A/N: Hi guys, sorry again for the long time between updates, although not as long as it has been in the past! Thanks to all of you who continue to read this story after all these years! Any feedback will be gratefully received, hope you guys enjoy!

Talulla was torn. On one hand, they had found her grandfather. This made her very happy as she had missed him terribly. However, on the other hand, they had left behind Jefferson. They had separated him from his daughter, and her mother barely batted an eyelid. She had even seemed amused about it. This scared Talulla to no end. Her mother was changing in front of her very eyes. Talulla knew that the Queen's love for her was the only thing keeping alive the small remnant of the woman who had brought her up.

She needed to think; she needed to get out. She knew she wasn't supposed to leave the castle, but, on this occasion, she had to. She needed the space, the fresh air.

"Abigail?" she called.

The maid was there in seconds.

"Please may I have a snack? I don't think I can last until dinner."

"Of course, Tallie," Abigail responded with a smile. "I'll have a sandwich made up right away."

The maid bowed and backed out of the door, giving the girl one more smile as she pulled the door shut.

That was too easy, the young girl thought to herself, smiling for a moment. Then she moved, quickly gathering up her black velvet cloak, aware of the fact that it would not take Abigail very long to go down to the kitchens and back. Black would be the perfect disguise in the darkening evening.

Sneaking down the servant's staircases, Talulla made her way to the back entrance of the castle. She had spent too many years exploring the castle, and so she didn't bump into a single soul. Why hadn't I done this earlier? She thought, why haven't I gone and explored the town beyond the castle?

Slipping out of the doors, the girl made her way into the darkness of the evening, heading down the path and into the nearby village.

As she entered, she could smell the smoke coming from the chimneys of the houses, the stench of home-cooked gruel and… she sniffed again and wrinkled her nose. Fresh manure.

Quickly she moved on. Ahead, she could see the central square of the village. People were gathered round the edges, huddled close to the doorways of the surrounding shops and taverns. Something was happening. She could see the feathers of her mother's soldiers. They were telling people to move back.

Slipping into the shadows, Talulla made her way towards the square, trying to blend in with the villagers.

"Move back! Move back!" The soldiers were still trying to create space through the centre of the square, creating a barrier with their bodies to stop anyone pushing through.

"All hail the Queen!"

Talulla joined the back of the crowd just as a number of black horses entered the centre. It was then Talulla realised what was happening. Her mother was returning to the castle!

As if on cue, her mother's black and white signature carriage rode into view. Talulla, on tiptoes and peering between the shoulders of the people in front, caught a glimpse of her mother in the small oval of a window, smiling and waving to her people as she went past.

"If the Evil Queen thinks I'm going to bow down to her, then she's got another thing coming!" the man next to her sneered.

Evil queen? Talulla echoed in horror, the people called her the Evil Queen? The girl felt a lump form in her throat as she tried to control her emotions. No, this wasn't right. Her mother wasn't that horrible, was she? Yes, she had her moments… she winced at the memories that filled her head, including leaving Jefferson behind in Wonderland only in the past week. And she had no idea what her mother did in the time that she wasn't with her. A cold feeling trickled through the young girl as it dawned on her that she didn't know her mother at all. Over the years, something had gone horribly wrong. She knew her mother had good in her somewhere, she must do according to all the memories Talulla had of her younger years. Someone who was that horrible would not be able to care for her and hug her the way her mother had done. Someone that horrible would have not come running when her daughter woke up crying from a nightmare, or magicked a lollipop for her when she fell over and scraped her knee… surely?

Wanting to get away from it all, she passed through the crowd in the opposite direction to her mother, careful to keep the hood of her cloak over her face. Then, when the people dispersed, she ran. Ran through the town until it the buildings became trees and the paved road became a winding path of dirt. When a stray tree root tripped her up and sent her sprawling, she broke. The tears ran down her cheeks as she curled up where fell. Sobs echoed around the trees.

By the time the tears stopped, darkness had fallen completely. Talulla slowly looked up, sniffling, and reality suddenly kicked in. Sitting up, the young girl surveyed her surroundings. There was nothing but darkness and the looming shadows of the trees, their branches looking like warped fingers, coming at her in the wind. Talulla shivered frightfully, wrapping her arms around her legs. She had no idea where she was. And no idea how to get home.

