Sorry it took so much time for an update, but I kept rewriting this chapter, over and over. I wasn't satisfied with it and even now I think it could have been better but I felt like updating so here it is. Let me know if you like the direction this is taking. But I do have a specific direction in mind so this is just to set the later scene I need.

Weeks turned into months and life truly began to blossom in Snow White's kingdom. Happiness was slowly but surely replacing the fear and aggression that had existed for so long between wary neighbors and strangers. What life had been like under her father's rule was starting to be seen once more and people attributed it solely to the arrival of their most cherished Queen. Her people knew they had been blessed because they could not have asked for a fairer and more benevolent ruler. Each new day no longer brought with it uncertainty and darkness, but light and peace.

Indeed, life was only getting better for the Queen's realm. But alas, one person did not feel such light-heartedness. As hard as Snow White tried, she could not lift her saddened heart out of its despair. She performed her royal duties to the best of her abilities, oftentimes going beyond what was asked of her to ensure her people's happiness. Her schedule kept her mind busy most of the time when she dealt with issues about ruling her kingdom for it had been neglected by Ravenna for so long. A lot of wrongs had to be set right and that was what truly drove Snow White onwards.

But even with every advantage she now had and all the power she could wield for the betterment of her realm, Snow was only becoming calmer, quieter, as if her light was dimming. William was not the only one to notice this as others of her closest advisors have commented on their Queen's demure state. Most attributed it to her self-sacrificing dedication in being a goof ruler. Others, however, could not help but feel an aura of growing sadness surrounding Snow White. She was not a free-spirited youth but a woman burdened with much more than the ruling of a kingdom.

Snow was aware of the gossip and hurried whispers shared between the people in the castle but she paid them no attention. They all had their own ideas and suggestions as to what was troubling her but none had had the courage to truly get to the root of the problem.

Sometimes during council meetings or simply while they ate in the large dining room, she would catch him staring at her with an odd look, as if he was searching for something. She would look at him in those instances but he would just smile and return to the issue at hand. One thing for sure was that she found herself in his company more and more.

This is why she found it so odd to find herself in the courtyard garden by herself. Snow didn't mind for she was more used to being solitary than with someone; something she had gotten used to due to her many years of imprisonment.

Freely, she walked amongst the expansive garden of roses, her raven braid moving to and fro as she observed each flower. They would not last much longer as summer would soon turn into fall. Snow White's focus was fully on these red blooming reminders of her mother and just how much she had loved them. However, the usual joy she got when thinking of her beautiful mother did not present itself. It shocked her a bit but then quickly she attributed to her fatigue. She didn't want to admit it to anyone, but she had not really felt like herself in the last few weeks. It was as if she was physically present but mentally she could not focus. Snow had caught herself multiple times now staring blankly as an official rambled on about this and that and she could simply not remember what had be exchanged.

Just then William had finally decided to walk towards her and the movement of his form lured Snow's eyes towards him. She stopped her strolling and patiently waited for him to join her.

"My Queen," he bowed respectfully.

Only a slight twitch in her lips suggested the smallest of smiles.

"William, I have already told you to call me by my birth name. It is only fair that my childhood friend and one of my closest protectors have such a right."

He caught the slightest trace of humor in her words and was relieved that she still had some capacity for it.

"My dearest Snow White," he said as he smiled at her unique name. "It is with a heavy heart that I find myself at your side now for it is plain for me to see your desolation at the Huntsman's absence."

At the mere mention of his name, Snow visibly flinched and immediately downcast her eyes for fear of him seeing the unshed tears. Without hesitation, however, William lifted her chin up so that she stared directly into his own eyes as he whispered,

"I would do anything for your happiness Snow, absolutely anything. You have but name it and it shall be done. If you ordered me right now to ride out of the castle and look for that miserable being, I would not hesitate an instant."

Snow couldn't help but be touched at his words because she could see he meant every word. She could also see the emotions he kept trying to hide from her. This man cared for her deeply, much more than a friend, of that she was sure. And here he was declaring that he would go find another man just so she could be happy and all she could do was stare numbly up at him.

"William," Snow said as she wrapped her hands gently around his face. "The Huntsman made his choice when he left. He did not want to stay here... with us."

Calmly, Snow made to walk around him but his next words stopped the very air in her lungs.

"You miss him."

Trying to steady her quivering voice, Snow turned around and replied simply, "He brought me back to life."

And with that, she left a very bewildered William alone in the garden.

William knew what had to be done as his quick and determined strides took him to the royal stables. He had avoided his father because he didn't want to have to explain his intentions to him. Luckily avoiding Snow White was never hard because she always kept to herself nowadays. This last thought further spurred him onwards. He would do this for her, it was the least he could do for failing to rescue her from Ravenna's prison.

He had quickly packed all the essentials he would need on his trip and had gotten dressed in his ridding gear in record time. No one in the castle seemed to notice his haste or his attire, even with his bow and arrows strapped to his back. Or maybe they chose simply to not comment.

Climbing on top of his horse, he deftly guided it out of the stables and quickly exited the castle grounds, the animal's big hoofs echoing loudly on the cobblestones of the streets. Soon he found himself on the edge of the town's borders. Now that he was truly alone escaping the little speck of civilization, he fully let himself comprehend what he was embarking upon. Although it pained him to do this, he would do it for Snow, his own feelings be damned.

William couldn't help the anger that surged through his veins, hell he welcomed it at this point. For months now, the young Queen's demeanor has been waning, as if by some new curse and there was nothing he could do. But there might be one way to stop it. He was going find the Huntsman and drag that damned drunkard by the neck kicking and screaming if he had to if it meant Snow White would be happy once more!

Next chapter the Huntsman will be making his appearance!