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Early morning sunlight woke Grumpy, and he blinked as he stared up at the ceiling. He'd been having pleasant dreams. But it was time to get up and get ready for the day. Slipping out of his bed, he stripped out of his nightshirt and tossed it aside, then he tugged on his clothes and put his shoes on. On quiet feet, he stole across the room and out the bedroom door then looked down at the main living area. Dishes were piled in the sink, and the room needed a bit (okay, a lot) of cleaning. Normally, they would have done a deep clean in the spring, but the old blazing fire had awoken quite early that year, and they had forgone cleaning to get to the mines. It didn't matter much if the house was a bit dirty. The others certainly didn't care, and neither did he.
When he got downstairs, he stoked up the fire and started water for coffee then began grinding the beans. The quiet cottage was peaceful and homey, and even after ten years, he'd never found another place to equal it. No place from his youth was ever home. He'd moved from city to city with the guild, stealing to survive, and he was very glad that that part of his life was over. His life now was much preferred, with hard work and rest marking the days and little comforts like a hot meal with the family and telling stories around the fire marking the evenings.
The stairs creaked, and Grumpy turned to see Happy coming down to start breakfast. He smiled at him, and Grumpy nodded then focused on the coffee.
"Gonna have to clean up soon," Happy remarked, looking at the mounds of dirty dishes.
"Eh, maybe next week," Grumpy said.
Happy didn't argue. He too felt the burning need to mine gemstones, and it was almost a fervor at this point. Never before had they worked so long without a day of rest, but they were quite happy about it. Even Dopey was burning to go to the mine, to handle gems and gold and silver. None of them much cared about anything besides mining at the moment. But it would die away eventually, and then they'd clean the house. Until then, the seven Dwarfs were content to live with the mess. There was simply nobody to complain.
As chicken was frying, Grumpy went out to check the chickens. They'd started raising them five years before, and it had been a pain at first, but the eggs and meat were worth it. Their coop was out on the other side of the garden, and Grumpy gathered eggs and stopped to watch the chicks dash around their mothers, peeping and pecking at the ground. He turned and went back inside to see that Bashful was awake, and he was licking sugar off his finger, which he dipped back into his cup.
"Should really clean that," Grumpy said pointedly, looking at the small blue cup.
Bashful turned red and stuck his tongue out. "Only if you start them," he retorted.
Grumpy handed off the eggs to Happy, grinning as he tugged affectionately on Bashful's beard, which was fully grey and much longer than when he'd arrived ten years before. Bashful tittered and swatted at him, but he didn't return the favor, as Grumpy hated anybody touching his beard. When asked why that was, he'd only replied that he had bad memories associated with the action. They accepted that and didn't ask for more information.
The truth that he didn't want to admit was that Calida, the woman who had raised him, had made a habit of viciously jerking his beard when she was angry, and his beard had started coming in at fifteen. He felt as if it were a punishment, and he never had a good reaction to it. The brothers respected that, but they didn't mind him tugging on their beards when he did it playfully. They simply showed him affection in other ways.
"Morning," Doc said cheerfully as he came downstairs. He looked around at the three Dwarfs and beamed. "What's for breakfast?"
"Dishes," Happy joked.
They all laughed, eyeing the pile that was beginning to make them anxious.
"We really should take wear, ah, care of that," Doc said slowly.
"Tomorrow," Bashful said.
"Still?" Doc asked.
"You're over it?" Happy asked.
"Getting there," Doc said. He scuffed his boot through the dust. Then he smiled. "But not quite."
Dopey, Sleepy, and Sneezy came down the stairs, the youngest Dwarf skipping several steps as he jumped down to the floor. Sleepy yawned and swatted at a fly as he dropped into a chair.
"We goin' again?"
"Yes," Doc replied.
Dopey clapped, and Sneezy let out a sneeze that made him a bit dizzy. "Great. It's easier to breathe in the mine," he sniffled.
"Too dusty," Doc agreed. "I'm sorry, Sneezy."
"You could stay and clean," Happy suggested.
Sneezy sneezed again. "Yeah right. I'm not stayin' alone while you goes to the mine. I'm still burnin'." He thumped his chest over his heart.
"Us, too."
Dopey nodded then tilted his head and waved his hand around. Grumpy replied. "Normal? No idea."
"Ain't unheard of," Sleepy said, sipping on his coffee. "Sometimes the urge comes before big changes."
"What big changes could be strumming, ah, coming?" Doc asked anxiously.
Sleepy shrugged. "Stories say adventures befall them who experience it. Last time it happened to our family was our grandpa an' his brothers. They went to war to help the humans. Saved the kingdom. Couldn't mine for over six years. So's they got it done by workin' for six months straight aforehand. Afore them it was sommit to do with a disaster. Could be either or anythin' in between."
Doc pursed his lips. They'd been mining for almost a month, ever since they'd come back from their yearly trip to Castell. It wasn't close to six months, but still, he was uneasy. It wasn't usual for them. They usually took two or three days off every week, but not this time. He ran his fingers through his neat beard and sat down in his chair, accepting a mug of coffee from Grumpy.
"Hm."
"Can't do nothin' about it," Grumpy said sensibly.
"True. True," Doc sighed.
They had a nice breakfast, joking and laughing and jostling each other as usual. Then they scrambled to dig through the mess to find their pickaxes. It really was a disaster, but the warmth in their blood pulled them toward the mines. Within an hour, they shut the door behind them and headed out across the bridge. Grumpy paused just before they got started and turned back. Something was missing.
"Somethin' wrong?" Happy asked, checking the basket to make sure their dinner was secure.
Grumpy couldn't admit that there was. He needed to reinforce the shield so that unwanted guests couldn't get in. But since the others didn't know about his magic (besides Dopey) he couldn't just tell them what was going on. He decided that it would be safe for one more day. He shook his head.
"Naw. Just feelin' strange," he said.
"Changes?" Doc asked, adjusting his spectacles as he leaned on his pickax.
"Mebbe. Not sure."
"Ain't no use just standing' here," Sneezy said, sniffling.
Grumpy grunted then fell in line. They began to sing their morning song, but Grumpy's heart wasn't in it. He was nervous about the shield. Never before had he left the cottage so unprotected. Though the shield was still strong enough to keep out anybody with bad intentions, that didn't mean that everybody would be kept out, and some of the worst people had good intentions along with a skewed way of looking at the world. But they were already marching off to work, and the cottage was out of sight. Grumpy tried to tamp down his unease, but it didn't go away.
The workday went by quickly, and they sang as they worked, their pickaxes keeping a rhythm as time passed by. Two hours into work, Grumpy's singing was interrupted by a yelp as a strange burst of magic passed over him. It was so intense that the world briefly went white. When he opened his eyes, he found himself on the ground, surrounded by the brothers.
"Golly, what happened?" Bashful asked as Doc knelt down to assess Grumpy.
Grumpy shoved at Doc's hands, embarrassed, but Doc gave him a stern look, so he grumbled and let him finish assessing him.
"What happened?" Doc asked after confirming that Grumpy was okay. He helped him sit up.
Grumpy couldn't tell them the truth, so he just shrugged. "Must've moved wrong," he muttered.
"Maybe you should sit down for a while."
Grumpy thought of arguing, but he was still hypersensitive, and he needed to figure out what had just happened. So he nodded and allowed Doc and Bashful to guide him over to a fallen log, where he dropped gratefully onto the seat.
"Call if you need anything," Doc said.
Grumpy nodded and Dopey came over to sit beside him, looking at some rubies. He held them out. Grumpy could see several flaws in the pile of chipped gems, and he nodded then bent forward and closed his eyes. Dopey understood that he needed a moment and continued to study the gems.
Grumpy considered the feeling. He knew it was connected to his magic. There was no doubt about that. But what could that mean? He'd had a similar feeling when his magic was beginning to develop, but that had been years ago. He sometimes felt that way when his magic brushed against another person with strong natural magic, but it was just the brothers here, and none of them knew a thing about magic, not even his. A worrying thought eventually came to him. It could have been somebody pressing through the barrier near the cottage.
A shiver went through him, and he half considered bolting for the cottage to deal with the intruder. But that wouldn't be practical. The brothers would want to know why he was leaving, and if he told them, they'd want to know how he knew. He couldn't admit to his having natural magic, so he was stuck. After half an hour, Doc came over to check on him.
"Feeling better?"
He decided that he would wait and see what would happen. He wasn't completely sure about the feeling. Sometimes Rowan, a jeweler they worked with from Castell, would come by to give them custom designs that they would make for customers. He'd always set off the magic, but it had never felt like that before. Perhaps he was just worried for nothing. Even if he wasn't, whoever it was could have seen the house was empty and headed off. There wasn't much to steal, and with the state the house was in, perhaps they'd think it was abandoned. He had no way of knowing if the intruder had left (something he immediately decided to fix as soon as he could re-weave the protection spell) so all he could do was wait. So when Doc asked his question, Grumpy nodded. "Yep. Just a spell."
"Feel like working?"
Grumpy smirked and thumped his chest. "What do you think?"
"Fire's still burning," Doc said, smiling. "Welp, back to work then."
And back to it he went. The familiar rhythm was reestablished, with four pickaxes swinging away, a cart being brought back and forth, Doc at the table scanning and polishing gems, and Dopey doing whatever tasks that remained, six of the seven Dwarfs singing the day away.
By the time the clock signaled the day was over, Grumpy had relaxed his fears as they headed toward home, still singing. As the darkness settled over the forest, Doc led the way at the front of the pack, the song still ringing through the quiet woods. Then Doc stopped abruptly, and Grumpy hit him with jolting force. The entire line crashed together at the sudden, unexpected stop. Before any of them could process anything other than aching noses and heads, Doc's anxious voice reached them.
"Our house! The lit's light! Ah, the light's lit!"
And Grumpy realized he hadn't been wrong. Somebody had come through the barrier. Somebody was in their house. And a spike of panic flashed through him as the others began to fret. A sense of anger filled Grumpy. He had sworn to protect these brothers and everything they had. And no intruder would ruin that. So, he decided, whoever was there was just going to have to leave. And if they didn't? Well, he'd been in plenty of fights before. So he knew he could make them. He would make them regret their foolish decision. No matter who they were.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Spluttering and spitting out water, Grumpy gazed after the brothers as they raced for the table. He couldn't believe what they had just done. Still, while he was hurt by the unusual prank the brothers had played on him, somewhere in him he knew they were getting back at him for his rude behavior toward that princess. He also knew he'd pushed Doc just a bit too far. He'd been incredibly patient with Grumpy for so long, and perhaps he had been a bit too rude. Maybe he should apologize.The thought had no sooner crossed his mind, when, as he scrambled out of the water trough, that girl came to the door to see where'd he'd gotten to. She took one look at him, dripping water with blue bows in his beard, and gave a high, tinkling laugh as she covered her mouth. Humiliation burned through him, and he snatched up his hat and stormed around the back of the cottage, his face blazing hotter than the fireplace."Oh, don't be like that! Come back! Supper's ready!" Snow White called, merriment still ringing in her voice.Yanking the hat onto his head, he refused to go back as he tore the bows out of his beard and flung them away. He wasn't hungry anymore. His pride was wounded by her laughter, and he immediately determined that he wouldn't apologize to Snow or the brothers. When he sat on the bench in the garden, he stripped his shirt off and wrung out the water before laying it out to dry beside him. The air was still a bit chilly, but he used his magic to keep himself warm as he dried off. Steam began rising from his pants as his anger triggered a burst of magic, and he took a deep breath to calm himself down. His magic was leaking, more evidence he should have strengthened the barrier that morning.As he sat there, he considered the past half hour, still smarting with humiliation. The panic of an intruder had turned to anger as soon as he saw the girl lying in the beds. If he'd known it was a female, he'd have gone in alone. There were two kinds of women in his experience, and the petite young girl could only be the viper kind. She pretended otherwise, but her laughter had sent him running, and he no longer trusted her. No chance would be given to her. No sir, not by him.An hour later, after completely drying off and brooding over his humiliation, he heard Doc calling for him. He stood up at once, knowing Doc would head to the garden, and he slipped out the second gate to hide behind the chicken-coop. He didn't even want to look at him, and he saw the light flashing as Doc searched the garden for him with a lantern. He'd made sure to leave no footprints."Grumpy, are you hiding?" Doc called."Come on, we was only teasin'!" Sneezy exclaimed.Grumpy's face burned as he recalled their laughter, and he didn't move. Bashful called out next."Grumpy, please, it was just a little fun. Come on in and eat.""Yeah, the princess made a great soup," Happy added.Silence. Then Sleepy spoke. "Is he still here?"Doc, sounding a bit anxious, replied. "Ah, he wouldn't leave…" But he trailed off. "Grumpy, this has gone far enough!"No reply. The brothers all knew that Grumpy could and would leave if they hurt him badly enough. Over ten years, he'd spent a total of four months camping out in the woods to avoid them when he was especially wounded."Grumpy!" Doc called, his voice rising. "Grumpy, fleas, er, sneeze—ugh!—please come out!"Grumpy stayed silent. Let them panic. He wasn't about to jump out and announce he wasn't going to leave them alone with that girl."Dadgum it! Get the lanterns!" Doc shouted.They scrambled away, leaving Grumpy alone in the dark. He leaned against the chicken-coop and watched as six lanterns bobbed off through the woods a few minutes later, his name coming from five increasingly worried voices. When the lights were gone, he moved back into the garden then walked back to the front of the cottage. Before he rounded the corner, he heard the silly girl talking, and he paused to listen."Do you think you can help find him?" the sweet, gentle voice asked. No answer, but she replied as if there had been one. "Would you? Oh, that's so kind of you. I didn't mean to laugh at him. He just looked so funny. I didn't mean to hurt him." A pause. "Oh, I think they regret it now. I think it was rather mean of them. He didn't deserve that. He was the only one to admit I don't belong here. I just hope he won't mind me staying. I have nowhere else to go."Grumpy's heart clenched at those words. Drat that girl! He couldn't kick her out now! And who in blue blazes was she talking to? He edged around the corner to see a group of animals gathered by the window, and he was stunned. She could talk to animals? That was a rare ability, especially amongst humans. Unless… The start from that morning came to him, and he remembered thinking that it could have been a similar feeling to brushing up against a natural magic user. And he knew at once that she had magic. He used his own magic to get right next to the animals as Snow spoke again."Well, let me know when you find him."The buck turned its head to trot off then saw Grumpy. It froze then bolted. The other critters instinctively bolted, too. There was a startled pause then Snow poked her head out and looked around, expecting to see the lanterns coming back. When she saw Grumpy standing right by the window, her eyes went wide, and she didn't move."Talkin' to critters," Grumpy said evenly. "Not exactly usual for somebody your age, is it?"Snow's cheeks went red, and she shut the window and hurried to the door, trying to pretend that she wasn't bothered. Grumpy went to the door and pushed past her. She hurried to fill a bowl with soup and grabbed one of the small loaves of fresh bread, setting it on the table. He stomped over and sat down to eat, saying nothing. She was just as anxious as Doc, obviously trying to find an excuse as to why she was talking to animals. She came up with nothing.When his bowl was empty, Grumpy sat back and looked at her. Her wide, brown eyes were afraid, and she was a bit pale. She finally opened her mouth, but Grumpy cut in."Doc and them don't like magic," he said gruffly.Snow looked ready to cry, and she sat down weakly on the bench. "I have nowhere else to go," she said softly. "My stepmother will kill me…"Grumpy didn't soften his posture or his voice as he spoke bluntly. "You don't have to go nowhere. Just don't tell them.""That would never work," Snow said, her cheeks coloring slightly.Grumpy took a bite of bread and chewed as he watched her face. He wanted to be sure. "Is it natural?"Snow looked up and hesitated. "I don't know what you mean.""Did you study it? Or were you born with it?""I suppose I was born with it," Snow replied quietly. "Father didn't mind it, but he insisted we keep it secret. Because…"Grumpy finished the sentence. "Magic is for bad people. I know."Snow looked up at him, questions swimming in her eyes. But just then the door burst open to reveal the brothers, who were all frantic. They froze when they saw Grumpy sitting calmly at the table. Doc relaxed, relieved that Grumpy wasn't gone. and he walked forward to greet him, but Grumpy glared venomously at him and he faltered."Grumpy," he begged softly. "It was just some fun.""Would you have done it to Bashful?" Grumpy asked icily, already knowing the answer. The brothers would never have subjected their shy brother to such ridicule. They knew that if Grumpy was saying that, they had royally messed up. They hadn't meant to shame him like that, and they hung their heads and shifted uncomfortably. Bashful was especially ashamed, acutely aware of how embarrassed and humiliated Grumpy was from the incident. They said nothing as Grumpy snorted and turned away. Snow watched, aware that things were not being said because she was there."I'm sorry for any trouble I've caused," she said faintly."No, my dear. We… It's not you," Doc assured her. He approached Grumpy. "I'm sorry."Grumpy crossed his arms and didn't reply. The others echoed the apology, but they, too, received no response. Doc shifted and reached out, but Grumpy swatted at him and moved far enough away that Doc couldn't reach him. Doc cringed, and Snow silently picked up the bowl and began to wash the supper dishes. Doc took off his spectacles and looked desperately at his brothers, who shrugged helplessly. They knew he wouldn't listen to any of them. Dopey walked over and poked Grumpy."No," he said sourly.And that was it. If even Dopey wouldn't be forgiven, there was no hope for the rest of them that night. They slumped and slunk off to sit across the room, saying nothing. The atmosphere was awkward, and the soft clink of the dishes was the only sound to be heard. When she was done with the dishes, Snow turned around and leaned against the sink, looking around. She was desperate to relieve the tension, so she walked over to the odd piano and tapped a key. The same strange trill came out as when she'd been cleaning."What's this?" she asked."Whistlin' piano," Sneezy replied."It's so funny," Snow said, pressing another key. "Where did you get it?""I made it," Sneezy replied. "For Grumpy," he added.Snow turned to smile at Grumpy, who stared balefully at her. "Can you play it?"Grumpy grunted and nodded."Would you?" Her bright eyes were hopeful.Grumpy pursed his lips and studied her. She looked so earnest, so sweet. And she had gotten through the barrier. She was young, only fourteen, and she seemed truly innocent. He refused to ask for forgiveness from her or forgive the brothers, but that didn't mean he had to make her suffer for Doc's bad decision. Spitting into the fireplace, he stood up and walked over to sit on the pedals that made up the seat. He played a scale, and Snow lit up like the sun.She giggled. "I've never heard anything like it.""It's a Dwarf instrument," Sleepy said, sitting up straight."It's very handsome," she praised.Sneezy flushed with pleasure. "You think so?""Of course." Snow turned back to Grumpy. "What can you play?"Grumpy shrugged and began to play a tune. The brothers perked and, after listening for a few minutes to the delightful music, scrambled for more instruments. Snow settled in to listen as the brothers jumped in. Grumpy continued to play, changing the song to something a bit more jaunty. Snow got up and began to dance as Doc began to sing. He was still angry at the brothers, but he could set that aside for now. However, he would not forgive them or forget what they had done. They would regret humiliating him like that. He just didn't know what he'd do yet.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Grumpy awoke to wood creaking, and he blinked his eyes to see Snow slipping down the stairs. She looked around curiously at the strange choices the Dwarfs had made for their beds then saw Grumpy staring at her. She stopped and smiled, and he scowled and pushed himself out of the cooking pot. He cringed as he stretched, and guilt crossed her features, but he waved away her concerned look and walked over to the door. She followed, cautious but interested.
Grumpy was astounded by how early it was. Dawn was barely cracking the horizon, and he rubbed his eyes tiredly. As soon as the door was shut behind them, he spoke.
"What in tarnation are you doin' up this early?" he complained.
Snow shifted and looked away. She could see several early morning songbirds peering at her. They eyed Grumpy warily.
"They're scared of you," she said, ignoring the question.
Grumpy grunted, hesitated for a moment, then reached up and drew his fingers over his ears and across his mouth. Green sparkles shimmered in the early morning air, and Snow gazed in fascinated wonder as he looked up at the animals.
"I ain't gonna hurt you," he said firmly, crossing his arms. "T'others might, but I gots no reason to. Come on and fawn over her."
At once the birds flapped their wings and came to settle on Snow's shoulders, twittering excitedly.
"Good morning to you, too," she said brightly. "This is Grumpy."
The birds fluttered around him, and he didn't move, a dour expression on his face. Snow wilted a little when he didn't appear to be inclined to join in with the birds' game.
"So why are you up so early?" Grumpy repeated.
"Oh, I've always been an early riser," Snow said, but she wouldn't meet his eyes.
"Mmhm."
Grumpy could see that she was shy about the reason she was awake so early, so he didn't push. He waved away a young bird, which was still twittering around his head.
"Quit that," he said. "Ain't gonna play with you. Gots stuff to do."
And he turned and began to walk out toward the edge of the clearing. He figured Snow would follow, with natural curiosity driving her of course, and she didn't disappoint him. He stopped just out of view of the cottage and looked around. Snow followed, then she turned around and shivered, squinting behind them.
"Do you feel that?" she asked.
"Mmhm," Grumpy replied.
"What is it?"
"Protective spell," he replied. "Gonna cast a new one. Gots to include you in it. Else you won't be able to get back in."
Snow blinked. "Is that why it felt so strange to get near the cottage?"
"Mmhm," Grumpy said. "Usually you wouldn't havebeen able to get in at all. Count your lucky stars I forgot to reinforce it."
Snow nodded and watched as more green sparks flew from his fingers. A shining bubble became clear to her eyes, as pretty and perfect as a soap bubble, and she reached over and touched it. Grumpy jumped at the nasty shock and looked at her, but he didn't scold her. She had clearly never seen anybody do natural magic before. Her own magic was unnaturally underdeveloped for her age, and he could see hesitation in her eyes. She had a lot to learn, and Grumpy knew that he was the first person who had ever found out about her magic who was in any way able to teach her. He knew he'd have quite the time, but he didn't mind. If she was going to stay—and he knew he'd never be able to kick her out since she had no place to go—then she had to learn to control it.
"That's quite the trick," she said, a bright smile on her face.
"Mmhm. Stop touchin' it. Gotta weave the spell," Grumpy said.
At once, she drew her hand back and clasped both of them in front of her. Grumpy saw something skittish in her eyes, but he didn't pry. Instead, he turned and began to weave another protection spell, adding Snow to the list of those who wouldn't set it off. He also remembered to add threads of magic that would tell him when intruders would leave. Not a word left his lips as the bubble grew brighter and firmer. Snow watched with interest on her face as sparks dripped from Grumpy's hands and disappeared before reaching the forest floor.
After ten minutes, he lowered his hands and stared at the bubble.
"Touch it," he ordered.
Snow looked startled. "Whatever for?"
"Feel the difference."
Snow obeyed, and instantly she could tell that the spell was almost overwhelmingly strong. She never, ever would have been able to get through the day before had it been like this. She knew then that she was very, very lucky indeed that Grumpy had forgotten to refresh the spell.
"Feel it?"
"Yes," she said softly.
Grumpy nodded then started walking around outside the bubble, trailing his hand over the surface. Snow followed.
"What are you doing now?"
"Checkin' to make sure it's solid. Sometimes there's weaker spots," Grumpy replied. "Do what I'm doin'. Tell me if it ain't right."
Again, Snow obeyed. The bubble was no longer soft and pliable, but as solid as stone. As they walked around the bubble, Snow wondered about Grumpy. She still didn't think he liked her very much, which concerned her. If he didn't like her, then he might send her away. As she pondered what she could do to change his mind, her fingers suddenly found a spot that was a bit pliable, and she stopped.
"Oh!"
Grumpy turned to look at her, and she pointed to the section. He nodded. "Wondered if you'd feel that."
"You did?"
"Mmhm."
He strengthened the weak section then they continued around the bubble. Snow noted two other weak sections, which Grumpy reinforced, before they got back to where they'd started. Grumpy removed his hand, and the bubble faded until it was almost invisible. But Snow could still see it.
"Don't they wonder about it?" Snow asked.
"Eh?"
"The bubble."
"They can't see it. Ain't gots no magic. Can't sense it neither."
"Is that how you've kept it secret?" Grumpy gazed at her, and she flushed. "I assume it's secret."
"They don't know," he said evenly. "And I'd like to keep it that way."
"But how do they not know?" she asked.
"I ain't never told them."
"But I thought… Aren't they your brothers?"
Grumpy was stunned at this assessment and he squinted up at her. "What makes you say that?"
"Oh, the way they teased you last night. Dropping you into the water trough. Tying ribbons in your beard." Snow couldn't hide an amused smile. "The stable boys would always do things like that to each other."
Grumpy's face burned at the memory and he looked away. "I ain't their brother. They's all brothers though."
"Really?"
"Mmhm."
"Well, they love you very much."
"They shouldn't," Grumpy said at once. "Ain't nothin' but trouble."
"Why do you say that?"
Grumpy stared at the forest floor. "Magic is for bad people," he said gruffly.
Snow's heart ached. She understood his pain and secrecy with that one sentence. Still, she had to say something. "I don't think you're bad."
Hazy memories of the most precious of treasures being handed to a black market dealer flashed through his mind. "You don't know that."
"Grumpy? Snow White? Are you out here?" Doc called from the house.
"Better get back afore they come out after us," Grumpy said.
