Chapter 11 ; Just remember who I am in the morning
“Tell me what we’re supposed to do again”, Red said. She, the Huntsman and Charming were sitting on a fallen tree as Snow was standing in front of them, her arms crossed, obviously stressed out.
“We go to my friend Cinderella’s Kingdom, and we ask her and her husband for help.”
“And what makes you think they’ll help us?” the Huntsman asked.
“Ella is an old friend. And her husband is a good man. They will help us. And they have an army.”
“You want to attack against your sister with an army?” Charming asked.
“I want to talk to her. But I know that what I need to even get inside that castle is an army”, Snow said.
No one said anything.
“Look, if you want to back down now, you can. I’m not asking you for anything.”
“I’m coming with you”, Charming said.
“You are?” Snow asked, a bit surprised.
“Did you ever doubt I would?” Charming smiled.
Snow returned the smile and turned to Red and the Huntsman. “If you want to leave, you can. I mean it.”
“Snow, I trust you. But is this really what you want?” Red asked.
“Yes. I’m not going to just stand by and watch her kill everyone I care about.”
Well, in that case, I’m fighting with you, too”, the Huntsman said.
“Me, too”, Red smiled. “We should leave right away. It’s a few days walk to the castle”, Snow said, and started gathering their things.
“So she is not that innocent after all”, the Queen muttered, after watching the scene through the Mirror. “Snow finally realizes that we’re no longer on the same side.”
“And how do you feel about that?” the Mirror asked.
The Queen didn’t reply, she merely looked into the distance through her glass door that led to the balcony.
“I feel betrayed.”
“You feel betrayed? How about her? How about Eric?”
“They betrayed me”, the Queen said quietly.
“Well, you made your choice. I hope you’re ready to suffer the consequences”, the Mirror said.
Snow and Charming were walking ahead of Red and the Huntsman, and Snow could tell they were whispering to each other.
“They’re talking about me and the plan”, Snow said.
“No, they’re not”, Charming said quickly, even though he knew it wasn’t true.
“They don’t think it’s going to work. Red is just in on it out of pure loyalty towards me, and the Huntsman for his hatred towards Becca.”
“Hatred and loyalty are usually the things that drag men into battle anyway”, Charming said.
“Do you think I can do this?” Snow asked.
“I think you can do anything. But do you know how to fight?” Charming asked.
“What?” Snow turned to look at him.
Charming chuckled. “Surely you don’t think of winning any battles without the talent to fight, do you?”
“I can use a bow and arrow”, Snow said.
Charming started to laugh, and Snow pushed him a little. “This is not funny.”
“Yeah, you’re right, I’m sorry”, Charming tried to keep a straight face, but Snow pushed him again and walked further from him.
“Oh, damn it”, Charming groaned.
“So, why are you not liking this plan of Snow’s?” the Huntsman asked as he and Red walked along the road.
“Is it that obvious?” Red smiled.
“It’s so obvious”, the Huntsman smirked.
“I don’t want Snow to die”, Red said simply.
“You think she won’t be able to fight against the Evil Queen?” the Huntsman asked.
“She’s strong, yes. But she’s not a fighter. The Queen is cruel. She killed her own Stepmother, and tried to kill Charming. And Snow won’t win, because she has to play fair”, Red said. “She still cares about her sister.”
“What would you rather want, then? Snow to watch by as the Queen slaughters everyone she loves?” the Huntsman asked. “Including you?”
“No. I’m just… I’m just worried.”
“I know”, the Huntsman nodded. “Would it help if I’d tell you my name?”
“No”, Red sighed.
“Good, because I wouldn’t tell it anyway”, the Huntsman chuckled.
“Oh, no, now you got me hooked. Tell me…”, Red and the Huntsman hadn’t noticed that Snow and Charming had left the path. Snow was sitting on the ground by a huge tree, and Charming stood watching her.
“I’m sorry”, he said. “I know how much this means to you.”
“It’s okay”, Snow said. “We’re just not meant to get along.”
“Apparently not”, Charming smiled. “But nevertheless, I am going to help you.”
“How?”
“I’m going to teach you how to swordfight”, Charming said simply and took out his sword and tossed it to the ground.
“You’re kidding”, Snow said simply.
“No. Get up. Pick it up. Now. There’s no later in battle”, Charming said as he took a thick branch from the ground to use it as his sword.
Snow picked up the sword and got up. “You’re bossy.”
“Is that a problem?” Charming smirked.
“Did I say it was?”
“Now, just do what you think you should do. If I was an enemy, how would you react with the sword?” Charming asked.
“I’d just.. try to hit you”, Snow said.
“Go on. Hit me”, Charming said. “Hit me.”
