Meadowpeak

Levi raced through the woods on the dirt path. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword as he panted trying to keep his pace up. One wrong move, one second of rest, could mean the end.

He glanced down as a giant shadow crept up overtop of him, blocking out the sun. He didn't dare look up. He knew what it was, but he couldn't risk losing his footing.

His heart pounded against his chest as he glanced ahead, knowing there was a clearing only a mile up ahead. What was he going to do? Risk stepping out into the clearing and being destroyed? But he had to keep running. Maybe somehow, he could outrun his pursuit.

Levi mustered what strength he had left inside and moved his legs faster. As he emerged from the tree-line, someone landed in front of him causing the ground to shake. A gust of wind blew him off his feet onto his back.

He shook his head and propped himself up on his elbows. His eyes opened wide as a massive, ferocious, dragon looked down at him with green eyes, the pupil split like a serpent. Purple scales coated its body, and large horns that made one curl mounted its head.

Levi gritted his teeth as he scooted backward. His hand outstretched as the dragon reared back, mouth open.

He clamped his eyes shut as another gust of wind appeared, and he covered his face with an arm protecting himself from the twigs and pebbles that flew his way.

"I win!" came a feminine voice in a taunting tone.

Levi lowered his hand staring up at a blonde who held a hand on her hip in a victorious pose. He huffed. "I don't think it's far that you get to morph into your dragon, Elyssa." He pushed himself off the ground and gave her a skeptical look. "Still not one hundred percent persuaded that you have full control."

Elyssa rolled her eyes. "You're just jealous that I always win." She hit his shoulder playfully with her own. "Besides, I've been able to control it for a full two years now."

"Wow, that makes me feel so much better." He rolled his eyes.

Elyssa giggled as she slapped him playfully on the arm again. "Come on. We better get home."

Levi sighed as he smiled. These were dark times they were living in, but no matter what, Elyssa's smile always made the day better.

He balled his hands into fists and took off running, sprinting past his friend. "Race you there!"

Minutes passed before they came to a halt right outside their village outskirts. They both stood with their hands on their knees panting from their run.

"I... win," Levi said through breaths. "You may have wings... but my legs are stronger."

Elyssa stood up straight, not replied to what he had to say, and walked into the town.

Levi sucked in one more breath before following after her. He looked around to find the same familiar people covered in dirt, houses beginning to crumble at the foundations, and the well that only ever game them dirty water. There wasn't much here, and it certainly wasn't the best living accommodations, but it was home.

As Levi strode up onto the porch of his home, he heard whispering coming from inside. He looked over at Elyssa to find her face, too, held confusion.

He shifted around his friend, circling the back of the house until he found the window that Mother cracked open every day to let fresh air in.

He knew Elyssa was behind him when someone placed a hand on his back. He craned his neck upward to listen to the conversation inside.

"Ivy, you have got to get out of here." The voice was Laura's, Elyssa's Mother, and she sounded very alert. "You have to grab Levi and get out! Snow White is coming for you. She knows you're hiding here, and she wont stop until you're dead."

Someone sighed, and it sounded like his Mother. "But how do you know these things, Laura? Because Jerald heard someone talking about it in the palace's courtyard market? It might just be a rumor."

"Rumor or not, your priority has to be that boy. We've been friends for a long time, Ivy. You told me yourself that Snow always called you the Evil Queen once you married her father. She blames you for his death, and if she has her way she'll make you suffer watching Levi die as she did her father."

Levi's heart quickened at Laura's words. He knew Snow hated him, but would he kill her just to get to his Mother?

"Laura, you've always been a dear friend of mine. Always been willing to help me and my son." She paused. "But this is between my step-daughter and me. If she touches my boy, then she'll see what kind of evil queen I really am."

A chair scooted along the floorboards. "Please, Ivy. Just consider what I said. Before it's too late." Shoes clapping, and a door shutting came next.

Levi stood up straight and stepped away from the window. He kicked at the dirt sending up a brown cloud.

"Levi, calm down!"

"Can you believe this?" he felt like shouting. He knew if he got too loud his Mother would hear through the window. "After everything we've done for Snow, after everything my Mother has done, she has the gull to call her the evil queen? To kick us out of our own home? To take my throne?" He balled his hands into fists. "Sometimes I wish I had inherited Mother's magic. Then Snow would really have a challenge! I wouldn't have told Mother to run."

