It's Thursday Night! Time for more Winds of Stardust!

This is a long one guys and there's a lot happening. I couldn't find a good spot to cut it into two smaller chapters, so I thought I'd just give you guys one big chapter and then post in two weeks. Maybe it'll be sooner than that if I can get everything ready.

Enjoy!


Anna sat braiding her long dark mane, looking out the window at the other children of the village as they danced and played. She huffed and looked away, pulling harder at her hair.

"Watching them isn't going to make you feel better." Bae said, not looking up from his coals. She scowled at him from her usual spot in the window, "I know but-" she shook herself and sprung to her feet, "Why can't we go out, Bae?" she whined.

He looked up then, "You know why, Anna." The girl threw herself on the table dramatically, "But Papa said he would be gone for a few days. I doubt he'll know." She looked up at him with hopeful green eyes.

Bae hated that look; she was very convincing, "I don't know, Anna, we haven't been allowed out since-" he cut himself off at the pained look in her eyes. They didn't speak of that night; the year had gone by agonizingly slow for her. It was the last time she saw Peter Pan and she didn't like when it was brought up.

Sighing, Bae shut his sketch book, "Alright, but only for a few hours." He relented.

Anna couldn't believe her ears, "Really Bae? You mean it?!" she jumped up, her face lit up like a lantern. Her brother nodded, reaching for his cloak, watching in amusement as she danced about looking for her boots.

He couldn't remember seeing her this excited- not since that night. He found himself grinning with her as they ran out of the hovel and towards town.

Baelfire had found a group of boys his age playing ball in the fields, leaving Anna to her own devices and wander the town square. She stopped when she came upon a girl a little older than her playing the fiddle for spare coins. Her short dirty blonde hair framed her heart shaped face and complimented her tanned skin. She looked friendly with kind looking crystal blue eyes.

The way she played had Anna's legs and hips moving, though not as hypnotic as Pan's flute, but enough to make her want to dance. The beat and rhythm drew her in and she spun and moved her hips to the melody.

The girl stopped and looked at her oddly, "What are you doing?" She asked, confusion coloring her tone. Anna stopped when the music did and tilted her head, "Dancing, you're a very talented musician." That made the girl blush, "Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it, you dance really well."

Now Anna was blushing, "I'm Annabeth, but you can call me Anna." She tossed a silver coin into the girls' case before extending a hand towards her, "What's your name?" she asked. The girl smiled, "Sarah. Good to meet you, Anna." She took her hand, shaking it. The girls exchanged grins.

Sarah's eyes took on a certain shine as she pulled her hand away, "So, wanna see if you can keep up with my tempo?" She challenged. Anna's smile grew cocky, "You wish you could keep up with my rhythm." She stuck out her tongue and laid down her bag and cloak.

Each girl sized the other up, readying themselves. Anna stretched a bit while Sarah quietly tuned, each eyeing the other wearily. Once ready, they exchanged a nod and the blonde started a fiery melody.

Anna wasn't caught off guard and hurried into delicate turns and leaps across the dirty street around her. She tried to keep herself around Sarah so as not to lose the beat of the music.

Unknown to the girls, a crowd had surrounded the two and began to clap to the beat adding intensity to the scene.

Reaching blindly, Anna grabbed the hands of a little boy, pulling him into turns as his mother laughed joyfully. The girls made eye contact, their grins genuine and all traces of competition gone.

With one final flurry of movements and notes, the two finished their set, panting heavily and smiling to the crowd, bowing at the applause. Giving the little boy a big hug and a thank you, Anna returned him to his mother who hugged her in return.

Sarah put her violin down and threw her arms around Anna, "That was amazing!" Anna grinned, "I know, your melody was beautiful!" The blonde blushed at the comment, "I think your rhythm helped a lot more than my music did." It was the brunettes' turn to blush, but she opened her mouth to gush more about their performance when suddenly,

"Annabeth!"

The cold voice of her papa made her whirl around to see him pushing his way through the quickly dissipating crowd. Anna turned back to Sarah, who had turned as white as a sheet, "I can explain." But the girl was already packing her things and hurrying out of the courtyard, not giving Anna a backwards glance.

