AN: See chapter 1 for story notes and summaries.

Ships: Snowing, Rumbelle, Swan Believer, eventual Swanfire, and a delightful Golden Mad Charming BroT3. :)

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Please consider leaving a review if you're reading. It is very much appreciated!

I was asked to give a rough estimate of exactly what month/year it is, like I do with Finding You Always. So since it's estimated that the curse was broken in late February 2012 and it's been a few weeks since, it is now early April 2012

Special note:

Here are the main face claims I have chosen for the Gods/original characters. See previous chapters for more face claims with the Gods:

Gal Gadot as Persephone

Robert Downey Jr. as Hades

Ernie Hudson as Poseidon

Vincent Irizarry as Deimos

Maggie Smith as Hecate

Ben Affleck as Prince Eli

Drew Barrymore as former Queen Serafina

Thanks for awesome the reviews. Again, please consider leaving feedback. It is very much appreciated and reviews have dropped a bit lately. I love writing this story, but a lot of hard work in my free time goes into getting weekly chapters up, so reviews are really gratifying. :)

Here are individual responses:

randa180: Not so sure about that, but it's definitely a possibility. Either way, Emma has a big decision to make that effects a lot of people. :)

Grace5231973: Yep, I decided that it wouldn't be that much of a stretch for Cora to have an affair. I mean, this is Cora. I really love Hades, Persephone, and Snow as a family too. That's the main reason I wanted to explore this storyline. I've had it since way back in like chapter 40ish when the curse was broken. So I was happy to finally get to execute it. I like David's new family too. Adding James' adoptive mother(an OC inspired by another Once writer) is going to be interesting. I hope Robert becomes better too. Rumple actually has a very interesting conversation with Cora about Zelena in this chapter. Let's just say, he ain't sold on her in this version either. Rumple and Belle is definitely coming. Right now, Snow and David are around ten, but we'll be hopping ahead soon. :)

Saberius Prime: So glad it's exciting for you! I am having a lot of fun with this story line. Time travel allows me to explore so many what ifs, while potentially having a way to put everything back as it was too. :)

BooksinmyDreams: Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. I like Serafina too.

Naomi Blue: Yep, Zelena is still wicked. There is discussion on why she doesn't work for casting the curse in this. Yep, Regina was born, because I didn't think it was too much of a stretch for Cora to have an affair. The Leopold question is answered in this chapter and all I will say is he is still ringing a ten on the creep-o-meter. But it's still not Zelena that he has an eye on, especially since Zelena has magic and would probably just zap him.

Jennifer Baratta: Yep, Zeus and Deimos have teamed up and it's not going to be good for our heroes.

Number Ten: Yeah, like I said to other reviewers, I decided that Cora having an affair wasn't really a stretch so Regina is still here. Especially since we know Cora only wants power and while she's waiting for the right moment to get rid of Leopold, you're right, she got bored and unsatisfied, though she had no love for Henry either. Yep, Zelena is definitely a chip off the old block and it is definitely looking like her skin will be turning green. I was never really fully on board with CS, but I was mostly indifferent to it until season 5. But yeah, him killing Robert killed any chance of me changing my mind. Sorry, but though he may not have known who it was, that doesn't change the fact that David's childhood was ruined and it caused a lot of his issues with thinking he wouldn't be a good father. So I fixed it and am giving Hook a second chance, not for the sake of CS, but later for the sake of KnightRook. I love Ruth/Serafina too and there will be more on Ravenna in this chapter. :)

girlmeetsrucas13: Aw thanks! So glad you like my stories. Hope you continue to enjoy!

Beth1980: Yep, Cora has woven a twisted web and this chapter has some insight on why Leopold is so easily fooled. But yeah, Henry and Regina will end up being victimized in this whole thing. Yeah, Ravenna is possibly crazier than Zelena and he's already regretting that he taught Zelena magic. Yeah, I always thought his Queen probably didn't fall ill. She couldn't produce an heir so he didn't need her and got rid of her. So I wanted to explore what might happen if she was only exiled. Yeah, they should tell David, but since they are trying to protect him, it will probably end up blowing up in their faces. Yep, Deimos is still up to no good. Glad you're still enjoying. :)

Chapter 94: Happy Little Bluebirds Fly

The Enchanted Forest

19 Years Before the Dark Curse

Snow fidgeted impatiently, as her mother and step-father led her by her hands to their cottage, which was located in a beautiful meadow near the foot of Mount Olympus. The meadow was filled with just about every breed of flower that existed on Earth and was home to many creatures, for they flocked to it, knowing it was a safe, peaceful place.

