A/N: Please forgive me for the errors and removed spaces between words. I am having issues after uploading the updates. My scene breaks are being removed and words forced together. I have tried editing, but it keeps overriding everything and deleting paragraphs. Very annoying and apologies. I will try uploading from the desktop rather than the app. Thanks again for following along and the lovely reviews. Xx

"I think we're close. The scent is stronger here. We should follow the stream." Ruby directed them through the rough terrain. They'd long gotten off the path and had spent the last two days trying to navigate a carriage through the dense forest. As they made it through the thickest part, they were all surprised to see a large clearing in the center.

"What is this place? It shouldn't be here." Snow looked around andjumped down from the carriage, followed by Grumpy, and the others. They traipsed around the clearing and Grumpy was the one that spotted something on the floor.

"Over here." He called to the others and they joined him staring down at what he found. "Looks like this is where it all started." There was a fire pit and the charred remains of a heart right in the center.

Snow buried her face in Charming's shoulder. Her lip wobbled and she couldn't stop the tears. "I know how she did it, but seeing it like this, it just makes it all too real. She's a monster!"

Ruby and Granny looked at each other with unease. They both recognized the scent and didn't need to say a word to each other. They'd both come face to face with their own slaughters in the past and knew the guilt and pain it could bring facing those inner demons. Granny cleared her throat. "If this is where the curse brought her back to, imagine what she's going through right now. If it's hard for you to see, guaranteed, Regina is having it worse."

David felt his mouth going dry. "I think, we've all done things in the past that we regret, Snow. Regina isn't the same woman that did this. This was thirty years ago. Remember that. Look at me."

Snow looked up into his eyes and saw the pain there. She knew exactly what he was thinking. "We did some awful things too. We can't forget that. This was an act of desperation by the Evil Queen. Not Henry's mother." David hoped he didn't have to spell it out for her. They both knew what they'd done and had to live with that guilt every day since their memories returned. Living under the curse in a land without magic made everyone more aware of their faults and how they could have acted differently if they'd known what they knew now.

Snow cried again and nodded. "We should never have come back here. It's not who we are anymore." The group huddled together in support feeling the pain of those dark and twisted memories with full force. It was easy in Storybrooke to romanticize their lives in the Enchanted Forest, but in reality, it was a very brutal and dark past.

Ruby led them away and back towards the stream. They picked up the pace when Ruby got a clear scent on the woman.

"She's close. Not much farther now." David coaxed the horses to go faster. There was a path on this side of the clearing, albeit, quite overgrown and underused. They raced ahead with Ruby stood to attention atop the carriage. Another hour passed and a cottage came into view. Ruby broke into a toothy grin. "She's here! Regina!"

They all began calling from the distance announcing their arrival. She didn't answer them and the closer they got, the more worried Ruby became. She sensed something wasn't right and the smell of another familiar scent permeated her nostrils.

Her heart leapt in her chest as she jumped down from the carriage and burst through the door. The othersheard a howl and ran inside panting. "She's cursed." Ruby stepped back allowing Snow to get closer and see for herself.

Snow stood over the Mayor's lifeless body in shock. She recognized the comforter and her eyes fell to the apple. Her stomach lurched again. "David?" She couldn't speak another word. Her thoughts were racing with all the possibilities.

Charming got closer and investigated like he would in Stroybrooke. Seeing Regina like this brought back too many memories for himself. His instinct was to kiss her,but he knew it was useless. He looked at the apple and checked her mouth. The piece was still lodged in there at the back of her throat. He checked her fingers and saw the tell tale signs of the venom where she'd picked up the apple. He looked around the room noticing the candles burning without so much of a flicker in the breeze, and the framed photograph beside her. He swallowed hard. "She did this to herself. Whatever happened must have broken her."

Ruby was quiet staring at the floor. Granny noticed and pulled her outside. "If you know something, you need to tell them."

Ruby felt the tears pricking at her eyes. "Granny, I don't know what to think. Not now. I don't know why she'd do this. Unless..."

Granny waited staring her down. Ruby shuddered out a breath. "Unless she knew there is no way back."

Snow and David stood in silence in the room. She picked up the photo and stared at it. "Why would she do this to herself? I know she's done terrible things, but the sleeping curse. It's hell. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. I don't wish it on her."

