Poisoned Apple Part 2

The day after the funeral, I sat in my room, concocting a plan. This time I would do the deed myself, and I would do it right. The vision in the mirror had showed a small cottage, not far from the palace, and deep in the woods near a gold mine. My magic wasn’t strong enough to kill her from the palace, and not in a blast either. I would have to go to her, and give her something that would kill her. Snow White was an idiot, but she was smart enough not to fall for that, and the dwarves, whoever they were, no doubt warned her about me. Which left one option, a disguise.

I stared in the mirror, and quietly worked magic over my face, wrinkling it and shaping my body into the hunchbacked frame of an old lady. I frowned at my reflection, and turned away quickly. The next step was the method of death. Snow white wouldn’t have any of her fancy gowns, and would surely be dying for something pretty.

I went to my closet and pulled out all the ribbons from the bodices of my dresses, choosing the most beautiful to entice her. Finally, I loaded my goods into a basket and slipped out of the room, taking care no one saw me, and wrapping a dark cloak around my head so my face was hidden in shadows.

The walk to the dwarves’ cottage took just over an hour, longer due to my new body and the frequent need for rests. When the cottage came into view, I waited just out of sight to see if the dwarves were there. Through the window I saw Snow White, sweeping up with a broom and humming a tune. Fifteen minutes later, no one appeared, and I hobbled to the door, basket in hand.

“Hello?” I called in a crackly voice while knocking on the door. A second later it opened, and Snow White stood there. I watched her carefully, but the only thing that was in her eyes was sympathy, no recognition.

“Hello there,” she said.

“I’ve got beautiful laces, my dear,” I replied, holding one up. “Look how pretty they are. And only five coins each.”

She reached out her hand to the ribbon. “They are beautiful. I suppose I could buy one.”

I waited as she fished through her pocket for five coins and handed them to me. “Would you like me to lace you up?” I asked, trying to keep the excitement out of my voice.

“Why, sure,” Snow White replied, turning around and pulling her hair over one shoulder so the hooks down the back of her bodice were revealed.

I gently hooked the ribbon; crossing it quickly, and then began to pull. “Suck in, my dear,” I said, yanking with all my might.

She gasped and struggled for words. “Too. Tight-“ she gasped, but I pretended not to hear her. I enforced my strength with magic, puling even tighter, until she fainted to the floor.

Yanking the ribbon even tighter, I laughed, more like a cackle, and tight it in a pretty bow. Her face was already turning blue, and her eyes were closed in unconsciousness.

“Good night, Snow White,” I whispered, before running back into the woods and dispersing my disguise.

Two days later, I dared ask the mirror again. I wasn’t worried, unless someone showed up in the next few minutes she would be dead, but the satisfaction I’d get from knowing that finally, finally, Snow White was dead, would be immense.

“Mirror, mirror, on the wall. Who’s the fairest of them all?” I sung.

“You my queen are fair, it is true. But Snow White is still fairer than you,” the mirror replied, and my vision went red.

“No!” I cried, yelling at the mirror. “It’s not possible. I did it myself. I saw her, dying.” I shook with rage. “Fine. I’ll use magic.”

I stormed out of my chamber, nearly knocking over a maid carrying a stack of blankets.

“Oh-I’m sorry Your Majesty,” she stammered, dropping into a curtsy. I continued striding down the hall, not looking back. As I passed, servants scurried out of my way and dropped into hasty curtsies and bows, clearly seeing by my expression that I was not to be bothered.

When I reached the cells underneath the palace, I shivered, both from the cold and the memory of being locked in them. Nevertheless, it was the only place where I could do what I needed to without being interrupted. I lifted my chin and, holding my skirts in one hand, swept down the hall.

“What are you doing here?” One guard asked angrily, lifting his torch. He stopped suddenly when he saw who it was, and fell into a deep bow. “Your Majesty,” he said, surprised. “Is there anything I can-“

“Go,” I said coldly, passing him. “All of you.”

“But, your majesty,” the guard protested. “There are dangerous criminals down here, it’s not safe for-“

“I can handle them,” I growled. “Now, leave!”

