(AN) Author's Notes: Hello there my fellow readers and watchers. It is the author of the story. I apologize for my lack of activity for the past three weeks I've had this very stubborn cough as I might have mentioned in my last author's notes it has anticipated and I'm due back for a follow-up appointment with the clinic dr. I don't want this annoying cough to continue but I was told by the same doctor 6 weeks ago that it's possible that I would have to do a follow-up appointment with her and probably need more medicine to a degree. It's quite annoying to have this cough go longer than a month I was hoping within six weeks it would have completely gone but think again.
Anyway, I'm giving you guys a special treat and a double update ^^ chapter 14 is quite long and has been split into two parts.
So I hope everyone will enjoy the two-part update please do the activity and send in your opinions and reviews on the story I was quite disappointed in the lack of activity when I updated chapter 13 hopefully that won't be the case once I update again after three weeks MIA.
And now without further Ado, I bring you to chapter 14 part one. Enjoy reading everyone!
Disclaimer: All copyright rights to Labyrinth 1986 musical fantasy film directed/created by Jim Henson, and Dennis Lee with George Lucas as executive producer. Based on conceptual designs by Brian Froud, the film was written by Terry Jones. I also need to give credit and thanks to my new co-partner ElauraGrave who is helping me get this story off the ground so soon. All original characters AKA (OC's) belong to me © authoress smcandy I don't want to see anyone rip off/steal or take any of my original characters major to minor without my exclusive permission otherwise there will be consequences.
Warning: The reading of this story will go probably up from rated T to rated M later for mature scenes and scenarios and for mature audiences. This story is not meant for adolescents or children under the specific age of 16. To all parents out there who are not monitoring their children what they read or do not have certain child block programs put up on their computer use publicly do not hold me accountable for what they find or read on the internet if they lie about their age. They should not be reading stories or content that are not in their proper age group. Do not seek to point blame at me when I give a warning of what the rating of the story is for the age group of readers. Readers you have been warned I do not want to be flamed or reported by your parents for your actions of reading material that was not meant for your eyes until you are appropriate to age!
Chapter 14 Part One: Win her with gifts, if she respects not words.
Sarah awoke the next morning and let out a long, brittle groan; the castle routine was becoming a bit tedious, and the day before had been long and hard. She kept her eyes closed.
"Five more minutes," she joked out loud. She rolled her head left to right, stretching out her neck, and opened her eyes, ready to welcome the early morning light. Overhead were red, velvet curtains hanging from a four-poster bed.
Sarah shot up in bed and gave an indelicate, undignified yell of confusion. She thrashed about for a minute, her confusion preceding her bearings. After a moment, she realized she was back in her original castle bedroom from when she first arrived.
"When I first arrived this time," Sarah said out loud, flopping back down onto the bed. She was beginning to lose track of the days, and all this magical moving about wasn't helping any. Sarah closed her eyes and gave an annoyed huff, stealing a few more moments of peace before she had to face the day. Sarah swung her feet out of bed and stretched her arms overhead. When she walked to the closet, she noticed a few additions in the room. She was happy to see a desk and chair had now been provided for her and were situated near the balcony door. The magical chest that Jareth had gifted her had also been brought and was sitting at the foot of her bed. Now, where were her servants' uniforms? Sarah looked out of the closet into the bedroom again and turned back. There was nowhere they could be hidden, and all that hung in the closet was the original sea-foam ball gown that Jareth had provided for her. Hanging next to the gown were the white ribbons she used to tie up her hair, and on the floor lay her scuffed, two pairs of black and brown maids' shoes.
The dress was in pristine condition. It looked as though it had been freshly steamed and never been worn. Sarah gave a little cry of joy as she noticed her backpack also lying on the floor. She rummaged through it again, making sure her food stuffs were still there. Sarah came across the little silk pouch of costume jewelry she had packed just in case she needed to barter; she had already forgotten she had packed it.
Sarah sat on her bed and dug into one of her fruit cups, unsure of what to do next. A knock came at the door.
