Bonus Chapter- you know the drill.

Snow is exhausted, too tired to wash the shoot of her hands when a small rock hits her window. She opens the window and leans out.

"Come on!" she finds David looking up at her expectantly. "I know you are hungry..."

"But it's so late," she tries to protest even as her stomach grumbles. It's not like she can ever say not to him anyway. She straddles the window, grabbing hold of the oak tree branch that conveniently grows leaning against the wall of the dilapidated mansion. The Tremaine mansion, the place where Regina sent Snow to work as an indentured servant, hoping to work off her late father's debt to Lord Tremaine. It takes her a few seconds to climb down and find herself in front of David, her feet planted on solid ground.

"Come on," he whispers and she follows him without protest to the barn. Once inside, they climb the ladder together quietly to the small loft above, David's sleeping quarters, if you could even call it that. The small space is lit by a stub of a candle, but there is a tablecloth on the floor and on top of it a feast, there is cake and boiled eggs and meat pie.

"Where did you get all this? You didn't steal it, did you?" Snow frowns.

"I don't steal," David replies indignantly and then Snow's stomach grumbles again. She sits on the floor, taking a bite of the meat pipe.

"Did the pretty girl from the market, the one that likes you give you all this?" Snow has a teasing grin on her face.

David feigns ignorance. "Which one?"

"There is more than one?" Snow raises her eyebrows to face him. She means to say a lot more, even as a hint of annoyance rises in her stomach. Maybe this joke isn't as funny as she thought it was. She is not jealous, just hungry she tells herself so she takes another bite of pie and then she flutters her eyelashes. "Oh, David," she says tying to sound like the pretty girl at the market, "I dropped my handkerchief, be a dear and fetch it for me..."

David rolls his eyes. "If that's how you flirt Snow, you are going to be alone for a long time..."

"Maybe I want to be alone for a long time," she grins, plucking some hay from his mattress and tossing it at him.

"Quit messing with my mattress, and have some cake..." he laughs. "This all came form Granny. She is very worried for you. Every time I don't buy eggs from her stall, Granny knows Lady Tremaine is broke and she is really worried that you won't get anything to eat..."

"Granny is sweet," Snow mumbles picking up a piece of cake. "If we had our own chickens, we wouldn't need to buy eggs " she adds and David shrugs.

"Buying chickens would make too much sense, so you know, we can't have that," he shrugs.

Because Lady Tremaine insists on acting like a noble woman, even as her estate has fallen on hard times. She refuses to have farm animals in her stables. She keeps saying that those belong to her house in the country as if that house didn't get taken away by the creditors who come to the estate every other day demanding to get paid. All the servants are gone, except for Snow who isn't allowed to leave, and David who takes care of the horses and runs most of the errands for the Tremaine household.

"We could hide some hens, to lay eggs for us... she doesn't have to know.." Snow suggests.

"Where would we hide them?" David laughs. He finds the thought of Snow smuggling hens in the Tremaine mansion very amusing.

"In the library," Snow giggles. "They'd stay busy with all the books, the Lady would never know..."

"Drizy wouldn't appreciate hens on her books," David is still smiling.

"Why, she'd teach them how to read... she wouldn't mind too much..." Snow laughs. "David," she adds in a hurry, "If Lady Tremaine catches you taking the candles stumps she will kill you," she points to the candle remains lighting the small room.

David doesn't look too worried. "She is not coming up here anytime soon..."

Snow yawns. "I've got to get to bed, I'm so tired, I'm never going to get up tomorrow."

"Don't go yet, I'll get you up," David replies. "I'll put the rooster right outside your window..."

"We don't have a rooster," Snow mumbles, trying to stifle her next yawn. She gets up slowly. "Goodnight David," she says heading down the ladder into the dark night and up the oak tree, through the window into her bed in the attic.

"Goodnight Snow" David watches from the small square window next to his mattress to make sure she climbed back to her room safely then he covers up the left overs and blows out the candle.

Snow is woken up by the frantic ringing of all the bells hanging on the wall above her bed.

"Oh, no," she groans, "No, no, no, no, no... I slept in!"

She jumps out of bed, she throws on her tattered dress then her apron on top, frantically searches for her slipper, she can only find the one at first, then she finally notices the second one on the folds of her blanket. How did that even get there? No time to braid her hair so she wraps a scarf around it and tumbles down the stairs.

"I'm coming, I'm coming, I'm coming" she mutters. She has to make sure the fire is lit in Lady Tremaine's bedchambers, then in the girl's room, she has to bring fresh water to fill their wash basins, then bring them breakfast in bed, all of which require some preparation, which she hasn't done. When Lady Tremaine see how late she is... Snow is in for a serious scolding, or worse.

Except there is wood already neatly stacked outside Lady Tremaine's room. There is wood stacked outside her daughters' room too. And there is a bucket filled with fresh water next to the wood, enough to fill both washbasins. Snow rushes inside to stroke the fire and add wood to it, then she pours water on the ornate porcelain wash basin. Lady Tremaine looks at her, eyes wide open in surprise, she finds no fault with her performance this morning, she can't find a reason to scold her. When Snow steps back in the hallway, she is stunned to find David coming up the stairs balancing two breakfast trays. He hands her the first one. There is a bowl of porridge and toast, along with a small flower vase that has a single rose in it.

"Out of eggs," he whispers.

"Thank you!" she mouths and he offers a half grin.

Snow takes the tray inside to Lady Tremaine, who would ordinarily make a big fuss about the lack of eggs, and Snow's poor money management skills. "Why if Helga were here she'd make sure we had eggs, no matter what, we always have eggs for breakfast." Helga, one of the most efficient housekeepers in the enchanted forest, who of course wouldn't deign to stay in the Tremaine household without pay. But Lady Tremain gets distracted by the red rose, in fact she lifts it up to her nose and inhales it's fragrance, her eyes closed, reminiscing of happier times.

