Clouds began to fill the sky as I trudged deeper and deeper into the trees. I wasn't much of a tracker, so this was going to be difficult. Eventually the trees got too thick that I had to pull the mare forward myself by the reins.

"Okay if I was Snow White and I was scared out of my mind, where would I run?" I thought to myself. Before long, I felt small drops of water hit my face. The darkness came in mere minutes and the wind began to pick up. There was a heavy storm brewing and I had to find shelter. I threw up the hood on my sweatshirt though it wouldn't keep me from getting soaked much. It was crazy to me how quickly the weather changed so suddenly. Eventually, I came to a small clearing. The grass in the center had been disturbed, pressed down as if someone recently laid here. Was it Snow White? I spied something long and red waving in the wind caught on a tree branch on the edge of the clearing. I grabbed it and examined it. It was a hair ribbon, so I knew I was at least going in the right direction. Suddenly, I heard a snap of twig behind me. I spun around immediately scared hoping I wouldn't come across a bear or something dangerous in these woods. It was faint, but I could make out several sets of eyes hidden in the bushes. Maybe it was a search party looking for Snow White.

"Show yourselves." I said trying to sound calm, "I mean you no harm."

"Is that a promise?" A voice of what sounded like a child that came from the bushes.

Soon the three most unlikely of animals slowly and cautiously emerged from the foliage. A small fawn, a rabbit, and a skunk. Immediately I backed away afraid of getting sprayed by the skunk.

"We won't hurt you." The rabbit spoke hopping closer to me sniffing me thoroughly. "You smell nice." The rabbit smiled.

I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen and heard that rabbit speak with my own eyes.

"I'm sorry did you just speak?" I said looking at the three animals in awe.

"Well we are the only one's here." The skunk added.

"Are you scared lady?" The rabbit asked hopping in my lap and I began scratching him behind the ears.

"Not scared, but surprised. I'm not used to animals talking to me."

"All animals talk, of course." The rabbit commented matter of factly.

"Not where I come from." I smiled, "What can I call you?" I asked.

"I'm Thumper and my black and white friend is named Flower." The rabbit answered.

"And what about you?" I asked the fawn.

"His name is Bambi...He's still learning to speak." Thumper said.

"Bird." Bambi said loudly.

"What's your name?" Flower asked.

"It's Noella." I answered.

"Nice to meet you." Thumper replied hopping up and down happily. "You're the second person to come through these woods today."

"Really? Where did this person go?" I pressed.

"Sorry Noella, we didn't follow." Flower answered glumly.

Soon a crack of thunder echoed loud and it was so deep it seemed to shake the ground. The rain began to come down in buckets. The mare got spooked and ran off.

"Ugh, now what?" I said. "I'm new here and don't have a place to stay or a horse."

Immediately Bambi grabbed my sleeve gently and pulled me toward the woods. He released my arm and looked at me intently.

"Follow." He said and promptly ran off.

Thumper, Flower, and I quickly went to follow him. The rain was coming down from all directions due to the wind. It was hard to get a sense of direction, but Bambi seemed to know. Eventually, making our way into another clearing though much larger than the last. There was a small stream flowing nearby with a wooden bridge crossing it and just beyond that there was a cottage. It was a modest one, but I was happy Bambi lead me to it. I'd have even settled for a cave to get out of this rain. I thanked my new forest friends for their help and they ran off. Talking animals what more surprises could this world surprise me with?

I knocked on the cottage door, but no answer came. If this cottage had occupants, I'm sure they'd understand my desperation from getting out of the storm. I turned the knob and went inside closing the door promptly behind me. Nticing how much I to bend to get through the open doorway. My sneakers squeaked on the floor as I trailed in a puddle. I took off my wet sweatshirt and threw it over a wooden chair by the table. There was a fireplace with a pile of logs right beside it in a box. I built a fire and just stood in front of it for several minutes desperate to get warm while I wrung out my hair. Eventually I grabbed a chair from the table, and moved it over in front of the fire. I was exhausted, but I was also too nervous to sleep. How could I relax in a place so foreign to me? I glanced around the cottage taking notice of the various assortment of spiderwebs vacant and not. Also, everything within my view looked to have been made for a child. All the furniture and dishes were rather small for any adult. The kitchen was full of dirty dishes and so was the table. There was giant organ by the stairs. Maybe the bedrooms were up there and I could rest for even an hour. I was a former nursing student after all, I knew better than to deny myself sleep. I sat in front of the fire waiting for my sweatshirt to at least dry a little and then I would move upstairs to sleep. However, I didn't even make it too long before I fell asleep sitting up in that chair.

