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 17

Rastrin and Sielke were standing before the throne looking up at their leader, who for the first time since the beginning of their existence, looked somewhat at a loss. They stood as still as possible in the hopes that their leader would find the words to explain his distress.

Finally looking up at them he began," What I will tell you is not to be repeated even upon your death beds. Is that understood?"

The twin warriors bowed and in unison, "Of course, Paralda."

"It seems that the Queen's friends have disappeared. I'm not certain where or for how long but I feel that their loyalty to her is quite strong. It is possible they have gone in an attempt to rescue her without my permission or that of the Goblin King's. I am afraid that the two younglings, Briegal and Konile have joined them on their quest. What they do not know is that the Queen has already escaped and is here within the castle walls."

"Oh dear" Sielke cried, "they are walking right into ÆRNAY's clutches. We must do something."

"Unfortunately, we must await the sylph elders to arrive before we can go rescue them. I have another task for the both of you."

He stood up from the throne and walked down the steps until he was in front of them.

"The Goblin King has gone into hiding in an attempt to trick ÆRNAY into returning the Queen Aboveground. It is up to us to get her to safety. I need you to accompany her to the castle of the High King and Queen so that they may lend a hand in defeating ÆRNAY."

"My Lord, why are you not taking her yourself? In the past it was you that took on these missions. I thought for certain that you would want to protect the Queen yourself."

"Rastrin, normally I would. However, ÆRNAY's men will upon the castle before nightfall. I will not risk the lives of the young ones. I must remain here to hold up the protective shield surrounding the castle."

"If the Fae army is heading toward the castle should we not be here as well should the shield be penetrated? I'm sure the Queen can be of assistance. She produced an incredible shield in battle. She truly is gifted." Sielke interrupted.

"NO! I want her safe. You will take her to King Oberon and Queen Titania. After the attackers are taken care of, I will see about the renegade rescuers and then we will reconvene in the Forest of Sorrows. We then will travel together the remainder of the way to the Castle. I expect the elders to be here by that time."

"Yes, Paralda. Please forgive our doubt." They both bowed and were gone to await further instructions.

"What are we doing here?" Briegal's voice popped through a small crevice hidden within the walls of a tunnel.

"Hush Child," Hoggle silenced, "we's have to waits here. There have always been guards protecting the doors that enter into the royal gardens behind the castle. We have to go outs that door and open another hidden one within the gardens itself. That one will lead us into the living quarters."

"We are going outside? Finally, I need some clean air to breathe. I thought I would begin to grow moss in this damp." Konile whined.

"Hear that my brother? We shall go outward and gaze upon they beautiful sky yet again. Then we can reclaim the Lady Sarah and rescue her from the cads that have captured thy fair maiden."

"Sky…Ludo like Sky"

"Alright, we should go before Didymus starts swinging his sword again." Hoggle stepped out of the hole. Right into the waiting arms of a dozen Goblins.

"Hey Hoggle, what are yous doing here? This is our hiding place." A scruffy goblin with a long pointy nose said.

"Hey Sar'nt, I was wondering where you's all gone."

"We all ran when we saw them coming through the Labyrinth. Some of us even went to tell the King. But he just sat there like he was waiting." The little goblin recalled the day when all the chaos had began. Goblins were running in every direction. Screaming and grabbing whatever they could carry. They knew a "visit" from ÆRNAY was not a pleasant thing.

"I remember asking him what had happened to the Labyrinth, alls I got was a kick across the room. He never even answered."

"I asked him too. But he pulled my ear. It wasn't long after ÆRNAY showed." Hoggle recalled. "Wait a minute. He did mention something about speeding someone up. I don't know I wasn't listening too good 'cause he had my ear between his fingers." He looked around, "So uh, by the way, where are the rests of the Goblins? Yous the first that we have run into."

Sa'rnt tried to smile as best as a goblin could smile, "We are all that is left. ÆRNAY has been sending his men to hunt down all of the Goblin King's subjects and exterminating them. Says he wants to wipe out alls of us. So that the Fae can inhabit the entire Underground." He said visibly shaking.

"Oh no" Hoggle stated pensively. Then suddenly remembering the other in the crevice he called to them.

"It's OK. You can come out. It's only a bunch of goblins"

They all stepped out one by one.

The little goblins scuttled around the new visitors with a mixture of excitement and amazement.

Hoggle walked toward his friends and whispered, "This seems to be all that's left of the goblins."

Konile's eyes went wide, "Oh dear. ÆRNAY didn't…"

"Yeahs, it seems that he did. These twelve are all that is left."

