Chapter Text
Soft morning glow streamed into the White's meadow, filled with pretty pink trees. The birds twirled around Apple, and the squirrels scurried around her feet as she hummed a soft melody. Her five-year-old self sat criss-cross poison-apple on a tree stump. Her dazzling apple red dress with a white lace bodice pillowed out around her.
A robin tweeted in her face, its feathers tickling her nose, making her giggle and try to shield her face with her hands. Her hair gets pulled back. Stifling a whimper, Apple straightened up better, "Sorry, Mother."
Snow White, Apple's mother, stood behind her. Combing her beautiful, perfectly curled, blonde hair. "No one likes a wormy woman," her mother's squirrely voice said. "Don't you want to be spell-bindingly perfect for your Prince Charming?"
Fairies flew around Apple's stomach. Today was the day she was going to meet her very own Prince Charming for the first time. It was quite young for her too, but her mother and the Charmings' (no relation!) were friends, so it made sense.
And she had been so good at home that mother decided that she could go off to nursery-rhyme school this year! And her prince goes there, so they better meet beforehand. She had to make a spelltastic first impression. She didn't want to leave him disappointed with her, especially since she did not have ebony hair.
That is a key factor to Snow White's destiny, her destiny! She calmed herself, remembering her mother's words:
"You are no less a Snow White for your beautiful blonde hair. True, the story does specify ebony hair, but they also say the Evil Queen is our step-mother and that hasn't been true for five generations now. You have your father's hair, and I couldn't be happier."
It brought a serene smile to Apple's face. She was the next Snow White. Queen of the Fairytale World. And she was going to nail this meeting. And blow the armor off her prince!
Snow White braided her hair, tying it up with a big, bright, red bow. Apple sat still, like a good daughter would. When the final touches were done, her mother whistled, and seven dwarfs appeared in tailored suits and sunglasses. They helped Apple up off the stump, making sure her dress did not get dirty on the way to the carriage.
She embarrassingly needed help up to the Hybrid Carriage, which a kind grizzly bear provided. Now it was just her and her mother…and the seven dwarfs. Her father was doing whatever Kings do, so he couldn't come. Apple found herself in her mind the entire trip over. Picking at the tiny white lace bows at the bottom of her dress.
She did a bit of research when she became aware of the meeting. After all, a future Queen must always be prepared. And up-to-date with technology, even at her young age, she could do a Mirror Search.
Daring Charming. Age six. Birthday April 2nd, only one month older than her. Thank the stories! She did not want an ever after with someone who was twice her age. He was part of one of the many Charming families (again, no relation to her) and had a royal lineage that could be followed to the very first stories. A pair of younger twin siblings: Dexter and Darling. They were born ten months apart on February 11th. So despite the age gap, they all will be in the same year.
This meeting is not only about impressing Daring, but also his siblings. They all will become family one day, and she doesn't want to become the evil-in-law. That's worse than the evil step-family!
And his parents! She had to impress them. Queen Charming was her mother's best friend forever after (BFFA for short). Not only would she absolutely fail at her destiny if Daring's parents didn't like her, but her mom would be wicked mad at her.
The carriage rolled to a stop, and the fairies in her stomach did not go away. The dwarfs exited the carriage first, on the left side, walking around to the right to open the door for the Queen and Apple. Pouty—or "Frank"—held out his hand for her to step out, but she hesitated. Turning to her mother, she whispered a question, a fear that plagued her for a while, but fear also stopped her from asking, "Does it hurt? Being poisoned?"
Her mother looked at her with a serious, contemplative face. She answered straight-laced and honest, "For a moment, yes it does. But then you are asleep. And eventually, you are awakened. And it's Happily Ever After after that. Now, get going. It is unladylike to keep a prince waiting."
Apple scurries out of the carriage with the help of Pouty. Staring up the marble staircase to the Charming's palace doors. She takes her mother's hand and they walk up. A palace never looked so daunting. They were supposed to be pretty. Which the Charming's palace was! But…it was also scary.
The doors opened as they rose to the final step. The King and Queen, and their darling boys, stood to greet them. Apple felt a blush come to her face as her eyes traveled up to Queen Charming; she was so tall. Taller than her husband, and Apple didn't think it was the heels that were doing it. She had a wide, crinkled-eyed, smile that made Apple feel a bit faint. Her eyes then snapped to the two boys. One stood stalky, and bit awkward, like he was still getting trained on how to stand properly, black-rimmed glasses, and chestnut hair, which was strange since neither parent had brown hair. This was Dexter, the second son of King Charming. Next to him, slightly taller, was her prince. Daring Charming. The first son of King Charming. Blonde hair, blue eyes, and a confident stance. He is a perfect picture of a Prince Charming.
She curtsied to them and Queen Charming returned it; the boys bowed to her. Her mother didn't do any of that (she's The Queen ever after), but she did greet them politely and royally. Queen Charming ushers them in.
"It is lovely to see you again, Snow. It has been too long."
"Yes," her mother laughed softly, "Who knew running a kingdom and having children would take so much time."
"I surely didn't," Queen Charming said. She bent down on her knees to look Apple in the face. Apple didn't think she was a shy girl, but this evening had changed her perspective on that. "I can't wait to get to know you, little Apple. How about we go to the parlor and informally get to know one another?" Apple dipped her head into a nod, and Queen Charming claps excitedly, "Hextacular!"
They headed to the parlor where Apple sat next to Daring. Daring was very good at talking about himself. Which Apple appreciated. She liked to stay well-informed, and if she was going to be a good damsel-in-distress she needed to know her prince. And his hair-care routine was very inspiring. He was showing off his newest hand-held mirror, gold with ruby gems based after her. Wasn't she the luckiest girl in the land!
