38

The Price of Power

Melanie expected to have her work cut out for her at the convent trying to locate her wand. Blue was not a fool. She knew that wand would be dangerous if it fell into the wrong hands and its hiding place had to be somewhere that required a great deal of magic to reveal. Still, there was one thing the other fairy failed to remember. Wands, especially fairy wands, sometimes acted as extensions of the ones who carried them. If the wand became separated from its bearer it could always be summoned back like a pet to its owner. It had been so many years since she and her wand worked together to accomplish great magic and she longed to feel that bond again. She entered Blue's old office and kneeled on the floor; her hand pressed against her heart and closed her eyes. "To your rightful mistress I beseech you now to return For your light to guide me, I yearn…" she chanted.

Sapphira waited for her mother in Nova's office. She was sitting on the sofa, her arms crossed over her chest and a scowl on her face. "Did you see the little playhouse those Gold brats have? It's not fair. Why can't I have one?" she pouted. "You should make me one!" She pointed over at Leroy.

He laughed harshly. "Don't get your hopes up, sister. You keep acting like a spoiled brat and the only thing you're gonna get is a sore butt. 'Least when those kids act outta line they learn real quick not to do it again. You just keep at it."

"Hmph!"

"And that right there proves my point. Sittin' there having a tantrum like a little baby isn't gonna accomplish anything. Learn when to take your medicine and like it."

"Leroy….." Nova began.

"Now now, Nova, and this is why you aren't the one raising her. I love ya but you give in to her too easily. Girl's gotta learn she's not the boss of any of us anymore and she needs to respect us 'else she's gonna wind up a lonely old crone no one wants to be around."

"I am NOT gonna be an old crone and you're just a grouchy old man! I dunno what she sees in you but she's always been a stupid one!"

"Mind the mouth missy, unless you want a good wallop from us!" Leroy cautioned.

"You can't spank me," Sapphira taunted. "Maybe you would and sick little creep that you are, you'd like doing it!"

"Sapphira!" Nova cried, outraged by what the child was suggesting.

"No, I wouldn't like doing it. Goes to show how much you really know about me, sister and that's nothing!" That girl can test the patience of a saint, Leroy thought and wondered how Mal had the patience she did with her.

Back in Blue's office, Melanie remained on the floor, chanting the call that would awaken her wand from its long slumber and finally she felt it responding to her. She rose to her feet with her eyes still closed and stretched out her hand. A hole opened in the floor and a black wand with a silver hilt floated out, glowing with a bright purple light.

Melanie concentrated, calling on all the light magic she had within her to make the barrier respond to her.

"A child of light I was born...

Cast into darkness by another's scorn...

Surrender to me what is mine by right."

She could feel the barrier preparing to strike out at her and steeled herself for the attack.

She was thrown to the ground by a powerful energy blast and her body convulsed like it was being given a charge of electricity.

The pain was unlike any she'd ever felt before, bringing tears to her eyes and she could smell burning flesh...

Pain shall be the price you pay

You have allowed yourself to be led astray...

"It...it wasn't all my fault..." she sobbed.

The difference between right and wrong from birth you learn

The darkness from your soul you will burn...

For a moment she wanted to slip back into her darkness and blast the barrier to pieces.

The wand was HERS!

NO! You cannot give in to your darkness again! Remember what it took from you...your freedom. Gather your courage Maleficent and fight the beast within you!

She could feel herself changing into her dragon form and pushed back with her light to contain it.

Your true calling once again you see

Only with a courageous heart does a lost soul achieve victory

The barrier released its strangle hold on her. Painfully, she rose to her feet. The wand hovered above her open hand for a moment or two then settled into it. As her fingers curled around the handle, she could feel its power surging through her, rejuvenating her not with darkness but with the light she thought she'd lost forever. Mistress mine, do not despair Your union with the light together we shall now repair…. She felt herself being lifted off the floor, her body glowing white. She could hear the voices of the gods speaking to her, assuring her that she would be welcomed back into their bosom to serve their will.

Sapphira's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets when she saw Melanie holding her wand, a burn scar on her cheek from the violent attack her barrier raged against the former fairy

"You . . . got it back? How?"

"By remembering who I am...a child of light," Melanie replied softly.

Sapphira's eyes narrowed. "You're saying you used white magic?"

"Yes."

"That's crazy! Dark is dark and light is light!"

"No it is not, Sapphira as I have told you many times. One day you will be forced to confront the darkness within you...will you be strong enough to defy it?" Melanie asked quietly. "Sometimes you must walk both paths to find your true calling."

As Rumplestiltskin and I have, she thought.

"Sapphira, I fear your journey to your rebirth will be far more painful than my own." She held out her had that bore another burn scar. "But when that time comes, you will not face it alone."

