Skipped the Lady to the Master's Gate

Written by A Lady Grinning

Disclaimer: Jim Henson owns everything here. Except Jareth's body. That's all mine. ::smirks:: . . . I wish. Oh, and the story's title is derived from lyrics from the song "The Maze" from the musical "The Secret Garden."

Prologue: The Final Words of the Goblin King

"Give me the child . . ."

*What, you have the notion that reciting the lines of a play written by Yours Truly will solve you this Labyrinth? Quaint, my dear, but hardly the right path to take. But perhaps I shall play along with this little charade for a bit longer. There is, after all, one minute and forty-seven seconds left to pass before I win. And you do have that impenetrable, irresistible air of confidence about you. To crush that now would be beyond cruelty.*

"Sarah . . . I have been generous up until now. But I can be cruel."

Incredulity. "Generous! What have you done that's generous?"

*Oh, Sarah . . . I told you not to defy me. And I know that you have not forgotten that. Have a taste of your Goblin King's wrath.*

"Everything! Everything you've wanted, I have done. You asked the child be taken, I took him. You cowered before me, I was frightening. I have reordered time. I have turned the world upside down, and I have done it all for you . . . I am exhausted from living up to your expectations of me. Isn't that generous?"

*A bit too obvious, perhaps?*

"Through dangers untold, and hardships unnumbered, I have fought my way here, to the Castle Beyond the Goblin City . . . For my will is as strong as yours, and my--"

"Stop. Wait. Look, Sarah. Look what I'm offering you--your dreams."

" . . . And my kingdom as great . . ."

"I ask for so little. Just let me rule you, and you can have everything that you want."

*She pauses. Do you need more rehearsals in the park, Sarah?*

"Kingdom as great . . . Damn! I can never remember that line . . . !"

"Just fear me. Love me. Do as I say, and I will be your slave."

*No one could resist that offer. Not even you.*

"Kingdom as great, kingdom as great . . . You have no power over me!"

Jareth laughed as the clock began to announce the hour of thirteen.

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