A/N: Only one song in this chapter: Mystic's Dream by Loreena McKennitt.
Chapter IV
"It was my understanding that it is unsafe to drive these vehicles whilst inebriated, mi'lady," Killian calls out to her as she moves to get behind the wheel of her jet black car, his voice just loud enough to carry over to the redhead.
Freya pauses half in her car and glances across at the pirate leaning against the wooden trellis marking the entrance to the path to Granny's. He remains dressed in his modern wear; the black leather jacket, black shirt and black trousers meld with the dark night that is still upon them. He slowly walks towards her before leaning his arms upon the roof of her car and staring across it at her. She sighs and tries to quietly shut the door so as to not waken any of the sleeping residents in the B&B behind him.
"How long you been standing there?"
"Not long. I heard the bang of your...trunk," he says the last word hesitantly, unsure if he's remembered correctly, making the redhead - who is still wearing her green dress, only this time with the heels from the night before - smile up at him.
"That's what the Americans call it. I call it a boot."
"Neither of which makes any sense. If anything it's a hold," the pirate replies, giving the lass a smirk before he turns serious. "Were you planning on running?"
The shock is apparent on Freya's face and answers his question even without her passionate denial. "I need some of the things in my car for the ceremonies at dawn and at moonrise."
"Ah, apologies darling. And I am sorry, for last night."
"Hook, I know. You don't need to apologise. Last night was a tense and emotional one. It's in the past and bears no more thinking about."
"If you're sure. Is it wise to drive though? Emma," at this he pauses with a flinch.
"I know the dangers of driving whilst under the influence, hence why I drank myself sober. You know me Killian, I can hold my liquor."
"Mind if I join you then?"
"Not at all. I have some things to do before I perform the Water Ceremony."
"Don't recall ever seeing that before," comments Killian a short while later as they head for the harbour.
"Seeing what?" Freya asks, confused by the sudden statement after the soft silence that had enveloped the car.
"This Water Ceremony of yours. What exactly is it?"
"In this world some babies are baptised with water in the faith of their parents. As one of the charges of Avalon I do something similar for any child it is requested for, but it is not baptising them into any particular faith. It is simply a way of acknowledging the child's existence and presenting him or her to nature. For some the Lady of the Lake will also be given a glimpse of their future, and all receive their own individual blessing."
"And you can perform all that here?"
"Not at the moment, which is why I need to prepare," she explains before parking the car, swiftly exiting it and retrieving from the boot the large box of items she'd sorted outside of Granny's that she would require for the early dawn ritual.
He steps outside the car and watches as Freya begins to set out a circle of candles on the wet sand just at the edge of how far up the shore the tide reaches. Beyond in the horizon the dark blue-black night begins to make way for the coming bright light of day. Killian's eyebrows raise slightly as the music within her car flicks on with a single raise of Freya's hand. The wind picks up and upon it he at first hears plaintive wordless singing before it changes to a gentle harmony to accompany the music playing behind him; the sound seeming louder and reverberating around the entire area of the shore. A shiver races up the pirate's back; as it has always done when he felt the power of Avalon awaken.
Below him Freya kneels in the centre of the circle and sways with the wind. Her wrists twist and her fingers dance above her head. Suddenly the tempo of the song increases, flowing back to her on the beach, and in one graceful move she rises to her feet and begins to sing. Her emerald eyes stare steadily upon the lightening horizon as she sways forward, backward and to each side, letting her hands drift over the beehive candles. As she sings part of the second verse - "Darkness lays her crimson cloak/Your lamps will call me home" - the wicks of the candles ignite with a blazing flame, each with a bright blue base.
With the lyrics of the next verse she scatters fistfuls of dried lavender and petals from the daisies, buttercups and bluebells from the wooden box at her feet. The corolla once sprouted around her lake in this world and still contain remnants of the magic of this world's Lake Avalon. Killian watches on in awe (always fascinated by the rites of Avalon), barely taking notice that he's now been joined by Regina, Robin, Maleficent, Lily, the Charmings and Henry, as well as Phillip and Aurora with their warmly-clothed baby boy.
