OK, I'm back lol After seeing last nights episode with Snow and Regina I decided to stop being lazy and start writing again. This is the fourth story to my Snow Queen series. It was inspired by a song for a dance call "living with the ribbon" on the show "dance moms". The song is called "lean in" but I have no idea who the artist is. I'll post the link on my account though and also on tumblr which is xserendipty92x.

But anyway, enjoy and I'll update soon :)

Please review!

Title – And I Am Not Afraid

Setting – Three years after "You're The Girl I Used To Be"

Prologue

Her father was drinking. She watched from the corner of the room as he drank straight from the bottle. He knew she was there, that his eight year old daughter was watching but he didn't care because in the other room his wife, Dana was dying… his daughter's mother.

She was leaving and he didn't know what to do with a little girl he barely took the time to know. It made him angry and also afraid of what the future will bring. How was he supposed to raise this girl? How was he supposed to put clothes on her back or food in her belly? He was the village drunk… He shouldn't be responsible for a child.

The doctor came out then and after he had explained that they didn't have much time he beckoned Cora from her hiding spot and took her hand. As he led her to her mother her eyes never did leave her silent father before entering her mother's room.

She couldn't understand the words the doctor said… words like cancer and disease. All she knew was that it was taking her mother and she watched with wide fearful eyes as her mother turned to her. She was pale and listless but she managed to give her daughter one tiny smile of comfort.

"Go on, child," the doctor said, nudging the little girl forward and it wasn't until she slowly approached the side of the bed then he take his leave to give them some privacy.

"Mama, what's happening," she asked, clearly not understanding what was going on.

"I'm sick, baby." Her voice was weak and hoarse and it took strength that she barely had to even speak.

"But you'll get better… won't you?" she asked, her eyes full of uncertainty and her mother could see the fear.

"Come here little one," Dana whispered and Cora carefully climbed on the bed and snuggled into her mother's arms. Neither knew that these were the last days that Cora's heart would remain pure. The days that would follow after this moment would turn the little girl cold, dark, angry at the whole world and eventually she would become literally heartless.

"I'm sick Cora and this disease I have doesn't have a cure."

"But you could fight it mommy!" she protested, her small hands tightening on her mother's nightgown. "Don't leave me! You can't leave me with him."

"I've fought long and hard. It's time for me to let go but I'll always be with you. I love you Cora, my daughter. My beautiful, beautiful daughter. Take care of your father, for he will be lost for some time and then when you are older you will get out of this village and make a life for yourself. Don't let anything, not even love hold you back." Those last words were stern and Cora nodded. She knew she would have to work hard to respect her mother's wishes… to get out of this damn town and find a life of comfort.

"I promise mommy but please don't go, please. I don't want you to leave me!" she cried, burying her face into her mother's neck as she cried. Dana didn't speak. She just held her daughter and didn't stop her own tears from streaming down her cheeks.

Cora didn't know how long she had laid there but the moment she felt her mother take that last breath she knew…

Her mother was gone.

Nothing would ever be the same.