**Still not mine**

Chapter Ten

Hoggle

"What do you mean, lost him?!" The Goblin Queen yelled making Hoggle flinch closer to the wall.

"Majesty," the tall thin creature begged, "He has more strength than we supposed."

"He shouldn't have any!" She insisted, "That world has no magic of its own, he cant possibly have such a reserve." She stopped in her pacing, willing her face into a calm. "Tell me what happened." She demanded taking her seat again.

To Hoggle, She looked all wrong in Jareth's throne, she was very nearly his complete opposite. Her midnight black hair was a wild mass of curls that she kept wound in an elaborate style around a golden crown Jareth had never seen fit to wear. Her face was delicate, shaped like a heart with all the soft curves that Jareth's lacked. The only similarity that Hoggle noticed was her eyes, they were the same shade of blue with the mismatched pupils.

"The Valrven followed him, forcing him to use his magic until he seemed nearly spent, then they attacked." The thin wraith swallowed, "Two were killed and the last only just escaped as he vanished. It was a time and placement shift. We don't know where he went or what time he moved to."

"He will still be within the forest." She said tapping at the arm of the throne in annoyance. "Once he find the heart he could return and we cannot allow that."

"That isn't all Majesty." The wraith began, shifting in place as though afraid. At her agitated glare he coughed, "He isn't alone."

"What?" She demanded, sitting stiff, "Who dares aid him." She scanned the room accusing all those present with her eyes.

"Its a mortal, a human girl."

Hoggle felt his world spin wildly and his little heart felt as though it had been shot. Surely it wasn't Sarah. He wasn't so heartless that he would involve Sarah! Hoggle twisted his hands nervously behind his back to hide his fear but the Queen wasn't looking his way.

"A human girl?" She said, her voice dropping to a near whisper in amazement. "Is she magical?"

The wraith twisted its shadowy hands, "The Valrven didn't sense any magic but his, your majesty."

She scowled, "He has used magic against two Aramok, and now two Valrven. How can he possibly still have the magic to cast any spell?"

"There must be something we missed?" The wraith said quietly as though he hoped she didn't hear.

The queen tapped the chair in agitation. "Where is that," She began scanning the room, "Dwarf, Hoggle?"

Hoggle swallowed against the dry lump in his throat and wished he could disappear but sadly his small magical ability was nowhere near that good. "Y, Yes yer Majesty?" He mumbled stepping out from the wall so he could be seen.

"Do you know anything of this?" She demanded.

Hoggle's mouth hung open as he really had no idea about any of this. What he guessed he was not about to say either. If it was Sarah that was with him he certainly wasn't about to give her name.

His panic and open mouth unfortunately only seemed to aggravate her more. "Ill not ask again. Did Jareth have any allies in the above?"

"N, no yer majesty," Hoggle stuttered. "Jareth had no one that even liked him. All the runners feared 'im." But even as he said the words he knew that wasn't quite right. Sarah was braver than most and even won in record time. Not only that Jareth was somehow different after her visit.

Still that didn't make her an ally, did it?

"Well, he must have some plan that involves her then." She said turning away from Hoggle again. "You go this time." She said to the wraith who inclined its head, "Find them but do not let yourself be seen. Find out who she is and what she means to him."

The queen stood, sweeping past them all as she left the throne room.

o0o

"We have a big problem!" Hoggle hissed in the dark tunnel under the hedge maze.

Sir Didymus, tucked into a dark corner shook his head. "Prayuth what more can be happening?" He wondered.

"Jareth ain't alone."

"Hath he found some ally?" The small fox asked his eyes full of hope.

"Its a human," Hoggle swallowed against his dry throat, like his body didn't even want to say it. "A girl," He managed at last.

Sir Didymus narrowed his eyes then all at once they were wide as he too come to the same conclusion Hoggle had. "Is it?" he didn't finish the question.

"I don't know. No name or description." Hoggle shrugged.

"Perhaps it be not my lady?" He said though his voice was heavy with doubt.

"He's fightin' off what she sent to drain 'is magic but still comin." Hoggle glanced up and down the long empty tunnel sure they would be caught at any moment. "They know he's looking fer the heart of the forest. But that ain't the worst. She's sending a wraith after them now."

"A wraith would do little harm to him," Didymus began.

"He ain't who I'm worried bout."

Didymus nodded, "Forest's heart," He mused, "Could be used as a gate, but once through, he could showeth up anywhere within the kingdom." He chewed on his lip. His shrewd little eyes scrunched up as he thought about what could be done. "How long?" He said at last.

Hoggle shrugged, "They lost him after this last attempt."

"We must aid our King." Didymus said with full conviction. "Return and find out where she is sending her minions. We must plan, must be prepared to lend whatever aid we may."

**End**