Feeling the horse's legs moving at a steady pace beneath her and the wind in her face, Snow White couldn't feel anything but free and completely happy. William was only a few steps behind her and he was getting closer and she was thinking to herself that what he had said about letting her win had just been a joke. Of course he wanted to win, probably just as much as she did. It was a race after all. So she pushed her horse, Trinity, to go even faster which he didn't hesitate to. It was as if the horses were just as excited as they were and equally eager to win. That's why they all almost fell over when a fox, seemingly out of nowhere, came into their path and Snow abruptedly stopped her horse who got so surprised he pranced. William, who had been almost right behind her, almost rode straight into her and managed to stop his horse just in time. Then, right in the middle of the fuzz, Snow heard a very familiar laugh, followed by a very familiar voice.
"Now that's a sight you don't see every day! I'd suggest you watch where you're heading in the future!"
Snow turned and looked towards the edge of the forrest. Could it really be him? It was! Over joyed, she couldn't bring herself to do anything but slide down from her saddle and rush over there to hug him. He was really there! Her huntsman! At first, he got so surprised he could only stand there for a minute, before he finally hugged her back.
"Carful my queen! You don't want to become like your stepmother, squeazing people to death."
He sounded amused, as if it was a joke to him. Still, while Snow was so incredibly happy, she suddenly felt an anger bubbling up inside her and she quickly drew her self out of the hug, pushing him as hard as she could while doing it. Other than taking a step back it didn't seem to move him, but he did look surprised, again.
"Why did you leave?! You just left, right after my coronation! I looked for you, but you were gone!"
"My job was done, you didn't need me anymore and so I left because I didn't think anyone would want me at the castle. Besides it is not anywhere I enjoy spending much time in."
"I did need you! I wanted you there!"
"Then I apologize, it was not my intention to bring you distress."
She looked at him in disbelief. Of course she knew he hadn't meant to hurt her, but it was difficult to believe him when he said he didn't think she had wanted him to be there. How could that even be a question? After all they'd been through together. Maybe he didn't care about her as much as she cared for him, but that didn't seem likely. He had been so protective and kind, like a true friend. He was actually the first friend she had ever really had, besides William and she wasn't about to give him up.
"Is something wrong?"
William had now caught Trinity, who seemed to have run off when she threw herself off his back and William was now coming up to them, holding him by the reins. Snow stood silent, for a few minutes before answering.
"No, nothings wrong."
"Are you sure?"
Her first impulse was to say no and explain how foolish her friend was acting and that she wanted to have him brought to the castle by force if necessary, but the she realized that would be rather silly. Instead she chose to act like the queen she recently had become.
"Yes. I was just suggesting that my dear friend here would join us and come along back to the castle for dinner."
"Oh, that would be nice. I just now realize I haven't had time to thank you yet for taking care of Snow White whilst I wasn't able to."
Snow could just make out the slight change of tone in his voice. Was he jealous? Maybe her ears were just fooling her, because when she looked at his face, he showed nothing but kindness. A small part of her appeared to be upset that he wasn't, but she shoved it away in an attempt to prove to herself that she was independent. After all, she had only just become queen and it would be nice not to start thinking about these things was way too early. The huntsman, or Eric as he was really called, interrupted her thoughts.
"I am afraid I'll have to say thanks but no thanks to that. I am in no mood for being around much... well people."
"I understand. Thank you for at least considering it."
William had answered in her stead, something that admittedly bothered her a little, but Snow mad no remark at it. Instead she just stood there. They all did for a few seconds, neither knowing what to say.
"Well... I suppose I should get going. It was nice to see you, my queen."
"It was nice to see you to. And don't ever call me that again, we're past that."
"I'll try to remember. Well until next time, Snow White."
With those words, Snow watched her friend turn around and head back into the woods from which he had apparenty come from. A small pang went through her heart as he did and she stood there for a few minutes watching him until he was completely out of sight. Then she swung herself back up into the saddle alongside William and they both headed back. It seemed no use trying to finish the race, it did not even seem fun. They were riding in silence and she thought she ought to say something because she was getting the feeling something was bothering her friend.
"Did something happen back there? Something I failed to notice?"
"What? Oh no I just... the way he looks at you is so intense."
"Are you jealous of him?"
"Of course I am, I... I love you."
