Grumpy managed to find his way out into the garden and to the center of a hedge maze. He curled up under a tree beside a statue and clutched at his beard, shivering and feeling ill as he fought back terrible memories. He could hear the brothers shouting for him, but he couldn't move, couldn't answer. He fought back the panic, trying to stop the tears. He was better than this!

Eventually, Dopey and Happy found him.

"Go get the others," Happy mumbled.

Dopey scampered away and Happy strolled over and sat down beside him. He hugged him. "You okay?"

Grumpy looked at him with large eyes, trying to say of course he was, but he burst into tears instead. He was so embarrassed, but he couldn't control himself. Happy tugged him close and held him. "It'll be okay," he soothed.

Grumpy hid his face in Happy's shirt and just cried as he fought back the terror that had been kindled by the queen. Dopey led the others to them, and Doc pulled Grumpy into a hug. He sat there and wept uncontrollably at their kindness while they just kept him company. He finally got ahold of himself and sat back, looking away.

"Sorry," he grunted, his voice small.

Bashful squeezed him. "'S'okay, Grumpy."

"I can't believe that witch did that!" Sneezy complained. "If she weren't a queen, I'd show her what for!"

Grumpy laughed softly. "She'd deserve it," he admitted. He ran his fingers through his beard and shivered, leaning into Doc. Doc was more than happy to squeeze him.

"Was the jewel-room really that sad, uh, bad?" he asked.

"Yep for both," Grumpy said. "Only ten good pieces in the whole room."

"That's a shame," Doc said. "If they have that much of such chore, erm, poor quality, they've lost a lot of money."

"From what they said, it's been generations of a swindle," Sleepy said.

"It ends with Snow's crown," Grumpy said tightly.

"Gonna need a forge to work in," Sneezy said, sniffling.

"Where are we gonna get the gold from?" Sleepy yawned.

"I'm sure the prince will help us," Doc said.

"He sure wasn't happy," Happy said.

"You didn't see the state of the jewel-room," Grumpy said.

A bird twittered near them, and Grumpy looked up to see the raven and a beautiful red bird arguing. He knew Snow was probably looking for them.

"Best find Snow," Grumpy said. "She'll start worryin' if we don't."

He stood up and Doc caught him. "Are you okay?"

The answer was no, but he couldn't say that. The brothers needed him now more than ever to protect them from thieves. He knew the codes, he knew the language, he could keep them safe. Nobody would ever steal from them again.

'Like you did,' Calida laughed.

"Grumpy?" Bashful asked. "What're you thinkin' about?"

"What?" Grumpy was surprised by how uneasy Bashful sounded.

"What were you thinkin' about?"

"Why?" Grumpy asked.

"'Cause you looked awful…" Bashful trailed off. The brothers all suddenly looked alarmed and peered at him.

"Yes, Grumpy, what were you drinking, ah, thinking about?" Doc asked anxiously.

They all gazed at him with something unidentifiable on their faces. They seemed concerned and warm and so eager to help.

'Such a pretty pocket watch. That will sell well. One hundred for that alone.'

Grumpy's eyes went wide and he turned away, terrified they'd see the memory of him digging the watch out of their pack as it passed through his mind's eye.

"Snow's waitin'. Gonna find her," Grumpy grumbled then bolted like a skittish animal.

Bashful watched him go, frustrated beyond belief. He turned and threw his hat down.

"Somethin's wrong," Sneezy growled. "'Cause I ain't never seen Grumpy look hunted afore."

"Whatever it is, I don't like it," Sleepy proclaimed, his alert eyes flashing like fire. "It ain't natural."

Dopey flinched, aching to explain to his brothers that no, it was natural. Natural magic was different than black magic. That didn't make Grumpy bad. He raised his hand and flashed the symbol for magic, hoping they'd ask. But no, as they'd done since the night Grumpy had first mistranslated what he and Dopey had done that day, they thought he wanted to have fun.

"Not now, Dopey," Doc sighed. "We need to bind, ah, find Grumpy. I don't like him being alone around here. He's not the test, um, best with humans.

"He was pretty good with Snow," Happy said.

"And he ain't never had a problem with Rowan," Bashful added.