They turned and walked through the spell to the clearing. Snow followed, fascinated by the feeling of magic washing over her as she stepped through. Doc spotted them and beamed from the yard. Grumpy sent an angry look his way, and Doc flinched back and lowered his head.
"They were only teasing," Snow said in a soft voice as they walked toward the bridge.
"There's lines you don't cross, Snow," Grumpy replied. "And they crossed one."
"At least consider forgiving them," she said. "For me?"
Grumpy rolled his eyes, but he nodded once. She brightened and patted his head as they crossed the bridge. He swatted at her hand, ducking away. She drew back at once, wincing, and Grumpy immediately patted her arm. Bashful, who stood behind Doc, watched this interaction with great curiosity.
"Gonna get the eggs," Grumpy said, picking up the basket and heading around the side of the house. Snow ducked inside and noticed Happy beginning breakfast.
"Oh, let me do that!"
"How about we both do it?" Happy asked, smiling at her.
"Very well. What should we have?"
Doc went over to the corner and sat down, tugging anxiously at his beard. Bashful followed and plopped beside him.
"What's wrong?"
"Last night," Doc muttered, pulling his hat off and twisting it in his hands.
Bashful winced and kicked his feet. "We did take it a bit too far," he admitted. "What can we do?"
"I don't know," Doc admitted. "I guess I was irritated that he was so angry at the princess. He was rude and upset."
"True," Bashful said. "But I don't think it's that surprisin'."
Doc looked up. "You don't?"
"Naw. We don't know much about his life before he got here, but we do knows he don't trust women."
They both paused as they recalled some of Grumpy's harsh comments to older women in Castell over the years. They had reacted poorly, and it had seemed to solidify Grumpy's belief that women were poison.
"But Snow is just a girl," Doc argued.
"We knows that now. But she's awful grown for fourteen. I think he just panicked. 'Sides, he's Grumpy. We gave him that name for a reason. I'm pretty sure he's calmed down now."
"What makes you say that?"
Bashful looked up as Snow laughed, and Happy grinned, having apparently said something funny.
"He wasn't angry when they headed in. And they went for a walk this mornin'."
"He seemed angry though… wasn't he?"
Bashful shook his head. "Not at Snow. He actually made her feel better when she thought he was angry."
Doc looked at his brother with a frown. "I must have missed it. When did he do that?"
"She patted his head," Bashful said.
"Yes…"
"And he batted her away."
"I saw that."
"And she flinched away and looked afraid that she'd insulted him."
"And?"
Bashful smiled, used to explaining nuances of interactions to his brothers. "He patted her arm to let her know it's alright. An' she settled down and smiled again."
Doc stared at his brother and thought about the interaction. He pictured the scene again, and as he did, he understood the interaction a lot better. It was true, he realized. Grumpy had reassured Snow when she'd cringed away. That was certainly interesting, and it made Doc wonder for the umpteenth time how Grumpy had turned into the Dwarf he was. He was the kindest person Doc had ever met, always freely giving gold and silver to thieves and orphans in the streets of Castell without expecting anything in return. Yet he was also as hard as the stones they chipped away at in the mines. And after ten years, the six of them together had only removed one or two layers. Still, Doc knew there was pure gold in the middle, if only they could get to it. But they were afraid to pry too hard in case they ended up pushing him away.
The door shut, and Grumpy came in and handed the basket of eggs to Snow, not Happy, and he didn't even look at the sunny Dwarf as he tried to smile at him. Happy wilted and turned back to the stove. Sneezy reached for Grumpy, but he sidestepped him and headed for the opposite corner, sitting down on the upside down washtub and crossing his arms as he glared at the room. The brothers all shared a glance then focused on their tasks again. Dopey crept toward Grumpy, but one glower from the Dwarf sent him scurrying for Doc. Grumpy had rarely been this angry and hurt before. It was an absolute miracle that he was still at the house and not camping in the woods. And they all knew it had something to do with Snow's presence.
"How long do you think it'll last?" Doc asked as he embraced his youngest brother.
Bashful shrugged, patting Dopey's back. "We just keep pluggin' away at him. He'll forgive us. Eventually."
Doc thought to himself that it wouldn't happen soon enough.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Grumpy was stubborn, Snow could see that much. Though the other Dwarfs tried many times in many different ways to apologize to him, he refused to acknowledge them unless he absolutely had to. He was wounded by their little joke, which had not been little or funny to him, and the brothers were becoming more and more anxious to make up with him. Snow didn't dare to intervene. She needed Grumpy to like her, or at least not hate her, so she stayed quiet and watched the brothers fret and talk about what more they could do.
Snow enjoyed the quaint cottage, flitting about and keeping house in a way that was new to the Dwarfs. Everything was always immaculate, and now there was always a sweet treat like a gooseberry pie or cookies to enjoy after dinner. Though Happy was a good cook, baking was not in his repertoire of cooking skills, and the Dwarfs all enjoyed the treats. Snow was peppy and cheerful, always smiling and helpful. Things went well for a week, then Snow ran into a bit of a problem.
The Dwarfs were outside, working in the garden when Snow approached them. Grumpy glanced up from his planting as she opened the gate and came in, her yellow skirt blowing in the spring breeze.
"Need something?" Doc asked when he noticed her.
Snow hesitated, something that was usual for her. She never liked asking for anything. The Dwarfs had told her several times that she could use almost anything she wanted in the house without asking, but she still asked every time.
Shifting from foot to foot, she took a breath. "I was wondering if there's any cloth I can use."
Doc adjusted his spectacles and looked to Sleepy, who stood up and brushed his dirty hands onto his pants.
"What do you need it for?"
A faint pink blush splashed across her cheeks and Grumpy pursed his lips. He had a feeling he already knew, and he wondered if she'd tell them or skirt around the issue.
"I just need some more clothes. This is a pretty dress, one of the finest I've worn, but it's not too practical."
Skirt around it, then.
Sleepy smiled. "Don't you worry 'bout that Snow. I'll make you something."
"Oh, no, I couldn't ask that of you. I'll do it myself."
But Sleepy wouldn't budge. Snow did so much for them, and they were eager to pay her back. Snow's shoulders slumped, but she finally smiled and thanked them then turned to go make dinner. Grumpy stood up and followed her back into the house. Doc watched him go but said nothing. There was a good chance he wouldn't deign to answer any questions. When Grumpy opened the door, Snow was pacing, looking worried. She whirled around to see Grumpy.
"Need something?"
Grumpy went to pump out a glass of water and drank half of it at once. He squinted at her.
"Have you started yet?" he asked bluntly.
Shock filled her expression, followed swiftly by embarrassment. "I don't know what you mean," she said.
"Don't jerk me around, Snow. It's yer time a the month. Do you need rags or not?"
Snow blushed and nodded. Grumpy grunted and drained the rest of the water then gestured for her to follow. He walked upstairs and dug around in a trunk then pulled out the remains of a bolt of cloth. He pulled a knife from his hip, unrolled the bolt, and began to cut the cloth into useable rags. Snow watched in astonishment, perplexed as to why Grumpy was taking this without a hint of discomfort or embarrassment. Any time the subject came up with any boy or man in the castle or the village, they were all embarrassed and quickly changed the subject. But Snow was very grateful that it wasn't a big deal to him. She hadn't been sure how the Dwarfs would react to such a womanly problem.
"Here," he said after several minutes. "Double 'em and stitch 'em together. Let me know if you need more. Don't reuse 'em. Ain't good for you. We'll burn 'em before the others get up in the mornin'."
"Thank you," she said fervently.
Grumpy grunted and shut the door behind him as he headed back to the main room. He sat down at the table and waited patiently for Snow to come downstairs. When she opened the door, she was surprised to see him there, but after a moment's hesitation, she came downstairs and added wood to the fire to start dinner. Grumpy sat and watched her, his face impassive. After putting oil in the frying pan to heat, she began to season and prepare chicken for frying.
"Does it not bother you?" she finally asked, hesitant but curious.
"Nope," Grumpy replied.
"Why?"
Grumpy shrugged one shoulder. "I took care of some girls before I came here. Ain't nothin' to be 'shamed about."
"The others…?" she trailed off, unsure of how to phrase the question.
Grumpy let out a bark of laughter at the thought. "I doubt most of 'em even know much about it. 'Sides Doc, and that's cuz he's a doctor. Dopey certainly don't know nothin' 'bout it. Ain't something they think about. Ain't got no sisters and they don't see their female cousins too often. Doc probably hasn't even thought you might need something for it."
Snow nodded as she dipped the chicken in seasoned flour. "To be fair, I was a rather early bloomer."
Grumpy shrugged. "Ain't unheard of." He tapped the table and glanced at the door. "How's yer magic?"
Snow winced and glanced at the door then looked down at the chicken. "Erratic," she finally admitted.
"Do you know how to use it at all?"
"I can talk to animals."
"'Sides that."
Snow pursed her lips as she slowly shook her head. "My stepmother did not like for me to use magic," she said, her voice neutral. "She would punish me if she caught me using it. Even if it was accidental. And it often was."
"Punish you," Grumpy said then nodded. "She's a witch."
"Oh no. She has no magic like me."
"Not natural magic. But she practices witchcraft. Black magic," Grumpy said.
Snow turned and paled, her rosy cheeks draining of color. "She does?"
"Mmhm."
"Are you sure?"
"I keep track," Grumpy said tersely. "Black magic is the worst kind. Them who practice it use it to hurt and destroy and kill."
Snow nodded and turned back to the cooking. "Magic is for bad people," she said sadly.
Grumpy nodded dismally. "Yep. But we gots natural magic. That's good, you know, kinda. We don't have to use it to hurt people."
"What's the difference?"
"Natural magic is something folks is born with. Most folks with natural magic is good, kinda. Other's magic is learnt through spells and potions. Most black magic is learnt magic. Folks who crave power or money usually seek out the books to learn so they can control people an' get what they want."
Snow laid the chicken into the hot oil, which sputtered and spat. "I don't know how to control it," she said. "So it usually comes out rather… violently."
"Ain't gonna work here," Grumpy said. "I'll teach you how to use it so you don't burst."
"How?"
Grumpy stared at her then the air shimmered as he waved his hand. At once, the chicken turned over in the pan. Snow jumped and looked back, startled. Then she turned to see the rest of the chicken being seasoned and laid out in a perfect pile on the plate. The broom also leaped from the wall and began to sweep up dust beneath the window.
"Ain't that hard," he said, unable to suppress a grin. "Can shows you little things first. Then work up to bigger things."
Snow laughed, covering her mouth with her hand then shook the fork playfully. "Now don't you go messing with dinner. Happy will have your head."
Grumpy snorted and rolled his eyes. "Don't much care. He won't do nothin'."
Snow sighed. "You're really hurting them, Grumpy. They're desperate for you to talk with them."
Grumpy sat up and shifted. "I know," he said reluctantly. "But they shouldn'to done it."
"I know that, Grumpy," Snow said gently. "And they know it, too. It's been a week. Please forgive them."
"Don't know how to start up," he grumbled.
"Just talk to them," Snow said. "They're trying to say they're sorry, but you won't listen."
Grumpy tapped the table and waved his hand so that the broom settled back against the wall.
"Guess I'll go and talk to 'em. You good on dinner?"
"It'll be about twenty minutes. Plenty of time," Snow said with a tender smile.
Sighing, Grumpy stood up, came around the table, and patted her arm. She turned to give him a hug, but he flushed and flashed to the door in a burst of magic, skipping several feet of flooring in the process. Giving her a stern look, he went out the door, ignoring her startled expression. He stood in the yard and stared at the water trough, his mind recalling the humiliation he felt at the brothers' trick. It still stung, but it wasn't as sharp as it had been. Snow hadn't laughed maliciously at him, and he had to admit he must have looked ridiculous. She had even said the next day that they were acting like his brothers, which touched him now that he thought about it. And he knew it was time to let them apologize so that he could forgive them.
Grumpy licked his lips nervously then headed for the garden. The brothers were still working away, chatting to each other as they planted potatoes and carrots. They looked up as Grumpy came back in, but he didn't join them. Instead, he went to sit on the bench. Doc glanced at Bashful, who quickly stood up and walked over.
"Everythin' okay?" Bashful asked.
They didn't expect him to answer, but when he shrugged, they all jumped up and hurried over. The fact that he answered and wasn't glowering at them gave them hope that he was finally ready to listen and possibly forgive them. Doc and Bashful plopped on either side of him, and Bashful tentatively wrapped an arm around him. He wasn't shrugged off. That was an even better sign.
"We're sorry," Doc said immediately, unwilling to miss the opportunity. "Really we are. I shouldn't have started it. I just… You were being so rude to Snow, and it wasn't fight, uh, right. She was so frightened and she'd cleaned the house and made trupper, erm, supper. But I shouldn't have reacted the way I did."
"I knows she broke in, and that probably made you nervous and scared," Bashful added. "And we knows you don't like women. I'm so sorry that I joined in. I didn't even think of how you'd feel about the joke."
"It weren't funny to me," Grumpy answered, his face turning pink.
Bashful embraced him. "We knows that now," he murmured gently. "And we're real sorry."
Grumpy didn't move for a few moments then hugged Bashful back. The brothers relaxed and each hugged Grumpy tightly. Grumpy swiped at his eyes with his sleeve then stood up.
"Dinner's about ready. Better wash," he said blandly.
They all laughed. Snow made them wash before every meal, and though it had confused them at first, they were well used to it now. They trooped off to the water trough, grabbed soap, and lathered up. By the time they had rinsed off, Snow came out to get them.
"Oh, good," she said, pleased. "I was just coming to get you."
The Dwarfs grinned at her, except for Grumpy, and they hurried inside to dry their faces and hands. As they passed, she scanned them.
"I'll do laundry tomorrow," she said decisively.
"Gardenin' is dirty work," Bashful said, his cheeks flushing.
"Of course it is. But that doesn't mean you have to wear filthy clothes for days. Just pile them up in the bedroom tonight and I'll get to them tomorrow."
"Thank you, Snow," Doc said, smiling at her. "You're too kind."
"Speakin' of which, how's your tick?" Sneezy asked.
"Quite comfortable. And you all have your beds back," Snow said. She knew they had all been sore after nearly a week of sleeping downstairs in various places, so when they'd stuffed a straw tick for her and rearranged the bedroom to fit her in, she was very happy. They'd even hung a long curtain across the room for her to have some privacy if she wanted. Grumpy had insisted on it, and the brothers had no objections.
Sneezy plopped down in his chair, and he leaned his elbows on the table. "I'll start carvin' a frame for it tomorrow. Gots everythin' I need now."
"Oh, that's so kind of you," she said brightly. "And elbows off the table."
Sneezy straightened at once as the others joined him at the table. Grumpy and Doc first grabbed the bench and dragged it over to the foot of the table for Snow to sit on. Sneezy was planning on carving a lovely chair for her to sit with them, but for the moment she was using what they had. She was so gracious about everything, so eager to please, and they too were eager to make her stay comfortable.
Grumpy plopped down and deliberately placed his elbows on the table. Snow looked at him.
"Elbows off the table," she repeated sternly.
Grumpy grunted and stuck out his tongue. Doc was frustrated by his obvious taunting of Snow, but Snow only thought for a moment then walked over and plucked up Grumpy's hat. To their astonishment, and before Grumpy could react, she kissed him. Grumpy let out a yowl and swatted at her. She ducked away.
"Get offa me, woman!" he shouted, snatching his hat as he turned red.
"Elbows off the table," Snow said, a sly smirk on her face as she sauntered away to get the food.
Grumpy snorted and scrubbed at his head then jerked his hat back on. He did not put his elbows back on the table. The brothers burst out laughing. This time, Grumpy didn't mind.
"Darned woman," he grumbled.
Snow giggled.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

A week later, Snow had just made dinner and was setting it out on the table when it happened. A jerking jolt snapped through Grumpy, and he bolted up and ran for the window. Doc watched him in alarm.
"What's long, erm, wrong?" he asked.
"Snow, get upstairs," Grumpy ordered.
"What? Why?"
"Rowan's here."
Alarm flashed across the Dwarfs' faces, and Snow straightened. "Who?"
"Jeweler we work with. Hurry. Go upstairs."
"But it's Rowan," Sleepy said.
"And one slip a the tongue is all it takes," Grumpy said. "Hide. I'll make you a plate. Go!"
Snow flew up the stairs and shut the door as Happy opened the front door. Rowan lit up.
"You're home this time!"
"Yep," Doc said. "What brings you dear, um, here so early? You usually come at the start of summer."
"Got a really big order from a rich client," he said. "And they need it in two weeks. I told them I'd check and see if that's realistic."
"Two weeks?" Doc asked, the smile dropping off his face. "How big is this shorter, um, order?"
Grumpy surreptitiously made a plate and hurried it upstairs to Snow, who was sitting on her bed with the curtain drawn. He tapped gently on the wall.
"Gots some food," he said quietly.
"Come on in," Snow said.
Grumpy obeyed and handed her the plate. She smiled but looked down. "What's going on?"
"He has an order for us. Do you wanna hear what's bein' said?"
Snow took a deep breath and nodded. "Yes."
Grumpy had been teaching her small tricks to use her magic to siphon off the burning energy that seemed to bubble inside of her like boiling soup. She looked at him intently, waiting for instructions.
"Focus on your ears," Grumpy said. "Make them stronger. Guide it with your fingers," he said. "Like this."
He reached up and drew his fingers over his ears, sharpening his hearing. He nodded at Snow, who raised trembling fingers up and paused. It always took her a few moments to reach her magic. That was something Grumpy was concerned about, since it pointed to how scared she was to use it, but he hadn't pried. Yet. Finally, soft pink sparkles came from the tips of her fingers and danced around her ears. She settled down and paused to see if it worked.
"You have tree signs, uh, designs, I presume," Doc was saying.
"It worked," Snow whispered, awed and pleased by her small act of magic.
Grumpy nodded, and they sat and listened as Doc and the brothers discussed some apparently intricate designs for some expensive jewelry. Snow quietly ate her food, listening as the six Dwarfs downstairs used their expertise to talk to Rowan. After half an hour, there was the rustle of papers and Doc spoke.
"It'll be difficult, but we'll fry, um, try."
"At least workin' in the forge won't be so bad," Sneezy said. "Given it's spring."
"True. Summer can be brutal in that heat," Doc agreed.
"Where's Grumpy?" Rowan asked. "I thought I saw him when I came in."
"Ah," Doc said awkwardly.
"He ain't feelin' too well," Happy said. "Just came down for a bite to eat. You hungry?"
"I wouldn't mind some food," Rowan said. "I don't suppose I could stay the night?"
Silence. Then Sleepy spoke, sounding nervous and very much alert. "Naw. Gots family comin'. That's why we're home. Gettin' things ready for them. Sorry."
"Ah well. At least I get a meal out of it."
"Are you safe comin' out here alone?" Bashful asked.
"I've got my magic coin. It's still going strong. Somehow. They told me it would only last for a few years, but when I went in so the woman could refresh the magic, she said it was actually stronger than when she gave it to me. We were both very confused."
Grumpy snorted and smiled. Snow looked at him and spoke quietly. "You refresh it yourself, don't you?" she asked, her lips twitching.
"Mmhm. He's a good man. Least I can do," Grumpy said gruffly.
Snow had noticed quickly how kind Grumpy was beneath his rough and grumpy exterior. During her time of the month, he'd replenished her stock of rags without complaining or announcing it to the others, which she appreciated. Snow was certain that he hadn't even told Doc. He was trustworthy. Well, they all were, and she wasn't used to being able to trust anybody with anything, let alone her very life. But the Dwarfs took her in without complaint (except for Grumpy, but it was a different kind of complaining) and they moved their lives around to fit her in. She couldn't thank them enough for what they'd done. But even with all that, there was something about Grumpy in particular that made her feel safe and understood.
"How do I stop?" Snow asked after blinking out of her thoughts to hear them eating downstairs.
Grumpy looked up and raised his hands to caress the air around his ears. Green sparkled in the air as he reset his hearing to its regular level. Without saying a word, he lowered his hands and turned to stare at Snow expectantly. Snow swallowed and took a deep breath then raised trembling fingers up to her ears. She paused and breathed in again before the pink sparkles trailed her fingers and she attempted to copy what he did.
"Oh!" Snow gasped and clapped her hands over her mouth as her eyes went wide. Grumpy knew that the spell went wrong, and he raised his fingers up around her ears and guided her own magic up to fix the mistake so she would get the feel of what she should do. She relaxed as everything settled.
"Couldn't hear anything," she said, blushing. "Everything was roaring like high winds."
"You'll get it," Grumpy said, patting her hand. "Takes practice. But don't panic. Just remember you can fix it, take a breath, and adjust."
Snow reached for the cup of water by the bed on the floor and picked it up. She took a sip then set aside her empty plate and sighed.
"Something wrong?" Grumpy asked.
"No."
"Mmhm."
Snow looked up. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"If you need to talk, you can. If not…" Grumpy shrugged.
Snow studied him. "You said you used to take care of girls. Is that why you're different?"
"Different from?" Grumpy asked.
"Doc and the others."
Grumpy squinted at Snow thoughtfully then shook his head. "Ain't a fair comparison. Not for just that one thing. I only met them ten years ago. Before that…" Grumpy paused and huffed. "I had a different life before I came here. We'll say that for now."
Snow nodded and there was a crash from downstairs. She jumped, upsetting the water glass she had forgotten about, which splashed over Grumpy and the straw tick. Grumpy slapped a hand over her mouth as she let out a cry of surprise. Silence from downstairs. They sat still as time ticked by. Finally, Doc came in and Grumpy relaxed and removed his hand.
"Is everything okay?" he asked.
"Sorry," Snow said softly. "What happened?"
"Knocked over a ware, erm, chair," Doc said. "I thought I heard you. Said I was drumming, erm, coming up to check on Grumpy."
"Sorry," she repeated.
"It's okay, Snow," Doc said. "We'll get him to leave in an hour or so. Stay quiet. I don't think Rowan would way, um, say anything, but…"
"Just in case," Grumpy said.
"Exactly. Just in case," Doc said, smiling at them.
He left them, closing the door behind him. Snow relaxed and grimaced as she looked at Grumpy. His shirt was dripping water, and she felt guilty.
"So sorry."
"Stop apologizin'. You're fine. I gots another clean shirt."
Grumpy pulled off his shirt and tossed it over a chest to dry then went over to get a clean one. Snow glanced at him then openly stared at his back, crossed with lines. Not just any lines. Scars. Her mouth fell open, and Grumpy, sensing her gaze, turned to see what was wrong.
"What?" he asked uneasily.
"You've been lashed," she whispered.
Grumpy flushed and shrugged, tugging the shirt on and adjusting his beard. "Yep."
He expected her to ask what he was lashed for, something the brothers had never asked before, but she didn't. Her bottom lip trembled and she blinked away tears.
"My stepmother had me lashed several times," Snow whispered. "'A lash for every fault and a strike for every mistake,' she would say."
Grumpy grimaced. "Sorry about that."
She nodded and turned away, exhaling shakily. Grumpy walked over and patted her shoulder. It took her several minutes to compose herself, but she finally sat up and turned back to him.
"What were you lashed for?"
Grumpy debated about whether or not to tell her then decided that he could trust her. It wasn't like the brothers weren't allowed to ask about his past, but they did so rarely. He thought it was because the answers he gave always upset them. They didn't understand anything about the life he left, and Grumpy was loath to tell them. They really knew so little of his past, but the same was true for him. He never asked, unsure if he was welcome to probe the sensitive, painful parts of their lives before him. But Snow was like him in many ways, and he knew from what she had said about her stepmother that Snow had dealt with great pain in her life already.
"Was caught with something that didn't belong to me. Didn't steal it, but I knew who did. Didn't tell them who done it, so's they lashed me in her place."
"Oh! Was it for a lady?" Snow got a familiar dreamy look in her eyes.
Grumpy snorted and swallowed down a lump in his throat. "Naw. She's no lady," he said, and his voice cracked. He cleared his throat. "She's a monster."
"So… not a love story?" Snow asked.
"I'm an orphan, Snow," Grumpy said quietly. "I weren't raised by Dwarfs. I was raised by a human woman. Her name's Calida." Grumpy waved his hand and projected his memory of Calida out in front of them. Snow stared at the tall, beautiful woman with long, straight red hair and sharp, dark green eyes. "She let me take the lashes," he whispered. "And she watched. And she laughed. I was doin' it for her, and she laughed as they publicly lashed me." He looked away to hide his tears and waved away the vision. "I wanted to call her mama before that. But I knew she didn't care a whit for me after I saw her laughin'."
Snow slipped onto the floor and embraced Grumpy, who grumbled but allowed her to stay when he realized that she, too, was crying. Patting her back as he got ahold of himself, he eventually cleared his throat and wiped away her tears with his thumb.
"'S'okay, Snow. We're both okay now."
"Sounds like we both had awful stepmothers," Snow said.
"She ain't no mother to me," Grumpy said firmly.
"Grimhilde was never my mother either, Grumpy. Once Father died, she just didn't have to pretend anymore."
Grumpy smiled and stepped back as Snow perched on her bed again. "Then I guess we have something in common."
After a moment of silence, Snow glanced at Grumpy. "Thank you."
"Eh?" Grumpy squinted at her.
