Chapter 3: The Evil Queen

Mal was frantic, getting all the barges ready to cut through the ice was next to impossible. That isn't even counting getting them loaded. Auradon had helped her so much, with some gently persuasion from Lonnie and Jordan. They had box upon box of blankets and coats of all sizes. That was the easiest collection, getting the permits to clear some of the surrounding forests to load another barge filled with firewood was close to impossible. Mal had to remind several kingdoms that she was the future Queen and to help her now was beneficial for everyone.

Food was the hardest. Lonnie combed through mountains of donated food to send over the nonperishable food as much as possible. Mal was beginning to believe that Ben was stalling her on purpose. Every solution she came up with he shot down, weeks had gone by before she had everything ready and Ben had finally consented that they could embark for the Isle. Guards patrolled the barges and Mal stood nervously by Ben's side on the Royal yacht. She was worried about Evie but did not want to bring it up to Ben, he became positively beastly when she mentioned the blue haired girl. Jay and Carlos had wanted to come as well but Ben had put his foot down, they were risking too much as it was.

"Mal, you must stay with me and the guards at all times. The Isle isn't like it used to be." Mal nodded, she knew the murder rate on the isle had sky rocketed in the past few years due to turf wars. There was void left by Maleficent that everyone was trying to fill. As they neared the Isle the weather intensified. Snow was coming down so hard she could barely see the outline of the coast. Everything was white, there was so much snow on the ground and the barges were breaking through the ice very slowly. By the time they reached the docks there was a sizeable crowd of villains waiting.

Mal recognized the three villains that were out front. Harry, Gil and Uma. She glared at the trio slightly, recognizing their crew directly behind them. Ben and her disembarked surrounded by guards.

"Yen Sid said you were in charge of supplies?" Ben looked to Uma. He had been quite shocked when letter after letter arrived from the Isle from Yen Sid detailing all the things Uma and her crew had been doing to make sure supplies got to where they needed to be. Uma's teal braids swayed around her as she stepped forward with Harry and Gil on her flanks. Her hands shot up when the guards began drawing their swords.

"Stand down!" Ben raised his hand and the guards backed off. Uma grinned at him like there was some private joke between them.

"Aw, King Ben, are you scared of a few starving villains?" Uma tutted at him while Harry laughed. Mal could see Ben bristle under the taunting.

"Uma, I would think you would be appreciative of our help as opposed to scoffing at it."

"We wouldn't need the help if you would have let us all into your precious kingdom."

"Auradon does not welcome murderers."

"But rapists are just fine?" Harry Hook stepped forward with a sneer. Ben had never liked him, but the look on his face was particularly vengeful. The confusion on Ben's face was genuine and Harry shared a look with Uma.

"Per my promise to Yen Sid these supplies are to be given to the needy of the villains. We request you all divide them out without bloodshed or we will be unable to provide anymore supplies." With a nod of his head the guards began stacking the supplies on the icy docks. Mal searched the crowd for a familiar face.

"Ben I don't see her…"

"Well like you said the Evil Queen's Castle is on the other side of the island."

Uma was giving directions to her crew as they began carting off boxes, Gil had stepped in and was carrying twice the load of everyone else. Harry Hook had smoozed up to one of the guards and was in general making them uncomfortable.

"A villain arrived here a few weeks ago, does anyone know her location?" Ben had used his most kingly voice he could muster. He was hoping none of them had seen her. He was not looking forward to looking the girl who murdered his best friend in the eye.

"Well ye see, Evie was not too keen on the idea of seeing ye again." Harry had sauntered slightly closer to the king and Mal without the guards noticing. "Ye didn't exactly leave her here in the best circumstances." Harry growled at them.

"Where is she, you dirty pirate!" Mal launched herself at Harry, but she was unused to maneuvering in the snow and she missed horribly and Harry danced away giggling. Ben steadied Mal, as her cheeks reddened.

"Harry! Stop instigating." Uma barked, making her ways toward them. "Evie is fine. She didn't want to come today."

"I need to see her, where is she?"

"Like I said Mal, she is right where she needs to be."

"She needs to be home with me!" Ben gave a subtle glare, he squeezed Mal's hand tightly. "I mean I need to understand why she did… what she did…"

"Maybe ye should have asked that before chucking her in the snow." Harry twirled his hook in his hand. The barges were all unloaded now with the supplies heading towards Dragon Hall where Yen Sid had promised to divvy them up fairly.

"Come on Harry, we're done here." Uma pulled Harry back from the King and Mal. They left Mal gaping after them.

