Disclaimer: I do not own the 10th Kingdom; this is merely a fanfiction.

.

.

.

Red sky at night … Devil's delight!

Wallace smiled at the adage as he leaned from the window of his chambers, staring at the lowering sun. Bloody hues were cast in the horizon. Storm clouds were gathering in the west. Tonight – his enemies would make their move. The spy among the troll army had sent him the messenger hawk the other day, warning of Virginia Lewis' plans.

And of course, she wasn't strong enough to accept the aid of the Swamp Witch. His "Mother" had surmised as much.

When Miss Lewis' forces appeared, he would be ready for them. All of his enemies destroyed in one single, glorious day!

But there was still something nagging at him. Something that hadn't been there before, but was beginning to eat away at him. It had begun to gnaw at him the other night – when he first received word that Miss Lewis wasn't as dead as he had thought. His "Mother" had kept that fact hidden from him. Even though, when she took him as a child all those years ago, she had promised that there would be no secrets between them – she didn't see fit to let him know that the one person in the Nine Kingdoms who could spoil their plans – the one person that could let the other kingdoms know of his deceit and of his secret alliance with the Snow Queen – was still alive!

Was there a reason she was keeping such critical information from him? Or was their "partnership" more an indentured servitude? He had played all the other kingdoms like a flute … but was he the mere puppet all along? Another pawn of the Snow Queen – his "Mother" – deluded with promises of glory, yet shackled to her icy whims?

Wallace rose up from his seat and meandered over to his mantel. His eyes shifted from left and right as his hands touched the edges of an old music box displayed there. He closed his eyes as his fingers slowly lifted the top backwards. An old tune began to play, and in his mind, an old song, buried from his past, tinkled out from the spinning gears of the music box. In the center was an ice ballerina, poised on one foot, spinning in place to the music. Wallace closed his eyes and allowed the tune to wash over him, forgetting everything in the moment:

.

Brightly shimmers the snow on the wide path,

Only a lonely light flickers in a little hut.

There, a girl waits for her beloved by the lamplight.

Silent is the mill, the grindstone stands still.

Quickly the young man smoothes his blonde hair;

And cheerfully skips, one, two, three,

Over ice and snow.

Happily he sings through the icy wind,

Which burns his beautiful cheeks red.

The Snow Queen travels over the forest

Upon the grey clouds

'How beautiful you are by the snow's glow,

I choose you to be mine!

Come, follow me to my swimming cloud of snow,

Over the mountains and seas!'

The snowflakes fall so large and dense,

'My floral web will catch you; oh do not flee me!

My brides bed awaits, shimmering and beautiful,

Come, oh betrothed, come,

And fall asleep beside me!'

The light in the little hut shines no more,

The flakes swirl white in thick rows.

A little bright star shoots from the clouds-

And is suddenly extinguished.

The Sun glows brightly over field and forest,

Asleep in the brides' bed so icy cold.

The girl grows anxious and goes to the mill,

Yet the grindstone stands still.

.

Wallace stood hunched over the music box as the gears stopped suddenly and the ballerina froze in place. He slowly pressed his finger in a gap between the gears behind the ballerina and there was the sound of a spring snapping. A small compartment long hidden in the bottom of the music box sprang out. In the compartment, something shone with white crystalline light.

Hand trembling, Wallace took the object and held it in his palm.

A crystal engagement ring. With a beautiful diamond in the shape of a teardrop – perfectly set. Wallace stared down at it – and then he blinked. A crystal had suddenly appeared in his palm next to the ring.

No, not a crystal.

A tear.

His tear.

Exhaustion swept him. He staggered back into an armchair and collapsed into it. He turned his head to an end table next to his armchair. A black volume lay bound there. Hand trembling, he turned the book open to a leaf of paper bent at the corner. This particular page was bent, torn and re-taped back into place. The reader had obviously read this page day in and day out.

Lip trembling, Wallace took the dusty hardback and placed it on his lap. This book – it did not come from the Nine Kingdoms. No – it came from the Tenth Kingdom – New York City, they called it. Brought here long ago from a visitor who had stumbled upon one of the Mirrors in Central Park.

The Tales and Poems of Edgar Allen Poe.

Though not from this world, Wallace had consumed this book – cover to cover, multiple times. But one poem – one poem stuck with him. His eyes scanned the well-worn page and his lips moved silently. He didn't even have to read it – he had it memorized by heart.

Annabel Lee …

.

.

It was many and many a year ago,

In a kingdom by the sea,

That a maiden there lived whom you may know,

By the name of Annabel Lee;

And this maiden she lived with no other thought

Than to love and be loved by me.

I was a child and she was a child,

In this kingdom by the sea,

But we loved with a love that was more than love –

I and my Annabel Lee –

With a love that the winged seraphs of Heaven

Coveted her and me.

And this was the reason that, long ago,

In this kingdom by the sea,

A wind blew out of a cloud, chilling

My beautiful Annabel Lee;

So that her highborn kinsmen came

And bore her away from me,

To shut her up in a sepulchre,

In this kingdom by the sea.

The angels, not half so happy in Heaven,

Went envying her and me –

Yes! – that was the reason (as all men know,

In this kingdom by the sea)

That the wind came out of the cloud by night,

Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee.

