I'm dead," Anastasia said when she opened her eyes. She sat up, hearing a cry of joy, and then looked around. Dopey was nowhere in sight, and Snow sat next to her, holding her arm and crying. Her father sat a few feet away, bewildered.
"What just happened?!" Anastasia gasped, looking down at herself and discovering her clothes were covered in blood.
Snow wiped away a tear. "True love's kiss. It woke you."
"Father, you stabbed me..."
Suddenly the huntsman's arms were wrapped around his daughter, and he was weeping, hard.
The pieces clicked together in Anastasia's mind and she sat up straighter. "The dwarf's blood! It worked!"
Confused silence followed, but Anastasia didn't explain.
"Dopey!" Anastasia said, straightening.
"I must admit, that was a clumsy maneuver," the huntsman said with something that vaguely represented a smile.
"No, Father-" Anastasia stopped short. Dopey was gone, and there wasn't any way to get him back now. She had other things to worry about.
"I- Forgive me. I beg of Your Highness, forgive me," the huntsman said, addressing Snow.
Anastasia watched, speechless with wide eyes.
"I- why, I don't understand-?" Snow White responded, seeming totally confused.
"She's mad with jealousy! She'll stop at nothing!"
Snow's the princess, Anastasia thought. The Evil Queen didn't want to kill both the princess and Snow- they're the same person!
"But who?" Snow pleaded, looking from the huntsman to Anastasia.
"The Queen. Your stepmother-"
"Commanded you... to kill me?" Snow finished, looking totally surprised.
"Yes. Run. Hide, hide!"
"Where can I go?"
"Through the woods! Over the Seven Hills! Anywhere!"
"But- but I don't know the way!"
"No matter. Go! Quickly! Run! Run away! Hide!"
Snow White turned to leave when Anastasia yelled, "Wait!"
Snow stopped and turned back, tears glistening in her eyes.
"In the woods," Anastasia said, "Down the bend and past the curvy tree and the tiny pond, there's a small cottage. The people there will give you food and rest. Seek them out."
"Down the bend, past the curvy tree and the tiny pond," Snow repeated, trying to remember. "Yes. Thank you, Stasia."
Anastasia's father shot a nervous glance at his daughter. She knows you?
Anastasia shrugged. "We must leave, Father."
YOU ARE READING
Ehrhart
Algemene fictieAnastasia is the daughter of the Evil Queen's feared huntsman. One day she goes to the well to get water for the palace stablehands and meets a beautiful maiden known as Snow White. The adventure that follows introduces the huntsman's daughter to ne...
