Author's Notes: I do not own Once Upon A Time which is a show on ABC that spent much longer in Neverland than I am planning on. Seriously, did anyone else feel like they were just walking in circles for like nine weeks? As a consequence, you may be quick to notice that this chapter is shorter than I have been writing and I'm sorry, but I hope to make up for it with some things you may like in the near future. Thank you again for the reads and reviews and follows! I really appreciate them and will get back to you shortly. Please continue to let me know what you think, I love reading it and happy reading!


"Rumplestiltskin!" Gormlaith went down the stalls. "Rumplestiltskin, where are you?"

The biggest market in the Frontlands was crowded today. Gormlaith had come late to try to get a bargain on things that the vendors didn't want to bother taking back home with them. Usually they took pity on her since they all knew who Malcolm was. Today was harder than usual. Malcolm was gone on a binge and she had even less coin than usual. The fishmonger's wife had taken pity on her and given her some pieces she could make a decent stew with that she had just planned on giving to her dogs. She needed vegetables. Some cream for a chowder would have been nice, but there was no way she had near enough for that. She had been looking at some potatoes when she realized her boy was no longer with her.

"Rumplestiltskin!"

She heard snickers behind her. Gormlaith turned to face their source, some matrons cackling behind their stalls.

"Is there a problem, dearie?," asked Gormlaith.

"No problem at all," said the one with the most facial sores which made them all burst into laughter again.

Gormlaith turned to see a man with Rumple.

"Rumple, where did you go?," asked Gormlaith. "Bad things happen when little boys run off from their parents."

She looked up at the man.

"Merlin. It's you."

The wizard shrugged. "I thought I should check in."

"Check in?"

Merlin gave the boy a gold coin. "Rumplestiltskin, why don't you go buy some cakes? Your mother and I have business to discuss."

"That coin is more money than we have for a week."

"Then he ought to be able to buy a lot."

Rumple looked up at his mother.

"Fine, but come straight back."

He scampered away to the baker's stall.

"What business do we have to discuss?"

"I did some research on you."

"Did you, dearie?"

"Yes, and I have but one question."

"Oh?"

Merlin shrugged. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Gormlaith looked down. "I fell in love."

"I've seen your love. I'm not impressed."

"Who the hell do you think you are? Investigating me, coming here, kidnapping my son-"

"If I wanted to kidnap your son, he'd be long gone."

"Then what do you want?"

The wizard smiled. "To discuss the boy's future."


Music.

Pan heard music.

Pipes. Pan flute. Drums.

He hadn't heard music like that in hundreds of years.

He came out of the tent to find Venus standing by the fire.

"The Lost Boys are out. I don't think we've met properly," said Venus. "I'm Belle's grandmother."

"Then I suppose you're to thank for whelping Merlin."

Venus smiled as she warmed her hands by the fire. "Lilies do you smell them?"

"What are you doing?," he snapped. "If this is some kind of trick-"

"I don't do tricks, Malcolm. I do love. You met a girl once in the springtime and you ran away with her. Though the way I hear it she had been running a long time."

"If you think you can get at me through sentiment, you're wrong."

"Then make the music stop."

Pan tried and failed. Neverland's magic refused to bend to his will.

Venus smiled.

"I don't do tricks. This is as real as you make it and you make things very real. The way it works is, the worse you are, the worse it is."

Pan suddenly felt a thousand pinpricks throughout his body. He screamed.

"There, it's working already."

Pan glared at the goddess.

"I'll be back later," she said walking off.


Beatrice was bored.

"Try reading," Belle instructed as she always did when someone said they were bored. "You wanted to read that anyway."

"Yeah, because Benedict Cumberbatch is in the TV version. I didn't know it was one of these English books where nothing happens."

Adi didn't look up from drawing on the blank papers Belle had given him. "You talk about TV a lot."

Beatrice looked at Gold. "You couldn't bring my iPad? And a charger?"

"And electricity?," asked Belle.

Beatrice looked at Gold pitifully.

"Where's your phone?," he relented.

Beatrice pulled the slightly sandy iPhone out of her messenger bag.

