A/N: Here's another chapter for you, my dear readers. I have this story completely mapped out and am busy editing the next few chapters. I hope to start posting them posthaste. Thank you so much to those of you who have read, favorited, and followed this story. I promise that Sarah will eventually make an appearance, but not for a while. Special thanks goes to Wynni, who reviewed the last chapter.

Disclaimer: Nope. I don't own anything you recognize and some you don't.


The Blog of HisPreciousThing

November 7, 2011 – 9:32pm

You'll never believe what I've been through today. I don't know if I'm up for this stuff. I never pictured myself having to sneak away from my friends to meet up with a fairytale king. Then, to top off my night, I got in trouble for coming home late and had to make up a story on the spot. Let's just say, I'm not going to have a career in improv.

I'll admit, I've told my share of white-lies. Yeah, that color looks great on you. Have you lost weight? Sure, I think my brother will ask you out someday. You know. The standard fabrications we make when we don't want to hurt someone's feelings. I've never been a hard-core liar…until now. I've been telling some whoppers lately, but I swear I'm really an honest person…really!

Today started out pretty good, actually. It wasn't until I got to the end of the day that the whole mess began.


Samantha sat in her last period class, trying hard to pay attention to her teacher. It wasn't her fault that history was so boring; made even more so by Mr. Starr's droning monotone. As her teacher continued his lecture on the Great Depression, Sam soon lost her fight to her thoughts. It would soon be time for last bell, and she'd have to tell Becky something in order to meet up with the Goblin King.

"Ms. Taylor?" Mr. Starr said, shattering her thoughts and bringing her back to the present.

"Huh? Sorry, Mr. Starr. I missed what you asked."

"I asked you to describe the New Deal," he repeated, rolling his eyes at her.

"Um. That's what FDR came up with to help with the Great Depression. It started social security and other social programs to help people that were out of work."

"Very good, Ms. Taylor. Now class…"

Mr. Starr continued his lecture on the New Deal while Samantha's mind traveled back to her previous thoughts. How was she going to get out of her study date with Becks? It would have to be plausible enough to pass under the radar. Maybe she could fake being sick. No, that would just make Becky want to help her and make sure she got home alright. Maybe she could…

A poke in her back startled her and she jumped in her seat. Her face flashed a brilliant red as she turned around to see the girl behind her handing her something. Samantha took it and noticed it was a note addressed to her. Mr. Starr collected all of their phones at the start of the period so her classmates had gone old school with note passing. With nimble fingers, she unfurled the tightly folded paper while trying to be discrete. A quick look told her that Mr. Starr was still writing on the whiteboard.

'Would you like to hang out sometime? –Andy'

Well, that was unexpected. No wonder he'd been so weird around her lately. Sam didn't have much time to ponder this new development. Mr. Starr turned back around to resume his lecture and she quickly stashed the paper in her notebook. By the time the bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, she'd forgotten all about the note. She was too busy thinking about making it to the park and finally getting some answers. Gathering up her notebook and book, she quickly grabbed her phone from the holder near the door and headed out into the hall.

"Sam! Wait up."

Samantha winced with guilt before turning around to see Andy running after her. "Hey, Andy. Sorry. I didn't mean to run out of there without talking to you. I was just in a hurry because my mom wants me to check in on my grandma after school." The lie came tumbling out before she could stop it.

"That's ok, Sam."

The two stood in the hall, staring at each other awkwardly for a moment. Kids hustled by them, stuffing things into their lockers before running out of the building.

"So…" Samantha started, running her hand over her jeans. Her palms had suddenly started to sweat.

"Hey, what's up you two?"

The voice of her best friend at her back was both a relief and a burden. Samantha whipped around to see Becky's smirking face. Her own face darkened with the blush of getting caught with Andy and her remorse at what she was about to do.

"Are you ready to head over to my house?" asked Becky.

"Sam's got to go check on her grandma," Andy piped in.

"Sorry, Becks. I'll make it up to you. I promise."

"It's ok, Sam. Family comes first. Call me later."

Every one of Becky's words stabbed into the conscience of Samantha. This was so much harder than she thought. She'd never made a good spy so she'd have to take that off of her list of career ambitions. That was good to know. After stammering out a quick goodbye, she practically flew out of the building and into the fresh autumn air.


