DISCLAIMOR: I forgot to mention that I don't own Hilari Bell's The Goblin Wood either. I just like to borrow from it.

A.N. My computer was messed up so to anyone who sent me a review and I didn't reply, I apologize.

To anyone who hasn't read The Goblin Wood, you should. It's a really great book.

Chapter 2

There weren't many times that Jareth had been taken by surprise, but having a four year old mortal child recognize him was one of those times. To say his interest was piqued was be an understatement. He had the goblins show the tired worn out boy to bed in the adjacent room built and used for such purposes. Standing over the now sleeping child he wondered how the boy knew he had been the owl. A lucky guess perhaps?

Producing a crystal he gazed into it to check on the older brother's progress. The teenager had just fallen into an oubliette. Frowning, Jareth peered closer. There wasn't supposed to be water in that particular oubliette. Neither was there supposed to b any sort of creature, yet there was definitely one there now.

Jareth was familiar with everything that inhabited his kingdom as well as used to all the strange, bizarre, and terrifying creatures that humans dreamed up for his Labyrinth. That was the Labyrinth's job after all. It tapped into the Runner's mind and used what it found to try and and dissuade them. To make them want to give up rather then continue. Or in other cases it makes them overcome their fear.

The Goblin King watched as Max found and started down the tunnel that would lead him to the mirror maze. That would be interesting to watch. It had been a while since that path had been traversed. The last person to take that path hadn't gotten any further, giving up, not liking what they found there. The boy was done for. He would never make it to the castle in the alloted time. Not at the pace he was going and the choices he was making.

Seth woke and watched the crystal with interest as he noticed his brother in it. He frowned when he flickered and glanced at the Goblin King. He'd flickered in front of someone that wasn't Max! That wasn't good. Whenever he did that his daddy had gotten mad and Max got scared. Max always tried to hide it whenever it happened. Seth had learned it was a bad thing and that he shouldn't do it. But he couldn't help it! Would the bird-man get mad like his daddy or scared like Max? He hoped not because he really liked the bird-man.

Sensing a surge of power just as he saw the boy shimmer at the same moment out of the corner of his eye, Jareth turned to see the boy wide awake and regarding him warily. Banishing the crystal, his mismatched eyes focused on the tense child who looked ready to bolt.

The boy had used Fae magic. More specifically, Jareth's magic and he drew his powers from the Labyrinth. How could a mortal child be doing the same?

As nonthreatening and gentle as he could, he asked, "What did you just do?"

"Flicker?" Seth replied uncertainly. He was sleepy again. That always happened after he flickered. He felt as if he'd been running and playing for hours and hours.

Jareth frowned in thought. There were rules about taking children with any kind of magical heritage, especially those that were Fae. He might need her help, but it would have to wait until Max gave up or his time ran out. It was a safety precaution that while there was a Runner in the Labyrinth, Jareth's kingdom was basically in lock down. No one could enter or leave the realm.

"Am I in trouble?"

"No." He looked over at the half asleep child. If anyone was in trouble, it would be Jareth. Out of curiosity he asked, "Whom are your parents?"

"Mommy and daddy."

"What are your mommy and daddy's names?"

Seth shrugged, yawning. "Mommy and daddy."

Sighing, Jareth tried another approach. "What is your name?"

"Seth."

"Seth what?"

"Seth Williams." The boy shut his eyes and snuggled into the small toddler bed so he didn't see how stiff and still Jareth had become at his answer.

SPACESPACESPACESPACESPACESPACE

Max was having second thoughts about the route he had decided to take. He'd already almost been flame broiled, crushed, skewered, and now he was wait deep in water in a dark pit after falling through a shaft of groping hands. The cool water was a balm for his sore and aching body. The cold had numbed the worst of his pains he'd gotten from this twisted game.

He felt like giving up and crying, but he replaced it with anger. Anger at himself, at his father, at Seth, at his aunt, his uncle, his mother, and most definitely at a certain Fae. As well as the pixie who was 'helping' him.

"I told you, you should have said up."

"Shut up." he snapped not really caring if he offended her at the moment. She hadn't been the one manhandled by those hands. He shuddered, still able to feel their touch. He was cold, sore, and just wanted to go home.

