Disclaimer: Sadly, I own nothing associated with Once Upon a Time, Marvel, or Grimm's Fairy Tales. Only original characters and ideas are mine.

AN: Here's the next chapter! Enjoy, and please don't forget to review! Thanks!

Chapter 3: Reconnections:

Papa was overjoyed with the news that the Witch was gone, and that Snow White and David were taking their places as the true rulers of Leopold's castle.

"I will have your Uncle Gregory open the passageway to the outside world, and we'll send a group outside, to carry a message to Snow," he said, as Grandmama nodded in approval. "Once we've had word back that things are truly safe, we'll lower The Barrier and take things from there."

"People might be frightened when we lower The Barrier, but that's to be expected," Grandmama said. "Many of those born after we'd raised it know of nothing else besides the safety we created. But they will learn to adjust, I'm sure. We'll have to –after all, we can't stay under this dome forever!"

And so a message went to my uncle, who agreed to open the passageway so that messengers could be sent out. Papa also sent word to all the villages of the news about Snow and David's return, and how we would need volunteers to go as messengers and guards.

Within a week, we had replies from all the villages and tenants. There turned out to be many men and women who wanted to leave Foxglove for the outside world, some of whom had left the first time as explorers, after the Dark Curse had ended. Papa sent messages to these men and women, welcoming them, and promising to get them back in fighting shape again.

Then, it was time to make preparations.

More than four weeks afterwards, I was pacing before the fireplace in the evening room, the family's favorite place to gather after the evening meal. However, this evening, I was alone, and growing impatient. I was due to turn into a swan within the next hour, and I was anxious to hear the latest news.

Just today, a letter had arrived from Snow, and the moment it had been put into my father's hands, I had been kept in the dark as to what the letter contained. It was unfair, as I knew there had to be a message for me included in the letter, but Papa wouldn't let me see any of it. Instead, I was to wait until he, Mama and Grandmama had read the letter and discussed the matter.

Muttering under my breath, I thought about all of the work that had gone into obtaining this one message, all the way from the royal palace.

The men and women who had asked to go on this special journey had been in the first groups that had gone outside the boundaries. In spite of my father ceasing those excursions, those few had kept practicing with their weaponry of choice. They knew that, eventually, The Barrier would come down, and we would need men- and women-at-arms to fight. Those who did not leave as messengers would soon become the start of our own armed guards.

"We've never really needed warriors before, not since the last Ogres War," Grandmama had explained to me once. "King Leopold was a good king, and he always kept the realm safe with his soldiers, so we never really needed them here. Even our neighbors are quiet, and were never a threat."

Of course, after Regina and the Wicked Witch, things were very different now.

Of the five separate groups we had dispatched, all had returned, safe and sound. Papa had feared that, with the breaking of the Dark Curse and the return of everyone from the Enchanted Forest, the vilest of villains might also have returned, ready to wreak havoc. That was why he had sent five groups of fifteen out, all well-armed and trained, with horses that were large and swift. Each group had been sent on a different path, in the hopes that one of them would reach Snow White.

The groups had been sent out ten days ago. The first group that had gone out, who had taken the main road through the kingdom, had returned first, with a wagon full of gifts for my family. Of course, with The Barrier up, the wagon hadn't been able to make the journey to our castle –it had been left on the other side while a group of four delivered a large leather packet to us.

The town around Foxglove Castle had been filled with excitement from the moment a shepherd boy had come running into town, talking about riders he'd spotted heading for the castle. Word had been sent to Papa at once, and afterwards, all four of us had gone to await the arrival of those riders.

As soon as they dismounted, the group, two men and two women, approached. The leader of the group, a woman named Amelia, came forward with the packet. Without a word, she presented it to Papa, who accepted it with a nod before ordering the riders into the Castle. It was clear that they needed food, rest, and a good wash.

Then, to my disappointment, Papa asked Mama and Grandmama to join him, but not me. "I don't want you distracting us while we try and sort out what has happened," he said, as though I were a child again. "Besides, we don't know how long we'll be at it, and I know you will need to change form soon."

I'd been angry at being cut out of their conversation, but Papa was right. I had been lazy today, and in accordance with the Curse on me, I would change by nightfall. If I didn't, it would happen anyway, whether I wanted it or not.

Grinding my pacing to a halt, I flopped down in a comfortable chair and threw my legs over the side. Grandmama would have a fit if she saw me sitting this way, but I didn't care. If they were going to treat me like a child, then I wanted to act childishly.

Suddenly, the door opened, and Papa walked in, looking tired. "Well, Drina," he said, closing the door before taking a chair near to mine. "It looks like we're in a bit of a fix."

I felt myself go pale. "Is something wrong?" I asked, sitting properly in my chair.

He shook his head. "No, not exactly," he said, rubbing a hand over his face. "Actually, some things have gone rather right."

He then began to tell me the contents of Snow's letter. In it, she informed my father about the defeat of the Wicked Witch, as well as her army of winged monkeys by her and David's forces. There were numerous groups of trackers and fighters combing through the kingdom, searching for word of any other threat, but so far, things had quieted down.

