Summary: Merlin's arrived in Sherwood, and he already knows about the difficulties between Snow and Charming. He may have a way to help them.
Sherwood Village - Sunday Morning
David and Neal arrived in the strange village in the forest, just before nine.
He'd woken his son early, for a pre-arranged archery training session for children, organised by Friar Tuck and some of the men. It was a reasonable three-mile walk; but with the promise of a hot breakfast at the Sherwood Inn (known by the locals as 'The Locksley', after its owner) before starting the day, the nearly eleven-year-old was happy enough to forgo his Sunday morning lie-in. As he looked up at the large timbered buildings built in a horseshoe-shape around the village green, with the inn at its centre, David marvelled at the sight. It looked like something out of an old movie, set in the German Black Forest, that had stood for centuries. But knowing it had been created, with magic, just after the return of the famed outlaw seven years ago, gave it mythical reputation. And walking inside felt like he'd entered another realm.
Neal seemed happy enough. A welcome distraction from his issues with Snow. However, after placing their food order with a young waitress David didn't recognise, his son led him to a table further away from the others, near one of the leaded windows. However, once they sat down, the boy surprised him by straightening his arms, and moving them in a wide ark over himself.
"Neal, what on earth are you doing?"
"Soundproofing! No one'll be able to hear us, unless they come right up to the table. It's something Regina taught me."
"You just used magic?" David was intrigued. Snow always actively discouraged him from using it anywhere near her. "Why?"
"Because I need to ask you some questions, dad. And I don't want anyone hearing us."
He should have guessed. Both Neal and Emma were smart, and would no doubt have picked up on all the recent tension and problems. He wasn't sure what to tell him, though what he said next took him completely by surprise.
"I know what's going on. With you and mum. I know what happened!"
"What?" That shook him. How the hell? "Erm…how?"
"I kinda…bugged the living room. Last week. I knew something big had happened when you disappeared. Mum kept crying all the time, and shunting me upstairs whenever I asked what was going wrong. Saying I needed early nights, for school. Then Ruby and Dot kept coming over, nearly every evening. Emma came a few times, too. They all seemed really stressed out. Mum stayed off work the whole week, while you were away. She looked really terrible, dad! I kept asking what was going on, but they all kept avoiding me, or changing the subject. So, I got fed up, and used one of those conch shells you've got in the living room. I bugged it, with my magic. Sorry. But it was just so I could find out what's going on. I heard what you said on Thursday. When you came back…"
David dropped his face into his palms, sighing loudly, shaking his head. No ten-year-old should ever have to hear that! "Oh Neal…"
"Sorry, but…everyone was lying to me! I don't know whether you know, but I can tell when people do that. Just like Emma can."
"No, it's me who should be sorry, my boy. You shouldn't have had to hear that."
"I can't believe mum did that! Or Ruby. Is she gay, like her now?"
David looked up from his hands, mystified. "You know, I…I-" he paused the moment he saw the young waitress come back, two hot drinks in hand. Everything stopped, not a word exchanged, while the girl placed a black coffee and hot chocolate down, assorted knives, forks, and napkins, muttering something unintelligible about food coming any minute. "Erm…thanks."
At least the distraction gave him a few moments to think what on earth he was going to say to the son who was too smart for his own good! But the moment the young woman left, Neal spoke first. And what he had to say nearly broke his heart.
"Please don't leave us, dad? Please don't leave home? I couldn't bear that!"
The Swan-Jones House
Since Killian Jones had started the pleasure cruise business with Marian seven years ago, he'd planned to retire from his Deputy Sheriff role. But Emma had persuaded him not give up completely, due to regular staff shortages, but instead help them with cover during the autumn and winter, when the Jolly Roger was mostly in dock. So, it was an exhausted former pirate who crawled into bed at six in the morning, after a night shift. Delighted, as always, to see his wife's beautiful blonde locks poking out above the sheets as she snuggled under them, he stripped off and climbed in, pulling himself in to spoon her warm body.
"Brrr! Shit – you're cold!" groaned a voice from under the covers, feeling his cool body against her back.
"Aye, love. All the more reason to warm me up, then?"
