Once Upon A time - season 1

Snow Falls

The Enchanted Forest

Amidst the foliage, a solitary stag grazes peacefully on a patch of tender grass. Its antlers, elegantly curved, catch the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees. The serene scene is abruptly disturbed by the distant clatter of wheels and the pounding of hooves. Startled, the stag lifts its head, its nostrils flaring as it senses the approaching disturbance. With a sudden burst of motion, it bolts into the underbrush, vanishing into the shadows of the forest. A stately carriage, drawn by four powerful horses, rumbles down the forest road. The wheels creak and groan as they turn, the sound blending with the rhythmic pounding of the horses' hooves. Inside the carriage, Prince Charming sits with an air of contemplative elegance, his gaze fixed on the passing scenery. Across from him, Princess Abigail fidgets with a delicate fan, her impatience evident in the rapid flutter of the fan.

"What do you think of the view, my dear?" Prince Charming inquires, his tone casual. Princess Abigail's eyes narrow as she fans herself vigorously, her frustration palpable.  "I've seen better," she replies with a dramatic sigh. "This is taking forever. I told you the Troll Road would've been quicker." The carriage bounces over a particularly rough stretch, jostling the passengers. "And far less bumpy." Prince Charming, distracted, glances down at a bag of jewelry resting in his lap. Abigail's gaze follows his, her irritation growing. "Are you even listening to me?" she demands.

"Yes, of course I am," Prince Charming responds absentmindedly. A sudden shout from the coachman jolts them both, and the horses whinny in alarm as the carriage comes to a sudden halt.

"Whoa, whoa!" the coachman calls out.

"Now what?" Abigail exclaims, her tone tinged with exasperation.

The carriage stops abruptly. Prince Charming opens the door and steps out, leaving the bag of jewelry behind on the seat. "Worry not—it's but a fallen tree," he reassures Abigail. "Fellas? Shall we?" Prince Charming examines the fallen tree blocking their path. Suddenly, a cloaked figure lands silently atop the carriage, startling Abigail inside.

"M'lord? What is it?" one of the guards asks, noticing the commotion.

"These markings..." Prince Charming says, examining the tree's base. "This tree didn't fall naturally; it's been cut. It's an ambush." As he speaks, the cloaked figure reaches through the open carriage door and grabs the bag of jewelry. Abigail's terrified scream pierces the air.

"Guards! Stop, thief! Help me!" she cries out. The thief, now mounted on a horse, spurs it into a gallop. Prince Charming, quick to react, mounts his horse and sets off in pursuit. As he rides past the carriage, Abigail looks out in fear, her face a mask of anxiety.

Prince Charming closes the distance between himself and the thief. With a burst of speed, he aligns his horse alongside hers and executes a daring maneuver, forcing the thief to the ground by throwing himself at her so they both fall to the ground. "Show your face, you coward!" Prince Charming demands as he stands over the fallen figure.

With swift movements, Prince Charming flips the thief onto her back. His anger falters, giving way to surprise as he sees the thief's face. "You're a girl."

"Woman," she corrects him with a smirk. Before Prince Charming can react, the woman grabs a nearby rock and strikes him across the face. He reels back in pain, sprawling to the side. Seizing the opportunity, the woman remounts her horse and rides off into the forest.

"You can't hide from me!" Prince Charming calls out, his voice filled with determination. "Wherever you are, I will find you!"

The thief glances back, a satisfied smirk on her lips as she rides away. Prince Charming watches her retreating figure, his expression a mix of irritation and resolve.