Chapter 15: Chapter 15 – Broken

Recommended for mature audiences only. Some content is not suitable for young readers.

(Updated for errors & minor content - 29-NOV-2018)

Snow tossed and turned in the lumpy bed. She knew it was morning without opening her eyes. Stretching out her hand for Eric, she wasn't surprised when all she felt was cold empty sheets. A wave of nausea crept over her as she sat upright, and her stomach growled loudly. Passing it off as hunger, she got out of bed, dressed quickly and made her way down to the dining room.

The inn's dining room was bustling when she entered. The survivors from the palace had come in for breakfast, along with half the town it seemed. When the chatter dulled as she walked through the room, it dawned on her why. They had come to see the Queen for themselves. Snow felt her cheeks turn pink as she searched the room for any familiar face.

"Your Majesty," a serving girl rushed over to her and the dining room chatter rose again. The young blonde girl curtsied unsteadily. "Forgive me. We've never had royalty stay with us before. I hope your room was not too horrible; it's the best we have," the girl blushed.

"It was wonderful, thank you," Snow smiled. "Your hospitality is appreciated more than you know."

The girl grinned from ear to ear. "Can I get you something to eat, Your Majesty?"

"That would be lovely, thank you." Snow looked at a nearby villager's bowl of porridge and her stomach gurgled. After days of nothing but bread and dried meat, she would eat anything. "I'm not fussy, don't go to any trouble."

The girl curtsied again – still wobbling on her feet – and ran off into the kitchen.

Snow finally spied Greta sitting by herself at the back of the dining room. "Good morning, Your Majesty," Greta smiled as Snow took up the seat beside her.

"Good morning Greta. Where is everyone?" Snow asked.

"You just missed your hunter. He told me to tell you to dress for training and meet him by the stable after you've eaten. He's already waiting for you."

Snow's eyes widened in delight. She hadn't trained since before her birthday, and after sitting on a horse all hours of the day, it would feel so good to work her muscles again.

After shovelling down her porridge, Snow hunted down some clothes fit for training in.

As she walked to the stables, she rolled up the too-long sleeves of one of Eric's shirts and tucked the length into the trousers she'd borrowed from one of the maids at the inn. Her hair was braided, and she twisted the end around her finger as she trudged through the mud and snow.

Eric was waiting for her as promised. He was leaning against a fence by the stable and his eyes danced over her as she approached him. He raised an eyebrow. "Nice shirt."

Snow smiled cheekily. "Thanks. The owner's a bit of a bastard so I don't feel bad for stealing it."

Eric laughed and took hold of Snow's chin. "Now how did a lovely young lass like yer'self come to have a mouth like a tavern wench?"

Snow bit her lip and smiled again, leaning into him. "Must be the company I keep."

Eric stared at her mouth hungrily. Snow just pulled her face out of his grip and smirked. "Let's get on with it shall we?"

Twenty minutes later, Snow couldn't remember why she had been so eager to train. She had been running around the small dirt paddock that adjoined the stables for barely five minutes before she'd had to swallow the vomit rising in her throat. Wishing she hadn't scoffed down her breakfast so quickly, she shook her head and got on with it.

The snow that dusted the dirt of the paddock had turned to mud in some places. One such puddle had been Snow's landing spot after she tripped on a half-buried rock. Covered in cold mud, she got up and scowled at Eric when he laughed at her. "I'm tired of running, can't we do something else?" she complained.

Eric jumped down from his perch on the fence and stalked over to her. "I didnae know ye were in charge of these lessons, princess?"

Snow crossed her arms. "I don't want to run anymore. We were up to swordplay back at the palace."

Eric shook his head. "No blades today. It's too noisy. Sound travels far in the mountains."

Snow sighed, wiping a blob of mud off her neck. "So, let's do something else. What haven't I learned yet?"

Eric glanced at her mud-soaked clothes. "How to run properly, it seems."

