The rest of the day passed quietly, not-Hansel returning with a large pheasant for the Wolf and two small apples for Red. After eating, the two weary originals fell straight to sleep, curled up around each other in the corner.

The Wolf dreamed of Peter. In his dream, he saw his son, sitting in the snow, cheerfully playing with a small cloth toy. Glancing up, the little blonde wolf smiled joyously, "Papa!" The eyes were clear and bright, able to see once more, delighted. The Wolf could have died with happiness, especially when Peter scrambled up and over to hug his leg happily. "Where'd you go, Papa? I didn't know where you went!"

The Wolf was bending down, ready to bless his son with a gentle, loving hug, when the voice came. "Hey! Wake up! Come on, you big pile of fur!"

Instantly, the dream of Peter, bright and healed, pulled away, and the Wolf slowly blinked awake. Not-Hansel knelt beside him, a frantic look on his face.

"Good! You're awake!" Not-Hansel leapt up, began to nudge Red with his foot, "And you! Wake up! Wake up!"

"Mmm…" Red curled up, wanting to stay asleep.

"Wake up! I'm taking you guys to Peter and then I'm going to send you back through the mirrors." Not-Hansel turned, scooped up his little son, and bounced him up and down in his arms before setting him on the lopsided chair. Bending down, he whispered into his son's ear before patting him on the head, grabbing his palm-sized mirror from the wall, and cheering, "On our way before that bloody scorpion comes back, if you please!"

The Wolf blinked as he sat up. After a brief yawn, he grumbled sleepily, "Scorpion…?"

"Irit came by this morning…" Not-Hansel shuffled uncomfortably. "He tried to break in… But the door's solid oak, and he went away after throwing another one of his tantrums."

"Why did he come-"

Not-Hansel bared his teeth, "Because he'd be more than happy to-" He stopped, stiffening, and then glanced at the door. "Well, you can ask him yourself."

The Wolf stood, "He's here?"

"Lurking outside." Not-Hansel grimaced, went closer to the door, and then pressed his ear against the wood. Concentrating for a bit, he then nodded, "He's there." He drew back, called, "Irit! We know you're out there!"

For a few moments, there was silence, and then Irit's voice grumbled, "You wouldn't answer me… Where are you taking them?"

"I'm not going to tell you, Irit… Now, get away from my house. If I haven't arrived at the time I told them I would be there, they're going to send soldiers." Not-Hansel crossed his arms, glowered at the door.

Instantly, the door shuddered as Irit threw himself against it furiously, "I knew it! You're taking them to cousin, aren't you?"

Not-Hansel glowered at the door, "Your cousin has the big mirror, Irit. That's what we need to send them back home."

"There's other 'big mirrors'! You're not taking them there to-" Irit's voice stopped before he hissed softly.

A new voice came, low and grating, "Oh… It's you…"

The sound of scrambling feet crept through under of the crack of the door before Irit's soft voice growled, "You can't have them."

"Orders." Said another threatening voice.

Irit whined, "There's nothing to do with them! Nothing! There is no reason to take them to him!"

Not-Hansel rolled his refracted eyes, called, "Don't even try, Irit! We're going there, no matter what!"

The two new voices outside were joined by a third, which jeered, "Yes! What say you, brothers, and we have ourselves a scorpion?"

Irit's voice trembled with anger and hesitation, "Don't you dare touch me."

"Then go away," Snarled the three voices, "before we change our minds. We're on duty, three days straight now, and we're hungry!"

With a final snarl, Irit turned and ran, judging by the smacking sound of feet against ice and snow.

Not-Hansel relaxed before calling, "He's gone, right?"

"Yes, snake." Chorused the voices. "Now open the door. We're taking you to the palace."

Hastily, not-Hansel unlocked the door, yanked it open, "Finally!"

Three men in bent, black armor stood on the other side of the door, hungry gray eyes narrowed as they peered into the small hovel. The leader, distinguished by the red handkerchief knotted around his neck, forced a painful grin, "Ready? Got everything?"

