After the little performance in Isabelle's room, Sarah retired to her chambers for a couple hours rest. As she made her way to her room, she stopped by Hoggle's study. She poked her head in the crack in the door, and saw the dwarf grueling over a manuscript. The soft candlelight softened his rough features.

"Busy at work, I see," Sarah exclaimed, startling him so that he dropped his pen.

"You shouldn't be sneakin' up on folks like that!" he replied with thinly veiled irritation.

Without asking permission, Sarah seated herself in the plush chair that faced his desk. "Pardon me... I didn't realize you were so engrossed. What are you working on?"

Hoggle closed the book and raised it so that she could see the cover. It was old and dusty, like most books from the castle library, and said in gold letters, Guide to Locks and Doors. "It's very fascinatin'," Hoggle said with a smile. "Tells everything 'bout how locks work."

Sarah seemed amused. "Last week it was, How to Make Your Own Machines. You are quite an ardent student, of late. Taking after your father?"

Hoggle grunted. "Naw, he just has book-smarts. I plan to put what I learn to use. Not that he isn't useful, but I got my own way of doin' things."

Hands behind her head, Sarah said, "Is he still giving you a hard time about you not choosing to walk in his footsteps?"

"Whaddya think?" He picked his pen back up and began to gaze at the book. "Of course 'e is. Though, he's at least talking to me. Not that I want to talk to him... He's so sour all the time. You think I'm bad... I can't even stand my father."

Sarah grinned sardonically. "I know how your father is. I think he's a character, though, if you ask me."

"Yeah, to you he is. When you see him, you don't have to deal with'm fer hours on end. It's 'Hoggle Jr., you need to do this,' or, 'Hoggle Jr., if you had done what I told you years ago and not got hooked up with that Jareth character, you wouldn't be such a loser.' Well, I'll show him. At least I ain't stuck up in that study of his all day long, coughing from the dust..."

"Well, Hoggle, your father does love you. He's still hurt by you abandoning him for Jareth. I know that you have changed, but it will take your father time to heal from that. Plus, he's having to deal with the fact that his years are quickly dwindling. I think he's frightened, Hoggle."

Sarah sat up, but held back the urge to embrace Hoggle. She knew how his pride welled up when he was observed being emotional. "Hoggle," she began softly, "you made an honest mistake. It kills me to see you like this, and all because of Jareth's false promises. I think everyone in this castle has had their fair share of punishment from falling for those promises. Don't let it bother you too much; you still have some time with your father, and you need to take advantage of it."

A heavy sigh fell from Hoggle's swelled lips. "You're right, missy." He looked up at Sarah, and smiled. "Thank you fer bein' such a good friend to me, Sarah. Ain't no one I can trust like you."

Sarah bent over and patted his hand. "That's what I'm here for, Hoggle. We stick together, no matter what, right?"

"You bet."

With the resolution of yet another problem, Sarah rose and began to leave. She turned and added, almost as an afterthought, "By the way, have you already provided the transportation for your parents so that they can participate in tomorrow's celebration?"

"Yeah," Hoggle said, grunting again. "They're comin', though I'm sure my father'll be complainin' about the trip for hours once he gets here."

Sarah chuckled. "He probably will. Hey, don't study too hard. I want you to be jovial at dinner."

"Jovial? You're talkin' to me, right? You must be outta yer mind."