Chapter 29.
Forest, and Meadows and things.
It was early daybreak when all set off for the Enchanted forest. It was a beautiful day with not a cloud in the sky. Regina still felt nauseous. She couldn't decide if it was her nerves or a stomach bug. Elsa and Ruby were leading the way engaged in conversation. Regina was happy her friend had found someone she could connect to. Hook kept moping around and Regina wished he'd leave already and make for his ship. Henry was walking by Rumple as he told him and Belle stories of his life here.
They came upon a barley gold meadow and this made Regina very nervous as this left them exposed to any attack.
"What should we do?" Emma could sense her trepidation.
"Tread quietly."
Twenty minutes later they were more than halfway through when Emma heard a strange rustling in the meadow.
"What's that?" she whispers to Regina.
Suddenly Hook comes running up behind them, "One of your ex-boyfriends!"
"Run Henry!" Regina immediately yells!
All began to run except for Rumple, and Regina who where trying to stop the flying monkeys. Emma stood next to Regina concentrating on her father's sword. She felt like 'I love Jeanie' standing there with her eyes closed. Before she could get frustrated a sword manifested and she began to swing away at the monkeys.
Regina had clipped one's wing with her fire ball and it had fallen to the ground. Rumple had pulverized another after a few hits between him and Regina. Emma wasn't having much success with her sword.
"Emma think of a fire ball." Regina yells at her.
"Oh boy...ok." Emma kept swinging while thinking 'fire, fire, fire.' Suddenly the sword in her hand transformed into pure fire. Emma began to panic as she looked at the handle which seemed to be engulfed in flames but it wasn't harming her. After gathering herself she swung. When she did the fire sword extended past her, over her head and destroyed the flying monkey. "Wow!"
"You can say that again."
"I think I found my thing." She smiles at Regina who smiles back despite their current state of battle.
They can't help but look into each other's eyes; connecting even at the most unlikely of moments. Regina feels the familiar draw that pulls her towards Emma and she wants to kiss her but she realizes they've been lost in each other a little too long now. "Ok keep fighting." Regina chuckles.
"Thank you!" Says an impatient Rumple.
They quickly destroyed the five assailants and the three looked at each other with relief.
Out of the blue another dozen show up and begin to make their way towards their loved ones.
"Oh God." Emma notices how far they are and she's now panicking again when Regina grabs her while Rumple yells, "Teleport."
Everything disappears and reappears much closer as Emma and Regina land on the floor. Regina didn't look right.
"Are you ok?"
Confusion written on her face, "I can't get up just yet. Fight. Save Henry!"
Emma obeys but she stays close to Regina standing over her for protection. Belle was throwing punches left and right and Elsa was freezing the monkeys. It then dawned on Emma how they could have used her magical powers back there. Hook swung away as well and Ruby turned into a wolf and wouldn't leave Henry who was right beside her. Emma notices there are too many. Just as she see's this a monkey kicks Ruby with it's hind legs and tale knocking her unconscious.
"Ruby!" Elsa runs to her freezing monkeys as she goes. But just as this unfolds a monkey grabs ahold of Henry by the shoulders and starts lifting him off the ground. Emma dashes for Henry removing herself from her protective stance over Regina. Regina is trying to get up but she feels her energy drained. She looks to Rumple for help but he can barely keep the flying primates off of Belle and himself. "They are enchanted!"
Emma reaches Henry just as he's being pulled up over her head. "Mom!" He's kicking and fighting but the monkey is just too strong. Emma finally swings her sword of fire and catches it in the tale and it immediately releases Henry who lands on her.
"Kid are you ok?" Emma is holding his head caressing her son's cheeks as they lay on the meadow floor.
"I'm ok."
They both look up to find Regina and that's when Emma realizes it. This whole time they were being played. Henry was a diversion. Those monkey's came for Regina.
Emma and Henry shoot up and start racing towards Regina as a monkey has her higher than Henry ever was.
"Regina!" Emma's legs couldn't possibly take her any faster but the monkeys are far too fast and getting higher in the air. Emma see's Regina in the distance fighting. Regina throws a fire ball causing the monkey to drop her just as another catches her by her right leg. Emma closes her eyes and tries to tell her, "Don't fight them, they'll drop you. I'll find you. I promise."
"Mom!" Henry screams into the distance as he catches up to a breathless Emma.
