AN: See chapter 1 for story notes and summaries.

Ships: Snowing, Rumbelle, Swan Believer, Swanfire, Daddy Charming, Mama Snow, HadesxPersephone, Mama Persephone, and a delightful Golden Mad Charming BroT3. :)

Please consider leaving a review. Feedback is much appreciated and vital.

Also, feel free to follow me on Tumblr lilacmoon83. In an effort to grow my Snowing fanfiction blog on Tumblr.

Please consider leaving a review if you're reading. It is very much appreciated!

Special note:

Here are the main face claims that we're dealing with right now. For other minor Gods/Goddesses, see previous chapters:

Gal Gadot as Persephone

Robert Downey Jr. as Hades

Vincent Irizarry as Deimos

Ben Affleck as Prince Eli

Drew Barrymore as former Queen Serafina

Thanks for awesome the reviews. Again, please consider leaving feedback. I love writing this story, but a lot of hard work in my free time goes into getting weekly chapters up, so reviews are really gratifying. :)

Note: There was some confusion about when Zelena killed Eva and I'll admit it is not very clear. Basically, Zelena appeared during the time in which Persephone found out she was pregnant and Eli was going to run off with her. But then Zelena killed Eva, making Eli realize he couldn't. Then Zelena disappeared, because at that time, she was actually around ten. It's confusing, but it's time travel so I took some liberties.

Here are individual responses:

mrhawkprime: I haven't decided if I'm going to do Outlaw Queen yet or pair Regina with someone else. I'm toying with the idea of Prince Queen(James/Regina) or Hooked Queen. But with what I have planned, Outlaw Queen may also be a potential thing. Can't say much more than that or it will spoil it. :)

Saberius Prime: Yep, this is a definite chess board. That's a really good way to describe it. So much happening too. Glad you're enjoying it!

Grace5231973: Yep, I had to keep certain elements of the Snowing meet cute. There is so much going on, but I managed a little romance in there. Yeah, Zelena is not my favorite. I would have been fine if she never got redeemed and here it might happen. Yep, Rumple knows he needs evil, but not crazy, so Zelena is out. Yes, Arawn and Frollo are probably the worst of all, next to Deimos. I'm anxious for him to meet Belle too. :)

BooksinmyDreams: Glad you like it! Hope you continue to enjoy! :)

Naomi Blue: Yep, Arawn is the worst. Nah, he doesn't really care. His siblings are really only of use to him if they are marrying into Kingdoms and giving him control. I felt making him connected to Hans was fitting. Yep, Snowing has met and created their sapling. Yep, it will be important later. :)

Guest: I know, Daniel is going to end up as collateral damage, because Rumple is hyper focused on getting Bae back. I don't want Regina to lose Daniel again...but I didn't really see a way around it here. So grab the tissues for this chapter. Yep, Cora raising Zelena has made her worse if that's possible. Glad you liked the bit of Snowing and Frollo is definitely creepy. :)

Number Ten: Yep, you know I had to work in the pesky rock to the chin, haha. I always surmised that Snow was maybe a bit older, but not much. They should have cast a younger actress to play Regina in the Stable Boy and they should have cast a younger one to portray Snow during the time Leopold died. But they didn't, because it's harder for audiences to connect to the characters that way. Yep, on the Regina and Daniel front, grab the tissues for this chapter. Don't be too hard on Rumple though. What he did was not cool, but we know it's because of Bae. It isn't right, but at least we know his justifications, unlike other villains. Snow will want to rescue her father, that's all I can say without spoiling things later. Arawn is as bad as King George and actually, you get to see them clash in this chapter. I daresay, you'll find that Arawn is worse. And Frollo is on par with Deimos. He may not have magic, but he is a mortal with a lot of power, which we know could be really dangerous. :)

Jennifer Baratta: yes, Snow and David have met. :) glad you're enjoying!

