The Primal Saviour

Prologue

"Hello? Can you hear me? Sweetie, can you hear me?"

A soft voice flowed out of the blood red lips of the woman with a soul as pure as snow; deep green eyes staring intently at the youthful little girl who lay before her. Her state was unconscious. Her dark hazel hair matted out onto her fair young face.

The older female slowly extended two fingers to gently move the long tresses, but instantly retracted once the body stirred. Her breath held. She watched silently while the child, slowly and steadily, pushed herself onto her elbows and wiped away the locks of hair by herself. Her dazed pupils were of a deep and alluring hue of green. Very identical to the shade of the woman's own orbs. Her eyes soon landed upon that woman who knelt in front of them, and the child quickly reeled back.

"Whoa-whoa, hey!"

The former hurriedly assured by throwing her hands into the air.

"I won't hurt you. I won't hurt you. I-I, just found you out here in the woods. Unconscious and alone."

The child was breathing heavily, staring warily at the female who simply stated that she won't hurt her. Her deep green eyes travelled to the quiver of arrows resting on the stranger's back, or the sword that was strapped to her waist. The owner of the weapons noticed the gaze, and smiled gently, willingly disarming herself and lengthening her smile once she observed that the child had finally lowered her guard. Even if to the slightest extent.

"I'm Snow White."

The woman introduced herself.

"What's your name?"

"Eleanor."

The girl replied in a timid voice, but the woman nodded in an encouraging manner.

"Nice to meet you, Eleanor. Where are you from? And, uh, what are you doing out here in the woods? Not quite the place for a child like you, unless of course, you're running from someone."

The woman frowned, tense.

"Are you?"

She inquired quietly. The girl, however, only stared at her with orbs drowning in a sea of uneasiness. Her reply was short, yet chilling.

"I don't remember."

The settlement of the tents roared with the adrenaline of the raging battle as warriors of both the opposing fronts assembled their weapons and threw themselves into position. A young man and woman, followed by a further younger adolescent girl, scurried out of the largest tent, after which the man instructed the woman to take the girl and leave. The two kissed and the females prepared to flee, but the more youthful commenced to first embrace the man.

"Be safe, Father."

She whispered affectionately, and the man glanced at the woman who smiled in satisfaction. The man returned the smile and calmed his wild heart, returning the adoring gesture.

"I-I'm glad you finally called me that, Eleanor. And don't worry. I will be safe. I will always find you."

The girl stepped away and smiled up at him, nodding courageously.

"I know you will."

She grabbed the woman's hand and the two dashed away from the scene, unaware of the pair of dark eyes that followed their every movement from behind the shield of a soldier's helmet.

"You think he'll be alright, Mother?"

"Yeah, he will. He's Charming. But for now, the two of us need to make sure that we don't get caught by this new general that King George has employed and somehow find our way to your grandmother's place."

"Too late for that, princess."

A light brown steed came storming behind them and tossed the woman to the ground; the action being accompanied by the shriek of the girl who rushed down to the side of her mother. The latter warily glanced up at the one who assaulted her and heaved.

"Leviathan."

The armoured male snorted.

"That's what they're calling me now?"

His voice bore a tinge of skepticism and he removed his helmet, revealing a dark and handsome face.

"Name's Lancelot."

"I found her."

"Where?!"

"The Enchanted Forest. She is presently the adopted daughter of the Prince and Snow White."

"She is not their daughter! She's mine."

"Would you like to see her? We still have some time for her new parents are getting married tomorrow."

"Take me to her."

"Then come."

Wind blew. The girl titled as Eleanor shifted a little beneath the covers of her bed, yet remained blissfully unaware of the subtle unlocking of her window. Of the cloaked entity that stalked towards her sleeping form. Of the hand that lovingly stroked her hair and face.

"Eleanor!"

The entity hissed and vanished within the darkness, right as the girl shot up into a state of consciousness and a couple stumbled into the room. The light that streamed from the hallway was insufficient to reveal the presence of the masked entity, who silently and keenly watched the man and the woman who were now embracing the girl.

"Mother, Father, what's wrong?"

"I-I, I sensed something wrong in here and I had to check up on you. But you're fine. You're fine."

The man explained in a relieved tone, resulting in the girl chuckling from amusement.

"I'm alright, Father. I hope you realise that King George and Regina can't hurt us anymore."

"Oh, we know that, sweetie."

The woman replied warmly.

"It's just that, we can never stop feeling worried about you. You're our daughter. And we love you."

"I love you too, Mother. Father. But you two should really get some sleep right now because, um, guess what? You're getting married tomorrow!"

The girl produced an excited grin as her doting parents laughed at her response and kissed her goodnight, before walking out of the chamber. Though the girl did not fail to notice the slight crack they left open in the door, and rolled her eyes.

"Parents."

She muttered with a shake of the head, after which she promptly lay back down under the blankets and shut her eyes, drifting off into yet another peaceful slumber.

Still unaware of the deep green eyes that resembled her own, staring down at her.

Still unaware of the darkened heart that burned in the flames of a dangerous fury.

Still unaware of her true father whose hooded green eyes stared at her under a keen gaze.