David was just as flabbergasted. Regina was a strong woman and a force to be reckoned with. After everything she'd been through, he dreaded to think what could have been so bad to make her opt for this. "We need to find a way back. We head back to Queen's Palace,let the others know, and go from there."

"We can't just leave her here, David! Alone in the middle of nowhere. You go. I'll stay with her. This is all my fault." Snow sat on the edge of the cot and held the woman's hand remembering the young girl who'd saved her all those years ago.

David rubbed the back of his neck. He didn't much like the idea of leaving anyone out here but he had to go back. "We can take her with us in the carriage."

Snow looked at him like he was crazy. "We can't move her. We don't know what magic she's used apart from the apple. Look around. She wanted to stay here. You're right. She isn't the Evil Queen anymore. I don't thinkshe has been for a long time. I just refused to see it." She cried over the woman, full of regrets for the past. All the evils she'd done was because of Snow spilling a secret she never should have. Her blind faith in the goodness of others and naivety about the darkness in the world caused all of this. She couldn't imagine if someone had ripped out David's heart in front of her. Worse still, her ownmother. The person that should be the pinnacle of love and light in someone's life. She looked at David again. "She's never going to wake up, and that's on me. I killed her true love."

David shook his head and tried to comfort Snow. "You didn't. You were a child. You didn't know what Cora was capeable of."

"It doesn't matter. I should never have said anything. Please, just leave me here. I owe it to her."

David wentoutsideto the others looking forlorn. "Snow is going to stay here. I need to go back to let the others know what's happening. We need to start searching for a portal or a bean. We need to find Henry. He's the only one who has a shot at waking her up."

Ruby swallowed. "If Regina's cursed herself, David, what chance do we have of getting out of here? We were never meant to go there and I think Regina knew that. She's accepted her fate. It's time we start doing the same." She couldn't let herself hope again. She'd pinned everything on Regina confirming it was a true love kiss that broke the curse. The fact she'd put herself to sleep made her uneasy. Had Emma taken advantage of getting close to her to break the spell and take Henry for herself? She hated herself for thinking it, but everyone knew how much Regina adored Henry. In her stomach, she knew it wasn't true, but unless Emma and Henry found a way here, she couldn't allow hope into her heart again. It was better to have lower expectations. At least when the inevitable happened, it softened the blow.

David huffed. "Ruby, I know this is disappointing. We came here looking for answers and got more questions. But we can't give up. I can't give up. I only just got my daughter back, and found out I have a grandson. I can't walk away from that. There is always a way."

Granny and Grumpy muttered in agreement and Ruby tried to control her mood. David looked between them all. "Will someone stay here with Snow? I don't want to leave her alone in this state."

Grumpy stepped forward. "I'll stay with her. Like old times." David nodded gratefully.

"Thanks Leroy. We'll head back to Queen's Palace and reconvene. Once everyone is rallied and on board with this, Ruby, you can come back here and see what Snow decides to do."

They made camp for the night at the cottage. It was strange sleeping in a room with a cursed Queen, but it was warm and a relief from sleeping in the carriage or on the grass. Snow barely said a word, lost in her grief and memories. Ruby debated whether or not to reveal what she knew if only to give Snow some hope. She looked at the sleeping mayor in her perfect make-up, sharp attire and gently pursed lips. No, Regina was nothing if not private, even in deathless sleep. Spilled secrets are what caused this in the first place. Foronce in her life, she fought the urge to be a gossip.

SQSQSQ

Emma, Henry and Ariel woke up early and went straight to the stables. The man with the tattoo was there preparing a horse for riding. She stopped mid pace and hovered around behind him. "You okay, Ma?" Henry asked noticing she looked like she'd seen a ghost.

"Yeah. Uhm, give me a few minutes. Go wait outside with Ariel. Don't go far, okay." Henry nodded and the man turned around at the sound of the voices. He smiled broadly at Emma and she forced one back. "Hi, I'm Emma Swan, uhm Charming."

The man greeted her with a bow. "I heard. Nice to make your acquaintance. I'm Robin of Loxley. I own the tavern. I believe you met my wife last night."

Emma's eyebrows went up to her hairline. "Oh, great! You're married! Happily?" She shoved her hands in her pockets feeling like an absolute idiot.

Robin chuckled. "Well, you're rather forward, aren't you Miss Swan-Charming? But yes, quite happily, thank you. We have a beautiful son together. Since the curse lifted, we've been reunited and I hear we have you to thank for doing so. So thank you."

