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."

The Sleeping Beauty (Again), the Dragon, and the Birthday

Happy, who has been nudged now by Grumpy to say something, clears his throat and says, "Sorry to interrupt, but what does all of this about a magical woman named Robyn have to do with helping us in this situation."

James turns and says, "Because if she is magical and if she is good then she could be of some very good use to us." Everyone nods, and then James points out, "Of course, we would indeed need to know how to find her."

Phillip nods, and then looks around the table and says, "Also, there is one other person who we might try calling to this table."

Luke had already been thinking it, but he hadn't wanted to cause any discourse among all of them. Who knows how other king's might feel about a particular outlaw? Looking to Phillip, he asks, "And who would that be?"

"Robyn Hood." Aurora gently touches his arm and smiles, pleased that he brought the name up.

Ariel looks around and asks, "Who is this Robyn Hood?"

Eric squeezes her hand gently and says, "He was an outlaw of Nottingham before you were actually able to live on the land. He saved the thrown for King Richard."

"I thought outlaws were bad though."

Eric nods with a soft smile and says, "In most cases they are. But this one did what he did for very good reasons. And when Richard finally returned, he left his kingdom in order to ensure that the people would look to Richard to rule again instead of continuing to rely on him. Luke knows the story best I suppose. He and Cinderella were in that Kingdom while Robyn Hood was thwarting Prince John. He was the one trying to steal his brother's thrown."

Cinderella nods and says, "Of course, I was Marian back then, before my name was changed. And when Robyn Hood came to visit, he still called me by that name. Said it didn't matter what anyone else thought, I would always be Maid Marian to him."

Luke smiles at his cousin, and then squeezes Snow's hand and says, "What do you think darling?"

"I think if we can find him it certainly couldn't hurt to have his help. But referring back to what Hook said about finding this magical woman named Robyn, we would need to know how to find him."

Everyone thinks for a moment, and then Aurora takes the golden dagger out of her belt and places it gently on the table. "When we first met, he gave me this for protection because I didn't know how to handle a sword and didn't really have the strength to even lift the one my father gave me. He's the only other person I told about the curse, and he did his best to help me until it was past. He used this dagger somehow to find me once before. I think maybe he had the fairies that he called upon enchant it somehow so he would know when I was in trouble."

Belle glances over at Rumpel and they both share a silent nod before she asks, "Were these fairies red, blue, and green?"

"Yes, how did you know?"

"When Robyn Hood saved me from Gaston, I gave those to him, and told him to use them only in a dire situation, when it seemed nothing but the good magic of fairies could help. Clearly, you being cursed seemed quite a fitting situation."

Aurora nods, and then points to the dagger. "Anyways, maybe somehow Rumpel can use this to find him."

Cinderella nods, and then watches as Aladdin pulls the arrowhead necklace from around his neck and places it on the table. "Robyn Hood told me once before that if ever I should need him again, I should hold this tightly and think his name. He may not come immediately, but he would be on his way. It has been a very long time since then, but perhaps it might still work."

Luke stares at it and asks, "How would that call him?"

Aladdin shrugs and says, "I don't know entirely myself. He said it had been enchanted before, and that it would work. I didn't question him about it. I had no reason."

Rose, or Red as most called her, pulls her red cloak from around her and lays it on the table as well. "When Robyn Hood came to help chase Gaston away from my village and save Timothy, he had my cloak enchanted for me and laid it over me before the full moon reached its peak. Now as long as I wear it I'm immune from the curse."

Rumpel looks around the table, and then asks briefly, "Is there anyone in here who hasn't ever seen Robyn Hood?"

James raises his hand and says, "I guess the lad isn't a sea lover." Snow smiles at him, and then he says, "Though if I may put another wild suggestion on the table for us to debate, I would say that a lass by the name of Marian would be of extreme value to us in this fight."

Cinderella lifts her head in confusion, knowing she'd never been on Hook's ship. "Marian?"