"Can I open my eyes yet?" Snow asked anxiously.

"Not yet, snowdrop," Persephone replied.

"Hmm...impatient. Wonder where she gets that from?" Hades teased, glancing at her.

"You just love that joke, don't you," she replied, with an eye roll.

"As much as you love the one where you insist she gets her penchant for mischief from me," he retorted.

"Oh please...you take pride in that. You boast it," she said. He chuckled.

"Yes, I do," he admitted.

"And it's true. No one can find trouble like the two of you," she added and he didn't attempt to refute it.

"Can I open them now?" Snow asked in a huff. He chuckled. Persephone smiled, as she saw the surprise make its way into the meadow.

"Okay Snowdrop...you can open them now," she said. Snow did so and in her line of vision was a beautiful, white Unicorn. The majestic animal galloped gently toward them and bowed its long head to them.

"A unicorn?" Snow asked in awe.

"Well...we're going to teach you to ride and I thought a Princess such as you should have a fitting beast to learn on," Hades replied.

"And it eases my nerves knowing that a Unicorn won't get spooked and throw her like a horse might," Persephone muttered to him. He smiled.

"Relax, my love...this Unicorn has been trained by the best, I assure you. Raised from birth specifically to protect our little Snow," he assured.

"What's his name?" Snow asked, as she pet the Unicorn and he nuzzled her affectionately.

"That is entirely up to you, sweet pea," Hades answered, as he lifted her onto the animal, intending to take her on her first ride around the meadow. And the timing would be good, for they heard the approach of a carriage. A royal carriage and Eli stepped out. Though his guards were extremely leery of leaving the King alone, he insisted and sent the carriage away, though the Knights would not be far away.

"Hi Daddy! Papa Hades got me a Unicorn!" Snow gushed.

"That's wonderful, baby. I need to talk to mommy, but then I want you tell me all about it," he called back. Hades exchanged a glance with his wife, silently agreeing to keep Snow out of earshot.

"Come on, sweet pea, let's take that first ride," he said.

"Can we go fast?" she asked.

"Sure," he answered.

"Hades…" Persephone warned. He winced.

"We'll start with a slow prance," he promised, as they proceeded to venture around the meadow. Eli sighed.

"A Unicorn? He just has to upstage me at every chance he gets, doesn't he?" Eli asked in annoyance.

"That's not what he's doing," Persephone protested and he raised an eyebrow.

"Okay, maybe a little...but I actually insisted on the Unicorn. They don't get spooked and won't throw Snow," she replied.

"That was one nightmare you had," he admonished.

"I don't have nightmares. I have premonitions and I've woken up more than once to the image of our daughter being thrown from a horse. It's a Unicorn or nothing," she insisted. He put his hands up in surrender.

"Fine…" he relented.

"I assume this isn't what you summoned me here about?" he questioned.

"No...but it is about Snow's safety," she replied. He scoffed.

"Not this again...Snow is safe with me, I assure you," he insisted.

"Your wife hates our little girl!" she exclaimed.

"Hate is a strong word," he said, shifting uncomfortably.

"Oh please...she's so jealous that I'm surprised she hasn't turned green yet," she retorted.

"Why would she be jealous of a ten-year-old? That ridiculous," he commented.

"No Eli...it's not. Ravenna sees how much you love Snow and how much you adore her, as a father should. But you don't love her and she knows it," Persephone said.

"Are you really going to go there? You're going to comment on my relationship when you're married to him?" he snapped back.

"This isn't about Hades! He loves Snow...he loves her as if she were his own," she snapped back.

"Don't remind me!" he spat.

"Do you have any idea what it's like to have to watch that man with my daughter and watch her adore him right back?" he exclaimed. Persephone sighed.

"Eli…" she started to say.

"Do you think this is the life I wanted? I hate it...I hate not being with you...I hate not being Snow all the time," he admitted.

