(Daniella's POV)

The darkness gave way to light as I slowly opened my eyes, initially squinting away the brightness. As they adjusted to the environment around us, I breathed heavily. Even the air smelt different; it was slightly fresher, with more of a wet rainy taste to it. I looked around and saw that we were no longer in the grass of the showgrounds. We were in a large clearing, that was surrounded by trees in the distance on either side. I looked up and saw familiar mountains with caps of snow on top. Somehow, we had ended up on the Northern highway. Surprisingly, it seemed like everyone else had been transported here too, despite their social position in Storybrooke. Not far from us, was Henry and his family. Emma and him were the only ones not dressed in clothes from the Enchanted Forest. I looked at what I was wearing, and was glad that I was finally back in my own clothes. Although the ones from Storybrooke allowed mobility, I found the dresses here simply more beautiful.

As father put down his arms, mother stood and helped me up. I wasn't aware of how much time had passed between getting hit by the arrow and the curse arriving, but it was clear that there was at least enough for mother to have a change of fashion. I grinned and said, "I like it, it's perfect for the day of the curse."

By the expression that she gave father, it was obvious that I shouldn't have linked the curse with her. Despite his confusion, he chose to ignore them for the time being as he pulled in my mother for a kiss. I looked away awkwardly and walked over to Henry. As I was going out of range, I heard my father's voice say quietly, "It's...uh, it's different."

"Do you not like it?" Mother asked in a small voice.

"No, it's just...you've matured so much. That girl back in the other land called you 'your majesty'. Did you end up marrying him?"

I turned my head briefly and saw mother rest her head against his chest. Well, this will be new for all of us.

Henry's voice interrupted me. I jumped as he appeared by my side suddenly. "Is that the stableboy?"

I frowned at Henry simply because he had avoided talking to me ever since the incident with his heart. I snipped back, "Yeah, that's my father. Why do you care? It's not like they're your parents."

Henry huffed and stalked back to David, who was walking briskly towards the others, on the opposite end of the clearing. I created a little fireball in the palm of my hand, just out of habit. However, I extinguished it when I heard mother's voice call, "Firefly, put it out."

I turned to see her making her way towards me with her arm linked around father's. When they came close enough, I asked, "Are we going to meet up with the others?"

Mother squinted at the group on the opposite side of the grassland. They had congregated near a little pavilion. She sighed and replied, "I guess. They should know what had broken the curse."

Father questioned, "They?" I let mother answer the question as I didn't know what or what not to reveal. She replied simply, "The other people from Storybrooke. And it seems like most of the royal leadership group are there too."

He turned mother around gently with his hands on her shoulders and said, "Darling, I've just missed...what is it? Maybe 10 years of-"

"Almost 50," mother corrected.

His expression was priceless and I suppose it just made him even more confused yet amused at the same time. "Well, exactly. I was never a great mathematician but those years don't match with your age, do they?"

Before mother could speak, I said quickly, "I mean, I'm actually 16. Wonderland just slowed down my aging process."

"You're..." When we began to walk again, he said, "You two must tell me everything, especially you, Regi-"

"I will!" I didn't expect mother to snap. Right after she said that, she looked nervously at Daniel and shook her head. With a softer voice, she said, "I will, I promise. I just don't know, I don't how to...begin." Then, she rushed off, leaving us behind. Father tried to run after her but I shouted, "No wait! Daddy!" He turned around. As he trudged back, we both watched mother leave us and head briskly for the group by the pavilion. He put his arm around my back and said, "Did I say something wrong? Is she alright?"

I nodded. Without intending for the question to come out weird, I asked awkwardly, "How much do you love Mama?"

He looked surprise at my question. "Daniella, you know how much I love your mother. We broke the curse as a family remember?"

I regarded him with a frown. He knelt down and asked, "My girl, why are you concerned?"