Tears welled up in Anna's eyes and a fire burned in her chest, a strange combination of sadness and anger brewed in her as her father snapped his fingers, transporting them home in a cloud of crimson smoke.

Bae was already there, his arms crossed across his chest as he sat angrily at the table. Anna settled next to him, wiping her eyes as their papa sat across from them.

There was a long pause where no one talked, no one breathed. The silence rang in her ears, driving her mad, until Anna had had enough.

She shoved out of her seat, slamming her hands on the tabletop, startling both her brother and father, "This is getting ridiculous, papa! Why won't you let us out of this house? What are you so afraid of? You say you want us to be happy, but when we've finally found something that makes us happy, you take it away!" Her voice was sharp and filled with fury.

Rumple flinched at her words and opened his mouth to refute, but Anna wasn't finished.

"I don't understand how you can make us sit here while you gallivant around, scaring entire villages! Do you not trust us to come home?" Anna's words echoed in the house, her breaths coming in pants and she fell into her chair. She was shaking.

Bae shifted in his seat, uncomfortably, "I have to agree with her papa, you're so afraid you'll lose us like you lost mama, that you're smothering us. We just want friends our age, but everyone is so afraid of us, of you." His voice was soft, almost like he was afraid if he spoke any louder, the house would crumble down.

Rumple sighed heavily, "I can't let you do that, dearie. Powers like mine always make enemies- and that put the both of you in danger."

Anna's face looked thoughtful for a moment before looking over at her brother, "I want to go somewhere no one knows who we are, somewhere that we can live normally." Bae nodded along as she spoke.

Their papa peaked up at this, eager to please his daughter, "I'm sure we can find a new place, I think the northern kingdo-"

"A place without magic." She decided, looking to their father for approval.

Rumple looked uncomfortable with the idea of no magic, "Would that make you happy?" he asked carefully. Both children nodded eagerly, Anna's face was lit up with a grin that made his heart ache.

He felt that he couldn't give up the control that this power gave him; but if it made his children happy, he would try.

"Alright, if you can find such a place, we'll go. For you, both of you, I promise." He relented and watched with a sinking feeling as his daughter jumped up with a smile on her face and began to dance around the table.

He wanted them to be happy, but he hoped they didn't find what they were looking for.

OoOoO

A few months later, just when the leaves began to change color, Annabeth was out at the market, picking up a few things for that night's supper.

It was a special day in the house: it was Balefire's birthday. She was going to make hazelnut soup for supper as it was his favorite.

She had just finished picking out some ingredients when a shadow in the corner of her eye made her turn, searching the edges of the market, but saw nothing. She thanked the merchant and started her trek home through the woods.

As she walked, she kept seeing the same shadow from the corner of her eye, turning around constantly. Finally, Anna stopped and set down her basket, "Alright, come on out. I won't hurt you."

She almost missed her as the fairy appeared in front of her. Her dress was made of a gorgeous blue veil like fabric and she had beautiful dark hair in a neat bun on the top of her head. She was beautiful.

She gave Anna a smile and curtsied, "I'm the blue fairy, it's a pleasure to meet you, Anna." The girl gave her a surprised look but curtsied back, "How did you know my name?" She asked in amazement.

Blue chuckled at the sudden childlike question, "Oh dear, I'm a fairy, I've heard all about you." Anna blushed, "I know all about your dream to find a land without magic."

The fairy gave her a serious look before waving her wand, making a small clear bean appear in Anna's hand, "This bean will take you to a land without magic, but be warned," She looked at the girl gravely, "There's no way back to this land. Once you go through the portal, there is no going back. So, make sure that this is really what you want."

Anna nodded and placed the bean in the pocket of her tunic. She gave the fairy a serious look of her own, "What do you want in return?"

Blue looked surprised and the girl smiled, "If there's anything that I've learned from my papa being the Dark One, all magic comes with a price." She quoted the words she'd heard her father say many times since his transformation.

The fairy gave her a sad look, "Such expenses come only with dark magic, like that of the Dark One. My magic is light and doesn't require such things." The two exchanged smiles, though Anna was still a bit wary of the gift, "How does it work?"

"Simply think of where you want to go and throw the bean on the ground, the portal will do the rest." Anna nodded and thanked the fairy for the information and the bean. The Blue fairy left her in the woods with blue sparks trailing behind her.

