Alright y'all, I've decided to continue this. It won't be consistent, but I've got some ideas I want to churn out now. Enjoy and please comment! To review, it's two years after Sarah ran the Labyrinth. Last night, Sarah had a bad dream that she was being pursued by someone. Something. Little does she remember, this is a recurring dream.
Table of Contents with individual chapter ratings (some K, some MA, some in between) and chapter summaries is listed below (listed below so no one peeps any spoilers if they don't want to!)
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Saturday morning. Early May.
The morning after that bad dream, Sarah had called her friends through her vanity mirror—but, she made no mention of the dream. She thought it inconsequential. She had already forgotten it was a recurring thing and was not bothered. She had already forgotten most of the dream. She was more interested in Hoggle's new job.
"So, do you like it?" asked Sarah, trying to ward off exasperation. It was difficult to get a true, emotional response from the dwarf. His replies were often guarded with a grumbly and crusty exterior; yet, Sarah managed to see through them, even if she didn't receive a straight reply.
"It pays well enough. And I's still getting to twitch fairies here and there. I enjoy the access to certain treasures, even if it's limited. The decorating is the best parts," said Hoggle with a proud grin. He had been selected as the King's gardener. He continued to man the gardens around the outside of the labyrinth, keeping the fairy population in check, but now he was allowed to work within the castle gardens, the King's own topiaries. Hoggle had his own staff and access to some of the Goblin King's wares in order to care for and adorn the gardens.
Sarah couldn't imagine Hoggle being very cordial with his staff, but she knew his no-nonsense approach to things would get the job done. She wondered what prompted Hoggle's employment now two years after her visit. Did it have something to do with his connection to her, or was it really a coincidence. She was certainly happy for Hoggle and talked about the matter without bringing up the King.
"That sounds wonderful, Hoggle!" Sarah lauded.
Sir Didymus still guarded his post at the Bog of Eternal Stench, but a new, stronger, better bridge had been built for him and whoever should chose to be a passerby.
"My lady, have you visited the university of which you spoke?" asked Sir Didymus.
"I did! Thank you for remembering."
Sarah was in her Junior year of high school and decided she would pursue acting as her mother had. Her eye was set on Juilliard, but she knew how competitive the admissions process was. The school itself was small, but she couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging as she had walked around the building.
She was also looking at NYU, AMDA, AADA, Hofstra, and Columbia. Sarah loved the idea of going far away to acting school, but she couldn't deny that the best schools were in New York City. NYC was less than an hour drive from their little town of Piermont in upstate Rockwell Country—even with traffic. At least she would have the in-state tuition discount. And, she could do a semester somewhere else if she really wanted to get away.
"Like California," she thought. Far away and completely different.
"I really like it there, guys. I know it's one of the most competitive schools in the country, but I just feel like I really belong there."
"Sarah good enough. Sarah go there," said Ludo.
"Thanks, Ludo," Sarah smiled.
Hoggle chimed in. "Just keep working hard and your head on your shoulders. We know you're good enough to go, but you can't help the competition you face and what the professors want. There are lots of other great schools; don't forget about them." Hoggle was always the voice of reason.
"Great advice, Hoggle. Thank you. I won't. Well, I gotta get going, guys. Dance soon. This next week is kinda busy, but I'll talk to you soon enough!" she said, giving her mirror a kiss.
After goodbyes, Sarah grabbed her point shoes, tap shoes, and jazz shoes. She headed downstairs to the kitchen where Toby was situated in his booster seat at the kitchen table and Karen was cooking pancakes. Sarah grabbed an apple and an orange; she was focusing on eating better. She wanted to stay in shape for her eventual auditions. Pancakes had a few too many carbs for her taste.
She scooted her chair closer to Toby. Naturally, they had become very close after the Labyrinth. She gave him a big kiss on the cheek.
"Good morning, Sarah. Will you be joining us for pancakes?" asked Karen.
"No, but thank you. I'm going to go for a walk before dance." She turned her attention to Toby. "How did you sleep, bud?"
"Good. Pancakes are sticky," he said, preoccupied with the flapjacks sopping in syrup. Now four years old, he was developing a vocabulary.
"That they are. Make sure you use your fork," Sarah advised with a giggle. She gave him another big kiss and headed out the door.
It was a little crisp for May that morning. Sarah wished she had brought her jacket. Then, a warm wind blew from behind. Sarah turned and looked. She didn't know why she looked; it was just the wind. She felt a little off that morning and figured she must not have slept very well. She saw nothing.
"Of course I see nothing," she thought to herself. She continued walking. She would take the long way that took her past the park.
