The air chilled and brisk as a set of sullen emerald eyes gazed emptily upon the contact on her phone. 'David' with a picture of the man who continued to relentlessly call as she released a tired sigh. The black gloved hand set the phone back into her lap as she averted her eyes longingly to the lake as if it held the answers she sought out.
"I thought I might find you out here love." Came a husked voice as Killian made his presence known; black leather coat clinging to the man as if it was enough to warm him in Maine's brisk fall air. "Henry thought that this might be enough to remind you of the family that you would be leaving behind." His hand reached into the coat and pulled out that damned book, the book that interrupted her otherwise quiet life; an old rustic like leather bound story book that made Emma feel sick just staring at.
Green orbs gazed angrily at the man as she held in the urge to release her frustration on the one person who tried so hard to get her back, the one who tried; but that's all it was….was trying and it in itself wasn't enough for her."Henry is my family and I'm doing what's best for him and that's leaving." Emma huffed as she shuffled in her seat, her body turning towards him.
"You defeated the bloody wicked witch, you defeated Pan, you've done everything with your family by your side. Everyone at the diner, everyone" he held the book up, his voice struggling as he held back from raising it. "Everyone in this book is your family."
Snatching the book from him, Emma flipped open the pages; her gloved fingers skimming through pages as pictures of her parents, Regina, the dwarves all came in sight. "These people in here, I don't see my family I see a story that I was never in. I see a family I don't have, and one that they are about to make again. I don't understand why I can't just go back to enjoying the life I had before you took me back here!" Her hands slammed the book shut as her voice continued to rise in frustration. She couldn't take it anymore, how could he understand? How could anyone understand for that matter, that all she was- was an escape, a scapegoat that everyone came running back to the moment they fucked stood up and let the book stay in her seat as she gazed at Hook vehemently, challenging him to press on.
"You know that's not true, the whole past year wasn't real and if it wasn't for Regina you wouldn't have had those memories." He bit back with the same vigor, aching for her to see that she was loved by the town and if not them; by him. He knew she refused him, but he wanted to be there for her.
"They were real enough and it was definitely better than continually putting my neck on the line, my son on the line, and our happiness on the line for people who showed up 28 years too-" They were both cut off as a large angry red beam soared up through the sky with an ominous glow, reaching towards the heavens.
"What the hell is that" She started again as she began walking, realizing that it was at the old farmhouse.
"Swan don't do it" Killian warned as he followed her; but no sooner did those words leave him, so did she. "Swan!" He called after the woman who ran off from him as if the devil was chasing her.
Emma's heart thumped wildly in her chest as her eyes kept set up, looking at the beam in confusion. They beat Zelena, the time portal was non existent; so what in the hell was going on? Her legs burned as she ran, feet fumbling over the rocks that she paid no mind to but didn't give it a second thought as she continued to catch herself. She had to run from him, from the diner that everyone was at, and to the threat that potentially could harm Henry.
As she made it to the front doors, the large old wooden doors creaked and moaned violently as she was about to reach for them a voice pulled her from her thoughts.
"Emma don't!" Killian said angrily "Do you even know what that is, what it can do to you?!" He asked, his voice raising as the doors shaking drowned out any noises around them.
"No, but if it is dangerous I'm the saviour and I'm not going to let whatever that is harm my son." She answered back just as loudly, finding it harder to breathe as the wind whipping about felt like it would steal the very breath she used for the words.
Killian never got a chance to ask another question before the doors flung open and Emma was sucked inside by the ever growing portal inside. "Swan!" His voice roared as he too was pulled in, his hand sought out the softer small hand that was Emma's before feeling it anchor onto him.
"Killian!" She screamed a out, the intimidating reddish gold portal sucking the two of them in.
"Hold on" He tried to assure her as his hook slightly anchored in the loose dirt. He could feel them slipping but he could only hope.
"I can't, I'm sorry." She stated earnestly before the two of the were finally sucked into the portal and it closed up into the ground as if nothing had ever happened; leaving the ringing cell phone that continued to display 'David'.
An aching body met the ground as red leather was dirtied with the particles of the forest below. "Mmg" Emma grunted uncomfortably as her eyes went in and out of focus. She had been through a portal before with Snow, but for whatever reason this one in particular had drained the saviour a little more than it did the time before.
