AN: See chapter 1 for story notes and summaries.

Ships: Snowing, Rumbelle, Swan Believer, Swanfire, Daddy Charming, Mama Snow, HadesxPersephone, Mama Persephone, and a delightful Golden Mad Charming BroT3. :)

Please consider leaving a review. Feedback is much appreciated and vital.

Also, feel free to follow me on Tumblr lilacmoon83. In an effort to grow my Snowing fanfiction blog on Tumblr.

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

Special note:

Here are the main face claims that we're dealing with right now. For other minor Gods/Goddesses, see previous chapters:

Gal Gadot as Persephone

Robert Downey Jr. as Hades

Vincent Irizarry as Deimos

Ben Affleck as Prince Eli

Drew Barrymore as former Queen Serafina

Thanks for awesome the reviews. Again, please consider leaving feedback. 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. :)

Note: There was some confusion about when Zelena killed Eva and I'll admit it is not very clear. Basically, Zelena appeared during the time in which Persephone found out she was pregnant and Eli was going to run off with her. But then Zelena killed Eva, making Eli realize he couldn't. Then Zelena disappeared, because at that time, she was actually around ten. It's confusing, but it's time travel so I took some liberties.

Here are individual responses:

Saberius Prime: Yeah, definitely a ride! Yep, Snowing has officially met. Sorry, unfortunately, Daniel was still a casualty. I like Stable Queen well enough, but he just doesn't fit in with the plan for this universe.

Grace5231973: Yeah, I agree about killing in self defense. Yes, they know she's safe. Unfortunately, that is going to change quickly for Snowing in this chapter. I can't say more than that without spoiling it. I know, I hated doing that to Regina, but at least her rage has a true reason this time.

Naomi Blue: Yes, Regina's anger actually makes sense this time. It never did make a lot of sense to me as to her anger at Snow. And yes, the sapling has been born. :)

Number Ten: I know, Lord Deimos is a nauseating thought. I'm not sure on James yet. I may do something a bit different with him It's unlike Henry to seek revenge and he does pull back a bit on that in this chapter. But he believed telling Regina the truth was the right thing. Unfortunately, it's only going to make her more angry at her mother and sister. She wants revenge, a rightful revenge, and Rumple is going to pounce. Yes the sapling really grew. If you haven't watched 6x7, I highly recommend that you do. Easily the best episode of season 6.

Theinferno1536: Henry feels that she deserves the truth, especially after such loss. He won't encourage revenge though. But it's likely that's what Regina will want and Rumple will pounce on that.

Izzypirelli: Yep, Zelena did it maliciously and Regina's anger is way more justified this time around. Glad you like teenage Snowing! We're going to get more of those Snow Falls moments woven in in this chapter. There is going to be a detour on the way to the farm. The royal politics are interesting and I think James deserves a better fate here. Yeah, I wrote that line picturing RDJ in my head. Frollo could quite possibly be the worst of them all, especially if he does turn about to be a hypocrite. Time will tell on that end. Yes, that gave Persephone some hope. She is very well restrained and that will soon come to a head. Yeah, Regina is not going to handle this well or the truth well. At least she has a reason for revenge this time. A very Charming response. So in tune already and they feel it. Yep, that soldier came out of no where and there's more danger to come and more heart eyes too. :) Glad you're excited! :)

Dreaming Out Loud

Chapter 98: Dreams That You Dare to Dream

Snow awoke the next morning and clutched the blanket, as she got her bearings. She was still very much getting used to sleeping under the stars. As she sat up, she noticed the David had already re-stoked the fire and Stardust was resting nearby. She didn't see David or Wilby and wondered where they had gotten off to. She stood up and made her way down to the water nearby. But what she saw there made her pause, as she saw David. He had seemingly cleaned up in the river and was getting dressed. He had already put his pants on, but he was still drying his torso. His back was to her and her breath caught, as she took in the lean muscle rippling through his back. She swallowed, as he turned and her cheeks burned, as she got a view of his chest. Her cheeks burned and she looked down shyly.

"I'm sorry...I didn't mean to interrupt," she apologized. He smiled at her and put his shirt back on.

"It's okay...I'll head back to camp if you want to clean up. Wilby can keep watch for you while I forage breakfast for us," he said. She nodded.

"Thank you," she said, as he left her to wash up. She sighed, as she watched him go and then smiled to herself a bit.

Claude Frollo entered the Throne Room that morning and bowed to his King.

