The Tale of the Labyrinth By Eamane-Shu
“I want my brother back Jareth” Sarah’s voice trembled as
she looked at the Goblin King. He was dressed in the same clothes that he had
worn when they had first met. Black, all in black she noticed.
“What’s said is said” he replied smirking, “My, what an unpopular child
your brother is, wished away twice.”
“I’ve beaten you once” she said, looking into his mismatched eyes, her own
green ones glittering with defiance, “I can do it again”.
“You can do no such thing Sarah, this does not involve you” he replied
seriously “You didn’t wish the child away, then pointing at Mickey “He
however did. Do you want to run the gauntlet and win your friend back?”
Mickey just stared at him, mouth open and moving, but no sound was coming out.
Sarah pushed the child behind her, “He’s only five years old Jareth, how can
you be so cruel?”
“Because cruelty is in my nature Sarah, I though you knew this. As the child
does not wish to run the labyrinth I think I will be going then, such a pity
about your brother.” He turned to leave.
“Wait!” Called out Sarah desperately, “I’ll do anything; I’ll give you
anything, please. Just let me have my brother back.”
“It doesn’t work like that Sarah, when I return to the underground I must
have a mortal with me, it’s just the way it is, I cannot help you. I am truly
sorry”. A look of genuine remorse was on his face, and Sarah felt as if her
heart would break.
“Take me” she whispered so softly he could barely hear her, “Take me
instead” she repeated her voice becoming stronger.
“A trade?” there was a puzzled look on his face, “Well it could be done,
but you understand what would happen Sarah.”
“I, I would be turned into a goblin” she whispered, tears forming in her
eyes.
“No, you would not be a Goblin, but you would belong to me, for eternity.”
“Its only forever”, she replied, her usual strength and fire returning to
her “Not long at all”.
“My sentiments entirely” he smirked. “But should you return, you will be
mine, and there will be no going back.”
“As long as Toby is safe, I will accept these conditions.”
“Well then say the words” he then stared at her, waiting. Sarah’s puzzled
expression prompting him to explain, “I wish...”
Sarah took a deep breath, “I wish that the Goblin King would take me away
instead of Toby.” She looked at Jareth, who held out his hand, Sarah placed
her hand in his and said the words to seal her doom “Right Now.”
“Done” replied Jareth formally
Then the world went black, Sarah felt the room spin impossibly fast, she closed
her eyes, and when she opened them again she was in the throne room of the
Castle.
“You there!” Jareth snapped at two goblins, “Escort the Lady to the suite
in the South tower”. He then turned to Sarah, you’re tired and I have
business to attend to, I will send for you in the morning, in the meantime I
suggest you get some sleep.”
She knew it was a dismissal, but she couldn’t sleep not until she knew “Is
Toby safe? And Mickey?” Jareth tossed her a crystal and was gone.
“Come on Missy” squeaked the goblin guard, and he headed towards the door,
and Sarah followed him, not knowing what else she should do. After leading Sarah
through a maze of corridors and passages he arrived at a small door “In ere
then.” Sarah walked through, then the door was closed behind her and she heard
the door lock.
The room was bigger than her room at home, bare stone with a yellowy- pinkish
tinge apart from a couple of tapestries, with yellow and pink flowers. There was
a fireplace, a wardrobe, a small chest of draws and dressing table all made out
of mahogany, in the centre of the room was a huge four poster bed, with white
linen sheets and curtains to match. On the bed there was a white silk nightgown,
which Sarah picked up, feeling the softness of the fabric.
Sarah changed into the nightgown and crawled into the bed, still grasping the
crystal in her hand, she then moved it closer to her face, and looked into
it’s centre, where she could see the sleeping form of Toby, lying next to a
sleeping Mickey. Then with no warning the crystal vanished and Sarah was left
completely alone. A single tear trickled down her cheek, which was then followed
by another and another, she lay on the bed weeping, until, sometime in the
night, exhausted she fell asleep.