In the center of a lavish throne room, an elderly, balding gentleman sat on a golden chair. Blue pillars wrapped with gold and red tapestries filled the space around him, spread evenly to allow the filtered light from stain-glassed windows to brighten the dais. A purple rug leading up to the throne nearly covered the gray tiled floor, and a golden chandelier hung from above. The man was wrapped in his customary robes, red to emphasize his position as king, jewels on the neck and gold lining the cuffs to emphasize his affluence. This man, King George, was once a cold but fair ruler. However, he had turned bitter following the death of his queen. Now, he valued only wealth. He raised taxes and plundered kingdoms. He was determined that his subjects would know suffering, as he had when his wife died. In that effort, he'd succeeded.
His adopted son James was dead, and the twin brother he'd brought in to replace him had been more trouble than he was worth. Instead of bringing a wealthy alliance, he married that rebel princess Snow and almost took half his kingdom from him. In the end, David and King George both agreed to leave each other in peace. King George rescinded his support from Regina, and Snow and David left him to his gold. Of course, the move was strategic. King George was simply biding his time. Meanwhile, he allowed the banished Evil Queen residence in his own kingdom. If he'd learned one thing from Rumplestiltskin, it was to never turn down the chance to have someone in your debt.
Yet, for all King George had done to keep the wealth surrounding him, he now saw none of it. Instead, he remained lost in thought, eyebrows furrowed. The only other person in the room was a spy from the royal guard. The guard stood at attention, silent, having just given his report.
This guard had recently returned from Wonderland. The mythical Pegasus sail allowed the king's men to sail to any realm and return the same way. The silence continued and the guard shifted uneasily.
The king shook himself free from his thoughts, then turned back to the guard.
"And you're certain? Rumplestiltskin has truly left the realms to be with his son Baelfire?"
The guard, clothed in a black hood, nodded, "I'm certain, my lord King George. He acquired the hat from the Red Queen's hatter, making a deal with him. That hatter begged to be reunited with his daughter, in exchange for the hat. He asked the Dark One if he knew what it was like to be separated from his child. In a sudden move that surprised everyone, the Dark One agreed to the deal and waved his hand. The hatter disappeared from the court, and the hat began spinning. Rumplestiltskin has gone to the Land Without Magic. As he cannot come back accompanied by his son, he is unlikely to ever return.
King George nodded slowly, a sinister smile slowly taking over his features.
The king looked upward at the chandelier, and then spoke, almost as if he forgot the guard was there, "Well, it seems the Dark One finally got tired of waiting for the Evil Queen's famous curse… if it ever existed in the first place."
Suddenly, King George stood from his throne in one swift movement. The guard startled.
King George now addressed the guard, speaking as one who knows they will be obeyed without question.
"Send an invitation to the Evil Queen. We must celebrate the disappearance of our greatest threat. Tell her to come to dinner. There is much we must discuss."
-OUAT-OUAT-OUAT-OUAT-OUAT-
King David and Queen Snow stood looking down at their two-year-old daughter, sucking her thumb, asleep in the small bed. Glass unicorns hung from her old mobile attached to the ceiling, dancing in circles above her bed. The child had had a long day. The young princess had spent the entire day in celebrations of her second birthday, while Red, Granny, and all the dwarves played with her, gave her sugary treats, and generally spoiled her.
"Our Emma's gown so much already," David whispered, a sense of awe in his voice.
Snow shook her head fondly, "It seems like just yesterday that we announced my pregnancy to the kingdom. Where did all the time go?"
David grinned wryly, "It went to too many sleepless nights with a new baby and tiring days with an energetic one-year-old. Still, I wouldn't trade a single day for all the treasures in the kingdom."
Snow laughed softly, then seemed to grow thoughtful.
"I was so terrified when she was born, David. I looked into our baby's eyes, and I knew that moment would be the perfect time for Regina to take her revenge. We had everything, and I feared Regina would find a way to take it all away."
David's eyes grew more somber, but he said nothing. Instead, he drew Snow closer, pressing a quiet kiss to the top of his wife's head.
At length, Snow continued, "David, why do you think Regina never carried out her threat? We heard all those whispers about a Dark Curse, but nothing ever came of it."
David shook his head, "I don't know Snow. I just remain glad every day that she never succeeded. Maybe her father talked her out of it. Prince Henry never seemed like a bad man, and I think he's the only person in the world that Regina really loved. I was sure when he died in his sleep she would take action. But I am thankful every day that she hasn't."
At his words, Snow shivered, a cold chill from the open window tapping with icy fingers on the back of her neck. A feeling of foreboding that she couldn't explain came over her. But she was safe in the castle with her husband and daughter. Snow shook off the feeling. The people she loved most in the world were safe and right in front of her. She shut the window tightly. Snow and David kissed their daughter goodnight and went off to bed. The wind continued to tap against the window, unable to find a way around the glass.
Yet.