The new village appearing in the middle of the forest attracts attention. And the Mayor wants it stopped and preferably, burnt down. Spencer calls a meeting of the council. However, some of their citizens have a very different idea of what needs changing.

The following morning...

Sunday afternoon had passed peacefully enough. Robin, Merlin and most of adult community had continued through the day, building and adding to their new village in the forest. Some had already started calling it Sherwood, like their forest in the old realm, and the name stuck. And now, everyone in Storybrooke was talking about the new village, and especially the great pub in the middle, the new buildings, clinic and hospital.

Roland had returned to the mansion late, having spent as much time with his father as he could, though he did have school the next morning, so reluctantly came back. Honour never stopped talking about her new forest friends. About Anna, Rosie and most importantly, her daddy. While Regina had been pleased to see her little girl so happy, she couldn't help feel that, even with her wife and smaller children now all together, without Henry there, it still felt like something was missing, as her eldest continued to spend his college break living with Rumpelstiltskin.

~oOo~

The following morning, Regina drove Roland to school, Emma having dropped Honour at her playgroup a little earlier. He was nearly eleven now, so didn't tend to cuddle her quite as much. Nonetheless, she smiled as he placed his usual kiss on her cheek, before darting inside the entrance. However, today, a familiar figure walked out to greet her.

"Good morning, Regina," The annoyingly chirpy Snow White shouted, as Roland raced past her. "How's Emma? I haven't heard from her for a while. I left her a message yesterday, but she still hasn't called me back."

"She's fine. Was there anything you specifically wanted to talk to her about?"

"Not particularly, I just miss her. She's still my girl after all, and David told me she's been looking a bit stressed recently, what with Killian and Robin returning. Well, I guess it's bound to have been a bit of a shock for both of you? I can't imagine it's been easy seeing them again?"

Regina bristled at the mention of the pirate, though knew she was just being petty. She'd focused so much on Robin's return, that she hadn't really taken into consideration Emma's feelings for Hook. She'd remedy that, she told herself, by letting her get things off her chest later.

"Are you coming to the EGM at the town hall tonight?"

"An extraordinary general meeting? Tonight? No, I didn't even know there was one!"

"Mayor Spencer called it. Monday nights, he's usually out training his little army, but he insisted. All the committee members are required to attend. I spoke to Gold, and he suggested as many of us as possible should come this time."

"I don't see why I should bother. Emma and I don't get a vote anymore, and would just have to watch them from the gallery. Not my idea of fun! I'll probably have my feet up, with a book and a glass of wine."

"Gold didn't give me details, but we think it's about the new village and Robin Hood? Spencer's forcing a vote on something tonight, and needs us all there."

"About Robin? What's that got to do with them?"

"Well, I wasn't there, but I gather he threatened him and Sheriff Keith yesterday, using magic? I'm told it all turned nasty."

"Well I was there," she growled. "Nottingham grabbed Roland, and threatened to hit him! Under the circumstances, Robin was rather restrained. He shook him up a little, but he didn't actually harm him."

"Mmm, that's the problem with magic though, isn't it? It lets people who've got it, dominate and control everyone who hasn't! Perhaps Robin needs some restraining? That could be what the meeting's about."

The older woman seethed. Granted, magic had previously turned her, her mother and Zelena to darkness. But Robin? "He doesn't need restraining! He's being taught by The Sorcerer who ever lived, and his magic's white, like Emma's. And your son's, for that matter. Be careful what you say, Snow."

The younger woman's expression didn't change, despite Regina's irritated response. "You see, Regina, that's the problem, right there! When anyone with magic ever gets contradicted, or refused something, instead of discussing it like a rational human being, they get angry and threaten."

"I did NOT threaten you!"

"Not yet. But as usual, you were getting pretty close. Can you even hear yourself? That's the problem, Regina, it's just too easy to magically choke someone, throw a fireball, or make them disappear, when they say or do something you don't like. Most of us have to just seethe, or get angry. But after that we grow up, and get on with it! But magic makes people do really stupid things. And Blue tells me Robin has even greater powers than any of you? Even Gold? What happens if he changes? When Merlin leaves, what happens if he wants this new 'Sherwood' village to grow even bigger? What does it mean for Storybrooke, and could anyone even stop him?"

