The Quarrels

William, the son of Duke Hammond, stood on the terrace outside his room, admiring the mountains that edged the dark forest which ran for miles beyond. At the other end was Queen Ravenna's castle, encompassed by the villages of death. A fury burned through his heart and into his soul at the thought of her name. She was death itself, and only death she inflicted. He thought of Snow White. Her purity, her beauty, lost among the fire Ravenna rampaged through the kingdom. He told himself to stop. It had been ten years since he'd last seen Snow White. The memory was vivid and suffused his soul with light, as Snow White typically did, abolishing the demise of Ravenna. He blamed himself for not being there for her, for letting her slip between his fingers. Now she was dust, he thought.

The sound of footsteps grew louder behind him until two arms wrapped around William's waist, and a red-headed girl rested her head on is shoulder. "Greta," whispered William, turning around and facing the young girl. She had vast eyes that sat on a plump face and smiled when she saw William's face. She kissed his lips and he returned the favour, hollowly.

"I've missed you," she said glumly. "I miss you whenever you're not here with me. Stay with me all the time," she requested, twinkling her eyes. "I cannot wait much longer for us to be together for good." William shuddered, turning around to face the colossal mountains. He didn't want to think about his forthcoming future, his life with Greta, the daughter of King Bloodaxe. But his father persisted, boasting about Greta's wealth and a prospering future that he would acquire. It also meant that he could ultimately shrug off Snow White.

"Yes," said William, his voice cracking. "The date is approaching quite quickly," he spoke with distress. He had presented her with a ring following a terribly awkward dinner between Greta and himself. Their fathers also having been present. Duke Hammond attained the dazzling ring and gave it to his son prior to the dinner, ordering him to pop the question. As dinner was coming to an end and William still hadn't proposed, Duke Hammond tensely brought up the subject of marriage, his face red from anger. Still, William protested until his father kicked him below the table causing him to clench his teeth. William gave in short after, and there wedding was now only days away.

Greta placed her lips on his once again and grabbed the back of his hair. He returned the favour, positioning his hands on her back, clutching her loosely. He ended it as the sky was beginning to darken and she gave him one last peck to which he shyly smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow," she announced, trudging off the terrace and out of his room. He sighed in relief, but reminded himself that it wasn't over, it wouldn't be for a long time. Yawning, William decided that it'd best to get to bed. Before making his way back inside, he removed a succulent apple out of his pocket and took a bite; the sweet juices flooded him with pleasure.

The Dark forest was pitch black when Eric decided to make camp by a cold-running creek. He released Snow White's body off of his shoulder who remained in a deep slumber. Forgetting that his arm was still shackled to hers, he toppled over her as she fell. The Huntsman groaned in annoyance. He unsecured his arm from the metal, placing the key on a tree trunk, and tore off his jacket, revealing his bare chest and bloody shoulder. It was time for him to mend his injury and he took out a cloth from his pack of belongings.

The cold water numbed his fingers as he drenched the cloth in the creek. Frog's croaked beneath him which were illuminated in the night like fireflies. They resembled light bulbs with their stout belly's and glowing skin. The Huntsman placed the icy cloth over his wound and shivered at the sensation. The dried up blood was beginning to wash away and the puncture was already healing. He was lucky the dagger hadn't gone deep, lucky to be alive at all. Dwarfs were known to be vicious creatures but they were unprepared by the Huntsman's arrival, and for the most part, unarmed. Now he anticipated Snow White's awakening. He was tired of carrying her through the woods and hoped she'd be alert once again in the following morning. He tightly squeezed the cloth against his wound as he made his way back to where Snow White was settled, only the spot she had occupied was now empty.

The Huntsman peered around him in rage. "Where are you?" He bellowed through the silent woods. A twig cracked to his left and he spun his head, only to witness more darkness. Instantly, a rock wheeled through the air, thumping Eric in the the head. "You Twat!" He roared, crumpling his face in grief. The rock had done much less damage than Snow had desired, for the Huntsman barely budged from his stance. He quickly maneuvered his head, but recalled that her skin was covered in dirt, therefore hidden in the night. An idea entered his head. The Huntsman splashed through the chilly creek and grabbed hold of a luminous frog. This would help, he thought, extending his arm out in the concealed night. The light was dull and barely brightened the sky, but it was enough to see Snow White's shoulder prodding from behind a tree.

"No!" Shrieked Snow White, as the Huntsman pulled her back into camp and restrained her to him once again. He could see that her lips trembled in fear.

"Who are you? Why does the Queen want you dead?" he asked, his voice firm.

"The Queen?" Asked Snow White with bewilderment. "I've no involvement with her. Never have I seen her before."

"Don't give me that rubbish," he declared with his frightening deep voice. Snow White flinched as the Huntsman scowled at her. "I've carried you through the woods this entire day while you were knocked out, unconscious because of your own stupidity. There is no way in hell you're going back, and I'm tired. Leave me be, I'm going to sleep." The Huntsman positioned himself on the dirt, bringing Snow White down with him. It wasn't long before he drifted off, while Snow White lay awake gazing up at the sky.

At Daybreak, the Huntsman awoke next to Snow White's slumbering body. Above her sat a blue bird, nestled into her chest for warmth. Eric shrugged off this oddity and awoke the girl. At his touch, the bird instantly flew away, leaving the two of them alone.

