Fairytales

by Mia Story

The Queen storms into Snow and Charming wedding and curses them to tumble endlessly from fairytale to fairytale always looking for each other. The moment they share true love's kiss the story changes...Infinite stories, infinite possibilities. Snowing into every fairytale ever... Come along for the ride.

10. Mulan

Snow is hiding behind the large oak, panting, trying hard to stay silent, waiting for two villagers to walk by.

"Little John, did you hear that Gavin died?" the one asks. "Prince James' legendary archer?"

"Yes! I heard. He got killed when they were chasing that chimera last month?"

"Right, so I hear that prince James is looking to replace him. He is not happy with any of the archers in his father's army and he is looking for someone with amazing archery skills..."

"Can you imagine working for prince James, always hunting some sort of monster or other...You are a great archer, Robin. Won't you go try out? Getting a steady wage...Marion might like that for a change..."

"Oh, no brother. A great archer I might be, but I'm no good at taking orders or bowing my head," Robin laughs.

"Yes, I see what you mean..." Little John shrugs.

"Besides, James is not all adventure and games. He can be a cold-hearted calculating scoundrel and I want nothing to do with someone like that..."

"What do you mean?"

"Did you hear what he did to the giants?"

"What? No, I didn't. What did he do?"

"Oh, you don't know. I'm not surprised the palace isn't advertising that grand adventure," the Robin chuckles. " That's because if people knew what he is really like...well they wouldn't think that great of their prince...I have it on good authority that he attacked the giants to steal their gold and slaughtered them in cold blood..."

Snow still breathing fast from her last encounter with the black knights. As the two men walk away she doesn't get to hear the rest of the conversation. She doesn't need to. Prince James is looking for an archer. If she were to join James' special team, if she were to be a fighter for the Southern kingdom, the Evil Queen would never find her. The Evil Queen would never think to look for her there. This is a great idea, she thinks except for one minor detail. Prince James is looking for a man to join his team. A man, not a runaway princess. But maybe, just maybe if she cut her hair...

Snow walks to the lake and looks at her reflection in the water. If she cut her hair sorter, or if she pulled it back, maybe just maybe she could pass for a young man. Once again she hears footsteps and she hides behind a tree. Three more black knights walk by. The Queen is getting closer and closer.

She walks to the nearest city and trades her last coins for a gray tunic, a pair of loose fitting pants and a horse. She rushes back to the forest and she wraps her breasts tight, as tight as she can bear then she wears the gray tunic above her new pants.

She pulls out her dagger and she starts chopping off her hair. This is a desperate plan but it will work. She looks at her long locks now on the ground. No time for tears she thinks, it's just hair. Will this work? Is this enough of a change? She looks at her reflection in the mirror. She thinks she could pass for a young man, not older than eighteen. But will the royals agree with her? Only one way to find out. She mounts the horse and she makes her way to the Southern kingdom. She is standing by the Southern gate waiting to be admitted into the castle when the crowd pulls back. Snow looks to see what is causing the commotion. The Dark One is coming through, followed by a man about her age, blue eyes, blond hair, dressed like a prince.

"Prince James", the crowd whispers and they bow.

Snow looks at the prince. Something about him doesn't fit, she thinks. He looks lost, confused. He is doing his best to hide it, standing tall, his hand on his sword but she can see right through him. And then their eyes meet and she smiles. She doesn't know why. His eye linger on her for a brief second and then he follows the Dark one into the castle.

Snow watches him walk away, unexpectedly fascinated by him when a guard who has been trying to get her attention loses his patience and yells at her.

"State your business, lad, I don't have all day!"

Snow tries to suppress her smile. The guard thinks she is a guy.

"I'm here to join prince James' fighters. I'm an archer..."

"Are you now?" It's the guard's turn to try not to laugh. "How old are you? Fifteen?"

"My age don't matter," Snow shrugs, trying hard to sound like a peasant. "Put something in front of me and I'll hit it, no matter how far it is, or how fast it's going" she says looking right at him. "Just you wait and see..."

"Alright!" the guard laughs and slaps her on the back good-naturedly. "I like your spirit boy. The archers on trial are on the back, it's a long line, you can't miss it!"

"I'll be seeing ya" Snow says and spits on the ground, doing her best to act like a peasant boy.

The guard laughs some more and then he turns to the next person in line.

The line of archers is hard to miss. Everybody thinks they have archery skills worthy of being on prince James' team. There are older people and kids, tough burly guys and knights all dressed up in shining armors. Snow takes a deep breath. Focus, she tells herself, you can do this. Some people hit the target really close and some people don't even fire in the right direction. The man in charge, a knight dressed in white, politely thanks them one by one and sends them on their way. No sign of prince James anywhere. You'd think he'd be selecting his own archer, Snow thinks. She doesn't know why but she really wants to see James again.

"Come on then," the white knight looks at her impatiently. "Let's see what you got."

Snow looks at the target carefully. Then she turns to the knight. "You know that is too easy right?" she asks.

"Is it now?" the knight looks at her incredulously.

"Yes," she replies ignoring by his tone. "Ask for something harder," she replies.

"Alright," the knight smiles. "The red apple on the third branch," he says looking at her. Snow looks at the apple tree that is way on the back behind the target. He expects her to frown or get upset but she pulls a second arrow from her quiver instead.

"Yes," she replies, "that apple looks very dangerous, it certainly deserves to die. The red apple and the green apple on the third branch," she adds and before the man gets to respond she pulls the string back and releases two arrows.

The knight looks eyes wide open because Snow has managed to hit both apples, making not one but two impossible shots at once.

"How?" he asks.

"Maybe you will ask for something hard this time," she shrugs.

"Certainly," he replies," looking around.

"The banner on the third tower," she offers, "touch it but not rip it?"

"You are aware that destroying a royal banner is a punishable offense?" the knight asks.

"Do I look worried?" Snow mumbles already aiming.

"Fine," the man shrugs. "It's your funeral,"

Snow releases the arrow and she watches it soar, it flies high and touches the very tip of the banner on the third tower without causing any damage.

"Do you have any sword training?" the knight asks.

"I do," Snow nods.

"Alright, kid, you got the job," the knight says and he clasps her arm, welcoming her to the force. "I am Richard. What's your name?"

Snow almost chokes. A name, she needs a guy's name, why didn't she think of that? She needs something easy, something she will remember and she will respond to.

"White," she says. "Name's White,"

"Nice to meet you White," the knight nods. "Come on, let's get you dressed.

An hour later Snow walks out wearing light armor, holding a new sword, a new bow and a quiver full of arrows. Now that she is in the hallway alone, she leans against the wall and lets out a breath. She pulled it off. Nobody questioned her much. Her archery skills were impressive enough, nobody cared to know more. She's been instructed to join the special force of knights on the training ground. And then she sees him. Prince James walks up to her and nods.

She looks at him and bows her head slightly.

"Any idea where the training ground is?" he asks her.

She looks at him confused. How does he not know where the training ground is on his own castle? "That's where I'm going," she shrugs. "I'm new," she says and she starts walking towards the back. All castles are similarly designed. She has a fairly good idea of where the training ground should be. He walks beside her.

"I'm White," she offers. "I'm the new archer on your team...it's an honor to meet you, your Highness."

He looks at her and nods. "Nice to meet you White" he says but by his tone she is fairly certain he has no idea what she is talking about. This prince, is not the impressive royal sort she expected. He seems unsure, like he is walking on uneven ground. And for some inexplicable reason she feels the need to help him. "Any idea what our next mission is, Prince?" she asks.

"A dragon," he replies. "We have to slay a dragon on the dark mountains."

And even though Snow is braver than most, the idea of facing a dragon gives her pause. She turns to look at him.

"I know," he replies, before she gets to say anything else. "Baptism by fire, right?" he says looking at her.

"Literally," she replies and he laughs.

"Yes," he smiles at her.

"No worries, prince," she clasps his shoulder. "We got your back..."

"Thank you!" he says and he looks incredibly grateful. Not a prince accustomed to being served, used to being taken care of, Snow thinks. How is he like this, she wonders.

"Hey, James!" a knight rushes towards them. The prince doesn't turn.

"I think they are calling you," Snow points.

"Oh, yeah," the prince smiles at her and then turns to the approaching knight.

"Where have you been? I've been waiting in the training room for a while..."

"I'm afraid I got lost," the prince replies. "I thought I was supposed to meet you at the training ground?"

"Training room, not training ground," the knight replies impatiently. "Two different things. Come on, you have to try a little harder to keep things straight."

"Yes, sir," the prince replies and then he cringes at his obvious blunder,

"Can't call me sir," the knight replies rolling his eyes. "Unless I'm the king. Everybody else is your subject. Got it?"