"You know NOTHING about Robin! He isn't like that. He doesn't crave power like Spencer, or Richard. Or even me in my own past, for that matter. He's good. He's-"

"The man you're still in love with. So you're hardly unbiased."

She said it as a matter of fact, not a question, and it threw her completely, but Snow wasn't finished.

"I know you think David and I are idiots, Regina, but we're really not! We notice, and we're worried. Worried for Emma, worried for Henry, and worried for you, too. You're still so completely blindsided by Hood's return, that you can't even see the bigger picture. But still, I'm not going to discuss this with you now outside the school gates. But we do need to talk. Soon. In the meantime, please come to the town hall tonight?"

And with that, the schoolteacher abruptly turned, heading back into the entrance, leaving Regina mystified as to what she'd just heard.

She was definitely going to the Town Hall tonight!

Monday Evening – Storybrooke Town Hall

The Public Gallery started to fill a good half hour before the scheduled start to the EGM of the City Council, requested by Mayor Spencer, the former King George.

On most occasions, the main table of eight voting councillors would be overlooked by perhaps two or three of the elder population at best, as most citizens didn't care much for the arcane processes and procedures of running a modern town like Storybrooke. However, today was to be different. Close to one hundred and fifty members of the public showed up, squeezing into a large gallery overlooking the main chamber and additional seating at the sides, provided at very short notice, to cope with the unforeseen audience.

Regina had turned up a good hour before, having been tipped off by David that there was likely to be a crowd, and needed to get a seat early. He'd held one free chair next to him, for which she was grateful. And as she sat next to him, David gave his daughter-in-law a light peck on the cheek, whispered "Good evening," before sitting back to watch proceedings, winking at Snow, who was sitting down at the main table below. Since she married Emma, Regina had become much closer to David, and he had proved himself to be a loyal and supportive friend, despite her sometimes strained relationship with his wife. The former mayor was no stranger to public events, but rarely attended since she had lost the position of Mayor, being forced out by an election she was in no fit state to fight. She hated being a bystander and unable to control things for herself.

At the main table sat six of Storybrooke's elected councillors. Snow White, as the school headmistress, represented the education services. To her right sat Doctor Archibald Hopper, the town's chief psychiatrist and conscience. To Archie's right sat Doctor Victor Whale, the Chief Physician. Moments before the meeting was due to start, a door silently opened, and a familiar clacking noise was heard as Mr. Gold, the primary landowner and landlord within Storybrooke, walked stiffly across to his own marked seat.

Mayor Spencer now appeared from a side entrance, flanked by the Sheriff and the Town Clerk, acting as the meeting Chairman, moments before the formal meeting was due to start. Looking irritable, Spencer was clearly annoyed that his impromptu meeting with the town's councillors now had a much bigger audience than anticipated.

Oh well, he was a king, used to commanding crowds. By force if needed!

He strode in, back held ram-rod straight, towards the table, half expecting the audience to stand for him.

Nobody did, which just irritated him even more.

"Council members, thank you for attending this evening at such short notice! I have asked you here today to deal with a problem which requires our urgent attention. Namely, the unlicensed and illegal building of a small settlement within our borders. A settlement built by a bunch of outlaws and thieves, which we currently estimate houses around two hundred forest dwellers and vagrants!"

The throwaway insult made Victor's blood boil, as he heard the grumbles from the gallery. Vagrants? How dare he? The poor unfortunates in that little settlement were worth so much more than that puffed up, self-righteous, contemptable little shit! But he stayed silent, knowing he's had his own news to deliver tonight, and he would do so in due course.

However, before Spencer could continue, Gold intervened.

"Point of Order, Mr. Chairman?"

That woke up old Colin, the Town Clerk. "Erm, yes ?"

"To which 'border' is the Mayor referring?"

"What?" Spencer cut in. "You know perfectly well, as you were there! The border separating us from Westbrooke, the lake edge on the plan!" He nudged Nottingham to circulate hastily printed copies of a map. "Hood's built on a patch of our forest, at the edge of the lake!"

