The new forest village needs a lot more to finish it. So Merlin's called for some help. And Regina's still giving Emma the cold shoulder, when another stranger arrives in town.
The New Village
A short walk from the entrance to the new forest pub, The Earl of Locksley, stood two large oak-beamed buildings, both less than a day old, like everything else in the brand new village.
A small crowd stood watching, as Robin, Rumpelstiltskin, Tinker Bell & The Sorcerer stood at each corner of the largest building, Robin & Rumple both within sight of Merlin, who now raised his arms, bellowing instructions so three could hear.
"OKAY, AS PER MY INSTRUCTIONS, AND ON MY MARK!" he bellowed. "BEGIN!"
Within moments, a golden glow started to emanate from all eight hands, growing brighter by the second and linking to form a wide circle, which rose from the ground, rising up the walls and above, before gradually spreading over the two rooftops and sliding back down again, surrounding the two buildings completely, to produce a translucent, glassy dome. A few sparks flew and crackled here and there, as it stabilised.
"JEFFERSON? ALL OKAY IN THERE?"
"All done!" A distant voice from inside the building came. "Give it a second!"
Moments later, a fierce octarine light blasted out of all the building's windows and doors, again rising up to form a second seal within the round dome, its yellow light mixing with the earlier magic.
The Hatter's face suddenly appeared at the door. "That should do it! Who's volunteering to be my first guinea pig?"
Hearing all the shouting outside, several more people, including Emma, walked out from the pub to see what was going on. The first thing she spotted was Regina moving over to stand next to Robin as he looked up. Then she spotted her old friend.
"Jeff? What are you doing here?"
"Hi Emma!" The Hatter grinned when he saw her. "Merlin asked me to come over over and help. What do you think?"
"About what? What did you do?"
The Sorcerer appeared at their side. "It's a sanctuary, Emma. A place in a magical land entirely free from magic. These buildings are going to be a new hospital and a safe meeting place for everyone."
"Safe from magic?" Regina joined them. "How's that even possible, around here?"
"Ancient magic. Rumple assisted me on the dark side, and Mr. Locksley and Tinker Bell helped provide additional light. Jefferson here provided a rather clever means of harnessing magic in one of his devices, and I merely brought everything together. Jefferson, I'll be your guinea pig, as you put it." He looked at the former mayor. "Regina, come join me?"
Intrigued, Regina nodded and stepped forward. But as she did so, she felt a hand close around her forearm. "If she's going in, so am I!"
"Everyone's perfectly safe, I can assure you Emma," the Sorcerer grinned back at her, leading the gathering group.
~oOo~
As they entered, most gasped when they saw the huge vaulted ceiling, tinted glass dome and staircase inside. It was completely out of all proportion with the large, but not enormous, building outside.
Emma looked up in astonishment at the sheer scale of the room. If this is only the reception area, how big's the rest of the place?
"How is this even possible?"
Merlin chuckled. "Impressed? I learnt a few things from a fellow time traveller. A very interesting chap from another world entirely! He had an odd device he used to travel in. An old 1940's British police box on the outside, but in reality quite a large flying craft within."
"The TARDIS? Doctor Who? You knew Doctor Who?" Roland shouted, appearing from nowhere. "He's real? What's his name?"
"Real enough, young man." He rested a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Though he was just known as The Doctor when we met. He never actually told me his name."
As Roland gazed up in wonder at the wizard, Gold appeared by Regina's side.
"Try performing a spell, dearie? A fireball, perhaps? Maybe your irritating wife wants to try?"
Regina bristled, ignoring the barb, stretching out her hand to create a fireball. Nothing. Not a flicker. Not a hint of magic. Emma focused too, trying to lift a vase of flowers on the reception desk. Nothing.
"Okay, very impressive. Now give me back my magic!"
"It hasn't been taken away, Emma," Jefferson explained. 'It's been neutralised. Magic in here's completely cancelled, the same as outside the town line. When you leave the building, everything reverts back to normal."
"It's brilliant!" said Roland. "Everybody becomes the same! Magic people can't control anyone else in here." He tried to avoid Emma and Regina's questioning gaze a second large hand rested lightly on his other shoulder.
