Temperance Tales: 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. My goodness, I didn't think I was going to type all of this so soon. Well, in any case, here is ch 20, as short as it is.
Chapter Twenty: Freedom.
"I have to wake her up."
Jefferson looked at Autumn, who was sitting on the table. She was dressed in her uniform, her bag on the floor. Her hair was down, limp almost. Her blue eyes seemed sad, sadder than any he had ever seen before. Jefferson looked at Autumn surprised. Putting down the hat, he turned his attention fully towards her.
"Why?" Jefferson said sharply, "I thought you were waiting until the curse ended."
"I wanted to," Autumn said, "But… The Snow Queen found me."
"What?" Jefferson asked sharply, "How?"
"The Master freed her," Autumn said, glumly, "And they know I've been with Gold…"
Jefferson was silent for a while, his hand tensing up. After a while, he finally spoke, "Well damn… that was not expected."
They remained silent, the only sound being the ticking of the clock in the corner. Autumn sniffed as Jefferson said, "He may be forgiving, especially if he learns the Evil Queen had her locked away."
"This is Gold we are talking about," Autumn said miserably, "He doesn't forgive people, you know that."
"Yes," Jefferson said, "But he may forgive you."
"I doubt that," Autumn said, jumping off the table and slinging her bag over her shoulder, "especially when tossing aside a damaged foster kid is much easier."
"Alice!" Jefferson said, his voice half filled with agitation and aghast. Autumn turned to him, her eyes glassy as she said, "What? What am I supposed to do Jefferson? If I don't wake her up, Morgana will kill her just to get him livid with me. If I do wake her up, he'll be angry that I kept her secret so long. And who knows what the Mages are going to do after I've proved myself."
Jefferson's eyes darkened as Autumn said, "I'm not winning this one, Jefferson."
"I know," Jefferson said, "But I don't like it."
"We'll just have to start from scratch one," Autumn said, her voice not confident. She took out the potion and poured it into a cup. She filled the cups with tea before picking up the tray. Jefferson watched her, matching her misery. She left him, walking down the hall and to the library where Belle sat waiting. Her brown hair was down today, her curls shining in the light. Belle looked up to see Autumn standing in the doorway.
"Autumn!" Belle said happily, "I almost thought you weren't coming."
"Of course," Autumn forced herself to sound happy as she placed the tray on the table. Belle looked concerned as Autumn sat down. The girl was rummaging her bag as Belle asked, "Is everything okay?"
"Everything is fine," Autumn said, pulling out a book, "I brought a new story to read today."
"Oh?" Belle said, eagerly, "Which one?"
Autumn pulled out a book and Belle took it. Reading the title out loud, Belle said, "The Secret Garden… brings out the gardener in you?"
"It reminds me of my own garden," Autumn said softly.
"I didn't know you had a garden," Belle said curiously.
Autumn nodded as she picked up the teas. Making sure to hand her the one with the potion, Autumn said, "I have a new tea. Try it, see if you like it."
Belle put the book down and took the tea cup from her. Autumn watched sadly as she drank it. Belle smiled at first before she suddenly started coughing hysterically. Autumn grabbed the cup she dropped and put it down as the woman doubled over. Autumn watched her as she sat up, eyes wide. They were filled with realization.
"Belle," Autumn said, "Is that still your name?"
"Yes," Belle said, looking around warily before staring at her with uncertain eyes.
"But you remember everything now," Autumn said, "Don't you?"
"Yes," Belle said, her voice shaking a bit. She jumped from her seat, shivering as she walked to the other side of the room. Autumn's heart fell as Belle turned around and looked at her with scrutiny.
"Who are you really?" Belle asked, "What do you want from me?"
"I have many names, Belle." Autumn said, standing up. She didn't dare approach her yet since she could tell there were no trust in her eyes. "Autumn Doe is as true as any other."
Belle still looked uneasy as Autumn looked at her sympathetically. Autumn put her hands in her pockets as she said, "All you need to know is that I'm friend of Rumpelstiltskin's."
"Rumple." Belle's distrust immediately slipped away leaving her hopeful, "He's here?"
"Yes," Autumn said, "He's here, and I will take you to him when we are done talking here. But first, I need to know what happened to you after the dark castle. I don't have a lot of time."
Belle bit her lip and crossed her arms. She walked closer to Autumn but stopped as she shuffled her feet. Belle finally spoke after a few more quiet moments, "I went to go home. But… I didn't get the welcome I had expected. My father… he was convinced that… I had been corrupted. He gave me money, anything he could to send me away."
