Chapter Forty-Three

ADAM

September 21

Mission: Keep Snow White safe.

When I started his mission back in February, I assumed the mission would be accomplished by the end of the week. I never would have anticipated being here for three seasons already. Autumn just began and my anxiety has only gotten worse. I hate admitting that since living in this Realm has literally been a dream I never once had, every day is something new with Snow White and even the Dwarves have volunteered to show us where we could start a garden.

Of course, there are some things like grains that we cannot grow because of the soil, but the vegetables are some of the most delicious things I have ever tasted. Snow White seems happy, her reading and writing has greatly improved to the point I no longer have to assist her and she is even teaching Dopey how to write in exchange for being taught sign language. She especially enjoys taking care of the Dwarves by sewing them new clothes and repairing their clothes that need mending. She hasn't once mentioned returning to Apfel since the only time we returned to the village, but I know she misses it.

Since then Frederick climbs the mountain once a week to drop off flours, sugars, grains, and other things that we cannot grow, especially as old man Winter fast approaches us. He's keeping us stocked here so when the snow does come, we will be well prepared. In exchange the Dwarves give him enchanted gemstones for him to do with as he sees fit since he is now a smithy.

Much to my own chagrin this Realm has been far too quiet for the Evil Queen to be residing in. I've done my routine of checking the perimeters, Grump the Dwarf has taught me to patch enchantments to secure the barrier when it grows weaker, and as prepared as I am for something terrible to happen, nothing has yet to happen. I know we are safe here, but I cannot shake the foreboding feeling that we have been under watch these past few months; especially since Frederick says he has not seen the hide nor hair of Grünes since that day. That really only confirms my fear that he is in the Dark Forest, or much worse, knows where we are.

Had I discovered the technique of the Transfer Spell, perhaps I would not be as anxious. For a book of spells to be so literal, it gives no advice nor rhyme to conjure this spell. I've nearly given up this godforsaken cure and have been ready to give up a blissful future with Snow White, but she talks so fondly of a future with me that I would hate to disappoint her.

I've tried getting rid of the toxins by releasing them onto trees, but to no avail. I've tried to transfer the toxins onto some of the less precious gemstones the Dwarves mine, but I only cause them to go blackness that is easily removed with their enchanted holy water. I've even dared to bathe in a tub of this enchanted holy water for a whole week, but there are so many impurities within me that it has been impossible to remove it all. Not even the Dwarves enchantments or magics can help me, though they've been able to heal Snow White's scars and even repaired something in Snow White that caused her to fear she would never produce children.

Despite my own anxieties and fears, I can say that I am happy so long as she is happy and so long as I can keep her safe. Still the quiet in the forest and within the village is unnerving, I can't help but fear that pure evil will come much faster than I can stop it. . .

"Adam, you in here?" Grumpy called from below. Adam set down his quill in his own journal and looked to the window. The sun had already gone down and he hadn't paid attention to it.

"Adam?" Alarm and concern wrung out in the Dwarf's voice.

"I'm up here." Adam called as he tucked his journal into a drawer of his desk. He stood and quickly exited his room, closing the door behind him as he did so.

"Why didn'tcha answer the first time?" Grumpy groused and crossed his arms.

"I was writing, and I wasn't sure I heard you the first time." He sighed as he came down the stairs. In their normal sized cottage, grumpy looked like an old child in size.

"Writing." He scoffed. "That's all you ever seem to be doin' lately, that or runnin' around lookin' for trouble."

"I'd rather be ready for trouble than unprepared."

"Yeah, yeah." Grumpy rolled his eyes. "Do ya even know how long you've been here?"

"What?" Adam blinked in surprise at him. That was very out of the blue.

"You've been here for nearly three seasons," Grumpy's foot started tapping, "the fourth is fast approaching and you're still here."

"And?" Adam's brow furrowed.

"And, when are ya gonna ask for the necklace back?"

"The what?"

"Don't tell me you went and forgot about it." The Dwarf gaped at him. "You know, the pretty little piece you got for the princess as a deposit for you two to stay here?"

"What about it?" Adam remembered buying it for Snow White at the Spring Festival, though, after giving it to Grumpy he wasn't entirely sure what happened to it. He never expected to get it back.

