Chapter 3, A Dream Within You
Sarah arrived at Hoggle's shack to find him swatting away at a bunch of sprites. It was a comical scene. The short little man jumped with all his might and would hit noting but air. The pesky creatures would giggle a they ascended just out of his reach.
"Hoggle, is this all you ever do? Torment poor little fairies?" Sarah gave a light laugh as she helped him rid his garden of tiny snickering women.
Hoggle turned around, trying to mask the surprise and relief in his face. After being summoned by Jareth, Hoggle had returned to his home and contemplated every possible reason for what may be going on. He had given up and come to the conclusion that Sarah was with Jareth, and as much as he detested his king, he knew Jareth would never truly harm her. "Sarah? What are you doing here? I thought you went to find Jareth?" He patted the dirt from his clothing.
"Well, I went to find answers. And I got them, so seeing Jareth was no longer necessary." That was true, all she wanted was answers. Answers, not Jareth. That's what she kept telling herself. "If Jareth brought me to you, then he knows I'm in the Underground. And I have little doubt that if he wants to see me, he will." There was a hint of sadness in her voice, was she really disappointed she didn't see Jareth? The words Goblin King and regret were not things she normally put together. But she would be a fool not to admit he had a certain affect on her. Although she told herself he was the villain in all this, she'd catch herself thinking about him in another context. He'd certainly left his mark on her.
"Yes, well we both know he isn't exactly one to be shy." He raised an eyebrow in her direction. Sarah laughed at this, they were both thinking the same thing- Jareth's knack for overly dramatic flare. Images of Jareth in grey snake skin stretch pants flooded into her mind causing her to laugh harder. Her face became hot as she realized she must be blushing furiously. She caught herself and after chocking back tears of laughter, following Hoggle into the cottage.
Jareth returned to his castle to make preparations for the Ball the following night. He had decided to wear a flowing silver silk dress shirt featuring an intricate design of gold trim, a matching black velvet coat with shimmering crystals and matching gold and silver lace, along with his trademark tight black dress pants and knee high boots. As he looked at his ensemble, he thought of what Sarah would be wearing. He looked over to a small goblin picking up discarded clothing from the floor of his private chambers.
"Mage!" he shouted turning his head sharply in her direction.
"Yes? Your Majesty?" Any other goblin would tremble in fear, but not Mage. She had been his care taker since he was a boy, and she knew when he was being serious, or just throwing a tempter tantrum.
"I need you to go to the Market, and have a dress made." He cast his gaze to the floor, and brought his hand to his chin in thought. "Something...purple, with silver and gold accents. Tell the seamstress to have it ready by tomorrow evening. Tell her it is to be commissioned as a royal garment and will be paid twice that, she won't mind the time constraint then." He began to pace, about to blurt out all the impulsive ideas whirling around in his brain. Mage only stared with a motherly grin and waited for him to continue. "Oh, and Mage-" He stopped suddenly and looked to her with a boyish grin. " Have her place an enchantment on it, something special. I'll let you choose." Jareth reined in his excitement as Mage bowed to her king.
"Of course Your Highness." And with that she took her leave.
Jareth took his leave shortly after; he needed to check on the mortals, who were still lost in a magical slumber.
This is where things had gotten complicated for Jareth. The magic of the labyrinth transported their minds, including Sarah's, to a dream-state festival that was as real as it was imaginary. Once there, their soles would be tested. If their hearts accepted the magic of the Underground they would be brought before the High King and Queen. After the first two rounds of The Game it transported their bodies to the underground, but leaving their minds separate.
In other words, all the humans who now slept in the Castle Beyond The Goblin City, were still prancing around the Goblin Festival waiting for the third round. When they woke they would be at The Ball. When their minds and bodies met, the Labyrinth would release its hold on them allowing them the will to make their decision. But there was a problem. The Labyrinth had no hold on Sarah. She was its Champion, the only human to ever defeat it. With this said, when the Labyrinth transported Sarah to the Underground, it held no power over her and so she was able to wake from her charmed state.
The room was dark, and full of the breathing and snores of sleeping men and women. Jareth watched with little interest, until something caught his eye. Within the mass of bodies, there was one empty spot. Jareth soon realized this is where he found Sarah. A dull wave of emptiness crept over him. He let out a sigh and left the lonely room.
Meanwhile, Mage had made her way to the Goblin Market, the economic epicenter of the Goblin realm. She headed straight towards Ti's Tailor, the favored dressmaker of the King. Mage entered the dusty shop to find a small heap of dark brown fur with arms sewing away at a piece of material. The puff ball looked up when she heard the door creak open.
"Ah! Mage! What can I do for His Majesty?" She scampered across the dusty floor to great her guest.
"Good day Ti, His Majesty has a commission for you. I took the liberty of writing down all of his demands." Ti's little eyes widened all they could as she read how much she was being paid.
"May I ask why the King would need such a garment? This order is..." She trailed off, unable to find the appropriate phrase.
"I must admit," Mage interjected. "His Highness was quite excited about this one. It must be for some one special, and so he expects it to be just that. I trust you understand how rare this is?" The tone in her voice insinuated the importance that this dress be perfect.
"Yes, yes of course. I'll have it to him by tomorrow evening as specified." She turned to start working.
"No, this must be delivered to the girl, there is a charm in place that will deliver it to her. So you don't have to worry about it." Mage watched as the little goblin examined the note further.
"This says something of an enchantment. What enchantment shall I put on it?" Ti asked.
"Oh, yes, something simple. Like, a perfect fit or the ability to dance to every song. I don't know what the King has planned for this woman, so I don' want to recommend anything extreme." She spoke casually yet her point was clear.
"Of course, I'll get started right away." And with that the fury little woman set out to work.
Nightfall came fast and engulfed all of the Underground in serene shadow. Jareth stood on his balcony overlooking the Labyrinth, as he did every night. With the events of the day behind him, and the worries of a king at rest he took flight. Silver light shone on his feathers as a deep internal peace set over him. Only then, when he was able to soar into the horizon was he truly at ease, completely blank. He spotted a low glow from just outside the Labyrinth walls and decided to investigate. He glided to the nearest tree and perched with the upmost grace. In front of him stood a small shack, a warm fire glowed through the window. Jareth cocked his head and peered into the house. He saw a woman, sitting in front of the hearth, a low hum graced his ears as he realized she was singing. Although it was but a whisper, he heard the woman loud and clear.
"-beating so fast, in search of new dreams. A love that will last within your heart. I'll place the moon within your heart." He saw a smile grace Sarah's lips as she stood and walked towards the window. He inched over to conceal himself in the shadows of the tree as she gazed up at him.
"Sarah, what are you doing? Is someone out there?" Came Hoggle's voice.
"No, I was just looking. The moon is so big here, I feel as though I could grab it." Jareth looked upon her face and could swear she held the moon itself within her eyes.
"Ah, well the stew's done if you're hungry." She turned to leave the windowsill before pausing. Her mouth curled on one side in an eery grin and her eyes stuck to the tree in and expression of seductive disclosure. Her lips parted slightly as she searched for the right words.
"Hoggle? I thought you said the King wasn't shy?" Her sneer widened as she tore her gaze from the tree and walked towards the table. So he is watching me...Dear Goblin King, if you're trying to hide in the dark, you shouldn't be a snow white owl. She thought and giggled like a giddy school girl.
Well my my, I do believe you've found me, you precious thing. Jareth watched until she was out of view before spreading his wings and soaring high into the night sky. One more day... He thought as he floated through the air. Unknown to him, a pair of green eyes watched as a shadowy figure glided across the moon, soon followed by a sated smile..