Anna pulled the bean out and watched at it glittered in the dying sunlight, 'I have to tell Bae right away.' She thought, stuffing it back in her pocket and picking up her basket, hurrying back to the cottage.

When she pushed the door open, Bae was already in the loft drawing something from outside. He looked up when she came in, "Hey Anna, what'd you grab from the market? Do you need help with supper?" he asked, making his way down the ladder and into the kitchen where she began unpacking the basket.

"All the fixings for hazelnut soup, your favorite." She grinned at his surprised face, "Happy birthday, Bae!" He smiled at her and scooped her up in a big bear hug, "Thanks Anna, you're the best!" Anna laughed as he spun her around, causing the bean to fall out of her pocket and onto the wooden floor. Her eyes lit up, "Oh, one more present!"

Bae put her down and she picked it up, presenting it to him, "A bean?" He asked incredulously. She rolled her eyes, "A magic bean, I got it from a fairy. She said it would take us to a land without magic!" His eyes grew wide and so did the grin on his face, "We could leave tonight! We'll have to tell Papa as soon as possible!"

"Tell me what?" Rumplestiltskin asked from the kitchen door, Anna hid the bean quickly before he could see it. Bae smoothly transitioned the conversation by holding up the basket, "Anna is going to make hazelnut soup for my birthday supper!" He grinned, selling it completely.

Rumple nodded absently, "Anna dear, I don't understand why you won't let me hire a cook; you don't have to make the meals anymore." He said as she began to cut up the vegetables for the stew.

Anna rolled her eyes, "I told you a million times, Papa, I like to cook. It calms me." She picked up the cut up carrots and dumped them into the pot in the hearth.

He shrugged and turned back to Bae, "I got you this! Happy birthday, son!" A beautiful notebook with inlaid golden leaves appeared from his cloak. Bae wanted to grab it from his father, but he hesitated. Sensing his unease, Rumple sighed, "I bought it, Bae. Don't worry." Baelfire smiled gently, "Thank you, Papa."

When the soup was ready, Anna called her brother to set the table and began to dole out the soup into three bowls as she always had. Once everything was set and served, the family began to eat and complement her cooking- as always.

Her papa tried to strike conversation with his children, but their answers were short and eventually the small talk died out, leaving only the sound of slurps and spoon scraping against bowls to fill the air.

The bean burned a hole in her pocket.

After supper, Bae helped Anna clean up while their papa retired to the front room to spin some straw. The siblings talked quietly in the kitchen about what they were going to do with the bean; how were they going to bring it up to their papa? How would he take it?

"We should do it now! Wouldn't that be the best present, Bae?" Anna argued, handing him a dish to dry. She wanted to make a fresh start as soon as possible and thanks to the Blue Fairy, she could do just that.

Bae seemed more apprehensive about it but found he couldn't argue with the puppy dog eyes that his sister gave him, "It would, do you want to tell him together?" he asked, placing the bowl back into the cupboard.

She nodded and shot him a grin, which he returned. The siblings finished cleaning up supper and entered the front room, hand in hand.

Rumple looked up when they came in but didn't stop spinning; he never stopped spinning.

Anna released her brother's hand and stepped forward, "Papa, do you remember last harvest, when you said we could start over in a different land?" She asked in a small voice.

Her papa nodded with a smile, returning his eyes to his work, "Of course, dearie. I believe it was only if you could find a way to such a place."

Bae came forward to stand next to his sister, bean in hand, "I think we found a way, Papa. Anna found a way."

The spinning stopped.

Rumple looked up at them sharply, his smile gone, traces of fear in his eyes. Anna stepped forward, holding out the clear bean, "A magic bean, Papa."

Her papa recoiled from the bean, "Where did you get that, Annabeth?" he asked, aghast. The girl tilted her head and lowered her hand, "The blue fairy, she said it would take us anywhere if we think of it."

He narrowed his eyes, "She cannot be trusted, you know all magic comes with a price. We cannot use that; you'll have to find another way." Anna felt tears prick at her eyes, "But Papa, you promised!"

She felt Bae grab her hand and stand tall next to her, "We made a deal, Papa. You know you can't back out of this." His voice was strong, and Anna looked up at their father as he stood from his spinning, his face blank.