Snow knew he was joking but she went to shove him anyway. Eric anticipated her move and he stepped quickly to the side, letting her stumble and fall again in the mud.

Snow yelped. "You bastard," she shot at him.

Eric smirked and helped her up before taking hold of her face and planting his mouth on hers. She let herself enjoy his fleeting kiss a second too long and then felt her feet fly out from under her. She landed on her back with a thud and groaned as the air left her lungs. The bastard had tripped her up. "What is your problem?" She spat at him from the ground.

Eric held out his hand for her and she took it. "Concentrate," he said. "Always try and predict someone's next move."

She understood now. This was a lesson.

"If ye find yer'self without weapons, ye'll have to learn to defend yer'self with just yer hands." Eric walked a few paces back from her and braced himself. "Try and attack me."

Snow balked at him. "How am I supposed to take you down? You're twice the size of me."

"Ye've bested me with a sword before, learn to use yer body like a weapon and it can be just as deadly. Yer size doesnae matter if you can use yer opponent's strength against them. Learn yer opponent's weakness. Everyone has a weak spot, or a side they favour more over the other. Look for openings, study their movements, just like with a sword."

Snow huffed. Eric would be able to predict her own moves before she knew them herself. She was getting frustrated just thinking about it. She studied Eric, his stance. She thought she knew the way he moved well enough. All she had to do was predict his predictions. Snow rolled her eyes. Great. She swallowed, took a breath and readied herself.

Snow lunged at Eric, and as expected, he dodged her with ease. Snow didn't let herself trip this time, whirled and flung herself at Eric again who was standing closer to her know. This time he couldn't dodge her, and Snow managed to grip his shirt, pull him towards her and use his own body weight to trip him up, just like he'd said.

She smirked, but it was wiped away quickly as Eric kicked her legs out and she felt herself falling. Air whooshed out of her chest as she was winded for the second time. She knew she only had a fraction of a second before he had her pinned. Before Eric could climb onto her, Snow wrapped her legs around him and heaved him to the side, flinging herself onto him in the process. She had him pinned, her legs pinning his arms and her hand squishing his head in the mud. Eric's eyes widened in shock and surprise, and…pride?

Snow took her hand off his head, letting him pull his cheek out of the mud. She made a move to climb off him, but the hunter gripped her arms and pulled her closer. "This," he said, putting her hands back where they had pinned him. "This is when ye break the neck."

Snow swallowed, and she could feel the uncertainty in her eyes.

Eric went on, "It's no' over, 'till it's over, Snow. End it quickly before they can get out of yer hold."

"In that case," Snow whispered, lowering her face to his. "I declare this lesson over." Mud from his cheek squished against her own as she kissed him, but she didn't care.

Eric flung her to the ground and climbed over her, returning his mouth to hers. He kissed her fervently and her skin erupted in flames despite the cold mud seeping into her back and hair.

Snow and Eric burst into the stable. It was full of horses since their own additions, but there wasn't a person in sight, much to their delight. They fell into one of the end stalls, thankful that it was empty – and had recently had the hay changed.

They tore the mud-soaked clothes from each other, taking no care in trying to save the buttons or ties. Snow pushed Eric into the hay and climbed onto him. She was utterly ready for him as she eased him into her. Smirking at him, she rocked her hips and leaned back, tremors rippling through her body.

With a groan, Eric grabbed her hips and increased her speed, his fingers digging into her flesh. She moaned breathlessly as his grip on her controlled the pace and ground her against him. Eric caressed her with his thumb, sending her into frenzy. He stroked her again and again, he could see a bead of sweat rolling down the middle of her breasts.

Eric's ears prickled at the sound of someone entering the stable just as Snow was about to explode above him. He pulled her down faster than lightning and had her pinned under him as she climaxed, his hand covering her mouth and capturing her cry.

