A/N: Sorry for the delay. Here finally is another chapter. I hope you all enjoy.
Only Teardrops
Chapter 11: The Other Heir
We had been walking for what felt like hours. I was incredibly exhausted. I felt like we all were. I looked up towards the palace. I could only remember good times there. I remembered having great times with my family. I could only hope to see my family soon. I was very excited for the possibility of introducing Henry to them. This was all surreal. I'd gone years just hoping for this possibility and then months knowing it was in the horizon and now we were here. I had returned to my home, but things were so different now. I was older and matured; I now had a husband. Life for me was so different from what I had expected my entire life. I was actually able to marry someone I loved rather than someone I was introduced to.
"We should stop for the night." Robin said. It was getting dark and making camp was the best idea.
"Every couple has a tent in their bag." Henry announced. When we knew the time was getting close Henry and I had packed bags for everyone. I knew the land and I knew that we might need some gear to get us by.
"I'll find us some water to refill our bottles." I said as I packed all of the water bottles into my bag.
"Do you want me to come with you?" Henry asked at once. I gave him a kind smile and placed a kiss on his lips.
"I'll be fine love. Just setup the tent. I will be back in no time. This land is packed with springs." I said knowingly. I gave him a parting smile and walked into the woods knowing I would find a spring sooner rather than later.
I was right that I would find a spring. I kneeled down beside it and started to fill the bottles. I felt like eyes were on me. I turned to see no one. I figured I was just imagining things or that Henry had come after all. I smiled to myself thinking of Henry. My husband was everyone I could want and more. I could only hope my parents would love him as much as I do. I closed one bottle and started to work on another. I put my hand into the cool water. Suddenly everything went black.
My head was pounding. I put my hand on the back of my head and rubbed. I then opened my eyes. I was in what seemed to be a dark cave. I instantly grew afraid. I knew that last I was at the spring getting water. I looked around hoping I could find away out I then stood and started towards light. I creped slowly hoping that whomever had captured me would not catch me escaping. I then heard voices. I stood till and aginast the wall. At once I recognized one of the voices. It was a woman. I knew this voice well. It was the voice of my mother. I needed to get closer. I moved quickly to get close to the voice. I then found myself in an opening. There were a few people. They all stopped and looked at me. I saw my mother. She wasn't dressed how she normally did. She wasn't dressed like a week. She wore beggar's robes, but she still looked just as beautiful as always. My eyes grew wide. I couldn't believe that after 6 years I was face to face with my mother.
"You're awake." She said sweetly as she came to me. She pulled me close. I didn't know what to think.
"Mother?" I questioned looking at her.
"Yes my sweet darling." She said happily.
"Where are we? Why are you not in the palace?" I questioned. I was concerned. I didn't know what was going on here.
"We haven't lived in the palace in 6 years my dear. Beatrice and The Shadows drove us out. We've been hiding with those who have remained loyal to the true crown. I never thought I'd see you again." She said happily as she once again pulled me close.
"Me either." I said truthfully. "Where's father and Helen?"
"Your father should return soon. I sent word to him that you've returned." My mother said. Her face then grew sad. "Helen is no longer with us… she passed away. She died during childbirth. Her child died as well. There aren't many resources when living underground. Prince Forester was captured by Beatrice. He is controlled by her dark magic. She is a pawn in her game."
I instantly grew sad. My sister didn't deserve that fate. My sister deserved so much more. She had been such a beautiful person. I sat down. This was all too much for me. I didn't know what to think. All of these years had not been kind to my family. I was living my dreams while they suffered. I then remembered Henry and the others.
"Mother… the other's I was with… are they okay?" I asked.
"Ah yes. We were tracking your movements. We'd noticed strangers enter the land. They are being watched." My mother said.
"Can you have them brought here?" I then asked.
"They are friends of yours?" she questioned.
"Yes they are. They are the reason I'm here. Please have them brought here and don't frighten them. It might be dangerous if you do." I was begging. I could only hope that they wouldn't be captured by The Shadows.
"Alright. Callus please have the Princess' friends brought here and don't frighten them. I'm sure they are looking for her." My mother instructed a man who was standing near the entrance. The man simply nodded and left. I turned to my mother.
"So you've all been underground since the attack?" I asked.
"Yes we had to flee quickly." My mother said. I felt sorry for my family. I'd lived a relatively nice life in the last 6 years, but they suffered. They had to live a hidden existence in order to save their own lives. "You must be hungry." She then said giving me a weak smile.
"I'm starving." I said placing my hand on my stomach. I felt like I hadn't eaten in days.
My mother left me alone. I looked around the cave. I knew it must have taken some time to get used to. Being thrown from your home and forced to live in a cave. I remembered my first days in New York. I didn't quite know what to do with myself. I slept in Central Park in the cold for a week until I started to get my bearings. It was hard, but this… 6 whole years in a cave fearing for their lives at all times. I couldn't imagine it. I was grateful that they got me out. I don't think I'd been grateful until this point. I then heard footsteps. I looked up and there I saw him. It was my father. I blinked…I couldn't believe my eyes. I don't think he could believe his. He just stood there and then he opened his arms. I jumped up and ran to him and his arms came around me and pulled me close.
"My Gabby." He said. I could feel my eyes filling with tears as we stood there.
"Oh darling you're back." My mother's voice came.
"How?" My dad asked me when he let go of me. My hand instantly went to my pendant. A huge grin then came upon his face. "It worked!"
"Yes it did." I said.
"Where did it take you?" he asked.
"To another land. I lived in a large city for 5 years. I then made a friend and that friend took me to a special place. In this special place is most of the people of the Enchanted Forest." I explained.
"The Enchanted Forest?" my mother questioned.
"Yes." I answered.
