Neal knew he shouldn't have strayed from the kitchen but he couldn't help himself. The palace was putting on a magnificent party with hundreds of people dressed up in their fanciest dresses and suits. He'd never been invited to one of these parties, but what servant was? As he scanned the room from behind the curtains his eye caught sight of the princess, Emilia, or Emma as she preferred. As always she controlled the room with her infectious laughter and brilliant smiles. Neal watched her father swing her in a circle before setting her on his feet. From there they danced. Neal was mesmerized.

"Papa!" Neal heard Emma shout. Emma's blonde curls bounced around her face and her blue eyes shined in the lights. She was beau-

"Neal!" A shout from behind him had him spinning around, his head spinning from the quickness. The oldest butler gripped his upper arm. "You are supposed to be in the kitchen!" Without another look back at the ballroom Neal was taken to the only place he could ever remember calling home.


"Papa, why do we always have so many parties?" Emma asked as she spun around the dance floor with her father. His strong arms holding her up, his feet guiding her so she didn't stumble and embarrass herself.

David chuckled. "We want to show our kingdom that we care about them and since we can't have the whole kingdom here at one time we have several parties so everyone can have a turn. Tonight, however, we're celebrating."

"What?"

"You," David said, lifting her up and giving her another twirl. After setting her back down he pulled her to his throne. He had her sit there while he knelt in front of her. "Emma, today is your eighth birthday and sadly your mother can't be here but she gave me something to give to you." David produced a small package wrapped with blue paper and a silver bow on top.

Emma reached for it, her hands shaking. She was careful not to ruin the wrapping as she opened the package. She found a box within and when she opened it tears sprung to her eyes. "Papa, it's beautiful." There, inside, was her mother's wedding band on a chain. Engraved on the inside it read I will always find you. It had the date of their wedding and the location Enchanted Forest.

"We'll always have each other." David clasped the necklace around Emma's neck and wiped the tears from her cheeks. "No matter where you go the Enchanted Forest will always be your home." David tightened the shawl Snow had knit for Emma around her. Emilia was knit in silk ribbon across the back. "I love you Em-"

"Well," a feminine voice said with a controlling air in her voice, "Don't we all look cozy."

David stood up, shielding his daughter behind him. "Zelena, what are you doing here?"

"As your confidant I was hurt when I wasn't invited to this little party." She held a hand to her heart, her lips turned down.

"Why would I invite you? You destroyed part of my kingdom."

"Well, you did say they were causing problems."

"While I may have said that, I also said I would address them. What you have done is unforgivable. Leave, Zelena. Now!"

Zelena swirled her green glove covered hands. "You think you can vanish the great Zelena? By the unholy powers vested in me, I banish you with a curse. Mark my words. You and your family will die within the fortnight. I will not rest until I see the end of the Charming line forever!" With a snap of her fingers she was gone.

Soon the castle was under duress, people attacking the palace and fighting each other. David didn't know what to do so he took Emma's hand and ran.

In the midst of running Emma reached for the ring around her neck, for strength through this terrifying time, but it was gone. "Papa, stop! My necklace." Emma broke free of her father's grasp, clutching her shawl to her, and ran back searching the ground. She found the necklace just outside the kitchen.

"Emma, please we have to go."

Shouting behind them had David's muscles bunching and his heart pounding. Beads of sweat trickled down his face. What was he going to do? How was he going to keep his daughter safe?

"Over here!" David looked to see the little boy he'd taken in so very long ago. "Come on, this way. Out the servant's quarters."

They ran together through the hidden passages only to come out in chaos. People scattered everywhere, fighting, struggling to get one of the many carriages. David jumped on and turned back for Emma but she had fallen back. He tried to get back to her but it was too late, she was gone.

Neal stared at the shawl in his hand as he sat being watched by guards. One day, he promised himself, he would find Emma and give this back to her.