Author's Notes: I do not own Once Upon A Time which is a show on ABC where they give you your wish, but it's like when someone wishes for rain and there's six weeks of flooding. Anyway, thank you for the reads and reviews. I do appreciate them, but between work, migraines and the NBA Western Conference Quarterfinals and that show on ABC, I have not gotten back to you and also that is why this chapter took a while. Also, in things I do not own, Frozen or any characters or song lyrics found in that film. Also, we are almost to 300! Woo hoo! Please let me know what you think and happy reading!
The Duke of Padua was lost.
Definitely lost.
The battle won, he had gotten word that Catherine was about to deliver their fifth child.
It had to be a daughter.
It just had to.
So he had begun riding and not long after he found himself caught in the heavy fog of the mountain pass he had taken to expedite his return. He could barely see in front of him and now he had arrived at a great castle.
He tied Mandrake II to a post and he went to knock at the door, but instead it just opened.
"Hello?," he asked, stepping inside a great hall. "Hello?"
"What brings you here, dearie?"
In front of Alec appeared a man unlike any he had ever seen. He had strange skin that sparkled three colors at once and almost claws. He eyed Alec.
"Yes, terribly sorry to impose, but I seem to have lost my way," said Alec. "I was wondering if you might direct me back down the mountains."
The man eyed him. "You stopped here for directions?"
"I suppose I did."
"This is the Dark Castle, dearie, I don't give tourist information."
"Oh," said Alec. "That would make you the..."
"The Dark One, yes." He waved his hand and the doors slammed shut behind him. "Give me one reason I shouldn't let you rot in my dungeon."
"I can think of a very good one," said Alec.
"Oh?"
"Not one that I can share," said Alec.
"Dungeon it is, dearie."
"Please, no, I have to get home."
"Tell you what, I'll make you a deal, dearie. If you can guess my name, you may leave."
"Rumplestiltskin."
"How did you know that?," he sneered.
"A very reliable source."
"That wasn't a guess."
"Well, I didn't have to-"
Before Alec realized it, he was in a dungeon.
"Catherine is not going to be happy with me at all," Alec muttered to himself.
Earlier...
They rode up towards the glaciers. Catherine rode ahead of Alec and Beatrice. She got off the horse and walked towards them.
"Catherine!," Alec called, helping Beatrice off of Mandrake's back. "Be careful!"
"What's she doing?," asked Beatrice.
"She's rebuilding the glaciers."
"Wait until Al Gore hears..." said Beatrice.
"Who?"
"Never mind."
Catherine turned back down to face Beatrice. "You!"
"Me?"
"You said you were heiress to the Far North Kingdom, didn't you?," she asked coming closer.
"How can she be heiress to the Far North Kingdom?," asked Alec.
"Is that true?," Catherine demanded. She pointed. "Who gave you the pendant?"
"My mother," Beatrice answered.
"And she got it from her mother who got it from?"
"Well, I'm guessing you."
Catherine froze.
Alec was taken aback. "What are you saying? That you're our great granddaughter?"
"The point is, you possess the powers of the Ice Princess?"
Beatrice shook her head. "Nobody wants to ask me how I managed to travel back in time?"
"I assumed magic," said Alec.
"Do you possess the powers of the Ice Princess?," Catherine demanded.
"Yeah, I guess," said Beatrice.
"Then come," said Catherine. "I cannot hope to halt the ogre advance on my own. Perhaps the two of us together can accomplish it."
Beatrice hurried to follow Catherine up.
"There is just the one problem with that," said Beatrice. "I haven't really done anything with you know more than a glass of water or a person. I don't know about whole glaciers."
"You've not been instructed in the powers of the Ice Princess yet you possess them?," asked Catherine.
"Yeah, my current instructor's specialty is sort of wide-ranging magic..." Catherine eyed her suspiciously. "He's good, though."
"Has he taught you to use emotion in your magic?"
"Yes."
"The key to the power of the Ice Princess lies in release. Most of the times, you hold your emotion as a weight, holding back your abilities and then you let it go."
"Let it go?," asked Beatrice.