Melanie tucked the wand into her purse, casting a protection spell in it in case her daughter attempted to take it.

It was time for her to open the door to the path a regressed Rumplestiltskin would take to vanquish his darkness and return to the light.

Page~*~*~*~Break

That morning Emma had breakfast with Henry before dropping him off at school and then going to work. Neal had the rugrats to oversee, and after having them help him make Belgian waffles with different toppings, like cinnamon apples for Regina, strawberry syrup and bananas for Belle, and chocolate chips with whipped cream for Rumple and Killian, he let them play outside in the clubhouse with Gwen.

The kids had fun going in and out of the house and reciting the secret word, and using their handshake. They had a snack inside the house, then raced outside to play on the swings and in the pool as well.

"Now how you go down that slide so fast?" Killian demanded of Rumple. "I still say you stick butter on your butt!"

"Eww gross!" Regina grimaced.

Rumple rolled his eyes. "I tol' ya b'fore-that's gross! It's called Mass=Acceleration, dearie! You make yourself small, like this . . ." he curled himself with his head on his tucked in knees. " . . .and ya go down faster. It's not rocket science!"

"Kay...lemme try.."

He followed Rumple's instructions and found himself going down the slide faster than before.

"Ha ha! I did it. Now I'm gonna beat ya

Rumple snorted. "Ya think?" he went down the slide again . . . and was still quicker.

"You suck!" Killian stuck his tongue out at him."Your usin magic, ain't ya?"

"Don't be a sore loser," Rumple snorted. "No . .. m'not! I'm little, so I'm faster, s'how it goes. It's one time I'm glad I am . . . any other time . . .it sucks."

"Wanna try going down on our bellies...?"

"Not 'less you wanna crack your heads open, you dolt!" Belle yelled

"She's right," Regina agreed. "I saw a bigger kid do that at the park. His face was all scraped up and bleeding an' I think he had to go the hospital."

"An' get needles in his butt!" Belle added.

"Did his brains fall out and a zombie eat 'em?" Killian asked.

"No thanks, dearie!" Rumple shook his head. "My butt don't need anything else hurting it after what my papa's done already!"

Regina rolled her eyes. "You and your zombies!"

"Yeah well Lucifie is eatin his butt!" Killian laughed. "Zombies are cool!"

"They're dead meat n'ugly!" Regina argued.

"And Lucifie probably's got indigestion!" Belle added.

"Maybe he fed his butt to a demon," Rumple mused . . ."Ya know, like a steak . . ."

"Hope he seasoned it first cause his butt prolly smelt like a day old fart."

"Eeeeww!" Regina wrinkled up her nose.

Then she cried, "I wanna swim now!" She pulled off her shirt and shorts to reveal a little black suit with polka dots and pink fringe around the top. Then she ran and jumped in the pool. "YEEOOWW! It's freezin'!"

Killian cracked up. "Look! Ya got goosebumps!"

Regina scowled at him. "Shut up, Jones! Like ta see you try it!"

"Yo ho...ho...heeeereeee I cooome!"

He jumped into the pool and started splashing around. "See...feels good!"

"How comes he's not freezing?" asked Belle.

"Usta bein in water," Killian replied.

Rumple nodded. "But I can warm it some for you," he put his hand in and warmed the water with his magic, making it almost like bathwater. "How's that, dearie?"

"Rumple, what the heck! If I wanna bath I'll go in the tub!" Killian protsted.

"Ooohh! That feels nice!" squealed Regina, and she splashed Killian. "Girls rule n' boys drool!"

"Eat my shorts, queenie!"

"Ummm...what was that I just heard coming out of your mouth Killian Jones!?"

The little pirate ducked his head under the water when he heard Neal's angry voice.

"What's she sposta eat?' Belle asked Rumple.

"Umm . . . crap . . ." he whispered. "Like we done to Felix."

Neal knew damned well that was not what Killian meant.

He stalked over to the side of the pool where the boy was trying to hide and pulled him out.

"Uh oh! Somebody's in trouble . . ." Regina hissed.

"We are not on a ship and I have warned you before about talking like a sailor or a pirate, haven't I?"

"Umm . . . but . . .I . . ." Killian stammered.

"Im waiting."

"Yes, Dad," Killian said, hoping if he called Neal that, the man would go easy on him.

Neal pointed at the corner of the house. "Five minutes."

The little boy pouted. "Aww . . .!"

"And another five with the Ivory."

"Nooo!" the child howled.

"Oh yes. Until you learn to curb that potty mouth."

A very upset and sulky child stomped over to the corner. He knew he ought to get punished, but he sure didn't have to like it. "You're mean!" he sniffled.

"You'll thank me later."

