Return to the Labyrinth

The title of this chapter comes from a poem by William Shakespeare called “Sigh no more”. Mostly because men, from Twiggy to the Goblin King, are terrible creatures of habit who will never change. The full text is listed at the end of the chapter. As for the rest, see previous chapters.

Please keep reviewing. It really does help a writer’s soul. I’m very glad you all find this story so original. I’m having a lot of fun writing it. You’ll be happy to know that I am not completely making it up as I go along. I do know where this story is going. Don’t forget to check out the forum I made, Discussions on the Labyrinth with Leigh and Leia.


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The Fraud of Men was Ever So

Twiggy squirmed in her grip like a ferret on speed, but to no avail. Sarah carried the little creature into the cavernous kitchen and dumped him on one of the wooden trestle tables that was momentarily not cluttered with bowls and ingredients. The room was far livelier now than it had been earlier. Near a dozen industrious workers, a varied mix of brownies, dwarves and pixies, bustled about, preparing food for the castle’s denizens. A couple of fairies, Sarah had learned they were called city sprites, also flitted here and there. It looked like a chaotic mess, but she knew that everyone there moved with a purpose. Nel would have it no other way.

Once she released him, Twiggy spit an irritated hiss at her before scampering over to Niela where she was barking orders at two very harassed looking pixies. The taller of the two, Peaseblossom, was three and a half feet, practically a giant by pixie standards, with long pink curls. Her sister Cowslip was half a foot shorter with short, spiky blue hair. At the moment her delicate, pointy chin was tucked into her chest, her elvin eyes glued to Nel. As soon as Nel finished, both girls zipped away as if the entire goblin army were behind them. Niela had that effect on her peons.

“Aisling was mean to Twiggy, Niela!” the little goblin tugged at Nel’s skirts.

“Aye, and sure I am you probably deserved it,” she replied, looking at Sarah questioningly.

Sarah just rolled her shoulders in a furry shrug. “Twiggy said you wanted me, Nel?”

“Aye,” the cook said, shaking the clinging Twiggy off her skirts. “Her high and mighty ladyship’s been ringin’ fer her breakfast, and Izzy ain’t to be found. I need ya tae bring Miss Leila’s tray up.” She pointed to the covered tray sitting on the table.

That would mean traversing the castle’s inhabited wing and risking running into HIM again. Besides, the last thing she wanted to do was serve anything to that little tart. Sarah shook her head frantically. “Me? But, Nel, I…I can’t.”

“You’ve two ‘ands, haven’t ye? Two feet?” she snapped, peering up at Sarah with suspicious eyes. Sarah just shrugged in reply. She was saved from responding by a squeal from below.

“Twiggy can do it! Twiggy take Miss Leila’s food!” The little goblin was hopping from one foot to another, tugging at Niela’s skirts again.

“Aye, and eat it halfway there,” Nel sneered, snatching her dress back. “No, Aisling’s capable enough to do it.” She looked at Sarah with a questioning eye, as if daring her to contradict.

Sarah struggled to find a reason, any reason to avoid the chore. “But…I don’t know my way through the castle, Niela,” she said in desperate relief. So far she only knew her way around the bowels of the castle. The upper levels were a complete mystery.

“It’s simple enough,” the brownie sighed. She began explaining, but after the seventh turn and the fourth stair, Sarah could feel her eyes crossing. Neila paused and grumbled under her breath. “Alright then,” she sighed. “Take twiggy. He’ll show ye the way. But no dawdlin’!”

Twiggy jumped up and down in excitement at the pronouncement. So exuberant were his movements that his whipping tail caught on a rack of hanging pans and pulled them crashing down. Niela gave a screech like an angry cat as she watched her precious cookware tumble to the floor with a thunderous clatter. Silence descended.

Twiggy stopped moving and stared at Sarah, eyes wide with terror. Sarah, just as wide-eyed, stared at Nel, who seemed frozen in shock. Not good. She did not want to be around when Nel snapped to. Suddenly coming face to face with the Goblin King seemed preferable.

“Time to go Twiggy,” Sarah rasped to the speckled goblin.

“Twiggy agrees,” he said with a gulp, and dashed for the door. Sarah, in turn, grabbed the breakfast tray and loped after him.