"Bugger off! I'm not a bloody radiator…" nonetheless, she pushed her backside into his lap, enjoying his, albeit cool, arms coming around her to hug her protectively against him. "What time is it?"
"Just gone six," he nuzzled his nose and lips against the side of her neck, just under her ear.
"If you're thinking what you're usually thinking…" She smiled, eyes still shut, knowing how frisky he could be early in the morning. She could already feel a bulge pressing against her bum cheeks. "…then not a chance, Jones! I haven't had enough sleep." She still sounded groggy as she yawned.
"Why? Girls keep you up?"
"No. They were as good as gold. I was just up late. Reading."
"Sounds ill-advised Swan. You're on duty later, as I recall?"
"I swapped with Angela. I'm not on till this afternoon."
"Good. Gives us more time for a decent lie-in, then..." As he spoke, his right hand drifted slowly down her side, before heading south, over her stomach, and lower, under the band of her shorts. His left arm had already roamed under her neck, and his hand now cupped her right breast. She didn't stop him. It was always nice to be appreciated, and Killian was always appreciative.
"Four hours sleep, pirate! At least give a girl a chance to wake up properly? You could always go down and fetch me a coffee?" As she spoke, she shivered when his cool right hand gently roamed into her bed shorts, over her mound, a stray middle finger sliding softly between her lower lips. "Aaaah!"
"I can certainly do that for you love, if you so wish?" The fingers now started to gently massage over her entrance, while the fingers on his left squeezed a nipple.
She smiled. The bastard always knew how to get to her, a skill he'd never lost. "No. On second thoughts…" she turned around in his arms, facing him, and without further ado, slid her hand into his bed shorts, clutching onto a rapidly hardening cock.
Killian groaned at the sensation of her hot hands on him. "Fine. Coffee can wait, then. I am awfully cold, Swan. And your hand's delightfully warm…"
That's all the encouragement she needed, as she slowly started to pump him, raising a knee for him to continue his own ministrations. He pulled her in tighter, before moving his lips over hers. At that point, she turned her face away, offering a cheek instead. "I really wouldn't - morning breath!" she moaned, as his fingers reached her clit.
"Always worth it, though…" he kissed the offered cheek anyway, before lowering his lips over her chest, nipping on the cotton-covered nipple. "Perhaps your 'other lips' won't refuse me, then?" he whispered, moving lower under the sheets.
She gasped, knowing what was to come. Killian had really mastered the art of cunnilingus, and never failed to bring her off that way, though she tried not to think about how he'd learned to do it so well! When they'd first married, she'd always tried to use the bidet before making love, feeling herself 'cleaner'. But he didn't care. There were plenty of times he took her by surprise, and he'd never commented. And she'd never complained!
"Hah!" she started, like a rabbit, as she felt his breath against her, then a warm flat lick right across the entrance, before curling his tongue to slide over the bud, pulling it with his lips. "Oooh, yes, that'll do!" She moved her hands either side of his head, trying to pull him even closer without suffocating him, her eyes rolling back in bliss.
That's when the bliss ended. Abruptly!
"MORNIN' MUMMY!" yelled Elizabeth, causing her head to jerk up, eyes bulging in surprise, as her youngest appeared in the opening door, walking around the side of the bed, with a piece of paper in one hand, and a toothy grin.
"LIZZY?" Emma blurted out, Killian's head now deadly-still between her legs, under the sheets. Fuck, why didn't she put up that damn magic seal on the door? The sort Marian once told her Robin or Regina cast on their own room most nights! "You're awake early?"
"Couldn't sleep. Look, I drew a picture for Honny!" As she closed in on her mother, she noticed the large bulge, clearly her father, under the quilt. "Daddy - what are you doing?" As she spoke, Emma felt the bottom of her bed shorts being slipped back into place, as his head moved up to eventually emerge from the covers beside his red-faced wife.
"Good morning, my little pirate!" He turned to face her. "Mummy had a sore tummy, and I was just trying to kiss it better." He spotted the useful distraction. "Now, what you got there? Show me?"
