Disclaimer: I do not own The 10th Kingdom. This is merely a fanfiction.

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Virginia adjusted the sling holding the sleeping Fen across her chest. The baby curled into her, his bushy tail poking out from between the swaddling. Sweat trickled down the new mother's face as she bore the hot Third Kingdom sun. The Troll Nation was desolate in many areas besides the Beanstalk Forest. Years of industrialization and militarization had left many areas burned over. As industry collapsed over the years, the troll populations had vacated, seeking work as mercenaries or shelter under abandoned bridges in the other kingdoms.

Behind her, Tony stumbled on in the heat, his flannel shirt open and hanging loose. "I gotta say … I never thought I'd miss the Eighth Kingdom. We sure could do with a cold spell from the Snow Queen." He paused, panting, staring at his daughter. "You sure you don't have any small spells to cool things down?"

Virginia rounded on him, the heat making her more irritable than usual. "I'm sure, Dad!"

"Just checking, just checking. Aaaw, and poor Prince with all that fur. Maybe we should give him a shave?"

Prince turned, his ears flat on his head, his eyes narrowed as a mildly threatening growl issued from his snout. Tony held up his hands in defense. "Okay, okay, forget I said anything. I already got Virginia ready to tear my head off with the post-natal blues, I don't need you jumping all over me."

"I do not have post-natal blues!"

Leone brought up the rear, carrying heavy bags containing their supplies, as well as baby necessities. "Careful with the screaming – you'll wake up the baby!"

Tony put his hands on his hips. "Worried about the baby? I never took you for a softie."

Leone passed him, stepping on his toe. "I'm not."

Tony eyed him as he went past. "Sure, sure …"

Virginia stopped, holding Fen close. She pointed with her left hand at the crumbling tower in the distance. "There it is – the Troll Castle." She sighed. "Not a pleasant experience the last time I was here." Her face softened. "Except … that was where Wolf rescued me the first time …" She drove the memory far from her mind. Reminiscing would not help Wolf now – action would. Nodding, she trudged on as the baby stirred in her arms.

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"Here I am, Prayin for this moment to last, Livin on the music so fine, Borne on the wind, makin' it mine …"

Rumpelstiltskin danced in platform shoes in the middle of the Troll King's throne room, wearing expensive furs that dragged on the ground behind him. He spun, the furs flying with him as he sang along.

"Night fever, night fever. We know how to do it. Gimme that night fever, night fever. We know how to show it!"

He turned, singing into an invisible microphone in a mirror. The mirror suddenly was covered in frost and the image of the Snow Queen took the place of his reflection. Rumpel started, tripping backwards over his furs. The Snow Queen was impatient. "If you're quite done playing ballet, we have an urgent matter."

Rumpel stood up, smoothing out his disco pants. "It's not ballet – it's disco!"

"I am aware! But are you aware that you are about to have company?" The Snow Queen's image vanished, replaced with a bird's eye view of Virginia and company trudging along towards the Troll Castle.

"The girl is alive?" Rumpel was stunned. "And does Lord Wallace know?"

"Lord Wallace only knows what I allow him to know. News of her continued existence must not reach his ears – do I make that clear?"

"Clear as the ice color of your creamy skin, my Liege -."

"Cut the flattery. When I promoted you to rule in this sector, we had various disagreements. You do remember what happens when you don't see things my way?"

Rumpel stuttered. "Y-yes, of course -."

"You are a puppet in all this. Just as Lord Wallace is. Do not forget your place."

"Of course not, Your Majesty."

The Snow Queen folded her arms. "Bring me the girl and the child. Unspoiled. Dispose of the others as you see fit, but I want those two alive. Do not fail me, imp. I do not give second chances." She vanished from his mirror, replacing her reflection with his. Rumpel stared at himself for a moment, before clenching his fist, a wicked little grin on his face.

"Dispose of them as I see fit, huh? Time for me to have a little fun!"

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"Ummm … I'm not sure trolls should be wearing crocs. Am I wrong?" Tony stood flatfooted as two troll guards in pink and purple crocs crossed their pink spears in front of the group. The trolls snarled.

"By order of the new Troll King, we are to take you into custody immediately."

"New Troll King?" Tony wrinkled his nose. "What about the three siblings? What are their names again? Blabberbutt? Bluebert?'