Becky, if you're reading this, I'm so sorry! I promise I'll make it up to you. Even if it means having to listen to you talk about how hot you think my brother is for hours. Please don't be too mad at me.

Well, after feeling like a complete toad, I ended up slinking off to the park. I sat there for hours. Ok, maybe not hours, but certainly past our agreed meeting time. I was about to give up on the Goblin King when he finally popped in.


"Hello, again, young mortal."

Samantha spun around to see the Goblin King standing behind her, his trademark smirk firmly in place on his beautiful face. She pressed a hand to her heart, feeling the rapid fluttering beat beneath her fingertips. Willing herself to calm down and keep her wits about her in front of this otherworldly being, she took a deep breath.

"Shit! You scared me. Do you need to sneak up on people like that?"

"Need? No, I don't suppose I need to do that, but I enjoy it immensely."

"Sure; whatever. So, what did you want to talk to me about?"

"So impatient," Jareth laughed.

Without addressing her further, he sauntered over to the park bench. Samantha rolled her eyes, watching him move with a grace she would never attain. He looked at the bench with a grimace on his face that would have been amusing under any other circumstances. With a wave of his hand, the bench was cleansed and suitable for his royal butt. She covered her mouth, trying not to laugh at him. For some reason, she didn't think he'd take her amusement at his discomfort well.

"Well?" he said, after a moment, quirking an eyebrow in her direction. When Samantha failed to move quick enough, he added, "are you going to stand there all day? Maybe I should seek out another mortal for assistance since you don't seem that eager to speak with me."

"Now, who's impatient?"

Samantha moved closer to the bench and shook her head when he patted the seat next to him. She preferred to stand. Getting too close to him didn't seem like the best idea. His shoulders shrugged, letting her know that he really didn't care if she sat down or was even comfortable for this conversation. Well, two could play at this game. She simply stood there and waited for him to begin.

Jareth's eyes narrowed at her before he chortled happily. "You are certainly an amusing mortal. In fact, you're almost as amusing as another mortal I know."

"Sarah?"

"Ah, my lovely champion." His eyes took on a faraway cast as his mind conjured up images of said mortal.

"She's real?" Samantha asked before hitting her forehead with the palm of her hand. "What am I saying? I'm standing here talking to a faerie king so of course she's real."

"Are you quite through?"

"Shutting up now."

Jareth grinned. "As you've already ascertained, yes, my precious Sarah is real. To be honest, she is the reason I have decided to employ mortal assistance. I must find her."

Samantha looked at him, her eyebrows raised in surprise. "Can't you just conjure up one of those crystal balls of yours and find her that way?"

"Mortals," he replied, rolling his eyes and shaking his head. "It doesn't work that way, young one. I can't scry for her because I have no power over her. Overseeing the repairs to my labyrinth took up much of my time. Her family has since left her childhood home and I have no idea how to find her in this modern world."

"So, let me get this straight. The movie is real. Sarah ran your labyrinth to get back Toby and declared you have no power over her. Now, you need my help to find her. There's just one thing I don't get."

"Just one?"

"Ha ha," she laughed, sarcastically. "The movie came out in the 80s. That means Sarah's like really old now. She has to be at least 40."

"I'm over 1000 of your mortal years. What does her age matter? Besides, you're thinking too linearly. Just because your moving picture came out several mortal years ago does not mean that the events occurred during that same time. Time doesn't really work that way. I don't really have the patience to go into the specifics. Suffice to say, Sarah would be a mere 25 at most in your world."

"Holy shit!" she exclaimed.

"Crude, but efficient," he said, once again shaking his head at her. "As I was saying, I need your help in locating my champion. Will you accept this challenge?"

Samantha began to suspect that she was overworked when, instead of telling him hell no, she found herself saying, "Yeah, I can help you."

"Wonderful," he said, with his first genuine smile since she first met him. "I shall take my leave. Good luck in your quest, Lady Samantha"

"Uh, yeah. Thanks. I'll probably need all the luck I can get."

"If you should have need of me," Jareth said, beginning to fade from view.

