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 20

They had been looking at the rose bush trying to locate their friend, Ludo, who disappeared 20 minutes ago to no avail. Didymus was quite worried. It had been years since he had been without his brother at arms.

Poor Hoggle was afraid that the goblins would start wandering on their own when he heard one of them snort,"I found it! I found it!"

They all ran to the little furry goblin with the floppy ears.

"Well" Hoggle shrieked, "let's see it"

"See what?"

"The object we've been looking for!"

"Here it is" the little goblin lifted a weathered piece of leather.

"What is that? Briegal questioned.

"It's my boot. I'd been looking for it since His Majesty kicked me out of that window three seasons ago." The goblin pointed above their heads.

They all suddenly realized they were standing in an extremely visible spot. Slowly they all turned to the window and almost jumped out of their skin when they saw two eyes staring at them from above.

"'Tis my brother, Sir Ludo!" Didymus almost screamed.

Ludo, the large hairy beast pointed to the door just below the window then disappeared.

They all hurried to the door to wait for their friend on the inside.

In a matter of moments they heard the latch being raised and in they went.

Relieved they all filed into the castle quietly and quickly. Hoggle rushed them into a small door off to the side into a tiny room that seemed to be a closet of some sort.

"SHHHHHH!" came from Hoggle. "I think I's have a plan. I's going to the chambers to see if it's clear then I's want the younguns to turn to smoke and follow me. At a distance, in case I gets caught. After we figure out which room Sarah is in we'll all meets back here and lead Sarah to Paralda's through the tunnels."

"What do we do in the meantime, sit here and knit?" asked Sa'rnt, the self-appointed leader of the surviving goblins.

"No, ah' course not. You's all will be causing trouble on the other side of the castle. But I needs Ludo to stay here. He's too big to keep hidden. Anyways, I want ÆRNAY's attentions to be on you goblins so I can gets Sarah out safely."

The 12 little goblins/soldiers stood in a semi-straight line and saluted as best a goblin can. "Yes, Sir. We agree to cause enough trouble to make his Majesty proud."

They all quickly marched out of the small closet.

"Sir Hoggle. I shall stay with my brother to keep him calm unless you feel that my skills are needed for another task." The little fox commented.

"No. You should stay here. Keep Ludo calm. You know how anxious he gets."

Turning to the Sylphs, "I'll be right back." And off Hoggle went to find his best friend, Sarah.

The four remaining friends all sat on the floor to wait for Hoggle's return. Konile had been thinking about the comment he had made in the garden

"Jareth showed me the way to the castle when Sarah first came to the Underground. He wanted me to keep her safe. He said that if she got into too much trouble to bring her directly to him."

"He truly loves her." She thought to herself a little too loudly.

The other's looked at her, "who?" her brother asked.

"The Goblin King is in love with Queen Sarah"

"How do you know?" he asked.

"She is correct. On the fair Sarah's first trip we all noticed something odd in the Goblin King's demeanor. "

"Odd? In what way?" Briegal wanted to know.

"You younguns do not recall how the Goblin King was before? He was ruthless. He was vicious. But not with her. She was special to him. It wasn't until her return to the Aboveground that we all realized that she was the one. The one that was meant for the King. It was apparent that he felt it in some way."

Just then the dwarf popped his head in , "You kids ready?"

They both turned to eachother and nodded in unison.

"OK, here we go?" Hoggle said.

Paralda stood on the highest point of his mountain castle looking over his forest and the labyrinth that surrounded them all. With a slight wave the toadstool tops of the trees opened to reveal about 50 Fae heading in the direction of the castle. With all the strength he could muster he raised both his hands and a large section of the trees caved in and landed directly on top of the men. 'There that should keep them busy will I prepare.'

He appeared in the throne room where all the sylphs had been assembled. They all stood upon their leader's arrival.

"My children, there are dangers occurring as we speak. But I implore that you are to conduct yourselves as adults. ÆRNAY has sent his men to attack us and take me prisoner. I need you all to stay calm and cool. There is no place for heroics." All the sylphs began talking quietly among themselves.

"I know that you all want to help therefore, I would like to explain how that can be so.I will need to draw from your strength to increase the power of the protection shield that surrounds our home. For this I will need each one of you. I have already called upon the elders and they should reach us very soon. But until then I will need your energy."

They all nodded understanding what he meant.

Paralda looked at his subjects with a blank expression but he had fear in his heart for the youngest of them. His opal eyes fell on two particular sylphs. The youngest at 20 but to a mortal's eye they would look merely 5 years old. He smiled and called them over.

They walked to their leader. He placed his hands on top of their small heads and pulled them close, "Now. My dear younglings. You must be brave for I believe in your hearts and in your strength."

Then placed kisses on top of their heads.

