It was a warm day in the enchanted forest, the sun pounded its way through the thick branches and leaves hanging overhead. Shards of light shot down and heated the ground where they fell, small woodland creatures scuttled in and out of the brightened spots as the sound of excited footsteps quickly trudged towards them,
"C'mon, it's not far now!" Yelled a young woman. As she pushed aside a hefty heap of leaves Snow sidestepped through the foliage, her dark green hood pulled over her face to stop the thistles and spikes cutting her as she forced her way through, her long black hair hung from beneath, loosely hugging onto her shoulders. She pushed against the growth, attempting to widen the passage, and released the hood exposing her glistening green eyes, her smile wide and eager.
A second woman stepped through the opening, holding a bright red hood over her head, ducking to avoid an incoming branch. As it sped overhead it attached itself to a loose thread on her hood, pulling it quickly from her grip and forcing her to stumble back slightly, trapped in its grasp. The other woman giggled as she watched the scene unfold. Her face now exposed, a look of shock plastered itself onto Ruby's face, still not realising what had happened to her. She reached her hand above her head to try and find the attachment, but it was just beyond her reach.
A third woman approached Ruby, pulling her arm out from underneath a green embroidered cloak she reached her slender hands atop Ruby's head to untangle her from the vegetation. Her auburn hair danced into the sunlight and she squinted a little as it gleamed into her face, a smile emerging as she heard Snow still chuckling on the sidelines. She unfastened Ruby, who fell a little with the release, and lifted her hand to shield her eyes from the beams of light.
"No need to help" Smiled Belle, looking unimpressed at Snow, who just responded with a big grin.
Ruby assembled herself, standing upright she stood with her arm pressed against Belle's, her body supporting her as she stood. Ruby's eyes still flashed with confusion as she patted the dirt from her cloak. Belle picked leaves off her back as she spoke;
"How far did you say it was now Snow? I get enough of running aimlessly through the woods when the moon's out." She stated, sounding a little disheartened and embarrassed.
"It's not far now, I promise." she replied empathetically, again pushing herself against the foliage and reaching her hand out to Ruby. She lifted her eyebrows encouraging her to hold onto it, their leather gloves clasped onto one another tightly.
Snow led the two women a little further through the woodland, until they reached an open area. An old derelict house stood in the centre, shadowed by the trees. It's ugly wood creaked and trembled with rot and damp. It's windows were bordered up and it's door lay pathetically in front of its original position. Snow ran ahead and jumped in happiness at the sight before them. She threw her arms out and shouted;
"Here we are! Home sweet home!" she stared at Ruby and Belle ecstatically, waiting for their response. Their faces were astonished, their speech impaired.
"It's... Erm..." Belle began, "It's..."
"It's a new beginning." interrupted Snow, dancing around to face the dilapidated building.
Belle and Ruby shared a look, as Snow pranced towards the door. They entwined their fingers, took a deep breath and continued to follow the giddy young woman.