A.N.: So just a heads up I don't feel very confident when it comes to writing any kind of physical altercation so bare with me as you read today! Read and review! Also please try not to spoil anything or put spoiler warning or something in case someone does read the reviews other than me before reading the story! Thank you all!

Chapter Eight

Lila was sitting in her bedroom staring patiently out the window, waiting for Winter to arrive. The pain forming in her chest was making sleep more and more difficult the closer the wintry season got. She waved her hand and the fire roared to life and the kettle over it filled with water. Not even a cup of tea would melt the ice on her heart but perhaps it would help her sleep.

As she poured the hot water into the teapot, she heard her door creak open slowly. Placing the kettle down on the table, she listened for another sound; searching the room using her senses. Someone was in there but she couldn't tell who. The pain in her chest made it hard to think; to focus.

The Snow Queen found herself being forcibly grabbed from behind. As she fought back, her capture spun her around violently. She knew who it was just by the smell of iron and saltwater.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Hook?" She hissed at the man holding her.

"Getting to Storybrooke," He smirked at the woman, "Don't struggle, love. I promise it'll be more enjoyable that way."

"Why would I bring you with me to Storybrooke?" Lila stopped struggling when she realized where his hook was. If she moved the wrong way, she could find it in her back.

"Because if you don't," The pirate held his hook to her neck, "I'll find out if Fae are truly heartless or if it's just a myth."

"Revenge really has turned your heart black, Captain," The queen managed to get away from the iron at her neck, "I wonder what will happen if you succeed in getting it after all this time?"

"Oh, I know exactly what will happen," He leaned in close, "I'll be reunited with Milah. We can both rest in peace knowing that monster can't hurt another soul."

"Well, Captain," She stood nose to nose with him, "You're going to have to find someone else to help you with your revenge because I will have no part in any bloodshed."

"Such a waste," Hook purred as he dragged a finger down the side of her cheek. Without warning, his hand grabbed her chin and he forced his lips on hers. Lila tried to push him away but the pirate was much stronger than she was and had a good grip on her already. She was about to finally get free when a searing pain hit her back.

The Snow Queen's breath caught in her throat before she fell to the floor. She tried to crawl to the door, knowing Jack would be on the other side, but Captain Hook had other plans. He kicked her and she rolled onto her back, seeing his hook covered in her blood. He laughed as he knelt beside her.

"I should have mentioned," He smirked down at her, "I was actually sent to kill you."

Lila bit back tears as she felt the iron poison her blood stream. She wouldn't have much longer to live and the pain was almost as unbearable as the one in her cursed heart. The dark man held up his hook and smiled one last time.

"Cora sends her regards," He said as he moved to cut the Fae's throat.

Lila gasped as she woke up, nearly falling out of bed. Her hand went to her throat as she recovered from the familiar nightmare she had been having since the curse broke. She wiped the sweat from her face before getting up and starting to dress for the day. Today was the day she would finally go to Storybrooke and bring everyone home. If she waited one more day, these nightmares would drive her insane. If she waited one more day, the transformation would start to show itself to others and then it would be too late to cross over. An Elder Fae had assured her that she wouldn't change in the world without magic.

The Snow Queen dressed in a simple pair of light brown pants with a leather corset and white quarter sleeved shirt. She fidgeted with the puffy sleeves as she looked at herself in the vanity mirror. The pendant and acorn she had treasured for three hundred years both hung around the top of the framed mirror. Lila carefully put them on, hiding the acorn under her shirt. She ran a brush through her hair and braided it before wrapping it around her head into a bun. A few stray locks of her chocolate brown hair dangled on either side of her pale face which brought out her blue eyes intensely.

"You look stunning, My Queen," Rose Blossom's voice sounded from the doorway, "Is today the day?"

"Yes, indeed, Rose," Lila stood up and took up the bag packed with clothes. She had no idea how long she'd be in this Storybrooke so she had packed plain and simple clothes and lots of them. She loved the extension spell she had used for centuries. It was one of the most useful things she had ever learned in magic.