“Are you sure?”
“Oh, I hope to God you won’t ask that of your true enemies..”
Snow suddenly moved forwards and tried to strike Charming, but found herself on the ground again, as she had done that one day when they had been reunited. Charming was above her again, pointing the sword she had used at her.
“You’re too slow”, he said.
“I am not”, Snow muttered.
“Get up. We’re not even nearly done”, Charming encouraged, and Snow got up, but she didn’t like his tone.
“Don’t talk to me like that”, Snow snapped. “You sound like my Stepmother.”
“I need you to get angry at me. I need you to mean your hits. That’s the only way you’re gonna learn”, Charming explained.
“Okay”, Snow nodded.
“Now, think about the fact that I ruined your life. I’m the reason your sister hates you”, Charming spoke, trying to get her angry. And it worked. Snow started remembering the awful day when her sister had tried to stab her. Then she remembered saying no to Charming, and suddenly she was mad at herself.
“It’s not your fault”, Snow said suddenly and dropped the sword to the ground.
“What?” Charming asked in confusion.
“It was my fault. I handled it all wrong. All my life I had thought my sister had loved me. Because I thought it was the natural thing to do. And when she was set to marry you, I wasn’t happy for her. I wasn’t. That was my fault. And when I said no to you that night”, Snow sighed and moved closer to Charming. “I was trying to do the right thing for my sister. It wasn’t about you.”
“Snow”, Charming sighed and backed away a little. “Don’t do this to me right now. I need you to focus. I need you to learn how to fight.”
“Why is it so important to you that I learn how to fight?” Snow snapped.
“Because I will not let you die!” Charming shouted.
Suddenly it was completely quiet in the forest.
Snow nodded and backed away.
“I can’t let you die. I have to make you learn this stuff, so you can win her”, Charming said simply.
“Okay, I understand. Tell me what to do”, Snow said.
“Eric”, the Queen entered the cells again.
“What do you want now? I’m completely done with your visits, Your Highness”, Eric said in a mocking tone.
“I need your help with something”, the Queen said. “Do this, and you’re free.”
“I don’t believe you”, Eric said.
“Trust me, this spell is more valuable to me than even you”, the Queen smiled. “Like I said. Do this, and you’re free.”
“What spell are we talking about?” Eric asked as he moved to stand in front of the Queen in the cell.
“A very powerful one.”
“What is it for?” Eric asked.
“To end this once and for all”, the Queen said.
“What are you doing?” Red and the Huntsman found Snow and Charming in the forest, yet again, having a swordfight. They had travelled for two days, already. Stopping to rest every once in a while.
Charming was winning the fight, even though he only had a branch.
“What does it look like? We’re sword fighting”, Snow chuckled.
“I can see that”, Red chuckled, and she laughed as Snow tried to poke Charming with the sword, but he got out of the way.
“I need you to be faster”, Charming said.
“I’m being as fast as I can”, Snow said simply.
“No. Here”, Charming moved next to Snow and grabbed the hand she was holding the sword with.
“Huntsman, would you mind?” Charming gestured at the branch on the ground.
“Not at all”, the Huntsman walked over to them and grabbed the branch, holding it like a sword.
“Strike fast, and to a place where it makes a difference”, Charming used his own hand to move Snow’s, and with that, the sword. It almost hit the Huntsman’s heart, but it stopped at inches away.
“I’m supposed to kill my own sister?” Snow asked as Charming let go of her.
“I don’t know. That’s up to you. I just want to make sure you’re capable of it, if the time comes to do it”, Charming said.
“Thank you. For helping me”, Snow smiled.
“Do you think you’re ready?” Charming asked suspiciously.
“Ready enough”, Snow said.
“Alright. Let’s set our course to King Thomas’ castle, then”, Charming nodded, and he led them out of the woods and back on the path.
“Do you know him?” Snow asked as they walked.
“Yes”, Charming said. “His father was good friends with… my father.”
Snow said nothing; just played with the rope she was holding in her hand to walk the horse.
“It’s not your fault, you know”, Charming said suddenly.
“What?”
“What happened to my father. That was all your sister.”
Snow said nothing, just turned to look back at Red and the Huntsman. “I’m not going to ask them to fight for me.”
“Perhaps. But they’ll fight anyway. As will I”, Charming said.
“Why are you so nice to me?” Snow smiled.
“Because I like you”, Charming chuckled.
Before any of them could say anything else, the rode came to a stop. They were on a huge cliff, and beyond the cliff they could see a beautiful kingdom. Cinderella and Thomas’ Kingdom.
“Here we are, then”, Snow said. “No turning back now.”
And with that they headed down a path along the cliff to reach the kingdom.
