Side Note: All the stories I've read—loverly that they are, I'm totally not complaining here—had two things in common I would like to address: the Fae classification for those living in the Underworld; and the names Robert and Karen. I don't think I'll be joining in on these traditions. So it's important that you know
Robert (equal sign) Chandler ((the dad))
Karen (equal sign) Beatrice ((the step-mother))
I'll create a list or something later, because I'm also creating a handful of side characters. And I have an idea or two on how to handle the Fae thing, but you're just gonna have to read it to find out.
An Offer Given Twice
Chapter Two: I Didn't Mean It
The following morning had Sarah waking up sore and messy. There was a peculiar scent that was by no means "clean". But she awoke with a warm sentiment, as if a wonderful essence hugged her soul. She felt something steady inside her that she's never felt before. It was like seeing beautiful; like she could feel its touches all around. So she stretched her body underneath the covers and just stayed that way, enjoying the alive sensation of the blood rushing in her veins. She later pulled the covers off and found herself already dressed, "Huh. . ." but thought nothing of it.
She also managed to overlook how disheveled her room looked and the long strands of hair clinging to everything. Sarah was always a dull person in the morning. Acting out drama all day is a very exhausting business and it usually took her a good hour to step into the role. She scuffed her feet against the floor, hitting the occasional book or doll that for some reason wasn't where she left them. Oh well. She sauntered into the bathroom languidly, trying to rub the sleep from her eyes.
'Oh man, what a dream. Something crazy always happens if I eat that cottage cheese. . .' she thought, reaching for the sink and the toothbrush.
A dwarf adorned with a variety of jewels and trinkets crawled out of the bathtub behind her, yawning. He stretched to a full height of maybe three feet before climbing the toilet seat and stepping onto the bathroom counter by the sink. His voice was heavier than Sarah's morning grog. "Mornin' Sarah."
"Good morning Hooglebait," she breathed out.
"It's Hoggle," said the dwarf hastily.
"You know, I think that cheese I ate gave me the craziest—"
Wait.
The toothbrush fell from her grip. "Ohmygod!"
The dwarf eyed her with some derisive sympathy, "Yes, I suppose cheese will do that to a human. You ought to be more careful."
She grabbed Hoggle's shoulders, "Moggle!"
"Hoggle."
"You're real!" she squeaked.
The dwarf placed a gnarled palm to the girl's forehead. "Just how much cheese did you eat?" he asked reproachfully.
"Huh? No, I. . you. . ." Sarah drifted back into her lethargic morning state, caught in the memories of her adventures. She was mystified by the possibilities and the blur between reality and fantasy. Her friends, the Labyrinth. . .
"Is something amiss with our Fair Lady?" Sir Didymus called from the bedroom, walking with a sideways tilt into the bathroom entrance. His noble red and gold attire still looked crisp regardless of how heavy-eyed its owner appeared. They all had a long night with little sleep. But the party was well worth it.
'And the fairies that bite. . .'
"She ate cheese," Hoggle supplied with a little worry in his eyes.
'And those Helping Hands. . .'
"Oh my, not too much I hope," said the fox knight, to which the dwarf just shrugged. His furry brows drew together in genuine, if not impulsive, concern. "I shall awaken Ambrosius and Ludo."
In her own little world, Sarah replayed the scenes of her marvelous adventure. She didn't notice Hoggle lightly nudging her out of the bathroom, she thought only of a cruel Goblin King, the Bog of Eternal Stench, and a dark oubliette. . . all of it for the sake of her brother. "Ohmygod!" she screeched, sending Hoggle rolling backwards. "TOBY!"
Ludo's head perked up as he was particularly responsive to high-pitched noises. "Sarr-ha?"
She was already racing out of the room, leaping over the fast-asleep Ambrosius and straight into Toby's room. "Toby!" she called, throwing the door open.
The baby cackled at the noisy world, nudged around under the thin sheets, and resettled himself for more sleep. Sarah's pounding heart slowed to a steady alarm, Toby was safe. 'That's right, I beat the Goblin King. I'm at home, we're all home.'
