A/N: To all the wonderful readers who have followed, reviewed, or favorited this story - THANK YOU! Not only for your kindness, but for your patience. This update is long overdue and I apologize it is not as long as the previous chapters. In my brief hiatus from college, I hope to add a couple more chapters. Again, thank you!


Snow White awoke the next morning feeling more rested than she had in weeks, if not ever. The sun's rays were spilling in through the large window, warming her face. She turned over onto her back and stretched her limbs, only then realizing she was more comfortable than she ought to be. She sat up with a start, surveying her position in the center of her bed.

She wondered how long she had remained on the floor near her Huntsman before he had moved her. She must have slept like the dead for she had no recollection of ever waking during the night, which was almost regrettable. Snow would have liked to remember how it felt to be in those arms.

Something else was different about this morning. It took her a second to realize that it was because she was unaccustomed to waking with the sun already so high in the sky, illuminating everything within her chambers. She had slept much later than usual and, though she was grateful, wondered what kept her ladies-in-waiting today.

Almost as if her thoughts were heard, the slight creaking of her chamber door brought her attention to a pair of brown eyes peering in through the small crack. Snow smiled at Myrlene and beckoned her in. She quite liked the small, fair haired woman who came to ready her each day. She had a quiet resolve and Snow appreciated the honesty and wisdom that she exhibited during their conversations.

Myrlene was followed by Lindy and Arianna, her two young helpers that never seemed to be without smiles on their lovely faces.

"Good morning, Your Majesty. I trust you slept well?" Myrlene inquired as she came to Snow's side to help her pull back the covers.

"Well, indeed! I don't believe I have ever slept so soundly in my life." She answered while taking note of the knowing glance that passed between Lindy and Arianna. When they noticed her watching, the two quickly focused on the ground.

"That is wonderful news, Majesty. You do not get enough rest. You may be queen, but that does not mean that your body won't have the same limitations as the rest of ours." Snow smiled at the motherly tone in Myrlene's voice as the women carefully lifted her night dress over her head.

"Well I feel as if I've had enough rest now to last me a few weeks." She smiled sarcastically when Myrlene gave her a reproachful look. Out of the corner of her eye Snow caught the young girls sharing another strange look. "How long did I sleep? It is much later than your usual morning call."

"It is almost midday, my Queen." Myrlene answered, not looking Snow in the eye.

"Midday! I missed my morning council with the Duke and the rest!" She was more than embarrassed, she was humiliated. Already she feared the members of the council doubted her ability to rule over this kingdom. As a queen, if she could not be expected to wake up at the proper hour, what other expectations would she inevitably fail to meet?

"There is no need for alarm, the council decided to postpone it until this evening's meal. Apparently there was a pressing issue with the guards and the captain needed the Duke and William to accompany him." This time Snow noticed it was Myrlene who failed to hide the ghost of a smile on her face. Behind her the girls giggled.

"Is there something you three are keeping from me?"

Myrlene kept her head down as the three women helped Snow into her dress. A tiny giggle once more escaped Lindy's lips and Myrlene shot her a reproachful look. "Myrlene?" Snow asked again.

"When we came to wake you before dawn, the captain was posted outside your opened door. He told us that he'd wanted to move you, but felt it would be improper to enter your room alone. So the three of us helped him put you into bed; you never stirred, Your Majesty! I would have thought you dead were it not for the deep breaths escaping your lips."

Myrlene shook her head as she straightened Snow's sleeves. "The captain suggested we let you sleep for a while longer. Wasn't his place to suggest such a thing, and had I not agreed that you were in desperate need of some rest, I would have told him that."

Snow smiled in imagining the conversation that took place between Myrlene and her Huntsman. It was no wonder that Lindy and Arianna were so amused. "Thank you, Myrlene. And I would also appreciate your discretion on this matter." She shuttered to think what whispers would surround such a story.

"Of course, Your Majesty." The ladies curtsied and left her alone. Feeling the need to stretch her legs, Snow decided to take a walk around the castle and perhaps stop by the kitchen to see if there might be anything leftover from the morning meal. Her stomach growled in a very unladylike fashion at the thought.

She entered the dining hall, intending to cross straight through and take her meal in the kitchen, but was stopped in her tracks at the sight of a dozen or so seated bodies around one of the tables. William and his father, as well as the other members of her council of advisors were present. Snow was shocked when she locked eyes with the Huntsman, who sat in the seat furthest from the Duke, William, and her own vacant chair. All of the voices immediately subsided upon her entrance, but she could still hear the faint echo of them in the room.

Judging by the look on the Huntsman's face, it had not been a pleasant conversation.

Seeing Snow, the men stood at once and bowed their heads. She quickly made her way over to the table, minding her steps so as to not trip over her own dress in the process. She took her place at the head of the table but did not sit. "I was told this council was not to be held until the evening meal."

Her statement was met with silence and diverted glances. Only the Huntsman still looked her way as her eyes passed over the other faces while awaiting an answer.

"Forgive me, Your Highness," the Duke began. "The issues that were to be discussed this morning have indeed been left for this evening, however, there were other matters to discuss."

Snow glanced at William who offered her an apologetic smile before turning her attention back on Duke Hammond. "What matters?"

Lord Wellington answered for him, "My Queen, a village on the eastern edge of the dark forest has been burned to the ground. Word is the people burned it themselves, killed or banished those who tried to stop them. And they've already brought their carnage on to the next village."