I bit my lip for I didn't know how to reply. Eventually, I went with, "You'd forgive her for some things she isn't proud of, would you?"

Father nodded. "Of course. I'm still in love with that sweet girl in her signature teal riding jacket." Then, he bent his head to a side and added as a side note, "Well, I mean, it seems like she has changed her colour palette from when she was 18 years old."

I laughed. "Yeah. I haven't really known her for anything other than that."

"Oh, you haven't?"

I decided to blurt out some information anyway as I know he'll find out anyway. I was hesitant at first, but as I explained, I got a little more confident. "I haven't actually been living with mother for the majority of my life. We were separated when I was a baby."

"What?! How?" Father naturally asked.

I looked down but he said quickly, "Daniella, please tell me. Or I'll pester your mother until she does." I gazed into his eyes, the ones many say that mine resemble. I took a deep breath and began, "A knight left me in the forest, where I was swept away in a portal that took me to Wonderland. There, I stayed for 7 years, before I escaped and sought the help of the Chesire cat. It took me back here, but I had no idea who my parents were. I spent a year in the village orphanage before I discovered that I could perform magic. The day after, mother found me because fireflies led her to my magic."

"Fireflies. That's why she calls you that, right?"

I nodded, "Mmhmm, she said that it's the symbol of the true love between you and her-"

"And I assume that you're part of it too, Dani. I've heard how one can acquire light magic from being the product of true love. Is that real, or just a myth?"

I created a little glow of white light in the palm of my head and smiled. Father looked totally stunned by it. "And Regina? She used magic to send that girl back to her family. When did she start using magic? Was it because of our true love? Or is it hereditary...from her mother?

"You remember Cora?"

Father chuckled, "How could I forget? She arrived at the most unfortunate moment and ripped out my heart."

I drew in a sharp intake of breath. "True. Well, magic is hereditary, especially for females."

"So Regina is using dark magic?" Daniel asked fearfully. I dreaded that tone in his voice for I knew he would be disappointed if I were to tell him the entire truth. My heart pounded because I really didn't know what to say, or how much detail I should give. "She is," I simply replied. Then, I inclined my head towards the pavilion where everyone had gathered. "We should join them."

"Who's them?"

"Snow's family, they've now acquired quite a bit of power."

"Snow? As in...Princess Snow White?"

I huffed at her name, "Yes. She's now married to a man named David, and they have a daughter, Emma. Because of the curse, they're pretty much the same age." Seeing the look of surprise on my father's face, I continued, "Oh, and Emma also has a son, who is kinda my 'brother'."

"Your brother?" Father asked in confusion.

I chuckled and answered, "After 18 years, Mama adopted him when she failed to wake me from my coma. She didn't know that Henry was the son of Snow's daughter, of course."

"But wasn't your mother married? Where's the King? Is he deceased?"

"I, uh...maybe you should talk to her about that. I think she'll explain it better."

"Alright...firefly," father said as stood up. Then, we started walking once again towards the group. When we arrived where everyone was situated, all heads turned our way; no doubt wondering who the man beside me is. However, I ignored them and headed towards the pavilion in a hurry. I didn't want to miss out on what was happening. Mother must have explained the breaking of the curse to a certain extent, as we were greeted by David's words of congratulations. However, I was more fascinated with the giant red blood stain on his shirt. No doubt, he must have put up a fight with the black knights as the curse struck. I pretended to be confused by the Prince's words so he restated, "For breaking the curse and sending everyone back here. I believe it was you who solved the last bit of the puzzle."

I glanced at mother, "Did you tell them already?"

She nodded and moved to father. However, before she could say anything, Snow came forth, dressed in white clothes. As usual. "Daniel-"

Mother angrily put herself between them and seethed in a low voice, "How dare you address him-"

"Regina," father said sternly. She turned around and looked at him in a completely different expression. Then, he surveyed the stance between Snow and my mother and I. He frowned and drew out slowly, "You have a past."

