EPILOGUE - PARADISE OR DAMNATION

His immortality removed, Robin Hood now faces the final judgement. The verdict is obvious, surely?

His loved ones are there to witness the story of his life, and his idea of heaven may be even better than he imagined.

But with Zeus's two favourite immortal agents recalled, he needs others to carry on his work...

The Celestial Court

Despite having lived for longer than almost any other human being, save for the Sorcerer, it felt like it took them only a matter of minutes for Neal and the Celestial Court to watch the trailer of his life on Earth, as he stood before them in final judgment. To be fair, the presiding judge, Rhadamanthys, the current chairman of the panel of the three Judges of the Dead, had already pointed out to everyone that the trial would only be based on his time since Zeus sent him back to the living. Additionally, none of the people he'd killed during his eight long centuries on earth were considered. On the contrary. They said they would not be taken into account, because had all been killed as a result of battle, civil war, or the protection of others. It was rushed, to say the least!

"Prince Neal of Dunbroch," boomed Rhadamanthys. "Formerly known as Baelfire. Also known as Neal Cassidy. Also known as John Montgomery. Also known as Philip…" the demi-god started to read out the ten other names he'd lived under, over the last five centuries. "You have been through this process previously and been duly assessed by the court once before. In addition, our lord Zeus has spoken highly of you, and his reasons for your being granted your second life. You have more than proved yourself worthy of Paradise. You carry with you the blessings of Olympus. This court is concluded!"

Murmurs of agreement were heard around the amphitheatre. Neal nodded politely to his judges and had assumed that would be it! Although it was, until the second judge, Minos, intervened:

"One moment, my lord! Prince Neal, we have also received word from my lord Zeus that, following your service to Olympus during your second life upon the Earth, he is willing for you to be accorded divine status!"

Many resulting gasps were heard from all around the arena. This was a huge honour! "Do you understand what is being offered to you?"

Neal did understand, having learned from Persephone long ago of how divinity works. He would become a demi-god! An honour, and powers, drawn from Mount Olympus itself, usually only reserved for the offspring of a god and a human.

"I think I do, my lord, and I am deeply honoured by his gift! I do have one question, though."

"Speak freely!" Minos commanded.

"It's my understanding that, as a demigod, I would have to come to live amongst the gods in Olympus?" All three judges nodded. "Would I also be allowed to dwell freely amongst my family and loved ones?"

Rhadamanthys head appeared in the middle of the vast screen. "Deities have a different perpetual role and function to human beings! We are not encouraged to dwell amongst them, though we may visit as and when Zeus so commands."

He sighed. "Well then, please thank my lord Zeus for his kind offer, which I am humbled by, but I must sadly decline." Even more gasps were heard, which he ignored. "You see, my lords, in my time back with the living, I gained nine wives, two husbands, fifteen children, and many more, grand and great-grandchildren and their offspring. They're all my family, nearly all of them have passed over, and I would wish to live among them all. I hope he would not be offended by my choice?"

A wry smile appeared on the face of Aeacus, the third judge. "Offended, no. But surprised, certainly! And this is your final decision?"

"Yes, my lord."

"Very well then. The decision is made and the gods thank you for your service. This Court is concluded..."

~oOo~

As he spoke and banged his gavel, white clouds swirled around him, and as they quickly cleared, he found himself once again standing on the steps of what looked like a white marble forum. It took a matter of seconds before a figure appeared directly in front of him, slightly shorter, and staring back at him, with an unusually large grin. The man he thought was lost to him forever.

"Welcome home, my boy!"

Despite what he'd just witnessed, he still couldn't believe his eyes! "Papa? How?"

Rumpelstiltskin had lived for decades after the Dark One was hauled from within him, and consigned to oblivion by Merlin and others. After he and Belle had together married Ariel, they went on to have children and lived a long and happy life, before finally succumbing to nothing more than old age. However, when he faced the Celestial Court, despite a strident defence by Merlin, the judges determined Rumpelstiltskin was still partially in control of his actions even when he was The Dark One. The Court was divided, but the decision was made to send him to hell! Belle, Ariel and many others shed tears over the decision, but it was no use. The verdict was absolute.

