The spark came upon them suddenly, an overwhelming feeling that they had to mine. After a month at home with Snow, they were nearly blinded by the need to get back to work. Sleepy was particularly bewildered, having theorized that they had mined for a month straight so that they could spend a year off. But it was painful in its intensity, and none of them could fight it. Something was tugging them to leave the house.

Grumpy would learn later that Grimhilde had cast a spell, but at the time the thought didn't even cross his mind. So, against his better judgment, they gave in to the need to leave and walked away from the smiling, beautiful girl in the doorway, her eyes bright with life.

The next two hours were a blur in his mind. After getting to the worksite, they were immediately accosted by the animals. Startled by their rough treatment, he didn't even think to try and use his magic to understand them. By the time they'd realized what it could mean and ran for the cottage, it was too late. They got there in time to see an old woman leaving their house, a wicked grin on her face, but Grumpy wasn't fooled. He could sense the black magic in her, and he was livid that she had gotten past his defenses.

The rage that boiled inside Grumpy needed an outlet, and it came in peals of thunder and flashes of lightning. The air was charged with electricity, and he led the charge to take down the queen. Blinded by anger, they charged up to face her, and then he saw what she was doing. With a cry to look out, he flung his hands out as if to protect the brothers from the enormous boulder she was trying to topple heads as she laughed and taunted them. Grumpy was lost in a sea of anger and fear, and he turned his gaze up to Grimhilde. As his terror and rage reached a fever point, a single bolt of lightning hit the cliff, and in an instant, the chase was over. Grumpy never found out if he had directed the strike there with his magic. But he didn't care. He turned tail and raced for the cottage before the brothers had even looked up.

The sight of Snow on the floor, unmoving, no breath stirring her chest, broke something in Grumpy. Dropping beside her, he touched her fair face and wept. Then he saw the apple. He reached over and picked it up, frowning at it through his tears. And the thick, disgusting feeling that crawled up his arm made him drop it.

"Witchcraft," he murmured. "Black magic."

But before he could think of anything to do, the brothers showed up. Their heartrending sobs tore the chasm in Grumpy's heart even deeper, and he said nothing as he helped carry Snow to her bed. He was angry now. And his anger would be avenged. But he wasn't sure how.

The brothers didn't sleep for hours that night. Doc sat hugging Dopey, wiping at his eyes, while the others would sporadically burst into tears. Grumpy stayed with them, unable to hide his tears, but he was not swept up in misery. His mind was working overtime.

Around midnight, he walked downstairs and picked up the apple again. The sickly feeling returned, and he pressed his lips together. He needed to know what it was, what kind of spell was used. The entire thing was coated in something, and he studied it. Using his magic, and not much caring if he was caught, he probed the apple. It was not a spell, he determined. It was a potion. But what kind? Was it to kill? No, that didn't make sense. Poison would have worked for that. And it would have been quick. Easy. And Grimhilde would have wanted Snow to suffer. Could Snow be alive? He needed to know.

When the brothers had finally fallen asleep, still dressed in their work clothes, Grumpy approached Snow's bed and moved the curtain. Lighting a candle, he pulled the stool over and sat down. She was so beautiful, so still. But was she alive? Grumpy studied her, reaching out with his magic, feeling for any kind of life. Nothing. He altered his magic, still searching. He needed to know if he could save her or if she was really dead. He continued searching for any sign of life, for any kind of life force. And then he felt it. A soft pulse against his magic.

He breathed out shakily, reaching up to wipe at his eyes. He had been right. She was alive. But what had the potion done? What was its purpose? The pulse brushed against his magic again, beating like a frightened heart. He needed to comfort her, to talk to her. If she was still alive, she had a consciousness in there somewhere. Was she aware? He had to know. He had a spell to use, but it was invasive. It would connect their minds, linking them in a way that frightened him. She would be able to access his thoughts and feelings until the spell was reversed. But it was the only thing he could think of. And so he would do it. For Snow.

Hurrying to his bed, he pulled off the blankets and grabbed his pillow then slipped behind the curtain again. He set up a makeshift pallet then blew out the candle. This spell would take so much out of him, and he needed to be comfortable. It was done best through sleep. He'd read about it in an old book of runes ages ago, the guide Calida had gotten him so he could learn how to control his own magic. Of course she hadn't taken the time to teach him, but the book had helped. When he was settled on the floor, he closed his eyes and gathered his magic. Silently, methodically, he wove the spell, keeping his eyes closed despite the green lights flashing from his fingers. When the spell was complete, he paused, sending up a prayer to God before pushing the magic into Snow.

At once, everything went dark and quiet, and Grumpy was no longer lying on the floor. He was in a dark land, dripping with shadows. Eyes peered at him, and he looked around, frightened. When the shadows lunged toward him, he threw up his hands and summoned fire. The light exploded across the landscape, and the shadows melted away like frost in the sunlight. Grumpy let out a breath and looked around. Where was he? Then he heard a soft noise. He listened hard and recognized the same noises from a few nights before. Snow was crying.