"Well, don'tcha want it back?" He crossed his arms and looked up at him expectantly.

"Am I to assume that you're willing to give it back to me if I ask for it?" Adam chose his words carefully.

"Might be." He cocked a brow at him and dug through his pockets. He pulled out a deep velvet blue box and held it out to Adam.

Adam tried not to stare at it too hard. "May I have it back?"

"Are ya gonna give it to her if I do?" He asked over cautiously.

"I want to. . ." Adam admitted. "Though, I had hoped to get rid of the toxins in me first. . ."

"Well, I'm tired of you sittin' around twiddling your thumbs tryin' to make something happen." Grumpy shoved the blue velvet box into Adam's hand. "And I'm especially tired of holding onto it. I hold onto it any longer I'm going to just make it into somethin' else entirely!"

"What did you do to it?" Adam asked as he peeked into the box.

"Well that stone ain't glass no more." He huffed proudly with a smirk under his nose. "That there is a genuine ruby, what the monarchs of Franca would pay for it! Not to mention that it is better gold, better chain, than what you had originally."

"Looks like someone was sitting around twiddling their thumbs instead of digging." Adam snorted as he looked at the refined and redesigned necklace. It was still the same, gold chain with a small red gem that would sit beautifully on her smooth white skin.

"Don't make me take it back." He turned his head away, though his ears were red. "You should give it to her soon. It'd make her really happy . . ."

"What is it to you?"

"Don't be that way, Adam." Grumpy groused. "Just cause I'm grumpy doesn't mean I don't see things. Even though the princess is happy here, she does miss her home. And despite what you or she says, I know she misses home. She won't outrightly admit it, but you should surprise her with it at some point."

He shoved his hands in his pockets and turned on his heel. "Also, dinner's nearly ready."

The Dwarf left the cottage and Adam stood there looking down at the little necklace. As much as he hated to admit it, the Dwarf knew what he was talking about. Snow white really didn't mention or bring up the idea of going back to Apfel again, maybe something in her knew she wouldn't be going back any time soon, or maybe she knew as long as the Evil Queen reigned, she wouldn't be able to go back home. He knew that she was happy here, but he also knew that she had a completely different life in Apfel than she ever would in the mountains.

He shut the box and tucked it away into his inside breast pocket. Just this once he would take the Dwarf's advice. Sometime tonight, he'd figure out a way to give it to her. He knew Grumpy would be expecting it to be presented in front of all of them, however, Adam much preferred it to be in private. His heart suddenly raced, and his face felt warm. He took a deep breath before exiting their cottage and closing their door tightly behind him. With each step he took to the lively house that smelled greatly of the Dwarves' favorite gooseberry pie, along with fresh bread and roasted duck. His own stomach grumbled as he entered the Dwarves' cottage. Everyone was already at their places at the tables, leaving the two long ends open for Snow White and Adam. The Dwarves squawked and argued impatiently with one another as Snow White laid out the food on the table. She had a smile on her face and was very happy to see Adam as he entered. He allowed a soft smile to play on his lips as he took his seat at the head of the table and just watched her as she returned to her own.

Today she wore a harvest green dress with long sleeves that were puffed at the ends. She found that as autumn drew closer that things were getting colder and colder each evening. She sewed the pretty little number together a week ago. She was talented in everything she did with her hands. Especially the food that she prepared, the meal before them had every garnish in detail to glorify and magnify the food she made. Sure enough, beneath the smile of contentment of being here with the Dwarves Adam could see that she still longed to go back to Apfel. Then again, he couldn't blame her when she was constantly taking care of these seven. They were loud, rambunctious, and almost always complaining with or at one another. They were definitely exhausting for Adam, there was no telling how tired she was of them; actually he doubted that she was tired of them because she actually enjoyed their company. He even dared to think that she loved them as the childish grandpas they were. In fact he knew that she did by the way she always made time for each of them.

