Chapter Three: Armies of Darkness
Cascading stars along the slumbering hills
They are dancing as far as the sea
Riding o'er the land you can feel it's gentle hand
Leading onto its destiny
~ From "Night Ride Across the Caucasus" by Loreena McKennit
Mab waited while Hilda appeared. "What took you so long?" she asked harshly.
"Sorry," Hilda answered. "Unlike some beings I refuse to name I have to walk!"
"No matter," Mab said. "If you want to help, first we must take Castle White by force."
"I prefer to do it by deception," Hilda remarked dryly.
"We don't have time for you to dance around, with your preference to poison," Mab half-shouted. "And we don't need to bicker. I have a plan that can not fail."
"And the plan?" Hilda asked.
"Just step back and watch," Mab answered. Hilda obeyed and Mab raised her hand in the air and a swirl of magic surrounded her finger, then lightening smashed and cracked a whole through the mountain.
Hilda looked interested at the open mountain. She knelt down and saw yellow eyes glaring at her and heard growls and snarls.
"Welcome your army, Hilda," Mab said. "They are all yours talk to them."
Hilda called down. "Hello, boys, hungry?" She could hear excited sounds like they were positive. "Want to seek revenge on those who put you here?" Again the positive sounds. "Then come with me to Castle White!" The sounds got louder as they approached the surface. Hilda and Mab smiled and shook hands appreciatively.
Mordred sat up straight in his bed, at first confused where he was. His night had been restless, plagued with memories of the Underworld. He could see the demon's burning eyes glowering on him and feel their clawed hands grab him for their torture. He could still smell the sulfur and embers around him, like a fire that would never end and never be quenched. He could hear the screams of the dead who remembered and the moans of those who no longer chose too and remembered his vow not to be like the Forgotten Ones. The strain was unbearable, each day to remember his former life but he felt it was worth it, just to fight against his tormentors. He also remembered the whispers from Up Above. The whispers that entered his brain like a chant and didn't let go: "Evil Mordred", "Bastard Son", "Destroyer of the perfect kingdom," "Devil's spawn," on and on. They filled in and out of his mind, as he covered his ears begging for them to stop sometimes even clawing his own face, so they would go away.
The young former knight looked around his room, it was all but a memory and now he was here in the 9 Kingdoms with Merlin, Nimue, and Frick and would eventually reunite with his father. He wasn't sure which punishment was worse.
The door opened as a servant entered with a golden tray of food. "The king wishes you to have this meal, sir," he said. Under normal circumstances, Mordred would have insulted the man, or kicked him so the food would knock over, or performed the old "Fire an apple off of the servant's head" trick but right now Mordred was too confused to.
The door opened as King Wendell stepped in. He was fully dressed in his white jacket and black trousers. He gave Mordred an imperious look then turned to his servant. "You may leave us," he said.
The servant stammered frightened. "But sire he-"
"I said you may go," Wendell told the man as the servant bowed and left leaving the king and the visitor alone.
Wendell faced Mordred his arms crossed. "Well, are you not going to thank me for saving your life and defending you against your enemies?"
Mordred faced the king just as squarely. "You know you are either a great warrior or a great fool to be alone in here with me, when I could take a weapon to you and be done in seconds."
Wendell smiled as though Mordred were a precocious child. "Now, do you really think that I would be stupid enough to leave a weapon within your reach after your performance last night?"
"You saw how I fired that dagger," Mordred answered.
"I saw how Merlin caught it with his hand, yes, most impressive," Wendell answered his voice dripping with sarcasm. From the corner of his eye, he saw Mordred put his hands on the window as if to remove the bars. "And you can forget about escaping, this room is magically sealed. Only myself and certain membersof my staff are permitted to open it. It would be impossible to escape, though I almost wish you would. It has been a rather slow morning so far for my guards. "
Mordred slumped down in bed. "What are you going to do to me?" he asked.
"I don't know," Wendell answered. "I have not thought that far in advance yet. I may just let you leave, or I may let you rot in the Snow White Memorial Prison. But seeing as how you did nothing to myself or my kingdom personally, that I am aware of, I can not very well do that. Or perhaps if I am feeling rather vindictive, I may just have your little friends at you. They seemed delighted to see you." Mordred glared at the king as he continued. "What do they want with you and what have you done to have you regarded so highly in their eyes?"
Mordred's mouth dropped open in mock surprise. "You mean you have never heard of Camelot, the perfect Kingdom or Arthur the Once and Future King?"
Wendell caught the patronizing tone in the other man's voice, but chose not to dignify it with a come back. "Presume that I have not, and tell me what is going on," before Mordred could speak, Wendell raised his hand. "And before you getting into a long dull history lesson, skip to your involvement."
The dark haired traitor nodded. "I'm his son, that's how."
Wendell waved his hand. "And his heir I presume."
Mordred shook his head. "Not quite, I'm his illegitimate son, you see my mother and father shared many things in common the same height, the same eye color, the same taste in books, music, wines. Oh yes, and they shared one other thing, a mother!"
It took a minute for the revelation to sink in, but when it did it sunk hard like a ship caught in an iceberg. "You mean your parents were brother and sister?"
Mordred smiled, getting a malicious delight in the shocked expression on Wendell's face. "Oh that must be it, I wondered why family gatherings were so small! What you mean that doesn't happen here?"
"No!" Wendell said. "Once in awhile a first cousin, and I have heard in the days before Happily Ever After, a couple of fathers tried to wed their daughters but the girls escaped and the fathers were justly punished."
"Well to make a long story short, I was basically brought into this world to take my father out of it, I succeeded but unfortunately, so did he," Mordred answered bitterly.
