Okay. This fic is going to be a roller coaster. Some canon events will come about, but they may or may not be in canon order. Some canon events will occur but only an idea of them, like I'm going to change them quite a bit. The rating will be M because I tend to swear a lot and maybe even some sexytimes could occur. Probably plenty of violence, and dark humor because I dig those things. Definitely going to be some f/f, maybe m/m, maybe f/m… maybe f/f/m/f/f. I don't know. Just assume that if you are offended by something, this fic may contain it. Or it may not. This story will be focused on Regina and an original character. If you have read my other long ass fic that I'm trying to finish, you will recognize the OC, but this one is pretty different, just similar in name and appearance really. Maybe Regina hooks up with my OC, maybe not. I don't know yet, so I'm not telling you either.

Summary: this will begin in the Enchanted Forest, may venture into Storybrooke. The story starts the day Regina is born. Cora must prevent a future she has seen where Regina dies at an early age. A solution to this future is found, but of course, it comes with a price. Welcome aboard.

I own nothing but my own ideas. I do not own ouat. All mistakes are mine, no beta.

Chapter 1

Cora paced the floor of the nursery, silently contemplating what she had just witnessed. The servants are still scrubbing the floor where the blood had pooled onto the rugs. They did their job as quickly and quietly as possible, wanting desperately to get away from the mad woman pacing the floor.

This wasn't the first body they had been forced to clean up, and no one was foolish enough to think it would be the last. Every servant knew not to say a word to prince Henry of course. One such servant had tried to tell on Cora, but he became another bleeding corpse before he made it to Henry's chamber door. The only thing they wondered anymore was if they would be next. It wasn't really unusual for Cora to suddenly snatch up a servant who had done nothing wrong and break their neck. She had a bit of a temper.

Cora ignored them as they worked. If any one of them got under foot she would have to kill them to prove a point of course, but then it would take even longer for them to dispose of the body and she very much wanted them out of the room. They finally finished, the floor looking as new as ever.

Once they had all gone, Cora looked into the cradle again at her daughter. The woman who owned that bloodstain had been able to see into childrens futures. It wasn't perfect sight, things could always change, but the glimpse she had seen about this baby had been her ending.

Cora couldn't let word spread that her daughter had a short life ahead of her. That couldn't get around, because Cora wouldn't have it. Regina would be queen one day, no matter how many bodies piled up to make her throne.

Cora smiled at the baby resting peacefully in the crib. "Oh, my dearest Regina. Don't you worry, mummy's going to fix this." The baby cooed in her sleep as if she agreed and Cora quietly left the room.

After seeing to the servant women who would care for her child, Cora wrapped her cloak around herself and headed for the stables. She had a trip to make that would surely be painful at best. But she would do anything for her daughter; even make a deal with the devil himself.

Rumplestiltskin was happily spinning his straw into gold, not really worrying about anything at the moment. He had an eternity to contemplate anything he wanted to, and right now, he choose to think of nothing at all. He was so engrossed in nothingness that he did not hear the banging on his castle door at first. He stopped suddenly when the banging became magnified, obviously with magic.

He sniffed the air and a growl came up from his throat; oh he knew exactly who this smell came from. Her magic reeked of betrayal and coldness. Not that his smelled much better mind you, he just didn't like hers.

He made his way to the door, taking a deep breath to steady his nerves. He told himself to stop being ridiculous, after all he is the dark one. Just because this slip of a girl fooled him once, didn't mean he needed to be anxious. Finally, he threw open the door, doing his best to look bored.

Cora stood there on his step, looking furious at herself for even bothering to come here. She knew he wouldn't help her, he had no reason to. He did however have every reason not to help her. When she stared at him long enough she sighed, "well, are you going to let me in or not?"

With a disgusted twist of his face, he answered, "no. I've just had the castle rid of rats, it would be foolish of me to invite another one in dearie."

Biting her cheek in an attempt not to end this visit before it really began, Cora managed to speak again after a moment. "Do you know I have given birth to a daughter?" Rumple nodded, leaning on the doorframe as if he couldn't care less. "Well, I have just had her future foretold and it ends far too soon for my liking. I need something to protect her. She will be queen."

Rumple smiled a toothy grin then, giving her his best mad man giggle, "poor poor Cora! Your precious future ticket to glory is being snuffed out before it even blossoms. How terrible." He made to close the door in her face, but his own future sight struck him. Sometimes it came at the very worst of times. But sometimes, it was rather convenient.

