XV
As Sarah stood before the gates of the Labyrinth she heard the heavy footfalls of her husband close behind. "You have thirteen hours in which to complete the Labyrinth or the children must remain in this realm for the rest of eternity," Jareth's voice was hard with a sinister edge. "I know the rules," Sarah snapped, turning around to face him. "Why would you do this Sarah?" His eyes narrowed a he took a step forward. "There are rules in this realm that must be followed, lest our whole society collapse into chaos." Jareth reached out for her but she evaded him.
"What laws have I broken? You know as well as I that the woman is too weak to run the Labyrinth on her own. She would have barely made it through the gates. She deserves a fair chance. Besides those children are part of something bigger than our realm. Their destiny is to be in their realm, they were never meant for this place." When she finished, Jareth stood in silence. "Start the clock," Sarah demanded and stepped forward to the gates. "I'll see you in thirteen hours." She stated firmly and stepped through the threshold of the Labyrinth, leaving her stunned husband still standing beyond the gates as they slammed shut. "Come on feet," she smiled and started on her way. At least everything still looks the same. She thought happily and continued down the rough stone path.
Jareth returned to his throne room and seated himself on the great throne to wait as Sarah ran the Labyrinth. "Bring me the woman!" He snapped to Hoggle who was standing quietly at the window. "Aye, sir," Hoggle waddled from the chambers to collect the stranger. "The woman sir," Hoggle announced as the stranger took a low bow before the Goblin King. "Leave us," Jareth waved his hand and the dwarf hurried from the room.
"So you are the woman who has my wife running the blasted Labyrinth," he eyed her coldly. "She offered," the woman returned, unmoved. "What did she see in you hmmm…a mother in distress perhaps, although you abandoned your children at the first chance." He rose slowly from his throne to circle her. "I did not abandon my children," she ground out darkly. "Then how did they come to be split between two families on different ends of the galaxy?" He hurled the accusation at her as she stepped back. "What business is it of yours? You're the one who kidnapped them and because of you they could have been killed!" Padmé froze the Goblin King in his tracks. "I only did what was asked of me. Nothing more, nothing less. You asked that the children be taken. I took them. They are safer here than in your realm," Jareth moved to the large window that gave an aerial view of the Labyrinth. "Your wife is very brave. You should give her more credit," Padmé whispered from behind him. Jareth refused to acknowledge her. "No matter what you think of me, you cannot deny that." She added before striding from the room.