A/N: I can't apologise enough for the long wait! My A Levels are taking up so much of my time (but hopefully it will all be worth it when I get the grades I need to get into uni!) Anyway, there's a possibility I may be able to get another chapter to you before I go back to school, but I have other stories to update first so I won't promise anything!
Thanks to celticank and Rose for reviewing the last chapter and also to all those who favourite and follow this story! I have nearly 100 alerts and you have no idea how much it means to me that so many people are interested in reading my work! I love you all! :)
One more thing. Please check out the poll on my profile to help me decide which story to focus on after I've finished this story! I'd be grateful for even one or two votes! Thanks :)

Talulla's mother had returned from her trip the same day she had left and no one had said a word about it. When the girl had asked what was happening to find her Grandfather, the Queen just said that they were doing all they could. Yet, Talulla wasn't satisfied.

It was two days later, when she was looking out of her window, that she saw him. A man, dressed in a long scruffy coat the colour of autumn leaves with his brown, windswept hair sticking up in all directions. Yet, his appearance wasn't the most suspicious part of it. In his hand he carried a large box with a dipped lid. It reminded Talulla of the boxes that contain her mother's hats. This had to be something to do with the Queen's efforts to find her Grandfather!

Excitedly, the girl made her way to the front entrance, hoping to find the mysterious man and follow him to find out what he was up to. She was just in time. Her mother swept into the hallway just as Talulla had hidden behind one of the marble pillars at the top of the grand staircase.

"Jefferson, and there I was thinking that you weren't going to turn up after all," the Queen smiled widely. "I think we'll go somewhere a little more private, don't you?" She gestured for him to follow her before walking up the stairs straight towards where Talulla was hidden. She quickly ducked out of sight as they came nearer. Closing her eyes, the girl prayed she would go the other way. Thankfully, her prayers were answered and the Queen turned in the opposite direction, missing her daughter entirely. Talulla breathed a sigh of relief. That was too close.

She waited a few moments as two guards flanked this 'Jefferson' before following them, just to make sure no one would see her. However, as she tailed them, she became aware that they were heading towards the part of the castle Talulla was forbidden to be in. The part where Regina had ripped her daughter's heart out. The girl's chest gave a painful twinge as she passed through the corridor where it happened. Looking away, she forced the memory to one side. She had to focus on the present and her grandfather. He could be in danger.

When the guards stopped and turned back around to return to the main part of the castle, Talulla quickly ducked into the nearest doorway. She felt her heart beating rapidly as she pressed herself out of sight against the cold stone, the clanking of the guards' armour getting closer and closer until they passed by, none the wiser of her presence. When she could no longer hear them, she ran out and down the passageway to catch up with her mother.

Stopping just outside the open doors, Talulla peered in. The man was facing away from her, speaking to her mother and gripping his box tightly.

"I want your guarantee that if I do what you ask then my daughter will want for nothing," he said.

The Queen smiled and gave a small curtsey. "You have my word," she replied, before creeping forwards, rubbing her hands together. "Now, let's open that box of yours and see what it can do."

Jefferson placed his bag on the ground and opened it. Talulla leaned forward, anxious to see what was inside. When the man carefully pulled out an old top hat, she was slightly disappointed. What was so special about a worn out, scruffy hat?

"I do so like a man who dresses for the occasion," her mother laughed. However, it seemed the man was not amused as he proceeded to place the hat on the ground without even a smile, making it spin.

"Stand back," he warned as a purple mist began swirling out from the still-spinning hat.

Talulla clutched at her dress as the wind picked up, blowing tendrils of her dark hair across her face. The mist continued to expand until she could barely see her mother and Jefferson, and had to squint to make out the two dark shapes in the middle of the room.

"After you!" she heard him shout over the wind.

"Together," her mother replied. It was at this point Talulla realised what the hat was. A portal. Her mother and this strange man were going to travel to another world!

"Hold on!" the man cried and then they jumped.

Panicked, Talulla ran to the hat. What if her mother never came back? What if she was leaving as Snow had done because grandfather was gone? Was that why she had kept all this from her? Quickly looking around the room, the girl made her decision. She'd have to follow them. Closing her eyes and taking a panicked breath, she jumped in after them with a scream.

When she landed, the girl found herself in a long, dark corridor. She gazed round nervously. Mirrors of all shapes and colours lined the walls on either side of her and ahead, she could just about make out her mother and Jefferson in front of a door that looked strangely like a mirror, surrounded by a golden guild frame. As she got closer, she realised it wasn't a door, but actually a real mirror. Frowning, the young girl was so fascinated with the mirror that she didn't see her mother look round.

"Talulla?!"

The girl froze. Slowly, she moved her gaze away from the mirror to the two people staring at her, one looking particularly angry. She swallowed nervously.

"What are you doing here? You didn't follow me, did you, you foolish girl?" The Queen's eyes flashed angrily as she strode back to where her daughter was standing, tears filling her panicked eyes. She was afraid, Regina realised and sighed, forcing herself to calm down. "Look, I'm not going to hurt you, Talulla, but you know you shouldn't be here. How many times do I have to tell you not to follow me down that end of the castle?"

"I'm sorry, mother, I really am," the girl said quietly. "I was just scared you were… you weren't going to come back, like… like…"

Regina felt a small spark of anger at the idea her daughter was comparing her to Snow, but then embraced the small girl. Now was not the time. "I'd never leave you like that, Tallie, I promise. I'm just trying to find your grandfather. This is dangerous, that's why I didn't tell you."

"Oh, I thought… I thought because you didn't tell me…" Talulla was starting to feel a bit sheepish.

"Are you two done? We haven't got all day, the portal will close eventually and we'll be stuck in between lands," Jefferson called down the hall, his arms folded as he shifted awkwardly.

The Queen sighed. "Quick, you'll have to come along with us. I'm not leaving you here alone. You must promise me that you will not wander off, you will stay by me and hold my hand at all times, do you understand?"

"Yes, mother," Talulla answered and took the hand that was offered to her.

"Remember, it's important that we stick together. The same amount of people that go through have to come back. No more, no less. It's the hat's rule, not mine," Jefferson told them as they reached the mirror.

"I understand," Regina said, trailing a hand down the gilded edge of the mirror. It was just like the one she'd sent her mother through all those years ago.

The man looked at her a moment before pushing a hand through the mirror. Talulla was surprised when he went through almost as though it was water and not glass.

The Queen took her attention away from her thoughts. "Come on, Talulla, we need to hurry," she said as she led the girl through the mirror and into the land beyond.