Building an Army

It was midday of the third day when Snow, Charming, and the dwarfs made it back into camp. Word that the prince and princess made it back from their quest rustled excitedly through the camp like wind through the trees. By the time they arrived at the meeting tent a band of men had fallen in step behind them eager for information. Their eyes held hope, but it did not fully cover the desperation on their weary faces. Worry lines cut deep grooves into their sun-beaten skin. The hardship of months of being away from their families, sleeping on the same dirt that was also home to all manner of insects and spiders, and eating meager rations that never quite filled their bellies, wore heavy on them. Red admitted to Snow that she heard rumblings of regret and talk of surrender among the makeshift foot-soldiers.

Snow White did not condemn them for it. How could she when she herself had once considered abandoning these very souls? Life as a princess had not equipped her to live as a fugitive in the forest, just as life as farmers and tradesmen had not equipped these men. How many times did she think, just for a moment, that it would have been easier if the huntsman had cut her broken heart out?

It was only a few weeks into her time fending for herself in the forest that she began to experience a hunger so deep that the berries she foraged for only teased her growling stomach. The sound reminded her of some kind of wild animal and she imagined it might actually be eating her from the inside out. She fashioned her first homemade bow, using it to take down a rabbit. She cried as she skinned and cooked the dead bunny not sure she would be able to eat it past the bile in her throat. There were many moments like that.

The first Winter storm had come barreling down from the sky without warning. Far away from any of her regular shelters, sleet pelted her as she searched for a place to take cover. She finally found refuge under the precipice of a cliff where she huddled underneath her cape doing her best to stay dry. By the time the storm had passed, her numb, shivering body was soaked through. The experience left her with pneumonia. It marked the first time she was forced to sell a piece of her mother's jewelry to pay for he healing potion to relieve the deathly cough. Soon she would have only one piece left. One she determined never to sell...until even that had been lost, ripped from her neck by Rumplestiltskin.

She would never forget the first time she awoke from her bed under the trees ans saw a snake dancing inches from her face, as it dangled from a branch above. Adrenaline surged. Her boot went flying as she threw it at the slimy serpent, knocking it from its perch. She trapped it under her bare feet before it could recoil and strike. She beat that snake to death, swinging its body against the tree trunk over and over. Images of her dead father filled her head while she meted out justice on that poor serpent until her weary arms forced her to stop. She collapsed to the ground a weeping mess. She cried for her father, for herself, and for the future she thought was lost.

She had been ready to give up and run away, until a net, a ring, and a troll bridge. Charming brought hope back to her, and she was determined to bring it back to her people. Snow stopped before entering the tent. These men deserved to share in their success, to see that their was still hope. Charming stopped when she did, searching her eyes until understanding washed over him. He nodded at her and opened the pack he was carrying, dumping the contents on a nearby table. A cheer went up from the watching crowd as the ochre colored stones tumbled out.

Lancelot slapped Charming on the back. "You found them."

Red hugged Snow, "I knew you would have success."

Claude took a up a rock and put it to his nose, testing for a smell. "Are you sure this will do what Lancelot reported?"

"Absolutely," the Prince answered. "We've already seen it work. We used it on the monster of the mines that Grumpy described. It knocked him out and allowed Snow and I to escape."

"I myself was temporarily knocked out, so I can testify to the effectiveness of the inhaled granules," Snow added.

Red gave her a look of concern. "What in the world happened? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, I promise. We were trapped by the beast and Charming crushed some of the rock to save us. I breathed in some of the powder."

"Snow, you must be more careful, you could have been killed."

The Prince was overcome with emotion being reminded of her listless form in his arms. "Which is why she won't be anywhere nearby when we put this plan into action."

Lancelot spoke up, "I'm afraid that won't be possible Your Highness. We're depending on her accuracy with the bow to disperse the sleeping agent at the right time."

"I'm sure that there is someone else among us who can make such a shot."

"But why take a chance when we know that Snow White is the most qualified?"

Prince James opened his mouth to answer, but Snow responded before he could. "Of course I'll make the shot, but let us reconvene later to discuss the details. I'm sure that Prince James and the dwarves would agree with me that we would like time to rest first."

Lancelot bowed, "Of course, as you wish milady."

Snow fixed her narrowed gaze upon Charming but addressed her friend. "Red, I need to talk to Prince James alone. Would you mind keeping everyone away for awhile?"

Red nodded and Snow disappeared into the tent behind her. The Prince wrinkled his brow in confusion. Red felt slightly sorry for him as she began urging the crowd back to their duties.

"Good luck, Charming."

He entered the tent, puzzled at her sudden change in demeanor. "Did I do something wrong?"

His wife laid into him, her voice caught somewhere between hurt and anger. "You don't get to make decisions for me without even asking my input. This was my plan. This is my fight. I'm the best archer here, the best chance that we have.

