Chapter 12: Of Speeches and Stinks
"So, Hogbrain, are you enjoying this trip?" Jareth grinned at him, mismatched eyes staring hard. "It's Hoggle, Your Majesty, and do I really have to keep dressing like this? I almost tripped over-" "Your skirt, Higwart? If you were in your normal appearance, Princess Adina might wonder where exactly 'Master Beggar' went. She might get upset. We both know what happens"-he walked to where Adina was sleeping - "when she gets upset."
Afraid Jareth would do something to Adina, Hoggle raced over, almost tripping and crashing into her form. "Shhhh, Hegworth, she needs her rest. Keep watching her, and if you tell her, or if she finds out who you really are, I'll feed you to-" Jareth stopped to think. "Hmmmm, can't do that anymore since our beloved princess here destroyed MacGoogle. I'll have to figure something else out. Though that was impressive. Don't worry Hoggle, you'll have a new torment soon enough." The conversation finished, he disappeared, leaving Adina sleeping soundly and Hoggle/Master Beggar nervously pondering.
Three hours later, Adina awoke to one of the most horrible smells she'd ever encountered. She sprang up immediately. "What is that smell?" Master Beggar woke from where he had been sitting, mumbling. "Oh, milady-" The smell cut him off, and his long beaklike nose wrinkled as much as possible. "Oh gosh!" he moaned, shaking his head. "This is awful- if I may be bold, Your Highness, couldn't you get rid of the smell?"
"Let's find out where it is first," Adina glanced around, quickly realizing source. MacGoogle's remains laid everywhere, and it was absolutely horrendous. "Okay, here goes."
Raising her arms, Adina closed her eyes. The remains rose into the air, and hovered waiting for their destination. Well that was good, Adina mused, opening one eye, then closing it again. Her mind searched the entire labyrinth for a suitable place to dump the stuff, and found one. "Go there," she whispered, and the pile obeyed.
Once she was sure it had been placed safely, Adina fully opened her eyes. Master Beggar raced forward, throwing himself at her feet. "A thousand thanks, Your Highness," he cried, head down. "Get up, stop calling me that, you're my friend, Master Beggar." Adina let out an exasperated sigh. "Honestly, I was better off being anonymous."
An hour later,Adina realized they were down to six hours, with the Goblin King's castle growing closer. This thought cheered her immensely, and she burst into her favorite song, "Home and the Heartland". Her voice rang out loud and clear, and a glance at Master Beggar showed he was enjoying the serenade. He looked at her with a smile, and began humming along.
So they went like this, coming down a long corridor that split in two directions. Master Beggar was so lost under the spell of Adina's song that he didn't notice, and walked straight into the wall. " 'Sing out your'- oh Master Beggar!"
Adina stopped and helped him up. "Sorry, Your Highness." Master Beggar stammered, hurriedly standing and falling down again. As Adina pulled him up, she didn't notice a gang of five ruffians sneaking behind them.
Forgot this- Adina's song is "Home and the Heartland" from Riverdance, which is a good CD to listen to while writing. Still don't own Labyrinth.