What if?
Chapter 1: Lady of the Lake!
Snow and Charming have been taking back the kingdom for two weeks now. It has been two weeks and one day since he woke her from the sleeping curse that she went under to save his life. Now, when they are in their tent with their soldiers planning a way of fighting back Red came in and said, panting "We have to move, they're coming for us!"
"No, we will not move. We said we were going to take back the kingdom and how are we going to do that when we have our tails between our legs!" Charming said but then noticed the hurt look on Red's face "No offence!" he said to try and redeem himself.
"But matters have worsened; the king has a new general!" Red said, determined to get through to him.
"Who is he?" Snow asked.
"The call him the Leviathan. They say he attacks like a monster striking from the depths of the sea. You never see him coming, you never survive!" Red said, she looks slightly scared but determined to win this fight.
"How close is his army?" Snow asked her friend. An arrow is shot through the top of the tent and lands on the table.
"I'd say pretty close!" Charming answered. Everyone moves out of the tent with their weapons in tow.
"We should split up – divide them!" Snow said.
"Exactly. Go, go! Go." Charming says. Everyone scatters and goes to join the fight, Charming lingers back. Snow looks at him.
"Aren't you coming?" She said.
"He's going after me. You'll have a better chance of escaping on your own. Don't worry. Meet me in two days' time at the cabin!" Charming answered his fiancée.
"The Cabin? Where she is? Are you sure?" Snow asked her true love.
"We're engaged. I think it's about time you met my mother!" Charming answered before kissing her. "Now go!" Charming said. Snow leaves, he watches her go for a bit before joining the battle.
As she is running she is knocked down by a masked knight. She looks up at him. "What kind of a general hides behind a mask? Who are you really, Leviathan?" Snow asked the knight.
"Leviathan? That's what they're calling me?" He removes his helmet. "Name's Lancelot!" He said.
"Lancelot? Of the roundtable?" Snow asked, curious as to what he has to say next.
"Not anymore!" He answered as he covers her head in a bag.
…
A little while later Lancelot presents King George with Snow by uncovering her masked face. When she sees the King she is angry. "I don't care what you do to me. I will never tell you where he is." She said, angrily.
"I know. That's not why you're here. Would you bring our guest some water?" He said as Lancelot goes to get Snow some water. "Times have been good for you, haven't they? I can see a light in your eyes. Cherish that. Because that light can die, and be replaced by something else– pain!" He said.
"The only thing you know of pain is how to inflict it." She said as Lancelot hands her a goblet of water.
"That's where you're so very, very wrong. I've had my share of pain. I had a son that I loved, died before his time. I tried to replace him with your 'Charming', offered him the world. But he rejected me. Humiliated me in front of my kingdom! All for the sake of, true love." He said.
"Something about which, you know nothing" She said taking a sip of the water from the goblet that Lancelot handed her earlier.
"I know more than you think." He said, he is starting to get angry now. But he looks happy as she drinks the water.
"You? Were in love?" Snow said, pretending to be interested.
"Yes. And she loved me. We were happy – blissful. But then she became cursed. She drank a vile potion that made it impossible for us to conceive a child. Family is everything my dear, losing all hope of having one. There is no greater misery. Charming could have been that hope for me. But, instead, he made my suffering worse. For that death is too good for him. First he must know pain. My pain." He said angrily. Snow comes to realisation of what the King had done. She looks down at the goblet in her hand and places her free hand over her stomach.
"No." She said, upset and angry at the king for what he has done!
"You poisoned her?" Lancelot asked the King. He looks a bit upset for Snow as he says it though as he didn't know what the king had done until just a minute ago. He is also slightly angry at the king.
"I cursed her. She will never bare a child." He said smiling at her with a cruel smirk. She looks at him with tears trying to force their way out of her eyes.
…
An hour later Snow is being chucked into the Forest where her old camp used to be. It is in ruins. She stands up and looks around only to hear a horse coming her way. She grabs a stick from the ground and hides behind a tree. When the horse is close enough Snow jumps out from behind the tree and uses the stick to push off whoever was on it. She goes over to him to find Lancelot. She is angry and threatens to hit him with the stick again. "Wait! I've come to help." Lancelot says holding up his hands.
"After what you did for me?" She said, threatening to hit him again.
"After what the king did to you. I still do have a small shred of honour left." He said, trying to stay calm.
"You really think I'm that naïve. You're going to earn my trust so I can lead you straight-" Snow said, still looking like she is going to hit him.