The flames surrounding Freya suddenly reach up impossibly high to the heavens. The large group gaze in shock as they glimpse through the circular wall of flames Freya nonchalantly stepping out of the ring of fire. Uncaring of the inferno blazing and licking against her skin she simply continues into the sea until the waves crash above her knees without pause. As the final beat of the song plays in the parking bay, Freya cups the salty water with her hands and raises it to wash over her head. Within the blink of an eye the fire is extinguished and as the Lady of the Lake turns to greet the spectators with a soft smile the first bright orange rays of sunrise flicker into life, the light seemingly passing through her as she stands in the water.
"Are you certain of this?" Aurora is the first to break the silence enveloping the group, her blue eyes flaring in fear as she clutches her son to her chest.
Phillip smiles at his wife in assurance and wraps her in his arms, pressing a gentle kiss on the covered head of their son before giving Aurora a peck too. Together they make their way towards the sea, the others following close behind. Regina, Maleficent and Hook all share a significant glance as they reach where the candles had previously stood but now four pillars of glass pierce the sand; all of them recognise the feel of Avalon's power wrapping around them.
"Why can I smell grass and trees?" asks Robin, turning to Regina whose hand he holds.
"The magic I just cast opened Avalon further to me, and as a result you can feel and smell it's power and true habitat," explains Freya with a gentle smile, before turning to the parents standing at the water's edge. "It has been many years since I presided over your own Water Ceremony, Prince Phillip, and I am honoured to do the same for your son. Princess Aurora you need have no fear."
"Then why is she here?" the young princess asks, her haughty gaze barely flickering over to the woman that had once placed her in a sleeping curse.
"Maleficent is a dear friend to me and is always curious about the magic I wield, along with the ceremonies I perform as part of my duty as Lady of the Lake. The items you three wear ensure neither she, nor anyone else, may do harm to you. Now please, your son if I may, before dawn passes," requests Freya in a calm voice.
Aurora glances fearfully again at her husband who smiles at her before lifting their slumbering child from his mother's embrace. He walks into the water, not even blinking at the fact his jeans are absorbing the saltwater from the sea, and carefully hands over his son to the redhead who gazes adoringly down at the toddler. A second pair of footsteps, splashing as unobtrusively through the waves as possible, comes behind him and Aurora clasps her hand with his. Her copper curls blow gently in the wind, the shorter strands held back by a thin headband. Aurora squares her shoulders, taking her place in front of Freya by Phillip's side. Her knee-length lavender dress meaning that, unlike her husband, only her legs get a little wet from the moderate waves that continue to surge and flow against the trio.
Freya carefully bends and dips a single hand into the salty water surrounding her before standing and gently dripping several drops upon the centre of the young prince's forehead in the shape of a lemniscate, more commonly known in this world as the infinity symbol. The moment the first drop touches his forehead his eyes (shaped just like his father's but more similar in colour to his mother's) snap open. He stares up entranced at the strange woman holding him as he continues to contentedly suck upon his dummy. Muffled giggles slip around his pacifier when a second droplet of water falls on his forehead. As the third and final drop splashes on to his soft skin he begins to wriggle in Freya's arms, making Aurora immediately tense in fear of her dropping him. The Lady of the Lake however simply holds him expertly against her with one arm and smiles brightly down at the boy before running her forefinger through the water still on his forehead and down to the tip of his nose, cooing at the lively baby.
The spectators and Aurora all gasp in shock as the sun fully rises above the horizon behind Freya and young Phillip; the sun's rays hit the two and envelop them with a warm golden glow that spirals and twists around them. Only Prince Phillip is not stunned by the sight and merely sighs at the beauty of the pure light magic encircling his son.
"He shall be a prince of many strengths, and one who enjoys being challenged. He will bring light, joy and pure happiness to those he considers friends. Like his father before him he will travel many lands and in amongst such travels he will find that which he shall seek most throughout his life: love," Freya tells the group, her eyes affixed to where the rays of warm orange light surrounding them reflect in the water around her legs, before returning her gaze to the child. "My gift is this, little one, acceptance," she whispers against his downy hair before kissing the soft sweet-scented skin of his head and cheeks.
