When Snow grabbed his hand, Grumpy barely registered that rocks started flying. All of his focus was on Bashful, who looked ready to kill Emil where he stood. He thought idly that he'd never really liked getting on Bashful's bad side, but he decided to be more careful in the future because this was absolutely terrifying.

"Move!" Snow demanded, jerking him backward.

A rock hit his face, opening a cut along his cheek, and the pain brought him out of his stupor. He grasped Snow's hand and ran toward the rock formations, fear allowing him to practically fly. He had to get them away from Emil, no matter what. They twisted and turned through a maze of formations before finding a clearing where there were trees again.

"Stop," Snow gasped. "Can't…"

Grumpy obeyed, dropping to his knees as Snow hit the dirt. He felt sick as he tried to remember what had just happened. Emil… His shoulder, oh his shoulder! He grasped it as it burned, letting out a guttural noise. He had to get away, had to make sure he never felt that pain again.

"Grumpy! Grumpy, it's okay," Snow wheezed. She touched his knee and he grasped her hand, shivering from head to foot. He settled down at her touch, but then he heard shouting. He shook his head. The brothers. They were actually there.

"How did they find me?" Grumpy cried. "Why won't they just give up? I knows already! I knows I done wrong! What do they want from me?"

"They want you, you idiot!" Snow gasped, glaring at him. She rolled onto her knees and stood because it was easier to breathe in the binding. "All they want is you. Nothing else. They want you because you're their brother. I sincerely don't know how you haven't realized that they love you. They found us. They've come halfway across Findersland, and they're here! You know why? Because you're here. They are not going to stop until they have you, all of you. Now stand up!"

Grumpy reluctantly obeyed, glaring up at Snow. "Always hate it when they finally do find their voice," he said sourly. A shiver traveled up his spine, and he could sense his own magic heading toward them. Panic set in, and he turned. "Let's go," he said.

"No. We are staying here," Snow said.

They were getting closer.

"Snow, please," he begged, unable to keep his composure. "They're gonna kill me."

"They are going to talk to you, and you will do it."

Closer.

"I can't!" Grumpy moaned, and he turned to run.

"I said stay, damn you!" Snow ordered in a voice that shook him to his core. None of his other girls had ever sounded like that before. He couldn't disobey, and he stared at her hopelessly. Snow didn't bend despite his pleading gaze, but she did smile a little. "Here they come."

Grumpy turned to see the brothers come out of the rocks. Doc's face went from happy to alarmed and they paused for a moment before starting toward them. Grumpy was about to faint until the last man he'd expected to see came up behind them and grinned at him. He was so surprised that he snapped out of his terror. He grinned back at his old friend, his abrupt change startling everybody.

"I'll bite, you bastard. How'd you do it?" Grumpy asked.

"I didn't," Bastian laughed. He looked at Snow. "You must be Kasper."

"Ah, go boil your head," Snow taunted, using her disguised voice.

Bastian grinned. "Yep. You're a good one." He turned back to Grumpy. "And to answer your question, Ivan—"

"No," Grumpy said flatly.

"Grumpy then," Bastian said easily. "I didn't do anything. They just approached me in the eastern inn at Raverra and said they had to get out of the city and find you. They were pretty sure you had the princess, and they were right."

"Were we?" Doc asked, peering around. "Where's Snow? We lured, ah, heard her…"

Snow burst out laughing, and the brothers peered at her in astonishment. Doc cleaned his glasses to make sure he wasn't seeing things. "Snow! You're… you're a boy! How! What is going on!"

"He's bound you, hasn't he?" Bastian asked.

"Yes," Snow said in her usual, sweet voice. "And since we shall be staying here until I wish to do otherwise, I need to get out of it. Grumpy, assist me."

Grumpy followed her out of view and she pulled her shirt off and turned around. When she knelt, Grumpy unsealed the magic then turned and walked back. Bastian was still laughing at the brothers, and Grumpy stopped to watch.

"That was the best reaction I've ever seen!" he guffawed.

"You knew it was Snow?" Happy asked.

"Of course!" Bastian said. "All of his girls go by the name of Kasper." He looked over and grinned at Grumpy. "How did you get a princess?"

"Your guess is as good as mine," Grumpy said dryly. "Don't make much sense if you ask me."

Bastian came over. "Been awhile, rock head."

"Eleven years, butterfingers," Grumpy retorted.

"Ugh, let it go! It was one time," Bastian complained.

"Yeah? And we got thumped 'cause of it."

"So you're Bastian, I presume?" Snow said, coming out as she tucked in her shirt.

"Yes, princess. At your service," he said, bowing.

Grumpy rolled his eyes. "He's a charmer, Snow," he warned.

"I'll keep that in mind," she said. "Arise, Bastian."

He did so. "May I be permitted to ask a question?"

"You may," Snow said.

