Disclaimer: I do not own Labyrinth!

Thanks to the reviewers: MovieGal007, PurpleIvy

Labyrinth: A Different Kind of Story

Meeting the Goblin King

Toby was terrified. One moment he was banging on the door of his room, trying to get the attention of his older sister and the next he was standing in the middle of a round stone room, surrounded by short ugly monsters that were giggling and pulling at his clothes. Toby screamed and the monsters all ducked their heads and covered their ears. This gave the small boy just the right amount of time to find shelter behind a large rounded chair at one end of the room.

The young boy huddled behind the chair and cried. He didn't know where he was and he missed his sister. Toby didn't understand why she had been so mean tonight, Sarah was usually really nice to him.

Toby listened to the murmuring and cackles of the monsters and froze when the multitude of voices went silent. He could feel a new and different presence in the room.

"Well? Where is the boy?" A commanding voice asked.

The monsters began cackling again, but a rough voice could be heard above the noise. "He's here, your majesty."

"I don't have the patience for your games today, Dox." Snapped the commanding voice and the other voices died again.

Toby, in his curiosity, peaked out from behind the chair and laid eyes on a blond man who towered above the creatures. The man scanned the room slowly and with a slight scowl.

Toby squeaked and hid once more when the man's eyes finally fell on him. He had expected the man to be angry that he was there and to perhaps yell at him and threaten to tell his parents, but instead he felt a warm hand on his head. Toby looked up slowly, still quite scared of this new place and worried about being in trouble. The boy gazed into blue mismatched eyes and instantly knew this man would never hurt him and that he was safe.

Toby flung his arms around the man's neck and buried his face into his silky shirt. He felt completely safe and relaxed with this man, as if he had known him his entire life.

"Come now, Tobias. You look like you have been crying. What is the matter?"

Toby sniffed and clung a bit tighter. "The monsters…" He whispered.

The man pulled gently away from Toby and gave the boy a sly smile. "Monsters! My boy I know they are smelly and a bit ugly, but my goblin subjects are nowhere near monsters!"

Toby whipped his eyes on his pajama sleeve. "Your subjects?"

The man's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Yes! They answer only to me. Let me introduce you." The man gently lead Toby to the front of the chair and addressed the masses. "You lot are despicable for scaring our honored guest like you did!" He knelt next t to Toby. "Don't be scared of my goblins, Tobias. They would never hurt you."

"Goblins?" Toby whispered and stared at the short creatures. Most of them barley came to his shoulders and every single one had a unique look. Now that he wasn't terrified, he found that they were actually quite silly looking.

The man stood once more. "Now everyone, apologize for scaring our guest."

The goblins began mumbling to one another and a fierce shoving match broke out until one particular goblin was pushed to the front of the large group.

This goblin was incredibly short, only coming to about Toby's knees. He had a fluff of flaming orange hair protruding from the top of his head that was greasy and dirty and a crooked nose that bent down in a most ridiculous manner. It gave Toby a grin full of large, pointed teeth. "We are sorry, Master Tobias." The masses behind him nodded murmured in agreement.

'Se, Tobias? My subjects aren't monsters, though they do like to cause trouble."

Toby turned to look at the man who was now lounging in the round chair quite leisurely. He had one leather clad leg thrown over the arm and a small glass ball at his fingertips.

The boy approached him. "What is that?"

The man gave Toby a sly smirk. "A crystal, nothing more." He balanced it on his index finger and presented it to Toby. The boy held out his hands and with a flick of the wrist from the man, the boy now held the crystal in his small hands. "But if you look into it, it will show you anything you wish to see."

Toby stared into the little crystal and wondered what his mom was doing. As soon as the thought entered his mind, color filled the crystal. The boy stared intently into it, searching for his mother, but could only see darkness. He frowned.

"I can't see anything." He said and shook it a bit.

"What were you looking for?"

"I wanted to see Mom, but it was just dark."

The man's face became solemn and he plucked the crystal ball from Toby's hands as he spoke. "Come and sit on my throne with me, Tobias."

Toby nodded and slowly stepped forward and allowed thee man lift him onto the large chair. Toby sat in the crook of the man's arm and glanced around the room.

Many of the goblins had left, but quite a few were still mingling around. Mumbling at each other, petting chickens, and drinking a yellowish liquid from the barrels scattered about the room.

"How do you like my throne, Tobias?"

Toby grinned. 'it's great! Hey, if this is your throne, and there are goblins everywhere, then are you the Goblin King?"

The man laughed. "Clever boy." He praised, making Toby swell with pride. The only other person to compliment him had been Sarah. "I am, indeed, the Goblin King.

Toby stared at him in awe. "My sister told me about you!"

The king raised an elegant eyebrow. "Did she now? And, pray tell, what did Sarah have to say about me?"

Toby scrunched up his face, trying to remember his sisters favorite story. He suddenly gasped. "You steal kids!"

The Goblin King sighed. 'Of course that is what that silly girl would focus on!' He had known that she was naive, but he had hoped that she would have been at least a bit open minded.

"Do you really steal kids?"

He frowned. "O take nothing that is not freely offered." He stated, but Toby only looked at him in confusion. " I take. Not steal."

Toby nodded. "Did you take me?"

At this the king grinned. "Yes, Tobias, I did, indeed, take you."

"Why?"

"Because your sister wished you away of course. Didn't she tell you the story.?"

Toby's eyes grew wide. "She wished me away?"

"Yes, but do not worry. Sarah is running my labyrinth right now to try and get you back. How would you like to see my castle why we wait? It will take her quite a while to arrive."

-oOOo-

Sorry for the week late update. I was camping in the mountains with my new fiancé and didn't have internet access.