"Mr. Chairman..." Rumple spoke calmly, but his eyes never left Spencer. "As I have tried to explain to the Mayor yesterday, in slow, careful sentences that even he would understand…" people in the gallery started sniggering. "The area of land shown here is not, and never has been, a part of Storybrooke. It fell outside the boundary completely. It was in fact owned by myself until yesterday, and I have sold some two hundred acres of land to the Earl of Locksley. Or as you know him, Robin Hood."

A few gasps were heard among the audience, most of whom knew nothing of Robin's lineage.

"He's no Earl!" Keith Nottingham growled. "His family was stripped of the title decades ago, for acting against the King! For treason!"

"Only in the eyes of the then King John. Who it should be remembered, himself acquired his royal title only temporarily, until his brother, King Richard, returned from the campaigns. Not only does the Locksley title remain in force, but so do our borders. This land here…" He stabbed at the photocopy. "…is no concern of yours! As most of you are aware, I'm also a lawyer and contracts are my...speciality. Not only that, this committee should know that Lord Locksley's counsel in this matter is Professor Sir Merlin Sage. Better known to most of you as The Sorcerer? His daughter, Rosalind Sage, is acting as Locksley's lawyer in this matter, and is currently living in the settlement, should you wish to challenge the sale, though I don't think there's much point."

With that, Rumple sat back, watching light slowly dawn on Spencer's face. The man's fucked and he knows it!

"Well what about the crime issues, then? We can't have a bunch of thieves living on our doorstep! There'll be anarchy!" yelled Keith Nottingham. "There's crime and basic sanitation to consider! They live in the forest, they're bloody filthy, and they're scavengers!"

Up in the gallery, Regina had heard enough.

"Watch your tongue, Nottingham!" She called down. "I know those people, and there's nothing 'filthy' about them. They're just poor and have to survive! A lot of them are there because of the things your idiot boss, my mother, and I, have done to them in the past!" She roared.

"Point of order, Mr. Chairman?" Shouted Spencer at the Clerk next to him, now trying to be heard above the hubbub from the public gallery. "Only committee members are allowed to speak at this session! We'll have no barracking from members of the public!"

"I have to agree..." said the Clerk. "Mrs. Swan-Mills, members of the public, I must insist you all remain silent during this session. Otherwise it will closed, and the meeting continued in camera. Please be silent."

Philip Briar, the former Prince Philip and last member of the committee, spoke for the first time.

"May I be allowed to speak, Mr. Chairman?"

He nodded. "You have the floor, Mr. Briar. We're listening."

"Thank you. As some of you are aware, I have been in command of our military forces for the last five years and I am delighted to report that, apart from occasional skirmishes, we have yet to require their use, relying instead on the sheriff's department for internal matters. Nonetheless, our militia is on permanent standby, trained and ready for deployment if required."

"Yes, yes!" Interrupted Spencer, wanting to wind thing up as he was getting nowhere with his plans for the eviction of the forest dwellers. He wanted to make his second point, but this idiot was slowing things. "What's that got to do with anything!"

"Mr. Chairman!" Roared Philip, furious at the interruption. "I've waited silently and patiently, listening to this man's nonsense! Now would you kindly invite him to shut his ignorant fucking mouth, and listen for a change! Without interrupting me while I make my statement?"

The audience hushed. Nobody had ever heard the former prince, one of the calmest people in the town, shout before, and they could all see a man about to lose his shit! Regina loved it. Loved the tension, and saw Aurora's husband, and soon Mulan's, in a new light. "He's got balls! I'm glad I came!" she whispered to David, who whispered back.

"He's been using them too, judging my Mulan's condition."

Regina cracked up, lightly slapping his arm as she fell about laughing, with David cackling beside her. He looked up to see his wife now glaring silently but angrily at the pair of them. Now is not the time, Charming!

"Mr. Mayor," the Chairman intervened. "You cannot ask for silence from members of the public, and not show the same courtesy to Mr. Briar! Now please be silent until he has finished speaking. Sorry Mr. Briar, please continue?"

Mayor Spencer's face was purple with rage, furious at being spoken down to not just by this young whippersnapper but by the Chairman too! I'll get you back in time, you better believe it! He silently brooded.

"Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The point I was getting to, is that close to a half of all our young men and women volunteers have come from among the forest dwellers. Several of the Merry Men regularly assist with their combat, survival and medical training. Even my wonderful fiancée, Fa Mulan, is actively engaged in their combat training." He glanced up at the warrior proudly, as she blushed beside her other fiancée. "I never cease to be amazed by her methods."

"Mmm, I bet! Phil must be exhausted?" breathed David near Regina's ear, the latter again snorting, before burying her head behind his shoulder to hide her giggles, earning them another furious scowl from Snow.

"My point being..." continued Philip, "...that we have come to rely heavily on the people of the forest and the Merry Men for our added security! They're volunteers, not paid out of the public purse, like the Sheriff and his men. I've gotten to know these people over these last few years, and I have found them to be sincere, honest and good. The very same people our current Mayor decided to deny a vote to these last few years! Far from trying to deny them their homes and livelihood, we should be encouraging them to join in activities with us, share our facilities, as they share theirs."

"I WILL NOT SHARE MY TOWN WITH THOSE BASTARDS! ROBIN HOOD REMAINS A TRAITOR AND A THIEF!" Interrupted Spencer, earning an angry glare from the Chairman.

"I will not tell you again, Mr. Mayor!"

"I'm glad you mentioned Robin Hood, Mr. Mayor." Philip continued, "I have seen and worked with Robin of Locksley and his men up close. May I remind you that their thieving days were originally caused by the ridiculous taxes imposed on the poor by those who should have known better, stripping them of their homes and dignity! They stole not for their own benefit, but in an attempt to buy food and clothing for the poorest of the Enchanted Forest. Those who had nothing."

He paused for breath, but Mayor Spencer again jumped up.

"I'm not listening to any more of this rubbish. Meeting adjourned!"

But as he turned to walk away from the table, Spencer felt his entire body freeze! An invisible force turned him around, lifting him forcibly back into the chair he had just vacated. Several members of the audience gasping at the sight.

Rumpelstiltskin smiled, standing to address the room. "Sorry about that, ladies and gentlemen. I assure you the mayor will not be harmed, though I believe he needs to sit and listen. Mr Briar has not finished speaking yet, and I believe there are several other councillors wishing to speak, too? As the Mayor insisted on dragging us to this ridiculous meeting, he will show us all the courtesy of listening to other councillors' comments. So, Mr. Briar, pray continue?"

"This is great, Regina. I wish council meetings were this good when you were In charge?" David whispered again, to his daughter-in-law, "We've got to come back. You bring the wine, I'll bring the popcorn!"

"Charming, you may be my father-in-law, but I swear to god…"

"Thank you, Mr. Gold!" Philip continued below. "Now, where was I? Oh yes. After the imposition of ridiculous taxes by him and his ludicrous gopher," he pointed dismissively at Spencer and Keith "Most of the poor fled their homes after his soldiers ransacked the villages. The only place they could go was the forest. The Merry Men fed and sheltered them. A number of years later, in the adjoining realm, the Red Queen…" Regina bristled at the mention of her mother, "Sought to destroy anyone who defied her. She attacked the community of Phalia, slaughtering most of the men and women who stood in her path. Well over a hundred were brutally murdered. So what about the children who were left wandering in a village of dead corpses? Who helped them? Certainly no fucking royal, that's for sure!"

Philip was fired up now, no holding back. Regina's tears of laughter had been replaced with shock at the vivid reminder of yet another horrible act perpetrated by her mother. Philip carried on, now addressing the villagers, his back to the table of councillors. "You know who helped them? Again, the people of the forest, this time led by Friar Tuck! They scouted for, and took in, all the children they could find. Many died. Though a good fifty or so live close to the Merry Men's encampment even today. So after that vile, filthy, psychotic woman destroyed so many families, at least a few were saved."

David, now chastened at their impromptu history lesson, scanned the gallery, seeing faces in shock, many nodding, some showing signs of anger at the injustice. He saw one young man with his head in his hands. He assumed that particular lesson must have been one he had personal experience of!

