Virginia . . . my mother . . . and your real grandmother . . . was Snow White's stepmother."
Virginia shook her head vehemently. "I don't believe you! You're lying!"
"I'm not lying." she said gently. "We don't belong here, Virginia. You and I are from the 9 Kingdoms and are of royal blood."
"No! Why are you doing this to me?"
"Because I don't want you to live in a lie like I did. I want you to know the truth and understand. After I tried to drown you and your father came home, I just wanted to run and hide. I don't even know where I was going I just kept running. When I stopped I couldn't believe what I had just tried to do. I didn't know what I should do. Then I heard a voice calling to me. I looked up and there was my mother. She asked if I was lost. She promised to take away my pain. Even though I hadn't seen her since I was a young child and she was a stranger to me it was as if no time had passed since the last time I saw her. I had this strong urge to go to her and forget all the pain I felt. She held her hand out to me and I took it. When I went through the vortex all the old memories came to me. The shame me and my mother had suffered at the hands of Snow White. I knew then that my mother had sent me away so I would not be discovered until I was old enough to help her. Mother gave me a new purpose in life and she gave me her powers. I just forgot about the past like it was a dream."
"I think I understand now what happened." Virginia said softly as she remembered what she had felt like when she was under the strong influence of the Troll King's magic shoes. They had made her feel powerful, almost invulnerable. She could do anything or so she thought with those shoes.
"Do you?" her mother questioned.
"Yes. I became addicted to these magic shoes that made me invisible. It made me act and feel really strange. That's why you couldn't remember Dad and me. The magic mirrors made you forget. You were just following what your mother wanted you to do."
"My mother was under the power of the mirrors also. It ruined both our lives. But you saved me, Virginia. You made me remember who I was and what I had lost. You were stronger than I was."
Virginia shook her head. "No, I wasn't stronger. Wolf saved me from the magic shoes. He grabbed them from me and threw them into a lake. If it hadn't been for him . . ."
"Wolf really loves you. He even defied me to protect you which is saying a lot."
"I know." Virginia smiled. "At first I didn't even want anything to do with him. All I could think about was getting home. But he kept saving my life. Now I don't know what I'd do without him."
Christine cupped Virginia's hand. "I have something for you that you left with me. I want you to keep it to remember me by."
A beautiful red rose appeared in Christine's hand. It was the same rose that King Wendell had given to Virginia that had come from his grandmother Snow White. It was in full bloom just as it had been when she had placed it on her mother's hand.
"Take this rose and plant it in a garden." Christine instructed her.
"Mother, I'm not good with plants."
"Don't worry. As long as you remember our time here together, this rose will grow and flourish."
"More magic?"
"Just a mother's love for her daughter. I must go now. I have overstayed my visit." Christine stood up from the table. "Goodbye my little girl."
Christine's form became vague and transparent until Virginia could see the wall and kitchen doorway behind her.
"Wait! Will I see you again?"
"As long as you have the rose, I'll always be with you."
Virginia was alone in the kitchen again. She had lost her appetite and stared at the only physical proof that she hadn't been hallucinating. Virginia stuck the rose in the vase with the daisies. Just then Wolf came in looking concerned.
"Are you okay Virginia? I thought I heard voices?"
"I'm fine. I just felt like a snack."
"Oh, you should have woke me up. We could have snacked together. Milk and cookies are one of my favorites." Virginia smiled at his childlike enthusiasm.
"Wolf, what do you think about planting a rose garden?
"Huff Puff! What a good idea! I've seen some books about gardening and roses. We could have a beautiful garden on the patio."
Virginia laughed. "Have I told you lately that I love you?"
"Not for a few hours now." Wolf gave her that puppy dog look. Virginia laughed and knew she'd never be happier than she was now.
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