darkened barn illuminated his face. He looked angry.
Snow took a step forward. “Yes, that’s true. Unfortunately, we were separated during the storm and they asked us to go on without them. We will meet up with them again near the castle.” Fritz didn’t reply.
Just then, a woman holding a small baby rushed forward. She held out a few blankets. “Here, Your Highness. These are for you. You must be tired from your journey.”
“Thank you for your kindness,” Snow said to her and the others. “We are so grateful for this barn and to all of you for agreeing to meet with us. I know Grumpy and the others aren’t with us tonight, but it is important that I speak with you about the queen.” The room was silent, so she decided to go on. “I know times have been difficult. I’d had no idea how much so till I left the castle. But now that I’ve learned so much about the queen’s behavior, I know I must take back the kingdom.” Still there was no response. “But to do so, I will need help.”
“Help?” Fritz questioned.
“Yes,” Snow said, and Henri squeezed her hand encouragingly. “I am prepared to lead my people. The queen was only supposed to reign till I was of age anyway. I don’t believe she will go quietly, so we feel there would be strength in numbers. We are hoping to force her out and take over the castle.”
Fritz stepped forward. “You expect us to lay down our lives to save yours?”
“No, that’s not what I want to happen—” Snow started to say.
“We should trust in your leadership when you’ve never led?” Kurt asked. “What if you’re just like your father?”
“I pray I am,” Snow said fiercely. “He was an excellent leader.” They started to laugh, preventing her from explaining her father’s situation.
The crowd of men moved in closer, and Snow realized she and Henri were actually surrounded. A baby began to cry, her wail barely audible over the thunder.
“Good people,” Henri interrupted. “This is the princess. Please show some respect.”
“Respect?” a man asked. “Like she had for us? She has abandoned her kingdom. She doesn’t want to help us!”
“I do!” Snow protested.
The man raised his knife. “Liar!” Snow flinched as Henri pulled her closer. “You show up here without the dwarfs, on foot, and in the middle of another storm—perhaps it is you who curses us! Where are the other men? What have you done with them?”
“They are safe,” Henri said. “We assure you.”
“Then why aren’t they here to vouch for you?” Fritz questioned.
Kurt pulled out a scroll from behind his back. He let it unravel, and Snow gasped in surprise. There was a painting of her on it. Above her head it said wanted. “There is a bounty for your capture, Princess. You have abandoned your people, hurt our friends, and refused your crown. You’re coming with me to the queen before she blows down this whole kingdom trying to find you! These storms are no coincidence. They’re happening because you are here in our village!”
“Let me explain,” Snow said as they moved in closer. There was nowhere for her to go. “It is the queen who deceives you.”
“The queen is the one in charge in this kingdom!” Fritz thundered. “Your father allowed that to happen, and now we are under her rule. Don’t you know she has dark magic? We cannot spare you and hope to live. Grab them!”
“Please! Wait!” Snow cried as the closest villagers grabbed each of her arms.
Henri tried to kick out from his hold. “Let go of the princess!” His treasured pocketknife fell from its holder and landed in the hay, where Fritz picked it up and held it out.
“I’m so sorry,” cried the woman who’d handed Snow the blankets earlier, her eyes glistening. “We have no choice. The queen shows no mercy. We must take you in.”
“And we will be paid well for our find,” Kurt added.
Snow sensed this would not end well. As lightning lit up the cracks in the barn and thunder roared, she looked around for an escape. Some of the men were shouting at one another, while others, along with several women, were trying to make them see reason, but none would. Snow’s head was swirling. Mother, help me, she prayed as the baby in the woman’s arms cried harder.
And then Snow had a moment of clarity, amid all the shouting and words of hate: These people are scared. They don’t want to hurt me.