Tucked in between dreams and reality is a realm only visible during a single season. Not many have the opportunity to come and see what lies in North of North. It is not a privilege to be abused nor forgotten.
The following story is one such opportunity to see what lies between waking and dreaming.
Various kingdoms dot the lands of North of North, and their tales will be told in due time, their presence in this story will have to satisfy their desire to be known for now.
The kingdom of the Holly Fells was neither large nor small, but in between. It was also neither near the sea nor far from the sea, but in between. The south of the kingdom was protected by a wall made of white stone, while the north of the kingdom was treacherously cold.
In the south, the gardens were never touched by winter's killing touch. The rosebuds grew large enough to house entire families, and the daisies big enough to shelter travelers from summer rains. Those who lived in the southern Fells never had want for food. Everything they needed was provided by the sweet gardens cared for by magic.
If one chose to migrate to the southern Fells, they were always met with open arms and open smiles. The crown prince preferred the south to the middlelands. Prince Darius often stayed in the south, and he often tended to the hundreds of miles of gardens when he had the chance.
Life in the south was a life of comfort.
Life in the north was a life of choice.
The choice to fight for the queen.
The choice to fight for your next breath.
You never knew when the Rat King and other invaders might take your last thought from you.
Legend insisted that the northern Fells had never seen a day of sun. The lands were trapped in a pale blue light, nobody knew whether it were dawn or twilight. Nobody ever really knew what hid in the never ending snowflakes. The few people who remained in the north were stubborn and lived in strong houses made of gingerwood.
Although, one single city rose on an icy knoll; Snowflake Summit. The city was warm and bright, watched over by four princesses and the good will of the queen.
Nutcrackers stood as their sentries.
Like every kingdom, the Holly Fells was home to fairies and all sorts of beings chased out of the waking world. Most creatures were friendly, domesticated to the point of helping weary travelers find a safe place to sleep.
However, the creatures who hadn't been tempted by the soft hand and kind words of passing strangers couldn't be blamed.
It was in their nature to remain wild.
But some chose to be evil in name and deed. These creatures grew larger each time they stepped further into moral darkness. Their noses grew longer, they became more sensitive to the night, and their eyes black and beady.
They followed the Rat King.
The Rat King rose to power overnight. His merciless campaigns against Holly Fell's north border wrought darkness and disease. Where his rats went, nightmares followed. He ravaged the land, only stopped by the queen's younger son. The encounter left both parties with nearly decimated numbers.
And the queen's son was among the dying.
Rather than watch him wither and die, the queen called her most powerful allies, and turned her son and his company to wood. . . At the cost of their memories.
Over time, the Nutcrackers became a successful model for soldiers, and the need for flesh pawns diminished. The Nutcrackers were shells of a real person.
It was still hard for the queen to send her wood son on endless campaigns. His courage was still there, trapped beneath the surface.
When the Rat King took Snowflake Summit, the Cupcake Castle, acres of Peppermint Forest, and the Sugar Plum Fairy's Marzipan Manor, the queen of the Holly Fells waited. The Rat King held onto his stolen provinces for years. There was no end in sight to his desire to capture all of the Holly Fells.
Until one day, the queen was ready to end the Rat King, once and for all.
The queen sat in her grand candy hall on her golden throne, her advisors to her left and right, and her bravest Nutcrackers. Their names hung on her lips, but she didn't share them, names held too much power and they'd only fall on wooden ears.
"You have been chosen because you have done your very best to protect the Holly Fells," said the queen. "However, before we proceed, I must ask that you raise your left hands, and swear the oath of secrecy."
Neither one of the Nutcrackers moved. They couldn't hear. Cloaks and sleeves rustled as the queen's advisors all raised their hands and swore the oath of secrecy.
"Nutcrackers, I cannot promise you riches or even your names, but I can promise that what you will do is upright and good. The lives of many rest in your hands."
Once again, neither of the Nutcrackers moved.
"Your assignment will be locked into your mind, the spell has been woven by my own hand. The hand of Queen Erin," she stared down the shorter of the two Nutcrackers. He and his companion nodded their heads once. They'd received the instructions.
Had they been in more private chambers, Erin would've instructed the Nutcrackers word by word. But she swore she saw Lord Veldergrath's nose twitch. He'd shaved his beard, and the whiskers growing from his nose were no mustache.
"Please, take care as you journey to those who wait for you," Erin continued. "I cannot disclose the number, but know that you will not be alone."
She swore she saw the shorter Nutcracker's painted green eyes twinkle. If this Nutcracker was anything like she remembered, he'd claim he didn't need help. Her heart ached as she watched him turn on wood heels and march out of the door.
Erin was sending her younger son with his dearest friend. They would protect each other.
And she hoped they'd both find their names upon defeating the Rat King.