After Margot's wedding, as the implications of his immortality sink in, with Merlin's guidance, Robin makes his first trip to the afterlife to meet some very special people.
Back on earth, The Lucas and Jones partners have an announcement for their children, and it seem someone other than the Locksley trio got to see Robin's drawings, much to Regina's embarrassment.
The Gold Mansion
The recent years had been kind to the Gold family. After centuries of pain, loss and misery, trapped under the absolute control of the Dark One, Rumpelstiltskin had decided that, no longer being immortal, he would enjoy the remaining years of his life with his family, to the full. Although centuries old, he'd managed, with magic, to hold the recent years at bay. Having two beautiful younger wives, he wanted to ensure he was still fit enough, in all respects, to keep Ariel and Belle happy. However, underneath the magic, his mortal body was rapidly approaching his seventies, so time was of the essence.
A decade earlier, he'd officially changed his name to Angus Gold, in line with his passport. Taking full advantage of his considerable wealth, he, Belle and Ariel travelled the world extensively, all wanting to see and enjoy as many sights and experiences as possible. They acquired additional homes in Scotland (close to his forebears and magical roots) and Italy, where so many wonderful experiences getting to know their mermaid happened and life was somehow simpler. Baelfire and Henry, along with their families and his beloved grandchildren, became regular visitors, to Storybrooke and elsewhere, and his happiest times were on those rare occasions when he had them all under one roof.
Today, the day after Margot Locksley's wedding to the young Rogers girl from another realm, Rumple's family gathered at their Storybrooke home, for Sunday lunch. As he looked around the dining room, Rumple smiled contentedly. There were fourteen people around that table! As he poured wine and soft drinks, Belle and Ariel fussed around the smaller grandchildren and great-grandchildren, serving up bowls and dishes laden with food. On one side sat Merida and Bae, their now fifteen-year-old twin girls Isla and Maisie either side, and in the middle, their surprise son Hamish, a bouncy seven-year-old bundle of energy who looked so much like Henry. He'd been named after Merida's much missed brother, who'd died in the battle of DunBroch. On the opposite side of the table sat Henry and Ella, their children Lucy and Christopher in between. Gideon and Melody sat beside their mothers, on Rumple's left and right.
Gideon and Melody had both acquired their father's magic, and their three parents' intelligence. Gideon, having Rumple's more scientific mind, would go on to win acceptance to Stanford in California. Melody on the other hand, was more of a bookworm, like her mother, although it would also break both mothers' hearts when she would finally go on to win a place at Cambridge University, studying English Literature and Languages. Both children would finally graduate with first class honours degrees, carving excellent careers for themselves in the future. But that was the future. For now the family was all together. Bae (Neal was the name reserved for this realm) had just told them all about his conversation with Zeus the previous day. It seemed the King of the Gods had also had a similar conversation with Robin Locksley.
"So you're really immortal now? Dad, that's amazing!" Henry realised the implications. "You're taking it a lot better than Robin! They told us over breakfast this morning. He didn't seem too happy about it!"
Bae shrugged. "Yeah, it must have been a shock to him. He'll be fine, once he realizes what happens after the Underworld. I was lucky, I guess. I spent a lot more time down there than he did. I'd a chance to meet loads of people who'd moved on, even my own great-grandparents. Zeus let me meet a lot more who'd gone to the afterlife. It'll be horrible watching everyone I love die and move on, but at least I'll get to see you all regularly after. It's a really hard thing to explain. Robin just has to experience it for himself."
Rumple looked on, his heart heavy. Bae would spend an eternity seeing his family in the afterlife, but that pleasure would be denied to him, a former Dark One. He was almost certain to be going to the same place as his own mother Fiona, and his father, Peter Pan. The pits of hell!
However, it seemed Bae picked up on his dark thoughts. "Papa, sorry, I almost forgot something he said. Something important. He told me him and the gods look upon the crimes of a Dark One as belonging to a dark entity itself. Not its host! You were controlled, not acting of your own free will. So when you finally pass, you may need to spend some time in purgatory, but you probably won't be going where you think you're going!"
"Zeus actually said that?" he couldn't believe his ears!