"It would appear Merlin is indeed a more than persistent fellow! I gather he lobbied Zeus directly, telling him that the Dark One had far more control over a human being than they appreciated. He somehow persuaded him to reconsider the court's decision, and Zeus in turn interceded with Lucifer. They reviewed my history, took into account my life since the darkness was removed, and decided to draw me back and send me to Purgatory. That in itself was a painful experience, to put it mildly! I only recently returned, when they told me about your death."

Neal stepped in front of him, pulling him tightly into his arms, a tear slipping down his cheek. "I was sure I'd lost you!"

"As was I, my boy. As was I."

"How are Belle and Ariel? And-"

"Right behind you..." said a familiar voice.

Turning, he saw Belle, who was now wearing some form of ivory toga, standing next to her wife, both sporting huge grins, as the area behind them started filling with people, now appearing out of thin air. He gave both his stepmothers hugs, before turning to Gideon and Melody, his adult brother and sister, to do likewise. As he hugged Melody, ever more figures continued apparating behind her, walking towards them. He recognised his own children, and his own nieces and nephews, draw closer. It didn't take long for well over a hundred people to appear, with more arriving almost by the second, gradually filling the forum. All-important members of his life over centuries past, too many of them to greet. This was going to take forever! As they all stood, applause started building all around, as they welcomed him.

He'd been here before – he knew how this worked.

"Thank you, all of you!" he started, looking across the now several hundred people. Children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends. So many. "I'm really looking forward to spending as much time as possible with each and every one of you. But-"

"Well you'd better learn how to divide yourself quickly then, hadn't you?" said a tall brunette woman now standing to his side. His last wife, Parker, who had died only two years before him, at only 30 years old. "Took me quite a while!"

He turned to hug her, sealing a light kiss on her lips, whispering something in her ear which caused her to snigger, as about ten others appeared behind her. His eight other wives and two husbands. Plus several others he'd lived with as partners over the last five centuries. He even saw Emma and Henry further back, grinning at the display, awaiting their turn to see him. He laughed, feeling as happy as the cat who stole the cream.

Of his former partners and lovers, a fiery, instantly recognizable redhead stepped forward from the rest. "Well, don't just stand there, wi' yer gob open, man! Are ye no goin' te gi' this wife a decent kiss too? Or are we all goin' to have ta wait till ye get yer act together with splittin' yersel'?"

He didn't need to be told twice. He pulled Merida into his arms, his lips moving onto hers, in one of the most passionate kisses she'd ever experienced.

"God, I've missed you..." he breathed, before plundering her mouth once again.

They continued for some time until the redhead tilted her head back, to look at him. "Nice though this is, Cassidy, if yer goin' to kiss every wife, hubbie, an' partner here like that, yer goin' to be stuck here an awfy long time!"

"I disagree," he gazed lustily into the eyes of his favourite queen. "Look behind you!"

She turned her head, to see over twenty more Neal Cassidys standing behind her, all identical to the one holding her, walking towards his loved ones. It was a bizarre sight as former partners were reunited individually. "You seem to forget, I've been dead once before! I know the ropes already…"

"Guid!" her eyes turned from smiling to something more heated. "Cos tying ye up in ropes, is just one of many plans I have for ye. Now – come wi' me!"

The pair disapparated from everyone else in a light mist, leaving even more Neal Cassidys arriving to greet everyone in the crowd. Someone for everyone.

The Celestial Court - another Judgement Day

Unlike Neal Cassidy, Robin had never gone before the Celestial Court before, partly due to the way his soul had been obliterated by the Olympian Crystal. Zeus had sent him back before the judgment. So as he stood before the three judges, watching the last five centuries play out on the giant screen above them. The Amphitheatre seemed to be packed to the brim with people, all too far away from him to see him properly, other than on the screen, all coming to see the final judgment on the illustrious Robin Hood. Also unlike Neal, Zeus hadn't sent him back, so he couldn't draw upon the goodwill of the god of all gods. It was just him, and his record.

And oh my, what a record!

