The Cricket Song
By Lady Lunastar
Disclaimer-I don't own Once Upon a Time...boy I wish I did...
Prelude
She could hear the soldiers catching up with her and she knew she couldn't stop running. If she stopped or even slowed for a second they would take her back. Take her back to The Queen, take her back to Rothbath and whatever punishment they could dream up for her. Rip my heart out, kill me, who knows...I just have to get away...I have to find Snow. Odette noticed the sky through the trees was starting to lighten and for the first time in a long time she felt a sense of hope. She just had to make it till dawn and than she would show them that they might have cursed her, but she was going to use it flee from them...she just had to make it till dawn.
Odette ran faster ignoring the branches that tore at her, the woods were starting to thin out now and she could see that dawn was close at hand. The woods ended, the only problem was they ended on a cliff side. Of course. She walked to the edge of the cliff and waited, she knew they were close and that she had no where left to run now.
"No one touch her, she's mine," ordered Rothbath. Odette took a deep breath and forced herself to stand straight. She would show him no fear, no weakness. The knights surrounded her and she noticed the Huntsman was with them. He gave her a sad look and she nodded in understanding. She knew she his punishment and he had no say in this act. I won't let them do that to me. The knights parted and Rothbath stood in front of grinning.
"You thought you could just run away?" he asked.
"That was the plan," she admitted.
"You know once you leave the lake that you'll stay cursed all the time," he mocked. We'll see about that, thought Odette.
"I honestly don't care anymore. I would rather stay cursed the rest of my life than stay with you another second. You are a horrible man...to think we were friends...that I trusted you," she spat. She could feel the first rays of sunshine on her back and took a step closer to the edge.
"I love you and I'm willing to give you everything," he said.
"You love me so much that you would see me a prisoner trapped to a lake."
"Only till you agree to love me than the curse is lifted," Rothbath explained.
"No...the terms are true love can lift the curse and this is not true love. I don't love you and I never will." Rothbath glared at her and went to move towards her and Odette took another step back.
"You have no where to go," said Rothbath taking another step.
"You forgot something...I can fly," she stepped off the cliff and Rothbath screamed in fury and went to the edge to see a white swan flying away and the sun rising.
"Damn her." Rothbath turned and glared at Huntsman. "Shoot her down!"
"But The Queen said..." started Huntsman.
"If I can't have her no one will. Shoot her down now!" Huntsman drew his bow and lined up a shot. Forgive me dear girl. He adjusted and took his shot and hit her in the wing and she went down below the trees.
"I lost sight, but her wounds should kill her," said Huntsman.
"Good," said Rothbath and he turned and started walking out of the woods. Please let her be alright, thought Huntsman following him.
…...
"What was that?" asked Pinocchio. A crashing sound and a cry broke the silence of the woods they were in. Pinocchio went off towards the sound of the crash. Geppetto and Jiminy looked at each other and Geppetto shook his head, the newly made boy was always curious and he wasn't surprised to hear his son cry out in wonder a minute later.
"Papa...papa come here. It's a huge white bird," cried Pinocchio. He went to touch it and the bird tried to snap at him. Geppetto sat his saw down and came over to his son to see what was going on about. Pinocchio went to touch the bird again and she snapped at him again and he heard it hiss at him.
"Be careful." Geppetto sat down next to him and saw what his son was talking about. "Oh this is a swan Pinocchio." Jiminy studied the swan and noticed that she was holding her wing close to her body and that some of her white feathers were turning red.
"She's hurt too, poor thing," said Geppetto and he went to touch her and she hissed at him.
"We just want to help you," said Pinocchio.
"Jiminy maybe you should talk to our new friend," said Geppetto. Jiminy got off Geppetto's shoulder and flew over carefully to the swan.
"It's alright. We're not going to hurt you," said Jiminy. The swan looked up at him in shock, her blue eyes were filled with fear and hurt.
"We can help you, but we need to see your wing," said Jiminy and he landed in front of her. The swan carefully lifted her wing and Jiminy saw that it had an arrow stuck in it.
"My friend can help you," said Jiminy. Geppetto reached out and touched the swan on her head and she didn't try to hiss or bite at him.
