Snow

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Persephone had been happy with her life. She had a large family that loved and cared for her but most of all she had her mother and the Earth. She was the goddess of fertility and loved every moment of it. Her mother would take her along like plains and fields spreading their good wealth of the harvest. To Persephone everything on Earth was beautiful; she was in love with it all. The sway of the trees to the sweet smell of the flowers. She would do anything to stay as long as she could just taking in the splendors that surrounded her. But everything changed. Persephone had strayed from her mother picking flowers to make a gift for Zeus, she had told him she would make him spectacular gift. But instead there was an unfortunate mishap. The Earth had opened up and Hades had risen with his chariot pitch black with death speaping into the world. She could see the grass and flowers wilting in his path. Before Persephone had a chance to scream she was scooped up and plunged into the Underworld, the one place she feared the most. The young girl cried daily, she did not know the difference between day and night. Everyday Hades would offer her food, each day Persephone would decline, sometimes spitting in his direction for effect. But he would not release her. Her tactics changed daily but starvation was becoming too much to bear. Hades had left a single fruit in her wake, it would be her damnation. “Three seeds won’t do anything.” Persephone said innocently plucking the ruby gems from the fruit. She opened her mouth dropping a single seed into her mouth as the juices spilled into her mouth the deed was done. There was no turning back. Little did she know that her mother was revolting against Zeus in attempt for her safe return. The crops of the Earth were dying and the flowers and fields Persephone loves so much we’re turning brown and shriveling away. The scene would have destroyed the girl if she had been on Earth. The seeds had filled her for the time being but there was a change. Everything seemed different. Hades came to visit her more frequently and seemed… friendlier? No, that couldn’t be right. There was something different about him and the sensa tion bothered her more than words could describe. She didn’t realized how trapped she now was. Hermes had flown to h er aid on the request of her mother and she happily went with him ready to be freed of the darkness and death. Upon her descent to the surface it was as though the world could feel her return. The Earth was becoming alive and beautiful once more. The flowers were blowing and the breeze was becoming warmer. Snow was melting and the sun was becoming warmer and warmer. When Persephone finally broke to the surface her mother embraced her both with tears in their eyes. She could feel herself sinking into the warm embrace of her mother and happiness filled her heart once more. But then the question came, “Have you eaten anything in th e Underworld.” Persephone viciously shook her head not believing the three little seeds had counted. But Hades appeared the dam ned fruit in his hand, “She has eaten three seeds, she is bound to me.” Persephone could feel a pull to Hades like she had a collar aro und her neck, she clung to her mother with tears in her eyes. The tears became rain clouds pouring onto the Earth. But it was the truth she was to become a prisoner for eternity, bound to Hades and the Underworld. Demeter killed the Earth once more before her daughter’s eyes causing Persephone to scream out in protest. She looked to her capture then back around at the Earth slowly dying. “I will go with him mother, but you must promise to protect my true love, The Earth.” Her mother protested refusing to give up her beautiful daughter. It became a battle between the goddess and god. Zeus finally had to interfere deeming Persephone’s time would be split, she would live half her time on Earth and half her time in the Underworld. It was a small price for her to pay to keep the Earth safe. Hades had extended his hand and Persephone took one last look at the world she loved before she took his hand saying goodbye to the sun and her mother. She descended back into darkness and death. Life had become different for Persephone; she had become the Queen of the Underworld. She was married now, the marriage was not perfect but she was used to it now. When Hades had been tossed into the River everyone had thought that the Underworld was going to spin out of control but she had stepped up to put things back in order. Things had also changed since she had taken charge. The souls were happier, the Underworld was less gloomy and Cerberus had been treated better too. Persephone had actually transformed him into a little Yorkie which followed her around in the Underworld. For the first time in her life she was content in the Underworld, there wasn’t despair and misery radiating instead there was an overwhelming sense of comfort. But of course things wouldn’t last that way. Hades had come home; he was not pleased with Persephone’s changes to the Underworld. They got into the biggest argument of th eir immortal lives. Persephone argued that the souls were content and that everything was at peace but Hades was convinced that there was a natural order and that Persephone was not following it. Hades had also found out about Cerberus, or Cerby as Persephone had begun to call him. The poor creature was forced in the middle of the marital spat and eventually was transformed back and forth that eventually he became stuck as an awkward cross between a Rottweiler and a Yorkie. But eventually Persephone had to give in, Hades was the Lord of the Underworld, his rules were final. The Underworld was transformed back to its original state ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ But now there were bigger problems Hades had allowed some high class souls out. The whole ordeal had made Persephone very nervous but Hades wasn’t ready to tell her not yet. She knew he would only tell her if he felt that his plan would succeed. At the be ginning she had been left in the dark but when his plan unfolded she had been unsure what to think. Persephone knew that Hades was set on revenge, it was his fatal flaw. There was nothing that would change that. She had grown to accept that about him. The most she could do was