Snow had also sent messages to some of her other friends, some of whom happened to be royals. Philip and Aurora were two of them, and they openly admitted to being under the power of the Witch. She had, apparently, threatened their unborn child if they didn't provide information to the Witch about Snow White. To keep their baby safe, they had done as she asked.

Snow had forgiven them, though, even if the information they had provided to the Witch had dealt some serious blows to the plans that Snow and David had made to fight their enemy.

Snow also talked about Regina, who had turned over an entirely new leaf. It seemed that the former Evil Queen was forming a romantic attachment with a rogue thief, the infamous Robin Hood, as well as his young son. The two had decided to start a new life elsewhere, and Regina had simply handed over the kingdom to Snow, without a fight or a single casualty.

"I suppose love does conquer all," I muttered as Papa sat back in his chair.

"And that's not the end of it," he said, looking at the paper. "Snow White and Prince David are going to join King Leopold's realm with that of the deposed King George, forming one kingdom." He paused for a moment. "She also wants all of us there for her coronation."

I was dazed. Me, there for Snow's crowning as Queen? Of course!

Papa shook his head. "There is nothing I want more than for you to go, but you know why you can't, don't you?"

My heart plummeted. "My curse," I whispered.

No, I could not go to see my friend, or her family. Once The Barrier came down, I didn't dare to leave our borders, for fear of someone hunting me in my swan form.

A large, warm hand reached out and grasped my own. "I will go with your mother, and we will explain things to Snow ourselves," Papa said, trying to comfort me. "Once she knows, Snow will understand. She might even have friends who can help you! I'm sure the Fairies have returned as well, and their magic is very powerful."

Possibly, but even Light Magic had its limits. Still, it was best to cling to hope when I could, and who knows, maybe the Fairies could help, if only a little.

Swallowing down my disappointment, I nodded my agreement. "Very well, Papa. I will stay here."

All too soon, it was time to lower The Barrier. With Snow due to become Queen, and Regina no longer a threat, my father decided that it must be done.

His decision was spread throughout the estate, announcing that it was time to become part of the world again. We had been isolated for long enough, and it was time for those born under The Barrier to spread their wings and go out into the world. We would also welcome strangers into Foxglove, but not blindly –from now on, we would have guards and soldiers of our own, all well-trained to protect our people and our land.

Many messages had quickly come flooding to the castle, some hopeful and excited, others filled with fear and worry for the future. People in the town around Foxglove Castle were ecstatic at the idea of trade resuming, and the young folk were filled with dreams of leaving for new starts in other lands, or of meeting new friends from foreign places.

The Barrier was lowered a week after my father sent his decree. Inside the castle, in the room which housed Lucas's Jewel, my grandmother and I gathered. Together, we gently reined in the magic that had kept our land safe for three decades.

Soon afterwards, the messengers that had remained outside The Barrier arrived with Snow's gifts for my family. Among them was a very long letter for me; it had not been sent to the Castle with my parents' message and invitation to the palace.

Rather than wait and see what gifts Snow had sent, I simply grabbed the letter and closeted myself in my room, my fingers rushing to break the seal and read what was inside.

Much of it was the same news in Papa's letter: Snow hurried to reassure me that all was well, and that she was eager to receive me at the royal castle for her coronation. She was already planning the dresses she wanted me to wear to the coronation, the parties, and the celebrations that were scheduled, and she wanted very much for me to come soon, so that I could meet and assist my goddaughter, Emma, who had never had the chance to attend such grand events.

Snow also told me the strangest and most remarkable news: she was a grandmother!

Apparently, in the world without magic, Emma had borne a son when she was a rather young woman. She'd given the baby boy up for adoption, and as fate would have it, the boy had been adopted by the Evil Queen, of all people! I had a terrible time imagining Regina as a mother, but after spying on her, it appears the boy had done wonders for the Evil Queen's personality.

"So now I have a grandson named Henry, for Regina's father," Snow's letter read. "He has a good heart, and is full of wonder and excitement at being here in our world. He would also like to meet you, dear Drina; I've told him a great deal about you since we've been back, and I believe he thinks you will be as good a friend to him as you have been for me."

It broke my heart, reading that. I could not leave Foxglove while my curse remained cast on me, not if I wanted to live. Many kingdoms still hunted swans for food, while here at Foxglove, it was forbidden, so that I could remain safe. I had no choice but to stay here while my parents visited my old friend.

With sadness weighing heavily on me, I forced myself to write a letter I wish I didn't have to send.

Watching the carriage pull into the large courtyard, Snow White struggled to remain where she stood. Beside her, Charming was holding her hand and looking amused –he knew how badly she wanted to see Drina again, and he found her impatience funny. While she willingly admitted that her excitement sometimes made her lose all restraint, in this case, she felt it might be okay for her to run and meet her oldest and dearest friend.

"Mom, this is the girl that grew up with you, right?" Emma whispered as she tugged nervously at her dress. Gowns were still a new thing for her, and even though breeches were her preferred clothes of choice, she wore the dress Snow had picked out, for this occasion. "The one you said was my godmother?"

