Now a long time ago, there was a small European kingdom (as were most in that day and age) wherein dwelt a king and his beloved queen. Not long after they were married, a beautiful daughter was born to the young queen. But as sometimes happened in that long-ago time, she died in childbirth. About a year after her birth, the king was forced to wed again. This time the bride, who was also very beautiful, came from a fairly distant kingdom. It was a favorable union, the king and his Councilors determined. Wealth accrued through the marriage, as did an alliance with a more powerful neighbor. The new queen would produce a male heir and all would be well again. However, unbeknownst to them, the new queen was also one who dabbled in the magical arts. Well perhaps that is a bit too harsh. Let it be known that prior to the marriage, she had been in love with another lesser male. When her father found out, he threatened to remove her lover’s head. She pleaded with her father not to harm a hair on his head and that kept his neck from the headsman’s axe. However, her father did not say that the axe would go unblooded. Thus it was that the affair was 'cut off’ rather abruptly by 'axing’ another part of his male anatomy. It can be said without further comment that he died soon thereafter. To hide the evidence of her affair, her father engaged the services of an unusual individual. I say 'unusual’ in that he was clad head to foot in red and his skin seemed to match the color of his raiment very closely. This did not go unnoticed by the young woman. After all it was part of her anatomy that was being....repaired(?). What went unnoticed by her father was that she began practicing the black arts on her own. So it was with some distaste that she came to her 'new’ marriage bed.

Since she liked neither her father nor her new husband, she was drawn more to the magical arts than a lady should have been. It did not take her long to discover several unused rooms that she quickly and quietly secured - especially when she found one of them had a secret passage to an abandoned dungeon. Nearly two years passed in her studies before she learned enough to cast a simple spell. Two more elapsed before she could summon a demon familiar. To maintain the illusion that she was not engaged in practicing magic, she placed her familiar - a rather low level demon - within the confines of a mirror. Only when she said the proper words would the creature appear. That was fortunate as the presence of a creature from the dark confines of the Neither Regions would have caused her to be burned as a witch. But she was more than a witch. Of this she was very proud.

By now, she was nearly twenty-six and becoming a bit concerned about her appearance. Although she had been vain even as a child, she also was aware that it was her looks which maintained her hold on her husband. Even at that he was growing tired of her failure to produce a male heir. Unbeknownst to her father, this was a side effect of the return of her maidenhood. She could employ a glamour; however, since she was inexperienced, to do so for long would cause her to age quicker. To circumvent this problem, she cast a youthening spell that would maintain her youth and beauty until she was well over fifty. This was more of a stop gap measure because the use of that spell would not account for the natural aging process. But within reason, she expected to remain in power long enough to secure her hold on the kingdom.

Yet deep within her bosom smoldered her hatred of her father for what he had forcibly done. Thus after seven years had passed, she received the message that her father had died after suffering in agony from some cause not diagnosed by his physicians. Naturally not, she thought with a smile. Her father had been the recipient of a spell, which dissolved his intestinal tract. Her younger brother would assume the throne but that was of little concern to her.

Soon thereafter, she started the spells (and poison potions) for her husband. He wouldn’t live out the year, she thought with a sly smile.

Now some things happen when we least expect them. For example, at the time of her marriage, she had discovered that she was now a mother albeit of a baby daughter, which she was not responsible for, and which she wouldn’t have assumed responsibility for in any case. This had suited her very well at the time. But time passes and sometimes what one least expects can catch one unaware. Such was the case when she summoned her familiar.

Now some would have it that she said, "Mirror, mirror on the wall....", or some other such nonsense. Her own private name for the demon was Old Asshole. But she rarely used that except when she was feeling exceptionally bad. "Eldur Scratch Bot wit dild Nal" were the summoning words she usually used though "Surgot Sum Tats" would have been enough. Although she didn’t know this, it would have answered to it’s own name of "Shitfobrans" if she had thought of it. But she never asked and it never volunteered its name to anyone on the Mortal Plane. It’s one hope was that she’d grow tired of it and either send it back or get so mad that she’d break the mirror. If the latter would have happened, it would have eaten her heart right then and there - something else she didn’t know. Ah, if one practices the Demonic Arts, one must know ALL the rules.

Anyway she summoned the demon-mirror to life. Its continence was a bit smoky which gave its greenish skin a decidedly gray cast.

"So whatdoya want today, Bitch-Witch?"

