Disclaimer: Not mine.

Hehe...sorry for the delay. (yet again) But vacation proved to be so much fun, just as I have fantasized about it when I was languishing in classes. And our local bookstores had a summer sale, selling books at very low prices, and I got crazy and bought every interesting one available. I bought them about last month and up to now, I am not done reading them. We had to install a new shelf. And my allowance had dropped to nil. But it was worth it. Sorry for rambling and on with the story!


Goldilocks, Goldilocks

Why can't we be?

Best friends forever

And not enemies?


A pair of feet clattered up noisily on the flight of stone steps leading to the tower where Sarah and Sophia were. The two girls looked up at the newcomer.

A young boy of about Sophia's age stood on the topmost step. Despite his youthful, slightly rounded cheeks, Sarah thought that he would grow into a fine young man someday. He had soft, blond hair common to the Underground people, and his almond-shaped eyes where the bluest shade of turquoise she had ever seen. His lips were often curved into a mischievous, crooked little smile.

Sarah smiled fondly at him. Toby was the nice boy who had given her the pretty flower at the first time she had been here, and Sophia had introduced both of them to each other.

"Sometimes I wonder how you came to be related to such a wicked little witch, Toby," Sophia said in greeting, referring to Marigold, who Toby claimed to be some distant cousin. Very distant.

Toby didn't answer, as he appeared not to have heard her remark.

"Hello, Little Sarah," he said, patting the small girl's head. "My don't you look so pretty today!"

Sophia snorted good-humoredly. Not that she didn't agree, but Toby could be such an exaggerated flatterer at times.

He turned his head to her and asked innocently, "Hello to you too, Sophie-dear!" he greeted using his nickname for her. "Would you like a pat on the head, too?"

He frowned when the redhead didn't reply with her usual snappish retort, and directed his questioning gaze to Sarah's unreadable face.

"My, what has got you two all a-bothered?"

"Oh nothing much," Sophia said sarcastically. "Nothing but a little stuck-up, spoiled, blonde princess with pretty ponies, garish gowns, and an annoying, holier-than-thou attitude. Thinking about that pampered brat makes me so irritated!"

Toby laughed at the sour expression on Sophia's face.

"You know, if I didn't know better, I'd say that you're mightily jealous of Marigold, dear Sophie," he teased.

The girl sputtered indignantly. "I am not! And my name's Sophia."

"Yes you are. You certainly look like jealous, Sophie-dear."

"Am not!"

"Am too!"

Sarah watched their discourse amusedly. Sophia and Toby had the weirdest friendship ever. What could very well start as an amicable, harmless conversation could end as a fiery, heated exchange of words. Yet, both had insisted that they were the best of friends.

The dark-haired girl shrugged to herself. Maybe that's what it meant to be like 'cats and dogs.' As long as their peculiar method of friendship worked, who was she to interfere? But at the moment, she saw the need to step in and act as a mediator before they got lost and silly in their arguments again. That tended to happen a lot.

"Okay, children," she said in her best, grown-up teacher's voice, making both of them look at her. That voice often worked in catching their attention. "Let's act like rational, logical people here." She raised a hand when they opened their mouths to protest. Still in teacher mode, Sarah continued, "And don't even think of getting started with the 'he/she started it argument.' Sophia, you know that Toby is just kidding. Toby, please stop teasing Sophia."

Sarah gave herself a rewarding pat on the back when both of them grew silent. Though it did not last long when Sophia huffed and crossed her arms.

"You're doing it again, Sarah," she said.

Toby raised an eyebrow. "She's doing what?"

"Being the smart, sensible adult instead of the foolish, silly little kid she has every right to be!"

The six-year old was confused about Sophia's insistence that she act like her age. Didn't adults tell children to 'grow up'?

"Sometimes you have to act grown up so as not to be hurt, Sophia. It's better that way," Sarah said softly. When Sophia and Toby were at a lost for words, Sarah decided to change the subject.

"Yeah, Sophia," Toby remarked, using her real name for a change and diffusing the serious atmosphere effectively. "There's nothing wrong with Little Sarah! I like her the way she is."