"How does she know when to arrive every time?" Sarah said; Greta always managed to have impeccable timing.
Greta, as expected, entered. "G'morning, miss. You'll be pleased to hear the king 'as relieved you of your duties. Back to your original status you are. You're once more a guest here in the Goblin Kingdom and in the Castle at the Center of the Labyrinth," Greta proclaimed proudly. For a brief moment, elation filled Sarah, but it was quickly stifled; she had been content with the freedom being a maid earned her. Being a lady meant being going to court. Would she have to accompany the king? Would she no longer be able to see Hoggle? Being a servant had meant distance from the king.
"Anyway," continued Greta, "I'm your personal handmaid. I'll help you wash n' dress, an' I'll accompany you when appropriate."
"Greta, that's very kind of you, but…I don't want to be served." Sarah didn't approve of the lack of democracy in the Goblin Castle. She hated power dynamics, and she didn't want to be responsible for anyone. Under Jareth's rule, "handmaid" surely meant "servant." Greta was her friend by now, and friends help each other, not serve.
"Greta, I'm not going to prevent you from doing your job. I know you have to follow the king's orders. But, know this; I am nothing like the king. I'll never take advantage of you, and I won't abuse my position here." Greta gave her a toothy grin, and Sarah grinned back, trying to ignore the wedge of green between the goblin's front teeth.
"Thanks very much, miss. Now, let's get you ready."
Sarah washed her face and hands and sat on the edge of the bed. Greta crawled up behind her and rubbed some sweet-smelling oils into her hair before combing it. Sarah curled her toes at the pleasant feeling and shut her eyes.
"Now for your dress," said Greta decisively.
Sarah opened her eyes and pouted. "Must I wear that pompous pile of poof?" she asked, gesturing towards the closet.
"It's a lovely dress, miss. But I was thinking you could use your new gift."Greta meant the magic chest. Sarah approached it slowly, still suspicious that the goblin king would play some sort of trick with it. When she lifted the lid and leaned it against the bed, she saw it was still filled with multiple fabrics. She couldn't help but smile, despite everything, and gingerly set them all on the bed.
"This should do," she declared, separating a canary yellow selection from the pile. She slipped it back into the chest, closed the lid, and squinted her eyes shut. After a minute, she opened her eyes and the chest.
"I don't thinks you need to close your eyes, m'dear. And it should work quickly, instantaneously even. No need to wait," said Greta. Sarah blushed.
"Of course, ya, right," she mumbled sheepishly. Turning back to the chest, she carefully lifted out the finished product.
Like the previous dress she had made, the dress was elegant yet simple, almost youthful. The sleeves were slightly poofy and hit just below the elbow where they each ended in a ruffle. The neckline was once again modest. A second layer of white, sturdy material was underneath the bodice and peeped out at the neckline, revealing its lace lining. A yellow ribbon was tied around the waste and fastened at the back with a small and unassuming bow. The dress was ankle-length this time, but once again characterized by simple pleats. Sarah looked back into the chest and gasped; this time, shoes had also been made. They were matching canary yellow and without a heel, much to Sarah's relief.
Greta didn't look pleased. "Let's get to it then," she said gruffly. Greta helped her shimmy out of her night dress and slide carefully into the gown.
"I woulda thought you'd make something a little more…elegant, miss."
Sarah had to stop herself from rolling her eyes. "I plan on walking around the castle grounds as well as the Goblin City; I can't very well do that if my dress is too big and heavy."
"Right you are, miss," said Greta in a very "the customer is always right" voice. "I'll take care of your hair now, dear." Sarah requested it be braided to one side, and Greta dutifully retrieved the white ribbons. As gruff as Greta was, her hands were exceedingly gently when braiding Sarah's hair. Her movements were almost tender, and soon enough Sarah's hair was neatly pleated to her left side and tied with the white ribbons.
"If you need me, don't hesitate to ask," grunted Greta; Sarah knew it was well meant, regardless of the old goblin's tone.