"To the cabin. Where your Prince is hiding his mother?" Lancelot finishes for her.
"How did you know?" She asked angrily.
"Cause George knows where it is. He's sent them there to kill your man's mother." He informed her.
"Charming's at the cabin too." She said, worried for Charming and his mother. They then rush to the cabin.
…
They get there to find Ruth lying on the ground in Charming's arms. There is an arrow coming out from Ruth's chest. Snow and Lancelot rush over to them. "I'm so sorry. We came as quickly as we could." Snow said in an apologetic way.
"Is this…? Snow…" Ruth said quietly. Lancelot carefully takes out the arrow out from Ruth's chest and examines it.
"It's poisoned." He said.
"Then we find an antidote." Charming said, determined to help his mother.
"With the fairies. They can help us." Snow said, looking at her fiancée.
"No." Everyone looks at Lancelot. "I'm afraid this is going to take something stronger than fairy dust." Lancelot said. They all start thinking of ways to help Ruth.
"Lake Nostos. I've been there before. It's waters have magical properties. I've seen them turn a man from solid gold back into flesh. It isn't far – a day's journey at most." Charming told them. They all look at him, smiling.
"I'll prepare a wagon." Lancelot said, getting up to prepare a wagon. Snow and Charming tay with Ruth.
…
A few hours later they are on a road in the woods. Charming and Lancelot are with the horse. Snow is walking next to the wagon where Ruth lays. "It must be a curious tale." Charming said to Lancelot.
"What?" Lancelot asked.
"Well, how a knight of the Round Table became a sword for hire." Charming said, curious as to how Lancelot came to work for King George.
"You mean, how did I fall from grace? The same way you ended up running from King George – a woman." Lancelot said. Charming looks at him interested in what he has to say. They stop in the middle of the road.
"We're going to scout ahead. We won't be long." Charming informs Snow and Ruth. Him and Lancelot leave Snow and Ruth alone. Snow sees that she is uncomfortable and wipes her head with a cloth.
"Thank you!" Ruth said to Snow.
"Oh, it's the least I can do, make you feel comfortable." Snow told her with a smile on her face.
"No. For giving my son something to believe in. All he's ever dreamt of was having a wife… and a son. Fret not, it could be daughter. But trust me – all that matters is that it's healthy." Ruth said, probably thinking Snow's pregnant. Snow pouts. "Let me show you something." Ruth said as she painfully removes the pendant from her neck. "My mother gave this to me when I was pregnant. She said it was spelled by a gypsy to predict the sex of your first-born, even before you're with child." Ruth explained.
"And it works?" Snow asked.
"It did with my boys. If it swings north to south, it's a boy. East to West, it's a girl. Shall we? Just between us." Ruth said excitedly.
"Oh, I don't think that's a good idea." Snow answered nervously.
"Indulge an old woman. It'll help take my mind off the… Well, you know." Ruth pleaded. Snow nods. "Here!" Ruth said. Snow holds out her hand and Ruth holds the pendant above it. It doesn't swing, Snow looks upset. "Don't worry. It's just silly superstition." Ruth said. She then notices the look on Snow's face. "What's wrong, child?" She grabs Snow's hand. "You can tell me anything, Snow." Ruth said.
"It's the king. When her captured me, he cursed me. So… So that I can never have children." Snow said with tears trying to force their way out again.
"Worry not. If the water from Lake Nostos can heal me, it should be able to do the same for you." Ruth said with a smile on her face.
"Do you really think so?" Snow asked, leaning in closer to Ruth. Ruth nods.
"You are going to be a wonderful mother." Ruth said. That is when the boys come back. They carry on their journey to Lake Nostos, hoping they will find a lake full of water.
…
When they arrive at the lake, or where it should be, they find an empty desert like basin which looks lifeless. Snow, Charming and Lancelot walk over to it. "Where's the lake?" Snow asked her fiancée.
"You're looking at it. It's gone." Charming said. All three of them stop in their tracks for a little while. They finally decide to go in search of some water. Charming and Lancelot go in search for some water whilst Snow waits with Ruth by the wagon. "This is my fault. The siren who lived here? I killed her. That's why the lake is dry." Charming said guiltily.
"You needn't worry. My mother raised me by a lake. There may yet be water. You just need to know where to look." Lancelot said. Him and Charming split up and Lancelot is able to find a shell that contains a small amount of water. "God in his mercy, and her grace." Lancelot said holding up the shell. Charming rushes over to him.