"Come on, let's get her back home and we can fix this," said Geppetto. He picked her up carefully and placed her in the cart filled with wood.
"Can we keep her?" asked Pinocchio. Jiminy saw the swan glare at the little boy's remark.
"He means well," said Jiminy sitting next to her. She looked over at him and to his shock he heard her whisper to him.
"Are you cursed too?"
…...
Archie Hopper sat across from Henry and fought the urge to sigh. He had been treating the boy for a few weeks now and was getting nowhere with him. He knew that this would take time, but it was like pulling teeth at times to get the boy to talk to him.
"Well Henry I think that's all for today." They had spent the last hour with Henry just doing his homework and talking about his day.
"Ok," said Henry and he packed up his things.
"I'll walk you to your mother's office," said Archie. They headed outside and the weather was finally starting to warm up. As they walked past Marco's shop, Archie saw the older man coming out from behind the shop holding a small moving bundle in his hands.
"Shush it's alright, I'm going to help you,"said Marco. The bundle started whimpering and struggling harder.
"Hey Marco," cried Henry and he ran over to him. "What do you have?" Marco bent down and showed Henry a small spotted puppy.
"I found it behind the shop, he must have gotten lost. I was heading to the animal shelter to get him some help. You want to come?" asked Marco.
"It's on the way to my mom's. Can we Dr. Hopper?"
"I don't see why not," said Archie. They started walking again and the puppy whined and fought them the whole way. Archie saw his head poking out and it was a Dalmatian puppy and it kept nipping at Marco.
"Here I'll take him," said Archie noticing his friend wince at a nip that was just a little to hard. Marco handed him over and and the puppy seemed to get tired and fell asleep.
"Hey I think he likes you," said Marco. The walked into the shelter and didn't find anyone at the front desk.
"Hello," called out Henry. "Helllllooooooo!"
"Hold on a second," called a female voice from the back. A few moments later a woman in her early thirties came out from the back room. Her long blond hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail and she was wearing light purple scrubs. It took Archie a second to realize that she was in a wheelchair, but it was her eyes that caught his attention, they were a deep shade of blue and they took him back for a second.
"Can I help you?" she prompted looking up him annoyed.
"Um yes...we found this little guy outside and he doesn't seem to have any tags," said Archie.
"Can I see him?" she asked.
"Oh yes of course," said Archie handing the puppy over. Her annoyed demeanor changed and she smiled at the puppy.
"Why...hello sweetheart. You shouldn't be out by yourself," she started talking in a high pitched tone and she placed the puppy in her lap and started pushing her chair towards one of the back rooms. Henry followed her to the backroom, Archie followed behind him and Marco behind him. She had placed the puppy on the table and he was licking her hand and showing her his belly.
"You are just the sweetest little thing. You aren't old enough to be away from your mommy though. No you're not." Henry came up beside her and let the puppy sniff his hand.
"How old is he?" asked Henry.
"Well he has his spots. So maybe five or six weeks old. Still to little to be on his own away from his mom."
So someone just left him?" asked Henry sounding a little upset. She sensed his hurt and tried to comfort him.
"Well he could have run away...they do like to run. Dalmations are always looking for something to do."
"My name is Henry. What's yours?" asked Henry.
"Well here it's Dr. White, but my friends call me Natalie." She held out her hand and Henry shook it.
"Archie's a doctor too," Natalie looked over at Archie and gave him a small smile.
"How did you get in the chair?" asked Henry.
"Henry," hissed Archie. He knew that the boy didn't mean anything by it and didn't know any better, but still.
"It's ok," said Natalie looking at Archie and than and back at Henry. "I was in an accident when I was about your age and that's how I got my chair of awesome."
"What kind of accident?" he asked and the therpist knew the boy had crossed the thin line by the way she pulled on her necklace and how she deflected the attention back to the puppy who was itching his ears.
"So where did you find this little guy?"
"By my shop," said Marco.
"Well. I'm going to have to keep him here for a few days to make sure he's not sick and I'll start seeing if anyone has a missing puppy."
"What if no one comes for him?" asked Henry.
