CHAPTER 11

o.O.O.o

It was then Gypsum could clearly hear the sound of furious banging against the front door. She jumped from the couch and immediately fled from the room, knowing any minute now they’d be entering the house. Not only were the Christmas decorations out, but the tree wasn’t going to be easy to hide. It was certain they’d already found it by now, seeing as how bright it was in the living room window.

“OPEN UP IN THERE!” Came the gruff voice of a man. His words were just as ruthless as the snowy blizzard outside. Hearing it only brought fear into the eyes of everyone inside. They knew they had been caught. But obviously, it was going to get a lot worse, unknown to Arika and her husband. Desmond was the first to go to his mother and said “I’ll go talk with the guy…you stay with Gypsum.”

“Gypsum!?” Came Arika’s voice from the other side of the room. “You mean….the ice princess!?”

“I’m afraid so,” Shiloh said, “But right now that’s not the point. The point is getting everything under control.”

Arika and Harrison nodded their heads. But Arika was still in a bit of disbelief at this point. She had actually been hanging out with the princess of Ice Land. How cool was that!? That cool thought left though with more banging from the door. Quickly she and Harrison gathered Jackson and their belongings, and safely left through the back door in the kitchen.

Desmond approached the door with hesitation filling the brim of his eyes. He knew there was no other way for escape…but just as he was about to turn the door knob the blade of an axe sliced through the thin wooden door. Desmond jumped back as the door fell, and there, standing in silver moonlight armor and carrying large spears, was the imperial army of Ice Town.

Desmond and Shiloh froze in their spots, as the head officer turned his head, staring straight at the Christmas tree in the living room. Before Shiloh could speak he had thrusted his spear right towards her. “You….lady elf.”, He addressed sourly, “Is that a Christmas Tree in the corner…” He had an evil grin on his face as he said those words, knowing he was in command, and that she had nothing to save herself now. But Shiloh wasn’t moved by his disturbing presence. She glared at him with ears lowered, and lips scowled. “How dare you!” She cursed bitterly, glaring at him face to face. “How dare you knock down my door and demand such impurities on such a holy day! Its none of your business whether we celebrate Christmas or not so get out at once!”

The guard was a little thrown back by her tone, but still he held his ground. “You’re right, it isn’t my business…but it certainly is hers!” He pointed his spear backwards staring Shiloh straight in the eye with an evil laugh. The tip pointed blankly to the woman so feared, who gave a chill up ever spine of those inside Shiloh’s house as they met her gaze. The queen stepped out of the shadows of the carriage door, followed by the long robe of her gown that melted down the steps and finally onto the snowy ground. As she walked up to the door, Apollo appeared at her side, holding his prestigious cat in both hands, giving the same evil glare at Shiloh as his mother gave too.

“ Shiloh Riverwell…” Said Iapetus, as she stopped beside the guard. With a snap of her finger he hurriedly made way for her to enter the doorway. At the sight of Iapetus the family was certainly unnerved…but they kept as calm as they could. Harrison shielded Jackson’s eyes, so not to make him bothered. The presence of the queen was enough to make any baby cry. Iapetus gave each inhabitant of the room an unsettling malicious scowl, then finally turned to Shiloh at the door. “My old…friend.” She mewed, soliciting a fang from an evil grin. “How delightful it is to see you again.”

“Don’t you have some one else to bother at this hour!” Shiloh snapped, giving her an equal amount of rude dishevelment. Iapetus just raised a brow and smiled a little broader. “Why, that’s no way to treat a house guest…especially on a night like Christ—“ Her ears perked a bit…then she seemingly hissed the last words out of her mouth. Just as Desmond thought nothing could get any better, Shiloh seemed to be playing the part well. “You’re forgetting you’re out of your jurisdiction, lady Frost.” She noticed the queen was a bit thrown back by that statement… Shiloh knew well from previous days in the castle that if the queen was ever misaddressed she could throw a big temper tantrum. Shiloh noticed everyone inside and out had gasped at that understatement. By this time Iapetus was shaking uncontrollably in a fit or rage. “H…HOW DARE YOU!” She exclaimed. “How dare you call me lady! And how dare you disgrace Ice Land with this sacrilegious waste of holiday trash!”

“Again,” Shiloh hissed, “You can’t do anything to me. You’re out of my jurisdiction.”

“Don’t play games with me.” Iapetus retaliated and growling, she knocked Shiloh out of the way to let herself in. “I am the queen, and I can do whatever I want.” Shiloh knew deep inside that there was no way out…they were going to find Gypsum in only a matter of moments, and there was nothing she could do about it. Shiloh fell to her knee’s, holding her hands in her lap as tears stung her eyes. “Oh Hogswallow….” She thought, deep inside herself. She searched her thoughts, mustering any sort of hope she had left inside. “Sir Hogswallow, please, I beg you, show yourself for once and help save your daughter…and mine.” Her eyes clenched tight, and her hands shook at the feeling of desperation. She struggled to not burst out into tears as she focused only on praying, and praying alone. There had to be a way out of this…there was, and she knew it, but it was practically hopeless. He hadn’t shown himself for over 200 years, and how could he hear her now? But she had to have hope…she had to focus on hope and prayer and survival…she had to do it for her family, and for Gypsum especially.

“I’d made a promise to Gypsum.” Was all her mind could say. She said it over and over again, like a mantra, like a prayer. But just as it seemed like her prayers would be answered, the sound of Gypsum screaming in the background made Shiloh’s eyes pop open. They’d found her…

And now, only the worst could go wrong.

o.O.O.o