New AU That wouldn't leave me alone! I thought I 'd post the first chapter for CS AU Week :) Special thank you to the wonderful Spartanguard for betaing for me. The first half of this has been inspired by Over the Garden Wall, an awesome weird mini series that I love. (And if you've seen it enjoy the easter eggs!) I hope you enjoy!
The sun shone bright in the garden at the Misthaven castle as the thirteen-year-old princess was making a mess of the place. The little spitfire's experiments with magic were not going according to her plans and she only ended up dirtying her new gown. Growing frustrated, Emma threw herself on the ground with an angered sigh, surrounded by little holes and piles of dirt. She thought speeding up the growth of a few plants would be easy. Then she could have fresh flowers to give to her mother for her birthday.
That's when the Evil Queen came for Emma. Dressed in all black, Regina towered over her. Emma had jumped up right away, frightened by her sudden appearance. Regina had a sick smile on her face right before she grabbed Emma's arm. The princess tried to fight against Regina's hold and screamed for help. She looked back towards the castle and saw her father running towards her, petrified as he yelled her name. And then he was gone. Or, rather, Emma was.
That was five years ago.
In those five years, Emma had come to terms with the fact that her parents may never find her. She had no hope— there was no sign of them coming to her rescue. What she did have were the jobs Regina had for her. Emma had met all sorts of people and fairy folk that resided in the Infinite Forest because of the little business Regina set up for herself. She would do runs for Regina, dropping off potions and collecting any valuable goods of their's in return. Emma hated it.
Regina exploited the people, but there wasn't ever much Emma could do to lessen the toll on the good lost folk of the forest.
The magic cuff on her wrist was a permanent accessory that blocked her own light magic and tracked her. Regina would always know what she was doing— no side tracks on her drop off runs. Three escape attempts and one punishment of an awful, scary night alone in the woods that was home to the Dark One was enough to stop her from trying to escape for a couple of years.
That was over today.
Emma was done; she wanted out. She had calluses on her hands and feet. She ached all over. The magic cuff on her wrist made her feel like she was going to combust. Bottling up magic like that could not have been healthy.
Emma laid on her bed at the end of the night after another long day of cleaning the large cottage and answering to Regina's every beck and call. She stared at the ceiling, going over her plan until it was time to set it in motion.
There was a knock on the door before Graham entered her cramped, dark chambers to deliver her dinner. Graham, her main source of warmth the whole time she was Regina's captive. He often guarded the cottage and cooked for Regina. A few times when Emma was cleaning the kitchen, Graham regaled her with stories of her parents and his few encounters with them. Every time he spoke of them, her hope would be sparked that one day, they would find her.
"Graham?"
"Yes?"
"How would you feel if I said I could give you your heart back and get us both out of here?"
Graham was caught off guard. "What? How?"
Emma showed him the key she had slipped into her apron pocket earlier. Graham smiled, and that was all she needed.
Emma and Graham snuck into Regina's study after the ex-queen had retired to her room. The study was dark, even with the torch in Graham's hand. There were magical objects and instruments scattered throughout the room. A wall of bookshelves was half full. The rest of the books were littered around the room.
Emma knew where Regina stored hearts. She whipped out the key and inserted it into the cabinet that was decorated with ornate carvings. Emma thought Regina would be more secretive when it came to hearts, but she was wrong. And luckily, there were only three hearts, which seemed odd, considering her parent's stories. Then again, those were stories from when Regina was a queen. That was a long time ago.
Emma moved aside so Graham could pick up his heart. Emma was mesmerised by the sight of the glowing organ as he carefully placed his hand around it and lifted it up reverently.
"You alright?" Emma asked. He looked like he was going to cry and her heart broke for him. All those years he didn't have a heart… what was that like?
Graham nodded his head. "Yeah, it just—it's been a long time."
Emma placed a hand on his arm and gave a reassuring squeeze.
The sound of the door flying open made Emma jump back. Regina stood in the door-way, staring daggers at the two of them.
