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 16

The five friends under the Labyrinth maneuvered through mist and the damp. The two young sylphs clung to each other for support and balance from the slippery substance permeating the ground.

The small fox sat on the large hairy beast's shoulder, clinging for dear life hoping that the strong gusts of wind would not knock to the slimy ground.

The dwarf led the way holding up his hands in an attempt to block some of the winds."It is still a ways off but I thinks it should not take too long." He called over his shoulder to try to boost his companion's spirits.

He'd always thought that being a hero consisted of a knight in shining armor, riding in on his white horse with sword in hand, ready to wisk the damsel in distress to safety. He knew that he was not that knight but he was something far better. He was a friend. Ready to repay Sarah for her kindness and bravery.

He had to admit that this plan of his, as good intentioned as it was, could have been better thought out. At the moment all he could think of was Sarah. The young girl who had befriended him, when no one else would. He owed her this chance to escape.

He would have liked to have been better prepared. They had no supplies and between them not a stitch of magic. He knew that before they reached their destination that they would need something. Anything. To protect themselves. Aernay and Jacob were not the kind of Fae to turn the other cheek. No, the best and only protection they had was the young sylphs' ability to be virtually invisible as ribbons of smoke. That would be the only way to save his friend. He only prayed they were not too late.

It was dark. Even though she was laying on something soft her entire body ached. She felt her arms and legs were bound behind her. Her eyes and mouth were also bound by black velvet sashes. She squirmed around trying to loosen any of her binds to no avail. Finally, she lay still trying to recall her last lucid memory.

It was five o'clock as she ran into the magic shop. She knew that this time her boss, Ms. Meyer, could not complain because she had arrived on time. OK. So it had been the first time this month that she was on time but it still counted.

She saw Jacob, her co-worker, already behind the counter. She didn't care how good looking he was, he was such an insufferable suck up. Always a "Don't we look enticing today?" or a "I can retrieve that pencil," conveniently offered on days she was wearing a skirt. It made her insides burn.

"Good Evening, Myra."

"Yeah Yeah. Whatever. Is Ms. Meyer here?"

"Nope. She went home early."

"Crap, of course, the only day she's not around is the day I get here on time." Taking off her jacket and scarf.

Jacob walked around the counter to her and began twirling a strand of red hair around his finger. She stepped away and turned to face him with a scowl. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Oh, I thought since no one was around maybe we could have some fun." he said with a mischievous gleam in his eyes.

"Well you thought wrong Jackass. NO I mean Jacob. Nope I meant Jackass."

"I was afraid you'd be difficult. Oh well. I thought perhaps you would provide me with a wee bit of fun before we arrive at the castle to kill the Goblin King."

Surprise and shock clearly written on her face, "How do you know about him?"

He lifted his hand and ran them down his t-shirt and blue jeans and transformed them into tight breeches and a half opened grey poet's shirt.

Had she not been in total disbelief she would've thought it was some kind of erotic dream but then she noticed a familiar amulet hanging from his neck. The very same amulet from the text book.

"Is that…what I think it is?" looking directly at it.

"I see you've done your homework. Yes, it is. The Goblin King is my cousin. Well, was my cousin." he laughed.

That was all she remembered before waking up here. Wherever here was.

She heard off in the distance the clicking of heals on marble flooring, heading in her direction.

Then the door opened.

A rough hand pulled her up into a sitting position before ripping off the velvet sash covering her eyes. Before her was Jacob and some other guy who looked very similar to him but with dark eyes and hair. The other gentleman's eyes seem to pierce through her. Almost like he could look into her mind.

She knew that this man was to be feared. She saw such darkness in his aura.

He walked closer to Myra and placed a hand to her head. He stroked her hair as if she were a pet. Upon contact Myra received a picture.

This very man turning into a crow and flying over an enormous maze leading a grand army of men held within the maze's walls below.

His voice broke her vision.

"My son , this one is pure. You have my permission to take her as your consort."

"MMMMMPHHEEE! Mmmmmppphhhh! MMMMPPPHHHEEEE!" a muffled sentence came from Myra.

"This one is full of fire as well," Aernay said and he pulled his hand away. "It seems that this mortal is so full of the fire that it sprouted from the top of her head."

Both men chuckled and while Aernay walked over to the door, Jacob held back. She followed the older gentlemen with her eyes before turning back to Jacob to stab him with the daggers that she held within her eyes. She noticed that the evil smirk that had captured his eyes just moments before had been replaced by sympathy.

He leaned a bit closer and whispered, "I'm sorry about that, Love." He caressed her hair. "I always thought your hair was beautiful."

She was confused by his sudden change in character and jerked back defensively.

He sighed, "Fine."

He straightened up and left her in total darkness.

"What do you mean…gone? Where could they have gone? Did you already try to call them with your mind?"

Sarah fumed. Pacing the throne room. Paralda slightly smiled despite the situation. It seemed merely seconds before the Goblin King was doing the same exact movements in the same exact spot.

"Why are you smiling? You should be pacing with me or huddled over a crystal ball trying to get answers or maybe levitating over a bed made out of needles or something."

"No one can make me laugh like you, Sarah." Despite the fact that he lightly chuckled he still held the elegance that she admired.

The scowl returned to his face. "There's more you know."

"Oh dear. Don't tell me I've killed you all already somehow."

"No, no. Not yet at least. To answer your question. Yes, I did call them but I can't even feel their energy. It seems it's not only your friends that are missing but Jareth has run off as well. He sent a message to me stating that he has gone into hiding. I think his logic is that if he can not be found Aernay will have no use for you. It's unfortunate that he did not know of the new developments before making his decision to go ahead with this plan."

"Well, that's my fault. I should have gone straight to him. Maybe he would've been able to come up with a solution. What am I going to do? I need to get to Myra. She had nothing to do with this. What did Sievem say?"

He looked down and sighed yet again.

"I take it that it is not good news." Sarah's last bit of hope faded at that moment. She sank to the ground with her hands over her eyes to stop the tears from falling.

Paralda stood up from his throne and kneeled down beside her. He took her within his arms. He held her stiff form for a minute before realizing, "My dear woman. You are cold as ice." His outstretched wings engulfed them both and surrounded her with warmth. She leaned into him and allowed him to support her weight. He closed his eyes and sighed understanding that she was finally accepting him as a …friend.

"You need to rest. I want you to go back to your room and regain some of the strength that you lost at the Goblin Castle. I'll send you some tea while I…"

"While you ask Sievem?" Sarah weakly asked.

"No. I think Sievem has helped us as much as he can in this matter. Now off you go."

With a wave, Sarah was back in her suite.

A/N:

Moon java: Thank you.

McFly85: It's funny that you should say that. Just think that everything happens for a reason. AND every character is there for a reason. I won't make any promises but stay tuned for further developments.

Calendae: Thank you for your review. I'm glad that you are enjoying the story. I have more twists up my sleeve.

batterchild: Thank you for discovering me. I'm glad you found my story entertaining. Hope you keep reading.

Amethystlainey: Thanks. Just because you make me laugh.