The Evil Queen walked towards the mirror on the wall. It was a beautiful, elegant thing, made purely out of the finest gold, detailed by the worthiest of hands but given to the most horrible of queens. She looked towards the heavens her arms crossed in front of her. 'Slave in the magic mirror, come from the farthest space. Through wind and darkness, I summon thee!'
The wind howled seeming to shake the Earth at it's core. A thunderclap was heard in the darkness and the candles flickered drastically. A burst of flames came from the mirror making the woman shine a cruel smile.
'Let me see thy face!' Within the depths of the mirror came a white dot, growing steadily until it was a white masquerade mask. But unlike those masks it was not a pleasant sight to behold. Its face was drawn, wrinkles dancing over its features and its lips were so long that it was surprising I didn't rip through the sides. Its eyes were empty bottomless holes and its nose was big, like a lump on its face.
'What wouldst thou know, my queen?'
'Mirror, mirror, on the wall. Who is the fairest one of all?' The woman said, the room lighting considerably. Her skin was the palest of whites accented by the rosiest of cheeks and the reddest of lips. Her eyes were still large and doe-like but with dark violet pupils instead of lavender. She still looked as beautiful and majestic as she did when she was in school. She wore a beautiful black mermaid dress, the ends covered with blue, white and grey sparkles. Feather made of silver constructed a neckpiece that reached to the top of her head along with a large silver necklace. Behind her she had a purple and pink cape of silk, in two separate parts with black feathers imprinted on it. Connected to that was a huge arrangement of black and purple feathers. Along with that she had black gloves up to her elbows and her hair was in two long, pink pigtails.
'Famed is thy beauty, majesty, but a lovely maid is whom I see. Rags cannot hide her gentle grace. Alas, she is far more fair than thee.' He said a slow drawl accentuating his boring voice.
'Alas for her, reveal her name.' The Queen said calmly, crossing her arms with a sneer.
'Lips red as the rose, hair yellow as sunshine, skin white as snow.' The mirror said in the same emotionless monotone.
'Winter White!' She yelled in anger. 'Oh that wicked wrench!' She yelled pacing around her quarters.
'Your majesty-'The mirror began.
'Be gone slave!' She yelled the mask disappearing in a wisp of smoke.
'I dress her in rags. I make her wash the floor, dust the vases, wipe the tables and yet she bests me!' The Queen yelled, her eyes flashing green.
Jack came from behind her rubbing his hands down her arms. 'Calm, my dear.' He said quietly. She mewled like a kitten making him chuckle. She had always done that, ever since she had agreed to be his queen.
'After all these years I can still make you react the same way.' They were not that old but they had aged a good eight years (not that it showed) and were now both twenty-three. The only thing that changed were their faces (as they were a bit more regal) and Fenella's hair which had grown to be at her waist.
'You know that stress is not good for the baby.' Fenella smiled dreamily as his hand caressed her small bump, tracing light circles. Jack knew for a fact that Fenella loved this so he made sure to do it as much as possible. It was one of the only ways to help her relax.
'Of course.' She responded.
'I must be going now.' Jack said softly. Though she noticed what he said she did not acknowledge it. He left quite frequently but was never away for too long. 'My friends.' The shadows thickened. 'Will take care of you. I will be back soon.' He kissed her soundly on the lips (making her swoon) before smirking and sweeping down the halls of the palace.
He was met with his second in command, Lorence, on the way down who informed him of the upcoming battle with the neighboring village. He simply nodded. While his wife took care of the people he took care of the hard stuff. Things he did not want his mate to know of. As he settled onto his horse he took once last glance at the castle before leading a legion of warriors into battle.
Fenella was still in her peaceful trance when she heard music, singing to by exact, chanted by a male. 'One heart, tenderly beating, ever entreating constant and true.' She followed the music to her window where she saw Brave singing to, of all people, Winter White!
'One love, that had possessed me. One love thrilling me though!' The prince sung making her shut her curtains in anger and a bit of hurt as well. She had never figured out why he had stopped loving her and that heartbreak was the thing that fueled her on the most. As she turned away from the window the look of pain erased from her face to be met with a cold mask.
'Chase! Chase the Huntsman! Call the Huntsman!' She yelled going down to sit on her throne. She tapped her fingers on the armrest waiting impatiently for his arrival. She was never really a patient person.
