"Now Sarah, I want you to behave yourself with Jareth and keep and eye on Toby." Karen groused at nine o'clock the next morning.
Toby was awake and dressed in kiddie overalls while Sarah wore blue jeans, sneakers, a yellow halter and a long blue jean duster. By the door was a duffle bag with extra clothes for both and changing stuff for Toby. Sarah wasn't about to take any chances in Jareth's world, so she brought emergency stuff for her little brother.
"Jareth wouldn't let anything happen to Toby, but I promise to keep an eye on him." Sarah replied with ultimate patience she's carefully cultivated by taking care of Toby.
"Thank you Sarah." Karen sighed picking up Toby off the floor. "He's my only baby."
"I know." Sarah plucked Toby from his mother's arms. "And he's my only brother."
The air pulsed in the doorway before Jareth appeared in a puff of glitter, dressed similar to how he had been dressed in the Esher Room. Beside him stood Hoggle, who was dressed as Sarah had last seen him, but his clothes were of finer material.
"Good morning all." Jareth greeted cordially.
"Hallo Sarah, Toby." Hoggle nodded before picking up the duffle bag by his feet. "Good to see you again."
"By Karen, see you Sunday night." Sarah took Jareth's offered hand. In the blink of an eye they now stood on a bluff overlooking the Labyrinth. She was surprised by what she saw.
Jareth saw the surprise on Sarah's face as she looked out over his Labyrinth, smiling to himself. Hoggle scurried ahead, tossing back an apology as he went to put their things onto the room they were given. The Labyrinth walls themselves were made of new bricks that gleamed like marble. There were even new lush gardens and a menagerie along with a large part of the maze blocked off for the Bog of Eternal Stench. The sky was blue and the sun was yellow, everything the sunny opposite of what she had seen two years ago.
"Well, what do you think?" Jareth asked curiously, craving to know Sarah's opinion.
"It's amazing." She breathed quietly. "Everything is so beautiful." Toby gurgled happily.
"Well, you were expecting a Goblin King to live in a dank hole, not a lush palace." He shrugged. "This is my actual kingdom."
"Let's go exploring." Sarah gushed. "Does that sound like a good ideas gigglepuss?" Toby simply smiled up at her.
"Let's go then, lunch will be ready by the time we arrive at the castle." Jareth took Sarah's hand and led them into the Labyrinth. They explored every detail of the maze, and Jareth saw a woman who could easily manage by his side and his kingdom.
Sarah was amazed. The entire Labyrinth was practically right out of her dreams. Everything was clean and well kept, all creatures in chaotic order. Hell, even the Goblin City was rebuilt and structured. Toby had especially enjoyed the Fireys, who did cheap tricks to entertain him. No one thing stood out to her, everything being equally fascinating.
"Did you enjoy the tour Sarah?" Jareth asked as they ate lunch on a blanket, Toby curled up fast asleep. All three of them were protected the shade of an exotic looking tree.
"It's overwhelming how much everything has changed." She replied leaning back on her elbows, her legs stretched out before her. "It's perfect."
"Not to me." Jareth was sitting beside her, looking down into her face. "It's beautiful, but it's empty. I have no one to share it with."
Sarah's heart broke at the loneliness in Jareth's voice. Being king obviously didn't have much return besides the power one gained, and who knows how long Jareth had been king. Following her heart Sarah blurted,
"After graduation I'll live with you."
It took a moment for Jareth's brain to register what Sarah had just said. She couldn't have just promised she would become part of his world, could she? After all she was about to go to New York and become a Broadway actress, so why the sudden change of heart? Yes, Jareth wanted her, but not at the cost of her happiness.
"Why would you do that?" He asked.
"Because I love you, and this is where I want to be." Sarah replied. "Don't question it, I'm not."
Jareth couldn't hear through the blood thundering through his ears. Sarah really wants this, I can tell by the look in her eyes. He could feel the earthy warmth through all the layers of their clothes, a balm to his tattered soul. Finally his life was to be complete, whole in body and spirit.
"I love you too Sarah." Jareth replied watching her sit up. "Only if you're sure."
"I'm positive. But after graduation." She nodded. "I regretted pushing you away once before, this time I'm not." Then she reached up and kissed him softly on the lips, silently pledging herself to him. Jareth slowly deepened the kiss, tasting the paradise that she offered.