"Some years later, the Red Queen's daughter, the Evil Queen, carried out her own barbaric act of butchery on the village of Swaledale. Their crime? They sheltered Snow White, protecting her from being murdered. The villagers tried to fight back, but yet again the Black Knights showed no mercy, hanging their leaders and raping their womenfolk where they stood. The Evil Queen, AS WAS, crowed over her triumph and even removed the heart of the village seer, a man of eighty. Older than her own father, crushing it in front of his own family!"

Regina now felt sick. Being reminded so brutally of her past was overwhelming, and she felt dizzy. David brought an arm around her in an attempt at comfort.

Then he heard a recognizable voice come to Regina's defence.

"She's no longer that woman, Philip! She's a hero now! We can't keep bringing this up! We all know about Regina's past, but she's saved so many since, and we have to move on. I've forgiven her!"

Philip, despite his words, seemed remarkably calm as he looked back at her across the table.

"Well that's nice to know! YOU may have forgiven her, Snow White, but I'm telling you most of your former 'subjects' haven't! You make the mistake of thinking everything you say is taken as true by adoring subjects, but you are so wrong, princess! Regina currently sits in a warm mansion today, and you a comfortable home, yet there are hundreds in the forest still suffering from King George, her mother and yes, even your own family's past crimes! Your fights among your families have caused more harm than you can ever imagine. These are the people the Merry Men deal with every single day! Snow, you may be a symbol of goodness and light, but you truly have no comprehension of the pain and suffering your families have all caused."

He paused for breath as Snow sat stunned by the calm but fierce rebuke. Nobody had spoken to her like that in years!

"I mentioned Swaledale? Well, one brave woman smuggled two young children from under the guards' noses after their mother had been murdered in the massacre. That remarkable young woman protected them through the mountains for two whole weeks, leading them to safety. She even fought off three of the queen's knights, single-handed, when they tried to capture them. She eventually got the children to the Merry Men for protection, and though older, the young boy and girl now live among them today. That same woman was captured shortly afterwards. Would you like to know her name? Marian Locksley! A true hero to the poor, just like her husband!"

The gallery was silent. One or two sobs were heard among them as memories were rekindled.

"Now I say all this, not to give you a history lesson, but because I want you all to realise that we need the forest people a lot more than they need us! After getting to properly know them, as Doctor Whale has, I can testify that they, Robin Hood and his people, are the most noble, brave and honourable I have ever had the good fortune to know. And if this committee intends to take ANY form of action against them, I will cease my duties in this town forthwith, and stand with the people of the new Sherwood! I will not allow any action to be taken against them, and will fight alongside them, against you, if necessary!"

"As will I!" said Mulan, now standing up and looking at her fiancé, with love in her eyes.

"As will I!" said Aurora, standing and beaming with pride at her husband.

"As will I!" said David, standing and ignoring the annoyed glare given by his wife at the table.

"As wilI I!" said a red-eyed Regina, earning many gasps from the people in the gallery.

A rumble was heard from the floor and gallery as numerous men and women all stood and pledged their allegiance to the forest dwellers. Rumple quietly watched the wave increase with a knowing smirk as the noise changed to a thunderous round of applause for Philip's speech. After a while it finally subsided, and as it did, Rumple also stood.

"AS WILL I!" said the Dark One, earning the loudest gasp of all.

Everyone knew what that meant! Any action taken against the forest dwellers would be dealt with in a very different matter! So, it was decided.

The Chairman quietly gulped, looking down at his papers. Anywhere other than Spencer. "Well then, ladies and gentlemen, as that matter seems to be closed? I believe Doctor Whale wishes to make a short statement?" He looking across at Victor, deliberately ignoring the red-faced, silent mayor's furious glare.

"Indeed, Mister Chairman. I need to inform the committee that I'll be resigning my office as Chief Surgeon at the end of the month."

"Whaat?" someone yelled from the gallery. "He's the only doctor we've got!"

"That is indeed unfortunate, Doctor Whale. May I ask where you will be going?"

"I intend to take charge of the new hospital and clinic in Sherwood. However, I will also be joining Professor Sage's faculty in New York to undergo further training in my speciality, neurology. I'll return in six months, though based in the forest thereafter."

