TemperanceTales: I do not own Once Upon a Time in anyway shape or form and I give full credit to the creators. I don't own any fairytales not done in the show either and give credit to respectful owners.
Chapter Nineteen: Mage of Wonderland.
"So you're living with Gold now?"
Autumn was walking from school with Henry as the wind blew her hair around. The air was cold, but it was tolerable even for Autumn. She nodded and said, "Yeah, I am. So has Emma had any news on Kathryn?"
"No, I'm sorry," Henry said sadly, "She hasn't found anything."
Autumn didn't say anything more on the subject. She hated lying to Henry about Kathryn but she knew it was unwise to tell him. Besides, both Gold and Jefferson were being stubborn about not letting her see Kathryn. Even though she was knocked out, they didn't want to risk her seeing anything. Autumn then heard Henry ask, "So are you going to practice magic again?"
"Something like that, wanna come along?" Autumn asked. He nodded eagerly and Autumn said, "Okay, let's go back into the forest again. I don't feel like people accidentally seeing us and we get sent to the crazy ward. Race you there!"
Autumn took off as Henry protested, "Hey no fair! Autumn come back!"
Henry ran after his friend. Autumn was much quicker than him. She knew the back alleys much better than he, as she had much time to wander around while he had been in school. Finally reaching the other side of town, the stables finally came into view. She then stopped, grabbing the fences saying, "I win!"
"No fair!" Henry said coming up behind her, "You had a head start!"
"It's fine," Autumn giggled. She then started walking along the fences. Henry followed after her until they had entered the woods. They had walked in a distance when Autumn finally asked, "So Henry, have you ever thought about leaving?"
"Huh?" Henry asked and Autumn said, "Leaving Storybrooke I mean."
"Why would I do that?" Henry said, looking at his friend. Autumn shrugged and suggested, "To get away from Regina?"
"No," Henry said, "I figured once the curse is broken, we'll be heading back to the land of fairytales. The evil queen will be defeated so we won't have to worry about that."
"I see," Autumn said as they walked. She walked a bit in front of him and Henry asked, "Autumn? What's Wonderland like?"
"Wonderland?" Autumn smiled bitterly, even though Henry couldn't see it, "It's a land filled with things that many in this world could not make sense of. Wars are considered games, Role Players make the rules even if they contradict the other team's rules, magic is freely flowing in the world but can't be used with ease. Then there are the Wonderlander's who while queer, are lively people. Parties were always everyone's favorite thing to do."
"Do you miss it?" Henry asked, and Autumn slowed. She then said, sadly, "That life is long over for me. I stopped being Alison when my home disappeared."
"How did you get the name Autumn?" Henry asked and Autumn said, "Felicity had changed it before we moved here. She asked me what name I had wanted and I choose my favorite season. Such the name Autumn was born."
"So wait," Henry asked, "If the Hatter was brought here 28 years ago and your only eleven…how is it you know the Hatter? If you had gone to Wonderland, he wouldn't have been there."
"The rabbit hole I had fallen down had brought me to a place in Wonderlands past. So instead of taking me to the current time, I was sitting in the past before the curse had even taken place," Autumn said, stepping through the thick forest and pushed aside the tree branches, "I'll explain more later, but first I have to retrieve something."
She stepped through the branches and Henry followed. He stopped short however when seeing a house. A house he recognized to have belonged to Felicity Doe; Autumn's old house. Autumn walked on, her form tensing as she walked. Obviously she was not happy about being here either. Henry swallowed but did not say a word. Instead he followed her asking, "What is it you have to get?"
"Something that we will need in order to break the curse," Autumn said, loudly. She walked around to the back and stopped by the door. Henry stood right behind her, watching as she grasped the handle. The door opened for her with ease and Autumn entered without another word. Henry followed, but was nervous as could be. With every passing step they took, the atmosphere got tighter and stifling. When they had gotten up to the main floor, they found no furniture was left what so ever. Autumn glanced around the room, a flash suddenly bolting her vision of the last time she was here. Autumn let off an unconscious shiver and Henry asked, "Are you okay-?"
"I'm fine!" Autumn said sharply, but then looked back at him kindly. As much as she had tried to hide it, Henry saw the pain fighting to surface in her eyes. She then turned and promptly walked over to the ladder stairs. Ignoring the screaming of protests going on in her head, Autumn finally made it into her old room. She was surprised to still find the bed in there but stripped of any sheets. Not that it mattered anymore, she wasn't here for that. Autumn walked over towards the corner of the room where she stomped her foot hard. Henry had followed and asked, "What are you doing?"
