"Sky's Eclipse"
Chapter 5
By Aiijuin

*Disclaimer: I don't own anything Jim Henson or Labyrinth. I am not trying to steal other character names from people's fan fiction, but I cannot think of a better name to use for Jareth's alter ego in my story. Gröeg was originally designed by Brian Froud and catalogued by Terry Jones in Brian Froud's "The Goblins of the Labyrinth". This fanfiction is rated M for some harsh language and adult situations.

** This chapter has been updated with grammatical corrections, removal of parenthetical phrases and other minor corrections. 'Irene' is replacing the name 'Karen' for Sarah's stepmother, because most "Labyrinth" fanfictions recognize this name to be correct. 09/10/2009

Chapter Five: Into the Looking Glass

Gavin returned home to Henkies Estate on Hartfordshire Court. It was nearly two in the morning. He blinked before approaching the vast front doors of his mansion. The sky was black tonight, except for a few miniscule stars that dotted the early sky. When he was near the entrance, a little, shriveled, old man opened the door. He was dressed like a butler, until he saw it was his master, then he transformed back into his true form…a Goblin. It was Gröeg, and he asked Gavin, "Sire, did all go well? Have we lured them yet?"

Gavin tossed his cloak aside and tossed his fedora towards Gröeg. Gröeg caught it and placed it on the hat rack. Gavin turned to the large foyer mirror, and undid his black tie. Then, he proceeded to unbutton the top of his white collared shirt. He looked furiously into the mirror, but a different reflection stared back. It was that of Jareth, the Goblin King. When Gavin turned from the mirror to answer Gröeg, he too, had become Jareth. The Goblin King looked to Gröeg and snapped, "No, all did not go well. And apparently, the 'baby' is on to my little plan. Oh, yes, and Grung?"

Gröeg responded, "It's Gröeg, Sire."

Jareth interjected, "Whatever… You didn't happen to let the boy in on our little plan, did you? Mention anything when he was over here…hmm?"

Gröeg scratched his head. He had to think really hard about it. Memories often slipped the mind of goblins quickly. Gröeg finally shook his wrinkled little head, "No, your majesty, I never told the boy anything."

Jareth grabbed the goblin by the scruff of his neck and looked threateningly into his eyes, "Good, because if I find out you've spoiled our plans, it'll be straight into the bog with you."

Gröeg shuttered. He backed away as soon as Jareth released him. The King continued in a tone more lighthearted this time, "Not to worry, though… Sarah has returned. I'm not sure where she's been lurking, but it shan't be too hard to lure her back to my castle this time."

He smirked and spun around, then added, "She couldn't stop talking about me. It will be easy to tempt her having this knowledge. It's only a matter of time and which spell to use. The outcome should be interesting."

Jareth laughed to himself and retreated up the vast staircase into the darkness.

Back in the Williams' household, Sarah rummaged around her old bedroom. She had to change from her clothing and find something suitable for bed. Luckily, her physical attributes hadn't changed since she had left for college. She was thinner, but it didn't affect the fitting of a good oversized T-shirt. Robert and Karen were very happy to let her return to her old bedroom. Karen always made Robert keep it Sarah's room, because she figured there might not be a future in acting when Sarah graduated and was sure she would return home again. Toby could be heard mumbling on a cell phone in the next room. It was nearly two in the morning. Sarah smoothed out her sheets, but remembered that she had a promise to keep before she dozed off to sleep. She walked over to her vanity with the mirror and gazed deep into it. She whispered softly, "Is all well, my goblins?"

At first the mirror remained inert, then a sea of monstrous little faces looked out the other side at her, akin to tiny lost puppies. After a few seconds of staring back and forth, a familiar voice answered, "Aww, get out of my way! I'm coming, Sarah! Hold on! I just have to get these lugs to move! Didn't I tell you to MOVE?!"

The sea of goblins parted and Hoggle came walking up to greet Sarah. He looked left, then right within his side of the mirror, assuring the coast was clear. Sarah stifled back a laugh. Hoggle was always overcautious, especially since he knew Jareth could be lurking anywhere. Nobody knew where he was. Hoggle finally spoke, "Sarah! Everything is okay here, except there have been a few little squabbles between some goblins and a few chickens. Other than that, everything is quiet. When are you coming back?"

Sarah waved her hand as a gesture of 'we'll discuss that later', and instead changed the subject, "Things are not as quiet here. Apparently, my suspicions were correct, and Jareth has come to the other side."

At the mention of Jareth, Hoggle ducked. He had good reason to. Not long after Sarah had left, Hoggle was made Prince of the Bog of Eternal Stench, as Jareth had promised for punishment of Sarah's kiss. Therein, the Goblin King forgot about the dwarf and never bothered to grant him a reprieve from that awful place. Luckily, Sir Diddymus returned to his position as the guard of the bridge, which helped Hoggle retain his sanity. Ludo also joined the duo, despite the fact he despised the odor. After she arrived in the Underground, Sarah had managed to save Hoggle and give him the freedom he desired by making him a royal consort in Jareth's throne room.

Hoggle paused to regain his composure before adding, "Well, be careful, Sarah. It's most likely that Jareth ain't up to no good. He's always been a rat by nature. Er, just don't tell him I said that."

Sarah smiled and nodded. She answered, "I'll protect you from the Goblin King, Hoggle. Good night."

"G'night, Sarah. Be safe," he nodded back.

The mirror faded back to Sarah's darkened reflection and she stood up to walk back to her bed.

Jareth is here and has his prying eyes on Toby again, thought Sarah.

She fluffed her pillow and laid her head upon it.

Which means he's, obviously, been preoccupied with thoughts of me. He still uses Toby as a pawn to entice me. Having this knowledge, it shouldn't be too hard to lure him. It's only a matter of time and which spell to use. The outcome should be interesting.

Sarah laughed to herself and fell asleep in the darkness.