"Is there anyone you could recommend as your replacement?" asked Colin.

"Well yes. Doctor Annabelle Sage has offered to provide her services for the next six months. Her father, a renowned surgeon, will also be available to assist for at least three of those while on his 'sabbatical'. During that time we can also look for additional resources."

"Then I can only wish you the very best, Victor. I'm genuinely sorry to see you go. Now does anyone have any other statements before we bring this, frankly unwarranted, meeting to a close?"

Rumple smiled a smile worthy of The Dark One. "Actually yes, Mr. Chairman. I wish to make a formal statement and request?"

"Very well, Mr. Gold. You have the floor."

"Thank you." Rumple rose, in his old theatrical manner, a devilish look in his eye. He was enjoying this. Just like old times!

"Ladies and gentlemen. We have been brought her today for some rather curious reasons. It would appear the Mayor has asked us to agree to actions against a settlement of the poor and worthy, close to our town border. They've been soundly rejected. Our Mayor, the former King George, has over the last two years acquainted himself with the trappings of office unworthy of a small town such as Storybrooke. Following his election, he's appointed his own sheriff, Keith Nottingham, to his current post and has gone on to appoint a further six deputies, all at great expense. Now, as we all know, before David Nolan's long deserved retirement three years ago, we had two deputies on the payroll, plus himself. That was sufficient and had been since the time of Sheriff Swan and the late Sheriff Humbert. Sheriff Nottingham has instead increased his staff threefold, to no noticeable benefit. They have provided themselves with additional vehicles and even horses, again all at our expense."

Mayor Spencer was now purple with rage. If he could, he would have climbed out of the chair in which he was being held and wring the bastard's neck! He couldn't even shout back, his voice muted. And Rumple saw his discomfort. "Don't worry Mr. Mayor, you'll be released shortly, I'm nearly finished."

Then he turned to address the gallery. To play to the crowd.

"It's my belief, shared by many in the town, that the last election held was under very dubious circumstances, Mayor Mills and Sheriff Swan at that time being, temporarily, mentally unfit for office at that time for personal reasons. The former King George took advantage, called an election under which normal vote-counting methods were not secured. Citing that and recent events, it is my belief that the current mayor is wholly unfit for office. It is within my rights as a Storybrooke Councillor to request a vote by the Council for the current mayor to be suspended, pending investigations, and an interim one appointed while an investigation and new election is called. If at least seventy percent of this committee are in favour, suspension is immediate."

Spencer's eyes bulged. So that's what the old bastard is up to!

"So, ladies and gentlemen, all those in favour of immediate suspension, raise your hand and say 'Aye?'"

Gold, Whale, Philip and, more slowly, Snow, all raised their hands. "Aye!" they declared. So far it was a draw. However, after a short delay, Archibald Hopper also raised his own hand. "I say Aye too."

Five in favour, three against. No surprise when it came to the Mayor and Keith Nottingham. But Colin?

Snow intervened, sympathetic to his predicament. "Mr. Chairman? Colin? You haven't cast your vote. Are you in favour of Mr. Spencer remaining in office?"

The Chairman looked at Spencer. His son worked for the Mayor's estate and he knew the man would take his betrayal personally, no doubt sacking his boy the same day. Nonetheless, he knew where his conscience lay. Raising his hand, he looked across at the incandescent man. "No, actually. I vote in favour of the motion. Aye."

"Three quarters of the vote in favour. Seventy five percent carried. Mr. Mayor, you are suspended pending investigations!" declared Rumple, releasing the man, and Nottingham, from their magical binds, restoring their voices.

"You bastard! You will pay for this! I'll-"

"You will do nothing! Do you understand? You attempt any form of illegal action or intimidation against anyone in this room and you will be swiftly reminded why I'm known as the Dark One!" As he said it, Gold instantly morphed into the feared scaly gold, black eyed figure Spencer recognised. "Are. We. Clear?"

Spencer stood silently, turning away to leave the room without comment, followed by audience in the gallery whooped and cheered, glad to see the back of two of the most hated men ever to hold office.

