Chapter Twenty-One: Deceit Through Different Plans
In StoryBrooke
Regina clutched Gerda's bag in her arms, holding Henry's hand. Tears trickled down her face as the others entered the room, including Robin. He hurried over to Regina and clutched her to his chest, letting her cry on his shoulder.
"She took her." Regina croaked, wiping her eyes. She stood back and held out the bag, allowing Robin to take it from her hands. But something else caught Robin's eye, something that had fallen onto the ground. Crouching down, Robin scooped something into his hands.
"Her necklace." He stood up and showed Regina. Sure enough, the beaded necklace Gerda always wore was no longer around her neck, but in Robin's hand. Regina looked down at the beads, and back up at Robin. His expression had changed.
"Robin?" Regina questioned. Mary Margaret and Belle looked over at the couple, while David talked quietly with Captain Hook. Robin's expression was no longer soft and full of sadness. His face glowed with anger, his eyes cold.
"She kidnapped my niece." He stated, balling his hands into fists, tightly holding onto Gerda's necklace. "And we don't know why. What if she is working with Emma?" He questioned, looking around at the others. Mary Margaret and Belle looked at the ground, not knowing what to say, while David moved some of Henry's bangs from the front of his face.
"Aye, she is." Everyone spun around to look at Captain Hook, who was sitting in the visitor's chair. He sat up, still in pain from being pinned to the wall by magical vines. "Before she left, Zelena told me 'Emma says hi'."
The room grew quiet as everyone took in the information. Regina felt her heart drop into her stomach. Her worst fears had been realized. Emma now had Gerda, which is who she wanted all along. But what for?
Breathing in deeply, Regina found her voice. "Belle." She shivered, feeling a cool breeze around her body, gooseflesh rippling across her skin. "Emma has a need for Gerda that we still don't know. Could you maybe…"
"I'll do some research." Belle finished for her, nodding. She then headed off out the door. Robin looked around at the others, a serious look spread across his face. "I'm going to look for her." He stated, heading for the door.
"Not alone, you're not." David said, patting his gun. "We'll look together." Robin nodded, and the two men headed out the door. Captain Hook rose from his chair, still a little shaky.
"I'm going to help Belle with research." He announced, surprising Mary Margaret and Regina. "In case the Crocodile decides to make an appearance." He explained. "Or worse. Emma."
A few hours had passed, and Captain Hook could swear he had read every book Belle had in her possession about spells and potions. His eyes glazed over a fresh page of a book he had almost finished, barely open. "Belle, I don't think we'll find what we're looking for in these pages." Captain Hook stated, leaning his head on his hand.
"Come on Killian, we can't give up. Gerda's life is at risk!" Belle protested, reading over a new book. She skimmed through the pages quickly, surprising Captain Hook with the speed she read at. But considering what Belle said, he sighed, and continued reading.
As he read, his mind wandered, and he began thinking about Emma, and the future he thought they were going to have together. But then again, that was before she became the Dark One, and before she sent Zelena to kidnap his student.
He'd assumed that they would have a life full of adventure together, and expected to be fighting with her, not against her.
Sighing, Captain Hook turned the page in his current book, giving it more attention. The first page he read was full of information on a spell that could turn a prince into a toad, which Captain Hook found quite amusing. He smiled and looked to the next page.
The smile disappeared from his face as he read over the few paragraphs, taking in every word.
"Belle." He muttered, his heart racing. "You're going to want to see this."
Belle got up from her seat and looked at the pages Captain Hook was on. "Killian, we don't have time to look at a spell on how to turn a prince into a frog." She stated, laughing. But Captain Hook wasn't laughing. Not saying a word, he pointed to the other page.
As Belle looked at the page, the smile from her face fell away. She looked back at the Captain. "You don't think Emma would do this, do you?" She questioned.
"The Emma out there isn't the Emma we know." Captain Hook answered. "She's the Dark One. She's capable of anything now."
Regina was very watchful of her son as they exited the hospital. She could tell that the fight he had with Gerda was bothering him, but didn't want to pry. If Henry wanted to talk about it, he would.
Sighing, Regina turned to Mary Margaret. "I've never seen him like this before." Regina stated, tilting her head in Henry's direction. He was a block ahead of them, far enough to not be able to hear his mother talk, but close enough for Regina to keep her eye on him.