"Damn right they do," Emma commented on the sidelines. I grimaced, as I didn't want father to find out about everything in front of the Uncharmings.

Mother tried to smush down that curiousity as she hushed him and said quickly, "We'll talk about this later."

However, Snow ignored her reluctance to deal with the situation and blurted out, "Daniel, I'm so sorry I told Cora about your relationship, I-"

I crossed my arms whilst mother looked incredulously at Snow. However, she let the princess finish her sentence. "I was a child and I was tricked to reveal your secret. I didn't know that she would rip your heart out!"

We left Father to reply. In a quiet voice, he said, "I forgive you Snow, I doubt Regina's mother wouldn't have found out about us in the sooner future."

I didn't know what to say as he only had a glimpse of things. I looked worriedly at mother who was glaring at Snow. Father noticed and asked her, "Regina, don't tell me you've been angry at Snow about this for the whole time?"

The irony was evident in everyone's faces as they held back remarks. There was a moment of silence. Then, she turned around and said to him, "How could I not be? I made her promise, and because she broke it, you ended up dead!"

The air hung still and thick around us. He put his hand on mother's shoulder and said, "Regina, she was a child-"

"A child who couldn't learn the most basic of lessons!"

I watched as Snow stepped back ashamed. Immediately, David came forth and said, "Ok, that's enough Regina. It's not the time to bicker. We need to decide on what to do next; now that we're back." Mother rolled her eyes and leaned back into Daniel with her arms crossed. Snow tried to change the subject by asking a princess, who had been in the Enchanted Forest for the whole duration of the curse. She was one of the few inhabitants who had escaped the reaches of its power. "How have things been since we left? The ogres?"

She replied in a sweet voice, "Defeated. We're restoring our kingdom and our lives."

"Oh, and congratulations," Snow said with a nod.

I frowned but as soon as I saw that she had her hands on her stomach, I understood immediately. Smiling, she replied, "Is it that obvious?"

"You're glowing," came Snow's natural reply.

I held back a snigger as mother turned away and walked to a pillar of the pavilion whilst muttering under her breath, "Why is she pregnant and I'm the one who's sick?"

I didn't hear what the others said after that for I went over to her side and whispered, "Who was that?"

In a low voice, mother replied, "Princess Aurora, and her husband is Prince Phillip."

I felt my heart thump at a realisation. "Mama, that's who Maleficent was after, right?"

Mother nodded. Then, she frowned and said with a chuckle, "Oh, I nearly forgot about that deal I made with her."

"A deal?"

"To get you out of the caves in Storybrooke, remember? In order for her to return you to me, she asked me to find her daughter," mother explained. She put her arms around me as she sighed and regarded the mountain pass in the distance. "I'm afraid we'll probably have to take the road. I cannot possibly magic Daniel, you and myself to our palace from here."

"Do you know where we are, mama?"

"Somewhere along the Northern Highway, judging by the mountains."

"That's what I guessed as well."

We were interrupted from our brief conversation when someone addressed mother by saying, "Well played, your Majesty. You laid waste to everything."

We turned around and I glanced at Daniel, to see if he had understood something. He didn't seem to question it for the time being. He must have realised that if he were to inquire about everything, we'd be there till dawn the next day. Aurora replied to whoever made that comment. "Not everything, her castle still stands."

Mother rolled her eyes, "Of course it does. I protected it."

"Well technically, the castle doesn't belong to her. It was Snow's before she took it," David added with that uncharming smile of his.

"To be fair, I married into it," mother replied naturally. I tried to apply that logic to my brain. I mean, even though she was technically 'queen regent', the kingdom was still under her command. Snow stepped towards us and said, "That you did. And now, we're taking it back...and you're coming with us."

My mouth gaped open in response to that proposition. She seemed to share the same thoughts as me as she exclaimed, "You can't be serious!"