She felt a swell of emotion rise from her toes as it mushroomed to every cell in her body, the pride she felt. Her great victory. 'I beat the Goblin King!'
Since everything had turned out so wonderfully, the girl couldn't bring herself to feel regretful about the charmed expedition. In thirteen hours' time, she gained life-long friends, opened her mind, and learned a most valuable lesson: no way was Sarah Williams ever going to wish anything on anybody again.
"All right," Sarah heard Hoggle from across the hall, "who's the idiot that gave Sarah cheese? C'mon, fess'r up."
With her morning starting off so fine, she was tickled happy with the CSI spoof going on in her room. Sarah chuckled as she tucked Toby around his sides; her smile grew when she noticed how her little brother clutched the teddy bear, Lancelot. This had to be to start of something new for Sarah. She was certain of it.
And then the horrible happened. Reality reared its ugly head, and its name is Beatrice; an elegant and beautiful name for a well-rounded annoyance. Sarah heard the front door close with an uncommonly loud Doom downstairs and flinched. "What is all of this ruckus, Sarah J. Williams?!"
The girl closed the door to her brother's room before quietly shouting, "I was playing puppets with Toby! He just fell asleep so kindly shut up." The girl smacked her forehead at her poorly chosen words. Though that's exactly what she thought and felt towards her step-mother, she didn't really mean to say them aloud. It just sort of came out anyways. They never got along and probably never will. End of story, but beginning of the tension.
"I'm sorry we're so late, honey," her father broke into the awkwardness, "but the party lasted so long, we all just decided to stay at the company hotel due to the sudden weather change. We tried to call, but the lines were down." He whistled, "That was one fierce storm."
By now, Sarah was in her room and had tackled Hoggle to the floor when it was obvious he was going to speak up. She gave everyone a significant stare, hoping they got the gist of her sudden panic. "Oh yeah? Storm change? Sounds interesting."
"Ha ha. Sarah, you don't need to humor your old man," the voice was coming from the stairway.
'He's coming up!' The girl looked behind her; and she hadn't shut the door.
"Guys," she hissed quietly, "hide! Hide!"
Her Underworld friends all headed for the bed like skittish rabbits to a hidey hole. Personally, Sarah didn't think they were all going to fit under there, but she left that problem to them and rushed out of her room. By the time she shut the door behind her, the man of the house was standing right in her face.
"What's going on here?" Chandler asked, "you didn't have any boys over, did you?"
Typical fatherly suspicions, 'Just act as you normally do.' Sarah rolled her eyes at him, "Daaaad."
"That was not a rhetorical question young lady, now answer your father." her stepmother commanded.
Sarah hated how Beatrice insisted on throwing her weight around the house. She didn't even now how to get around the house, but constantly saw fit to abuse her adult's authority. Motherly authority even, not that Sarah would ever call this witch mom. "Oh yeah," the girl clipped, "I had lots of boys over."
She imitated how wide their eyes went and leaned forward as if whispering a secret no one else should hear, "Big boys. Huge."
'Har de har, see how you like that, crone.'
Her father was caught between being outraged or laughing. He could not tell if his daughter was lying or teasing. He knew that whenever Sarah lied, she had a tendency to. . well, look guilty. But she was confidently staring him down on this one. There was almost something forceful about his little girl that wasn't there before. It's as if she grew taller or something equivalent to it.
"As a matter of fact," Sarah continued after soaking up the golden moment, "Ludo is twice as big as any other, though ten times as hairy. Sir Didymus may only come up to my, hmmm, knees, but he has a huge heart. And I can't forget Hoggle the dwarf or Ambrosius, Sir Didymus's noble stead. Only slightly bigger than our very own Merlin—whom I let back inside after you guys left."
"Sarah!" Beatrice exclaimed, though Chandler expected as much. He gave a tiny nod to indicate this, but his expression mirrored his wife's reproach.
"Well it was raining outside! He's a member of the family," unlike you "it's immoral to leave him in the garage."