"I swear it, papa! The Dark One's crimes aren't your crimes. The Celestial Court will judge you only on your time as Rumpelstiltskin. So hopefully, you'll all be joining us in the afterlife!"
The Diner
Alice Lucas's parents looked on lovingly, cheering as she blew out the sixteen candles on her birthday cake.
Alice knew she, and her two older brothers, were 'different' from most people in town. How could they not be? After all, one of her mums was Little Red Riding Hood, the wolf, and the other Dorothy Lucas, the Hero of Oz. And her father used to be Captain Hook, the pirate. Now a reformed hero, brought back to life by Zeus himself, with magical powers, which she'd inherited!
And her third, non-biological mother? Well she wasn't famous, but mamma Rosalind had magic more powerful than any of them. And to cap it all, Rosie's father, Merlin, was the greatest sorcerer who ever lived!
When they were old enough to understand, Alice her brothers had been sat down by their parents and told all about their origins. About how she and Nat wouldn't even be alive today, if it hadn't been for Merlin's magic. How he had fused their mothers' eggs, and, with her father's help, had enabled them to have children. Having three biological parents wasn't too hard to take on board, once she discovered that two of the older girls, Faith and Hope Locksley, were the same.
She loved her older brothers, but was particularly close to Liam, who seemed the more caring and protective by nature. It was a happy upbringing, though she used to hate it when dad had to sail off on his ship at least once a year, sometimes for months at a time, taking Liam and mamma Rosie with him. As she grew older, she became more aware of the unusual relationship between Dad, Rosie, and her mothers. She knew the four were close. Very close. Though it wasn't until ten years ago, when Nathaniel came back from school one day looking upset, that she got to know all about the rumours that were spread about them. It took a while, under their mothers' continued pestering, for him to reveal what had been said.
Now, on her sixteenth birthday, after she'd opened her presents and polished off half the birthday cake, the mood turned a little more serious when her older mother said they had something important to say. Rosie and dad sat at the table, waiting for Dorothy to start.
"OK, guys. Your mums, dad and I have something to tell you. As you know, the four of us have been together for the best part of two decades now..." she scanned the group, Killian winking back at her. "Though technically, even though we all love each other to bits, we are still two married couples…"
Alice stared back, wondering why she was stating the obvious?
"Well…we've been very happy over the years, but, after talking with your mum, we decided that perhaps we wanted something more. So, last night she and I asked mamma Rosie and dad if they would consider something. We asked for their hands in marriage. And they said yes!"
Liam and Nat looked at each other, Nat slightly confused. "Erm...not that I'm saying anything against it but…why now? I mean, it's good but…you guys are already together anyway, right?"
"We are indeed, lad," replied Killian, expecting this from his older son. The one who was most like himself. "Nat, it wasn't necessary; just something the four of us wanted. After all these years, it brings us all together, just a little bit more formally."
Alice's face slowly morphed into a huge grin as she thought it through. "So, there's going to be a wedding? A real four-way wedding? I've never heard of one of those before. Four parents – sounds kinda…cool? That's one more than Xhou Briar, or the Locksley girls got! Three mums, and we get Liam as a 'proper' brother, too?"
"So what am I now - an improper brother?" But Liam still smirked, "I somehow always had a feeling these guys would do this, eventually!"
~oOo~
And so, just three months later, the two towns witnessed their first ever four-partner wedding ceremony, held on the back lawn of at the Earl of Locksley Inn, which Robin had given over to them for the day. As word spread of the unusual event, despite some odd reactions initially, it seemed most of the citizens of Sherwood and Storybrooke wanted to attend. As Nathaniel had been dating Hope Locksley for over than a year, they also invited her family, even though Emma and Killian were still not entirely comfortable in each other's company, even after so many years.
It was a quirky, but romantic ceremony, as all four each took it in turn to pledge their vows to the other two. A unique ceremony, Dorothy and Ruby had stood with the officiant, and newly-elected mayor, Archie Hopper, waiting for their bride and groom to arrive.