She proudly waved her drawing. "It's me and Honny, daddy. Look, we're inna hospital!" she proudly lay it down beside him as she tried to lift herself on to the bed, Emma grateful for the distraction so she could adjust herself.
Like most pictures by children her age, it was pretty difficult to tell, although it looked like several people standing around a bed with someone lying on it. Two figures, one with long blonde and one with straight dark hair, stood at the end, both dressed in some sort of coats, holding hands, and looking up.
"That's brilliant, love…" he praised her, pointing at part of it. "So, I guess that's you and Honour there?"
She nodded, pleased with herself. "The lady's had a baby, and we're the doctors!" she insisted.
"And what's that, flying over the lady having the baby? Is that a cat, of some sort?"
"Silly daddy!" Elizabeth frowned at him. "That's not a cat - that's the baby! Naughty Neal is using magic again, and making it fly out the window!"
As Killian looked at the crayon figure of what he supposed was her much- loved and mischievous young uncle with his hands in the air (presumably controlling the flying feline-shaped baby?), Emma desperately tried not to laugh, but couldn't stop herself, earning an even more stern frown from the little blonde. "Mummy!"
"I'm so sorry, poppet. I was just laughing at your silly daddy, for not realising what that was!" she lied, at Killian's expense. She'd apologise to him for it another time, in the best possible way, but it seemed to pacify their daughter. "So, you and Honny are doctors, yes?"
"Yes, and we make everyone better, like we did for Jo-Jo, on the Jolly!"
They both remembered how she and the Locksley daughter had brought Joseph Jagger back to life on the deck of the ship after his fall, while restoring his long-blind eye in the process. "And I'm sure you'll both make brilliant doctors. Now, why don't you take care of this and you can show it to your Uncle Neal when you see him? And how about drawing me another picture, that I can take with me to work this afternoon? And be nice and quiet – you don't want to wake Hope up!"
Seeming satisfied with that, she turned and left the room as quickly as she'd come in, to their relief. "Phew, that was close!" she breathed, resting a head on his shoulder. "Thank god you kept the sheets over us this time!"
"Aye love, now, do us both a favour…" Killian darted down once again, pulling the covers back over his head. "…now hurry up, and put one of those magical lock, sound-proof thingies on the door!"
"Killian!" she grunted, as he wasted no time, returning to his former target. "Don't be stupid! We haven't got enough tieeeeeeeeemmm! Oh my god!"
Back at the Locksley Inn...
"Look Neal, I'm not sure what sort of answer to give you! This is very private, between your mother and I." David was dreading this, but needed to know before he could give his worried son any kind of answer. "What do you think you know?"
"That mum had sex with Ruby after you got married! That you only found out when you went to Mr. Gold's shop and saw it in a dreamcatcher. So, she cheated on you."
"I see. Anything else?"
"Only that that's what made you mad, so you ran off to Hank Morgan's place. True though, isn't it?"
The boy had already told him he has Emma's ability to spot a lie. "It is. Did you hear anything about Dorothy?"
"No, but I guess she's going to be pretty pissed at Ruby right now, like you. Bit of a stupid thing to do though, especially as she's got a little kid!"
"Yeah. Neal, what you said is true, but it did all happen a long time ago," (there was no reason to tell him about all recent events). "Your mother and Ruby have always been very close friends, even before me. I was engaged to someone else before I met her."
"Kathryn, yeah I know. But that's different, you broke it off and proposed to mum. You didn't cheat!"
"Not in the Enchanted Forest, no. But…it's complicated."
"So, you're going to leave mum? Or make her move out?"
"I really don't think we should-"
"She does love you, dad! I know she does. It's true love! You two couldn't have given me and Emma magic if she didn't. You couldn't have woken her up. Maybe she's like Regina, and she's in love with two people?" He looked across at Robin Locksley, who'd appeared in the bar for a coffee, dressed and ready for the archery lessons. "Robin's in love with Regina and Marian, isn't he? And according to Merlin, Honour and Charlie have got three 'real' parents, not two, and that's what's given them even stronger magic!"
"That's true, but it's a little bit different."
I know, but…I need you to know that I'm coming with you, if you leave!"
