Blood and Apples

Chapter 1

The morning had started like every other, awakening from the servants quarters before grabbing a bucket of water from the well to scrub the bricked stairs. As the young maiden sat there scrubbing she couldn't help but hum to herself a lovely tune that soon caught their attention of some birds who sang along. Not that Snow White minded the company.

"Well hello there" Snow smiled as one of the little blue birds perched on the side of the bucket where it let her gentle brush its soft feathers with her finger.

"What lovely feathers you have" she giggled as the bird chirped at her as if in response.

"I do appreciate your company little one but shouldn't you by flying away, lord knows I would I could" she stated lifting the bucket of water while the blue bird landed in her shoulder.

"To be able to fly, amongst the clouds and just watch the world, sounds almost like a dream" the bird chirped once more as she placed the bucket down again.

"Sounds quite silly doesn't it?" Suddenly Snow was suddenly caught of guard by a loud screech noise from the sky.
Once Snow turned herself towards the sound, she noticed a little dark creature collapsed on the floor near he well.

"Oh deary me, is that... a bat?" She asked herself slowly walking towards the creature.

"It is a bat! What on earth is it doing out hear in the day?"

Looking the bat she say the creature puffing hard unable to move.

"Oh the poor dear, it must be exhausted" Snow stated gentle taking the little creature into her hands before rushing back towards the kitchen, luckily no one was there at that moment.
Snow White gentle places the tired bat on the wooden table before grabbing the water and bread then placing it in front of the bat.

"Here you go little one" the bat didn't move, merely stared at Snow while shaking. Snow couldn't help but feel for this bat, probably flying for so long trying to find it's way back to it's family.

"Don't worry small one" she whispered to the bat gentle patting its small head.

"I just want to help you" the bat stopped shaking and slowly started nibbling at the bread and drinking the water until it was gone and the little bat seemed to regained his strength.

"I bet you're feeling much better" Snow stated placing her cupped hands in front of the bat before it placed itself into them. The creature nuzzled her palms causing Snow to smile ever so brightly.
Snow slowly watched to the large window of the kitchen where she placed the bat as it got ready to take off, before she knew it Snow watched the little bat fly off into the sky while she watched in awe.

Once again Snow White found herself day dreaming about the possibility of flying away, seeing a world outside the palace walls, meet new interesting people and have a life of her own, but of course it was quickly stopped with doubt, where would she go? She wouldn't survive out there by herself, it just be best to stay where she belongs.

"Snow?" A voice called snapping Snow White from her thoughts.

"There ya are lass"

"Sorry Rosa, I was just about to go back to my chores"

"Never mind that dear, I need ya help in the kitchen"

"What for?" Snow asked watching Rosa the kitchen hand hurry about grabbing backers of eggs and fruit.

" 'er majesty 'as a quest coming... a count" Rosa stated.

"A count?" Snow repeated with a confused tone, it had been a long time since anyone of noble standing come to the palace since the death of Snow's father the old king.

"He apparently is a very powerful man, which means the queen will definitely try to stick 'er claws in 'em"

"Rosa you shouldn't say such things"

"I can say what I want, it's my kitchen" Rosa replied already mixing some form of food, according to her. Snow merely smiled before pulling out the fancy plates in which the food will go on. Snow's mind once again wondered, a Count in the castle and a powerful one of that, maybe it would be good for the queen to "stick her claws into him" she might become nicer to her ... and maybe nicer to her.