lighten his outlook on life. He had asked for her help in his plans, she told him she would think about it. She was sweet, innocent, not one to cause chaos and destruction especially since he had trapped Meg in the dome. Persephone had gone to the surface to examine the exact plans; the world created didn’t seem that bad at the moment. But she knew her husband. A storm was coming. Persephone was singing as she gracefully walked along the beautiful foliage. Her smile was radiant as she took in all the colors, the lush green of the leaves and the bright pinks of flowers. The woods smelled fresh and the slight smell of dew was in the air. She sat down on a fallen tree allowing flowers and foliage to grow around her. It was nice to be back on Earth, compared to the Underworld this was Heaven to her. Persephone’s true love was the Earth; everything about it was perfect to her. There was order and chaos perfec tly in harmony throughout the forest. She would never get over her love for the Earth. Persephone ran a hand through her hair continuing to sing to the Earth and take in the sights around her.

The sun warmed Snow White's face, as she tilted her head up like a flower in bloom searching for the light. Her alabaster skin glowed, reflecting the sun's rays like the moon. She had been standing perfectly still in the forest for hours it seemed, or maybe it was only a few seconds... She hadn't exactly been keeping track of time. She never felt pressured to do such things in the woods. The strange and mysterious beauty of trees always made her feel safe and calm- extremely protected from the rest of the world and it's various demands. When she had been locked in her room by her step mother for weeks at a time as a child, her only solace was looking out the window towards the forest beyond her castle walls. How could her step mother have known that sending her into the woods for her death would actually be the release she had been praying for? Even here in the dome, it was easy to pretend that she was in her own forest, only a few feet away from her cottage that she shared with the dwarves. No curse, no imprisonment; just the sun and the birds and the animals and the plants. Ahhhhh the plants. Snow slowly opened her eyes, blinking the light out of them as she tilted her head down and took in her surroundings again. She has been in the woods for a reason: to categorize the wild plants growing there. Her previous experience living in the woods had given her the skills needed to identify what was growing around her. She needed to see which would be used for medicinal purposes, which would be sent to the kitchens for cooking with and which had poisonous effects and were to be avoided. Snow began to hum, as she always did, as she began her trek further into the trees. It was absolutely beautiful and she couldn't imagine a life locked in a castle ever again, glad to be forbidden from entering the one in the center of the enchanted dome. It was a while before Snow realized that she was no longer humming, but singing in harmony with another voice. As Snow rounded a corner, her singing partner came into view. It was an impossibly beautiful woman sitting on a fallen tree. And what she was doing drove Snow practically to tears. She was making the flowers grow all around her. "How absolutely beautiful," Snow said softly, not wanting to scare the woman off but admiring her work. "I wish I could do that." Persephone hadn’t even noticed she had begun to sing in harmony. She had been to focused on making a narcissus flower bloom. She had always found them enchanting. They had been her downfall other than pomegranate seeds. It had been the narcissus flower she had gone to pick when she had been abducted by Hades. Brought to the Underworld with no light, no flowers. Despite it all she still loved the flower. Alongside the narcissus she bloomed crocus and iris. The forest was so serene to Persephone. Hades had become so preoccupied by with his numerous plans and various schemes. Sure the man was hell but she had grown to tolerate him. Toleration was the only thing she would call it. But quickly Persephone looked up slightly alarmed. The fact she had been found scared her. She wasn’t a fighter she was a min or goddess, she didn’t want much to do with the plans for the dome. In actuality she tried to avoid it as much as possible, what she didn’t know was good enough for her. There was no guilt in not knowing. But then she realized that the voice speaking to her was very sweet. She finally laid eyes on the woman standing on a nearby path. Persephone and’t even realized the path had been so close. But upon speaking about her gift and the smile spread across her face. “Thank you, they’re narcissus, crocus and iris. I’m Persephone-“She almost said her title but she had a feeling that admitting she was married to Hades would come with repercussions. She might also scare this woman away. It had seemed like forever since she had spoken to someone other than Hades or a soul of the Underworld. This woman was beautiful, her skin perfectly pure and Persephone could have sworn that she was radiating beauty. “It’s all I can really do.” She smiled once more. “But how come you’re so far into the woods?” She questioned glancing around nervously praying no one had followed her to find her also. Hades would be very angry if too many people found out about her. That was a fight she did not want to have tonight. But this

