A/N- Thanks for the reviews! Here's the next chapter!

Chapter Three

Amelia and Snow White stopped on the hill overlooking Luxegas. The princess turned to her friend and gave her a warm smile.

"I think this is where the two of us should part ways," she said.

Amelia's eyes filled with tears. "But…I have no where to go…"

Snow White maneuvered her horse close to hers and gave her friend a hug. In her ear, she whispered, "I believe in you."

Amelia hugged her back. When the two friends pulled away, Amelia--eyes still full of tears--gave a single nod, turned her mare about, and rode away along another path that took her far away from both Malice and Snow White. The princess felt a tear threatening to spill over onto her cheek, but she quickly wiped it away. Sitting up straighter in her saddle, she looked away from the path her friend had chosen and made her way down into Luxegas.

…………………

Snow White left her horse tied outside as she entered the town's most popular saloon. She chose a seat furthest away from the rustic stage and ordered nothing when the waitress came to call on her. Then, leaning back, she observed her surroundings.

It was the very image of a crude, rude, male-oriented entertainment establishment. Men were constantly reaching out and pulling the various, scantily clad waitresses onto their laps. The waitresses--faking their flattered laughter--would then slap them--once again, feigning playfulness--and continue about their work. The stage's tattered red curtains were pulled closed, and the only form of actual entertainment at the moment was some old codger playing a lively tune on the piano. All Snow White could do was thank God that no weapons were allowed inside. With this many drunken men in one place, it could have gotten deadly otherwise.

Suddenly, the lights in the bar dimmed, and the curtains rose. A single spotlight shone on a delicate figure dressed in blue and silver. Her blonde hair was pulled up into a circular bun atop her head and her crystal eyes seemed to shine brighter than the lights. The men in the audience "ooh-ed" and "aw-ed," while Snow White scoffed. The woman atop the stage was just as scantily clad as the waitresses. Her top made an X across her chest--the straps just wide enough to hide her breasts--while it completely covered her back. She wore a long skirt that was slit from mid-thigh down. Around the base of each knee and at each ankle were cloth cuffs--sliver to contrast the blue of the rest of her outfit--with sheer, blue gossamer to connect each knee cuff to it's ankle. Adorning her feet were clear, glass slippers.

Exotic music began to play, and from nowhere, the dancer produced two blue scarves. She whirled and twirled, making them blur. She jumped, bowed, and bent all to the cheering of the men in the audience. She ended her dance by landing--on the final note of the music--with one leg stretched out in front of her and the other stretched out behind her. She received a standing ovation.

Snow White shook her head. The only good thing Malice had ever taught her was that woman should never have to subjugate themselves to men. However, contrary to the rest of Malice's teachings, Snow White believed that both men and women could be equals. Malice taught that women should dominate. Of course, if her mother had developed her beliefs in a place like this saloon, the princess could hardly blame her.

The men were now shouting crude things to the dancer, who had disappeared behind the curtain. Most were offering things they could do to her in exchange for a moment of her time. Snow White hunched down in her chair.

"Pathetic," she muttered, shaking her head.

One of the waitresses came around again, and this time, Snow White ordered a drink. In surprisingly quick service, the pint of ale was brought to her quickly. It was a very good thing, too, for she now needed something to help hide her from sight. The dancer had somehow slipped around her "adoring" crowd to a man sitting at the table across from Snow White. Snow ducked down until she could only peek around her ale. The dancer sat down across from the man, a sultry smile on her face. They began to talk, but Snow couldn't hear what they were saying. The man reached out his hand, and the dancer did the same. They rested their clasped hands on the table for a moment before the man suddenly seized up. Seconds later, he collapsed onto the floor, all life gone from his face. The dancer stood, glanced around, and scurried from the saloon. Snow White stood and followed.

Outside, Snow White smirked to see the dancer trying to get away with her horse. It was a good thing that even her horse was loyal to her. The stallion was rearing and stomping, not allowing the dancer to mount him. Snow drew the short sword she kept hidden on her at all times and approached.

"I'd back away from there if I was you," Snow White said, making her presence known.

A smile appeared on the dancer's face and sudden flash of silver flew at Snow White. She knocked it away simply with a flick of her sword. In this short window of opportunity, the dancer tried to run. Giving a small laugh, Snow White hurled her sword. It caught the tail end of her skirt and pinned her to the ground. The princess then bent and picked up one of the things that the dancer had thrown at her. It was a very tiny, silver dart. She handled it with care, suspecting that this had somehow killed the man within the saloon, and approached the dancer.

"I had heard rumors that the Kingdom of Charin had sent some royal spies to Queen Malice's kingdom," Snow White said, her hands placed firmly on her hips.

The dancer--her blonde hair now falling a bit out of its bun--smiled up at her.

"Honey, you don't know just how royal I get. Who are you?" she asked.

Snow White gave a mock bow and said, "I am Princess Snow White…and you are…?"

The dancer went suddenly silent. Snow laughed.

"If you fear that I will inform my mother of your being here, think nothing of it. I am…recently an exile. I am looking for allies against her," she said.

"How do I know I can trust you?" the dancer asked.

"Wouldn't I have killed you by now? Or at least have already dragged you off to my mother?"

The dancer smiled. "True. Well then, I am Princess Cinderella of the Kingdom of Charin."

With a nod, Snow White stepped forward and pulled her sword out of the ground. Sheathing it, she helped Cinderella to her feet.

"I do believe we have much to talk about," Snow said, showing her the dart.

Cinderella smirked. "Indeed we do."

End Notes: Okay, so the description of Cinderella's clothing is a bit rough, but that was the best I could do. I think one of my friends is planning to do a picture of her…if she does, I'll have her link to it on her profile. Now, what does everyone think of Cinderella? Please review.