He scurried into the room bowing quickly. Though he was her former classmate she treated him like any one of her servants, professionally and with no nonsense.
'You called, y-your majesty.' He said nervously.
'You know of Winter White, yes?' She said. He gulped.
'O-of course, your majesty.' He replied.
'Take her far into the forest. Find some secluded glade where she can pick wildflowers.'
'Yes, your majesty.' He said letting out a breath of relief.
'And there, my faithful Huntsman, you will kill her!' She yelled standing up in her anger. The man stumbled back in surprise at the Queen's cruel demand.
'But, your majesty, the princess!' He yelled aghast.
'Silence!' She yelled making the man close his mouth in fear. 'You know the penalty if you fail.' She said tauntingly, daring him to not complete the task. She was sick and tired of Winter White, especially with Brave coming by to sing to her almost every day only deepening the wound she still had.
'Yes… your majesty.' He said quietly, hanging his head low. This is not what he expected when he became the Huntsman. He wanted to be respected, doing things only the best and bravest could achieve, like his father. He wanted to bring justice to the guilty, not harm the innocent, and look at the sin he was about to commit.
'But to make doubly sure.' She said smiling cruelly. She lifted up a golden box with red trimming, a heart charm as its lock. 'Bring back her heart in this.' She grinned as the Huntsman left holding the the small chest.
Now all she had to do was wait for him to come back saying that he had killed that little nuisance.
Chase quietly put the box into his satchel as he reached home where his wife was waiting.
'Chase, your home!' His spouse, Rena, said happily, rushing over to kiss him on the cheek before scurrying back to the table.
He walked forward seeing his two older sons playing with their little sister in the backyard. He hoped they would have more courage than he did.
Soon enough Rena was ringing the small brass bell for lunch, his children immediately rushing inside.
He picked up his daughter, kissing her on the head before ruffling each of his sons' hair. For him lunch was a somber affair and he picked at his food instead of eating it.
'Boys,' He said as soon as the meal had finished. They each looked at him tilting their heads in the same way.
'We need to talk, okay? Go put your sister down for her nap then meet me in your room.' The boys looked at each other, obviously confused by their father but shrugged, doing as they were told. Chase ran a hand down his face as he walked into their room.
Orion walked into the room first followed by Humbert and they walked in with their heads down.
'Are we in trouble?' Humbert asked softly.
'No. No, you're not.' The two sat down quietly as their father fiddled with his hands.
'I am about to do a very, very bad thing.' He started off. The children looked at each other, but kept quiet as Chase fiddled with his dagger.
'Something a huntsman should never do.' He continued. 'And I pray that when you two become older, and join the ranks of the Huntsmen, that you will never do what I am about to do.'
The boys had a silent agreement and joined their father on the bed, hugging him. He chuckled sadly and kissed each of them on the forehead.
They sat in quiet for a while until Maria came giggling in. She was holding a small, fluffy animal in her arms and squealed 'bunny' as she ran to them. She was obviously neglecting her naptime but Chase decided to ignore it.
He smiled, picking the four-year- old and settling her onto his lap. The four off them talked together for a bit before Chase declared he had to go, a sad look falling upon his face.
His daughter spoke softly, a gentle smile on her face. 'Don't worry, be happy.'
As he left the house he had a small smile on his face as he knew she would turn out to be a kindred spirit.
He put his dagger into his sheath and slid the box into his pouch before going to get the princess. He traveled through the halls of the castle till he reached the servant's quarters where he knew she stayed.
'Princess? Princess Winter?' He called.
'I'm here!' A sweet voice answered followed by a body. Though she may have been dressed in a maid's clothes she was still as beautiful as can be.
'Come Princess, we are going to the meadow.' She squealed (much like his own daughter) and ran off, most likely to get a basket.
They were soon off, Winter singing quietly under her breath. They reached the meadow and as she turned around to pick flowers he brought out his dagger. He crept towards her a sad expression on his face. He couldn't do it.
He dropped to his knees, alerting the princess and she gasped as the dagger fell from his hand.
'Go, Winter, go. The queen, she sent me to kill you. But I cannot! You must run, hide, GO!' And she ran off. He smiled happily as he heard the little patter of her feet fading away.
He sighed and stood up going to find an animal in which he could take the heart from.