“Tell me what we’re supposed to do again”, Red said. She, the Huntsman and Charming were sitting on a fallen tree as Snow was standing in front of them, her arms crossed, obviously stressed out.
“We go to my friend Cinderella’s Kingdom, and we ask her and her husband for help.”
“And what makes you think they’ll help us?” the Huntsman asked.
“Ella is an old friend. And her husband is a good man. They will help us. And they have an army.”
“You want to attack against your sister with an army?” Charming asked.
“I want to talk to her. But I know that what I need to even get inside that castle is an army”, Snow said.
No one said anything.
“Look, if you want to back down now, you can. I’m not asking you for anything.”
“I’m coming with you”, Charming said.
“You are?” Snow asked, a bit surprised.
“Did you ever doubt I would?” Charming smiled.
Snow returned the smile and turned to Red and the Huntsman. “If you want to leave, you can. I mean it.”
“Snow, I trust you. But is this really what you want?” Red asked.
“Yes. I’m not going to just stand by and watch her kill everyone I care about.”
Well, in that case, I’m fighting with you, too”, the Huntsman said.
“Me, too”, Red smiled. “We should leave right away. It’s a few days walk to the castle”, Snow said, and started gathering their things.
“So she is not that innocent after all”, the Queen muttered, after watching the scene through the Mirror. “Snow finally realizes that we’re no longer on the same side.”
“And how do you feel about that?” the Mirror asked.
The Queen didn’t reply, she merely looked into the distance through her glass door that led to the balcony.
“I feel betrayed.”
“You feel betrayed? How about her? How about Eric?”
“They betrayed me”, the Queen said quietly.
“Well, you made your choice. I hope you’re ready to suffer the consequences”, the Mirror said.
Snow and Charming were walking ahead of Red and the Huntsman, and Snow could tell they were whispering to each other.
“They’re talking about me and the plan”, Snow said.
“No, they’re not”, Charming said quickly, even though he knew it wasn’t true.
“They don’t think it’s going to work. Red is just in on it out of pure loyalty towards me, and the Huntsman for his hatred towards Becca.”
“Hatred and loyalty are usually the things that drag men into battle anyway”, Charming said.
“Do you think I can do this?” Snow asked.
“I think you can do anything. But do you know how to fight?” Charming asked.
“What?” Snow turned to look at him.
Charming chuckled. “Surely you don’t think of winning any battles without the talent to fight, do you?”
“I can use a bow and arrow”, Snow said.
Charming started to laugh, and Snow pushed him a little. “This is not funny.”
“Yeah, you’re right, I’m sorry”, Charming tried to keep a straight face, but Snow pushed him again and walked further from him.
“Oh, damn it”, Charming groaned.
“So, why are you not liking this plan of Snow’s?” the Huntsman asked as he and Red walked along the road.
“Is it that obvious?” Red smiled.
“It’s so obvious”, the Huntsman smirked.
“I don’t want Snow to die”, Red said simply.
“You think she won’t be able to fight against the Evil Queen?” the Huntsman asked.
“She’s strong, yes. But she’s not a fighter. The Queen is cruel. She killed her own Stepmother, and tried to kill Charming. And Snow won’t win, because she has to play fair”, Red said. “She still cares about her sister.”
“What would you rather want, then? Snow to watch by as the Queen slaughters everyone she loves?” the Huntsman asked. “Including you?”
“No. I’m just… I’m just worried.”
“I know”, the Huntsman nodded. “Would it help if I’d tell you my name?”
“No”, Red sighed.
“Good, because I wouldn’t tell it anyway”, the Huntsman chuckled.
“Oh, no, now you got me hooked. Tell me…”, Red and the Huntsman hadn’t noticed that Snow and Charming had left the path. Snow was sitting on the ground by a huge tree, and Charming stood watching her.
“I’m sorry”, he said. “I know how much this means to you.”
“It’s okay”, Snow said. “We’re just not meant to get along.”
“Apparently not”, Charming smiled. “But nevertheless, I am going to help you.”
“How?”
“I’m going to teach you how to swordfight”, Charming said simply and took out his sword and tossed it to the ground.
“You’re kidding”, Snow said simply.
“No. Get up. Pick it up. Now. There’s no later in battle”, Charming said as he took a thick branch from the ground to use it as his sword.
Snow picked up the sword and got up. “You’re bossy.”
“Is that a problem?” Charming smirked.
“Did I say it was?”
“Now, just do what you think you should do. If I was an enemy, how would you react with the sword?” Charming asked.
“I’d just.. try to hit you”, Snow said.
“Go on. Hit me”, Charming said. “Hit me.”