"Getting what I came for," Autumn said, giving the floor one last kick for good measure. The board finally broke and Autumn bent down, she shuffled through something before pulling it out. It was a box, a small box with strange ruins upon it. Autumn pressed buttons in the proper orders before it opened. Pulling out a small wrapped object, she let out a heavy sigh. Unwrapping the old worn cloth, she revealed a silver thick chain that held a rather heavy and large looking pocket watch. As Henry got closer, he saw there were many carvings engraved upon it. Grasping the watch (which took up her entire palm), Autumn heard Henry asked, "What is that?"
"This," Autumn said turning the top dial, "Is my Timer."
The cover clicked open and the two of them watched it reveal the inside. On the inside of the lid was a mirror, sleek like still water. The inside part looked like a clock, but it had more than two hands on it and much more than the numbers one through twelve. It had not only had numbers but letters than looked like old runes. Henry watched as one of the hands turned constantly counter clockwise at a steady pace. Autumn then said, "This can show me anything I want to see from past events to current. Whether its people's memories or thoughts, I can see anything that has happened in times past or present can be seen as long as I direct it correctly."
"Why didn't you hide it in that box of yours?" Henry asked and Autumn said, "Not safe enough. People could still easily access it. Since I couldn't use magic right, I had no use for it."
"But now that you do," Henry said, almost excitedly. Autumn nodded and said, "We can use it again."
Autumn shut the lid and pocketed the clock saying, "Let's get out of here."
"Yeah, let's," Henry said, somewhat relieved. They walked down the stairs and hurried to leave the house. However, upon making it to the front yard, she found two people waiting for them. Autumn tensed up as she saw both Emma and Gold get out of their respective cars. Emma was to first to speak as she said, "What are you two doing here?"
"How did you know we were here?" Henry tried to counter but Emma gave him a look. Shuffling his feet, he mumbled, "Autumn needed to get something."
"And why didn't you just ask someone to come get it?" Emma said, crossing her arms. Autumn then said with an air of annoyance, "Because it wasn't in a place where someone could just simply get it. Why is it such a big deal?"
"Because you technically don't live here anymore and it's considered trespassing," Emma said, "You're lucky that Gold owns the property now otherwise you could be in a lot of trouble when tripping the alarm."
"Well that explains my question," Henry mumbled and Gold said, "Well now that we have sorted this out, I think its best I took Autumn home. Good day Sheriff."
Autumn stopped herself from groaning before walking after Gold. It was useless to fight him right now, considering she sure didn't feel like it. Getting in on the passenger side, Autumn strapped herself in before leaning against the closed door. Gold started the car and backed out of the driveway. The car stayed quiet until they were driving into the main part of town. That's when he finally asked the question.
"What did you go back for?"
"This," Autumn showed him the box and he narrowed his eyes. If he hadn't been driving, he would have snatched it out of her hands to investigated further. It was definitely not of this world. But she had placed it away from him, staring out the window. Gripping the wheel tightly, he asked, "Now how did you come into such a rare object of that sort?"
"My adventures in Wonderland," Autumn said dismissively, "I've had it ever since."
He finally pulled into his driveway and turned to her saying, "Now why couldn't you simply tell me to fetch it for you? Surely that would have been a preferred option than you going back there."
"It doesn't matter," Autumn said, going to open the door. He stopped her, giving her a stern look as he said, "Don't walk away from me. It does matter. I don't like not knowing where you are and coming back with magical secret boxes."
Autumn smiled bitterly as he said, "Magic always comes with a price. I'd rather you not pay for it."
"You're about five years too late for that, Rumpelstiltskin."
"We'll see about that," Gold said, pulling the keys out of the ignition, "In the meantime I'd like to know what is in that box."
"My name," Autumn said, a grin replacing her bitter smile.
"Oh? You mean your real one?" Gold said, "The one that I'm still trying to figure out with no help from you."
"I'm not supposed to. You're supposed to be the name expert," Autumn teased, her eyes filled with play, "There is only one way for you to figure out what it is."
"Oh?" Gold inquired, "And what way is that?"
