Author stuff: The idea for this came to me while I started rereading J. M. Berrie's Peter Pan and one of the songs from The Nutcracker came on ("Chocolate," actually). I was reminded of an old idea for another fandom that I never got around to writing, and out came this little thing.

This is mostly going to be based on the original tale by E. T. A. Hoffmann, Nußknacker und Mausekönig (The Nutcracker and the Mouse King), mixed with bits and pieces inspired by the 2008 Royal Theater production (for the relationship between Clara and the Nutcracker) and one of the Mariinsky Theater productions (for use of color), The Nutcracker in 3D — Nutcracker: The Untold Story in America — had a part in this, and finally the 1990 animated cartoon The Nutcracker Prince. (And probably the Barbie version, which I have on VHS. Yes, you read that right. VHS. I'm an old lady.) For those who have never read the original novella or seen the ballet, both are easily available through your favorite search engine.

An odd note: The Nutcracker was the first ballet I ever saw and was inspired to take dance lessons. Obviously, that never went anywhere, due to my stage fright.

Disclaimer: I do not own The Guardians of Childhood series or The Nutcracker.

THE UGLY DOLL

BY iOc

CHAPTER I

IN WHICH KATHERINE IS GIVEN A MESSAGE

Katherine Shalazar loved many things about winter, but she did not love the icy patches on the ground. Nor did she love the fact that she had the habit of finding them and sliding on them. She skidded across a particular large patch, her arms flailing pathetically as a pitiful cry escaped her lips. When she came to the end of it, she tipped backward and —

"Are you alright, Miss?"

She had been caught by a pair of rather firm arm. She peeped up at the young man, instantly recognizing him. He was the messenger boy for the postal company. He delivered messages sent via telegraph — a most peculiar and wonderful invention. She could not place his name, but his shaggy brown hair and clever brown eyes were as recognizable as her own. She gave him a polite smile and removed herself from his grasp.

"Quite fine, thank you," she said, dusting off her skirt. She was awfully glad she wore a shorter one today. While it was cold out, her thick padded boots kept her ankles warm, and her skirts were high enough up that they were away from the sullied snow. "You did not have to stop and help me."

"It's fine," he said, ruffling his hair with a gloved hand. "I was on the way to your uncle's manor and, by luck, happened to spot you. It's a message from a relative of his. It's about the ball."

She perked instantly.

"Do you know who?"

"I'm afraid not, Miss. I wasn't around when it was taken down."

"No worries," she said, digging in her coin purse. She had a little extra to spend, her allowance, and this young man had been awfully kind. He deserved a nice tip for his troubles. She held out the largest piece she had. "Here."

"It's too much," he said, eyeing the coin. He tried to give it back, but she refused.

"My Uncle would give you more. Besides, the money is mine to do with as I please, and you were kind enough to help me. Think of it as a token of Christmas spirit. I do believe you have a little sister who has been eyeing a pair of ice skates."

He smiled widely and thanked her. She returned it with a thanks of her own and sent him on his way. She had a task to do, after all. She was not out and about on the town for no good reason or another. Her uncle sent her out to double check the order with Old William. So, she pocketed the telegram and continued on.

Old William is the shopkeeper of Santoff Claussen's grocery store. He had many sons, all named William. There was Tall William, Not-as-Old William, Fat William, Short William, William of the Dark Hair, William the Intelligent, William the Almost Youngest, and William the Absolute Youngest. She was pretty sure there were four or five more Williams locked away somewhere. The descriptions were the only way to honestly tell them apart anymore. But all of them were good-natured men and boys who enjoyed her company.

The streets of Santoff Claussen were busy that morning. She nearly bumped into people carting around boxes of cheese and bread and hats and dresses. They all smiled and waved at her, not allowing their almost accidents to ruin the good mood.

"…been missing for a while now," one of the women in town said — Mrs. Temny, the new schoolteacher.

"I wonder what the Emperor will do when his brother is finally found," Mrs. Meier said, sighing. Mrs. Meier was the tinker's wife. "That poor boy. I can't imagine what it's like to have someone trying to assassinate you all of the time."

Katherine turned away and continued on, no longer wanting to hear the gossip that plagued the streets almost every day. She didn't care for the Emperor — though he was better than his father, she would admit. His mother, her namesake and friend of her Uncle Ombric's, was to thank for the change of pace. If only he could end the war with that Napoleon fellow…

She was greeted with such ferocity from the younger Williams — William the Intelligent, William the Almost Youngest, and William the Absolute Youngest. All three vied for her attention.

"'tinka, look over here. Look at what I made!"

"No, no, Katinka, over here. See? I just shelved these jarred fruits. It looks like a rainbow, see?

"Katinka, I helped Papa with these bags of flour last night. See, I've got a bruise to prove it."

She covered her mouth with a gloved hand to hide her smile. They were sweet boys, no older than five, six, and seven. Their poor Mama had so much work to do amongst this lot. Katherine patted their head and made her way to the counter. Tall William was working the register. He smiled brightly when he saw her. There were very few customers, so they did not have long to wait to talk to one another.

