Disclaimer- Alas, Labyrinth isn't mine. Jadir and Isandira are completely mine and belong to me. They are not to be copied or used anywhere for any reason without my permission.

A/N: Many thanks to those who have left reviews so far. I am glad that you are enjoying this faery tale and sincerely hope you continue to do so. For those who have read and not left reviews, I just might send Jadir after you evil grin Seriously, feedback is greatly appreciated :)
Alira Dreamwalker

Chapter 4

Many things changed after our confrontation that day in the castle's corridors. King Jadir was more even-tempered when it came to my plight. We eventually developed a slight friendship even though we had yet to discover how, or even why I came to the Labyrinth. This is not to say that we no longer fought, in fact, few days passed without some form of argument between us.

Three months had passed since I had come to this strange land, and for the most part, I enjoyed it. There was a few times during which I became homesick as one can only handle so much with goblins as companions. The king was naturally busy on most days with running his kingdom, so we rarely saw one another. We always dined together in the evenings and on occasion, we would take breakfast together.

For the most part however, I was left to my explorations with only the strict warning never to enter the massive maze that surrounded the city. It frustrated me no end that no one would tell me about this maze. I could see it stretching for what seemed like miles in every direction around the kingdom. In fact, the whole kingdom seemed to be a maze of sorts. His majesty claimed that it was for my own safety that I never enter the maze, though I was allowed to roam the castle and surrounding city and countryside as I pleased. Not even the goblins who wandered around with me would dare venture to explain the purpose of the maze or what lay within.

Naturally, I was determined to enter the maze anyway. Unfortunately, every time I approached the gates that led into it, a group of guards would appear and deny me entrance. In the few times I managed to slip past the guards, a great owl would swoop down to chase me away. It was rare that I ever saw the owl, and though I was unfamiliar with most bird species, I knew this was a barn owl. Poppa had a book in his study that listed many species of birds, which I had looked over several times as a child. Unlike any barn owl I had ever seen, this one was a darker brown with only scant white markings on it. The first time I saw this strange owl, I mentioned it to the king. His majesty merely glanced at me and responded in a veiled explanation. It seemed that no matter where I went, or who I talked to, my every question was met with nothing more than half-answers, which led to more questions on my part.

oooooooooooooooooooo

One of the gilded doors swung open slightly and a goblin shuffled into the dining room. I kept my face averted, but watched the king from the corner of my eye. King Jadir slowly lowered his fork and laid it aside, glaring coldly at the poor goblin guard. I could hear the poor creature shift uneasily behind me.

"What reason do you have to disturb our supper?" I could picture in my mind the expression on the goblin's face; it was one of terror.

"Your majesty. I beg forgiveness."

"Well? What is it?" The hard edge to Jadir's voice chilled even me and I was not the recipient of his ire this time.

"There is someone at the gates, Sire; they claim to be seeking the lady." This surprised me and my eyes flew to meet the king's. It could not be possible. No one from my world would ever find me here and there was no hope for me to return. None I had met here in the kingdom would dare risk the king's wrath to call upon me at the castle. His majesty's cold eyes narrowed as he stared at me and I could not help but wonder what he was thinking.

Without looking away from me, he addressed the guard; "Who is it?" I could hear the goblin shifting uneasily just out of my sight as I continued to stare at the king. He looked furious as he stared back and I was clueless as to why. Was he jealous? Had my father managed to find a way into the kingdom?

"A dwarf, your excellency." The creature's words filled me with surprise. I did not know any dwarves, only the goblins and a few of the other races that lived within the city.

"Show the dwarf to the throne room." Jadir snapped so hatefully that I automatically winced. His eyes left mine for a moment to look towards the goblin. "Well? Leave us!" I jumped in terror as his voice echoed through the room and heard the goblin flee. Jadir's eyes latched on to mine again and I shrank away from him as he rose to his feet and stepped towards me. He knelt beside my chair and I shivered, nearly petrified with fear. I jumped when he touched his fingers against my jaw. "Do you know this dwarf Lady Isandira?" He had lowered his voice, not once allowing me to look away from his gaze. My skin tingled where he touched me and suddenly I felt slightly dizzy. Unable to speak, I shook my head in answer.

King Jadir stood up again, our eyes still locked as he towered over me. He tilted his head to study me, his dark hair falling into his face. Reaching out again, he pulled me to my feet and held me before him, searching for something it seemed. "Are you sure you do not know this dwarf my lady?"

"I have not met any dwarves that I know of, your majesty." I could have choked on the words; my throat was so dry even though I had just been drinking a goblet of wine. Apparently, my answer mollified him for the time being as he tucked my hand in his arm and led me from the dining hall.

A few minutes later, Jadir led me into the throne room where a little gnarled man stood twisting his hands together nervously. The king released my hand and I stood there in the door staring in shock as the king made his way to his throne. The dwarf jumped in terror before bowing low and greeting the king. "What brings you into the city dwarf?" It was no wonder everyone in the kingdom feared Jadir, the man treated everyone as if they were the foulest things imaginable.

"Yer majesty, I jes wanted to see how the little lady was doin."