"Why him?" Bastian asked, gesturing at Grumpy, and Snow and the brothers burst out laughing.

Later in his life, Grumpy decided that it was the history he and Bastian had with that particular joke that caused what happened next. He had asked that question a dozen times to a dozen girls, who all had various answers. By the time he'd gotten to Snow, Grumpy's reaction was as much a part of the joke as the question. So it was sheer reflex that made him do what he always had.

Grumpy threw out his hand, and a burst of green sparks erupted around Bastian, who was jerked by the ankle up into the air and dangled a foot off the ground. The brothers stopped laughing and gaped at the large, casual display of magic. Snow and Bastian only laughed harder.

"Stop it! Put him down!" Snow gasped, wiping at her eyes.

Grumpy was completely mortified, and he spun on his heel and cut off his magic. Snow stopped laughing as Bastian crashed to the ground with an oath.

"Ow! Ivan! What did you do that for?" Bastian demanded.

There was silence. Snow broke it after several long moments. "Bastian, please help me find a good place to camp. The rest of you shall stay here."

"Yes, princess," Bastian muttered, struggling to his feet. He winced and rubbed his arm.

"You will call me Kasper until I say otherwise."

"Yes, Kasper."

"Come along. You all stay here and talk."

Bastian strode over and offered his arm to Snow. She smiled and accepted. "You are a charmer. But I am engaged to a prince, so I suggest you watch yourself."

"I'd never hurt one of Ivan's girls," Bastian assured her solemnly. "He'd kill me himself."

Grumpy watched as they walked away. He could feel the brothers staring at him, and he wanted the earth to swallow him whole. He could do nothing as he stood rooted to the spot, waiting for whatever they had to say to him. After a painful silence, there were footsteps and Doc placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Grumpy?"

Grumpy didn't move.

"Can you book, ah, look at me?"

Nothing.

"Please?"

It took all the courage Grumpy had to look over at Doc. He flinched away as he did so, expecting anger, disgust, even hatred, but all he saw were the same warm, compassionate eyes he'd seen since the day he'd woken up in the cottage. Doc smiled encouragingly and pulled him into a tight hug.

"We were so worried," Doc murmured. "Why is it that we always have to pace, ah, chase you down, you silly fool?"

Grumpy couldn't relax into the embrace. Tears welled in his eyes and he squeezed them shut. This wouldn't last, and he wanted to savor it. He knew what Snow's command really meant. She wanted him to talk about the worst mistake of his life, but he couldn't admit it. Not with words. But words weren't all he had, and they knew that now. Pulling away, Grumpy turned around then waved his hand and wove a spell. The brothers watched until Grumpy flicked his fingers, and then green sparks burst in their vision…

and he couldn't help but get out of bed. The jewelry called and sang to him, touching his heart like the siren's songs the sailors always spoke of. He had to touch them, to get them out…

the diamond pocket watch, perfection itself for the firstborn, Doc's personal treasure from his father. It would fetch a hefty price, though no amount of money would be able to reach its true value…

a brooch, gleaming gold with a perfect opal on one side, Bashful's gift, broken but worth so much to the family…

a bracelet adorned with rubies, crafted from the finest gold, given to Sneezy to pass on to any girl he fancied, a symbol of his parents love and hope for the continued family line…

a perfect sapphire ring, flawless in both gem and gold, a symbol of pride for Sleepy, binding him to the family and the Estodien clan…

a garnet set in beautiful silver, making a ring that was different from all the others, made for Happy to symbolize his mother's love for him…

the black market dealer's gleeful face when he saw the treasures, "I'll give you five hundred for all of them. Perfection, absolute perfection…

stumbling back to the room, passing through his enchantments and getting into his nightshirt again. One of them stirred as he got into bed, and Calida whispered, 'Sleep. Make him sleep.' So he waved his hand, and Doc settled again

The brothers all gasped as they sat up in the grass, peering around to see that they had fallen to the ground. They looked at each other in astonishment then saw Grumpy again, standing alone and cowed, ashamed of this one moment that had shifted their entire relationship. He was shaking, clutching his arms so hard that he was no doubt bruising himself.

"I knows it don't matter, but I'm sorry," Grumpy said hoarsely.

Doc got to his feet and approached, going around to face Grumpy. Grumpy couldn't look at him this time, and he kept his head bowed. Doc embraced him again, and Grumpy groaned and started weeping.

"Why don't you hate me?" he croaked. "Why? I done so much wrong. I'm a thief, Doc. A thief."

"We knows that," Sleepy said. "And you was a thief."

"Technically, it's were," Doc muttered. "But it's still in the last, ah, past."

Grumpy scoffed into Doc's shoulder. "I can do magic," he murmured.

"We knows that, too," Sneezy said.

"Yeah," Sleepy said reproachfully. "And I gots questions that you're gonna answer. Ain't never been able to ask questions about magic before. Uncle wouldn't let me."