He watched in his minds eye as the daughter of Cora grew into a woman and cast a curse. The curse she cast was so powerful it took him to the land without magic. The land Baelfire had gone off to. The land he can't figure out how to get to…

Cora watched as the imp grabbed the door and she assumed this was the end of their conversation, but his eyes seemed to glaze over for just a moment. She was nearly going to touch him to get his attention when he started and shook his head lightly. He turned towards her and gave her an impish grin. "Cora… I've had a very sudden change of heart. That happens, you know, when you don't bury the damn thing."

Clenching her jaw to contain her anger, Cora smiled a fake smile and asked him sweetly, "will you help me then?"

Rumple giggled again and stood aside, gesturing for Cora to enter his home. "In fact, I will. I just can't bear to see an innocent child die so prematurely."

They made their way to a table and sat across from one another. They talked and planned and dismissed ridiculous thoughts until the sun had set and then risen again. Cora was exhausted mentally and physically by the time she stumbled back into her carriage. She slept the entire trip back to her home and didn't bother checking on her baby. Instead she made straight to her chambers to wash and eat and rest. The plan they had come up with was fool proof. She had made Rumple explain the particulars at least five times before she agreed to it. In fact, he had convinced her so thoroughly… she had missed what her price would be. Surely he wouldn't do this favor for no cost from her. The risk he would be taking to put this plan into action would be incredibly high, even for the dark one. But no, she had been too tired to think of consequences. The end result is what mattered. He had future sight too, and he said if they did this, Regina would be queen. That was all she needed to hear really. She slept that night more peacefully than she could remember for a long time.

Rumple took himself to the nearest point that his magic would allow him to travel to. The island could be seen from this shore, but just barely. He made a boat just big enough to make the trip and began rowing for the island in the distance. He was nervous, as any man would be, going to this island. In fact, any man foolish enough to try has been killed before setting foot there. But, he couldn't be killed so easily, and he had bargaining skills that far surpassed those of normal men.

As his boat hit the shoreline, he could feel the weight pushing him down. His magic wouldn't do him any good here, but his immortality would protect him. He waited for a few moments and sure enough, a figure approached from the thick trees growing past the sand of the beach.

The woman approached him slowly, but she had a grace that told him she could kill anything in a moments notice. She walked around him twice, looking him up and down again. She was slightly taller than he was, and had very well defined, yet feminine muscles. She had short cropped hair that shone golden in the sun. Her skin is what told the world she wasn't human though. Her skin was covered from her toes to the crown of her head in glimmering golden runes. Even he couldn't decipher the ancient language that they were written in. The sirens were far older than any dark one.

When finally she stopped examining him she tilted her head and spoke to him. He didn't understand what she said though, not a word. He smiled and quietly said, "I do not speak your language."

The siren seemed to perk up and concentrate on his mouth as he spoke. She opened her mouth and made a few sounds before he understood anything, but finally she got it. "It has been many years since we have seen one of your kind."

He nodded and spoke slowly, giving her magic time to acquire his language. "Yes. Humans have grown much since last they came here. Some cannot even see your island." The siren nodded in agreement and a look of sadness seemed to pass across her features. "I wish to speak to your queen, please."

The siren looked him up and down yet again, contemplating his request. But finally she turned and gestured for him to follow. He let out a breath he didn't know he had held and followed her into the trees. If she had refused, he would be in that boat, headed back to the main land in defeat. The siren isles cannot be navigated by anyone who does not possess the ancient magic. He followed her closely, but not too close. The texts he'd read were very clear on the fact that sirens would not be touched by man. He did feel that it was a shame though, due to the total lack of clothing this siren sported, he would not refuse if she offered him a feel. He let his mind wonder how her skin would feel against his hands. Not entirely thinking with his manhood, he wondered if the runes were raised. Were they rough or smooth? Perhaps they were flat and felt like no more than a tattoo on a human. Maybe they felt rough and cold like the gold they looked to be made of. He wouldn't find out though, he knew that. This siren was obviously curious about how he survived getting to the island and that was likely why she had shown herself to him. But he wasn't stupid. He kept his hands very much to himself.

They walked for what seemed like days, and not a word was spoken to him. The few times he attempted to engage her in conversation, she pointedly ignored him.

Finally, the mass jungle broke into a deep valley. He guessed it could be a hundred miles around, but maybe more. Things were not as they seemed on this island. The one he was following led him into a massive stone city that took up the entire valley. The stone was grey and decorated heavily with the same ancient golden rune language as was on the siren herself. As they walked thru the streets, hundreds of golden figures stared at them, but never spoke a word. Not one of them wore clothing, and not one of them seemed to care at all.

