Once Upon a Time Again

by Zee-Zee Magee

A new curse plagues the citizens of Storybrooke. All of the children have gone missing and its up to Emma to once again save the town. But can she do it when the few possible casters are nowhere to be found? And how is she supposed to save so many when her only family is suffering more than just a few missing members? Perhaps the answers lie with the new strangers in town...

10. The Cave of Wonders

Storybrooke – Now

"Is he going to be okay?"

Odette was scared. Emma could tell that even if she wasn't privy to the fear written plainly on her olive face. She was almost ghostly white the girl's color was so drained. The sheriff had to grab her arm to keep it from shaking.

"He'll be fine," she said.

Emma really hoped it wasn't a lie.

"Someone get me his b. p. stat!" Dr. Whale cried, "His h. r. is a thin line and I know one unhappy mayor who will not be pleased if she wakes and he died!"

The shouts continued to echo about the hospital. Dr. Whale ordered his nurses around, plugging in as many tubes and I.V.'s as possible. He even had a stream of blood bags at the ready should he need an endless supply.

"Pressure's dropping," one of the nurses said.

"Let's get him into operation now," Whale ordered.

His eyes turned to Emma. There was concern on his features. He went forward while his staff disappeared behind double doors. His kind blue eyes took in the trembling girl at her side before quickly moving back to her.

"Do you know how long he's been down there?" he asked.

Emma shook her head. She recounted what they knew and pointed her chin in the patient's direction. Dr. Whale somehow found reason to smile at that.

"He's suffering from hypothermia," Whale said, "I'll know more soon but I needed to be certain there's nothing magical going on with his symptoms."

Odette seemed to take that as a personal challenge.

"What do you mean nothing magical?" She hissed, "It's Rothbart's stupid curse that's doing this to him. What's not magical about that?"

"You should go," Emma said.

She then quickly grabbed the girl by the shoulders and forced her to look face to face. Odette's blue eyes were lined with red now. Her bottom lip trembled. A few front teeth popped out to keep the quivering at bay.

"Listen to me," Emma said, "Robin Hood has defeated death itself. Nothing's going to keep him from his family but I need to know everything you can tell me about the curse."

"I've already tried-" the girl argued.

Emma shook her head. She tried to find a reason to smile. She bit down on her own worry and focused on the young woman before her. The sheriff couldn't help but see her mother Snow White all over the girl's features. Maybe Killian's theory was right.

"Not like that," she said, "Dr. Whale's a great doctor. Robin's in good hands but the only way we can really help him is to reunite him with his true love."

The girl's features switched from fear to confusion. A deep 'v' appeared in forehead. Her raven hair slowly swished from side to side. Her shoulders straightened up and determination took over.

"The queen," she said, "You want me to find the queen?"

Emma smiled and nodded. She quickly pulled out her phone and dialed her father's number. The line took forever to connect. Three rings waved through the speaker before a voice filtered in. David Nolan's voicemail answered the phone.

The sheriff hung up the phone and dialed again. After the fifth refusal to answer she began to get frustrated. Her call to Killian went straight through.

"Where's my dad?" She growled.

Killian's voice was very calming as he spoke.

"You're never gonna believe this, love," he said.

Emma frowned.

"What?" She asked.

"We're talking to your mother right now."

---

Storybrooke – Earlier that Day

David Nolan watched Ryder Wood in amusement. The thief was pretty lazy. He just laid on the cot, staring at the ceiling. His brown eyes were blank as they observed every inch of tile in his cell. After a while the sheriff could make out soft mutterings that sounded suspiciously like numbers. Finally, the thief spoke as if answering a conundrum that astounded everyone in Storybrooke.

"There are 142 tiles on this room's ceiling," he said, "which means that there are 50,552 tiles all over this building. And if the other buildings in the area match the station, I'd wager that would mean there are 303,312 tiles in the business section of Storybrooke. This is not accounting for multiple floors or town hall which is made with…"

David stopped listening when the thief continued to mutter on. He could barely keep his blue eyes from rolling to the back of his head. It was quite tiresome, keeping up with the thief. He could barely tolerate murderers on the best of days, but this one had killed someone he viewed as a friend.

Of course the thief decided to invade even that tiny reprieve.

"Stupid curse" and words like "stupid uncles" and "ridiculous ideals" fell away from the thief's random muttering. Even a few choice expletives left his moving lips followed quickly by either "magic" or "curse". Nothing the thief said made sense. Nothing uttered spoke kindly either.

"I hate Rothbart," the thief huffed.

David frowned.

"Who's Rothbart?" He asked.

The thief jumped as if hit. He scrambled to his feet in a breathless wonder. His hands wrapped around his cell bars, knuckles turning white from great force. His nose slammed in between the bars until his eager features turned on the sheriff at the desk before him.

"You heard that?" He asked.

David rolled his eyes. The thief was messing with him now. The sheriff muttered a few choice words of his own before opening his paper and pointedly ignoring the other man.

"Dammit David, look at me!"

The sheriff obeyed. He turned to look at the thief whose brown curls were flopping up and down. He pivoted on his toes the way a toddler unable to see would. Then the thief smiled when he realized his audience was captive once more.

"Did you hear me?" He asked, "About Rothbart and the curse?"

David frowned again.

"What curse?"

The thief took a deep breath, seemingly ready to regale his tale of whatever curse he thought was going on. David even saw his lips move downward to deliver it too. But the sheriff never heard the words, nor could he if he truly wanted to. Instead his attention was perfectly averted to the buzzing cell phone in his top desk drawer.

He removed the buzzing thing. He held it up to his face to better read the image on the screen. His blue eyes widened and his heart filled with glee. The message read:

Meet me in the loft. Urgent!

His heart began to race. His palms filled with sweat. His legs were already pushing him out of the seat before he could even think of anything else.

She's here.

Mary-Margaret Blanchard-Nolan was here. She had finally sent him a text, some form of communication she never delivered before. She wanted him to meet her at the loft and her husband would never deny her that. There were so many questions. So many things they needed to discuss.

Was Neal with her? Are they alright? What happened? Was she in danger still?

"Where the Hell are you going?"

David stopped cold. His eyes snapped shut before opening again. He pivoted away from the coat rack he apparently moved to and stared hard at his prisoner.

"Don't move," he ordered.

He quickly debated the thief's quick intellect and decided supervision was better than letting loose a potential murdering fiend. Besides, his daughter would gladly cut him limb to limb if Ryder Wood escaped under his watch. It was no trouble at all to press the image of Emma Swan and make the call.

She picked up on the first ring exactly as predicted.

"What's wrong?"

Her voice sounded panicked. There was a hint of tears too. Fatherly concern battled for dominance against husband's excitement. One deep breath in and he was able to speak.

"Caught a lead that needs looking into," he said, "How soon can you send someone to watch Wood?"

A giant sigh was his only reply. The sound of scuffling implied Emma put the phone down away from her face. The distant murmuring of voices converged into a full on argument of necessity. Someone new said something about breaking the curse while Killian Jones snarled an ugly reply of, "we don't even know if you're telling the truth." The argument continued on and on until an agreement was made.

"I'm sending Killian your way now," Emma said.

David sighed in relief and waited.

---

Storybrooke – Then

"I'm tired of waiting!"

The outlaw's explosion was inevitable. Robin had barely been able to contain his rage since Regina's disappearance and their failed mission definitely wasn't helping matters. So Snow White was less than surprised when Robin ignored the helpful shouts and instead continued to waltz out the door in search of his true love.

Snow had to fight her own instincts to chase after him. She could see simply by the set of his shoulders that tension continued to bristle in every bone. Instead she chose to focus her attention on the two unhappy boys the outlaw left behind.

But her vision was filled with green.

Emma's green eyes kept darting from the outlaw to the boys and back to her. Her hands began twisting and turning at her hips. Her stance shifted from side to side. She kept darting heartbroken glances Henry's way before turning towards her mother with guilt on her features.

Snow smiled despite herself and everything else. Even when her daughter wanted nothing more than to wallow in pain, she wanted to help her friends more. A great swell of pride enveloped her heart. Understanding soon dawned on the savior's features.

"Go," Snow ordered, "You're the only one who can help him now. I've got the boys."

Emma left like a bullet from a gun. Her booted feet clambered past her father and lover to the very outlaw who could set Storybrooke on fire. Snow gave both the prince and the pirate stern looks. She tilted her head to their boots, still caked in mud. Without a word uttered she pointed to Little John and motioned all three men away from the foyer.

She was left alone with the children. Snow White turned around and felt her heart break at the image before her. Little Roland had tears streaming from his eyes. His tiny face stayed firm on the ground. His little arms pounded against the white marble, his little feet flailing in the air.

"P-p-papa's gone," he cried, "N-n-no m-ma-majesty. I want m-ma-majesty, H-h-henry!"

The teenaged author looked no better than his little brother. Tears glistened in his brown eyes as he struggled to comfort the little boy on the floor. His right hand rubbed soothing circles in the preschooler's back while his left wrist kept swiping at his eyes.

It appeared he was losing the battle against his impending breakdown as well.

"Enough of that," Snow said.

She calmly went to her knees and scooped the trembling toddler into her arms. She rocked the crying boy back and forth as she mussed her grandson's hair. She watched as he leaned into the comfort of her hand without his familiar teenaged scowls. Her left hand fell to his chin and gently forced two pairs of brown eyes to look at her.

"You mustn't give up hope," she said, "You both know Regina… your mother is many things but weak isn't one of them. She's the strongest person I've ever met…"

"Really?" Roland interrupted with tiny sniffles, "but you and Uncle David have fought dragons!"

"And who saved you from a flying monkey?" Snow asked.

She tickled the little boy and found a small grin appearing on his features. Even Henry was giving her a tiny grin. But the light bubble of laughter never came. Roland's face, like his older brother's, fell far too quickly.

"Papa left," Roland said, "Majesty's in trouble and…"

"And he left to go get her," Snow replied.

She watched as tearful brown eyes blew wide with wonder. A small smile appeared on the young boy's face. His chubby cheeks dimpled as a small chuckle issued forth from his lips. He slammed his tiny hands against his treacherous lips. But the giggles continued to go on and on until they faded away into more tears of despair.

"It's alright," Snow promised, "Your Papa is going to bring Regina home and everything will be alright."

"I wouldn't be so certain of that."

Snow watched as swirls of green smoke parted. Red hair and ivory skin displayed something akin fear. The woman before her wore a simple black outfit, dressed as if for a funeral with her clothing's fine elegance. It had the princess' heart faltering.

"Zelena!"

Henry spit his aunt's name in disdain. He stood to his full height, body perfectly poised to hide away little Roland from view. The young author and twin hands barreled into fists at his side. His growing body shook with rage. His face was even pinched into an image reminiscent of a bomb about to explode.

"What are you doing here?" He asked.

