Absolute Beginners
Chapter Three: First Positions Everybody!
Make sure you’ve read Chapters One and Two first!
Sarah shrugged at Jareth’s question, seemingly putting an end to that conversation rather abruptly, not that Jareth minded terribly, he had other things to occupy his mind with currently, and he was sure learning any more pop culture references would distract him from the task at hand. “That will be all Higgle, you know your place for the runner.” He commanded, and the dwarf bowed, before turning to Sarah, who had to bite her tongue from correcting the name.
“I’ll be seein’ ya ‘round. Gots-ta go ‘an distract this runna better than I did with ya.” He chuckled, causing Sarah to grin down at her stout friend. In the moments she had spent thinking back to her time in the Labyrinth, she had always felt Hoggle had done an excellent job in distracting her from her task at hand, though on the other hand, she had also been the first and only champion on the Labyrinth, so perhaps he hadn’t done as well as she once thought.
“Good luck Hoggle! I hope this runner doesn’t get you in as much trouble either!” Sarah called after him, laughing quietly. Jareth smirked beside her, watching the dwarf toddle off and out of the throne room. “Does Hoggle always stand guard at the gate that leads to the Labyrinth?”
“Yes, that is his duty in the Labyrinth when there is a runner, however he is not supposed to help the runner as he did with you. You were, special.” Jareth offered in answer, before twisting his wrist in an elegant manner, a crystal appearing on his fingertips. “Come, take a look.” He whispered, as Sarah stepped closer, peering into the endless depths of the small crystal. A cloud of navy-blue fog swirled inside before a scene appeared. A young woman, no more that fourteen was stood in the middle of a child’s playroom, scowling at a screaming baby. The poor child looked tired, its face red and puffy from nonstop wailing. The young woman looked frustrated and at her wits end, the scene was all too familiar to Sarah, no matter how many years had passed, she would never forget that night, or her wish.
The girl tugged her fingers through her blonde curls, trying to prevent herself from screaming. “No, don’t say it…” Sarah whispered, despite knowing the girl was unable to hear her. She felt a sense of duty almost, to protect this girl from the dangers of the Labyrinth. However, something deep within her prevented her from doing so. Perhaps it was the newfound trust she had in the King? A sense of faith that truly, despite all he would throw at her, things would turn out for the best? Or perhaps, it was her bratty teenage self coming out, reminding her that if nothing else, running the Labyrinth had allowed her to become the woman she was today? Or stranger still, perhaps it was that she wanted to see this girl run the Labyrinth….
Jareth quietly chuckled beside her, shaking his head softly. It was as if he could sense the thoughts whirling through her mind…
“I will be back in a moment, take this.” He breathed, as he placed the crystal atop her palm, before disappearing from her side. The throne room became quiet, as Jareth along with his goblins made their way to the summons. Taking one final look around the throne room, Sarah made her way to the large stone steps which lead up to the throne itself. Settling down on the second step, she rested her forearm over her knee, holding the crystal within a loose grip as she stared into the scene unfolding within.
***
The blonde teen left the toy room leaving her baby sister behind, as she hoped she would cry herself to sleep. The door closed with a gentle click, and just as she turned her back to it, thunder boomed seemingly from nowhere, shaking the windows and entire house. Creaking the door open carefully, Lightning lit up the entire room, rain pelting again the window, as huge gusts of wind nearly lifted the house from its foundations.
***
Sarah was fascinated at how the goblins handled the baby, something she hadn’t witnessed when she wished away Toby. Two of the taller goblins scurried towards the crib, one leaning over and scooping up the crying babe, as the other rested three fingers against its forehead, causing the baby to instantly stop crying. The child’s eyes falling closed, as a gentle sleep washed over them, and their face fell peaceful. Sarah had always assumed the goblins possessed some amount of magic, but she had never guessed what it could be used for. It made sense that at least one goblin could soothe fussy children, otherwise she was sure it would be far more difficult to extract the child from their house unheard. The two goblins linked arms, as the one not holding the child snapped its fingers, with a pop of magic, they vanished from the crystal, only to appear seconds later back in the throne room.
