There was little the council had to say against their plan, and with only a bit of arguing, they were convinced. The next few days the Dwarfs spent resting as runners were sent to every nearby city to request troops. Soon, men were pouring into Altenfeld, ready to fight for their queen. Snow made the most of it, regularly greeting those coming into the city, wearing her coronation dress and a beautiful crown that had been her mother's. Her beauty was something to behold, and the people were soon in her hand.
The day they were to depart dawned clear and fair, and the whole city was buzzing with activity as the final preparations were made. The Dwarfs were up at dawn, just as Snow had wanted, and they got ready then headed for a good breakfast. There were eggs, toast, bacon, and everything else they could have wanted, and they ate well for the journey. Bastian and Heinrich, who had quickly become good friends, joined them. It was good to see the two men get along, and Heinrich was very interested in the brothers. They didn't have much time before Snow came to get them, though, and Grumpy could see Heinrich was disappointed.
"You'll have plenty of time to talk when we get on the road," Grumpy assured him as they walked to the front doors.
"You just didn't speak of them much," Heinrich said. "And I've heard stories."
"We'd be fighted, ah, delighted to speak with you," Doc assured him.
They mounted their ponies and and set off under Snow's direction, the soldiers trailing behind. Despite what he'd said, that captain who had so boldly declared he wouldn't lead the army was present and trying to speak to Snow. She was pleasant but distant, and that left the two men and seven Dwarfs to talk, which they did all the way to the border. Heinrich was amenable to telling the tale of his adventure with Grumpy from his own point of view, so they listened with glee as Grumpy tried to ignore the discomfort gnawing at his gut. He didn't like hearing stories told about himself. It was strange. Still, he didn't stop it, and it grew less uncomfortable the longer Heinrich talked.
When the border came into view after several days of hard marching, Snow halted her forces and gestured for the Dwarfs, Heinrich, Bastian, and several officers to follow. She guided her horse forward, and they approached the gate.
"You're ready, Grumpy?" Snow asked.
"Yep," Grumpy said. "I follow your lead, your majesty."
"Then let us proceed," Snow said.
With a simple spell, Snow's voice boomed loud enough to be heard by everybody within a mile. "I am Snow White, Queen of Germonia! You shall let me pass! I come to protect my allies in Findersland!"
There was a scramble at the gate, and Grumpy slipped off of his pony as Bastian dropped off his horse and padded over to his old friend. Doc squeezed Grumpy's shoulder then stepped back as Bastian grasped the other one. As the first arrows fired, Grumpy and Bastian disappeared in a flash of silver and green. Snow simply scoffed and sat still on her horse as the arrows missed her and the others by several feet every time. The army began murmuring behind her, wondering no doubt why nothing was touching her and her entourage. Though the Dwarfs and Heinrich didn't seem surprised, the officers did, and they flinched at every shot. Snow simply sat there, waiting for Grumpy and Bastian.
After flashing across the border into the gatehouse, Bastian and Grumpy looked around to find themselves in a storage room. Grumpy took up the orb with the countercurse and held it tightly in his fist. Bastian whistled, and several guards came in to see what the noise was. Grumpy knew from their dazed looks that they were under the curse, so he sent a burst of magic into the orb then threw it down in front of them. The flash of light and pulse of magic stunned them, and Grumpy and Bastian had to blink several times before the world came back into focus. The gate guards in the room had lost their dazed looks, and they gazed at the two intruders in astonishment.
"What's going on? What are you doing here? State your business!" one of them said.
Grumpy pulled out a note and handed it over. "Message from Queen Snow White of Germonia."
The guards read it then looked at him. "Cursed?" one asked in a strangled voice.
"Not anymore," Bastian said, picking up the orb and tossing it to Grumpy. "But your companions are still under the spell and firing at the queen and her army."
"What do we do, sir?" another asked.
"Get me up there," Grumpy said, pointing up toward the top of the gate. "And I'll remove the spell on everybody we meet. Come on, Snow's waitin'."
"Yes, sir," they chorused, then turned and led the way up.
