Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters used in the movie, Labyrinth, even though I do in my dreams. But that's another story in itself.
Chapter 14
In a dark, damp tunnel far underneath the surface of the Labyrinth. Five allies with a single goal pressed on. A dwarf, a large hairy beast, a small fox, and two young sylphs walk on through the darkness.
The young female clung to her twin brother's arm and whispered, "Briegal, do you think that we should have told Paralda and the Goblin King where we were going now?"
She felt him stiffen and sighed, "Maybe. But I think we've gone too far now to turn back. I still think we'll be able to reach the Queen before they even know we're gone."
"Through here!" Hoggle's voice seamed to pierce through the darkness.
They all filed in, bumping into walls and each other.
"Sorry" came from Ludo as he bumped into Briegal.
"It's alright" he answered pushing his sister in front of him through the narrow opening.
"I say, 'tis darker in here than in the tunnel from whence we came." Didymus observed.
"Yes, at least outside I could see my hand in front of my face." Konile piped in.
"Yeah. Yeah. We are in an oubliette" Hoggle responded.
"WHAT?"
"WHAT?"
"WHAT?"
"WHAT?"
"Oh, calm down I once rescued Sarah from this very oubliette. I know exactly whats I'm doin'. Think o this like a short cut I's just saved us about 3 hours of tunnel." Kneeling down he began feeling around the floor for his "secret" door. "Helps me look for the door on the ground I forgots where I left it"
They all got down on their hands and knees to "look" for this illusive door that Hoggle was talking about. After a few minutes of searching Hoggle said, "Oh here it is"
Jareth was seated at the head of the long crystal table in the dining room. His eyes transfixed straight ahead not seeing anything but his beloved's face. It was a relief to hear that Sarah had escaped his uncle, but he knew that the relief would be short lived. It would only be a matter of time before he came after her again to get the bloody amulet.
"I wish I could just give him the damn thing and be done with it." slamming his fist on the table, sending a wave through the glass by the sheer strength of the blow.
"This is ridiculous!"
He knew he needed to follow through with his plan and go into hiding. It seemed the only way to keep Sarah safe.
Although, she was amazing back at the castle.
He knew that she would be more powerful than he some day but thought that he would never have the chance to witness it.
Even though, he knew that her destiny was interwoven in the fabric of the Underground he had hoped she would not discover it and that the prophecy would go unfulfilled.
It was clear to him from the moment that it was foretold that he could not and would not share it in it's entirety to anyone. Not even his father, the High King, knew of this prophecy. It was a burden the Goblin King had sworn to protect even beyond his own death.
The prophecy stated that the Labyrinth would bring mortal children to the Underground and bring the Goblin King true happiness but at a cost. And the Labyrinth would be no longer. The price would be the life of the High King. Paralda, his oldest friend, who was the wisest in the Underground he did not even know the prophecy in its entirety.
He had never imagined that this mortal would melt his heart. She was not only beautiful but strong willed and stubborn as he was. She was everything he had wished for in a Queen. She was loyal and compassionate.
Even as a child he saw all these things in her. He would watch her every chance he got. He was called upon twice in her youth and after explaining the rules to the wishers he would head back to Sarah's window, and sit right outside on a tree branch and would watch her as she read her fairy tale books and put on plays for her audience that would consist of stuffed animals and her dog, Merlin.
Her instincts were strong he noticed. It saddened him to think that she was not encouraged or taught to rely on these "feelings" they were her power. Her imagination was her instinct showing her visions of her future.
He often wondered if she had seen him in her visions/dreams. He hoped that she had although there was no sign of it upon their first meeting. She knew who he was thanks to the book that he had planted in her room. But no real recognition. He watched her struggle through the labyrinth hoping that she would give up and be content to remain by his side. He had hoped that she would not be the one the prophecy spoke of. But after seeing her reaction to his dream, he knew that she the one. No one had been able to break his ballroom spell. It had always been his ultimate distraction for the female wishers. At that point she was too deep within his heart for any attempts at stopping her. He wanted her to triumph if only to see her happy.
It was he who was responsible for all that was occurring within his own castle walls. In the Underground a child's pain is not only felt by themselves but by their elders as well. Jareth knew that by admitting to himself that he was heartbroken he was also admitting it to his kin. And ÆRNAY was going to take full advantage of it.
