Author's Notes: I do not own Once Upon A Time which is a show on ABC where we haven't seen Tiny in a while. Yeah, that was a weak one. Sorry. Thank you again for the reads and reviews. I really appreciate them and will get back to you shortly. We have another short chapter, which I hope is not too great a letdown. Please let me know what you think and happy reading!


Edelweiss was no great attraction on tourist routes for two very good reasons.

One, it was a bit off the beaten path. Usually it only saw hunting parties if any visitors.

Second, it was the village closest to the Dark Castle and thus the Dark One's de facto hometown. Everyone in the Enchanted Forest gave the Dark One a wide berth.

After a simple breakfast at the inn, Reinette made her way to her main object in extending their party's stay in Edelweiss.

The library.

The castles all throughout the kingdom all had some source on the Dark One. She supposed if he was to be her future son-in-law, she ought to know as much as possible about him. Still, there was so little information to go on. Some called him imp, monster, one source suggested he was part chimera. Surely the library in the Dark One's hometown would have something a bit more reliable.

Reinette entered the library. There was a table at the entrance to the cavernous space.

"I'll be with you in just a moment," a woman's voice called out.

"Take your time, madame," said Reinette. "I am in no rush."

The woman entered with a polite smile. She was tall with dark hair. "It's no problem. I was finished anyway. How may I help you?"

"You're the librarian?"

"My brother is, but he's ill. I am helping here, but I assure you that I am well-acquainted with libraries. My name is Violet."

Reinette was astonished. "The scholar?"

Violet shook her head. "What a sad reflection that I'm the only Violet who might be a scholar."

"I suppose it is," said Reinette. "I'm so sorry. I am genuinely gobsmacked. I've read about you."

"I'm flattered. And you are?"

"So sorry, I am Lady Reinette of-"

"Of Avonlea."

"How did you-"

Violet pointed at her ring finger. "You have the seal of that land on your ring."

Reinette smiled. "Indeed I do."

"And how may I help you, Lady Reinette?"

"This might strike you as a peculiar request, but I am looking for some information about... the Dark One."

Violet didn't miss a beat. "What sort of information?"

"Anything, really."

"Well, come behind the counter. We have some tracts and some unpublished essays," said Violet as Reinette followed her. "There's also a history of the Dark Castle which you may know is the Dark One's residence."

"Yes, I was aware," said Reinette. "Why are they unpublished?"

"Well," said Violet, thumbing through a shelf, "the Dark One is not a topic most see as suitable for publication. In some places, the clerics control all knowledge. Some writers come here to get pieces of the Dark One's story and they send my brother copies of their work when they finish or give up."

"Do the clerics control this place?"

Violet smiled. "Well, one benefit of having the Dark One as our principal citizen, only two very old clerics here. Hardly enough to run an inquisition. They perform the usual sort of weddings and naming and stay out of the way the rest of the time."

"Are there any other benefits to having the Dark One as your principle citizen in Edelweiss?," Reinette asked.

"From what I understand, the previous occupant of the Dark Castle was a rather corrupt noble. That was centuries ago, but the village has not been subject to the whims of one since. He buys goods from the village, always pays in gold, though usually the transaction is done through magic. We hardly see him. I've only laid eyes on him once myself."

"And what did you make of him?"

Violet pulled some folios off a shelf. "I was but a girl. Young King George's army was on a recruitment tour looking for the older boys of the village."

"And?"

Violet hesitated. "Their recruitment tour ended here."

"What? He...?"

"Killed them."

Reinette gasped.

"One of the stories in these folios tells a story of how he became the Dark One. It says the army of the Frontlands meant to conscript his son, who was just fourteen, to fight in the Ogre Wars."

"Is it true?"

"It would explain why he cared so much when he doesn't usually bother with Edelweiss," said Violet. "And the source is a fairy. I usually don't take much stock in their accounts, but why would they make up a story that paints their enemy in such a flattering light?"

"Yes, why?"

"After King George's men were dispatched, the Lord Mayor found a bag of gold in his house and a note telling him to use the funds to construct a grammar school."

"From the Dark One?"

"There was no name, but who else?"

Reinette heard an infant's cry.

"I am so sorry," said Violet, handing her the folios.

"You keep your child with you?"