This time Wendell's shock was lessened. This young man was certainly full of surprises. "So your-"
Mordred smiled, he enjoyed the effect this conversation was having on Wendell. This king wasn't an annoying do-gooder like his father. He was pompous and obnoxious. Unfortunately, he wasn't naive, he didn't trust Mordred that's for sure. Mordred grinned and answered the question. "Yes, I am supposed to be dead, pushing up daisies, shuffling off the mortal coil, feeding worms, becoming fertilizer, going up the rung to join the choir invisible. In short becoming an ex-Mordred! But, I have been brought to life to this silly little kingdom, to involve myself in your silly little lives!"
Wendell's eyes narrowed. "You know I am sure you would love to try to find your way through my 'silly little kingdom' but oh that's right, you just got here so you would get hopelessly lost! For now, you will remain here," he said. "A servant will be by later today if you wish to wander around. Good day."
Mordred snarled at the king as he closed the door. He picked up a trinket and threw it at the closed door. The trinket crashed and broke on the floor. Mordred laughed haughtily, then picked up his fork to take a bite from the breakfast that had been made for him. Despite himself, he couldn't help but think that it was delicious.
Vriginia skipped into the bathroom excited about her nightly bath time ritual with her mother. Her mother's back was turned as she turned off the nozzles. "Boo," Virginia teased.
Christine jumped and then faced her daughter. "Virginia, don't scare me like that!" she demanded.
"Sorry Mom," Virginia answered, her lip quivering.
"Well don't just stand there take your robe off," Christine demanded. Virginia then took off her robe and jumped into the bathtub. Christine began scrubbing her daughter's arms. She scrubbed her so furiously that Virginia squealed in pain, but her mother paid no heed. Instead she scrubbed her stomach, back, and neck in the same way.
"Now Virginia dunk your head in the water, so I can wash your hair," Christine said, her voice barely heard above the little girl's laughter.
"Okay Mom," she said, then reclined in the water, so her hair was right in and her head on top of the water. She felt her mother's hands touch her body, then they gained more force as t hey pushed her down into the water. Virginia could barely make out her mother's image above the ripples in the water.
Suddenly, Virginia could no longer see her mother through the water, in fact she wasn't in the water. Instead, she was sitting at the edge of the tub. This time her hands were on a little girl, Virginia gasped realizing the little girl was Luna!
"Virginia," Wolf's voice called from the living room. Virginia looked up in fear. He must never know what she tried to do.
A tap on her shoulder woke Virginia from the memory of her dream. She jumped in fright and then turned to see her stepbrother Wendell, with an amused expression on his face. "Don't scare me like that," she said.
"Sorry," Wendell answered. "It was too tempting. Where are the others?"
Virginia rubbed her eyes adjusting to be awake. "Oh, Dad and the kids are still asleep and Wolf ran into Frick this morning, and they got into a conversation but I haven't seen either of them since."
"Alone at last," Wendell teased, but then looked serious. "Virginia, what is it? When you and the others arrived, I couldn't help, but feel that there was some tension with you earlier, is something wrong between you and Wolf?"
Virginia rolled her eyes. "Can't I breath without one of you three asking what's wrong? I'm fine okay?"
Wendell blinked. "I am dreadfully sorry, Virginia. I was just concerned."
Virginia sighed. "I know, and it's all right. I'm sorry, I know you guys worry about me."
Between her husband, father, and stepbrother Virginia often felt a bit overprotected. Tony, Wolf, and Wendell were wonderful guys and she loved them all dearly, and she knew they were looking at for her best interests. But jeez, it got old.
"Wolf and Antony already spoke with you?" Wendell guessed.
Virginia shook her head. "Just dad, last night. And to answer your question, I'm all right. I was just thinking about last night and I had a little trouble sleeping that's all."
"Well, I know a few fairies who can take care of that," Wendell suggested.
"Thanks but no thanks," Virginia laughed. "I'd rather the cure for a few restless nights not be one hundred years of sleep."
The two stepsiblings laughed as they caught sight of Frick and Wolf running from the second floor all the way down the stairs. Frick was the first to reach the table and tapped it triumphantly. "Time, I win!" he said. "I don't have to remove it."
Wolf then followed the little gnome wearing a black spiked dog collar around his neck. Virginia and Wendell stared at the collar at first too stunned, but then burst out laughing.
"Wolf, I presume you have a story to go with this, um, lovely accessory and if it involves you and Virginia keep it to yourselves."
"Nothing, I've ever seen," Virginia said between gasps of laughter.
Wolf glared at Frick. "Tell them," he said.
Frick bowed grandly. "Just that first, this wolf besmirched my honor, besmirched it I tell you, he called me a goblin! A goblin, can you believe that when it is plain to see that I am a gnome! Then, he told me he wondered what gnome meat tasted like. I had to domesticate him, before he tried to eat me!"
Wolf looked pained. "Merely a passing thought, a wondering fancy. I would never dream of actually eating you! It's just one of the great ponderings of life to wonder such things that you are unaware of."
"Be that as it may," Frick said testily. "I would rather one of those ponderings not be the taste of my flesh."
Wendell held up his hand. "Before you two talk us all to death, Wolf you really are not going to eat Frick are you?"
"Of course not," Wolf said.
"And Frick will you please remove the collar from Wolf's neck and stop pestering him!" the king demanded.
"Okaay," Frick said like a spoiled child getting punished. He then wiggled his fingers near the collar as it disappeared. Though he couldn't resist. He patted Wolf on the head. "Good doggy, good doggy," he said.
Wolf then glared at Frick, his eyes turning yellow. The gnome drew back and then leaned up to Merlin and Nimue who had just arrived. "Merlin, the scary half-man half-dog is frightening me!"
"Frick, how many times have I told you not to play with the scary half-man half-dog?" Merlin answered without even looking in his friend's direction.
