The door opened and the forest critters that slept in front of the door sat up before running off and hiding as Doc came out followed by Snow White. Doc adjusted his glasses and looked around for any sign of mischief. Snow White looked up at the beautiful mountain morning and drank in the crisp air.

  “N-n-now don’t forget my dear.” Doc said, redirecting her attention back to him. “The-the old queen’s a sly one. Filled with witchcraft. Please beware of strangers.”

  “Don’t worry.” Snow White nodded. “I’ll be alright.” Snow White lifted his tan cap off his head and gave him a kiss on the forehead. Doc’s glasses steamed up as little tears welled up in the corner of his eyes.

  “I’ll see you all tonight.” Snow White said. Doc shook his head and brought back his serious demeanor.

  “R-y. Yes, right.” Doc said, clearing his throat. “Well, uh, c’mon men.” Doc waved his hand for his brothers to follow him. Next out the door was Bashful, he removed his own cap and wrung it around in his hands.

  “Be awful careful.” He said, “Cause if anything happened to you.” Snow White bent down and gave him a forehead kiss as well.

  “Goodbye!” Snow White said. Bashful’s face went bright red.

  “Ohhhhh….. Garwssshhhh.” Bashful giggled and quickly followed Doc to the bridge. Grumpy watched it all with a disgusted look on his face.

  “Disgusting.” He scoffed at the men still waiting their turn. Sneezy removed his cap and tapped her back lightly so she would turn to him.

  “Be sure to wha-.” Sneezy’s eye twitched then watered. A sneeze was welling up. He fought it back. “Watch out.” he said weakly. Snow White bent down and kissed his forehead. It surprised him enough to pause the sneeze.

  “Thanks,” he said and started to walk away. Snow White watched and waved. Dopey came and tugged her skirt and looked at her with big blue eyes. Snow White leaned down to give him a kiss but he dodged it and instead threw his arms around her in a hug. Snow White giggled but hugged him back, He waved and left and Sleepy came to say goodbye as well. Dopey slowed and looked back at Snow White. He turned suddenly and ran around the house and dove through the open window. Snow White said goodbye Sleepy and was surprised by Dopey tugging on her skirt with his arms out for another hug.

  “Wha?” Snow White asked, surprised. Looking up at the others who’d already left. “Well, all right. Just one more.” Snow White leaned down and Dopey embraced her. After the hug she stood back up.

  “But that’s the last-” Before she could even finish her sentence, Dopey had vanished and reappeared from the doorway. “Wh- go on!” Snow White laughed and gave him a push.

  Grumpy was the last left in the house. He took off his hat and smoothed out his forehead in the mirror. He marched out the door where Snow White was waving and calling goodbyes. He cleared his throat while marching in place. It took a few tries before Snow White looked down at Grumpy, surprised.

  “Now I’m warning ya!” He said sternly after removing his hat. Pointing at her threateningly. “Don’t let nobody or nothing in the house!” He crossed his arms and Snow White clasped her hands together.

  “Why Grumpy, you do care.” She said and bent down to kiss him. Grumpy put up a half-hearted fight but relented to let her kiss him. He put his hat back on but looked back, betraying his inner feelings with a soft look and a loving half smile. Snow White saw and in response put a kiss to her fingertips and waved at him with her biggest smile.

  Grumpy realized what he was doing and quickly fixed his face and turned his nose up. Marching after his brothers that had already left without him. Snow White looked out over the morning and waved goodbye until all the men were gone. All her woodland friends came to bid her good morning.

  “Today is going to be wonderful. I can feel it.” Snow White said. “We have quite a lot to do today. So let’s bring in the laundry and then pick gooseberries to make a pie!”

  ~*~

  Getting ever nearer, the queen in disguise hobbled along through the pass. Moving as quickly as she could and planning her moves.

