Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot and any unrecognizable characters and dialogue.
*peeks around corner* Please don't hate me! I'm so sorry I didn't get this up yesterday like I promised, I ended up not going home after school and I didn't have my laptop so I could write. Again, a thousand apologies for you, my lovely and faithful readers.
Henry sounds and looks so old! I literally almost cried when I heard him in the episode.
Also, I'm very interested to see exactly who the Wicked Witch is, as there have been plenty of theories about that topic, a couple I heard even said she might be Cora and Rumple's daughter. That's a highly disturbing thought.
All that aside, on to the chappie! I hope you like it and again, I'm really really osrry for not getting it up sooner.
One Year Ago
Enchanted Forest
"Snow!" Aurora started, her eyes wide as she took all of us in, shock displayed clearly over her features. "What happened?"
I looked down at myself before I glanced up at Peter, who was covered in his Pied Piper cloak, before I looked around at everyone else.
"We're back." Snow breathed out miserably while Aurora and Philip continued to stare at us in shock.
I quickly followed Snow and Charming towards the gazebo, Hook and Regina at my heels as the to royal couples spoke. I glanced back at Peter, who was currently being fussed over by Belle, looking exceedingly uncomfortable from the attention, as he still hadn't fully recovered from being ripped out of Malcolm.
I sent him a soft, trembling smile before I turned my attention back to the couples in front of me. He and I needed to have a long talk later, a very long talk.
"How have things been since we left? The ogres-" Snow rushed out, clearly fishing for any information on the happenings of our home.
"Oh, defeated." Aurora promised, nearly glowing as she spoke. "We're restoring our kingdom and our lives." She glanced up at Philip, smiling brilliantly and Snow smiled in return, glancing down at her friends covered belly.
"And, congratulations." Snow nodded at Aurora's cloaked stomach, to the surprise of the other woman.
Aurora noticed, giggling nervously while Philip chuckled softly.
"Is it that obvious?" She asked, looking bashful as a smile slid across her pale face.
"You're glowing." Snow promised while Hook peeked his head over to get a look at the covered stomach, though he clearly couldn't see anything.
"Great, she's pregnant and I'm the one who's sick." Regina muttered, turning around from the gazebo, her face twisted up in disgust. Well, she clearly was no more of a people person than she'd been as the Queen.
"We have so much to celebrate. And, know that you and your friends are welcome in our kingdom." Philip promised, a smile lighting up his face. "If you need anything, we're at your service."
"Thank you," Charming rushed out, clearly inpatient to get moving and I winced at the sight of the clothes that he'd almost died in. "But, all we need are horses. We have our own kingdom, our own castle."
"Our castle was destroyed in the Curse." Snow reminded him, laying her hand on his arm while Hook turned his head towards Regina.
"Well played your Majesty, lay waste to everything." Hook drawled, wincing when I reached back and hit him in the chest.
"Shut it, Killian." I snapped, glaring angrily at him as I was in no mood to break up another one of Snow and Regina's fights. The last time I tried, I nearly got my hair burned off.
"Not everything." Aurora spoke, looking between Hook, her eyes wary, and Regina. "Her castle still stands."
"Of course it does." Regina almost sneered, though her tone was dry. "I protected it." She said simply, looking around as she kept her arms crossed over her stomach.
"Well, technically the castle doesn't belong to her it was Snow's before she took it." Charming answered simply, almost smugly and I groaned, leaning back against the pillar of the gazebo next to Killian. Snow's lips were pursed and she was staring at her husband from the corner of her eyes.
"Well, to be fair," Regina stepped closer, leaning forward. "I married into it." She shot back cheerily while Snow turned to her, the look on her face causing dread to fill me when I realized she had an idea most people weren't going to like.
"That you did, and now we're taking it back." She shot at Regina, before moving forward, a smile growing on her lips. "And you are coming with us."
You can't be serious." Regina chuckled nervously, her face twisted in confusion while Snow moved even closer, lowering her voice.
"Regina, everyone out there is scared and confused, they need hope. What better way tp do that then to return united?" She looked down, speaking quickly. "You're coming with us. I know you don't like it, you'll learn to. For our good, and for yours."
"Yay, a sleepover with the Evil Queen." I turned towards Hook, who was smirking back at me. "I'll bring the fire extinguishers."