"He's going to kill her," Zelena said, "Rothbart thinks Regina will drink the water when she's desperate enough but he doesn't know her. She's too stubborn. She's going to die before she ever enslaves herself to another marriage without love. You have to save her!"

Snow felt her blood run cold. Her whole world began to spin. She stepped up to push Henry and Roland behind her, fighting against the nausea of the witch's words. She raised her chin up high to defiantly gaze at the woman who betrayed them all.

"What are you talking about Zelena?" She asked.

The witch didn't even hide her fear. She latched both arms onto the princess and shook her with everything she had. There was a slight trace of tears on her ivory cheeks. Her pale green eyes were even reddened.

"He's not going to stop til he has her!" she said, "My little sister isn't just a pawn to him. She's the endgame! I can't let him hurt her."

Snow was confused. This woman had done so much damage to their family. She had caused nothing but destruction upon them all simply because her mother didn't choose to ruin her life. She had no right to be upset over Regina's imprisonment. She assisted in it.

"Why should we trust you?" Henry screamed, "You put her there to begin with!"

"He wasn't supposed to hurt her!" Zelena said, "He was supposed to be so obsessed that he didn't see the double cross. I had him on the hook and now he wants to poison, Robin Hood!"

"He wants to what?" Henry said, "How could you let this happen?"

"Zelena, where is she?" Snow asked, "We can't save Regina if we don't know where she is."

"The Cave of Wonders," the witch said, "That's why I came to you. Henry can enter."

She nearly went into a panic at their twin looks of disbelief.

"He has the heart of the truest believer," she said, "and he's the author. The cave has to let him enter no matter what. And you have to go with him. Bring whomever you can but you have to do it quickly. Rothbart is only going to be distracted by that thief for so long. You have to hurry."

"Okay," Snow replied, "but what is he planning to do to Robin? We have to give him some sort of warning…"

"No time, you idiot!" Zelena shouted, "My sister's about to die! I've tried everything. Who cares about a sleeping curse when my little sister is about to drink the bloody poisoned water!"

And with that she left. There was no explanation, no cause for her sudden change of heart. The witch merely disappeared in a puff of green smoke as if that solved everything.

A soft light wail filled the room. Snow White silently swore at the witch and calmly turned around. Roland was already engulfed in Henry's arms. The little boy had tears oozing from his eyes and snot dripping down his nose.

"What do we do?" Henry asked.

The princess was saddened to see her grandson on the brink of tears as well. The teenaged author was barely holding it together. His bottom lip trembled violently. His tight grip on young Roland kept loosening against his will. Thick crocodile tears seemed to be flowing down his cheeks without his permission.

He was barely hanging on at all. And Roland fared no better, the young boy had his face buried in the teen's shoulder and refused to escape. He wouldn't even budge when Will Scarlet entered the mayor's mansion. The knave of hearts tried to pull the boy away only to receive a bigger wail in reply.

Roland gripped Henry tighter. Henry fought to hold onto the crying little one with all his might. And a new set of wails filled the air, a signal that Cora was now aware of the madness within. Snow White turned a desperate look Will Scarlet's way. There was only one thing left to do.

"Get the dwarves," she said, "We have work to do."

---

Storybrooke – Now

Killian Jones took too long. The thief had already tried to explain his innocence five different ways. He even gave suggestions on who it could possibly be. David refused to listen to the garbage he spewed. Instead he focused on the ticking clock on the station wall.

At twenty minutes past eleven exactly, the deputy appeared.

"Apologies," he said, "Dodging traffic from the docks was a bloody nightmare."

David didn't give the man time to explain. He simply exited the door in rhythm with his deputy's arrival. Killian even called out after him, a question of his destination and an echo of the thief locked away. But the other sheriff had plans and nothing would stand in his way.

The journey home was ridiculously perilous. He was a poor display of a sheriff breaking countless laws to get home in time. He barely waited for his gears to shift into park before he cut the engine and barged from his cherry red truck. His feet stumbled as they slammed into concrete sidewalk.

His keys wouldn't cooperate. Getting into the apartment complex proved almost too difficult a task. Then some blessed soul opened the door and barreled over while he raced to the stairs. He fell up them several times in his careless need to get there. It was almost with relief when he made it to their floor opened their door and his vision became flooded with her.

She was pacing the floor. Her hair was still in that stubborn short bob. She was wearing her favorite pink cardigan. Her gray slacks dissolved into a pair of heeled boots. Her right hand kept twirling her necklace between her fingers.

And Mary-Margaret had never looked so beautiful.

"Mary-Margaret," David called.

His wife barely had time to turn around. He enveloped her into his arms without a moment of hesitation. Hot tears prickled the backs of his eyes. Her familiar honey scent filled his nostrils from every angle. His nose found home in her neck and refused to be swayed away.

"David," she said.

He pulled away first. He couldn't believe the look of confusion in her green eyes. A slight 'v' formed on her forehead. His thumbs couldn't help but move to her cheeks and caress her soft porcelain skin.

"You're back," he said.

Her frown deepened.

"Back?" She asked, "Where did I go?"

David's jaw fell open. Worry began to pulse up and down his spine. His hands fell away to grip her shoulders, cementing her reappearance in his life.

"Did Regina do something to me?"

David's heart stopped. His wife's green eyes filled with so much pain and horror. Her bottom lip trembled slightly. She leaned closer to him watching for signs of knowledge.

"What?" He asked.

"I killed her mother, Charming," Mary-Margaret said, "She already stole the beans. She's going to want some form of retribution. And from the surprised look on your face I'd say she got it."

David shook his head. He stepped away from his missing wife and tried to get a handle on his own emotions. His heart raced in alarm of her statement. He could feel his breath coming in short spurts. He closed his eyes and tried to get his breathing under control.

"David, what's going on?"

The sheriff snapped out of his despair immediately. His blue eyes turned to his wife and a smile slammed onto his features. He quickly grabbed her cheeks again, smoothing the 'v' out of her forehead. Then he pressed his head to hers and gazed into her eyes.

"What do you remember?" He asked, "Where were you?"

Mary-Margaret blinked. Her eyelids fluttered open and closed around those wonderful green eyes of hers. Thoughts swirled about her head until she finally answered.

"I don't know," she said, "I just woke up in the woods with no idea how I got there. Sent you a text and came straight home. I figured you would know what's going on."

David shook his head. He struggled with the anguish of explaining his side of things. He felt as though all energy was draining from his very soul. But he had to tell her. He pushed down on the fear and the overwhelming pain of breaking her heart to speak.

"Neal's missing."

Her reaction was not as expected. Her green eyes just blinked blankly. She pulled away from his embrace, 'v' deepening on her brow. Then something clicked and she gasped.

"Neal Cassidy?" She asked, "Henry's father is missing? How? He's the son of Rumpelstiltskin who would dare take him?"

David's heart sank. He closed his eyes against the impending headache. He stepped back to gain some form of control in his world. A deep breath in and a long slow breath out he finally spoke.

"Mary-Margaret," he said, "What's the last thing you remember?"

---

Storybrooke – Then

"So the wicked witch just poofed in here and told you where they're hiding the queen?" Grumpy asked, "And you believed her. How are we supposed to trust what she has to say? It could be a trap."

There were six sets of nods in agreement. Each of the seven dwarves were armed with their pickaxes. A couple fairies had even arrived to assist in watching over the children. Unfortunately both Henry and Roland protested being left out of anything. Henry, being a teenager and the author, made all arguments for his dismissal obsolete. But young Roland, a preschooler raised by a former Evil Queen and thieves, was easily met with resistance.

So the boy took a page from Regina's books and refused to listen. He barged into the queen's office and sat himself down on his favorite chair. He gave each adult a steady glare and refused to budge from his seat. He won if only because he wasn't discovered until it was already too late.

"We don't," Prince Charming sighed, "but what other choice do we have?"

He pointed to the map laid out before them. It was a crude drawing of everything they knew about Storybrooke. Roland, with his crayons drawn for war, was key in pointing out many problems with the map. If not for him none of them would know about the eighteen different brooks that flowed into Storybrooke's river.

"But where's the Cave of Wonders?" Snow asked, "She disappeared before I could even get a location."

"And why the sudden change of heart?" Happy asked, "Correct me if I'm wrong but Zelena tried to kill Regina through Robin not even a week ago. Why is she suddenly worried about if she lives or dies?"

"That's what I'm wondering," Charming agreed, "but we'll have to figure that out at another time. Right now we have to find the Cave of Wonders. You guys know every inch of the mines. Is there a possible place where they could be… a place we haven't thought to look yet."

Dopey, with his eyes wide and his face absorbed by a giant radiant smile, turned towards Doc and quickly whispered in his ear. There was a slight giggle emanating from his direction before he was quickly brought back to task. He slammed his left hand on the map repeatedly until Doc finally rolled his eyes and observed.

"Dopey says the waterfall but that's impossible," Doc said, "We've been over there a hundred times and there's never been a sign of anything magical or otherwise… Which for Storybrooke is kind of odd."

The grey haired dwarf chuckled to a round of stares. Even little Roland gave him a judging look. Brown eyes and those familiar divots were turned into an impressive growl that mimicked the queen impeccably. Henry's smile then seemed to take on Robin's cheeky smug grin without a second thought.

Snow noticed how the tension in the room was beginning to turn from friendly to hostile. She quickly pointed to the waterfall on the map and turned to Roland's expressive gaze. The preschooler may not have been familiar with his own expertise, but he was always more than willing to help however he could.

"Roland," she said, "What's around the waterfall? Did your Papa show you?"

The boy, naturally, shook his head to the negative. He turned his crayons towards the direction of the woods. He traced his blue crayon around the waterfall before mumbling quietly to himself. A row of green suddenly appeared and a finger met his lips.

"Shh," he said, "It's mine and Majesty's secret."

This perked Henry's interest. The teenager stepped forward to better gaze at the map and the area the young one pointed to. His finger traced over the marked spot. He took note of the growing array of trees Roland seemed motivated to draw.

"Roland," the author said, "What kind of trees are these? Are these the big trees Mom says you're not allowed to climb or the ones that I'm allowed to help you with?"

The boy shook his head again. He pointed to the green trees and giggled a bit. Then he started coloring more trees onto the map surrounding the waterfall.

"Not either," he said, "They're the trees Papa says that give us sweet sap for eating. Majesty says we can only have a little on our pancakes cuz we're-"

"Already too full of sugar," Henry grinned, "Okay so they're Maple trees, right? Mom calls it her secret spot because it has a perfect rock for reading."

"She told you the secret too!" Roland cheered, "Did she show you her rock? The magic rock?"

"Magic Rock?" Charming turned towards her with a look of confusion.

Snow bit down on her lip to keep from laughing. The boys were in their own little world and the dwarves were horrified to witness it. All eight men in the room looked absolutely flabbergasted at the idea of a secret shared between the former Evil Queen and her children. Grumpy even had to bite back a smile at Roland's next words.