"For listening. I never get to talk about anything that's happened to me."
Grumpy shrugged and pulled a stool over to sit down. "Me neither," he admitted almost shyly.
"Why not?" Snow asked.
"They never ask questions. So I never have to answer," Grumpy replied. "What about you?"
Snow went very still. "She could get anything out of anyone."
"The queen?" Grumpy asked.
"Yes. The other servants all ignored me. None of them would even look at me unless they had to."
Grumpy grunted. "Maybe they were tryin' to protect you."
Snow looked up thoughtfully and reached up to put a hand over her heart. "The huntsman didn't kill me even though he could have," she murmured. "Perhaps you're right. He seemed truly remorseful. Maybe they were, too."
The two sat quietly together, lost in their own thoughts, until Doc came up and reported that Rowan was gone. Snow got up and went downstairs to fix Grumpy a plate since he hadn't eaten dinner. Doc could sense the somber mood, but he didn't pry. Grumpy went down to eat and look over the designs for the jewelry. The day went on as the brothers began to speak about how to divide up the work for the order. Snow started supper, and the night was an overall peaceful one. But Grumpy lay awake for half an hour thinking about how horribly similar Calida was to Grimhilde. He understood Snow's childhood much better now, and he felt fiercely protective of the girl. If only he could erase the scars on her back. He hadn't seen them, but he knew they were there. Foolish as he was, he knew he'd have taken every lash for the princess, because he was sure Snow wouldn't have laughed.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

After much debate, Grumpy agreed to stay with Snow while the brothers did their best to fulfill the order. They would have to spend a week in the forge working from morning until after dark. That gave Grumpy a good chance to teach Snow about her magic in relative privacy. She was still so hesitant to even touch her own magic, let alone use it. He was determined to break her of the hesitation and strengthen her control over her magic exponentially over that week. The first morning they hurried away, Grumpy shut the door and looked at Snow.
"What housework you got today?"
"Dishes, sweeping, and laundry," Snow answered promptly.
Grumpy nodded. "Great. Now sit down an' start."
Snow looked alarmed. "What?"
"You're usin' magic for your chores."
Snow flushed and hesitated, glancing at the door. "Are you certain?"
"They've left the bubble. I'll know if they come back."
Snow took a breath and lowered herself onto the bench, pressing her hands together as she leaned on the table. There was such wariness on her face...
"Focus," he encouraged. "Focus on liftin' something and take it to the sink."
Snow's eyes landed on a fork, and she took a deep breath and focused on it. After a pause, pink sparkles began to gleam around the utensil and it slowly, tremulously rose into the air.
"Good girl," Grumpy praised. "Into the sink."
Snow's brown eyes took on a pink gleam, a sign her magic was blooming, then she jerked and all magic cut off as the fork dropped to the floor. Snow pushed back on the table and tumbled over the bench, all color drained from her face. She lay in a heap on the floor, her eyes searching the room.
Grumpy stood up and slowly approached her. "Snow?"
Snow looked at him then flushed as she sat up on shaking arms. "I'm sorry," she said faintly, tears blooming in her eyes.
Grumpy reached out to help her up, and she cringed away, trembling. He paused.
"'S'okay, Snow," Grumpy murmured. "'S'okay. I ain't gonna hurt you. Take a breath. Let's get you up in your seat."
Snow reached out her hand and allowed Grumpy to help her up. He helped her to sit down then hurried to make some tea as she sat and hugged herself.
"Bad memories?" Grumpy asked as the kettle heated.
"I'm sorry."
"Mmhm."
Snow looked up then hesitated. Was Grumpy inviting her to speak if she needed to again? She decided he was. "My stepmother didn't like me to use any magic. She always knew, you see. She'd burst in on me and strike me."
Grumpy nodded. "Usually after you started feelin' the magic move like that?"
"Yes," Snow sighed.
The kettle whistled and Grumpy quickly made two cups of tea. "Here," he said, pushing one over. "Should calm your nerves. Lavender or somethin'."
Snow sipped the aromatic drink and glanced at Grumpy. "I'm sorry for the trouble."
"It ain't no trouble," Grumpy said firmly. "Sometimes it's hard for me to use certain kinds a magic. And there's other stuff I don't like. Calida did a number on me. I don't like people tuggin' on my beard, for one."
"Why would anybody tug on your beard?" Snow asked. "I mean, isn't that a bad thing?"
Grumpy smiled. "Not with Dwarfs. It shows affection and whatnot. But the brothers can't do it for me. Makes me panic. Calida'd yank on it so hard that I thought it'd come out." Grumpy reached up and stroked his beard, his expression tightening. "Don't like it much. But they'll let me do it for them."
"That's so nice," Snow said. "They really do love you."
Grumpy shifted uneasily. "They shouldn't."
Snow looked at him curiously. "Is it just because of the magic?" she asked.
"Naw."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
Grumpy shook his head. He waved his hand and the silverware on the table jumped upright on the tabletop in a shower of green sparkles. Snow giggled as the Dwarf made them dance. One of the knives was alone, standing right in front of Snow, waiting for a partner. She looked down at the fork on the floor and focused on it. After a brief moment of hesitation, pink sparkles glittered around the fork and it slowly lifted up to the level of the table. With her eyes gleaming pink as she concentrated fiercely, the fork weaved through the dancing silverware to join the knife. Grumpy flexed his fingers and the knife bowed to the fork then started dancing. Snow grinned and Grumpy could tell her magic was settling into place as she relaxed and focused more naturally.
"You're doin' pretty good," Grumpy said.
Snow looked up. "What?"
"You're doin' magic," he said, grinning as he gestured at the fork.
Shock and then pleasure flashed across her face. "I am!"
Grumpy could tell that Snow was very pleased with herself, and there was precious little in her life before the cottage that she could be pleased about. He knew from the little they'd spoken of Grimhilde that Snow was terrified of her, and for good reason. Sleepy had made Snow a simple blue dress from a fresh bolt of cloth, and Grumpy had seen the tops of the lashing scars when she'd come out with it on. The scars told him that Grimhilde was just as bad as Calida, if not worse. They both obviously took pleasure in others' pain.
"Grumpy?" Snow asked.
"Hm?" Grumpy looked up and saw anxiety in Snow's face.
"Do you think I'm bad?"
Grumpy shook his head. "Naw. Why?"
"My stepmother used to tell me that magic is for bad people."
Grumpy grunted in response, sensing she needed reassurance. "And?"
Snow took a deep breath. "Well, you told me that she does black magic…"
"Mmhm." The Dwarf wondered where this was going.
"And I just can't help but think that she would definitely know that magic is for bad people. Being into such dark magic."
Grumpy patted her hand. "You're nothin' like her."
"How do you know that?" Snow asked, sounding almost desperate.
"I've heard stories about her," Grumpy replied. "She's selfish. Cruel. Angry. You're nothin' like that. You're gentle. Good. Kind."
"But I have magic," Snow murmured sadly.
Grumpy could find nothing to say in response to that. It was something he still hadn't come to terms with himself, never being able to be good simply because of the way he'd been born. Magic was for bad people. He knew that. Calida had never tired of reminding him. And even Doc and the brothers thought magic was only for bad people. He and Snow would be marked their entire lives simply because of the magic that boiled in their blood. It was unfair, he thought bitterly, but since when had life been fair?
"Me, too," was all he said. Then he straightened. "Now. Let's get the chores done. Start by takin' the dishes to the sink."
"This might take awhile."
"We gots all mornin'," Grumpy replied.
"What will you do?" Snow challenged.
"Sweep," he said, recognizing that Snow wouldn't be able to do everything with her magic. She'd be tired out from the dishes alone. "Maybe help you with laundry. That part we'll do without magic."
Snow smiled and nodded then sat up and stared hard at the silverware.
Grumpy thought for a moment. "Make 'em dance inta the sink."
"Why?"
"Funner that way," Grumpy said. "Used to do chores with funny stories behind the silly magic I'd use. Would make time pass and get the chores done quicker."
Snow giggled. "They have to be washed for the royal supper tonight," she said decisively. "They simply aren't presentable."
"Best get to it then," Grumpy said, leaning back in his chair and waving his hand at the broom.
Snow grinned then focused on the silverware. It took her three hours to get the dishes done by magic, which discouraged her. She could have finished the dishes by hand in fifteen minutes, but Grumpy was very pleased by her attempt. The sweeping was done within ten minutes, but Grumpy stayed with her and offered advice and encouragement. He told her to note what she was feeling, how the magic flowed from her center to her fingertips so that she would remember how everything worked together. So though she was rather tired and anxious, she felt pleased by his praise and appreciated his teaching.
Grumpy used his magic to make dinner while Snow went up to lie down for a while. He carried two plates upstairs and cleared his throat when he saw the curtain closed.
"Dinner," he said.
There was a brief pause then Snow opened the curtain and fell back onto her bed, now complete with a frame. She looked a bit more rested as she reached for a plate.
"Thank you," Snow said gratefully. "That nap was just what I needed."
"Food'll help, too," Grumpy said, plopping on the stool and taking a bite of cornbread. "Eat up. Still gots laundry to do."
Snow smiled and took a bite of the meat pie Grumpy had warmed up for their dinner. He'd made the cornbread himself, and Snow relished it.
"It tastes different than when Happy makes it," Snow said thoughtfully.
A pleased grin spread over Grumpy's face. "Added a bit a sugar. Happy don't do that. Drives him up a wall, not knowin' what I put in it. It's the one recipe I got that he hasn't been able to figure out."
Snow laughed. "That's a good trick. I'll have to use it."
Grumpy chuckled. "Don't tell Happy first time you do it. I wanna see his face when he takes a bite."
"He really likes food," Snow agreed.
"Mm. Reminds him of his ma. She taught him cookin'. To him, it's how he takes care of the family."
"Food is love," Snow said. "I feel like that. Making a meal is loving those you make it for."
Grumpy grunted through a mouthful of food. "Can be."
"That isn't your experience?"
The Dwarf swallowed. "Food is energy," he said listlessly. "Until I came here, food was food. Just enough to get to the next day."
Snow was curious. "Have you had a rough life?"
Grumpy nodded. "Like I told you, I'm an orphan. Ain't exactly easy bein' an orphan on the streets."
"Did you have to do a lot of stealing?"
The question was posed with her usual innocence, but it stung because of the answer he had to give. He refused to say it.
"Better get on that laundry," he said gruffly.
Snow knew he was avoiding the question, which was answer enough. It was bizarre for her to think of kind, gentle Grumpy having to steal from others just to make it to the next day. But she also knew you did what you had to in order to survive. She'd stolen food from the kitchens many times when Grimhilde had refused to feed her for several days on end. Guilt, fear, and shame were ever-present in those memories, and Snow understood why Grumpy didn't want to talk about it. So she accepted the subject change and put the rest of her meat pie into her mouth.
"We'll take everything out to the pond," she said. "Help me gather everything there. Then we'll start washing."
Grumpy took her plate and flashed them into the sink. Snow blinked as the plates disappeared.
"What?" she asked.
"Called flashin'," Grumpy said. "Flash somethin' from here to there."
"Is that what you did that day in the kitchen? Where you ended up by the door?"
Grumpy nodded and puffed up a bit. "Flashin' forward is one a my specialties. Can pass miles and miles like that. It's how I got to the forest the night Doc and them found me. Castell's perty far away walkin', but I done flashed forward miles and ended up in the woods." Grumpy's expression softened. "Never woulda met 'em, otherwise. Perty glad I did."
Snow smiled. "Aw, you do love them."
Grumpy's cheeks turned red, and he shrugged. "Don't know whatcha mean. They're annoyin'."
Snow laughed, but she wasn't fooled. "How did you end up here?"
"Perty long story," Grunpy said laconically.
"And we have a lot of laundry to do," Snow replied.
Grumpy shrugged and began the story where he was running through the woods, wounded and afraid to stop. Snow was an incredibly entertaining audience. She gasped at all the right places, and had other reactions that made Grumpy feel like he was talking to a child. In some ways she was still a child. The Dwarfs all considered Dopey to still possess childlike qualities, even at seventeen. Snow was only fourteen. So young. But Grumpy knew she was used to being struck for any small audacity. And she'd been lashed by Grimhilde for her flaws. She wasn't exactly the spoiled brat he'd initially assumed she'd be. He was afraid of what other punishments lay in her past. But if she was content to talk with him, he wasn't going to stop it. She needed an ear, and as he scrubbed at the clothes, enjoying speaking of his own past, he thought maybe that he did, too.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

When the Dwarfs agreed to bathe before their quick trip into Castell to drop off the jewelry, Snow laughed and teased them that they did know how to wash.
"Course we do!" Sneezy said, puzzled. "We gots a reason to now."
Once again, Grumpy volunteered to stay with Snow, but she wheedled him until he agreed to wash with the brothers while she sat up in the bedroom. Fresh and clean, the seven Dwarfs dumped the water outside then headed back inside. Only Grumpy understood Snow's wistful expression when they came back upstairs, and he determined at once to give her what she wanted. The next morning, the brothers headed out with the promise to be back in three days. Before they left, Doc gave a lecture to Grumpy to not drive Snow up a wall with his obstinate behavior. As soon as they were out of sight, Snow smiled at Grumpy.
"What's for today?" Grumpy asked.
"Dishes, dusting, and straightening up the bedroom," Snow replied.
"Let's get to it then," Grumpy said.
Snow shut the door and went over to sit on the bench. Almost at once, pink sparkles began to surround the breakfast dishes, and they all obediently leapt up and floated to the sink. Grumpy was pleased by how quickly and easily she could summon her magic now. The week of practice had greatly strengthened her awareness and control. Precision was what she was working on now, and she was even getting faster at it. She still needed to concentrate on the task very intently, but she was far more relaxed about it.
They finished the chores by dinner time, and they ate a simple meal of bread and cheese before Snow went up to rest. Grumpy set to work after he was sure she wouldn't come back down. After pumping out gallons of water, he filled the iron pot with it then set it over the fire to heat. Then he went over to get the washtub. He was determined that Snow should have a proper bath. The girl certainly was obsessed over washing, and she hadn't had a wash since she'd gotten there three weeks before. So he hefted up the tub and placed it in the center of the room before weaving a spell.
An hour later, the magically expanded tub was full of hot water, and he was pleased by his efforts. Just in time, too. The door to the bedroom opened, and Snow appeared at the top of the stairs, freezing at the odd sight.
"What's all this?" she asked, taking the steps cautiously.
Grumpy waved his hand and the shutters closed. "Figured you'd want a bath."
The look of shock morphed to one of joy and she jumped the rest of the way to the floor and ran over to embrace the Dwarf. Grumpy flushed, but he patted her back.
"It ain't much like the palace," he said awkwardly. "But you'll be able to go under if you want."
"It's so much better than the palace," Snow said, pulling back and wiping her eyes.
Grumpy couldn't see how that would be possible. Whenever he thought of the palace, he thought of marble and gold and velvet and other things he'd heard of but never seen. How could an old, dingy washtub compare to polished brass and servants waiting on you?
"Well, come and knock when you're done and we'll straighten up."
Grumpy walked up the stairs and shut the bedroom door then lay down in his bed to stare at the ceiling. He was still puzzled by her admission that what he'd set up was better than the palace. He just couldn't see it. Not at all. What kind of princess would think such a thing?

A princess who

's not treated like a princess.

The thought made him pause. He considered Snow's habits and Grimhilde's treatment of her. The queen had been ruthless and cruel. Would she really treat Snow as a princess? Then something else came to him. When Rowan had been there and they'd been hiding in the bedroom, Snow had said that the other servants ignored her.

Other servants?

Grumpy's stomach tightened and he resolved to ask her what was going on before his imagination ran away with him. With nothing else to do, he shut his eyes and fell into a light doze. A knock startled him awake, and he sat up and looked at the door where Snow stood, her skin flushed red from the hot water. Her eyes were bright with pleasure, and he stood up and stretched.
"Good bath?" he asked absently.
"Oh, it was delightful," Snow said. "Have a good nap?"
Grumpy grunted and they headed downstairs. His mind was racing as he tried to think of a good way to bring up his questions. He must have been too quiet as he began to work magic and drain the tub, maneuvering the used water out the door, because Snow spoke.
"Are you well?"
Grumpy paused and looked at her. "I gots a question for you."
"Anything," she said sweetly.
"Did Grimhilde make you her servant after your pa died?"
Snow froze and suddenly looked as skittish as a rabbit. "I… I don't…" She trailed off, frightened.
That was answer enough, and Grumpy grunted. "Thought so. 'S'okay, Snow. So that's why you get up so early."
Snow shifted and sat down on her bench, her face pale. "I'm not supposed to tell anybody," she whispered. "When I had to go out in public, she'd have the tailors make me a new, beautiful dress."
"Like the blue and yeller one," Grumpy said.
"She told me that I was to make an appearance, that she had to prepare so she sent me out with the huntsman. I had no reason to assume she wanted me dead."
"Course not," Grumpy said sympathetically.
Tears tracked down her cheeks, and she looked away. "I hate her. I shouldn't, but I do."
Grumpy snorted. "Why shouldn't you hate her? I hate Calida. Crazy witch nearly destroyed my life. And Grimhilde did the same for you."
"I just feel so helpless around her, Grumpy," Snow exclaimed, swiping at her cheeks. "She's a horror, but I can't do anything about her."
"Not yet," Grumpy said. "But one day, you will."
"Not if she kills me first," Snow sighed.
"She'll have to get past me 'n' the others," Grumpy said fiercely.
Snow let out a hiccuping laugh through her tears. "You're all far too kind to a servant."
"You're a princess, not a servant," Grumpy replied. "Now, help me put the tub to rights again."
Snow wiped away her tears then stood and joined Grumpy. His familiar magic bumped hers and she allowed him to guide her in shrinking the tub without damaging it. Once that was done, they put the house back in order then began to cook supper. After a hearty meal of meat and potatoes, Grumpy played the whistling piano for half an hour, and Snow danced around the room, laughing and singing to the songs he played. Then Snow settled down to do some sewing and Grumpy sat and stared at the fire, thinking of this and that. After dark, they finally went up to bed.
Grumpy changed into his nightshirt while Snow ducked behind her curtain and changed into a nightgown that Sleepy had made for her. Then she opened the curtain and lay down. Grumpy snuffed the candle and turned over, falling asleep easily. He awoke an unknown amount of time later but was unsure why he was awake. He lay there, trying to figure it out, when a noise reached him. He sat up and looked toward Snow's bed, but he couldn't see anything. Another muffled sob reached him, and he got up and padded over cautiously, feeling around in the dark so he didn't run into anything.
"Snow?" he asked quietly. "Are you okay?"
Snow couldn't seem to speak, sobbing again. He grunted and felt around in the dark for the stool then tugged it over beside her bed and sat down. Reaching out, he found her hand pressed into the pillow and grabbed it. She flinched but grasped his hand. He sat there as she cried, wondering what had brought this on. But he patiently waited as she fell apart. When the crying had eased, he squeezed her hand.
"Now what's all this about?" he asked, not unkindly.
"I was thinking of Father," Snow whispered. "I miss him so."
Grumpy grunted. "I heard good things about him."
"Do you ever miss your parents?"
Grumpy thought about this. "I never knew them. Can't miss what I never had. But I wish I'da growed up with Doc and them. Their folks sound like good people."
"Have you never met them?" Snow asked.
"They died after Dopey was born. Cursed or somethin'."
"Oh, how sad," she murmured.
"Another good reason they hate magic," Grumpy sighed.
They both were silent for a few moments, and Grumpy squeezed her hand. "You okay now?"
"I don't know," Snow replied.
"Mm."
Snow shifted in her bed but didn't let go of Grumpy's hand. "Do your scars ever hurt?"
"The brand more often than the lashes," Grumpy answered.
"Brand?" Snow asked in alarm. "You were branded? As a slave?"
Grumpy snorted. "Naw. Nothin' like that."
"Well, what happened?"
The Dwarf took a deep breath. "Was a bunch a boys. Thought I was too high-and-mighty or somethin'. Thought I needed to knows that I was nothin' but a Dwarf and to know my place. They chased me down, pinned me, and branded my left shoulder. Hurt like nothin' else I'd known up to that point in my life. The lashin' was worse. Got one less than the death strike. Almost died from that."
Snow contemplated that for several minutes. "I'm sorry that happened to you."
Grumpy harrumphed. "Never would've met Bastian if that hadn't happened. Glad I did meet him."
"Who's Bastian?"
"Human friend a mine. One a the only humans I can call friend from my former life."
"Do the others know anything about that life?"
"Not much," Grumpy said.
"Do you not like them to ask?"
"It ain't that. They ask sometimes, but I don't think they like the answers, so's they don't ask all that often. I ain't never told them that they can't. And they don't seem to care that they don't know."
Snow squeezed his hand then released it. "Thank you for telling me," she said softly. Then she yawned.
"Best get back to sleep," Grumpy said. "And feel free to sleep in as late as you want. I'll make breakfast."
There was a pause. Then Snow spoke in an emotional voice. "Thank you."
She sounded like a child who had just been given an amazing gift. Had she truly thought she had to get up at the crack of dawn every day? One thought of Grimhilde, and Grumpy pushed aside that question. No doubt Snow had been punished severely if she didn't get up at that time. It was a hard habit to break, and it had been reinforced with brutal means.
"Goodnight," Grumpy said after a moment.
"Sweet dreams," she murmured.
Grumpy got up and pushed the stool against the wall again then climbed into his bed. He had a lot to mull over, but he decided he'd better do that the next day. That settled, he fell into a dreamless sleep.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Three days later in the late afternoon, the brothers came marching back, and Snow was there to graciously let them in. The house was especially clean for their return, and Snow began to fret around them, asking how the trip was and how the delivery went.
"It went fell, erm, well," Doc said.
"They brought a human jeweler there," Sleepy said, making a face.
"Rowan?" Snow asked.
"Naw. Aother fella," Happy said.
"Whatever for?" Snow asked, perplexed.
"To make sure the jew'lry was good enough," Grumpy said from the top of the stairs.
"Now Grumpy, don't presume," Doc said as Grumpy came down. "Perhaps they bust, erm, just wanted to show off?"
Grumpy noticed the question and scowled at Doc. He wasn't fooled. They'd wanted to make sure the Dwarfs weren't trying to cheat them. It made him angry to think that humans felt that way about these brothers, who were as close to family as he'd ever known. They were honest and hardworking and would never cheat anybody. But they were also foolish. They knew little about humans and their real thoughts about Dwarfs. They were so positive. But he didn't say a word as he passed by Doc and went to Sneezy.
"You get what I asked for?"
Sneezy shrugged out of his pack and nodded. "Don't know what for. Sleepy says this ain't good for nothin'."
As he spoke, he handed a bolt of cloth to Grumpy, who shrugged. "I gots a use for it," he said simply.
As he turned, he met Snow's gaze and she understood at once that it was for her rags. Grumpy had specifically asked for cloth for her use, and she was overwhelmed with affection for him. The others seemed oblivious as to what he'd gotten it for. Even Doc looked perplexed.
"It won't make comfortable clothes," he said slowly.
"Ain't for clothes," Grumpy replied, then turned and carried it upstairs, leaving the brothers staring after him, bemused.
Snow was infinitely grateful for Grumpy's discretion in the matter, and she set about to unpack the nonessentials out of the packs.
"Let us help," Happy said at once.
"Oh no. You must be tired. Rest!"
"Nonsense, my leer, um, dear," Doc replied. "We'll get it done much faster if we all do it."
Grumpy came back downstairs to see them unpacking everything, and he went to put on the kettle for tea. Snow looked up and met his eyes, her smile bright. She nodded gratefully at him, and he raised his eyebrows and shrugged. It was nothing for him to help Snow, and a few coins didn't matter as much as her comfort. He plopped down at the table and watched as the brothers hurried to put everything back in place. When they were done, they settled down by the fire to relax.
"Golly, I'm exhausted," Sleepy muttered, leaning against his hand.
"Me, too," Happy said. "I hate goin' to the city too often."
"Too many people," Bashful agreed. "And they stare at us funny sometimes."
"You think everybody stares at you," Sneezy said.
"But it's different like that. I never feel that way when we're with Dwarfs. Yeah, they stare, but it ain't the same."
Grumpy said nothing as he poured the tea and passed out hot mugs. He knew what Bashful said was true. But he didn't want to ruin their naivety.
"Did humans always stare at you like that?" Bashful asked Grumpy after a pause.
"Mmhm."
"Why?"
"'Cause I'm a Dwarf," he replied shortly.
"So?"
Grumpy looked at him and shook his head. They didn't understand because they refused to think negatively about humans. What could he possibly say to change their minds?
"Is it 'cause we're shorter than them?" Bashful asked hopefully.
"You remember when you found me the second day?"
The smiles on the Dwarfs' faces turned into grimaces as Grumpy's panic, pain-filled face came to mind. The Dwarf had been terrified of them, convinced they would do terrible things to him because he had no treasure to give them in exchange for his food and healing. He'd fought through nauseating agony to try and flee, and he'd only relaxed after they'd all promised him they wanted nothing from him. He had been raised by humans, and he'd gotten his beliefs from them. All of a sudden, the brothers understood some of the more hostile stares they received from humans. It made them distinctly uncomfortable.
"Not every human feels that way," Bashful said softly, but his eyes were unsure.
