It didn't take long for Sarah and her companions to reach the castle gates. She stopped dead in her tracks, her pulse racing as she gazed up at the grotesque iron gates that loomed ahead.

"Is this this it?" She murmured to Sit Didymus, her body going cold as she realized the enormity of the situation.

"Aye, fair lady, that is the foul goblin castle." He affirmed, kicking his trusty steed forward. "Now the time hast come for thy doom!"

Ambrosious sped towards the gates, kicking up dust behind him. "Stop!" Sarah whispered loudly, scurrying behind him. The Fox paid no mind to her as he halted before the gates.

"Open up, thou foul knaves!" He bellowed, brandishing his sword before the gates. "Open up I say!"

Sarah crouched in the shadows, shaking her head in disbelief. We're going to die and I'll never get Michael back! Ludo crept up behind her, whimpering as he huddled closer. Sir Didymus continued to yell and berate the goblins.

"You're going to get us killed!" Sarah hissed. "We were supposed to sneak in, not raise hell at the front gates!"

"Never fear, my Lady, I shalt protect thee." He called over his shoulder.

"And whose going to protect my brother?" She muttered, glaring at the little fox. Sir Didymus began to respond but was cut off by a loud noise. Ludo stood before the gates, his arm outstretched. With a small smile, Sarah lept from her hiding place to stand beside him.

"Good job, Ludo!" She said, patting his furry arm. Ludo smiled at her as she led the way inside, none of them noticing the small form the followed them inside.

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Jareth leaned over the makeshift cradle, gazing at the baby, his eyes showing just a hint of disinterest. At least the little monster is finally quiet. Not that the same could be said for the other little monsters. Screaming and laughter still filled his throne room and it was slowly driving him mad.

Slowly he moved his hand and a small bubble of magic appeared before him. Instantly he bolted upright, the uproar around him fading away until all his focus was consumed by what appeared before him. It can't be.

Suddenly he was grinning and all the goblins stopped to stare at him in confusion as the bubble popped. "We have visitors."

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Sarah paused as they passed through the gates, eyebrows wrinkling in confusion as she spotted the second pair of gates, which already stood open. Something within her was screaming that this was all wrong but they crept forward still.

Just as Sir Didymus and his steed were about to pass through, the gates slammed closed with a loud bang. The ground beneath them shifted slightly as the gates convulsed before finally rising from the ground. Sarah stared in horror at the humongous beast that stood before them. Ambrosious tucked his tail and ran to hide, dumping his rider on the ground.

"Thou art a coward!" The Fox shook his fist angrily at his retreating steed before turning back to the giant. "As for thee! Thou shalt not disparage my Lady from entering thy foul castle!" The massive stone creature simply raised it fits, aiming a blow at the Fox.

"Look out!" Sarah screamed as they dashed to the side, his fist barely missing Sir Didymus. With a roar, the creature raised it's foot, intent on smashing them to bit. Quickly they scattered, the ground shaking beneath them as the foot smashed into the ground. Sarah ducked, covering her face against the spray of dirt and pebbles the filled the air. Coughing, she shook her head, wiping the dust from her face.

A sudden movement caught her eye and she turned to see Hoggle rushing across the stone walls, heading straight for the beast. A gasp escaped Sarah's lips as she watched the little man hurl himself at the stony monster.

"Hoggle!" She screamed as he landed on the giant's shoulder. "Be careful!" Hoggle proceeded to give the giant's head a swift kick with the toe of his boot and part of his stone helmet snapped off, falling to the ground with a bang. A small goblin sat inside, furiously throwing switches.

Hoggle quickly grabbed the goblin, throwing him down beside the broken helmet before climbing inside the stone machine. Wildly he threw the levers, twisting and turning, the monster dancing about strangely. Suddenly, it began shuddering and convulsing, smoke billowing from inside. With a great leap, Hoggle threw himself through the air as the giant exploded, raining down bits of rock all about them.

Sarah ran to Hoggle, falling beside him and rolling his still body over. He looked up at her, eyes wide as she grabbed him, squeezing him tightly.

"Don't you ever scare me like that!" She sobbed, kissing his cheek.

His cheeks grew red and Hoggle ducked his head, mumbling something about not asking for forgiveness. Sarah simply pulled him onto his feet as she stood.

"Look, yonder gates are open, milady." Sir Didymus declared as he approached them, Ludo lumbering slowly behind him. "If thou art willing to continue with thy heroics, brave Hoggle, methinks milady canst recovery her long-lost brother."

Hoggle nodded, cheeks still red in the starlight as they slowly stepped through the gates. "I'm coming, Michael, I'm coming."

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Jareth stood on the balcony, watching his goblins flooding the courtyard below. You are no match for me, little one. He spotted Sarah moving quickly towards the castle and whirled around, stalking back into the throne room.

He scooped the baby up, grateful that it had stopped wailing long ago, and headed down the back steps. One last test...let's see if you pass.