And here we are, folks! The final main part of the Snow White series. I have a bit of an explanation first, so bear with me.
I have ideas for a few one-shots to add to Story Gems that will explain how some of the information in this story is known. However, they are not done yet. I will be posting them as I get the chance to between other projects, because I have to work on other things now. I've got a lot of projects on hold that I can't wait to get to, so the one-shots will come out when they do. I finally have an idea to fix the plot hole I had in the second chapter I was working on thanks to a reader, so hopefully that will be done soonish.
Anyway, enjoy this last main entry in the story of Grumpy and his brothers but be sure to keep an eye out for new chapters for Story Gems.
Grumpy couldn't help but slow down as the cottage finally came into view. This was it. This was the final hurdle. He was about to meet the rest of his family. Though the thought that he had found his kin had produced excitement for the last week, a pit of dread settled in his stomach now. He didn't want to see Diligent again. Or Friendly and Clumsy. Especially because he'd have to admit they were right about him.
Bashful slowed with him and wrapped an arm snugly across his shoulders. "Deep breaths," he encouraged. "Let us do the talkin'. And remember the plan."
"Hey! The cousins are here, Papa!" a woman cried.
"Plan," Grumpy said faintly as what seemed to be a pack of cousins came running and shouting greetings to his brothers.
Grumpy watched for Diligent, and he saw the Dwarf's excited grin disappear as his eyes immediately found him. Bashful chose that moment to hurry toward the cousins, calling greetings with the others. Grumpy stood there, his heart hammering. Only Diligent had noticed him, and he wanted it to stay that way.
"Who're you?"
Grumpy jumped a mile and turned to see a very old Dwarf woman. He didn't have a chance to respond before the old woman placed both hands on either side of his face and studied him. His cheeks warmed, but he didn't know what to do except allow it.
"What's your name, sonny?" the woman asked.
"Grumpy," he managed to reply.
"Grumpy, eh?" She squinted at him. "You're the one Doc and them talk about."
"Yes, ma'am," Grumpy said.
"About time you came. They say you always say no."
"Yep. They finally whittled me down," Grumpy said, and he was relieved when the woman laughed.
"I'm Honesty," she said. "Call me Grandmama."
Grumpy balked. "Oh, I couldn't do that," he muttered.
"I didn't ask," Honesty replied.
"Okay," Grumpy said, fully intending to not do so.
Dopey suddenly appeared and embraced the old woman, who grinned and kissed him. "There's my little button," she said.
Dopey wiggled his ears and pointed at Grumpy.
"I met him," Honesty said, waving her hand. "He's welcome to stay. Take him to your room. We'll put a bed in there for him soon."
Dopey took Grumpy's hand and pulled him past the group of chattering Dwarfs and into a cozy home cut into the side of a hill. They went through a large, open living area then down some stairs into a hall with several doors. Dopey opened one of them and walked Grumpy inside. It was a large room, furnished with six beds. There was plenty of room for another, though, which was a relief. Dopey bounded onto his bed and clapped, gesturing around.
"It's nice," Grumpy said. He glanced back and snapped his fingers. Green sparks burst from his fingertips, and the door silently closed. Immediately, he relaxed. Dopey smiled sympathetically and gestured him over. Grumpy walked over and plopped on the bed. Dopey hugged him then tapped right over Grumpy's heart, his eyes shining.
"Love you, too, little button," Grumpy teased.
Dopey flushed but smiled and shrugged. Before they could continue talking, the door opened and a young Dwarf girl scampered in. She closed the door and turned then froze when she saw Grumpy. Dopey jumped down and asked her what she was doing.
"What am I doing?" she asked, and Dopey nodded. "Hide and seek."
Dopey grinned and grabbed the girl, tugging her over to the bed and pushing her down behind it. He pressed his fingers to his lips then bounded up beside Grumpy, his eyes sparkling. Grumpy snickered, and they both waited for the inevitable. The door burst open and a boy came in, grinning. Then he saw Grumpy and stopped after only one step.
"Oh. Sorry. Was lookin' for somebody," he mumbled, and left.
As soon as the door shut, the Dwarf girl popped up and stared at Grumpy. "Who's this, Dopey? I ain't never seen him before."
"Name's Grumpy," Grumpy replied. "Came with Doc and them."
Her eyes went wide. "Oh, you're Grumpy?"
"Yep."
She studied him. "I thought you'd look different."
"Wish I did."
"Why?"
Grumpy grinned. "Come on, this," he said, gesturing at himself, "needs improving."
"I think you're perfectly fine," the girl said. "You look awful nice, and you let me hide in here."
