Chapter Three
The morning after her small dinner party, Sarah started making preparations for her departure. She began by telling Mrs. O'Connell and Shannon that she was taking Merlin with her on a trip, with some friends, for a whole week. Both were happy that she was finally getting a well-deserved break, but Shannon (who still acted like a policewoman, even when off duty) made sure to go over safety precautions with her, including keeping a little can of mace in her pocket 'just in case'. Sarah had to stifle a giggle; she knew that her neighbor meant well, but there were times when the woman could be such a mother hen. After a while, Shannon's lectures about how 'young, single girls living alone should be more careful' got to the point where you've heard it a million times and wanted to drown it out. But Sarah put Shannon's fears aside telling her that she would be going with a couple of old girlfriends from high school and that they would be leaving in two days. Shannon wanted to check these 'friends' out, which caused Sarah to silently panic, but Mrs. O'Connell reminded her that they would be leaving on a trip themselves tomorrow: some family reunion in Dublin. Sarah wished them an early bon voyage before getting back to work.
Calling her family was not something Sarah was looking forward to, but she needed to tell them about her plans. When Robert answered, they greeted each other with the same cheerful old 'hello, how are you, how was school/work'. Then she asked for Karen to get on the phone, too. Once both dad and stepmother were on the line, Sarah began telling them about the trip she was taking.
"That sounds wonderful," Karen said. She sounded happy about it, but over the few years they've known each other, Sarah learned to detect the little bit of worry in her voice. "You've hardly had any vacation time since you went to college."
"What?" Sarah asked, skeptically, "I have so: what about Christmas Vacation? Or Spring Break? Or those brief periods between Summer Sessions?"
"Those weren't vacations," Karen answered, "You spent all those times with us. And even then you didn't interact much: calling your advisor, choosing courses for the next term, discussing your thesis. Honestly, Sarah, life doesn't revolve around a classroom. You need to get out there: have some fun, mingle, find a nice boy-"
At this point, Sarah had to take the phone away from her ear and cover the mouthpiece so she could sigh. This happened every time she talked to her stepmother: every conversation ended up with a lecture about how she should be thinking about boys at her age. Slowly her mind began to wander to what Hoggle and Sir Didymus said last night:
"His Majesty is currently not in residence…he was called away to the Seelie Court three days ago. Apparently all the Fae nobility have been summoned due to urgent business..."
"…He's gotten himself in trouble with the High King again…"
"Practically locked himself in his chambers and didn't emerge for at least a week…"
It wasn't like her to worry about what happened to Jareth, but she couldn't help but feel apprehensive about the whole situation: What did happen at the Seelie Court? Was that the reason she hadn't seen him since that night, even after she'd removed her charms? And this urgent business; what could be so important that he would leave his kingdom – not to mention the Labyrinth – unattended for two weeks? Perhaps her writing about the creatures she met started some sort of…"
"Sarah, are you listening?" Karen shouted over the phone, startling Sarah back to reality. She quickly brushed her thoughts aside for another time and brought the phone back to her ear.
"I'm sorry, Karen, what was that?"
"Oh, for the love of…how long will you be gone?"
"Oh, just a week: one of my friends rented this cabin in the mountains, and she invited us to-"
"NO FAIR!" cried the tiny voice through the phone's earpiece. Apparently, Toby had been eavesdropping on the conversation (they all knew he was in the spare bedroom, since it was the only other room in the house - besides the kitchen and Robert's home office - that had a phone). Sarah sighed; she knew to expect this from the little seven-year-old. When the final semester started, Toby had made her promise that she would come home right after and spend some time with him before graduation. Obviously, he wasn't taking this news too well.
"I'm sorry, Toby, but my friends really wanted me to come, and I haven't seen them in so long…"
"But you promised me first!" Toby whined, "You were supposed to come home right after school! Don't you care about me?"
Sarah loved her brother to bits, especially after her adventure to bring him home, but knew that giving in to his behavior would only make things more unpleasant for everyone.
"Of course I do, Toby. And you're right; I did promise you first. But my friends thought it would be nice to have a week of peace and quiet before getting ready for graduation." Karen and Robert stayed silent throughout the conversation, knowing that their children needed to sort this out themselves.
"No, you don't care! If you did, you'd come home!"
"Toby…"
"I wish-"
"Tobias James!" Sarah didn't mean to shout, but she knew from experience what would happen if he were allowed to finish that sentence, and it terrified her. There was no way she was going to let her brother go through the same things she did, especially at such a young age.
