Disclaimer: I do not own Snow White & The Huntsman.

Chapter 3 – White Hart's Blessing

Eric awoke the next morning to Snow shifting beneath his arm, realizing then that he had wrapped it around her at some point in the night.

"Sleep." He murmured, tightening his grip around her.

"Eric look!" She cried quietly, pointing to a nearby stump where two fairies stood, gazing at Snow. They motioned for her to follow them and took off. Snow didn't hesitate in following, walking through the forest after them, taking in all life that came out to greet her.

"Snow!" Eric cried more loudly, waking the dwarves as he scrambled after her. "You can't just go off on your own!" The cry of an animal was heard throughout the forest, fully waking those to whom sleep still clung.

"Father? What was that? Father?" Quert asked.

"I know, son, I know." Muir answered. "It's him." The dwarves went to follow the Huntsman who was not letting Snow out of his sight, determined to reach her before something happened to her. They walked through a denser clump of trees before coming out at what must be the centre of Sanctuary. A tree, larger then any other around it, stood in the centre, surrounded by a pool of water on which stood a majestic white stag, his antlers larger then any Eric had ever seen, and he'd seen many a stag on his hunts. Snow stopped for but a moment before continuing on, making her way over to the stag, stepping on rocks just below the water's surface.

"No, no, no, no Huntsman." Beith said, holding Eric back when he made to move closer. "No one's ever seen this before."

"Why?" Eric asked. "What is it?"

"White Hart." Muir answered. "He is the soul of Sanctuary, he is what keeps this place alive and full of light though the Queen's darkness has spread everywhere else." They watched as Snow approached White Hart, the stag taking the final step towards her to close the distance and bending his head to her. Snow brought her hand up rested it atop his head, feeling the softness of his fur, and the hope that filled her the longer she was in his presence. After a moment Snow removed her hand and White Hart took a step back, far enough to bend his knee and bow his head before her without hitting her with his giant antlers.

"White Hart…bows before the Princess, father." Quert told him, awe evident in his voice.

"He's blessing her."

"What are you talking about?" Eric asked, still not truly understanding the magnitude of what was happening.

"You have eyes, Huntsman, but you do not see. You, who have been with her the longest. She is life itself. She will heal the land. She is the one."

"No. I knew that." He all but breathed, for he had. He knew she was special, that there was something that drew him to her, that drew everyone to her, though he had not been able to put it into words until now when he realized the Muir was right.

"Can you not feel it?" The elderly dwarf continued. "Are your ailments not gone? Gold or no gold, where she leads, I follow."

"Aye." Gus was quick to agree. "I'm with you."

"Yes, father." Quert quickly agreed as well, the other dwarves doing the same. The peaceful, wonderful moment, however, did not last. Just as Snow reached up once more, an arrow zoomed into the clearing, hitting White Hart dead on.

"No!" Snow cried, reaching for the stag, wanting to help it.

"Ambush!" The dwarves cried, as Quert got his father to safety before joining the others in defending their Princess.

"Snow!" Eric yelled, rushing to her side and yanking her back. "We must go! There's nothing you can do!" Snow hesitated another moment, long enough to see White Hart burst into a thousand white butterflies, the soul of Sanctuary taking another form as this one was lost. She then allowed the Huntsman to lead her away, Gus following for added protection. The dwarves took on a few of Finn's men as the Queen's brother himself appeared on horseback, charging Snow and Eric down.

"Go that way!" Eric told Snow, wanting her to get away.

"No, Eric I won't leave you!" She replied, grabbing on to his arm only for Eric to yank it away.

"You must!" He said and on impulse he leaned down and quickly kissed her. "I love you." He murmured. "You must live. For me. Now go!" he wasted no more time and pushed her in one direction, Gus leading her away, while Eric went in another direction, taking Finn on. While Snow and Gus were not pursued by the Queen's brother, two of his men did follow them, though one of them put a sword through the other, intent on reaching Snow himself. He rode up behind them, reaching down as he neared, intending to scoop Snow up onto the horse without even stopping. He had not counted on Snow turning at the last moment, grabbing his arm and yanking him off his horse, giving Gus a chance to kill him.