“Are you sure?”
“Oh, I hope to God you won’t ask that of your true enemies..”
Snow suddenly moved forwards and tried to strike Charming, but found herself on the ground again, as she had done that one day when they had been reunited. Charming was above her again, pointing the sword she had used at her.
“You’re too slow”, he said.
“I am not”, Snow muttered.
“Get up. We’re not even nearly done”, Charming encouraged, and Snow got up, but she didn’t like his tone.
“Don’t talk to me like that”, Snow snapped. “You sound like my Stepmother.”
“I need you to get angry at me. I need you to mean your hits. That’s the only way you’re gonna learn”, Charming explained.
“Okay”, Snow nodded.
“Now, think about the fact that I ruined your life. I’m the reason your sister hates you”, Charming spoke, trying to get her angry. And it worked. Snow started remembering the awful day when her sister had tried to stab her. Then she remembered saying no to Charming, and suddenly she was mad at herself.
“It’s not your fault”, Snow said suddenly and dropped the sword to the ground.
“What?” Charming asked in confusion.
“It was my fault. I handled it all wrong. All my life I had thought my sister had loved me. Because I thought it was the natural thing to do. And when she was set to marry you, I wasn’t happy for her. I wasn’t. That was my fault. And when I said no to you that night”, Snow sighed and moved closer to Charming. “I was trying to do the right thing for my sister. It wasn’t about you.”
“Snow”, Charming sighed and backed away a little. “Don’t do this to me right now. I need you to focus. I need you to learn how to fight.”
“Why is it so important to you that I learn how to fight?” Snow snapped.
“Because I will not let you die!” Charming shouted.
Suddenly it was completely quiet in the forest.
Snow nodded and backed away.
“I can’t let you die. I have to make you learn this stuff, so you can win her”, Charming said simply.
“Okay, I understand. Tell me what to do”, Snow said.
“Eric”, the Queen entered the cells again.
“What do you want now? I’m completely done with your visits, Your Highness”, Eric said in a mocking tone.
“I need your help with something”, the Queen said. “Do this, and you’re free.”
“I don’t believe you”, Eric said.
“Trust me, this spell is more valuable to me than even you”, the Queen smiled. “Like I said. Do this, and you’re free.”
“What spell are we talking about?” Eric asked as he moved to stand in front of the Queen in the cell.
“A very powerful one.”
“What is it for?” Eric asked.
“To end this once and for all”, the Queen said.
“What are you doing?” Red and the Huntsman found Snow and Charming in the forest, yet again, having a swordfight. They had travelled for two days, already. Stopping to rest every once in a while.
Charming was winning the fight, even though he only had a branch.
“What does it look like? We’re sword fighting”, Snow chuckled.
“I can see that”, Red chuckled, and she laughed as Snow tried to poke Charming with the sword, but he got out of the way.
“I need you to be faster”, Charming said.
“I’m being as fast as I can”, Snow said simply.
“No. Here”, Charming moved next to Snow and grabbed the hand she was holding the sword with.
“Huntsman, would you mind?” Charming gestured at the branch on the ground.
“Not at all”, the Huntsman walked over to them and grabbed the branch, holding it like a sword.
“Strike fast, and to a place where it makes a difference”, Charming used his own hand to move Snow’s, and with that, the sword. It almost hit the Huntsman’s heart, but it stopped at inches away.
“I’m supposed to kill my own sister?” Snow asked as Charming let go of her.
“I don’t know. That’s up to you. I just want to make sure you’re capable of it, if the time comes to do it”, Charming said.
“Thank you. For helping me”, Snow smiled.
“Do you think you’re ready?” Charming asked suspiciously.
“Ready enough”, Snow said.
“Alright. Let’s set our course to King Thomas’ castle, then”, Charming nodded, and he led them out of the woods and back on the path.
“Do you know him?” Snow asked as they walked.
“Yes”, Charming said. “His father was good friends with… my father.”
Snow said nothing; just played with the rope she was holding in her hand to walk the horse.
“It’s not your fault, you know”, Charming said suddenly.
“What?”
“What happened to my father. That was all your sister.”
Snow said nothing, just turned to look back at Red and the Huntsman. “I’m not going to ask them to fight for me.”
“Perhaps. But they’ll fight anyway. As will I”, Charming said.
“Why are you so nice to me?” Snow smiled.
“Because I like you”, Charming chuckled.
Before any of them could say anything else, the rode came to a stop. They were on a huge cliff, and beyond the cliff they could see a beautiful kingdom. Cinderella and Thomas’ Kingdom.
“Here we are, then”, Snow said. “No turning back now.”
And with that they headed down a path along the cliff to reach the kingdom.
