Okay, so, here's chapter III! I've had six out of eight of my tests, so pretty soon, I can start wrting more. I love writing tension. I'm maybe not so good at it as I hope, so feel free to give suggestions. Reviews can change the outcome of the entire story! I'm glad I've had this story to focus on as a distraction, btw, because I flunked my very first test big time. I got a 4.8, which is a D, while I studied on it for two full weeks. Anyways, you don't have to be bothered by that, just enjoy my next chapter!
Love, Lily
III
Snow White opens her eyes and a feeling that's somehow connected to the Huntsman, boils in the pit of her stomach. His arms are wrapped tightly around her, keeping her safe. Keeping her warm. She pulls his arms closer and closes her eyes again. She doesn't want to be awake. Not yet.
But the Huntsman has other ideas. "Good morning." He says softly into her ear. She shivers involuntarily. She can't do this. She can't be shivering at his voice. Not before she figures out how she feels.
"Good morning." The Queen pushes herself up and rubs the sleep out of her eyes. "What time is it? When do I have to be where?"
The Huntsman chuckles, a low, attractive chuckle that sends another shiver down her spine. "Don't worry. I would've woken you if necessary. The Duke will come for you."
The Duke. He'll come for her. Oh God. Nervousness sweeps through her and she buries her face in her hands. "Oh my God, what am I going to do?"
He sighs. "We've had this conversation before, my Queen. You will do wonderful. I'm sure of it." He throws his legs out of the bed and gets up. Snow White gasps at his bare chest. He's so muscled. She turns her head away to hide her flushed cheeks and gets out of bed. "You have to get dressed."
She nods and disappears into the bathroom, washing and dressing into a dress that's beautiful beyond imagining. When she wears it, she sees her reflection, and her heart stops. She looks into the mirror, but she doesn't see herself. She sees her mother. The blue in the dress perfectly toning her white skin, the neckline is low, round shaped, alluring. This is a mirror image of her mother. She sinks to her knees, sobbing again. She misses them. She misses her father, her mother.
"Mother, Father...please...help me..."
There's a soft knock on the door. "My Queen, are you alright?"
The Huntsman. He believes in her with all his heart. She can't disappoint him. So there's no pressure. She rises to her feet, wipes her eyes and opens the door. "I'm alright."
He grabs her hand and stops her from walking past him. "You're eyes are red."
She sighs. "Eric, I'm really alright."
"You've been crying, Snow. Now tell me."
She sighs again and moans. "Alright, alright. I looked into the mirror, and I saw my mother. I am a mirror image of my mother." Tears form into her eyes again, and she takes a deep breath.
He smiles softly and puts a hand on her arm. "I'm sorry."
She relaxes in his arms unwillingly, but her mind doesn't have a say in this. Her body reacts to his touch involuntarily, as if it thinks for itself. He wraps his arms around her and sighs. "Thank you." She whispers. Her body grows warm when his fingers trace over her arms and she closes her eyes.
Wait, what are you doing? She says to herself. What is this? She opens her eyes and shakes her head. "Release me." He holds her tightly, and she starts to struggle. "Please, release me." She pleads. He releases her and smiles.
"Of course, milady. Whatever you wish."
Snow White stares at him, not sure what he's doing right now. "Is there something wrong, Eric?"
"Oh, it's Eric now." He says sarcastically.
Her heart drops. Why is he so cold to her all of the sudden? "Have I done something to offend you?"
"Oh, no, not at all." He says rather loudly, taking a step back, his arms crossed. "It's just...first you kiss me, and want me to share a bed with you, and all of the you shift back to formality."
She stares at him, not seeing the problem. "We have had this conversation! I told you, I don't know what my true feelings are!"
"Yes, and I respect that! I do, really! But there's nothing wrong with letting me in your heart. Just as a friend, you know. Just because you don't know if you love me, does not mean that you can't be friendly to me." He sighs, calming down a bit. "I want to be your friend, Snow. I don't want the feelings I have for you get in the way of the bond that we forged through all those things we've been through."