I was startled awake when my neck slumped downward quickly that gave me that jumpy feeling of freefall. It jolted me awake and my head snapped back up I was surrounded by a group of men. All of which were at my eye level as I was sitting. They just stared at me and I smiled nervously.

"Hi…" I said warmly with a wave.

The men jumped back nervously. They were older all sporting white beards. At least six of them were. One of them was completely clean shaven with big blue eyes sporting a green robe and a purple hat.

"Who are ye?" One of the men asked approaching me nervously pushing his glasses up.

"My name is Noella. I knocked and nobody answered. I'm sorry for intruding, I just wanted shelter from the rain…"

"Well the rain stopped so get out." Another man said looking angry. He was seemingly the meanest of the bunch.

"Aw come on, men. We have hearts don't we. This young maid needs some help. I mean look at her attire…" The man with glasses added. This was the second time someone had made fun of my jeans. Maybe I could borrow a dress from someone, but who was I kidding? That was far from practical if I get lost in strange lands especially in the rain.

"It's your call…" The mean man in red spat, "I'm going upstairs for some shut eye." He said thumping up the stairs angrily.

"Forgive him...it's in his nature to be like that." The man in glasses added, "Gents, why don't we introduce ourselves? I'm Doc." He told me. I figured he was the leader. Suddenly I remembered these men from the Disney movie. These were the seven dwarves. I was embarrassed I forgot that until now. Each man stepped forth stating their name, which is definitely something I needed reminding.

"Happy."

"Bashful."

"Sneezy."

"Sleepy."

The man with no beard stepped forward and shook my hand.

"That's Dopey." Doc explained, "He doesn't speak."

"Nice to meet you." I smiled.

Dopey certainly acted more like a child then a man.

"Grumpy is the one went upstairs." Doc added.

Soon the man known as Grumpy ran out from the upstairs room and flailed his arms around frantically.

"We have a ghost in our midst. First a she-man and now a ghost." Grumpy shouted.

Grumpy remained atop the stairs and the rest of the dwarves gathered at the base with Doc grabbing me by the hand keeping me behind them.

"Y-You're safe with us Noella." Doc said nervously as the dwarves cautiously went up the stairs. Each of them had mining tools like picks and shovels at the ready. We all gathered up top and finally going into the bedroom. Something was in the bed, but I surely didn't believe in ghosts so I knew it couldn't be that. It was covered head to toe in a blanket and a leg stuck out wearing a very familiar heeled shoe. I pushed through the dwarves and yanked the blanket off revealing none other than Snow White. The dwarves gasped in surprise.

"Hey Snow." I whispered gently shaking her awake.

Her eyes soon fluttered open and she smiled widely at me as she rose up stretching out her arms.

"Noella." She said drowsily. "How did you find me?"

"I had some help, but that's not important now. Are you okay?'

"Fine. I was just so sleepy." Snow suddenly turned acknowledging the rest of the guests in the room.

"Who are you?" She asked.

All the dwarves took off their hats all except Grumpy.

"Meet our hosts." I said and each one introduced themselves to Snow White.

Once the dwarves learned her name, they were shocked to find the princess in their midst. With the introductions made, Snow White and I wanted to thank our hosts by cleaning up the cottage. It was a sty after all. Afterward, everyone pitched in on breakfast, but only after Snow White thoroughly inspected the dwarves hands and Grumpy took some convincing to wash. Rather much force to. Later that evening, with the organ newly dusted and cleaned, the dwarves delighted Snow White and I with music. It was a fun dance party of sorts, which I clapped along with. Dopey tried to get me to dance with him, which I kindly obliged him. After that, I took a rest and let Snow White continue the fun. This was fun and I had made some new friends, so it was nice not being alone. But I still hadn't come close to finding my mom and that worried me.