He earned a grateful smile from the smaller girl.

"Your cousin is so nice, Toby!" she chirped happily, so vastly different from her tone earlier than even Toby blinked in surprise. "She's so pretty and well...um...,good. She said that she was awfully 'fraid of rats, and she doesn't like it when people call her name. Without permission. But, Mari-flower let me call her Mari-flower! Ain't that superbly great?"

The lad choked in surprise. "She let you call her that?"

She nodded vigorously in reply; ignoring Sophia's disgruntled 'humph!' that had been strangely silent all the while.

Just then, the tower clock tolled its sixth hour, the sonorous sound reverberating through the stone walls. Sarah could feel her ears ringing and clapped her hands over them, seeing the other two children do the same.

"I swear, that thing gets louder every hour," Sophia complained above the noise. Realizing the time, she gasped audibly. "Oh no! Toby, we're going to be so late! Cook's going to fry us for sure!"

"I'm sure dear Cook is not going to do that, Sophie. You won't taste good. Nobody would eat you," Toby replied. "I, on the other hand, am going to be a very tasty dessert."

"Go ahead and be late. I think I'd prefer it if you were a dessert anyway," Sophia shot back. "All the better for me, with no Toby to bother me."

"I think you would miss me too much, Sophie," he replied. "What would you do without me?"

"Lots of things, Toby. Lots of things."

With a last friendly goodbye, the two children went off to fulfill their kitchen duties. Though their bickering didn't cease. Sarah could still hear their voices arguing long after they were gone.

Her gaze flickered back to the Labyrinth. She would never tire of watching it during different times of the day. Especially on this hour. It was just the moment when the sun nestled deeply on the western skies and the moon rose on the eastern horizon. After millenniums of chasing each other, that particular hour was just the moment when the sun's majestic rays can touch the luminescent surface of the lovely moon.

She hoped that Sophia did not take offense about the comment she said earlier about being grown-ups. But that was the way it should be, in order not to get hurt when childish hopes were dashed mercilessly on the ground. An adult's logical, realistic mind could solve a problem faster than a child's bright, optimistic perspective of the world. It was what landed her in the Labyrinth, wasn't it? Her brain had told her that her parents won't be able to take care of her and that she should look after herself. And she came up with a rational idea: wishing herself away.

But if she did think with an adult mind, she wouldn't believe that such a place existed in the first place, right? After all, the Labyrinth defied every scientific law in history. Goblins, Twenty-six hours in a day, and a magical king who grants wishes? Adults would surely laugh at that. They would not even entertain a notion that such things were real.

"I see you've found my favorite haunt."

Sarah whirled and found the Goblin King leaning on the wall across from her, his face half in shadow. She did not even wonder how he got there without her hearing his footsteps; Goblin Kings were supposed to be mysterious like that.

"Oh!" she exclaimed. "Hello, Jareth, sir."

"And here I thought I would get some peace and quiet, for a change. But I am denied even that – I find a brat disturbing my sanctuary" Striding over to her side, he swung himself over the ledge and sat on the window. Under the waning light, Sarah saw that he wasn't serious and merely joking.

"Were you talking to a boy earlier?" he asked gazing down at her upturned face.

"Why yes, sir."

"Try to avoid him. He's bad news." You're too young to be interested in boys. I do not fancy explaining to you about the birds and the bees this early. Not in any point of your life, either. If I can help it.

But, knowing her unquenchable curiosity, she probably knew about the 'facts of life' already.

She laughed when she saw him scowl. "Why? You're not going to tell me that he has cooties, are you? 'Cause I know that it's not true. And if it was, then I need to stay away from you too."

He scowled deeper and grimaced. "How did your parents make you behave if you have enough common sense not to believe that there are monsters under your bed or that boys have a contagious allergy?"

Her eyes widened. "You mean that there really are no monsters under my bed? I've been awfully afraid that they were going to take me away!" she smiled at his unbelieving stare. "Thanks for telling me, though."