"You're going to have to pry the box from my dead hands!" Autumn snatched his keys before making a mad dash for the house. Gold rolled his eyes as he muttered, "Spitfire. She just had to be a spitfire."
Autumn dashed up the stairs after kicking off her shoes. Making her way to her bedroom, she closed the door and put the box down. Waving her hand, the box disappeared in blue smoke. Good, now that was well hidden for him to find, she had to find a legitimate hiding spot for the timer. Guilt entered her mind and Autumn wondered if she should have just told him about the timer. But with his resistance to her using magic, she was quite afraid he would take it away. Putting her jacket and the timer in the closet for now, she jumped on her bed and waited. Jingling his keys in her hand, Autumn watched the door as it opened to reveal Gold.
"Annabeth," Gold inquired, staring at her intently.
Autumn giggled, shaking her head as he walked into the room. The door shut behind him as he kept guessing, "Arianna, Alyssa, Rebecca-!"
"You really should just stay with the A's," Autumn giggled.
"Ha!" Gold climbed onto the bed, wincing only a little with his knee. Pushing back her hair, Gold teased, "If I can get a cheat like than, then surely I can get an answer out of you."
"Nope," Autumn said with a Cheshire Cat grin, "You need to find where I hide the box for that."
"Or I could just tickle it out of you," Gold said, "That seems to work just as well!"
Autumn screeched, feeling Gold grab her and tickled her sides. He did this for a while, despite her attempts to break away. She finally relented, burrowing into his arms as he tickled her. Gold rolled his eyes as he finally stopped tickling her.
"But then again, not the most effective method because you'd never stop giggling long enough to give me an answer."
"No," Autumn said falling on his lap, "You'll just have to find where I hid the box."
"And judging by the flick of magic I felt minutes ago," Gold said sternly, "You're hiding somewhere other than this room."
Autumn's smile vanished as Gold said, "I don't want you using magic."
"I can't help it," Autumn said, sighing, "If I don't use it for little things, it'll blow up in a great way. That's always how it's been."
"It sounds like there is too much of it." Gold pushed back her hair and said, "Why would a child obtain such great amount of magic?"
"Because," Autumn said, "It was given to me to save my life."
"Save your life?" Gold asked intrigued and Autumn nodded. She then said, "I was running from the Queen's guards and I fell into the lake. A siren occupied that lake and took pity on me I guess. She… breathed magic from wonderland into me."
"Sounds more like she cursed you," Gold said, heavily, "Magic is a burden."
"If used for the wrong thing," Autumn said, "Like turning someone into a snail."
She shot him a look and Gold then said with a smirk, "Well, since you seem to like telling stories, why don't we open that book of yours and read the story you owe me for the week."
Autumn smiled and left his lap in order to get her book from the nightstand. Mr. Gold leaned against the back board as she opened the book saying, "So which story would you like to hear today?"
"How about your favorite?" Gold said touching her nose. Autumn froze before saying, "Ummm let's see…"
"Can't pick one?" Gold said looking amused. Autumn pulled out her glasses from the stand and Gold looked at her confused. Autumn put them on as Gold asked, "You wear glasses?"
"Yes," Autumn looked at him and Gold said, "I've never seen you wear them before. You didn't wear them last time you read."
"Because some of the stories I know by heart," Autumn said, flipping the pages. Gold watched her flip the pages until he saw something that caught his eyes. Stilling her hand, he saw the title of the story: Rumpelstiltskin. Autumn looked at him as he flipped through the pages. He then said, "So my story is in here too…"
"Yes," Autumn said, "It is."
He examined the pages and said, "These pages look more worn than the others."
Autumn paled a little bit as Gold looked at her. Autumn then said almost nervously, "Well my dad was still in the process of making this book so some of the stories. This was one of the first ones."
"No, I mean it looks like these pages have been flipped more," Gold said, examining the book, "I'm not talking about age of pages."
Autumn looked down at the book and Gold raised his brows saying, "Ohoh? Do I have an admirer?"
"Shut up," grumbled Autumn. Gold smirked and slide her arms around her, tickling her sides saying, "It seems I do have an admirer."
"Will you quit tickling me?!" Autumn said as her laughter took over. Gold then growled, "No, no, I will not stop until you behave, dearie."
