No you aren't imagining things. Yes this is another post two days in a row! And it's a longer one. I had to go back in Once history to remind myself of what has happened in the show, but I know there is a chance I did miss something or mess something up. If that is the case I apologize, but will admit I will take liberty of deviating from the show if it fits my needs. That being said I hope you all enjoy! Thanks for reading!
Disclaimer: I own nothing!
Killian and Henry enter the library of the Sorcerer's mansion to see everyone around the same table Killian had been at the night before. It's been cleaned up now and the room was warmer, someone had lit the fireplace. It felt like a different room to Killian now.
"Did you find what you were looking for?" Regina asks looking up as Henry comes to her side.
"Actually it was…"
"The Lad's idea was quite brilliant." Killian says stopping Henry from confessing the truth. "He thought the Apprentice's broom could be of use in locating the Sorcerer." Sharing a look with the lad Killian nods his head.
"Right." Henry says looking back at everyone else around the table. "It helped free the Apprentice from the hat."
"You're right Henry." Mary Margaret says in her cheerful voice, but you could see the confusion on her face. "But what are we going to do with it to find the Sorcerer?"
"Well it has magic." Henry says looking quickly at Killian who nods his head in encouragement. "Or at least did in the Enchanted Forest."
"Plus the Crocodile used the broom to locate the Apprentice here in this land." Killian says helping Henry and gaining the attention of everyone in the room.
"You never mentioned this magical broom before." Regina says more curious,
"Didn't seem important at the time." Killian responds. "And my mind has been dedicated on more pertinent matters as of late."
"Understandable." Regina says as she steps forward to take the broom from Henry. Holding it in her hand her eyes dart up towards Killian's full of surprise. "There is magic here." She then holds the broom more firmly in her grasp as she turns to the rest of the group.
"But can it be of any use to us?" David asks stepping to Regina's side, looking at the broom with doubt.
"I don't know." Regina looks over at him and then back down at the broom in her hand, the wood practically vibrating in her grasp.
"Do you feel that?" Killian asks staring at the hand holding the broom. "It started to quiver the closer we got to this mansion."
Startled Mary Margaret comes around the table to stand next to Regina, holding her hand out towards the broom. "Are you saying the broom is alive?" She asks looking back at Killian.
"Not alive." Regina shakes her head. "But definitely magical." Looking up at Killian she tilts her head in thought. "You said it started to vibrate like this when you got closer to the mansion?"
"Aye…almost as if it sensed it was near where it belonged." Killian says. "Can it be of use?" He asks staring intently into Regina's eyes. The message clear that he needed her to say yes, that something had to come from this latest discovery.
"Well we will have to research it of course." Regina says lifting her one eyebrow similar to Killian does, a smile playing at her lips that grows when Killian cracks a small smile of his own.
No one had noticed Belle in the corner frantically picking up books and tossing them aside when it wasn't the one she was looking for. "That won't be necessary!" Belle finally says rushing across the room, flipping hastily though the pages as she goes. Finding the one she wanted she looks up with bright eyes at Killian first and then Regina. "I came across this book, it mentions a wizard named Merlin, but I think this is our sorcerer."
Henry takes the book and holds it to the open page, with a grimace he looks up at Belle. "The Sword in the Stone…Belle I don't think this is what you think it is."
"I know there is that animated movie, but Henry there are movies like that for all of us here!" Belle says shaking her head. "It can't be that we are all real and these people aren't." Belle says pointing to the book. "Read the page."
Relenting, because she was right, Henry lifts the book and begins to read the page silently to himself. It wasn't the original book written T.H. White, but the Disney copy. It filled with the pictures and even the songs from the book. Halfway down the second page is one song Henry remembers singing over and over again as a little boy and his eyes lit up. Looking up at Belle his gaze quickly turns towards Killian. "I have an idea."
"What is it?" Regina asks holding the broom closer as she reads over Henry's shoulder. "That song? Really?" She asks looking down at Henry in concern.
"Listen to the words." Henry says animatedly holding the book up again to read aloud now.
Left and right
Like day and night
That's what makes the world go round
In and out
Thin and stout
That's what makes the world go round
"It sounds like it's some sort of enchantment or something." Belle insists.