"Absolutely right, Roland. And as well as being a hospital and clinic, it's where everyone can go in times of emergency!" said Robin, pulling the boy's head to his chest. "Merlin told me that if anyone were to enter here under a cloaking spell," Regina knew he was thinking of Zelena disguised as Marian "It would expose them instantly."
Emma was also impressed. "Clever. If we had this a few years ago, we could have stopped Zelena, before-" she stopped herself, looking at Rumple, who answered for her, a cold look in his eye.
"Before she went on to murder my son?"
Robin could see where the conversation was heading so he stepped in. "Well then, ladies and gentlemen, we have two buildings, and the means to protect them. Though I have no idea how we equip and stock, let alone run, a hospital. So we need help." He looked at Merlin's daughter, who returned a smug grin.
"Already ahead of you there, Robin. Dad and I have a lorry load of gear, and reinforcements arriving this morning! That is, if the driver in question doesn't crash the damn thing, stop off for drinks, or pick up any handsome hikers on the way." She gave her father a knowing grin, making him break into a wide smile.
"Oh, she's coming herself?"
Anna nodded.
"Excellent."
~oOo~
Half an hour later, Robin stood next to Regina as they surveyed what would eventually become the the new forest hospital, while others milling around, busy with one thing or another, seemingly happy to be part of something new.
Regina, still annoyed with Emma, sent her off to wake the girls and give them breakfast. Roland was a short distance away, organising a little group of forest children in some sort of game involving hoops and a football. She smiled as she saw how easily he led them, with no effort, just natural charm. Several younger girls, none older than eight, stayed close by, looking at him in wonder, as though he hung the moon.
"He's so much like his father..."
Her words came out before she realised she'd said them out loud, and that the father in question was standing alongside her.
"Thank you," Robin forced a smile. "Though I think he's more like Marian these days. She always had such a wonderful way with everyone. She had fire, but rarely used it unless she needed to. I don't remember her having an enemy in the world. I see so much of her in Roland." He looked wistfully at the curly haired young man. "I've missed him so much. Five long years, Gina! My boy. My girls…"
Seeing his eyes water, she realised why he suddenly looked morose. The loss of what might have been.
"And that's all my fault, Robin. Mine, and Zelena's. I'm so sorry."
He turned to stare into warm chocolate-brown eyes. The eyes that had so captivated him. His hands rose to rest on her shoulders.
"Don't compare yourself to that woman! I pushed myself in front of you to protect you, and I'd have no hesitation doing it again. I did it, because I loved you. Trouble is, I still do." The last words were said in barely a whisper.
Regina could no longer look him in the face. "Emma was right. I love you too. I won't deny it. But you sacrificed too much. I never deserved that."
"Hush, that's nonsense. You've always deserved more, and now you have it. She's a good person and you deserve one another; even if it's hard for me to see you together, I just want you to be happy."
She turned, burying her head in his chest, now not caring who saw. "I'm not even sure I can ever be truly happy again, without you in my life." She pulled herself in tighter, desperate not to be overheard. "I love her, I really do, and I so don't want to hurt her. But this? I've missed you more than you'll ever know."
"As have I, my love. Last night was just a reminder of what we once had. Even though it ended differently to how I imagined."
"It was wonderful, but I'm so sorry she ruined it straight after. I should have said something."
"It's water under the bridge. Don't blame Emma. She's just feeling defensive, and who can blame her? That was one of the best experiences of my life, but I'm sure Emma doesn't want it leading to something more permanent. She's your wife, Regina. Henry's mother. And a very good one at that. She's feeling insecure and even though she's allowed me back into your life, this must be incredibly hard for her. She's also had to face Killian, so it's not been easy."
"Her seeing me with you these last few days has only made it worse."
"She talked about 'sharing' you with me. I hear the words but I sense the pain she's going through. Using these odd gifts Zeus gave me, I accidently read her thoughts yesterday. Since then, Merlin showed me how to block the power, and I've apologised, but I hate the thought she feels violated by me. I know what that feels like! I need to talk to her again, but alone, if she'll let me. Leaving aside what's happened, I should to get to know her properly. I know David reasonably well, and Henry I regard as one of my own. But as for Emma…"
"I agree. You should ask her out."
