Thank you again to everyone who has reviewed or sent me a message about this story. We are nearing the end but we have some chapters to go before I say good-bye to this universe (for now!)
As always enjoy and reviews/favorites/follows feed the muse!
Chapter 20: In the Absence of Words, Doubts Flourish
Emma couldn't breath.
Her distressed shout of Erin's name had caused Killian to finish off the two raven-men attacking them in a flourishing disarming move, both of them taking off for Erin in the same breath. She could see Liam out of her peripheral vision whip around from his pursuit of Diablo but as all three of them raced toward Erin the raven-man advanced on her and Emma knew none of them would get there in time. Her heart beat frantically against her chest as she watched Erin twist and reach for her sword that was feet out of her reach. Cramped muscles protested her almost brutal run but she ignored the pain, every instinct in her screaming to get to her daughter. She could feel her magic tingling just beneath her skin, fighting to break free of the enchanted cuff that tempered it, causing her to feel like she was about to combust if she didn't unleash it.
They were only halfway to Erin when Diablo's henchmen raised his sword for the killing strike and a primal scream escaped her lips, one echoed by Killian and Liam. She pushed her body harder, her magic roaring louder until she could feel it pounding in her very veins. They weren't going to get to her in time and a black void opened beneath her, threatening to swallow her with grief just as it had when she had watched Henry succumb to the sleeping curse, her entire world tilting as the raven-man's sword swung down.
And then she found herself coming to a dead stop, her breath catching as a familiar form emerged from the surrounding forest directly next to Erin. Killian's future self strode forward, every inch the fearsome pirate captain clad in his trademark leather. His face was a hard mask of fury as he stepped in front of their daughter, raising his hook to deftly catch the falling henchmen's sword before plunging his own into the man's gut, twisting it with an almost enthusiastic force.
She started breathing again when she saw Erin open her eyes, arm raised in a defensive maneuver and green eyes wide in shock as she whispered, "Dad?"
Emma stood in shock as she watched her father and Will's future selves appear from the forest as well, swords drawn. Future Killian and Charming instantly fell back to back as a swarm of raven-men came toward them, moving with a fluidity that spoke of years of fighting together. She was so mesmerized by the seamless thrusts and parries of the two men she didn't see Diablo's henchmen rushing her, the only thing saving her from his grasp were Killian's lightening fast reflexes.
The tide of the fight quickly changed with the appearance of the three future men and when Regina regained conscious a few minutes later, they managed to dwindle Diablo's numbers down to only a handful. Seeing that he was losing the fight Maleficent's right hand man barked orders for his men to retreat, black eyes searing as he stared at Future Killian and Charming. Those left of his henchmen quickly morphed into ravens, their cries echoing through the suddenly silent forest as they flew away.
As soon as they cleared the group's line of sight Emma watched Future Killian spin around, blue eyes instantly falling to his children who were sheathing their swords.
"Are you both okay?" he asked as he ran to them.
"Yeah, we're - umphf!"
Liam's reply was cut short as his father enveloped him and Erin in a fierce hug. Emma's heart fluttered as she watched her children return his hug with equal force, Erin gripping his jacket like a lifeline as she buried her face into his shoulder. Pulling apart Future Killian's eyes were misty as he looked at them, hand and hook lingering on their shoulders.
"My ychydig iawn o môr-leidr… my ychydig morwr. We weren't- we didn't know…."
"None of us have had new memories since we remembered getting attacked by Diablo and his men," Charming supplied for his speechless son-in-law, his own blue eyes tearing up as he came to stand next to Future Killian. "We had no idea if you had survived or not, Liam."
Understanding washed over Liam's face and he reached up to grip his father's bicep in a comforting squeeze. "I'm alright dad, really. I'm a Jones - surviving is what we do best, right?"
Future Killian seemed to breath a little easier at his son's words and Emma couldn't help but think that there was another reason Liam's unknown fate had unnerved the future pirate to the point of losing his elegant way with words. Feeling her Killian lace their fingers together and squeeze a little tighter than normal, she looked at him to see that same understanding play out on his features. Before she could ask him what it was Future Killian was talking again.
"How did you survive? Regina told us the magic from a Wonderland blade was deadly if an antidote wasn't given in time."
Erin smirked. "It would seem Uncle Will has always made it a habit of carrying something from Wonderland with him. He had some mushrooms that Regina was able to make into a strong enough antidote to counteract the poison."
A deep chuckle came from her left and Emma found her eyes widening as she was able to take in Scarlet's future self fully as he walked toward her children. Like Killian and David's future selves he looked almost the same as his present self except for a sprinkling of grey in his short hair. Gone were the modern jeans and leather jacket, replaced with black leather pants and an almost burgundy doublet.