They passed buildings that looked like shops, but without any merchandise set out. Some buildings looked to be restaurants, with chairs and tables set about outside. But no one occupied those tables, and no food could be smelled. At least five large fountains poured water into massive basins along their route, but the sirens around them did not drink from it. They did not play in the basin or even speak to one another. They simply stared at him and his guide as they walked. No children were seen, of course. But he knew there would not be any. He silently congratulated himself on his knowledge, so far it proved correct. If it had not, well… he would be without any bargaining chips.

The guide led him up massive stone steps leading to the central building. It was at least fifteen stories tall, but eerily quiet. It was obviously a respected place and likely the home of their queen. The steps were large and stone, with the golden runes on every one of them. If he had been a mortal, if the trip thru the jungle hadn't killed him, these stairs would have. Once inside the building, the guide turned to him abruptly and motioned him to stay. She then vanished in a streak of golden light, leaving him alone in a grand room. He looked around but found no stairs or doors. Only windows adorned the walls. There was no way he could have gotten to a higher level, so he simply waited.

A voice behind him caused him to jump and swing around. He hadn't heard or felt anyone arrive, but of course, this wasn't his domain. The woman that stood before him looked much like his guide, and in fact, much like every woman he had seen. The only differences were very subtle. This one had slightly longer hair, and her golden eyes seemed dull, not as brightly shining as his guides. She wore no clothes either, but on her head was a very thin silver ring. Assuming that was her crown, Rumple bowed very low to the siren queen.

The queen waited for him to straighten himself before she spoke. "I trust my siren has given me your proper language?"

"Yes, majesty, I can understand you very well."

The queen nodded briskly and spoke again. "Good. I wish to know why you are here. You are forbidden."

Rumple spread his hands in an attempt to show her he meant no harm. "I come to trade favors with you and your people."

The queen arched one brow at him, which was more expression than he thought he would see from her. "What do you have for us?"

Clearing his throat he realized that this would not be an exaggerated process. She wanted to cut straight to the matter at hand. Which suited him just fine. He was becoming eager to be off this island. "I can bring you humans. As many as you like, and as often as you like."

The queen stared at him, seemingly thoughtful on the offer. "one hundred on the first day of every solstice."

He swallowed hard, that was less than he had thought she would want. He had gotten lucky. "That can be easily arranged." He waited until the queen nodded before asking for his price. "In exchange, I want one egg, of my choosing."

The queens eyes flashed violently bright gold and she bared her teeth at him, nearly growling, "how dare you even ask such a thing? That is not a price we will pay."

He took a step back in shock, but he quickly gathered himself again. He had forgotten how fierce these creatures are said to be. He had been lulled into a false sense of security from all the passive faces of the city. He fully recalled now. They were said to be immortal warriors from a time before time had a name. No siren had ever fallen in battle, it was an utter mystery as to why they had left the lands of men to settle their own territory. They could very easily have ruled the entire realm, but chose to live in seclusion instead. "I ask for one egg, and only one. If I deliver your one hundred per solstice, you could hatch at least two for every boat load of humans. One egg lost, in order to gain so many. It is not an unfair price, majesty."

The queen seemed to regain her composure as he spoke. She turned from him and faced out a window into the quiet city. "Do you know how long we have been without?" He did not answer, he felt he should let her think aloud instead. "The last human on this island died nearly three hundred years ago. No egg has been hatched since. My sirens have fallen to a state of depression that I cannot cure them of. I understand your price is fair. But, I will not allow you to choose. How could you even know what it is you choose?"

Rumple thought a moment and said, "I have a very precise need of an egg. I had thought I could decipher which would be best for my needs."

The queen allowed he mouth to curve upwards ever so slightly, very nearly a smile. "You made it here to my island because you hold a deep dark magic in you. But I assure you, you are like a child tossed into a raging river here. At any second you could be snuffed out as easily as a babe on the waves. You have been allowed to speak with me because you survived the journey. Do not mistake your survival skills for capability."

Rumple bowed his head in acceptance. "Yes, majesty. I apologize for my ego. Would you allow me to tell you of my needs? Then perhaps you could choose an egg for me?"

The queen seemed to be in turmoil but was hiding it very well. Her sirens were sacred to her, and although it was a good deal, losing one egg to the outside world of man was a very torturous idea. "Very well. Tell me what it is you need her for."