Chapter 11 ; Just remember who I am in the morning
“Tell me what we’re supposed to do again”, Red said. She, the Huntsman and Charming were sitting on a fallen tree as Snow was standing in front of them, her arms crossed, obviously stressed out.
“We go to my friend Cinderella’s Kingdom, and we ask her and her husband for help.”
“And what makes you think they’ll help us?” the Huntsman asked.
“Ella is an old friend. And her husband is a good man. They will help us. And they have an army.”
“You want to attack against your sister with an army?” Charming asked.
“I want to talk to her. But I know that what I need to even get inside that castle is an army”, Snow said.
No one said anything.
“Look, if you want to back down now, you can. I’m not asking you for anything.”
“I’m coming with you”, Charming said.
“You are?” Snow asked, a bit surprised.
“Did you ever doubt I would?” Charming smiled.
Snow returned the smile and turned to Red and the Huntsman. “If you want to leave, you can. I mean it.”
“Snow, I trust you. But is this really what you want?” Red asked.
“Yes. I’m not going to just stand by and watch her kill everyone I care about.”
Well, in that case, I’m fighting with you, too”, the Huntsman said.
“Me, too”, Red smiled. “We should leave right away. It’s a few days walk to the castle”, Snow said, and started gathering their things.
“So she is not that innocent after all”, the Queen muttered, after watching the scene through the Mirror. “Snow finally realizes that we’re no longer on the same side.”
“And how do you feel about that?” the Mirror asked.
The Queen didn’t reply, she merely looked into the distance through her glass door that led to the balcony.
“I feel betrayed.”
“You feel betrayed? How about her? How about Eric?”
“They betrayed me”, the Queen said quietly.
“Well, you made your choice. I hope you’re ready to suffer the consequences”, the Mirror said.
Snow and Charming were walking ahead of Red and the Huntsman, and Snow could tell they were whispering to each other.
“They’re talking about me and the plan”, Snow said.
“No, they’re not”, Charming said quickly, even though he knew it wasn’t true.
“They don’t think it’s going to work. Red is just in on it out of pure loyalty towards me, and the Huntsman for his hatred towards Becca.”
“Hatred and loyalty are usually the things that drag men into battle anyway”, Charming said.
“Do you think I can do this?” Snow asked.
“I think you can do anything. But do you know how to fight?” Charming asked.
“What?” Snow turned to look at him.
Charming chuckled. “Surely you don’t think of winning any battles without the talent to fight, do you?”
“I can use a bow and arrow”, Snow said.
Charming started to laugh, and Snow pushed him a little. “This is not funny.”
“Yeah, you’re right, I’m sorry”, Charming tried to keep a straight face, but Snow pushed him again and walked further from him.
“Oh, damn it”, Charming groaned.
“So, why are you not liking this plan of Snow’s?” the Huntsman asked as he and Red walked along the road.
“Is it that obvious?” Red smiled.
“It’s so obvious”, the Huntsman smirked.
“I don’t want Snow to die”, Red said simply.
“You think she won’t be able to fight against the Evil Queen?” the Huntsman asked.
“She’s strong, yes. But she’s not a fighter. The Queen is cruel. She killed her own Stepmother, and tried to kill Charming. And Snow won’t win, because she has to play fair”, Red said. “She still cares about her sister.”
“What would you rather want, then? Snow to watch by as the Queen slaughters everyone she loves?” the Huntsman asked. “Including you?”
“No. I’m just… I’m just worried.”
“I know”, the Huntsman nodded. “Would it help if I’d tell you my name?”
“No”, Red sighed.
“Good, because I wouldn’t tell it anyway”, the Huntsman chuckled.
“Oh, no, now you got me hooked. Tell me…”, Red and the Huntsman hadn’t noticed that Snow and Charming had left the path. Snow was sitting on the ground by a huge tree, and Charming stood watching her.
“I’m sorry”, he said. “I know how much this means to you.”
“It’s okay”, Snow said. “We’re just not meant to get along.”
“Apparently not”, Charming smiled. “But nevertheless, I am going to help you.”
“How?”
“I’m going to teach you how to swordfight”, Charming said simply and took out his sword and tossed it to the ground.
“You’re kidding”, Snow said simply.
“No. Get up. Pick it up. Now. There’s no later in battle”, Charming said as he took a thick branch from the ground to use it as his sword.
Snow picked up the sword and got up. “You’re bossy.”
“Is that a problem?” Charming smirked.
“Did I say it was?”
“Now, just do what you think you should do. If I was an enemy, how would you react with the sword?” Charming asked.
“I’d just.. try to hit you”, Snow said.
“Go on. Hit me”, Charming said. “Hit me.”
