Disclaimer: I don't own Once Upon a Time
AN: See chapter 1 for the long version of the notes. Here's the abbreviated version.
This is based on Snow's comment in season 5 when she asked Emma if it would have made a difference had Emma been able to hear their voices. So what if she had been able to in her dreams? What if she had been able to see them in her dreams every night and they told her everything. What if when Henry came to find her, she already knew everything? How different would things be? This is that story.
I am also going to be weaving in a subplot involving characters from Greek Mythology with what I think is an exciting twist on the past. These flashbacks will also eventually reveal just exactly how and why the dreamscape is possible.
Snowing, Rumbelle, Swan Believer, eventual Swanfire, and a delightful Golden Mad Charming Brotp. :)
Thanks for the reviews. Here are some individual responses:
Sea's child: Thanks! I will definitely be continuing.
Taeniaea: Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
Sara K M: Yeah, season 1 AU's can be difficult. That's why I always try to change something about them. Usually I take out David's marriage to Kathryn and the mess with Whale. Here Rumple stepped in his behalf to eliminate the marriage right away and I don't want to reveal too much, but Belle comes in much sooner in this. There will be echoes of some season 1 events, but I'm weaving them in with some original stuff too. I need stories with both Snowing and the family dynamic right now too. Season 7 might break my heart, though I am hoping Gosh will guest star a few times. I think you'll like what I do with David in this AU. It's very different from season 1. As for the Rumple/Baelfire reunion, definitely. it's down the road, but it's coming. This will be Swanfire, though Snowing's romance will remain at the forefront. Thanks for the review and I hope you continue to enjoy. :)
Austenphile: Glad you like the twists. But Emma is still the savior, because she's the product of her parent's true love, that's still canon. Snow's lineage is just another dynamic to her life. There's backstory in this chapter that begins to explain everything.
Beth1980: Glad you like it so much! Yes, David will be keeping his memories, but that's all I'm going to say. I think you'll find he has an interesting dynamic with other characters in this story. As for Graham, I really wanted to keep him alive. I just wish it worked for this story. It doesn't, I'm afraid. But I will tell you that it's several chapters down the line. But I promise so many Charming family feels that I hope it kind of makes up for it. ;)
Dreaming Out Loud
Chapter 3: Snow Falls
From the moment he awoke in that bed, there had been three things on his mind. Snow and Emma, and finding them.
This place was very strange, but he had put enough together to know that this was the curse, especially the way Grumpy reacted to him like he was a complete stranger.
This was it. The place without happy endings. His last memories being awake were of putting his daughter into the wardrobe and then the searing pain in his abdomen, as one of Regina's Black Knights cut him down.
Fortunately, he also remembered all the years spent in limbo, in the dreamscape where he saw his beloved wife and daughter on a nightly basis.
He had been so eager to find Snow though that he had headed for the woods firstly. Then he realized she wouldn't be in the woods, because he remembered Emma telling them that no one had their real memories. Which begged the question as to why he did.
Now he was lost in the woods. At least he had enough mind to find something to wear besides the odd clothing he had woken up in. It was freezing, so he was glad he had grabbed the strange clothes and boots he had found in a wardrobe in the room.
Finally, after what seemed like forever trekking through the woods, he happened on a large house. There was light in the windows, but he was leary about going to see who lived there. He had no idea of knowing who he could trust besides Emma and Snow, even without her memories.
There was a peculiar sound behind him, a sort of clicking, and then a voice.
"Turn around slowly," the man said. David did as he asked and he came face to face with someone he did not recognize.
"You're the John Doe from the hospital," Jefferson said.
"John Doe?" David asked in confusion.
"It's what they call someone with no identity," he explained.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I have an identity. I know exactly who I am...but no one remembers me! She's done something to them! Everyone just looks at me like I'm crazy!" David exclaimed. Jefferson's eyes widened and for the first time in twenty-eight years, he was face to face with someone who remembered like him. Then he laughed merrily...almost madly.
"What the hell are you laughing at?" David growled.
"You...have your memories! I'm finally not the only one in this piss ant town that knows who they really are! It's a pleasure to meet you, Prince Charming," he replied, with a bow David's eyes widened.
"Wait...you remember too? The Queen…" he started to say.
