Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters you are about to meet.
Author's note: If you have never seen Once Upon a Time prepare to be confused. If you are a Once Upon A Time fan, prepare to be confused.
Previously on Once Upon a Time…
Belle still doesn't remember who she is. No matter hard Rumplestiltskin tries, Belle just gets more and more frustrated; she even throws and breaks the chipped cup. Red Riding Hood tries to reassure that there is no magic, but it just makes Belle more frustrated.
Belle vowed she would never stop fighting for Rumplestiltskin, even as Regina captured her and locked her away in a tower.
Emma, Neil, and Frodo have met a young woman named Morgan Green, who wants their help to find her sister.
Episode 3
Beastly
Before the Curse
A few days after Belle had been kicked out of Rumplestiltskin's home. She wandered not too far from the mansion, but she managed to find a nice inn nearby the Dwarf Mines. She would often see dwarves hanging around, drinking and laughing. She noticed Dreamy sitting with his brothers…but he seemed…grumpy…
Belle walked over to his table and sat down across from him. "How are you, Dreamy?" She asked, trying to sound casual. She knew how annoying it could be if someone asked the question: Are you okay?
The dwarf just sighed and looked up at her. "It's Grumpy now," He said. Belle had read about dwarves and how they received their names. She wondered if something went wrong and he wasn't able to find his true love. Small world.
"I'm sorry," She told him.
"How are you?" Grumpy asked. "Did you have your adventure?"
"Yes, I did." Belle replied. "I saved a prince who had been turned into a beast…"
"So, that's your talent?" Grumpy asked. "Facing terrible beasts?"
"I suppose so…" Belle replied.
"Even the deceiving ones?"
"Well," Belle said. "I guess most beasts look terrifying…" She paused.
"Not all of them, sister," Grumpy grumbled.
"Tell you what," Belle said, leaning closer to Grumpy. "If I meet a beast that you wouldn't even imagine being so beastly, I'll buy you a drink."
"Deal," Grumpy said, giving her a surprising smile.
Story Brook
Frodo stood there, with his gorgeous blue eyes ablaze. He felt the smooth edge of his fancy. Fire surrounded him, and how he loved it. He never knew what he was capable of. Being a small hobbit, and yet being so powerful.
"Frodo," A voice sliced through the fires. "That's enough." He looked up at the creature who snapped at him. Arwen stood in front of him. Her green dress was beautiful and flowing. She held the Evenstar in her hand.
"Learn to love again." She said, and handed him. Once he held it, the fires turned into the Shire, and the One Ring was forgotten again, for a time.
Frodo opened his eyes and sat up in his bed. He shook his head remembering the confusing dream. He got out of bed and ran into his office. He looked through the drawers and finally pulled out a silver chain with a beautiful white gem that looked like a star. He placed it around his neck to see if it would work.
He could sense the star's power, but it seemed to be…fading…
There was one benefit from the curse for Frodo; not remembering. For twenty-eight years, he never even thought about the One Ring. It just wasn't important to him.
Frodo decided to eat whatever breakfast he could get down. Eating pancakes at Granny's could make him sick… Even if Emma Swan and Henry insisting he eat something.
"I don't want food…" Frodo said aloud to himself. He could hear Pippin's loud voice: 'you don't want food?! You call yourself a hobbit?!' Merry would shake his head and give a weird exhale, and Rosie would be on his case until he ate something, even if it was small. Sam however, would ask and then drop the issue.
"Maybe I'll be hungry at Granny's…" Frodo guessed. He got ready quietly, not wanting to disturb Sam. His friend was now free from the hospital and had now been staying at Frodo's house. Even though Sam would offer all of his help, Frodo wanted him to rest. He took off to Granny's Inn once again to meet Emma and Henry. This time, they had Princess Anna of Arendelle with them.
This should be interesting. He thought as he drove to the Inn.
Before the Curse
"There has to be more about beasts in here!" Belle said aloud, earning a harsh shush from the librarian. The older man was shorter with white hair. He liked his library to be nice and quiet, but he also liked people. He was friendly and had a fun laugh.
"Oops… Sorry…" Belle whispered. She started grabbing any book she could find about monsters and beasts. She paused as she came across a peculiar green book.
The Fellowship of the Ring
Curiosity got the better of Belle, and she took the green book off the shelf as well. She set the large stack on the table and picked up the green book. She examined it carefully. What was it doing in the beast section…was it even about a beast?