“Are you sure?”
“Oh, I hope to God you won’t ask that of your true enemies..”
Snow suddenly moved forwards and tried to strike Charming, but found herself on the ground again, as she had done that one day when they had been reunited. Charming was above her again, pointing the sword she had used at her.
“You’re too slow”, he said.
“I am not”, Snow muttered.
“Get up. We’re not even nearly done”, Charming encouraged, and Snow got up, but she didn’t like his tone.
“Don’t talk to me like that”, Snow snapped. “You sound like my Stepmother.”
“I need you to get angry at me. I need you to mean your hits. That’s the only way you’re gonna learn”, Charming explained.
“Okay”, Snow nodded.
“Now, think about the fact that I ruined your life. I’m the reason your sister hates you”, Charming spoke, trying to get her angry. And it worked. Snow started remembering the awful day when her sister had tried to stab her. Then she remembered saying no to Charming, and suddenly she was mad at herself.
“It’s not your fault”, Snow said suddenly and dropped the sword to the ground.
“What?” Charming asked in confusion.
“It was my fault. I handled it all wrong. All my life I had thought my sister had loved me. Because I thought it was the natural thing to do. And when she was set to marry you, I wasn’t happy for her. I wasn’t. That was my fault. And when I said no to you that night”, Snow sighed and moved closer to Charming. “I was trying to do the right thing for my sister. It wasn’t about you.”
“Snow”, Charming sighed and backed away a little. “Don’t do this to me right now. I need you to focus. I need you to learn how to fight.”
“Why is it so important to you that I learn how to fight?” Snow snapped.
“Because I will not let you die!” Charming shouted.
Suddenly it was completely quiet in the forest.
Snow nodded and backed away.
“I can’t let you die. I have to make you learn this stuff, so you can win her”, Charming said simply.
“Okay, I understand. Tell me what to do”, Snow said.
“Eric”, the Queen entered the cells again.
“What do you want now? I’m completely done with your visits, Your Highness”, Eric said in a mocking tone.
“I need your help with something”, the Queen said. “Do this, and you’re free.”
“I don’t believe you”, Eric said.
“Trust me, this spell is more valuable to me than even you”, the Queen smiled. “Like I said. Do this, and you’re free.”
“What spell are we talking about?” Eric asked as he moved to stand in front of the Queen in the cell.
“A very powerful one.”
“What is it for?” Eric asked.
“To end this once and for all”, the Queen said.
“What are you doing?” Red and the Huntsman found Snow and Charming in the forest, yet again, having a swordfight. They had travelled for two days, already. Stopping to rest every once in a while.
Charming was winning the fight, even though he only had a branch.
“What does it look like? We’re sword fighting”, Snow chuckled.
“I can see that”, Red chuckled, and she laughed as Snow tried to poke Charming with the sword, but he got out of the way.
“I need you to be faster”, Charming said.
“I’m being as fast as I can”, Snow said simply.
“No. Here”, Charming moved next to Snow and grabbed the hand she was holding the sword with.
“Huntsman, would you mind?” Charming gestured at the branch on the ground.
“Not at all”, the Huntsman walked over to them and grabbed the branch, holding it like a sword.
“Strike fast, and to a place where it makes a difference”, Charming used his own hand to move Snow’s, and with that, the sword. It almost hit the Huntsman’s heart, but it stopped at inches away.
“I’m supposed to kill my own sister?” Snow asked as Charming let go of her.
“I don’t know. That’s up to you. I just want to make sure you’re capable of it, if the time comes to do it”, Charming said.
“Thank you. For helping me”, Snow smiled.
“Do you think you’re ready?” Charming asked suspiciously.
“Ready enough”, Snow said.
“Alright. Let’s set our course to King Thomas’ castle, then”, Charming nodded, and he led them out of the woods and back on the path.
“Do you know him?” Snow asked as they walked.
“Yes”, Charming said. “His father was good friends with… my father.”
Snow said nothing; just played with the rope she was holding in her hand to walk the horse.
“It’s not your fault, you know”, Charming said suddenly.
“What?”
“What happened to my father. That was all your sister.”
Snow said nothing, just turned to look back at Red and the Huntsman. “I’m not going to ask them to fight for me.”
“Perhaps. But they’ll fight anyway. As will I”, Charming said.
“Why are you so nice to me?” Snow smiled.
“Because I like you”, Charming chuckled.
Before any of them could say anything else, the rode came to a stop. They were on a huge cliff, and beyond the cliff they could see a beautiful kingdom. Cinderella and Thomas’ Kingdom.
“Here we are, then”, Snow said. “No turning back now.”
And with that they headed down a path along the cliff to reach the kingdom.
