Chapter 25: Telemain and Morwen Make a Deal, and Daystar Proposes Again

When Telemain reached the farmhouse, he searched until he could see a faded light coming from the barn, which he recognized as the glow from Daystar's engagement ring. Inside, he found a strange compass dug deeply into the dirt. At north, east, and west, he saw the ring, Regina's heart, and his brain, all on oddly-shaped plates. At south was an empty basket, and he was sure she was gathering that last ingredient. He picked up his brain, briefly, to find the memories of what he learned of the spell. Then he started digging into the earth with his foot, superimposing the bard symbol over the compass. Then he heard noises, and he quickly positioned himself before the empty basket. It wasn't the witch, though; it was Morwen and Kazul.

"We were trying to keep an eye on you with a magic mirror spell, but it's not working well. There's too much interference," Morwen explain.

"It's good that you came. You can help me. Especially you, Kazul; there's something I need you to do." He told them what to do. When he heard noises again, he saw it was the witch, and he instructed them to hide. The Dark One was with her, and she was carrying a bundle in her arms.

"Now, don't be so timid around her," Morwen spoke into the heart. "Show her you mean business. Call her by name."

So when she came in and saw him standing in her design, he looked her in the eye. "Hello, Zelena."

She looked surprised and upset, but then she smiled. "Telemain, darling, what a pleasant surprise. I was going to come get you to have you share in this moment." Then her smile faded. "Now, I need you to move."

"No."

"Did you just say 'no'?"

"Indeed, I did. I'm not moving. I cannot."

"Yes, you can. You just move one foot, and then you move the other." She waved her hands like she was trying to cast a spell to force him to move, but he held his ground.

"You see, he's not the only one being controlled."

He motioned to Morwen, who came out of hiding and approached her. "Hello, home-wrecker."

Zelena just sneered at her. "If you can't move, we'll make you move." She drew the dark dagger. "Dark One?"

He waved his hand, but Telemain still stayed put, and a golden bubble briefly shimmered around him. "I figured that you might try that as well, so I had that covered. I know the Dark One is weak against dragon magic."

He gestured again, and Kazul stepped forward. "Frail human body, huh?"

"What are you trying to do, keep me from casting my spell?" Zelena said. "It's not going to work. I will cast it, and whatever happens when you're in its path is your fault."

"Oh, I won't affect your spell. I gave away my heart, you took my brain, my courage fled. I come before you," he looked at the Dark One and said carefully, "as an empty vessel."

"If that's the case, I have no need of you. Step asi—"

"But," he added, "I have something you don't." He revealed from under his arm the book.

"A book?"

"I don't think I told you, but I was working on a spell of my own when you came to see me. I found it in an unlikely place—bard lore. It promised to do anything the caster desired, his deepest wish, with the purest magic there is. Our spells are somewhat twins. Mine also called for symbols of love and knowledge, but it calls for something greater than courage, stronger than innocence—truth. And this is my symbol of truth. This is the annals of Storybrooke. It tells the townspeople's past, the town's present, and even provides possibilities of the future." He opened it and started flipping through it. "And the truth is this isn't your story. When it mentions you, you are only called 'the invader.' There are no pictures of you. You don't belong here."

"You silly mage, that's what this is all about, to make this my story."

"Yes, the Dark One has told me about you. I'm sorry that your mother gave you up, but that was not your choice, and neither is this. You always have other options, but you hurt others to fulfill your desires. You make us suffer for your happiness! You're not just wicked. You are evil, Zelena! And that's not just semantics; that's the truth!"

"So what is your point?"

"So you admit it?"

"Whatever! Why do you have to disrupt everything? I am casting my spell!"

"I won't stop you, but I will also cast mine, and we will see whose spell is stronger!"

"We might as well do it," the Dark One said. "He's not moving. He's right; draconian magic is my downfall."