Her voice sounded broken and Autumn felt guilty. How horrible, perhaps not as horrible as what the queen told Rumpelstiltskin but still terrible. Belle continued heavily, "I traveled the world a bit before being abducted by the Queen. She locked me away until her curse and then I've been in the asylum ever since."
"So you know about the curse?" Autumn and Belle nodded. Belle then asked, "Can you take me to him? Please, I need to know-!"
"Not yet," Autumn said, abruptly, "You and I need to come to an understanding."
"Understanding?" Belle asked skeptically.
"Yes, because I've known him awhile but I don't know you," Autumn said honestly, even though it killed her inside to say it, "You are aware that Rumpelstiltskin is the Dark One, the one with cursed powers?"
"Yes," Belle said and Autumn asked, "Are you aware of how much it effects him?"
Belle faltered, the words dying in her throat. Autumn took this as her answer and said, "His power is controlling, tempting, and ridiculously strong. So much that it takes every insecurity he's ever had and twist it in skewing his judgment. It taunts him, tortures him, so much so that he can't stand being hurt. Which you probably noticed in his little tantrum at the Dark Castle before you left. The same torment that caused him to beat your father and create the dark curse."
"What?!" anger and hurt were in her voice as she nearly jumped out of her seat. Autumn winced and said, "He created the curse because he lost his son. If you want to know more about that you need to ask him. In regards to your father…"
Autumn sighed and said, "The Queen told Rumpelstiltskin that your father had shunned you, locked you in a tower where clerics came into 'cleanse' you with scourges and…other tortures. She told him you threw yourself off the tower and died."
Belle looked horrified and swallowed hard. Autumn looked at her sympathetically and said, "Look, I understand more than anyone that this is a lot to take in and hard to understand. But I can't help him until I know your decision."
"My decision?"
"Yes, on whether to be with him or not," Autumn said with firmness and bravery that she did not feel, "I want to break his curse that's destroying him. But I will not let you come waltzing into his life to be his true love and then walk out because you decide that he's a monster. It would ruin everything."
Belle looked at Autumn straight in the face as the young girl said, "I'm not going to have you hurt him just so you can act like some hero."
Belle was quiet a moment before she said, "You really care about him."
Autumn shrugged as she said softly, "But I also care about you. And I'll still help you regardless of your choice."
Autumn turned to walk away and said, "I'll let you think about it."
"Wait." Autumn turned around as Belle watched her curiously.
"Why did you even wake me? Why wait till now or why didn't you just bring me to him?"
Autumn paused, considering how much to tell her or not. Belle waited for her answer as the girl looked thoughtfully. Turning to look at her with sad eyes, Autumn said, "As much as I know he loves you, I still wanted you to have a choice. Everyone deserves that, even if they don't always get it."
Autumn left Belle alone, who's eyes turned glassy.
S.C.
Regina walked through the hospital, ignoring everyone who passed her. It was that time of month, the month to check on her piece of leverage against the imp. Stopping by the door, she pressed the code with her free hand before the door was open to her. Walking down the stairs, Regina walked towards the woman sitting at the front desk.
"Good day, Madame Mayor." The woman said.
"Good day," Regina said, handing her the rose in her hand, "Has she had any visitors?"
"None, just the nurses that tended to her." The nurse said. Regina nodded in appreciation before walking down the hallway. Everything was fine, everything was normal. She stopped by the bookworm's room and slide open the door. She was under a blanket, which Regina thought was odd. She wasn't allowed blankets, none of the ones identified as a danger to their own life were. Pulling out her skeleton key ring, she picked one and opened the cell.
Regina walked in as the woman sat up.
Much to her rage, it wasn't her.
"WHERE IS SHE?!"
The head nurse jumped as Regina stormed down the hallway. Her eyes were angry and the Nurse was surprised.
"What are you talking about? She is in her cell," the nurse said.
"I just went in there," Regina seethed, "And it's is NOT the woman that I specifically asked to be kept in there!"
"NURSE ROGERS!" The nurse bellowed, "Come in here this instant!"
Another nurse came in, trembling as her eyes were wide.
"Where is Nurse Rogers?" The head nurse demanded.
"He's not here," she whispered, "He never showed up for his shift today."
"Madame Mayor, I am sorry I have no idea how this happened. I will investigate immediately."
"No need," growled Regina, "I know exactly who did this."
"But we need to call the police. She could be missing."
"Don't you dare!" Regina snarled, "You hush this or I will make sure your life is a living hell, you understand?"
The Nutcracker watched the fog over the lake as the Piper rowed the boat. Clara was sitting in the middle of the boat, looking rather wary. Clutching the clasp on her cloak, she looked around for anyone at all. But all she could find was an empty dock. The Piper stopped rowing as the Nutcracker tied the boat. Clara then asked, "Where is this man? I thought you said he would be here."