There was shuffling from across the stable as the person who had entered began moving tack around. Snow's eyes widened in horror. "Shh," Eric whispered, but he couldn't hide his smirk. If whoever it was in the stable had arrived a second later, they would have heard quite the performance.

Eric thrusted slightly, still buried deep in Snow, and she narrowed her eyes at him. Don't you dare, they said.

There was more movement from across the stable and the stranger began to whistle a tune to themselves.

Eric grinned again, still covering Snow's mouth and thrusted harder. She shut her eyes tightly, but her breathing grew harder. "Ye better be quiet lass," Eric whispered, removing his hand, "or we'll have an audience."

Snow licked her lips and responded to his thrust with her own. She could see the mischief in Eric's eyes, and it made her burn even more for him. Something metal – a horseshoe possibly – clanked on the floor and Snow froze. Eric smirked and kissed the corner of her mouth.

"Hurry up then," she whispered cheekily.

Snow pulled on her trousers while Eric scoped out the stable. "Coast is clear," he called, sticking his head over the stall.

"I can't believe we did that," Snow felt her cheeks redden. "Someone was right there-" she pointed to the small tack area where several horseshoes and bridles hung on the wall, "-while we…"

Eric put his hands around her waist and kissed her neck. "While we, what?"

Snow pursed her mouth. "A lady shouldn't speak of such things."

Eric just laughed and took her hand. "Come then, Lady. Let this common bastard of a man escort you up to the inn for some food."

The next morning Snow woke up alone in her bed once again. She pulled on her trousers and other of Eric's shirts and ventured downstairs to get breakfast. She was getting used to the staring by now, either that or everyone else was getting used to her.

Greta was at the same table, quietly eating her porridge, so Snow sat beside her. A bowl appeared in front of her as she did, and Snow thanked the serving girl.

"Have you seen Eric today?" she asked her friend.

"The blacksmith's shed, your Majesty. The blacksmith is a poor old man, with only daughters and no one to help him. Eric has been in there since dawn."

Snow just nodded and smiled. That sounded like Eric. "So I guess I won't be training this morning. What are you doing today, Greta?" Snow asked as the two of them ate.

"I've already visited the town physician this morning, but I'll be heading back there shortly to help after breakfast."

"Oh," Snow said, her interest peaking. "I would like to offer my help as well."

Greta's eyes widened, "Oh no, Your Majesty. We really don't –"

"Greta," Snow cut her off gently. "I'm not staying in here all day like some helpless child. These people have been kind enough to take us in, I have to do something to help or I'll go crazy."

Greta sighed helplessly and nodded. "As you wish. You might be able to help William in the stables. I won't be with the physician long."

Snow ate her breakfast and had to stop half way through a mouthful when she thought it was all going to come back up.

"I ate a little too quickly, that's all," she said when Greta asked her what was wrong. She was in a rush to get outside and help.

Snow rushed to the stable to find William already feeding the horses.

"Good morning William," she sang.

William looked puzzled to see the Queen. "Good morning, Your Majesty…"

Snow knew he was going to tell her he didn't need help, but she gave him a stern look and he thought better of what he was going to say.

"There's a bucket of grain over by the corner," he said instead, and Snow gave him a smile.

The two worked quickly together, mucking out the stalls, refilling the troughs and grooming the horses. Snow even had time to check on her mare. She hadn't even thought to check her yesterday. The arrow had been removed from its rump and the wound had been stitched. She remembered the look on the physician's face when she said she wanted him to mend the horse. He must have thought she was daft.

"I treat humans, not animals," he had said, rather perplexed, but Snow eventually convinced him.

She brushed the horse down twice and filled up her grain and water. When she was finished and there was nothing left to do, she went outside for some fresh air and sat down on a hay bale.