"I could make the shot Snow. I shot one of Regina's knights off a galloping horse. I'm just trying to protect you. What if you passed out in the caves because you're more susceptible to whatever is in these rocks? I'm not willing to risk it."

"I don't need protecting. I'm not going to be the kind of queen who sits in her castle and gives out orders while people are putting their lives on the line for me." Her green eyes were like lasers daring him to contradict her.

"I know that. You're the strongest person I know." He took a hesitant step towards her. When she didn't object, he reached for her hand bringing it up to his heart. "I love you. I'm never going to stop protecting you. Can you understand that? I can't lose you."

"And I can't lose you. We protect each other. We promised to do this together, remember?"

"I'm sorry Snow. Its just I've almost lost you so many times."

She answered him with a tender kiss, allowing her lips to linger for just a moment before breaking away.

"Why do you have to be so darn charming that I can't stay mad at you, even when you deserve it?"

He beamed at her like an over-excited puppy and she unwittingly smiled back, her heart all aflutter. Trying to act still annoyed she stepped back and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Stop grinning like that. And one more thing, you may be good with a bow, but I'm better."

His smile turned decidedly less innocent. "Maybe we should engage in a contest to see who is the better archer. "It might be fun."

She bit her lip as her mind conjured up images of how such a contest between them would likely go. The heat of desire pulsed through her, her pale skin became a raspberry colored beacon of her thoughts. She was so caught up in her musings she couldn't even manage a decent response. How could she ever win an argument with this man if she allowed herself to be so easily swayed by his charm?

"Let's just concentrate on the battle in front of us, shall we? I'm going to tell the others we are ready to meet." She bolted from the tent before her passion got the better of her.

Less than 24 hours later Snow sat perched in a tree, just a mere 35 meters from where King George's Soldiers were camped. Charming was next to her holding her bow, while Red kept watch down below. They were preparing to put their plan into action. The rest of their forces were stationed some 500 meters away, hidden behind a clump of hedges. The rocks Snow and Charming had procured from the mines had been ground into a fine powder, which had then been baked into clay shells. They were going to launch the shells from catapults. Snow's job was to shoot the clay balls from the sky at the precise moment necessary to release the contents directly over the camp.

The three of them watched the sun as it made it's way slowly across the sky. The attack was to take place when the sun was directly overhead. As it neared time, Snow stood up and took her stance. She spread her feet wide and shook her arms and torso to loosen her stiffened muscles. When she felt ready and relaxed she took her bow from Charming and pulled an arrow from her quiver. Charming gripped a nearby branch with one hand, placing the other around her waist. She leaned into his body to steady herself.

"You can do this," he whispered in her ear.

At her call, a bluebird near the treetop flew off to signal to those waiting at the catapult that she was ready. She raised her bow, nocking the arrow, and took a deep breath. Her eyes squinted in concentration drawing a path for the arrow to follow. She heard a click followed by the distinctive whoosh of a projectile flying through the air. She exhaled as her fingers released the bow string to let the arrow fly. The arrow pierced the dry dirt target. The wind stirred up a dust cloud formed from the released sleeping powder.

Mayhem broke as the men below realized something was happening, just what they did not know. There was shouting and clanking of metal as the soldiers scurried to put on armor and take up their weapons for battle, while trying to assimilate the threat. Snow White was not distracted by the ruckus. Muscle memory took over as in one fluid move she retrieved, readied, and released a second arrow and then a third. All three hit their marks. There was no time for celebration as they heard Red yell and realized they had been discovered. A lone soldier managed to escape before the falling dust could overtake him. He was currently charging the tree where Snow and Charming were stationed.

Red ran in order to lead him away from her princess. He took up the chase, but she easily eluded him. He stopped in confusion as she disappeared from view. He was sure it had been a girl he was chasing, how did she outrun him? The look of confusion on his face turned to shock, then terror, as a wolf materialized in front of him. The animal charged. He failed to even raise his sword before being knocked down and pinned under her large paws. James and Snow had by then scampered down the tree to arrive on the scene.

"Down, Red, I've got him."

The wolf backed away, as Prince James leveled his sword at the man and disarmed him. Snow tossed the scarlet cloak that was discarded at the bottom of the tree, over the hairy beast. Moments later Red Riding Hood emerged as herself from under the red cloth. Only then did the trio notice the quiet that had settled over the area.

Red turned to Snow, "There is no movement from the camp. It must have worked."

"I never doubted it would," Prince James said, a proud smile plastered on his face. "Snow is an amazing shot."

She smiled teasingly, "does that mean you're willing to concede that I'm better than you?

"Never, unless of course you wanted to engage in a challenge, my darling." His coy smirk still caused her to blush, but this time she was ready for him.