Digging into his pockets he pulled out the Zippo he'd taken from a store on a dare by his friends. Flipping it open he flicked it hoping it would light. He breathed a sigh of relief when a flame sprang out, and held the lighter aloft looking around. Squinting, he could just make out a ledge across the cavern about chest high. Making his way carefully towards the ledge he paused when he saw the water ripple a few feet away.

"His Majesty won't be too happy to know his oubliette is now a pool!" The pixie grinned delightedly.

Swallowing nervously, Max ignored the pixie sitting on his shoulder chattering in his ear. All his attention was on the thing that was moving closer to him, hidden from view by the black ink colored water. As it went by again, a scene from his favorite movie came to his mind. It was from Star Wars. When Luke, Han, Chewie, and Leia had ended up in the trash compactor while trying to rescue Leia. There had been a creature in the water that had pulled Luke under and Han had to shoot it to get it to let go of Luke.

The teenager jumped, almost dropping the lighter when he felt it brush his legs. He continued more quickly towards the ledge hoping and praying not to be pulled under like Luke. Darkly he muttered, "At least they had blasters."

Setting the lighter on the ledge, Max proceeded to pull himself out of the water. It took him two tried as his clothes were now water logged and heavy, but he did it. Once out of perceived danger, he sat shivering for a moment or two wishing he had dry clothes and a sweatshirt. Not for the first time and probably not the last, he wished desperately that he was curled up in his bed at home. Wished this was all some fever induced dream he was having.

"Max, there's a passage over here!"

Looking over his shoulder he saw where the pixie was hovering by a dark opening against the cavern wall. Standing, he picked up the lighter and once again held it aloft for light so he could see better. The passage was actually a tunnel. Licking his lips nervously and shivering, Max scowled. There was absolutely no lighting the tunnel aside from that cast by his lighter. There was only pitch blackness to hide any traps that might lie ahead.

It was as if all fears were being dragged out of his head and materialized to be used against him. The dark obviously terrified him, but he had no desire to re-enter the water to find another way out. He had no other option besides waiting in the dark cavern until his time ran out. Inhaling, Max took a step into the blackness and couldn't help but wonder what mishap would befall him next.

"I hate this place."

"I'll fly ahead."

Max didn't blame her for ditching him yet again. Every choice he'd made had things going from bad to worse. At least she hadn't really abandoned him though. She kept coming back. And sometimes she steered him around something she assured him was much worse then water he ended up running into.

Closing the lighter and putting it in his pocket when he felt it beginning to heat up. Glad his watch was water he pushed a button to and read the lit up digital display. Seeing the time his eyes widened in disbelief. He'd been in the Labyrinth for over five hours! That meant he had just about seven hours left since he'd spent almost an hour outside the Labyrinth's walls trying to get in. Seven hours sounded like a lot but Max knew that it wasn't. Especially if he had to make it to the castle and defeat the king. And something told him that the Goblin King was not easily defeated.

In the beginning he's been cocky, believing he'd beat it no problem. It didn't seem so far away as to take thirteen hours to reach. Of course, he hadn't expected all the dangers and traps he'd run into. He wondered at how a girl could have beaten the Goblin King. How had she done it? Unless the story about the king falling in love with the girl was true. Would he have made the challenge easier for her because of that?

Blinking against a sudden light, Max stopped for his eyes to adjust to the sudden lightness. Seeing what lay before him, he gaped. There were mirrors everywhere. The floor, ceiling, walls, even the steps were all mirrors. It was another maze with floor to ceiling mirrors and just as confusing as the one at the beginning.

Max's sense of direction was all turned around and he had nothing to get his bearings or mark his way. So he had no idea whether or not he'd been going in circles. He shivered then let out a sigh as he came to a dead end. Turning around he frowned as he glanced down at the water his sneakers and clothes should have left on the glass surface of the floor. There was no water puddles anywhere but the spot in which he stood.

"Enjoying yourself?"

"I'm having a blast," Max sarcastically replied not caring at this point if he got blasted by lightning or turned into a toad or whatever else the king could do to him for speaking rudely.

"Glad to hear it."

Max ignored him and continued trying different turns wondering if this was a stall tactic to waste more of his time. Thing was, no matter which way he chose, he always ended back at the same dead end where the Goblin King stood relaxed and waiting. Giving up trying to go anywhere while the Fae wanted to talk to him, Max sighed and glared, arms crossed. "What do you want?"