Chandler only sighed with relief, his mind awhirl with thoughts of hormonal, lecherous boys. Sarah and her acting. "I swear those lessons are going to be the death of me," he said weakly. "Sir Diddimust, huh?"
"Close enough."
"Sooo, no boys?"
"Well, no human boys at least," Sarah said helpfully. She wondered briefly if the Goblin King was human. He looked nothing like a goblin that much was obvious. 'Ah, a thought for another time,' she figured.
Her father chuckled, "When you're old enough to date—"
Sarah groaned loudly.
"—make certain to date with a similar species, all right hun?"
Sarah did her famous eyebrow wiggle that always got her on dad's good side, "On the evolutionary chain, we're closely related to gorillas."
They both shared a little laugh together like they used to after mom left but before Beatrice came into their lives; who was watching the playful banter like she was practicing some extreme form of tolerance. She seemed particularly irked how her father would become uncommonly protective when the topic of dating came up. Beatrice, on the other hand, was a firm believer in teenage romance. In order to get her step-daughter out of the clouds—and the house—and do something normal had to mean boys. Boys were the only answer. Eventually she huffed it off, retreating for this round, and stepped into the master bedroom down the hall.
Sarah turned around, very aware that her father wouldn't leave without at least seeing the inside of her room. She pushed the door open smoothly, trying to be light-hearted about the entire matter. "It's a little messy."
"My god. ." her father murmured. Usually Sarah had a very neat, don't-you-dare-touch-that-doll room. But this was something out of a horror film. "What happened?"
"Lightning scares me," Sarah supplied offhandedly. She cast a wary glance around her room, looking for any signs of her friends or other participants of last night's party. Tidiness was the last thing on her mind.
"Uh huh. I blame the cottage cheese."
There was a dull thump coming from under her bed and Sarah felt her body tense.
"What was—" he began.
"Hoggle."
"—the dwarf?"
"Of course!" Sarah piped, trying to maintain calm. She even surprised herself how steady her voice sounded right now. It was so unlike herself. "What else could it be if not a dwarf thudding around my bedroom? Ha ha ha."
"I've no doubt. Well, I'm glad to see that you're, uh, unharmed in your redecorating. I'm going to bed." Not sure of what to make of his new daughter, he just left for some much needed rest. It'll be better in the morning, or so he figured.
"Sure, sure, sleep tight dad."
He waved a hand to her before shutting the door to his room. And just when Sarah was about to collapse with relief, Misfortune crawled around the corner to join Reality.
"Sarah, isn't school about to start?" Beatrice called.
'Damn you, if only you'd just disappear, oh how I w—hoa girl,' Sarah stopped herself. 'This will be harder than I thought.' Though the girl doubted a Goblin King would respond to wishful thinking, she wasn't one hundred percent certain. And there was no way that Sarah was going to go back through the Labyrinth to save her of all people. Toby is her brother, she'd save him any day, everyday. 'But not Beatrice. Definitely not her.'
Nonetheless, it was eight in the morning and school did start in thirty minutes. "I still have time!" Sarah called over her shoulder and immediately shut the door so she wouldn't hear that woman's annoying voice anymore. She fell to her hands and knees, scrounging around on the floor, "I just need to find. . . some—what is this?. . clean clothes. Ugh, disgusting."
"Lady Sarah?" Sir Didymus whispered, "Art thou unhurt, Milady? Tis safe to venture forth?"
"Oh, yeah, I'm sorry guys. You can come out now," she lifted the lace covers from the side of her bed. "How do you guys fit under there?"
"Pwuh, you haven't figured it out?" Hoggle muttered.
All the girl could see were their heads and shoulders strangely connected with the carpet as the rest of their bodies were missing. Except for Ludo, she could only see from his nose up. "You look like monsters hiding under children's beds before they go to sleep," Sarah teased.
Hoggle snapped his fingers. "Bingo."
Sarah pulled Ambrosius from under the bed since he was having such a hard time. "You mean that that stuff really happens?"
Hoggle shimmied from under the bed, ignoring Sarah's outstretched hand, "Of course. Beds, closest, trunks, you name it, Under does it."