"He will, Clara," Nutcracker said warily, "Rumpelstiltskin doesn't always reveal himself right away."
"Oh, of course I do dearie! You're just not looking hard enough!"
All looked back at the end of the dock to see Rumpelstiltskin leaning against the post. His smile was childish and crazed as he walked towards the group. Nutcracker walked onto the dock as Piper moved Clara behind him. Rumpelstiltskin then said, "Well, well, this is the famous Nutcracker that I've heard so much about. Shame to say that you were dethroned is such a violent manner."
"It matters not," Nutcracker said impatiently, "I only came to make a deal with you."
"Yes, yes for a way to defeat your little Mouse problem," Rumpelstiltskin said, sounding rather childish and impatient. Clara noticed this and frowned crossly. Piper looked a little unnerved as Nutcracker said, "Do you have something for my needs?"
"Most certainly." There was a poof of purple smoke and a box was in the imp's hands. Holding it out, Rumpelstiltskin said, "These shoes are just what you need! Put them on any person and they will be cursed to dance for all eternity!"
The Nutcracker went to take them but Rumpelstiltskin stalled saying, "However, I must have something in return for this marvelous gift. Piper, I have a request from you."
"What?" Piper asked and Rumpelstiltskin said, "I heard you got your power from a very special person? A Mage if I'm correct."
"Yes," Piper said warily, "The Mage of Neverland. Why?"
"I am looking for another Mage," Rumpelstiltskin said, "You see, I know of every Mage except one. This one has managed to keep the secret of her identity quite well from me. I want to know how you found the Mage of Neverland."
"If I tell you, will you give us the shoes?"
"Of course! Do we have a deal?" Rumpelstiltskin said, looking hopeful in a hungry way. Piper nodded and said, "The Guardian of the Season's should know where they are. The Guardian of the Season of Sleep, Aislinn would probably be most willing to help you."
Rumpelstiltskin handed the box to Nutcracker and said, "Pleasure doing business with you Nutcracker, Pied Piper…"
He stared fiercely at Clara and said, "And good day… Miss Clara."
"Ah, Autumn. I was wondering when you would get here."
Autumn gently closed the shop door. Leaning against it, Autumn watch Gold come around the desk as she said, "You're going to kill me."
Gold looked amused and curious. Autumn kept herself pinned against the door, bit her lip. Gold finally came closer saying, "Did you punch Gage again?"
"No," Autumn scowled.
"Cursed Regina?"
"No!" Autumn scowled even more, crossing her arms. Gold finally stopped in front of her and said, "Then what, dearest, did you do that would cause said reaction from me?"
"Go look in the back of your store," Autumn said guiltily. Looking rather intrigued but wary, Gold went to the back of his shop. Autumn watched him with a heavy heart. Looking downcast, Autumn left his shop as quietly as she could.
Gold went into the back of his shop to look around. Frowning, he noticed nothing out of place until he saw someone sitting at his desk. No it couldn't be, it wasn't possible. His face went to immediate shock and distress.
"Hello Rumpelstiltskin," Belle said her legs crossed. She was dressed in a dark blue dress that emphasized her small frame. Gold walked towards her, a mixture of shock, disbelief, anger, and anguish filling his features. He finally reached her as she stood up. He touched her shoulder and said, "You're here… you're alive."
Bell smiled weakly as she hesitantly reached out to touch his face. Immediately he grasped her hand and said, "You remember…"
"Yes, thanks to your friend," Bell said, tilting her head towards the curtain, "She told me quite the story."
Gold's face flashed with surprise and anger. He then said, almost accusatory, "She knew?"
"She found me about a month ago and her friend rescued me," Bell said, thinking, "It's when the evil queen would come around to check on me."
Gold's face looked stricken and he said, "My darling Belle, tell me what happened to you?"
Belle's face fell and she said, heavily, "I was abducted."
"Regina," Gold said, almost darkly. Belle nodded and said, "She locked me away until her curse and I've been in the asylum ever since."
"For twenty eight years, "Gold fumed, his anger growing apparent. Belle nodded as Gold said, "All these years you've been here alive!"
"Yes," Belle said, firmness coming into her voice, "And you're not going to harm the evil queen either."
"How?!" Belle nearly jumped out of her skin as he stormed over to the window. "How can you ask that of me?!"
"Because I will not let you sink as low as the evil queen anymore," Belle said, walking over to him, "I will not let your power destroy the man I love."
