A/N 1: This is an old story I found from my files. I might have posted some chapters earlier, but since then I have done a lot of rewriting and plotted more of the story.

A/N 2: In order to understand the framework better you might want to read Legend first, since this is a sequel. Reading it is not obligatory though. You should be able to grasp this one quite easily.

Disclaimer: I do not own Labyrinth.

Once Upon A Time
(LEGEND II)

Chapter 1
The Boy and the Wayfarers

It was night. Lir swept a pearl of sweat from his forehead and sighed miserably when his belly grumbled in displeasure. It appeared the small loaf of bread the king's page had given to him wasn't enough. He looked around. The windy road he followed had led him in a forest: Dark trees surrounded him, leaves whispering secrets to each other in a language he didn't understand. Lir could swear they talked about him. He was no coward, but it was as if a cold dread had built home in his heart. He shivered, looking around, and squinted his eyes. Did he discern twinkling light afore, amidst the trees?

It could be troll's home, Lir reminded himself. Terrible beasts roamed the earth during the night. But he needed to find a place to rest, and he hadn't seen any inns or friendly farmhouses since entering the forest. After pondering his time, Lir made up his mind. He would tip toe as close as he could, hoping to find a friendly soul.

Silently, like a shadow, he made his way through the trees and peaked behind a fallen trunk of an oak. His eyes widened.

A sparkling fire cast red and yellow light over the small clearing and two figures. The first was a small man: a real dwarf! Lir had never seen one before though his Master had told him stories about them. The dwarf wore a leather vest and red, worn-out trousers; a chiming bundle of sparkling jewels hung from his belt. He tended the fire, above which a dark iron pot had been placed. Lir's stomach churned at the delicious smell the wind brought to his nose. The other person sat on a grey rock, following as her companion stirred the pot.

"'tis be the stew me grannie taught me once. She used to cook for the King. The whole Underground knew her cookings; said there was no better cook alive," the little man told, his back turned to her.

"I'm certain, it'll be delicious, Hoggle. Like everything you've cooked since we left," she said softly. Lir's heart caught in his chest as he gazed into the lovely face. She had to be one of the fair folk, so ethereal she looked with her fair skin and hair color of the darkest night. Lir had only seen the king and the queen wearing something as lavish as was her scarlet dress she had donned on her. A half-moon shaped silver medallion hung on her neck.

"Nah," said the one called Hoggle. "Ya should have tasted me grannie's food. She cooked like, dunno, with magic."

Feeling encouraged, Lir stepped in the light. Noticing him, the dwarf jolted up and his friendly expression disappeared.

"Who are ya?" Hoggle spat, holding a burning rod he snatched from the fire.

"Have peace, man of earth. I wish you no harm," Lir said, lifting his hands, his palms facing Hoggle. Politely he nodded at him and the lady.

Hoggle's eyes narrowed. He glanced at his companion before stepping closer. He didn't let go of his makeshift weapon, waggling the rod menacingly. "What then? Let it out, boy, or I whack your head off!"

Lir quickly backed away. "Please, sir dwarf! My name's Lir, and I'm only searching for a place to rest for the night!"

"Well, ya ain't gonna find it 'ere," Hoggle snarled.

"Oh, Hoggle. Don't be mean. He's only a boy," the lady said, shaking her head and getting to her feet. The hems of her dress brushed the ground as she came to Lir. She stopped, tilting her head with a measuring look. Then she smiled, offering her hand at him. "My name is Sarah. And you're welcome to join our camp, Lir."

"I thank you, milady Sarah." Lir gave a deep bow and kissed her hand.

She laughed merrily, and Lir blushed. "You sure do have courtly manners, Lir. It's Sarah. Not milady. If you necessarily want to be polite, you can use Miss Williams." Sarah pondered awhile. "But I prefer being called Sarah."

"I obey your word as if it were law, mi…Sarah," Lir corrected quickly, getting to his feet.

Hoggle grunted. Lir saw an annoyed flash in her green eyes, but she refrained from saying anything.

"Take a seat by the fire, Lir," Sarah advised, returning to the rock she had previously occupied.

"Thank you, Sarah." Lir followed the suggestion, carefully avoiding Hoggle as he sat close to the fire. He stretched his arms, enjoying the warmth. After a while, he felt the chill leaving his joints.

