( WARNING: Curious Chapter Ahead! )
Hoggle is a dwarf who isn't afraid to admit he is a coward. However, he is always afraid of something. No matter if it's a green bog or pink fairies.
"Blah!" The man grumbles as he makes his way through a small group of very large rocks. He can't help but miss his bag of jewels.
Sarah didn't need him and he don't need her neither. Maybe she should live here for a while and sees how she likes all this nonsense. Better to stay away from each other.
"Hoggle, help!" That was a great call from Sarah from somewhere in the labyrinth.
Hoggle's big eyes went even wider. That small heart of his pounds so fast inside. Fear finds its way into his lungs. In one quick motion, he turned, ready to march in the direction in which he came.
How could he be so stupid to leave her alone? She might be being chewed on by a massive mole rat that lurks deep down in the holes bordering the labyrinth.
"I'm coming, Sarah!" He knows what he must do. Be a friend, and save her from whatever danger she may be facing.
"Well, if it isn't you." Jareth, the Goblin King, had come out from thin air and surprised the dwarf. As usual, the blonde man is dressed in fine clothes.
"And where are you going?" He crossed those lean arms and pouted at Hoggle. He must have been aware of their squabble. What a mess this is indeed.
"Uh, well, the little lady gave me the slip." Hoggle jumped around on his feet while avoiding his king's gaze. One look in those eyes and he fell under the king's spell.
"But I hears her now, so I was about to lead her back to the beginning like you told me." The conflicted man seems to be a bundle of nerves. Fidgeting with his fingers and avoiding eye contact.
However, Jareth doesn't quite seem to be convinced of this little claim. The man is no fool when it comes to his subjects. There are no secrets within the labyrinth that he doesn't know of. Nothing stays hidden from him these days, not after the prophecy was told.
"I see. For a moment, I thought you were running to help her." He shook his head innocently. The king then decided to play along with Hoggle's simple mind.
"But, not after my warnings. That would certainly be stupid." His voice grew dark with authority. Dominance over the dwarf is just too great to ignore.
"You bet it would!" Hoggle did his best to sound sane. Tries everything to keep calm and please the master of the labyrinth.
"Me? Help her? After your warnings? Ha ha!" He just can't seem to stop talking nonsense. None of this is helping the case at hand. Sooner or later he must shut that mouth of his.
"Oh dear, poor Hoghead." Now the king knew that wasn't his name, just didn't bother to say it.
"Hoggle." That seemed to stop his crazed chatter for now.
"I've just noticed your lovely jewels are missing." He crouched down to Hoggle's height and crossed his arms in a curious matter, though he held no actual interest.
The dwarf looked down at the empty spot on his belt hook. Ah, the king is concerned about a lone bag of cheap things? How odd!
Jareth watched the man in wonder. So many possibilities running around in that mind. He will never know that the king is just getting used to him now.
"Uh, oh, yes! So they are. My lovely jewels, missing." Once again, Hoggle acts as if this is shocking news. The king will never fall for these silly acts much longer, they both knew that.
"Ludo!" It was Sarah who called out again but to a different name. What must she be doing?
The Goblin King watches the tinker's face grow bright. The concern for this girl was as clear as the day sky.
"I'd better find them, first I'm off to take the lady to the beginning of the labyrinth." He then points a finger toward the direction from where he came. Already stepping away from the rising king.
"Wait!" The king called out to Hoggle. The dwarf who always wears that stupid hat halted still.
"I've got a better plan. Give her this." Jareth summoned a crystal ball into his perfectly gloved hand.
Hoggle watches as magic turns the clear crystal into a mouth-watering peach. The shape itself is so well crafted. It's color all the right shades. Maybe it's not even real.
The blonde king then tosses it over to the lower man.
"What is it?" Well, he knew what fruit it was, but the purpose is not known.
"It's a present." His hands turned into fists as he placed them on his hips.
"Will it hurt her?" Somehow that is his only concern for it. Whatever the king is planning, nothing will come out well. He has seen too much to now question those motives.
"Now, why the concern?" A sly grin grew on his lips. The familiar wickedness flowed all around him. Hoggle took a hard gulp.
"I won't harm her." Hoggle might sound afraid, but he is not afraid for himself right now, only for her, for Sarah.
"Come Hogbrain! I'm surprised at you, losing your head over a girl." A sick laugh echoed around them both.
"I ain't lost my head." Hoggle became angered at this unnecessary accusation. This girl has not made him think any differently from before she arrived in this place.
"You don't think a young girl could like a repulsive little scab like you, do you?" Jareth would be lying if he said that the thought of Franklin didn't cross his mind now. He should be asking himself the very same question.
Damnit, there is no point in dwelling on the thought of her. She has not finished the test, he is certain that she won't back down without a fight.
"Well, she said we was..." Hoggle knew this was ridiculous.
"What? Bosom companions? Friends?" Strangely, Jareth felt a jab at his own heart. Hoggle and Sarah do have a friendship, that was obvious. Much more of a friendship than Sarah and Franklin right now.
He watched how the girl in white treated his champion. That sudden burst of anger has yet to leave him. It only hurts worse when she tried to come back to her 'friend' and found her nowhere in sight.
There is no point in wallowing in self-pity now.
"Ah, don't matter." The dwarf threw his hands in the air out of defeat. There was no way he would get anywhere with his king.
"You'll give her that Hoggle or I'll tip you straight into the Bog of Eternal Stench!" The king knew exactly what to say in order to get underneath this man's skin.
"Yes. Right," Hoggle grimaced at the thought of smelling of rot forever. And with that, he tried walking away again.
"And, Hoggle, if she ever kisses you, I'll turn you into a prince." His voice seemed so sincere.
"You will?" Hoggle felt so elated. Maybe he would leave this dreadful place.
"Prince of The Land of Stench!" The king hackled and laughed as Hoggle shook off the threat.
The dwarf soon set off after Sarah in hopes of saving her, leaving the king to his sinister plans.
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A/N- This chapter was just alright. Nothing special. But my favorite will arrive soon!
Hopefully, this wasn't a boring filler for ya.
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Until the next chapter of ITS ONLY FOREVER.......
[ Edited on 4/26/23 ]