Grumpy shook his head, still weeping uncontrollably. "Why won't you just hate me already?!" he shouted and sobbed harder.

"Hate you?" Bashful asked. "Why would we hate you?"

Grumpy pulled back and glared. "I stole your Pa's treasures, dammit!"

"Yeah, but you couldn't help it," Sleepy said.

"Yeah right," Grumpy scoffed, turning away. "Could so. Just didn't."

Sleepy gazed at him. Could he really not know? "Grumpy," he said slowly. "You realize you have gold sickness, right?"

Grumpy stiffened and spun around, staring at Sleepy as if he'd lost his mind. "What're you goin' on about?" he barked, his eyes wild.

The brothers glanced at each other. It was so obvious. Happy mentioned the most obvious point.

"She talked in your head," he said, making a face. "That ain't natural."

"It ain't?" Grumpy asked, thoroughly bewildered.

The question was so absurd that the brothers burst out laughing even as Sleepy pulled Grumpy over so they could all give him a hug.

"You're cursed, you daft fool," Sleepy said between laughs. "That's why you stole them. You've got gold sickness. I done told you about it a hundred times!"

Grumpy was still too stunned to really process what they were saying. Cursed? He was cursed? How did he not know this? He didn't know much about curses.

"The library," he muttered.

They pulled back. "Library?" Doc asked.

"Magic one. We're searchin' for it so we can break the spell on the prince and them. If we can find the blasted thing!"

"The Library of Moreseth?" Sleepy asked. "It's real?"

Grumpy looked at him, and he swiped at his cheeks, his eyes suddenly very bright. "You wouldn't happen to have the directions on how to get there?"

"Yep, but I don't see how it can help. Don't make no sense."

"Tell it," Grumpy ordered.

Sleepy was given room and he placed his hands behind his back and began his recital.

"Past the flowered glen of Fays,

And through the Elven wood,

Stands Moreseth the Library,

A force for magic good.

"If it be your sole desire

To find the ancient grounds

Face the east and northward go

Far past the fairy grounds.

"Once there, face south and then go west

Past Dwarfish mines of gold,

Where glitters every precious thing,

A fair sight to behold.

"Now northward turn and then head east

To find the glassy lake.

Go forty paces down below,

Beware of a mistake!

"Once there, take heart, you're nearly done

Just one more thing to do.

Look into your mirror there,

And take a step on through."

Sleepy stopped and shrugged. "Don't make no sense."

"Course it does!" Grumpy exclaimed.

They were surprised to see his face aglow with pleasure, and he threw out his hand. A sheet of silver appeared in front of him, and they stared at it in astonishment. Grumpy turned to Sleepy.

"Say it again," he commanded.

Sleepy began the recital again, and Grumpy turned and focused on the silver. To their amazement, Grumpy followed the absurd instructions as the mirror reflected the very places in the poem. Sleepy was grinning by the end, and Grumpy peered into the sheet as he carefully counted forty paces. Suddenly, an old door appeared, and Grumpy looked triumphant.

"Found it," he said. "Snow'll be pleased."

"Do we go in?" Sleepy asked.

"Not til Snow says so," Grumpy said. He snapped off the magic, and the door faded, leaving no trace, then he stood there for a moment, feeling strange. "Gold sickness…" he whispered. He looked up at Sleepy. "You're sure?"

"Pretty sure," Sleepy said.

"But your Pa's treasures…" Grumpy looked at all of them, his face stricken.

Doc placed his hands on Grumpy's shoulders. "We would rather have you than all the treasures in the world, Grumpy. You're our brother, and nothing will change that."

Grumpy shook his head, and he looked amused as he scrubbed away tears again. "Been tryin' to shake you for twelve years. Guess there's no gettin' rid of you."

"Not a chance," Doc said. He paused as he looked Grumpy up and down. "So… what else can you stew, er, do with your magic?"

"Curious?" Grumpy teased.

"We don't knows much about it," Bashful said.

"You'll learn."

He turned and waved to Snow as she and Bastian approached. The others hadn't seen them coming, and Grumpy'd had his back to them. They weren't surprised though. He just knew things, and they knew why now. It still didn't make sense, but it didn't have to with Grumpy.

Snow walked over, beaming at Grumpy. "Now was that so bad?" she asked sweetly.

Grumpy stared at her then snapped his fingers. Snow was jerked into the air by her ankle.

"Grumpy!" she shrieked as everybody laughed.

"Watch your tongue, girlie," Grumpy said, and he turned to grab his pack. Only after it was settled did he wave his hand to ease Snow back to the ground. "Where are we campin'?"

She stood up, blushing ferociously, but she took it in stride. "This way. I've already set up the shield."

As they followed behind her, Doc slung an arm around Grumpy's shoulders. Grumpy looked at him, and Doc saw, to his utter delight. that for the first time in twelve years, Grumpy wasn't afraid at all.