It was cold. Not the icy sea breezes that were native to Main, this was a cold none of the group that stood in the middle of a small grassy clearing had felt for many years. Looking around at each other it took a few moments for the situation to truly set in.
"Were back" Snow breathed out taking her husband's glove clad hand into her own.
The group was the same that had gone to the town line to say goodbye to Emma and Henry. It seemed some luck was on their side as the removal of the curse had given them back their old clothes minus Regina who was dressed more simply than the outfits she had donned as the evil queen. It also appeared that Blue and Tink had been able to maintain their human size without the need of extra pixie dust, nor had Archie turned back into a cricket.
"Yes but I think the more pressing matter is knowing where exactly we are" Regina said coolly moving away from the group trying to discreetly wipe the tears that were still fresh on her face. The pain was still heavy in her chest. She wanted nothing more than to get as far away from these people as possible. She was biting back what she sure would evolve into sobs when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"You're not alone Regina, I know Henry's gone but you have friends." Tink murmured softly.
"He's the only one I truly love" Regina snapped back using her anger to hide her pain.
"Regina I told you before love it out there for you. You found it in your father, in Daniel, in Henry, not to mention the man you were supposed to love with the lion tattoo…" Tink trailed off.
"I'm a villain. I don't get a happy ending" She said bitterly.
"A villain would not have saved us all from Pan's curse, you gave Emma and Henry a happy life. You did bad things in your past, but you are redeeming yourself Regina. I believe in you." The fairy said taking hold of Regina's Hand and giving them a comforting squeeze.
"Come on let see how were getting out of these woods" Tink said pulling the former villainess back towards the group.
Rejoining the rag tag group that was assembled Tink and Regina were welcomed back by a warm smile from Snow.
"Hook says he thinks he knows which way we need to go" Snow said filling the two into the conversation they had missed.
"Are you sure pirate?" Regina asked not trusting the pirates ability to navigate the land.
"Aye. I know the mountains to the west. We go east well meet the sea." He said with an attempt at his usual bravado. Saying goodbye to Emma had obviously taken a toll on him as much as he tried to hide it.
"Lets get moving" Charming said taking the lead "We need to try to find everyone else who came back from Storybrook" Worry etched on his brow looking over the few assembled before him. There wasn't a single person there who wouldn't be able to take care of themselves should the need arise, but he was more worried about those who weren't there.
It was near sunset that the group came upon a small village. The aroma of food cooking and the far off whinny of a horse informed them that they have found a group that had been spared from the curse and had survived the years despite the threat of ogres.
Walking carefully they group made their way into the town unsure of the reception they would receive.
"Who goes there?!" A male voice rang out "We have you surrounded so don't even bother trying anything funny"
The shutters to the second floor windows of the houses flew open as half a dozen archers had their arrows pointed to the group. With their hands up they exchanged glances as if deciding who would speak on behalf of the group.
"Hello, I'm Davi-Prince charming. I'm here with Snow White and our friends…" Charming trailed off not fully sure what to call the group with him.
"Lads stand down!" The voice called at once. Climbing down from the shadows of the rooftop above them the beaming face of Robin Hood greeted them.
"You all came back!" he welcomed them brightly, clasping hand with charming and pulling him into a hug.
"Yes everything should be as it was before the curse, like it never happned" Charming said by way of short explanation.
"I take it there is more to the story then?" He asked while giving a low bow and peck on the hand to Snow.
"It's a long story" she said with a dry laugh
"Well there is always food and drink enough for all!" Robin called out to the entire group motioning them towards the large building down the road that served as the towns inn.
"Robin if you don't mind we would like to talk to you some in private" Charming said in a low voice.
"Of course, I imagine you have much to relearn about this land" The smile faded from Robins face taking on a more serious look. "We can talk at my residence, bring only a few with you. Some of the news I have I think it better not to spread too far yet"
"Of course" Snow agreed somberly.
A half hour later Snow and Charming had managed to discreetly gather Neal, Hook, Regina and Tink, who they had been unable to draw away from Hook and Regina. Together they sat with Robin by the fireplace in his small home.
"I'm sorry its not much, but its home" Robin said offering drinks to those assembled.
"I thought you had been staying in my father's castle" Neal injected looking confused as to why the merry man had given up the large castle for the small house he now resided in.
"Indeed Rolan and I had, but he started having nightmares after the whole shadow incident so I thought it better we left that place. Besides the dark ones fortress is not place to raise a boy." He took a deep drink from his cup. "Which leads to question why are you back here? Last I heard you had to save your son from some sodding place called Neverland."
"Henry is safe now. He's with his mother in the land without magic. He can't remember any of it." Neal said sadly.
"Which leads to why we are here" Charming said taking over the conversation. "The curse is over and everyone is back"
"Not everyone" Snow murmured to herself more than anyone else.
"But we need to know what has happened since we left and try to get word out as quickly as possible of our return. There are others out there who have returned and some may need out help" Charming finished.
"You may not want to announce your return your highness. There is a new darkness in this land and I doubt they will take kindly to hearing of your return. If they don't know already that is."
"And who is this dark one?" Regina, who had been staring distracted at the fire, asked looking up at Robin.
"We don't know much to be honest. All we know is she has taken over Maleficent's old castle and she sends flying monkeys to do her bidding."
"Flying monkeys?" Snow asked, a memory poking at the back of her mind where she was unable to place where she had heard of that before.
"This dark one doesn't happen to be a witch with a peculiar green color about her?" Hook asked speaking up for the first time.
"Indeed we have heard rumor that she has green skin. Do you know of her pirate" asked Robin giving the sad pirate a searching look.
"Aye I've heard tell of her. Stories really. She's from some backwards world called Oz. Last I heard though was that the only portal in or out of there was by using some red shoes" Hook explained before taking a long drink.
"Do you know what she's called?" Regina pried for more information.
"Aye they called her the wicked witch of the west. Though I heard tell that she got offed by some child as it were"
"Obviously not since she has already proven true to her name" Robin growled darkly.
"What do you mean?" Neal asked walking closer to the man he'd come to see as a friends side.
"She has captured Prince Phillip and Princess Aurora. With your return she will likely come after you as well as anyone else who has royal claim to this land. We think she seeks to rule supreme here."
"Well she is going to have to fight for it" Regina stood with a dark smile on her face. Destroying some green witch would be the perfect thing to keep her mind off Henry.
"Regina's right" Snow said standing to join Regina "We will do whatever it takes to protect this land"
High in the castle that once belonged to the great sorceress Maleficent; the wicked witch stood watching the newly returned royalty in a large ornate looking glass. Oh how she enjoyed this new castle. Maleficent had clearly been a magnificent mind and had the castle stocked with everything someone dark hearted could ever need. She cackled evilly to herself.
"Oh they do seem so full of hope! HA! The fools. I'll get them and then there will be no one standing in my way." She laughed harder as cruel visions danced in her mind.
"Oh my dear don't look so darkly at me" She said turning her attention to the sphere that stood on a pedestal at the center of the room. "I offered you the chance to join me. Even after you sent that brat Dorothy to kill me" She spat.
"But no you defied me!" She screeched raising her green hand as if to smash the crystal ball.
"Because of you the Ruby slippers are gone!" Her anger boiling up before taking a terrifying calm.
"Dearie if you tell me where you sent them I may consider letting you out." She said with a sickening sweetness her twisted smile looking down at the woman in the tattered pink dress and red hair in disarray.
When only a defiant look and no response came from within the crystal bubble the witch stormed out of the tower furious only throwing over her shoulder.
"Fine Glinda you can rot in your damn bubble for all I care!"