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 22

They were all in a long narrow closet full of brooms and buckets. Myra was still shaking from her escape but also from her last conversation with Jacob. It seemed like just when she had made some progress she had to open to her mouth and tell him about Sarah's feelings for the Goblin King. She was now very worried about her friend. She would've hated to be put into that position. As she looked around at Sarah's "friends" she finally came to terms with the fact that Sarah had been telling the truth all this time. She actually was in another world. It had been a surprise to meet Hoggle. Sarah's other best friend. Right next to her was a massive hairy monster. She'd almost jumped out of her skin when she had opened the door to the closet. And next to him was a small dog or fox like creature with an eye patch and dressed in actual clothes.

She covered her mouth with both hands to stifle the laughter that threatened to escape from her. When a second later she saw smoke drifting in from underneath the door.

"Oh my god, Fire!" She pointed.

"Sshhhh!" hushed Hoggle shaking his head. Then two tall and elegant creatures appeared. They both looked at her suspiciously.

"Who's that?" Briegal asked turning to Hoggle.

"Where is the Queen?" Konile asked.

"Queen?" Myra's shocked expression went unnoticed.

"Sarah is not in the castle. It looks like ÆRNAY releaseds her and took her instead. This is Sarah's friend, Myra.

"Oh dear." Konile whined. "What are we going to do now? Briegal, I'm afraid."

Ludo stood up and wrapped his large arms around Konile.

"Konile…Fwend."

"Thank you. Ludo." She smiled and accepted his hug.

"Shall we await our goblin brothers?" the little fox inquired.

"I think we should give them a little more time before we go back to the garden."

They all nodded.

Myra watched in wonder as these strange creatures acted more compassionate with each other than most humans did.

Paralda was being led in through the doors of the Goblin Castle by a smug looking Fae,

The guard quickly ran to the Throne Room to announce their prisoner's arrival.

"My Lord. The Sylph leader is in the Castle. Shall I send for your father?"

"No. Bring him in. I'll deal with him myself. Let my father breathe for a bit. Taking over a kingdom is hard work. "as bored as he could muster.

The guard bowed, "Yes my Lord."

Jacob elegantly sat on his cousin's throne and tried to look as menacing as he could.

In walked Paralda with such grace and poise he seemed to be gliding forward. No one had noticed the smug looking Fae that led him in. He bowed to Jacob expecting a word of gratitude or praise but he was waved away. "That will be all" He reluctantly backed away and left.

Jacob turned to Paralda,

"I expect that you know why you were brought here"

"I assure you I do not." Jacob scoffed with disbelief.

"Come now. Did you think that my father and I would allow you to help our enemies and do nothing about it? You are supposed to be wise? Aren't you, Sylph Leader?"

Jacob stood up and walked down the few steps that separated him from his prisoner.

"Did you think that we would let you live?" Jacob's eyes flashed silver against his grey eyes making him look vicious.

Paralda not fazed by his threat answered in a calm voice.

"I assure you, Jacob. I have not done anything that I would not do again in a heart beat. If Sarah asked it of me."

"Sarah is it?" stepping back in surprise. Beginning to pace.

"well well well. So Sarah has another admirer it would seem. This girl is quite extraordinary then to have made you feel something. YOU? The great Paralda who has not loved another in his entire existence. One would think she was Leanan Sighe."

"I thought that once. But it seems that she just may be a mortal. Beautiful, strong, full of passion and determination. She is a rare creature. Not only for our world but for hers as well. She has somehow managed to retain a certain amount of innocence despite her hardships. She truly is extraordinary but in the way that you think. Perhaps that is why we all have great affection for her." Changing his tone he implored, "Jacob, I know you do not share your father's darkened heart. Please do not let yourself be steered down the wrong path."

"Why does everyone keep saying that to me? I chose what path I take AND I CHOSE TO FOLLOW MY FATHER!"

Paralda saw the uncertainty beneath his reddening features.

"That's fine Jacob. I only want you to be aware that this path you have chosen is not the ONLY path. Do not expect Sarah to ever accept you on this path."

Jacob, who had been looking past Paralda to the door looked him straight in the eye and said,"Sarah will never accept me or you, for that matter. She is in love with my cousin and your best friend. Neither of us has any chance with her as long as he breathes. But that will not be a problem. For long."