As the pink Spring Fae walked down the hall with Lila, she seemed a bit nervous to have her queen leave them. The pair was soon joined by the orange Fae, Sage Maple, and the golden Fae, Blaze Sky. They finally reached a room in the Snow Palace that only appeared whenever it was needed. When the curse broke, Jack discovered it once more after years of searching. The room took on a circular shape and had wall to wall mirrors. The ceiling lifted up into a pyramid shape, covered in mirrors as well with a circular mirror at the point. Mirrors, like the crystal orbs, were carriers of magic and that was why it was so easy for Regina to spy on everyone. Glass and water had always been the best source for magic, particularly transportation magic.

Jack Frost was standing in the middle of the room when the Snow Queen and three of her seasonal Fae came in. He bowed and smiled at his queen as she stood in the center with him. There was only one more thing left to do before Lila crossed into the other realm.

"I am putting you four in charge while I am gone," She spoke to the Fae in front of her, "You each represent a season and when that season is here in the Enchanted Forest, you will be the head Fae of the four. Winter will be here soon so Jack is up first."

"But, Milady," Blaze seemed concerned, "We haven't seen any actual seasons here in the land since the curse."

"And yet we still know when each season has arrived," Sage reached out to the Summer Fae, "The Queen needs us to keep the order as best we can and to continue trying to rehabilitate the land."

Lila nodded at the wise Autumn Fae. The orange colored woman was almost old enough to join the ranks of the Elder Fae but not for another century or two. Blaze was not far behind but his impulsive nature would need to be controlled before he could get the privilege of Elder Fae. Meanwhile, Jack and Rose both had a long time before they could even be considered. Having these four Fae rule while the Snow Queen was gone was perfect. They would be able to make decisions well informed and bring some peace to this cursed land.

One by one, the queen hugged them good-bye. Rose, Sage, and Blaze left right away but Jack stayed behind. Lila knew he did not like the idea of her going by herself and wanted to come along, as he always had whenever she traveled on business.

"Well, Jack," She sighed, "This is it."

"Good luck, Your Majesty," Jack tried to hold back tears as he hugged her like a child hugs his mother; "Hurry back, Lila."

"I will, Jack," Lila said was she returned the hug.

Slowly they pulled apart and she approached the mirror opposite the door. She glanced over her shoulder just as the white haired boy closed the door. In the silence that followed the door's soft thud, the Snow Queen looked around the hall of mirrors before concentrating her magic for a portal. The mirrors began to ripple like water while retaining the woman's reflection. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath in an attempt to keep her composure. This mission had to succeed; she could not fail. Everyone had to be brought home and quickly or else this world would be lost; her people would be lost.

Clutching Meg's necklace and the string that held an acorn in its place under her shirt, Lila stepped through the largest mirror in front of her. It felt like stepping into an ice waterfall and for a few moments, she just stood there. As she started spinning, she couldn't tell whether she was flying or falling; the vertigo she felt was very disorienting.

It was suddenly clear to her that she was in fact falling. A jolt of energy shook her before her pale hands flew up and caught some kind of ledge. Releasing the air she had been holding, Lila took a moment to get her bearings. She realized she was hanging from the inside of a well and closed her eyes, grateful that she had never been afraid of heights. Mustering all of her strength, she pulled herself up and hauled her lithe body over the wall. Her hand slipped and she tumbled down the stone steps; landing in dirt and leaves. The queen checked herself for injuries before standing up. She paused at a sudden realization. The pain in her chest was nonexistent; as if she never had been cursed.

Broken mirror shards were scattered all around the foot of the well. Lila grabbed a large one and examined her reflection. To her relief, there were no signs of a transformation; the Elders were right. She let out a sigh as she returned the mirror shard among the others.

Lila was suddenly hit with a vision. She saw Snow White and a blonde woman, who she assumed was Snow's daughter, Emma, climb out of the well. She then saw Regina talking to Rumplestiltskin, who looked the most human the Fae had ever seen him, talking in a pawn shop. She saw Hook on his ship, threatening a man with ginger hair for information. She felt disappointment to see that what she had said in her nightmare was all too true. Right before coming out of the vision, Lila saw Cora walking through the same forest she was standing in right now.