Anger dissipated as he looked at Belle with surprise. She looked hopeful, determined, but somewhat fearful. And that's what killed him inside; seeing her fearful of him, his reaction. Belle licked her lips before saying, "I'm aware of how evil this curse is, I'm aware that you made it and I'm also aware that you beat my father because you thought he caused my death."
Gold began to tremble as Belle said as bravely as she could, "I'm also aware of how much the dark one's power controls you, twist things. And I don't care if you hate me for the rest of your life, but I-!"
Gold kissed her, long and loving. Pulling her closer by the waist, he drank her in without hesitation. Belle slid her arms around his shoulders, feeling dizzy but not of the negative kind. It was heaven, heaven or something greater they both were sure of this. Finally releasing her with some reluctance, he looked into her eyes and said, "I love you."
Smiling, Belle said, "I love you too."
Gold nuzzled her gently, obviously content. Belle smiled, more than happy to keep the peace just a little while longer.
"Promise me," Belle said, after some silence had come and passed, "That no matter how you are tempted, you won't harm the evil queen. Promise that unless she is attacking me or you, you won't hurt or kill her."
Gold was quiet when Belle asked, almost begging, "Promise me that we can be together."
"Oh," Gold reached up to stroke her cheek saying, "Sweetheart. I promise."
Belle looked relieved as she asked, "To all?"
"To all," Gold said before capturing her lips again.
S.C.
"Alright class, hand in your tests."
Autumn looked towards the front of the class bored. They had a test in math today, which was not the least bit challenging for her and she had been done for the past twenty minutes. The tests Miss Blanchard gave her never were that easy, but because of her incarceration she was not here. The substitute for Miss Blanchard was pacing the front of the classroom as the bell rang. Autumn stood up and placed her jacket and backpack on before picking up her test. She waited patiently in line as she made her way up to the front. When she got to the substitute, she handed in her paper as the teacher looked at her with interest.
"You seemed to finish early, Autumn," she said, "Were you having trouble?"
"No," Autumn said shrugging, "I was just done."
"Oh?" the substitute asked and Autumn nodded. "Well have a good weekend Autumn."
"You too."
She highly doubted she was going to, but pleasantries were always a necessity. Autumn walked out of the classroom and down the hallway. She was in deep thought when she heard Henry and Paige call her name.
Autumn stopped, turning to wait for them They both stopped next to her, braving the crowd of students that were hurrying by them.
"That math test," Henry said, "That was brutal."
"Agreed," Paige said, "But I think I did okay."
"I thought it was easy," Autumn said shrugging.
"That's because you're a math genius," Henry said.
"So Autumn," Paige said as the three continued to walk down the hall, "You haven't slept over in a while. Dad's been disappointed that you haven't come to stay in a while."
"I've been busy," Autumn said, "Especially with Kathryn missing still…"
"I know," Paige said disappointed, "I can't believe Miss Blanchard would do that. I don't. My Dad thinks there is fowl play."
Autumn winced and Paige instantly looked guilty. They made it outside and Paige said, "My Dad is picking me up today. See you guys tomorrow."
Paige hurried down the lawn to the car where her father was waiting. Autumn watched sadly as Henry asked, "You okay?"
"I'm going to the park to swing. Want to come?"
"Sure," Henry said, and the two walked away from the school. They made it to the playground, where it was surprisingly empty. They sat on the swings in silence, Henry watching her for a while. Finally he asked, "What is wrong? You seem off."
"I woke up Belle."
Henry's response was instant.
"You woke her without me!?"
Autumn winced as she swung on the swing gently. Looking at Henry with an apologetic look, Autumn said, "I'm sorry, but I had to..."
Henry noticed Autumn's quiet demeanor once again and asked, "What's wrong? Why don't you look happy that we have one more person who remembers?"
"I am, I'm just thinking," Autumn said softly, kicking her legs. Henry looked at her worried now and said, "And what's that?"
Autumn didn't say anything and Henry said, irritated, "How come you don't ever tell people things?"
"I do-!"
"No, no you don't," Henry said, almost heatedly, "You keep it to yourself instead of just trusting people, like when Felicity's stupid boyfriend was hurting you!"
"I didn't tell because no one wants to hear," Autumn said, stomping her feet into the ground to stop the swing. She was getting very agitated but Henry didn't stop.
"I did want to know! I still do want to know!"
"You mean you wanted to hear that he was hitting me when I made too much noise?" Autumn said, her voice now a vicious snap. She had jumped up from the swing, her body tense, "You want to know that Felicity would give me whiskey in hopes it would knock me out for the night because that was the only time he wouldn't hurt me? Or how about wanting to know that he would force my head underwater every time I would cry?"
"Yes," Henry said, loudly but hurried in front of her so she couldn't leave, "I want to know because anything is better than you keeping secrets!"