"And I'll confess...it's harder, because you're happy in your marriage. You're happy with a man that you once insisted wasn't capable of love," he added. She looked down for a moment and then back up.

"He changed...he saw the error in his ways. And then when Snow was born, that was it. He turned away from all darkness and let love guide him," she told him.

"Yes...I remember. I had to watch Snow being born on your mother's crystal ball, while he got to be there," Eli spat bitterly.

Persephone's screams echoed through their chambers and could be heard throughout the Underworld. It was a day unlike any other, for the land of the dead never saw life being born. But today was an exception, as Queen Persephone gave birth.

"Her head is crowning, darling. A few more big pushes and it's over," Demeter said, as Hades held her tightly.

"I can't…" Persephone cried.

"You can, my love...you're the strongest woman I know," he encouraged, as she pushed through the pain with more screams, until the cry of an infant rang out. Persephone and Hades became stunned, as their eyes became fixated on the wriggling baby that Demeter now held and proceeded to clean off.

"Look…" Hades said, as they saw snowdrops suddenly sprout from the ground in their chamber. Demeter smiled and placed the baby in her arms and they both were in awe.

Tears came to Persephone's eyes at the memory. It was the one and only thing the three of them could agree on. It was the best day of their lives.

"We can lament the past all day or we can deal with the present. And that present is that I fear for our daughter's safety in your Kingdom," she pleaded.

"And I'm begging you not to take her away...please, she's all I really have," he begged.

"I don't want to do that, Eli. Snow loves you, so you know I would never want to separate you from her. But you have to put your foot down with your wife and your court," she insisted.

"I will try...but they do not always listen. They know I am not a strong King," he said shamefully. She sighed.

"But you can be. And if you can't do it for yourself, do it for Snow," she pleaded.

"I'll try...just please don't take her away from me," he begged again.

"You know that is the last thing I would ever want to do. Snow loves you and I know how much you love her," Persephone stated.

"I hate this...I hate being married to someone that I not only don't love, but hates my daughter," he confessed.

"Then do something. Ravenna has helped lead to poverty in your Kingdom and she can't produce an heir. I fear what she may try to do to our daughter if she is left unchecked," Persephone said.

"I will try, but you know I have to tread lightly. The Southern Isles has a very large army. If I were to oust her completely, such would be an act of war and that would not protect our daughter," he replied.

"But I'll protect her, Persephone. I promise," he added, as Hades returned with Snow and her new Unicorn.

"Daddy...I'm naming my Unicorn Stardust," Snow told him. He smiled and lifted her off the animal.

"That's a wonderful name," he told her, as he hugged her tightly.

"I love you Snow," he said, feeling the need to tell her that.

"I love you too, Daddy," she replied.

Rumple observed his new student, as she used her magic on the task he had given her. Zelena was very powerful, with almost unlimited potential. And on the surface, this made her the perfect person to cast his curse. But he needed someone with more than just purely magic to cast it. After watching her over the past few years, he quickly determined that this wicked girl loved absolutely nothing, aside from herself, perhaps. She had learned lessons of coldness and cruelty well from her mother and had developed a reputation for being a bully. Clearly, Cora's raising and Leopold's aloof indifference had nurtured this future monster. He wasn't sure if the King suspected that his daughters were not his or if he just didn't care whether they were or not. But his complete disinterest in his family was hard to ignore. Many surmised that he just didn't love his family, but no one seemed to mind much. Royals weren't required to love anyone. In fact, it was not uncommon for a royal to be as cold and indifferent as the King was. But Rumple knew the real reason for Leopold's aloof indifference.

Cora needed the King as a figurehead until Zelena was ready to ascend to the Throne as Queen. At that point, she was sure that Leopold would meet some seemingly accidental end. Then Zelena would become Queen and Cora Queen mother. Young Princess Regina, who had by some miracle retained some kindness and good nature, would likely be married off to a Prince so Cora could see that both her daughters became Queens. And to achieve the level of indifference that Leopold had made Rumple suspect he was under the influence of Cora's magic. He knew of several spells off the top of his head that would allow Cora to influence his every thought and move.

