The swirling stopped in an instant, and Gwen realized she had stepped through into her mother's throne room. She smiled at the sight of her familiar surroundings and started for the door before she heard Hook's voice again, directly behind her. As she turned wide eyed to face him she saw the portal vanish and let out a defeated sigh, "Why did you follow me? I heard you talking to Pan; I will not betray Rumple."
Hook narrowed his eyes, "Silly woman, I did not expect you too, but I had to tell Pan something didn't I?" He took a step closer and reached for her hand holding it firmly to his chest. "You tell me if you see betrayal for you in this heart." He dipped his head to look her in the eyes."I was once an honorable man Gwendolyn, before Pan and that island got to me, being with you makes me want to be that man again," he told her letting his hands fall to his side.
She stared at him for a moment, knowing by his heart that his words were true. "You shouldn't have followed me, now you're stuck."
"You should have trusted me enough to stay," he countered. "I thought you of all people knew me well enough to know that I would never betray what we have."
"You wouldn't be the first person in my life to betray me." She stood statue still for a moment, her eyes widening in panic. "My mother's coming. You have to hide." She pushed him backward toward the heart vault. "Stay here, don't make a sound I will come back for you when it is safe."
She heard the doors open and turned to glance at them. She took in a stabilizing breath and closed her eyes. She felt the change overcome her and when she opened her eyes she could tell by the mystified look on Killian's face that she no longer looked like herself. She smiled briefly before standing sentential by the throne. Her mother cast an odd glance her way, "Duncan, what are you doing here? I thought you were out hunting that infernal Snow White."
"I have come to give you a report Highness," Gwendolyn stated, surprising even herself by the sound of her voice,."It seems she has eluded us once again."
"How is that possible? She is just one girl, how hard can it be to find her and end her pathetic life?" Regina growled. She sat on her throne and dropped her head to her hands. "Any word on my daughter?" she asked in a low tone.
"Still none," Gwendolyn responded, bowing her head and turning for the door.
"And just where do you think you're going Duncan? I have not given you leave."
"Forgive me Highness, I just felt that my presence would be better served if I rejoined the search."
Regina's eyes narrowed slightly causing her brow to furrow in a menacing way Gwendolyn knew all too well. "Why do I get the distinct feeling that you are keeping something from me."
"I do not know Highness, it would be unwise of me to conceal any information from you."
"Yes it would, indeed." The queen arched an eyebrow, "Very well then, back to the search, and Duncan; this time do not return until Snow is dead."
"Yes your highness." Gwen bowed and made her way from the room. When she reached her own chambers, she let her image shift back to its natural form. She sat on the bed and thought for a moment, trying to come up with a plan to get Hook safely out of the castle. Could she trust that her mother had forgiven her for taking Graham's heart, or for escaping the tower room? She waited only a few moments, deciding it was not a chance worth taking before she left her room and headed back to the throne room, sticking to the shadows. She knew her magic was strong, and she prayed it wouldn't come down to her having to use it against her mother. She took cover in a dark corner and waited, listening for voices or foot steps to let her know that way was clear.
It seemed like hours before her mother emerged from the room and stormed off toward the gardens. Gwen slipped across the hall into the throne room, "Killian, we have to go now." She called urgently.
The pirate stepped from his hiding place and stared at Gwendolyn. "How the bloody hell did you pull that off?"
"I honestly wasn't sure that I could, but it is a trick that your crocodile taught me. We don't have time for this though - my mother will not be gone long, and as you heard she still has her guard out looking for me. She does not forgive easily, and although she did not say, I feel sure there is a bounty on my head." She looked into his eyes. "You never should have followed me." She told him taking his hand and smiling.
"You never should have left." He smirked, kissing her quickly, "This is your land my Lady, where should we go?"
"There is only one place where I would feel safe, and unfortunately it is the last place I would ever take you." She replied honestly.
"The Crocodile?" he asked inclining his head thoughtfully.
She nodded, "Rumple and my sister are my only two allies, and I don't know where Snow is. I'm sure if my mother's guards are looking for her she will not be easy to find, and that leaves me with only one option. Having you here has pretty much eliminated that option as well."
"Then we go back to Neverland."
"It isn't that easy, I can't make the portal here. My Grandmother's enchantment was designed only to get her home if she ever found herself in trouble; it cannot take us out of the enchanted forest."
"So then we are stuck here? On the run from your revenge seeking mother?"
"Yes, and now we really have to go. Stay close and trust me, I know my way around this castle. We just have to get to the passage in the dining room."
"That won't be happening." Regina snapped from the door.
Gwendolyn turned to face her mother, completely shocked that she had not heard or felt her approaching. "Oh, don't give me that doe eyed look Gwen, you are not the only magical being in this castle. Did you honestly believe that your little display fooled me? Duncan was killed by trolls nearly a year ago. Ironically, he was looking for you."
"A year ago? But I've only been gone a few months."
"You have been away for nearly two years Gwen, and it seems you've been busy in your absence." Regina eyed Hook. "I must say your choice in men lacks serious judgment."
"What are you going to do to us Mother?" Gwen asked standing up straighter and leveling a gaze on her mother, hoping to look stronger then she felt.
"What makes you think I am going to do anything to you?" Regina cocked her head. "You're finally home." She smiled a devilish smile, "Your pirate friend however is another story."
"He has committed no crime Mother; all he has asked is to be returned to his ship in Neverland."
"And I'm sure you told him that isn't possible." The Queen's smirk turned sinister, "You should go to your room Gwen and change out of those ridicules clothing. Leave this cad to me." Gwendolyn did not move - she held tightly to Killian's hand refusing to leave his side. "Now Gwendolyn before I change my mind about you. You have my word that no harm will come to the good Captain."
Reluctantly Gwendolyn let her hand slip free and she headed toward the door. "I'll see you soon," she told Killian before she vanished out of sight in the dark hallway, a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.