"Regina, everyone out there is scared and confused. They need hope. We've collaborated back in Storybrooke-"

"Yes, if being threatened to be put into jail if I chose not to cooperate is your definition of a good collaboration."

Snow looked at mother with an expression before continuing despite her remark, "What better way to do that then to return united? You're coming with us. I know you don't like it, and you might not think its best for your...family but you'll learn to. For our good. For yours." Mother looked like she wanted to protest but she ended up saying nothing. David then turned to the couple and nodded his head saying, "Thank you again for your hospitality. We should begin preparations." Prince Phillip replied with a wish of good luck for us. When we turned around to leave, Snow pulled my mother aside. There were still many people on the grassland, looking at us for instruction. Seeing that my parents were occupied with organising what was the come next, I decided to look for Maria. I weaved between the people but my friend wasn't present. I soon realised that the reversal of the curse hadn't transported absolutely everyone to this area. I believe the curse brought everyone back in random groups. After a few more minutes, father came up to me and said quietly, "Your mother really has changed. She's more...regal than when we met."

I tried imagining her when she was a teenager, or even the age that I resemble. "What was Mama like when she was a kid?"

Father chuckled. "Well, I met her when I was employed to work in the stables. I was 18 and she was 16. We couldn't stand each other at first. She's always been the stubborn one."

I laughed, "I've tried to convince her to let the feud go."

"Between Snow? I'm not surprised to learn that it didn't work."

"No, it didn't," I whispered. He murmured back to me, "That sounds exactly like Regina."

I was curious for more so I pressed with enthusiasm, "And? When did you two start liking each other?"

"Oh, perhaps three months after that. Regina was always a carefree girl, and she liked to have things her way. Maybe that's an effect of having such a strict mother."

"Cora had no idea of your relationship did she?"

"If she did, I'll have already disappeared to another land. I wanted to stop seeing your mother for I feared that should our love grow stronger, I'll be risking her future. Of course, I continued because I couldn't exactly resist." I grinned and asked, "So, you never expected that I would have existed?" He laughed at the point, "Heavens no. We...umm-"

"Daddy, I know how babies are made," I blurted out. That made him chuckle even more but nonetheless, he gave in and replied, "Alright then, smarty pants. We've only had one night together and I suppose that's when you were conceived." He quickly changed the topic after that, "Anyway, we soon decided to meet regularly under an apple tree that-"

"The tree's in the palace! Mama said that she had it brought over when she became Queen!"

"Oh really?"

"Mmhmm. One time, I was climbing that tree to pick an apple off for this boy I met at a ball when Cora came along and thought that I was just some random stranger. She knocked me off and I got a concussion."

"What?!" My father then seemed to adopt a 'protective-daddy mode' as he stroked my hair and said with a frown, "That didn't have any lasting impact did it?"

I shook my head, but I decided to show him something more serious. I pulled up my sleeve as far as it could go and showed father the wound from the arrow. "This is worse."

He gripped my arm and looked at me worriedly, "Oh my, what did you do?"

I gestured to Snow who was talking to mother perhaps ten feet away. "Ask her, she was the one who shot the arrow."

Father pulled the sleeve back over my arm and said, "I wish I could have been there for you both. I'm sensing that many things have happened since I was gone." I didn't have a chance to reply as David started calling for everyone to congregate at the pavilion for a message. Apparently, the horses and supplies were soon arriving and he'd like to organise everyone into travelling groups before we set off.

Once everyone had been separated, the supplies arrived. Father said, "I should probably go and help tether those stallions. I am a stable-boy afterall."

I looked around, and seeing that everyone seemed to be minding their own business and doing their own thing, I asked, "Can I join you?"

"Of course, my daughter."

I walked over to the horses with him and one of the men in charge, gave us instructions on how the numbers shall be split. I was originally tending to one of the smaller mares when I noticed that father was staring at me. I turned around and laughed. "What?"

"Oh nothing. It's just that dress, hair and all. I think you really resemble Regina."