Green eyes peering through her tousled blonde hair as she took in the surroundings; deep foliage that went on for miles, a small shackled village barely in sight, and the feeling of familiarity filled her. "We're in the Enchanted forest…." She breathed out, her lips pulled down into it's natural frown.
"Aye…but it's not where that I'm concerned about love…" Killian began as he stood up, rubbing back a growing lump on the back of his head. "But when.." Clearing his throat, he looked at the village that he slightly recalled pillaging before. The man's icy blue eyes glared slightly as a familiar carriage came pulling through. "Oh no…no no no ….Swan!" He called out and before he even had noticed, Emma had slipped past him and began walking through a slightly worn down path that led to the nearby village.
Following her pursuit he knew exactly what was about to happen, as what always happened when that particular black Carriage with Clydesdale's pulling. Destruction, death, and the very least a potential show to flex power. Drawing closer in a heart stopping way, the two squat behind an excuse for a fence and watched.
"Swan you shouldn't run off like that, especially in that infernal outfit!" He whispered harshly, knowing fully well what would happen if they were caught and questioned.
"Is that.…" She whispered, ignoring the rambling pirate beside her and watched in complete wonder at the leather clad leg that slowly showed from the black and white opened carriage door.
One slim leg after the other, the Queen emerged in all her swagger. Black leather pants that left nothing to imagination, a red dress coat that's buttons went from the hem of the pants up to the lowest dip of the woman's breasts as black trim dusted the collar of the jacket. Her hair covered by a regal red hat with a black feather and all that Regina exuded was dominance and power.
"Regina" Emma whispered to no one and eyes went wider at seeing the person that once raised her son had used to 's eyes shifted from the queen to Emma as he had wondered what went on in the latters head. Shaking his own, he kept his lips shut tight as he didn't want them to be found out.
"My, my, My…." A husky voice called out as Regina prowled the area like a lioness about to lunge at it's prey. Villagers surrounding had stood so still you could mistake them for statues. "Someone…has told me that you all are harboring a fugitive…and I want, what you want. Happiness." She breathed out the last word with a million dollar smile. She looked around and as the moments of silence passed a scowl grew. "So….who here knows where Snow White is." She stated indignantly.
"Emma we should really go." He whispered softly against the shell of the woman's ear, to not for any reason get the attention of the dark guards.
"Killian.…this….we're…" She was still struck at the events, they were in the past and these people were possibly going to die at any moment.
"Love, we can't mess with anything….Time travel is a bloody dangerous thing and if we do one simple thing to change the events of the past….the price can be catastrophic ." His voice remaining low, though he was beginning to grow impatient at the woman's negligence. He finally watched as he saw blond tresses nod towards him in agreement and let out a breath of relief. "Alright…let's try to go withou-" He whispered, his hand grabbing for Emma'sand as soon as he did a knight began his pursuit closer towards where they were, his heavy steps rough against the foliage and started the blonde who in turn fell back down.
"Who goes there?!" A booming voice called and before either could run, a dark gloved hand reached out and grabbed Emma by the back of her red leather jacket .
"Ay- mate, do you mind taking your hand off my wench? You're interrupting the beginning of my romp and I'm sad to say you had ruined the mood." Hook tried to toothily grin, his heart hammering in his chest.
"That doesn't explain why you of all people pirate would not bow before the queen or stand in acknowledgement as she came in." Another soldier stated before roughly grabbing the pirate and pulled him towards a seething queen.
Turning her gaze from the disloyal villagers and up towards the new arrivals. "So, Captain we meet again." Her voice went low as deep honey eyes looked towards the man that she had previous deals with. "I see some habits haven't changed." her gaze then averted to the leather clad blond that almost instantly infuriated her for some unknown reason.
"Well, you know me….alcohol, women, sailing it's what I do best." He breathed out with a smile, slowly biting his bottom lip while gazing at the queen in hopes that she could buy this act. "I do humbly apologize your majesty as I had not noticed your arrival from where I was and was preoccupied with matters all my own" He paused before clearing his throat. "But I do hope that this wench and I can continue on elsewhere."
