"She's lovely, Virginia."
"Yes, she grew up well. I'm very proud of her."
Alex's eyes fluttered. There was a bright light coming from somewhere, or was it everywhere? She was hearing voices, that was for sure. One of the voices seemed awful familiar. She was dreaming, that was it. She couldn't be hearing the voice she thought she heard. That voice belonged to her mom, and she's been gone for 10 years.
"Alex dear, wake up. You're safe now." Virginia reassured.
Alex's eyes flew open as she sat up. Sure enough there was her mom, standing next to a woman who could pass for Snow White, the famous one, only older. Alex stood. Her mom was just as she remembered blonde hair to her shoulders, classy blue eyes, delicate in every way. Who knew what kind of monster she could be. Virginia reached for her, Alex jumped back as if struck by a hot iron. "Don't touch me!"
Virginia looked hurt. Alex didn't care. Here she was, in a land that Alex thought only existed in hopes and dreams. Was this where she fled? Why did she come here? Why didn't she bring her daughter?
Tears teased Alex's eyes, "No," she told herself. She would not cry for this woman. She hated Virginia. "What are you doing here?" She asked, voice trembling with too much emotion.
"Sweety, I'm sorry we had to leave you. I wanted you to come, but it was too dangerous. You were too young. You father was afraid you would get hurt." She was almost convincing. But Alex knew something whatever happened here was done.
"Why didn't you come back for me when you were done here? Why didn't you send for me?" This time Alex couldn't stop them, the tears poured out of her as she released every emotion she felt towards her mother. "Your mother left you! Why did you leave me?" She screamed, "You are just like her! You said we would never be apart; we would always be a family! You lied! You didn't want me! How could you?" Alex couldn't finish. She broke down and let the tears and pain run through her. She felt her mother touch her.
Virginia wrapped her arms around Alex and held on tight. I never wanted to, "I never wanted to leave you. It hurt so much, but I couldn't bring myself to take you back here. Not after what happened the last time. I couldn't loose you too. When I died, I didn't know if you would ever understand…."
This brought Alex up, "What do you mean, 'when you died?' You are standing right here."
Virginia smiled a little and looked at the other woman in the room. The woman nodded and explained, "When great people die in this world a part of them comes back, like a spirit, only more solid; to guide others that are destined to be great. I, Snow White, guided your mother on her first visit here, and she will guide you."
Alex looked at her mom; she saw love in her eyes, love and sorrow. She couldn't come back. If she was dead she had to stay there. "How did you die?"
"I was trying to help a little girl, but she was an illusion the witch created. I was stabbed in the back.
"What happened to dad? Is he dead?"
It was Snow White who answered, "No, he still lives. He is being held in the castle of my great-great grandson William."
"He's at the Castle? I was just there!"
Virginia looked at the Snow White before she spoke, "What did you see at the castle?"
"Well I only saw the kitchen. One of the cooks took Tori in to see the Queen. She had been turned into a squirrel and needed to be changed back. We were going to use her mirror to leave, but Tori came back running. She acted as if she had seen a ghost."
Virginia nodded, "Yes, Tori would have bee shocked to meet the Queen."
Alex wondered at those words. What did it mean? What was her mother hiding? Snow White tilted her head as if she was listening to something, but it was Alex's mom who said, "Your friends are looking for you."
"Yes, they probably heard me scream. Will they be able to come down here?"
"In time honey, first I need you to listen to me. I know you desperately want to go home, but there is something you must do first. You must go back to the Castle and rescue your father."
"And change William back," interrupted Snow White.
"What do you mean?" There was a crash and a heap of snow fell from above. Alex jumped and spun to see Hawk covered in snow. He stood and looked at Snow White.
Snow White smiled, "This is my great-grandson William."
Hawk stared at Snow White, "What are you talking about?"
"The Queen put a spell on you, switching you and her huntsman. He is the great-grandson of the Huntsman who tried to kill Virginia. She also put a curse on you so you'd forget who you are. All you need to do is touch the Huntsman and you will switch back."
"Great, what next Voodoo dolls?" Tori had snuck down the hole a lot quieter then Hawk. Now she stood behind Alex, looking at Virginia and Snow White,
Virginia smiled at Tori, "it's good to see you again Tori. You have grown into a beautiful young woman."
"Who are you?"
"I'm Virginia, Alexis's mom."
Alex had to restrain Tori. Alex was glad her friend wanted to hurt Virginia, true friendship there. Alex was in pain because of her mom and Tori want to return the favor. "Don't worry Tori, We worked it all out. But now we have more problems. My father is being held by an Evil Queen and William is Hawk, or Hawk is William, but either way something real fishy is going on here."
"I don't care what's going on here. I want to go home."
"Tori, didn't you hear me? My father is here! And alive! We are going back to the castle to find him, period, end of discussion."
"Tori went white again, "But…but…we can't go back! Please, don't go back. The Queen…The Queen is awful. She will kill us all and laugh doing it! We can't!"
Alex put a reassuring hand on Tori's shoulder, "We must. It's my dad. I would go back for you. Please, I'm begging you, trust me. We need to go back."
There was another flurry of snow. This time when it cleared Kip and Gregory popped out. Gregory was grumbling and Kip looked chilled to the bone. But Kip jumped up with all the energy of a wolf, "So, who are you lovely women. Not evil I hope?"
"This is my mom, Virginia, and Snow White, the more famous of the two."
"It's nice to meet you two wonderful ladies. I've heard all about you."
Snow White tilted her head again, "Your time is short. You must get going." She pointed to a tunnel Alex had not noticed before. "This tunnel will take you to the Dwarves. They will be able to show you the way out."
"Why can't we go the same way we came?" Tori asked.
"Because it will be too dangerous, now go, quickly."
Alex didn't want to leave. Her mother was there. Even with the many years apart, Alex still loved her mom. Alex was beginning to understand why she left in the first place. Virginia was brave and kind. She would want to help the people of these lands.
Virginia seemed to notice Alex's hesitation. "You must go and save your father and the Nine Kingdoms. Don't worry sweetheart. I will be with you always.
The ground shook like a massive earthquake and snow fell all around whitening every thing out. Tori screamed, but the snow soon settled and the party took it as a sign they should leave. Alex hugged her mom for the last time and took her place behind Hawk. They all trekked into the tunnel and into darkness.