James looks to Cinderella and says, "Not you though. No, this woman road aboard my ship for quite some time just a few years back. Proved herself quite useful as well." Looking over at Snow, he says with a touch of sadness in his voice, "The bow was her preferred weapon of choice. She was rather good at handling it too."

And Snow realizes that this is the woman that had entered his life and brought him some relief from the constant reminder of Red Robyn's disappearance all those years ago. His wry smile makes her tilt her head in wonder, and he explains, "She didn't even mind my hook. She was never afraid of me as most people generally are the first time we meet."

Phillip rises from his chair and says, "You all continue to work on how we might contact these people. Pinocchio has a special arrow from Robyn Hood that might also help us find him. I'll be right back."

"There must be some mistake father. She was just in the woods the other day and she was perfectly safe. She said that Robyn Hood had even been to see her about a month or two ago and had brought help from fairies to thwart this mad curse."

King George looks to his son Phillip and says sadly, "That may be son, but be that as it may, Aurora is no longer with us."

"You're wrong. She's not dead. She said that the fairies did something so that she wouldn't die. Where is she?"

"She is in the west tower of her father's kingdom. He has laid her to rest in a bed there. If you insist on this then fine, go to her, but I tell you there is nothing anyone can do."

"I can, and I will." Phillip rides on horseback as fast as he can through the woods and then down the trails that will lead him to the castle Aurora is staying in.

But half way there, Maleficent descends from the air in a whirl of smoke and blocks his path. "Ha, ha! You think I worked all this time just so you could rush to your precious princess and save the day."

Pulling out his own sword, Phillip says, "Move out of my way witch before I cut you down myself."

"Oh, how brave. And yet, how stupid."

She swirls towards him and for a moment all he sees is smoke. But when it finally clears away, he's locked behind prison bars in a dungeon. Maleficent must've taken him to her rundown castle, where she still lives even though her kingdom and the land around her had all but died long ago. Pulling his arms up, he realizes they are chained back to the wall behind him, and his sword his now gone.

Maleficent, on the other side of the bars, laughs wickedly as she holds his blade up for him to see. "This is quite a good blade. But you won't be needing it any longer. Not while you're in there. And let's face it, dear, sweet, Prince Phillip. You're never getting out of there."

He struggles against the chains even as Maleficent uses her magic to shatter his sword into a million pieces on the ground. "I will get out. Aurora and I will be together. You cannot keep us apart forever."

Maleficent cackles and says, "Watch me prince. Just you watch me."

Robyn scales the side of the tower of the kingdom Aurora apparently lives in. Well, when she isn't hiding from curses. Even after the fairies had helped, Aurora had stayed behind in the woods, trying to do whatever she could to still keep out of the curses path. But on her sixteenth birthday, though Robyn doesn't know how, it had clearly happened. Aurora had found a spindle, and she'd pricked her finger.

When the matching dagger at her hip had begun glowing where it sat in her belt, Robyn knew something had been wrong. Holding its twin in her hand, she'd closed her eyes and instantly the palace that Aurora had been placed in appeared in her mind. Aurora was sleeping in a bed in the west tower, the dagger still hidden and secure on her person. Good thing too, or Robyn wouldn't have found her.

But the issue at hand wasn't about whether Robyn could find her or not. No, Aurora's true love needed to kiss her in order to wake her up from this curse. But where is he? Climbing in through the window of the tower, Robyn moves to the side of the bed and then gently moves some hair from Aurora's face. She's not dead, but she looks as though she could be. If not for the still warm color of her cheeks, Robyn might actually think that she was.

Turning towards the doorway, she checks to see if there are any guards currently at the top of the stairs. When she sees none, she pulls the whistle the fairies had given her out of her pocket and holds it to her lips. But when she blows, no sound comes out. Staring at it confused, she asks no one in particular, "Did I break it?"

"No Robyn Hood, you didn't break it." The fairies float down in front of her, and then each grows into their larger form.

Robyn stares for a moment, and then says, "Wow. I thought you might just be permanently tiny."