He moved passed them and grabbed his cloak, "Right you are, Bae. Get your things, we'll leave in an hours' time." His voice was light, though Anna could tell he was nervous about this. However, the immense joy that overcame her at those words drowned out all worry she had for her father.

Excited, the two gathered their things, putting everything they can carry in their respective rucksacks. Very carefully, Anna placed her elegant green gown she had gotten from her father and the delicately engraved dagger that she had gotten from Bae on her last birthday in her bag to keep them safe; these were her most important items to her that she wanted to take with her to the new world.

Once the two were finished, they hurriedly put on their boots and their cloaks. They stood by the door waiting for their father to lead them into the woods and be on their way.

Anna braided her dark hair while she waited so it didn't get caught in the trees; it was almost to her waist now, about the length her mother had it before she passed.

Rumple emerged from his spinning room, cloak donned and ready, "Alright, let us be on our way." He opened the door to the cottage and led the children out into the forest.

While they walked away from the village, Anna looked up at the stars and wondering if the sky would be different where they were going; she would miss this sky and its stars if they were different. Her mother was amongst those stars as were her grandparents and all those who had passed before her.

Once they were sure they were far enough from the village, Rumple stopped them underneath a large oak and asked Anna for the bean.

"Wait, it's Bae's birthday, he should be the one to throw it." Anna said, handing her brother the bean. He took it and held it in his hand tightly, grabbing his sisters hand in the other. Anna took her father's hand, so they were all linked while Bae threw the bean.

Once the bean hit the dirt, a large green and black hole opened in the ground, sucking and pulling at the air around them. Anna couldn't help the huge grin that pulled at her lips and she squeezed her hands, looking at her family with excitement.

Bae looked back and shared her excitement, but her papa just looked terrified. Her brother shouted something and then jumped in, pulling them with him. Then they were hurtling towards the big portal and she could practically see the other side.

Suddenly, they stopped.

With one hand in Bae's and the other in her father's, Anna looked up and saw that her papa had dug his dagger in the side of the ground, holding them there. Her grip was getting weaker on her brother and in a panic, through teary eyes Anna yelled, "Papa! What are you doing? You promised!"

"We had a deal!" Bae shouted and pulled at Anna's hand. Her grip on her father loosened. Rumple pulled at her, "I can't do it, I need my magic!" He sounded pathetic and defeated.

The portal started to blink and waver. It was about to close.

"Papa! We have to go!" Anna sobbed, pulling her father down. With a hard yank, Rumplestiltskin pulled his daughter to him, causing her to release her brother into the void. Bae called for her as he fell, and she screamed and beat on her father's chest, until she was a mess of tears and angry words.

The portal gave one final spark and disappeared returning the clearing to its quiet night symphony. Anna wailed and curled into herself as her papa looked around the area for Bae, calling and searching to no avail.

Rumple looked at his daughter, who was shuddering and still sobbing and waved a hand, taking them home in a cloud of red. He wrapped her in his arms, ignoring the shouts of anger and hitting and just held her.

Eventually, she just dissolved into sobs and wails of pain and loss, "He's gone, Bae's gone!" was all she said, just repeated over and over. He smoothed out her hair, shushed her and rocked her back and forth, like he did when she was younger and had a bad dream.

Anna looked up at him after a while, her green eyes all red and puffy, "Papa, he's gone. Bae's gone." She sniffled, looking to him like he could make it all better. Rumple merely wiped her tears and kissed her forehead, "I know, dearie, I know. We'll get him back, I promise."

Once Anna had fallen asleep, he tucked her under her blankets and headed back out into the woods, cursing the blue fairy with every step.

"Blue fairy! Show yourself!"

OoOoO

The next few days were quiet in the cottage, Anna cooped herself in the loft she shared with her brother; she neither slept nor ate. The first night she wailed and cried from nightmares and didn't sleep much after that. Rumple was concerned but knew that she needed time and so did he.

Once she was finally able to sleep, she found herself in her tree in a familiar clearing with it's heavy, muggy air. She climbed down from the tree and walked through the underbrush to the cliff's edge where, just as she expected, she saw a beautiful waterfall.

