Disclaimer: I still don't even own a copy of the movie. Shameful.

A/N: Since it's a day late, I'm giving you a longer chapter! Aren't I sweet? Maybe?

He had graced her with a hurt look and a fortnight. She didn't know whether to feel alarmed or pleased. She did, however, know that she needed to find out more about this place. The most pressing item of which being how exactly did one become Queen of the Labyrinth. And could that title help get her out of here?

Time to find a library.

No, really. She had no idea where the local Labyrinth Public Library was. Or even if such a thing existed. But she had a pretty good idea where to start her search. And, wow, but she never thought she'd ever come back here, unless Jareth banished her, of course.

The Bog of Eternal Stench.

Who even gave it that name. No mystery, no intrigue. She shook her head as she spotted the (actually kinda adorable) little hut dangerously close to the bubbling swamp. The door swung open before she had the chance to knock, and a gnarled dwarf bumbled out. Muttering and carrying an oddly shaped can.

"Stupid faeries. I didn't think I had ta take care of those darn things anymore."

"Hello, Hoggle."

The dwarf bounced back and glared up at her. "Sarah? What're you doin' here?"

She couldn't help but grin at his disgruntled face. "I could ask you the same thing. A bit smelly here. The scenery isn't all that great either."

"Hmph. Didn't ya hear?" Hoggle puffed his chest out in an exaggerated fashion. "I'm Prince of the Land of Stench. It's a very important position His Royal Majesty bestowed 'pon me."

Sarah giggled for the first time in ages. "Sounds like quite the honor. Still hafta go faery-hunting though, huh?"

The dwarf grunted again before disappearing into his cottage and appearing again with another of his spray-cans. "Join me?"

"Sure. Not that you missed me, of course."

"Pah! Certainly not," He shuffled his feet before squinting back up at her. "Why are ya here though? I mean, not here. But back in the Labyrinth?"

"Didn't ya hear?" She couldn't manage a smile, but she did get his accent down. "I lost. But I made a deal so…we both kinda lost?"

Another grunt. "Sounds like a stupid deal."

She ignored the hint with a very Jareth-like smirk. "Don't we have some faeries to take care of?"

"Fine, fine. If you ain't gonna talk to yer own friends, that's no business of mine." He hobbled his way toward the bridge. "If you still want to come, then 'urry along."

Catching up to him took three steps. "Hoggle, isn't there a faster way to the Labyrinth gates?"

"If'n there was, don't you think I'd be takin' it?"

"What if - hypothetically - there's not just a Goblin King? Would a Queen, let's say, have his powers?"

Hoggle stopped short and looked at her. "Hypothetically speaking 'course? Yer 'deal' sounds like crap."

She'd done a ton of growing up since the beginning of her adventure so she did the only thing she could think of. She stuck her tongue at him. Which he rewarded with his signature grunt.

"First off, there's no such thing as a Goblin Queen - 'fficial title is 'Queen of the Labyrinth.' She's s'posed to be pretty powerful, but, Sarah, there's only one way to gain that title."

"Oh yeah? Good thing this is a hypothetical situation."

She turned to keep walking, but the dwarf stuck his hand out, touched hers. Knowing he wasn't strong enough to physically stop her, but she stilled anyway. "What was yer deal, Sarah?"

"I traded myself for Toby. Some goblins have started calling me a queen, but, well, they're goblins," She felt panicked again and shook Hoggle's hand off. Her own hand suddenly stung like - "Hoggle! Did you just bite me?"

"What! No, why would I?" He glanced down and up and around. Lifted his can and spritzed the offending biter. "Maybe the goblins might be a wee bit smarter than we give 'em credit for."

"That was a faery."

"Yup."

"We're at the gate."

"So you just-?"

"Warped us here," Sarah pulled her bitten hand through her hair. "I'm the bloody Queen of the Labyrinth."

Hoggle's eyes widened comically. "You're even beginning to sound like you-know-who."

"And you're being just soooo helpful. I told you my side of things; now tell me what you know."

He snorted, a surprisingly loud sound for one so small. "I don't know much. Not fer sure anyway."

"We're friends, right?" She bent down to look him in the eyes. "Please, Hoggle."

"You're not gonna like it." He looked away. Stepped back, muttered some things. Paced back and forth. "Here's the thing, little lady. No one can just waltz in 'ere and become Queen. Jareth has to pick her." He stilled for a second, casted her an irritated look, before continuing. "And she has to accept. When she does, she must remain the Queen forever."

"So since I already have the powers, does that mean I've already accepted?"

Hoggle stopped and shrugged. Looked at her with sad, uncannily big eyes. "I would think so."

"But you don't know for sure?" Sarah glanced at her hand. Smooth and bite-free.

The dwarf shook his head. "I don't know anythin' for sure. Only Jareth does."

She huffed and rubbed absently at her hand. "Well, I can't really go ask him, can I? Even if he did provide any answers, I couldn't trust them."

Hoggle opened his mouth but closed it again. Grunting, he sprayed a faery nearby and shuffled forward to spray another one. Sarah followed him.

"What aren't you telling me?"

He said nothing, continuing to spray the beautiful (albeit annoying) creatures.

"I'll give you this bracelet, please!"

He turned to face her then. Angry. His words lashed out, "I don't wanna tell ya because I'm yer friend. I don't want yer stupid jewels neither!"

"I'm sorry. Hoggle, I'm sorry, please," She put the bracelet in her pocket. "That was stupid, I'm sorry. I know you're my friend, but I have to know. Maybe there's something I can do and maybe there's not...but I have to try."

"You may not be able to ask Jareth, but he does keep a few things - some books - that might answer some o' yer questions."

"Where does he keep them? His room?"

Hoggle shook his head. "No. The West Wing."

A/N again: DUN DUN DUUUUN. Okay, but wow two author's notes...what I am doing. But I just wanted to apologize for Hoggle's accent. I even watched clips of him on YouTube over and over again but it still came out just a little bit too Irish most the time. Oops?