"Are you suggesting I ask your wife out on a date?"
"Why not? After all, when you consider what happened last night. The fact is we all shared one another intimately. I could hardly object to my two loves wanting to get to know each other better now, could I?"
"I hardly think Emma would see it that way! Or if she's even willing to talk to me."
"She will, trust me. I love her totally, but she knows I also love you. It hurts me to know I'm the cause of the friction. I'd love nothing more than for you two to become friends of a sort. To see you get along."
Emma had made her way back into the pub, walking up the staircase towards Honour's room. As she reached the landing and turned a corner, she spotted a tall, leather-clad figure she instantly recognised, step out from one of the bedrooms, talking to someone behind him. A woman, laughing?
Killian? He slept over, too? And more importantly, with who?
She pulled back, hiding around the corner, to avoid being seen. What the hell am I hiding from? It's not like we're together anymore!
But hearing that deep laugh, she couldn't help herself, peeking around the corner to see just who he was talking to. It was then tall brunette came out of the room, still chuckling, stepping into his arms, as they hugged. He turned his head, and from behind it looked like he gave her a not-exactly-chaste kiss on the lips!
As they separated, she finally saw the woman's face.
Dorothy?
What the hell? She just got engaged, publicly, in front of everyone! What about Ruby? How could she do that to her? And after everything he said about them last night?
What a fucking hypocrite!
She was just about to walk over and give them a piece of her mind, when a third figure came out of the room. Ruby. The tall brunette seemed oblivious to their hug. Instead, the wolf brought her hands up either side of the pirate's cheek, placing a kiss of her own on his lips, just as her fiancée had done moments earlier, whispering something only heard by the three of them, as they all started chuckling again.
Eh?
Her curiosity aroused, Emma stepped out, walking over to join them.
"Hi," she feigned surprise. "Killian? I thought you left last night?"
"Well, you thought wrong." He replied, stepping back from the other women.
"What are you doing here?" The question came out harsher than intended, something which she instantly regretted, judging by his frown.
"What business is that of yours, Swan?" His voice seemed noticeably cooler.
"Er, none, I guess. Sorry, I just-"
"Killian came up to give us some help with something." Dorothy breezily answered for him. "He's doing us a favour."
"Aye, well it was a pleasure. Ladies, if you'll excuse me?" He winked at Ruby, as he raised their left hands. "I'll go make the necessary preparations." And with that he kissed the back of each left hand, both now adorning his mother's gifted rings. "Friday morning it is. See you on the Jolly at ten?" He turned to leave, brushing past Emma, without looking at her. "Good day, Swan."
Dorothy and Ruby both heard it too, and saw Emma's crestfallen face as he walked away, without turning back. Dorothy tried distracting her.
"He's arranging our wedding, on the Jolly Roger on Friday morning. As a former Naval Captain he's allowed to officiate. So, we're going to have it before he leaves on Saturday. Emma, I know it's all very sudden, but would you like to be my Matron of Honour?"
"Your what? Um…yes, of course," The blonde was still reeling from Killian's snub. "Rubes, look, I'm sorry I upset you earlier, about Whale and Robin's cousin? I don't know why I said it. My mouth just seems to run away from me these days. I don't know why-"
"It's fine, Emma, you're forgiven! Just know that Vic is very different to how you all think. Just cut him some slack, okay? Cause you and Regina really won't make any friends around here by slagging him off these days."
"And Carrie's been keen on him for a little while now," Dorothy added, "He's smitten, but around her he's way too damned shy to do something about it."
Emma listened with a half-hearted smile, her mind still on Killian. She couldn't blame him. After all, to him, three weeks ago they were in the Underworld declaring eternal love. She'd gone there by blackmailing Gold, and putting her entire family at risk, to rescue him. And to him, only weeks ago he had to say goodbye to her forever.