"Well if no one comes for him...I'll have to keep him here for a few weeks since he'll need to be bottle fed and after that I promise to find him the best home possible," said Natalie.
"You promise?" asked Henry.
"I pinky promise," she said and held out her pinky and Henry locked his pinky with hers.
"I was adopted too," said Henry reaching out and petting the puppy. Natalie looked up at Archie and her eyes were just begging for help.
"Henry, maybe it's time to go meet your mom," said Archie.
"Can we come back and visit?" asked Henry.
"Um...that's up to Dr. White," said Archie.
"Can we come back and visit Natalie?" asked Henry. She just shook her head and gave Archie a look that was torn between amusement and uncertainity.
"I don't mind if you want to come back and see our friend," she picked the puppy up and placed him in her lap.
"So I need to get this little guy fed and you need to get to your mom. I'll see you later Henry," said Natalie.
"Bye," said Henry and he left the room. Archie looked at Henry's retreating back and shook his head.
"So I'll see you later than," said Archie and he quickly left the room. Marco shook his head and followed his friend out. Natalie shook her head and rubbed the pup behind the ears.
"This is why I like your kind more than mine. You make sense." He yawned and went to sleep in her lap.
For the next few weeks after the finished Henry's session they went to the animal shelter so he could play with the puppy and he found his stubborn patient starting to open up to him.
"Why would anyone want to get rid of a puppy?" asked Henry has they left his office to head to the shelter.
"Well they are lots of hard work and they need a lot of care and attention. They need a lot of stuff and sometimes people just can't do it," said Archie.
"Babies are the same right?" asked Henry.
"In a lot of ways they are the same," said Archie. Henry nodded and they walked into the shelter. Natalie was already waiting for them and had the dog sitting next to her on a leash.
"Hi Pongo," said Henry and he sat down next to the dog and started rubbing his belly. Natalie just looked up at Archie and gave him a half smile.
"I have to do some work in the back so will you be ok out here?" asked Natalie. Henry didn't answer her, his attention was on the dog. Natalie wheeled herself in to the back and Archie sat down next to Henry and rubbed Pongo's head.
"Hey Henry would you be alright if I went to talk to Natalie for a second?" asked Archie.
"Ok," said Henry. Archie headed into the back. Natalie was tending to a small rabbit and was rubbing his ear and was talking to it in a soft voice.
"Yeah you need to be more careful. You hurt your paw because you were trying to get out of your cage. I wouldn't like a cage either."
"I don't think anyone does," said Archie and Natalie jumped a little. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you."
"It's ok," said Natalie and she placed the rabbit back in it's pen. Archie noticed one of the paws was wrapped "He got his paw stuck in his wire cage door."
"Ouch," said Archie taking a seat so they could be at eye level. "I actually need to thank you."
"For what?" she asked wheeling herself over to a medicine cabinet and taking out a small bottle and needle.
"I've been trying to get Henry to open up to me for weeks now and I wasn't having any luck with him. But, now he's talking to me and I feel like I might be able to help him," admitted Archie. Natalie came back over, took the rabbit back out of his pen and placed him on the table to give him a shot.
"Well I am a firm believer that animals have great healing powers," said Natalie placing the rabbit back in his pen.
"It seems to work with Henry," said Archie.
"You know maybe his mother might consider letting him have the dog since it's helping him out," suggested Natalie.
"I'm not sure his mother is a dog or any sort of pet person," said Archie.
"Oh...his mom is mayor isn't she? I would need a shrink too than," teased Natalie and Archie had to force himself not to laugh.
"He's a very bright child, but he has trouble connecting to people and...I'm sorry I shouldn't be telling you this," said Archie.
"Right, the human patient/doctor privilege," joked Natalie. Archie heard the door chime and heard Henry greet his mother and Graham.
"I should go," said Archie. Natalie nodded and Archie left the backroom. Henry was giving Regina the saddest eyes he had ever seen.
"But he's been house trained and everything," countered Henry. Regina frowned.
"Puppies need a lot of time Henry and we don't have the time to care for a puppy," said Regina.
