Seed of Swan Queen
Chapter Ten
Rebecca hated portal jumping. The jolt was something she couldn't get used to. She tried to make her portal a smoother ride to no avail. As the jumped in and she held on to her mothers with all her strength, love and magic that she could manage to focus on. She felt her stomach turn on its end when suddenly they weren't dropping down but rather they were flying up towards the opening of the volcano in her old time. As they came springing out, Rebecca lost hold of her mothers and went flying out of the top as if the volcano spit her out. She rolled on the grounded when she landed and heard someone calling out her name as she caught view of two people running towards her. She stood slowly to dust herself off when she felt a strong embrace assuming it was one of her mothers. Almost spontaneously some much stronger arms wrapped around her and that's when she caught the scent of flowers and musk and she immediately knew she was back home.
"Mama Snow! Papi David!" Rebecca yelled out in glee as she held on tightly to her beloved grandparents.
Rebecca was suddenly peppered with kisses. "Honey, are you okay? That thing sent you shooting out. Don't worry we will find another way. This might not have worked but there has to be another way." Snow assured as she held her granddaughter
"What do you mean it didn't work?" Rebecca asked letting go of their embrace.
"Well honey you were only gone for a minute and then you came shooting back out." The older Snow explained.
"A minute?" Rebecca asked trying to understand her grandmother.
"Yea, we saw you go in and before we even had a chance to move, you came flying back out. It seemed like it didn't let you go through." The older David explained.
"I must have thought of this very moment and that's why I ended up coming back at this time. It was the last memory I have of our time." Rebecca explained out loud trying to make sense of what her grandparents were telling her. She then looked up smiling at them and grabbed on her grandmothers hand. "It did work Mama Snow. I've been gone for almost ten days and it did work, look." She pointed behind her to point out the two women dusting themselves off.
It took a moment for Emma's parents to realize that it was really her. Emma looked up and saw what looked like Mary Margaret and David rushing towards her but her hair was longer and his hair had a few greys in them. "Emma!" They were holding her before she knew what was happening. It had not dawned on her that in this time, her parent wouldn't be her same age. They would actually be older than her like it should have been all long.
Emma was enjoying her parents embrace when her mother reached out and clasped onto Regina who wasn't prepared for such affection from Snow White, older or not. "Regina!" She wiggled against the hug as it also dawned on her that in this time there must have been some compromise between them for the sake of their family. She wasn't expecting affection however.
When the group of adults let go of each other, they found Rebecca with tearful eyes looking at them a few feet away. She smiled in amazement and said to herself, "I can't believe I did it."
"I can't believe it's really you." Snow said looking at the younger versions of Emma and Regina.
In return Emma and Regina stared at the older version of the Charmings. "Well, we can't just stand here staring at each other." David joked. "Besides, it's getting dark and the Winged Monkey will be coming out soon and I don't want us to get caught out here. We should head back. It's a good walk without magic." He warned as he started to lead the way.
The waters around the volcano were still settling down. They reached the lake, Emma and Regina felt like puppies trailing behind their masters.
"Wait a minute, what do you mean without magic? I have my magic remember?" Regina asked.
"And what do you mean Winged Monkeys?" Emma added.
But the trio of natives focused on the fact that their boat had been swept away when the waters stormed around the volcano after Rebecca jumped in the portal. "Now how are we going to get across? We can't just swim across. We would be sitting ducks if the Winged Monkeys showed up." David huffed.
"Well, I can just puff us to my mansion." Regina suggested frustrated.
"No!" The trio from the future shouted at the same time.
"What on earth is going on here? Why can't I use my magic? Isn't that the point of bringing us here?" Regina grew very frustrated.
"Yeah and I ask again, what do you mean Winged Monkeys?" Emma grew frustrated as well.
Snow turned to Rebecca with a stern look. "You didn't tell them did you?"
Rebecca shrugged. "I told them what I they needed to know to get over here."
"I think it's time someone tells us what the hell is going on." Emma demanded.
"We will, I promise but first you have to trust me when I say we have to get to a safe place." David answered firmly causing Emma to feel what it should have been to have a father 20 years older than her. His concern and assurance left Emma only to nod in agreement and comply.
"We still don't have a way to get across." Snow pointed out.
Rebecca walked to the edge of the water and pointed her hand to the water. As she pointed her hand to the water, a surge of white magic came rushing out and in a matter of seconds she made a small bridge by freezing some of the water.
Emma stood wide eyed at her daughters' magical abilities as Regina stood with her hands on her hips. "Oh you can use your magic but I can't?" She complained.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Snow asked Rebecca peering over her shoulder to look at the bridge.
"If we hurry across, it might not be long enough for Henry to sense anything." Rebecca answered helping her grandmother onto the bridge and ushering her mothers to hurry along as they followed David's lead.
