Breaking Barriers (Chapter 28 up)

"Hoggle!" Sarah exclaimed, "You came!"

Sarah ran up to the dwarf and gave him a big hug. For some reason, Hoggle looked less than enthusiastic to see her. Sarah pretended not to notice. After all, he had come, right?

"I wasn't sure if what you had told me before would work, but it must have!" Sarah grinned hugely, "I'm so glad you're here!" Sarah bent over and gave him a swift kiss on the cheek, then laughed.

"Hopefully we won't get sent to the Bog of Eternal Stench for that."

For a second, Sarah paused. Hoggle's face had suddenly paled and he gave a sharp intake of breath. Sarah blinked in surprise, then looked more closely. No, he was his usual ruddy complexion and he was smiling a small smile. It must have been a trick of the light.

"Sarah," asked Hoggle softly, "What're you doin' here?" His eyes took her in, "What happened to you?"

Before Sarah could reply, Hoggle hobbled up next to her and ran gentle fingers along her arm, a look of tenderness on his face. Sarah glanced at what Hoggle was doing, then paused. Now it was Sarah's turn to look astonished. Where Hoggle's hand traveled her skin came together and emerged perfect and unscathed. Sarah watched in amazement as healing spread about her entire body. When she was completely healed, Sarah's skin tingled with life.

"Hoggle," gasped Sarah looking about herself, smiling, "That was amazing! I didn't know you could heal wounds. Is it some type of magic...?"

"Oh, that," Hoggle seemed to brush it off as nothing, "I've always been able to do that. But we never really needed that particular talent last time, now, did we?"

Sarah's brow furrowed as she shook her head. As far as she could remember, no. But something still didn't seem quite right-

"Anyway, why are you here, Sarah? I thought you were safe at home. What happened? Don't tell me that mongrel, Jareth has something to do with it," Hoggle put his hands on his hips in a disapproving manner.

Sarah rolled her eyes in frustration.

"Yes, I'm afraid it is Jareth's doing," Sarah confirmed.

"That's what I thought," Hoggle shook his head.

"The story's complicated, Hoggle. But anyway, to sum it up, he trapped me back here in the Underground, and I don't have the slightest clue as to why. He thought he had outsmarted me when he captured me in one of the rooms of his castle, but it seems he underestimated me once again," Sarah smiled triumphantly.

"Well, uh, what'd you call me for? It seems like you're doing rather well on your own."

"Hoggle!" Sarah crossed her arms in a pretend pout, "I thought you would be more happy to see me than this! Instead I find you trying to get rid of me!"

Hoggle looked at her for a moment, then awkwardly patted her on the shoulder.

"Of course I'm happy to see you. Now what can I help you with?" Hoggle pressed.

"Well," Sarah began, "I did manage to escape my little prison, but I have no idea how to get back home to New York. I thought that since you seemed to know your way around the Labyrinth pretty well you could help me get back home somehow."

Hoggle's face frowned in thought for a moment, then lit up in inspiration.

"Ah! I know!" Hoggle went up to Sarah conspiratorially. Sarah knelt down beside him.

"You see, I used to work for Jareth up until you came along, right?"

Sarah nodded her head in anticipation.

"Well, then it would make sense that I know all of Jareth's secrets- including a secret room that Jareth permit only one being save for himself within it's confines. That person was me. It's where Jareth does all his strange witchcraft. That same room also has an old traveling mirror. It will be able to send you back to New York."

Sarah's concerned face broke into a grin.

"You know the way?"

"I wouldn't offer it if I didn't, would I?" Hoggle asked slyly.

"Then lead the way."

Sarah grasped his leathery hand. Hoggle looked over his shoulder and smiled almost shyly at her, then began walking. It took awhile for Sarah to realize that he was leading her back to the castle.

"Wait. Hold on a minute, Hoggle," Sarah stopped walking and pulled her hand out of his, "Why are we going back to the place I just escaped from?"

"Where'd you expect this secret room to be?" Hoggle asked, surprised at her actions.

"Well," Sarah thought a moment, "I thought it would be in a more secretive place. You know, since it is supposed to be a secret room."

Hoggle reclaimed her hand and began leading her again.

"What better place to hide something secret than in a place that's right under their noses?"

Sarah looked at him doubtfully.

"Think about it, Sarah. No one would ever find it. They'd be too busy looking elsewhere for it. I may may find Jareth insufferably arrogant, but even I can see the intelligence in that plan."

"Well how are we going to get in there without anyone noticing? You haven't worked for Jareth for four years and I'm supposed to be trapped in my room right now," Sarah looked at him quizzically. She wanted to put her trust in him, but there was no sense in walking into something that could put them in danger.

"Have no fear," Hoggle smiled another sly smile, "I know a secret route."

The dwarf turned and continued leading her towards the castle.

Now Sarah was no fool. She was much more reactionary than most people, but she knew when something was amiss. Hoggle was acting a little strange and she didn't feel comfortable at all with where they were headed, but Sarah tried to put her worries aside. She needed to trust Hoggle. And besides, as Hoggle had told her once before, what choice did she have? She surely couldn't leave him now. So far Hoggle was her best chance at getting home.

