Rionnag Dorcha Gorm (Dark Blue Star)
Every town has an urban legend that they tell to scare kids, yet the stories tend to change with time. The real story sometimes gets lost. This is how this one is told.
A long time ago in the middle of the Enchanted Forest there lived a kind woman who loved children forevermore. Her heart was true, but misunderstood. She had once before victoriously escaped a grim fate, but was unable to succeed again. This time her fate was sealed.
Storybrooke had become home to Hester Blue after she narrowly escaped the witch hunts in Salem and left her fallen sisters behind in order to survive. She had hated her cowardness, but finally settled in a new town. She had found her home. She was adored by the town's children. She would give them sugar glazed fruit and greet them with a kind smile. On the day their final baby tooth fell, she would give them a special treat a gold coin.
Everything was peaceful for years. Until she was falsely accused when two of the town's most beloved young children went missing in the woods. No time for explanations or pleas. In their outrage, the town quickly served their brand of justice.
Hester was making treats for the children. Her little cabin filled with the aroma of the sweets. She heard a commotion outside quickly approaching. There were angry men walking closer to the house with torches. She panicked and barricaded the door to keep them out. The men outside angrily called out for her to open the door. The little house shook as they pounded their fists on the old wood. With her back on the wall she lowered herself to the floor. The tears freely flowed. It was happening again and she had a feeling this time luck was not on her side. The vengeful mob finally tore the door off its hinges, ripping it apart piece by piece. They found her sitting on the ground.
Hester was yanked by the hair as she kicked and screamed, "I didn't do anything!" Tears stained her face. The men hauled her out of the safety of her home. They overpowered her and tied her to the large tree that shaded her home and simply told her that her life had been forfeited the moment she made the children disappear. As she took her last breath, she swore vengeance and cursed the town. Later that night when the children emerged from deep within the forest unharmed, the townspeople realized their mistake. They buried Hester's body by the tree that witnessed her death and promised never to speak of her again. No one noticed the tree started to wither away.
Time passed, and the small town of Storybrooke grew so much that the woods in the heart of the Enchanted Forest became a park. There was a dark shroud that extended from the tallest tree in the center of the park to the outer town line. The story of Hester Blue, the Blue Fairy, became a legend. People said her dark spirit visited children on the night they lose their last baby tooth. If anyone sees her when she visits, they are marked for her vengeance.
The children's sightings of the fairy had gone unnoticed by the adults. The sightings increased as the town prospered. The children would share their encounters to give each other a good fright. Once in a while, a nameless child would disappear never to be seen again or heard from ever again.
The attacks on the founding families could not be missed anymore. Finally, the adults heard of the infamous fairy tale.
In every generation, the youngest child of each founding family would disappear leaving the bloodline to continue on with the eldest. The missing children who caused her death were the youngest in their families. The adults never saw the connection: that the curse was the fairy's revenge.
The adults would murmur their suspicions hoping they were wrong.
They weren't.
The Jones ancestors had promptly left America to return to their homeland due to a family emergency. Their estate had flourished under several stewards throughout the years.
Now, Brennan Jones has returned to Storybrooke with his family. They are one of the six notorious founding families along with the Spencers, Mills, Midases, Golds, and Blanchards.
Brennan and his wife Alice shared two sons. The eldest had brown curly hair and blue eyes while the younger had unruly black hair and the classic bright blue eyes of the Jones lineage.
David Nolan had inherited his steward position from his father Robert. It was a family tradition. David and Brennan had met on many times to discuss the financials, and although there was an amicable trust between the families, their true friendship developed soon after the arrival of the Jones.
Liam and Killian quickly bonded with Emma, but the relationship between the youngest Jones and Emma was undeniable. They became thick as thieves quickly. Liam served as an older brother to the two, and he loved them even when they followed him around everywhere. Soon a boy Liam's age moved to the neighborhood and they became friends, Robin Locksley.
The children grew up hearing of the stories. They failed to heed the warnings until it was too late.
The night the youngest Jones boy lost his baby tooth breathed life to the dark fairy myth.
The day's end was fast approaching. Emma smiled sweetly at her friend. "Hey, Killian. Don't forget to put your tooth under your pillow. Who knows what the fairy has in store for you?"
Killian laughed, "You don't truly believe the stories are true?"
"I don't know, I mean for as long as I can remember, I've heard the stories. Uhm, I did it, and I got a gold coin." She blushed as she confessed her secret.
"A gold coin? Do you still have it?" Killian asked excitedly.