But our love it was stronger by far than the love

Of those who were older than we –

Of many far wiser than we –

And neither the angels in Heaven above

Nor the demons down under the sea

Can ever dissever my soul from the soul

Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;

For the moon never beams, without bringing me dreams

Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;

And the stars never rise, but I feel the bright eyes

Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;

And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side

Of my darling – my darling – my life and my bride,

In her sepulchre by the sea –

In her tomb by the sounding sea …

.

.

Droplets appeared suddenly on the pages – tear drops. Newly formed ones that splashed upon old tear stains from many years of use. Wallace's hands gently swept them off the page.

A gear suddenly sprang!

Wallace's head shot up as he watched the ballerina in the music box start dancing again, the music playing on its own. Wallace looked up to the ceiling, not seeing the ceiling, but beyond –

"Gerda …"

The word came silently out of his mouth.

"Gerda … my darling, my darling, my life … I'm so … so sorry …"

His shoulders drooped as the music abruptly stopped.

And Wallace sat there, alone in his dark thoughts and misery …

.

Knock!

.

The gentle rapping at his chamber door brought Wallace back to reality. He wiped his eyes and gently tossed the Edgar Allen Poe book back onto the table. The pages flew and settled on a different poem. He had no time to look. He rose from his seat and placed the old engagement ring back into the compartment of the music box, before slowly pressing the lid of the box closed.

He looked at his reflection in the mirror above the mantle. He cleared his throat, ran a hand through his hair. He flung his bloodred cape over his shoulders and puffed his chest out. The mask of dignity returned, hiding the true broken-hearted Kay behind the shell of the heroic, dignified Wallace.

"Enter!" he called out.

Old Retainer shuffled in, followed by two guards. The old man played with his fingers. "Lord Protector – forgive my intrusion."

Wallace waved him off with a gentle smile and warm hand on his shoulder. "No need to apologize my old friend. Do you bring me news?"

"Sir – well – I can't quite explain it. You're better off seeing it." He pointed a shaky finger at the tower's window.

Wallace approached the window … the blood-red color of the sky could not be attributed to merely the sunset. It was too deep.

A flare had exploded into the evening sky.

Wallace grimaced. The signal had been sent by her.

"Sir – there's more." Old Retainer nervously played with his fingers. "An army of trolls is marshalling on our borders."

Just as Mother predicted, Wallace thought to himself. He turned to the old man, arms behind his back. "This was not unexpected."

"Shall I order all personnel out to meet them?"

"Belay that." Wallace turned, staring into the woods surrounding the Fourth Kingdom castle. "I am aware of their plans. The main attack force is only a diversion. I am their real target."

"Sir?"

"Send out a contingency of soldiers to meet them. The elite guards – station them in the keep and in the high towers."

"I don't understand -." Old Retainer was stuttering.

"It's simple. Miss Lewis is with them. She will come for me."

"Miss Lewis? The traitor? But I thought she was -."

"A mistake I will rectify," Wallace hissed. "Ready the men. They want a battle, they've got one. And I will give them no quarter!"

.

.

.

Fourth Kingdom Woods – Evening

Leone knelt in a clearing in the midst of the woods, a flare gun held high. The signal had been sent. Before they had left the Troll Nation, Virginia had told the troll siblings that this would be the signal to meet them. The trolls had been hiding in the forests, waiting for this signal to come.

Now it was sent.

Virginia rocked baby Fen in her arms. "Are you sure you shot it high enough?"

Leone gave her a side-eye. "You want me to burn down this whole forest? They'll see it. Besides, the trolls have probably smelt us a long way off. Especially your dad."

"Hey!" Tony groused, sniffing his armpits and bleching. "Okay, maybe you have a point." Prince barked in agreement and Tony glared down at him. "Yeah, well, you could do with a bath yourself." At the word bath, Prince whined, and his tail went between his legs.

"Wallace has probably seen the flare by now," Leone remarked.

"Yes," Virginia remarked. "And he'll also see an army of trolls marching on his palace. He'll think the trolls are the true threat. And a small team can infiltrate his castle and capture him. With him out of the way, we can undo his lies and rally the other Nine Kingdoms against the Snow Queen."

"I really hope it all goes that smoothly," Tony replied.

Virginia stared off into the trees as she held Fen close. "Yeah Dad – so do I."

.

.

.

Night had finally broken upon the Fourth Kingdom. Fen was getting antsy and crying. Virginia held a small bottle to his mouth as she sat on a log rocking him.

There was the sound of a twig snapping.

The foursome rose to their feet as a series of shapes emerged from behind the trees. Troll warriors – wearing breastplates and helms of iron. Jagged swords hung from their sides. "I smell … manflesh …" one breathed.

Virginia gulped.

"Outta the way – these ones aren't for eating!"

Blabberwort forced herself past the troll soldier, followed by Burly and Bluebell. "Alright girlie," Blabberwort remarked. "We've seen your little … flare … the signal has been sent and as promised, the Troll Nation has responded!" She stretched out her hand and more troll soldiers emerged from the trees.

Virginia nodded as she held her baby close. "Thank you. All of you. For your help."