"You are working very fast today, Girl," she says, "we might make an efficient servant out of you after all..."

Snow stands patiently by the door, waiting to see if there is something else that needs to be done but Lady Tremaine waves her hand at her. "You may go, dear, that will be all..."

She offers a small bow then she rushes out the room to take the next tray David is holding to Ana and Drizy.

Both girls look at her surprised. Ana is the only one who throws a quick glance out the hallway, suspecting that Snow has some help. But David is already gone, there is no one to see there. Snow helps the girls get dressed, then she heads back to Lady Tremaine's room to help her put her gown on.

Once dismissed, Snow rushes down the stairs into the kitchen to find David sitting at the table eating his porridge.

He motions her to sit down, there is already a bowl of hot steaming porridge waiting for her.

"How did you do this?" she asks, putting a big spoonful of porridge in her mouth. "Why, the Lady was so happy she even called me dear!"

"I have my moments," he smiles playfully. The truth is that Snow looked so exhausted last night, he just didn't have the heart to wake her up this morning so he did all her chores. "Laundry day?" he asks.

"Laundry day," she sighs. "What are you doing today?"

"Taking the horses to the farrier, if we can pay off the money we owe him," he explains.

Because the Tremain estate owes exuberant amounts of money to everybody in town. When Lord Tremain died, and his business partner run off with all the business funds, his wife seemed to be in denial about their financial situation. She refused to limit the number of servants or move into their modest country home and perhaps sell the estate, a move that would have ensured that her daughters grew up not in luxury but in comfort. Lady Tremain just isn't the practical sort, she refused to tone down her extravagant lifestyle which is why they are living today on a mansion whose roof may cave in at any moment, with creaky staircases, too many rooms that no one lives in and a daily scramble to put food on the table.

"We could take in tenants," Snow mumbles wistfully.

"Yes," David chimes in, "Come live in our haunted mansion. Lady Tremain could be the ghost of the glorious past, she'd burst in the rooms yelling, 'how dare you defy me and take in tenants without my permission,' and the people would scream and give us gold for providing them with an authentic horrifying experience..."

Snow laughs so hard. "You've thought this through," she comments.

It's good to hear Snow laugh. "I have," he replies pushing his empty bowl away leaning back on his chair. He's spent a lot of time, coming up unlikely schemes to save the Tremaines and their Estate because one one of these days the Lady will probably sell the horses and the carriage and dismiss him too, and then what is Snow going to do, stuck in this broken mansion, subjected to the family's unreasonable whims all on her own?

He would be trying to talk Snow into running away if he didn't know full well that indentured servants that break their contracts get haunted down and thrown in the dungeon, sooner or later, until they agree to get back to their masters.

"May I see you for a minute Boy!" the Lady is at the door, her face pale, her long flowing robe wrapped tightly around her waist, the very picture of elegance and grace. She casts Snow White a dismissive glance. "Shouldn't you be somewhere, Girl?"

Snow jumps up, chocking on her last spoonful of porridge and rushes out of the back door.

David is caught looking at Snow, all worried and Lady Tremain smiles a self congratulatory smile, because the Boy might actually care for the Girl, which means that if she can't pay him for the week, he might still stick around for a promise of future payment.

"I need you to run a very important errand for me," she almost whispers opening her hand and showing him the pocket watch that belonged to Lord Tremaine. "I need you to get top price for this, Boy, because in the next few days, we have some very important things to do, and if we play out cards just right, we could alter the course of history!"

David isn't looking impressed with the lady's ramblings.

"My Lady, I will certainly get top price for this, but may I add that we also need to pay off the farrier, I need to take the horses to him today..."

"We will pay off the farrier, we will pay off everybody, just not today..."

"Yes, my Lady, but keep in mind if you don't do this today you cannot ride your carriage to town..."

"Oh, Boy, you are thinking so small... It's quite alright, let the horses rest for today," she smiles magnanimously and she walks away.

David's shoulder's slope. It's almost like it is impossible to force the Lady to be practical. Next time she needs to get to town, she will have already forgotten this conversation. She will be outraged that the horses aren't fit to pull her carriage.

When David gets back he doesn't have much to do. He walks straight into the laundry room.

"Do you need help?"

Snow, who is soaking the linen in hot water in the large washbasin turns to look at him, her cheeks flushed from the steamy water.

"I thought you were going to the farrier?" she asks pointing to the already soaked linen.

David shrugs and helps her lift the linens out of the hot water and into the next basin to rinse.

"Not today," he frowns. "She sent me to sell a pocket watch instead. She said there are important things to do, that could alter the course of history... any idea what she is talking about?" he asks carrying her laundry basket outside.

Snow hangs the linen on the line. "A ball," she replies.

"How will a ball alter history?" David frowns, hanging a pillowcase next.

"Oh, David, you are thinking so so small," Snow raises her eyebrows, imitating the Lady's voice and intonation to perfection.

David throws a clothespin at her.

"The prince is looking for a wife," Snow explains once she is done laughing. "If he marries Ana or Drizy, then the Tremain history will change..."

"Ana, he should marry Ana," David shrugs hanging another sheet. Because Ana is easygoing and playful, always willing to play pranks, she is never arrogant or bossy.

"Ana has a crush on you..." Snow comments and David rolls his eyes.

"You think every girl has a crush on me..."

Because they do, Snow thinks avoiding his eyes. "I know what I'm talking about..." she replies and then she hides behind the sheet she just hanged.

"Hey, where did you go?"

"Just thinking I should let you finish your work in peace," she giggles hiding behind the next sheet.

"My work?" he replies incredulously, then he sneaks around to grab her from the shoulders, a mock threatening glare on his face.

She laughs again leaning against him. "Alright, alright, my work... thank you for helping out David..."

"You are very welcome," he replies threatening to attach a clothespin on her nose, noting that his heart is beating faster and that her cheeks are flushed.

"What's next?" he asks. "Do you need help with lunch?"

