Disclaimer: I do not own the 10th Kingdom. This is merely a fanfiction.
~0~
~0~
"Antony, would you stop drumming your fingers like that? You're making me nervous!"
"I'm making you nervous?! You're the one who dragged me along on this dangerous escapade!"
Tony Lewis sat in a carriage, wrapped in a thick fur coat. King Wendell sat across from him, also swaddled in thick furs. The carriage was bouncing along an icy cliff face deep in the northern Eighth Kingdom. Two bodyguards stood on the outside of the carriage, wrapped in wool and furs, and Winston the driver flicked the reigns of the horses.
"Antony, you know very well why I brought you along." Prince Wendell seemed almost amused, but also stern. "Your whole bouncy house escapade has left the Fourth Kingdom's treasury quite … bare, to say the least."
"I told you it would require an industrial revolution! And who knew the prototype would pop at King Trident's birthday party?! Who goes into a rubber bouncy funhouse with three pointy tridents, you tell me!"
Wendell folded his hands. "In any event, the industrial bankers of the Eighth Kingdom have agreed to an advance on a loan for the Fourth Kingdom. In exchange, we provide some military presence against raiders that have taken up attacks on their southern borders." He leaned forward. "This deal is a big deal, Antony. The Eighth Kingdom is notoriously isolationist and distrustful of outsiders. If this deal with the industrial bankers goes forward, it could open more trade opportunities with the north and truly bring the Eighth Kingdom into the fold with the other Nine Kingdoms. We need someone of your persuasive talents to see the deal closed."
"Well," Tony admitted, "I do appreciate the vote of confidence."
"Plus I need a loyal manservant to clean up after the Royal Dog." Next to Wendell, Prince the Dog popped his head up and barked cheerfully.
Tony put on a fake smile. "Fantastic."
The carriage ground to a sudden halt. Tony had to grab hold of the ceiling to keep from falling onto Wendell and the dog. "What is it? Why are we stopping?"
"A snowbank to be cleared perhaps?" Wendell was unperturbed. "We'll get going soon enough, I'm sure."
A dark shadow sprang over the carriage. There was screaming outside. Panic filled Tony's face and even Wendell seemed suddenly nervous. "That sounded like one of the guards," Tony exclaimed.
The shadow passed again. There was the sound of screaming, chomping, jaws clicking … the second bodyguard was ripped from his post. Tony watched in horror as a dark figure pulled the guard into the snowdrifts.
The door to the carriage swung open and Winston the driver scurried in, slamming the door behind him. He pressed himself between Wendell and Prince, frantic. "Came … out of nowhere."
"What was it?" Wendell asked.
"I don't know. Three of them. Big."
Outside, there were snarls. Then the sounds of neighing.
"The horses!" Wendell exclaimed. He gingerly poked his head out the window. The carriage was horseless … the two animals gone, vanished into the snow.
"What do we do?" Winston asked.
"We're trapped," Tony muttered. "We need to find a way out of this."
"On foot? In a snowstorm on a mountain?" Winston was incredulous.
"We can't stay here overnight," Tony replied. "We'll freeze to death."
"And if we go out on foot, whatever killed the guards and horses will tear us to pieces!" Winston answered.
"Your Highness," Tony asked. "What do you think?"
Wendell thought for a moment. "I will go out. I will fight off whatever attacked us –"
"Your Majesty, you'll be killed!"
"It is my duty as King to –"
BANG!
Something charged the carriage full force, rocking it from side to side. All three men screamed, grabbing hold. Prince whimpered, putting his paws over his eyes.
BANG! From the other side now.
"They're trying to knock the carriage over!"
BANG!
This time, the carriage rocked and lurched to the left. It teetered on two wheels deep over a ravine.
"Oh this not good!" Tony exclaimed.
"Everyone hang on!" Wendell ordered. "It's coming back around again!"
BANG!
The carriage tilted further and plummeted deep into the ravine. Inside, all four occupants screamed and held on for dear life as the carriage smashed into pieces at the bottom of the ravine.