"I’ve noticed that my husband has taken less than normal notice of me lately," she said dispassionately.

"So? Why bitch, Bitch? You humans think you got it good with all that poking and rolling around. It’s that ain’t it? Ya’s awondering why ya ain’t getting’ none - or he ain’t givin’ none out. No sex is bad sex. Now if youse was like me..."

"Shut up, you old Asshole!!" Then with a snooty expression, she continued. "I was more than a bit curious that he doesn’t seem to be taking an interest in me lately. I was simply wondering why?"

"Ya, right. Youse ain’t foolin’ with one of them human guys, lady. You just ain’t been usin’ what brains ya was born wid. If ya’d take your head outta you ass for one mo’ you’da noticed his daughter’s getting’ ta be a real looker."

"What do you mean?"

"Ain’t ya hearing. Got shitt in ya’re ears or sumthin’?? Check out the little broad. She’s turned into a real nice piece, if ya asks me...... And ya has. She might be twelve and his daughter but he’s startin’ to get the hots for her. Ain’t gotta be a demon to see his pecker tryin’ ta bust outta his pants. Fact is, ya ain’t the prettiest babe on the block no more. Ya been 'round that block too many times as it is."

"That’s horrible!!"

"Maybe to you. In Demonland we gets it on wid everyone. Fathers wid brothers or sons or daughters; mudders wid sons or daughters. Get it on alla time. 'Course we don’t screw like you fleshies do. Hehhehheh. But we has our fun."

"So what should I do?"

"Well, if ya ask me (and ya has), I’d take the little bitch out into the woods and cut her heart out and eat it. Hearts are nice to eat - especially that of young fleshies."

"Hummm. There is some merit in what you say." After pondering the situation for a few moments, she dismissed the demon as one would a pesky insect.

One should always treat demons with care.

A few moments later, she summoned a woodsman and long time lover. She gave him a small sandalwood box explaining in no uncertain terms that she wanted the young princess taken far out into the woods and dealt with. The sandalwood box was for the princess’s heart - final proof of the princess’s demise. The hunter agreed with a nod and further assurance that he would be well rewarded when he returned. A sly smile lit his face.

Again things do not always go as planned.

The huntsman told Snow White of a wonderful thing he had espied deep in the forest. A strange beast that only she could approach. Fascinated she listed as he told of the horse-like silver creature with fiery hooves and a most wonderful horn between its eyes. She knew in her heart that it must be the legendary unicorn or at least one of that breed. If as the huntsman said, it grazed at the place he knew and she could approach it, she could capture it for herself. For the legend also said that the unicorn could only be approached and ridden by a virgin. And so with high hopes of adventure and mystery, she ventured into the dark forest.

The trails wound so many ways that she soon lost track of where she was. But when the huntsman had taken her far enough, he helped her dismount cautioning her to be silent as the unicorn was probably nearby. Snow White had grown a good deal in the last few months. Although she had clothes that fit properly, some of them were older and not use to the maturity that was overcoming her fair form. The huntsman almost was rewarded with a view of her panties as she dismounted. A more interesting sight came into view when she bent slightly to brush off some leaves that clung to her skirt. Looking up she saw a strange look in the huntsman’s eyes. Although it was different, she instinctively knew what those eyes saw and what they wanted. He might be bigger but she was both youthful and quick. Before he could stop the slender girl, she had escaped into the dark woods.

Damn! Now what was he to do? He had reasoned logically that a taste of her slim body beneath his would be quite enjoyable. Then he could place his long blade under her ribs and still her beating heart while enjoying her passion and death throes. Well that was in the past, he figured. Even his huntsman’s eyes could not distinguish her tracks easily. But he might if he took it slowly. Testing tree and branch, leaf and trail, he managed to trace her passage to a meadow. Unseen he saw her resting on a rock. He smiled once again fingering his long dagger. Yes!

Out of the darkness of the forest dashed a golden shape brushing him aside like so much chaff. Startled, he rose to his feet to see if she was still there. As he started forward again, the golden shape bowled him over once again. A third and a fourth time this happened before he could tell what the shape looked like. Some might have called it a golden hind. However, most would have seen it for the unicorn it was. It stopped and looked at him long and hard. A voice seemed to crowd out his thoughts saying that if he approached the young girl again, his blood would mar for a time the golden spire erupting from between the eyes that looked at him with malice.