She giggled, "Well, yeah but I've got it at home. I didn't bring it with me. I could run home and get it if you want."
There was a soft knock on his bedroom door. "Killian, Emma, we are leaving now. Liam is outside with Robin if you need anything." The door slowly opened, and his mother entered with a smile on her face. "Let me look at you my handsome son, will you behave for your brother and maybe I can convince your father to take us sailing this weekend?"
Killian couldn't help smile wide at the prospect of going sailing with his family. They all loved the water, but Killian was especially fond of it. "Mum, can Emma come along?"
Alice couldn't help noticing the new gap in her son's smile. "Oh dear, did you lose another one?"
"I did it was my last one. I'm no longer the baby of the family," he stated proudly.
"Nonsense, you will always be my little boy. I love you, and yes Emma can come along if her parents allow it."
"I'll make sure he stays out of trouble, Mrs. Jones," Emma ensured.
"Emma, I know you will, you are the only one that can tame my rambunctious son. We will be back soon." She winked at the duo as she left.
"Should we watch a movie?" Killian blushed as he sat closely next to Emma on the bed.
"Did you still wanna see the coin? I can go get it." Emma nudged his shoulder with her own.
"If you like, we can go after the movie."
"Okay, so what do you wanna watch?" Emma resumed her seat.
Killian scratched behind his ear, "I remember you once told me that your favorite movie is 'The Princess Bride' I found it, and I've never seen it. If you don't mind, we can watch it."
"Are you sure you wanna watch a girly movie? I know it has a pirate in it, but you don't have to watch it just because I like it." Emma shrugs. "We can always watch some action movie."
He wanted to see it because she liked, and he liked her. He wouldn't admit it to anyone, but he fancied her a lot. Liam would never stop teasing him if he knew.
"Emma, I want to watch it. You say it's good, and I trust you."
"Okay, do you have any popcorn or something to snack on?" she asked as her stomach growled.
He smiled fondly, "I'll go make the popcorn and get something to drink. Did you want a sandwich too?"
She blushed, "Nope, the popcorn and drinks will be fine. I'll set up here."
"I'll be back." Killian left his room and made his way to the kitchen to get their snacks.
He returns to his room with a tray filled with snacks. He not only has the popcorn but some chips, sandwiches, and drinks.
They watch the movie and soon are comparing favorite pirates.
"Killian, did you still want to go get the coin?" Emma asked.
"Emma, do you mind going alone? I left a mess in the kitchen, and if I don't clean it up my parents will ground me." He gave her a slight pout.
"I can go by myself. I'm a big girl. Okay, I will be back." She smiles and walks out.
Outside Emma smiles at Liam and Robin as she makes her way home. "Hey, I'm going home for a sec."
Liam and Robin share a look as they see the younger girl jog home.
"They're really close aren't they?"
"Yes, I think my little brother is smitten and doesn't even know it." Liam smiles at his friend. "Rob, did you ever talk to Marian?"
"Yes, I did and," Robin smiled "we are officially a couple." His happiness was obvious.
"I'm happy for you two." Liam bumps Robin's shoulder.
"Come on mate, there has to be someone you fancy."
"Rob, I'm not interested in anyone. Besides, I want to focus on my studies."
"You say that now mate, but when you meet her, you'll know." Robin winks at him and they burst out laughing.
Emma approaches them smiling. "Hey guys, I'm back"
"I'm sure my brother missed you." Liam teases her.
Emma rolls her eyes and waves at them as she makes her way inside the Jones home.
Killian is in his room tidying up and looks up and smiles.
"Did you miss me?" Emma asks.
Killian smiles, "Yes, I did. So do you have it?"
Emma takes the gold coin out of her pocket and hands it to him.
Killian inspects it, "This looks very old."
"I know, uhm, they say that a fairy leaves the coin but you cannot look at her. If you do-"
"And you believe this?" Killian is skeptical.
"I didn't before, but I did find the coin." Emma shrugs.
"It could have been your parents."
"I don't know, Killilan. My parent's seemed surprised when I showed it to them. My mom cannot keep a secret."
"Emma, I don't know if I believe it, but the coin is nice." He smiles at her.
They talk until Emma has to go home, and they finally wish each other goodnight.
Killian is fast asleep when a noise wakes him. Frightened, he listens carefully. There's some scuffling, and he pulls the covers refusing to look. He swears he is not afraid, so he decides to peek.
Worse decision ever. He is startled by what he sees. There's a body hovering over him. The scarred face growls when he shines his flashlight directly to its face. It screeches as it covers its face.