Blabberwort nodded in return. "Aye. Just remember girlie – when this is over – who it was that helped you!"

"King Wendell will be pleased to include you in the Nine Kingdoms Treaty," Virginia replied. "A seat at the table at last."

Blabberwort grinned. She turned to the commanders and lieutenants of the troll army. "Tonight – the Troll Nation does its part! No more will we be sidelined and isolated! From here on forth – the Troll Nation pulls its weight and becomes a part of the rest of the world!"

The other trolls roared in agreement.

Blabberwort turned back to Virginia. "Let's go over the plan again …"

.

.

.

Prince held a giant twig in his mouth. An X in the dirt showed the location of the palace. The canine drew more lines in the dirt – arrows, showing the plan of attack.

"We divide the main forces up," Virginia replied. "Fifty-fifty. The first half storms the front of the palace. When the Fourth Kingdom troops come out, the second half of our forces attack from behind and take the palace. Remember – limit the Fourth Kingdom casualties. These men are deceived; they truly believe Wallace's lies. They don't deserve death for being lied to."

Burly sighed and nudged Bluebell. "And here I was hoping to crack some skulls."

"We might get lucky if they bring out Wallace," Bluebell replied.

"I get his fancy shoes," Burly grinned.

Virginia cleared her throat in irritation and the trolls quickly silenced. Blabberwort leaned forward. "Do we still intend the forward attack force to be the new recruits?" Concern dripped in her voice.

"No," Virginia spoke with resolution. "I've changed the tactics somewhat. The senior troops will be the main forward attack force. The younger, less experienced soldiers, will take the rear. They'll pin down the Fourth Kingdom troops and then take the keep. There'll be less fighting in the back-end. Meaning that the younger soldiers won't see as much fighting. The keep will be less guarded as Wallace will think the main attack comes from the front. So the new recruits won't have as many battles – except for the small contingencies of troops in the keep."

Blabberwort breathed a sigh of relief. "I was worried … the new recruits aren't up to being the main attack force."

Burly beat his chest. "I will lead the new recruits into the keep."

Blabberwort patted him on the chest. "Good idea. They need a strong warrior to lead them. Bluebell and I will lead the forward force."

"While the main force engages the enemy and the rearguards take the keep, a small team will infiltrate the castle and capture Wallace." Virginia stared at the group. "I will lead this team."

Tony cleared his throat. "Umm, Virginia, I really don't think -."

"Dad – it'll be fine. After my meeting with Snow White and the others -."

"Snow White?" Blabbewort was confused.

"I'll explain later." She turned her attention back to her dad. "It has to be me. I'll capture him and the castle – with the palace under our control, we can prove his lies to the other Kingdoms."

"Then I'm coming with you," Tony announced. Prince barked in support.

Virginia smiled. "Thank you both."

Leone raised a questioning finger. "Okay – but what about the baby?" Virginia pressed Fen tightly to her chest. Leone, however, extended his arms to her. "I'll watch him. He and I will stay here in the woods, at the camp. He'll be safe with me."

Virginia stared up reluctantly at him.

"You still don't trust me?" Leone asked.

Virginia sighed, before standing up. She kissed the baby on the forehead, then gently passed him to Leone. "Mind his head," she admonished.

Leone rocked the baby in his arms. "I shall guard him with my life."

"Not a big sacrifice considering you can't be killed," Virginia smiled. "But thank you all the same."

She stood in the center of the camp, amidst the troll siblings and troll lieutenants. She clasped her hands in front of her. "Does everyone understand their assignments?"

The trolls raised their weapons and roared. Prince barked along with them.

"Then let's end this tonight!"

.

.

.

"She is more foolish than I thought."

Wallace watched from his quarters, arms folded, as lines of troll soldiers emerged from the woods and formed ranks. Orders were shouted. Torches were lit. Blabberwort and Bluebell wore their armor and held their torches aloft.

"For the Troll Nation!"

The cries of the trolls rang out into the night.

Old Retainer stared down at them. "Orders, sir?"

Wallace's smile was wry. "You know the plan. Let us meet their forces head-on."

.

.

.

The trolls raced through the palace gardens, ready to break on the castle walls and battlements like water upon a rock. The forward gate slowly opened as Fourth Kingdom guards gave orders.

Lines of Fourth Kingdom troops emerged from the gate and marched across the drawbridge. They reached the gardens and took forward positions. The front lines held out pikes. Behind them, archers raised their bows.

"Charge!" Blabberwort shouted.

The trolls picked up the pace as the Fourth Kingdom archers released their arrows. Several trolls dropped. One to Blabbewort's left collapsed, an arrow embedded in his neck. Spurned on, she screamed as she raised her cleaver-like sword, turning aside an enemy pike.

The two forces met and there were the sounds of swords clanging and arrows whizzing as the battle began.

.

.

Behind the main force, Burly gave the signal. The new recruits nodded. Knives in between their teeth, they snuck behind the two warring armies in the gardens and climbed up the battlements like cockroaches on a wall. Burly led the force. He reached the top battlement and drew his sword.

The Fourth Kingdom guard at the top of the battlement saw the flood of young trolls climbing the top. He prepared to blow a horn – Burly silenced him with a slash of his sword. He motioned for the other trolls. "To the keep!"