Sarah turned away from the crystal, blinking emerald eyes up at the goblins and sleeping baby. “Lady! Kingy asked if you could ‘old her.” The goblin holding the baby screeched in a nasal, high pitched voice. He looked terrified, his entire body shaking in fear of holding the small child, a feeling Sarah could relate well too, sure she had looked much the same when she had first been introduced to Toby. She thought back the Jareth’s words, these poor goblins had no idea what they were doing, Jareth had likely had little to no time to explain the game plan to them, before they had to spring into action.
“Um yeah. Of course, what’s her name?” Sarah asked quietly, as she made her way closer to the goblins. Without a thought, she twisted her wrist in the same way she had watched Jareth do on so many occasions, the crystal vanishing into thin air, leaving behind the tingle of magic on her palm. If she had been thinking, she would have realised how odd it was that the crystal had done exactly what she had wanted, but for now, was rather preoccupied, especially now that she had a small child being thrust into her empty arms.
“The girl was calling ‘er Lillian.” The goblin shrugged, squinting his beady eyes at the spot where the crystal had been moments ago. He made a mental note to mention this to his King, though from the corner of his eye he spotted the tankard of goblin ale, and all thoughts of reporting magical doings to the king were gone the moment they appeared.
Sarah smiled down at Lillian, she couldn’t be much older than a year, maybe one and a half at most. Lillian continued to sleep, as Sarah rocked gently from side to side, holding the blonde child carefully. It had been years since she had last held such a young child, Toby was too old and big to be picked up like this anymore, and she didn’t know anyone with children either; most of her friends having opted for studies over families in their young age. Sarah walked around the throne room, cradling Lillian carefully, as she looked around the circular room, occasionally peering out one of the arched windows, looking down to the city bellow. She watched as the goblins prepared themselves for battle, just in case this new runner would make it as far as Sarah once had. Though from the half hearted attempts the goblins were making at putting up barricades, it seemed unlikely that this runner would be as fortunate as Sarah had been.
“Snicker, please take the baby from Sarah.” Jareth’s voice suddenly sounded from behind her, causing Sarah to pivot on the spot, as a goblin wearing a bonnet appeared at her side.
“Gimme the baby.” The goblin grinned, while making ‘grabby’ hands at Lillian. Sarah eyed the goblin sceptically, lifting one brow at the crusted yellow nails which reached for her.
Jareth reached out slowly, cusping a gloved hand over her shoulder in a feather light touch. He turned his back to the goblin now known as Snicker, his mismatched eyes meeting hers. “Snicker is the Goblin City’s nanny. The baby will be safe with her, just as Toby once was.”
Sarah’s eyes opened wide, darting between Jareth and Snicker for a few seconds. “I thought you said there weren’t any of the Goblins from my run who still did this?”
“They are few and far between these days, however Snicker has been in her role for decades now. I would hate to take the position away from her, not when she is so wonderful at it.”
With a sigh of relief, Sarah carefully handed Lillian to Snicker. “Oooh, you make a good goblin soon.” Snicker cooed, before walking out of the throne room, Sarah watching the two leave in utter shock.
“I’m not sure if I forgot or repressed the memory of what could happen to the children who were wished away, if the wisher doesn’t make it to the Castle in time.” Sarah whispered; her mouth having grown dry at the thought.
Jareth shook his head softly, feathery blonde hair swaying in its own breeze. “It is simply a scare tactic.” He offered, waving his hand, and producing yet another crystal.
“A scare tactic?”
“I do not curse wished away children to live their lives goblins. It would be unfair to the child to do so. Afterall, the child didn’t wish themselves away now did they?” He smirks across at Sarah, mismatched eyes sparkling with mirth.
“Well, what do you do with them then?”
Jareth shakes his head no, “Another time precious. I will answer all your questions in due time.” He almost whispers, causing Sarah to step ever closer towards him. “If you are ready, would you like to see the beginning of the Labyrinth from a different perspective?”
