Take Backs
Disclaimer: I don't own Once Upon A Time!
Author's Note: While we wait for OUAT to kick back up in March, I hope you all enjoy my humble tale :) I have two chapters after this written, and will update weekly. The next chapter of As He Lay Dying is in the works as well, but I couldn't get this idea out of my head! Now, before you begin reading, I'd like to offer a quick side note for any shippers who might be concerned. My primary goal in writing this is to keep everyone as in-character as possible, and I'm striving for as realistic and canon as I can get. So whether you're in support of a couple or not, please just give it a chance to see what happens :) thank you all so much and don't forget to review!
Her name is Elizabeth.
He had known about her since she was two years old. She was beautiful in every sense of the word, according to the man who'd told him about her in the first place. He had never seen her himself; in fact, he didn't even have a picture of her. But she was a tiny thing, with wisps of dark hair on her head. She had the most stunning, enchanting eyes of any child in all the realms. And even at her age, she was too smart for her and her mother's good.
As soon as he was informed of her existence, he knew he would not rest until she was in his arms. He'd spent one lifetime trying to reunite with a child, and he was more than willing to give up another for his precious daughter.
Her name is Elizabeth.
It was a regal, fitting name for a girl, he thought, but had he been present for her birth, he might have suggested something else. Perhaps something more traditional, such as Annaliese or Emealia. But no matter her name, he still loved her. He adored and worshipped the very idea of her.
She would be powerful, he knew; not only was she his child, she was also a product of true love. Perhaps not love as strong as that of Snow White and Prince Charming, but love just the same.
He knew Elizabeth's mother still loved him; she had made a mistake by abandoning him, and for all he knew, maybe she regretted it. Maybe she would be pleased when he reunited them. He would finally be able to demonstrate to her that he loved her more than his power.
Her name is Elizabeth Anne.
He'd been five years without the magic. He'd thirsted for it ravenously all the time, craving his addiction, longing for the feeling it brought him. He'd comforted himself for all that time knowing that soon, he would be able to wield it freely once more, and this time, he could use it to protect his wife and child.
Storybrooke's population had grown considerably since he'd last set foot there. It was as if all those lovely couples were enjoying their happy endings, and children were appearing all over the place, a number of them considerably powerful.
They would be so much more powerful when he brought them all back to the Enchanted Forest.
It was time for another curse.
Her name is Elizabeth Anne French. And I will find her, or die trying.
Chapter I
"Elizabeth, darling, where are you? You'll be late to supper!"
Six year old Elizabeth emerged from the gardens as soon as her mother had spoken the words, a huge grin on her face. She'd had a most fascinating afternoon; she'd encountered a sick rabbit, who had three little babies to look after, and she'd been able to use the glowing in her hands to heal her. Her mother would be absolutely thrilled with her good deed! Mud stains on her pink day gown and lilac petals strewn through her thin brown hair, she skipped merrily through the front doors of the French Estate.
"There you are!" her mother exclaimed upon seeing her. Belle, worried lines etched upon her forehead, knelt to her daughter's level and began to smooth her wrinkled clothing. "What have I told you about going further than the east wall, Eliza? This isn't like Storybrooke; this land is much bigger, and there are all sorts of creatures lurking about. You must be safe, young lady."
"I was being safe, mother." the annoyed little girl huffed, her lilting accent melodic to her mother's ears. "And I didn't go anywhere near the wall."
"Then why could I not see you?" challenged Belle lightly, taking Elizabeth's small hand and guiding her to her bedroom. Once they had reached their destination, Belle peeled the dirt-stained clothes from her child's small form, and put them aside. As she began dressing Eliza up in a more elegant, mint-colored dress, the little girl answered,
"But I was in the gardens, mother, just next to where the lilac trees are blooming, and you'll never guess what happened!" It was obvious that Elizabeth was absolutely bursting at the seams with excitement to tell her mother whatever had transpired since tea had been served an hour and a half ago.
"What happened, precious?" asked Belle, a merry smile slipping onto her face. She had an awful time ever trying to be stern with Eliza for too long; the child was so charming and sweet, she had every adult in the kingdom in the palm of her tiny hand, including her grandfather, who spoiled her rotten.
"There was a mother rabbit with her three babies in the gardens!" Eliza cried out. Belle failed to see how such an occurrence was special or unusual in the least, but gave an interested smile anyway.