"Already made it. Cabbage soup," Snow shrugs. She knows cabbage soup is a terrible choice for lunch. She will no doubt earn a scolding for her lack of money management skills, cabbage soup being a poor substitute for stew, a humble lunch that the Lady would perhaps tolerate, but she thinks even Helga couldn't make meat appear in the soup for free. Snow can however make cabbages grow, in her vegetable garden. The garden she and David planted on the very back corner of the estate, far away from the paths Lady Tremaine takes when she goes for her walks, this way she can't accuse them of disgracing the Estate by doing such lowly activities as growing a vegetable garden.

"Next we sneak back in the barn and eat Granny's leftover cake while we wait for the tailor to come..." Snow whispers tugging on his arm.

"Snow!" he tries to reason with her. "We can't do that in broad daylight, you are going to get in trouble again..."

But Snow shakes her head and heads to the barn anyway.

"The tailor is coming?" he asks.

"Why yes, the girls need new dresses for the ball..." she replies looking at her well worn gray woolen dress.

And David's heart pinches. Because even if the Tremain fate changes, even if one of the girls marry the prince, Snow is still going to be stuck working for them, she has another ten years to work in order for her father's debts to be paid off. And this isn't right, this isn't fair, but there is nothing he can do about it, other than try to help make Snow's life easier, make sure she gets some rest, make sure she eats. He's noticed how Snow has lost more weight, her waist even smaller than it used to be.

The truth is that he could easily find work at a number of other estates that pay better. He stays here because he can't handle the thought of Snow being forced to do his work too along with her chores. As the servants got dismissed one by one, he had to watch Snow shoulder more and more responsibilities everyday. And if he had a way to get her out of this terrible fate her stepmother forced on her he would. But as things stand there is nothing he can do.

Snow sits on the ground at his loft and he hands her the rest of the cake.

"It's too much," she says cutting it in half, giving him the larger piece. "You are loosing weight too you know," she says quietly.

"But then I won't be hungry for lunch, and cabbage soup is my favorite," he replies, trying his hardest to make light of their situation.

"Mine too," she replies then she sits there, her back leaning against the wall, her eyes closed.

He wouldn't be too surprised, if she fell asleep sitting up. She should get some sleep, he thinks. He can show the tailor in, and maybe even sweep the yard without Lady Tremain noticing he is doing most of Snow's work today. If he knew what her plans for dinner were, he could even make dinner, let her sleep here all day...

"Once upon a time," Snow starts, because David will come up with the wildest tales to cheer her up, but he needs a fair amount of coaxing to get started. She's figured it's easier to just makeup up a boring story herself because once she is done telling it, he will roll his eyes and then he will make it better. "Once upon a time there was a boy and a girl who went foraging deep into the woods because they were hungry... They got lost deep inside the forest and they found a delicious looking mushroom. They split it in half, took one bite each and they both died...turns out the mushroom was poisonous... the end..."

David raises his eyebrows to look at her. He is familiar with her tricks, not taking the bait. "Great story," he deadpans. "Very uplifting..."

Snow opens her eyes and looks at him. "Please, David?"

"Oh, fine, I suppose I better before you poison any more characters... Once upon a time a boy and a girl were hungry and they went foraging deep inside the woods... but instead of mushrooms they found a house made out of the most delicious, sugar dripping candy..."

"Mm," Snow nods closing her eyes.

"They knew that is wasn't smart to go inside the house, clearly such a house belonged to a witch, but they thought they would be safe just nibbling on the chocolate fence..."

"I love chocolate fences," Snow mumbles.

In David's story the owner of the delicious house is a witch who traps the boy in a cage and makes the girl work non stop. The girl won't run away, because the boy is trapped in the house. In real life, it is Snow who is trapped in the Tremaine mansion, David the one who stays because she is trapped there.

"She doesn't have to stay there, you know," Snow comments quietly. "No sense in both of them being trapped, maybe she should leave..."

"Maybe," David consents and then continues to let the girl heroically rescue the boy by pushing the witch inside the oven.

"Good story," Snow nods and then her eyes open wide. "Oh, no, the tailor is here..."

They can both here the carriage of the tailor pulling in the cobblestone driveway.

Snow climbs down the ladder, then she lifts up her skirts and runs to the front of the house.

Unfortunately Sidney Glass, the tailor, along with Happy and Sneezy, his two assistants, have already given up waiting for Snow to welcome and usher them in and have walked inside the mansion on their own, carrying an array of colorful fabrics, muslin and tulle.

"It is so hard to find good help these days," Snow hears Lady Tremaine saying to the tailor apologetically. Snow walks in the room, her eyes downcast, staring at the floor.

"Speaking of which, I ought to have you whipped and locked in the coal room, for letting people walk in an out of our house unattended!" Lady Tremaine thunders at Snow.

"Forgive me, my Lady," Snow offers a quick bow. She knows there is no fear of physical punishment, because that would cancel the indenture deal. No indentured servant may be beaten no matter what their offense. There might be danger of Snow getting locked up in the coal room, but that would require Lady Tremaine to serve herself and her daughters lunch, so really, it's all empty threats.

Drizy is still looking shocked. "Really, Mother, no need to be so barbaric..." and Lady Tremain sighs and changes the subject.

"Girl, won't you bring the large mirror in here, we will need it for our fittings..."

Snow looks at Lady Tremaine incredulously. Bring the large mirror in here? Does the Lady have any idea how heavy it is?

She steps out of the room shaking her head. Her eye catches David who followed her to make sure she didn't get in too much trouble.

He motions her to the empty music room. They lift up the mirror together and they push it slowly towards the sitting room.

Happy and Sneezy are unfolding several yards of colorful fabric. Drizy has her eyes set on blue organza. Ana likes the pink tulle, but Lady Tremaine, shakes her head picking a dark green instead.

"This will go lovely with your eyes dear," she smiles at her daughter.

Ana is still looking disappointed. Happy drapes the fabric across her shoulders and let's it flow upfront. Ana glances quickly at David, then her eyes drop questioningly at Snow.

