After Gaston had left the seamstress' house, Snow White had cried for a long time, as Ferdinand held her and murmured soothing words. She didn't even hear what he was saying through her sobs. She was just grateful to have someone to cling to, because she felt like she was drowning. Only that morning (it seemed like a lifetime ago) she had woken up certain she was in love with Gaston, the heroic, kind, generous man she knew so well...only to find out that he had done things that were so cruel and terrible she couldn't even begin to fathom it. The man she loved had turned out to be someone she didn't know at all. Her heart wasn't just broken, it was shattered into a million pieces. If Gaston is evil, what can I ever trust or rely on ever again?
Finally, her sobs slowed, and she began to get hold of herself. She sat up, reddening a little in embarrassment at her hysterical outburst. "Thank you, Prince Ferdinand," she said shyly. "You have been so kind to me - more than I can ever deserve."
"I only wish I could do more," Ferdinand said sympathetically. "Truly, it distresses me beyond words to see you so sad and upset. Especially over a villainous rogue who so callously preyed on your innocent, trusting heart!" he added angrily. "Such a scoundrel as that is utterly unworthy of your tears, dear Snow White. Please do not waste another thought on him."
"It's hard not to think of him," Snow White said sadly. "I loved him. Or I thought I did..." Another tear rolled down her cheek.
Ferdinand gently brushed the tear away. "You loved the man you thought he was. The man he deceitfully pretended to be," he corrected. "Now that you know the truth of what he is, you need have nothing more to do with him." He knelt in front of her. "My fair one, let me take you away from all this sadness and heartache," he urged. "I swear to you that my heart is true! Come with me to my castle, and there let us wed, and live in bliss forevermore. I will take care of you, I promise. I will fill your life with only beauty and love and joy, and will allow no worry or sorrow ever to touch you."
It sounded so tempting, when he put it that way. True, she barely knew Ferdinand, but she was so hurt and confused right now, and he was so gentle and kind and gallant. It would be so easy to just surrender herself to him and let him take care of her...to turn off her mind and not have to worry or think about anything ever again. Like falling into a comforting dream in a warm, safe bed.
But no. She had come too far and learned too much. She just couldn't be that helpless, dependent child anymore, as much as she might wish to. "Ferdinand, I am so grateful for your offer," she said, her words heartfelt. "But I just can't. Not right now at least. My heart is so broken...I can't just turn off my feelings and go off with someone else immediately." She was silent a moment. "I think that's something I need to learn: I can't just run off with a man I barely know simply because he's kind to me, and expect him to take care of me."
"But I want to take care of you," Ferdinand protested.
"I know, and I do appreciate it!" Snow White said. "But Ferdinand, I don't really know you. We've only met a couple of times. And after everything that's happened...truthfully, I don't want to rush into love again right away. I think I need to take some time and heal from my heartbreak and just be me for a little while. And when I finally do get married, I need to truly know the man I love, inside and out.."
She could see that Ferdinand didn't really understand. From his point of view, he had found the woman he loved, and marriage was the natural next step, especially now that his rival was out of the picture. But he nodded. "Whatever you wish, I can only assent," he said. "But may I ask your permission to court you, then? Then you would have the opportunity to get to know me...inside and out, as you put it."
He's so kind, she thought. He deserves that chance. She smiled. "Yes. Thank you, Ferdinand," she said.
"It is I who should thank you," he replied. "But let me make one more suggestion: why not come with me to my kingdom, even if we are not married? Doing so would allow you to put the sad memories of this village behind you and start a new life there."
She shook her head. "No, I don't want to start over in a strange place. Even though I've had some sad experiences here, I've also had good ones. I have a home here with Mme. Aiguille, who has been like a mother to me. I'm earning my keep working in the seamstress shop. I have good friends here who stood by me when I needed it. So I think for now at least, I need time to just be myself and try to put the pieces back together, and this is the best place to do it."
"As you wish," Ferdinand said. He rose to leave. "You should get some rest – this has been an upsetting day for you. I will seek lodgings at the inn above the tavern." He didn't give a fig now if Gaston didn't like that arrangement. "It is just across the square, and I will leave my window open. If Gaston comes back, or you feel threatened in any way, just scream. I will hear you and be at your side in mere moments, I promise."
"Thank you, Ferdinand," Snow White said gratefully. She walked him to the door.
Mme. Aiguille entered just as Ferdinand was leaving. She looked surprised to see him. "Oh, Prince Ferdinand, you're still here?" she said in confusion.
"I am just leaving," he said. He turned to Snow White. "May I see you tomorrow?"
She nodded. "Yes. Good night."
After he left, Mme. Aiguille said, "What happened, dear? I thought you said you loved Gaston?"
Snow White sighed and sat down. "Oh, Mme. Aiguille, I did! But then I found out some things about Gaston...terrible things he's done, secrets that he never told me..." Her eyes filled with tears. "He wasn't the man I thought he was."