"And what might we wager if I were to accept such a challenge?" She placed her hand to his chest. "It would need to be something to make the victory worth my while"

"Really guys?" Red huffed. "This is hardly the time for such dalliances. Hopefully once you are married and take on your stately roles you will adhere to royal decorum and your public interactions will become more proper. "

Charming merely laughed, while Snow tried but failed to look contrite. Both of them doubted that would ever be the case. They were saved from further rebuke by the galloping of horses as the remainder of their comrades arrived to help tie up the now dormant troops.

The slumbering men were secured and gathered into a group. Snow ordered them to be given waterskins to quench their thirst once they regained consciousness and told only that they had been captured by the army of Snow White and Prince James.

After giving the captive men ample time to wake up and to stew over their predicament, Snow White and Prince James reappeared. They approached with regal strides wearing their royal robes. Lancelot, Red, and the dwarves followed a step behind. The soldiers who had been put in charge of the bound men called for silence. Snow folded her hands in front of her and lifted her chin high as she stepped forward. Her mother had taught her the importance of being a kind and fair leader, but it was her years watching Regina that taught her to stand with the authority of a queen. She would often hide in the corners of the throne room and watch in fascination as Regina enticed even the most arrogant of nobles to do her bidding with a simple look or gesture. This would be her first real test of both of these lessons. With a strong voice and direct eye contact, she addressed the men.

"I am Snow White, rightful Queen-" She was cut off by their outbursts.

"You're not the queen." "You're not even a princess anymore."

" I am the rightful heir to my father's kingdom. Regina stole the throne from me."

"That may be, but you're still not queen of this land. You are not our queen."

Prince James' hand quivered over his sword with the urge to use it to shut their mouths.

"She is my betrothed and as such she deserves your respect. She will be your queen."

A bristle went through the men as many began to speak at once. "So it's just as King George has told us." "You are not just helping her to get her kingdom back, you intend to overthrow your father." "Yes, love has made Prince James soft." "You have allowed a woman to seduce you into betraying your father and bringing shame to this kingdom."

Prince James nostrils flared as he jerked his sword from its scabbard and lunged for the one who made the last comment. His sword stopped just short of the offender's cheek as the Prince hissed through his teeth.

"She is not the one who has brought shame to this kingdom. It is King George who has done that by making an alliance with the Evil Queen. He kidnapped Snow White. If it were not for Lancelot being a man of honor she would likely be dead at the King's own hand."

Snow White stepped forward and gently placed her hand on Charming's sword prompting him to bring it back to his side, though he did not put it away.

"What the Prince has said is true. King George was able to capture me. Lancelot stepped in, not only to help me escape, but to stop a regiment sent out with orders to kill Prince James as well. Your king is a cruel man, who seeks wealth and power no matter the cost. You are knights, pledged to be men of honor and chivalry. The Prince and I are offering you an opportunity to be on the right side, to be those men again. Fight for us...no fight alongside us. We are willing to risk not just your lives on the battlefield, but our own as well. The choice is yours. There will be no repercussions if you choose not to."

"You're saying you will just let us go if we say no?"

"Yes."

"Don't believe her." "This is a trick."

"I give you my word."

"And we should trust the word of a treasonous royal?"

Prince James returned his sword to its sheath in a show of deference.

"You have my word as well. We do not seek selfish desires like George, or revenge like Regina,. Snow White and I seek justice and peace. They decimate whoever gets in their way, even entire villages. You are alive today because Snow White seeks to end this war with as few casualties as possible. We want to see our kingdoms prosperous, not just for the nobles, but for farmers, craftsmen, and merchants as well. Ask yourself how your families have fared under the rule of King George? How about your comrades in Regina's kingdom?"

"You are asking us to choose death over life. You don't have enough troops to win this war. Maybe if we joined you, we could defeat the remainder of King George's forces, but there is still Queen Regina to deal with. She has forced every available male in her kingdom, even ones too young to fight, to join her army. There are rumors that she has magic as well. Do you honestly think that you can prevail?"

"It's true she is powerful, but we are not without our own allies, ready and eager to join the fight," Snow assured them.

"Who are these allies you speak of?"

"That is on a need to know basis. First we would need your decision, your oath of allegiance to us. Each man will be allowed to make his own choice. Take the night to think it over. We will expect an answer first thing in the morning."

Snow turned to leave before hesitating and turning back to the group.

"I can assure you this gentlemen, I intend to win this war. It is the best chance for a future we have. You may think Regina seeks revenge only on me, but that kind of hate can't be sated. You may be her allies today, but eventually she will turn on your kingdom as well."

Snow took her husbands hand as they made their way back to their camp. As they were walking he leaned over and whispered into her ear.

"Darling, did you just lie to those men?"

She turned to him appalled, "you know I would never do such a thing."

"Then do you mind telling me who exactly are these allies that we have?"

A coy smile swept across her features. "I think it might be time you introduced me to your former fiance?