"Your Aunt Belle complained for years about finding various Wonderland pieces in me clothes when she washed them," he said, clasping Liam on the shoulder before pulling Erin into a tight hug. Placing a quick kiss to her cheek he looked over at where the present Storybrooke residents were standing, his own eyes widening as they landed on his past self.
"Buggering hell this is weird," Future Will muttered, a statement Will himself echoed with a 'bloody hell.'
Despite having already seen their future selves once even Killian and her father were staring like they were looking in a mirror and Emma couldn't help but laugh softly at the completely shell shocked look on Killian's face as he took in his slightly greying future self in the flesh for the first time. Her laugh brought Charming's attention from his past self to her and Emma's heart broke a little at the depth of pain and happiness she saw on his face.
"Emma…" Charming breathed, quickly walking to her and enveloping her in an almost crushing hug. Sensing her father's future self needed the contact she wrapped her arms around him tentatively, smiling softly when she felt the familiar brush of his hand as he cupped the back of her head.
"I'm sorry," he mumbled as he pulled back suddenly, blue eyes looking at her guiltily. "I know it's- that you aren't…"
Emma gave him what she hoped was a comforting smile. "It's okay," she whispered. "I… I can understand. When Killian and I were in the past I missed you and mom and just having any version of you there was comforting."
Charming smiled gratefully at her before stepping back towards Future Killian and the kids. Emma noticed Future Killian was still looking at their children, his entire body tense as if he were fighting against a basic instinct. She found herself frowning, confused as to why he had yet to even acknowledge her presence with a passing glance.
Erin's sharp intake of breath broke the quietness and with an alarmed look she grabbed her father's arm. "Dad, Hope-"
"Is safe," Future Killian replied instantly, bringing his hand to rest atop hers on his arm. "Your Uncle Will remembered hearing Diablo threaten her and we immediately started taking precautions to protect her. She's been around at least two family members since and I've been staying with her at night."
Erin let out a relieved breath. "Whose with her now?"
"Your Aunt Belle was watching her when we left this morning and Elizabeth was joining them later."
"Is she-" Erin paused, biting her lip nervously. "How has she been, dad? Really."
Future Killian ran a hand through his hair. "She's been okay for the most part. Everyone has been keeping her preoccupied and your Aunt Belle hasn't let her slack in her studies." Sighing he added, "She has been having nightmares over the past month though, love."
Emma felt her own heart clench at those words, knowing now how Erin herself struggled with them.
"About what?" Erin asked, worry etched into her young features for her daughter.
Future Killian shook his head. "She doesn't remember them most of the time once she's awake. The prevailing theme when she can remember is something happening to you."
"We never told her about what happened to Liam in the meadow," Charming added. "But Hope is a very perceptive little girl as you know. We think she picked up on everyone else's energy and it simply manifested into nightmares. She knows we were worried about something, just not what."
"But she's been okay, even with the nightmares?"
Future Will chuckled. "Same old Hope other than that - bargaining tooth and nail for more bedtime stories and wanting to explore every crevice the castle has to offer."
Chuckling at his niece's antics, Liam crossed his arms. "So you know why Maleficent attacked us then?"
Charming shook his head. "Other than the usual vendetta? No. We surmised that she has a mole within the castle and Rumple and Regina have been working to find them, another reason Hope hasn't been left unattended since we gained the memory of her attacking us in the past."
Eyes widening, Liam replied, "You don't know?"
"Know what?" Future Will asked in confusion.
Erin sighed. "Diablo accidentally let slip during his taunt to Liam that us bringing mom's past self back here would disrupt Maleficent's plan - not Ingrid's." Emma watched as all three men of the future's faces darkened, Future Killian's jaw clenching to the point she was sure he would break a tooth as Future Will cursed quietly.
"Are you saying-"
Liam nodded at his grandfather. "I'd bet every doubloon dad gave me as a kid that Maleficent has been behind everything from Ingrid's release to her mucking up the timeline."
Future Will turned to look at Charming. "Could Maleficent have been the one to teach Ingrid how to time travel?"
Charming sighed. "I honestly wouldn't be surprised if she had at this point. Hopefully Henry will get concrete information from Merlin."
"Henry's in Camelot?"
Future Killian nodded at Erin. "A few weeks after our last set of new memories he left to talk to the wizard. We knew Maleficent had been taught how to travel through time since she attacked us in the past but we never made the connection between her and the Snow Queen."
"None of us would have if Diablo wasn't always trying to oneup me," Liam replied.