“Tell me what we’re supposed to do again”, Red said. She, the Huntsman and Charming were sitting on a fallen tree as Snow was standing in front of them, her arms crossed, obviously stressed out.
“We go to my friend Cinderella’s Kingdom, and we ask her and her husband for help.”
“And what makes you think they’ll help us?” the Huntsman asked.
“Ella is an old friend. And her husband is a good man. They will help us. And they have an army.”
“You want to attack against your sister with an army?” Charming asked.
“I want to talk to her. But I know that what I need to even get inside that castle is an army”, Snow said.
No one said anything.
“Look, if you want to back down now, you can. I’m not asking you for anything.”
“I’m coming with you”, Charming said.
“You are?” Snow asked, a bit surprised.
“Did you ever doubt I would?” Charming smiled.
Snow returned the smile and turned to Red and the Huntsman. “If you want to leave, you can. I mean it.”
“Snow, I trust you. But is this really what you want?” Red asked.
“Yes. I’m not going to just stand by and watch her kill everyone I care about.”
Well, in that case, I’m fighting with you, too”, the Huntsman said.
“Me, too”, Red smiled. “We should leave right away. It’s a few days walk to the castle”, Snow said, and started gathering their things.
“So she is not that innocent after all”, the Queen muttered, after watching the scene through the Mirror. “Snow finally realizes that we’re no longer on the same side.”
“And how do you feel about that?” the Mirror asked.
The Queen didn’t reply, she merely looked into the distance through her glass door that led to the balcony.
“I feel betrayed.”
“You feel betrayed? How about her? How about Eric?”
“They betrayed me”, the Queen said quietly.
“Well, you made your choice. I hope you’re ready to suffer the consequences”, the Mirror said.
Snow and Charming were walking ahead of Red and the Huntsman, and Snow could tell they were whispering to each other.
“They’re talking about me and the plan”, Snow said.
“No, they’re not”, Charming said quickly, even though he knew it wasn’t true.
“They don’t think it’s going to work. Red is just in on it out of pure loyalty towards me, and the Huntsman for his hatred towards Becca.”
“Hatred and loyalty are usually the things that drag men into battle anyway”, Charming said.
“Do you think I can do this?” Snow asked.
“I think you can do anything. But do you know how to fight?” Charming asked.
“What?” Snow turned to look at him.
Charming chuckled. “Surely you don’t think of winning any battles without the talent to fight, do you?”
“I can use a bow and arrow”, Snow said.
Charming started to laugh, and Snow pushed him a little. “This is not funny.”
“Yeah, you’re right, I’m sorry”, Charming tried to keep a straight face, but Snow pushed him again and walked further from him.
“Oh, damn it”, Charming groaned.
“So, why are you not liking this plan of Snow’s?” the Huntsman asked as he and Red walked along the road.
“Is it that obvious?” Red smiled.
“It’s so obvious”, the Huntsman smirked.
“I don’t want Snow to die”, Red said simply.
“You think she won’t be able to fight against the Evil Queen?” the Huntsman asked.
“She’s strong, yes. But she’s not a fighter. The Queen is cruel. She killed her own Stepmother, and tried to kill Charming. And Snow won’t win, because she has to play fair”, Red said. “She still cares about her sister.”
“What would you rather want, then? Snow to watch by as the Queen slaughters everyone she loves?” the Huntsman asked. “Including you?”
“No. I’m just… I’m just worried.”
“I know”, the Huntsman nodded. “Would it help if I’d tell you my name?”
“No”, Red sighed.
“Good, because I wouldn’t tell it anyway”, the Huntsman chuckled.
“Oh, no, now you got me hooked. Tell me…”, Red and the Huntsman hadn’t noticed that Snow and Charming had left the path. Snow was sitting on the ground by a huge tree, and Charming stood watching her.
“I’m sorry”, he said. “I know how much this means to you.”
“It’s okay”, Snow said. “We’re just not meant to get along.”
“Apparently not”, Charming smiled. “But nevertheless, I am going to help you.”
“How?”
“I’m going to teach you how to swordfight”, Charming said simply and took out his sword and tossed it to the ground.
“You’re kidding”, Snow said simply.
“No. Get up. Pick it up. Now. There’s no later in battle”, Charming said as he took a thick branch from the ground to use it as his sword.
Snow picked up the sword and got up. “You’re bossy.”
“Is that a problem?” Charming smirked.
“Did I say it was?”
“Now, just do what you think you should do. If I was an enemy, how would you react with the sword?” Charming asked.
“I’d just.. try to hit you”, Snow said.
“Go on. Hit me”, Charming said. “Hit me.”