The guard bowed again, and started out of the chamber and up the stairs, gesturing for the others to follow.

I continued down the hall towards the old torture chamber, a room that had since been cleaned out was soundproof in case something went wrong. Fortunately for me, I always carried my own supplies, because when I eased open the heavy door I looked into a completely empty room containing only dust and cobwebs.

I cleared away a section of the table, blowing away most of the dust, then wiping it with my sleeve to remove the rest. Pushing back my sleeves, I closed my eyes and felt the magic run down my arm into my fingertips. I sighed contentedly, relishing in the feeling of absolute power for a moment, before letting a small stream escape. I focused on what I was trying to create, harnessed my feelings of hatred and my wish for ill fortune to befall on Snow White, and weaved my magic around itself.

Fifteen minutes later a stopped the flow of magic and opened my eyes, delighting in what I saw. In front of me was a beautiful comb, decorated with designs of birds and leaves. I knew Snow White would love it, and she wouldn’t be able to resist anything so beautiful after leaving all her fancy palace gowns behind. The comb wasn’t all nice designs and pretty flowers though, hidden with every fiber of it was poison that would take hold of her once in her hair.

Next I let power rush from my fingers into my own body, transforming me into another old hag. This time I made sure I looked different from before, with black hair that was streaked with white, and instead of a hunchback I shortened my height and wrinkled my face. To Snow White, I would look like a peddler woman who was entirely unrelated to the one who sold her the laces.

I grabbed the comb and put it into one of the pockets of my new cloak, before unlocking the door and letting myself out. When I climbed the stairs I saw the guards waiting at the top. I quickly reversed my disguise and walked out, head held high as ever. One I was out of sight from the palace, I once again put on my disguise and made my way to the Dwarves’ cottage. The journey took me less time than before due to my un-hunched body, but by the time I got there I was till sweating. I closed my eyes briefly to ready myself, before shuffling up to the door and knocking sharply. A few seconds later a window shutter opened and Snow White popped her head out.

“I’m sorry, but I’m not allowed to let anyone in,” she said through the window. I moved so that I was standing in front of it then pulled the comb out of my pocket.

“Why ever not?” I asked, doing my best to sound merely curious and not angry.

“The dwarves told me not to.” She replied. “My stepmother is looking for me, and she’s trying to kill me.”

Foolish girl. I thought. Telling every little old lady this. “Well, I don’t have to come inside,” I said. “I can show you my wares from out here.”

I could see Snow White consider it. “Well, I suppose that’s alright,” She said, leaning out farther to see what I was holding. I held out the comb and let her look at it.

“That’s beautiful,” she said wistfully. “But I’m afraid I won’t be able to afford it.”

I shook my head. I can see now that this comb is made for you. Such a beautiful little girl. I’ll give it to you for free.”

“Oh, no!” Snow white said firmly. “I couldn’t take that.”

I sighed inwardly. “Well at least let me put it in your hair and see how it looks, hmm?” I replied, stepping closer.

She nodded, and I moved up to the window and placed the comb gently in her hair, before stepping back as if to admire what she looked like. Snow White crumpled to the ground without a sound, and I peered in the window. Her eyes were closed, and I turned and ran from the cottage. Once safely in the woods I removed my disguise, and hurried back towards the palace.

This time I took no chances. I went straight to my room and dismissed the maid who was cleaning, then sat on the bed before the mirror.

“Mirror, mirror, on the wall,” I said, clenching my hands in apprehension. “Who’s the fairest of them all?”

“You my queen, are fair, it is true,” the mirror began and I screamed with frustration. “But Snow White is still fairer than you.”

“How?” I yelled at the mirror. “How?” Tomorrow then. Tomorrow is when I would take my revenge for what her mother did to me. Tomorrow I would not fail.

I glanced around the room, looking for inspiration. I would need some way of getting her to trust me enough to take the magic. She would be extra on guard now. My eye caught on the fruit bowl, and I walked over. I plucked a green apple out of the bowl, and held it in my hand.

“Yes,” I said to myself. “This will work.” I placed the apple back into the bowl, and changed into a blue and gold gown. As much as I would have like to do the deed then and there, I still had to be queen, and I still had other things to do. But tomorrow. Tomorrow, it would all be over.