~0~
Tony woke with a start. The carriage was in pieces. He sat up, his head swimming. He touched his forehead – blood. Next to him, Prince was whimpering, licking at Tony's hands.
He looked across the wreckage – there, King Wendell and Winston, both not moving. Tony and Prince rushed through the snow. Tony dropped to the King's side, shaking him. "Come on Wendy, you've been through worse. Come on, wake up!"
Wendell remained unmoving.
Prince approached the King and licked his face. He sat down into the snow, whining sadly.
Wendell's eyes flickered open. He sat up. "Oh, I've had the most peculiar dream that we – oh, it actually happened." His face fell. Next to him, Winston started, his head covered in cuts and bruises.
"We actually survived?" Winston asked.
Wendell nodded. "Yes, but not for long. The temperatures are plummeting and if we don't find shelter, we'll freeze to death. Not to mention whatever attacked us will probably be back to finish the job."
Tony helped Wendell and Winston to their feet. "I don't know how we're gonna find shelter in this storm."
Winston pointed ahead. "What's that?"
Tony and Wendell looked up. In the distance was a glowing greenish light. Tony squinted through the snowflakes. He could make out a form … towering spires. "A castle!" he exuberated.
"There are no castles around here that I'm aware of," Wendell said.
"Well who cares, they can give us shelter, food … protect us from whatever attacked us," Tony replied.
"I would like a warm cocoa sir," Winston whined.
Wendell's hand went to his sword. "Then we go. But be cautious."
~0~
The four of them reached the courtyard of the castle. It was white – in fact, its very spires appeared to be made of ice. A snowy draw bridge was lowered, the entrance open.
"This is a little too convenient," Tony said.
Wendell nodded. "I agree. Something doesn't feel right. I sense … evil."
"What do you mean?" Tony asked.
"Trust me," Wendell said. "After my stepmother murdered my parents and tried to kill me … I know evil. We should turn back."
"Into the snowstorm?" Tony exclaimed.
"What other choice –" Wendell stopped. There was a low growling. From the trees on the outskirts of the castle emerged three black and grey shapes. The very shadows that had attacked them. Now, as the shadows emerged into the snowy light of the ice castle, Tony could make them out. Wolves. Three of them. Their teeth were bare, blood flecked on their faces, strands of saliva gleaming from their fangs. The wolves slowly approached, the leader licking its chops.
Wendell, Tony, Winston and Prince backed away towards the drawbridge. "When I say go, run into the castle," Wendell said.
"You don't have to tell me twice," Tony replied.
The lead wolf got on its haunches, ready to spring.
"NOW!"
The foursome turned, racing across the drawbridge into the castle. As they reached the entry hall, Wendell kicked a gear near the door. Gears pulled and a giant metal gate slammed shut. The wolves snarled on the other side of the gate, forcing their muzzles between the bars, snapping and hissing. They turned, howling, and raced back across the drawbridge, disappearing around the other side.
"We haven't seen the last of them," Wendell said.
"Should we look for the occupants?" Winston asked.
Wendell observed the entry hall. "Strange that there's no one here to greet us."
"Maybe they're all asleep?" Tony suggested.
"This isn't right," Wendell said. "Something is off. We should leave."
"And get torn to pieces by those wolves?" Tony asked. "Look, Your Highness, I get you're nervous, but we're much safer in here, trust me."
"Since when has trusting you in these situations ever worked for us, Antony?"
"We'll just explore. For a little bit. Pass the night then get out on foot once we're sure the wolves have moved on."
"That's the thing," Winston said. "I don't think they will move on. Those wolves are after us."
Tony took the lead in exploring. "Hello?" he called out. "Anybody home?"
"Antony, please don't announce our presence."
Tony found a large oak doorway. He pressed it open. They were at the end of a long, narrow corridor. On either side were mirrors made of ice. "Great," he muttered. "More mirrors."
