A/N: It's been nearly six months since I worked on this story. I sincerely apologize to those who were reading and following. It was the first story I attempted to publish without having all the chapters written in advance. I discovered that publishing as I go doesn't work well for me. Even when I have a completed outline the story often changes throughout the writing process. I couldn't do that here because everything needed to fit with what was already published. I found I was was not pleased with the story I was writing, but new and better ideas became hard to incorporate since I couldn't go back and change the chapters people had already read. I became overwhelmed and stopped working on it for a long time. I always felt bad about leaving the story unfinished. Since like much of the world I unexpectedly find myself stuck at home with a lot of extra free time, I'm back to give it another try. I hope you are all healthy and staying safe. Many thanks to all the medical caregivers and everyday heroes out there still working.

Keeping To The Plan

Lancelot entered the castle banquet room trying not to show the agitation stirring within him. King George was laughing and feasting alongside members of his nobility while his army sat in the cold, with only meager rations, awaiting the coming battle.

"Your Majesty," Lancelot interrupted as he bowed before the pompous ruler.

"Leviathan, come, tell us what is the news from the front?"

"Snow White's army is on the move just as they laid out to me in their battle plans. They believed me when I said that I needed to return to Camelot. There are no signs that they are suspicious I might be a spy."

"Such naive individuals, always willing to believe the best in people."

"That is not the only news I bring. Scouts spotted Queen Regina in the forest. She has heard you have possession of Snow White. She is on her way to the castle now."

"Does she think I will just hand Snow White over to her and give away my bargaining chip? I have the upper hand now. Let her come."

"Have you forgotten that she has magic. How do you plan to stop her? You need to secure Snow White away from the castle where Regina can't find her. That's the only way to keep your leverage over Queen Regina"

King George eyed Lancelot suspiciously, "I suppose you want me to give her over to you to hide her?"

Lancelot wished that he could volunteer to take her and make sure that she got away, but he couldn't. He knew that George no longer trusted him and he couldn't take such a chance. His role was to lead the faction of George's troops that planned to switch their loyalty to Snow and Prince James when the time came. Still he knew it was imperative to Snow's safety that the Queen not get her.

"It is too close to time for our troops to engage the enemy and my duties are there. But I would strongly recommend that her step daughter is not here when Regina appears."

King George motioned to the guard keeping watch in the corner. The man stepped forward and came to attention.

"Please deliver a message to the steward of the dungeons. Tell him to have the prisoner, Snow White, moved from the castle immediately. Take her through the woods and lock her in the deserted chapel. He should take all but one of the guards on duty with him. No other prisoner is more important than Snow White. Tell him that under no circumstance must he allow the queen to take possession of her, even if he is forced to kill the princess to keep it from happening.

"Right away, Your majesty."

The guard left the room as the King placed his hands on Lancelot's shoulders and leaned in to whisper.

"I worried after our last encounter with Snow White that I had lost your allegiance. I'm glad to see that my continued trust in you is warranted. I would hate to lose one of my best men."

There was no doubt of the threat inherit behind the King's words.

"You have my loyalty, my Liege."

Lancelot bowed his head to the King, playing the role of a loyal general. The king then addressed the men seated at his banquet table.

"Gentlemen, our General must get back to the troops soon, but before he does, he has graciously agreed to join our feast. Please raise your goblets and join me in a toast to him and our pending victory."

The men were boisterous in their praise and cheering for the man they called Leviathan as George led him to the table. Lancelot had no choice but to give in to the King's request. He hoped getting Snow removed from the premises would give her prince time to devise a rescue.

Snow White's militia, if that's what you could even call the untrained and under-armed group, marched with somber faces towards the hill where they were supposed to meet Prince James. Even the thought of help from King Midas didn't cheer them. The day before, most had been optimistic about their chances of victory, but news of Snow White's capture had thrown the encampment into disarray. The dwarves were livid with Red for not immediately following the trail to rescue their friend. They wanted to dispatch a squadron to save her immediately. Other leaders among the forces argued that Red was right. They could not deviate from the a plan. To do so would put them all at great risk, especially those men who had gone back into George's army with the intent to switch their loyalty to Snow White mid-battle. They were already in place and waiting. If this plan failed, they would surely return their loyalty to the King George, and all hope of victory would be lost.

Red's wolf instincts alerted her to the beating of hooves upon the ground well before Prince James appeared on the horizon. His horse was at full gallop as he approached. He jumped from the animal without even coming to a full stop. He was breathless when he spoke, as if he had been the one running all night and not the horse.

"Red, what happened? Where is Snow? Tell me what you know."

"On our way to find the blue fairy, we were attacked by wolves. I changed form to lead them away from Snow. Blue appeared and helped me to defeat the wolves. After that we backtracked to where I left her. By the time we got there she was gone, but there were obvious signs she was taken."

While she was telling her story, Grumpy brought the obviously parched Prince a drink of water. He allowed himself a moment to take a sip. Red could see the his pulse racing through the bulging vein in his neck, as he tried to maintain his composure. She could only hope that when she informed him of her decision to not go after Snow his famous charming side would show through.