The bedazzled guards snarled. "The three siblings are no longer rulers of this kingdom. We have orders – you can come peacefully. Or in pieces!"

Virginia was unimpressed. "Trolls wearing crocs and furs are threatening us?"

"You can't actually like wearing that stuff?" Tony asked.

The one troll growled. "Of course not! I feel like a flippin' pixie threw up all over me! And then a fairy took a sprinkle dump on my head! But the new Troll King has … unusual tastes."

"Right." Virginia struggled to keep a straight face. For the first time since they'd left the the Sixth Kingdom, she managed a small smile. "Well we came to see whoever's in charge anyway. So lead on." She shushed the baby which was beginning to whimper. The two trolls grunted as they motioned for them to follow up the winding dirt road to the castle.

The other troll leaned in to the first and whispered. "I don't know – I kinda like the new uniforms. The furs feel nice 'round my thighs when there's a breeze." The first troll facepalmed as they marched.

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The two dolled-up trolls opened the door to the throne room. Virginia passed through the doorway. Memories flooded her of the attempted torture at the hands of the three troll siblings. And then Wolf's rescue – how many times had Wolf saved her neck? All of their necks? She stared down at Fen who was nodding in and out of sleep. Her child. Wolf's child. Anger seeped into her that he missed the birth of his own son. I'll get you back, Wolf. No matter what it takes, what it costs. I'll get you back. No matter what.

The troll guards bowed and backed out of the throne room as the group entered. They closed the door behind them and there was the sound of a latch shutting in place. Tony whirled around. "Hey, what's the big idea locking us in here -?"

"You come to the Troll Nation and act confused when they trap you?" Leone asked with a hint of sarcasm.

"No," Tony replied. "I just thought after everything the three of them went through with me at the Shoemacher's, there might have been a warmer reception."

The group stood in the center of the room, huddled together. The only sound was from Prince's paws treading on the stone floor. "I don't like this," Leone whispered.

"Look!" Tony pointed to the throne in the center of the room. A present – wrapped in shimmering pinks, yellows and purples, rose up out of the cushioned seat. A card was attached: TO VIRGINIA LEWIS. "It's for you," Tony remarked.

Virginia furtively approached the present. It was long – as tall as a troll's thigh. She remembered how Wolf had deceived the troll siblings last time they were here with a fake present. She stared down at it, a sense of foreboding washing over her. "I … I don't think I should open it …"

The present suddenly began moving, as though something living were bouncing around inside! Virginia backed away, her arms wrapped protectively around her son. Smoke was already issuing out from the present –

A HEAD POPPED UP OUT OF THE PRESENT!

Virginia staggered back, protecting the baby's head at all costs.

It was a jack-in-the-box with a plastic and grinning Rumpelstiltskin head bouncing around on a spiral spring. The head lolled to the side, dangling helplessly, the plastic grin still plastered on its face. Virginia breathed deeply. "That – was terrifying!"

"You thought that was bad – try ME!"

Virginia whirled around as the real Rumpelstiltskin spun into view from out of the ground, his pink and yellow clothes spiraling around him like a pinwheel. The odd little man bowed low. "Rumpelstiltskin at your service! But the name has too many syllables, so to keep things rolling, you all may call me 'Rumpel" for short!" His head jolted upwards at them, the same toothy grin as the jack-in-the-box spread across his face.

Virginia raised an eyebrow. "Ummm … nice to meet you Mr. Rumpel. No offense, but now isn't exactly the time for -."

"Nonsense! Soon, you'll having nothing but time!"

Tony spread his arms out. "Nothing but time! What does that mean?! Seriously – what is wrong with everyone in this universe?! Why can't you just normally meet somebody without trapping them in a creepy castle and -."

Rumpel's smile faltered. "You know, in this realm, it's customary to thank your host. One thing I don't tolerate, it's impoliteness."

Leone stepped forward. "I've heard the stories of this little imp. Don't trust a word he says. He's full of tricks and mischief." He turned down to stare at the little man. "Where are the troll siblings?"

Rumpel straightened himself up. His face still bearing the same smile, he apprised them for a moment, before reaching into his bright cloak. When his hand emerged, it was clasping a glass vial. And inside -.