"What is Henry sensing and why does that matter?" Emma asked still trying to figure out what situation they had gotten themselves into.
"It's not so much sense. It's more like Henry can track whenever Rebecca uses her magic for too long." Snow explained.
"And that's bad because?" Emma insisted on an explanation.
"Well, he's still looking for me because of the whole curse thing." Rebecca answered hesitantly.
David helped all the women come off of the icy bridge as they made their way across. When they were all on safe ground, Regina held her hand out to undo the bridge but Rebecca grabbed onto her brunette mother's hand.
"Don't!" Rebecca exclaimed causing Regina to turn with a stern look that demanded an explanation. "Henry will be able to track your magic for sure and you're supposed to be frozen." Regina accepted her daughters' explanation and watched as Rebecca waved her making the bridge turn back into water.
The reunited family made their way to the town that was now unrecognizable to Emma and Regina. As they started to make their way through the dark streets, Emma and Regina noticed how the town looked almost abandoned. The buildings were unkept and covered with trash. Some of the buildings had broken windows, cracks on the walls and graffiti on them.
"What the hell happened to my town?" Regina bellowed.
"Many of the towns people fled after the Evil Queen took over. No one really comes out at night unless they have to." David explained. "But we will be safe once we're in the pawn shop. The Blue Fair enchanted it."
Regina still couldn't wrap her mind around the idea of someone else being referred to as the Evil Queen. Before the young mothers had a chance to ask more questions, they turned a corner and the wind started to blow. Rebecca stopped and turned to look at the sky. "Hold on I think…" A flash of lighting came crashing down causing everyone to protect their eyes.
The wind started blowing hard as an older Ruby came run behind them. "It's the Queen, run." She warned as she held onto Snow.
"It's too late." Rebecca muttered, "They found me."
Emma and Regina didn't wait a moment longer, they each extended an arm out in front of Rebecca and stepped in front of her. As they looked into the sky, a swirl of wind and lighting opened the skies and the clouds separated unveiling a woman gracefully gliding towards them from above. Everyone looked up but had to cover their eyes from the flashing lighting.
Rebecca turned to her grandpa, "Take them to the Pawn Shop and hide them. I'll distract them."
"And how are you going to do that without risking them capturing you?" David replied.
"I'll think of something." Rebecca started walking towards the wind storm headed their way.
But Regina and Emma instinctively each grabbed one of Rebecca's arms to stop her. Just then Snow uttered, "If only there was a way we could all hide." As the three Swan-Mills women held on to each other, a sudden surge surrounded them and they no longer felt the wind blowing on them.
Ruby turned from the sky to the now vanished friends. "Snow? Where did you go?"
But with one more flash, the woman on the cloud of lighting was standing a few feet away from them with her back towards them. She was wearing a green and black dress that fit her tight to her body. She had the long tail of her dress in one hand. Regina would never admit that she approved of the dress as she scanned her new enemy up and down then had a moment of longing for her royal attire versus the mayor suit she had on. Emma was impressed at how attractive the woman was even from just seeing her profile. Without turning her body, she turned her head to Ruby still giving them her back that was peering from the very low cut dress.
"Where is she?" The woman asked.
Ruby was still not sure what was going on. She looked around where her friends were standing only moments ago, "I don't….I don't know who you are talking about."
"Don't move, I don't think she can see us." Snow whispered as the five of them held on to each other.
The woman whipped her hand back to move the tail of her dress out of the way then made a sharp turn toward Ruby. "Come now don't tell me you're going to cry wolf." She walked towards her passed the group hidden behind some kind of magic. "I know she was here. Henry tracked her."
"Well as you can see for yourself, there is no one here." Ruby pointed out.
The Queen looked at Ruby up and down with her eyes. "What was I thinking? You will never give her up. But don't you think it's better that I get a hold of her before Henry does?"
"Neither one of you will ever find her." Ruby assured.
The Queen looked around the space. "I know she was here. I can feel it." She made another sharp turning spinning her dress around and without being able to see the one she seeks; she ended up within inches of Rebecca's face.
Rebecca tightened her grip on her mother's shoulders as a reminder not to move. Both Emma and Regina were dying of the curiosity to see the new Evil Queen. As much as none of the wanted to move out of fear that the magic would unveil them, Regina couldn't help gasp as she recognized the new Evil Queen. Rebecca was also holding her breath having the Queen standing inches away from her and looking straight into her eyes. Emma noticed Regina gasp and she noticed Rebecca gulp as she looked that the Queens eyes, lips and then her back at her eyes.
