Disclaimer: Labyrinth is sadly not mine. Thank you to the imagination of Jim Henson and Co. for bringing this world and its characters to life! I promise to use them gently…for the most part.

A/N: Prepare yourself for angry Jareth. He pretty much picked up the metaphorical pen and demanded to write himself this way…but wouldn't you be annoyed too? Thank you to everyone who is reading, alerting, favoriting, and especially taking the time to review. It means a lot to me! Shout-out to legallygwen, Princesakarlita411, Mommys-Little-Nightmare, and Purplerhino for not being shy!

Chapter 4

Not Like I Remembered

Jareth's POV

"Take him! I can't stand this another minute!" Her tear-ravaged voice was venomous in her disgust. I perused the child screaming in her arms. The baby was less than a year old and appeared to be hardly more than skin and bones. His clothes were soiled, and it was apparent that he had not been changed in some while.

"How dare you mistreat a child in this manner and then offer him away to the stuff of nightmares?" The usual arrogance I displayed at these events was replaced by a cold, hard wrath. Never before had a summoner so thoroughly revolted me with their selfishness and insolence. Of course, it didn't help this wretched girl's fate that she had interrupted my plans with her ill-timed wish.

"But, he's the nightmare! I never wanted him, I'm only eighteen. He's ruining my life! You have to take him. Those are the rules aren't they?"

"Do not presume to tell me what the rules are, you stupid girl." I stalked closer and let my magic carry my mood over her in a tangible wave.

She flinched and closed her eyes. I willed the baby out of her arms and sent him to Aetia. I wanted nothing between me and the pathetic excuse of a mortal when her terrified eyes opened.

After a long moment of silence, she cracked her lids open experimentally. Realizing the baby was gone, she breathed a sigh of misplaced relief and a smile began forming on her lips. I had a crystal ready in my palm before she was able to finish it.

"Is…is that for me?" She asked quietly, her eyes fixated on the orb rolling back and forth across my gloved hand.

I smiled cruelly. "Oh yes, Theresa. This is your payment for what you've done to the baby."

Her feet carried her forward. She reached out a hand to take the crystal, and accidentally brushed against my arm. The crystal disappeared within a flash and my fingers wrapped around her wrist nearly hard enough to crush it. "Don't. Touch. Me." I snarled mere inches from her face.

The color drained from her skin, and she quickly screwed her eyes shut again. When they reopened, we were standing at the gate of the Labyrinth. She pulled away and turned wildly, surveying her unnatural surroundings. I could see the vein at her neck pounding with her fear.

"Where am I?"

"In the goblin kingdom, of course," I answered with no attempt to hide my condescension.

"But it's not supposed to happen like this! I gave you the baby, now you're supposed to give me a gift!"

"Telling me what to do again, Theresa? Is that really so wise?" My hands crossed in front of my chest. My fingers throbbed with the desire to hurl power at her. I had never felt so close to completely losing my temper in all the centuries I'd dealt with this unfortunate obligation of my station. "For your sacrifice, I give you this crystal," I reformed the simple sphere that was little more than a bauble and tossed it to her. "May it be a delight for your eyes in the trials to come."

"What are you talking about?" She whined. "I want to go home right now, you pretentious bastard!"

"I'm afraid it's not that simple, Theresa. You have committed vile crimes against an innocent child and dishonored a king. The punishments for both offenses are quite severe. However, I am feeling generous," I smirked. I could feel the scorn positively brimming in my eyes. "I will give you thirteen hours to solve my Labyrinth. Should you succeed, I will send you home. If you fail, you'll become a goblin forever."

I transported to the castle amidst her wails of protest, finding it very difficult to feel any trace of regret for the steep price I was forcing her to pay. Bypassing the throne room, where I knew even now Aetia was caring for the new child of the Underground, I made my way unnoticed to my chambers.

Nothing was going as I'd intended. Not even two days ago I stood in this room hopeful and exultant that I would finally have my piece of happiness, only to have it be denied to me again. My fingers grasped another scrying crystal to check on the seed of my discontent. She sat curled upon herself against the oubliette wall, her eyes sadly gazing at the scene I'd left for her.

I could not understand this mortal girl…woman…who could have such intense desires and then just as easily lock them away. I knew the secrets of her dreams and they had not changed much in the ensuing years since she had accepted them. If anything, she longed for the life I would give her even more now than before. But she did not realize the measure of her own feelings. As long as she believed that she hated me, her soul would not bond completely to mine. Yesterday I had foolishly given my part to her, thinking myself secure in our bargain. I did not know where we stood now. I had brought the Goblin Queen back to her rightful place, but she did not recognize what she had committed herself to six years ago.

I flung the crystal at one of the curtained walls, taking small satisfaction when it shattered and set the red silk ablaze. I was a fool indeed. How could I bring her here as things were between us, where everyone waited for the arrival of my betrothed with suspended anticipation? But, I couldn't very well leave her in the oubliette. That certainly would not remind her heart of its love for me. If she were brought to the castle by someone other than me, perhaps I could settle her in with little fanfare, and maybe with more time her feelings would return?