"Do you know who it was?" he questioned.

"No, only that there were at least three, maybe four, of them and that they were on horseback."

"Where did they take her?"

"I don't know."

With a deep growl of frustration, heartbreak, and worry, he threw the cup of water Grumpy had brought him to the ground, smashing the clay pottery to pieces.

"How do you not know? You're the best tracker there is. In your wolf form you should have easily been able to follow her scent and catch up to them. How did you lose her?"

The blue fairy stepped forward to address the prince.

"Your Majesty, she did not even try. I told her that we must rescue Snow. She is our Queen, if we lose her, what good is winning this war? Her safety is to be placed above all others, but the girl did not listen."

Red glared at the fairy. She spoke the truth, but the flying pest still angered her. The fairies were always looking down on humans, as if they were weak-willed idiots. They considered themselves superior just because they had magic, but then refused to use it saying it wasn't ethical for them to interfere. From Red's way of thinking it was just an excuse. Their magic never seemed all that powerful. Ignoring the blue traitor she addressed the Prince's questions.

"What she says is true, but James know this, Snow is my closest friend...my family. I killed my mother for her. Do you not think I wanted to go after her? I had no idea how far ahead of us they might be and how long it would take to find them. I felt that it was more important to return to camp so that we could complete the execution of our battle plans that have already been set in motion. Too many lives would be forfeit if we delayed. I trusted that is what Snow would have wanted me to do, I'm sorry if you don't agree."

Prince James wanted to be angry with Red, but the look on her face was enough to know that the decision tormented her, and had taken every bit of willpower she had. He also knew Red was right, it was what Snow would want them to do, but right now he didn't care what Snow wanted him to do. He only cared that she was safe.

"I don't agree, but neither do I blame you. You did what you thought was best, but I won't leave her in danger. She is still alive, I can feel it."

His natural leadership abilities came out as he began giving instructions. "Grumpy, ready me a fresh horse. Red, gather the men. I want to address them before I leave."

"You should rest, and have something to eat first."

"I cannot rest when Snow is out there somewhere, besides, I feasted better than most of these men have in months at the table of King Midas and Princess Abigail."

Red bowed her head and left to gather the men. They came quickly, eager to hear word from the Prince. James stood before them, masking his fear for Snow, and the insecurities of a lowly shepherd boy.

"Men, I know that you are weary and things look bleak, but take heart, my friends, this war is nearly over and you will be home with your families soon. King Midas has agreed to be our ally in this matter. His troops are already on their way. Swallow your fear, for the coming battle should not be much of a fight. We have soldiers in place inside George's army who are faithful to us. You will set up here. Lancelot will lead his troops into what is a supposed surprise attack, but you will be ready. Prince Frederick and his battalions will remain hidden on the east side of the mountain until the fighting commences, at which time he will come in from behind to surround the attacking forces. Once he is in place, he will blow his battle horn as a signal for the men to switch sides. The battle should hopefully be over with very little blood spilled."

"What about the Princess?" a man yelled from the crowd.

"I will go after Snow White. Unfortunately, that means that I must leave you again, but I leave Bryant here to lead you. He is a more battle hardy knight than I, you can fully trust him. I will do everything within my power to find the Princess and return here before the battle commences, to join with you. It is my great honor to fight alongside such stout-hearted, brave, and honorable men as yourselves. Fight for you families tomorrow. Fight for the Kingdom we wish to build, one where every man,woman, and child is valued, one that works together for the good of all, one that extends kindness and keeps goodness as its motto."

The men raised their fists and shouted in agreement as Grumpy brought forth a horse for Prince James.

"Let me and the dwarves go with you?"

"I know you guys love her, but I think I will fare better on my own this time."

He mounted the steed. Red came forward and handed him a fresh waterskin.

"Where will you look?"

"I don't know, but I know someone who does. Do not worry, Red, I will find her."

Prince James turned his horse toward the watching soldiers.

"I promise I will rescue my beloved, your Princess, and together we will give her the title she was not only born to hold, but has shown herself to be worthy of…Queen Snow White.

With those words, James turned the horse and rode off in the direction of the dark castle

He probably should have approached the castle more discretely, but he did not have time. He rode right across the drawbridge and stormed through the doors. No one stopped him as he made his way through the grand entry hall and into the heart of the palace. There was no mistaking the eerie, high-pitched voice of the dark down a passage to the left. He noticed a strange golden glow coming from under the door at the end of the hallway. The Prince could hear a voice inside counting.

"17…18…19…20…21."

James kicked open the door, calling out to the dark one as he drew his sword.

"Rumplestilt-"

He was stopped before the weapon made it fully out of his hilt, frozen by some sort of magical force. He could neither move nor speak. Rumplestiltskin never looked up from his work as he continued what he had been doing.

"22…23…24…25…"

The glow was coming from a pile of sand on the workbench, next to a broken hourglass. Looking through a large magnifying glass, Rumplestiltskin was using small metal pincers to count out individual grains of sand into a small wooden bowl.