Killian runs to the restroom and locks himself inside with the lights on. He hides still holding his flashlight. The doorknob shakes frantically, and the lights flicker then it all stops. He loses track of time as he hides in the bathtub.
There's a soft knock on the door. "Killian, son it's mum. Are you okay?"
"Mum, is that you?"
"Yes it is, who else would it be?"
There is silence for a moment.
"Son, open the door."
"No, there's someone in my room."
"Sweetheart, there's no one. Liam and your father are outside talking. It's just you and I."
"Mum, there is someone in my room."
"I'm gonna prove there's no one." She makes her way to his room. She opens the door wide open and speaks loudly. "No one is in here, Killy." There's a scuffling and she turns to the source and screams.
The scream quickly reaches Killian and he quickly rushes out of the restroom. In his room, he finds his mother's limp body on the floor. He kneels next to her and shakes her to try to wake her. She is so still, so unlike herself. She is always full of energy. Her pale skin is an angry red in some areas, while in others it's beginning to scald although her clothes are still as pristine as they were earlier that night. Killian cannot stop the tears from blurring his eyes. He doesn't understand what has happened. How could his mother's skin be burned when there is no fire?
Liam and Brennan run inside the house. They separate to check all the rooms for the source of the scream. Brennan is the one that arrives first. He is shocked to find his youngest kneeling next to the prone body, the lifeless form of his beloved.
Brennan moves quickly, he kneels opposite of Killian and glares at his son. "What have you done?" He gently shakes his wife's body trying to wake her.
Killian refuses to let go of his mother's bloodied hand. "Father, I didn't do anything. I was in the restroom. I told mum someone was in my room."
"Where! Where is this person? Liam and I saw no one while we rushed inside? Where?!" Brennan screams at Killian.
Liam enters the room while holding the phone, "I called 911. Someone will be here shortly. What happened?" He asks as he notices his mother on the floor and moves to go near her. Brennan shakes his head and Liam stays put understanding his father's silent request.
"Killian, come with me." Liam urged.
Not long after, the Sheriff escorts Killian out of his home to the car. Outside the neighbors surround the yellow tape. The body covered on the gurney follows not far behind.
Emma stands next to her parents and without a second thought she rushes to the car. He is looking out of the cracked window.
"Killian, what happened?" she asks softly.
"She's real. I peeked." That's all Killian says before Emma is rushed away from the vehicle and her friend.
Emma stood dumbfounded as she saw her best friend being taken away.
Months later, without any plausible explanation for the death of Alice Jones, Killian was sent to a mental hospital for evaluation after mistaken speculations that he killed his mother. No one believed his story that someone else had been in the house when Alice Jones died.
Liam and Brennan argued long after Alice's death. Brennan's anger towards his youngest would not disappear.
"Father, when is Killian coming home?" Liam waited for a response that never came. "Okay, when are we going to visit Killian?" Liam asked impatiently. "Father, Killian loved mum, you do know he would never hurt her don't you?"
Brennan stood silent avoiding eye contact with his son.
Liam stormed off. The family was broken, with his mum and little brother gone it was simply a shell. But unlike his father, he will not abandon Killian. His mum wouldn't want him too.
Brennan stood still as he heard the front door slam.
What Liam doesn't know is that he has relinquished his rights to Killian. He cannot look at his son without seeing the image of his beloved Alice, scalded, scarred and bloody.
Liam and his father fought over Killian too often. Their once-close relationship now completely destroyed. It was reduced to door slams and heated arguments.
Liam visited Killian as often as he could. Always making excuses for their father, but he knew he wasn't fooling Killian. He promised him that he would get him out of that horrible place.
"I swear little brother, I will bring you home soon." Liam's promise sealed with a warm smile.
Months passed, and Liam kept visiting Killian as often as possible at the awful juvenile facility. Only in Storybrooke, frozen in a bygone era, would a child be thrown into a mental hospital, but that was Killian's tragic fate. Killian had stopped asking about their father.
"I'm looking for work, so I can support us." Liam explained, "you are a growing boy after all, and I need to be able to feed you." Liam's wink lightened the mood.
Liam's 18th birthday was fast approaching, and he has shared his plan to join the Navy with his friend Robin and Killian. He knew his father was going to flip when he found out. He wanted him to follow in his footsteps. To someday helm the family business, Jones Jewel Shipping. All Liam knows is that he wants to get his brother back.
