Disclaimer: "Okay, here goes. I do not own any of the Grimm Fairy Tales. I do not own any of the new and reworked versions of these fairy tales that Disney has turned into movies. I do not own any of the characters here in. The only thing I claim are the twists and turns I included in the story that were obviously not part of the original tales told by the Brothers Grimm or Disney. And also, my description of the main character."

How It Began

"Come on Red. I want to go riding today."

Red Robyn smiles down at her sister, the beautiful Snow White. Yes, Snow White was only six years old, but her beauty was already unmatched by many. Red never resents that though. She loves Snow, and everything about her sweet sister. "Alright, let me just grab my cloak and we'll be on our way."

"Yay!"

Snow loved to ride with Red. Red never made her ride side-saddle if that wasn't what she wanted to do. She had taught her how, but she never made Snow ride that way anymore. Now, unless they were with their family going through the town, they rode for pleasure. And when you ride for pleasure, it's much more fun to ride with your legs on either side.

In the woods where they always rest the horse by the lake, Snow sits on a rock nearby and watches fascinated as Red shoots her practice arrows at a tree. The circle marking the narrow center of the trunk marks the area where Red always hits. It's been years since she's ever missed her target.

"One day, I'm going to be able to shoot just as well as you Red."

"Indeed you shall Snow. And I'm going to teach you."

Snow claps excitedly, but then they both look up as the loud horn sounds from the castle. Snow trembles from where she is and asks, "Red, what's happening?"

"I don't know. Don't worry Snow, I'm sure everything will be fine. Come on, we should get back to the castle."

And they ride back, but upon seeing the entrance of the castle surrounded by angry villagers, they come in through the back entrance of the castle. Handing the horse off to David, one of the knights there to greet them, Red picks up Snow and carries her through the hall until they reach the stairs.

"Go on up and change your clothes. I'll go and see if mother and father are busy and ask what's going on."

"Why can't I come?"

"You can, but you have to change first. You have a smudge on the bottom of your dress."

Snow hurries up the stairs, and Red runs down to the meeting hall where her mother and father are sure to be. At the round table in the room, Arthur and Elizabeth are at the head of the table with their best knights seated in some of the surrounding chairs. Red makes sure to knock before actually stepping in, and all of the knights rise and bow before retaking their seats and smiling, though rather dimly, at her.

The knights were some of her best friends, aside from James H. Tolkien. It was common for them to give her hugs and offer to take rides with her if she were ever in need of company. Her father often told her that he felt they did their jobs so well because they wanted nothing more than to always be able to take care of their best friend and princess. Coming to stand by her father's chair, she puts a comforting hand on his shoulder and asks, "What's wrong dad?"

He smiles gently up at her and says, "There has been a mass murder in the town square. The town council hall was being cleaned up from our last announcement ceremony, and someone set it on fire. All of the doors were locked from the outside, and there were thirty-five people locked inside who couldn't find their way out. None survived my dear."

Red puts a hand to her mouth in horror, and then says, "Snow will be coming down in a few minutes. We mustn't tell her."

Elizabeth nods gently and says, "We will tell her that some people were hurt Red."

She nods back in thanks, and then asks, "Do we know who did it?"

Arthur shakes his head, "No, but we know that it was someone dressed in knight's armor."

"Knight's armor?"

Arthur nods and says, "And I am afraid that is why the situation is so grim my dear. There are several people in town who saw him set the fire and lock the doors. They chased him back to the palace, and he ran in and the doors were closed before we realized what had happened."

Red's eyes widen in surprise and she asks, "So, he's in here?"

"No. By the time our knights heard the whole story, I'm afraid he made his escape. We've found the armor he disposed of, and one of the horses is missing. Not yours of course. We knew where you were with Snow."

Red nods, and then asks, "So, why are we not searching for him?"

Lancelot, the knight to the right of the king, stands from his chair and says, "I'm afraid princess, that the town has already decided for itself what they believe the story to be."

"And what do they believe?"

He sighs in despair and says, "They believe that because a knight set the fire, that the order to burn down the building and the people inside must have come from the king himself."

Red takes a moment to process that, and then says, "They think my father caused this?"

Lancelot nods sadly, and then says, "And I'm afraid that our attempts to persuade them otherwise have been futile."

Elizabeth motions for her to come to her, and Red moves to stand beside her mother. They take each other's hands and Elizabeth says, "They want your father to present himself before the town for judgment."