Snow stood. "Well, I guess we need to arrange an election? I'll step in again as Interim Mayor, and start making all the arrangements. Now, if you'll excuse me? I need to get back to my son and-"

The Chairman raised his hand. "Snow, stop? We have not decided who should be interim Mayor yet, or indeed if we even need one before an election?"

Snow sat back down again, now feeling awkward. "I'm sorry, I just assumed, like last time..."

"Assumed yet another member of the Mills-White clans should fill the void?" Rumple snarked. "Perhaps it would make a change if the same three families didn't control Storybrooke's key offices for a little while? Perhaps somebody the people could turn to for more...independent and enlightened...leadership?"

"You?" It was Snow's turn to mock. "How on earth could you imagine that anyone would-"

"Not me, you fool! I wouldn't want the job anyway. I think the choice would be obvious." He looked across the table to the youngest man to his left. "After what we heard just now, I think Mr. Briar would be obvious for the temporary position? Perhaps he could even be persuaded to stand for office on a more permanent basis?"

Philip heard cheers and applause rain from the gallery as he looked up. He hadn't anticipated that!

"Eh? Well I'm flattered, Mr. Gold, but…but I hardly think I'm worthy. I'm not sure where I'd even start!"

The calm voice of Archie Hopper interrupted for the first time. "You're worthy, because you didn't ask for the role! You're worthy, because you have ideals, young man, rather than just opinions. You're worthy, because without magic, you have led people in the past, people who have been prepared to risk their lives for you. You're worthy, because people trust you and because you have given to the town. I think Mr. Gold may be right. You would be an excellent candidate."

Victor, sitting next to him, nodded in agreement. "I second that!"

Before Philip had a chance to respond, looking up at the gallery, at the glistening eyes of his wife and their fiancée sitting alongside, Colin brought the meeting to order.

"Councillors, let's make a decision, shall we? All those in favour of Mr. Briar being installed as Interim Mayor while elections are arranged, raise your hands and say 'Aye?'"

"Aye!" the five remaining councillors called, unanimous. This was swiftly followed by a loud 'Aye' from the public gallery and those seated below. Cheers started to erupt.

"Well then, Mr. Briar, you are duly elected as our new Interim Mayor."

Tears ran down Aurora's face, hands cupped over her nose and mouth as she watched her man, their man, stand to receive congratulations from the council as others started to mill around him. Mulan's arms wrapped around her in a celebratory hug, neither believing what had just happened. The room slowly started to settle as the new Mayor Philip was invited to address the room. Raising and lowering his arms slowly to call for silence.

"Well! Ladies and Gentlemen…I'm not sure where to start? You have completely overwhelmed me!" He was genuinely choked, his eyes reddening. "This is only temporary, and I'm not sure I'm worthy of this honour enough to stand for the election." There were further cheers and shouts of "Course, you are" and "We love you Phil!" amid the laughter.

"But perhaps I could start by making my first mayoral decisions? Firstly, I request this council formally terminate the current Sheriff Nottingham's employment contract with immediate effect, pending investigations?" That brought a loud cheer. "Secondly, I would like to ask the Council to formally declare the land currently occupied by the Merry Men and their associates, as being outside Storybrooke's borders, beyond legal challenge. I ask that the Merry Men and Women be given the freedom to travel and work in Storybrooke should they wish. Something that they were denied under the previous Mayor. That they may be allowed to make use of our facilities freely, as we have used theirs. And that they be publicly recognised for the heroes they truly are!"

Loud cheers rang out as he closed. "And finally, I ask this Council to award their leader, Robin of Locksley, the Freedom of the City for his great and dedicated service to the poor over many years and invite him to become an honorary councillor of Storybrooke Council. Do I have your agreement?"

The remaining five all raised their hands. "Aye!" they all declared, Rumple smiling at the young man's cheek.

Regina sat quietly, still chastened by the blatant reminders of her horrible past. However, listening to Briar's speech and his open admiration for her former lover, a tear slid down her cheek, quickly batted away before anyone noticed. David did, but he just smiled, staying silent, until finally:

"Councillor Robin Hood, eh?" He nudged her shoulder with his. "You know, at this rate they'll be making him Sheriff!"

~oOo~