(Under development! Started 11/4/2018. Last updated 2/20/2025)
It was a beautiful morning in the fairy tale retreat city of Mostar. The small Bosnian town had become a refuge of late for fairy creatures to rest and relax. Snow White sat by the river staring at her reflection contemplating the trouble that had brought her here. Happy ever after wasn't as happy as the storybooks suggest. Shortly after her prince rescued her she found he had a thing for rescuing damsels in distress. He did not, however, have a thing for commitment. Snow was still in love and could not convince the prince he was too. Answers would continue to elude her as long as she just sat there staring at herself.
Snow started to walk away towards the hotel she was staying at. As she opened the door she heard a squeal and she rolled her eyes.
"Snow," Rapunzel screeched. "I thought you'd never get here. This room is so boring."
"I told you I needed some time away and alone. Plus didn't you just get married to your prince. Shouldn't you be producing heirs or something?"
"Yuck, heal a man's eyes and he follows you like a puppy, a lost one."
Snow sighed and rolled her eyes, "At least he is still around." She sat down next to her on the bed. "Not off with some other woman."
"Oh Snow, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."
Snow shrugged, "It's okay. I just don't know what to do. He promises so many things but never delivers. "
"Isn't that what is true of all men?"
"No, not all. "
Snow sighed and laid back on the bed. She felt that what she needed was some peace and quiet but with her friend here that would be near impossible. Just these few minutes with her were exhausting.
"Under the current circumstances I think that we should make this week a girls week." Rapunzel clapped her hands and gasped. "Oh we could-"
Snow waved her hands at Rapunzel "Oh no Rapunzel, I really-"
"I won't hear of it being a burden. There has to be some place to get pampered around here. Or to go shopping."
Snow shook her head slowly, "This is a place for quiet contemplation. It's why I came here to spend some time in thought . . . alone."
"Come on Snow just a little bit of spa treatment, it might help you relax a little bit. Maybe forget about your man trouble. "
Snow sighed, "Fine but nothing extravagant or expensive."
After an hour they were sitting in a swanky spa nearby.
"I thought I told you something low key. And yet here we are." Snow scowled at Rapunzel while an attendant washed their feet. Rapunzel, unfortunately, lived for extravagance, living in a tower for a good part of your life can have that affect on a person. But Snow preferred simplicity.
"So what is truly bothering you," Rapunzel asked in a serious voice.
"What do you mean?" Her voice was incredulous at the tone of her friend's voice.
Rapunzel sighed, "Snow I know you. You wouldn't come to this place if something wasn't truly wrong."
"You always did know me well." Snow sighed, mirroring Rapunzel. "I love my prince but I fear he does not love me."
"I believe he loves you Snow. He is just scared to show it."
"You haven't seen him lately. He has grown distant in the time since my rescue. Its almost like he likes to be the hero not a husband."
"What do you mean?"
Snow sighed. "He goes to find other damsels to save. I fear he is searching for a new girl."
"I don't believe that."
"Because you believe the good in others even if they don't deserve it. "
"I believe you are talking about Beauty. "
Snow laughed. "You are right there . She does have a beast of a husband. I'm not sure how she deals with those violent mood swings."
"It's good to hear you laugh again dear."
Snow looked over to her and smiled, "It does feel good. I don't know the last time I really laughed."
Just then they heard a loud crash and felt the ground tremble. Everyone jumped from their chairs and ran to the window to see what was coming. The girls stayed seated but craned their necks to see over the crowd that was amassing. Snippets of conversation came to their ears from the window. They heard the whispers of a moving house outside the window. They clearly heard talk that it had chicken legs.
"Oh no, Old Mother," they both said at once.
They ran to the window just as they saw her leaping out of her front door. She was hurling at anyone threats to skin and eat them alive. With some mention of sucking the marrow from their bones for good measure. Effortlessly she parted the crowd with her threats. Leaving the spa that was full a moment ago, they stopped old mother before she went further. Lying in her path was bodies that she had disposed of before they had stopped her.
"They aren't dead are they?" Rapunzel asked.
"Nah just sleeping and won't remember a thing," she croaked.
Snow sighed as she said the words. "Why have you come?" Snow breathed out the question as she knew Old Mother's presence meant trouble.
"As a warning against a coming evil." she coughed. "I figured at least Snow to be here after what her husband did to her. Up to no good with those crazy little fairy friends of Beauty's."
"My friend Belle did not have anything to do with anything concerning the trouble between the prince and I."
"Oh not that Beauty."
"You don't mean Aurora. "
"Bingo."
"All i know is you delight in causing mischief. How do i know you aren't just playing a trick on me. You have never helped me and actually you have caused me trouble in the past. "
"You wound me child."
"Aurora wouldn't hurt me you old hag.
"Careful child I have little tolerance for those who accuse me of lying. Bad things happen worse than what is to come.
"What is to come Old Mother?"
