Chapter Four: Mines

It's been three weeks since I came to live in this small cottage. Three weeks that I escaped my stepmother, and the three weeks that I have been in anguish and fear of my father. In these three weeks, I have been avoiding Noll. Ever since he told me his words. I try to ignore him. I can breathe peacefully when he goes into the mines.

I have cleaned and cooked every day my daily routine. Each day that passes, for a reason I felt a little more peaceful, then again, I try to avoid Madoka and Lin as well. Madoka gave me a space on the first floor to sleep on. I didn't mind at all. Snow would sleep with me, or sleep somewhere else, which is strange.

As well, I have healed a lot, I still ached, her and there, but not as before. One thing for sure, I have a scar on my arm, which I didn't even care off. I wouldn't be marrying off to anyone, so I don't have anyone to be shy off.

"I don't know how you do it, but this Nana person gave you the most exquisite teachings of the art of cooking, I can't get enough of your cooking and your cleaning, it doesn't even look like you came from the castle itself." Madoka chimed, as she tilts her head down in the pot, taking a breath of my deer stew. Since Lin brought a dead deer.

The boys chatted among themselves, as I flicked my eyes towards Noll, and stare at him for a few. Shaking my head, I stir more rapidly the stew.

"Well, Nana was the best." I smiled at her. Madoka smiles at me kindly and moves closer. I arched a brow, as she whispers.

"I think God sent you here for us. Between you and me, I kept on praying and wishing for someone to come and help me. Don't tell Lin, but lately I haven't been feeling too well, and to tell you the truth, I'm fearful for our child." She places her hand on her small stomach. I stare at her as a strange ache passes my heart.

"If anything, let me know. Rest as much as possible. A pregnant woman needs to rest as much as possible." I told her. Madoka stares at me, noticing her eyes turning soft.

"You are such a kind woman. That future husband of yours is sure lucky." I nodded and handed her food.

"Thanks," she smiles and turns to sit next to Lin. I frowned, as Snow barks at me.

"I know, I know," I whispered to her, not noticing Noll eyes on me. Lin stood up and came up to me, holding a bowl. I lift the spoon and pour into his bowl.

"Thank you for taking care of us. Especially Madoka; I have requested" He suddenly asks. I lifted my gaze to stare at him thoroughly.

"Anything." I beam at him. Lin gave me a slight smirk and moves closer to me.

"In the mines, we are one man short, he hurt his hand last night until she recovers, and can you come with us?" I stare at him with wide eyes.

"Me? Why me?" Lin sighs, shaking his head, and leans closer.

"I have no one else to ask for. I won' make you work too hard, as well, no one knows you're the princess and you'll be back before Madoka comes back from her work." I couldn't refuse anything they ask of me. I'm just a stranger to them.

"Alright, I would love to." I agree. Lin smiles back and turns around to sit next to his wife. Snow bark once again, makes me look down at her.

"I couldn't refuse. Is good to leave the house once in a while." I told her.

"It is," I heard next to me, causing me to jump in fright. I lifted my gaze, to see Noll standing next to me, with a bowl in hand. It's rare to hear him speak though. Every time he does speak, for a reason, it sounds strange to me. I felt my cheeks flush, as I pick a handful of stew and poured it his bowl.

"Here, enjoy the food," I told him. Noll stares at me, and slightly nods, turning to sit next to Lin. I sigh, and serve myself. I go into the kitchen and open the back door. The sun already setting down, I sat down on the ground, looking up at the twilight sky. It's been my routine, I serve the family and I eat alone next to Snow. I didn't mind, because in the castle I have been doing that. Since father was always too busy, I always ate alone.

A sudden sorrowful feeling passes my spine, at a loud raven call. I lifted my sight; Snow starts to bark at it. The raven eyes turn to stare at me, and a strange feeling passes my heart. Like last time.

"Leave me alone, please," I mumbled as I started to eat my stew. Never knew, that Noll stood on the edge of the door, staring at me, then at the raven that kept on watching me.

..

The next day, I said goodbye to Madoka, she waves goodbye and walk down the open path.

"Come, you don't mind wearing man pants?" I heard behind me. I turned to see Lin is holding some miner's clothes. Noll stood on the side, leaning against the wall, and watching me. I shook my head.

"Not at all. I always wanted to wear it." I told him the truth. Lin nods with a surprised look but doesn't say anything and hands me the clothes. I rushed into the cottage and closed the door. I left Snow outside and I got dress as fast as I could. Placing my yellow dress on top of the chair. I rushed out about five minutes later, and suddenly Lin place a brown hat on top of my head.

I look up at him.

"So your hair won't get in the way, come." He turns, heading towards the back. I nodded and bend down towards Snow.