"Beautiful," Snow mouths at her when Lady Tremaine is looking away, and Ana smiles.

"I think we've made our selections then," Lady Tremain exclaims.

"Your taste as impeccable as ever, my Lady," Sidney Glass bows and then he pulls out his measuring tape. "The young ladies have gotten taller and more slender since the last time I saw them..."

Lady Tremain smiles gracefully, the picture of elegance and pride. She is not likely to admit that there hasn't been enough food to go around for the past few months. "Young ladies are wise to watch their figures," she offers.

"Of course, of course," Sidney is quick to add. "Your daughters are so beautiful, they will be the belles of the ball..."

Both Drizy and Ana are in fact beautiful. Not as beautiful as Snow White, but Snow's beauty is rare.

Snow stands at the door, patiently, waiting to see if they will need her for anything more.

"Won't you offer our guests some tea," Lady Tremaine turns to her.

Snow takes a deep breath. There is no graceful way to explain to Lady Tremaine that they are out of tea.

"Oh,no, no, no," Sidney Glass argues to Snow's great relief. "I'm afraid we must be on our way, no time to lose, if we are to present your girls with dresses worthy of their beauty and stature..."

"You are so kind," Lady Tremain bows her head slightly. Snow walks the tailor and his assistance to the front entrance then she gets stopped by the Lady's piercing glare from the top of the stairs.

"We cannot possibly be out of tea!" her voice sounds clipped.

"I'm afraid so, my lady..."

Lady Tremaine shakes her head, overwhelmed by both anger and sadness. "Send the Boy to buy tea, Snow. Now."

It's times like these that Snow actually feels sorry for Lady Tremain. As haughty and arrogant as she is, she seems unable to come to terms with her new financial situation. And as a result, her whole household suffers. But if one of the girls were to marry the prince, then everything could change. Snow wishes form the bottom of her heart that one of the girls will fall in love with the prince. She heads back to the kitchen because there are some turnips, two potatoes and three carrots and a slice of cheese and somehow she needs to put these ingredients together and make enough dinner for everybody.

It has been quite a while since there has been an occasion for the Tremain household to be this joyous and exited.

Drizy is wearing her dark blue gown, the pendant her father gave around her neck, her hair firmly pinned in place, she is calm and demure, the very picture of understated elegant and grace. Ana on the other hand is squealing and dancing, barely able to contain her excitement, so very happy.

"Please, Ana, I can't put your hair up unless you sit still," Snow is trying in vain to pin Ana's curls up.

"I'm trying Snow, I really am," Ana says bursting in a fit of giggles.

Snow shakes her head. "Why don't we pin some flowers on your hair and keep it down then..."

"Mother won't like that" Drizy frowns. "You look so young..."

"Do you like it?" Snow asks.

Drizy nods, "I do..."

Drizy and Ana stand side by side looking at the mirror.

"It's you," Anna says quietly. "The crown prince will for sure pick you... Just don't forget me when you are famous..."

Drizy shakes her head. "If he picks me, I'm going to make sure you live with me in the palace Ana... and if I can't make that happen I'm going to send you pies and chocolate and cake everyday," she replies.

"Good," Ana laughs then she looks at Snow. "I wish you were coming to the ball too Snow White..."

Snow smiles whitstfully. She has never been to a ball.

"Ready girls?" Lady Tremaine is at the door. She inspects her daughters from head to toe then she turns to Snow White. "Please blow out the candles while we are gone...we can't afford to have any waste..."

Ana, Drizy and Lady Tremaine get picked up by princess Rapunzel's royal carriage. Lady Tremaine feels that her own carriage needs to be repainted, to be fit to enter royal grounds, besides the Boy claims that the horses need to be taken to the farrier.

Snow sits slowly at the mansion's front steps, enjoying the quite evening moment, after all the frantic, last minute preparations.

"Once upon a time," she starts when she catches David walking by, "there was a girl that didn't want to go to the ball..."

"Really?" he asks sitting next to her. "What did she want to do?"

"She was grateful to have the whole quite house all to herself," Snow smiles, then she grabs his hand and stands up. "Come on..." Snow walks through the main hall into the the long abandoned ballroom. She pulls the heavy curtains away from the cracked windows. The wooden floor needs to be polished, the wall murals need to be touched up, but in the light of the moon none of this is actually visible. This is the one room where the roof tiles are missing, so you can actually see the stars when you are looking up at the ceiling.

"Dance with me?" she asks.

David pulls her in closer. "As you wish, my lady," he replies quietly and then they are spinning together.

"This is better than the ball," Snow laughs and David wonders if she actually means that. The two of them, together, surviving Lady Tremaine's mood swings, surviving poverty and hard work and having nothing to eat sometimes... better than the ball? What they have isn't tangible, isn't something she can put into words and yet it is the one thing she treasures the most.

And then there is a strange noise, like glass breaking on the front lawn.

"What was that?" David frowns.

"We better check," Snow replies. David and Snow run out front to see the a Fairy dressed in an extravagant golden outfit getting up, dusting dirt of her skirt.

"Rough landing," she explains. "I might have had a drink before I flew here, that was clearly a mistake..."

"Who are you?" Snow asks, taking a step closer.

"Why, I'm the Golden Fairy, I am your fairy godmother of course..." Golden giggles. "I've neglected you long enough, I am here to save you..."

"Really?" Snow's eyes opening wide. "I have a fairy godmother?"

"Why, yes, of course you do!" Golden smiles and offers a small bow. "What is your heart's desire, dear?"

"All I need is enough coins to pay off my indenture, and then I will be free to go... can you do that for me?" Snow is looking so hopeful.

David is holding his breath. This, this could be it, this could be Snow's chance to escape, her one chance to change her fate.

"Money?" Golden scoffs. "Money doesn't buy happiness dear. I was thinking of sending you to the ball..."

David's heart drops.

"The ball?" Snow looks confused.