"The magic rock hides the stairs where she takes me for naptime when we're out too long," he said, "she says it has a special spell over it so nobody can hurt me. She puts me there when Papa is super worried. We discovered it together."

"That's it," Snow said, "The Cave of Wonders has to be there."

"But it was Regina's spell that affected it," Sneezy said, "Wouldn't it… wouldn't… achoo! Wouldn't it make sense that she'd be able to get out of it."

"Not if Rothbart released the Cave of Wonders into it," one of the fairies said, "Rothbart's magic is far more powerful than anything we've ever encountered. He would be able to corrupt the queen's magic for his own purpose."

Snow was surprised to hear so many words coming out of Nova's pink lips. It had been a long time since she saw the fairy. In fact, the curse had yet to be broken when last they met. She was surprised that Grumpy and Nova were even in the same room. Neither had been able to so much as gaze longingly towards the other since the curse broke all those years ago.

The princess silently wondered when they were allowed to be together instead of apart.

"So we go there," Charming said, "We find Regina and we bring the fight to Rothbart."

"It's called the cave of Wonders," Grumpy said, "I'm no dummy. I know full well that anything behind those rock walls could be some of the most powerful magic of all."

"And according to Aladdin only a certain person can enter," Happy pointed out, "We may not be able to get in once we find it."

"That's just a chance we have to take," Snow said, "Because we have a lot of lives at stake if we don't stop him now. Charming, go to Robin's camp and prepare the men. Whatever Rothbart has planned isn't going to wait very long. Grumpy, you and the dwarves will be with me. Nova…"

"Don't worry Princess," the fairy said, "Fawn and I will take good care of the little ones. Blue even put a protection spell on the house so we can call her if we need her. Roland and the baby will be fine."

At this Henry turned towards his grandmother with a look of absolute confusion. He pulled Roland tight to his hip and gave her a very impressive growl. Then his fingers sifted through the young boy's curls in possessive need for comfort.

"What about me?" He asked, "What do you want me to do?"

"Oh you're coming with me," Snow said, "I need you to get us in there."

---

Storybrooke – Now

Her reaction was that of more confusion. She gave him a reply, a brief explanation of the events as she remembered. The beans were scorched. Neal was engaged to some woman. A stranger was in Storybrooke. Belle had regressed to memories of her cursed life.

"And Regina is trying to destroy us," she finished.

David sighed. Her story correlated perfectly with Regina's. His wife too had memories of only the year the curse was broken and no more. She too was unaware of Neverland or her rekindled friendship with Regina. She only knew The Evil Queen and…

David smiled. Then that smile twisted and turned into a riotous laugh. His belly chuckled with the force of wonderful emotion erupting out of his lips. His wife gave him a look of concern.

"Why are you laughing?" She asked.

"Because," he said, "you were with Regina when this all began."

His wife's frown once again deepened. Her bottom lip puckered in confusion. Her hands went to her hips. She shook her head and tried to make sense of it all.

"What are you talking about?" She asked, "David, you're scaring me. Are you alright? You didn't hit your head, did you? You were saying something about Neal missing… what was that about?"

"Neal is our son," David replied, "and you don't remember him."

Mary-Margaret blinked.

"We don't have a son, David," she said, "I would remember if I had a son. And why would I name him after Henry's father? If anything I would name him Leopold or something equally d… um, important."

"But we do," he said, "And we decided to name him Neal when Henry's father sacrificed himself for the rest of us."

"Sacrificed himself," Mary-Margaret said, "What do you mean sacrificed? Is… is he dead?"

David nodded. His wife simply gasped. Her hands went to her lips and tears sprang to her green eyes. Her right hand fell to her heart when next she spoke.

"Poor Henry," she said, "Is he alright?"

"It was a long time ago," David said, "He's forgiven Zelena for her role in his death."

"Zelena?" Mary-Margaret gaped, "David, who the hell is Zelena? And where is Henry? Emma… is Emma alright? I know she loved him but…"

"Emma's fine," David smiled, "She's with Hook now. Zelena is… well, she's the wicked witch-"

"The wicked witch? Like of the west? As in green skin and broom stick?"

David shrugged and nodded.

"Well not anymore now that she's no longer jealous of her sister…"

"Her sister?" Mary-Margaret's cheeks grew red with her fluster, "The witch of the east is real too?"

David's stomach dropped. He felt his hands grow sweaty in anticipation. His mind buzzed with the pros and cons of so much information being displayed. He shrugged his shoulders and dived right on in with the terrible news.

"Zelena is Cora's eldest daughter," he said, "and Regina's long lost sister."

His wife's reaction was surprisingly predictable now. Her green eyes blew wide with horror. She bit her bottom lip. She bowed her head in deep concentration. Then her head popped up and she delivered two narrowed green eyes in his direction.

"Regina has a sister who also happens to be the wicked witch of the west," she said, "and she killed Henry's birth father and Rumpelstiltskin didn't kill her in retaliation?"

David nodded again.

"Well then where's Henry and Emma?" She asked, "I don't see their stuff anywhere. What's going on? They're not in trouble are they?"

David winced.

"I think you need to sit down for this."

An eyebrow hoisted high into the hairline was his only reply.

---

Storybrooke – Then

David was off as soon as Snow gave him the order. The dwarves were packed and ready to go in half that time. All it took was a simple negotiation with Roland, a promise to return with his big brother and the queen all before the day is done.

It was a struggle after that.

Finding the waterfall proved more difficult a task than originally anticipated. Knowing the town as well as he did, Henry was able to remember the trail that led to it but when it came to the actual moment for wandering off the beaten track the teen couldn't remember. Snow tried to bring comfort whenever possible but she knew how frustrated the young author was growing.

It didn't help that the dwarves had comments of their own.

"How much further?" Happy always asked, "Are we bringing the right equipment?"

"I'm al-all-allerg-achoo! Allergic to that," Sneezy always said.

"Do you think we can take a moment to rest?" Doc couldn't help but say.

Then Dopey would get lost so they would have to once again go in search of the meandering dwarf. Snow could tell it was getting on Henry's last nerves. It was even getting on her nerves and she was used to the constant questions and banter.

Bashful was always the one who seemed most put out with the constant traveling.

"Are-are-are there g-g-gonna be any t-t-terrible m-m-m-mmm-monsters?" He would always ask.

Finally Henry had had enough.

"That's it!" He cried, "I'm calling mom and Robin and the rest of you can go home!"

"Henry," Snow admonished.

She was going to say more. She even opened her mouth to say something filled with hope she was certain would have her grandson rolling his eyes exactly like both of his mothers. But her voice failed her when she looked into his eyes. His soulful amber brown eyes were sparkling with unshed tears again. His face was nearing a radish shade of red. It wouldn't be long before he exploded under pressure exactly as Robin had.

"I think it's time for a break," she said.

The dwarves whistled in agreement only too happy to relieve themselves of their weapons and loads. Grumpy even monitored their water intake. His left hand unconsciously pushed back the few bottles of water they brought for the queen. He supervised the dwarves and gave her a careful nod in the teen's direction.

Snow smiled gratefully.

She turned towards her fuming grandson only to find Henry stubbornly walking forward. She quickly latched onto his shoulders and pulled him back before he could wander too far away. The author struggled for all that he was worth but his strength was still nothing compared to Snow's. The princess had never been more grateful for her time as a bandit than that very moment.

"Henry," she said softly, "It will be alright."

"It won't," the teen replied, "She's going to die and it's because of me."

Snow frowned. She could remember several cases where Henry had been in similar or worse situations. Never once had he blamed himself in any of those. He was always full of belief that good would win in the end that their family would always find each other.

Now he was a sullen mess of teenaged hormones. His hands were now permanently held in fists. His amber gaze was murderous at best. He kept sucking away at that trembling bottom lip, hoping to dispel his clear need to cry.

So the princess pulled her grandson into a tight hug and refused to let ago until she felt him relax. She rubbed soothing circles into his back, whispering words of love and hope. Then she gently rocked back and forth in time with the soft warm breeze flittering through the trees. If she closed her eyes she could almost smell the Enchanted Forest once more.

But Snow White was not in her native land nor was she allowed the privilege of getting side track.

"Regina's not going to die," she said, "Not even Hades could do it and he's the God of Death. What makes you think you're so special?"

"I can't remember," Henry said, "and it's my fault."

His bottom lip trembled again but he bravely batted the feelings away. He looked away for a moment huffing and puffing his ever growing chest. He looked so much like his adoptive mother then. It made Snow laugh. She could almost perfectly remember anytime her father pointed out those same traits blooming in her.

"I know exactly where she took Roland," Henry said, "but I can't remember how to get there because I haven't been back there since Emma broke that stupid curse!"

Snow blinked. Her grandson had never before displayed such a desire to return to before the curse was broken. He was the only reason she and Charming were reunited, the only reason Emma knew who she truly was. If it wasn't for his desire to break the curse and save everyone in Storybrooke, half their family tree wouldn't be together as it was.

"And now Mom's going to die all because I didn't believe she loved me," Henry finished in despair.

He couldn't stop the tears now. Even at sixteen years old he was still too young to go through something so horrific. For Henry this was the first time he ever truly faced the prospect of never having his mom, the woman who raised him from baby to young man, leave him behind for good. His belief was running low and his hope was practically gone.

Snow quickly reached out to wipe the tears away from his chiseling cheeks. She made certain he met her eye for eye and gave him a big goofy grin. She watched his forehead crinkled into a deep 'v'.

"This is not your fault, Henry," she said, "We've all made costly mistakes in regards to Rothbart. And you know from your book that Charming and I have faced far dire situations than this and still made it on top. Your mother is going to be fine."

He opened his mouth to argue but she was quick to interrupt.

"You and I both know your mother," she said, "She's too stubborn to let something simple as lack of water or confinement bring her down. She's a survivor and we shouldn't lose hope so easily. We'll find her and do you want to know why?"

The teen nodded eager for anything to restore his belief and bring back hope.

"Because we have you," she said, "and you have the heart of the truest believer. Without you none of us would even stand a chance."

A gentle smile began to creep its way onto the young teen's face. Henry Mills burst into an unexpected giggle and quickly moved to cover it up. When the giggle refused to be tamed he unleashed with a big huff of air. He nodded his head and quickly moved to repack his stuff.

Snow moved away to take her own break. She too had been consumed with worry and frustration on their journey. She wasn't used to following and she certainly hated waiting. It was always her biggest flaw, her lack of patience on things that truly mattered. So she grabbed her canteen and kindly ignored that prickling in the back of her spine, the fear that they were already too late and Rothbart had won.

"I found it!" Henry screamed.

The princess had no more than turned around before she watched the teenaged author disappear in the tree line. She was quick to follow without a second thought. She was vaguely aware of her pack still laying on the path but she didn't care. Henry was running and she could barely keep up.