It's hard to really judge time passing in the Celestial Court, but it felt like a good few hours going through some of his earlier deeds. His recruitment into King Richard's army. The battles. The number of times he had to fight, and kill, other soldiers at the behest of his king. Each killing, despite having happened centuries ago, being vividly replayed above them. Then the story moved to his battles with his own leaders; at the way they suppressed the people they'd captured. How he argued furiously against the torturing and mistreatment of prisoners. How formerly loyal colleagues distanced themselves, when his unwillingness to go along with it all reached the ears of the king. He could have been executed for his perceived disloyalty, but in consideration of his earlier record, he was outlawed by his own people. Eventually finding his way back, over many months, to Sherwood, he discovered his lands and property had been confiscated by the tyrannical Prince John, a far worse king than Richard. The screens showed how, with a band of men he'd rescued, he turned to a life of crime, stealing from the elite he used to be a part of, before distributing the wealth acquired amongst the poor, earning his reputation as a fighter for the weak and dispossessed. A hero.

The audience seemed to be acting as though they were in some sort of enormous cinema, watching a film or show, rather than a real life story! Robin heard them all roar with laughter from time to time, at the various escapades they got in to, including, having robbed them of their stagecoach, leaving several of Prince John's finest troops stark naked, including Nottingham, tied to the wheels of the royal coach, as his men made off with their loot. The incident with Marian's horse made many chuckle, and he remembered how he'd stolen it, little realizing how much the evicted family were as desperate as the poor he was helping. They liked watching him apologise to her parents, with the freshly killed boar. It went on to show his many daring heists and break-ins, in some of the most magically fortified castles in the realms, stealing from the dragon Maleficent, the Evil Queen, the Wicked Witch and a whole bunch of other royalty to provide food for his people. As he saw the furious Evil Queen fleetingly ordering her guards to find him and kill him, Robin wondered whether Regina was to be found somewhere in the audience.

In the crowd, far out of his sight, she was. Marian and Emma standing either side of her watching the screen.

Then the images took a much darker turn, as they showed Robin's reaction to the death of his beloved Marian, by viciously decapitating her murderer and skewering another. Decades flying past, the images finally reached his arrival in Storybrooke for the first time. Loud hisses were heard all around at the appearance of Hades from the Underworld, with several angry shouts and screams as the blast from the Olympian Crystal tore into him, as he shielded Regina. In the crowd, the woman herself felt a tear fall at the horrible reminder, wiped away quickly as her wife's arm came around her waist, pulling her closer.

Seeing his own murder from above, was an odd sight for Robin, watching himself, his soul, fade away. Then the images jumped to his return along with Killian and sped along quickly like a fast forward on a film. It slowed when the siege of Sherwood Clinic came up, including Albert Spencer's brutal treatment of his captives. Emma watched the scene more closely than anyone, as the organized fight back by Robin, Merlin and even Rumpelstiltskin began. Marian winced at Robin's chosen method of dispatch, killing the former King George with his short sword through the chin and into his brain, killing him instantly. The scenes sped up again, slowing for the battle in the Dark Realm; where Robin and Merlin took on the might of the Black Fairy and her forces, to rescue Gideon Gold and the children. A loud cheer went around the crowd whenever they saw Merlin, who was clearly a hero long known to them. However, that immediately ceased, replaced by many horrified gasps as the injured Robin Hood slammed his short sword into the evil fairy, dispatching her the same way as Albert. The difference this time was that the entire audience saw his blade pass from under the terrifying evil fairy with the blazing eyes, past her open mouth on its way up, before bursting forth from the top of her skull, showering her brains around her!

"Shit - I really didn't need to see that coming!" gasped Emma, looking away from the image. The brunette next to her squeezed her hand, silently nodding.

"Horrible. But that foul bitch deserved it, darling!"

"I know…but seeing it like that? Gory!"

The images continued, moving into the last five centuries, and his various wives, children and partners appeared and disappeared. They took many forms, showing fights and deaths with characters they didn't recognise (but no doubt at Zeus's behest), but also many, many acts of pure kindness. Judging from the changing backgrounds, he'd clearly jumped many realms in the course of his long life. Eventually they faded, and Minos finally appeared on the screen above them. However, before he spoke, a small, low, thundering noise was heard around the amphitheatre. A noise that grew louder and louder, till it was almost deafening. It was the sound of hundreds of thousands of people clapping!

"SILENCE!" Roared Minos, looking angrily around the stands. "THIS IS THE CELESTIAL COURT IN SESSION! IT WILL BE TREATED WITH RESPECT! ORDER!"