"You found it?" Charming questioned.
"It's all that's left. Just enough for one sip." Lancelot said as he pours it into Charming's canteen.
"Enough to heal my mother?" Charming asked. He is still unaware of Snow's situation.
"We shall find out." Lancelot answered. Snow and Ruth manage to hear their conversation.
"I want you to have it. The last sip of water – I want you to drink it." Ruth pleaded to Snow.
"No. No, I couldn't." Snow said.
"That water can lift your curse. Allow you and my son to have a child." Ruth pleaded again.
"But you'll die. I won't let you give your life for this." Snow said in a sad tone.
"That's what parents do. They put their children first. Someday, you'll understand." Ruth said.
"No. Maybe it's for the best. I was raised without a mother. I wouldn't even know how to be one. This water was meant for you." Snow said to her soon to be mother in law. That is when Charming and Lancelot approach the ladies.
"Mother! Mother. Our prayers are answered. There's magic in this lake yet. Here, drink." Charming said. Ruth pretends to drink the water. Charming and Lancelot have a manly hug.
"Have faith, Snow. We'll find another way." Ruth told her son's fiancée. Snow gave her a brave smile. A few minutes later Ruth starts getting pains where the arrow hit her.
"Why isn't it working?" Charming asked.
"Wounds take time to heal." Lancelot said.
"No, no. I've used this magic before. It… It worked instantly. It wasn't enough water. We need more." Charming said as he goes out to try and find more water.
"Son… Stop." Ruth said. Ruth gives Lancelot the canteen. He realises that the water is still in there and that she wants him to give the water to Snow to cure her. Charming turns and goes back to his mother. "There's no… more magic here. And I don't want to spend my last moments this way." Ruth said through the pain.
"This is all my fault. I am so… sorry." Charming said taking his mothers' hand in his.
"For what? For being happy? For finding your true love? For your happiness, I would gladly give my life. My only regret, is that I won't live to see you marry Snow." Ruth said, heartbroken.
"Shh…" Charming said to try and keep his mother calm.
Yes, you will. Lancelot, does a disgraced member of the Round Table still have the power to perform a wedding?" Snow asked her new friend.
"It would be my honour." Lancelot said with a smile on his face. Snow smiled at Charming.
A little while later Snow and Charming are standing in front of Lancelot. Facing each other, holding hands. Ruth is watching from behind them. Lancelot pours the remaining water from the canteen into a chalice that he is holding in his other hand. "In my kingdom, there is legend of a cup. It has the power to grant eternal life. And so, may the love between you always be strong, true and eternal." Lancelot said with a smile on his face. He hands Snow the chalice and she takes a sip of it. She hands it to Charming and he takes a sip of it. Snow and Charming then kiss. They then look over to Ruth to find that she has passed away. They walk over to her, hand in hand.
"Goodbye, mother." Charming said with tears in his eyes. He lowers his head and Snow lays her head on his shoulder to try and comfort him. She is upset too as Charming has lost his mother just like she did. Also because she thinks that she can't have any children with him and his mum was the last family he had left.
…
A while later, Charming lights a candle and places it on a stone which lies on Ruth's grave. Snow is watching him with sadness written all over her face. "I'm so sorry. She was all the family you had left." Snow said, sadly. Charming looks at her, with a smile on his face.
"No. I still have you. I love you, Snow. And together, we can start a new family. Here – this belonged to her." He pulls out the pendant that belonged to his mother. "She would've wanted you to have it. She said that it could tell you what your child will be." Charming said. He tries to hold the pendant above her hand but Snow pulls back.
"Please don't." Snow begged with sadness in her tone.
"It's just a superstition." He said, confused at why she doesn't want to find out what their child will be.
"There's something I need tell you." Snow said, sadly. She is looking at him with tears in her eyes.
"What is it? What's wrong?" He asked her worriedly.
Just as she was going to tell him they look down to find the pendant swinging, east to west, above her hand. She is shocked. "We're going to have child…" Snow said with a smile on her face. He thinks she is trying to tell him she is pregnant.
"What?" He asked, shocked.
"We're going to have a child." Snow said with tears of joy threatening their way out of her eyes.
"Is there… Something I need to know?" He asked.
"I mean someday." She said happily.
"Well, of course we are. What's it say it's going to be, huh? It's going to be a boy, right? I can never remember which direction means what." He said. She studies the direction and realises it is going to be a girl. She snatches the pendant from his hand.