With that final word, only heard by the baby in her arms and nature, the golden rays disperse and the presence of Avalon fades slowly away. Freya gently draws the triquetra over the baby's cloth-covered chest resulting in bubbling laughter to burst from the child almost resulting in the loss of his dummy. Afterwards she returns the young Phillip to the older one's sure grasp before curtseying low to them and turning to the spectators proclaiming in a delighted voice that the child's Water Ceremony has ended.
Everyone had taken some time until they began to depart but as Freya was disinclined to answer any of the numerous questions they had, the group soon gave up and turned for home. The Lady of the Lake finally spoke as they started to leave, only asking Regina to tell her where Jefferson was. Once informed of him having resumed residence in the large white manor house Freya puts her back to the others and gazes out across the vast ocean that glints and glitters with the rays of the bright sun.
"What now, love?" queries Killian, but before he can receive an answer a vapour of bright blue smoke envelops the witch and when it clears she is gone. "Blasted woman!"
"Let her have some personal time," chides Maleficent. "Consider this Captain, Freya has been without her family for many years. You know how close she grew to her stepsister and how much she loves her niece. It will do her good to spend some quality time with them. Who knows what answers tonight will bring and when she'll have a chance to see them again."
Killian minutely flinches under the dragon-witch's gaze. He feels helpless as a man of action and cannot bear to wile away the hours doing nothing.
"Mal's right. Let's leave Freya to her own devices for now. And perhaps we should spend some quality time with Henry, because I don't know about you but I wouldn't feel too good about letting him come with us on whatever wild goose chase we'll be led to find this sorcerer."
"Definitely not Regina, I don't like the idea of leaving my grandson behind but it's not safe."
"You make it sound like you're coming with us," frowns Killian.
"Of course I am! I won't abandon my daughter. I'll do whatever it takes to help her."
"And what of Neal?" Killian asks of Mary Margaret who immediately looks pained. "He still needs his parents. You can't very well go gallivanting off into the Enchanted Forest and leave the lad here. And if it's too dangerous a quest for young Henry to embark upon with us, then it's most certainly too dangerous for Emma's baby brother."
"So what do you expect us to do? Leave it in your hand to fix?" questions David, his blue eyes narrow as he glares at the pirate.
"Still don't trust me, mate?" snorts Killian before he sighs heavily and looks at the Charmings seriously. "The only course you have before you is that one of you stays and the other goes with us. This way we'll also be assured of Henry's safety and well-being while we're gone."
"'We'?" laughs Mary Margaret as she raises her eyebrows at dark-haired man.
"I do care for the boy," he retorts bitingly.
"So it's agreed that you, one of the Charmings and I will go with Freya," interrupts Regina.
"I think it best if I come too. To ensure someone looks out for Freya's welfare."
"And where you go, I go," adds Lily.
"I'll come too."
"Robin, no. What about Roland? You have responsibilities here," declares Regina.
"I don't want to lose you again. Roland will be safe here. The Merry Men can look after him."
"And if something happens to you? What then?"
"Nothing is going to happen to me," smiles Robin as he embraces his love.
"How can you be so sure? You know how this goes. Villains don't get a happy ending."
"Regina, you're not a villain. And I'm sure because I have faith."
"Also Regina, do you really think Freya will let anything destroy your happy ending?" tags on Maleficent. "She can be quite fearsome to behold if something or somebody angers her."
"Then it's settled," states Killian with a small smile and raised eyebrow, daring anyone to make further objections.
Whilst the mismatched group had been arguing over who would be coming on the quest Freya had been pacing back and forth on the bottom step of Jefferson's house. Every time she thought she was psyched up enough to approach the door her heart began racing and froze her to the spot. Just as she was ready to give up and leave without trying to see her brother-in-law, the quaint white wooden door silently opened and there stood the tall frame of Jefferson staring down at Freya, disbelief shining in his blue eyes.
"Freya?" his voice is barely a whisper and has a slight hoarseness to it that wasn't there before.
Freya's emerald gaze flickers down to his scarf-covered neck, knowing what hid beneath. Jefferson clears his throat and when he speaks again his voice is at a more normal volume and pitch. A smile begins to light up on his face, but it doesn't yet reach his eyes as he approaches the redhead.