The three of them began down the corridor, Prince at their heels. On each side, figures appeared in the icy mirrors, their faces distorted, horrifying. "Peculiar taste in decorating."
They reached the end of the corridor. Another oak door was there. "Here's for nothing." Tony pressed the door open.
They were in a gigantic icy throne room. All around them were figures of people. Men, women and various other creatures – all of them made of ice. At the far end was an elevated throne. Sitting on it was an ice sculpture of a woman – a beautiful woman with an ice crown. In the center of the room was a table with a small bell and hammer. And at the far end stood a mirror, the tallest Tony had ever seen. It was gnarled and twisted, with devil-like horns emerging from the top.
"Antony – I was right." True fear was now rippling across the face of King Wendell. "We need to leave. Now."
Tony was only half listening. He was staring at the table with the bell. A sudden purple whisp emerged from the bell, swirling around Tony's face. It went up his nostrils and Tony stopped. Mesmerized.
Wendell continued. "This is the castle of the Snow Queen. I thought it lost for decades."
"Hmm?" Tony asked, still staring at the bell. "The who now?"
"Aside from my stepmother, she was the most evil woman in all of the Nine Kingdoms. She has her own mirror, gifted to her by the Devil himself." Wendell gestured to the diabolical mirror at the far end of the throne room. "It makes those who gaze into it see horrors beyond comprehension. The Snow Queen … she gained her power through that mirror. By feeding it the souls of the innocent, the mirror gave her more and more power. Until one of her victims – a boy named Kay – escaped. He went to the Fourth Kingdom, told my people everything. My grandmother Snow White, Cinderella and the others placed a spell on the Snow Queen – freezing her here in eternal sleep."
Tony was half listening. He was under the bell's spell. He walked over to the table and picked up the hammer.
"Tony, put that down at once!"
"I just want to see what'll happen!"
"You're under her spell!"
Tony gently tapped the hammer against the bell. It let out a ring, echoing across the giant cathedral like ceiling of the throne room.
After a moment, there was silence.
Nothing happened.
Wendell sighed in relief. "If you're entirely done fooling around, I say -."
"Who are these people?" Tony asked, observing the ice statues around them. He approached a statue of a duke.
"Her victims," Wendell answered. "Once their souls are stolen, their bodies are left here, frozen forever."
"You mean this … this is an actual person?"
"Yes, which is why we need to leave at once!"
Tony stared into the eyes of the statue. He felt pity for this man, his soul gone and fed to the mirror, his body frozen here.
SMASH! SNARL!
The head of the ice statue SMASHED to pieces as a wolf head appeared in its place. The wolf leaped over the statue, pinning Tony down. He could feel the hot the breath of the wolf on his face, its saliva dripping onto his throat as the teeth inched for his jugular.
The two other wolves emerged from between the statues, moving slowly towards Wendell, Winston and Prince.
"Go! Leave me!" Tony yelled. He turned and looked up at the wolf pinning him. "Hey, look – I know a wolf! He's gonna be my son-in-law! Yes! Wolf – from the Fourth Kingdom! Do you know him?!" It was a longshot that the wolf could even understand him, he knew.
The wolf stopped, its ears flattening on its head. To Tony's surprise, the wolf backed away from Tony. It got on its hind legs, its body twisting and distorting – becoming human. This was a half-wolf! And now, it had transformed into a beautiful young woman. The other two wolves also transformed into humans, a burly man and a thin teenage boy.
The female half-wolf eyed Tony. "Did you say 'Wolf'?"
"Yeah. My future son-in-law."
The teen wolf looked at the female. "Wolf? You mean the guy that was part of your pack? That ran away? The very one your parents wanted you to marry, Fiona?"
Fiona, the female wolf, raised a hand. "That's enough Hebro. Dynaman – secure them."
The larger half-wolf nodded, making for the foursome.
"Wait!" Tony exclaimed. "If you're friends with Wolf then we can come to an agreement!"