"Cut it out!" Autumn tried not to shriek as he tickled her. The book was prodded by the movement and pages flipped to a picture. It was of a boy with dark brown hair and a kind smile. Gold noticed and stopped, staring at the page. Autumn wondered why he stopped when she saw the picture. She then leaned against him and said, "Baelfire…your son."
Gold touched the page, his eyes looking rather turbulent. Autumn felt a stab to her heart as she watched him. That must have been a bit of a slap to the face. Autumn looked up at him and asked, "Do you miss him?"
"Do I miss him," Gold laughed bitterly, "That's like asking if you miss your father."
Autumn inhaled deeply, tears springing to her eyes. But not for the reasons Gold would have thought if he had been looking at her. Autumn swallowed as he held her in his arms, not knowing the expressions on her face. Staring down at the book, Autumn asked, "Is he why you made the curse?"
"Yes," Gold said softly, "I was angry; angry with the blue fairy for sending him there with no chance of getting back and angry at myself for letting him go. Then I tried looking into the future to see where he was with a mirror much similar to the one your father used and instead I saw something else."
"What did you see?" Autumn asked and Gold exhaled. Kissing the top of her head, Gold said, "Utter chaos. It looked like Hell on earth. Do you know Regina's story?"
"Yes, Daniel, her true love died from her evil mother ripping his heart out," Autumn said coldly. Gold then said, "Her mother, Cora, was a witch, quite snotty and prideful in personality. Well Regina had learned to use magic, from me."
"Wait, you taught her magic!?" Autumn said pointedly. Gold nodded and said, "I had helped Regina be free of her mother's control. To have her freedom."
Gold shook his head and said, "Everything I have done has a reason. Many of the 'evil' things I have done have been for the better. IF I hadn't, there really wouldn't have been any happy endings. Ever again. Regina's mother hatred would have completely destroyed Regina, making her much more evil than she is now. True there are some deeds of mine done in selfishness, I won't deny that…"
"We all have our selfish decisions," Autumn said looking up at him. Gold then said, "Yes, that much is true. I can't imagine any of your decisions being very selfish as mine."
Autumn shifted uncomfortably saying, "Some are more so selfish than yours in different ways."
Gold then adjusted the seating arrangement so he was nose to nose with her when he spoke again, "I can't say I like you keeping secrets."
Autumn opened her mouth to speak only words failing to come out. But before she could speak up, there was a loud banging at the door. Gold growled and Autumn immediately took that as a cue to get off him. Gold, however, gently tilted her face back to him whispering, "I'll be back for that secret, dearest."
Mr. Gold left with irritation. Who would be bothering him here? No one except Autumn had ever come to his house. Well, not including the time the sheriff came to investigate the break in. Finally getting down the stairs, Mr. Gold walked over to the door and opened it up to reveal an unpleasant sight.
"Regina," Gold said, "Do what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I just came to congratulate you," Regina said walking into the entrance of his home, "On your successful attempt in getting rights over Autumn. I would imagine an adoption is coming soon?"
"Once she's ready for it," Gold said tersely, "Is that all?"
"Oh hardly," Regina said, walking forward, "I just wanted to inform you of several little facts before you tie yourself to a girl you barely know."
"Pardon me?" Gold said and Regina said, "This girl, Rumple. She's a liar."
"And how is she a liar?" Gold asked and Regina said, looking at him with fake surprise, "Don't you know? The child came into my office the other day, threatening me with magic."
Gold laughed and said, "And this surprises you?"
"What?" Regina asked sharply, "You knew?"
"Of course I knew," Gold said, "Little happens in this town without my knowledge."
Gold stepped closer as Regina's face briefly contorted in anger. He then said, "Now, dear, I am going to tell you this only once. I don't care if that child is a nobody from this world or a powerful being in another, I will not let you hurt her. She is under my protection until the day I die, which I promise you dearie won't be anytime soon."
Regina then smirked and said, "I wouldn't bet on that Rumple, people who get close to you wind up getting hurt."
Gold restrained himself from punching her smug face and indicated towards the doorway saying, "Good day to you, Your Majesty."
Regina left, shutting the door behind her promptly. Gold sighed and he suddenly heard Autumn's voice, "Is she going to ruin this?"
"No," Gold said turning around to see Autumn looking rather nervously at the door. She walked down the stairs, stopping a few steps from the first floor. Looking back at him, he noticed the slight redness in her eyes. Immediately, he went to her and brushed the wetness on her cheeks away. "No she can't do anything to us anymore. Why did you use magic in front of her anyway?"
