Part three:
Thanks to Briar, Ashlynn and Apple the news of Raven's enchantment spread like wildfire through the school and soon not one person was not aware of what had occurred. There was one person who when they heard of what had happened to the witch felt positively ill with concern. At the same time though this person couldn't help but wonder if this was a spell they could somehow break. After all they knew that they had loved Raven secretly for the longest time, but had never been able to express these feelings save for once and even then they had done so silently. The one thing this person was unsure of was if the love they held for Raven was true love, however one thing they did know about the way they felt for her was that their love had been constant since the first time they had become aware of it.
Over the next few days this person felt as though their heart was being stabbed by a knife over and over as many prince's and hero's all went to the forest to try to wake Raven. They only felt the pain in their heart leave them when each one of these prince's and hero's returned without waking her. This person began to think to them self that this reaction to others trying to wake the one they loved had to might mean that they stood a good chance of being the one that Raven was waiting for. Still they were reluctant to try to wake her only to find they could not and have their own heart broken in the process.
Soon though a gloom hung over the school as there were no more men who could try to wake Raven. Things had come to the point where some of the princess's and maidens of the school had even tried to wake Raven all to no avail. As the sadness over Raven's condition deepened it was then that this silent watcher of these events decided that maybe they did have a chance that it was possible that the love they felt for this generations Snow White could reach her. Deciding it was now or never this person found the most beautiful things they had to were so that they looked their best for the one they loved. Then very early in the morning so they would be less likely to be seen this person set off into the enchanted forest to try to wake Raven.
As this person came into the clearing that held the one they loved they froze with surprise and wonder. To them Raven looked so beautiful and for a moment they found it impossible to think that she could be in love with them. Before their nerves could make them retreat however a voice from behind them stopped this person dead in their tracks. "I was wondering how long it was going to take you to come for Raven Darling Charming."
Gasping with shock Darling turned to face Apple White the daughter of Snow White who said nothing more but took the other princess's outfit in. She wore tall silver heeled boots, blue trousers a fitted bodice in white and blue under top with a sweet heart neckline. From the back of the as well as the sides of this corset there were gauzy shimmering white skirts which cascaded down the back and sides to her knees but did not cover her legs. Her blue and white hair was free flowing in its usual cascade of ringlets but on top of her head was an identical silver coronet to Ravens but instead of purple gems ay the top of the arches the gems were blue. "Apple what do you mean?"
"Go to Raven and you will see." She answered cryptically.
Gulping Darling crossed the clearing she stood by the glass case and looked down on the young woman who lay in the deathlike sleep within it. As her blue eyes took Raven in and marvelled at her beauty once more and prayed that this woman would be hers now and always. It was then that Darling noticed the rose she held and her blue eyes widened, the shade of blue on the rose's petals was unmistakable to her as it was identical to the blue and white of her hair and her blue eyes. "Oh my...the rose..."
"Yes it is in your colours, I'm sure that is deliberate on the magic's part. Maddie said something to me when we both noticed those colours on the flower, it is an old wonderland saying apparently which goes white and blue ever are true."
Darling felt the blush heating her cheeks, her hands came out they were so close to the glass and they shook with worry. The white haired princess took a deep breath to still herself Darling just had to know if she could wake the one she loved with all of her heart. Slowly her hands came to rest on the glass and as soon as they did so the glass dissolved into nothing, leaving Raven open to be kissed.
Apple gasped with wonder, her eyes were wide with joy and both hands came up to cover her lips as she smiled at the same time. "Oh Darling..." Apple whispered softly as she realised this was why the other woman had been able to break her curse Darling was destined for Snow White yet Apple had not been the Snow White of this generation Raven was.
Darling softly traced the soft petals of the rose with her finger tips, then she moved the hand to tenderly touch one of Raven's hands and smiled softly at her beloved. Slowly Darling leant over Raven and said in the gentlest most loving tone of voice Apple had ever heard the other princess use. "I love you Raven." Darling fully pressed her lips to those of the sleeping witch and kissed her on the lips.
After a few moments Darling took her lips from Ravens' who instantly took a breath, her eyes opened and widened as they came to settle on the one by her side. Darling smiled at her softly she held a hand out to Raven, the dark haired young woman took the hand but instead of getting up as both Darling and Apple had thought she would Raven pulled Darling down into a searing hot kiss. Slowly they pulled apart from the kiss both of them breathing hard, the white haired princess smiled at the now woken Raven who smiled back at her. "Thank you for saving me Darling."
"You are my true love how could I not save you?"
