Chapter 5~ Helping a friend

"Well, we’re close, Sir Ludo. We’re at the very gates of the Labyrinth!" Sir Didymus, Ambrocious, and Ludo had spent the entire day and night searching for a way out of the Labyrinth.

Ludo hadn’t talked much; he and Didymus and said but a few words here and there, but no real conversation took place. Didymus deemed that okay, considering they were both worried about Sarah, and of course Hoggle. They hadn’t found him anywhere in the Labyrinth, but then again, it was a big maze, and it was constantly changing.

"Ludo open?" Ludo pointed to the large double doors between them and the outside where they’d find-where they hoped they’d find-the particular door Aboveground.

"Yes, my brother, you may open them." Didymus dismounted Ambrocious, truly his loyal steed, for the dog had endured the journey without a single complaint.

Ludo pushed the doors open, slowly, because they were so large, and he, Didymus, and Ambrocious stepped out into barrens beyond the Labyrinth.

"No different than inside," commented Didymus, "almost everything is dead!"

"Tired," Ludo informed him with a yawn. Didymus nodded.

"Yes, that I am, too. But Our Lady needs us to find her parents before it is too late." Ambrocious nudged Didymus’ hand.

"Sawah be okay," Ludo assured the fox-kinght as they walked on.

"Let’s hope so, brother." Sir Didymus sighed and thought. "What was it that Our Lady told us she said? The words that led her here in the first place?" Ludo shrugged and picked up Ambrocious-he carried the dog while he slept-and tried to think.

"Gobwins," Ludo offered.

"Yes, yes! Something about Goblins." Didymus suddenly lit up. "I’ve got it! The words Our Lady spoke were, ‘I wish the Goblins would come and take you away-right now!’"

A bright glow caused the trio to shield their eyes. As if by magic, a porthole-like door appeared out of thin air-right in the middle of the barrens!

"We find Sawah’s pawents?" Grinned Ludo.

"Yes, Sir Ludo." Didymus laughed and charged in. "My Lady, we’ll save you yet!

* * * * *

A sort of sucking noise made it absolute that the "door" had closed. Ambrocious was no longer asleep, and Ludo put him down on the grass.

The creatures had "landed" in the park. The same park that a girl had recited The Words and was watched by a white owl from a distance.

"Ambrocious, Sir Ludo, this must be the Aboveground!" Exclaimed Didymus happily. "Now, let us find Our Lady’s parents!"

They’d not taken more than a few steps when a boy, around Sarah’s age, walked past them-then stopped and stared at the strange group.

"Uh, are you guys, like…actors or something?" He stammered. Ludo was about to say no, but Sir Didymus spoke first.

"Yes, good boy. We are actors…from the Underground Theater." He answered. "I am Sir Didymus," the knight bowed nobly, "and this is Ludo," the yeti smiled, "and this is my steed, Ambrocious." The dog barked and laid down, exhausted from the all-night journey. They boy smirked.

"Uh, sure." He extended his hand. "I’m Chris. Chris Welden."

"Well, Sir Chris, we were wondering if perhaps you could help us locate someone? You see, we’re helping a friend." Chris nodded, a bit unsure, but he looked around and, seeing no one, listened to the actor’s words.

"We’re looking for the parents of one Lady Sarah Williams." Chris’ face lightened, and he smiled.

"Sarah? I know where she lives." Chris began walking slowly toward the bridge that stretched forth over the river. "Follow me," he told them. Ambrocious slowly rose to his feet, Sir Didymus mounted him, and the group set off for Sarah’s house.

Chris showed the three newcomers around the city as he led them to their destination. He was surprised as to how knightly Didymus acted, like he lived in the Renaissance. His dialect, his elegance, his manners-even his clothes. Chris respected him.

"We cwose?" Questioned Ludo. Chris laughed. He hadn’t seen anything like Ludo before, and probably never would again.

"Yeah. Just through these hedges." He pointed to a group of tall shrubs that separated Sarah’s yard from the neighbors’ yard they had cut through. "I have to get to work." Chris waved and started to jog down the street.

"Thank you, good sir!" Praised Didymus.

"Welcome!" Chris turned the corner and was out of sight.

"Well then," Sir Didymus took the lead and he, Ambrocious, and Ludo made their way to the Williams’ front porch. Didymus knocked, cleared his throat, and waited. "Remember, Sir Ludo, we’re actors." Ludo nodded.

Sarah’s stepmother opened the door, took one look at the unusual trio, but mostly at Ludo, and gasped, putting a had to her heart.

"Who are you?!" She demanded.

"Please, Lady Williams, we wish you no harm. We need to speak with you."

"Lady Williams" tried to hold back a grin. She’d never been called that before-it sounded sort of humorous.

"May I ask where you’re from?" She questioned.

"Certainly." Agreed Didymus. "We are actors from the Underground Theater."

"Underground Theater?" Karen tilted her head. "Never heard of it."

"Oh, it’s quite far away," lied Didymus. "Could we talk, dear Lady?"

Karen eyed the group. The dog. There was something so amicable about him. She nodded solemnly and stepped back, allowing Ludo and Sir Didymus inside.

"Would it be all right if your, um, dog stayed outside?" Karen stood in the doorway, trying to be polite, but respecting her house rules just the same.

"Oh, yes. Ambrocious," he paused and looked out the door at his steed, who happily sat and stayed, "you stay there and be good, okay?" The dog barked.

Karen smiled and shut the door. As she sat down in the living room, across from the "actors", she looked confused.

"So, um, what exactly did you want to talk to me about?" She tried to sound courteous-but she had a beast and a talking knight-like fox sitting in her living room!

Ludo and Didymus looked at one another.

"Well, Lady Williams…your stepdaughter, Sarah, is doomed to marry the King of the Goblins; Jareth of the Underground."