"Well left and right, those are directions, night and day could a reference to East and West. I suppose." Regina says speculating aloud.
"Read the next verse Henry." Belle urges.
For every up there is a down
For every square there is a round
For every high there is a low
For every to there is a fro
To and fro
Stop and go
That's what makes the world go round
This time when Henry reads the words he says them to the beat of the song the way he remembers them. When he finishes he looks up, again his gaze seeking out Killian.
Killian didn't know what to make of everything they were saying. He didn't know what animated was and Emma had just recently introduced him to movies. Nor did he understand what a sword would do in a bloody stone or how it got there in the first place.
Pretty wasteful use of a good sword if you asked him.
But it certainly had Belle and Henry excited, plus Regina wasn't scoffing the idea. Which must mean there was some credence to it. Looking over at the Charming's Killian can see them having another of their silent conversations. "What do you think?" He asks them.
Startled to be the center of attention all of a sudden Mary Margaret looks at David to answer first. "Well we are familiar with the story of the sword in the stone, but we know it as Excalibur." David says sharing another look with Mary Margaret.
"David told me the story of King Arthur and this sword, how only the rightful ruler would be able to wield it." Mary Margaret says still staring at David. "We traveled to Camelot to track down the sword and he tricked me into thinking we found it and that it was meant for me." She clears her throat now and looks directly at Regina. "It's what gave me the courage to stand up to you that day and strike you."
Instead of being insulted or upset Regina looks impressed. "I always wondered what convinced you to stay and stand up to me. Apparently all you needed was a fake sword."
"No the sword was very real." Mary Margaret laughs. "Just not the real Excalibur."
"So then you see!" Belle says excitedly looking around at all of them again, taking the book back from Henry. "That just proves that the sword is real and that this Merlin is real too!"
"But how is the broom and this song going to help us?" David asks.
Before Belle can answer Regina holds up her hand. "Let me think on this a second." And then, taking the book from Belle and holding on to the broom, Regina paces away to think.
Killian watches her intently, knowing that the brunt of this work will fall to her now that she is the only one with Magic to help them. They had gone to the fairies already and Blue had informed them they wouldn't be able to help. When it came to Dark Magic like this the fairies couldn't, or wouldn't, be involved. Even Tinkerbelle had reluctantly apologized to Killian when he asked her as a personal favor. She had told him that her hands were tied, but that he shouldn't give up hope. He and Emma were meant to be.
Killian was holding her to that.
Regina only paced for a few minutes, but it felt like much longer to Killian. She comes back to the group with a determined look on her face, holding the open book in one hand and the broom in the other. "We have to go back to the room where the door to Arendelle appeared. It was the same room Gold had the hat placed to capture Emma right?" Regina asks looking at Killian.
"Aye." Killian nods. "But it was the clock tower when he attempted to cleave himself from the dagger and crush my heart. Shouldn't we go there?"
"No that was about the center of a pentagram and the town, plus it was for Gold's intentions." Regina shakes her head. "This is about the Sorcerer and where both the hat and this broom appeared and belong." And then turning away, Regina doesn't wait for the rest of them to follow her out of the library and across the house into the large open room.
"How do you know this is the right room?" Mary Margaret asks looking around to see that it was the same empty space as before. Nothing stood out about it.
"Because this room held a portal to our world in it that allowed Elsa and the others to go through to get back to Arendelle. It means there is magic here. Magic that allows portals. Something that before this mansion was here, we couldn't just make appear in Storybrooke."
"You think there's a portal here to the Sorcerer." Killian says stepping forward.
"I think this is our best bet right now." Regina responds holding the pirates gaze, wishing she could offer him more assurance.
"Well what are you waiting for?" Killian asks anxious.
"Are we ready?" Regina asks looking around the room. First at Henry to see he is as anxious as Killian, then towards Belle who looks curious, and finally at David and Mary Margaret who both share a look of concern directed towards Killian.
Regina could understand their concern. They had already gone too long without a break in this search for Emma or the Sorcerer. Emotions were high and everyone was desperate. If this didn't work, which Regina feared my happen, she didn't know how Henry…or Killian…would take it. That had her concerned too. She wished Robin were here to offer his support and comfort, instead of in the forest with Roland and the men.
