Chapter Four: Wanderings

Gildan's Note: Sarah starts remembering things? But does she remember Jareth? aghghgh

"Want any more tea, m'lady?" Didymus asked, holding up the kettle.

"No thank you," Sarah said, "I think I'm full enough!"

She patted her stomach and laughed. They had just finished lunch and were ready to leave the dining hall. They were heading out to the gardens now, and Sarah was excited to see them. Warrick held open his arm for her to take, and she looped hers through and smiled. She was beginning to really like this new king.

"I think you'll find the gardens to your liking." He smiled.

The gardens were beautiful, with all sorts of flowers Sarah had never seen before. There were ponds with sparkling koi fish and butterflies as big as her face, which were kind of frightening. She shrieked a little when one flew near her. Ludo began chasing after them, leaving just her, Hoggle, Didymus, and the new king.

"Don't worry about the butterflies, unlike Jareth's, these creatures are all friendly."Sarah thought back to the fairies. "In fact," Warrick continued, "Hoggle helps manage the gardens."

"Well Hoggle it looks amazing." Sarah looked to her right and saw a small hedge maze. "Hm. Looks like a cute little labyrinth."

"I suppose," Warrick turned to look at it as well, "although you won't find any trap doors or secret passages."

"The more I'm here the more I realize how horrible that place was." Sarah said.

"That's why we're here and not there!" cried Hoggle.

Yet Sarah couldn't take her mind off of the experience, the memories were coming back to her far easier now – although some things were still cloudy.

"I do say, I hope to never have to face off against that Goblin King again!" Didymus was saying. "He was an equal match for me, but his eyes were so distracting, and creepy!"

"His eyes?" asked Sarah, she could still not remember the face of the Goblin King.

"I believe they're different colors, and one of his pupils is smaller than the other." King Warrick said.

"Or one is bigger than the other!" Didymus said in reply. "I'm not sure which."

"That's what I hear, but-" Warrick began, "I have actually never seen the Goblin King face to face. We have never spoken."

"You haven't?" asked Sarah.

"No, I did however put up a barrier, just so that his magic couldn't interfere with mine. I don't need him infiltrating this place – for whatever reason. I hear he's quite bitter about my being here, but I'm sure he can deal with it."

"Oh." She thought about him now, trying to place his eyes – his face, but it was still cloudy.

As they were walking back towards the castle Sarah could feel something in her – something powerful. Like a wall breaking down. Suddenly she was able to remember him.

"Jareth…" she whispered, almost inaudible. She recalled his hair, his smile…his eyes. She didn't know what she was feeling. 'It's just…nostalgia.' She thought, but she couldn't help but feel there was a memory missing. Something important. She looked towards the Goblin City and the labyrinth, but could hardly make out the castle from here.

She sighed and turned to head back inside, smiling when Warrick took her hand. It was warm and comforting, had she held Jareth's hand at one time? There was something familiar about that – but the feeling was different. If she had (for any reason), she imagined it must have been cold and unfeeling.

When they were in the lobby of the castle Warrick whispered something to Hoggle, and he left at once.

"Where's Hoggle going?" asked Sarah.

"We have a surprise for you." He smiled; it was sincere, kind, and very attractive in Sarah's eyes.

When Hoggle returned he was holding a wrapped box – it was a present!

"Happy 18th Birthday, Sarah." Warrick said, handing her the gift.

"Oh yeah…I completely forgot it was still my birthday." She opened it, and inside was the most beautiful necklace she had ever seen. It was made of some sort of diamond, cut perfectly and just the right size – it shone a multitude of colors when it hit the light, and Warrick helped put it on her.

"When you arrived we made sure to make you something." informed Hoggle. "Just don't leave it lying around, I might be tempted to take it." He fixed his plastic bracelet from before.

"You still have that?" Sarah exclaimed.

"Of course! I'd never want to forget my friend."

She sighed, "Now I feel like I've let you guys down…by forgetting."

"Don't!" he assured. "It's only natural, you are human."

"I suppose, but that sounds like a really crappy excuse."

"It's just the way it is!"

Sarah laughed. "You can say that again!"

She yawned, realizing how tired she was. It had been a long day, even though it almost felt like it hadn't been very long at all.

"You can return to your room if you like." Warrick suggested. "I think I might turn in soon myself."

"Okay, will I…still be here tomorrow?" Sarah asked, realizing she wasn't ready to leave.

"Of course, at least- I would think so."

"Alright. Well, goodnight then. Thank you for everything." She couldn't stop smiling today! Feeling ecstatic about all these new happenings, she happily walked back to her room, plopping down on her new bed.

"I don't think I ever want to leave." She said muffled into the pillows.

Outside Jareth had transformed himself into the barn owl, flying around the castle of Warrick to Sarah's window. He perched himself on a branch on a tree outside and looked in. There she was! Just sitting on her bed. The sight of her made him absolutely weak, and he couldn't maintain the form of the owl anymore – he was too nervous inside to be able to use any magic, and he found himself clinging to the tree branch to hold on.

"Get a hold of yourself, Jareth." He muttered, hoping she didn't see him just yet. "Wait, what is she doing?"

Sarah got off her bed and stretched, and began to head over to the window.

"She must be getting ready to close the curtains." He said through his teeth, keeping a grip on the branch.

She grabbed hold of the curtain and was just about to pull it closed when she saw something outside…but then…it was gone. Whatever it was. Sarah sighed and closed the curtains. For a moment she thought she saw…no – it was too dark to tell.

She hopped back in bed and pulled the covers up close, but shutting her eyes she could only see one thing: The Goblin King. But what was that memory she couldn't remember? She tossed and turned, hoping it would come back to her, but it didn't. All she could focus on now was tomorrow, and what adventure awaited her there.

Outside around the outskirts of Warrick's territory, Jareth sat feeling miserable. She had almost seen him! It could have been disastrous, what if she wasn't ready? Did she even remember him? He sighed, she was really starting to like that new king. How? How could he reintroduce himself to her? He looked up towards her window, and left when the light inside went out.