"What is always looming over us. . . the end of the world. When one villain fails another rises to take their place. A new one is arising from your own ranks aas we speak one whom you may call friend but will soon be called enemy. "
Rapunzel threw up her hands "Why should we believe you and all the lies you have told us before. Trusting you has had negative results . "
" Suit yourself. I was only trying to help. " And just as quickly as she appeared she disappeared.
"Ugh!" Rapunzel threw up her hands and stomped back inside.
Snow watched as the q
ueer little house vanished from sight. She pondered on what was said. What if she was riight? Who among them could possibly have strayed? She had no reason to suspect Aurora. But who else uses Beauty as part of their name? No one else but Belle.
"Snow come on. " She heard her friend call. Snow turned and went back in.
Some time later they left the shop. Rapunzel kept rambling on about something. Snow nodded at her as if she was listening but her mind was far away. Who could she mean? What could possess one of their own to turn evil?
Before she could ponder further her friend pulled her into some shops and her thoughts strayed to other things.
That night the girls were woken by a loud crash. On edge from their encounter with Old Mother, they jumped out of bed poised to fight. They heard a coughing sound in the darkness. "Who is there ?" Snow called into the darkness. Eerie silence called back. "We know you are there. Show yourself!"
A bright white light exploded in the room. A shining figure appeared in the room. Her voice barely a whisper. "My young dears you are in grave danger. " She sucked in a breath. "There is a traitor in your midst. Beware your friends, ally your enemies. "
And just as soon as it appeared, it vanished. The two girls sat with open mouths at the empty space. Questions swirled in their minds. Is the traitor a friend? Who of their enemies could want to help them?
"Well that was definitely confusing. How are we supposed to relax with all these warnings?" Rapunzel scoffed and laid back down.
Snow was still up long into the night. Her mind spun in circles. If all they heard was true it could be disastrous. Maybe this was what drew her here. Caution to the wind, she got up and went downstairs. There had to be something down in the hotel lobby library to help. They did have an extensive ancient text collection, if you know who to ask to see it. She came to the front desk and asked for straw. The front desk clerk raised an eyebrow and reached under the counter and pulled a lever. Behind him a bookcase swung open. Snow bowed her head as she walked past him through the doorway. She heard the door shut behind her and when she walked down the corridor she could hear the faint tick of a spinning wheel. As she drew closer to the sound of the ticking she heard a small voice singing softly. Suddenly theY voice went silent, "Well hello there dearie. To what do I owe
the pleasure. Could it be the recent warnings you received?"
"How do you know about them?"
"I know everything dearie. "
Snow snorted, "Of course Rumplestilskin. "
"So really the question is. . . what do you need of me?"
"Clarity perhaps. Im not sure what to make of all this?"
He laughed. "You have come to the wrong place. "
"Perhaps but you are the best I have. "
He smiled, "Everything comes with a price. "
"I know so what is yours?"
He pondered for a moment. "You dont have anything I want dearie. "
"Please i would give anything," she pleaded.
"Even your own life?" He raised a brow.
Snow gasped and trembled slightly. A laugh startled her from her own reverie. " I fail to see the humor here. "
"Lighten up, dearie. Its been years since i've made a deal. Allow me a little fun. "
"Not at my expense. "
He narrowed his eyes. "Very well. How about we say you owe me one. "
"So long as my life is off the table. "
"It is. "
"Then we have a deal. "
"Splendid. Now dearie, I can only give you helpful hints. "
Snow sighed. "I understand. "
He cackled. "Now we can get down to it. " He began spinning again. "Tell me what you know. "
Snow sighed, "Only that we would be betrayed from within. "
"And who do you believe that is?"
"Im here because i dont know. "
He grinned. "You dont have a guess.
"Belle?"
He cackled, "Temptress Eve is it?"
"What are you suggesting?"
"Who says I'm suggesting anything?"
"Are you deliberately talking in riddles?"
"I think you know that answer dearie. "
Snow rolled her eyes. "You are no help. "
"No help or do you not wish to see what is in front of your face?"
"Just give me an answer. "
"I've given you all that you need dearie. "
Snow became enraged "You have not helped at all. All you have done is speak in riddles. I still have no answers and nio more knoweledge than when i entered here. And you say I have iy all. "
"You do not listen . If you princesses would just use your brains and stop relying on princes you would be a force to be reckoned with. "
Snow heaved a sigh, "This whole situation is making my head hurt. "
Rumplestilskin scoffed, "Oh that is the least of your worries dearie. "
"im sure. " she turned to leave but stopped when she heard him.
"be careful who you trust. "
"even you?"
"especially me. "
Snow smirked as she walked out.
Snow flopped on the bed. Nothing but more riddles and no help. She was no closer to finding out anything useful. Now she was no closer and she owed that trickster a favor. What did he mean by she assumed it was Eve? Is he implying the villain is a man? But how could that be right? The princes save them not hurt them. So what motivation would they have to hurt them? Yes they gain too much from that. Perhaps the reason is excitement.
It was the early hours of the morning before Snow gave up on sleep altogether. Every thought and idea about the current predicament swam through her brain. There are many theories it could be. Maybe someone felt overshadowed. Maybe they were made an offer they couldn't refuse. No matter the reason someone was plotting. She had to find out who first.