"Those people with you. They are from the Enchanted Forest?" My mother then asked. I went to open my mouth to answer when I heard a very familiar voice.
"Where are you taking us? You said you were taking us to Gabrielle." Regina's agitated voice came. They then walked into view all 5 of them. Henry smiled when he saw me and came to me. He took my hand in his.
"Well here they are." I said happily.
"Mother… father." I said looking at them. "I'd like you to meet my husband and his family." I said smiling.
"Husband?" my father questioned.
"You've married?" my mother questioned.
"Yes I've married. This is Henry." I said happily.
"Nice to meet you your highnesses." Henry said giving my parents a bow. I smiled. It was cute and very sweet of him.
"Nice to meet you too young man." My father said. I looked to tears in my mother's eyes as she stood there smiling.
"I'm so happy for you my dear." She said to me. "I can tell you are in love. You always talked about being in love when you married. You've gotten your dream."
"Yes I did." I said happily.
"Sorry to break up the pow wow, but where are we?" Emma then asked.
"Well as I've learned. My parents have been forced underground with those who remain loyal. Beatrice and The Shadows have control over the land." I explained.
"And who is everyone?" my mother asked motioning to the others.
"This is Henry's family. His mothers… Emma and Regina and their husbands Killian and Robin." I said motioning to everyone.
"Mothers?" questioned my mother.
"It will take awhile to explain. I will do it." I said.
Suddenly there was the sound of screaming. We all turned towards the entrance. I walked over to Emma and Regina. The three of us had fireballs ready. We were ready for whoever or whatever came our way. My heart was beating fast and quick. This couldn't be happening already. I'd just gotten to my family. Suddenly a woman ran in. I realized it was Violet my handmaiden from growing up. She fell as she reached us. There was shock on her face. I let down my defenses and ran to her. She looked at me and I could tell she couldn't believe her eyes.
"Princess?" she questioned.
"Hello." I said giving her a hug.
"We were on patrol. There are Shadows not far. We must put out the lights." She said quickly. My parents then rushed and started to snuff out the torches that lit the place. Henry came to me and put his arms around me. We then were in the complete dark.
"This happens often. Hopefully they will pass in minutes." My mother whispered. We all stood silent in the dark. I could only hope it would pass quickly. I was frightened. I felt like the minutes passed slowly. Henry kept me close. At once I heard more footsteps. My breathing became quick. I was frightened. I couldn't see anything.
"Coast is clear." A voice called. I could hear everyone letting their breath out. One by one the torches were relit. The cave room came back to light.
"Now I'm sure all of you are hungry. Violet and I will prepare something." My mother said sweetly.
We all sat around having a meal as a family. It wasn't the fancy meals that my family had been accustomed to in the past, but it was a meal and it was nice to enjoy it with all the people I loved. I was able to tell my parents all about my wedding. My mother cried through most of the story. My parents seemed to like Henry and they both seemed to be genuinely happy for me. I was grateful that my parents were alive, but the sadness lingered since I'd learned about my sister's passing. My sister was one of my heroes and I'd looked up to her so much through my life. I needed to help my family regain their power. I needed to get our land back and we needed to destroy The Shadows.
The cave system that my parents and their loyalists built was extensive and impressive. My mother led all of us into a smaller cave room. She told us that as long as we were there we could sleep there. I lied in Henry's arms on the dirt floor just thinking about our castle. I remembered my bedroom. I wondered if anything there had remained the same over the last 6 years or had Beatrice ruined it all. Through the past 6 years I'd had so many thoughts and questions, but now I felt like I had so many more. My mind was going wild with questions and wonders. I slipped from Henry's arms and tip toed from the room. I walked through to the large room that we'd been in earlier. I saw my mother sitting by the fire. She heard my steps and turned to see me. She simply smiled. I walked to her and sat next to her.
"I'm so glad to have you back." She said as she held my hand.
"I'm glad you are alive. I've wondered about your fate for so long." I said looking into the fire.
"I've wondered for yours." She said. She then turned to me. "So you have magic?"
"Yes. One day it just happened." I said with a laugh thinking of the night I made Regina fly across the room. I then looked at my mother. "I remember that night I left that father said something about that I would find my magic in me. I never knew what that meant. Did the two of you know I had magic?"
"Yes and no." she answered.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Well when you were born we did the tradition of showing you off to our kingdom. We toured the kingdom with your baby girl. In one small village not far from here there was an old woman. She came to us and said that you had magic deep inside and that one day you would find it. We thought she was crazy, but that thought stuck with us. We couldn't help, but then think maybe she wasn't crazy after all." My mother explained.
"No not crazy at all. Very right." I said with a smile.
"We are going to have to keep your presence here on a need to know basis. We can't risk Beatrice learning you are here. If she learned the heir is here she will surely kill you and if she knew there were two heirs here then it's over." My mother said.
"Two heirs?" I questioned. I was confused.
"You don't know do you?" my mother then asked me. I looked at her I was confused. She placed her hand on my belly. "It's early so it hasn't struck yet… my dear you are pregnant."
"Pregnant?" I questioned. "How could you know?"
"Oh I know. I know a pregnant woman when I see her. The moment I saw you, I knew. It might have started making you feel strange, you don't feel like yourself, you feel sick sometimes for no reason, dizzy, and maybe hungry even when you've eaten." She said. I could only nod. I placed my own hand on my belly.
"I'm pregnant." I said. I was simply in shock. I was carrying a baby. I was going to be a mother.
"You're pregnant?" questioned a voice. I turned to see Henry standing at the entrance to the room. I could see the joy on his face. I smiled at him. We were having a baby. I then became very scared. Beatrice would surely have me killed. I knew in that moment I couldn't risk my baby's life, but I needed to save my family and my kingdom.