Queen Grimhilde

My patience was growing thin. My scouts had failed to find Snow White anywhere in the vicinity. Corissa offered to go after her, but I was always one to agree with the philosophy of "if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself." My servants after all were tools for me to use at will, but had failed me on more than one occasion. I summoned Corissa to me after a day since our agreement was made.

"We are equals…" Corissa spat as she entered my chambers, "I'm not one of your servants."

Ignoring her comment, I addressed my own.

"What are your favorite ways to snuff out the forces of light?" I asked.

"My methods are my own…" Corissa sneered. "But one piece of assistance I can offer you is to find a weakness and exploit it. What are Snow White's? She grew up around you, surely you picked up on something."

"I never paid much attention to the girl…" I shrugged.

"What about kindness? People in the light are sickeningly kind. Appeal to that." Corissa suggested.

"I didn't ask for your help." I snapped.

"Why else am I here?" Corissa replied.

"Leave me." I ordered, "We'll meet again once Snow White has been dealt with and we can move on to the other places you spoke of."

Corissa left and I quickly walked up to my mirror. I pulled a chain with an iron ring on its end and a doorway in the stone wall appeared. This took me straight to the catacombs and I walked down a spiral stone staircase and through another doorway, I reached my lab. Corissa viewed us as equals, but I would never reveal this place to her. I took a black leather bound book from my bookcase and began rifling through it. I wanted to be rid of Snow White, but how? Would I be merciful and make her death slow or immediate? Finally my eyes spied it. The Sleeping Death Curse. I was hesitant at first because the fact about curses is that there was a way to break them, but this one in particular surely would never be broken. The book said true love's kiss would break it, but I knew no such thing existed. I was married to a king and we never shared such affection. Thinking about my late husband, I remembered something about Snow White and the apple pies her mother used to make her as a girl. Appealing to that memory, I would poison an apple and once she was dead, I would be the fairest in the land. With my plan made, I conjured a disgusting brew that made me gag as I ingested it. The room began to spin and in moments my beautiful self had melted away into the appearance of an old woman. This was it and soon Snow White would be out of my life forever. I left my laboratory walking through to my dungeon and cackling at the young prince in my cell. Never again would he and Snow White meet.

Noella

After our dance party, the dwarves set up the bedroom upstairs for Snow and I and they opted to sleep downstairs. Snow and I drowsily laid down and I blew out the candle on the nightstand beside me, but the room was still lit bright. Snow hadn't blown hers out. I glanced at her as she sat on the side of the bed looking deep in thought.

"Something bothering you?" I asked as I pulled the covers over my legs.

"I just hoped that I would meet that man again, but how can I here?"

"What was this man like?" I asked.

"He was kind with dark brown eyes and he sang to me by the well at the palace. It was lovely."

"I'm sure you'll meet him again." I smiled reassuringly.

Snow White smiled back, but her face still seemed unsure. With my busy schedule back at home, I didn't really have a lot of friends. Is this what girl talk felt like?

"What did I do?" Snow suddenly asked.

"I don't understand…" I replied.

"Why does my stepmother hate me so much?"

"I wish I had an answer for you…" I began hesitating slightly just wanting to encourage her by saying the right thing. "Some people are hurting and certain things in a person's life can sometimes change a person's heart and outlook on life. Maybe your stepmother is wounded by a lack of compassion and love in her life."

"That's terrible." Snow replied, "If only I could help."

Classic Snow White being so kind to someone even if they are a threat to her.

"Sometimes they're beyond help Snow and it's good to keep your distance." I reasoned.

"Yeah, maybe." Snow replied, but then promptly blew out her candle saying goodnight.

The following morning, I woke early and crept downstairs. The dwarves were still asleep and I quietly grabbing the walkie from my pack and went outside to check in with Riley. When I turned the power on, Riley was already talking.

"Noella, pst Noella."

"I'm here."

"What's happening?" She pressed, "I can't help you if you don't talk with me."

"Sorry Ri, a lot has been happening, but I'm at the dwarves cottage now and…"

Immediately my sister cried out in exuberant joy showing off her fangirl side again.

"Focus Riley."

"Right, sorry. So what's happening?"