Sarah's head spun from the slippery warmth of his tongue against hers, of the smell of Jareth. She had never been this intimate with anyone before and she was already addicted to it. His lips were tender against hers, caressing, caressing. Sarah felt Jareth snake his hands into her hair to hold her face closer to his. Moaning Sarah moved to straddle his lap, liquid fire flowing through her veins. She was cushioned by his thighs, and something was pressing against her lower abdomen.
Soft gurgling and incomprehensible chatter broke through the magic Jareth was weaving with her body, making Sarah pull her face from his. Gasping Sarah found Toby standing beside them, smiling in his simple baby way. She felt blood rush to her cheeks, making her blush. Quickly she scrambled off Jareth, utterly embarrassed.
"Seems out chaperone is awake, and none to soon it seems." Jareth sighed and stood. "Come, I'll show you around the castle.
Scooping Toby up Sarah agreed, blood slowly cooling. It was amazing how one touch from Jareth could make her temperature rise and body weak.
Love and desire, my dreams come true.
Jareth showed them around the castle, both inside and out. They explored the rebuilt Esher Room, letting Toby totter ahead of them, literally. The young one was watched by a small, polite goblin named Gamby as Jareth taught Sarah how to master the deceptive room. The secret was to let go of all expectations, to not try to logically find your way. Know where you want to be and the portals and stairs will take you there.
"No wonder I couldn't keep up with Toby." Sarah said as she and Jareth stood upside down from Toby and Gamby.
"Yes, this room does have a mind of it's own." He replied. "Every aspect of the Labyrinth and the Underground has it's own life, it's own mind."
"That's a very Fey sentiment." That made Jareth smile.
"Yes, isn't it though?" He commented, keeping eye on Toby, making sure nothing happened and Gamby was doing his job.
"I still remember my fairy tales, even if I have grown up." Sarah smiled before touching his arm and moving off. "Toby, it's your nap time; you're about to fall over."
She disappeared through a doorway, reappearing by Toby and Gamby.
What a magnificent Queen she would be. Though Jareth.
"I'm going to check on Toby." Sarah said an hour later, getting up from the couch where Jareth was teaching her the history of his Labyrinth.
"While you do that I'll tell Cook what time dinner needs to be ready." Jareth stood as well. "If Toby is awake, bring him with you."
"Sure." Sarah made her way to the room she and Toby would be sharing without mishap. The corridors were still Green from the Green stone that was used, but they were no longer dirty with rusting armor and shredded tapestries. Armor and weapons gleamed like new, paintings hung in places, illustrating various scenes. The windows were sparkling, the glass as clear as air. One long, endless scarlet rug ran down the middle of the hall. On each side of the rug was about two feet of bare stone before the wall connected to provide space for the occasional table, chair or sofa without tearing the runner.
Stepping into the room Sarah saw Toby sprawled out in the middle of the king size bed, fast asleep with pillows all round him to keep him from rolling off the bed. With a small smile on her lips Sarah moved to wake Toby up when a strong hand suddenly gripped her neck, chocking her. Gasping Sarah tried to call out for Jareth, watching a tall man lift Toby off the bed without waking him.
The man was like Jareth but he was Green where the man she loved was light. He looked a thousand times more sinister than Jareth ever thought to be. Greenness and evil radiated from the man in waves, chilling Sarah to the bone.
"So we finally meet." The man drawled before she blacked out.
Around dinner Jareth really began to worry. Initially he had thought that perhaps Sarah had decided to nap with Toby. But now, as he knocked on their door for the third time, Jareth became increasingly worried about them both. Giving up on polite civility, Jareth teleported into the room. Scouring every inch of the room he looked for them, but found no trace of them.
Fear knotted his stomach and he froze as Jareth's eyes fell upon Sarah's necklace that lay on the floor. The Celtic cross, with it's emeralds, diamonds and silver chain lay at his feet. Blood moved sluggishly through him, making him lightheaded.
No Sarah, don't be gone.
"Gamby!" Jareth roared. But the goblin didn't appear, but the sound of something hitting wood filled the silence. Following the sound Jareth found it coming from the trunk at the end of the bed. Opening the lid Jareth found Gamby bound and gagged.
"What happened?" Jareth demanded as he unbound Gamby, bloodlust and anger roughened his voice.
"Alexander." Was all Gamby managed to gasp. Pure dread and red rage filled Jareth.
Sarah opened her eyes to find herself laying on something soft, a bed most likely with Toby curled up beside her. The room was grandly furnished, but on closer scrutiny, Sarah saw the blunt objects, the locks, the barred windows beyond the fine materials and costly furniture.