Merriweather smiles and says, "No, but when we are smaller it is easier to get away from a man's grasp."

"Indeed, I guess it would be."

Flora looks over at Aurora and says, "It worked. She is merely asleep."

Robyn nods and says, "Yeah, but that's not my concern. Her true love isn't here. Do you have a way of finding him?"

Fauna moves over to Aurora while Merriweather leads Robyn away from the bed slightly. "Fauna is checking for a sign of what her heart desires. If she has a true love, he will be found there."

Sighing, Robyn says, "Then I really hope she has one."

Turning to look at Robyn again, Merriweather asks, "Did you find your friend Tinkerbell?"

"I've never actually met her myself, and no I haven't found her."

"Then why do you search for her in particular if you have never met her before yourself?"

Robyn fingers the half of the coin that she still carries in the hopes of ever finding this Tinkerbell that Stephan had loved and wanted to find. To Merriweather she says, "I know this genie who fell in love with her. He's free now, but he didn't know where to go looking for her. I told him that if I ever met any fairy, I would ask about her, and if I could find her, I would let him know."

Merriweather nods, and then looks up as Fauna comes back to them. "Prince Phillip in the neighboring kingdom is her true love. And their bond is strong, so I'm sure he is indeed trying to get here, in which case our worst fears are realized and Maleficent has him."

Robyn sighs and then asks, "Is there any way for you to find him?"

Fauna nods and says, "Yes. What would you have us do?"

"Find him and then help me get to him. I can't ask more than that."

Flora shakes her head and says, "We will help you find him, and we will accompany you to rescue him."

Robyn looks between the fairies, their determined faces leaving no room for argument. "Very well. Now, let's find him, how do we do this?"

All three fairies close their eyes, and then put their hands together between them. It takes a moment, and Robyn stays completely silent, but when they open her eyes, all three cringe. Robyn knows that can't be a good sign, but asks anyway, "What is it?"

Merriweather turns to her and says, "Maleficent has taken him to her castle and locked him in the dungeons."

Robyn tilts her head up to the ceiling slightly and lets out a great sigh and says, "Great." All three fairies look at her oddly when she says that, and Robyn adds, "Sarcasm. Never mind, we need to get moving. I don't want her father getting any bright ideas, like burying her before Phillip has the chance to wake her up."

The fairies nod and watch as she hops onto the window sill. Flora tilts her head and asks, "What are you doing Robyn?"

"Getting down. I wasn't exactly invited in."

Merriweather smiles, and then comes up to stand beside her. "Take my hand Robyn." She does, and then together the fly into the air and to the gate of the castle where Midnight is waiting for them.

"Lead the way my fairy friends. I assure you, Midnight can keep up." The fairies grin in spite of the serious situation, and then take off like bullets through the sky. "Whoa. Alright girl, time to prove me right."

Phillip growls in aggravation as he slumps down in his cell. His wrists are chaffed and bleeding from trying to slip them off or break them free of the wall. What if no one realizes he's missing? And if they do, would anyone even think to look here? Or would everyone be too consumed by grief over Aurora to even care about his absence? And poor Aurora, stuck in her never ending sleep because of this curse. What if he never gets back to her?

No, he can't give up. There has to be a way out of here. But how he would find it on his own, he has no idea.

"Well, you look worse than I thought you would." Turning to the door of his cell, his eyes widen when he sees Robyn Hood standing there, joined by three fairies that float behind her. Taking a dagger from her belt, she breaks open the lock and then steps inside. "Can you get these off of him?" Two of the fairies move to magically remove the cuffs, and then Robyn asks, "Where is your weapon?"

Phillip rubs at his wrists and says, "Gone. Maleficent took it and destroyed it."

"Well, that doesn't seem fair."

Merriweather rolls her eyes at Robyn's sarcastic comment and then waves her hands in the air and creates a new sword for him, a sword that shines even brighter than the purest metal. "Wield this sword in the name of justice and truth good prince, and no one, not even Maleficent, will be able to rip it from you."