Catherine raised her arms and seemed to wave her hands with a flourish. Clouds of snow appeared and began to gather, rebuilding the pass.
"Right," said Beatrice. "Letting it go..."
She raised her hands, then dropped them again.
"Yeah, see, the problem is that I am not that good at letting go. I can't let go. I suck at letting go. Taylor Billingsley told me in Kindergarten that my father didn't love me and I am still upset about it. I'm still afraid of the dark."
Alec was behind her now.
"And what good has being afraid done you?," asked Alec.
"Not a lot, really."
"And this Taylor Billingsley, do you suppose he's thought about what he said since that day?"
"Taylor's a she, but probably not..."
"And I take it your father loves you?"
"Yes," said Beatrice.
"Then why hold on to it?"
Beatrice thought a moment.
"Because I don't know who I am without it."
Alec smiled. "Then why don't you find out?"
Beatrice took a breath as Alec turned her back to face the glacier pass where Catherine's magic was already taking hold.
"Letting go..."
"You know you can't just say you're letting go," said Catherine.
"I know," said Beatrice. "Do I have to do the hand gestures?"
"Yes!"
"What is with magical people and hand gestures?"
Beatrice paused and tried to not think of all the terrible things that usually clouded her thoughts.
Catherine seemed to pick up on that. "That's just holding back, not thinking is burying it deeper so it can never leave, you just let it go."
And she did. The magic joined Catherine's as snow clouds began to swirl in the open sky.
"So," said Venus, staring at the books as they sat on the table in the courtroom, "we have to delay the trial because Beatrice is in the Enchanted Forest?"
"Yes," said Regina.
"And also back in time?," asked Venus.
"Yes," Regina repeated, casting a sideways glare at Gold and Belle.
"Don't look at me, dearie," said Gold. "It's not as if I sent her."
Regina crossed her arms. "Are you certain about that, Gold? It seems to me that if anyone around here was going to attempt a time travel spell, it would be you."
"They don't work," said Gold. He looked at Merlin.
"Oh, let's not revisit that, sunshine," said Merlin.
"Kathryn, do you mind a delay?," asked Venus. "It would give you more time to prepare your case."
"No, I suppose these things can't be helped," said Kathryn, looking lost.
"What about her?," asked Regina looking at Belle.
"Me?," asked Belle.
"Yes, you," said Regina. "The daughter of Merlin. You stripped the Blue Fairy of her powers. Perhaps you have some ability we don't yet know."
"Even if I understood what my powers were, I would never put Beatrice in danger."
"How was this accomplished?," asked Venus.
Gold pulled out the box. "With this."
Venus took the box. She peered through the carvings. "There's something in here." She shook it. "Yeah, definitely something."
Belle took it. She peered in. "It's a thread."
Merlin took his turn. "That's not just any thread. It's the thread of life."
"What?," asked Regina.
"How did Beatrice get that?," asked Gold.
"Well, it didn't come from Amazon," said Merlin. "Also not from me since I know that's what you were thinking."
Belle took the box from Merlin. "We need to go back to the shop and check your books," she said to Gold.
"Is that enough?," asked Beatrice, asked looking at the frozen landscape that had appeared before them.
Catherine nodded. "It ought to hold off the ogres. We just need someplace to stay."
Beatrice watched as a family of polar bears walked in front of them, nodding at Catherine.
"Um..."
"What?," asked Catherine, seeming unfazed.
"Does that happen normally?"
"Of course it does."
"Should we offer them a Coke?"
Beatrice didn't get an answer. She looked back and saw Catherine building an ice palace out of the air.
"Now, you need some rest," said Catherine. "It's always tiring the first time."
"I'm not-"
Beatrice's protest lasted until she planted her face in a pile of snow.
Beatrice woke up to see a snowman in her face.
"Hey, how's it going?," he asked.
Beatrice screamed. Alec rushed into the room brandishing his sword, Catherine joined him with her hands outstretched.
"Maybe we got off on the wrong foot..." said the snowman.
"Why did you scream?," asked Catherine.
"There's a talking snowman in my room!"
"Hi, I'm Olaf and I like warm hugs," he said.
"What the hell is going on?!," demanded Beatrice.