He might actually feel bad for the King if he did not know what kind of person Leopold truly was. Even under the influence of all of Cora's spells, he had seen the King's eyes wander to young, beautiful maidens more than once. His own daughters had no idea what they were really escaping with him and he wondered if Cora had an inkling. He was under enough of her control that he had not dared to touch one of them. But notably, he had shown quite an interest in King Eli's young daughter, whom he had only met for the first time a few weeks ago at a ball. It was the first moment of clarity he had seen in the King for years. Had Persephone been there to notice it...well, the King would have been sent straight to the Underworld for Hades to deal with. It definitely interested him to see how this would all play out.

But his thoughts returned to the glaring problem at hand. He had the power to cast the curse in Zelena...but this girl did not love. He had two paths he could take now. He could consult his seer powers to see if there was anyone she might actually love or he could find another. On one hand, teaching and cultivating magic in another was a daunting task. But he felt it might be a safer option. He still had time, after all. Snow White was only ten-years-old, and the Savior wouldn't be born for another eighteen years now. He didn't like reaching into the future much. It had proven too risky to gaze upon and what he saw was rarely the whole story. He only got bits and pieces and it was almost too difficult to read. In fact, the only real clear visions he had were that there would be a Savior. And she would be born from a love between Princess Snow White and a charming shepherd named David. But he knew the reason that vision was so clear was because the Goddess Athena had written this love in the stars. It was a true love that would be unprecedented and unlike any other to ever exist. But seeing Zelena's future proved to be trickier.

"Her magic is magnificent...isn't?" Cora asked, as she appeared next to him.

"Truly...but natural aptitude isn't everything," he answered.

"Isn't this what you want, Rumple?" Cora cooed.

"Isn't this what you need?" she added.

"Power is only half the equation, dearie…" he retorted.

"What more could there be than power?" she asked, as she looked at him.

"She loves nothing...except power, perhaps. You've taught her well," he replied.

"Love is weakness," Cora commented. And he offhandedly wondered how a smart woman like Cora could be so short sighted when it came to love. What she said could be true at times. Love could breed weakness in some. But love could be so many more things. He had seen it turn to hatred. He had seen it destroy people and leave them as shadows of their former selves. He had seen it start and end wars. And in the future, he could see one particular love saving the world. People did insane things for love. They committed atrocities for it. They killed for it. And from one particular love...true love's magic would be born. Love was many things, but he believed that weakness was not one of them.

"That's a very narrow view, dearie...and one that might cost you someday," he commented cryptically. She smirked.

"I'll take my chances," she responded.

"At any rate...Zelena will cast your curse and it will be what you need to find your son," she added. But he knew that wasn't true. If Zelena cast his curse, he was becoming more convinced by the minute that he would never find Bae.

"Where is Princess Regina?" he inquired.

"She is at a riding lesson...or pretending to be. She thinks me ignorant to her dalliances with the stable boy," Cora responded. Hmm...now that was interesting. Despite Cora's disdain for love, it would seem that Regina had found it. And he knew what love lost could breed in someone like Regina. Cora would let her have it until she decided it was time to end it and marry her off. It was definitely an opportunity he might be able to explore. For now though, he became quite interested in the scene below.

"Ah...King Eli and his little bastard daughter are visiting. Eli's Kingdom is having financial troubles and I suggested to Leopold that he extend an olive branch," Cora said.

"Of course...once we become involved with the northern Kingdom, hostile takeover will be easy and inevitable," she added.

"Oh, I'd be careful there, dearie. That retch you're referring to is the daughter of Persephone and step-daughter of Hades. If one hair on her head is harmed...their wrath will know no bounds," he warned.

"Hmmm...you're quite right about that," Cora said, noticing how her husband was suddenly doting on the child.

"That girl certainly has a way about her. Many become so enamored by her," Cora commented. Rumple was watching what she was and it even made him uncomfortable. As the Dark One, he was many things and had committed atrocities in his reign, but the type of evil that he was seeing in Leopold's eyes was beyond even him. He would have to monitor that situation. He did not doubt that the young Princess could overcome anything. He had seen glimpses of the fierce woman she would become, but this was not one obstacle that he thought anyone should have to overcome. It was uncharacteristic for him to care about anyone and at the end of the day, his concern was still more about his curse. But she was vital to that success of that curse. Having her innocence stolen at this tender age could jeopardize his design. He didn't doubt that she would find her true love; that was written in the stars and awaken hope in her. But there were already enough obstacles for her to overcome on her path to being a hero. And this was not one that was required or necessary for that matter. If King Eli didn't notice the signs, Persephone would and he knew she often looked in on her daughter from the Underworld. He could only hope she was watching today.

