Chapter 16 – News

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

(Updated for errors & minor content - 02-Feb-2019)

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"What do you mean he left?" Snow stood shocked in her doorway.

She had woken to the loud knocking of Bane, insisting the need to talk to her. It was barely dawn, and her room was still dark. It had seemed like the coldest night in a long time. "He left?" Snow said again, as if somehow saying it over and over would force her to believe it. She felt her voice break, and her heart plummeted into her stomach. She suddenly felt very sick.

"It'll be alright, Your Majesty," soothed Greta. She had heard the loud knocking from her room just moments ago, and she had rushed out to see what the matter was. She now stood beside Snow, holding her arm to steady her. "Come and sit down, milady," she led Snow to the foot of her bed and the Queen sat down with tears in her eyes. "Captain, come in and shut the door," instructed Greta as she made to put more logs on the fire.

"I tried to stop him, Yer Majesty," Bane explained when he'd closed the door. He tried to keep his voice low so he didn't wake up William. "I told him he was being a damned fool but he wouldna listen," he shifted uneasily. "There's somethin' else, milady."

Snow looked up at the Captain, not sure if she could take anymore.

"He's gone to find Argus. He plans on killin' him before his army finds ye," the big man swallowed nervously and waited for the Queen's response.

Snow didn't say anything. She couldn't find the words.

It was Greta who exclaimed. "Not by himself? Surely that would be suicide?"

"That's what he's countin' on," muttered Bane. "I'd go after him myself, but my duty is to protect Yer Majesty"

"Can't you send someone else after him?" Greta pleaded for her Queen. "Some of your men?"

Bane shook his head. "I only have a few good men left with us, and I cannae waste them. The dwarves will be back any day now, and then we'll be out of here."

Snow felt numb. "Thank you for the information, Bane," she said. It was all she could do not to fall apart in front of him.

Bane smiled at her sympathetically. He bowed and Greta let him out of the room, re-bolting the door after he'd gone.

Snow sat dazed on her bed, tears falling down her cheeks. What was she going to do now? Eric had said he was going to leave, but she never thought he'd actually go through with it. Every fibre in my body is bound to you... Snow ran over his words repeatedly in her head. He said he'd never leave. He lied.

"What am I going to do?" she cried to her friend.

Greta took the Queen's hand. She supposed Snow could just find another huntsman, but Greta knew better than that. Snow and the hunter had been inseparable. Greta saw the way they looked at each other. She had seen their secret embraces when they thought no one was watching, and she saw the way Snow's cheeks flushed every time the hunter walked into the room. "Your Majesty," Greta cleared her throat softly. "Forgive me for being intrusive but… have you… Well, I know that you and the Huntsman are close. I was wondering how close exactly?"

Snow stared at her friend through blurry, wet eyes. Snow sniffed and wiped her cheek, wondering what she should say. She decided to tell Greta the truth, regardless of what the girl might think. "Very close," Snow whispered, wiping her cheeks and only making room for more tears. "I mean, intimate is probably the better term," she stared down at her hands.

"I see," Greta said, hardly surprised. She rubbed Snow's back comfortingly as she took in her appearance. Current situation aside, she was a sobbing mess, her cheeks were flushed, it was clear she was nauseous and her breasts were swollen. Greta pursed her lips. She may be a young servant girl but she wasn't oblivious to the signs. "Milady…" she began slowly. "I think you're with child."

"With child?" Snow actually laughed, despite her tears. "No, it's not possible," she said, but she felt a lump rise in her throat as she spoke.

Greta raised her eyebrows. "It is very possible, Your Majesty. When did you last bleed?"

Snow stared blankly at Greta. A hot flush overcame her. "I– I'm not sure. I mean, I can't remember."

"How can you not be sure?" exclaimed Greta. "It's hard to miss."

Snow shook her head. "I really can't remember. Maybe around my coronation; that was months ago," she panicked. "I've been so stressed, I completely forgot about it." She suddenly felt faint and all the blood drained from her face. "No... No, no, no," she stood up too fast and stumbled sideways as her head spun.