The queen looked around after snapping out of the vision. She knew that the vision had given her past, present, and future but how near was the future? Cora wasn't one to lie low and it could be rest assured that she'd stop at nothing to get what she had come for. Chewing on her lip, Lila checked the stays on her corset and the buckles on her belt. Thankfully, the Snow Queen had come prepared for whatever Cora or Storybrooke had to throw at her. A dagger was tucked away in her boot and a bag of poppy dust, spelled to refill itself after use, hung from her waist. She didn't really think she'd need them since she had magic on her side as well but it didn't hurt to be prepared.

The brunette looked around the forest, taking in the sights and smells while hearing the birds chirping high above in the trees. She felt a glimmer of happiness as she remembered her days with the Lilac Fairy and in Neverland. Lila used to run through the forest as a changeling; finding flowers and making friends with the animals. She sighed as she remembered that those days were long gone.

She started walking when she realized that she could be wrong about that assumption. If Cora was here and Hook bent on getting his revenge, there was no telling the amount of bloodshed and life loss that would follow them in their path. Those in Storybrooke were going to need the Fae as soon as she could get there. She smiled and concentrated her heightened instincts to find the way to town. She slung the bag over her shoulder and took off for the woods; her leather boots hardly making a sound on the forest floor.

Meanwhile, in Storybrooke, Rumple was leaving the Library when he felt something in the air. He leaned on his cane and smirked. The feel in the air could only mean one thing; Lila was here. He looked up at the sky and noticed the sun through the over cast clouds was setting. It would be night soon but he didn't care. He had to find the woman who would bring everyone home before anyone else did. He could think of a few who would put her in danger. Cora was one of them, for starters.

The man smirked as he realized that that woman had no idea that he knew she was here and had brought the Pirate with her. So far, he had not shown himself and Rumple had taken precautions to keep Belle safe. His love was on her guard and knew how to shoot; although he knew she'd never shoot to kill. Cora was after Regina, so he didn't worry about her going after Belle. He did, however, worry she would go after Lila once she learned the Snow Queen was here.

As he approached the woods, he hoped Lila would sense him looking for her. Magic was different hear but if Ruby and her Granny and their werewolf senses had been any indication, Lila would still have her heightened senses. Gold found himself wishing he had had such a gift as he walked into the forest. There were many things that Lila had that he wished he had had. Althea had raised the girl to be as kind as she was smart and as brave as she was beautiful. He had wanted to ruin that and create the necessary monster for his curse when the time came but now he realized that he was glad he had failed. Lila was too pure and too strong; a rock against an ocean storm. Not even Cora would be able to corrupt her. He assumed that the Pirate had tried centuries ago when he came upon them in Everdeen but Lila had merely insisted that she was just helping him out of the woods. Rumple wished she hadn't been kind enough to not even consider leaving him stranded. While the Dark One had somewhat moved on from what had happened, he knew the Pirate hadn't thanks to his pupil's warning.

He reached a clearing by a stream and stopped to rest his leg. An owl hooted nearby to mark the arrival of night. Sitting on a rock, Rumple listened to the stream flowing at his feet. He remembered how much Lila loved nature and it seemed to love her just as much in return. Nymphs had been said to be heartless and as a result so were Fae. The truth was their only love was for nature and the only ones they really respected was their own kind. Lila was a bit of a paradox though. She contradicted everything known about the myth except her profound love for nature and nothing else. While he didn't worry that she'd go fall in love with anyone, she still carried a loving air about her.

Rumplestiltskin let out a sigh and stood up, ready to continue his search. There was so much the young woman didn't know even after three centuries. And he didn't have the heart to tell her in fear that she wasn't ready. Belle was right; he really was still a coward. And yet, he wasn't fully aware of his surroundings as a coward normally would be.

He turned and was face to face with the Pirate. Captain Hook held a gun at him and a smirk graced his face that hadn't aged over the three hundred years one bit. Rumple wasn't sure if a gun would do anything but then again, magic worked differently here so perhaps the dagger was no longer the only way to kill him. He silently cursed himself for not realizing that he was being followed from the town into the forest. Lila would certainly find them now that a life was in danger even if that meant putting herself in danger. He doubted the Pirate would be so forgiving towards the Fae when she defending her mentor.

"What's a Crocodile doing so deep in the woods?" Hook gritted his teeth at the sight of his enemy. Just seeing him reminded the pirate of Milah and her cruel fate; their cruel fate.