"They can't do that. They don't know what really happened. We don't even know who did it. Surely it wasn't really one of our knights. We must find out how this person managed to get the armor. Maybe then we can figure out who did it."

Arthur smiles up at his daughter and takes her other hand. "I'm afraid my dear, that an investigation will not appease our people. They need someone to blame for the lives taken from them. Can you blame them for wanting that?"

"Of course not, but that person cannot be you. You are their king. There must be something we can do to fix this."

"Fix what?" Snow runs around the room and hops into her mother's lap. "What do we have to fix Red? I'll help you." And even in this despair, the room smiles at how much Snow loves Red and wants to help.

Red pats her head and says, "There was a fire in town today Snow."

Her little hands come up to her mouth in shock, and she asks softly, "Was anyone hurt?"

"Some people yes, but we'll help them all we can."

Snow nods, and then hops up and says, "Can I write a letter to the doctor? There should be flowers beside every bed."

Elizabeth smiles and says, "Of course dear. Go to your room and do that."

After Snow is gone, Arthur sighs and says, "I need a moment alone with my wife to discuss matters. Everyone leave please."

Red squeezes his hand and says, "I will be back shortly."

"Of course dear. We would never keep you away for so long." She smiles at her father and kisses his forehead, then her mother's before following the knights from the room.

Outside, she lets her frown deepen and she leans against the wall while she closes her eyes and thinks. The people need someone to blame, and they refuse to believe that any knight, someone who had once been one of their own people, would just burn down the building unless an order had been given. The people probably felt that the knight must've been threatened, his family taken hostage, in order for the king to have been able to make him do it.

But that left the dilemma of who the people would blame. Red can't let it be her father. Even if it would ease their suffering, which it won't, the kingdom would be without a king, and the people would fall into chaos because there was no son to take his place. Besides, who would want his son to be the king if Arthur had just done this to their home? No one would accept it. The kingdom would tear itself apart and fall to ruin.

Red may not be queen, but these were still her people, and she can't let that happen. Lancelot moves to stand beside her and says, "I know that look. You are coming up with a plan all your own." And when Red looks up at him, and he sees the tears in her eyes, he frowns even deeper. "And I don't think anyone is going to like it."

With a sad smile, Red says softly, "It doesn't matter whether anyone likes it or not. What matters is if it works?"

Lancelot stares at her for a moment, and then looks over his shoulder. Red looks past him to see James standing back near a table with David. "We let him in through the back door because we knew he wouldn't try to hurt the king. He is too good of a friend to you to consider it."

"Thank you."

She walks slowly over to him, and when she gets in front of him, David leaves them alone. The minute he's not by their side, James pulls Red into the side hall and wraps his arms around her. She sinks into his embrace, and finally lets her tears fall. It's okay to cry in front of James. Even if she can't stop he's never considered her tears to be a sign of weakness. No, he's chalked it up to her great ability for compassion on everyone. Even to Greta Grimhilde, who was once Red's friend but now hates her guts.

When they pull apart, James wipes her tears and says, "I'm so sorry Red. I know your father would never do something like this."

She nods and says, "At least one person knows it from the town. I've heard that everyone else wants him to stand before them for judgment."

"Not my family, and not everyone, but it is the vast majority. I won't lie to you, it's not good."

"I know."

"What can I do to help?"

Red looks at him for a long moment, and then wraps him in a hug again. "I need you to do me a favor."

"Anything."

"You can't ask me any questions about it. Just do what I say. Promise me."

He leans back to look at her, his eyes worried. But he nods after a minute and says, "Okay. I promise."

Red nods and smiles slightly before saying, "Your father was making a new bow for me. Is it finished?"

"Yes."

"Can you bring it to me within the hour? Oh, and plenty of arrows to go with it."

James looks at her confused, but nods his head and says, "Yes, I can do that."

"Good."

She ponders briefly what else she may need, and then looks up at him anxiously. "If something should happen tonight, please look after Snow for me."

"Of course Red."

She nods again, and then steps towards him. "Say goodbye to me James."

He tilts his head, utterly confused by her actions. "Red…"

"You can't ask. I won't see you again tonight. Leave the bow and arrows with David. I'll have to keep Snow in her room tonight until father and mother have come to a decision." Staring straight into his eyes, she says again, "So say goodbye to me now."