"But you met her when she was 16!"

"Looks don't change," he replied simply.

As I stroked the horses, I was immediately reminded of Hwin. She should have been in Storybrooke and therefore would have been transported back here. I hoped that she was in the palace stables and not just somewhere out in the wild. By the time we had started moving, the sun was already setting. Father had found a childhood friend amidst the crowd and they started talking so I was left to walk by mother's side. I think he'd have a lot of explaining to do to his friends.

"Mama, we won't reach there by sundown will we?"

"No dear, but I'm sure we'll pass a village where we can settle in for the night." As she turned around to look at father who was behind us in the distance, she mentioned, "I saw you talking with Daniel."

"Yeah, are you going to explain things to him tonight?"

Mother shrugged and with a frown, she replied, "I'm really not sure. To be honest, I don't know where to start." Then, she put her arm around me and said, "I hope the reason why he's ignoring me right now isn't because you've told him everything."

"He isn't ignoring you, is he?"

Mother didn't reply. I hoped that it wasn't the case, as our family had just been reunited. Given her reluctance to answer my question, I changed the topic. "I haven't seen Maria among the crowds back there on the field. Would she have appeared in another part of the Enchanted Forest?"

"Perhaps, but I cannot give you a definite answer. I wasn't concerned with the repercussions of the curse breaking, firefly. I'd rather that it was still intact-"

"Would you though?"

Mother sighed, "Well if it wasn't for the fact that your father's now walking around with us, then yes. I'd rather that Emma didn't come to Storybrooke. I'd rather that Henry never found the book." The conversation then took an unwanted turn as she asked me about Henry's heart. "When you went into the backroom whilst I slipped that potion into Leopold's drink, you were with Henry weren't you?"

I nodded and looked around to make sure that no one could hear. Mother must have seen the worry in my eyes for she subtly lead me into the forest. Then, she said, "No one will hear you here. I just want to know what happened there. I've recently realised that I haven't properly given you a chance to go over that. I must blame that boy for attacking you with a rock though." I smirked, "Yeah, well, I could take care of myself-"

Mother rolled her eyes, "Hopefully not by killing someone next time. Perhaps in the past, I would have let you get away with it, but-"

"It's gonna lead me on a bad path yeah yeah I know."

She regarded me with an expression and I immediately knew that it probably wasn't the best thing to have said. However, she continued, "Anyway, what were you doing?"

Flashback

(Daniella's POV) (A week prior)

I pulled Henry into the back. I knew that I had to return his heart to him, and it seemed like opportunity was on my side. Despite the chance, I was still paranoid that someone would see us. I glanced around the room for any hidden security cameras and after finding none, I took the heart out. Henry was in a trance when I pulled it out in front of his face. The beating red glow was a little hypnotising. Suddenly, I felt as if it fitted better in the palm of my hand than in my brother's chest. The sound of the toilet flushing however, made me jump. I quickly commanded Henry to act normal and talk with me before slipping the organ back into my pocket.

Someone did walk out of the female bathroom, but they paid no attention to us. When the coast was clear, I got out the heart again. Once more, I tried to put it into Henry's chest but I couldn't. The slow steady thumping of the organ was too tempting to let go of. In my head, images of the two hearts that I have crushed played in my mind. I didn't want to admit it, but it felt so good to hold those organs in my hands.

I hated that people were afraid of me because of my magic...but a small inkling at the bottom of my heart enjoyed it. I was no longer the little young girl of the orphanage. I wasn't a powerless girl forced to work for spinsters to survive either.

Sighing, I looked into Henry's dazed eyes and whispered into the heart shakily, "Henry, I want you to revert to your normal self for a second."

He did, and although he couldn't do anything to me, he gave me the scariest of glares I've ever encountered. In a low voice, he growled, "Put it back Dani. Don't turn into her."

