Chapter 2:
On their way home from the palace that evening Regina noticed that Lillian seemed out of sorts.
"Are you alright? You've been pretty quiet since we left."
Lillian kept her eyes on the ground as they walked. "I'm fine," she shrugged.
Regina walked closer to her daughter and put her arm around her shoulders encouragingly. "I can tell when you're upset. Did something happen?"
Lillian sighed, the disappointment of it rushing to the surface again. "The Blue Fairy told me that she has nothing else to teach me. I've learned all the magic I can."
Regina looked down at the ground. She knew this had been coming and she knew that it would be hard for Lillian to accept. The girl noticed her reaction.
"Is it true? Is there nothing else for me to learn?"
"Yes, it's true." Lillian's heart sank at the confirmation. Regina tried to lift her spirits, "But we will keep training and you'll find better ways to do things. You'll develop your own style and-"
"That's not good enough," Lillian interrupted. Regina let her continue before responding. "I'm sorry. I just… I feel frustrated because I know there's more out there for me to learn but no way for me to learn it."
"I'm sorry," Regina said gently. "I wish there was something I could do. But I've already taught you everything I dare."
"I know." Lillian leaned into her mother and rested her head on her shoulder as they continued to walk.
Regina thought about her daughter's situation. She knew how much Lillian loved to learn magic and how skilled she had become. It was so different than it had been for her. Lillian's magic magnified her best qualities, love, goodness and selflessness. When Regina had learned it brought out the worst in her. She understood why Rumple wanted her; she was very powerful.
She stopped walking and turned to look at Lillian. "I promise you I will find a way for you to learn everything you want to learn about magic, as long as you keep your promise to me. Do you remember?"
"That I will never use dark magic to do Rumplestiltskin's bidding."
"No matter what?"
"No matter what."
Regina smiled. "That's my girl."
Lillian looked her in the eyes very seriously. "Do you really mean it mother? Will you help me?"
The Queen looked back into the girl's eyes that were the same shade as her step-daughter's, "Yes, I will."
Lillian hugged her mother tightly. "Thank you."
"You're welcome. Now we'd better get moving or it will be dark before we get all our chores done."
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Because she was the most easily recognized Regina rarely went into the village, so she returned to the house to get supper started while Marie and Lillian went to the market.
Regina entered the house to find someone sitting in her chair with his feet propped up on the table. The man had his back to the door and it sounded like he was sharpening a knife of some sort. The Queen's blood ran cold as she considered that her worst fear had come true; had Rumplestiltskin finally found them? He didn't look like Rumple…perhaps it was a henchman, sent to kill her. She was just about to conjure a fireball and launch it when the scraping sound stopped and the man raised his right hand to inspect the object he had been sharpening. She knew exactly who it was.
"Hook."
The man stood and turned around at the mention of his name and flashed a roguish smile before replying, "You're looking well, your Majesty. Love you in earth tones."
"What are you doing here," she demanded with a scowl.
"Well, it's been so long since we've seen each other, and since I heard you've left behind your darker ways, I thought it was time we catch up."
Regina took a step closer toward him and lowered her voice threateningly, "Just because I haven't done it in a while it doesn't mean I've forgotten how."
The pirate swept his eyes up and down her body, leaned in closer and raised his eyebrows at her, "True on many levels, I'd imagine."
She was incensed at his insinuation. She thrust her hands forward and Hook flew back pinned against the wall. "How dare you come into my home pirate!" She advanced on him intimidatingly. "The last time I saw you, you lied to me and tricked me into believing that you actually killed my mother like I asked you to. And because you didn't kill her she came after me and nearly killed my daughter. Oh yes," she sneered menacingly, "I've been looking forward to seeing you again for some time."
"If I may, I can explain." His voice waivered slightly, showing his fear. "I went to Wonderland and tried to kill your mother just as you asked, but her heart was not inside her body. I was at her mercy. And as you may recall your mother's methods of persuasion are difficult to refuse. I never meant to betray you Regina."
Regina's eyes narrowed as she decided whether he was telling the truth or not. She lowered her hands and released him.
"What do you want Hook?"
Hook took a moment to regain his composure. "I've come to make it up to you."
"Why would you bother to do that? It seems a bit out of character for you."
"Once again, I believe we can help each other."
"Why would I do anything to help you?" Regina sat down in her chair.
Hooked leaned across the table, "Because I'm the only person in this entire village who knows who you really are, and why you're here: Rumplestiltskin is after your daughter."
Regina's carefully trained mask did not allow the fear she felt to show through, but her heart jumped at his words. "And how is this information valuable to you," she replied coolly.
"It could prove valuable in many ways." He sat in the chair opposite her. "But it's most worthwhile to me because the best way to catch a crocodile is to stalk its prey."
She clenched her teeth, "I'd warn you not to refer to my daughter as bait."
"Of course, my apologies. I would never dream of demeaning such a beautiful young lady." He did his best to sound sincere.
She eyed him for a moment before speaking again. It was obvious where Lillian got her protectiveness from. "What is it exactly that you are proposing Captain?"
"I am offering my services to you and your daughter, to protect you from Rumplestiltskin." He bowed his head slightly, in a courtly way.
"Considering how easily I could have killed you just now, I'm not convinced we would benefit much from your protection," she dug at him.
"That was me being a gentleman. When it comes to skinning my crocodile, I won't let anything stop me."
He spoke with such passion that she believed him. "And what is it that you want from me?"
He flashed his smile again, "I thought you'd never ask love. As you may have heard, I had a few run-ins with the Miss Swan and her mother when they last visited this land, and seeing how you've got an in with them, it would make things a lot easier if you could arrange for me to have free passage throughout their realm."