"Got it," the prince sighs, walking away.

Once again Snow is left standing there, watching him walk away. Either the prince is sick and confused or something very strange is going on here, she thinks.

She rushes to the training ground. There are eight knights standing there, waiting around. They all look sad and angry. She wonders who they are waiting for.

"Well, we got to keep him alive, that's all that matters," a knight named Rolland says.

"Things would be a lot easier if the king would accept the truth, then all we'd have to do would be kill the dragon, not protect the shepherd while killing the dragon," Ralph groans.

"I know. This is ridiculous. He's going to get us all killed."

"No, he won't. He won't get to. We won't let him anywhere near the dragon," Robert interrupts.

That is something all the knights seem to agree to.

"Keep him away, kill the dragon, let him get all the glory, and then maybe he can save the kingdom by putting his pretty face to good use and marrying a wealthy princess..." Rolland offers

"All I can think of is James," Robert shakes his head. "If he knew this plan, he'd be beating us all to death for going along with it."

"No, he'd be laughing, that the greatest knights of the realm have been reduced to babysitting a shepherd, trying to show him which one is the proper desert fork..." Ryan laughs.

"If he calls me sir one more time, I will punch him, I don't care if he looks like James...it's not hard. You are the prince now. Act like it..." Ralph shakes his head.

Snow is staring at them, trying hard to follow the conversation. Clearly the prince she met isn't the real prince. Who is he and why is he replacing the prince? Is the real prince ill, missing or worse?

"White!" Richard, the knight from the archery trials notices her standing there. "Come here," he says, "don't just stand there. Listen men, I have a bit of good news. This is White, our new archer and let me tell you, don't let his age fool you, the boy's got skill. Show them White!"

Snow pulls and arrow from her quiver. She looks at them men, a playful smirk on her face. "Any requests?" she asks.

The men look at her excited. After Richard's glowing recommendations they are very anxious to see what she can do.

"How about the tree...-"

"No," Richard interrupts."Too easy, right White?" he asks. The hallow of the third tree on the right," he smiles.

"Impossible!" the other knights exclaim.

Snow smiles and releases her arrow who lands perfect in the exact spot Richard pointed.

"Yes!" the knights turn to look at her, smiling. They pat her on the back, they clasp her arm, they look at her with eyes full of hope, because it's been a harrowing two days and she is the first good news they've had in a while.

Snow decides that now is the time to use their good will to find out what is happening.

"Does someone want to let me in on what's going on with the prince?" she asks.

The knights look at each other, shifting on their feet uncomfortably.

"He deserves to know," Ralph says.

"He is sticking his neck out for the guy, he might as well know," Robert agrees with Ralph.

"Alright," Richard replies placing his hand on Snow's shoulder. "But once we tell you this, there is no turning back, you are one of us, White."

Snow thinks fast. She is in. She is already in too deep. "Tell me," she replies.

The knights huddle closer together, looking around uncomfortably, making sure nobody is listening.

"Prince James is dead," Richard explains, his voice barely louder than a whisper. "We lost him two days ago. We buried him on the hill in the moonlight, under a false name, because the kingdom is bankrupt and we need him to complete this one last mission."

Snow is looking at them nodding. So the real prince is dead. "So we are doing the mission on our own then?" she asks.

"I wish!" a Ryan replies. "Turns out the prince had a twin brother, separated at birth. The guy was a shepherd, he had no idea his brother was raised by the king. So the Dark One brought him in. He is going to play the part of James," the man spits on the ground shaking his head. "Every part of this feels wrong," he adds looking down. Snow realizes the knight is holding back tears.

Snow nods. "My condolences," she mumbles and they all nod. They like the new archer way more than they like the new prince, that's for sure.

"Alright, men, come on, the shepherd won't protect himself!" Richard says and they spend the next two hours training. Snow is a bit nervous about how she will hold up to a bunch of professional fighters but after spending months running and fighting and evading the Queen she is incredibly fit and has no problem keeping up. "Good job," Richard praises her over and over and then they are done. The men walk off to bathe in the soldier's baths and Snow stalls and stays behind, because she didn't think this through. She has no idea how private the men's baths are and she doesn't intend to find out. She walks around the castle, looking for empty rooms, places she could wash herself. The servant's quarters will do. All the servants are busy getting ready for lunch when she sneaks inside their quarters and bathes herself, then she steps out and continues her exploration of the castle.

"Aren't you hungry White?" Richard asks and he pulls her in the knight's dining hall. "Come on, I figured you'd get lost on your first day."

Snow sits at the table and grabs some meat from the tray in front of her. Most of the knights are done eating but they all raise their glasses and toast, welcoming her to their group.

Snow nods and tastes her wine. She can't let her guard down, she can't drink too much, she thinks so she takes small sips of her wine, Richard refills her glass right away. And then he walks in. Prince James, or rather the man pretending to be prince James, walks in the knight's dining hall, and motions to join the knights. The table gets silent. Some knights are glaring at him outright while the rest are all of a sudden focusing on the food in front of them. He moves towards the table where all the knights are sitting at. No one moves to make room for him so he looks at them and he stands there uncertain. He looks lost. Snow wonders what it is like to find out that your brother is dead and that you are somehow supposed to replace a very popular prince at a moment's notice, that you are supposed to fight a dragon. She wonders what it's like to trade a quiet green meadow and a peaceful farm life to the intense fighting activity of the castle. It's not that they don't like him, she realizes, it's that they can't forgive him for being alive while their prince is gone. But he is standing there lost, so Snow looks at him, nods and makes some room at the table.

He doesn't say anything but she can read the gratitude in his eyes as he makes his way to sit next to her. The table is silent. Snow turns to look at him.

"What is your real name, prince?" she asks quietly.

"David," he replies. And it's that simple act of him acknowledging that he is not the real prince in their presence that gets everyone to relax and go back to talking and drinking, bring up a couple of princesses and now the knights are arguing about which princess is prettier.

"New people need to stick together," Snow nudges the prince next to her and he looks at her and offers a half smile.

"Yes, we do," he replies quietly. "Thank you White..."

And despite her better judgement, Snow finds herself liking the quiet uncertain prince more than the very confident loud knights sitting at the table.

"You'll do fine," she shrugs. "You'll get the hang of it..."

"Yeah," he shakes his head."You seem to be getting on much better than I am..."

"Because they are too busy hating you to bother disliking me," she smiles and he laughs. "I should be thanking you, really," she adds.

He laughs again. "You are welcome," he replies. "Anytime." Then he sighs. "I've got some big shoes to fill," he mumbles.

"Are you sure about that?" she asks quietly.

"Aren't you? They are acting like James hang the moon..."

"Yes, but maybe he didn't. I've heard stories that go either way. I heard him described as a cold-hearted calculating scoundrel," she says quietly. "So maybe don't worry about filling those shoes just yet..." she explains.

He frowns.

"I didn't mean to slight your brother 's memory, I'm just saying...-"

"I know. It's just hard to be around people who knew him better than I did. I can't grieve cause I never even met the guy..."

Snow nods. "Maybe you grieve for that," she replies softly. "That you didn't meet him..."

And when he doesn't reply because he doesn't trust his voice she places her hand on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry for your loss, prince," she says and he looks down and nods.

One by one the knights get up and walk away finished with their meal.

Snow and the prince are the last ones still the table. She should walk away, she should distance herself, but she feels like there is more help she could offer.

"Do you have any sword training?" she asks.

"I do, but it's been a while," he admits.

"Do you want to practice?" she asks and he looks at her all hopeful.

"Yes!" he says looking around at the departing knights. "I really do, but they said they won't let me anywhere near a sword..."

"Let you?" she smiles. "You outrank them all. Maybe you should be the one letting them..."

He offers a smile back.

"Meet me on the back in two hours. I'll train with you..." she says and she walks away because she can't handle all the gratitude she reads in his eyes.

True to her word Snow waits for the prince behind the castle.

He shows up right on time.

"I really appreciate this, you know..."

"Don't mention it," she shrugs. "If they are against you handling weapons we should head to the very back..." she says and she leads him outside the castle walls to a clearing at the edge of the forest.

Snow faces the prince and bows. "Come on, your Highness, let's see what you can do..."

"Call me James," he replies.

"No," she shakes her head. "You need to get used to the title..."

The prince bows too and then he attacks. Snow looks at him, eyes wide open and then she blocks him. He is pretty good. She attacks him back and now he blocks and turns and Snow laughs because he is really good.

"Did they even test you, when they decided they weren't letting you handle weapons?"