I turned around, making my way back to Peter, who was standing between Neal and Belle, still looking very uncomfortable and, deciding that he'd had enough torture for one day, I reached out, causing his face to nearly light up.
He moved past Neal, muttering apologies and took my hand, tucking me against his side as Charming thanked the other couple.
"Thank you again for the hospitality, we should begin preparations." He reached forward, shaking hands with Philip, who smiled at him, nodding.
"Good luck to all of you." Charming nodded at the other prince, placing his arm on Snow's back and lead her away, Regina and Hook following.
"Well, this should be fun." I snarked dryly, earning a soft laugh from Peter, thought the expression sobered when Charming glanced at us, his face tight at the sight of Peter's arm around my waist.
I ignored said look and glanced up at Peter, closing my eyes when he leaned down, kissing my forehead lightly. I smiled, the expression falling when I opened my eyes and caught sight of a nervous and guilty looking Aurora and Philip respectively, tightening my grip on Peter's collar.
Somethign wasn't right.
"Grumpy, look at us!" I darted a glance over at the dwarves, continuing to tighten the saddle on my horse. "We're back to normal!" Sneezy cheered and I shook my head, turning my attention back to the leather strap as I laughed softly.
'We're handsome again!" All the dwarves laughed and another chuckle escaped my chest, earning a glance from Peter, who smiled faintly at the sight of my mirth. I blinked when a large cricket flew past me and onto Grumpy's shoulder.
"Jiminy? Is that you?" Grumpy smiled at the cricket, laughing in delight when the cricket chirped in response. "Where you been?" Jiminy chirped again, causing Grumpy's brow to furrow. "Really? No kiddin'.
I blinked at the two, bewildered by the fact that Grumpy could understand Jiminy when he didn't have his translator. Grumpy's smile had faded and he was nodding rapidly as Jiminy's chirps increased in number.
"Okay." Grumpy repeated, still nodding. "Okay." He turned his attention towards Charming, calling to the prince. "Hey, your Highness, according to Jiminy, fifty more Storybrooke folk landed not two miles from here." He lowered his voice. "They're popping back all over the place."
'Well, that's good." Charming nodded, smiling faintly. "At this rate, we'll have the whole kingdom back in no time." He turned his attention fully on the burly dwarf in front of him. "Grumpy, you and the dwarves spread the word-all new arrivals make haste to the Queen's castle."
"Consider it done." Grumpy agreed smiling, the two men clasping hands and smiling. Charming pulled back, chuckling as Grumpy and his fellow dwarves turned to go as Charming approached Hook.
"That's a lot of supplies you have there, Hook." He began and I rolled my eyes, aware that no matter how far away Emma was, Charming would never be any fan of the pirate. Peter came to my side, placing his hand on my shoulder and I leaned against his body, sighing deeply when his hand slid from my shoulder to my waist.
"Well, you know what they say about preparation and all that." Hook continued to mess with the bags while Charming went to the front of the animal and gently patted its neck.
"Well, that's no need to overload your horse. The queen's castle is less than a day's ride from here." He gently stroked the animal's neck, staring at the still rummaging pirate. "We'll have everything we need once we get there."
"Aye," Hook sighed deeply. "Well, that would be lovely, if I were going to the Queen's castle." He turned his head, staring at the prince over his shoulder before turning his attention back to the saddlebag.
"You're not coming with us?" Charming clarified, his brow furrowed and Hook chuckled lightly.
"You are a perceptive prince, aren't you?" He teased, shooting the price a mocking smile that made Charming sigh deeply and close the flap of the bag Hook had been digging in.
"Where are you going?" Unwilling to let them start fighting, I moved forward, sliding out of Peter's embrace and approached the two men warily, listening to Hook's response.
"Listen, mate. The Enchanted Forest is your home." He looked around as he spoke before looking back at CHarming with a sigh. "The Jolly Roger is mine."
"Hook, you don't even know if it's-" Charming shook his head, clearly unwilling to burst Hook's bubble, though Hook didn't seem too concerned.
"Regina told me how this bloody thing worked-that it returned all out belongings to this land as well as us. That means that somewhere out there is my ship. All I have to do is find her."
"Well what if you can't?" I asked quietly, a small smirk sliding on my face when both men jumped at my voice, though the expression faded quickly when the situation hit me again. "What will you do then?"
Hook smiled patiently at me, reaching out to gently chuck me on the chin, his eyes soft and affectionate, though I could see and feel the sadness in them.