"Just to let her know I could jinx her if I so wanted to," huffed Autumn and then added somewhat sadly, "I just wanted her to leave me alone."
"And she will," Gold said, reassuringly, "Just don't use magic in front of her again. Unless you're doing it in self-defense, then feel free to blast her through a wall."
Autumn couldn't help but laugh at that. It was weak and almost bitter, but a laugh all the same. Gold then said, "Now off with you. I'm going to start to make supper and you can read me that story in the meantime, provided we have no more interruptions."
Autumn nodded and walked back up to her room. Gold sighed, gripping his cane tightly. She was a handful she was. But she was far from an unwanted handful. Walking into the kitchen, Gold began to make dinner for the two of them. As he cooked, Autumn came into the kitchen with her glasses back upon her face and the book in hand. Autumn opened it up, glancing over at him. A warm, spicy aroma wafted around the kitchen as Autumn finally said, "Alright! Here is a story for you."
"I'm all ears," Gold said, glancing back at her. Clearing her throat, Autumn said, "Once upon a time, in a land of chilling diamonds, a young prince lived with his father the King. The King loved his son dearly but was afraid for the boy. For you see, the boy was rash and hot headed. Both of these traits would not help the prince rule once the King was gone. So the King appointed a new chancellor to help the prince once the time came."
"Well isn't this a familiar tale?" Gold jested as he turned off the stove. Autumn grinned and continued on, "However, the King did not realize the chancellor was wicked at heart. He was really a mouse enchanted by the sorceress of the realm to look like a human. He did not want to help the future King, he wanted to be the future King. So he killed the King, revealing his true nature to the Kingdom. The rash prince lashed out against the now Mouse King, but he was too foolish."
Suddenly the lights went off, casting them into darkness. Gold sighed irritated before going in the cabinet above for a lantern. Autumn's voice rang out in the darkness, "Really? Really?! I think your house hates when I tell you stories."
Gold chuckled and said, "Don't worry, I've got a light here and supper is ready."
Autumn then saw a rather decent light come out of the lantern as he set it in the middle of the table. Autumn then watched him serve their dishes and she said, "Shall we continue after dinner then?"
"Yes, since fate seemed it prudent to leave us on a cliffhanger," Gold said coming back and putting the dish down next to her. Autumn put the book on the chair next to her before taking her dinner. He sat with his own as Autumn took the fork. Taking a bite of the dinner, Autumn watched him eating his own. Swallowing, Autumn asked, "So I have a question. If you were able to see Belle or Baelfire again, what would you do?"
Gold was quiet, acting almost if he hadn't heard her. It might have been too personal of a question, so Autumn almost immediately gave up on hearing an answer. But as she continued eating, Gold said, "Make it right."
"Mmm?" Autumn swallowed her food, looking at him surprised. Gold said, not evening looking at her, "I would make it right, for both of them. If Belle were alive I would have finished what we started."
Autumn snorted, nearly choking on her food. Gold looked at her in alarm as Autumn cleared her throat. She gave a sheepish grin and said, "Sorry, that was a...weird choice of words."
Gold looked somewhat amused but didn't comment. Instead he said, "I would have given her the happily ever after that she had wanted. Which, coincidentally, would have tied into my son's wishes."
"Oh?" Autumn asked. Gold nodded, absentmindedly before saying, "He wanted me to get rid of my powers, so we could be a family again. True loves kiss will break any curse, including my own."
"Oh," Autumn said, obviously surprised, "I see."
"What?" Gold said, looking at her questioningly. Autumn said, "No, it's nothing."
Gold looked at her, disbelieving. Autumn looked around and made a face saying, "Seriously though, why did the lights go out so suddenly?"
"I'm not sure," Gold said before finishing his dinner, "Probably a down power line somewhere."
Autumn finished her dinner as well and let Gold take her plate. After he had taken care of the dishes, Gold grabbed the lantern and said, "Come, let's move to the study."
Autumn nodded and followed him there. As she sat down with the book, she watched Gold get the fire started. If he would let her, she could have just started it for him. But she wanted to respect his wishes and sat waiting for him. Thinking of his wishes, she was reminded of her own. God she hoped this potion worked (whenever she was ready to use it); otherwise he and she would be screwed. At least if this worked, he would have his happily ever after. Finally sitting down next to her, Gold waited for Autumn to continue her story. Clearing her throat, Autumn finally continued.
