"The only way to get home is to go and see the Sea Witch."

"Who?"

Emma found herself stuck in the enchanted forest once again. She hadn't planned on it but she had somehow managed to get on Regina's last nerve regarding Henry and she had been sent to the forest which she would have rather forgotten about. She had wandered aimlessly for at least weak before she had literally run into Mulan and Aurora whilst running from some creature who thought she looked like an easy lunch.

"The Sea Witch," Mulan repeated, "By my reckoning it's your only choice considering Hook and his ship are already in Storybrooke and Cora, who was the only one who could open a portal is dead."

"Won't she make me sell my soul before she helps me though?" Emma asked.

"Probably," Aurora spoke bluntly, "But Mulan is a pretty good negotiator."

The two of them began walking and Emma could do nothing but follow behind them. She had no desire to sell anything to the Sea Witch but if it meant being able to get back to Storybrooke and ultimately, back to Henry, she would have to do it. Emma had no doubt that Regina would be trying to worm her way into Henry's life – she could only hope that Mary-Margaret and David were doing everything they could to protect him.

The walk didn't take very long, maybe an hour or so, and Emma was sure that even if the journey to the cove they know found themselves in was a waste of time, the beauty of the place would surely make up for that. Emma thought it looked like an oversized rock pool – the water glistened in the sun and it seemed as though there was no life at all in the water. The cove was covered with lush green trees and ivy had grown along the tops of the highest rocks.

"What do we do now?" Emma asked as Mulan kicked at the dry, dusty ground.

Mulan bent down and picked up a sizeable looking rock, "You throw this into the water."

Emma took hold of the rock hesitantly but threw it in all the same. The rock made ripples across the whole of the water and as they settled, Emma could make out a white figure in the water. The figure rose from the water and leaned against some of the rocks by Emma's feet. The woman in front of her was nothing like what Emma had imagined. She had long blonde hair and pale skin and was beautiful by any account – Emma had imagined a greener looking creature.

"To what do I owe this great pleasure." The woman spoke softly.

Everyone looked at Emma expectantly, "I need to get home." She said simply.

"I can see you are not from our world, Child," The woman smiled, "Fear not, for I can help you, for a small price."

"Listen lady, I need to get back to Storybrooke to get to my son before the evil queen does, I am not paying you anything."

The woman looked taken back by Emma's brashness, "Very well, but first I must summon someone to help you get through the portal and you can see if she will help you without a price."

The woman disappeared and for a moment Emma felt hopeful that she would be able to get home without giving someone her voice or something equally as stupid as that. As she waited though, that hope began to diminish, she was sure that no-one was going to help her. She waited so long she gave up on standing and sat down.

Mulan had stood up to stretch her legs and took a quick look into the pool of water, "Look!" She shouted, "I think I see something."

Emma scrambled to her feet and lo-and-behold there was a flash of dark blue and red under the water. A face appeared from the water with flame red hair and it took Emma a moment to register what she saw before her. A mermaid! If she had thought the witch had been beautiful, this mermaid broke all expectations. She knew they were supposed to be beautiful, but Emma didn't even swing toward women and she couldn't deny that the mermaid in front of her was the most beautiful person she'd seen. Her face was pale but there were clusters of blue scales on her right temple and left jaw bone. Her breasts were covered with the same blue scales and her tale was simply majestic. It was large, bigger than Emma had expected and was the same colour as the rest of the scales, although these glinted in the sunlight, giving them a lighter appearance than the rest on the mermaid's body.

"What do you need help with?" The mermaid spoke, her voice much bolder and rougher than the Witch before her.

"I need to get home." Emma spoke, practically begging.

"Do you have payment?" The mermaid asked, Emma's stomach sank.

"No," Emma sighed, "No, I don't."

"Then I cannot help you." The mermaid spoke, turning to swim back to where she came from.

"Please," Emma spoke, the mermaid turned around, "Please, I need to get home to my son, he's in real danger, I'm sure of it and my parents will be worried sick about me."

The mermaid's face softened a little at the mention of a family, "Where is home?" She asked.

"Storybrooke."

Emma noticed a complete change in the mermaid, she smiled a little and pushed herself up onto a rock in front of Emma, showing the curves of her body.

"I'll help you get home on one condition," The mermaid spoke, "You take me with you."

Emma was about ready to do anything to get home, "Yes, okay, whatever, just as long as you get me home to my son."

The mermaid smiled and reached out a hand, Emma turned to Mulan and Aurora who both gave her hugs. She turned to the mermaid took the offered hand, "Close your eyes," The mermaid said, "It'll be easier for you that way."

Emma did as she was told and closed her eyes tightly, she felt a sudden tug on her arm which is the last thing she remembered.