"Alright. You're on, mage," she said. She put the baby down in the behind him, then stood in the middle of the compass and raised her arms. Each item ignited with a different color flame which flowed toward the middle. Meanwhile, Telemain stood where he was, opened the book, and chanted something in another language, more than likely Welsh. The other heroes arrived just as he completed his verse. A powerful white beam of light came from the brain and the heart, and they met together, making one leg of the triangle. Then the other two legs came toward him, and he held up the book and caught them together. He could feel the power collecting into the book, growing stronger and stronger. Then the flame of the child behind him and the ring were put out, and the beam of light came straight from the pages of the book and concentrated itself on Zelena's broach, and it shattered. Zelena fell down, and a green wave of light washed over her and died. The flames around all the items died.

"Well, that was easy," Hook said.

"Speak for yourself," Telemain said. He looked worn out. "Kazul, please." Kazul nodded and lowered the shield.

David picked up the baby and said he was fine. The Dark One called on his powers and moved to kill her, but Regina got the dagger and demanded him to stop. She told him that heroes don't kill. Obviously, the Dark One wasn't happy with that, but neither was Morwen. Regina came closer to Telemain and picked up a remnant of the broach. "Why is it every time I see you, glass shatters?"

"Actually, as I recall, that was only twice."

"Right, I'm teasing. You really do know your magic, but I guess that's why you're a mage. And man, you're flashy."

"That's my style, alright. As they say, go big or go home." He took a deep breath. "You know, the death penalty would be just. Life for life, you know."

"If that is so, I should have been killed a long time ago, but I was shown mercy. I believe my sister deserves mercy."

"She deserves to suffer," Morwen said. "She deserved to be punished, and the punishment must fit the crime."

"Well, I'll leave that up to the sheriff."

"This is a lovely bauble," Captain Hook said, picking up the engagement ring.

"Yes, and I believe we know a prince who would like that returned to him," Robin Hood said. "Besides, if you pillage it, I'm sure it could be easily traced; it's glowing, after all.

"Oh. Yes, you're right." Hook handed it back to him.

Telemain went to the west and picked up his brain and stared at it. "Now what?"

"I'll help you with that," the Dark One said.

"That won't be necessary."

"Yes, it is. I saw how she did it, and she used dagger."

"What? Did she . . .?"

"No, she didn't actually cut you. Just come by the shop. I'll take care of it, once Regina permits me to have the dagger back."

"What's your charge?"

"Don't worry about it; you already paid. Besides, it's the least I can do, friend."

That surprised Telemain. "I don't think you've ever called me that. I don't think you've called anybody that."

"You broke me free from her. You didn't have to; you weren't indebted to me. In fact, you've done a lot for me. You are my friend."

"Well, if that is what you say, Dark One."

So later that day, Telemain went to the shop. The Dark One hypnotized him, so that he fell into a deep sleep. Once Telemain woke, the Dark One asked him, "How do you feel?"

"Exceptional, and rehabilitated."

"Yeah, you're back." He helped him up.

"Speaking of being back," Telemain said as he pulled out something from one of his pockets, "now that you are alive and once more in your right mind, I believe you will want this returned." He held up a key.

"What are you doing, Telemain? I never go back on a deal! That key is yours!"

"I never asked to own a pawnshop."

"You're a mage now! You even complained you don't have enough resources regarding magic. You need the things in this store."

"But then, what will you do? What will be your job? Where will you live?"

The Dark One nodded. "You're right. I supposed there's only one way to honor my deal and maintain my place here at Storybrooke—make you co-owner." He extended his hand. "What do you say, partner? We don't have to change the name, you know."

Telemain shook his head. "Morwen won't like it."

"Morwen better get used to me! I'm going to be more in her life anyway because of another deal I made with you. Which do you prefer, Uncle Rumple or Uncle Gold?"

Telemain smiled. "I think we'll let Bae decide. Alright, I'll do it, on one condition."

"Name it."

"Storybrooke is a nice place, and I like it here, but I want to get back to my tower, to the magnificent flora and fauna of the Enchanted Forest. That's my home. So, if we must work together, let us work together to find a way back, a way that does not require theft or bloodshed."