"But that's. . It's so—"
"Scary?"
"I was going to say mean. Oh," Sarah bent down again, "Hey guys, is there anything for me to wear in there?"
"For thee, I shall search with the diligence of the heavens!" Sir Didymus exclaimed. Ludo only nodded his head in agreement. His loose grasp of English makes it difficult for him to understand most of his new brother's vernacular. The girl soon learned that whenever Ludo was uncertain about anything, he would just agree with it. Not a very human quality as humans liked to say no.
"Thanks," Sarah stood and searched in her drawers. It looked like someone had been sleeping in them from the way they were crumpled. Good thing her father wasn't looking too closely, because there were dirty goblin footprints all over the place.
That was curious, why were there goblins at all? Weren't they subjects to the Goblin King? But they were dancing around just as much as anyone else, having a great time. And more importantly, Hoggle and Sir Didymus didn't mind their presence.
'Perhaps,' she thought with a glimmer of hope, 'perhaps goblins don't hold grudges? Maybe it was all just fun and games to them?'
"Aha, we return to thee victorious!" Sir Didymus shouted with all his tiny lungs.
"Quiet you!" Hoggle snapped anxiously, "There are other humans in the house, too, you know."
Sarah frowned a little at a new problem she hadn't thought of. What of her friends? Not that she would ask them to, but they probably couldn't return to the Underworld, seeing as how they all betrayed their king for her. But could they stay here? She phased out a little, thinking over the possibilities as her gaze fell on the clock. Oops.
She grabbed the clothes and rushed into the bathroom to change. "Hoggle," she called through the door.
"What is it?" he asked, his voice like rocks rubbing against each other. He sounded suspicious, apparently a natural tendency next to his self-proclaimed cowardice.
"I have a lot of questions to ask, but is it ok if I put it off until after school?" Sarah hastily walked out of the bathroom. She wore barrettes in her hair to keep it in place; a sharp green blouse; a pair of khakis; and her favorite sneakers. "Thanks Hoggle."
The girl left with a bag slung haphazardly on her shoulder, shutting the door behind her fast-moving heels.
"Uh. . yeaaaah," the dwarf scratched his hat. "Hey Didymus?"
"Yes, my brother?"
"What is school?"
- - - - - - FANCY DIVIDER LINE - - - - - -
Sarah ran most of the way to school, completely oblivious to her surroundings. Running just for the fun of it was a great feeling. No Cleaners or goblins with spears at your feet; just the morning sun and the tardy bell. She felt as if there was an abnormal sugar-rush flowing in her veins. Like a weight lifted off her shoulders, everything just looked fresh and glorious.
"Yo, Sarah, wait! Wait!"
"Eh?" the girl skidded and turned around, "Oh. It's you guys, morning."
Heather and Gabriel raced to catch up, their chests heaving. No one could tell from their naturally slim figures, but the both of them were chocolate addicts and food junkies. Nothing really healthy about them. Heather placed her hand to the fence for support. "Who," breath, "did you. ." breath.
". . expect?" finished Gabriel as she usually did. Her hands were clasped to her knees, her head tilted to face Sarah's. Gabriel had some sort of insight into what other people wanted to say; she could finish everybody's sentences.
"Goblins," Sarah said, for once grateful that her reputation as a bookworm allowed her to get away with saying abnormal things. She wasn't prone to lying. She could act, and her character could lie, but the real Sarah wasn't much of a liar. This morning not taken into account; that was a fluke.
"How do you like my Labyrinth?" the Goblin King had asked.
Sarah looked down briefly then brought her eyes to his, she wanted to look strong. "It's a piece of cake."
The girl grinned weakly. Unless it was him, then she wasn't prone to lying. Somehow, it just made sense to lie to a Goblin King. Right?
"Not Labyrinth again," Heather slung a slender arm around Sarah's shoulders. "Get over that thing, will you?"