"The Mouse placed a curse on him, turning him into a Nutcracker. He dropped him into the Dark Sea, where the Mouse King was sure he would remain forever. However, Fate had pity on the prince and had the Sea him to the shore of a merchant's home. The daughter of the merchant found him, tending to the nutcracker who had been through so much. The Nutcracker told her of his tale and the merchant's daughter resolved to help him. Her father being the merchant he was had mushrooms from a land beyond that could make the nutcracker returned to his normal size. The Nutcracker did so, but he was still made of wood. So the two set off on an adventure, the daughter leaving behind the family she loved to help the prince. They traveled far and wide to find a way to return him to normal. However, it wasn't until they met a man in a tavern that they ever discovered a way to not only return him to normal but to defeat the Mouse King. This man's name was Pied Piper and he knew of a sorcerer that could give them an item that would trap the Mouse King forever. The sorcerer gave them shoes with an ancient curse, to make a person dance for all eternity."
"Ahh yes, those horribly ugly red dancing shoes," Gold said, staring off into outer space, "How they got them on his feet-!"
"If you keep interrupting to give spoilers, I'll just stop now," Autumn teased.
"Oh no," Gold stared at her intently," No, no, no, no. I am owed this story, dearie. Whether I know how it ends or not is irrelevant."
Autumn giggled as he tapped her nose saying, "Continue."
"Fine," Autumn said, "The Nutcracker and his companions set out to defeat the Mouse King. Unfortunately, the Mouse King had an ally, the Snow Queen. She tricked the Nutcracker into getting captured by the Mouse King, who in turn order that a great bonfire to be set up to kill the Nutcracker. However, Clara and Piper came to his rescue. While Piper freed the Nutcracker from his imprisonment, Clara disguised as a servant came forth with the shoes. She said that they were shoes blessed by the Queen of the Ice Fairies herself to keep the wearer from suffering any injury ever again. The Mouse King in his foolish greed put them on, only to soon realize he had been tricked. He went to attack Clara, struggling against the power of the shoes and trapping her onto the balcony. The Nutcrack stopped him, taking the blow of the Mouse Kings Sword. Piper blew his Magic Pipes, causing both the mouse and the shoes to freeze. Clara cried over her beloved Nutcracker, kissing him softly. True loves kiss warmed him from within, breaking the spell that held him captive. The companions rejoiced at their victory. The Prince became King as Clara became Queen. As for the Mouse King, he was imprisoned in the darkest dungeon, never to be seen again."
"And they all lived happily ever after," mocked Gold.
"Doesn't say that," Autumn said giggling. She went to shut the book, only for Gold to stop her. He flipped the pages, until he stopped at a story that made Autumn cringe.
"Alice in Wonderland," Gold said, eyeing the title and the picture, "Well dearie, I didn't know your hair used to be blonde."
"It wasn't," Autumn scowled, "The story is wrong."
"Well obviously," Gold said, "But why?"
"My father couldn't see every story," Autumn said, "He never understood why. But I think, because I hadn't gone down the rabbit hole-!"
"To him, the story had not started yet," Gold mused.
"Yeah," Autumn said, "This story is based off the one told in this world. Which isn't right. Not completely."
"So you didn't run a caucus race?" Gold teased. Autumn was quiet, closing the book and staring down at it sadly. He sobered, realizing the touchiness of this topic. He watched her before asking, "I have to ask… who chooses a child as a Mage? Surely the other Mages from that council or whatever it is didn't like it."
"No one did," Autumn said honestly, "None of the other Mages were happy about it. They were more than happy to help occasionally to get me back up the rabbit hole."
Gold nodded slowly and said, "How did you end up back in this world?"
"In becoming the Mage, I was brought into Wonderlands Game. The only way to go home for me was to defeat the Queen of Hearts."
"But you didn't kill her."
"No," Autumn said, almost ruefully, "I spared her, I couldn't kill her. While her vanity and bloodlust was horrible, I couldn't forget the kindness she had shown me. But I defeated her, and imprisoned her in her own castle. After that, I was able to go home."
"Why do I sense an unhappy ending follows?"