She followed the teen behind a heap of bushes of various shapes and colors. Some were blood red and snatched away at her elbows while others were the familiar ferns that barely snagged her ankles. Tree branches rushed to pull at her hair and scratch at her face. Still Snow White refused to stop.

Henry was in a hurry. He turned around corners in a seemingly random path. The foliage that wasn't overgrown showed no path or source of worn travel. Sometimes a few small boulders stuck out from the ground and forced the princess to watch her step a bit more mindful.

Then just as suddenly as it began so too did it stop. No trees stood in the way. No bushes or brambles hindered the foot. There were only rocks. Rocks strewn about in various shapes and sizes in a path perfectly parallel to the one they'd been traveling all along.

"It's the old riverbed," Henry said, "That's why I couldn't remember. I just needed to stop and study the trees. Look… Maple leaves."

It was true. Snow couldn't help the bubble of laughter from exploding from her throat at the image. Five pointed leaves in the shape only identifiable to a maple tree were strewn all about. They were hanging from the branches of the trees they belonged and lining the riverbed as if planted there by a professional. Their gentle shade hovered over the riverbed and stretched to reveal its intended path.

And the sound of distant running water.

Snow and Henry shared twin smiles. They quickly rushed towards the source of their hopes and dreams. The light pattering of heavy footsteps told Snow White that the dwarves were already hot on their tail. It wouldn't be long until they found…

"There!" Henry called.

The teen was already pointing as he climbed towards slightly softer land. Snow struggled to keep up stunned to find a magnificent water feature trickling down from a bridge of rock and tree. Strange white flowers with a silvery glow lined the banks while giant white and orange coy fish swam to and fro.

Moss covered every tree around them. The grass even appeared much greener and full of life here. Birds were singing. It was as though light magic lived within the falls themselves.

Henry rushed towards the flowing water, his hand eagerly shooting out to feel the cool droplets on his skin. He carefully twisted and turned his fingertips in the water. A loud boom of laughter shot from his lips.

Relief filled Snow White's heart. She couldn't help but smile at the joy on her grandson's features. A loud pounding of feet filled her ears. She raised her left hand to keep the dwarves from disturbing this moment of bliss. The teen deserved a moment to remember happier times.

"Hey," Henry said, "I don't remember this."

Snow took the invitation as was. She raced forward and peered over the author's shoulder. Imprinted among the stone of the falls was the image of a lion, a lion reared for battle.

"That's just like Robin's," Henry said.

Before Snow could even dare stop him the teen was already touching the image etched in stone. A blast of hot air sent them both falling backwards. The waterfall parted ways. The coy disappeared from their happy swimming. Then the rock began to shape and mold itself into something new and completely different.

A face began to form. Eyes filled with white light grew into giant saucers. A nose grew into a great, terrifying muzzle. Teeth the size of a full grown man popped out of a rocky jaw. Two round ears turned the face into the very image of some giant cat. The moss turned and twisted until the cat became the head of a lion, mouth opened wide to devour its prey.

"Who dares disturb my slumber?" It said.

---

Storybrooke – Now

"What do you mean Henry's missing?"

As far as reactions go, David was pleased to note his wife's wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been.

"What have you been doing all this time?" Mary-Margaret snarled, "We need to form a search party. He could be hurt or worse and we'll never know. Do we even know where he was when he went missing?"

The questions continued on and on. There was no break, only hysteria. Mary-Margaret was anything but calm. Her arms flittered up and down in the air. Her lips raced a mile a minute. Her feet paced the length of the loft again and again. There was no pause, no moment to breathe and take it all in.

There was only panic.

"What if he's hurt, David?" She asked, "What if he's out there alone and broken and believing we don't love him enough to find him?"

David stopped her there. He latched onto her floundering fingertips and brought them to rest on his steady, beating heart. His blue eyes peered deep within her green glassy gaze. His forehead touched hers and the world fell away for a bit.

"No," he said, "Don't ever think that. Henry is the Truest Believer. He knows we're searching for him and he's probably telling stories to his uncle and siblings about how hard their family is looking for them. Robin's keeping them safe, I swear it."

"Siblings?"

David breathed a heavy sigh. He had forgotten. For a moment during his wife's panic he focused on her and not on the facts. She, like Regina, had no memory of the last few years. She had no idea about the mayor's redemption nor the deputy's. Mary-Margaret had no idea about Robin Hood.

"Roland and Cora," the sheriff said.

Mary-Margaret's green eyes blinked furiously. She stepped back, mouth agape. Her right hand flew from her lip to her heart and back again. She frowned in confusion before uttering more words.

"Cora," she said, "as in…"

"Regina's mother," David nodded, "Regina picked it because it had meaning to Zelena and she figured it would bring her hope to change."

"Change?" Mary-Margaret asked, "Hope? What are you talking about? Why would Regina care about the names of Emma's children?"

David bit his lip to keep from cursing. The battle was swiftly lost when he saw the concerned gaze in his wife's eyes. A soft gasp of alarm issued from her lips and her thoughts voiced themselves before anything could prevent it.

"Is Emma dead?" She asked, "Is that why Regina would care? Why would we even trust her with our grandchildren, David?"

"She's not dead," David said, "Emma's not dead. She's actually trying to find Henry right now."

"David, what's going on?" Mary-Margaret whispered, "What aren't you telling me?"

The hopelessness in her voice sent shivers down his spine. The sheriff could feel the very blood in his veins freeze with her despair. He quickly put his palm on her beautiful face, an act of soothing bravery to the tumultuous storm within. He took a moment to breathe her in.

"Regina's true love Robin Hood is missing with their children Roland and Cora," he said.

Mary-Margaret's eyes grew wide in fright. A gasp issued forth from her lips. A wavering hand zoomed up to stifle the sound. Tears glistened in her wonderful green eyes. Her mouth closed and her throat bobbed with her swallowing emotions.

"That's impossible," she said, "Regina can't have children."

David nodded.

"She adopted Roland and Cora shortly after Robin came back."

"Came back?" She gasped, "Came back from where?"

David hedged on the details. How did one explain traveling from eternal non-existence into the land of the living? That whole soulmate thing really was confusing.

"It's… complicated," he said.

Her left eyebrow shot to the hairline once more. She opened her mouth to speak the words were on the very tip of her tongue. But a soft knock on the door interrupted everything. Both husband and wife turned in time to find their loft door opening to reveal the infamous Killian Jones.

"Bloody Hell," he said, "That's good news."

He stepped forward ready to give Mary-Margaret a hug. The smile on his face was blinding. His hook gleamed in the florescent light. But Mary-Margaret had other ideas.

Her green eyes went wide with fright. She stepped back head swishing about, searching for a weapon. She finally fell onto a frying pan. She raised it well above her head ready for attack.

"Don't come any closer!" She screamed.

David was quick to step between them. His hand was outstretched to calm and comfort his far too confused wife. He kept his blue eyes glued to her and her increasing frown.

"What did I do?" Killian asked.

"What do you want, pirate?" Mary-Margaret asked.

Killian's look of confusion mirrored the found missing woman.

"Mary-Margaret it's okay," David said, "Killian's a friend."

"A friend?" Mary-Margaret asked.

"I'm also courting your daughter," Killian couldn't help but add, "We're true love and all that."

David flinched at the deputy's words. He watched as Mary-Margaret's green eyes grew too big for her face to take. Her lip turned into a pursed 'o' and her cheeks flushed a deep crimson. She turned those giant green eyes her husband's way as if looking for a confirmation to the joke. He shrugged in reply.

"We did go to Hell to get him back for her," he said.

The frying pan fell to the floor, a loud resounding thud echoing throughout the building.

---

Storybrooke – Then

"Who dares disturb my slumber?"

"Um… My name's Henry… I-"

"Only the diamond in the rough may enter my chambers!" The lion said, "Whom are you to ask for such privilege?"

Snow cringed at the hot air issuing from the bizarre creature. The dwarves had armed themselves during the scuffle to regain footing and mind. Now pickaxes and Dopey's pepper spray were pointed at the rocky lion head, eager to protect the princess and her grandson.

Still Henry seemed immune to logical fear of any kind. He stepped forward with his head held high. He forced his shoulders back and tried to make his posture as perfect as possible. Snow struggled to stand behind him, a reassuring force to provide him whatever courage he needed.

"I'm Henry…" the author repeated, "Zelena's my aunt. She said that…"

"I know who you are Henry of the Mills, son of savior and queen," the lion said, "Heir apparent of Queen Snow and royal child of the King of Fantasia. What right have you to seek the diamond's treasure?"

"Diamond…" Henry frowned and Snow found herself equally puzzled, "What diamond? What treasure?"

"That what you seek cannot be easily found," the lion spoke, "Only the lion king can lay claim to the queen's soul. What right have you to lay claim to that already taken?"

An eerie silence followed the lion head's words. Snow found herself gripping tight to her grandson's shoulder. Her mind was awhirl with thoughts and stories from long ago. She remembered a tale of the lion king she was certain of it. He was a lost king of that she could be certain. But the details seemed illusive to her now when they were already so close.

"Queen?" Henry whispered then he turned and spoke a little louder, "Do you mean my mom? Do you mean the Evil Queen Regina?"

"Evil no more and thus no longer your queen," the lion spoke, "But queen for another awaiting such claim. Do you provide it or will you fail as all before you have?"

"The treasure's my mom!" Henry exclaimed.

He turned around and enveloped Snow into his arms. He gave her a thump on her shoulders before squeezing her again. The princess felt a warm fuzziness envelope her bones. Then she suddenly understood Henry's thoughts.

"Which means the diamond is Robin Hood!" Henry said, "I'm his stepson… well, almost. The only way I can save him is with my mom."

Henry then turned around excitement on his features. Snow felt herself being pulled forward. She gently squeezed the warm hand in her palm and tried to smile through her fear. The teen had them pressed close to the lion head's rocky lips. Beyond the bouncing uvula and salivating tongue lay not darkness but a strange yellow flame that seemed to grow bright the more she looked at it.

"Please," Henry said, "I need your help. I have to save my mom. She's the only one who can save Robin Hood."

"Proceed," the lion head said, "But remember touch nothing. Only what you seek is yours to find. Do not touch the bow!"

The teen nodded his head and the dwarves nodded right along quite sharply. Snow gave her own gentle smile of gratitude and was spellbound to see the lion head dart his moss-covered tongue out towards them. A slight scream issued from the group before the tongue turned inward revealing a set of stairs encased in the bluest sapphire ever seen before.

"Okay," Snow looked to the dwarves to ensure her words were clear, "Henry goes first but everyone who follows needs to be careful… and stick together. Henry calls the shots here."

"And don't touch anything," Henry reminded softly.

Then the famous Snow White and her grandson the author entered the Cave of Wonders, dwarves and danger hot on their trail.

---

Storybrooke – Now

Mary-Margaret was thoroughly confused. That was the only explanation for her silence. There was no other reason for the spritely woman to be so still. She sat in the chair staring between the two men in absolute awe.