James stares back at her hard, but finally nods his head. Leaning forward, he gently turns her head and presses his lips to her cheek in a kiss. Her eyes widen considerably, and her hand comes up to touch her cheek before her eyes return to his. He smiles slightly at her, and then says softly, "Goodbye for now Red."

"Goodbye James."

And he turns and walks away, letting one of the knights lead him back out the back entrance.

Red stands there for a minute, touching the spot on her cheek delicately before jumping back into action. She runs upstairs to her bedroom, passing a view servants and maids on the way, and pulls out a travel bag and her saddle bags. Going through her things, first she grabs the other pair of riding pants she owns, and several of the shirts that she often wore into town when she didn't want to be recognized. Second, she changes out of the beautiful new top her mother had just bought for her, and changes into the black top piece that she uses to occasionally ride in at night when she didn't want to be spotted by any of the knights. It helped her sneak out and into the woods to practice shooting.

Third, she grabs the two daggers that had been presented to her from a faraway kingdom. She had apparently rescued the son of the king there and he wanted to repay her with something he felt she would use. And Red had always been an unconventional princess, always opting to shoot arrows rather than shop for dresses. The daggers had been greatly appreciated on her part.

And finally, she sits by her mirror and braids her hair on the sides and then down her back. She always found this to be the best way to keep it from falling into her face, even though a few strands would still hang down on the sides. Staring at herself, she runs through everything again in her head, trying to think of another solution that would be both beneficial to her family and the kingdom's people.

But there isn't one, not one that can solve this problem quickly enough to find the true culprit anyways. With this plan, her father would have to banish her, pretend to hate her, but he would be able to get the people to help him find the true starter of the fire. And finding this fiend and putting him away was crucial to the safety of her people.

Finally, she stands up and carries her things downstairs and into the stable room. She sits them in the stall with her horse Midnight. Midnight is solid black, and was once a horse that no one could ride. But she was just a horse who had been abused. Red had taken care of her when others had been afraid to tend to her, and eventually Midnight had grown fond of her. Now there is no other person who can ride her. Of course Snow can ride, but only as long as Red is on as well.

Petting down Midnight, Red sighs and says, "We're going for a ride in a little while girl."

Midnight doesn't huff like she usually does, picking up on the sad tone of her owner. Red sighs again and moves to stand in front of her. Looking into Midnight's eyes, she says sadly, "And this time we won't be coming back."

They stare at each other for a little while, and then Midnight steps forward and puts her head over Red's shoulder. It's as close to a hug as the horse can do, but Red understands. Hugging Midnight back, she says, "I promise to do the best I can to still take good care of you, but our life certainly won't be as easy anymore." Midnight does huff this time, and Red takes that to mean that she's been through worse.

Red squeezes her slightly, and then says, "When I return, be ready to ride." She puts some more hay in Midnight's stall and fills the water trough so Midnight can be well fed and rested beforehand. Turning around, she runs back upstairs and peeks into Snow's room. She's still at her desk, working on her letter to the town doctor.

Smiling, Red steps inside and asks, "How's it going Snow?"

"I think I'm almost done. Can you read it?"

Red nods and takes the letter to look at it. All of Snow's sweetness and kindness is put into the words, and Red smiles wider. No one, not even this angry mob, would ever think of hurting Snow. In many ways, Snow was a complete opposite of Red. That would be the thing that kept her safe when this was all over.

Snow then looks her sister up and down and says, "Hey, you changed your shirt. Are you going riding again?"

"Not yet Snow."

"Can I come when you do?"

Red crouches down to Snow's height and says softly, "Not this time Snow?"

Snow frowns slightly, but doesn't argue. It's not often that Red says no to letting her come along somewhere, but when she does it's usually because Red wants her to be safe. "You're not going to get hurt are you?"

"I don't think so Snow."

Snow stands up and wraps her arms around Red's neck. Red stands up and holds Snow tightly to her, doing everything she can to keep her tears at bay this time. She can't cry now, not while saying goodbye to her sister. Snow wouldn't know what to think or what to do.

Finally Snow asks, "Why does this feel like the last time I'll see you?" Red almost laughs. Snow had always been rather smart. She'd like to think she had something to do with that.

Red sits Snow down on the chair, letting her stand so they are both still able to look at each other's faces. Smiling slightly, Red says, "Snow, I'm going away for a very long time this time."

