Chapter 4: Telling Of A Past

Walking into the small home Scarlett saw Melanie sitting in a chair doing her needle work. "Hello Scarlett," she said looking up with a smile.

"Hello Melanie," Scarlett said "Have the children fallen asleep yet?"

"Wade and Ella have, but Bonnie can't seem to fall asleep." Melanie said. At the sound of her name Bonnie's little head popped her head from around the chair.

"Come on Bonnie let's get you to bed." Scarlett said. How she disliked children very much, but this little girl seemed to take a liking to her and Rhett.

Bonnie went upstairs hand in hand with Scarlett. Climbing into bed Bonnie snuggled down into the covers. "I don't like the dark." Bonnie said in a scared voice. "Will you sit with me until I do fall asleep?" she asked.

"Alright, Bonnie, but you have to go to sleep." Scarlett said sitting in the rocking chair next to the bed where the other children had fallen asleep.

While Scarlett sat there she began to think of the day's events. What had taken place, things such as these ever took place at home…except the war that is. Within know time Bonnie was asleep. Today had been a very trying to day for her and her siblings.

Getting up rather slowly Scarlett left the room and walked into the sitting room. "Have you seen the nutcracker?" she asked as she saw Melanie still working on her needle work.

"No, I haven't dear." Melanie said.

Going out into the night Scarlett found him sitting on the porch. "Rhett, is everything okay?" Scarlett asked sitting next to him.

"Just been thinking," Rhett said.

"About what, if I may ask?" Scarlett asked looking at him waiting for him to answer. "If it's about the general taking over and people talking about you, you can't worry about it."

"It's not just that I've been thinking about her and where she might be." Rhett answered not looking at Scarlett.

He must really have loved this princess Scarlett thought. "I'm sure she's safe and sound where she is." Scarlett said with a smile upon her face.

"I can only hope." Rhett said as he believed what Scarlett was saying. "Have the children fallen asleep yet?"

"Yes, Bonnie had a little trouble getting to sleep but she fell asleep shortly after." Scarlett said. "Speaking of sleep shouldn't we be getting sleep?"

Rhett laughed at this. "Scarlett, I'm a nutcracker so I hardly sleep."

"Oh, well I'm getting some sleep." Scarlett said getting up. "Good night…prince Rhett."

"Good night Scarlett," Rhett said as he stay sitting.

The next morning Scarlett and Rhett began their journey yet again. "Why can't I go with you?" Bonnie asked as Rhett was down on the child's level.

"Because it's too dangerous to go with us Bonnie," Rhett said

Bonnie didn't argue she gave Scarlett and Rhett hugs goodbye. Telling her to be good and the others to be good as well they set off yet again.

"You were very good with Bonnie you know." Scarlett said as they left the small town. She was quite surprised at how he was so good with her.

"Thank you, the princess and I were going to start a family until that horrible day came." Rhett said as if that day was flashing before him.

Flashback….

The morning sun rose high in the sky as the new day came upon them. The people loved having Rhett as their prince and soon they would have a new princess as well. The two were very much in love even though they fought every so often things seemed to be somewhat peaceful.

The day was full of different kinds of festivities. The day was going to be great and lovely. However, things would soon turn for the worst.

"What have we here?" General Ashley asked as he stepped up to the prince and princess.

"You're not wanted here!" Rhett yelled as he stood up. He wasn't going to take this today in fact if he could at that very moment he would fight and kill him.

"Rhett, we must be nice to everyone whether we like them or not." The princess said taking Rhett's hand. This was very bold of the princess to say such a thing because, she had her ups and downs with people as well.

"Yes, listen to your princess." General Ashley said with a laugh as he watched the scene in front of him.

"If you must know we are celebrating mine and the prince's engagement." The princess said standing up.

"Isn't that sweet," Ashley said. This was very sweet but if there was one thing he hated were happy events, "To bad I have to break up this little event." While he pointed his sword at them, "Which one should go first?"