He sat looking over all of them when he heard a loud bang coming from below. They all gasped and looked to Paralda, who nodded, "Alright, my children do not panic. Please concentrate"

He stood from his throne. His robe cascading down his thin, elegant body falling in waves along the floor. With pride for their leader and home, the sylphs all began to turn to smoke. Upon their transformation the ribbons began to circle around their leader creating a beautiful cocoon of strength and power manifesting itself at the fingertips of their great leader of the Sylphs.

The fae army had cut down one of the trees and were using it as a battering ram. They had never seen such a castle within a mountain. There were no doors. No windows. They knew when they made their way through the forest that getting in would be a challenge. The young Fae who seemed to be in charge for some reason looked up. He'd heard a hum and stepped back. Curious he turned and began to climb one of the standing trees to get a closer look at the disturbance. Just when he had reached the middle he looked below to his men and watched in horror as they were hit with wave of energy that crushed them all into the floor. He quickly climbed down to check on his men. They all lay embedded into the ground on their sides as if they had been hit by a heavy object. He placed a hand to the neck of his friend but found no pulse there. They were all dead. He could not go back with out Paralda. He would not for ÆRNAY would not accept failure.

They were making their way through the Labyrinth with much ease. Sarah hadn't even noticed. She was still thinking about Jareth and Myra. Hoping that she would be able to come up with a solution.

Rastrin and Sielke were walking behind her still staring at the Queen. She wasin front of them and seemed to be in her own world. Sielke had other worries particularly named Konile and Briegal. This little stunt was so unlike them. Well, unlike Konile. Briegal was a different story. He'd always been a handful. She felt her brother's hand on her arm.

'They'll be fine' he sent her. Sheh turned to him with a scowl sent,

'Stop snooping into my thoughts. Besides, you don't know if they'll be fine. But we really must concentrate on the Queen she doesn't seem herself. And we must make it out of the labyrinth before we lose the light. We do not know what creatures have made their homes in these ruins.'

They quickly caught up to Sarah, "Your Majesty, are you well?" Rastrin asked, "I can carry you if you are too tired." He offered.

Sarah smiled, "I'm alright, but thank you for the offer. I just have a lot on my mind."

Sielke looked to her brother and sent 'Go on ahead. I'll talk to her'

She turned to the queen who looked as if the world were ending (and in this case that could literally be true).

"Your Majesty, may I be so bold as to ask a question about the Goblin King?"

Sarah immediately looked up at her, "Is it of a personal nature?"

" Forgive me, your majesty it is in regard to his actions back at the goblin castle. Rastrin told me about the anger he seemed to have toward you upon his release but then he immediately changed, The Goblin King has never had that kind of reaction to someone. Rastrin also said that you seemed sympathetic to him as well. I do not mean to intrude but am I correct in assuming that you have some feelings for one another?"

Sarah looked over at Rastrin to make sure he was out of earshot.

She turned to her protector, "Sielke, do you think it's possible to love someone your whole life and not even know it? Back in the Aboveground I had given up any hope at ever finding a mate. I'd given up completely and had resigned to live my life as a solitary person. It wasn't until I returned to the Underground that I understood why my heart had closed itself against all others. It knew before I did that my love was here. I don't mean just the goblin king but with the Underground itself. I mean where else could I be named Ruler and meet extraordinary creatures such as an Undine who send me messages through my dreams?" She stopped for a moment

"just remember me. All of me and you will find your way to him."

"Are you alright, your majesty?" Sielke asked concern written on her face.

" Do you know where Nejin lives?" Sarah asked turning and grabbing Sielke's arms.

"I. Think. So. You know that Nejin is a legend to us. Sort of a myth or story. But maybe Rastrin may know."

"Rastrin!"

He was there in an instant.

" Where does Nejin live?" his twin asked.

"Nejin? Neksa Falls, of course. Why?"

" Are we far?" Sarah asked.

" No, not far."

"Let's go then." Sarah said loudly.

The twins looked at each other and Rastrin stated, "We are not to disobey Paralda's orders."

"Do your orders include protecting me?"

They nodded.

"Then I suggest you protect me on my way to Neksa Falls. Because I'll go there on my own if I have to."

"Yes, your Majesty but may we inquire as to why we are going on this detour?"

"Because I am going after the Goblin King and that is where he is."

A/N: I've been rethinking the rating on this. After much reworking of Act III it will be full of romance and some physical stuff(heehee). So be prepared.

Moonjava: Thanks again for reading.

Mcfly85: Thanks for your review. I look forward to your insight every week. And for befriending me in your livejournal community. Much Love.

Calendae: Don't die on me now. Act II is almost over. Hang in there.

batteredchild:Sorry for calling you child of batter last time. Thanks for the review. Lots more Jacob/Myra to come and J/S as well (please see above comment).

demonicsymphony: I LOVE MY LITTLE PONY!Thank you for letting me entertain you. Keep reading.

Amethystlainey:Thank you so much for your patience and friendship. Much love to you!