Jareth once again strolled through the labyrinth, looking for the flaw that seemed to flow through his magic. He was growing angrier by the minute, it had been too long since he'd seen Sarah. As he came around a corner, he caught sight of Hoggle's small form hurrying down the passage towards him. Jareth paused, leaning against the wall as the little man scuttled past him. A small smile began to form on his lips when a scream split the air. The sound caused Hoggle to freeze and Jareth could hear him arguing with himself before he turned round and started back the way he'd come. Once again he passed Jareth by without noticing him.
"Well, well - and where are you going?" Jareth purred, stepping forward. Hoggle stopped dead in his tracks and slowly turned, fear coursing through him. "Your majesty, wha-at are you doing he-ere?" The frightened man stuttered. Jareth simply smiled down at him, his eyes twinkling. "I thought you were going to lead her back to the beginning." Hoggle opened his mouth but Jareth glared down at him before continuing. "So imagine my surprise to find you helping her! You don't want to end up in the bog, do you?" His eyebrows raised slightly and the little man shook his head vehemently. "No, I don't! It's just..." Hoggle searched for the right words. "She's alot more stubborn than any of the others, I couldn't get her to follow me."
Jareth stared at him, his eyes narrowing before he gave a short laugh. "Don't tell me that you think this girl is going to be your friend!" He sneered, clearly enjoying Hoggle's discomfort. "My dear boy, who would ever want to be friends with you?" Hoggle dipped his head, his wrinkled face reddening. "No, your Majesty, I don't think that." He murmured, eyes still downcast. "Good. Now get after her!" Jareth commanded. Hoggle began to retreat down the corridor before he was arrested by his King's voice. "One more thing, Hoggle. I want you to give the girl this." In his outstretched hand lay a small globe, much like the one he spied upon them with. Hoggle eyed it warily and Jareth sighed. "It won't hurt her...at least not much." He glared at Hoggle until the little man grabbed it and took off towards where the scream had come from.
Sarah paused, breathing deeply. It seemed like she'd been running for hours but it couldn't have been that long. After encountering the Fireys, who were rather insistent upon dissembling her, they had claimed that they knew the way to the castle. Only then did she come to realize that they really knew nothing at all and after trekking around with them for far too long, she had run off the first chance she could. Now she was lost again but at least no one was trying to pull her head off! Taking another deep breath, Sarah set off, still following the path before her. It wasn't long before she hit a dead end. Frustrated, she glanced around and something caught her eye. Leaning close, she realized that it wasn't a dead end but rather a walk covered with vines and miss.
Quickly she felt around, desperately trying to find a way up but there didn't seem to be one. Leaning back, she felt tears threatening and squeezed her eyes shut. Oh, what good will crying do? She thought as something tickled her cheek. She rubbed her cheek and was surprised to find that she wasn't crying. Opening her eyes, she saw the end of a rope dangling just over her head. Suddenly she spied Hoggle's wrinkled face grinning down at her. "Are you gonna grab that or not?" He huffed as she stared. Standing on her tiptoes, she latched onto the rope and he hauled her slowly up.
Once she was completely over the wall, Sarah stood up and smiled triumphantly at Hoggle. "What?" He asked gruffly. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Because I knew you'd come back!" She said, hugging him tightly. "Oh, Hoggle, you really are a wonderful friend!" Hoggle squirmed, trying to break free from her embrace but she clung on. Suddenly the stones beneath them have way and they were falling fast before coming to a stop by smashing against hardened earth. Their noses were assaulted by a foul stench and even fouler sounds. Sarah eyed Hoggle, pinching her nose closed. "The bog...of eternal...stench." he slowly wheezed, his wrinkled face wrinkling more. A mournful sound cut through the foul air. "Bad smell!" Came the cry, repeated over and over. "Bad smell!"
"Listen, I think that's Ludo!" Sarah said excitedly, looking around for him. Hoggle simply fell back, refusing to get up as Sarah walked around calling for Ludo. She could hear his roaring in the distance. "C'mon Hoggle, I need your help!" She gently prodded him with her foot. Hoggle swatted at her legs but she jumped back. "Leave me alone! I'm on the brink of death!" He coughed, curling up again. Sarah rolled her eyes and grabbed him under the armpits. She hauled him up and began dragging him down the pathway.
She headed in the direction of Ludo's voice. "This is all your fault!" Hoggle wailed. "If you wouldn't have been so nice to me, we wouldn't be in this place!" Flustered, Sarah released her hold on him and let him fall to the ground. "Of all the...how dare you blame me!" She fumed, stalking away from him. He continued to scream at her but she ignored him and followed the stone walkway. Blinded by her anger, she managed to trip over a stone in the path and fell headfirst onto a soft pile. She found herself looking up at Ludo's sweet face, grinning down at her before he frowned. "Bad smell!" He lamented, shaking his head.
"Hoggle, we need your help!" Sarah cried. "Quite whining and get over here!" She could hear him grumbling as he crawled over to were they had fallen. Reluctantly he reached out to Sarah and with great effort, he managed to help her back onto the path. Together they hauled Ludo up and looked around them for a way out. They hurried along the path until Ludo pointed at something ahead. Squinting, Sarah could just make out what looked to be a bridge.
"Good job, Ludo!" Sarah said asHoggle raced ahead of them. "Let's hurry up and get out of here!" He called back to them as they followed. It didn't take them long to reach the bridge and once they did, Hoggle quickly stepped up. "I'll cross first, just to make sure it's safe." He volunteered. Sarah rolled her eyes and stood back. Just as he took his first step on the bridge, a shrill voice rang out. "Stay thyself, none may pass whilst I guard this passage!"