"That, dearie, is none of your business," Rumple leaned on his cane, trying to appear casual despite the blood pounding in his ears.

"Well, whatever the reason," The gun clicked, "Iron bullets are going to put a stop to it."

"It's going to take a lot more than that to kill me," Rumple clenched his jaw, knowing that Lila would be helpless if those bullets were in fact iron.

As if hearing his thoughts, the brunette woman suddenly appeared in the clearing and stood between the two men. Lila had been running through the woods when she got a sudden sense of dread. She had stopped and realized that Hook had found Rumplestiltskin and had every intention in killing the old man. Now she stood, defending both at the same time from one another; her legs getting a mind of their own when she saw the danger before her.

"With all due respect, Your Majesty," Hook spoke through gritted teeth to the Snow Queen, "This does not concern you."

"I think you'll find it does, Captain," She answered, "A life is being threatened here after all."

Hook didn't falter one bit as she spoke in her calm voice. The gun was pointing straight at Lila. She held her ground though, being the brave woman she was. If he didn't know better, Rumple would have accused her of being stupid.

"There's not going to be any more bloodshed, Hook," She continued, "I think you both can find it in you to talk out your problems rather than beating your frustrations out on each other."

He just stared at her in disbelief. This queen had helped him years ago get a step closer to his revenge and yet here she was standing in his way. Was she mad or insane? Rumors had flown that her curse made those under it lose their minds. Perhaps this queen has not far gone from crossing that line either.

"Very well," Once again the gun clicked, "There's plenty of iron bullets for both of you."

Lila swallowed, knowing the effects iron had on her kind and wishing she never told him. While healing a bullet injury was simple enough, the iron would leave a scar. And then there was iron poisoning to consider. If the bullet was not removed fast enough, iron could seep into the blood and a Fae would only have days or maybe just minutes to live. Rumple was lucky in Lila's mind. If he got shot, it could easily be treated and he would heal and survive.

"You're going to kill me just because I'm in the way?" Lila hoped he didn't notice she was getting closer to him, "Revenge really has turned your heart black and rotten."

Before he could respond, Lila had grabbed the gun. Yet, somehow he had managed to keep his grip on it and they were struggling for it. The gun was finally in Lila's hands and she kicked the pirate's shins. As he went down, she held the gun up.

"Don't even try," She said just before he could get the dagger in his boot.

Lila didn't exactly have a plan after getting the gun but what happened next was definitely not on her list. Rumple used his magic to throw Hook into a tree and with unnatural speed, he now stood over the pirate with his cane in the air with every intention on beating the man senseless. Without thinking, she tossed the gun aside and moved towards her mentor. A few good hits had already been in place when she managed the grab the cane and hold it in its threatening place.

"Rumple, stop," She ordered, seeing the man had no intentions on doing so. If she had to, she would throw him at a tree next.

"Oh, let him, love," Hook chuckled between breaths, "He has to prove to everyone that's he's no longer a coward. Well, go on, kill me!"

"Hook, shut up," Lila waved her hand at him, causing his voice to vanish. It didn't matter how hard he tried to speak now; no sound would come until she willed it. She realized she should have used that spell a long time ago.

"He's just going to keep coming back after me," Rumple yanked the cane away and held it up once more, "I can't let him hurt Belle!"

A few more hits were delivered before Lila grabbed the cane. In one swift movement, she pulled it and Rumple was flat on his back with her holding the bar against his throat.

"What would Belle want you to do?" She hissed before releasing him. Without so much as a flinch, she turned and stopped the other from planting his hook in her back side; her forearm cleanly blocking from the inside of his hook. With the same movement, Hook was on his back as well. Rumple moved to go after him but Lila was quicker.

"Enough!" She exclaimed as she used her magic to pin them both to trees on opposite sides of the clearing. The Fae had reached the limit of her patience with this feud.

"Gods, you two are like children," She hissed as she paced between them; hands on her hips.

"I take offense to that, dearie," Rumplestiltskin piped up.

"Oh, please!" She turned on him, "If this feud isn't the most childish thing I have ever seen, than I don't know what is! And I know what childish is, Rumple! I grew up with nymphs and am a Queen of the Fae!"

"If you would stop getting in the way, dearie," He challenged, "Then it would be all over by now and you'd have nothing to complain about."