Flora waves her hands and fashions a shield from magic as well. "This will protect you from Maleficent's magic. She won't be able to transport you back here. You will have to face her and her power, but at least she won't be able to disarm you."

Phillip nods and says, "Thank you, but why are you helping me?" All three turn to Robyn and then so does Phillip.

Rolling her eyes behind the hood, she shrugs and says, "I have a way with fairies apparently. Come on. I don't like standing around and waiting for her to come back."

When they finally reach the gates of the castle, Phillip looks back to the sound of Maleficent roaring in rage. "Where have you gone Prince Phillip?!"

Robyn looks back at him and says, "I wouldn't answer that if I were you."

He nods, "Yeah, I agree. How are we going to get back to the castle in time though?"

"We aren't. You are." Robyn pets the nose of her horse, and then hugs her before saying, "He needs you now. When this is over, I will get you back. But right now, I need you to help him. Get him back to the castle. Get him to Aurora. Help him however you can." Midnight huffs and nods her head. "Good girl." Turning back to Phillip, she hands him the reins and says, "There is no faster horse in this land then my Midnight. She will get you back to the castle. Be good to her."

"I will. Thank you Robyn Hood." She nods and then watches as he takes off down the road back to the castle.

Flora moves to her side and asks, "And now what shall we do?"

Robyn sighs and says, "We wait, and we pray." Turning to look at the ball of smoke that shoots out of the castle in search of Phillip, she adds, "And we follow her to ensure that she doesn't kill our good prince." Merriweather and Flora take her hands in theirs before shooting up into the sky to follow the puff of smoke that is Maleficent.

At the castle, Phillip has just reached the gates when Maleficent cuts him off. "No, I will not allow this to be. She will sleep forever, and you will never see her again, and your kingdoms will fall into ruin, just as mine did."

Phillip shakes his head and says, "I don't think so."

Maleficent throws everything she has at him, but the fairies' shield is powerful, and Phillip is able to get closer and closer. "You will not be with her!" And his eyes widen as Maleficent rises up, her body transforming into that of a huge and ugly dragon. And as the flames burn down onto him, her clawed hand swoops down and rips the shield from his arm. Laughing, she lowers her face to his and says, "You fought so hard, and yet so foolishly. Now I will have to kill you. Any last words Prince Phillip."

His sword sweeps across her dragon cheek, and she screeches as her head reels back up. Phillip jumps to his feet and rushes forward. And Midnight runs up beside him and he jumps on her back. Standing to his feet, he holds his sword up in both hands, and then jumps from Midnight's back and thrusts his sword into the dragon's chest.

And the sword pierces straight through her heart. Maleficent's screech is cut off, and then she groans in agony as her form changes back. She twitches on the ground, and then gasps one last time as Phillip pulls the sword from her chest. And then her head falls to the side, and she is dead.

Midnight whinnies from behind him, and he turns to see someone else at the end of the bridge. The woman before him glares while saying between her teeth, "You killed her." Robyn leans back slightly as she recognizes Greta, her friend from so long ago. Though they are the same age, it is apparent that the magic Greta uses ages her much like it had Maleficent.

Phillip looks at her and says, "Yes. She cursed my beloved, and then meant to keep me from saving her."

Greta snarls, but then smirks and lifts her hand to produce a ball of fire. "And I shall finish what she started." Robyn pulls an already enchanted bow from her quiver, and knocks it back and releases it quickly so that it hits Greta in the back of her right shoulder. It vanishes as soon as it hits, but Greta still screams in surprise and pain. Turning, she sees Robyn Hood and says, "You! What have you done?"

Robyn bows and says, "I see I don't need an introduction. As for what I did, I took your magic."

"What!"

Robyn shrugs and adds, "Only temporarily. Obviously I can't remove it from you. I have, how should I put it, paralyzed it for a while. Your powers are useless here."