Theinferno1536: Of course. If you remember, Claude Frollo appeared in Finding You Always and later I brought Quasimodo in. With Greek Mythology involved here, pretty much nothing in the realm of story is off limits. I can't say if Quasimodo will factor in here yet, but it's a definite possibility, because I rarely close doors so to speak when I'm writing. :)

izzypirelli: You're welcome! I love your wonderfully long, detailed reviews. You have no idea how much it means to have such a review and I really get excited when I see you have reviewed. Nope, you won't like Arawn. I have modeled him after a character in the Black Cauldron. I saw it once a very long time ago so my model of him is going off the Wikipedia information. I decided that he would be a great character to connect to someone like Hans. Because we know Hans is deplorable, but he's the youngest so I thought, what would the oldest of a brood like this be like? And Arawn is the result. I figured with thirteen siblings, there's probably a huge age gap and Arawn is his brother, but probably old enough to be his father. Yeah, waking up like that was really traumatic for Snow and I'm glad you enjoy my monolouges. I enjoy monologues for my characters. I feel it's the best way to really convey a characters thoughts and feelings. I think it helps the readers connect too, especially if it's an OC. Anyway, I thought the dark fairy dust coming from Eli was an interesting twist and shows how he might have been contemplating using it himself as he obviously acquired it for a reason. This is definitely a different Eli and I really like daddy Eli too. It's been a lot of fun to redeem both him and Hades. I love the image of RDJ and Gal riding Cerberus too! Yeah, I could see Hades insisting that she know how to survive, just because of who he is. Of course, Snow hated those lessons, but is realizing exactly why her step-father insisted and now is grateful. And having to kill a rabbit was heartbreaking for her so glad I was able to correctly capture that.

Yep, Cora has no issues with Zelena being the worst she can be. Yeah, I hated that Rumple is going to make Daniel collateral damage, but it's for Bae. I miss Sheep Bros though. I will be anxious to get back to that dynamic eventually. Yep, either Zelena will learn a lesson from this or it will just make her more bitter. Frollo is the worst, but Eli will never betray his baby girl.

Yep, Snowing meet cute! Glad you like the blend of Heartless and Snow Falls. David might know a bit about royals, but not enough to know that they're still hiding his twin from him. Yep, those feelings are true love! They have some more fun interaction in this chapter. Yep, Arawn will feel like a fool when he learns that Deimos is the murderer, but you're right, he's more concerned about power and I doubt he'll care and he'll definitely refuse to believe Hades, even if he uses his oracle to show him the scene. So glad you're back and enjoying still. :)

Beth1980: Yep, we didn't need more reasons to hate Ravenna's family, but we have them now. Yep, Arawn will probably be displeased with Hans when all that goes down. It is very interesting that Eli has dark fairy dust and the question is why. I will eventually go into his thinking on that, because it speaks to his state of mind. Remember, he was sick and tired of his court and wife, who constantly put his daughter down and turned her into a servant. And even as King, he had little power to stop them really. Yeah, having to watch things unfold from the Underworld and not being able to stop them has to be hard. Yep, those lessons are saving Snow right now. Snow has her affinity with animals and we will learn why she doesn't have full blown magic in this reality either in a few chapters. Yep, Cora is the worst. Glad you liked Snowing's meeting too. I can't tell you what creature that Arawn is looking for yet, lol. Yeah, I hated having Rumple basically doom Daniel, but Bae is his focus and it was in character for him at this point. But you're right, he has a soft spot for kids in general so that's why it was still in character for him to want Snow protected, even if he has ulterior motives for it. He doesn't want any child to have to overcome something like that. :)

Dreaming Out Loud

Chapter 97: Once in a Lullaby

Regina and Daniel arrived back at the stables, following another ride. They dismounted and she watched him take the saddles off their horses.

"Another successful lesson," she mentioned. He smiled.

"Please...you are beyond needing lessons," he said fondly. She smiled coyly.

"Then I guess it's the company that keeps me coming back," she teased, as she put her arms around him. He smiled and put her arms around him, initiating a kiss with her.

"Let's run away," Regina suggested.

"You know we can't," he responded.

"Yes, we can...there's really nothing for me here. A life with you is all I want," she insisted.

"I have nothing to give you but my love…" she reminded.

"And your love is all I need," she said.

"You're a Princess...your mother would never stop looking for us," he warned.