"Course not," Grumpy said. "But more do than you think."
"But why?" Sleepy asked. "Dwarfs have helped humans in every war for the last three hundred years. At least in our kingdom."
"Because they don't understand Dwarfs, so they're afraid of you."
There was no sound in the house as every head turned to look at Snow. Grumpy couldn't help but smile at her observation, but the other six seemed puzzled by her words.
"Afraid? Of us?" Sneezy asked incredulously.
Snow nodded, her hands busy at a piece of sewing. "People are afraid of what they don't understand. I heard stories growing up of how awful Dwarfs were supposed to be. But I came here and you've all been incredibly kind to me. I realized that I thought that way simply because nobody taught me any different. But fear was behind every story. Fear of the unknown. I didn't know Dwarfs, so I was afraid of them. But now I know better."
"I do, too," Grumpy said, sipping his tea. "Took six crazy Dwarfs holding me against my will to find it out, though."
The brothers couldn't help but laugh at that. It was kind of true. Grumpy hadn't wanted to be there, and they'd had to chase him down the day after he'd woken up in their house, injured and disoriented. It must have certainly felt like he was held against his will until he'd gotten acquainted with them and realized that his fears were unfounded. But they'd had no idea that Snow was afraid of them. Grumpy was the least surprised, but the thought hadn't crossed his mind. If it had, he would have immediately known it was true. But Snow had seemed fearless that night they'd found her in their beds.
"How do we make them see we ain't nothin' to be afraid of?" Bashful asked.
"One person at a time," Grumpy said.
"That's impossible," Doc argued. "We'll never talk to every human in the kingdom, let alone the world."
"Yep."
And that was all Grumpy said. They sat and relaxed, sipping tea and resting. Snow mended several clothes while the brothers discussed the treasures they'd given and the price they'd gotten from Rowan for the pieces. It had been a handsome price for a handsome collection of perfect jewels and gold, refined seven times in the Dwarfs' forge to the highest degree of purity. It had been exhausting, and now they finally had a chance to rest and recuperate.
"Snow?" Bashful asked as she set aside another shirt that she had mended.
"Yes, Bashful?"
Bashful hesitated, turning pink. "You told us the first night that you were in love."
Snow paused. "Yes. And?"
"Who is it?"
The others sat up in interest as Grumpy glanced over. He was curious about her answer.
"His name is Florián," Snow said, her own cheeks flushing as she shyly looked away. Grumpy snorted, unable to help himself. She really was in love. He could tell.
"What makes you feel that way?" Sleepy asked, his tiredness melting away at the promise of a story.
"He's from a neighboring kingdom. He's a prince, the son of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Findersland. When my father was alive, we'd sometimes visit their kingdom for some kind of talk he would need to have for peace or whatnot. I was too young to understand. And Florián and I would play with each other. We'd play chase and hide and seek and make mischief. He was fond of me because I was so clever, more clever than any of the boys, he said. The last time I saw him, I was seven. My father died soon after we visited, and Grimhilde did not care for peace with Ferdinand. I never saw him again. Until…"
"Until?" Sleepy asked obediently, his eyes alight with interest.
Snow flushed and her eyes grew dreamy. "He was curious, you see. He was curious as to what happened to me. He was turned away by my stepmother when he asked for me. But she had not said I was dead. So he would ride around the castle to try and see if he could catch a glimpse of me in the windows. He heard me singing, and he climbed the wall. I was so ashamed when he saw me in my rags, but he stayed and convinced me to talk."
The brothers' smiles faded. They were puzzled by her stating she was in rags. But they didn't want to interrupt the story. Grumpy alone knew that Snow had been a princess in name only in her own castle, that she had been treated as a servant by her stepmother. He studied her with bright brown eyes, taking in her story as she continued.
"We talked for several hours. He told me that he would come back for me, that everything would be alright. That he would take me away to be with him in his kingdom. He would find a way for me to leave my stepmother and be away from that horrid place forever. She would never strike me again for dropping a dish or spilling tea. She would never starve me for days for a stray word of complaint. She wouldn't lash me for things I can't control. Never again, he promised, and I believed him."
The brothers were sitting bolt upright as Snow spoke in a faraway voice, but they were absolutely horrified by the things she was describing in such a careless way.
"Wait!" Doc said when what she had said registered. "Wait! I don't… I don't understand. She struck you? She starved you? She lashed you?"
The tinge of horror in his voice snapped Snow out of her story, and she looked at him. Bashful was frightened by the dead look in Snow's eyes as she replied in her sweet, innocent way, "Of course she did. I was bad. I still am."
Silence reigned in the house. Grumpy watched the brothers struggle to comprehend what she had just said.
"Snow, you're not bad," Doc said, shocked by her words.
Snow stared at him, tilting her head. "But I am."
"What makes you think you're bad?"
Snow met Grumpy's eyes and he looked away. She looked back at Doc. "Because I am."
And that was all she said on the subject. The brothers sat there in stunned, horrified silence as they tried to grasp the torturous existence that Snow had lived in her own castle. They didn't understand. Bashful watched her face as she picked up another shirt to patch.
"She lashed you?" he asked faintly.
Snow looked at him then turned around and reached back to pull down the back of her dress to reveal the top of her scars. "'A lash for every fault and a strike for every mistake,'" she quoted, her voice monotone.
She turned back around and continued her sewing as the brothers looked helplessly at each other.
"How many would she give you?" Grumpy asked curiously.
"How many what?" Snow asked.
"Lashes."
"Grumpy!" Doc gasped. "That's not the kind of question you should flask, uh, ask!"
"No more than ten at a time," Snow answered calmly.
"Huh. They gave me thirty-nine all at once. Darn near killed me. Was bedridden for weeks."
The brothers looked ill and shifted uncomfortably.
"Hm. That's unfortunate."
Grumpy grunted. "Yep. Didn't even deserve it. Didn't steal the darned thing."
"You mentioned that before. What was it, exactly?"
"Human-made em'rald necklace. Belonged to a noble woman who was visitin'."
"Visiting?"
"Randwelt. I'll never go back there."
"And she wasn't even grateful?"
"Nope. Left town that same day. Didn't care a whit that I was almost dead. Bastian took care of me. Only one who did. There was blood everywhere. None a the doctors wanted to even touch a Dwarf, let alone one that was lashed to the edge a death for theft. He managed to stop the bleedin' somehow. Nearly bled to death that night."
"Stop!" Doc screamed, his hands dashing up to cover his ears.
Snow and Grumpy jumped at the shout, and they looked over to see the brothers all gazing in abject horror at them. Tears were streaming down their faces, and Bashful was doubled over and sobbing quietly.
"Hey, it was a long time ago," Grumpy said, his gruff voice infinitely gentle. "I'm okay."
"Why would they do that to you?" Doc asked helplessly.
Grumpy shrugged. "Like Snow said. Because we're bad."
"I think it's lime, erm, time to start supper," Doc said shakily into the thick silence that followed. He stood up and walked over to grasp Grumpy's shoulders. "And you're not bad. Neither of you are," he added, turning to Snow.
Snow smiled and Grumpy snorted. Neither of them believed him. They knew that if Doc and his brothers knew they had magic, his mind would change in an instant. After all, magic was for bad people.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The spark came upon them suddenly, an overwhelming feeling that they had to mine. After a month at home with Snow, they were nearly blinded by the need to get back to work. Sleepy was particularly bewildered, having theorized that they had mined for a month straight so that they could spend a year off. But it was painful in its intensity, and none of them could fight it. Something was tugging them to leave the house.
Grumpy would realize later that Grimhilde had cast a spell, but at the time the thought didn't even cross his mind. So, against his better judgement, they gave in to the need to leave and walked away from the smiling, beautiful girl in the doorway, her eyes bright with life.
The next two hours were a blur in his mind. After getting to the worksite, they were immediately accosted by the animals. Startled by their rough treatment, he didn't even think to try and use his magic to understand them. By the time they'd realized what it could mean and ran for the cottage, it was too late. They got there in time to see an old woman leaving their house, a wicked grin on her face, but Grumpy wasn't fooled. He could sense the black magic in her, and he was livid that she had gotten past his defenses.
The rage that boiled inside Grumpy needed an outlet, and it came in peals of thunder and flashes of lightning. The air was charged with electricity, and he led the charge to take down the queen. Blinded by anger, they charged up to face her, and then he saw what she was doing. With a cry to look out, he flung his hands out as if to protect the brothers from the enormous boulder she was trying to topple on their heads as she laughed and taunted them. Grumpy was lost in a sea of anger and fear, and he turned his gaze up to Grimhilde. As his terror and rage reached a fever point, a single bolt of lightning hit the cliff, and in an instant, the chase was over.
Grumpy never found out if he had directed the strike there with his magic. But he didn't care. He turned tail and raced for the cottage before the brothers had even looked up.
The sight of Snow on the floor, unmoving, no breath stirring her chest, broke something in Grumpy. Dropping beside her, he touched her fair face and wept. Then he saw the apple. He reached over and picked it up, frowning at it through his tears. And the thick, disgusting feeling that crawled up his arm made him drop it.
"Witchcraft," he murmured. "Black magic."
But before he could think of anything to do, the brothers showed up. Their heartrending sobs tore the chasm in Grumpy's heart even deeper, and he said nothing as he helped carry Snow to her bed. He was angry now, and his anger would be avenged. But he wasn't sure how.
The brothers didn't sleep for hours that night. Doc sat hugging Dopey, wiping at his eyes, while the others would sporadically burst into tears. Grumpy stayed with them, unable to hide his tears, but he was not swept up in misery. His mind was working overtime.
Around midnight, he walked downstairs and picked up the apple again. The sickly feeling returned, and he pressed his lips together. He needed to know what it was, what kind of spell was used. The entire thing was coated in something, and he studied it. Using his magic, and not much caring if he was caught, he probed the apple. It was not a spell, he determined. It was a potion. But what kind? Was it to kill? No, that didn't make sense. Poison would have worked for that. And it would have been quick. Easy. And Grimhilde would have wanted Snow to suffer. Could Snow be alive? He needed to know.
When the brothers had finally fallen asleep, still dressed in their work clothes, Grumpy approached Snow's bed and moved the curtain. Lighting a candle, he pulled the stool over and sat down. She was so beautiful, so still. But was she alive? Grumpy studied her, reaching out with his magic, feeling for any kind of life. Nothing. He altered his magic, still searching. He needed to know if he could save her or if she was really dead. He continued searching for any sign of life, for any kind of life force. And then he felt it. A soft pulse against his magic.
He breathed out shakily, reaching up to wipe at his eyes. He had been right. She was alive. But what had the potion done? What was its purpose? The pulse brushed against his magic again, beating like a frightened heart. He needed to comfort her, to talk to her. If she was still alive, she had a consciousness in there somewhere. Was she aware? He had to know. He had a spell to use, but it was invasive. It would connect their minds, linking them in a way that frightened him. She would be able to access his thoughts and feelings until the spell was reversed. But it was the only thing he could think of. And so he would do it. For Snow.
Hurrying to his bed, he pulled off the blankets and grabbed his pillow then slipped behind the curtain again. He set up a makeshift pallet then blew out the candle. This spell would take so much out of him, and he needed to be comfortable. It was done best through sleep. He'd read about it in an old book of runes ages ago, the guide Calida had gotten him so he could learn how to control his own magic. Of course she hadn't taken the time to teach him, but the book had helped.
When he was settled on the floor, he closed his eyes and gathered his magic. Silently, methodically, he wove the spell, keeping his eyes closed despite the green lights flashing from his fingers. When the spell was complete, he paused, sending up a prayer before he pushed the magic into Snow.
At once, everything went dark and quiet, and Grumpy was no longer lying on the floor. He was in a dark land, dripping with shadows. Eyes peered at him, and he looked around, frightened. When the shadows lunged toward him, he threw up his hands and summoned fire. The light exploded across the landscape, and the shadows melted away like frost in the sunlight. Grumpy let out a breath and looked around. Where was he? Then he heard a soft noise. He listened hard and recognized the same noises from a few nights before. Snow was crying.
"Snow!" he shouted. "Snow! Where are you?"
"Grumpy?" Her voice was faint and panicked. "Help me! I can't wake up! It's so dark!"
Grumpy pinpointed the direction and began to run. "Keep talkin'! I'm comin'!"
"Help me! Please! She won't let me up! I don't like this dream!"
Grumpy ran faster. Should he flash forward? No, he might miss her. He looked around frantically, following her sobs. Then he saw her. In a valley, she was lying on the ground, dressed in rags and covered in shadows. A dark, leering figure stood above her, snarling at her.
"Get up and work, girl! Your father let you get away with far too much! Get up or you'll be lashed again!"
"Leave me alone!" Snow cried.
Grumpy bellowed in anger and raced forward. He flung the fire toward the figure. As soon as the light hit it, the creature shrieked and began to melt, steam hissing out of it until it withered away to nothing. Grumpy hurried over to Snow and grabbed her.
"No!" she sobbed, struggling.
"Snow! Snow, it's me! It's Grumpy!" he soothed.
She peeked at him then blinked. Tears of relief filled her eyes and she reached trembling fingers over to touch him.
"Oh, it really is you!" she exclaimed. Then she burst into tears.
Grumpy held her as she shivered and cried. He stroked her back and murmured gentle things to her as she broke down. When she had calmed down, he pulled back and wiped her cheeks.
"Where are we?" she asked.
"Where d'you think we are?"
Snow sniffled. "It feels like a dream. A very bad dream. But I can't wake up! I've pinched myself and slapped myself, but it's no use!"
"Sleepin' potion," Grumpy grumbled. "But what kind? I need the antidote!" He stomped his foot in frustration.
"Sleeping potion? I didn't take a sleeping potion," Snow White said.
"It was on that apple you bit into," Grumpy said. "That damn witch tricked you! She'd changed her form and knew you'd be nice to her!"
Horror flashed across Snow's face. "That old peddler? That was Grimhilde?" She stared in dismay then looked down, her face turning red.
"Snow? What's wrong?"
"I'm tired of her doing this to me!" she screamed, and pink magic exploded around them, rushing out of her like water. Grumpy stood his ground as it flowed around him. It didn't hurt despite the power, and he knew he wasn't the target of her rage. Hot, angry tears slid down her cheeks and she sobbed. "Why won't she stop? What more can she take away from me?"
"She ain't never gonna touch you again, Snow," Grumpy said.
"How? She's found me with you! If I'm not even safe with you then how can I escape her?" Snow cried.
"She's dead."
Silence. The flow of magic slowed then stopped as Snow turned to look at him. "Dead?"
"She can't touch you. She's gone," Grumpy said. "We done killed her. You're never gonna have to see her again."
Snow sat back and stared at him in disbelief. "Really?"
"Yep. But you're under a potion. I need to figger out which one so's I can make the antidote. There's always an antidote to potions. Sometimes they're funny, other times they're not so funny. But I gots to try."
"What will you do?"
"I ain't got much know-how when it comes to potions," Grumpy said, plopping down and placing his head on his fist. "That could be bad."
He sat in silence and chewed on the problem. Snow curled up against him, comforted by his presence in this strange land of shadows and monsters. His strong magic pushed back the darkness and helped her to feel safe.
"She did black magic," he muttered. Then he turned to Snow. "Did she ever go into a room for long stretches?"
Snow considered this. "She used to go down to the dungeons. Even when there was nobody to torture, she would go. I was never allowed down there."
Grumpy snapped his fingers and nodded. "Course. That's where her witchin' room is. If I can get there, I bet I'll find books. An' the potion could be in one of 'em!"
"But how will you find which one it is?" Snow asked.
"I dunno. But it's a start. I have to do somethin'. They think you're dead…" Grumpy paled and sat up straight. "They think you're dead."
"You said that."
Grumpy shook his head, speaking urgently. "You bury dead people. If they bury you…"
Snow covered her mouth. "No! What do we do?!"
"You can't do nothin'." Grumpy thought about it then nodded. "If I have to, I'll tell them 'bout my magic and that I knows you're alive."
Tears filled her eyes. "Oh, Grumpy, you'd do that for me?"
"I'd do anythin' for you, Snow. You don't deserve what's happened to you. And I aim to fix this. No matter what."
Snow laughed and threw her arms around Grumpy. Grumpy grumbled but patted her back. "That's enough, Snow."
Snow squeezed him then sat back. "How will we get out of here?"
"You need the antidote. I'll just wake up," Grumpy said.
Her eyes filled with fear. "No! Don't leave me alone again, Grumpy! She'll come back!"
Grumpy looked at her. "What are you sayin', Snow?"
"Pardon?" She was startled by the harsh tone.
"You've got just as much magic as me! Use your magic to force them back!"
Snow stared at him with big eyes. "But—"
"No!" Grumpy snapped. "You're tired of her hurtin' you, but did you ever fight back? Did you ever look her in the eyes an' say no?"
"I couldn't, Grumpy! It's not ladylike!"
"Codswallop and fiddle-faddle!" Grumpy spat. He grabbed her face and held her gaze. "Snow White, you listen here! Sayin' no is somethin' you have to learn! You're gonna be a queen one day! And sometimes you gotta fight back! Fightin' ain't ladylike, you're right, but I don't give a damn!You have to learn to fight your own battles, Snow! Stop cowerin' in the corner and lettin' ev'rybody walk all over you! It ain't good! So get your magic and make some fire! Now!"
And he released her and snapped his fingers to cut off his magic. The fire disappeared, plunging them into the dark. Snow yipped in fear as clingy shadows immediately began to clutch at them.
"Grumpy! Help!" Snow gasped.
"Help yourself."
Snow's breathing was fast and shallow. She couldn't do this. She just couldn't. Grimhilde's warnings flashed through her mind, and she began to cry.
"Please Grumpy!"
"No."
The sticky shadows began to engulf her, and she shuddered at their cold grip. She tried to pry them off, but they only stuck to her hands. She would never escape this nightmare. Then she heard a grunt of pain.
"Grumpy?"
"Them things sure is sticky," he grumbled. "Ouch!"
"Grumpy!" Snow reached for him, but she couldn't see, and her hands found only air.
He grunted again, and she suddenly realized that the shadows were attacking him. Why didn't he protect himself? Then a thought occurred. What if he couldn't? What if they had immobilized him? That made her angry. How dare they hurt her friend! She had to help! She struggled to her feet and focused on her magic. The magic pulsed, and she focused it in front of her. She had never made fire before, but she knew it was hot like her anger so she poured her anger into the magic then pushed it outward.
The flash of light and heat was so strong that she tumbled backwards. The shadows hissed and melted in the light, and she smiled triumphantly before she saw Grumpy sitting still, staring at her.
"Knew you could do it," he said smugly.
She stared at him then looked to the warm fire before her, burning and flickering brightly in a ball. "Do you hate me?" The question slipped from her before she could stop it.
"Naw. Why?"
"I don't understand you," she said. "You're so kind sometimes, then you're cold, and you just yelled at me."
"It's called tough love," Grumpy said, averting his eyes. "Sometimes you gotta hurt somebody you love cuz they're too dern stubborn to realize what's right in front of them."
"So… you love me?"
Grumpy blushed and shrugged one shoulder. Snow relaxed and sat down, staring up at the ball of her magic. "So how will you get out?"
Grumpy tugged on his beard thoughtfully. "I'll just wake up. You'll hafta be alone while I'm awake, Snow. But I'll be back tomorrow night."
"How are you here?"
There was a pause. "It's a spell," he finally admitted. "A complicated one. I hope you ain't mad, but I linked our minds. I'm in your head."
"Why would I be angry?" Snow asked.
Grumpy grimaced. "It's invasive," he muttered. "I'll be able to sense your thoughts an' feelins. And you'll be able to do the same with me. It ain't somethin' I'd usually do. But you looked dead, Snow. So still… I had to know."
Snow pressed her lips together. "I see." She thought about it.
"I knows thoughts are s'posed to be private," Grumpy said. "I'm sorry."
"I think," Snow said slowly. "That if it were any of the others, I would be angry. But it's you. You're different. You understand me in a way the others don't. And you did it to save me. So we'll have to get used to it."
"It ain't permanent," Grumpy assured her. "Once the spell is broke, the link will fade."
Snow smiled and nodded. "Then I believe it was the best thing to do."
"Grumpy?" a faint voice called.
"Doc," Grumpy said. "Gotta wake up, Snow. You keep that fire burnin'. And see if you can clean up this nightmare to a dream, okay?"
Snow looked around and shrugged. "You'll come back?"
"Promise."
Snow stood back and watched as Grumpy waved at her and faded. Then she was alone. She swallowed and looked down at the dark ground. It was easy for her to fight for Grumpy. But she knew fighting for herself was different. The fire began to flicker, and she looked up and focused on it. It flared again, and she relaxed. It was going to be a long day, and she braced herself for monotony. Then something tickled at her.
'Hope she's okay.'
Snow looked around, startled by Grumpy's voice. Then she realized he wasn't there. As she recalled the explanation of the spell, she knew that he hadn't spoken. It was a thought. She wasn't alone. She sat down, comforted by that thought, and waited to hear more. And as an afterthought, she purposefully thought back to him.
'I am now. Thank you.'
A warm pleasure filled her, and she knew Grumpy was happy. She leaned back and strengthened the wavering fire again. Now all she could do was wait.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Grumpy opened his eyes as Doc called for him again. The curtain slid open and Doc started at the sight of Grumpy lying on the floor by Snow's bed.
"There you are," he said.
"Yep," Grumpy said, sitting up. He was sore, and his thoughts trailed back to Snow.
'Hope she's okay," he thought as he stood up and stretched.
'I am now. Thank you.'
Grumpy was startled by the reply, but he was very glad she was okay. He turned to look at her beautiful, serene face and fought back tears. Doc stepped over and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
"It's okay."
"Naw. It ain't," Grumpy said. "Shouldn't have happened."
Doc didn't argue, but he swiped at his eyes. Bashful walked over and stared at Snow's still form.
"What're we gonna do?" he asked.
Grumpy hesitated, fear rushing through him. 'Gotta tell 'em. How? After ten years… will they hate me?'
"She's too pretty to just put in the ground," Sneezy said. He sounded far more congested than usual.
"She was hurt by witchin'," Grumpy muttered, looking at Snow again.
"She was?" Sleepy asked, rubbing at his eyes. Dopey looked up at Grumpy from behind his brothers and raised his hands, wiggling his fingers. Grumpy nodded once.
"She was a witch. Practiced black magic. She made Snow eat an apple. What kind of normal apple would kill anybody? There was magic in that apple, mark my words. Damned witch."
"How do you know?" Doc pressed.
"Go get the apple. It's on the counter. Careful touchin' it," Grumpy said.
Dopey jumped up and bolted down the stairs. He came back with the rosy apple, which hadn't started to brown, further proof of the potion. Dopey dropped the apple onto the floor, making a face as he quickly rubbed his hands over his clothes. His movements were frantic and he shook out his hands, shivering as he eyed the piece of fruit.
"What's wrong?" Bashful asked, leaning down to pick up the apple. He straightened then yelped and threw the apple back down. "What in tarnation is wrong with that?!" he yowled, scrubbing his hand on his trousers.
"I done told you. Black magic," Grumpy said. "You can always feel black magic. You can hide it for awhile, but it'll seep through eventually."
'Is that why it didn't feel dark to me?' Snow thought to him. She was horrified, and the cold feeling made him want to shiver.
'Yep. You didn't know cuz she didn't want you to,' he thought back. 'You ain't stupid. It was more tricks.'
The brothers were staring at the apple, and each of them reached out to touch it to see for themselves what had Bashful and Dopey so disturbed. Doc stood back, wiping his hands down his shirt with a shudder.
"That is not natural."
"Nope. Black magic," Grumpy said.
"So what does that mean?" Doc asked.
"Means Snow's body is frozen," he said. He braced himself, waiting for the questions about how he knew that.
"So… she ain't gonna… you know, rot away?" Sneezy asked.
"No," Grumpy said.
Bashful's eyes lit up. "That's great!"
Grumpy blinked. "Huh?"
"'Cause I gots an idea, see," Bashful said excitedly. "She's still so awful perty, and I think she should have somethin' just as pretty as her to be with her forever."
"What's your idea?" Sleepy asked.
"We can make her a coffin outta gold an' crystal. Since we never got to do anythin' real special for her when she was still…" He stopped and looked away.
Grumpy was stunned by the idea. But he loved it. And if they took it, he wouldn't have to tell them of his deception. He waited, anxiety making him want to squirm as he watched slow smiles spread over the brothers' faces.
"I like it!" Doc said. "It'll be a memorial for her!"
"Yeah. That's real nice," Sleepy said, his eyes gleaming. "They used to bury Dwarf nobles in gold coffins. We just gotta figure out how to mold it."
"Paper! Ink!" Doc exclaimed. "Let's get started!"
"Yeah. I need to do somethin'," Sneezy said. Dopey nodded, and the brothers hurried to the door, leaving Grumpy stunned. Not one question had been asked about how he knew about the black magic or anything. He felt strange inside, and he turned to look at Snow. Concern that wasn't his filled him.
'What's wrong?' Snow asked.
Grumpy stared at her fair face. 'They didn't ask. Not a thing. And they're gonna make you a gold coffin.'
'Oh! That's not necessary!' Snow thought wildly.