Throughout this whole endeavor, the blonde stood quietly with nothing as much as the sound of her ragged breathing coming from her. But then again, what could she do in this state? Her hands were growing clammy as they balled into tight fists in front of her, eyes cast downwards, stomach churning from sheer anxiety, and feeling like she wanted to crawl out of her skin. She was aware, fearfully aware that this woman was not her Regina and not the friend she had grown to know; no, this woman could end her without as much as blinking an eye and would continue on without a worry. She was snapped out of such thoughts as a cold gloved hand roughly grabbed her chin and made her gaze into cold honey brown eyes.
"I said... Who are you ." The queen enunciated each word angrily through her teeth while scowling and the ignorance of the woman in front of her.
Emma's eyes glance quickly towards Killian's and before he could shake his head, she answered. "Emma...Emma Swan." She whispered breathily and watched as the mans head fell in defeat.
"Em-ma." The brunette grinned and slowly let go of the strong chin of the blonde. "I see you can talk…" She chuckled darkly and nodded towards her knight who pulled her back. "Anyone else want to join Emma in the dungeons?" She called out. "Any of you want to be a hero? Want to continue this foolish game of playing seek and find with Snow White?" She yelled as a tanned skin woman stepped forward, clad in a maroon cloak and a dirtied crème colored dress.
"YOU are not OUR Queen." The woman said vehemently, spitting at the ground and glared. "Snow is the rightful queen, and we will not give you the satisfaction in finding her." She stated proudly. A look of finality crossed the woman's challenging gaze that only caused Regina to be pushed deeper into her tirade.
"Well- what was your name again dear?" She started.
"Marian, Marian Locksley." Her chin pointed upwards.
"I'm sorry to say, but…" Regina stood right in front of the slightly taller woman and thrust her hand deep within her chest, fingers curling around the pulsing red heart. "I don't have any use for someone wanting to play hero…and let's see her save you." She whispered darkly, her brown eyes darkening as she pulled out the beating organ and caused Marian to gasp out sharply; tears brimming her eyes.
The crowd around gasped as they knew what was about to happen, women turned their children away."Let this be a lesson to all of you…I warned you and I had stated what I had came here for. Now there must be a punishment for treason and what better punishment…if you are willing to sacrifice your life for someone, be prepared to give it." She stated before her hand tightly gripped the heart, causing the woman to kneel and clutch her chest in utter agony. "Now, goodbye Marian Locksley." She peered down before fully crushing the organ, causing grey ashes to fall from her hand and the said woman to fall over , Regina looked at the body in disgust as it lay there.
"Now, I will be back in three day's time…if any one else wants to follow her example be my guest, otherwise you will do as I ask." She barked out angrily, stepping over the body and made her way to the carriage. As she was climbing in, her one foot pressed against the step, she paused and looked to her soldiers "Guards bring me my prisoner and let us go on our way." She yelled as the men shuffled to do as she had asked.
"But my queen-" Killian started.A hand flicked up in dismissal.
"No, you do not get to speak Pirate. I am not your friend and what had happened was business. I do not owe you any favors and the next time you lie and tell me a false name for one of your whores, you should think twice. " She glowered at the man and felt the carriage dip as a soldier got in with Emma who ended up sitting without question. "Now good day Hook." She slammed the carriage door with a flick of the wrist and looked towards the blonde.
"Madam M- Your Majesty I-" Emma spoke out as she felt the reality of her situation finally sink in. She was in the past, in the enchanted forest and had watched Robin's wife just get murdered.
"Did I say to speak?" The woman across asked incredulously. "I don't know who you think you are or where you came from for that matter, but unless I ask you a question - you don't speak." She growled. "Do you understand?"Emma simply nodded."This time, I asked you a question and I expect an answer. Do you, Emma understand?!" Regina's voice grew louder and caused the woman in front of her to cower slightly. This was definitely not the Regina she knew.
"Yes- Yes your Majesty." Emma said in defeat and decided that it would be best to stay quiet and think; think of a potential escape or what would happen- as it was all she could do at this time.
Hours went by perhaps, only one could guess as the carriage bumpily made it's way back towards the Dark Castle. Emma only occasionally stole glances at the queen whose eyes were gazing out the window; gazing somewhere possibly far away from where the three people sat. Green eyes then would go to her hands as she knew that staring too long would possibly result in a one sided banter or for her punishment to perhaps end up worse than it already could , the carriage came to a dead halt and the sound of shuffling feet could be heard from outside the carriage before the door opened to reveal the immense palace that Regina had called home.
