The next day, Snow found Robin by the firepit, with a bunch of paper and maps.
Curious she walked over.
"Morning Snow." He said without looking. "Since we have our first win, I thought it will be best we think of our next move."
"What are you thinking?" She said, sitting beside him. She glanced at the map, there were three circles around the three places of power. The castle, the fort and the Queen's palace.  Since they already burned down the fort, it had an X over it.
"I think we should attack the castle.
If we capture the castle, we would be able to have control over a lot of the assets they have and to corner them. " 
"It's going to be a lot harder than the fort."
"I know, but after our stunt at the fort, more people from the town decided to join. Adding to the fact we have all of the weapons at our disposal I think we will be fine." He reasured here.
"Plus, " he added. "We have you. You know the castle better than anyone."  Snow blushed.
"I suppose I do."
"Robin!" Whined Jon. The little boy was dragging his feet, flopping around.
"When are we going to eat? Im hungry." Snow's stomach growled. Even though they had a lot of food left, most of it spoiled already.  It was midday and they had not have any breakfast.
"We will go hunting then."
"Can we go to the town instead? I don't want any more gamey food."
Robin frowned.
"Being spoiled are we?"
"Please?" The boy pleaded. Snow could not help a chuckle.
"Why not? Other than last night, we only have been eating meat a few vegetables." Robin sighed.
"Fine, we will go." Snow smiled when Jon squealed in delight.

Robin and Jon were preparing the horses when Snow came over pulling her own horse. She stopped when she saw Robin frown.

"What?"
"I think you should stay."
"What for?"
"We don't need you to carry food, it will be a short trip. Besides the last time we there I saw a couple of wanted posters with your name on it."  Snow rolled her eyes.
"Says the man who has hundreds of wanted posters." She hopped onto the saddle and held the reins.
"I'm coming." Robin sighed in frustration but hopped on his horse and lead the way. 

The three of them travelled to the town with their heads low and their hoods up to prevent suspicion. However, no one was watching them, everyone was crowded around one of the main food banks with cross faces.  Curious, they hopped off the horses and went closer to see a line of soldiers with spears.  The leader was reading off a scroll in a monotone voice. 

"Your most beautiful and fair Queen has decided, after the burning of the fort, staged by the rebels, the Kingdom, except members of the royal court, shall not have any food for winter." 

An uproar exploded from the crowd. Angry curses were made, stones were thrown, but Snow knew it was helpless. She turned to Robin and Jon who had the same pale expression of realization.  

"What have we done?" Snow whispered. 

That night, the rebels were gathering around the fire with gloomy faces. That is when Snow realized that group was a lot smaller.
"Who's missing?" Snow asked. Mike responded.
"Half of my crew, and couple of others. " Snow eyes narrowed.
"They are coming right?" Mike shook his head.
"They quit." He replied. A small fire ingnited in her chest.
"How can they quit when we have so much to do?" Mike's eyes darkened.
"What do you think? Some of them have a family to feed." Snow sighed. Listening to the fire crackling, reminded her of their previous victory. But now even that victory seems dim. She shook her head and faced the group.
"Listen, starting a rebellion is not easy.  It requires hard work, determination and sacrifice. There will be days where we succeed, and others where we get a set back." She said. But none of the men lifted their head to her. She turned to Robin who got up from his seat to stand beside her.

"Gentlemen, remember the reason why we are here. We are putting an end to the tyranny we have experienced. The King and Queen whom you despise has only slowed us down. But we can revert the damage when we go and break down the csstle's walls and put Snow as Queen."

Suddenly a man, whom Snow knew as Peter, jumped to his feet, his eyes blazing. "So you expect us to starve?"
"That's not what-" Snow started. She was rudly interrupted by Peter's outburst.
"Save it, princess. Clearly you don't understand the struggle we face." The words stung her as if she were slapped. At that, the others rose to their feet. Peter continued.
"We are not going to endanger ourselves and family this winter." He said. Snow watched helplessly as everyone followed Peter into the forest, except for Mike. Hope flutterd in her chest
"Mike?" The giant sighed.
"Forgive them, Snow. They don't understand that nothing comes easy." He said joining her.
"So you will stay?"
"Yes, so will half of my men. I won't force the other hslfd. But you can count on these." He said pointing to the 6 men behind him who haven't gotten up yet.
"So what's the plan?" He asks. Robin smiles.
"I have an idea, but it will be ambitious."

"Can't be any crazier than you stealing from the rich." Mike said.

"We are taking over the castle." Mike eyes ridden with interest. He let out a whistle.
"Okay, so how are we gonna do it?" Robin pointed at Snow.
"She is the key."

A couple of weeks  has passed and Robin has been working nonstop with the plan. As breaking into a stone fortress with over a thousand soldiers requires that much time. Plus, Robin wanted it to be a success. He and Mike have been spying on the castle, observing for any patterns and entrances  they could use.

But it wasn't long until Robin woke up one morning to see frost covering the ground.