"I will, Greta. Thank you." Sarah flashed her a smile and the graying goblin gave an awkward curtsey before excusing herself.
Sarah walked to the mirror in the bathroom and ran her fingers along the bodice neckline. She was very pleased with the color she had chosen; it was bright and sunny, and Sarah thought she needed all the help she could get in keeping her morale up.
Sarah ran her fingers across her collarbone. "It could get cold…" she thought out loud. She returned to the shining pile of cloth on her bed and picked out a thick, raspberry colored material. She set it in the chest—and didn't close her eyes this time. Nonetheless, she tried to focus on the image in her mind.
The cloak she withdrew from the chest couldn't have been better quality if she had bought it handmade. The material was thick yet lightweight and soft, while the hemming was sturdy. It had a deep hood and the cape trailed down to mid-calf. Sarah wrapped it around herself; her shoulders and bust were covered by a half-jacket segment which could be fastened shut by a cream-colored ribbon.
"Like wearing a hug," Sarah said as she pulled the cloak tightly around her. She had never considered if the weather or seasons changed in the Labyrinth, but this could at least be helpful in obscuring her identity. Obscure her identity… Was her next move venturing out? She would resume her stay in the kingdom as a guest, but did that really mean…freedom? She stared back at the door.
"Only one way to find out," she whispered under her breath. She wrapped her fingers around the door handle and held her breath. The door swung open. Sarah gave a stunned laugh and looked out into the corridor. Without thinking, she walked into the hallway and nearly forgot to shut the door behind her. She was out. She was free. Sarah took mental notes on the appearance of the corridor. There weren't many defining characteristics—a wall sconce here, a window there, a door every once and a while. But Sarah soon gave up on keeping track of things.
She recognized where she was. With feelings of both relief and dread, she realized her ("her" she commented sarcastically in her mind) bedroom was not far away from the throne room. She easily found her way to the front door, remembering the last time she and her friends had burst through while the chaos of war unfolded behind them. Sarah felt a lump form in her throat as she realized she didn't have Ludo to open the doors for her.
"But they must be easy to open from the inside. No goblin could manage on their own…" she thought out loud. She scanned the room for a pulley or a button or—
"A lever!"
Off towards Sarah's left was a large lever that could only be for the door. The meter long post stuck out of a metal half-circle track in the ground like a leafless sapling. Sarah was relieved to find that no strength at all was needed to pull the lever. If it wasn't magic or machinery, the goblins had at least oiled the lever well.
Sarah pulled the hood of the cloak further over her brow and tugged the sides closer around her face. She did not want to be sighted; she had no clue what opinion the city-goblins held of her after her last visit.
Unbeknownst to Sarah, her cloak was not much of a disguise, and the goblins recognized her raven hair, even pleated into a braid. The goblins knew who she was; the thing was, they didn't care. They followed the king's orders without much investment. Whether it was a war, a raid, or a game of squash, it was all the same to them. No investment meant no resentment. Enough strange figures passed through the Goblin City on a weekly basis, why should the slight, cloaked figure of a girl be of any interest to them?
Despite the truth, Sarah was under the impression her cloak hid her visage enough to be unknown and walked through the city with ease. She remembered the boulders that had clobbered goblin soldiers in certain streets and knocked down doors in others. She was happy to see there hadn't been any lasting damage, or rather; the damage had already been patched up. Goblins were milling about herding chickens or sheep, carrying pails of water, or chatting amiably in the streets and out of windows. Sarah noticed that some of the buildings were indeed shops; she noted a bakery, a seamstress, and a cookware shop among others.
"The exit must be around here somewhere," she thought. The last time she and her friends had been there, she hadn't exactly had time to ask for a map. As she made her way through the crowd, she noticed a fountain in the distance. Could it be?
Sarah smiled in triumph as she approached the vulgar yet comical fountain depicting dwarves relieving themselves into the water. The gates were not far off. It seemed odd to Sarah, but this part of the city seemed a lot less populous. She wouldn't say deserted, as there was laundry hanging in the window of some of the ramshackle houses, but she didn't find a single soul in the street. When she saw the gates, she practically ran to reach them. She was so focused on leaving; she didn't notice the two guards in front of the gate.