Emma's eyes took it all in, feeding on the architecture of the intense palace and could feel herself being jerked up and off the leather seats.
"Send her to the dungeon, I'm too tired and had a long day…I don't want to deal with this woman at this time." She didn't even spare a glance at Emma who in turn watched the retreating back of the queen and a cowardly older man chase after her; only hearing swearing from the woman echo across the front steps of the palace.
"Are you deaf, lame, and dumb woman?" The guard angrily chastised as he pushed Emma forward and as he was about to repeat the action, Emma quickly lunged forward and tackled the said guard who roughly handled her. Her body slamming his to the ground as she quickly kneed him in the stomach. The man grunted before quickly reaching his hand up and taking a fistful of her golden hair before harshly pulling her head back. Coughing, the guard spit out to the side and threw the woman to the ground. "Why you bitch." He growled before drawing his sword and before Emma could do anything; a blunt force hit the front of her head and her world went dark.
Coldness blanketed her while darkness enveloped her senses as Emma slowly began to regain consciousness. "Where am I- Ow fuck." She cried out as she held her head between both hands, the incessant throbbing nearly causing her nausea. She felt the tightness around the apparent bump that she felt under her cold hands and could only imagine that it had bled before. Her eyes trying to glance at anything around her; but was only welcome with the pitch blackness and the sounds of crying and groaning from around her.
"Is anyone there?" Her voice carried out to no one. No one answered and she didn't know what terrified her worse, the idea of not knowing whose there or the idea of not seeing who is there. Though apparently sounding the same, was very much different. Anyone could say they're someone, but appearance and the light of knowing is different.
"You're in the dungeons" A voice called out from no direction in particular. Emma felt out in front of her and felt nothing but air. Using one hand to hold her head, she pawed at the floor and made her way across the floor before feeling cool metal bars that radiates magic. "You've been out for almost two days, the guards have served two meals…so it's been two days." The voice called again and Emma pressed her face against the bar.
"What's going to happen…" She asked and she could hear slight rustling in front of her.
"Anything really, some say that a dragon will eat some of us…another tells tales of a sea witch giving you to her pets….and well…some say you will beg for death but it will never come. Some of us have been here for so long we had long forgotten the name given to us." The voice came out sadly; so rasped that Emma could hardly tell what gender the person could be.
"Do you know yours?" She asked; her heart sinking at the fact that she may never see anyone again.
"Only that I had one at one time and dear….pray that you die quickly." The voice whispered before going entirely quiet.
"Hey-" She called out and received no answer. "Please…" She whispered and suddenly her hand left her head and both her arms wrapped around her knees.
She bit her bottom lip as tears began to brim her eyes, why was this happening? She just wanted to go back to Boston, she just wanted a safe life with Henry and here she was in a dark dungeon where no one would ever find her. Hot tears warmed and cascaded down her round cheeks as the sounds of people talking to themselves, heads hitting stone, and screams echoed within the blanketed darkness. The feeling of anxiety, fear, and defeat stirring deep within her that was slowly clawing from her stomach outwards."No Emma it's going to be ok…." She whispered "You're the saviour….you will get out of this." She tried to console herself as her nails unconsciously dug at her jean covered thighs.
Emma had seen guards come and leave; leaving trays of food that for being prisoner wasn't actually half bad. A slightly stale roll, a boiled potato, meat, and some sort of vegetable with a goblet of water. She was utterly surprised the first time she had got the food and realized it's best to not eat it all at once. She didn't know how long it had been since she ate and she realized she didn't eat before she fell through the vortex, portal- whatever you wanted to call that hellish way she came through. She hadn't ate since the previous night and if she had been out for two days, then nearly three and a half to four days had went by without food and her stomach had ached terribly when she stomached down the entire tray.
Now, after nearly five guards into food she realized she would eat the potato first as it wasn't as good when it was cold and ate half the meat with that. She then would make a sandwich with the remaining meat and veggies while slowly savoring her water. She tried to keep track of how many day's went by with bread crumbs and would put one rolled up crumb in her leather jacket for every meal she got since the now quiet prisoner stated you only get one meal a day. Today had marked her sixth meal and she realized she had spent a total of eight days in her cell and in those eight days she watched with heavily squinted eyes as men with torches would drag out what would appear on occasion as walking skeletons.
