Ebony White (A Snow White Tale)

New Friends

Ebony ran through the forest as quickly as she dared to in the dark. Her gown got caught on branches that seemed to reach out for her from the shadows resembling gnarled hands.

Every shadow was a monster leaping out at her. Strange noises sounded far off and close by at the same time. When she fell into a cold stream of pungent water she stopped running. Looking around she wondered how far she had gone from her mother's castle and home? Was she safe now? Her mother was an evil witch that wanted her dead.

Slowly the moon rose higher and illuminated Ebony's surroundings. She saw the branches and twigs and realised they weren't skeletal hands wanting to rip her apart. She noticed the shadows that vanished as the moon's glow chased them away. She had been running so fast that she hadn't seen the beauty of the forest at night. And she wasn't scared of it anymore.

The sounds that had been chasing her became shapes and those shapes turned into rabbits and squirrels. Letting them get closer she sang to them. The rabbits hopped over to her and showed her where there was a safe place to sleep under a giant oak tree. The squirrels showed Ebony where to find berries and nuts that she could eat. The little animals helped her every time she simply asked.

Soon after she got cold, the night truly setting in. But the animals were there to help keep her warm.

As the minutes bled into hours the rabbits did tricks to keep Ebony laughing and cheery. The littlest of the squirrels danced for her.

Ebony laughed and felt safe. Soon after she began to fall asleep. The animals found moss to make a pillow and large leaves for a blanket. Once they were done they curled around her slim frame and soon they were all falling asleep cuddling each other.