"26…27…28."

Upon reaching the number 28, he set his tool down and picked up the bowl of sand. Rumple still had not acknowledged the presence of the frozen Prince who could only watch whatever dark magic was being performed in front of him. The sorcerer took the bowl to the fireplace and used tongs to hold it over the flame. The excitement in his eyes glowed brighter than the flickering flame of the fire. After several minutes he removed the bowl from the flame and brought it back to the table. He placed it on the table and pulled a small red and gold velvet scroll from a locked cabinet behind him. He opened the scroll and placed it on the table. The scroll contained strange symbols in a language James could not read. Rumple picked up the bowl and slowly poured the contents over the scroll. The sand had melted into a molten amber substance. It appeared to James hot enough to burn the parchment, but it did not. Instead it rolled and oozed across the surface before magically dissolving into the paper itself.

"It worked."

A childlike, yet sinister giggle issued from the imp's mouth as he lifted up the scroll and turned it over several times before rolling it back up and locking it back into the cabinet behind him.

The magic holding James released and he stumbled forward as the dark one finally looked up to face him.

"If it isn't Prince Charming once again. To what do I owe the interruption this time?

James pointed to the broken hourglass. "Isn't that the Sandman's hourglass? Snow was right, you are the one behind Regina's invasion into our dreams."

"Oh no, that little venture was all the evil queen. I merely procured it from her when she no longer found it's magic useful."

"And what do you want it for? Should I be expecting a nocturnal visit from you as well?"

"If wanted you dead, Dearie, I wouldn't kill you in your sleep. What would be the fun in that? No, I have much more important plans for this. Regina is so focused on her revenge that she never even stopped to realize what she had in her possession. Very few magical objects have the power over time."

"So you seek to manipulate time. Why?"

That's for me to know. As for you, you need to stop losing your wife, or my efforts will all be in vain.

"You will help me find her then?"

"I'm afraid not," he intoned rather nonchalantly.

At his refusal, Charming lunged forward and grabbed a handful of the sand from the table. Stepping towards the fireplace, he held his fist over the flames.

"Help me or I'll drop this sand into the fire."

"And just what do you think that will do?"

"I don't know. Shall we find out?"

"Go ahead and drop it into the fire, foolish shepherd. It'll make it a mite hard to find Snow White if we are all trapped in time.

"Without Snow, time might as well stop for me. You on the other hand, I'm betting, don't want to take that chance."

Rumple stared him down a moment before settling his shoulders and backing down. It was almost imperceptible, but Charming saw a look of concern cross his swamp colored face, before the cocky leer of the dark one reappeared.

"Even if I wanted to help you, a location spell only works if you have an object belonging to the lost person. You no longer have the engagement ring since it now encircles the finger of your beloved. I've nothing to enchant to find her."

"Sure you do. The necklace you ripped from her neck. The one that was an inheritance from her mother."

"It belongs to me now, as payment for using my name in your little Excalibur hoax."

"The price wasn't hers to pay, therefore it still belongs to her."

Charming turned his hand over the fire as if to open it. With a snap of his fingers, the imp magically snuffed out the fire.

"You have a strong and noble heart. Things have worked out as they were meant to shepherd. Your brother may have been raised to be king, but you are the one who was always destined by fate for the role."

"I care nothing about being king." Charming dropped the sand he had been holding back on the table. "Now are you going to help me or not?"

Rumplestiltskin pulled a fur-lined box from a shelf in the corner and opened it to reveal the royal jewelry. He took a purple potion from a glass cabinet nearby and poured it onto the pearl strand. The necklace lifted itself from the box and hovered in the air.

"Follow it. It will lead you to your true love."

Charming was about to leave when Rumplestiltskin stopped him.

"Wait, one more thing." He took a small handful of the sand and placed it into a leather pouch and handed it to the prince. "Fairy magic by itself is not powerful enough to stop Regina, but mixed with this, Blue should be able to freeze her and temporarily strip her of her magic. It's effects won't last long so I suggest you use it wisely."

James started to reach for the pouch, but thinking twice pulled his hand back.

"With you everything comes with a price. What's the price?"

"Yes, of course. How about your sword."

"My sword? What need do you have of it? You have magic."

"Ah, but swords of noble warriors are infused with power from their victories, and yours has fought and won against a dragon in the battle for true love."

"I can't rescue Snow unarmed."

"No, of course not." Rumple point to a trunk full of weapons on the far side of the room. "There you shall find a number of blades to replace yours."

Charming picked up several of the weapons, turning them around in his hand and taking a few swings to check for weight and balance. They were well-forged and sharp. He choose a suitable replacement along with a sturdy bow just in case. He passed his sword to the imp and took the bag of sand.

Having wasted enough precious time, Charming quickly exited the castle. As if magically sensing he was ready, the floating strand of pearls took off flying through the air. Charming mounted his steed and followed at a full gallop, eager to find his true love.