The prince shakes his head.

"Well I trained with Ralph today and let me tell you you are a lot better than Ralph," she smiles.

He offers a smile and they keep training together. An hour later they are both out of breath. Snow leans against a tree panting.

"When they give you a sword they are in for a big surprise," Snow smiles. "You are really good."

The prince just looks away and doesn't reply.

"What's wrong?" she asks.

"I'm only here for a couple of weeks. They probably think that it's not worth the trouble to train me," he replies.

"A couple of weeks?" she asks. "Why? What happens after two weeks?"

"I'm only here till they defeat the dragon. Once the dragon dies, the king will get paid and they wont need me anymore," he explains.

"And what, they will just let you go?" she asks.

"That's what they said."

"You really want to go home don't you?" she asks.

"I do."

"You got a girl waiting for you back home, or what?" she asks looking away. She is surprised to find that his answer actually matters to her.

"No, nothing like that," he replies. "Just a farm and some friends and...look I'm not really a royal, I don't fit in here..." he shrugs.

"You are not," she replies."And that's a good thing... but you see, prince, the thing about royals is that they think they own everybody. So if the king here finds you living in the castle useful to his plans, then he might just decide that he owns you and you won't have a say in the matter," she replies.

He looks at her and doesn't reply.

"You've already thought of this haven't you?" she asks.

"It crossed my mind," he replies. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because, I know what it's like. I've had to walk away from royals before. You need to be ready, you need to have at least two exit routes mapped out, a horse waiting for you at a moment's notice... And that needs to be something only you know, nobody else. They've known the king and James way longer than they know you. They could betray you at any moment...Can't trust anyone," she says and she gets ready to walk away.

"Not even you?" he asks and she can see it, how he hopes that White is his true friend.

"Especially me," she replies. "I'm new here. I can't be trusted..."

He looks at her inquisitively, like he is going to argue, but he nods and he walks away first. Snow is left watching the prince walk away. And it is strange how every time he walks away she feels a little tug at her heart, urging her to follow him.

"Alright men," Richard starts very early in the morning at the knights who are all ready dressed and ready for action. "We are going into Midas' kingdom tomorrow, today our goal is to practice as a team, give White here a chance to adjust. There is a group of knights waiting for us in the forest. They will attack us, do not hesitate, you know they will not..."

"Wait," Snow asks. "This is an exercise right? We are not killing anyone?"

Richard smiles. "This is an exercise," he replies. "Nobody dies..."

Snow nods. She throws a quick glance at the prince who is still unarmed.

"Let's go," Richard says and they all walk together. The first two hours they walk in formation watching around very carefully for any attackers but as the day passes and there are no attackers in sight they relax a bit. Then they see one of the Wanted Snow White posters nailed to a tree trunk.

"If I were a black knight I'd be embarrassed that a mere girl has evaded capture this long," Robert says and the knights laugh.

"But she is a hardened criminal," Ralph says sarcastically. "She is wanted for murder and treason and banditry...".

"Yeah right, that's just the Queen cleaning house...she doesn't want competition for the throne..." Robert observes.

"So, what, do you think she is innocent?" Ryan asks.

"Well hopefully not too innocent. Look at those lips..." Robert replies.

"If you could pick one who would you rather be with? Snow White the princess or Snow White the bandit?" Ryan asks.

"Neither," Roland replies. "I don't need that sort of drama in my life..."

"Snow the bandit," Robert laughs. She has this look in her eye like she would like to have a good time, if you know what I mean..."

"Yes!" Ryan laughs. "Right there, look in her eyes..."

Snow walks on, keeping her head down. She doesn't respond, she doesn't react.

"How about you prince?" Ryan asks.

The prince looks at the poster and doesn't reply. Something familiar about the face in the poster, he's met this woman before, he is certain of it.

"Oh come on, the princess or the bandit?" Ryan eggs him on.

"They are both the same person," he replies. "You do know that right?"

"Tell you what," Ralph interrupts. "Neither the princess or the bandit. Have you seen Regina? Ooh man she can put me under her spell anytime..."

"Wait? Regina or the Evil Queen?" Ryan asks again.

"Regina, definitely Regina... the Queen is too scary..." Ralph replies.

"How about you White?" the men ask. "Wait, any relation to Snow White?"

"She is my sister," Snow replies. "Show some respect, don't make me kill you all to defend her honor..."

The men laugh.

And that's when it happens, out of the blue there are arrows coming right at them. The knights move forward in defensive positions and Snow is left standing in front of the prince. She nocks an arrow and waits.

"I don't get it," she turns to him. "Do you still think that's not real? Because it felt pretty real to me..."

He looks at her eyes wide open. "That was real," he agrees.

"Here," she says and she unsheathes her sword and hands it to him.

She is standing in front of him, arrow nocked, waiting. Her heart is beating faster. And then several black knights surround them.

"You came back to life James!" the black knight in charge says. "My queen wants to know how you did it, so you are coming with us..."

"Definitely real," Snow yells releasing her arrow. The Black knight drops to the ground as she nocks another arrow on her bow, a second black knight falls on the ground and then they are all coming at her. She pulls out her dagger but she is not fast enough. The prince flourishes his sword and attacks. One, two, three black knights are now dead at his feet and then Snow stumbles and falls down. The prince stands in front of her, blocking the knights with his body while she gets up as fast as she can. She nocks another arrow and after two more minutes of intense fighting the black knights are laying on the ground bleeding.

"Are you alright?" the prince asks. "Are you hurt?"

Snow shakes her head, looking at him. "You saved me," she says and she tries to look away because she wants to pull him in her arms and she can't do that. White can't do that.

"You got my back, I got yours," the prince nods, clasping her arm.

"Yes," she tries to sound like this is normal, two brothers in arms, like there aren't more feelings in her heart threatening to spill out.

The other knights run towards them.

"What just happened?" Ryan asks.

"That wasn't an exercise. Who planned this?" Snow asks.

Richard is looking at his men. They all seem to be well, no actual injuries. "Are you alright James?" he asks, looking at the prince who has blood on his armor and his hands.

"I'm fine," he replies.

"He saved my life, he needs his own sword," Snow tries to argue."He is a good fighter..."

"Good job," Richard says looking right at the prince. "And I couldn't agree with you more, White, but I have orders. He is not to carry a weapon, he is to be kept safe at all costs. This was a disaster. I don't understand why the black knights attacked us..."

"Dark magic," Snow says and everybody turns to look at her. "They wanted to know what sort of dark magic we had!"

"It's true," the prince adds. "The black knight said 'you came back from the dead James, the queen wants to know how you did that'...''

"She thinks we brought you back by magic..." Richard shakes his head. "Alright, that is a diplomatic mess for the king to deal with. We need to head home." And as the knights walk away, Richard looks at White and the prince. "You did an excellent job," he says to both of them. "Now let's go get cleaned up..."

Both of them nod and then he walks head with his men and they are walking together.

"Are you alright?" she asks and he knows she doesn't mean if he is physically hurt.

"I'll be fine," he says."Was that your first kill?"

She nods. "It was. How about you?"

"I've killed before," he replies. "A long time ago..."

"Funny, I didn't think being a shepherd was such a dangerous occupation..."

"Yeah, me neither" he smiles.

"What happened?" he asks.

"I saved a girl from a bounty hunter, years ago" he shrugs.

"Really? You've been a real prince for quite a while then," she replies.

They are almost at the castle. The knights are going to the men's baths to wash up, the prince is about to go to his private quarters.

"I'll catch up," Snow says and she takes a turn towards the servants quarters. The prince nods but two minutes later he takes a wrong turn at the corridor and when he sees White walking through a door.

And he doesn't know why he follows White. Maybe because White is his only friend at the castle. Even though the other knights are finally acknowledging him, even appreciating his efforts, it's not the same. White was his friend already, without him having to prove himself. And then he gasps because he had no idea he just walked into the servant's baths. The room is empty except for White who has taking his armor off. The prince takes a a step back because White is stepping in the bathtub, and there is no mistaking what the prince is seeing.

"You are a girl...-' he says eyes wide open, taking another step back.

"A woman," she replies, the tone of her voice both proud and apologetic. "Prince!" she says and she looks at him frozen in place. As he turns around and walks away she calls "David!" after him. David. She remembers his name. He'd missed the sound of his own name. Snow wraps herself up in a towel and rushes after him.

"Prince!" she yells. "Wait, please!"

He turns around to look at her. Her hair wet and dripping, her green eyes pleading, her body shivering in the cold breeze, her skin so smooth. She takes him in, the blood splatter all over his armor, because he killed those knights to save her, the look of confusion on his face, the loss for words.