"I'll call," she finished.

Samantha had barely enough time to process all that she'd heard before her phone pinged with a text alert. She dug it out of her pocket and pressed the button that woke up her screen. The words she saw on it sent her running for her car. She was going to be in so much trouble.

'Where are you young lady? You were supposed to be home over an hour ago.'


I'm not sure what to make of all that he told me. Labyrinth is real? If that's true, color my mind as blown. I mean, I have no reason not to trust him. He's fae and they're known for their complete honesty…oh, right. On the other hand, if Labyrinth didn't happen, how do I explain his very presence? I don't think I've gone completely crackers. At least, not yet.

Well, I'll have plenty of time to think about this as I've been grounded for the week. *sigh*


Samantha's mother was waiting on the porch when she pulled into the driveway. The look on her face was less than amused and Sam was feeling a little like Sarah when she came home at the beginning of the movie.

"You're an hour late," her mother said when she'd made her way onto the porch. The similarities to the movie were almost too much at this point. It made her think a little of Bohemian Rhapsody. Is this the real life or is this just fantasy? Unlike Sarah, she knew that a more contrite response would garner better results.

"I'm sorry, mommy," she said, looking up at her and giving her the sad puppy eyes that usually made her mom laugh. Unfortunately, it was an utter fail. If anything, her frown actually deepened. Oh, this was not going to be good at all.

"Well, do you have anything to say for yourself?"

"Um, I was studying with Becky and lost track of time. It won't happen again."

"Is that the story you're going to stick to?" her mother asked, looking thoroughly disappointed in her. Samantha could take her anger, but the disappointment was going to eat away at her.

"No, mommy," she blurted. "I'm sorry, mommy. I was at the park to do some thinking and didn't realize how late it was getting."

"Samantha Elizabeth Taylor, I don't know why you couldn't have told me the truth from the beginning. I have a feeling there is a lot more to the story that you're not telling me. That's fine. You can keep your secrets as long as they're not hurting anyone else. However, I won't stand for lying. You're grounded to your room for a week."

Samantha opened her mouth to argue before shutting it again, quickly. Instead, she simply nodded her head and walked past her mom into the house. She was halfway to the stairs to go up to her room when her mother's voice caused her to pause mid-step.

"Oh, yeah. Becky called. She said she wasn't able to reach your cell and was worried about you. Something about visiting your grandma?"

"Shit," Samantha muttered under her breath.

"Yeah, shit is right," her mother agreed. "Well, you've got a whole week to think about how you've treated us and your best friend. I'd start figuring out how to make it right."

"Yes, mom."

"While I think of it, visiting your grandma every day after school for this week wouldn't be a bad thing. Why don't we just add that into your sentence?"

Samantha's head hung even lower. She loved her grandma and was already ashamed of using her as an excuse. "Yes, mom."

"Now, grab a plate of dinner and head up to your room."

Samantha didn't wait to see if her mother would have anything more to add to her punishment. She grabbed a plate of spaghetti and glass of water before running up to her room. Before she could close the door, her brother popped his head in and grinned at her.

"Looks like your luck has finally run out. It's about time you caught it on the ass."

"Shut up, dumbass. The best part of this punishment is not having to talk to you. Beat it!"

Scott shut the door before her shoe could hit him. It bounced off the door and landed with a thud on her floor. Samantha looked at it for a moment before sitting on her bed and brushing a tear from her cheek. She grabbed her stuffed unicorn and held it to her chest. Looking down at her phone, she finally saw the five missed calls from Becks followed by her angry text.

'Hope you're having fun at your "grandma's."'

This was going to be a long week.


My phone never even made a sound the whole time I was with the Goblin King. Maybe it has something to do with him being fae. Who knows? It doesn't change the fact that I'm now grounded for the week. The only thing that really sucks is having my mom and Becks mad at me. I'll have to make it up to them both and soon. However, right now, since I'm going to be stuck in my room (like that's really a punishment…lol), I might as well get started on my search for Sarah. I'll start with the internet. How hard can it be?

TTFN


A/N2: Please send me a quick review and let me know what you think of this story/chapter. I promise that I read every single one. Thanks!