Ebony White (A Snow White Tale)

Meetings

The pelts weighed her down and made her walking sluggish, although she kept up with the dwarfs quick steps. She had been surprised anyone had been able to find her.

The dwarf didn't carry a torch but he knew exactly where to tread and avoided any angry creatures that could harm them. It wasn't long before a giant shadow hid the moon from view. 
   "This be me home." The dwarf said pointing to the mountain before them.
They continued to walk in the dark until the dwarf stopped in front a wall of flat grey stone. With his axe he knocked on the surface several times.

Ebony wondered what was going to happen and when nothing did she thought the dwarf might be a little bit insane. Surely nothing was going to happen. However, when the dwarf tapped his axe on the wall again and then stepped back he told Ebony to the same. Not a second after she had taken that step back a booming sound echoed from the wall and suddenly a section of the grey stone detached itself from the rest of the stone wall and slide inwards. It stopped only for a moment before rolling away creating a entrance to the dark behind it.

The gap that was made was as tall and wide as the dwarf beside her but she could see the tunnel beyond grew larger. And deep down she could just make out the flickering flames of burning torches in iron holds.

The dwarf huffed at her and started to enter the tunnel. Ebony slowly followed him. Once she was inside the section of the stone wall that had slid away started to move back into place. But it wasn't magic that was doing it. Two other dwarfs pushed the stone easily over the smooth floor.

When the door was secure the two dwarfs turned around and when they saw Ebony they both turned to the dwarf that had lead her here. The first dwarf shrugged and grumbled something she didn't understand. The two dwarfs nodded and bowed at Ebony.
   "I'm named Two." One of the dwarfs that had closed the door with big goggles on said. "And this be Four." He pointed beside him. Four didn't speak but nodded agreeably at Ebony. He seemed very happy.
  
   "Can he speak?" Ebony asked.

The dwarf named Two look down at his friend with a sad expression.
   "No little lady. He can't say nothing for he had his tongue pulled out."

Four smiled greatly and opened his mouth wide to show the stump of muscle where his tongue should have been.

Ebony held still until the dwarf closed his mouth. It was hideous, and Ebony swore never to ask that question again. Both Two and Four started to follow the other dwarf further down the tunnel.
   "If your name is Two, and his name is Four, then what is the dwarfs name that brought me here?" In her rush to stay with the dwarf she had forgotten to ask his name. Two answered her.
 
"He be named One. And he be the leader, little lady."

Ebony followed all three dwarfs down a long tunnel until it opened up into a massive cavern. It was large and open and Ebony saw to her delight a small waterfall was flowing at its far end. She followed the dwarfs in deeper and was happy she had been brought here. It was a lovely new home.