"Nuh-uh!" Killian said stubbornly, and glared at the house.

"Okay, no talking or you get two more minutes each."

The boy shut up, knowing Neal meant business.

"Hello, Neal. May I speak to you for a moment?" Melanie said from outside the gate.

Neal turned and said, "Can it wait a few minutes? I've got a kid in time out and due for a mouth washing."

Sapphira snickered. "Oooh! Somebody was naughty!"

"Sapphira! Hush!" Melanie ordered.

"Be quiet, Majestrix!" snapped Belle.

Killian went red and thought about all the nasty words he wanted to call that little brat.

"Bite me, bookworm!" Sapphira shot back.

"SAPPHIRA!"

"NOW who's in trouble, dearie?" Rumple growled, glaring at her. "Looks like the pot callin' the kettle black."

Melanie took a bar of Ivory out of her purse and placed it in her daughter's mouth. "Five minutes in that corner young lady. Go on!"

Sapphira stomped her feet and shook her head. She wasn't being punished in front of these Gold brats!

Neal checked his watch and noticed it was nearly time to get Killian out of time out. He went inside to fetch his own Ivory.

"Now, Sapphira, or shall we make it ten and scrubbing the commode with a toothbrush?"

The girl sniffled and stomped over to a corner of the fence and stood there. Right then she hated everyone equally-her aunt, the Dark One's spawn, and all the little bratty Gold monsters for making her get in trouble.

Melanie sighed and glanced down at her burned hand...the darker the soul...the more painful the price. And erasing the scars was forbidden.

In his corner, Killian was sniffling and trying not to cry, knowing what was coming. He also was upset because he'd made Neal mad.

Rumple saw the fairy's hand and came up to the gate. "Didja burn yourself, Melanie? Want me to heal it?"

Sapphira wanted to spit upon hearing that. That goody two shoes dark brat!

"You cannot, child, for this is my punishment...for allowing myself to journey into darkness."

Rumple's eyes widened. "What burned you?"

"My sins."

"Oh," the child said, he had feared it was some kind of creature, like a demon or a dragon. "Will it go away?"

"No. You see," Melanie kneeled in front of him. "Sometimes we may travel down dark paths...with the purest of intentions but like all magic, it comes with a price. Like being sleepy when you cast a spell." The fae explained. "We are all children of light at birth...and circumstances sometimes make us lose our way. For a while we think we can escape the cost...but we cannot."

Rumple nodded, his keen mind grasping her point. "So it's there to remind you to be good?"

"Yes. And when the time comes when we must battle the darkness within ourselves, only with courage and love in your heart shall you achieve victory and be reborn to light."

"That's how we beat my papa," the small sorcerer said. "With true love's magic."

Melanie smiled. "True love is the light in all darkness, dear child."

"True love breaks all curses-always," Rumple recited. "It's the last light in a dark place when all other lights go out."

Then you will be more than prepared for your final test, Rumplestiltskin, she thought.

She reached into her purse and pulled out the wand.

Neal returned with the Ivory and stuck it in Killian's mouth, saying, "Now you remember this and don't talk like that again. Clear?"

"Hmmmmm hmmm.."

At the little boy's nod, he timed him with his watch. Once it was over, he took the soap out and placed it in the sink, gave Killian a hug and said, "Behave, kiddo." Then he went over to the fence and saw what Melanie was holding. "God, is that-"

"It is."

"So that's what you wanted to show me," he murmured. "I . . . need to talk to Emma."

"Before you do...I must tell you I believe Rumplestiltskin must face a final trial to break his curse...similar to the one I have just faced to reclaim my wand and be reborn as a child of light." She indicated her hand and face. "And like all magic...I have paid a physical price..."

Neal paled, then leaned over the fence and whispered . . ."But he's a kid! Surely it wouldn't make him hurt himself like that!"

"It will not extract the punishment from a child. It will from an adult. That is the law."

"So when he becomes an adult again . . ." Neal trailed off.

"The trial will begin...and the price paid.."

"Then if we can't break his curse as a child . . .should we even bother looking for Merlin?" Neal asked. "I wanted him to be free of it before we aged him back."

"If Merlin knows another option then yes. He is the most powerful of us all...the keeper of the Laws."

Neal nodded. "Then we'll find him and ask. My father's suffered enough . . .he's paid his price ten times over."

"Perhaps his price will not be as painful as mine. I have been in the darkness far longer."

It was then that Neal recalled just how old the fae was . . .centuries older than even his father.

"The gods were kind to me...my sins required a punishment far worse..."

Neal glanced over at Sapphira. "Some would say you are paying for them right now with raising her."

"She must learn from my mistakes."

"If she can," Neal sighed. "I'll talk to Emma tonight . . . and we'll plan out when we need to go and everything. And how will we get back?"

