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Darkness covered the Enchanted Forest like a thick cloak. But it was more than just an absence of light that blanketed the Realm. Strong Dark Magic stretched out its long talon, snuffing out the light of the moon and stars with a dense covering of black clouds that threatened to pour out a torrent of rain any moment. The air crackled with Magic as the Darkness reached out Its clawed hand, desperately trying to snatch up the two hooded, figures fleeing below.
"Hurry, Elaine, we must hurry!" huffed a young man to a young woman whom he was pulling behind him as he ran. In his left hand was a blazing torch that was lighting there way.
"Cedric, I can't keep running!" gasped Elaine as she desperately tried to keep hold of the bundle in her arm and keep up with husband at the same time, trying in vain to keep from jostling the bundle too much.
"We're almost there!" Cedric yelled back and defiantly gave her arm another tug.
Elaine gave a strangled yell as her foot caught a root. She stumbled to the floor, her hand being ripped out of Cedric's, as she tried to shield the bundle in her arm.
"Elaine!" Cedric yelled as he doubled back and dropped down on his knee next to her.
"I-I think I broke my ankle," sobbed the young woman. Cedric looked around helplessly. In that moment the heaven's opened and the rain poured forth. Within seconds the couple were soaked to the bone.
"Then we must do it here," said Cedric as placed the burnt out torch on the ground. He made to take the bundle from Elaine.
"Cedric, we cannot do this!" sobbed the Elaine as she clutched the bundle tighter to her chest, "We will be depriving her of one of the most important parts of her, something that she will be lost without!"
"We have no choice," Cedric answered, "It's the only way to protect her from Him."
Elaine looked down at the bundle in her arms and gave one final sob before she handed it over to her husband.
Cedric took the bundle with great care. He gently unwrapped the blankets and was greeted by an indignant and unhappy cry.
"Sshh, sshh, it's alright, my Love," whispered Cedric as he cradled his two month old daughter in his arms. The baby gave another cry and raised her pudgy fist. Even at two months old, and in the dark of the forest, Cedric could make out the beautiful feature that would define his daughter for the rest of her life. A silky, silver cap of hair covered her small head. Not the silver of an old woman's hair that had been leached of color, but the silver of moonlight.
"Please," Elaine sobbed again as she stared at their beloved child, "There must be another way."
Cedric didn't reply. If there was another way, he didn't know it. And they had run out of time.
He placed his large hand over his Baby's chest and began to chant under his breath. A soft green light began to emanate from beneath his hand and a warm feeling spread through his chest as he summoned Magic to do his bidding.
The baby shrieked in protest and writhed beneath his hand, as if she understood exactly what was going on. Cedric hardened his heart to the pain filled cries of his baby and the sobbing of his wife.
Finally, it was finished. His head sagged in exhaustion as the last of his magic left him.
Then, all at once, the forest went silent.
The rain stopped. The baby stopped crying. Elaine ceased sobbing and looked up with a tear and rain streaked face. Even the wind held its breath.
The Darkness had arrived.
It had cornered It's prey and It wasn't going to leave without spilling blood.
A twig snapped in the dark.
Cedric drew his sword with a metallic ring. Looking down at his daughter he saw the only evidence of his enchantment was star shaped scar on her little neck.
Tears flooded his eyes as he pressed his lips to the baby's forehead and whispered a father's final blessing over her. He then handed the child back to Elaine and told her gruffly to say her goodbyes. He then turned to face the Darkness that came.
"Well, well, isn't this a rrrather twisted turn of events," said a taunting voice from the darkness.
Tired of games and running, Cedric called out in a hard voice, "Show yourself, Imp!"
"I must commend you, Dearie," said the voice from the opposite end of the clearing. Cedric spun in that direction, his sword raised. "Not many people have managed to accomplish a feat like this."
"Show yourself!" Cedric yelled once again.
"Not many people," said the voice, back at its original position again, "Could outrun me for such a long period of time."
The clouds cleared and a ray of bright moonlight lit up the clearing, making it as light as day.
A pair of polished, brown boots stepped out of the darkness of the trees and into the clearing.
"But now," said the voice as it stepped into full view, "The running comes to an end."
"Rumplestiltskin," hissed Cedric and raised his sword higher as Elaine clutched their daughter tighter to her chest.
"The One and Only," said The Dark One in a sing song voice throwing his hands up and striking a pose with a sneer on his marred face.