Snow did her best to hold back tears. She wished very much that the two had known each other –Drina had been an older sister to Snow, and without a doubt she would have been a second mother to Emma. The two would have been close, like family. Drina would have been the one to hold Emma during her presentation to the kingdom, and would have presented Emma at her first royal ball.

'So many years wasted, all because of Regina's anger and hatred,' Snow angrily thought before pushing that aside. Emma had broken the Dark Curse, and after all of their trials, from Cora to Neverland, everyone was here, and happy endings were once again possible.

The carriage pulled to a halt before the castle entry steps, and a pair of servants rushed forward to open the door for those inside. Lord Richard stepped out first, and when Snow saw him, she felt a flood of warmth and love as he looked up and gave her the broad, joyful smile she remembered so well. When Lady Katrina stepped out next, Snow couldn't hold back any longer –she rushed to greet the two people who were almost second parents to her.

Laughing, her Uncle Richard swept her up in a tight hug and received Snow's enthusiastic kisses on the cheeks with a grin, just as he had when she'd been a child. Aunt Kat gave kisses of her own, as well as a tight hug that matched Snow's own.

When they separated, Snow looked eagerly at the carriage. When Drina didn't emerge, Snow looked over at her foster aunt and uncle. They looked so torn and saddened that Snow's mind immediately thought the worst had happened. Her fear must have shown, because Uncle Richard was quick to try and reassure her.

"No, Snow, it's nothing like that," he said hastily, eyes looking around the yard. "Is there a place where we could speak privately?"

A few hours later, Snow sat back in a chair and stared at the letter in her hand. Beside her, David looked worried while Emma looked downright angry.

"So if Drina is cursed, then there has to be a way to fix it, right?" Emma asked, looking between her parents and Drina's. "Every curse can be broken; Regina taught me that. You just have to find the right way to do it."

Richard shook his head. He still looked stunned that Emma was not the tiny baby he was expecting. "My mother believes True Love is the only way," he said, sighing heavily. "And I'm afraid that my desire to keep her safe only led to this. I made many mistakes when it came to Drina's welfare, but she's the one who paid the price for them."

"True Love is possible," David softly told him. "Snow and I are proof of that, as is Emma. If you bring Drina here, I'm sure that-"

"No," Richard snapped. "Someone is bound to find her in swan form, and then she'll be killed by some idiot with a bow and arrow. I won't send my daughter here to die, even if it's an accident."

"She can't stay at Foxglove forever, Richard," Katrina said, putting a hand on his arm. "She's already missed out on so much. Even before The Barrier was erected, we kept her too isolated. Drina needs to find a life of her own."

Snow shook her head, one hand reaching up to rub away the ache forming there. It was hard to believe that those she considered family had put up a magical barrier to fend off Regina's Dark Curse. If Snow had known that such a thing had been possible, she would have sent Emma to Foxglove, where she'd have been safe.

'But if I had, she wouldn't have been able to break the Curse and brought us all back. We wouldn't be here as a family.'

Well, that was in the past. Right now, her concern was Drina and how to help her.

A knock on the door caught everyone's attention. Before Snow could ask who it was, Henry came running in, excitement all over his face. The poor boy had been so excited to finally be in the Enchanted Forest that he barely slept at night, always running explore whatever he could during the day.

"Grandma, I heard we had visitors," he said, slightly out of breath from running.

Ever indulgent towards their grandchild, David smiled and proceeded to introduce the Foxes. Since Henry was knowledgeable in most of their family story, Snow told him of what they had been talking about before his arrival.

"So, Drina is under a curse that needs to be broken," Henry muttered, looking thoughtful. "But why can't you bring her here? I'm sure we can find a safe place for her, for when she needs to take swan shape. Maybe a garden or area that's off-limits to visitors, and only Drina can get into? Someplace surrounded by walls with a locked door or magical protections?"

Everyone perked up at the idea, especially Emma. "You are one brilliant kid," she said, going over to give her son a hug. "We could create a walled garden using magic, so that it'll be better protected. If she only needs to spend a certain amount of time as a swan, Drina can go in and out of the garden whenever she wants."

David looked thoughtful. "We'll spread word that the garden will be Snow's gift to her best friend," he said, nodding. "The people will respect that it is off-limits, and only the gardeners will be allowed in during certain days."

Richard and Katrina looked at each other. "But how will we explain Drina coming to stay here at the castle?" Richard asked. "Having her visit is one thing –you could just say that she's visiting her best friend and her goddaughter, to want to get to know everyone again. But having Drina actually live here, long-term, is quite another matter."

Henry looked excited again. "She can teach me about the Enchanted Forest! I know that you guys will be busy running the kingdom, so Drina could come and help me learn all about this place."

Snow couldn't be prouder of him. "Then it's settled. Send for Drina, and I'll tell everyone the coronation is being postponed until she gets here. No," she said, holding up her hand to stave off any protests, "I insist that Drina be here for it. Send the note, and once she's here, we'll talk to her about everything else."

And that's exactly what they did.

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