Mme. Aiguille was shocked. "Terrible things? What things?"
Snow White hesitated. "I'd rather not say. Please forgive me," she said apologetically. "It's just that, after what I went through myself with people gossiping about me, I don't ever want to spread tales about anyone else. It just doesn't feel right. Please don't tell anyone what I said about Gaston."
"I understand," Mme. Aiguille assured her, though she was dying to know what on earth could have changed Snow White's mind so fast. "But whatever you heard about Gaston...are you sure it's true? It could just be more gossip."
"It is true," Snow White said sadly. "I confronted him about it. At first he tried to lie to me. But there were inconsistencies between his lies and what he'd told me in the past. When I brought that up, and all the other details of what I had learned, he finally admitted that it was true. All of it." She bowed her head. "Oh, Mme. Aiguille...I just can't believe I misjudged him so!"
Mme. Aiguille patted her hand sympathetically. "I'm so sorry, dear. But if what you found out really is so awful, then it's better you found out now, rather than after you married him. I for one would rather face an unpleasant truth than believe a pretty lie."
"You're right," Snow White said with a sigh. "It's so hard, but I need to face the truth." She stood up. "I think I'd like to go to bed now. It really has been a long and upsetting day."
"That's a good idea. Things always seem better after a good night's sleep," Mme. Aiguille said comfortingly.
Snow White went to bed, but found she couldn't sleep. She was still too upset over the events of the day. Needing comfort, she took Thumper out of his pen and brought the little rabbit into her bed to cuddle him, grateful for his gentle presence. But looking at him reminded her of how he had come into her life. "Oh, Thumper," she whispered. "I just can't help remembering how Gaston saved you..."
That day was so vivid in her mind. She could still see the eager look on Gaston's face as he told her he had a surprise for her, and how pleased he had been to see her so happy. Then other memories flooded into her mind: Gaston promising he would always protect her, no matter what...Gaston apologetically trying to rub out the mudstain he'd tracked on her clean floor...Gaston carrying her in his strong arms all the way home from the forest when she got tired...Gaston asking if she was happy with him...
Tears spilled over onto the blanket. "He was always so kind to me," she sobbed. "How could he have ever done such cruel things to someone else?" She just couldn't understand – it was like Gaston was two different people!
But that IS what Ferdinand said, she remembered suddenly. He said Gaston seems nice until he gets angry...then he becomes mean. It was impossible for her to picture her sweet Gaston doing such terrible things – locking up a poor old man in a madhouse, threatening to leave him there unless that other girl agreed to marry him, killing the Beast after the Beast had shown him mercy... But Gaston himself had admitted it was all true. She had to believe it and accept it, no matter how hard it was. As Mme. Aiguille had said, it was better that she had found out the truth now, rather than after she had married him.
She put the rabbit back in his pen and went back to bed. Tomorrow is a new day, she told herself. I'm sure I'll feel better then. She tried her hardest to make herself believe it as she fell asleep.
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The Evil Queen was in a rage as she stormed away from Gaston, leaving the thick magical fog behind her so he could not follow.
"How DARE he reject me?" she fumed to the mirror as she made her way through the forest. "Everything was falling into place so perfectly! My beauty, flattery, and feminine wiles had ensnared him, along with my enchanted perfume to heighten sexual desire. He was mine, just as I planned it! And given his villainous past, I was sure that once I made him believe Snow White had used him, he would be willing to do my bidding and kill her!"
She stamped her foot in frustration. "Even when he refused to kill Snow White, and I realized he still loved the girl, I cleverly turned his love to my advantage by suggesting he kill the prince so he could have her for himself. I was certain that he would take the bait! He was seriously considering it - I could tell!"
A voice spoke from the mirror. "Please forgive me, Majesty, but something now is puzzling me."
Grimhilde glared into the mirror at the face of the spirit. "What?" she snapped.
The mirror spirit asked, "I simply do not understand. If Gaston had killed Prince Ferdinand and Snow White's love did then reclaim...how would that achieve your aim?"
"Do you really think I would have allowed Gaston to get Snow White back?" Grimhilde snarled. "No. If he had killed the prince, I would have made certain that there was incontrovertible proof that Gaston committed the murder, and I would have sent that proof both to Snow White - just to horrify her - and more importantly, to Prince Adam, who would immediately have had Gaston arrested and most likely executed for the crime. Then, with both of Snow White's protectors dead, the little brat would have been completely defenseless!" Grimhilde gnashed her teeth in rage.
Finally, with a supreme effort, she tried to calm down and plan her next move. The fog-powder she had thrown at Gaston wouldn't last long. It had allowed the Queen to get away from him without being followed...but what now?