"How did you find us?" Mary Margaret suddenly asked, bringing the future group's attention back to the present residents of Storybrooke.
"A locator potion," Charming replied to his past wife as Future Killian dug inside his leather coat, bringing out the large ruby ring that now belonged to Liam and handing it to his son. "Once Regina translocated us outside the magical barrier that surrounds the castle it lead us straight to you."
"Just in the nick of time it would seem," Future Will supplied. "In twenty-four years I've never seen you that close to losing a sword fight, Erin."
Erin rolled her eyes at her uncle. "I may be a great swordsman but I am cursed with my mother's ability to trip over the most mundane objects at the worst time."
Future Killian furrowed his brow in confusion. "What are you doing here anyway? Jefferson said the village you contacted him at was half a day West of here."
"Diablo and his men kidnapped us last night," Erin replied, groaning at the memory of how lax she had been in her surroundings. "Diablo put these magical bracelets on us and nothing we do can take them off."
Emma felt the familiar feeling of rejection shoot through her as Future Killian remained steadfastly looking at their children, not even turning a concerned eye toward her at the mention of Diablo kidnapping her. David's future self and even Future Will looked toward her with worry, but not the man her future self had been married to for twenty-eight years. Almost without thought she let go of her Killian's hand and stepped back, suddenly needing space from all versions of the pirate as her chest tightened. Killian looked at her, worry and confusion marring his brow but before he could ask her what was wrong Regina was clearing her throat, suggesting they move before the flying mongrels returned with backup.
A short discussion on the best way to get to the castle without detection of both Ingrid and Maleficent's men passed as Emma stood staring resolutely at the ground. She could feel Killian's gaze on her but she refused to look at him, the sting of his future self's failure to even acknowledge her presence still coursing through her. Her head knew there had to be a logical explanation for Future Killian's behaviour, that never in all their time together had he so cold heartedly ignored her, but her heart was still very much in protect itself mode from decades of being hurt.
The fact she could now admit that she was in love with him made his future self's actions all the more hurtful.
As their group moved to leave she immediately fell in line next to Elsa, ignoring the ice blonde's questioning glance. She could still feel her Killian's eyes on her and she knew he had to be confused by the abrupt space she had put in between the but until she could sort through her own emotions about why his future self was pretending like she didn't exist, she wanted as much space between them as possible.
Elizabeth Scarlett pushed open the large double doors to the Charming library - or Belle's library as Charming had always called it - blinking furiously as the early morning sunlight streamed in through the row of windows running along the room's Eastern wall. It was only a couple of hours after sunrise and although the room seemed empty, Elizabeth knew her mother well enough to know Belle Gold was already somewhere within the depths of the library.
Moving swiftly around the few scattered tables at the front of the library she raced through the floor-to-ceiling bookcases that were meticulously alphabetised and organised by her mother. Since Henry had departed for Camelot weeks ago she had been the primary one sitting with Future Emma at night and every morning her Uncle Killian had come shortly after sunrise to relieve her. But that morning it hadn't been the blue eyed pirate who opened the tower door - it had been Snow, green eyes swimming with tears and a smile of relief lighting up her porcelain skin. The news the Queen of the Enchanted Forest had delivered in an excited, hushed whisper had caused Elizabeth's heart to skip a beat, her feet instantly moving her toward the tower door.
He was alive.
She passed the long wooden table at the center of the room before heading into the next section of floor-to-ceiling bookcases. As she neared the very back of the library were another set of six tables sat a soft giggle reached her ears, followed by a melodic laugh that Elizabeth had heard her entire life.
Rounding the last bookcase she couldn't help but stop and smile at the simple domestic scene that greeted her.
Her mother sat at one of the square wooden tables with a large leather bound tome in front of her. Hope sat next to her, raven locks pulled into a high ponytail, drawing on a piece of parchment. Her little legs swung as she put her full concentration into whatever she was drawing, biting her lower lip in the same way her grandmother did when she was deep in thought.
"What do we have here?" she asked, trying to calm her racing heart as she walked toward the giggling pair. Hope looked up from her parchment, ocean blue eyes sparkling as they landed on her Godmother.
"Aunt Liz!"
"Hello, ladybug." She dropped a quick kiss to the top of the little girl's head before beaming down at her. "What are you drawing?"
"A picture for grandma," Hope replied, going back to shading in what looked to be hair on a stick figure. "Grandpa said she will like waking up to a whole bunch of them!"
Elizabeth looked at her mother over Hope's head, brown eyes meeting blue in quiet understanding.
"Hope," Belle said gently, blue eyes never leaving her daughter's face, "Can you go get me the original storybook, please? I need to check something in it against this book."