She looked across the yard and saw the blacksmith's shed. She could see Eric busy hammering away at a piece of steel that was glowing red. It was freezing outside and although they had the shed doors wide open, droplets beaded on his forehead and his shirt was damp with sweat. He looked hot, bothered, tired and completely irresistible. An odd combination, Snow laughed, but hard work really agreed with him. She was just about to walk over and greet him when she spotted them… Two young girls not much older than Snow walked right past him, looked him up and down and giggled to each other. The taller one, with long golden hair whispered something to her friend and they both giggled again. Snow frowned. What were they so happy about?

As the day progressed, Snow moved through the village helping with laundry, baking, and anything else she could convince people to let her help with. A couple of people thought she was just a young girl from the palace looking to lend a hand, and Snow didn't try to convince them otherwise.

All the while, Snow kept a watchful eye on the blacksmith's shed. The two girls had walked past a few more times throughout the afternoon and eventually it became just the girl with the long golden hair. She hung around like a fly, even after her friend had grown tired and left.

Snow watched the girl prowl around the hunter, the girl's brown beady eyes fixated on him like a sly fox. It was obvious that the girl was interested in him, and it bothered Snow for reasons she couldn't explain. She had never been a jealous person but seeing the blonde girl vying for Eric's attention made her angry. Snow took a deep breath. It wasn't the girl's fault – she obviously liked Eric and saw nothing in her way.

Snow's heart thundered. There was nothing in the girl's way. There was nothing stopping the girl. Snow didn't own him. They weren't betrothed, or even officially courting.

Much to his credit, Eric seemed oblivious to the girl's advances, brushing her aside when she purposely bumped into him. He helped her with her handkerchief when she dropped it in front of him, but he handed it to her without a second glance. The girl seemed determined to get his attention, and his ignorance only fueled her further. Snow wondered if the girl was just plain foolish or if she was not all there in the mind, standing around in the blacksmith's shed while hot sparks flew all over the place. Why didn't they tell her to get out?

Snow stood helpless from a distance. Her blood boiled in her veins every time the girl brushed up against him. She was angry, but a small part of her felt pity for the girl. She didn't know the hunter belonged to someone else, and Snow couldn't blame her for trying.

Snow was on her way back to the inn to help with dinner, still sneaking a look at Eric every now and again. She growled in frustration when she spotted the blonde girl still in the blacksmith's barn.

"Are you alright?" someone said from beside Snow and she jumped, startled. She hadn't noticed that William had ran up to walk with her.

Snow sighed. "See that woman over there?"

William followed her gaze. There was the girl, standing beside Eric while he banged away at a glowing horseshoe. Sparks flew dangerously close to her, but she hardly took any notice. Honestly, what was wrong with her?

"I see her. It looks like she has eyes for the Queen's Hunter," William laughed and nudged her softly with his elbow. "Are you jealous?"

Snow scowled and rolled her eyes. "These women, all day they've thrown themselves at him. Why isn't he stopping them?"

"Maybe he misses it? Getting drunk in a bar with a wench or two in his lap was one of his favourite pastimes, remember?" William joked. "Or maybe he's grown tired of being your naughty little secret."

Snow stared at William. "He isn't my secret. I've never tried to hide him. He does that on his own."

William shook his head, visibly confused. "I just don't understand, Snow. What are you planning to achieve? How will you ever have children? A legitimate heir? Are you going to marry a nobleman and keep the Hunter for your bedchambers?"

Snow was shocked. "Do you really think me that selfish, William? I would never do that to him!"

"Snow, you can't marry him. You may as well end it now and give him a chance at a normal life."

"I would never keep that from him. It would kill me, but he can leave when he wants, he knows that." Snow was well and truly starting to panic. Was William right?

"Listen," William grabbed her hand. "All I'm saying is, be wary of what you are doing to him. Stop living in the moment and think about the future. For the sake of you both."

Snow didn't know what to say. She knew William meant well, but his words hurt her deeply.

"I've got to find Bane," he said. "I'll see you at dinner," and he ran off in the direction they had come.

