It didn't take long to get used to the screaming; she thought that it would. At first it had chilled her to her core, but she had become so desperate to hear or see or feel or smell anything, anything at all, that soon it became her world. Some screams were closer, while others sounded far away; it gave her the idea that she was in a larger place than she thought, even though she was still alone. The screams, she knew

How did she know

came from no one who was still alive. They were the piercing, unearthly screeches of the dying, uttered under the worst kinds of duress. But when they stopped, she lost her sense of space—she could have been in a box buried underground, or the bottom of a canyon, or on the moon. She had no idea.

So it didn't take long to get used to the screaming.

"Henry," Regina gasped as they landed, hard, in the Enchanted Forest.

"I'm here, Mom. I'm ok."

She held him close before looking around and taking a head count—they were all there, a little bumped and bruised, but fine. Robin held out a hand and helped her up.

Leroy was already searching ahead with David, while Mary Margaret was turning in place, trying to get her bearings. There weren't any obvious clues; they were in the middle of the woods, without a house or a road in sight. Regina checked that she still had the Dark One's dagger strapped to her hip, under her jacket.

Robin frowned. "Now, I'm quite familiar with the forest in our realm, but I must say…I've never seen trees this tall."

The others looked up. He was right—several trees had to be at least a hundred feet taller than most. They were much thicker, too.

"Are we in the right world?" Henry asked, nervous.

"We have to be," Regina said.

"This is our world," Mary Margaret insisted, "I just have no idea where."

Shouts drew their attention; David and Leroy had found a road. They made their way through the brush and down a hill to them. "Which way?" Leroy asked.

But it all looked the same.

Henry sighed and gestured to the east. "Let's go that way. It doesn't really matter, does it? The worst thing that happens is we find out we have to turn around." He started walking. "At least we'll be moving."

David scratched the back of his head. "He has a point, I guess."

Regina lingered behind them, her hand on the dagger's hilt. Robin turned to her, a puzzled expression on his face. "What is it, my love?"

She was tempted, is what it was; tempted to use the dagger and call Emma to them and have it out then and there. But that wasn't the plan. In fact, it's what the pirate would do. She grimaced. Besides: "I can't feel anything," she said. "With Gold there was always the faintest vibration, like a hum, running through the blade. But I don't feel anything."

He kissed her. "It's too early to worry. The portal sent us where we're supposed to be. We just have to have a little faith. Besides, things could work very differently with Emma."

"I know."

"Come on," he said gently. "Let's catch up to the others."

As the sun started to set, they still hadn't come upon a village or a brook or even a passing cart. "We should think about making camp for the night," David said.

"It's too soon," Mary Margaret said. "If we give it just another hour then…"

He placed a hand on her arm. "Then it will be dark, and harder to make a safe place for us. For Henry."

She closed her eyes, resigned. "All right."

She went hunting with the light that was left, while Leroy and Henry built a fire. David and Robin were gathering dry brush for bedding, though they'd each brought a small bedroll.

And Regina made sure camp was safe.

She walked in a wide circle around the others, feeling for dark energy in the forest and finding none. But when she went to cast a protection spell, she frowned. She looked at her hand and attempted to create a fireball—nothing.

Her distress must have been on her face, because when Mary Margaret returned with a rabbit she went right to her. "What is it, Regina?"

"My…my magic. It's not working."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know, exactly. I can still feel it within me, I just…can't do anything with it."

Mary Margaret's eyes went wide. "Is it…could it be…?"

Regina shook her head. "It's not Emma. If the Dark One was here, we would know." She pursed her lips. "I think something must be blocking it, and not just mine; I can't feel any magic out here, and there's always something in the Enchanted Forest. I mean, it's in the name."

"Do you think we're safe here?"

An uneasy feeling settled in Regina's gut. "I think we're as safe as we can be."

The meat from the rabbit stretched their food supply a bit, but not much; they would need to find a village soon, or else they would have to spend their days hunting for food instead of Merlin or Emma.

Henry sat next to his mother, both of them gazing into the fire. "What if we don't find her?" he asked quietly.

Regina wrapped an arm around him. "That's not an option, Henry."

