A/N: Hello my fellow oncers, here with a new story. I've had an idea like this for a while, but it was only after seeing the recent episodes that I got the courage to begin it. Just a few notes, as the summary says, this is AU, and is sort of a take on events if it were Henry at the center rather than Emma. Flashbacks will be incorporated. Regina is the evil queen in this story, and things are a bit muddied at this point, but they will be explained as the story progresses. Anyway, I hope you enjoy. Please tell me what you think? Shall I continue?

Chapter One

The man rose to his feet hearing the lad's whimpers. It was nowhere near dawn, but the pattern was a familiar one. The boy had lived with him in the small cottage for almost two years now. Baelfire had been searching for an apprentice to help in the shop after his father had taken ill, and the boy had nowhere else to go, no family to speak of. It had been a perfect match. But he soon found that the boy had his own troubles, including near constant nightmares.

He watched from the doorway as the boy headed in the direction of the fireplace holding a log which he placed just so. He smiled to himself, but it was halfhearted at best, and fell completely upon hearing movement.

Baelfire cursed under his breath. The old floors in this place… enough to make anyone jumpy.

The boy's eyes caught his. "Master Baelfire! Did I wake you?"

The man shook his head. "No, not at all." He entered the room.

"I know I can be loud sometimes." The boy ducked his head. "I try to use the pillow, but it just…"

"Henry, it's perfectly fine." Baelfire smiled as he sat beside the boy. "I was awake long before." It wasn't a lie. He had actually been at the small table consulting one of Miss French's books on healing. Belle French was his father's wife. He recalled being a young man of twenty or so years, returning home after a time of traveling the realms, and feeling elated upon hearing the news. It hadn't been long after that… well it had been a good thing that he had returned when he did.

The boy studied him. "Master Baelfire… are you alright?"

"Yes of course." He looked over to the window, then to the boy. His eyes were blazoned with dark, deep circles. "You should try to get some more sleep."

The boy was already reaching for the flint, crouched before the mouth of the fireplace. "I sleep."

"Do you?" Baelfire smirked.

Henry ducked his head murmuring something.

"You fall asleep during your studies? I'd hardly consider that healthy."

Henry groaned. "It only happened once, and I read the rest right after I woke up."

" Once a week you mean?" Baelfire raised his eyebrows.

"Do you want me to put on some tea Master Baelfire?" Some point during this exchange, the boy had dodged towards the kitchen grabbing the tea leaves as he wore an innocent grin.

Baelfire sighed giving a nod as he took up the book and candle from the table, clearing room for breakfast dishes. "I was thinking," He looked to where the kettle was brewing. "You've been working the shop quite a bit, haven't you?"

"I sold six whole lengths of Master Rumple's yarn yesterday, and four of Miss Belle's books." Henry shouted from his place by the fire.

"Well done." Baelfire smiled. "How would you like to get out of the shop for a while?"

Henry frowned as he grabbed the aggressively whistling kettle. "Why?"

"Just a change of scenery. It gets dull behind the counter doesn't it?"

Henry mulled it over, before he gave a small nod. "A bit."

"Some friends of mine need some items from town." Baelfire handed Henry a piece of parchment and a pouch of coins. "I would go myself, but I think this job suits you."

Henry beamed. "Thank you."

"As soon as you pick them up, go to this address. Straight away." Baelfire pointed to a scrawl on the very bottom of the parchment. "I told them to expect you."

Henry observed the list. "Yes Sir, but… why would your friends need a sword and a crossbow?" As Henry looked up, he noticed his master's face draining of color. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have asked."

Baelfire shook his head, seeming to clear it. "It's not for us to know."

"But, shouldn't we, I mean… if we're delivering it?"

"Not always."

Henry nodded, but he was more confused than before.

A/N: So, what do you think so far? Next chapter will have Baelfire visiting his father and Belle as Henry goes on Baelfire's errand and finds a bit of trouble along the way. Henry's nightmares will also be touched on a bit as well.