"Believe me, I don't think I'll ever touch 'that thing' again." The girl spoke with great conviction. The two girls exchanged glances; normally when Heather baited Sarah about Labyrinth, she would rise up in a literature-loving fury and advocate the wonders of the written word like no tomorrow. But this morning, they were hearing the same girl preaching to a different tune, "And you guys shouldn't either. It's not really as great as it sounds."
They started walking towards Wendell High School and Heather slung her other arm around Gabriel's shoulders, "You mean as great as you made it sound?"
Sarah felt a little nervous, "Was that me?"
"Only everyday since you forced the Drama Club to share your fascination with it," Gabriel responded, as a full-time member of the Drama Club, she would know. "Remember? You're the one that 'suggested' we completely skip Snow White and do a remake of Labyrinth for the spring play."
"Oh?" she said defensively, "Well I don't think. . oh, wait. . . Oh nooo." It felt like someone tied a ball and chain around her ankles. Sarah's feet were suddenly dragging along the concrete. Her dark brown hair slipped past her slouched shoulders.
"What," Heather teased, "did the Club President veto your petition?"
"More like violent blackmail." Gabriel put in.
"No. No, it got in," Sarah's voice was small. "I just. . it's just not fair. . ."
Heather and Gabriel shared more curious glances about their friend's unusual behavior. They jumped simultaneously when the gloomy girl sprung into a pretentious stance.
"I've got it!" She pulled off her backpack and gave it to Heather. "Take this to first period; I've got to speak with the Drama Club President! Ok? THANKS!"
Sarah was gone.
Gabriel took the I-Love-Literature pack from Heather, "I think in her haste, she's forgotten that I have the same first period she does."
"Yeah. . . hey, is there something, you know—"
"—different about our beloved Drama Queen? Yeah, I wouldn't worry though. I'm sure we'll learn to adjust."
- - - - - - ANOTHER FUN DIVIDER LINE - - - - - -
Sarah burst into the Drama Room, "Is the President here?!"
Now the Drama room was actually a large building, separate from the rest with a loft built in by the third-year Woodshop guys. Everyone was afraid to go up there, fearing its stability, so it was full of costumes and old set designs. She knew he wasn't there. That only left seven other possibilities.
"Who?" a freshman asked.
"Brendon Connelly! I need to speak with him!"
"Try the stage," another said.
Sarah said her thanks and ran through the double doors, "Brendon!"
The sight before her gave a queasy feeling in her stomach. They were already working on the background for Labyrinth. The old Sarah wanted to point out that their idea of what a Labyrinth looked like was completely wrong, as she would know. But this was not the time and the girl shook her head, 'I've got to stay on track.'
A huge goblin jumped in front of her, arms wide open as if to grab her. "BOO!"
Upon instinct, Sarah screamed and swiftly kicked the actor to the floor before she realized her mistake. She just kicked her fellow actor. The girl guiltily reached down to pat her victim's shoulder, "I'm sorry. I guess I thought you were real. Ha ha? Good costume, right? Ha. . "
Brendon lay sprawled on the stage, pulled off his mask, and gave Sarah a good look at his human features. He was one of the lucky guys to be blessed with a classic dimple on his chin, black touch-me hair, and acne free skin. Sarah had the decency to blush her embarrassment. That and the obvious realization that Brendon's fangirls were going to murder her. Just touching his shoulder was an offense to merit weeks of harassment that only high school girls were capable of. AN: you know what i'm talking about, i'm sure; unless you're a male reader, then maybe not.
"You called?" he asked, all charm despite a recent kicking.
Sarah nodded and got right to the point, "I know I said I wanted us to do Labyrinth, but I've changed my mind."
Brendon's blue eyes went wide, his mouth opened, but no words came out. The rest of the stage hands within ear shot stilled. Soon, everyone was listening with disbelief to what the legendary Drama Queen would say next.
"I didn't mean it. This is me, Sarah Williams, admitting I was wrong. I think that Snow White is a wonderful play and we should definitely not skip it."
Everyone on the stage laughed at the absurdity they just heard and for the first time in her entire life, Sarah didn't like being in the spot light. It occurred to her that no one would understand the dangers of playing Labyrinth seriously. And since she was the leading female role, that meant she had to wish her brother away again. She bit her bottom lip, 'What if the Goblin King returns while I'm just pretending to be calling on him?' Not that she had to ask; she knew very well what would happen if she spoke the words.
