It had been an unsettled few days. The Swan-Mills extended family clan were all on edge, knowing that they had just a few days left before the confrontation with Blue. Plans were all very well and good but there was much that would still be left to chance. So much that was still unknown about their situation.
Their spy in Snow's Palace had advised them that Blue had been carrying a pouch attached to her belt lately, that he suspected contained the hearts of Granny and Snow. He had witnessed her surreptitiously slipping a hand down to cover the pouch when talking to both Snow and Granny, which would make sense as she would need to be holding the hearts to actively control them.
That made life so much harder though. How would they be able to get the hearts back, if the confrontation didn't go as planned? Blue could disappear, taking the hearts with her and they would never get them back.
No one really cared about Snow's heart, except for the fact that Snow was more dangerous than normal if Blue ultimately had control over her. However, everybody was naturally concerned about getting Granny's heart back for her, because she was so well loved by all.
There would be a lot riding on the day they all came face to face at the lake. This was the day that everything would change. They had not been spending their days idle, choosing instead to train themselves in every way possible, so that there was hopefully nothing they were unprepared for.
Mal, Emma and Regina had all been practicing their offensive and defensive magic, to make sure that they were prepared for anything that came their way.
The others, despite knowing they would be left looking after the children and the castle, had been training too, just in case Blue was planning to send any unpleasant surprises, whilst Regina, Emma and Mal were out of the way.
It was a strange war they found themselves in. Both sides were walking into a situation at the lake, knowing that the person or people they were going there to meet, was probably not who they appeared to be.
Blue knew that Ruby, Dot and Lily had already arrived, and so was expecting Emma, Mal and Regina, to come disguised as them. However, she was banking on them wearing Ruby's cloak as part of that disguise, and so was hoping she could complete her plan to take their magic anyway. It was actually easier if they were all in the same place, so the lake was an ideal situation for Blue.
Emma and Regina would arrive with Ruby, but they would be disguised as Dot and Lily, and then hopefully Mal would be able to take Blue by surprise, grab the hearts and give her the sleeping curse.
Both sides knew the other side had probably figured out some of the details. Both sides also knew the other had spies working for them. It was a strange stand off but they could only assume that the other side would go ahead with pretence hoping to get a chance to get one up on the other side with the element of surprise. It was all moves and counter moves.
Emma wished it was more simple. She was brave and strong, and wished that rather than this farce, both sides could just honestly walk onto a battlefield, and hope that the best side won. There was too much that could go wrong like this, and it was so underhand. It was obvious that this was a war being fought now, even if the war was only against her family.
No white flag would be waved in the air by Emma though, she would protect her family to the very bitter end if she had to.
"Everybody ready?" she asked the room. They had had a family breakfast all together and then sat talking for a while, letting their food go down.
"More training, Emma?" Kathryn asked, concerned, "you need to rest, my sweet girl, there is only so much you can prepare for."
"No amount of preparation will ever be enough," Emma argued shortly, "we can't leave anything to chance."
Regina shook her head at Kathryn discreetly, mouthing at her, "let me."
"Why don't you take the others out into the courtyard, darling, I'll just feed Isabelle and then I will join you," Regina suggested, relieved when Emma nodded, and started gathering the others, before transporting them all to the courtyard with a lazy flick of her fingers.
Regina sat down next to Kathryn, with Isabelle on her lap and a bottle in her hand for her, "I know you're worried, I am too, but she needs to feel like she is doing something. We all do," Regina told her wryly, "Emma knows what it feels like to be powerless at Blue's mercy. She was held captive and tortured and though she might hide it well, that still haunts her."
"I know, but she has been training so hard. I can see how tired she is," Kathryn sighed.
"We're going to let her train today and tomorrow and then insist on a full day of rest before we go to Lake Nostos," Regina reassured her, reaching out to squeeze her shoulder, "we will take good care of her, you know that. Mal has prepared two potions ready for the day, one of which is to give us energy and one is for the amplification of our powers. Both are only temporary but they will help us deal with Blue."
"I just feel like I am standing on the sidelines. I'm watching all the people I love go off to fight in an unseen war, and I can't do anything to help," Kathryn confided helplessly.