"My third born. It's a temporary arrangement while my brother recovers, but he is a highly reactive sort of child."

"You have three children and still you maintain your scholarship?"

"It sounds much more impressive than it is. Please excuse me."


They trekked back through the jungle at a much brisker pace than they had arrived at it with Merlin's help. He led the way for the others as Hook carried Adi.

"There she is! The Jolly Roger!," Hook proclaimed for Adi as they arrived at the beach where they anchored the ship. "The best ship in all the realms."

"A real pirate ship," Adi said gleefully.

"Indeed it is," Hook said.

"Do you know Johnny Depp?," Adi asked in all seriousness.

Beatrice snickered.

"And who is Johnny Depp?," Hook asked defensively.

Beatrice shook her head. "Yeah, I'll get you the DVDs when we get back."

"Well, at least someone's enjoying himself," said Gold.

Belle playfully swatted him.

"Beatrice, I don't want you above deck," said Gold.

"What?"

"Your father's right. There's no telling what Pan's abilities are at the moment," said Merlin.

"Incorporeal usually doesn't hinder people," admitted Venus.

"Come on, Beatrice," said Belle. "Adi."

Adi groaned as Belle took him away from the deck of a real pirate ship. Ariel approached Gold.

"I wanted to talk about our deal," said Ariel.

"Yes, dearie, don't you suppose it ought to wait until we all return alive to Storybrooke?"

"You got your daughter back. I want to make sure I get to find Eric."

"When my daughter is safely in Storybrooke, we can discuss your prince," said Gold.

He walked away from the mermaid, looking towards the beach for any sign of the others' arrival.

"Rumplestiltskin is not the one to look for sympathy from," warned Hook.


The island shook.

"That didn't seem good," said Mary Margaret.

"No," said Emma.

"We may not have a lot of time," said David.

Emma looked at Neal. He was helping the a couple of the Lost Boys they had already found. They had found around ten and been able to direct some of the more capable ones to the beach where the Jolly Roger was anchored.

"Neal," said Emma.

He didn't even look up at her. "Yeah, I know, but we have to try."

"I want to help them, too, Neal," said Emma. "But we've got our own kid back in Storybrooke. We need to think about Henry and get back to the Jolly Roger."

"You sound like my father."

"As frightening as it seems, sometimes your dad is right," said Emma. "Usually when it comes to his kids."

"You wouldn't say that if you grew up with him."

"Whoa, I'm sorry, is that what coming along has been about?," asked Emma.

Neal started walking. "Don't try to shrink me. It was about getting my sister back."

"Whatever, you might be interested in proving how much better than your dad you are, I'm interested in going back to the ship!"

"Emma..." Mary Margaret said softly.

"What? And Hook?," asked Neal.

"Oh, my God, I'm not doing this now," said Emma.

"Hook?," asked David. "What happened at Dark Hollow?"

"David, we'll discuss this later," said Mary Margaret. She looked at Neal. "Neal, Emma's right. It's time to go home."

"Bae?"

They turned to see a blonde woman in green.

"Tink?," asked Neal.

"Tink?," said Emma. "As in Tinker Bell?"

"Bae, what are you doing back here?," asked Tinker Bell.

"I was rescuing my sister."

"Your sister?"

Emma motioned around them. "The one with the magical icing abilities."

"It doesn't matter, she's safe now," said Neal. "We need to leave the island, though."

The ground shook.

"No objection to that," said Tink. "Do you have a way out of Neverland?"

"We have a ship," said Mary Margaret. "It's going to take us to our home. Storybrooke. You can come along."

"I don't really see that I have a lot of choice," said Tink.

"Neal," said Emma, motioning in the direction of the beach.

"I just need more time-"

Emma pulled out her sword. "Neal, I swear to God, if you do not start walking to the beach now, I will knock you out and drag your ass there!"

The Lost Boys, Tink and her parents all looked taken aback at Emma.

"Come on, guys," said Neal, leading the Lost Boys.

"You're a feisty one," Tink said to Emma.

"Yeah, come along and I'll tell you how he framed me for stealing a bunch of watches," said Emma, following Neal and her parents.


"Mama," asked Belle. "What are we doing?"

"This way," said Reinette.

Belle gasped when she saw where her mother was going. She was heading downstairs.