"Snow!" Greta took her arm and sat her back on the bed with worry in her eyes. "Stay here; I'll go get the physician."

'No!" Snow exclaimed. "No, don't get him. Nobody can know about this!"

Greta was puzzled. How did she expect to keep this a secret? "Milady, people will find out sooner or later."

"Later," Snow choked. "I just need some time to think." She covered her face with her hands. "Oh, what have I done?"

"It's alright, Your Majesty. We'll figure something out. You aren't showing yet, we still have some time."

"You must think I'm a harlot," Snow spoke through her fingers.

"No, not at all, Your Majesty," Greta smiled. "Believe me, you aren't the only girl to ever be with a man before marriage. Half the girls in my village had done it before they wed. Village girls like me don't have time for noble traditions like that."

"They're noble traditions for good reason," Snow huffed. "I'm a Queen, Greta. Queens are supposed to produce heirs, not…" She couldn't say it. She couldn't call Eric's child a bastard, no matter how many times she threw it at him. Snow choked. Eric's child. She was carrying Eric's child, and he'd left her.

"You know," Greta started, "we can send someone after him; it's not too late. Then you could get married and nobody will know the difference."

"Oh Greta, don't you see? He doesn't want this. He doesn't want to marry me, let alone have a child with me!"

"Hush now," Greta tried to calm her. "We'll figure it out. Now go back to sleep, there is still a few hours before breakfast and you're going to need your strength; the dwarves will be arriving any day now."

Greta left Snow alone with her thoughts.

Snow lay in the small bed, thinking about how stupid she had been. What was she thinking, sleeping with a man before she was married? Now there was a child inside of her, and she wouldn't be able to hide it forever.

Snow moved her hand to the small of her stomach, trying to imagine the small person growing inside of her. She quickly whipped her hand away as if she'd touched hot coals. It should have been a happy moment for her; she was going to be a mother, but all she could think about was how she'd ruined everything.

It was no time at all before Greta was knocking on her door again, telling her that breakfast was ready. Snow hadn't been back to sleep, no matter how hard she tried. She rolled over and pulled the blanket over her head. "I'm not hungry," she said.

"Your Majesty," Greta went on. "You have to eat."

"Later," Snow murmured, and she heard Greta walk slowly away.

Out in the dining room, William sat with Bane eating breakfast. Greta marched up to them, determination written all over her face. "Both of you," she pointed. "Outside now."

The two men looked at each other puzzled, but they followed Greta anyway. Outside, behind the inn and away from curious ears, Greta spoke. "I'm going against the Queen's wish on this, but I have to tell you something."

Bane wiped breadcrumbs from his beard. "If your Queen doesn't want you to tell us, then I would advise you not to."

Greta took a deep breath, throwing his warning to the wind. "Believe me, this is something you ought to know."

Snow didn't come out of her room for two days, only eating a mouthful of the food Greta would leave at her door. When she did emerge those two days later, it was late in the morning and everyone had already eaten breakfast. Greta had coaxed her out and managed to get some decent food into her.

"I'm sorry for being difficult, Greta," Snow said as she finished her plate and reached for some more bread. She was feeling a little better this morning and the food bought some colour to her cheeks.

"You have nothing to apologise for. I'm glad you're feeling better, that's all."

The young serving girl was clearing the table when the door to the inn swung open with a bang and Bane came in, covered in snow. He shrugged off his coat and sat by the girls.

"Yer Majesty, the dwarves have arrived. I've spread word that we'll be leavin' as soon as everyone is fit for travel. Might be another day or two."

Snow perked up at the news of the dwarves, but she was heartbroken at the same time. Leaving meant moving on without Eric. She put her hand on the small of her belly but quickly removed it.

"Yer Majesty," Bane continued, knowing she was troubled. He leaned across the table and took her hand, trying not to show that he knew about the baby. "I'm truly sorry. I tried to stop him but he is so stubborn. As his oldest friend, I think I can say I know he cares for ye greatly…" Bane stopped. "Forgive me, Yer Majesty. I dinnae mean to upset ye."