"Okay Aunt Belle," the little girl answered. Setting aside her charcoal and hopping down from her seat Hope took off for the front of the library. Elizabeth immediately sat across from her mother.
"Is it true what Snow said?"
Belle nodded, a bright smile slowly pulling at her lips. "Yes. Liam is alive."
"How? Dad didn't mention last night about getting any new memories," Elizabeth whispered, knowing Hope could reappear at any second. Future Killian had made the executive decision not to tell Hope that her uncle may not have survived his adventure back in time, at least not until they knew for sure what his fate had become. Hope Jones was as perceptive as her pirate grandfather though and Elizabeth knew the little girl had noticed the change in the adults around her - the hushed tones, the sadness that Future Killian tried to hide from his eyes, or the way Snow would have to leave the room sniffling when someone mentioned the dark haired prince.
"No new memories," Belle answered, eyes flickering to the row of bookcases behind her daughter. "I was in the main hall early this morning arguing with one of the guards when Jefferson arrived."
Elizabeth blinked. "Dad's advisor?"
Belle nodded. "He said he had a message for me or your father and then proceeded to pull out Liam's ring."
Elizabeth let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. Liam cherished that ring as much as he did the spyglass his father had given him.. To Liam it wasn't just a means to communicate with the family in case something happened - it was a piece of his father, a representation of one side of the man he was, same way the spyglass he always kept tucked into his vest represented the other side of the old pirate captain. If Liam's ring had come to them it could only mean he was okay.
"Thank the Gods he's alive," she whispered, bringing her hand up to press against her heart which was trying to leap out of her chest with relief. She caught the attentive look her mother gave her and Elizabeth quickly cleared her throat. "I know Uncle Killian was worried and it'll take some worry away from Snow and Charming."
Belle narrowed her eyes at her daughter but before she could say anything more Hope appeared, Henry's old storybook clutched in her small arms. The librarian smiled at the raven haired princess as she graciously took the book from her. Hope immediately launched into a tale of what her and her Aunt Elsa had done in the garden the previous day and Elizabeth sighed inwardly, grateful for the change in conversation.
No need to let on that her and Liam had secretly been courting over the past year at a time like this.
Mother and daughter continued to listen to the little girl's tale of discovering an ice blue lily growing in her grandmother's garden. She was almost to the point where Future Elsa had helped her dig the plant up when a cloud of dark purple smoke appeared next to Belle.
"Rumple?" Belle asked in surprise when the cloud cleared to reveal the former Dark One. "Is everything okay?"
"Perfectly fine, Belle," he replied, smiling lovingly down at his wife before his gaze flickered to the other two occupants of the table. "Princess Hope… Lady Elizabeth."
"Hi Rumple!"
"Rumplestiltskin."
Rumple's smile became a little tighter at his step-daughter's formal tone. "I was on my way to see Regina when I heard the good news."
Hope looked up from her drawing, dark brows furrowing in confusion. "What good news?"
Rumple faltered for a split second and Elizabeth shot him a look that screamed don't screw this up, imp. Clearing his throat he leaned on his cane. "The good news that your Aunt Alice and cousins will be visiting us soon."
Hope's face lit up at the mention of her Uncle Henry's wife and sons. "Really?"
"Indeed," he nodded. "They should arrive within the next few days from Camelot."
Hope beamed at the three adults before grabbing a new sheet of parchment, talking excitedly about drawing a picture for her Aunt Alice and Uncle Henry.
"Any luck on finding that thing for Charming?" Rumple asked his wife, eyeing the pirate's granddaughter to make sure she was engrossed in her drawing. Belle shook her head with a sigh.
"I've exhausted every lead we have here in the castle. I wanted to travel to Camelot to see what information Arthur's library might hold but Will advised against it."
Rumple scoffed quietly. "The Knave has no right-"
"He hasn't been a Knave for some time now," Elizabeth bit out through gritted teeth, trying to keep her voice calm in front of Hope. "And he has every right as her former husband."
"Former being the operative word, dearie."
Elizabeth stared daggers at her stepfather, her hand clenching on her thigh beneath the table. Her relationship with the former Dark One had always been strained. She had been a few years older than Hope when the Charmings had accidentally stumbled upon her father's True Love, Anastasia, being held prisoner by Jafar. Her return had caused Elizabeth's parents to take a hard look at their marriage. Belle and Future Will loved each other but what they had would never compare to what they each had respectively with their True Loves. Her parents had divorced on good terms and her father had married Ana, assuming his place again as the White King of Wonderland.