"But, Mama, that's the way to the servants' rooms," said Belle.

"Indeed it is. Come along."

Belle followed Reinette and saw the shocked expressions on the servants' faces as their mistress walked among them. They finally stopped at the kitchen.

Mrs. Potts was a kindly woman with a cook's figure. "My lady, how may I be of service? I hope the breakfast was satisfactory?"

"Indeed it was, Mrs. Potts. I wonder if I might have your help with something."

"Whatever you desire, my lady."

"It has recently come to my attention that Lady Belle cannot so much as brew a pot of tea."

The room stood in silent astonishment, including Belle.

"No," Mrs. Potts said slowly, "I suppose not."

"Well, I'm not looking to raise some helpless princess," said Reinette. "I would be most grateful if you would tutor Belle in this area."

"Mama-" said Belle.

Reinette shot her a look. Belle backed down.

"Lady Belle will come here every morning after breakfast and you may teach her what you wish. A few useful dishes is all I'm looking for and of course, a pot of tea."

"Yes, your ladyship," said Mrs. Potts.

"Belle, you may begin with that pot of tea now is that meets with Mrs. Potts' approval."

"Yes, your ladyship." She motioned for Belle to come forward. "Come along, milady. None of the pots bite."


"Adi's asleep in the other bunk," said Belle. She sat down next to Beatrice. "Your brother is back with some others."

"We're going to get Adi home, right?," asked Beatrice. "He's been gone like a little over a year, I think. His parents are probably still looking for him."

"I'm certain they are. Of course we'll get him home," said Belle.

"I could always take him..." said Beatrice.

"You're not getting a trip to London in the middle of the school year," said Belle.

"That hadn't crossed my mind."

"No, of course not," teased Belle. She pulled Beatrice close against her. "You've never tried to get a trip to London."

"If I really wanted one, I would have said that you were a cursed fairy tale character that came from Storybrooke which was a suburb of London."

Belle smiled. "You know, I never thanked you."

Beatrice frowned and turned to look at her mother. "For what?"

"For believing in the truth and making me come to Storybrooke. You brought me back to Papa and reunited our family."

"You don't have to thank me. It was just-"

"It was just you being your brilliant self."


Reinette hated these sort of dinners. No guests, only her and Belle and Maurice's gabbing to fill the air.

Unfortunately, it was how most of their dinners went.

"Mama, did you like the souffle?," asked Belle.

"Yes, very good."

Belle looked at Maurice. "Papa?"

"What?"

"Did you like the souffle?"

"There was no meat in it," he grunted.

"It was a cheese souffle."

"I suppose then it was serviceable."

Belle looked back down at her plate in disappointment. "I made it."

This caught Maurice's attention. "You did what? You cooked?!"

"Mrs. Potts has been teaching me."

"That woman," said Maurice. He looked up at the footman. "You bring her to me at once!"

"You'll do no such thing," Reinette countermanded.

"I suppose you're to tell me how to do things in my own castle then!"

"I run the household and I asked Mrs. Potts to teach Belle."

Maurice's face drained of color. "Why would you do that?"

Reinette stayed silent.

"I don't mind it, Papa," said Belle. "I thought I would, but it's been fun to learn something useful."

"Useful?," asked Maurice. "Your use is to be a good wife and bear sons for your husband, not carry on like a peasant girl. If your mother knew her place, she would teach you as much."

"If you knew your place, you would shut up," said Reinette.

Maurice stood. "I've suddenly lost my appetite. Belle, I forbid you to return to the kitchens."

"Is that wise, sir?," asked Reinette. "Sir Gaston is not a terribly clever sort of man. He may yet lose what little fortune he has. Surely you don't wish your daughter to starve."

Maurice shook his head. "Why do you vex me, woman?"

Maurice stomped out.

"Belle," said Reinette, "I am so sorry."

Belle put her face in her hands, trying to hold back her tears.

"Why must you argue?," she asked. "I know you don't love him, but-"

"Because we have spent too many years together," said Reinette. "Marriage is a long business and you need to like the company of whoever you do it with."

"Why have me cook? Why let the midwife tutor me?"

Reinette couldn't speak the answer. The library revealed at least that the Dark One kept no servants and if Belle ended up there, Reinette didn't want her to be just another helpless princess.