"I'll just have to take another one, won't I, lass?" He titled his head before he turned back to the saddle. "That's what pirates do."
"Huh." Charming looked away. "And here I thought you'd gone and changed." Charming stated, sounding middy disappointed as he stepped away from the pirate while Hook quickly pulled himself onto the horse.
"I tried the hero thing-didn't take." He shook his head, looking around to make sure he had everything, unaware fo Snow's approach until she spoke.
"So that's it?" Snow nearly spat, coming to my side as Charming held onto the reigns of the horse. "Emma's gone and you're gonna go back to being a pirate?"
"Back, milady?" Hook repeated, sounding amused. "I've always been a pirate." WIth that, he turned his horse and nudged it with his heels, heading across the field towards the trees. "Stay well, Lady Lillith."
I nodded, swallowing with difficulty as Charming's hand landed on my shoulder, his touch comforting as I watched Hook ride away.
"Hey." We turned to see Neal approaching. "What Hook said just now, about all that stuff being brought back here-that true?"
"It should be." Neal's attention turned to me and I could feel Charming and Snow's as well. "Rumple-" I stumbled over his name but pressed on. "Only glossed over the details of the curse, but since it took our stuff over to Storybrooke, it should have brought it back with us."
"W-what are you looking for?" Charming asked, looking at his wife in confusion.
"I was thinkin' maybe we could stop by my father's place on the way to the queen's castle.
"Nea, I-I know you're hurting but Rumpelstiltskin is gone." The prince explained, looking uncomfortable and I rolled my eyes, going to Neal's side as he responded, sounding far more calm than I would have been capable of.
"Maybe, maybe no. And if he's not, maybe he can get me back to Emma." I glanced at Neal from the corner of my eye, noting the tightness of his mouth but said nothing, aware that my explanations of how I would know if Rumple was back wouldn't be received too well.
"Neal, it's not possible." Snow took a step forward, shaking her head, sadness enveloping her at the mention of her once again lost child. "Regina was clear-the price of our return was a complete reset. No more portals."
"We're stuck here, for good." I added despondently looking across towards Peter, who was still adjusting the bags on our horse. "We cannot cross over without another curse and, I don't know about you, but I don't have the capability to create one. Neither does Regina."
"We have to move on, this is our home now." I sent Charming a glare, though I could feel the pain coming off him and his wife, aware that they were hurting just as much, if not more than Neal and I were. "Now, I know you miss them." Charming lowered his voice, pain leaking through his words. "So do we. But even if there was some way to get them, they wouldn't remembers us. The best thing we can do for Emma and Henry is the only thing we can do-let them be and know we gave them their best chance."
Neal simply stared silently at the two before he nodded once and stepped away, his face a blank mask. I turned away, ignoring Charming's attempt to reach out for me and headed back to Peter's side, sighing when I stepped into his tight embrace.
I could really deal without the glares Charming was sending me.
Soon enough, Charming approached me, his blue eyes burning at the sight of Peter's arm around me but he didn't comment, simply turning his attention back to me.
"Lillith, we need to talk." I nodded, drifting from Peter's side and began heading towards the empty gazebo, seating myself on one of the chairs. Charming seated himself across from me and opened his mouth, getting straight down to business. ""Pan." I sighed deeply, cursing him to step forward. "Don't give me that look Lily." I stared up at him and nodded wearily, slumping down onto the rock and cradling my face in my hands. "Listen. I'm sorry but..."
He sat next to me, leaning close to me as he did so and I faced him, my expression tired. "We don't trust him. Ah, ah," I shut my mouth at his light scolding. "I know you do but, we don't know him. We don't know exactly how he's different from before."
"Then let me explain, will you?" He nodded, falling silent as I glanced down at my hands, twisting them together. "Peter Pan was the part of Malcolm, the part of him that longed to be a child forever." I stood up and began to pace across the grass, mindful of Charming's attentive eyes as I spoke.
"So, when he went to Neverland and abandoned Rumple there, the Shadow gave life to that part fo Malcolm, and Peter Pan was born." I turned back to him and nodded at the question in his gaze.
"So, Peter Pan was always different from Malcolm?" He asked carefully, still clearly very confused by the entire thing, which was the way I'd been when I'd first learned of it from the Shadow.
"In a way, yes. Peter Pan's desire to remain young was fueled from Malcolm's desire to be a child forever. Everything Peter Pan did, was because Malcolm desired it, because Peter Pan was an extension of Malcolm's own personality."