"At the moment, I'll settle for you telling me how your brother is using Fae magic."

Max frowned as his insides squirmed. "Don't know what you're talking about."

Jareth pushed himself off the mirror he'd been lounging on and stalked up to the glaring teen, eyes piercing. He smiled when the boy swallowed in apprehension. "Whom are your parents?"

"Keith and Vanessa Thomas."

"Your brother's are the same?"

"No," Max said frowning. He wanted to know why the Fae was so interested in his family. It had to have been because of whatever he'd seen Seth do. Which made him wonder what his your brother had gone and done this time. "Why so interested?"

"I need to know the names of you and your parents for the official paperwork," Jareth admitted truthfully.

The thought of the Goblin King doing paperwork struck Max as funny but he didn't dare laugh. Besides, he was too drained to laugh or feel humor of any kind. There was also the fact that the Fae's mismatched eyes and smile made him cold.

"I also need that information for when I erase their knowledge of your brother when you fail."

"I still have time left! I haven't failed yet."

"'Yet' being the operative word."

Max glared but the Fae wasn't fazed one bit. In fact, he looked amused and that really pissed Max off.

"You haven't answered my question. What are the names of your brother's parents?"

"I don't know his father's name! My parents were separated for a bit before Seth was conceived. I found out Seth had a different dad when my folks got back together and they argued about Seth."

"What was your mother's maiden name?"

"Williams, I think."

Those strange eyes flashed briefly and Max could've swore it was the same as when the Fae had mentioned the girl that beat him. Max was very curious now. Cautiously he asked, "Is that it?"

The Fae nodded. "To warn you as well."

"About what?"

"Things aren't always what they appear in this place. This mirror maze for example," Jareth waved a gloved hand to encompass their surroundings. "They show more then your reflected image."

Before Max could say anything the Fae and vanished again. The teen frowned more confused than ever. He didn't understand what that was about but doubted that the Goblin King was telling him everything. Scowling at his watch he began to walk again trying to find a way out and wondering where that pixie had got off to. He didn't have much time before Seth got turned into a goblin.

Looking around the mirrors surrounding him, Max's face drained of all color. Reflected back at him were thoughts and memories that he'd buried deep inside of himself. The mirrors were like televisions playing footage from Max's mind. Every which way he turned was something he'd repressed. There was no escape.

Max backed away from his image that was hiding in a closet crying, head down in shame and guilt as his parents fought. Feeling cold glass behind him, he turned to see a mirror showing him the time at the park when he'd purposely lost Seth. Another showed the first beating he'd ever received at his father's hand. Another with Seth almost drowning while Max watched and did nothing until the last possible moment. On and on it went, his darkest deeds and thoughts brought out into the open, forcing him to look at it.

Max barely felt the tears welling up in his eyes and spilling down his cheeks. His hands clenched tightly into fists, head bowed in shame, body shaking with emotion. He opened his mouth and screamed. Max let everything out in that wordless scream.

"Max!" the pixie's voice was close but he couldn't see her as he desperately looked around to spot her.

"Where are you?"

"Shut your eyes and follow my voice."

Swallowing, Max didn't know if he really trusted the pixie enough to lead him blindly. As another image came to life playing before him. Quickly shutting his eyes, he took step, then another, and quickened his pace with each step until he was running. With his eyes shut he didn't see the darkness of his reflected self in those mirrors. He was able to ignore them and stuff them back in their dark corners as he did every day.

"This way."

Opening his eyes briefly he quickly shut them again as he caught sight of the mirror in front of him. It depicted his darkest memory of which he had no desire to ever live through again let alone think about it.

"Max, take a left, now!"

The teenager stopped, hands stretched out and felt to the left. Open air met his hands rather than the cool smooth glass. Smiling, he began to jog down the left turn, listening carefully for the pixie's instructions. It was almost like playing a mix of Marco Polo and Hide-n-Seek in the dark, but not nearly as much fun.

"Left turn-now." A few seconds later there was a sharp, "Right!"

Rounding the corner could swear her voice sounded louder and closer than before. It was a few more minutes of turns before he felt the pixie land on his shoulder. "It's okay to open your eyes now, Max."

