Characters: Snow White, Prince Charming
Description: AU set during and after 1x10. Snow White makes a deal with a different devil for a chance to salvage her happy ending.
Alternate Description: A fanfic writer re-watches 7:15am and throws a tantrum demanding her fairy tale happy ending NOW. So she writes one.
One for the Heart of it All
Chapter Two
"Surely you jest. The Queen will rip out your heart for this George!"
"Not if I get hers first," he muttered.
"So this is how it is. You abandon our agreement the moment a more enticing offer presents itself? Have you no honor?"
James had to stop himself from gripping her hand as Snow came to stand between he and King George. "His majesty graciously offered his assistance in taking the throne back from my step-mother. In his wisdom he recognized that removing her from power would be for the greater good of all the lands in the Enchanted Forest." Her voice sounded smooth as silk and her words just as enchanting. He couldn't take his eyes off of her.
"And none will benefit more so than him on the slight chance that this insanity is not, in fact, a suicide attempt."
"Lord Midas, I know that there have been disagreements between our lands in the past," she soothed. "My father was particularly stubborn in his refusal to negotiate a settlement for the Pegasse Strip. However it is my hope that if we are successful we will be able to put such matters behind us in a way that allows both kingdoms to prosper." She glanced briefly down at the king's gloved hand. "Of course, conflicts such as these can be… costly."
Abigail moved towards them from the opposite side of the table. "Well I for one will be glad to see that horrible woman off of Leopold's throne," she said, embracing Snow White. "I wish you only luck, though I am sure that you will succeed and bring greater peace to the Enchanted Forest."
Snow seemed a little surprised at the princess' quick acceptance but her smile didn't show it. "Thank you Abigail."
The blonde waved a hand. "Who am I to stand in the way of true love? I'm sure we can all come to some agreement, isn't that right father?"
Midas looked like he'd just eaten a spiked dragonfish but to the king's credit he regained his composure quickly. "You well know that I believe the kingdoms are better when they stand united. However it is late and such things are better discussed in the clear light of day. If you'll excuse us, Abigail?"
Abigail kissed both he and George on the cheek and then hugged Snow White again. "We must sup together at some point. I want to hear about all of your adventures."
Snow nodded. "Yes of course."
The princess smiled at them before following her father out of the council room. Midas gave a curt nod and the three of them watched as the doors closed behind the golden king and his daughter.
James counted two heartbeats, then three. Finally, he turned to her. "Snow?" He hadn't intended for her name to come out as a question.
She winked at him again and swirled the flowing skirt of her dress. "I clean up pretty well, don't you think Charming?"
"You look –"
"Like the fairest of them all."
Snow turned to face King George and gave a slight curtsey. "A warm bath can do wonders. I thank you for the hospitality."
"Yes, well we must have you looking the part." He cleared his throat. "I've had a late meal prepared for the two of you in the royal quarters so that you can discuss all of our plans in private. I would join you, but I'm afraid there is much for me still to do now that our plans have changed."
"Of course, thank you your majesty."
King George leaned in and whispered something in her ear that James couldn't make out but Snow gave only a tight smile in response. He wondered if there wasn't some strange sorcery involved that had brought her here to him and what the price for such a magic would be.
Like the prince he was, James offered her his arm and they walked together to the royal reception rooms in the northeastern spire. He hadn't said anything to her yet. There was so much to say, she doubted either of them knew where to start. Selfish, she silently berated herself. It was a dangerous game she was playing with both of their hearts. Yet she only had to look in his eyes to know how true his love for her was. And if he was determined to feel that way, then she would do everything she could to be worthy it.
She was acutely aware of the whispers of servants and guards as they passed through the hallways. Snow tried to focus on silently repeating all of her posture lessons from when she was a girl. It felt strange to be a princess again. The walls were confining and at least in the forest if the squirrels and deer gossiped about her she couldn't understand it.
James opened the door for her and as promised inside was a beautifully set table just for them. The delicious aroma almost made Snow want to weep.
"I'm starving," she whimpered.
He smiled and closed the door behind him. Moving to the table he pulled out a chair for her. "My lady."
She chewed her lip. "Do you… do you mind if I undo my hair before we eat? I haven't had it all piled up on top of my head in ages and it's giving me a headache," she confessed.
He raised an eyebrow at her. "Be my guest."
Snow moved over to the bureau by the window and began pulling pins out of her hair. "I may need a little help with the back," she said, glancing at him over her shoulder.