King Eli held his little girl's tiny hand in his own larger one, as he discussed diplomacy with King Leopold. They had been invited to attend a ball that evening at King Leopold's palace and had come early to discuss matters of state.

"Your Kingdom is in a financial crisis it seems," Leopold mentioned.

"It is. I am afraid that I have a Queen that is not easily pleased," Eli responded.

"Yes...it is not hard to spot the friction between the two of you. I know your Court is demanding a viable heir to the Throne," Leopold stated. Eli glanced at him.

"They are...but if we are being frank, I already have an heir. But getting my narrow minded court to accept my daughter will not be an easy task," Eli replied.

"Take it from an old King...it will not be something they will ever accept. A child born out of wedlock is seen as a disgrace. Your daughter has fared much better simply because people fear her mother and step-father," Leopold advised.

"Snow is everything to me. It should not matter how she came to be. She is my daughter," Eli replied.

"Oh, I am inclined to agree with you. However, the ways of our Kingdoms are steeped in centuries of tradition and change is not easy for some to take. You should take heart though," Leopold mentioned, as Eli glanced at him again.

"She is a lovely little girl and I think she may fair much better than other royal children born out of wedlock," he said, as his eyes locked on Snow. Eli looked down at his little girl, whose attention was occupied by some of the birds and rabbits that scurried about and therefore did not notice the King's predatory stare.

"You should not have difficulty finding suitors for her. She is still of royal blood and Godly blood," he mentioned.

"Oh, I won't be finding a suitor for Snow. There will be no need. There is no much I have been able to promise my precious little girl, but I will promise to let her marry for love," he said wistfully.

"I was unable to and I won't burden her with an arranged marriage. Such would be ill suited to her free spirit," he said, as he watched her kneel down in the dirt, her dress be damned, to play with the animals. Leopold watched the small animals, birds, and even a fawn approach the little girl.

"Extraordinary," Leopold commented. Eli smiled.

"As beautiful and kind and as extraordinary as her mother," the younger King mentioned.

"May I give you some advice?" Leopold questioned.

"Yes, of course," Eli replied.

"Letting Snow marry for love is a romantic notion. But I encourage you to find her a royal that would be able to protect her. I don't think I have to tell you the dangers posed to one such as her," Leopold said.

"Her mother and Hades would never let any harm come to her, nor will I," Eli replied. Leopold was about to continue to press the issue, but was interrupted.

"Snow…" Ravenna snapped, as she entered the garden and the little girl looked up. At her presence, all the creatures scurried away.

"Ravenna…" Eli warned.

"Save it Eli...look at her! She's filthy again! There is a ball tonight and now I have to clean her up! She looks like an urchin," Ravenna growled, as she grabbed Snow's arm.

"Owe!" Snow cried, as the angry Queen began to drag her away.

"Ravenna...stop! Johanna will tend to her," Eli promised. Ravenna let go and huffed, before storming off.

"My, my...are you sure you can protect her? It seems you cannot, even from your own Queen," Leopold mentioned.

"I can and I will. I won't let what Ravenna just did stand," he said, obviously angry at his wife's handling of his daughter.

"And nor will I," Demeter agreed, as she appeared with Artemis.

"Nana!" Snow called, as she rushed to her.

"Aunt Arty!" she called again, as the two woman hugged her tightly.

"Hello my little one...I need to speak to your father and then we'll go have some fun," she promised.

"Then I don't have to go to the ball?" Snow asked hopefully. Eli sighed and smiled at her, as she looked at him.

"No sweet pea...you can spend the evening with your grandmother if you'd rather," he said. Despite the fact that his court did not accept Snow, they were hypocritical enough to demand that she still act like a Princess. But Eli loved her too much to force this life on her.

"Come on, snowdrop. We'll go practice with your bow," Artemis said, as she took her hand and led her into the woods outside the palace.