I straightened up and pushed away my guilt so that I could reply coolly, "If I hadn't forced you to, you wouldn't even have said thank you or acknowledged our mother's presence."

"I thought you didn't care. It's clear that you just want her all for yourself and I honestly don't mind if you do that-"

"No you do! You're just a stuck up boy who can't stand having the Evil Queen as his mother, that's all!" I snapped.

Henry didn't budge as his motions were technically still in my command. However, he replied with, "You can't force me to say whatever you want me to say! If you do, it just makes you evil!"

"I did it for Mama ok?!" I replied as I raised my hands. "Do you even care that she's upset because of your rejection? Well, obviously you don't but I do! I don't wanna see her sad because I'm not sure if you're aware of the fact that the curse and all these conflicts between our families occurred partly from mother's emotions."

"Yeah, but she didn't have to act upon them! You too! You have a choice, and you've chosen the wrong one."

I rolled my eyes but Henry continued to accuse, "You'll be in trouble when people find out that you've taken my heart-"

I crossed my arms angrily and snarled, "What, you think you're so special because you're the biological grandson of Snow White? I have royal blood running through my veins too."

Henry gave me an expression that showed slight regret but he managed to squish down that side of him as he replied, "It's not that! It's that people will be even more scared of you Dani! Why do you even like doing this?"

"Magic?" I asked with an arched eyebrow.

Henry nodded, "Yeah, why can't you just let your dark magic go? It's hurt people, and done terrible things! If you continue on the side of evil, you'll blacken your heart!"

I huffed and said quietly "You're the one without a heart here...and I don't mean it in the literal sense."

"Excu-" Henry began in a loud voice. However, I squeezed the heart, in fear that he'll attract some kind of attention. He was immediately silenced. Then, I murmured, "I'll be hanging on to your heart for a little while."

Holding out the organ, I whispered into it, "Henry Daniel Mills, you will forget about this conversation and go back to the party as if nothing happened."

(Daniella's POV) (Back to normal timeline)

Mother pulled me into an embrace as I ended the story. I felt terrible, especially since I had to explain it verbally to her. In a muddled voice, I murmured, "I know I shouldn't have but..." Then, I cried even harder as I stuttered, "I shouldn't have tricked you. It's just-"

"No my dear," mother said softly. I continued crying to such an extent that mother had to magic a handkerchief for my tears so that it wouldn't just penetrate into her feather cloak. Then, she whispered calmly, "Daniella dear, whilst I'm not particularly happy with the fact that you had deceived me, your intentions were not ill."

I sniffled, "So you're not mad?"

Mother chuckled, "I can't say I'm pleased either but I love you firefly. I wouldn't be mad at you, for trying to help. I will however, have to find a chance to talk to Henry."

The more I focused on the matter, the more I could feel the unsteady beat of my heart inside my chest. I held onto mother as she rubbed my back but it still couldn't help overpower that dreadful low thump. Growling, I ripped the infernal organ out without thinking. Mother gave a small shriek and exclaimed, "Daniella?! What are you doing?"

Then, she swiped my heart out of my hand, looking at me with a concerned frown. She looked at my heart and said, "Dear, there's nothing wrong with you, why did you take out your heart?"

I peered at the organ and as I did so, I immediately felt some of my worries disappear. Mother must have noticed the shift within me for she said decidedly, "No, this is not the way. I know it'll help to control your emotions by making you feel nothing, but it's improper. Daniella, you do realise that this is how your grandmother became the 'Queen of hearts'? She ripped out her own heart so that her thirst for power could overcome any possible inkling of love she could have had for me."

I glared at mother, but as soon as I did so, she quickly returned my heart back into my chest. When she did, I stepped back in shock as all the unwanted emotions returned back to me. I fell onto the forest floor, overwhelmed. As I buried my face into the palm of my hands, I felt mother pulled me into her. Repeatedly, she murmured, "It's going to be ok, Firefly. I'm always here for you, and now so is your father. We can help you get through whatever you're feeling. You're a strong girl, my princess. I know the past two years or so must have been tough on you but you've learnt so much along the way."