"Any word from the front?" Arawn questioned.

"Lord Deimos believes he may be on her trail, but there are whispers that the girl's mother and step-father have also been spotted," Frollo reported.

"They are looking for her and quite likely to find her before our forces," Arawn stated, troubled by that. If they whisked the girl away to the Underworld or another realm, then he would never have justice.

"Sire...if I may have the floor," Frollo requested, as the court was present as well.

"Of course, my most trusted Vizier," Arawn responded.

"You are quite right that they may get to the girl before us, but I think I may know of a way to cause her to come running to us instead," Frollo claimed.

"And how could we possibly get that to happen?" the Duke interjected.

"We schedule King Eli for execution," Frollo announced, causing commotion among members of the court.

"On what charges?" a statesman asked.

"Treason, of course. He helped his murdering daughter escape, after all," Frollo responded, like it was an obvious answer.

"Word like that will spread through the Kingdoms like wildfire and Snow White will come running to save her father," Frollo continued.

"And how do we know? How do we know the little beast will even care? She committed cold blooded murdered," the Duke responded skeptically.

"She may be a demon...but she loves her father. She will come," Arawn agreed, as he looked to his Vizier.

"Spread the word, Lord Frollo and make sure all know that at dusk on this night...King Eli will be executed by beheading," Arawn announced.

"I will make it so, my King. Then it will be Snow White that will die when we burn her at the stake," he said savagely, as his cape swirled behind him and he made purposeful strides to carry out his King's will.

Regina stared at Henry in disbelief, as he finished telling her his deepest, darkest secret. And she could hardly wrap her mind around any of it.

"You're...you're my real father?" she asked. He nodded.

"As you might know, your mother was dissatisfied in her marriage to Leopold almost from day one. In a moment of weakness...she sought comfort and I happened to be there that night. It was at a ball…" he replied, as he swallowed thickly.

"She cannot know that you know...I would face certain death if she knew I told you. But you deserve to know the truth," he added.

"I won't breathe a word…" she promised, as she looked at him.

"That's why you've always been so kind and caring," she surmised. He smiled.

"You are my greatest gift…" he replied.

"You gave up being a Prince for me?" she squeaked.

"In a heartbeat...but I really gave up nothing, my child. I was fourth in line and would have had to marry into a Throne. Believe me, getting to raise you pales in comparison to any of that," he promised. A tear slipped down her already tear stained cheeks and she sniffed.

"I think I always knew...deep down. I always knew that Leopold could have never been my father. We've been in the same room maybe twice in the last several years...and he's always been cold and aloof," she replied.

"Part of that is your mother's hold on him and her magical influence, but there are other darker parts to him that I am thankful you never had to experience," he said.

"Daddy…" she cooed, as he hugged her tightly. She knew she could only call him that when they were alone, but it still brought her great comfort in a time when her heart was utterly broken.

"I am so sorry about Daniel, my child...I wish I could have done something to stop this," he said, crying with her.

"He's gone...what will I do?" she asked hopelessly.

"You will mourn him. It will always hurt...but in time, it will get better, I promise," he replied. She looked at him.

"That's not enough for me," she said and he frowned, as he watched her stand up and clench her fists.

"Mother needs to pay for this…" she hissed.

"Your mother is a powerful woman," he reminded.

"Then I have to find a way to make it happen. I have to find a way to make Zelena pay too. If she hadn't told mother...we might have escaped before she found out," Regina said, as her eyes burned with tears.

"I'm going to have my revenge on them...I don't know how yet, but I'm going to make them pay," she growled.

"Regina dear...revenge will only leave you with emptiness. Hurting others isn't in your nature, but if you want real revenge, then moving on and being happy is the best revenge on them that you can have," he advised.

"But don't you see, Daddy? They'll never let me be happy! Tonight is the perfect example of that," she hissed, as she stormed around the barn.

"No...I need to find a way to get them out of my life," she said. Henry opened his mouth to protest, but a shrill giggle interrupted him.

"If it's revenge you want, dearie...I'm the one you need," a voice said. She looked around, startled, until she finally saw a small man before her. He had leathery looking skin that seemed to have a sheen of gold to it.

"Who are you?" she questioned.

"You're the imp that taught Cora and Zelena magic...aren't you?" Henry questioned.

"You're not as dim as you look, Sir Henry," Rumple retorted, as he bowed deeply.

"Rumpelstiltskin," he introduced himself.

