Table of Contents
Cover
Synopsis
Inside Cover
Copyright
Dedication
Disclaimer
Acknowledgements
Dear Readers
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Epilogue
Epilogue Outtake
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HIDDEN MICKEY 4
Wolf! Happily Ever After?
Volume 4 in a series of action-adventure mysteries about Walt Disney and Disneyland written for Adults, Teens, & Tweens (age 10 & up).
Flesch-Kincaid Grade 5.6 - Flesch Reading Ease 79.1
WOLF CROSSES PATHS WITH MERLIN AS HE ATTEMPTS TO RETURN THE RED DIAMOND TO IT'S RIGHTFUL OWNER
Wolf, the mysterious Disneyland security guard and Guardian of Walt Disney, now armed with a 21st century helper and a beautiful damsel lost in the stream of time, finds himself traveling back and forth through history as he attempts to get the enchanted princess, Briar Rose, back home to her own castle and time.
AN EVIL FORCE PUTS EVERYTHING INTO GAINING CONTROL OVER THAT GEM
Once loved by the powerful Merlin, his apprentice Nimue shows her true colors by betraying him—and all who come close to her—as she attempts to regain control of the powerful pendant. Her name might change through the eons, but her heart of evil stays the same.
WOLF STRUGGLES TO RESIST THE POWERFUL FORCES OF DARKNESS
Trying to keep his home base of Disneyland as his touchstone, Wolf struggles against the powers of darkness. When it finally overtakes him, his friend Wals must figure out a way to break through the fabric of time to bring back help. Returning to the Guardian's distant past, Wals must convince Wolf's warrior brother Mato to trust him and step into the swirling vortex that destroyed his brother's life.
CAN THEY UNITE TO SAVE WALT & DISNEYLAND?
Join the heroes—past and present—as they unite for one last stand against the forces of evil in a showdown that will rock the very foundations on which Disneyland was built.
Hidden Mickey 4 takes readers on another "E-Ticket" ride through Disney's history.
Will it be...Happily Ever After?
HIDDEN MICKEY 4
WOLF!
HAPPILY EVER AFTER?
FOURTH NOVEL IN THE HIDDEN MICKEY SERIES
REVISED EDITION eBOOK , VOLUME 4, FEBRUARY 1, 2016
ISBN 13: 978-0-9749026-9-2
COPYRIGHT © 2011 NANCY RODRIGUE
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data on File
www.HIDDENMICKEYBOOK.com
Flesch-Kincaid Grade 5.6 - Flesch Reading Ease 79.1
1st EDITION eBOOK - SEPTEMBER 2011 - ISBN 13: 978-0-9749026-9-2
1st EDITION PAPERBACK - NOVEMBER 2011 - ISBN 13: 978-0-9749026-8-5
1st EDITION HARDBACK - JULY 2015 - ISBN 13: 978-1-9383191-7-4
REVISED EDITION PAPERBACK - FEBRUARY 2016 - ISBN 13: 978-1-9383191-4-3
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
NO PART OF THIS BOOK BE USED OR REPRODUCED IN ANY MANNER WHATSOEVER, ELECTRONIC, MECHANICAL,
PHOTOCOPYING, RECORDING, OR OTHERWISE WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER
Double R Books Publishing
740 N. H Street, Suite # 170
Lompoc, California, 93436
www.DOUBLERBOOKS.com
COVER CONCEPT BY NANCY RODRIGUE
www.NANCY.RODRIGUE.org
COVER PENCILWORK BY JEREMY BARTIC
www.JEREMYBARTIC.DAPORTFOLIO.com
COVER COLOR BY CHRISNA RIBEIRO
www.JUHANI.DEVIANTART.com
COVER COPYRIGHT © 2011 BY DOUBLE R BOOKS
www.DOUBLERBOOKS.com
PUBLISHED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Dedication
This is dedicated to my support system: My husband Russ.
His on-going efforts to support me and promote this series of books are
unending, untiring and tremendously appreciated.