"Let's go." Emma starts running again but she hears, "Emma wait, stop!"
She turns around to see Rumplestiltskin limping towards her with everyone in tow. She notices both Hook and Belle are bleeding from their heads and Ruby has an injured arm.
"Elsa can you freeze them?"
"Yes but not from here. Where are they taking her?" Worry written all over her face.
"Zelena's castle." Ruby is panting. "That's where they came from when we were here before."
"But Zelena is dead." Emma is fuming. 'When will this all end?'
"That doesn't mean they're not still programmed dear." Rumple is looking around assessing the damage.
"But why would they want her?"
"I think I know but I can't be sure." Just as Emma is going to continue interrogating him he continues, "How about I heal all of you and we can make our way to her castle."
"Yes please." As Ruby offers her arm.
"Can you give me my hand back?" Hook sarcastically offers. Rumple ignores him as he waves his arm healing the wounded.
"We need to teleport there." Demands Emma.
"No, it's too dangerous. Besides I've never been there myself I'm relaying on Lassie here to guide us."
"Then we teleport somewhere close enough that you know."
Emma turns her attention to her friend now, "Ruby please." She sees Emma's pleading eyes and they remind her so much of her best friend's Snow. Ruby quickly offers a place near enough that Rumple knows of.
They crowd together and disappear.
"Oh what's that smell?"
Belle covers her mouth, "It's the swamp-grounds. We're in a putrid land of decomposing ogres, and trolls and all other things once evil."
"Is it dangerous?" Henry was looking around nervously.
"No Henry it's not, but it's extremely vile. I can see why she picked this place. No one would dare cross through it." Rumple looks around in disgust.
"But we will." Emma was as determined as ever. And she led the walk stepping on stones to bypass the muddy and boiling ground.
Everyone was following quickly when Emma suddenly stops. She feels a familiar sensation enveloping her, "Emma they are taking me to Zelena's castle."
"I know. We're almost there honey. Just hold on."
Emma opens her eyes and everyone is starring blankly at her except for Ruby.
"Sorry I had a moment."
"Um hum." Is all Rumple says as he eyes her suspiciously.
As they get closer they hear the sounds of the flying monkeys up ahead. Everyone instinctively ducks as they pass high above them and head straight into the castle tower.
"Shit." Emma is now running again after seeing Regina dangling in the air.
When they get to the foot of the castle they can't find a way inside thats not blocked.
"Through the dungeons." Hook suggests.
"Won't they be guarded?" Belle remembers how well Rumple guarded his.
But Emma and Henry ignore everyone as they go around towards the east end of the castle. Emma slides her body through a small slit between the rocks.
"Swan you don't know what's down there!" Hook is genuinely concerned.
"Well I'm about to find out." A minute later her hand re-remerges and they hear, "Come on in there's no one here."
The gang make their way inside where they find themselves in jail cells that Rumple easily unlocks. As they made their way up into the main halls they could hear the flying monkeys going in and out and see shadows of them bouncing.
Rumple whispers to Elsa, "You freeze them and I destroy them. Emma you and Henry worry about getting Regina."
Elsa hates this man more than anyone else on this planet but right now she needs him to help save her best friend.
As they round the corner the first set of beasts appear and Elsa immediately freezes one after the other and Rumple turns them to ash after a couple blows.
Emma quickly runs past them and up the tower mentally screaming, 'I'm here... Regina I'm here.' She kicks the door open and she finds her in the tower bedroom alone.
They run into each other's arms, "Emma! Henry!"
"Mom!" Henry crushes into them.
Emma can't let go nor stop looking all around her for signs of injury.
"I'm fine they didn't hurt me."
"I was so scared."
"I know...I'm ok...really."
Everyone else has found their way in by now and Regina turns to them.
"Thank you."
"You gave us an awful scare!" Chides Elsa.
"Won't happen again. I just don't understand what they wanted me for? They gently placed me over the bed and I injured one's wing and they didn't retaliate. I mean clearly they are enchanted as a year ago I turned one into a monkey teddy bear."
"So they didn't try to harm you?" Rumple walks around with the wheels turning in his head. "Interesting. It seems the creatures here were all enchanted by Zelena making them extremely difficult to destroy. It seems this whole adventure has cost us another day. I suggest we go back to my castle."
"Wait no, we are closer here to the enchanted forest." Counters Regina.