"What did you do to this?," Gold asked.

"I dropped it in the ocean, then I tried to dry it in sand." She shook her head. "AppleCare is not going to cover this."

Gold looked at it.

"Am I really just going to sit here until it's time to leave?," asked Beatrice.

"You're safe from Pan here," said Gold. "We would have already left were it up to me."

"We have to try, Rumple," said Belle. "We owe it to everyone in Storybrooke."

"Exactly what do we owe everyone in Storybrooke?," asked Gold.

"What's Storybrooke?," asked Adi.

"It's where we live back in the Land Without Magic," Belle explained cheerfully.

Adi looked at Beatrice.

"The real world," said Beatrice.

"Where are you from, Adi?," asked Belle.

"London," said Adi.

"Seriously, is London like a portal to another world? Neal ended up there, you've got Alice in Wonderland," said Beatrice. She looked at Gold. "Are you sure the Doctor isn't real?"

"I know of no wizard who travels through time in an enchanted blue box," said Gold.

"It's not a box, it's a time machine," said Adi.

Beatrice shook her head. "He doesn't care."

Gold handed her the iPhone. "Try that."

Beatrice held down the power button. To her amazement, the white apple appeared on the screen. "Oh my God, it actually works! How did you do that?"

"Magic."

"Still not an answer..." said Beatrice as she leaned against him. "Now, please tell me I put some Doctor Who on here..."


Merlin sat down with Gormlaith at one of the small tables set up for people to discuss trade extensively or take a small meal from one of the vendors.

"He's shy," said Gormlaith, looking at Rumple. He was looking skeptically at a group of children as they played.

"He's considering his options."

"What do you want with him?," Gormlaith asked sharply.

"I'm a charitable sort of chap," said Merlin.

Gormlaith shook her head. "I know who you are and I know you don't just decide to be charitable."

"And how do you know that?," asked Merlin, leaning forward to match her gaze. "What land could someone get such knowledge in?"

She was silent.

"And why would someone ever leave such a land? Especially when she was well..."

Her eyes shot back up at him.

"You know," answered Merlin.

"So you know who I am."

"Indeed I do."

"And what do you want with my son?"

"I want to train the boy."

"As a wizard?"

"Well, certainly not as a sous chef."

"No."

"No?"

"Magic is a terrible thing."

"Do you have any idea how rich that sounds coming from you?"

"It tore my family apart. I won't let it happen again."

"Because your family is so good right now, especially that common law husband of yours. He's such an excellent father and provider. Now, what say you tell me why you're really still here?"

Gormlaith paused.

"When I was twelve, a seer in my land told my fortune. She said I would give birth to the most powerful wizard in all the realms, but he would be a dark wizard. I was arranged to be married to another wizard-"

Merlin chuckled as Gormlaith glared. "You mortals. You're so funny when you try to outrun fate. Ever heard of someone called Oedipus?"

"Who?"

Merlin pulled the red leather book from his jacket.

"The Dark Princess?," asked Gormlaith.

"This is her story," said Merlin.

Gormlaith flipped through the pages. "It's blank."

"Not quite," said Merlin. He opened the book to the front pages revealing the start of a family tree. "On her mother's side, she will be the product of fourteen generations of True Love. I spent some time after I first met you seeking out the first among those."

"And her father's side?"

Merlin pointed. Gormlaith's eyes widened as she read the name Rumplestiltskin.

"You see, I believe your boy will become a great sorcerer. I believe he will sire a great sorceress. Your granddaughter will be powerful and benevolent. She will heal those ails which you fear."

"No," said Gormlaith, shutting the book and pushing it back at Merlin. "Magic. Prophecy. I don't want any part of it."

Merlin shook his head in amusement. "It doesn't matter if you want a part of it. This is what will happen. The question is how. I wish to make the boy my apprentice."

"I won't condemn him to a life of Dark Magic."

"I'm more often referred to as a benevolent mage."

"Then why does it say 'Dark Princess?'"

"I haven't quite sorted that yet."

"Oh, good."