He nodded. "Very well. If anyone can figure it out, it's us." And they shook hands. Just then, Belle came in and called for him. "Will you excuse us, please? I have a personal matter to tend to."

"Of course."

"I shall speak to you again very soon. Thank you, Telemain."

"Thank you, Dark—Rumple—"

"You can call me Dark One, if you wish."

Telemain nodded. "Thank you."

In the evening, Emma knocked on the door at Granny's Inn. Lewis answered. "Hello, Lewis."

"Hey, Emma."

"I suppose you got your memory back now, huh?"

"Yeah. Real nice, got that memory back that I'm just a gargoyle, again. Wasn't much better the second time."

"Well, I've done what I came here to do. Beowulf is back with his mother, and Storybrooke is safe. I thinking about going back to New York tomorrow morning with Henry. I can take you with us, if you want."

"Nah. I don't think I want to go back to New York. Both places, I got a crummy job, but here I got a friend, a friend I kinda missed. And back at New York, it's much worse because it's a lot more hectic—less pay, unions, that sort of thing. And of course here, there's . . ." He looked away.

"I hate to break it to you, Lewis, but I don't think Regina's interested in you."

"Yeah, she's still smitten by that Pretty Boy. But a guy can still dream. Something could happen, and when it does, I'll be there."

"You're not threatening anybody, are you, Lewis?"

"No, no, I'd never . . . well, anyway, I had a bad dream about fighting him. But still, you never know." He shook her hand. "I'll miss ya, Emma. I wish you and Henry luck."

"Thanks, Lewis. Same to you."

That evening, the Dark One paid Zelena a visit in her jail cell. Just as he was explaining that Belle had a fake dagger, another visitor came in.

"I see the Revenge Express has pulled into the station," Morwen said. "May it pick up another passenger?"

"Morwen?" the Dark One said as he turned around, and he quickly hid the dagger. "What are you doing?"

"Well, I agree with you. She needs to suffer, and I was about to exact vengeance. She took away my husband."

"Boo-hoo, she killed my son!"

"Well then, perhaps we should work together. See, here's what I was thinking. Kazul really needs to go back to the Mountains of Morning. I don't need her anymore. She's a king; she needs to return to her kingdom."

"Alright, what's that have to do with Zelena?"

"I'm getting to that; hold your horses! So she needs to become a dragon again, which, I expect, is a rather sizable spell. So, we can work on that together, and I suggest we send her with a little snack for the road."

"Well, that is a plan. It won't be the first time I satisfied her appetite. Are you sure that's what you want to do? I mean, what would your husband say?"

"He should have expected it. I got a taste of dark magic."

"Yes, look who's wicked, now."

They turned back to the cell to carry their plan out, but it was empty.

The next morning, Telemain came into the shop just as he saw the Dark One and Belle kissing. "Sorry, am I interrupting something?"

The Dark One let go. "No, no, you're fine, Telemain."

"I'm just coming in for my first day of work as your, uh, COO."

"Yes. Telemain, there's something I, well, we, should tell you. I asked Belle to marry me yesterday."

"Well, that's wonderful! And you . . .?"

"I said yes, of course!" she answered.

The Dark One continued, "We were just now discussing arrangements, and I would like for you to be my Best Man. I don't know well what you'd do. We don't really have rings; I proposed by giving her my dagger. But you could at least be a witness, moral support."

"Dark One, I would be honored, but . . ." Telemain looked away.

"But?"

"Excuse me. I have an idea. I'll come back later with an official answer." And he turned around and left.

Later that morning, a bright beacon was seen shooting up to the sky. The Dark One and Telemain were called back to the sheriff's station because the light was recognized as Zelena's portal. When the others saw Zelena's empty cell, people had questions.

"If she escaped, that would explain the time portal," Belle said.

"Impossible," Regina said.