Jadir reclined back in the massive throne and tapped his finger against his lips while watching the trembling dwarf. I wondered what he was up to and why. "I see." He leaned forward, "The 'little lady' as you call her, claims that she knows no dwarves. How is it that you know her, but she does not know you?" One dark eyebrow rose in question as the dwarf paled, shaking harder. Why did Jadir bring me here? Was he trying to prove something?

"I's not expect her to 'member me, yer majesty." My heart went out to the little man as he bowed his head and shuffled his feet. His patchwork leather vest swelled as he sighed. "Sorry's to bother ye, yer majesty. I best be goin."

Jadir flicked his eyes over the dwarf in what I could only describe as disgust as he watched the dwarf turn away. When I finally caught his gaze, I pleaded silently for a chance to speak to the dwarf and Jadir nodded slightly in return after a moment.

"Good sir, wait." I breathed hesitantly as I stepped further into the throne room. The dwarf froze in place and turned his head to look in my direction. At that instant, I recognized him as the one I had spoken with the day I arrived. "I do remember you." I had never thought to see that grizzled face again; yet here he was, standing before the very king he had warned me of. It was impossible to stop the smile that bloomed across my face as I approached the dwarf and lowered myself so that we were nearly eye to eye. I could feel the king's dark gaze boring into me as I knelt down to greet the dwarf, but I ignored it as I usually did.

"Tis good to see ye again, little missy. I's wondered how ye were doings up here since ye never came back through."

"I've been doing very well, good sir. Might I ask your name? I never did thank you properly for your help that day."

"T'weren't nothing little missy. I'm Hoggle."

"Well then, it's a right pleasure to meet you Hoggle." I smiled happily at the dwarf only to watch as his eyes widened in terror as he looked over my shoulder. Turning my head slightly, I found Jadir standing over us in a wide stance and his arms crossed angrily over his chest. He glared at both of us with pure fury.

"'Hapes I should comes back some other time little missy. I best be getting on back home." Hoggle stuttered in fear. I rose to my feet and offered him a smile.

"Of course Hoggle. Please, do come visit me again." The dwarf nodded once before turning and fleeing from the throne room, his short legs carrying him away in a bumbling run that reminded me more of a duck trying to run than anything else. As soon as Hoggle had left the room, I turned to look at the king. That dwarf had done nothing to him and yet he had seen fit to terrorize the poor man.

"What is your problem? Never in my life have I seen anyone as sadistically cruel towards others! Do you derive some perverse pleasure out of terrorizing people?" Jadir looked back at me in shock, his whole face open with the surprise of my outburst. I jabbed a finger into his chest and almost laughed when he winced; I suppose my nails were getting a little long, but the man was wearing a thick green tunic so I knew it didn't hurt him.

When I made to jab my finger into his chest again, his hand came up and caught my wrist. I cried out in shock as he jerked me against him, his other hand closing around my throat. "Watch your words with me, little one. I will not tolerate such behavior." His fingers tightened against my throat as he spoke. Jadir twisted my wrist and spun me around so that my back was pressed against his chest, my arm trapped between us as his fingers flexed painfully on my throat. I fought against him as he forced me to walk over to the window that overlooked the city and leaned us both over the ledge. "Do not struggle my dear. It would not do to ruin such a pretty face with so great a fall." His breath caressed my cheek as he brushed his lips across my skin, sending goosebumps skittering along my flesh.

I peered at him from the corner of my eye, too terrified to move again. His hard eyes were gazing out over the land below while his chin almost rested on my shoulder. "Look out there, little one; tell me, what do you see?" I struggled to respond, but the pressure he was still applying to my throat prevented me from making any sound beyond a whimper. "I see a land that must be ruled firmly." Jadir's voice was still low and seemingly calm, but I could tell he was anything but calm at the moment. "A land that many would see destroyed if left to its own devices. Yes, the people fear me, as they should. Fear is power. So long as my subjects fear me, then they will never need to worry."

Obviously the man was insane. I could see it in his eyes as he spoke. Where ever had he gotten the idea that fear was power? The pressure around my throat increased and black spots began to float across my vision. "A mere slip of a girl who does not know our ways thinks to tell me how to run my kingdom? By all rights I should place you in the dungeon."

I slammed into the wall and landed on the floor in a crumpled heap. Gasping for breath, I stared at the king as he stalked towards me. When he reached me, he knelt down and pushed his face close to mine, forcing me to retreat which only caused me to bang my head against the wall behind me. He suddenly chuckled as I stared at him. "What's wrong my dear? Have I scared you?" Scared? I was frozen with terror. This man could kill me without a second thought, I realized. I had to get away from this place and quickly.

"I think not my dear. You will not be going anywhere." How in the world did he know what I was thinking? Was it possible that he could read my mind? His cruel laugh brought my attention back to him. "Oh no, little one, I can see it in your eyes. The fear, the hatred. You wish to flee this place." He backed off and stood up, my eyes following his every movement as he paced before me. I touched the bruises that were forming around my throat and winced at the pain.

I curled into a ball and shivered, fighting the tears that threatened. After a few minutes, I became aware that the king was no longer pacing the floor, instead he was kneeling beside me again. Almost as if he had never touched me in anger, he was stroking my hair. Venturing a look at him, I found that all the anger had left him, his pale chiseled face frowning in concern. His eyes were filled with sadness as he lifted me gently in his arms and carried me from the room.