Most of the souls knew better than to rile a demi-god, so the clapping stopped fairly quickly, replaced gradually, with silence. Robin, not the greatest respecter of authority, contained his smile by looking down. Unfortunately, Minos now turned to face him and, having just been reminded of how many people he had sent up here over the years by killing them. He wasn't entirely confident what decision they would make!

"We have seen enough. You certainly seem to have lived an extensive, and varied life, Robin of Locksley! We have seen reasons for conviction, and the case for mitigation." He looked across at the judges on either side, who gave small nods. "We have also received word from my lord Zeus, regarding a number of the actions we have witnessed, during activities that were conducted on his lordship's behalf. This will be accounted for in our verdict. Before we give our decision, is there anything you wish to say before we pass judgment?"

Was there? They'd just seen everything. He looked straight up at the gods. "No, my lord. I surrender myself to the Court's judgment."

"Very well. We are of the opinion that the majority of the killings we have witnessed were carried out in pursuit of a greater good, or defence of others. But not in all cases…"

He heard a few 'oohs' from the crowd, who now hushed, knowing the verdict could now go either way.

"The slaughter of those responsible for the killing of your first wife, Marian, was an act of revenge. As were…" Minos then went on to list three more killings, which were also carried out in anger, or as a result of his men being trapped. It was now Marian's turn to feel choked, recalling what she'd seen earlier; what had happened immediately after her death, and that murderous look on Robin's face as he took the head clean off the man's shoulders. Could his death be the reason he wouldn't be allowed to join her in paradise?

As her eyes closed, she felt an arm slide slowly around her own back, as Regina pulled her in to her side.

"However…" Minos continued, "It is also our opinion that these crimes must be set against other acts. It has been noted that you have been willing to sacrifice yourself, on numerous occasions, to save the lives of others. In one case, you actually sacrificed your soul to save the life of one Regina Mills, the former Queen Regina of Misthaven. As we know full well in this Court, no greater love exists than that you lay down your life for another! So, the decision of this Court is that you be granted paradise, Robin of Locksley."

~oOo~

A tremendous cheer and applause rang around the crowd the moment he finished, Minos himself giving Robin a wry smile. Robin blushed, now feeling awkward at all the adulation he knew was undeserved. However the cacophony of noise was brought to an abrupt halt by a fierce, powerful, swirling mist, that appeared in the centre of the amphitheatre, directly in front of Robin's dais. As an instantly recognized figure materialized right in front of him, loud gasps were heard from all around. It even made Robin gulp. Even Minos, Rhadamanthys and Aeacus sat upright in surprise.

"Zeus?"

[ROBIN OF LOCKSLEY, WE MEET AGAIN?] boomed the supreme god, his voice heard all around the huge amphitheatre.

"Divine One?" said Aeacus, the Guardian of the Keys, who now seemed nervous. Zeus had never travelled to the Court before. Did he not trust their judgment? "This is most…unusual. May we assist you?"

[NO. IT IS THIS MAN I'VE COME TO SEE] He actually winked at Robin. [I DECIDED TO WAIT UNTIL YOU REACHED YOUR VERDICT]

"Are you content with the verdict, Divine One?" asked Minos, hesitant.

[IT'S THE CORRECT VERDICT. YOU DISCHARGED YOUR DUTIES EFFECTIVELY. YOU MAY LEAVE US NOW, IF YOU WISH]

However, nobody, not even in the crowd, left. All but a handful had never been in the actual presence of the Lord of the Gods before, and wanted to see him for the first time. They noticed Robin had already stepped down from the dais and was now walking over to him. He bowed politely and then, to the surprise of most, put his hand out to shake it with the god. Zeus looked at it in surprise, before grasping it with his own. Robin felt the sheer power running through it.

[SO THERE IT IS, LOCKSLEY. YOUR LIFE – OVER SO SOON? ARE YOU CONTENT?] He bore a quirky smile.

"More than content, my lord. Five hundred and forty eight years is an awful lot more than most people get! And I have you to thank for the majority of them. Thank you!"