"Srrah?" Toby crawled up onto her stomach. He didn't look frightened, but knowing Toby he was putting on a brave face for her. Slowly Sarah sat up, her head pounding madly. Whatever or whoever had knocked her out wasn't very gentle about it.
"Ssh, ssh. Don't worry Toby. It'll be okay; Jareth will find us." She murmured softly, praying she sounded calmer than she felt.
"I highly doubt that, young lady." The evil man said coming though the door. "My twin will never find you here."
"Who are you?" Sarah asked clutching Toby to her who was thankfully quiet.
"Alexander, Golem King." The man bowed. "And you must be Sarah and Toby."
Sarah didn't like the look in Alexander's eyes. It was hate and ambition. Had this man wanted to take Jareth's kingdom? Or was this a mere personal vendetta? Whatever it was Sarah knew she had to keep Toby out of this madman's grip, not letting herself be used in the process as well.
Alexander, why am I not surprised? He's been trying to get rid of me for centuries ever since that Green Sage split us.
Jareth had Sarah's necklace in hand, pacing his throne room. He had called for Ludo and Didomus, sending Hoggle to fetch them. His goblins stayed in the city awaiting his command.
The Green Sage did me and my kingdom a favor by ridding me of the darkness that had piqued me since birth. Alexander was using my body and my magic to ruin everything. He'll pay for taking Sarah and Toby.
"We came as quickly as we could, Mi Lord." Didomus replied without that annoying accent Sarah had insisted he have.
"Sarah in trouble?" Ludo's speech had improved, but he was still a trifle slow as were all Beasts.
"Alexander has kidnapped her and Toby. Somehow Sarah's necklace broke, leaving it here." Jareth replied sinking onto his throne.
"Why not use a tracking spell, Your Majesty?" Hoggle asked quietly, obviously deeply concerned. He knew that Alexander had done. Hoggle had been alive and in court when the Green Sage separated Jareth and Alexander, knowing what had happened before.
"Yes, that should work." Jareth stood and moved to a door below the chamber's thirteen hour clock. Through this door stood his magic room, housing all the ingredients for all the spells he would ever need.
"Time to find them. Hopefully Toby is with Sarah."
After Alexander left, a particularly slim golem set a tray of bread, cheese, apples and water on a table by the bed. Sarah nibbled at the food. Once satisfied that it was safe Sarah spilt the bread and cheese between herself and Toby. She tucked the apples into her pockets, saving them for later. She only wished she still wore her duster for it had large, deep pockets.
Toby, who was knowing on the bread, slapped his hand against her collarbone. His little hands were baby soft and warm, comforting to her in a scary situation. Wait, where was her necklace, the one she got on her 16th birthday? Thinking hard Sarah realized that as she had struggled who or what had been choking her had crushed the clasp to her collarbone. The necklace must have fallen off in the midst of the activity and Alexander must have missed it.
I wonder if Jareth can trace it; if that's even possible. Sarah wondered softly, having no ideas if someone was listening to her thoughts. Please Jareth, you must find me. I love you!
A large crystal was seated in a dragon's foot in the middle of the Magic Room, glowing softly. Beside it on a table sat the ingredients for a tracking spell; the necklace, a vial of Alexander's blood, a lock of Toby's hair. A black bowl stood behind the three ingredients, and a thick volume open behind that.
Jareth stood above the materials, Hoggle, Didomus, and Ludo in the background. Reading the old Fey out of the book, Jareth mixed the ingredients, the globe pulsing in tempo with his words. Once everything was mixed he dumped the slurry over the globe, blood spattering the floor, staining the crystal and Sarah's necklace crimson.
"Show me. Show me where you are." Jareth demanded of the crystal. "Obey me." He used his firmest, strongest, most magical voice to extract the information he desired.
Slowly a scene materialized within the globe, a bird's eye view. Jareth recognized the place as Wyvern Castle, it's mirror image Aboveground in Scotland. Wyvern sat just past the tree line of the Howling Forest, it's defense in being surrounded by one of the most terrifying forests in the Underground.
"Right." Jareth spelled the room clean, transporting Sarah's clean necklace to her room. "It's time to get my Queen and her brother back."