"Just staying away from the queen. The dwarves have been so kind...all except Grumpy that is."

"Aw classic Grumpy...he'll come around."

"Focus Riley. I'm straying off course. Mom is still missing."

"You're taking time to help people…that's nice."

"I understand that, but I'm just worried."

"You know the princesses are knowledgeable, so slowing down and taking your time with the people you meet there is a good thing."

"Snow White got me a horse." I told her. "I just wish I knew where to start."

"Well protecting Snow White from the queen is still important."

"Snow did show me the magic mirror back at the castle. Maybe I should return there to ask more questions…"

"It's a start…" Riley replied, "or you could find the prince."

"What prince?" I asked curiously.

"Snow White's of course."

"Oh uh, okay. Where is he?"

"You know the movie isn't clear…" Riley replied.

"Riley. How does that help?"

"I know hold on I'm thinking…"

There was a brief pause before I hit the button to talk again.

"Snow White was telling me about a man she met at a well in the courtyard at the palace…"

"That's the prince!" Riley said excitedly.

"Snow White failed to mention that."

"Maybe she didn't know."

"Now we're getting somewhere." I smiled. "Thanks Riley, I'll head back."

"Keep me updated, but Noella, make sure Snow White doesn't eat any apples from anyone."

"Right, got it."

I turned off the walkie and went inside. The dwarves were just starting to stir as I came back in. They curiously watched me as I packed up my things in my pack.

"Noella, you going somewhere?" Doc asked.

"Yes Doc, I have to find someone for Snow White."

"D-Do you have to go?" Bashful added.

"I'm afraid so. Trust me, it's important." I replied.

Soon Snow White came downstairs joining the rest of us.

"Noella? What's going on?" She asked.

"I'm returning to the palace." I told her.

"But the queen…" She replied nervously.

"The queen doesn't know me, so it's better I go back instead of you." I explained. "I'm coming right back. I promise."

I picked up my pack slinging the straps around my shoulders. Snow White quickly grabbed my hand.

"Be careful." She told me.

"I will." I promised. "Oh and Snow...don't eat anything from strangers okay? Like an apple."

Snow White laughed almost as if I told her a joke.

"I'm not kidding. Don't trust anyone." I told her seriously.

"A strange request, but alright." She smiled.

With that, she threw her arms around me in a tight hug. The goodbyes were said and with fond farewells from Snow and the dwarves I left the cottage making my return to the forest.

I remembered most of the way back to the palace. It wasn't the easiest trek, but a doable one. I happened across Bambi again and he licked my face as soon as he saw me. Soon after, Thumper appeared and showed me my mare that run off during the storm.

"We went after her for you." Thumper commented.

With now a faster mode of travel, I hopped on the mare thanking my forest friends again for their help. The mare and I made quick tracks and before I knew it, I was at the palace gates. The guards didn't give me trouble because they remembered me with Snow White last time. I got us inside and went to the well. I paced around and pulled the bucket out. I glanced around, but no one was here. I waited here until sun down, which was probably an hour or two. The prince was a no show, but then I remembered the magic mirror. Surely the mirror would know. With no time to lose, I snuck inside the palace during the change of guard. It was easier than expected, but I still had to be stealthy. Snow White wasn't with me for an easy free pass inside and I wasn't sure if guards were still loyal to her or not. I returned to the room that held the mirror. I carefully peered around a corner to check to see if the coast was clear. It was and I went in. I approached the mirror spying my reflection and then rose my arms up like last time.

"Come forth, Reveal thy face." I said.

"What does thou want of me, Noella?" The mirror spoke.

"Snow White met a prince the other day. Where can I find him?"

"The prince returned to once again see where Snow White may be, but the queen found him first sneaky is she. He resides in a dungeon right below us now, perhaps Noella can free him somehow. The dungeon is deep, dark, and despairing. Pull the chain with a ring are you really so daring?"

"Thank you mirror."

"I can sense another question you want to ask…" The mirror continued, "Ask it now and ask it fast."

I hesitated, but the mirror could read me like a book.

"Where is my mom?" I asked again.

"Corissa Kendall is in fact in the Magic Kingdom, where we dwell, but your mother is a prisoner of a great evil, but not in a cell. Follow the leadings of my brothers and they will direct you to many others."