She assumed not everyone would always get meals depending on punishments or if prisoners would act out, and the sounds of trays being flung against bars would potentially indicate that some people chose to not eat the queens food.
She didn't know how much more time went by, only that her pocket would hold the answer hopefully to the days that she was in this cell. She would occasionally reach in and feel, but not too often so that the crumbs wouldn't rip and relay the wrong information. She would see the torches come and leave repeatedly throughout her time in the darkness, she would then be left alone and wondered to herself how her family was….family….Hook's words would then sear through her like a hot branding rod and she felt her eyes sting with tears. Her parents, who regardless of upbringing had loved her…her brother who she may never know what his name was going to be, her son…her son who had believed in her and loved her. She then wondered about Regina, she had always wondered what the mayor was like back in her prime but; those eyes were so dead and cold compared to the slightly over emotional and warm eyes that looked at their son lovingly. She wondered what happened here to her and what caused the pain that was evident besides the whole 'Snow White' fiasco that everyone was familiar with.
The sound of heavy metal clanked before she reached into her pockets and felt then nine crumbs which meant that eleven days and three days shy of two weeks had went by. She felt strong hands grip her arms and was pulled up to her feet; her legs turning to mush under her as she hadn't been doing a whole lot of walking in the unfamiliar dark cell.
"Come, you are being summoned to the Queens courts. You'd do well by just staying quiet, looking down, and answering only questions..don't try to make small talk."A voice of an unfamiliar guard came, this wasn't the man that had brought her in, no this was a much younger and softer sounding man.
Staying silent, she followed beside the man who guided her up stone slab stairs and the light that emanated from the top of the stair case was blinding. A heavy door shut behind them and locked, causing her to slightly jump at the loudness of it. As she ascended the stairs, her eyes fell into slits as she had a difficult time adjusting to the light pouring in from the windows, instead her eyes gazed quickly down at the deep maroon stone slabs that stood below her feet.
"This way." He stated and walked with her down several halls, her eyes never once leaving her feet as her eyes were still adjusting even the slightest of light. The light of day slowly escaped them as the went down a dark hallway and at that, Emma could barely glance up, still squinting. She could make out the torch lit path to the end where two vast double doors stood with two incredibly intimidating men stood just as still as the doors behind them. She gulped and felt her chest tighten in unease. The man beside her breathed out a sad sigh, escaping the notice of Emma before shaking his head.
"Remember what I told you." he mustered before walking her to the the doors, the men stood to the side before bowing to the queen and waited for the prisoner to be guided in; after which the guard and the two men guarding the door left the blond alone with the Queen.
Emma's eyes slowly looked up and gazed up at the woman who sat proudly on a black and silver colored throne; in which she was guessing real silver and potential onyx stone was present in the thrones stonework.
"Ah, I had forgotten about you." The queen sneered while casually crossing one of her leather clad legs over the other, adjusting comfortably in her seat. Her hair pulled into a high ponytail while adorning a jewel encrusted headpiece that created an 'm' shape along her forehead, her hair swinging slightly as she tilted her head and face scrunched in distaste. "Though now I don't think I could get your scent out of my senses if I tried." She remarked flippantly before her dark eyes gazed to her left.
"You really can be forgetful dear." A calm mature voice came from the left of the queen. Emma dared to look towards the blonde woman and she ensued nothing short of elegance as she donned a deep purple body hugging dress that nearly looked like silk with a deep plunged neckline while a high collared cape that clung to her neck hung around her shoulders. Her blonde tresses pulled up into a curled up-do and a horned like crown sitting proudly upon her head. 'Maleficent?' Emma thought to herself before she gazed then to another voice that cackled to the right of Regina.
"Though I must say you got quite an interesting looking catch this time." A tanned woman with light brown hair commented, her own scaly green dress and gold crown confused the hell out of the said blonde who stared at her in wonderment in who she was.
"Well Mal...Ursula…. since she's my prisoner I must think of what to do with the wretched thing, but I want to know what the hell she is wearing as I've yet to see anyone wear such horrendous attire." Regina commented while doing a one over of Emma."Now remind me, what is your name again?" She asked with a grin.