Olaf turned back to Alec and Catherine. "She seems stressed."
"Did no one else see the Doctor Who Christmas special?!"
"The what?," asked Alec.
"Olaf, this is Beatrice," said Catherine. "She's our great-granddaughter."
"And what is he supposed to be?"
"He was a friend to the first Ice Princess and has stayed in our family's service ever since," Catherine explained.
"What happens in summer?"
"Oh, I love summer," said Olaf.
Beatrice looked up at Catherine.
"We give him his own cloud. He's fine," said Catherine. "That reminds me, Olaf, were you alright when I was imprisoned?"
"Eh, a little dripping, I can't complain."
"Well, now that Beatrice is here we can work on the next problem," said Catherine.
"Which is what?," asked Beatrice.
Catherine and Alec exchanged glances, then looked back at each other.
"You're not adopted or anything, are you?," asked Alec.
"No..."
"Your mother? Or grandmother?," Catherine asked.
"No..."
Catherine sat. "The Blue Fairy has cast another curse on me."
"Yeah, she likes doing that," said Beatrice.
"This curse says that my powers will be taken from me if..."
"If what?," asked Beatrice.
"You're a young maiden," said Catherine. "Certainly your mother has told you what would be expected of you when you marry."
"Oh, my God..." said Beatrice. She covered her face. "This cannot be happening."
"Essentially, were I to lay with Alec, I would lose my powers..."
"What is wrong with you?!" She motioned at the snowman. "Do you at least want to send Olaf out of the room?!"
"I'm sorry you're repulsed," said Catherine.
"I am!"
"I thought you would know of these things by now, you're already sixteen."
"There is a difference between knowing things and putting people's names with them. Like my mom says she and Dad are having date night, but I know what that means and I'm pretty sure she knows I know what that means, but we don't discuss it. Though what really offends me is when she says that she's going to help him with inventory. How stupid does she think I am? Hardly anyone goes in there, certainly not enough to justify how much inventory is being done."
There was a long silence as Catherine and Alec stared at her.
"What were we talking about?," asked Olaf.
Catherine motioned at the snowman. "That's why we don't have to send him out of the room."
"What is the point then?," asked Beatrice.
"No, seriously, guys, what were we talking about?," asked Olaf.
"As I see it," said Alec, "we need some way to protect this kingdom from the Ogres without Catherine's powers."
Beatrice paused. She did actually have an answer for that and he was actually available.
"Okay, well, I only know one way to get rid of ogres."
"One way is better than what we have at the moment," said Catherine.
"Anybody know how to call the Dark One?"
"The Dark One? Are you mad?," asked Catherine.
"Yeah, I think I'd like to keep my first born child."
"Maybe we could bargain him down," said Beatrice.
"That could work," said Olaf. "I'm sure he's really very nice when you get to know him."
"Hey, let's listen to the snowman," said Beatrice.
"The Dark One is merciless," said Catherine.
"Well, if you break a deal," said Beatrice. "Besides, it's not like the Blue Fairy is going to help you out of this."
Catherine sighed. "And what do you propose we bargain the Dark One down to?"
"What about firstborn daughter of your firstborn daughter?," asked Beatrice.
"Why would I promise that?"
"Why would the Dark One accept that?," asked Alec.
"Why would you give over your own mother?," asked Catherine. "Why would he-"
Beatrice looked away.
Catherine nodded. "The powers you used when you arrived. They're best used by dark sorcerers."
Beatrice buried her face in her hands.
"I am not a dark sorceress or a witch or the demon spawn of Rumplestiltskin or..." She shook her head. "What does it matter? If I can't convince you, I don't have a chance."
"What are you saying?," Alec asked, looking to Catherine.
Catherine looked at Alec. "Who else would so readily believe that she could trust the Dark One except his own child?"
"In my defense, it took me a while to get there," said Beatrice. "I guess I'll be going. I have to figure out how to build a blue box that travels through time without going to Gallifrey or nineteen sixties London, so I might as well get started."
"You're not going anywhere," said Alec.
"You know Merlin?," asked Olaf.