woman seemed harmless, kind even. It made her almost angry that she had been one of the people Hades had trapped. But if she was in the dome then she must be one of the princesses from the kingdoms. She finally noticed that the girl before her was almost in tears, it startled her. She had no idea if she had done something wrong, mortals confused her sometimes. But regardless she stood up, “What’s troubling you?” Her eyes were full of concern.

Snow had seen her share of magic, but so far, most of it had been for evil. Her Step mother was always dabbling in the dark arts, and because of this, magic often left a sour taste with Snow and she avoided as much as she could. But this magic- the magic of bringing life to the earth, it was amazing. "All you can do?" Snow said with an easy laugh, "Well all you can do is amazing. You have a true and beautiful talent. I wish I had your abilities, I do so love nature." In all her gushing Snow realized she hadn't introduced herself. "My goodness, where are my manners? I'm Snow White. It's lovely to meet you, Persephone." She glanced around quickly. It was true, she was further into the trees than she had been before, but this didn't alarm her. "The forest does not frighten me," she said simply. The woman seemed a bit anxious though. Snow tried to remember if she had seen her at any of the meetings or gathers that often happened in the village. She must be trapped her as well in order to even be in these woods. That thought saddened her. She hated finding new people who were doomed to this imprint meant as well. She thought of all the interrupted lives now trapped in the dome, unable to leave, many loosing their minds. She realized tears were forming and she blinked them back gently. "I'm fine, really. I just get upset if I think too hard about all the people trapped here, slowly loosing bits of themselves. No one deserves to be imprisoned. Freedom is a right too many times taken for granted, and now so many people are without it." She remembered what it felt like to be locked up in her dark room. Sure, the dome was large with forests and meadows and a whole village, but a prison was a prison no matter the type or size of the bars that contained them. "What are you doing so far out here, though? I don't recall seeing you in the village. Have you been out here all alone? There are many others trapped here as well. I could take you to them..." The thought of this woman living alone in the woods unaware of the others in the same position as her made Snow's heart ache. She would have been very unhappy living alone in the woods without the dwarves for company.

Persephone smiled, it was truly nice to talk to someone else. But when she realized that this woman enjoyed nature too her excitement rose. She laughed lightly, “Well I hope I could do something like this after a couple centuries.” She couldn’t remember when she was created exactly but she was not nearly as old as Zeus or even her husband Hades. “But thank you though.” She tilted her head slightly at her name, “Snow White, that’s a beautiful name.” She could understand why she had been named such. The smile on her face was completely genuine it had felt like years since she had smiled in such a way. Persephone was happy in the Underworld, if that was possible, but being around someone else who understood her feeling about the Earth was amazing. She studied Snow as she mentioned that the forest didn’t frighten her. She took that as a sign that not many ventured into the woods and began to relax once again. “There’s really nothing to be afraid of.” She knew what was lurking in the woods, nothing that could harm the villagers. She hoped that it would stay that way but she couldn’t be sure. Persephone wasn’t exactly all knowing about what Hades was planning with the others. She didn’t ask many questions as long as she was permitted into the dome to visit the Earth. She was desperately attempting to remember what the reason for Snow being trapped was. She seemed so sweet at Persephone couldn’t understand why someone would want to harm her. Guilt washed over her as she began to speak about the dome. She knew how they felt she had been imprisoned her whole life. Her mother practically had kept a leash on her. Then when Hades came along he had trapped her in the Underworld and offered her a way out with a few pomegranate seeds. Of course she hadn’t realized that eating the seeds would just imprison her in the Underworld. But that all being said she knew exactly what she meant. But then before she could continue feeling guilty Snow asked her why she was there. “I just enjoy the nature out here, I would much rather spend my time out here than anything