Her mother and stepfather's reunion hadn't been as smooth, however. Rumple was still the Dark One - albeit not as malevolent as he once was - but he still craved power above everything else. It wasn't until five years after her parent's divorce and her mother falling under a sleeping curse that Rumple had finally chosen Belle over power. Elizabeth had always resented Rumple for making her mother wait so long for her happy ending and his subsequent attempts to try to father her after his marriage to Belle when she already had a loving and attentive father.
This wasn't the first time they had butted heads over Rumple's issues with her mother's continued friendship with her father.
"Rumple, Elizabeth-" Belle began pleadingly but before she could continue a dark blue cloud appeared off to their side. All three adults reacted instantly. Elizabeth grabbed Hope, tucking her Goddaughter's face into her shoulder as Belle grabbed a dagger hidden beneath the leather bound book in front of her. Rumple turned, cane falling to the floor as he raised both hands crackling with white magic.
The blue cloud dissipated and the figure standing before them had all of them blinking in surprise.
"Henry?" Belle asked, lowering her dagger. "How-"
"Merlin," the young Knight replied as he walked toward his family. "I had him translocate me here."
Hope raised her head from Elizabeth's shoulder, blue eyes sparkling as they landed on her uncle.
"Uncle Henry!"
Henry smiled at his niece, instantly dropping to one knee to wrap the little girl in his arms when she wiggled out of Elizabeth's hold to run toward him.
"Did you find something in Camelot?" Rumple asked, taking his discarded cane from Belle with a nod of thanks.
Henry nodded, relaying to his grandparents and Elizabeth what Merlin had told him about Morgana potentially being the one who taught Maleficent, the charmed scroll, and Maleficent's association with Ingrid. Belle and Elizabeth's elated faces at seeing the young Author slowly faded into shock the longer he talked while Rumple's lips thinned into a hard line. When Henry had finished Belle looked to her husband.
"Could Maleficent really be responsible for all this?"
"It wouldn't be completely out of her character to be," Elizabeth answered as she braced her arms on the table. "Maleficent has been hell bent on revenge against Aunt Emma and Uncle Killian for almost three decades because of what happened to Lily. Attacking them directly hasn't ever worked. Maybe she thought getting someone to do the dirty work for her would have a different result."
"Elizabeth is right," Rumple reluctantly agreed. "We always found it suspect that Ingrid was released from her urn and immediately had her eyes set on the Savior and Elsa. If Maleficent was behind her release and the unnatural obsession she had, it makes everything that has happened over the past four years come into a whole new light."
Belle frowned. "But what happened to Emma doesn't sound like something Maleficent would do, not with the level of hatred she has for her. Even the suffering Killian and the kids are going through isn't enough to sate that blood lust."
"I don't think it was suppose to happen," Henry interjected as he rearranged Hope in his arms. "I think Ingrid got carried away and wasn't expecting mom to save Killian."
Elizabeth sighed. "What doesn't make sense is why send Ingrid back in time to completely derail the original timeline?"
"It makes perfect sense."
Elizabeth looked at her step-father. "How so?"
Rumple shrugged casually. "Because dearie, it's what I would have done." At the confused looks on the three adult's faces the former Dark One continued. "If I were using someone as a puppet to get what I wanted - which I did, many times - and that puppet screwed my plan up, I'd look for an alternate course to achieve my end goal. Maleficent sending Ingrid back in time may not give the Dark Fairy the same satisfaction of watching the Savior and Pirate suffer as emotionally hurting Erin would, but it would do the next best thing."
"And that is?"
"Ingrid in the past had the power to completely rewrite our history. One difference in a huge moment would have altered the future, which it did when Elsa opted to release her aunt from her urn. Something as simple as the Snow Queen not telling me about the heart ingredient for the Sorcerer's hat or stopping Maleficent from walking into that final battle with Charming and Future Killian-"
"Would have the potential to make sure Erin and Liam were never born," Henry mumbled, thankful that Hope was occupied with the medallion that symbolised his Knighthood and wasn't aware of their conversation.
Rumple nodded. "And the Emma and Killian of our time would know it was happening. A far worse fate to lose what you once had and still retain the memory of having it then never having it."
Belle shook her head. "Why wait until now though, Rumple? It's been years since Morgana's death. If she taught Maleficent how to time travel why hasn't Maleficent used this tactic before now?"
The former Dark One shrugged. "I don't know, Belle."
Elizabeth bit her lip in thought. "What if she didn't learn about it until recently?"
Rumple glared at his step-daughter. "As your mother pointed out dearie Morgana has been dead for years. Magic can do many things but bringing the dead back to give you time travel lessons isn't one of them."
"I know that," Elizabeth growled. "You don't have to be taught how to do magic by a person, though. Books can teach you just as easily."