"Kathryn, you're keeping our children safe. Neither of us could do this if we didn't know that you would all be here protecting our children with your lives if you needed to, which we know you would do," Regina said seriously. "We need you, Kathryn, never doubt how important your role is in all of this."
"Thank you," Kathryn reached for her hand, squeezing lightly.
"Come. Watch us prepare. If you see Emma fight, you will have a lot less doubts about our ability to win this thing. She's really amazing," Regina glowed with pride at her wife's abilities.
"I guess some fresh air will do me good," Kathryn agreed, "will Belle be ok here with Izzy?"
"She'll be fine. They have a unique bond, those two, it's like Isabelle knows that Belle was her surrogate. Neither of them can bear to be apart from each other for long," Regina smiled, "we are so lucky to have this wonderful family."
"We really are," Kathryn agreed, "now, go and show me what you ladies can do," she laughed as she watched Regina light up in anticipation. The fun that she had duelling with her wife was written all over her face.
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Snow could hear Blue long before she walked into the study; her insane cackles, not unlike how Rumple used to sound, could be heard all the way down the east wing corridor.
Involuntarily shuddering, Snow pushed forwards, making herself walk towards the study, and Blue, when all she wanted to do was run away in the opposite direction.
Her emotions felt dampened, like she wasn't really there, but there was one overriding emotion crowding her thoughts.
She was scared of Blue.
Blue was dangerous, and each day became a little more so. There were only a few people living in the palace with them, only their most loyal subjects who had worshiped at the feet of Snow. Now, they scattered in every direction as soon as they heard the tapping of Blue's heels as she roamed the hallways aimlessly.
Everything about her now screamed danger. Her black swirling eyes, her skin, even her teeth had changed and people literally ran rather than risk facing her wrath. There had been far too many incidents lately of mysterious disappearances or accidents happening to people who had failed to please the fairy in some way.
Yes. Snow was scared.
So why was she still walking towards the woman who terrified her? Why did she sleep in her bed every night? Why did she let Blue use her, for her own pleasure?
None of it made sense to Snow, but still, she walked towards the study, inwardly trembling in genuine fear.
Knocking on the door, no longer feeling like she was allowed to walk straight in, Snow waited for Blue to call on her.
Hearing the responding summons, she opened the door and stood in front of Blue, not speaking a greeting but waiting on a command.
"You will come to the lake with me. I want you to spend time practicing with your bow for the next couple of days," Blue informed her coldly, "I want you to kill every single person that shows up."
Snow flinched, she hated her family for abandoning her, despite knowing she had obviously committed terrible offences that deserved the abandonment. However, killing them all in cold blood, on the say so of Blue? That had begun to sit heavily with her, and yet she knew, with those words from Blue, that she would indeed take her bow to the lake. She would stand there, emotionless and kill the people that had loved her once. The people that she had loved once too. All because Blue asked it of her.
How was she so under her control? Why did she feel so unable to do anything for herself anymore?
Snow gasped, 'she has my heart,' she realised, trying not to let her revelation show on her face. That's why she had felt so strange lately. She had seen it enough times during Regina's rule, the expressionless compliance of those in her employ. Her famous heartless army of black knights, that had lived and breathed the whims of the ruler of the Dark Palace.
"Of course, Blue," she replied, not having any other choice but to agree with her, even though she knew the woman must have her heart. Knowing about it, didn't make any difference. If she couldn't get her heart back, then she was just another weapon in Blue's arsenal.
If she was going to kill Emma, Regina and the rest of those cretins then she wanted to do it on her own terms. She may have fantasised about their deaths, but if they were to die, it would be for her reasons and not because she was acting as a pawn for someone else.
She needed her heart back, and then she would kill Blue just for her audacity.
"Snow, tell me what you are thinking," Blue cunningly grasped the pouch at her side, to make sure her command was followed.
Snow visibly shuddered as she tried to resist the command but the words came spilling out of her lips anyway, as she told Blue, "I know you have my heart. I am planning to get it back and then I am going to kill you," she delivered matter of factorily, in a steadfast tone.
Blue cackled loudly, "really? Do you think you can?"
"Yes," Snow had no choice but to answer.
"On your knees," barked Blue, making Snow jump.