"How dare you!" Regina held up her hand and made a motion. She used magic; that was not good. Regina was weak from her defeat all those years ago. With her powers dwindling, she would only use magic as a last resort. Graham's heart flew from his hand and landed in hers.
"No!" Emma shouted. Graham was standing eerily still next to her. Emma's own heart pounded in her chest. What she wouldn't do to have her magic.
"This is what happens to people who choose to go against me." Regina lifted his heart higher in the air and squeezed.
"Stop! Don't do it, please!" Emma protested, but it was too late. Graham collapsed to the ground as the dust drifted from Regina's hand. Emma moved to catch him. Her arms we shaking under his weight as tears streamed down her face. "No! Graham, come on!" Emma looked up with her tear-stained cheeks towards Regina as she cradled Graham in her lap. "Why?"
"How many times have I told you not to cross me? It's time you learned a very valuable lesson. This is your fault." Regina spat as she towered over her.
Emma jumped up and took a swing at Regina. The contact her knuckles made with Regina's face hurt like hell, pain shot through her arm. But it was worth it to see blood trickle down from the side of her mouth.
"That's it." Regina growled. With a flick of her wrist, Emma grew dizzy. The world was spinning around her and fading fast. Then everything was out of focus and a lot larger than it was a few moments before.
Regina chuckled. "Oh, I do like this look for you." She lorded over her. "Have fun escaping the forest and saving your parents now."
"What did you do to me? What do you mean save my parents?" Emma asked, her mouth felt weird. It didn't move the same as it had before and her head hurt so bad.
The smile on Regina's face would have made anyone feel sick with dread. "You see, after I brought you here, I cursed your parents and their kingdom."
"What? Why are you telling me this now?"
"I thought it would be more fun to let you think your parents didn't care enough to find you. How does it feel to know that all this time you've been bitter because mommy and daddy didn't find you like they said they always would, they've actually been cursed?"
Emma was speechless. A lump formed in her throat.
Regina bent down to look Emma in the eyes. "Good luck breaking your curse in this forest," she sneered. Regina waved her hand once again and was gone in a cloud of smoke.
"No!" Emma screamed. She ran forward towards the cloud, but her body felt wrong. Running was not supposed to be this awkward. She kept tripping over her feet. Emma looked down and saw the body of a bird and instantly felt light headed. "What," she uselessly cried. Emma walked over to one of the mirrors in Regina's study as quick as she could and she found a swan looking back at her. Emma shook her head as she took a few steps back from the mirror in horror. She attempted to run away and started flapping her wings and then she took off, out the window.
Emma flew through the trees, but kept hitting branches. She fell to the ground and landed in a heap. Her sobs shook her whole body. Graham was dead. Her parents were cursed, along with her kingdom. And she was a swan trapped in the Infinite Forest.
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-Four Months Later-
A week they have been trapped in this asinine forest, with no sign of a way out. It was starting to worry Killian. He would follow his brother anywhere, but he could only hope Liam had a plan, or thought of one soon. Killian would be eternally grateful for everything Liam had done for him, especially freeing them from servitude. But their new found freedom had only consisted of being lost in this forest. Liam said they would go to Misthaven to try to join the Navy. They had heard only good things about that kingdom and hoped that they would open their doors for two young men who had nowhere else to go.
The problem was, in their hurry to get to Misthaven, they found themselves in the Infinite Forest. Over the past week, they found that the forest truly lived up to its name.
"Oh, thank the gods," Liam praised as he picked up his pace.
"What is it?" Killian asked hopefully.
"Water!"
Water was just as good as way out at this point. Killian rushed to Liam's side and bent down to fill his hands. Liam filled the one water skin they had and continued to drink. The cool water running down his parched throat invigorated him.
"We should follow this stream; it may lead to a way out," Liam suggested.
"Hopefully, we won't run into anymore colourful locals…"
"I still can't believe that with the number people we've come across in this inane forest, none of them know how to get out." Liam said as they started to walk along the side of the stream.
