Disclaimers: See Episode V for more information.

The events in this chapter coincide with the episode "Nimue", from Season 5 of the ABC television show "Once Upon a Time".


Chapter Eight:

Braeda

Cavernous Basement, Baggins House, Storybrooke, Maine – The Present

Under normal circumstances, Frodo Baggins/Dark Frodo, donned in the black trench coat and all black clothing, with his thick, brown curly hair tied back to reveal his pointy ears, kept the basement door closed. He made no exception on this night. For this was the night in which he would re-forge Wisp. Carrying both rings in his hand, he approached the stone basin. Mindy, by now, was distracted in her own world. It was better he didn't find out his plan until later on, when he finished the task. He just hated doing this to her, or to anyone.

As he set the rings down on the basin, from where the previous plain gold ring was planted, the vision of Sauron appeared behind him. Frodo did not look back at the vision until he spoke in his ears, in that purring voice: "Good. You have the two halves. And now, Wisp can be re-forged. There's a history to this weapon, which we have yet to achieve, new Dark Lord." He added, right in Frodo's ear, "Now is the time to make the weapon whole again." Frodo stared at the two rings, including the ring that had his name etched around its band.


Fairy Tale Land – The Past, 900 Years Ago, Before the Ages of Arda

One hundred years after Merlin drank from the Holy Grail, strange white and dark lights fell from the sky. Before the people of Fairy Tale Land, they could see bright gold heavenly doors shutting. The dark lights hit the earth, disappearing into the earth. All the while, the white lights changed colors, forming different brightly colored rainbow lights. Each light was unique in their own right.

As the people of Fairy Tale Land admired the brightly colored lights, Merlin came to one conclusion: "It has begun. The fairies have arrived. And so our work must continue, for the good of everyone." One of the lights heard him, a crimson blue light, which zoomed around him before darting off to follow its partnering lights.

The lights took form, becoming human and finding a large open area. It was their realm and they would name it the Fairy Realm, because they fell from the sky but did not turn fully evil. They would continue to keep their promise of spreading joy to the world and helping those in need. That's what it took to be a "demoted" angel, or as they called themselves fairies. And that's what they would become for years to come.

One such fairy among them was the crimson blue fairy, who had trouble with navigating and grouping with the others. Because she liked hillsides and hills of all sorts, where she would find her home, the fairies only knew her as the Lord named her as, and that name was Braeda.


The Enchanted Forest, Fairy Tale Land – The Past, Weeks Before the Third Curse

Bilbo spied on Frodo, whose curly hair wasn't tied back and who wore a black cloak, grey dress shirt, tan suspenders and brown breeches, from the window at Granny's Diner. Frodo was whittling a block of wood into a dolphin, using a knife he received from Tulien, who shortly after their arrival returned to the Fairy Realm. Bilbo couldn't stand this. Like Emma, Frodo was crafting a magical object, or so Bilbo thought. He knew the lad had made a hobby of wood carving and loved to practice from time to time, but the collection Frodo was making was alarming.

Eventually, Bilbo rejoined the heroes' conversation, but not without noticing Mindy was sitting next to Frodo outside the diner. He had to say something to the heroes and to Merlin, who were sitting around talking and not doing anything to help Emma and Frodo, at least for the moment.

"We can sit here and discuss this, or we can help Frodo out. He's been crafting those wood carvings for as long as he's been in this land," Bilbo complained.

"I know what I said about not needing those objects Rosie, Estella and Diamond gave me, but I'm afraid we will need them," said Merlin, admitting the truth. "Those fairy berries are important, but so is every fairy object. Their uses will come in time. For now, and with Frodo, if we can re-forge Wisp, we can use it to save him. I know I was against him forging the ring sword, but we do need that weapon, if it's done right."

"Can you do it? Can you free Frodo of the darkness? I understand we've said that dozens of times, Frodo more than I," Bilbo asked, curtly.

"It is possible. I will talk with Frodo and Emma soon," Merlin informed them.

The group parted ways, the meeting adjourned. Bilbo left Granny's Diner, rather surprised that Frodo kissed Mindy on the lips. It was the first kiss he'd seen them do, since he was reunited with his nephew and met the lass. Deciding to split up the couple, Bilbo approached them. It was right on cue, for Mindy walked away to speak to Hook. She was excited to meet him, much to Frodo's confusion. Bilbo chose then to sit down next to Frodo.

"Frodo, how are you?" he asked, curious.

"I'm doing well. The darkness still has a hold of me. Why?" Frodo faced his uncle.

"You should take these rings," Bilbo held out the two rings, with Frodo's name and Mab's name written on them.