Snow glanced over to where Eric now stood by the blacksmith, and old, graying man who looked sick and pale. Eric's eyes briefly met hers and Snow felt a tear roll down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away and ran and hid behind the bakery. She wiped the rest of her tears away with her sleeve and fanned her face. When she'd taken a moment to calm down, she turned to go back and bumped into someone standing behind her. It was the Huntsman.

"What's wrong?" he asked immediately, taking her face in his hands. They were warm and smelled like the smoke from the blacksmith's furnace.

"Nothing," Snow murmured, making sure all her tears were gone. "The cold wind was making my eyes sting."

Eric frowned. He didn't believe her. "Tell me."

Snow returned his frown, it was pointless trying to lie. "That girl, Eric! You can't be that blind."

"What on earth are ye talkin' about? What girl?" He looked genuinely confused.

"The girl with the pretty blonde hair. She has been stuck to you all day." Snow looked down at her hands.

"Gabriela? The blacksmith's daughter?"

"Oh, so she has a name?" Snow frowned at him and folder her arms.

"Snow, what has gotten into ye?" His eyes searched her face for an answer. Soon, a smug grin slowly spread across his face. "Are ye jealous?"

Snow stuttered, and her cheeks flushed. "No, I'm not jealous," she feigned.

Eric laughed and crossed his arms over his broad chest, mirroring her. The smug grin on his face only seemed to get bigger and his sparkling eyes pierced straight into Snow, making her blush further. "Yes, ye are."

Snow bit her lip. "Okay, I was a little jealous, but am I supposed to just sit by and watch women throw themselves at you all day? How am I supposed to feel?" She paused for a moment. "Do you still want to be with me?" she asked softly.

Eric stared at Snow, confusion etched across his face. He had no idea where all this was coming from. "I dinnae have a choice."

Those words broke something inside of her and something between a laugh and cry escaped her. "Yes, you do have a choice! If you want to go and be with somebody else, then go and be happy. I cannot keep you against your will."

"Snow, ye misunderstand," Eric uncrossed his arms and took hold of her hands. "I dinnae have a choice. Every fibre in my body is bound to ye until ye find another. I couldnae leave even if I wanted too."

"Until I find another? What are you talking about?" Everything William had said was replaying in her mind. Her head began to spin.

"That is how it must be, Snow. I thought ye knew it?"

"No, it's not! This isn't fair, Eric. I want to be with you, we shouldn't have to live this lie. Please, why won't you just marry me?" Snow's hand flew to her mouth. The words were out before she could stop them.

Eric stared at her for a moment. He seemed to be searching for words. "Snow, ye know that cannae happen," he finally said.

"Why not?" Snow found herself saying. "You say you want to be with me, and I don't want keep this quiet anymore. I want everyone to know that I'm yours. Please, Eric. I will not marry someone I do not love."

Eric swallowed hard, his face looking grim. "The council willnae allow us to be married."

"Oh Eric! What council? Everybody is gone! There is nobody here to tell us what to do or who to be with and yet you still deny me." Snow's eyes filled with hot tears. Her voice broke when she continued. "You contradict yourself all the time. I gave you my heart Eric, but you chose to keep it all a secret. You fight for me, you protect me, and you say you can never leave me, but you would push me into another man's arms rather than marry me yourself. I don't understand! What do you want from me?"

The Huntsman took Snow by the arms. He looked ghostly white. "Stop this," he said sternly. "Ye are a Queen. One day ye'll have to marry a nobleman to produce an heir, and when that day comes, I willnae hang around to watch it. Ye cannae marry me. By the Gods, Snow! I am no King, I am a Huntsman!" He ran his fingers through his hair and growled through frustration.

Snow felt defeated as she stared at him, like someone had stomped on her and left her to die by the road. Her eyes were sore and puffy from crying and her cheeks were cold and wet. "You won't marry me because you don't want to be King? What about being my husband? Is that not enough?"