"Uh-uh," Telemain said. "Regina, you should know better than that. Very unwise to say that word when magic is involved."

"But she didn't have her magic! Without her pendant, she's powerless! How could she have escaped, let alone open a time portal without magic?" She looked suspiciously at the Dark One, "Unless you did something to her."

The Dark One opened his mouth to defend himself, but Telemain spoke first. "Need I remind you that there is magic all around us? All one needs is the knowledge of how to harness it in order to use it."

"Yeah, I remember you egg lecture. Can it."

"If she escaped, let's find out how," David said. He started the security tape. They saw Zelena pacing alone in her cell, then there was static. David fiddled with the knobs. "We could use an upgrade. Stupid Betamax."

"Hey, I installed that, thank you!" Telemain said offended.

"Well, you did the best with what you had at the time."

When the picture reappeared, Zelena turned herself into a ceramic figure which shattered and vanished. Telemain understood. "She was the empty vessel."

"You're right," Regina said. "She must've had just enough residual magic to do herself in, and when she did, when she was gone, her last wish was fulfilled."

"Here's what I don't understand. I thought my spell destroyed hers."

"Well, maybe there was residual magic in the remains of her pendant as well. We should've done a better job picking that up."

"I was thinking about doing that today."

"Well, how do we un-fulfill her wish?" Robin asked.

"Excellent question," the Dark One answered, "but until we figure it out, no one should go near it."

"Not even in the interest of study?" Telemain asked.

"Sorry, mage, you need to hold back your curiosity. A trip to the past can have catastrophic repercussions." So everyone agreed, and they dispersed. "So, have you given any more thought to my request?"

"I have," Telemain answered. "How would you feel about a double-wedding?"

"It depends. Who's the other happy couple? Because if it's that snobby prince and the literal hot-head, I'm not interested."

"No, I asked Morwen if she would like to renew our vows. It's not going to be big thing. She'll return my heart, we'll say a few words. Mendanbar will officiate."

"Mendanbar? I don't know about that. We have a history."

"Mendanbar is one of my closest friends. You helped me meet him. And you could be my Best Man, and like you said, I don't foresee you having many duties."

"Telemain, I'll be honored."

So that evening, they first met at Granny's to Snow White and Prince Charming's sort-of coronation of their new child. At the appropriate time, Charming made an announcement and got everyone's attention and explained that they named their child after a hero. Telemain bit his lip. He would hate it if they named him Baelfire because then everyone would get him and his son confused. Yet Snow spoke up and said, "People of Storybrooke, it is our great joy to introduce you to our son, Prince Neal." Telemain sighed with relief. The Dark One looked genuinely touched. Everyone applauded, and there were happy feelings all around.

"Excuse me, everybody," a voice said loudly. Everyone stopped applauding as Daystar stood in the middle of the room. "Hi, I'm Prince Daystar. How's everybody doing?" he said nervously. He looked at the new parents and said, "I'm so sorry to hijack your moment, but there's something I've been needing to do, and maybe if I do it in public it'll stick." He walked over to a red-headed woman in punk clothes, took her hand and said, "Shiara, if there's anything I learned from the curse, it's that I'm not the same without you, and I—."

"—don't wanna live another day without me. Yeah, I heard this before," she said. Everyone laughed.

Daystar shook his head, but he still got down on one knee, took the glowing ring out of his pocket and said, "Shiara, will you marry me?"

She took a deep breath. "Daystar, you are the biggest jerk I ever met. The first day I met you, you put this silly spell on me so I can't use my magic unless I was polite."

"But before then, you couldn't use your magic at all."

"And then, when the curse happened, you called my name, and you trapped me at the castle for thirty years, waiting for you!"

"I apologized for that. I didn't know that was gonna happen."

"Will you cut out that humble, polite act? You are the most selfish human being on the planet, and you want me to marry you?!"

Daystar got off his knee, hung his head sadly, and started to walk away.