"Oh, I see you've found one of the classics," The librarian said. "It must have been misplaced… You're lucky to have found it, not many copies have been made."
Belle hummed. She sat down and began to read it. It only took her two hours to finish it. When she closed it, the librarian looked up in surprise. Belle looked quite frustrated.
"It ends on a cliff-hanger!" She said, annoyed. "Is there a second book?"
"Yes," The librarian replied. "It should be with the other classical books…"
Belle immediately stood and rushed over to find the next book. It took Belle awhile after digging through books to find it. The second book had a similar cover as the first, but it was red. The Two Towers was labeled in gold. She grabbed it and sat down again and began to read. This time, it took Belle three hours to read. She fell asleep trying to get through the Battle of Helm's Deep. When she had finally finished reading it, the sun was setting.
"Another cliff-hanger…" Belle yawned, looking out the window.
"Tell you what," The librarian came with a blue book in his hands. She gave Belle a warm smile and handed it to her. "You seem so interested in these books…not very many people are. How about I let you keep this one so you can read it?"
"Oh, no," Belle said. "I couldn't…" The librarian helped her to her feet and led her toward the door.
"If you like it all that much, it's yours."
"But sir…" Belle said, quite surprised. She couldn't just take a library book.
"I insist," The librarian said.
"Well, thank you!" Belle said, excitedly. She opened the cover and immediately started reading it. She earned a lot of odd stares from people passing by. They wondered if she was crazy, or stupid. But Belle was entirely oblivious. She sat by the fountain and finished The Return of the King in an hour and a half. Something happened…something that somehow reminded her of Rumplestiltskin. When she finished the book, she set it on her lap and let out a guilty sigh. She knew what she needed to do now.
Story Brook
Emma walked into Granny's Inn. Frodo and Henry were sitting with Anna at a booth. Emma went to sit with them when she bumped into Tamara, Neil's fiancée. She dropped her purse and most of her belongings fell to the floor.
"Oops!" Emma gasped. "I'm so sorry."
"It's fine," Tamara smiled at her. Both women knelt on the floor and began to gather Tamara's belongings. "Thanks,"
"No problem…" Emma's voice trailed off when she picked up a list.
Mary Margret- Snow White
David Nolan- Prince Charming
Ruby- Red Riding Hood
Leroy- Grumpy
Mr. Gold- Rumplestiltskin
Nathan Bearer-
Emma could only read a few of the names. She handed Tamara the list.
"Thank you," Tamara said again.
"So," Emma said. "This must be hard to take in…"
"Yeah," Tamara said. "But, Neil's been helping me."
"Yeah," Emma sighed. "I just wish I knew what August was trying to tell me…"
"I'm sure you'll figure it out," Tamara said. "If you need anything, you can talk to me. You can trust me." Emma looked at her eyes. She could feel her superpower kicking in, being able to tell when people were lying.
"See you later," Tamara said, walking out of the Inn.
Emma stood for a moment, glaring after her. Something was wrong…
"There you are." Ruby said, walking up to her. "We've been wondering when you'd show up."
"Oh," Emma turned around and looked at Ruby. "Thanks," She walked up to the table where Frodo, Henry, and Anna were waiting.
"Hey," She said to them. "Now, we have a few problems here. August is now a young boy again, and he was going to warn us about a she…"
"And my sister is missing…" Anna added.
"Maybe August was referring to her…" Emma said. "Anna, is your sister dangerous?"
"Elsa is not dangerous." Anna said. "She just… freezes things… I guess it's when she's only angry or scared…"
"That sounds dangerous…" Frodo said. Suddenly, Leroy, the other dwarves, and Anton ran into the Inn.
"Terrible news! Terrible news!" Leroy shouted.
"Again?" Ruby asked.
"Emma!" Leroy ran up to her. "You have to come and see! Something bad is happening!"
"What is it?" Emma asked.
"You have to come and see for yourself!" Leroy insisted.
"Is it important?" Emma asked.
"Why do you think I barged in here yelling: terrible news, terrible news?!" Leroy retorted.
"Is it the…?" Emma hesitated.
"No, they're fine." Leroy said. "For now,"
"What do you mean?" Emma raised an eyebrow.
"It's the woods!" Leroy replied. "There's…there's ice…"
Anna's eyes widened. "Ice?!"
"Yes," Leroy said. "The forest is freezing over!"
"In the middle if July?" Frodo asked.