Not-Hansel nodded, beckoned towards the staring Wolf and Red, "Come on! We have to go!"


The three soldiers were grimly silent for the whole voyage, their vacant gray eyes only casting over to the originals to allow an occasional hungry glance. The hunger in their eyes scared Red, who found herself clinging to the Wolf more than once whenever the more aggressive guard, the one with a tattered gray cloth round his face, split away from his companions to bump into her, pinch her, and then hurry back to the two others and whisper fervently to them. She always managed to catch the phrase, "Perfect for the eating."

The Wolf was ignored for the most part, which made him very happy. He was going to see his son, leave this horrid mirror world, and then be safe and warm back at Red's house. The anticipation that built up in him squeezed at his heart, making him long for it more and more, especially if it meant finding even a little tidbit to eat. The pheasant that not-Hansel had brought the evening before now seemed nonexistent, and he could feel the beginnings of hunger rip at the edges of his stomach.

Not-Hansel seemed a bit distracted, constantly fidgeting with his fingernails, scraping dirt from underneath them. The Wolf even caught him licking his palms and patting some random strands of hair down.

Pulling closer to the fidgeting mirror man, the Wolf asked quietly, "Who are we going to see?"

Startled, not-Hansel stared up at him, a glint of fear suddenly in his eyes. In a defensive tone, he snarled, "Nobody!"

"Obviously, you're lying. Just the way you're acting shows we're meeting someone you like or you want to impress."

Not-Hansel shuddered before nodding, "The latter."

"So… who is he?"

"… The King…"

"Why are you so nervous then…?" asked the Wolf.

"I can't tell you. It might be considered treason."

The Wolf paused, glared at him, "You're just using that as an excuse, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am, now be quiet and hurry up. We're almost there."


The next ten minutes were spent in silence, the soldiers shooting sly glances at each other as the trees began to clear out, replaced by low, dark brush. Finally, they rounded a small hill and came into view of a dark, rather lopsided castle. Its tall spires poked at the sky while its rounded, arching windows allowed a small amount of artificial light to push through, obviously from torches and oil lamps within. The gate was heavy oak, covered by an iron portcullis and guarded by several soldiers in the same dented armor as the three who were escorting the Wolf and Red.

Instantly, the guards rushed forward, hissing, "Guests, guests! Open the gates! Open the gates!"

Two soldiers appeared atop the stone wall before turning, shouting a command to the courtyard below. With a groan, the portcullis rolled upwards as the gates opened inwards, and the escorting soldiers immediately shouldered Red, the Wolf, and not-Hansel through.

The gate shut behind them.

The inside of the castle was dusty and grimy. The courtyard's walls alone were coated with a fine sheet of black and dark green moss, sprouting small flowers such as edelweiss and other little white blossoms. Everywhere hung spider webs, glistening with snowflakes and frosted dew. The halls were a bit better, but a very thick coat of dust and hay lay across the floor. Red was a bit disgusted to see small black bugs crawling through the mess, but the Wolf directed her attention to the numerous, rather larger-to-usual spider webs scattered everywhere.

Finally, they reached a tall door that had once been plated with gold and bronze; however, there was only dark pits now where the metal had once been attached.

"Stay here." Ordered the captain of the guards before creaking the door open, slipping through.

When Red stepped forward, wanting to peer through the crack, one of the guards blocked her and grunted, "No."

Red stepped back, bumped into the furry chest of the Wolf. Startled, she glanced up into his face before asking, "Is the mirror in there?"

"Either that or the… 'King'."

"The King?"

"The Hansel thing said we had to see the 'King' or something." The Wolf crossed his arms, glowered at not-Hansel.

Not-Hansel returned the glare, "You can't use the mirror without his permission. We have laws too."

"Sure, whatever you say. Tell me these… 'laws'."