"Daystar," Shiara said. He stopped, but he didn't turn back around. "I didn't say no. Despite all that, no one ever in my life has ever treated me you do. No one ever loved me. You know, there was one day I hung out with, uh, that kid over there, and he played me a song. It was this weird thing, about as big as my fingernail, but it had this whole band of invisible musicians in it. And one song he played me I had to listen to several times, because it made me think of you." And she started singing "The Only Exception." Daystar turned back to her, and during the chorus, he sang harmony, and he took her in his arms, and they danced. And then at the final line, as she sang, "I'm on my way to believing," she took the ring and put it on her finger. They hugged and cried. In fact, there wasn't a dry eye in the house, and everyone applauded again.

Few noticed that some of the guests had left. Telemain had offered to make another announcement, but the Dark One wanted the marriage to be private. They met in the woods, by the wishing well. Maurice gave his daughter away, and Kazul, now back in her original dragon body, gave Morwen to Telemain. The Dark One and Belle both had such lovely words to say to each other, and Rumple did have a ring, which he let Telemain give him.

"Now, Herman," Mendanbar said, "I want you to make one additional vow, to me."

Rumpelstilskin sighed. "What is it?"

"When I first met this woman, we spoke through a wall, and somehow I knew she was a princess. You will treat her as one for all of your days."

"Of course, I will."

"If anything, he's a man of his word," Telemain said.

"Good. Now, are you two ready?"

"Yes," Morwen said. "Telemain, Zelena didn't take your brain. You lost it way before you ever went to her, because if you truly think I wouldn't forgive you, then you are insane. And it obvious that you had lost your brain when you were here, because you wouldn't come back to me! I love you with or without a brain. I'd love you if you head was full of straw and you couldn't do a bit of magic. It's not your intelligence or your magic that makes you who you are. It's your soul. It's your faith. It's your love. And I know, brain or no brain, heart or no heart, you'd never lose those, so I'd always love you. I love you more than any of my cats. I love you more than I love magic. I love you more than myself. And that will always be true."

Telemain answered, "Morwen, I'm so sorry for all the pain I caused you. I will never do that to you again. I will always be there for you, and for Beowulf, and for any other children we may have, because I'm sure we'll have more. I will do all within my power to be a better man, a better husband for you, because to see you smile, it's a greater magic than anything I can ever conjure. Darling, I know I talk over your head sometimes. I talk over everyone's head, but when I left, I wanted to say something as clear as I ever could—you have my heart. You had it all along. And you always will."

She smiled and pulled out of her sleeve his heart and moved in to put it into his chest, when it slipped from her palm. She gasped in horror. Quickly, Rumpelstiltskin pointed and shot it with a jolt of magic to freeze it before it hit the ground. Then, he lifted his finger so that it floated back up to her palm. "You have to be careful with that!" he said. "Don't you know how fragile enchanted hearts are?"

She caught her breath. "Thank you." She then put it back in her husband's chest, and they kissed.

But then, Telemain turned back to Rumpelstiltskin. "Dark One, was that a benevolent act?"

"Pardon?"

"You just used your magic to do something without expecting anything in return. You broke your vow."

"I was merely performing my duties as Best Man."

"Well, we'll have to see if the powers that be share that opinion. You could lose your powers."

Rumpelstiltskin looked a little lost, but then he looked at Morwen and remembered that she knew his secret about the dagger. "Um, yes. Oh no, what have I done? I should've thought that through; it's not like me. Great, what will I do now?" He looked at Telemain. "I suppose the Master must become the student."

Telemain shrugged. "OK. It'll be better this time. I'll teach you some more efficient branches of magic."

"Great. I'll look forward to it." Inside, he was nervous. He knew this would be a much more difficult charade to pull off.

Then there was an unusual development. Emma and Hook had used the portal, and when they returned, they brought back a mystery woman who turned out to be Maid Marian, Robin Hood's wife. Everyone saw how disappointed Regina was that they didn't notice Lewis, sitting in the back, pump his fist in victory and whisper, "Yes!"