"And you can help me get revenge?" Regina questioned. He giggled again.

"Oh no dearie...but I can give you the means to your revenge. Everything else will be up to you," he responded.

"I know you...you never do anything for free. You'll want something of her in return," Henry said accusingly. Rumple laughed again.

"And here I thought brains was lost on you," he responded.

"I don't care what you want...tell me how I get revenge," Regina demanded.

"Isn't it obvious, dearie?" he questioned, as he leaned toward her.

"Magic...of course," he revealed.

"But...I don't have magic like they do," Regina replied, causing him to giggle again.

"But you could have it...if you learned it," he responded in a sing-song voice.

"You want to teach me magic?" she asked. But he evaded her question.

"Magic is power...the means to getting what one wants. If you want them to pay, you must be able to stand against them. And only with magic can you do this," he replied.

"And what do you get out of this?" Henry asked suspiciously.

"If I help you get your revenge and I mean revenge to its fullest extent by taking away everything they love, which is their power, then you will help me get what I want," he responded.

"And what is it that you want?" Regina asked.

"That's my business. The question is...do you really want them to pay?" Rumple questioned.

"Regina...this isn't the way," Henry protested.

"Yes…" she responded automatically, as her lips curled into a snarl.

"Daniel deserves justice!" she shouted at her father.

"They took him from me and since they love nothing but power...then I must take that power from them!" Regina realized. Rumple giggled gleefully.

"Then get a good night's sleep, dearie...we begin tomorrow morning,"

Snow returned from the river, having cleaned up and sat down by the fire. David glanced at her out of the corner of his eye and noticed not for the first time how beautiful she was. Though they had just met, he could hardly ignore the stirrings in his heart and seemingly instant connection they seemed to have. He turned his attention back to the fire and stirred the food in the small pot he had brought with him from home to cook in.

"I found some more berries and had some oats left, so I hope you like porridge," he mentioned. She smiled.

"It's fine," she agreed, as he put some of the berries in it and they ate mostly in silence.

"If I haven't said thank you for everything...then I want to say it again," she mentioned, as they finished. He smiled.

"You did and you don't have to. I'd like to think we're friends now," he mentioned. She smiled.

"Definitely," she agreed and they stood up and she looked up at him, as he towered over her. She swallowed thickly and his breath caught, as the tension between them was thick enough to cut with a dagger. But a noise broke the tension and he grabbed her hand without thinking and pulled her to hide her behind the tree. Stardust seemed to know enough to make himself scarce and galloped off to hide, as a few men dressed in peasant clothes passed by. David made himself look busy, as he put out the fire and packed up. The men laughed and were stumbling around, clearly drunk. He hated drunks.

"Hey boy...you better be moving on through here!" one bellowed.

"Don't worry, I'll be moving along soon," David responded.

"That's good...you're a strapping lad. The King's army is recruiting soldiers for the war. Heard he just took King George's Kingdom down and without a fight," the man slurred.

"I heard that Midas is next. He's going to need one helluva army for that!" another shouted.

"I've got you all beat on gossip after what I heard in the tavern this morning," the third slurred.

"I heard that King Eli is getting his head removed tonight...if you know what I mean," he continued. Fear seized Snow's heart and she gasped, as she peered around the corner at David. He put his hand up for her stay.

"You heard that they're executing King Eli?" David asked.

"Yep...he dies at sundown for treason. Would hate to be in his shoes," the man said, as he took another drink from his flask and they moved on. At this point, Snow was practically hyperventilating and he rushed to her side.

"Snow…" he said, his voice thick with sympathy, as the tears started to fall down her cheeks.

"I...I have to go! I have to stop them," she cried, as she whistled for Stardust.

"You're not going alone," David protested.

"David...I'm the one they want to execute, but that won't stop them from hurting you too. You need to forget about me and go home," she said sadly.

"I'm not letting you go alone!" he snapped, as she looked at him with watery green eyes.

"I doubt I'll make it out of this alive...you can't come with me!" she responded. But he shook his head.

"I don't care! I'm not letting you just give yourself up like this!" he argued.

"I have to save my father!" she shouted back.

"Then that's what we'll do. We'll rescue him, but there is no way in hell that I'm letting them execute you," he shouted back. She swallowed thickly and then broke down in tears, as he pulled her into a hug.

"I'm not letting you face this alone...let's go rescue your father," he said, as Stardust returned. They packed up, got Wilby, and rode off in the opposite direction, back toward her Kingdom.