"So," she says quietly looking down. "Now you know..."

He doesn't reply.

"Are you going to tell?" she asks. "Because..." because if he is going to tell she needs to find a way out, she needs to run away before king George decides to throw her in the dungeon or question her.

"Your real name?" he asks ignoring her question.

She shakes her head. Why did he have to ask her that? "Snow," she replies her voice barely audible.

"Snow!" he frowns and then his eyes open wide. "Snow White?" he asks and she nods. He reads so much fear in her eyes. He takes a step forward, he feels like its his turn to reassure her, tell her that he is not going to tell, her secret is safe with him, but she is a foreign princess masquerading as a fighter in the royal court. She could be a spy or an assassin or worse. What kind of treason will he be committing if he keeps her secret? "What are you doing here?" he asks.

"I'm hiding from the Queen," Snow mumbles and the answer is so simple he actually smiles.

"Is that all?" he asks.

"That's all," she replies.

"No hidden agenda, no sinister plan, or no spying?" he asks.

She shakes her head looking down. "Spying for whom? The Queen wants me dead. I'm not a spy, but you shouldn't just take my word for it..." she mumbles.

"Why not?"

"Because that is exactly what a spy and an assassin would say...You are a royal now and you need to be vigilant."

He smiles. "The charges on your wanted poster are impressive," he replies.

She looks up at him and she smiles back.

"I cant believe I didn't see it, your face being plastered all over the forest and you walking right next to me..." he shakes his head.

"Will you tell them?" she asks.

"Yes, right after I announce to the whole kingdom that I am an impostor," he replies.

She breathes out a sigh of relief. "Thank you..."

"I can't help but think that there have got to be hundreds of safer spots for you to hide, princess," he replies. "You do realize that we are going after a dragon tomorrow..."

"Probably," she shrugs, a shy smile on her face. "In my defense I had already joined your team before I knew about the dragon..."

"Things must be really tough for you out there, in order for you to be willing to do this..." he says looking at her.

She looks at him and doesn't reply.

"Alright," he shrugs. "I should go. Get washed up...sorry I barged in, I had no idea this was the women's baths" he mumbles and she watches him as he walks away. It feels like she is always watching him walk away. And every time he leaves she want to run after him. Every time he leaves he takes a little chunk of her heart along with him.

Snow walks back, takes the towel off and steps back in the water. Her body shivers because the water is getting cold. She lets the water cover her whole body and her face, her eyes closed, trying to asses the situation and how much danger she is in. She sits back up and she tries not to laugh. Because she is very much in love with the man that just discovered her secret. As if her life wasn't complicated enough she had to go fall in love with the prince's replacement...

The prince is taking a bath in his private quarters thinking of what he just found out. White is a girl, a woman, White is Snow White, White is a princess. White, the friend who spent the last two days trying to help him out is the runaway princess of the Norther kingdom. This is clearly too much to wrap his mind around, so he lays back in the water and closes his eyes. Snow is the one who has been helping him out the past two days. Snow had a better chance of fitting in with the guys if she'd glared at him and acted all annoyed at him like the rest of the knights were doing, but she didn't. She went out of her way to help him out and he doesn't understand why she'd do that, other than perhaps she found a kindred spirit in him, someone pretending to be someone he is not. And then he rubs his face trying not to think of how beautiful she looked stepping in the bathtub, green eyes and curves and flawless skin and red lips...What is she doing hiding among a bunch of loud opinionated men, sharing close quarters with them and fighting alongside them? She must be really desperate to be willing to put herself through this, and now that he knows, it is his turn to help her out.

When Snow shows up to eat with the knights she is looking unusually timid. She hesitates at the door. The prince looks at her and makes room next to him.

"Over here, White," he says just on case she didn't see. His face is a mask of calm, nothing betraying their earlier encounter. He is a natural, Snow realizes. Now that he has acclimated to the castle life, he is acting like a real prince, he is treating Snow no different than he treated White, a comrade in arms, a friend. Snow offers a smile and she walks over to sit with him. The rest of the knights are busy recalling this morning's adventures and nobody is listening when the prince mumbles, "come on, us new impostors have to stick together..."

Snow shakes her head and smiles. "Yes we do," she replies elbowing him gently.

"What are you two laughing at?" Richard asks.

And for the first time since she got to the castle Snow is at a loss for words.

"That look on your face when you realized we were all going to die today," the prince replies refilling his glass with wine and all the knights even Richard laugh.

"You are not wrong about that my friend," Richard replies, shaking his head, "especially since I told White that you weren't supposed to kill anyone...If you had listened to my instructions we would all been been done for" he adds and with that he launches into a detailed description of today's ambush.

"Good answer," Snow mumbles.

"I had a good teacher," the prince replies and she smiles shaking her head. "Train with me after dinner?" he asks.

She looks at him and she is about to say that he doesn't need any more training, not today, not when he just proved himself in the actual battle. But he is making an effort to treat her no different than he would treat White, offering her a better cover, and she is grateful for that.

"Sure thing, prince," she replies.

"You are really good, you proved that today, you can forgo today's practice," she tries to say when they meet behind the castle.

"Just admit that you are scared," he teases as she pulls out her sword. "Admit that you are scared that I'll defeat you!"

"I'll let you live long enough to regret those words," she smiles back and then she shakes her head and sheathes back her sword.

"Wait," she says, "you are a prince now, you need more than sword fighting skills. Have you tried your hand at archery?"

He nods.

"How did you do?"she asks.

"I did alright," he replies so she offers her bow and her arrows.

He strings her bow and then she points the the second tree on the right.

He calculates the breeze and he angles the bow and releases the arrow. He hits the tree on his first try.

"Well," she says, clearly impressed,"if you weren't filling in for the prince I'd be worried for my job..."

He looks at her and he nocks another arrow.

"Try to hit the tree behind it," she says quietly and she watches him as he aims again carefully.

There's a quiet confidence about him, a strength, mark of a man who has survived a lot and is still standing, unwavering, mark of a man who still believes. She wishes she didn't like him quite this much.

"Can you do it faster?" she asks and he pulls one arrow after the next, three in a row, hitting the mark every time.

"That's really good, prince," she replies. "That's enough for now. I don't know about you but I'm still exhausted from today's attack."

"Yeah," he replies and he heads out to retrieve her arrows.

"You are a natural," she says when he heads back and hands her those arrows. "You will fit right in with the royals tomorrow."

He looks at her and doesn't reply. It means a lot to him to have an actual princess think he can pass for a royal.

"I really appreciate the help..." he replies.

"Don't mention it, " she mumbles looking down because his eyes are blue and earnest and grateful, awakening emotions and needs that she'd long forgotten. She really should get herself away from him as soon as possible.

"Have you ever fought a dragon?" he asks.

She laughs. "I don't think any one of us has, none of your knights. I certainly haven't. Are you worried about tomorrow?"

"Aren't you?" he asks.

She shrugs. "Listen," she says and she tries to get her thoughts in order, trying to get her point across. "Your goal tomorrow is to survive. Never mind the dragon. We might be able to kill it or we might not, but it doesn't matter, either way, you stay alive..."

"But the king won't get paid unless the dragon dies," he frowns. "The kingdom is about to go bankrupt, this really needs to happen..."

"Yeah, about that, it's admirable that you want to save the kingdom, but it might be better for you if we don't kill the dragon..." she replies.

"How is that?" he looks at her all confused.

"Listen, your goal is to get this done and go home, right?" she asks.

"Right," he nods.

"Yes, but if we fail, you will be of no use to them and they will let you go home. They will have to come terms with the fact that their actual prince is gone," she replies. "If we succeed... James, there will always be one more thing to do, one more monster to slay, one more way to sacrifice yourself for the kingdom. They will ask of you more and more and more until you have nothing else to give...and you are just... you are just not cut out for this..."

"You mean I'm just a shepherd..." he replies looking down.

"No, that's not what I mean at all. I mean that you are a good man, you are not a selfish royal. You are thinking of others, but they are not. They are only thinking of themselves and what they can get out of you. They will not hesitate to take advantage of you to achieve their goals...you are not like them. Make no mistake, they will stomp all over you if that gets them to their gold...so tomorrow, make sure you survive and worry about nothing else... "

He looks down. He didn't expect this, this sudden concern for his well being. He looks up at her and he is struck by the intense worry he reads on her face.

"What about you?" he asks quietly. "What are you getting out of this? What's your goal?"

She looks down. "Don't worry about me. I gave up on goals along time ago. I only mean to survive. This is a decent, if ill conceived hiding spot for me," she shrugs and she keeps walking.

