Underground (Jareth X Reader)

28

"What?" You said, confused.

"It's Ludo!" He said, looking back at you. Still confused, you hurried over to the door to take a peek at the keyhole. Sure enough, it was Ludo! However, it seemed like he wasn't on your side. He wore the same armor as the goblins with a helmet that cover his eyes. On his shoulders sat a goblin who was holding a whip to control him. With every whip from the goblin, the more he thrashed around and whaled. Every stomp and growl shook the earth and shook the house you were in.

"Hoggle, what are we to do?" you said, frightened.

"Well," he said, having just beat off a goblin trying to get in through the window "We have to think of something quick! Anymore stomping and this entire house could collapse!" Ludo let out another roar while dust started to fall from the celling. Looking up, you saw a little door on the celling which lead to the roof.

"Maybe we should convince him that it's us! Then maybe he'll turn against the army."

"Right idea! But how do you suppose we do that?"

"Maybe you could go up to the roof and shout at him!"

"What! Are you crazy?!" he protested "Doing that is basically suicide!"

"What other choice do we have?"

"Why don't you do it?"

"I'm not so sure I could fit through that window, besides there's no way he'll remember me! I'm all grown up now."

"Oh well."

"Please, Hoggle!"

"No." He said, turning away from you. Why was Hoggle being so stubborn? Panicked, you placed a ladder and tried to fit through the door only to find that the only thing that got through was your head. Just as you were about to give up, you remember that Hoggle likes shiny things, such as jewelry. Maybe you could bribe him. Hastily, you check your wrists, your neck, even your ears. Nothing. You check all your pockets to find something. You pulled it out but stopped suddenly. It was Jareth's ring. You forgot you had put it in your pocket earlier when you were "going down memory lane". You hesitated giving it to Hoggle...Did you still care about Jareth? Nonsense, you thought, but then why are you stalling? Finally, you took a breath and turned to him.

"Hoggle," you said, approaching him "If you do what I say, I'll give you this." You presented the ring to him as he turned to face you. His face immediately lit up as he was enthralled by the diamond, though his face eventually grew blank when he realized what it was.

"Wait," he said, concerned and confused "Y/N, isn't this...Your engagement ring?" you scoffed at him, trying to dismiss the idea that a worthless rock was once a priceless treasure.

"Yes, Hoggle. But it doesn't matter now! I'm running out of time, and if this is the one thing that'll get you to do as I say, so be it!" you said, sternly. Hoggle furrowed his eyebrows as he was conflicted. Of course he would take that ring in a heart beat but he was too focused on you. Hoggle sensed how unsure you were feeling about whether you should give him the ring or not. Even if you said you didn't care, something told him you still did. He knew how much that ring meant to you, and how it was a symbol of the love you once had with the cruel Goblin King. Hoggle could see the pain of giving him the ring on your face. With that, Hoggle huffed a sigh, and pushed you aside and headed for the ladder. "Wait, Hoggle, take the ring!"

"Keep it. Something tells me you should hold on to it. You're lucky I like you." he said, halfway up the ladder. Shaking off the tender memories, you put the ring back in your pocket and watched Hoggle climb on top of the roof. "Hey fuzzball! Yeah you, you big hairy animal!" he yelled. Watching from the keyhole, you saw Ludo turn to the sound of Hoggle. The goblin on top of him cracked his whip, which startled Ludo, causing him to chuck a piece of broken concrete near Hoggles head. Thankfully, he ducked in just enough time. "Is that anyway to treat your friend!? It's me! Hoggle!" Ludo didn't listen to him and proceeded to throw a spiked goblin at Hoggle. It missed him by a hair, the goblin instead hit the side of another house next to them. Hastily, Hoggle came down from the roof before Ludo threw something else at him. "It's no use! There's no way he can hear me with that helmet on his head!" he said, out of breath.

"Is there anyway we could get it off?"

"Not unless we get close to him."

"Alright, then let's do that!"

"Are you crazy?" he protested "They have him wired to throw things at anything that speaks! Unless you want to be beheaded, be my guest." At this point it was almost hopeless, but you were still determined. You were reminded of the story your mother told you about the time she met Ludo. That's when the light bulb turned on.

"Maybe if we had something to throw we could knock the helmet and the goblin off of him."

"Right idea," he said "but what do we throw at him." You both looked around the house till you saw it. A sack of potatoes. Quickly, you grabbed the sack and placed them in front of Hoggle.

"How good is your throw?" Hoggle smirked at you as you both had the same idea. He climbed the ladder once again with you near the door, holding the potatoes waiting to give them to him. He took one from you and with one good throw, he knocked the goblin off of Ludo.

"Bullseye!" He exclaimed. You cheered from him as you tossed him another potato. Hoggle then aimed for his helmet but missed as Ludo was thrashing around wildly. "Y/N I'm going to need more then one at a time." Listening to him, you gave him two. Hoggle tried to get the best possible angle, but to no avail. Third times the charm? Finally, with one last blow he yelped "YOU. LEAVE. MY. FRIEND. ALONE!" and with all his might and strength he launch the potato. It was a prefect throw, the helmet fell to the earth making a clinking sound.

"Huh?" said Ludo, tying to get a grasp of where he was. The goblins were silent, still. They were frightened.

"Retreat!" screamed a goblin. At once, all the goblins ran for their lives, even though Ludo stood still, very confused...and a little hungry. Hoggle raced down the ladder to see his friend and you followed.

"I told you miss! Potatoes are always the answer!" You turned to see the green worm on sack, congratulating you. You chuckled and shook your head, this time they actually were the answer to your prayers.

"Ludo! Are you okay?" Hoggle said, comforting his friend.

"Hoggle, friend." Ludo said just glad to see someone he knows.

"We're so glad you're no longer being controlled. Do you know how that happened?" You asked.

"Uhh...no." You chuckled at his response, you missed being around him.

"Ludo," Hoggle said "Do you know who this is?" Ludo looked at you and tilted his head. You weren't expecting him to know since you grew up and look different then before. But, he perked up and hurried to you and hugged you.

"Y/N!" He exclaimed "Ludo missed you." You hugged him back, how you needed a warm hug from someone.

"I'm surprised you remember me," you said.

"Is there anything we can do for you, Ludo?" Hoggle said, petting his arm. Ludo turned to him.

"Ludo hungry." He said, giving Hoggle puppy eyes.

"You two go ahead, I have a daughter to rescue," you said.

"Yes of course, but should you need us? For any reason at all?" Hoggle said. You looked at the two of them and smiled knowing you could count on them. It was so nice knowing your friends are on your side, ready to support you.

"I'll call. Thank you, Hoggle. For everything." and with that, you were off to the castle, beyond the goblin city.

One. Last. Time.

How are yall so patient?? I love you guys so much, you literally brighten all of my days. Me and Brianna have been working very hard on this ending and I promise you it's going to be wonderful. Thank you guys so much for the support.

Abby <3