Chapter Eight

(Deceit)

Jareth smiled evilly as he looked at the glowing orbs. Everything was going according to plan. Pleased, he faded from the room of glowing orbs.

Seconds later the Goblin King appeared in the stone and earth covered area where prisoners were hard at work. "Excellent work, gentlemen." He said looking at the three subjects that had betrayed him in helping Sarah.

"The little missy already agreed?" Hoggle asked as the chains disappeared.

"No but she will by sunset tomorrow." Jareth said, unconcerned. "You played your parts quite well. She even shed a tear for you."

"Then our duty is fulfilled?" The fox asked rubbing his shoulder.

"Allow me." The Goblin King said. He waived his hand and instantly healed the one lashing each had received. "There all better."

"You didn't say nothing bout being whipped for real!" Hoggle grumbled.

Jareth shrugged. "It couldn't be helped. No harm done."

"Sawrah." Ludo said sadly.

"Now, now beast. Once Sarah is my queen I will allow you to see her. She never needs to know you helped in her defeat," The Goblin King told the gentle giant. The girl's former companions had not wanted to participate in the Kings plans but had no choice. It was obey the King or die.

"She won't be happy if she finds out." Hoggle said.

"She won't. Besides, even if she does, it would be long after we were wed. It's too late then. By then she'll be my wife and be pregnant or have already delivered my heir." The King said unconcerned. "No gentlemen, Sarah will be mine."

"Dare I say she could still refuse your offer." The fox warned.

"Then you may have to endure a little more pain." The King warned. "I suggest you hope she accepts. You may go but are to remain in this area until sunset tomorrow." Jareth disappeared.

"I do wish we weren't forced to help him." The knight said. "It feels so wrong."

"That's cause it is wrong." Hoggle replied. "You just ain't used to taking the coward role. I know all about it."

"Sawrah." Ludo said sadly.

"Too late Ludo. That dirty rat going to have her after all." Hoggle told the orange furry creature. With a sigh he said, "I told her even if she reached the center she'd never get out again. I knew he'd want her." Shaking his head the three traitors walked away from the guards and other prisoners. Their part in the King's plans was over.

Jareth left the working grounds and appeared in the throne room. "Talon."

"Majesty." The captain said and bowed.

"Have Mrs. Cumber see to Sarah's room. I want it perfect when she enters it tomorrow."

"Tomorrow sire?"

"I've given her to sunset tomorrow to agree to my terms." The king replied. Seeing his captain raise an eyebrow he added, "When she accepts, it's forever. I want her to at least feel she has a choice. Besides she could answer me sooner. For now, she's in the tower." Talon simply nodded.

"Sarah will need an etiquette teacher." The Goblin King announced. "Someone I can trust that is loyal to me and this kingdom. I don't want anything being spread."

"Perhaps Ishaan." Talon suggested. "He's loyal to you and this kingdom and is very adept at keeping things quiet."

"Yes. Ishaan would do nicely. Send for him," Jareth agreed. Talon bowed and left his presence. Pleased Jareth walked over to his throne. Things couldn't get any better.

"Hoggle?" Didymus said after they had walked for only a few minute. "The Peach you gave Lady Sarah meant she had to be returned."

"Obviously," Hoggle grumbled.

"Can she leave again?" Didymus inquired. "Perhaps if fair maiden was to leave this world again she would be free."

"What?" Hoggle said.

"The peach returned her at 18 years of age. Perhaps if she were able to cross into her own realm she'd be safe. The magic of the peach has already been fulfilled yes?"

"You're right. We gotta get to her."

"Sawrah." Ludo said pathetically.

"Come you big fur ball, we gots to get to Sarah and get out of here before that dirty rat can swindle her acceptance."

"Sawve Sawrah?" Ludo asked with gentle hopeful eyes.

"Yes my brother. Let's go save our fair maiden." Didymus said proudly. "I do wish I had Ambrosious now. At least he escaped."

"Carry knwight," Ludo said and gently put the fox night on his shoulder.

"Thank you brother. Now off we must be to save our lady."

Sarah stood there for a moment in silence. She wasn't completely sure what to do. The dark haired girl knew she wanted to help her friends and save her brother but she also knew she didn't want to submit to the Goblin King. It would be giving him exactly what he wanted.

The thought, "Not everything is what it seems." Nagged at her. Suddenly she wasn't sure if what she'd seen was a trick. With a sigh she turned. It was then she noticed the door. It wasn't quite fully shut. Slowly she walked over toward the door. Carefully she opened it and peered outside the door.

Finding no one there she stepped outside. She closed the door and gasped as it suddenly disappeared. Sarah found herself wondering if the door was on some sort of timer to disappear or if it just disappeared automatically the instant it was closed.

The dark haired girl groaned realizing if the door was gone she couldn't get back in. What was she going to do if Jareth found her outside her room? Deciding to figure it out later she decided to see if she could make her way back to the room he'd taken her. If the orbs were still there than perhaps it was real.

Slowly she made her way down the stone stairs. Now fully dark she found it fairly easy to walk down an empty hall and take another stairway down beneath the castle. It wasn't long and she found herself in a very dark hallway. Torches flared to life as she slowly made her way down the hall toward the room of orbs.

Sarah touched the door handle and found it opened easily. Slowly she opened the door and entered. Carefully she made her way inside the dimly lit room. First she went to the orbs that had held the images of her friends. She watched and found she could no longer see her friends at all.

"Was it a trick?" She asked. Thinking perhaps he had moved the orbs she began to look at other orbs. She stopped remembering her brother's orb and went to where it was. There in the orb her brother remained.

"Toby." She said sadly. It was then an idea formed in her head. If she could in fact escape she could save her brother and hide him. Slowly she reached out to touch the orb. Gently she picked it up and held it in the palm of her hands.

She smiled seeing her little brother jumping on the bed. It was story time. Toby always jumped on the bed until he was given a story. "I'll try to get back to you Tobes."

"Well standing there won't get you far." Sarah jumped and then spun around quickly. "Hoggle!" She said shocked to see him. "How..."

"Don't matter missy. We gots to get you out of this castle and back to your world. Come on."

"Yes, make haste fair maiden." Didymus exclaimed.

Sarah took a moment to hug her friends before Hoggle practically shoved her into a hidden passage.

"No time now Sarah. Gots to go before Jareth finds out we done betrayed him again!" Hoggle said.

Quickly the four companions made their way through the passage and out of the castle. Before Sarah knew it they were traveling through the Labyrinth.

"We have to move quickly. Right now the Labyrinth won't stop us but once Jareth finds out it will. We have to make it out and to the bordering kingdom. There's a portal there you can pass though," Hoggle said as they moved quickly.

"You three have to come with me!" Sarah announced. "Who knows what he'd do to you!"

"We don't belong in your world my Lady." Didymus said. "However fear not. We'll be safe enough once we cross into another kingdom." Sarah nodded and they continued on their way. The dark haired girl could only hope Jareth did what he normally did when he returned her to the tower and not go before morning to check on her. If Jareth found her missing things could get far worse for all of them.