Toby sat at the bottom of the ditched, head in his arms, he didn't know how long it had been, an hour maybe? Where was Minx? She had better not be running in circles again! He had given up trying to climb out himself. It was no use.
Sarah had made it through the door into the labyrinth and was now running through the twists along with Hoggle, Ludo and Sir Didymus. She kept looking around corners and then heading in the opposite direction.
"My lady! What are you doing?" Sir Didymus asked.
"Sarah the castle is that way!" Hoggle said pointing in the right direction.
"I know that, Hoggle. I'm not looking for the castle!"
"What?"
"Toby could be anywhere! I have to find him! He's the one who has to get to the castle."
"Toby Lost!" said Ludo.
"I know. He must be....."
"Sarah, he only has an hour and a half...."
"Well I can't waste anymore time Hoggle."
Back in the castle, Jareth was looking out at the labyrinth from his balcony. 'Just a little longer....'
"Your highness....."
"What is it?" Jareth asked the Goblin who disturbed his thoughts.
"What do you want us to do about the girl and her brother?"
"Just leave them be, there is no way they'll make it to the castle now. Even if Sarah did reach Toby they wouldn't make it. Just let them be."
"Yes sire" And the goblin scampered away.
"Soon my dear Alex....very soon...." Jareth said allowed.
Minx was running through twists and turns of the stone walls as fast as she could. She was determined to find somebody ANYBODY who might help her. So far it seemed what ever she ran into either couldn't move or was going to eat her.
"Isn't there anyone out there who can help me?!!" She screeched. She was turning the corner so quickly she didn't notice the dark haired woman. "Ack!" she squeaked as she ran into her.
"Oh are you ok?" she asked.
"Yes I---No! No I need help!" Minx stood up quickly.
Sarah kneeled down. "Now, now, calm down!" She picked up Minx.
"My friend is trapped in a great big hole! He can't get out!"
"Very unlike a squitten, not being able to climb....." said Sir Didymus.
"No, he's human! And the walls are too---"
"WHAT!?!" Sarah said so suddenly she nearly frightened Minx out of her arms.
"What?"
"He's human?! What does he look like?!" Hoggle asked quickly.
"He's tall, blonde hair, blue eyes..."
"THAT'S TOBY! My Toby! Where is he?!"
"In the forest!" Minx leaped out of Sarah's arms.
"Hurry! Take us to my brother!"
"Fallow me!" and with that Minx scampered off, the rest following after her. Sarah only hoped it wasn't too late.
Toby had just about lost all hope. He had long since collapsed from exhaustion. He had cried out for help till his throat was sore.
The group scrambled through the brush of the forest, trying to avoid any sudden drops for fear they might end up in the bog of eternal stench. "Toby!" Sarah cried. "We're coming Toby!"
"My lady! Wait for us!" called Sir Didymus for Sarah was running so fast they were falling behind.
Finally Minx led them to the dark hole in the ground. Sarah dropped to her hands and knees and gasped when she saw her little brother laying at the bottom. "Oh Toby..."
"It'll be ok Sarah!" said Hoggle grabbing some vines from a tree.
"He's right my Lady, we shall rescue Sir Toby from this ditch!" Sir Didymus said jumping off his steed. "Here, Sir Hoggle. I am the lightest so I recommend you lower me down on that vine, and I'll tie it around the lad and you shall pull him up!"
"Didymus, are you sure?" asked Sarah.
"Of course my Lady!" And Sir Didymus held the end of the vine and stepped at the edge of the hole. That was when he realized how deep and dark it was and he shivered "ahh...maybe you should Hoggle..." he stuttered.
"Didymus you are the lightest it will be easier to get you back up again! Now GO!!!" Hoggle said and gave the little knight a shove.
"AHHHH!!!" Didymus howled as he fell. Hoggle rolled his eyes and started lowering him down slowly.
"It's really quite dark down here..." Didymus called.
"Stop wasting time and tie it around Toby!"
"Yes, yes!" Didymus tied the vine around Toby's waist. "Alright! Up he goes!"
Sarah and Hoggle started pulling at the vine bringing Toby up with it. They knew they wouldn't have succeeded if Ludo wasn't there to help, he was by far the strongest. The moment Toby's body appeared coming over the edge, Sarah let go of the vine and grabbed him around the waist and pulled him the rest of the way. "Oh Toby..." she whispered holding her younger brother in her arms "my poor Toby." And she rocked him back and forth.
"Excuse me! But...help!" Didymus called from down the hole. Hoggle let down the vine again and was able to pull Didymus back up himself. No one said a word to Sarah as she cradled her unconscious brother.
Toby was running through dark woods. "Alex!" he called "ALEX!!" Finally he spotted her. She was picking flowers in the clearing, her back to him. Toby stopped to catch his breath then smiled. The light danced on Alex's dark hair which fell in soft curls down her back. She was wearing a beautiful white dress that flowed lightly as Alex walked. She looked like she was floating on air. "Alex, come on let's get out of here." Toby said once he remembered what he cam here for. Suddenly a cream and white feathered owl swooped down and landed on her shoulder. That was when Alex finally turned around to face Toby. She raised an eyebrow as she stared at him. It was like she didn't know him! "Come on Alex," Toby tried again "let's go home!"
"But I am home!" she said. And the golden light that surrounded her turned red, her white dress turned into a deadly crimson! The owl flew from her shoulder to the ground. There it transformed into the Goblin King.
"You're too late, boy!" Jareth grinned "She belongs to me!"