"The Queen...the curse...all the misery she's inflicted. I have to say though, this is a surprise. She finally screwed up. If she knew you remembered, she'd be foaming at the mouth. You're the last...well second to last person she wants to remember," Jefferson replied.
"So it's true...everyone else here has false identities?" David said.
"Yes...and she's taken away what they all love most," Jefferson replied.
"Emma told me that Snow thinks she's a teacher," David mentioned. The Hatter's eyes widened.
"What do you mean Emma told you?" Jefferson asked rigidly.
"It's kind of a long story," David replied.
"If Regina is your enemy, then we're on the same side. Let's go in where it's warm," Jefferson suggested. Charming followed him in and he put some tea on, as Charming found a chair.
"Who were you...back in the Enchanted Forest?" he asked.
"For many years, I was a peasant and struggled to feed my child, especially after my wife died," Jefferson replied.
"I'm sorry. I know what it's like to have...nothing," he said. Jefferson looked at him.
"Yes, I suppose you do," Jefferson agreed. He had been working for Rumple around the time he had made bartered the deal with David to take his brother's place.
"Your child…" David started to say.
"Grace...she's ten...has been ten for the last twenty-eight years. No one ages in this town. She lives with a couple in town," Jefferson said.
"How is that you remember?" David asked. He shrugged.
"Who knows? Regina wanted to punish me, I guess. It's my curse to remember and be powerless to do anything about it. Now...care to tell me how you've been in contact with Emma already?" he asked. David sighed and began telling him about the dreamscape.
The search of the woods had been nearly exhausted and Emma was really worried. There was no sign of her father anywhere and she could tell Mary was worried too, though she seemed confused by it.
"Where could he be? What if he's hurt?" Mary fretted, almost frantically.
"Mary Margaret...it's going to be okay. We're going to find him," Emma insisted.
"I wish I was as confident as you," Mary murmured.
"Finding people is kind of what I do," Emma said. She just hoped they found him before Regina did.
Enchanted Forest
29 years before the Dark Curse
Spring had dawned at last in the Enchanted Forest. Today, the fauna was in full bloom on this Spring Equinox, at least that's what mortals called it now. In years past, mortals would have known this day as Persephone's liberation from the Underworld. Her return to the mortal plane marked the end of winter and the beginning of spring.
But over the last few centuries, the Gods had not left Olympus much. Their interaction with mortals became less and less, so much so, that mortals considered most deities to be legends of the past now. And in Persephone's opinion, that was for the best. The Gods had a very bloody past with mortals, especially Ares and his twin sons Deimos and Phonos, Gods of Terror and Dread respectively. But that was another story entirely.
For Persephone, she preferred the mortal plane and thus why Misthaven had become among her favorite places. She was the goddess of vegetation, after all and the forests were so lush here.
The years being Hades' unwilling wife were getting harder and harder. His infatuation with her had dulled to indifference over the years, but he had refused to release her from her confines to the Underworld out of spite, much to her mother, Demeter's rage.
Persephone was humble though, much more so than her fellow deities, though some of them had mellowed over the years as well. While Aphrodite was always considered the most beautiful, Persephone was by far the fairest of all(much to Aphrodite's annoyance). And adored by almost all, especially her mother Demeter, who coined the term fairest of them all term to describe her lovely daughter, for her skin was white as snow, her hair black as a raven, and her lips red as a ruby.
Persephone didn't know much of her father, for her mother refused to talk about him. The mortals chronicled texts of their stories stated Zeus as her father, but Demeter was clear that he had not sired her and the mortals didn't know any better.
She sighed, as she let the sunlight bathe on her face, enjoying its warmth at last after the cold months of captivity in the Underworld at Hades' side. She found a bushel of snow drops and smiled, for they were her favorite flower. They were the only flower that could survive the harsh winter months that she was away. She felt a brush of wind and smiled.
"Hello Mother," she greeted. Demeter smiled.
"My daughter," she greeted, as she swept her pride and joy into her arms.
"I missed you," Demeter said.
"And I you, Mama," she replied.
"I will never get used to letting that demon incarnate keep you in his clutches," she fretted, as she caressed her dearest daughter's beautiful face.