Eric looked like he was in pain, but he shook his head. "I'm sorry I led ye down this path. It's caused ye nothing but pain. I'm sorry - we should just forget this whole thing. Bane can get ye to Stonehill, I'll leave in the morning." He kissed Snow gently on the forehead before walking away.

Snow stared after him in shock, sickness washing over her. "Leave? What do you mean?" she called after him. "Eric, you can't leave me!" Snow ran after him, tugging on his arm. "Eric!" She didn't care who saw. "Please!"

He shook her off.

Snow let her hand fall to her side, and she stared in horror as her world walked away from her. She watched him walk until she lost him in the village. Her lungs felt as though they were caving in on her and the ground span in circles.

She stumbled up to her room, trying to evade everyone and hide her wet, blotchy face. Snow slid to the ground behind her door clutching her chest.

It took a long time for her to gain the strength to crawl from the floor and into bed. She skipped dinner and sent Greta away every time she knocked on the door.

The Hunter never went to her that night, and for the first time since she was a little girl locked in a cold, dark tower, Snow cried herself to sleep.

"Where do ye think ye're goin'?" The voice came from behind Eric as he tightened the saddle on his horse. It was dark in the stables, but the moonlight shone through the doorway, giving him enough light to see. He'd said he'd leave in the morning, but he told himself a few hours hardly mattered. He'd be gone by the time she woke either way.

He turned to see Bane standing in the entrance. "Ye know exactly where I'm goin'," he replied gruffly to his oldest friend.

Bane shook his head, "No, please, enlighten me."

Eric tied his pack to his saddle. "I'm goin' to find Argus. Then I'm goin' to kill him."

"All on yer own?" Bane laughed, but his mouth turned into a hard line. "Damn it, Eric, ye've always been a stubborn bastard but this has to be the stupidest thing ye've ever done. Even if you do manage to kill him, what do you plan on doing then? Are you just going to walk on out of there whistling? His troops will be on ye in a second. Are ye goin' to kill all of them, too?"

"It doesnae matter, Bane. I dinnae plan on coming back anyway."

"Oh, right. So, what am I supposed to tell her when ye dinnae come back?" Bane growled.

Eric stopped. He didn't want to imagine the look on Snow's face when she found out where he was going. She was distraught enough as it was. It didn't matter now though. She'd get over him, and at least she'd be safe. "Tell the Queen whatever ye like," he spat at his friend.

Bane shook his head in disbelief. "This isnae about the Queen, this is about Snow. They are two very different things. Sure, the Queen will put on a brave face and act as if nothing has happened, but inside Snow will be breaking." Bane gripped Eric's shoulder, forcing the hunter to look at him. "What happens if they ambush us in the night, eh? Ye're my best fighter. If ye leave, ye'll kill her just like ye killed Sara." The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them. Eric's heart plummeted, but Bane face tightened as he said "I'm sorry, mate. I didnae mean that."

The Huntsman shook his head. "No, ye're right. I wasnae there and I'm the reason she's dead. That's why I cannae stay here. I've got to get to him before he gets to her." They were face to face now and Eric squeezed Bane on the shoulder. "The way I see it, I have two options. The first is I stay, and we actually win this thing. Snow will still eventually marry someone else, have pretty royal babies and I'll end up drinkin' myself to death, drownin' in me sorrows." Bane scoffed, but Eric continued. "The second option is I leave, kill Argus and his troops finish me where I stand. The result is the same either way - I'm a dead man. At least with the second option, I dinnae have to stand by and watch her marry some fat pathetic lord and get used like a prized mare for breeding!"

Bane was quiet for a moment. When he spoke, he sounded defeated. "She loves ye, Eric. God knows why, ye're a damn bastard." He sighed. "I'll tell her in the morning, it'll give ye a chance to get away before she sends us all after ye."

Eric laughed but he knew Bane was only half-joking. He hugged his childhood friend and slapped him on the back before mounting his horse and riding out into the darkness.