Disclaimer: I do not own The 10th Kingdom. This is merely a fanfiction.
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Little Lamb Village – Afternoon
"By Decree of General Lord DeConte, a conscription has been issued, along with a series of Executive Orders."
The Judge of Little Lamb Village stood on a podium in the town square. He held a roll of parchment and adjusted his monocle. Around him, the villagers murmured. The Peeps stood off to the side, looking disheveled and irritated. They had grown quite out of favor with their neighbors upon the revelation that they were using the town wishing well for their own gain.
Barbara Peep folded her arms in irritation. "We're a small village – since when does the Royal Council issue demands to us?" Several of the other Peeps nodded in agreement.
Next to Barbara, the Village Idiot drooled over her shoulder. "Not sure what 'conscription' means. I did have a prescription when I was younger though."
"Ugh, was it to do away with your moronic slouching forehead?"
"No mum. Hemmorhoids. Didn't work, still got 'em though." He scratched his pants and shoved his fingers in Barbara Peep's face. "Here, see!" Barbara gagged and swatted his hand away.
"If I may continue," the Judge interrupted, his own irritation growing. "By Executive Order of the Royal Council under the authorization of acting King General Lord DeConte, all villages and towns throughout the Fourth Kingdom will abide by the following decrees until such time as the Snow Queen Emergency is brought to an end:
"Royal Decree 001: A third of all farming produce including grains, vegetable, fruits and milks will be offered to our military."
The town practically combusted. "That's a third of our income!" protested Filbert Peep. "And we've barely got enough food to make do as is!"
The Judge continued reading. "Royal Decree 002: Military surveillance upon all modes of transportation. All carts, wagons, carriages, other wheeled modes of transportation as well as horses will be subject to military inspection and checkpoints."
The villagers were yelling now.
"Royal Decree 003: Full military surveillance over all communications via letters, mail, etc."
"That's our private things, it is!" Barbara Peep screamed.
"Royal Decree 004: Full military surveillance of all farms, storage sheds, granaries and etc. to prevent the Snow Queen from poisoning the food supply as the Evil Queen once poisoned a series of Apple Orchards.
"Royal Decree 005: Full authority is given to the Crown to mobilize all civilians of any age into work brigades."
"You surely can't mean children!" a villager screamed.
"Royal Decree 006: All able-bodied men aged ten and up are to report to newly erected training camps for immediate military training to counter the threat of the Frost Knights!"
"Ten?!" Barbara Peep's eyes were going wider. "Ten?! You would have my little Collin Peep facing those … those monsters?!"
The town was nearly ready to riot. The Judge held out his arms. "I am merely the messenger! I must abide by the Royal Decrees!"
"We won't cooperate!" a villager yelled.
Around them, Fourth Kingdom soldiers appeared, spears in hand. They surrounded the screaming villagers. The Judge was downcast. "The Royal Council has left us with no choice, it appears."
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The Villagers were marched back into their homes at spear-point. Farming equipment was immediately seized. Little boys were torn screaming from their mother's arms. Barbara Peep shrieked as Collin Peep's little hands were torn from hers. He was outfitted with mail armor and a helmet two sizes too big for him. Barbara fell to her knees, covering her eyes as she sobbed hysterically. The children and men were marched off to the training camp, conscripted into the military efforts against the Snow Queen.
From a prison cell window, the elderly Wilfred Peep chuckled at the chaos outside his prison walls.
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Fourth Kingdom Palace – Afternoon
Trumpets blazed the afternoon air as an entourage of carriages made their way towards the Palace. Rulers and emissaries from the other kingdoms had been summoned to counter the rising threat of the Snow Queen. It was a call to what Lord DeConte called a "War Summit." It was a call to war.
A gavel pounded down on an elongated table in the Fourth Kingdom's Royal Council Chambers. Old Retainer was calling the meeting to silence. Sitting on all side of the table were emissaries from the other kingdoms. Leafall of the Seventh Kingdom took her place next to Red Riding Hood III of the Second Kingdom. The Naked Emperor VI of the Fifth Kingdom guzzled down a goblet of wine, motioning for more. Dwarves from the Ninth Kingdom sat on elevated chairs, looking none too pleased.
"I call this meeting to order," Old Retainer announced.
Viscount Lansky stood to the side, arms folded. "We're still missing some people."
"Such as?"
"Cinderella for one," Lansky said.
"I'm not missing, I just take a while," came a voice. Lord Rupert appeared in the doorway, puffing out his chest, preparing for a fantastic introduction when Cinderella hobbled in, shoving him away. "Out of the way, you." She took her seat at the far end of the table, her two stepsisters sitting on each side. Her eyes narrowed. "Where's Wendell?"