"Excuse me," Leopold said, as he withered under Demeter's icy glare and left them alone.

"I know what you're going to say," Eli stated.

"I doubt that," Demeter countered, as she swept into the garden.

"I will speak with Ravenna...I won't let this stand. She knows how displeased I am with her treatment of Snow," he defended himself.

"And she does not care. She does not fear you. In fact, the only reason she has not abused my granddaughter further is that she fears me, Persephone, and most of all Hades," Demeter snapped.

"What will you have me do?" Eli asked.

"Oust her! She's ruining your Kingdom. You have cause!" Demeter responded.

"You know that would cause war with the Southern Isles!" Eli argued.

"They have an army twice the size of mine and resources that we do not have," he continued. Demeter sighed. She wished that he was wrong about that, but knew that he wasn't.

"Then you must be firm with your Queen. Unfortunately, she is not the only reason I am here," the Goddess replied.

"What else is there?" he asked.

"King Leopold for starters...I want that man no where near our little Snow," she replied.

"He is a bit set in his ways, but do you really think he is a danger to Snow?" Eli asked.

"He is a bigger danger to her than Ravenna is. You did not see the look in his eyes when he gazed at her," Demeter replied, confusing the King.

"But...she's just a little girl. Surely you can't mean he has those kinds of designs on her," he said in confusion.

"That's exactly what I mean. You must never bring Snow to his castle again and guard her if he comes to yours," she warned. Eli sighed and scrubbed a hand over his face.

"I know you are under a lot of pressure and stress," she offered.

"It doesn't matter...I promise you that Snow is always my first priority," he promised.

"I believe that...and that's why you need to watch your back too. Your Queen is not above putting a knife in it," she warned. He sighed and couldn't deny that. He knew how unhappy Ravenna was.

"I will. But if anything ever happens to me...you'll get Snow out? Can you promise me that?" he asked. Demeter nodded.

"We will all do whatever is necessary to keep her safe," she promised.

Ravenna huffed, as she stormed into her chambers and let out a yell of frustration.

"It's good to vent your anger. Holding it in only causes more pain," a voice said. The Queen gasped and turned, finding a man on the balcony of the guest chambers that she was residing in.

"Who are you?" she demanded to know.

"My name is Deimos...I am the God of Terror," he introduced himself.

"Are you here to champion that little retch too?" Ravenna questioned, as she slowly backed away from him. He chuckled.

"On the contrary...I'm here to help you make her and her parents pay," he responded. She relaxed slightly and regarded him.

"Zeus is very displeased by the existence of that little parasite and the fact that most of the Gods favor Persephone and Hades over him," Deimos revealed.

"Then why doesn't Zeus do us all a favor and smite the little nuisance?" she questioned.

"Contrary to popular belief, Zeus is not all powerful. Most of the Gods would rise up against him if he made such a bold move upon Persephone's family. But with the right plan, we can all get what we want," he replied.

"You want me to work with you?" she questioned. He chuckled.

"I can make you Queen...eventually," he reasoned.

"I already am Queen," she reminded.

"I mean you could rule without your sad sack of a husband if we do this right," he corrected.

"And just what is it that we would do?" she inquired.

"For now...nothing. But when Snow comes of age, it will cause great turmoil, especially when her father advocates for her to be his rightful heir...or at the very least insist that she be recognized as the Princess of his Kingdom," Deimos stated. She scoffed.

"If Eli thinks this Kingdom will ever bow to his little bastard daughter...he's more a fool than I thought," she hissed.

"We agree on that. But an opportunity will come to make sure Snow is not only ousted from this Kingdom, but that you can see to it that she is hunted. We will stage a crime and she will take the fall. Then you can chase her out of your life and take the Throne," he offered.

"And what of Hades and Persephone?" she queried.

"You leave them to me. Trust me, they will be too busy trying to keep Snow alive than to worry about you. The details on how all this will come to be are sparse for now...but it will come to pass. The question is...are you willing to participate?" he questioned. Ravenna smirked.

"If it means I can see that little urchin burned at the stake...then I am not only willing to participate, I want to light the bonfire," she replied with an evil smile. Deimos smiled back, his own smile as evil as hers.

"Then let's begin,"