Tony ambled downstairs followed by Luna and Gray. They ran past the visitors and hugged their father, then their uncle and grandfather, then their mother. There was a difficult moment as Virginia looked down at her daughter recalling the dream. But instead she smiled, leaned over, and embraced her two children tightly.
Merlin, Nimue, and Frick exchanged amused and delighted smiles at the scene, but Merlin's face quickly became more downcast and he turned to Wendell. "Your majesty, Nimue and I have news of the utmost urgency."
Wendell nodded. "Proceed," he commanded.
Before Merlin could continue, the dining room door opened and Mordred entered. There was a deep silence as he arrived and sat down, giving Merlin, Nimue, and Frick withering glances that they returned.
"Does he always bring down festivities like this?" Wolf whispered to Frick.
"All the time," Frick answered knowingly.
Without missing a beat, Wendell turned to Merlin. "What did you wish to tell me?"
Merlin nodded, but sort of nodded towards Mordred. "I would prefer to discuss this in private, your Majesty."
Mordred took on a pained long- suffering expression. "Oh Merlin, what's the matter? Kicking me out of your secret club? If it has anything to do with resurrecting my father, then I know all about it! The Lady of the Lake already told me, but I don't know where he is anymore than you do."
Merlin looked straight at Mordred. It was hard to tell whether he believed him or not, but he still sat down without comment. "Sire, as much as I hate to say this Mordred is right. I have received word, never mind from whom, that you are in great danger and so are we."
"But what does resurrecting your king have to do with us?" Wendell asked.
"It might be everything, an enemy of ours wishes to overpower your kingdoms," Merlin answered.
Wendell laughed gaily. "Well he or she would have a hard time of it, the 9 Kingdoms are large and powerful, no one would dare try to conquer them all."
"I wouldn't be so sure of that, Wendell," Virginia reminded him. "Remember, my - someone else almost succeeded."
Wendell shrugged. "True, but it would take a very large army or great power of such magnitude-"
"-Your higness!" a servant ran into the dining room. He bowed and Wendell waved for him to continue. "Trolls are approaching the castle!"
"-It will take something like that," Wendell said dryly, but then the news affected him. "WHATTTT!!!"
The servant nodded as Wendell looked around his face frozen in panic. "Well, what are you all standing around here for? Get my men ready! Sound the alarm! All who are able be prepared to fight, all that are not, take shelter under the castle!" He was ready to arm himself when the servant held his arm.
"That is not the worst of it, Sire," the servant answered.
Wendell suddenly looked very weary. "What can be worse than that?"
"Our men have searched and we believe that the Wicked Queen is back," the servant answered plainly.
Instantly, Wendell looked at Virginia, who looked pale, terrified, and beyond shocked. Wolf patted his wife's hand. Wendell spoke for them. "But the Wicked Queen is dead, that would be impossible."
The servant shook his head. "Not your stepmother, sire. The Wicked Queen," The way he said "the wicked queen's" name gave no doubt who she was. But Wendell spoke for them "The Swamp Witch!"
The servant nodded. "We found the dwarf who owns the house above her grave, unconscious. We were able to wake him up, but her grave was completely empty."
The residents all exchanged worried glances, then jumped up from the table eager to help their king or hide. Everyone ran from the room except Mordred and Frick who trailed behind.
Frick waited until all of the others had left, before he grabbed Mordred by the neck and pinned him to a wall. He hissed. "Listen, I don't care who sent you or why you are here, but I don't trust you at all! To me, you are still the same bastard, and if you do anything to harm Merlin or Nimue, so help me- well, there won't be a punishment invented that seems fitting for what I will do to you."
Mordred calmly relieved himself from the gnome's grasp. "You forget yourself, Uncle Frick. I do not ask for your opinion, or your approval." He then walked away, leaving the gnome trailing behind the others.
The bells rang through the area around Snow White's Castle loud and clear. They hadn't rung in centuries, but everyone knew they meant disaster. Men, Women, and children headed for shelter, or their homes, or the castle to await further instructions.
Wendell stood at an observing tower with Merlin, Nimue, Tony, Virginia, Wolf, Frick, Luna, Gray, and Mordred standing by his side. They all looked as serious and as nervous as he felt with good reason. Lines of large ugly creatures with burning yellow eyes were approaching the castle.
Wendell turned to his people and made the announcement short and brief. "All who are able to fight with me, All who feel the need to hide may do so under the castle. There is no shame in admitting weaknesses. Everyone may go in an orderly fashion!" Despite, Wendell's last words, the castle was in udder chaos as the people scrambled to their positions.
"Any advice?" Wolf asked.
Wendell nodded. "Don't get killed." He then turned to Virginia and Wolf. "Are you two joining the fighting?" They both nodded as he continued. "If for some reason, I don't make it or we lose this battle, I want you to take everyone to Cinderella's castle in the First Kingdom. The statutes against my ruling only lasted during my regency, but I'm not sure how safe everyone will be here. Cinderella's would be the best place to go." Wolf and Virginia nodded.
"Mama, I want to stay here with you," Gray begged as he hugged his mother and father good-bye.
"I know, but you'll be much safer under the castle," Virginia said. Luna sniffed and couldn't say anything.
"I'll take them," Nimue offered. Virginia and Wolf nodded thanks as she took the two kids by the hands and began to lead people down to the tunnels below. Before she left, Merlin blocked her path and held her. "Be careful," she whispered to her husband, not wanting to show any emotions.
The wizard kissed his wife on the lips and whispered in her ear. "Nimue," he said softly, but he couldn't find any other words and besides now wasn't the time for such platitudes. "Go!" he said as she and the other people ran underground.
Wendell watched his army approach, as Frick, Merlin, Virginia, and Wolf stood in line with them. Mordred straggled a bit as if indecisive, but finally took his place in line. Tony approached the king. "With all due respect, your highness I would like to fight with the others."