Snow starts to shake her head but Red tilts her head, a sign that she can't argue. As a tear slips from Snow's eye, Red catches it against her cheek. "Snow, do you remember what I've always told you?"

"Yes."

"And what is that?"

"That you're my sister, and you love me, and that no matter what happens you will always find a way to take care of me."

Red smiles and says, "And have you ever doubted me?"

"No."

"Hold on to that Snow. I am your sister, and I will always love you, and I will always find a way to take care of you and keep you safe, no matter what happens or where I happen to be. I promise you that."

Snow nods, more tears falling now. "Are you saying goodbye?"

Red pauses for a moment, and then shakes her head. "I'll never say goodbye to you Snow. We're sisters, and in a way, we'll always be together." She takes off the necklace with the sapphire pendant on the end that had been her present as a baby. Gently, she slides it over Snow's head. "I'm saying I love you Snow. Never forget it. Never forget any of it."

Snow nods, and then rushes to her jewelry box quickly and pulls out her necklace. Hers has a red ruby pendant. Climbing back into the chair, she slips it over Red's head and says, "And I love you Red."

Red smiles again, and then kisses Snow on the forehead. "You stay here now okay. Stay here and wait for mother and father to come for you. Alright?"

"Alright."

Leaving the room, Red finally lets a lone tear fall from her eye, and then quickly wipes it away. When addressing her parents, at least this time, she needs to appear strong and firm. No tears.

When she enters the meeting hall again, some of the knights have already re-gathered in the room, though the king and queen are still talking in private. She doesn't knock, she walks in unannounced, pushing both doors out of her way as she marches through.

Everyone stops what they're doing to look at her, the new attire, the determination in her step, the firmness of her gaze, and the steadiness in her walk. She is only fourteen, but she has a plan. She looks around for a moment, at all of the faces of those who love her, those who she considers friends. And then she looks straight ahead and says, "I need a moment alone with my parents."

The knights do not hesitate, and stand from their chairs and exit the room. David gives her a hard look, probably because James told him he would be coming back with her bow and arrows in another thirty minutes.

Once they are gone and the doors are shut again, her parents take their seats. Arthur looks to his daughter and says, "You appear to have something important to tell us."

"I do."

Elizabeth tries to read her expression, but can find nothing. Of course, she had taught Red that herself. A queen or princess cannot let just anyone know what they're thinking. They have to school their faces for the crowd, appear fearless even in dire situations, or happy when the people are celebrating, even if you are not truly as cheerful as you seem. Red had learned well.

Red finally sighs and says, "I have a plan. It will appease the people, and it will give you the ability to hunt down and capture the real culprit behind this crime."

Arthur leans forward and asks, "And what is it you propose?"

She looks both her parents in the eye for a moment, and then says firmly, "We will tell them that the culprit behind the plan, the one who ordered the knight to burn down the building, was in fact me."

For a moment neither parent says anything, but then Elizabeth starts shaking her head. "Red, we can't let you stand trial for this. The town, they will kill whoever stands judgment."

"I won't stand judgment."

Arthur watches her closely as she explains. Watching her parents carefully, Red says, "You will tell the people that you went to my room looking for me, and instead of me you found a notebook full of different ideas where I planned to have you two overthrown so power could be passed down to me, your eldest child. And when you came to confront me with the notebook, I realized that you discovered what I'd done and I fled to the stables and took my horse and rode out of the kingdom to escape imprisonment or judgment."

Arthur shakes his head and says, "Even if that would work, what would we say of the knight you used to set the fire or how we could still keep any of our current knights knowing that it could be one of them."

But Red had thought of that too. "As I was fleeing, I neglected to remove a note from the stables that I left for the knight in question. I told him that his job was done, and that he should flee the castle before anyone suspected him of what he'd done."

And now they stare at her carefully, noting her attire and her ready stance. "You mean to leave immediately."

"As soon as James has returned with my new bow and arrows. It is prudent that this situation be resolved as quickly as possible. The townspeople grow more anxious by the second."

Arthur shakes his head again and says, "Everyone knows that the knights are your friends. They would wonder why you would use one…"

"I used one because I knew he would do as I asked. The knights are my friends, and they rarely turn me down anything. I chose the one I believed most gullible and unnoticeable, and got him to do my bidding."

Elizabeth stares at Red for a moment longer, and then says, "You have thought this through very hard."

She nods and says, "The townspeople will easily believe that a knight did this for me. I have always been different to them in the way I act. They will chalk this act up to that."