In an effort not to lose too much time, he wanted to be emancipated from his father. If Brennan Jones was able to give up on one son without a problem, it should be as easy to lose the other.
Liam gave up on his dreams, dropped out of high school, and settled for a job at a small boating company, Treasure Island Ferries, as a deckhand.
On what would have been a routine trip along the coast, a mechanical failure caused a fire and it resulted in an accident. Liam was one of the casualties. John Silver the owner was quickly made responsible. He had chosen to use subpar parts, and he had faced the grieving wrath of Brennan Jones. Treasure Island Ferries had quickly been disassembled under pressure of the elder Jones.
Maybe it had been an unrealistic dream of his to be rescued by his brother. The visits stopped, and on a rare moment of generosity from his father, Killian was informed of his brother's death. That same day he was shipped off to foster care. After that, he bounced around from home to home. No one wanted to deal with a kid with night terrors and anxiety.
Eventually, he grew up alone and anti-social. At first, he had tried to stay in touch with Emma. He would write to her from wherever he was. They started to lose touch little by little. Killian felt darkness follow him, and he wanted to keep the one person that still mattered to him safe and away from the dark cloud that surrounded him.
It was his fault his mother died, and he lost his brother not long after. The moment Alice Jones died was the moment his father decided he only had one son.
Years later, Killian was still terrorized by the encounter with Hester and it showed. His apartment had dozens of high powered flashlights, and it was rigged with motion detectors. His many meds spilled on the counter. They treated everything from sleep disorder, anxiety, and depression.
He was able to find the closest thing to family in his boss, Dakkar Nemo, owner of Nautilus Security. His coworkers thought of him as eccentric and slightly paranoid. Killian had become a specialist in home security. He wanted to protect families since he had failed at protecting his own.
On the anniversary of his mother's death, Killian Jones was drowning his heartbreak with rum. His brother should be with him. His mother should be with them. He should have been brave and faced whatever monster lurked that night. He didn't even feel the tears pour down his stubbled cheeks. Some days he would stare in the mirror noticing little things that he inherited from his mother or similarities he shared with his brother. He felt connected to them in those rare moments.
His phone kept ringing nonstop. "Bloody hell, take the hint" he slurred. There was finally silence. "About bloody time." Then the phone started ringing once again. He lost his patience and answered without looking at the caller id, "Oi, it's my bloody day off, I said not to bother me, Mr. Smee." He ended his tirade.
"Uhm, yeah. This is Emma, remember me?" The line went silent for what felt like an eternity.
He hissed, "sorry about that lass, I thought you were someone else. How did you find me?"
"It's what I do, I find people. I know we've been out of touch, but I was hoping for old time's sake that you could help me."
"Help you with what?" He scratched behind his ear.
Emma cleared her throat, "I don't know if you remember, but my mom was pregnant when you-" she hesitated, "when you went away." even to her ears that sounded awful, but she waited for his response.
He scoffed, "It's not like I went on holiday Emma. I uh, was taken away from what was left of my family."
"I know Killian, I was there," she sniffled, "you were taken away from me too. I lost my best friend."
The silence was back.
Emma's small voice was barely audible. "I know it can't be easy to talk about it, but - "
"Then let's not, shall we?"
"Killian, my little brother Leo, he saw her too, and my parents think he is having night terrors. He sleeps with his room light on. Please, help him. Help me."
Killian stayed quiet.
Emma decided to continue, "I know we aren't close. I know I have no right to ask for your help. I know it's selfish of me to. I just can't lose him too, not the way I lost you. He is so scared. All the doctors want to do is medicate him and he is hollow. I miss my little brother."
Little brother, in that moment he can almost hear Liam's voice calling out to him. Killian closed his eyes. "I'm sorry, I don't know if I can." He disconnected the line.
Silence was what he yearned for minutes ago. Now he was suffocated by it.
The next day, Killian woke up with a hangover. The pounding of his head only worsened because of the blinding light. He still couldn't sleep in the dark. It was his cross to bear. Slowly the night before came back to him. He walked to his bathroom to get some aspirin. His eyes were still adjusting to the light. He swallowed the pills with a discarded bottle of water in his room.
He remembered - Emma. She called him. His smile was small but genuine. The memory of her voice made him miss her all over again. He used to dream of going back for her - Emma.
Last night he was a coward. He knew this. Even in the haze of his drunken memory, he was still afraid of a ghost. Liam would tell him it was bad form to let Emma's younger brother suffer the same fate he did. Deep in his mind, he knew that he needed answers. They all did.