Hoggle brought Sarah directly up to the castle, but instead of heading towards the main gates, for which Sarah was thankful, he led her to the farthest corner of the castle. When they approached this corner, Sarah noticed that there was an opening in the outer wall. Hoggle led her inside. After a few feet the opening widened to reveal a small courtyard. There, along one of the walls, was a door. Hoggle ran his hand along the side of the door before grasping the handle and pulling. The door swung open with ease.

"This way, madam," Hoggle bowed to her. Sarah almost laughed. She clearly remembered the last time Hoggle had led her through a secret door. She remembered her amazement as Hoggle seemed to transform a seemingly blank wall into a wall that contained a door. Hoggle had tried unlocking the lock on the left side. Magically, it opened up to reveal a broom closet, much to Hoggle's ire. He tried the door again, this time unlocking the right side. The Labyrinth appeared on the other side. Hoggle had rescued her from the oubliette.

Now, Sarah walked through the doorway with a grin on her face.

"What are you smiling about?" Hoggle asked as he walked in behind her.

Sarah pointed significantly to the door.

"Just remembering old times, Hoggle."

He must not have remembered. He stared at her blankly. Sarah shrugged and continued through the hallway, this time Hoggle trailing her. The hall was dank, wet and dark. Sarah could hardly see where she was going. She felt along the slimy walls for guidance. Finally the long hallway joined a stairway. Again, Sarah had to shake off Deja Vu. She remembered the last stairs she had met within this castle. When she reached the top she was met with another door. Sarah glanced back at Hoggle questioningly. Hoggle nodded.

"Go ahead. It should be unlocked."

Sarah pulled the door open. She stepped out into a hallway within the castle. The walls and floor were bare and a dull sandy color.

"Perhaps Jareth should consider redecorating this place. It's so drab for a supposed "castle." No wonder no one wants to stay here," Sarah turned to Hoggle with a smile, but he wasn't laughing.

"Come on," again Hoggle grasped her hand, "We're almost there."

Sarah gave Hoggle a look that should have clued him in on how strange he was acting, but again he didn't respond. He stared at her blandly.

"Well, come on," Hoggle urged.

Reluctantly Sarah followed. Sarah thought it was odd that there were no goblins about. Sarah didn't really know why, but she felt sort of disappointed by this knowledge. She had thought for sure that Jareth would have noticed her escape by now and had every goblin searching the castle grounds for her. But she didn't question her good luck. She needed all she could get.

Finally they came upon a pair of doors, but as Sarah approached them, she almost hid behind Hoggle. Two goblins were guarding one of the doors. Sarah wanted to flee, but Hoggle crushed her hand in a surprisingly strong grip.

"Don't worry, Sarah," Hoggle whispered, "I know what to say should they notice us."

Sarah wanted to shout at him that of course they were going to notice them! Here they were, in broad daylight, the two people whom Jareth despised the most. But surprisingly the goblins did not notice them. In fact, they did not even turn their heads in the slightest. Sarah wondered if all the guards were like these two. Then she thought back. The one she had met at the gates to the Goblin City four years ago was certainly similar to these two.

Again, Hoggle brushed his hand along the door before opening it. And this time Sarah noticed. But she tucked this knowledge neatly into the back of her mind, not understanding what it meant. They both entered the room, and Hoggle turned to lock the door behind them.

"Be quiet now," Hoggle put a pudgy finger to his lips, "These are Jareth's chambers."

"What?" Sarah whispered emphatically, "Are you crazy? He'll catch us for sure!"

Sarah suddenly began to doubt Hoggle's plan. She trusted him, yes, but this? And it had seemed entirely too easy for them to get here, now that Sarah really thought about it. They were in the Goblin King's chambers for crying out loud! Shouldn't someone have noticed?

"Shh!" reprimanded Hoggle, "We're almost there. His secret chamber is just behind that wall," The dwarf pointed to the wall in front of them.

Sarah slowly walked into the room. She felt very strange coming in here...into one of Jareth's most private rooms. But she needed to get home somehow, and she trusted Hoggle that this was the right thing to do. The room was exceedingly refined. At the mention of witchcraft Sarah had imagined jars of organs and headless bats strewn about the place. But it was really quite clean and much more vacant than she had imagined. Therefore the first thing she noticed was a huge mirror to her left. This must have been what Hoggle was talking about. She couldn't believe her luck. If only it had been this easy to escape the Underground last time! Sarah looked within the mirror, after a few seconds of observation, Sarah felt her heart swell.

"It's New York! Home! It's home! Oh thank you Hoggle!-" Sarah turned to give him her biggest possible hug.

He was gone. Now that was strange. Why would Hoggle have left without even a simple goodbye? But she couldn't wait any longer, time was of the essence. After all, couldn't she just call him to her and thank him later? She turned her focus back to the mirror. There it was...home. Yet, Sarah did not feel as happy as she thought she should. "Home" was still a place she did not feel at home with. Even with the terrible threat of the Goblin King here she had seemed to fit in well. Hell, after a few hours in the Underground she had made more friends than she had in New York. She could not deny a certain sadness she had leaving this place once more. But she had no choice. Sarah reached out to touch the surface of the mirror.

