Storybrooke
Fiona watched Graham and Snow deep in discussion, not even three feet away from her. She could now see that she may have in fact seen the other brunette before today, but with the former bandit now having shorter hair she hadn't recognized her. Fortunately for Fiona, the two were so concentrated on the missing student that they paid no attention to her gawking them.
Pulling out a map of the wooded park from his drawer, Graham was searching for the area described. "And you say you were by the cabins when you noticed she was missing?"
"This is my first time chaperoning the camping trip. Ummm…we were on the south side?" Her voice was unsure.
"Mary Margaret I need you to be more specific." The sheriff was trying to figure out where they were so he could arrange a proper search party. They didn't have much time before it would get very cold and very dark.
Panicking, Ms Blanchard struggled with identifying the cabins.
Fiona had stayed in those woods before, so she knew that there were several sets of cabins in the area. The young woman stepped up to the map. "Do you remember if the cabins had moss on the same side of the doors or if there were burnt out grill on the grounds?" Those were the two most used campsites as they had enough cabins grouped together to accommodate a class trip.
"We're staying at the moss covered cabins! We had just done attendance for lunch and Holly wasn't there." The teacher further explained, " I drove here to make sure we had enough flashlights. I saw that your cruiser was still here so that's why I stopped in."
"It appears that most of the park phones were down, I just received the call a couple of minutes ago." Graham glanced at Fiona, "You know this area well?" he asked.
"Yes, I used… to camp there plenty of times." She answered while still studying the map. It was a half-truth.
When the Curse was first enacted and they were all transported to this land, Fiona was jarred by all the changes. She had her memories, but no one else around her did. Hurt and scared, she ran away to the nearby woods and found the cabins.
She eventually returned to her adoptive family and slowly managed to adjust to their new personalities they had been cursed with. Whenever things got to be too much, she returned to the woods. It reminded her of home and gave her the space she needed to cope.
"Good, we'll need all the help we can get." He took the map and placed it on the copier's plate. "Mary Margaret, we'll meet you at the campsite. Mayor Mills will get the groups arranged and we'll hand out assignments."
Ms Blanchard nodded and headed out of the station.
Fiona cleared her throat. She didn't remember volunteering. "Wait, did you say 'we'?" The less she was seen around the town the better. "How did I get recruited in this mess?"
The sheriff handed her a flashlight from the emergency box and the map. "You wanted to see some policing."
"Not like this."
The sheriff pulled the original map and dozens of copies that had came out. "A little girl is lost - can't you take a few hours out of your day to help out?"
His words made her feel guilty. Fiona knew how terrifying it was to be alone and she did want to lend a hand, but she hesitated because she was trying to remain under the Mayor's radar.
Her conscience goaded her to take the risk. "You're right, Graham. Let's go." She joined him as he headed to the cruiser.
The Enchanted Forest
Brushing off Snow's hand, Fiona got up by herself. "I'm Fiona and I know exactly who you are, bandit. I read the signs while in town. You're Snow White and you're wanted for treason."
The little girl did her best to appear threatening even though she was scared to be in the presence of this infamous rebel.
Snow tried to keep a serious face so as not to embarrass the fearful girl. She asked, "Do you even know what treason means?" The girl looked to be be younger than ten, though Snow couldn't be sure what she age was.
Insulted by the question, Fiona's brows furrowed. "Of course, I do. Do you take me to be a fool?" Before Snow answer, the girl continued, "It means that you betrayed the crown. You have no loyalty to the Queen." She read books all the time so she knew she was right.
Snow was impressed that Fiona knew what it meant. She also detected an unfamiliar accent. "You are quite the clever girl. However that doesn't change the fact that you are lost in the woods."
"I'm not lost." She said rather quickly. "My family is around. They will be here shortly so you best leave before they see you."
"I'll take my chances." Snow wasn't about the leave the injured child by herself. "Perhaps I can help you find your family. Where are your parents?"
The question had an immediate impact on the tiny girl. She swallowed and tears welled up. "They're gone." She had no desire to share her grief with this criminal so she held in her tears.
Fortunately Snow understood the anguish on her face all too well and changed the subject. "Where are you from Fiona?"
Since there appeared to be no one else that could aid her, Fiona decided to respond and hopefully get directions. "I'm from Isen, far West of this dreadful Forest." She used her sleeve to wipe her tears.
Isen, so that explains the accent.
When her father King Leopold was alive a few delegates came from that land to open up trade, but oddly nothing ever happened. However, the little girl was not what she imagined. She had been told that the people of Isen were very tall, fair haired, and usually a bit more solid than the people here. This little girl could've been a relative of Snow with her features. Perhaps the stories got twisted along the way.
Snow gave Fiona a reassuring smile while she rubbed her arm. "Did you come here alone?"
"Don't be ridiculous." The little girl scoffed. "I came with my family. My aunt is here on a business. We were staying in the town outside the Palace while my aunt went to meet the Queen. My cousin and I were exploring when we noticed that we were being followed. We were running from the bandits, no doubt friends of yours. We must have gotten separated."
"When did this happen?"
