Pearl opened her eyes. The storm had passed. The Yule candlelight was nearly spent. She moved off the bed and approached her nutcracker. So far, he was safe. Why then did she feel she wasn't alone? And her height… she was shrinking, down and down until she and her dress were small, toy-like. And her nutcracker… had the appearance of Frodo Baggins, wearing the blue uniform.

Oh, how she wanted this to be real. But was it? She spun around at the sight of Fatty Bolger. Only, he was wearing a red uniform and quite beside himself in terror. He fought back against large rats, only to be tossed into the air.

"Pearl, you have to help me!" Fatty cried, extending his hand to her.

"I'll save you!" Frodo/Nutcracker said, standing up and advancing towards the king rat. Pearl shrieked. The rats surrounded them. There was nothing she could do to stop them. Wait. There were ballet shoes. She charged up to the king rat and clonked him on the head.

Blood dripped from the crack in his skull. Frodo/Nutcracker dived in and stabbed the king rat through the heart. The king rat fell to the ground, drawing its last breath. The rats surrounded their king, mourning for his death. All was well.

Why did Pearl feel like she was about to faint?

"This must be a dream. I'm dreaming." Pearl said, hardly believing what she was seeing.

"Come with me." Frodo/Nutcracker said, extending a hand.

"Yes! I will go with you." Fatty said, following the two up to a toy castle.

"This doesn't feel right." Frodo/Nutcracker whispered in Pearl's ear.

"I can assure you, Fatty means well. He's my psychiatrist, not a bad hobbit." Pearl said, confused.

"Where is your kingdom, Frodo?" Fatty asked Frodo/Nutcracker, curious.

"This way." Frodo/Nutcracker said, leading Pearl and Fatty inside the castle. It was decked out in so many sweets. Pearl wanted to try them all. At the end of the room was a floating carriage, decorated with garland. She followed Frodo/Nutcracker and Fatty inside. The door closed and the carriage moved smoothly. So far, things were well.

"So, this is your kingdom." Pearl said, enamored by all she was seeing.

"No." Frodo/Nutcracker shook his head. "Actually, that's my kingdom."

Pearl looked now through the open window. There was a sea of milk. And in the near distance, there was a castle made from so chocolates and spices. There was so much chocolate, too much for her taste. And yet, this was her nutcracker's kingdom? Why did she feel like she was missing home so badly? Like something was missing in her life?

Something told her this venture wasn't over just yet.

The carriage landed before a courtyard. She stepped out after Frodo/Nutcracker and Fatty. It was lovely just being with them, enjoying this place and all its sweets and drinks that smiled at her. She could live in this kingdom. And yet, there was something more: she wanted to dance in a play. This play she was in would be perfect.

"Now." Fatty said, cackling. "Where might I find the vault?"

"Stand back, Pearl!" Frodo/Nutcracker drew his sword. "I'll defend you."

"Fatty's not bad!" Pearl told him, confused.

"Pearl, he obviously wanted you here for a reason. Have you heard the story of the hobbit nutcracker?" Frodo/Nutcracker asked her.

"No. At least, not in a while." Pearl admitted, still confused.

"Well, the story told of a hobbit and his best friend. That friend betrayed him. His heart turned cold. In the process, the best friend swore to keep a secret, and in so doing forced the hobbit he cared about into a life of solitude, never to be woken up again. That hobbit was cursed and transformed into a nutcracker." Frodo/Nutcracker said to her, serious. "Now all Fatty cares about is ruining the joys of my kingdom."

"Frodo, I came here to release you from the curse." Fatty said, confused. "I didn't ask for any of this. My oath is my own. You should have listened to me that day."

"Now we fight!" Frodo/Nutcracker dived in. Fatty flayed his sword, clanging it against the nutcracker's weapon. Blade clashed against blade. Pearl had to do something.

"STOP!" Her voice rang out, causing the two friends to stop fighting. "You don't know what you're doing!"

"Pearl, stay out of this." Frodo/Nutcracker warned her.

"No. This fighting must end." Pearl told him. "If you let one oath ruin your friendship, then what's the point?"

"There is none!" Frodo/Nutcracker said. "But I cannot let him hurt you any longer."

"Then just listen to me." Pearl said, causing Frodo/Nutcracker and Fatty to back off. "I know you two have issues, but fighting won't solve anything. You have been friends for a long time. Don't let the past ruin your judgement. You need to resolve this. You can mend your ways."

"What do you say? Friends?" Fatty asked, smiling.

Frodo/Nutcracker glared at him. Pearl nearly thought he would punch him. Instead, he lowered his fist and extended his hand, showing Fatty compassion. "Friends?"

Fatty took his hand. For a second, things were well. The next moment, Fatty knocked him out with one punch, before running around the kingdom screaming like a lunatic. Pearl stayed with her nutcracker, watching him breathe and finally sleep. She sighed. Maybe some things couldn't be solved through simple handshakes. But then, what were friends for? She shook her head, resting it against Frodo/Nutcracker's chest.

It was time to wake up.

*.*.*

Thanks for reading. :)