Well, it's been a hot minute, hasn't it? With lockdown seemingly never ending, I found myself wanting to write again. I've missed it. Oneshots are definitely my preferred style, and I'm quite happy to leave OCF for just now (I haven't got any requests for it anyway lol) and this has been floating around in my head for a while. I've always wondered how things might change had Emma not been a newborn when she went through the wardrobe. I know there's already an OCF chapter for it, so here's what I thought. I thought I'd start a series of oneshots based soley in that universe. I'll put up my own musings, but will once again be open to any requests you have. All I ask is that they're kept in the universe of Emma being three when she went through the wardrobe, and still focusing only on the Charming family. It can be from before she went through, during the first curse or after it has broken. Something totally new or changing what happened on the show to suit this situation. What I've done to start the story is given the sort of backstory on where my head is at with the logistics. It's a bit rambly, so my apologies for that. Yes, there's no Henry, so sorry if that upsets you but you've now been given fair warning lol. So, I hope you enjoy and I look forward to any oneshot requests. It's good to be back! JMAMK x
Snow clutched tightly at the toddler in her arms. Charming had his arms securely around her. They thought they had defeated her. They thought the Evil Queen's plan had failed. They were wrong.
Three years prior, the king and queen had given birth to their beautiful baby girl: Emma. It had been a difficult birth to say the least. Not only did the princess make an early arrival, but the Evil Queen's threat loomed heavily over the whole kingdom, but particularly the expectant parents. Regina had been so adamant she would have her revenge on Snow White and her Prince Charming for the crimes she believed committed against her. She was going to destroy their happiness if it was the last thing she did. Nobody knew exactly what Regina had planned, just that it would separate everyone from their loved ones. There was only one hope left for the people of the Enchanted Forest: the baby growing inside Snow White's belly. She was to be the Saviour. She would be born with strong magical powers. The only person with a chance of rivalling the equally strong Evil Queen.
So the family prepared to be separated before their baby was even born. A magical wardrobe was built by Geppetto that would transport Emma to a land without magic. A land where she would be safe from Regina's wicked clutches until she was old enough to face her head on. The catch: the wardrobe only had enough magic to take one to the other realm. When the time came, the pregnant Snow White would have to leave her beloved husband and travel alone to this strange new world without him by her side. Of course, their daughter had other plans. Emma was born prematurely. Fortunately, their little girl was perfectly healthy, but now the family faced a horrifying new problem, Emma would have to through the wardrobe alone.
From that day on, every moment was tense for the family. When would Regina's curse hit? When would they lose their baby girl until her twenty eighth birthday? Snow and David barely put their daughter down from the second she was born in fear they could lose her at any given moment. So as the days turned into weeks, and the weeks turned into months, they became confused. What had become of Regina and her curse? Had she fallen on her own sword? Nobody had heard of her or caught sight of her since before Emma was born.