Predictably, Twiggy’s attention span went only so far. He vanished just as they reached the guest wing of the castle. Sarah supposed she should be grateful he led her that far, but it didn’t much help with reaching her goal. She emerged from the hidden staircase into an empty, twisting corridor. Looking left and right there were doors as far as the eye could see. She was completely at a loss as to which one she needed.

Well, anything was better than standing here like a dolt while the food got cold. Left was just as good as right, and Sarah turned down the hall. She walked and walked and walked, past door after door. Each one she tried was locked, which gave her hope that eventually she’d find one that wasn’t.

Five minutes and twenty-five doors later, Sarah was ready to call it quits, when she rounded the corner and spied a familiar face. Izzy stood at one of the tower windows, her dark hair pinned back in a bun, gazing out at the Labyrinth spread out before her. She was one of several servants who had arrived at the castle from a kingdom to the east several months before with their master, Prince Roarke. Izzy was the only woman in the prince’s entourage, and as such had been given the position as one of Leila’s ladies maids, a job Sarah did not envy of her. She was the only human, other than Leila, whom Sarah had seen since her return to the Labyrinth, and she kind of wished they could be friends. Unfortunately, even if Sarah weren’t playing a part that would be difficult. Izzy had the unfortunate characteristic of being mute.

“Izzy!” Sarah exclaimed with relief, hurrying over to her with the tray. She stopped however when Izzy turned at the sound of her name and Sarah spotted the glistening dampness on her cheek. The woman’s eyes widened and she quickly turned away, wiping at her face with a lace handkerchief that matched her simple pale blue gown. When she turned back her eyes were dry, if a bit red and puffy. She looked at Sarah quizzically.

“Oh..I. I’m sorry Izzy,” Sarah muttered, “I, uh, I was looking for Lady Leila’s rooms, um…” She held out the breakfast tray in explanation. Izzy’s eyes widened, one hand flying to her mouth. She nodded vigorously and gestured for Sarah to follow. A few minutes later they arrived at their destination. Izzy gave a soft knock of warning and opened the door.

She led Sarah into the sitting room and pointed to a small table at the side, the top sporting a delicate design of inlaid abalone shell. She set the tray down and looked around while Izzy went to knock on the bedroom door. The whole room was like something out of a Disney fairy movie. Plush curtains hung from gold sculpted ceilings. Couches and chairs in gold and ivory were placed around the room. Sarah wondered how much of it was Leila’s taste and how much was the result of what Jareth thought human girls wanted.

“It’s about time! You servants are so lazy! I’ve been ringing for hours.” Sarah’s attention was drawn by Leila’s voice as she flounced out of her bedroom in a lush cream dressing gown. She followed Izzy, heading straight for the table, until she caught sight of Sarah.

“Oh!” she gasped, stopping, a disgusted look on her face, “What is that ugly, hairy thing doing here?” She pointed at the door. “Get away from my food you dirty creature!" Sarah narrowed her eyes, but held her tongue. With a shrug she turned for the door. Really, the stupid girl wasn’t worth her time. Secretly though, Sarah wished she could ruin that fancy robe she was wearing.

She had just opened the door when she heard an unearthly screech from behind her. “Killitkillitkillitkillit!” Leila was screeching, turning back and forth and hopping around like a mad woman. Sarah turned to see a small, blue creature dodging Leila’s dancing feet. In her frenzied flailing her robe managed to catch on the silver pot sitting on the tray and pull it over. Hot, steaming chocolate poured out, covering Leila from the chest down. The small animal, Sarah though it might be mouse, scampered out the open door.

The room descended into shocked silence as Leila stood with chocolate dripping from her clothes. Then her hand shot out and slapped Izzy across the face with a deafening crack. Sarah felt anger sweep over her. “You stupid bitch!” Leila was screaming in Izzy’s face, her own red with rage. The other woman shrank back as Leila’s hand raised for a second swing. Sarah jogged over and grabbed Izzy, pulling her out of the way of the descending hand and toward the door.

“Get back here!” Leila shouted, coming after them. She reached out and grabbed at the fur of Sarah’s hood, catching nothing but a few colorful hairs. Sarah pushed Izzy out the door and followed after. A porcelain statue shattered against the door frame by her head. “I’m telling Jareth exactly what you did! You’ll regret this!” she yelled as the door closed. Sarah gritted her teeth against a retort.