"Right, then there's the issue of your girlfriend's ex-boyfriends coming back."
"Put a sock in it Pirate. Emma can you run a protection spell again?"
"Yes I think I can manage."
"It's settled then we are staying here." Before anyone objects. "Clearly we can fight them off together or evacuated to your castle if needed. Somehow I doubt they'll come back."
Elsa mouths a quick thank you to Regina for suggesting they stay there. She knew this was one step closer to her sister.
The night passed uneventfully although no one really slept very well. Emma especially was worried a monkey would come for Regina again or even Henry so she kept watch. Regina was anxious as well because she couldn't find the cause of her weakness but she eventually fell asleep with her exhaustion taking over her. The next morning they went off again.
"Regina do you feel sick?"
"I don't know. I feel strange. Something's not right."
"You couldn't fight back yesterday after you teleported. Has that ever happened to you before?" Emma felt this was a sensitive issue.
"Yes when I was younger and learning magic I had a few moments that with injuries and excessive use I felt drained. But I was less powerful back then."
"Do you want to ask him?"
"No." Regina says too quickly. "I'll be fine. I'm sure it's just a bug or something weakening me afters fights." But Regina was worried. She was worried that magic was leaving her. More so, she was worried Zelena had cast another curse destined to trap her if she returned to the Enchanted Forest. Regina knew that with injuries teleporting in particular was always nearly impossible but yesterday she wasn't able to get up afterwards. She had her magic. Especially when around Emma but she felt so drained afterwards.
She turns to Emma. "How about I teach you to teleport?" Regina knew this was extremely advanced. She never intended to teach Emma so soon but Emma was a fast learner and with everything happening she didn't quite trust herself.
This day carried the usual banter between enemies but no flying monkeys nor ogres thus far. They got farther than the previous two days and decided to make camp in the forest for cover that night.
By they time they got there Regina was feeling much better. She figured she must have a 72 hour bug that was finally clearing although Henry insisted it was Emma's spaghetti as he teased her. She offered to stay up as she knew how tired Emma was. 'Lucky for me' Hook also decided to keep watch.
Two hours went by in silence with everybody asleep.
"So...you love Swan?"
"Not that's it's any of your concern but yes...I do."
"How long?"
"Excuse me?!"
"No wait, don't answer that. It just seems that all this time I'd been worried about Neal when all along it was you."
"What bother's you more, that she doesn't love you or that you lost her to a girl?" She knew she was being nasty but possessiveness could be a powerful motivator.
"No bother love. As long as you do right by her. That's all that matters. And knowing your reputation; well, you see why I would inquire."
"For your information there isn't anything I wouldn't do or kill for Emma or Henry. How's that for your answer?"
Hook realizes the Queen means business and that kill felt a little too directed at him. He knew what lengths Regina had gone to in the past to protect that which was sacred to her.
"Perfectly satisfactory...drink?" He waves the flask in front of Regina's face and she catches a whiff of rum. All of a sudden she's nauseous again. 'Damn this pirate.' She thinks to herself as she nods her head no. Now she's fighting to keep in the berries she ate earlier. An hour later Ruby and Elsa take over watch and Regina is grateful she can lie down with Emma and Henry.
The morning comes and everyone grunts as they wake up achy and tired. They set off now closer than ever to the enchanted forest and Elsa is practically jogging.
"How do you feel?" Emma rubs Regina's back as they walk behind everyone.
"Stop worrying I'm fine. How are you?"
"I miss you."
Regina knew what Emma meant by this. In the last three days they'd had no real privacy and their few intimate interactions were always guarded.
She turns to Emma and pulls her behind a tree.
"I miss you too." She kissed her firmly understanding the need for physical intimacy which she was craving herself.
"God you always feel so good..." Emma feels her body come alive again. She's ready to have full make-out session right here when...
"We're here!" They hear Ruby screaming and peak to see everyone running towards the bottom of a hill.
Emma grunts in complaint but Regina interlocks their hands together and smiles, "Let's go."
When they catch up everyone is standing at the edge of the forest.
"Ok where is she?" Elsa now panting turns to Rumple.
"She's in there."
"In there, as in the woods?"
"Yes."
"Go and get her."
"It's not that simple."
"Rumplestiltskin, so help me God I will turn you into a block of ice."
