Back Around Midnight

It took Sarah a minute to realize she was no longer in what she thought was a worm-ridden section of the Labyrinth.

As soon as the girl realized the worms had become stones, she looked up, thrilled to find Jareth and too upset to realize that he was less than amused. She ran over to him, and he took her in his arms, whispering, "Precious, I was so worried about you."

Sarah shook her head, tears running down her face, as she said, "The Gummy Bears lied. They want to hurt me."

Jareth held Sarah at arms length, looking her over, more than a little worried. "What Gummy Bears, Precious?"

"The six-foot-tall Gummy Bears," Sarah said, nearing hysterics again. "Hoggle, Ludo and Didymus saw them. They must have. The Gummy Bears were right there…"

Jareth pulled Sarah close again, stroking her hair and whispering calming words. Everyone was silent for a minute. Quillan was on the brink of tears when Ludo spoke up. "Sarah not sleep in room. Mirrors too scary."

"You're right, My Brother," Sir Didymus said quietly. Turning to Cattie and Llewellyn, he added, "Perhaps there is another place that might be less frightening for the Lady."

The two Felines exchange glances, both mentally trying to find a place that may not scare Sarah. "If we clean out the throne room," Llewellyn suggested, "it may not be all that terrible for Lady Sarah." Cattie nodded.

"Then let's do it," Hoggle said, walking towards the throne room. "That is," he added, turning to face Jareth, "if Your Highness don't mind."

"Do it quickly," Jareth said. "Before she has another…" His words were drowned out as Sarah stepped back, looking over the King's shoulder, and screamed.

"What is it, Precious?" Jareth asked quickly, grabbing Sarah's shoulders gently to calm her. Sarah started struggling violently, making her way over to Quillan.

Jareth tried desperately to hold onto Sarah without hurting her. Ludo stepped forward to help his King restrain the girl.

"Don't worry, Sarah," Purple Gummy Bear whispered, hovering one large hand over the now crying Feline. "You know how the Fairy Tales go. We don't want to hurt him."

"That's right, Sarah," Red Gummy Bear whispered, holding onto her arms.

"We just want to make him one of us, Sarah," Green Gummy Bear whispered, holding her waist from behind.

Sarah finally wrenched one of her arms out of Jareth's grasp, immediately hitting him and knocking him back. Quickly, Sarah tuned around in Ludo's arms, pushing him off of her fiercely. She ran towards Quillan, almost reaching him, when Llewellyn grabbed her.

"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Sarah shrieked. "HE'S JUST A BABY!"

"Lady," Pink Gummy Bear said calmly, walking over and to Quillan. "What do you think we're going to do to him?"

"Don't take him," Sarah whispered, stopping her struggle against Blue Gummy Bear. "He didn't do anything."

"Where would we take him, My Lady," Blue Gummy Bear asked gently.

"Far, far away," Sarah whispered, tears spilling from her eyes. Pink Gummy Bear picked up the small Feline. "I can't let you take him from his parents."

"But Sarah," Quillan said quietly, wrapping his arms around Pink Gummy Bears neck, "they are my parents."

Sarah's eyes widened in terror, and she began struggling against Blue Gummy Bear. "NO, THEY AREN'T," she screamed.

He pulled her closer, wrapping his arms tightly around her arms and waist. Sarah could hardly move. "Hush, Lady," he whispered. "We're not going to take him." Sarah looked up at Blue Gummy Bear and blinked, thoroughly confused.

"Dearest," Llewellyn said, looking up from Sarah to his wife. "Put Quillan down." Cattie slowly set her son down, but didn't release her hold of him. Llewellyn looked over at his King, earning an approving and encouraging nod. Looking back at Cattie, he said, "Now, My Pet, you," he turned to Hoggle, Ludo and Sir Didymus, " and you three need to go make the throne room safe for Lady Sarah. Quillan, you stay here with His Majesty, Sarah and me."

Sarah was thoroughly confused when Pink Gummy Bea, sat Quillan down. She was even more confused when Pink Gummy Bear, Green Gummy Bear and the two smaller Gummy Bears went to clean the Throne Room.

Blue Gummy Bear looked back down at Sarah. His eyes were no longer glowing orange, and neither were Red Gummy Bear's. "Lady Sarah," Blue Gummy Bear said, loosening his grip slightly, "we're going to let you hold onto Quillan. While you're holding him, you need to sit down with your eyes closed."

"We won't do anything to harm either of you," Red Gummy Bear added, walking over and running a hand over her cheek.

Sarah nodded, and Llewellyn released his hold on her. She ran over to Quillan and grabbed his hand. Sarah slid down the wall until she was sitting on the ground, and pulled Quillan onto her lap. She held onto him firmly yet gently. Jareth and Llewellyn sat on either side of the pair.

Taking a deep breath, Sarah decided that all she could do was hold onto Quillan, and closed her eyes.