Beatrice snorted. "Yeah. I suppose you think he's nice, too?"
"You know, he always came off a little cranky to me, like he's hungry," said Olaf. "That means she's a product of True Love, right?"
Alec looked at Beatrice. "We'll try."
"We'll what?," exclaimed Catherine.
"If Beatrice is the product of True Love and is also the Dark One's daughter, that means the Dark One can love and no one who loves can be all bad. They say he has the power of foresight. Perhaps he'll be able to see our granddaughter's true worth to him and a deal can be struck."
"You're selling him our granddaughter?"
"Well, if he won't deal with us, we won't even have one," said Alec. "Beatrice, you shall send a bird."
"Right..." said Beatrice. "Does anyone want to talk me through sending a bird?"
"How does a sixteen year old sorceress not know how to send a bird?," asked Catherine. "Did Rumplestiltskin not cover that?"
Belle sorted through the books frantically. Martha was at her feet, keeping just a footstep behind her heels.
"Belle, what are you hoping to accomplish?," asked Gold.
"Well, getting our daughter back for starters," said Belle. "If one of these spells uses the thread of life as an ingredient, we can find it and replicate it."
"The thread of life is in Olympus, not to mention whatever else is in this box," said Gold, staring at the object on the counter. He held it up against the light. "Doesn't Beatrice have a nail polish this color?"
"I don't care, we'll find a way to get there and get it," said Belle. "You can do that."
"Belle, I have read them all and I have never read a time travel spell with such an ingredient. Simply obtaining it is beyond the ability of every sorcerer or wizard or witch I have ever encountered."
Belle stopped. "Are you including yourself in that?"
"Yes."
Belle shook her head. "You have done what was supposed to be impossible before. You can do it again."
"Belle, she is..." He had to take a breath. "I don't know how this has been done and if Beatrice has managed it, she is a greater sorcerer than I am. Much greater."
"I know you only want the best for her."
"Of course I do," said Gold. "Belle, if she's done this, I've got nothing I can teach her."
"You can't think that, Rumple. You don't need power to be her father."
Beatrice stared at the snow bird. "Wow, total refusal, total outright refusal?"
The bird seemed to communicate its confirmation.
"Okay, well, you fly on back there and tell him that he is going to feel really stupid one day. Really, really stupid."
The snow bird hid a grumble and took off.
"Perhaps it was too simple a solution to be the correct one," said Alec.
Beatrice sat down.
"If you..." Beatrice shook her head. "Okay, you lose your magic, but what would happen if you lost your magic before that?"
"What do you mean?," asked Catherine.
"What if you could just save it someplace and leave it running? Keep the ice going without actually being here."
Alec looked to Catherine. "Ailie did seem to believe she could have your powers."
"Yes, I could abdicate, but who would I abdicate to? Certainly not Ailie."
"Well, I'm here," said Beatrice.
"Yes, but you have to go home, your poor mother's probably worried sick about you," said Catherine.
"Wow, you are actually trying to guilt me before my mom's even been born," said Beatrice.
"Your poor father then," said Catherine. Beatrice looked at her in surprise. "What? Even the Dark One must worry."
"You could cast a spell," said Beatrice. "Like a fifty year snow storm with good visibility."
"Why fifty years?," asked Alec.
Beatrice tried to think, searching for a way that she could get through this without mentioning the Curse. "Well, I don't have dates, but I'm guessing I would be born and..."
"You could take over the duties of the Ice Princess," said Catherine.
"Then again, you will have already been performing the duties of the Ice Princess for some fifty years," said Alec.
"It's wibbly wobbly timey wimey," said Beatrice.
"But what about my people? Who's going to rule?," asked Catherine.
"I know it may seem rude to point out, but they did just try to behead you," said Alec.
"God, has no one in the Enchanted Forest heard of an election?," asked Beatrice.
"A what?," asked Catherine.
"Oh, God, you haven't, have you?," asked Beatrice. "No wonder Mary Margaret and David are in charge. Don't get me wrong. They're nice people and all, but they do some really dumb things. There is no way on Earth they could actually win an office they ran for. What would his qualification be? 'I kissed a corpse?'"