"Daring, honey," Queen Charming said, setting down her teacup. "Maybe there are other things you would like to discuss with Apple?"
Daring looked startled, thinking for a moment, before giving his dazzling smile, "Of course! Father just gave us our practice swords. I can show you how I can slay a dragon with ease!"
Apple was about to sit up with him when Queen Charming ushered her son to sit down. She sighed despondently, shaking her head, but there was a small smile forming in the corner of her lip, "How about, Apple, you go see our daughter, Darling. She's quite shy, locked herself in her playroom. I think you both will be good for each other. Third floor, West Wing."
Snow White waved her daughter off, showing off her smile to remind Apple of her own. But Apple didn't need the reminder; she was smiling wide anyways, "Of course! Thank you, Ma'am." She curtsied and scurried off with Queen Charming's directions in mind.
Queen Charming praised her! Daring seemed as excited to meet her as she was of him! Dexter…well, Dexter didn't talk that much, but he didn't seem put off with her. And now she was meeting Darling Charming! This was going better than Apple ever planned! And she plans heavily.
Apple got to a set of French doors. The doors were unlocked. She grabbed the golden handles and pushed them open.
Oh!
Inside the room there was a glorious doll castle, a vintage one that seemed to be well-loved and passed down the stories. There was a wall of dolls, an array of options from princesses to trolls that would ignite any child's imagination. So it was quite the surprise when Apple opened the doors and found a girl with luscious platinum blonde hair holding a sword. She swung with precision and force that Apple couldn't help but stare at. It was dangerous and captivating. Apple would clutch her necklace if she had one on.
It was like a dance. A hard and stiff dance, but a dance nonetheless. The girl even twirled around, facing Apple. They both end up frozen. Apple locking eyes with icy blue ones. In the back of Apple's mind, she notes the small beauty mark under the girl's right eye, a mark neither of the boys had.
"Apple White," she curtsied, working on autofly. "Swords are dangerous. You might prick your finger."
"My brother let me borrow it," the girl said, "If he can practice, why can't I?"
Apple noticed that she didn't introduce herself or curtsied. Apple didn't want to be the rude one and assume this to be Darling. At least out loud. But the girl really wasn't giving her much of an opening.
"Women's skin is a lot more delicate than a man's. I'm Apple White. Your mother invited me up," she introduced herself again.
"I'm not a woman, I'm a girl. And my brother is a boy. Also Daring gets way more paper cuts than me."
That made Apple snort for some reason. She covered her face with her hand, a blush coming to her face. When she finally peeked through her fingers, she saw the girl set the sword to the side and walk up to her. Apple took the hand off her face, trying to remember all the lessons her mother taught her. She was royally screwing up her first meeting with her future sister-in-law. She needed to get it together.
The girl stuck out her hand, a small charming smile on her pale lips, "Darling. Darling Charming."
Apple shakes her hand. Glad to have the introductions out of the way. "Darling, hexited to meet you! Now, instead of playing with dangerous swords, why don't we play with your enchanting doll castle!"
"I would like that, Apple," she said softly, walking to her display of dolls. "Guests should choose first."
"How kind! Hmm…" Apple put a finger to her chin, looking at the various dolls. Her hand hovered over the Pretty in Pink Princess doll. It was always her favorite, but Mother said that she should explore her doll range.
And what if Darling really wanted that one!
And she took it away from her!
Then Darling would hate her forever after!
She moved her hand back, turning to Darling with~~hopefully~~a convincing smile, "But as this is your playroom, I believe you have the right to first pick."
Darling never let her eyes off of Apple, before she ticked up her lip and turned to her collection, grabbing the White Knight. "This one is my favorite," she shared.
Apple squealed, grabbing Pretty in Pink Princess, "This is my favorite!" They walked over to the doll castle with their dolls in hand, sitting on their knees. Apple turned to ask, "Do you want to play castle or damsel-in-distress?"
Darling contemplated for a moment, putting real thought into the question, "Damsel-in-distress."
"Okay," Apple bites her lip, her mind races with a backstory for her princess, "Her name is Cordelia, the lost princess of…the fairies! She is locked in this tower," Apple placed her doll into the highest of towers. "It's guarded by a dragon—no, two dragons!" One dragon was too boring now. Completely overdone. "Because her father sold her to the dragons for their riches. Only the bravest, noblest of knights can save her and win her hand in marriage."
Darling leaned in to whisper, not wanting Cordelia to hear, "If she is a fairy, why can't she fly out?"
"Because…they took her wings!" Apple said proudly, and Darling nodded seriously, glad that the story did not have a hole in it.
Darling looked down at her doll, tilting her head in thought, "This is Sasha, the fair knight—"
"Girls can't be knights," Apple interrupted softly. She didn't like interrupting people, but sometimes it was needed to correct misinformation.
"Why?"
"Because…do you know of any woman knights?"
"No," Darling said sadly.
"Exactly."
"Well, I do know Sashas who are boys."
"Really?" Apple asked. and Darling nodded her head valiantly. "Okay. Sasha the Knight."
Darling cleared her throat and began again, "This is Sasha, the fair knight of the Elvish District. She—He heard rumors of a wingless fairy trapped in a tower from some wise old fairies traveling through his district. He did not wish for praise or marriage, just the safe return of an innocent girl. So, he rushed off on his…Pegasus to find this girl."
And so the knight did. After some trials and tribulations, of course, he finally rescued the princess. Apple cheered as Cordelia was taken out of her tower. She was about to suggest moving on to play castle, after all, the best part of damsel-in-distress is that it can seamlessly flow into castle. After the knight and princess have their wedding. Then they can live out their happily ever afters together. But Queen Charming was knocking on the door. And her mother was telling her that it was time to go home.
She didn't want to go. She wanted to keep playing with Darling.
But she always did as her mother told.
She was a good daughter.