"Neal…"
"I mean it, dad! Mum did wrong. You didn't. I'm not living anywhere without you! You leave, then I leave. And if you say I can't, I'll just run away anyway…"
"Neal," his son was so much like his daughter. If Neal left Snow, it'd kill her! "Please don't say things like that. As I said, nothing's decided yet. Everything's still fresh, and the anger's there. But it will calm, and I will talk to your mother in due course. But please don't say anything like that to her."
"Excuse me?" Both father and son jerked back, looking up at a figure standing right next to them, who seemed to have appeared from nowhere, and a well-known one that that!
"Merlin?" David gasped. "I didn't know you were in town?"
"Hello David. Neal. My, haven't you grown?" The sorcerer gave the boy a kindly smile. "Yes, I arrived in Sherwood last night. I'm booked in upstairs. "Sorry to disturb, but I couldn't help overhearing…"
"How? I put a spell around the table!"
"Neal, Merlin's the Sorcerer. Emma said he's the greatest sorcerer who ever lived, didn't she? I hardly think your magic, or hers, would have much effect on him, do you?"
Merlin's eyes twinkled. "That may be true, but your magic's a lot stronger than when I left here last time, young man! I'm impressed. Regina and Emma's lessons are clearly paying dividends. Now, would you allow me to join you, David? I heard something of what you said, and I think I may be able to help."
An hour earlier, in the pub's master bedroom upstairs, Robin left the bathroom, preparing to get changed for the day ahead. He looked over at his wives, still asleep in their bed, Regina being tightly spooned by Marian, the former snoring softly. How ever did he get so lucky in love? Even after having three children by them, a fourth all grown up, he still couldn't believe his luck. To have one intelligent, powerful, and beautiful wife was a blessing, but to have two was just plain greedy. Yet here he was, an undeserving former thief, married to the most perfect wonderful women in all the realms.
"Why are you leaving so early?" groaned Marian, before yawning.
"I thought you were asleep? I'm sorry milady, did I wake you?"
" Nope, just dozing. I thought you weren't due to start till ten?"
"Roland's not joining us. Apparently, he's meeting a young lady-friend in town. I said I'd join him for breakfast before he goes. Also, are you aware Merlin arrived last night? He's checked in here rather than the convent. I was going down to meet him."
"Merlin's here?" said Marian. "Hold up, so I can dress and come join you? I want to ask him a few things about Honour and Charlie."
"Sure, I'll-" but he got interrupted by the other woman he also thought asleep.
"I'm surprised you're not more interested in just who this lady-friend of Roland's, is?" Regina started climbing out of the bed. "If you're not, I am! Hold on, I'm coming too!"
Twenty minutes later, Regina and Marian walked arm-in-arm down the large curved staircase, into the main bar, Elizabeth in front of them, guiding her little sister down the steps, and looking to see if her best friend had arrived yet. As Regina scanned the room to find their husband, she spotted the Sorcerer, sitting at one of the farthest tables, talking to one of Storybrooke's most recently gossiped-about characters.
"What's Charming doing here?" Regina pointed to the corner of the room, as they reached the ground. "I thought he'd be home, trying to repair his 'idyllic' marriage."
"Hush, he probably brought Neal. Rob said he'd signed up for a lesson. Where is our man, anyway?"
Regina's brow arched imperiously. "Over there - talking to that slut of a sales monkey from the grocery store! She's forever flirting with him."
"Now, don't start!" Marian tried to stifle a chuckle. "That's Christine. And she's not a sales…whatever; she's the owner! I've spoken to her a few times, and she's lovely. So's her husband, Geoff. They've got a little boy, Paul, so I assume he's here for a lesson too."
Regina harrumphed. She'd gotten used to Marian knowing everyone by name and putting a positive spin on them. Sometimes it could be more than irritating. "Whatever. I can't see Roland, but Charming and Merlin appear to be in cahoots?" she pointed to the corner. "Looks suspicious. Come on, let's annoy them…"
"So I just say a lie and it changes colour?" David turned over the large blue crystal in his palm. "And that's it? Nothing else?"