"Then we'll leave the Kingdom and go somewhere she can't find us," Regina replied.

"Are you sure?" he asked uncertainly. She nodded.

"My parents will soon start offering me up to suitors. I'm surprised they haven't already and I will not marry someone I don't love like some business transaction," she said defiantly. He had to agree with her there. It would kill him to see her treated like that and he knew that was the future for most royals.

"Then pack and meet me here tonight. We'll leave just after midnight," he agreed. She grinned and kissed him soundly again, before hurrying back toward the palace with a bright smile on her face. As she passed through the barn doors, she failed to see Zelena there, concealing herself at the entrance, having been spying on them. She had come to summon Regina at her mother's request, only to find her in the arms of the stable boy and hearing him declare his love for her. It instantly made her jealous and she was unaware of the sudden green skin on her neck, as she scowled.

Zelena had long ago known that love wasn't in her future and for the most part, she was okay with that, for her mother had drilled into her that love was weakness. But to find out that her younger sister had already found love and might escape this life of duty and responsibility to be free made her extremely jealous. It caught her off guard a bit, as she realized that Regina being happy while she was decidedly chronically unhappy and likely to remain so didn't set well at all. And as Zelena stormed back to report to her mother, she decided that her little sister wasn't going to get away with her treachery.

Once they got far enough from Longbourne, they stopped by a stream to let Stardust and Wilby drink, while they drank some water themselves.

"Here," David said, as he fished some berries out of his satchel and handed them to her. She frowned.

"I ate some berries the other day and got really sick," she mentioned skeptically.

"Let me guess...blue ones?" he asked. She nodded.

"I'm surprised you're still alive after eating the blue ones, but I promise the red ones are safe to eat," he said, popping one in his mouth to show her. Since he was eating them, she trusted that and had some too.

"So...why did you save me?" she asked. She may have been a bit sheltered, but she knew enough about the world, thanks to Papa Hades mostly, that there were a lot of bad people out there. Like the Woodcutter and more that wouldn't have been able to resist the riches Arawn was promising for her capture.

"It seemed like the honorable thing to do. Besides, you said you're innocent," he replied.

"And you believe me?" she questioned. He shrugged.

"You don't seem like the type capable of stabbing someone in cold blood," he retorted.

"I'm not...but that doesn't mean I'm not capable of defending myself," she warned. She didn't want him to see her as some weak little Princess. It was a misconception that her kindness meant she was weak and nothing could have been further from the truth.

"Uh yeah...my chin found that out," he joked, as he pointed to the scratch there and she winced.

"How very Charming of you to point it out again," she complained. He chuckled.

"No hard feelings," he replied and she smirked.

"So what are you doing way out here, Charming?" she asked.

"I have a name you know," he replied.

"Don't care...Charming suits you," she retorted and he chuckled.

"My name is David and that is Wilby," he said, as his dog was curled up beside her.

"Hello Wilby," she said, as she continued to pet him and then stole another glance at her handsome rescuer. As long as she was with him though, he was in danger.

"I should probably get out of your hair now," she mentioned.

"Wait...where will you go?" he asked. She shrugged.

"I'll hide until my mother can find me. With a war going on though...their time will not be their own," she feared.

"You could come back with me. My mothers would never turn you away and our farm is pretty secluded. You'd be safe until your mother can find you," he offered.

"And what would your mothers think about you bringing home a wanted fugitive?" Snow questioned. He smirked.

"They'd take you in like their own, because that's how they are. You know, my mama Sera once had to escape an Evil King to save her own life. She's a lot like you," he mentioned. Snow seemed intrigued by that.

"Your mother was once a royal?" she asked.

"My biological mother's wife...yes. She was once a Queen, but she couldn't have children and the King had her taken away. The Kingdom was told she was ill, but his Knights were to execute her," he explained.

"And she escaped?" Snow asked. He nodded.

"With the help of one Knight that still remained loyal to her. He helped her escape and convinced the other Knights that he had carried out her execution. She escaped to her family estate. Then a few years later...she met my mother in the market. We had just left my drunk father. Mama Sera took us in and they fell in love," he replied.