"It's a surprise." Snow said, smiling from ear to ear. She still has tears in her eyes.
"I'll send a signal for the army to regroup. We are going to take back the kingdom, Snow. And we are going to do it, as a family." He said with determination in his voice. They kiss. Then Charming goes over to prepare his horse. Realisation crosses Snow's mind, she looks over to Lancelot who is smiling at the couple. She walks over to him.
"This is because of you, isn't it? Ruth only pretended to drink the water. She had you put it in the chalice so I would drink it. That's how King George's curse was lifted, wasn't it?" Snow asked her new friend. He smiled at her.
"I have no idea what you're talking about. So, what's your child going to be?" Lancelot asked with a smile on his face. She looks at Charming, then back to Lancelot.
"A girl!" Snow said with a smile on her face. Charming comes over at that point and wraps an arm around Snow's waist.
"You ready to go, my love?" Charming asked his wife. Snow nods. "Lancelot, why don't you come with us? Help us take back the kingdom." Charming asked his friend.
"It would be a pleasure to come and fight with you and your wife." Lancelot answered, smiling at the pair.
"Well then, what are we waiting for? Come on." Charming said. The three of them walk back to the horses. Snow and Charming walk hand in hand. Charming gets on his horse and helps Snow up so she sits behind him. She wraps her arms around him. Lancelot gets on his horse. They ride back to their new camp.
…
When they arrive at the camp Red runs up to Snow and gives her best friend a huge hug. "Congratulations!" Red said. Snow looks at her confused. "Charming told us about the wedding." Red said with a smile on her face. Snow smiles at her friend then looks at Charming who is introducing the dwarves to Lancelot.
"Did he now?" Snow asked. Red nodded and hugs Snow again.
"Come on!" Red said, taking Snow's hand and taking her to Snow's and Charming's tent. There are lit candles and rose petals on the floor leading to the bed. "Everyone deserves a wedding night, especially you and Charming." Red said. Snow is completely shocked. She smiles at her friend.
"Red, you didn't have to do this." Snow said with a shocked smile on her face.
"Yes we did. Charming told us to. He thought you deserved a night without any worry of taking back the kingdom. And it's your wedding night, you need to do something to you know… consummate the marriage." Red said, not wanting to think about what her friends were going to do.
"It's very nice of you Red. Who else helped?" Snow asked.
"It was me, the Dwarves, and Granny." Red said.
"Make sure you give them my thanks." Snow said. Red nodded.
"Do you want me to help you get ready?" Red asked her friend.
"Would you?" Snow asked.
"Of course I would. You're my best friend, Snow. In fact, you're like a sister to me. I would love to help you get ready." Red said.
"Thank you Red!" Snow said. They hugged.
"That's alright Snow!" Red said. "Now, let's get you ready for your date." Red said excitedly. Red helps Snow get ready for her wedding night. An hour later Red had finished helping Snow get ready. Snow was now dressed in a baby blue night gown. Her hair was in neat curls as it cascaded down her back and over her shoulders, it also had little, white flowers in it. Her lips were the reddest they have ever been. She looked beautiful. "You look stunning, Snow. Should I go and get Charming for you?" Red asked.
"Yes please!" Snow said, a little nervous. I mean, her and Charming have had sex before, many times. But this was her wedding night; it was different, a lot different.
"Good luck!" Red said to her friend before leaving the tent to find Charming. Snow looked around the tent. She heard someone entre the tent and turned round to see a stunned look on her husbands' face. He walks over to her, smiling. He places his hands on her hips and kisses her.
"You look stunning my dear." Charming said smiling. He kissed her again.
"Thank you. You don't look so bad yourself." Snow said. She kissed him. He kissed her back, it was a long, passionate kiss. She then felt her body fall onto the bed; she feels Charming's weight on top of her as she deepens the kiss. Their tongues dancing with each other. Soon all of their clothes are on the floor and Snow and Charming are having sex. Proper, full on, sex. Though they are blissfully unaware of the new life that they are creating inside of Snow's womb. I guess Charming was right about taking back the kingdom, as a family.
I know this mostly followed the episode Lady of the Lake, but I had an idea in my head. The idea was, what if Snow had gotten pregnant with Emma whilst they were taking back the kingdom? How would things have been different? Would she go ahead with killing Regina so she could be happy with Charming and have the family that they have always wanted? Well, you are going to have to read on to find out.