She was following Izzy when the woman stopped suddenly and she bumped straight into her. Peering around her body, Sarah looked to see what had stopped her. Izzy herself had walked straight into the broad chest of Prince Roarke and was now staring at him with a horrified look on her face. She composed herself quickly, however, and performed a curtsey. Sarah followed suit, although hers was closer to a bow. The prince himself had a quizzical expression on his face as he looked at the two servants.

“You’re in a fine fettle, Izzy,” he commented. She continued to stare at her feet, not moving. Roarke put one finger beneath Izzy’s chin and lifted. He studied her closely, and Sarah could see something harsh gathering behind his eyes. She glanced up at Izzy’s face and couldn’t hold back a gasp. The woman’s left cheek was already swelling, turning blue and purple where Leila has struck her. Roarke’s mouth thinned and he transferred his narrow eyed look to Sarah.

“You’re Jareth’s little wildling,” he said. “What happened?” His tone brooked no argument. Sarah kept herself from protesting that she wasn’t Jareth’s little anything, reminding herself she was playing a part.

“It was an accident,” Sarah muttered gruffly. She forced herself to meet his gaze. “Some hot chocolate spilled on Lady Leila’s robe.” She knew better than to outright accuse Leila of abusing the servants. For all she knew the prince didn’t give a damn.

“I see,” he murmured grimly. He released Izzy’s chin. “Go take care of that bruise, Izzy.” He glanced at the door to Leila’s chamber before continuing down the hall. With a sigh of relief Sarah and Izzy headed the other direction, back toward the kitchen. Unbeknownst to Sarah, a small blue mouse scurried out from a corner and jumped beneath the fur of her cloak as they passed.

:oo:

“Something must be done with that human, Jareth.” Roarke declared as he slammed into the Goblin King’s study. Jareth barely glanced at his guest from his windowsill perch. His attention was focused into a small floating crystal ball hovering just above his hand. Inside could be seen a blonde, blue-eyed girl wandering through the stone pathways near the beginning of the maze. Pathetic child. Her baby sister was better off in his world.

“You are interrupting, Roarke. I thought your parents taught you better manners than that.” Jareth drawled.

Roarke just snorted and collapsed into a heavy leather chair. He watched Jareth watching the crystal, fingers tapping against the chair arm. After a few moments Jareth dismissed the delicate crystal and leapt smoothly from the ledge. He walked over to his large, cluttered desk.

“How is your newest little mouse doing?” Roarke asked, nodding toward the open window and the Labyrinth beyond.

“She is a pitiful creature,” Jareth sneered, a disgusted tone to his voice, “Barely worth my time. She hasn’t even made it past the second tier. She will break soon.” And none too soon for him. She wasn’t even a challenge.

“And the infant?”

“She has already been placed with her new family,” Jareth shrugged, sitting behind his desk. Lord and Lady Rathbone were delighted with their new daughter, and Jareth was pleased with the treaty extension he had gotten out of the deal. He cleared a space on his desk by pushing aside several books and scrolls. He opened the leather bound journal where he kept track of the Labyrinth and made a few notations.

“You are that sure of victory?” the prince asked with a small smile.

“Yes.”

“It is possible she could win,” Roarke wheedled.

“It is not,” Jareth replied coolly.

“It’s happened before,” Roarke said slyly.

Jareth paused, glancing at Roarke with a narrow-eyed look. “Yes,” He said softly. He paused again, remembering the willful and spirited girl who was the only person ever to best him. “That was …unexpected. But this ghost of a girl is no match for her predecessor.”

“Amazing,” Roarke laughed, his tone shocked, “I did not think you would admit to it.”

“Why should I not? Everything is a lesson Roarke.”

“How did she do it?” the prince asked curiously.

Jareth stopped writing again and looked at Roarke. His pointy teeth flashed as he laughed. “You can hardly expect me to reveal it.” He paused again, studying Roarke. “Or are you planning to challenge my Labyrinth that you wish to know the answer? You would make a decent change from these mewling mortals.”

Roarke laughed in turn. “Hardly. I may be young and reckless, but I am no fool. So, you will not say how one mere mortal girl brought you low?”

The Goblin King’s eyes narrowed. “I weary of this subject,” he drawled, his voice chill.

“Did you offer the same to her as the other girls?” Roarke continued, seemingly oblivious to his host’s displeasure. “Did she turn you down?”

Jareth laid his quill down with care and leaned back in his chair. “You come very close to wearing out your welcome, Roarke”

“You will not send me home, Jareth,” Roarke dismissed the threat with a boyish grin. “I am far too entertaining. Besides, you gave your word I could stay, and the whole underground knows you keep your word.”

