Authors Note:

I don't own OUAT, any of the characters, or anything pertaining to the show. I simply took the characters and formed an idea of my own. Of course, this is all dedicated to my wonderful best friend, Chrisi. I simply don't know what I would do without you, darling. I love you.

A piercing cry resonated through the castle walls as a newborn baby took its first breath of life. The Queen collapsed back against the sheets and pillows, her energy completely spent after being in labor for a number of hours that she couldn't even remember anymore. Her breathing was heavy, and perspiration covered her skin. But, as tired and sore as she was, she couldn't but smile at the kiss her husband pressed to her sweaty forehead as the babe was wrapped up in a white blanket and placed in arms.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty. A healthy baby boy." Oh, he certainly was the most beautiful baby.

"Does the young prince have a name?"

Ruth smiled warmly at the baby nestled perfectly in her arms. "David. His name is David. It means beloved." Almost as if he knew he was being talked about, the babe looked up at his parents with bright, wide eyes, as blue as the clearest ocean. Yes, this prince certainly was beloved.

The young prince grew day by day, always getting bigger, stronger, and brighter. However, on the eve of his six month birthday, a terrible fate occurred. A fire started in one of the villages. The King, as generous as he was, rushed off to help. Thankfully, none of the cattle was lost, though a great amount of the farming land had been destroyed. The King was able to save everyone, but was heavily burned in the process. The doctor was fetched immediately. But, the King's burns were so severe that there wasn't much that the doctor could do. He lathered peppermint oil over the burns, eliciting groans of pain from the King. But, there was nothing more that could be done, except to wait. Three days later, the King met his untimely demise, dying with his wife and son – who wouldn't even remember him – at his bedside. So, it was with a very heavy heart that Queen Ruth assumed the throne alone; for she was the kingdom's only hope now.

Most of the farming land had been destroyed in the fire. The ground had been drier than usually because of the exceptionally warm summer they'd had previous. Nearly all of the crops had been destroyed, which meant their finances would drop significantly. The situation seemed very dire. But, little did they know, at that very moment, the answer to their prayers was being brought into the world; a baby with skin fair as snow was breathing her first breath of life. (Or rather screaming. She was quite the stubborn child.) But, the two royals wouldn't officially meet for quite some time.

The funeral for the king brought sadness upon everyone. Everyone from miles around came to visit, offering the Queen and the young prince their condolences. Of course, Prince David wouldn't remember any of this. That's what hurt his mother the most. That he would never remember the look in his father's eyes, how much love he had for him, that he died trying to save him and his people. Someday this would all be his to rule. But, that wouldn't be for a very long time.

As the years continued to pass, the prince continued to grow. Even at the tender, young age of four, he showed compassion to those around him – well, as much as a four year old could. Of course, there were times he misbehaved. But, he always felt badly for it afterwards. He was kind, and showed bravery and loyalty – the kind of characteristics that were good for a future king.

Unfortunately, the kingdom never quite recovered from that fire. Sure, the grass grew back, and they were able to raise more crops the following year. But, their debt always seemed to be greater than their profit – no matter what they did. Putting the kingdom first was the Queen's duty. But, she also had a son to think about. And that was when she made a decision, one that would affect them all, whether it was positive or negative. So, Queen Ruth arranged to have a meeting with one of the neighboring kingdoms. King Leopold and Queen Eva. Leopold had been great friends with Queen Ruth's late husband before he passed. They had grown up together. Until they both left to rule different kingdoms. Perhaps, this was just what they needed. However, the King and Queen also had a daughter. Snow White. So, the young princess and princess were placed in another room with a servant while their parents had a rather serious discussion. Ruth partially despised her own plan. But, what else could be done? So together, the three of them came up with an agreement: arranging for their children to be married when they became of age.

However, behind the scenes, things didn't seem to be going so well with the two lovebirds.

"Do you want to play with my blocks with me? We can build a castle!" David offered wholeheartedly. He didn't mind sharing.

"No. We're going to play dress up," Snow answered. It wasn't a suggestion. It was a statement. However, David immediately turned his nose up at that. Sure, he was happy to share his toys. He rarely got to play with any other children. But, he was most certainly not putting on a dress. He was a prince for crying out loud! Princes did not wear dresses. He had offered to share his blocks. What more did she want from him?! When he refused, the princess was most definitely not happy. How dare he defy her! She picked up one of the wooden blocks and tossed it at him. It hit him across the face, giving a nasty gash on his chin. David immediately started to wail. It didn't take more than a second for the others to come rushing in to see what had happened. David clung to his mother, as she picked him up, soothing him. Meanwhile, Snow was getting the scolding of her life.