Persephone pulled her cloak over her head to conceal herself, as she mingled with the people in the market. Hades was nearby and they knew the fastest way to gather Intel on Snow's whereabouts was through the common people. She pretended to browse through the goods and even bought some fruit and bread, until she heard someone talking about her daughter's Kingdom.

"Did you hear the latest from the palace?" a woman asked.

"Just that Princess Snow is being accused to killing Queen Ravenna. If you ask me, she did us all a favor," the other woman responded.

"I don't disagree, but that's not what I heard this morning. King Arawn has slated King Eli for execution," the first woman said.

"What? On what grounds?" the other asked.

"Treason," the first one responded. Persephone gasped and her eyes found Hades across the way, as he boded his time in an alley.

"What is it? Did you hear about Snow?" he asked.

"No...it's Eli. Arawn has ordered his execution," she replied fearfully. Hades brow furrowed in confusion a bit at that. He had already taken the Kingdom and Eli was no threat in the dungeon. But then his eyes widened in realization.

"Eli is the bait," he stated.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"Word of Eli's execution has already spread this far and there is no way that Snow won't hear of it somehow," he replied. Her eyes widened then too.

"And she'll go running to turn herself in to save him…" she cried. He put his hands on her shoulders in a soothing manner.

"At least we know where she's going now and we'll be there to stop it. We'll save her and Eli both," he assured, as he took her hand and they disappeared in twin puffs of smoke.

It was late afternoon when they stopped to let Stardust rest for a moment and David plotted their next course, which caused him to look troubled.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Even if we continue going this way...we're not going to make it to your castle by dusk," he realized.

"But I think I might know a shortcut," he added.

"Well, that's great. We can go that way," she replied, but he winced.

"Except that the shortcut is over a Troll bridge. We're going to need something to give them if we're going to get past them in one piece," he said, as he dug into his pack.

"I have some gold from the sales of Mama Sera's pottery, but I'm not sure it's enough," he said.

"Oh, well Daddy gave me plenty of gold when he had my satchel packed," she said, as she dug through her things and pulled out a small drawstring pouch. He smiled.

"Good...this should do it, except you need to hide that pin you're wearing on your cloak," he said. She frowned.

"Why?" she asked, as she put a hand on the bejeweled pin that was holding her cloak closed.

"It was my Aunt Eva's. She died before I was born," Snow mentioned. He smiled.

"And it's beautiful, but it's jewel encrusted and it screams royalty," he replied. Understanding dawned on her.

"And if they think I'm a royal, they might put it together that I'm worth a lot more than a few gold pieces," she realized.

"Exactly," he agreed, as she put the pin in her pack and they prepared to head to the Troll Bridge. It was their only chance at making it to her castle by dusk.

Eli looked up, as one of the guards unlocked his cell and he was pulled out. The Knight, who was once one of Eli's most trusted, shackled the King and he was marched into his own Throne Room. Arawn sat in his stolen Throne with Eli's Court around him. It made him livid that he had sat for years with these people, broke bread, and allowed them to treat his beloved little snowdrop as no more than a servant all for the sake of keeping the peace. Clearly, their loyalty was easily bought and they stood with the new administration; a leadership that sought to kill his little girl.

"King Eli...you have disgraced your Throne by harboring and aiding the escape of a wanted fugitive, who has committed the murder of Queen Ravenna," Arawn stated.

"Snow did not kill Ravenna...she's not capable of such savagery," Eli refuted.

"The Queen was found in her room, stabbed to death. The blood soiled the little wretch's nightgown and the weapon was found in her hand," the Duke refuted.

"Which all seems a bit convenient. Ravenna rarely went into Snow's room and my daughter is too kind and humble to commit a premeditated murder," Eli argued.

"This Council does not see it that way and Snow White will die for the murder of my sister and your Queen," Arawn declared. Eli seethed at that.

"Persephone and Hades will never allow you to get your hands on our daughter. Do with me what you please, for I can rest easy knowing that Snow will live," he declared in return. But Arawn smirked deviously.

"Once your noble and precious daughter hears of your condemnation...she will come running to save you. At least she will, if she is the person you say," Arawn retorted. Eli frowned at that and felt a ripple of fear course down his spine. And it was not for his own well being.

"King Eli...I hereby charge you with treason against your own Kingdom and sentence you to die at dusk for your crimes," Arawn declared.

