A/N: Thanks for the review from FrostyDream, and StoryLake – you have no idea how much hearing that praise means to me. Honestly, you nearly had me tearing up, lol.

Disclaimer: All I own is this copy of the DVD that I am watching yet again with rapt fascination… Don't kiss him you idiot! Kiss Jareth! Hmph. There really is no accounting for taste these days. I mean, I love Hoggle as much as the next person, but come ON! It's JARETH!

A Pixie in the Pantry
Chapter Three: Of Apples and Ablutions

The darkness was absolute; she reached out to grab at the sides of the hole only to find there was nothing to grab onto, no dangling root, no exposed stone. Sarah couldn't even see where she was going to land. Despite this, she squeezed her eyes shut, suddenly wishing for helping hands. Where did that thought come from? Her eyes opened just in time to see the liquid sheen of the water before she crashed through it.

Winded and shocked, she bobbed to the surface, sputtering and struggling to keep her head above the frigid water. The fast current quickly gained hold of her and dragged her along. Her hands reached out to try to catch anything in the darkness. She was almost more afraid of her fingertips touching something than reaching out into the empty air to grasp at nothing.

Gradually, the cavern became brighter, letting Sarah see light brown walls coated in something that shimmered, complete with steps and doors carved in the rock face. The river moved even faster, threatening to drag Sarah beneath it if she did not struggle to stay above the surface. Just as she felt that she was too exhausted to keep swimming, the current began to slow. Soon, she was able to swim to the side of the cavern with languid strokes. Breathing heavily, she pulled herself onto the sandy edge, and collapsed, eyes closed while she rested. If she had cared to look, she would have been able to see the Goblin King standing in the doorway across the cavern from her. By the time she had opened her eyes again, he was gone.

Sopping wet, Sarah shed her blue robe, finding it easier to walk now that it wasn't weighing her down. Looking at it with an expression of melancholy, she left it on the ground behind her as she climbed the worn stone stairs. Pausing in the doorway, she looked back to see the robe had disappeared as if it had never been there to begin with.

Trying the wooden door, Sarah found that it was locked much her distain. Frustrated, she kicked at it, only succeeding in hurting her foot. With a grumble, she moved to the other set of stairs, coming out a level higher at the edge of a very narrow bridge over the river. Gulping, she looked down. Squaring her shoulders, Sarah placed one foot on the bridge, not at all pleased to find it wobbled. With a grim face, she put another foot onto the bridge, holding her arms out to maintain her balance. "Always wanted to try gymnastics," she joked aloud, her voice echoing in the large chamber.

Sweat beaded on her face as she concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other, looking right at the bridge, never at the water, not at the other side. Just one foot in front of the other, left, right, left, right – pinwheel! She let out an involuntary shout as a particularly strong wobble of the bridge made her loose her balance, heaving a sigh of relief as she managed to right herself. Risking a glance at the far side, she was already over three quarters of the way across. "Just a little bit farther Sarah."

At the edge of her hearing, she could swear that she heard something twittering with laughter, but as she looked around – nearly falling again – she couldn't see anything near her. Deciding to ignore the strange noises around her, Sarah forced herself across the bridge, nerves taut with anxiety while the bridge shook beneath her hesitant steps.

Finally on the other side, Sarah nearly wept when she touched solid ground. Looking back at the bridge, she smiled to herself. "That wasn't so bad." With an extra spring in her step, she turned her attention to the open door at the top of a short flight of stairs. Bounding up two stairs at a time, Sarah looked out to see a beautiful garden, filled with flowering trees, elegant stone paths, bushes cut into the shape of polygons, and many flowers growing along the walk-ways. A soft breeze ruffled her hair, and she walked out into the sun, her thin green pyjamas beginning to dry in the summery air. Sarah could hear voices laughing, and enchanting music being carried on the wind. Sending one more glance behind her to the blank wall where she had just come from, she threw off her misgivings and strode towards the sound.

The stone felt smooth under her feet, and the grass was soft. Ahead in a clearing was a ring of beautiful young women dancing and singing. They were willowy, with sharp features and wide eyes. Long silvery and golden hair flashed in the sunlight, and red lips were parted to show slightly pointed teeth. Floating dresses poured like water from one move to another, defying gravity and made them appear to be flowing through the air. Entranced, Sarah moved closer, watching with wide eyes. She didn't notice the grass beneath their feet was a shade darker than the surroundings, she didn't see the mushrooms that dotted the edges of the circle. The music grew stronger the closer she got, unseen musicians playing a rapturous melody that sent tingles through her body, making her shiver. The women didn't pay any mind to her, spinning and laughing in the sunbeams that fell through the leafy boughs.

In her daze, Sarah stumbled over a stone that marked the edge of a flower garden. She quickly righted herself but the women were gone as if they had never been there. Confused, Sarah closed her eyes and opened them again, jumping back as a tree materialized in front of her. Looking up, she could see the branches were heavy with ripe fruit, luscious red and gleaming like apples. "What an odd place."