Without warning the Queen turned to Ruby and held her hand out gripping her throat. Everyone in the hidden bubble let go of each other to hold Snow back. For the instant they let go they became visible. The moment they were all holding on to Snow, they were invisible again. The group was startled that their hold on each other was causing magic strong enough not just to be invisible but not to be sensed. They looked around the magic bubble that re-cloaked them and didn't notice the tornado of deep purple smoke until Henry was coming out of it.
"Evanora!" Henry yelled out to his wife in the roaring thundering voice that echoed through the streets.
Everyone flinched at his voice except Evanora. She continued to hold Ruby by the throat and calmly answer her husband without turning to look at him. "Yes darling?"
"If you wanted a pet, I'm sure we could find you a much younger puppy." Henry answered as Ruby gasped.
Emma and Regina were shocked to see their sweet boy become into a grown man with an aura of arrogance. He was about his grandfathers height with a long cape over leather pants and a silk shirt. He held his chin up high as if looking down on everyone. He was a little huskier than Emma would have imagined but very handsome with sand color clean cut hair and soft facial features. His manner however, it was all Regina's.
"Let her go. You know my grandmother hates it when we mistreat her pets. Besides, haven't you learned by now my dear that she will never tell us anything." Henry rolled his eyes.
Evanora released her leaving Ruby holding her throat and coughing. She turned to Henry and put her hand gently on his chest. "Of course my darling, but you look tired. Why don't you go back to the mansion and rest. There is no one here."
Henry almost melting at her touch. "If there was no one here, what are you doing here?" Henry changed his expression to fury. "You were looking for her again weren't you?" He pushed her hand away. "Where is she?" He demanded.
"My darling, the only thing I was looking for was for you. You stormed out of the mansion without a word and I was worried." Evanora leaned in on her again and put on a pout. "Come now, there is nothing here. Let's go home and we can share a night cap." She now smiled at him.
They didn't say another word and puffed away together in a cloud of dark purple smoke. The family hiding under their magic, let go of each other and Snow ran to Ruby's side. "Are you okay?"
Both Emma and Snow helped Ruby to her feet. "Yes, I'm fine but what was the disappearing act you guys did? And why couldn't Henry detect your magic?" She finally got a good look at Emma. "Oh my god, Emma you're free." Ruby exclaimed.
"Not exactly."Snow explained.
"Why couldn't Henry sense me?" Rebecca asked and everyone turned to look at Regina for an explanation.
"How should I know? I don't even know how Henry is tracking you. And why in the hell didn't you tell me the woman who bewitched Henry is Evanora?"Regina was furious.
Rebecca didn't know where to hide. "I, I didn't want to upset you."
"Upset? Upset? I'm not just upset that Henry married that...that witch, I livid!"Regina yelled.
"Wait a minute, you mean Henry married the wicked witch of the west?" Emma asked in horror.
Rebecca now started to hide behind her grandmother. "Not exactly, that was Theodora. Evanora is the wicked witch of the East."
"Yeah, yeah, I know the story. What else haven't you told us?" Emma demanded to her daughter over her mothers shoulder.
"Honey, it's not her fault. We told her not to tell you guys too much about the future." Snow said in a soothing voice to her daughter.
Emma was not used to Mary Margaret being so much older than her. She was taken aback with her mother and remained a little speechless as she turned to look at her older father as well. "It's still not safe out here. Let's get to the pawn shop where we can be safe and figure out things." He suggested and everyone followed.
When the group entered the pawn shop, Emma and Regina noticed the change immediately. The glass cases were almost empty and abandoned. When they made their way to the back they saw the biggest change. The back rooms were now made into a home. There was a small living room that led into a kitchen with a large dining table. The rooms were all cabin like but with modern touches like any other home.
The hosts led Emma and Regina to the kitchen where the older Charmings began to prepare some coffee for all of them. The older parents couldn't stop smiling at their daughter and daughter-n-law actually sitting in front of them. They lovingly catered to them by sitting them on the dining table and lay out cups, sugar and creamer for them.
"Are you guys hungry? It's pot roast night." Snow smiled widely.
"No, were didn't come here to swap recipes. Where is Rebecca?" Regina demanded annoyed at her future in-laws attention.
Emma placed her hand over Regina's to calm her down but Regina rolled her eyes and moved her hand away. "I could eat." Emma shrugged.
Snow put on an even wider smile and went into the kitchen. David came back in with a pot of coffee. "Okay, so let's start by figuring out why Henry couldn't sense Rebecca if we were all using magic or were we? Could it have just been the three of you? I mean in this time neither of you have magic so technically the three of you have never been at the same time and place with magic. Maybe together you can cloak your magic from Henry." He analyzed as he poured the coffee.
"Why the hell don't I have magic anyway? What could have possible possessed me to give up my magic?" Regina frowned.