And there's something broken in her voice that gives him pause. She has no goal, other than survival, yet she is still very much intent on protecting him. If he was a real prince, not just pretending to be a royal for two weeks, he would be running his fingers through her cropped up hair, wondering if he could kiss her.

"No matter what, I got your back tomorrow, alright?" she adds raising her eyes to his. He looks at her and for the first time the truth hits him on the head like a well deserved blow. He is absolutely in love with her. He doesn't know when exactly this happened, but he loves her. He is a shepherd pretending to be a prince, in love with a princess pretending to be a soldier. Their situation is too complicated and he is just standing there looking at her stunned.

She is looking back at him, half smiling, trying to decipher the look on his face.

He can't just stand there, staring, he needs to say something fast. "Right," he rushes to respond. "Right. You got my back, I got yours..."

She nods then she turns around to leave.

He stands there, still stunned, watching her walk away, scrambling for an excuse to follow her so he can stay with her just a little bit longer. He is only here for two weeks and she is a real princess, he thinks, trying to talk some sense to his fast beating heart. He has no right to even think of her this way but he does. He does.

He heads to his bedchambers and he closes the door and then he leans against the wall and lets his body slide down to the ground. What exactly did he get himself into?

They knights ride off together first thing in the morning. They are supposed to meet with king Midas once they cross into his territory and then make camp for the night and hunt for the dragon early in the morning. He hasn't gotten a chance to talk to Snow this morning and he finds himself missing her, turning around occasionally to check on her. She is riding next to Ryan, her body upright, her quiver on her back, ready for battle. Ryan is no doubt talking her ear off, rating the Enchanted Forest princesses in order of preference because it seems like she is mostly ignoring him. Now that he knows she is a woman, he no longer sees White the soldier, he only sees Snow and he is surprised that nobody else sees that. They just see White, the young soldier whose confidence and skills are way too advanced for his years. Incredible how she just blends in, how she reads the men and manages to act like them. She's had such a hard life, she's spent years hiding in the Enchanted Forest. If they let him go, after they slay the dragon he wants to ask her to come along with him, hide out in the farm. It is certainly safer than the forest. She is looking forward, a serious look on her face and then she catches his eyes and her expression softens. He wonders if it is all in his head or if the princess might like him a little too.

They take a break to water their horses midday. Of course there is a wanted poster of Snow White nailed on the nearest tree. Of course they start talking about her again.

"Alright, what would you choose, princess Snow or bandit Snow?" Ryan asks the other knights.

"Well, not the princess, she'd probably require I bathe before I bed her..." Robert replies and they all laugh.

"Come on James, choose, princess Snow or bandit Snow?"

"Bandit Snow," the prince replies and Snow turns around to glare at him, betrayed that he'd let himself get dragged into this sort of conversation. "I wish bandit Snow would just show up right now, because I'd like to watch your sorry lot, choke on your words and grovel..." he adds. "She is probably around the corner, lurking in the shadows calculating which one of you is easier to take out..." he adds.

All the knights actually look uneasy for a moment, looking around, waiting for bandit Snow White to attack them, except for Snow who is looking down, a smile tugging on the edge of her lips. It is so nice having the prince on her side.

They make camp under that very imposing dark mountain. They eat the meal that Midas' provided and wait for the king's arrival. King Midas himself shows up with his golden knights. He walks straight up to the prince and exclaims "There he is! The savior! The man who will tear the dragon limb to limb..."

The prince pulls out his sword and looks at the king.

"Do this, and you will be a legend," the king says quietly clasping the prince's hand.

Richard walks up to the prince. He fixes the prince's armor.

"Here," he says all annoyed with himself, "you fastened this wrong." He should have noticed sooner, before the prince's encounter with Midas.

"Alright men, gather round," Richard calls out and all the knights gather in a hurry."The night is upon us. We will begin our quest at dawn. Make sure you get plenty of rest tonight," he adds and the knights nod and disperse.

"Prince," Richard adds. "You will not be needing this..." he says taking back the sword that the prince is wearing.

"How will I defend myself?" he asks.

"If we do our job right, you will not have to," Richard mumbles. "I do not want you anywhere near the dragon's cave tomorrow. If you die, king Midas will not pay and the kingdom needs that gold."

As if on cue, the dragon growls from the top of the mountain, a screeching, terrifying growl and all the men turn around to see fire and puffs of smoke coming out of the top of the mountain. The dragon is alive an well, very much awake, the dragon is lurking on top of the mountain expecting them.

"You have the title of hero but not the job," Richard adds. "Am I making myself clear?"

"Yes!" the prince glares back at him.

Snow is watching the encounter leaning on an oak tree from afar. She smiles. It's been just a few days but the prince has come a long way. On his first day he would have said 'yes sir!' and it would have annoyed all the knights because he would be playing the part wrong. Today he says 'yes' all annoyed, glaring at Richard, just like a real prince would do. He catches her watching from afar and offers a half smile. She hasn't had a chance to talk to him at all today and she cannot believe how much she misses him. Get it together, Snow, she tells herself over and over but there is this ache in her heart and it is only growing, needing him, missing him, wanting to spend time with him. And she doesn't know how to make this stop, she doesn't know how to keep her heart from aching.

Most of the knights are asleep, some in their tents, others laying outside under the moonlight. Snow tosses and turns on her bedroll and when she gives up on sleeping, she quietly exits the tent and walks to the fire.

The prince is already sitting by the fire, staring at the flames. For a moment she pauses and makes to turn around and walk back to the tent, her heart beating faster. Too late, she thinks because he's already seen her, and he motions for her to come sit with him by the fire.

"Can't sleep?" she asks sitting next to him.

He shakes his head.

"Yeah, me either," she replies.

They sit in silence for a while then they both start talking at the same time.

"I was thinking...-" he says.

"Maybe...-" she mumbles. "Go ahead, prince," she smiles.

"I was thinking that if we make it out alive tomorrow, and if they let me go...-"

"That's a lot of ifs," she interrupts.

"Yeah," he smiles, "a lot of ifs. I have a farm in the eastern valley. It isn't much, but it's safer than hiding in the forest or pretending to be a guy, chasing dragons, so I was thinking maybe, you can come with me..." he says and he waits, heart beating faster, for her response.

"If you do this, if you shelter me, you will have a target on your back forever..." she says and her voice quivers, because out of all the royals who have offered half hearted alliances with the stipulation that she marries them or she pays them in gold, this, this is the sweetest, most thoughtful invitation.

"I don't care," he replies firmly and he turns to look at her.

"I..." her eyes are welling up and she is trying hard not to cry. "I would love to," she replies.

He flashes her a big smile and then he notes that she is crying. "Hey," he says softly, "Snow? What's wrong?"

She shakes her head, wiping her eyes, she is too overwhelmed to use words.

"You are not alone," he says squeezing her hand and she nods several times swallowing her tears. He wishes he could pull her in his arms and say a lot more than that. But White is a knight. He can't blow her cover, not like this, not while the dragon is still alive.

It's morning. Snow wakes up in her tent. She puts her armor on in a hurry, she sheathes one sword on her side and one sword on her back, then she picks up her bow and quiver. It's time. She walks out of her tent just in time to see the prince exiting his.

"Good morning, your Highness," she says and he smiles her way.

"Alright men, gather up," they hear Richard so they walk towards him. "You already know the plan. Our scouts say that the dragon is still in the cave so we are heading on out there right now. "White, you are in the back with the prince, if the dragon makes it out alive you know what to do, Ryan you are in the back as well, Let's go, let's go slay a dragon!" Richard says and the knights yell once in response. Snow's heart is beating faster as she heads up the narrow road that leads to the dragon's cave. She is stepping on gray sand. Not gray sand but ashes, she realizes. The whole mountain is scorched by the dragon's fire and also by an ill conceived attempt of Midas' golden knights to burn the dragon alive. The are heading up, higher and higher and she can feel the tension among the men.

The prince is walking right behind her.

"Here," she says and she hands him her second sword. There is no way she is letting him face a dragon unarmed, no matter what Richard or the king says.

"Thank you," he smiles and she nods.

The dragon growls again and again, it's as if he can sense them coming. Snow closes her eyes, trying to keep her hands from shaking. It is really unnerving climbing up the mountain to the sound of the dragon expecting them, waiting for them, almost daring them to make the first move.

They are at the mouth of the cave. Without any further instructions, while being as quite as they can, the men walk into the dark cave leaving Ryan, Snow and the prince outside.

"Did you know him well?" the prince asks Ryan.

"Who?" Ryan looks confused.

"My brother, the prince..."

"Yeah, I knew him," Ryan replies. "He was the bravest man I ever met..."