[YOU FULFILLED A SERVICE TO ME, AND FOR THAT I'M GRATEFUL. YOU KNOW, I'D ORIGINALLY PLANNED TO OFFER YOU A RARE GIFT IN RETURN? THAT YOU BE ACCORDED DIVINE STATUS, A CHANCE TO LIVE AMONGST THE GODS ON OLYMPUS]

Gasping noises were heard all around the arena. It was a great honour.

"I'm truly humbled, and really not sure how to respond to that? I hardly think a former thief is worthy of such an honour? You said 'originally planned to'?"

[AFTER MY GIFT WAS DECLINED BY AN ACQUAINTANCE OF YOURS VERY RECENTLY, I DECIDED NOT TO MAKE IT AGAIN. MY DAUGHTER PERSEPHONE INFORMS ME THAT THE BONDS BETWEEN HUMANS CAN CAUSE ISSUES WHEN THEY ARE SEPARATED]

"That's true, my lord. By my 'acquaintance', would you be referring to Neal Cassidy?"

[QUITE SO. OUR DUNBROCH PRINCE DIDN'T WISH TO LIVE APART FROM HIS FORMER LOVED ONES, DESPITE ALL THE ADDITIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES GRANTED. I TAKE IT YOU ARE OF THE SAME VIEW?]

"My Lord, one of the greatest joys of my immortality was being able to travel back here to see all my wives, children and family on those rare occasions. Since the last time, when you told me my immortality would finally end, I've been praying for the day I'd be united with them forever. That's my idea of 'heaven'!"

Zeus raised a brow, shaking his head. [AS YOU WISH. YOU KNOW, I'LL NEVER FULLY UNDERSTAND YOU HUMANS! WHICH IS WHY I MAY REQUEST YOUR COUNSEL, ON OCCASION, ON DEALING WITH YOUR KIND]

"I'll always happily provide it."

He stepped back. [THANK YOU AGAIN AND FAREWELL, ROBIN, PRINCE OF THIEVES]

"Farewell, Zeus."

Without another word, Zeus disappeared from view, as the crowd cheered their approval.

Moments later, three figures apparated directly in front of him, where Zeus had stood seconds ago. Regina, Emma and Marian all appeared together, in front of him, making him gasp in surprise. The first one, Marian, came towards him and, without saying a word, pulled him to her, before raising her lips to his and sealing them. Over her cheek he could see Regina and Emma stepping closer, as more figures starting to arrive. Other wives, lovers and children from the last five centuries.

"First, we need to get him learning to divide himself!" said Emma. "There's a lot of other wives want a piece of him!" she sniggered, winking at a tall, slim redheaded woman who appeared to them. They had met several times before and she knew her to be Colette, a French former countess, who Robin had married about a hundred and thirty years after her death.

"Agreed!" said Colette, "some of us aren't so keen on sharing our lovers that way!" she nudged her shoulder as they watched their former husband finally release himself from passionately kissing his first wife.

"Robin," said Regina dropping a small kiss on his lips. "Much as I'd like to continue what Marian started, we have a few people waiting to greet you themselves!" she looked around the arena and there must have been at least three hundred people standing patiently nearby. "Let's get on with this, shall we?"

Robin knew exactly what she talking about. The means of dividing yourself into multiple entities. After death, none of them had the magical powers they held in life, so everything Merlin had taught him was now irrelevant. Those were reserved for the gods and the demi-gods, an offer of which he'd just declined! The only powers they had were in the ability to divide and transport themselves, so they could all be with whoever they wished, at any time.

"Certainly milady. I'm all yours. Where do we start?"

"Well that was easier than I thought!" They watched the weird site of dozens of Robin Hoods now engaging in hugs, kisses and handshakes with members of all of the families he'd been a part of, had loved and cherished, over the centuries. "So am I somehow 'different' to all these cloned versions of me?"

"They could ask you the same question!" Emma cackled. "It's still you, but just you sharing yourself around. Each of your 'clones' as you put it, are acting independently, and every so often your minds coalesce, so you remember everything you've all been doing and saying. It's really complicated to describe until you just do it. But it's still you – and it just works." She looked at their wife. "So, for example, at the last count, Gina has about four 'Reginas' up here! One's with Daniel, her first love, and another's with her father, at his castle. Not sure where the other one is right now but if she needs to be meeting someone, she just imagines it and it happens. Obviously, you'll need more Robins, because you've got a lot more families! What is it now, ten wives?"

