Labyrinth- Jareth's Return

19. Troublesome Trolls

"ACK! XERXES!"

Sarah complained as she stopped, wiping her face of mud and muck. That damn dragon! You'd think he was a child! All she asked was for some food.. She felt so hungry yet this is what she got, a mouthful of disappointment.

Xerxes was leaning against a tree, holding his stomach as he broke out in laughter. Sarah glared at him as he wiped a few tears from his face, taking in some breaths. "My, my I forgot how fun being a human was! You should've seen your face!" Sarah groaned as she managed to wipe the remaining muck from her face before bending over. "Just because you're a dragon doesn't mean you will be let off easy." Sarah smiled devilishly as she picked up muck in her hand and tossed it at Xerxes' distracted face. Xerxes froze and started to spit out dirt as he went to wipe his face. "HEY! That's not fair, I wasn't looking!" Sarah crossed her arms as she raised a brow staring at the imitation human before him. "Oh? You should listen to yourself before sneaking up on others and doing the same! You said you found food!"

Xerxes chuckled as he looked back at her with a clean face. "Technically you did eat it." Sarah growled as she was about to toss more at him when he held his hands up in surrender. "Alright, alright. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have tricked you like that. It was all for fun." He smiled sheepishly as he scratched his head before sending her a wink.

Sarah dropped the mud as she rolled her eyes and smiled. "Now, Vulcan's warning makes more sense." She mumbled to herself as she wiped her hands and sighed.

They've been walking for almost a day and she was starving, she hadn't eaten anything since dinner with Dracius. Sarah closed her eyes thinking back to the shadowland king. It's hard to forget him after what they've been through the last few days. Then again, was any of it real? And what about Jareth? Was that real?

Sarah sighed, shaking her head. No, some of it wasn't. That's what Aranel told her at least. But how does she prove it? Looking around she furrowed her brows. "So, how far away is the Troll kingdom?"

Xerxes walked up and patted her on the back as he smiled. "Not long, we should be coming up on the borders soon." He paused as he furrowed his brow. "Although, I'm not sure how you will be able to convince them. They have always remained allies with Dracius and they are very stubborn."

Sarah nibbled her cheek and sighed again. "I am quite aware.. But they gotta be friendly, right? I mean look at Molly." Sarah smiled thinking back to the little troll in the shadowlands. "She was feisty yet sweet. Like a grandma almost. Maybe they are not too bad? Just misunderstood." She smiled as she looked toward Xerxes as he chuckled. "Oh, Sarah. That's what makes you so amazing. Always seeing the good in others." That's when he paused and unhooked his arm from her shoulders clapping his hands together. "Ah! That could be what wins them over!" Sarah stopped as she looked Xerxes up and down. "What?"

Xerxes turned to her with a bright smile, his eyes widened in excitement as he pointed toward her. "That is what makes you and Dracius different. You are kind hearted and compassionate for others when he is..." Xerxes laughed a little. "well.. a narcissist." He mumbled as his face contorted into disgust.

That's when Sarah broke out laughing watching Xerxes span of emotions fluctuating across his face. "You don't say?" Xerxes pouted as he crossed his arms. His scales shimmered blue in the light in patches like an oyster shell. "Why is that funny?" Sarah breathed slowly as she shook her head. "Because in the last few hours we spent together in your new form, you've managed to go through every human emotion possible in just minutes! When you're in your dragon form, you show little emotion. Is this a shapeshifting effect or are you just bipolar?" Sarah touched her chin pretending to think while lightly teasing Xerxes.