Hot anger built up inside Snow's chest. "Why would they do that?"

"Too many years living under evil, Your Majesty. Many have gone mad with hate." Wellington answered solemnly. Snow slowly lowered herself into her seat, all feelings of restfulness vanished.

"They must be stopped." She spoke finally, fearing for the safety of the outlying villages. The men around the table nodded their agreement. "How soon can we have men ready to meet them?" she directed her question to the Huntsman, but fear seized her the moment she said it. He would want to go with them, she saw his resolve plainly in his stare.

"My men are readying themselves as we speak, Highness. They only have left to wait your order," he answered.

"How many?" she asked, not really wanting the answer. This would be part of her duty as queen, a part she was hoping to not have to face for many years, or ever. Ordering men to charge into battle, to risk death, while she waited behind the safety of her own walls.

"I don't want to risk leaving the castle scarcely protected. I will bring one-hundred men with me. Should be more than enough to deal with untrained, and possibly starving villagers," he spoke with such self-assurance that no one in the room could doubt his confidence. No one but Snow herself. She fought hard against the terror that was threatening to send tears to her eyes. This was why she had entrusted him with the task; this was why she named him captain… not only to keep him close, but to protect her kingdom.

"Very well, Captain. May God protect you all," She forced herself to tear her gaze from the Huntsman, addressing the rest of the members present. "And at that time of their return, we will meet on another matter. The matter of my traveling to these outlying villages, giving needed supplies to the people, and speaking to them as their queen. They must know that the evil has been vanquished and that they can prosper again. I will not have any more of these situations arise while I am sitting on that throne."

Before any one could object, Snow rose and exited the dining hall. When she turned the corner of the corridor, certain she was out of sight, she pressed her back against the cool, stone wall and leaned her head back. She took several deep breaths in an effort to calm her out of control heartbeat. She had to pull herself together in order to see the men off who would go fight, she had to find somewhere within her the strength to say Godspeed, and to let him go.

She took several moments before making her way down the corridor again. She heard commotion coming from outside as she approached one of the breezeways overlooking the courtyard. The distinct sound of the portcullis rising filled the air as she rushed forward, only to find one hundred of her guards mounted on horses, ready to ride through the gate.

All thoughts of Snow's own apprehension were replaced with the horrific thought that he may leave without her saying goodbye. Surrendering her dignity, she lifted her long skirt and turned back, running full speed to the stairs that would bring her to the courtyard. In the distance, she could hear shouts and whistles and the unmistakable sound of horse hooves trampling out of the Castle confines.

She sailed down the stairs, jumping clear over the last five steps before breaking into a sprint toward the opening at the end of the darkened corridor. She reached it just in time to see the last four horses disappear through the portcullis. Snow stretched out her hand to gain support from the wall and tried to catch her breath. Tears welled up in her eyes and she was thankful for the privacy the shadows offered - allowing her to really feel, in this brief instant, the overwhelming despair that she is bound by duty to conceal.

He was gone. Her Huntsman. Gone to fight another battle for her; gone for God knows how long. She could never fully repay the bravery and loyalty that he offered, but she had hoped to give him some token of appreciation, some showing of her immense gratitude, before he left. What if he doesn't come back? The thought nearly paralyzed her with fear.

"Your Majesty." She jumped at the voice behind her and whirled around. She could barely make out the form of the Huntsman in the shadows and, without thinking, threw herself at him. It only took him a second to react, wrapping his massive arms around her slight frame, she became completely enclosed in the security of his embrace. Snow buried her face into the folds of his leather hunting coat as he rested his cheek atop her head. She closed her eyes and basked in the comfort and pure joy that his nearness caused. She could hear his heart beating and knew that no sound would ever be more beautiful to her.

The Huntsman let out a breath and raised his head; Snow knew the moment was over. With great effort, she released him, along with the temporary relief from her fear. She dared not show it though as she raised her eyes to his. She could not decipher the look he gave her, could not begin to understand the intense emotion behind the deep ocean of his blue eyes. His eyebrows furrowed as he slowly, cautiously, carefully lifted his left hand to her face.

Snow closed her eyes and leaned into his touch, understanding that this form of goodbye was all that he could risk at this time. She wanted to tell him so much. She wanted to tell him that everything depended on his safe return. She wanted to tell him that she wished she could go with him. She wanted to tell him that she loved him.

"Be safe," she whispered, opening her eyes to convey the seriousness of her command. He stared at her face for just a moment more before he dropped his hand and stepped around her. A lone tear escaped her eye, but she raised her chin and quickly wiped it away.

She would be strong for him, for the rest of the men, and for her entire kingdom. They all depended on that. She would be the queen they deserved no matter how long the coming weeks would seem.

"I'll see you soon, Snow White," he promised before she heard him mount his horse and ride away. She whole-heartedly believed this promise, and she would make sure that his efforts would not be in vain. Snow immediately went in search of William, whom she knew would not waste time telling her it was an unwise course of action. He would help her plan out the logistics of the coming visits to the villages. Together they will have accounted for every possible detail of her travels so as to leave no point for debate from Hammond or any members of the council.

She knew custom dictated heeding the counsel of the men she had chosen, but soon she would exercise the rights bestowed upon her as queen.

Snow began to feel a lightness of heart as she neared the study where she was likely to find William. She vowed that she would leave no time in the day for the worry that was sure to overwhelm her at night.

Her Huntsman would return.