Disclaimer: Do not own Snow White. Non possieda Biancaneve. No posea Blancanieve. Ne possédez pas le Blancneige.

(Sorry if that makes no sense- Blame the internet translator)

Chapter 4

Jared trailed Emma and the mysterious girl, Miri, as Emma wound through the crowds into a secluded alley way, clear of prying ears.

He studied Emma's back as he thought. Things had been going so well. They had been talking, he could finally discuss his opinions with someone freely, when suddenly she had gone deathly pale and he swore I saw tears in her green eyes. He had no clue of what he could have possibly said that could have upset her. He tried not the mentally beat himself up, as he followed her, he had more pressing matters to worry about.

Jared remembered the city guards who left in a hurry after he had said that Emma was pregnant. He remembered his strong urge to blush and run away from the prying eyes of the gathered crowd, but all he could really worry about at the point was that Emma was in danger. His stomach felt as if it had dropped out of him when he had seen the small, sharp dagger pressed into Emma's back by 'Miri'.

Emma stopped suddenly and released Miri. Jared glanced around quickly, taking in his surroundings. They were in a small alley way with a dead end. It was relatively clean with the shadows hiding the corners and edged from clear sight. The shadows played on the wall from the street lights, and they noise from the crowds were muffled by the high, stone walls. Windows with hole-ridden curtains lined either side of the alley and a few doors showed signs of years of wear.

Emma planted her hands on her hips as Jared fell into place beside her.

The small dark skinned girl smirked at both of them her eyes flashing.

She bowed at them mockingly and slid the bandanna further up her head exposing tight black ringlets.

"I think a thank you is in order, you kindness is much appreciated. Doing such an act for a total stranger n the pure goodness of your heart!" she cried in a voice a few tones lower than it was when she was acting a few moments ago.

Jared gritted his teeth at her mocking; they all knew that Emma had no choice but to help her in that situation. He glanced at Emma who, to his great surprise, was trying and failing to keep a smile off her face.

Her eyes flashed as she neatly fell into a curtsy. Jared stared at her incredulously and sighed.

"Thank you Miri. If I may call you that," she joked back.

"Yes Madam you may,"

Emma grinned openly but tried to rein in her composure as she said seriously "I think you should explain,"

Miri picked at her nails and glanced at them from beneath her eye lashes. Now that Jared examined her again, she did not look like she was a child, far from it actually. Her face, it was true she still had some childish roundness, but her cheek bones stood out strongly and he could detect that under her breaches and loose tunic that she had the curves of a woman, not a child.

"I borrowed one of the guard's swords,"

"You what?" Jared cried speaking up for the first time.

"I borrowed his sword," She said slowly in a high pitched voice as if explaining to a child. Jared frowned as he heard a snort and a giggle from next to him.

He glared at Emma who quickly straightened out her features into a composed mask.

Miri smirked and continued.

"The guards didn't take to kindly to that, but they were threatening children! I couldn't let them get away with it. Basically they chased me and then you were right there, as if delivered to me,"

Emma frowned "You didn't have to poke me with that dagger of yours,"

"If I had just asked, would you have?" she asked in a rhetorical question "I wouldn't have really hurt you, I just need leverage alright?"

Jared grunted and tried to pull Emma away.

"Lets go," he mumbled.

Emma pulled from his grip his grip her eyes planted on Miri.

"I'm Emma by the way, and this is Jared," she said waving a hand in his direction.

Miri's eyes suddenly gleamed with recognition as she ran her eyes over Emma's features, her eyes sparkled with secret knowledge.

"Like the Princess, right?" she questioned softly smirking.

Emma stiffened and visibly paled. Jared stared at her in confusion. This was the second time she had paled at the princesses' mention.

"Yes," Emma muttered "Like the Princess."

Miri grinned in triumph and linked her arm with Emmas'.

"You guys mind me tagging along with you? I got no where to stay, and I don't know anyone in the city…"

Jared looked at her like she had grown a second head, he desperately tried to convey to Emma with his eyes that she shouldn't, but Emma was entirely focused on Miri.

"You don't have anywhere to stay?"