"The ball!" Golden agrees clapping her hands, looking very pleased with herself. She shakes her wand and now Snow is wearing the most beautiful light blue gown, white gloves that come all the way above her elbows and a fragile thin shimmering silver chain around her neck. Her hair is pinned up, snowbell blossoms tucked initd and a couple of stray curls coming down framing her face.

David's eyes open wide. Snow is looking incredible, more beautiful than a princess.

"You see, ever since I started drinking I have been neglecting a few of my godchildren, you, Ana, Drizy, why even Lady Tremaine was a godchild of mine once. But now I have my drinking under control and I have a plan, a solution that will fix everything..."

"What sort of solution?" Snow asks looking at her dress.

"Oh, I couldn't possible tell you that, and ruin the surprise now, could I?"

"I don't understand, Golden," Snow says casting a quick glance at David. "What if I don't want to go to the ball?"

"Nonsense dear, whoever heard of a princess that didn't want to go to the ball?"

"I'm not a princess," Snow retorts.

David thinks it's hard to believe that she is not a princess when she is wearing this incredible dress.

"You are not a princess? Not even a little bit?" Golden laughs. "Must have gotten my stories mixed up. It really doesn't matter, my plan will still fix everything... You just have to trust me" Then she turns to David. "You must be the groom... are the horses and the carriage ready?"

David shakes his head. "No, Ma'am," he replies, the horses still need to be taken to the farrier."

"No matter," Golden laughs. "Won't you fetch me a pumpkin from your garden...and I'm going to need a couple of mice..." She shakes her wand and the pumpkin David brought turns into a beautiful carriage, then waves her wand and the two mice are beautiful white steeds, harnessed and ready to go and then she twirls her wand and now David is dressed in a gray livery, cheeks freshly shaven, boots shined to perfection.

Snow takes a step back. She feels like the Blue fairy is rearranging her life, making her the princess and David her servant and this isn't fair, this isn't right, she doesn't like it.

Golden claps her hands. "Everything seems to be in order. Would you drive Snow White to the ball for me?" she smiles at David. And then she laughs. "I forgot the shoes! Whoever thought of a princess showing up at the ball with no shoes!" She pulls out a pair of glass slippers and she hands them to David. "Would you be a dear and help the princess with her shoes? "

David takes the glass slippers the fairy is offering and he steps towards Snow.

Snow shakes her head indecipherably. You don't have to do this, she wants to say.

"You want Snow's fate to change, don't you?" Golden voice is soft, and yet David thinks her voice sounds like breaking glass. Or maybe that's his heart inside him breaking. It's hard to think things through when they are happening so fast. Of course he wants Snow's fate to change, he wants her free of Lady Tremaine and the Tremaine mansion.

"Come on," he says, his voice almost a whisper as he kneels in front of her and helps her take off her old shoes and put on her new glass slippers.

Snow's breath catches, she doesn't know how she feels about David kneeling in front of her. This isn't how she pictured her fate changing.

"Are you ready to go?" he asks, while he is still on his knees, as if he is waiting for her next order or her permission to stand up, and in that very moment Snow is a princess and David is no one, just her servant and something inside Snow cracks, she feels the precious balance between them shift, and that breaks her heart more than anything else ever has. She takes his hand intending to pull him up, and that's when she realizes they are both wearing gloves. It's almost like the fairy intends to erase any familiarity between them.

"Have fun!" Golden claps her hands. "You know I haven't done transformative magic in a while, it's hard to tell how long it will last, but it should last long enough for you to get back home..."

David offers his arm to Snow and helps her inside the carriage, then he climbs on the coachman bench, he clicks his tongue and the horses take off. The beautiful white carriage moves into the night.

David opens the carriage door and helps Snow step out. Her eyes widen. She does not remember ever never seeing anything quite as beautiful and overwhelming as this palace. There are endless towers and banners, flying in the wind, the music is pouring out all the way to the courtyard, hundreds of lanterns are lighting the paths, beautiful flower arrangements are scenting the air. Snow, her gloved hand wrapped around David's arm moves towards the wide marble staircase when a white knight blocks David's path.

"Coachmen need to stay with the carriages at all times, servants will bring you refreshments shortly," he states so David bows and Snow is looking quite regretful as she pulls her hand away.

"This way, my lady," the man offers his arm instead.

Snow turns to look at David who is making his way back to the carriage. She fills like lifting up her skirts and running after him, but her escort helps her up the stairs.

People turn around and stare at her, her dress, her hair, her eyes, her glass slippers. Snow tries to smile. The Golden Fairy said her fate is about to change, she needs to stay here, find out what that means. She needs her fate to change, she needs to be free.

Ana and Drizy are there, along with Rapunzel and a lot of beautiful women Snow has never met. She smiles and waves at Ana but Ana doesn't recognize her. Slowly she walks inside the ballroom, enjoying the music, watching the couples dance, when a handsome man bows in front of her.

"May I have this dance?" he smiles and she notes that his eyes are green and there are dimples on his cheeks.

Snow bows offering her hand. He leads her into the dance floor and everybody turns around to look at them.

"What's your name?" Snow asks.

"I'm Thomas," he almost laughs, "and who might you be?" he asks.

"I'm Snow White," she smiles back at him, she has no idea why he is laughing.

"Nice to meet you Snow White. I've never met you before have I?"

"Never been to the castle before, so no..."

"Never been to the castle before? Then I better give you a tour..." he smiles. Once the music is over, he wraps her hand around his arm and takes her up the stairs to the large terrace overlooking the valley. Snow holds her breath at the view of the starry night and the valley filled with small well lit cottages. Everything looks so beautiful and peaceful form above.

"Look!" he says pointing to all the lights. Snow looks up high to the stars, then she cranes her neck looking for the carriages, because David is in the carriage somewhere, waiting for her big night to be over.

"Wait for it!" Thomas says quietly and then a loud explosion makes Snow jump as fireworks light up the sky.