Greta glares at her, but knows that without her magic she is no match for the woodsman and the prince. Yelling in anger, she says, "You will pay for this Robyn Hood!" And she runs and jumps into the river nearby, where a large fish of sorts speeds away with her.

Robyn watches closely as she takes off, and then crosses her arms and says, "Huh, well, I didn't exactly see that coming."

Phillip looks to her and says, "She will be after you now."

"Yeah, I figured. Believe it or not though, it's not the first time someone has told me that I'm going to pay. And yet, here I stand. I'm annoying that way."

Phillip chuckles, and then they all turn and head into the castle. Aurora is still sound asleep in her bed, and as Phillip barges into the room, Robyn stands at the door and aims an arrow at the King. "Sorry to have to hold you there your majesty, but Phillip has something to do."

Leaning down over her, Phillip gently caresses her cheek, and then presses his lips lightly to hers. Her eyes flutter open as she takes in a deep breath of air. Phillip smiles down at her and can't help but laugh with the relief he feels. Smiling up at him, she says softly, "I knew you would find me."

Phillip gently caresses her face again and says, "Well, I can't take all of the credit. I had a bit of help." Aurora turns to look and see Robyn standing in the door.

She lowers her bow and finally allows the king to step into the room. King Nathan looks on his daughter in shock, barely able to even get out the word, "Aurora?"

She smiles gently and says, "Oh, father, I told you everything would work out alright."

He rushes up to her side and hugs her tightly. Robyn smiles at them, and then takes a deep breath to keep from crying herself. She used to get hugs like that, from her own father. Shoving those thoughts aside, she looks up as Phillip comes to her side. "Thank you again my friend. Nothing I ever do or say will be enough to convey my gratitude to you and your friends."

"Robyn…" Aurora stands up and rushes up to her and throws her arms around her.

Hugging her back, Robyn laughs and says, "Save that for your true love my friend. He did slay a dragon for you."

She turns to look at Phillip with wide and incredulous eyes. "You slayed a dragon?"

Phillip chuckles and Robyn says, "I'll leave him to tell you that story."

Aurora frowns slightly and asks, "Are you leaving so soon?"

"I'm afraid so my dear. You see, I have somewhere else that I really need to be at the moment. Fret not, I will return soon, and with another gift for your Prince Phillip." He raises an eyebrow, but Robyn shakes her head and says, "Can't surprise you if I tell you what it is." She hops up to the window and reaches out her hand for Flora to take. "Until then, goodbye my friends."

On the balcony of the room that was once her sister's, Snow stares out at the land that will one day be her kingdom. Her parents have taught her everything she needs to know to rule the people with kindness and fairness. And yet, she knows that it will never feel quite complete. Not without Red.

Lifting her wine glass up in the air, she says softly, "Happy Birthday Red. Wherever you are, I hope you're safe, warm, and with someone who cares about you." Downing the last of the wine, she puts the glass back on the desk inside, and shuts the balcony doors before exiting the room and blowing out the lights.

And outside on the roof above the balcony, Robyn sits with her legs curled up to her chest. She'd been gone for five years before she'd come back at all. She'd simply come to see if Snow was doing okay, and to check up on James as well. James had been gone already, but Snow was still at the castle.

It had taken her awhile to figure out where Snow was, and it shocked her to find that not only was Snow in her old room, but that the room had not been touched or altered in anyway. Snow was lying on the bed when she found her, and for the rest of the day she watched as Snow walked around the room, gently touching things, and even eating all of her meals in the room.

When night began to fall across the sky, Robyn had jumped to the roof as Snow stepped out the doors and stood on the balcony while drinking a glass of something. At the time it had probably been juice or punch of some sort. And right before she had been done, little Snow had lifted her glass and said those exact same words.

And every year since, Robyn comes back on her birthday to visit Snow, even if Snow doesn't realize it. Robyn hadn't even realized that she'd returned on her birthday that first year. But Snow had never forgotten, and every year she does this.