"NO!!!" Toby cried.
"NO!!! No!!! Alex!" Toby sobbed in Sarah's arms. Sarah was startled by his sudden outburst.
"Toby, it's me! I'm here! Shh...I'm here now." She continued to rock Toby.
"It's no use...It's no use..." he cried.
Jareth smiled with satisfaction as his clock struck the thirteenth hour. It was done. Alex now belonged him.
"Sarah..." Hoggle said sadly "It's past the time. The thirteen hours have been spent."
"Oh no...Alex..." Sarah whispered.
"Sarah..." Toby looked up, once he got a hold of himself and realized that somebody was holding him. "You're really here?"
"Of course I am!"
"I failed her, Sarah...I promised I would get her back...This is all, my fault..."
"Oh Toby no...you didn't mean for this to happen." Sarah and everyone else were quiet for a moment. She thought hard and then said "No, you haven't failed her...not yet."
The sun was beginning to rise. Golden morning light washed over the labyrinth. Little, Eponine rose from her bed, bright and early. Tonight was the ball and she couldn't help but be very excited. Even though she lived almost 800 years she was still a child and even though she has learned adult ways she still had excitement and characteristics of a little girl at times. This morning was one of those times. Careen tried her best to calm her daughter down so she wouldn't hurt herself, but she couldn't help loving seeing her daughter happy for she doesn't get much playtime.
After helping with preparations in the ballroom and kitchen, Careen sent Eponine with a tray up to Alex's chambers to wake her.
"I'll be up there soon, little love." Careen said kissing her daughter's cheek. Eponine skillfully brought the tray upstairs into Alex's chambers without out spilling a drop of her lady's breakfast. She found the room quite dark for the drapes kept the light out. Alex was still in her peaceful dreamless sleep. Eponine quietly placed the tray on the nightstand and walked over to the balcony windows and opened the drapes letting in the sunlight.
The light fludded the room and awoke Alex from her slumber. But being a somewhat lazy girl she pulled her blankets over her head, mumbling something softly.
Eponine shook her head at her lady's laziness "Come along Mistress! It's a beautiful morning! I've brought you your breakfast."
"Oh...five more mintues..." Alex groaned.
Eponine was feeling extremely energized and playful this morning. And she wasn't about to let her lady (who she came to love so much) waste such a lovely morning. She hoped on Alex's bed and started to pull at the covers. This surprised Alex for she always knew her little servant to be very proper. But she couldn't help but smile as she rubbed her eyes, still not wanting to get up.
When Careen came into the room she was quite surprised herself "Goodness, Eponine! Come along off the bed" she came and picked her little one up and set her on the floor.
"Yes Mama..."
Alex sat up once the extra weight that was sitting on her belly had lifted "Oh, Careen. Good morning!" she said.
"Good morning Miss Alex."
"And good morning to you, Eponine." Alex smiled.
"Good morning, Miss" Eponine said happily before she headed into the bathroom.
"I'm sorry if my daughter has disturbed you in any way." Careen said.
"Not at all, she's just a child after all. She needs to have a little fun."
Careen smiled at hearing that "Now you best eat your breakfast Alex."
"Oh, yes, I AM pretty hungry..." she reached over to her nightstand and carefully took the tray and placed it in her lap. Careen took a day dress from the wardrobe and draped it over the vanity chair. "Eponine will help you dress for the day. I have to prepare the ballroom. His Majesty has said you are allowed to explore the grounds for a few hours. And then this afternoon we will help you prepare for the evening."
While Alex was eating her breakfast, she thought about what Careen said 'This evening? Oh! That's right! The ball!' she than became a tad nervous. She'd never been to a ball before! And Jareth said there would be important people there! What if she made a complete fool of herself?
"Not to worry my Lady" Careen looked up to her and smiled. Alex stopped and looked at her. Had she read her thoughts? Wait...can she DO that? But before she could think this further Careen started to head out the door "I will see you this afternoon, Alex. My daughter will attend to your needs until then. Good morning."
Since Alex's mouth was full she just nodded, and Careen departed. Eponine entered from the bathroom with fresh water for the basin. "Are you excited, Miss?"
"For the ball?" Alex thought for a moment "surprisingly...yes, I am!"
Eponine smiled as she poured water in the basin. "It is very exciting, Miss. The whole castle is in a tizzy! Never for as long as I've lived here have I seen such bustle and hustle."
"Yes..." Alex chewed on her eating utensils as she thought 'A ball is a dance for guests of the house...I am a guest of Jareth...will I dance with him?!' she blushed at the thought. It was quite visible on her face.
"What may, my lady, be thinking?" Eponine asked as she aired out Alex's dress.
"Um, nothing!" Alex felt caught red handed! She grabbed her pillow to hide her face, making the little one laugh. Then Eponine set the frock on the bed. It was then that Alex noticed something "Oh...that's odd."
"What is, Miss?"
Alex looked at Eponine "Well, usually, I'm tired for an hour after I wake up...but...I feel great!" She thought for a moment and tilted her head a bit, closing her eyes. "I guess it's because I haven't had any nightmares lately."
"Nightmares, Miss?"
"Yes." She opened her eyes "I always had nightmares before. Often they were about many things, terrible things...often death." Alex laid back down and looked at the ceiling "But now! I hadn't a one!"
"I am very happy that they are no longer vexing your dreams, my lady."
"I am too, Eponine, I am too. This place...is truly magical!"
(A/N: Thank you all for the great reviews, please continue! I have already started on chapter 8 so it's coming!)