Grumpy continued to cast the countercurse on anybody he met, quickly refining his casts to be the most efficient. By the time they reached the top, most of the guards were aware and bewildered, but they followed their captain's orders, which were to get these strangers to the top.
When they got there, Grumpy tossed out the orb and made sure to capture the rest of the men with the spell. One more blinding burst of silver light, and silence reigned. Grumpy sent up a burst of green light then turned to the captain.
"We need to get through. Open the gates. Then we'll go down and speak to Snow,."
"Open the gates," the captain ordered, then the men trooped down the stairs and out of the gatehouse. Snow had reined in her horse by the door with the rest of the entourage as the army marched through the gates. She swung off the saddle as Grumpy and Bastian led the men over.
"Were they under the spell?" Snow asked Grumpy, her hand on the hilt of a knife.
"Yes, your highness," Grumpy said, bowing. "They won't fight anymore."
The men bowed low, and Snow nodded. "Arise. Tell me what you remember of the last month."
The men couldn't give her much after a messenger arrived from Raverra.
"I cannot remember the message, your majesty," the captain said. "But I do know that everything changed when the messenger got here."
"I see. You have done well to let me in. You may join the army to free your rulers if you so wish."
"I will come with a dozen fine men," the captain said. "It's all we can spare from here. For king and country, men!"
Snow waited for them to gather what they needed then brought the men to the front of the ranks.
"What are you doing, your highness?" Adrean asked.
Snow turned to him. "These men are defending their own kingdom, thus they deserve the honor of fighting first. We are their allies, yes, but they are citizens."
The men beamed at Snow as she gave the order to march. They stayed on the main road and went through several cities, gathering more men as they went. Those who were important enough in their communities had all been cast under Holda's spell, and they were absolutely outraged by the indignity. The ranks swelled as they continued on, with Snow up front. Her beautiful, fair face gave the men courage to march toward what could very well be another horrible spell or even death.
When Raverra finally came into view, Snow turned off the path and gave the orders to make camp. She brought her council, which now included Heinrich as well as the Dwarfs and Bastian to a secluded hill where they could observe Raverra.
"Alright, Bastian. Do you and Grumpy still think we can get in?" she asked, gazing at the impressive wall.
"Yes, your highness. We have ways in and out of just about every city that are hard to cover," Bastian said.
"And just why are you sneaking in and out of cities?"Adrean asked.
"That is none of your concern," Snow said firmly. "The important part is that he knows how to get in. We need Grumpy on top of that wall if we can get him there. The closer he is, the easier it will be for him to manipulate it."
"How can you trust him?" Adrean asked. "He's a Dwarf with magic."
"And I am a woman with magic," Snow said tartly. "His magic is not why I trust him. It's because he's a good man. The magic is just a part of him."
There was a long pause then Adrean spoke. "You have magic?"
"Yes," Snow said. "I was born with it."
Silence.
"Make sure everybody eats well, captain," Snow said. "In the morning, we begin our assault."
"Yes, your highness," Adrean said.
"The council is dismissed. Except for you, Heinrich. You stay."
Adrean and the rest of the council walked away, leaving Snow with the Dwarfs, Heinrich, and Bastian. Heinrich relaxed a little.
"Well, that's that. What's the plan?"
"You will be in charge out here. I don't trust Adrean," Snow said.
"What about you?" Heinrich asked.
"I am going with Grumpy and Bastian. You will stay with the others and lead the siege. When the command is given, a small contingent of soldiers are to come into the city, along with Doc and his brothers. I need two hundred men who will obey without question my order to not kill civilians. They are to defend them and subdue any opposition without killing anybody if they can help it. I need you to find me those men before bed tonight and bring them to me. I have special instructions for all of them."
"At once, your majesty," Heinrich said, and he bowed.
"You are dismissed."
Heinrich hurried away, muttering names under his breath. They watched him go, then Grumpy spoke.
"Want me to cut your hair again?"
"Would it help?"
"It would stay out of your eyes," Grumpy replied.