"Levi, don't beat yourself up," came Elyssa's gentle tone. She placed a hand on her shoulder. "It was over a year ago, and you don't have magic. You did what was right. You saved your Mother and yourself. Snow White had already turned the guards against you both, and if she had caught you, then we wouldn't have any hope in taking back the kingdom."

He sighed. "What hope do we have now?" he said below his breath.

Elyssa gripped his hand. "Come on, Levi. It'll be getting dark soon."

Levi nodded his head. "You're right. Mother probably needs me anyway. She has a lot of stress weighing on her shoulders." He slipped his hand out of hers, and walked to the front of the house. He turned around, and watched as his best friend took off down the street. "Goodnight, Elyssa."

She turned around, continuing to walk backwards, and gave him a smile along with a wave.

He sucked in a deep breath and opened the door. Inside, he watched his Mother sweeping up ashes that escaped the fireplace. Her long, dark hair brushed against her waist with her motion.

"Hi, Mother," he said, trying to act cheery as he stepped inside.

Mother turned around to face him, wiping swiftly under an eye with a small sniffle as she smiled. "Oh, I didn't hear you come in. I must've been lost in lot. How's Elyssa doing?"

His smile slowly wavered. She had been crying again. What about this time? What Laura had said? About Father? There wasn't many days that passed without the shedding of a few tears. "She's fine." He closed the door. "How are you doing?"

He watched as Mother's lip began to quiver and she collapsed onto a nearby stool as she broke out in sobs. Levi quickly made his way over to her and wrapped her in his arms, her head resting against his chest. "It's okay, Mother. What's got you down this time?"

Mother sniffled once more, and sighed. "Oh, just a few things Laura said only moments before you arrived." She lifted her head and chuckled. "I feel so foolish. I'm your Mother, yet here I am acting like your child."

He knelt and held his Mother's hands in his, staring up into her dark eyes that glowed with the flickering of the fire. "But I'm your son. I'll always be here for you when you need me." She gave him a soft smile. He swallowed before continued. "Besides, I already heard what Laura had to say."

Mother's smile vanished. "You what?"

He nodded with his head over to the cracked window, and grinned. "You really should learn to keep that window closed."

Her smile returned as she twiddled her thumbs. "Well, I guess it's no secret then." She looked into his eyes with a frown. "Snow is coming for us. She'll stop at nothing to see us both dead. She won't risk losing her throne by keeping us alive."

Levi swallowed a lump that formed in his throat. His words felt forced as he tried to speak. "Can she..." He cleared his throat. "Will she killed me to make you suffer?"

Mother slowly nodded. "Yes, son. I'm sorry. She thinks I killed her Father causing her to suffer the lose of both her parents." She sat up straight and patted his hand. "But I won't let that happen. She'll have to kill me first."

She rubbed her hand through his hair and kissed his head before standing, and closing the cracked window.

"Ivy!"

Levi's head jerked toward the door as someone screaming from outside. He dashed to the door and threw it open to see Laura sprinting down the road, Elyssa by her side.

Mother pushed past him and ran to meet her friend. "Laura, what is it?"

Laura panted, trying to catch her breath, as she gripped Mother's arms tightly. "Jerald just returned from the river. He says he saw Snow White's carriage along with fifteen or so other Knights. You have to leave. You have to get out of here now!"

Mother stepped back a few paces before turning around and racing back into the house.

Levi heard her rushing around inside, probably trying to grab a few belongings before departing. He wanted to help. Wanted to get her out of here, but he felt too stunned to move. Snow was coming? She had found them? After all this time? But how? They had blended in well with the other villagers, and everyone here swore to keep their identity a secret.

He felt someone grip his forearms hard, and shake him. He jerked back and shifted his eyes slightly downward to see Elyssa's azure eyes. "Levi, did you not hear Mother? You need to go!"

"Not just them." Laura stepped up beside Elyssa. "I don't know what's going to become of this village, but I don't want you here when Snow White arrives."

Elyssa looked up at her Mother, tears glistened in her eyes. "But... what about you? And Father?"