"You are so full of contradictory personalities, Sarah," he commented, adjusting his gloves as he spoke. "How you could alternate between a crazy child and a sensible adult is beyond me. Very well. If I can't scare you into behaving by using the normal methods, maybe I should just tell Rosalie that a little spank or two is in order if you misbehave?"

She grinned while shaking her head. "You can't do that Mr. Goblin King, sir. I've read that corporal punishment is illegal and thereby banned by the law. And you like me too much for that kind of treatment" she added cheekily.

He rolled his eyes. Quite uncharacteristically, Sarah thought.

"Careful, brat. You're treading on risky waters," he mock-warned. "What would my subjects say if they heard that? Soon, they would entertain the impression that I, their evil overlord, am 'nice.' How can I scare them into submission?"

"Oh no! They would love you even more! And they would probably ask you for some puppies." At the weird glance he shot at her, she crossed her arms defensively. "What? Everybody likes puppies."

Her brows knitted in confusion. "What's contra-contradic'try means?"

"Let me get this straight. You've read a book about law that no kid should understand, much less a six-year old, and you don't know the meaning of 'contradictory' ?"

"Yup!" she replied happily. "Though it was more than one book. I got interested in them when they always like to fly towards me," she then launched into an explanation about her parents and how they liked to throw things at each other. But the law books had a tendency to head towards her, she said solemnly.

" - and I merely forgot what that word meant." her look of concentration got deeper. "Aha! Now I remember! Contradictory – adjective. Involving or having the nature of a contradiction; inconsistent. Given to contradicting."

Jareth pinched the bridge of his nose. He could feel a headache coming. He couldn't remember himself being a cheeky child. He really should heed Eldred's advice and start her education soon.

"And I guess that was verbatim from a dictionary. Just how smart are you, little brat?"

Sarah's grin turned mischievous. "More and less than you think, Jareth."

"I should really see Eldred for your studies," he muttered.

Sarah didn't comment on that. Studying meant school. School meant bullies. Not that she didn't like school or studying, but the prospect of meeting bullies dampened her enthusiasm. Oh, she hoped that there were no mean kids in the schools here!

Her companion frowned. Flicking his fingers in midair, he conjured three crystal spheres, letting them fluidly pass over his hands while the little girl watched, transfixed.

"Why the long face, brat?" he asked, using his usual nickname for her. Strangely, she didn't mind it. Not at all. "You seem – melancholic."

"Mel'ncholic," she automatically replied, tongue accidentally stumbling over a syllable. "Adjective. Gloomy or depressed; sad."

The Goblin King raised an eyebrow, his customary response at amusement or puzzlement, though aware that she used the definition to change the subject. It was rather handy method of switching topics, he supposed.

"You're definitely not normal," he announced to her. "What do they teach you in those schools?"

"That is a rhetorical question, right? You only asked it for effect. So I'm not supposed to answer."

"Of all the annoying children in the Aboveground, why did I pick a brat who talks like a dictionary?"

"Ah. Now that is no longer rhetoric," Sarah quipped. "That is called 'melodramatics.' Also known as 'exaggeration.' Plus, you couldn't stand being with those 'other children' so you got stuck with me."

"True," he admitted. "I'd rather choose a cheeky, smart-mouthed brat over a kid who picks his nose all day."

Her face scrunched up in disgust at his comparison, and she crossed her arms. "Contrary to your belief, Jareth sir, children aren't that bad. And besides, how do you know I don't indulge in the habit of nose-picking myself? It seems rather fun."

"Please tell me you don't," he said. "Or else a certain dwarf who goes by the name of Hogwash would find himself tipped headfirst in the Bog, and you know how dreadful that would be."

Sarah was silent for a moment before she burst out of laughter.

"I don't, now stop worrying," she reassured. "But it was worthwhile to see the look of horror on your face earlier."

He scowled, making her laugh again.

"Why don't you like Hoggle, Jareth? He seems rather nice."

"'Rather nice' is an understatement. 'Perfectly horrible' if I do say so myself."