"That fight with Gerda must have rattled him."
"Well, Killian did tell me that he overheard them bickering. He then said he heard Henry say something about the Dark One and a deal to find somebody." Mary Margaret admitted, shrugging. "He probably regrets saying it."
"I would as well." Regina agreed, but she couldn't help but wonder; Would Gerda be desperate enough to make a deal with the Dark One?
Mary Margaret could sense Regina's unease. She grabbed her step-mother's hand, squeezing it gently. "She'll be okay, Regina. Gerda is a strong girl."
Regina nodded, and allowed a smile to cross her face. Suddenly, she heard yelling from behind her. Someone calling out her name.
"Regina!" Turning, Regina and Mary Margaret watched Belle and Killian run up to them. Henry had even stopped as well, returning to his mother. "Belle, what's wrong?" He questioned.
Belle, flushed from her run, took a moment to catch her breath, bending forward. "Haven't run like this in a long time." She stated quietly. Standing tall again, she held out the large leather bound book to Regina, flipping to a page which was saved by a bookmark. "You have to look at this."
"Are you sure Emma would do this?" Mary Margaret questioned, glancing over Regina's shoulder as she looked at the spell. Numbly, Belle nodded. Mary Margaret cupped her hand over her mouth, holding back sobs. "Emma…"
"What is it?" Henry questioned, taking a good look at the spell before Regina could hide it. The moment Henry saw it, he felt his legs shake. Finding no strength to stand, Henry fell to the ground in a collapsed heap, suddenly feeling queasy.
"Henry!" Regina dropped the book and knelt down before her son. "I'm fine Mom." Henry quickly excused, not wanting to be babied. There were much more important problems at hand. Such as Emma's plans for Gerda.
Regina turned back to Belle. "You think Emma would be capable of doing this?" She asked, her face white. She had known Emma for so long, had been through so much with her. Regina didn't expect this of Emma. She was pretty sure no one did.
"Aye, she is. The Emma out there isn't the Emma we know and love." Captain Hook answered, kicking at a pebble on the ground.
Regina sighed, and stood up, brushing dirt off her skirt. "Well, what can we do? Zelena has placed some kind of cloaking spell over Gerda, I can't track her down." Regina admitted. She turned to look at Mary Margaret, who was wiping away tears.
"And David and Robin are still out there looking." Regina remembered, biting her lip. "What is Robin going to think when he finds out about his niece?" Mary Margaret asked.
The group merely shrugged. Belle sighed. "Yes, Gerda's uncle will not be too pleased. He sure loves his family." Belle's eyes suddenly lit up. "Robin and Gerda, they're related!" Belle exclaimed, looking at everyone, shell shocked.
"Yes, we've known that for a while, but thanks for the head up." Regina spat. Belle rolled her eyes and shook her head. "No, let me explain. Robin is related to Gerda through Michael. Robin is also a DreamCatcher, which means he can see into the lives of his bloodline family members." Belle explained.
Henry caught on. "Like the way I have!" He stated. Regina turned to him, switching from looking at him to looking at Belle.
"Okay, I am still confused. So, you're saying Robin could look into Gerda's eyes or something?" Regina asked.
"Or something." Belle stated excitedly, reaching down to scoop up the book. "Now come on, I have a plan. I just hope we don't run out of time."
Mr. Gold was hidden behind one of the shops as he watched Belle scoop up the large leather bound book into her arms, leading the group alongside Captain Hook. He was so tempted to call out to her, to follow her and the others, but he knew better.
He had heard Belle's explanation, and understood it more clearly than the others. He had studied up on DreamCatchers back when he was the Dark One, impressed by their magic. Belle had a great plan indeed, but the plan wouldn't work if there wasn't enough time. Thankfully, Gold could give them some.
Turning around and heading deeper into the alleyway he was currently situated in, Mr. Gold pulled out a small vial from his pocket, looking at the murky grey substance. He popped the cork and downed the vile liquid in one gulp, shuddering slightly. Closing his eyes, he spoke without opening his mouth. He spoke through his mind.
I have some information for you. The liquid in the vial helped Mr. Gold communicate with the Dark One, in case he ever had anything important that she should know.
This better be good.
Mr. Gold opened his eyes, and found himself no longer in the alleyway. Now, he had to put his plan into motion.
