The Dark Queen of White 1.31

31.

Snow White sat beside the huntsman in the small wagon heading into the forest. She was surprised that the huntsman named Gaerth had invited her with him to release the rabbits they had found in the castle.

“The rabbits needed a new home, and the forest would be the ideal one.” Gaerth told her during the ride. She was initially concerned on riding with the huntsman but the presence of the rabbits soothed her mind. In the last few seasons, she had being accustomed to communicate with the animals; those who wants to talk to her. She had learned it from the Queen in her early years, but later had to do it by herself.

“We need to walk from here.” Gaerth pulled at the reins to stop the horse. They proceeded to walk into the forest carrying the cage holding the rabbits.

“Why can’t we leave it here? It’s nearer to the village and farms.” Snow White asked.

“Yes, I could but soon they would be caught by the farmers. It’s best we leave them in the deep forest. They have a better chance to live there.” Gaerth explained. They walked on and went in deeper into the woods where she saw the deer, the black bear and also the wolves.

“Gaerth, there are wolves here.” Snow White told the huntsman.

“Do not fear them. If they sensed you feared them, they would kill you.” Gaerth told her while they walk into the forest. They passed by the thick bushes and then passed the clearings before venturing into the dark recess of the forest.

“I am tired, Gaerth. May I rest?” Snow White asked the huntsman and without waiting for a reply, she took her seat on a fallen tree. Gaerth was still walking realized that she was seated, stopped and turned to her.

“You wait here and I would set the rabbits free ahead.” Gaerth told her. Snow White nodded to the huntsman. She sat there for a while and then a big bad wolf appeared. It looked like it was wounded with the scalding on its flesh.

“Another one for me to fed on.” The wolf growled out. It communicated to the Princess. “I was to trap the red one, but she had me fooled. She led me to fall into the pot but I managed to get free. I am in pain, but the pain for a good feed my aches more.”

The bad wolf circled the Princes with its jaws twitching for the juicy bite of the flesh. It was to leap when the arrow came flying from the bushes. It hit the wolf in its left eye and buried deep into the brain. The wolf collapsed on the ground and writhed in pain.

“That’s one bad wolf.” Red stepped out. She was holding a bow with a fresh arrow notched. “I been hunting it for a few days, and turned out the bitch likes to fed on young girls.”

“Bitch?” Snow White commented back.

“Yup, the bad wolf is a bitch. Hates them.” Red smiled. She then grabbed the wolf and threw it over her shoulder. She may be young lady but she carried sacks of potatoes in the kitchen. She once told Snow White, anyone reluctant would get clubbed and carried to the loft, whether he wants it or not.

Soon after she left, Gaerth arrived back. His heightened scent tracking abilities picked up the smell of the wolf and another person.

“Was Red here?” Gaerth knew Red, but not of her hunting reputation.

“She was here. She was walking to her grandmother’s house.” Snow White explained. Gaerth nodded. He knew that Red’s grandmother lived on the other side of the forest and it was either a lie or Red was around. He had to act fast as the day then was getting to be darker. He pulled at his dagger, and approached the Princess.

“I am sorry, Snow White. I am under the order of the Queen to kill you. I am to bring your heart back to her.” Gaerth told her, while she leaned back on the log. She wanted to scream but she could not find her voice.

“No, I cannot do it.” Gaerth stopped in his steps. He had known the Princess for a long time, watching her grow despite the different paths of her childhood. Each step he took was a pain of conscience, and then his hand shook holding the dagger. Something within him or on him then, was telling him to not to harm her. He looked at her and then saw the possible image of his dead unborn child. He dropped the dagger and then looked at her.

“Please leave. I cannot do it.” Gaerth reached for the container containing his fermented oats drink. He needed it more then. He took a swig on the content and saw the Princess still seated there.

“Gaerth, talk to me. Who…why did the Queen asked you to kill me?” Snow White asked.

“I….I don’t know. She just told me to do it. I can’t disobey her. I am her Huntsman.” Gaerth replied. He then stopped and looked to the trees. The wolf stepped out and then glared at her.

“Micheal, I cannot do it. Clare is no more the one we once knew. She had changed.” Gaerth spoke to the wolf. “You can tell the Council. They may not know.”

The Wolf growled louder and its fangs showed. Gaerth looked at it and then at Snow White.

“I need to follow the wolf. I am to see the Council. You would have to find your way out.” Gaerth told Snow White. “Follow that path and you would come to a stream. Follow it downstream and you would be fine.”

With that Gaerth followed the wolf, despite Snow White pleadings. It was the way of the forest, the young once old enough are left to fend for themselves. Snow White left on her own, stood up and then saw her friend arrive. It was Red, and she was running fast.

“Run, Snow!” Red shouted. “There is a bear behind me…..” It was a black bear with an appetite for some young ladies. Snow White took off to the different direction and the bear followed her. She guess the bear likes brunette with snow complexion. Red heads were a passing fad then.

Snow White ran hard and ducked the overhanging branches, jumping the thick bushes; she had done that with Red some seasons back. She ran so hard with no concerned on the directions. She saw a house in the front of her, right in the deeper dark forest, and rushed towards it.

“Damned!” The doorway to the house was below her shoulder height. She ducked and barged in. It was unlatched and soon she was inside. She pushed the nearby chair against it when the bear pounded on the door. She went to the window and looked out.

“Go back to your own home. Goldilocks may had taken your bedding.” Snow White shouted out. It was a fable told by the older ladies to the young children to go back before dark. Or there would be no bedding to sleep on. The bear caught the message and left. She then looked at where was.

“It looked like a children home; some heavy and overgrown ones.” Snow White noted the long table was not that long but suitable for some over grown children. She had seen gnomes and dwarfs that fit that description. She then saw the dirt and rubbish in the place.

“Talking about an untidy Princess, these rascals here must had never seen a clean house. I wondered what would Mother Hubbard would do?” Snow White asked herself. It was then she saw the badger climbing in with the twig. Then the deer appeared with a clump of grass in its mouth.

“I doubt the grass would do any cleaning.” Snow White smiled. She just loved the animals; they are so caring.