The Ughlánas all gave a collective gasp when they saw the bridge collapse under Sarah's feet. Each of them leaned closer to the large scrying crystal, unable to turn away. Tippy could see that they all felt the same way she did… they were afraid for Sarah. She heard a muttered curse from Froog, then a noise of almost puzzlement. Without taking her eyes from the scene in the crystal, Tippy could vaguely make out what he was telling the other Ughlánas.

"It's not working—"

"We gotta do something—"

"Why can't I transport?"

As the bridge crumbled beneath her, Sarah reached up in desperation and grabbed one of the tree branches over her head. She hung suspended over the Bog, and Tippy could see Hoggle and Sir Didymus frantically trying to find a way to help her.

Ludo stepped forward, a low, rumbling noise pouring from his throat. It was a mix of a howl and a growl, unlike anything Tippy had ever heard before. Sir Didymus looked at him in shock, as did the Ughlánas that were watching. He howled/growled again, casting his head back with abandon.

A giant boulder rolled into the Bog, coming to a stop right under Sarah's feet. It settled itself just as she'd lost her grip on the tree branch she was hanging from. Instead of plunging into the Bog, she dropped the three or so inches to the safety of the rock below her.

But Ludo didn't stop there. Continuing his howl/growl, Tippy watched as more giant rocks protruded from beneath the Bog, making a path through the water to the safety of the shore. The Ughlánas gave out another collective gasp, then a sigh of relief.

Tippy smiled as she recalled what Zee had told her about Ludo's power. The furry beast called the very rocks his 'friends', and he'd summoned them to help. The Ughlánas cheered when Sarah scampered across the rocks and hopped up on the bank of the Bog, Ludo and Sir Didymus right behind her.

Gazing into the scrying crystal, the sense of relief that washed through Jareth was overwhelming. He then noted that Sir Didymus had called his 'trusty steed' and had joined Sarah on the bank. Frowning slightly, he shook his head.

Trust that little knight to join the quest…

It didn't surprise him, not really. Sir Didymus was a hopeless romantic and would relish playing the 'noble knight' for such a fair lady. He couldn't blame the little fox for wanting to help Sarah… he'd never actually forbidden the denizens of the Labyrinth from doing so. And Ludo… he was such a softhearted creature that his reaction to Sarah's kindness was also predictable.

He just hadn't predicted Sarah's kindness.

He watched the ragged little band moving off away from the Bog. As he did so, his gaze narrowed on Hoggle. He'd taken the peach out of his pocket and was looking around furtively. Jareth could well guess what the dwarf was thinking. He stared at the Bog, then looked down at the peach in his hand. He could almost see the gears turning in the dwarf's head. He stepped closer to the water, his arm slowly extending.

That little bastard thinks to disobey my direct order…

For some reason, this filled Jareth with rage. After everything he'd done for Hoggle and his family, the dwarf not only disrespected him on a daily basis but now was taking steps to interfere directly with Jareth's orders. And for what?

Because she cares about him…

That thought enraged him even more. It was irrational, he knew it was. But he felt it nonetheless. As the dwarf was about to drop the peach into the Bog, Jareth decided to nip this in the bud.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," he said to the crystal.

Hoggle heard him. Jumping a bit, he looked around. "Oh, please… I can't give it to her."

Jareth said nothing, merely watched as Hoggle took a few breaths, his hand over his heart. This was one time when he was actually glad that Hoggle was so afraid of him. That fear apparently worked its magic, as Hoggle pulled his hand back, put the peach into the pouch at his waist and walked off after Sarah.

Sighing softly, Jareth contemplated the empty crystal. There was something off about all of this. Something that tapped on the back of his head, but he could not discern what it was. Why was Hoggle so resistant to this? He'd given the peach to hundreds of Runners and never so much as uttered a word in protest.

That's not true… he's said more than once that he didn't think it was right…

But why?

Hoggle trudged along the uneven forest path behind Sarah, Ludo, and Sir Didymus, his boots scuffing against the ground. The forest around them was dense, its canopy blocking much of the light, casting their surroundings in a perpetual greenish twilight. The air smelled faintly of moss and damp earth, and the occasional rustle of leaves reminded Hoggle that they weren't alone in this place.

Ahead of him, Sir Didymus, riding atop Ambrosius, looked down at his mount. "Is that my stomach or yours?" Ludo's lumbering form swayed as he walked, his heavy feet making soft thuds with each step. "Hungry," the beast rumbled, his deep voice breaking the quiet.

Sarah, walking behind Ludo, glanced around and smiled faintly. Her expression, though tired, was warm. "Yeah. Well, we can't stop now. Maybe we can find some berries or something."

Hoggle's chest tightened at her words. She was always so kind, even when she had every reason to be frustrated or angry. She doesn't deserve this, he thought miserably, fingering the pouch at his side.

The peach inside the pouch seemed heavier than it had any right to be, its soft, glowing skin pressing against his palm like a weight on his conscience. Jareth's voice echoed in his mind, taunting and cruel.

He hadn't wanted to take it, hadn't wanted to carry out this task. But Jareth's threats had been clear, and Hoggle knew better than to cross the Goblin King. Still, as he looked at Sarah—her determination, her kindness—his gut churned.

"Uh, Sarah," he said softly.

She turned toward him, her brow furrowing in curiosity. He hesitated, then reached into his pouch and pulled out the peach. "Uh, here," he mumbled, holding it out to her. His hands felt clammy, and his heart pounded in his chest.

Sarah's face lit up with gratitude as she took the peach from him. "Hoggle, oh thank you! You're a lifesaver." She held it up, marveling at its golden, slightly glowing skin.

Hoggle couldn't speak. He couldn't even move. All he could do was watch as Sarah raised the peach to her lips and took a bite.

Her expression shifted immediately, her smile faltering as her eyes widened slightly. She swallowed, then blinked as if trying to focus. "This... tastes strange," she murmured, her voice softer now.

Hoggle's stomach twisted into knots as he gave out a soft groan. "Uh…" he began, his voice trembling, but it was too late.

She wobbled slightly where she stood, her free hand reaching out to steady herself against a nearby tree. Her eyes, so full of fire and determination moments ago, glazed over as the magic of the peach took hold. A dreamy, faraway look settled over her face, and her movements grew sluggish, as though she were fighting to stay awake.

"Hoggle," she whispered, her voice barely audible. She turned her unfocused gaze on him, and the pain in her eyes was unmistakable. "What have you done?"

Her words cut through him like a knife. Hoggle staggered back a step, his hands raised as though to shield himself from her question. He wanted to explain, to tell her that he hadn't had a choice, that Jareth had forced him. But the words wouldn't come.

Sarah's legs gave out, and she sank to the forest floor, her back resting against the tree. The half-eaten peach was clutched in her hand, as her head tilted back, her eyelids fluttering. Her breathing slowed, her body limp as the spell dragged her deeper into its grip. A faint, dreamlike smile crossed her lips, as though the peach had carried her away to some far-off place.

Hoggle felt like the ground beneath him had disappeared. His guilt was suffocating, a crushing weight that pressed down on him with every second that passed.

"Damn you Jareth," he said with venom, knowing it was likely that the King was watching. As he turned away, the despair and regret in his heart overwhelmed him.

"And damn me, too."

Author's Notes:

The Ughlánas wanted to try and save Sarah from the Bog but were prevented by the Labyrinth. It already knew that Ludo would save her.

I used some of the dialogue from the movie here, because I thought it conveyed Hoggle's guilt, shame and rage perfectly.

And yeah, Jareth is clueless here.