Snow strings her bow in a hurry and waits, arrow already nocked in place.

It doesn't sound good. Two of the knights rush out, one of them in flames, the other one stumbling blindly. Ryan is eyeing the mouth of the cave nervously. They hear Richard and Roland screaming while the dragon roars.

"We got to go in there," the prince yells, "we got to help them."

"No!" Ryan yells. "The orders were clear. You do not engage the dragon!"

"People are dying!" the prince yells and he rushes to pull Roland away from the edge of the cave. Ryan runs after him. They pull Roland away together then they help Richard lean against a rock.

"The dragon is just too powerful," Richard mumbles. "It is impossible, we can't kill him...Sorry prince...tell the king we tried."

"You'll have plenty of time to tell him yourself...we'll get you out of here in time" the prince replies looking at Richard's wounds. He rushes along with Ryan. One by one they pull out the knights badly burned. And then the dragon comes out of the cave flying up high, releasing a burst of flames right at Ryan who crushes unconscious to the ground.

Snow is firing her arrows at the dragon as fast as she can but his scales are too thick, her arrows aren't penetrating. Snow aims carefully for the dragon's eye and it works, the arrow finds its mark, the dragon roars in pain and then it swoops down straight for her.

"Run Snow!" the prince yells and she runs towards him as fast as her feet will take her.

"Duck!" he bellows so she squats on the ground behind a rock and covers her head with her hands. The dragon's flame barely misses her.

"Over here," he yells again and she finally reaches him. He grabs her hand and pulls her into a narrow rock passage. He pushes her in front of him. The dragon is right behind them blowing fire at them.

"Duck!" he yells and this time as she drops to the ground he grabs on to her and shields her with his body. They run one more time and as the passage gets narrower the dragon lets out an agonizing growl because he can't follow them any more. They lean against the wall as tight as they can as the dragon blows fire at them once more. The dragon just stands there growling and, Snow wonders if the dragon is actually stuck or in pain.

"You didn't see this coming, did you?" the prince says out loud, then he lifts up his sword and he brings it down to the dragon's neck. The dragon's head is severed from his body, dark blood gushing from his throat and the prince steps back panting. The dark mountain is finally silent.

Snow's hands are trembling as she clutches her bow. Her knees buckle.

"You did it!" she says. "You killed the dragon..."

The prince turns around to look at her.

"Are you alright?" he asks and he offers his hand to lift her up. She gets ups slowly.

"Are you hurt?" she asks.

"I think I'm alright, he says looking at his hands. Snow helps him pull off his gloves. His arms are burned from when he pulled a burning Rolland back from the cave's mouth. "I'll be alright," he says as she examines his wounds.

"How do we get out of here?" she asks because the body of the dead dragon is blocking the passage they just entered. She really doesn't want to climb over the dead dragon.

"Keep walking straight," he suggests. "I think this passage will lead back to where we started." He is right, after a short hike through a very tight passage they find themselves on the road that lead them up to the dragon's lair.

"Should we get back for the wounded?" she asks.

"We can't carry them down," he replies. His arms are burned and she is not strong enough. "It's better if we go back to the camp and send Midas' men up to help," he replies. So they make it down the mountain as fast as they can. They are both exhausted. Funny, he thought he'd feel more triumphant accomplishing this task, he'd feel more like a hero, instead he just feels exhausted and worried about his knights.

"Prince James!" Midas' men rush towards them.

"The dragons is dead," he explains, "but my men are wounded on the mountain, send as many men as you have, send up carriages, you need to bring them down as soon as possible!" he says and the men bow and run to obey his orders.

Snow glances at him. He sounds and acts exactly like a prince now, he's come a long way from the shepherd she met on her first day at George's castle. Will he still want to go back to his farm now that he is a hero, she wonders.

The prince walks to the edge of the camp and waits there until Midas' men come back carrying his knights.

Doc shows up with ointments and bandages, but the prince refuses treatment, until all his men are taken care of. Snow watches him from afar. He is really good at leading, he is going to make an excellent king one day. She wonders if instead of rooting for him to get away from king George she should be encouraging him to stay, to reign after king George's passing. A man like him could make a real difference in the Southern kingdom, why, a man like him could change the Enchanted Forest for the better.

Snow sits by the fire looking at the flames.

"I have a farm in the eastern valley, it isn't much, but it's better than hiding in the forest, so I was thinking maybe, you can come with me..."

That was yesterday, she thinks, that was before he proved himself a real hero, before he earned his men's respect. She is looking at the flames trying to ignore the ache in her heart, trying to hold back her tears when he feels someone sitting next to her.

"They are alright, Doc said they are all going to make it," the prince says.

"That's wonderful," she tries to smile.

"What's wrong? Are you in pain?" he asks and then he lowers his voice."If you have any sort of injury you can have Doc check you in my tent. I won't let him tell anyone anything. I'll promise him Midas' gold if I have to. Are you injured?"

She shakes her head. "I'm fine!" she says and when he looks like he doesn't believe her she adds "I'm fine, I promise. Did he check you for injuries?"

"Yes," he says pointing to his bandaged arms.

"Good," she tries to smile.

"What's wrong?" he asks again and she really wishes his voice wasn't soft and kind, making her want to turn around and kiss him.

"Nothing, I'm fine..."

"Alright, I'll let this go just this once, but if you are coming to the farm with me, this silent sadness just wont do. You have to talk to me," he replies.

"You are still going back?" she whispers.

"Of course," he replies. "Why wouldn't I?"

She shrugs. "You are a hero now...I thought maybe you wanted to bask in the glow of your accomplishment... " she half teases.

"I want to bask in the sunshine on my meadow," he shrugs and then he turns to look at her "you are still coming with me right? " he asks and he looks actually concerned.

"I'm still coming," she smiles back and then he gives her his brightest smile.

"Thank you," he says quietly.

"For what?" she asks, her voice barely a whisper.

"I couldn't have killed the dragon without you..."

"Yes, you could have, if anything I put your life in danger because I froze out there..."

"You are the reason I had a sword in the first place. What do you mean you froze? You didn't freeze. Just wait till the men hear about how you fired an arrow to the dragon's eye. They will never believe it..." he says and he places his arm on her shoulder.

Snow looks down.

"What's wrong?" he asks quietly.

"Things are going too well," she whispers. "I feel like this is the calm before the storm. Things never turn out for me, so any minute now things are going to fall apart..."

He nods. "Well," he says, "even if things fall apart, White, you are not alone..."

She nods and tries to smile.

"Come with me," he says as he gets up.

"Give me a minute," she replies. She watches the prince as he walks away to check on his knights.

Four carriages loaded with inured men drive off for king George's castle. The king asked the prince back to the castle but he refused until his men were taken care of. Now it's just the prince and Snow riding home, behind the carriages of the injured.

The king waits for them on the courtyard. As soon as the prince dismounts the king rushes to hug him.

"My son!" he says."You did it, I knew you would!"

The prince tries to smile back. It is really strange how the king forgets that this isn't really his son, that this is all an act, that this is the man he brought in as a replacement.

"This is White," the prince says introducing her to the king. "He actually managed to fire an arrow right onto the dragon's eye!"

"Incredible!" the king says. "You are the new archer aren't you?"

"Yes sir!" Snow replies quietly.

"Excellent job, son," the king says and then he pulls the prince away.

"Come on, James, Midas should be coming in a minute. Let's go inside...you are welcome to join us White!"

Two knights show up carrying the dragon's head and Snow cringes. Her arrow is still there, protruding from the dragons' eyeball.

She walks into the Main Hall quietly behind the king and the prince.

A herald walks in announcing king Midas' arrival.

"He has done it. Everything you asked for and more, my son has battled the dragon and prevailed!" king George exclaims triumphantly as soon as king Midas enters the Main Hall.

Midas looks at the dragon's head, he touches Snow's arrow and he looks around.

"Who did this?" he asks. "Who fired this arrow?"

"White did," the prince smiles pointing to Snow.

"Come here!" Midas says placing his arm on her shoulder.

"Is this the arrow that brought the dragon down to be slayed by the valiant prince?" he asks.

It is the arrow that infuriated the dragon and almost got them both killed, Snow thinks, but Midas wants a dramatic story, he is not necessarily interested in the truth.

"What an incredible adventure!" Midas exclaims. A prince and his trusted knight bringing down a beast together, working as one! Your tale will be sung in generations to come, your adventure will be remembered! What is your name son?" he asks Snow.

"My name is White, Sire" she bows.

"James and White, what an incredible team, what an awe inspiring song it shall make!"