"There is a mortal child who is foretold to die at a young age. I do not wish this upon her. I have need of her as an adult and I obviously cannot use a corpse. I have seen many courses and choices for her future, but all lead to death. There is only one path that allows her to live. The image I see for her life is of her standing next to a siren. At first I did not know who she stood with, but your people are very easy to find in the history texts. I searched and found mention of your island, and how none of your eggs have hatched for so long. I know that your numbers drop slowly as the years go on and before too many more, you will be the last one of your people." Rumple shuddered at the thought of how these creatures operate. They could choose to live and choose to die. During a time when women came to this island in droves, the eldest sirens could decide they were done, and they would die. Eggs would be hatched with an unknown assistance method from the female humans and thus, the siren population stayed about even for thousands of years. But without humans to help hatch eggs, the eldest gave up wanting to live, and no new sirens replaced them. Now their numbers shrunk, with no hope of regaining itself.

Humans stopped coming to the island so long ago because of wars and kingdom splits. Many bits of knowledge are lost in wars. The isle of sirens was one of the bits lost. To make matters worse, any man who ventured to this island never returned, or lived to see it up close. The sirens had no use for the men. The men did not help hatch eggs. The women who came here lived long healthy and very happy lives. The sirens doted on them hand and foot, fulfilling their every desire in exchange for hatching.

The queen listened until he was done then thought for several minutes before closing her eyes in what could only be described as defeat. "I know who you need. She has waited for ten thousand years to hatch. She has refused every attempt."

Rumple was confused. Ten thousand years to hatch? Maybe it was a rotten egg. He wasn't going to accept a bottom of the barrel egg. "Majesty, if this egg is less than perfect…?"

The queen spoke over him, "this egg is far above perfect. The child inside is exceptional and unusual. Sirens do not simply hatch because you tell them to. They hatch at the only opportune time. She knows it is not her time. I know these eggs. They are my own fruits. I know their names and how they will look. This one, is exceedingly special. I could not have known how, but I always thought she would save our entire race. It seems I was right so many thousands of years ago. When she was created, I knew she would save us all, before I even knew we would need saving."

Rumple gave up, he wasn't going to argue with her. So he merely nodded and said, "then let me see her, and I will be on my way. The next solstice is only a week away. I would assume you would want to hatch sooner rather than later."

The queen nodded and waved a hand before him. There was a flash of golden light and he opened his eyes to find himself staring at an underground field filled wall to wall with large white eggs. Just big enough to hold a baby. The eggs were all identical, covered in the golden runes. He looked out on the ocean of eggs, thinking she couldn't possibly know who was who.

He turned to politely ask which one but then he saw she was already touching one. This one was different. Very different. "Majesty… it's different… Are you sure it is not defective?"

The queen looked annoyed at him but answered anyway. "She is different. Very different. Any other of these babes could not survive in your world of man. Have you not wondered why we live here on our isle?" After he shrugged she decided to tell the tale, if only to make him wait longer for his prize. "The world of man was our home long ago. But they began fighting. We were spread across the realms, but still connected thru our ancient existence. But when men began fighting their neighbors, sirens began fighting for them. At first, one siren did not fight another, they would simply bow out of the battle once their humans had lost. But then, the inevitable occurred. Two of my sirens came against each other in battle. Instead of bowing out and fighting humans, they attacked each other. Sirens are so very loyal, you see. It is in our blood. At some point, the loyalty in these two sirens shifted. Instead of being loyal to their own kind, they took the sides of humans. That meant destroying the other one. They fought for days before I was aware of it. I rushed to end it, but I arrived moments too late. Sirens cannot be killed by men, but they can end each other. It was the first time a siren has been ended before they chose to do so. The second and final time a siren was killed, was when I destroyed the surviving siren. My own child. They all are. Since then we do not deal with the world of man. My sirens can be swayed and do not understand the emotions you humans have an abundance of. But this babe…" She rested her hand fondly on the shining silver runed egg, "this one I can feel is more akin to humans. She will be loyal to only one human, and for all time. She has raw emotion, and thoughts of her own. She is the only one who you could take."

Rumple was awestruck at this queen. He had underestimated her wisdom and sense. "I will accept her then. How can I be sure she will stand faithfully to the human of my choosing?"

The queen opened her hand revealing a tiny bottle containing golden liquid. "Place the egg touching the chosen human. Find a human woman to speak the ancient words of birth." At his look of panic she produced a scroll written in his language that had the birthing spell on it. "Once the words have been spoken, pour this liquid into the chosens mouth. If this siren accepts the bond, she will hatch and be forever tied to the chosen human."

"And if this siren does not accept?"

The queen smiled at the silver egg fondly, "she will accept."