"Ain't my room," Grumpy said. "I'm just sleepin' here."
The girl smiled. "I like you, Grumpy. I'm Empathy."
"And how are you related to him?" Grumpy asked, pointing at Dopey.
"He's my second cousin," Empathy said. "My mama is his first cousin and Papa married in, but since his family disowned him, we stay with this side of the family."
"Disowned for what?" Grumpy asked.
The girl sat on the bed. "Something about his brother wanted to marry Mama, but she chose Papa, and since Papa's brother was the favorite, they said if Papa married Mama, he wasn't allowed back home. So they've never gone back, but that's okay because we still have family."
"Havin' family's nice," Grumpy said. "I didn't have one til I was in my late twenties."
"Where are they then?"
Grumpy gestured at Dopey. "The others are probably still catchin' up with the rest of their kin."
Dopey nudged Grumpy, but Grumpy shook his head and spoke in his mind as he met his eyes. "The plan, remember?"
Dopey relaxed and nodded eagerly. Empathy watched them. "You understand him pretty good," she said.
"Aw, he never shuts up," Grumpy said, tugging Dopey's hat over his eyes. Dopey stuck his tongue out then laughed and smiled at his second cousin.
"Where's your mama and papa?" Empathy asked Grumpy.
"Ain't never known my mama or papa," Grumpy said. "I was taken away from them when I was real little. Then I was raised by humans."
Empathy's eyes went wide. "Oh, really? You know about humans?"
Grumpy burst out laughing. "I knows more about Men than Dwarfs, girlie. Doc and them were the first Dwarfs I ever met."
She looked even more surprised. "Golly, that's awful. I'm sorry."
"I got a family now, and that's good enough. I wouldn't change it…" But wouldn't he? The thought of facing Honesty and Diligent and all those cousins and second cousins and admitting that he'd stolen precious family treasures only to sell them made him want to die of shame. Doc was sure they wouldn't mind, and Grumpy wanted to believe him, but the threats from Diligent and his oldest sons echoed in his head.
The door suddenly banged opened, making the three Dwarfs jump. Diligent stood there, his gaze thunderous. Grumpy hadn't been so frightened since the last time he'd been caught disobeying Calida. She had beaten him so badly that he'd sworn to never get caught again. He hadn't been. But now he felt cornered. Grumpy surged to his feet and stood defiantly in front of Diligent despite his quivering insides.
"What are you bargin' in here for?" Grumpy snapped.
"Uncle!" Doc called, sounding frantic as there was a scramble down the stairs. He pushed into the room with Sneezy's help and turned to speak to his uncle. Then he saw the look on his face and immediately understood why Grumpy was sure this wasn't a good idea. His mouth went dry as the others pushed in and several cousins peeked in to see what was going on.
"Come here, Empathy," Diligent commanded.
Empathy didn't move. "Why?"
"Now!"
Empathy shrugged and walked over. "What's wrong, Grandpapa?"
Diligent snatched her and pulled her behind him. "Did he hurt you?"
A flush rose up Grumpy's cheeks and his eyes sparkled with anger, but he managed to restrain himself. Doc, on the other hand, finally found his voice again.
"How dare you!" he exclaimed. "We told you that you have nothing to flurry, ah, worry about!"
"I'm not stupid, unlike you, and he will not stay in this house!" Diligent barked.
Before Doc could respond, Honesty came in. "What's goin' on, Dilly?"
Diligent pointed at Grumpy. "He is not welcome here."
Honesty threw her head back and laughed. "Oh yes he is! Speaking of which, Kindly, Sincerity! Go fetch another bed and bring it up."
"Yes Grandmama," two male Dwarfs chorused from the throng peering in the room.
"Mama!" Diligent exclaimed. "You don't know what this Dwarf's done."
"Don't much care," Honesty said. "He's kin."
"He is not!" Diligent spat.
Honesty turned to peer at Doc over her spectacles. "Do you consider him kin?"
"Yes!" the five brothers stated emphatically, while Dopey nodded vigorously.
"Then there we go," Honesty said. "He's stuck around for over a decade, Dilly, and you said he'd be gone before a year passed. This Dwarf ain't goin' nowhere. Now leave him be and let them get settled."
"But Mama," Diligent began.
"I think a nice cup of coffee would be good," Honesty continued. "Fetch me one, Dilly."
Diligent looked outraged, but he didn't fight. "Yes, Mama," he said through gritted teeth.
As soon as Diligent and the rest were gone, Doc shut the door and leaned against it, his knees going weak. "I'm so sorry, Grumpy," he said. "I didn't show, uh, know it would be like that."