  “Yes, the little men must leave some time. When they do she’ll be all alone.” The hag said. Taking the prized red apple from her basket and examined it with a cackle. “All alone with a harmless old peddler woman.” She cackled harder at the implication that she was harmless. Sitting upon the trees of the mountaintop were a pair of vultures. They looked at each other sinisterly and took flight. Following after the evil queen.

  ~*~

  Snow White folded the laundry and put them away in their drawers and after that she sang the silly song as she picked the gooseberries and brought them inside to wash. While the berries soaked she turned to work on the pie dough. Mixing the ingredients together while singing about her prince. Once her pie dough was ready she turned back to her gooseberries. Mixing them with sugar and a secret blend of spices and syrups.

  “I learned this recipe from the chef at the castle.” Snow White explained. “I was put to work as a scullery maid, which means I worked in the kitchens. The chef was stern but fair and she taught me this recipe.” Snow White took a spoon and tasted her filling and smiled.

  “It’s just right.” She said . She left her filling to the side and took her pie dough and rolled it out until it was the width of her pinkie finger. She placed it into the pie dish and cut off the excess. Then she took the bowl and spoon and filled her pie crust to the brim. With that done she sang and got to work on making the top of the pie crust.

  Taking the extra from the pie dish and rolling it out. A song bird sprinkled some flour over the dough to keep it from sticking. Snow White put down her rolling pin and peeled up the top of the crust from the cutting board. Lightly resting it onto the pie. She looked about her work space. Wondering where she had placed her knife as she just had it. She spied it on the other side of the counter and leaned over. Grabbing it and picking up the dish. Looking at it at eye level she dut off the extra. A little blue bird took the end of the cut dough and flew upwards with it as Snow White finished cutting it. She put the pie on the cutting board and a pair of sweet little birds landed on the edge and hopped around the pie dish. Crimping it as they went around until they met in the middle. Then they jumped into the center of the pie and scratched aeration slits in the crust. Finally, guided by Snow White, the blue bird brought the extra pie dough down and spelled out over the pie; ‘Grumpy.’

  Snow White looked at the pie triumphantly. Pleased with how it turned out, she held it up and looked it over to be sure it was perfect. But as she put it down she noticed a dark shadow coming over her workspace. She looked up out the window and gasped in horror at the face in the mirror. The old woman was dressed in dusty black and had a truly hideous appearance. She looked at Snow White and chuckled.

  “All alone, my pet?” She asked. Snow White didn’t have time to collect her thoughts before she answered.

  “Why, why Yes I am.” She then thought about her answer. “But-”

  “The uh, little men, aren’t here?” The old woman asked looking around the window.

  “No, they aren’t.” Snow White wiped the flour off her hands on her skirt. Trying to think of how to politely ask the woman to leave. “But-”

  “Mmm,” The hag took a few deep smells. “Smells grand, making pies?” Snow White smiled unable to help herself.

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  “Yes. Gooseberry pies.” She said with a smile.

  “Ah but it’s apple pies that makes the menfolk’s mouths water! Apple pies!” The woman insisted. She turned to her basket and brought out an impossibly red delicious looking apple. “Pies made from apples like these.” All around the house and in the trees the woodland friends of Snow White watched suspiciously. They could smell something foul.

  “Oh, they do look delicious.” Snow White said as the woman held the red apple out to her.

  “But just you wait until you taste one.” The hag said, a drop of venom in her voice. The birds looked up and saw the vultures. Licking their beaks in anticipation. Quickly the birds sent out an alarm as Snow White held out her hands to take the apple. All the birds flew down and swooped at the old woman. Screeching and swiping with their small talons. Snow White cried out and rushed to the door.

  “Stop it, stop it!” She cried, waving them away. “Shame on you!” She scolded and wagged her finger at the birds. They flew into the trees and hid from Snow White. The old woman was on the ground. Crawling until she found the bright red apple.

  “Where is it?” She muttered before grabbing it and picking it up, shining it on her cloak. “Oh, thought I lost it.” She heaved heavy breaths and froze as she felt Snow White’s warm hands on her shoulders.

