Chapter Text
The palace really wasn't a place for a man of the woods. He cared for Princess Snow White, but it was obvious she didn't need him. She had that William boy, anyway. What was he needed for?
Albeit, she begged him to stay, work as a knight to protect them, he refused. The castle, as big as it was, was suffocating. He could not bring himself to stay. Not when he felt like something was calling him.
"Please, Huntsman, stay!" the Princess begged, "We need you, I need you. You know I would not be alive today if it were not for you."
A low rumble came from his throat; it sounded something along the lines of a lion laughing, "Nay, Princess, something tells me you would have been just find without me. It was I that needed you, but that time of need is over and I must move on."
"But. . ." she started before he cut her off.
"Do not make this harder than it already is, Princess," he stroked her hair lovingly, sorrow filled his eyes, "I shall return, when the seasons change."
She gave him a pathetic look of a lost child, "But why now that winter has come? Why not when spring is upon us and there is more game to hunt?"
"Ah, Princess," amusement masked his features as he cupped Snow White's face in both hands, "You would make a poor huntress, indeed. Winter game is where all the excitement is! The tracking, silence of the woods and forests, the thrill of spotting a beautiful stag that would make a king’s feast look poor. That is why I leave during winter, child."
No, it was not and he knew it. It was nearly impossible to kill a stag if you were not within ten yards of it with a cross bow, and an axe was completely useless at long ranged attacks, there was no thrill in nearly freezing to death, and woods were anything but silent. Not with the Jotun running all around still. It was likely that he would die somewhere if he did leave now, but something was tugging at his mind and body telling him to leave now while the snow was young. He just hoped it would not bring back the evil that the defeated queen brought.
The princess stood defiant, but soon after gave up, "As much as I disagree with your decision, I wish you the best of luck and your safe return home."
"Princess," he cooed as he pulled her into a fatherly hug, "This is not my home. And the only place I would consider home is now gone."
Releasing her, he picked up his satchel and moved to the gates. The nearest forest was miles away but that was fine. Walking was fine, it meant peace. It did not need any thought to follow a path. He could let his mind wander, like to the strange dreams he has been having as of late. It was the main reason why he had the urge to leave the castle; to find the being in his dream.
The Entity was beautiful with deep azure skin taunt over firm muscles, it had ruby colored eyes that sparkled even more than the gem itself and hair darker than a raven's wing. Its voice was low and rich but smooth like velvet as it spoke.
The creature was smart, too. In one dream, he wanted to catch it, but no matter what unbelievable and insane trap he thought up, it still got away. It gingerly stepped over, or cleverly disarmed everything the Huntsman threw at it. Once, he tried fighting it, to subdue this magnificent creature, but instead the creature wound up standing over him as he lay flat on his back, grinning a mischievous smile. There was no way he was going to get it. Not by brute force, he needed to outsmart it. Or that's what it said once in another dream.
"Set a trap so devastatingly brilliant that even I will fall victim to it," it explained candidly.
"And just how in hell do I do that? This is my dream and yet I cannot catch you," the Huntsman bellowed, thoroughly annoyed.
The creature just rolled its eyes, amazed by how ignorant this man must be. "This may be a dream, but even in reality are amazing things possible. Like me. I really do exist, you know."
"Ah, blow it out your ass," the Huntsman growled, "There is no way, in high heaven and low hell, a creature like you exists."
That mischievous smile returned to its face, "Then why don't you come and prove it? Come find me in the forest a hundred miles south east of Snow Whites castle during the cold season when the snow starts to fall."
He looked at it like it was daft, "Why the bloody hell . . ?"
"Now, listen," this beautiful thing slid into the Huntsman's personal space, placing a cold and delicate hand over his lips to silence him, "I will only say this once so remember it well. Once in the forest, you must continue in the south east direction for another four days and four nights. At the end of the fifth day, you will find a cave. Look for me there. Don't disappoint me huntsman."
"But why winter?" he called as the creature turned to saunter away, "Why must I wait for the winter season?"
"Because," the creature called back over its deceivingly delicate shoulders as it walked away, "that is the only time I can come out to play."