DISCAIMER :I don't own anything that pertains to the labyrinth.

Chapter 4

We meet again:

Ann had been exhausted the night before so, she had decided the following evening that she needed to go to town to get a few things for her house ,andshe thought theouting would do her some good.

Twenty minutes later Ann had just entered a long stretch of road that was heavily wooded on each side. Suddenly, out of nowhere something huge jumped into the road right in front of her. She quickly turned her wheel to miss the creature, but unfortunately the quick action made her lose control and landed in the ditch on the right side of the road. Thankful, that she wasn't injured from the accident, she turned to see if the creature or whatever it was is still in the road, but it was not. So, she decided to get out of her vehicle to survey the damage but it was almost to dark to see anything. Suddenly noticing a moment to her left she turned just as the creature stepped into the light of her headlights. Frozen in her spot, she didn't know what to do about the monstrous creature that was standing right in front of her. It stood at least 6 feet tall and had long gangly arms and legs making it looked deformed. It had blood red eyes and 2 sharp, fang like, teeth that jutted out of its bottom of its mouth. The creature was looking directly at her. She didn't know if it would be better to make a run for it or to just stay still hoping it would just go away. Without warning, the creature advanced on her.

Seeing this, Ann took off running in the direction of the woods on her right hoping to lose it in the dense underbrush. After running for what seemed a mile, Ann arrived in a clearing, stopping to catch her breath and to see if she could hear or see any sign of the creature following her. "Maybe…I lost…it", she whispered breathlessly. But just as she was starting to think she was safe four of the same creatures stepped out onto the clearing surrounding her. A voice from the opposite side of the clearing behind the monsters called out, "Ah, so you finally decided to stop. I was beginning to wonder if I was going to have to chase you all night", the voice said just as a figure stepped out into the clearing. The moon was bright enough that night to see a little of the person features. It looked to be a man that stood about 6 feet. He had long dark hair and very sharp facial features.

"Who are you?"

"I am no one to concern yourself with", the man answered.

"What do you want", asked Ann hesitantly.

"I have come to collect you for my master", he smirked. "Enough of these questions", He barked, "They are putting me behind schedule. It is time to go." Holding up his hand, he started chanting something in a different language.

Ann suddenly felt as if the ground was shifting underneath her. Her surroundings started to flash before her making a nauseating feeling in her stomach. She closed her eyes to try to keep from passing out. Then all of a sudden, the sensation stopped.

Ann slowing opened her eyes and to her surprise she was no longer standing in the wooded area as before. The creatures were still surrounding her and the man was still standing in front of her, but the sun was shining brightly down on her when it was just night moments ago, making it easier to see her assailant. Now that she was able to see him clearly, she saw that he had pointed ears. She found herself looking at what some would call an elf, but that couldn't be possible she thought. Astonished with all that was happening, she silently started chanting to herself 'this can't be happening …..this can't be happening.

Finally while trying to get over the shock of everything she quickly asked, "What have you done?"

The elf-ling just grinned at her, "Why you are in the underground."

"But…this is impossible there is no such thing."

Lifting his hand and gesturing elegantly to their surroundings saying, "So, where are you if I am lying. Mortals are so very simple minded", Looking back at her with his steely gaze, "Now, are you going to come with me willingly or are you going to be difficult", he asked while getting closer to her.

Ann instinctively took a step back trying to get away from him, but remembered that the creature was right behind her not 3 feet way. Ann shook her heard, "You are crazy if you think I am going anywhere with you."

The elf grinned evilly saying, "Good, It would be no fun if you came willingly."

Ann started looking around franticly for any hope of escape. She couldn't help but think about what was going to happen to her.

Back in the Goblin City, Jareth had just welcomed his future bride and her father to the goblin castle. He had his servant show them to their rooms to freshen up while he went to his study to finish some last minute paperwork.

Aiden had just walked into the study to inform him that his guests have been seen to and their needs meet, and that they were requesting to see him at lunch. Reluctantly, he agreed. Just as he was getting back to his work he felt the labyrinth calling to him.

Aiden noticing the change in the king and asked, "Is something wrong?"

"Someone is in the labyrinth that is not supposed to be there."

"What", exclaimed Aiden, "but no one is even able to enter it without your permission."

"I know, but I sense them", standing quickly he walked over to the giant arched window that looked over the great maze. "Aiden, please look after things for a bit", Jareth stated quickly before transforming into his owl form and taking off towards the disturbance.