"Halt!" one shouted as they jumped in front of her and brandished their spears.
"Who goes?" asked the other.
Sarah's brawn didn't fail her. "Please, sirs, I'd like to enter the Labyrinth."
The guards looked at each other and looked back at her. "We can't let you do that," said the one on the left with a distinctly Scottish accent.
"Why not?" challenged Sarah."
"We don't know. We just follow the orders," said the one on the right, his Essex melody skipping along through the empty corridor.
"Please, let me through," said Sarah sternly. She took a step forward only to get the spears thrust closer to her.
"That's far enough, miss," said the one on the left.
"Wouldn't matter to us. But it matters to the king, it does," said the one on the right apologetically.
Sarah didn't have a retort. She practically trembled with frustration and balled her fists until the nails bit into her palms.
"It's not fair," she mumbled through gritted teeth. She turned on her heal and headed back towards the castle.
Angry tears that welled up did not fall as she immediately began to strategize. This was the only entrance she knew to the Goblin City, but it didn't mean that it was the only one that existed. Surely there had to be other ways to get into the Labyrinth. Sarah wondered if there were underground tunnels here like there had been at the outskirts. She decided to go back to her room and examine the Goblin City from her balcony. She'd have a bird's eye view from there and could at least plan her next attempt. Getting out into the Labyrinth was more than just an escape to Sarah; she really felt like she belonged there. When she thought about the magical realm that she had only had a few fleeting hours to explore, she felt nostalgic. She wanted to know this world more. She had not been afraid, rather enchanted and intrigued. There was more to the Labyrinth than what she had seen. If she couldn't escape the Underground, the least the king could let her do was explore it.
Sarah sighed in disappointment and continued her trek back to the castle. Once Sarah was back in her room, she hung her cloak up in the closet and once more huffed in annoyance. The king had presented her with yet again another road block. He was infuriating. He was annoying. And, he just wasn't fair. Rather than head to the balcony, Sarah retrieved her notepad and pencil case from her backpack and headed out into the hallway; she had a better idea. She sketched out the passageways in front of her and recorded how her room led to the throne room, and how the throne room led to the front doors. Now, she wanted to get to the library, but she couldn't quite remember where that was. Had she recorded it in her notes somewhere?
Before Sarah knew it, she was lost.
"Oh bother," she whimpered. "I knew where I was just a minute ago. Two minutes ago?" She had, in fact, forgotten to record directions to the library and was not successful in her quest to find it. Then, her first gift, that magical crystal ball, appeared in front of her.
"Oh great, you," harumphed Sarah. The little orb buzzed and darted left and right, as if to concur.
"Well, what do you want?"
The crystal ball buzzed towards her and away from her, as if beckoning her down the doorless hallway.
"No way. Leave me alone." Sarah turned to leave. The little orb flew in front of her face, blocking her path.
"Hey, stop that!" objected Sarah. Again the glowing crystal beckoned her to follow, dashing back and forth. Sarah gave a long sigh of defeat and walked back down the corridor after it. She followed it to the end
of the hallway and turned left after it, where the zipping orb finally came to a stop in front of the first door they met. It began to fly about erratically and flew in a circle around the doorway.
"Why here? What's so important that I had to follow you in this place?" The crystal stilled itself, expectantly. Sarah sighed again and figured she'd humor the pesky little thing. When she opened the door, she found herself in the vast, overflowing library.
"Hey!" cried Sarah. She wandered inside. "Thanks, I guess," she said, still wary of the crystal. She strolled along the shelves of books. Volumes and volumes of books she wasn't even sure were in English lined the rows upon rows of shelves. Sarah wondered if there were any in a language she'd be able to recognize at all. Sarah was searching for something she wasn't even sure existed. She wanted history, but she didn't want to know about the Goblin Kingdom nor the Labyrinth; she wanted to know about the Otherworld and the many other kingdoms within it. She'd accept even a simple description. Or a map; now, a map would also be helpful. Some of the "writing" on the book spines didn't even look like words.
