Thank you so much for all the reviews! I love them, keep em coming!
To GuiltyInnocent: I haven't actually decided which direction to go with that yet. I usually don't know what will happen until it's on the page. I will certainly consider what you said though.
I own nothing created by Jim Henson. Please enjoy!
At first, Sarah didn't know what to make of the strange muddy colored something that had tumbled through the servant's entrance. Only after it had sprung up and righted itself did she really begin to take in the petite goblin before her.
It was a concerted effort not coo over the creature. She was quite tiny, standing at just over two feet. Her skin was a variety of earthy tones and her hair was a mass of brick red frizz. Her eyes were dark and clear, but with the red pupils of her species. She was dressed in an aboveground style t-shirt that had a strip of leather around the waist giving the whole thing a very frock like appearance. In one hand she held a very well loved wooden spoon that was currently being shook in a chastising manner towards the run-away sugar bowl.
"No, come backs bowlsy!" wailed the pitiful thing as she began to chase the porcelain escapee around the room. Before it could get safely away under a chair the heroic goblin leapt on it like a grenade. Standing she triumphantly pressed the bowl onto her head. Straightening it for style with a "Humph, serves you rights." Puffing out her chest proudly she looked around the room seemingly having forgotten why she came here. And then her eyes settled. On Sarah, who was gawking.
And on Brenna, who was glaring. The goblins ears sheepishly flattened. Clasping her hands behind her back and shuffling her feet nervously. "I, um..."
The water sprite slowly approached the intruder and demanded icily in a condescending voice. "Goblins are not permitted in the upper floors. Explain yourself this instant."
The goblin's eyes slid from the intimidating form of the watery handmaiden to peek around and rest on Sarah. A kind of soft adoration rose over her features like a sunrise. And an unexpected sense of love rippled from her. A strange primal connection clicked into place as a sudden kind of maternity gripped Sarah.
Bashfully, teetering on a wobbly curtsy the goblin introduced herself. "Hello Lady, mine name's Arabella. Kingy sents me here to be friends and gives…" she chewed on the last few words to get them perfect. "…a proper goblin welcome." She grinned with pride at her recitation revealing rows of pointy yellow teeth.
Brenna inserted herself between them, "That's absurd. I don't know why you thought this little trick would be amusing but I am not having it. Leave at once and return to the Hoard, miserable little cretin."
Sarah rose up abruptly from the chair. Ignoring the painful protest from all over her body. "Brenna!" Her tone came off with an authoritative harshness that bit at the name like a pack of dogs. Both sprite and goblin were utterly still and silent.
"Whether by prank or invitation she is here. I do not tolerate bullying of any kind. If you are concerned, you are dismissed to go and confirm with Jareth. Take the longest route. While you do so, you may reflect on the fact that this is my room. And only I decide who welcome and who is not."
After a moment, Brenna curtsied and silently swept out of the room. But Sarah didn't miss the angrily ticking muscle in her clenched jaw.
Gracelessly plunking back down in her chair, Sarah suddenly felt very tired.
"Are you okays, Lady?"
Looking up she saw Arabella was looking at her with frantic concern. "I can go gets some ale for yous! Or bandages!"
"I'm fine sweetheart, just a bit tired. Now, you said something about a proper goblin welcome?"
In what was almost a chirp, Arabella replied excitedly, "Yes, Lady!"
A beat. Two beats.
"And? What exactly does that entail?"
Very seriously Arabella started shaking her head. "Oh noo, Lady. Goblins don't have tails. I mean we haves tales but no tails."
Sarah giggled, but was truly helpless as it morphed into a deep belly laugh that shook her whole body. Soon they were both laughing. Until Sarah was crying, and the little goblin was rolling around and banging her spoon on the floor. Goodness how long had it been since she had laughed? The deep desperate breaths between bouts felt like she was coming up for air after a very long time.
"No! Ahahaha, what I mean is…*snicker*… how do you give a proper goblin welcome?"
Jumping valiantly to her feet with a grin Arabella took a deep breath to answer, but it slid right out of her as a slightly bewildered expression killed her laughing. She chewed on her thumbnail as if concentrating very hard.
"I don't knows, Lady. I've never gived nor see one befores. "Her big eyes started to well up with desperate tears. "Is very important thoughs! Kingy said! I'm sorrys!" She pulled the shirt over her face to hide her embarrassed tears.
"Arabella sweetheart, it's alright." She lightly pulled the distressed girl closer to her by the arm. Running a hand over the tiny shuddering shoulders, she tried to comfort her.