"Be a good girl and stay. Stand guard, and don't leave your post, okay soldier?" I salute her. Snow barks, wagging her tail, as she moves to lie down on the ground. I mentally giggle at her, and my eyes soften.

"That's my girl," I whispers, as I stood up, I turned only to slam myself against Noll. I hissed, taking a step back.

"Oi, sorry," I whispered, as my cheek flush in embarrassment. He arched a brow but doesn't say anything, heading towards the back.

I follow quietly, looking at my surroundings. Full of beautiful trees and birds. Lin is ahead of us, as he carries some of the equipment, as I took notice Noll is holding a pick. For a reason, I felt like we were in a line, two baby ducks following their mother. I giggle silently, at the thought. So what I did, stretched out my arms, and start to swing them, lifting my head up, and acted like a soldier.

"This is fun." I thought out loud, enjoying this a little too much. Suddenly Noll stops in his tracks, causing me to slam myself into his back. He turns his gaze and stares at me, at to say. .'Watch where you are going.' I took a step back.

"Sorry. Why did you stop?" I asked. He turns and points to his right. I follow his finger, and my eyes widen to see a large mining opening. Filled with men. My heart tightens, but for a reason my eyes couldn't stop looking. . I have never seen working men like this. They are all dirty, sweaty, and working with their hands and their tools I unconsciously took a step closer to Noll back.

"That's a lot of men. In the castle, I have only seen them run around, or standing doing nothing but never like this, is strange. They won't do anything to me since I'm a girl, right?" I asked, looking up at him. Noll looks down at me.

"No." he simply tells me. I breathed out, finally taking notice of how close I have gotten. Flushed, I take a step back and look anywhere but him.

Without another word, he starts to walk once again. I follow him, noticing that Lin already made it, and he was talking to everyone. I finally reach the mining, and all the men stop their work, to stare at me.

"Her? A woman you brought? You know how bad luck they are." One of the miners with long white whisker spoke. His chubby cheek turns red, noting a missing tooth. Another man, with long brown hair, a young man appears next to him and places his hand on his shoulder.

"Lin knows what he's doing, but seriously a woman? You really need more friends," he burst out laughing, as his brown eyes soften. I started to feel small around them, that I took a step back behind Noll. Noll takes notice and stares at the man.

"Work, Housho." Was all he said, but notices his voice is tight? I stare up at Noll, as the younger man whistle.

"Oh, getting irritated? I wonder why? Fine. What can she do?"' I cleared my throat. Lin took a step forward.

"She can do anything you sent her, besides heavy lifting." He tells them. The older man's eyes roam me, and I didn't like it. Noll took a step forward.

"She's with me," was all he said, as he turns to grasp my wrist, and pulls me roughly once again. I hissed, but didn't complain. Because right now, all these men are scaring me, the way they are looking at me. Looks like they are ready to eat me or something. I shouldn't judge, I'll give them a chance. Noll pulls me next to a wheel barrel, which has brown hats, and lanterns.

"Thank you. I..." But Noll ignores me, as he takes a helmet, and surprising me, he places it on top of my head after he removed my hat. I stare wide-eyed, as he places his own helmet and he places his pick on his other hand and went inside the mine. The strange man from before came next to me and stare at Noll.

"Hello, I haven't introduced myself. I'm Housho, I'm one the minors at this old place. What's your name?" he asks. I lifted my gaze and bow slightly.

"My name is Mai, I'll work hard, please take care of me." Housho brown eyes brightness up, and pats my shoulder a little rough, with a chuckle. My body stiff at his touch that I move away from him.

"My wife would like you. I'll ask Madoka to bring you to the shop, so you can meet her. Her name is Ayako." He mentions. I stare at him and nodded.

"Okay." I had no idea what to say to him. Housho laughs and move towards the opening of the mine. I shyly follow, only to stop, to hear a black crow. I lifted my gaze, to see it on top of one of the branches... I shivered, not liking this at all.

'Why do I have a bad feeling?' shaking my head, I follow Housho into the mine.

The mine itself is a long path, filled with thick rocks walls. Is damp, that I can see the water drip everywhere. I shivered in coldness. Housho walks in front of me, as Lin was right behind.

"Are you okay?" Lin asks behind me. I turned and nodded.

"Just cold is cold in here," I admit to him. Lin nods and spread his walk. "Sorry for taking you here, I had no other choice." He sounds remorseful. I shook my head.

"You and your wife have been so kind to me, anything you need, it will be a pleasure to help," I told them. Lin chuckles, shaking his head.

"No, we should be the one grateful to you. If you need anything, let us know, okay." He smiles gently at me. I blushed, but shook my head.

