A/N: READ THIS FIRST! Okay so i now this is long without much dialogue but it's really important that you read this cause it has lots of background information for the future in this chapter. Also there's captainswan in this chapter *shutters* (gross, i know, but bare with me. it will always end with swanqueen). & thank you guys for all of the feedback, it's really helping me.
Sunlight flitted through the blinds of the former mayor's study. Emma sheltered her eyes from the harsh beams of light. Letting out a large yawn she pulled herself from the small couch and looked around the room. Somewhere along the four or five cups of cider she'd practically inhaled the night before, Emma had fallen asleep. The clock on the wall read eleven am, and there was no sign of Henry. He must still be asleep, she thought. Stretching out the kinks in her neck and back, the blonde sheriff noticed The Lost Fairytales sitting on the end table. A wave of relief hit her as she picked up the book; after it vanished the day before she'd thought it might never come back. Before reading the sheriff exited the study, deciding that a quick shower would do her some good. And it didn't hurt that she'd get to change into some of Regina's ridiculously soft clothes afterwards.
Exiting the main suite bathroom in a white V-neck and black yoga pants, Emma plopped down onto Regina's immaculate bed. Regina would have screamed if she could see her now, dressed in her workout clothes and lounging on her expensive comforter. It would probably be against the law if the former mayor was still in Storybrooke, but she wasn't and so Emma decided to indulge in the small luxuries until she could find the brunette. Her only lead so far was the book Regina had left her, and it was the only thing she'd entertained since hearing of the former mayor's departure. Stretching out, she began to read again.
Dear Human,
Gypsies can live on for centuries at a time. We are magical beings; 'The First People' some call us. Our lineage dates back to a time when the universe was first created. I myself descended from the line of Le Chantefleurie. Mine is the eldest family of the Gypsies. The first king Casamir and his queen Chavi brought the Gypsy people into existence. Together they made the Gypsy empire, what is now commonly known as Agrabah. Agrabah is a separate world within the Enchanted Forest, although most do not know of it because it is hidden. It is a place not welcome to common folk of the forest, or even Royals. It is a sacred land, pure and ridden with magic. The kings of old sought to hide it because they knew of the greed of man and they could not risk our magic being taken by those of dark means. Gypsy magic can't be harvested by evil, but if the seeker were strong enough they might find a way. It is of the upmost importance, human, that you keep that to yourself. Humans mustn't know about this kind of magic; they'd go mad trying to find it and destroy themselves in the process. But you are not most humans and so I know that you wouldn't do such a thing. You are a descendant of the gypsies, or you are chosen by someone in the Le Chantefleurie line to uphold the strength and truth of my people. That is why you and you alone can read this book. It has been passed down to many Gypsies, but only one human before you; King Leopold of the Summerlands. I suspect that you might know him.
Signed,
Solomon le Chantefleurie III
Emma's mind raced as she read the passage for the third time in an hour. It couldn't be possible that this was true. Why would the book have chosen her grandfather? And how did it get from him, to Regina, and finally to her? It was no accident; that much she was sure of. For some reason this book wanted Emma, and her grandfather had something to do with it. But from all that she'd heard, King Leopold wasn't the kindest of people. He'd forced Regina into a loveless marriage when she was just a teenager, so if the Gypsy people were as noble as this Solomon said, why did they pick him? And what did all of this have to do with Regina? She was the one that left the book in her possession, which means that she knew that Emma would be able to read it. And Regina was already a gypsy, which she already knew. And whoever the man that wrote the book was—or is because she'd no idea if the man was still living—he was related to Regina in some way. But how? Questions that Emma had no answer to nagged her for hours; her frustration and helplessness continued to flourish with every new question that went unanswered. This book was her only way of finding Regina and the knowledge she needed. She began to read again.
Dear Human,
I have lived many lifetimes, and so I've seen a great many things—things I'm sure that you've no clue exist in your world. You've probably met a Gypsy in your time and you don't even know it. We can look however we please and blend in when necessary. There are thousands of Gypsies traversing my world and yours and many others; it is our life's work.
Kin to the gypsies are the Fae, otherwise known as Faeries. And no, before you ask, Faeries are not the same as Fairies. Fairies are sprite like creatures, granting wishes here and there and leading people to their so called true loves. You should know that it is commonly known among magic folk that Fairies are often wrong with their fairy dust and pixie magic because they seek happy endings instead of the truth. Faeries, however, are a strong and powerful people. They are larger in height than humans, some growing to be nearly eight feet! Many possess the ability to fly with great big wings like that of a griffin, and some don't require wings at all to fly.
