They're chasing her.
She didn't want to run. Didn't want to leave her behind. But she told her to, told her to run, to find her Mom and Aunt. She told her that she'd be okay…the blonde prayed that she'd be okay.
(Flashback, moments ago)
"This place creeps me out," Robin muttered as she felt Alice's body beside hers.
"It's not too late to turn back…you heard Little John, you have nothing to prove." Alice reached out to stroke her lovers back, as Robin used her bow to pull the overgrown branches out of their way.
"I'm not doing this because I have something to prove to them…I'm doing this for me," Robin whispered, as she retook the lead.
"What exactly are you trying to prove to yourself?" Alice questioned, grabbing the archers good arm, forcing them to stop in the middle of the forest, regardless of how exposed it made them.
"Can we do this after we've killed whatever crazy lives in this forest?" Robin moaned as she tried to walk away, only to be stopped by the hard grip Alice had on her hand. "Us stopping here isn't safe…"
"You bottling things up isn't either…" Alice counterattacked. "Hey…talk to me."
"My Father died trying to save me…" Robin whimpered, letting the wall she had built crumble away.
"I know…" Alice smiled softly, as she opened her arms for the brunette, who glad melted into them, gripping onto blonde as the tears fell down her face. "I know sweetheart."
"I just…I need to know that I'm good enough to take up his mantle." Robin mumbled into her loves neck.
"You are more than good enough! You are Robin Hood, protector of magical creatures, defender of the realms, a voice for those who are voiceless…and most importantly…you're My Robin!" Alice's speech was enough to make Robin pull herself together, wiping the remaining tears away.
"Alice, I-" The words never got to leave the archer mouth, as suddenly a cloaked figure jumped from the trees, pinning them both to the ground. Fighting through the pain, Robin was able to release them both from the monsters clutches as they took off deeper into the wood.
"Robin, you're bleeding!" Alice gasped as they ran, she wanted to stop Robin, to check her wound but it wasn't safe.
"I'll be fine…Alice, if something happens, promise me that you'll run! Run straight to your Father's camp, my Mom and Aunt will be there…leave me, get them and they'll know what to do…" Robin shouted over the high pitched screams of the monsters. "Promise me, Alice!" Robin shouted as the cloaked figures began to surround them.
"Robin, I can't…"
"Alice…run!" Robin pushed the girl away as the cloaked figures engulfed her, mumbling 'I love you…' as she lost sight of her true love.
(End of Flashback)
Alice didn't want to leave, didn't want to let the monsters have her love…she wanted to go back, to face off against them, to protect Robin. She wanted to show her love that she was so much more than a fragile girl that always needed to be protected. But she couldn't do that alone, she hadn't stopped running since she lost sight of love, her legs burned and her arms ached, but that never stopped her. Finally, after hours of running, she caught sight of the blackening smoke that rose to the sky, signaling the closeness of her Papa's camp.
"Papa! Regina! Zelena!" Alice shouted as loud as she could as she entered the camp, forcing the three people in question to come running out of their tents.
"Starfish? What's happened?" He Papa moved rush to her, only stopping when he felt a rush of pain shoot through his chest.
"Where is Robin?" Zelena asked as she took in the girl, her clothes dirty and face puffy from crying.
"The monsters…they took her." Was all Alice could say before the events of the day caught up with her, forcing her to faint on the spot.
The ground is cold and wet under her, she can't tell if it's from the blood pooling from her deep cuts along her arms and back, or if it was like that when she got here…wherever here was. Her head is heavy on her shoulder, struggling to stay up and weighing her down when it hangs. She blinded by lights, circling her, trapping her in this prison.
"Well, looks who is finally awake…when I said I wanted her quiet, I didn't mean unconscious you fools!" The sharp tone cut through Robin's prison, hurting more than the claws of her attackers.
"Where…who…Alice?!" Robin screamed, finally coming to her senses. In a rush of panic, the brunette archer tried and failed to stand, letting out a god awful hiss of pain as she was forced back down to the ground. "I swear if you have hurt her…" The witch cut Robin off, with a harsh laugh.
"Oh, silly child, why would I want to hurt my dear Alice…what kind of Mother would that make me?" Robin yelped as her mouth hung over in disbelief. Alice had spoken very little of her Mother, only mentioning her when they had met children and once after, when talking about how her Father's heart had been cursed.
"M-Mother?" Robin stuttered.
"Not the way you expected to meet your future Mother in law?" The witch laughed wickedly, moving closer to Robin.
"You left Alice in that tower alone all those years. You poisoned her Father's heart…you are not her Mother!" Robin spat as she tried to run at the older woman, but failed as she was quickly pinned against the wall, her arms and legs tightly wrapped by thick thorny branches, slicing into her as she tried to escape.
"Quite the mouth you've got…reminds me of your Mother. How is she? And your Aunt Regina?" The witch moved closer, gently reaching over to touch the brunette's face as she spoke.
"What do you want with me?" The archer hissed, still squirming as she tried to move away from her touch.
"Oh, you don't know?" The witch asked rhetorically before a hearty laugh escaped from her throat. "Hmm, I guess my daughter goes for beauty over brains."
"Cut the crap!" Robin cursed, spitting at the witch.