"Just a few minutes ago! Please tell me which way is the town. I must go and find my family. " She was getting irritated with Snow. How on earth had she avoided being caught by the Queen's guards? She seemed confused with Fiona was saying. Perhaps in this kingdom, the people weren't as well educated as she had thought.
Snow was a bit perplexed about the girl's time-line."That can't be true. The town you're speaking of is a few days from here if you travel by horse." She assumed that the girl was trying to protect herself. "If you don't want me to know where you're from that's fine, I under- "
Incensed at the accusation, she yelled. "I'm not a liar! I was just there. I was running with Michael and then.." Her mind raced as she tried to retraced her steps. Seeing the woods around her again and in more detail this time, she noticed that the trees were much more densely packed here than where she was less than 10 minutes ago. She remembered Michael was just behind her after she got the money bag. Then she recalled being dizzy and her vision getting blurry.
Scared at what just happened she sat down by a nearby rock, ignoring the woman standing by her. "I was with him, I swear. Things shifted…" she paused and gathered her thoughts.
Feeling sorry for the girl, Snow knelled down to her level. "It's okay little one. I'll take you back to your family. I promise." Bursting into tears, Fiona hugged Snow and sobbed. The woman rubbed the girl's back for comfort and held her as she got her tears out.
Storybrooke
Mayor Mills did not disappoint.
As Graham and Fiona drove up to the campsite, there were a few dozen volunteers anxious to assist in any way they could.
Fiona recognized them as mainly concerned parents for which she was grateful. Even though this curse so far had caused memories to be clouded, she didn't want any of her teachers to ask why she was no longer in school and older than when they met her.
It troubled her that she was the only one aging and for now, the only one noticing it.
As she and Graham got out of the cruiser, she noticed several people looking at her, surprised that a civilian was riding with the sheriff. None more so than Mayor Mills who abruptly ended a conversation she was having with a concerned citizen.
The confident brunette walked over to the pair. "Sheriff, glad you came. Who's your guest I may ask?" Her fierce brown eyes remained on Fiona as she spoke.
Feeling uncomfortable and hoping not to be recognized, Fiona looked down, but not before catching a smile on the mayor.
Seeing the uneasiness on Fiona's face, Graham introduced her to Regina. "Mayor Mills, this is Fiona Kyle. She's kindly volunteered her expertise with the search."
The younger brunette gave him a small smile as a sign of gratitude for the kind words, even if she didn't quite believe she had any real tracking proficiency.
Not believing what he said, Regina rolled her eyes. "An expert? She hardly looks old enough to be out of high school." Her locked on Fiona again. With her hands on her hips, it looked like Regina was scolding her like a parent. "Just how old are you?"
Her pride wounded, Fiona's tone was defensive. "Old enough, Madam Mayor." She had difficulty keeping track of her age due to the curse. By the calender's time keeping she knew she was old enough to drink, but biologically she had no idea.
Adolescence took forever in her mind (and body). Since she still appeared to be in her late teens, she tried to dress a bit older. It was something that Ruby teased her about several times, but that was a small price to pay as she could now move around town as an adult.
Realizing that continuing this conversation would serve no good, Regina ended it by moving towards the crowd. She motioned for everyone to gather around and she barked instructions, "People of Storybooke, we're going to have to band together quickly to find one of own - Chelsea Masterson. She's no doubt scared. Time is of the essence. Please pair up and report to Sheriff Graham to get your assignments and grab some flashlights. Report back as you complete your areas and get new ones."
Obeying her, people got together quickly, mainly family members and friends joined up and grabbing a photocopied map with an area or two that needed to be covered.
Except for Fiona
She looked around and saw that there was nobody she knew personally besides Graham and he was busy handing out maps. She guessed Ruby was still at the diner helping Granny and Ashley was in no condition to help here. So she was alone. "Story of my life." She mumbled.
"I guess it's the two of us." Fiona turned around and saw Snow, wait…Mary Margaret speaking to her. "I don't believe we've been properly introduced. I'm Mary Margaret Blanchard." She said, offering her hand for a shake.
Returning the gesture, she smiled. "I'm Fiona."
The Enchanted Forest
Michael could not figure out where Fiona was. One moment she was just ahead of him and then she vanished. His first instinct was search for her, but he had a more pressing matter of getting away from the bandits.
Catching a break, he noticed that a group of traveling traders were coming up the road. While he no idea of whether or not they'd come to his aid, he went ahead and took a chance. Running as fast he could, he yelled, "Help! Bandits!"
Immediately the two men in the front of the small band came to him on their horses. "Are you alright boy?" The older one asked, he got off his steed to check on Michael.
"Father, there they are!" shouted the other man. He saw the bandits that were behind Michael, but when they realized these men had swords and horses, the criminals ran in the other direction.
Michael was relieved, he was sure he could've ran much longer.
"You're safe my boy." The father assured Michael.
The concerned boy knew Fiona was still in danger. "My cousin is still in the woods! The bandits may find her, you have to help us!" He had no idea where she would turn up, but he was terrified that the bandits would get to her first.