Laura gave a soft smile. "We'll be alright. Just go with Levi and Ivy. They can protect you."

Elyssa stood up tall with her head high. "No! I can stop Snow! I'll use the dragon. Snow won't be able to win."

"No!" Laura swiftly gripped her daughters hands. "Snow mustn't know that one dragon still remains. If so, she'll hunt you down fearing you would become the next Dragon Queen. You mustn't let anyone know. Keep the dragon hidden. Never let her out. With the dragon hidden, only then can you win back this Kingdom." She turned and looked toward Levi. "By his side. You both are destined for great things. I can feel it. Together you will save our Kingdom. Snow won't know what hit her." She quickly threw her arms around Elyssa. "I love you."

Mother emerged from the house with two packs full of belongings and food. She thrust one in Levi's hand and took off to the right, giving Laura a quick hug.

He followed his Mother still feeling numb. They were going to leave the other villagers? Just like that? At the mercy of Snow? There was no way Snow White would let any of them live if she knew they were really hiding out there, but what could he do about it? He didn't have magic, he wasn't a dragon, he didn't even know how to properly fight with the sword he owned. Staying behind to fight would be complete suicide.

He lowered his head as he walked silently behind his Mother. Even if he did know how to fight, he didn't have the courage he needed to take Snow down. To kill his step-sister. Could he do it when the time came?

The sound of horses hooves on cobble road filled his ears pulling him out of his thoughts. He swiftly dropped to his knees as did his Mother and Elyssa. He made his way over to a large log, and hid behind it, the woman to his right.

He peeked over the edge of the log to see Snow and a dozen or so Knights storming into the village. Knights raided the houses, shoving people into the street. Once everyone was outside formed in a line, Snow marched up and down the line, her white cape trailing behind her.

"Where are they?" she shouted. "Levi and the Evil Queen! I know they're here. You can't hide them forever." She twirled around, her braided, black hair following her as she stomped back to her carriage. She pulled out a small chest and opened it. Inside, gold reflected off the dying sun.

She nodded with her head toward someone in the crowd. One of the Knights walked forward and reached into the crowd. He dragged a man by the collar of his shirt toward Snow.

"Father!" Elyssa shrieked under her breath.

Jerald was throne on his knees in front of the Princess. He raised his hands in front of his face afraid of what was to come.

"Your payment. As promised." Snow tossed the chest of gold onto the ground, gold pieces spilling from the sides and mixing with the straw on the street.

Levi gritted his teeth as he watched, his blood boiling. Jerald? Elyssa's Father? The man who had sworn his loyalty to them as their Queen and Prince turned them in for gold?

"What?" Elyssa's shocked tone filled his ears.

"Jerald, this was all you?" Laura stepped out from the crowd. "You turned in your Prince and Queen? For gold?" She shouted her last sentence.

"There is no more Prince and Queen." Snow's stern voice frightened everyone. "There is only me. Your Princess until the time of my coronation can be appointed."

She grabbed something from inside her tan jacket pocket, and pulled it out. A paper unrolled as she whipped it through the air. "Anyone hiding these traitors will face death." She dropped the paper on the ground and yanked out a sword from its hilt on her side. With a swift motion, she plunged the sword downward into Jerald's back.

"No!" Laura shouted as she raced forward.

One more thrust with her sword penetrated Laura's abdomen. As Snow yanked out her sword, Laura's body fell to the ground motionless beside her husband.

Elyssa swiftly turned around, her back leaning against the bark as she pursed her lips together, tears rolling down her cheeks from her clenched eyes.

Snow wiped the blade of her sword onto her black pants and sheathed her sword. "You all have been condemned of hiding those who have threatened my life." She turned around away from the villagers. "Kill them all, but keep one alive to tell the fate to others." She began walking toward the carriage. "And pick up that gold while you're at it."

The sounds of metal rubbing against metal sounded as the Knights drew their swords. Levi flung himself around just as screams began to pierce the air. He clenched his teeth and devastation flooded his heart as he yearned to help these people. But, again, what could he do besides die beside them?

He sat there listening to the people as they no doubt tried to flee until there was no screaming left. He didn't dare look. Didn't want to see the people he had killed just by being there. This was a nightmare that he didn't think he'd ever wake up from.