I sniffled, with my knees drawn up as I curled up into a ball. As a joke, I whispered, "Grandmother would definitely not approve of this will she?"

"Of a Queen and a princess sitting on the forest floor like this?" Mother chuckled and answered, "No she wouldn't, but I don't care if it makes you feel better." Then, she let a moment of silence fall between us before she replied, "Besides, it'll give us an excuse to have a change of wardrobe."

"What?! There's no clothes out here in the middle of nowhere!"

Even though I was still curled up, I could see mother's eyebrow arch in my mind as she replied, "Do you forget that I have magic, dear?"

"So you could magic us new clothes, but not get to the palace?"

"Oh my dear, you should know by now that it takes less strength to retrieve items than to teleport somewhere. Besides, if we were to teleport, I doubt Snow and her pesky little family would approve of me leaving everyone out here alone without some kind of magical assistance." I frowned and answered with a little snarl, "So she's using you?"

Mother sighed, "Who wouldn't? They know I wouldn't do anything rash because of your brother."

"So everything still revolves around Henry, I wonder what it'd be like if he was gone-"

"Daniella!"

I looked up with alarmed eyes and said quickly, "No, no that's not what I mean!" Mother's expression still scared me so I added, "I'm just saying that Henry's sorta playing the peacemaker." With a quiet voice, I pressed, "Right?" Mother sighed and replied, "I suppose he is. But now that Daniel's back as well, I don't think we'll be seeing the Evil Queen come out to play anytime soon." As I leaned my head into her chest, I began in a small voice, "I hope you won't get mad at me for asking, but do you feel...ashamed about that? About your past?"

She laughed, "Oh my dear, I'm a terrible example of a mother aren't I?"

"What? No!"

"Well, I'd put it this way. To a certain extent I enjoyed that power but it didn't get me what I wanted. And you should learn from my mistakes I made too. Together with magic, power can destroy you and make you feel dissatisfied, no matter how much 'fun' one can have. I haven't loved...or been loved for a long time. That's what got me where I am." I nodded but she continued, "You however, you have so many who love you."

I snorted and rebutted, "My classmates are afraid of me-"

"But compared with what I had, you're really lucky Daniella. You know how much I love you, and so does your father. He hasn't even known you for-"

"For a day," I cut in, with a chuckle.

"Exactly. Now, besides us, you seem to be in a pretty good relationship with Maria am I correct?" I nodded so she continued with her arm eloped around me, "She's a good friend, someone rare and that should not be taken lightly." I observed her sad smile and prompted, "Mama, what is it?"

"Oh, nothing. Just thinking about someone from my past."

"A friend?"

Mother sighed, "I thought she was. Turns out your grandmother was controlling her the whole time with her heart." After a chuckle she explained, "Her name was Clara. She was a family friend but technically her status was below us. I should have known that mother was controlling her for she was always so attentive and kind to her."

"What happened to Clara?" I asked with a frown.

"She betrayed me." I held my breath as Mama continued, "She was under my mother's control yes, but she had tricked me in believing that, uh," a small smile lightened up her face as she finished, "that an acquaintance of ours liked me."

I grinned, "You had a crush on him, didn't you?"

"Daniella!"

I grinned even more, which made her give in. "Ok fine, I did."

"Who was he?"

"You remember the painter who painted the official royal portrait of you, me and your grandfather right?"

"The one which hangs in the hallway connecting to the passage to our chambers? Yeah, Jasper painted it didn't he? The guy with the dark hair and tan skin?"

With a chuckle, mother replied, "Oh my firefly, you've paid attention too, haven't you?"

My cheeks reddened as I exclaimed, "Mama!"

She laughed and rubbed my back, "Don't worry, I was only joking. But yes, that was him."