"What most people don't realize is that when they try to run away from their fate, they are actually running towards it. When you ran from home, when you chose the unremarkable Malcolm, you sealed your fate. Now there is nothing left but to deal with it."

"There must be another way."

"There is no other way. I can help you, I can help him. I can take you away from the drunken louse you've chained yourself to."

"You want me to leave Malcolm?"

"I don't see it as a great loss."

"I love him."

"So you have something in common with him."

"I need time to think."

"Well, I have plenty of that. So does Rumplestiltskin it seems."

"I want one promise," said Gormlaith.

"How quick she is to use the tricks of the people she abandoned," Merlin said dryly.

"You must promise me you won't teach my son magic without my permission or I won't even consider your offer."

"I promise," said Merlin. "Don't take too long to consider. I have the feeling something dark awaits Malcolm. It won't wait forever."


It was a long walk where they needed to go.

"Dark Hollow?," asked Ariel. "That doesn't sound like a very happy place."

"Indeed not," said Hook, slashing through the last of the vines and nightshade with his sword.

"It's the place where the shadow's victims go," said Neal.

Emma shook her head. "This was not in the movie."

"These movies," asked Hook. "What am I like in them? Dashing, handsome, I take it?"

Neal burst out laughing.

"What?"

"Well, you're alright if you like perms and wax mustaches," said Emma.

"Beatrice said I'm in a movie," said Ariel. "What am I like in mine?"

Emma looked the mermaid up and down. "Yeah, actually that's pretty much it. Disney got most of it right for a change. Go figure."

"Disney. What's that?," asked Ariel.

"Oh," said Emma. "That's the company that makes the movies, but they're hardly ever like what actually happened."

"Hey, you don't know what happened after the end of Snow White," said Neal. "Maybe they meant to make a sequel."

"Yeah, how about you tell me about your dad's movie?"

"Rumplestiltskin doesn't have his own movie."

"Uh, Beauty and the Beast? None of your dad's china talks. Trust me."

Neal looked back at her. "Did you check?"

"Yeah," Emma said sheepishly.

Neal laughed. Hook joined in.

Ariel glared at them. "I don't see why you have to make fun of her. China could talk. Which one is china again?"

"Oh, come on! Henry made me! He was almost too scared to eat at that house!"

"Henry was scared?," asked Neal.

"Fine," Emma grunted as she pulled out her sword. "I was worried that my bowl would suddenly ask me how I liked the soup course and do a dance routine! That's what normal people think. Now, let's go catch your evil grandpa's shadow."


Gormlaith led Rumple home, the talk with Merlin weighing heavily in her thoughts.

Once he was asleep, she opened a lidded basket. She looked in a velvet pouch to see the magic bean was still there, grateful that Malcolm had not somehow found it and sold it for more drink.

The next object was a small crystal ball.

Taking a breath, she closed her eyes. The ball lit in brilliant purples.

"Yes, it's me. I don't have much time, I need to see him."

The color drained from the ball and came back.

"Expect me at the Falls then."


"How is he?"

Venus looked up at Merlin. She had been sitting a distance away from Pan, collecting her thoughts before she went back.

"Well, he's dying so not great. Thank you for keeping the others away. Mortals hate slow, painful deaths."

Merlin nodded. "I'm off to Skull Island."

"Sightseeing?"

"Pan's magic is measured there. I want to see how much is left and if I can get rid of it."

"Have fun."

"I always do."

Venus looked at Merlin before he could leave. "Do you hate me?"

"What have I done to make you think I hate you?"

"I know I wasn't the mother you would have wished for. You're not my only child to think so."

"I am too old to hang on to grudges from my youth and still be able to function, but you were right about Viviane. I'll give you that."

"Is that all?"

"You were kind when you were present."

Venus scoffed. "Not exactly a great review." She smiled. "Belle's a really great mother. You ought to be proud."

"I am though I don't think I deserve to be. Her mother did all the work."

Venus turned to say something else and Merlin was gone. She got up and walked back to Pan's campfire.

"How's the music?"

"What music?," he asked.

"Nice try, but I know you can hear it. I can see how much pain you're in." She knelt down to where he lay writhing on the ground. "See, that's what it's like to feel compassion or empathy for other beings."

