Chapter One:
Snow sat sprawled on the mattress; her fingers gripped the sheets firmly. Her husband, Charlie, rubbed her forehead and dabbed at it with a damp cloth. Pain trembled through her body as she gasped for air. A small dwarf adjusted his round spectacles and scratched at his grey beard, waiting patiently.
“Just a little bit longer, I know you can do this.” Charlie buried his face in her dark curls. They were matted with her sweat. She gave another gruesome scream and her body jerked. The dwarf rushed his plump body to the end of the bed, his eyes darted from Snow’s face to Charlie’s.
“My lady, it is time.” with the dwarf’s instructions, she gritted her teeth and pushed. Tears streamed down her face as she endured the pain. She dug her nails deep in to Charlie’s palm and waited for the worst to come. Soon it was over and her frail body collapsed on to the lacey white pillows, numb. She heaved as another cry came into the world, this one wrapped in a knitted blanket. Charlie kissed Snow’s shoulder and rubbed her leg as the she was handed the small infant. Instantly a smile lit across her face as the tears dried up and the baby started to fall asleep. Charlie chuckled, careful not to wake their newborn. “It’s a girl, your majesty.” The dwarf chippered, cleaning up the end of the bed.
“Oh, Charlie. Our daughter is beautiful. Look at her nose.” They both peered down at the sleeping girl’s features; her glowing skin, soft ears, tiny strands of hair peeking out of the top of her round head, and her tiny button nose.
“She’s gorgeous. What do you want to name her?” Charlie softly touched the baby’s head with his rough hand. It was like touching freshly woven silk.
“I like Emma. How about you?”
“It’s perfect. Our dear little Emma, you will be loved to the stars and beyond.”
Chapter Two:
15 Years Later.
I raced passed the guards into the stables. Their shouts of furry made me laugh and run even faster through the dusty hallways. Horses looked up as my bare feet hit the cold bricks showered in hay. All I wanted was to get out into the forest, just to be free from warm tea and lacy dresses. Just as I thought I could finally make it out I skidded around another corner and slammed right into The King himself, my father. His hands rested on his hips, eyebrows pointed. He stepped closer to me making me feel incredibly small.
“Miss Emma. Where do you think you’re going?” He let his shadow creep farther over my stance and I cowered.
“To the forest.” I mumbled hopping he would leave me alone for once.
“Where?” He had heard me; you could almost taste it in his voice. He wanted me to spit it out of my teeth. He wanted the sound of my insanity to ring throughout the stables.
“To the forest.” I spoke more boldly this time, ready for his lash.
“Get back to the palace. The forest is dangerous, especially for you. I’ll speak to your mother about this.” He strode away leaving me trembling for my pride. I slumped up the great hall steps, hoping the banister would hold my weight as I shifted back and forth trying to stay strong. The sunset casted its way through the large windows and shimmered off the large chandelier making the room twinkle. You could see the dust floating around, moving as you breathed. I tried to move as much of it out of my way as possible before giving up and running the rest of the way to my room. Before too long, someone came knocking and I pulled open the right door halfheartedly.
One of our maids, Myrtle, stood up straighter and cleared her raspy throat before speaking. “My lady, The Queen wishes to see you.” She bowed her head down, graciously, and waited for my reply.
“Tell her I do not want to see her right now. Thank you, Myrtle.” I tried to keep my voice steady as I answered so that she would not worry. The poor woman gave me a small smile before shaking her frail body away from my room. I slowly shut my door before ripping myself to pieces. The tears streamed down my face as I unlatched my belt and threw it to the ground. I felt weak, but the more I cried the harder it was to stop. I shook my hair out of its tight bun and let the curls surround my damp face. They made me feel safe as I pulled the red quilt off my bed and dragged it across the floor, finally reaching my window perch where I buried myself in the blanket, hoping no one would come looking for Daddy’s little girl. The girl who used to go on hunting trips, now bound to the safety of the kingdom. The girl who rode and shot and gathered, forced to forget it all. I wasn’t his anymore.
I let my mind race as I cried myself to sleep.