"Okay," I whispered, he headed straight ahead until we reach some trail tracks, old carts filled with rocks, and my eyes widen to see filled with diamonds. The walls are filled with many lamps that brighten the dark...

"Wow, so pretty." I loved the shine of it, that's all. Noll heard me and turns to face me. Housho huff.

"Typical for a woman to say that, at least you're not the princess." He started. I lifted my gaze to face him.

"I meant the shine of the diamonds, that's all, and what do you mean?" Housho shrugs, as Lin went deeper into the mines. Noll stops in his tracks, as more miners came in.

"Don't you hear the rumors? They say the princess Taniyama is a rotten little one she is. She lavish in this takes from the poor, so she can fill herself with jewelry, or court men, the little free self she is. Wonder how many men she bed to get what she wants." He bitter spat. My eyes widen, hurt pass my heart at his hurtful words.

Noll walks up to Housho.

"Shut it." Was all he said in a low profound voice, that it caused me to shiver? I move next to him and look at Housho. Housho seems to be affected, but shrug it off.

"Why, I'm saying is the truth Noll."

"What makes you say that? You don't know her," I told him, trying to control my own anger. One of the guy's barks of a laugh.

"Is what has been talk around. Why don't you think we never see her? She is too proud to show herself to us poor folks. Not like her mother. Oh, how beautiful she was, and how humble and beautiful soul she had. She would come and help us no matter what. Too bad her daughter came out rotten." One of the minor spat with bitterness.

'No, I'm not like that, I was in prison, Emilia had me locked up. I wanted to come, wanted to do the things mama use to do. Now, I have become a bad rumor.' I felt tears gather in my eyes, but I breathed out.

"What right you have to say that? You don't know anything about our princess. So please, stop bad mouthing her, especially if she's not around to defend herself."

"Puah, you're a female, of course you'll defend her. All women are the same. Noll, don't let her near me," a thin man with black curly hair spat, as he walks around me giving me a dark look.

"Oi, I..." but Housho shook his head.

"Sorry, I went overboard. You're right; I shouldn't be saying things without knowing facts. I'll see you later." I stare at Housho watching him leave. I turned to only breathe out in surprise, to see Noll bending down at my level. His blue eyes scan mine. I shiver at his stare.

"What?" I asked him. Noll gave me his devilish smirk, as he moves forward, causing me to move backward. My heart started to race. Then out of nowhere, he reaches out his hand, adjust my helmet.

"Don't leave my sight." And with that, he turns into the mines. I stare, not getting this man at all. He is so odd. Shaking my head, I breathed out in relief and follow him in. Even though, my heart still hurts from what just happen a few minutes ago.

….

I now was deeper into the mind, watching everyone bang against the walls with tier pix, or just chipping some stones. I stood behind Noll. I watch with the interest of how he works. He has his sleeves rolled up, sweat rolling down his face, and for a reason I can see his muscles move. Noll stops and turned to face me. Our eyes lock, but no words are said. Again, I found myself trapped in his gaze. My heart hammers against my ribs.

'I want to learn more about him, but he scares me at times.' He turns, breaking the connection. Causing me to breathe out.

My job was to pick up any rocks that he broke, and place it on the old crates. Many men were doing the same. I didn't mind. Even though sometimes, I get some scratches.

"Girl, bring me some of the picks; this one went dull already." I heard behind me. I turned, to see a young man, younger than me, with dark brown eyes. I nodded and turned towards my right, heading for the pile of picks, that lies on the right. In doing so, I don't know how, I manage to trip with my own two feet, and land painfully on the ground, grazing my knee. I hissed in pain. Noll stops his chipping and turns to stare. Everyone did the same and stares at me, and then laughter passes their lips.

"I told you to get me a pick, not to fall, klutz." The male shook his head and goes around me to pick it up him-self. I stare confused, but embarrassed. I lower my head in shame.

'I tripped, I didn't mean to.' I thought. Then I felt a strong hand on my arm. I lifted my gaze to see house, giving me a soft look.

"Stop laughing you idiots, she's trying hard." He snaps at them, I wince at his touch, which I automatically jump out of his touch, but doing so, I almost trip once again, but this time, I felt two strong hands steadying me. I glance up to see Noll looking down at me. My face flushes at his sudden strong look.

I lower my head and bow a little.

"Thank you." I told Housho and to Noll. Housho chuckles. Suddenly a powerful earthquake rumbles under our feet, causing me to tremble backward. Noll automatically wraps his hand around my waist and steady me.

"Avalanche, get out!" someone yells from somewhere. My eyes widen in pure fear, watching everyone drop their things, and started to run.

"Noll, get her out." Lin screams as he rushes towards the exit. Noll moves forward, taking a hold of my hand. My body starts to tremble even more, when suddenly another tremble passes.