"It's only the ones that bite him first that he bites back," Sneezy pointed out. He sneezed. "Ugh, let's get outta this maze. My hay fever…"

They hurried through the maze to find Grumpy talking with Snow outside the entrance. She looked pleasant and very cheery, so they knew she didn't know what had happened. When she turned to look at them, they smiled even though they weren't so happy. Snow didn't need to know of their troubles with the queen. It would put a damper on the wedding preparations.

"Going through the maze?" Snow asked, beaming at them.

"We made it to the center," Sleepy yawned.

"But you didn't find the secret tunnel, did you?" Snow asked.

"The one under the statue?" Grumpy asked.

The brothers all looked at him. "There's a tunnel?" Sneezy asked blankly.

Sleepy's eyes lit up. "Like for sneakin' away durin' a siege?"

"I believe so. I've never been down there. None of the guards seem to know about it," Snow smiled at Grumpy. "I'm not surprised you found it."

Grumpy snorted and waved his hand dismissively. It had been radiating magic, and she knew very well that he'd known about it as soon as he'd passed through the invisible magic barrier at the entrance to the maze. The whole thing was set up with magic, the same kind that infused the wall around the city. That meant it probably came from the same Dwarfs that had built the wall. He was sure it was for exactly the purpose Sleepy had guessed.

"Don't be rude, Grumpy," Doc begged.

"Was it rude?" Snow asked.

"Naw, but he's right. The humans'll think so," Grumpy said.

Doc blinked, and Snow glanced around. "Is there anybody nearby?" she asked idly.

As the brothers looked around, the red bird fluttered up into the air, singing sweetly. Grumpy watched, and Dopey looked up to see the red bird and the raven. He frowned then looked down at Snow, who was looking up with an expression of concentration. He'd seen the same look on Grumpy's face when he was talking to animals. Dopey's eyes went wide and he jumped and grabbed Grumpy, gesturing wildly up at the air and pointing at Snow. Snow looked bewildered. She still didn't understand most of what Dopey said. Doc and the others looked concerned.

"Dopey? What's wrong?" Bashful asked, grabbing him.

Dopey stomped his foot and threw his hands in the air in frustration.

"Calm down and take a breath," Doc ordered.

Dopey glared but did so.

"Now what's wrong?" Happy asked. "Why are you so agitated?"

Dopey turned to Grumpy expectantly.

"What?" Grumpy grunted, crossing his arms.

Dopey placed his hands on his hips and looked serious.

"Oh, just ask already!"

Dopey pointed at Snow then raised his hand and wiggled his fingers.

The brothers were puzzled. Why was Dopey asking Grumpy if Snow wanted to play? But then they saw Grumpy's eyes widen and his cheeks flushed.

"Ah…" He suddenly looked skittish again.

"What's his question?" Snow asked.

Grumpy squirmed, glancing between Snow and Dopey. Dopey narrowed his eyes and stomped his foot, pointing at him accusingly. Grumpy didn't look happy.

"I ain't gotta tell you nothin'!" Grumpy snapped looking away.

Dopey's mouth dropped open and he turned to Snow, looking astounded. He pointed at Snow then gestured at Grumpy and made the same hand sign, wiggling his fingers. Snow blinked.

"I'm sorry, Dopey. I don't understand," Snow said.

Dopey looked even more frustrated, and he turned and shoved Grumpy, shaking his finger in his face as he made wild gestures. The brothers had lost the entire thread of conversation, and none of his gestures made sense with no context. Whatever it was, Grumpy certainly seemed to understand. He flinched and began shifting backwards, looking guilty and ashamed as he was scolded. When Dopey stopped moving, the brothers were surprised by the fierce look on his face. Grumpy finally was able to look away, and he spoke tightly.

"No."

Dopey actually let out a yell, and he turned his back on Grumpy and crossed his arms. The brothers couldn't believe it. Never before had Dopey been angry with Grumpy, and they didn't even understand why he was so upset. Grumpy obviously wasn't going to explain.

"Dopey, calm down," Doc said.