"The Trolls!" Tony couldn't help himself. The group stared at the three shrunken trolls in the vial, banging on the glass.

"Help us, Fat One!" Bluebell called with a squeaky voice.

"What have you done to them?" Tony demanded.

Rumpel lifted the vial up higher into the light. "It's simple – they lost a bet. A game of chance. Now their kingdom is mine."

Virginia stared hard at him with squinted eyes. " … You're working with the Snow Queen, aren't you?"

Rumpel grinned as he juggled the glass vial from hand to hand, the trolls inside screaming and bouncing around. "So what if I am? It's not like you'll be able to do anything about it. In fact – you'll all soon be joining them."

Leone withdrew his sword. "I don't think so -."

Rumpel sighed in sheer boredom as he waved a finger lazily. Leone's sword flew out of his hand and spun, slamming into a wall, the blade embedded hilt deep into the wood. "Any other contenders?"

Virginia protested. "You can't keep us here -."

Rumpel stuffed the vial back into his clothing and stretched a hand out. Little Fen suddenly levitated out of Virginia's arms and soared right into the waiting imp's arms. The baby began screaming as Rumpel giggled evilly.

Virginia could feel her rage overtake her. "Give. Him. Back." Her voice was soft yet deadly.

Rumpel rocked the now wailing child. "Such a beeeeeautiful baby boy! Coochie-coo!" He tickled the baby with a gnarled finger. Fen was screaming.

"I said – GIVE HIM BACK!" Virgina WRENCHED Leone's sword out of the wall and charged, motherly fury filling her. The blade cleaved down in her hands ready to take the imp's head right from his shoulders –

Rumpelstiltskin vanished before it found its mark. With an upward spin, he reappeared behind her, the baby screaming in terror. "What will you do? You can't touch me -."

"Watch me!" Virginia swirled around, sword raised, swinging down again –

Rumpel held the baby up by the scruff of his neck with one arm. The baby's arms and legs flailed, his head bobbing, unable to support itself. Virginia stopped short – the blade mere centimeters from her son. The baby's eyes were squeezed shut, his toothless mouth open and screaming. Horror filled her being. She stared down at Rumpel with revulsion. "You would use a baby -."

"Haven't you read my tale? Don't you know who you're dealing with?"

Virginia hissed. "Do you?"

"Lay down all of your weapons," the imp demanded. Nobody moved. Rumpel raised the child up higher. "I said LAY THEM DOWN!"

Virginia nodded to Leone before tossing her sword aside. Leone unsheathed his blades, tossing them to the ground. Virginia stared Rumpel down with a newfound hatred. "You're gonna pay for this – one way or another. Nobody threatens my child!"

Rumpel laughed. "Is that a fact?"

"I'll tear you limb from limb," Virginia spat. "When I'm done, you'll be left a bloody and broken husk -."

"Enough of your vain threats – you will do nothing. There is nothing you can do. The child is the Snow Queen's now."

"If you so much as -."

"We can spend all day bantering back and forth, but you're quite powerless -."

"I know your weakness." Virginia's confidence was rising. "Gambling. Games of chance. Riddles and games. Like you did with that peasant's daughter. When you had her guess your name."

"Really now?" Rumpel seemed intrigued as he drew the baby close to his chest, rocking him. "A game, perhaps?"

"If I win, we all go free – including my baby. Including the trolls."

"And if I win?"

"I'll surrender freely to you. You can take me to the Snow Queen or whoever. But you and she will not harm my child!"

Holding the baby with one hand, Rumpel rubbed his chin with the other. "No, no, the Snow Queen would be furious – but then, I've never turned down a challenge, never resisted a game." He looked up sideways at Virginia. "I will be able to select the game?"

"You and me," she said.

"Swear on it," he replied. He spat in his hand before holding it out. Overcoming her revulsion, Virginia spat in her own.

"Don't do this, honey," Tony replied. "We can think of something -"

Virginic clasped hands with the wicked little man. Rumpel laughed gleefully. "I choose the game – and the participants!"

Darkness fell around them. A cold wind blew the candles out as Rumpel and the baby began vanishing into shadow. Virginia saw only Rumpel's eyes in the darkness as the floor suddenly gave out beneath them all, tumbling away into a black void, Rumpel's laughter echoing into the abyss …