"I tried to tell you," Grumpy said, still on edge.
Bashful walked over and touched him. "What's got you so riled?"
"Reminded me of Calida," Grumpy muttered.
Bashful hugged him. "Uncle ain't Calida,"
"No, but he sure can be scary," Happy muttered. He shivered.
"Grandmama will keep him in check," Sneezy said. "He won't go against her."
Grumpy looked at his brothers. "I think," he said, and there was asurity in his tone, "that losin' your pa's treasures made him mad enough to try."
Sleepy scrubbed his eyes. "Uncle and Papa was real close. It ain't surprisin'," he yawned.
"And he was your papa, too," Bashful said firmly.
"I thought we were surprisin' them in a few days," Grumpy said, and he looked sad.
"Should we stick to the plan?" Happy asked.
Doc thought about that. "Maybe," he suggested then paused. "Maybe, if we let Uncle get to know you, he'll realize you're not so bad."
"Out with it," Grumpy said after a moment. "Why are you set on this?"
"It just feels like a very bad idea to string up, erm, bring up the treasures right now," Doc said, rubbing his arm. He glanced at Grumpy. "It feels safer for you if we wait."
Grumpy understood. Ever since Adele's spell, Doc had a deep-rooted sense of Grumpy and his safety. The others glanced between them as Grumpy squinted at Doc. "You think you'll know when?"
"I believe so, and now is not it," Doc murmured.
"Then we'll wait," Grumpy conceded. "But next time, just tell me it's the magic, Doc."
"I wasn't sure," Doc said, adjusting his spectacles. "I'm quill, erm, still not used to it. It's different than it buzz, ah, was…"
"Subtle and soft," Grumpy grunted. "Means it's gettin' settled. That's gonna be permanent if you don't let me remove it."
"Not yet," Doc begged. "Not when Uncle booked, ah, looked at you like that."
Grumpy shrugged. "It's your choice. I'm just warnin' you what's gonna happen."
Doc relaxed then peered at Sneezy. "Let's bring in the rest of our things. Grumpy? Stay here please."
Grumpy shrugged and there was a thump as something hit the door.
"Open up, Doc! We've got the bed!"
"Sincerity," Bashful said to Grumpy.
Doc opened the door and stepped back as two of their cousins carried in one of the spare beds.
"Where do you want it?" Sincerity huffed.
"Just set it town, uh, down. We can rearrange things," Doc said.
"Town's awful far away," somebody sneered behind him.
"Oh, shut up, Belligerent," Sneezy spat as Doc's face went crimson and he scurried away from the door. "You know what he meant."
After Sincerity and Kindly came in with the bed, a stocky Dwarf came in and scanned Grumpy up and down.
"I'm Belligerent," he said after a moment.
Grumpy scanned him up and down, too. "That's a kind way of putting' it," he retorted.
His brothers burst out laughing, and Kindly and Sincerity sniggered before they could help it. They sobered up as Belligerent scowled.
"Papa's right about you," he said coldly.
"Guess you'll find out," Grumpy said.
Belligerent scoffed and gestured for Kindly and Sincerity to follow him. Both of them gave Grumpy a long, hard look before they went out. Sneezy stepped forward and snapped the door shut. There was a pause then Grumpy raised his hands and wove a spell. He glanced around at his brothers, but there were no objections, so he cast the spell around the room. Sparkling green mist burst from his hands and coated the walls and doorway. It was absorbed, and there was no visible difference, but all the brothers felt safer.
"Good," Doc said, placing his hand on Grumpy's shoulders. "Now stay here, and we'll get our things. Sneezy? Stay with him."
Sneezy nodded and sat on his bed as Doc, Bashful, Dopey, Sleepy, and Happy left to fetch the packs they'd left by the front door. Grumpy stood where he was for a moment before he noticed several children peering in at him. He hurried over to Sneezy, who glared at the kids.
"Go on, get!" he scolded.
There was a flurry of whispers before they fled. Grumpy snapped his fingers and shut the door with his magic as soon as they weren't looking at him.
"Your family's too big," he muttered.
Sneezy wrapped an arm around Grumpy and pulled him against his side. "Our family," he reminded gently. "And I think it's just right."
Grumpy wasn't so sure about that, but he didn't have the heart to argue. He was too disappointed. A secret part of himself had wanted to be welcomed by the family. But was it ever that easy? Not for him. Grumpy hid his face in Sneezy's shoulder and hugged him. Sneezy held him tighter.
At least he had his brothers.