Lir followed Hoggle as the dwarf stirred the stew, casting dubious glanced in his direction. A deep scowl had permanently adhered to his face. He stopped when he noticed Lir's attention.

"What ya staring at, boy? Eh? Never seen a dwarf before?"

"They do not dwell in my city, sir dwarf." Lir shook his head, hoping he wouldn't offend Hoggle.

"Figures," Hoggle snorted, continuing to stir, but his eyes didn't leave Lir for a second.

"So, Lir." He turned to look Sarah. She fidgeted her medallion, a thoughtful air about her.

"Yes, Sarah?"

"Can you tell us what has brought you to the Forest of Adumbro? It is a dangerous place," she hesitated with an unexplainable expression on her face. "…Or so I was told."

Hoggle snorted again.

Lir squirmed. "This is the only road leading to Mag's den," he said at last.

At his words, Hoggle's eyes narrowed, and his hand froze in mid-movement.

"You're on the way to her place!" Sarah gasped. "But she's a terrible monster that is known to devour all who enter her lair. Ja- She would eat you alive. Why in God's name do you want to go there?"

Lir smiled sheepishly. "I have to steal her golden bird. King of the Sunrise Lands appointed the task to me. Unless I do so, he'll have me hanged," he confessed.

"What? A lad like ya," Hoggle was now ogling at him openly. "Are ya a criminal, or what?"

"No, sir dwarf. I'm a bard's apprentice," he told in a proud voice, padding the sack next to him.

Sarah and Hoggle exchanged glances.

"Maybe you could tell us the whole story, Lir?" she asked at last, eyes thoughtful.

He stared at the burning fire not truly seeing, and ghost of a smile touched his lips. "My king has a daughter who is so beautiful that no words or songs can do her justice. Her eyes are the color of the bluest sky, her hair like spun gold, and hearing her speak sets your heart afire…"

"Ah, I see," Sarah mumbled. "Is this a task appointed by your king to perhaps…plea her hand in marriage?"

Lir blushed. "Am I that obvious?"

Sarah smiled. "Let's just say that I've had my fair share of fairytales before… But please do tell your story."

Lir sighed, "My master was very mad at me for being late that morning. He was going to introduce me at Court. I had passed all tests of the Singers' Guild; he felt it was time for me to make my first appearance and showcase my skills to the king. The years had started catching up on him, and his fingers cannot play as quickly as they used to. He has gracefully trained me for many years, hoping that I could take up his mantle as the Court Singer in Tiago, our capital." Lir hung his head. "He must be very disappointed in me. He has been like a father to me since he took me under his wing."

"Well, what did ya do, lad? Kissed your beloved princess in front of everyone?" Hoggle snorted.

"I would never do such a thing!" Lir protested, clearly shocked of the thought, and shook his head vehemently. "As it happened, I had secretly composed a love song for the princess, having admired her from afar such a long time…" he admitted quietly. "But when the king asked me to perform to him and his court, it was the only song that came to my mind."

He covered his face, ashamed. "I realize I shouldn't. I am well aware that the king plans to marry her to a prince, but when I saw her sitting in the courtroom, I…" his words died.

"You played your love song in front of the whole court?" Sarah suggested finally.

"Yes, I sang my song looking directly at my lovely princess," Lir nodded, and a dreamy look rose on his face. "She was surprised at first; but then, she smiled so sweetly. I still recall the lovely color on her cheeks."

"Ah, but I recon yer king wasn't pleased?" Hoggle asked, rolling his eyes at the boy's confession.

Lir's face fell. "No. Indeed, he wasn't. He threatened to have his guard kill me on the spot for disgracing his daughter publicly. I never intended to bring shame to her!" he asserted. "It was as if I couldn't control my art. The song just came out, uninvited, unexpected."

"So… what changed his mind?" Sarah inquired. "Why did he decide to send you off to this…mission instead?"

"I do not know," Lir confessed. "I was thrown to the castle dungeon. The next day, he had me brought back and announced he had decided to spare my life if I was able to fetch him Mag's golden bird."

Then, he smiled, his somber mood evaporating. "And now you know my story."