Rumple scoffed. "Merlin never records anything he does. Why do you think Regina, Emma and I had to start over from scratch during the Time War?"
"Merlin doesn't record things," Henry interjected, "But Morgana did. Her love of books almost rivaled grandmother's."
Belled nodded in agreement. "Henry is right. After her death I had Charming bring me every book that had been within her possession and there was so many Emma had to create a magical room to house them."
Elizabeth looked at her mother with curiosity. "Really? I've never seen it."
"And you won't," Belle replied to her daughter. "Morgana's books ran the course of dark magic and Emma and Regina both thought it best to keep them away from the general public - even family members. That being said, I personally catalogued that collection and there was nothing to do with time travel within it."
"Which means Maleficent has it."
Rumple sighed. "And if she does we have a major problem, Henry. There's a reason Merlin never recorded anything, particularly something as sensitive as how to travel through time. As can be demonstrated through the theft of Ingrid's urn and the charmed scroll, you never know when something like that could fall into the wrong hands. If Maleficent has a book that details how to time travel-"
"Anyone could find it,' Belle finished her husband's thought in a whisper.
"Indeed, my dear Belle. And there are far more nefarious creatures in this world then the Dark Fairy."
"That isn't our biggest problem."
Rumple, Belle, and Elizabeth looked at Henry in confusion. "How is a book detailing how to travel through time - both ways, mind you - not our biggest concern?" Rumple asked his grandson.
Henry looked at his grandfather, his face serious. "The Dark One's dagger is missing."
That caused Rumple to pause, Belle stepping forward to grip her husband's arm. "What do you mean it's missing?"
"Merlin said it had recently went missing from the same cave Ingrid's urn and the scroll had been in."
Elizabeth gawked at the young Author. "Does that bumbling wizard not know how to booby trap? That's not a magical item you just leave around for anyone to steal!"
"It's useless now though," Belle said as if to cement the words to herself. She looked at her husband. "It's useless now, right Rumple?"
Rumple's eyes slowly turned toward his wife. "Yes, it's useless against me now. The Dark Curse was broken when I kissed you, severing any control the dagger had over me."
"But?"
Rumple sighed, reaching up to gently caress Belle's cheek. "But that doesn't mean it can't be used again."
"How so?" Elizabeth inquired. "You broke the Dark Curse when you gave my mom True Love's Kiss. It banished the darkness forever, ridding the world of the Dark One."
"Not forever," Henry replied. "Merlin said that while the darkness left grandpa and it was destroyed by the power of true love, the potential for it still remained in the world. The original darkness, the reason Merlin had to tether it to a human soul, was created not by one person. It came into being after many people gave in to their darker side. When evil outweighed good that darkness physically manifested into what everyone saw after grandpa's alternate universe. That's when Merlin tethered it to the dagger and a human for all eternity, to try to contain it from spreading unchecked to every realm."
Elizabeth frowned. "If the Dark Curse no longer exists but in theory then how can the dagger that was once tethered to it be harmful?"
"It's all about potential, dearie," Rumple replied. "Merlin is first and foremost a wizard and refused to use any run of the mill dagger to tether such a dangerous manifestation. As you'll remember, the Dark One could be controlled only through the person who held that dagger. That control had nothing to do with the curse and everything to do with the dagger's magical properties."
"The dagger is magical?" Elizabeth dead panned.
Rumple chuckled. "Very much so, Miss Scarlett. It was a simple dagger that Merlin had enchanted centuries before to control whomever was cut with it - our bumbling Sorcerer always did had the penance for creating magical items that were weapons in the wrong hands. When he originally created the Dark Curse he reworked the enchantment on the dagger so that only the person tethered to the darkness could be controlled - and the only way they could die was to be stabbed by that blade."
Belle gasped. "So even though the Dark Curse is broken-"
"The original enchantment on the blade remains," Henry finished for her. "Anyone Maleficent cuts with that blade can be controlled by her and if she has enough people give in to their dark side, it will create a new physical manifestation of the darkness."
Rumple tapped his cane on the library floor. "Which if left untamed, could destroy every realm we know unless we create a new Dark One."
"Mother of the Gods," Elizabeth whispered as the severity of the situation sunk in.
Henry nodded as he started to walk away from them, Hope still in his arms. "I do need to inform grandpa, though. With this knowledge we can't sit back idly any more - we need to confront Maleficent head on."
"Charming isn't here, Henry."
Henry turned at Belle's words, frowning. "Why isn't he here? Did something happen during one of Ingrid's attacks?"
Realization dawned on Belle's face, her eyes going wide. "Oh my- you don't know."