"Pretty much…" said Merlin. "It's called the Alitheia Petra, or 'Alitheia stone'. Alitheia's the goddess of truth. It's been enchanted. It can detect any lie. You just put it within earshot and ask questions. But I do need it back, once you're finished!" he handed David the small silk pouch it came in.
As David looked closer at the mysterious diamond-shaped jewel, over Merlin's shoulder he spotted Regina Locksley and her wife coming straight for their table. "Thanks." He carefully put it back inside the pouch, but not quite quick enough for the former mayor, who spotted the flash of blue.
"Good morning Merlin! And you Sheriff. What on earth have you got there?"
"Nothing that concerns you, Regina! Hello Marian."
It was rare for David Nolan to be that curt with anyone; but the serious, cold look on his face made Marian realize he was in no mood for idle chat. "Hello David. It's lovely to see you again, Merlin. I hope we're not interrupting but…would you have time for a chat this morning?"
"Hello Marian, my dear," the Sorcerer stood, giving her a brief hug. "Nice to see you too. Yes, David and I are just finished. David, if you'll excuse me, I'll see you tomorrow?"
Regina was still reeling from Charming's look. One she hadn't seen for many years. But she was distracted my Marian pulling her away, to a table closer to the bar. As they sat, the taller woman waved for Merlin to sit between them. "You here for long, this time?"
"Two weeks. Pleny of time to meet with my two business partners," he winked, patting Marian's hand. "I told Killian I'd just arrived. Then off to the hospital to see Victor, as I may have found him some medics. And I particularly wanted to see you two, and Robin, when it's convenient? It's about the future magical training of the children!"
The Nolan Farm
The farmhouse was as clean as a new pin. In a desperate need to distract herself from her ongoing marriage problems, Snow had cleaned almost every inch of the place from top to bottom. Twice. Last night her exhausted mind had finally succumbed into th e arms of Morpheus, though the sleep was fitful and short. Three hours. But it was the most uninterrupted sleep she'd had in the last ten days. Since he walked out in disgust.
She felt dreadful, but she knew she deserved it.
Word had started to spread around the town that something was seriously wrong in the Nolan home. Most knew about the Sheriff driving over the town line and returning a week later. Rumours spread about a serious row between the most famous true-love couple that ever lived. Rumours that spread and distorted, as rumours do. Grumpy had got wind of it, and so in turn did the other dwarves. And the fairies. And the Sheriff's Office. And the town hall. Rumours made worse by the fact Snow White was nowhere to be seen and hadn't been for over a week!
This Sunday morning, Snow had checked in on her son, only to find he was nowhere to be seen, before remembering something about David taking him to Sherwood this morning, for an archery course. As she looked at the now cold, rumpled bedsheets, she heard the door knocker bang loudly.
A minute later, she opened it, only to find Reul Ghorm, the Blue Fairy, and five of the dwarves looking up at her, all equally horrified at the sight before them!
"Holy shit!" said Walter, still in his security guard uniform. "And they say I look sleepy! Snow, you look-" he was stopped from saying anything else by a hard slap on his arm from Leroy, accompanied by a silent, angry glare.
"Snow, my dear!" Blue was equally horrified by the sight of the disheveled rightful Queen of Misthaven, but at least she tried to hide it. "We hadn't seen you for quite a while, and we were worried about you. What's happened?"
"It's nothing," she felt herself shrink from their shocked glares. "I'm…fine."
"Well you don't look fine!" Leroy was now right in front of her, his eyes showing anger. "Did Charming hit you? Has he hurt you?"
"What? No, erm…he hasn't-"
"Then what the hell's going on? We know he skipped town, looking damn mad. Now he's back, and he's…different! Dopey asked him something, and he looked like he was going to lay him out! And to be honest, you look-"
"Tired!" Blue cut in again. "Exhausted, quite frankly! Snow, we're worried. What's he done to you?"
"Stop! He hasn't done…look, it's our business, okay? We had an argument…"
"Some argument!" Doc looked at her withdrawn, sullen features. Could she be any paler? "Remy said he saw him looking at rentals in Bertha's. He went inside…"
Snow almost buckled to her knees, wanting the avalanche of questions to end. Word was getting out!
