Disclaimer: I do not own Labyrinth or any of Jim's Henson's wonderful characters.

Chapter 8

The Adventure Begins

One moment Toby had been in his sister's bedroom, and in the next he was in a large room full of goblins and chickens. The room appeared to be in an old building of some sort, with large stone walls and a high, sweeping ceiling. Toby hoisted himself out of the pit in the floor that he had been placed in with a bunch of pillows and saw an imposing throne at the back of the room.

Toby walked over and pulled himself onto the chair. The goblins in the room stopped what they were doing to stare at the boy who had the nerve to sit in the King's throne. King wouldn't be happy when he found out…. Shaking their heads, the goblins resumed what they had been doing (which consisted of drinking ale and throwing chickens up to see how high they could 'fly').

Toby had just settled himself into the throne with one leg draped over the side when he was suddenly back in his sister's bedroom. He blinked and then rubbed his eyes.

The boy saw Herald crouched on the floor. "Ugh. What happened, Herald?"

The goblin whimpered. "Kingy took Queen." He sounded miserable. "Herald gonna be Bathed."

"Bathed?" Toby asked incredulously.

Herald muttered something about a Bath of Lavender Fragrance when something clicked in Toby's mind.

"Wait, Herald, the King took who? Sarah?"

Herald nodded.

"What? How? Why? What….?" This wasn't making sense. How could someone take Sarah?

"Toby got wished away and Sarah traded places to bring him back." Moisture started to fill the goblin's eyes. "Sarah gone!" the goblin cried, tears now streaming down his cheeks.

Pieces started to click into place in Toby's mind. "Wished away…? Herald…. You were the one who wished me away! You're the reason Sarah's gone! Why you little-!" Toby lunged for the goblin that skittered out of the way.

"Wait, Prince, wait!" Herald yelled as Toby continued to chase him around the room. "Get Sarah back if I run the Labyrinth and w-" Herald was cut off as Toby's small hand wrapped around his neck.

"NOT THE BATH OF LAVENDER FRAGERANCE!" Herald screamed, kicking wildly.

"No, not the bath." Toby walked over to the open window and held the goblin out it. "You wished away my sister-!" His breath suddenly caught in his throat when he saw what lay outside the window.

It was a giant maze, bathed in orange light. Its endless passages seemed to go on and on to a point at the maze's center.

"Is that the castle beyond the Goblin City?" Toby asked in wonder.

Herald nodded as much as he was able before managing to kick seven-year-old in the groin.

"Ow!" Toby yelled as he dropped the goblin. Herald landed on his butt and sat still as if he was still amazed he had gotten free. Toby held a hand over the wounded area and glared at the goblin.

"Herald," Toby began trying not to let his pain show when he spoke. "You said you had to run the labyrinth?"

The goblin nodded warily.

"And if you win, I get my sister back?"

Another nod.

"And if you lose?"

"Queen belongs to King forever."

"Then you have to beat it!" Toby exclaimed.

Herald looked at him hopelessly. "Me's only got thirteen hours."

Toby ignored him. "And I'm coming with you!" he declared.

"What?" Herald asked, looking up at him sharply. "King no likey that…"

"She's my sister," he argued. And besides, he had always wanted to go on an adventure. The daring and courageous knight traveling to rescue the stolen maiden in the evil King's castle… Oh yes, this would make a great story! Maybe even better than one of Sarah's!

The seven-year-old set off down the great hill leading to the wall of the Labyrinth.

"Well, come on, Herald!" he called over his shoulder.

Sorry that this chapter was so short, but we can't spend too much time with Toby when we have to get back to Jareth and Sarah, now can we? (I promise they will be in the next chapter).

So there is hope for Sarah! I guess out of all people, Toby would have to best chance at saving his sister. That is until Jareth finds out he's Underground…

And Herald basically avoided punishment! Poor guy finally got a break :)

Thanks to everyone who reviewed Chapter 7!:

notwritten, hazlgrnLizzy, helikestheymikey, Greenhemoglobin, Seriana-the-nymph, lady white roses, freak-4-God, phantomxxxxxx, and TinkLuvr16

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Please review! Got any ideas for new challenges in the Labyrinth for Toby? I really need to start thinking of some…

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P.S. This will probably my last update on this story for a while because tomorrow I'm having major back surgery for scoliosis. Wish me luck and I promise to update again as soon as I'm able!