She waved her hand and a small orb appeared in it. "This was once the tip of my staff...I call it my eye. Hold it in your hands and speak these words-Eye of light...guide us home . . .It will summon me and I will open the portal...no matter where I am."

"Okay . . . because the last thing I want is to go somewhere and not be able to come back home," Neal said in relief, taking the orb and putting it in his jacket. "Thank you, Melanie. I'll call and tell you when we want to leave," he said, speaking softly enough so Rumple wouldn't hear, not knowing that Rumple had gone over to Killian and was staring at him sadly.

"What's wrong, mate?"

"I don't like it when you're in trouble," the other boy admitted. "It makes me sad, here." He placed a hand over his heart.

"It does?" Why?"

"I dunno. It just does."

"I did it...you shouldn' havta feel bad."

"I know. But . . . guess I feel bad for you . . . an' Bae." Rumple sighed.

"Ahhhh...don't worry 'bout it mate. I just gotta try n' watch my mouth from now on."

"Yeah. Else you won't taste nothin' but Ivory," Rumple warned. But he was troubled still about what Melanie had said. Did it mean if kids were bad their sins punished them too? He didn't want Killian or Regina or Belle to get burned like that. Or himself either . . .though he knew his papa would have said he deserved it for being a leech and a wicked brat.

Melanie, sensing through her magic, young Rumple's conflict, approached him and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"The young and innocent are never punished young Rumple. Remember the Laws..."

"The Laws of Magic?" he asked.

She smiled. "Yes, child. All of us should know them...and respect them."

Rumple concentrated. He had known the Laws once . . .all of them . . .but for some reason he couldn't recall them all. "I can't remember!" he cried, frustrated. "And I knew them once . . . I did!"

"It will come to you when you need it to."

She placed her hand over his small heart, feeling the light within it.

Rumple blew his hair out of his eyes. He couldn't understand why he could remember every word of a story he'd just read and not this. His papa's voice hissed in his mind, "Stupid Rumplestiltskin! Stupid, silly boy!" And he cringed inside.

"Look in your heart, that is where the answer lies..."

Rumple nodded. "It says . . .I'll know when it's time . . . an' not before. To all things a proper time an' place . . ." he whispered.

"Yes."

"Then I gotta wait." The child said.

"It will be worth it. You'll see."

"Yup." He smiled at the fairy. "Thanks, Melanie! I'm gonna go play with Gwen now!" He limped over to where the big wolf-like dog sat in the sun and picked up a ball. "Gwen! Fetch it, girl!"

Then he threw the ball as hard as he could and the dog sprang after it.

Melanie smiled as she watched the young sorcerer interact with his familiar. His trial would be a difficult one…that much was certain but unlike her, he could draw strength from the other sources of his light…those he loved. She returned to where her daughter stood and removed the soap from her mouth.

"Well then, do you think those filthy words coming out of your mouth were worth what you just endured?"

"No…"

"Then if you do not wish to have a repeat performance Sapphira, mind your mouth. Go on…wash up."

The girl made a gagging noise and dashed into the house. Melanie sat down on the sofa in the living room and touched her cheek where she'd been burned and heard Sapphira in her mind, screaming in agony as she faced her own trial. She burst into tears. "I must succeed…I must!"

On the other side of the fence, a son now a father faced the same conflict. He wanted to believe Melanie was right and his father's price for taking the dagger curse would not be as steep as hers. He had only the best of intentions when he took it…surely the gods will take this into consideration. They did so with Melanie and her intentions hadn't been good. She admitted to that.

Papa, I need your advice more than ever now. You had to have known about this...would you have still given me the green light?

He took out his phone and placed a call to Archie.

"You want to wake your father again?"

"I have to be absolutely sure I'm doing the right thing before we go any further."

"Why? What happened?"

He recounted the details of his discussion with Melanie, the doctor equally concerned.

He did suggest Neal and Emma talk it over first before he attempted a second awakening.

Even she was forced to agree the news complicated matters. His father was accustomed to being physically impaired but how much worse could it get? "He said to leave him a kid if you got hurt...you're thinking he'll say the same now for himself, aren't you?"

"Not because I think he's a coward, Em...but he may not want to do it because of what it might do to me or Belle."

"You mean seeing him like that?"

"Yeah." Neal said quietly. "It'll be my fault..."

She sighed. "Okay...let's wake him up...one more time..." Nothing was ever easy, she thought sadly, not for any of them.

A/N: Sorry I haven't updated this in awhile, but I've been busy writing three stories for a facebook contest called CoverBunnies-they are "A Dance In Winter", "Return From Neverland" and "Unexpected Surprise". Check them out if you'd like . . .thanks! And happy reading all!