"No, it's me! It's William!" The man cried, holding his hands up in defense and looking at Snow. "It's William." He repeated. Snow didn't know whether to believe him or not, but her attention was diverted as a piercing roar sounded throughout the forest. Snow's head whipped to the side in time to see her Huntsman fall to Finn's blade.

"Eric!" She shrieked, forgetting all about the man who claimed to be her childhood friend and rushing to his side. "Eric!" She cried again as she dropping to her knees and cradling his head between her hands, placing it on her lap. "Eric please! Open your eyes…don't leave me." She sobbed.

"I told you to run." He muttered groggily, obviously injured, but thankfully not dead.

"Ah, Princess." Finn said in a mocking tone as he approached. "You've made this quite easy for me. I must thank you for that." Snow didn't even look up at him, knowing she was about to die and only caring that she spent her last moments with Eric. She closed her eyes and lay her had on his chest, protecting his head with her body.

"I love you." She whispered, prepared for the blow, though it never came. Instead, Finn cried out and Snow's head shot up to see Gus had rushed him with his sword in hand. The blow was not fatal, having merely slashed his hip, but an arrow, fired by William quickly followed, hitting Finn square in the chest. Still though, it appeared the Finn would live, his sister's dark magic sustaining him, and so Eric, finding the strength to get up, shoved Finn backwards into a broken tree, it's trunk having splintered into spikes. They pierced his body, damaging it beyond repair, though he begged his sister to heal him with his dying breath. When he was gone, the Huntsman turned back towards Snow and fell to the ground beside her, the two practically falling into each other's arms.

"I thought I'd lost you." Snow sobbed.

"I'm still here." He replied.

"I knew there was something going on between you two." Beith said as the other dwarves joined them.

"Shut up Beith." Eric growled, though it was noted that he didn't deny it. The group stayed there for a moment, catching their breath and checking for injuries beyond minor scrapes and bruises. So sure were they that with Finn gone the immediate danger was passed that they didn't expect one of his men to still be alive.

"Arrow!" Gus yelled, seeing the man notch it on his bow and release it. The arrow headed directly for Snow and before even Eric could react to protect her, Gus had jumped in front of it, taking the arrow for her. William reacted seconds after, knocking off his own arrow and taking out the man before he could do anything else, but the harm was already done.

"Gus!" Snow cried, leaning over him with worried eyes as she took in the arrow that protruded from his stomach, having hit him the back and been pushed through when he fell on to it. "Gus breathe." She urged as he gasped in pain. She knew, as they all did, that there was nothing that could be done, the arrow's location seeing to that, and all they could do was see that he didn't die alone. Tears streamed down Snow's face as he finally calmed down, accepting his fate.

"I won't leave you, miss." He said. Snow nodded in agreement and watched in sorrow as he closed his eyes for the last time. She cried over his body for a bit before allowing Eric to pull her to him and continued to sob on his shoulder as he merely held her.

"We used to have pride." Gort said sometime later as they prepared Gus for burial. "And now we just pilfer and drink and…dream about when we didn't. Every man here would die for the chance of becoming that man again. So we follow you, Princess." Snow looked up from where she still rested in Eric's arms, her tears having run dry, though her sorrow had not abated. "In life, and in death. And we shall have our pride again." He gently took Gus' sword and handed it hilt first to Snow. "On Gus' soul, this I swear."

"I don't want anyone else to die. Not for me." She said, taking the sword and holding it close.

"That be just one of the reasons we follow you." Coll said, speaking for the first time in either defense or praise of her. Snow said no more but nodded and leaned back against Eric once more, allowing the dwarves to take care of Gus. They began building a large funeral pyre, neither Snow nor Eric offering to help, knowing they wanted to do this on their own for their friend, even blind Muir did what he could. It was during this time that William made his presence known again.

"Snow." He said, coming up beside her and Eric.

"And who are you supposed to be?" Eric asked, not having paid this man much, if any, attention, for he knew that if he was a threat the dwarves would have dealt with him already.

"I'm William." He answered, already not liking this Huntsman. "Duke Hammond's son. And an old friend of the Princess'."