Paralda sensed something was off. Jacob was not only thinking about Sarah there was someone else in his thoughts. He could only guess that this was Sarah's friend.

"How is Sarah's friend? I suspect that she must be very worried about her."

"I know. That is the point. She is fine. I have her tied up on my cousin's bed. And it pleases me to tell you that she likes being had."

Paralda's stoic features did not reveal that he was trying to gather information through Jacob's thoughts.

He saw a flash of a lovely red-haired girl leaning against Jacob and him putting his arm around her shoulders.

There was no malice in his mind. It seemed he genuinely liked this girl.

He smiled to himself having discovered a weakness.

"You know I think you may be correct about Sarah. She is lost to us. Perhaps, until Jareth is disposed of, we should look elsewhere for affection. As you have in Sarah's friend. I must say you have peaked my interest. I look forward to meeting this mortal. What was her name? Oh yes, Myra."

Jacob's eyes grew small.

"Guards!"

A few Fae guards entered the room.

"Remove the Sylph leader from my sight. As a few took Paralda by his arm, Jacob stopped one and whispered to him, "Make sure he is placed far from the mortal girl." And then yelled to the rest, "Make sure he is encased in iron."

Paralda smiled as the guards led him away. Encouraged by the seeds that he has planted within Jacob's mind.

Sarah hesitated for a moment remembering what Nejin had told her on her last "visit" "

I will not be there to frighten you into action

She then plunged into the small pool. She quickly sank to the bottom. She turned around, pinching her nose not to let any water in. She had never been a strong swimmer but she had to do what needed to be done. She pushed herself from the ground and began kicking with her feet propelling herself through the turquoise water. She saw off in the distance a row of bushes that swayed with the current. She quickly turned in that direction, not seeing anything other form of life. She was just about to reach it when she noticed that she was running out of air. She turned to where she had come from thinking maybe she could go back to take another deep breath but she had gone so far that she would never make it back in time. She pushed herself off the ground by instinct heading for the surface.

When she hit stone overhead she began to panic. She turned frantically this way and that only to remember Nejin,

…you will be challenged every step of the way for the remainder of this journey

and then Paralda

do not let fear overcome you. You must be calm to use magic

She instantly knew what to do. With a light gesture she quickly produced her purple orb and inflated it until it surrounded her. She let go of her nose and quickly breathed in the sweet smell of her "magic oxygen". After some much needed deep breaths she again pretended to be a hamster.

She walked past the bush she had aimed for earlier to look for clues. She stopped to examine her surroundings once more. She didn't seem to be getting anywhere. And it didn't seem that there was anywhere to get to. So she sat to think,

"Ok Think. Think. Think." She began recalling all her messages from Nejin.

the way forward is sometimes the way back

'That still doesn't make sense. Wait! I wonder if that means that the opposite is also true. The way backward is sometimes the way forward.'

She took a step backward and all of a sudden she caught a glimpse of a top of a cave covered in plant life. It was almost like someone had opened Venetian blinds.

"Oh my god, it works!" with each step back the "blinds" opened more and more until finally she was standing directly in front of the entrance of the cave. But right beside her was the beautiful shining city from her dreams. She marveled at its beauty. Everything was millions of different shades of blue and green including the creatures.

She looked beyond what looked like a main road to the grand underwater palace and at the figure in the window high above. She smiled to recognize her friend, Nejin. She waved before she took her last step backward before entering the cave.

A/N: Jareth is coming! Jareth is coming! I am planning on typing up the rest of Act 2 next week so I can take a short break( last chap in Act 2 is 25-that should hold you guys). I need to take care of some things at home . Promise I will be brief.

DemonicSymphony; Thank you!

McFly85: Thanks for liking my girly-ness(is that a word?)- Everyone Check out Mcfly's story.

Calendae: Here's is another refill for the tank.

SqueezyStan/Tink: Thank you for the suggestions. If you spot anything else let me know-I'm sure you will. ;)

Westendwordsmith: Munching on Jareth shaped cracker Oh Yummy! Thanks for the review. I'll write to you later.

Lhiata: Thank you so much for taking time to read my story. It makes me feel good to know that people are enjoying what I am writing.