"So," she tried.

Her voice flittered away before any other words could be muttered. She looked down at her hands, frowning in careful thought. Her head shot up and she opened her mouth to try again. Her short raven locks shook ferociously. Her lips parted once more. Then they slammed shut and her head shook again.

Killian was the first to crack.

"Oh just spit it out already. We don't have time for questions and answers. We have to save my daughter!"

This time it was David who held the look of utter confusion. He and his wife both turned curious glances the deputy's way. The sheriff could swear he had never before seen Killian Jones looking so sheepish.

"Your daughter?" He asked.

"What daughter?" Mary-Margaret finished.

Her head tilted to the immediate left. Her green eyes narrowed in concentration. Her bottom lip fell between her teeth. David felt an awful tug on his stomach at the image. His forehead crinkled at the disturbed feeling.

"Ummm," Killian replied, "It's not what you think."

"You mean you don't have a secret love child randomly showing up in Storybrooke?" David asked.

He couldn't ignore the rib. It was too rare an opportunity. In the few weeks since waking up to missing children, this was the first opportunity they had for a laugh in quite a while. Besides, the return to normalcy could assist in jogging Mary-Margaret's memory.

"Um," Killian said, "have you tried to True Love's kiss on the woman. Perhaps that will jog her memory and save us all the trouble."

Ah, David thought in disbelief, he's dodging the question. Apparently he wasn't supposed to mention that.

"Killian," David said.

The deputy flinched. It was a mighty rare occurrence when the sheriff and father of the other sheriff called him by first name. It was either Hook or Pirate and occasionally Jones when the mood struck. Never was the deputy called by his first name. It was a father's privilege after all.

"Don't tell Emma?" He begged.

David rolled his eyes. The only thing worse than his deputy having a daughter, would be keeping a secret from his daughter. The sheriff shook his head and looked to the heavens for answers.

"Speak pirate!" He said.

"So Emma and I did a little investigating with the girl," the deputy began…

"What girl?" Mary-Margaret asked.

Killian gave a huff of indignation at being interrupted. Then his ocean blue gaze took in Mary-Margaret's confused features. His face quickly softened before turning into an apologetic bow. His right hand combed through his hair before he looked to David for his cue.

"We have a new couple in Storybrooke," David said, "The girl… Odette Loche, she's free because we don't have any evidence that she was involved in the murder her boyfriend committed-"

"Brother actually," Killian said, "The thief's her brother. We discovered that this morning. Along with some other information that may suggest that Wood may be innocent."

"Wood?" Mary-Margaret asked.

David picked up a note of disdain in her voice. He frowned at that before realizing something heavily important.

"You were called to replace me on guard duty," he said.

Killian flinched again. He scrubbed the back of his neck before taking a huge gulp of air. His cocky grin enveloped his features.

"I called in a favor from the dwarves. One of them is watching him…"

"Which one?" Mary-Margaret asked, her voice a breathy mix of bliss and excitement. "You didn't put Sleepy in command did you?"

"No," Killian replied, "just the happy one and the one who can't stop sneezing. Seriously he should seek out the infirmary or apothecary, whatever it's called in this land. It's getting out of hand."

He smiled and waved his hook, eyebrows rising in jest. This time it was Mary-Margaret who rolled her eyes. She gave a breathy huff and crossed her legs. Her arms folded over her lap and her shoulders slouched with a heavy sigh. She looked up towards the ceiling, a mild look of disgust enveloping her features.

Then her posture suddenly corrected itself like the snap of a bow.

David noted all of this and felt that little piece of his stomach turn just a bit more. Something similar to dread began to grow in his heart. He felt it stutter and push away at his chest in distaste. He turned to the deputy and continued their conversation.

"So you have a daughter?" He said.

"Possibly," the deputy was quick to reply, "Not quite certain of that yet. For all I know you could have another member of your brood circling about."

David frowned at that. He silently begged the deputy to continue with his explanations. It was all the encouragement the man needed.

"Apparently the curse we thought was the curse… isn't actually the curse."

A heavy silence filled the room.

"What are you talking about, pirate?" Mary-Margaret asked.

David and Killian both looked at her in surprise. She looked equally dismayed by her little outburst. Her legs uncrossed and recrossed, movements stilted in embarrassment. She scratched the side of her head and tried to readjust her sweater more comfortably.

"I mean Captain?" She asked, "Uh… Captain Jones… What am I supposed to call you?"

"Hook is fine," Killian said, "considering we're strangers and all."

"So," Mary-Margaret paused for a moment before speaking once more, "what do you mean by the curse you thought was cast isn't the curse at all?"

Killian's small smile disappeared completely. A look of pure sadness fell upon his cocky features. He turned steely blue eyes David's way. The dullness of his eyes brought that jostling tingle in his stomach up a notch.

"The Dark Curse has once again been cast."

---

Storybrooke – Then

The cave was filled with darkness. No light penetrated and every step the group took plunged them further into darkness. There was no noise, no way to find their way around. Then just as suddenly as darkness took hold, so too did the light come.

It created a world of yellow heat that felt like its own mini sun. The walls were perfectly bare, blue rocks decorating every inch of caverns. The strangest object they found was a room full of sand.

"Hey," Grumpy said, "There's no way out of here."

Snow rolled her eyes on reflex alone. Of course it would be Grumpy who would notice the absolute worst thing first. Henry was still observing the walls. Her eyes were attracted to the sand and Grumpy the dwarf would notice the danger.

"The only way out is to try one of these doors," a voice said.

Henry and Snow spun around, searching for the source. Together they shared a look of absolute confusion. A harsh sound began to rattle through the cavern walls. The room shifted and the sand swirled. A great vibrant earthquake overpowered everything else. Rocks slid and fell from the ceiling above forcing Sneezy and Bashful to grab Dopey and run for their lives.

The cavern walls parted to reveal two door firmly planted in the middle of their path. There was no wall for them to hang upon. One door was blue surrounded by two knights wearing a too familiar lion crest. The other was red and held the same crest. Every time a dwarf tried to cross two swords swung out in perfect mirror. It was clear no entry could be made.

"One of the doors leads to certain death," the voice continued, "but the other door leads you to your prize."

Snow blinked. She was surprised to find herself facing the blue knight who belonged to said voice. It was a bit lower than the first voice and held no irritating whine. But before the princess could even think of asking a question, the red knight opened its mouth to speak.

"Choose wisely," it said, "for while one door only speaks the truth, the other tells nothing but lies."

"Only one question can be asked," the blue knight said, "Choose your words carefully or death is sure to follow."

Snow had absolutely no idea what would happen. She wasn't even certain of the answer to the question. Rather, the question to which they needed the answer. But Henry was frowning, deep in concentration.

"Do you trust me?" The young author suddenly asked.

His giant amber eyes were pointed directly towards his grandmother. He refused to look away and there was an air of importance about him. Snow White simply smiled and shook her head. With her vote of confidence the teen turned back to the doors. He walked straight for the blue door and spoke.

"Answer yes or no," Henry said, "Would the other guy tell me this door leads me to the queen?"

"Yes," the door said.

"Then it's the other door," Henry said, "I remember this riddle from a movie. It's Mom's favorite. That's where Rothbart got the idea. The answer is that this door leads us to certain death and the other one leads us to her. Come on!"

He opened the door with all the excitement of a teenaged boy. He led the dwarves and reignited the hope they were desperate need of. Snow couldn't help but feel proud of her grandson's achievement.

But the door was not the last obstacle in their way. For there in the middle of this grand cavernous room of sapphire, amethyst and ruby stood a single bow encased in moonlight. Its elegance was in the design.

It held two beautiful crescents on either side of its glowing grip, a grip whose color kept changing from red to blue as if at constant war with itself. The arrow rest too seemed indecisive in nature. It kept glistening purple before alternating between red and blue, though blue was definitely winning as the color that stayed longest.

The belly was modeled after the crescent moon. Silver sparkles enveloped every inch and gave the whole bow an exotic glow as if pulled from the very moon it resembled. The string lay loose upon the moonlit stand underneath.

Snow found herself drawn to it just as David had been to the crown all that time ago. Her left hand, the treacherous being that it was, shot out to gently caress the cherry oak finish of the lonesome column. A right hand both familiar and foreign stopped her hand's journey in its tracks.

"Remember what the lion said," Henry said his face filled with worry and warning, "Do not touch the bow."

The princess felt heat rise to her cheeks in embarrassment but her kind grandson just smiled and gave her shoulder a squeeze. He pointed his chin to his right and Snow's gaze followed. There was the door they were looking for.

"Together," Snow said.

Henry smiled at her and agreed wholeheartedly. They walked with their arms linked. Henry opened the door and motioned her forward, ever the gentleman. But the princess's heart stopped when her eyes went away from her darling grandson and instead landed on someone else entirely.

---

Storybrooke – Now

"So Odette Loche," David said, "The girl who waltzed into Storybrooke suddenly… you think she's your daughter?"

"I think that," Killian said, "Emma has her doubts but you have to admit there are some strong similarities between the girl and the rest of this family."

The deputy was pacing about the loft. His tread marks were imprinting themselves wholeheartedly into the floorboards. Mary-Margaret watched his movements like a hawk. Every flicker of his wrist, every careful steady step of his foot; she knew and made note of it all.

David felt that annoying tug in his stomach again. She was being far too cautious compared to her usual optimism. It was usually he who was quick to doubt a person's intentions and he went on a blind mission with Killian in Neverland in search of a cure that almost forced him to stay in that hellish place forever.

He knew something was wrong. Perhaps he was being overly paranoid. He knew his wife. He had met her when she trusted no one and stole for her own survival. Considering she had no memory of Neverland or the events that led up to it, perhaps it was understandable that she would be so cautious.

"But what does that mean?" David asked, "If the girl is telling the truth then who is Annie Hart? How was she able to enter? Isn't the curse supposed to only allow people from the Enchanted Forest in?"

"Not just the Enchanted Forest," Mary-Margaret was quick to supply, "Remember that many other lands have fallen under the curse because of Regina. You mentioned that wicked witch is here, right?"

David nodded.

"Well wouldn't it make sense that people from Oz are here as well?" She asked, "And if this Rothbart character is truly a formidable opponent as you say… who's to say what other realms he cursed in his thirst for revenge."

"Well that's the thing," Killian said, "If the girl is speaking the truth… we just locked up an innocent man. An innocent man who happens to be family."

"And if Rothman is the villain," David said, "We have no way of getting him free without breaking the curse."

A simple tune suddenly enveloped the space between them. Killian was swift to remove his cell from his pocket. He clicked the on button without sparing it a glance. The phone went to his ear and his blue eyes cracked wide in fright.

"You're never gonna believe this, love," he said.

David frowned. His arms went from being wrapped around his torso to his sides. His palms turned into steady fists. He stepped forward in hopes of hearing his daughter's voice on the other end of the line. Instead all he could hear was the deputy.