A sharp gasp came from his left and he saw Snow stmblimg out from her tent, caught off guard by the frost.
"Looks like winter is near." She said walking over to him. Robin pulled on his hood over his wooled hat.
"it will melt later." He said. " Howeverer we should stock up on food."
"Hunting?" She guessed. Then she smiled. "Great, perhaps you can teach me how to shoot then." He froze.
"Sure."

The 10 of them rode into the forest with their bows strapped to their backs. Once they reached to a fast pacing river they stopped. Tied the horses close to the creek and moved on foot from there. They moved silently. Their eyes trained for any movements and their ears for any sounds. There was nothing but the gurgling of the river the tweeting of birds and the brushing of the branches against eachother. From the creek they split up into twos.

In the corner of his eye, Robin caught a rabbit hopping from one bush to eating. Forcing his heart to calm down, he expertly draw an arrow from his quiver and aimed at the rabbit. He released it and watched the arrow peirced the rabbit straight into the eye. From his right he heard a small gasp and turned to see Snow staring at him in awe. Feeling proud. He guesture to her.

"Want to learn how to do it?" He asked, lifting up his prey. Snow's eyes shone. Robin put his catch into a bag and tied it up in a tree. Once he climbed down he draw out an other arrow and handed the bow to her.

"Now archery is a difficult thing to master. As most of the time your target is far away and there is a chance you might miss it completely.
When hunting an animal they may notice you and make a run for it, or even if you do manage to bit it, the animal might be able to walk it off."

"Okay, so you hold it like this?" She said. The bow was straight but her hand holding the arrow was a bit wobbly.
"Here let me guide you." He went behind her and straightened her right arm.
" It is important to have a good posture." He said. "Put your right leg back." She did and Robin smiled. "There you are balanced and ready to shoot." Robin lead Snow further into the forest, in hint for more prey.
They spent a good time loking for prey.  It seemed that there was nothing, They heard a rustle nearby.
Excited, Snow got herself into position and aimed at the bush.  Finally a squirrel hopped out, and Snow shot at It, only for the squirrel to sprint sway. to safety.
"Aww, I was so close" Robin  frowned.
" I don't think that was you." He said, feeling the ground rumble  under his feet.
" Get ready." He told her, taking back his bow. Snow pulled out her sword from the sheath and Robin pulled out an other arrow.
Then 9 soldiers  plowed through on their  horses with their arrows up and ready. The leader  grinned at the two of them.
"Well, what do we have here? The two most Wanted criminals in all in England, committing another crime." He said as his troop circled them.
Robin frowned.
" What crime is hunting?"
"We are not even in the royal forest!" Scowled Snow.
Another soldier chuckled. 
" It seems you don't know the Queen's recent decree."
"Which is?"
"Upon the fact that there will be no food granted to the poor thanks to you, all forests are closed for hunting." Snow's hand clenched against the handle. 
"That's absurd!"

Robin knew how upset Snow was about the the decree As future queen, she wanted to provide for her people, not seen them suffering. But it was a price they had to pay. Hoping only in the future they will succeed.

However being outnumbered, really dimmed their chances. Where were the others when he needed them?

The leader raised his bow.
"The Queen wants the princess alive. So come with us quietly." Robin pulled her behind him.
" You will have to get through me first."  The soldiers chuckled.
"Gladly,  after all they want you dead."

Realizing they had no escape. They didn't know what to do. Just as the soldier was about to shoot at him, an arrow flew into his kneck, startling the man. The two watched as the soldier fell off his horse to his death.

They spun around to see the others charging at full speed with arrow flying.
"Take the girl!" Screamed one of them.
One soldier reached over to grab Snow's arm but Snow sliced his hand off at the last minute.
The man screeched in pain and Robin shot him to put him out of his misery.

The fight went all the way back to the river. It was many men were shot on either side but neither were dead. Eventually everyone pulled out their swords.
Robin was fighting a big one who had an ugly determined face when he heard Snow scream, before a loud splash. He looked over his shoulder to see her being dragged away by the rapid current. Heart racing, he quickly pinned his opponent to a tree, and ran along side the river.

He saw Snow's black curls bobbed over the surface. She was resting on a log.
"Snow!" He called out to her but she didn't move. His heart stopped when he saw the small gash on her head.
" Oh no." Up ahead, he saw a rock that    went into the water.
He pushed his legs faster.
He reached to the rock and waited for Snow to drift  down. But what he didn't count for was Snow drifting over to the other side.  He leaned as far as he could. Up to the point he was wading out. With one hand gripping onto the rock, he reached out and snagged her hood with the tip of his fingers. Sighing with relief, he grabbed it and pulled her against the current up to him. With her safe in his arms, he climbed out of the river. When he placed her down, the others ran over.

"Is she breathing?" Asked Kai. He put a finger near her nose. "Barely."
"The enchantress is near right?"
"She is up ahead." William said.

"Mount up." They all jumped onto their horses. William scooped her up and when Robin was on his horse, he placed her in his arms.

They dashed through the forest at top speed.
" Stay with me Snow." He said as he noticed her face was getting paler.
At last they reached the cottage and the enchantress rushed out.

"Bring her inside, quickly." She said.