"Snow!" he shouted. "Snow! Where are you?"

"Grumpy?" Her voice was faint and panicked. "Help me! I can't wake up! It's so dark!"

Grumpy pinpointed the direction and began to run. "Keep talkin'! I'm comin'!"

"Help me! Please! She won't let me up! I don't like this dream!"

Grumpy ran faster. Should he flash forward? No, he might miss her. He looked around frantically, following her sobs. Then he saw her. In a valley, she was lying on the ground, dressed in rags and covered in shadows. A dark, leering figure stood above her, snarling at her.

"Get up and work, girl! Your father let you get away with far too much! Get up or you'll be lashed again!"

"Leave me alone!" Snow cried.

Grumpy bellowed in anger and raced forward. He flung the fire toward the figure. As soon as the light hit it, the creature shrieked and began to melt, steam hissing out of it until it withered away to nothing. Grumpy hurried over to Snow and grabbed her.

"No!" she sobbed, struggling.

"Snow! Snow, it's me! It's Grumpy!" he soothed.

She peeked at him then blinked. Tears of relief filled her eyes and she reached trembling fingers over to touch him.

"Oh, it really is you!" she exclaimed. Then she burst into tears.

Grumpy held her as she shivered and cried. He stroked her back and murmured gentle things to her as she broke down. When she had calmed down, he pulled back and wiped her eyes.

"Where are we?" she asked.

"Where d'ya think we are?"

Snow sniffled. "It feels like a dream. A very bad dream. But I can't wake up! I've pinched myself and slapped myself, but it's no use!"

"Sleepin' potion," Grumpy grumbled. "But what kind? I need the antidote!" He stomped his foot in frustration.

"Sleeping potion? I didn't take a sleeping potion," Snow White said.

"It was on that apple ya bit inta," Grumpy said. "That derned witch tricked ya! She'd changed her form and knew ya'd be nice ta her!"

Horror flashed across Snow's face. "That old peddler? That was Grimhilde?" She stared in dismay then looked down, her face turning red.

"Snow? What's wrong?"

"I'm tired of her doing this to me!" she screamed, and pink magic exploded around them, rushing out of her like water. Grumpy stood his ground as it flowed around him. It didn't hurt despite the power, and he knew he wasn't the target of her rage. Hot, angry tears slid down her cheeks and she sobbed. "Why won't she stop? What more can she take away from me?"

"She ain't never gonna touch ya again, Snow," Grumpy said.

"How? She's found me with you! If I'm not even safe with you then how can I escape her?" Snow cried.

"She's dead."

Silence. The flow of magic slowed then stopped as Snow turned to look at him. "Dead?"

"She cain't touch ya. She's gone," Grumpy said. "We done killed her. Yer never gonna hafta see her again."

Snow sat back and stared at him in disbelief. "Really?"

"Yep. But yer under a potion. I need ta figger out which one so's I can make the antidote. There's always an antidote ta potions. Sometimes they're funny, other times they're not so funny. But I gots ta try."

"What will you do?"

"I ain't got much know-how when it comes ta potions," Grumpy said, plopping down and placing his head on his fist. "That could be bad."

He sat in silence and chewed on the problem. Snow curled up against him, comforted by his presence in this strange land of shadows and monsters. His strong magic pushed back the darkness and helped her to feel safe.

"She did black magic," he muttered. Then he turned to Snow. "Did she ever go inta a room fer long stretches?"

Snow considered this. "She used to go down to the dungeons. Even when there was nobody to torture, she would go. I was never allowed down there."

Grumpy snapped his fingers and nodded. "Course. That's where her witchin' room is. If I can get there, I bet I'll find books. An' the potion could be in one of 'em!"

"But how will you find which one it is?" Snow asked.

"I dunno. But it's a start. I hafta do sommit. They think yer dead…" Grumpy paled and sat up straight. "They think yer dead."

"You said that."

Grumpy shook his head, speaking urgently. "Ya bury dead people. If they bury ya…"

Snow covered her mouth. "No! What do we do?!"

"You cain't do nothin'." Grumpy thought about it then nodded. "If'n I hafta, I'll tell 'em 'bout my magic and that I knows yer alive."

Tears filled her eyes. "Oh, Grumpy, you'd do that for me?"

"I'd do anything' fer ya, Snow. Ya don't deserve what's happened to ya. And I aim ta fix this. No matter what."

Snow laughed and threw her arms around Grumpy. Grumpy grumbled but patted her back. "That's enough, Snow."

Snow squeezed him then sat back. "How will we get out of here?"

"You need the antidote. I'll jest wake up," Grumpy said.

Her eyes filled with fear. "No! Don't leave me alone again, Grumpy! She'll come back!"

Grumpy looked at her. "What are ya sayin', Snow?"

"Pardon?" She was startled by the harsh tone.