"Uncle, I can't," Frodo said, shocked.

"I'm not asking," he shook his head.

"Uncle, there's a good reason why I can't accept this. It's so easy for me to slip into the darkness, and I've hurt you, Sam and Mindy more than anyone here. I don't want to fall to the darkness again or hurt anymore people. It's better to show mercy than to ignore it," he exclaimed softly.

"I know, but Frodo, if you can't take them then who can?" he asked, pleading with his nephew.

"I'm sorry, but this is one task I cannot do." He stood up and walked away, but not before his uncle stopped him.

"Wait. Frodo, just what is the darkness like? If you won't let me join you, then maybe I can… I'd be more useful…"

"Uncle, I've seen what the darkness does to you." Frodo advised, "Trust me. It's no good having it around."

"It's a shame we can't share that power," Bilbo said. His nephew said nothing, just walked away. All right. But he wasn't about to let Merlin not hand Frodo the rings. He searched for Merlin, only to find him on cue. As if the Sorcerer knew what he was thinking, Bilbo handed to him the rings, informing him, "Take these to Frodo. He'll understand."

"I will. I promise," Merlin answered, nodding at him.

"Right. Thank you." Bilbo wandered off to find Sam.


Fairy Realm, Fairy Tale Land – The Past, 200 Years Earlier, Before Morgoth became the Dark Lord

Braeda pounded a hammer against a small gold circle band. She hadn't any idea how she was able to craft such splendid objects, and several at least. Many of the objects were used for necessities, or for cooking. That was her skill: to craft, and she adored every minute of it. What she didn't expect was to see a sorcerer in peasant robes approach her one morning.

"They're beautiful," the sorcerer said.

"Thank you," Braeda said nothing. She moved a lock of curly brown hair off her crimson blue silk dress. "I'm Braeda."

"Merlin," the sorcerer introduced himself.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Merlin," Braeda bowed before. She revealed her sparkling blue wings to him. It was the first time she showed them to anyone, but Merlin was different for a human. And that was all right. It was enough for now.

"Why do you craft? Your skills are incredible," Merlin asked.

"I'm a fairy, but back in the heavens I used to craft splendid objects." Braeda admitted, "Many of the objects went unnoticed. Perhaps it was due to me crafting a lot. But the Lord preferred other crafters, those he could trust." She asked, "If there was a chance for me to redeem myself, I would take it. I would show Him what it truly means to be a fairy of legend."

"Careful. There is a cost with every decision made, even ones that lead to glory," he told her.

"Yes, but wouldn't you seek out glory, if you could find it? I heard the Flame of Prometheus produced two embers, instead of one. If I could find the first ember, I'd make a hundred gold rings, infuse my powers into each ring." She asked him, "Come with me. Tonight, before the other fairies see us leaving."

"If it'll make you happy." He nodded. She appreciated his help, while knowing full well this was a risk she was willing to take.


The Enchanted Forest, Fairy Tale Land – The Past, Weeks Before the Third Curse

Frodo looked up from his whittling as Merlin approached him and Emma. Although he didn't get involved in the first part of the conversation between Merlin and Emma, Frodo was glad when Merlin finally did notice him.

"Frodo, what we're about to do is get the second ember, in the same spot where the Flame of Prometheus was before. So, you will be needed if we're going to re-forge Wisp," Merlin explained.

"What? You said to leave Wisp alone." Frodo was confused.

"I know, but the time will come again when Wisp will be re-forged, but you must leave it alone then. No, this time we're bringing the fairy berries with us, for this to work. And we're also going to call the first dark lord. Not the Dark One as Emma will call, but the first dark lord. A dark fairy who killed the first fairy I ever known, who was the reason why I've been careful with my powers," he explained further.

"What happens when I do call the first dark lord?" he asked.

"There are two paths, and you will take one. On the one hand, you could win and be free of the darkness. On the other hand, you'll lose your battle with the darkness and Mab will be defeated." He added last, "I know you'll choose the right path."

Frodo didn't know what to say. Lose his battle against the darkness? As far as he knew, the darkness was winning. It wasn't a battle he could easily win. He'd already done terrible things, which explained how he hardly heard the whispers as often as he used to. Nonetheless, he would travel with Emma and Merlin to the place where the Flame of Prometheus first inflamed because it was the right thing to do.

Minutes passed. Frodo placed his unfinished wood carving inside a satchel, where it was kept safe. The others were preparing to leave Granny's Diner. Sam already told him that he, Merry and Pippin were going to check up on Aragorn, see how he was doing. That was fine. That was just what he needed right now. His other ray of light, his best friend, leaving him so soon. He did not need this now.