Sarah nods eagerly, eyes falling once more to the displayed crystal. “Actually, I have a better idea.” He declares suddenly, vanishing the crystal, and turning on his heel to face her. “Why watch, when you can participate?”
“Oh no!” Sarah cried, taking three large steps backwards. Sirens were blaring in her head, as red flags waved frantically in her imagination. “No, no no! I refuse to run again! I didn’t wish anyone away; you have no grounds to force me to run!”
“Sarah my love, that is not at all what I meant.” Jareth purred, his velvety voice sending a wave of calm over her instantly. “I apologise if that is how my words came across, it is not what I intended.”
Watching his movements carefully, and keeping an eye out for any sudden changes, Sarah crept forwards. “What do you have in mind then?”
With a flourish of his hand, a new crystal appeared, this one with clouds of rose and peach coloured smoke within. Without so much as a word, he gently tossed the crystal at her feet. The sphere shattering into nothingness, the colourful smoke escaping and enveloping her entire body in a thick fog. As the smoke whirled around her, the scent of peaches and fresh berries engulfed her senses. She could almost taste them, they were so real! In what felt like both only seconds yet hours too, the smoke cleared, and Sarah watched as a smile spread across Jareth’s face. “You look stunning.” He breathed out, eyes flowing over her body, not in lust, but something close to it…
Eyebrows raised in surprise, Sarah gazed down at herself, instantly noticing her lack of jeans, and overall entirely new outfit. A deep forest green coat fell down to the floor around her, ending in long sleeves and a slight train; the cropped top laced in dark brown leather over her bust, meeting with a deep collar made of the same leather. Over her shoulders, in what felt like the shoulder pads Karen had worn in the 80’s, were even darker green spikes, resembling the armour she had seen Jareth wear on numerous occasions. Beneath the coat she wore a comfortable peasants shirt, cream coloured just as Jareth often wore, and just like his, the neckline was severely plunging. A pair of buttery soft leather pants in the same colour as the accents on her coat, clung to her legs like a second skin. No wrinkles could be seen, no matter which way she twisted and turned. They had practically melted against her! Black leather boots completed the outfit, resting just below the knee, with corset style laces all up the back, and a thick yet comfortable heel. Finally, to complete the look, though for now she remained unaware; her long dark hair had been tousled into that of messily imperfect perfection, giving her an air of ferocity and power. “Are jean jackets not socially acceptable in the Underground?” She sighed, running her hands down the soft fabrics she now wore.
“In any other situation, I would say what you were wearing was perfect attire. However, if you would like to come meet the runner, it would be best if you looked the part.”
“Looked the part of what?”
“Part of the Labyrinth and her occupants of course. You are the champion after all.” Jareth smirked at her, before offering her his gloved hand. “Join me champion.”
There are no second thoughts as Sarah rests her hand within his. His champion. The Goblin Kings champion! With a cloud of glitter, the two vanish from the throne room leaving nothing but a smattering of glitter particles and something new in their place. Tiny vine leaves weave and mingle with Jareth’s magic, the stunning forest green mixing with that of sparkling glitter.
***
Just as suddenly as the two had left, they re-appear on the outskirts of the Labyrinth. Orange dust mixing with that of the orange skies, blending together almost seamlessly. Sarah found, that if she stared too long into the distance, she was unable to tell the sky from the land apart. “You’re her aren’t you?” A new voice asks, timid and afraid.
It takes Sarah a moment to realise she is being spoken to. She had assumed the runner would be addressing Jareth, and Jareth alone. He was the King after all…
Turning her attention away from the stunning landscape, her eyes fell on the teenager stood before her. She was acutely aware of Jareth who was stood directly behind her, his arm brushing against hers ever so gently. “And who might that be?” Her voice sounded foreign even to her ears. She sounds regal almost, and not at all like herself. Yet, the words and voice had come so naturally to her.
“You’re the Goblin Queen.” The teen gulped, fear and awe lacing her features.
This caused Sarah to pause, her back going rigid in surprise. Had Jareth known what the girl was going to say, was that why he had suggested she come? “Ahhhh, yes?”
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