"Is it really you William?" Snow now asked, though she made no move to stand from Eric's arms, a fact he was very pleased about.

"Yes."

"Prove it." Eric demanded, not about to trust this guy just because he said he was the Duke's son.

"Do you remember the day we found that bird in the forest?" He directed to Snow, ignoring Eric. "The one with the injured wing? You insisted on carrying it all the way back to the castle and caring for it. I had no objections to that, but you insisted on telling your parents that you found it in the forest when we were not supposed to have left the castle grounds. You could have said you found it in the garden or something, but you refused, you hated lying. After, we went to the old apple tree in the courtyard where I got us both apples, for I knew father would send me to bed without supper for disobeying him, and the King, by taking you with me."

"You always were the one for mischief." Snow said with a small smile. "I was quite content to follow the rules."

"Yes." He laughed at that, glad to see that she believed him. "You were, but I felt it my duty to break you out of your perfect little shell."

"I was far from perfect."

"Au contraire, dear Princess." He replied. "You were perfect in the eyes of your parents, your people…me."

"Why were you riding with the Queen's men?" Eric asked suddenly, not liking the adoring look he gave Snow when he said that.

"To find you." Once again he ignored Eric. "For ten years we thought you dead, we were told all those in the castle that night perished. Then word comes that you are alive…I knew she would send men after you. I tracked them down and knew they'd lead me right to you…I had to find you. But it seems I wasn't the first one to do so." He finally looked to Eric, giving the Huntsman a withering look.

"Eric has saved my life more times then I can count in the last few days." She defended him, not liking the look William had given him. "He was, is, helping me reach your father's castle."

"Ah, I see." He said as if it all made sense now. "How much did you promise him?" He reached over and brought out his purse from under his coat. "I have coin on me. I can pay him and he can be on his way."

"I'm not leaving her." Eric growled before Snow could say something.

"You have done your job, and I thank you for it, the people thank you for it. But I am here now, I shall look after her."

"Listen here-"

"Stop it!" Snow cried. "Both of you just stop! William, I am glad to see you again after all these years, but you cannot come in here and start ordering people about. Eric goes nowhere. Unless he wants to of course." She amended.

"Not bloody likely." He muttered, wrapping an arm around her waist.

"And you," She directed to him. "Stop being so antagonistic. And jealous." She added before getting up and going to join Muir.

"I don't know what you're playing at." William said once Snow was out of earshot. "It is clear that the dwarf is right and something is going on between you two. I only hope you have not done something she will regret later on when she ascends the throne. She will need a proper husband one day, after all, to continue on her line, produce the next heir."

"And you expect that person to be you." Eric stated.

"Whether it is or isn't is irrelevant if she is disgraced."

"She could never be disgraced." Eric snarled, turning to face the shorter man dead on. "I don't care what your high born laws say about a woman when she marries. She could never be disgraced." He spat the last word out, letting William know exactly how he felt on the subject.

"So you have had her." The nobleman said. "I should run now, Huntsman. When my father hears how you have defiled the Princess he will see you hanged. She is not for the likes of you."

"She seduced me." Eric returned, no longer caring if they hid anything.

"Yeah right. I don't believe-"

"I don't care what you bloody well believe. You can say you know her, and if this was ten years ago you'd be right, but you know her as a child, I know her as a woman, a woman who spent ten years locked in a tower. And let me assure you that that woman knows what she wants and isn't going to stand for pointless protests, no matter how many times I said exactly what you did. But I'll not be running anywhere. Fate brought us together and I'll not be abandoning her now. And if your father wants to put a noose around my neck you can be sure he'll have to go through her to do it." That was Eric's final word on the subject, and he walked off, going to join Snow. Night fell and they lit the fire beneath Gus, watching as the flames licked at him and slowly turned him to ash, making him one with the earth. Quert began to sing and they all allowed themselves this final night of grief before they moved on in the morning, knowing they must move through their grief, though their sorrow would never leave them. When morning came they set out, walked all day long, even when the rain fell, thankful only that it was rain now, and not snow.