The sound of something shrieking outside the castle woke Sarah from the slumber she had fallen into. But she wasn't in the room she had fallen asleep in. She now lay on something cold and hard, her wrists shackled above her head. Twisting her head around Sarah saw that she was in what appeared to be a throne room. Toby sat in a small cage nearby, crying silently, making Sarah's heart bleed. If only I could stand up.
"Not a wise idea, pet." Alexander warned appearing on the throne. "And don't try to call for help. The Howling Forest will cover any sound you make."
Sarah's head pounded in fear. Her heart, which had been so full of love and happiness twelve hours ago, was now cold and frozen by hopelessness. Still she prayed that somehow Jareth would find her and Toby because, let's face it, she had school Monday.
More than school Sarah had a plan for her life. Yes, the plan may have changed in the past couple of days, but she had a plan all the same. She wanted to do something with her life, be special to someone. Toby had his whole life ahead of him, dreams to discover. For the first time in her life Sarah was truly frightened. She didn't know if she was going to live through the night which had already fallen.
On foot Jareth silently made his way through the Howling Forest to Wyvern Castle, Ludo following equally quiet. Hunger for revenge was still high in his blood, but Jareth knew to tread carefully and not rush.
Alexander was just as quick and cunning as him, but Jareth was more meticulous and powerful than him. If played right Sarah and Toby would be free and Alexander would be dead. Behind him Ludo walked softly and inconspicuously, an amazing feat for someone so large. But that was part of Beast magic, to do everything the opposite of what people misconceived about them. Jareth was counting on Ludo's rock calling abilities to help him free Sarah and Toby, then spirit them away as he took care of Alexander.
Just hold on Sarah, Toby. I'm coming.
Jareth paused as Wyvern Castle rose out of the trees before them, grey stone against the black night. There was no moon out, so they could move though the large clearing with a moderate sense of cover.
Nodding to Ludo and raising a gloved hand the Goblin King and Beast advanced, a large goblin army covering their backs.
"Why are we here? Why capture us?" Sarah asked, managing to roll onto her side so she could see the room better. The only light came from the fireplace, torches and candles, illuminating the bare and stark room.
"Poor thing." Alexander said from his perch. "You must be out of your mind with confusion. Let me rectify the matter. You see, I'm Jareth's twin."
Twin? Impossible. There has to be more to his story than he is telling me. Sarah though frantically. The men weren't twins, they were complete opposites in color and manner. They were as different as night and day. It seemed to Sarah there was a tick, a trick she wasn't liking.
"About four hundred years ago a wizard come to the Goblin City, having passed the Labyrinth by all together." Alexander began to pace. "He called himself the Green Sage. At the time there was only Jareth, but he was cruel and evil. The Green Sage decided that a change was an order, and banished the worst of the dark bane from Jareth. Thus I was born."
Not possible. This man could not be a part of Jareth, but somehow the story made sense. So Sarah decided to let the crazed Fey continue.
"Wait until I'm inside." Jareth ordered Ludo. The Beast nodded, comprehending. Patting his shoulder Jareth threw his cape over his shoulders to free his arms, cowl still covering his head. Ludo stood in a shadowed alcove to hide his bulk and his bright red fur.
Darting across the open area between the alcove and door, Jareth readjusted the blade at his hip. Alexander was going to pay dearly for kidnapping his future queen and her baby brother. He was also going to account for his evils when he was in control of Jareth's body and the Labyrinth. Gambling he headed straight for the throne room.
Please be safe.
"The Green Sage banished me from the Labyrinth, separating me from my rightful kingdom." Alexander stopped before Sarah. "And you, my pet, are going to help me regain my birthright."
Sarah didn't know how her capture and keeping Toby in a cage would help Alexander take over the Labyrinth. They had no magic, no power, nothing. Unless, unless Alexander was planning on using Jareth's feelings for her and Toby to draw him out.
"I'm supposed to be the King of the Goblins; not that soft hearted fool Jareth. He is unaware of the power he has, the control he can have. He's squandering his powers on useless things." Alexander lowered his face to Sarah's, leering at her. "But you my dear are well worth the lavishings of a queen."
Sarah felt sick to her stomach at the vile look in Alexander's face. Chills spread throughout her, numbing her to the core. Such strong revulsion filled Sarah, bile rising in her throat, but she forced it down.
"Only from Jareth will I accept such gifts." She said quietly, voice cold as steel.
"Why you - " Alexander raised his hand to hit her when a distinctive howl floated on the wind.
"LUDO!" Sarah screamed with all her might.