  “There, there. You poor thing.” Snow White said kindly. “I’m so sorry.” The old woman grinned wickedly.

  “OH! Oh my heart!” The woman cried. Grabbing at her chest and dropped weakly. “My poor heart. Take me in the house. Let me rest.” The woman pointed and began hobbling toward the door as fast as she could while pretending her injury. Practically dragging Snow White along with her.

  “A drink of water. Please.” The woman panted. Snow White brought the elderly woman inside and sat her down on the nearest chair. Running to fetch a cup of water. The old hag uncovered her prized red apple and looked at the young maiden with a sinister smile.

  The woodland critters didn’t waste another second. They turned tail and rushed down the road for help. Running as fast as they could for the mines where the dwarves had unrolled their plans and were going over the day’s work.

  “Na-now. We’ll need uh. Wood. Lots of wood.” Doc was organizing the supplies needed for a bed that was perfectly sized for Snow White.

  “She’s gonna be mighty surprised!” Sneezy said.

  “Can’t wait to see the look on her face.” Happy grinned.

  “Well, then. Let’s hurry this up so we can get back to doing real work.” Grumpy snapped. Pulling up his shirtsleeves and leading the group towards a well sized tree they’d fall for timber. Doc circled around it and measured. Counting his steps around it’s base, then by his arm span. Finally he made a good sized X on th trunk and stepped back. All the men lining up and raising their axes.

  “Look!” Doc suddenly pointed, stopping every chop mid swing. Coming rushing over the hill were the critters of the woods. Rushing them and swarming around the men in a crazy cacophony of chaos.

  Birds grabbed any piece of loose fabric and pulled to the road. Squirrels and chipmunks danced in circles around the men. Running a few yards ahead then running back. Rabbits kicked , raccoons slapped and deer pushed.

  “Stop that!” Doc called. Holding his glasses and hat and alternating between holding his items and trying to shoo the animals. “Quit that! Get away!”

  “G’on Get outta here!” Grumpy yelled. Slapping his hat around over his head at the birds. Dopey was picked up by the birds and pulled forward. Leaving deep trenches from how hard he dug in his heels.

  “What ails these crazy critters?!” Doc shouted as a pair of bucks were pushing him forward

  “They’ve all gone plum daffy!” Bashful shrieked. Holding a tree for dear life as the rabbits kicked the base of the tree below and the squirrels tried to loosen his grip.

  “No, no I’m. I’va gotta” Sneezy pushed the chipmunks and raccoons away from his beard but it was too late. He let out a sneeze so hard he saw stars.

  The cottage was quiet as the grave as Snow White took the glass from the old woman.

  “Thank you, my pet. You’re so kind to poor old granny.” The woman said pitifully.

  “It’s no trouble.” Snow White said cheerily. Putting the cup in the sink and looking out the window to the empty trees and bushes.

  “Come here my dear.” The woman beckoned her close. Snow White left the window with an unsettled feeling. Going to the elderly woman. “Because you’ve been so good to poor old granny. I’ll tell you a secret.” The woman beckoned Snow White closer. Snow White bent down but slowly backed up as the woman stalked ever nearer.

  “This is no ordinary apple,” The woman said hastily. “This is a magic wishing apple.” The woman held up the apple. Letting the sunlight glint off of it in an enticing way.

  “A wishing apple?” Snow White asked. “How can that be?”

  “It’s an apple that grants your wishes. Taken from the deepest wishing well.” The old woman said impatiently. “The water was all drank up by an apple tree and now it’s apples grant wishes. Just take one bite and all your dreams will come true.”

  “Really?” Snow White clasped her hands together in pure awe. Stars in her eyes as she could practically see such a sight.

  “Yes, girlie!” The woman said, coming closer. “Now make a wish. Take a bite”

  The chaos of the woodland critters roared on. The animals had made little progress in getting the dwarves to follow them. Only moving the group a few feet.