"Didn't mean to scare you," Thomas's voice is soft almost a whisper.

"You already knew this would happen?" Snow asks.

"Of course I did," he replies. "What I didn't foresee was that I would spending my night with someone as interesting a you..."

Snow looks away.

"I'm sorry, was that too forward? I embarrassed you, didn't I?"

"Maybe a little ," she admits.

"Come on, Snow White, let me show you the conservatory..."

The conservatory must be one of the most incredibly places Snow has ever been to. There is blooming ivy, climbing up the glass walls, there isn't an inch of space that isn't filled with exotic plants and incredible flowers. There are sighing pansies and laughing daisies and bashful roses that blush as soon as you look at them..."

"My mother had a bit of magic in her veins," Thomas explains pointing to a flower that lokks transcluscent while a red flame burns inside it. Snow looks around completely captivated and then she cries out because there are peacocks and parrots and toucans and strange unusual birds walking free in between the rows of exotic plants.

"Beautiful!" Snow whispers reaching out to a small blue parrot who perches fearlessly on her hand.

The bird leans towards her and chirps a coupe of times.

"Really?" Snow whispers.

"You talk to birds!" Thomas is looking at her completely captivated.

"I do," Snow nods. "Tell me, what do you want to know?"

"Ask him if he likes living here..." Thomas smiles.

Snow looks at the bird, then she turns around "he feels safe here, he likes your people, he is just scared of the lady with the big loud broom..."

"Amazing!" Thomas laughs. "I'll make sure the cleaning lady gets told to be more quiet when she sweeps in here..."

"What's her name?" Snow asks.

"Who? The bird's name?"

"No, the cleaning lady's..."

"I don't know," Thomas replies. "There are so many people working at the castle, I don't know everyone by name..."

Snow looks away, thinking of Lady Tremain calling her Girl all day everyday. Nobody bothers to learn the servant's names.

"You look disappointed," Thomas notices.

"They all have voices," Snow points to the birds in the conservatory. "Sometimes they are more soft spoken, but you want to hear them, and you want to know their names..."

Thomas looks down, then he raises her hand to his lips. "You are right of course," he replies, and for a moment Snow thinks he might be misty eyed. "You are absolutely right. Come on, Snow White, I want you to meet my father..."

Turns out that Thomas is the crown prince, his father is the king. Snow is a little stunned, but smiles and curtsies nevertheless, the king kisses her hand and everybody whispers about the woman who has the prince's undivided attention. Snow catches Lady Tremaine out of the corner of her eye. The face she is making is the exact same face she made when Snow told her she was having cabbage soup for lunch. Bitter disappointment.

And then the prince asks her to dance again. And right before the stroke of midnight, he escorts her into a fragrant enclosed white rose garden, he stands next to a gurgling water fountain and he looks deep in her eyes.

"The purpose of this ball was to meet someone I could spend my life with, Snow White. That's really the purpose of every ball... I was beginning to think it was hopeless, until tonight. I know it's too soon, but you are the first woman I' ve ever met, kind enough to listen to the little voices." And then to her utter shock prince Thomas kneels to the ground.

"Snow White, I've never met anyone like you, I'd like to get to know you better... would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

Snow takes a deep breath and raises her hands to cover her mouth. She did not see this coming. "You don't even know me," she whispers, and Thomas smiles.

"I know enough, I know I need you by my side..."

And Snow's heart beats faster, she is taking a step back.

What was it that Golden said? "You want Snow's fate to change..."

"Do I need to ask your family's permission or your guardian's ...who do I need to talk to? Snow please say yes..."

Not like this, Snow thinks her heart beating wildly. No, not like this.

"I'm so sorry, I need to go," she whispers and then she turns around and she runs.

The palace clock is chiming midnight, when Snow runs through the confused dancers, the pretty girls, the frowning mothers, and the king who is looking perplexed. As Snow rushes down the marble staircase, her glass slipper slips off her foot and she still runs, not going back for it. In fact she takes off her other shoe, because barefoot she can run faster anyway.

David is leaning against the white carriage, his arms crossed, waiting. Waiting for what he doesn't know. When he saw Snow in that incredible dress he instantly knew what the Golden Fairy was trying to accomplish. Snow is supposed to meet the crown prince tonight, that is how her fate will change. The prince would have to be blind not to notice her, in that dress, green blazing eyes and ruby red lips, the soft voice that pierces him to his very soul every time she speaks his name.

He thought he'd have more time. More time to spend with her, more time to be her friend, more time to figure out a way to get her out of her indenture.

If the prince is going to change her life, David should be happy for her. He should be thrilled. The prince can certainly afford to pay off Snow's indenture, he can give her the freedom and the future she deserves, which is a lot more than David could ever do. Why, he'd have to spend the next ten years working on the Tremaine mansion, saving all his money and maybe by then would have saved enough to pay off Snow's debts. He knows, because he had Ana sneak in her father's old study and find his ledger. "How much did Snow's father owed Lord Tremaine?" And Ana who is smart and understands a lot more than she lets on came back with her head hanging low.

"Too much," she replied before telling David the exact amount.

David is abruptly brought out of his gloomy thoughts because Snow is running towards him.

"What is it?" he asks looking worried. "Snow? What's wrong? Did something happen? Did someone hurt you?"

Snow shakes her head. "No nothing like that. Now please hurry, I need you take me home," she says slipping into the carriage.

Snow wouldn't lie to him, not about something like this, so David climbs on the coachman's seat and drives the carriage home.

Snow tumbles out of the carriage and rushes to her room.

"Snow!"

David doesn't know whether he needs to stable the magical horses that are actually mice, so he hurries upstairs all worried. As he climbs the stairs two by two, his clothes turn back to his usual attire, he is not wearing the gray livery anymore.

When he catches up to her, Snow is back in her old clothes, but she does have a glass slipper in her hand.

"I lost my other slipper," she says quietly.

"What happened?" David asks again.