"So, you were born to be with Peter Pan, right?" I nodded. "Not Malcolm." I nodded again, smiling softly at the prince.
"You're catching on quickly." He smiled back brightly at my praise. "The Shadow explained all of this to me after I found out exactly who Peter Pan was-" Charming cut me off, sounding mildly disturbed.
"The Shadow told you? It could talk?" He stuttered out and, smirking, I nodded once, causing him to blink his wide blue eyes at me. "That's not creepy at all."
I chuckled and nodded, sitting back beside him.
"You have no idea. But, after I learned everything, the Shadow told me about how since Peter Pan was the one I was supposed to be with, Malcolm could be taken out of the situation." Charming raised an eyebrow.
"Then why didn't you do it earlier?"
"It had to be done when Malcolm was dying."
"So, that's what Rumpelstiltskin was talking about when-" I nodded, swallowing at the memory of his heartbroken, but resigned voice as he said goodbye to Belle, Neal and me. The only three people he truly cared for.
"Yes." I whispered softly, clearing my throat with some difficulty before I continued explaining. "So, because Malcolm was weakened, I was able to physically pull the other half of him out of his body. Peter." Charming nodded but still stared at me for a few seconds before he questioned again.
"So, was Malcolm in love with you?" I groaned in disgust, quite aware of the fact that when I'd been with Peter before, he'd technically been a creepy old man.
"No. Or he would have needed my heart instead of Felix's. Malcolm was in control, Peter didn't even actually have a separate conscious yet, until I gave one to him." I held back a laugh at Charming's confused face, aware that this entire story was confusing as hell. I sat next to him and nudged his shoulder lightly with mine. "Don't worry, you'll get it."
He nodded, his expression still puzzled but he smiled at me, glancing around with a sigh.
"We should probably be getting back." I smirked teasingly and he rolled his eyes, and glared at me, though his glare and words lacked heat. I grinned in response as he heaved himself to his feet, accepting his hand when he offered it.
"Just," I turned from staring at Peter as he tripped over his words, clearly trying to not sound like he was telling me what to do. "Be careful, alright?" I smiled at his attempts and nodded, snickering inwardly when he sighed with obvious relief that I didn't' spring into a rage at his concern.
"I'm always careful." He snorted as he let go of my hand and began walking back towards Snow, giving me a knowing look.
"Says the girl who ran headfirst into a platoon of enemy soldiers." I sniffed haughtily as I nudged him out of the way, his laughter following me as I passed him.
"I beat them all, didn't I?"
"So, the prince hasn't sent me any glares lately, should I be concerned?" I gently bumped into Peter, sending him a warning look when I caught sight of the expression on his face. While I enjoyed the cheeky smirk, I knew what it meant and didn't want any problems popping up until after we reached the castle.
"Don't antagonize him." I shot back, glancing behind me to see Belle and Neal in conversation, the former shooting me a short smile when our eyes met before she turned her attention back to a despondent looking Neal. "He's gone through enough."
"Thanks to me, you mean." I sent him a heated glare at that, taken aback by the matching heat in his gaze. "I know they blame me, it's not too hard to notice when they're all trying to burn a hole into my head."
"Well can you blame them?" I hissed, attempting and failing to push back the anger bubbling forth. I didn't want to blame Peter for any of this, but when he acted like an arse, it was hard not to. "It was your body that-"
"Lillith." I started, breaking my glare with Peter and looked over at Snow, who looked far more exasperated and tense than she had ten minutes ago. "It's Regina, she's missing."
I groaned angrily before I followed the princess through the woods, leading us to Regina quickly. I raised an eyebrow at the sight of Regina tapping fiercely away at something on the ground but said nothing, letting Snow do the talking.
"What are you doing?" Snow managed, clearly irritated with her step-mother.
"So now you're following me?" Regina snapped back, not even looking up from what she was doing.
"We were worried." Snow managed back, clearly trying to hold back her anger. "And it looks like we were right to be. What are you burying?"
"Nothing that concerns you." She continued digging, clearly unconcerned with our presence.
"Why does that make me think it does? What have you done?" Snow took a step forward and I recoiled slightly, my nose curling in disgust. "Is that a heart?"
"Go away!" Regina snapped and I stepped forward, horror gripping me tightly.
"That's your heart." I managed, disgust filling me. "What have you done?"