"Ya've got jest as much magic as me! Use yer magic to force 'em back!"

Snow stared at him with big eyes. "But—"

"No!" Grumpy snapped. "Yer tired of her hurtin' ya, but did ya ever fight back? Did ya ever look her in the eyes an' say no?"

"I couldn't, Grumpy! It's not ladylike!"

"Codswallop and fiddle-faddle!" Grumpy spat. He grabbed her face and held her gaze. "Snow White, you listen here! Sayin' no is sommit ya have ta learn! Yer gonna be a queen one day! And sometimes ya gotta fight back! Fightin' ain't ladylike, yer right, but I don't give a dem! You hafta learn ta fight yer own battles, Snow! Stop cowerin' in the corner and lettin' ev'rybody walk all over ya! It ain't good! So get yer magic and make some fire! Now!"

And he released her and snapped his fingers to cut off his magic. The fire disappeared, plunging them into the dark. Snow yipped in fear as clingy shadows immediately began to clutch at them.

"Grumpy! Help!" Snow gasped.

"Help yerself."

Snow's breathing was fast and shallow. She couldn't do this. She just couldn't. Grimhilde's warnings flashed through her mind, and she began to cry.

"Please Grumpy!"

"No."

The sticky shadows began to engulf her, and she shuddered at their cold grip. She tried to pry them off, but they only stuck to her hands. She would never escape this nightmare. Then she heard a grunt of pain.

"Grumpy?"

"Them things sure is sticky," he grumbled. "Ouch!"

"Grumpy!" Snow reached for him, but she couldn't see, and her hands found only air.

He grunted again, and she suddenly realized that the shadows were attacking him. Why didn't he protect himself? Then a thought occurred. What if he couldn't? What if they had immobilized him? That made her angry. How dare they hurt her friend! She had to help! She struggled to her feet and focused on her magic. The magic pulsed, and she focused it in front of her. She had never made fire before, but she knew it was hot like her anger so she poured her anger into the magic then pushed it outward.

The flash of light and heat was so strong that she tumbled backwards. The shadows hissed and melted in the light, and she smiled triumphantly before she saw Grumpy sitting still, staring at her.

"Knew you could do it," he said smugly.

She stared at him then looked to the warm fire before her, burning and flickering brightly in a ball. "Do you hate me?" The question slipped from her before she could stop it.

"Naw. Why?"

"I don't understand you," she said. "You're so kind sometimes, then you're cold, and you just yelled at me."

"It's called tough love," Grumpy said, averting his eyes. "Sometimes ya gotta hurt somebody ya love cuz they're too dern stubborn ta realize what's right in front of them."

"So… you love me?"

Grumpy blushed and shrugged one shoulder. Snow relaxed and sat down, staring up at the ball of her magic. "So how will you get out?"

Grumpy tugged on his beard thoughtfully. "I'll jest wake up. You'll hafta be alone while I'm awake, Snow. But I'll be back tamarra night."

"How are you here?"

There was a pause. "It's a spell," he finally admitted. "A complicated one. I hope ya ain't mad, but I linked our minds. I'm in yer head."

"Why would I be angry?" Snow asked.

Grumpy grimaced. "It's invasive," he muttered. "I'll be able ta sense yer thoughts an' feelins. And you'll be able ta do the same with me. It ain't sommit I'd usually do. But ya looked dead, Snow. So still… I had ta know."

Snow pressed her lips together. "I see." She thought about it.

"I knows thoughts are s'posed ta be private," Grumpy said. "I'm sorry."

"I think," Snow said slowly. "That if it were any of the others, I would be angry. But it's you. You're different. You understand me in a way the others don't. And you did it to save me. So we'll have to get used to it."

"It ain't permanent," Grumpy assured her. "Once the spell is broke, the link will fade."

Snow smiled and nodded. "Then I believe it was the best thing to do."

"Grumpy?" a faint voice called.

"Doc," Grumpy said. "Gotta wake up, Snow. You keep that fire burnin'. An' see if ya can clean up this nightmare to a dream, 'kay?"

Snow looked around and shrugged. "You'll come back?"

"Promise."

Snow stood back and watched as Grumpy waved at her and faded. Then she was alone. She swallowed and looked down at the dark ground. It was easy for her to fight for Grumpy. But she knew fighting for herself was different. The fire began to flicker, and she looked up and focused on it. It flared again, and she relaxed. It was going to be a long day, and she braced herself for monotony. Then something tickled at her.

'Hope she's okay.'

Snow looked around, startled by Grumpy's voice. Then she realized he wasn't there. As she recalled the explanation of the spell, she knew that he hadn't spoken. It was a thought. She wasn't alone. She sat down, comforted by that thought, and waited to hear more. And as an afterthought, she purposefully thought back to him.

'I am now. Thank you.'

A warm pleasure filled her, and she knew Grumpy was happy. She leaned back and strengthened the wavering fire again. Now all she could do was wait.