Anna and Emma gave each other a knowing look. "We need to go." Emma declared. "This time, Frodo and Henry are coming."
"And me," Anna added.
"And me," Ruby said. Her voice was serious, but her eyes were filled with curiosity.
"Whatever," Leroy said. "Come on!"
Before the Curse
Belle had been walking for a long time. The night carried on as she made her way out of the village and through the forest. She walked on until she came across the large mansion beyind a few hills.
"I'm coming back," Belle said as she looked out at the mansion before her. "I'm coming back for you, Rumple…"
"I think not," A voice said behind her. Belle turned to see Regina on a horse, and she had a party of soldiers with her. She recognized a man she had met when going to defeat a beast. Feelings of dislike resurfaced, along with hurt and betrayal. The soldiers seized Belle and threw her into a barred wagon.
"You may keep us apart," Belle yelled to her. "But I will never stop fighting for him!"
"Oh," Regina smiled. "I think you will…"
Story Brook
Leroy was right about the ice. Sure enough, there was a thick layer of ice covering the woods, and it seemed to be growing with the strange noise of someone crushing lettuce. It was as if the forest was starting to catch a disease.
"This is bad," Emma said. "The closer I stand next to it, the colder I feel…"
"This has to be Elsa…" Anna said.
"Or Regina…" Leroy said.
"Why would Regina freeze the forest?" Emma asked. Mary Margret watched as ice slowly crawled toward the beans…
"I think she knows…" Mary Margret said.
"Knows what?" Emma asked. "About the magic beans?"
"Yes," Mary Margret replied. "We were going to leave her behind…she must have found out…"
"Maybe August was going to warn us about her." David guessed.
"It smells like a curse to me." Ruby said.
"Smells?" Frodo looked at her curiously. Ruby didn't answer him.
"Maybe…" Emma started and then trailed off. "Mary Margret…can I talk to you?" She led her away from the group.
"What is it, Emma?" Mary Margret asked.
"I think Tamara might have something to do with this…" Emma said.
"Tamara?" Mary Margret tilted her head.
"She…" Emma hesitated. "She has a list of people in Story Brook…their cursed names and their real names… and she told me I could trust her, but…she lied…"
"Emma," Mary Margret closed her eyes and opened them again. "I don't doubt your super power but sometimes it tends to be wrong…especially when you're emotional."
"I know but…" Emma paused. "You think I'm…jealous?"
"It's just, the way you look at Neil…" Mary Margret began.
"It has nothing to do with that," Emma reassured. "I'm over Neil."
"If you say so," Mary Margret shrugged. "Just don't let your emotions get in the way." They looked over at the others. They were gathering and watching the ice, afraid to touch it. "Let's just worry about the ice for now."
Before the Curse
Belle sat in what was supposed to be a dungeon. It was nothing like the dungeon she lived in when she stayed at Rumplestiltskin's home. Regina's dungeon was different. The bed was comfortable, and the room was…stylish. They allowed Belle to keep her book so she could read it to pass the time in prison.
One day, Regina walked into the dungeon after speaking with an important guest. Belle looked up from her reading and acknowledged the queen as politely as she could. Even though she was in her prison, and she hated Regina, there was no point in making her angry.
"Your majesty," She said quietly.
"Hello dear," Regina said with her evil smile. "Have you given up on him yet?"
"No," Belle said. "Why would I?"
"Well," Regina said. "You've been reading that for so long I figured you'd be more interested in Elves and Rangers."
"No," Belle said, looking down at her book. "They're just characters."
"Why do you like that book so much?" Regina asked. "You must have read it twice by now."
"Well," Belle looked down at it. "It's my favorite…far off places, daring swordfights, magic spells, and a king in disguise…" She paused and remembered Aragorn.
"I see," Regina said her face expressionless. "Do you know how old Rumplestiltskin is?"
Belle went silent. "How…old…?"
"Yes," Regina said, leaning in. "Two hundred and seventeen,"
Belle's mouth dropped open.
"Well, I'll let you go back to your…reading…have fun." Regina stood up and left the dungeon.
Belle stood and paced around the prison. How could he be so…old? Doubt began to creep into her mind. She wondered how long he had been the way he was. Years? Decades? Since he was born…? Belle tried not to doubt he could be good again…but if he had been bad for so long…could he really change?
Story Brook
"Hey," Ruby picked something up from out of nearby bushes that had not yet been frozen. "What's this?" She held a silver tiara with amethyst and rose zircon gems. She sniffed it.
