Part II: The Plan

         Though Nora was still sick the following day, Rouge had forbid Snow White to go out near the well, or, the “Wishing Well”, as Snow White now chose to call it. Of course, this just vexed Rouge even more. The maids worried. The Queen no longer took comfort in anything or smiled. Indeed, she was a frightful sight to see; a beautiful, pale maiden taking courage when she had lost everything, disparate, restless, and distracted. Her practical mind seemed to make way for madness, and the servants feared for the Royal Family.

        Mary (another one of Rouge’s lady-in-waiting) ran into Rouge’s bedchamber, where she sat next to the window, her black eyes piercing.

“What do you want?” she demanded, though she knew the answer.

“The Prince of Germany, Your Grace. He’s come to request a meeting with you, regarding the Princess Snow White!”

The woman blushed from excitement.

“He also requested her presence.”

Rouge slowly stood up and straightened her skirts.

“Where is she?”

“Outside in the valley, Your Majesty,” was Mary’s eager reply.

Rouge pressed her lips together sternly. After a brief silence, she ordered,

“Tell her that she will be going on a journey. Alone. She must pack only her most practical gowns and items. Tell the cook to pack her some traveler’s food. Mary, I order you not to tell about this to anyone. If the cook questions you, tell her my orders.”

Mary was speechless.

“Your…..Your Highness?” 

But the Queen did not answer; for she was already on her way down to greet her enemy, a sole thought swirling in her head. He will never have my step- daughter.

        She met him in the throne room, and analyzed his features. Yes, he was almost a mirror image of the Princess Anna, Snow White’s mother. All was silent.

“Well?” she demanded.

The Prince gracefully bowed.

“I’ve come, Your Highness, to request the hand of the Princess Snow White.”

             A proposal. Rouge pressed her lips together and said nothing. Flawlessly, the graceful Prince bowed again and asked shyly,

“May I be granted the permission to meet her?”

Rouge looked out the quickly graying sky through the window.

“It will storm tonight.” She tonelessly said.

The Prince nodded, arching an eyebrow.

Rouge stood and walked past him, signaling to several servants.

“Follow them to your rooms. Join me at dinner. I will… think over your request.”

        She entered Snow White’s grand bed chamber. She found the girl confused and upset, crying on her bed. However, when the girl saw her step mother, she instantly pranced on her with questions.

“Where am I going?  Mary said I was to go alone, is that true? Must I? Oh, mother, it’s getting so cold, the storm!”

 Again, she had burst into tears.

Rouge gently comforted her.

“Your enemies are hunting for you,” she lied smoothly, “It is best if you leave for a while until I come to take you home.”

“But…..but…..where will I g-go?” the girl stammered.

Rouge touched the girl’s forehead, the spot where, on the day of her birth, Jonathan had kissed, and mumbled a spell, a gift of animal Speech.

“The animals will guild you,” replied Rouge, kissing her step-daughter.

“Now, go! Already they arrive! Start by going deep into the forest, beyond the seventh hill and beyond the seventh fall, you will find sentry! Best go out the kitchen door; Cook has some food prepared for your trip.”

Snow White hugged her step mother once more before exiting the room.

Watching her step daughter leave, Rouge mumbled,

“It is time, I think, to make use of that magic mirror.”

         Every night, she would entertain the Prince, who’s name was Peter, and make excuse after excuse on the Princesses absence. Every night, she would watch over Snow White’s progress through the mirror. She had found sentry with  seven dwarves in the mountains, the exact place where Rouge had wanted her to go, and was put to work by doing the housekeeping, and the Princess was happy. All was well, and Rouge’s heart was at ease.

        But the young Prince was getting restless, and, soon, he had decided to departure, and thanked Rouge for her hospitality, heartbroken, thinking that he would never see Snow White again, but said that if she had any news regarding the Princess’ answer to his proposal, to please send it to him. The Queen was pleased, knowing that her plan was working.

But they where both very, very wrong.