Thinking it over, he realized the young princess, Snow White would probably be lost in these woods. And to hell with that anyway. He retraced his steps and mounted his waiting horse. A glance back seemed to show a golden shape shining through the trees. Regardless, he was not going to go back there again. Not even for favors...... What do to about the heart? A few moments later, the singing of an arrow transfixed the morning air as the boar was staked into the ground. As it thrashed briefly, he removed the slightly beating heart. This was his proof and let no one say otherwise.

The demon dined noisily. Nice heart, it thought though something wasn’t right. However, it dismissed the notion reckoning that indeed it been a long time since it had dined so well.

The hunter received his just reward also. As he thrust once more inside her, the queen plunged his own hunting knife beneath his ribs into his stilled heart. Pushing him off her, she muttered, "Her blood with yours co-mingled and no witnesses to say what might have happened or the where of it. Silence from you both. Now I’m the fairest of the land and soon this land - this Kingdom - will be mine. Even the demon shuddered as the laughter echoed through the passageways.

Snow White was quite lost. She had no knowledge of where home was nor how far away. She had neither horse nor huntsman to guide her. All alone without protection was she. As she sniffled once, Snow White began to realize how foolish she had been. But that must be put aside. Unless she was careful, she would soon be very, very dead. That was why she had halted in the meadow. Something about it said it was safe. So she sat down on the small boulder and began to think. She at least had some idea of what to eat here. There were always berries and fruit. And if she were lucky, she might find some tubers and mushrooms. Toadstools she avoided. But some leaves and flowers could be eaten if one knew which were safe. She knew a few. She heard a rustling again in the woods to her left. Yet once more and all was silent. Perhaps the huntsman had trailed her? He was an excellent tracker, which was why he WAS the huntsman. But apparently he had missed it when she had gone downstream in the little creek she’d passed. It was so easy to do and probably foolish, she thought on reflection.

Right then she would have cried. But suddenly out of the woods trotted the most beautiful golden horse... unicorn she had ever seen. Foolish me, she thought. It was the ONLY unicorn she had ever seen. It beckoned to her by tossing its head. Carefully she approached mindful that his horn (the unicorn was obviously male) could pierce her through and through if he so chose. She tried to climb on his back but apparently he was having nothing of that as he moved away once more. But he wanted her to follow him.

She had little trouble following his lead. Several hours passed before they came to another clearing. But this was neither a meadow nor a glen. A woodsman’s cottage materialized out near the farthest edge. There were three little men nearby. Well maybe not men exactly since two were extremely wide. Snow White recognized the two as members of the Dwarfian race. She had heard of them but they rarely visited the lands preferring to remain mostly underground mining and building their cities. As she approached, she shouted to them in the Old High Tongue (for she being a princess was well educated). The two seemed so alike that she quickly surmised they must be twins. Actually as she found out later, they were triplets. Kalin and Dwalin were their names and their brother was Salin. The other small person was neither a dwarf nor a small human but was in fact a Hafling. This she reasoned out when she saw his hairy feet. Natural shoes they were. His name was Dardenel. As she spoke with them - for they fell in love with her almost instantly, she found out that there were nine dwarves and three Haflings living in the cottage. There were underground rooms for the dwarves and above ground with circular doors for the haflings. They had gathered together to mine some gems and a seam of Mithral that Dwalin and Kalin had found nearly three years ago. However, the mine was too small to be worked by more than nine dwarves at any one time. The haflings eschewed mine working in any form but were happy enough gathering and growing food for the troupe. For the most part, the forest supplied their needs. However, meat was hard to come by. Even snares sit for rabbits many times came up empty. Snow White understood somehow that this was due to the influence of the unicorn. The trio were curious as to what had brought a human girl-woman out into the forest alone. She briefly recounted all that had happened only neglecting to mention the unicorn. She further expressed that she was lost and alone.

Was it any wonder that they offered to supply her with a place to stay? And so it happened that Snow White found a place to live for a time. She found as she stayed that the place was somewhat dirty. So okay it was downright filthy. Understandably, she was upset. Though she had little in common with the cleaning personal in the castle, she did know a bit about cleaning and washing through observation. However, during the first couple of weeks, she suffered greatly learning what most every woman knew about cleaning. Several days passed before the dwarves and haflings noticed enough to complement her on how clean the cottage was both upstairs and down. Soon both Haflings and Dwarves were washing up when they came home from the mines.