Now Regina steps in between them sensing the situation about to turn ugly. "What did you turn her into?"
"A wolf."
Regina almost losses her footing. "Graham's wolf?!"
Elsa looks to Regina, "Who's Graham?"
Emma turns to Ruby, "Can you find her if Elsa gives you something with her scent to track?"
"She's a wolf not a werewolf dear." Interrupts Rumple.
"Still she can try..." Just as Emma is defending her point she gets a flashback to Storybrooke. She has the image of her first night there. She remembers the wolf in the middle of the road. She then remembers Graham ranting and raging about a wolf in Storybrooke.
"She's not in there!" Emma shouts. She looks to Regina who practically looks sick now that she's realized who Anna was turned into.
"What?"
"She's in Storybrooke. I've seen her. There's a wolf there. It's the wolf that caused my car to crash the first night I arrived that prevented me from leaving."
"Well I'll be damned." Sighs Rumple.
"You son of a bitch! This whole time you turned my sister into a wolf and she was back in our world?!" Elsa is making the air around her cold as her anger rises towards Rumplestiltskin.
"I may have turned her into a wolf in order to protect her but I'm not the one who cursed an entire land and sent her back to your world. I intended her to stay here with her true love."
"Kristoff? He's alive?"
"Why don't you ask your best friend Regina here all about that."
Elsa turns to Regina with tears in her eyes. "What is he talking about?"
Regina's pained expression is struggling for words, "I didn't know who he was Elsa."
"What did you do?"
"I killed him." Regina has tears spilling down her face.
"No. Not you. You're not like him!" She cries as she points to Rumple.
"Who do you think trained her dearie?"
"You're not helping." Belle chastises him.
"Elsa a very long time ago I cast a curse that sent me and other's to your land. Things happened...I had no idea that Graham was Anna's Kristoff. I'm so sorry."
"I can't bear to hear anymore." Elsa turns and heads back in the direction from which they came from. Ruby chases after her in order to try and soothe her. Aside from spending her last year with a changed Regina, Ruby is also privy to other conversations that provide her much insight into people's lives. She wouldn't normally disclose anything she's learned. But in this case she feels she needs to repair their friendship. She's heard Regina stressing and talking to Emma about the whole situation. She also knows the greater plan. Part of her selfishly wants to keep quite because in the last few days she got Elsa to turn her attention to other things, away from Regina. And Ruby realized she enjoyed having Elsa's attention. She didn't know why she liked Elsa so much and she understood how much she cares for Regina. She also knows Regina shares true love with Emma. That was something no one could ever undo therefore Elsa had been wrong to think of Regina as her love. Ruby would do the right thing and ease their friendship but she would continue to point out how Regina belonged to Emma. Hopefully Elsa would come to terms with it and turn her attention back to Ruby once she helped rescue her sister.
"Well now that I've completed my duty I'm off to find my ship."
"Wait that's it?"
"Emma I truly wish you and Regina all the happiness in the world and now it's time for me to go."
Henry jumps up, "Will we ever see you again?"
"I promise lad once I have my girl back the first stop I'm making is Storybrooke."
Hook hugs Henry, tips his head in a gentlemanly form towards Regina and disappears into the enchanted forest.
Emma reaches for Regina's hand and pulls her towards her as she leads her away with Henry up ahead. "It's gonna be ok. We just have to stick with the plan."
"She'll never forgive me for what I did."
"She will. If my mother forgave you anyone can. And besides he's the one that kidnapped her and turned Anna into a wolf and I'm assuming erased Graham's memories..."
"Yes. I know now why he took her. He was probably trying to figure out another potential way of opening portals. He must have known we communicated through mirrors. And I'm certain he can't understand her magic."
"Why?"
"Because no one can."
"All this to get Neal back."
Behind Emma and Regina Belle was fuming. "Why would you do that?"
"Because I needed to take some of the heat off of me and besides I need Regina to bring back Bae."
"You need to let him be. You told me you came here to help!"
"I came here to get my son back!"
"Then you haven't changed one bit." Belle storms off to catch up with Emma and Regina.
"Belle." He pleads.
Two days later after much tension and desperation they finally reach the portal. They had decided to take the route they'd known instead of teleporting back for fear of another attack.
Everyone stands over it after Rumple lifts the shield of protection. Emma and Regina unfreeze it as planned and in one quick motion all jump in.
