"Mary-Margaret is innocent." Henry crossly said as he stomped along the sidewalk kicking at whichever rock had the misfortunate of being in his way. His face was contorted lines ceasing at his forehead and his hands were clenched into tight fists.
"Henry hey….," Rowan said grabbing hold of his arm, "being angry is never going to solve anything. Perhaps me and you can walk to the Sheriff's Station and see what Emma can do or if maybe we can help her."
Henry shook free of her grasp, "it's her. Regina's framed her."
The details of Katherine Nolan's murder were vague at the most. The only known facts were that she was dead, Ruby had found her heart under the toll bridge and Mary-Margaret was in custody. The story had taken Storybrooke by surprise, a beloved innocent fragile school teacher committing murder.
"She's your sister," Henry added, "Rose-Red would drop everything to help her sister after they were reunited."
"Henry I think I'm remembering but I'm not Rose-Red….I'm Rowan Harkin. I'm not some kind of hero thief, princess or anything that Rose Red is. I can't shoot arrows or wield a sword like she can and until she's woken up or completely here you're just going to have to stick with Rowan who can only take you to Emma and hope maybe she's sorted everything out by…," she trailed off when she caught sight of a slightly dishelmed Dylan Jones staggering towards them. His hair stood in all different directions, his eyes glassy and bloodshot and his shirt laid un tucked from his pants. He looked nothing of the sort like the Dylan Jones she'd known.
"What's wrong with him?" Henry inquired.
Damn it. He was far beyond drunk. Drunks were unpredictably violent and a possible danger to Henry. She squeezed his shoulder.
"He's drunk Henry," Rowan muttered, "why don't you go home I'll take care of him ok?"
"Maybe it's effecting him too-
"Go home Henry."
It took some more efforts of cajoling before Henry slowly began to trot off in the other direction towards home. Sighing deeply Rowan made her way towards him gripping his upper arms tightly. His head bobbed uncontrollably as his eyes rolled back for a long moment.
"Hey stay with me ok?" Rowan said.
She half-dragged half-tugged him along the streets of Storybrooke towards the back of the grocery store as Dylan slurred things incoherently in her ear. His breathe reeked of vodka, a smell that made her cringe.
Fairytale Land- About 2 Years After Peter and Rose Met
"Are you afraid or something?" Peter teased as he tugged off his shirt tossing it aside where it crumpled on the side of the bank of the river. Holding his hands above his head he dove head first into the murky waters.
Rose stood at the edge of the water shakily walking towards it dipping her big toe into the water before retracting it quickly. Peter emerged from the water. His dark hair was matted and flat on his head.
"You scared or something?"
Water and royals hadn't quite mixed. Her father never learned insisting swimming had been an activity for the lowliest of all commoners. Her mother hadn't ever mentioned swimming to her and Snow only longed to learn.
"You can't see the bottom….you've no idea of what kind of fowl creatures lurk in these waters."
Peter laughed, "didn't you tell me that all animals are gentle loyal creatures?"
"I said birds."
Peter swam towards the edge where she sat propelling himself upward. It wasn't the first time she'd ever laid her eyes on his bare chest. There had been many a few accidental sights of too much exposed skin but there was something else stirring inside of her that made her squirm so she cast her eyes elsewhere.
"I could teach you," he offered leaning closer towards her, his hand clasping over hers. She shimmered her hand away from his grasp holding it on her lap.
"How'd you learn to swim? There's no waters near where you grew up."
"No but when I was with my parents we were always on a ship. I think I was just about walking the first time my father threw me into the water. He told me sink or swim. And I swam."
"Just like that?" Rose inquired leaning backwards on her hands.
The sun's rays were beaming in streaks through the trees. They glistened on the surface of the water below them. Birds could be heard chirping, crickets could be heard murmuring their ancient stories.
"Well there was a lot of flailing arms, and splashing and such but water is nothing to fear."
"Speaks the son of a Pirate."
"Aye and what do Royals not engage in swimming? Surely you must have bathed-
"We had these large tubs filled with all sorts of flowers, candles used to illuminate the bathroom and….," she trailed off when she realized he was smirking at her with one eyebrow raised questioning her. She reached forward jabbing him in the ribs where a sword had the misfortune of striking him along a few weeks ago. He hunched over in pain letting out a few soft moans of agony.
"Oh you'll pay for that Princess!" he shrieked his hands gripped just under her breasts tugging her into the water. She kicked wildly at him but it was fruitless as she ended up in the dark murky lakes. She flailed her limbs attempting to reach the surface of the water, only coming up for gasping breathes before once again being sucked under.
"Stand up Princess." Peter ordered whilst regaining a grasp on her squirming body.
Her toes hesitantly felt the slimy bottom of the ground shrinking upward upon the contact.
"You scoundrel!" Rose yelled.
Peter slowly began to tread away from her into the deeper side of the river chanting, "if you want your revenge dear sweet Rose you must swim to catch me!" and in more gentle voice he attempted to coherence her into coming closer, "just float on your stomach, and push the water back with your hands and kick! I won't let you drown! Promise!"
"A promise from a pirate is like trusting a dragon."
"What are you suggesting lass? That I'm not honest and trustworthy?"
Hesitantly she tip toed to the deepest part of the water where her just her eyes were above the water level before pushing off and slowly treading the water with her hands. Peter swam towards her.
"Not that scary eh?" he asked holding onto to her.
"Don't let go of me," she pleaded as her hands wrapped tightly around his neck and her legs wrapped around his waist in a iron tight grasp.
"I won't."
Before she could even realize what was going on, his lips gently pressed up against hers. The sound of laughter made them pull their heads apart.
"Interrupting something?!" a palace guard sniggered.
A/N: hope you're still enjoying!:)