Dopey looked his oldest brother in the eye and made the rudest gesture he knew. Unfortunately, Snow understood that one, and as her cheeks reddened, Doc reacted. He grabbed Dopey's hand and jerked it down.

"Don't you dare squawk, erm, stalk, ah! talk to me like that, Dopey!"

Dopey gave a solemn nod then turned to see Grumpy looking at him and made the same gesture. Grumpy flinched as Doc slapped his youngest brother upside the head, knocking his hat off.

"Do it again and you'll regret it," Bashful said seriously. "I don't care what you're fightin' about. Ain't polite nor proper, and Snow is right here. That ain't a sign she don't know."

Dopey glanced at Snow then shrugged and turned away, his expression hard. Grumpy wouldn't look at Dopey, and Snow was perplexed as to what had happened.

"I think a stroll would be a good idea," Snow said. "Come along and I'll show you the garden. I'm sure you'll love it, Bashful."

The Dwarfs followed her around as she gave a tour of the flowers and hedges and vegetables she was growing, and she was so cheerful. They were glad she was happy, but their relationship hadn't been so twisted up in years. Grumpy hovered beside Snow, and Dopey seemed determined to trip him up as often as possible. Grumpy said nothing as he went sprawling again, and Bashful yanked Dopey back by an ear.

"Enough," he said, his tone careful yet angry.

Dopey shrugged and crossed his arms, itching to tell Grumpy what he thought of him not telling him that Snow also had natural magic. He reined in his desire and trudged along, watching the raven and the red bird bickering. He'd seen that raven a lot recently. Grumpy would shout at it to go away sometimes, but never when Doc and the others were around. It had clearly followed them to Findersland, but why? Grumpy glanced at him, and Dopey scowled and made a subtle rude gesture that the others didn't notice.

Grumpy flinched and looked away. He had never even considered telling Dopey about Snow's magic. He could have and probably should have. Dopey had never once corrected the brothers' mistranslation of the magic sign, and he'd loyally kept Grumpy's secret for over a decade. A pit of dread settled in his stomach. Dopey could tell them, and he was so angry he just might. He had to warn Snow, just in case.

After the tour of the garden, Grumpy wandered over to sit down away from the brothers. Snow followed and settled beside him. He turned to admire her beauty. The spun gold and silver threads and the jewels on her dress sparkled in the sun, but it was her kindness and compassion that made her so fair. Grumpy swallowed.

"What's Dopey so angry about?" Snow asked, watching Bashful and Happy trying to get him to tell them why he was so mad.

"He, ah, he noticed you talkin' to Red up there," he muttered.

Snow pressed her lips together and paled. "Oh. I see." She paused. "And how does this involve you?"

"'Cause he thinks I shoulda told him about your magic," Grumpy said.

"And you didn't. Because of me?" she asked.

"A bit. But it ain't his business nohow."

"You know where I stand on this, Grumpy," Snow said. "You should tell them."

"Mmhm."

Grumpy began running his fingers through his beard. He thought about telling Snow what the queen did, but then he decided against it.

"They love you," Snow said softly.

Grumpy didn't notice Bashful had slipped around behind the tree as he replied. "Snow, they don't even know what I done. And they ain't never gonna forgive me for it. Now even Dopey's riled at me. I can't do nothin' right."

"I still say you should tell them," Snow said. "It's been twelve years."

"Yep. Twelve years." He sounded sad about it. "The first was the best. That was before I…"

Bashful was startled to hear Grumpy choke up, and he stopped talking. A clear bell sounded out, and Grumpy stood up. "Dinner?" he asked gruffly.

"Dinner," Snow confirmed. She stood up. "Think about it, Grumpy. They love you. You're only hurting everybody involved by not telling them." She raised her voice. "Dinner is ready! I can't wait for you to see what we have."

Bashful skittered back into a flowerbed and turned around, his heart hammering. Grumpy had done something then. That's what he was hiding. Dopey must have known something about it and was angry that he hadn't told them. He had to talk to Doc. They now had a timeline to work with. It was within the first year. He casually strolled over to Snow and followed her to dinner. He'd talk to them as soon as they had a moment alone. Perhaps another stroll in the hedge maze, without Grumpy, would give him the opportunity to share this new information with his brothers.