappeared, "I took the liberty of putting your things away, Hollet....we wish to call Ishmial." Hoggle started shuffling to the door and turned to Sarah, "Yous have a nice family." Then he was gone. Hoggle's assessment of her family surprised her, she had never thought of her dad, Karen and Toby as being her family unit. To Sarah it was always the fractured pieces of a family not really hers, not without her mother.
As Jareth sauntered up to his throne he called over his shoulder, "Sarah, take your seat so we can call Ishmial." He stood in front of his chair waiting impatiently for her to join him on the dais. Sarah also wanted to see Ishmial so she quickly strode forward and gained her seat. Jareth gracefully reclined on the throne and said, "Ishmial we wish to see you."
Ishmial appeared immediately standing next to the circular chair, "I am here." Sarah could tell Jareth was much more relaxed in the angel's presence than he had been with Sarial. "What does the light offer me?"
Ishmial looked into Jareth's mismatched eyes with his pure blue ones, "A choice will be given to you." This answer was unexpected; Jareth and Sarah looked at each other. The Goblin King asked, "What choice?" Ishmial answered, "A choice between your two natures, spirit and human."
Jareth left his throne and strode down the steps to Ishmial, "What exactly do you mean?" Sarah watched transfixed as the angel reached inside his robe and brought out the small goblin with big eyes. Holding him like a baby he said, "The Almighty has declared that at the end of thirteen days your work as Goblin King is done. You are free of that responsibility, no more will you need to live in the Underground and collect unwanted children." In response to Ishmial's words the little goblin softly chattered and purred in his arms. "Our Lord offers you another life. You may choose a life of spirit. Your robes would be washed clean, you would become, as I am, eternally joyous in the presence of the Almighty. Or you may choose life as a human, live Aboveground until your time is finished, a normal lifespan. You would experience the joys and grief of an earthly life then face judgment as a mortal man."
Jareth was stunned beyond words; he had been Goblin King for so long it was part of his being. He hadn't just seen it as a role, a role that could change - to him it was his identity. During Jareth's pause Sarah stepped in, "What will happen to the goblins and Labyrinth?" Ishmial smiled at Sarah's concern for the little ones, "They will remain as they are until He wills otherwise." Sarah then asked, "Who will be King?" "Hoggle has been chosen to rule this kingdom."
"Hatail, He chose Hatail?" Jareth sneered with disdain that the dwarf would take his place. Ishmial kindly looked at Jareth, "The Lord has seen fair governance in your friend, he will rule well." Ishmial leaned towards Jareth with a twinkle of Toad in his eye, "Besides, as I understand it the Goblins are quite interesting to manage." Suddenly Jareth pictured Hoggle ruling over the inane creatures and started to laugh; it was a deep laugh, the kind that hadn't graced Jareth's soul in a long time. "Ishmial you still know how to cheer me."
Sarah was confused and asked Ishmial, "Why would he want an earthly life...I mean why would he want the grief of day to day living?" Ishmial looked at Jareth for him to answer Sarah's question. The Goblin King walked up to her, "Life as a human tests and challenges the spirit through flesh. A heavenly spirit is more powerful than a human's until a human dies, the spirit that returns after the trials of life is stronger than the one that never left the heavens or experienced pain." Sarah's mouth was open, "You mean human souls are promoted over angels?" Ishmial interjected, "In the heavens the stronger the spirit the closer it stands to Him. Sarial was one of the blessed; he stood just outside the Son."
Sarah knew they were speaking of matters that she could not fully comprehend but she did understand two things; only the strongest spirits could stand close to God, therefore, Sarial was once a very powerful and revered angel. She also reasoned that being so close to the Creator might lead to a desire to share in His glory. When the Son made the earth and breathed His image into man all the heavenly host delighted in His amazing creation. Could Sarial have deceived humans to steal His glory and become their god? Sarah didn't know but she felt it was a possibility.
Jareth circled the angel, "What kind of human life would I have? Who would I be?" Ishmial returned the little goblin to the inside of his robe, "Only He knows that. Rest assured you would find your way in the world." Jareth frowned at the unknown, he was used to feeling in control of his destiny. Sensing his mood Ishmial added, "You will have no memory of your former life here to interfere with your new one." Sarah gasped, "You mean he will not remember anything about being Goblin King?"
Ishmial's eternal blue eyes looked into Sarah's soul, "Neither will you; all memories of the Underground will be gone." Sarah exclaimed, "I won't remember my journey? I won't remember Hoggle, Ludo or Sir Didymus? Ishmial answered sadly, "It will be necessary to protect Jareth's new life. Whichever way his majesty chooses neither of you will remember your time here." Ishmial felt pain in his heart coming from Sarah; she grew colder in her spirit at the thought of losing her friends, especially Hoggle. These were bitter truths she had to know when making her choice; the Almighty was God of Light and Truth.
The Goblin King had much to think about and he could plainly see Sarah was not better from this encounter, if anything she was worse. He thought it was time to end their meeting with Ishmial, "Unless Sarah objects I want to think on these matters." Numbly Sarah nodded in response. Jareth continued, "We will call upon you again, Ishmial."
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Sarial laughed at the images in the mirror. The haunted look on Sarah's face spoke volumes about how she felt. He could tell that Jareth wasn't dancing in the aisles either. Looking upward he sneered, "You almost make this too easy, where is the challenge?"