All doubts of her mother disappeared as fear set in. Had anyone even realised she was missing? Would anyone even think to look in the woods?

"Help!" she cried. "Somebody? Help!"

Quickly, and driven by fear, the girl got up and staggered back in the direction she thought she'd come from. None of it looked familiar. Darkened silhouettes of the trees stretched in every direction as she continued to stumble through them.

Then came a sound that made Talulla's blood freeze in her veins. A howl. Followed by another. And another.

Wolves.

Slowly, the young girl backed herself against a tree, glancing around in every direction. Then, straight ahead, she saw it. Something was glowing. No, wait, two things. Two glowing eyes.

The wolf padded out of the shadows, gaze focused on the young girl. Talulla grasped at the tree behind her, flattening herself as much as she could.

"Help!" she called again. "Anyone, help me! Please!"

The wolf prowled closer and closer, growling and baring his teeth menacingly. Talulla gasped. She had nowhere to run.

Then, a hand grabbed her wrist from behind the tree, and she was yanked away. The young girl stumbled after her attacker for a few paces, before the pair went tumbling down a steep bank. Talulla tried to scream, but a hand came over her mouth, stifling it.

"Shh," the person told her. "Don't be afraid of me. Come quick."

The person pulled the young girl up and behind a large boulder. They both sat there, breathing heavily. The wolf howled, the sound coming from the top of the bank they had toppled down.

The two waited with bated breath for what seemed like an age, until there was a tell-tale sound of four paws trotting away.

"Thank you," Talulla managed choked out, turning to her saviour.

A pretty woman, with brown hair tied in a ponytail, smiled back at her.

"You're welcome. My name is Belle, what's yours?"

"I'm Talulla," the ten-year-old said.

Belle paled. "Princess Talulla?" she asked.

"Yes, why?"

"As in daughter to Queen Regina?"

Talulla's heart sunk. "You've had a run-in with my mother, haven't you?"" she whispered. "I'm sorry, for whatever she did to you, I'm sorry."

Belle looked at the young princess, startled. "You don't…?" She trailed off.

"I've heard what people say about my mother," Talulla said slowly. "And recently, I've seen some of it. I… I… I don't understand. She didn't used to be this way you see."

Belle sighed, seemingly a bit more at ease. "Talulla, your mother… your mother, she doesn't understand other people's happiness, do you understand?" she said gently. "I'm sure she has love in her heart for you. But right now, we need to get you home."

"But… but I don't know if I want to go home," Talulla said sadly. "I don't think I even know my own mother."

"Talulla, you must, or your mother will have this place swarming with her black guards, throwing people into her cells until she finds you. I'm sorry to say this, but you must go home, for the sake of your people."

Talulla stared at her a moment, and then burst into tears, realising that her saviour was right. "What do I do? I don't want to face her, after what she did to that poor man, I can't Belle! I want to be a good princess, but I'm not strong enough."

The woman took the young girl by the arms. "You are, Talulla, you are so strong. In fact, do you know what helped me when I wanted to escape?"

Talulla shook her head, sniffling and wiping away her tears.

"Books," Belle smiled. She let go of Talulla's arms and reached into her shoulder bag. Producing a beautiful leather-bound volume, she pressed it into the young girl's hands.

"You'll love this one, it's my favourite. Far off kingdoms, daring sword fights, a prince in disguise! It's the perfect thing to take you out of this world and into another."

Talulla stared at her. "Are you sure I can have this?"

Belle smiled. "Of course, I've read it so many times I know it backwards."

"Thank you, Belle, I don't know how I can repay you for your kindness." The young girl paused. "May I visit you again sometime?"

"I don't think that's wise," Belle said ruefully. "Your mother may notice if you keep slipping out, and I tend to travel."

Talulla sighed, forcing down the lump that had formed in her throat. She had finally made a new friend and she was already leaving.

"But…"

Talulla looked up, hopeful.

"I'm sure our paths will cross again in the future," Belle finished, a kind smile on her face.

"You really think so?" Talulla asked earnestly.

"I do."

"Um… Belle?"

"Yes?"

Talulla shifted awkwardly. "Do you know the way back to the village?"

Belle let out a small laugh, one that tinkled like a bell. "Yes, yes I do. Come on, we'll have you back in no time."

She stood and held out a hand to the young princess, who took it gratefully, and the two took off into the night – in the opposite direction to which Talulla would have headed.