Sand and Strife

Red watched as Snow shoved the last few things into her pack in preparation to leave on the quest to find the magic sleeping powder.

"I should be going with you."

"I know how much you want to, but I need you here. The men do not yet fully trust Lancelot. They will look to you as their leader."

"But I should be there to protect you."

Snow took her friends hands in hers. "Please, Red. I need someone I trust here. I will have Charming and the dwarfs with me. Besides, you know that I am more than capable of taking care of myself."

As if to reassure Red of her capabilities, Snow opened the trunk where she kept her weapons. She placed a small knife in each of her her boots. One was thin and straight, designed for accuracy in throwing. The other was a little larger with a sturdy grip, and better suited to hand to hand combat if an enemy managed to get that close. Next, she picked up her bow and checked the tension on the string before strapping it on her back. Satisfied that her weapons were in order, she stood up just as Prince James came into the tent. He looked down and blushed at Red's knowing glare. Relieved when she said nothing, he addressed Snow.

"We are ready whenever you are my darling."

"I'm ready." Snow hugged Red. "Don't worry. I will be back in two days time."

It was almost a full days journey to the mouth of the dwarf mines. Charming tried many times to get Snow alone, still wanting to discuss her insistence on keeping their marriage quiet. He became increasingly frustrated in his efforts as Grumpy and Doc stuck to her like glue. Even when he simply tried to walk next to her, Grumpy would somehow manage to insert himself between them. Snow seemed to be oblivious to the increased tension between himself and the dwarfs. Her seeming disregard for his efforts only frustrated him further. By the time that they got to their destination he had lapsed into a brooding silence.

Grumpy dropped his knapsack in a clearing near the mine entrance. "Dark is quickly approaching. We should camp here for the night and make our way into the mines in the morning."

Charming grumbled, "What does it matter if it gets dark? Isn't it dark inside the mines anyway? I think we should keep going so we can make it back as soon as possible."

"It is better to be well rested when you enter the mines. Surely you can see that Snow is tired?"

Charming folded his arms and jutted his chin forward. "I think I know Snow better than you, after all she is my...fiance."

He had almost said wife. His chest was bursting with the desire to shout it out. For a second he wished he had, until he looked at the panicked face of his love. He was disappointed with himself for almost blurting out the truth. He wanted to trust she had a good reason for the secrecy, but his heart still hurt over it.

"I'm going to go look for some wood to start a campfire."

Snow moved to follow him. "Wait, I'll go with you."

His relief at her declaration was short lived as Doc stepped forward. "Snow, surely the prince can manage to collect wood on his own. I think we would be much better served if you took your bow and went in search of food before it gets too dark."

Snow hesitated a moment before nodding at Doc. "You're right. I shall see what I can find."

Their mission needed to be their top priority right now. Too many lives were depending on their successful return. Her face softened with love and regret as she gave Charming a last look before she turned and headed in the opposite direction. He watched her walk away. He understood, but he was still disappointed. Fate, it seemed, was always playing against them. They had been fighting to be together since they met. Surely true love wasn't supposed to be this hard. With a sigh, he turned his attention to finding firewood.

Grumpy and Doc set up camp while waiting for the two to return. It didn't take David long and they had a nice fire going. The stew pot ready when Snow arrived back holding up a pheasant. The evening meal was a quiet affair as the weariness of the long day set in. They talked briefly about the plan for the following day and what Snow and Charming could expect to encounter as they were lowered into the caverns below the mine shafts. Afterward, the dwarfs moved to the opposite side of the camp to enjoy their pipe tobacco. Charming took the opportunity to place his arm around Snow's shoulders. She melted into him taking in his masculine scent. The mixture of pine, campfire smoke, and musk was soothing to Snow. Charming closed his eyes and held her closer as he felt the tension leave her body. He chose not to break the tranquility of the moment by bringing up the marriage issue. They were both on the edge of slumber when they were disturbed by Grumpy clearing his throat.

"We should retire for the evening so we can get an early start in the morning."

With great reluctance, Snow peeled herself from the arms of her love. She withdrew to the only tent. The men each found a spot on the ground. Sleep eluded Charming as his mind wrestled with thoughts about the dangers ahead, his future with Snow, and all the people depending on him, a mere shepherd. He fought to hold onto his faith, but as sleep finally came, dreams overtook him, and faith slipped through his fingers.

He was at the farm talking to his mother when thought he heard the faintest of sounds. He cocked his head and raised his hand, signaling his mother to silence.

"Get in the house and stay there."

His sword ripped from its scabbard just as he was surrounded by men. The one in front shot his crossbow. David ducked and rolled just in time. The arrow flew past him to strike the chest of a second knight on horseback behind him. Coming out of his roll in one swift move, he grabbed and raised the arms of the knight to his left splitting open their mid-section with a slice of his sword. Turning to his right, he parried with the enemy there, while managing to kick away another attacker from behind. A well-placed elbow to the head gave David space to twist and knock the two attackers into each other. He vaulted onto a nearby wagon just as more foes entered the fray. The height advantage allowed him to easily eliminate out the last three knights.

Silence descended as the skirmish ended. Relief flowed through David.

Then he heard it.

"Son?"

He ran.

Those few short strides were the longest of his life as he sprinted to her stumbling form. He made it to her just as her knees buckled and her body twisted into his arms. He took her gently to the ground, bile rising at the sight of an arrow protruding from his mother's chest. Before he could figure out what to do, he felt her weight lift from his arms as the body of his mother disappeared in a curling, crimson smoke. Cruel laughter sent a shiver through his body. He looked up to see the Evil Queen standing there. The taunting sound issued from her mouth as she stood with her hand on her hip. Her ridiculous black dress so tight that her body heaved with each breath. The skirt billowed out from her hips in layers of material so that she appeared to glide across the ground as she moved towards him.