Snow dropped to her knees, inwardly seething.
"Kiss my shoes," Blue commanded.
Snow leaned forwards and dropped a single kiss on to the toe of each shoe, and looked up waiting for her next command.
"Don't you see, Snow? You are mine now. You're my puppet and I can make you dance if I want to," dipping her hand into the pouch at her side, Blue withdrew Snow's heart, which was easily identifiable, because of the amount of darkness within it.
"Whilst I have this, you can do nothing but what I ask of you," Blue was smug, her eyes boring holes into Snow's.
"I know," Snow said resignedly.
Blue looked at her, and spoke deliberately into the heart, "you will forget I have your heart. You will forget that you want to kill me. You will forget that you want to take this heart from me or that I have them in this pouch," Blue commanded, "you will worship me as if I were your queen, do you understand?"
"Yes, Blue," Snow agreed, immediately forgetting her discoveries.
"Leave me, now. Make sure your bow skills are up to date and be ready to leave for Lake Nostos in three days," Blue directed her, turning away to the window and not acknowledging the woman as Snow shakily rose to her feet and left the room.
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Regina and Kathryn walked out into the courtyard, to find Mal staring up at the sky with amusement.
"Where's Emma," Regina walked up to Mal, following her hand when she pointed up to the sky.
"Lily and Willow went to fly together and Emma went along for the ride," Mal grinned, "judging by Emma's incessant shrieking, I would say Lily is having far too much fun terrifying your wife."
Regina stared at the sky, watching as Lily and Willow circled around each other, swooping and changing directions quickly, as Emma sat atop Lily squealing loudly as she held on for dear life.
"I charmed her, she can't fall," Mal reassured her, knowing Regina would worry about her wife's safety.
They all watched as Lily banked steeply so that Emma was horizontal to the ground, before suddenly turning over in a roll, as Emma was underneath her with her hair pointing down towards the ground.
"Lily is incredible, Mal, look at her!" Regina told her enthusiastically.
"I know," Mal smiled proudly, "for someone who has spent so little time in dragon form, she is amazing, and her magic is coming along nicely too."
"She is a real asset to us all," Kathryn told her, "you have every right to be so proud. Surely she should come to the lake with you all? It wouldn't hurt to have another magical user there as back-up, or a dragon for that matter?"
"Dragons are tough, and more resilient than humans in our pregnant states, so I know she would be safe, especially if she transformed into her dragon," Mal told them, "but Ruby and Dot won't hear of it, and I have no right to overpower them. Wolves are very protective of their mates and as a dragon, I can understand that, because we are too."
"I can understand that, but I worry about you all," Kathryn told her, a frown appearing between her eyes.
"You don't need to worry, I promise. Hang on," Mal telepathically called Lily and Willow and asked them to come down, "I know that you are worried about your girl, but maybe this will help ease your mind," Mal suggested.
"What will?" Kathryn asked, obviously confused.
"I think she means a demonstration," Regina chuckled, knowing what Mal was planning.
Willow and Lily landed gracefully in the courtyard and Emma stumbled off of her back, on shaky legs.
"You're so gonna pay for that Lil's," Emma grumbled, trying to hide a smile that Lily saw anyway.
"Are you admitting that you're not tough enough to hang with us dragons?" Lily teased.
"No!" Emma denied, "do your worst!"
"Ladies," Regina looked between Mal, Emma and Lily, "how about some fight training? Kathryn is worried for your safety, Emma," Regina told her wife.
Emma turned to Kathryn, "hey, it's gonna be ok. You know that, right? We've all been practicing."
Kathryn responded by hugging her briefly, "I know, but I can't help but worry about my sweet girl, can I?"
"I was thinking we could show her just how much you've improved, Emma," Mal suggested, with a smirk. Kathryn was going to be very impressed, and honestly? They all liked to show off a bit.
"Cool," Emma looked excitedly at the others, "game on!"
"Let's protect ourselves first," Regina chuckled, waving a hand and charming them against damage from each other's magic. Mal waved a hand to add a second layer of protection, knowing how powerful Emma could be. They didn't want any accidents today.