"Fourteen, including you and Regina. There were a couple of divorces too."

"Neal's just behind you then. You know he had two husbands as well?"

"Yup, I met one of them. Paul. Really nice fella!"

"He's up here, like the rest of them. Neal and I are quite close now. You never fancied playing for the other team? After five centuries, I thought you would have at least dabbled? Got bored?"

"I've had male lovers, yes, but marriage to one, no. Guess I never found the right guy?"

Emma laughed. "Well there's plenty of opportunity here, if you get bored…"

Robin's brow rose. "So you mean – you can start up new relationships here?"

"Of course! Why ever not? There's no jealousy and everybody can divide themselves. One 'clone' of me is currently with Graham Humbert, a guy who used to be the Storybrooke Sheriff before me! He's also in a relationship with Victor Whale, amongst others. I'm also with two others, including Lily. Remember her? Neal passed away just before you. He's already asked me out on a date!"

"Neal has? This is bizarre! So you just…be with whoever you want?"

"If you both want to. You'll understand soon enough. No jealousy, remember? So whenever you're with your other wives or whoever, they'll also be with whoever was special to each of them. Gina and I won't be getting jealous either."

"It's a lot to take in. So, who else are you and Gina…with?"

"All in good time, thief, all in good time!" said Regina, joining them again after having spoken to Emily, one of his other wives, who was also engaged in hugging her own Robin 'clone'. Within seconds the various groups gathered around his copies started to apparate away, to their various homes, until only a few were left, including Marian, Regina and Emma.

"Now, let's get off home, shall we? Everyone's waiting..."

"'Everyone' being?"

"Why Henry, Roland and the girls, of course! And their families. We thought they best all stay back from the Court…just in case."

"Yeah," agreed Emma. "If the judgment had gone the wrong way, we didn't want them to be there to see it! Plus, seeing how you nuked Fiona, the Black Fairy? Way too gory!"

"Very sensible," agreed Robin, stroking his beard. "I know I've been here a few times, Regina, but I still find it incredible that you managed to make a direct copy of your old castle? I never realised you could choose? Why do we need such a big place, anyway? It's not like we're under attack!"

"Big place? Robin, are you kidding me? We've six children, fifteen grandchildren and thirty nine great grandchildren. All adults with families of their own, needing their own space, and there's always a few staying with us!"

"Well, when you put it like that…" he nodded.

"Besides…" said Emma, walking around to Marian's side, looping her arm through hers. "Someone else has also moved in with us, sort of permanently, since you were last here!" The blonde leant her head back, resting it against Marian's shoulder, before the brunette kissed her brow.

He turned to see Regina's reaction, and was even more surprised to find not only was she smiling at the two women, but she then stepped up to the pair, giving Marian a little kiss of her own, but on the lips?

Robin was gobsmacked. "So…you three…you're together?"

"We are..." Marian was now sandwiched between them. "My feelings for Regina started when we were in Purgatory together. After she got here, and realised we both felt the same way. We gradually started coming together, something separate to what she has already with Emma. Then Emma and I also became closer, just after you were last here; then, one thing led to another..."

"Of course, if you're not comfortable, you can always have a clone of Marian, or me, or Gina...just for yourself." Emma grinned. "No jealousy, remember? We all have our other selves, in other relationships, just like you will. But I happen to like this particular family, a lot! Now that you're finally here, we think Marian...sort of completes us."

Regina was waiting for a reaction. "So…are you going to join us, or not, thief!"

He shook his head in utter bewilderment. His three beautiful true wives, all in a relationship of their own, before he'd even got here? Slowly, his face morphed from bewilderment into a beaming smile.

"Oh thank you, Zeus! Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

He moved into the trio, his left arm reaching around Regina, his right around Emma, pulling all four of them into a tighter circle, as the mist engulfed them.

And they were truly happy ever after!

Apalachicola National Forest – Florida. Two Earth weeks later

The two women had travelled the 1600 miles down from the north, from the town that was once called Storybrooke, just to witness the funeral and pay their last respects. Not knowing any of the attendees or family, they stood back, a little further away, up the hill and out of earshot, to watch as the urn containing his cremated ashes were taken onto the edge of the forest, to be spread, as a young girl, presumably a granddaughter, said a few words.