Gradually, they started to relax. They somewhat accepted that the Evil Queen was no more. Somehow, she had vanished. After all, why would she willingly let the couple be so happy with their daughter? Emma was the light of the entire kingdom. The princess was a sparky, bubbly little girl who was adored by all who had the privilege to know her. Her magical abilities were becoming clearer as she grew. It concerned her parents that one day someone would challenge Emma because of her powers, but that was a problem for another day. Right now, the only things on their minds were the happiness of their people, and raising a happy, healthy little girl. True, they wished to have more children, but they could never shake off Regina and her threats. If they had more children and tragedy struck, how could they possibly decide who would go through the wardrobe, and how would remain with their parents? As hard a decision as it was, it was best they stuck with raising Emma as an only child. One day, that would be a decision they would be glad they made, even if it didn't ease the pain of what they had to do. For Regina had not disappeared. She had not fallen victim to her own curse. She was quietly biding her time. She knew the princess had been born. She knew that it had been prophesised that the spawn of the lovebirds would have true love's magic running in her veins. The only magic strong enough to battle with her magic born of pure anger and hatred. Well, she couldn't have that. She would not let some little brat be her undoing. No, she would put a stop to this prophecy. There was only one curse powerful enough to ensure Regina's happy ending. A curse that would bring all the residents of the Enchanted Forest with her. They would go to a place where Regina could finally be in charge, just like she should have been all along. It would rip Snow White's whole family apart. Their daughter would be under Regina's watchful eye the whole time. The best part? The child would never age. She would stay a toddler for all time. Her parents, along with everyone else in the realm, would have no memories of their real selves. They would be under a spell. They would believe themselves to be other people. Miserable, lonely people. Forever cursed to live the same day over and over again, separated from all those they loved. It was perfect. Regina had deliberately delayed her plan. Casting the curse when the princess was a newborn would have been too easy. It would have been expected. Yes, her parents would still have suffered greatly, but not as much as they would now. Regina had learned a long time ago that hope was always painful. So Regina had let the young family feel that they were safe. Let them think that they could live out their happily ever after. No, the time was now, when they least expected it. So, when the little princess and her parents slept soundly in their beds, Regina cast her curse. A wide grin spread across her face as she called her men into action. They would storm the castle and allow Regina to have her final moment of glory in this realm. As Snow White and her family were captured and helpless, Regina would savour the terror in their eyes before they forgot everything they ever knew. Yes, she had finally won.
"It's here!" Grumpy bellowed at the top of his lungs. The people of the kingdom had so long ago decided that the Evil Queen must have gone somehow that they were not prepared in the slightest for her casting the curse. The purple smoke slowly creeping towards them was the first sign that they had all been wrong; that Regina was still at large. The knights of the kingdom leapt into action. The kingdom might have been at peace since the princess was born, but they were always prepared for war. The Evil Queen's dark knights might have had them surrounded, but not one of them would give in without a fight. They would defend their royals if it meant giving their lives. All of them knew how important it was for everyone that Snow and David got Emma to the wardrobe in time. Princess Emma was their only hope.
Snow and David tried their best to shield their daughter from the fear and pain they were going through. This was going to be hard enough for her. A tear slid down Snow's cheek as she and David made eye contact. He kissed both his girls on the forehead. They knew what had to be done. Snow cradled her baby girl close to her, a protective hand shielding the back of her head as Emma screwed her eyes tight shut and buried her head against her mother's shoulder. She didn't fully understand what was going on, but she knew she didn't like it.
"Mama." Emma whimpered. Snow did her best to comfort her as David grabbed his sword, arming himself for battle.
"Shh, it's ok, my little one. Mama's got you. I'm so sorry, my sweet girl. We should have told you about this sooner. We didn't think…Baby, we need to go to your room now. Keep your eyes closed, ok? Hold tight to mommy. Everything's going to be ok." Snow promised her daughter. Her heart felt like it was being torn into shreds. Was she lying to her? How could everything possibly be ok when she was about to lose everyone she'd ever known? They didn't even know where they were sending her! Still, they knew she had to go. For her sake, as well as everyone else's.
David lead in front of his wife and daughter. They could hear the cries of the knights fighting all around them. They had no idea who was winning. They could not stop to help their own side, they had to turn a blind eye to any struggles. They had to run as fast as they could to put Emma through the wardrobe before the curse landed.
Thunder rumbled all around them. It was so loud they could practically feel the ground shake beneath their feet. Bright flashes of lightning sparked through the windows. Snow could feel her heart hammering in her chest. Emma stuck her thumb in her mouth, sniffling. She didn't like this, it was too scary.
Just as they thought they had made it to Emma's nursery unscathed, two of Regina's men came from out of nowhere and lunged at the family. David took them on singlehandedly. He would not let them hurt Snow or Emma. Snow desperately wanted to help her husband, they had always been a team. Letting him take two men alone was a horrendous thought, but she knew he would not want her to leave Emma alone. That was too big a risk. Snow slid into the nursery the first chance she got, still clutching Emma tight to her. Emma's hands dug into Snow's dress. She didn't want to let her mom go. As much as it broke her heart, Snow detangled her daughter from her, kicking and screaming by now, and wrestled her into the wardrobe.