He leaned his head on her shoulder. "But…what if we can't save her?"

She thought back to the moment when the darkness had tried to take her; she had gasped at the sensation of ice water coursing through her veins at the same instant her skin felt as though it were blistering under hot flames. She thought she was going to be torn apart right there in the street, with Robin and Henry and everyone watching helplessly, a final judgement on all of the horrible things she had done as the Evil Queen.

But then Emma was there, saving her. She didn't even hesitate. She had pulled the darkness out of Regina and welcomed it into herself, vanishing in a vortex of pain into another dimension.

Regina closed her eyes at the dull ache in her heart; she kissed the top of Henry's head. "That's not an option," she whispered.

"Wake up."

Someone was shaking her. Regina opened her eyes but was disoriented by the darkness; the fire had been extinguished.

"Regina." It was Robin, his voice hushed. She felt Henry stirring next to her.

"What's happened?" she whispered.

As her eyes adjusted, she could make out the rest of their camp. David and Mary Margaret had their weapons drawn. She didn't see Leroy.

Robin helped her to her feet. "There are riders in the woods. Leroy's gone ahead to investigate, but we should scatter."

Henry was at her side, his pack already on his back. "Mom?"

"Go with your grandfather," Regina said, crushed that her magic couldn't protect him. "Stay close to him."

As Henry jogged away, Robin and Regina crept down the hill, keeping close to the trees. They were startled by the sound of running; they could just make out Leroy racing down the road, drawing whoever was chasing him away from camp. But then came the thundering sound of hooves; they darted behind another tree just as seven riders tore past them, easily running down Leroy. He put up a fight but was quickly surrounded, subdued, and hauled up onto one of the horses.

"We have to do something," Robin said.

"What? We don't know what kind of weapons they have. I don't have any magic. We don't know what they want—it can't just be the dwarf."

Before Robin could counter, a very familiar voice shouted for the riders to stop. Regina swore to herself as Mary Margaret stepped into the road, arrow nocked and leveled at the riders.

"Who are you," Mary Margaret shouted, "and what do you want with my friend?"

The riders all turned to face her, but stayed where they were. All except one, who took his horse at a slow walk over to where she stood. Regina couldn't make out the words they exchanged, but to her confusion the rider suddenly dismounted, and Mary Margaret lowered her bow.

"What in the hell is she doing," Regina murmured.

At the lead man's signal, the other riders also dismounted. Three of them lit torches. She saw David appear from the woods with Henry, which prompted her to reveal herself and Robin as well. As they got closer they could see the dark red cloaks of the riders, and that the lead one speaking with Mary Margaret was a woman; a beautiful woman with long, chestnut hair tied back from her (very regal) face. Regina immediately wondered at the woman's heritage.

"I was just apologizing," the woman said to them. "It is quite unusual for strangers to appear in our kingdom, and our history has taught us to strike first and ask questions later." She gestured to Leroy, still out cold on one of their horses. "He will be all right."

David cleared his throat. "And um…what kingdom would this be, then?"

Mary Margaret turned to him, excitement glittering in her eyes. "Camelot," she breathed.

"Camelot?" Henry chirped. "Like, Camelot Camelot? Arthur and…and Merlin?"

Could it be that easy? Regina wondered. Her skin crawled with suspicion. It must have shown on her face as well because she felt Robin place a comforting hand on her back. She tried to unclench her teeth.

"Yes," the woman said, an odd tone to her voice. "Mary Margaret says you have come to our land seeking Merlin. You must have used powerful magic to get here."

"Yes," Mary Margaret said, "though it doesn't seem to be working now."

Regina wanted to shake her for her friendliness and tendency to reveal their hand to anyone.

"Merlin's magic is the only kind that works in Camelot," the woman said quietly. "He has always protected us in that way."

Exasperated, Regina barked: "Who are you?"

The other woman's eyes raked her up and down; Regina didn't flinch. "Forgive me, my lady. My name is Kelemon. I lead King Arthur's knights."

"What about Sir Percival?" Henry asked. "Or Sir Kay?"