"You're really going to have to explain what an election is," said Catherine.
"The basic idea is that instead of putting whoever was born in charge, everyone in the kingdom or whatever gets together and votes on who's in charge," said Beatrice.
"Well, who do they vote for?"
"Whoever they want." She sighed as Alec and Catherine stared blankly at her. "There would be candidates, people could put themselves forward and explain why they would by the best President or Prime Minister or whatever you want to call it."
"So, does the President have absolute rule?," asked Alec.
"No, that would suck, you people don't have a clue," said Beatrice. "Do you guys have a dry erase board or something? I can do a diagram."
Gold and Belle sat in unhappy silence at the dinner table. It was already too big when it was just the three of them. Without Beatrice, it seemed massive. They both took turns staring at her empty seat alternating with staring at the books on the table.
Belle put down her fork. "I can't finish this."
"I could make something else," Gold offered, eager for something to do.
"No, Rumple, it's delicious, but I can't eat."
Gold put his fork down.
"No," said Belle, "you finish if you're hungry."
"I'm not."
"Is this what it was like when Bae disappeared?"
Gold looked up at her.
"When you two went through Jefferson's hat, I knew she would be alright because she was with you, so I missed you both terribly, but I didn't worry. This is different, though. I don't know if she's still with my grandparents or if she's on her own..."
"I went mad when Bae was lost," said Gold. "I don't know that I've ever been the same."
Belle took his hand in hers.
"You said Beatrice wasn't a dark sorceress," said Gold.
"She's not," said Belle.
"You're letting me teach her," said Gold. "I let her see a heart I ripped out. Didn't that give you pause?"
Belle shook her head. "Of course not, Rumple. I trust you. Besides, she grew inside me. I held her when she came to the world. She nursed at my breast. I know her heart and no matter what, it is good."
"I'm afraid I'll ruin her," said Gold.
"No," said Belle, taking his face in her hands, "I know you, Rumple. You're a better man and a better father than that."
She kissed him lightly and broke off as Martha pawed her.
"Let's take her for a walk," Belle said with a brave smile.
"Then what?," he asked dryly.
"We'll wait some more," said Belle.
After getting a thorough diagram, Catherine led Beatrice and Alec to the uppermost turret of the ice palace. Olaf bobbed on ahead towards the ice pedestal.
"If I cast the spell from here, the power of this room ought to be enough," said Catherine. "Then I can transfer my powers to you."
"And then all I have to do is travel through time," said Beatrice. "Which means I have to solve time travel which really shouldn't be a problem. Oh, wait it is."
"I am certain that you are meant to get home," said Alec.
"I'm starting to see where my mom's optimism comes from," said Beatrice.
"The way I see it, every good partnership needs an optimist and a pessimist," said Alec. "Opposites attract."
Beatrice snorted. "Yeah, I love my mom, but I'm pretty sure I'm never going to fall for someone as optimistic as her. Actually, pretty sure that if she wasn't my mom, I would be asking what was wrong with her."
"Hey, look guys, I found a box!"
Olaf held up an intricately carved wooden box. Beatrice rushed over.
"What is it?," asked Catherine.
"This is my box. It's not painted blue, but..." She reached into her bag and pulled out the sparkly TARDIS blue nail polish she had bought.
"Why does it have to be painted blue?," asked Alec.
Beatrice smiled. "Because if I made a time machine, I would be sure it was blue."
"I don't understand," said Catherine.
Beatrice turned back to her great grandparents and Olaf. "I don't need to figure out how to make a time machine right now because I already did."
"You haven't yet, though," said Alec.
"Someday in the future I do and I bring it back here so Olaf finds it and I can go home. Future me has already figured it out!"
They stared at her again.
"Is this one of those wibbly wobbly timey wimey things again?," asked Alec.
"Yes! That is exactly what this is!"
"How will you know how to use its magic?," asked Catherine.
"First things first," said Beatrice, twisting the cap off the nail polish.
Beatrice held up the dried product and looked to Catherine.
"Okay," said Beatrice.
"Hold up your hands," said Catherine.
Beatrice did.
