A Dream Your Heart Makes

There was loud screaming, horrible terrified shrieks. They pierced the night, desperate, loud, hopeless screams. Someone was hurt, someone was dying. It was me, I was the one who was screaming. I was withering, everything screamed and it was so dark. So very dark, I couldn't see, I was trapped.

The sheets twisted around my legs as I tried to get up, I reached up to cover my heart, it was shattering, burning, I could feel it breaking underneath the skin. But it wasn't, it beat painfully in my chest, but it was fine

I clapped my hands over my ears. It was me, it was just a dream. The noise died off in my throat, I choked and pulled my knees close, burying my head and bursting into tears, it was only a dream.

The door slammed open and my mom came running in. "Robin?!" She called out running to my side. She laid her hand on my back, I flinched back and threw myself away from her, cowering against the headboard.

I could hear the dull thunk of his cane coming towards the door. I kept my head down and tried to quiet my crying. "Dearie," He faltered. I felt him sit next to me, I lifted my head and threw my arms around my dad. He wrapped his arms around me, I leaned against his chest, his hand rubbing my hair.

"Rumpelstiltskin," I heard my mom whisper, but he just shook his head. I crossed one arm across my chest, over my heart as if I could block it all out.

He sat with me, until all the nightmares and memories were chased away. It took a long time for my tears to stop, and the overwhelming feeling of panic to ebb away.

But my dad was there, smelling like Mr. Gold's favorite cologne, smoke, and straw. Over and over he pleaded that it would be ok. I had not been ok for eight days, but as the night stretched on so the sunrise crept up through the window, I felt safe.

I sat up in the tree, one arm gripping the branch so I would not fall, the other holding tight to a long-handled bone knife I had swiped from the Lost Boys camp. I could see them all, divided before battle down below me.

My dad had that smirk on his face, one I was very glad he never used around me. It scared me a little. Beside him was Regina, fire dancing from her hands, throwing erie shadows across her face. Flanking her was Emma Swan. I had never spoken to her, she was new to my whole world. I had spied on her, broken into her car and gone through her papers when she first came to town.

The Charmings, that complex and strange couple stood behind them. I had grown up wary of Snow and her Prince, but they were fighting along my father. I twirled the knife between my fingers, straining to hear the tense conversation. There were others, people I didn't really know, including my half-brother Bae.

My eyes darted to my grandfather, Peter Pan, his eyes glittered with evil. I had grown up hearing all about him, and was oddly horrified and fascinated to finally see him in person.

His right hand man, Felix, the one who had almost blown my cover. No one but my father knew that I was here. I had snuck into the Lost camp to wreak havoc on their supplies, he had caught me, but with my hood on I had escaped relatively unscathed.

"We cant let you do this," Pan spoke across the space, not even bothering to raise his voice. "Magic will be saved, Henry will be the one to save all of us" I saw the wave of anger pass over Regina's face.

"You know what boy," She still sounded like the Evil Queen she had been in the Enchanted forest. "I'm getting real tired of your little games." She hurled the fire and they all scattered.

War broke out. The small group led by my father, against over fifteen well-trained Lost Boys. I pulled my green hood low over my face and let go, falling out of the tree, I hit the ground with good form and drove my elbow into the nose of the nearest boy.

I fought, ducking under arrows and magic, seeing the silver blade flash in the dark forest. I was able to incapacitate a tall branch welding Lost Boy, jumping over him I reached my dad's side.

"Robin get out of here," He growled, with a wave of smoke, a boy turned into a plant, that was then trampled by a dagger welding Pan. I was shoved out of the way, into another tall hooded figure.

"You!" Felix growled, raising his club. I ducked and then struck with my knife, it sinking up to the hilt into his weapon. He jerked upwards, knocking me into the dirt. My face hit the dirt, and was scratched up. I was down, but I swept his legs out from under him. He crashed, I freed my knife throwing his club as far as I could in the opposite direction. He was off in search of another weapon, giving me time.

Dad, I thought, my heart jumping to my chest as I wheeled around. He and Pan were locked in a vicious fight. But if was only a distraction, there was another running up behind him, a hatchet held high.

"Dad!" I screamed, running forward, throwing my dagger with as much power as I could muster, the knife sailed true and sunk deep into his shoulder. My momentum carried me right into Pan, who was looking at me with incredulity. He caught my arm, gripping it tight.

"Stay away from her!" My dad yelled. But the battle had seemed to stop for the three of us. I was not going to cower before him.

"A daughter," Pan said, tilting his head, studying me. My hood had come down in the fight and my dark braid tumbled down my back.

I did not hear it until it was too late, Peter had turned, and had reached out to catch the arrow as if he had done it a thousand times.

The clearing had gone silent. I could see the battle raging on, but the only thing I could hear was a slow steady thump.

Pan stared shocked and frightened, he had caught the arrow though. His hand was gripping the shaft tight.

The slow steady beat spasmed, I looked down to see the head of the arrow sunk deep into my heart. A dark red creeping up and over my entire body. I crumpled, my whole body arching it was no longer silent. I could hear screaming and shouting and everything was growing red.

