A/N: I'm not entirely convinced what TLK is, really, in the show.. even the show writers seemed to change their minds about it. It's supposed to be rare, so in this story, TLK is when soulmates find each other, whether or not they're in love. (the fact that 'soulmates' goes with the underlaying Greek mythology theme... cherry :)

These next few chapters are, well, closing what I think of as Part 1. (I warned y'all this'll be a long one) Part 2 is just around the corner, and nearly complete so I hope you stick with me. I honestly think I have some really great chapters coming.. as well as a few you'll definitely hate me for.

I'm very grateful for every review, favorite, follow.. Thank you!

~The Round Table~

Belle had elected to stay with Emma as the rest of them filtered out of the room one by one.

Killian was rightly annoyed at having to leave her bedside, especially after breaking her out of her slumber with True Love's Kiss. He absolutely wanted to explore that, realizing finding his soulmate explained much, regardless of what the fates -

Soulmate.

Soulmate?!

Since the beginning, when he found her frozen, just the way she seemed to need him in those moments… He should have seen it. Aside from his undeniable attraction to her, the pull he felt toward her. the way he could read her so clearly, the desire to be with her always. The Ballroom Butterfly. That had to be it. So she knew since the ball… yet she resisted him. He smirked more to himself than for anyone's benefit. He wouldn't have liked her nearly as much if she'd just give in to him.

His head snapped up as Snow said something, and he realized they'd been standing in the hall outside of Emma's room, talking, and he should have been actively listening. He was unusual, though, able to mentally replay what had been said while he wasn't all there.

Snow, who by now had her brave face on, had done most of the talking, asking if everyone was up for a private meeting to pool their information and make some sort of plan. Regina was not thrilled at the idea, wanting instead to wait till morning which would have suited Killian just fine, as he wouldn't be here. But Snow insisted it should be tonight, which was what caught his attention.

All caught up, Killian was flirting with the idea of staying back from the group in order to be with Emma. He was leaving the next day, both to give her space as well as to do what he could to solve this problem of theirs.

He might even broach that conversation with her - not that he knew how to go about such a topic. The timing was not ideal for such things.

However, upon trying to slip away unnoticed, Snow called to him, insisting that he join their group. Clearly unable to do anything about it right now, he allowed his curiosity to take over. He was still flirting with the idea of vanishing in order to turn back, though this notion was released when he heard Snow whisper to a soldier to get Red and Graham to meet them at the Round Table before turning to the group to get them all to follow her, and David.

Had he - somehow - been invited into their inner circle?

After hearing such a request, he knew he couldn't just leave this group. This was some sort of conference between the major players of the castle, and he was quite interested in hearing what would be spoken at this Round Table for himself.

He had trouble keeping track of their position in the castle as they moved forward. He felt as if he were in a maze, just following the leader to survive. Eventually, they arrived at a large strange room with a large round table in the center of it. He wasn't actually expecting a round table.

He, Snow, David, Red, Graham and Regina all sat at various chairs around it. Though over half of the chairs remained empty, and he got the feeling this was not usually the case.

"I guess I'm going first." Red cleared her throat. "Not everyone here is aware of what happened to us" she pointed to herself and Graham while glancing at Hook. "during the missing day. Our hunt for Neal, I mean. Well, we were right on his trail when we found a small cottage in the woods that reeked of his scent, and another that I couldn't identify. Now, we assume it was the witch-"

"Atropos." Regina supplied.

"Thank you, Atropos, who we assume is the one changing things, um-"

"Back to fate's original design."

"Right." She breathed a sigh of relief, sporting a wide grateful grin. "That's a lot to keep track of. Anyway, we think the witch and Neal stayed there for some time, but we must have just missed them because we found the shack abandoned around noon on the missing day."

Graham took over. "Red took note of the witch's scent, and we continued to track the pair until we were back here. We thought, for a moment, that we had made some mistake, until Red smelled the witch nearby. We were about to go after her, when we saw Hook running toward something."

Red shook her head, almost as if to rid herself of the memories. Graham noticed her discomfort, and continued despite his own. "We were just in time to see Hook throwing Neal off of…" He couldn't continue, and the room was silent for several minutes.

Red steeled herself to continue, though her voice was much smaller than before. "After that, Graham took Neal to the dungeon, and I went to try and catch up to Atropos. It must have been right around midnight when I wolfed out and jumped her, because the next thing I remember was waking up the next day. I didn't realize for a while that I was missing my memory."

Hook looked up sharply, filing the wolf bit next to the nose bit he overheard at the ball, information to process later.

"You're saying that you saw the witch." Hook clarified.

Red nodded. "She was very pretty." Her eyebrows knitted together. "And very pale. Long red, straight hair. I'll never forget her face."

Regina spoke up. "Would you talk to my son, Roland, and describe Atropos for him to draw?"

Red nodded, shrugging insecurely. "I can try."

Graham finished their tale by admitting that he and Neal were outside the front gates around midnight, on their way to the dungeon. Next thing Graham knew was waking up in the forest with Red, as if they were still on the hunt, though it took them some time to figure out where they were.

"I guess it's my turn." Regina's tone made it clear that she was tired, and not in the mood for nonsense. "For those unaware, Belle, myself, and Neal went to Rumplestiltskin's old home this afternoon. Belle thought he might have literature on the fates, or how to defeat a God, generally speaking."

Regina stopped to stretch, her arms above her head, moving from side to side. Then she moved her neck and head in circles. She glanced around while stretching her back. "It's been a long day." She explained shortly. "We didn't find any information on The Fates, but we did learn that killing a God can only be achieved by a specific weapon, something that's not an easy thing for a mortal to find. And we may not need it."