"Like I said," continued Rumplestiltskin gesturing towards the couple, "Impressive. But pointless."
Cedric gasped as, with a flick of Rumplestiltskin's wrist, his sword disappeared. Cedric raised his arm and summoned his magic.
"Nuh uh uh, none of that!" cried The Dark One and with another flick of the wrist, Cedric found himself immobile, the flames from the fireball he had summoned flickering over his fingertips.
"Please," begged Elaine from the ground. Rumplestiltskin turned his reptilian eyes to the lovely young woman.
"Please, my lord, let us go," she begged.
Rumplestiltskin feigned shock, "But, my dear! You have taken something from me! Such a crime cannot go unpunished, surely you can see that?"
"Our child never belonged to you," snarled Cedric. The veins in his neck bulged as he strained every muscle in his body trying to break through the invisible constraints.
"You see," said Rumplestiltskin as he turned his attention back to Cedric, "That's where you're wrong, Dearie. She belonged to me from the moment she was born, and now, I plan to take what is mine."
For the first time that night, Cedric threw the smirk that had branded him a troublemaker since his teens.
"That's were your wrong, Dark One," he whispered.
Rumplestiltskin looked back at him warily, a burning question filling his eyes.
Cedric smirked once again and said, "She can no longer be of any use to you."
The Dark One's head jerked to Elaine who held up the baby to reveal the new scar that marred the otherwise unblemished skin.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!" yelled The Dark One as all his control slipped and the full fury of his power broke free.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HER!" Rumplestiltskin grabbed Cedric by the neck and choked him.
"Pro-protected her from you," wheezed Cedric. Tearing his eyes away from The Dark One's, Cedric looked over to his beloved wife and mouthed one word.
Now.
A final tear slipped down Elaine's cheek as she bent her head and began to mutter something over their child.
Cedric could not hear the words she spoke, for at the moment Rumplestiltskin released him and lunged towards Elaine as he shouted, "NOOOO!"
But it was too late.
With a flash of Azure light, the baby vanished from Elaine's arms.
With a cry of pure fury, The Dark One released a wave of Dark Magic. Cedric watched helplessly as it consumed his wife. He felt the Darkness engulf him and his last thought was of his final blessing over his beloved daughter.
Fair Thee Well, Kate Griffin.
Regina knew she shouldn't be out so early. Her mother would have a fit, and most likely assign a very nasty punishment. But Regina couldn't resist. The bright blue morning called to the young girl with all the power of a Siren; enticing her to come outside and play. Maybe even saddle her pony and ride off to explore the hills and forest for the day.
Jumping into every puddle she could find, Regina made her way to the stable. She knew she was, once again, risking her Mother's ire by muddying her new boots and soiling her pretty, pale blue coat. But nothing could ruin this day. Today was her birthday. Her seventh birthday. And on her birthday, for one single day every year, everything was done as Regina wished it. On this day she was the Queen.
Upon entering the stable, she was greeted by the familiar smell of hay, horse and manure.
She took a deep breath. Other than the wide open glens that surrounded her family's property, this was Regina's favorite place on the grounds.
Skipping towards her pony's stall, Regina hummed happily to herself thinking of all the wonderful activities that she would do today as she absent mindedly started to collect the saddle and bridle. So lost in her own world was she, that it was a good few minutes before she noticed a quiet sniffling.
Regina peered around the corner of an empty stall.
There, lying on the hay, swaddled in damp cloth, lay a baby.
Gasping in surprise, Regina dropped the saddle. It landed with a muted thud. Startled, the baby started to cry. Big crocodile tears rolled down her cherub face.
Pity tugged at her heart as Regina edged cautiously towards the child.
"Where did you come from?" she asked.
Upon hearing Regina's soft voice, the baby stopped crying and looked up with big, dark eyes. The baby's lip trembled and new tears filled her eyes.
"There, there, little one," cooed Regina as she bent and picked up the baby, "It's going to be alright."
The baby whimpered, but didn't start crying again.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Regina stroked her hand over the baby's soft, smooth head, noting the rich silver color.
"I wonder what your name is…"
Looking down, Regina saw a name embroidered into the fabric.
Kate Griffin.
An unusual name to be sure.
"Well, Kate," said Regina as she turned and exited the stall. "You don't have to worry. I'm going to take care of you. We are going to be best friends."