Snow figured her time would be better spent at home perusing the castle library. Once she arrived back home she went straight to pouring over the books. There were so many volumes there had to be something in them. Maybe one of the history books would have an answer. She grabbed a big volume off the shelf. The history was basic just simple facts. She needed to find something with more depth. Probably not something that could be found in the general stacks. Only one way to find out. She would have to access the guarded library. But how without tipping off her husband? She would have to use caution. Maybe her forest friends could help her.
"I'm sorry Snow," Doc apologized. "We are just much too busy. "
Snow sighed. "With what?"
"Mining my dear. "
"You can't just take a break. "
Doc scoffed, "We just did for your wedding. "
"I guess but what if doing nothing is worse. "
"Snow what is really going on," Doc looked at her over his glasses.
Snow sighed, "When I was away I was warned about a possible traitor in our midst. Only. . . " She trailed off looking at her feet.
"Now Snow you need to tell me what is bothering you. "
"They didn't tell me who it was. They just told me to be careful who I trust. "
"And who told you this?"
"Baba Yaga and Rumplestilskin. "
"Ah those two love to stir up drama. "
"Maybe but something about it just seemed sincere. " Snow sighed. "I
am not sure but I fear for us all. "
Doc sighed "Why not just ask your husband to let you in? Im sure he would oblige. "
"I don't know. What if he is the one in the warning? Then he would suspect I was on to him. "
"Now don't get ahead of yourself. "
"I won't play around with this. If you won't help I'll do it myself. " Snow turned on her heel to run out as Doc called after her.
"Snow. . . don't be hasty. " But it already was too late because she was gone.
At night she tiptoed her way into the library. She was covered in black head to toe. She looked around for anyone in the room. Seeing no one around she moved toward the barred door. Her footsteps were soft and noiseless. She reached the door and took a breath. She had taken the key from her husband. That wasn't a guarantee she wouldn't be caught. There were also still guards around. Slowly she put the key into the lock and turned. The door creaked open slowly. She held her breath as the door opened, waiting for an alarm to sound. After a minute, she let out her breath and stepped inside. She took a look around. She wasn't sure where to start. Time was precious and she had tothink quick. Maybe prophecy records.
She moved to that area and thumbed the spines. She moved to grab a volume off the shelf when she heard a throat clear behind her. Snow jumped and spun around. "A little late night reading?" a voice said from the shadows.
"Just a little pursuit of knowledge, nothing wrong with that. "
The shadow chuckled, "No, I suppose not. "
"Are you upset with me?"
"For what reason?"
"That I ran off?. "
"You mean to the spa?" Snow nodded. "You deserve that. No reason you should feel that way. "
Snow sighed. "How did you know I'd be here?"
Finally leaning into the light the prince sighed. "A concerned dwarf came to me. He thought you might need some help. "
"I did go to him for help. "
He stood and walked to her. "That is why he came to me. He thought I might be able to help. "
"I was worried you would think I was crazy. I mean I thought I was crazy. "
The prince walked to her and took her hand. "I would never think that. I'm sorry I've been so busy. "You have a kingdom to run, you are busy. Besides you can't help with everything. I thought I could figure it out on my own. "
"That's my independent princess. Now tell me what Old Mother had to say. "
Snow relayed the messages and warnings she received. She even included about her conversation with Rumpestilskin. He listened carefully to her taking in her words as she spoke her story, pausing to ask questions. When she was done he sighed, his face was set in a thoughtful expression. He got up and moved to an shelf of ancient text. His fingers running along the spines. Maybe he would know what they would need to unravel this mystery.
His hand landed on an ancient text. He hesitated but then pulled the volume out. He walked it to her and handed her the book. "You might find this to be helpful. "
She looked at the cover and ran her fingers over the title. . . "Prophecies of Old. " She looked up at him. "Is it in here?"
"In the ancient parts there are a few similar to what you described. I remember my father making me read the volume over and over. " He chuckled. "Always believed you needed to know what the ancients said. "
Snow looked down at the volume, ashamed of not trusting her husband. She felt awful for doubting him. "Perhaps you could help me look. "
He smiled at her, "I never thought you would ask. " He took the book from her hand. He found the page he was looking for and handed it back to her. "Take a look a this prophecy, its ancient. "
But the prophecy is almost the same as the warning she received. She looked up at him.
"Did this ever come true?"
"Little
is really known about this one. This is just the first recorded instance. Every so often this prophecy comes up from different sources. But it never seems to come to fruition. Almost like its waiting for something or someone. Maybe its waiting for you," he smirked.
She laughs in response. " I doubt that it would be talking about me. "
"I wouldn't underestimate yourself. You have always been brave and fearless. "
Snow turned her head and blushed at his praise. "Dont hide from me beautiful. "
Snow chuckled, "You were always a smooth talker.
"Only with you my love" He smiled. Snow giggled. "Why dont we keep looking at occurrences of this prophecy. "
"I think that sounds like a good idea. " So they began to pour over text to find it.