"That's your weakness," Pan sneered.

"And what's yours?," Venus asked, standing back up. In her hand, a white lily appeared. "You gave one of these to Gormlaith."

"I never asked for her," said Pan. "She was always a weight holding me back! I wanted my life for my own."

"No man lives alone," said Venus. She put the lily down in front of him. "Dying alone, though, that's a different story."

"Do you really think you can stop me? Peter Pan never fails."

"Peter Pan doesn't exist. He's a story and all stories end."


Gormlaith didn't sleep that night. Malcolm stumbled into the cottage as usual and they had little conversation. She waited until dawn finally broke over the Frontlands and her son awoke.

"Good morning, Rumple," Gormlaith said with a plastered on smile. "Come on. Let's talk outside."

Still bleary eyed, the boy followed her outside, past a still snoring and soused Malcolm.

She turned and knelt down to face him.

"What do you say to an adventure?"

"An adventure?"

Gormlaith nodded. "I want to take you somewhere. A different realm."

"Why?"

She shook her head. "Never mind why. I have to go ahead, to get permission. They don't like interference from other realms there so I have to ask someone if it's alright to bring you. I'm sure he'll say yes, but I have to go on ahead and come back."

Rumple looked at her in confusion.

"I'm sorry, I have to go," she said tearfully. "But I'm coming back."

She handed him the small crystal ball.

"If you need anything, hold this and think of me."


Gold stood on the balcony surveying Neverland. Bae, Emma, the pirate and the mermaid had not yet returned from Dark Hollow. David and Mary Margaret had gone out under the pretense of collecting supplies, not that he cared that much. Merlin and Venus were off doing whatever it was they were doing.

"He said he had done it before," said Beatrice.

Gold turned. "Sweetheart. You shouldn't be out here."

Beatrice walked closer to him. Gold put his arm around her.

"You worry a lot."

"I'm your father."

"You said your mom left you."

Gold stiffened. "I did."

"And your dad, who is a psycho, sent you away. Bae's mom left you. Bae..."

"That was my fault," said Gold. "Besides, there's no need for you to worry about such things."

"Mom and I aren't really people who leave."

"Oh, sweetheart." Gold kissed the top of her head. "Someday you'll be grown. You'll have a life of your own. You won't need your papa."

"Yeah, because nothing ever happens to me where I need a powerful sorcerer."

"It won't matter. You'll be the sorceress then."

"Maybe I just like you."

Gold smiled. "I love you."

Beatrice sighed. "Fine. Love you too."

"Well, I'll take it," said Gold.


"How's the music?"

Pan seethed at Venus. The goddess leaned back casually against a tree trunk.

"Stop this."

"No." She leaned forward. "You took a Daughter of Venus with the intent of harming her. This is what happens to people who try to harm Daughters of Venus."

Pan writhed. "We can work this out."

"I don't want to work it out. I can think of nothing I desire more than this."

"This is the love goddess' answer?"

"What can I say? Love is a bitch sometimes."

"I did love her."

"No, you didn't," said Venus, shaking her head. "If you did love them, this fate would reveal itself differently. You would revert to your mortal form, but you would live and you would feel no pain. Your guilt would be pain enough. Since you don't love them and you don't even feel bad, this is what's happening. You can't run away from fate."

"Why can't I be rid of him?"

"Because you are never done with family."

Venus watched as a man appeared in Pan's place.

"It won't be long now," she promised.

Pan smirked. "No, the game's not over yet."

Venus stood, backing away from Pan. Suddenly he burst into a ball of fire and the ground began to shake.

"We're just getting started," Pan's voice echoed through the dark of night.


Merlin went to the cottage first. No one was home.

So he went to the pub where he found Malcolm and Rumplestiltskin sitting in the corner while his father drank.

As he approached, he noticed the boy was crying silently.

"Rumplestiltskin," he said kneeling down. "Where's your mother?"

"She went away."

"And she didn't take you?"

"She said I couldn't come yet."

Merlin grimaced. Gormlaith was trying to run away from her fate again.