"No," Miri said shaking her head woefully.

Emma looked at Jared with pleading eyes. Jared's heart raced as her eyes met his and his thoughts became scrambled. She smiled slowly and said "Please Jared?"

That was all it took, if only she knew what she did to him. Jared soon found himself agreeing and offering Miri accommodation in his family's barn for the night. Emma seemed to have forgotten Miri's earlier escapade with the city guards.

Emma and Miri started following him to his house where they could all rest for the night -and where he had been expected hours before- Miri and Emma soon entered into an animated conversation. Emma seemed to have formed a bond with Miri already and they were soon enough discussing everything from the best 'brand of daggers' or the worst flavored pie imaginable. Emma laughed and asked Miri and Jared questions, he did however notice that she avoided all questions which were directed at her.

Soon enough Jared felt comfortable in Miri's presence and had almost forgiven her for the stunt with the guards. Her lively personality filled up the breaks in conversation with energetic banter and jokes. She had a wicked sense of humor and a sharp tongue. She moved gracefully and walked slowly beside Emma her eyes always alight and amused. Unlike what Jared had first though, she seemed to have a good personality and she was kind, even when teasing. Emma's eyes gleamed and she smiled down the the girl as they talked.

Perhaps if Miri could make Emma laugh, she wasn't such a bad person.

The trio had wound there way though the streets and were now in the area around the corner from his house. They had stopped momentarily for Miri and Emma to both by a small pie which they were now polishing off.

Emma quickly devoured the pie, smiled and patted her stomach.

"Yum," she smiled.

Miri nodded her head in agreement still mind way through eating her pie.

"Your nose," Jared laughed, spying a piece of meat on the tip of her nose. Emma's eyes widened and a lovely blush graced her cheeks as she tried to find it with the tips of her fingers.

Jared lent in and ran his fingers across her nose swiping away the offending food. His fingered lingered on her cheek and his heart sped up.

"Jared!" cried a shrilled voice from behind the three.

Miri glanced up and quickly swallowed her mouth full of food and glanced up at him.

Emma was staring at something over his shoulder in what seemed to be a cross between amusement and annoyance.

Jared could recognize that voice anywhere. He quickly pulled his hand away from Emma's face and let his hand fall to his side.

He turned and steadied himself for the whirlwind which was his stepmother.

Behind him stood a carriage from which his stepmother was descending. She was dressed in a white dress which clung to her figure and was decorated with embroidery around the edges. It reached the floor and clung to her midriff, it had a high neck line which seemed to be almost choking her. Around her shoulders hung a fur shawl which drew her disapproving looks from people passing close by. Her face was plaster with make up as she desperately fought a battle to retain her youth, which she was slowly but surely losing. Her wispy blonde hair was in an extravagant style on the top of her head and her ears were dominated by pair of extravagant and expensive looking earrings.

She swept towards him taking in his attire in once glance. She seemed to glare at his tunic and breaches and she flicked the skirt of her dress.

She surveys his guests and her mouth curled up at the sides.

"Jared, you father is worried about you." Jared did notice she had only mentioned his Father's worry.

Jared glanced at Emma who, like Miri, was glancing dubiously at him.

"Sorry," Jared said trying to remain calm. He was sure that his step mother had nothing better tonight than to try and pair him up with a 'suitable' bride "I got… busy,"

"No matter, I have someone that has been absolutely dying to meet you!" she gushed. Jared narrowed his eyes; she was only ever this nice to him when she wanted to introduce someone new to him. His step mother was like in the storied. She was cruel and heartless. Whenever Jared's father was around she would treat Jared well, but as soon as his back was turned she would ignore him and spend outrageous amounts of money of his two step sisters. Not that Jared wanted her attention, but whenever he passed her she would snipe at him or order him around. Jared had tried many times to get along with his fathers bride, but he just could not. Jared avoided family occasions like the plague. His sisters would throw food at him when his fathers back was turned and his step mother would blame him for everything. Jared could not say that he had not tried, his father did love her. Perhaps it was love which blinded Cav from seeing the truth about his wife.