Wendell smiled a touched smile. "I thought that you might Antony." He said as the American man joined the other soldiers.
The trolls approached as Wendell and his soldiers stood atop the battlements of Castle White. When they were in position, Wendell raised his sword in the air and lowered it, "Attack now!" he commanded. From the corner of his eye, he can see the lead troll make the same gesture.
Arrows and weapons flew through the air and landing on targets. Screams sounded throughout the battlefields, of trolls and humans on both sides.
"I don't understand," Virginia said. "I thought trolls were dumb!"
"Some are like our friends," Wolf answered. "But these are mountain trolls, They may be dumb, but they are mean and relentless. They are worse than Relish's group."
"Gee, ya think?" Virginia answered sarcastically pointing at the approaching army.
The trolls fired another group of arrows as the Fourth Kingdom residents ducked behind the walls. Wendell casually poked his head to get a good look.
"They're coming up, quickly everyone separate," he commanded. The gang all separated to fight the approaching army.
Wendell lunged at trolls with all of his might, killing a couple with his sword.
"Your highness," Lord Rupert called to get his attention. Wendell and the troll turned around, but before Wendell could strike, the troll sliced his sword straight through the courtier's stomach.
"No!" Wendell yelled, then he ran to his courtier and sat by his side. "Lord Rupert, you are going to be all right."
Lord Rupert nodded. "Red isn't my best color," he joked weakly, then he became uncharacteristically serious. "Your highness, it has been a pleasure serving you."
Wendell smiled, not wanting to cry. "Don't talk, then." Rupert then closed his eyes. Wendell felt his lip quiver and a lump in his throat form. Ever since his parents died, his advisors, Giles, Lansky, Griswold, and Rupert were like family to him. And now one by one, they were all dead. Wendell looked up at the troll with fire in his eyes and then stood up and rammed his sword into the troll. With a bloodcurdling scream the troll fell to the ground.
He ran fighting the trolls along the way. He ended up next to Mordred, who fought off the adversaries with the style of a berzerker. He attacked and lunged, and seemed to hack away at the beast like a thing gone mad, like a man possessed.
Wendell watched for a second, then returned to fighting his own adversaries. He was so caught up in fighting one troll, that he didn't notice another one behind him, until it clubbed him on the side and knocked him out.
From the corner of his eye, Mordred saw the king being carried away, then he turned back to the troll to kill them, but then he became surrounded by four trolls. Mordred stuck out his sword to attack, but felt darkness from under him.
Wolf attacked the trolls like an animal. They lunged for him, he clawed at them with his weapons. He howled triumphantly, when he heard a yell," Down boy!" Wolf turned to see Frick with a bow and arrow, and he could smell a troll behind him. The half-wolf ducked as Frick's arrow hit the target. Wolf looked up, "Thanks," he said, but then saw a beast behind Frick. "Goblin!" He yelled.
"For the last time-," Frick hollered, but then he ducked to avoid Wolf's aiming sword. After the sword hit the troll, Frick stood up. "-I'm a gnome!" he continued.
Virginia looked up from her post. She tried to attack the beasts, but they were too overwhelming. The trolls seemed to come from the right, the left, and everywhere she could hear shouts, clashes, and screams. It was too overpowering! She wanted to run, but she kept firing and killing some. She could tell that the battle would be lost, but they couldn't just leave, that much she knew. She saw Merlin and Tony fight off a few trolls and had a plan. "Merlin!" she called. "Can you create a diversion?"
Merlin was in the middle of hitting a troll with his staff, when he called back. "What kind of diversion?" he asked.
"A defending army?" the girl asked.
Merlin nodded. "Stand back, and let me work," he replied. He then raised his hand in the air and circled it twice. Suddenly, a horn was heard from the ground and an army of knights dressed in white armor rode to the battlements. The knights climbed the ropes and started fighting at the trolls. "Not bad," Virginia marveled. "Do you think it will hold?"
Merlin shrugged. "One can only hope." Virginia then saw, Wolf and whistled for him to approach her.
"Time for Plan B," she said.
Wolf looked around, "Are you sure?"
Virginia nodded and Merlin spoke. "We live to run away, we live to fight another day." They then called all of the soldiers near to them and told them to sneak out from under the castle as the trolls fought the imaginary army.
Under the castle, some women and children were listening to the commotion from upstairs each terrified of the sounds that they could hear. Luna and Gray sat near Nimue.
"I'm scared," Luna said.
"I'm not," Gray answered, but his voice betrayed his real feelings.
"It will be all right," Nimue whispered as she held the two children close. Please let it be all right, she thought.
Suddenly, the iron door opened and the soldiers walked in. Those that hid ran up to their husbands, children, or wives delighted. Nimue at first couldn't find them, but then saw Merlin and Frick in the crowd.
Luna and Gray also caught sight of their mother and father. "Mommy!" "Daddy"! they yelled running ahead of Nimue. They hugged their parents as Nimue hugged her friend and husband.
"What happened?" Nimue asked.
"Change of plans," Merlin answered. "We're all leaving."
Nimue looked curious, but then got in line as Virginia and Wolf stood at the head.
Wolf held up his hand for silence. "Okay, Wendell left us in charge in case anything happened to him, so we're going to have to get out of here!"
"But where is the king?" a woman asked.
"Yes, and where are we going," a man asked.
"We don't know, where the king is," Virginia answered her voice quivering. "He might have been taken by the trolls. We know he wasn't- he's alive, I'm sure of it. And he told us to lead you to Cinderella's castle. So, everyone move on, take only what you can carry! Families stay together!" As Virginia and Wolf gave the orders, the people all lined up and left the underground lair into the early morning, to take the long journey to safety.