Sighing, Robyn wipes a tear from her eye before sliding down and scaling back down the castle walls and to the outer gates. Hopping back onto Midnight, she pats her neck and says, "Let's go girl. It's a long way back to Nottingham, and we promised Aurora we would be back soon with a present for Phillip."

Aurora and Phillip are greeted by yet another gift bearer, celebrating their marriage. Most gifts are of gold and silver, and while they are appreciated, Aurora knows that Phillip has never truly cared about material things.

When the doors burst open, Robyn Hood strides into the room, two people and a carved wooden frame following behind her. Standing before them, she bows graciously and says, "I have returned my friends."

Phillip smiles, and then chuckles when his father asks, "Must he always barge in unannounced."

Robyn straightens and says, "I wouldn't want to change character on you now my good king. How would you know it was me otherwise?" And even he can't help but laugh at that. Turning back to Phillip, Robyn says, "And I have brought gifts."

Aurora nods and says, "It is a lovely frame."

"Indeed. For the portrait of your wedding if you have not already found one for it."

"Thank you Robyn."

Robyn nods and then points to Phillip. "Please step down here prince." He does, and then Robyn turns and says, "The other gift I have brought you may not recognize right off, but look very closely at my other friend here and I'm sure it will come to you."

Phillip looks at the young man she points to, who looks to be about his own age. And then he looks at the older man holding the portrait frame. "Geppetto?" The old man smiles and nods his head, and then Phillip turns back to looking at the young man. The smile that bursts onto his face is so wide Robyn is positive that it must hurt his cheeks. "Pinocchio!" The man in mention laughs as Phillip moves to embrace him, and then he leans back and stares at him. "You're real."

Nodding, Pinocchio says, "Indeed I am."

"How?"

Pinocchio looks over at Robyn and says, "I promised someone a long time ago that I would succeed and one day become a real boy. I always keep my promises."

Robyn smiles from beneath her hood as Phillip says, "Indeed you do. My dear friend, it is so good to see you again after all this time." Looking back to Robyn, he says, "How can I ever repay you for this?"

She waves a hand as though this is no big deal. "Just give my friend a good home and a place to work. Take care of them Phillip. They have both been very good to me." Phillip nods and then Robyn turns to Aurora. Bowing graciously, she says, "Princess, I left rather quickly last time we met."

"Yes, you did. But that's alright."

Robyn nods and then steps up to her. "You still possess my dagger?"

Aurora nods and says, "Yes. Would you like it back?"

"No, I was merely checking. Keep that close to you Aurora. It will not fail you should you ever need to use it."

Aurora smiles and says, "Yes, I remember someone saying that once before."

Grinning, Robyn says, "Well, they certainly sound rather smart now don't they?"

Aurora laughs, and then stands up and hugs Robyn before asking, "Will you stay and eat?"

"Well, I could use a good meal. My hood remains on, you understand of course."

"Of course. Please, have a seat by me."

And Phillip has some of the bearers take the frame away as he leads Geppetto and Pinocchio to seats on the other side of him. The young girl seated next to Pinocchio smiles shyly up at him, and then says, "Hi, I'm Rapunzel."

Extending his hand to her, he says, "Pinocchio. It's a pleasure to meet you Rapunzel."

Prince Luke wasn't sure what to think the first time he'd seen Snow White at her kingdom. One of King Arthur's servants had been showing him the various rooms that he might be staying in. There were very many and he had his pick of whichever one he wanted.

It was at one particular room that he met Snow. The servant opened the door and said, "A young lady once lived in this room. We do not speak of her anymore. The room has yet to be changed, but if you would like it we can have it redecorated for you."

The gasp from down the hall drew his attention to the young girl that had once been in Nottingham for the archery contest. Her green eyes were wide with fear, like somehow if he took the room it would be like he was stabbing her in the heart.

"No thank you. Let's keep looking shall we?" The servant moves on ahead, but as Luke turns around, he sees Snow quickly duck into the room, and he can hear the sound of the lock click as it turns behind him. She would be difficult to get to know, but he had promised Robyn Hood that he would look after Snow. And somehow, that made her all the more worth protecting. He would do this, no matter what it took.