"Hades is not cruel to me. He affords me all the luxuries of a Queen," she reasoned, though her voice was sad.
"A Queen that he forces into his bed; that he dares put his hands on," Demeter growled.
"Mother please...I do not wish to talk about Hades. And as much as I hope for true love, we know how rare it is...especially for deities," she replied. Demeter sighed, but said nothing. Persephone was enamored with the idea of true love, she had seen glimpses of it among mortals, but it was rare. A rare and beautiful thing.
"Come home with me," Demeter requested.
"I will soon, mama. I'd like to stay here a bit longer," Persephone requested. Demeter nodded.
"If you wish. Be along soon," she requested in return. The raven haired beauty nodded and journeyed off deeper into the forest.
The small woodland creatures, birds, and a few deer followed along with her, as they often did and as she came upon a creek, she saw she was not alone. There was a man getting a drink from the stream, while he let his horse drink as well. As he turned, Persephone felt her breath catch. He was young, with chestnut colored hair, and very handsome. She became startled though when he saw her.
"Oh...I'm sorry to intrude," she said, as she started to hurry away.
"Wait...please don't go," the handsome stranger called.
I'm sorry, I don't mean to bother you," Persephone said.
"You're not...I may be escaping to the forest for a bit, but I could use the company," he said, noticing all the curious forest creatures around her. It was peculiar, but not unsettling.
"I'm Elijah," he said, holding out his hand. She looked wary for a moment, but the animals did not fear him and that meant he did not mean to harm anyone.
"Persephone," she said. He cocked his head to the side.
"Persephone? Named after the goddess?" he asked. She smiled coyly.
"Something like that," she replied.
What ensued over the spring and summer months that followed that clandestine meeting was a whirlwind romance. By the time the leaves began to fall from the trees, Persephone was in love with Elijah and he with her.
But their lives were not their own and confessions would come on a chilly fall day, as they wrapped together in their secret hovel they had made in the forest near the stream where they had first met.
"You said you had something to tell me?" she asked.
"Mmm...something I should have told you from the beginning," he replied.
"Is this about you being a prince?" she asked and his eyes widened.
"How did you know?" he asked. She smirked.
"Despite the fact that you try to hide your royal ties when you travel, sometimes you forget to hide the royal crest on your horse's saddle. When I saw that, it didn't take long to realize that you're Prince Elijah of the northern Kingdom, younger brother to Princess Eva," she said. He sighed.
"Are you angry?" he asked. She shook her head and pecked him on the lips.
"We are not so different. We are both running from the trappings of titles and responsibilities," she replied.
"You mean how you are actually Persephone and not named after her?" he asked. Her eyes widened.
"You know?" she asked in disbelief. He nodded.
"How long?" she asked.
"I've suspected almost from the beginning. The animals love you, flowers bloom in your presence…" he trailed off.
"Then you know…" she said hesitantly.
"That you're married to Hades," he said stiffly.
"I do not love him," she insisted.
"I know," he assured.
"Then I hope what I have to tell you next won't anger you either," she stated.
"I love you...no matter what it is," he assured.
"I'm pregnant," she revealed. His eyes widened in surprise.
"How...far along?" he asked.
"Four months," she replied.
"Then it is…" he uttered.
"She is yours," Persephone said. He smiled and hugged her.
"This is wonderful!" he exclaimed, but noticed her sadness.
"Isn't it?" he asked.
"She will be born in the winter," said said fearfully and he frowned.
"When you're in the Underworld," he replied, as he watched her shoulders rack with sobs.
"She'll be in so much danger. Hades will kill her in his jealousy and rage," she cried.
"Then you cannot go back there," Elijah stated.
"The consequences of crossing Hades are dire," she warned.
"I love you and I'll not abandon you or our child," he insisted, as he started to dress.
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"To tell my sister. She may have married for the good of the Kingdom, but I am going to be with the one I love. I'm sure that Princess in the southern isles can find another prince," he commented.
"Then I'll return in a day's time," he said, as he kissed her passionately.
"I'll be waiting and I'm sure mother will know how to help us," she replied, as she watched him ride off. Persephone put her hand to her belly and then hurried off to find her mother.
From the Underworld, Hades observed the entire exchange and shook with rage, as his hair ignited with blue flames.