"You really think this will work?" Robin questioned Belle, unsure of the plan. Belle nodded for the umpteenth time. "Of course I'm sure. Think of it this way: you have been able to connect with Michael because you are his brother. You should be able to connect with Gerda because she is your niece."
Robin nodded, but still had questions. "But whenever I get dreams about Michael, they come randomly. I can't control them. How am I supposed to have a dream about Gerda?" He asked, swivelling his head around so he could look at Belle, who had been moving around the room.
Belle sighed, tired of all the questions. But she knew the stress Robin was under, and swallowed back her retort. "When you had dreams of Michael, did you think about having them? Did you focus on thinking about Michael?" Belle asked.
When Robin shook his head, Belle explained. "You need to focus on Gerda, and think about her. Focus on her, and try to think about in your mind where Gerda could be. Ask yourself that as you try to search for her."
Again, Robin nodded, and turned to Regina. "Wish me luck." He said, smiling. When Regina looked worried, Robin reached out for her hand, holding it tight. "I will find our niece." Regina nodded, and gave her love a long kiss. Robin smiled, and closed his eyes. Wiping her eyes, Regina waved her hand over him, sending him to sleep.
Mr. Gold knew he had to keep Emma distracted, in order to give Belle time. He needed a plan. He needed something that would catch Emma's attention. Mr. Gold needed to tell Emma that something in her plan was going to go wrong. Perhaps questions to her plan would give him enough information to weave together a perfect lie that would give his wife time.
"Why Gerda?" Mr. Gold started off, staring into the Dark One's eyes. Emma had her arms crossed in from of her chest, her eyes piercing and dark. Her lips were coated in red lipstick, her hair pulled back into a tight bun.
Emma rolled her eyes, not giving in. "You told me you had information for me. You wouldn't be lying, would you?" Emma held out her hand threateningly. Mr. Gold swallowed nervously. Once he had lost his title as the Dark One, he had also lost the courage that had come with it.
His eyes darted around the room nervously, coming to a stop on a certain piece of jewelry that had caught his eye.
"Belle knows about the necklace." Mr. Gold blurted out, looking back at Emma. The Dark One uncrossed her arms, surprised. "How?" She questioned, suddenly looking nervous. Mr. Gold shrugged. "Belle is a smart one." Mr. Gold admitted, trying not to smirk.
"Belle knows that the necklace is a magical object, and believes that you will use it to take away Gerda's magic." Mr. Gold lied effortlessly, surprised by how easily the lie had rolled off his tongue. "Regina and Robin are on their way here to take the necklace away."
Emma smirked, laughing wickedly. "Well, then I guess I have to prepare for my guests." Emma walked over to the necklace, picking it up. She held it out to Mr. Gold.
"I will wait for the two love birds to come and try to claim the necklace, while you take it to Zelena. Have her put it on Gerda, so that way no one else can get it. I put a charm over the necklace so that once Gerda puts it on, it cannot be taken off."
Mr. Gold nodded, relieved that his plan had worked.
But before Emma could send Mr. Gold off, she stopped. "Oh, but before you go." Emma snapped her fingers. Mr. Gold flinched, expecting something bad to happen. When nothing did, he opened his eyes, confused.
"Well, I couldn't let Belle ruin my plans any further." Emma explained. "She'll wake up. Eventually."
"Belle!" Regina exclaimed, letting go of Robin's hand. Henry dropped the book he was looking at, dropping to Belle's side. "What happened?" He questioned. Regina shook her head, not knowing what to say. "I don't know." She admitted. "I was holding Robin's hand and she dropped!"
Henry grabbed his mom's hand, trying to calm her down. The tone of her voice had changed. She was nervous. "Mom, focus. I'll call Dr. Whales and have him call an ambulance. Stay with Robin." Henry spoke with such maturity that Regina was caught by surprise. She nodded numbly. Henry left, right when Robin woke up.
"Gerda!" He called out, startling Regina. Robin sat up, saw Regina looking over Belle, and was confused. "What happened?" He asked, standing. Regina explained quickly what had happened, and Robin nodded. "Where's Gerda?" Regina asked, more worried about her niece than Belle.
"At Zelena's farmhouse." Robin admitted, feeling stupid. It seemed so obvious that Gerda would be there, they didn't bother checking the place out. Now he wished they had.