"Well, I see you still haven't given up on wishing your sister happy birthday."

Snow sighs and turns to see Greta standing in the balcony doors. She had closed them a while ago, but Greta had her ways of getting in when she wanted to. "What do you want Greta?"

The witch smirks and says, "Oh, I just enjoy seeing the pathetic look on your face that you always have this day of the year. You shouldn't be so upset you know. Your sister was a murderer. She deserved her banishment."

Snow steps forward and says, "You know as well as I that she never did what they say about her."

"Then why did she run?"

Snow huffs and says, "You know that too." Glaring at Greta, she asks, "What did Red ever do to you to earn this much hate? She was a good friend to you."

And now Greta glares. "She was good until she stole the boy I love right out from under my nose."

"What?"

Greta points her finger at Snow threateningly and says, "Oh, don't pretend to be so naïve. James was a wonderful boy, and he was supposed to be mine. But no, he enjoyed spending time with your precious Red more than me."

"James spent time with both of you."

"But he cared for her more!" Huffing, Greta stands up from leaning against the door and says, "Now Red, she was oblivious. And still James would always rather be by her side than by mine. I was better than her. I was prettier. And he…"

Snow takes a daring step forward and says, "He liked Red because even though she was beautiful she never saw herself as the best thing in the room. And you, you have always felt like nothing anyone ever did for you was good enough. And Red tried so hard to be your friend, even after it was apparent that you would always hate her, and she never knew why."

"Shut up! Red took James from me." Taking a breath to calm herself for a moment, Greta sighs and then continues. "And then she was gone, banished, and I thought that maybe I would have a chance with James. He would have to forget her eventually. But no, he lost his hand because of her, for defending her honor when he knew how stupid that was. No, just like you, he clings to her. She's like a slug. Even when she's not here to ruin my life, she sticks to everything, leaving an ugly trail in her wake."

"My sister was wonderful, and she always will be. And no matter where she is or what she's doing, she will always be ten times better than you will ever be."

"Enough!" Greta raises her arms, and says, "And you. James was always here for you before he left. Even though he knew me better, he still came here to you to be with."

"He is my friend. We mourned Red leaving together. She meant so much to both of us."

"And you infected him. You and your inability to let her go, so he couldn't either. And now he's gone, and it's all your fault."

Magic fills her hands, and just as she's about to strike, the door flies open and Luke pulls out his sword. "Get back witch!" Greta growls at him, but then huffs and in a puff of smoke she disappears out the balcony. Luke waits a moment, and then walks over and closes the doors. Turning to Snow, he asks, "Are you alright?"

She nods while slowly taking a seat on the bed. "I thought I locked the door."

"Yeah, I may have picked it when I heard whoever that was hollering at you. Who was she by the way?"

"Her name is Greta. She used to be my…" Snow stops, and then sighs and says, "Never mind."

"No, come on Snow, talk to me. Who was she?"

"Nothing. You wouldn't understand."

Luke steps closer and says, "I wouldn't understand that you used to have a sister?"

Snow jumps up and turns to face him with wide eyes. "How do you know about Red?"

"I heard a lot of your conversation while I was trying to pick the lock. Who was Red? What happened to her?"

Snow stares at him for a moment, and then shakes her head while walking towards the desk in the room. "Even if I told you, you'd never believe me."

"Come on Snow. Give me a chance here. I heard that she was banished. What did she do?"

She almost glares at him when she says firmly, "Nothing. Red never did anything wrong."

Luke nods, and then says softly, "Look, I get it. She was outlawed without good reason."

"Oh, there was a reason. But she wasn't the one who deserved to suffer that fate."

Confused, Luke sighs and says, "Look, if you won't tell me because you think that I'll assume all outlaws are wicked and evil, you're wrong. Do you remember Robyn Hood?" Snow turns slowly and nods her head. "Well, he was my friend. He 'kidnapped' me once, and he showed me the real work my uncle had been doing in Nottingham. From then on, whenever Robyn needed help, I did whatever I could to be there and help him."