Cascading stars along the slumbering hills
They are dancing as far as the sea
Riding o'er the land you can feel it's gentle hand
Leading onto its destiny
~ From "Night Ride Across the Caucasus" by Loreena McKennit
Mab waited while Hilda appeared. "What took you so long?" she asked harshly.
"Sorry," Hilda answered. "Unlike some beings I refuse to name I have to walk!"
"No matter," Mab said. "If you want to help, first we must take Castle White by force."
"I prefer to do it by deception," Hilda remarked dryly.
"We don't have time for you to dance around, with your preference to poison," Mab half-shouted. "And we don't need to bicker. I have a plan that can not fail."
"And the plan?" Hilda asked.
"Just step back and watch," Mab answered. Hilda obeyed and Mab raised her hand in the air and a swirl of magic surrounded her finger, then lightening smashed and cracked a whole through the mountain.
Hilda looked interested at the open mountain. She knelt down and saw yellow eyes glaring at her and heard growls and snarls.
"Welcome your army, Hilda," Mab said. "They are all yours talk to them."
Hilda called down. "Hello, boys, hungry?" She could hear excited sounds like they were positive. "Want to seek revenge on those who put you here?" Again the positive sounds. "Then come with me to Castle White!" The sounds got louder as they approached the surface. Hilda and Mab smiled and shook hands appreciatively.
Mordred sat up straight in his bed, at first confused where he was. His night had been restless, plagued with memories of the Underworld. He could see the demon's burning eyes glowering on him and feel their clawed hands grab him for their torture. He could still smell the sulfur and embers around him, like a fire that would never end and never be quenched. He could hear the screams of the dead who remembered and the moans of those who no longer chose too and remembered his vow not to be like the Forgotten Ones. The strain was unbearable, each day to remember his former life but he felt it was worth it, just to fight against his tormentors. He also remembered the whispers from Up Above. The whispers that entered his brain like a chant and didn't let go: "Evil Mordred", "Bastard Son", "Destroyer of the perfect kingdom," "Devil's spawn," on and on. They filled in and out of his mind, as he covered his ears begging for them to stop sometimes even clawing his own face, so they would go away.
The young former knight looked around his room, it was all but a memory and now he was here in the 9 Kingdoms with Merlin, Nimue, and Frick and would eventually reunite with his father. He wasn't sure which punishment was worse.
The door opened as a servant entered with a golden tray of food. "The king wishes you to have this meal, sir," he said. Under normal circumstances, Mordred would have insulted the man, or kicked him so the food would knock over, or performed the old "Fire an apple off of the servant's head" trick but right now Mordred was too confused to.
The door opened as King Wendell stepped in. He was fully dressed in his white jacket and black trousers. He gave Mordred an imperious look then turned to his servant. "You may leave us," he said.
The servant stammered frightened. "But sire he-"
"I said you may go," Wendell told the man as the servant bowed and left leaving the king and the visitor alone.
Wendell faced Mordred his arms crossed. "Well, are you not going to thank me for saving your life and defending you against your enemies?"
Mordred faced the king just as squarely. "You know you are either a great warrior or a great fool to be alone in here with me, when I could take a weapon to you and be done in seconds."
Wendell smiled as though Mordred were a precocious child. "Now, do you really think that I would be stupid enough to leave a weapon within your reach after your performance last night?"
"You saw how I fired that dagger," Mordred answered.
"I saw how Merlin caught it with his hand, yes, most impressive," Wendell answered his voice dripping with sarcasm. From the corner of his eye, he saw Mordred put his hands on the window as if to remove the bars. "And you can forget about escaping, this room is magically sealed. Only myself and certain membersof my staff are permitted to open it. It would be impossible to escape, though I almost wish you would. It has been a rather slow morning so far for my guards. "
Mordred slumped down in bed. "What are you going to do to me?" he asked.
"I don't know," Wendell answered. "I have not thought that far in advance yet. I may just let you leave, or I may let you rot in the Snow White Memorial Prison. But seeing as how you did nothing to myself or my kingdom personally, that I am aware of, I can not very well do that. Or perhaps if I am feeling rather vindictive, I may just have your little friends at you. They seemed delighted to see you." Mordred glared at the king as he continued. "What do they want with you and what have you done to have you regarded so highly in their eyes?"
Mordred's mouth dropped open in mock surprise. "You mean you have never heard of Camelot, the perfect Kingdom or Arthur the Once and Future King?"
Wendell caught the patronizing tone in the other man's voice, but chose not to dignify it with a come back. "Presume that I have not, and tell me what is going on," before Mordred could speak, Wendell raised his hand. "And before you getting into a long dull history lesson, skip to your involvement."
The dark haired traitor nodded. "I'm his son, that's how."
Wendell waved his hand. "And his heir I presume."
Mordred shook his head. "Not quite, I'm his illegitimate son, you see my mother and father shared many things in common the same height, the same eye color, the same taste in books, music, wines. Oh yes, and they shared one other thing, a mother!"
It took a minute for the revelation to sink in, but when it did it sunk hard like a ship caught in an iceberg. "You mean your parents were brother and sister?"
Mordred smiled, getting a malicious delight in the shocked expression on Wendell's face. "Oh that must be it, I wondered why family gatherings were so small! What you mean that doesn't happen here?"
"No!" Wendell said. "Once in awhile a first cousin, and I have heard in the days before Happily Ever After, a couple of fathers tried to wed their daughters but the girls escaped and the fathers were justly punished."
"Well to make a long story short, I was basically brought into this world to take my father out of it, I succeeded but unfortunately, so did he," Mordred answered bitterly.