Noll immediately starts to run towards the exit, but in doing so, the exit becomes collapse with many rocks, blocking our way. Lin stops in his tracks and turns to stare at us. (Since he was at the other side.)

"Noll," he calls out. Noll shakes his head and waves his hand as to say, 'Continue without us.' Lin nods, and he rushes his steps, now our only exit is completely covered.

"Damn it!" I heard behind me. I turned to see two more men trap with us. Another quake started to rumble, and one of the men suddenly came up to me, grasping my arm harshly. I wince, looking up at him with wide eyes. A sudden unpleasing feeling passes through me.

"Stan was right; Lin shouldn't have brought you here. If we die, you die with us." He threatens, noticing how gray his eyes are, an older man with gray hair, and chubby, with wrinkles all over. I wince, but Noll comes next to me, and place his hand on his.

"Let her go." He hissed in a low tone. The man lifts his gaze at Noll.

"She dies with us Noll. And I know how much you don't care of women, so I doubt losing one woman will be a problem with you." He hissed with anger. Noll doesn't say anything but forces his hand out. I automatically move closer to Noll. He turns his gaze around and takes a hold of my hand. For a brief second, I look down at our join hands.

'Is so rough, and so warm.' but the tremble snaps me out of whatever I was thinking.

"What do we do?" I asked, fear hitting me. My body started to shake, but I couldn't break down. I want to prove them wrong. Noll stops and glance up... Something in his eyes sparkles, and he turns to face the males.

"Climb up." He only says. The other males glance up as I did. There was a huge opening, and from what I can see, a light. Everyone nods, and start to climb the walls. I had no experience of climbing. I took Noll arm.

"I'm not good at climbing. Go without me." I told him. Noll eyes narrow, suddenly he moves so close to me, and without a word, he takes out something from the ground, and wraps it around my waist. I look down to see a thick brown rope.

"Why do you want to save me?" I asked him. He smirks at me, but another quake shook, causing me to tilt upward. Noll wraps his arms around me and whisper into my ear.

"I'm still interested in you." Was all he said, making my eyes widen.

….

Climbing up was very difficult, the walls shook and we have to dodge a lot of rocks. One of the men already made it to the exit. Noll had a rope wrap around his stomach, attach to mine. I slip a couple of times, but Noll kept catching me. Then something horrific happens. One of the rocks came rushing down, a large one. The second male, that almost made it to the exit, got hit by the rock, a piercing loud, deadly scream comes out of him, and I watch in pure horror, as his body rapidly came crashing down.

My heart stops, as he for a brief second made eye contact with me. My mind flashed, to something similar. Then his body land on the ground, blood spills over.

"Move it!" Noll shouts as I glance up. Noll was almost at the exit, and all I can feel is numbness in my heart.

The man that cursed me helps Noll out of the exit.

"Where's Jordan?" he asks. Noll shakes his head, as he turns to help me out. We stood on top of the mines, where you can see the other miners looking up at us. Then a raven croaks loud. I lifted my gaze and watch it fly away. I turned and lock eyes with Noll, suddenly the man takes a hold of my arm and force me to look at me, anger pass his eyes.

"Your fault, you brought a man's death. Get out of here, before I kill you myself." He threatens. I stood up, my legs are wobbly. I turned to head out, but because I am still tied, I was pulled back. Noll gently takes the knot out and set me free. I am in shock, that's all I was. Suddenly my stomach jumps painfully.

Turning around, I cover my mouth with a gag; I threw up on the side. Noll came up to me.

"Take her out of here Noll; I don't want her in my sight." The man shouts. I wipe my mouth and glance at Noll, tears running down my cheeks. He simply wraps his arm around me and helps me up. I turned to face the man.

"I'm sorry; I didn't mean this to happen. I didn't kill him, it was an accident." I felt so remorseful. The man ignores me, and Noll pulls me forward.

"Nana, I'm sorry," I whispered, not sure why I said that. Noll heard it but doesn't say anything. I glance up at him, noticing how dirty he looks cover with dust and dirt, and I see blood running down his head.

"Are you mad at me as well?" I asked Noll. Noll looks down at me and gave me a strange look. Then he glances up at the blue sky.

"No, not your fault." Was all he said and for a reason, his words seem to soothe me. I stare at him, and then down at the ground.

"Thank you," I whispered to him; Noll glance down at me, and stares. For a reason, I felt it, and for the first time in my life, I felt relief, that someone took my side.

The raven stood on the branch, staring down at us, he lifts his small body and flew away, with an eerie croak, echoed the woods…

..

..

"Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?"

"Mai Taniyama is the fairest of them all, and no one will stop that, not even you; my queen."


Disclaimer: I Don't own Ghost hunt, or Snow white