Snow White and the Huntsman began to continue through the dark forest, this time he made sure to avoid the waters containing dubious creatures. They passed tattered bridges, abandoned cottages, and many trees, all obscured by the fog manifested by the woods. Eric was becoming weary and Snow White was becoming hungry, her stomach grumbling as they went along . "How long ago was it that you escaped from the Queen's castle?" He asked Snow White, but she gave no reply. They continued to walk for what felt like another hour. "What's your name?" He attempted once more, but still no word from Snow White. He was irked by her stubbornness. "How old are you?" He asked, but she resisted yet again. He halted their stroll and pulled Snow White back by her shackles glaring into her eyes. "Now you better answer me," he announced, making his voice as violent as he could.

"No!" She shrieked. "I'm not going to converse with someone who's bringing me to my death. Take me if you must, but don't expect me to act as though I'm your friend." The Huntsman was surprised by her forwardness and slightly pained by her words. She was right though, he thought. By sunset she would be back in the hold of the Queen's grasp and he would never see her again. His wife was all that mattered now, in this decaying world. It would probably be better that the girl died anyway, he thought. The times could only get worse from here on out.

"I'm sorry," he admitted, trying to get the attention of Snow White's gaze. He stopped looking at her as the scum the Queen had made her out to be, and began to look at her as the young, likely innocent girl, who would soon face the wrath that Ravenna unjustly administers. "Here," he said, reaching for his pack of belongings, and retrieving one of his few sandwiches. "Eat this." Snow White took the sandwich from the Huntsman's hand and examined it. "Oh, please, don't be picky. It's food," he said, and she took a bite. It wasn't particularly good, but it was enough to satisfy her hunger. He was pleased he could do something for the girl. "I've been harsh, I know," he continued. "But the least you can do is tell me your name."

"I don't have a name," she quickly retorted, and they both proceeded silently for a long while as they sauntered along the paths where roots bulged from the earth and poisonous snaked slithered about.

Snow White and the Huntsman arrived at the dark forest's edge, just after sundown, a little later than Eric had anticipated. He guided her around the intoxicating mushrooms, making sure she wouldn't fall under the forest's hallucinations again. She followed the Huntsman more orderly by this time, for she knew her fate was already determined.

The Huntsman was relieved when he saw his cottage, standing in the village that they passed. He had made the journey safely, obtaining the girl and before long he would see his wife once again. Snow White, however, felt a sense of helplessness, and as they walked along the shores of the beach, her stomach was filled with jitters. It all felt so familiar to her. The salty smell of the ocean, the white sand beneath her feet, and the towering gate that stood before her. Her legs began to feel weak and she started to trudge behind the Huntsman. "Hurry up," he said, scowling back at her. "You're slowing us down." The Huntsman awaited ridding himself of the prisoner and being free from the Queen's order. Snow White still dragged herself behind him.

Two guards from the Queen's dark army became visible from behind the gate. It slowly began to ascend as Snow White's heart began to rapidly pulsate. Her breathing became shallow and she felt her thoughts muddle. "Please take me back," she begged once more. "This is wrong, I can feel it in my heart. Please!"

"Quiet!" The Huntsman commanded. "It's too late to turn back now, we'd both be dead." They passed through the gate and followed the guards through the doors that entered the castle. A tall apple tree stood in the centre of the courtyard which Snow White admired. She looked back at the descending gate, as the doors slammed shut behind her. The air was cold, and filled her soul with fear. A stench entered her nose and she stumbled on something obstructing her path. She looked down and witnessed the motionless body of an elderly woman. The sandwich she consumed earlier was beginning to make its way back up. She took a deep breath and followed the guards up a gigantic spiralling staircase which encircled the castle. She took hold of the Huntsman's immense hand which was still shackled to hers, and wrapped her fingers tightly around it. He looked down at her, noticing her frightful face. They entered the Mirror room which was embellished with mirrors on every inch of the walls. Even the ceiling was one large mirror. She observed her face in the reflection and it was still obscured by dried up dirt. Snow White and the Huntsman entered the throne room where Queen Ravenna sat, as the guards stood back, guarding the door. A sharp pain thrashed within Snow White's heart. A warning.

Satisfaction sat upon the Queen's flawless face knowing Snow White would be in her hands. "You've done well Huntsman," announced Ravenna, a smile curling on her face. "Now hand the girl over." The Huntsman grabbed his pack and reached for the key which would release Snow White from his shackles. He fumbled in search, until realizing his fault. The key wasn't in the Huntsman's possession. It sat on the trunk of a tree, a great distance away in the dark forest where he had left it the night before.

"It appears that I've misplaced it," he uttered foolishly.

"Well enough," said the Queen, in euphoria. "Seize these two and take them up to the tower," she ordered to the guards.

"Hey!" The Huntsman bellowed. "We had an agreement. Keep your word."

"That is precisely what I am doing you imprudent man," Ravenna said. "You're wife is dead, Huntsman, and soon enough you shall see her again!" Her voice rose into a scream that echoed in Eric's ears as Snow White and him were seized by the guards. "You've given me life," Ravenna announced as they were shoved back. "You've given me everything!" She roared. "Snow White's heart is mine," she shrieked as Snow White and the Huntsman departed the throne room. Eric looked back at the sound of Snow White's name and then at the prisoner in his hold. A daunting gloom fell upon him, followed by an ill realization. He had been more foolish than he thought.