The Nutcracker Prince and The Mouseking

Chapter 5: The Land of the Dolls

The swans swoop high into the air, gliding effortlessly over snowy fields pock-marked with fir trees, slowly growing into sprawling clumps. The trees sparkle in the moonlight, tinsel and baubles catching the light and transforming themselves into little stars. A river runs through this forest of Christmas trees, a swirling blue ribbon on the ground. It leaps up as the stars shine brighter and the sky glows. The light fades into a pale sky at first light with valleys and mountains sprawling out beneath it. A huge lake takes up the centre of their view and in the middle of it was a huge castle. Towers spiralling into the air, just brushing the bottoms of the clouds, flags waving in the breeze, light spilling out of all the windows and doors. A pond gushing out into a huge, tiered waterfall, crashing into the lake below.

With a graceful manoeuvre the swans dip down, swooping in and out of the towers and through the waterfall with a splash. Magic and water trailing behind them. Nutcracker's and Pantaloon's wounds have healed, their colours brighter than before and Pantaloon looking significantly younger, his hair greyish brown. Trudy and Julie look brighter in colour too, Trudy's hair regaining some pigment. Pantaloon whoops in joy, throwing an arm around Trudy, beaming strongly,

"Oh Pantaloon," she sighs, smiling. Nutcracker's uniform has changed too, his scarlet soldiers jacket transforming into a rich, wine coloured, velvet jacket with a lot of intricate trimmings; his hat is gone, replaced by a simple gold circlet; his gloves and scarf are now a soft silk; his boots are shinier, and his trousers have remained unchanged. Clara, on the other hand, has her whole outfit transformed. She is no longer in a simple nightgown and slippers but a beautiful, pastel, knee length dress with lots of rhinestones embellished on it. Her mousy hair tied up in a bun and her slippers have been replaced with pink pointe shoes, the ribbons spiralling up her calves.

The two gawks at each other giggling,

"Don't you look handsome!" Clara teases, making Nutcrackers face grow redder and he looks away sheepishly,

"You look beautiful too Clara," he says making her face grow almost as red as his. Their hands interlock as the swans swoop to land in the pond beside the castle.

A red coat soldier awaits the landing swans by a jetty made from what looked to be sugary waffles. He salutes as the swans pull up to the jetty and opens the doors to the carriages,

"Your court is waiting Your Highness!" he says with a thick, crisp accent, standing to attention,

"Thank you," Nutcracker replies, helping Clara out of the carriage. The soldier helps Julie and Trudy out of Hiro's carriage and Pantaloon strolls out next to them. He holds out his arm for Trudy and she takes it lovingly. They start to head inside the castle, music now floating out from the open doors. Clara and Nutcracker glance at each other, watching Trudy and Pantaloon disappear into the castle. They continue to watch as the soldier takes Julie in, to her delight, sighing happily as they pass by,

"Shall we?" Nutcracker suggests, holding his arm out,

"Oh yes please," Clara replies, taking his arm and they walk off the jetty, into the castle. The hallway they enter is made from a hard gingerbread, clear boiled sweets form the windows and there is a thin, sugary carpet lining the floor, the music is louder and clearer, intermingled with the voices of other people excitedly chattering to themselves. The hall curves around into a set of stairs with candy cane railings, the others waiting for them at the bottom. Clara and Nutcracker descend the stairs into another hallway, much more lavishly decorated than the previous one; a heavier carpet, intricate trimmings and detailed pictures of some different scenery hang on the walls.

This hallway opens out into a huge hall, balconies lined with excited dolls all peering down at the entrance; there are two golden thrones sat in the middle of the back wall and long tables of all things edible and sweet piled on them on either side, high windows flooding in a gentle light. The three couples walk in, waving at the spectators. They cheer loudly as Nutcracker and Clara enter,