"That's a wonderful story," Snow said, enamored by it.

"So what do you say?" he asked.

"I wouldn't want to impose," she replied uncertainly.

"You wouldn't be. If it makes it better, you can help my mothers and me with the chores for a room. We have some chickens and a few other animals. Mother knits blankets and Mama Sera is really good at making pottery. I was selling their goods in Longbourne," he said. Snow smiled. She didn't know why, but somehow she knew she could trust him and it was more than he had just saved her life.

"If you're sure...then I accept. I'm sure my mother will find me soon and it will be easier for her if I stay in one place," she replied. He smiled.

"Good...if we leave now, we'll be home in time for supper," he said, as he helped her onto Stardust, put Wilby on with her and then got on behind her, before they rode off again.

Prince James glared at the King and his Knights. Arawn's army was twice the size of theirs and their Kingdom had been the first he decided to invade. Their Kingdom, not unlike King Eli's, was headed for financial ruin, so Arawn naturally saw them as easy pickings.

"You cannot do this!" George bellowed.

"Oh, I assure you that we can, Your Majesty. This Kingdom now belongs to King Arawn and you and your son will either comply or face the gallows," Frollo stated. George seethed at that. He didn't want to answer to anyone, but he also didn't want to be executed either.

"We will stand with you then, King Arawn," George conceded.

"What?!" James exclaimed, but his father put his hand up to silence his son.

"You'll be silent and do as your told, James," he hissed, much to the chagrin of his boy.

"Yes father," he asked through clenched teeth.

"A wise choice, George. I have heard your son is excellent in combat," Arawn stated, as he looked at him.

"He is Your Majesty. My James would make an excellent General in your conquest," George offered. James couldn't help the stab of betrayal he felt at that. His father, selfish as always. He knew this was a tough place, but offering him up to appease another royal left him feeling bitter. He couldn't help but feel slighted by it. After all, word had it that King Eli was facing execution to save his child, but James knew that George would never throw himself on a sword or go to such lengths to protect him. His father loved him to a point; as much as a man like him was capable of loving. But he had known since a very young age that he was not loved unconditionally. It hurt, but it had hardened him into the warrior he was and now, against his will, he would be going off to fight a war he neither wanted to fight nor believed in.

Persephone and Hades arrived at the campsite they had heard about in Longbourne. The rumor was that Princess Snow had killed again, according to the propaganda being spread by Arawn's Knights. Claude Frollo, his Royal Vizier had already taken to making speeches to the Northern Kingdom and had painted her daughter as a demon. His fear mongering and hate speech was only working on those of noble birth or those that were easily frightened and lacked brains. The majority of the people, especially the poor and working class loved her daughter, for Snow had never set herself above them. It was not uncommon for her to go into the villages and mingle with them. She remembered many a Saturnalia festivals where she had requested to spend them outside the castle walls and with the people. But unfortunately, the ones supporting Arawn were the people with power and money, leaving everyone else to their mercy.

Once they heard of the incident, they quickly descended upon the scene, only to find several of his soldiers there. The whispers she had garnered from some of the people was that the Woodcutter had been after Snow. He was a notoriously skilled bounty hunter and they had immediately rushed to find the scene.

Persephone hurried toward the prison carriage and instantly wondered if her daughter had been locked in there, scared and alone. But a Knight blocked her path.

"You will let me pass," she said sternly.

"This scene is off limits by order of King Arawn," the Knight stated.

"I do not and will never take orders from your corrupt, power hungry King. Out of my way, soldier or you will be made to move," she warned. But they did not listen and Hades rolled his eyes at their sheer stupidity. When it came to protecting their daughter, they could both be utterly ruthless.

"Because you are so incredibly stupid, I will give you one more chance to step aside," Hades warned, as the other Knights surrounded him.

"Fine...I warned you," Hades said, as his hair and body lit up with blue flames. And though they tried to act as if they did not fear him, they cautiously backed away.

"You're all very lucky that I don't need anymore customers in the Underworld," he growled, as he picked them all up and tossed them away with his light blue magic, rendering them all unconscious.