Snow brushed back the fringe of hair that kept falling over her eyes. "Then yes. Let's eat and then you can cut my hair. You have everything for my disguise?"
"Yep. Nobody will even recognize you as a boy. Until it's too late," Grumpy added with a grin.
"She's expecting me," Snow said softly. "And I bet she'll think I'm out here being protected. I want to surprise her. It gives us an edge."
"It does," Bastian agreed. "Now, food and rest. We have a big day tomorrow."
After they ate a good supper, Grumpy took out his knife and cut Snow's hair. She didn't cry this time, but she also wasn't very happy about it. Still, it no longer fell into her eyes, which had been a constant irritation for the whole march to Raverra. When he was done, Grumpy cleaned his knife then put it away, squinting critically at his work.
"It'll do," he said. He sat down and stretched, his eyes on the fire. Then he straightened and turned to Bastian. "Did you say Adele has a shop here?"
"Yep," Bastian said.
"Then I know where I'm sending you once we get through the wall. She can help."
"She can," Bastian said. "I'll get her and bring her into the thick of things. She'll do it for you."
"One of your girls?" Snow asked.
"Yep," Grumpy said. "Adele was a special case. It was more necessity than she wouldn't go away."
"She tried to go away," Bastian chuckled. "Several times. And you dragged her back every time."
"Damn straight. That girl needed help," Grumpy muttered.
"I can't wait to meet another one of your girls," Snow said.
"I can't wait to treat, ah, meet just one of them," Doc said.
"Didn't you meet her already?" Grumpy asked.
"Have we?" Doc asked.
Grumpy squinted at him then held out his hand. Green sparks flew from his fingertips and Doc gave a startled cry as something inside of him roiled.
"That's her magic, all right," Grumpy said. "She cast a spell on you. You have to have met her."
There was a long pause then Dopey began shaking with laughter. Happy joined in. "You mean that magic woman was one of your girls?" he asked gleefully.
"Well no wonder she was so friendly with us," Sneezy said. "She seemed to know you, anyhow. Said she'd help us find you."
"Probably sensed the magic in your stones," Grumpy said. "I gots real strange-feelin' magic, bein' a Dwarf."
"She threw, erm, knew who we were without asking," Doc said. "At least she knew my name."
"After she touched your diamond," Sleepy yawned. "Must be personal magic."
"I wove the spells specific for each of you, but they'll work with all of you," Grumpy said. "So that's how she knew."
Doc gazed at Grumpy for a few moments. "Thank you," he finally said.
"For what?"
"Protecting us. We had no idea what you were stewing, ah, doing."
Grumpy shrugged. "After what I done, I promised myself nobody would ever hurt you like I did again. I made sure of it."
There was contemplative silence for a few minutes before Snow stood. "We should rest. Grumpy, come to my tent before breakfast tomorrow morning. I want to be disguised before anybody else sees me."
"Sure." Grumpy stood up. "We're gonna set up our tents. Get me when those men are ready. I'll give them their gifts."
"Excellent. Now if you'll excuse me, I must talk with Adrean."
She walked away, her bright dress a spot of color amongst the soldiers. Their faces glowed with love and loyalty for their queen, who was out among them even on the battlefield.
"She's quite a woman," Bastian said.
"Yep," Grumpy said.
"Why do you get so many of them?"
"Oh, don't you start that again!" Grumpy exclaimed.
Doc watched with great amusement as Bastian teased Grumpy. He and the others could tell Grumpy didn't mind because he fired back at every quip. Then Doc turned his eyes to the city. Tomorrow, Grumpy would part from them to sneak into the city. The danger of their plan didn't escape him. Even if they all had some protection, there was still that witch Holda. Her magic could do damage to them and their protection charms, so the closer they got, the more danger they would be in, and they had to get as close as possible. Because Snow had decided what to do to punish her for trying to kill her. Her magic was so important to her, but it was learned. That meant that it could be taken away. To do that, they'd have to practically touch her.
Doc couldn't help but worry that after all their progress, Grumpy might be taken away from them. Permanently. But even he knew there was no going back now.