3 Months Later:

The suns hot, hotter than its been all year leaving the multitude of colored blossoms and rose bushes pleading to be watered. Servants scurry around the vast royal garden with watering cans, a selection of apple trees providing sufficient cover for a handful of parched flowers but not for all. At the back of the greenery, a plunge drops several hundred feet into shimmering blue waters, the sound of the lakes waves gently slapping against the rocks below mellows the contemplating woman looking out over the vast Enchanted forest.

A small breeze sweeps through Mazoe's raven locks, absent blue eyes staring at the horizon and mind in a world of its own. Its been a little over eleven weeks since she was released from confinement. After her breakthrough with Snow, her minds become clearer and clearer, her past life, the places and people she once knew and loved sent her into a downward spiral of regret and despair. It took days before she finally began speaking again but Snow and Regina were determined, they kept pushing, willing her to accept the past and move on to the future. What happened between them will never go away, but eventually she found the strength to push it to one side, to deal with her pain internally and focus of regaining what she lost to the Evil Queen.

It wasn't until a month ago that she finally figured herself out. The journey she had started all those decades ago was never put on pause, this new curse and Emma had been her intended path all along. Sure it was long and grueling, the most challenging shes ever faced but fate has a funny way of guiding people to their intended destination. So with her mind stuck back together and heart harder than before, shes prepared herself to fulfill her destiny. Snow and Regina had informed her that as soon as they had put their differences aside all those years ago, a figure no one has ever seen sprung from the darkness and cast a powerful dark curse freezing everyone in time. Unfortunately for Snow, the woman was in labor when it occurred thus ultimately creating the savior. The blue fairy was specific about the new prophecy, Emma is to fight this unknown evil when it comes for her on her 28th birthday, but the princess is to banish it with the aid of a being made up of light and dark. Snow's adamant that 'being' is Mazoe but shes not so sure, of course she'll help but beside from reassurance and guidance, there's nothing more she can do.

"Mazoe?"

Mazoe blinks from her thoughts, refocusing on the smiling Snow sliding alongside her.

"We were looking for you, Emma wants to train with her bow again but is too embarrassed to ask you to watch."

"I'll watch her once shes taken a few lesson from you."

"Me?"

"Yes Snow, you. You have one of the truest aims I've seen in a very long time. I believe you'll be her best teacher."

Snow smiles weakly.."I don't do that kind of thing anymore."

"Because you're Queen?"

"Because I have to set an example for the kingdom."

"Have you ever considered your skills are in fact the best example to set for this kingdom? You don't wield your bow for war nor for murder, but to teach your daughter how to become a more resilient and stronger leader."

Snow blinks, the woman processing the words before a genuine smile slides onto pink lips and the white Queen is crashing into Mazoe for a loving hug.."I missed you."

"I know, I'm sorry Snow."

Mazoe's arms encompass the young Queen, the light in her heart sending a warm aura around them. Her relationship with everyone has only gotten stronger, but still there are those within nobility that question her loyalty and have suggested on numerous occasions she be placed under armed guard. She doesn't blame them really, shes scared an entire kingdom and now she has to live with the consequences. A bubbly Snow quickly grabs her hands, escorting her toward the white castle and chuckling.

"Granny made lemonade and Red wants to show you something."

Mazoe chuckles, staggering after the eager Queen as they head towards a large white canopy on the grass. Regina sits underneath with her own goblet of wine, her brown eyes absent whilst Granny pours several cold glasses of cloudy lemonade at the small table. Red and Charming can be heard arguing, the wolf laughing before Mazoe and Snow become the center of attention.

"What's so funny?"

Red smirks at the scoffing prince who paces under the canopy and grabs a glass of lemonade.."David insists his horse can outrun my wolf, but he forgets who chased down those thugs last week."

"You only got to them first because there was a fallen tree in my path."

"You could have jumped it."

"Clearly you didn't see the size of the thing, not even your super wolf powers could've got you over."

"Never say never."