"You don't have time for him," snapped Henry and he grabbed his bag and walked out, Regina took a second to glare at Archie and followed her son. Graham shook his head and headed in the back. Archie took a second to overhear Graham make a joke and to hear Natalie laugh. Archie just shook his head and left the shelter. Natalie came back to front of the shelter and saw that Archie was gone. Pongo looked up at her and whined.
"Yeah I know boy. Come on," Natalie grabbed his leash and lead him to the back.
…...
"Let's take a look at your wing," said Geppetto. He reached out and took her wing and studied the arrow. He knew he couldn't pull it out whole. "This might hurt, but for just a second." He grabbed a pair of shears and cut the shaft so the arrow was broken in two and was easier to pull out. The swan winced in pain and whined.
Jiminy looked at her confused, he had heard her speak to him and now she wouldn't talk at all. She was clearly frightened of something or someone. Geppetto cleaned the wound and wrapped it.
"You might not be able to fly for some time," said Geppetto. The swan glared at the table and Jiminy could tell she was upset at this news.
"Come on son, let's go make some lunch and we'll find something for our friend to eat." Geppetto and Pinocchio left the room and Jiminy looked at the swan.
"Can we talk now?" asked Jiminy.
"I have to be careful who I trust. I made the mistake of trusting the wrong people and you can see where it got me," she said gesturing to her wing.
"What happened to you?" asked Jiminy.
"It's not important. The important thing is that I need to find Snow White," she said.
"The princess?" asked Jiminy and she nodded.
"I have to help her," she said.
"Than let us help you. Can you at least tell me your name and who did this to you?"
"It's Odette and if I'm right The Queen is making sure the person who did this to me is paying dearly for my escape."
…...
"What do you mean she got away!" yelled Regina.
"She just ran," said Rothbath. "I didn't think she would...the curse..." Regina cut him off.
"You think she cares about being a swan more than she cares about getting away from you. She never loved you and you tried to force it and she escaped because you were foolish to think she wouldn't run."
"It doesn't matter now, she's gone," snapped Rothbath.
"You go and find her now," ordered Regina.
"She's gone!" snapped Rothbath.
"You killed her," said Regina and she glared at Huntsman.
"He ordered me to take the shot," said Huntsman. Regina glared at Rothbath.
"I gave you Odette, I gave you one of my only friends...my loyal maid and you killed her," said Regina.
"What does it matter? You gave her to me," said Rothbath.
"That was a mistake and now you will pay for it," said Regina and she turned around, ripped his heart out and crushed it. Rothbath body dropped to the floor.
"One would think you actually care about your maid?" said Huntsman.
"I used too...she was kind to me. It's why I allowed her to keep her heart," said Regina. "Someone clean that up and now you my dear Huntsman are capatin of the guard."
…...
Natalie was finishing up the last of the paperwork when Archie came in.
"Good afternoon," said Archie.
"Good afternoon to you too," said Natalie pushing the paperwork aside.
"I was wondering if anyone had expressed an interest in adopting Pongo?" asked Archie.
"Not yet," said Natalie.
"Would it be possible for me to adopt him?" asked Archie. Natalie looked at him puzzled.
"I...I don't see why not." she reached in a drawer and pulled out some forms. "You'll need to fill these out, plus the fee of course...but I could see about getting it waved if you plan on using him for therapy." Archie took the paperwork from her and a pen.
"This is a really good thing your doing for him," said Natalie.
"Well I could also use the exercise," joked Archie.
"Good he'll need a lot of walking," said Natalie. Archie finished filling out the forms and handed them to her. "I'll get these in right away."
"Thank you," said Archie. He turned to walk away and faltered in his steps. He went to turn around when he saw Graham coming in with a lunch sack.
"Lunch time. Afternoon Dr. Hopper," said Graham.
"Sheriff," said Archie and he left the shelter. Graham watched Archie walk away and shook his head.
"Wow you have his head turned," teased Graham.
"You are so full of it," said Natalie. Graham just rolled his eyes. If it was going to happen it would happen on it's own.
Timeline-I'm setting the start of this two years before Emma came to Storybrooke making Henry about 8 at the time. I know they say time is frozen, but Henry ages so we're just going to work with that. I'm still new to OUAT, but I'm madly in love.