Then the mirror entity faded away and my reflection returned. I heard some guards marching nearby so I quickly followed the mirrors instructions pulling the chain with a ring revealing the hidden stairwell. I followed it down luckily my path lit by large torches walking carefully not wanting to trip. This spiral staircase led me to some sort of laboratory with tons of beakers and containers filled with bright, mysterious colors. Stacks of books were placed messily on the table. I think I was in the clear of the queen who obviously wasn't here or guards for that matter. So I called out.

"Hello? Anyone down here?"

"Yes, hello?" Another voice answered.

I followed the voice which came from the next room over with iron cells on both sides of the room. All were vacant except for one. The man was a bit dirty, but looked otherwise unharmed.

"Thank the stars, who knew that a young maiden would be so bold as to be the one to rescue me." He said.

He was probably used to the damsel in distress scenario in this world.

"Do you see where she put the keys?" I asked.

"Alas, I was knocked out before I woke up here, so I know not."

"It's gotta be nearby. I'll be right back."

The man nodded and I got up to look around. I found nothing in the dungeon so I returned to the laboratory. There were no hooks on the walls to hang a key, so it must be on a table. I shoved all books off the table and looked around carefully. There was no key, but I wasn't about to give up. I looked up feeling like I was being watched and on a nearby high shelf, there was a large crow perched on top of a skull. It cawed at me and began to flap its wings aggressively. Defensively, I threw a small beaker at it. I missed and the beaker broke against the shelf spilling its contents. I'm grateful I didn't hit the bird because whatever was in that beaker reacted like a type of acid eating through the wood and dripping down beginning to melt the cauldron sitting below. That gave me an idea. There were multiple beakers of the same substance and I grabbed one returned to the dungeon. I told the man to back up as I poured the substance on all three door hinges. In seconds the hinges were no more and the door fell to the ground releasing the prisoner.

"Thank you kind maiden, may I inquire the name of my rescuer?" He asked as he came out of the cell.

"It's Noella. I'm a friend of Snow White."

"Truly? What luck." He smiled.

"May I ask your name? Snow was a bit vague on the details…"

"It's Marcus. Prince Marcus."

"It's nice to meet you. Let's get out of here and I'll take you to Snow White."

Marcus nodded following me as I led up from the dungeon depths and into daylight again. Returning to my horse, Marcus tried to help me onto the mare, but I refused politely. Though I wasn't mad at his insistence, he probably wasn't used to being around independent, headstrong women and on the flip side I wasn't used to gentlemanly behavior. It was an appreciated change. We took off into the night with the moonlight lighting our path. I rode the mare hard and I could hear her tired pants.

"Let's stop and rest the mare." Marcus commented, "A lame horse won't get us anywhere."

"Alright, but not too long." I insisted.

He and I sat back against a couple of tree trunks while we let the horse rest and bit. I would have made a fire or something, but we couldn't linger so it was pointless to build one. The wind started to pick up and it didn't take long for goosebumps to completely cover my arms. Marcus took the cape from his back and offered it to me for warmth.

"No t-t-thanks, I'm fine." I insisted trying to keep my teeth from chattering.

"Noella, please. I insist." He smiled.

Snow White certainly spoke the truth, as if a princess could lie, but her prince was very kind and to a complete stranger nonetheless.

"So why are you so fond of Snow White?" I asked putting him on the spot randomly.

"I saw a beautiful woman by a well and I just knew I had to talk to her."

"There is more to a woman than beauty." I replied.

"I know that." He insisted, "My mother, taught me true beauty comes from within."

"Your mother sounds like a wise woman."

"She is. When I first spied Snow White at the well, I could see the kindness in her face. Her smile was intoxicating. I felt horrible scaring her away surprising her like I did, but I let my heart do the talking in song."

"You sang to her?" I said trying to hold back a laugh.

"Are you mocking me?"

"No, I'm just not used to men acting as the way you are. Where I'm from, it's not always happily ever after. Love can make you blind to the truth sometimes." I mumbled glumly.

"Or it can truly open your eyes to the greatest treasure in your life." Marcus added.