David shot up to confront her. "What have you done?"

"I had nothing to do with this. This is what happens when a shepherd boy tries to play Prince."

A cry of grief mixed with rage erupted from David's mouth as he rushed the Queen intent on inflicting harm. He was tossed back with a magical flick of her wrist. Not giving up, he jumped back into a fighting stance, but he had no time to attack before the branches from the tree above him came to life. The bark slithered around his torso and his arms, lifting him up so he dangled in the air. As he fought to break free, a tiny tendril came and wrapped itself around his neck. Veins bulged from his forehead. The only air he could get came in short, swift, snorts.

"So brave…yet you failed to save your mother from a handful of knights. Are you still foolish enough to believe you will be able to save Snow White from me?"

The Queen raised her hand and David felt the branches tighten, restricting the flow of air from his throat. No longer able to breathe, he kicked and thrashed with all his might. The Queen laughed as his efforts did nothing. He was powerless against her magic. Powerless to save himself or his love.

A strange gurgling awoke Snow from her slumber. Still groggy, she emerged from her tent seeking the cause of the sound. Her pulse quickened when she realized it was coming from David.

"Charming!"

She took off across the camp, giving no mind to her bare feet. She stumbled to a stop when a strange, sand colored creature lifted up from her beloveds chest to face her. The head and neck danced like a cobra, but this was no snake. At least 10 arms reached out from it's underbelly, each with three blades that spun in a circle. The creature made no noise, even as it unhinged it's jaw to bare it's teeth at her. She screamed when a burst of sand shot forth from it's mouth. The grains felt like needles as it pelted her. To Snow's good fortune…and Charming's… her scream roused Grumpy.

"What's going on here?"

The barrage of sand needles stopped as the creature's head swiveled sharply toward Grumpy. Snow took full advantage of the opportunity. She leapt up and grabbed a small branch on the tree above her, snapping it off. Her feet hit the ground just as the creature returned its attention to her, its mouth gaping. She threw the branch like a javelin, hitting the animal in the throat. Charming woke up and the monster exploded around her in a swirling cyclone of sand. When she at last felt safe to open her eyes the creature was gone. Snow fell to her knees near Charming, checking for signs he was okay. He sat up, coughing and choking for air. Tears of relief overwhelmed Snow, as she watched him take in deep breaths of air.

"What happened Charming? What was that thing?"

"What are you talking about? What thing?" He questioned, not realizing he'd actually been attacked. He thought it had all been a dream.

"That sand monster that almost killed you."

Grumpy moved in closer to join the conversation. "He didn't see it. He was trapped in the dream that brought it."

Snow rose to her feet, dusting off the layer of sand that was covering her. "What do you mean the dream that brought it?"

"That was a sand demon. They are a creation of the sandman, his pets. He sends them out when a person's fears are so powerful that they cause dreams where their fears come to life. These beings feed off that fear, stealing it from the victims breath. If the dream lasts too long, the person can actually die from breathing in sand particles which fill up their lungs, causing them to asphyxiate."

"I thought the sandman brought good dreams to children."

"That's the story they tell to try and keep children from being afraid to fall asleep."

Snow reached for Charming's hand, caressing the top of it with her thumb. "What did you dream about? Is something frightening you?"

"I'm sure that Grumpy is over-exaggerating, as usual. I didn't have any dreams." He stood and kissed Snow lightly on the cheek before busying himself with cleaning away the sand that had accumulated.

"I saw the sand demon. It was exactly as Grumpy said. He was hovering over you. "

Grumpy ran his hand along his beard, as he eyed the prince. "Only dreams with the strongest of fears can call forth the sand demon."

"Well, if I had a dream I certainly don't remember it." Charming picked up the cape he had been using as ground cover. "I'm going to go shake this out. Then I suggest that we pack up and get on our way. It's almost morning anyway, so I doubt we would get much more sleep tonight." He turned and walked into the wooded area behind Snow's tent. Worried, she started to follow him, but Grumpy grabbed her arm before she could.

"Your Prince needs to face his fear or he's going to put us all in danger, sister."

"Charming is the bravest man I know."

"And yet that critter chose to steal his breath over any of ours."

Doc, who had remained quiet up until now stepped forward. He removed his glasses and cleaned them on his tunic before he placed them back atop his nose. "You know, the bravest men are often those with the strongest fears."

"He's our prince, and he has always shown fierce courage and unshakable faith. He has saved us multiple times and I won't let you disparage him." Snow turned to follow Charming. She found him leaning on a tree just a few feet into the woods.

"Hey."

"Hey." He looked her way briefly, before staring back down at his boots.

Awkward silence descended upon them. She studied him, trying to read his face

"It's okay to be scared."

"Snow, I'm not-"

"Do you think I'm not scared too? I'm scared the evil queen's magic makes her invincible. I'm scared that I've led these people down a road that will bring their death. I'm scared that you and I will never have the family that we dream of."

Charming yanked her into his arms, crushing her against him. "We will have that family Snow, I promise you."

"Don't make promises you can't keep."

"Snow look at me." He loosened his hold so she could meet his gaze. "I love you. I will never stop fighting for you, for us, for this kingdom. Fear is powerful, but you know how you defeat it? With hope…with love…and nobody has more of that than you and I."

Snow wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down, kissing him soundly. Oh, how she loved this man. Her valiant prince.

Charming took her by the hand. "It's almost morning. Let's go tell the dwarves it's time to pack up and head for the mines.

Snow nodded, confident that whatever those caverns might hold, together she and Charming could conquer it.