Mazoe smiles at the harmless banter, to think, three months ago she wouldn't have hesitated to kill the happy party. She quickly banishes the dark thoughts from her mind and curiously refocuses on Regina's brown eyes watching her. Shes spent more time with Regina than anyone over the past few months, most of the time it had been to talk through their past, she cried when the reminiscence became too much as did Regina but it only consolidated their rapidly growing friendship. She considers the woman a friend now which is scarily satisfying.

"Mazoe?"

Mazoe snaps from her haze, quickly refocusing on a timid Red before her focus slides to the package bundle in the girls hands. Blue eyes widen considerably, the black hooded cloak folded neatly, the leather satchel and sheathed sword resting atop has her taking a small step back..Is that her sword? But everything was lost long ago..Snow, Charming and Regina edge forward, smiling warmly before Snow's gentle hand lands on her arm.

"We kept them for when you decided to return to us."

Delicately Mazoe runs her fingers over her satchel, then the fleece of her cloak before landing on the hilt of her sword. Carefully she picks it up, pulling the sheath free and studying the serrated silver blade. Its been a very long time since she held this sword, its so light in her palm, a subtle pulse resonating up her arm and strengthening her muscles. She remembers the day the Emperor gave it to her, she'd helped the land of dragons, served its people well but never committed to the offer of the royal captain, that was Shen's position and she wouldn't have it any other way.

"Are you okay?"

Blue eyes flicker up to a concerned Red and then around to her other concerned friends. Pink lips smile warmly, the blade sliding back into its sheath.."I'm fine, I just thought this blade was lost to me decades ago."

"Mother?.."

They all turn to find the sweating princess approach with various guard and servants following closely behind. The blond quickly ducks under the canopy, her bow and quiver knocking various cups of lemonade over which springs Granny into action.

"Out of there Princess before you knock over the entire supply."

Granny quickly ushers the frazzled blond out of the canopy and Mazoe shakes her head. Emma has the perseverance and stubbornness of her parents but that isn't necessarily a good thing. The princesses training hasn't progressed much and everyone is getting worried. She has a plan but it will push everyone to their limits.

"Emma sweetheart what are you doing here? I thought you were training with your guard?"

"Well I was but I thought you would have wanted to see how far I've come!" Angry green eyes flicker to Mazoe and back to her mothers weak smile.

"I'm sorry hunny I just got caught up with some things, I'll come and watch now."

Emma huffs, throwing her bow and quiver aside with a clatter.."Well its too late now, I'm done for the day!"

"Less with the attitude young lady."

Mazoe glances at father and daughters matching stern eyes before her focus slides to a concerned Snow. She really should do something about Emma's regular tantrums, so far shes held her tongue allowing the girls parents to try and step up their parenting but so far shes seen no progress. Mazoe glances at Regina, the regal woman rolling her eyes at Snow and sipping from her goblet. Regina knows what needs to be done but isn't perhaps the smartest choice to implement change in the Charming little family. She cocks an eyebrow at the frowning princess, gliding over to the discarded bow and arrows and retrieves the weapon. Shes watched carefully by many eyes as an arrow it primed, her arm tugging the weightless string back and at the last second, she quickly whirls to zero in on Regina's goblet and releases. The arrow strikes its target dead center, ripping it from the yelping Queen's grasp before swords are quickly drawn and ancy soldiers halt on Snows behest.

"Wait!"

"What the hell are you doing?!" Regina's angry voice screeches around the garden, Mazoe refocusing on a timid and wide eyed Emma.

"Can you do what I just did without endangering you family and friends?"

"Ugh..N-No."

"Then you have not progressed and thus I would rather spend my time elsewhere than watch your miserable attempts at archery."

Snow gawks, Red, Granny and Regina smirking at the princesses livid frown.

"You cant speak to me like that!"

"I believe she just did dear."