"You know, it's quite possible that no one has ever given a proper goblin welcome before. I mean you all are so busy taking care of the Labyrinth, right? And it's so big I doubt anyone had every had the time before."
Looking up at her, Arabella sniffed. "You thinks so? Maze is really big."
"I think it's totally possible. Which means that this would be the first ever proper goblin welcome. It's a very important job. And the king asked you to do it out of everyone because you are very special. It must be a thing that only you can do. So, what do you think?"
Arabella seemed to consider for a moment. Taking a deep breath, she dried her eyes on the shirt and straightened it.
"So, what I thinks should be goblin welcome?"
"That's right. Just whatever comes naturally to you."
Arabella nodded. And then chewed on her thumb again, thinking carefully.
Abruptly, she launched herself at Sarah's legs in a big strong hug. Her eyes squeezed shut as she nuzzled and said in a small voice, slightly muffled by the dressing gown.
"Welcome, Lady. We are very happy."
Sarah was taken aback for a moment, now on the verge of tears herself. It was so sweet, so genuine. The warmth and emotion were so raw and real. She couldn't help herself as she reached down to pick up Arabella and hug her tight to her chest. The little arms going around her neck as she squeezed the girl tightly and started to rock back and forth. Arabelle smelled of fresh rain on grass.
"I am very happy too. That was perfect."
They stayed like that for a moment longer before they heard a knock on the door.
"Well look at that, I'd almost forgotten there was an actual door in this room."
Arabella giggled into her shoulder and gently climbed down.
"Come in!"
A grin broke across her face when she saw Sir Didymus saunter into the room with Ludo lumbering close behind him.
"My dearest Lady thou art home at last!"
"Sawah back!" they both started to scamper excitedly towards her before sir Didymus slid to a halt.
"Wait a minute! Oh, dear lady has no one been in to dress you? You must be freezing!" Even as he blushed and covered his eyes he continued his tirade. "Those scoundrels have left our dear Sarah here half naked to catch her death. Why, I've have a mind to report this to the king! Or maybe I should exact my vengeance in single combat! This is unacceptable! I shall hunt them down right now!" And before she could explain he was running out the door with his eyes still covered bumping into corners all the way. So, she shouted after him "Some lunch for all of us too if you please good sir!"
Ludo looked after his brother with furrowed brows and shook his head, clearly away that there was no containing the chivalrous fox. He instead took the comforter from her bed and wrapped her in it, chair goblin and all like a big burrito. "Sawah warm now?"
"Yes, much better old friend." She reached out a hand to rub his coarse fur. He smiled at her, and leaned into her touch with a low contented grumble. "It's so wonderful to see you. Where is Hoggle?" A great sadness grew on Ludo's face. "Friend Hoggle gone. Winter hard." A terrible understanding lit in Sarah's eyes. And she silently cried mourning tears, holding Ludo's hand tightly.
Arabella whispered in awe from her lap, "You know Sir Didymus?!"
A brief time later, there was yet another knock at her door and Sarah wondered if her room was going to be some sort of new and exciting tourist attraction.
The doors burst open to reveal what could only be described as an entourage. Sir Didymus lead them like a captain on campaign. Brenna came in behind him with a chastised expression and large tray of food, several people in her wake. They strolled in carrying boxes of every size in bright colors with ribbon bows. Fanning out like a swat team they started packing them away in dressers and closets. One stepped out from the rest, he looked almost human except for the lightly pointed ears and dusting of glitter over his hair.
"My Lady Sarah." He flourished a deep bow. "My name is Sorin. I am the Royal seamstress. I came today bearing the first installment of the new wardrobe his Majesty had commissioned."
As he rose his eyes sharpened on goblin, ogre, and fox making themselves at home at her dining table with her. Without hesitation Sarah spoke as she doled out tasty tidbits, "It's nice to meet you. How kind of you all to make me feel so comfortable. These are my friends. They and anyone they invite are welcome in my rooms from now on. I will brook no dispute."
"As you wish, my lady. His majesty has requested that you join him for dinner tonight. I think you will enjoy what we have selected for the occasion…"
"What is the time?"
He halted briefly at her interruption. "The time, my lady?"
"Yes, what o'clock is it? I don't seem to have a timepiece in here."
He looked around hesitantly at his comrades who looked thoroughly confused.
"What is a timepiece, my lady?"
"You know, a clock? It's circular and it has two hands that point to numbers, so you know what time of day it is."
Sorin nodded in unfamiliar recognition. "I have only ever seen His Majesty use such a device."
Sarah's eyebrows hit the roof.