'I'm not having this conversation with you, either of you."
"I know you miss Henry-"
"So do I, but you don't see me ripping out my beating heart." I spat out, still staring at Regina in disgust and anger, knowing she was quite aware of what not having a heart did to people.
"Well," Regina stood, brushing off her dress. "Not as much as I did when that was still beating in my chest."
"But Regina," Snow continued as if I hadn't spoken, causing me to glare at her. "This isn't the answer. No matter how much pain you may feel, you can't just bury it in the woods." She let out a short, almost hysterical scoff.
"Watch me." Regina shot back shortly before she crouched down again.
"You won't feel better." Snow tried again. "You won't feel anything.
"That's the point." Regina and I gave each other dirty looks at our unison but I said nothing, crossing my arms tightly.
"I can't keep walking around, knowing that I'll never see Henry." Regina continued, looking away from me towards Snow. "That he doesn't even remember who I am."
"He doesn't remember me either, to any of us." I hissed out, having had enough of her pity party. "I helped you raise him, he was my best friend for eleven years." I fixed her with a dark, angry look. "You aren't the only one that's hurting, Regina."
Snow took a step forward, lightly tugging my shoulder, as if she was afraid I'd throw myself at Regina, though I had no intention of doing so, the idea was tempting.
"I know exactly how you feel." Snow started, her voice trembling. "I just had to say goodbye to my daughter for the second time-Henry too." She inhaled, clearly trying to calm herself. "But I promise you...it will get better," she pointed to the hole. "With that. Right now, it might be causing you pain but I promise you it will let you feel something else soon enough."
"What's that?" Regina asked dryly, looking unconvinced as Snow stepped closer to her, her expression a mix of sadness and hope.
"The one thing Henry always wanted you to find-happiness."
'I can't be happy without him." At that, Snow reached forward and gently brushed her hand against Regina' arm, a small smile on her face.
"Find a way. For Henry."
Regina sighed deeply, shaking her head before she turned around and picked up the heart, pressing it into her chest before gasping loudly, her eyes filling with tears.
"Now," she moved from the hole, passing Snow, who turned to watch her. "Let's get back to our castle."
I turned to follow them ,stopping dead when I heard rustling and I whirled around when the wind blew my hair around my face.
"Did you hear that?" I barely paid attention to Snow, keeping my eyes on the bush as I scanned the shrubbery with now red eyes. "There was something in that bush."
Regina came to my side, looking through the leaves before she spoke, her voice still nasally and thick from the unshed tears.
"There's nothing here, unless it flew away." She stared at the bush suspiciously, while I looked around with narrowed eyes, reaching out with my magic and coming up with nothing.
Snow turned, her eyes widening as she looked up towards the sky and I whirled around at the sound of flapping, my own eyes widening at the flying animal.
"It did!" Snow yelled as the animal practically dive-bombed us, its shrieking echoing around the forest as it did so. "We need to find cover!" Snow urge with a gasp, coming to our side as Regina tugged away, her eyes narrowing.
"No, I don't run from monsters." Regina stated, raising her hand as it filled with a fireball. "They run from me." She flung the fireball, causing the creature to shrike again and simply dodge the fire, still heading towards us.
"Regina!" Snow cried out as the creature tackled us to the floor, hooking its claws into said woman and beginning to ascend with her.
"Regina!" I forced myself to my feet as Snow jumped after the other woman, screaming her name. Thankfully, Regina's sleeve ripped from the added weight and both fell to the ground while the animal circled around us. I ran to them, quickly running my glowing hands over them to make sure they were all right, my attention shifting towards the sky when I could feel the thing coming closer.
"Lillith, hit it!" Regina commanded and I shook my head, Snow saying the words that had been running across my mind.
"It's too fast!" Snow pulled herself up while I helped a breathless Regina, who was trembling almost violently.
"Well, I am open to suggestions." She panted out, her eyes wide as the thing continued to circle us, clearly coming up with no ideas.
"Get down!" Turns out we didn't have to. Uncaring who it was, I quickly ducked, the other two following suit, though Snow let out another terrified yell as the thing dived at us again, an arrow striking it in the side.
It shrieked in pain but, instead of dying like I hoped, it simply turned tail and flew off, continuing to shriek. We all looked up, gasping softly and I nearl jumped out of my skin when a hand appeared in front of my face.