"So what happened to Clara?"

There was a moment of silence before mother hesitantly replied, "Let's just say that she got what she deserved."

"You used magic on her?!"

"Oh no, I didn't have magic at that age, remember?" I nodded. "No, I made a deal with your grandmother. She gave me some of her magic to play with. To keep it simple, Clara didn't end up being with Jasper."

"Oh," I replied. After a moment of consideration, I grinned and said quietly, "Well played, Mama."

"Aww, thank you dear," she replied as she stroked my hair. Then, she sat up a bit and said, "How are you feeling? Do you want to go back to the group?"

I took a deep breath and peered through the trees towards the road. Even the people at the back of the line had already gone past our spot. As we stood up, I murmured, "Am I weak?"

"For expressing your emotions? Definately not. Tell me dear, would a citizen of Storybrooke say that I'm weak?"

"I mean, firstly they wouldn't dare but secondly...no? Anyway, you're different Mama, you-"

She raised her eyebrow at me, which shut me up. "I'm not so much different from you. Everyone has a side of them they wish to hide away from the world. Once again, you're a strong girl, firefly." With a sharp intake of breath, she began, "You've kept going, even in the toughest of times haven't you? You've done so ever since you were very young. You're more strong than you might think. Besides, I have no doubt that you could bring this kingdom to its knees once the power has been handed to you-" I shook my head, "Mama, I'm 11! You not mentioning about the future are you?!"

"You're 11 with the maturity of someone much older than you. I'll have to give Wonderland an acknowledgement for that, but nonetheless, I'm here to raise you up as a capable ruler of the Enchanted Forest. I know what Henry's like, and I know what you're like." She chuckled as she continued, "I trust that you wouldn't tell anybody this, but I have an inkling that the monopoly of power will fall into your hands very easily."

"No one likes me though, " I grumbled.

Mother took my hands into hers and whispered, "That's because they haven't seen the real you. I'm sorry, I really am, for having put you in such an undesirable position because of my past. However, I have faith that it won't matter much to you. You must do better than I did, and believe it or not, I already know that you're doing that right now." I frowned, "What? How?"

"I can see into that brain of yours dear. Your decisions are less rash than mine."

I squinted in confusion, "But the heart I took, the boy I...I killed!"

"And yet who was it who told me to let go of revenge, back then, when the Uncharmings got married hmm?"

I didn't reply so she continued, "Dear, not even my own father could convince me to let go." Mama put her finger on my chin and whispered, "But you did." Then, she gave me a smile and waved her hand in the air. Purple smoke surrounded us and when it cleared, I saw that I was dressed in a different outfit. One that was much more adapt to travelling. The same goes for mother.

Then, she took my hand and said, "Alright, let's go find the others and show off our impeccable fashion taste shall we?"

I nodded without replying verbally, for I was still trying to stop the tears from my eyes. We were close to the road when I saw something red flash at the corner of my eyes. I pulled on mother's arm, indicating for her to stop. "Firefly, what is it?"

I pointed towards a dense bush and murmured, "Something's there."

Mother let go of my hand and went over to examine the undergrowth. "There's nothing here, unless it flew away-"

I heard something and looked up at the sky. It happened to cover the sun so as I squinted, I exclaimed, "It did! Mama?! What-"

Within seconds, she threw a series of fireballs towards the monster. Unluckily, it dodged and circled the clearing amongst the trees above us. I created fireballs in both hands but was too stunned to do anything as it came swooping down upon me. As it's claws latched itself onto my arm, the bad one if I may add, I could only exclaim in pain, much like the shriek that the creature was making. "Daniella!" I felt mother's grip on my leg and as she pulled me down. As a result, my sleeve tore off, along with some flesh as the claw slid up my arm. I winced as I fell onto the ground. I panicked as the beast came down upon us again. Just when I thought it'd pick me up once more, there was a loud male shout. "Get down!"