"It's ok. We'll hurry into town to get some men to help. In the meantime, let's get you somewhere safe."
Seeing as this was his only option with getting Fiona, he agreed and got on a horse with the father and headed towards town.
As they rode in, the man asked a few questions, "What does your cousin look like? We'll need to give the men a description to know who to look for."
Thinking for a moment, Michael tried to give the most accurate description of Fiona he could think of. "She's a tiny thing, dark hair with really bright hazel eyes."
He always liked the contrast of his cousin's hair and eyes. It was so unlike everyone else in their land.
Even though he knew she was adopted, he hardly thought about it as he had been with her pretty much since she was born. Thanks to her he was no longer the baby in the family, which he had hated.
Anticipating his cousin's typical response to strangers, he warned, "She has a mouth on her so watch out and please don't take offense. She'll probably be hiding so you have to be clever and look everywhere. She's the smartest girl I know."
Actually she was the smartest kid he knew. What the rest of the family didn't realize was that she was reading Michael's school books and could do a lot of the math problems in there by herself. She had been doing his math work for him in exchange for his share of candy, but he kept that fact to himself.
Storybrooke
Graham's superior tracking helped him and Mayor Mills to finish their assignment earlier than expected. The sheriff pushed his pencil to marked off their progress on his map when the point snapped. Frustrated and tired, Graham threw the useless tool.
Sensing his distress, Regina placed her hand on his shoulder and reassured him. "We'll find her."
"We should've found her by now."
"Perhaps she got lost." She sighed, doubting her own comments. Chelsea was the first child to go missing in town since they arrived thirteen years ago. Feeling exhausted herself, Regina suggested, "Why don't we had back and replenish on our coffee? It could help to recharge before going out for the next section."
Sheriff Humbert shook his thermos and discovered it was empty. "You're right, I can use a refill." The two of them began heading back to their makeshift base camp.
"Who knows? Your 'expert' may have already found her by the time we get back." She half-heartedly joked. "Seriously Graham, did you really think you could pass her off as a qualified assistant? She's a kid."
Graham shook his head and chuckled. "I may have fudged a bit with her qualifications, but she does know the area Regina. She was able to break down this area into segments on our way up here." He was impressed with how quickly she got it done. "Besides, we could use all the help we can get."
"That's true." They were short on help and with every hour passing by, she was getting more and more fearful of the outcome. When she caught the sheriff glancing at her. "What is it?"
"Do you mind easing up on Fiona, just a little?"
Regina gave a small smile. "I promise I'll leave her alone."
The Enchanted Forest
It felt like they had been walking forever. Fiona wasn't one to complain, but the pain was getting worse. "Are we almost there?" Her voice was tiny and pleading.
"Yes, we should be there in time for supper." Snow hoped that would lift the girl's spirits. Fiona nodded and continued at her pace, but the fugitive princess noticed that the lost child was having a difficult time walking. "Do you want to take a break and rest?"
"I'm not tired! I can handle it." Fiona didn't want this bandit to think she was fragile.
Protecting the girl's pride, Snow feigned fatigue. "I'm sure you can make it, but I'm actually exhausted and I'd like to relax for just a few minutes."
"Oh." Fiona took a seat on a log nearby without any further prompting. "If you need to stop for a bit, I'll join you."
"Thank you for understanding." Snow watched the little girl,for some reason her mannerisms and facial expressions reminded her of someone else, but she couldn't put her finger on it. She tried to solve the case of deja vu by getting a closer look at the child's clothes.
Fiona certainly wasn't from The Enchanted Forest. The girl was wearing an outfit that from a distance looked practical and common, but up close had the detailing and quality of some of the finest fabrics. She wore brown leather pants with chocolate covered boots that went to up to her shins. Her top was layered - a creamy shirt under a pomegranate vest.
"It isn't polite to stare." Fiona tilted her head to the side.
Embarrassed at being caught, Snow apologized. "I'm sorry. I was just admiring your outfit. In this land, most girls wear dresses."
Taking the woman's curiosity as an invitation to educate, Fiona opened up. "I have dresses too, but that's for important events and for visitors. Where I'm from, we tend to dress more sensible day to day. Nobles may have more supervisory responsibilities, but we are expected to work just like the rest."
"That makes a lot of sense." Now that she lived outside the palace walls Snow could appreciate the importance of function with her clothing. A princess couldn't survive on the run wearing a gown. She smiled at the girl. "So you're a princess?"
Fiona rolled her eyes. "By title, but no one calls me that. We don't have kings and queens in out land, decisions affecting our kingdom are made by a council of seven." It felt so odd to think of herself as a princess. "When I take my mother's place on the council, then I'll be addressed as Lady of the Shield."
"That sounds important."
Just thinking about all the responsibilities included with the title made Fiona feel overwhelmed. "It is." She sighed. "Everyone is counting on me to be just as good as my mother."
"You don't think you'll be ready?"
"When I got old enough, I will have to take care of all the families that count on us." The girl shrugged her shoulders and admitted, "I don't know if I can do it."
"You still have time to grow and learned."
"Perhaps." Tired of the conversation Fiona got up. "Let's get to the village."