"Thank you, Bane." Snow said and she stood up, trying not to burst into tears in front of him. "You are very kind. Please tell the dwarves I'm delighted on their safe arrival but I must take to my room. I'm suddenly feeling very ill."

Bane glanced at Greta as Snow walked back to her room. "Is she suspicious?" he asked when Snow was out of sight.

"No," whispered Greta. "She hasn't been out of her room long enough to notice he's gone. Will we have to leave without him? If they aren't back in time?"

Bane shrugged. "If they are no' back by then, yes. William knows where we're headed; I'm sure they'll find us."

Snow was sitting by the fire in her room when there was a knock at the door. She was about to tell Greta to leave her be when a different voice spoke through the door.

"Your Majesty, may I come in?"

Snow recognised the old voice and stood up quickly, her blanket falling to the ground. She pulled the door open and standing before her was Muir, the blind old dwarf.

"Muir," she exclaimed. She embraced him, kissed him gently on the forehead, and ushered him into the room. "I'm so glad to see you. Come, sit by the fire."

"And I you, Your Majesty. I'm glad you made it out of the palace unharmed."

Snow's eyes saddened but she forced a small smile. "Yes, I have the Huntsman to thank for that."

Muir already knew the Queen was deeply upset, but her voice only confirmed it. "You sound troubled my Queen."

Snow rested her head in her hands. "It's Eric; he's gone."

Muir knew this already. "Aye, My Queen. Bane informed me when we arrived, but the Huntsman's absence is not the only thing on your mind?"

Snow shook he head. There was no point in hiding the truth from Muir. He could sense it anywhere. "I'm with child, Muir. I don't know what to do. He's gone and he's not coming back. They're going to kill him!" Tears fell from her eyes. She was fed-up with crying but too exhausted to stop it. She had no more energy and just let them fall onto her lap, not even bothering to wipe them away. "He told me he'd never leave, but he did. He doesn't want me; he doesn't love me. He lied."

Muir took hold of Snow's hand. His hands were calloused and warm. "I may be blind child, but anyone could see he loves you."

"I can't handle it; it hurts so much. He won't want me when he finds out about the child, if he returns at all. I'm going to be a mother, and all I can think about is how much I don't want this. I try so hard to love it and want it but I just can't. I feel so horrible."

"You are not horrible, my child. You're scared and overwhelmed, that doesn't make you a monster. Give it time."

"I can't do this Muir," Snow whispered through her tears as if it was a precious secret. Her eyes pleaded with his, asking him for any shred of guidance even though she knew he couldn't see her.

Muir stood up and kissed Snow's hand. "There are moments when troubles enter our lives and we can do nothing to avoid them. But they are there for a reason. Only when we have overcome them will we understand why they were there." He smiled softly and left without another word, leaving Snow to ponder over his piece of wisdom.

The Hunter knew he was being followed.

He was crouched behind a tree with his axe drawn for several minutes before he saw the offender.

A dark figure rode into view and came to a halt on his horse. He studied the snow-covered ground for a moment and then dismounted.

The Hunter tightened his grip on his axe as the figure slowly approached the tree where he stood waiting. He waited until the man was close, then he jumped out and dove into him, crashing to the ground and lifting his axe to the man's throat. Eric froze for a split second – long enough to realize that the man staring up at him was not a rebel, but a very stunned William.

Eric sat up and lowered his axe. "What the hell are ye doin' here?" he growled. "I could have killed ye." Eric's words shocked his own ears. Not long ago he'd have killed William in a heartbeat and not thought twice about it.

William awkwardly got to his feet and dusted snow out of his hair. "I could ask you the same thing Eric," he spat.

Eric shot William an icy look.

"You didn't cover your tracks very well hunter," William went on, ignoring the larger man's glare. He tried not to let the Huntsman see how angry he was at him for leaving.

"Maybe that was the plan, boy," Eric shot back. 'It's called a trap."

William just sighed, sick of their quarrelling, and got to the point. "Look, I know I'm the last person you want to see, but you have to come back with me."

Eric laughed. "That's funny, comin' from ye. Did Snow send ye?"