Kelemon nodded. "They are still with us. But Camelot is…a unique kingdom. Time works differently for us, ever since Merlin…" She stopped.

David stepped forward. "Since Merlin what?"

Kelemon put a hand to her horse's bridle and sighed. "It is best that you see for yourselves. Please, come back with us. Give us a chance to heal your friend, and to assist you on your quest."

She could see shadows. The movement caught her by surprise; she thought she was only imagining the figures looming in the darkness. But soon they became as regular a part of her world as the screaming. The shadows had no faces, no real form. Sometimes she convinced herself that she recognized one of them, but she never did.

She was always cold now. When she tried to look closer at a shadow there would be a sharp, frigid spike of pain to her heart, but she never stopped trying. She had to make sense of her new world.

Regina's castle had been a sight to see; it was enormous, cold, and served as both castle and fortress. But the castle before them was something else entirely.

It was like something straight from the pages of a storybook.

It was large without being ridiculous, and unless her eyes were deceiving her it actually shone. The brick and stonework had an otherworldly quality to it, a sparkle that couldn't come naturally but meant that all of Camelot radiated a welcoming warmth Regina had never experienced before. Colorful flags and banners waved from towers and turrets. And while their camp had been chilly the day before, the flowers and trees around the castle were in full bloom.

Regina pulled off her jacket and continued to stare.

At the head of the group, Kelemon was smiling. "This way," she said.

The main gate clattered open and they entered the grounds, where the market was thriving despite the early hour. Fruits and fabric, books and baubles, anything you could need was for sale. The gentle notes of a lute could be heard on the air.

"Wow," Henry said.

The other riders dispersed with the horses as Kelemon led them inside. She pulled aside a young messenger, whispered in his ear, and he went scampering off ahead of them.

"This could be a very short quest for us," Robin murmured to Regina.

She felt the weight of the Dark One's dagger at her hip. "I don't know. I don't trust the simplicity of it all. There's a catch somewhere."

He nodded. "But perhaps we can be grateful that at least we weren't searching for Merlin for weeks."

"Yes, but his people finding us? In less than a day?" Regina shook her head. "The other shoe is going to drop. Hard."

They were led to the throne room, a wide, open expanse with two identical thrones carved from dark wood at the far end.

"I've sent word that King Arthur has visitors from another land," Kelemon explained. "He won't be long. New and unusual things have never failed to intrigue him." She gestured to Leroy, in David's arms. "In the meantime, shall we send your friend to our healers?" Servants appeared through the doorway, no doubt also alerted by the messenger, to take Leroy away. At that, Mary Margaret looked anxious.

"I should go with him," she said.

"I'll go," Robin volunteered. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "This concerns your daughter; you should be here. I'll watch over Leroy."

Mary Margaret held him tight. "Thank you, Robin."

Regina watched him leave with the servants and dwarf, then put an arm around her son.

Kelemon was right, they didn't wait long at all. A door opened behind the twin thrones and they all dropped to one knee as King Arthur made his way in.

"Please," rumbled his deep voice. "Stand."

They did, and Regina took in the sight of the legendary king.

He looked to be in his sixties, though she knew first-hand that the age of Enchanted Forest citizens wasn't an easily guessable thing. He had a thick grey and white beard that matched his hair, and she was surprised to see he was not wearing a crown. He wasn't particularly handsome, but he had a presence you couldn't ignore—the comfortable confidence of a man secure in his position.

Regina liked him immediately.

"Kelemon," Arthur said, a bemused twinkle in his eye. "I'm told you found these people in our woods."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

He turned his gaze on them. "Now how is that possible? Merlin's magic has protected us from outside eyes for centuries."

David blinked. "Centuries?"

Arthur smiled and leaned back in his throne. "Oh yes, my child. Camelot was destined to be on this earth for one brief, shining moment…but after our brightest days were behind us, Merlin granted us the gift of time. He always had a way with time; he lived his life backwards, after all. Don't try to understand it," he said kindly to Henry, as his face scrunched in concentration. "Time moves slower in here than it does out there, so that we might last a little longer, and be able to right some of our wrongs. In any event…" King Arthur eyed each of them in turn. "The fact that you are here means that one of you has powerful magic. Or did, at any rate, before you arrived in our kingdom."

