The Graveyard of Regrets
After placing a flower on Archie's casket, Emma left the vicinity of his grave and walked away from the crowd. At first she seemed to wander without direction, but, then, she realized she had gone exactly where she intended. The simple gravestone before her held the inscription.
Graham Hunter Hubert
Beloved Friend
1977 - 2011
As she gazed on Grahams grave, Emma shed a single tear. He was so tormented, but he could not understand any of it. But he did … at the end.
Graham's death, of course, was no longer a mystery, if even more bizarre. Once again, something Henry had told her turned out to be the absolute truth. Regina had killed him by crushing his enchanted heart, immediately after they had kissed. This truth, while not making his death less horrible, had, at least, explained it. Death was Regina's punishment for betrayal. Even an unknowing betrayal.
Emma's new found knowledge also explained the strange thing Graham had said just before he died. "I remember." What Graham had remembered was his 'other' life, that of the Huntsman. And the Huntsman was Regina's slave, because of his singular act of compassion, sparing Snow White. Thank you, Graham, for my life. I'm sorry I cost you yours.
Emma looked back at the still large crowd around Archie's grave. I have to accept that she will never change. Death remains her punishment. For any transgression it seems. I was so sure she didn't do it. Emma saw that Henry was coming over to him. She went to meet him.
A short distance away Regina watched Emma, and now Henry. No one could see her because she had cast a glamor over herself. And, of course, no one would expect her to come to the cemetery for the cricket's burial. She had come because she was outraged that they all so readily believed that she had killed him. I don't understand, Emma believed me. I was sure of it. But then she was certain it was me.
Yet, when Regina saw to whose grave Emma had walked, her anger disappeared. Regina did not kill Hopper, but she had killed Graham. Now Emma knows the truth of that. Even if she finds that I'm not responsible for Archie, she will always know of Graham. Why did I act so hasty. I didn't really want to kill him. I was just so angry. Regina knew she had lost no matter what. Anger threatened to overwhelm her.
She fought it down. I will not do that again. If I have pain, I will just endure it. No more misery. It never made me happy. With that determination firm in her mind, she mad to leave.
"Hello dear." Cora stood before Regina.