Lucky she was that she had arrived the day she had. The following week it was the Dwarves turn to cook. Now Snow White had never complained about cooking before. But after tasting what the dwarves placed on the table, she vowed never to let them cook again. The haflings used various spices in their stews and meats. While unfamiliar, they were at least tasty. As time passed, she became familiar with their likes and dislikes. Soon only Snow White did the cooking. So time passed at the quiet little cottage. The dwarves and haflings mined while Snow White mended, cooked, and cleaned.

Almost two years had passed since the young Princess had mysteriously vanished. And nearly six months had elapsed since the passing of her husband. The Queen was becoming bored with the men who daily came to her bedchamber. Because of her ennui, she once more visited her demon-guarded chambers. Even with no one left to challenge her right to rule, she still knew that if anyone ever found out that she was a witch.... . That she left unanswered - open. The consequences too horrible to contemplate. But this day she visited once again her demon-mirror commanding it to show anyone more beautiful than herself.

As always the mirror-demon hummed and hawed until she could hardly stand it. This clash of wills both enjoyed though neither would ever let the other know. But something bother the mirror-demon more.

"Oh Mighty Bitch-Witch under the castle, there exists over hill and dale a young girl nearing fifteen lives whom one said died but who lied even though he died."

By now the Queen was thoroughly puzzled. "What are you saying, Fart Face."

"Oh Queenie who would rather be fucked by a stiff weenie on any day of the weeky. 'Tis the princess of this castle called Snow White, who’s fair flesh shines for me this day. She who’s heart was promised but denied. She only is fairer than yourself."

"Damn-it-to-hell!! So where is she?"

"Over hill and dale to the place where the dwarves and haflings dwell. If you hadn’t been so quick to get fucked and shaft the bastard who was suppose to do the dirty to poor lil Snow White, I might not have had (yuck) pig heart. She lies a nearly a day’s ride by horse. But there is danger and not solely from dwarf and hafling. Something else is watching which I cannot see."

That brought her up short. Few things human or non-human caused a demon to pause. Whatever this was did bother her somewhat. But with her own powers, she reasoned she had little to fear.

It did not take long to find the young princess. It did take a good deal of patience and daring, I suspect. But when one wants no witnesses or wishes to retain the power one has become accustomed to, they will do anything to retain that status quo. As she spied out the clearing with the cottage nestled among the trees, she heard a rustling. When she turned her head, something pushed her down. Now she was more than a bit scared. But she was also prepared. Whatever it was would need to be near her once more. Without more than a casual thought, she cast a fire aura about her. Although she was shoved aside once more, she heard the sound of a beast in pain. That was because one didn’t see the aura but felt it. And damage one it would. Sensing the creature near her once more, she cast a fire spear blindly - and was once more rewarded with the sound of severe pain. Then she saw it - or him. For indeed it was a unicorn. But this time, the unicorn was down and in great pain. She who had no compassion, came nearer smiling as she removed her long bladed knife from its place by her side. A few delft movements and the horn was removed.

So this is what the demon feared, she thought as a wicked smile played around her lips and eyes. Holding the talisman by its slender tip, she thought on the wonderful things she could do with it. There was magic in such a talisman - magic that she could use in so many ways. Unheeded, the unicorn regained its feet and disappeared into the forest.

The queen thought long and hard on what to do next. I shall not recount the many wiles she played on the young princess to gain her trust and to cause her death. But several times she visited with laces and ribbons and poisoned flowers and such. But finally she came upon the idea of the poisoned apple. Nor did she say "Have an apple, Dearie", with a cackle. No. For though she placed herself in many guises, never did she resort to magic that wasn’t reversable. She was, however, becoming a master of disguises.

As an old woman, she approached the cottage. The Queen had insured herself that the dwarves and haflings were at the mine. No longer did they detail someone to watch the house or prepare supper or many of the chores that Snow White now had taken upon herself. The Queen smiled her smile which was known to melt men’s hearts. But as an old woman with bowed back and old clothes, she approached the cottage. She took the path which crossed the stream that naturally flowed nearby. Snow White happened to be looking out the window as the Queen stumbled. To her it appeared as if an old woman had slipped after trudging through water.