"We're talking to your mother right now."

His wife's lips tilted upward in a strange sort of smile. Her mouth gaped just a bit. Her eyes glinted with a hint of cunning darkness. She peered up at the deputy from her perch on the chair. Her hands were perfectly clasped in her lap.

But she made no move to hear her daughter's voice.

"Is he alright?" Killian asked.

That snapped Mary-Margaret out of her bizarre stupor. She rose to her feet and stepped forward eagerly awaiting news of whomever was cause for such concern. Her hand was almost hesitant as it flew through the air. She reached out to gently touch Killian's wrist.

"Is who alright?" She asked.

"No Swan," Killian said, "Your mother's memories aren't on par with the rest of us… Yes, it could be the curse responsible. We think she was with Regina when this all happened. Her responses matched hers almost perfectly. We'll try that while you stay… Alright Swan I'll see you shortly."

Apparently she hung up the phone before he could even finish. He gave them both an apologetic smile. His hand worked hard to put the phone back into one of his many hidden pockets.

"Well get on with it, pirate," Mary-Margaret ordered, "Who's hurt? Did she find Henry?"

"Robin Hood," Killian replied, "She and Odette… they found him in Zelena's basement."

"So she is the one who cast it," David groaned.

It explained far too much. Zelena had clearly went off the wagon again and this time she succeeded. And Robin Hood's state would certainly explain why Regina was acting so weird.

"She didn't give me time to explain the state of her mother so…" Killian pointed between the two, "Let's give True Love's kiss a try, yeah?"

David stepped forward to do just that. It was his wife who backed away. There was a slight look of panic in her green eyes. She looked between the two men and slowly bit her bottom lip.

"Are we sure it will even work?" She asked, "I mean if it's the dark curse like you say it is… It may not even work… and we should be looking for Henry. Not to mention checking to see if there's any proof to this Odette's story… Who is this Annie Hart anyway? Maybe she's working for this Lord Roth-"

David's lips connected with hers before she could even think of finishing her sentence. It was then that he understood what his gut was telling him. The kiss was good, but it was wrong. There was no hunger behind it. No heat. He didn't see stars and these particular lips certainly weren't as soft as they should have been.

This was not his Mary-Margaret.

David used the kiss to initiate a new tactic. His hand went from this imposter's cheek to her throat in seconds flat. Before she could even push him away he had her pinned into the dining room table. The area between thumb and pointer finger worked to press down on the imposter's windpipe, thoroughly restricting all types of air from entering those lying lungs.

Hazily he heard Killian shout, "Bad form mate."

"Who are you?" He demanded.

The imposter began to laugh an ugly horrible thing. It was a soft chortle of victory as raven hair grew and waved. Green eyes faded away into a darker, browner color. Pink cheeks turned to rose. Porcelain skin darkened to olive tones. A beauty mark appeared on the lower left side of her chin.

"Regina?" David gasped.

---

Storybrooke – Then

Regina lay in a vicious heap among rocks and other far less comfortable things. She wore a dress of midnight blue, cuffs of platinum and a surprisingly modest neckline. Her hair was loose in gentle waves, though sticks and dust clung to every inch of her.

She had a halo of rocks and lay far too still. Snow was careful when she approached. She paused as a loud cracking sound filled the room. She looked down only to discover a full bowl of water sloshing back and forth near her feet. She frowned at the untouched water, watching as the spilt water forced itself back into the bowl.

The princess turned away from the odd display to observe the true target of their journey. She raised her hand to take away some of the strands obscuring the queen's beautiful face. A puff of air and the up-down motion of her chest proved Regina was still breathing if nothing else. But as Snow White wiped away the raven locks she began to notice a change in the older woman.

Her face was younger now, not by much but enough to imply the number of years between them was fewer than the truth would suggest. Upon her head sat a platinum crown in the shape of peacock feathers. She was pale and didn't even stir when Snow continued brushing the hair from her face.

"Regina," she said softly, "We're here to rescue you."

Snow gently shook the older woman's shoulder hoping to prod her gently into wakefulness. Henry walked forward and joined with his own special touch.

"Mom," he said, "It's me… It's Henry. Wake up."

Regina's head tilted up but it seemed she was unable to really hear them at all. Henry shook harder and Snow found herself reaching her own canteen. She closed her eyes against the influx of curses flying through her mind. Her canteen was in her pack and that was now long gone.

"Henry, hand me your canteen. Zelena said the water was poisoned. It's been too long. She hasn't had a drink of water since she left. She's dehydrated."

The teen handed it over greedily begging his mother to wake. Carefully the princess tipped some water on the queen's parched lips. She parted dry cracked lips to get more water down the older woman's throat. Then she shook her shoulder to get the queen more aware of her surroundings.

"Regina!" Snow called.

"Mom, wake up!" Henry begged.

But the woman wouldn't budge. Her breathing began to shallow. Raven hair sloshed back, taking the crown and queen's head with it. Her face began to take on a more pale composition. Her lips started turning a sick shade of blue.

"Mom, please!" Henry cried, "You're free."

It worked. Brown eyes snapped open in alarm. Her pulse quickened just enough. Red began to tint her cheeks. She blinked a few times attempting to remove her eyeballs' glassy haze.

"Henry?" she said sounding fairly confused, "Snow… what?"

"No time," Snow said, "We found you and you're safe now."

"How?" Regina began, "No… this is a trick. Zelena doesn't… doesn't want me t-t-to die."

"No mom," Henry replied, "We're real and we're taking you home. You're free."

"No Emma," Regina chuckled humorlessly, "Robin's gone. Let me sleep."

For the first time in history, Regina Mills resisted her son. She pulled her arm from his gentle grasp and sank lower onto her rocky bed. She looked ghostly white in such devastation.

"It seems she does not wish to leave."

The voice alone was a shock to the system. Snow White lunged for her grandson. Her fingertips only just managed to lose their grip on Henry. The boy was ripped from her side by the evil scum known as Lord Rothbart. Red tendrils of smoke disintegrated and reappeared by the madman's side.

"Let us make certain she never does," Rothbart said.

Snow tried to lunge towards the man. Every muscle ached to rip his smiling lips off. But try as she might her body didn't move. She fought and fought against some sadistic force. It kept squeezing every inch of her, breathing impossible to perform.

"What," Snow White wheezed, "did you do to her?"

"She refused to drink the water," Rothbart said, shrugging in indifference. "She thought I would dare poison her."

Snow pelted her body forward only to feel wicked darkness push her back. Ice was the only thing her body could feel. Her skin started to hurt from the piercing cold. Her fingers and toe went numb. She felt her body fight the magic just to shiver. Her exposed hands turned blue.

"Stop!" Henry begged, "You'll kill her."

That's the idea, Snow thought mournfully.

"Mom," Henry screamed, "Mom, Help!"

That did it. Regina's chocolate eyes let up. Her body pelted forward, panic the only thing on her features. A tiny hiss of pain issued from her lungs.

"Henry," the queen rasped, "Snow… Roth-Rothbart, please… Let… Let them g-… go."

"They tried to steal you away from me," the madman said, "after I promised the thief the boy would live. You do not break a deal with me! He has to pay."

"I'll marry you!"

With the incoming dread of those three words, the ice receded from Snow White. The princess's body sprang back to life. Breath once again filled her lungs. Henry found his way into her arms, providing much needed comfort and warmth.

And Regina still promised herself away.

"I'll marry you," she said, "please just… just let th-th-them go."

Her voice trailed away into nothingness. She kept swallowing to supply her throat with moisture. The queen's head kept tilting and bobbing in different directions. Her eyes drooped. Her shoulders slouched. Her hands kept gripping at the wall to keep her upright.

"Pl… pl-please," the queen begged.

She shifted forward with a smirk meant to be seductive. Her shoulders straightened to expose her clavicle to the madman's hungry eyes. The queen stepped forward with a leisurely pace. Her hips swayed from side to side distracting Rothbart from the small stumbles the queen made.

Regina raised her right hand and used her pointer finger to trace the delicate etchings on the man's tunic. She was playful as she traced the lion and moved upwards. Her glassy chocolate eyes crossed for a moment before she gave a cheeky grin and leaned ever closer. Her thumb went to the man's jaw and in an instant her palm was petting the scruff on left cheek.

"I choose you," she said.

Her voice was filled with confidence. Rothbart's hands were even glued to her hips exactly as planned. The queen grew bold and attempted to invade more personal space. She turned an unsteady fall into a graceful maneuver closer. Two noses brushed before the queen claimed the madman's lips.

Snow White forced Henry to look away. She pulled him tight to her chest and raised her hands to block his young eyes. She felt bile attempt to rise from her throat. But the princess forced herself to watch the display with a calculating mind. While her grandson was forced to hide away Snow looked for any sign of escape.

A smile fell to her lips when she found it. A single abandoned unicorn was mounted onto the wall not too far away from the couple making out like teenagers. Snow tapped her grandson's shoulder. She gently pointed to the mounted horn. A grin formed on Henry's face then his cheeks paled when took in what his adoptive mother was doing.

The pair pulled apart with a loud pop between their lips. Regina wore a happy smile plastered to her face as if that was the greatest gift ever known to man. She was gentle as she tapped her delicate fingers on his cheeks.

"That," Rothbart said, "Was incredible."

He opened his mouth to say more but his black eyes weren't distracted by the face. No the sorcerer chose to instead enjoy the shapely figure of the queen leaning heavily against him. His face went from one of pure pride to one of severe anger. His hand latched onto Regina's cheeks crushing them in his grasp. He forced the queen to stumble to her knees and observe the long, silver chain still wrapped around her anger.

"But this tells a different story," Rothbart growled.

He waved his hand carelessly in Snow White's direction, freezing the princess to the ground once more. The princess was forced to watch as the madman bent over the queen threateningly. His hand went to her raven hair, curling into it and tugging just enough to break through the woman's hazy gaze.

"This tells me that you still belong to him!" The madman cried, "Why will you not submit to me? I have destroyed my enemy. You should be mine. Why do you not belong to me? What must I do to lay claim upon you?"

Rothbart raised his left hand as if to strike the queen. Regina glared on and refused to even budge from her position. And Snow White smiled with pride.

"Because she doesn't love you!"

Henry Mills held the unicorn horn firm in his hand. He was quick to thrust its glistening point into the chain below. The chain fizzled into nothingness with nary a spark to symbolize its loss.

It was as if a bomb went off. Regina reacted on instinct alone. Her left hand shot out and Rothbart soared away. Vines climbed out of the rocky walls and pulled at the evil sorcerer until he was perfectly held tight. A simple swish of the queen's right hand and Snow White nearly fell from the lack of force pushing against her.

"Love is weakness," Rothbart said.

Those were his parting words for the sorcerer left in a puff of red smoke just as quickly. The vines wilted away and the door to Regina's tomb fell open. Seven bodies fell through in a giant rush to reach the three royals.

