I watched Labyrinth recently, after not seeing it for many years, and was reminded of how much I love it. I have been a fan of David Bowie and his music for as long as I can recall.

After my passion for all things Labyrinth was reinvigorated, I read a few Labyrinth fanfics (my favourite being The Goblin Market by Viciously Witty). As I'd written some fanfiction for other fandoms in the past, I got the idea to try and write my own Labyrinth story and this is the result.

I have tried to set the tone for each individual chapter by beginning with a quote relevant to its contents from a song, poem, play etc. I never assume that anyone will read what I've written but I'm extremely grateful to everyone who does. And I'm particularly thankful to those who take the time and effort to leave a review. I cannot commit to reply to every individual review, but I will try to answer any specific questions or queries people might have. I very much appreciate every reader and review, so please do let me know what you think about this story.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything related to the Labyrinth movie or novelisation. I have invented a few original characters along the way, though.

The Goblin King's Bride

Chapter 1

"Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colours. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving."

Terry Pratchett, A Hat Full of Sky

Sarah Williams stood and admired the view across the River Thames from her position on the Queen's Walk. Warm sunlight streamed across her face and she closed her eyes to savour the moment. It could almost have been as if she had stepped into one of her dreams but for the very real sounds and smells of a vibrant city invading her senses. Sarah had longed to visit London since childhood. Her mother had once played a minor role in a West End play (although, to hear her talk, she was the star of the show) and promised to take her daughter with her the next time she went to England. Unfortunately, Linda Williams' acting roles were not confined to the stage and she rarely kept her promises. Sarah let out a wistful sigh at the memory of her absent mother. But the city was buzzing around her, calling to her, and she refused to let past disappointments sour the moment. She had made it to London on her own and she wasn't going to miss a thing.

It seemed as if everywhere Sarah looked there were posters and flyers stuck to walls and windows advertising an open-air theatre production in Regent's Park for one night only. The idea of seeing A Midsummer Night's Dream performed on the actual date was too much for her to resist. It was short notice to procure a ticket but she was lucky enough to get the last available seat. Sarah had once played Titania, Queen of the Fairies, in a High School production; it was back when she had dreamed of following in her mother's footsteps by treading the boards. Alas, she soon discovered that, although she enjoyed theatrical experiences, acting was not in her blood.

Sarah rifled around inside her large purse attempting to locate the small folded map she had purchased earlier in the day from a street vendor. Once she found it, she checked her location and made her way to the nearest Underground station. There was plenty of time for her to explore a little before the evening show. After a short train journey, Sarah arrived in Camden Town. A rustic-looking Italian restaurant caught her eye and, feeling a pang of hunger, she glanced over the menu. It was well past noon and the busy lunchtime period was winding down. She chose to sit outside to make the most of the fine weather. It was never much fun dining alone and Sarah wished she had brought a book to read. The lack of company and reading material prompted her to look for other distractions to pass the time until her food arrived.

The restaurant was situated in an area where street entertainers congregated to display their various talents. In hopes that passers-by would reward their efforts with spare change, hats, bowls, and instrument cases had been set down to catch the coins. The glint of sunlight on glass soon caught Sarah's attention. Ahead of her, a man in a swirling black cape was performing a kind of disappearing act with three small crystal balls. Her eyes grew wide at the sight, particularly when she noticed the magician's mane of wild blond hair. Sarah wasn't sure if it was disappointment or relief she felt when he turned around to reveal an unfamiliar and rather undistinguished face. She wanted to believe it was the latter. One of the glass orbs fell onto the ground with a clink and began to roll in her direction. It came to a halt only inches from her feet and the magician gestured for her to pick it up. She stared down at the crystal ball and was sure, if only for a split second, that two different and distinct eyes were watching her through it. Sarah swiftly nudged it away with the toe of her sandal. As it made brief contact with her skin, a warm tingling sensation passed through her.

Several years had gone by since her quest through the Labyrinth and her defeat of the Goblin King. It still seemed as real to her as it had at the time. Sarah kept the red leather-bound playbook and often read it to Toby at his insistence when he was younger. Her brother's repeated requests for that particular story alarmed her at first, but he seemed to remember his time in the Labyrinth fondly. He even recalled the song the Goblin King had sung for him and would regularly perform it for his bemused sister. Sarah also suspected that perfectly timed gifts from a mystery benefactor, which arrived unannounced and were occasionally left for her and Toby, might be from him. Sometimes she wondered if she might have misjudged the Goblin King due to her youth and naivety. Sarah pondered how he would he appear to her now if she met him as a woman and not a stroppy teenager with raging hormones. It was unwise to let her mind wander in such dangerous directions and yet she indulged it. No harm in the odd fantasy, she reasoned.

