Yes. I know what you are thinking. "Not another Labyrinth Tale!" What can I say? I think I need to join a support group. Anyone know the number to 'Labyrinth Anonymous"? My sense of humor has been interfering with my other writing, so I banged this out. It is definitively a satire and only a few chapters. Hope someone else besides me likes it.

Chicken Soup for the Goblin King

Sarah looked out over the young, eager faces of the children standing in line and smiled. It looked as if her latest book , Mr. Worm's Great Journey, was going to be another big hit and possible best seller. After returning from her harrowing adventure in the Labyrinth, Sarah had begun telling Toby stories based on the characters she met there and the ongoing anecdotes of the Goblin kingdom that they related to her on their many visits. One day, on a whim, she wrote one of them down and turned it in for a high school English assignment. Her teacher was so impressed that she sent Sarah's story to a nationally published children's magazine without telling Sarah. It was instantly a huge hit. Within a year, Sarah was offered a publishing contract and became a bestselling children's author overnight. The ongoing tales of the Goblin Kingdom had entranced and enthralled children for the past eight years. Hoggle, Didymus, Ludo and even Ambrosius had all become beloved children's icons through the tales Sarah wrote about their many adventures.

Sarah was at this local bookstore to promote her latest tale that was based on a visit she had from the Rainbow worm and his dear "missus". Unfortunately, the past eight years had failed to improve the Goblin King's disposition. In fact, at times, Sarah could swear he was even more disagreeable than ever. The Goblin King had taken great delight over the years in punishing Sarah's friends for having aided her on her journey through the Labyrinth. Sarah knew all too well how her friends had suffered because of Jareth. This time had been no different. Though she loved her friends and always enjoyed them visiting, Sarah vowed never to return to the Goblin Kingdom if she could help it.

Several months before, Jareth had learned that even the rainbow worm had aided Sarah. In revenge, the Goblin King had ordered the wall he and his family lived in torn down. Sarah had been furious. Hoggle had brought the worm and his wife to visit Sarah until the King's temper cooled off. Sarah hadn't minded at all and had immediately made them at home. Fortunately, Jareth had soon become irritated with someone else and quickly forgotten all about the little worm, allowing his family to return home.

"Hoggle, I swear," Sarah had observed. "Sometimes the Goblin King goes too far! He makes me so mad I want to smack him!"

"Sarah!" Hoggle had reproved Sarah. "We can't do him any harm! He may be a pain, but he's still our King."

"YOUR King, Hoggle!" Sarah spat out. "Not mine!"

Hoggle looked quite distressed by Sarah's vehemence. Instantly she relented, reassuring her old friend.

"It's okay, Hoggle." she sighed. "I'm just venting. I don't mean to do the great Goblin King any bodily harm, not matter how much I'd like to. But just once, I wish something would knock him off that high throne of his! Just once, I wish Jareth could learn what it feels like to be weak, helpless and at the mercy of others. I wish he had to rely on someone else for a change! Maybe he'd finally learn something!"

A commotion at the back of the store broke Sarah out of her reverie. She looked up and was quite taken aback. Standing in the doorway was …Ludo? Of all Sarah's characters, Ludo seemed to be the one the children loved best. Even though he was huge, his shy kindness and gentle nature made him their instant favorite. Not surprisingly, having him appear in person had caused quite a stir. Instantly, the children began to crowd around Sarah's huge friend, making him visibly nervous.

" Sarah!" he bellowed in obvious distress. Sarah quickly rushed over to intervene and spoke quickly to her old friend.

"Ludo, these are some of my other friends; the ones I told you about." Sarah offered. "They have been reading all about you and Didymus in the book I wrote; remember?"

One little girl held up her copy of Sarah's book The Great Adventures of Sir Didymus and Ludo and shyly spoke up.

"Can I be your friend too, Ludo?" the little girl asked timidly.

Almost immediately, Ludo's familiar huge smile returned as he nodded in understanding.

"New friends!" he bellowed happily, much to the children's delight.

The next thirty minutes were rather chaotic as Ludo met his many fans. Many parents commented on how nice it was to have a character appear in person. Even the store owner seemed appreciative.

"I am really grateful to you, Ms. Williams, for going to all this trouble. Having someone dress as your character was a stroke of genius. Thank you. That's a wonderful costume, by the way, sir." the owner said, addressing Sarah and Ludo.

" It was our pleasure, wasn't it, Ludo?" Sarah replied giving the owner a knowing wink.

"New friends." Ludo observed happily.

Quickly, Sarah managed to whisk Ludo out of the store and back to her apartment nearby without further incident.

"Okay, Ludo." Sarah said, closing her apartment door in relief. "What's all this about?"

"Letter." Ludo said. "Ludo give Sarah letter." he continued, holding up a strange document.

Mystified and curious, Sarah took the missive Ludo offered and began to read.

"My dearest Lady," it began. "Forgive me for not delivering this note in person, but recent events have forced me to rely on my comrade-in-arms, Sir Ludo to deliver this urgent message. The Goblin Kingdom is facing a terrible cataclysm and has fallen into turmoil! I beg you to come post haste. Your presence may be the only thing standing between us and complete chaos .You are the only one who may be able to save us! Please come at once!"

Your Loyal Servant, Sir Didymus

Alarmed, Sarah turned to Ludo." Ludo!" she cried. "Is this true?"

Mournfully, Ludo nodded, but offered no further insight. Stunned and taken aback, Sarah considered things for a moment, but knew she couldn't desert her friends in their time of need. Taking a steadying breath, she reluctantly said the words she had promised herself never to utter, no matter the circumstances.

"I wish I was in the Goblin Castle." Sarah pronounced slowly.

The scenery spun and for a moment, Sarah's head swam. Suddenly, she found herself in the throne room of the Goblin castle. Unfortunately, the place was a wreck and in utter chaos. Though always dim and depressing, the throne room was now even worse. Everything was a shambles! Chairs and tables were upended; food and trash were thrown everywhere and there were various farm animals running amok. Worse yet, the goblins themselves seemed to be running around in a total state of panic, generally destroying everything in site. The minute she appeared several of them rushed to her and began babbling loudly all at once. Vainly, Sarah tried to make herself heard until she had had enough. Reaching into her pocket, she retrieved an item that had served her well over the years. As a popular children's author, Sarah had learned how to handle a group of unruly youngsters. These goblins were no different. Sarah gave a loud, piercing blow on her coach's whistle causing the room to instantly fall silent.

"Now, that's better. Sarah said with some satisfaction. "Where are Hoggle and Didymus?"

Hoggle was quickly summoned and seemed overjoyed to see Sarah.

" Oh, Thank goodness you're here!" said Hoggle with obvious relief.

"Hoggle, what is all this nonsense? What's so dire that you had to ask me to come back here to the castle? You know how I feel about this place." Sarah replied in exasperation.

"Well," Hoggle began reluctantly. "It's the Goblin King."

"What's that tyrant done now?" Sarah barked out testily.

"He ain't done nothing, Sarah." Hoggle uttered softly. "He's dying."