The young trolls jeered as they leapt off the battlements into the forward keep. Burly leapt down after them. He landed hard and drew his bow and arrow, taking down an archer on the inside. He turned, slashing at a rope holding the gate to the keep open. The gate came crashing down, preventing the Fourth Kingdom army from retaking the keep.

The guards in the keep raised their weapons. Burly laughed as his forces met them head-on. "Like taking candy from a fairy!" he laughed as he led the charge further into the hold.

.

.

.

Leone hummed a song as he held Baby Fen tightly to his chest. "There, there," he comforted the baby. "Mommy will be back soon. And in the meantime, Uncle Leone won't let anything bad happen to you."

He sat with the baby, rocking him gently.

He stared up at the stars barely visible through the foliage. Come on, Virginia, he prayed silently. Make this quick.

.

.

.

Three heads bobbed up in the palace's moat. Virginia rose up out from under the moat's gate. Tony followed after her. Prince paddled up behind them. They climbed up onto a dock. This was the same way they had infiltrated the palace during Prince Wendell's coronation. A pang struck Virginia's chest. Wolf had been with them at that time. Wherever he was, she prayed that he was okay.

A guard came around a corner, whistling to himself. Virginia and Tony pressed themselves up against a wall. As he approached, Virginia nodded to her dad. The two jumped the guard, taking him by surprise. With a well-placed bop to the back of the head with the hilt of a sword, Tony knocked him out.

Virginia rolled the unconscious soldier onto his back. "He seems about the right size."

"The right size for what?" Tony asked.

Virginia began unbuttoning the man's shirt.

"The right size for what?" Tony repeated, concern growing in his voice.

.

.

.

Tony sighed as he walked through the dungeons of the palace. He was now in the guard's outfit. Well, the guard wasn't quite the same size as Tony. His belly pushed the tunic past its stretching point – but the guard's helmet fit snugly over his head. The keys to the dungeons – and the rest of the palace – dangled from Tony's belt.

Virginia wore cuffs on her wrists – loosely of course – and a hood was drawn over her head. Prince trotted along.

It wasn't a perfect disguise – but it would do to get them through the dungeons at least. Tony and Prince would fool the rest of the soldiers – a prison guard leading Virginia (made up as a prisoner) to her cell.

Tony frog-marched his daughter down the hall. Another guard was approaching. Virginia lowered her gaze, the hood falling lower over her face. "Act natural," Tony whispered.

The other guard passed them and Tony breathed a sigh of relief.

Then – "Oy – you!"

Tony froze.

"I recognize you!"

Cripes, their cover was blown!

The other guard turned and pressed a pudgy finger into Tony's chest. "You're the chap that owes me 20 coins from that bet!"

"I uh … well …"

"And with prevailing interest rates and non-payment, I'd say you owe me forty gold coins!'

Sweat ran down Tony's cheek. "Well, you see -."

"Take this prisoner to their cell," the guard ordered. "Then we'll square up the totals when your shift's over. And I will find you." The guard turned and marched off. Tony let out the breath he was holding.

Virginia nudged him. "Come on – we're running out of time!"

.

.

.

Blabberwort laughed as she ducked beneath a soldier's sword. She rose up, slashing his leg, leaving him fallen in pain. She whirled her sword, parrying two more blows. She backed up and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Bluebell. The two trolls roared with laughter.

"This is easy!" Bluebell grinned, turning aside an enemy sword.

"Too easy," Blabberwort acknowledged. Unease was beginning to grip her as the tide turned around them – her forces were routing the Fourth Kingdom troops.

.

.

.

Burly ran up a staircase in the main hold. He slashed a guard in the leg who went screaming down the stairs. He sheathed his weapon and withdrew his bow and arrow, taking down another guard across the keep.

Below, the young recruits had now taken the hold. Burly reached a balcony and unfurled the flag of the Troll Nation. He hung it over the sides of the balcony roaring to his troops below. They roared back.

.

.

.

Tony, Virginia and Prince darted through the corridors of the upper-levels of the palace. They heard someone muttering to themselves. They pressed themselves into an alcove as a little old man passed them. Virginia stepped out of the alcove and called his name.

"Old Retainer!"

The old man stopped and whirled around, confused. His eyes widened. "M-Miss Lewis!"

Tony and Prince appeared behind Virginia. "Don't bother to call for help," Tony warned.

Old Retainer stood defiant. "Miss Lewis – I have nothing to say to a traitor such as you. You, who would destabilize the peace we are working so hard to engender -."

"You know me," Virginia said, her eyes softening. "You all do. I don't know how Wallace bamboozled you all – but I'm not the traitor. He is."

"You'll say anything to -."

Virginia took a step forward. The old man squeaked and backed up.

"Wallace is the one who destroyed the Devil's Thorn," Virginia continued. "He's the one in league with the Snow Queen."

"Preposterous! He -."

"His real name is Kay. The boy who the original Snow Queen took so long ago. He returned to the Snow Queen. Well, to the person he thinks is the original Snow Queen. Old Retainer – Wallace has betrayed us all."