It was a tenuous plan at best, but I saw little choice. I suspected I'd be the last person she'd want to see at the moment. I almost regretted setting the crystal viewer in the oubliette with her. Almost.

With a steadying breath, I straightened my attire and spoke to the empty room; "The King wishes to speak with Hoggle the Dwarf."

Sarah's POV

It had taken all of three minutes to figure out where His Majesty had so unceremoniously deposited me. The filthy, circular, windowless walls and dirt floor could only belong to an oubliette. I nearly choked on the combined rage and panic that assaulted me upon my realization. I had never gotten over the claustrophobic tendencies that I was only now remembering had developed from my last dream…encounter…with this place.

"…a little forgetting…" His smug voice flitted through my ears.

Damn him! I growled loudly in frustration and slammed my palms against the cobbled walls, though I was well aware that my outburst would do no good. I was here at his mercy, and I doubted very much that he'd be feeling merciful any time soon. Of all the dream memories I held of him, I'd never seen him so angry. Maybe, despite all my hopes, he really was as cruel as that book had claimed. Not that I didn't examine every nook and cranny looking for a hidden door just in case. I was practical; not stupid.

That had been hours ago, and if my cramped quarters weren't bad enough, his chosen form of entertainment had certainly begun to wear me down. After he had vanished, the crystal lamp he'd left behind had spun wildly and expanded until it resembled a supernatural moon. I'd approached it curiously – attracted by the beautiful swirling colors it emanated – before shrinking back reflexively. The globe floated higher and attached itself to the wall as if it were the Underground's equivalent of television. Unfortunately, it seemed to only have one channel, and I'd already seen the show many times.

The screen was filled with ethereal people bedecked in various fineries, their identities hidden behind grotesque portrayals of goblin faces. Except for the two figures dancing gracefully in the center. Their clothing was the same as always, so familiar that it hardly drew my attention anymore other than my usual acknowledgement of how painfully handsome he was. I was more focused on the emotions flashing across their faces. The girl looked utterly besotted, stunned in awed fascination at the powerful man who lead her through the unfamiliar dance. To the onlooker, it seemed she would melt into him if given the chance, despite her obvious fear.

It was an expression I knew well, for it was the one I had always carefully concealed when I stood before the impressive man. Only a dream – when I was in my most vulnerable state – could reveal my true feelings to the world.

His expression was also familiar, but just as equally confusing. He held the girl…me…with such reverence that it seemed as though he actually feared she would break in his arms. His eyes gazed upon her with intense longing, almost as if she was the one who held all the power over him.

Long ago, I had built my castle of fantasies on this one dream; that the king of the goblins could actually love. But, he had never uttered those words, and he had certainly never given me any sort of sincere proof that he looked at me as anything but a challenge to be won. Had he?

"What are you playing at, Jareth? Why do you keep torturing me with what can never be?" I bent my legs to my chest and buried my face against me knees. The dream sequence that showed both my deepest wishes and my worst fears was too painful to watch. I felt sick from the savage turmoil he'd unlocked within me. Perhaps this was his chosen form of vengeance after all, and in that case, this must be real. My dream prince would never be so cruel.

I lifted my face as the light began to change. The sphere quickly closed in on itself until it disappeared altogether. A hole materialized in the wall, revealing a dark tunnel. My muscles instinctively tensed with anxiety.

"Oohf!" A garbled voice exclaimed as a small round body plummeted from the hole to the dirt floor.

"Hoggle!" I shot to my feet and threw my arms around the stunned dwarf at my knees. "You're really here!"

"Oh…yes…well…h-how are you, Sarah?"

I laughed sardonically. "I've been much better, actually." I grinned at my friend, stunned to see yet another manifestation from my dreams. He looked exactly the same. Even my old bead bracelet still adorned his wrist. "Oh Hoggle, I never thought I'd see you again!" I hugged him once more.

"Yeh…yeh mean, yeh still wish to be my friend?" He asked uncertainly.

"Of course I do. Why would you ask a question like that?"

"It's just, yeh never did call on me, or any of us. We just thought, well, that yeh didn't need us after all."

I felt small tears prick my eyes. "Of course I need you. I always have! I just didn't think you were real. I didn't think any of this was real," I finished quietly.

"That's what he wuz afraid of…" his voice trailed off absent-mindedly. I regarded him curiously, but didn't press for any more information.

"Hoggle, can you show me how to get out of here?" I asked hopefully.

This granted me a genuine smile from him. He puffed his chest out with satisfaction. "His Royal Ratness sent me to retrieve yeh, actually," he proclaimed. His rasping voice echoed off the closely surrounding stone walls.

"And take me back to the beginning of the Labyrinth, I presume?" I retorted, my voice laced heavily with sarcasm.

"Oh, Sarah, I said I's sorry about that, and I am," he whined.

