Snow White and Andrew the Huntsman (Story Retelling Fanfiction) [COMPLETE]

Chapter 3

Snow White hated the woods. They reminded her of that terrible night. As she ran that was all she could think about. The fire and people were crying out in pain. That horrible knight who pulled her out of bed and into the woods where she was to die. Then that boy, that wonderful little boy came and saved her life. She had prayed that the boy had not been killed, that he had gotten away too.

After running for a long time, she collapsed to the ground from exhaustion. She was ready to sleep but once again not before praying, "Dear God. Please protect me from any evil in these woods and please don't let my stepmother harm my friend Greta. Amen." Then she fell asleep.

Back at the castle, the Queen was furious when she discovered Snow White's escape.

"How could you fools let her escape?!" she cried.

"It wasn't our fault." one guard said.

"It was hers!" the second guard said as he tossed Greta in front of the Queen.

"You." she said. "Helping Snow White is an act of treason."

"Why do you hate her? What did she ever do to you?"

"That's none of your business."

"You're the ugliest witch that's ever lived and you know it!"

The wicked Queen grabbed Greta by her throat. "So young and strong. You'll do nicely."

"For what?"

"You'll find out. But if you tell me where Snow White is, I will let you go. But if not, well, a terrible fate awaits you."

Greta said nothing.

"Fine! Guards! Take her to the dungeons!"

They did as they were told. The Queen turned to her mirror angrily.

"I don't understand! I offer these peasants gold but still they protect Snow White, and only one of them is willing to turn her over."

"Snow White is so lovely and innocent that only someone with a heart as dark as yours could hate her." said the mirror.

"Then I guess I can't trust the guards."

"They are still loyal to the King," the mirror said. "Imagine what would happen if any of them discovered that this peasant girl you seek is, in fact, their princess. Which you claimed was dead not to mention, it would lead them to discover what you did to the King."

"Good point. I need someone without feeling. Someone who will do anything for money. Who do you request?" asked the Queen.

"His name is Andrew. He is a huntsman who lives around here." the mirror said. "His tracking skills are so incredible that you'll never find a better fighter."

"Yes! But does he know about Snow White?" she asked.

"No." the mirror said. "Due to a tragedy, his heart has become hardened, frozen. He feels nothing."

"As for money?"

"He is very desperate for it."

"Then he's perfect for the job."

Andrew, no longer a prince, was adopted by a blacksmith and his wife who they raised alongside their son Harold. Just as the mirror had said, he had become hard-hearted by the death of his parents and the destruction of his kingdom. Growing up, he trained himself to hunt, track, and fight. During those years, the little boy grew up into a young woman. A brave and strong young man who felt a deep hatred for the person being responsible for the loss of his kingdom. And also just as the mirror had said, he was desperate for money but not out of greed. Harold and his family were very poor and Andrew really wanted to repay them for their kindness.

Today, Harold found his friend at the woods target practicing with an ax. He was dressed up in a black suit and boots with gloves. He threw an ax at the target.

"A direct hit, your highness." Harold said.

"Harold, how many times have I told you not to call me that?"

"Well, you are the prince."

"No! I'm not anymore!" he said, throwing another ax.

"Bullseye! Sire!"

"That life was stolen from me those years ago. Now I'm just a regular huntsman trying to make a living."

"Call yourself a huntsman if you wish but you're still a prince to me and my family."

The Queen's men rode toward them on horses. Andrew pulled out his sword in defense.

"Which one of you is Andrew the Huntsman?"

"Who wants to know?" Andrew asked.

"The Queen!"

"What does she want?" Harold asked.

"She requested a meeting with him."

"Tell her I'm not interested." Andrew said

"She's agreed to make it worth your while."

He opened a small bag traveling with gold coins. Seeing this Andrew agreed to go with them. He was brought before the Queen into her throne room.

"The huntsman, your Majesty."

"My, my." she said. "Aren't you gallant and handsome?"

"What do you want from me?"

"I need you to capture a prisoner of mine. This prisoner was a girl and I need you to find her."

"A girl?"

"Yes, and I want you to find and bring her to me."

"If you say, then where is she?"

"Deep in the forest."

"Where magic dwells? No thanks. I might run up on a troll or orge which could kill me in two seconds flat."

"What's special about that girl?"

"That's none of your business."

He thought for a moment. "Okay. What's in it for me?"

"Well, how about becoming my new King? I can assure you won't find a more beautiful wife."

"Aren't you already married?"

"I was but I lost my husband years ago and I've become so lonely."

"Sorry, your majesty, I'm not interested in marriage."

"Oh, am I not beautiful enough?"

"No. It's just that there has never been a woman able to capture my heart."

"I guess it is true what they say." she said. "Your heart is truly frozen. Nevertheless if you find her and kill her, I will give you as much gold as you want."

He thought again this time for a little longer.

"Alright. How will I know it was her?"

"She was dressed in pink." the Queen said. "With skin white as snow, lips red as blood, eyes blue as bluebells, and hair black as ebony."

He went back to the village where he packed a satchel of things he needed. A sword, a dagger, an ax, some water, a little bread, and a bag of dust that could freeze magical creatures for limited times. Andrew went into the woods to, of course, find Snow White.