Then next day after having tea with Lady Henrietta, and accompanying the King to a meeting, I grabbed an apple out of the bowl, and headed down to the cells. It was a shame about the green apple. I thought. Snow White always insisted on red. As I turned to go to the kitchens, however, I was struck with another idea. She would be much more willing to eat the apple if I took a bite first.

I sped up my pace and ran down the stairs into the cells below, banishing the guards again. This time I conjured up a large cauldron first, then filled it with my magic, which swirled like liquid in a pot. This time I had channeled a wish for Snow White to sleep forever more, to never wake up.

I pictured in my head a red apple, brilliantly ripe and delicious-looking. After my concoction was completed, I held the apple with two fingers, and dipped it into the cauldron; careful to submerge it only halfway so none of the mixture touched my fingers. Once I was sure that half the apple was coated, I pulled it open and gasped with admiration. The apple looked the opposite of what a poisoned one would look like. It was bright red, and you could almost taste the fresh, juicy, crispness of it. The other side was still the old green side, but the seem where the two colours joined was blended perfectly to make it seem natural.

I tucked the apple in my pocket, and climbed the stairs, heading for the kitchens. Once there, I ordered a large basket of apples, and dropped mine in with the rest. For the third time, I walked to the Dwarves’ cottage, stopping and putting on yet another new disguise before I got here. Once I reached the edge of the clearing that housed the cottage, I waited to make sure Snow White was alone. Fifteen minutes later, I saw and heard nothing but Snow White humming a song, and took the opportunity to go up and knock on the door.

Once again, Snow White opened the window. “I’m sorry, but I can’t let you in or take anything from you,” she said, and started to close it.

“Wait!” I called, and reached my arm through the window. “I’ve got nice beautiful apples.” I slid the basket down my arm and picked one up to show her.

“Ooh,” she said, and I could tell she wanted to reach out and bite into it. “They do look delicious, but they might be poisoned.”

I stifled a grin. “Here,” I said, turning the apple so that she could see both sides of it. “I’ll take a bite of it, so that you know it’s safe.”

She hesitated for a second, and then nodded. I turned the apple so that the green side was facing me, and then took a large bite out of it, being careful not to eat any of the red.

“Here you go,” I said, reaching out the apple. She took it gently and bit directly into the red side. I watched her draw the apple away from her lips and chew. She swallowed the small piece of apple and immediately fell to the ground, the apple rolling out of her grip.

I laughed wickedly and ran back into the woods, disassembling my disguise as I went. When I reached the palace I went up to my chambers and asked the mirror again. “Mirror, mirror, on the wall. Who’s the fairest of them all?”

“You, my queen, are fairest of all,” the mirror said, and I smiled broadly. Snow White was gone. At last, I could be at peace.

Years Later...

“Grimhilde!” the butler called. I sighed, and set down the book I was reading.

“Yes?” I asked.

“You have just been invited to a wedding!” the butler responded. “Do you recall the King of Lorve? It seems last year, when he was still a prince, he made a young woman and they plan to marry.”

I sighed. “When is the wedding?” I said.

“Three day’s time,” the butler replied through the door. “You must talk to your dressmaker about designing a new gown for you.”

I nodded, and then remembered he couldn’t see me. “Yes, I will. Thank you for telling me.”

The sound of the butler’s footsteps faded as he retreated down the hall and stood to call my dressmaker. I stopped as I passed the mirror and saw a strand of white hair in my reflection. Leaning closer, I winced as I pulled it out. It doesn’t matter. I told myself firmly. You are still the most beautiful woman in the land.

Despite my protests, the issue bothered me all day. I had seen the lovely women of the court decline with age, and I was not going to be one of them, I would use my magic if I had to. But you won’t have to. I thought. You are the fairest of all.

Once I returned to my chambers, I sat down on the bed and stared at the mirror. What was the rhyme? I wondered, trying to go back through the years and remember. “Mirror, mirror, on the wall. Who’s the fairest of them all?”