"Milady." The man turned his attention towards Regina. "You're injured." He stated, staring at Regina's clawed arm.
"It's your Majesty." Regian snapped ungratefully. "And I'm fine." She muttered, looking up at him quickly before moving her neck to the side as I clutched at my stomach, inhaling deeply as a voice called my name.
"Lily!" I turned from the other three, making myself stand as Peter dashed through the trees, looking like he as about to kill everyone in the clearing, ignoring the man as he snapped back at Regina, though I agreed she deserved it.
"A simple 'thank you' would suffice."
"We didn't ask for your help."
"Lily." Peter reached down, tugging me completely on to my feet before he tugged me into his embrace, pulling me tight against his chest. I clutched at his cloak, fisting the fabric in my grip as I continued to tremble. His hand reached up to gently stroke my hair though he remained silent, his cheek resting on the top of my head.
"Well, I'm grateful for the assistance!" Snow snapped at Regina.
"Robin-Robin of Locksley." The man offered and I turned in Peter's arms, disbelief covering my face as I stared at the man. "And these are a few of my merry men." He waved a hand to the men behind him.
"Snow White." She offered, nodding her head as she placed a hand on her stomach, still out of breath.
"At last we meet." Robin shield. "You know, there was a time our faces graced 'wanted' posters side by side." He teased lightly and Snow smiled brightly at that.
"If you're really Snow White, why are you with here?" A burly man snapped, nodding at a fuming Regina.
"'Her'?" She parroted, looking incensed and affronted. "Show some respect...or at least some restraint at the buffet." She mocked and I groaned, hissing through my teeth.
"Regina!" I huffed when she ignored me, and Robin pursed his lips while the burly man glared at the queen.
"You'll have to excuse Little Jon, but before you cursed this land, we spent many a day running from your black knights."
"Well I'm sure you deserved it." Regina shot back, her face calm and I resisted the urge to slap my face into my palm. "What the hell was that thing?" She demanded, turning skyward to where the animal had been.
"I have no idea." Robin countered, looking around. "We've never encountered the likes of it before."
I shivered when shrieking sounded, echoing around the otherwise silent forest and I pulled away from Peter, gripping his hand in mine as Snow reacted.
"Come on, this way." She stared towards the sound. "We need to warn the others."
"Good to see you again, Robin." Neal placed a hand on the archer's shoulder, causing the other man to smile.
"You too, Baelfire." He glanced down at me, his lips twitching into a smile. "You must be Lillith." I nodded, bowing my head teasingly as he lightly chucked my chin. "I've heard so much about you."
"All bad, I hope." I tease back, turning around when Belle spoke, clearing her throat delicately.
"Well, uh, we've come a long way, haven't we?" She teased and Robin's face broke out into a wide grin at the sight of the woman.
"Belle!" He nearly crowed and swept her into his arms, the two of them laughing like old friends while I smiled softly.
"Oh," Belle sighed, pulling back.
"I believe you already know-" He gestured to Neal. "She once treated a poor thief far better than I deserved."
"She does that a lot." Neal teased, earning an elbow from Belle, who was still smiling like a loon when she hooker her arm with mine, sending a quiet Peter a dazzling smile that he managed to nod at.
I looked up at him as Neal and Robin spoke, tuning them out as I whispered to Peter.
"You've been quiet." He nodded, carefully stepping over root and I winced, remembering that he still wasn't fully himself. Having never done something that required that level of magic, I was a little wary of what side effects were caused by what I had done to give Peter life. I moved from Belle's side and went right to his, sliding my hand in his and I nearly slumped with relief when he tangled our fingers together, his thumb gently soothing patterns on the top of my hand.
"I'll be fine, love." I nodded, coming to a dead stop when I glanced across the path towards where I knew the castle should be.
What the hell?
I blinked at Charming voice, immediately feeling the emotions coming off from Regina and if I had been anyone else, I probably would have shied away from the ferocity of the anger rushing through her.
"Look!" All eyes turned towards the empty space where castle should be.
"What happened?" Snow questioned, her eyes wide with shock at the sight.
"That's exactly what I'm about to find out." Regina swore, stalking forward to the empty space and i pulled away from Peter, ignoring his look, and followed her. I came to her side and, as one, we both raised our hands and touched the barrier, the magic crackling loudly as the green barrier appeared.
"A protection spell, the entire castle's encircled by it." Regina announced while i stared at it in shock, cold, icy dread gripping e as I realized that I knew this magic.
