Chapter 2:

It sun was already begin to set as Rosalinda

had finished her work for the day. As she put

away the items into a basket peeking out

from one of the table leg on the floor as she

lay the table for two dashing about the room

finding the objects she needed. As she put

down two brown crack old plates and two

sliver little cups as she began to spread the

butter swiping it onto the bread with the only

knife they had in the house placing the two

slices on each one as the embers snaked

around the logs on the fireplace. She tipped

the middle size white jug which was half full

with milk as a few drops came out as she

steady each little cup dainty in her other

hand preparing the supper making it a

wonderful surprise for her father's return

home that day from market. A little smile

appeared again on her face imainging him

coming back with the things he had promised

fresh bedding, tasty sweet meats, a

delightful array of cheeses, loads of

buttermilk that would last for a few months

as her mouth watered at the very mention at

it as they were poor creatures. But she didn't

mind not having the finer things in life as she

only wanted to have a simple life with her

father and maybe someday find someone to

mate with and have a couple of babies. That

moment there was a loud knocking at the

door that almost blew it off. ''Papa is that

you'' she said heading to the door where a

little crack for her to peek out seeing a black

cloak figure that looked wounded as her

heart bled at the sight of it. ''Oh you poor

thing please come in'' she said opening the

door gently helping it inside leading it the

only chair in the room by the fire as it sat

down. ''Let me get something to drink'' she

said about to leave its side to get one of the

cups of the table as she knew would get

some extra from one of the neighbours

wanting to share. She didn't had time to go

as it grabbed her two hands holding them in a

pair of white ones. ''You are even more lovely

than I dreamed you to be'' it sighed in a male

voice. She was confused by what he meant

by that as he remove to his cloak to reveal a

white fur mouse with dark coloured clothes

as his hard eyes stared in her gentle brown

ones as she felt frighten by him as she now

knew who he was. Her people may not had

taken part in it but they had heard so much

as news spread like wildfire to their ears as

she remembered her father telling her stories

of a Mouse King ruling Parthenia and his evil

reign and a nutcracker and his love defeating

him as she was too scared even to move. ''No

get out go away'' she said finally finding her

voice breaking free from his grasp move

further back away from him trying to brave

not trying to show him how terrified by him.

''But my dear I have no means of harming you

now I have found my queen'' he said. But she

didn't quite believe him reaching for anything

sight to defend herself with against him as he

got up to grab her. She picked up one of the

cups sending it down on his head so he

would be out long enough for her to run and

fin her father of any of the other villagers to

help get rid of him. It made a soft but loud

tinkling sound as the glass from it smashed

into hundreds of tiny pieces yet none was in

reach of him to cut him but also it didn't

seem to work as he moved now and now

closer to her as she press herself against the

side of one of the walls. Meanwhile her father

was walking home as the night was fully out

as others were finding it tricky getting home

carrying their belongings making sure not to

lose any. But he wasn't as his perfect sight

made his path so easy as he busy counting

the trades he made with the other village

mice and how great it would be for him to

nestl by the fire with Rosalinda by his side

eating supper as he told her of his time today

as the house was in sight. He noticed coming

up the step to see the door open which was

odd as he went inside. He stop dead in his

tracks seeing the mess around him as his

foot felt something sharp as he yelp in pain

as some of his blood leak over the small

puddle of milk as one of the table legs were

missing as it was lop sided with the sewing

basket tip over with some of the items out of

it untidy pile as some of the clothes were

flown off as the stain glass window was burst

open almost about to snap off as he

wondered what was going on as he drop the

objects he was carrying in his arms dashing

about looking for any sign of Rosalinda with

worry in his eyes as he swarm about up and

down also checking the two upper rooms if

she had fled into one of them by chance

which she wasn't. He flew back down the

steps as he tripped down the last one about

to hit his head trying to get up. He felt a large

jap inside him it was his heart as it doing

something as it was beating much faster

than it usual rate. He stared up at the open

night sky as the stars sparkled down on him

as he knew he was going to die that night.

''Oh Rosalinda where are my little rosebud

please come back to me wherever you are

now'' he said then close his eyes. That

moment the Mouse King had spirited her

away to an old abandon castle not to far from

the castle in Parthenia as he had moved in

with his guards as he locked her in the only

room for a female as a wedding was taken

place as a white gown with long silk sleeves

and a full length skirt that came to ground as

it trailed behind her as she stared at it as

tears came to her eyes knowing she had no

choice to this putting the dress on as the

door reopen as two of the guards stand in

front of her leading her out down the stairs to

a grand hall as she shiver from the cold air

was creeping in through open parts of the old

ruin as he stood before her. She looked

around the area looking for a way to escape

but there was no as hope was gone from her

as she became his wife that night.