"Princess Beatrice, do you solemnly vow to govern the peoples of the Far North Kingdom according to their laws and customs?"
"Sure, unless they're stupid."
"Beatrice!," Catherine chided.
"What? I keep meeting people from the Enchanted Forest with skewed concepts of justice, no offense."
"Fine, pass," said Catherine. "Will you to your power cause law and justice to be executed in mercy in all your judgments?"
"Yeah, that one sounds okay."
"Do you solemnly promise to only use the powers of the Ice Princess for good and on occasion for an ice skating rink in summer?"
"What?," asked Beatrice.
"Beatrice..." Catherine insisted.
"I solemnly promise."
Catherine nodded and a white light emanated from Catherine's hands and went to hers.
"My hands are cold," said Beatrice.
"That happens," said Catherine.
Beatrice picked up the blue box again. "Now, what do I do with this?"
"May I?," asked Catherine.
Beatrice nodded and passed it to Catherine.
Catherine looked. "In my experience, most magical objects require that you feel your way through them."
Beatrice took the box back. "I should go."
"I know you can't tell us any more of the future, so in case I don't get the chance later," said Alec, "I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting you."
"Me, too," said Beatrice. "Two more things, when I go, this box will be left behind and I need you to save it for me. Belle's daughter. That's who I am."
"Belle," said Catherine. "I hope she's pretty with that name. What's the second thing?"
"Would you mind keeping a diary or something so I can know how things went? You know, in case we don't get the chance later."
"Actually," said Catherine, bringing a white leather book with silver trim from under her cloak, "now that you mention it, I do happen to have one."
"That's it," said Beatrice. "Could I borrow it a second?"
Catherine nodded and handed it to Beatrice. She pulled out a Sharpie and wrote on the first page inside.
Catherine took it back and scowled. "Mom, don't freak out. Love, Beatrice. And what of your poor father?"
Catherine passed the book back. Beatrice took the book back. "Sorry, Dad, don't freak out, either. Happy?"
"Well, we'll just see what your father says," said Catherine.
"Any idea how that box works?," asked Alec.
Beatrice stared. "Well, maybe I just-"
Beatrice vanished. The box fell to the ground and Alec bent down to pick it up.
"I suppose she sorted it," said Alec.
"Right," said Catherine. "Well, Alec, Olaf, let's go bring democracy to the Far North Kingdom. Whatever that is."
Later...
Gold sighed as Martha pawed at Beatrice's bedroom door.
"I am sorrier than you are about it, girl," said Gold, "but Beatrice is not in here."
He opened the door for the pup's benefit and she stared back at him inquisitively.
Gold shut the door. As he tried to steer Martha away, she pawed at the door again and he heard a clap of thunder. He opened the door to see Beatrice writhing on the floor.
"Beatrice?," he said, rushing over. "Oh, gods. Are you alright?"
"My butt hurts," she said, sitting up.
"Oh, sweetheart," said Gold, taking her in his arms as the puppy tried to come between them.
"I sent a bird to the Dark Castle and everything. I offered you mom and me, it was a fair deal!"
Gold cracked a smile. "You were going to give me something I already had?"
"Well, you didn't have it yet."
"You two would have made an excellent deal," said Gold, kissing her forehead. "Did you tell your great-grandfather my name?"
"I guess so."
He kissed her again and squeezed her closer.
"Rumple?," asked Belle, coming up the stairs. "I thought I heard something clatter."
"Mom!," called Beatrice.
The only sound was Belle's heels frantic against the wood floor and she hurried to the room.
"Beatrice," she cried, crashing to the floor with them. "Don't ever frighten me like that again! Your note was not very funny!"
"It was still better than the one I got," said Gold.
"Sorry," said Beatrice. "I'll leave a better note next time I have to travel through time."
"I will be holding on to that box of yours," said Gold. "You are going nowhere."
Beatrice looked to Belle.
"Papa and I are in complete agreement on this," said Belle.
Earlier...
Alec waited. Rumplestiltskin finally entered the dungeon.
"Who told you my name?"
"Someone who knew."
"It's a secret."
"That's a bit sad," said Alec.
Rumplestiltskin frowned. "What is?"