She remembered that she had had a bad dream. She couldn't remember the dream itself, though she did remember running. She tried not to dwell on it too much and thought about her choreography. They were now working on Swan Lake. Sarah was specifically working on Odette's entrance. She had been in ballet and tap since she was a little girl, but had never taken them too seriously. After her trip to the Labyrinth, she pursued them with full force. She also started modern as well as jazz. She had always thought she would be an actress, and facing the Labyrinth made her focus on what was really important to her in life. She now gave more time to her family and focused on her future. She had read all of Shakespeare's plays at least three times. She read plays both old and new constantly, keeping up with new releases. She studied the films of only prominent, serious actors. She made sure to have no less than six soliloquies ready at any time. She also took an acting class closer to the city once a week.
Her Saturday's brought her all four dance classes, each of which also met once more during the week—twice, in the case of ballet. Saturday was also her private ballet lesson. Her teacher only took four private students, two boys and two girls, to teach from the time they were 16 until they turned 19.
Her mind drifted at the beginning of her lesson, and her teacher certainly noticed. Mikel was a dancer with the New York City Ballet, and he took teaching as seriously as he took dancing. Sarah was very lucky to be admitted to his 13-19 y/o studio. He was strict and an artist by every definition. He was certainly not lacking in passion and drive; Sarah thought he was brilliant and did not like to disappoint him.
"Sarah!" he called. "Where is your mind?! I do not see a swan today. I do not even see a duck. Your arms lack finesse. Again!"
Sarah exhaled and reorganized her thoughts. No new choreography was to be pursued today, only repetition of what she knew of Swan Lake. It was almost completely learned.
After she finished the segment, she looked out at Mikel. He nodded in approval.
"Yes, but I still feel your mind is not going all the way today. I need total commitment. Let's run the prologue."
Most productions did not have a prologue to Swan Lake. They usually began with the court scene, but it was a modern fad to choreograph a prologue of Odette being kidnapped by Rothbart for the overture.
Mikel and Sarah circled each other, his hand catching her waist. As they spun around one another, he spoke, "This is important." She was on point, his hands grasping her wrists. "Everyone only shows Odette the damsel, but we need to see Odette the fighter. We need to see her resist." She spun out of his grasp. "She has substance. She has character. Fight!" As he came after her, she brought her leg up to his shoulder and "pushed" him away with toes pointed. She twirled, a smile of triumph on her lips. A more complex cat-and-mouse scene ensued. "Tragically, she does become the damsel. The crow has caught the swan, but she doesn't lose her fire."
He lifted her; Odette was caught. He caressed her face. She turned left and right, she pulled away. He pulled her in, grasping her chin in one hand, bringing her face to his. He then held her close. She went on point, and he brought his hands to her hips. They walked backward. He brought her from on point into the air, she feigned Odette passing out, falling limp into Mikel's arms.
"Yes," said Mikel, "I felt you that time. It was real and visceral. You know, you're the equal of the ballerinas here who are pursuing a career. After we do Swan Lake, it is Stravinsky's Les noces. Iwant you to be the bride."
Sarah gasped. "Without an audition?! Mikel, thank you. I don't know what to say."
"Do not say anything. Show me. Show me you deserve it." Mikel paused. His face was serious. "You may be able to make an early entrance into my 18-25 y/o company, should you wish to join. You know they are a performing troupe that does shows in the city. One show in the spring and one in the autumn, each running for a month. I know you will be auditioning for schools next year, but you are a hard worker. We could definitely use you. I understand you might not be able to continue once in college, but I'm sure if you don't bog yourself down with classes you could find time for us."
Sarah turned her eyes away from him. She was so focused on being an actress. Would this be a hindrance? She thought.
"Don't let it go to your head, though," Mikel said. "Your technique has reached the level of the ballerinas your age, but it is inconsistent. I will expect more from now on. It is your passion that sets you apart. Something in your performance is...magical," he said, taking her hand. He gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Think about it, mon ingénue. But, not for too long. I do not wait for anyone, even you." He turned and left his studio. Sarah gave a little smile. He was certainly an artist. She would do it.
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That night, as Sarah slept, a barn owl perched outside her bedroom window. Jareth had watched her dance that morning. He did not care for any other dance than ballet, a dance when humans seemed fae. He had a plan for that night.
The barn owl began to wretch. It twitched its head. It was heaving, it was coughing. Its head bent upward and kept bending behind itself. Its beak lengthened and its feathers darkened. Darker they grew, darker, darker...
The owl was now a crow. It disappeared into a cloud of glitter.
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PS I know Swan Lake is overdone and there are so many other ballets (which is why I gave Les noces a shoutout), but it works for what I have planned (PPS I ADORE swan lake).
Table of Contents and Chapter Summaries
IN DREAMS. Rated K+. Sarah has a dream she doesn't understand. The Goblin King has broken through.
DANCE CLASS. Rated K. Sarah gets a visit from her Labyrinth friends and goes to dance class.