"I'm sorry I left you." William said as he caught up with Snow, who for once was not walking next to Eric, giving William the opportunity to speak with her.

"You didn't." She assured him.

"If I'd ever thought you were alive, I would have come for you."

"We were children, William. You're here now." She smiled softly at him and continued on, allowing Eric to help her across a stream, and once again stayed close to him. Although it had rained all day, that rain turned to snow as night grew closer, giving the ground a soft blanket of it by the time they made camp. Eric had given Snow his oversized coat to use as a blanket, which she had only taken after he promised to join her and make use of it as well when his first watch was over. With everyone knowing there was something between them, even if only William knew to what extent, he obliged her. He wasn't alone though, for his watch, William joined him by the fire not long after Snow fell asleep.

"Here." Eric said, offering him a water pouch. The two had reached an uneasy truce since the other night, and William would be damned if he was the one to break it.

"I may only have known the child she once was but she hasn't changed." William spoke. "She has that same light inside her." Eric nodded, knowing only too well what he was talking about. "I thought about her every day since I lost her. I can hardly believe I found her."

"She's glad to have you back in her life." Eric said.

"But you're not glad I'm back."

"I'm happy if she's happy." He replied. "But don't expect me to give her up without a fight." Eric stood then, handing the watch over to William before going to join Snow. She awoke as he arrived and smiled at him, lifting his coat so he could climb under before snuggling up against him. Eric knew it was a bit cruel to join her now, knowing William was watching, but he couldn't find it in him to care too much. There was certainly going to be a battle between him and the Duke's son, and he didn't have the advantage of being a duke's son, so he would gladly use the advantage of clearly being her choice. It was still snowing the following morning when Snow awoke. Like before, Eric awoke at her movements, but she mumbled that she needed to relieve herself then would return, allowing him enough peace of mind to go back to sleep. Snow had barely made it into the tree line, wanting to get some distance away from camp, before she heard a twig snap.

"William." She greeted, relaxing upon seeing who it was. "It's as if nothing's changed here." She said, looking around the forest. "The world seems beautiful again."

"It will be." He answered. "When you are Queen. The people of this kingdom hate Ravenna with every fiber."

"I used to hate her." Snow admitted. "But now I feel only sorrow."

"Once people find out you're alive they will rise up in your name."

"It takes more then a name. And I don't want anyone to die in my name."

"You are your father's daughter, the rightful heir. If I had a choice, I'd take you far away." He said. "Keep you safe by my side. But I have a duty, and so do you."

"How do I inspire?" She asked. "I have not been a princess to these people. How will I lead men?"

"The way you led me when we were children." He answered. "I followed you everywhere. Ran when you called. I would have done anything for you."

"That's not how I remember it." She said. "We used to fight all the time. And argue." William smiled and pulled an apple out from behind his back, holding it out to her. She grabbed it quickly and jumped away, a smile forming on her own face.

"Do you remember that trick?" She asked, bringing the apple to her lips.

"What trick?" She heard the question too late, having bit into the apple already. She began to feel weird, her airway closing, her head spinning. She backed away from William who had gained a cold expression as he advanced on her.

"You see, child, love always betrays us." He said. Snow fell to the ground, trying as hard as she could to get air into her lungs. William knelt down beside her, but he wasn't William for long. His head began to jerk and he slowly morphed into her greatest enemy.

"By fairest blood it was done." Ravenna said. "And only by fairest blood, can it be undone. You were the only one who could break the spell and destroy me." She leaned over Snow, bringing their faces close together as she gloated. "And the only one pure enough to save me. You don't even realize how lucky you are never to know what it is like to grow old." She removed a knife she'd had hidden away and raised it high, preparing to stab Snow and take her heart, but it wasn't meant to be.

"No!" Eric yelled as she and the true William came upon them. Ravenna stood and morphed into a horde of crows, taking off without her prize, but before they could end her life, for in her weakened state, it was entirely possible.