Except it wasn't weeks to her, it was five long years! Five years, in which she'd battled depression, alcoholism, lost her mind, her self-respect, her job and the respect of all those around her. Five years in which she was the saviour who had to be saved. By Henry, by her parents, by Archie, and finally by the last person she imagined. Regina. The woman who was going through even more pain than she was. The woman on who she had gradually come to depend, as they shared grief until their feelings grew into something more. She'd never forgotten Killian, but then, she'd never imagined him returning, either!
She'd moved on. Definitely. Positively. Moved on. Sure of it.
But now, she knew he had too! And that hurt, even though it shouldn't.
Seeing the look, Dorothy couldn't help herself. "Emma, sorry to ask but, do you still have feelings for him?"
"What?" She stiffened. "Killian? No, course not! It's just difficult, seeing him back."
"I understand," Ruby wasn't convinced. "Anyway, about the wedding? I'm asking Snow to be my own Matron of Honour. You think Regina would mind if I asked Rolly and Honnie to be page and bridesmaid?"
"I'm sure she'll be delighted. Honour loves dressing up."
"Well that's sorted," Dorothy's cheeks were flushed. "Thanks. We'd best be off."
Emma's super sense could tell she was definitely hiding something. The way the two of them had been fawning over Killian moments earlier had been weird. "Yeah, me too. Speaking of Honny, I need to get her up! We'll talk later, okay?"
~oOo~
A minute later, she knocked softly on the bedroom door next to theirs.
Ashley opened it. "Morning, Em. The girls are already up and brushing their teeth." She looked across at the bathroom door. "Girls, are you nearly finished in there? Mum's here, Honny! Finish off and come outside." Shortly after, Honour appeared, scrubbed and ready for the day.
"Hi Emmie! Can we go see papa now?"
Emma hid her frustration. She had been living with Regina for over two years, married for one of them. Yet Honour and Roland continued to call her by her first name, even though Regina kept referring to her as Mummy or mamma in front of them. Yet within a day of Robin returning, she called him papa, or daddy, and clearly adored him. She could understood why. He was the father she never knew until now. The hero she'd heard Henry tell stories about and, yes, even though Emma found it hard to admit, he was basically a very nice, decent guy.
A nice guy who my wife is still in love with, and who fucks like a racehorse.
"Well let's see. First, we'll take you down to have breakfast. Then, I don't know what we have planned-" But she was rudely interrupted by a low rumbling sound of a large engine outside.
Going to the window to look out, Emma was astonished to see an enormous, military-looking, articulated truck pull up outside the pub forecourt on the green, its air brakes hissing loudly as it stopped.
"What the fu-" she stopped herself swearing as the two girls joined her at the window, to also see what was causing the commotion.
"How did something that big even get into the forest?" Ella gasped in disbelief.
"Absolutely no idea," Emma shook her head. She also spotted Regina down below, her arm linked in Robin's, making her way to the front of the truck. "But I'm gonna go find out! Come on Honny, let's see what's going on?"
~oOo~
As people started gathering around the huge truck, the passenger door opened and a recognisable figure stepped down from the cab, her usually severe hatchet face now a beaming smile.
"Blue? What the hell do you think you're doing with that thing?"
As Regina scowled at the fairy, Robin smiled up at her, happy to see the arrival. The head of the fairies ignored her strident tone, having never been a fan of the former queen and mayor. "Helping Rosalind get here, of course! I had to get her over the town line and show her the way through the forest!" she bit back.
"Rosalind? Rosalind who? Don't you know how dangerous it is to let just anybody into Storybrooke? You could leave us exposed!" She stopped talking as the driver side door opened, another figure moving to step down from the cab.
Looking up, Regina first saw the back of a pair of long, tanned, bare legs and shiny dark-brown hair, as a tall figure, wearing a t-shirt and shorts, started stepping down. As her feet touched the ground, the figure turned to face them, looking at Robin.
"Hello handsome! I'm Rosalind, but you can call me Rosie. Rosie Sage. I've brought you a shiny new hospital! Now, do you know who's running this place?"
Her crisp English accent was instantly noticeable. Robin stepped forward, taking her hand and, instead of shaking it, turned it to place a small kiss, a peck, on the back. "Hello Rosie, I'm delighted to meet you. Robin of Locksley. Or Robin Hood, to some. At your service!"