Toby was quiet as she collected herself. "Toby," she said calmly, but with a no-nonsense tone, "Remember what we talked about? About being careful what you wish for?"
"You…might just get it," Toby answered slowly.
"That's right. Now, I know you're upset, but it's just a week in the mountains. I'll come home right afterwards. In fact, I'll even bring Merlin along." Sarah smiled because she knew that Toby loved Merlin very much, and was very sad when she took him to live with her.
"Really?" Toby asked, only slightly hopeful.
"Absolutely!"
"YAAAAY!" Sarah grinned ear-to-ear knowing that she was back in her baby brother's good graces. A visit from his favorite dog always put a smile on his face. She didn't even mind when he hung up the phone without a good-bye: he was obviously too excited.
"Amazing," she heard Robert's voice sigh in relief, "I don't know how you do it: it's like you have some…magic touch, or something."
"Honestly, Daddy, neither do I," she chuckled, but then realized that this was the first time in minutes that he said a word during the conversation, "Are you okay? You've been very quiet."
Robert took a deep breath before answering, "To be honest, I'm not looking forward to you going on this trip, with school friends I haven't even met yet, to some cabin in the woods far away." He paused for a minute before continuing, "But I know you're not a little girl anymore, and you won't be alone – though that doesn't exactly ease my worries."
"Daddy," Sarah interrupted him, "I promise I'll be careful, and I'll contact you if there's a problem."
"That's all I ask for, sweetheart," he replied with a smile, "That, and you have a great time."
"Try to bring back some pictures," Karen piped in.
"I'll do what I can," Sarah looked at the clock; it was already noon and she still had lots to do to get ready, "Sorry, guys, but I've gotta go. I'll call when I get back."
"Okay," Robert said, "Have fun and be safe."
"Be good," Karen warned.
"Alright. Love you!"
Two days later…
Sarah stood in front of her mirror with Merlin and two big suitcases by her side and a backpack slung over her shoulder. She made sure to pack a week's worth of clothes and essentials (even an overcoat in case it got cold), as well as some things for Merlin. Earlier she went around the apartment, locking doors and windows, closing curtains, unplugging some electrical items (except the fridge), and even setting up her answering machine to take messages during her absence. When all was said and done, the two were more than ready for their vacation to the Underground.
"Hoggle," Sarah called into the mirror, "We're ready."
After waiting about two minutes the mirror suddenly began to swirl and ripple, like the surface of a pond after you pass your hand through it. Soon, Sarah was able to see Hoggle's smiling, wrinkled face. Behind him were Ludo, Sir Didymus, Ambrosias, and what looked like half-a-dozen small goblins all standing in what looked like a very posh bedroom. From where she stood, Sarah could make out a large, queen-sized canopy bed with rich lavender curtains and a quilt that looked so fluffy you could sink into it. She also saw a big wardrobe, vanity, and what looked like a couch sitting in front of a fireplace. She also happened to notice that the whole room was colored in white wood and varying shades of purple. Sarah couldn't help but gasp in delight and disbelief.
"Oh my gosh!" she whispered in awe, "Where are you guys?"
"In the Castle Beyond the Goblin City, of course," Didymus announced.
"No, I mean, where in the castle are you?"
"This is the Lilac Room," Hoggle said, "It's one of many guest rooms that Jareth keeps open for when other nobles come ta visit."
Didymus huffed, "It is lovely, but I still say my lady would find the Queen's Suite more enjoyable." The goblins in the room gasped at the knight's declaration, and Hoggle knock him in the back of the head.
"Quiet!" he growled, "You know very well that the rat won't let no one near that room. Remember what happened last time?"
"Well I think this room is beautiful," Sarah cut in, hoping to ease the frightened goblins and the two irate friends. "So, what do we do?"
Hoggle stepped closer to his side of the mirror, "Let's get your things through first, then Merlin, and then we'll help you through." He turned to the others, "Well, c'mon, let's get to it!"
The throne room of the castle was quite busy, but there was no partying or drinking going on like when Toby - or any other child - was wished away. With news of their Champion's arrival today, the goblins were trying their best to clean the place up. They knew she wasn't like their king: Jareth actually didn't care that they made messes; only that they kept the messes out of certain parts of the castle (especially the Royal and Guest wings), and cleaned up when high-ranking officials came to visit. Today, they wanted to 'make the place pretty for their Lady'. So they all worked hard with sweeping, dusting, mopping, removing used candles and wax from the chandeliers and replacing them with fresh ones. Basically, the whole place was like a beehive…but with goblins.
