The Huntsman and The Wolf (Red)

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Graham/Deputy Graham Humbert

The Huntsman walked through the forest hunting another animal for Regina's latest meal. She had given him free reign of the nearby forest but she reminded him as long as she had his heart she had power over him. And she could kill him anytime she wished by crushing the heart. He knew she was his mistress and he didn't have the power to break free from her. He just hoped Snow White had gotten to safety and Regina wouldn't be able to get her.

He kept walking as he stopped hearing footsteps. Thinking it was a deer or another animal he armed his crossbow ready to shoot as it came out into the open. He didn't even consider it would be a person. This was far from the main road and no one traveled through here except Regina, her soldiers, and him. At least without getting caught.

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Red carefully stepped over fallen branches as she made her way through the forest as quietly as she could. It was dangerous traveling through the woods that Queen Regina had claimed as her own but she hadn't had a choice. Her usual route to Snow White's reclusive hideaway had been flooded in the last rain and her friend was sure to be needing supplies by this time of the month.

All of her senses were on high alert. She had barely avoided a band of knights patrolling the area, only catching their scent at the last minute so she could change her course. It wouldn't be long before she found herself on the other side of the border.

The forest opened up in front of her, trees growing around a small clearing. As Red stepped out of the thick foliage, she heard the distinct click of a crossbow bolt being set. At home, the sound was one of safety and comfort- Granny's favorite weapon of choice. But out in the Queen's forest, it sent a stab of fear through her heart.

Knowing that at any moment the bolt could follow that fear and kill her, she slowly turned towards the sound. Her arms raised up, showing that she had nothing concealed as a weapon- the only thing in her hands was the basket laden with food and supplies that she meant to deliver to Snow. A tall, broad handsome man came into her line of vision as she turned. Clearly a member of the Queen's court. And he held the crossbow in his hands.

"Please don't shoot. I am unarmed."

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Graham/Deputy Graham Humbert

The Huntsman stopped lowering his crossbow as he saw her.

"What are you doing here? This is Queen Regina's land. If the queen or one of the knights had seen you'd be dead or locked up in her dungeon." said The Huntsman.

He knew now he had to get her out of the forest. If she was taken to the palace he wasn't sure he'd be able to rescue her from Regina. She'd ordered her own step daughter's death and probably killed the king. Although he no proof on that. He had to get this girl to safety.

"Come. I'll escort you out of the forest before anyone else shows up." said The Huntsman.

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Well, this was a strange turn of events. He didn't have to inform her of the dangers as Red had been certain that by the end of this encounter she would either be on her way to the Queen's dungeon or that the crossbow bolt would have found it's target. She was surprised and rather suspicious that this cohort of the the Queen would offer to help her get through the forest before she was detected.

There was a time when she would have taken his help at face value. She would be the first to admit that she had been all too naive and trusting as a young girl. But now circumstances had changed both for the kingdom and for herself. This was the Queen they were dealing with and Red was not only a sympathizer of Snow White's- she had long become a friend, confidante and co-conspirator. If the Queen had discovered their friendship, this could very well be a trap designed to lead her to Snow's location.

"Why would you help me? Are you not one of the Queen's men?" Red asked, evading his questions on the purpose of her presence in the forest.

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Graham/Deputy Graham Humbert

Graham shook his head sensing her mistrust of him. Not that he could blame her. Only Snow White knew he was loyal to her and probably had kept his secret to keep him safe. But she didn't know what the queen had done to him.

"Because it's the right thing to do. And I'm the Queen's huntsman. I bring back food for her. But not by choice. I'm her slave. Because I helped Princess Snow White escape the queen's wrath. She sent me to kill her and I couldn't do it. I let her go and the queen bound me to her service by her magic. I would leave if I could but I can not. I want to help you escape before she finds you. She'd kill you or lock you up or worse make you like me a slave to that monster. I'm forced to serve her for the rest of my life. But she doesn't have to know you were ever here." said Graham.

He didn't go into details hoping she wouldn't ask. He had to get her out of here.'

"Come on. I'm patrolling this area while I'm hunting. No guards should be here for a couple hours. I can get you to safety if you let me help you." said Graham.