Regina chuckles, gliding back under the canopy and grabs another goblet of lemonade. Emma stutters, angry eyes darting to her stunned parents before she shrieks aggrieved and storms off towards the palace. Mazoe quickly grabs another arrow, firing it so it sticks in the grass in front of Emma's feet. The princess shrieks, whirling and screaming her outrage.

"ARE YOU CRAZY?!"

"I've been called that yes, but right now I'm not so much.."

Emma attempts to storm back to the palace but once again another arrow blocks her path.

"You want to learn princess, then the first step is to never turn your back on an armed opponent."

"Mazoe perhaps now's not the.."

"Snow, I know you love your daughter but your coddling must end if you wish her to be the savior of your prophecy.."

Snow fidgets, conflict in green eyes as they flicker between her mother figure and her daughter. Mazoe nods, refocusing on the livid princess.."You wish to be trained, then so be it, but don't expect any leverage because of your title."

Emma shuffles forward, a small smile and hopeful eyes replacing her frown.."Your going to teach me?"

"No.."

Emma frowns as Mazoe paces towards Snow and shoves the bow and quiver into the white Queens hands.

"Your mother will instruct you in finer archery."

"What?"

"What?"

Mother and daughter protest in unison but to the rest of the party's bewilderment, Snow and Emma fall silent at Mazoe's sharp hand whipping into the air to halt their questions.

"Your mother is one of the finest archers I've ever seen and is very much capable of training you." Firm blue eyes focus on a hesitant Snow.."And Snow I expect you to be firm, I've had enough of your daughters disrespect for you, I taught you to be strong, not to be susceptible to pouting and doey eyes. Now go, I'll join you in the yard in two hours and I expect progress."

Mazoe casually stretches her arm towards the palace, the small party stunned into silence. It sounded a bit harsh but Snow and Charming are getting nowhere, in eight months Emma's fate will be decided and Mazoe's determined to tip the odds in Emma's favor. Mazoe cocks an eyebrow at a fidgeting Snow before the white Queen sighs weakly and heads over to her frowning daughter.

"Emma maybe this will be good for us."

Emma pouts.."But why cant Mazoe train me?"

"Because you need to learn more than how to wield a bow, once you figure that out, come and find me. Now go, your wasting daylight."

Emma huffs, pacing for the palace with her mother, guards and servants in tow but Mazoe's voice stops her.

"No servants."

"But who will keep me cool?"

Mazoe shakes her head weakly, the woman really is spoiled.."No one, you'll train and earn the sweat from your brow."

Emma's nose crinkles.."That's disgusting and completely unacceptable, servants come." Emma begins walking off but pauses when no one, not even her mother follows her. She frowns at Snow who fidgets sheepish under Mazoe's cocked eyebrow.

"No servants Emma, we'll do this the right way."

"And if your progress is sufficient enough, your welcome under this canopy for some of Granny's lemonade."

She grins at the princesses flustered cheeks before Mazoe's giving Snow a firm nod and the white Queen escorts her daughter toward the training yard. She hasn't had to parent like this for a very long time and its been even longer since shes had to deal with a spoiled princess. She heads back over to the canopy, taking a goblet of lemonade and noting Regina and Red smirking at her.

"Well done dear."

"Yeah, you really put them both in their place."

"Its about time.." Granny grumbles, refilling her goblet before Charming chuckles weakly.

"Snow really listens to you."

"She'll listen to anyone that speaks sense."

"And I don't?"

Mazoe sips her beverage and grins.."Maybe half of the time."

"Only half.."

Red plonks down in her chair smiling.."I'd say she was being generous with half."

Regina chuckles, her hand waving and creating more ice around the jug of cooling lemonade.

Mazoe hums content, the canopy filled with light laughter and happy conversation between once old enemies and life long friends. But she can feel the winds changing and it unsettles her somewhat, whatever is coming for Emma will undoubtedly come for her. There's no doubt shes been connected to this little family from the beginning, helping and guiding them to where they need to be, but her journey is coming to an end, the question is, will fate lead her down a path where she wont see her next sunrise?..