"I guess so." I shrugged. I glanced at the mare who looked relaxed and had finally caught her breath. "C'mon let's get you to Snow White."

We got back on the mare right as it started to rain.

The Huntsman

The queen spared my life, which surprised me due to her limited capacity of mercy. With my new task at hand, I could only hope that this powerful source of light would be an object rather than a person to destroy. Though with how much I was moving around following the bow's guiding light, I knew it had to be a person on the move. I kept to the trees following the path from where I nearly ended Snow White's life. Climbing up a few taller trees to get my bearings on the overall area. There wasn't much to see other than the occasional stream or pack of forest creatures. I climbed back to the ground and continued to move forward following the guiding light of the bow. Eventually, I found a cottage deep within the forest and I remembered a group of dwarves lived there. They were miners in the nearby diamond mine, but hardly were candidates for possessing the light that the queen spoke of. However, the bow was glowing radiantly as if my target was indeed inside the cottage. I cautiously peered inside rubbing the dirt on the glass clean, so I could see. There was a blast of music coming from inside. The dwarves were dancing around happily and then I saw Snow. She looked so happy, but then I saw another woman dancing as well. She was tall with long auburn hair and bright, blue eyes. Her attire was quite different than what I was used to seeing. Women around here wore dresses not trousers. This woman caught my attention, but then I snapped out of it. The bow started to heat up. I ducked as this woman approached the window to sit on a chair inside. I dropped the bow and the glow grew fiercely bright. This woman was the source I was after, my target. The queen said this bow wouldn't stop without hitting a heart, but I couldn't do it here and now. Too many witnesses, I would follow this woman and wait for the opportune moment. It sickened me, but it had to be done. I climbed the closest tree to the cottage and got up on a high branch to remain out of sight. I had identified my target, but now all I had to do was wait for the right moment and then freedom would finally be mine. I rested the bow on my lap and put my hands behind my head and soon I nodded off.

I awoke the next morning and I looked at the bow and it wasn't glowing at all, which meant that woman was on the move. I groaned in frustration as I sat up massaging my stiff neck. Before I was about to hop down out of the tree, the front door opened and I froze. The group of seven dwarves left their home with tools in hand singing a tune as they marched away in a single file line. Snow White waved at them as they left and once they were out of sight, she went inside. I decided to hide in the tree for a bit because something told me that woman wouldn't leave Snow White for too long. From what I saw last night, they seemed quite close. To have friends like that...what a concept that couldn't exist for me. I got down from the tree to fill my canteen from the nearby steam, but then returned to my perch. Soon in the distance, I saw someone approach the cottage. It wasn't the young woman from last night, but an older woman with white, wispy hair wearing a long hooded black robe. She had with her a basket of bright red apples. The like of which I have never seen in these parts. I only knew of green apple trees in this area, but red? This elderly woman must have been a traveler. Clouds gathered and soon it began to rain. The woman knocked on the door and I was too high to hear the conversation, but Snow White invited her inside. Several minutes go by and finally the door opens with the old woman stepping out cackling heavily.

"Now I'm the fairest in the land!" She cried up to the heavens.

My eyes widened in shock. Was this old woman the queen? Before I could confirm my suspicions, I saw the dwarves running toward the cottage frantically. They looked angry and charged after the woman in black. I had bird's eye view of the whole ordeal. The old woman ran through the forest until she came to a rocky hill and climbed frantically. She got to the top and was trying to push a boulder down on the dwarves who pursued her. Without thinking, I drew an arrow aiming at the woman, but before I released the string, a giant bolt of lightning struck the rock the woman was standing on swallowing her into the ravine falling to her death. This all happened so fast and shortly after, my target appeared along with a man I knew by the name Prince Marcus. I had a feeling my mark would return. It was good I didn't know her name made it less personal that way. Moments later green flames rose up beside me on the branch and Corissa appeared sitting beside me.

"Corissa." I said feeling startled. "What are you doing here?"

"I have powers beyond comprehension and I came here to spy same as you."

"Why?"

"I had a feeling Grimhilde would be the author of her own destruction and I was right. Her obsession over Snow White blinded her to the big picture, so now…" She paused grabbing my chin harshly to look her in the eyes. "You serve me now, do you understand?"

