Author's Note: I'm back! Sort of. I wasn't expecting to post, seeing as this is my school's performance week of The Nutcracker, but I had a little time to type this part up. I hope you like it, and I promise there will be more soon(just probably not until after this week is done).

Chapter 16: One Big Obstacle

"Your Highness!" Master Beggar cried wearily, slowly walking through the forest. It's no use, he thought despairingly. She's gone. I've lost her.

"Is someone there?" an all too familiar voice asked. "Adina!" Master Beggar raced-as well as he could with short legs and a long robe- over to where Adina was sitting up, holding her head. "Are you okay?"

"I guess so," she replied, shakily standing. "Where'd you go?" "I'll tell you in a few minutes," Adina said, her expression one of determination. "Let's get moving. I don't think we have much time left."

Jareth watched as Adina and Master Beggar hurried through the forest, more annoyed than angry with them. "How did she do that?" an especially silly looking goblin yelped, leering at the duo in the crystal. "Yeah, I thought she'd be out like a light!" another cried, jumping up and down. "Your Highness, what are you gonna do?"

To be honest, he didn't know. He'd thrown everything at her, and she still kept coming. Who knew Faerie girls could be so strong? Their looks certainly hid that little fact.

And just like that, another hindrance came to mind. "This," Jareth said, throwing the crystal up in the air. "will stop her!" The goblins cheered, not hearing what their king said next: "Or nothing will."

"Milady, can't we stop for even a second?" Master Beggar wheezed as he and Adina ran through the forest paths. Three hours to go, and the Goblin City still wasn't any closer.

"No," Adina tossed back, barely out of breath. "Hmph," Master Beggar then fell silent, noting Adina's new facial expression. She acts and looks like she's running from something-or someone.

Faster! Adina urged herself on, feet flying forward. She had been thinking about the dream- it was a dream, wasn't it? - and what it meant. Master Beggar had turned pale when she told him about it, especially at the mention of her scarlet clad admirer. He seemed so familiar………………"Yiiiiiiiiiiiiii!" Master Beggar's shrill broke her thoughts. "Not again!"

Standing in their path was a monstrous giant, glaring dangerously. He wore armor of a silvery tone, carried a large axe and had glowing red eyes. "Halt, and state your business!" he droned in a deep voice. "I am Adina, Princess of the Faeries, and this is Master Beggar. Please let us through." Adina shot back, feeling quite dizzy. "Not right. No!" the giant thundered, slamming his axe down.

What's wrong with me now? Adina wondered, having now broken out in a sweat. She barely noticed the axe, only having enough time to perform an awkward shoulder roll. Need to focus……….I'm so hot though. Adina quickly ducked off the path, trying to gather her strength for a spell to defeat the metal bully.

"Yikes!" Master Beggar yelped, leaping away from the giant knight. How can he swing that axe, being covered in iron from head to toe and not fall over? Suddenly he noticed Adina off the path, swaying dizzily. She looked ready to faint.

I'm going to faint, that's right, Adina mentally confirmed, dragging herself to the safety of some bushes. Just…need….to get this humongous thing out of the way. If this doesn't work, nothing will. She slowly raised her arms and halfheartedly chanted: "Kebus ra/Kebus rum/ Leave at once, metal scum/Kebus ra/Kebus rame/ Go back now from where you came!"

A great wind arose, so strong it lifted the iron bully into the air and blew him away…….

Straight into the large gates of the Goblin City, where he remained imbedded in them as their new keeper.

Master Beggar pulled himself out of the log he'd been blown into and rushed to where Adina lay. "Your Highness, you're fantastic! Where do you get all these spells?" he asked, helping her up. "They to me, that's all." Adina slowly regained color in her face. "I don't think we'll make it now, Master Beggar. So get ready to be a goblin."

"But, Adina, look!" Master Beggar took her by the hand and gently led Adina forward. "The back gates to the city!" "Good. I don't think I can walk, though." And Adina disappeared in a flash.

Sighing, Master Beggar began walking. "She woulda beaten the labyrinth if she'd walked. Now, nobody'll ever beat it."

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