Once David's cut was cleaned (though there was slight a bright red mark on his chin, which would probably leave a scar), he was brought back to where Snow was. Her parents forced her to apologize. "I'm sorry that I hit you with a block, and that I got mad because you wouldn't play dress up with me." She all but mumbled the words. "It's okay." David smiled at her. Honestly, he didn't mind too much.

They had pretty much finished up what they had come to anyway. So, King Leopold and Queen Eva bid their goodbyes to Ruth and David, and they were off. But, not before promising that they would return with Snow in three weeks. She would be spending the summer there in hopes that the two would form a friendship.

Now back at the carriage, Queen Eva looked over at her husband. "I think that went rather well, don't you?"

"Oh, absolutely," the King replied. "Queen Ruth was most gracious with her request. I believe this will work out nicely for all of us. We could indeed use the alliance with their kingdom. In return, I think bonding our children together will work well. David seems like a promising young child."

Snow, of course, was too young to understand what her parents were really discussing. She had no idea that she now had a fiancé, at the young age of three. She would never be able to pursue a young love of her own. But, being a princess, one never really had that freedom.

"I believe they'll work well together." Queen Eva answered. "He's young. But, David has the patience that Snow's stubbornness requires." Her daughter was currently fast asleep against her side, so could speak freely without worrying about having to guard her words. Indeed, her daughter was quite stubborn. It would take a very gentle heart to tame her.

Meanwhile, back in the Northern Kingdom, Ruth was currently bathing her son. She had other things she should be doing. Papers to sign, laws to go over, petitions to write – but her son always came before that. Ruling a kingdom by yourself was quite a task. She had often thought of marrying again. Not because her heart belonged to another - because it never would – but because a small child on top of a kingdom was a hard task. It would be nice to have some help.

She hummed a soft lullaby as she ran the warm water over David's back, and he squealed happily when she blew bubbles in his face. Her lips twitched into a warm smile. She wasn't sure what she would ever do without her beloved David. Once he was bathed, she pulled him out and wrapped him in a soft towel, changing him into one of his long johns. His bedroom was right beside hers, just in case he ever cried out for her in the middle of the night. But tonight, instead of scampering to his own chamber like usual, he made he was over to hers. He grabbed the edge of the quilt that hung over the bed, trying to pull himself up. It was rather high. Ruth chuckled, helping him up on the bed. He plopped himself down, grinning at her.

"Mama, tell me a story?"

Ruth climbed up into bed next to her son, and he immediately snuggled close as she laid the blankets over them.

"Once upon a time in a faraway kingdom, there lived a princess. She was beautiful to all who looked upon her face. She had a beautiful heart, as well. She loved to help people. One day while she was walking along a trail in the woods, she heard someone crying out for help. But, she didn't see anyone. She kept running and running trying to find out who it was. Until she stumbled upon a tower. But, she couldn't just run inside. There was a dragon guarding it. But, before the princess could make a sound, the dragon scooped her up and threw her in the tower. The dragon had tricked her!"

David gasped, his eyes going wide.

"When the princess didn't return home for supper that night, her parents, The King and Queen, immediately knew something was wrong. Their daughter was always home in time for supper. So, they gathered all the available men and everyone went out and started to look for her. They even had people from other kingdoms come and help. And there was a prince from one of the neighboring kingdoms that came to help. He started from the very beginning, walking along the very path that the princess had walked. That's when he heard her cries for help. He followed the sounds until he found the princess trapped inside the tower with the dragon. The prince as afraid, but he was brave. He slayed the dragon, and saved the princess. Then, he brought her back to her castle. Everyone was so happy that the King and Queen threw a party. The prince and the princess danced together all night. By time the morning sun had risen, they had fallen in love. So, the prince and princess were married. And then they all lived happily every after."

By now, David's breathing had slowed, and his eyes were closing. Ruth thought he had fallen asleep until he spoke up.

"Mama?"

"Yes, my darling?"

"Someday, when I get big and strong, I'm gonna save a princess. Just like Daddy saved me." And with that, the young princess drifted off to sleep without a second thought. His breathing evened out, as he slumped against his mother's chest.

The words brought tears to Ruth's eyes. She often told David the story of how his father had died. He thought it was a marvelous story. He was brave like his father, and loyal and kind. She was quite certain he would make a wonderful King someday, and a husband to Snow. Those were the thoughts drifting around in Ruth's head as she drifted off to sleep as well, her son nestled perfectly in her arms.

Thank you to everyone who has read this! I would appreciate any reviews, ideas, or anything! This is my first fanfic I've ever written, so, be nice. :)