Chapter 10: The Way Forward is Sometimes the Way Back
"Ready my pet?" he asked, fingering the necklace she wore, looking into the girl's eyes.
Cory almost did a double take at the necklace. He is glad now that he got a chance to get to know Sarah this summer. Ignoring Linda, he watched as Sarah smiled, holding out her hand to his cousin. "Ready, Jareth," she said softly as the Goblin King waltzed the two of them out of the office.
o0o0o0o0o
Corindel, cousin to the Goblin King, Fae and a member of the Bright Court, tried his best not to double over with laughter. To see his reclusive, unpredictable cousin finally willing to pay court to a girl, a human child at that, was priceless. Wait until he tells his mother.
Linda Williams, diva of Broadway, stood there as the pair walked out. "Well I never!"
"Linda, Linda. She is your daughter, after all. What did you expect with that little display?" the blonde Fae said, soothingly. "You had your chance all summer to make up to her and you didn't. What do you expect?"
o0o0o0o0o
Jareth and Sarah stood in almost the exact same spot they had three years ago when Sarah had wished Toby away. The Labyrinth spread majestically out before them. This time however, Sarah wasn't afraid and Jareth wasn't being his cruel, arrogant self.
Sarah glanced up at the Goblin King with a faint smile on her lips as he pulled her closer to him. "Sarah. Sarah. There is no need to be afraid. This time, the Labyrinth is open to you. It wants you to explore to your heart's content," he purred softly in her ear. With a flick of his wrist a crystal appeared. "Take this."
Holding out her hand, she asked, "What is it?" The moment the crystal touched her hand it became a backpack.
"Inside, you'll find everything you need, including some personal items of yours. If you need me, you know what to do," he purred softly, placing a kiss on her cheek. "I'm only a thought away."
Sarah watched as he stepped away. This was her adventure and he was giving it to her. Naturally, she had earned it by her hard work but still. He had been very generous with her. She still can't help wondering, 'What's the catch?'
"Come on feet, I can't stand here all day," she said cheerfully as she walked down the sandy hill to the Labyrinth. "I need to find Hoggle."
Hoggle was spraying faeries again. Sarah still thought it was cruel that he was doing that, but she couldn't stop the practice.
"HOGGLE!" she cried spotted her friend.
Turning around, Hoggle waved. "Sarah! You're back! You didn't go and wish your brother away again, did you?"
Sarah laughed, "Not this time. Jareth gave me free passage. He said this key is my ticket." She bent down to show him her necklace.
Hoggle's eyes grow wide as he reached up, then stopped himself. "My Lady!" he bowed.
"Oh Hoggle. Can you show me the way into the Labyrinth?"
"It would be my pleasure, Lady Sarah." He turned around to the high bricked wall of the Labyrinth. A moment ago, it was a wall but now, it was the entrance in. "Be careful, My Lady."
She smiled and touched his shoulder, "Thanks Hoggle. I will."
o0o0o0o0o
Jareth sat in his study gazing into a crystal. So she was inside now. He watched as she spoke to a worm before heading off into the corridors. She was heading for the box hedge section of the maze, away from the castle.
"So how is she enjoying her return, Cousin?" Cory said, lounging on one of the settees.
"Don't you ever knock?" Jareth grumbled.
Cory chuckled. "I should be upset with you for leaving me to deal with Linda but I've come on a different matter."
Jareth raised an eyebrow as a manuscript lands in front of him, scattering lesser files and dust. "What is this?"
"Sarah's story that she worked on all summer. You were right, Cousin. She is a creator of magic. I have a publisher all lined up for her. You can thank me later for getting her to sign a contract with me. She'll do well as a writer once she's fully trained."
Jareth picked up the manuscript as Cory went on, "This is Sarah's copy. I thought you might want to give it to her."
o0o0o0o0o
Sarah was getting hungry. Breakfast was long ago and she had skipped lunch because of the fight with her mother. 'I'll never call her 'Mom' again. Karen has been more of a mother to me than her,' she thought with bitterness.
" 'ello?" came a small child's voice. Sarah paused and looked around.
"Who said that?"
"I did," came the voice. Sarah looked down at her feet. Standing about as high as her knee was a young girl with green hair and brown eyes wearing a green dress, a cream colored pinafore and striped leggings. "I'm Pixie."
"And I'm Dixie," came another voice. "Can we help you, Lady?"
Sarah smiled. "I was thinking I was getting hungry. Is there a place I could sit for awhile?"
"Yes Lady," the girls said in unison, each taking one of Sarah's hands. They lead her over to the next corridor to a small cul-de-sac. "Would this do?"
Sarah smiled. There was shade and a bench. "This would do nicely. Thank you."
"If you go through that small door, there. You can freshen up, if you like, Lady," said one of the girls, pointing out a small semi hidden door.
Sarah opened the door and inside was a very modern tiled bathroom with a flushing toilet. "Nothing is what it seems in the Labyrinth," she quoted under her breathe. Calling to the girls, "I'll be just a moment."
The girls had a nice meal all prepared for Sarah when she re-entered the cul-de-sac. Sarah was delighted with the meal and started asking them questions.
"How come I didn't see you when I was here before?"
"You weren't looking for us, Lady," said Dixie as Pixie cleared away the dishes.
"We live . . ."
". . . .under the Labyrinth."
"Some of the older brownies were . . . "
". . . very upset with you marking on their stones."
"Indeedy."
Blushing a bit, Sarah sighed. "I'm very sorry about that. I hope I can make amends?"
The girls giggled, "That's alright, Lady. . . "
". . . You are making Him happy."
" That's all the thanks we need."
"Him? You mean Jar. . ." Sarah started to say.
"Sh. Never say His name unless you want him to appear. . . "
" To say his name is to draw attention to yourself. Never say His name aloud," Dixie warned.
"Are you getting tired, Lady? We know where you can spend the night."
" He said you are sleeping in the Labyrinth. We are to make sure you are safe," Pixie said.
They showed her another door in the cul-de-sac. It lead to a small but beautiful room with a four poster bed. Sarah was in awe that such a room even existed.
"Things are never what they seem, Lady. This'll do?"
Dear Jareth,
I never in my wildest dreams imagine to find myself back in the Labyrinth. But here I am and I'm sleeping in a room that shouldn't even exist. I met two very adorable brownies. At least, I think that's what they call themselves. Thank you for sending them my way.
I guess the cliché 'Things aren't always what they seem' seems to be the rallying cry here. Why didn't I notice before how beautiful and wonderful this place is? I wonder what tomorrow will bring? I still wonder if there is a catch to all this. I'll wake up and find it was all a dream.
A gloved hand picked up the journal that had fallen onto the floor by Sarah's bed. A quick glance, the Goblin King smirked. "So she still is writing to me," he said softly as he placed the journal unread on the stand by her. A finger brushed away a strand of hair from her sleeping face. Then Jareth left, leaving Sarah to spend her first night in the Labyrinth in peace and alone.
Slinky: I'm glad you are impressed. Have you read 'What's Said, Is Said' yet?
Danika: Jareth is so easy to channel sometimes.
Ymir: Keep reviewing! I love chatting and making new friends.
LM: Sarah is going to see a side of the Labyrinth that she missed the first time around. Writing the argument between Linda and Sarah was fun in a way and frustrating as well.
LA: I'm glad you aren't bored.
Until next time. Please continue to read and review. --GF