"Your family." Rebecca answered coming down from a small set of stairs in the back of the kitchen. Regina felt a hand on her shoulder and when she looked up, Snow was lovingly looking down on her with a smile. Regina was not used to that kind of affection from this woman. She felt uneasy but also somewhat comforted from this older version of her nemesis. "You have always put your family in first place, both of you." Snow moved her hand and tapped on her daughters chin with pride.
"If you haven't given up your magic, I would have been born." Rebecca added with as much pride. "It was the ultimate sacrifice." Then she eagerly asked, "Can I show my mama the magic lab we made, Mama Snow?"
"Why doesn't everyone wash up and after dinner we can all talk about what comes next calmly." David suggested causing his granddaughter to shrug in obedience.
The awkwardness soon disappeared as the family focused on eating. They had all had an exerting evening, they were all tired, hungry and overwhelmed. The silence of the dinner was refreshing as they all took that moment to take in what was happening. Henry, their dear sweet boy was now being manipulated by one of the most evil of witches. He was after Rebecca's heart to destroy her. Snow and David had their daughter and daughter-n-law back, no matter what age they were, the Charmings were delighted to have some version of their family back. Emma had parents older than her, a wife and kids that she had only dreamt of growing up and having. Regina belonged to a family, a real family with problem and dinners together. Rebecca had her parents back and two very strong magical allies now which gave her great relief. All of this was due to the one thing that Emma and Regina could still not accept. They had falling in love.
After dinner, Rebecca took Regina and Emma up to the small magic lab she had made. They were impressed with the level of magic she had dabbled with and how organized it was. She had a magic book on the computer and hand written. All her potions and spells were organized by need. It almost reminded Regina of the lab that Rumple used to have in the enchanted forest. Regina and Rebecca started to look through the details of the freezing curse, the curse of the broken hearted and the portal she had created.
After a while of only understanding half of what was being said, she wondered out into the rest of the house with the excuse that she needed the restroom. However, she found her way into an abandoned bedroom. It was dark and damp with a large queen size bed in the middle with satin sheets. The bed was made be there was an outline of someone sleeping over the sheets. As Emma looked over the room, she found half of everything in a neat organized manner and the other half disorganized. She smiled to herself not thinking about how they would even make that part of their lives work. When she got to the dresser, she found the proof that stopped her heart. There were a number of pictures of her future family. Some with young Henry then of baby Rebecca, but in all of them, Emma saw a happiness in hers and Regina's eyes that she had yet to see.
"This was yours and Regina's bedroom." Snow said startling Emma a little. "Rebecca hasn't let us move a thing. She thinks I don't know but I know she comes in here and sleeps in your bed sometimes. She hasn't had one second of doubt that she would get you guys back. She never gives up. She reminds me so much of you." Snow smiled with pride.
"You mean she's like her grandparents, never losing hope." Emma responded causing her mother to shrug with some more pride. Emma turned back to her dresser trying to get a better look at the pictures in the dark room. "I still can't believe it."
"Any of it or that you are Regina's true love?" Snow wondered.
Emma looked at a picture of her and Regina sharing a loving kiss and stared at it for a moment. "Well, any of it I guess but me and Regina…that just seems impossible. How could that have happened?"
Snow laughed, "Believe me, it wasn't something anyone accepted lightly, not even Regina or you. It took some serious wooing on your part. Plus you and Regina share the ultimate bound, Henry. Ultimately, he was what brought you together then you had Rebecca and history was made."
"Yeah, I still don't get how that happened either. I mean, I get that she is a magical baby but if we lose our magic, then how was she born?" Emma put the picture down and sat on a love seat in front of a small fireplace where she imaged her and Regina spent much time sitting.
"Why don't I read you the story of the Swan Queen?" Snow took down a book from the mantle of the fire place that looked very much like Henry's book. "Here, hold it while I turn on the fireplace for some light." Snow suggested.
Emma immediately started flipping through the thinner book and saw illustrations of fighting with Regina and of fighting against others alongside Regina. One picture in the middle of the book caught her attention. Regina was laying on the floor as if dying as Emma held her. The next picture showed her standing with tears running down her eyes next to Regina's limp body, aiming a surge of magic to a dark figure. Then the dark figure exploded as Regina held up her hand to hold Emma's until finally Emma and Regina were smiling back at each other.
Emma hadn't realized Snow was struggling to start the fireplace until it suddenly lit. Both her and Snow looked up to find Regina standing by the door. She made her way in and sat next to Emma on the love seat where she glanced at the illustrations. With the same expression looking for answers as Emma, Regina looked up at Snow for an explanation.
Without saying other word, Snow moved the rocking chair that Regina used to put Rebecca to sleep when she was born, in front of them and took the book from Emma's laps.
She smiled up at her daughters and with the light of the fireplace flickering on all of the, she started, "Once Upon a Time, there were two abandoned souls who found each other…."