She rolled her eyes and he grinned, but before he could pursue the real intent as to why he talked to her in the first place, the little girl gasped suddenly and dashed off to the stairs.

"Oh, I'm very sorry, Jareth sir. I need to go."

A quick glance at the clock told him that it was time for her to meet her 'feathery' friend, so he let her go.

"Don't run down the stairs, brat," he warned. "I don't want to see the servants picking up broken bones downstairs." It was rather morbid in his opinion, but at least he got the point across when he heard her frantic pace slow down.

"No you won't" she called out cheerfully. "I'll be careful, I promise. Bye-bye!"

When he could not see nor hear her, and was quite alone in the circular tower, Jareth cursed soundly. Now, how was he to know what the harpy-in-training told Sarah when he was busy showing her equally spiteful mother the new rooms delegated to them? He had not noticed anything odd in Sarah's disposition, but was that enough to assure him that his spoiled niece had not said something insulting to his heir apparent? His mortal charge was especially good at hiding emotions that would upset others and make them worry for her – that much he knew.

But why he cared so much about it remained a mystery.

Taking off to the skies in his avian form, he made his way to the window where an expectant little child was waiting for him avidly.

'Mr. Owl' will find out what was wrong and what he can do about it.


"How dare that – that mortal make fun of me!"

The 'harpy-in-training,' as the Goblin King had so kindly (albeit privately) dubbed her, complained to her 'equally spiteful mother' later that night.

"You should have heard the audacity with which she had spoken, Mother! Why, you wouldn't believe it!" Marigold fumed, pacing in front of the cushioned settee where her mother sat half-listening, half-contemplating the complications in her plans.

"She stared directly at my person, Mother! As if she was my equal, as if she was worthy to be in my presence! I am not sure if she possesses even an ounce of manners, or if she chose not to employ them, having taking into consideration a ghastly notion that I would desire her company, moreso her friendship! And you would be appalled to know that she had come up with an unflattering diminutive of my name."

Ilona watched as the little girl ranted and raved at her earlier encounter with the supposed heir.

"You certainly do have a lot of things to say about the mortal, Marigold," she idly commented, picking up a half-filled cup of tea on a nearby table and sipped daintily. "One might say that you are…threatened. By her."

The child's comely face flushed an unbecoming red.

"I am not jealous of her, Mother. And I do not consider her a threat," she said hotly. "However could you have assumed such a ridiculous perception?"

Ilona focused her attention on the child and looked at her critically.

"A princess does not show her emotions so freely in public," she reprimanded. "Nor should she worry about something -or in this case, someone - which is so clearly below her. Now stand up straight and be silent."

Marigold hung her head, thoroughly chastened, and tried to do as her mother said.

"This certainly complicates things," the older woman mulled, getting up and went for the available desk in the room. "And I can see that my dear brother harbors some…affectionate feelings toward that mortal."

Her daughter opened her mouth in denial but was silenced by a fierce glare. The child frowned and threw herself stubbornly at a nearby chair, crossing her arms as she did so.

Ilona would have scolded her at such impudent behavior at any other time, but her mind was busy formulating the next step in her plan. Her mother would not accept such vermin as the next heir, which conform very nicely. Ah yes. It was brilliant.

Settling herself at the desk and ignoring her still fuming child, she picked a quill and dipped it in ink. She chose her usual lily-scented parchment and proceeded to write in her neat, calligraphic handwriting.

"Dear Mother. Forgive me for omitting trifle pleasantries, but it has come to my knowledge that my dear brother has yet committed another error of judgment…"

It was devious indeed.


I hope that the abundance of OCs does not bother you. But there are very few characters in the movie, and the Underground's backstory was not provided. I suppose that it is advantageous, for fanfic authors to manipulate and think up of creative plots.

Another chapter done! Hurray! I hope that long intervals in updating does not make you lose interest in this, because I promise to finish this story. I know how the events would play out, and how this will end, but I am open for suggestions. I am planning to make this a twenty-chaptered story or so. Please review!