It had been said softly and with feeling. Opening his gray eyes he let out a breath he was holding. He was in another underground passage, but this one was lit every few feet with a torch. At least he was out of that twisted hall of mirrors. Sinking down to the ground on his knees, he began to cry now that it was behind him and he got through it.

The pixie kept unusually quiet, letting him get it out of his system. Wiping his eyes, he stood and looked over at his companion. Her face was sombre and he knew that look in her eyes. She'd seen his innermost fears and demons and she was still with him.

"I'm okay now."

The teen started down the passage and was glad to note yet also apprehensive of what looked like daylight ahead. Sprinting the rest of the way he frowned when he came to the end and stepped out into open air. He fell into a squelching black mud and quickly descending darkness. The light he'd seen was still in the distance of the darkening sky.

Getting to his feet and wiping the mud off his watch he scowled. A look at the time and he felt his despair and anger threatening to overwhelm him. He'd been in that horrible maze for an hour and a half! His time was growing short and Max had no idea where he was or how much distance he still had yet to cover. More and more the feeling of hopelessness grew.

"Be careful," the pixie warned as he began to walk toward the light he still saw. "There are creatures in this bog that like to lure off the path watch you drown."

"Thanks for that." He yanked his foot up with a loud wet sound like that of a plunger. It was slow going, and max irritably demanded, "What path? All I see is a huge muddy bog."

"Just give it a few more seconds." His companion's wings flittered, eyes and head darting this way and that until- "There! Look!"

Swiveling, he saw a bright greenish light to his left and the pixie left his shoulder. Even as she flew towards it, the continuous light path began to gradually dim. By the time Max got to where the pixie hovered, the light was completely gone. Taking a step nearer he found hard packed earth under his foot unlike the muck he had been knee deep in.

After a few steps, Max had made a few discoveries. The solid dirt path was only wide enough for him to stand or walk carefully along. A few inches to either side meant the sludgy muck. The mud was deeper the further along he went and the path wasn't straight. It weaved this way and that so he had to go slow and test the ground ahead of him one step at a time. At this rate his time would be up before he even got out of the bog! Yet the alternative wasn't really an option. "I really hate this place."

SPACESPACESPACESPACESPACESPACE

Banishing the crystal, Jareth frowned disconcerted by what he'd seen yet not really surprised. He'd seen the cruelty humans were capable of and his disgust with them strengthened. He was just surprised that the ten could trust the pixie. Speaking of, he'd have to do something about her depending on how this all turned out.

Looking to his goblins playing with the four year old he lost himself in thought as he scrutinized the child. The boy practically screamed Fae with his light coloring of skin, sand colored hair, and sienna eyes. The cheekbones were high and because of his smallness, the bone structure was very defined. Yet Jareth had ignored it since oddities did pop up in mortals at times. Genetics was very complicated.

Sienna eyes looked at him unafraid, white smile lighting up his whole face. Seth stood at the corner of Jareth's throne and looked up at him full of excitement and curiosity. "Burdie, are you th' real Goblin King? Like th' stories my mommy says?"

"What stories?" Interest piqued, Jareth picked the boy up and set him in his lap.

"Mommy usta tell me lotsa stories. All 'bout goblins, kings, and magic! Mommy says magic's real but Max said nuh, uh. I 'lieved mommy an' it's real!" He happily took another breath. "I tolds Max tha' you was all glowy in th' park but he didn't 'lieve me. He 'lieves me now, right?"

"Oh, I"m sure he believes you now," Jareth replied. Seth gazed at him happy and full of energy. "What else did your mommy say about me?"

Seth shrugged. "Mommy says you's friends with th' tree peoples and mermaids and trolls and elves and dwarves and goblins and-" When the boy stopped to take a breath Jareth took advantage.

"Your mommy told you all this?"

"Uh,huh. Max usta take me to see mommy at th' hopskittle. He played video games while mommy told me stories 'bout th' magic and creeters of th' Underground."

"Hospital?"

"Uh, huh. Max says mommy was sick and the hopskittle would make her betters."

A.N. Well, there you go another chapter. That'll be it for a few weeks. I'll be going to California in a few days. Hope you all enjoyed this. As always if anyone can think up a title I'd be much appreciated.