Old Retainer stared into Virginia's eyes. He saw the sincerity behind them, heard the truth behind her words. "I – no, it can't be."

Virginia stared into the old man's eyes too. And what she saw – she saw the eyes of a true believer. Not in her … but in Wallace.

"The Lord Protector will want to know you're here!" Old Retainer insisted. "He has saved us from the Southern Marauders, and he will save us from the Snow Quee-."

Tony pressed two pressure points on the old man's neck. Old Retainer's eyes rolled back into his head, and he collapsed unconscious. Virginia stared at her father in amazement. Tony merely shrugged. "I saw it Mission Impossible, always wanted to try it."

"Let's move him," Virginia groaned. "You grab his legs." Together, they dragged the old man into the alcove.

.

.

.

Leone was singing a song to the sleeping Fen when the baby's eyes suddenly scrunched. His mouth opened and he began wailing. Leone rose to his feet, rocking the baby. "Oh, it's okay. It's all okay."

A twig snapped.

Leone's head spun.

Out from between the trees appeared a trio. Fiona. Hebro. And Dynaman.

"No Leone," Fiona grinned. "It's not okay. It's really not."

.

.

.

"This is it," Virginia breathed. They had reached the door to Wallace's chambers. She pressed the door open and they entered. Tony latched the door behind them.

Virginia breathed in the cold, musty air.

"I don't think he's here!" Tony exclaimed.

"Look around!" Virginia admonished. Prince and Tony spread out, working to secure the chambers. A glimmer caught Virginia's eye. A music box on the mantle. She approached it, drawn to it. Shaking, her fingers traced the box, before she opened it.

A little ballerina figure was in the music box. The gears shifted and the little figure began to dance. Music – a sad tune – began to play:

The light in the little hut shines no more,

The flakes swirl white in thick rows.

A little bright star shoots from the clouds-

And is suddenly extinguished.

The Sun glows brightly over field and forest,

Asleep in the brides' bed so icy cold.

The girl grows anxious and goes to the mill,

Yet the grindstone stands still.

Virginia stared at the sad little ballerina, before she took the lid of the music box and gently closed it. She turned – behind her was an armchair. Recently sat on. A book was open next to the armchair on a small round table. She tilted her head and looked down at the book – a poem book? It appeared to have been tossed onto the table cavalierly – but the page she was staring at appeared to be well-read. Several stanzas were highlighted and underlined:

"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil! – prophet still, if bird or devil!

By that Heaven that bends above us – by that God we both adore –

Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,

It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore –

Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore."

Quoth the Raven "Nevermore."

Virginia was surprised to see that in the book, the name "Lenore" had been scribbled out. Above it, in shaky handwriting, was a name written in the margins: "Gerda."

"Virginia."

Her name was whispered across the room. A voice, calling to her. "Did you hear that?" Tony asked.

"Yeah," Virginia nodded, placing the poem book carefully back on the table. She began walking in the direction of the voice.

"Come to me, Virginia."

Tony raised a finger. "I say we go in the opposite direction of the creepy voice." Prince barked his agreement.

Virginia approached a door in the back of the chamber. Clasping the handle, she turned it. She found herself in a circular room – a room surrounded with mirrors. Virginia entered, transfixed.

Tony and Prince attempted to follow – the door swung shut, sealing them off from Virginia. Tony banged on the door. "Hey! What's the big idea?!"

Alone in the room, Virginia approached a mirror. The glass appeared to ripple. She stood in front of it, mesmerized. "Mirror, mirror on the wall," she found herself saying. "Who is the fairest of them all?"

"And that is the greatest question of all – is it not?"

The glass in the mirror settled – and staring back at Virginia was the reflection of the Snow Queen.

.

.

.

Tony was still banging on the door. Two blades appeared at his neck in a cross-shape. Wallace breathed into his ear. "Now, now – let's not interrupt them, shall we? A critical moment approaches …"

Tony struggled. Prince bared his teeth.

"Call him off," Wallace warned. He dug the edge of one of his blades into Tony's neck. "I will not repeat myself."

"Prince," Tony warned through grit teeth. "Down boy."

Begrudgingly, Prince lowered himself into a submissive position.

.

.

.

"At last we meet – face to face." The Snow Queen smiled.

Virginia gripped the edges of the mirror. "You!"

"Us," the ice witch corrected.

Virginia's rage seethed over. "This is all your fault! You corrupted my mother! You made her leave me! You tried to kill my Son! I … I …!" She sputtered, at a loss for words.

"Don't' forget – you will do all those things!"

"Never!" Virginia's teeth were grit. "I will never become you!"

"Oh, you tell yourself that to comfort your screaming conscience. But you know the truth. I am still here. You will still become me. No matter what you do, no matter what pithy little trite sayings that some long-dead princesses drill into your ears – you know the truth. It is time, Virginia. Time for you to stop lying to yourself! You will become me!"

"No! I resisted the Swamp Witch!"

"The Swamp Witch was my creature, not the other way around," the Snow Queen replied. "It is inevitable. You will see – in time."

"And what makes you so confident?!"

"Because I know you inside and out. I know the way your mind works. I am you. And you are me. There is no way around this, Virginia. Try as you might – you cannot escape your destiny."