"Hey." Mindy approached him. He hardly said two words to her. The darkness was too strong.

"Hey," he answered, groggily.

"Are you all right? Normally, you speak sweetly in my ear or pull me in close to you," she said.

"I'm sorry." He admitted, truthfully, "Most of that was due to the darkness. If I were myself, I might have learned more about you, than in the short time we have."

"And I would learn about you. You have virtually told me nothing about you, since we've been here, other than that one time in which you spied on me," she said.

"How could I forget?" he mused.

"That's not the point. You're just as much a mystery to me as I am to you," she admitted.

"I know." He told her, calmly, clasping her hands in his, "When this is over, we can spend more time together, learn about each other. For now, I need to get the darkness out of me."

"I could help…"

"No. Not this time," he said. He looked away from her. She was shocked, and yet there was nothing he could do. His gaze fell on Merlin, who was with Emma.

"It's time, Frodo," Merlin spoke softly. Frodo nodded, understanding. The hobbit man pressed his hand one last time on Mindy's arm, before joining the wizard and the new Dark One into the woods.


Fairy Realm, Fairy Tale Land – The Past, Years Earlier

The village of Oxleigh remained prosperous, in the time before it was burned down by Vortigan. Merlin wandered through the village, happy to see all the smiling faces. Braeda smiled too, glad they were enjoying their venture. On their way out of the village, Merlin stopped her.

The Sorcerer asked Braeda, "Before we find the Flame of Prometheus, I must ask you if you are willing to take on this task. Finding glory may not be all you hope it to be."

"That's why I have you with me. Come on," Braeda said, leading the way.

Their trek continued until they reached the burning Flame of Prometheus. Braeda was already excited, especially for the next part. Before she took out the two rings she had spent time crafting, Merlin stopped her once more:

"Wait. Now before you do this, are you sure you want to…"

"I know how to turn a ring into a sword. Two rings can make the sword a more powerful weapon. And I know I'll name this weapon Wisp, the ring sword it shall be known." Braeda readied herself as she placed the two rings on a small stone ledge.

Using her hand magic, she caused a burning flaming ball to float down to the two rings. The flames engulfed the rings for a few seconds, before she caused them to fly into the air in a liquid mold. The rings took shape, widening and stretching until they transformed into a leaf-like blade with a gold hilt. The sword was beautiful, but when she touched the blade, she turned around fast. Braeda and Merlin was blocked by foot soldiers.


The Enchanted Forest, Fairy Tale Land – The Past, Weeks Before the Third Curse

Frodo listened to Emma and Merlin's conversation. As he did, he noticed a sign that said Oxleigh. Oxleigh? It must have been a town, or a village, somewhere in Camelot.

"Merlin, are you sure this village is safe enough for us to travel through?" Frodo asked, wary.

"Relax. No one's lived here for two hundred years," Merlin replied.

"All right. So, where is this flame?" he asked further.

"It's up there, and that's where we need to go," the Sorcerer gestured with his head to a steep hillside.

"That's a whole lot of up," Emma commented.

"But we can make it. Whether or not I come down, well that is the question," Merlin said, charging up the hill. Frodo followed, unsure about the climb.

Although he didn't use magic, climbing up the hillside made Frodo think of Moria and the stairs. It had been thirty years since he traversed through Moria. A lot had changed, he was sure in Middle-earth, and yet he still looked in his fifties, but by hobbit standards he was middle aged. Not that age mattered on the climb, and yet he, Emma and Merlin made it to the top of hill. Onwards they traveled until they reached a ruined stone platform and a basin where a flame had sparked.

"The Flame of Prometheus. They said that there were two embers, and I was there to witness both embers taken by the very people who took my love and my friend away," Merlin exclaimed softly. "When you're ready Emma. Here." He handed to Emma the Dark One's dagger, letting her know that he didn't ask permission from her parents, but she needed the blade to seek out the first dark one. Frodo watched for a moment, but not before Merlin handed to him some fairy berries. "Here. Those are the ones your friends gave us. They will help us contact the first dark lord, the first dark fairy. Take them to the stone basin. Wait until we are ready, and I will give you further instructions."

Frodo nodded. As he took the berries over to the platform, he looked up in shock to see a robed figure, standing a foot or two away from the dagger. Revealed behind the gold mask was Nimue, Merlin's lover. Nimue ignored him, but focused her attention all on Merlin. With great effort from Emma, she didn't kill Merlin but instead reversed the names on the dagger back to her own, as well as taking the ember out from Nimue's chest. Nimue disappeared and Frodo could feel his heart a little lighter. He turned to Merlin, who after a pause was ready to give him further instructions. The hobbit man was handed the two rings by Merlin. Confusion spread over his face.