"No, she didn't send me," Will said. "She probably doesn't even know I've left."

"Who sent ye then? Bane? I know damn well ye didn't come all the way out here because ye miss me."

"It doesn't matter who sent me, you just have to come back with me. Something's… come up." William paused there. He didn't want to say anything about the baby – that was for Snow to tell Eric, and he wasn't supposed to know about it anyway. "Listen," he sighed. "Chasing after you is the last thing I want to be doing right now. If you come back, it should be on your own terms, not because I dragged you. She deserves better than that."

"I know she deserves better. Why do ye think I left, William? I can't give her what she wants. I know what I am, but she doesn't see it. I need to step aside, kill this bastard once and for all, and let her move on and be happy."

"She is happy – well, at least she was until you broke her heart," William threw at him, letting his anger show.

Eric clenched his teeth. His heart was breaking also and he tried not to let William see it. He felt guilty for being the one causing Snow so much grief and he physically ached being away from her.

"You know," William began again. "I used to crave for her to look at me the way she looks at you. Snow will never love another man the way she loves you. If you don't come back with me, you'll destroy her and I'll have to kill you."

Eric laughed, and spun his axe expertly in his hand. "Ye'll kill me, will ye? Well ye had better get in line. There'll be a long one after I'm done with Argus."

"I'm serious, Eric," William warned. "You have to stop this nonsense. It's as if you don't care at all."

Eric gave William a tense smile. "Believe me boy, I care more than ye realise."

William scoffed. "Bullshit, Eric. I was right about you all along. You don't care about anyone but yourself. You don't deserve her or the chi—" he choked as he stopped himself.

Eric's smile vanished and he glared at William. "What?" he probed.

William hesitated. Despite the freezing wind and snow, a sweat broke out on his forehead. "I… I said you don't deserve her."

The Hunter seized William by the scuff of his shirt. "What were ye goin' to say?" he growled.

William could have kicked himself. He clenched his teeth, determined not to say anything.

"Tell me!" Eric barked again.

"Child!" gasped William. "I meant to say child."

"What child?" Eric growled, still holding William by the collar.

"Snow's child," William replied. "I didn't want to say anything."

Eric's eyes turned piercing. They studied William. "Snow doesnae have a child."

"She's with child, Eric! She's carrying your child, you bastard."

The Hunter couldn't believe his ears. He studied William's face, searching his eyes to see if he was telling the truth. "Dinnae fool around with me William!" he growled.

"I'm not, I swear," William sighed. "Greta told me and sent me after you. Nobody knows, except Bane and myself, and well… now you."

Eric let go of him so abruptly that he stumbled back. William straightened his vest and loosened the neck on his cloak.

"How could this have happened?" Eric asked when he'd calmed down enough to find words.

"Well, I'd say it would have something to do with you and Snow—"

"I know how it happened," Eric interrupted. "I just cannae believe it did." He slumped to the ground against the trunk of a tree.

William stood fumbling with the hilt of his sword, not quite sure what to do. The hunter looked tired and defeated; he looked like he was really suffering. William swallowed his pride and sat beside the Huntsman, pulling his cloak around him as if it were a barrier. "What I don't understand is—" he paused and glanced at Eric, checking to see if it was safe to continue. "How could you let it happen? I mean, she is the Queen. You realise her reputation is on the line because of you."

Instead of hitting William across the head like he wanted to, Eric buried his face in his hands. "I know it's my fault. I just didnae think."

William felt squeamish. He could not believe he was talking about this with the very man who had stolen the one he loved. "You didn't think? Was that just the first time, or every time?" He ignored the Huntsman's glare. "I mean, what on earth is wrong with you? You know sex creates children, don't you?"

Eric was silent for a while, thinking about how to answer the perfectly reasonable question. "Sara and I," he started, his voice rough and drained. "We tried for so long to have children. She wanted a babe so badly, but it never happened. Then when she died, the whores were no different. I could have fathered a handful of bastards before I met Snow, but that never happened either. I just thought I was the problem. I gave up on the idea of bein' a father a long, long time ago."