"There has to be something around here somewhere…" she surmised out loud.
Behind her a loud thud resounded. She turned to find a book fallen on the floor. Out from the space it left on the bookshelf floated the crystal. It hovered gently over the book. Sarah picked up the book, using both hands to hoist the heavy tome, and saw that her fingers left streaks in the thick coat of dust it wore. She blew the dust away only to find foreign markings.
"These don't even resemble a language I'd recognize," she said out loud. She carried the book to the imposing oak table situated in the center of the library and seated herself in one of the tall chairs. The upholstery was deep blue and velvety, and she leaned back gratefully as she sunk into the voluptuous seat cushion. She set the book before her and laid her notebook and pencil case next to it.
"I wasn't even good at Spanish, how am I supposed to translate an old Fae language?" she asked out loud. "And where is that pesky crystal?" Sarah didn't need to be blamed for it knocking more books off more shelves. Before her eyes, the strange scrawling and symbols began to glow. Sarah recoiled from the book and watched as the markings rearranged themselves, slowly forming into English words.
A BRIEF AND COMPREHENSIVE HISTORY OF THE OTHERWORLD
Sarah scoffed at the description of "brief." She read the secondary title out loud.
"'Founding, development, trade, and genealogies.' Seems straight forwards enough." She opened the cover and found only a blank page. "No table of contents, then. From the beginning, I guess."
When she opened to the next page, a faded portrait of an ethereal woman was drawn. Her eyes were shut, and her right hand pointed upward while her left hand was held open. Was she extending it forward, or was she asking for something?
"Sárait," read Sarah out loud. Under the portrait was a single name penned in elaborate scrollwork. The woman looked otherworldly, otherworldly even for a Fae. Her black hair floated around her as if it were moved by an unseen wind. From beneath her glittering pale skin, you could just make out the blue of veins. Her nails were long and pointed, and her limbs were slender. Her aura of strength would never allow you to mistake her delicate form for a fragile one. Her right hand was drawn in its strange position perhaps to imply she was mid-spell. Unlike the slender frames and faces associated with the Fae, Sárait had a wide face with a strong jawline and soft cheekbones.
Around her brow was a thin diadem dappled with stars, and above her head hovered three crystal balls. Sarah gasped. Was it a coincidence? Or did she have something to do with Jareth? For all Sarah knew, perhaps all magic users of the Otherworld used those same style of crystal balls. How many tales and films of witches had crystal balls in them? Enough to let this similarity be a coincidence. But not enough to convince Sarah there wasn't at least some sort of a connection.
Sarah turned the page and began to read the text found within.
"Our maker, Sárait, formed this world from the Nothing. She placed our stars in the sky and imagined our peoples. She brought our breath from the wind and gave us our names. From Sárait's goodness and mercy all life has sprung, and because of her, we will not return to nothingness when our breath returns to the wind."
"Wow," said Sarah out loud before reading further. A flowery, almost biblical description, as well as praise, regaled how this being Sárait created the world and divided it into several lands, such as the Goblin Kingdom, the Land of Moraine, the Elfam Lands, the Kingdom of Norid, the Land of Lelidour…
"That's where Hoggle's from," Sarah said out loud, remembering how he had wanted to return to Lelidour.
Sarah skipped ahead and read about some of the lands and their inhabitants, and how "our first and great queen" had designed each land to be unique and possess their own kind of magic or magical qualities. The book began to focus on the geography of each kingdom, which soon turned into trade agreements. Sarah skimmed and skipped forward, finding herself soon in a section entirely about the governmental systems and the many shifts that happened.
"Nooo thank you," said Sarah, flipping forward through the political and royal genealogies and rosters; she wanted to hear more about Sárait.
Perhaps she was skimming too fast, but she didn't find any mention of the First Queen until the very last page of the book.