This time Wendell's shock was lessened. This young man was certainly full of surprises. "So your-"
Mordred smiled, he enjoyed the effect this conversation was having on Wendell. This king wasn't an annoying do-gooder like his father. He was pompous and obnoxious. Unfortunately, he wasn't naive, he didn't trust Mordred that's for sure. Mordred grinned and answered the question. "Yes, I am supposed to be dead, pushing up daisies, shuffling off the mortal coil, feeding worms, becoming fertilizer, going up the rung to join the choir invisible. In short becoming an ex-Mordred! But, I have been brought to life to this silly little kingdom, to involve myself in your silly little lives!"
Wendell's eyes narrowed. "You know I am sure you would love to try to find your way through my 'silly little kingdom' but oh that's right, you just got here so you would get hopelessly lost! For now, you will remain here," he said. "A servant will be by later today if you wish to wander around. Good day."
Mordred snarled at the king as he closed the door. He picked up a trinket and threw it at the closed door. The trinket crashed and broke on the floor. Mordred laughed haughtily, then picked up his fork to take a bite from the breakfast that had been made for him. Despite himself, he couldn't help but think that it was delicious.
Vriginia skipped into the bathroom excited about her nightly bath time ritual with her mother. Her mother's back was turned as she turned off the nozzles. "Boo," Virginia teased.
Christine jumped and then faced her daughter. "Virginia, don't scare me like that!" she demanded.
"Sorry Mom," Virginia answered, her lip quivering.
"Well don't just stand there take your robe off," Christine demanded. Virginia then took off her robe and jumped into the bathtub. Christine began scrubbing her daughter's arms. She scrubbed her so furiously that Virginia squealed in pain, but her mother paid no heed. Instead she scrubbed her stomach, back, and neck in the same way.
"Now Virginia dunk your head in the water, so I can wash your hair," Christine said, her voice barely heard above the little girl's laughter.
"Okay Mom," she said, then reclined in the water, so her hair was right in and her head on top of the water. She felt her mother's hands touch her body, then they gained more force as t hey pushed her down into the water. Virginia could barely make out her mother's image above the ripples in the water.
Suddenly, Virginia could no longer see her mother through the water, in fact she wasn't in the water. Instead, she was sitting at the edge of the tub. This time her hands were on a little girl, Virginia gasped realizing the little girl was Luna!
"Virginia," Wolf's voice called from the living room. Virginia looked up in fear. He must never know what she tried to do.
A tap on her shoulder woke Virginia from the memory of her dream. She jumped in fright and then turned to see her stepbrother Wendell, with an amused expression on his face. "Don't scare me like that," she said.
"Sorry," Wendell answered. "It was too tempting. Where are the others?"
Virginia rubbed her eyes adjusting to be awake. "Oh, Dad and the kids are still asleep and Wolf ran into Frick this morning, and they got into a conversation but I haven't seen either of them since."
"Alone at last," Wendell teased, but then looked serious. "Virginia, what is it? When you and the others arrived, I couldn't help, but feel that there was some tension with you earlier, is something wrong between you and Wolf?"
Virginia rolled her eyes. "Can't I breath without one of you three asking what's wrong? I'm fine okay?"
Wendell blinked. "I am dreadfully sorry, Virginia. I was just concerned."
Virginia sighed. "I know, and it's all right. I'm sorry, I know you guys worry about me."
Between her husband, father, and stepbrother Virginia often felt a bit overprotected. Tony, Wolf, and Wendell were wonderful guys and she loved them all dearly, and she knew they were looking at for her best interests. But jeez, it got old.
"Wolf and Antony already spoke with you?" Wendell guessed.
Virginia shook her head. "Just dad, last night. And to answer your question, I'm all right. I was just thinking about last night and I had a little trouble sleeping that's all."
"Well, I know a few fairies who can take care of that," Wendell suggested.
"Thanks but no thanks," Virginia laughed. "I'd rather the cure for a few restless nights not be one hundred years of sleep."
The two stepsiblings laughed as they caught sight of Frick and Wolf running from the second floor all the way down the stairs. Frick was the first to reach the table and tapped it triumphantly. "Time, I win!" he said. "I don't have to remove it."
Wolf then followed the little gnome wearing a black spiked dog collar around his neck. Virginia and Wendell stared at the collar at first too stunned, but then burst out laughing.
"Wolf, I presume you have a story to go with this, um, lovely accessory and if it involves you and Virginia keep it to yourselves."
"Nothing, I've ever seen," Virginia said between gasps of laughter.
Wolf glared at Frick. "Tell them," he said.
Frick bowed grandly. "Just that first, this wolf besmirched my honor, besmirched it I tell you, he called me a goblin! A goblin, can you believe that when it is plain to see that I am a gnome! Then, he told me he wondered what gnome meat tasted like. I had to domesticate him, before he tried to eat me!"
Wolf looked pained. "Merely a passing thought, a wondering fancy. I would never dream of actually eating you! It's just one of the great ponderings of life to wonder such things that you are unaware of."
"Be that as it may," Frick said testily. "I would rather one of those ponderings not be the taste of my flesh."
Wendell held up his hand. "Before you two talk us all to death, Wolf you really are not going to eat Frick are you?"
"Of course not," Wolf said.
"And Frick will you please remove the collar from Wolf's neck and stop pestering him!" the king demanded.
"Okaay," Frick said like a spoiled child getting punished. He then wiggled his fingers near the collar as it disappeared. Though he couldn't resist. He patted Wolf on the head. "Good doggy, good doggy," he said.
Wolf then glared at Frick, his eyes turning yellow. The gnome drew back and then leaned up to Merlin and Nimue who had just arrived. "Merlin, the scary half-man half-dog is frightening me!"
"Frick, how many times have I told you not to play with the scary half-man half-dog?" Merlin answered without even looking in his friend's direction.
