PROLOGUE
Deep in the forest, on the edge of Storybrooke...
In the deepest part of the ancient woodland, or at least the ancient woodland recreated by the same curse that created Storybrooke, lay a cottage. A seemingly old, timber-framed, thatched cottage that to the outside, looked almost dilapidated. The former hidden woodland retreat of Will and Anastasia, the thief and the Red Queen, who had abandoned it long ago.
But the inside of the cottage was completely at odd with the outside. Also small, it was well furnished, housing a currently roaring fireplace, pictures on the walls, a small kitchen area, and a decent sized, sumptuous double bed. And it was surprisingly well lit. All the result of magic. Magic produced by the tall, flamboyantly dressed woman currently sitting at the small desk by the side of the bed, with various bottles, potions and ingredients laid out in front of her.
The woman, a recent and very unwelcome newcomer to Storybrooke, was trying to create a love potion, with the ingredients in front of her and an ancient spell book beside. But she was getting frustrated. The Henbane and Mandrake Truffles were difficult enough to grind into powder; but the Bainberry was the trickiest to mix in. Too little, and the victim would feel a mild and temporary euphoria. Too much, and the effects could be explosive. But just the right amount, and the two intended recipients would feel an adoration for the older woman who just wanted to be seen as their sister. The effects would be temporary, lasting one, maybe two weeks at most. But just enough time for Ingrid to convince Emma and Elsa that they should come with her. And all they would have to do, is unknowingly inhale the potion.
"Dammit!" Ingrid growled, as two thin slices of root fell into the solution, fizzing on contact with the liquid. Only one should have gone in at this stage, and the result was a much darker green than intended, and too early. "Why doesn't the damn book say the quantity of bainberry, rather than the colour for each stage?"
Nonetheless, the Ice Queen, battled on, following the book's instructions as precisely as she could. However, her concentration was completely interrupted by a loud rapping on the other side of the door.
Dammit! She already knew who it was, sensing the man's powerful magic, even from inside.
"Wait a minute, Dark One!" She yelled back. "I'm changing!"
Rolling her eyes in frustration at his terrible timing, she stood, focusing her magic so that all the various bottles and ingredients were instantly teleported from the table into the nearby kitchen cupboard, on the top shelf, including the dark-green flask of liquid she's been working on, at the front. Despite the hours taken, she'd have to throw it away and start again!
Then she moved across to open the door, to face that infuriating grin.
"Hello dearie! Missed me?" The Dark One gave her a devious smirk.
"Most certainly, Rumpelstiltskin..." She arched an imperious brow at him. "However, I'm sure my aim will improve given time? You'd better come in."
"No need to be like that…your Majesty. I come bearing news. And something I know you seek. But as always, it comes at a price!"
~oOo~
Unfortunately for Ingrid, her plan of using three magical ribbons, supplied by Rumpelstiltskin, on Emma and Elsa, to bind them to her before unleashing the Spell of Shattered Sight on the little town, failed. And with regret for what she had done, she sacrificed herself in order to break the spell.
So the Ice Queen, only a day after Rumpelstiltskin's visit, was dead.
Having left the cottage early that morning, she had no idea that she wouldn't be returning. So drawing down her magic, she enclosed the entire building in a magical 'bubble', making it invisible from outside, with all the magic within kept in place, including a magically burning fireplace, lighting and of course, the unfinished, failed potion.
The potion that would cause far more devastation than she could ever have imagined!
~oOo~