"Is it really you?"
Freya nods as tears gather in her eyes only to fall once he pulls her into his arms and laughs joyously. The reunion is mostly silent as they gently swing in each other's arms. Soon enough they pull back and simply gaze at one another, both wearing almost-maniacal smiles upon their faces.
"Papa?" a soft voice calls down to them, making Freya freeze once more before she releases her hold on Jefferson and moves to look up at the child standing in the open doorway.
"Grace," Freya's voice is soft as she stares up at her niece.
"Aunt Freya!" cries out the young girl before she rushes down the beige stone steps in her socks and launches herself at her aunt.
"Oh, Grace!" giggles Freya as she spins the brunette round in circles, before finally placing her on her feet and holding her steady until she regains her balance. "You look so much like your mother," the young woman sighs as she caresses the girl's pale smooth cheek.
"Don't cry," Grace tells her, reaching up to wipe away the tears trembling down Freya's own pale cheeks.
"They're happy tears. I didn't think I'd ever see you, or your Papa again."
"Are you joining us for our tea party?"
"Of course, my little flower."
"You remember your name for me," smiles Grace, her face full of the innocence of children.
"How could I forget? Every time I saw you you would pick the most beautiful flowers for me. And any time you came to Avalon for a visit you could make the blooms burst with such colour and beauty," Freya smiles brilliantly in remembrance.
"I forgot how energetic she was. Her imagination seems to have thrived in this world, which is good to see."
"I was concerned about her remembering. Being so young and having two separate lives. It's too much in your head sometimes. But she's managed remarkably," comments Jefferson as he pours them a cup of tea with a white china tea pot.
"So have you," Freya replies softly, reaching out to squeeze one of his hands in support. "I still see some of the madness that held you trapped in Wonderland, but nowhere near as worrisome."
"Grace helps. A lot more than any child ever should," he frowns down into the creamy brown liquid in his cup.
"She loves you. And you love her. That's all that matters."
"I left her. I promised I'd come home. And when I was finally free from Wonderland, thanks to you, on my journey home to her the curse hit me and I was brought here where I was forced to only watch her from afar...and to remember."
"But now you both remember and are safe here. You're happy and you're together. I watched over her whilst you were gone to Wonderland, as much as I could with her staying with Herman. Her uncle loves her dearly, but my half-brother has never been a friend to me. I wish I could have done more for you both."
"What you did was more than enough."
The two smile at each other and chuckle in remembrance of the other helping them when they were in a pickle on many previous occasions. Freya's face however swiftly clouds over as her gaze drops to her lap. Her next statement is said hesitantly and quietly.
"Coming to see you both and visit was only one of the reasons I came today."
"Go on."
"I need you to make me a hat."
"You know I can't make them work. Even with magic being back in Storybrooke, there just isn't the power needed to create a brand new one. And the old one was destroyed."
"I have a way," murmurs Freya as she fiddles with her necklace, showing Jefferson the vial of gold glowing water.
"The waters of Avalon," blinks Jefferson in amazement.
"There's enough here to make three hats."
"Why do you want three?" he questions, immediately dropping out of the stupor he'd falling into upon seeing the water.
"I've been asked to help find Merlin in order to aid Emma Swan and rid her of the Darkness that inhabits her."
"The Darkness?" he asks alarmed.
"It was taken out of Rumple and to protect Regina, Emma gave herself to it. Merlin is the only one that can destroy it once and for all. But I know what he's like. He'll have remained in our world. Or even one of the others. This one, whilst it has it's own forms of magic, would leave him feeling too weak without his usual magics. I need two hats. One to get there, and one to get back."
"And the third?"
"Payment. For you and Grace to use as you see fit."
The tea cup in Jefferson's hand slips and crashes to the soft white carpet. Tea splashes out; a staining pool forming in front of the Hatter's feet. But the cup itself remains intact. Jefferson's eyes are wide with amazement and his lips curve into a huge smile as he thinks of all the new possibilities now open to him.
"Come, I have plenty still here from the First Curse."