"Didn't you od this?" Charming question simply. "Undo it."
"Well, don't you think if I could I'd be halfway home by now?" Regina countered, turning around as I continued to stare at the empty looking space, feeling something as close to fear as I possibly could. Regina stalked towards them, sounding extremely put out while I raised my hand again, touching the barrier lightly. "No, someone hijacked it."
"Who?" Snow asked. "Who's in there?"
"I don't know." Regina obviously turned and noticed I wasn't at her side, because she called to me. "Lillith, what is it?"
I continued to touch the barrier, the crackling barely causing only mild discomfort and I stared up at it, wracking my memory for any recollection of this specific magical signature.
"Lily?" Peter touched my shoulder, gently tugging me but I resisted, pulling my shoulder out of his grip. "Lily, what is it, love?"
"Do you know who it is?" Regina asked, her brow furrow and I finally yanked my hand away, curling my now stinging palm into my chest as I turned to face the expectant looking royals. I shrugged and Regina sighed, turning back to the younger couple. "Well, I'm going to find out whosoever eating my porridge." She sword, her voice lowering darkly. "Nobody sits in my chair, nobody takes our castle" She turned to me, looking expectant. "Lillith, are you with me?"
"Hey." Charming cautioned, bringing her attention back to him, his tone firm. "We've got a lot of people looking to us. They're scared and rightfully so, let's get them to safety first."
"They'll be safe when whoever's in there is dead." Regina snapped back and for once, I agreed with her.
"Rushing in there is a bad plan, Regina." Snow countered, taking a step forward as her features filed with irritation at Regina's idea. "You know that."
"I can offer safe harbor in Sherwood Forest." Robin spoke up, causing all eyes to turn to him, though he didn't seem too bothered by the attention. I shifted, practically melding myself to Peter's side as a chill went up my spine. "It's not far, we can offer food, shelter." He offered. "And a thick canopy no creature will spy you under."
"Do you have weapons?" I rolled my eyes at Charming's words.
"Oh sure, Regina and I can't go all magical on this person's ass but you can go and prance around with your pointy, metal sticks." I snapped, earning a short glare from the prince, though he did nothing else and Robin responded, looking at me with worry.
"We're lousy with them."
"Fine, lead the way." Regina snapped, clearly aware she was about to outvoted. "But we're coming back. And whoever did this...is going to suffer." She vowed, staring Snow down.
"Regina, it's our home. We'll make it safe again." Snow vowed, while Regina stared at her silently.
"Well, lets start walkin'."
Present Time
Storybrooke
"Emma?" I peeked past the stairs, my face brightening when I caught sight of the woman standing in front of David. "Emma!"
I rushed forward, jumping into the stunned woman's arms as I wrapped my arms around her, Peter at my heels, though he hung back and simply nodded his head at the blinking woman when I pulled back and slid back to his side.
"Savior." Peter mocked, a small smirk twisting up his lips and Emma rolled her eyes while I nudged him, neatly digging my elbow into the space between his ribs, though he gave no outward sign that it pained him.
"Play nice." I hissed up at him, smiling when he took my hand and raised it, pressing a kiss to the third finger on my left hand, causing Emma to blink at us in shock.
"A-are you-"
"Married?" Peter finished, grinning wickedly at her surprise, his eyebrow raised teasingly. "Well, isn't that what a ring on the third finger signifies, right?"
She opened her mouth, the words dying in her throat as Mary's voice came from above us, her eyes widening as she reappeared on the stairs.
"Emma?" She caught sight of her daughter. "Emma!" She ran into her daughter's arms, who hugged her mother back, inhaling sharply, relief and love pouring off her. Though she still appeared bewildered and when they released each other, Mary stepped back, David's arm coming to rest around her shoulders.
"As you can see, a lot's happened." David offered with a sheepish smile when he saw Emma was currently staring at Mary's protruding belly, her eyes wide with shock and I glanced up at Peter, rolling my eyes and nudging him when I caught sight of the smirk on his features.
"We just don't know what." Mary chuckled softly, her expression sobering. "The whole year is gone." Emma looked between her parents, then to Peter and I, her eyes still wide with shock.
"Who the hell could have done this?"
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also I would like thank the reviewer Teberz. Your review was just absolutely wonderful and so heartfelt. You are a dear and I'm so glad you like what I've done with all this :)