Snow shakes her head. "It's just... This isn't what I wanted." she replies.

"Alright, but why were you so upset? Did someone hurt you?"

She shakes her head again. "Nothing bad happened," she shrugs.

"We drove out of the palace like we were chased by pirates because nothing happened?"

Snow looks away. "Once upon a time, a girl went to the ball... and she met the crown prince and the king..." she replies quietly. "At the stroke of midnight she panicked and she ran away. And also she left her best friend back at the carriage alone, and that was wrong and she is so so sorry..."

And because David stays silent Snow adds, "I know, not much of a story... you can embellish it if you like, add a dragon or an explosive dungeon, or a witch... You stories are always better..."

David shakes his head. "It's a good story," he argues. "It's just that you have nothing to apologize for, Snow White..."

And then Rapunzel's carriage pulls up. And Drizy and Lady Tremaine come out. The girls are talking animatedly. Snow rushes to help them. There are gorgeous gowns that need to be taken off, sore feet that need to soak in water and salt, pins and ribbons that need to be taken of, long hair that need to be brushed, cups of tea that need to be made.

The two girls are talking non stop about the mystery princess who ran away, about the prince who tried to run after her but was too late, about the glass slipper that was left on the marble staircase.

Lady Tremaine is looking both tired and so disappointed. She picks up her tea cup and retires to her bedchambers, without as much as a goodnight to her two girls.

Ana is still chatting away but Drizy shakes her head.

"Stop it Ana," she says quietly. "Mother is upset, she was certain this would work... She thought tonight our fate would change..."

"But I liked the mystery girl, she was so pretty..."

"Why can't you change our own fate?" Snow offers quietly. "Without the help of a prince?"

"What? How?" Drizy frowns.

"Find ways to make some money," Snow shrugs, brushing Anna's hair. " We could buy some chickens, plant vegetables, sell a couple of your jewels to make enough money to fix the roof and then take in some tenants... There has to be a way to make money without marrying a prince you barely know..."

"You are not wrong," Drizy replies, "but mother would never allow it. In fact she'd probably lock you in the coal room if she heard you suggest such things..."

"Yes, but what the ideas didn't come from me? What if you suggested it?" Snow replies.

"What if we did?" Ana looks at Drizy.

"I don't know" Drizy is looking doubtful.

"We have to Drizy," Ana says and for the first time this evening she has a very serious look on her face. "I want my fate to change..."

Snow White wakes up really early the next morning. She is so excited to see if Drizy and Ana will talk to their mother. She gets the fire going in Lady Tremaine's room, adds fresh water to her washbasin but then she moves to the girls room and she is shocked to see that both girls are already up, Drizy is helping Ana button her dress.

"That's what you meant, isn't it Snow? Changing our fate?" Drizy asks.

Snow nods, too overwhelmed to say a word.

David walks into the kitchen.

"Snow, do you need help with breakfast...-" and then he stands there stunned because Ana is the one cooking eggs on the stove. She is mostly burning them but still.

"Yes, please help!" Ana replies so David hurries to pull the skillet away from the fire.

"What is going on? Is Snow alright?" he asks, cracking two new eggs on the skillet.

"She is fine it's just that the prince met a girl last night, and she was beautiful, and we decided it's time to change our own fate," Ana replies quickly. "We need to do things differently from now on... we are going to have a talk today with mother..."

When Snow walks in the kitchen Ana rushes to hand her Lady Tremaine's breakfast tray and then she sits on the table panting. "That was intense," she says and David tries hard not to laugh.

The girls decide it would be wise to talk to Lady Tremain right after breakfast. Snow is supposed to be sweeping the kitchen but she is just too excited to pay any attention on what she is doing. In the end she ends up pacing pacing up and down with a broom in her hand. "This could work," she says to David who is leaning against the door, smiling at how excited she is.

"We could plant flowers, we could get chickens, we could buy a cow, David there are so many things we could do..."

"Here, let me do this," he says about to take the broom from her hand when the neighing of horses startles them both.

"Wait, someone is here..." David frowns. "We better check..."

David and Snow rush to the front entrance to see the royal carriage along with ten knights on horseback arriving at the mansion.

"What is this?" David asks.

"The prince is here!" Ana squeals and then in what Lady Tremain would consider an entirely undignified manner for young ladies, Ana and Drizy tumble down the stairs and run out the front door. Lady Tremaine, wrapped in her shawl walks down the stairs slowly.

The carriage door opens, and outstepsThomas, who is holding a glass slipper in his hand, the very slipper Snow lost on the staircase last night when she made her hasty exit from the ball.

"I was told there is a woman named Snow White, living in this Estate, the prince asks David, who turns to look at Snow stunned. He is absolutely speechless.

And Snow doesn't know what to do next. She is suddenly feeling very conscious of the headscarf wrapped around her hair and the broom in her want, and of David standing next to her, when the crown prince walks up to her.

"Snow White," he whispers, reaching for her hand. "I figured last night was my fault, I shouldn't spring a proposal on you, right after I met you... I should court you first...and... I want to do things right Snow White, please, give me a chance... Would you like to go on a carriage ride with me?"

"I..." Snow is feeling lost. What is he doing here, today of all days, when the girls were talking to Lady Tremain and everything was about to change? What does he want... "Your Highness...-"

"Please, call me Thomas," he interrupts,

Thomas," Snow draws a sharp breath "I'm afraid that I am not...-"

"What is the meaning of this?" Lady Tremain thunders at the door.

"Forgive me Madam, you must be Snow's guardian, I should have asked your permission first..." Thomas turns to her.

"Permission for what exactly?" Lady Tremaine glares at him. "Please, let's talk inside..."

Thomas and a couple of his knights follow her and then Lady Tremaine abruptly turns around and snaps "You too Snow White!"

"Rats!" Ana exclaims loudly and then she covers her mouth.

Drizy gives her a horrified look. Not the proper way for a young lady to talk in front of a group of eligible knights.