With food on the table, the places set, and everyone accounted for, Doc said grace over the meal and we all ate. The Dwarves each heartily ate their roasted duck, vegetables, potatoes, and bread all heartily, swapping stories, nearly shouting at each other and just setting such a happy ambiance for the meal. Snow White laughed quite frequently at the Dwarves and Adam found he could not take his eyes away from her. The box in his pocket seemed to weigh heavily in anticipation.

Once the meal was finished, the Seven Dwarves each took their plates and utensils and whatever the food had been brought on to do the dishes. Doc washed, Happy rinsed, and Bashful dried the dishes while Grumpy stacked them into their cupboards. Sleepy wiped the table down clean while Dopey swept and while Sneezy mopped. Adam and Snow White sat at the table watching them work. Adam could see the faint circles under her eyes, and he knew she was tired. She always did her best to entertain and keep the Dwarves happy even if it meant exhausting herself; it drove Adam mad when she did that! He wanted nothing more than to take her back to their cottage now and make sure she went to bed. The box in his pocket weighed heavily on his mind.

His hand subconsciously balled into a fist and he tried to think of something to say, anything to say. He was half tempted to ask her if she wanted to turn in for the night when Sleepy picked up his push box accordion and began playing a fun little diddy. The Dwarves that could play instruments picked up their choice instrument and began playing before Adam could even utter a word. Snow White clapped and danced and in a mere matter of moments, Dopey, who stood on Sneezy's shoulders, bowed and held out his hand for a dance with Snow White. Even two Dwarves high Dopey's head didn't touch the ceiling; which made Adam much more jealous than it should have.

Ridiculous small cottage. . .

Ridiculous short ceiling. . .

He plastered a smile to his face and clapped along though, for even though he himself could not dance with her, she was having fun with the Dwarves all the same. He hoped she wouldn't notice his discomfort or jealousy and would just enjoy herself. Grumpy, on the other hand, gave a rather smug smirk in Adam's direction as he played his organ. A different kind of heat rested within him, but he would not allow it to fester or grow. Being jealous of the Dwarves was useless.

When they finished one verse of the song, Snow White curtsied and the Dwarves bowed and clapped before putting away their instruments. Snow white wandered over to Adam and he held her close as she relied on him to rest her head. "That was fun." She beamed up at him. A small yawn escaped her, and she tried to cover it with her hand. "I wish you could have joined in."

"The ceiling is just too short." He sighed and petted her hair. "If you're not too tired perhaps later –"

Dopey suddenly came up to him and started doing gestures at Snow White. She turned her entire attention to Dopey and focused on his hands.

"Will you. . ." She made out his slow hand motions. "Tell us. . . Story?"

"Dopey would like you to tell us a story, Princess." Grumpy confirmed as he walked up beside Dopey and pushed his hat over his eyes. "However, if you're too tired –"

"No, no." She shook her head with a smile. "I would love to tell you all a story."

Adam's shoulders slumped as she moved away from him and went over to the center of the room. Doc pulled out a special chair that they made for Snow White, and the Dwarves pulled pillows out of a closet. Snow White settled herself in the story chair while the Dwarves settled themselves on their floor pillows, looking up expectantly. For them to be old men, they acted like children. Adam sat back in his chair with his arms crossed and his legs stretched out and crossed at the ankles.

She sat quietly in thought for a few moments before opening her eyes with a smile. The Dwarves scooted closer in anticipation and even Adam found himself ready to cling onto every word that would come out of her mouth. Dopey looked to Grumpy who sat ready to translate her story for him.

"Once upon a time." She hummed. "There was a princess."

"Was the princess, you?" Doc whispered excitedly.

Snow White nodded her head with the softest blush on her cheeks. "And she fell in love. . ."

Adam's hand went to his chest to still his heart as it pounded loudly.

"Was it hard to do?" Sneezy sniffled and leaned forward.

"Oh, no, it was very easy." She giggled and her cheeks deepened to a red. "Although he makes himself out to be the lone wolf, anyone could see that the prince was charming and gentle and kind, and he would be good to any princess. . ."

Those doe brown eyes dared to glance in his direction. He would only ever be good for this princess alone.

I am only good to you, my darling, Snow White.

"But he's the only one for me." She said happily and laced her fingers together in her lap, as if to compose herself to continue the story.