"Because it does," Autumn said, looking down at the cover, "Not all stories have happy endings. The Queen was angry with me, and she broke the rules of the game. She sent a curse, a fire that destroyed everything in my home. Including my father…"
Gold tightened his jaw as Autumn leaned into the side of the couch. She looked forlorn as he leaned over. He took the book putting it on the table before saying, "Well, that's certainly answers some of my questions about you… But now the topic is much too sad for my liking."
Autumn almost shrieked as he began to tickle her. His firm grip kept her from escaping as her laughter filled the room. He finally stopped, allowing her to fall back into the cushions on the couch. She looked up at him and asked, "Why do you always tickle me?"
Gold stroked her hair out of her face and said, "Because I would much rather hear your laughter that your cries."
S.C.
"Autumn! I almost thought you weren't coming today."
Autumn smiled warmly, watching Belle from her lounge seat. Belle signed Hello, her eyes filled with mirth. Autumn signed back sheepishly as she said, "Sorry, I've been preoccupied lately."
"Because Kathryn's been missing," Belle asked quietly, watching Autumn carefully.
Autumn's smile vanished at the name and she shuffled her feet. Nodding her head, Autumn said, "Yeah. Because of that."
"I'm sure she'll turn up soon," Belle said kindly, "Especially with everyone looking for her."
Belle reached out her arm, inviting her into her space. Autumn gladly took the invitation, scooting in right next to her. Belle signed, "Have you been practicing?"
"Some," Autumn signed back, "Gold thinks I'm crazy for moving my hands for no reason."
"Gold?"
"A man I live with."
Belle looked curious as she asked out loud, "Is this the man Jefferson is working with? The one in the nice suits and cane?"
"Yeah, that's the one," Autumn said.
Belle looked at Autumn, pushing her hair out of the way. Belle was quiet for a moment when she finally asked, "Is he your uncle or something?"
"What? No!" Autumn said, "I mean, hopefully my adoptive father in time but anyway…"
It was clear that Autumn didn't really want to discuss it further so Belle changed the subject.
"Why don't we do something different today?" Belle said, "Let me read you something."
Autumn looked curious as Belle picked up the book on the table. It was a children's book, or at least it looked it. On the title, it had the words The Little Prince. Autumn looked confused as Belle said, "Here. Read this."
"But you just said you would read it," Autumn said.
"I will," Belle said, "But not with my words."
Autumn realized what Belle was getting at when she signed The Little Prince. Autumn grinned as Belle said, "You read, I sign. By next time, I want you to pick a book that you can sign and I will read it. Deal?"
Autumn nodded eagerly as Belle excused herself to go to the bathroom. It wasn't a wonder that Gold had fallen in love with her. She really was just as beautiful and loving as he said. Autumn's smile vanished as she thought about the potion she had safely tucked away. Finish what he started… the more she held onto the potion the guiltier she felt. They could be going after their happily ever after if she would just give her the potion.
But Autumn couldn't. She couldn't because she knew she would lose them both once she did.
S.C.
"Good Morning Sheriff," Gold said as the door to his shop closed with a bang, "What can I do for you?"
"I need to talk to you," Emma said, her voice firm and desperate, "Regina's setting Mary Margaret up."
"And this surprises you?" Gold said, putting down the lamp he was examining, "Where is your proof and we'll get this done and over with-?"
"That's the thing," Emma stated, leaning on his desk, "There isn't any, nothing that's court worthy anyway."
"Well," Gold said, looking rather amused, "Look who's suddenly become a believer. Why are you here, Miss. Swan? To spit conspiracy theories?"
"I need help," Emma said, and Gold said incredulously, "From me?"
"Every time I've gone up against Regina I've lost," Emma said, "Except for one time, and that's when you helped."
"Last I checked, you don't approve of my methods," Gold said and Emma said, "I approve of your results."
Gold's look of amusement went to a smirk as he said, "Well then I have only one question. Are you willing to go as far as it takes?"
"Farther," Emma said, "Now what do you want in return?"
Gold chuckled and said, "Well dear, you get right to the point. Very well, there is something I have that you can do for me."
"What is it?" Emma asked.
"I need you to find someone for me," Gold said, seriously, "Once this case is all done and over with. He's a man that would be in his early forties. He should, if I guess correctly be somewhere in the Boston area."
"Alright," Emma said, clearly relieved that it wasn't something more sticker. Or at least that's what she hoped. "Deal."