"Sárait, the First Queen, our Maker, is still worshipped today. She is believed to still exist and live secretly among us, but has withdrawn from our societies. Others say she is the very life-force of the Otherworld, and yet others say that each soul is only a piece of the Great Queen's vast spirit.
Wherever or Whatever she is, the peoples continue to praise and thank her today and for the days to come, and remember that she is with us in memory and spirit if not in life."
Sarah turned the page to find another portrait of the First Queen; it was identical to the first, but this time her skin was as black as the night sky and dotted with hundreds of stars.
"That's enough reading for now," said Sarah. It had been well over an hour, maybe two, and Otherworld history was no light reading. She turned the book back to the first pages. Out from Sárait's first portrait stared wide, violet eyes.
Sarah yelped and slammed the book shut.
"It was just the light. I'm imagining it. She's just a picture…"
When Sarah opened the book again, the portrait's eyes were shut once more. Sarah let out a sigh and slumped back in her chair. "What a day."
As Sarah walked back to her room, she wondered if the queen had been a tyrant like Jareth. But, if she had disappeared, or was simply a myth, then it wasn't very likely. And if she was a tyrant, she probably wouldn't have let Jareth take over the Goblin Kingdom or kidnap people from other lands. Sarah realized she hadn't finished reading about the other kingdoms within the Otherworld, but she'd get to that later.
After all, a list of the individual kingdoms and their isolated descriptions wouldn't help her escape. She wanted to know how to get from point A, the Labyrinth, to point B, literally anywhere else.
"A map would be helpful right about now," thought Sarah. She held the book close to her chest; maybe there was a map somewhere within the old, thick volume.
As she walked, the gears in her head turned; she needed a secret audience with Hoggle. She wondered if there was somewhere they could talk hidden from Jareth's magical sight. The next step in the plan was escape. She needed to find a way out and leave, as immediately as possible. Then she could make her way to one of the other lands, which is where Hoggle would come in, apparently. Still, Sarah wanted to be in-the-know, should Hoggle's plan fall through.
Sarah felt certain at least one of the many lands would grant her sanctuary. On the other hand, a foreign monarch might take Jareth's word, the word of a fellow monarch, over hers, and she wouldn't put it past him to claim she and Hoggle were dangerous fugitives. Was there really someone out there who could protect them from Jareth, return her and Hoggle to their own lands, and make sure the goblin king never bothered them ever again?
Sarah entered her bedroom and shut the door behind her. She made a beeline to her desk and set the book, notebook, and pencil case on top of it. She was sure this one book from hundreds and hundreds in the library wouldn't be missed. Even if it was, it was normal to borrow a book from a library; that was the whole point of a library. Sarah stilled the nervous voice in her head saying she would get caught for stealing. The nervous voice moved from her head to her stomach; butterflies fluttered around within her at the thought of escape. The stakes were high, but she had to try. If not for herself, at least for Hoggle's sake. And if she failed, the king would imprison her or keep her at his side every moment of the day; Sarah wasn't sure which was worse. Sarah remembered how he had taken several hours off of her clock when she told him the Labyrinth was "a piece of cake" to his face…no, the king did not like to be provoked and was quick to retaliate. He supposedly had fallen in love with her, yet the Cleaners he summoned would've most definitely killed her had she and Hoggle not escaped—all for one little retort!
On top of the danger, if her escape failed, it meant she would never see her family again. Sarah shook these thoughts from her head and went back to focusing on escaping and returning Hoggle to his homeland.
"But first, some rest."
Sarah hung her cloak in the closet and looked forward to jumping in bed and stealing a catnap. She practically skipped out of her closet. She nearly tripped as she was stunned to a halt. Standing at the foot of her bed was the goblin king.
Fear rose up inside her like a viper ready to strike at her sensibilities.
"Yeesh, is he like the boogeyman. Think his name too many times and he appears?" she thought.
"What do you want, goblin king? Were your ears ringing?" she said.