Nancy Temple Rodrigue
Disclaimer
Walt Disney Company Trademarks: Hidden Mickey 4 is in no way authorized by, endorsed by or affiliated with the Walt Disney Company, Inc., Disneyland Park, or WED. Disneyland Park is a registered trademark of the Walt Disney Company. Other trademarks include but are not limited to Adventureland, Animatronics, Astro Jets, Big Bad Wolf, Big Thunder Railroad, Casey Jr. Circus Train, Dumbo, Fantasmic!, Fantasyland, Fauna, Fire Wagon, Flora, Fort Wilderness, Frontierland, Golden Horseshoe Review, Haunted Mansion, Imagineers, Indian War Canoes, Jungle Cruise, Magic Kingdom, Main Street USA, Maleficent, Mark Twain, Merriweather, Mine Train thru Nature’s Wonderland, Mister Toad’s Wild Ride, New Orleans Square, Our Unsung Villains, Rainbow Ridge, Silly Symphony, Skyway, Sleeping Beauty, Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, Space Mountain, Storybook Land Canal Boats, Swift’s Chicken Plantation House, Sword in the Stone, Three Little Pigs, Tinker Bell, Tomorrowland, Tom Sawyer Island, Viewliner, and Walt Disney Presents. All references to such trademarked properties are used in accordance with the Fair Use Doctrine and are not meant to imply this book is a Disney product for advertising or other commercial purposes.
While some of the events and persons contained herein are historical facts and figures; other persons named and the events described are purely fictional and a product of the Author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual people is purely coincidental.
The actions depicted within the book are a result of fiction and imagination and are not to be attempted, reproduced or duplicated by the readers of this book. The Publisher and Author assume no responsibility or liability for damages resulting, or alleged to result, directly or indirectly from the use of the information contained herein.
THANKS and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS to:
JIM KORKIS, AN INTERNATIONALLY RESPECTED DISNEY HISTORIAN WHO HAS WRITTEN HUNDREDS OF ARTICLES ABOUT ALL THINGS DISNEY FOR OVER THREE DECADES. JIM WAS ALSO THE ORIGINAL “MERLIN” IN THE SWORD IN THE STONE CEREMONY IN FANTASTLAND AT WALT DISNEY WORLD AND HE GRACIOUSLY ALLOWED US THE USE OF HIS SCRIPT. HIS COUNTLESS ANECDOTES ABOUT WALT ARE PRICELESS AND WE APPRECIATE HIS PERMISSION TO USE THEM. WE ALSO APPRECIATE JIM’S ALLOWED USE OF KEN ANDERSON QUOTES FROM THE KEN ANDERSON INTERVIEW WITH JIM KORKIS © JIM KORKIS 1985, USED BY PERMISSION.
WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO OUR READERS JIM’S NEW BOOK THE VAULT OF WALT
AVAILABLE ON WWW.AMAZON.COM
THANKS and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS also go to:
our Proofreaders and Editors:
ALYSSA COLODNY, Proofreader
KARLA GALLAGHER, English B.A., Editor
KIMBERLEE KEELINE, English PhD., Editor
www.KEELINE.com
Dear Readers,
I am pleased to present to you this fourth book in the Hidden Mickey series: Wolf! Happily Ever After? There have been a lot of wonderful comments about the character I introduced back in Hidden Mickey 2: It All Started…, namely Wolf, so in giving him his own story in Hidden Mickey 3: Wolf! The Legend of Tom Sawyer’s Island you’ll be happy to see that his story continues in this book, Hidden Mickey 4: Wolf! Happily Ever After? Thanks to all of you who have embraced my time-traveling leading man, and who love the fantasy element I introduced into the series.
As with all the fun-filled adventures you have exper
ienced so far, I think you will really enjoy my last exciting episode in the Hidden Mickey series. You’ll then be able to continue the saga with the next Hidden Mickey Adventures series. This new series starts with Hidden Mickey Adventures 1: Peter and the Wolf, and the storyline picks up just a few years down the road from Hidden Mickey 4: Wolf! Happily Ever After? You will be introduced to a new generation of quest seekers, and you’ll also encounter quite a few familiar characters and faces along the way. As always, the real Leader of the Pack, Walt Disney, is seen throughout this story. Without his dreams and hard work, these books would not have been possible. There would have been no Disneyland and no inspiring animation from which to draw. I hope the gratitude and admiration we have felt for Walt and his creative genius has shone through in each and every novel.