Soaring over the labyrinth, Jareth had almost forgotten how exhilarating it was to be in his owl form. He could tell something was really disturbing the labyrinth its pull was almost frantic. He had just passed over the forest of illusion when he spotted six figures in the stone maze ahead. As he got closer, He was surprised to see that four of them were cave trolls and one an elf-ling the other he couldn't quite tell if the being was fae or not. The cave trolls were surrounding the being while the elf-ling was talking to him or her.

At first, Jareth thought to stay hidden to see what was happening, but just as he was getting closer he noticed the elf summon up a very powerful spell and was about to use it on the other person.

Ann stood in shock; the elf had just made some kind of magic ball of light appear in his hand. "Now I do believe it is time to get going, but first I must make sure you don't do anything I will regret." Without warning he hurled the ball at Ann.

Ann seeing the ball coming at her closed her eyes, and threw her arms up in front of her in a pitiful attempt to block it. But when nothing happened after a few moments Ann hesitantly opened her eyes to see what had happened.

Right in front of her was a person in a flowing black cape and long spiky blonde hair she couldn't see his face because his back was to her. Her stomach had a fluttering sensation in it and she couldn't help but think she knew this person even if she was only seeing his back. It wasn't until she heard his voice that she knew for sure who was standing in front of her and she thought herself insane.

"What do you think you are doing elf-ling", Jareth smirked.

The elf looking quite in shock tried to keep his self from looking thoroughly scared. "Why your majesty I didn't know you had gotten back from your ….shall we say extended vacation", the elf taunted.

Jareth's eyes narrowed at the statement, "If I were you I wouldn't forget my place." His face holding no emotion to it just blankly looking at the elf trying to see just how far the elf would go.

"Ah, I do apologize your majesty", he stated quickly after seeing that his taunting was putting him in a very critical position. The blank expression that was on Jareth's face was unnerving him. "I was just trying to take back something my master had lost."

Jareth then turned to look at the frightened person behind him. Jareth couldn't believe what he was seeing it was the woman from the casino that night. She was looking quite exhausted. Her long dark hair had partly come out of the bun on her head and was hanging almost to her waist. Her white shirt was clinking to her from sweating and her jeans were stained from dirt and grass. She looked quite a mess but to his surprise she looked quite attractive even in the state she was in, but from the look on her face she was frighten and pretty confused at what was happening.

Jareth then turned back to the elf, "I didn't know that humans were allowed in the underground without permission from the council and since ALL of you are trespassing in my labyrinth you are under my rule." Jareth gesturing to the woman behind him and told the elf in a stern voice that was not to be questioned, "I believe I will take the young woman with me and your master can contact the council and if they see fit I will give her back if she does truly belong to him."

The elf wanting to disagree saw that it was best not to push the Goblin King any further. "Very well I will report to my master about this."

"Yes, you do that."

The elf disappeared along with the cave trolls. Jareth then turned his attention back to the woman, "Well Ann it seems we meet again" Jareth said taunting her. To his surprise he saw the woman's face go from fright to angry in a split second.

"All of you are crazy. I don't know where I am or even who that was and here you are trying to make it look as though this is nothing", Ann said trying to come to grips that the Goblin King was standing in front of her and not only talking to her but trying to taunt her.

Jareth frowned, "I don't think it is wise to talk to me the way you are. My patience has almost worn thin."

Ann was just about to tell him exactly what she thought when a sudden feeling of nausea and exhaustion over took her. Her body couldn't take anymore. She looked up at the king and tried to reach out for something to support her before the ground came rushing up to meet her as she collapsed in a dead faint.

Jareth noticed that she was getting very angry at him, but then saw her face go white as a sheet and her eyes glaze over and then she was lying on the ground at his feet. Thinking that the ordeal was just too much for her, he checked to make sure she was alright. Seeing that she had just fainted, he picked her up off the ground and pulled her close to his chest. Strangely she seemed to snuggle closer to him; He had such an odd sensation at her being so close but just dismissed it. Making a crystal appear, he transported them both to his castle. It looks as thought he would have to wait for an explaination.

Enchatress of dreams: It took me a while to do this chapter. I had to work overtime this past week so sorry for the late update. I do believe this chapter turned out okay. Thanxs to those that are reading.