Snow stares at him for a moment, and then asks, "You helped an outlaw?"

"Yes, because outlaw or not, Robyn Hood was right, and did what he did for the sake of his people. He defied a tyrant prince and saved the kingdom for Richard to return to."

They remain quiet for a moment, and Luke sighs before turning and heading back to the door. His hand is on the knob when Snow says softly, "Her name was Red Robyn." Turning back to look at her, he watches a tear fall from her eye as she says, "And this was her room."

Moving back to her side, Luke takes a seat on the bed and motions for her to join him. "Tell me about her."

Smiling, Snow says, "She was a wonderful person. Red wasn't like some older sisters who always got annoyed with their younger siblings. Every chance she got she would take me with her into town or on rides with the horses. She even let me ride Midnight, the fastest and strongest horse we had. Midnight was hers decidedly. She was the only one Midnight didn't try to kick off. Or me of course, but that's because whenever I got on Red was the one to put me on."

She continues on, saying, "She cared so much about everyone, even people she didn't know. Greta and she used to be friends. And then Greta got jealous apparently. I never realized that was what it was until now. But even as Greta started hating her, Red tried to still be a good friend to her. My sister was beautiful, with this deep brownish red hair like my mother has, and these deep blue eyes that sometimes looked just like sapphires."

Luke nods, and then takes her hand in his and asks, "So, why was she sent away?"

"She wasn't really sent away. She left."

"I don't understand."

Snow sighs and says, "Someone, disguised as a knight, burned down the village meeting hall years ago. And because it was a knight, the people assumed that my father, the king, had ordered the building burned down, and all the people that were inside with it. There were at least thirty people in the building. None of them survived."

Taking a deep breath, getting to the harder part of the story, she finally continues. "My parents tried to come up with a way to appease the people, but they wanted my father to stand trial before them. Red knew that if he did that they would kill him, and that without a king this kingdom would tear itself apart."

Squeezing his hand tighter in hers, she says, "So she came up with her own plan. She would take off from the castle, and runaway while the knights chased behind her. It worked too. The people saw them going after her and they put a few pieces together in their heads. From then on, everyone in the village knew that Red Robyn, the selfish daughter of the king, tried to have him overthrown so she could take the throne herself."

Luke pulls her hand closer so he can put his other overtop of it. "But she wasn't selfish."

Snow looks up at him and smiles while shaking her head. "No. She was the most selfless person I've ever known. She gave up everything, her life, her name, everything for a kingdom that would grow to hate her. She banished herself so that they wouldn't tear themselves apart." And as she begins to cry, Snow whispers, "It's her birthday today."

Luke nods and moves so he's sitting against the headrest, and then pulls Snow to rest against him. "Is that why you're in here?"

She nods and says, "I always spend her birthday in here."

They sit quietly for a while, and then Luke presses a kiss to the top of her head. "I believe you Snow. And wherever your sister is, I'm sure she hasn't forgotten about you. I'll bet she even knows you spend her entire birthday thinking about her."

Sniffling, Snow asks, "Do you really think so?"

"If she's as determined and caring as you say she is, then I know so."

It's another few minutes before Snow moves, and when she does it's only to pull the necklace she wears from under her dress to hold up for Luke to see. He stares at it for a moment, and then asks, "What is it?"

"It used to be Red's. Before she left, she gave it to me to remind me of something."

"And what's that?"

And he can tell Snow's falling asleep when her voice drops, but she still manages to say, "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."

Chapter 8! Yay!

Sorry it's taken me a while. The story is actually all written up, but it takes me a while to format it correctly to get it suitable to upload to the site, and then I have to do more work to make it readable (at least, I hope it's readable). :)

Anyways, hopefully I can get Chapter 9 figured out a little quicker. Thanks for reading, and I hope you're still enjoying! :)