"And Snow?"

Red smiles slightly at her mother and says, "No one could ever hate Snow, not even me."

"But you don't hate Snow."

"Mom, this is how you're going to have to speak to them. In my plan I simply meant to gain power and Snow would still be my princess sister, always unaware of the evil actions I'd taken to become queen."

And it's then that they realize she's already made her decision. Sighing, she says, "Believe me, I have tried to think of something else. But all other options only solve one of the two problems we have. This way the kingdom still has a loving and reliable king, and the people have someone to blame."

Arthur sighs and says, "They'll never believe that you escaped. They'll think we let you get away."

Red nods and says, "And that is where the knights come in."

Elizabeth tilts her head and asks, "What do you mean?"

"The knights, furious about how I used my friendship with one of their own to gain power, all jump onto their own horses and chase me. They cut me off from the back woods, they'll chase me through the town, but in the darkness approaching they lose me in the woods beyond our kingdom."

The room stays quiet for a long while, her parents trying to think of something else, and Red knowing that there is no other way. Finally, Arthur stands and moves around the table. Putting his hands on her shoulders, he lets a tear of his own fall, and says softly, "You would've made a beautiful and wonderful queen."

Red smiles gently up at her father, his graying hair showing his old age, but his blue eyes still holding the youth of a young man ready to take on the world. She got her eyes from him. But her dark red hair, so unique to them both, she got from her mother. It's where she got her name, Red Robyn.

Elizabeth pulls her into her arms, sobbing openly at this plan. "You are too young, much too young for this."

"I am a princess mother. I am strong, and I have been trained by the best people I know on how to live and how to survive. I will be alright. I promise you this."

Elizabeth cries some more, but eventually they pull themselves together. Arthur looks at his daughter again, and then with a heavy heart moves to the door and opens it back up. To the knight standing just outside, he says, "Call the knights back to the table."

Once those who have seats are seated and the rest are surrounding the room, Arthur repeats the plan to his knights. Lancelot looks up at Red sadly and says, "I knew we weren't going to like it."

She smiles weakly at him and says, "And I told you that wouldn't matter. It only matters that it works. And in order for this to work, you will all have to chase me. You can't hold back either. They will always be wary of you if you do."

David smiles wryly and says, "But as if we could catch Midnight anyway." A few of the knights laugh at this, but it is with heavy hearts and none of the usual merriness that usually follows the pun.

Red nods and says, "But it's not just that."

The knights look to her again and she says, "Those who are trained with bows will have to use them." A few mouths drop in the room, but Red just smiles again and says, "Just don't cut it too close shall we. All they need to see is you shooting them. Let their imaginations do the rest."

It's another thirty minutes before all of the knights finally agree to this. Red uses their devotion to their king against them. It almost doesn't work, and Arthur actually smiles when he looks at her, and she knows what he means. They all love her so much.

David helps her saddle Midnight while she gathers her bow and arrows. She slips the daggers into the belt Lancelot gives her, and then takes the food that one of the cooks brings for her and puts it into the saddlebags. Once everything is in place, Arthur comes to escort her to the back door. "Remember, you can't be standing here when I leave. The people need to believe that you are being protected by the knights from me because they feared I would turn back and try to kill you myself."

He nods and then leans forward and presses a kiss to her forehead. Sighing, he says, "If you should ever be in need of anything, there will always be a place for you here."

"I know father."

"Will you ever come home?"

Red looks up at him and says softly, "I do not believe that would be fair to Snow. We have said our goodbyes, but to have me return and never be able to show my face would confuse her."

"But when she is older…"

"I will still always be known as the daughter who wanted to kill her father the king. That is not something a town will easily forget."

"But Snow will never believe it."

"I know."

Sighing, she says, "You will have to help her. Teach her quicker than you taught me to school her emotions. When people mention me to her, they will expect her pity and compassion, because that is what Snow always gives them. She is smart, she can learn. She will not like it, but she will come to understand."

Arthur nods after a moment, and then asks, "And what of James?"

"We said goodbye. He did not understand it would be for this, but he will."

"I see."

Kissing her forehead again, he helps her up onto Midnight, and then gently squeezes her knee. "Goodbye my beautiful Red Robyn."

And finally, a lone tear spills from her eye, and she says quietly, "Goodbye father." She looks behind her to the knights who are prepared to jump on their horses, prepared to chase her from her home. Smiling gently at all of them, she says, "And goodbye my dear knights, my dear friends. Know that I will never forget you."

