Well this is it! The third and longest story of my Snow White series. It's been a long time coming, but it's finally ready to share. I hope you all enjoy this story.

Also, this is the third story in a series. So if you want to know what's going on, go read Flawed Gemstone then Jewel-Ensconced Rose. The one-shot is optional, but it will clarify a major event in Grumpy's life.

Please enjoy!

Grumpy knew it was coming before any of the brothers, so he wasn't surprised the day a young man came riding into their clearing with a wedding invitation. He and Snow communicated regularly with a few birds, including one he was puzzled by. The raven that had served the former queen now seemed to have an attachment to Grumpy, and despite him telling the dratted thing to go away multiple times, it stubbornly carried messages and hung around the cottage. It had come around the night before with the news that a runner would be there the next day. Grumpy was grateful for the warning, and he'd adjusted the shield that morning. He watched stoically as the brothers celebrated together, keeping an eye on the messenger, who looked disdainful.

"What's your problem?" Grumpy glared up at the man and made no response. The man sneered. "What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?"

Grumpy turned and stuck out his tongue. The man looked taken aback. "Naw, now do you have anythin' else from Snow?"

The man drew himself up to his full height. "How dare you call her that!"

The brothers stopped celebrating and turned to look at the commotion. Grumpy had his arms crossed and was staring down the man who'd brought the invitation.

"Is something song, erm, wrong?" Doc asked.

"That's her flamin' name, ain't it?" Grumpy demanded.

"The likes of you should show proper respect for the princess, tunnel rat!"

"Respect?" Doc asked. The brothers all watched Grumpy puff up at the insult. "Now, now, we needn't tight, ah, fight. This is good news, Grumpy. Please don't. Snow wouldn't like it."

The runner threw his arms up. "Ah! The prince will hear of this disrespect!"

"What disrespect?" Bashful asked, stepping forward as Doc froze. "Golly, did we do somethin' wrong?"

"You Dwarfs don't even know what respect is, do you? How dare you call her that!"

"It's her blasted name!" Grumpy barked back.

The brothers suddenly realized what was wrong, and Bashful giggled. "Aw, it ain't no disrespect, sonny. She's just Snow to us. She don't mind none."

The man stared at Bashful thoughtfully then leaned down. "But I do. Now apologize."

Bashful looked shocked. "What for?"

"Oh, you Dwarfs are so stupid!"

Grumpy saw what he was going to do a moment before it happened, but he didn't react fast enough. The man's hand came up, and he grabbed Bashful's beard and tugged as hard as he could. Bashful yowled, and jerked back. The man didn't let go at once, and Sneezy broke his grip as Doc and the others drew Bashful away. Grumpy was outraged as Bashful gasped and turned away, trying to hide his streaming eyes.

"Get out!" he roared, and suddenly something seemed to crackle in the air. A great pressure came down around them, and the brothers turned to see the man struggling to breathe. His horse reared and ran back the way it came. The man looked around at the brothers, pain and terror on his face, then he spun on his heel and ran for his life. The pressure lifted seconds after he disappeared through the tree line, and Grumpy stood as still as a stone for a moment, glaring after him. Then he snorted and walked over.

"You okay?" Grumpy asked Bashful.

Tears wound down Bashful's cheeks, and his fingers were twisted in his beard protectively. "Golly, that was awful," he sniffled. "Nobody's ever done that to me before."

"Lucky you," Grumpy replied, but he gently took Bashful's hands and pulled him into a hug.

Bashful swallowed, hugging him back tightly. "Never knew you felt that way," he murmured.

"What way?" Grumpy asked, leaning back to peer at him with gentle eyes.

"Scared."

Grumpy flushed, and he pulled away at once. "Best get packin'," he muttered.

"It's okay to be scared," Bashful said, following him into the cottage.

"I ain't scared."

There was silence as Grumpy paced agitatedly in front of the fireplace, his expression pinched. They could tell Bashful had touched a nerve. It wasn't really surprising that Grumpy didn't like to admit he was scared. Fear was something that the brothers knew defined him, but they weren't sure why. They had discovered it the year before during the whole mess with the princess.