"I'm afraid that's not going to be a happy reunion, my dear Persephone," he hissed.
"So...she knows. The Savior knows about everything?" Jefferson asked.
"If she remembers all her time spent in the dreamscape like I do, then yes," David replied. Jefferson chuckled.
"And the Queen has no clue who she really is. This is unexpected," he said.
"Yet, but it probably won't take her long to figure it out. Can you...tell me about Snow?" David asked tentatively. Jefferson sighed.
"You sure you want to know?" he asked.
"Of course," David insisted.
"Well, in Storybrooke, Snow White is Mary Margaret Blanchard. She teaches fifth grade. But her personal life...is pretty lonely. The curse pretty much strips away every good trait in a person and brings out their weaknesses. As a result, Mary Margaret is sweet, but very meek. Regina delights in her misery," Jefferson informed. David clenched his fist and noticed his trepidation.
"What?" he asked.
"I'm not sure I should tell you," Jefferson replied.
"You must...I need to know everything. If we want our families back, then we need to work together," David said. He sighed.
"Do you remember Deimos?" Jefferson asked. He watched the Prince go rigid and clench his fists.
"You mean son of Ares and former immortal that hunted and stalked my wife?" David growled.
"The same. And tried to kill you on multiple occasions, yes, that's him," Jefferson said.
"Don't tell me he's here?" David lamented.
"Unfortunately, he is and he doesn't have his memories, but he's still infatuated with your wife. He stalks and pressures Mary Margaret on a weekly basis. He gets stopped by the Sheriff and never goes further than talking to her. But with time moving again...he might get more brazen," Jefferson warned.
"That's not possible! We killed him! I watched Red rip him apart," David growled.
"He survived somehow. I don't know how, but he was a God before Zeus punished him for trying to overthrow him in Hades' favor. Regardless of him, I think we need to team up with a certain someone else," Jefferson said. David sighed.
"You can't mean…" he started to say.
"He wants the curse broken as much as we do. Not to mention that he knows all the inner workings of the curse," Jefferson insisted.
"But he's the Dark One…" David said.
"He is and right now, he's content to sit back and let your daughter fulfill her destiny, even if takes months. But I know something that will make him want to speed up the process and make Regina pay," Jefferson replied.
"And that would be?" David asked.
"The woman he loves," the Hatter replied.
"But...he said she was dead," David protested.
"He thinks she is...but she's not," Jefferson replied, as recognition flashed in the prince's eyes.
"Regina…" he said.
"Lied to him about killing her. She's had her locked up in the hospital psych ward for the past twenty-eight years," Jefferson said.
"And he has no idea?" David asked.
"Not until tonight when I clued him in. If the three of us team up against Regina and with your daughter on our side, she'll finally pay for all the misery she's caused. But for now, you need to get back to the hospital. They have an all out search going for you," Jefferson explained.
"What am I supposed to do at the hospital?" David asked.
"Act like you have no memories. Regina will probably try to come up with some fake life for you. But she can't force it on you if you don't let her. If your daughter really does know you, then I suspect she'll go toe to toe with the Mayor. At the same time, you can sweep Mary Margaret off her feet. She visited John Doe every day in the hospital," he mentioned. David allowed himself a smile. Even Regina's stupid curse couldn't erase their feelings.
"Oh, I plan to. But what about Deimos? I'm guessing he's someone of importance in town?" David asked. Jefferson chuckled.
"Get ready to be sick to your stomach then, because he runs the sleaziest tavern in town. He's dripping in money, probably because he's also running who knows what kinds of dealings from the club, unchecked, of course. The place is down by the cannery and is called Vertigo," Jefferson explained.
"So basically he hasn't changed at all. He's the sick, twisted degenerate he always was," David said.
"Here he goes by Damon Tromera," Jefferson said.
"Fitting name for a blood sucker that's obsessed with my wife," David quipped. He nodded.
"We should get to the hospital," Jefferson said. He nodded.
"Time to get my wife back," David said.
"She's not exactly your wife. You need to remember that," the Hatter warned.
"You don't know Snow. She's in there and I will find her. I will always find her, even if that means getting her fall in love with me all over again," the prince said.