She nods, now seeing how he feels. She has decided to distant herself from, because she didn't want to hurt him anymore than she is already doing. But that's obviously not what he wants. "No matter what – who – I choose, you'll stay? Even if it's just as a friend?" Somehow the word "friend" triggers something of a...negative feeling inside of her.
He smiles. "I will. I promise." But his smile doesn't reach his eyes. She hates what she does to him. How can she just let him string along like this?
"I'm sorry." She whispers, hanging her head. "I'm sorry that I'm hurting you so much. It was never, never my intention."
He turns her around, cups her face in his hands and forces her to look at him. "I said I could wait. So I will. I can't let you lie to yourself. If you truly don't know yet, then I respect that." He strokes her black hair out of her face lovingly and smiles, now the smile does reach his eyes. "But know this: I will fight for you. I will fight for you until you choose."
The Queen can't help herself. She smiles. Like her childhood-dream. A knight in shining armour who'll fight for her no matter how much she hurts him. Actually, she has two knights, both fighting for her, both willing to fight for her heart. And yet she can't make a decision. She doesn't know whom she loves. "That is good to know."
Both the Queen and the Huntsman startle when there's a soft knock on the door. "Milady?"
"That's William!" She hisses. "Please, hide."
He looks at her. "Why? I said I'd fight."
"You can fight later, hide now." She says, sounding desperate. She locks her eyes with his. "Please. Don't embarrass me. I beg of you."
He sighs and nods. "How can I deny you?" He turns and gets into the bathroom.
Snow rearranges her dress and opens the door. The sight of William brings a happy smile on her face. "William."
"Hello, Milady." He says grinning. He pulls her into his arms and brushes her hair out of her face. "Are you feeling alright?"
She sighs. Is she feeling alright? "I don't know." She says.
He frowns and looks at her with worry in his eyes. "What's wrong?"
She can't tell him. She doesn't know why. She simply cannot tell him how torn she is between him and the Huntsman. By the way he looks at her, she deciphers that he is already believing that they belong together. "Nothing, really. A little nervous. First day of being Queen. I don't know if I'm ready for it."
He kisses her forehead and she closes her eyes at his touch. "You will do wonderful. I know it."
Strange. It doesn't feel as real as when the Huntsman had said it to her. She shrugs it off. It's probably nothing. "I thought that your father would be coming to get me."
"Yes. But I offered to bring you to the throne room." He offers her his hand and she takes it, blushing. Taking one more look towards the bathroom before the door closes, she sees the Huntsman, leaning in the doorway, locking his eyes with hers. Her blood flows to her head and she feels dizzy. His stare is intense and it holds more information than he would ever give her. He's never going to give up. He will fight for her. Until his last breath. "Wow!" William exclaims, when Snow White staggers. "Easy. Take it easy. What's wrong?"
"Nothing." The Queen says. "Just a tad dizzy."
"Shall we go?" He asks. Snow White nods and she lets William guide her to the throne room, where the Duke and her councillors are waiting.
"My Queen!" The Duke bows for her. "Have you slept well?"
"Yes, very well, thank you." Snow White bows a little, too.
The Duke smiles. "Do you need anything, milady? Something to eat, to drink, perhaps?"
Her stomach growls and she nods thankfully. "That would be great, yes."
"I'll get a servant to make you breakfast." The Duke snaps his fingers and a man comes in and bows for Snow.
"Milady." He whispers.
My eyes widen. "Christian?" The boy she used to know had grown to be a man. The boy had lived in the castle from his birth, he was the son of my very own nurse. Who got killed when Ravenna gained her power.
The man smiles at her. "Hello, Snow. I cannot believe you recognize me."
Snow smiles back and she embraces him. "I've missed you. How are you?"
"Better. I've been locked up in the dungeon for eleven years, I was almost dead, but since you came..."
"Life itself." Snow turns at the easy, low, attractive voice, her eyes widening at the Huntsman leaning in the doorway. Her heart skips when she remembers when he said that. "At least, that's what Muir said."