He came over and stood right behind her, his fingers carefully threading through her thick hair as they searched for pins. The intimacy of the moment sent a flush of self-consciousness to heat her cheeks. She couldn't do this, not now. Not yet. Later she would revel in all she felt for him but until then she had to keep under control until she was sure he was safe.
"Will you tell me about your sheep?" she blurted, looking for a way to distract from the intense feelings.
He pulled a pin out with such force that it tugged her head back. Putting a hand to the back of her head she turned around. "Did I inadvertently insult you by getting the type of livestock wrong? It is sheep, isn't it?"
"How do you know about that?"
"King George told me." She put a hand softly to his chest, her fingers toying with the soft leather. "You were going to tell me yourself though, weren't you Charming?" she asked coyly.
"I have a name you know."
"No, I don't." Her eyes met his and he reached behind her, his fingers brushing her neck as he removed another pin. A cascade of ebony hair fell and he pushed it all behind her shoulder, gently brushing it out with his fingers. She only watched him, waiting.
He took a breath. "It's Richard."
Snow smiled. "It's nice to meet you Richard."
He kissed her. It was all she could do not to lose herself in it. How could she have ever considered forgetting him? It's not safe for him, some corner of her mind reminded her. And she couldn't let herself pretend that it was.
She pulled back and gave him a small smile. Turning away from him, Snow went back to pulling the last of the pins from her hair. "So do your sheep have any names?"
His laugh lit her up inside even as she cursed herself. He deserved better than her, better than these lies and secrets and plots. She only prayed she'd be able to keep his heart safe from the king out to crush it and the queen out for her own.
They began dinner in silence. Snow wasn't lying when she'd claimed she was famished – she ate like someone who hadn't laid eyes on food all day. He ate more slowly, watching her. The evening's events had left him unsettled and stolen much of his appetite. A part of him was still afraid that it was all some elaborate illusion or dream and he would wake up and all would be as it was.
"King George promised candied flowers for dessert," she said, breaking the silence.
He smiled. "Did he?"
"They were my favourite when I was a girl. He used to bring them for me when he and my father went on their hunting trips." Her eyes fell down to her plate. "He wasn't always as he is now."
James pushed his plate away from him. "Snow, what's going on?"
Putting her fork down, she dabbed at her lips with a napkin. Lips red as blood, he thought. And every inch a princess.
"I got your letter."
"And you came."
She smiled. "I did."
"I had plans for us to run away from here," he said, crossing his arms.
"One monarch out for my life is more than enough. A girl can't be expected to live happily ever after when she's constantly looking over her shoulder." Amusement danced in her eyes. "Besides, you make such a charming prince."
He knew there was truth in her words – she deserved more than a life on the run – but couldn't shake the feeling that she was deflecting his attention from something. "So that's it then? You just walked into the castle an outlaw and George offered to make you a queen?" he pressed.
"The throne is mine by right," she said, frowning. "And you're not the only one who can be charming. Besides, a marriage alliance with me gives King George something Midas never could." James gave her an inquiring look. "Revenge. He blames the Queen for the death of his wife."
"And was she?"
"To blame?" Snow shrugged. "I wouldn't put it past her. Queen Gertrude was visiting with Regina when she fell victim to foul witchcraft. Given that my step-mother is a witch, it's reasonable to suspect her."
"King George said that your father and he had always hoped for a marriage alliance," he broached, changing the subject.
"I know. My father would have let me marry for love, but that didn't stop him from hoping I would fall in love with someone… politically advantageous."
"Did you ever meet my brother?"
She nodded. "Once. He came to the castle after his first hunting trip with the king and my father."
He hated that he had to ask. "Did you and he?..."
She laughed and it filled all the crevices of his heart. "I was ten. He put a frog on my chair at dinner. Other than that I can't say our meeting was particularly memorable." She reached across the table and brushed the scar on his chin with her fingertips. "I really got you with that rock when we met, didn't I?"
"I don't mind."
This time her smile reached her eyes. "You did at the time."
"That was before you stole my heart." He caught her hand in his, tangled their fingers together. "I will go to war for you if that's what it takes."
Her smile faded. "I'm hoping to avoid that. I just need to figure a few things out first."
"Snow." She looked back up at him. "I'll do whatever it takes."
She nodded. "So will I."
Notes: Holy Story Alerts! Thank you all so much for your interest in the story! The next chapter won't be ready quite as quickly as this one – ch. 2 was almost finished but for some fact-checking when I posted ch. 1. Chapter 3 is... not quite as ready. For anyone who's curious Charming is named Richard because that's what it was in the Once script for The Shepherd. It wasn't said in the show so it's not canon and could very well be changed if they ever tell us his real name but for now it's good enough for me.