Sarah had matured into a sensible and practical young woman but she never lost her sense of childlike wonder. There were times when adult decisions needed to be taken, such as when she had abandoned her ambition to act in order to train as an elementary school teacher. It didn't mean there wasn't occasionally room for her imagination to run free. Toby now treasured most of her toy collection and stuffed animals. However, Sarah didn't believe it was necessary to completely relinquish one's childhood in order to grow up. After all, who didn't want to believe there was still a pinch of magic left in the world? Perhaps she was overly sentimental and too attached to keepsakes that brought her comfort and reminded her of good times. Either way, she didn't care.

Since she left home for college, Sarah rarely called upon her old friends. The realisation years had passed since she last saw them filled her with shame. She thought of them from time to time but there was always an exam to study for or a job to do. Jareth was the one who continued to haunt her life and her dreams. He had been there for a vital stage in her development — at the point where Sarah was no longer a girl and yet, not quite a woman. He had shaped her subsequent sexual fantasies. So, in essence, he did show her her dreams just as he'd once promised. Sarah hadn't been ready to give him what he wanted back then. She didn't fully understand what he was offering and the moment had passed. Her parting valediction to the Goblin King, once a line she couldn't remember, became something she could never forget — 'You have no power over me'. What a pity, she mused, that it turned out to be a lie. Sarah had certainly meant it at the time; victory was in her grasp and Toby had to be recovered at all costs. It was only in the subsequent months and years which followed that she realised the truth; she would never be completely free of the Goblin King and, worse still, she didn't want to be.

Her meal arrived, shaking her from her reverie, and was consumed without further incident or distraction. Sarah soon returned to browsing around Camden Town. She peered into shop windows and, recalling her earlier desire for a book to read during idle occasions, she spotted a quaint little second-hand bookstore just up ahead. The old winding street reminded her of the Labyrinth in a funny way with its blind alleys and flagstones. Sarah walked at a leisurely pace until she came to an abrupt halt outside a pub called The Hobgoblin. She crooked a wary eyebrow, but it all seemed perfectly civilised and there appeared to be nothing out of the ordinary. Her attention was then drawn to a nearby antique shop. There in the window, a stuffed barn owl had been mounted in a predatory pose on a marble plinth. Sarah shivered slightly recalling the many occasions over the last several years when she'd seen a living creature just like it observing her from afar. It was all just a coincidence she told herself, shaking off the strange feeling that had come over her. She took a deep breath and continued on her way.

A bell tinkled as Sarah entered J & K Quinn's Bookshop. It seemed to echo for longer than it should have as if the sound was following her inside. The place was deceptively spacious and there was an ornate spiral staircase running through its centre. The steps were polished wood and the rail was intricately carved with a trailing leaf motif. It was breath-taking to see in its slightly crumbling surroundings. Around her, the air was thick with floating flecks of dust and the musty smell of old books. The shop was practically stacked from floor to ceiling with them. Sarah almost turned on her heel, overwhelmed by the choice and unsure where to begin. It was then a familiar red binding caught her eye. She was glad of something recognisable and she reached for the book with a fond smile. It froze on her lips and she watched in bewilderment as the letters of the title began to swirl and rearrange themselves into something else altogether.

"What the...?" Sarah exclaimed.

She began to flick haphazardly through the pages of the book until her eye was caught by an elaborate and slightly erotic illustration.

"This isn't right," she gasped.

The air suddenly got thicker until it became hard to draw breath and Sarah grew lightheaded. Her eyelids started to flutter and she could have sworn she heard music playing. The swaying rhythm seemed to swirl around her and it made her feel even dizzier. Her grip on the book loosened and everything, including herself, began to fall in slow motion.

There's such a fooled heart

Beating so fast

In search of new dreams.

A love that will last

Within your heart.

I'll place the moon

Within your heart...

As the world falls down

Falling

Falling

Falling

Falling in love…