"No!" Eric cried again once she was gone, rushing to Snow's side and moving to cradle her head in his lap as she had done to him. "Snow, Snow please." He said. Her life was fast leaving her, that was clear, but still she managed to turn her eyes towards him and tell him, though she could not speak the words aloud, that she loved him. It was her last act, but it at least brought her peace knowing she died in the arms of the one she loved. "No!" He roared and began to sob as his head fell forwards and he clung to her desperately.

"Don't just stand there!" William yelled to the dwarves who had followed the sound of battle. "Your dwarves, healers. Help her, save her!"

"No, this cannot be." Muir muttered. No one was unaffected by her death, they all mourned her, though none more so then Eric who was quite inconsolable. No one knew how much time had passed as they sat there in their grief, but it was long enough for the sun to fully rise.

"We must get to my father's castle." William said at last. "Give her a proper burial, allow her people to see her once more." With no other option available to them, for none of them would run or leave her, even in death, they all agreed. Eric rose to his feet as if in a trance and cradled her body in his arms.

"I'll carry her." He said.

"You can't carry her all the way. It's at least another day's walk." William chided, though it was gently done.

"She's naught but a feather. I won't let her go." They began walking and the castle must have been closer then William had thought for they reached it shortly before nightfall. William walked in the front, speaking to the sentries and the guards who met them on the road and at the castle gates. They rode ahead to inform his father that he returned with the Princess, but that it was too late. When they entered the castle courtyard, Duke Hammond, and every other man, woman and child that currently called the castle home was there to catch a glimpse of their Princess, whom they'd all thought dead, and now truly was. It was Beith who convinced Eric to part with her to allow maids to dress and groom her for a proper lying in state, but he waited in the great hall for her, never leaving as the hundreds of people there came to pay their respects. He'd once again gotten piss drunk, and it was only when they were alone that he felt drunk enough to say his own goodbye.

"Well, here you are. All dressed up, like you're about to wake up and give me more grief. Am I right? You deserved better." He finally stood from his spot against the wall and threw his tankard away, hearing the satisfying clank as it fell against the stone floor. "I once had a wife, Princess. Sara was her name. When I came back from the wars, I carried with me the stench of death and the anger of the lost. I wasn't worth saving, that's for sure. But she did so anyway. And I loved her so much. I loved her more then anyone and anything, and then I let her out of my sight and she was gone. And I became myself again, a self I never cared for. Until you." His tears fell freely now as he approached her, cupping her cold face with his hand. "You brought me out again, your heart, your spirit, it latched on and it wouldn't let go. I'd given up this time around. This faint hope I had before was gone completely but you brought it back. That's what you do, Snow, you bring light where there is none, and I love you for it. But now you, too, have gone. You deserved better, and I'm so sorry I failed you. I'm so sorry. But you'll be a queen in heaven now and sit among the angels." Leaning down, he brought his lips to hers in one last kiss before forcing himself from the room. Had he stayed but a moment longer he would have heard the intake of breath as life once more coursed through she who had been dead. Eric had joined the dwarves after leaving Snow's side and sad in a near comatose state right alongside them, though their leader tried to care for them as he always had.

"Eat." Beith told him, pushing a bowl of some stew in his direction.

"I'm not hungry." Eric replied.

"I wasn't asking if you were. I was telling you to eat. You haven't eaten all day." If Beith, of all people, was trying to care for him, of all people, then Eric knew he must be in bad shape; Beith had a heart, but it was hardened to all save his fellow dwarves.

"Since when do you care for me Beith?" He grumbled, though did as instructed. He paused momentarily as a dull roar of the assembled crowd was heard, though he paid no more attention to it.

"We all need someone to care for us Huntsman." Beith answered. "And since your Princess isn't here to do it anymore…"

"A-are you sure about that?" Coll asked, raising a shaking hand and pointing towards the castle doors. A small figure, dressed all in white with flowing black hair was emerging and Eric swore he had died between the time he left the great hall and arrived here, for it was the only explanation for why he was seeing her alive again. All stood on shaky legs and stumbled towards her, joining the gathered crowd as they parted to allow her to meet up with Duke Hammond.

"The spell is lifted." Muir said.

"Spell, father?" Quert asked.

"Yes. I shall explain after." Snow was about to speak and none wanted to miss it.

"Death has favoured you." The Duke told her.