Robin carried her inside with the others at his heels.
Inside the cottage a heavy scent of peppermint leaves was In the air. Jars lined up on the shelves and a large pot near the window was boiling something delicious.

" Put her here." The old lady said, pointing to a bed in the far corner. Robin lay her down and turned to the enchantress.

"Can you help her?" He asked asked her.
"Pass me that cloth on the shelf." She said not loking at him. Smith found the cloth and and hand it over.
She then fanned the cloth over her nose. When it seems that nothing seems to be working,  Snow coughed up. Water dripped down her chin. The enchantress helped her to sit up.
"There you go." She said comforting her as she wiped her chin.

"Everything is alright." Snow glanced around. First at the lady, then the relieved faces of her friends.

" What happened?"
"You call into the river, smashed your head on a rock and nearly frowned, if it wasn't for Robin." She turned to the man who's clothes were soaking wet, like hers and he was slightly shivering yet his eyes were warm as furnace.

She smiled. "Thanks."
"Be glad you weren't cursed, Princess. Or it would of taken more than a simple cloth to wake you up." The lady turned to Robin, handing him a blanket.
" Put this on, I won't have you catching a cold in my house.
"Thank you."
"Now where is that rabbit you caught, it is time we all have a good stew."

They brought out the rabbit.  Snow and Robin watched as they skinned it cut it up and put it in the big pot.
As it cooked they told the enchantress what happened, even though she knew some of it.

" We might have to find a new camp."
"Why? " Asked little Jon. The kid had his arms crossed. "We killed all of the soldiers."

"True." Robin said. "But if the Queen is sending soldiers into the forest. It's probally best we move."

"But where?" Asked Snow.
"How about the barn we stayed at? no one ever used it." William suggested.
"The barn it is." Robin said, raising to his feet." "Let's gather our stuff." He said to the men. But the Enchantress shook her head. "The men will go, but you Robin are staying here. Robin opened his mouth to protest but the old lady beat him to it.
"You just waded in the river.  You are staying. Not willing to argue, Robin sat down and watched the others leave.

Enchantress took a basket and pulled on her hood.
" Where are you going?" Robin asked, getting up. She dismissed him with her hand.
"I don't need help if that is what you are wondering, I am going to my garden to collect more things for the stew. " She said and with that she left, leaving Robin and Snow alone with a boiling pot.

"Always so eager to help aren't you?" Snow said from the bed. The gash on her head stopped bleeding and she was watching him, her eyes burning with curiosity. On the floor, Robin glance up at her and blushed. 
" You could say it's by nature."
"Is that is why you saved me? By nature of your good heart?" Robin looked away as  he felt his heart beating out of its cage. Why did he save her? Why was he always saving her even though  he hardly knew her other than a runaway princes? Yet within the past two months he felt like he knew her. Someone who was stubborn, someone who had a heart of gold, someone who he wanted to serve,  and someone he wanted to love.  For  2 years he wanted nothing do with with women after loosing Milan. The raw pain of seeing  her drowned body in the lake, broke him down beyond repair. For a long time, his fear of loosing some one he cared about, forced him to  not have a romatic relationship no matter the cost. It normally worked. Yet Snow, managed to break into his guarded heart, a heart stronger than a diamond.  And for the first time, he didn't hate it. He looked back at her, and smiled.
" You are my queen aren't you?"
Snow blushed. 
"I suppose so."

Just then, the door opened and the enchantress walked in, followed by everyone else. The enchantress finished cooking the stew and served it out.

The group sat around talking eating the stew. Once every one was finished, The men gathered their stuff and headed out, leaving Snow behind so she can recover.

Riding at night, Robin and William rode side by side in silence ahead of the group.  Robin was unsettled. He knew wanted Snow, but he wasn't so sure how to tell her. Plus, his fear was reining him back. William noticed he was being bothered by some thing so he asked.

Robin shook his head. 
"Fine." William snorted.
" Yeah right, come on, spit it out what's bothering you?"
Robin ears burned pink.
"Don't laugh, but I think I am in love with Snow." William eyes widdened Then he slapped his knees, chuckling.
"About time you found a new girl!" He said.
"Just wait until the others find out enough this, we will party for days!" Robin scowled.
" There will be no party." He said sharply. William frowns.
" Why not?"
"Because you are not going to tell anyone,  not even Snow?"
" Not even Snow?"
"Especially Snow."
"Robin, I don't understand you, I thought you love her?"
"I do, I mean I think I do." William clicked his tongue. "Robin, it is very simple. It's either you do or you don't."
"I know that, it's just that-"
"Just what?"
"I don't want to loose her like Millan. " William fell quiet. They listened to their horses hooves clumping over the grass and the faint hoot of an owl. Finally Wiliam sighed.

"I understand. No one should be able to lose the person they love, but it happens beacause that's the bitterness of life. Now you are lucky to find a new person to love, but you can't allow your fear to prevent you from happiness." He said. "Sometimes, you just got to take a chance and hope for the best." He reached over and patted his friend on the shoulder.
"Don't skip  your chance, who knows when you will get another?"