Red Shoes & the 7 Dwarfs

Chapter 15: The Seven Dwarfs

"The legendary Prince Merlin, rescuer of princesses. Oh how did you end up here? Seems you still haven't broken your curse." The magic mirror teased as Prince Merlin thrashed about helplessly.

"You don't have to do this!" As soon as the root slipped off his mouth, Prince Merlin began griping.

"Take the shoes and let us go!" Prince Merlin commanded.

"Uhh, I wish I could. But they're made of pure magic apple, the fruit of temptation. They feed on your desires and once they give you what you desire, the bond is permanent." The magic mirror said menacingly.

"That's not true! She took them off in the river!"
"That doesn't make any sense, how could she possibly want to save you more than she wanted to be beautiful? What did you do to her? Did you cast a spell on her?"

"What's going to happen to her?" Prince Merlin was beginning to grow more anxious and worried for Red Shoes and Snow White.

"Well, once she eats the apple, its magic will turn her into a magic apple tree. Then there will be three chimes from the bells. Nothing happens after the first, but the second will cause her to bear fruit, by which, when the sun hits the fruit will turn the apples into a magic pair of red shoes."

"And then what!?"

"Regina will be the most beautiful person in the kingdom, forever."

"I don't care about Regina, what about Snow White?"

"Then, by the third chime, nature takes its course and the tree withers and dies, and so does Snow White." The magic mirror said so ominously.

"Nooo!"

"Yes!" The magic mirror began laughing as Prince Merlin managed to get a paper talisman free and zapped the roots. He was able to escape, but the roots emerged again, attacking him as he did his best to fight them. He was able to open up the door, but one root took hold of him and pulled his leg back. Three other roots took hold of his limbs as they began stretching him out, when suddenly the six other dwarfs appeared.

"We're here. Are you ok Merlin?" Arthur asked.

"Yea, I'd never thought I'd say this, but I'm so glad to be chubby and green again."

The battle was on, the triplets launched their wooden giant forward as Jack threw his cloak of invisibility on and Hans used his frying pan to fight off the roots. The wooden bunny hopped up as Merlin slowly got on top of him, wincing in pain.

"Are you sure you're up to this?" Arthur asked with some concern.

"Yeah." Merlin nodded.

"Here you go Merlin, you're going to need these." One of the wooden bears stepped forward with a bag filled of paper talismans.

"Thanks." He smiled as he caught the bag and put it around his waist. Suddenly the first chime of the bell echoed.