This is my first Fan Fic, so I hope you like it and want more! It's going to start out slow just to build a little story and then get better. It will be SwanQueen, so if you don't like that ship please don't read and hate for it. You've been warned. Thanks! :)
It's a typical night in Storybrooke, or really more of an unusual night since there is finally some peace and quiet in the small town. The town's residents are happily enjoying some down time from the typical villain and monster trouble they are always desperately trying to overcome.
Regina is out with Henry getting ice cream. They haven't had much time to hang out lately with all the trouble in town. So they are enjoying what time they have together.
The Charmings are sitting with Emma and Belle at a booth in Granny's. The smell of hot coca and sense of peace is in the air. It's one of those rare occasions when people get to be worry free. Well, they should be, but Mary Margret has been looking distant and detached from the conversation.
"Snow...what's wrong?" Charming asks while gently cupping her shoulder with his hand.
"Nothing." She mumbles back. Everybody at the booth knows that means the opposite.
"We share a heart remember? I know when something is wrong." Charming says persistently.
"It's just...sometimes...I" – Mary Margret turns and looks at Emma, before continuing her thought.
"I fear for you Emma. I fear you'll never find true love." Mary Margret says quickly while turning to look down at the table.
Emma looks stunned for a brief moment, and was about to snap back with a defensive remark...but then she thought about it. What if Mary Margret was right? It's not like she's been having much luck in the love department. She thinks about Neal, and if she really loved him? How does she know what love even feels like? It's not like she grew up with loving parents to give an example.
Emma is lost in her thoughts now, just questioning everything. She thinks about how she really did like Neal, but was it love or was it just somebody to be with since there was nobody else? Course it doesn't really matter now, since Neal sacrificed himself for the town. She is more certain about Hook, she is confident she never loved him. If anything she just loved the idea of his endless pestering coming to an end. Everybody knows she just finally gave in to his insistent chasing of her. But what about -
"Emma! Are you still in this land with us?!" Charming asks with a chuckle, but a sense of worry.
"Wha- oh yeah. I was just thinking" Emma hastefully blurts out.
"Sorry, I shouldn't have said anything!" Mary Margret sighs in remorse.
"No, it's okay...you're right I think. Maybe love just isn't in the cards for the Savior." Emma says, just realizing maybe that's part of the job and one of the sacrifices she has to make. Maybe she has to sacrifice her chance at love and happiness, so others can have theirs?
Belle who has been pretty quiet through all this has just been listening and learning, much like she always does. Suddenly she gets a look of excitement; the same look she gets when she stumbles upon a new book. She jumps out of her seat, and excitedly exclaims - "I'll be right back! Don't go anywhere!"
Emma and the Charmings look at each other in surprise. They almost forgot she was even there, but are also curious what she is so excited about. They sit there in silence just awaiting her return; they figure enough has been said...silence is probably best at this point.
After what feels like an eternity of awkward silence, the bell on Granny's door chimes and Belle comes rushing back to the table with a large book in hand. She plops it down on the table, causing the dishes to rattle.
"I remember reading something back at Rumple's castle!" Belle excitedly exclaims.
"There is a rumor of an enchanted pendant that is imbued with strong magic..." Belle continues to share. The whole table is very much interested in what Belle is saying; they are just all listening intently.
"The tale says that the pendant has the power to help locate the bearers true love; their soulmate." Belle gushes with passion. She is always so passionate when it comes to books and the stories they contain.
"How does it work?" Emma asks excitedly with a hint of hesitancy.
"Well I'm not entirely sure..." Belle is now leafing through the pages, and scanning lines with her finger. "It says here that the pendant will glow or pulse when the bearer of it is near their true love. The closer your proximity to them, the stronger it gets." Belle continues to scan the pages, looking for any more info she can.
"It also says that it will only start to work once the bearer of the pendant is ready. Whatever that means?" Belle questions with a raised brow.
"Why is everything magic related so cryptic? Would it be so hard to get answers in plain English for once?" Emma jokingly asks. She can't help but hide a small chuckle under a smile. Maybe she's just in a good mood now, this has given her something she hasn't had in a while; hope.
"I don't know…what do you think Snow?" Charming turns to Mary Margret with an apprehensive look.
"I think it is exactly what it is; just another myth." Mary Margret snaps back with frustration. She is just so over the whole magic and riddle thing.
"Well that's easy for you to say, you're in no need to find your true love. He's sitting right next to you. People in my position are more willing to try these myths because we have nothing to lose." Emma goes into a rant over Mary Margret's ignorance, negativity, and lack of sympathy.
Emma turns to Belle with a smile - "Thank you, Belle. I don't know where to get the pendant, or if it even exists, but you've given me something to go on."
Still annoyed with Mary Margret, Emma gets up after thanking Belle and walks out. She just needs time alone now to process this all. Maybe a nice walk around town will help compile these thoughts and make some sense of it all.