Persephone walked toward the prison carriage and looked inside it. On the door, she picked up a tiny piece of white fabric and instantly knew that it had been torn from Snow's cloak.

"We can use a locator spell," he suggested.

"If we do...it might lead Arawn to her too," she replied. He winced, knowing she was right. They would have to be very careful. Already, they had learned that his Royal Vizier had an uncanny way of gathering information. Add to that, Deimos had joined Arawn's army and they had Zeus' backing. Soon, he knew the Underworld would be overwhelmed with souls caught in the cross hairs of war and he would be forced to return to deal with the influx of dead.

"Zeus is using our daughter to basically chain me to the Underworld again," he growled.

"And he will not get away with it," Persephone said, as she removed the sheet over the body of the Woodcutter.

"Trampled...at least we know Stardust is doing his job," he commented.

"Normally I do not advocate for harsh punishment...but this one," she hissed, as she imagined the man had found his way to the Underworld by now. A man like this would have had unfinished business, but his soul was one that she wanted no peace for.

"He put his hands on our little girl. He will suffer the fate of my rivers," Hades promised her. Persephone could almost hear Snow's screams and feel how scared she must have been. It could have been so much worse and she broke down in tears at that. Hades swept her into his arms and hugged her tightly.

"I just want our baby back…" she sobbed. He held her and then realized she was focused on something over his shoulder. He noticed she had gone rigid and he followed her line of sight.

"What is it?" he asked.

"It's a sapling…" she replied, as she put her hand to it and it glowed with green light.

"A true love sapling…" she realized.

"Are you sure?" he asked. She nodded and saw her smile.

"Oh yes...our little Snowdrop is not alone. Athena foresaw this. Snow will find true love that is written in the stars," she recalled.

"Then it has happened…" he said. She nodded.

"And we both know how rare this is. A first meeting without even knowing each other has sparked true love," she said wistfully with hope in her voice.

"You and I both know that with such a true love can come great strife," he feared. She nodded.

"I know...that's why we must find them," she agreed.

"Has...has a meeting like this ever happened before?" he asked, trying to recall. She smiled.

"Only once before and even then, it did not happen until Altair and Vega had already fallen in love. This is unprecedented," she revealed.

"Ah yes...Altair and Vega. They are happy together in Elysian. But we both know it wasn't always good for them. They spent more time apart than together," she reminded.

"Then we will do whatever we can to make sure Snow and her true love don't share that fate. But at least we know she isn't alone," Persephone said. He nodded in agreement.

"She isn't. Stardust isn't the only one that helped her. If she was locked in here, a person would have had to let her out," Hades surmised. Persephone smiled.

"Then I have hope that she is safe and will be safe until we can find her," she replied. Hades took her hand, as she used her magic to carefully uproot the sapling and then it disappeared, as she poofed it to a safe place.

"Let's find our daughter," she said. He smiled and took her hand, as they disappeared.

Regina shouldered her satchel and hurried back to the stables. It was nearly midnight and she was certain they would be far enough away before anyone realized that they were gone.

"Daniel?" she called. He smiled and came out from saddling up their horses. They ran to each other and shared a kiss.

"Are you ready?" he asked. She nodded eagerly.

"Are you sure about this? You must know that life with a Stable Boy will be a far cry from life as a Princess," he reminded. But she shook her head and caressed his face.

"All I care about is you," Regina insisted.

"Then let's go," Daniel said, as they prepared to depart. But they stopped, as Zelena appeared in the doorway.

"Zelena…" Regina said, swallowing thickly, as she felt a ripple of fear go down her spine.

"So...you're just going to run off without a word?" the redhead questioned.

"Zelena...I…" she started to say, but her older sister cut her off.

"Do you really think mother wouldn't notice that you're leaving the palace in the dead of night?" she asked.

"No...I know she will, but this is the life I want, Zelena and mother will never allow it unless we escape," Regina replied.

"Oh, you are such a little fool…" Zelena hissed, as Regina frowned.

"You are a Princess! You will someday be a Queen when mother finds you the right suitor and you throw that kind of power away for this," she said, looking at Daniel with distaste.