Although Killian looked particularly dashing in his former naval uniform (with Ruby and Dorothy still able to fit into magically-restored and adjusted wedding dresses worn nineteen years ago!), it was Rosie's new dress that stole the show. As she slowly walked up the aisle arm-in-arm with Killian to meet their brides, disbelieving gasps were heard all around. Magically created with the help of both her sisters (Celia came over from England especially), the entirely seamless sheer white pure silk dress flowed over her long torso legs and torso like liquid paint, with nothing underneath, and had the unintended effect of arousing Ruby, Dorothy and a fair proportion of the crowd at its unadulterated sexiness! Set against her long brown locks and careful makeup, she looked fabulous. The Lucas wives shared a look, Dorothy whispering so low only her wolf would hear: "We are so going to nail her tonight!"
Ruby tried not to laugh. "No way I'm waiting till tonight!"
Killian glanced over the guests, seeing an almost envious look on the face of a certain blonde Saviour, who he'd once thought his true love. Envious of her…or me?
~oOo~
Once the service concluded, applause rang all around as the four walked from the platform down towards the inn, Rosie arm-in-arm with Dorothy, Killian with Ruby right behind them.
"Well, now I've seen just about everything!" Snow clutched David's arm, a tear in her eye.
It turned out to be an excellent marriage. One that would remain full, loving and faithful for many decades to come, till old age, rather than illness, injury or misfortune, finally claimed them all. After completing her education at an exclusive private girls' school in Boston, Alice Lucas-Jones would go on to travel across realms with her father and mothers, enjoying countless adventures and several relationships, before eventually finding love in the arms of Xhou Briar, marrying and settling in Storybrooke to create her own family. One day she would even be mayor herself!
Liam Lucas-Jones, sharing his father's wanderlust, would go on to inherit the Jolly Roger, after Killian became too infirm in his eighties (or two hundred and seventy, in his enchanted years) to sail alone. He explored the realms, often joined by family and grandfather Merlin, who taught him in the use of his magic. Although an avowed bachelor, having had several serious relationships over the years, with both men and women, Liam finally found his own true love with Paul, a fellow seafarer from the Enchanted Isle. His older brother Nathaniel, although travelling frequently across the realms with his family, decided to base himself in Storybrooke, where he eventually fell in love with, and married, Faith Locksley, going on to have three children of their own, uniting two of the most famous families in Storybrooke, much to Emma and Regina's initial discomfort, even if they did adore their resulting grandchildren.
~oOo~
The years would also be kind to the Briar family. Despite his regular attempts to resign from office, the townspeoples' choice of the former Prince Philip to remain Mayor of Storybrooke proved to be a wise one! Mayor Briar served twelve years overall before, despite objections from many, including Mulan, he deciding to stand aside so a fresh election could be called and a new figurehead installed. Following his example, Emma also resigned as sheriff, to enjoy more time with her growing, dispersed family. Mulan stood for election, won, and finally became Sheriff of the jointly administered Storybrooke and Sherwood, an office she would hold for a further five years before retiring herself. Aurora ran the local elderly residential care home and nurseries before retiring herself. Philip Junior, or 'Pip' as he was known by all, would eventually leave Storybrooke to join the US Air Force. A decade late, after a brief marriage ended in divorce when his wife was unfaithful, he returned to Storybrooke, where he dated, and eventually married, Honour Locksley.
His sister Li, like her mother Mulan, would leave college to serve in the armed forces with distinction, before eventually travelling across China with a boyfriend she dated in college. Later in life, Li decided to return to her home, as her three parents were getting older. Like her father, she'd go on to become Mayor of Storybrooke one day before, much to everyone's surprise, she started dating the bookish older scholar Gideon Gold, who she eventually married, giving birth to two daughters. Her younger brother Xhou turned out to be the most academic of the Briar children. He followed Henry's path to Harvard, discovering a gift for languages. Like Li, he would travel and explore China and the Far East, before setting up a travel business in New York. It was while he was there that he renewed his friendship with his old classmate, Alice Lucas-Jones. Friendship eventually turned to something much deeper and, just before his fortieth birthday, they were wed.
So over the years, through marriage and new offspring, the four magical families of Storybrooke. The Golds, Locksleys, Briars and Lucas-Jones's, the four polyamorous families of Storybrooke, became linked by blood, and by law.
Back to the present….