Duke smiles politely. "Huntsman. Welcome."
"Good morning, Your Majesty." Eric says, grinning deviously.
Snow decides to play the game along, to play oblivious to the fact that they had spent the night together. "Good morning, Huntsman. I trust you slept well."
"Very." He grins.
Oh God. Does he have to do that? "Good." She turns her attention back to Christian. "Sorry, Christian, what were you saying?"
Christian smiles. "Oh, just that I'm your loyal servant. From now until the very end."
The Queen smiles her brilliant smile at him. "Thank you, Christian."
"I'll go get your food now. Mr Huntsman, can I get you anything?"
Eric has an amused look on his face. "No. Don't inconvenience yourself." Snow hates how he acts right now. Christian bows lightly and heads back out of the throne room.
Duke Hammond makes a path to the throne. "Your Majesty. The throne is yours."
Snow White swallows when her eyes focus on the throne. That's hers. It was her Father's, then Ravenna's, and now it's hers. And she doesn't even know what to do with it. The power it comes with it. A slender arm circles around her waist and a soft, warm voice whispers in her ear, "You're supposed to go to it and sit down." Snow looks over her shoulder to lock eyes with William, his soft eyes resting easily on her, as if they are meant to rest on her.
Snow takes a deep breath, breathing the nervousness out of her, and walks towards the throne. She doesn't want to sit on that thing. It's her father's. She can't sit on it. But she has to. This is her place now. Her father would've wanted it. She turns and her eyes lock with the Huntsman. His mockingly mood has disappeared. He smiles encouragingly. "I'll protect you," He mouths, "Always." That gives Snow the courage to pick up the skirt of her dress, turn and sit down. Eric smiles lovingly, that makes her head spin. Everyone bows to her, as if bowing to her father. Only the Huntsman remains on his feet.
"You should stop comparing yourself to your father, my Queen." He says, breaking the silence. My nervous smile disappears and I frown. Everybody straightens up and turn their heads to the Huntsman, who walks forward in a steady, confident pace. "I can see it in your every move, I can see it in your eyes every time they look at things that used to be your father's." Snow swallows as the Huntsman comes closer, until he's at her throne. "I mean no disrespect, but I know you. Better than most of the people in this room. I can see how your father's ghost is haunting you. You keep comparing yourself to your father and then finding yourself less than him."
William steps forward, concern in his eyes. "Is that true?"
The Huntsman's glare hardens when he hears his rival's voice, and Snow knows that the fight never ends. Even when he tries only to help her. "Well, Duke William, I'm surprised you cannot see, you've known her the longest."
"Huntsman..." Snow warns softly. Eric turns his head and smiles a half-smile. She can't stop him, not in this fight.
"I don't know what your problem is, Huntsman. But you have no right of speech here. You're a Huntsman, and you will bow for your Queen." William says venomously. "So, bow. Bow."
"William, stop it!" Snow snaps, losing her patience with both men. "Both of you, stop it. William, this man saved my life, he does not have to bow for me. And neither do you. Huntsman, you may have saved my life, that does not give you the right to be rude to my friends."
Eric smirks and bows. "Of course, milady, I apologize." He is not sorry. Not in the slightest. He just keeps up his pretences for everyone else.
Duke Hammond stands in between his son and the Huntsman, addressing his Queen. "My Queen, I must press on the matters at hand here. We may have defeated Ravenna, but we have not yet exterminated her few followers, scattered across your lands. We have to find them and exterminate them."
Snow frowns. Exterminate? What's that supposed to mean? "What do you mean by 'exterminate', Duke?"
Duke cocks his head, questioningly. "What I say. Exterminate. To kill."
She shakes her head. "No. That's not how I want to do things in my kingdom."
"But, Milady...?"
She cuts him off. This is not what she wants, and this is how she refuses to do it. "I refuse to rule the same way Ravenna did. I get why they should be punished, but I want to do that in a just way. Whatever those people have done, I want them to get a fair trial. I'm not going to kill them without them having the chance to defend themselves. It's not right." The Huntsman smiles at her, and retreats to a far corner. She wishes he hadn't. She wants him to stay close to her. Protect her. Help her. She feels lost without him. Or maybe lost without guidance in general.