Not-Hansel held up a hand, began to count off on his fingers, "Well, number one: we all have to wear our disguises whenever there's an original in our world. Number two: all should hail the King, and the King should respect his people, but that one is, unfortunately," He lowered his voice, "down the drain. Number three: you shall not hunt more than is needed. Number fo-"

The captain pushed the door open, motioned to them, "In."

Not-Hansel smiled grimly before nodding and stepping forward. As he passed Red, he grabbed hold of her hand, whispered, "Try not to look delicious."

The Wolf flinched and stared at him, "Delicious? Are you saying that the King might eat her?"

"Yes, so it would be better if she just stayed back and let us talk. I'm hoping for a peaceful negotiation here, you know." Not-Hansel whispered before tugging her into the room.

The room was huge, carved out of blackish-crimson stone. Overhead, huge spider webs hung, small torches flickering in the web. However, Red's attention was drawn to the center of the opposite wall, where a tall, red stone throne lounged.

With a small whisper, not-Hansel muttered, "Wolf, that's your reflection… I would bow too, if I may say so."

The reflection of the Wolf sat on the throne, his long arms curled around the small blonde blot that was Peter. A dark purple cloak hung over them both, acting more like a blanket than a piece of clothing. Glancing up, the Wolf's reflection gave a small, weary grin, readjusted his hold on Peter, and whispered softly, "Hm… So you've finally come…"

Not-Hansel was about to speak, but, without warning, Wolf bounded forward. Squawking, not-Hansel snarled, "Wolf!"

The guards hissed, started to hurry forward, intent on stopping the original, but the King waved a hand. With a small grin, he sat up as the Wolf neared, "Well… I've never met you before, have I? Very nice to meet you." He extended a hand, his other hand keeping a gentle hold on the sleeping Peter.

The Wolf hesitated, staring at the hand before turning his eyes back to Peter. "Is he okay?"

The King blinked, withdrew his hand, sighed, and then began to caress the little wolf's head. Licking his lips, he bent and sniffed the blonde fur before whispering, "I would say he's fine, except for a few scratches across his back where one of my… soldiers," He cast a withering glance at the guards stationed in the corner, "went out of ranks and tried to have an early dinner…" Chuckling, he continued, "Should have seen him while he writhed, the little trai-" He broke down, coughing, pushed Peter into the Wolf's arms, stood, staggered forward, and then hoarsely called, "Lieutenant…"

Not-Hansel stepped forward, paling, "Yes, sire?"

The King's cloak rustled before eight long, pointed brown legs pushed out from underneath, crooked forward, and grabbed hold of not-Hansel's arms. Pulling the trembling man to him, he hissed, "Where's my stone, lieutenant…?"

The Wolf stiffened, the gray hands that held Peter to his chest clenching. Turning, he stared at not-Hansel, eyes growing wide with surprise, "What?"

Not-Hansel shuddered, "…I went after the… beasty… and the stone is out of reach. I could not-" He squeaked loudly as the claws at the tip of the legs tightened at his chemise.

"What are you saying?" asked the King weakly, angrily, "Out of reach? It's never out of reach! Lieutenant, I need-" He erupted into another fit of coughing, releasing not-Hansel as he turned to mask his hoarse hacking with a clawed hand. The spider legs that sprouted from his back curled, twitching, and then withdrew to hide beneath the cloak once more.

Instantly, not-Hansel was supporting his King, whimpering, "Sire, if I could only use the big mirror, I could-"

The King locked a milky eye onto the mirror man before growling, "Of course you can! Now go!" He shoved his underling away, staggered back to his throne, slumped down, and began to lick his paw slowly.

Not-Hansel snarled silently before turning, heading for the door.

"Wait!" The Wolf snarled, "What about us? What about sending us back to our home?"

Blinking, the King glanced at not-Hansel, who paled to a pasty white and tried to explain, "… They… They wouldn't have come otherwise, sire…"

"What?" shrieked the Wolf, enraged, as Red jerked in surprise.

With a small nod, the King motioned to his guards. Gesturing lazily at the Wolf and Red, he lilted, "Seize them."