Gold smirked and said, "Don't worry, Miss. Swan you are much more powerful than you think when it comes to Regina."
Emma looked at him as Gold picked up the magnifying glass as Emma asked, "What's his name?"
"What?" Gold asked, looking back up.
"The man's name," Emma said, "What's his name?"
Gold smirk died a little before looking back down at the lamp. Emma raised her brows as the room remained silent a little longer. But luckily, he finally stated the answer to her question, "Don't you worry about that yet, dear. I will tell you once I'm ready."
S.C.
Autumn made her way to her bedroom, Gold currently busy at his shop. He told her to stay in and he would come back with dinner. It was fine because she wanted to make sure the Timer was still safe. Opening the door, she dropped her backpack against the wall as she turned on the light. Instantly she felt her stomach drop. Someone was sitting on her bed, someone she didn't expect to see in a million years.
Or at least three.
"Well hello dear," Morgana said, her hair almost as white as her dress. She was sitting cross-legged and her hands resting on the bed. Smoothing the comforter, Morgana said, "What a wonderful little room the Dark One's provided for you. You must have become someone very special to that little Imp."
"How are you here, Morgana?" Autumn asked, "Emma said the police-?"
"Oh let's just say the Master was very forgiving," Morgana said, "And was very intrigued when I told him his little apprentice was still living."
Autumn swallowed as Morgana stood up to walk around the room. She looked around as she said, "I must say, the dark one seems very fond of you. Tell me, does he know all your secrets? Those you keep locked away in Wonderland, those that are in the Hatter's Mansion, or how about the one piece of paper that could rock your whole world."
"What do you want Morgana?!" Autumn said, loudly.
"What I want?" Morgana said turning to look at Autumn, "I want you to wake up that little maid."
"She will wake up," Autumn said, stubbornly, "When this curse ends."
"Oh no, no, no," Morgana said, walking towards Autumn, "I want you to wake her up with that little potion of yours."
"Why?" Autumn said.
"Because I, as well as others, want to make sure you are still loyal to the council. Living with the Dark One leaves some of us quite concerned with your intentions."
"I'm not hurting anyone," Autumn said, "I'm still as loyal as I was when I left."
"Then prove it," Morgana said, "Give her the potion and you may just find we can help you in your quest."
"And if I don't?" Autumn said, stoutly.
"Then you will find that things may go cold for that little maid of his," Morgana said, "And if she dies, the Dark One will NEVER forgive you for hiding her and letting her unfortunate fate occurs."
Morgana grabbed Autumn's chin and Autumn gasped as she felt a crippling chill. Her magic was powerful, more powerful than hers was currently. Autumn glared at her as Morgana said, "Regardless of this pretty room or other trinkets he gives you, you will always just be that foster child and her his true love. Remember your place because it is not significant to him in his scheme of things."
"Clara."
Clara looked around to see the Nutcracker walk up to her. His wooden features were so life like it was surprising. Clara did not look surprised as she walked up to him saying, "What is it, Nutcracker?"
"I wanted to thank you," Nutcracker said, "For saving my life."
Clara warmly smiled and said, "Well, I couldn't let them hurt you could I?"
Nutcracker reached out to touch her face, but sadly could not feel it. That was his curse after all; he was now made of wood. The snow around them danced playfully. The forest protected them from most of the wind and any unwanted eyes. She touched his wooden hand as he said, "But I'm afraid we must part."
"What!?" Clara looked stricken as the Nutcracker said, "I cannot let you get hurt, Clara. Not because of me. And where we are going is much too dangerous."
"I will not," Clara said determined, "Be left behind! I will not let you do this alone."
"Clara," the Nutcracker sounded upset, "Don't make this harder than it has to be."
"I should be the one saying that, not you!" Clara said indignantly, "What is so dangerous that I have not see already?!"
The Nutcracker pulled her closer, holding her as gently as he could. He then whispered, "While Pied Piper is strong, the Mouse King is powered by the Snow Queen, Morgana. His power won't immobilize the Mouse King for long. We must go to someone very dangerous to defeat the Mouse King once and for all."
"Who is this person?" Clara asked and The Nutcracker sighed softly. He stroked Clara's hair, wishing he could feel it. Mumbling softly, he said:
"His name is Rumpelstiltskin," the Nutcracker said.