"And with any luck, your lovely, yet murderous spawn will attempt to stop your execution and hence will also die on this night as well. When we burn her at the stake like the witch she is!" Frollo announced savagely.

"NOOO!" Eli shouted, as he struggled against his captors, but he was easily subdued with their fists; those same fists that had once guarded his safety.

"Take the former King back to his cell to await his sentence. He shall die when we remove his head, but only after he witnesses us cleanse this world of his demon daughter with fire!" Arawn bellowed, as the former King was dragged away and tossed back into the dungeon. He cared nothing of his own mortality. At this point, death would be a sweet release. Being familiar with the Underworld, thanks to Persephone, he no longer feared it. He knew a much kinder existence existed for him there; one where his own daughter would visit him. He welcomed it earlier, for he had counted on Hades and Persephone finding her and whisking her away to the odd and mysterious town that existed there for people with unfinished business. He had looked forward to death just so he could finally be with his little girl, free of the weight of his crown. But that comfort only came in knowing that Snow would exist there with him alive and able to return to the world of the living any time. But now that the threat of her dying a horrible and painful death was very real before him and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

"Persephone...you must save our little girl," he muttered, pleading to any of the Gods or Goddesses that were listening.

Stardust galloped toward the bridge and there were seemingly no trolls in sight. But Snow knew that didn't mean anything. Papa Hades and mother had educated her on many beings during her visits to the Underworld. She had her own chambers there, after all. It was not far from Papa Hades' Throne room where he carried out sentences for beings that had moved on to the afterlife. She had heard the stories of the times when Papa Hades had been a cruel man and did not fairly and justly rule. But she had never known that man.

Instead, she had seen his mercy and benevolence first hand. She had also seen him deliver justice, but mama had always told her he only banished evil beings that deserved it to the rivers. Much of the time, she saw him send heroes to Elysian and ordinary beings with good hearts to Asphodel meadows.

And then there were people with too much unfinished business to move on. Those beings were sent to the surface just above Papa Hades' Throne room and Mama took her to the town of unfinished business quite often. It was a strange, but interesting place with buildings unlike anything she had quite seen in the living world. There was a clock tower that Snow was fond of and she remembered mama telling her that it had been broken and dilapidated in the street for a long time. Until Mama had restarted Papa Hades' heart with true love's kiss. The clock had repaired itself then and those with good hearts did not fear him anymore.

Most people liked seeing her there as much as she liked going, for she made flowers grow when she visited and mama always said that her light did so much good for the troubled souls there. And Snow loved helping the people. But she had been educated on beings to avoid and one of those had been trolls.

Papa Hades didn't like trolls one bit and loathed when they came with unfinished business. He would rather sentence them and be done, but being a just ruler, he allowed even beings he considered deceitful and dangerous to work out their unfinished business, even when he believed those beings' unfinished business was simply avoiding the terrible afterlife that awaited them.

Mama had always kept a close eye on her when they were in the town for that reason. There were some bad people and creatures, whose unfinished business was simply avoiding their fate. She remembered one particular frightening troll that had approached her once when she was a little girl. Mama was close by, evidence of either bravery or stupidity on his part, and told her that he was certain if he drank her demi-Goddess blood that it would restore him to life. Needless to say, the ground had literally opened up around him at that and earned him a one way trip into the river Acheron for his assertion. Papa Hades might have been fair and just now, but he was ruthlessly protective of her and Mama. They had warned her that most trolls were not trustworthy at all. She would always be kind to any being, but remembered their lessons on recognizing deceitful or evil beings that would use or harm her without a second thought. If the trolls even suspected that she was royalty, she knew they'd seek the bounty on her head. And worse, if they realized she was a demi-Goddess and her step-father ruled the Underworld...well, there was no telling the favors they would demand from him or her other relatives.

She swallowed thickly, as they dismounted Stardust. Her Unicorn alone would attract attention, but she could only hope that the gold they were going to offer would appease them. David glanced at her and clearly noticed her nervousness.

"It'll be okay...trolls are greedy and we have enough gold to get by them," he assured.

"If they even suspect who I might be…" she warned.

"We'll make sure they don't," he replied, as he raised the hood on her cloak to conceal her somewhat. He approached the bridge and her her heart fluttered, as he took her hand, leading her behind him. She watched the ugly, disgusting trolls climb up over the railings of the bridge, as David prepared to bargain their passage with them. Her father's life hung in the balance and they had but an hour left before dusk. There was no time to lose...