"Sky's Eclipse"
Chapter 12
By Aiijuin

*Disclaimer: I don't own anything Jim Henson or Labyrinth. 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 (which is only used by Toby) and adult situations.
PS: Please let me know if I messed up anywhere with the grammar. I proofread about a dozen times before I post my chapters on , but sometimes I still miss a few flubs. Thank you!
**Revised 09/10/2009: I fixed the discontinuity issue on my chapter numbers and changed Irene's name to Karen. Most fanfictions of "Labyrinth" recognize this name to be the correct one for Sarah's stepmother, but I couldn't tell you which is which. I, personally, like the name Karen better.

Chapter Twelve: To Catch a King.

Sarah gazed back out the French doors in Gavin's study room. She began to think about what she was telling an innocent, mortal man. It began to nag at her conscience. She knew the more Gavin knew about Jareth, the more danger it placed him in. Gavin seemed to Sarah the gentlemanly-type, who would stop at nothing to enforce chivalry and save his one true love. He was a kind man who selflessly supervised her father and became a mentor to Toby. He even complimented Karen, her stepmother, as often as possible and even remembered to remove his hat indoors. Sarah closed her eyes and sighed. Gavin had asked her a question, moments ago, that Jareth could wield against both of them. However, Sarah was feeling very desperate to tell somebody her secrets. She had been without human contact for such a long time in Jareth's castle, that she sought a trusted ear.

Sarah hadn't realized that she was dead wrong about her assumptions of Mister Gavin King. Being the Goblin King, he was not a trustworthy friend that she should have confided her darkest whispers to. He was not innocent or mortal. He didn't even really care about Toby, Karen, or Robert Williams, but they served as 'bait' to catch his only prey and objective, Sarah Williams.

Gavin asked again, "Sarah, how will you handle an attack from the Goblin King if he comes to take you away?"

Sarah blinked twice and answered with hesitation in her speech, "Well…"

"You must have some sort of plan, my Dear. If he comes to trap you, you must have some plan to get out again."

"I have thought of one way to stop him."

"Yes?"

"I need to lure him back to the Underground and confine him."

Now, Jareth was curious. He had planned on ensnaring Sarah, but she was planning on ensnaring him. Again Gavin asked, "Yes?"

"The only way I know how, Mr. King."

"And that being?"

"I'm going to bait him by using something he wants."

Gavin knew the answer he awaited was on the tip of her tongue. He was still kneeling on the floor beside her, but his anticipation might as well have placed him into her lap. He swallowed hard and dry within his throat. Then he repeated, "That being?"

"Me."

"You?" Gavin stopped short for a moment. As Jareth, he was trying to lure Sarah back to his realm by using her family, when all he had to do was wait for her to return willingly. It was too simple. Gavin asked again, "You, Sarah? Are you saying you're just going to walk into the realm of the Goblin King and announce your arrival with bells?"

"Pretty much, yes."

"How will you manage to return?"

"I haven't thought that far yet, but I assure you, I've broken free from Jareth's Labyrinth once before and I'm sure I can do it again. Besides, I've been there for a long time. I've memorized the paths leading up to his castle and back again. I can tell you where the oubliette holes are and… Oh, I nearly forgot, there is a shortcut directly to his palace!"

Gavin smirked. It wasn't like him to do so. Sarah didn't catch it. Jareth decided it was time to change the rules of his game against Sarah. She was going to try and lure him at her own pace, however if he could find a way to bring her there before she was ready, then Sarah would most likely fail. He decided to bring in some competition and give her a frantic head start. He figured if she couldn't think clearly enough to implement her plan, then she would not manage escape from him again.

Gavin stood back up on his feet. He looked at his watch and said, "Oh, my. Look at the time. It's quite late and I have a rather substantial trial to attend tomorrow in defense of my corporate clientele."

Sarah understood. She nodded and apologized for taking most of his time. It was very dark outside, and the house had been lit with candles, which guided her through the dim halls. The little butler, Gröeg, opened the front door to let her out. He said his goodnights to 'Miss Sarah', but Gavin has excused himself with hardly a "goodbye".

Sarah wasn't too upset. She knew she had said something to distress him earlier, although she couldn't recall what was said. She exited out the door. The air was chilly, and she was in a spaghetti strap, linen, white dress. She shivered in the night air and meandered her way back home stumbling over nearly invisible rocks and jutting grass tufts.

It was a long walk. She had forgotten how far it was to her house, and that she had walked here.

Since her car had been stolen eight years ago, and she had no job, she obviously wasn't driving anywhere, nor did she have money to call a cab.

She didn't even have a cell phone. She had left that behind in Jareth's palace with her briefcase and purse.

Dressed like a ballerina with delicate satin slippers, she felt like a fool.

She wasn't sure how she had come to this state, but she was sure it was all Jareth's fault. Sarah looked up into the dark, starless sky, and anticipated Jareth had been listening to her conversation with Gavin.

Jareth had an eternity to strike against her tonight before she safely entered her yard.

Where and when would he arrive tonight? She wondered.

Much to her surprise, she walked home undisturbed.

Jareth, however, was about to unleash a massive plot against her. Later on that week, Sarah and her family were invited to a black-tie banquet at King's mansion. This would seem pretty normal for a wealthy business owner to hold such functions, but where the Goblin King was concerned, it would be anything but ordinary.

With Jareth, nothing was 'ordinary' or 'normal'.