"About that," Lansky admitted. "He … he –"
"He hasn't been turned into a dog again?" Cinderella asked.
"No. Just into an ice statue this time," Lord Rupert admitted. Lansky facepalmed.
The entire room started murmuring. Cinderella leaned her ear towards one stepsister. "What did he say? Rice?"
"Ice," the stepsister said.
"Who then is in charge?" Red Riding Hood III demanded.
"I am." A hush fell over the room as Lord DeConte entered, his cape flowing. Lord Wallace followed in his wake, his cheeks flushed. DeConte took his place standing at the end of the table facing Cinderella who eyed him with uncertainty. "I call this meeting to order."
"Wendell has been turned into an ice statue by the Snow Queen and his soul imprisoned in the Devil's Mirror," Viscont Lansky admitted to the entire room. "The Snow Queen is invading with an army of Frost Knights. Her forces have already taken Beantown and other settlements along our northern and western borders and they're moving southeast – fast. They are already on the borders of the Seventh Kingdom." Lansky nodded towards Leafall who nodded back. "The Snow Queen's powers are growing. Her snow armies are spreading. We remember the terror she unleashed during her first rise to power – and the unimaginable powers it took for Snow White and the rest to simply put her to sleep." He nodded at Cinderella who inclined her head, remembering the events with a hint of dread.
"You proposed a 'War Summit,'" the Naked Emperor stated. "So – are we to take it that you are requesting military aide from the other Kingdoms?"
DeConte cut off Lansky before he could open his mouth. "Not requesting. Demanding."
"Demand?" The Naked Emperor shared concerned looks with the other Kingdoms. "With all due respect to you Lord DeConte, who are you to demand anything from us? The Snow Queen has not encroached on Fifth Kingdom territory."
"Yes, but," Lansky interrupted. "Don't you see – the Snow Queen will spread her armies across all the Kingdoms. The Eighth Kingdom isn't enough for her. She has always desired to be the sole ruler of the entire world. If we don't stop her -."
"It'll be a permanent, freezing death for us all," Old Retainer sighed.
"Tell me," Cinderella interrupted. "I have heard some … unsavory rumors as I travelled here from the First Kingdom. Is it true, Lord DeConte, that you are forcing your farmers to ration their food supply?"
"Much must be sacrificed in war," DeConte stated simply.
"And what of children? Will you sacrifice them?" Cinderella asked. A hush fell over the room. Cinderella rose to her feet and hobbled across the room, her finger pointed at DeConte. "Yes, I have heard of your Royal Decrees – forcing children to fight? How will little boys stand up to the icy force of the Frost Knights?"
"And the Abominable Snowmen the Snow Queen has unleashed?" added Leafall. "They penetrated our outer defenses as though they were but butter. Our battle-hardened elf-warriors were tossed about like children's rag dolls."
The Naked Emperor was aghast. "You cannot force children to fight!"
"I can. And I will." DeConte showed no remorse or even embarrassment. He pointed at Cinderalla and all the representatives from the other Kingdoms. "And you will too. All of you will enact the same Royal Decrees that I have throughout your kingdoms." He unfurled a scroll. "A War Treaty – an amendment to the Nine Kingdoms Treaty. You will all sign it and you will all abide by it. You will conscript every able-bodied boy throughout your kingdoms. You will take over the farms and all manufacturing."
"And why would we do that?" asked Cinderella. "Why should we abide by any of your demands? By the laws of the Nine Kingdoms Treaty, all Kingdoms are equal. No one has the power to dictate to the other rulers."
DeConte simply smiled. "If you don't cooperate, then I'll pull the Fourth Kingdom out of the Nine Kingdoms Treaty."
Cinderella was not impressed. "Such a move would be a declaration of war against the other kingdoms."
"Exactly."
Lansky, Old Retainer and Lord Rupert exchanged nervous glances. Wallace spoke up. "Lord DeConte – surely you aren't suggesting -."
"Be silent," DeConte spat at Wallace. He turned to Cinderella. "And how long do you think any of you will hold out against the Snow Queen's forces by yourselves? Because that's exactly what will happen if you don't sign this new military treaty!"
"You would force the other kingdoms to fight her alone?" the Naked Emperor asked.