Killian heard a rustling in the trees and a quiet shout before he could answer. "Wait, Liam, listen. Do you hear that?" Killian looked around trying to find the source of the noise. "Over there!" Killian ran over to a swan trapped in a bush; before he gave it much thought, he freed the bird from its cage of vines just as Liam reached his side.
The swan flew up as soon as it was able and paused in the air to look at them. What a curious bird; but then again, this was not the strangest thing that had happened to them today.
"Thank you for freeing me. Is there something I can do for you in return?" the bird asked. The swan spoke! Okay, now it was the strangest thing to happen today.
"What the in the devil?" Killian gasped as he jumped back. Liam made a noise of surprise as they both stared dumbstruck at the swan.
"What? Have you not seen magic before?" The swan spoke again and Killian had to shake his head in response.
"We've heard tales, but never seen it in person." Liam walked towards the bird with a curious look on his face as he studied her.
"Well, I'm glad to be the first. Now, would you like a favour for freeing me or not?"
"Feisty one, isn't she?" Killian said, growing amused at the situation. The swan huffed, and Killian chuckled before asking, "What kind of favour?"
"I don't know, maybe: food, shelter, a way out? Take your pick," she deadpanned.
"You know a way out of here?" Liam asked desperately.
"I don't know a way out, but I do know someone who might."
"Who?" Killian asked.
"The Blind Witch."
"That's her name? She doesn't sound too welcoming," Liam commented, crossing his arms.
"Not all witches are bad," the swan snapped.
"Speaking of names, do you have one?" Killian asked, trying to cut the tension, and he was genuinely curious about this creature. He wasn't entirely sure he could trust this swan, but he wanted to at least give it a shot. They had no other options.
"I'm Emma."
"Emma, the swan. I like it. I'm Liam and this is my little brother, Killian."
"Younger," Killian muttered under his breath.
"It's nice to meet you both. Now, let's go," she said quickly and took off flying.
Killian furrowed his eyebrows in confusion and shot Liam a look. This was strange. This whole forest was strange, so maybe he should just not question it. They had already seen a wood carver talking to his carvings like they were his family, a woman dressed as a raccoon living in a tree and hissing at people, and a man who was addicted to drinking "the life blood of the trees to gain their all mighty power."
Maybe the talking swan still wasn't the strangest thing he'd seen. Yet, she seemed to be a little too eager to help them.
Emma started to lead them towards the witch's cottage. Killian looked to Liam; he seemed on edge, and he couldn't help but wonder if he too wasn't sure if they could trust this talking swan.
"Liam," Killian whispered as he slowed his stride.
"What?" Liam matched his pace, falling back a couple of yards from Emma.
"Are you certain we can trust her?"
Liam turned from Killian to glance at Emma. "No, I'm not. But I do think she is our best chance at getting out of here."
"What if we give her a test of sorts?"
"Push her buttons, see what's really underneath those feathers?" Liam's mischievous smile lit up his face. His darkened mood seemed to melt away.
"Aye." Just like that, Killian was reminded of all those schemes they planned when they were kids. Even before their father left them, the two brothers were constantly borrowing books and swiping extra food from whatever ship they were on.
Killian was lucky to have him. After their father left, Liam tried his hardest to keep Killian fed. Even in the midst of so much pain, they found a way to have some fun and take care of themselves while they were at it. They were only caught a handful of times, one of which ended with a lashing for Killian.
That train of thought sobered him up.
But they were free now— that's all that mattered. And testing this swan wouldn't end in a lashing.
"Do you have something in mind, Killian?" Liam asked with a raised brow, seeming to catch Killian's distracted look.
Killian sent him a smile before picking up his pace to match Emma's.
"Oh, Emma! Is there anywhere we could stop to eat? I'm absolutely famished, and I imagine you know these woods far better than we do. We've been lost the past week and have only come across berries and a few… colourful characters."
"'Colourful characters' is putting it nicely, don't you think?"