She could rush back to the cave and take the potion to disguise herself as an old woman, then hurry to the seamstress' house where Snow White was...but what would she do once she got there? It was late at night. Even Snow White would think it odd for a strange old woman to show up at the door so unexpectedly.
Grimhilde thought quickly, trying to come up with a plan. "I haven't the physical strength to kill Snow White myself. I would have to persuade and trick her somehow...But persuasion takes time!" she fumed. "Mirror, show me Snow White!"
The mirror obliged, and the face disappeared to reveal Snow White asleep in her bed, while the seamstress was in the living room, staying up to finish sewing a dress by candlelight.
""Bah! She isn't even alone in the house!" the Evil Queen said in frustration. She shook her head. "No, it simply won't do. Even with all my cunning, I would not be able to get Snow White alone, and I wouldn't have enough time to talk her into anything before the fog wore off and Gaston raced to the house to warn her about me. As eager as I am to kill the little wretch, it will not do to be rash and impulsive. Going to Snow White now will only get me caught. As frustrating as it is, I must be patient and cunning, and wait for the right moment to strike."
She pondered likely scenarios, like a chess player plotting her strategy. Gaston will try to warn Snow White about me...that much is certain, she thought. Even though she doesn't trust him now, she will still be on her guard. And once she tells the prince about me, he will no
doubt make certain to guard her at every moment. In fact, he'll be guarding her either way, because he thinks Gaston might harm her. She won't be left vulnerable for even a moment!
She glowered angrily. There HAD to be a way! "I must hide in the cave and lay low for a while," she finally decided. "I must lull them all into a false sense of security, make them think the danger has passed. The prince can't guard Snow White every second of the day forever. Once they let their guard down, that is when I shall strike. And I will use the time to devise a clever plan to kill Snow White...something they will NEVER suspect until it is too late!"
With that idea in mind, she hurried to the cave to consult her spell book. She would find the perfect way to kill Snow White, and be ready as soon as the opportune moment arrived.
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Snow White had been asleep only a little while when she was suddenly awakened by the sound of insistent knocking, followed by voices that got increasingly louder. Quickly she pulled on her robe and cautiously came out of the bedroom to see what was going on.
She gasped when she saw Gaston standing at the front door, arguing with Mme. Aiguille. "But I have to talk to her!" Gaston was saying.
"Then give me the message and I'll tell her in the morning!" Mme. Aiguille said sharply. "It's late and she's asleep!"
Gaston suddenly saw Snow White and immediately pushed past Mme. Aiguille into the house. "Snow!"
Snow White instantly thought of what Ferdinand had said – that Gaston became violent if he didn't get what he wanted. Earlier she had called him a monster and told him to leave. Now, late at night, he had come back and forced his way into the house! Frightened, she shrank back against the wall as he came toward her.
But Gaston abruptly stopped short when he saw the expression on her face. "Aw, Snow – don't look at me like that," he said softly, looking hurt. He sighed. "Look...I know I've done bad things in the past, things I shouldn't have. But I would never hurt you. Never. You have to know that! I promised to always protect you, remember? That's all I'm trying to do – keep you safe." He backed away until he was standing near the front door. "I'll just stand over here. I won't come near you. All right?"
"All right," she said in a small voice, not knowing what to think anymore. "What do you want?"
"I just came to warn you. Your stepmother knows you're here. She's in the forest near the village."
"What?" Snow White gasped. "My stepmother is here?"
Gaston nodded. "I saw her. She's tall, and she was wearing purple robes, and a black cape with a white collar, and she wore a hood over her hair, and a crown on top of that. And she has a magic mirror. She uses it to spy on you."
Panicked by the news, Snow White struggled to think. If this had happened only a few days ago, she would have simply relied on Gaston to keep her safe. Now, she didn't know what to do, or even whether to trust what he had said. It might be a trick on his part – Ferdinand had said he was clever at lying. But if he knows what my stepmother looks like, it MUST be true, mustn't it? She felt so inexperienced, so unsure and lost.
Suddenly an idea came to her. "Go tell Ferdinand. He'll know what to do."
Gaston frowned at the mention of his rival. "You want me to talk to him?"
"Yes," she said firmly. "He wants to protect me too. So go tell him what you saw." She was proud of herself for thinking of this idea. If Gaston was lying, Ferdinand would figure it out. But if Gaston was telling the truth, then Ferdinand would know what to do and how best to keep her safe. Either way it was the right choice.
Gaston sighed. "All right," he said reluctantly. "Where is he?"
"He's staying at the inn over the tavern," Snow White said.
"All right. I'm going. Stay inside and keep the doors locked," Gaston said. "I don't know if the Queen will try anything tonight, but you need to be careful." He looked at Mme. Aiguille, who was glaring at him. "I'm sorry for pushing past you, Mme. Aiguille. It was important."
She "harrumphed" indignantly.