'It'll take them ages to carve the crystal and make the gold good enough. They ain't gonna bury you yet.'
'So… that's a good thing?' Snow asked slowly.
'I guess…' Grumpy was still puzzled.'Not a single question…'
'They trust you, Grumpy.'
Flashes of memory passed through his mind before he could stop them. He saw the precious treasures changing hands, the brothers weeping, and his own explosion in the hideout. Snow was silent for a few moments afterward.
'Grumpy?'
'They shouldn't trust me,' he thought bitterly, anger flooding his veins.
'What happened?'
'I don't wanna talk about it. And don't you go pryin' neither.'
'Of course not.'
Grumpy carefully arranged the blanket then turned to go back downstairs. He watched the brothers go about their preparations, talking excitedly about the grand coffin they would make for their dear friend. But Grumpy didn't join in. His thoughts were focused on what he would have to do. He needed to get to Snow's castle without being seen.
The castle was almost directly opposite Castell on the other side of the forest. He'd need to travel light, and old gears began turning in his head as he planned for what he'd need. He hadn't traveled alone for years, but he couldn't bring any of the brothers with him. They would only slow him down.
"What do you think, Grumpy?" Doc asked, and he looked up.
"Eh?"
"This design," Doc said, holding out a piece of parchment.
Grumpy took the paper in his hands and looked over it. His eyes took in the intricate coffin, and he swallowed. He needed to go very soon, or she would be buried alive. "It's real pretty."
Doc beamed. "Excellent! Now, how much crystal do you think we'll need, Bashful?"
And the brothers were off again. Grumpy sat still and pondered what he would need then he got up and walked upstairs. He pulled out his old pack, the one he'd shown up with ten years before, and stared at it. Rough and frayed, it had lain forgotten for years in his trunk. But now he needed it. With a burst of magic, he repaired all the damage and checked the magical pockets he'd secretly made. They were all strong, but he strengthened them anyway then he began to pack.
When he was satisfied that he had everything but food, he hefted it on his shoulder and walked downstairs to place it by the door. The brothers were all chatting, but Sneezy caught sight of him.
"Hey! What're you doin'?" he asked sharply.
Everybody turned and silence fell. Dopey looked alarmed and bolted over to grab him, shaking his head.
"I gots to go," Grumpy said firmly, grasping Dopey's shoulders.
"Do you?" Doc asked, a smidge of fear in his voice. "Well then we'll go with you. Do we need something in Castell?"
"Naw. I'm goin' alone," Grumpy said.
"You can't!" Bashful burst out.
"I gotta."
"Why?" Doc asked.
Grumpy's heart clenched at the brokenness in the usually confident Dwarf's voice. "I just need to get away from here."
"Forever?" Sneezy asked.
"Naw. Just a while. I'll be back."
"When?" Bashful asked.
Grumpy clicked his tongue. "Before the winter solstice. Should be back by then."
"Are you leaving tonight?" Happy asked.
"I…" Grumpy trailed off, unsure. He was suddenly frightened of being alone. It had been years since he'd felt that way.
"Don't! We'll have a big ol' supper and I'll make you some fresh bread," Happy said.
"But you'll let me go tomorrow?" Grumpy asked suspiciously.
"If that's what you need, yes,"Bashful replied, wrapping an arm around Doc.
Doc gave a strained smile, but he didn't argue. That evening, Happy made a feast, and they all ate their fill. After having not eaten since breakfast the day before, they enjoyed their dinner. Doc was unusually subdued, and Grumpy found himself the center of attention. They poured affection over him until he thought he'd suffocate, but eventually they headed to bed. Grumpy lay in his soft, warm bed, relishing his final night in the house for a while.
When he fell asleep, he appeared near Snow in the dream world, and he was pleased to see a small patch of grass with a single flower sitting directly under the ball of flame. He told her about his plan and she listened and explained about her castle.
"Are you sure you can get in?" Snow asked after she finished. "The guards are not to be trifled with."
"There'll be a back way inta her witchin' room," Grumpy replied. "It'll be easy to detect the magic."
Snow sighed. "I'm sorry for all this fuss."
"Stop that," Grumpy snapped. "You ain't a fuss. Not for us. And I'm sick of you apologizin'."
"I can't help it. Everything has always been my fault," Snow said. "Ever since Father died. She said I was the reason he died, too."
Grumpy pressed his lips together. "Codswallop. He died in battle."
Snow looked away. "I know. But she said…"
"Ignore that bitch!" Grumpy barked out. "How is it your fault, Snow? He died a warrior's death fightin' for your kingdom! His sacrifice allowed the army to come back and win! We're all safe 'cause of your pa! And you should be proud of him, Snow! Not guilty, not ashamed, not frettin' that it was your fault, but proud!"
Snow was startled by Grumpy's tone, but she sat still and thought about it. Then she nodded. "You're right, of course. But I was a child when he died. And Grimhilde said if I hadn't been born, my mother and father would both be alive, and I was a wicked little girl for having…"
"Magic," Grumpy huffed. "It always comes back to that, don't it?"
Snow shrugged half-heartedly. "Sure seems like it."
For the rest of the night, Grumpy helped Snow to explore her magic. The patch of grass expanded another foot, and a few more pink flowers bloomed before their eyes. Grumpy told Snow he was pleased with her progress, and her eyes shone with glee as she kissed the top of his head. He ducked away as his face burned, then he waved and woke up.
Breakfast was rather solemn, but Happy was as good as his word and had spent the night preparing an array of foods that would keep for a while. Grumpy appreciated it, but a hollow seemed to be in the pit of his stomach. He was leaving the brothers for the first time in ten years, and it scared him. He embraced each of them tightly when breakfast was finished, and Doc didn't want to let go.
"Doc, I needs to go," Grumpy said gently.
"What if you don't come back?" Doc asked, his voice small and frightened.
"I will. I always will," Grumpy said.
Doc pulled away with a hiccup and wiped at his eyes. Grumpy understood why he was so upset. He'd confided in him that ever since he'd lost his brother to the river, he was afraid to lose family. And Doc well and truly considered Grumpy to be family. It touched him, and he smiled reassuringly as he pulled on his pack. The weight was familiar and yet so strange after so many years, and he hesitated before he opened the door.
"Guess I'll see you around winter solstice," Grumpy said.
"Be safe," Doc begged.
"Take care," Bashful said.
"Make sure you eat enough," Happy ordered. "I don't want you to come back as skinny as you were ten years ago."
Sneezy sniffled then sneezed. "Don't take nothin' from no one."
"Try and get some more stories," Sleepy yawned. "I want somethin' new to talk about."
Dopey hugged Grumpy again, and his eyes pleaded for him to come back to him. Grumpy tugged his hat over his eyes, and Dopey laughed and stepped back. They followed Grumpy out the door but stopped by the bridge. Before he left, Grumpy turned to them.
"Promise me you won't bury her before I get back," he said sincerely.
"We promise," Doc said. The others nodded.
Grumpy turned and strolled across the bridge to the edge of the trees and looked back one more time. The brothers all stood there, watching him with the cottage behind them, welcoming and homey. It was this picture he held in his mind as he took a deep breath and plunged into the forest. He pretended to head to Castell then turned around to face the cottage. He flexed his magic and a thin sheet of silver appeared. The view flashed across the forest, and he judged about ten miles before stopping in a small clearing. He hiked his pack higher on his shoulders, steeled himself then took a step forward into the sheet of silver.
At once, a burst of magic erupted from inside of him, and he was in the clearing. The brothers would never think to look this far to find him, five miles from the cottage in a different direction than he'd set out in. He was alone and away from home for the first time in ten whole years. Grumpy swallowed and a shiver of fear worked it's way up his spine.
"Grumpy? Is everything okay?"
Snow's voice startled him, and he blinked. "Yeah. Just a lot. Ain't been on my own for years."
"I'm here," she pointed out.
That thought comforted Grumpy, and he grinned. "Try and figure out how to see what I'm seein'. That way you don't feel so trapped."
As Snow's magic flexed, he began to walk toward her castle through the treacherous forest. Snow was right. He wasn't alone. And there was a difference between his present and his past. Before, he'd had nowhere to go, nowhere to feel safe. But now? He knew that he had a home to come back to.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The first night, Grumpy camped at the edge of the forest nearest to Snow's castle, making sure to stay quiet. He settled down and pulled out his bedroll after making a fire pit. He had traveled a long way after flashing forward, and he was tired. But it wasn't the sort of satisfying tired that he felt after a hard day of mining or farming at home. Without the brothers around him, he felt empty and lonely.
When he pulled out some of the bread that Happy had made for him, everything that had happened in the past few days hit him. Tears slipped out of his eyes as grief and pain and loneliness nearly swallowed him whole. He cried as he ate the bread, which tasted like home, and he got a bit of comfort from it. Snow brushed his mind tentatively, and Grumpy swallowed.
"What?" he thought to her, scrubbing at his eyes.
"Is everything okay?"
"I should've done more for you. Shouldn't have left you. Now look at the mess we're in!"
"Oh, Grumpy. If I could, I'd give you a hug. In fact, I'll give you one when you fall asleep."
Grumpy snorted and swiped at his eyes as he finished his bread. Then he crawled into his bedroll. He told himself he was going to sleep because he was tired, not because he wanted a hug, and he heard Snow laughing as she caught his thoughts. But when he got to her in the dream world, he didn't fight her embrace. She plucked his hat off and kissed his head, and he accepted it with only a grumble.
That night, he and Snow worked on her magic again as Grumpy slept. She was happy for the company, and he enjoyed teaching her. As she learned, blades of grass and small flowers began to bloom farther and farther into the darkness, and the habitable part of the land grew larger. After a long lesson, Grumpy sat down with a heavy sigh.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Just…" Grumpy shifted. "Just thinkin'."
"About what? I can't hear your thoughts while you're here."
"Other things I've made a mess of."
"You aren't to blame for this situation. I am," Snow said drearily.
"No, you ain't."
They both stared at each other then looked away.
"Guess we ain't gonna agree, eh?" Grumpy said.
"I suppose not," Snow said.
Grumpy felt the stirrings of his body, and he began to fade. "Guess I'm awakin' up."
"Be careful, Grumpy."
"I will," he promised. And the world faded into the early light of morning.
After eating breakfast, Grumpy slung his pack on and began to wind his way through the woods, sending out feelers for any signs of magic. He knew it would be in the woods, perhaps a hidden place where he'd find the entrance to a tunnel or stairwell, and he'd be able to feel it. He found the tunnel, and it had a small creek running out of it. But there was a buzzing sense of magic that sent a shiver up his spine. He hefted the pack higher and peered in. He heard and saw nothing move, so he formed a ball of white fire in his hand and snuck in.
The tunnel stretched for a couple of miles, and he had to make the water solid enough to walk on to get through after only a few feet in. Padding down the center of the water, walking as if he were on dirt instead of liquid, he took it slow and careful, on high alert for any kind of magical disturbances that would signal a trap. He met nothing dangerous, and he finally came out of the tunnel into a huge stone room. He couldn't believe how cocky Grimhilde was, not even a single trap along the whole way. Stepping onto solid ground, he peered around, pursing his lips. A pulse of magic confirmed that he was deep under the castle. He'd made it. Now he just had to figure out where the witching room was.
Using his magic to search for any signs of black magic, he followed an uneasy feeling deeper into the dungeon. Then he heard a soft noise, and he stopped and peered around.
"Please," a soft, hoarse voice said.
"Who's there?" Grumpy demanded, grabbing the hilt of his knife.
The noise repeated, and Grumpy turned to see a thin man in a barred cell. He looked like a man who had once been much larger, but he'd obviously lost a lot of weight in a short time. Grumpy hesitated then stepped over. The man looked too weak to move much, but there was desperation in his eyes.
"What d'you need?" Grumpy asked.
"Water. Please…"
Grumpy walked over to the barred door of the cell and shook it. He didn't really care to look for a key, so he put both hands over the lock and flexed his magic. The lock burst open in a spray of green sparkles, and Grumpy hurried over to the emaciated man. Shrugging out of his pack, he pulled out a full canteen and gently held the man's head in his lap as he helped him to drink. The man swallowed great mouthfuls of water and drained the whole canteen before settling back and closing his eyes.
"Thank you," he croaked.
Grumpy grunted and pulled out a loaf of bread and some cheese. "Hungry?"
The man's eyes popped open and he reached up quickly. Grumpy held it out of reach.
"Hang on!" Grumpy ordered. The man froze. Grumpy softened. "Don't go gobblin' it down, you hear? Could make you sick if you eat too much after not eatin' for so long. Take small bites and don't push yerself."
The man nodded and took the bread. Grumpy watched as he nibbled on it. "What're you doin' down here?"
"The Queen is punishing me," the man said softly.
"What for?" Grumpy asked.
The man hesitated then a gleam of defiance lit his face. "I refused to kill the princess for her. I let her run. And I don't regret it!"
"Yer the one who saved the princess?" Grumpy asked in surprise. "Yer the huntsman?"
The man froze and stared at him. "Have you seen her? Is she alright?"
Grumpy looked down. "I'm helpin' her. At the end of it she'll be alright. But not right now. But I needs to know about Grimhilde's witchin' room."
The huntsman paled. "You're trying to help the princess?" he asked after a moment.
"Yep," Grumpy replied.
"The Queen spent time over in that direction. She came down from a ladder, but it's gone. There must be a hidden door in the ceiling."
Grumpy's eyes lit up. "Thanks." He paused. "Do you need any more help?"
"I think I'll be alright for now."
Grumpy nodded then set aside his pack. "I'll be back."
The Dwarf strode over to the blank wall then looked up. He could sense a dark protective spell on the ceiling. Reaching his hands into the air, he sent a bolt of magic up to the ceiling. There was a whistle then a sound like shattering glass, and shards of the broken spell rained down, tinkling as they hit the ground before melting into thin air. The huntsman watched this in astonishment, and he was suddenly aware of a trap door that he'd never seen before. Grumpy didn't even spare the man another thought as he used his magic to make a silver ladder, which he climbed up.
He pushed the door open and found himself smack dab in the center of Grimhilde's witching room. He shut the trap door and peered around. A flash of black dove toward his head, and he ducked and threw up his hand with a freezing spell. He turned to see a raven suspended in midair. Grumpy crossed his arms and squinted at the bird before he caressed his ears and mouth, green light following each movement.
"I suppose your her helper. Why is it always birds?" he grumbled. The bird glared at him and chittered it's beak. "I don't care much what you want to do to me. But you're gonna answer some questions."
The bird squawked defiantly.
"Naw. She won't hurt me. She cain't. She's dead."
The raven chittered it's beak again.
"Yep. She's dead. So there's no use in you tryin' to protect her secrets. I'll let you go once you answer some questions."
The bird tilted its head, and Grumpy barred the window with a flick of his hand then unfroze the raven. It fluttered over to a perch and adjusted its feathers, giving Grumpy a baleful look.
"Shouldn't have attacked me. It's your own fault. Now, what did the Queen do to the princess? What potion did she use?"
The bird continued to preen until it was satisfied then it flapped over to a book and pecked at it. Grumpy walked over and pulled it off the shelf, heaving it over to lay it on the desk. He opened the cover and stared at the runes. They weren't in common speak, but that didn't matter. He could read runes thanks to Calida's unwillingness to actually stop and teach him about his own magic when he was younger.
'What's it say then?' Snow thought to him.
"Vengeance Potions," Grumpy muttered. He looked up at the raven. "Which one?"
The bird pecked at the pages then ruffled its feathers. Grumpy nodded then began to slowly, methodically flip the pages of the book. The raven stared at the words, it's head tilting this way and that as each page went by. At last, it made a noise when it saw one particular page. Grumpy stopped, and the raven pecked at the page.
"Mm. Sleeping Death, eh?" Grumpy asked, squinting at the page. "Poisoned Apple…" He read the words again and again then looked up at the bird. "Anything else?"
The raven tilted its head again then leaned down to peck his hand. He flipped through the pages again, turning several before the bird squawked again, pecking another page. Grumpy's heart leaped into his throat as he read the words.
"Yes!" he barked, hitting the table. "That's what I need!"
Turning, he pushed the window open before waving at the raven. "Get outta here. Ain't nobody comin' back here. Go be a bird instead of a companion."
The raven clicked its beak, studied Grumpy intently, then bowed its head and fluttered its wings. It flew to the windowsill and watched Grumpy descend the ladder and shut the door. The raven stared for a moment then turned and flew toward the forest.
Grumpy got to the bottom of the ladder before making it disappear. He looked up at the door, thinking hard. Then he raised his hands and began to weave a spell.
"What are you doing?" the huntsman asked. He was sitting up and staring intently at Grumpy.
"Makin' sure nobody gets in." Grumpy said. "If nobody knows it's there, they won't go pokin' around and find black magic."
"Don't you want to get in?"
"What for?"
"You're using magic," the huntsman said. "Don't you need more."
Grumpy let out a frustrated grunt. "Confound it, not all magic is black magic! If more people knew that, I wouldn't be slinkin' around and hidin' from the only Dwarfs that've ever called me family!" A burst of green light flooded the room, and the huntsman looked away. When he looked back, Grumpy stood staring up at what appeared to be a normal stone ceiling. He looked defeated.
"I know magic is for bad people," he muttered. "But I know someone who ain't so bad that knows magic. And I don't like seein' her hurt."
"Is there a difference?" the huntsman asked.
"Eh?" Grumpy turned to look at him.
"Between what you did and black magic."
Grumpy shrugged. "Yeah. But it don't matter. Magic is for bad people. And that's that."
The huntsman considered him then staggered to his feet. "You are helping the princess?"
"Hm? Oh, yeah. I'm helpin' Snow."
"Tell me everything."
"Why?" Grumpy asked suspiciously.
"If you truly are helping the princess, I shall go with you. I must make restitution for even agreeing with the Queen to harm her. If you truly are helping her, I will assist you in whatever you ask."
Grumpy considered this then slowly nodded. "Sit down. It's a long story."
The huntsman did so, and Grumpy pulled out a bit of bread for lunch as he began to talk. The huntsman hung on every word, and his respect for him grew as the tale was told. Grumpy knew that he wouldn't be traveling alone to find Florian. He'd never admit it to anybody, but he was glad to have even a stranger as his companion.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

"A kiss?" Snow breathed, pleased and thrilled by the thought. "Really and truly? He has to kiss me?"
"That's what the book said," Grumpy replied, laying back in the fragrant grass. "Can only be broke by true love's first kiss." The Dwarf squinted. "You ain't ever kissed him before? Or been kissed by anybody?"
Snow blushed and looked down to smooth her skirt. "No, Grumpy. I have never been kissed before. Father used to kiss me goodnight, but I know that's not what you mean."
"Darn right it ain't," Grumpy said. "Now we just gotta find him. Heinrich says he'll take me to the Finderlands where Ferdinand rules."
"That's so kind of him. He looks awful."
"He'll live," Grunpy said, his gruffness softening at bit at her concerned look. "Now, don't you worry about him. He'll get good and strong, and we have time to get there. It'll just take a bit longer than it would have alone."
"I know you're right. But still, he gave up so much for me. I wish I could thank him."
"One day you will, Snow." He felt his body shift and began to fade. "See you tonight."
"Bye," she said sadly. "Good luck with Heinrich."
Grumpy certainly needed it. Heinrich was not a fan of Grumpy's attitude and sourness. As the days passed, he stopped trying to be nice, and he simply adopted a professional, respectful tone that grated on Grumpy's nerves. He didn't understand the Dwarf and he didn't really bother trying. His one goal was to atone for his mistake, and Grumpy was simply the means for him to do so. Grumpy had a sneaking suspicion that Heinrich didn't like Dwarfs, but he didn't say so.
After a couple weeks of travel and camping, they finally came to a town. Heinrich wanted to sleep in a bed, and Grumpy obliged by paying for two separate rooms. When they went downstairs to pay for dinner, Heinrich joined in with some human men in a card game, leaving Grumpy alone. Despite trying not to be wounded, it still stung when his traveling companion chose others over him. He sat and ate alone in a corner, chewing on the stew, which was far too salty. Happy could cook far better, Grumpy thought.
He caught a movement in the shadows and saw a boy sneaking his hand into a purse. The thief glanced around and saw Grumpy staring at him. He froze. Grumpy made a surreptitious sign, and the boy snatched his hand out of the purse, holding both up to show he took nothing. Grumpy gestured for him to come over, and the boy did so.
"Hungry?" Grumpy asked.
"Yes," the boy said cautiously.
Grumpy dug out a coin. "Get you a good helpin' and come back over here."
The boy did so, and he came back with quite a bit of food. He began to eat quickly, tearing off big chunks of bread and hardly chewing.
"Slow down," Grumpy said quietly. "Enjoy it. I ain't gonna take it from you."
The boy stared at him with frightened eyes and bulging cheeks before he nodded and chewed much more slowly. He finally swallowed and took a drink of water then spooned up a much smaller mouthful.
"There you go," Grumpy encouraged. "Now tell me what's been goin' on. I've been away for a while."
The boy stared at him. "Are you Ivan?"
Grumpy scowled. "That's what Calida called me. But I go by Grumpy now. Call me that."
The boy brightened. "Okay Grumpy. What are you doing here? Are you going into Findersland?"
"Goin' to talk to the king and queen. I needs to find the prince."
"Oh." The boy took a bite of bread as he considered this. "Florian isn't in the capital, if that's where you're headed."
Grumpy perked up. "He ain't?"
"He's on a quest to slay a great wolf that's been terrorizing the southern part of his kingdom. He set out a week ago."
Grumpy nodded. "Good to know." He set down his own spoon and leaned back. "What's your name?"
"Colin," the boy said.
"Orphan?"
The boy grew solemn. "Yes. My parents died three years ago. They got very sick very quickly. I was run out of my home by my uncle and his family. I was left on the streets."
Grumpy nodded, swigging from his pint. Then he pulled out two more coins and handed them over. "Make sure you and your friends can eat for a couple days."
"How dare you!" a booming voice shouted from across the room. Grumpy jumped to his feet. "Shadows," he spat to the boy, who stood up with his bowl and bolted behind some barrels.
Grumpy turned and was dismayed to see that Heinrich was backed into a corner. Alarm spread through him, and Snow's worried thoughts came to him.
'What's wrong?'
Grumpy didn't answer as he edged closer to listen to what the townsfolk were saying.
"You cheated us. Give us the gold, or else."
"I don't have any."
The men narrowed their eyes then grinned. "Really? But you're wearing palace garb, and the Queen's men always have extra gold. I think you're lying. If you won't give us the money, we'll have to get a little… invasive."
Heinrich looked panicked and Grumpy had heard enough. "Nice con," he growled loudly.
The men turned to see who spoke and sneered.
"What are you talking about?" one of them asked.
"Only reason you got him at your table is cuz of his clothes," Grumpy said. "You thought you'd get a good payout cuz he works in the palace. But I ain't gonna let you touch him. Now get back to your game and let us go to bed."
"Shut it, Dwarf. Or you're next," one of the men said. "Stay out of it."
Heinrich stared at Grumpy, fearful and yet hopeful. Would the Dwarf actually help him? He'd thought that the Dwarf hated him. But if Grumpy was willing to fight for him, perhaps he was mistaken. He certainly hoped so. And he knew Grumpy had magic, so if the Dwarf was on his side he had a chance.
Grumpy crossed his arms and squinted. "Back off."
The tallest man walked over and towered over Grumpy. "Make me, shortstuff," he said.
'Grumpy!' Snow exclaimed, panicked. She was looking up at the man through Grumpy's eyes. But the Dwarf felt no fear. Instead, there was a stirring of excitement, and he smirked.
"You asked for it," he said, shrugging. Then he darted forward.
Grumpy slid between his attacker's legs and slammed his elbows into the back of his knees. Heinrich saw sparks erupt where Grumpy made contact, but nobody else seemed to notice the magic. The man went down and cried out, grasping his knees. He tried to stagger to his feet, but he went down again.
"I can't…" the man gasped, sweat appearing on his forehead.
Grumpy bounded up on the table and got in another man's face. "Your turn. Give it up."
The man gave him a rather graphic description of what he wanted to do to the Dwarf, and Grumpy heard Snow gasp in shock. He reacted at once, grabbing the man's cloak and wrapping it around his face. With a grunt, he slammed the man's head into the table, and he went down. Grumpy was surprised by the third man, who grinned triumphantly as he raised a fire poker up to strike the Dwarf. Before he could react, Heinrich grabbed him around the middle and threw him across the room.
"What in blue blazes is going on in here?!" a woman suddenly yelled.
The wife of the innkeeper stood in the doorway, and every man went silent. Her dark eyes looked around the room then landed on Grumpy.
"Ah, you're the cause of all the trouble!"
Grumpy stood and scowled at her, but he didn't respond. It would do no good.
"Should have known! I told the daft idiot not to let you stay here. But here you are, causing a fight with some of our regulars!"Her eyes burned with loathing as she marched over to him. "Your kind don't belong here. Get out!"
'She can't do that!' Snow thought wildly.
Grumpy glared at the woman. "Don't need to be here nohow!"
Without a word he turned, his eyes meeting Heinrich's for a single moment. In that instant, words flooded into the man's mind. 'Sleep good. Bring my stuff when you leave.' Then Grumpy was storming out the door. Heinrich couldn't believe it. He knew he'd just heard somebody's thoughts, but that wasn't the only shocking thing. Heinrich stood rooted to the spot, haunted by the fair face he'd seen behind Grumpy's as their minds had connected.