When no one speaks up for her to stop Regina lifts the book and reads aloud the words of the song she remembers Henry singing constantly as a boy.
Left and right
Like day and night
That's what makes the world go round
In and out
Thin and stout
That's what makes the world go round
For every up there is a down
For every square there is a round
For every high there is a low
For every to there is a fro
To and fro
Stop and go
That's what makes the world go round
Nothing happens and Regina sees the disappointed look on Belle's face, matched closely to the ones on David and Mary Margaret's faces. It was Killian's gaze Regina focused on avoiding. She couldn't handle seeing that look of despair again. Instead she looks at Henry, afraid that he would be more that just disappointed. Instead he has a thoughtful look on his face and is staring at the broom. "Henry?"
"Try turning to face the wall." Henry says stepping forward and physically turning Regina as if she wouldn't understand his instructions. "And I think you should move the broom to the motions in the song. When you say left, move the broom left."
"Henry I don't think is going to work." Regina says regretfully. Wishing that by sheer power of will that she could make it happen, but she can't.
"Just try it Mom." Henry says. "And really mean it." And then with a quick look over his shoulder in Killian's direction Henry looks back at Regina and leans in for a hug. "Don't just do it for me, but for Killian too." He whispers quickly before stepping back and into Killian's space. The pirate responds by lifting his hand and squeezing Henry's shoulder, before pulling him in and resting an arm around Henry.
Staring at the two of them Regina blinks back a wave of tears that burn the back of her eyes. She wishes Emma could be here right now and see this. Two of the most important men in her life getting along so well, depending on each other to get through. It would put a smile on her face, because it's what Emma wanted, even if she would never admit it. It's why she kept pushing the two of them together and supported their outings. Emma deserved to see this.
And with that thought in mind Regina forces everything else out and focuses on that one thought. Without even needing the book now Regina repeats the words again, this time in cadence with the original song.
Left and right
Like day and night
That's what makes the world go round
In and out
Thin and stout
That's what makes the world go round
For every up there is a down
For every square there is a round
For every high there is a low
For every to there is a fro
To and fro
Stop and go
That's what makes the world go round
Moving the broom in one more large circular motion, Regina shuts her eyes. She doesn't want to see any more disappointed looks and she was afraid that it didn't work. The broom, which before had been vibrating forcefully before, was now still in her limp hand. Tired from the force of the light magic she still wasn't used to Regina is slow to open her eyes. But with the sound of Mary Margaret's gasp she whips her head up but doesn't see anything. Just the four of them staring back at her.
But they weren't staring at her Regina realized, but behind her.
Turning around Regina holds in a gasp of her own, because she had been wrong. It had worked. And now standing in the middle of the room, close to where the door to Arendelle once was, is now a stone archway and an old wooden door.
"It worked!" Henry shouts, breaking the silence and running forward, reaching out to grab the handle.
"Henry wait!" Regina quickly steps forward and reaches out stop Henry. "We don't know what is on the other side of that door."
"We know it's a step closer to the Sorcerer." Henry says, his tone saying he doesn't care what is on the other side. He looks past his mother towards Killian, knowing that if anyone would be on his side it would be him.
"We have to have a plan before we just open the door Henry." David says agreeing with Regina.
"How can we plan when we aren't sure what's on the other side?" Mary Margaret asks staying back.
"We can't and we don't know how long the door will stay here so we need to hurry."
"Henry that's another good reason to not to." Regina reasons. "We don't know if we will be able to get back."
"The Sorcerer can get us back. He's supposed to be powerful."
"We don't know if he's behind that door. Or if we can trust him."
"What choice do we have?" Killian finally asks, his voice louder than all the rest as he steps forward and stands next to Henry in front of the door. "We've wasted precious time trying to find something to either lead us to Emma or this Merlin." He says looking first at David and then Regina. "We are in the Sorcerer's mansion, we used his Apprentice's broom, and spell from his own story…where else can this lead?"
"We still don't know if we can trust him." Regina points out, unable to argue against Killian's valid points
Killian just stares at Regina before looking over at David, then back to Mary Margaret and Belle, and finally to his left at Henry.