Fiona's wrist flicked out a dagger and she held the blade to Tony's throat. "Wolf is no friend of mine!"
"What should we do with them?" Hebro asked.
"They already fulfilled their purpose," Fiona snarled. "You rang the bell, didn't you? Just like it was prophesied."
"Ha!" Tony shot back. "Nothing happened when I rang it."
"These things," Fiona said as a purple haze descended on them, "take time."
Across the room, the Devil's Mirror sprang to life! In its reflection, horrifying monsters appeared – and the souls of its victims, wailing, begging to be set free. Fiona grinned, holding Tony at knife point, as cracks began to appear on the ice statue of the woman on the throne. There was a dazzling display of light … and then it settled.
The Snow Queen rose from her throne, no longer encased in ice. Her face was paper white, her hair long and black. An ice crown sat on her head. She gracefully descended the stairs.
Wendell and Winston stared in horror. "Tony you moron!" Wendell exclaimed.
The Snow Queen reached a white finger out, grazing Tony's face. "Is this the one who awoke me?" she asked.
Fiona grinned. "We led them right to you. As our ancestors promised you."
The Snow Queen smiled at the three half-wolfs. "You have done well. And shall be rewarded."
The Devil's Mirror groaned.
The Snow Queen turned. "Oh, my beloved mirror is hungry. It has been ages since it last fed. And though diminished, my power remains." She turned her gaze to Wendell. "And who do we have here … ah, the grandson of Snow White. A poetic irony. Your grandmother condemned me to eternal sleep … so I deem it only fitting that you be condemned."
"You'll never get away with this," Wendell said. "When the rulers of the other Kingdoms find out what you've done, they'll –"
"Because they were so effective at stopping your stepmother? Yes Wendell, even in eternal sleep, word of the outside world has reached me. And Christine's soul is now bound to my mirror. That's the price to strike up a bargain with the Devil. As Snow White's stepmother did to earn her mirrors – a deal that is honored by her apprentice. Yes, your stepmother's power will fuel me as I conquer the world. As will your soul."
The Snow Queen placed her finger on Wendell's head.
Tony struggled against Fiona who held him tight. "Leave him alone!"
Wendell gasped as ice crept up his legs. He struggled to no avail. The Snow Queen was laughing as the ice crept up Wendell's head – and he was now like the others in this room. An ice statue.
In the Mirror, Wendell's face appeared horrified. "Tony – help me!" And then his soul vanished into the mirror's depths.
The Snow Queen turned to Winston. "And this one will only be a paltry meal, but then, one takes what one can get." And in an instant, Winston was transformed into an ice sculpture.
Fiona gripped the struggling Tony. "And what of him and the dog?"
"I have no use for them. Cut his throat."
Fiona pressed her blade to Tony's neck. Tony headbutted her, smashing her face. He took off running, slipping on the icy floor. "Prince – come on!" The dog took off at Tony's feet, racing out of the throne room, down the dark corridor.
The Snow Queen pointed at the three wolves. "After him!"
Tony raced through the ice palace, Prince alongside him. They reached the gated entry hall. Tony kicked the gear up, and the iron gate rose. "Come on!" He raced out the hall, slipping on the icy drawbridge.
Behind him, the three half wolves appeared. Fiona held up a hand to her two cohorts. "Wait – spare the effort. The bitter cold will finish them off."
~0~
~0~
Tony and Prince waded through the deep snowstorm. They shivered. "W-we gotta … get back ... to the … Fourth Kingdom …" Tony said. "T-tell them … what happened …"
Prince sadly whined in the cold.
~0~
~0~
Back in the ice throne room, the three half wolves kneeled before the Snow Queen. "Are they away?" she asked.
Fiona nodded. "Deep into the snowy wilderness."
"Good. See to it that they survive the night."
"With all due respect, Your Majesty, why did you order us to let them go?" asked Fiona.
The Snow Queen's smile never left her face. "Because … they'll bring her to me. And more importantly … her child…"