Emma felt a mixture of relief and fear again. Her mouth was dry. The nightmares last night had her unsettled, especially bumping into the man again. What were the chances of meeting Regina's supposed soul mate on her journey to wake her up from a curse? It was too much of a coincidence to walk away from. "Do you know Regina Mills, uhm the Queen?"

He began brushing his horses mane. "Everyone knows of her. I've never met her myself. I was taken to another realm, not the land without magic."

She fidgeted. "Okay, wow, this isn't easy. The thing is, I think in some other life, you and the Queen were maybe soulmates." She didn't know how else to say it.

Robin laughed heartily. "Perhaps. In another life, this horse also may be my soul mate! Good grief, whatever gives you that idea?"

Emma's face was flushed. She did not want to have to explain any of this to a complete stranger who obviously thought she insane. She checked behind her to make sure Henry couldn't hear. He was busy flirting with the mermaid, so she reluctantly continued. "My son doesn't know this. Nobody knows this. Regina and I had a connection. We exchanged our memories, and some other things. We've been together in secret for a few weeks. We shared a true loves kiss and that's how you all ended up back here."

"Well, congratulations for you. I hope you'll both be happy together. Sorry, I don't see what that has to do with me."

She tried again. "When we shared our memories, a long time ago, a fairy told Regina that you were her soulmate. I remember your tattoo from the vision. I know this probably sounds crazy. I wouldn't be telling you if I didn't think there was a chance." She teared up and could barely keep her voice from trembling.

Robin looked concerned for the stranger now. "A chance for what? I assure you, I'm not available, nor do I have any interest in pursuing your Queen. Whatever vision you saw was incorrect. Marian is my true love."

Emma sighed and checked again that Henry was far away. "This is between you and me. Nobody else can ever know this. My son doesn't know either."

She appreached him so she could speak in a hushed tone. That's when she noticed his bow and arrow. She's put herself under a sleeping curse. I'm going to find her now, and I was sure that either me or ourson would be able to wake her. That was,until I saw you last night. It's too much of a coincidence. I would like to ask you to come with us, please."

Robin sat on a bundle of hay heavily,trying to understand what the blonde was telling him. He was silent while he considered everything. "You must love her very much."

"I do, and so does our son. I know, you don't know her, or me, but I have to ask. You understand why?"

He nodded. It was not something that he was particularly comfortable with. What she was asking him to do was risk breaking up not one, but two families on the whim of a fairy. If she was right, it would cause much pain to everyone involved. "I don't believe in soul mates, just so you know. I do believe in love, and I have no doubt you, or your son, will be able to wake her, but I'll do as you ask. If only to give you peace of mind. I was actually going to waiver your accomodation fees as a gesture of gratitude, but this is the least I can do."

Emma inhaled a shaky breath. "Thank you. I know what I'm asking and I hope I'm wrong, for all our sakes."

Robin got up and shook her hand firmly. "Give me half an hour to prepare to ride. I'll meet you back here once I've advised my family I'm to accompany the Savior for protection."

She shook his hand and her eyes focused on the tattoo. "Thanks again. I'm starting to reallyhate fairies."

Robin laughed. "Sounds like you and the Queen are a perfect match then!" He disappeared out ofthe stables and Emma gave herself a few minutes to calm down. The most important thing was waking Regina up. It didn't matter who did it. They could deal with it, like all the other crapthey sort through. There were all different types of soul mates, right? It might not be a romantic connection.

Ariel came in to check on her. "What's the matter?"

"Oh, nothing. I'm fine. I just asked someone to join us for the ride. He's pretty good with a bow and arrow, if I remember my fairytales."

Ariel scrunched up her brow. "If you're sure." She was about to leave when Emma stopped her.

"Wait, there is something else. What do you know about soul mates?"

""My soulmate is a talking fish named Flounder. Have you met yours?"

Emma grinned. "I don't know. So not romantic?"

Ariel stared at her like she was loopy. She realized she was genuinely asking for clarification. "No. A soulmate doesn't have to be romantic. They could beyour best friend, your mother, a pet, anyone really."

"But they could be a lover?"

"Yeah, I guess so." Ariel smiled hoping she'd helped educate the princess a little more in their ways.

"Thanks. Okay, let's saddle up these beasts."