"I believe we can choose our own destinies!"

"Of course. The arrogance to pit your will against that of the universe – to think that your will is greater than the will of fate!" The Snow Queen's smile only grew. "Shall I show you how I know you will turn? Shall I show you, Virginia?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Gaze into the mirror."

Virginia narrowed her eyes. The Snow Queen stepped aside as two Frost Knights carried a man whose head was limp, chin resting on his chest. Virginia's mouth hung open. It couldn't be … "Wolf?"

The Snow Queen patted Wolf on the head. "Awaken … beast."

Wolf's head snapped up! His eyes were golden like a wolf's. His teeth were bared – jagged canines snapped at her, saliva dripping from them. Virginia gripped the mirror tightly. "Wolf! Wolf – it's me!"

Wolf snapped at her, snarling.

The Snow Queen stroked his hair and he howled in delight. He turned his head back to Virginia's reflection and snarled again. "Do you see the pretty girl?" the Snow Queen cooed, petting his head.

"Yesssss," Wolf snarled.

"Do you know who she is?"

"Meat!"

"That's right. And what would you like to do with the pretty girl?"

"Gobble her right up!"

The Snow Queen was laughing, mocking Virginia. "She looks like a little shepherdess, doesn't she?"

"Oh yes! Shepherdess makes quite a mess … but little lambs are lovely …"

"She will come to us – and when she does, tell me what you will do."

Wolf licked his lips. "First … I'll sink my teeth into her throat. I'll drink the warm hot blood that sprays down my throat. Then, I'll rip her throat out. Devour her from head to toe!"

Virginia was in tears. "Wolf! It's me! Me! Your fiancé! The succulent love of your life! Remember! Remember me!"

"I'm afraid it's too late," the Snow Queen replied in faux sadness. "He's quite forgotten who you are – when he sold his soul to me! Yes, now he's my pet, on my leash." She scratched behind Wolf's ears and he howled again.

Virginia was begging, pleading with everything she had – desperate to find some remnant of her fiancé left in the monster that had appeared before her. "Wolf – you have a son! A baby boy! His name is Fen! Please – remember! Remember me! You have a son who needs you to be there for him!"

"Oh?" the Snow Queen cooed. "Do you hear that Wolf? A chubby little baby boy!"

"Dessert!" Wolf snapped.

Virginia was crying. "Please … Wolf … please …"

The Snow Queen waved her hand and the two Frost Knights dragged the snapping and snarling Wolf away. She turned back to face Virginia who was staring at her with all the hatred in the world.

"I … will see you … vanish into nothing!" Virginia was slamming her hands into the mirror's frame. "Do you hear me?! I'm going to end you!"

"Save your empty threats," the Snow Queen replied.

"I don't make threats," Virginia retorted. "Only promises. But then you should know that."

The Snow Queen folded her arms into her glittering robes. "I know more about you than you do yourself. But this was intended only as an introductory meeting. We will meet – face to face. Soon. And when we do – I will break your will once and for all!"

The glass of the mirror oozed and the Snow Queen vanished away, leaving only a broken Virginia standing in the center of the room.

.

.

.

Wallace backed away as the door from the mirror-room slowly opened. Virginia exited, her head down. Broken. She took one look – saw Wallace holding her father at sword-point – and moved quickly to grab a fireplace poker that was nearby.

"Uh-uh-uh!" Wallace pointed one of his swords at her, holding the blade of the other tightly against Tony's throat. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."

"Please listen," Tony begged. "I don't want to be shish-kabob." Prince whined in agreement.

Virginia stood there, arms splayed out. "Let him go, Wallace. This is between you and me – leave him and Prince out of it."

"You're all involved as far as I'm concerned," Wallace replied. "And I intend to rectify that once and for all!"

"And would your 'mistress' really want you to kill me?"

"I don't see why not."

Realization dawned on Virginia. "You … you don't know …" For the first time, she broke into a small chuckle. "You don't know …"

Wallace pressed his blade tighter to Tony's neck. "Don't know what?"

"Who she is … you still think she's your 'Mother.' She hasn't told you anything."

"I demand to know what you're talking about! Or shall I start the bloodletting?!" The blade began to slowly cut into Tony's neck.

"Virginia – please!" her dad begged.

"You think the Snow Queen is your 'Mother.' It's too late. Your 'Mother' died when Snow White and the others froze her."

Wallace cocked his head. "What fantasy is this?"

"Your trust in her has been shaken, hasn't it?" The Snow Queen isn't the only one who knows how to work him, she thought to herself. "She didn't tell you I was alive, did she?"

"I – she … she must have had her reasons!"

"You're rationalizing. You sensed there's something … off … about her. She's not the original Snow Queen. She's me."

Wallace threw back his head and laughed. "And I'm supposed to believe you?"

"She came back to this timeline from the future. All to ensure that I become her. You don't mean anything to her. You're just a pawn. She'll throw you aside – just like Gerda did."

Wallace snarled. "You will be silent!"

I've touched a nerve, Virginia thought. "I saw the music box. And your book of poems."

"What? You touched – you had no right – my personal –"

Virginia took a step forward. "What really happened, Kay? When she turned down your proposal. You're hiding something."