After Snow had been put under whatever kind of foul spell the queen had brewed, they had believed her to be dead. Grumpy had not taken it well, and he had packed up and left the cottage with the promise to be back by the Winter Solstice. The brothers had watched Grumpy go with trepidation, none more so than Doc. Again and again, Grumpy had left them over the years without a word to camp in the woods. It had only happened when the brothers went too far in one way or another, and he'd always come back. Never before had he asked to leave. Unsure if he would come back this time, they'd watched him go then set to work on crafting an exquisite coffin for their dear Snow.

Grumpy had come back to them, much to their relief and joy. They celebrated and welcomed him home, and all of them noticed how he warmed at their care and attention. But the night Grumpy had returned, there had been a moment when Doc and Bashful had been alone with their dear friend. It had been one of those rare moments when they felt so close to seeing the real Dwarf inside, the one under all the complicated layers that made up Grumpy. But just before they'd caught a glimpse of that precious treasure, Bashful had said something that had ruined everything. Neither one of them knew what caused it, but Grumpy had pulled away in less than a second, and he'd stood up to leave.

Panicked, Doc had reached out to pull him back, and what had happened next bothered him even now. Grumpy had jerked away, and for an instant, fear was on his face. For just a moment, it was so painfully obvious that he was afraid. From that point, things had shifted for Doc and Bashful, and everything had taken on a new angle. They realized for the first time that Grumpy was scared of them, all of them.

Shocked and disturbed, the two had told their brothers when they had some time alone. Then they began to watch to see if it was true. They discovered it was, much to their dismay, and in a single moment, a switch was flipped and they saw how scared Grumpy was all the time. Every mannerism had fear as its motivation when it came to his interactions with them. They compared notes one evening after Snow had been woken from her magic sleep when she and Grumpy went on one of their frequent strolls. What they had discovered worried them.

Grumpy often asked what they thought of things he did. They'd always thought it was swell that he wanted their opinions. Never before had it crossed their minds that he was seeking approval out of fear of rejection. There was always a hint of fright in his eyes when they asked for his opinion on something, and they knew now that he paused before he spoke to assess whether or not they would approve of his answer. He did so much just to please them, and he always went above and beyond for them in every task they gave him. But it was now obvious that he did so because he was terrified to displease them.

Fear.

Fright.

Terror.

Every action was defined by that one feeling, just at different levels. Never before had they seen the truth behind everything their friend said and did for them. They felt helpless in the face of such overwhelming terror, and they had no idea where it came from. Questions filled their heads, and they asked them to each other, but not to Grumpy. It was true that the brothers had invited Grumpy to ask them anything he wanted to know about their past, but Bashful pointed out he'd never given them the same permission. So, not wanting to make Grumpy even more afraid of them, they didn't pry. None of them knew what to say or do to help him, and he vehemently denied anything was wrong. Like now.

"Okay, so we need to snack, erm, pack," Doc said, trying to soothe Grumpy.

It worked. Grumpy stopped pacing and nodded. "Better get her gifts wrapped up."

Glee lit up their faces at the thought of the wedding gifts they had made for Snow. Each of them had made a treasure for her and her prince, and they were excited to finally be able to give them to her. Grumpy knew how much it meant for them to be able to give her the finest work they'd ever done. Even so, he felt a bit hollow inside that he couldn't get near the forging fires to forge something, anything for her. He'd still never forged a single piece of jewelry.

Every time he got too near the molten metal, images assaulted him and terror made him feel like he would suffocate. His shoulder often burned where he'd been branded, and occasionally it would get so bad that he'd black out. It was humiliating to wake up to Doc holding him, looking so worried and loving as he mopped the sweat off his face with a cool rag, but a part of him enjoyed the care and attention. He'd never admit it, but he knew Bashful was aware of his feelings.

If even his love for Snow and his desire to give her gifts that befitted her status couldn't help him get near the forges, he feared nothing ever would. He was trying to be okay with that, but he had no idea what to give to a princess for a royal wedding. Bashful noticed his sad expression, and he walked over and slung an arm around Grumpy.

"Ah, stop that," Grumpy grumbled, but he didn't try to shake him off.

Bashful squeezed him. "You can get her whatever you want to. We gots plenty of money."