She turns back and then gently rubs Midnight's neck. Arthur leaves her side finally, walking back to the group of knights elected to stay behind with him, those most likely to not chase her as hard as they can. "Are you ready girl?" Midnight huffs in answer, and Red grins slightly and then lets out a deep breath. "Let's go then. Ha!"

Midnight takes off out the door at a sprint, and soon after the knights follow. As planned, they cut her off from the woods, and she heads back to go round the castle and cut through the town. The horn sounds, and several other knights point and gesture from the castle lookouts, appearing to be guiding those that are riding towards the culprit, towards Red. And the town sees her, and their roars at the castle quickly turn to her. Even though they have yet to understand, they can put a few things together in their heads, like Red must be the real culprit behind their lost friends.

Pitchforks and table knives, even forks and salad spoons are thrown at her as she runs through the town. Only once does she look away from her goal. Only once does she move to do anything other than ride away like a common criminal on the run.

James and his family are all standing in the yard of their house, watching to see what is happening. Red pulls out a special arrow, one that she had made herself, using feathers James had collected for her on the end. She'd even carved his initials into it, reminding everyone who ever touched it that he had been a part of helping her make it. Pulling back her bow, she releases it and watches it land right in front of his feet. To the town, it will appear as though she missed. But James knows; she never misses.

Arrows fly past her head as some of the knights shoot arrows at her. To the town it will look as if they were trying to get her. But they know; they would never ever truly try to harm their beloved Red. When she breaks into the forest with Midnight so do they. After a while though, she can hear them pulling back. It's another hour before she's positive that no one else is following her.

She slows Midnight to a walk, but they still don't stop. They travel through the dark evening and into the night. They travel to the boundaries of her father's kingdom, and then travel on past that and into a new set of woods.

Only when she looks back and can no longer see any piece of her home does she pull Midnight to a stop at a nearby stream. Hopping down, she looks around and says, "We'll rest here for the night girl. We'll have to leave at first light though. In order to appease the people, father will have to send out a search party for us. We can't rest anywhere for too long I'm afraid." Midnight huffs, and then dips her head down to drink.

Red gets a fire started, and as she stares into the flames her mind goes back to all those she's leaving behind. Her parents, the most loving people she'd ever met. James, her dearest friend. They never will be able to sail the seas together one day as planned. And Snow, sweet, sweet Snow. She won't see her sister grow up. She won't be at every birthday. She probably wouldn't even be able to watch Snow marry whatever lucky man manages to capture her heart.

And as all of this finally hits her, she lays down on her side, curls her legs up to her chest, and finally cries all the tears that she hadn't been able to earlier. This is the price she paid for her kingdom. This is the price she paid for the people she cared for most. Her father had once told her that she had the heart of a lion. And she supposes that he was right. Still, caring this much right now, feels like a terrible thing.

Meanwhile, from a little house in the town, William, former knight to King Arthur, is scowling out at the forest from his window. That stupid girl had ruined his plans. He would've overthrown the king with the town, he would've been the one knight to stand with his people, and when the king finally fell, he would've been the one that they appointed into his place. He would've been king, and Red would've had no choice but to be his queen and rule by his side.

But no, she'd come up with a plan, she'd made herself the target of the town's anger, and she'd made her father the king a hero in spite of William's brilliant efforts. Now everyone would be looking for him. It probably wouldn't take long for the knights to finally realize which one of them hadn't been there for the plan to save their king's name. Eventually they would know, and then he would be hunted. Even the people would help to capture him and throw him in the dungeon. No, he can't stay. He has to leave.

"Curse you Red Robyn. I curse you with every bone in my body. And if it's the last thing I do, I will make you pay for this. I will hunt you down. I will not stop until I've found you. And once I've had my way with you, I will watch you die a slow and painful death. Mark my words, I will have my revenge."

At this point, I feel a need to point out that I gave Red Robyn the unique trait of having an uncommon color of red hair. I know red hair isn't all uncommon. But for the story's purpose, Red's hair is a unique shade that no one else has. It's a fairy tale, so in my opinion, it's totally possible.

So, in light of that and this first chapter you've just read, let me know what you think. :)

And for anyone interested in knowing, as I sometimes like to know, this story will have a total of 12 chapters (not including the prologue). Just FYI.