"Such a temper…but, since you asked so nicely. I need you to do a little job for me…" The witch purred, before winking wickedly at the scowling brunette.
"Okay…so let me get this straight." Zelena started, as Regina dapped a wet cloth over the blonde girl's head. "You and Robin went into what was supposed to be a deserted forest because you heard a scream?" Zelena continued as she paced through Regina small tent.
"Umm Yes," Alice mumbled, feeling scared under the gaze of both her Papa and Robin's Mother.
"And while in said forest, Robin had some sort of accident and hurt her shoulder? Making shooting an arrow extremely difficult?" Zelena questioned, worry laced in her voice.
"And then you run into Little John of all people, and he warns you about these monsters, telling you not to go after them?" Regina added as she moved to grab her sister's hand, in hopes of calming her down.
"So what do you two do? You go into the forest injured and unsure of what is even waiting for you!" Hook grunted, kicking himself for Alice and Robin having to face such a difficult situation alone.
"Look you can shout and scream later, but right now, Robin is in danger! The woman I love could be lying dead in that forest…and we need to get to her!" Alice shouted, scampering to her feet.
"Love?" Zelena asked starry-eyed.
"Y-yes…I haven't even had a chance to tell her yet…" Alice teared up, wanting nothing more than to run into her Papa or Robin's arms, both of which were impossible at that moment.
"From what you've told us, these monsters aren't what they seem…they're a coven of dangerous witches, a coven that I was personally invited to join." Zelena moved to comfort the blonde, lovingly she ran a motherly hand up and down the blonde's back, as Hook fought back the urge to run and grab his daughter.
"Witches?" Alice mumbled, thinking back the evil witch that had locked her away and cursed her Papa's heart.
"This is a good thing…it means that if they took Robin, it's because they need her…so all we have to do is get our girl back," Zelena reassured the blonde shivering beside her.
"It's time to fight witches with witches." Regina smiled wickedly at her sister, sharing knowing glances.
"And a pirate," Hook added with an eye roll.
"Of course, Papa…but I think we are going to need a little more help…and I know just the person!"
"Are you sure she's the one, Mother Gothel?" One of Gothel's minions whispered as they looked in on the broken girl. After hours of persuasion, they were nowhere near close to getting what they wanted from the archer.
"She's the only one! I've waited a long time for my Daughter to find love…and now that she's found it, I'm going to destroy everything and everyone." Gothel spoke through gritted teeth. With a flick of her wrist, the plants holding Robin captive sparked to life, sending jolts of magical electricity through the archer's aching body, as she screamed out in pain.
"Mother Gothel…we found this in her belongings." Another minion arrived, tattered letter in hand, forcing Gothel to stop electrocuting the brunette.
"Love letters? How cute…" Gothel smirked as she opened the letter addressed to her daughter. "A Father's blessing…even better." The witch smirked. "This could be just the thing we need, to give our little friend the push she needs."
"Is that all you've got?!" Robin hissed as the witch entered her prison once again.
"I thought you'd like to see what I found…" The witch smirked as she held up the letter to Robin.
"That doesn't belong to you!" Robin spat, trying and failing to kick her way out of the hold the plants had on her.
"No…but it's a very good read…would you like to hear?" The witch asked rhetorically, before clearing her throat and beginning to read.
My Dear Starfish,
I haven't been able to stop thinking about our last conversation…I am so happy for you and Robin, I know that your love for each other is one that is pure and lasting. As I'm writing this, your archer is most likely waiting outside my tent as she always does, I will never be able to thank her enough for what she has done for us, being able to talk to you, even if it's just through letters, it warms my heart.
The crocodile filled me in on your latest adventure to find the guardian, I hope you succeed soon. I know what it is like not being able to touch the person you love, to hold them…I miss you Starfish, each day I feel my heart grow stronger, but I know unfortunately that it's not enough.
Please come by soon love, everyone here loves when you visit….and seeing your face, well…you already know.
I love you with my heart, with all the love of the sea…
Papa
My Dear Starfish & Her Robin
Had a nice sit down with your girl, don't worry I kept my promise…as you can see, she is in perfect condition. We had tea and a chat…well, more than a chat. Alice love, I was worried when you told me that you had kissed Robin, from the stories I've heard of this Storybrooke, I thought that she would try and take advantage…but after speaking to her, properly speaking to her…I know that she is one of the good ones. She is full of joy and love, she is a protector and I know that she would do anything to keep that smile plastered on your face.
Any worries, or concerns I may have had about this new relationship disappeared the moment Robin had the guts to look me in the eyes and tell me, without a shadow of a doubt, that you were the person who made her a better her…and I know, in my heart…that you and Robin, you are what they talk about in those bedtime stories I used to read to you…
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful young maiden, who was forced to live her life to someone else's accord, until one day she met a young archer, with a wicked smile and a tongue like venom…they were both lost, neither knowing where they truly belonged…until they weren't anymore. They had found their place with each other…
Maybe I will finish the story one day, when I'm tucking your little ones into bed at night…but for now, you two go out and live your story.
I love you…both of you.
Papa
"Not on my watch…" Gothel laughed wickedly as she tore up the letter and threw it at the teary-eyed brunette. "Now…back to our little game."