Chapter Eleven

The Singing Competition

Sarah had practiced very little for the singing competition, and only did so at the constant nagging of her little underground family. She resented the fact that they had tricked her into signing up in the first place, she did not like singing for an audience. Now she found herself seated among a dozen other mortals, anxiously waiting for the judges to decide on the winner. Sarah quietly replayed the days events in her mind, slightly amused. "I should have known my competitive side would get the best of me." Sarah smiled to herself. The moment she had arrived she had felt that spark, the fact that all the other girls in the competition were outright rude and snobbish only made her more competitive. Sarah had been the last to compete so she was able to size up the other singers, most of the girl's had no talent to speak of. One girl was so bad she saw people covering up their ears. Before it was her turn to sing, she judged that she was really only competing against two other girls.

Sarah smiled again, remembering how nervous she was stepping onto the stage. Once she began to sing, the nerves fell away and she emptied herself into the song. The small audience that was there was dead silent while she sang and cheered the loudest once she was done. Several of the girls were throwing suspicious looks towards Sarah, she could hear them whispering.

"No one even knows where she's from." a blonde girl said.

"I heard Midge found her homeless near the wastelands and took her in." another added.

"I don't think they should let such vagabonds compete." the blonde girl said resolutely, turning her nose up at Sarah.

A smirk was planted in the corner of Sarah's mouth. "Go on a talk all you want." she thought smugly. Sarah had to supress a laugh as she thought of the sour expression they'd have if they knew who she really was. "Gee, I guess I should have read that contract now that I might win." she thought, but she really wasnt that nervous about it.

"Quiet, Quiet down!" Professor Lugh shouted. It was the same little man that had been accepting sign ups for the competition. "The judges have made their decision! I hold the results!" he said, holding up a folded piece of parchment. The man grinned excitedly, he did not know who the judges had decided upon but he was sure it would be that exciting new girl. "It's about time we had someone new." he thought to himself. Once the crowd had become silent, he began to open the parchment. "Let's see who our lucky winner is!" he exclaimed before looking down to read off the winners name. Professor Lugh's face droped as he saw the name. "Well," he said trying to sound cheerful again. "Looks like our winner, again, is Lady Angelina." he announced and started to applaud, the crowd followed suite somewhat ethusiastically.

The blonde girl who had been whispering about Sarah, shot her another slanted look before smiling sweetly and making her way to the stage. Lady Angelina gave the crowd a curtsy before accepting a scroll from Professor Lugh. "As you all know, " Professor Lugh started again. "Lady Angelina will recieve twenty five pieces of silver and by contract will represent our town in the Grand Kingdom competitions!" Another man approached the stage and handed Lady Angelina a purse with the silver pieces. "Thank you and come again next year!" Professor Lugh ended the competition.

Sarah was somewhat suprised that she had not won. Worse than not winning was loosing to that brat Angelina. Sarah stood and started to make her way over to her family. "Excuse me, Christine!" a voice came from behind her. Turning, she faced Professor Lugh who extended his hand to her. Sarah shook his hand polietly as he began to speak to her. "Your presence at our competition was refreshing, I regret that you did not win." he said quietly. "But, I do hope that you compete again next year." he said hopefully.

"Thank you Professor Lugh. You are too kind." Sarah smiled, before turning again to meet her family. "Sarah!" Robert called as he embraced his daughter. "You were beautiful, I'm so proud of you." he beamed.

"You were robbed!" Gavin exclaimed.

"Aye! I agree." Midge chimed in. "This town hasn't heard a voice like that in ages."

"That other girl stinks!" Toby pouted, kicking up some grass with his foot.

Sarah laughed. "Now Tobias, we can't be a sore looser!"

"I guess." Toby said unconvinced.

"Well, I wouldn't have minded the silver but I wouldn't want to be bound to compete in a million more singing competitions around the kingdom!" Sarah exclaimed, telling a half truth; As the group headed for home.

AN: Sorry it's been so long and sorry this is so short. I wanted to give you atleast a little something. haha. Another, longer chapter coming soon...and more Jareth too!