else in the world.” She desperately wanted to tell Snow everything but that would be a dangerous move. She noticed the look on Snow’s face and smiled, “I’ve lived in the woods, valleys and fields for centuries. It’s become a home to me; I’m not one for villages.” It was simpler to put it that way. “But you must have come all this way for something. Perhaps I can help you?” After all the guilt Persephone had she felt it was only right to give her assistance. No, she couldn’t free them but she could help their survival a little. That was if they were willing to let her help them in ways that would not anger her husband. Snow nodded knowingly. "I lived in the forest for a while too. Not this particular one, a different one. Much further away...I think..." She realized she didn't actually know where this dome was located. It could be hundreds of miles from her kingdom, or it could be right next door. She was completely lost as well as trapped. Snow tried not to let this fact bother her, as there was not much she could do about escaping at the moment but she could make everyone's stay here more comfortable. "Yes! There is something I was doing. And you'd be perfect to help," Snow said, remembering her little mission. "I'm looking for plants. I want to educate the others on which are edible, and used medically and which to avoid at all costs." It was a very straight forward job, and one Snow trusted this woman to assist in, after having seen her amazing powers of creation.

Persephone nodded, “I’m sure it was much more beautiful than this one.” She smiled once more due to the obvious love Snow had for nature. It felt like it had been ages since she was able to talk about nature. Hades wasn’t exactly a nature lover. She glanced around the woods once again, it wasn’t as beautiful as it could be. The plants needed more than the dome to thrive. She wasn’t sure how much longer the greenery could thrive without rain. The thought made her a bit nervous. She had already allowed the Earth to die for six months at a time each year but she didn’t want to be responsible for this as well. She tilted her head listening to the mission before her. Persephone became excited, “I would love to help you. Did you want t o start with edible, medical or hazardous first?” Millions of plants w ere buzzing through her head, blackberries, dandelions, to the poisonous mushrooms. Persephone felt a mint bush sprout behind her due to her excitement. It was a rare occurrence normally those grew when she was angry. But mint was a beneficial plant to the villagers. She swallowed her anger for the plant and turned to it, “Mint. Not exactly my favorite plant but very beneficial. You can use it to sweeten drinks, freshen your breath, and use it in food, it’ s very much edible. It can also reduce pain such as joint pain. As well as helping digestively, nausea and colic if there are small children in the village.” Persephone paused, she hadn’t thought about that before. What if children are trapped in the dome? The thought upset Perseph one but she continued to focus on the mission set before her. She glanced around again debating on which plant to find next for Snow. To her this was fun, she enjoyed it. She was happy to be in the company of another.

"Beautiful?" Snow couldn't help but smile, "Yes. Yes it was certainly more beautiful." To her, that forest represented home, a time in her life that was born of exile and grew into acceptance and a new family. This prison forest would never touch Snow the way her forest had. This was a place of confinement, not of protection. And the leaves on the trees were all wrong anyway. Snow watched, delighted, as Persephone created mint. "Perfect!" Snow agreed with enthusiasm thinking of all the uses. Prince Phillip would definitely need something for the joint pain he was going to be experiencing with his healing broken arm, and Snow herself always enjoyed a bit of mint tea. At Persephone's mention of the uses for children, Snow shook her head. "I'm actually one of the youngest. The only one with less years than me is Vanellope, who's nine. Little but tougher than most. Been on her own almost all of her life I believe." Snow was glad there weren't more children. She was used to taking care of herself, but didn't want anyone younger having to be imprisoned and forced to stay here. "Do you have any ideas why we're here?" Snow suddenly asked as she searched the foliage for aloe, hoping to have something to help soothe fire burns. "I know the leaders are always discussing ways to break out or figure out who might have done this. I personally don't really know much. Especially since, besides many of us bring royalty in some way, we don't exactly have any connections. It's all very strange," Snow said with a

