Disclaimer: I don't own them so quit pestering me about it...
Chapter 8: Merlin's Visitor
Dawn crept slowly across the Underground until its sunlight and warmth finally draped itself across the Labyrinth and over Goblin City. The many servants and workers of the city and other surrounding villages began to busy themselves with their daily tasks. Every able bodied person worked to earn their way in life, except for one unique individual. This individual was Merlin.
Merlin spent his days wandering the Underground in search of problems that he deemed worthy of his specialty or sleeping off the hangovers he induced by binge drinking his own potions. Merlin, despite his slight alcoholic tendencies and carefree nature was one of the strongest healers to ever be born. This fact was well known and it was the first person Akala could think of running to for help in desparate times.
Akala ran through the waking streets of Goblin City in search of any sign that Merlin was nearby. She was not quite sure what to look for, but was not shocked to find a small, simple cottage on the edge of town hidden in the shadows of the Labyrinth. She assumed this was where Merlin would reside and quickened her steps to reach the cottage faster.
The Goblin King would awaken soon and need her assistance, but if she was not available when his silent summons sent for her there would be deadly consequences. She hesitated slightly as she reached the door. Her sudden fear of this being the wrong house or Merlin being unwilling to help the king began to slow down her movements. She took a deep breath and raised her fist to knock. The door opened before she could swing her arm forward and finish the movement.
"Akala, I've been expecting you..."
In a room full of mirrors, on a bed covered in heaps of material, Jareth and Sarah continued to sleep oblivious to the plan of action Akala had taken. They dreamed silly dreams of Sarah's subconscious as they drifted carefreely through the dream realm. At times the illusion of realism was so great that Jareth had to pause in his actions to make sure he had not awakened to find himself in heaven. More often, however, he had to pause to ease Sarah gently from the direction of a nightmare and into the direction of imagination and relaxation.
He hoped his efforts were not in vain as he felt the tug of daybreak threaten to awaken him before Sarah. Apparently, Sarah was not an early riser like he was and did not feel his urgency to awaken. Despite his better judgement to awaken and see to his kingdom at his normal time, Jareth decided to stay asleep and guard his dear Sarah. Perhaps if he stayed with her in her dreams, upon her awaking she would be more inclined to stay with him.
Back at the cottage, Akala had only just finished telling Merlin what she knew about Sarah and her ailments. She even mentioned the king's irate behavior as of late thinking that maybe it could also be corrected by Merlin's expertise. She waited patiently as Merlin deliberated mentally with himself as he paced the floor of his sitting room. She hoped he was as great as the rumors claimed he was because her sleeping charm would only hold on the king for so long.
Okay...that's a small sampling of what I've been working on as of late. There's more to come. Thank you for all for all of your reviews and comments and I hope that you enjoy this latest installment. Adieu for now...