"He proposed..." David says quietly, more of a statement than a question.

"She was about to turn him down!" Drizy replies, her eyes wide open.

"Come on!" Ana interrupts, "we have to find out what is going on. You too David!"

Lady Tremain is having a private talk with the prince at the library. Drizy motions Ana and David to follow her, in the small study next to the library, where the walls are paper thin.

"Lady Tremaine, of course I will pay off Snow's indenture to you, in fact I will pay double what is owed to you... it's just that after seeing her reaction, I'm not sure that she welcomes my attention-"

"Oh, nonsense, of course the girl welcomes your attention. It's just that she was in shock, undoubtedly feeling worried about how losing her would affect us all, really she is a member of the family, a beloved member, so much more than a servant... Leave that to me... I will reassure her, let her know that we welcome her change of station...her good fortune really is our good fortune... Give me a day to reassure her, I will send you a message as soon as I explain things to her..."

"Thank you so much my Lady, I an forever indebted to you..." Prince Thomas kisses Lady Tremaine's hand and then he exits the room along with his knights.

"Where is Snow?" Drizy mouths to Ana, who shrugs. Lady Tremaine steps out of the library and walks to a room at the end of the hallway, a room that none of them remembers ever being used. She opens the door and steps inside.

"Come on," Ana whispers and then Drizy and David follow her. It's not hard to hear the conversation from the next room.

"You precious, precious child," Lady Tremaine says quietly. In her mind she has already hired the builders to fix the mansion's roof and rehired Helga and several servants, all with the money she will get from the prince when he pays off Snow's indenture. "Little did I know that you would be the one to save us all... My daughters came to me this morning with ridiculous plans about chickens and cows and tenants... why they even wanted beehives and all sort of nonsense...and then you...you precious child, you show up at the ball and you save us all... was it Golden? Is Golden your fairy godmother?" Lady Tremaine laughs. "This is exactly the sort of thing she would do...I'm not even angry... So? What do you say child? Will you do the reasonable thing? Will you let the prince court you?"

"I... I can't..." Snow stammers.

"Whyever not?" sounds like Lady Tremaine is doing her best to remain calm. "The prince is handsome, he is rich, he is kind. He is clearly smitten with you. He saw you in this scullery maid outfit of yours and he didn't even blink, he asked if he could court you. He is blond, he has green eyes, he has dimples on his cheeks for goodness' sake. What can you possibly find so objectionable about him that you wouldn't even entertain the notion of letting him court you?"

"Nothing," Snow's voice cracks. "There is nothing about him I find objectionable..."

"What then?" Lady Tremaine' s voice comes out clipped. "Snow, before you answer my question I need you to keep in mind that it will take you ten years in my employee before you can even think of having a future. How can you not jump at the chance now that fate has favored you? Now that fate has favored us? You will be a princess, your debt will be erased and my girls will have a chance at a future, a future where they don't have to survive on cabbage soup! Now tell me, can you find it in your heart to give prince Thomas a chance?"

"I can't," Snow replies and the girls think she might be crying.

"Well, that's unfortunate..." Lady Tremaine says, her voice both quiet and terrifying. "It's rather simple, dear, you let the prince court you, you marry him and live happily ever after with him, or you spend the next ten years locked in the coal cellar. Your choice. I'll let you sleep on that..."

Lady Tremain walks out of the room and locks the door.

"We've got to get her out of here!" Ana whispers.

"Is there a spare key?" Drizy turns to David.

"No, and there is no window in that room either..."

"She said she can't..." Drizy is looking mystified, her eyes wide open. "Why not?"

"You don' t know?" Ana replies incredulously, then she turns to face David. "Please tell me you know why!" , and when he doesn't reply right away she rolls her eyes. "Please tell me you are not a clueless boy!"

Drizy takes a deep breath "I'll talk to Mother," she says then she motions for David and Ana to walk away.

When David climbs on the barn loft later in the evening he is surprised to see Snow already on his mattress, her head buried on his pillow, her shoulders shaking.

"Snow?" he asks quietly and she sits up instantly, wiping her eyes.

"Hey..." she says looking at the ground. "You are right, she isn't likely to climb up her anytime soon..."

David nods sitting next to her. "Are you hiding? Is she looking for you?"

Snow shakes her head. "She is not. She let me out after I promised that I'll think about the princes' offer..."

"Snow..."

She shakes her head and she closes her eyes long enough to give herself a chance to stop crying. She takes a deep breath. "Once upon a time there was a girl trapped in a mansion. And she didn't want to go to the ball, she didn't want to marry the prince, she certainly didn't want the prince to follow her home..." her voice is cracked, barely a whisper.

David nods waiting to hear what she is going to say next.

"Because she was in love with her best friend..." Snow continues and David holds his breath. "And everything was better when he was around...better than the palace ballroom and the exotic flower conservatory and the secret white rose garden... but maybe that's all a mistake. Maybe she should let go, because she is just trapped, and there is no possible future with a girl that's trapped in a mansion..." Snow swallows hard. "That's it, that's the story. It's not a good story but maybe you can add a dragon or a witch and make it better..." she says a tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Alright," David rasps and then he turns and kisses her on the lips. Snow's arms wrap around his neck and she smiles through her tears. "You certainly know how to make a story better," she whispers and he leans his forehead on hers and laughs.

"What are we going to do David?" she asks, her voice once again broken and desperate.

David kisses her again, because that is the only answer he's got, no other answer.

The earth around them thunders and shakes, a bright light flashes and Snow kisses Charming again, because it's the only thing she can do to make this story better.

Snow disappears first. David leans back, his eyes closed, the memory of her kiss still on his lips, overwhelming his senses and he counts "one, two three..."

It's been almost a year since I wrote the previous Snowing Cinderella. This time I set out to write traditional Anastasia and Drizella as mean girls, like the original story, and I just couldn't do it... I don't like mean girl tropes...

Thank you for reading, thank sooo much you for reviewing...