For his father's sake, Jared did as his stepmother told him too. One down side to this however, was her constantly trying to marry him off, to get him out of the way. As soon as he had turned 16, the previous year, she had brought an 'eligible' young lady to their house each month without fail. He was polite, but soon the girls would loose interest or would find a more suitable conquest. A richer man who showed them interest. Jared was sure that this is what she wanted.

Sure enough behind his stepmother stood a girl a few years older than himself. She had long blonde hair which was piled on top of hear head adding an extra foot to her diminutive size. She had a long red dress which did not do anything for her large figure and he could smell her perfume from where he stood. She was a pretty girl, although small in height but Jared wished he was anywhere but here. He risked a quick glance down at Emma who stood stone still beside him already guessing who these women were.

"Jared, please meet Vanessa. You remember her don't you? You two used to play together when you were children, or so I am told."

Vanessa beamed at him am quickly wriggled her way past his stepmother. She lurched towards him, rudely bumped and shocked looking Emma from his side and promptly wove her arms around his.

The stench of her perfume was overpowering and Jared almost gagged. He large covered in view of Emma to his dismay, he wanted to catch her eyes and try to convey his apologies or at least try to explain.

"Hi Jared, do you remember me? I remember you! Do you think I am as pretty as I was when we were younger? I think you have grown more handsome. Are you truly rich, as your mother says?" she cooed, her voice high pitch.

"Er…" he said distracted while he tried to see both Miri and Emma who were lost to him behind the expanse of hair which filled his vision.

"Jared darling, I will leave you two to get acquainted. Call me back when you are ready to come home, Vanessa will be staying for dinner," said his stepmother from next to the carriage, she had spotted one of her cronies and was making her way over to her. He was sure their conversation would consist of gossip.

"Jared, I think we are going to be great friends," Vanessa said pressing up against him, detaching a hand from his arm (not sensing his discomfort) and stroked his cheek.

Jared stared down at her. He had never meet this girl in his life. He hoped that Emma could not see what was going on.

He turned his head this way and that trying to spot his two companions all the while trying to disentangle himself from Vanessa.

Vanessa stood next to him prattling on about the latest fashions and her 'friends' who all had horrible taste compared to her.

"Jared..." sounded a bored Miri. The direction of her voice was coming from behind Vanessa.

He turned his head and tried to see past the large expanse which was Vanessa's perfumed hair. He tried to ignore her cooing as she brought her attention back to brushing her manicured hands over his face and tucking his hair behind his ears.

"Vanessa," he said batting her hands lightly, but forcefully away "Stop it,"

Vanessa looked at him through outraged eyes, how could she possibly be rejected? In her eyes she was the model of beauty and feminism.

"Miri give me one second, alright?" Jared said trying to detach his arm from Vanessa's vice like grip.

"No Jared, I don't think this can wait," Jared looked over at her, she stood in a relaxed posture, her arms folded over he chest and her legs relaxed, but the worry in her eyes and the tension in the jaw gave away her distress.

"What?"

Suddenly, it clicked. Jared turned around glancing around the crowed area. He looked for Emma's distinct dark hair and light blue dress.

She was no where to be seen.

He looked back at Miri, his eyes full of panic.

"We have to find her," they both said instantaneously.

They both nodded and without another glance back at the rejected Vanessa, his outraged step-mother, whom had been roused from her conversation by his sharp, loud words to Vanessa and the carriage which should be taking him to his father; they headed away from them scanning the crowd for Emma.

Jared wondered where she could have vanished to so quickly. Jared hoped that she had just gone to purchase a drink, or had found an acquainted that she would like to speak to, but he highly doubted it. That girl was a danger magnet. His heart pounded in his chest and he felt a bead of sweat trickle down his back as the rock which had descended him the pit of his stomach grew, making him feel queasy.

He ran his eyes along the boarder of the road and in the surrounded stalls and shops.

He glanced down at Miri who had taken a firm fighting stance next to him, one foot in front of the other, he was sure that both the scabbards which hung from her belt would be empty.

She hissed in frustration as she flicked her knives, which were in her hands as Jared had predicted, round in circles in an unconscious habit.