I have been asked—quite often, actually—if any of the adventures will take place in Walt Disney World in Florida. At this point in time, all I can say is not yet! But, with the “research” I was able to gather during a recent visit to the Florida Parks, don’t be too surprised if the Magic Kingdom becomes a destination in future books.
So, enjoy this “time” you will spend with my wolf! Hopefully, all your dreams will come true.
Best Wishes and Thank You,
Nancy Temple Rodrigue
“That’s not my castle.”
The two male voices that had been quietly arguing about the best way to proceed stopped mid-sentence. Hidden under the curved arch of the stone bridge above them, knee-deep in water of a moat, a confused pair of green eyes and a frowning pair of sapphire blue eyes turned at the anxious words of the speaker.
“What’d you just say?”
The blond head that caught all the moonlight from the crescent high above them, pulled back into the dank, shadowy niche under which they were hidden. The mesmerizing golden glow abruptly died from view. Her terror of their arrival through the swirling vortex had finally receded. Anxious to get back to her family, Rose Stephens had ignored her two male companions and peered upward at what she hoped would be a familiar sight. Her eyes, also a deep blue, reflected the disappointment and concern that was flooding through her. “I said that this is not my castle.” Her face a mask of composure, her heart pounded as the meaning of the words sank in.
“Are you sure?” Wals Davis, one of the arguing men, turned from the third member of their party, Wolf. Rose had been so silent all this time he had forgotten her role in all this—how much this would mean to her.
Hands on her hips, she just stared back at him, her mouth in a firm line.
“Okay, okay, you’re sure.” Wals, a half smile on his face, held his hands up in mock surrender. He turned to look again at the castle that rose behind them. “Then, whose castle is it? Do you recognize it?” He began to hope that the jump through time had just put them in the wrong neighborhood. The thought of another possibility—that this could perhaps be the wrong time period—made his blood run cold.
Even the darkness that surrounded them couldn’t conceal the fact that her face had blanched. The regal façade had crashed into the water at her feet. She grasped her hands together in an attempt to keep them from trembling. “It’s awfully dark, but, no, I don’t recognize the castle or the flags that I saw on the turrets.”
Alarmed by her words, Wals turned back to the leader of their group. The wolf had waded to the edge of the bridge and looked upward, nose in the air. Wolf counted on the fact that his black fur would blend into the night, rendering him nearly invisible to the casual eye that might look down from the guard posts. Anxious to get out of the dark water lapping around them, he now knew it was time to fall back and regroup.
“Where are we, Wolf? Did we end up in Florida? Is this the Cinderella Castle?” Wals knew that Rose wouldn’t recognize the Florida icon. The possibility that they had landed in Orlando was grasped as a more hopeful outcome than what he knew, deep down, was the truth.
Sniffing the air, Wolf could get no sense of the familiar scents of humanity, an amusement park, or even anything industrial. The smells were a mixture of earth and nature and animals, mostly horses and cattle, he thought. Eyes closed, he imagined it was similar to his father’s home along the River, before the age of the steamboat. Similar—but older. Much, much older. “I don’t know, Wals. But, I do know this isn’t Florida. This is by far older than Florida.”
Wals was distracted from this troublesome statement by the appearance of a small, sparkling blue dot which flew under the bridge and settled onto Rose’s shoulder.
“Oh, Merri! You made it through with us! I thought we’d lost you!” Rose was genuinely happy to see her friend, the blue Fairy.
“Yes, yes, dear. I have been out having a look-see.” Arms folded across her chest, the fairy turned to the leader. “This isn’t what you planned, wolf.” For such a small creature, her disgusted voice came out surprisingly loud.
“I’m beginning to realize that, fairy.” The wolf growled low in his chest as he returned to the edge of their arched hiding place. His sensitive nose rose in the air one more time. “What else can you tell us? Anything that might actually be of use?”