Three days after Margot's wedding, Robin met Merlin at the convent.
The Sorcerer had explained the process involved at some length, going over it numerous times. It involved lying down, somewhere he knew his mortal body wouldn't be disturbed, preferably in a secured room, while using magic which would deliberately put him into a coma. Hence the reason Blue stood listening, as it would be her fairies' task to ensure Robin's body lay completely safe as his mind separated itself from body for the first time.
"Will it hurt, Merlin?"
"No Robin, the sensation is painless, but you'll be thoroughly exhausted after! You're putting yourself into a coma. The tricky part of all this is the concept of time. There is no sense of it in the afterlife; it's perpetual. Once you've got over the initial shock, you will find the experience…joyful. Even addictive! Re-united with all those you have lost. Family, friends. The only ones you won't see are those who have committed major acts of evil, are going through their purgatory, or have not atoned. But time still moves on back here, and yur physical body will soon decay without sustenance. Sometimes you can visit the afterlife and it seems, when you return, that only minutes have passed. Other times - weeks. Reul will inform me if there's any sign you've been away from your physical body too long. At first, I may well have to come and get you! So, are you ready?
~oOo~
Putting himself to sleep wasn't the difficult part, but this this was completely weird!
Robin had imagined the afterlife (or Heaven, Valhalla, Paradise or however anyone referred to it) would be like the Underworld. But it bore no relation. He'd imagined clouds and mist, people in robes, but this? He stood in a large open forum, paved in shiny marble, with giant Coliseum-like pillars in the distance. People appeared to be walking around in normal clothes. But so many varieties! So many colours! As he stood in wonder at the scene laid before him, immediately behind him, a female voice spoke.
"Robbie?"
He turned, his jaw dropping in utter shock when he laid eyes on her. The woman he hadn't seen for over forty years. The woman who knew him like no other. The woman who gave birth to him. "Mamma? Can it…is it…really you?"
"My Robin! Just look at you? All grown up. A man. A father. Grandfather. Husband to a queen and a Saviour? Yes, it's me, my beautiful chick." Her voice was as warm and gentle as he remembered her, full of understanding how he was feeling right now. On hearing her pet name for him for the first time since he was a child, made the tears well up almost immediately.
"Oh mamma…" he pulled her tightly to his chest, grateful to find she wasn't some ethereal figure in the mist. She was solid, even warm! "Mamma, you've no idea how much I've missed you…" he felt her arms around his waist as she pulled herself into him a little tighter.
"Oh, I have every idea, my darling! I've missed you too. And my Maria. But I've also been watching you both. We all have…"
"All of you? I don't understand."
"You will, in time. We all have the means to look on our loved ones from here, my chick. Your father and I have watched you, and your sister closely since the days we passed. I know all about your lives...your children...your wives…"
Robin felt a twinge of embarrassment. "You have? So you know…everything?"
"Most things. Not your thoughts, obviously, but your actions, most certainly. All the things you've done for the poor over the years, protecting your people. We're immensely proud, Robin. It's no wonder the Lord of the Gods sent you back?"
Robin was floored, not sure what to say. They could see everything? "And…what about papa? We didn't part on the best of terms."
"And that was entirely my fault!" A deeper voice rumbled, right beside him. "I was unfair to you Robin. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive a proud old man?" His head turned to see Robert, Earl of Locksley, standing right there in front of him, looking as he did, dressed as he last remembered him, over forty long years ago, when they'd had a terrific row. Robert had finally lost his patience, slapping his disobedient son hard around the cheek. Rather than take it, as he so often did, Robin had reacted angrily, by punching his father hard in the face, knocking him out cold, before storming off. It was the last time father and son had spoken.
"PAPA!" without asking, he hauled the man tightly into his chest. "Papa, please forgive me? I reacted harshly!"
"Nonsense, my boy! You spoke nothing but the truth – as usual!" the two men held each other tight, his mother looking over his shoulder, sporting a sad smile. "I struck you first, and I deserved the beating. I just wish we'd had the time for me to make amends before I passed over in the fire. There's nothing for you to forgive, my boy. It is me that seeks the apology! I was wrong and your Marian turned out to be a remarkable woman; I've seen what a joy Roland has been to your life. You've made me very proud!"