"Did you see her go?" Jared questioned quietly.

"No, she just disappeared," Miri answered "We need to get her back, she is more important than even you realize,"

Jared, who was not in the mood for cryptic, puzzles glanced back down at her with questioning eyes.

"Its better you don't know," Miri said quickly, anticipating his next question.

"Maybe I should know,"

"Maybe you shouldn't," Miri sighed "Not now alright, it's not the best time to be asking these sorts of questions,"

"Where do we start looking then?" Jared answered letting in go, he would make her explain another time.

"Why do you want to look for her? I know why I do, but why do you?" Miri questioned her amused, cheeky glean back into her eye.

"Lets just go," Jared grumbled. There it was again, Miri's cryptic smile and twinkle in her eyes. She knew something that Jared did not. She was planning something that Jared had no clue about. Why did she so desperately want to find her. Perhaps the question he should have been asking himself was, why did he want to find her? And why did his blood run cold at the thought of her coming to any harm? Jared wasn't so sure why he was desperate to find her. Perhaps because he had saved her previously, he didn't want anything to happen to her again; perhaps he was just being thoughtful. He had only know Emma for a few hours at the most, and yet felt such a strong urge to save her.

"I hate to burst your bubble Jared, but where exactly do you proposed we look? The city is full to the brim for the celebrations and we know nothing about her reallife, don't look at me like that. I bet that she avoided all of your questions about her lifestyle, work and location. She could be anywhere!" Miri said right in his ear, breaking him from his thoughts.

Jared looked at her and then back around the square in frustration. As much as he hated to admit it, Miri was right. In a city of this size, with this population, there was no hope that they could ever hope to find her. Worse still he had no information about her that could possible be useful. He had only just realized that it was true; she had deftly and slyly deflected all of his questions without his knowledge, he was almost powerless. He would have to hope that she would either find her way back to them, or to her home.

Beside him Miri cursed and in a flash flicked her daggers back into their scabbards.

"We can start here and work our way through all the main streets, if you're willing to give up your evening?" Miri said flicking her eyes to his face.

Jared looked at her and rolled his eyes at the obvious question.

She flashed him a grin and bound into the nearest shop. Jared stared as he heard screams and protests of outrage as Miri made her way through the house. Before he knew it she had opened the window on the second floor and had hoisted her slim body out and was sitting on the sill.

"You go left, down towards the slums" she shouted down over the noisy crowd and pointed with her left hand "And I will take the right towards the palace."

He simply nodded and watched in a daze as she stood and grasped onto the edge of the roof. She swung and curled her body up as launched herself onto the roof tiles and out of his sight. He managed to glimpse her jump between buildings, swinging on the ropes which hung up the decorations, onto the tiled rooftops slowly building up her momentum until she was completely out of his sight.

He smiled at her audacity; she would be an interesting character to have around. Jared had a lot of questions. Who was she? What did she know about Emma? And what did she want? Normal people can't jump from building to building and normal people, defiantly don't go around carrying knives- Jared was sure she had many more concealed under hear clothes. When he saw her again, if he ever say her again, he would make her explain.

Without another moments hesitation, he started running down the street pushing past the crowd of people, leaving behind a very confused and angry stepmother shouting after him as he disappeared into the night.

"I'll save you Emma," he breathed as if trying to convince himself.

But deep down he knew the truth, there was almost no hope.

A/N:I don't really like how this fitted together, it's a bit clumsy and this is really different from my normal writing style -comes from reading too many Jane Austen books-, but oh well. I just want to get on to the next chapter (I can't wait to write it). I will be developing characters more and getting ahead with the major plot. I also have decided to update each of my stories at least once a week. So I have a schedule, this is because I am starting school again on Tuesday, and the teachers are inhumane.

I am giving everyone who reviewed or read my story cyber cakes as promised -hands out cakes-

Captain Libeka: Review if you are feeling nice. Or if you are feeling angry at me for leaving a cliff hanger. Or if you hate this chapter you could also review. Just do it, yeah?

Readers -droning like robots- : "Yes Captain Libeka. We will review."