Tony ambled downstairs followed by Luna and Gray. They ran past the visitors and hugged their father, then their uncle and grandfather, then their mother. There was a difficult moment as Virginia looked down at her daughter recalling the dream. But instead she smiled, leaned over, and embraced her two children tightly.
Merlin, Nimue, and Frick exchanged amused and delighted smiles at the scene, but Merlin's face quickly became more downcast and he turned to Wendell. "Your majesty, Nimue and I have news of the utmost urgency."
Wendell nodded. "Proceed," he commanded.
Before Merlin could continue, the dining room door opened and Mordred entered. There was a deep silence as he arrived and sat down, giving Merlin, Nimue, and Frick withering glances that they returned.
"Does he always bring down festivities like this?" Wolf whispered to Frick.
"All the time," Frick answered knowingly.
Without missing a beat, Wendell turned to Merlin. "What did you wish to tell me?"
Merlin nodded, but sort of nodded towards Mordred. "I would prefer to discuss this in private, your Majesty."
Mordred took on a pained long- suffering expression. "Oh Merlin, what's the matter? Kicking me out of your secret club? If it has anything to do with resurrecting my father, then I know all about it! The Lady of the Lake already told me, but I don't know where he is anymore than you do."
Merlin looked straight at Mordred. It was hard to tell whether he believed him or not, but he still sat down without comment. "Sire, as much as I hate to say this Mordred is right. I have received word, never mind from whom, that you are in great danger and so are we."
"But what does resurrecting your king have to do with us?" Wendell asked.
"It might be everything, an enemy of ours wishes to overpower your kingdoms," Merlin answered.
Wendell laughed gaily. "Well he or she would have a hard time of it, the 9 Kingdoms are large and powerful, no one would dare try to conquer them all."
"I wouldn't be so sure of that, Wendell," Virginia reminded him. "Remember, my - someone else almost succeeded."
Wendell shrugged. "True, but it would take a very large army or great power of such magnitude-"
"-Your higness!" a servant ran into the dining room. He bowed and Wendell waved for him to continue. "Trolls are approaching the castle!"
"-It will take something like that," Wendell said dryly, but then the news affected him. "WHATTTT!!!"
The servant nodded as Wendell looked around his face frozen in panic. "Well, what are you all standing around here for? Get my men ready! Sound the alarm! All who are able be prepared to fight, all that are not, take shelter under the castle!" He was ready to arm himself when the servant held his arm.
"That is not the worst of it, Sire," the servant answered.
Wendell suddenly looked very weary. "What can be worse than that?"
"Our men have searched and we believe that the Wicked Queen is back," the servant answered plainly.
Instantly, Wendell looked at Virginia, who looked pale, terrified, and beyond shocked. Wolf patted his wife's hand. Wendell spoke for them. "But the Wicked Queen is dead, that would be impossible."
The servant shook his head. "Not your stepmother, sire. The Wicked Queen," The way he said "the wicked queen's" name gave no doubt who she was. But Wendell spoke for them "The Swamp Witch!"
The servant nodded. "We found the dwarf who owns the house above her grave, unconscious. We were able to wake him up, but her grave was completely empty."
The residents all exchanged worried glances, then jumped up from the table eager to help their king or hide. Everyone ran from the room except Mordred and Frick who trailed behind.
Frick waited until all of the others had left, before he grabbed Mordred by the neck and pinned him to a wall. He hissed. "Listen, I don't care who sent you or why you are here, but I don't trust you at all! To me, you are still the same bastard, and if you do anything to harm Merlin or Nimue, so help me- well, there won't be a punishment invented that seems fitting for what I will do to you."
Mordred calmly relieved himself from the gnome's grasp. "You forget yourself, Uncle Frick. I do not ask for your opinion, or your approval." He then walked away, leaving the gnome trailing behind the others.
The bells rang through the area around Snow White's Castle loud and clear. They hadn't rung in centuries, but everyone knew they meant disaster. Men, Women, and children headed for shelter, or their homes, or the castle to await further instructions.
Wendell stood at an observing tower with Merlin, Nimue, Tony, Virginia, Wolf, Frick, Luna, Gray, and Mordred standing by his side. They all looked as serious and as nervous as he felt with good reason. Lines of large ugly creatures with burning yellow eyes were approaching the castle.
Wendell turned to his people and made the announcement short and brief. "All who are able to fight with me, All who feel the need to hide may do so under the castle. There is no shame in admitting weaknesses. Everyone may go in an orderly fashion!" Despite, Wendell's last words, the castle was in udder chaos as the people scrambled to their positions.
"Any advice?" Wolf asked.
Wendell nodded. "Don't get killed." He then turned to Virginia and Wolf. "Are you two joining the fighting?" They both nodded as he continued. "If for some reason, I don't make it or we lose this battle, I want you to take everyone to Cinderella's castle in the First Kingdom. The statutes against my ruling only lasted during my regency, but I'm not sure how safe everyone will be here. Cinderella's would be the best place to go." Wolf and Virginia nodded.
"Mama, I want to stay here with you," Gray begged as he hugged his mother and father good-bye.
"I know, but you'll be much safer under the castle," Virginia said. Luna sniffed and couldn't say anything.
"I'll take them," Nimue offered. Virginia and Wolf nodded thanks as she took the two kids by the hands and began to lead people down to the tunnels below. Before she left, Merlin blocked her path and held her. "Be careful," she whispered to her husband, not wanting to show any emotions.
The wizard kissed his wife on the lips and whispered in her ear. "Nimue," he said softly, but he couldn't find any other words and besides now wasn't the time for such platitudes. "Go!" he said as she and the other people ran underground.
Wendell watched his army approach, as Frick, Merlin, Virginia, and Wolf stood in line with them. Mordred straggled a bit as if indecisive, but finally took his place in line. Tony approached the king. "With all due respect, your highness I would like to fight with the others."