"I understand your reluctance to walk through that door into the unknown, it's because you have something that you'll be leaving behind if you are unable to return." Killian sighs and looks down at his feet and then back up at David. "I don't have that same problem as the rest of you. If I go through this door and am trapped there, then that's that. There is nothing on this other side for me that won't be fine without me."
He looks over at Henry now. "You'll miss me Lad and I you. But you'll have your mother, your grandparents and the rest of this town to look out for you. After some time I will just be a distant memory to you." He then looks back at David. "You have been a good friend, all of you." Killian's gaze encompasses the others in the room. "But you don't need me. And I need to know if what is on the other side of this door will get me closer to Emma."
He looks back right at Regina then. "I'm going through that door with or without you all."
"And I'm going with you." Henry says stepping forward and holding his back straight to stand taller.
"Henry…" Regina starts to argue, but is interrupted.
"No Mom I have to do this. I have a right to do this." Henry insists. "Who found a way into Isaac's twisted book to rescue all of you and bring back the happy endings? I did. I found you. I found Killian and was able to free my mom from that tower. I did all of that." He pauses a moment, prepared to be turned down, but Regina doesn't say anything. "Let me do this."
Regina wants to argue, but when Henry puts it that way how can she? He did do all of those things. Looking into his young, but determined face, Regina sighs. "Then I guess I'm going too. You'll need someone with magic over there with you after all" She says reaching out to grab Henry's hand and squeezing tight.
David steps forward then and rests a hand on Henry's shoulder. "I'm coming with you too." He says sharing a look with Killian. "And we are all coming back."
"David…" Mary Margaret steps forward, but stops short of reaching out to him. "I…I can't…Neal." She shakes her head.
"You need to stay here and take care of him." David agrees. "You and Belle will stay here and work on a way to bring us back if this portal does close after we go through it."
Belle steps forward and wraps an arm around Mary Margaret's shoulders. "You have my word I won't let you all stay over there." She says her gaze coming to rest on Killian. "You all will be coming back, you hear me?"
"Aye." Killian says with a small nod, reminded again how grateful he is to have these people in his life. And he owed that to Emma.
"Be careful!" Mary Margaret says stepping forward to hug them all, giving Killian an extra squeeze before letting go. "Hurry back."
"We will." David assures her.
The four of them turn then and face the door. Looking over at the rest of the group David reaches forward and opens the door. On the other side is just a silvery blue swirl and lights. "Well that's promising." Killian says sarcastically looking down at Henry and sharing an encouraging smile.
"You first." Regina grumbles with a slight nudge on Killian's back.
"I would have it no other way your Majesty." Killian says while stepping forward and through the doorway. Before anyone can blink he is gone from their sight.
"I'll go next." Henry says with excitement and stepping forward and into the doorway before anyone can second-guess the decision to let him come along. Like Killian before him, Henry is gone in an instant. Regina goes next with a hesitant look on her face and David pauses one last time to look back Mary Margaret and give her a reassuring smile. He turns then and disappears through the doorway.
It's as if the door knew they were the only ones going through and it closes as soon as David is through. The door blinking out of existence as quickly as it had appeared.
Gasping Mary Margaret rushes forward, hands out as if she will be able to find it and them. She turns to Belle when she comes up empty. "It's gone already? What if they were going to return right away? What if they aren't safe on the other side?" She rushes to Belle's side and squeezes. Regretting already the decision to say behind. All of her family, minus baby Neal, were now gone, possibly in danger…or worse. And here she was with nothing to do but wait.
"It's going to be alright." Belle soothes her, rubbing an arm down her shoulder. "Regina has her magic, David and Killian are skilled with swords and fighting, and Henry his very bright. They'll going to be just fine. And we are on this side to find a way to bring them back." And then with an arm around her shoulders Belle urges Mary Margaret to follow.
"Let's go back to the loft and relieve Granny. I think you need some time with Neal and I need to go back to the library and look some things up."
"Ok, you're right." Mary Margaret nods and follows along with Belle. "They're going to be fine." She says and gives one last glance behind her to where the door had once been. "They'll all be fine."