"You going to make trouble?" the innkeeper's wife demanded.
"No," Heinrich said then hurried up to the room. Without a word, he gathered up all of their belongings then left. He didn't even stop to try and get their money back. He didn't care. He had to talk to the Dwarf.
"Mister! Hey, mister! Wait!"
Heinrich spun to see a boy of about ten hurrying over. "I have no coin. Go away."
The boy stopped and frowned at him. "You're Heinrich?" he asked distrustfully.
"Yes."
"The one with Grumpy?"
Heinrich's heart leaped in his chest. "Yes. Do you know where he is?"
"Yeah. He's staying with us tonight. Sent me to give you a message. But you're leaving the inn."
"Can you take me to him?"
"Don't know if I should, mister. You're nothing like him."
Heinrich paused. The way the boy said it, it was bad that he wasn't like Grumpy, like a Dwarf. But maybe that's not what the boy meant. He recalled glancing over to see Grumpy giving away a coin to a boy, this boy. He also had seen the steely stubbornness in the Dwarf's eyes when he'd come to his rescue. The Dwarf he'd thought nothing positive about had done nothing but surprise him.
The man slumped and rubbed his eyes. "Guess you're right," he said tiredly. "Tell him I'll be out on the west side when he wakes up."
The boy studied him. "Come on. But don't you go saying a single word about anything you see. The Missus would beat me black and blue."
Heinrich followed the boy through alleyways then into an old building. They went down a set of stairs into a wide basement where beds lined the walls. Heinrich was suddenly very aware that there were half a dozen young men staring at him. They moved to get up, then a familiar voice spoke up.
"Thought you'd stay at the inn."
Heinrich saw the young men relax and turn away, and he turned to see Grumpy sitting on a bed. His boots were off and he looked ready to relax.
"I…" he looked at the boy, who narrowed his eyes at him.
"Relax, Colin. Go to bed. We'll need to get up early to cross the border."
"Cross it? We're not near the gates," Heinrich said as Colin nodded and hurried to his own bed.
Grumpy met his gaze fearlessly. "Ain't goin' through the gates. Too far north. Would be a waste a time. I gots to help Snow."
"Will it truly help her sooner to do this?" Heinrich asked.
"Yep."
"Then I follow your lead. But I do have a question about her."
Grumpy grunted. "What's that?"
"How is she… in there?" Heinrich asked gesturing at Grumpy's head.
Grumpy blinked then swore. "Forgot about the residual." He looked up. "You wanna know? You don't talk to nobody about what I tell you. And she will order you not to if she has to!"
"If the princess so wishes," Heinrich replied.
Grumpy sighed and began to explain. He outlined the Dwarfs protection of Snow, her poisoning, and his intervention. Heinrich listened with rapt attention then nodded when he was done.
"I see. Magic is much stranger than I thought."
Grumpy clicked his tongue. "I couldn't just leave her all alone. The others can't talk to her, and they don't knows about it…"
Heinrich shrugged and stood. "Which bed is mine?"
Grumpy pointed to one. "That one ain't bein' used." Heinrich moved to go then paused. Without looking back, he spoke. "Thank you. For stepping in."
Grumpy grunted. "What makes you think I wouldn't?"
"Because I thought you to be different than you are."
Grumpy relaxed. "I growed up hearin' all them stories 'bout Dwarfs, too. Turns out, most of them ain't true. Just gotta give them a chance."
Heinrich looked back and stared into Grumpy's bright eyes. He knew, and he understood? Heinrich smiled.
"You just keep surprising me."
Grumpy finally looked away. "Get some sleep. Gotta leave early."
Heinrich walked over to the bed and lay down. Colin was sitting in the bed beside his. The boy studied him.
"I was right," he said. "You aren't like him."
"No. I'm not," Heinrich replied honestly.
Colin smiled. "But you sure could be."
With that odd compliment, Heinrich pulled off his boots and lay down. Even though they weren't in an inn, he still got to sleep in a bed. He was asleep in seconds.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The air between them was much more peaceful as the two men made their way across the border into Findersland. Heinrich watched Grumpy closely as he interacted with the group of boys and young men that came with them. He noticed that they called the Dwarf Ivan a lot, and every time, the Dwarf spoke calmly and reminded them that his name was Grumpy. Grumpy was also generous with his money. He willingly gave freely to the group, which Heinrich would have labeled a gang of street urchins, and their shining faces and warm thanks radiated joy at such a simple gesture.
Grumpy noticed Heinrich watching, but he didn't care. He wasn't going to behave any differently, no matter what the man knew about him. When they parted from Colin and the group, he payed them handsomely in thanks, took in their grateful faces, then stepped back to appraise them.
"Hey, girlie. Come here," he said.
Heinrich didn't understand who Grumpy was talking to. The whole lot of them were boys as far as he was concerned. Then one of the silent, brooding teens came over, head held high. Heinrich took a closer look, and he was startled to see that this wasn't a joke. This teen "boy" was actually a young lady.
"What do you want?" she asked haughtily, and instead of the low voice she'd used earlier, it was her real voice.
"Here," Grumpy said, and he flipped a coin in the air. Green sparkles erupted around it, and Heinrich, surprised and delighted by the rare show of magic, watched as Grumpy caught it and held it out. "For you and you only," he said firmly. "You know what it's for."
The girl softened, and the hard lines of her face smoothed into one so fair and tender that there was no doubt left that she was a girl. "Thank you… Grumpy."
Grumpy inclined his head then gestured for Heinrich to follow. "This way. Gots a couple miles to go."
Heinrich followed without a word, and he stared at Grumpy's profile as they marched. "How did you know?"
"Know what?" Grumpy asked.
"That she was a girl. She looked just like a boy to me."
Grumpy grunted and they walked along some more before he answered. "More girls end up on the streets than you think. Some turn to sellin' themselves. Others are picked up by thief guilds."
"That's not much of a life," Heinrich said.
"But it is a life," Grumpy replied.
Heinrich considered this. "You're one of them, aren't you?"
Grumpy nodded. "I knows what they do to live. I ain't proud of what I used to do. But it's there, and that's that. I don't steal no more though. Doc an' the others helped me to leave. I earned the coin I'm usin'."
"I don't doubt it," Heinrich said. "But it must have been hard."
The Dwarf shrugged. "You get used to it. It's real easy when you ain't got nothin' to compare it to."
They walked on for a while, and Heinrich contemplated the Dwarf. "You know something? I've never met anybody like you."
Grumpy snorted. "You mean there ain't a thousand Dwarfs raised by humans makin' a livin' in a thief's guild afore leavin' and goin' to mine with six Dwarf brothers?"
Snow's laughter rang in his mind, and Heinrich scanned him before shaking his head. "That's not what I mean."
Quite suddenly, Grumpy felt uncomfortable with the way the conversation was going. He never liked looking at himself through others' eyes. Especially with the brothers, he avoided talking about how they saw him. He was afraid of what they saw in him. He knew he was cracked and chipped, whereas they sparkled and shone. The light could only reveal his imperfections, while it would make them even more lovely. Compared to their value, he was only slightly better than nothing.
"Grumpy?" Heinrich asked. "Are you okay?"
"You're not horrible, Grumpy," Snow said gently.
He flinched away from both of them. If he wouldn't have this conversation with those he was closest to, he certainly wouldn't have it with a strange man and a girl who had access to his thoughts and feelings.
"We're gonna make it to Huntersglade by sunset. We'll get some maps and go from there."
Heinrich stared at him, surprised by the change of subject, but he accepted it when he saw the pained look on the Dwarf's face. "Very well."
At the inn that night, they managed to not get kicked out, and Grumpy traced out a route to several cities and a few villages. Heinrich was puzzled by the route.
"What makes you think this is the best course of action? You said the prince was traveling south. Why not just find out where the wolf is and go there?"
Grumpy tapped the table. "'CauseI need information," he finally said. "And these places are where the guilds are workin' right now. They won't stray to the villages until autumn when the harvest comes in. So we'll hit the cities first, I'll snoop for information, and if we find him before then, we'll stop there."
Heinrich nodded then started as a man tapped his shoulder. "Yes?" he asked.
"How about a game?" he asked, holding up a deck of cards.
"No, thank you. It's time for us to turn in," Heinrich said.
The man shrugged and went back to the table. Grumpy pursed his lips. "If you wanna play, go on."
"He didn't invite you, so no."
A start of feeling went through Grumpy at the words. It reminded him of Bastian, the first time he'd sided with him on anything. It was the day before he'd been publicly lashed, and the same warm, shocking sensation had hit him then. He was touched by the gesture, of being included by somebody. He'd never experienced that with the brothers, but their relationship was different. This was a man who hadn't been interested in him twenty-four hours before and who was now willing to give him a chance. It was pleasant, and after being rejected for so many years by humans outside the guild (and a lot inside, now that he thought about it), it was a nice surprise.
"Eh, not interested. But I gots a game we could play. Dopey sent it with me."
"What is it?"
"It's a Dwarf game. But we gotta play in our room."
Heinrich agreed, and they stood up and headed for the stairs. When they were in their room, complete with two beds and a cozy fire in the fireplace, Grumpy dug into his pack, pulled out a small drawstring pouch and dumped out a pile of jewels. Heinrich's eyes widened.
"What's all this?" he asked, glancing at the door.
"A game," Grumpy said.
"Dwarfs play games with jewels?"
Grumpy held up a ruby. "They ain't good gems. They're rubbish. Gots too many flaws. So's they make good playthings."
Heinrich sat down on the floor and watched as Grumpy divvied up the gems into piles by type then dug out a single die.
"Simple enough to play. Game a chance. You call the number and if you get it, you take a gem based on the number. To keep it simple, we'll play fours. So's the goal is to get four of each kind."
Heinrich nodded as Grumpy listed the types and the corresponding number on the die. After a demonstration, they began to play. Heinrich was entertained by the game, and he liked gathering the jewels in front of him. When the game ended, Heinrich won, and he found himself in very good spirits. When Grumpy reached for the gems, Heinrich watched them being put away, wistfully twisting a sapphire to catch the light. "I wish I had a gem this pretty."
"Looks perty to you. But it ain't so good. Gots beardin' down the side and a crystal flaw on the bottom," Grumpy said absently.
"Still prettier than anything I'd ever be able to get," Heinrich said. "Even flawed gems have value, you know. They might not be given to royalty or fit for collections, but many people will still look at them and see just how beautiful they are. Flaws and all, they still sparkle."
Grumpy had been reaching for the gemstone when Heinrich spoke, and he froze at those words. Heinrich couldn't have possibly known his thoughts from this morning, how he'd compared himself to a flawed gemstone. Heinrich looked up to see confusion and a smidge of fear on Grumpy's face, and he handed over the sapphire.
"Are you well?"
Grumpy tucked the gemstone into the pouch and the pouch into his pack. He licked his lips. "I think we should get some sleep."
Heinrich agreed and they got ready for bed. Grumpy fell asleep quickly and found himself in the dream world. There was so much more color and life now, and the grass stretched out before him. Snow sat waiting, her hair rippling in the soft night breeze that blew through the land. He was reluctant to approach, but he did anyway, keeping his eyes down. She stood and embraced him, plucking his hat off to plant a kiss on his head. He took the hat without batting at her and sat down, sighing in relief.
"Feels good to rest."
"He's got a point, Grumpy," Snow said softly.
Grumpy didn't speak for several moments, twisting his hat in his hands. "What point?"
"Don't be like that, Grumpy," Snow scolded gently. "You always think so badly about yourself. You're constantly thinking about how you don't deserve kindness and friendship and love, especially from Doc and the others."
"That's cuz I don't," Grumpy said bitterly. "'Specially from them."
"Why not?" Snow asked. "They love you. You said it yourself. They don't care about who you were, they love who you are."
"They don't knows who I really am, Snow," Grumpy insisted.
"What are you talking about?" Snow asked.
"I don't wanna talk about it," Grumpy said. He could feel her staring, and he stood up. "I'm goin' for a walk."
"Grumpy wait! Talk to me!" Snow exclaimed and she reached out to snag his wrist. There was a burst of pink sparks…
…and he couldn't help but get out of bed. The jewelry called and sang to him, touching his heart like the siren's songs the sailors always spoke of. He had to touch them, to get them out…
…the diamond pocket watch, perfection itself for the firstborn, Doc's personal treasure from his father. It would fetch a hefty price, though no amount of money would be able to reach its true value…
…a brooch, gleaming gold with a perfect opal on one side, Bashful's gift, broken but worth so much to the family…
…a bracelet adorned with rubies, crafted from the finest gold, given to Sneezy to pass on to any girl he fancied, a symbol of his parents love and hope for the continued family line…
…a perfect sapphire ring, flawless in both the gem and the gold, a symbol of pride for Sleepy, binding him to the family and the Estodien clan…
…a garnet set in beautiful silver, making a ring that was different from all the others, made for Happy to symbolize his mother's love for him…
…the black market dealer's gleeful face when he saw the treasure, "I'll give you five hundred for all of them…Perfection, absolute perfection…
Grumpy jerked his arm away from Snow, screaming in fright as he staggered several feet and fell to his knees. Tears streamed from his eyes, and he gasped for breath, startled by the memories. He was so disturbed and distressed that his body shifted and began to wake, desperate to get out of the familiar nightmare. After several minutes, he got ahold of himself and shivered. He became aware of Snow standing over him, and he felt ashamed.
"I stole 'em, okay?" he rasped, scrubbing at his eyes. "I stole 'em an' sold 'em an' they don't knows about it cuz I'm a coward and just couldn't live alone again. You happy?"
Snow knelt down and placed a hand on his back. "I didn't know. I'm sorry."
Grumpy shook his head and they sat there for several minutes as he calmed himself down. Snow eventually stirred.
"What did you do with the money?"
"Money?" Grumpy asked, swallowing. "What money?"
"The five hundred he paid you."
Grumpy froze, and his brows drew together. He'd never noticed that before. He'd sold them, but he'd never seen a single piece of that money.
"I didn't have the money," he said.
"Then who did?" Snow asked.
The briefest thought of Bastian crossed his mind, warning him about Calida, that something wasn't natural about her. But she had no magic. Grumpy would have sensed it. She couldn't have done that, and he wouldn't have given her the satisfaction if he'd had the choice.
"I don't know," Grumpy said slowly. He sniffed. "Why don't we work on your magic some?"
Snow smiled and stood. "I hope this control will stay with me when I'm awake again."
"Hope so. You're gettin' good. Now, give me some fire. Make it purple 'cause you're royalty."
Snow smiled and twirled, sending a spiral of fire out around her. Grumpy pushed the unsettling realization back for later. He'd rather deal with that when he was alone in his mind. For now, he would focus on Snow because that was less daunting.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Grumpy and Heinrich traveled from city to city, and the Dwarf gathered all the information he could want. Not only did he ask about the goings on of Findersland, but he also probed into the prince's character. He found the reports to be promising. Florián was a young man, noble in character and full of fire. He had never sought the affection of any of the ladies of his court, focusing more on other pursuits, but he was always tender toward the fairer sex, a quality Grumpy found to be very important. All in all, he was willing to talk to the prince about Snow when he was found. He just wasn't quite sure how the conversation would go.
Heinrich was good company now that an agreement had been reached. The human didn't understand most of the questions Grumpy asked or his reasoning behind the route he took, but he trusted him. If Heinrich had to guess, he was avoiding something. Or someone. Once, in the middle of the night, Grumpy came back from the streets and roused him frantically, stating that they needed to leave immediately. The Dwarf had barreled through the streets, tugging at him as he ran, and he didn't relax until they were well outside the city limits. Though he was obviously shaken, he didn't share what had spooked him so badly. Heinrich didn't pry. He simply knew that if it scared Grumpy, he didn't want to be near whatever or whoever it was. They'd camped out for the rest of the night, but Grumpy got no sleep, and they'd left the next day for the next city.
The days turned to weeks, which melted into months. It wasn't until late autumn that they finally had any luck. The days were getting shorter and Grumpy's heart had turned toward home, but still he pressed on. Heinrich loyally stayed by him, willing to do anything for the princess, but Grumpy could tell he wanted to go home, too. So when a young man from a guild told Grumpy that the prince had just passed through on his way to where the wolf was, both of their spirits were raised. They had a good supper that night then pressed on. Now that they'd found him, they just had to catch up.
They trailed him through several villages, and as autumn turned to winter and snow began to fall, travel became more difficult. They finally ended up in a tavern in a small village known as Ashton. Heinrich ate his meal then asked if Grumpy wanted to play a game. Grumpy said no, but he invited Heinrich to play. He handed him a coin and bid him to try his luck. Heinrich went over to a group of men and they welcomed him.
Grumpy sat back, scanning the room for any thieves. He saw none. They would be holed up in the cities for the winter. A hooded figure came in, stamping snow off his boots before looking around. The room was exceedingly crowded, and the man could find nowhere to sit. Grumpy held up his hand and gestured him over. The man gave him a wave then hurried to get some food.
'That's awfully nice of you, Grumpy,' Snow thought. She was staring out of his eyes, watching the world she couldn't physically be a part of.
'It's nothin',' Grumpy thought. The man set his food on the table then sat down.
"Thank you very much. I've had a rough day," he said.
The burst of shock from Snow made Grumpy's head jerk up. He saw a handsome young man with bright eyes and brown hair, and Snow cried out.
'Florián! It's Florián! Oh Grumpy, you found him!'
"Prince Florián, I presume," Grumpy said. He bowed slightly in his chair.
The prince looked surprised and amused. "Yes, my good Dwarf."
"Where have you come from?" Grumpy asked.
"I killed the great wolf that has been terrorizing our villages. It will no longer be a problem."
"I see. And where are you goin' now?"
"I shall return home," Florián said.
"Gots a perty girl awaitin' for you?"
Florián frowned. "I fear the girl I love is gone forever."
Snow gasped, and Grumpy had to stop himself from rolling his eyes. "What happened?"
"She was taken from her castle by a huntsman and never returned. I fear the man had ill will toward her." He paused. "I will miss her. She was beautiful. Skin as white as snow, hair black as ebony, and lips as red as a rose. And so clever and kind."
Grumpy considered this. "There was a girl I knew as perty as that," he said. "She was a runnin' away from somebody who wanted her dead. A huntsman was told to kill her, but he let her run inta the forest. And she found some friends and stayed with them so's they could protect her."
Florián's eyes went wide and he stopped eating. "What?" he breathed. "What happened to her? Where is this?"
"Ah, she was put under a spell," Grumpy said softly. "Only a kiss from her true love can save her." He paused then stood up. "Ah, it's not possible. Good night."
"Wait!" Florián said, grabbing Grumpy's wrist. "Where is this?"
"In Germonia," Grumpy said. "In a cottage in the dark forest west from the palace. She's there with a group of brothers, who are awaiting the spring to bury her."
"But she is alive?"
Grumpy stared at him. "Best be gettin' to bed. Gots a ways to go tomorra."
Grumpy slipped away up the stairs. Snow was not too pleased. 'Grumpy! What are you doing? Why aren't you taking him to me?'
'He'll find you,' Grumpy said, full of certainty. 'He ain't gonna stop until he tries to kiss you.'
'But they'll bury me!'
'Do you honestly think I'd let you be buried alive?' Grumpy demanded.
Snow settled down. 'No. I suppose not. But why tell him that?'
'I need him to find you by spring.'
'Why?'
Grumpy hesitated. 'I…' he looked down. 'I'd rather not have to tell the brothers about my… my magic.' He paused. 'But I will if it comes down to it.'
Grumpy was filled with Snow's gratitude, and he was warmed by her pleasure. Grumpy got ready for bed, and after a while, Heinrich walked in. He held up a small pouch, grinning. "I had good luck tonight."
Grumpy nodded and sat up. "I have news."
"What kind?" Heinrich asked, swinging the pouch around.
"I found Florián."
Heinrich stiffened and leaned forward. "And?"
"And tomorra we're heading home. I'll drop you off at the castle afore I head back to the cottage."
"Wait, what happened? Aren't we taking him with us?"
Grumpy shook his head. "He'll find her."
"Why not take him straight to her?"
"True love ain't so easy," Grumpy said quietly. "And it's tied to magic, too. He needs to prove that he does love her. He'll find her. He ain't gonna rest til he does. It'll be more likely that she'll wake up."
Heinrich rubbed his chin. "Are you sure?"
"Yes," Grumpy said. He paused. "Snow? Do you think yer ready to try?"
Heinrich blinked, staring strangely at Grumpy.
'Yes. Tonight. Tell him.'
Grumpy nodded and looked up at Heinrich. "Gonna cast a spell that should let you talk to Snow. Can't keep it up too long, but she wants to talk with you."
Heinrich swallowed and tossed aside the coin pouch, trying to make himself presentable. "Okay."
Grumpy crossed his legs and relaxed, closing his eyes. "You have a few minutes once you see her. Ready?"
Heinrich nodded and straightened. Grumpy focused inward and wove the spell. Heinrich watched as green sparkles appeared around the Dwarf, and then a burst of pink erupted outward and there she was. Snow stood in the same dress he'd last seen her in, her eyes bright, her smile beautiful. And Heinrich bowed.
"My princess," he whispered, his throat tight. "Forgive me, your highness. Forgive my cowardice. I should never have agreed to the queen's command."
"But you did, and it was a good thing, too," Snow said kindly. Her voice was sweet and melodious. "Who is to say that somebody else wouldn't have actually killed me? Because of your kindness to me, I am alive. You shall be rewarded for your loyalty and bravery."
Heinrich chanced a look up and saw a beneficent smile. "You are too kind, your highness."
"Allow Grumpy to take you home and then allow him to leave you. Then you shall wait for spring. If things go well, Florián shall lead me out of the forest and we shall celebrate. You have been a great asset to me, Heinrich." Snow's image shivered. "I must go. Thank you for everything."
She disappeared and Grumpy sucked in a sharp breath, swaying on the bed. He looked tiredly at Heinrich. "Good?"
"Yes. Thank you."
Grumpy licked his lips and reached for a pitcher of water to pour a cup. "Well, best get to sleep then. Gots a long ways to go. And I wanna get home."
Heinrich nodded and got ready for bed. Grumpy snuffed the candle and fell back, exhausted from the intensive spell. Snow was waiting for him in the dreamworld, and he fell into it gratefully. The world was nothing like the nightmare realm that it began as. Beautiful flowers were dotted amongst the grass, and trees full of fruit decorated the landscape. Snow stood and hurried over, smiling.
"I'm so happy that this is almost over."
"Might still be a couple months," Grumpy said.
"Still, seeing his face gave me hope," Snow sighed. She paused. "What you were saying to Heinrich about true love not being so simple, is that true?"
"True love has to be proven," Grumpy said. "Just feels right. Sometimes you can tell somethin's wrong without words."
Snow sighed. "I know you're right. But it would be so much simpler otherwise."
"Sure would be."
"But it'll be nice to see Doc and the others again."
A warm sensation filled Grumpy at the thought of home. "It sure will."
He sat there for a few moments before he was doused by cold water. "Hey!" he jumped up and glared at Snow. "You just made a mistake, girlie!"
"Catch me if you can!" Snow exclaimed.
Grumpy didn't bother chasing her, but he wove a simple spell. As Snow stepped forward, the ground turned to water and she disappeared. She burst out of the puddle, spluttering.
"Hey!" she gasped.
Grumpy laughed and began to run. "Catch me if you can!"
They laughed, and Grumpy could tell that everything was okay again. His thoughts were turned toward home, and he couldn't wait to get there.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

In order to make it back by the solstice, Grumpy flashed forward with Heinrich several times in the last few days they were together. Much sooner than Heinrich expected, they were back in Germonia. They walked to the castle, and Heinrich paused before they got too close.
"Better not come closer. The guards are probably… jumpy."
"They won't shoot you?" Grumpy asked.
"I don't think so."
Grumpy pressed his lips together and huffed then slung his pack off and dug through it. He pulled out the jewel game and plucked up the sapphire that was Heinrich's special favorite. Flipping it into the air, he cast a protection spell and caught it.
"Here. Should protect you."
"Oh I couldn't take that," Heinrich argued. "You can't play the game now."
Grumpy snorted. "Can so. Just not the complicated version. I'll find another sapphire. It'll be fine. Keep that on you and they can't hurt you. Even if they shoot at you, it won't hit you."
"Thank you, Grumpy," Heinrich said. "It has been quite the adventure."
Grumpy shrugged. "I'd do anythin' for Snow."
"I would as well."
Grumpy nodded then blew out a breath. "Mebbe I'll see you sometime. I'm gonna get home."
"Where do you live?"
Grumpy turned and pointed to the forest. "In there."
Heinrich nodded. "Very well. Tell the princess that we are eager for her to return."
"I will." Grumpy stood there awkwardly for a moment then slung his pack back on and turned away. He waved and trudged into the forest. Heinrich watched him go then looked at the sapphire. Even knowing it wasn't flawless, it was still beautiful. With a smile, he turned toward the castle. All he had to do was wait for spring.