Mary Margaret trekked through the woods furiously, kind of surprising herself. She had never been one to venture into the woods that surrounded Storybrooke, but she found herself to be surprisingly adept at finding her way through. It seemed funny to her. In her life in town, she seemed almost to literally stumble through her life. And here she was, navigating the darkened forest like some kind of pro.
But when she came face to face with John Doe at the Toll Bridge, she could hardly believe it and they seemed to stare at each other for the longest time.
"Oh my God, Emma...I found him!" she called, as she found herself rushing to him. He smiled at her, soaking in the vision of beauty she was.
"You found me," he agreed.
"We were so worried!" she exclaimed.
"I'm sorry for that. I...guess I woke up and got a little confused. I'm afraid I have no idea where I am...or who I am for that matter," he told her. He hoped Jefferson was right about acting like he didn't know who he was.
But then he recalled Emma telling him that she had been laughed at when she was a child when she told people that her parents were Snow White and Prince Charming. For some reason, in this strange world, they were just fictional beings. So telling people that he was Prince Charming probably wouldn't do him any favors.
"It's okay...but we should really get you back to the hospital," she said. He smiled at her.
"I'm glad you found me. You probably saved me," he replied, enjoying her blush.
"I don't know about that," she stammered, as she tripped and yelped, as she started fall. But strong arms stopped her from taking a nasty tumble and she gazed up at him breathlessly, as he held her close.
"I...I guess I'm not the only one doing the saving," she mentioned. He smiled.
"Guess not," he agreed, as a blonde blur arrived and Charming finally lay eyes on his grown daughter. Sure, he saw her every night in the dreamscape. But somehow, seeing her like this was different and he found himself looking at her in awe.
"There you are…" she said in relief.
"Yeah...she found me, even though I don't even know her name yet," he replied.
"Oh...I'm Mary...Mary Margaret," she stammered. He smiled.
"It's wonderful to meet you Mary. I wish I could tell you my name, but I'm afraid I'm drawing a blank at the moment," he replied. Emma locked eyes with him and they were not the eyes of a confused man. They were the same eyes she saw every night in the dreamscape. Her father was awake...in more way than one.
It didn't take them long to get back to the hospital and the nurses quickly swarmed around him, insisting that they take him to the exam room to run some tests. He had no idea what any of that meant, but a nod from Mary and Emma told him he should do as they said for now. He could barely tear his gaze away from Mary Margaret. She was still his wife, but Jefferson was right. She seemed so unsure of herself and too timid, definitely not like Snow at all. It didn't matter though. She was still Snow, just buried behind a wealth of insecurities projected upon her by the Queen. He thought about what Jefferson said before. As hesitant as he was about teaming up with Rumplestiltskin before, now he knew that if he was going to get his family back that he needed his kind of help.
Mary Margaret twirled her ring nervously, as Emma talked with Graham. She waited anxiously to hear if John Doe was okay. He seemed fine, but the man had been in a coma for a very long time. She prayed there was no lasting damage because of that. She had no idea why she cared so much though. She didn't know him, not really. Why did he matter so much to her? She felt so drawn to him and decided she didn't care about the why. She just wanted to see him again and was going to venture down the hall to find him. But she was halted by a hand on her arm.
"Miss Blanchard...how lovely to run into you here," Damon Tromera leered and Mary felt her entire body tense with unease. He was a tall, dark haired man with chiseled features. But his eyes had always made Mary shiver in fear, for they were so cold, almost dead. He was the creepiest man she had ever known, especially when he looked at her like he was now, like he wanted to take a bite out of her.
"Oh...Mr. Tromera," she said, trying to pull her arm away.
"So formal Mary...I really wish you'd call me Damon," he said, as his eyes skated over her.
"Um...I need to go," she stammered.
"Why such a rush? I'd love it if you'd join me for a cup of coffee," he said.
"I don't think so," she replied.
"Mary...why must you always turn me down? It's bordering on rude, you know," he said arrogantly.
"I ask you out repeatedly and you say no. I send you all those lovely roses on a weekly basis and yet you still refuse me," he said and before Mary knew it, he had backed her into a corner.