For the first time in days, Anna cracked a smile, "Peter." His name was merely a breath, but she heard a familiar chuckle from behind her and whirled around, "Milady Annabeth." He bowed lowly, his blonde curls falling into his eyes. She ran to him, throwing herself into his arms, squeezing him tight, "Oh, Peter, so much has happened." She sighed, tears forming at the corner of her eyes.

Peter pulled away, holding her at arm's length to get a good look at her face, which was wet and splotched with red from crying, "What happened Anna? Why are you so upset?" She looked up at him with glassy green eyes, "He's gone and it's all my fault, Peter." She whimpered as another sob escaped her.

His hand found her cheek and wiped at her tears, "Who's gone, love?" He asked, his green eyes confused and concerned. Anna sniffled, "Bae, he's gone and it's all my fault." Peter frowned, "I'm sure it isn't your fault, Anna." He led her to a rock and sat her down.

"Tell me everything," He said, rubbing circles on her back. And she did. From what happened after the last time they saw each other to the girl in the market to the vortex that took Bae from her.

By the time she had finished, she was sobbing, and Peter held her close, letting her cry into his tunic. He shushed her and comforted her with sweet nothings and calming words.

"It's not your fault, Anna." He murmured, rubbing her back calmingly. She looked up at him, brushing her sleeves across her face, "How is it not?" She sniffled, "If I hadn't pushed the idea or bothered with the fairy, Bae would still be here!" Her words were drowned out by another wave of tear and she was sobbing again.

"Anna! Look at me!" Peter pulled her away from him, tilting her chin up with a finger. Her eyes were red and wide from his outburst. His face wasn't angry like she had thought; he looked concerned, but his anger wasn't directed at her, she could tell.

"The only person at fault here is your father. If he hadn't been such a coward and so attached to his magic, you and your brother would be in a new land together!" His words were soft but firm, leaving no room for her to argue, "So stop blaming yourself, okay?"

She nodded, "Okay. Thank you, Peter." Anna closed her eyes and leaned against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. She felt herself slip away into a calm sleep.

He brushed his lips against her forehead, "Sweet dreams, Anna."

OoOoO

When Anna awoke, the sun was already high in the sky. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and sat up in bed, feeling better than she had in days. She thought back on her dream with Peter and decided he was right, she shouldn't blame herself. She should be out trying to find her brother.

She made her way down from the loft and looked towards her father, who was spinning, always spinning.

Taking a deep breath, Anna stepped into the room and did the only thing she could think of that would help.

"Papa, I need you to teach me magic."

The spinning stopped.

"No." Was his answer, he didn't look up at her, but she could see how his shoulders tensed when she asked. She shut her eyes and took another breath, ready for the argument. Using her best bartering tone, she said, "I didn't ask, Papa."

He did look up at this and she saw a fire in his eyes, though she refused to follow her instinct to step back and merely shifted her weight.

Rumpelstiltskin stood, towering over her, "Annabeth, my answer stands, whether you asked or not. No, I will not be teaching you magic." He made to walk past her and into the kitchen, but she stepped in his way.

"Bae wasn't just your son, he was my brother, my best friend. I want to find him as much as you do." Despite her blocking the way, he pushed passed her anyway, unmoved by her words, "You'll stay here, where you're safe while I go and find Bae." His tone was hard, and she swallowed a flinch; he'd never once spoken to her that way.

But he was the Dark One right now, not her papa. So, she would have to barter with him like one would with the Dark One; she would make a deal.

"I'll make a deal with you." He stopped at the door, "You have nothing I want, dearie. Why would I make a deal with you?"

She shook her head, "But I do have something you want, my obedience. I'll never ask you to leave or run off again if you agree to teach me magic and let me help you find my brother." That made him turn and stare at her, pondering the offer.

He sighed and produced a long, flowing parchment. A contract.

The Dark One handed her a quill to sign with, his eyes pained, "Alright, but it won't be easy." He held her gaze and she held his, "I didn't expect it to be."


Alright, everyone take a breath. Anna is gonna be okay. There's gonna be some really good character development for her soon that I'm really excited for!

It might take a couple weeks for the next installment and if you like this story, you may like others that I've written. Shameless plug is shameless!

Lemme know what you guys think!

Until Next Time Lovelies,

~Shikamaru'sLove