Sarah's voice quivered. "You're him aren't you? You're the Goblin King," she swallowed. "I want my brother back—please—if it's all the same."
Jareth remained unconvinced. "What's said is said," crossing his arms against his chest. There was an unspoken tsk-tsk in his voice.
"But I didn't mean it," she pleaded.
He smirked, "Oh you didn't?"
This was a nightmare. A goblin nightmare. He'd come, somehow Sarah knew he would come if she said the words. And even if goblins didn't hold grudges, she knew he would never forgive her. Facing this truth, she knew she needed to stop this play.
- - - - - - FUN WITH NON-EXSISENT LINES! - - - - - -
The Goblin King walked out of his Brooding Room, ignoring the invitations made from The Above, just begging for his special touch. He couldn't care less about their wants, their ungrateful wishes. Let someone else deal with the humans, he had Sarah. Well, will have Sarah. Same difference he figured. Since it was all a matter of time; something that was quite twisted and even illogical in the Underworld.
Jareth's foot came out and tripped a passing goblin. "I want you to inform my scribe that I'm going on vacation. Have him arrange for the Goblin Lords to attend to the wishes from Above. Understand?"
"My King," the goblin replied humbly, "I am your scribe."
"Oh?" Jareth leaned forward, not recognizing him in the slightest. "So you are. Well, go away then."
Souay eyed the Goblin King, wanting his attention.
Jareth tried to keep his gaze forward, absently petting his familiar, wanting to start his plans immediately. He knew what the snow owl wanted. And he was afraid he might have to give it to her. The dead ache in his chest, however, disagreed with protocol. It disagreed with everything but Sarah; who wasn't here and made certain to let the Goblin King know this with longing deadness.
"But my King!" the scribe howled in earnest. "To leave now would surely bring great ruin to Labyrinth and her kingdom!"
"What do I care?" Jareth snarled at his subject. His feet paced the hallway, unable to leave but unwilling to stay. Though he was not a creature ruled by his emotions, he was also not one chained by his responsibilities. It was a perk that charmed Jareth into accepting the Goblin King title in the first place; the careless freedom.
Souay cooed at her master, her talons digging into his arm. Your duties come first, Goblin King. Her head slanted at an angle, wanting to make eye contact with him.
"Do not look at me so sternly Souay," he chided. "I'm trying to concentrate."
The snow owl pecked his ear lightly.
"Pah, enough. Go amuse yourself then, I've work to do." Jareth raised his arm to give his familiar a decent lift off. But she refused to leave. "Souay."
And what kind of work will you be attending to, Goblin King?
"I'm off to The Court, if you must know. I have an Underworld to deal with," Jareth answered sourly. He wanted Sarah and instead he got what she decimated in her wake. It wasn't a favorable trade to the Goblin King. But when it came to being emotional or being responsible, he knew what to do.
Don't be bitter, the snow owl flapped her fine wings and glided out the window. It's not my fault you lost.
"She must always have the last word," Jareth mused to himself. He proceeded to follow his scribe first to the throne room, only half-heartedly listening to whatever nonsense the goblin was talking about.
"The city is littered with boulders wrecking havoc, the soldiers are scattered, the bridge in the Bog has finally given way, the gate's guardian is broken, the jobs of the fairy exterminator and bridge's keeper need to be replaced, the ballroom is shattered all across the Labyrinth, and I don't know what can be done about the House of Stairs. . . ."
End of Chapter
Thank you all for reading!
All right now, those of you with an eye for technicalities. . . Yes, in the movie the parents came home that night, not the next morning. But I changed it so. . . yeah, I changed it.
Dear. . . . . .
Anij: Hee hee, Jareth makes the best petulant child, don't you agree? Thank you for my first review! I hope you enjoy all the goodies I have in store.
They Them Us: Yeah, that was just a short, introductory chapter. Hopefully something to pull in the readers (?)