"I … she … she left me no choice …!"

Virginia could see the shame and horror in his eyes. I've got to keep him talking. "You murdered Gerda, didn't you? And her fiancé?"

"And the whole damn wedding party!" Wallace snarled. Anger, fear and … sorrow … all filled his face at once. Tears ran down his cheeks. "I … I slipped into the wedding party as a waiter. I … I placed poison into the drinks for the toast. I watched them all collapse, choking on poisoned wine."

"You killed her," Virginia repeated. "You claimed to love her – yet you took her life from her. You took away her happily ever after …"

"She took away mine first!" Wallace was in tears. "I … I held her … as she died … I was with her in her final moments – as it always should have been …"

"And you've lived with that guilt ever since," Virginia repeated. "Is that why you returned to the Snow Queen – or who you thought was the Snow Queen? Did she promise to take away your pain?"

Wallace closed his eyes and nodded.

"And has she?"

"She will. Once we rule this realm – together!"

"You will never rule with her," Virginia replied. She took a step forward. "Wallace – Kay – she lied to you. She isn'tyour Mother. Deep down you know this."

Wallace faltered. The blades trembled in his hands.

"But you can start making up for it," Virginia continued.

"Nothing can undo what I've done!" Wallace cried.

"No. But you can still change! You can still redeem yourself! If Gerda were alive – would she want to you to do this?"

Wallace stared at Virginia. He stared into her eyes. Virginia could see some light dawning in them – some last vestiges of the little boy Kay. She took a step forward. She slowly – carefully – reached out and touched his hand. "Let my Father go. Together – you and I can stop her. For Gerda."

Wallace faltered. And then, slowly, ever so slowly … he lowered his swords. Tony staggered forward into Virginia's arms. He rubbed his neck. Prince stood up, standing defensively between Wallace and his master.

Wallace's shoulders were shaking. He allowed all the pain, all the sorrow to overwhelm him. "Gerda," he cried out. "Oh Gerda … I'm so sorry …"

Virginia reached out and touched his arm. "Kay …"

Across the room, the music box began playing again.

The light in the little hut shines no more,

The flakes swirl white in thick rows.

A little bright star shoots from the clouds-

And is suddenly extinguished.

The Sun glows brightly over field and forest,

Asleep in the brides' bed so icy cold.

The girl grows anxious and goes to the mill,

Yet the grindstone stands still.

Wallace's eyes flashed open suddenly. They were filled with deadly anger. "No Miss Lewis! She is my Mother! I will not be manipulated or toyed with! I will rule these Nine Kingdoms at her side!" He spun his swords, raging.

"Kay – is this really the path you choose?!"

Wallace pointed one of his swords at her. "You thought to come here, to capture me – to turn me! You fools! You're the ones who've fallen into my trap!"

Virginia stopped. "What do you mean?"

A demented grin crossed Wallace's face. "Did you think I was unprepared for your little attack? I didn't send the full force of my men out to meet your little troll friends – only a fraction. Look out the window."

Dread rising, Virginia peered out the tower into the keep below …

.

.

.

Burly cheered as he and the new recruits had quickly captured the keep. "Troll Nation! Troll Nation!" They were cheering.

On the other side of the gate – out in the front gardens where the heaviest fighting had happened – Blabberwort and Bluebell cheered as they routed the Fourth Kingdom forces.

"This was easy!" Bluebell snickered.

Blabberwort stopped. "Too easy …"

.

In the keep, Burly stopped as drums suddenly began beating. All around the hold, hundreds upon hundreds of Fourth Kingdom soldiers emerged. They were encircling Burly and the new recruits. And new devices – giant crossbows on wheels – were rolled out to meet them. A Fourth Kingdom captain raised his hand. "Fire!"

"No!" Burly cried out. A volley of arrows flew from all sides. Striking the new recruits. One after another.

"Again!" The captain shouted.

Another volley of arrows.

More recruits fell.

The more inexperienced ones ran for the gates – the very gate that Burly had closed. It wouldn't budge. They were locked in.

.

Bluebell and Blabberwort raced to the gate. The two trolls grabbed the bars, struggling to open it.

They saw Burly in the midst of the fighting.

"Burly!" Blabbewort cried out.

Burly turned. He stared at his siblings. He nodded, drawing his sword. "For Father!" he turned, diving headfirst into the wave of Fourth Kingdom soldiers, determined to protect the new recruits with his very life.

Bluebell and Blabberwort screamed as they banged on the gates. "Burly!" They watched him vanish into the hordes of enemies, his body disappearing in the midst of the fighting.

Horns blared from behind them. Burly and Blabberwort turned – and saw Fourth Kingdom reinforcements appearing out of the woods. They were outnumbered.

Bluebell drew his sword and raced back towards the gardens, his sister in tow. "Retreat!" He called to his troops. "Retreat!"

The new line of Fourth Kingdom soldiers raised their arrows and unleashed a devastating volley.

"Retreat!"

.

.

.

"You see," Wallace hissed behind Virginia. "We are always one step ahead of you. This was all for nothing. You threw those trolls' – your new allies – lives away. For nothing."

Virginia turned away, horrified by the carnage happening to the trolls below in the keep. It was her fault – all of it.