"Why would you give me these two rings?" Frodo asked, shocked.

"Your uncle asked me to. He said they would help you, and you need both rings to contact the first dark lord. Simply wave the berries over the rings and it should work, but you also need to concentrate," Merlin instructed him.

Opening his hand that had the two rings, Frodo waved the fairy berries over them. The berries disintegrated instantly, causing his name to switch to Mairon, Tom Riddle, Morgoth, and other names in rapid procession. He tried to move, but his eyes flickered with the names. Eventually, he looked up, causing him to see a hooded robed figure behind a silvery mask. He looked down at the name on the two rings, but it was the same name: Braeda.

"It's not a him. It's a her," Merlin announced. Frodo nearly thought this was an obvious guess, but he was too startled to see the creature standing before him as she uncovered the mask to reveal a fairy face with crimson blue skin.


Fairy Realm, Fairy Tale Land – The Past, Years Earlier

"Soldiers, put your weapons down. I do not wish to harm you," Merlin warned.

"Then why is your wench carrying a sword?" one of the soldiers asked.

In one giant swing, Braeda flung the sword through the air. The effort caused the soldiers' heads to be chopped off by the sword, which returned to Braeda, bloodstained. The result of this ended up with her skin turning into a sickly pale crimson blue color. Her eyes also changed into crimson blue, much like her skin. Only her hair stayed the same chestnut brown color.

"Braeda, what have you done?" Merlin asked, shocked by all the bloodshed. "Stand down and give me the sword."

"You'll not strip me of my magic or my immortality!" Braeda swung her sword at the stone pillar. The flame vanished for a moment into the first ember, which she took before the flame engulfed the second. Not wanting anyone to have the ember, she put it inside her chest, where she hoped it would be kept safe. As for the sword, it reverted back into two rings, which she cast the ring in her hand on the ground, next to the second ring.

As for Merlin, he could hardly stand. His fast friend, who he was just getting to know, had fallen into the darkness. Moments after Braeda had sliced in half one of the soldier's helmets, and brandishing a black robe from the folds of her dark magic, Merlin grabbed the two rings before she could snatch them.


The Enchanted Forest, Fairy Tale Land – The Past, Weeks Before the Third Curse

"Braeda," was the first word the popped out of Frodo's mouth. There was tension in the air, and he knew it. The darkness was very strong with Braeda, but how to stop her…

"Yes. And you're the famous Frodo Baggins. How quaint." Braeda purred. She moved her hood back, revealing very pointed ears and her brown hair tied back into a ponytail. "To see the first Dark Lord with the newest Dark Lord, the Ring-bearer who helped defeat Sauron. News spreads fast in the Underworld."

"You knew about this?" Emma asked Merlin.

"Yes. I know who she is," Merlin replied.

Emma realized, "Of course, it makes sense. She destroyed the friend you love because she destroyed the person she used to be. You fell for two women."

"I fell and so did she, but I did not turn to the darkness, Emma," he said, gravely. "It was Braeda who slaughtered innocent lives when she became the Dark Lord."

Frodo looked at them at the same time as Braeda, only it was Braeda who continued speaking, "Hello Merlin. It's been a long time. Longer than Nimue, if I remember. And since she didn't kill you, then I will." As she jutted out a spell with her hand, Frodo did the same motion. Merlin was thrown to the ground. The hobbit man didn't know what to do.

"Don't do this. He's innocent," Frodo pleaded.

"I'm not doing this." Braeda told him, soothingly, "You are and it's wonderful, Frodo." The second Frodo had moved quickly over to Merlin, casting him into the air and choking him there, Braeda prodded the hobbit man further, "It's only a matter of giving into the darkness. And I know you have darkness in you, Frodo. Don't be afraid of letting go. Embrace the darkness for what it is."

"Frodo… I… believe… in… you…" Merlin sputtered. "Don't… listen. Defeat the… darkness."

"The darkness is inside you, Frodo," Braeda spat at Frodo, her words more worrisome. "Embrace it! Find a way to see that darkness is good."

Frodo snapped. He released Merlin then and there, telling Braeda, "The darkness doesn't own me. It never did. And you…" He moved the two rings close to his face, causing the names to switch fast from Braeda to Frodo and Mab. He told Braeda, moving her back towards the stone pillar, "…I will take that ember now." With a pull in the air from his hand, the ember spat out of Braeda's chest, right into his hand. He looked up at the dark fairy, feeling in control of himself now.

