AN: After tonight's episode, I'm just brain fried. If they hurt Aurora I may just cry for the rest of my week…
Also I have the theory that Cora only controls Aurora some of the time.
Cora looked down at the heart in her hand as she watched the four heading for the cell to get the ink that would trap her. Pity about the princess. She had spunk; I liked that. And now they are walking into a trap, so soon I'll get to see my lovely little girl again. She smiled cruelly at the thought and with a spin and a flash disappeared from her hut.
She reappeared just outside of the cave knowing that she could not use magic once inside, and who knew what would happen if she tried to appear inside. Settling back against the wall, she watched the travelers as she awaited them and Hook to arrive at the cell.
Aurora and the others were hiking as fast as they could to the location of the cell; Snow was pushing them so hard that Mulan had had to ask them to slow down twice for Aurora's sake. She was touched by the warrior's concern, although she had mentioned multiple times that she could keep up, so Snow didn't slow down. Aurora also understood the urgency behind Snows frenzied pace especially after hearing James' predicament. She didn't want to be the person caught behind, or by Cora again.
"Here, Princess." Mulan handed her some water and food as they walked behind Snow and Emma who were alternating comforting each other and encouraging the two friends to walk faster. "You should eat something now especially after being caught by Cora. I also made some salve for your arm to help the burns"
Cora sneered as she watched the princess gladly take the food from Mulan and gingerly roll back her cloak to allow the warrior to apply the salve.
Mulan pulled off her gloves and stuffed them in her belt and then pulled out the slave and opened it. "Princess, this may sting a bit, but I swear it will make it better. May I?"
Aurora nodded and blushed slightly as Mulan started spreading the substance on her arm. She gritted her teeth not wanting to show pain. Mulan finished and then using some cloth wrapped the burn up and tied it off but let her hands linger on the princess's arm. "I… I am pleased that you are all-right. When you were taken, I." She stopped and looked to the side, unable for some reason to continue.
Confused, the princess grabbed Mulan's hands and pulled her around to see tears in the warrior's eyes. "Mulan, what is wrong? Everything is going to be fine. They did not hurt me, why are you crying?"
"I was so worried about you, and I thought I wasn't going to get there in time to save you." The warrior raised her hand to caress Aurora's face. "I could not bear the thought of going on without you. I know I made the promise to take care of you for Phillip, but you mean so much more to me now—I, I just couldn't." She broke down and Aurora wrapped her arms around her as they continued walking.
Cora's eyes widened as she watched the exchange between the two. THIS was not what she had thought Aurora meant when she had been talking to her. Well this IS unexpected. She has almost forgotten him already. Now her refusal makes more sense… But this cannot be allowed to go on. She sat there for a few more moments considering what to do.
Aurora looked down at Mulan, her warrior she realized, and made a note to ask Emma what Mulan had been doing since she had been taken away. "Mulan, we are going to be fine, please trust me. We will get to Emma's home and then we can start over. Together. I…if that is something you want."
Mulan looked up at Aurora and wiped her still misty eyes. She had never expected the princess to understand, much less reciprocate in any way. She slid her hand into Aurora's and smiled at her. "I would love that." She was sliding her other hand up around Aurora's head to caress her face once again when the princess wrenched her hand away and slapped her on the face.
"What are you doing? Did you think that I meant a slanderous relationship with you? I am a princess! You are nothing but a common soldier who is following me around, and when we get back to Storybrook, I intend to find another prince, so that I can have my life as it was intended to be." She stormed away towards Snow and Emma leaving a dazed, very confused, and nearly heartbroken Mulan behind.
Looking on from the cell, Cora grinned wickedly. That should have been enough to break them apart. Now to cause more havoc in their relationships…
Mulan thought to herself as she struggled not to break down. She changed so suddenly. Was she playing me the whole time? How could she take my heart and crush it like that… wait this cannot be her. Aurora is sweet and kind and would never do something like that. Cora? Oh no, I need to talk to Snow without her hearing.
Mulan picked up her pace, and ran up towards the others. As she caught up she whispered in Snow's ear "Aurora may be compromised. We need to talk." As they kept walking, Snow looked around thinking of a good excuse to separate. When they reached a river, she stopped.
"The cave is about half a day's journey further. We should rest and replenish our supplies. Mulan and I will go look for some food, if Emma, you and Aurora collect some water and rest here a bit." Emma looked at Aurora and they both nodded, so Mulan and Snow set off.
Cora gritted her teeth in the cell. I know they have to be planning something, but it would have been too strange for her to go along. NOOOO! At least I can find out what went on in Aurora's absence. She turned Aurora towards Emma and began to question her about Mulan and Snow's actions from earlier.
As soon as Snow and Mulan were far enough away from camp to not be heard or seen, Snow turned to Mulan. "Talk. And make it fast. Every moment we waste is another moment my husband spends under the sleeping curse and the easier it is for Cora to catch up to us. I am NOT leaving him there forever, you understand? One way or another I am going to get home."
Mulan nodded, recognizing in her the same emotion she had felt when Cora had Aurora but that she had not fully understood at the time. She gulped and explained. "After Aurora told us of her escape and we began to travel she seemed normal to me. And when I gave her some food, we talked but suddenly she changed. She wasn't like herself anymore. What if Cora is controlling her some way? How can we trust her?" She paused waiting for an answer but then realizing her own words added, "WE have to save her!"
Snow looked stunned and then began to nod. "We will do everything we can to help her I promise. She may be under her control, but I don't see how…" Suddenly, she stumbled backwards in shock, and raised her hand to her mouth as tear sprang to her eyes.
"What is it? SNOW! What do you know?" Mulan grabbed the smaller woman's shoulders and began to shake her. "Please you have to tell me! I love her! Don't leave me in the dark! Snow!" Her own eyes filled with tears as she said this, and she let her arms drop back down to her sides as she finished. "Please. We have to save her. I… I can't go on without her."
Snow looked down before answering Mulan. "Years ago, before the curse, Regina needed someone to do her bidding and she found an honorable man, Graham. He was just the man she needed, but he wouldn't do as she wanted, so she took his heart. After that he was under her control, but he could still act for himself somewhat. Maybe Cora has done the same? Her powers of control may be stronger than Regina's were."
Mulan nearly fell down when she heard Snow's theory. NO. There has to be a way to save her. The MONSTER! She looked back up at Snow, "What happened to Graham?"
Snow looked away again, guilty. "Regina killed him in Storybrook—But we won't let that happen here I swear it to you! We will save her. I…I had no idea she meant so much to you until today with the arrow, and now this. Mulan, I won't let Cora kill her. We will find a way. Now help me think of a plan while we find some food so they don't suspect."
When Snow said Graham had died, Mulan jumped up in rage, but at Snows words, her face hardened into resolve. "Yes, we can scavenge and plan at the same time. Snow… Thank you. For understanding." Snow nodded.
"I've seen you two together, and I can attest the cruelty of trying to separate true love." Mulan blushed at her words and then they both set about in earnest to find food and figure out a plan.