"To have no one know your name, let alone speak it," said Alec. "How long must one live before that happens?"
"Who told you my name?"
"As I say, someone who knew."
"A sorcerer?"
"A great sorceress," said Alec. "The bringer of many blessings to me, the first one being my marriage. May I?"
Alec motioned at his pouch. Rumplestiltskin nodded. Alec stood and pulled out a locket. From it came several drawings nestled inside.
"I have a wife and four sons," said Alec. "My wife is about to have our fifth child and I was riding home to be with her when I got lost coming back from the battlefield."
Alec noticed a flinch in the Dark One, as if something he had said changed something.
"I as much as promised this great sorceress I would not reveal her name and you see I'm indebted to her."
"What's this last picture?," asked Rumplestiltskin.
Alec glanced. "Oh, that's Olaf. He likes warm hugs. He drew that, you know."
"He's a snowman."
"Yeah, he is," Alec said with a nod.
"I don't know who you are," said Rumplestiltskin. "I have the power to see the future, yet I can't see yours or that of this sorceress you mentioned."
"Really?"
"Sometimes one does not have proper perspectives on these things."
"Too close?," asked Alec.
Rumplestiltskin eyed him.
"Or indeed too far away?," he tried to backtrack.
"You fulfilled your end of our deal," said Rumplestiltskin, shoving the locket back in his hand. "You may leave. You'll find your horse has been fed and watered. You may just make it home if you hurry, dearie."
"Thank you, Rumplestiltskin," said Alec.
"If you ever require anything, I should like to meet this sorceress of yours some time and would be most willing to make a deal..."
Alec stopped and turned back.
"I think perhaps you shall, Rumplestiltskin and I think perhaps she shall bestow a blessing on you."
He hurried off and Rumplestiltskin watched him ride away from the turret of his workshop.
What a strange nobleman.
Indeed, what an even stranger sorceress.
Much Later...
Gold finished securing Beatrice's box and was about to go to bed when the door rang.
He opened the door. Merlin held out a bottle of scotch.
"Is this meant to be a peace offering?," asked Gold.
Merlin followed him in. "It's a gift of congratulations."
Gold got out two lead crystal tumblers. Merlin poured and handed him his glass back. Merlin raised his.
"To Rumplestiltskin, the father, protector and first teacher of the greatest sorceress known to any realm."
"To Beatrice," said Gold, swallowing the alcohol quickly.
"Is that any way to enjoy hundred year old Scotch?," asked Merlin.
"However she does it, I'm not the one who figured it out."
"Yes, but you're her father so you have a part in all of her accomplishments, as does Belle."
Gold poured another glass. "All magic comes with a price."
"Indeed it does."
"This feat- which she has not even done yet- is to make her the target of the jealousies of lesser practitioners of magic."
"She already was."
Gold lowered the glass back to the drinks cart. "What do you mean she already was?"
"The Dark Princess gets born, you don't think people know about it? Luckily Regina never had a clue, but she could always be obtuse on matters that didn't deal directly with her. I suppose you missed it-"
"Who noticed?"
"Who didn't? Don't you see? That's why your name was first in the book all those years ago when you were just a babe. You became the most powerful wizard in all the realms and you can protect her. Excepting the Curse of course, but I managed."
"Who?"
"Your father."
Gold shook his head. "You don't know-"
"Rumplestiltskin, I know exactly who your father is, where he is and I've spoken to him more recently than you at which time we discussed this particular topic."
"And that's why she can't be traced through blood magic."
"It took some work on my part."
"What does he want her for?"
"His realm is dying. No one was meant to stay there for this bloody long, he's killing it. New magic might save it."
"Beatrice's magic."
"Yes."
"Would he come after her?"
"He's not afraid of you, sunshine, then again he's never held you in great regard, has he?"
Gold looked away.
"Perhaps now would be a good time to consider letting your family know who they're dealing with."
"I won't let him take her," he growled.
"Expect the best, but prepare for the worst, sunshine," said Merlin. He put his glass down and stood. "I'll see you in the morning."
Gold sat alone, his worst fears consuming him as he thought of his father.