sigh, pulling some cloves up from the ground. "Oh dear I forgot my basket..." She muttered quietly, putting them in her pocket for now. Persephone smiled at the thought of a real flourishing forest. Part of her felt as though she had a lot in common with Snow, part of her felt like Snow had felt at home in the forest just as she did. The thought was comforting. “Do you remember what it was called?” The question had been random but she knew of many places, it was part of her… duty. She never forgot a forest, valley or field. She noticed the leaves and frowned, it was never right here. When Snow mentioned Phillip she became concerned, “People are hurt in the village?” Anger boiled within her. The people were not supposed to be harmed. Hades was going to get an earful when she got home. Especially since she had become friends with Aurora. She was somewhat shocked that Aurora hadn’t asked for her assistance in such a manner. For a minute she paused. She was actually caring for the people in the village. Persephone had never had such a role in her life, never her own children, city-state, nothing. She had always been Demeter’s daughter or Hades wife. Was this her chance to change things? It had been something she had always wanted. Not to be pushed to the side and on the sidelines. She was finally able to help those who walked the earth. The ones who sometimes cared for her beloved plants when she couldn’t. But then the question arose and it brought a pit to her stomach. Persephone didn’t want to lie. She would just have to phrase things carefully, like an oracle. “I can’t be sure why each of you are here, perhaps someone feels wronged by each of you. Although, I can’t be one hundred percent sure it is my best guess. As for breaking out I can’t be sure at all.” Hopefully that had been a good enough hint, she wasn’t sure why each of them was there and she knew that at least in Hades case it was out of spite and revenge. She also had no idea if breaking out was possible. It wasn’t something she had been told. Persephone smiled before grabbing a few twigs that had been still wet from the morning dew. She smiled and set to work on making a basket a talent she had picked up sometime in her many centuries. It didn’t take her very long once she was done weaving she smiled, “Here. Hopefully it’s big enough.” Persephone then moved over to variou s berries picking out only the edible ones before returning them to the basket. "Oh dear, do you think I could have offended someone? What could I have done to get my Prince and I banished here? It must have been something big...although my Step Mother tried to have me killed only because she thought I was prettier than her. So maybe I only accidentally slighed someone..." Snow's thoughts were in a whirlwind. Could she and the others be being punished for something? Had the leaders thought of this? Would magic be needed instead of bows and arrows? What could she and the others have possibly done to anger people powerful enough to trap them here? She shook herself out of her thoughts in time to see Persephone making a beautiful basket. "Oh! It's perfect! Thank you so much!" Snow tossed the cloves and mint into the new basket along with the berries Persephone was picking. "I really can't believe my luck running into you out here. I'm normally doing this alone. Not many others here now what to look for." Snow continued to place items into the basket, placing a few dandelions in which she would later bottle under "K" for items that help with kidney problems. "So, where are you from? I'm from Germany. My forest is known as the Black Forest, which is really beautiful besides the dark sounding name."

Persephone tilted her head slightly, “I don’t know how you could, you seem so lovely.” The story of her S tep-Mother sounded horrible. But it confused her all the more that someone would kill to try and have good looks the only person that sounded like was Mother Gothel but she was busy with Flynn and Rapunzel. “That’s horrible and not your fault!” The thought of that being the reason that Snow was trapped her upset her. Persephone prayed she had not said too much it would be disastrous for her in the end. It had been threatened that she could end up in one of the pits of Hell for six months, not exactly a dream vacation. She smiled and thought of when she had met Flynn this way, “Aren’t most of the villagers nervous about coming into the woods?” But one shouldn’t be alone, that’s never a good thing.” Persephone could remember how lonely she had felt those years with her mother. She had been so isolated. Still she was somewhat isolated since not many people visited the downunder. She shook the thought from her mind, “But I’m glad to help as much as I can.”

Persephone paused at her question, where could she possibly begin? “I’m originally from Greece, but I travel a lot. At the moment I get to visit my new home.” Persephone was nervous to reveal who she truly was due to fear of what might happen to her if the other villagers found out. “I can tell you specifically if you promise not to tell…” She wanted to trust Snow she seemed like a wonderful person. Flynn already knew about her but they had an arrangement. She listened as Snow discussed the Black Forest and attempted to remember if she had ever visited. Perhaps her mother had visited before her creation. “It sounds very beautiful.” She offered another smile.

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