Chapter Three:
When she could finally hear again, Sarah blinked back the silence. Everything felt different in the Underground. Her body felt lighter for one, like she had submerged herself in water. She couldn't remember feeling this light when she had been running the Labyrinth, in fact there were times where she felt heavier while running. She could remember the burning in her lungs and the fear that had ravaged her heart at the thought of losing her younger brother.
When the silence finally felt normal, she lifted her gaze to the somber looking Goblin King. "Why does it feel so different here?" She asked, her voice strong and unwavering. She portrayed strength and dominance, but her legs were trembling and Sygel's words repeated over and over again inside her mind.
It's very rare a child is rescued from the Labyrinth.
"It's my magic," his expression seemed to shift from one of pity to that of pride, his chest puffing out slightly. "I've been practically saturating you in it since you first arrived in the Underground."
"Why?" Her eyes narrowed, her arms crossing defiantly over her chest. "What need could I possibly have for your magic? I survived here without it the last time."
He chuckled, shaking his head back and forth. "Such impudence. Do you honestly believe you were untouched by magic as a runner?"
"It wasn't as easy being in the Underground the last time."
"I would guess not. But don't let your comfort here confuse you, Sarah. You were touched by magic every step of your journey in the Labyrinth. Every creature you met, every turn you made, my magic surrounded you everywhere." Jareth spoke, rising to his feet and crossing the distance between them. Every step he took caused Sarah to stumble a half a step back.
"You purposefully made it harder for me to be here," she breathed.
"No. I simply removed the magical ease. I made our world seem more like your world." Jareth shrugged nonchalantly. "I did give you ample chances to enjoy the Labyrinth and all it had to offer."
She felt her back press against the cold stonewall of his throne room as images of beautiful dresses and terrifying masks flashed before her eyes. She could practically feel Jareth's hands, warm and safe, resting gently upon her hip. And suddenly he was there, just a hairsbreadth away from her, and gazing down upon her with curious eyes.
"Such a strange child." He whispered, his voice barely a whisper on the air as his hand lifted to brush a stray hair from her face.
"I'm not a child." She demanded petulantly, but the stutter in her voice convinced no one.
"Of course you're not. How rude of me," he smirked, stepping back from her with a graceful ease, his shadowed eyes glimmering with some dark amusement.
"My friends," she whispered once her heart had stopped racing in her chest. "You said I could see my friends."
He lifted an eyebrow, "I did, didn't I?"
"You did." Her hands braced against the stone, holding her still and keeping her trembling legs from giving out beneath her.
"A promise is a promise." He turned, gesturing for her to follow after him.
"Are they here now?" She asked, some of her previous strength returning as she pressed off of the wall and half stumbled half followed after her.
"Patience is a virtue, you know." He chided from over his shoulder. Even without being able to see his face she could practically hear the smirk that crossed his features.
"You're frustrating." She snapped.
"And you're callow." He snickered, stopping before a large door not too far down the corridor from the throne room.
"Are you taking me to see my friends or not?" She snapped again.
A long pause stretched between them, Jareth's hand resting gently upon the ornate wood of the large door. He seemed to be contemplating his answer before turning a devilish smile towards her. "Not."
"But you said!" She cried out, balling her hands into fists at her side.
He lifted a hand to silence her, still smirking. "Not yet, at least. You look pale and you need to eat."
"I'm not hungry." She pouted, glaring daggers in his direction.
"The Underground will convince you that you're not but you are. And if you don't eat you won't have the strength to face the decisions that remain before you." He spoke, pushing open the door to reveal a large dining room.
"I said I'm not-" The words vanished in her mouth, leaving her speechless. She stared into the brightly lit room in amazement. "I've… been here before." She breathed, taking it all in. She remembered this place, remembered the draperies and the ornate candelabras. She remembered the small raised stage off in the corner. It was as if she were reliving a dream, damaged by a drunken haze.
"Yes." He answered, his voice holding an emotion she couldn't quite place. "The evidence is there."
Slowly her gaze followed his, landing upon a scar like wound running up the glass of the North wall. It was a shatter mark, that much she was sure of, that looked as if someone had tried poorly to repair.
"It seems my magic has less of an effect on damage done by creatures of your world." He shrugged dismissively.