"I know, Hoggle. And I forgave you, remember? I was just poking fun."

"Hmph. I don't know how yeh can joke at a time like this. I ain't seen him this upset since…well, yeh know." He supplied while ushering me towards the hole in the wall.

"Yes, I really seem to bring out the best in him," I remarked wryly, as if I'd ever seen a good side to the arrogant Goblin King. "I must admit, I'm actually quite relieved to see you. I was worried that you might have gotten into some trouble for helping me the last time."

"Oh…uh, well…it ain't been too bad. In fact, yeh could say I got me a sort of promotion. Yer lookin' at the newest Key Keeper!" He spread his arms proudly.

"Promoted? Hoggle that's wonderful…but surprising," I frowned a little in confusion, not to mention I had no idea what a Key Keeper was.

"Not too surprisin'. It was what yeh wanted after all, and yeh always were too kind to me." He produced a small light – a glass jar filled with glowing bugs...fairies? – and shone it into the darkness. I was able to make out a winding staircase just beyond the lip of the hole. With a bit of a struggle, I managed to wedge myself through the tight space and climbed the decrepit stairs as quickly as possible.

We emerged from another tall clay pot, or maybe it was the same one as the last time, inside the hedge maze. The unnatural sun of the Underground cast a strange orangish light over our surroundings, but I was never so glad to be out of the dark.

"Not this place again," I sighed. "I don't suppose there's a way to go through the Labyrinth in reverse, you know, make my way home instead of to the castle?"

"Uh, no…the only ways to get home is through Jareth," he looked sad.

"Not likely," my inner voice groaned. "So, this is really real then? And you're alright, and so are the others?" I started walking forward, recognizing the jumble of bushes and white stones as if I'd strolled here merely yesterday. I was having a very hard time continuing to deny that this wasn't a dream, and probably never had been. "If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck…"

Hoggle's rough footsteps followed behind. His gravelly voice interrupted my thoughts, "D-don't worry, little lady. Jareth took real good care of all of us. Didymus got put back in the Royal Guard, and even Ludo got a new job; he takes care of the castle making sure the stones are alright. He said it was what yeh wanted fer us." He shrugged and looked at me with uncertainness.

"You can have everything that you want…" I swallowed thickly, pushing aside the increasingly unpleasant voice nagging inside my head. "So where are you taking me then?"

"To the castle. But I was told to tell yeh to be ready for some 'humble pie'. Uh, yer supposed to know what that means?"

"Why, that bastard!"

Hoggle actually winced. "Keep yer voice down, words have a way of travelin' around here."

"Good! I hope he hears me!"

His shoulders drooped. "Uhm…don't be too hard on him, Sarah. H-he's not that bad…"

I stopped walking and turned to appraise him disbelievingly. "You're certainly the last person I'd expect to hear defending him. What did he do, threaten you with the Bog of Eternal Stench?" I chuckled mirthlessly. Terrorizing me was one thing; he should know better than to mess with someone I cared about. "You know, just because he gave you some fancy position doesn't mean you have to kiss his ass."

He winced again. "He didn' give me the job, not really. You did, it's like I told yeh…" He continued mumbling incoherently under his breath. "But, he is the king, and I ain't dumb enough to curse 'im."

I was admittedly speechless. The Hoggle from my memory, though a bit nervous and skittish, was only too happy to offer his opinion about the Goblin King, if simply through tone and action rather than direct words.

"Hoggle, do you know why he left me in an oubliette? I mean, if he's so wonderful, why did he throw me in that wretched place?"

"Well…he, ah," he cleared his throat roughly.

"Hoggle…" I began again, my voice affecting an edge of warning.

"Oh alright! He won't like me tellin' yeh, but he was summoned. He didn' want yeh seein'…well, yeh know."

"Summoned," I repeated. "What do you…Oh. I see." My anger bubbled forth anew at the thought of another innocent person being forced to run the Labyrinth to save a loved one. I would've thought he'd have learned his lesson the last time. "Show me where, Hoggle." I spoke more calmly then I would've ever given myself credit for.

He actually squeaked. "I can't do that, Sarah! It'll be the Bog fer both of us if he finds out!"

"You're not scared are you Hoggle?" A twisted little smile settled on my face.

"Yes. Yes I am, and I ain't ashamed to admit it. You know I'm nuthin but a coward."

"Well, I'm not. And I'm not going to sit by and let another baby be turned into a goblin when there's something I can do about it. Let's go." I turned another corner without waiting for his reply.

A/N *comes out of nervous hiding* Okay…so Hoggle has arrived. I tried to emulate his pattern of speech as best as I could, but I hope you picked up that his character was purposely different. And wow, is Jareth pissed or what! So this scene actually goes on a little more, but this seemed like a good place to stop the chapter…for now. I swear, I've never had a muse bite so hard. I hope you are enjoying reading this as much as I am writing it. If you are, please tell me! Am I on to something worthwhile here? Or should I stop…