"Lovely service, wasn't it?" said the green-eyed blonde, as they watched them, reaching out to hold the older woman's hand.

"It was," agreed the taller woman, wiping a stray tear away. "The end of an era! I hope he's happy; he certainly deserves to be."

Paying attention to what was happening in front of them, and having no magic here to sense anything, they never noticed the appearance of someone close behind them. At least not until his deep voice spoke, making them jolt.

"He is. More than happy!"

They turned together, to look back, and up, at a stocky, dark-haired man with an equally dark full beard. "I'm sorry, you took me by surprise! Have we met? Do...do I know you?"

"We did meet, briefly, many, many years ago. Reul Ghorm, if I'm not mistaken?" he reached out a hand, looking at the other woman. "And Tinker Bell?"

Tink looked quickly all around, making sure they weren't overheard. "How the hell? Who are you?" As Blue stared at his hand without offering her own.

He lowered his voice. "A former arrogant king who had to learn the error of his ways! An unworthy soul who was killed by Hades himself."

"Arthur?" Tink whispered. "But that...that was centuries ago!"

"It was indeed, my lady. But following my feeble attempts to atone for my past, by doing his work in the Underworld, a benevolent god has sought fit returned me to the living, to act for him now that the Earl of Locksley and the Prince of DunBroch have both passed over."

"Baelfire's dead too?" Blue considered his words as he nodded, "Do you know anything about Snow White? I was once her fairy godmother!"

"I know…" The former King of Camelot gave her a warm smile. "I saw her only recently. She is more than happy. She has her Prince Charming, children, grandchildren and countless others all around. And she is truly at peace."

"And Regina?" Tink asked nervously about her own charge, knowing her fate would have been more than uncertain.

"She survived her purgatory. She now sits in the loving bosom of her family, her wife and husband. She is truly happy too."

"I'm relieved to hear that!" the normally imperious Blue Fairy was almost in tears. "Thank you for telling us, Your Majesty."

"You're welcome - though it's just 'Arthur' these days, if you please?"

"So you're going to be acting for Zeus, in Robin and Neal's place? You've become an immortal?"

"I have. But I didn't just come here to pay my respects at Robin's passing. I also came, at Zeus's request, to speak to both of you."

"Us? What on earth could Zeus want with us? We're fairies."

"Two of the noblest fairies that have ever been!" he asserted. "He doesn't miss much. He suggested you may be able to help me in a couple of quests?"

"Our powers are limited, Arthur!" Tink pulled her wife closer. "Our magic's no way up to the level of the former heroes!"

"A minor issue, that the Lord of the God's can easily take care of! He allowed me to tell you that, if you were willing to help us. Like Robin and Neal, your reward would be paradise."

The couple looked at each other, shocked. The chance to move on?

"How can we help you, Arthur?"

Mount Olympus, several Earth centuries into the future...

A group of some 50 spirits had gathered in the enormous arena at the foot of Mount Olympus, as the Lord of the Gods appeared before them. His three parents, siblings and children coming to witness.

"So you want me to go back and help King Arthur kill a couple of demons called Asmodeus and 'Vapu' something or other?"

The most powerful of the gods snorted.

[VAPULA. HE IS MORE THAN A DEMON. HE'S A POWERFUL GREAT DUKE OF HELL. ONE OF LUCIFER'S ACOLYTES, WHO HAS BROKEN FREE. HE CONTROLS LEGIONS OF DEMONS, AND HIS POWERS CANNOT BE COUNTERED BY MERE MORTALS, AUTHOR! I NEED YOU TO REDRESS THE BALANCE. THE TWO FAIRIES, AND THE ONCE AND FUTURE KING ARE WALKING INTO A TRAP. I WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH THE TOOLS, AS I DID WITH YOUR FATHER, TO PROTECT YOU. HOPEFULLY THAT WILL BE ENOUGH]

"So when do I leave?" As he said it, a familiar mist started to shroud him.

[NOW]

Mist was already surrounding them as the ground disappeared from under him.

[FAREWELL AND GOOD FORTUNE, HENRY MILLS!]

THE END?