As far as appearances go, the Fae are more majestic than the gypsies. They have what is called glamour; a spell used to make weak minded creatures (like humans and Fairies) fall prey to their charm. Gypsies frown upon the use of such magic because it is a direct disregard of one's will, and it is mostly forbidden in enchanted lands. But the Fae have always been known to do as they please regardless of the consequences.
You may have heard of one of the greatest Fae of all. She is called Maleficent. And no, if you've heard of the other Maleficent you're thinking of the wrong person. But they've met and might be called friends. That Maleficent (the one you most likely know) is of the Enchanted Kingdom, but this Maleficent is from a faraway land called the Moor. It is a wonderful place human, and if you are ever given the chance to see it you should certainly take it. I had the pleasure of traveling there quite a few times to visit my dearest friend Hadrian, Maleficent's father. But sadly he is passed on, as is Maleficent's dear mother Marridia. I wish you could have known them human, they were truly astounding. Alas, you may come across their daughter in your travels. She is a force to be reckoned with; although you mustn't take her lightly. She's an ill-tempered woman with tremendous powers—meaning she might do you harm should you anger her. But do not let that stop you human, you are brave and true. You can face anything with the proper amount of will and courage.
Signed,
Solomon le Chantefleurie III
Just as Emma turned the page to continue reading there was loud banging on the front door. Slightly confused, the blonde hurried down the steps to the foyer. She looked out the peephole and let out a dreadful sigh. It was Hook. Unlocking the door, Emma put on her best Regina impression of a fake smile. "Killian, what are you doing here?" The pirate eyed her quizzically.
"Well I had stopped at the apartment to see if you wanted to get breakfast, but Snow told me you were here. Why are you here, by the way?"
"What, I can't be at Regina's now?"
"Not at all, love. I was merely saying so because she hated you last week and now you're answering the door for her. Speaking of which, you going to let me in? It's rather nippy out here." The blonde suppressed a grimace. She let the man in and shut the door behind him. Regina would never have let him in her house.
"I can't go to breakfast; I've got some stuff to take care of."
"Here?"
"Obviously, that's why I'm here." She rolled her eyes and made her way into the kitchen. Killian followed closely behind her.
"Are you alright, love?" God how she hated when he called her that.
"Yeah, I'm great. Why?"
"You're acting awfully like the Evil Queen this morning. Where is her majesty, anyway?"
"Don't call her that, that's my kid's mother you're talking about." She snapped.
"Emma will you please tell me what's going on? You haven't returned my calls for the past two days and now you're acting all pissed at me—did I do something?" She sighed, running a stray hand through her hair.
"No, I'm sorry. I just have a lot on my plate right now and I'm not exactly sure how to deal with it." "Anything I can help you with?" He smirked at her in a way she was supposed to find attractive. She didn't.
"Uh, no. It's kind of a solo thing."
"Oh. Is Regina helping you, then?" He said her name with a slight curl of the lips. It had been no secret that the pirate and the queen weren't on the best of terms, but recent events had Killian disliking the brunette more than usual.
"I wish, but no. She's MIA at the moment so it's all up to me."
"Then why are you in Regina's house?" He stepped closer to her. She backed away, her back hitting the counter.
"What is this, an interrogation? Stop grilling me, okay? I'm here with Henry cause his mom is gone for a while."
"Emma, please. I'm on your side, love. We're in this together, remember? I can help you, that's what I'm here for."
"You wouldn't understand."
"Then help me too!"
"I can't!" She fumed. The pirate studied her helpless expression and defensive body language.
"Emma, where is Regina?" A traitorous tear crept down her flushed cheeks.
"I don't know. Everyone expects me to but I don't. I have no clue where she is and she needs me to." He frowned, trying to keep his voice even.
"What are you talking about?"
"Regina left and she's in trouble and I don't know how to find her!" Her words were hurried and panicked. Killian took a hesitant step towards her and wrapped her in his arms.
"Easy, love. How do you know that she's in trouble?"
"She told me. She said not to come after her because it could put me in danger too, but I have to try. I have to do something, don't I?" She mumbled into his chest.
"Is that what you want to do?" A long drawn out pause.
"I would never forgive myself if I didn't try and something horrible happened to her. No matter what, we've always had each other's backs. And she would come and save me if the situations were reversed. That's what family does." He lifted his good hand and placed it upon her cheek, directing her eyes to his.
"Then we'll go and get her, together." He left a gentle kiss upon her lips and she melted into it. It didn't feel right—it never did, but it was always something to quell the loneliness she felt. But now, with a distant stinging in her heart the savior realized that the loneliness would only continue to grow. Just behind Hook she caught Henry standing in the doorway. The boy shook his head and walked away, not uttering a word.