Chapter 3

Daring Contemplations

"Hoggle, I need you..." Sarah turned from her vanity to find her friend standing next to her bed.

"What can I do for ya little missy?" Hoggle asked, he could see that his friend was perplexed by something. She always looked a little drained but he could tell there was something else tonight.

"I wanted to talk to you more about your world" Sarah stated smiling as she gave her friend a customary hug and then sat on her bed, leaning her back agaist the head board. Hoggle scratched his head, Sarah was very curious about almost anything but he never tired of answering her questions and he was proud that he was the one she came to for answers. "Well..." he began. "There's not much more that I could tell ya that yous dont already know." clambering up onto the bed and sitting by her outstretched legs.

Sarah laughed "Yes we've covered much havent we my friend?"

"However, we have not touched much on the subject of humans. Do any inhabit the various Kingdoms?"

"Do any what inhabit the kingdoms?" Hoggle responded teasingly. Sarah sighed and rolled her eyes "Do any humans inhabit the various Kingdoms?"

Hoggle snorted "Why sure they do, not many but some. There are a handful of villages that are inhabited largely by humans, they mostly stick together. There are a lot of high and mighties who arent very fond of humans or any other mortal for that matter. Thats why the Dwarves and Centaurs have their own kingdoms. Well most fae get along well witht he Centaurs, they may be mortal but they can be very wise and many of them have gifts of second sight."

"I see, I see" you could tell there was a lot going on in Sarah's mind as she drank in everything that Hoggle said. "But humans were never an original part of your world were they?"

"No, they started showing up much later in the history of our world...What are you getting at anyways?" He asked, he knew when Sarah was up to something.

Sarah smirked and Hoggle inwardly shivered. Sometimes Sarah had these looks that reminded him of a certain Goblin King and he hated the way it made him feel because Sarah was good, she was his friend.

"Well..." Sarah finally continued. "how did they start showing up? There must be a way for humans to reach your world without the help of a certain someone."

Hoggle shook his head. "No I dont think so"

Sarah looked perplexed. "Then tell me, how did they get there?"

Hoggle looked at her peculiarly "Wells all those babies that get wished away haffta grow up sometime"

Sarah furrowed her brows "Grow up? I though you know who turned them into Goblins?"

Hoggle snorted "I'm sure he would if he could! Nah, them babies get adopted. If no one adopts them they get sent off to an orphanage until theys old enough to start learning a trade. Some get staffed as servants for the royals. Most live good lives"

"Hmph" Sarah looked disapointed. "Whys you asking these questions anyways?" Hoggle had a look that said he already had a good idea.

"Well I was hoping I could find a way to come back without invoking you know who" she sighed, realizing her idea would never work.

Hoggle laughed "But Sarah, you beat the Labyrinth, yous only got to wish yourself there just like you wish us here."

Sarah sat up at this, she had wondered if that would work before but she was too afraid of you know who showing up and making demands. She also didnt just want to say it and not be able to get back home. "How do you know this Hoggle? If I wish that, wont you know who know that I'm there? Doesn't he know that you visit me?"

"He's too self absorbed to notice anything" Hoggle spat. "I figure he never punished us because he was too busy moping around that Castle of his because you defeated him. I don't know for sure if you'll have the power but Its always been said that everytime a mortal beats the Labyrinth they get to take away a little bit of the magic with them and they're granted certain powers. That's whys you can call us here like ya do all the time."

Sarah's eyes were sparkling. "If that's true then I'm very excited" she proclaimed. "Hoggle, do you think I'd be able to take Dad and Toby with me, and stay there...permanently?"

Hoggle's eyes went wide "Permanently?! Are you sure that'd be a good idea? I'm sure he'd find out about it soon enough, once you're in our realm the protection you have now will be gone. What if he wanted revenge?" Hoggle looked very worried.

Sarah had a look of defiance in her eyes "I'd deal with that at the time if it ever came to be, he sure is a sore loser if he wants to take revenge. I beat him fair and square! He even cheated and I still won!" Sarah chin was lifted proudly.

Same old Sarah Hoggle thought to himself. "Wells I know I would love having you around, but you wouldn't be able to stay in the Goblin Realm, that really wouldnt do. I know of a town that's very human friendly, but Sarah you've gotta realize that you can't take on a whole fae kingdom, it wont be a game anymore and you could get killed very easily!" Hoggle again was working his way into a fit.

Sarah softened suddenly and droped her head into her hands softly sobbing "I know Hoggle I know! I just can't take this anymore. I know it wont be easy, I know there will be dangers. I feel like I belong in your world Hoggle, our family could have a new start, a clean slate." She calmed herself as Hoggle patted her knee with concern, he didnt know Sarah was this unhappy.

"We will figure something out" he finally said.

AN: Okay sorry, no Jareth yet. He's coming soon though I promise!!