Autumn's eyes were getting glassy and Henry said, hastily, "Look, you're my friend. I hate seeing you like this. You're hiding something and I just want to help."
"You can't help," Autumn said, almost bitterly, "Not with this."
"Then just tell me," Henry begged, "At least you won't have to do this by yourself!"
Autumn growled loudly, which unnerved Henry as she stomped back over to the swing grabbing the chain. Tears finally came to her eyes and said, "Do you have any idea what's it's like, to not be able to say goodbye with to someone you love? Do you know what's it's like to be stuck in a position where no matter what you do, you're going to break someone's heart?"
Henry opened his mouth to call after Autumn as she ran away but thought better of it. Shaking his head, he realized that whatever Autumn was trying to sort through was not going to be easy. Walking over to the swing, Henry realized that Autumn's bag was still sitting there. Wondering if her book was in there, Henry let his curiosity get the better of him.
Autumn finally stopped in an alley way, leaning against the building to catch her breath. Tears fell down her face as Autumn breathed shakily. A sudden noise caught her attention as she looked towards the ground to see rats scurrying away. Autumn nearly jumped out of her skin and hissed almost like a cat. About to walk away, Autumn felt a little chill in the air that made her stop. Turning around, Autumn saw someone in the alley way that shouldn't have been there.
"Hello Dear," Morgana said, smirking coldly, "I must say I liked the show."
"I did what you asked Morgana," Autumn said miserably.
"I know," Morgana said, "And now that you've proven your loyalty, we have a little trip to make."
"Where?"
Morgana's smirk remained cold as she approached her. The ground beneath her feet frosted over as she walked.
"To the Mages Manor," Morgana said, smoothly.
"Yes!"
The little girl finally made it up through the rabbit hole, looking around the clearing that she had been in a long time ago. Glancing down at herself, she saw that she was not as tall or not as old. She was the age that she had once been. Judging by the scene before her, no time had passed here either. The girl stood up, brushing off her dress before sprinting back to the house. Finally coming to the edge of the woods, the girl came to the backyard of her home. There was the home, look splendid as ever. She spotted in the second story left window the dark haired man she knew as father. Her heart filled with delight, she was home.
But, in taking a step, something horrible happened.
Something hot rushed past her, burning her shoulder. Crying out, the girl threw out her hands screaming, "No!"
But nothing happened, nothing but the flames smashing into the very home she had lived in her entire life. Staring at her hands terrified, Alison said, "No…"
Alison sprinted towards the now burning house screaming, "DADDY! Daddy?!"
It was not the smartest thing to do, but Alison did not care. Her father was in there and she had to get him out, magic or not. Coughing, Alison inhaled much smoke, immediately getting dizzy. Tears were running down her face and she coughed, "Daddy!?"
But Alison collapsed then, the smoke growing too great and one thought rang through her head almost mockingly.
She had lost.
He stared at the mirror on his wall. He twirled a unique looking pen, watching a scene in the mirror. The mirror was large and round, the ruins engraved into the decorative frame glowing. A blonde woman was arguing, arguing with his puppet. Scoffing, the man said, "Ah August, you are just not subtle enough for this woman."
Standing up, the man went over and tapped the mirror in three different places with the pen. The image disappeared and ruins stopped glowing. He turned and walked through his study filled with books. Opening the door, he found himself walking through the spacious hall and to the stair well that took him down to the second floor. He finally spoke out loud, "Vespera, I need to move the house."
"Yes Creator," the automatic monotone voice spoke, "Where would you like to move to? Storybrooke?"
"No, it's not time for that move just yet," he said, "No, I need to move the house to the New York coordinates."
"Creator, I do not think August is succeeding in his mission."
"That is currently his problem," he said going down a second pair of stairs, "I need to settle affairs before the curse is broken."
"If the curse is broken, Creator. The savior doesn't seem to want to believe."
"She will," he said, "Give her time Vespera. She grew up where her origin is nothing but a fairytale."
He stepped off the final step and the voice spoke again, "If you insist Creator. How long will you need to be in New York?"
"Hopefully not long," he said, "Just enough to get everything in order."
"Your editor's heart will be broken."
"She'll be more upset that she'll have to find some other ghost writer to writer her novels. Now please move the house, Vespera. I have a five o'clock meeting."
"Yes, Creator."
The house creaked and warped shadows filled the walls as the lights outside the manor flashed. The door's handle turned on its own, clicking three times. He remained unperturbed as the creaking suddenly stopped. The warping shadows stopped as did the glowing lights outside. The noise outside was filled with city elements and he sighed.
"She hated the city," he said, "It was always too noisy."
