Introduction and Chapter 1: Coming of Age

Introduction

The funny thing about stories is there is no beginning or end without the story teller. Snow White's life didn't end the moment she got married. Nor was the evil queen born evil. That's the art of storytelling, you start where it is important to you. For Queen Gertrude, you know her as the evil queen, she believes the story of Snow White begins the morning of the first day she met Snow White. So that is where I shall begin this tale in memory of her…

Chapter 1: Coming of Age

Little Gerti was so excited for her tenth birthday. There would be a ball in her honor, and she was finally old enough to attend it herself. She wanted to see her parents, the king and queen. She thought that maybe her Dad would see her as a "big girl" now that she was old enough to attend a ball. Maybe he'd have time for her, he was always busy with running the kingdom. Sometimes she wondered what all the advisors and nobles were for if he was always too busy doing everything. Before stepping into her parents' room she made sure to straighten her posture. She had to show she was a proper princess, make Dad proud.

She glided in on quiet feet. She did not speak until she was addressed, by her mother, whose face was glowing with love, but also seeming troubled. She always tried to hide when she was troubled from her daughter, but was struggling at this moment.

"Happy Birthday! How old are you again? Must be nearly 5 already" Her mother teased.

Gerti was about to jump in defending the fact that she was a big girl of ten years old when her Dad jumped in.

"She's ten, as I've said already Eleanor, she's a big girl. It IS time to put this responsibility on her and there is NOTHING you can say that is going to change that" He began to raise his voice.

Gerti shrunk into her mom's arms. However, her Dad had acknowledged that she was a big girl so she gathered her courage and straightened her back like a little lady and waited to be told what this big responsibility that was to be placed on her shoulders really was. Her parents shot some nasty looks at one another until her mother retreated into a sitting chair out of the way so that the King could discuss with his daughter what lay ahead for her.

"This evening at your ball we will announce your betrothal to Prince Horatio of Alemanol. He's recently widowed as his wife died in childbirth. He's 18, so very young, and he has a daughter, so you have a daughter. I think her name was something about winter, it's some ridiculous name…" The King began telling his daughter. "Snow White" The Queen interjected. "Ah yes Snow White. You are engaged as of now." He continued.

"But it will be a long engagement. You won't be married for YEARS" The Queen shot a nasty look at the King that he dared not argue for the time being.

Gerti didn't know how to feel. Her mind was swirling. Sure she wanted her "happily ever after" someday, a prince to sweep her off her feet, but not now. She still had flowers to pick and make crowns out of. She still had classes she wanted to take to become the princess she wanted to be. Would she still be able to now that her "happily ever after" had been thrown in her face?

Shortly after this her father had to leave to "attend to business" while Gerti still sat there in shock. Her mother came over. She wrapped her in the bright blue cloak that she always wore. She held her daughter close. She wished that she could take her daughter's pain onto herself. All the confusion. She remember when she'd first heard about her own betrothal. She just wanted to escape it all. That is why as soon as she had known that this was going to happen she'd arranged her own birthday surprise for her daughter.

While Gerti sought comfort in her mother's arms she did not notice the young girl, barely older than Gerti herself slip into the room. She was one of the maid's daughters. She left a simple frock on the table near by and then left this private moment between mother and daughter. When Queen Eleanor felt that Gerti had calmed down a little, she pulled her head up so that their eyes could meet.

"We will make it through this, but first, go put on that dress over there" Queen Eleanor instructed.

"But that's not proper for a princess to wear" Gerti cautioned.

"If you are to be Queen someday, you need to know your people. Today, before the ball, we're going to the local festival" the Queen smiled.

Gerti smiled at her mother and changed as quickly as she could. Today, she would meet her people.