Many tears of joy and more hugs were shared over the next, what seemed like hours, until another soft, warm voice he'd heard so often in his dreams, a voice he'd know anywhere, was heard from behind him as he held his mother once again. "I hope you have one of those hugs for me?"
"MARIAN? OH, MY DARLING!" he turned instantly, dragging her into his arms and, not caring who saw, seizing her lips with his own as though his whole life depended on it. Marian responded in kind and for a while it felt like she'd never been gone. When they finally parted, as he remembered where he was, guilt fell over him. "Sorry – I shouldn't have done that!"
"Why ever not? Robin, you may be widowed, but we were still married! I hardly think Emma and Regina would mind, under the circumstances. In this afterlife, I'm quite sure Regina will be kissing Daniel Colter when she passes over too. I'm sure Merlin told you how this works here?"
He sighed, nodding and smiling. "Of course – you know about them…" he looked to his sides, noticing his parents had disappeared. For now. "So the Prince you were once betrothed to; the one killed by George? You see him too?"
"I see everyone who I knew before I passed, if I want to. We are divisible, my love. No envy, no anxiety. You will get used to it. Everyone does. You remember Sophia, my ladies maid? I know she will love to see you again. She even said it was she and I who taught you all those little techniques that your living wives are so appreciative of?" she gave him a lusty look he never imagined he'd see ever again.
"God, I'd forgotten how deliciously wicked you can be, Marian." He kissed her again. "Though I can't help feeling this would be wrong if you were alive, rather than in my mind?"
"Well, I'm not, so it doesn't count! By the way, I need to have a word with you about those…drawings!"
"Drawings? Sorry, I don't-"
"Those drawings and etchings you made of me? The more intimate ones? Robin, they got to see…everything!"
Now it was his turn to be smug. "They did! Though just for the record, they both thought you were very beautiful. You forget, they both have an appreciation of the fairer sex! Regina was really quite effusive. Incidentally, she wanted me to apologise on her behalf, for the Black Knights who ultimately killed you! It may not have been her, but she sent them…"
Marian smiled benevolently. "It's forgotten. It's difficult to maintain hatred up here. Besides, I know how much she's changed since her Evil Queen days. It's not for me to judge. That'll be done by the Celestial Court when she finally passes over. But I'm pretty sure her mental illness at the time will be taken into account. You can tell her that I've also spoken with her father on numerous occasions. And Daniel, the lover her mother murdered…"
"You know Daniel? But…how? You were in different realms. Different times!"
"We were. There's many Underworlds, but only one afterlife. Incidentally, I also had a chance to meet one of your youngest. Faith? When she almost died in that car accident a little while ago? My father and I helped her go back. Far too young to be here!"
He remembered how Faith was only eight when she and her friends were involved in a crash caused by a drunk driver. How she had been on life support for three days, in that hospital bed, her mothers never once leaving her side. The nursing team said it was unlikely she would come back. But come back she did! He remembered how, after she eventually recovered, she told them how a beautiful tall black-haired lady, and an older silver haired man, had told her she wasn't due to arrive there yet, to think about her family and about wanting to be back with them. That she had to be strong. That her daddy and mummies needed her to go back.
"That was you? You met Faith?" Were there any more surprises in store for him?
"I did. She's lovely. Fascinating, how even though Regina gave birth to her, she's blonde like Emma? You don't need to explain, I know all about the shared DNA! Without Merlin's help - that's impressive! A sign of True Love indeed..."
He frowned. "You seem to know everything, Marian! Hardly anything I need to tell you…"
"You're so wrong! I have hundreds of questions. Mainly about Roland. I need to know everything he's doing? He's…" she stopped, looking over his shoulder as something distracted her. A deeper voice, a young, shy man, seemingly in his early twenties, had appeared beside them, looking hesitant.
"Sorry to disturb you, Marian. It's very rude of me, I know. But…" he interrupted, Marian glanced across at him, her face changing from surprise to a resigned smile. "Of course. It's no problem, Daniel…"
Daniel? Robin stepped back from Marian, looking at him properly when he heard the name. "Daniel? As in…"
"Daniel Colter, Mr Locksley. It's a pleasure to meet you!"
