A/N: Hello, here with another short story. I came up with this after I saw Henry and Cruella's encounter in Labor of Love, kind of a what-if, born out of a desire to have Henry learn more about being the author, and also an excuse to write Merlin and Henry interacting, because I really liked Once's version of Merlin haha. This is most likely, more than likely a major AU, but hey, that's what fanfiction is for right? This will be a two or three parter that could maybe be expanded into a full length story, but will most likely remain no longer than a three shot. I don't own Once Upon a Time.
Part One
Henry deftly sidestepped Robin, flinched as the man's hand fell on his shoulder.
"We'll figure something else out. Don't worry."
"I know." Henry nodded. And he would. Cruella's words vibrated through his brain. His mom wouldn't have to live with the guilt. She wouldn't have to fight herself anymore. He knew since her time as the Dark One that she had lost something, something he could help her find just like he'd always helped her. Maybe he could give it back to her if he could find the Quill. He was the Author. He should be able to help make his family's stories just a little better… right?
"You coming Henry?" Robin was waiting.
He nodded, both a confirmation and a resolution to himself. He would do what he had to.
The one thing Henry wouldn't do was go to Cruella. She had brought the matter to his attention, but he knew the dangers of aligning with her. He would not give her an opportunity to manipulate the situation, and then there was the matter of if she had even told the truth. He'd focus his attention on finding the Quill before he took any further action. Perhaps, and this thought had occurred to him as well, he could use it to free Hook.
"Hey Kid, you doing okay?" His mom looked across at him. They were eating… something… at pseudo-Granny's. Henry thought it was gingerbread, but he wasn't too sure. You can never be too sure in the Underworld, especially considering it was the Blind Witch's cooking.
"Oh yeah, fine." Henry nodded. "Just thinking."
"Operation Firebird?"
"Yeah, I just… feel really bad I couldn't find the plans."
"You know," Emma took a sip of her cocoa, okay, but nowhere near Granny's caliber. "Not everything always works the first time. We just have to keep trying."
"I know."
"Hey," she placed her hand on top of his. "Don't you give up. If you give up, then we're really done." She squeezed his hand. "And I think we've still got some fight left."
Henry gave a small smile. "Yeah...thanks Mom."
"Anytime."
It was surprisingly easy to sneak off during one of the many strategy sessions. Watching Gold had taught him a few things. Now that Cerberus had been defeated, there really wasn't the sharpest eye on him anymore, not that it was anyone's fault. It was a tense moment, given that they were so close or seemingly, deceivingly close to finding Hook. Henry figured, the best way to approach things, was to walk around see if things really were as similar to Storybrooke as they'd appeared so far. If that was the case, then the book, and the Quill, could only be in one place.
He could see the boy through the window. Hidden behind a curtain, he didn't think that the boy would expect that he was here. Of course, he wouldn't have either. The black cuff latched to his arm pulsated, grew even tighter on his wrist. Hades had planned ahead, but of course, he hadn't factored this into the equation.
The Sorcerer smiled. "You were right."
"The boy is smart." The older man, at least in appearance, smiled too. "It was only a matter of time."
A/N: So, what do you think? The next part will include the actual conversation between the three.