"What on earth are you doing?" Frodo asked.
"I'm just seeing who it belongs to." Ruby replied.
"By smelling it?"
"Uh, yeah…" Ruby replied. "I'm a-"
"Mother Superior," David yelled as the Blue Fairy approached. "Have you come to unfreeze the ice?"
The Blue Fairy studied the ice carefully. "I'm sorry, I'm afraid this curse is too strong for me." She replied. "Only the person who cast it can undo it."
"My sister's not cursed!" Anna snapped. "If she did this it must have been an accident."
"But we don't know if she did it." David said. "It could've been Regina."
"That's not why I'm here." The Blue Fairy replied. "I'm looking for Frodo Baggins."
"I'm here," He said, stepping toward her.
"There's someone in the hospital, asking for you." She replied.
"Is Sam all right?" He asked.
"Yes," The Blue Fairy reassured. "Sam is fine, but there's someone else asking for you."
Frodo and Emma looked at each other. "I'll be right back." He said.
Before the Curse
"Frodo!" Sam walked hesitantly into the heart of Mount Doom. He walked on what looked like a strange platform, elevated over hot, boiling lava. Whenever the lava erupted, smoke, or ashes were lifted into the air. He looked through the smoke, trying to find Frodo. The smoke settled for a moment, and Sam could see Frodo standing at the edge of the platform. He turned around and looked at his friend.
"I'm here, Sam." He reassured. He turned back to the glowing lava. He looked out at it for a moment, almost forgetting why he was there.
"Go on!" Sam yelled. "Destroy it!"
Frodo took the ring and held it over the edge, the chain swung back and forth.
"Go on!" Sam urged again. "Throw it in the fire!"
Frodo looked around at the blowing liquid below him, and then he looked up at the Ring. It swung on the chain to and fro, as if hypnotizing him. It looked so…
"What are you waiting for?" Sam demanded. "Just let it go!"
Frodo stayed still for a long time as if he had been turned to ice. It looked so…precious…
Frodo turned around and looked at Sam, who looked back at him in fear.
"The Ring is mine." He said, ripping the Ring off the chain.
"No…" Sam cried. "No…"
Frodo held the Ring in front of him, slowly moving it toward his finger. It was like he was teasing Sam. He gave him a wicked smile. Sam didn't recognize him…this wasn't Frodo, this didn't look like him. He seemed very…beastly…
Finally, the Ring was on his finger and he disappeared.
"No!" Sam shouted, not realizing that The Eye of Sauron was now looking right at the mountain.
"No…no…" Sam whispered looking at the ground. He was scared out of his mind as Frodo's footsteps appeared on the ground coming toward him. "Why did you…?" But before he had any more time to think, he was struck on the back of his head. Gollum stood over him and looked around. He noticed footsteps backing away from him.
Trusting his luck, Gollum lunged at the air and landed on Frodo's shoulders. Sam looked up at the floating Gollum, and he could tell Frodo was trying to throw him off. He crawled forward to offer help, but his vision blurred and he was forced to put his head down. Gollum was able to grab hold of Frodo's hand and bite off his finger. Frodo reappeared, crying out and falling to the ground.
Gollum stood there, for the first time like a man. He began to dance around, singing a victory song. "Precious! Precious! Oooh, my Precious!"
Frodo looked up at Gollum. Losing his temper, he stood up and walked toward Gollum. He smacked his head and tried to grasp the Ring. Sam looked up again and watched helplessly as two beasts fought in a tug of war for the evil metal. Suddenly, both slipped and fell over the edge. Gollum grasped the ring before he fell into the lava, still happy that he won. But his happiness didn't last long as he melted into the lava. The Ring sat on his ashes, still trying to save itself.
Sam looked over the edge and found Frodo hanging on for dear life. He reached down to help him, but couldn't quite reach.
"Take my hand!" He yelled. Frodo reached up and nearly slipped. "Take my hand!" Sam repeated. Frodo looked down at the lava and then back up at Sam, his eyes filled with sorrow.
"Don't you let go!" Sam demanded. "Don't let go, reach!" Finally Frodo reached up and grabbed Sam's hand. They were able to escape the lava by running out of the heart of Mount Doom. They jumped up onto a large rock, and watched as the lava flowed slowly past them.