"Baby, I'm sorry." Snow said, no longer able to hide her own emotions. "I don't have a choice. Mama has to keep you safe…"
"No!" Emma cried, wriggling to try and get out of the wardrobe. Snow held her gently, but firmly in place. Emma had to leave without them. It was for her own good. A sharp gasp silenced both of them. Snow knew that was David. She turned to see him defeat the last of the two men, but he had not walked away from the fight injury free. One of them had stabbed through his shoulder. He was bleeding heavily through his tunic. Clearly disorientated, David staggered into the dark room. He collapsed onto his knees beside Snow. He was breathing heavily, leaning against the wall. All colour had drained from his face. Alarmed, Snow placed her hand on his cheek.
"David?" She croaked. He shook his head, putting on a brave smile.
"It's just a scratch." He grunted. They both knew that wasn't true, but they both also knew they were running out of time. David leaned forward and pressed another kiss to Emma's forehead.
"Always remember that daddy loves you, Emma." He told her seriously. "No matter what anyone says, you are loved. Find us, baby…" David could feel his world go dim. The whole room was spinning as he collapsed onto the floor.
"David! David, no!" Snow shouted. She tried to press her lips against his. True love's kiss had worked every time before, but not now. For this was no curse, her love could not cure him. Emma was now bawling hard, more frightened than she had ever been. Mommy and daddy normally made everything better, why weren't they fixing things now? Snow closed her eyes and took as deep and steadying a breath as she could, given the circumstances. Her husband lay dying before her eyes, and now she had to abandon her daughter to a world she did not know alone. Instinctively, Snow reached out to Emma's bed and grabbed her blanket. Emma had loved that blanket since the minute she was born. Plus, Snow didn't know what the weather was like wherever Emma was headed. She might be cold. Quickly, Snow wrapped the blanket around her shaking daughter's body and wiped her tears away.
"We will always be with you, even if you can't see us." Snow told her in a soothing tone. Emma was hiccupping now, the skin around her eyes red from her crying. "We always find each other, baby girl. I know, one day, you will find us again. You just have to be strong until then. I love you, so much." Snow took a moment to memorise her baby. Her bouncy blonde curls. Her sparkling green eyes. Every inch of her from the tip of her head to her tiny toes. Then, she shut the wardrobe doors. Snow didn't have a chance to grieve the loss of her baby. Her eyes wet with tears, she turned and crawled towards her husband. He lay unconscious on the floor. Snow quickly felt his wrist and was relieved to find a pulse, however faint it was. Before Snow could try and help him, she heard a cold laugh that sent shivers down her spine. Doing here best to shield her husband from the ground, Snow turned to face her stepmother. Regina towered above them both, victorious.
"Why?" Snow pleaded with her. "Why now?" Regina crouched down so she could see the agony in Snow's eyes.
"Because this is my happy ending." She snarled. She took in the scene before her. The prince might not even make it to the new world. How delightful. Regina was so caught up in her victory that, for a moment, she forgot something. Regina's eyes swept the room. It was a typical room for a small child. Well, certainly one of royal standing. A small bed with intricate wooden carvings lay against the window with various toys scattered at the end of it. A teddy here, a dolly there. A fluffy cream rug sat in the opposite corner, a rocking chair atop it. Bright yellow stars were painted onto the pale blue ceiling. The only thing missing was the child who normally occupied the bedroom.
"Where is she?" Regina snarled at Snow. Despite her sadness, Snow smiled. Regina could torture her and David, but they had succeeded in protecting their daughter.
"She's gone." Snow told her boldly. "You'll never be able to find her. Instead, she'll find you when she's twenty-eight." Regina yelled out in rage. There was nothing she could do now. No matter. The brat might not be right under her nose where she wanted her, but she would also never be able to find them. If she was unaffected by the curse, wherever they went would be invisible to her. Suddenly, the glass around them shattered. The thunder was deafening now, the flashes of lightning near blinding. Snow cradled Charming against her bosom in a feeble attempt to protect him from the oncoming curse. Regina cackled as they were all engulfed by the deep purple smoke. It was done.