She went out quickly and helped the 'Old Woman’ up offering her food and water. But naturally the disguised Queen declined the offer. However, as recompense for Snow White’s assistance, she offered the young girl one of her pretty apples. She left before Snow White had eaten it. However, as she left, a sly smile played with her eyes. It had been easeier than she thought. Without a glance at the cottage, she road back to her castle to the waiting demon-mirror. Lucky she was, for the dwarves and haflings returned early that day. Kalin sensed as before that something was wrong. Perhaps it was because his God spoke to him. Perhaps it was something else. Regardless, they found Snow White pale and breathless. Kalin administered to her as he had before but outside of placing her into a comatose state, she neither wakened nor moved. Indeed she was as one dead. Yet although she remained pale - part of the condition of having skin as white as snow - she continued breathing albiet shallowly.

When the Queen arrived, she doffed and burned the clothes and took a quick bath to wash the stench of the clothes from off her. With her trophy in hand, she entered her inner sanctum where the mirror-demon rested on the wall.

"Oh Mirror-demon called FartFact and many other names to horrible to recount, I call you."

"So okay, Witch-Bitch, didja kill off the brat? She ain’t in my thoughts no more. I coulda told ya that the apple of her eye would do the trick. And she woulda made a trick real happy, too. "

"Yes," she replied with a sly smile. "And I found this, also," she added revealing the bloody stumped horn.

The mirror clouded. "Damn-Bitch-Witch-Woman-Queen, take that Thing away. You know not what Shitt you unveil nor the consequences of your act of imbecility. I would have warned you - indeed I did. But you foolishly disregarded my warnings."

She laughed. "What warning and why? This is a powerful artifact. I killed the Unicorn to get it. I have the power."

"O foolish Bitch-Witch, no one 'kills’ the Unicorn. It’ll live forever. Or at least longer than you will. Get rid of that is my advise. If you don’t, it’ll be the death of you. Or something worse."

She chuckled then laughed long and hard. Foolish mirror-demon.

Not seven days had passed since Snow White fell victum to the poison apple. Yet though she lived, she was nearing death. For all the prayers of dwarves and haflings were unable to curb the call of Death. They knew they were only what they were - miners mostly and farmers - and warriers when there was need. But wounds and such only did they know how to minister. But it was when they faltered that He came. Riding a white horse with a red blaze, He came. In leather only though he could have worn chain, he stopped and dismounted. As though no one else were there, He walked to Snow White. A hand on her breasts and a kiss seemed to bring color back to her lips and then to her face. Dark eyes fluttered as she smiled and, taking his preoffered hand, arose.

And so it passed that the lovely Snow White and the Mysterious Stranger - who was revealed to be the son of the Queen’s brother. And many were invited far and wide to the wedding. Indeed the Queen was invited also. So it was that she did pass her demon-mirror that day.

"Aye, Bitch-Witch, you called and I’ll say. The new young Queen is fairer than thou this day."

"What do you mean, you old shittfaced demon?" But when it refused to answer, she left.

"And I for one would worry," murmured the demon-mirror. "As if you ever listened to me anyway."

So the Queen did indeed travel to the wedding. And when she saw the young Queen, she knew she was Snow White and without excuse or leave, she rushed out of the castle and the kingdom. But as she left, the Queen heard the neigh of a horse - or perhaps the neigh of something more than a horse. Turning around she spied a white horse with a red blaze between its eyes.

Now more terrified than at any time in her life, she ran. After nearly an hour, she stole a horse from a poor farmer and rode bareback to her own lands and castle and to the confines of her secret rooms where the Demon-Mirror rested alone on the wall.

"Welcome back, Witch-Bitch. I warned you. I did. I did."

Anger mixed with fear as she grabbed the nearedst object and threw it at the mirror. The object shattered the mirror but not before she saw that it was the Unicorn Horn. Hearing a neigh, she was dumfounded as the Horn rose as if by magic and floated toward the window. She clutched at it but it only paused to cut her hand. Following the Horn, she saw through the window that the white horse with the red blaze had followed her. She watched silently as the Horn reattached itself onto the blaze and the Unicorn turned and vanished. Faintly she heard laughter.

"Oh, Witch-Bitch," cried the demon. "Oh, Witch-Bitch. Guess what? It’s time to pay the piper."

Turning once again, saw the shattered mirror and the demon. The shattering had helped but it was her blood that freed it at last. One should be careful when conjuring up a demon. But this one dearly loved her. And the part he really loved was her heart - which he munched on noisely.

Things do not always go as planned.