Hello Loves, I just want to take a moment to thank all of you for your following, favoring, reviewing, and input for this story. Please keep reviewing as one of you so kindly pointed out, I may have lots of people following this story but varey few of you are actually giving me any feedback. PLEASE write a review, I want to know what you think, and I genuinely appreciate that there are peolple who are taking the time to write their opinions out for me. So please keep R&R!. Here's another chapter, now I realize it's relatively short, that was intentional, the next chapter is going to focus more directly on Sarah's dynamics and interactions with Jareth, but her making friends with various characters throughtout the Labyrinth is important for my plot so please bear with me. I hope to be updating again soon so keepo your fingers crossed.

Another note This story is rated M and will continue to be so, and I do not claim ownership to any of the characters from Jim Henson's Labyrinth. I only claim ownership to the insanity from my brain that I have put into words and onto paper. I hope you all enjoy the latest chapter from Beauty and the Beast!

Chapter Eight

The owl leaned over and nuzzled its head against hers before hooting softly in her ear.

Unsure of what to do Sarah reached up and began to scratch its head again, "Ok….so you're not just an owl…so then what are you?" Sarah asked sighing softly.

The owl flew off her shoulder to land once again on the railing next to her, it eyed her as if to say, 'And you expect me to answer you how?'

Shaking her head Sarah let out a little laugh, "Sorry," she chuckled, "how about I ask yes and no questions and you respond to those?" Sarah asked as she jumped up and sat on the railing.

The owl let out a soft hoot in response.

"Glad you agree, ok so first question…hmmmm….are you a girl?" asked Sarah.

In response the owl let out a long ear piercing screech.

"Ok, ok, I take that as a no?" asked Sarah wincing at the ringing in her ears.

A soft hoot was her answer.

"Alright…ummm, have you always been an owl?" asked Sarah staring intently at the bird.

Another screech was her only response.

"No? I guess I shouldn't be surprised…" mumbled Sarah, "Are-Are you an owl by choice?" she asked biting her lip.

The owl flapped its' wings furiously letting out a ear-piercing screech once again.

"O-Oh, so is it a spell of some sort or something like that?" Sarah questioned, feeling silly for even asking, it was going to take some time to get used to the fact that magic was indeed real and she wasn't imagining everything that had been happening to her.

The owl released another soft hoot.

"I'm sorry. It must be awful to be forced to obey some spell, I can't imagine—scratch that; I can understand what you're going through." sighed Sarah slumping against the railing, "Is there anything I can do to help you?"

A softer screech was her only answer.

"Oh, I'm sorry…" she whispered disappointed.

The owl hopped over to her on the railing and nuzzled her head with its' own, letting out soft hoots as it did so.

"Thanks…" chuckled Sarah gently scratching his head.

Suddenly without warning the owl froze and looked out towards the labyrinth. Following the bird's gaze Sarah looked out at the maze visible from her window and noticed something massive and ugly lumbering its' way through the maze, towards the castle.

"What the-?" she stared confused and a little scared.

The owl let out a screech and took flight, swooping down towards the maze, dropping below the balcony and out of sight.

Sarah tensely stared out at the labyrinth trying to spot the figure she had seen moments before, but it had vanished. Night was swiftly approaching, casting shadows across the stones-the hedges within the maze seemed to move as the light faded from their leaves. Strange noises made their way to Sarah's ear, sounds she was unfamiliar with, sounds that made her shudder in fear. Taking one last look at the labyrinth before her she fought back her anxiety and focused on the sky, trying to see if she could spot her little owl friend, but to no avail. Sighing in defeat she slowly turned around and headed back into her room, closing both the door and curtains once she was inside. Trudging over to her bed she slowly sank down amongst the blankets and pillows and fell into a deep dreamless slumber.

She awoke the next morning to the faint sound of a clock chiming somewhere off in the distance, sitting up sluggishly she yawned and stretched when she noticed light streaming in, looking around confused she noticed her balcony doors were once again open and the curtains pulled back, the chiming coming from a clock tower somewhere outside she imagined. Realization that someone had been in her room sometime during the previous night left her feeling panicked, before something on her bed caught her attention, there amongst her blankets lay a perfectly intact, soft, white feather. Daintily picking up the feather she turned it, carefully studying both sides of it before gently running her index finger along the edge, giggling as the softness tickled her finger. She felt the weight that had settled into the pit of her stomach ease, she had made a friend—granted the friend had been turned into an owl by some type of spell, but in her current predicament Sarah figured she couldn't afford to be picky. Swinging her legs out of bed she glanced over at the clock and nearly shrieked, it was already six, and she had places she needed to be. Jumping off of the bed she quickly changed her clothes, before darting out of the room and into the hallway.

However in her rush she did not see the small figure that had been slowly walking past her door towards the throne room. Unaware of the person's approach she collided into them and sent the two of them sprawling onto the floor. Frantically trying to recover she flipped her hair out of her face and looked over at who she had collided with, surprised to see the small dwarf from the day before.

"Damn it, can't ya look where's you's goin'!" snapped the small man slowly struggling to his feet.

"Oh-Oh I'm so sorry! Here let me help you." cried Sarah reaching out and slowly helping the dwarf to regain his balance.

Brushing himself off he muttered something under his breath that she couldn't quite make out then looked up at her startled.

"It's you!" he shouted pointing his finger at her in accusation.

"Yes, we met yesterday, my name's Sarah, what's yours'?" she inquired politely.

"Grrrr, it's Hoggle…" grumbled the dwarf, annoyed when he felt himself beginning to blush.

"It's very nice to meet you Hoggle." giggled Sarah amused by his gruff response.

"Mmhmm…" he muttered looking away from her.

"Where are you headed?" asked Sarah locking her hands behind her back casually.

"I needs ta find Jareth. We's got some business ta be discussin'." stated Hoggle irritated.

"What a coincidence, I am looking for his majesty as well, why don't we go see him together?" asked Sarah cheerfully.

"Fine." snapped the small man stomping off ahead of her.

Sarah fought off another giggle as she watched him storm off; it seemed his bark was worse than his bite, and anyone who wasn't the Goblin King was a potential friend and ally to be made. There was still so much about this world that she didn't understand and her little owl friend wasn't exactly a big talker. Perhaps Hoggle could explain some things to her, at least that way she would keep herself from making a silly mistake in front of Jareth that would end up leading to her public humiliation. Realizing the dwarf was now a good distance away quickly skipped up next to him before she easily began keeping pace.