"What the hell is wrong with you?" She turned on Hook when she heard him chuckle behind her; "Both of you! It's been over three hundred years! Get over yourselves!"

The arrogant smirks vanished from both faces as they realized the only way to get to the other was through her; something Hook had no problem with since he wasn't aware of who she was to him. Rumple knew though that there was no way in hell she'd let the pirate get to him.

"Honestly, you two," Her initial anger started to subside; "I don't think this is what Milah would have wanted after her death; especially after all this time."

"He took my wife from me, dearie," Rumple started struggling against the magic once more.

"You killed her!" Hook yelled back.

"Shut it!" Lila gave them both a small push with her magic; taking away their voices.

She then released them, causing them to stumble and fall to the floor. Rumple recovered much quicker and made no move to start another fight. Hook was still aching from the beating he had just taken and remained kneeling on the floor for a moment.

"Just listen to yourselves," Lila shook her head," This whole fight is pathetic."

"I resent that," The pirate hissed.

"Okay, I get you're mad he killed her," Lila turned to look down at the man, "But how many people have you killed who were loved by someone else? And let's not forget the favor you owe me."

Hook's entire demeanor changed as he remembered the price for plucking out Tinkerbelle's wings. For a moment, Lila remembered him in the woods all those years ago when he finally let the Captain Hook façade go and was Killian Jones. It gave her a bit of hope that the man he once was still existed deep inside him. She turned to Rumplestiltskin next.

"And you," She put her hands on her hips, "Did you get a bout of memory loss or something?"

The Dark One knew exactly what the dark haired woman was talking about and looked down at the forest floor. For the first time, Lila was able to see him as he was before he became the Dark One. He was just a man trying to do what he thought was best for him and those he loved.

"You both have lived for more than three hundred years," Lila finished, "I think you two have it in you to at least be civil to one another. You can't change the past so why are you both holding onto it?"

Without warning, there was a gun shot. Lila jumped about six feet in the air as Rumple fell to the ground. She cursed herself for dropping the gun so carelessly. She whirled around on Hook before knocking the gun from his hand with her magic. Tree branches held him in place as she went to check on Rumple.

"He got what he deserved," Hook sounded relieved, "Won't even fight for his own life. What a coward!"

"That's because he isn't the same man who took your hand," She hissed back at him as she put pressure on her mentor's wound. Hook had avoided hitting her so Rumple had gotten shot in his bad leg. Lila silently thanked the Gods it wasn't in between the eyes.

"I can't heal this," She murmured to him as he tried to hold back a cry of pain.

"I can," He slurred and Lila realized he was losing consciousness. There was only one definite way he would get taken care of. She conjured a crystal and handed it to him.

"It'll take you to the hospital," She explained, "You'll be alright, I promise."

Rumple looked like he wanted to ask or say something but he never got the chance to. He vanished into thin air. Lila sat back on her heels, knowing he was at the hospital of Storybrooke now. Hopefully someone would notice him right away. She looked at the blood on her hands and sighed. Hadn't she wanted to avoid bloodshed in this feud?

"So what now, Your Majesty?" The pirate spoke from behind her, with a mocking tone. Lila grabbed the gun before releasing him from the tree's hold. She turned to him and pointed it at his head.

"Now, we are going to discuss that favor you owe me," She crouched in front of him, "You are going to leave him alone."

"Or you'll what?" He mocked, "I know you're kind, love. They don't take kindly to those who kill even if the murderer belongs to your own race.

"There are fates worse than death, Hook," She held the gun up, "And you just shot my mentor after I told you not to."

"Your mentor?" He half laughed, "You have got to be joking."

"Rumplestiltskin took me in when I was younger," She stared him down; "Changelings tend to waste away and die if they don't get away from the nymph tribes they belong to. At least, they used to when I was growing up."

"He deserves to die after what he did to me," Hook shifted to kneel, "Regardless of how much he has changed over the years."

"You humans and your need for justice," She sighed as she stood up, "You take it much too far and leave bodies everywhere. Killing one person only makes ten more killers. Where's the justice in that?"

"I doubt anyone would miss that Crocodile."

"Wrong again, Pirate," Lila smirked," I can think of at least two, maybe even three."

"You honestly think his son will forgive the coward?" Hook laughed, "Doubtful."