"That's lovely, Eliza."
"But the mother rabbit was very sick." Elizabeth's face suddenly sunk in, seeming heartbroken at the thought of anyone in pain. Belle began to see why her daughter might wish to talk about a sick rabbit, as the child had had very little experience with anything of the sort.
Belle knelt to Elizabeth's level once more, and met her gaze steadily. She spoke softly, "Darling, sometimes animals fall ill. So do people. And it's important to remember that it isn't your fault. You couldn't have helped that rabbit, Eliza, all you can do is -"
"But I did heal the rabbit, mother!" shouted Elizabeth jovially, literally jumping up and down with her news. "It happened again! My fingers began to glow, and when I touched the rabbit, she was well! I like to think that she and her babies will be very happy in our gardens."
Belle was very taken aback by this piece of information. She'd only seen Elizabeth exhibit signs of magic two or three times before, and they had been only a faint glowing on her hands. Belle had continuously dismissed these as tricks of the light. She could ignore what she was seeing, but not the countless times Eliza had spoken of the "magic lights" that she sometimes saw on her fingers. This, however, was the first time that these occurrences had bore results. There was no denying it anymore - her sweet, innocent Elizabeth had powers.
They can be used for good, Belle reminded herself sternly. Emma uses light magic, and so does Regina.
But Elizabeth is his daughter too, another part of Belle argued. And this magic certainly isn't just the results of true love as Emma's is. The source of this power is dark.
Belle stopped Eliza's jumping, and met her gaze again, more seriously than before. She spoke very slowly, trying to make sure that her daughter would absorb the words she was about to say with as much brilliance and intelligence as she did nearly everything else. "Listen to me very carefully, Elizabeth. Do you know the little girl you sometimes play with, Princess Olivia?"
"Of course, mother." Elizabeth smiled, but her tone was every bit as serious as her mother's. Sometimes, she sounded too much like a little adult. "She's my best friend in the world."
"Yes, that's right." Belle smiled. She kissed Elizabeth's forehead lingeringly before continuing. "You're such a brilliant girl, Liza. Do you also remember Princess Olivia's mother? She's very pretty, you've met her many times."
"Princess Emma?" asked Eliza smugly, knowing that her answer was correct. She had a very good memory, and was sure her mother would be proud of her for it.
"Yes." Belle smiled as calmly as she could manage. "And you've seen Emma use her magic before, haven't you?"
"Yes." replied Elizabeth casually. "Sometimes, she makes butterflies appear in the castle courtyards for Olivia and I to chase. And last time I was there, I scraped my knee when I tripped in the corridor, and she healed it for me. I don't even have the cut anymore!" Elizabeth seemed completely in awe of Emma's magic.
Belle nodded. "Princess Emma uses magic to do a lot of good things for people, Liza. She helps many who live in the Enchanted Forest. It's hard for her, you see, since she's only lived here for a year, just like we have. But she's been using her powers a lot more now than she did when we all lived in Storybrooke."
"That's nice," smiled Eliza. "But why are you telling me this?"
"Because, my sweet, I believe that you have powers very much like Princess Emma's." The words weren't exactly true. Belle was too terrified to admit the depth of her fear that Elizabeth's powers would be too much like Rumple's. However, seeing as her daughter had no idea that her father was the darkest, most powerful wizard in all the realms, she wouldn't understand.
"I knew it!" shouted Eliza happily. She began to twirl with so much excitement that she succeeded in wrinkling both her bed comforter and her dinner gown. "Oh mother, this is wonderful! Olivia will be so pleased! Do you think Princess Emma would teach me how to do what she does?"
Belle hadn't thought of that. She knew her child would need to be taught how to control her magic, but she hadn't considered Emma as a possible tutor. "We can ask her dear. I was also thinking of asking Queen Regina."
While Emma had wonderful powers, as well as control over them, Regina had been studying magic much longer, and given her excellence with children, Belle had faith that her daughter would be in good hands with either of them.
"That would be lovely, mother." teased Eliza, giving her mother a dramatic curtesy. Belle was about to reply, when the voice of one of her father's servants interrupted her.
"So sorry, milady, but I've been asked to inform you that dinner is served."
