The Girl With a Rose on Her Forehead -Once Upon a Time Fanfiction-

Season 1: Episode 3: Snow Falls

-Enchanted Forest -

Azalea walked through the trees beside the Enchanted forest path. It had been years since she went into hiding from Rumple. Years since she lost her whole family, years since she has felt safe, comfort, or even love. The now thirteen year old flower girls only concern was living, never letting Rumple (or anyone else hunting her) steal her heart. She didn't care what evil spell the monster needed it for, what he had done to her family was unforgivable. Azalea would not let Rumple ever complete his spell. Azalea was taken away from her wondering thoughts when she heard the sound of a whip and horses running down the path beside her, she quickly pulled her hood over her head, covering her flower crown stuck in her hair that held her mothers protection spell in them, and hid behind a tree from view. A white carriage rolled up on the path with guards and horses surrounding it. As it passed by Azelea looked into the carriage and saw a beautiful blonde woman and a handsome man. 'they must be some kind of royalty.' she though as it passed, before she stepped out of her hiding place. She was about to turn the other way and continue on her way, when she heard the horses stopping and the guards talking. She jumped back behind the tree, not wanting to be spotted by anyone. Azalea watched as the charming looking man got out of the carriage. Curiosity got the best of Azalea yet again as she stayed hidden, but went up the path to see what was occurring, ducking into some bushed beside the carriage. "Worry not, but is a fallen tree." The man called as he looked over a large tree that had fallen directly across the path, and Azalea watched as they started to try and move it out of the way so the royal carriage could pass by. She heard a thump from beside her and looked to the carriage, only to see a hooded woman standing on top of it!  Azalea gasped, watching as the mystery woman went into the carriage and took something out of it. "AHH- ahhhh! Help!" The royal woman screamed as the mysterious figure began to run. Azalea had to jump back as the woman jumped into the same bush she was hiding in. The woman was shocked and confused when she saw Azalea hiding in the bush as well. "Who are you? What are you doing here?!" The woman asked, her voice a whisper. "I could ask you the same thing." Azalea whispered. The young girl tried to hide it, but she was frightened by the thief, would she try to hurt her now that she knew where she was hiding? "Darn it, if they find the both of us they will think you were my partner...Come on we need to run!" She said taking Azalea's hand, both of them jumping out of the bush together and getting on a horse that belonged to one of the guards. "Stop right there!" A man shouted as the two ladies galloped away. "Oh no you don't." The blonde man said getting on another horse, chasing after the two. Azalea held onto the thief as they sped down the path on their stolen horse. "Why are you protecting me?" Azalea asked as the man was quickly catching up to them on his own horse. "It's not your fault I got you in trouble." The thief said with a shrug of her shoulders, before turning the horses direction off the path in an attempt to lose the man chasing them. But he was also a skilled horse rider and was able to follow them through the woods around the trees. Azalea thought about using her magic to help make a quick get away, but then she would be exposing herself...she was in hiding for a reason, and using magic while running away from a royal man was not the way to stay in hiding. "He is catching up!" Azalea called out looking over her shoulder as the man got beside of them. He jumped off of his horse and knocking the woman off of hers as well, Azalea was able to hang onto the horse and stay on, stopping the horses as the two wrestled on the ground. The man was able to get on top of the thief. "Show your face you coward." The man said in frustration pulling off the hood of the thief. "Wait....your a girl." The man said, in shock. Azalea saw the opportunity and picked up a rock on the side of the road, sneaking up behind the royal man. "I'm a woman," The thief said with a smirk before Azalea hit the man over the head, knocking him over. He was knocked out cold by the blow and the thief didn't waste any time getting out from under him and standing up. "Good work for a rookie." The woman said taking Azalea's hand and getting back on the horse they had stolen, riding away. Azalea was partly worried about leaving the man where he was, but she knew that his men were close by, and that he would be fine. "Who are you?" Azalea asked, holding onto the woman as they made their get away. "I'm Snow White, and you are?" She asked looking back at her. Azalea, surprised to be in Snow White's presence pulled her own hood down, revealing her head, the flowers decorating her hair and face. "Azalea...Flower Enchantress." Snow gasped as the finally slowed down, the horse walking at a steady pace through the woods. "The last one in existence...everyone thinks you are either dead or in another realm." She said looking at the young girl. "That's what I want people to think. I'm hiding from the monster who killed my family." She explained. "Your all on your own?" Snow asked, a thoughtful look in her eyes. Azalea nodded, her cheeks blushing. "No need to be embarrassed - I'm also alone...How do you feel about tagging along with me for awhile, we can be alone together."