"Please, just stop! All of you! David's done nothing wrong!" But I have. We've just had a falling out, and he's angry with me. We need time to fix it, okay? Please just, go home!"
It was around midday, another two hours after the unwanted visitors had gone, when Charming came back to the farm, and she hadn't expected to see him, looking up in surprise as he heard him walk through the front door and drop his keys down. As he walked into the living room, he was surprised to see Snow, now standing by the window, looking out. Unlike the past ten days, she was now washed and dressed, her jet-black hair now glossy and groomed. She wore jeans, boots and a fresh, cream top. The smartest she'd been since he left. But as she turned to face him, the eyes gave it all away. The usual bright hazel was now dull, and the dark shadows underneath revealed her complete lack of sleep. But as he looked her over, he spotted something lying on the sofa. A suitcase?
"You're leaving?"
"I thought it best. This farm was your idea from the start. When I found out you'd looked at properties in Bertha's, I thought it made more sense. Why should you move out when it's my fault? No, I've got the keys to the flat, so I'll stay there…till you decide."
That threw him completely. "What about Neal?"
"He should stay with you for the moment. I'm not going to argue with you, David, he's better off here. The moment he finds out what really happened to us, he's not going to want to be anywhere near me, anyway."
"He already knows." Damn it! He shouldn't have just come out with that. Her broken expression seemed to break just a little bit more. "I'm sorry, I never told him, but…" he walked over to the sideboard, collecting the large conch shell off the top, before opening the nearest window and hurling the shell outside, which was followed by a satisfying smash as it hit the ground. "He was using that. He bugged it with magic. He heard everything from the time I first came back."
"He knows?" Once again, the tears came as Snow felt her knees buckle, making her in the nearest chair, with her hands now over her face. "He must hate me."
David watched her, and for the first time felt genuine pity. She was broken. He silently sat opposite her before reaching into his jacket pocket. "I'm sorry."
"What have you got to be sorry for? I'm the one who screwed things up! I'd give anything to go back in time, and fix it…"
"Well, for what it's worth, I want that too. I met Merlin this morning, when I dropped Neal off. He told me something about you, which I didn't realise. Odd, because I thought I knew everything about you."
"Merlin? You told him…about us?"
"No. Like Neal, he knew already. He's a seer, remember? He sees the future." Snow still looked confused, so he carried on. "He said that you can't see love in the same way as the rest of us, because you're a product of love. It's in your makeup. He said if you receive love, you can't stop yourself from giving it back. It's a bit confusing. But basically, he's saying that because you were tied to Ruby before you met me. Because we knew her…together, you couldn't see that it was wrong to be intimate with her in the way you were. Sorry, I guess I'm not explaining it very well."
"David, I have never loved anyone as much as I've loved you, and that includes Ruby."
"Well here's the thing…" he removed the silk pouch from his pocket, and slid out the blue stone. "He said I might better be able to come to terms with what's happened if I could just get honest answers. Or at least, answers I could believe in."
"I've never knowingly lied to you! I could never…" then she spotted the crystal. "What's that?"
"Something he lent me. It's called the Aletheia stone, or truth stone. It's thousands of years old and enchanted. The idea is, we each hold it in our hands for a minute in turn, then ask questions. When we're being honest, it goes an even brighter blue. When we lie or mislead one another, it turns red." He passed it across for her to look at. "Would you be prepared to use it?"
She took the stone from him, wiping her eyes with her left hand. "I hate magic, David, I always have!" At her words, the blue glass appeared to suddenly change colour, to an even brighter blue. "What if I refuse?"
"You can, if you wish." He sighed, clearly not expecting that. "But if you don't, then I'll have to assume you're still hiding something from me. We'll do what we need to do. We'll come to terms with our separation, tell Emma and Neal what's happening, and I'll talk to a lawyer about getting divorce papers drawn up."
It was the first time he'd ever mentioned that final option. The D word. "Does that mean if I do this, you'll think about trying to repair things? Maybe even forgive me? One day?"
He hesitated before answering, noticing her waiting, her fingers now squeezing the stone hard.
"One thing at a time, yes?"
She turned the diamond over in her palm. "I'll do it."