Killian couldn't help the laugh that bubbled from his lips, and it sounded like Liam couldn't either.
"Too right, lass."
"I do know of a tavern, but we have to be quick."
"What's the rush, Miss Swan?" Killian liked the new moniker he gave her. "Do you have lots of favours you need to get too? I can't imagine a swan having very much to do, especially in this cursed place."
"Hah, very funny." She didn't elaborate any further. Killian looked at Liam, and he gave Killian a disapproving look.
"You know, I would have thought that a bird with the power of speech would be a lot more talkative." Liam commented to Killian.
Then it hit Killian. "Wait." He turned his attention back to Emma. "How were you turned into a swan?" There was no way she was just a swan. Something about Emma just being a talking bird rubbed him the wrong way.
"How does anyone fall under a curse?" Emma asked.
Some sort of answer; Killian would consider that a win.
"Piss off a witch, I'd wager." Liam said with a raised brow.
"Yep."
"What did you do?"
Emma kept flying and slowed her pace down a little. Instead of waiting for her answer, Killian decided to ask his own question, one that hopefully had less weight to it. "Does your curse also make you do favours for anyone who helps you or do you work under a code of good form and hope good deeds will break your curse?"
"Something like that."
"Could you be more cryptic?" Killian sighed in frustration.
Her only answer was a smirk. A smirk! Killian didn't even know swans could smirk!
Emma picked up her pace and asked, "Food, right?"
"Yes, please," Liam piped up in Killian's silence. "Come on, Killian. We still have time to work on her."
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Of course they had to stop for food, they couldn't just go quietly, could they? She knew they were pushing her, too. They wanted to know if they could trust her.
Emma couldn't think about them or what she was leading them into for too long. Her family, she had to save her family. These boys could be terrible people. They did seem rather annoying. She was saving the world from two idiots who didn't know how to mind their own business. And what idiot wanders into these woods? The stories are out there. Most people would avoid the Infinite Forest if they could. It was the closest thing to Wonderland outside of Wonderland.
Okay, food for the idiots has to be somewhere around here.
Emma heard a humming from somewhere to her left. It would either lead them to food, or make them more confused, but she went to scout it out.
"What's that?" Killian— no, the younger one— said. He too heard the humming.
The older one followed Emma closely. "Emma, what is that?"
As Emma entered the clearing she found one of those wanna-be monks cross-legged, meditating under a large tree.
Emma huffed out a frustrated breath before answering. "No one that is going to help us find food. Let's go."
"Life is an illusion, children. Food is an illusion," the monk said as he opened his eyes and stared at the three of them.
Liam— no, the older one— responded before she could with a narrowed gaze. "Food is a necessity."
"Liam, come on," the younger one said as he pulled on his brother's arm.
"Beware the Dark One. You boys have been through much. Submit to the illusion and all will be fine." The man waved his hands up in the air as he spoke.
"Let's go; he's mad." Emma started to fly away; four months living out in this forest did much to her already-small amount of patience. At least when she was a prisoner, her interaction with the people of this forest was very limited.
"You, princess! Fly away like the coward you are! Beware the woods. Submit to the illusion."
Emma shook her head as she flew. He was right about one thing: she was a coward. She could hardly look at the boys she was leading to their end. All for an easy way out of the forest. But who knew how long she could be stuck like this? And her family— she had to save her family.
She looked back and saw the boys following her. They were talking and looked uncertain. She should have worried if the man's words caused them to second-guess following her, but she didn't care. She just had to find them a tavern or some sort of food.
After an hour or so of flying, Emma was able to recognise some of their surroundings and found the tavern she had seen in passing. She had never actually stayed. The longing was too great. All she wanted was to go in and eat like she used to. Sit around a table, preferably with her family. But that food would have made her sick, even if they did serve birds. And her family was far away, unaware of her plight.
"Here, the Honey Lover's Tavern. I warn you, the clientele is as crazy as the rest of this place."
The two brothers walked towards the entrance and stopped before entering.
