Disclaimer: I do not own the Labyrinth or the characters in it, nor do I make any profit from this story in anyway.
Title: In Dreams, I Await Your Hand
Chapter Two:
For some years the Goblin King came and went from his private quarters without so much as a glance toward that one particular crystal orb on his dresser. After all, he told himself, there were many things for a King to do.
Breaking up fights between Goblins in his throne room for instance, was a daily nuisance. They were messy, and many of the very drunk goblins had to be kicked several times before their bodies gathered enough momentum to roll down the stairs and back to their sleeping quarters.
To ignore the city within the Labyrinth's maintenance problems would simply not do. Wells and fountains had to be checked, the walls, if crumbling, had to be braced and fixed or knocked down. Having a crew of goblins was not always efficient; they always preferred knocking walls down to repairing them. Then he would have to oversee the excess rubble carried to the stone quarry… by more incompetent goblins.
Yes, he was a very busy king.
But then…
There were also so many nights where he found himself unable to sleep. He would sit up in bed, candles lighting immediately, and open a thick book only to discover it was absolutely boring. On those nights the orb on his dresser would mean so much more.
The light from the candles would lend it an almost iridescent shine. He could see himself in that damn vanity mirror hesitating. He was reminded of one of those walls he just told himself he was too busy fixing.
Crumbling.
What are you looking at? The question was thrown at the mirror where it harmlessly bounced off and into the shadows dancing on the wall.
The mirror was deceitful. In it his image lounged on his side, propped up on his left arm, his right hand resting on the books open page. His upper body was naked, his hands without gloves, all he wore were loose fitting pants made from dark gray cloth. But he saw the spark of interest in the mirror's eyes glancing at the orb. That insolent mirror had the gall to expose his momentary weakness.
Never. She has moved on.
And to make his point clear he slammed shut the book and hurled it onto the floor.
Defiantly he thrust his chin up at the image of himself but his reflection only seemed to be smugly chastising him. Pick it up.
"No," he gasped, exasperated, "She has moved on. I have moved on." But he said this in front of the mirror that was on top of his dresser, his hand inches away from the tempting crystal. He did not even recall leaving his bed.
Forbidden Fruit, his mind reminded him. One bite caused the fall of mankind.
He picked it up nonetheless. It was warm to the touch as if it had a life of its own and it was without a speck of dust. He sighed.
If she is my demise…so be it.
"Show me Sarah."
True honest dazzling sunlight poured into his shadowed room. The light had for a second, hurt his eyes.
A park? What time is it over there? But before he could ask anymore moot questions, she came into view. Her smile was like the sun, dazzling.
He felt dizzy.
She waved her hand, gesturing to the man carrying the picnic basket that she knew the way, the absolute best spot to eat at. She was wearing a straw hat and it had a dark blue ribbon around it, one of the ends had fallen out of its bow and was fluttering in the wind. It was a silly hat, she was too old for it…it was lovely. It matched the dark blue, flower patterned dress she wore. It was a large dress, covering her extended stomach.
"Sarah," he whispered, amazed, "you have life growing in you." He wasn't sure what he thought, but his body felt light, and his view grew hazy as he traced his finger down the side of the crystal affectionately.
A little girl about four years old suddenly came into view hugging Sarah from behind. The Goblin King blinked in surprise. "My god Sarah! How many do you have?" But his exclamation was followed by a laugh.
She was so beautiful. They were all so beautiful. The grass was amazingly green, and when she sat down on the blanket they had lain out, and she hugged her little girl, laughing again…oh how they laughed…an ache built inside him.
It was a good ache he decided.
No. I can never throw you out of my life.
Tenderly he carried the orb back to his bed. He cradled it in his hands like a new born fledgling as he sat down in the middle of the covers, completely in awe of his Sarah, who was now a mother.
And when they had all eaten, and Sarah had finished reading a new chapter in her book as she waited for her husband and daughter to finish their game of well, whatever they called the bright colored flying dish…he watched them leave all bunched up in their little car.
The light dimmed and went out. The room appeared all the darker now, as his eyes were accustomed to the brightness that was Sarah and her world. Back in his room once again, holding an ordinary crystal.
He was alone, but warmth resided inside of him, and it resonated long after he fell asleep.
It would be a comfort to him he knew, in the years to come. A covetous glance in its rich depth every so many years, at night when he thought the loneliness would eat him inside out.
When he was tortured by dreams of her refusing him, he would wake and remember her smile as she held her little girl. It was difficult to accept but her life made sense without him. He found himself slowly letting go of dark memories of despair and embracing something new. Though he was not sure what that something else was.
Was it a sin he wondered, to invade her privacy when it brought him so much peace?
Watching her family, as they enjoyed things he would never have known about; such as the mysteries of over night sleepovers, or movie theatres, tooth fairy's and homework. Birthdays especially intrigued him, what with the brightly wrapped presents, games, cake and wishes…
He wondered what Sarah wished for over her birthday candles.
He did not realize how much he invested his heart into Sarah's family. How they chased away his inner demons with their innocence. Even when they fought, it was nothing short of a miracle to him, for they always made up in the end, becoming even closer.
It was amazing watching them all grow up.
Amazing. Painful.
Soon it will hurt him more than he thought possible watching them grow older…it will break his heart.
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a/n: Ugh… I only had five hours of sleep again. But I figure I am going to try to finish or at least add another chapter before going to work today. Stupid work. Stupid me, for staying up late – oh but it was fun :) My husband and I watched Labyrinth last night until 3 am. Totally worth it.
More coming soon, I hope people like this. I am always filled with happiness and anxiety (but mostly happiness) when I get good reviews because I wonder if my next chapter just isn't as good and will disappoint readers. But don't hold back, if there is something you hate here, I want to know about it.