Gaston left. Snow White said to the seamstress, "Mme. Aiguille, if my stepmother knows I'm here, maybe I should find another place to stay. I don't want you to be in any danger."
"Nonsense!" Mme. Aiguille said briskly. "You're like a daughter to me. I'd never forgive myself if you left and something happened to you! Whatever happens, we're in this together."
"Thank you, Mme. Aiguille," Snow White said gratefully, touched by her loyalty.
"Don't worry," Mme. Aiguille said reassuringly. "You now have TWO brave, strong men protecting you! What can your stepmother possibly do against them?"
Snow White could only hope she was right.
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The tavern was locked at this late hour. Gaston knocked loudly and impatiently until the tavern keeper finally woke up and came bleary-eyed to the door. "Gaston!" he said in surprise. "What's going on?"
"I need to talk to Prince Ferdinand," Gaston said, pushing past him into the tavern. "Where is he?"
The tavern keeper followed him in anxiously. "Gaston, I don't want any trouble," he said nervously. "I can't afford to have a brawl in here! Things will get smashed-"
"I'm not here to fight him," Gaston said. "Just get him down here! I need to talk to him."
"All right," the tavern keeper acquiesced. "But...could you wait outside? Please?"
"Fine," Gaston grumbled, going back outside.
A few minutes later, Prince Ferdinand emerged from the tavern, fully dressed and with his sword drawn and ready. "I warned you that I would defend myself," he said. "But if you are foolish enough to disregard my warning, so be it. Reap the consequences of your actions!"
"I didn't come here to fight!" Gaston said, irritated. It annoyed him that even when he was trying to do the right thing, the prince automatically assumed the worst of him.
Ferdinand paused, then lowered the sword, although he didn't sheath it. "Then why are you here, villain?"
"Stop calling me that!" Gaston snapped. "I'm here because Snow is in danger. And not from me, no matter what you think! Her stepmother is here."
Ferdinand frowned. "Her stepmother?" he repeated in confusion.
"Oh, you don't know about that, do you?" Gaston realized. He felt a bit smug, knowing something important about Snow White that Ferdinand didn't. "Snow's stepmother is the Queen. She's jealous because Snow is more beautiful than she is. So she wants to kill her."
"What?" Ferdinand was horrified. "How do you know this?"
"That's how I met Snow," Gaston explained. "I was in the forest in her kingdom, and I saw the Queen's royal huntsman about to kill her. I saved her life," he added proudly. "The huntsman explained that the Queen had ordered him to kill her, and that she would stop at nothing. So I brought Snow here to my village, to keep her safe."
Ferdinand digested this. "And now the Queen is here?"
Gaston nodded. "Yes. I saw her."
"What was she doing when you saw her?" Ferdinand asked.
"Trying to seduce me," Gaston answered, unable to resist bragging.
Ferdinand rolled his eyes. "I don't believe a word of this."
"It's the truth," Gaston said. "She wanted to persuade me to join her side, because she knew I would be jealous of you and Snow. First she tried to convince me to kill Snow. When I refused, she tried to convince me to kill you." Seeing Ferdinand's grip tighten on his sword, he added, "Relax. I said no to that, too."
"Because you knew you could never defeat me," Ferdinand said.
I REALLY hate this guy! Gaston thought. "No, because it would upset Snow!" he said. He glared at Ferdinand. "I'll be honest: I don't like you. In fact, I can't stand you. But I love Snow. I want her to be happy. So if you're the one she truly loves, then I'm not going to stand in your way. Although I don't know what she sees in you," he couldn't resist adding.
"Perhaps it's the fact that I've never threatened an innocent old man, or tried to force a maiden to marry me against her will," Ferdinand said dryly.
Gaston wanted so much to punch him, but managed to restrain himself.
Ferdinand went on, "How do I know this isn't a trick? Maybe you are in league with the Queen." .
"Then why would I warn you about her?" Gaston pointed out. "Look. Snow told me to tell you everything, because she says you want to protect her. So, protect her! That's all. But be careful. The Queen has a magic mirror that she's been using to spy on all of us."
He started to walk away, then turned back. "One more thing. If Snow loves you, you'd better make her happy!" he said threateningly. "Don't you ever do anything to upset her or make her cry!"
"Don't worry," Ferdinand said. "I'm not you."
Gaston gritted his teeth and strode back to his house before he did something he'd regret. Snow wouldn't like it if I beat up the man she loves, he reminded himself. But just thinking of that smug prince as "the man Snow loves" made him want to break something. Trying to be "good" and "honorable" was a lot harder than doing whatever the hell he felt like.
Still, as annoying as the prince was, he did have one good quality: he was dedicated to protecting Snow White. Now that he'd been warned, it would be a lot harder for Grimhilde to get at her. The only important thing right now is keeping Snow White safe, Gaston thought.
Maybe if he kept focusing on that, he wouldn't have to think about the fact that he'd lost her.