"Emma, are you coming?" the older one asked.
"No, I'll wait out here."
"Do you want us to get you anything?" The younger one asked this time.
"No," she responded curtly. She would not let them get under her skin. "Just be quick."
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Night descended as they ate. The tavern was nicer than Killian thought it would be— dark wood with low lighting, nothing out of the ordinary. It was full of people. Some were bobbing for apples, others were playing a game that Killian could not figure out for the life of him. Overall it was not too bad. Killian was ecstatic to have a real meal. They split a roasted chicken with potatoes.
He would have loved to have a glass of rum, but he couldn't. Not after all that Liam had done for him. He needed to stay on the right path if he and Liam were to join the Navy. He took a sip of the water next to his plate instead and thought over the day instead.
"Do you think we should get Emma some food?"
"I don't know what swans eat. Might make her sick," Liam answered thoughtfully.
It struck him then how hard her situation must be. How long had she been a swan and had been denied to do and eat what she wanted to? If he was turned into a swan, what would he eat? Grass? That sounded less than appealing.
She would have to learn a whole new way of getting around. Looking at her reflection must be awful. And she was alone in this forest. Killian's heart went out to her. At least he had always had Liam, even through all of their hardships.
"What are you thinking?" Liam asked as he lifted another fork-full of food to his mouth.
"Do you think we could trust her?"
"I'm not sure, but I can't shake the feeling she's hiding something."
"Or purposely pushing us away?"
"I don't want to be too quick to judge. She seems to be in her right mind, and I can't blame her for being at arm's length after living in a place like this."
Killian nodded in agreement before yawning; his full stomach and non-stop traveling had taken a toll on him.
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My sentiments exactly, Liam thought as he watched his brother's jaw-cracking yawn.
"I'll ask the tavern keeper if they have a room."
"What about what Emma said, being quick and all?"
"We are exhausted, and we have the opportunity to actually sleep in a bed. Besides, another way to test her, aye? We should have plenty of money." Liam added as he checked his coin pouch. He still felt shame when ever he looked in it; a constant reminder of what he had done. But looking up at his brother, free with a full stomach, it was worth it.
"I still can't believe they gave you all that gold. I know it was their child you found, but—"
"Aye, fortune seemed to favour us," Liam cut him off, he didn't want to think about the lie he told his brother any longer.
Liam stared at his food and made himself finish his portion. It was the best meal they shared in years. As soon as he finished, he excused himself to talk to the owner of the tavern. They were in luck— one last room available. Liam turned from the man after he received the key and walked back towards their table.
"Liam, did you know that if you soak a raisin in grape juice, it turns into a grape?" Killian stared at him with an expectant look on his face.
Liam paused for a moment in fear. Could the food they have just eaten affected their minds to become like the rest of the people they had found in this forest, speaking nonsense? Killian laughed, and his unease grew.
"Liam, I'm kidding. It's just what that bloke with the teapot on his head just told me."
Liam huffed before responding, "Bloody hell, I thought the food might have made your mind melt." Liam scrubbed a hand down his face as Killian rose from his seat. "Come, I've gotten us a room."
The second floor of the tavern housed the inn. The stairwell was small and steep, and it led to one corridor. Liam followed the numbers on the door until he found theirs.
"This is quite nice; not at all what I would expect to find here." Killian said as they entered the room. In comparison to their bunks on the ship, it was like a palace, with dark crimson curtains, a small rug lying on the wood floor, and plush beds with two pillows and thick blankets. The pitched ceilings made the room seem larger than it was. An oil lamp placed on the table between the two small beds cast a warm glow on the room.
"We can put the extra pillows on the floor for Emma," Killian said, placing his satchel and jacket on the edge of the bed closest to the door as Liam walked over to the window.
Liam opened the window and quietly called for Emma. A few moments later, she flapped into view and perched herself on the window box that was home to a few dead flowers.
"What are you doing?" Emma snapped as soon as she landed.