"Ain't the same," Grumpy muttered.

"Guess it ain't." Bashful admitted. "But still, you'll think of somethin'."

"Besides, you knows she'll love whatever it is," Sneezy said, waving his hand.

Grumpy grunted and shrugged out of Bashful's grip, heading upstairs to pull out his pack. The brothers watched him go then turned to each other.

"I thought it'd work," Bashful said sadly.

"Just seemed to make him angry," Sneezy said.

"Any ideas?" Doc asked desperately.

Dopey hesitated then gestured around at the brothers, pointed upstairs, then wiggled his fingers and made motions like he wanted to talk. The brothers shook their heads.

"Ain't time for fun," Sleepy said.

Dopey rolled his eyes at the mistranslation and stomped his foot then turned and went upstairs. He saw Grumpy sitting on his bed, sifting through his old pack. Dopey walked over and stopped beside Grumpy. He patted the bed, and Grumpy glanced at him.

"Sure. Sit down."

Dopey hopped up and swung his legs as he watched Grumpy pull things out of little pockets. Dopey could see flashes of green sparks, a sign of magic being used, and he grinned and wiggled his ears. Grumpy looked at him and smirked. Glancing at the door, he saw it was open and flicked his fingers so that it quietly closed. Then he snapped and Dopey was lifted clean off the bed in a burst of green sparkles. Dopey shook with laughter, then he planted his feet and stood on the cloud of magic. He grinned proudly.

"Showin' off?" Grumpy asked.

He set his pack aside then stepped up into thin air, only it suddenly wasn't so thin as he found a purchase on his magic. He stepped up on invisible stairs then floated a foot over the bed with Dopey.

"What now?" Grumpy asked, smirking.

Dopey stuck his tongue out and jumped toward the next bed. Grumpy followed, and they jumped around the room, Grumpy chasing and Dopey laughing the whole time. Grumpy finally caught him and dropped the magic so that they landed on Grumpy's bed. Grumpy chuckled and wrapped an arm around Dopey.

"Troublemaker," he said fondly.

Dopey gestured, smiling hopefully.

"What's your question?" Grumpy asked.

Dopey hesitated then pointed at Grumpy, made the gesture for talking, and pointed at the floor toward his brothers.

"Talk to 'em? 'Bout what?" Grumpy asked.

Dopey bit his bottom lip then lifted his fingers and wiggled them. Grumpy flushed, his body going rigid.

"No. No I ain't gonna do that," Grumpy murmured, meeting Dopey's bright blue eyes. "It's too late for that. They can't know about my magic."

Dopey stared into Grumpy's sad, yet infinitely kind face, and wished he could speak. He'd tell him everything he thought of him, list everything he enjoyed about him, show him how good he was. He knew that the magic was one thing Grumpy was afraid of telling them, and he understood to a point. But now he suspected there was more to it.

Sometimes, Grumpy would wake at night, gasping for breath and frightened. Dopey had once been sleeping in his bed when it happened, and Grumpy had muttered something about gold and ruby and diamonds watching him before breaking down and crying quietly. Dopey had hugged him tightly, but he still wondered sometimes. What had happened to Grumpy? Why was he so afraid? Was it just the magic, or was there more? And was that 'more' the same thing that made him hesitate before touching anything made of precious metals and gems? He thought so.

He wanted to say all of that. He wanted to tell Grumpy that he loved him so much, that they all did and that he didn't have to be afraid, but he didn't know where to begin. So he leaned over and embraced Grumpy, holding him close and trying to convey it all with one gesture. Grumpy hugged him back then sat up and turned to his pack.

"Best get yours, Dopey," Grumpy said.

Dopey nodded, and he slipped off the bed. The door opened and Doc and the others came in. Dopey looked between them, wanting desperately to fix things. But the truth was he didn't know how. Home no longer felt warm. Grumpy's fear and the brothers' awareness of it had changed everything.

Now that they'd received the invitation to the wedding, a new thought occurred. Maybe Snow could help them! He had never seen Grumpy open up as much as he had when the princess had been with them. It was their best chance. So he turned to pack his bag, looking forward to the trip even more. All he knew for sure was that things just couldn't go on like this.