Grumpy walked through the trees, leaving footprints in the snow. As he walked, he considered all that had happened, and he was satisfied that he'd done all he could. Fat snowflakes began to fall, drifting around him, and the sky grew dark. He wasn't going to stop, though. He could feel home tugging on him, drawing him forward, and he walked faster. When he saw the first sign of light, his heart leaped in his chest and he hurried toward it. But he was stopped by the feeling of his shield, far too thin and weak. Grumbling in irritation, he strengthened the protection, which took far too long. Funny that he'd never been bothered by the time it took before.
Finally, he walked toward the cottage, but as he approached, he suddenly felt nervous. What if they'd changed their minds about him? He knew it was foolish, but still…
'What are you waiting for?' Snow encouraged gently.
Grumpy came around the garden to the front of the cottage and then just stared at it. It was beautiful, with its bright windows and quaint chimney. He swallowed and walked to the door. He thought about just going in then decided that was pushing it. So he reached up and knocked firmly. There was a pause then Doc opened the door, his face cautious. The caution melted away, replaced by joy as he ripped the door open.
"You're back!" he shouted, then flung himself forward and embraced Grumpy.
Grumpy hugged him back, feeling tears well in his eyes, but before anything else could happen, there was an absolute uproar. He was jerked into the house, and his pack was taken and thrown aside as the six brothers all embraced him and laughed, clearly pleased to see him. He found himself hugged so many times that he lost track of who was doing the hugging. Dopey's blue eyes were bright with pleasure as he gestured wildly, trying to communicate everything Grumpy had missed over the past six months, and Grumpy finally had to shout to get them to stop.
"That's enough! Darn idiots! One thing at a time!"
That prompted them all to laugh.
"You're right, you're right," Doc said, beaming. "You must be exhausted."
"Yep," Grumpy said.
"And you need a bath," Sneezy quipped, his eyes gleaming.
"Yep," Grumpy replied again, but he grinned back.
"Let me heat up some water!" Happy exclaimed, turning to hurry to the sink.
"Golly it's good to see you," Bashful said, sidling up to him. He wrapped an arm around him and held him. "It wasn't the same without you."
Grumpy patted Bashful's back. "I've missed you. All of you," he admitted almost shyly. "It's good to be home."
Snow had watched with glee as the brothers fawned over Grumpy before she withdrew so that he could bathe in privacy. Grumpy washed then dressed in clean clothes and sat in front of the fire as Happy cooked him dinner and Dopey gestured out all the news. Sleepy fixed him some tea, and Sneezy unpacked his pack, and the cozy cottage was alight with warmth and love. Grumpy found he was colder than he'd known, and not just physically. A part of him thawed as they fussed over him, and by the time dinner was served, Grumpy felt at home again.
After eating, Grumpy sat up with the brothers, who didn't want to go to bed. But finally, Sleepy broke, and he yawned out a goodnight and stumbled upstairs. Sneezy, Dopey, and Happy followed soon after, leaving Grumpy alone with Doc and Bashful. Bashful stared at him for a while, and Doc sipped on tea, saying nothing. Half an hour passed before anybody spoke. It was Bashful who broke the silence.
"How are you now, Grumpy?" Bashful asked.
"Eh?" Grumpy shifted and glanced at Bashful.
"You were so mad before you left. You seem calmer. Are you?"
Grumpy considered this. "I feel better now that I gots that done."
"What?" Doc asked. "Why did you go?"
"'Cause stayin' here woulda left me helpless," Grumpy said. "And I ain't helpless."
"No. I suppose you're tot, uh, not," Doc said. "Well, we've been busy while you were gone. We've finished the coffin. It's magnificent."
Grumpy nodded, swallowing. "I don't doubt it. There ain't nothin' you can't make."
"Do you wanna see her?" Bashful asked gently.
"Yeah. I do," Grumpy said.
Bashful grabbed a lantern and they wrapped themselves in their coats before heading outside. In a small clearing just through a line of trees, he saw the moonlight glinting off metal. As Bashful held up the lantern, gold flashed and what he saw took his breath away. Smooth gold and sparkling crystal, thin and clear as glass, surrounded Snow's body. Tears stung Grumpy's eyes as he saw her fair form. She really did look dead. He shivered, walking over to peer at Snow.
"She's awful pretty, ain't she?" Bashful said solemnly.
"Sure is," Grumpy murmured.
"Wish we could've done more."
"Well, we'll bury her this ting, um, spring," Doc said. "And you can cover her with flowers."
"Or we could plant some around the coffin," Grumpy said.
There was a pause. "We could do that. For a while. Woulda made her smile," Bashful said thoughtfully.
"She can't stay forever," Doc said. "We have to let her go eventually."
"I ain't ready to do that," Grumpy said quietly.
Doc wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "Let's get back inside," he said.
The three Dwarfs trudged inside then huddled by the fire to warm up. The chill of winter clung to them, and Grumpy stared into the fire, reluctant to go to bed. He thought of the shield and of Snow being buried alive. He knew that this was an opportunity he likely wouldn't get again. He could tell the two oldest brothers about his magic, about what really happened to Snow and why he'd left and what he'd done. He could explain everything he'd been hiding for ten years, show them his magic, and everything would fall into place. Then they would wait for the prince to come, and he would kiss Snow, and the spell would be broken.
"What're you thinkin', Grumpy?" Bashful asked. "You look like somethin's on your mind."
Grumpy looked up at them. Doc with his short grey beard and kindly face, Bashful with his compassionate eyes, and he longed to spill everything to them. Bashful leaned over and placed a hand on Grumpy's arm.
"Talk to us, Grumpy."
"I've missed you," Grumpy murmured. "I missed you so much. But I had to go. I just had to."
"I get it," Bashful said soothingly.
"No, you don't," Grumpy said. "I don't know how to…" He grunted with frustration and shook his head.
'Just say it,' Snow encouraged.
"Aw, it's okay. Sometimes feelins is hard to explain," Bashful said. "Papa had trouble with that until I came along."
At the mention of the brothers' father, reality crashed over Grumpy as flashes of the treasures passed before his eyes. All made by their father, precious beyond money, gone because of his greed. If he told them of his magic, he'd have to tell them why those dear treasures disappeared right under their noses. He stole them. And no matter what Bastian thought of Calida, there was no memory of her there in the room that night. Grumpy had done it. He had stolen from the brothers. And he knew with cold certainty that he couldn't tell them anything.
'Grumpy, that's not true! Talk to them!' Snow begged.
But he couldn't. Bashful, who'd been staring at his face, suddenly looked panicked. "Don't! I'm sorry!"
"What?" Doc asked, bewildered.
"I done said somethin' wrong! Grumpy, don't do this. It's okay, whatever it is, you can tell us."
"I'm tired," Grumpy grunted, standing up. "I just wanna sleep in my own bed."
Realizing belatedly that a rare chance to dig into Grumpy's heart had just been shattered by Bashful's seemingly innocuous comment, Doc scrambled to his feet and grabbed Grumpy.
Grumpy turned to look at him, and Doc saw a fleeting moment of panic and terror on Grumpy's face before the Dwarf jerked away and stepped back. Doc froze, and Bashful stood still behind him, watching between them. He could sense something boiling under Grumpy's surface, something that needed to be said, but Grumpy turned away and shrugged.
"Night," he muttered, and slipped upstairs.
"What happened?" Doc hissed.
"I don't know," Bashful said. "He looked like he really wanted to say somethin', and I was tryin' to get him there, but then he looked awful, nah, worse than that. Dev… Deva…?" Bashful squinted.
"Devastated?" Doc asked after a moment.
Bashful nodded. "That's a strong enough word. He looked like his whole world just came crashin' down around his ears. Then he started pullin' away."
Doc sighed and sat down again. "Sometimes he feels so tar, uh, far from us. Ten years, and he's still so far away." The older Dwarf stared at the fire for several minutes. Then he spoke quietly. "He's afraid of me."
"Huh?" Bashful asked.
"Grumpy looked afraid of me. He looked at me as if…"
"As if?"
Doc looked up at Bashful. "As if I'd hit him for not telling us."
Bashful sucked in a breath and knew at once that his brother was right. When Doc had grabbed Grumpy to stop him, Grumpy had flinched. He had expected to be struck. And a myriad of little reactions throughout the years came crashing over him.
"Oh," Bashful breathed, his knees going weak. He sank into his chair and looked stunned. "He's afraid of us, not just you."
"I thought he stopped being afraid a long time ago," Doc argued.
"Maybe it's a different fear," Bashful suggested. "They can change over time. Maybe he's afraid that we ain't gonna stick with him if he tells us."
"That's ridiculous," Doc argued. "After ten years?"
"Is it ridiculous to a Dwarf that was raised by humans, who was lashed and branded and came to us half starved and terrified to even get close to us?"
Doc sighed and nodded. "Good point. What do we do?"
"We stick around," Bashful said. "He'll tell us eventually."
"Is that all?"
"All we can do for now," Bashful replied.
The two Dwarfs set the house in order then went up to bed. Seeing Grumpy's familiar lump under his blankets was a comfort, and after getting into his nightshirt, Doc walked over and tucked the blanket around Grumpy. He shifted and grumbled a little then settled again. Doc leaned down and whispered to him, soft and low.
"You're stuck with us," he said fondly. "Please let us in."
With that, he turned to his bed, crawled into his cool sheets, snuffed the candle, and turned over. Though his mind was buzzing with questions, it was late, and he fell quickly into a fitful sleep. His last thought was at least Grumpy was back home now, and everything was finally right again.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Winter passed quickly, and Grumpy settled back into his role with the brothers. They were forging, though not as much as in past years, and Grumpy, as usual, didn't go with them most of the time. Sometimes he stayed at the house and did the chores, sometimes he'd walk in the woods and talk with Snow, and sometimes he'd just sit by the fire and watch the flames. It was a peaceful winter, though an uncomfortable one for Grumpy.
An anxious knot was in his stomach as spring approached. Would Florián find them? Would he really search until he found Snow? He couldn't help but worry. And as the snow began to melt and the hibernating critters came out of their dens, his unease only grew. He knew he couldn't get away with not burying Snow for too long, at most maybe a month, and he was terrified that he would have to confess his magic to the brothers. Every time the thought crossed his mind, a flash of their precious treasures being sold passed in front of his mind's eye, and he shrank away from revealing his betrayal. He could do nothing but wait and hope Florián arrived soon.
The green of the trees and grass was bright and the flowers were in full bloom when Florián arrived. The Dwarfs were working in the garden when Grumpy jerked his head up and stood, swinging around to peer toward the front of the house.
"What is it?" Doc asked.
"Somebody's here," Grumpy said. "Heard somethin'."
"Coulda been an animal," Sneezy suggested.
"Hello? Is somebody here?" called a man's voice.
"Nope," Grumpy said smugly. "It's a person."
"No foolin'," Sneezy teased.
Doc brushed off his hands and headed around the side of the house. The brothers followed, and Grumpy was at the end of the line. His heart hammered in his chest as Snow peered out at the world.
"It's him," she said. "I know his voice."
"Let's hope it's true love then," Grumpy thought back.
Snow went quiet as Grumpy paused at the corner of the house to see Florián standing in handsome garb with a horse beside him. The horse looked very big to the Dwarfs, who slowed and approached cautiously.
"Hello," Doc said. "Did Rowan send you?"
"Nay," Florián said. "I am here on a rumor that I heard. Please tell me, are you brothers?"
Doc looked bemused. "Yes we are," he said.
"And are you the ones who protect the fair maiden who is sleeping?"
Alarm flashed over the Dwarfs faces. "Sleeping?" Doc said. "I'm afraid she's… she's dead, actually."
Florián looked pained. "Oh. May I see her please?"
"Who are you?" Sneezy asked suspiciously.
"I'm Florián, prince of Findersland. And I seek to see if my lost love is the girl whom you protect."
Silence. Then Grumpy stepped forward.
"Course. We can show her to you."
Doc turned and stared at him as Florián lifted his eyes to see who was speaking. The prince froze and his mouth fell open when he saw Grumpy. Grumpy met the prince's gaze without flinching, waiting for Doc to speak.
"I'm not so sure," Doc said.
"Florián," Grumpy repeated slowly. He turned to Sleepy. "He's a prince and his name is Florián."
Sleepy was mid-yawn when he cut off and gaped at Grumpy. Then he turned to the prince. "Snow told us about you!" he exclaimed.
Florián's eyes reluctantly left Grumpy and he turned to Sleepy. "She did?" he asked.
Sleepy grinned. "She did. And we can show her to you."
"She probably needs more flowers," Happy said excitedly. "Just give us a few minutes and we'll take you there."
The brothers hurried for the flower beds they'd planted just for Snow, leaving Grumpy with Florián. Florián gazed at him in wonder.
"You came to get me deliberately, didn't you?" he asked.
Grumpy shrugged and tugged anxiously on his beard. "Took you long enough," was all he said.
The brothers came hurrying back with bouquets of flowers. Grumpy looked at them.
"He wants to kiss her goodbye," he said. "So we have to take off the lid."Again, the Dwarfs looked uneasy, but Grumpy took one of the two bouquets of flowers from Dopey and began to head to the clearing where she lay.
Florián followed silently, his mind fixated on the strange Dwarf that he had seen in Findersland and who was now somehow here. Was the Dwarf orchestrating this? He had to be, but how much did he know? Would the kiss actually work? Or was it just guesswork? The prince wasn't sure. Magic was so complicated, and he had no mind for it. So he followed them through the trees into a clearing.
His breath caught in his throat when he saw Snow, for it was Snow in the coffin. His heart squeezed as he watched the Dwarfs remove their hats and place their flowers beside the coffin before taking off the lid. Florián stepped forward and removed his own hat as the Dwarfs backed off and stared at Snow.
Grumpy bowed his head with the others, his heart in his throat. 'Please,' he prayed. 'Please let her wake up. Please let this work.'
He closed his eyes, two tears squeezing out as he waited in great anxiety for the outcome. There was a long pause and then a burst of excitement came from Snow's mind through the link. Grumpy looked up to see her sitting up, and he froze then gave a wide grin. He saw the brothers looking up, too, disbelief and joy in their eyes. And then he threw his hat in the air and gave a wild hoot of glee.
The next ten minutes were a blur in Grumpy's mind as Florián swept Snow out of the coffin and carried her to his horse. The Dwarfs didn't want to let her go, but Florián promised he'd bring her back in time for dinner. They needed to talk first. Snow gave them each a kiss and threw a smile over her shoulder as Florián led the horse into the forest so they could talk in privacy. Grumpy watched them go, swallowing as he swiped tears of happiness out of his eyes.
"It's a good thing you didn't let us bury her," Doc said softly, wrapping an arm around Grumpy.
"I couldn't let her go. I just knew there was more to it," Grumpy admitted. "Why give her an apple instead of killin' her outright? Damn witch wanted to toy with her."
Doc peered at him, and Grumpy looked away. He'd said a bit too much. He couldn't talk like that. They couldn't know anything, or they'd want to know everything.
"Well, your feelings always tend to be right," Doc said.
"What're we doin' standin' around here like this?" Happy demanded. "Food! We need to make dinner!"
The Dwarfs grinned at each other then bolted for the house. Grumpy lingered and brushed his mind across Snow's, and she sent back a warm burst of reassurance. Sighing, he tugged his hat on then headed for the cottage. She was awake and he'd done his job. So why did he feel like he'd failed?
An extravagant dinner was prepared, and Happy was like an army commander as he demanded perfection. The others simply followed his instructions, knowing that he wanted it perfect for Snow. When Snow came riding up on the horse, Florián leading it by the bridle, Grumpy walked out and watched the prince help her off the saddle. She blushed and giggled as she landed, and Grumpy snorted. Florián turned to gaze at him warily, but Snow flew forward and embraced him.
"Oh, Grumpy! It's so wonderful! We've got so many plans, so much to tell all of you!"
Grumpy embraced her back then shook her off. "Dinner's ready. Come on in."
Snow followed him in, taking Florián's hand as he hesitated. The prince looked around curiously at the quaint little home, so rustic and clean, and he smiled. It was nothing like the palace, but it also felt warm instead of cold. Snow sat down in the chair Sneezy had carved for her, and Grumpy and Doc dragged the bench over. The table was crammed with food, and everybody was packed tightly together, but there was so much happiness and laughter that nobody minded.
After dinner, Florián cleared his throat and grasped Snow's hand. "If we may share our plans with you?" he asked courteously.
"Shoot," Sneezy said.
"Shoot what? Do I need my bow?" Florián asked uneasily.
"He means you can go on and explain," Doc said kindly as everybody else laughed.
Florián relaxed. "I must go and prepare a place for Snow in my home. Then I will come and get her with a procession so that everybody knows she's alive and spoken for. There has been much unrest in her kingdom, and I believe this will give the people heart and hope again." He paused. "But this means she must stay with you for a few weeks while everything is prepared. Is this objectionable?"
Most of the Dwarfs stared at him, puzzling over the word 'objectionable' but Doc smiled.
"Of course she can stay with us! A few more weeks with Snow would be a delight. You can go and do what you need to do and then come back to fetch her when everything is ready."
Florián smiled as all the Dwarfs relaxed and nodded. "Then it's settled."
"Would you like to stay the night?" Doc asked.
"Oh, no. I must hurry home. My father did not believe the sleeping maiden was real. But I was right. And so I shall hurry to tell him." He turned to grasp Snow's hands. "Will you be alright, my love? I know I just found you again, but I have to go."
Snow smiled and looked away shyly, her eyes going over the Dwarfs. "I'll be fine with my dear friends. They'll take care of me, Florián. You needn't worry about that. Go. I'll await you with eager expectation."
Florián nodded then stood up. "Then I shall go. Do you have any food I could purchase?"
"Food, yes, purchase, no," Happy said. "Take what you need. I can make bread again tomorrow."
The Dwarfs loaded Florián down with food then walked him out to his horse. Snow watched Florián pack his saddlebags.
"I shall be quick," he promised, turning to cup her cheek.
"I'd rather you be safe," Snow said softly. "I'll be safe here. They'll protect me and care for me. You be careful. Don't take risks, please. I don't want to lose you. Not after just getting you back."
Florián studied her eyes then nodded. "If that's what you wish, that's what I shall do."
He leaned forward and kissed her gently. Snow blushed and smiled shyly before stepping back and watching him swing his leg over the horse.
"Take good care of her and you will be rewarded when I come back," Florián told the Dwarfs.
"We'll do that anyways," Grumpy said. "Don't matter what rewards you offer. Get goin'."
"Stop by my castle tonight," Snow said. "Tell Heinrich that you've been sent by the princess to deliver the news that she is awake and the servants are to take care of you."
"Heinrich," Florián said slowly then nodded. "Very well. I bid you goodbye for now, my love. I shall return within the month, if all goes well."
And he turned and spurred the horse forward, disappearing into the trees. Snow stood there, her hands clasped in front of her as she watched him go. Grumpy walked over and stood beside her.
"He'll be back," he said, his voice full of certainty.
"I know. I just wish I could spend more time with him," Snow said. "I haven't seen him in so long…"
"You'll have time," Grumpy said. "Now how about you come inside and sit down. Have a cup of tea."
"That sounds lovely," Snow said. She turned. "Any clothes that need mending?" she asked the brothers. "I simply must do something with my hands."
"You don't have to," Bashful said.
"I know. But I want to. Let's go inside and talk."
The brothers watched her walk inside then turned to Grumpy. Bashful wasn't the only one who'd noticed the ease with which Grumpy spoke to Snow, like somehow they were even closer than before she'd fallen under that spell. Grumpy was oblivious to their stares as he sidled in after her and headed upstairs to get the clothes for Snow. After a moment of exchanging puzzled glances, the brothers shrugged it off and headed inside. Bashful in particular set it aside to properly consider later, then they headed inside to make tea and talk with the girl who was so very alive despite everything that had happened to her.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Snow was just as lively as before, and she was as busy as a bee for the rest of the day. Her bright smile and shining eyes were a balm to the brothers, who thought to never see her like this again. They had a merry time, and Snow, feeling playful, made cornbread as a side for supper, leading to Happy being bewildered by the fact that it tasted just like Grumpy's cornbread. After he fretted for a few minutes, Grumpy finally revealed his secret.
"Just add a bit a sugar," he said, taking another piece.
Happy threw his hands up. "Sugar! Of course!"
Snow laughed so hard that she had to sit down and wipe her eyes. Grumpy had a wicked grin on his face as Happy joined her. Supper was pleasant, and afterward, Snow sat by the fire and finished the mending while the Dwarfs chatted and Sleepy told stories. After awhile, it was time for bed, and they went upstairs and put on their nightclothes. Snow's smile was a bit dim as she pulled back the curtain to bid them goodnight. Grumpy squinted at her, but the link was curbed, and he figured they'd invaded each others' privacy enough. He'd remove the link when he had the chance. So they said goodnight and went to bed.
Grumpy was sleeping and having a normal dream for the first time in almost a year when it turned into the most twisted, terrifying nightmare he'd ever had. The fear was stronger than he'd ever felt in his life as he ran, knowing he couldn't get away from the reality that was sneaking up on him. As the fear reached a fever pitch, he jerked awake with a gasp and still felt terrified.
"Snow!" he shouted, suddenly recognizing that it wasn't his own fear. The brothers awoke with yelps and gasps as he bolted out of bed and over to her.
"What's going on?" Sleepy asked blearily.
"Ouch! Give us some light!" Sneezy yowled.
"Just a peckant, erm, second!" Doc barked.
There was the scritch of a match and the candle was lit, and the brothers all scrambled out of bed to peer around. Grumpy was by Snow's bed, and her face was as white as her namesake. She looked completely petrified. Grumpy had ahold of her hand, and he looked slightly panicked and flustered.
"What's wrong?" Doc asked, hurrying over and handing Bashful the candle.
Snow looked at him, her large brown eyes terrified. "I can't sleep," she whispered, looking ashamed. "Don't make me, please."
The brothers looked at each other, unsure of what to do.
"Get some tea," Grumpy ordered. "Put honey in it. We still gots some. Stoke up the fire, and get a blanket."
The brothers obeyed, leaving Doc and Bashful standing there while Grumpy patted Snow's hand.
"Why can't you sleep?" Doc asked.
"She's afraid," Bashful said quietly.
"But why, Snow?" Doc asked. "What's there to be afraid of?"
Snow's eyes filled with tears and she looked away. Grumpy answered for her.
"'Cause the last time she fell asleep, she couldn't wake up."
Alarm spread over Doc's and Bashful's faces. Then Bashful softened and walked over. "Come on, Snow. Let's get you down by the fire."
Snow stood and followed him downstairs while Grumpy sat very still on the stool beside her bed.
"What do we do?" he asked gruffly. "She's so scared, Doc."
Doc patted his back. "We're going to calm her down and help her fall asleep."
"She ain't gonna sleep," Grumpy argued.
"She can't avoid it," Doc said. "Come on. Let's go help."
They went downstairs to find Snow wrapped in a quilt and sitting by the fire. The light glinted off of two tears on her rosy cheeks as Sleepy carried her a mug of tea. Bashful had clearly explained what was wrong to the others, who were doing their best to soothe her. Doc walked over and sat down.
"What was it like?" he asked.
Snow glanced over at him and wiped her cheeks with the quilt. "What?"
"Not being able to wake up."
"Stop that," Grumpy said. "She needs to calm down, not be riled up."
Bashful shook his head at Grumpy and passed out more tea.
"What? She does," he argued.
"Let him talk," Sneezy said, wiping his nose on his sleeve.
Grumpy looked around at the brothers, wondering how they could put Snow through so much terror again. But the brothers all looked solemn as they quietly sat around and watched. Bashful pulled Grumpy onto the bench and sat beside him. Grumpy opened his mouth to complain, but Bashful spoke low enough that his voice didn't carry. "Don't. Doc knows what he's doin'. Just watch."
Grumpy took the tea Bashful offered him and watched Snow, who still hadn't spoken. Doc waited patiently, leaning back in his chair. Snow finally shifted.
"Have you ever had one of those dreams where you can't quite wake up even though you need to?"
"Yes," Doc replied. He adjusted his glasses. "I suppose it's worse for you since it lasted for so long."
"I can't sleep."
"You can't avoid it."
Snow began to cry again, and her terror leaked through the link. Grumpy fought back the panic and fear, clenching his hand against his side. Bashful gently took it and squeezed it until Grumpy grasped his hand.
"I can't," Snow murmured.
"You must," Doc repeated, and there was no room for argument in his tone. "But we'll help as much as we can. What can we do to help you, Snow? What do you need?"
Snow shook her head. "I don't know."
"Well, then we'll figure it out." He turned to sweep his eyes around the room. "Suggestions? We're trying to help her steep, erm, sleep.
Nobody answered for a few moments. Then Dopey snapped his fingers and hurried upstairs. He came down with a large stuffed cat. It was old and soft, made of an exquisite fabric that looked worn but sturdy. The brothers all softened when they saw it. Grumpy knew why. It had been the only thing their mother had made for Dopey. She'd finished just before he was born. But a few weeks later, their parents had died, leaving Doc and his brothers alone at the start of a long, hard winter. Dopey treasured the stuffed cat, a precious gift from the mother he'd never really met. Dopey hurried over to Snow and held it out, his smile kind.
"Oh! How adorable!" Snow said. She took the cat and stroked its face then hugged it to her chest and smiled. "Wherever did you get it?"