"Emma." Came her slightly deep voice, her green eyes staring deep within the challenging honey eyes that stood in front of her.
"Em-ma, that's right." The sound of her name sent goosebumps through Emma's entire body at the way Regina rolled it from her tongue. "Now, where are you from…I'm aware that the dirty pirate lied to me and I can tell you are not from my kingdom or any surrounding Kingdoms…so where are you from?" Regina asked, this time thoughtfully.
Emma's eyes went from Regina's prodding Honey eyes, to Maleficent's eager icy blue eyes, then to Ursula's deep brown eyes who looked nothing less than amused.
."I-" Emma started before being cut short.
"Before you answer, heed this…if I find you in a lie you will be punished." Regina warned.
"I'm from another realm that is from a place that doesn't have magic." She answered honestly, in which wasn't a complete lie. She was raised in a land without magic and she was living in Maine prior to this 's eyes lit up with interest.
"No magic, hmm sounds awful." She clicked her tongue. "So this land without Magic in another realm what did you do?" She asked and leaned forward slightly.
"I was a sheriff of a small…well town I'm sure compared to a medium sized village." She tilted her head in thought; wondering what Storybrooke would be compared to one of the towns here.
"So you worked with law and you somehow ended up with a dirty washed up Pirate who is possibly infested with everything from crustaceans to his own set of crabs…I'll let you ponder on that and say why are you here." Regina asked another question and Emma wondered what was going to happen.
"I don't know honestly, I was on break and suddenly some portal opened up- I'm assuming what it is….and that thing caused a near disaster to a farm near by. So I went to the farm and fell in and ended up here. I fell on the pirate who happened to be walking by and I'm guessing he was trying to- get me to behave?" Emma slowly stated the last part, unsure of what fully transpired between Hook and the queen as she at the time was lost in her own thoughts and blanked out on their interaction.
"Well it seems to be quite an interesting story, a land without magic and then suddenly a portal." Maleficents voice came out with raised brows. "So does your no magic land sporadically have magic?" She inquired testily. Regina looked from Maleficent to the prisoner in question.
"I'm honestly not sure, I have never before seen it before except for…what we call movies…and that's- I'm getting off the subject- anyway magic is not supposed to be real where I'm from." Emma answered honestly, because as far as she knew; Regina sent them to a land with no magic for that reason, no magic. So she assumed that would be honest enough so that for any reason at all she's not completely lying nor telling the full truth. "But all I know is where I'm from that people of all walks of life are decently educated, I am a sheriff, and I'm confused as to what's going on." She stated matter of factly and she knew she struck an interest in the queen.
"So you can read and write then?"Regina inquired.
"Yes, though I'm sure you all read Latin and potentially another language; I just know English." Emma stated and bit her bottom lip.
"And you're a sheriff…" Regina continued on with interest as she looked from one side to another of her and the three talked amongst themselves whilst Emma stood with weary legs. She hadn't stood this long in a while.
"I think she could be useful, I mean she didn't really know what was going on when she came here." Ursula's low voice carried between the two other women.
"Indeed my dear, and who knows if a Sheriff did get mixed in and can't necessarily get home while wholly being innocent…I think you could groom her into someone for you to flaunt to the people, especially that group you took her from. Show them that you took her and she bows to you and serves you." Maleficent chimed in, placing a hand on Regina's nodded at the two women's words, taking it in before her eyes met concerned emerald pools.
"You will be brought back to the dungeon before finality of your judgment is bestowed upon you. First off- Guards!" She yelled and in no less than several seconds, two men showed up and kneeled immediately. "Grab the chambermaids to wash her and then bring her back down to the dungeon. I will further call for you to bring her up in due time." She stated and then stood, Ursula stayed in her seat while Maleficent stood tall beside Regina. "Until then Em-ma" A smirk came to the brunettes red lips before the blonde was then brought out of the room.
AN:
This is the first story I've written in years and I'm feeling kinda rusty haha I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter. I've been drafting up the chapters all day so I'll try to update as much as possible. But wow- over five thousand words for the first chapter...I don't know if they will all be so lengthy but I hope you all stuck around for the entire chapter Please comment to let me know what you think or any constructive criticism. Thank you all for the support! - R.M