"I have reached my limit. I will not allow you all to hold me back any further. I must march straight to thy castle and challenge that monster." Didymus stepped forward.

Konile leaned against her brother's shoulder, "I'm scared Briegal. If he truly is capable of almost massacring a whole race what chance do we have of a rescue?"

The young male sylph finally realized that they were in way over they heads.

Sarah was getting tired of being left in her room. She was drained emotionally. Not only was she worried about her upcoming decision regarding Jareth and Myra but now she was thinking of Hoggle, Didymus, Ludo, Briegal and Konile as well. This must be what it's like being a Ruler. "I hadn't thought of it that way before." Doubt began to creep into her heart and mind. "How can I take care of all the creatures in the Labyrinth? Back home I barely took care of myself. I nearly burned down an entire building. All my laundry is all over the room.' Remembering that her messiness was on of the main reasons that she was in this mess. Had that pile of laundry not been in front of the mirror she would've heard Didymus' warning instead of the cryptic message the Labyrinth sent her. Of course, even if she had heard the warning she would've wanted to help.

That was it! The Labyrinth. If she was truly in control; of the Labyrinth maybe it would hold some kind of clue of maybe it would show her some answers in some way. She concentrated on the outside grounds were a piece of wall was exposed through the forest.

She was standing in front of it in seconds. She looked at its cracked surface feeling saddened that it was no longer as she had remembered. She stepped closer and gently placed a hand on the surface. A small glow began to radiate from the point of contact.

The small cracks that littered the wall began to dance and rearrange themselves until finally they formed the gentle face of a woman.

"Hello, Sarah." It said in the most unusual voice. It sounded like it was many female voices in one. Layer upon layer. And in every pitch.

Sarah quickly removed her hand. "Who are you?"

"I am the Labyrinth."

"So are you actually a lovely woman or a great maze? What is your true form?"

"I do not have a true form. I have been a Labyrinth for the past 600 years because it was required. Before that I was giant willow tree behind the High Castle. I was meant to shade the High Queen's bath from the sun. Before that I was a field of qualoots, to give the brownies a home. I am what is needed."

"What shall I call you?"

"You may call me Labyrinth, if you wish."

"I am confused. I don't understand. How can I be your ruler if you are not a true Labyrinth?"

"You were not chosen to be my ruler. You have been chosen to determine my next form. My time as a Labyrinth is ending. The need for it is no longer. I have brought many mortal children to the Underground and the next Queen of the Goblins. My work is done."

"Queen of the Goblins? You don't mean me, so you?"

"Of course, I do. There will be a change of High King soon. And we will need a new ruler for the goblins and as the only champion of the Labyrinth that position is awarded to you."

"So the High King is truly dying?"

"Yes. Even though these beings seem to have a long existence in your world, it does not mean they do not die. In your eyes they seem immortal but to me they live a relatively short existence. You, my dear, were chosen because you posses all the qualities that are needed to rule in addition to your passion and determination you possess something that most mortals have lost long ago. True Faith. It is for that reason that you have been brought her."

"I wasn't brought here. I wished my brother away that is how I first stumbled upon this world."

"You have a destiny, Sarah. It has been chosen long before your were even brought into existence. It is not a coincidence that you wished your brother away and defeated the Goblin King. You were born for this purpose."

Sarah was confused and began to remember all her obstacles on her first trip. It was rather odd that they weren't harder than they had been. And Jareth could've been more cruel than he had been. Jareth. Poor Myra.

"I need some advice Labyrinth. I have a rather big problem. I need to locate the present Goblin King to save my friend from ÆRNAY."

"Sarah, you do not need me for this. You already know where he is and if you do not then you will soon enough. You may not be ready to know. I see that you have rushed to contact me. ÆRNAY must be defeated before you are to decide my next form. Many creatures depend on my protection and so there can be no threat to them. Go, Sarah, when your journey has ended my new form will be revealed to the Underground."

"Thank you."

She disappeared only to reappear in her suite.

"Well. That didn't help at all."

A/N:

mcfly85:You are very perceptive.Paralda's feeling are still very present through out the story. Re; Myra. She has ESP that was the reason why Sarah went to her in the first place. Myra's place in this story (as all the other players)is important.Re: Jacob.Back story on him will be very soon.

Moonjava: Thank you girl!

Calendae: Thank you so much I appreciate it. Keep up with the wonderful reviews I need encouragement.

Serenity1818: Thank you sweety. I will.