Apple was watching the pair grinning now this was perfection, they looked so right together and the love between them was so very clear. As Darling helped Raven to stand the pair gazed at each other they had eyes for no one else just as it should be between two who shared true love. Then Raven noticed Apple, she quickly stepped back from Darling, her eyes found the floor a blush covered the witch's cheeks and instantly the blond princess could guess what Raven was thinking. "Darling don't let Raven run from you, she needs to know the truth."
Raven's purple eyes darted up for a moment before she once again stepped a bit further back from the other princess. Darling reacted to the situation quickly she stepped forward, pulled Raven into her arms and held the other woman close. "I am yours Raven no one else's."
"But..." Raven began but she was cut off by Darling kissing her hard.
The witch melted into the kiss, smiling to herself Apple left the pair alone in the clearing and went back to school. She made sure that the news of Raven's waking and who had woken her was relayed all over the school as quickly as possible. So it was when the two princess came back to the school holding hands and looking blissful they were surprised to be met by the whole school with all of the students cheering for them. Both women blushed, Darling however held their joined hands aloft for a few moments before turning to face her one true love. The whole crowd fell silent as the white blond princess still holding the hand of her beloved knelt to Raven, she placed a reverent kiss to the back of the hand and looked up into the eyes of the other royal. "My dearest true love, I am ever so honoured to declare to all those here present at this time myself as yours and only yours."
Raven blushed, the whole crowd waited with baited breath to see what her answer to this heartfelt confession would be. Slowly the dark haired witch gave Darling a nod and answered that question at last. "Darling my true love I am so very to tell all here that I am honoured to be all yours."
Cheers resounded round the hall again, grinning widely the white haired princess came to her feet, she put her arms round Raven and kissed her softly but fully before all the on lookers. The dark haired woman quickly responded to the kiss slowly put her arms round Darling and holding her close as they kissed. Slowly the two pulled apart from the kiss, they were approached first by the white haired princess's two brothers one at a time they hugged Darling then both embraced Raven. Daring smiled at them both and spoke. "Well little sis looks like you made quite the fine hero."
Darling beamed at her brother. "Thanks."
Apple joined the little group adding her own voice. "I have to say the two of you look perfect together."
Both women blushed and laughed, they then joined their hands together again. "Thank you Apple." Darling said with a huge smile on her face.
Raven said softly. "Are you sure about this being alright Apple?"
"Raven it's wonderful. I and Darling were never in love, we both knew that with Darlings kiss working on me she was meant to save Snow White it's just that Snow White at this time was not me, it was you and I have to say the role suites you a much better than it does me. In fact I am very relieved that I no longer have to worry about living up to the story any more, my mother will probably not be happy but this is my life and not hers."
Darling smiled at the blond princess. "If you will excuse us, I'd like to have some alone time with my beloved and I'm sure you and the others will want to organise a party to spellibrate."
Apple gave the other princess a nod of understanding and Darling with Raven by her side walked away into the castle so that they could spend some time alone together before the party that night. The party for Raven and Darling was amazing, everyone came to join the spellibration and even the headmaster unwound enough to attend. The new couple spent the whole night together either standing side by side holding hands or dancing together.
It was eventually discovered by the Grim brothers some time after all this that the apple had come from Faybelle's mother the evil fairy. They knew there was little they could do to punish the evil fairy but they also discovered that the apple had not been intended for Raven. When the evil fairy in her costume as the owner of the fruit stall had sold Raven the fruit she had assumed that the witch was purchasing was for Apple not for the dark haired lady to eat herself.
Raven and Darling spent the rest of their time in school together, their relationship grew and flourished and their love did not falter. They went to the graduation dance together and after they had received their diplomas the two women both visited each other's home countries several times so they could gain an understanding of both countries. Darling however knew though that they would primarily reside in Raven's kingdom after all she would one day become queen of the country.
Some years after they had left school there was a grand ball being held for Darlings twenty first birthday as was tradition. Raven was of cause in attendance, she wore a magnificent gown of deep purple patterned in silver roses, her hair was piled up in a simple but elegant bun, she stood by the side of her girlfriend. Darling also looked very beautiful in a gown for once which was of shimmering white silk that would glitter in icy blue whenever she moved. It was that night their engagement was announced by Raven's father and Darlings father who along with so many others was much happier about the ending of this fairy tale then he had thought he would be.
The wedding of the two princess's was the highlight of its year, all their friends from school attended and many others besides. The love between the two radiant brides as they stood side by side to take their vows was clear. Darlings humble acceptance of being Raven's consort when her father decided retired from the throne as part of the wedding made all those at the wedding smile. It was clear that the white haired princess would support and protect the future queen of the kingdom of Enchantment well.