Stepping back Rhett stepped in front of his princess. He would protect her as much as he could. She was his world his life.

Ashley thought about this for a few short moments and then a thought struck him. "Army, attack!"

The army went forward as Rhett and the castle guards tried fighting them off. One by one they fell like flies. Blood, body parts lay everywhere. While towns people ran screaming for their lives as more soldiers came into this "War"

"AW!" screamed the princess as two soldiers ceased her. "Let go, Rhett help!"

Rhett turned and saw that his princess trying to get free, but it was no use she was trapped.

"Take the princess to the highest tower you can find…and never let her out!"

"No!" Rhett yelled as he ran toward the two soldiers who held his princess.

"Not so fast I have plans for you as well." Ashley said looking at him while he stood between Rhett and the princess. This was quite fun, in fact when he became the new ruler it would be much more fun.

"If I get my hands on you I will kill you!" Rhett yelled as he started running at him again.

"Come any closer and she dies!" Ashley yelled as the two soldiers took out there swords and held them towards the princess.

There was nothing Rhett could do because; if he moved then his life would be over. "Now what shall I do with you?" Ashley asked as he pointed at Rhett. "Aw, yes, I think I know." While an evil smile came to his face. "Where is the royal magician?" looking around no one came forward. "Where is he? If you don't tell me I will set fire to this place do you hear?"

At that moment a rather old man stepped forward. "You, are you the magician?" Ashley asked as he pointed his index finger at the man.

"Yes, I am," The old man said as he held his hands together while looking at the evil general.

"Perfect," a smile came to Ashley's face. "Turn the prince into…a Nutcracker."

"No!" the princess cried as she tried reaching out to her prince.

"Keep her quiet." Ashley said "Take her away."

Forced to her feet they began to walk. Walking past Rhett the princess touched his hand. Rhett promised that he would come for her no matter what happened to him. "I will find you no matter what it takes." Rhett said "I love you."

"I love you too." The princess said still touching his hand. The look in their eyes told each other that they were meant for each other and that they would be together again someday.

"Isn't that sweet," Ashley said as he watched the scene in front of him. They began walking yet again. "Wait." Ashley called out to the soldiers. "How about we make her watch shall we?"

The princess begged and pleaded for him not to do this. This was just cruel, cold hearted to do such a thing.

"Please, don't." the princess pleaded with her eyes. How could this happen to them? On such a happy day, why, why, why?

"Pleading will do you know good." Said Ashley as he turned toward the princess with evilness in his eyes.

"Please, I will give you whatever you want." The princess begged one last time. "I will even give you…my crown if you let him go." Falling onto her knees she begged and pleaded. She knew this wasn't the princess thing to do, but she just had to try it was their only hope.

"NO!" yelled Rhett as fear ran through his body. He couldn't let her do this it was too dangerous. "I won't let you do this, to us."

"Rhett, I have to if it's the only way we can be happy together."

Ashley thought for a moment and thought and thought. Silence filled the air while he did this. Finally he spoke "You know as delightful as that sounds I think I would rather rule by myself. I don't need any help from anyone."

The princess knew she had tried, but it was no use. "Let's go." One of the soldiers said as they forced her to her feet and forced her to watch the horrible event that would take place in front of her. Fighting back tears as she bit her lip the princess could only watch with a heavy heart.

The magician began the spell oh how he didn't want to do this, but he knew that if he didn't then he would be killed with the rest of the kingdom.

The princess watched in horror as the spell came to a beginning and soon to an end. Looking on the princess saw that her once beloved prince was now wooden nutcracker.

. "No," was the only word that escape her lips. Tears ran down her lovely china face as she began to sob. Burying her face in her hands all of the princess's grief began to flow.

"Take her away." Ashley told the soldiers as he pointed a different way.

Still crying her eyes out she let them lead her away never to see her prince again.

End of flashback

A/N: There's the prince's past. Will he ever be free of the evil spell? Who could this princess be that is talked about? Review:)