Instantly, the guards held the struggling Wolf in their arms, every one of the eight legs that wormed out from under the long, hard leather armor on their back curling up to subdue the original.

Red began to back away, but one single guard detached himself from the group, grabbed her, and held her with no difficulty.

"Make sure not to harm my original…" hissed the King, delighting in the way his guards were struggling to hold down the Wolf, who was twisting, curling up to protect Peter from the sharp tips of the legs. "And bring the girl to me… Lieutenant, you may-" He coughed loudly before adding sullenly, "And bring back my stone, please."

With one last sullen glance at Red and the Wolf, not-Hansel nodded, turned, and fled the room, the Wolf howling hate-filled curses after him as the spider guards finally subdued him, ripping Peter, who had awakened, from him.

Struggling against the guard's rough hold, Peter screeched, "Papa!"

Slumping on the floor, the guards pinioning him with their legs, the Wolf sobbed, "No… Please… Please don't hurt Peter…"

The King ignored him, gazing at Red with ravenous eyes as the guard dragged her forward. The eight legs stirring out from underneath his cloak, he reached forward, grabbed her from the guard, and then dragged her to his lap. Licking his lips, he whispered, "My, my… And just who are you, dear one?"

Red stared up at him, shivered, gulped down a small ball of fear, and stammered, "R-R-Red…"

"Red… Well, Red, how would you like to stay for dinner tonight?" The King's eyes glinted hungrily as he reached up, toyed with a bang of her hair.

Red could tell that he was asking her to stay as dinner by the way his predatory smile widened. Jerking against his arms, she shrieked, "Let me go! No! Let me go!"

With a cooing voice, the King licked her neck, "Now, now…. Please don't struggle… It's not till tonight, after all…" Two brown mandibles, tipped with black fangs, inched out from his mouth, brushed against her neck, and then stilled as they found the main vein that pulsed there. His eyes lit up before he shoved her away, stood, and hissed, "Stop doing that!"

The guards had been yanking at the Peter's tail, causing his sobs to intensify. Hurriedly regrouping, two staying to restrain the helpless original, they saluted, watched their King fearfully.

"Mm… Take him and his son to a room, feed them, lock them in. And if I even hear a whisper that one of you just so much as took a bite, I will tear off your heads, you hear me?" The King flared with sudden rage before erupting into a loud fit of coughing. The bout wore off, and he glared at the specks of blood on his hand before hiding it away in a pocket.

Peter stilled in the guard's arms, eyes watering with tears. Clutching at the alternating leather and metal, he sobbed, "Bad men… Bad men… Papa…" He moaned, causing the Wolf to shiver in worry and want.

The guards nodded, ignoring the little wolf's sobs, and, dragging the Wolf up, carried him and Peter from the room. The only guard that was left was Red's captor.

With a small sigh, the King cast a tired glance at them, "Just take her and get her ready for eating… And don't let Denver see you… He's insisting on feeding me that horrid soup since I'm sick…" He groaned, returned to his throne, and slumped onto it, "He hasn't let me eat anything solid for a while now… Just keep her a secret meal." He chuckled sadly, twirled a finger into the fur on his arm.

Red slumped, the guard's locked arms the only thing keeping her up. Why was there always something or someone wanting to eat her? It wasn't natural, wanting to eat little girls, was it?

The guard nodded before asking hesitantly, "Sir…? How should I-"

"Wash her at least… Make her smell… appetizing." Grunting, the King curled up on his throne, buried his head into his knees. The hair on the spider legs rose on end before they curled around their owner, making a small 'cage' around him. "Now go away…"

The guard voiced an acknowledgement before whirling about, shoving Red forward, and parading her out of the room.

Only then did the King allow himself to peek out of his small refuge, sniffling miserably. Withdrawing a hand from the folds of his cloak, he regarded the small spray of blood upon it with sad eyes and sighed.


OOC: Sorry for the very sporadic and nondescriptive updates... I'm hoping that, now that Christmas vacation is over, I'll have more chance to write. Hope all of you had a happy New Years!