"Please Mr. Tromera...I'm just not interested. It's nothing personal…" she stammered, barely able to make eye contact when he frightened her more by lifting her chin to force her to look at him. His eyes sent cold shivers down her spine and she shuddered, which only made him smirk smugly.
"You don't like the roses?" he hissed.
"Considering that I prick myself on the thorns every week, no they're not my favorite…" she blurted out and he chuckled at that.
"A lucky thorn it is that has the pleasure of drawing your blood," he leered. It was by far the creepiest comment she had ever heard and she had never wanted to get away from someone more than she did now.
"Perhaps you'd prefer daisies...or violets then?" he asked.
"N...no...I just want to go," she said, her breathing now coming in ragged gasps, as he pressed closer to her. Her head felt like it was on fire now, like someone was screaming at her from inside. It was crazy, but she felt sudden violent urges telling her to fight. It was disturbing, for she had never fought anyone in her life, much less someone as large as him.
"One date Miss Blanchard...and I promise you'll fall for me," he pressured. A tear slipped down her cheek. Maybe if she agreed, he'd leave her alone. But the fire in her head intensified at that thought. No...if she gave in, he'd never stop and he would hurt her. She could feel it. This man wanted to hurt her.
"No," she said more clearly. But he didn't stop and as he leaned in to force his lips onto hers, she listened to the fire inside her and kneed him between the legs. He doubled over in pain and glared at her.
"That was a mistake, Miss Blanchard. I guess you need a lesson on why," he growled, as he raised his hand to her. She gasped, but a voice stopped him.
"HEY!"
Mary looked behind Damon and saw that her rescuer was none other than John Doe himself.
"This is none of your concern, pretty boy," Damon growled.
"She said no and you seem to have a hearing problem. Get away from her," Charming growled, barely containing his rage at the moment. Damon stared him down and slowly backed down.
"Good evening, Miss Blanchard," he said, as he left quickly, just as he saw the Sheriff coming toward them.
"Are you okay?" Charming asked, as Mary stared at him with captivation.
"I...thanks to you," she uttered.
"That's two rescues you have to my one now," she commented. He could only smile at her and soak her up.
"I'm just glad I was here. I may not know who I am, but I know that the man that was just here was dangerous," he said.
"He just really wants me to go out with him and I'm sorry, it must be terribly confusing to not know who you are," she replied.
"It is, but there is one thing I do remember," he countered.
"What's that?" she asked.
"Your voice," he replied and she blushed under his charming smile, as they became absorbed in each other's gazes.
"Well, Mr. Doe, it seems that the doctor wants to see that you're taken back to your room," Graham said, though David recognized him as the Huntsman that had once saved both his and Snow's lives. He spared a glance at Emma and seeing her like this nearly took his breath away. His baby girl, all grown up and so incredibly beautiful and strong.
"I'm...sorry I worried everyone when I wandered off. I got a little confused and wandered off. Fortunately, Jefferson found me when I wandered onto his property and helped me back here," Charming said, gesturing to the man, who leaned against the wall casually. Jefferson waved boredly, just as Dr. Whale arrived. He was someone David didn't recognize.
"Mr. Nolan...I believe it is. You gave us quite a scare," Dr. Whale said.
"Mr. Nolan?" David asked in confusion.
"Yes, we have it on good authority that you are David Nolan. Does that ring any bells?" Whale asked.
"Can't say that it does," David replied.
"Well, be that as it may, I'd like to give you a full exam myself. The tests all came back normal, but I'm not fond of my patients wandering off," Whale said irritably.
"For a doctor, your bedside manner is seriously lacking," Jefferson commented.
"And you are?" Whale asked.
"My friend," David answered. And the doctor noticed that he was still holding hands with Miss Blanchard. It figured. Mary Margaret had visited this man almost every day he was in his coma, despite claiming not to know him. It irked him, if for no other reason than he didn't like the fact that he couldn't compete with a man that was comatose until just a few hours ago in her eyes. She would have been a nice notch on his bedpost.
"Please Mr. Nolan, I'd really like to examine you," Whale pleaded. He nodded and looked at Mary Margaret.
"Will you still be here when I'm done?" he asked. She nodded, probably too eagerly, but wild horses couldn't drag her away at this point. He smiled and he reluctantly let go of her hand, following Whale back into the stuffy hospital room.