  “Go’on git!” Happy said. Hanging on a branch.

  “There’s no stopping these crazy critters!” Bashful cried as he was flung forward by a deer. Plunging his face into the dirt.

  “T’aint natural! There’s something wrong here!” Doc shouted as rabbits kicked at his knees.

  “They ain’t acting this way fer nuthin!” Grumpy yelled popping a deer on it’s jaw. The deer released Grumpy’s beard and he fell back hard. Sleepy was the only one not affected by the animals. A few yards away still asleep under the table. He yawned and sat up.

  “These critters look like the ones that follow Snow White.” He observed through one closed eye. “Wonder if the old queen got to her.” The revelation sent a shockwave through the men.

  “The queen!?” Doc yelled.

  “She’ll kill her!” Grumpy yelled.

  “Snow White!”

  “W-w-we have to save her!” Doc yelled.

  “What’ll we do!?” Happy asked.

  “Wh-wh-what DO we do?” Doc asked back.

  “We save her!” Grumpy yelled. “C’mon!” He jumped on the nearest buck and gave it a swift kick in the hind. “Giddap!” The buck took off, only barely letting Grumpy get a hold of it’s horns. Another deer bent down and Bashful ran and jumped atop it’s back, grabbing Sneezy’s hand and hoisting up behind. Happy grabbed on another deer by the tail but couldn’t swing on as the creature ran. A cluster of birds swiftly descended and grabbed at his clothes and pulled him up.

  “Wait for me! W-wait!” Doc yelled as he ran after. Only to be surprised as the last deer ran up behind him and in a sudden motion went under his legs and jerked him onto the deer’s back. Where Doc found himself face to face with a very seasick Dopey. Holding on to the deer sideways and looking green. The animals and dwarves raced down the road through the forest as fast as their legs and wings could carry them.

  “Come on, my dear.” The old woman said. Backing Snow White farther and farther into the corner. Away from the doors or windows. “There must be something your sweet little heart desires.”

  (*)“Well,” Snow White said slowly. Feeling her heart pounding her terror as she felt the wall behind her. “There is someone.”

  “I thought so, I thought so.” The woman chuckled. “Old granny knows a young girl’s heart.” The woman took Snow White’s hands and put the apple into it. Backing away to let the girl make her wish.

  “I wish.” Snow White started, then closed her eyes to properly make her wish. “I wish-”

  “That’s it! Go on!” The old woman insisted.

  “I wish that my prince will find me here.” Snow White said. Holding the apple higher. “And that come spring he will come and that he will carry me away to his castle. Where we will live happily ever after.”

  “Fine, fine!” The old woman said impatiently. “Now take a bite! Be quick! Don’t let the wish grow cold!” Snow White smiled at the old woman.

  “Oh, you must think I’m so selfish.” She said. “I never even asked if there was anything I could do for you.”

  “There’s no need to worry about me. I know where to get more.” The woman said.

  “Well. I’d like to offer you my thanks nonetheless.” She said. “There are so many things I could have wished for. But if you are able to get a second. Could you take it to my step-mother, the queen?”

  “The queen?!” The woman asked. “Pray tell why, girlie?”

  “Because, I want her to be happy. Like she used to be when my father was alive.” Snow White said. “We all used to be so happy. I want her to smile again.”

  “Don’t worry, child. I believe she’ll be smiling again soon.” The old woman smiled. Snow White closed her eyes prepared her wish again and took a bite.

  The apple was delicious. But it instantly began to take effect.

  “Oh.” Snow White said. “I feel… strange.”

  “Her breath will still.” The old hag said as Snow White’s breath became shorter and labored. “Blood congeal..” Snow White’s eyes fluttered and rolled back into her head as her eyes closed and she collapsed to the ground. The apple falling from her hand.

  “Now I’ll be the fairest in the land!” Roared the evil queen with a loud cackle.