Snow White and the Rise of the Gilded Throne

Chapter One: Coronation

"The Queen is dead! Long live the Queen!"

The (altered) standard proclamation was accompanied by the toll of heavy iron bells from the highest towers of the castle, ironically including the North Tower, where the current ruler had formerly been imprisoned, prior to her flight, which was now destined to become legendary. They had begun promptly at noon, with no sign of being discontinued till at least midnight, as though the people needed more convincing of the events that had recently transpired. Although the pronouncement was clearly heard throughout the castle grounds and the accompanying village, its reiteration only served to give the merrymakers in the town more reason to celebrate, as ale poured freely from the village inn, and dancing was held in the streets.

In the castle itself, the throne room had been transformed for the occasion of the coronation, the first ceremony of its kind in several decades, since the late King Magnus'. The results were striking, bringing warm and inviting qualities to the room that had lacked them for so long. No longer did the room have the somber and grizzly appearance, offered by its former ruler; following Ravenna's demise, Snow White herself had plucked up the strange mirror that had overhung the room and, unsure of its purpose, had demanded that it be shut away out of sight. The men who had fought to secure Ravenna's reign had encountered a similar fate, and been imprisoned to avoid further opposition and bloodshed. The witnesses today ranged in rank from the nobility to the working class, some having traveled far and wide to witness the young princess crowned Queen.

"Lowlifes and thieves welcomed with open arm," Lord Thomas whispered to his wife, eyeing the seven dwarfs who had been awarded with titles of nobility for their involvement in the recent battle, "Well, Ravenna wouldn't have stood for it, I can say that much of her."

Lady Amicia smiled darkly at the joke they shared, as she rose a goblet of wine to her lips, "Snow White doesn't believe in class ranks," she replied, "She believes in equality for all men."

"She is a pretty thing, but that's as far as she goes. However she defeated her predecessor and reclaimed the throne in her father's name, I'll never know. Her politics precede her, and I do not care for them, whatsoever. 'Equality for all men?' What's next? She'll have us supping with the beasts from the Dark Forest."

"Bite your tongue," Amicia instructed, "She approaches."

Snow White walked down the center of the room, trailed by her guard and train; the crown balanced perfectly on her head, framed by her ebony locks and rosy cheeks. However, the traditional coronation garb drew attention to her small and slight frame, as if this warrior queen had been reduced to a mere fairy tale. As her guests bowed before her, Snow White allowed herself to smile at them, stern and serene, though she avoided the intent gaze of the Huntsman who had fought alongside her in battle.

"She won't last a year," Thomas decided as the doors closed behind her.

"Do not doubt the prospects of a modern woman," Amicia reprimanded, deciding the matter for the both of them.

"The Queen is dead! Long live the Queen!"

"It's a bit of a contradiction, for the untrained ear, wouldn't you say?" Duke Hammond whispered to his son, following the Queen's departure from the throne room.

"Well, the news traveled far and wide after Ravenna's body was dispersed of," William retorted, "Snow White could have been crowned without ceremony, and they would have accepted her as the rightful ruler, all the same. It's only tradition"

"Little tradition in this whole affair, the spectacle of it all," Hammond retorted, waving the matter off, "Even taking into consideration the events that led her here, all that I can think of is that she's without a husband. And that does not sit well with me."

"And she shan't take one," William decided, "I've known Snow— the Queen— since we were children. She shan't be married off, or bartered off like chattel. She spent God knows how many years locked up from the world, and she won't allow herself to be imprisoned like that again. She's of her own mind, and shall take pride in her independence, and the strength of her state."

"Be that as it may, that mind of hers can be made to be extremely malleable in the knowledgable hands. When all is said and done, she shall come to realize how much of a valuable asset I can be to her. She's appointed myself to the head of her council, which was very commendable, on her part."

"As I'm aware."

"And I shan't stand idly by, and watch her bring ruin with her reign."

"The land will prosper under her rule," William urged defiantly.

"An inexperienced ruler is just as dangerous as a tyrant— perhaps even more so. And this land is tired of unfit rulers... She needs the strength and stability that a husband entails, or she'll be overthrown by some neighboring kingdom or another. And where Ravenna was lecherous and cruel, Snow White is chaste and kind. That's trouble, too."

"She led an entire army... And she will not be toppled over by the desires of any man."

"I do not see her in the same light as you, my son. As such, I will make it my utmost duty to push marriage upon her— and I am sure that she will acquiesce to my prompting, in time."

"And who do you propose she marries, Father? One of the seven dwarfs— perhaps Coll, or Duir, would not be opposed to the match."

"Do not patronize me, William. Isn't it obvious who she's poised to marry?"

William looked over in the general direction of Eric, and drank deeply from his goblet, "I haven't the faintest idea whom she would marry, Father."

"Why, you, my son! And I thought you were intelligent."

"Me?" William asked, "Father, I daresay you've lost your mind."

