The group of people were moving about in the entrance to the Labyrinth like a swarm of butterflies. The centaurs had converted to their natural shapes and a few of the smaller guests were carried securely on their backs. Others were mounted on a variety of other animals. All were talking.

Toby leaned against the stone wall and picked out the few other mortals in the near vicinity.

"Quite the sight, is it not?"

The cultured voice broke into his thoughts with rather a sharp snap. He jerked his head around and then let out a relieved breath. "Sir Merilin. You startled me."

The elf sighed in mock irritation and shook his head. "Just my name, dear, as you well know."

Toby said nothing and looked back out into the crowd.

"Are you looking for someone?" Merilin asked amiably, "Because Luka is over there. And Jareth is still with Serenity."

"Is he? How nice," the mortal murmured absently. He wasn't very much inclined to conversation at the moment, his reflective mood already driving his boyfriend away in a fit of pique. The lines of the Labyrinth had seemed to shimmer at him, until his attention had dwindled all through the Goblin City to the very look and meanings of that bronzed stone.

Merilin noticed, his amusement with this taciturn young man simmering merrily. "Rather peculiar, isn't it? The way it dances beneath your gaze? It almost makes you wonder if it will disappear when you try to touch it- like a mirage."

"I would not go quite that far," the mortal demurred.

"I would," Merilin returned, "I have seen many fantastic things and the Labyrinth still stands as the most interesting. Of course, one could say the same thing about your saviour."

Toby swallowed down the grimace. "My guardian, not my saviour."

"But he saved your life! Surely that counts?"

Blue eyes wouldn't turn to his intent brown gaze. The pleasantly open face was currently as stony as the Labyrinth wall itself. But the very tension in those pale features said enough.

"I do so hate to be intrusive, but can it be that you do not like your… guardian?"

"I am not on very close terms with His Majesty," Toby returned stiffly, "I wouldn't presume to call him 'friend'."

The barest hint of a laugh tinted the light words that ruffled at his shoulder. "That does not answer anything at all. You do not like him, then. How strange! He would, if legend had ended better, been a part of your family."

"I am aware." Toby was trying as subtly as he could to freeze his unwanted guest away.

The unwanted guest wasn't having it- "He still would, given half the chance. With your sister, I mean. Strange how death hasn't ended it. One would assume the Goblin King to be incapable of loving so deeply."

"I'm sure he is just as capable as anyone else," Toby snapped, gritting his teeth.

"Yes." The elf leaned back against the stone and rubbed his chin in thought, eyes turned up to sky in contemplation. "Unfortunately, the damage has been done, you know. Were I a betting person, I would bet my life's worth that he will have no one but that last small piece of her that exists. But that is only my opinion. Pray excuse me, Mr. Williams. I see a friend I must speak with."

Toby fumed in silence for quite a while, obvious enough that the one or two that would have liked to have spoken with him didn't approach. So he stayed aloof from the crowd and quivered with silent rage, knowing what that entire conversation was about- a veiled leer and an entwining comparison.

Merilin might well have said 'You're the only one he might consider, simply because you are her brother. What a pity you would be a poor choice in all other respects'.

It wasn't as if Toby believed it, it was simply that he had had enough of discussing his hazy recollections of the famous Sarah Williams. It would be too much to start throwing her name about in an argument as well. He had his pride, but he had his common sense. And Jareth's very nature was unpredictable; who knew what would happen if he was forced to deal with such a matter?

The Goblin King was aware that something was not quite right. Serenity was jumpy around the people she didn't know, but seemed inclined to be docile and meek. Almost everyone had mounts. Those that did not were those that elected not to follow.

Almost.

He caught a glimpse of blue eyes, frigid with anger and rage, turned surprisingly enough not at him but at the elf laughing aloud beside Luka, one arm thrown casually around the fae's shoulders in a friendly manner. Merilin- his name meant 'nightingale', but he was more of a vulture than a songbird.

Jareth shrugged and led his mare forward. "Would you really mind?" he whispered to her, "It would be a personal favour to me, Serenity."

An intelligent grey ear flicked at the words.

"Shall I ask him, then? Will you take him? You needn't worry; my mother insists that he is very good with horses. Toby! A moment, if you please."

"What is it?" Toby asked shortly, stalking from his place by the wall in a very obvious black mood.

The mismatched eyes cut to him for a moment before coming back to the horse that the brown-gloved hands were petting. "Are you coming with us?"

"I would like to. But my mount isn't here. Lady Pandora didn't realize we would be needing them."

"Serenity has offered to take you," Jareth said.

Silence. People were being to look at them, curious as to why there were so many private conversations in private corners.

Toby blinked in shock from the mare to the fae. "What?" he ventured.

Jareth sighed and slapped the leads into his hand. "Here! Take her. I use bird form for things such as this. She would have been bored. Just to be safe, I am going to introduce you. Toby Williams, this is Serenity. Serenity, this is Toby Williams. Make friends and try not to get lost."

He fluttered away into the thickest of throng, leaving an open-mouthed mortal and an equally bemused winged horse. After this, he concluded, there was Elban and Beran to consider. And he knew exactly how to handle those two. "Guests and friends," he shouted, "I think we have waited long enough. Come. Our time grows short."

Streams of white and ragged light and the owl circled around twice before leading the way into the Labyrinth.

Toby looked at Serenity. She set her teeth and laid back her ears. "Now, don't you start," he glowered. She quietened down and let him get up on her bare back. Tossing her proud head at the many that 'aah'-ed at her, she flexed her wings and gathered herself to jump up into the sky that beckoned to her.

Elban started at the owl landed on his shoulder and hooted at him.

Two hours later, the forest sprite found himself lost in an oubliette.

Jareth, had he been able to, would have smugly congratulated himself on a job well done. As it was, the rest of his guests were probably struggling through their own routes. The best part of the Labyrinth at times like these was that there was a very real danger. It was his job to ensure their safety. And there was Beran.

He landed on his shoulder as well.

A mere fifteen minutes later, Beran fell into the same oubliette as Elban.

The owl fluttered around overhead as dwarf and forest sprite stared at each other. Then, as a mutual decision was reached between the two, they looked up murderously at him.

"We will find you," Elban yelled, "And we will de-feather you for this!"

The softest hint of laughter lingered on the air, as if the Labyrinth was laughing at them in place of Jareth's inability. The two were left alone to rot, fight, or work out their differences.