Regina took that moment to stand, slowly walking around the table as she continued. "While we were there, Belle summoned a different Goddess who gave us a compass that will lead us to Clotho." Regina noticed Red's look of confusion. "One of the fates." She answered the unasked question.

"Ehm. Which one is that, again?" Red asked.

"The one who has had nothing to do with any of this." Regina replied, her eyebrows raising as if daring further questions.

"If she's the innocent one in all this, what would it accomplish to find her?" David asked.

"We don't know." Regina sighed. "But Athena assured us that a solution would be found." She seemed to reflect on her experience earlier that evening. "I got the feeling that she, and the other deities up there, want this solved just as much as we do."

"Why don't they fix this, then?" Snow asked, a bitter tone sneaking into her voice.

"According to Athena? That's how the end of the world is brought about."

Snow sighed, obviously exasperated. "Blue said the same thing. They can't - or won't - go against the God's either."

This revelation caused another moment of silence.

Killian somehow knew it was his turn to break the silence. This realization made him feel very uncomfortable, and he took several moments to organize his thoughts.

"I'd like to apologize." He looked directly at Snow. "I had no idea my… goodbye… would break Emma out of her slumber."

"Goodbye? Captain…" Snow trailed off, concern in her voice.

He raised his namesake and hand in a mock defensive posture, throwing up his most convincing smile. "Not what you might think. I may have a lead on a possible solution. I was saying goodbye because I leave at daybreak to track it down."

Graham sat up straighter in his seat, Red looked pleasantly surprised, David was outright shocked at this development, Regina didn't seem affected at all, and Snow smiled the best she could.

"Captain…" Snow began. "You're new here... This is where you elaborate."

"Oh?" He glanced around at each face, all eager, and hanging on his words. Accustomed to being the center of attention, this was different. This was unsettling. "Right. Well, I spent some time in my own library today. It's not much, mind you, but I am in possession of some rather unique antique tomes. One of which reminded me of a very old tale that took place right here, in the Enchanted Forest." His eyes lit up. "I suspect you lot have no idea just how many of these old tales have led me to treasure before."

David took a deep breath, almost as if keeping in his frustration. "What kind of old story?"

"Castle Blackthorn, of course."

Snow blinked a few times. "That sounds vaguely familiar."

"As I said, a very old tale. I'm not surprised you've heard so little of it. The myth I'm after is a magick ring, said to grant a wish for the wearer."

Snow smiled sadly. "What are you going to use this wish ring for?"

Hook leaned back in his seat and shrugged in a wide gesture. "I've no idea, love. But perhaps, if I can procure this ring, and if someone can locate this Clotho, perhaps the wish can be given to her."

Surprising everyone, David was the one to nod his - half hearted - approval. "That isn't the worst idea I've ever heard. Clotho could use the wish to summon her sisters, or hell, even end their tyranny."

"I suspect that might work." Regina began cautiously. "But wishes have a way of turning against the person who makes them."

Hook nodded. "Aye, usually. But this one is different, if the tales are true. The ring is said to have been forged from fairy dust."

David let out a snort. "If the tales are true? Just how many of your old books have led, not to treasure, but to wasted time and effort?"

"Only a few." He admitted with a cheeky smile. "A hook's prick of a percentage." He grinned.

"I'll accompany you, Captain." Graham nodded in his direction. "I know this terrain better than anyone. Aside from Red."

"Aye, I'd wager you do. Though, I've no intention of bringing along anyone else. Not only is this a wild goose chase, as the king here pointed out, but this castle is also quite dangerous. There's a reason no one has looted the bloody place."

"Now hold on, just how dangerous are we talking?" David asked.

Killian was beginning to feel thankful the years had taught him patience. "Stories vary. Some say the place is haunted. Others say a ravenous beast has claimed the place. I've even heard that it's cursed. In any case, it's as old as dirt. If one isn't careful maneuvering the location, one may fall and seriously hurt themselves." He kept his face straight.

David nodded, his bottom lip jutted out ever so slightly as the corners of his mouth went down. "I say we let him go."

Snow backhanded him in the arm. "Captain, you can't go alone."

"Sure I can. Alone, I'll be faster and stealthier."

Regina rolled her eyes and allowed her head to fall into one hand.

"Just let the pirate go. If he's determined to die, alone and miserable, who are we to judge?"

"This isn't about him, though." Graham said.

Killian curiously watched as Regina pointed a look at Snow, who locked eyes for a split second. Snow immediately seemed to understand the look, her own face conflicted as she shut her eyes and controlled the emotion on her face.

"Graham," Snow said sweetly. "We will need you to take the compass and find Clotho. Red might as well accompany you, just in case there's any delay or any problem with the compass."

Graham looked surprised at this development, but nodded just the same. "Of course."

"They'll need to take Belle." Regina said, her voice strained.

"Belle?" David asked, his confusion clearly evident on his face and in his tone. "Why her?"

"I'm not quite sure." Regina admitted. "It's mostly a feeling. Athena paid most of her attention to Belle, and gave her the compass directly. I just don't think she should be excluded."

David opened his mouth to speak, but Snow stopped him by laying a hand on top of his.

"Regina, would you inform Belle of these plans?" The sorceress nodded slowly, a sour look and a raised eyebrow gracing her face. She was clearly done. "Graham, Red, can you be ready to leave tomorrow?"

The hunters took a moment to glance at each other before agreeing.

"Wonderful." Snow said, her classic smile gracing her lips, though clearly she was wearing a mask.

Killian got the impression that this room usually had much better luck at making plans, seeing the uncertainty play on the faces surrounding him. Though he also could see the spark of hope.

The unspoken consensus was, at least they had something, anything, to work with. And a plan to go with it, however vague.

Thank you for reading!