"It's gone," Frodo breathed. "It's done…"
Story Brook
Frodo walked up to the main desk with the Blue Fairy behind him. Ruby had insisted she come along. Part of her was curious, and the other part wanted to share a secret that Frodo didn't know about her. But they had only just become friends, and it would be surprising if he didn't already know.
They were led to a room and Frodo's jaw dropped. An elderly man was sitting on a bed, reading a book.
"Bilbo!" Frodo gasped and ran over to the old hobbit.
"Frodo my lad," He said happily and slowly stood up, embracing his nephew.
"Have you been here this whole time?" Frodo asked. "Where are the Elves?"
"I'm not sure where anyone is." Bilbo said. "You're the first hobbit I've seen in…in…"
"Twenty-eight years." Ruby finished for him.
"Has it really been that long?" Bilbo asked. "I can hardly believe it. How old does that make me now?"
"I can't even imagine…" Frodo said. He and Bilbo talked for a long time. Frodo told him about how he met Emma and how she helped him find Sam. He told him about the ice and how Bag End had changed because of the curse. There was something he had to admit about Henry. He could see himself in the boy, especially when he was younger, but he didn't say it out loud.
Afterwards, Frodo and Ruby let Bilbo rest and they walked out into a room filled with recovering patients.
"Well, I must say," Ruby said. "You seemed pretty happy to see your uncle."
"I am," Frodo said. "It's been awhile. It's Ruby, isn't it?"
"Yes,"
"It's nice to officially make your acquaintance. And thanks for coming with me, even though I didn't ask." Frodo said, shaking her hand.
"No problem, I was just curious." Ruby shrugged. "There was…something I wanted to tell you…I don't know why, but I feel like I can be open to you about it."
"What is it?" Frodo asked.
"I'm…" Ruby hesitated. "I'm a werewolf."
"Really," Frodo said, his voice filled with interest.
"Yeah," Ruby nodded. "That's why I smelled this." She held out the tiara to Frodo. "I know it doesn't belong to Snow, or Regina. It doesn't even belong to Cinderella, I mean, I don't recognize the scent."
"Can you hear really well?" Frodo asked.
"Yeah," Ruby said. "But I trust my nose more than anything."
Frodo nodded.
"Thank you for understanding," Ruby said. "Usually people get scared of me or they look at me different."
"Well, try meeting a Ring Wraith," Frodo replied. "Then you won't be scared of anything."
Ruby laughed, and Frodo was able to let out a giggle. He looked over through a glass wall and noticed a girl sleeping in a bed.
"Who is that?" Frodo asked, gesturing toward the girl.
"Oh, that's Belle." Ruby replied. "She's an amnesia patient."
"How did she lose her memory?" Frodo asked.
Ruby didn't answer immediately. "I don't think you know…"
"Know what?"
"During the Curse, no one could leave Story Brook." Ruby began. "Now that the Curse is broken…if anyone tries to cross the border…our cursed selves become our only selves."
"So…what happened to Belle? Did she try to leave?" Frodo asked.
"No," Ruby said. "Someone else was trying to leave, and she was saying farewell to him. But then someone else interfered and shot her, and she fell across the border."
"What was her cursed self?" Frodo asked.
"No one…" Ruby hesitated. "Regina had her locked up and…she didn't give her a fake story…" Ruby paused. "We…don't know how to help her or what to do with her…"
"Who was trying to leave?" Frodo asked.
"That would be me," A voice said behind him. He and Ruby turned around to see Mr. Gold standing behind them, holding a bouquet of roses.
"Who are you?" Frodo asked.
"What, you don't know my name?" Mr. Gold asked, looking quite offended.
"No…should I…?" Frodo asked, narrowing his eyes at him.
"Rumplestiltskin," Ruby said. "He's not from the Enchanted Forest."
"Well, then," Mr. Gold said. "Maybe you should educate him and make sure he's not poking his nose into other people's businesses."
Frodo looked at him crossly.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have roses to deliver." He walked past them, bumping Frodo on the way.
"Who does he think he is?" Frodo asked.
"In the Enchanted Forest," Ruby replied. "He was known as…The Dark One…"
"You're afraid of him." Frodo said. He continued when Ruby didn't answer. He looked over as Rumple quietly placed the roses by Belle's night stand. "What's there to be afraid of?"
Author's Note: If anyone is getting annoyed with the Previously on Once Upon a Time thing, just let me know and I will take suggestions of what to do instead. I don't mind suggestions. ;) I also had really bad writer's block while trying to write this…