"I did that?" But she could see it, hidden in the darkness of her memories. "With a blue cushioned chair…"
"So you do remember." He hummed, crossing the room in an effortless glide as four small goblins and Sygel entered the room. "Is the meal prepared?"
"We tried our best, sire." Sygel bowed low, a light blush upon her features. "Making human approved food is…. Complicated."
"You made human food?" Sarah asked skeptically, her hands tracing the outer line of the makeshift table.
"Eat." Jareth demanded, pulling out a chair for Sarah to take a seat. "I will return before the hour is up."
She stood unmoving, a petulant glare upon her features as she watched him vanish into thin air, leaving an eerie silence behind him.
It was Sygel who finally pulled her from the darkness of her mind. "You need to eat something." The little goblin spoke, placing her hand gently upon Sarah's leg. The movement was meant to be comforting, but it only furthered the human girls confusion.
"You went through all this trouble for me?" Sarah asked, sliding into the seat that Jareth had pulled out for her.
"The Master was worried you would forget to eat while you were here. Thirteen hours will pass so quickly but it is still the greater part of a day." Sygel explained, pulling the metal lid off the plate the other goblins had placed upon the table.
The wafting smell of sweets radiated through Sarah and she was salivating before she even recognized what was before her. She really was hungry. The plate was filled with brightly colored arrays and unrecognizable food. None of it really looked like food, but it smelled amazing. "Jareth doesn't worry about anyone." She scoffed.
"He worries about everyone. For some reason you've gotten into your head that our King is some horrible monster because he brings the wished away's to the Underground. What you forget is that the runners wish their babies away in the first place. Our Master brings the unwanted and abused into our world and gives them new life with new families who want nothing more than to love them." Sygel explained, a light desperation lining her voice. "He saves them, Sarah."
The small human said nothing; instead she lifted a spoon and tasted the different colors tentatively. It was everything she could have imagined from Fae food. She ate in silence, listening as Sygel spoke in a language she couldn't quite understand with the other Goblins.
"You'll get to meet Farnig soon. He usually makes an appearance during the fourth hour." Sygel grinned, but the blush was unmistakable. Even on her tiny features, Sarah could see her attraction.
"Why does he come to the castle? Didn't you say he was a General?" Sarah asked, finishing the last of the food on her plate.
"He places the wished away's in their new home. He always makes sure his opinions are objective. Our Master is too involved in the caregiving of the wished away's to be involved in that process." Sygel explained.
"I already told you my runner is going to complete the Labyrinth." Sarah sighed, folding her napkin and placing it upon her empty plate.
"But Sarah-"
"That's enough, Sygel."
Both girls turned, their gaze landing upon Jareth. Sarah couldn't be sure how long he had been behind them for, but it was obvious that he had been there for the majority of their conversation.
"Your highness." Sygel bowed low, clutching at the edges of her skirt respectfully.
"You don't need to be afraid of Farnig, Sarah." Jareth explained. "He means only to give you options. As promised your friends will be at your side the entire time to help you make your choice."
"There's no choice." She stated adamantly.
"There will be. Look into the crystal, Sarah."
Sarah pulled the crystal from the pocket of her jacket, glancing into it with anxious eyes. She could see her stepmother wandering the edges of the Labyrinth, still unable to understand the complexities of first long hallway.
"She ignored the worm." Jareth spoke softly.
"She's stubborn…" Sarah sighed, brushing her hair out of her face. "I tried to tell her. I tried to warn her to ask for help."
"You're not a prisoner here, Sarah. Don't forget that." Jareth offered, his voice kind as the bell tolled once again. Eleven rings signaling the end of the second hour.
"She won't make it here in time…" Sarah breathed in defeat.
Author's Note:
I want to start off by thanking you all for taking the time to read this. I could never have imagined it would receive the outpouring of support that it did. I hope you continue to enjoy as we progress through the next eleven hours!
Honoria Granger: To be honest, there is no name for her in the movie and so I just didn't want to steal the names that most people use like Karen or Irene or Julie. If I was going to name her I wanted it to be unique and nothing really stuck for me.
Guest: I do believe that her stepmother cares for her in her own way but she definitely is not good at showing it, which leads us to Sarah's doubt at the end of this chapter.
I'd like to thank everyone else for reviewing as well, you are all amazing.
I love you all!
Kaasuten