"Leroy?" Regina gasped.

"Your Majesty," Grumpy bowed.

The queen stepped forward as if to greet the group but never made it quite that far. Her single step turned into a turret of blue and platinum cloth. Regina fell to the floor in a giant heap nary a word of protest from her lips.

"Mom!" Henry screamed.

The fallen woman was surrounded in an instant. Water was shoved down her mouth without a moment of hesitation. The queen coughed and sputtered to life with every breath of the cool liquid.

"Sleep," she croaked.

Her chocolate eyes blinked as if to regain that moment of rest she wanted when they first arrived.

"We need to get her out of here," Snow declared, "She needs fresh air."

And off they went, carrying the queen through twisting corridors and endless tunnels. The dwarves raced through with their weapons raised for battle. Snow and Henry held the queen upright upon their shoulders. Her raven head lulled heavily in her son's direction.

"Hold on, Mom," Henry cried.

---

Storybrooke – Now

The sheriff pulled away in fear. His hand shook from the pressure he had applied to his wife's stepmother. He felt his heart race with adrenaline. His blue eyes looked to her brown in absolute horror.

"Relax dear Charming," she snarled, "It's not like I haven't been choked before."

David heard Killian swallow at the statement. The deputy stepped so he was much closer to the sheriff than before. His hand was already reaching for his sword, absent as always nowadays. His hook moved to point at the mayor before them.

Regina seemed unbothered by the frightened disposition. She simply shrugged her shoulders and fixed her clothes. She scowled at the creases in her once perfect pantsuit. Her brown eyes lit up as they caught sight of a lonesome red apple on the corner of the table. She grabbed it and bounced it in her palm.

"What are you doing here?" David asked, his voice less of a whip than intended.

"Isn't it obvious?" She asked, "I'm here to pay my dear… friends a visit."

The mayor gave a cruel wink at the word. She even had the nerve to roll her eyes at the word friends. She once again bounced the apple in the palm of her hand before taking a nice, juicy bite. She leaned against the table top as if she belonged there.

There was a pang in the sheriff's chest knowing she didn't remember that she did.

"Grabbing information from you imbeciles has proven far easier than I expected," she laughed.

She bounced the apple in her hand at a leisurely pace. Her dark eyes scanned the loft space with an urgent need of disdain. Her blood red lips puckered in disgust at the very image of the home before her.

Yet she made no move to remove herself from that kitchen table.

"Now," she said, "Where's my son?"

David almost snapped at her. He felt his temper bubbling towards the surface at an alarming rate. The only thing keeping him from snapping at the woman was the slight hitch to her voice. His ears caught that small hitch of breath and forced his mind into action. His blue eyes studied every inch of the mayor only to find something extremely horrible.

Her outfit hadn't changed. It was the same they saw when they arrested the thief. It was the same black blazer, the same silver blouse. Her black slacks still had that ridiculous mud stain on the left leg, a result of the skirmish in the woods. Her black stiletto heels were now ruined beyond repair. Still she wore them as regally as one of her ridiculous Enchanted Forest outfits.

There were bags under those too dark eyes. The sheriff couldn't help but note redness in them too. Her cheeks were looking a bit gaunt and pale. Her olive complexion was starting to reminisce the porcelain paint of the Evil Queen. Still the mayor looked ready to pounce should one word be misplaced.

"I won't ask again," she said, "What have you done with my son? What have you done with Rol… Henry. My son's name is Henry!"

The slip of the tongue surprised David to no end. He found his heart skipping a beat and that vicious hope ensnaring his chest. He stepped forward, arms raised in caution. Narrowed dark eyes shot to him with suspicion, but a single hint of chocolate began to stream through. Whatever the curse, Regina Mills was fighting for all she was worth.

"You're right," David said, "We have been hiding something from you."

"David," Killian's voice sounded full of warning. There was a soft tang of fear in the air. A slight shift of fabric on leather suggested the deputy was stepping forward as if to grab him and stop his pace. The sheriff waved him off and kept both blue eyes glued to Regina.

"We have been lying," he said, "We do know where Henry is."

"David," Killian's voice was sharper now.

"He's with Roland," David continued, "your five year old son, the one you adopted when Robin Hood… when the Merry Men asked you to take responsibility for him."

More chocolate filtered into those too dark eyes. Regina's face gained back some of the color lost. She even took a tentative step forward before remembering herself. She forced her head up and her spine to straighten. With those ridiculous heels she stood only two inches smaller.

"And he's with your daughter," David said, "Your niece that you adopted when Zelena begged you to take care of her… because she couldn't anymore. Remember?"

The mayor didn't. Her blank expression still remained. But her eyes were chocolate once again. They were soft and filled with something other than cold hatred. The sheriff could almost see the woman he'd only recently gotten to know.

The friend who was slowly becoming a sister instead of evil step-mother-in-law.

"Cora," he said, "You named her after your mother because you knew it meant something to Zelena. You thought it would make her happy, reconsider everything."

"I would never name my child after my mother," Regina replied.

Her voice was scorching and dripping with disdain. It was the elegant, regal façade of the Evil Queen he knew. But David Nolan could see a familiar glint sparkling in the mayor's chocolate eyes. He could see her inner fire. Regina was fighting to the surface for all she was worth and he would help her. For his family he would do anything.

"You didn't," he said, "Zelena named her Robin, after her father… but you decided on Cora when Robin Hood came back to you. It was so Zelena would know her child would never be without love. You wanted your daughter to always choose love, to fight for love-"

"And to die for it?"

Regina's chest was moving too quickly. Her chocolate orbs were desperately staring into his soul. The sheriff stepped into her personal space without missing a beat. His hands latched onto her shoulders and forced her to follow his breathing. Slowly the erratic breaths turned into a steady flow of inhalation and exhalation.

His left hand curled into her hair. He slowly pulled the mayor into a hug. He waited at the last minute, allowing her the right to choose to fully lay in his embrace. Her hands barreled into his chest but she did not push away.

"You're lying," she said.

Regina fisted the lapels of his shirt tightly in her grasp. She gasped and struggled against whatever was going on in her head. But her hands remained buried in his shirt and her surprisingly cool breath streamed on his collarbone.

"If I'm lying," David replied, "then why are you still here?"

This time he felt a small tremor on his chest. He looked down to find the mayor's small hands shaking horrendously. He fought to see her chocolate eyes only to find them dulling dramatically. She stepped back and he grabbed her shoulders in fear of losing her completely.

"I don't have a sister," she said, "I'm an only child."

"Cora lied to you," Killian replied.

His voice boomed like a hostile bullet on a rampage. His hook gleamed out of the corner of the sheriff's eye. It landed on his right shoulder and Killian Jones' hand found purchase on one of the struggling mounds of hand and cloth on his chest.

"Why?" Regina asked.

"Because she's a heartless witch!" Killian replied, "She erased the only memory you had of your sister just to make certain you could be queen. A fate you never wanted by the way! And because of it she nearly cost us all our lives including your and your dear Henry's!"

"Enough!" David called.

He turned his blue eyes towards the deputy and gave him a heated, steady glare. The mayor's mother was a sore subject to them all. That woman had cost them many years of peace and joy because of her mistakes. They would not spend a moment more dwelling on her and the pain she caused.

"Regina," he said keeping his voice quiet and calm, "Emma found Robin Hood. She found your true love… You can be happy again."

"No," Regina shook her head, "No, it's not… You're lying."

Still her fists remained. She made no move forward but no move back. She was at an impasse, unsure what to do and the confusion continued to flicker in her darkening eyes. David watched as Killian's hand squeezed hers until her grip grew lax. The deputy raised the mayor's hands to his lips and placed a gentle, comforting kiss.

"Look deep in your heart, love," he said, "You know we're right. You're family. And when family needs help-"

"You step up."

Regina's response was automatic. She looked almost completely unaware she said anything at all. But her forehead furrowed. She pushed away from the sheriff. Her head began shaking to and fro in quick succession. Her hands rose to her temples. The chocolate in her eyes dulled to darkness.

"I…" she tried, "I c-c-can't… No. This is a trick… this… it isn't real!"

Before David could even hope to stop the mayor's breakdown, the door slammed open. Regina Mills' cringing features turned into a face of pure hatred. The darkness took over everything. Flames sprouted from the mayor's fingertips and flew through the air.

Promptly she disappeared leaving behind curtains on fire and a trail of purple smoke.

"Dad?"

David shut his eyes in order to hide the plethora of emotions. He felt a soft body fly into his chest. He opened his blue eyes and found a face full of lush blonde locks. A tight grip around his shoulders informed him of his daughter's presence.

"I'm okay," he promised.

He looked to his right, wanting to say something to the deputy always at his side. The words caught in his throat as he found himself staring into bright blue eyes filled with far too many emotions. Emma had left the door flung open. Odette stood between the molding, her bright blue eyes fixed on the spot at the table where the mayor vanished. The slight glistening of tears alerted the sheriff to the emotions plaguing her.

"Wh… Was that…?" She asked.

"The queen," Killian nodded, "Yes. That was her."

Emma pulled back, alarm on her features.

"Mom?" She asked.

David shook his head.

"Regina just wanted information on Henry."

"Got a bit more than she bargained for," Killian said.

Emma's green eyes blew wide. She turned to her father and silently begged him to make everything okay. He wiped away some hair from her face. Gently, he placed a soothing kiss to her forehead.

"I don't think she did anything to your mother," he said, "She was just as confused as the rest of us."

"Your father almost brought her back to us, Swan," Killian said.

Before another word could be said a serious of loud beeps sounded. Pagers went off on three different persons. Phone screens lit up while two separate home phones called. Even the girl's silly watch began to stutter into life with obnoxious fervor.

"It's the hospital," Emma was first to her pager, "Robin's awake!"

---

Storybrooke – Then

"Hold on, Mom," Henry cried.

The rescue group of nine brought the queen into the awaiting sunlight, stunned by the seemingly quick escape from the cave of wonders. The setting sun left an odd orange glow to the surrounding forest. The soothing waterfall pattered down on the group, still standing because of the glaring light.

"Wh... where are we?" The queen coughed.

She stumbled on her breaths and struggled to lift her head away from her son's comfortable shoulder. Snow was the first to react when consciousness struck. She carefully held the queen under the waterfall hoping the water would awaken the queen enough until they got her to the hospital.

"Enough," Regina said.

She slapped the princess's hands away and scrambled to her feet. She managed to make it to the dry shore before her feet gave out again. It was Sneezy and Grumpy who caught her, each gently lowering her to the ground and waving canteens before her too pale face.

"I…" the queen sighed, "I can't. Please… just… give me a moment. Just a moment."

Her head drooped forward dangerously. Her chocolate eyes closed for a frightening moment. Snow jumped forward to offer help and support in any way she could supply it.

"Regina what do you need?" The princess asked.

"Magic," the queen replied, "I can't stop Rothbart… without… I'm too weak."