Behind Wallace, Tony rose up – a candlestick in his hand. He brought it down towards Wallace's head. Wallace's arm shot out, gripping Tony's wrist in an iron vice-like grip. Tony cried out as Wallace threw him to the floor.

Prince leapt, his teeth sinking into Wallace's leg. Wallace cried out.

Virginia was already on the move. "Dad – come on!" She pulled Tony to his feet. Prince released Wallace and bounded behind them. Virginia tipped over a bookcase – then swept her arm along the mantle, knocking everything off – including the music box.

"No!" Wallace cried out. He tossed his weapons aside and leapt, catching the music box in his hands. He stared up at the door – Virginia, Tony and Prince were already gone.

.

.

.

"What do you want, Fiona?" Leone demanded. He backed away, cradling the crying Fen in his arms.

"We have come," Fiona replied, "For the baby."

Leone's mouth curled into a sneer. "You can have him over my cold, lifeless body."

"That's the idea," Fiona replied.

Leone laughed. "Have you forgotten I'm an Immortal? The powers given to me by the Snow Queen and the Evil Queen – I cannot be killed!"

"All curses – can be undone," Fiona snarled. A blade appeared in her hand. "Made from the Devil's Mirror. The magic in you also fills this blade. This dagger was made specifically to kill Immortals. Come Leone – let us see how 'immortal' you truly are."

Leone backed away. "You'll never get this child!" He turned, leaping over a log, racing through the woods. Fen was crying hysterically.

Fiona leapt after him, racing full-force.

Leone swept past a tree – Hebro appeared out of the tree – and inserted his knife into Leone's gut. He looked down – the hilt of the knife looked exactly like the knife Fiona held.

Fiona appeared behind him. "Oh – did I forget to mention? The Snow Queen had more than one of these blades made." Hissing viciously, she thrust her blade into Leone's back.

Leone cried out. His vision swam. Still, he fought back. With one arm, he held the baby tightly, with the other he drew his sword. He fought off Hebro and Fiona, his teeth grit. The pain was overwhelming. He looked down – his wounds were not healing like they normally would have.

The wolves were right – their blades could kill him.

But no – he had promised he would give his life for Fen! He would save him – unlike his own family! He would make up for killing them all!

So he swung his sword, nearly clipping Hebro. Fiona leapt onto his back, embedding her blade into his shoulder! He cried out, staggering to his knees.

The forest was spinning. The light of the moon through the trees was blending in with the darkness slowly falling on him.

And still he rose. He fought with everything he had. He parried a blow from Hebro, before slashing Fiona along her arm. The she-wolf howled, holding her bleeding arm. Leone held his sword out in front of him, warding the two wolves off.

Thunk!

A blade slid into his stomach. Dynaman had appeared and was pushing a third knife – of the same design as the other two – into Leone's stomach. His vision swam and he sunk to his knees. He could only watch – helpless, as Fiona scooped the crying Fen out of his arms.

"We got what we came for," Fiona announced to her two accomplices. "Send a messenger hawk to the Snow Queen – we have the baby."

Leone reached out towards Fiona who carried the crying child deep into the woods. She disappeared from his sight.

He collapsed into a puddle of his own blood, his chest rising and falling rapidly. Summoning what was left of his strength, struggling to hold onto life, Leone flipped himself onto his belly and struggled to crawl along the forest floor …

.

.

.

Wallace stood in the center of the keep which was littered with troll bodies. Morning had come at last, casting a gray hue along the cloudy sky.

Burly lay amidst his fallen companions, his eyes open, his breathing ragged. He had failed. He had led the new recruits – right to their deaths. He watched in disgust from where he lay as Fourth Kingdom soldiers gathered the troll bodies and threw them into heaps of fire. Burning the corpses.

Wallace stood over his body with Old Retainer and several aides. "Send a message to the other Kingdoms," Wallace was dictating to a scribe. "The terrorist Virginia Lewis lives – and she attacked us last night. I fought her off, but she is still at large. A bounty – ten thousand gold coins. Dead or alive. And in the wake of last night's attack – the Lord Protector will need more emergency powers to deal with these terrorists."

Old Retainer nodded. "Very good sir." He followed the scribe away.

Wallace's personal aide approached. "What of the prisoners, sir?"

Wallace stared down at Burly with disgust. "There are no prisoners." He grabbed a pike from the ground and thrust Burly through with it. Burly heaved as the pike pierced him. He stared up at Wallace with all the defiance he could muster before his body went limp.

Wallace walked away from the keep, followed by his aide. "In addition to the bounty, I'm issuing emergency lockdowns. Furthermore, we're issuing more conscription orders. Recruitment has been dwindling as of late. And the High Inquisitors – I am giving them authority to execute all criminals without a trial. At their sole discretion."

"Very good, my Lord."

Wallace paused as he prepared to step up the stairs away from the keep. "One final thing – between you and me. Send a garrison up to the Eighth Kingdom. I think it is time for 'Mommy' to be supervised. She tries anything – we lock down her castle."

"As you wish."

And with a swish of his cape, Wallace vanished up the stairs.

But the look of defiance never left Burly's face – not even in death …