DRESS REHEARSAL. Rated M. The Goblin King makes contact in a Swan Lake themed dream.
THE MORNING AFTER. Rated K. Sarah wakes up and realizes Jareth is back in her life. A visit from Sir Didymus. Jareth is watching.
THE HUNT IS ON. Rated T. Jareth visits Sarah's dream again, announcing his intentions.
SOME FORTIFICATIONS. Rated K. Sarah calls her friends, finds Jareth's weakness. Purchases fortifications, fortifies her room, and does some research.
NEW HELP AND NEW HORROR. Rated T. Sarah's fortifications worked—for now. She finds a new ally who runs a curio shop and knows about the magical world. Jareth gives Sarah a horrible nightmare and visits her there.
MIDNIGHT GLORIES. Rated K+. Sarah takes a test and Jareth apologizes for crossing a line. He visits her in her dreams once more and gives a gift.
THE DREAM CATCHER. Rated K. Sarah's new ally gives her some protection. Jareth plans his next move.
WEDDING BELLS. Rated K+. Last day of the schoolyear. Jareth gives Sarah a dream she would never have seen coming—and she almost falls for it.
THE TEN YEAR COUNCIL. Rated K. Jareth has some political duties. World building that sets up future chapters.
COMPETITION. Rated T. Sarah has an audition—and a boyfriend! So, Jareth plans a risky move.
CHANGELING. Rated T. Jareth's spell to make Sarah a changeling despite the risks takes its toll.
HERE WE GO AGAIN. Rated K. Sarah recovers and gets a visit from her boyfriend and visits her new ally. An emergency calls Jareth away—an emergency where?
AWAY TO THE LABYRINTH. Rated T. A tragedy forces Sarah to make a trade. Jareth whisks her away to the Labyrinth.
WELCOME HOME. Rated T. Sarah spends her first day in the Castle. She gets a maid—and more than she bargained for from the Goblin King.
DINNER INVITATION. Rated MA. Sarah is forced to dine with the king and become victim to his whims. Jareth gives Sarah a gift.
FRIENDS AND FOES. Rated M. Sarah's friends visit, although forbidden by the King. She receives tutors who will help her prepare for castle and court life. Jareth comes for payment and punishment after her friends' visit.
LESSONS. Rated K. Sarah gets a dream from the Labyrinth. She is confined to (and locked in) her room. We learn more about the Underground and castle life
LESSONS pt 2. Rated T. Jareth spies on Sarah. We learn more about the Underground and Sarah's place in the castle. Are all of Sarah's tutors really on her side? Sarah almost escapes, but returns for the good of the Labyrinth
THE INTENDED BALL. Rated T. Another ball, only this time much more is at stake. Sarah decides to fight politically, devising a plan that will let her leave the Labyrinth without disrupting their monarchy—if their monarch will only let her. But, since she is magically bound to this place, Sarah is willing to give a relationship a try, if only he'll court her the right way.
OLD FRIENDS. Rated K+. Jareth visits his old friend, the queen of the Crystal City. More is revealed about the Goblin King.
OUT AND ABOUT. Rated K. Sarah is allowed to leave her room. She has some fun with Goblins.
ASKING. Rated K Sarah visits her friends. Jareth asks her on a first date—is the Goblin King nervous?
A FIRST DATE. Rated T. Sarah is nervous to wear a bathing suit—and to see Jareth in a bathing suit. Jareth controls himself. They spend their date in a magical part of the Labyrinth.
JUST A NIGHTMARE. Rated K+. Sarah has a nightmare about the Labyrinth. What does it mean?
FOREBODING FIGURES. Rated K+. Sarah meets some Fae her age and gets a strange visit from the queen of the Crystal City, She visits the Goblin Market—but is she being followed?
TROUBLE IN PARADIES. Rated T. Sarah receives ladies-in-waiting and attends a play with His Majesty. She is invited to join the theatre troupe. Sarah and Jareth fight over his past, while something devious is happening behind-the-scenes.
IN HIS DREAMS. Rated K. Sarah accidentally is sucked into one of the king's dreams and is shocked by what she sees.
THE FIRST ATTEMPT. Rated T. Is Jareth avoiding Sarah? She visits Hoggle and confronts Jareth. An attempt on Sarah's life is made at her first rehearsal.
OFFICIAL. Sarah visits Hoggle's home and meets a secret society. Jareth and Sarah make their relationship official.
FIRST KISS. Rated T. Sarah and Jareth share their first consensual kiss.
A SECOND ATTEMPT. Rated T. The second attempt on Sarah's life is made—while she and Jareth are on another date.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY. MANY STEPS. Rated MA. Sarah turns eighteen. Things develop between her and the Goblin King. Sarah gets a job directing a children's theatre troupe.