Snow watched the dwarves blink and gasp at the queen's admission. Grumpy opened his mouth to make a comment of some sort, probably sarcastic judging by the way his eyebrows rose to his hairline in a cheeky way. Sneezy even had a smirk planted on his lips. The princess shook her head before any damage could be done.

Her hand was gentle as it soothed circles into her step-mother's back.

"Mom," Henry said, "How can we help?"

He still held the unicorn horn in his hand. Snow couldn't help but smile at him as reassuringly as possible. She knew from experience how awful it was to see one's mother near death. She was simply glad to know this was not such a mortal situation.

Regina looked up towards her son with a small smile already on her features. Her chocolate eyes observed the teenager for probably the first time that day. Then said gaze grew wide as they caught onto the unicorn in plain sight.

"Henry," the queen said, "I want you to give me that horn and look away… What I am about to do is extremely dark magic and I'd rather you not see it."

The boy obeyed. He extended his right hand and turned away as if it was an everyday occurrence. He kept his eyes closed shut and turned fully when the queen grabbed ahold of the thin multicolored horn. Hesitance filled Regina's features. She turned towards Snow, her bottom lip buried deep beneath her teeth.

"This will hurt," the queen said, "Make certain he doesn't turn around."

Snow obeyed without question but regretted it immediately. The queen's screams echoed through the forest above the chirping birds and the descending waterfall. A bright searing pain filled the princess's back almost immediately after. She could feel something dark and sinister in the air but she refused to turn around. She kept her arms wrapped firmly around Henry's struggling form and waited until the command of safety was given.

"Snow," Regina's voice floated through the air, "Let him go."

The princess obeyed and the author turned around. A look of absolute anger on his face quickly turned to one of pure fear. Snow quickly spun around and stepped forward to protect the teen should she need to.

It was an unnecessary precaution.

Regina was now glowing. Every inch of her from sparkling gown to glimmer bare feet took on a white light that refused to fade. Her chocolate eyes no longer held their haze. Her cheeks were the familiar rose red and her skin now held their usual olive tone. A bright smile even dared to cross her no longer cracked lips.

"Leroy," the queen called, "I need you to take the other dwarves and go get help. The battle is in the Merry Men's camp."

The dwarves went into action without question. They began running through the woods, planning their chain of order. Snow watched as they were each engulfed in a trail of purple smoke. The princess spun back towards the queen a warning on her tongue.

"We don't have time," she said, "Snow, I need you to…"

Regina gasped and leaned forward, struggling to breathe for a moment. A drop of sweat powdered her brow and fell to the ground. Snow and Henry both moved to help but she waved them off softly.

"Get Roland," the queen ordered simply, "and go to the camp. Robin's in trouble. We might already be too late."

She swept her hand and Snow had no choice. She was surrounded in the comfort of purple smoke. Henry was by her side and the duo was transported to the mayor's mansion. Roland was in their arms in an instant and the calling out of Emma Swan began.

---

Storybrooke – Then

The mare ran at full speed. It thundered through the forest still the rider urged it to run faster. Fireballs shot out to light the path. The sun was almost completely set and the camp was still too far away. A large tree fell as if forced into their path. All hope was lost.

All hope was gained. The mare cleared the fallen tree and continued running. Magic coursed through its rider's hands and into every inch of the horse's trembling, frothy flank. The acrid smell of burning canvas and hair filled the air.

Regina landed in the Merry Men's camp with only one thing in mind: Robin Hood. Henry's expression told her everything. It was already too late. Robin's men were huddled in the corner of the campground. Snow was held close in Charming's arms. Tears streaked both Emma and Hook's faces.

"I'm too late," she said.

First Hook and Emma tried to keep her away. Then Little John too acted on behalf of his fallen friend. But they understood, they all understood.

She had to say good-bye.

Tears fell from the queen's eyes as she stared at the man lying on the ground. Robin Hood, her soulmate and one true love, lay seemingly lifeless on the ground. His chest refused to move and his angelic face was blue from death's thick embrace. His arm lay stretched out before him as if still waiting for the poison to corrupt his veins, his right wrist emblazoned with the crest of a proud rearing lion in stubborn black ink.

Her hand shot out to play with the errant dirty blond locks. She swept them away from his forehead almost able to feel the sweat on his brow. She leant forward with her heart full of love.

"Robin," the name was practically ripped from her lungs, "I love you."

A gentle kiss fell on his too blue lips. Then a gasped filled the air and Robin Hood was once again returned to her. The two embraced and a series of whoops and cheers filled the air.

"Papa!" Roland cheered, "Henry! She did it. Mama saved you!"

But the surprise and the happiness was short lived. A cloud of that blasted red smoke filled the air around them. The cheers were interrupted with a sneering demon of a man.

"Well," Rothbart said, "the false king is awake. What an interesting turn of events."

Robin was on his feet in an instant. He stood between the madman and his family, Regina rising to stand behind him with support. He couldn't help but note she was leaning a little heavily into him.

"What do you want, villain?" Robin growled.

Rothbart smiled at the tightly. He grandly waved his arms and gave a little bow. His black eyes bored into the image of Regina standing behind him. The sorcerer's scar twitched in jealousy.

"Isn't it obvious?" He asked, "I want my happy ending. The one the queen promised me in the cave of wonders."

"Over my dead body," Robin said.

"That can be arranged," the madman replied.

"I challenge you to a duel!" Robin blurted.

He didn't think twice. He merely stepped forward and ignored everyone else. His anger did all the talking and he let it.

"You threatened my family," the outlaw continued, "I will do everything in my power to make sure you never do it again. So I challenge you Rothbart! You and I at sunset-"

"Right here. Three days' time," Rothbart said, "I want you to die in the middle of your camp. I accept your challenge but here are the stakes. Winner gets the queen and the crown she comes with. Either way the duel ends with the king of fantasia and the queen as his bride."

Robin felt anger seethe through his veins. He stepped forward with every intention of choking the life out of the madman before him. Instead a new voice entered the fray.

"Deal!" Regina said.

She stepped in front of the outlaw casually. Her hand shot out to accept on her soulmate's behalf. Rothbart smiled as if he had already won.

"Sunset in three days," he said.

He disappeared in a puff of bright red smoke.

The group erupted into chaos. Many voices were shouting from all angles. Henry and Roland were screaming to get to their parents. Emma and Hook were arguing with Little John about whether or not they should be allowed to pass.

But Robin Hood was by far the most furious. He barreled his way into Regina Mills like a steamroller. He grabbed her arm and yanked her into his chest. Their noses were touching and chocolate eyes were filled with just as much fire as blue.

"What the hell were you thinking?" He asked.

Regina opened her mouth to reply. Judging by the upward tilt of her lip she probably had a sassy comment too. But the queen had other plans instead. She collapsed into his arms and scrambled to pull herself up to no avail.

Robin held on for all he was worth. He felt the queen quaking in his arms. He instinctively rubbed his hand up and down her arm. He nuzzled his nose into her neck and felt the red hot heat of her skin.

"The water," Snow gasped, "We need to get her to the hospital now. David, call Whale."

Robin's left pointer finger traced the indentations of Regina's cheeks. It hovered over her lips and smoothed away the hair from her temple. Then Robin's thumb began rubbing her cheek with affection.

"You bloody woman," the outlaw said, "What have you done?"

---

Storybrooke – Now

Four pairs of boots stomped on the tiled hospital floor. A sharp click of wooden heels matched the steady drum of three sets of rubber soles. Four pairs of jeans slid against each other in perfect rhythm, their pace matched by their owners' eagerness. Two brunettes and two blondes entered the waiting area of the hospital, various shouts of questions roaming from their tongues.

The nurse did not have time to remove the phone permanently glued to her ear. A grim-faced Doctor Whale called their attention. His hazel eyes turned from deputy to the blonde sheriffs in apology. His features morphed to astounded confusion by their forth, younger member. The doctor's confused gaze begged answers from Emma, their unquestionable leader.

"Forgive me," he said, "But I'm not allowed to divulge my patient's information in front of Ms. Loche here."

"She's family," Killian replied.

The doctor's confused face only deepened. He shrugged his shoulders and begged them to follow him. They entered the hallway while everyone else stepped out of their way.

"Forgive me," he began, "I keep forgetting how much your family tends to grow. Anyway, as you could tell when you first brought him in, his vitals weren't good. Recovering was a bit optimistic even by Storybrooke standards and we have magic…"

"I've noticed," Odette quietly commented.

David had to fight back a grin that wanted to brazenly appear on his face. He silently pondered why such an action was required. Up until now the girl was a possible threat, but Killian seemed certain she was a member of their ever expanding brood.

Perhaps the curse was weakening enough not to affect him.

"So you can imagine my surprise when I walked in for a check-up only to be met with a string of questions from our favorite outlaw," Whale surmised.

He smiled something he probably felt was quiet and gentle. He didn't even bother to look as he swiped his badge through the locked doors. He pulled at the glass and waved everyone through. He was quite congenial as he guided them towards the outlaw's isolated facility.

"Before anyone asks," he said, "Robin is very confused right now. And a bit pissed off but that's to be expected when he woke up to no bouncing Roland and snarky… mayor… the hell?"

The doctor was understandably frantic when he opened the metal door. Wires and miscellaneous supplies cluttered the floor. The light directly above their heads flickered on and off, a good five feet lower than it should have been, hanging from the rafters at an odd angle. The television set was missing though David could bet it was in pieces on the lawn having sailed through the window in its decent.

Annoying sirens and buzzers only started going off when Whale approached the bed. The impression of a body was the only sign that someone had been there at all. For the hospital bed lay surprisingly empty.

Robin Hood was gone.

---

Storybrooke - Now

Ryder Wood was bored to tears. He had long since given up on ever seeing a familiar glint in a person's eye. Now he was forced to listen to the insufferable snores of one sleepy dwarf. His name was Walter in this world but the thief knew which dwarf this one was. Even an idiot from the Land Without Magic would recognize the snoring man. So it was no surprise that a strange flash of light and blast of powerful magic wasn't enough to wake the man up.

The thief fell from his uncomfortable jail cot. He winced as pain flared throughout the back of his skull. He sent out a silent slue of curses that would have his father blushing and his mother... well her scowl alone would probably end the debacle fall from his lips. But his parents weren't there and the swears gave Ryder the control he so desperately wanted.

He turned towards the sheriff's office expecting her to be shouting out commands at the lonely sleeping dwarf, waiting for his bashful partner to appear with the promised snacks and coffee cups. Instead there was only a blue bow floating in the air. Ryder stood to full attention.

"What are you doing here?" He whispered.

The bow, as if to mock him in his misery, glowed bright in reply.

The King has arrived.

Suddenly Ryder couldn't help but smile.

---

In the Next Chapter:

Searching through the woods leads Emma to more than one startling discovery about Robin of Loxley, thief of Sherwood.