Belle turned to the nervous looking gentleman with a gracious smile. She'd seen him once or twice in Storybrooke; he'd been a worker for her father then as well, only in the flower shop instead of the estate. She was disheartened to notice sweat dewing on his brow. "No disturbance at all, sir. Eliza and I are quite ready for dinner, so thank you for letting us know. And no need for the formalities - Belle will do."
The man seemed slightly more at ease, bowed once rather unsteadily, and dashed off in the direction of the dining hall. The French estate may not have been as large as Belle's old home had been before she'd agreed to work in the Dark Castle, and her family's status may not have been quite as high, but they were still far wealthier than they knew how to manage, and the estate was plenty big enough to get lost in.
"Stay close, Eliza," said Belle quietly, latching onto her daughter's warm, frail fingers. "I fear you'll lose yourself in these corridors one day yet."
Dinner was uneventful, Maurice spending most of it doting upon his daughter and granddaughter. He'd become a most devoted companion to them since their return to the Enchanted Forest, and loved having them in his home. Though he had seen Eliza at least every week in Storybrooke as well, it was an entirely new experience seeing her on a daily basis. He adored it.
That evening, once all had quieted down, a telegram arrived for Elizabeth via a stable boy from the palace. Elizabeth had torn the envelope open eagerly, excited at seeing the elegant script from the castle on paper just for her.
"What does it say?" asked Belle curiously, trying to read over Eliza's shoulder. Her tiny daughter stuffed the card into her skirts quickly, and reported its contents to her mother.
"Princess Olivia has invited us to ride to the castle tonight to have cocoa with her parents. She said you're to come too, mother. Can we go, oh please can we?"
Belle chuckled heartily; some things didn't change. Even though Emma was of the highest nobility in the land and meant to behaving as a Princess, she still invited friends over casually for cocoa. With cinnamon too, no doubt!
Unable to refuse, Belle told Eliza, "Retrieve your cloak from your Grandfather's study, and be ready to leave in a few moments, alright?"
"Hooray!" And in a flash, Eliza was gone. Maurice's study was the one room in the estate she could dash too without getting lost, as it was where she spent the most time. Many days had been spent there, pouring over the book shelves with eager excitement.
Belle went to prepare the carriage for their journey, unaware that her daughter had been lured away from finding her cloak by a most unusual magic.
It was a glowing butterfly; as innocent as anything. It looked very much like the ones Princess Emma could conjure, so Eliza had followed instinct and chased it. In the back of her mind, she pointed out to herself that this was odd, as no such butterflies had magically appeared out of thin air in her home before, but the child in her ignored such qualms, and followed the creature dutifully. It led her far away from her Grandfather's book room, and instead took her to the back doors, which Eliza knew would lead to the gardens.
"Wait, Mr. Butterfly!" she cried out. The butterfly stopped flying at her command, and patiently waited while she caught up with it. She sputtered out, "Mother and I are meant to make way for the castle, now, to see Olivia. I can't go play in the gardens tonight."
"Can't you go to the palace another time?" The butterfly asked in a strange accent that Elizabeth couldn't quite place. She gasped in shock, however, that the insect could speak at all.
"Wow, you can talk!" she exclaimed, taking a step closer to the bug to examine it. "I've never met a talking butterfly before. What's your name?"
"I can't tell you my name here," the butterfly whispered. Poor Elizabeth's eyes widened.
"Why not?" she asked innocently.
"There is a spell in your house on my name," he told her cautiously. "That's why I wanted us to go outside, perhaps to the east wall? I just want you to be my friend, Elizabeth."
"That's not fair! You know my name, but I don't know yours." pouted the young child. She tucked away some loose strands of hair behind her ears with frustration.
"I'll tell you what," the butterfly said in a strangely parental way of bargaining. "You run along and play with your friend tonight, and tomorrow morning, wake up before sunrise and meet me by where you rescued those bunnies this afternoon."
"You saw me do that?" asked Elizabeth excitedly.
"Yes, I did." said the butterfly. "You did a very nice thing, dearie."
"Why thank you," said Eliza, giving her new friend a curtesy.
"So listen closely now," said the butterfly. "Meet me tomorrow by the lilacs. And don't tell your mother, okay? This will be our secret."
"Our secret," Eliza affirmed.
"Do we have a deal?" The butterfly asked coyly.
"We certainly do!"