"Well, let's get there before Emma does." Regina stated.
Mary Margaret and David stood outside the large blue house, wondering if they were right. While Regina and Henry waited with Belle and Robin, David couldn't sit by and do nothing.
He had convinced Mary Margaret and Captain Hook that they investigate further into where Emma was located, and had narrowed down their search to the old blue house on the edge of town. Captain Hook had gone round to the back of the house, while Mary Margaret and David stood outside the front.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Mary Margaret questioned, worried. Emma wasn't the same as before. She was now the Dark One, and who knew what she would do when she found out her parents and her true love were waiting for her outside her home. She certainly wouldn't be thrilled.
"Well, we can't just stand around and wait for Emma to attack." David answered, gripping the handle of his sword that he now carried with him everywhere. "She is a danger to this town, and she is our daughter. Who better to try and talk some sense into her?"
Mary Margaret didn't have a counter point, so she merely sighed. Looking to her husband, she nodded, and opened the front gate leading into the yard in front of the house. The couple headed up to the porch, and the moment they stepped on the threshold, the front door opened. Neither of them had even touched the door handle.
"Seems like we were expected." David stated, breaking the silence. Mary Margaret merely looked at him, and taking a deep breath, led her husband into the house of the Dark One.
Zelena looked at Gerda curiously as the girl slept, sipping some hot tea. She was happy to be back at her old farm house, no longer locked away in the hospital like some prisoner. As Zelena watched Gerda, she couldn't help but remember the last time she had watched Gerda sleep. Gerda was only a baby.
Sighing, Zelena looked at the clock, checking the time. Emma was late, which surprised her. Zelena had assumed that the Dark One would be on time to get the plan rolling.
Speaking of the plan the Dark One had formulated, Zelena still had no idea what Emma wanted of her. She had freed Zelena of her prison, and asked her to kidnap her own daughter. To what extent did Gerda play in Emma's plan?
Zelena still remembered what Emma had offered her back in the witch's cell. "But I will change that. And to do so, I need your help. So tell me, Zelena, Wicked Witch of the West; do you want Gerda back?"
Zelena had wanted Gerda back, more than anything. So she couldn't doubt the Dark One's plans. Could she?
Suddenly, a sound echoed through the quiet house. Someone was at the front door. "Finally." Zelena moaned, putting down her drink. Walking to the front door, Zelena was curious as to why Emma hadn't just magically appeared in Zelena's house. Why use the front door.
Her question was answered when it turned out Mr. Gold was outside her home, not Emma.
"Where's the girl?" The previous Dark One questioned, not bothering to ask if her could come in as he crossed into the home."
"And why should I tell you?" Zelena questioned, crossing her arms over her chest. She then noticed the necklace Mr. Gold was clutching, and grabbed it from him quickly. "What's this?"
"It's for Gerda." Mr. Gold answered. Zelena nodded, and walked into the living room, with Mr. Gold trailing behind. As Zelena looped the necklace around Gerda's neck, Mr. Gold took a deep breath. I've got to warn her.
"Gerda isn't safe here." He started. "With you." Zelena looked back up at the man, smiling wickedly. "Why wouldn't she be safe here?" She questioned, stroking some hair from the front of Gerda's face. "I've got magic, and can protect her from anyone who would want to hurt her."
"Even the Dark One?" Mr. Gold asked. Zelena cocked her head to the side, curious. "What are you talking about?"
Mr. Gold sighed, and looked at the ground. He had never felt so awkward to tell someone such bad news. "Emma didn't free you so you could kidnap Gerda and be a family again. Emma wanted you to kidnap Gerda so you could give her over. So she could kill her."
Zelena felt her heart drop. "No, that can't be true." She breathed, looking at her daughter, who was still fast asleep on the couch. "Emma asked if I wanted to be reunited with Gerda…"
"Yes, but did she ask if you wanted Gerda back so you could be a family again?" Mr. Gold demanded, interrupting the woman. "Did she ask you if you wanted to be reunited with your daughter so you could be happy?"
Zelena stopped to think about this. The answer to Mr. Gold's questions made her stomach sink. "No, she didn't." Zelena answered. She turned to Gerda and cupped her hand over her mouth. "What have I done?"