Gil had a box of nonperishable foods for the house. They walked slowly up the docks waiting for the King's Royal Yacht to head back towards Auradon. Uma unlocked the back door and Gil followed her in dropping the box of food on the counter. Uma and Gil silently sorted through the box putting things away while Harry went in search of Evie. He found her on the couch curled up closest to the fire. She was reading a book. She looked exhausted, the dark circles under her eyes seemed permanent. Since Evie had been there she hadn't touched any make-up and her sapphire hair tumble around her face in waves. Hearing him approach Evie graced him with a soft smile that warmed his soul. Harry had grown quite fond of Evie. With Gil and Uma he was frequently the third wheel, but with Evie there she tagged along with most of his duties. She was amazing with the little children and Yen Sid was quite fond of her as well.

"Did they bring everything they promised?" She folded the corner of her book, closing it slowly. She scooted over so he had room to sit. She was in her blue leather pants and one of Harry's thermal shirts, she had told him that she preferred them because they weren't tight. Harry just suspected she had been going out of her way to not stand out.

"And then some, the crew has got everything to Yen Sid and he is taking stock. We may survive this winter yet princess." He smirked at her, snatching her book from her. "What have we got here?"

Evie squealed as she tried to get the book back from him. He stood holding it high above her head. She stomped her foot and then took him unawares by standing on the couch and launching herself at him. He landed on the floor hard, laughing as she sat on his belly. He still had a hold of the book, keeping it just out of her reach. He read the cover, it was some sappy Auradon romance novel with a prince and princess on the cover embracing.

"Now now princess, that's not very lady like of ye."

"Harry you're a rotten pirate!" She bounced on his stomach knocking all the wind out of him while she snatched the book and retreated back to the couch. Uma was laughing from the doorway with Gil wrapped around her.

"Gil and I were going to go check on Yen Sid and the crew. You wanna come Evie? The kids have been asking after you."

"That sounds great Uma, let me grab my boots." Evie bounded up the stairs while Harry gracefully got off the floor straightening his coat.

"Don't you break our little princess, Harry. She's fragile." Uma gave him a knowing look as he pushed past her towards the kitchen. Evie was not far behind with all her hair tucked up into a slouchy beanie.

"Are we ready?" Harry nodded, holding the door open for Evie with Uma and Gil following close behind. The skies had cleared, and the wind was still for once. It was still cold but Evie had gotten used to traipsing through the snow. The path to Dragon Hall was well worn. There was a line out the door, villains of all shapes and sizes were waiting on their fair share of the supplies delivered this morning. Harry lead the way into the building, Evie tensed having to pass others in such close proximity. His hand found hers, given it a light squeeze as he poked people with is hook to get people to move.

Yen Sid was surrounded by Uma's crew. Each handing out boxes that contained food and warm clothing and blankets. The villain numbers were dwindling. There had been at least a death a day, either the very old or the very young. Mad Mim had been the first of the major villains to pass, but she certainly wasn't the last. Yen Sid nodded as they approached, but he saved his smile for Evie.

"These supplies will save lives, I am glad the King did not delay any further." Evie smiled at a young girl clutched to her mother's skirts. The woman moved out of the way and a shrill screech filled the hall.

"Oh my evil, what have you done to your face!?" The Evil Queen had lost some weight and the sallowness in her cheeks was covered heavily by foundation. She grabbed a hold of Evie's chin and turned her face this way and that.

"Hello to you too mother dearest."

"You look absolutely horrid! No wonder the king sent you back, no prince would touch you!"

Evie physically flinched from her mother, Chad's hands invading her thoughts. Harry and Uma moved in front of her slightly drawing the Evil Queen's attention to them.

"And now you are hanging around with pirates? This is unacceptable" The Evil Queen grunted as Gill shoved a supply box at her. She grasped it desperately and was torn between scolding her daughter and rushing home to eat. Food won out and she scurried away. Gil grinned at Evie, and squeezed Uma on the shoulder. The rest of the afternoon was spent handing out supplies. It was amazing to Evie that these villains were showing more compassion for each other than she had seen Auradonians give one another. Granted it was only so peaceful because Uma's crew had completely wiped out any rivals in the first week or so of winter.

The sun was setting as they made their way home. Evie was exhausted and starving. She was fantasizing about instant mashed potatoes. Her stomach let out a loud growl at the thought of food.

"Ye hiding a monster in there princess?" Harry turned around only to be greeted by a snowball right to the face. Uma and Evie collapsed in the snow laughing while Harry wiped off his face. "That was a mistake." An all out snowball fight erupted. Gil aimed one for Harry, while his small one pegged Evie on the butt. Uma cackled as she shoved one down Gil's shirt. Evie was laughing so hard she was gasping for breath. Uma helped her up linking their arms together.

"Let's get home before we freeze or Evie eats us."

"Haha, very funny."