"I don't know what, grandma?" Henry said through gritted teeth, mistaking the looks on her and Elizabeth's faces as panic.
"It's-" Belle began before her eyes fell to Hope, who was now watching her intently with those so-blue eyes. Realizing her Goddaughter was no longer preoccupied Elizabeth swooped forward, taking Hope from Henry's arms.
"Come on ladybug, I think someone deserves a hot cocoa treat."
Hope looked at her Godmother as the two disappeared between the towering bookcases, her little voice echoing back to the three adults left behind. "I'm not stupid, Aunt Liz. I know something is going on…."
Henry looked to his grandparents. "Is someone going to tell me what in the hell is going on? What are you keeping from Hope?"
"Nothing, Henry," Belle quickly answered. "Nothing you don't already know about. We still haven't told her about Liam. It's just… this morning Jefferson arrived with a message."
Henry blinked in confusion. "The Mad Hatter? What kind of message?"
Belle smiled. "He had a large ruby ring to give me."
Henry continued to stare in confusion at the librarian for a few seconds until her words hit him. A large ruby ring - Liam. Shock, relief, and happiness coursed through him, and he couldn't stop the smile that lit up his face even if a horde of ogres were coming after him.
"Liam is alive?"
Killian Jones had seen many things in his long life - the dark beauty of Neverland, a multitude of curses, the God of the sea himself, an irate Kraken, and even the elusive Green Flash - but watching his future self was a whole new level of unnerving.
They had been on the move for hours now, their pace varying from a hurried jog to a snail crawl as they weaved through the clusters of Ingrid's men they stumbled upon. They had only encountered her men a handful of times, somehow avoiding the ice armored knights through some sixth sense Erin seemed to have. When they had passed through the safety of Future Regina and Future Emma's magical barrier an hour back Charming had informed them they could travel with ease the rest of the way - Ingrid's men couldn't penetrate the barrier.
His future self walked in front of him, Erin and Liam to either side of him. It was an odd feeling to see the back of that familiar leather coat he had worn for centuries but what unnerved him the most was the emotion seeing his future self brought up.
He still had no idea how the man in front of him could one day become worthy enough to win Emma's heart completely and to be in-trusted with something so massive as David's Navy. The prince's words from Neverland echoed back to him… Nothing more than a pirate. He was no hero - he hadn't been for centuries, not since he cast off his naval uniform in the name of vengeance. If anything blackmailing the Crocodile to get his hand back showed him that he could never be anything more than a pirate. A hero wouldn't have done that, nor allowed themselves to aide the imp in trapping the old man in the Sorcerer's hat. It didn't matter that he lived by a code and tried to be a better man because that code was bent whenever it suited him, a way to justify his actions.
He may have told himself there was nothing wrong with blackmailing Rumplestiltskin - the man was originally responsible for Killian losing his hand - but a hero, the man he was striving to become, would never have let his code bend to do that. And the man in front of him was that very man somehow.
He knew what he felt when he looked at his future self and it was an emotion Killian Jones never admitted to, one he had only felt a handful of times in his long life - he was bloody jealous of himself. Again, he thought with a roll of his eyes. Because he could deny it until his last breath - and he very well would - but he had been jealous of his past self when he and Emma had traveled back in time.
That had been white hot jealousy though, a bright spark that fuelled his need to punch himself in the face. The jealousy he felt now was slow burning, churning away at his gut and making him want to be as far away from the future as possible.
Emma's behaviour wasn't helping matters either. Ever since his future self had made his appearance she had been distant, emotionally and physically. He would have to be blind to not see how she pulled away from him as they departed the forest earlier that day, making sure to keep Elsa and her parents between them at all times. The few times he had managed to get close to her she had emotionally shut him out with a quick 'I'm fine' or 'Nothing's wrong' - but he knew something was wrong.
She was an open book to him, after all.
Glancing at her now walking beside Elsa the jealous monster within him couldn't help but wonder if she was pulling away from him because of his future self. Perhaps after finally seeing the man he could be, the hero truly worthy of her heart, she had realised she didn't want the pirate who always made the wrong choice, who could turn on a dime if it meant getting himself ahead.
Not that he could blame her - Swan deserved a man like the one walking in front of him, not like himself who wasn't even a whole man at the moment.
Charming suddenly stopped them with a raised hand and Killian frowned in confusion until he saw the lone man walk out of the surrounding woods towards them. He instantly recognised the royal crest on the Knight's breastplate from his and Emma's adventure into the past as Charming's. The Knight stopped a few feet in front of them, bowing his head.
"Your Majesty."
"Thank you for waiting here, Andrew. Any news to relay?"