Snow smiles and looks down. She can't help thinking of the irony of a song in their honor, proclaiming their deeds, getting both their names wrong. At least her name will be half right. The prince is beaming at her. The king however looks rather unhappy. He doesn't want his son sharing the glory with anyone else.

"Really Sire, I serve at the king's pleasure, his highness prince James did all the hard work," Snow argues.

"Valiant and humble!" king Midas smiles. "Very well then," he says and he takes off his glove. He touches the hideous head that slowly turns into gold.

"Bring it to the palace, he instructs his golden knights. "Put it between the chimers and the mapinguari! From this day forth, may that beast's head be a reminder to us of the valiant warrior who killed it, " he adds turning towards the prince. "The bravest, most noble knight I've ever met. You have earned my utmost respect!"

"King Midas, we treasure your respect, just as we respect your treasure," King George smiles.

Snow wonders if the king has any idea how desperate he sounds. He brought in a fake son, clearly he will stop at nothing to get his hands on Midas' gold.

"Yes, yes of course, we promised you gold and gold you shall have, but I didn't get this far by thinking small, "King Midas explains and Snow stares at him, eyes wide open. Clearly king Midas has big plans in store for the prince. "I stand before you now because I dared to dream big. I was not just looking for a dragon slayer, I was looking for the strongest warrior in the land, a hero. Someone who could unite the kingdom. Someone I would be proud to call family! Bring her!"

Snow watches from afar as two golden knights walk in the room along with a blond princess who is wearing an ornate gown, a haughty look on her face.

"Gentlemen," Midas continues, "may I present my daughter Abigail. Beyond gold, beyond anything I value her most. I promised her I would only give her hand in marriage when I found a companion worthy if her and now I have..."

Abigail stands before them and looks at the prince with contempt.

"Are you sure he is the one who killed the dragon?" she asks her father and then she nods in half hearted approval. "I guess he will do," she concedes.

The prince is scrambling for the right words to politely decline this engagement that is forced on him. King George pulls him to the side and then the prince is no longer talking, he is just standing there looking like a man who was just handed a life sentence, a man who was punished for killing a dragon and saving the kingdom. He is looking like a man absolutely trapped.

" James there will always be one more thing to do, one more monster to slay, one more way to sacrifice yourself for the kingdom..."

And Snow gapes as the dream of a quiet life in the farm with James disappears, it blows up in smoke.

Snow is watching Abigail who doesn't even bother to mask her disdain, she is tapping the ground with her heel looks at the prince, Snow's prince, Snow's friend, and she has no idea how lucky she is to get engaged to the the kindest, bravest, soul in the enchanted forest. She has no idea to what kind of lengths Snow would go to, to be the one standing in her shoes right now. Except Abigail is a princess with unspeakable amounts of gold, and Snow is a princess with no kingdom, no gold,Snow is a princess pretending to be a fighter to avoid the wrath of the Evil Queen. The prince says something, Abigail rolls her eyes and that is just too much for Snow's heart to handle, so she slowly makes her way out of the castle. She needs to get out of here, she needs to walk away. Except she owes the prince more than a hasty exit. After all they've been through she needs to wish him well in his new life, she needs to say goodbye.

Snow isn't really watching where she is she walks. She is making her way through the vastness of the king's castle when she hears the troubadour composing his song for the diner table.

"Let's hear a tale,
a tale of old,
prince James and White
his friend so bold
a fearsome dragon they brought down,
down with a single arrow..."

The song gets interrupted by the king sounding very impatient. "If you include White in this, it will be the last song you will ever sing..."

She absentmindedly walks to the back of the castle, to the forest clearing where she and the prince trained together. She sits down under a grand oak and buries her face in her hands.

"Are we here to train?" she hears a voice next to her and she jumps.

"Your highness," she smiles.

"You missed dinner," he says and he hands her a piece of minced meat pie, wrapped in a cloth napkin. "It might have gotten a little squashed," he smiles.

"You brought me dinner?" she offers a sad smile.

"Can't have my best archer getting hungry now, can I?"

"I suppose congratulations are in order," she says looking up at him.

He shakes his head.

And against her heart and her brain and her better judgement Snow keeps talking "She is really quite pretty, I hope you'll be very happy together.."

"Yes, she is beautiful. Perhaps I can ask Ryan to asses whether I prefer princess Abigail who can't stand me or princess Abigail who cringes every time I open my mouth... It's a toss up really..."

"I'm sure she'll love you once she gets to know you..." Snow looks ready to cry.

"Are you seriously going to keep pushing me to like Abigail?" he asks incredulously."Because if you are, I definitely need to find a better way to get my point across..."

Snow looks at him and holds her breath.

"Because ," he says noting that she is holding back tears. "You were right, the king will never let me go, so I plan on running away and I was wondering if you will come with me...I'm afraid I no longer have the farm. The king promised to burn it to the ground if I do not go along with this engagement, but a wise friend told me to have exit plans and a horse waiting for me, and I do have that, and I also have some gold. We will have to run fast and far, and we will have to start over from nothing, but we' already brought a dragon down together...how much harder can this be?" he asks and then he holds his breath, waiting for her answer.

"If you run, the king will come after you, and if you are running with me, the Evil Queen will turn your life into a nightmare, you have a better chance if you are running alone..." her voice trails off.

"Yes, but you see, the reason I'm running in the first place is because I am very much in love with you Snow White..." he says and she gasps, tears streaming down her face. He is looking very hopeful when he asks "So, what do you say...will you choose this...will you choose us?"

"I love you too," she whispers.

His smile gets even brighter. He is about to kiss her when a white knight shows up.

"Your highness, the king is requesting your presence at the castle immediately!" the knight says.

"Meet me tonight at the troll ridge," he whispers, then he turns around and Snow watches the prince as he walks away.

Snow leans against the oak tree, a large smile on her face when she hears a man's voice right next to her.

"Snow White!" he says and she jumps. She turns around to find king George standing in front of her. "I knew you looked familiar when my son was gushing of your archery skills. You might have fooled Midas, but I see right through you! Seize her!" he says and before Snow gets a chance to react, three white knights grab a hold of her and tie her hands behind her back.

"What do you want!" she cries out.

"I want you to tell me what a foreign princess is doing masquerading as a knight in my sons special force. I want to know who you've told that my son is dead and if it is actually your fault that Regina attacked my knights two days ago in the forest. And finally I want you to step out of the way and let my son marry Abigail..."

"He is not your son!" she says firmly. "And he wants to be free, why won't you let him go?"

"You see this is the problem. You know too much. There was a simpler solution to this, I could ask you to tell my son you don't love him, but it is too late now, now he knows you love him too, we didn't get here fast enough. So now, I need to come up with a different plan, I need to decide whether to kill you for impersonating a white knight or turn you in to the Evil Queen. Both solutions are too messy. Both solutions will hurt my son."

"He is not your son," she cries out but the king is lost in his thoughts. He no longer acknowledging her presence. "He did everything you asked of him, please, do whatever you want to me, but let him go," she begs.

"I don't know what to do yet," the king continues unmoved by her pain. " I need to sleep on this one. Take her away!" he motions his knights and they drag her into the underground dungeons.

Snow sits on a cell in the dark waiting for time to pass, wondering if it's nighttime yet, if the prince is on the troll bridge expecting her to show up. She spent the first five hours trying to escape her cell. It is no use. There is a dwarf on the cell next to her. His name is Grumpy. He is pretty confident that his brother will come rescue him, his brother whose name is Stealthy, but his brother doesn't come. Snow just sits there wondering if the prince will figure out why she stood him up, if the prince will figure out where she is, if the prince will come to save her.

Three white knights she's never met before show up. They lift her up as if she weighs nothing, they throw her in a cart that has bars all around it and they drive away, far away from the castle. On their road they pass a Snow White wanted poster.

"If Ryan was here, he would ask who would you rather be with, princess Snow or bandit Snow?" the white knight asks his companion.

Snow throws a quick glance their way. The knights must have no idea who they are transporting then. Where are they taking her?

She falls asleep in the cart and she wakes up in a green meadow. There is a small farmhouse on the right and a few sheep in a small enclosure. The guards let her out and hand her a sealed scroll.

"The prince asked us to give you this."

They drive away while she looks confused at the scroll in her hand. What is this? She breaks the wax seal and opens it.

It is the deed to the farm, listing the farmhouse the sheep and the surrounding land as part of the property, naming her, White, as the sole owner.

Snow looks at the paper and she looks around at the beautiful property. Then she walks to the farmhouse slowly, her shoulders sloping. She understands that whatever deal the prince made to set her free and give her that piece of paper, is not a deal she is going to like.

