A/N: Okay, I hope this is a good one. I will be on hiatus for a while, but I promise, I will update as soon as I can. I love you guys! Be safe! Enjoy!
37. A Knock At The Door
For the next couple of days, we waited for something to happen. We tried our best to keep Baelfire in the dark about the oncoming danger, but I think he had an idea of the severity of the situation we were unfortunate to be in. I held Amanda close, not wanting to let her go or even stop saying I love you or kissing her. I feared our separation, and I never let her out of my sights.
Then one day, there was a knock on the door. I tucked baby Amanda in a sling that put her on my back, and grabbed a sword as I headed for the door. I stood, ready for action, and opened the door. I pointed my sword and bellowed a war cry, and to my surprise, I saw a woman with black hair, wearing hunting clothes and pants, a woman in a red cape and dress with a bustier top, and many many other people behind them. "Who are you, and what side are you fighting for?" I asked, my sword still drawn in defense.
"We are fighting against the Evil Queen," said the raven haired woman in pants. "We're on your side, Belle."
"Who are you?" I asked.
"Snow White," she said with a smile. I eyed her suspiciously. "And this over here is Red Riding Hood. Rumplestilzkin called all of us here to help fight against the Evil Queen."
I lowered my sword. "Alright then," I sighed. "You can come in…"
I watched as Snow and Red walked through, followed by seven dwarf men. My eyes widened at all of the people that had come to fight against Regina, and shrieked when a cricket jumped on my shoulder.
"AH!" I screamed, shooing it off of me. "I hate bugs! Get it off!"
"I'm not a bug, I'm a cricket!" chirped the green cricket as it brushed itself off. "I'm Jiminy Cricket, and I won't hurt you."
"I still don't like you, bug," I said, crossing my arms defensively.
"If I promise not to jump on you again, will you promise not to squish me?" asked Jiminy nervously.
"Promise," I agreed as I held out my hand to shake on it. I touched his tiny leg, and felt the tiny little hairs on it.
After everyone had filed in, I closed and locked the door. I took Amanda out of her sling, and carried her to the library where Rumplestilzkin was currently reading a book. "Your army has arrived," I said.
"Ah, and right on time," said Rumplestilzkin as he slammed his book shut. He kissed baby Amanda on the top of her head, and I followed him back down to where everyone was in the foyer.
"People of fairy land," said Rumplestilzkin. Everyone quieted as Rumplestilzkin spoke. "I have summoned you all here for a reason. You all are the best fighters in the land. I know, some of you have regarded me as nothing but a monster, a beast who is heartless and cares for nothing but himself… But I've changed…"
With such gentleness and care, he took baby Amanda from my arms, and held her up for everyone to behold. "This is my daughter, Amanda," he said as the people around him began to ooh and ah at the beautiful baby in his arms. "I fell in love with her beautiful mother, Belle over here, and we were blessed with her. She represents our hope for the future, that even the smallest creature can be redeemed if he has goodness somewhere in his heart. I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I do want to apologize for my cruelty. I was wrong, and I hope that one day you can forgive me."
"I forgive you," said Snow White as she came forth. She looked into Rumplestilzkin's eyes. "You have changed, Rumplestilzkin. You have found your heart, and you have created something beautiful and good instead of creating something ugly and evil. I will fight with you, till the very end."
"I forgive you," said Red as she stepped forward. She took Amanda's little hand in hers, and kissed it. "What a sweet, beautiful baby. I vow to protect her, even if it costs me my life."
Soon, the whole room echoed their forgiveness of Rumplestilzkin, and our army was now unified, and ready to fight.