"You are fair and honest, Milady. As always." A grey-haired Councillor says. "I'm Councillor Chapman, I will serve you in any way I can, my Queen, like I did your Father."
"Councillor, I'm sure it's going to be an honour having you as my Councillor." She hasn't even been Queen for twenty-four hours, and her head's already throbbing. "Now, Duke Hammond, I want to track down these supporters of Ravenna, I want to capture them, and then I want them here. Alive."
"I will see to it that it is done, Milady." Hammond bows.
Snow smiles. "Oh, and you have my permission to use all the force necessary. But try not to kill anyone, that's an order." Hammond bows again and he leaves the room. William stays behind, looking up at her.
"What is it, William?"
"I was wondering if I could have a word with you. In private."
Snow rises, glad she can leave this chair. "Of course. Excuse us, everyone. I'll be back within a few minutes." She follows William out of the throne room. "Thank you for taking me away from all that for a minute."
William smiles, a brilliant smile. She can't help but noticing that she keeps comparing William to Eric. She doesn't like that at all. "Not at all. I wanted to talk to you. Apologize."
"For what?"
"For leaving you. That day. And in the tower. I should've known. I did know. Inside, I felt that you were still alive, and yet I didn't chase that feeling. And I hate myself for that. And I can't help but wondering if things would have turned out differently, between us, if I would have been the one to find you in that forest. And not the Huntsman."
Snow puts her hand on his arm. "Don't be ridiculous. The Huntsman is the only one who can find his way in the forest. You would've gotten irreversibly lost. And then I would've lost you."
"But he's so...cocky. So full of himself. He knows he saved your life multiple times and he's not afraid to show us that over and over again."
She shakes her head. "That's not what he's trying to do." She sighs. She can't tell him. She still can't. And she still doesn't know why.
"What is he trying to do? Do you know?"
She does. But she's not going to tell him. He'd kill Eric. And she doesn't want that. "No. But I know he's not trying to keep reminding us that he saved my life."
"How do you know that?"
"Because that's not how he is. Remember, I have spent a few days alone with him in that forest. I got to know him a little." Snow feels her cheeks flush a little bit.
William stares deep into her eyes. "Alright. I believe you. Now, something different. I want to tell you...when I saw you die in my arms...I felt completely lost. I didn't know what to do. I couldn't safe you. I couldn't hold you here. And I wanted to tell you something. Something I should've told you the moment we met again. I should've told you that I loved you. Always have. First when we were seven. And when we met again, I fell for you. For real. My heart was lost to your beauty, your strength, your kindness." He puts a hand in her neck, stroking her cheek with his thumb. "I love you, Snow." Then he presses his lips on hers. She is so stunned at first, that she can't bring herself to reciprocate. Then her mind starts comparing again. How Eric's kiss is so different from William's. Warmer. More passionate. Eric's not afraid to hold back, while William is careful not to hurt her feelings, or even touch her other than his hand and his lips. Colder. More distant. Maybe that's the con of kissing a well-raised Duke's son. Too much manners. Not that she doesn't like manners, she does, but William is too gentle, too...appropriate. It makes her heart beat alright, but not like Eric's had. What does that even mean?
He breaks away from her. "I don't expect anything from you at this point. I'll wait for you." He strokes a strand of hair back behind her ear and smiles. Then he turns. He stops in his tracks, freezing. Leaning in the doorway of the throne room, is the Huntsman. He and William share a battle of stabbing looks, and then William walks away. He has accepted Eric's challenge, without knowing he did. Snow's eyes connect with Eric's again, and his eyes soften immediately. There are no words spoken, but there's no need. He knows what she's feeling, and he knows she's even more confused. Their glance is almost enchanted, but then he smiles, pushes himself off and returns to the throne room, leaving the Queen in the windy hallway, completely confused and with a worse headache then ever.