The woman didn't have time to retort. The pirate lunged at her and before she had a chance to pull the gun's trigger, he had her by the waist and pulled her to the ground. The gun went flying from her hand and landed somewhere too far for either to reach at the time being. She struggled to get him off of her but Hook was a lot stronger than Lila and had a firm grip; pinning her to the forest floor.

"Normally, I wouldn't object to a woman being feisty with me," He smirked, "But seeing how you've threatened me a fate worse than death."

"That wasn't a threat," Lila grinned coldly, "It was a promise."

"I'd love to see you try, love. Too bad your mentor never taught you how to fight without magic."

"He didn't need to," Lila's knees came up and hit Hook hard in the stomach. He grunted in pain and rolled off of her. As he glared at her, clutching his side, Lila scurried to her feet.

"I already knew how," She smirked as the pirate got to his feet. His eyes flicked behind her and she knew instantly where the gun was. She glanced behind her quickly to check and smirked at him before moving to get it. However, Lila had forgotten that he was faster than most humans and she found herself being tackled once again. Being face first in the leaves gave her a better advantage though.

Her elbow came up and jabbed him in the ribs so hard, she heard one crack. But she knew a broken rib was not going to stop him. She then felt a searing pain in her left shoulder. Hook had plunged his iron hook into her and the action pulled her back a bit. His mistake was putting his good hand in front of her. Biting back a cry of pain, Lila grabbed the arm and threw him over her, hitting the floor hard. His hook tore itself from her should; hurting much more than she had anticipated.

Lila got up and jumped over him; a mistake in this fight to the death. Hook's hand shot up and grabbed her ankle and she was once again face first in the dirt. Her ankle was twisted for sure so she crawled away. She was about the get to the gun when she felt the pirate grab her ankle once more and pull her away; her fingertips just barely grazing the gun. He rolled her over, her right leg bent underneath her.

"I'll admit," He breathed heavily, "You're pretty good."

"Thanks," She said through gritted teeth. He grabbed her throat tightly.

"But not good enough," He shifted to his knees, "Tell me something, Your Majesty. Where did you learn to fight like that?"

"You tend to learn a lot of things when you live on the street long enough," She repeated the words she had told him many years ago. Right way, the realization struck him.

"You're the girl," He breathed in shock, releasing Lila's throat; "The changeling from the forest who led me to the docks. The one who was taken by Rumplestiltskin; Lila."

"Long time, no see, Captain," She said before throwing her backup dagger at him. It hit him in his lower side, missing any organs that he would need. He stood up and backed away as he stared at the dagger.

"You had a dagger in your right boot," He heaved in disbelief. Lila stood up slowly as he fell back to his knees. He was losing blood fast.

"You would have done the same thing if you could," She said as she crouched beside him; removing the weapon in one fast motion. Hook stared up at her, trying to figure out how he had missed her going for it.

"I'm sorry for this," The Snow Queen said before smacking him hard across the face, knocking him out. She leaned back on her heels and observed the damage they had done to each other. She had a huge gash in her left shoulder, a twisted ankle, and she was certain a good few dozen bruises. She knew that she would definitely be feeling this fight in the morning.

She stared at him as she tried to regain her breath. She had managed to break a rib or two as well as leave a huge knife wound on the opposite side. He would also have a good number of bruises; especially a very dark one on his stomach from her knees. A bruise was forming on his jaw and with one touch Lila knew she had busted it. She suddenly felt sorry for the man. Hook had failed at getting his revenge and then he was beaten up by a girl. She let out a sigh. At least, once treated they both would live. His hook wasn't in her shoulder long enough for the iron to enter her blood stream and his wounds could be patched up easily. He needed a doctor but Lila didn't have the energy to teleport both of them all the way to town.

She closed her eyes and focused, scanning the woods for a stream or a lake. She would need water if she was going to heal both of them. Her senses, however, showed her a better alternative. A log cabin that no one really knew about was only a short walk away. She sighed again as she grabbed the pirate next to her and focused on getting there. Within seconds, they materialized in a dark and cold log cabin which appeared as if someone had just up and left suddenly. She slowly stood up to start a fire before beginning her work. The sound of thunder in the distance told her it was going to be a long night.