"Was he strong and handsome?" Doc asked.

"Was he big and tall?" Sneezy asked.

"Yes." She beamed. "There's really no one else like him in the whole world, or anywhere at all. . ."

"Did he say he loved ya?" Bashful asked as he twisted his fingers.

"Did he try to steal a kiss?" Happy bubbled with laughter.

"Not in the usual ways that one tells the other, and though I wish he would have stolen a kiss or two, he can't. . ." She sighed romantically.

"And why not?" Grumpy shot up a question, aiming it at Adam.

"You see, he's had a curse placed on him by an evil witch." Snow White explained and put her hands over her heart.

"And you still love him?"

"Even though he's had a curse placed on him, he's shown me more love by not laying a hand on me and treating me like a princess than if he were to truly seduce me." Her face was nearly red.

"How'd he do that?" Bashful asked.

"He was so romantic." She began to sing, and Adam's knees turned to jelly. "I could not resist."

All the Dwarves settled into their seats with their legs crossed, elbows resting on their knees, and their faces sitting in their hands.

"Some day my prince will come,

Some day we'll meet again,

And away to his castle, we'll go.

To be happy forever, I know.

Some day when Spring is here,

We'll find our love anew.

And the birds will sing,

And wedding bells will ring,

Some day when my dream comes true."

"Beautiful!" Happy cheered as all the Dwarves clapped in unison.

"B-B-But what'll happen if the Prince doesn't b-b-break his curse?" Bashful asked softly.

"The princess will wait for him still." She smiled gently, as if something inside her hurt.

"Even if it never ever breaks?" Sleepy yawned.

"Yes, even then." She nodded her head firmly.

His heart practically jumped out of his chest at her words. He tried to cover it with his hand, smother it even, to make it behave again.

"But why would the princess do that?" Grumpy asked, brow furrowed in confusion. "Why doesn't she look for some other prince?"

"Because not just any prince will do." She looked at Grumpy. "Just because a prince is a prince, it does not mean that he is a good one."

"But it sounds like the cursed prince has problems." Grumpy argued still. "What makes this prince so great?"

Adam rarely wanted to fight with the Dwarves, but Grumpy seemed pertinent on causing a fight this evening. Adam would not take the bait, he would just let this one go.

"He's defended her honor." She tells them. "He has battled the worst of villains, and he even saved her from the most evil of enemies that tried to kill her."

"Why would anyone want to kill the princess?" Happy asked with a gasp.

Why indeed?

"Because an evil prince wasn't chosen as her one true love." She cast another glance in Adam's direction.

"She would stay with the prince, even if his curse never broke?" Sleepy's head tilted to the side in confusion.

"Yes." She nodded her head kindly towards him. "It is a true and rare love that the princess has waited for, for a long, long time. She would even help the prince if he allowed her to, and she would do anything if it meant they could be together forever and ever."

"It sounds almost too good to be true. . ." Bashful burned red. "Wouldn't she get tired of waiting?"

"No." She clenched her hands together. "No, she won't. Because she believes in their happily ever after and she believes that he will succeed in breaking his curse."

"She has a lot of faith in this prince." Grumpy snorted.

"Because he has given her the hope that a new tomorrow can happen."

If only she realized that it was she that gave the hope for a new tomorrow.

"He sounds really special." Bashful burned a deep red and hid in his beard.

"He really is." She smiled and she looked over at Adam. All attempts of keeping his heart in its proper cage were useless and his face burned as heat consumed him.

"I want the princess to get a happy ending." Sleepy said through a yawn.

"Me too." Happy yawned too. "But I also want to go to bed."

"it's about damn time." Grumpy harrumphed and snatched up his pillow.

"There's no need to be grumpy, Grumpy." Doc scowled.

"It's quite all right." Snow White said through her own yawn. "I think it's about time that I go to bed too."

"Of course!" Doc jumped up. "We're sorry we kept you so late!"

"You should be. . ." Adam grumbled as he stretched and pushed himself to stand.

"It's fine." Snow White countered.