"Fine." I replied, "But what of my brother?"

"I'll see him after you and give him new instructions as I am you."

"And what are those?"

"I don't want you to kill that source of light...yet." Corissa said calmly, "Grimhildes' mirror has been very helpful to me. I already moved it to my home on the forbidden mountain. The mirror told me that this woman is the only one capable of bringing down the barriers of the world, so ironically I need the wretch alive as I bleed my existence to other parts of the province."

"Okay, so what am I to do then?" I questioned.

"You're my spy. Keep tabs on her and everywhere she goes reporting to me and only me. Do you understand?" She asked looking at me sternly.

"How do I keep in touch to update you?"

She smiled a toothy grin and grabbed something from her leather belt.

"This is a special hand held magic mirror made from the glass of a very ancient mirror. To speak to me, you simply think of me, speak my name, and the mirror will do the rest."

"Easy enough." I said taking the mirror.

She grabbed my chin again making me clench my jaw roughly.

"I warn you boy, I'm not one to be trifled with. Grimhilde may have been merciful once, but you'll have no such grace from me. Your life belongs to me. Do you understand?"

"Yes." I said.

She released my jaw and I jerked it this way and that trying to massage that painful pressure away.

"And one more thing...Huntsman was Grimhilde's thing. What do I call you?" She asked.

"Joel." I replied.

Noella

Marcus and I fought through wind and rain to return to the cottage, but when we got there, the front door was ajar. This wasn't good. I went inside first with Marcus right behind me. Inside the dwarves were standing in a semicircle with all their hats off and their heads bowed.

"Hey guys." I said.

The dwarves turned acknowledging me and as I approached I saw what held their attention. Snow White was collapsed on the ground with an apple in her hand with a single bite taken out of it.

"We were too late." Doc mumbled wiping a tear from his eye.

I was suddenly overcome with grief and emotion as well hitting me instantly, but then I remembered the happy ending.

"Marcus." I said grabbing his hand, "You have to kiss her."

"This is hardly the time for that." Grumpy grumbled.

"Trust me." I told Marcus.

"I've wanted to kiss her from the day we met." He spoke solemnly.

I rolled my eyes just wanting him to get on with it. The dwarves scooted out of the way as Marcus fell to his knees picking up the lifeless Snow White in his arms. Then he kissed her. As soon as he pulled his head up, color returned to her face and her eyes opened.

"Snow White!" I said excitedly.

She turned looking at me and all around seemingly in a daze, but then focused on Marcus.

"It's you." She said smiling widely at Marcus as he swept her up off the floor and carried her out of the cottage. The dwarves all cheered as we all flooded outside. Marcus put Snow White on the mare and the dwarves said goodbye to her. I pulled Marcus aside briefly giving him a hug.

"Take care of her." I whispered in his ear.

As I pulled away he smiled with a single nod.

"And promise me you'll take your time getting to know her before proposing marriage, okay?" I added.

He laughed and then bowed politely.

"I've never met a woman like you Noella. Stay safe."

We both walked over joining everyone else and I finally said goodbye to Snow White as Marcus hopped on the back of the mare sitting behind Snow White. Snow White smiled at me grabbing my hand in hers.

"Bless you Noella. I do hope you find your mother."

"I'm sure I will." I told her. "You're a great friend Snow White. Take care."

"Until next time." She said giving me a hug.

Then Marcus and Snow rode off together leaving me and the dwarves behind.

"And then there were eight." I told the dwarves with a shrug. "But with Snow taken care of now, I best be moving on finding the next magic mirror."

"Do you have to go?" Bashful said glumly.

"I'm afraid so." I nodded.

Grumpy came forward looking at me solemnly.

"Noella, I'm sorry about before, but please stay we don't want you to go." He insisted.

I smiled bending down to hug him appreciating his apology, but the decision was made. The dwarves packed me some snacks for the road and in fact accompanied me to the end of the wood even in the pouring rain they insisted, which was sweet. Finally, we parted ways as I returned to the place where I brought down that barrier days ago. It was a bittersweet departure with the dwarves, but returning to my main mission of finding my mother. After this detour, I was realizing the long journey ahead of me.