A scream tore itself from my lips. Pain came in white-hot waves, my nerve endings electrocuting me, killing me, like a wall of fire in every cell of my body. I knew I was dying, I could see the sky and Rumpelstiltskin, my dad going out of focus above me.

I choked on the blood that was filling my mouth. Everything was burning, twisting, melting, I was trapped in sheer wretched misery, and my body twisted and turned trying to break free.

I couldn't see anymore, only red, I could feel the weight of being pinned down, crushed, there was a thousand pounds pressing on my chest. And as I tried to scream, the only thing I could do, I could hear it growing silent, gurgled, until only a struggling beat was left.

Then...

When I finally got up the next morning, I sat at the top of the steps, looking down. I was not sure If I should go down there. Eight days, eight days since we had returned from Neverland. My dreams and nightmares were still consumed with that final battle.

They told me that it had been only seconds between when the arrow pierced my heart and when my eyes closed. Those seconds stretched years long in my brain. Seared into my memory, even now my hands were trembling. Panic crept up all the time now, and I had to be careful not to go to pieces in front of people.

I could hear the voices of Rumpelstiltskin and Belle, my Mom and Dad. They were speaking about me. I knew I had upset her, but I hadn't wanted to accept comfort from a lady that up until recently I hadn't known existed. "Rumple, for the past 28 years I have missed out on her life. I want to help her now but she doesn't want me." That was a lie, I just didn't know how to talk to her.

I tugged the sleeves of my jacket down, having pulled it over my shirt. The dark green still smelled like Neverland, but it was to much of a security in my life for that to throw me off. It was hard to look her in the face after everything, it would be hard to be around anyone but my dad. I had kept myself isolated.

"Robin Hood dearie, we can see you," My dad said, not bothering to raise his voice. My mouth twitched, it felt nice to smile. I stood and descended the stairs. Belle looked almost too cheery, already dressed in immaculate, put together, beautiful clothing. I tugged my sleeves down, feeling sloppy and less of a girl.

There was food, a tall glass of orange juice and eggs with fresh tomatoes and basil. All my favorites, I sat down in the chair by the counter, crossing one leg under the other. I sat in silence, eating, with the two of them sipping coffee and smiling at each other.

They were in love, and it made me happy. "Rent is due today," My dad said, looking over at me. "Fancy going to help me out?" I grinned, this had been our tradition ever since we had been cursed to Storybrooke when I was a little girl.

There was a knock on the door and we all looked around, confusion on my mom's face. I could see the outline of the Charmings through the glass and my breakfast turned to chalk in my mouth.

My dad walked towards and opened the door. I stood up and moved close behind him. I could feel the outline of my knife hidden up my sleeve and it brought me comfort. He opened the door with his vague and menacing smile. "What may I help you with your Majesty?"

The Prince's eyes found me over his shoulder. I stood my ground, I felt my mom next to me, and didn't flinch when she put her arm around me this time. Snow was beside him, giving me a small smile when I met her eyes.

I kept my breathing steady, I had known this was coming, had known each one of the eight days. I still wasn't sure if I was ready though... Ready to stop being a secret.

"Good Morning Gold," Charming said, my dad moved over to let them both in. I saw with a twist in my stomach, that Regina and Emma were with them. This was more people than I had been around for a long time.

"Whats going on?" My mom asked. She tightened her grip and I found that my voice was gone, I couldn't speak.

"Thats what we wanted to ask you," Snow said, making it sound as least threatening as she could. "We wanted to check in on Robin..." But her husband cut her off.

"We also want to know who she is," His intention came through in his voice. Panic crept up but I pushed it back down. I understood at least where he was coming from, he finally had all his family home and safe, and just wanted it to stay that way.

"How did you get to Neverland?" Emma asked, I looked down and inwardly smiled. Sneaking on the Jolly Rodger had been a piece of cake.

"How come when we saw you, that time in the forest..." Snow faltered, remembering. "I had memories of you for the past 28 years, I only remembered when I saw your face." Yes, that all sounded right.

"Its a bit of a long story dearie," My dad said, he had put himself between us and them. It made me feel better.

"Look Gold" Emma said standing up to him, but looking at me. "You promised back on that island that you would explain all of this when she was better. We have given you plenty of time"

"It's not my story to tell," I said, speaking up for the first time. Several pairs of confused eyes swung to me, and I saw the resolution in one.

All three Charmings spoke up, questions filling the room before... "Well then who?"

"It's mine," Regina said crossing her arms. "If you could be quiet for maybe two minutes I could tell you."

Hey Guys! So this is my very first OUAT fanfic and I really hope ya'll like it! It might be a little confusing at first because yes there is still the other Robin Hood in this world, we will meet him in about chapter four. Yes her genealogy is just as messed up as everyone else on the show! The next bit will be up in three days! If you have any questions though don't be afraid to PM me! Please read and review and tell me what you think!

Angel C.