"Death favours no man. We must ride, like thundering waves under the tattered banner flag of my father."

"You must rest." The Duke countered. "By God you are alive when moments ago you were dead. You cannot be running across the kingdom!"

"We have rested long enough." Snow replied firmly, leaving the Duke's side and moving to address the crowd as a whole. "Iron will melt." She started. "But it will writhe inside of itself! All these years all I've known is darkness. But I have never seen a brighter light than when my eyes just opened. And I know that light burns in all of you! Those embers must turn to flame. Iron into sword! I will become your weapon! Forged by the fierce fire that I know is in your hearts! For I have seen what she sees. I know what she knows. I can kill her. And I'd rather die today than live another day of this death! And who will ride with me? Who will be my brother?"

"AYE!" The entire assembly cried with no hesitation. Then all together as one, every man, woman and child there bended the knee and bowed before their Princess, pledging to follow her wherever she went.

"Then we must prepare." She said, turning back to the Duke. "May I trust you in this your grace?" She asked, reverting, surprisingly easily, back to courtly manners.

"Of course, your highness." He answered and immediately got down to work, setting men to the task at hand and dispersing the crowd, though he himself returned to Snow's side, wanting, needing, to discuss things with her and discover how she had survived when she'd assuredly been dead. Though he returned intent on a discussion, Snow's attention was on someone else entirely. As the crowd parted, she laid eyes on her Huntsman who'd remained on his knees, unable to find the strength to get up, so in shock was he.

"Eric…" She murmured, slowly approaching him, but quickly giving that up and rushing to him instead. Eric's legs found their strength when they saw her about to jump in his arms, and quickly stood, catching her properly instead of being bowled over. It was her who initiated the kiss that shocked those who had straggled behind or still milled about in the courtyard, but neither could truly find it in them to care.

"Dear God…you're alive!" He whispered into her hair as he held her close.

"Thanks to you." Eric looked at her questioningly. "I don't know how, but I heard you, I heard you speak to me. And then when your lips touched mine it was as if a veil had been lifted, I drew breath again."

"How is that possible?" William asked.

"The kiss of true love." Muir answered. All turned towards him, most trusting his words implicitly while others would follow Snow's lead when it became obvious that she was one of them. "The Princess is destined, I have said it before. It is what led White Hart to bless her."

"White Hart?" The Duke asked. "The legendary soul of the fairies' forest?"

"Not so much a legend, but real." Gort said.

"It is true." William corroborated. "I saw it."

"White Hart's power is strong." Muir continued. "He must have known the Queen would try something devious. Whatever the Queen did to you, Princess, it was meant to kill you, but White Hart's power gave you another chance. His power is pure and true, and there is nothing more pure then true love."

"So his kiss saved her?" Hammond asked, still uncertain.

"Well, his love did." Muir amended. "Perhaps she would have been saved without the kiss itself, but we cannot be certain."

"So what does that mean?" Eric asked, not entirely sure if he trusted Muir this time around. It was one thing to say that Snow was destined, or life itself, that was plain to see for anyone who cared to look, but it was another to say that his love had saved her, that sounded far too much like a fairy story to him.

"Fairies are real." Snow whispered to him, knowing what he was thinking. "Why not too their stories?" Although he was still sceptical, he couldn't truly fight that logic.

"It means, Huntsman, that you are a part of the Princess' destiny. You were meant to be together." Muir answered, and Eric decided then and there that no matter how farfetched Muir's idea sounded, he'd believed it; he liked that answer too much to do otherwise.

"It seems we have some things to discuss." Duke Hammond said, though Snow instantly shook her head.

"There is no time. We must prepare to face Ravenna. Anything to be discussed can wait until after unless it pertains to the battle ahead. For now suffice it to say that if nothing else is true this is: Eric and I love each other, and we will be together. I will give my life for my kingdom, but I will not compromise on that." The dwarves smiled or smirked at her words, depending which one of them you were, liking that she had made her stance on this very clear. "Now we must prepare."

A/N - Ah the age old true loves kiss. Is there anything that stays that beautiful while still being that cheesy?

Review please!