The mirror vanished beneath her fingertips.

"Oh, Sarah," said a mocking voice.

Sarah started. Then gritted her teeth. That no-good, dirty, rotten bastard...

Sarah turned. How that voice seemed to haunt her of late! Again she was in the presence of Jareth. Again she was to be made a fool of.

He sat spread regally about a throne on the opposite end of the room. He wore his typical white poet's shirt, black boots and his too-snug breeches, a staple of the Goblin King's wardrobe(although Sarah secretly thought these were worn out of pure arrogance.) A riding crop was held in the firm grip of elegant hands wrapped in black leather. The talisman with Jareth's insignia adorned his pale chest... a reminder that this man was no mere mortal. Finally, Sarah's gaze met his eyes. Again, they were mocking her. A small blush crept up her cheeks. He had no doubt been watching her appraise him. Sarah gathered her courage. This was no time to appear embarrassed. How had this man managed to find her? Hoggle had seemed so adamant that the Goblin King would be no where to be found. Her brain suddenly flared to life. Hoggle! So now she knew the true reason for Hoggle's sudden departure! It was all HIS doing!

Aggressively, she walked up to her nemesis and placed her hands on the arms of the throne and glared straight into the mismatched eyes. She noted the Goblin King's surprised expression with satisfaction.

"What have you done with Hoggle? I demand that you tell me at once!"

Instantaneously, Jareth's look of surprise was replaced with that of malice. Jareth glared straight back into Sarah's eyes under arched eyebrows.

"Or what?" spat out Jareth in a menacing voice, "What could you possibly do that would threaten me? Do you have a little spellbook in your pocket? Or perhaps just a little RED book? Do you really think that will work again? Utter some silly words you find in a story and somehow have all your dreams come true? YOU have no power over me."

Sarah's confidence wavered. She took a small step back. He was right. She had absolutely no power over him.

"I-I still want to know what happened to him-..."

Jareth interrupted her, "How could you possibly have the gall to demand such answers from me when I'M the one who discovered you in my most private chambers?"

"You... you have no right to be keeping me here! What is it that you want of me? What have I done this time?"

Jareth tsked.

"Now, Sarah, this is the sort of thing we were supposed to discuss during our dinner tonight-"

"Dinner? With you?!" Sarah nearly shrieked, "I'd rather die!"

As soon as the words escaped her lips, Sarah realized how childish they sounded. Painfully, the words seemed to echo throughout the chamber.

Jareth slowly stood up using his very stature to intimidate her. He slowly stalked towards Sarah until, again, they were almost touching. He grasped her chin aggressively. Sarah stared up at him with wide eyes, her mind panicking. He was going to kiss her! She had seen that expression often enough to recognize it! She noticeably gulped, waiting for the inevitable to happen.

Suddenly his expression changed. He thrust aside her face and stepped back.

"Trust me, Sarah, I can make your stay here a lot less comfortable," his voice was ragged and low, "Now you've just lost your balcony privileges. Don't push me much farther Sarah for I can be cruel."

Sarah opened her mouth.

"Ah-" interrupted Jareth, "I know what you're thinking, but yes, I can be infinitely more cruel than I have been to you in the past. Although I appear to be the same age as I was four years ago, please try and remember that you do not. Now that you are no longer a child I will have no wayward misgivings that might somehow lend you mercy. Is that perfectly clear?"

Sarah refused to nod her head like an obedient puppy and stared solemnly at the floor. Apparantly that was enough acquiescence for Jareth.

"Now," continued Jareth, "I believe it is time for me to restore you to the chambers I have so graciously provided for you."

With that, Jareth gripped Sarah's forearm and led her back out the hallway. He stopped directly at the next door where the two guards were standing. Sarah's mind reeled. She was to be sleeping next to this man? Surely this could not be her room already?

But as the guards stood aside and Jareth opened the door Sarah's stomach dropped. It was her room. Had she really been so close to the Goblin King all this time? With a cold shove, she was thrust back into her chambers. Jareth looked her up and down blocking the doorway with his body.

"Seeing as you've ruined our evening of decadence I suggest that we meet at a later time... let's say... three days hence? I will send servents with rations to sustain you until then.

He turned to leave, and then, as an afterthought:

"By the way,'Hoggle' never did come to rescue you. That was your's truly under a guise. It appears you have overestimated yourself once again, Sarah."

With that he departed, sealing the door as he left.

Needless to say, Sarah was in utter distress.

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A/N Oh no! How could Sarah have fallen for Jareth's rather lame disguise as Hoggle? She literally walked right into that one. It looks like her stay in the Underground will be longer than she had hoped.

@kookookitty~ I honestly loled at your "ewww" comment XD Thanks for making my day.

As to the rest of you, thanks for reading (although not reviewing...*grumble grumble* XD ) ~TheArtist