"Good night, princess." Doc smiled as he passed her. The Dwarves took their turns saying their goodnights to her as they climbed the stairs, all except for Grumpy; he always locked the door at night. He currently stood with his arms crossed and his foot tapping. Still sitting in her chair, Snow White stretched her arms over her head with a squealing yawn.

"It was not fine." Adam said as he held his hand out to her.

"It was." She argued as she accepted his hand and stood, only to stretch again.

"You have circles under your eyes." His gloved hand went to her cheek and his thumb gently rubbed under her eye. "It was not fine."

"If you're going to be all romantic and gross, do it outside please." Grumpy groaned. "I want to go to bed sometime this evening."

"We're going." Adam cast him a glare before sliding his arm over Snow White's shoulders and guided her to the door.

"Goodnight, Grumpy." Snow White said politely as they exited.

Adam heaved a heavy sigh as the door closed behind them, "You're far too kind to him."

"I'm kind to everyone, Adam." She giggled up at him then yawned deeply. "My, I'm much more tired than I thought. . ."

"I knew you were." His gloved hand caressed her cheek and held her there for a moment. She closed her eyes and nearly melted into his hand.

"And you've been nervous." Her hand pressed to his gloved hand as she opened her eyes. "Did something happen?"

"No, nothing happened." He shook his head as the box in his breast pocket weighed heavily.

"Are you upset?" She questioned further.

"No." his brow furrowed down at her. "But I think you might be."

"I'm sorry?" She blinked in surprise and tilted her head the other way.

"Even though you don't say anything about it and you practically avoid talking about it altogether, I know you miss Apfel." He explained. "It's not often that I catch you in the moment, but every now and again I catch those quick glimpses of you staring off into space, typically in the direction that Apfel is at."

"You and that watchful eye." An embarrassed laugh escaped her with a little hint of blush touching her cheeks.

"Am I wrong?"

"N-Not entirely." She tried to look away from him, but he gingerly held her chin and turned her face to him. "B-But it doesn't make a difference since I can't go back. At least not yet. . ."

"There's no shame in missing your home, my darling." He smiled down at her. His smile only broadened as her blush deepened. "I promise that you will return to it one day."

"It just seems so far away. . ." She hung her head and held her arms. "I know I have to be patient, a-and I do really like being here! The cottage is beautiful, the mountain has so many gifts to offer, a-and the Dwarves are so kind –"

"But it's not home for you." He tipped her chin up at him and those doe brown eyes shyly found his.

"I-It's not." She sniffled and tried to force a smile. Adam quickly rubbed under her eyes so no tears could fall yet.

"I wasn't sure when I was supposed to give you this. . ." Adam admitted as he pulled the small box from his breast pocket. "I meant to give it to you the day I got it, however, that fool of a prince had made quite the uproar that day."

Her brow furrowed and those doe brown eyes fixated on the box in his hand. He popped it open and she gasped as she saw the necklace. Her hand went to cover her mouth as she just stared at it.

"I know that day you saw this and liked it." He couldn't hide the growing smile on his face as he held it out to her. "I know you don't have much jewelry, and though I wasn't sure if you'd wear it, I wanted to get this for you."

"I can't believe you bought it. . ." She blinked several times, as if holding back tears as Adam took her hand and gently placed it there.

"With this necklace, I want to make a promise to you." Those doe brown eyes, practically shining in the moonlight, looked up at him. "I will make Apfel a safer place again so you can return home."

He drew her other hand in his gloved one, brought it to his lips, and kissed his thumb so the direct contact of skin would not burn her beautiful skin.

"A-A-Adam." If she reddened anymore then she would surely faint. He couldn't help but smirk at her. "T-That's a very big promise to make!"

"And I intend to make it happen." He chuckled as he laced his fingers in her hand and guided her to their cottage. "Come, my darling, I think it's time we both went to bed this evening."

She said nothing in response and followed him to their cottage. Her face stayed red the entire way as he dropped her off to her room. Though he smirked at her earlier for frazzling her so well, her lack of response and conversation did worry him. Even as they stood outside their door, her face was still red, and she clung to the box in her little hands. She had still yet to enter, and she had still yet to release his hand. She fixed her gaze on the floor and would not look up at him.

"Snow White?" He asked, and her grip on his hand only tightened.

