Author's Notes: It took me two days to figure out how to upload Chapter 2 properly. I hope I do it the right way this time!

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" So it's true! Our fair Lady Sarah has returned to us! " a new voice sang out from the open door. Sir Didymus, the knightly fox, smoothed his whiskers and stepped into the room. "Come, Ambrosius! " A shaggy sheep dog followed close at the heels of the fox.

" Sawwah! " another bellowed. That voice belonged to a huge and fearsome beast with great horns....fearsome until one looked into his gentle brown eyes.

" Sir Didymus! Ludo! " cried Sarah, soon in the embrace of the courtly Didymus, and the great shaggy plush toy that was Ludo. Hoggle grinned at the two.

" What's this, Milady ? Tears ? " Didymus exclaimed " Hast thou been in any way harmed whilst being returned to the Labyrinth ? "

Ludo gave a grunt, concern in his gentle eyes. "Awww! Sawwah cry ? "

"No, Sir Didymus! I'm fine! Really, Ludo ! " Sarah said, giving the fox a weak smile, and scrubbing the tears from her eyes with the backs of her hands. " Just a little shook up, that's all ! "

" Shook up? Thou hast been shaken? What ignoble churl hast shaken thee, Milady ?! Thou hast but to name the varlet, and I shall smite..."

" No, really! I'm fine! " Sarah insisted, " I'm feeling lots better now that you three are here "

Hoggle began to take note of Sarah's accommedations. He whistled, then said " I have ta say, this sure is a darn sight better'n an oubliette "

Among the furnishings of Sarah's room was a huge, ornately carved bed. The bed cover was a rich green brocade, the bed curtains of a heavy dark green velvet. Pillows covered in bright golden satin, and seemingly of every shape and size were piled against the head board.

The open wardrobe showed an array of gowns. A vanity was provided, with expensive perfumes contained in brilliant cut crystal. Many colors of silken ribbon spilled from a delicate basket. A silver hand mirror, brush and comb set lay in a velvet lined box. A warm fire crackled merrily in the hearth of the room's fireplace.

" Niiiice " agreed Ludo, looking at his reflection in a full-length mirror.

Sarah agreed. " I guess if I have to be a prisoner, it could be much worse. I have a warm bed, and nice clothes. "

All turned their heads in the direction of a sudden crash . There stood the sheep dog Ambrosius by a small overturned table, in the midst of broken crockery, greedily eating Sarah's untouched supper.

" Ambrosius! For shame! " cried Sir Didymus in dismay, " We haven't been asked! "

" Oh, that's all right, Sir Didymus " Sarah said " Ambrosius is welcome to it. I won't eat it."

" Hunh? " grunted Ludo. " Sawwah be hungry! "

" Aw, ya hafta eat, Sarah! " Hoggle said.

" No!" said Sarah, shaking her head. " If I don't eat, the Goblin King has to let me go. I only had one bite of that peach the last time I was here. That means he can only keep me here for a very little while."

" Lady Sarah, who hath filled thine head with such nonsense? " Sir Didymus asked.

" Nonsense? " said Sarah, a little stung. " I know how things work. I read, you know! "

" I understand not thy reasoning, fair lady, " Sir Didymus said, perplexed.

" I'll explain." said Sarah, always ready to play storyteller. " See, in the myth of Persephone and Hades, Persephone is kidnapped by Hades, the Lord of the Underworld. She's brought to the Underworld to stay for good. But Persephone is so sad and scared, she refuses to eat. "

" The Olympian gods gather together to force Hades to release Persephone, but it's revealed that Persephone has eaten some food of the Underworld, six little pomegranate seeds. Since she ate Underworld food, the Olympians had to rule that Persephone be released for six months out of the year, but forced to return to Hades for six months out of the year. "

" So, " finished Sarah triunphantly, " Since I haven't eaten anything, the Goblin King can't keep me for long! I only had one bite of a stupid peach, and that was during the last time I was here! "

" Shows what you know, don't it? " Hoggle broke in. Inwardly, Hoggle was in deep pain, knowing he needed to break the awful truth to Sarah. He covered his pain by pointing at Sarah, and speaking to her harshly. " Look, girly, I don't know what kinda fairy stories they feed ya on Aboveground, but ya might as well eat what's brung to ya. Yer not goin' nowhere! "

" H-hoggle, " Sarah said, her stomach knotting " What do you mean? "

" What Hoghead means to say, " said a masculine voice in the girl's ear, " Is that this is not the Underworld of Greco-Roman mythology, Sarah. " The Goblin King appeared behind Sarah from out of thin air, a smirk on his face.

Sarah startled and spun around, finding herself staring at the wall that was the Goblin King's chest. Hoggle, Sir Didymus and Ludo gasped upon hearing the King's voice.

Jareth leaned down so he could be face to face with Sarah. " This is the Underground,Sarah. You are in my Castle, I am King, I make the rules here, and by eating ' one bite of a stupid peach ', a stupid Underground peach, you have a forfeit to pay to me! "

The wild hair, the mocking gleam in Jareth's mismatched eyes, the ever-so-slight smile, and the brandy on his breath made the Goblin King even more sinister to Sarah than she remembered . Sarah shuddered and tried to back away, but Hoggle, Ludo and Didymus stood behind her, frozen to their spots.

Jareth reached out and stroked Sarah's dark hair " I can see why you'd see yourself as Persephone, Sarah.You seem to bring the Springtime wherever you go."

Sarah's eyes went wide at the Goblin King's over-familiarity.

Jareth sneered and turned his back on the girl. " But unlike Persephone, you won't be returning to your world above. Make yourself comfortable, Sarah. As of now, this is your new home. "

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