Labyrinth Fan Fiction ❯ Retold ❯ Chapter 6 ( Chapter 6 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Hoggle was not a brave being. He knew this and accepted it easily. He had left her with the full intention of going back to the gate and pretending he had never left. He liked it outside the labyrinth walls where Jareth had no real power over him.

So why am I trailing after this damn girl for Danu's sake?

He knew why. No one had ever accepted the challenge of the maze after having wished a baby away in all the years Hoggle has been alive. Sure people had gone through it and lost for other reasons, Jareth often sent mortals and fae alike through its depths for his own amusement. The type of person who wishes away a child though, they never accept personal risk for the sake of an unwanted child, instead opting for the perfect dream unaware that the reward for their selfish evil is not a gift but an eternity trapped in the nightmarish visions of their own mind. Jareth always offers these people their dreams, he never promises that they will be pleasant dreams. But then came Sarah, her innocence shining through the dark world like a beacon. The same innocence that made the king chase after her like a rotting dragon in heat is what drew Hoggle as he followed her trial through the winding path.

Hoggle stopped short as he spotted her up the way. His eyes widened and he quickened his pace as he recognised the beast beside her.

Damn fool girls gonna get her self ate!

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Sarah wasn't quite comfortable with the towering brute following close behind, but she was too caught up in her own mind to pay it much attention. Replaying her dark encounter with the mysterious King over and over again she blindly followed the twisting path, hardly noticing as the surrounding scene grew more unwelcoming with each step. Mismatched eyes invaded her thoughts. The feel of his lips had over shadowed the pain of his touch. Why did he touch me like that. Why did I like it? Confusion warred with desire. The burning low in her belly at the very thought of such a man taking notice of her was terrifying, and exciting. The pain he inflicted on her arm faded further and further out of her thoughts the longer she dwelled on it, leaving behind only the memory of his mouth against her flesh.

Suddenly the mosnter roared from behind, bringing her into reality with a frightening abruptness. She looked behind her to find the thing glancing to and fro nervously as if sensing some unseen threat from the dark forest she hadn't noticed surrounding them. The trees them selves seemed sinister almost as if they were reaching forth with wizened branches. A sharp pain made her look ahead only to realise the trees were stretching towards them, as a branch scratched her upper arm drawing blood. Another length of strange black wood shot out towards the monster trying to restrain him. The thing broke it off with a loud snap only to have three more shoot out from various directions. Sarah ran towards him deftly dodging limb after limb as they sought her out. She hit at the branches surrounding the now trapped beast. Some how through her struggles and his strength they managed to break him free, she grabbed his huge hand and they made a run for it. Feigning and ducking the whole way they kept running for what seemed like a life time. Some how they managed into a clearing , hopefully out of reach from the living nightmare of a forest. Sarah collapsed out of breath and energy.

The beast not tired from the ordeal at all noticed his companions weakened state, he sat down to give the strange soft thing time to rest. Contemplating the girl he now realised she could have left him there to his fate and saved herself, yet she had not. Realising he could no longer eat a thing that he owed not only one , but possibly two life debts, didn't sit well. Maybe he could save her then eat her.

The girl sat staring at him even as he studied her. He, if it was even a he, had not tried to harm her through out the journey. It must mean he is a nice .. what ever he is. Feeling slightly foolish trying to talk to it like it might understand her, she made the attempt anyway.

"Sarah." She pointed at her self. "My name is Sarah."

Slightly shocked that the girl had bothered an introduction, he tried to wrap his huge jaw around the strange and foreign word. His mouth was not made for such delicate sounds as the soft ones spoke. "Sawah." It wasn't perfect but he saw the slight widening of her eyes and figured it was acceptable enough. After a moments hesitation he spoke again. "Ludo." He thumped his chest with pride. It was a good name. In his herd it ment strength. Suddenly she leaped forward wraping her small arms around his neck. He tensed waiting for the attack but none came. He came to a startling conclusion that this diminutive figure was embracing him as if they were.... "Sawah..Ludo..Friends?" With bright eyes she eagerly nodded in agreement. Ludo finally came to the realisation that unless some other soft thing crossed their path soon he would be going hungry today.

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The King watched with anger as the treacherous dwarf raced through the trees to save the girl, he saw as Sarah tamed the beast and won him over to her side as well. He crushed the crystal in his hand watching as the blood trickled out from his fist as it shattered and broke skin. The girl was subverting his subjects right and left. No matter. This was his world and everything subject to his whim. He grinned evily as he threw yet another crystal in the path far enough to be out of sight from the unsuspecting travelers. In the spot a beautiful tree sprouted forth, bearing the most delectible looking peaches. With another wave of his hand he made sure that the only one hanging with in reach was his special gift. With a final smirk towards the sounds of moving feet he faded away into the shadows to watch as the game continued.

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Sarah stopped short at the sight in front of her. After her last encounter with the trees of this land she was understandably hesitant to come closer. The tree was seemingly innocent. Things are not always what the seem here..... The warning whispered through her mind sending chills up her spine. Edging closer she realised with a sigh of relief that it was just a peach tree. Her stomach chose that moment to make its hunger known. She walked up to one of the fruits hanging just barely with in reach and pulled the ripe fruit off. The sweet smell was too tempting and she brought it to her mouth. Vaguely she heard Hoggles voice yelling at her to stop before she bit down. Then there was nothing. She slid down, an unconcious heap at the base of the tree.

Hoggle ran to her limp form and gathered her head in his lap. Relief flooded his entire being as he realised she was still breathing. Trying to shake her awake his moment of ease vanished as he heard a soft melody play through out the forest, the romantic music only belied by His Lord's arrogant laughter echoing after it.

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A/N I know I know Ive been a slacker and left every one hanging for weeks. Damn this real life crap. Anyways here it is i traded the cartoonish Fireys for man eating trees and I'm not sure what i plan for the fox yet . Peach Scene next, it should be the darkest chapter to date.