Snow White After Ever After

Part 1

The Prince and I rode his white horse to the gleaming palace in the distance as I bounced with excitement. I finally had a prince!  He looked so handsome…

              “I'm glad I found you Snow.” The Prince interrupted my thoughts, “I've been looking for you for ages.”

              I frowned, “My evil stepmother kept my existence a secret.  How did you know about me before you found me?”

              “Because you're my sister.” He replied.  I froze, staring at him with my mouth agape.

              “But… you gave me true love's kiss.” I whispered.

              “Yeah, because you're my sister and I love you.” The Prince said, “Our father divorced our mother and married your stepmother when you were three.  All three of you moved to the castle you grew up in.  However, that witch killed our father soon after and used magic to cloak your location.  I would have never happened upon you if I had been trying, but thankfully, I was simply out hunting the day I found you.”

              I stared at him in shock, “I thought you rescued me because you fell in love with me.”

              “Don't be silly.  Who falls in love at first sight?” the prince laughed.

              I nodded, seeing the sense in his words, “Well that's true.  What's your name?”

              “I'm Phillip.  Now we need to rescue another one of our sisters.  Her name is Aurora, though she's also known as Sleeping Beauty.  She's in a dragon guarded castle.” 

“Whoa, tight security.” I said. Then Phillip turned into a dark forest.

              “Why aren't we going to the castle?” I asked nervously, scooching closer to Phillip.  This forest reminded me of the terrifying one I ran through to get away from the evil queen.

              “Don't worry.”  Phillip said soothingly, “I'm just going to get a few more of our sisters.”  Geez, how many siblings do I have? I wondered.

              Suddenly the horse bucked, and I fell off the horse, landing hard on the ground.  I looked up to find a knife inches from my eyes, causing me to scream and cover my face, “Stand down Belle!  She's with me!” Phillip called.  I peeked between my fingers to see a dark-haired woman with hazel eyes watching me with suspicion.

              “Who is she?” Belle asked Phillip.  I then pulled my hands away from my face, causing her to gasp, “Oh my gosh!  You're Snow White!”  I nodded tentatively, “Well hi Snow.  I'm your sister.”  She pulled me to my feet, “How old are you?” Belle asked.

              “I'm fourteen.” I answered, feeling a bit self-conscious.

              Belle's eyes widened, “Wow, you're just a kid.” She turned to her brother, who was tying the horse to a tree, “Are you sure she should come? This is a dangerous mission.”

              “I want to come.” I stood up straight, though Belle and Phillip were still much taller than me.  The idea of going on a dangerous mission to save someone excited me.  Also, I didn't want to be left alone in the dark forest.

              Belle didn't seem convinced, so Phillip changed the subject, “Where's Cinderella?  I thought she was coming.”

              Belle rolled her eyes, “She sent a message via pigeon that her carriage had malfunctioned again and she won't be able to get here.  Why that darn Fairy Godmother of hers is so obstinate about having Cinderella's carriage turn into a pumpkin at exactly midnight, I don't know.”