Sleepy stood up at once, his tiredness melting a little. "Stories always help," he said.
"I'd love a story," Snow said. "But if you want to sleep…"
She trailed off as Sleepy suddenly looked wide awake. He hurried forward, stood in front of them and looked around. "Anythin' in particular?" he asked. When everybody shook their heads, he turned to Snow. "Then I guess I'll tells you about our first winter alone."
Grumpy sat bolt upright, his breath catching in his throat. He'd always wondered about the events surrounding their parents' deaths, but he'd always been too afraid to ask. Bashful raised his eyebrows, and Grumpy noticed. He flushed and looked away. Bashful simply squeezed his hand then released him and slung an arm over his shoulders.
"What happened?" Snow asked after a moment.
"Dopey was a few weeks old," Sleepy said. "And Mama finally felt strong enough to take a walk. She hadn't been outside for so long cuz she'd been so sick. Dopey's bein' born was hard on her. So's she wanted to go and visit a friend. They went out, and a couple hours later, a blizzard started howlin'."
Snow stared at him. "They were out in it, weren't they?"
"They'd left before the storm hit, and they gots lost on the way home. Neighbors found 'em in the spring. Wasn't perty," Sleepy said. "But we'd never been alone before. So when they didn't show up after the storm stopped, we gots worried. But we couldn't just go to see if they was at the neighbors. They lived so far away, and another storm was comin'. So we waited."
"They didn't come," Snow whispered.
"No. And we didn't have much food," Sleepy said grimly. "Winter surprised us. It was real early that year. We started runnin' low pretty quick."
"What did you do?" Snow asked.
"Me and Doc started goin' out to catch critters," Sneezy said. "We'd seen Papa make the traps and we went out and set some. Didn't get much, but we did get a bit."
"I tried to make as much as I could with as little as we had," Happy said. "And we had to feed Dopey on top a that. Thank the Good Lord we had been shelterin' a cow for some human neighbors, and she calved but it died in the cold. So we had milk for Dopey. Gettin' near that thing was right scary. Cows are bigger than you think." He shivered then grinned. "But I did it. And I managed to stretch the food out until the snow started meltin'."
Bashful sighed, and Grumpy glanced over to see that he was crying.
"Uncle came just before things got real bad," he said. "He sent out the neighbors to find our parents, and he got us food. The neighbors all came and helped. Even the ones who lost the calf. They was real nice." He looked over at Grumpy and scrubbed his sleeve over his cheeks. "That's why we don't like thinkin' bad about humans, you know."
Grumpy stared for a moment then looked away, ashamed of his assumption that the brothers were just naive when it came to humankind. "No. I didn't know that," he said softly.
"Yep," Bashful said. He paused and stroked his beard. "How long was it?" he finally asked.
"Eh?" Grumpy squinted at him then noticed that Snow was dozing and everybody was looking at him. Some time in between the start of the story and the end, the brothers had stopped speaking to Snow and started speaking to him.
"How long since you wanted to know?" Bashful clarified.
Grumpy squirmed under their curious gazes. "Awhile," he finally admitted.
"Why didn't you ever ask?" Sneezy asked, leaning on the table.
Grumpy shrugged and began playing with his beard. "Ah, you don't want to remember that stuff," he muttered.
"That ain't the point," Bashful said.
"It most certainly isn't," Doc agreed. "You could have asked any time."
Grumpy shrugged, aware of their gazes and his burning cheeks. "You never ask about me, so I didn't know if you wanted me to or not."
"Can we ask you stuff?" Bashful asked, his entire face lighting up. Then he looked surprised and giggled. Everybody else exchanged sheepish glances. Bashful nudged Grumpy and grinned. "Okay. I guess it makes sense you wouldn't ask."
"After eleven years, you'd think we'd have all this figured out," Doc mused, a crooked smile on his face.
"Eleven years…" Grumpy said softly.
"Course, you idiot," Sneezy teased. "You came here in spring. Been eleven years." He reached over and tugged affectionately on Grumpy's beard.
Grumpy jumped like he'd sat on a hot coal and jerked away, panic flashing across his face. The brothers paused as Bashful grabbed his shoulders and steadied him.
Doc looked concerned. He opened his mouth, shut it, shifted, then tried again. "If we can flask, ah, ask…?" Grumpy looked a bit frightened but said nothing so he continued. "Why do you do that?"
Grumpy hesitated, unsure about opening up to the brothers about that part of his life, but as he looked around at their kind faces, he gained a bit of courage. He looked away and ran his fingers through his beard.
"Calida'd yank it if I did somethin' wrong," he finally said, keeping his eyes trained on his lap.
"Calida?" Sneezy asked. "Who's that?"
"Woman who raised me," Grumpy replied. "She didn't like me much. And when she didn't like an answer…" He trailed off, a lump in his throat. He felt so stupid for admitting this out loud. It shouldn't still bother him after eleven years, but it did. He squeezed his eyes shut and shivered.
Doc sat down on the other side of him, and his arm slipped around his back. "That's awful, Grumpy," he said.
"Gosh, I'm sorry," Sneezy said. He looked remorseful and put his hands behind his back. "I wouldn't have done it if I knew that."
"I don't want to mind," Grumpy said huskily. "But…" His breathing hitched, and he fought back tears. He hated crying in front of them.
"You don't have to explain," Bashful said. "'S'okay, Grumpy." He squeezed him and shook him gently.
Grumpy couldn't hold back anymore, and he began to cry quietly. He was embarrassed that he was crying over such a ridiculous thing, but he couldn't stop himself now. He wanted to flee, to hide from the brothers until he was okay again, but after eleven years, Bashful could read him like a book, and he turned to hug him, effectively stopping him from being able to get away.
"'S'okay, Grumpy," he repeated, a bit more firmly.
Grumpy hiccuped and hid his face in Bashful's shirt as he wept even harder. Why were they so kind to him? He didn't deserve it. He'd stolen so much from them, and he never asked for anything, just grateful to stay with them and be included. But they kept giving to him, and he didn't understand why.
Doc and Bashful held him tightly as he stifled his sobs in Bashful's shoulder, and it took several minutes for him to get ahold of himself. After swallowing, he sat up and swiped at his cheeks, feeling very silly. Bashful didn't give him the chance to pull away.
"Just so you know," he said, swiping at a stray tear. "We'd never yank it."
"Maybe…" Grumpy stopped, uncertain and shy. It was stupid to think they'd have the patience to do what he had thought of. But apparently he wasn't the only one who thought of it.
"We can help you adjust if you'd like," Doc said, smiling.
Grumpy hesitated then nodded. "Sure." He glanced up at them to see them smiling at him. He felt silly again. "Aw, stop yer starin'," he grumbled.
They all laughed, and a sleepy voice spoke. "I need to try and go to bed. But how do I know I'll wake up, Doc?"
"We'll wake you," Sleepy said, and Dopey nodded, giving her a thumbs up.
"Then let's get to bed," Doc said.
They all headed upstairs, and the Dwarfs made sure Snow was comfortable before going to their beds.
"If you need us, don't hesitate to wake us," Doc said. "Even if it's just to sit with you until you fall asleep again."
Snow's smile was full of gratitude, and she nodded. "I will. Thank you so very much."
Everybody climbed back into bed then Doc blew out the candle. As Grumpy turned over in the dark, he was surprised to feel the link widen, and he heard Snow's thoughts.
"Close it when I'm asleep. Please?" she asked.
Grumpy could feel her fear. "Course. Just rest."
He closed his eyes and felt her drifting to sleep. Several times she started awake again, her fear flooding his veins and making his own tiredness vanish for a few minutes. But eventually, she fell asleep. He carefully curbed the link again then relaxed and began to fall asleep. But a stray thought tickled him.
'I thought their parents were cursed…'
Then he fell asleep and lost the thought.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Snow had immense difficulty sleeping for the first week after waking up. The Dwarfs would sit up with her late into the night until she could fall asleep. Sleepy told many stories about the brothers' younger years, painting a picture of fun and adventure. Grumpy hung on every word, and he asked many questions about their lives before he knew them. They were happy to answer, and that week of late nights was very special to Grumpy.
After the first difficult week, Snow began to relax and went to bed more easily. There were fewer late nights, fewer tears and much less terror. Every time she awoke, it reinforced that she could wake up. After two weeks, she was much more relaxed about bedtime, and she began to prepare for Florián's return. The Dwarfs were happy to help, and Sleepy made her several new dresses after the brothers took a quick trip into Castell to talk to Rowan. The jeweler understood and teased them about their exciting lives before paying handsomely for the jewelry they had managed to make.
As the days passed, the Dwarfs became aware of the ticking of the clock. They didn't want their dear friend to leave for another kingdom, so far away from them, but they kept smiling and offering their assistance to the beautiful girl who had unintentionally upended their simple lives. They had no regrets about that part though. They were just happy that she was happy.
Grumpy realized that he needed to talk to Snow about the link when she didn't mention it, so early one morning in the third week, he roused her with the sun and they went for a walk. Passing out of sight of the cottage, they stepped through the shield then turned around to look at it. Snow studied it.
"It needs reinforced," she said decisively.
"Then get to it," Grumpy said. "You knows how to weave the spell."
Snow hesitated. Besides using her magic for tiny tasks, she hadn't used it much. The brothers were always around, and she didn't want them to see her magic and think she was bad. She was dying to know if her control was the same as before or if she carried over the lessons from her time in the dream world. She hadn't had a chance to try. This was her chance. She took a deep breath and held out her hands.
Pink sparks began dripping from her fingers as she wove her magic together to reinforce the shield. Grumpy watched, and they were both pleased by how easily Snow used her magic. It seemed that at least some of her practice in the dream world transferred over to the real world. When she was done, she held out her hands, and Grumpy grasped them and flooded the spell with his own intentions before they pushed the magic outward together. The shield shimmered then solidified, and they relaxed.
Without a word, they both turned in opposite directions and began to walk, trailing their hands along the surface and reinforcing any weak points. They met halfway around the bubble behind the cottage and garden, then they turned to peer at it again. Satisfied, they stepped into it, and it faded until it was almost invisible again.
"I was afraid I couldn't do it," Snow said quietly.
"But you did," Grumpy said. "Looks like your control is similar to what you showed in the dream toward the end."
"That's good," Snow said. "I thought I might have to relearn everything when I woke up."
Grumpy smiled at her then gestured for her to follow. They passed the chicken coop, went through the garden gate, then walked over to the bench and sat down. Grumpy sighed and draped his elbows over his knees, staring around at the blooming plants. Snow sat up straight, her hands clasped in her lap as she watched the chickens play.
"I gots to do somethin'," Grumpy said. "Gotta do it now, before you leave, and I think it'd be better if you have a while to adjust."
"What's that?" Snow asked.
"I need to break the linkin' spell."
Snow went quiet, her lips pressed in a thin line. She still depended on that link to get to sleep at night. Though the brothers didn't know, Grumpy was all too aware of just how difficult it was for her. But she knew that he was right. The spell needed to be broken. She wanted her thoughts to herself again. But she was just so frightened.
"I knows you don't want me to," Grumpy said.
"You're wrong," she said. "At least partly. I do want you to, but I'm afraid of losing it. The link was the only thing connecting me to the outside world during my sleep. If I lose that, I'll be afraid to sleep again."
"I'll sit up with you as late as you want," Grumpy promised. "But it needs to be done."
Snow took a deep breath and nodded. Turning to Grumpy, she placed her hands in his and stared expectantly at him.
"It'll be intense," Grumpy warned. "I'm guessin' it'll snap apart then back into place. Then we'll have our own minds again."
"Before you start," Snow said, and Grumpy paused. "I want to thank you for what you did. You traveled so far and so long, away from home and family, just to find a way to save me. And you let me into your thoughts. I know it was difficult for you. But I am eternally grateful."
Grumpy smiled, looking a bit shy, then nodded. "It was an honor to serve you, Princess."
Snow smiled and giggled. Then she settled down as Grumpy closed his eyes and began to reverse the spell. Unlike with most of the magic she used, this spell was focused on herself, and the tingling waves of electricity that began rushing through her were dizzying. The world began to spin and then she sensed something begin to unwind. There was pressure in her mind, and it grew and grew as the link unraveled. Then there was a snap that seemed to surge through her entire being, and she couldn't help but let out a short, sharp scream. Grumpy grunted and cursed under his breath, and for a moment, they both sat there, stunned and queasy. Then Grumpy released her hands and grasped his head.
"Damn, that was weird," he muttered.
They heard the front door bang open. "Snow?" Doc called. "Grumpy? What happened? Where are you?"
Snow giggled. "I guess they heard that."
Grumpy grinned and hollered back. "Garden!"
Doc came hurrying around, looking disheveled. His shirt was buttoned wrong, and Grumpy knew that he'd dressed in a hurry. "What happened?" he asked. "Are you okay, my steer, erm, dear?"
"I tripped," Snow said. "It surprised me. I'm sorry for waking you."
Doc relaxed. "As long as you're okay," he assured her. He peered at the two of them. "What are you doing up so burly, ah, early?"
"I wanted to take a walk and Grumpy was awake," Snow said.
Doc nodded. "Well, we're all awake now. What day, um, say we have breakfast? I'm sure Happy's already started."
Snow stood up, her eyes shining. "Oh, then I'd better go help him before he gets that foolish notion that he'll cook everything again," she said primly, then she waved and hurried around the house.
Doc watched her go, wilting a little. "She'll be gone soon," he said quietly.
"Yep," Grumpy said.
"Will she know how much we'll miss her?"
"If you tell her," Grumpy said. "Tell her tonight."
"Tonight?" Doc asked, turning. "But she hasn't been having trouble sleeping."
Grumpy said nothing, standing up. "Let's go. I wanna see if Snow's scoldin' Happy again."
Doc laughed, and they headed inside.
That night, the brothers were surprised that Snow seemed to revert back to the same fear she'd had the first few nights. Grumpy, on the other hand, understood perfectly. So they ended up downstairs in front of the fireplace, Snow sitting in her chair, sipping tea and grasping the stuffed cat Dopey let her use. The brothers all sat together, and Sleepy told stories, but Grumpy could tell Doc wasn't listening. He kept glancing at Snow. Finally, after Sleepy was done with another story, Doc cleared his throat.
"Snow? May we squawk, erm, talk to you for a moment?"
Snow turned her tired eyes to look at Doc, and she smiled. "Of course. What is it?"
Doc stood up and began to pace. The others all watched him, aware he was agitated. Then he walked over and took her hand.
"Snow, we never expected to meet you and take care of you, but I want you to show, erm, know it's been such an honor."
Snow smiled. "Oh, that's silly."
"No, Snow, it's not," Doc said. "You've been such a fright, um, light in our lives and you're such a delight. You've made our hives, uh, lives so interesting. You've done so much for us, and we'll never be able to lay, erm, ray—ugh!—pay you back."
For a few moments, Snow peered at him. "Thank you, Doc," she said, her eyes bright with unshed tears of gratitude.
"I just want you to know we'll miss you very much once you retrieve, ah, sleeve—oh, codswallop!—leave!" Doc was getting more flustered as he spoke. But he was determined to get it out. "We regret nothing except that we couldn't protect you from your stepmother."
Snow smiled at him. "But you did so much for me, too. And I don't blame you. She was determined that I should suffer. It all worked out in the end, and I'm so grateful for you. I'll miss all of you, too, but I will visit. And maybe you could visit me, too."
"I'm sure we will for the wedding," Grumpy said. He made a face. "And there'll be a lot of fuss and bother over dresses and flowers and all that stuff. And you'll be in a dither, but you'll be grinnin' like a fool. So I guess it'll be worth it."
Snow was practically glowing at the thought of a wedding. "Oh, that won't be for a while. Maybe next year?"
"It'll come faster than you think," Grumpy assured her. "And we'll be in the thick of it."
"We'll have to make your bands!" Sneezy suddenly exclaimed.
"A pretty crown, too," Happy added. "Fit for a queen, since you'll be one soon."
"Oh, you needn't do that!" Snow exclaimed.
The brothers didn't hear her, their eyes gleaming at the thought of making jewelry for Snow.
"And a necklace!" Sleepy said. "What kinda jewel should we use?"
"Not a jewel," Grumpy grunted. "Rose quartz, gold chain, quartz made into a rose with seven different gems 'round it."
The brothers paused and turned to look at Grumpy, startled. Then grins spread over their faces as they considered the symbolism of the design.
"That would be perfect, Grumpy!" Doc exclaimed.
"Yeah. Rose quartz would be so perty with the grey dress Sleepy made you," Bashful said. He grinned at Grumpy. "Are you gonna help us?"
"With the design and settin', sure," Grumpy said.
They all knew that he wouldn't go near the forging fires, so they accepted his answer without a second thought.
"When did you start designin' jewelry?" Sneezy teased.
"Just now," Grumpy said. "Ain't never had a reason to design somethin' before. You knows what you're doin' and never asked for me to do it, so's I never did."
"Well, you will definitely be dissolved, erm, involved in the designing process from now on," Doc said. "In fact, you will draw out the design for that necklace!"
"Can't draw," Grumpy said, looking embarrassed.
"Then I'll trace it out for you," Bashful said at once.
Grumpy nodded and his embarrassment faded. Snow watched the interaction, amused. "You don't have to," she said.
"We know," Doc said. "But you won't change our minds."
Snow giggled. "I won't try to then. You're pretty stubborn when it comes down to it."
"Course they're stubborn," Grumpy said. "They're Dwarfs."
"And so are you," Snow said.
Grumpy rolled his eyes. "Yeah, guess I am." He paused. "You ready to go to bed yet?"
"No," Snow said, her face falling.
"Then Sleepy can tell another story. I wanna hear about the dragon's keep again."
"Dragons?" Snow asked. "Do tell."
Sleepy grinned. "So you wanna hear 'bout the dragon's keep and the gold sickness?"
Everybody settled down again, and they listened to the story with rapt attention. They all enjoyed that night with Snow, who fell asleep easily after the story. It was the last night she was too afraid to go to sleep, and she finally felt well enough to look forward completely to Florián's return. All she had to do was wait, and she couldn't have picked better company for it.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The day was bright and clear when a bird tapped on the window with its beak. Grumpy glanced around. Snow met his eyes and gestured for him to see what it wanted. He walked outside and away from the house then ducked behind a tree and wove the spell."Well?" Grumpy asked.The bird fluttered and twittered excitedly Grumpy nodded. "Thanks." He turned and hurried into the cottage. "I think they're comin'!" Grumpy exclaimed.There was a flurry of action. Snow ran upstairs to put on her only royal dress and brush her hair. The Dwarfs hurried to get her things, and as they did, they each hid a present they'd made for her in different spots for her to find when she got to her new home. Grinning at each other, they waited for Snow to come down. She came out of the room and stood up, carefully brushing at her dress before picking up her skirts and hurrying downstairs. They gathered the other presents they'd made to present to her as she was leaving."Here you go," Happy said, holding out a basket of food he'd made the day before. "In case you get peckish.""Ooh, thank you!" she exclaimed, and she picked his hat up and kissed his head. He went red and laughed along with the rest of the Dwarfs."I made you one more dress," Sleepy said, holding up a carefully wrapped square. "It's real special. Used gold and silver threads and gems to make it up. Promise you'll wear it once?"Snow looked absolutely delighted. "Of course! I'll wear it often! Thank you so much!" Again, she plucked up his hat and gave him a kiss. Another round of laughter started up as Sleepy turned scarlet. He scuffed his foot and gave a shy smile.Sneezy was next, and he held out a clumsily wrapped package. "Here. You liked ours so much I made you one."Snow grinned as she unwrapped a wooden flute. It was beautiful and sounded perfect. "Thank you, Sneezy." And a kiss later, he went as red as the other two as they all laughed again.By now, they could hear the sounds of the approaching procession, and Bashful didn't even think to hesitate as he shoved a yellow pouch at her. She pulled it open and peered in."Some seeds for a garden, if you wanted to plant one. And this one's flower seeds, the ones you like." He handed her a blue drawstring pouch and blushed even before she lifted his hat off. It was somehow even funnier as he reddened even further.Dopey pulled his hands from behind his back to reveal a clumsily stitched cat to match the one from his mother. She took it, and he gestured at Grumpy then shrugged."Thank you, Dopey. And Grumpy, too."Dopey waggled his ears as he got a kiss and blushed as Snow giggled. They were coming into the clearing now, and Doc hurried to press something into her palms. It was the most extravagant gift of all. It was a golden tiara fitted with seven different stones. Doc flushed as he tugged at his collar."When I thought you were dead, I wanted to make this so that you would be buried with a start, ah, part of each of us, and I was going to surprise the others. I, ah, I didn't really know what to do with it once you spoke up, erm, woke up."Snow gazed in wonder at the tiara, and she looked at each of the seven stones. In the middle was a diamond, symbolizing Doc. To its right was a black opal, to its left a white opal, Snow knew they were for Grumpy and Bashful respectively. Beside the black opal was a ruby and a garnet, beside the white was a sapphire and an aquamarine. Sneezy, Happy, Sleepy, and Dopey. Tears filled her eyes, and she pressed a loving kiss on Doc's cheek."Thank you. Thank you so much," she whispered.Doc blushed even more and he grinned and looked away. Grumpy plucked the tiara out of her hands and studied it. It was perfection, the best work Doc had ever done. He admired the stones and paused on the black opal."Don't see these too often," he commented."Oh, they're rare but we gots some," Sleepy said, waving his hand. "Lucky mineshaft. Papa was so proud."Grumpy nodded then held up the tiara. Snow knelt down and bowed her head. Grumpy paused then gently placed the tiara on her head. She looked up and smiled at him, and he smiled back. Then she plucked up his hat and kissed him. He yelped."Dagnabbit, woman!" he howled.The brothers laughed so hard that they had to lean against something to stay upright. Then there was the startling blast of a trumpet and somebody announced Florián's presence. Snow stood up, smoothed her dress, and Dopey opened the door for her. She walked out, head up, back straight, the picture of royalty. The procession that had accompanied Florián looked absolutely stunned as they stared at the radiant girl clad in blue and yellow, wearing the most beautiful tiara on her brow. After a moment, they dropped to their knees and bowed. Florián couldn't take his eyes off of Snow as he dismounted his horse. He walked over to her and took her hand."Snow," he sighed, longing and wonder in his voice. "Are you ready?""Yes, my love," Snow said. "To our happily ever after."Grumpy snorted. "It ain't ever that easy, Snow," he said.Doc swatted him, and Sneezy snickered as Dopey shook with laughter. The procession looked scandalized by Grumpy's comment, and Florián turned to stare at him, his lips quirking in amusement. Snow just laughed, shaking her head."Thank you for watching over her," Florián said. "What can I do to reward you?""Oh, we want no reward," Doc said, waving his hand. He spoke slowly and carefully, determined not to make a fool of himself. "It was our pleasure and honor to host the princess."The other Dwarfs all nodded, and again the procession stared at the Dwarfs, aghast that they had no requests. Florián looked bemused."Well, if there is ever anything I can do for you, let me know.""Invite us to the wedding," Grumpy said.Florián suddenly looked flustered as Snow grinned. "Oh, there is no wedding.""There will be," Grumpy retorted and Doc swatted him again. Bashful had to bite down on a laugh, and he and Sleepy glanced at each other. Doc would never forgive them if they laughed in front of the royal procession.Florián quickly turned his eyes to meet Snow's and his cheeks turned pink. "Are you ready to go?""Here's this," Doc said, holding up the pack they had given her.Florián took it then bowed to them. "Thank you. I owe you everything.""We'll start with the invitation," Grumpy said.Snow couldn't help it. She burst out laughing as Florián fumbled with the pack. Snow's laugh was infectious, and Happy broke. Then the seven Dwarfs were laughing with the princess as the prince gazed at them with amusement and embarrassment. The procession watched disapprovingly."Goodbye!" Snow called, and Florián took her arm and led her to a beautiful white horse. He helped her into the saddle then mounted his own steed and grabbed the reigns."Fare thee well," Florián said."I'll see you for the wedding!" Snow sang, and Florián looked askance at her as the Dwarfs burst out laughing again. She simply smiled at him, turned her horse around, and disappeared into the forest. Florián grinned then followed, leaving the procession scrambling into their saddles.The Dwarfs continued to laugh for a minute then settled down and stared after her. She was gone. And they were alone. It had been a year since they'd met her, yet it had gone by so quickly. A bit subdued, the Dwarfs went about the rest of their day.The next morning, Grumpy awoke with a blazing fire in his heart. He tried to tamp it down as he made breakfast and coffee, but it only fanned the flames. Doc and Bashful came down next, and Bashful glanced at him. Then he grinned."It ain't just us, Doc," he teased.Doc looked pleased. "Want to get back do it, ah, to it then?"Grumpy nodded. "I want to get back to minin'."Happy came out of the bedroom and walked down the stairs. He grinned when he saw them. "I see more than one fire blazing," he said."Guess we done it then," Sleepy said, yawning as he came down the stairs. "Guess we had our adventure.""That just means we get to mine again," Sneezy said, his eyes gleaming."And we can look for the perfect stones for Snow's wedding presents," Grumpy pointed out."So we're agreed?" Doc asked, and Dopey grinned and nodded."Heigh ho, heigh ho, it's off to work we go," Grumpy said, and the brothers all laughed as they began to sing even before they left the house.