The Knight shook his head. "Other than Sir Henry's return from Camelot nothing new, m'lord. Her Majesty did want me to convey to you her continued dislike of your interrogation tactics and to inform you that while you have been gone she suspended Rumple and Her Highness Queen Regina from using your approved method on your castle staff."
Charming sighed deeply as Future Killian looked at the Knight. "Henry's back from Camelot already?"
"It was my understanding Captain that he had Merlin translocate him back here. He spoke briefly with Queen Snow, Rumple, the lady Belle, and his other mother but has refused to talk with any of the military advisors about what he learned in Camelot until he speaks with you and his grandfather."
Future Killian and Charming shared a look as Future Will muttered, "Well that's never a good sign."
Charming stepped forward to lightly grip Sir Andrew's shoulder. "Ride ahead of us Andrew and discreetly let only family know we are returning. I want sections of the castle cordoned off from anyone who hasn't been cleared by Rumple and Regina as the mole. Simply tell them the family is on high alert due to the attacks and only those with high clearance are being allowed around us. We will enter the castle through the side courtyard door so as not to draw attention to ourselves. Let the family know we will meet them in the library."
Sir Andrew nodded. "What sections do you want cordoned off your Majesty?"
"The War Room, the smaller dining hall, the library, and any and all corridors leading to personal bedchambers. Inform the Queen and she will coordinate with whatever staff has been cleared to get everything ready."
With another bow of his head Sir Andrew turned and left as quickly as he had come, mounting his secluded horse and riding off toward the castle in the distance. As soon as the Knight was far enough away Charming motioned for them to continue on.
Erin tilted her head toward her grandfather. "Why did grandma send that message through Andrew, grandpa?"
Charming looked guiltily at the forest floor as they walked. "When we received the memory of Diablo stabbing Liam I… I gave Rumple and Regina the order to do whatever was necessary to find the mole."
Liam furrowed his brows in confusion. "I'm not sure why that would upset grandma. I seem to recall her promising to rip Morgana limb from limb when she tried to attack me and Uncle Neal that time."
Charming sighed. "I did a bit more than just promise, Liam." When his grandchildren continued to look at him Charming cleared his throat nervously.
"I told them to start taking hearts to find the mole."
That stunned his grandchildren and Killian was sure he heard Mary Margaret gasp quietly behind him. Even he was shocked to hear the measures the future prince had ordered they go to.
"Grandpa!" Erin hissed in shock.
"That seems a bit excessive," Liam countered dryly.
"Not when you think about the situation we were in at the time," Future Will replied to his Godson. "We had just remembered Diablo stabbing you. We didn't know if you were alive or dead and thankfully my past self was close enough to hear Diablo threaten Hope. Now, we all know my personal stance on taking hearts for any reason but I'm a father first and foremost in life and would order my own men to do the same if something had happened to Elizabeth."
"Scarlett's right," Future Killian added, looking to his daughter. "When it comes the safety and well-being of my three children and my grandchildren, I have no qualms with blooding my hook to get answers, love."
"But taking hearts!" Mary Margaret argued before giving David's shoulder a firm shove.
David gave his wife an incredulous look. "I haven't done anything!"
"You will," she hissed, huffing as she crossed her arms. With a pointed glare at her husband she moved to the opposite side of the traveling party to walk next to an amused Regina.
Future Will chuckled. "It would seem all versions of Snow react the same to that command, Dave."
Killian watched David's future self sigh in frustration as their group fell silent again, the crunch of their boots on the dirt path the only sound around them. He found his gaze swinging back to Emma, noticing how although she refused to look at him her eyes were unable to leave his future self. He felt the coil of jealousy tighten even more and had to clench his jaw to physically restrain himself from going to her and demanding to know why his future self could have her attention but he couldn't.
He made a point to remind himself that the first chance he got alone with his future self, he was giving him a good punch to the face.
Just a reminder, ychydig iawn o môr-leidr is Welsh for 'little pirate' and ychydig morwr is also Welsh for 'little sailor'.
And I know toward the end I referred to Future Regina as 'Her Highness Queen Regina' and that's technically not how that address is used (Her/His Majesty is used when referencing the sovereign of a nation while Her/His Highness is used to denote other royal members of the family) but Future Regina isn't the sovereign ruling body of the Enchanted Forest (thus the Her Highness part). However I don't see Regina ever fully giving up the Queen title and since she does rule in Charming and Snow's absence, I kept the Queen in there. My universe, after all.
This was originally going to be longer but it was hitting the 10K limit so I decided to end it here. The good thing about that is the next chapter already has 4 pages written! So hopefully I can have that up in the next few weeks!