Jareth acknowledged the fact with a small nod. “However, I made no mention of WHERE in the Labyrinth you would stay while you were here. Continue to try my patience, princeling, and I give you MY WORD that your chambers will be found in one of the more unpleasant parts of my demesne.”

“Alright, alright, peace then, your majesty,” Roarke laughed, his hands held up in surrender. “I will change the subject.”

“A wise choice,” Jareth murmured with a small smile.

“For instance,” Roarke continued, “what have you decided to do about your little mortal mistress?”

Jareth frowned over at his guest, recalling that he had mentioned something about the girl when he first walked in. “Leila? What about her?”

“Don’t be coy with me, Jareth,” Roarke remarked. “It’s reached about that point when you start getting bored anyhow. I can see the signs.”

“She can be tedious lately,” the king acknowledged. Leila had become a bit full of herself in her time at the castle. A far cry from the young girl he had first met, giving a half-hearted attempt to save the newborn son she had wished away and didn’t even want. Still, it had been easy enough to get her to forget about her quest in return for the favors he offered. In the end they all gave in to temptation, except for one.

“Tedious?” Roarke said in a disbelieving tone, “She is proud and spoilt, and far too full of herself.” His mouth set into a grim line as he recounted his suspicions that she had attacked Izzy with little to no provocation.

“Mmm,” Jareth stood and walked to the window, frowning, as he listened to Roarke. “I will speak to her. But in the meantime, she still amuses me.”

Roarke sighed, throwing up his hands. “That is only because you have not had real company in ages.” His expression grew sly. “Why not throw a ball?” he suggested idly, “Pawn her off on some poor court peacock and meet someone for yourself who is just as amusing but less…” he waved his hands, unable to think of a suitable derogatory term for the annoying girl. “I think you forget the pleasure a true fae woman can offer.”

“Your lack of subtlety leaves me breathless,” Jareth said with a smirk. He turned from the window and leaned back against it, arms crossed. “Are you so bored with the company here that you must try to convince me to invite more? You could always go home. It was your choice to hide away here in the first place.”

“What company?” Roarke sighed. “Well, it was worth a try at least. If nothing else, you really should consider what I say of Leila.” Jareth inclined his head in acknowledgement.

“I will take your suggestion under consideration,” he replied. It had been long since he entertained. Perhaps a ball was in order after all.

“Perfect! Wonderful, Jareth!” Roarke leapt to his feet with a grin, looking ever so much like a boy in a candy store.

“I said I would think on it.” Jareth said dryly, knowing full well he would probably give in. He was interrupted by a chime vibrating through the air from outside the window. He looked behind him, a small smile playing around his sculpted lips. “Ah, the little mouse has given up. If you will excuse me, Roarke.” With a rush of air and a rustle of feathers, the Goblin King was replaced by a snowy owl.

“Show off,” Roarke muttered. The owl simply looked at him before flying out the window. Roarke strode to the window and watched him fly out across the maze.

“No, I’m fine Jareth. I have plenty to keep me occupied!” he called after the bird and turned back into the room with a sigh. He went to the study door and opened it, looking out into the hall. “You!” he said to a large goblin walking by. The vacant eyed beast just stared at him. “I’m bored. Tell me a joke or something.”

“Uh…” the goblin pondered. It’s eyes brightened suddenly. “Uh, two goblin’s walk into a bar!” it said triumphantly. Roarke waited, the goblin stared at him with a stupid grin on his face.

“Yes,” he said impatiently, “and?” The goblin looked stymied.

“I, uh…I don’t know?” it stuttered. With a disgusted sigh Roarke slammed the door shut.

“No wonder you go for those mortal girls Jareth,” he said to the empty room, “Anything is better than your usual company.”

Sigh No More

By: William Shakespeare

Sigh no more, ladies, sigh no more,
Men were deceivers ever;
One foot in sea, and one on shore,
To one thing constant never.
Then sigh not so,
But let them go,
And be you blith and bonny,
Converting all your sounds of woe
Into Hey nonny, nonny.

Sing no more ditties, sing no mo
Of dumps so dull and heavy;
The fraud of men was ever so,
Since summer first was leavy.
Then sigh not so,
But let them go,
And be you blith and bonny,
Converting all your sounds of woe
Into Hey nonny, nonny.

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