"The price of war is simply too much to spare our forces for kingdoms that won't cooperate and share the burden of said war," DeConte said. "After all – my people are giving up their children, their farming – all in an effort to stop the Snow Queen. But if you're not willing to show solidarity, then by all means – you may face the Frost Knights alone. But to those who will not cooperate – be warned! The Fourth Kingdom is centrally located. Our soldiers have kept both our border and the borders of the other kingdoms safe. Safe with the red blood of Fourth Kingdom men. Safe at our expense! And you all enjoyed it during peacetime! Now comes a time of need, and you refuse to do your part to stop the Snow Queen? Then so be it! I will withdraw my forces from the borders of all the Kingdoms. And how do you think any of you will fare against the Frost Knights by yourselves? An endless wave of snow monsters and other icy terrors. Not to mention the Southern Renegades who I – I alone – have kept at bay all these long years while Prince Wendell sat cushy and protected while my men shed their blood for him. For all of you. And do you think the Troll Nation will sit idly by? They'll see this war as an opportunity for expansion. They'll move east. You'll be facing a war on two fronts – the Snow Queen and the Troll Nation – by yourselves!"
The room was silent. Wallace fidgeted, playing with his hands nervously.
"Well?" DeConte roared. "I am losing my patience! Who will join my Coalition and unite their military with my own? Who will rise up to answer this call to protect the Kingdoms? Who will – after years of sitting idly by while my people died for you – rise up to do their part? Sign the treaty and join me to turn the Snow Queen's forces back – or die on your own! The choice is yours!" He slammed the new treaty down on the table and folded his arms, breathing through his nostrils.
You could hear a pin drop.
Finally, the Naked Emperor stood up. "I don't like this," he announced. "But the Fifth Kingdom is not strong enough to fight the Snow Queen by itself and protect its borders at the same time. I will sign your treaty and pledge my military and our resources to you."
DeConte smiled. "I knew you would see reason."
Red Riding Hood III sadly stood up. Tears were in her eyes at what she was about to do. She wiped them before taking a pen. "The Second Kingdom will sign your treaty."
"Who else?" DeConte demanded.
"I will!"
"Count us in!"
"We will do what must be done."
Cinderella stood there, defeated but still defiant as she watched the others sign the treaty. Covering her apprehensions with a fake smile, she leaned in and was the last to sign.
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DeConte marched down the halls of the palace, Wallace, Lansky, Lord Rupert and Old Retainer in his wake. "The other kingdoms have pledged their support. Now is the time for a heavy military hand like my own. We will pool all our forces and we will strike the Frost Knights from the face of the earth."
Wallace nodded, swallowing tightly. He saw something from the corner of his eye. A hand, beckoning him from the shadows. He stopped, bowing slightly to DeConte. "If you will excuse me, my lord." He turned and departed from the group. DeConte was too pleased with himself and his newfound power to even care.
Wallace entered the alcove and opened a secret passage door. It led into a small, hidden-away chamber. Candles flickered on. He was alone – with Cinderella. "My lady," he bowed. "I thought that was your lovely finger beckoning to me."
"Lord Wallace," Cinderella said, sitting on an armchair. "Your name has crossed my throne before. Yours is a heroic name – one known even in the far reaches of the First Kingdom."
"I am honored," he said.
"Tell me – you are Lord DeConte's right-hand man. I fear him and his growing ambitions and demands. Suppose the Snow Queen is defeated. What then? You know him better than I do – will he surrender this newfound power once the crisis is over?"
"I … there was a time when I thought my answer would have been yes," Wallace admitted. "Now I'm not so sure. Lord DeConte is growing increasingly unstable – and power-hungry."
"Two traits that could very well destroy us all in a time of crisis," Cinderella nodded. "Can he be controlled?"
"He seems out of control to be honest."
"But he trusts you," she said, rising to her feet and placing her hand on his shoulder. "Despite his mistreatment of you, you are still his right-hand. You can be the catalyst, the soft hand to turn away his heavy fist. You can be the voice of reason he needs to hear."
"Lately he hasn't been hearing me, I'm afraid."
"Then make him!" Cinderella stared hard into his eyes. She grasped his hands. "Make me this promise – you will do everything in your power to contain DeConte's ambitions. You will do what you can to temper his demands. You will protect the children of the Nine Kingdoms. Please – promise you will do what you can to convince him not to throw the lives of the little children away!"
"I … I promise I will do what I can. But … perhaps there is another way …"
Cinderella cocked her head. "What do you mean?"
"Another hero – someone else besides DeConte who can stop the Snow Queen."
Cinderella nodded in understanding. "Virginia Lewis. And her father and the wolf. And even the little golden dog. Do you believe they can stop the Snow Queen? Have you been in contact with them? Is there a plan?"
Wallace took Cinderella's hands. "There is a plan. I can say no more. But I believe in Virginia Lewis. She stopped the Evil Queen. She can stop the Snow Queen."
"Keep the plan to yourself then. Keep it secret – it must not reach anyone else's ears. And in the meantime, do what you can to control DeConte. For our children."
Wallace sighed, before he bowed and kissed Cinderella's hand. "I will do what I can. I only hope it will be enough …"