"This is not over, boy. You have the ember, but there's always more than one use for that ring sword. And you can find me in here." Braeda lightly touched her index finger to Frodo's forehead, before she vanished into the air. Frodo was alone now with Emma and Merlin, who recovered from the second attack on his life.

"You did it," Merlin told the hobbit man. "How does it feel? We have the embers now."

"Honestly," Frodo said, staring at the ember in his other hand, "I feel relieved." He placed the ember and the two rings inside his pouch, which was belted to his breeches. For once, he felt much lighter in spirit and in soul, as if the wounds were almost healed inside. And it felt good. He needed this, needed this moment to at last face the darkness inside of him. And he won. That was what mattered.

x-x-x

As they walked back to Granny's Diner, Frodo asked Merlin, seconds after Emma finished her part in the conversation: "What happened after Braeda became the Dark Lord? What did you do then?"

"Braeda took the first ember and placed it inside her chest. As for me, first I made sure one of the two rings didn't end up in her hands again. I tethered both rings to Braeda, using a tethering spell. I protected them until she found me. After Nimue turned me into a tree, Braeda hidden the first ring on the borders of the Fairy Realm. The second ring got away from her, entering Arda and into Morgoth's hands, until he passed it onto Sauron who learned Braeda's craft of forging rings," Merlin explained.

"Then it is crucial that we re-forge Wisp," Frodo guessed.

"Yes, it is," he answered.

"About Braeda," he added, "I felt something when she was near. She still loves you."

"Thank you. I needed to hear that," Merlin said, a small smile touching his face. Frodo said nothing further, knowing then that in spite of Braeda's twisted words, she did have feelings for Merlin. At least they could now see it.


Camelot – The Past, Years Earlier

As Merlin put the tethering spell on the rings, ensuring that Braeda wouldn't try anything, his apprentice asked him: "Merlin, what would have happened had you not met the fairies? Would they…"

"No, my boy. The fairies are good. It's just one bad fairy that we need to ensure doesn't harm anyone else." Merlin added last, "We'll be safe, for now."


The Enchanted Forest, Fairy Tale Land – The Past, Weeks Before the Third Curse

Frodo continued walking with Emma and Merlin until he and Emma got a little ahead. Behind them, there was a whoosh. Frodo looked around at the same time as Emma. Where had Merlin fled? He wouldn't have left them alone like this, not when they were so close to re-forging Excalibur and Wisp.


Cavernous Basement, Baggins House, Storybrooke, Maine – The Present

Frodo, with his curly hair still tied back and donned in all black clothing, looked at the two rings on the basin. The ring that previously had Mab's name on it was blank. How that had happened… he wouldn't reveal yet. Not until his plan was fulfilled. However, he couldn't keep the vision of Sauron from talking in his ear.

"What are you waiting for? Craft the weapon," Sauron hissed to him.

"Get out of my head," Frodo pleaded. He jumped back upon hearing another voice. He turned and looked as Braeda mysteriously appeared in the room.

"Sauron is such a dream, but I wanted to see this in action," she said, encouraged.

"What are you doing here?" Frodo asked, suspicious of her. "You tried to stop me last time."

"I did, but now I'm here." She added, as several Dark Lords appeared wearing black robes. "We all wanted to see this." Frodo felt the weight of darkness on his shoulders. The Dark Lords' presences were almost too much to handle, and yet his spirit was strong.

Moving the tinderbox from the ledge to the basin, Frodo took out the ember. Setting the ember down, he waved his hand at it. The reaction from the ember caused a spark to fly out of it, landing on a small stone ledge that burst into flame. Once the flame ball was in the air, Frodo placed the two rings into it. He released them seconds into the rings transforming into a leaf-like sword with a golden hilt. The flame absorbed into the sword.

Wisp was whole again. The weapon looked so beautiful. Frodo nearly touched the ring sword when realization struck him: "Merlin." A memory took him back to his childhood and in the weeks that were forgotten, where Merlin warned him about re-forging Wisp. "He didn't want me to do this."

"But you did, and now it's time to finish what we started." Braeda coaxed him, "Take the power. Embrace the darkness."

The whispers were very strong. Frodo had to hold his ground and keep his balance. And yet his hand grasped the sword's hilt from the air. Wisp was now his, and all that remained was finishing what he intended to do. His gaze fell on the Dark Lords, determination in his eyes.


What will happen next? As far as how the fairies came in our world, I'll leave that to interpretation, but mostly that's in the Lord's hands, not mine. I was just writing down what thoughts popped into my head. Now with the fairies' history, I found that on Wikipedia. Thanks for reading. :)