Regina considered his request. "Alright, I'll arrange it. But let's get one thing out of the way right now." She reached across the table and took hold of his lapel. "If you so much as look at my daughter wrong, you're going to find yourself missing another appendage." She glanced downward before continuing, "Do I make myself clear?"
He swallowed hard and smiled nervously, "Unmistakably."
"Good." She let go and stood up. "Now you should find yourself a place to sleep. We will go to the palace first thing in the morning."
He rose from his seat and made his way to the door, nodding politely on his way out.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Emma moved swiftly but quietly through the brush, careful not to leave any tracks. She stopped every 20 yards or so to check that she wasn't being followed. When she reached the riverbank she took off her red leather jacket and bent down to splash some cool water on her neck. Behind her she heard the snapping of a twig. She gripped the hilt of her sword with her right hand and in one movement withdrew it and turned abruptly, prepared to strike.
"Easy!" Robin Hood held his hands in front of himself to show he meant no harm. "Do you even know how to use that thing, Princess," he joked.
Emma was not amused. "Of course I do, and don't sneak up on me next time!"
"Apologies, my lady."
Emma put her sword away and sat on a large boulder near the river. "Have you seen anything?"
"No. No sightings of anyone matching his description." Robin joined her on another boulder. He looked back in the direction of the castle. "You now if your father found out about this he'd be furious with the both of us. Not that I mind the extra gold, but he is technically my employer as well, and since he pays me to be on the lookout for the Dark One I'm not so sure he'd be too keen on me pulling double duty."
"Trust me, it's better if no one knows about this."
"Better for whom? You?"
Emma shot him a dirty look. "Listen Robin, you keep an eye out and I'll keep paying you. If I want to have my motivations analyzed I'll talk to Dr. Hopper, ok?"
"Certainly. My apologies…again." He rose to leave. Emma did the same and tossed him a small bag of gold coins. "The Merry Men thank you my lady. I'll have Mulan give you a report in two days."
She nodded and he disappeared into the woods. His question bothered her, better for whom? She knew it was wrong of her not to tell anyone, but she had been too afraid to face the truth. That day when she went with Mr. Gold to find his son, and discovered that he was Henry's father, had been like a nightmare. So many emotions, so many questions…. She did the only thing she knew to do: run. The worst part was that she hadn't told Henry. He had no idea that his father was alive and that she had seen him. She told herself that it was for the best, to protect him, but really it was to protect her.
From the day they arrived in the Enchanted Forest she had been looking over her shoulder, waiting for Neal to show up and confront her. When her father tasked Robin Hood and his men to watch the forest for any sign of Rumple she took the opportunity to ask them to watch for Neal as well. She didn't know what she would do if they ever did see any sign of him, so she kept praying that they never would.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Lillian sat on a tree stump in the village waiting for Marie to finish up in the market. Her mother's promise had brightened her spirits a bit, but she still felt disappointed about her magic lessons. A bright light appeared above her, attracting her attention. She looked up to see the Blue Fairy hovering over her.
"Hello Blue." she acknowledged her politely, but wasn't really in the mood to talk.
"Hello Lillian," the fairy replied happily. When Lillian didn't say anything further, she spoke again. "Are you still upset about what I told you earlier?"
Lillian downplayed her true feelings to be tactful, "I'll be alright. My mother promised to help me find another way to learn more magic. It might take time, but I'm hopeful someone will come along."
The Blue Fairy nodded but did not appear to share Lillian's optimism. "Oh, well that's nice."
Lillian picked up on her doubtful tone. "What? You don't think someone will?"
"I haven't seen or heard of another magical being in this part of the forest for some time, but you never know…"
Whatever hope Lillian had was now gone. "Where could they have all gone? There has to be someplace with magic." She had said it mostly to herself but she noticed that the Blue Fairy reacted somewhat; like she flinched ever so slightly. "Is there?" When she wouldn't make eye contact Lillian knew that she knew something. "Blue, what are you not telling me?"
The fairy looked around nervously, afraid to be overheard. She fluttered closer to Lillian and spoke very quietly. "There is a place…a place in a faraway land, where those who have the gift go to study advanced magic."
Lillian's heart pounded in her chest. This could be exactly what she had been dreaming of. "What kind of place?"
"A university."
"A university?!" She could hardly contain her excitement.
"Yes," the Blue Fairy confirmed. "It's called Shiz."
A peculiar name, she thought. "Where is it?"
"In a land called Oz."
"Oz," Lillian said in a whisper. Even the name of it sounded magical. "What is it like?"
"It is a land with many strange creatures, and a large and beautiful city that is entirely green called the Emerald City. It's is ruled by a great and powerful man called the Wizard. He has the ability to grant wishes and only the most talented of magical beings are permitted to see him."
Lillian's head was spinning trying to picture it all. It sounded incredible. "How can I get in? How can I go there to learn magic?"
"You have to write an enchanted letter to the Wizard in squid ink. When he receives the letter he will release the enchantment from the parchment and it will demonstrate your skill to him."
That sounded difficult. She wondered if she could do it. "Why didn't you tell me about this before?"
The Blue Fairy looked down sheepishly, "I knew you would want to go, but I feared that your mother would be less than thrilled by the idea." She looked over her shoulder nervously again, as if she expected to see the Queen standing there with a fireball in her hand.
Lillian shook her head confidently. "No, she promised me that she would help me find a way to study magic, and now we have! She'll have to agree."
Her excitement was contagious and Blue couldn't help but smile, "I hope you're right!"