"It's late," Liam deadpanned and narrowed his eyes at her. "We'd rather sleep where it's safe. Unless we would make it to the Blind Witch's house tonight?"
"No, it's not that close," Emma hesitated.
"Then it's settled; we will stay here for the night. Come, there are some pillows you can sleep on."
"No, I'll be out here." Emma turned from her spot in the wind box.
"Wait," Killian said stepping closer to the window. "Why don't you stay here? It's warm and comfortable. More comfortable than anything out there."
"Thanks, but no thanks. I'll see you in the morning." Emma flew off before he could protest. Killian gave Liam a confused look.
Liam just shrugged as he shed his coat and shoes before getting into one of the beds.
"Sleep. Maybe in the morning she will be more forthcoming," Liam mused.
"Aye, I hope so. I feel bad for the lass, but I'd like to be able to tell whether or not we are walking into a trap," Killian said before he got into his bed with a soft moan.
"They're nice, right?"
"Bloody brilliant," Killian murmured. Liam looked over to Killian and saw him fast asleep before he could reply. Liam turned on his side and fell into a blissful sleep, unaware that just outside, Emma was shaking in the cold, hoping that sleep would claim her.
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-The Day Before-
There was no way out. They were right. Every single crazy person she has ran— or, rather, flew— into in this gods forsaken forest was right. She was trapped here and as a swan at that!
Emma flapped her wings harder, trying to get above the tree canopy. The branches only got denser. Emma's breathing grew more laboured; she couldn't see a tree from behind the branches and smashed right into it. Emma fell down and was ensnared by a thicket. She tried to move, but the branches were too dense. Great. She was trapped all because she was too busy wallowing in her own misfortune. There was no escape, and she would likely die here and in this form before she could even wake her parents from whatever curse they were under. They were likely under a sleeping curse, with Regina's track record.
Regina. Oh, how Emma wished she could find her. The only reason she knew the Evil Ex-Queen was still alive was because she was stuck in this form. Emma had gone back to that horrid house she had been kept prisoner in for all those years, but found no trace of Regina. And she dared not to go back in the study. She couldn't. What she did do was leave flowers out side the door in remembrance.
Emma heard a twig snap and she moved her head towards the sound.
The Blind Witch. She was kneeling down tending to some plants. Emma had heard talk of her, but never actually seen her, though she did live up the descriptions: messy light hair that sat upon her head, and dressed more formally than anyone should for the forest.
Emma cleared her throat and called down to her. "Help, please, I'm stuck."
The blonde circled her head around. Emma called out again and again until the witch was able to make her way over to Emma and help free her.
"Oh, aren't you a special bird," she said with wonder as Emma maneuvered herself out of the thicket after it was cleared.
"You're the Blind Witch, right?"
"Yes, that's me."
"Can you help me? I've been turned into a swan and I really need to turn back into a human and get out of here."
"I'll tell you what, how about you do something for me and then I can turn you back to your original form?"
"What do you want me to do?"
"Follow me." The witch got up and started walking, Emma flew closely behind and saw the witch's cottage not far away. It looked like it was made from sweets. It smelled like it was, too.
Inside was no different. There were sweets and cakes everywhere. Emma looked around in confusion. The witch walked over to a cauldron, waved her hand and an image appeared in the water.
"I need you to bring me these boys."
Emma looked into the water and saw two boys around her age in ratty clothing. Both attractive with blue eyes and dark hair. The one who looked slightly older had short curly hair while the other had longer straight hair that was tied back at the nape of his neck. Another set of lost travellers. Emma wondered if their minds had gone yet, like the others.
"What do you need them for?"
"Don't worry, I'm not going to eat them."
Emma didn't even think of that as a possibility. "Are you going to cause them any harm?"
"No," she said, and Emma could tell that the witch wasn't lying.
"Can you return me to my proper self and get me out of this forest?"
"Yes; once you return to your proper form, the magic I sense you have will no longer be blocked and you can easily get yourself out," she said with a smile.
"Deal."