Fortunately, Robin remembered the instructions the Sorcerer had given him to return to his body. Nonetheless, as he opened his eyes, it took him a while to reacquaint himself with his surroundings, only to find three women looking over him, all with odd smiles on their faces.
"Welcome back, Robin!" said Blue, as his vision came into focus.
It felt like he'd woken from a very deep sleep. "How long was I gone?" he groaned.
A smiling, familiar, green-eyed blonde appeared over him "About six hours," said an old friend.
"Tinker Bell? You're back!" he reached up, clutching the fairy's arms, pulling her down to apply a large kiss on her cheek. "We missed you! Does Gina know you're back? She needs to…hang on a minute. Six hours? It felt like I'd been gone days!"
"Time in paradise often works like that, Robin. So I've been told!" Blue grinned, resting a hand on his right thigh. The green fairy gave her superior a knowing look, smiling back and scrunching her nose. "Did you enjoy your first visit to paradise?"
~oOo~
"I still can't believe you saw Daniel?" Regina was almost speechless as Robin recounted his trip. Evening cocoas in hand, Emma sat close, her arm around her wife, knowing too well how her mind was doing somersaults.
"Saw him, and even shared a drink with him, Gina. He's such a nice young man. He introduced me to his parents, too. He told me how much he loved you, felt terrible for having broken your heart in the way he was forced to leave, and everything that happened after that. That he wanted to know just how proud he was of what you've finally become."
A tear for the memory of her first ever love slid slowly down her cheek. "I loved him, Robin. So very much."
"Correction. You still love him, Regina! Love doesn't just end on death. You take it with you. When you pass over, he'll be there, waiting…"
"Robin, I love Emma and you, too! Please don't say things like that. I moved on. I had to!"
"You love all of us! As we love you. I saw how it works, Gina. Imagine you being able to split yourself into as many Reginas as you wanted? One for me, one for Emma, one for me and Emma together. Another for Daniel. Your parents. There's no envy! No competition. No anger or need for vengeance. It's just…paradise."
"And daddy? Is he happy?"
"He watches over you. He's so proud too. He had his first love, Beatrice, by his side. He was forbidden from seeing her by his own parents. Sounds like someone we know? And he adores Henry and the girls. Emma, he wanted me to personally thank you for saving Regina's life! He saw everything…"
Emma gave him a sad smile. "You forget. She saved mine too, you know? So, you saw Marian?"
"It was wonderful. I'm going to tell Roland all about it, when he gets back. Do you remember when Faith had that car smash? She was in a coma for days? You remember, just after she woke up, she mentioned a black-haired lady who told her to go back? How we all thought her imagination got the better of her? No, that was Marian! She watched over our girl. She told her it wasn't time, and how she could help her get back to us."
"It seems I owe Marian more than I ever realised. She may have been your first wife, but I'm almost looking forward to meeting her. When I die." Was she really saying that?
"And you will, Gina. Mind you…she did tell me off for letting you see my pictures of her!"
"The naked ones?" Emma grinned? Don't see why she's upset. She looks great in them!"
He chuckled. "Interesting you say that. She said something similar about you two! Somehow, she got to see those ones I did of you and Regina, when we finally managed the honeymoon. The Zanzibar ones?"
Both wives looked shocked. "Not that tribbing one, surely? Robin, it's positively pornographic!"
"And one I happen to love! I sneak it out of the sealed casket to look at it on rare occasions. It seems Marian was looking over my shoulder…"
"Thief, you better pray that drawing never sees the light of day until I'm at least dead and buried! Hopefully not even then. Otherwise, I'll have to return and kill you myself!"
Emma chuckled. "Personally, I think it's great! One I've also looked at it a few times when I've been…alone!" At that, Regina and Robin shared a knowing smirk. When she was alone? Emma saw it, realised what they now knew and blushed, deciding to change subject, quickly!
"So, any other news, Mr. Immortal Traveller between Realms?"
"Well, only one little snippet. Did you know Tink and Blue are now a couple?"
Regina almost sprayed her drink over the carpet in her coughing fit. "You have got to be kidding me?"
~oOo~