His uncle knew well that Sarah was the champion and therefore would be named Ruler over the Labyrinth but not that he had fallen for the girl. His uncle had thought that Jareth was heartbroken over the loss of the Labyrinth. Otherwise, his plan to disappear would not work. He had thought this out with Haggle in the dungeons. All had been arranged except for the removal of the iron chains from his form. His Sarah had solved that problem.
He was so lost in thought that he did not see the young sylph maiden standing beside him waiting to set down a plate full of fruits, cheeses and breads.
She curtsied, "Your Majesty, may I get you something else?"
"No. No. Leave me to my thoughts." Jareth waved her away. "Wait! There is something. Please fetch my subject, the dwarf that arrived with me named, Heggle, Hogwart, whatever his name is. Bring him here."
"Yes, your Majesty." The young sylph turned to smoke and disappeared through the small ceiling door.
'Yes, I'll alert the dwarf that we are to follow the plan so that he and Paralda can lead the others to the safety of my father's castle.'
He stood up and walked to the large window facing the woods where he thought Sarah would emerge. He closed his eyes to reach out to her but stopped instantly remembering Paralda's words:
"Jareth, I'm afraid she has insisted. I feel she needs some time to collect herself. Please give her space or you will frighten her."
He was right of course. His old friend was wiser than he. The last thing he would want to do was frighten Sarah. He slightly smiled at the memory of her with sword in hand swinging away like a professional swordsman. She was the ultimate warrior and would make a wonderful Queen. The smile faded and was replaced with a scowl. It was clear that she felt something for him she may even love him but he knew it was not meant to be. "How is it that I have learned to love the one who will be responsible for the death of my father? "
With a small gesture of his hand a delicate crystal perched upon his fingertips turned automatically into a large purple stemmed rose.
"A small token of my affection. A perfect rose for my perfect Sarah"
He felt alight breeze and the young sylph materialized.
"Your Majesty, your subjects, the large beast, the fox and the dwarf are all missing. I've searched high and low."
"Paralda must be notified."
Waiting until the maiden disappeared he produced yet another crystal and sent his own message to his friend. After seeing it float away he faded. Rose in hand.
Paralda was walking down the darkened hallway toward Sievem's room. He opted not to materialize there to allow him time to think. Poor Sarah had been through enough and it seemed that ÆRNAY wished to put her through more. He would do anything to keep harm from coming to her but in this situation it seemed that no matter what her decision was she would get hurt. He stopped in front of the vine door and touched it expanding it to his size. It opened slowly as he walked in. He had been dreading this meeting with Sievem because he knew what the statue would say. He walked slowly toward the the limestone figure,
"Sievem, I am in need of your assistance."
The statue came alive in it's deep but teasing tone said, "I haven't seen this much action since the Pixie Wars. Three times in three days. We must really be in trouble. So out with it Paralda. What is it?"
"I apologize for disturbing you; however, it seems that our Queen Sarah is most distressed. She has been given a choice. In order to save her closest friend from ÆRNAY she must retrieve the Goblin King's amulet causing his death. But is she does not then her friend's life is forfeit. I am not sure what can be done."
"Come now Paralda you are among the wisest of creatures in the Underground and you do not know what can be done? You refuse to help her. I understand that you harbor certain feelings for the young mortal Queen. Am I to understand that this is the reason for your clouded judgments? I knew something was obstructing your power when you brought her to me to find her spirit animal that is an easy task for you. The Labyrinth knows your heart as well as all the other inhabitants within its walls. You must be careful and look within yourself for this answer. The Labyrinth will not allow the Queen for anyone but her intended. Do not deny her what is her greatest wish to keep her at your side. I have never known you to be a selfish creature. Go to her and help her. She will be forever thankful but do not expect her heart to include you in it. I have seen that she has room for one and only one suitor and He has already been chosen."
"But they can not be united."
"Be that was it may. Both their hearts have made their decision. It was predestined. Even before your conception."
Paralda ashamed by his own admissions and actions bowed his head. He was shocked to recognize an alien thought in his mind. He has actually planned the betrayal of one of his oldest friends.
A/N: Thanks Guys.
I am almost home!