“Are you sure?”
“Oh, I hope to God you won’t ask that of your true enemies..”
Snow suddenly moved forwards and tried to strike Charming, but found herself on the ground again, as she had done that one day when they had been reunited. Charming was above her again, pointing the sword she had used at her.
“You’re too slow”, he said.
“I am not”, Snow muttered.
“Get up. We’re not even nearly done”, Charming encouraged, and Snow got up, but she didn’t like his tone.
“Don’t talk to me like that”, Snow snapped. “You sound like my Stepmother.”
“I need you to get angry at me. I need you to mean your hits. That’s the only way you’re gonna learn”, Charming explained.
“Okay”, Snow nodded.
“Now, think about the fact that I ruined your life. I’m the reason your sister hates you”, Charming spoke, trying to get her angry. And it worked. Snow started remembering the awful day when her sister had tried to stab her. Then she remembered saying no to Charming, and suddenly she was mad at herself.
“It’s not your fault”, Snow said suddenly and dropped the sword to the ground.
“What?” Charming asked in confusion.
“It was my fault. I handled it all wrong. All my life I had thought my sister had loved me. Because I thought it was the natural thing to do. And when she was set to marry you, I wasn’t happy for her. I wasn’t. That was my fault. And when I said no to you that night”, Snow sighed and moved closer to Charming. “I was trying to do the right thing for my sister. It wasn’t about you.”
“Snow”, Charming sighed and backed away a little. “Don’t do this to me right now. I need you to focus. I need you to learn how to fight.”
“Why is it so important to you that I learn how to fight?” Snow snapped.
“Because I will not let you die!” Charming shouted.
Suddenly it was completely quiet in the forest.
Snow nodded and backed away.
“I can’t let you die. I have to make you learn this stuff, so you can win her”, Charming said simply.
“Okay, I understand. Tell me what to do”, Snow said.
“Eric”, the Queen entered the cells again.
“What do you want now? I’m completely done with your visits, Your Highness”, Eric said in a mocking tone.
“I need your help with something”, the Queen said. “Do this, and you’re free.”
“I don’t believe you”, Eric said.
“Trust me, this spell is more valuable to me than even you”, the Queen smiled. “Like I said. Do this, and you’re free.”
“What spell are we talking about?” Eric asked as he moved to stand in front of the Queen in the cell.
“A very powerful one.”
“What is it for?” Eric asked.
“To end this once and for all”, the Queen said.
“What are you doing?” Red and the Huntsman found Snow and Charming in the forest, yet again, having a swordfight. They had travelled for two days, already. Stopping to rest every once in a while.
Charming was winning the fight, even though he only had a branch.
“What does it look like? We’re sword fighting”, Snow chuckled.
“I can see that”, Red chuckled, and she laughed as Snow tried to poke Charming with the sword, but he got out of the way.
“I need you to be faster”, Charming said.
“I’m being as fast as I can”, Snow said simply.
“No. Here”, Charming moved next to Snow and grabbed the hand she was holding the sword with.
“Huntsman, would you mind?” Charming gestured at the branch on the ground.
“Not at all”, the Huntsman walked over to them and grabbed the branch, holding it like a sword.
“Strike fast, and to a place where it makes a difference”, Charming used his own hand to move Snow’s, and with that, the sword. It almost hit the Huntsman’s heart, but it stopped at inches away.
“I’m supposed to kill my own sister?” Snow asked as Charming let go of her.
“I don’t know. That’s up to you. I just want to make sure you’re capable of it, if the time comes to do it”, Charming said.
“Thank you. For helping me”, Snow smiled.
“Do you think you’re ready?” Charming asked suspiciously.
“Ready enough”, Snow said.
“Alright. Let’s set our course to King Thomas’ castle, then”, Charming nodded, and he led them out of the woods and back on the path.
“Do you know him?” Snow asked as they walked.
“Yes”, Charming said. “His father was good friends with… my father.”
Snow said nothing; just played with the rope she was holding in her hand to walk the horse.
“It’s not your fault, you know”, Charming said suddenly.
“What?”
“What happened to my father. That was all your sister.”
Snow said nothing, just turned to look back at Red and the Huntsman. “I’m not going to ask them to fight for me.”
“Perhaps. But they’ll fight anyway. As will I”, Charming said.
“Why are you so nice to me?” Snow smiled.
“Because I like you”, Charming chuckled.
Before any of them could say anything else, the rode came to a stop. They were on a huge cliff, and beyond the cliff they could see a beautiful kingdom. Cinderella and Thomas’ Kingdom.
“Here we are, then”, Snow said. “No turning back now.”
And with that they headed down a path along the cliff to reach the kingdom.