Cinderella woke up alone, with two wool blankets wrapped around her body. She struggled to sit up, nearly panicking as she thought Eleanor had left her. But a look around confirmed that the older woman was there, over by the horses, grooming them the best she could with her hands. She looked up when Cinderella called her name.

"Good morning, dear."

"What are you doing?"

"Keeping warm. And keeping myself occupied."

"How did you find me last night?"

"You can thank the horses for that. Queen called out. Major replied. Or the other way around, I'm not sure."

"Oh. You rode here." It had completely escaped Cinderella in all her distress.

"Yes, Cinderella, I most certainly did not carry the horse on my back. Now, are you ready to go home? The wind has died down, but it's still snowing a little. I don't think we should stay much longer here though, we both need to get inside."

"I agree. I can't wait to have a nice hot cup of tea and sit by the fire…"

"…or crawl up in bed underneath the covers…" Eleanor filled in and sighed. "Do you have any idea how dangerous your little adventure was, you foolish girl?" She added, but there was no poison lacing her words, but rather tired affection.

Cinderella looked down at her hands. "Yes. I didn't think…"

"No, you didn't." She shook her head. "You felt. Don't let your feelings run away with you… or let you run away. I'm not saying you should lock them up the way I did for so long. But don't lose your head just because your heart screams."

She reached for the bridles, not looking at Cinderella as she added;

"If I had done that last night, I would have broken down in tears, and it would have rendered me completely useless as a rescuer."

"But you didn't."

Eleanor turned around and met Cinderella's eyes.

"No. But I wanted to. I probably would have, if I hadn't known how to rein in my heart and use my head." She shook her head again. "Well, it's no use going through the what-if's, we're both alive and well and that's all that matters."

She chuckled quietly and added;

"Although I bet you are going to come down with the cold of the century after this, but that serves you right, hot-headed as you are."

Cinderella stuck out her tongue in response and Eleanor laughed out loud.

"Not very ladylike, my dear," she remarked and patted Major's neck. "Your mount awaits you."

Cinderella walked up to the older woman, took the reins from her, and leaned forward to kiss her. Eleanor allowed her to, but broke the kiss sooner than Cinderella had hoped.

"We can have more of that once we're home," Eleanor said. "Lots more."

"Promise?"

"I do. Come now."

"Everything is just so… white…" Cinderella marvelled. Eleanor huffed.

"I know dear, it's called snow, remember?"

Without waiting for a reply, she started towards the village, once more enjoying the feeling of freedom that only being on a horse's back could give her. She gave the horse a pat and whispered "Good girl." Queen snorted as if to say "Yeah, I know!"

The first part of the ride, they had to go very slow. The snow was deep enough to reach their knees even when mounted. It got better once they neared the village, but none of them were willing to risk their mounts by galloping; the ground was too slippery. It took quite some time for the two women to return to the chateau, but eventually they did.

"I'll tend to the horses, if you go inside, clean yourself up and get the fire going," Eleanor said. Cinderella lingered for a moment, unsure of what to say, but the older woman beat her to it. "Also, welcome back home, my love. Don't leave me like that again."

Cinderella smiled.

"I won't. I love you."

She had disappeared into the house before Eleanor could answer. The exact ridiculous grin Eleanor had been afraid would expose her emotions in front of her friends, was now spreading upon her face. And she did not care the slightest if anyone could see her.

After tending to the animals, she went inside and found Cinderella in front of the fireplace. She had scrubbed herself clean of hay dust, changed into warmer clothes and made them tea and toast. Eleanor approved very much of this.

"I'll just go and wash and change my clothes," Eleanor said. "Don't go anywhere."

Cinderella giggled.

"I don't plan to. Not again."

When she returned, Cinderella was well into her second cup of tea, but Eleanor didn't think she'd have any problem keeping up. The hot beverage was exactly what she needed, even more than she needed to eat. They ate in silence, too tired to talk. After finishing the meal posing as breakfast, Eleanor leaned her head against Cinderella's shoulder.

"I could fall asleep right here," she said and yawned.

"Don't you dare," Cinderella said. "We're going to sleep in an actual bed. Underneath a heap of blankets. Together. Got it?"

"Mmm, sounds…" Eleanor yawned again. "…lovely…"

Cinderella put an arm around her and soon enough she heard soft snoring coming from the older woman. Cinderella had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. She found it adorable.

"Thank you for coming after me… and for bringing me home," she murmured.

They sat like that for what seemed like forever, until Cinderella too was starting to feel sleepy. She nudged Eleanor gently.

"Mm."

"Shouldn't we go to bed if we're going to sleep? I'd say it's more comfortable than this."

"Mm."

"Oh come on and wake up so we can go to sleep."

Eleanor opened one eye.

"I hope you heard the lack of logic in that sentence."

Cinderella crossed her arms over her chest and tilted her head to the side.

"Really."

"Oh yes, yes, fine. I'm coming."

She stood and stretched before reaching out her hand for Cinderella's. The younger woman happily took it, lacing their fingers together.

"I have to give you a fair warning that I might be too tired to play games underneath the covers at the moment," Eleanor said and yawned again.

"I'm afraid I am too. But I'm not too tired to cuddle."

"Good. Then cuddle it is."

They went upstairs, hand in hand, exhausted from the ordeal and emotional turmoil, but once they were in bed it turned out, they weren't too tired to play a few games and make good use of the large, warm bed.

Before they fell asleep Eleanor whispered:

"I'm never letting you go."

And Cinderella, who only a few months ago had thought hearing these words from her stepmother would forever be her greatest fear, smiled in relief. It was amazing how everything in life can change, when hearts do.

A/N

As much as I like to huff at the phrase "true love conquers all" (especially since anytime I think it, for some reason I hear it in my head spoken with Maleficent's voice, dripping with mockery), there is a sappy romantic inside of me that still believes it.

And that sappy romantic likes to write stories like this one. I want to thank everyone who followed, read, reviewed and liked this story so much, it has been incredible to be met with so many sweet comments and encouragements all the way through! Thank you, everyone!