“You my queen are fair, it is true,” I narrowed my eyes at the mirror. I couldn’t actually have lost my beauty so quickly. “But the young queen, is fairer than you,” The mirror continued.

I froze. “What?” I asked, my voice trembling. “But I-I left her for dead!”

“Your majesty?” Another voice was accompanied by a knock on the door. “You’ve been called for a meeting.”

“Yes, just a minute,” I replied. The only disadvantage to the King’s death two years prior was that now I had so many more matters to deal with.

I swallowed and looked in the mirror. I was relieved to find my face calm, and I pinched my cheeks to regain colour. Sweeping back my skirts, I stood and left my room to the meeting.

Although I went through the motions of the day, I was constantly preoccupied with the thought of the young queen. How could I face her? But how would I ever know who this beautiful young queen was unless I saw her for myself.

Over the next two days I grappled with the dilemma. I couldn’t bear to see her, and yet… The day of the wedding came, and I got myself dressed and ready in a daze. During the carriage ride to the Kingdom of Lorve I clutched my trembling hands in my lap, and stared mindlessly out the window.

Who was she? Was she truly more beautiful than I? And how had I never heard of her?

When the carriage came to a halt I swallowed nervously and brushed down my skirts. “Are you all right, your majesty?” the footman asked as he extended a hand to help me down.

I nodded. “Quite alright,” I replied, willing my hands to stop shaking.

The footman nodded and stepped aside as I walked up the gravel path towards the palace. The palace itself was less grand than mine, but with its polished white stone and ivy climbing up its many turrets, it was an impressive building. I climbed the stone steps, and two guards opened the oak double doors. A short hall led to another set of descending steps, and beyond those, the ballroom.

The room was decorated with gold and white; a wide aisle snaked between rows of chairs on either side. At the altar stood the King of Lorve, and behind him, the priest. I was reminded of my own wedding to the King, which was decorated just as beautifully as this.

I stopped walking at the top of the stairs, and the Master of Ceremonies announced my name and title. Hearing myself called the Queen wasn’t as thrilling as it had once been, and I hardly felt myself walk down the stairs.

“Your majesty?” I glanced over at the steward, who was gesturing towards a seat in the front row.

“Oh, thank you,” I replied absently, taking my seat and waiting nervously fro the ceremony to start. An hour later, the last of the guests had arrived, and I was sandwiched between two fellow monarchs, the King of Swersdale, and the Queen of the Valley.

“Announcing her ladyship, Snow White!” The Master of Ceremonies called, and my mouth went dry. The whole room craned their necks around to get a look at the new queen, and my heart pounded furiously in my chest as the bride’s voluminous white skirt came into view. I leaned towards the aisle, praying that I was wrong, but there she was.

Her hair was still as black as ebony; her lips still red as blood. Her skin was white as snow, and her eyes shone with happiness and love as she looked upon the king. She was years older than when I had last seen her, and infinitely more beautiful.

I fell back in my chair and clasped my hands tightly, feeling my nail dig into my skin. It wasn’t possible. It couldn’t be possible. But there she was.

“Are you all right?” the Queen of the Valley asked me gently, and I realized I must be incredibly pale.

“Yes, I’m fine, thank you,” I replied, ad turned to watch Snow White walk down the aisle, fighting to keep my expression neutral. The ceremony seemed to drag on for days, and I couldn’t wait to leave. Surely Snow White must have told the King about me, and yet they invited me anyways.

The moment the ceremony was over, and the guests began to file into the adjourning ballroom where the reception and ball was to take place, I turned back towards the doors.

“Your majesty?” my guard asked, following me.

“I don’t feel well,” I said. “Can you tell the driver to prepare the carriage?”

He bowed, and hurried out the door. I wished I could run, but no matter how scared I was, I still had to play the part of a queen. Striding along as fast as I could, I put my head down and held my skirts in one hand.

“Going so soon?” a gentle voice asked, and I looked up to see Snow White standing right in front of me, flanked with guards.

“Congratulations on your wedding,” I said, praying she wouldn’t recognize me. “But I don’t feel well.”

She laughed. “I’m sure you don’t.” She took a step closer, and looked directly into my eyes. “Hello, stepmother.”