William stayed silent for a while. He wasn't used to having conversations with Eric, let alone personal conversations like this. He thought about what to say but the words couldn't find themselves. Eventually he gave up trying to be sympathetic and just sighed, going with the obvious. "It doesn't matter now, what's done is done."

"Are ye sure?" Eric asked. "Is she sure?"

"I believe so," Will shrugged. "Greta didn't tell me much, but she's quite certain."

They sat in silence for a while longer as the wind whirled around them, spreading more snow over the heavily covered ground.

"So, will you come back now?" William finally asked.

Eric didn't answer right away. He hated himself for leaving every second since he rode out of the stable. Three times, he'd turned around to go back, but he thought of Argus getting his filthy hands on Snow and it just made him surer that leaving was the best thing… or that's what he told himself. He felt himself smile for the first time in almost three days. "Ye know what? Given another day or two, I would have given up and come back anyway."

Snow stared down at the precious bundle in her arms. The sweet, innocent blue eyes stared back at her as she held the fragile little fingers in her own. Perfect pink lips curved ever so slightly as her baby smiled up at her. Snow smiled back and placed a gentle kiss on the baby's head, taking in the sweet scent as she did.

Snow's eyes flung open and she found herself staring at the ceiling. She glanced around at the small room, trying to recall where she was. The moon shone brightly outside her window and light from the fireplace danced over the walls. When she remembered where she was, it wasn't long before her grief returned. It hit her just as hard as it had every day since Eric had left, and Snow clutched her chest until her breathing slowed. She sat up suddenly and reached for the pot beside her bed, emptying her stomach of that morning's breakfast.

"You keep reminding me that you're in there," she said out of nowhere and froze as she wiped her face, suddenly aware that she'd never spoken to it before. She'd never properly acknowledged her child. She slowly moved her hand to her stomach, expecting to pull away as if she'd touched boiling water, but this time she kept it there. She moved her hand all over her stomach, feeling, and pressing. She pulled up her skirts to look. Her stomach was flat, but she knew it was there now; she could feel it. Not feel it with her hands, but she could feel it with her soul. She quickly pulled down her dress. "One thing at a time," she told herself. Her hand moved over her stomach once again and Snow felt herself smile for the first time in almost three days.

The next morning was dark and cold as clouds covered the sky, shielding the sun from view. William and Eric rode side by side in the direction of Talin. They barely spoke, but it wasn't an uncomfortable silence, more of an understanding. They acknowledged that they were not on friendship terms yet and spoke only when they needed to.

"How long were ye ridin' before ye found me?" Eric asked.

"Two days," William replied, almost begrudgingly. "I think we can make it back by tomorrow night."

Eric agreed and he smiled softly. He couldn't wait to hold snow in his arms again, feel her beating heart against his own. He'd fall to his knees when he saw her and beg for her forgiveness.

"Shall we stop for a moment? I'm famished," William suggested.

Eric was about to say no, but William had already stopped and was dismounting, so he sighed and did the same. William handed him a piece of bread and Eric threw him a strip of dried beef in return. There was no place for pride in the mountains and you took whatever food you could get. Eric ate the bread and meat quickly and waited impatiently for William to finish his own food.

While he waited, Eric rearranged his pack to occupy himself. He also had time to rub down his horse before William called him over.

"Eric," he called uneasily, mouth full of bread. "What is that?" He pointed out into the distance.

The Hunter followed William's gaze and peered out into the wind. From their elevated position in the mountains, they could see for miles, and what they saw was not pleasant.

"Rebels!" Eric growled.

"There is at least two hundred men there," William exclaimed.

Eric tried to concentrate for a moment, studying the mass of men. "They'll be moving slowly," he squinted, trying to make out how many horses they had. There weren't many. "They could be a day behind us, maybe more. Still, we have to get back to Talin as soon as possible."

"What do we do then?"

Eric wasted no more time and mounted his horse. "I dinnae know, but I'll bet ye anythin' Argus is with them this time."

"Well, looks like you didn't have to go to him after all," William said as he climbed onto his own horse. "Looks like he's coming to you."