"A-Adam!" Her voice was rather loud as she jerked her head in his direction.

"Yes?" He was not sure how to respond to this action.

"T-Thank you v-very much." Her little hand was shaking as he held his. "I r-really, r-really like it."

"You're welcome." He laughed softly at her and gently gave her hand a squeeze before slipping it from hers. "I'm glad you like it. I hope you sleep well, Snow White."

"Y-You too. . ." Her shoulders fell, as if she was relieved.

Normally Adam would stay until she was securely in her room, however, after seeming to have frazzled her too much Adam turned on his heel to leave. However, just as he turned to leave, Snow White's little hand grabbed his and yanked him down to her level.

"A-And one more thing." Before he could react, the softest, sweetest, most wonderfully blessed feeling graced his cheek. She released him and his hand went to his cheek. His face was just as red as hers, but now she wore the triumphant smirk while he tried to cover his burning face. His cheek tingled as he realized her lips graced his cheek with her gentle kiss. It was so quick, so soft, and made his heart pounding in excitement and gave his own lips a craving he had been fighting for so long.

"S-S-Snow White!" He found himself stammering out of shock and desperately tried to regain composure as he stared worriedly at those temptations of red lips. He prayed nothing happened, and as he continued to stare was so surprised when nothing happened.

"Yes?" She giggled with the biggest smile on her face. All of her teeth were still intact, her lips had not shriveled off, and she seemed completely and utterly fine.

"Are you all right?" He asked as he continued to look at those tempting red lips.

"Of course, I am." She giggled again and smiled proudly up at him.

"But you just –" His cheek still felt the heat of those red lips.

"Kissed you." She could not stop giggling. "Yes, I know. I've been wanting to do that for weeks now."

"But you know that you mustn't!" He was far too happy to be truly mad with her, though he was genuinely concerned for her well-being.

"But I had to!" She argued and held the box over her heart. "I just felt so . . . felt so loved that I just couldn't contain it any longer, Adam."

The mere mention of the word 'love' made his heart pound again that he was sure it was going to jump out of his chest. His face only grew more heated and he himself was finding it rather difficult to manage self-control.

"I couldn't express myself in words, so I had to put them through action." She tried to justify her very bold and dangerous move.

"Are you hurt?" He asked, carefully studying her lips. They were still the same beautiful color of red roses, but they suddenly looked a touch drier, almost chapped. "Any burning, or itching?"

"No burning or itching." She shook her head with a wide smile. "Just tingling."

It took everything within Adam to stay rooted to the spot and not to take her in his arms and hold her.

"You should see the face you're making." Her laughter was so innocent, she had no idea of the growing feelings within him.

"That's much more dangerous than you know of, Snow White." He felt himself pouting slightly that she somewhat missed the mark but was also still dwelling on the tingling in his cheek.

"I know." She still smiled proudly up at him. "It won't happen again, I promise. The next time we share a kiss, you must be the one to give it to me."

If only she knew how much power she held over his heart and in turn over him. Her words, though completely innocent and sincere, only continued that burning resolve of finding his cure.

"Goodnight, Adam." She turned to her room. "I look forward to the promises we have made and plan to keep."

"Good night, my lovely Snow White." He felt as though he could breathe again, and at the same time had lost all the air in the room as she entered her room and locked the door behind her. Still trying to catch his breath and contemplate on what just happened, his feet automatically carried him to his room where he entered and shut the door behind him. With a hand to his hair and the other to his heart, Adam leaned against the door and sunk to the floor.

"She'll be the death of me. . ." He uttered as the pounding muscle in his heart still had not stopped. Not that he would fight her if she so chose to kill him, but she wielded far too much power over him. She also gave him strength, and a purpose to fight for, and a future to look forward to.

"I must find a cure." He sighed as his hand fell from his hair to his still lingering tingling cheek. "I must.


Author's Note:

Thanks for reading! I hope you're enjoying the story so far!

Please leave reviews and let me know what you think. If you would like to share my story on social media, please do so! I would be very honored if you did so. ^_^

Thanks so much for coming along the journey with me, stay tuned for more!

Ko-fi/SarahtheWriter.