"You may want power, Zelena...but I don't. I want love," Regina protested.

"Love is for children," Zelena replied.

"Well said, my daughter," Cora cooed, as she made her presence known. Regina's eyes flashed with betrayal.

"You told her?!" Regina cried. Zelena smirked evilly.

"Of course I did," she replied, as she got closer to her sister so their faces were only inches apart.

"If I can't escape this life...then neither can you," Zelena hissed bitterly. And Regina knew what she meant by that. Zelena was perfectly willing to sacrifice the possibility to love for power. But it was still a sacrifice. Still a life lived in somewhat of a gilded cage. It was empty and hallow. Power came with a price and that was not lost on Zelena. She realized at that moment that her older sister would never be happy and thus would never allow Regina to be happy if she had any power.

"It's my life, mother. You have one Princess that wants power and is perfectly willing to be married off. But not me," Regina said defiantly.

"Wrong...it's my life, you foolish girl. After what I had to do, the deals I had to make to get us out of poverty...I had to marry myself to a man that would rather be putting his hands on a child than me," Cora snapped.

"Stay strong, Regina," Daniel whispered to her.

"Your magic can't keep us apart. I love him," Regina stated.

"And I love her," Daniel added.

"We love you too, Regina," Cora claimed.

"If you love me, then you won't keep us apart!" Regina cried.

"I'm sorry...but this is my happiness. We're going," she declared.

"So this is your decision? This will make you happy?" Cora questioned.

"It already has," Regina confirmed.

"Then who am I to stop it?" Cora asked. Zelena's mouth was ajar in disbelief.

"Mother…" Zelena growled, but Cora silenced her by putting her hand up, as Regina hugged her.

"Thank you, mother," she said.

"Daniel…" Cora said, as she took him aside.

"If you want to have a life together, a family, then there's one important lesson I can impart on you. It's what it means to be a parent. You always have to do what's best for your children," Cora explained.

"Thank you. I understand. Because that's what you're doing right now," he agreed.

"Yes...it is," Cora declared, as she plunged her hand into his chest and he cried out in pain.

"Mother!" Regina shouted.

"Noooo!" she cried, as Daniel fell to the ground, as her mother clenched his heart, until it was crushed to dust and he took his final breath in Regina's arms.

"Mother...what have you done?!" Regina sobbed.

"This is your happy ending, Regina," Cora promised.

"That doesn't make any sense! You just killed the man I love!" she cried.

"I know, you'll have to trust me, Regina. I know best. Love is weakness...Zelena knows this and now you must learn as well. It feels real now, but it is an illusion. It fades and then you are left with nothing. But power...true power...endures. And then you don't have to rely on anyone to get what you want. I have saved you, my dear," she promised.

"You ruined my life is what you did!" Regina screamed, as she glared daggers at her mother and then her sister.

"Especially you…" Regina growled. But Zelena only smirked evilly, like she was enjoying her sister's pain. At that point, Henry scrambled in and saw the scene.

"Make sure Regina gets back to the castle and is cleaned up. She's filthy from this place," Cora said coldly, as she and Zelena left without another word. Regina remained sobbing, as she held Daniel's lifeless body in her arms. Henry placed his hands on her shoulders, tears of his own slipping down his face. Seeing his child in so much pain hurt him deeply.

"What will I do, Henry? She killed him...I loved him…" Regina sobbed.

"I am so sorry, Regina…" he offered, as he hugged her gently.

"I want them to pay for doing this," she growled, as anger marred her features. And Henry realized there might be a way to make them pay. Normally, he would never advocate revenge...but his daughter deserved it against those two monsters that claimed to love her. He swallowed thickly, knowing that he could face execution for what he was about to tell her. But it did not matter. She deserved to finally know the truth.

"Perhaps there is a way to make them…"

Deimos dismounted his horse, as he arrived at the sight where the Woodcutter had been killed.

"We have reason to believe that they are headed south, Lord Deimos," one of the soldiers reported.

"Then what are you still doing here?" Deimos growled, frightening all the men as he toppled the prison carriage over with one well placed kick, demonstrating his monstrous strength.