"The people will want a King, William... A man of noble blood— true nobility, that is, and I know in my heart that you are perfectly suited to the task. In any case, she'll want an heir to establish her bloodline... And warrior or not, no woman can carry a child without the use of a man. That is her single shortcoming that will ultimately convince her to marry, and I will ensure that we have a foothold on the throne, as we rightfully deserve."

"If you're so concerned with her finding a husband, why don't you marry her?"

"If I were a much younger man, and without care for the future of my son, perhaps I would."

"Do not flatter yourself, Father. You're far from her type, I'm afraid."

In her bedchambers on the other side of the castle, Snow White dismissed her guard, then seated herself before a table that had previously belonged to her mother. She had chosen to have Ravenna's former rooms boarded up, knowing that they carried too many dark memories which threatened her own constitution during the first days of her reign as Queen. Furthermore, she hoped to rebuild her father's summer castle, and move court there permanently, in order to evade constant reminders of her stepmother's monarchy. She smiled at the sight of her reflection in a small mirror, raising the glass upwards; though she was far from vain, it was comforting to know that she could always be assured of her identity through her face looking back at her. Indeed, she must now grow accustomed to an even more unfamiliar sight— the image of the crown perched upon her head.

"Troubled days are ahead," she decided, setting the mirror down again, "I only hope that I may endure them," she clenched her fists tightly, feeling her stomach churn with uncertainty.

She heard a soft knock on the door, and promptly looked up again. She knew now that whatever lay ahead, she must look the part. She knew now that she must never falter in front of her people, or her council; she would have her moments of weakness, only when she could afford them, when she was concealed away from them. She glanced at her reflection once more, pinching her cheeks to return the color to them.

"Yes?" she called, deciding to rise, in order to appear more regal.

"My Lady," Greta whispered, stepping forward into the room, and closing the door behind her again, "You look beautiful. A true beauty among Queens."

"That is very kind, Greta. But, stations do not exist amongst friends, as I've told you. You are to call me by my true name. I shan't have you addressing me as 'Your Highness' and such."

"Your defiance astounds me, Queen— Snow," Greta replied; having been rescued from the North Tower following Ravenna's death, Greta had been appointed to Snow White's chief lady-in-waiting, and had been given the room accompanying the Queen's.

"You've a visitor before dinner is served in the Great Hall."

Snow White frowned, "Who?"

"The head of your council."

"Ah, Hammond. Well, bring him in."

Greta nodded, and retreated outside again; a few moments later, Lord Hammond strode into the room, "You look breathtaking, my Queen. Simply breathtaking."

"Lord Hammond, you embarrass me with these kind words. Won't you have a seat?"

"Yes, I daresay I have the time to afford myself such a luxury," he glowered slightly, and took the seat that she had offered him.

"I was just taking my leave of the crowd for a moment to collect myself," Snow White explained, "Today is long and strenuous... Much more strenuous than battle, in some ways."

Lord Hammond's frown did not break at the joke, "Well, you've fooled everyone into thinking that you have the graces of a true woman raised her entire life to take the throne... The battle hero has been retired with her armor, and I much prefer the sight of you in robes and gowns."

"My armor suits me well," she replied, thoughtfully, "And I would gladly take up my chain-mail, my shield, and my sword again, if my men must follow me into battle."

"Spoken as your father's daughter... Though I cannot say that he would enjoy the sight of his only daughter dirtying her hands on the field."

"Lord Hammond, do not speak out of line with me. You have served me well, and have been rewarded handsomely... But I shan't stand for you to make such presumptions about my father. I am his own flesh and blood, not yours. You can speak to William about what his father expects of him, because that is your place in this world. As the leader of my council, you shall speak to me as your ruler, and as if I were my father himself returned to the flesh. My sex is of little value to me."

"I did not mean to offend you, my Queen," Hammond replied, surprised at her intensity, "I only meant—"

"Whatever you meant, I do not have the luxury of being subjected to it. So, I must ask you to take leave of my chamber, unless you have better reason to be here."

"I only meant to instruct you on one area in which you do not meet the people's needs, my Queen.. And in doing so, you fail your own stability on the throne. A throne so fraught in deceit and woe, you have a much more difficult task of washing the blood away from it."

Here, he paused dramatically, and Snow White eyed him incredulously, furrowing her brow.

"Well?" she demanded, "What on earth is it?"

"My Queen, you are an exceedingly capable ruler... And are very much loved by the people you have rescued from Ravenna's tyranny. However, you are compromised by one pitfall, and it would be against your better judgment to ignore it outrightly. In order to remain a formidable leader, you must marry a capable man, and produce an heir."

"No," she replied derisively, "I shall not be married off just to appease you. If that's all you have to say, I must again ask that you leave my sight. You are my advisor, but you shall not choose a King when he is unnecessary."

"You do not understand, Queen. A woman cannot carry an entire kingdom on her own."

"Then I shall have to do my best to disprove that myth, my dear Lord Hammond. And, I shall sooner eat my crown than have you choosing bedmates for me."