"How've you been?" he asked, before she folded her arms across the counter.

"Fine for the most part," she said. "I slipped outside on my way here."

"Are you hurt? Do you need a place to lie down?"

"I am fine, Will. No harm done. A little shaken, perhaps and weak in the knees still, but I have been through worse. Besides, that messenger boy caught me before I landed. He is very kind, that one. He also brought a message for my Uncle."

"Who's it from?"

"I did not check to see. He said it was from a relative, so that could be… all of Russia?"

He snorted. Her uncle, Ombric Shalazar, had a habit of collecting "relatives." No one in his family is blood related to him, his last living family member dying as she and her parents were on their way to Santoff Claussen. There had been a blizzard and their carriage crashed. Only she and the carriage driver, who had gotten off with only a broken leg and a sprained wrist, had survived. She had been a bit bruised and battered, but otherwise she had been fine. But, that did not top the man from collecting others. There was his ex-apprentice, an elderly woman who everyone called Great-Great Grandaunt Nicola, the ballerina who danced for the largest Russia ballet company, the bookshop keeper named Mr. Qwerty who lived in town, several composers and authors, on top of many other ordinary people and such. Yes, Ombric Shalazar had a large family, all of who loved him dearly.

"Anyway," Katherine said, shaking her head of all previous thoughts, "I need to check on the order. It's… well, you know how large Uncle's orders can be if there is to be a celebration."

"Yes." he said, smiling. "Father is getting the last bit of it delivered here this afternoon. We'll drop it off early tomorrow morning before we open shop."

"Alright. I will be sure to tell the cooks and maids, as well as my Uncle. It will be a relief."

"Do you need me to walk you home?"

She hesitated for a moment. Did she want him to walk her home? A part of her said yes, while another part told her it would be improper in every way. She smiled and nodded — a little rebellion now and again was good for the soul, after all.

He grabbed his coat and held the door open for her.

"Hey," William the Absolute Youngest said, "where are you going?"

"I am escorting Miss Shalazar home," Tall William said. "Now get back to stocking before Father sees you three slacking off."

Katherine snorted as the door closed, hearing their cries of dismay.

"You are so mean to them," she said.

"We're brothers. We're meant to torture one another. Now, my lady, let's get you home and out of the cold.

True to his word, Tall William saw to it that he got her home. Albeit the fact they stopped several times to try seasonal pickles, check the shelves of Mr. Qwerty's bookstore, and peek in the toy shop windows. Though the two of them were too old now to fully enjoy the grandeur of the toys in their fullest, they appreciated the sight nonetheless.

"Perhaps," Katherine said as they rounded the gate to Sekjova Manor, "if those handsome fellows are still there tomorrow, I will pick them up. Your youngest brothers deserve some new toys."

"What with Mama being pregnant again," Tall William said, frowning down at the snow.

"Oh, another? I was sure this last William would be the last."

"We had all hoped."

"Maybe it will be a girl this time."

"More than likely it will be another William."

She patted his arm and smiled as sincerely as she could. He returned it sadly.

"You had best get inside," he said. "You have an uncle who is awaiting news only you have."

"I suppose you are correct," she said, walking up the steps to the main door. A maid opened it for her and awaited her entrance. "We shall see one another soon?"

"Yes. We shall see one another soon. Good day, Miss Shalazar."

She waved her farewell to him and sucked inside. She shed off her coat and fur muff, handing them to the maid. She slipped out of her snow covered boots and into her house shoes. She found a butler, who directed her to the upstairs solar. She knocked at the door and waited to be told to enter.

"Uncle?" she said, slipping in. "I am back."

"Katherine?" he said from behind a pile of books. Perhaps she should send a few maids up here to organize everything. She found her way to him and stood obediently by his side. "Back so soon?"

"It is past tea time, Uncle."

"Is it? I hardly noticed. Time flies much too quickly."

"Tall William told me that the order will be delivered early tomorrow morning."

"Wonderful!"

"Also, the messenger boy from the post office ran into me. He told me to give you this. It is a letter from a relative. Or so I have been told."

She held out the message to him. He took it and read it over several times. A smile spread across his face.

"It seems that apprentice of mine has invited himself again."

"Oh!" Katherine said, clapping her hands together. "Nicholas is coming? Does it say when he will be here?"

"He says that he will try to make it for the ball."

Katherine smiled and twirled around. She pecked her uncle on both cheeks, positively beaming.

"This will be the best Christmas ever!"

Author stuff cont'd: I started this back in December 2013. I watched different variations of the ballet and adaptations of the novella and ballet. I spent several days purging myself on the internet for all of the available material. It was horrible.

Most of this fic was written in between cups of peppermint tea and hot chocolate — and the one time I was a genius and combined the two. I hate washing mugs now, but the end result is so worth it. This fic? A wonderful addition to this fandom, I think.

NUTCRACKER FUN FACT

Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm were the first to define "nußknackers," the nutcrackers we all know and love. They are defined as "often in the form of a misshaped little man, in whose mouth the nut, by means of a leaver or screw, is cracked open."