"Beg pardon?" he asked, the expression lost on him.
"It means—oh, never mind, what are you doing here? You can't just poof into my room."
"It's my castle, so actually it's my room," he said in that uncaring, bored tone that Sarah hated so much. She had a comeback, but she knew it would be futile to argue with such an infuriating brat.
"I said, what do you want? You know, I was really hoping to have at least one day where I don't have to see your face. And another thing, I never asked for my old room back, so why the change?"
Jareth ignored most of her remarks. "I've…forgiven, you, for most of your insolence. You may resume your previous status as a guest of the castle."
"Mmmm, thanks, but no thanks. When you say guest, you really mean 'prisoner?' I think you said something along those lines yourself, didn't you?"
The king again ignored Sarah and her sarcasm. He reached into his black leather vest that covered a wine-red velvet shirt; he was wearing his Escher Room outfit again. From his vest he withdrew an elegant envelope with gold trimming and a broken wax seal. Sarah scoffed; who would be writing so nicely to the goblin king?
"This is why I'm here; I have an invitation to a ball at one of the other kingdoms. It takes place overmorrow, and you will be accompanying me."
Joy blossomed in Sarah's heart; this could be her chance to escape, or at least implore one of the other monarchs for help. It was all she could do to prevent herself from smiling in front of the king. She had a million questions to ask.
"Whe—"
"You," the goblin king cut her off, "will be accompanying me now, or you can forget visiting any of the other kingdoms ever again, for as long as you live."
Sarah's words caught in her throat. She did not want to accompany the king to anything anywhere. But, she wanted to get out as soon as possible, and this was an opportunity she simply couldn't pass up.
The king spoke again. "You can come along with me for diplomatic visits and missions when I feel like it. And I just happen to be feeling quite generous this time. So, you will come with me." A sly, slow grin slunk across his face like a snake. "You wouldn't say no to me this time, would you?" He was toying with her.
Sarah clenched her jaw and the muscles in her neck bulged. "No," she said through gritted teeth.
"Good," he gave her smile as sweet as poison. "Because I would've forced you to come anyway."
Sarah's jaw dropped. She quickly closed it again; damn, was he impossibly cruel.
"So, what choice do I really have?" asked Sarah sarcastically.
"None, none whatsoever," he replied flippantly.
"Then how do you expect me to enjoy myself?"
"I don't. This ball isn't meant for enjoyment. This isn't a leisure trip. This invitation is really just a polite way for the other monarchs to say, 'bring us the girl, we're curious, and if you say no, we'll storm your castle and find her anyway.'" He rolled his eyes. "They're impossible," he added.
(AN) Author's Notes: The rest of this chapter will be continued in part 2 which will be updated as soon as possible by yours truly. So I apologize if the way I ended the chapter was more left a cliffhanger.
It was intended by me that Sarah Williams would be given back to the original guest bedroom she had when she first arrived and return back to the Goblin Kingdom that was my intention. Given the way, she's been constantly resisting and rebelling against Jareth as well as maybe starving or fasting herself against his wishes. It's obvious that the Goblin King doesn't want Sarah to starve he's just very stubborn and upset that she's not giving in to his will and way.
Sarah is no longer a scullery maid which is why Greta her former coworker or former superior is now being made her private/exclusive made for her needs only. So the status and rank of Sarah have been switched back to being a guest of the castle in the Kingdom. So far it's been explained how this ball will differ from the balls that were done in the human world or on Earth. Remember this type of FairyTail realm isn't the type that Sarah was expecting or was supposed to expect to happen like in the fairy tale books. Just like how the Labyrinth turned out to be a warped version of what Sarah was imagining the Labyrinth would be and the Goblin Kingdom the same could be said to a degree about the whole realm or play she's under currently right now and how some balls due to the fair folk might be conducted especially if there has been human interaction with their kind in a very long time.
That's all I have to say in the meantime for this chapter stay tuned for part two of chapter 14 take care of everyone.
TTFN Authoress,
smcandy