"Did she happen to leave a crystal ball?"

He nodded. "Papa sold it."

"Of course he did," said Merlin, standing up straight. He walked over to Malcolm.

"Sorry, sir, I'll get you in the next game."

"I'm not interested in having you cheat me," said Merlin.

"What?," asked Malcolm's customer.

Merlin picked the coins up off the table and handed them to him. "Go."

The customer left.

"Who the hell do you reckon you are?!," said Malcolm.

"Where's Gormlaith?"

"Gone. Abandoned me."

"Where's the crystal ball you sold?"

"How in hell do I know what's happened to a thing after I've sold it? I got a crown for that, you know."

"A crown?," asked Merlin. "You're an idiot. You could have gotten twenty bars of gold for that."

"What? Who are you? What did you want with Gormlaith? Were you-"

"I wanted to discuss your son's future. An apprenticeship."

"Really? How much?"

"I won't give you a penny. You disgust me. I am going to do something else to you."


Beatrice hesitated as the ground shook. She looked up at her parents.

"I know I'm the Ice Princess and everything but I don't think this building is up to code for earthquakes," said Beatrice.

"What's happening?," asked Adi.

Belle smiled at him. "There's no need to be frightened. We'll look after you. Right, Rumple?"

Merlin appeared. "Bad news. Skull Island just blew up."

"How is that bad news?," asked Belle. "I thought you were going to destroy it."

"It's complicated."

Mary Margaret and David entered.

"Have Emma and the others come back yet?," asked Mary Margaret.

"Not yet," said Belle.

"We should go find them," said David. "It's not safe out there."

Merlin frowned at the prince. "Do you think out loud?"

"We're back!," Emma announced.

Mary Margaret threw her arms around her which made Emma squirm awkwardly.

"We might have returned sooner if these two hadn't gotten into a fin measuring contest," Ariel said glaring at Hook and Neal.

"What?," asked David.

"Never mind," said Emma.

"Did you get Pan's shadow?," asked Gold.

Neal held up a coconut. "Right here."

"So, the all powerful autonomous shadow is being held inside a coconut," said Beatrice. "I know I feel safe."

She stepped behind Gold.

Venus entered.

"What happened?," demanded Merlin.

"Pan's gone insane," said Venus.

"What? Like more insane?," asked Emma.

"Well, like he's tied to the island, used the last embers of his magic to give himself incorporeal form and he is probably going to destroy Neverland and us with him," said Venus. "We need to go."

The ground shook again.

"What the hell did you do?," asked Gold.

"I made him remember. I thought it would mean his destruction, but I hadn't considered how tied he was to the island."

"What about Pan's Shadow?," asked Neal. "We have it, we could release it."

"And it still wants Beatrice," said Merlin.

"Then there's nothing we can do. We have to leave," said Mary Margaret.

"Any idea how long we have?," asked David.

"Hours, I would think," said Merlin.

"We have to get back to the Jolly Roger," said Hook.

"What about the Lost Boys?," asked Neal.

"You mean the psycho freaks?," asked Beatrice.

"We can't just let them die."

"Yeah, we can," said Hook.

"Because that's what you would do," Neal shot back.

"Bae-" said Gold.

"I'm not going to leave them to get killed. We can take them back to Storybrooke."

"Quickly. We don't have much time," Merlin reminded him.

"Bae, no-" Gold repeated.

"I'll go with you," said Emma.

"I'll go as well," said Hook.

"I don't think so, you're driving the boat," said Merlin.

"We'll go with you," said David.

The others began to get their things together.

"Will we have enough time to get to the ship?," asked Belle.

"We know where we're going now," said Merlin. "I'll magic a shortcut. It should help the others."

"Well, it's too bad nobody has a way to magically transport us to where we need to go," said Beatrice, glancing between her father and grandfather.

"If Neverland is crumbling, its magic is unpredictable," said Gold. "We don't want to rely entirely on it."

"Beatrice, Adi, hurry," said Belle, grabbing her satchel.

Beatrice put her messenger bag over her head as Gold took her hand.

"You'll be fine, sweetheart. Nothing's going to hurt you."