Rosie sniggered at the peck. "Ooh, an English gentlemen too? Well, that makes a nice change…wait…what? Hold on," she then realisedwhat he had just said. "THE Robin Hood? Like, bows and arrows? Stealing from the rich? Merry Men? Sherwood? Maid Marian? You've gotta be kidding me, right? Reul?" She turned to Blue.
It was Blue's turn to giggle like a schoolgirl. "Yes, Rosie, this is the real Robin Hood. Robin of Locksley to be precise."
Well, I'll be buggered!" She said in mild shock, staring back at his sparkling blue eyes and roguish grin.
"I hope not, milady, that would rather spoil your visit, wouldn't it?" He countered, chuckling. "Merlin's family will always be welcome here." Feeling a tighter grip on his free arm, he turned to see Regina looking oddly at the younger woman.
Regina studied her. The new arrival was truly stunning, with a face and figure Hollywood casting agents would die for. And she could now see the resemblance to her blonde sister. It was in the eyes and smile. Regina herself was widely regarded by all as beautiful, but this young woman seemed, to her at least, to be in a different league entirely! She could see a resemblance to Merlin, but her mother must have been breathtaking to sire such beautiful daughters.
Robin sensed her anxiety, so sought to distract. "Rosie, may I introduce my…my good friend, Regina Swan-Mills, the former Mayor, and creator of Storybrooke."
Just as Rosie had so easily flirted with Robin, now she turned her attention to the brunette woman on his arm. "Hello Miss Swan-Mills. It's lovely to meet you too." She offered her hand. "Sorry, I've been driving in that cab for the last five hours, so I'm a bit hot and smelly! Frankly, I feel a little intimidated, standing near someone as gorgeous as you right now!"
Regina blushed. "Nonsense, I was thinking the same thing! If I could look like you after a five-hour drive, I'd be delighted." She admitted, her mouth slightly running away with her as she reached to shake hands with her. "I can see the family resemblance. Your father's very handsome, but your mother must be something else." As she talked, she saw Emma join the little group, Honour to her left, having clearly just heard them.
"And this lady here," Robin interrupted, pointing to the blonde, "Is Mrs. Emma Swan-Mills, Regina's wife."
"Oh…OH!" said Rosie, clearly having assumed she was with Robin. "I just thought…"
"Hi daddy!" yelled Honour. "Who's the lady?" she interrupted.
"This, my darling..." Robin picked her up, "...is Rosie, Annabelle's sister. Rosie, this is Honour, our little girl." He said, looking at Regina with a smile. That brought a confused look from Rosie, which he tried to ignore. He had already noticed Emma's possessive posture, moving even closer to Regina.
"Anna's sissie?" Honour repeated, excited. Merlin's other daughter had been playing with her only yesterday.
"Well aren't you just gorgeous too? Yes, my lovely. Anna's my baby sister. Is she here, by any chance?" Rosie tickled her under the chin.
The little blonde nodded, smiling broadly. "She's inna pub!" she shouted, pointing at the new inn.
"Hmm – no change there then!" Rosie replied, to which everyone laughed.
Emma had arrived just in time to see the flirtatious look the stunningly beautiful brunette had given her wife, and she didn't like it one bit! "So, what's in the truck, to bring you all the way from New York, then?" she asked, a little more forcefully then intended.
"Medical supplies for our new clinic," Robin answered for her. "Beds, furniture, machines, lots of medicines and all sorts of medical equipment I know nothing about. Merlin organised it, Rosie drove it here and her family are going to help us install it." He sounded as pleased as punch. "Rosie, how can I thank you?"
Looking up at the sign in front of the building. "Well, Mister 'Prince of Thieves', you could buy me a drink for a start? It's a bit early for booze, so perhaps a decent coffee? Nice looking pub, by the way. In the middle of a forest too, looks like something out of the Black Forest. Could you let me go in first, to give my sister a little wake-up call? Perhaps you could lead the way, Honour?"" And with that, she lifted the girl from her father, took her hand in her own and strode to the door, marching inside. Robin watched them, chuckling to himself.
"I think I'm going to like her!"