Merri ignored the barb in his words and popped out into her normal size, hovering inches over the water so she didn’t get her blue slippers wet. “I cannot help you, wolf. I can only observe and offer suggestions. Until we get my girl back to her proper time, I cannot utilize my special talents. You should have realized that by now.”
“A fog is coming in, Wolf.” Wals decided to ignore the continuing animosity between the fairy and the wolf and tried to get their leader back on track. “That might help us get out of here. Rose is starting to shiver from the cold and the wet.” He took her in his arms as much for warmth and comfort as for his own reassurance.
Turning his attention back to the needs of the moment, Wolf’s superior eyesight came into play. “I can see what looks like sentinels on the curtain wall, over there behind those battlements. If you look closely, you can just make out their spears.” He broke off and silently observed for a couple of minutes. “It appears there is more movement than when we first arrived. It could be that dawn is near and they’re getting ready for the new day.” One shoulder raised in a shrug. Unused to castle activities, he wasn’t sure what he was seeing. “Or it might be because our voices are carrying further than we thought and we’re being heard. So, we need to either whisper or not talk at all until we know what’s going on. Agreed?” Wolf looked back over his shoulder to see if all were on the same page.
Wals’ whisper came out at a slightly higher pitch than he normally used, betraying the effect Wolf’s words had on him. “Spears? Why would there be spears? When we went back to Fort Wilderness they had been using long rifles. Where in the world are we?”
“’When’ might be better to figure out first.” Wolf’s opinion was given a nod of agreement by the silent Blue Fairy who waited patiently for them to get moving. He shook his head as he looked away from her, hoping she would be of more use. Right about now he would like her to use that wand of hers, not just offer up an observation. Rather than grouse about something that wouldn’t happen, he turned to what they could use. “Ah, good. You’re right, Wals. The fog is getting thicker. We can use it for cover to reach that forest and hide. Once we’re secure, we can figure out what to do from there. If dawn is coming, I don’t want to wait it out here and possibly be seen. All right?”
Ducking his head back out in the open, he quickly checked for the position of the sentries. Turning back to his friends, he quickly took charge. “Rose throw your cloak over your hair. It’s like a beacon even in this fog. Wals, help her to keep her footing. We don’t know what’s in this water. Merri, you’re awfully bright….”
The fairy gave a small sniff. “Humph, nobody see me unless I want them to see me, wolf.”
“Fine. I’m not trying to start an argument. I’m just trying to keep everyone safe from a hail of flaming arrows.”
Feeling Rose tense up and gasp, Wals turn
ed on his friend. “Really, Wolf? Was that necessary? We’re all on edge as it is.”
His huge head swung back to Wals, his eyes narrowed. “Yes, it is necessary. Those spears don’t appear to be made out of plastic, and any arrows they use wouldn’t have red suckers on the ends of them. This is real. Just like Fort Wilderness was real when you went back there—deadly real. Understand?”
The reminder of the dangers he had faced when he was taken back into the 1800’s was like a bucket of cold water thrown onto Wals’ fiery anger. With a resolute nod, he took Rose by the elbow and made ready to leave the relative safety of the underbridge.
When the sentry on the walkway completed his last pass and had turned away, Wolf slowly led them from their place of concealment. Trying to splash as little as possible, they all hoped the late hour and the mist would make the guards either drowsy or inattentive—and less likely to see the expanding ripples in water that, by all rights, should be perfectly still.
Now encased in a cushioning layer of fog on land, the companions made their way as quickly as possible through the close undergrowth of the forest. Out of any possible sight from the highest tower of the castle, Wolf finally called a halt. Nose in the air, he tried to get a feel for the place in which they found themselves.
Due to the early hour, birdsong was noticeably absent as those denizens of the forest would be asleep in their nests. The creaking of branches and the occasional drip of water off of the leaves mixed with muted sounds of scurrying mammals fleeing from the scent of something new, something that didn’t belong, something that was deadly. The louder noises of a distant crash that came to their anxious ears might have been a dropping branch giving up its tenuous hold or, more disturbingly, the sound of pursuit—the hunter and the hunted.
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