"Go on, take one!" urged a tiny voice from beside her elbow.

Sarah looked for the source of the voice, finding a blue pixie fluttering near her right arm. "Oh, hello there," she smiled at the creature. "Who are you?"

The pixie gave a frustrated buzz. "That doesn't matter, just take one!"

"Why?"

"The King doesn't want us eating them. I need to bring one home to feed my children, but they're too heavy for me. Go on, take one!"

Sarah felt a swell of pity for the small creature. She reached up on her toes and plucked an apple from the tree, ready to offer it to the pixie. However, when she looked around it had disappeared. "Hello?" She called. "I have your apple…" The creature did not reappear. "Well, no sense letting this go to waste," she put it to her lips and took a bite. "Oh, that's delicious," she moaned, greedily taking another bite, then another, and another until the entire fruit at disappeared, core and all. Placing a hand to her stomach, Sarah didn't feel satisfied, a dull ache starting up. "One more couldn't hurt," she mused, reaching up again and pulling down another apple. It tasted twice as good as the first, sweet juice trickling down her chin.

Sitting in the throne room in the castle beyond the Goblin City, Jareth sat on his throne with one leg draped over the arm, staring intently into a crystal. Around him was a whirlwind of chaos, goblins screaming and jumping on one another, chasing chickens and drinking ale. He paid no mind, eyes focussed in silent contemplation.

"How did she get there?" He asked, absent-mindedly tapping his riding crop off of his leg. At a particularly loud squeal, he looked up to see the goblins jousting, one goblin holding a lance and the other propelling him (or her) towards their opponents. Resisting the urge to roll his eyes, he said, "Didn't I warn you the next goblins to joust in the throne room would be sent to the Bog of Eternal Stench?" Everyone in the room froze as his words cut through the cacophony. The four goblins turned slowly to look at him, the riders dropping their lances in what they hoped was an inconspicuous way.
"Your majesty-" One started.

"Bog." With a dispassionate wave of his hand, they disappeared. Satisfied, he turned back to the crystal only to curse loudly. "What is that stupid girl doing?!" Without another word, he too disappeared.

Far too soon for Sarah's liking, that fruit was done too, and a sudden pang of hunger hit her. Without thinking twice, she pulled a third apple from the tree. She closed her eyes in euphoria as the taste over-whelmed her senses, making her body quiver in pleasure. But when she opened her eyes the apple was gone and her stomach twisted sending sharp jabbing pains through her. Gritting her teeth, she pulled down another apple, devouring it without giving pause to the delicious taste. Then she pulled down another, and another, and another, only stopping as her body curled in on itself as she felt like she was being stabbed with knives. "Make it stop!" She cried.

"You stupid little girl."

Sarah was almost relieved to hear the cold voice, turning her head to see the immaculately dressed man with the cruel eyes and golden hair. "Make it stop," she whispered, her pride crumpling as the pain intensified.

"What do you think you were doing, eating fruit from a Faerie Tree?" He chided, pulling a small vial out of his vest. He knelt beside her, pulling her up so she was leaning against the tree. "Drink this."

His voice was almost tender; Sarah stared deep into his eyes, trying to discern what his ulterior motive could be. She only broke eye contact as fresh wave of agony tore through her, making her grasp her stomach in reflex. Jareth grasped her head, tilting it back painfully, ignoring her weak attempts to dislodge him and poured the contents of the vial down her throat. She gagged, try to spit it back up but he clamped a hand over her mouth, holding her in place as she squirmed. "Swallow Sarah."

Reluctantly, she choked down the vile liquid, coughing as soon as he removed his hand. Jareth kept his distance, watching as she took in deep breaths with a hand braced against a tree root.

"What the hell were you doing? You nearly killed me!" She glared at him, trying to maintain a strong appearance despite her exhaustion.

"Are you still in pain Sarah?" His question was light, his smile mocking. She wanted to hit him.

"I didn't need your help," she countered defiantly.

He leant closer, making her push herself back into the tree. "I beg to differ." He smirked, then backed off, not missing that Sarah had to take a breath to calm herself. Jareth stood, plucking one of the apples from the tree. "Do you want to see what you were eating Sarah?"

Morbid curiosity caught her. She turned her head to look at the apple he held in his hand, watching as he passed a hand over it, transforming it from the luscious red fruit to a withered brown husk, spotted with blue mold.

"Gross!" She shrieked, nausea clawing at her stomach and blood draining from her face. She leant over a root and proceeded to remove the contents of her stomach. She turned as she felt his hand on her shoulder.

"Not everything is as it appears in this Labyrinth Sarah," he whispered, eyes dark.

"It's not fair…" she mumbled weakly and he chuckled, standing back up.

"Don't say I'm never generous Sarah," his voice gradually faded away. She looked up, but was greeted with the empty garden. Slamming her fist into the grass, she shouted, "I hate this place!"

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