Wendell smiled a touched smile. "I thought that you might Antony." He said as the American man joined the other soldiers.
The trolls approached as Wendell and his soldiers stood atop the battlements of Castle White. When they were in position, Wendell raised his sword in the air and lowered it, "Attack now!" he commanded. From the corner of his eye, he can see the lead troll make the same gesture.
Arrows and weapons flew through the air and landing on targets. Screams sounded throughout the battlefields, of trolls and humans on both sides.
"I don't understand," Virginia said. "I thought trolls were dumb!"
"Some are like our friends," Wolf answered. "But these are mountain trolls, They may be dumb, but they are mean and relentless. They are worse than Relish's group."
"Gee, ya think?" Virginia answered sarcastically pointing at the approaching army.
The trolls fired another group of arrows as the Fourth Kingdom residents ducked behind the walls. Wendell casually poked his head to get a good look.
"They're coming up, quickly everyone separate," he commanded. The gang all separated to fight the approaching army.
Wendell lunged at trolls with all of his might, killing a couple with his sword.
"Your highness," Lord Rupert called to get his attention. Wendell and the troll turned around, but before Wendell could strike, the troll sliced his sword straight through the courtier's stomach.
"No!" Wendell yelled, then he ran to his courtier and sat by his side. "Lord Rupert, you are going to be all right."
Lord Rupert nodded. "Red isn't my best color," he joked weakly, then he became uncharacteristically serious. "Your highness, it has been a pleasure serving you."
Wendell smiled, not wanting to cry. "Don't talk, then." Rupert then closed his eyes. Wendell felt his lip quiver and a lump in his throat form. Ever since his parents died, his advisors, Giles, Lansky, Griswold, and Rupert were like family to him. And now one by one, they were all dead. Wendell looked up at the troll with fire in his eyes and then stood up and rammed his sword into the troll. With a bloodcurdling scream the troll fell to the ground.
He ran fighting the trolls along the way. He ended up next to Mordred, who fought off the adversaries with the style of a berzerker. He attacked and lunged, and seemed to hack away at the beast like a thing gone mad, like a man possessed.
Wendell watched for a second, then returned to fighting his own adversaries. He was so caught up in fighting one troll, that he didn't notice another one behind him, until it clubbed him on the side and knocked him out.
From the corner of his eye, Mordred saw the king being carried away, then he turned back to the troll to kill them, but then he became surrounded by four trolls. Mordred stuck out his sword to attack, but felt darkness from under him.
Wolf attacked the trolls like an animal. They lunged for him, he clawed at them with his weapons. He howled triumphantly, when he heard a yell," Down boy!" Wolf turned to see Frick with a bow and arrow, and he could smell a troll behind him. The half-wolf ducked as Frick's arrow hit the target. Wolf looked up, "Thanks," he said, but then saw a beast behind Frick. "Goblin!" He yelled.
"For the last time-," Frick hollered, but then he ducked to avoid Wolf's aiming sword. After the sword hit the troll, Frick stood up. "-I'm a gnome!" he continued.
Virginia looked up from her post. She tried to attack the beasts, but they were too overwhelming. The trolls seemed to come from the right, the left, and everywhere she could hear shouts, clashes, and screams. It was too overpowering! She wanted to run, but she kept firing and killing some. She could tell that the battle would be lost, but they couldn't just leave, that much she knew. She saw Merlin and Tony fight off a few trolls and had a plan. "Merlin!" she called. "Can you create a diversion?"
Merlin was in the middle of hitting a troll with his staff, when he called back. "What kind of diversion?" he asked.
"A defending army?" the girl asked.
Merlin nodded. "Stand back, and let me work," he replied. He then raised his hand in the air and circled it twice. Suddenly, a horn was heard from the ground and an army of knights dressed in white armor rode to the battlements. The knights climbed the ropes and started fighting at the trolls. "Not bad," Virginia marveled. "Do you think it will hold?"
Merlin shrugged. "One can only hope." Virginia then saw, Wolf and whistled for him to approach her.
"Time for Plan B," she said.
Wolf looked around, "Are you sure?"
Virginia nodded and Merlin spoke. "We live to run away, we live to fight another day." They then called all of the soldiers near to them and told them to sneak out from under the castle as the trolls fought the imaginary army.
Under the castle, some women and children were listening to the commotion from upstairs each terrified of the sounds that they could hear. Luna and Gray sat near Nimue.
"I'm scared," Luna said.
"I'm not," Gray answered, but his voice betrayed his real feelings.
"It will be all right," Nimue whispered as she held the two children close. Please let it be all right, she thought.
Suddenly, the iron door opened and the soldiers walked in. Those that hid ran up to their husbands, children, or wives delighted. Nimue at first couldn't find them, but then saw Merlin and Frick in the crowd.
Luna and Gray also caught sight of their mother and father. "Mommy!" "Daddy"! they yelled running ahead of Nimue. They hugged their parents as Nimue hugged her friend and husband.
"What happened?" Nimue asked.
"Change of plans," Merlin answered. "We're all leaving."
Nimue looked curious, but then got in line as Virginia and Wolf stood at the head.
Wolf held up his hand for silence. "Okay, Wendell left us in charge in case anything happened to him, so we're going to have to get out of here!"
"But where is the king?" a woman asked.
"Yes, and where are we going," a man asked.
"We don't know, where the king is," Virginia answered her voice quivering. "He might have been taken by the trolls. We know he wasn't- he's alive, I'm sure of it. And he told us to lead you to Cinderella's castle. So, everyone move on, take only what you can carry! Families stay together!" As Virginia and Wolf gave the orders, the people all lined up and left the underground lair into the early morning, to take the long journey to safety.