Sarah couldn't help but stare at the strange figure standing out in the middle of the bridge. She had never seen anything quite like it before. "Now, who might thou be?" The strange creature demanded, brandishing a thin blade. Ludo ducked down behind her, whimpering. "Who are you?" Hoggle shot back, his wrinkled face bright red.
"My name is Sir Didymus." He replied, quickly bowing before resuming his fighting stance. "Now answer me, who art thou?" Sarah stepped in front of Hoggle, holding out her hand to quiet Hoggle. As she approached the bridge, she realized that it was a small fox addressing them. "I'm Sarah, Sir Didymus. My friends and I are trying to find our way to the castle." The Fox glared at her with beady little eyes. "None may pass without my permission!" He stated firmly, sword still in hand.
"Oh, please help us!" She cried, stepping closer. "I lost my brother and I must get him back!" Sir Didymus looked at her and then glanced at the others, clearly thinking through his options. Desperate, Sarah addressed him again, this time pleading. "Please, Sir Didymus, can we have your permission to pass?" Suddenly the fox's dark eyes lit up and he smiled at them. With a flourish, he sheathed his sword and bowed to her. "Thou hast my permission, milady."
A smile appeared on Sarah's lips as she walked across the break, Hoggle and Ludo following cautiously behind her. The small fox stood aside for them to pass, the feathers in his cap quivering in the breeze as the bridge freaked ominously. Once they had safely reached the other side, he followed after them. "Come Ambrosious!" Sir Didymus called, pausing at the edge. A large sheepdog came galloping across the bridge before stopping in front of the Fox, his tail wagging happily. Sir Didymus patted the dog's head. "Good boy!"
"And who is this?" Sarah asked, holding her hand out for the dog to sniff.
"This is Ambrosious, my steed." Sir Didymus replied, hoisting himself onto the dog's back. "The best and most loyal steed ever seen." He nudged the dog and they took off trotting along the path. Ludo gazed curiously at the dog and Fox as they fell in step beside him. Ambitious looked up at him, tongue hanging out and tail wagging. "Ludo...friend?" The ginger beast questioned. A sharp bark was the only reply he received. "Any friend of milady is a friend of ours." Sir Didymus reassured him, earning a lopsided grin.
Onward they traveled, walking quietly among the woods. Suddenly a thought struck Sarah. "Sir Didymus, where are we heading?" The Fox glanced back at her and reined in Ambrosious. "Why, wherever thou hast need to be." He sounded surprised by her question and once again nudged the dog forward. Sarah shook her head, legs and feet sore from all the walking they had done. She felt someone walk up beside her and looked up at Ludo. "Hungry." He whimper, his lips pulled downwards. She patted his arm comfortingly. "I know, so am I. Hopefully we will find some food soon." He sighed and continued walking as she paused to look behind at Hoggle, who was lagging far behind them.
Hoggle walked with his head bent down, wrinkly face screwed up as he thought about what was in his pocket. If he didn't deliver Jareth's gift, he was as good as gone. Carefully he pulled the orb from his pocket, unaware that Sarah had stopped to wait for him. As his hand grasped the orb and pulled it out, he was shocked to see a peach. In his surprise, he dropped the peach and it rolled across the path before coming to a stop in front of Sarah. Before he could stop her, she had the peach clutched in her hand. "What's this?" She asked in confusion.
"Ah, that is...that is just something I...found." Hoggle said lamely as she inspected the beautifully ripe fruit. "I heard you saying you were hungry, so I thought you would like it."
Sarah smiled brightly at him. "How kind of you!" He muttered something under his breath, keeping his eyes focused on the ground. Sarah gazed at the fruit for a moment before taking a bite. Her mouth was filled with the sweetest juice she'd ever tasted. Slowly she chewed and swallowed. As she was about to take another bite, she suddenly felt dizzy. Dropping the peach, she stumbled forward trying to find something to hold onto. Her vision began to blur and all she could see were stars dancing around her. The last thing she saw before she passed out was Hoggle's figure retreating into the trees.
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Jareth leaned back in his throne surrounded by sleeping goblins. His lips curled devilishly as he felt the magic flowing from him. "Good boy, Hoggle." He murmured, standing to his feet. Now it was all up to him to seduce her with his offer. Pulling several orb from the air, Jareth thought carefully before selecting one. With a wave of his hand, the discarded orbs disappeared and the last one floated out of the window and across the sky. Time to get ready. He thought as he watched the orb growing smaller.