Rumple took a deep breath and put the bottle and scroll carefully into his pocket. He crouched down by the silver egg. "I will trust you then."

The queen nodded and in a flash of gold, he found himself crouching on the beach next to the silver egg. He looked around and found the queen standing near the tree line. "I will await the promised humans. If they do not come, your chosen will have a guardian, and I will take your life."

Rumple nodded. He had no intention of breaking this deal. He had already prepared nearly five hundred women to travel to the island. He gently placed the egg in the boat and was about to push off when he had a thought and he turned quickly, happy to see the queen still there. "Majesty, you said you know your babes. What is her name?"

The queen sighed, "you will find her name when she is hatched. It is not for me to tell you, for that is her beginning."

Shrugging, Rumple shoved off and began rowing to the main land.

The queen watched the small boat drift away with one of her children. Another siren appeared next to her, and asked her, "why did you let him take her?"

The queen answered in an amused way, "because, she told me to let her go. She has been waiting for him to come get her for so very long. How could I tell her no?"

The siren sighed, "but when will we get our heir back?"

"I do not know the answer to that. But she will return to us one day. She will usher in a new dynasty of sirens. She will be the greatest queen the siren nation has ever seen. She will bring in the silver age and with it, prosperity."

The queen took her childs hand and they returned home, after all, humans were coming in only one week. Preparations must be made.

….

Cora waited impatiently for the dark one to show up. She only hoped Henry was not around when he did. Memory potions were easy to make, but she was almost concerned about long term effects after all the ones she has had to give that man.

A cloud of smoke swirled and revealed Rumple standing in the nursery. He was holding a large egg covered in silver markings. He gently sat the egg in the cradle next to the sleeping Regina. Cora stood next to him and listened as he told his tale of the siren isles.

"Okay, give me the paper then. The sooner we do this the sooner you leave."

Rumple rolled his eyes but gave her the paper. Cora read the words and carefully put the liquid in the babys mouth. Rumple made sure Regina was touching the egg and without much preamble, the egg began cracking and wobbling around.

Cora watched as the egg vanished in a silvery smoke and there next to her own daughter lay a baby with silver eyes, staring up at her. She waited… But that seemed to be it. "That's the guardian? It's a baby! How is a baby going to protect another baby?!"

Rumple frowned at the silver eyed infant. "She doesn't have any runes… maybe they come later? I saw a pup once that grew spots as it aged…"He poked at the baby siren but it squirmed and cooed like any other human baby did.

Cora sighed heavily and was about to toss this silver eyed baby to a servant to raise when she had a thought. "Rumple… do me a favor… pinch my daughter, not to hard, just enough to sting a bit."

Rumple eyed her suspiciously, "why should I provoke the siren?"

"You're immortal."

He considered telling her that a siren could possibly kill him, but thought better of it. After all, how much damage could an infant do? He reached into the cradle and touched Regina. No reaction. He nudged Regina, just a bit. Nothing at all. He took a deep breath and pinched Reginas arm just hard enough to wake her up and make her start crying.

There was a flash of silver light and next thing Rumple knew he was lying on the floor on the opposite end of the room, head spinning.

Cora was laughing triumphantly and gingerly picked up Regina to soothe her cries. She was happily looking down at the siren infant. "Well, I'd say it's a good start. Knocking around a dark one is pretty good for an infant." She looked at her daughter and suddenly gasped loudly in shock.

Rumple pulled himself off the ground, not admitting to having a slamming headache and rushed to see what the problem was. Cora pointed to the space above her daughters heart. There in tiny shimmering silver letters was written, LORELEI.

He glanced at the cradle and went to see the silver eyed infant. On her chest, just above her heart in tiny silver lettering it said REGINA.

He smiled and giggled. "It worked! When she defended her, I think it made the bond official. And I'm willing to guess, as she grows and develops her magic and skills, her runes will pop up one by one."

Cora looked disgusted. "Are you telling me my daughter is going to get more tattoos?!"

Rumple shrugged, he really didn't care. The future was on track. This child would grow to cast his curse. "Hell if I know, dearie. I'm off to go gather chips. Have fun!" With that he vanished in his cloud of smoke.

Cora let out a disgruntled sigh but decided that she would deal with any more marks as they came. She placed her daughter in with the siren and they cooed and batted at each other. She walked out and informed all the servants of the additional infant. They certainly looked prepared to question it, but the smell of blood hadn't entirely dissipated yet, so they stayed silent.

….

Well that's the first chapter. Reviews are always welcome. I hope you liked it.