It's been a few days since Snow was taken to James' farm. She has been taking care of the sheep, sleeping in the farmhouse. There hasn't been any sign of the Queen or her black knights. It is a nice peaceful life. It would be perfect if he was here, and if hear heart didn't ache from missing him.

Snow is in the farmhouse, adding wood to the fire, when she hears a horse neighing. She runs outside, her heart beating wildly. The prince is getting off his horse. Snow rushes to him both laughing and crying.

"You are here," she says wrapping her arms around him, "you are here."

He lifts her up, off the ground and he buries his face in the crook of her neck.

When he puts her back down on the ground she is still smiling and crying. She leans in to kiss him when he places his hand on her shoulder.

"Snow, wait..."

"What is it?" she asks, tears clouding her vision. She already knows what he is going to say next. "Don't," she says placing her finger on his lips. "Don't say it, not yet, just pretend you are here to stay..."

She laces her fingers through his and she pulls him in the farmhouse. She shuts the door behind him and then she turns around to face him. She looks so beautiful, the light of the fire casting lights and shadows across her face. The longing in her eyes takes his breath away. She opens her tunic slowly. Her skin is soft and smooth and beautiful and her eyes are inviting. She offers her body, all the broken and hopeful pieces of herself. This, this is how he'd dreamed their life together would be like. But it's not meant to be. And as much as his whole body burns for wanting her, he can't do this. Not like this, not just once, in a hurry on his way out, as he says goodbye. He sits down on the chair and he pulls her in his arms. He offers his love and all the broken bruised pieces of his heart instead.

"How long do we have?" she asks.

"One hour," he replies and she tries to stifle a sob.

"We still could...-" she says motioning to the bed in the corner but he shakes his head holding her tighter.

"Not like this," he replies. He pulls a silver ring with a green stone and places it on her finger. "This isn't how I pictured things," he whispers. "I thought I'd be on my knees asking you to marry me when I gave you this, but I still want you to have it. My mother always said that love follows this ring wherever it goes, so maybe it will work, maybe you will find love..." he stops talking. He can't continue his sentence.

"Are you going to marry the princess?" she whispers and even though every part of him rebels at the idea he nods.

"They didn't give me a choice," he says quietly. "I couldn't let them hurt you, I couldn't let them kill you... there are white knights waiting for me around the corner, making sure I won't change my mind," he continues, his voice cracked. "So I made a deal with them. You get the farm and the king's protection, no one will ever know you are here, no one will know who you really are, the Queen won't know to look for you here...and I'll marry Abigail and I won't ever see you again, and I am so, so sorry," he says and she wipes away his tears.

"Don't," she whispers, "don't be sorry, you have nothing to apologize for, not when you traded your freedom for mine. You are going to be a great king," she says running her fingers through his hair, "and Abigail is going to be a great queen, you just have to give her a chance. She will love you, I know she will, and an alliance between Midas and the Southern kingdom will be unstoppable, you can change the world," she smiles, nodding through her tears. "You did great, prince," she says running her thumb along his forehead, over and over, trying to convince him, trying to make him feel better. He sits perfectly still, his eyes closed, listening to the soothing sound of her voice, the voice of the princess that will never be his, the words of the archer who went out of her way to save him, the thoughts of the woman who is trying to comfort him, just as her own heart shatters.

"I love you," he whispers, "there are no words for how much I love you, and that will never change..."

She sobs and she holds on to him tighter. "Is is time?" she asks.

He nods. He looks at her on last time, trying to memorize her eyes and her face, trying to memorize what it feels like to be held by a woman who knows you real name, knows where you came from and looks at you with nothing but love in her eyes.

"Goodbye James!" she says softly.

He leans his forehead on hers, his eyes closed, then he gets up and rushes out the door.

She stands on the porch, watching him walk away. And then for a brief second her resolve crumbles, her strength gives out and she can't help herself.

"David!" her soul screams.

He turns around to look at her, a sad smile on his face. She used his name. His real name.

She runs, she runs so fast, she crushes in his arms and he cups her face and he kisses her lips just this once, a kiss, desperate and broken, a kiss, both sweet and bitter, a kiss both first and last. A kiss to say goodbye. The earth shakes around them, a bright light flashes and they both open their eyes. They remember.

"Snow," David smiles running his fingers through her chopped up hair that is now getting a little bit longer. "The Queen keeps getting closer, isn't she?" he asks. Snow loves her long hair, she must have been in a very tough spot to just chop it off and join James'men. So he kisses the rough patches of hair on her head and he runs his fingers through it. "You are so beautiful," he whispers and she leans her forehead on his shoulder.

"We need more time together," she mumbles.

"Yes, we do. We need a plan," he replies and she is gone before he gets to finish his thought. Here we go, he thinks, "one, two, three..."

---

"It's rough waters ahead, charming Prince," she says, because that is what he looks like today, he looks charming. "Regina has the royal council on her side, they disagreed with every single thing I suggested. They think I am suggesting they take too many risks. I'm being too careless with the kingdom's coffers. I told them that there is a war coming ahead, we have an army to prepare, we need to make sure our people are trained and ready for battle. But they do not want to take any risks. They insist that the war is not imminent. They think that the Southern kingdom can handle the ogres on its own...I don't understand how they can be so shortsighted. Sometimes I just want to kick them all out and just ran the kingdom by myself...Unfortunately there are laws about this very thing..." She pauses and she looks at him. "You look ready for battle," she mumbles. "Maybe you could come and show them how it's done..."

She gets more comfortable on the chair and looks back at him. The statue of the prince looks on, both hands on his sword, focused, ready for battle.

---

Thank you so much for reading, thank you for your kind encouraging reviews. Feel free to talk to me, guess the next story, comment, complain, suggest fairytales. I'm all ears.

baratta jennifer chapter 9 Jawdropping chapter

Thanks!

Austenphile chapter 9 I continue to be blown away with how you incorporate elements of Snowing's canon story into each fairytale for a unique take. Loved this one. Next Mulan?

Thank you. Yes, you guessed right.

Guest chapter 9 What a powerful and emotional chapter, it's definitely one of my favorites now! The writing was so exceptionally good, I was truly blown away. When you go for angst you go all in with the angst. Going back to the sadness scale I've mentioned before, I'll put this at the top for killing literally everyone and making me tear up about it and doing so throughout the chapter. The little mermaid comes in second place and the snow queen in third! This was truly the world of no happy endings only death and destruction remains. Poor Snow.. she really went through it this time. The only glimpse of happiness is Snow and David still having that sparkle even if it's the tenth or the hundred time they meet it always feel like the first time, and that's good writing! I didn't expect the twists that showed up in this chapter. Tiny being so evil and dislikable, not only how he treated Snow but David too. And my heart broke for the mess that Tiny manipulated and made. But I loved giant David tho! He was a real cutie and I loved the whole background story of the giants and their history and that Johanna was a giant. Also the net scene made an appearance which I was delighted over! Not all of the stories gets a happy ending and this is certainly one of them, but I love what Snow tells David in the end "Maybe I stayed alive long enough to find you, here at the end of the world" it's such a beautiful message that made my heart weep. I guess Mulan is next? I hope that Sleeping beauty is somewhere on the list because it really is one of my favorites.

Thank you so much. Your reviews make me smile. I like your scale. I'm concerned on where this and the next chapters will end up on the sadness spectrum. I'm definitely doing Sleeping Beauty, I was hesitant at first but now I figured out how it will fit in this Snowing saga, so it is happening. It will be down the line though. Not yet. Stick around :)

BooksinMyDreams chapter 9 I love this so much. Every single chapter has me on the edge of my seat.

Thank you BooksinMyDreams!

Bwayrox chapter 9This was an absolutely wonderful take on Jack and the beanstalk. It kept me guessing the whole time. I loved the development of their feelings for each other. I'm also super-excited for Mulan!

Thanks Bwayrox! (I'm also very excited over a certain M/M and David stuck on a beach somewhere :P)

mry23 chapter 9 That was adorable and giant David was so cute. This one was sad to see what happened to everyone else and how even the animals turned on snow. I liked the giant world where they would get information from the humans. Also David's backstory. I'm curious is it Mulan? I can't wait to see the twist in this one.

Thank you so much. Yes, it was Mulan, the Snow version of course.

Bella1296 chapter 9 Heartbreakingly beautiful chapter, looking forward to the next!

Thanks Bella1296!

Guest chapter 9 Heyo! Saturday review coming in once again close to posting! What a beautiful tale love about loss. The story was about portrayed with such courage and sacrifice it nearly brought to tears. Thanks for the update

Hi Saturday reviewer. Thank you so much. Glad you liked the story