Regina cleared her throat and stepped forward. "I do, Your Majesty."

"And who are you?"

"My name is Regina."

"Hmm." Arthur looked to Kelemon. "Wasn't there a queen named Regina? In King Leopold's time."

"Yes, Your Majesty. She was known as the Evil Queen. Rumor had it she killed her husband, the king."

Regina's heart felt heavy. She couldn't look at her son, who moved closer to her.

"Ah yes," Arthur said. He leaned forward. "Merlin warned me about you."

She blinked in surprise. "He…he did?"

"Oh yes. He said one day the Evil Queen would find her way to Camelot with the power of the Dark One, and should we help her, all would perish."

Regina closed her eyes in despair. She heard the sound of a sword being drawn; she opened her eyes to see Kelemon with her blade in hand.

"Now, wait just a moment," David began.

"She's not the Evil Queen anymore!" Henry said. "She's just my mom. She's changed."

"Merlin is never wrong," Kelemon said.

King Arthur stood, sighed heavily, and descended the stairs. He held his hands behind his back and studied the group before him. "Merlin is never wrong," he agreed. "However…Merlin is also rarely straightforward. Tell me, Queen: did you finally kill Snow White?"

Regina swallowed. "No. I…"

"Um, actually…" Mary Margaret raised her hand. "That's me."

Arthur looked between the two women. "You traveled here together to find Merlin? As friends?"

"As family," Henry said. "Your Majesty, we were told that Merlin could help us with the Dark One. The darkness tried to take my mom…" he gestured to Regina. "But, my other mom, Emma…she…"

"She gave her life for mine," Regina said quietly. "The darkness took her instead. She's Snow White's daughter, she gave birth to our son, and…Henry's right. We're all family. And we have to get her back."

The entire time they were talking, Kelemon's sword never wavered. But now, Arthur put a hand on her blade and gently lowered it. "I see now. Yes." He turned and went back up to his throne. He leaned back and scratched his beard. "You have all changed each other's fates. The Evil Queen is no more. The darkness did not take her."

Regina shuddered to think it had been prophecied that it would. "No, Your Majesty."

He nodded, satisfied. "Then Camelot will help you, Regina, in your fight to save your friend from the darkness."

Relief flooded through her; Henry threw his arms around her.

"Your Majesty," Mary Margaret said, "is Merlin here in Camelot? We have so many questions for him. We'd like to try to find Emma as soon as we can."

"Of course you would. But you must be tired, and hungry. Perhaps after a rest and a warm meal…"

"Please, Your Majesty," David said. He took Mary Margaret's hand. "We mean no offense, but it is imperative that we speak to Merlin as soon as he is able to meet with us."

"Yes," Arthur rumbled. He scratched his beard again. "Well, you see…the thing is…that's the one part of the puzzle that doesn't quite fit."

…..

"He's a bloody tree?"

Robin stood in the doorway of Regina's assigned chambers, his mouth agape. She sighed. "Indeed he is. He's in the center of a large courtyard, and has been for a hundred years." She threw open the wardrobe to see what her options were for clean clothing. "You can feel the magic almost pulsing from the tree though; it's quite impressive, even if it's useless."

Robin looked at her, his face full of concern. "Is Henry all right?"

Regina hesitated. "He's…disheartened. As we all are. The Apprentice said Merlin was the only one with the power to destroy the darkness. And if that's true then…well, we may have lost before we even started."

"You can't believe that."

She didn't say anything. She reached through to the back of the wardrobe and pulled out a slim fitting, vibrantly red dress.

"Regina…"

"I'm not giving up," she snapped. "I'm not, I'm…I just need to think."

He entered her chambers and gently slid his arms around her waist. "You're not in this alone, you know."

"You'd think the Apprentice would think it worthy to mention that his sorcerer had died, wouldn't you?"

Robin sighed. "Maybe he didn't know."

Regina doubted that, somehow. Irritatingly enough, she felt as though it were just a part of a puzzle, albeit one she had no patience for, especially when she didn't know how much time they had before Emma succumbed to the darkness.