Moving back in the centre of the courtyard, they got into position, surprising Kathryn when Emma moved to one side, whilst Lily, Regina and Mal moved to the other.
The three of them started to throw magic and fireballs at Emma, who looked like she was effortlessly dancing out of the way, and flicking their attacks off like they were nothing.
Defensively she was excellent, but then she gained momentum and went on the attack, throwing fireballs and lightning at her three opponents so quickly that they had difficulty keeping up.
Kathryn was stunned. She turned to Willow, but the girl was seemingly unimpressed, obviously having witnessed this before. Kathryn knew how powerful Regina and Mal were, and Lily had shown an incredible aptitude when learning, and yet here was Emma, fighting all three of them like they were newborns.
She had to admit, she felt calmer now, Emma could obviously handle herself. Blocking every attack skilfully whilst still maintaining a solid offence. She was laughing, obviously enjoying herself, and looked so carefree. Emma was beautiful like this, and Kathryn was just so proud of her.
She continued to watch them fight for a while longer, before Lily and Mal withdrew and came to join her.
"This is where the fun really starts," Mal smirked, "these two enjoy sparring rather a lot."
"I can see that," Kathryn answered, unable to take her eyes off them.
They were magnificent. The energy in the courtyard rose palpably, and started to tingle the skin of the observers.
Emma and Regina had been battling with their signature magic. Emma's had been white, and Regina's had been purple, but now, the colours were mixing. Both women's magic had mingled into a shade of vivid lilac, which was reflected by the swirling of that exact same colour, in their eyes.
They both threw a stream of magic at each other at the same time, and it met in the middle with an earth shaking noise. Rather than repel each other, the magic seemed to grow between them until a ball of purple, white and neon blue lightning had formed between them, and was growing larger and larger above all their heads. The electricity was making the hairs on everybody's skin stand on edge and crackling could be felt and not just heard.
Silently signalling to each other, they simultaneously threw their arms upwards releasing the ball of magic. Kathryn watched as it rose rapidly out of sight, and then squealed, startled as purple stars that sparkled fell all around them, fizzling out just above their heads. It was truly beautiful and Kathryn had never seen a prettier sight in either realm.
"And that is why you don't need to worry," Mal informed Kathryn smugly.
Regina and Emma were out of breath, and tired, but they gravitated toward one another, swept up on the high of combining their magic. Reaching the edge of the courtyard, Emma pinned Regina to the wall and kissed her desperately, as Regina pulled her closer with her arms wrapped around her neck, the fingers of one hand gripping her hair tightly. Emma's thigh found its way between Regina's leg, and the woman moaned, loudly, much to the amusement and embarrassment of the others in the courtyard. Lily automatically put her hands over Willow's eyes, not wanting her to see this rather adult performance.
The last thing they saw before Regina's magic transported them out of there was Emma reaching for the bottom of the brunette's shirt, about to pull it over her head, still kissing her frantically.
"Are they always like that?" Lily asked, stunned at the open display of sexuality in front of them all.
"Their bond is very powerful, and sometimes they forget where they are," Mal couldn't help but laugh at the expression on both Lily and Kathryn's face, "they are both highly sexual people and combining magic like that, is intoxicating, like a drug. Do not think badly of them for it, they truly become unaware of anyone watching, in their moment of need."
"Well, I guess we should keep the children occupied for a while out here?" Kathryn asked, with a wink.
Mal waved a hand, and Belle materialised holding Izzy.
"Oh, thank you!" Belle gushed at Mal.
"Did you have visitors?" Mal laughed, knowing Regina and Emma had likely ended up in the suite.
"I think they teleported straight into the bedroom, and they were not quiet!" Belle complained, a red tinge to her cheeks as she remembered the sounds they had been making.
"I believe they were too far gone to think about the soundproofing spell," Mal laughed, "we should give them some time."
"Oh, they were practicing magic again," Belle realised, with a knowing smile, having seen them sparring the day before.
"If that's what we're calling it these days," Lily smirked, "other people might call it dry-humping in the courtyard in front of their family."
"Let's go and find Henry and David, they are in the smaller courtyard, practicing with their swords," suggested Kathryn, "I don't think any of us want to go back to the suite just quite yet," she grimaced, as the others laughed.
