There was a certain brightness on that day. Though winter ruled for many years in Erdestea, somehow, there seemed to be a flare—a streak of sunshine beaming down on the icy forest where Maria Blanca stood still and peacefully taking a deep breath of the scent of the lovely morning dew with a basketful of dirty clothes.
Laundry day—always one of Maria Blanca's favourite days, for it would be the time she could freely be on the clear stream and admire the beauty of the glen's immensity despite the chill that still bit her skin. It did not matter how many articles of clothing she had to wash—the pale princess humbly complied, not a complaint muttered from her mouth, and like a patient pale bunny, she sat by the stream and washed away the dirt and grime accumulating on the clothing.
Splish! Splash!
There she goes with her playful little antics, splashing her face with the cool water to wake her up.
Splish! Splash!
The stream sang merry notes as she began to wash every clothing she had in her basket.
Splish! Splash!
She proudly washed the clothes until she was satisfied.
Splish! Splash!
The oxymoron by the shore attracted the grazing woodland beasts, understanding that their beloved pale princess was now going out and about with her laundry.
Splish! Splash!
Laundry day was also a day of mischievousness for the animals as they teased each other with more splashes of the cool water. There were smiles and laughter. Maria Blanca adored her darlings as if they were her own children.
Splish! Splash!
With more dirty clothes to clean, the pale princess began to hum while her tune was carried by the breeze—tingling the ears of the great elk who was hiding behind the thick shadows, as his eyes never wandered away since he had met her.
Splish! Splash!
As cold water splashed for every cleaning, the elk stepped closer and closer, with a bouquet of edelweiss flowers in his mouth—a gift he always gave to her.
Splish! Splash!
Golden eyes finally acknowledged the presence of the great beast.
"Oh!" She squealed as she paid her respects, "Good morrow to you, oh, good elk! How can I be of service to you?"
In response, the elk presented his bouquet.
"Goodness! How lovely! These edelweiss flowers are becoming more and more lovely." She noted seeing fewer icicles enveloping the blossoms. Upon smelling the blooms, a bright sensation came over her, evoking a certain emotion that occurs when you wake up in good spirits, with the rays of first light kissing her cheeks. "Truly lovely…" She concluded, drawing in a deep breath. "I always share your gift with the image of the Blessed Virgin and the Holy Infant. I am sure they will also love this edelweiss—like she always does. Thank you, oh, great elk." In return for such a lovely gesture, the pale princess gently scratched his chin and rubbed her nose with his, which would definitely make a stern man's cheeks red.
After her laundry, Maria Blanca, the little creatures, and the elk returned to the seven dwarves' cottage—all ready for the juniper berry bread that the little men baked for them on that dawn.
With warm milk for the animals, poured on ornate bowls, and for her in a cup, the afternoon was a wonderful treat. The bread her little fathers made was perfect, as her tongue floated on heaven's clouds with sweetness from the little berries inside.
The animals, too, as they scattered around her and the elk with the hearth burning bright in orange flames, were delighted with the treat. When all was gone and their bellies full, they slept like angels, not a single thought of burden in their heads.
Staring at their peaceful faces, Maria Blanca giggled that she could not help herself but to sing a lullaby as she also rested her head on the elk's belly while stretching her arms towards the hearth and warmed her hands to the fires' heat…
"There once was a time
When the river was calm,
As calm as the sleeping cherubs on soft halm—
Of clear blue stream and gentle waves
Kissing thy skin like a mother to a babe,
A song was heard,
A song was noted—
Fair Maiden,
Of beauty divine,
From collecting her flowers,
She came crying
Like a lost little feline.
Lying her frailty
On the silken waters,
Letting her hair
Go along with the waves
That never falters.
She cried and she sang,
She let all her worries
Be like the Psalm—
Of Song of Songs,
Her voice became a melody,
A sorrowful note,
But a quiet hope.
Fair Maiden,
As her flowers of merry colours
Became her bed,
A choir of angels
Came to amend
With their gentle palms all raised,
Fair maiden,
Floating away,
Became beauty
Of the meekness and innocence."
After she yawned on her last note, sleep came upon her like a spirit that calmly heavied her eyes with its touch. Maria Blanca rested, her body slumbering away from the fatigue. Once she was lifted towards the mysticism of dreams, something came upon her—
A tug on her skirt that jolted her from her short nap.
"Oh, dear!" She yelped, realising it was one of the squirrels who woke her up and pointed at the empty jug that sat by the hearth. "Goodness! I almost forgot! Thank you, dearie, for reminding me." Fully awake with her laughter resonating, the pale princess grabbed the jug and excused herself to go to the well to fetch more water.
By the deep well, Maria Blanca quietly sat and gathered water to fill her jug as she hummed a merry tune.
Half-filled, the princess even said her prayers, thanking God for everything and everyone that made her happy. But once she made the sign of the cross, the serenity was disrupted when a sad cry was heard coming closer.
"Oh my, oh my!" Cried the old woman as she came closer to the well.
Maria Blanca was astounded by her, yet pity came over her heart, offering the poor, crying woman a seat and calmly asking, "What aches you, my good lady?"
The old woman wiped her tears and answered, "Thank you, darling." She patted the pale princess's hand, "Well, see here, I have a bodice I made for my granddaughter. I walked and walked thinking something felt amisst, but I could not point out where it was. I was lost in my notion that it might not fit her, nor would she ever like the pattern I did!"
Looking at the old woman's lap, Maria Blanca now noticed the bodice she was talking about. To her, it never looked faulty. It was even beautiful with the floral patterns embroidered on it. "But that is beautiful!" She assured the old woman. "I am certain your granddaughter will love it."
"Ar—are you sure about it, dearie?"
"Of course! I can see how you made it with love." Beaming a warm smile at her, the old woman felt enlivened.
"Oh, I do hope so! I have been anxious that it might not be worth it. Thank you, dearie!" Looking at Maria Blanca with appraising stares, she then had a thought, "I see you and my granddaughter are of the same physique. Will you do me the favour of wearing this for me? I am still not sure if it is in the right proportion."
Maria Blanca nodded, like a good girl she was; she permitted the old woman to turn her around and made her wear the bodice.
Inspecting with her fingers as it glided on the rich green fabric, Maria Blanca noted the beauty of the flowers and how they glittered when the light struck. "Such beautiful belladonnas." She said to herself.
Slowly and with careful keenness, the old woman laced up the bodice while complimenting Maria Blanca on how the clothing was becoming of her.
But as she tightened the bodice, Maria Blanca's breathing was restrained, and begging for the old woman to stop was becoming impossible. As the old woman tightened one last time and knotted the lace, darkness hovered, and the pale princess passed out on the ground like a lifeless and helpless damsel.
Wickedness shone in the old woman's eyes, and as she ran back into the shadows, magic swirled in a blizzard, transforming her back to her real self—the envious and vile Queen Gertrude.
"Now I am the fairest in the land!" She cackled, darting away from the scene with glory running in her head.