That earned a hard glare from Regina, surprising him. Was that jealousy?
Emma stepped closer, threading her arm with Regina's, to follow them inside.
~oOo~
As they walked into the inn, they saw Rosie, already at the bar, talking to Will Scarlet.
"So handsome, who do I have to sleep with around here to get a drink?"
Will grinned back. "Well, I'd love to answer that question in a way it deserves, lass!" He wiped the bar top with a cloth. "Though I think my girl over here," he looked over at Alice, "…wouldn't appreciate it. However, luckily for you, our newly-magical Lord Locksley over there is picking up the tab today, until he discovers how much we've all spent. What can I get ya?"
Before she could answer, she heard a yell from the other side of the room.
"BITCH COW! YOU DIDN'T BREAK THE TRUCK THEN?" came a familiar voice from the kitchen door.
"Big tits! You doing the cooking around here? No wonder they need a hospital!"
The two girls ran to each other, falling into a sisterly hug before separating. "Ooh, you stink! You need a bath, girl!" Anna looked at her obviously tired older sister.
"Yeah, that's what real manual work does to you, Anna! You should try it sometime?"
The friendly banter continued, each sibling gently insulting the other, as though it was a daily occurrence, completely ignorant of their audience who were now starting to chuckle at all the sparring and jibes.
"You've put on weight, Anna! Look at those hips? A few less pies for you, my girl!" she said to the slim blonde, who definitely didn't need to lose weight.
Anna wasn't insulted in the slightest, though women gathered nearby were surprised by the barbs, before she countered, having first checked Honour was now out of earshot. "Rosie, you know why I'm so fat? Cos every time I fuck your boyfriend, he gives me a biscuit!"
Their audience, Robin included, fell about laughing, realising this was clearly a wicked game the sisters played. So did Rosie, who continued the barrage.
"Ex-boyfriend actually! And I don't think he'd go near you, sis. He used to hate bouncy castles!"
That produced several 'oohs' and 'meeows' from some of the other laughing women.
"Ooh, bitch! Your arse could do with a-" But to continued laughter, she was interrupted by a new, deeper, male voice.
"GIRLS, BEHAVE!" yelled Merlin, now standing in the doorway, rolling his eyes at the siblings' coarse insults. "YOU'RE IN PUBLIC!"
Rosie turned. "DADDY!" she yelled, running across to him, and jumping up into his arms. The cocky, self-assured woman had instantly changed into a needy young girl at the sight of her father. "I've missed you!"
Merlin laughed, receiving her into his arms, in a warm hug. "And I missed you, darling. Thanks for coming. I haven't seen you in months. How was England? And your brother and sister?"
"Charlie's flying in tomorrow, and Cee said she'll join him. It's been a while since she's been anywhere with magic, so it'll do her good!"
"They're coming, too? Wonderful! We haven't all been together for ages, it'll be just like old times." Merlin seemed genuinely delighted at the news.
Regina watched their happy reunion. "Charles, Rosalind, Celia and Annabelle? What lovely names, Merlin. You and your wife fond of Shakespeare?"
He grinned back. "Well my wife's favourite play was As You Like It! Though we named our youngest here after her grandmother. One of the bravest and kindest women I ever knew. Just like my Anna."
Annabelle blushed, turning back to her sister. "Okay, fish face, as you pong, let's go and get you hosed down? The guys can unload the truck, then I'll show you the delights of our lovely new village, before we head to Storybrooke. I've discovered a nightclub there, and some seriously smoking-hot single guys!"
"Great. You know what they say, girl, the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else!"
Most of their audience were chuckling, except Merlin. "Aargh! Dad in the room! Not listening! Really don't want to hear this?" He theatrically plugged his fingers in his ears. He hated hearing about his daughters' love lives. They may be adults, but he was still their father, and thought of them as his little girls.
Robin placed a sympathetic hand on his shoulder. "I guess I have all this to come?"
"Sooner than you can imagine, my boy! Over the centuries I've had close to a hundred daughters, yet it really doesn't get any easier. So now, let's leave these…ladies, if I can call them that, and help your men with that truck?"
~oOo~