"Si...Sir…" one brave soldier interjected.

"What?" Deimos growled.

"If...if the Princess is headed in the direction we think, we may be able to get ahead of her. There...there is a Troll bridge not far from here that would offer a shortcut," the man offered. Deimos smirked.

"That's good work...you'll lead this mission," he decided.

"But...Lord Deimos, I am the lead on this mission, the General replied.

"Oh I'm sorry," Deimos apologized, as the man's eyes bulged suddenly, as the God wrapped a hand around his neck and snapped it effortlessly, before tossing the body away.

"Now you're the lead," he stated, as he and the soldiers moved out.

After riding for a couple hours, Snow and David stopped by a stream for another drink for them and the animals, as well as a break. They ate some of the rations his mother had packed for him, while resting.

"So...I told you about my Moms, but you haven't said much about your parents," he mentioned. She smiled.

"I have three, like you and if you know who I am...then you probably know who they are," she replied.

"Yeah...but I'd still like to hear about them from you. I doubt the stories everyone else tells are entirely accurate," he answered. She smirked.

"You mean about my step-father being evil incarnate? Or the one where my father is a weak King that disgraced his legacy by having a bastard daughter with the Queen of the Underworld?" she asked. He gave her a sympathetic smile.

"I'm not really the type to buy into gossip," he said.

"That's refreshing, because you're one of the only ones," she replied, as she took a breath.

"Daddy is a good man. He seems weak sometimes, because he's in such a difficult position. He never wanted to marry Ravenna...but he did his duty to his Kingdom," she said.

"That must have made him very unhappy," he mentioned. She nodded.

"He was...but he always said I made him happy, despite all that. Then Mama went back to Papa Hades and somehow, he changed and they actually fell in love. She restarted his heart with true love's kiss," she explained.

"That's amazing," he mentioned. She nodded in agreement.

"It is. I hoped someday that Daddy could find love again...but he told me I was enough for him. But now…" she said, as she trailed off sadly.

"Now...he's been imprisoned, because of me," she said, choking back a sob.

"I'm sorry...you must be terribly worried about him," he offered. She nodded and wiped her tears away.

"Maybe I should just turn myself in...maybe they'd let him go then," she said.

"No...that's the last thing you should do. It's the last thing he would want you to do if he's the man you say he is," David protested.

"If there is one thing I know about parents...it's that they're not perfect, but they'll do anything to protect their children," he added, as a twig snapped, keeping their conversation from continuing. They froze and he motioned to her to be quiet, as he silently pulled a dagger from his pack and crept toward the tree where the sound had come from. A Knight, dressed in all black emerged and he prepared to stab at him, but the man caught his arm and they struggled, exchanging punches. Snow was quick to her feet and found her bow, only to be ambushed from behind. She screamed, as he tossed her over his horse and rode off with her. David was stricken with fear, as he saw what had happened. If the soldier got much further, it would all be over for her. With a surge of savage energy, he elbowed the soldier in the face, causing blood to gush down his face and in a move he swore he'd never use, he snapped the man's neck. He didn't like killing, but he had quickly realized that he'd do it if it meant protecting her. With that, he grabbed the bow and an arrow, as Stardust gave chase. He aimed expertly and fired, hitting his mark. The Soldier fell off the horse to his death, while Snow fell too, but was caught by her Unicorn and brought back safely to him.

"Are you okay?" he asked, as he held her off the animal and to her feet. She stumbled, but he held her up, as they stared at each other with looks of awe.

"I'm...I'm fine...thanks to you," she replied. He sighed in relief, before looking back to see Wilby returning. He whined and nuzzled David's hand.

"I don't think we're going to be able to take that way home," he said.

"It will take longer, but I think we need to take the long way. We can keep going for a while and then we'll make camp for the night," he suggested. She nodded, as they packed up and mounted her Unicorn. This time, David rode in front and Snow was behind him with her arms around him. She leaned against his back, as she still attempted to get her bearings and listened to the thrumming of his heart, which brought her peace. He made her feel safe in a way she had never expected or anticipated and if she didn't know any better, she could have sworn that her heart was beating in sync with his...