At this time, while Hoggle and the others were busy helping Sarah, one tall goblin looked through the window he was cleaning to see a hawk flying over the Goblin City, right towards the window. Normally, such a thing wouldn't have meant much, but when the hawk landed, the goblin recognized a little satchel tied with a white ribbon to its leg: it was a messenger from the Seelie Court!
Quickly yet carefully, the goblin removed the message from the satchel and walked over to a middle-aged goblin that had a white moustache and beard, and was wearing what looked like a Viking helmet. He was currently directing some other goblins to take a few rugs outside for pounding.
"Oy, General Oshus!" the tall goblin called.
"Yeah, what is it?" the general responded gruffly, "Can't ya see I'm busy?"
"Message from the Seelie Court," he replied, holding out the letter. Oshus took the letter and looked it over, being one of the few in the Goblin City who could actually read. Looking at the bottom of the parchment, he noticed the Torc symbol: Jareth's seal.
"From His Highness," Everyone immediately stopped what they were doing as Oshus proceeded to silently read the letter. What he saw literally made his eyes bug out, and he started shaking.
"What is it?" asked another goblin, "Is Kingy coming back early?"
"Yeah, but there's more," the whole room waited with baited breath as he continued to read. Suddenly, he snapped his head up in terror and, without warning, he ran from the throne room screaming "WAIT, STOP!" at the top of his lungs.
"Okay, that should do it," Hoggle said as they placed the second suitcase at the foot of the bed, "Now, let's get you through, boy."
Merlin gave a small whine; he'd seen these strange creatures come into Sarah's home more than once, but something about going through this strange door didn't feel quite right. Even with Ambrosias barking encouragements at him, he still wouldn't move.
"Go on, Merlin," Sarah soothed him, "It's alright."
Suddenly, Hoggle got an idea. "Hey, Didymus, ya still got those dog treats?"
Didymus looked at Hoggle, "I do, but they are emergency rations for battle."
"Oh, c'mon!" Hoggle argued, "I only need one to lead Merlin through. 'T ain't gonna kill ya!"
Didymus looked annoyingly at Hoggle, before glancing at Merlin, and then Sarah. He sighed as he reached in his saddle bag and grabbed what looked like a round gingerbread cookie.
"Very well, but I do this for the sake of my Lady!"
Hoggle took the cookie and held it before the mirror, trying to coax the nervous dog through. As Sarah watched, she noticed something odd. The image in the mirror, which was very sharp and solid at first, briefly became a little blurry, as if someone had tried to take a picture of a moving subject. She also noticed a few spots swirl a bit before settling down again.
It was just as the image stabilized when Hoggle finally managed to get Merlin through. The cheering of her friends snapped her back to attention, and she smiled as the old dog proceeded to explore his surroundings and sniff everyone.
"Okay, Sarah, you're next," Hoggle said.
"Oh, right," she answered distractedly.
The dwarf couldn't help but notice the curious look on her face. "Sarah, you alright?"
"Well…" Sarah really didn't know how to explain what she saw, "Did any of you notice anything…strange? About the mirror?"
"Huh?" Hoggle brought his nose close to the barrier, trying to see what he could find – even though he hadn't a clue what to look for. "Looks fine ta me. Why?"
Taking a minute to see if it would happen again, she was relieved that the portal remained solid. Sarah smiled and shook her head.
"Never mind, probably just my imagination anyway."
With a smile of his own, Hoggle reached his hand through the mirror until it stuck out on Sarah's side.
"Alright, take my hand and I'll lead ya through." Before Sarah could grab his hand, however, they were all distracted by the voice yelling through the corridors.
"WAIT! STOP!"
"That's Oshus," Didymus said as Hoggle pulled his hand back.
"Well, what in the name of Danu is his problem?"
"DON"T-" The panicked goblin general burst through the door, but didn't get to say another word as the room was suddenly illuminated by a kaleidoscope of light. Everyone turned back to the mirror: the portal was swirling and churning in a rainbow of colors. The scene was disturbing enough but when they saw Sarah standing IN the portal, everyone's hearts stopped. Looking behind her, they noticed with growing horror that the image of her apartment was gone!
"Hoggle! Didymus! Ludo!" she cried out to them, clearly growing frightened. Hoggle dashed over to try and grab her hand, only to stagger back as the light flashed to a blinding bright. No one was able to do a thing as they heard their friend scream.
When the light finally faded, they all lowered their arms that were shielding their eyes. Everything about the room seemed normal again, including the mirror…
But Sarah…was gone.