"I'm going to get changed for dinner," Robin said quietly. "Shall I return to escort you?"

She nodded absently, and he left. She dressed herself in the red gown, felt the soft fabric grip and drape in ways she'd grown unaccustomed to in Storybrooke, but recalled only too well from her days as queen. Her heart ached; it had been a long time since she had been inside a castle and felt helpless.

No one could say that the last time had ended well.

…..

"You can't hold me in this bloody cage forever," Killian Jones spat from his cell.

The target of his rage sat calmly at the sheriff's desk, heels propped up, run-of-the-mill paperwork in her hand. "Of course I can," Lily said; she couldn't bring herself to sound even remotely sorry. "That's one of my favorite things about Storybrooke—the old laws are the ones they follow. They basically locked you in the dungeon. You're lucky Regina designed this one with windows."

Hook gnashed his teeth and slammed himself into the bars. It was one of Lily's favorite things that he did; it was such an open display of uncontrolled hostility that would never have any effect on his actual situation. A temper tantrum, truly. She shook her head, wondering not for the first time what Emma Swan saw in him.

Sure enough, he tired himself out, just as Lily was finishing up. She put away the stacks of noise disturbances and magical sightings (nothing of note, as usual) and switched off the desk lamp. All the while, Hook was watching her from his bunk.

"You were Emma's friend," he said.

Lily locked up the other office. "Yep."

"How can you do this to me? She needs me."

"To do what?"

He went to the bars and leaned against them. "To save her. Before it's too late."

Lily decided this time, she'd bite. "How?"

He bared his teeth again. "I had a plan before the Evil Queen wrecked everything. You know she tried to kill Emma before?"

Lily shrugged. "So did I. I thought you did, too. Maybe Emma just needs better people in her life."

"The Evil Queen killed her son—Emma brought him back to life with True Love's Kiss. If it wasn't for her, the lad would be dead."

"And yet," Lily mused, "Emma saved Regina's life by becoming the Dark One in her place. Right? I mean, it happened right in front of you, didn't it?" She stepped closer to the cell. "Is that what's got your knickers in a twist? The woman you love giving her life for another?"

He glared at her. "Emma's a hero. And I love that about her."

"Mmm. But she's not a hero right now." Lily felt her eyes switch to their reptilian gold as she stared into this Killian Jones. "And that's what Regina is able to remember, and you can't seem to accept: she is not the woman we love. She's the Dark One."

Hook tilted his head. "We?"

She ignored her admission. "She's the Dark One, you moron. And if your plan was for true love's kiss to undo the power of the darkness…" She shook her head. "You're really out of your league."

"In case you've been under a rock, true love is the strongest magic of all."

Lily thought of this brute with Emma, and it made her skin itch. "Obsession isn't love," she said quietly. "And not all love is true…or even pure. Assuming you have true love with her puts her life at risk. Everyone else seems able to understand that, except for you, and that's why you're staying in there. Your ignorance is dangerous."

He punched the bars, bruising his fist; Lily was unsympathetic. She threw on her jacket and grabbed her keys.

"You're jealous," Hook taunted from his cage. "Jealous of what we have. If you think a childhood crush could be more than that, you're wrong. You could never fulfill her."

Lily kept the few warm memories of her adolescence with Emma to herself, feeling no need to correct him.

….

The shadows grew faces.

But not eyes.

Some looked like the son she thought she had, or used to have, many years ago.

With recognition came blinding pain. But after years

or perhaps days…..

of pain, the rage soon followed. She didn't want to hurt anymore. These shadows caused her pain, and it was time to stop them. Heat, white-hot, surged through her.

She had hands again. She held them up; she could see them.

And she could see the shadows.

Power shot from her hands into the darkness and the faces of the shadows dissolved, dissolved, and their screams were so loud, and so close, and that was how she knew her cage was shrinking, shrinking, until her body was squeezed on all sides….

…..

And in the middle of the Enchanted Forest, a portal opened, and a dark liquid pooled through and gained form—human form. The Dark One pushed back the hood of her cloak; the sunlight didn't hurt her eyes.

She could only see the shadows.