"I think you need more skills than just wearing a dress and looking pretty. You already do that very well on your own."

"What does it matter? I'm just going to be married to Gaston and have a lifetime of unhappiness to look forward to!"

Belle got up and stormed out of the room.

Reinette sighed. "That is not to be your fate, my child," she said to the empty room.

"And what of the fate you have in store for her?"

Reinette turned to see a blue dot that blossomed into a full grown woman.

"The Blue Fairy," said Reinette. "We meet at last."

She smiled. "Indeed we do, Lady Reinette."


Beatrice gripped the sides of the bunk as the ship hit rocked violently.

"It's just rough seas," said Belle.

Beatrice rolled her eyes at her mother.

"Alright," said Belle. "I'll go check."

Belle got up and walked towards the deck.

"Mom!"

Belle turned back to look. Beatrice was pulled to her feet, writhing as some flamed magic covered her. Magic whipped around her, appearing to leave her and going back to form Pan's body.

"Peter Pan never fails," the smug disembodied teenager's voice proclaimed.

"No," said Belle. "You can't have her."

"How are you intending to stop me, lass?"

Belle threw herself between Beatrice and Pan. The same white light as before overtook Pan, freeing Beatrice but his magic still clawed at Belle.


"How may I help you?," asked Reinette, putting up her napkin and turning to face the fairy.

"Merlin has deceived you," said the Blue Fairy.

"Merlin has done many things, but deceiving me was never one of them."

"This Dark Princess, she-"

"Do you mean she is a threat to your power and thus you have been doing everything in your power to stop her existence?," asked Reinette. "As in cursing my mother, torturing my grandmother and so on?"

"Merlin's told you wicked lies."

"If you've come to persuade me to change my allegiances, I'm afraid you've wasted your trip," said Reinette. "I made my decisions rather long ago."

"Belle can be perfectly happy with Sir Gaston. He's an honorable knight."

"And shallow. And a moron. No, my daughter will have her True Love."

"The Dark One. You would condemn her to chained to a monster?"

"Oh, but I've been reading," said Reinette. "He's not truly a monster, is he? The stories say that he lost his son."

"To his own evil."

"Because a fairy gave the child a magic bean to another land. You wouldn't know who that was, would you?"

Blue seemed startled that Reinette knew her part in that particular drama.

"It was a gift."

Reinette nodded. "I have no great investment in Merlin's Vision as you would conceive it. My investment is in my daughter and her future happiness. I will choose that above all else."

Reinette suddenly began to cough. She picked up her wine glass to alleviate it, but found her drink had turned bitter.

"You've done something to this," she said, looking at the fairy.

Blue remained silent.

"What is this?"

"Dark fairy dust. If you wish to ally yourself with the Dark One, you ought to know what dark magic tastes like. Worry not. You won't remember shortly after I leave this room."

"No," said Reinette. "Please. My daughter needs me."

The Blue Fairy left through the window.

Reinette was alone with the knowledge that she was very soon going to die.

She had spent the better part of her life concerned with her daughter's future. The labor was bittersweet as she realized that she was never going to see any of it. To never see her child, to never see her find True Love, to never see her escape the clutches of Maurice and all the men determined to keep her down while they thought they were doing her a favor.

Reinette had to see Belle.


Beatrice came back to herself, distraught to see her mother as she writhed against Pan's magic.

"Mommy?," she said tearfully. She turned back to the steps above deck. "Dad! Merlin! Literally anyone magical!"

Beatrice turned back to the struggle between her mother and Pan. Seconds felt like hours and she felt like she had to try something.

Beatrice threw her arms around Belle, putting herself back into the magical fray.

Another white light burst forth as Gold and Merlin finally descended the steps. Pan's form was cast out of it as Belle and Beatrice fell to the ground.

Merlin gave Gold a glance and that was all the younger wizard needed to know what the elder was thinking.

With a wave of their hand, they cast the remains of Pan's form into a magical bubble that grew smaller and smaller until it formed a solid sphere that dropped to the wooden planks of the room.

"Belle?," Gold asked scrambling to her side.

Merlin knelt down to pick up the sphere and walked over. Neal came down followed by Emma and Tinker Bell.

"What the hell happened?," asked Neal.

"I'll be fine," Belle said, clambering towards Beatrice, laying next to her. "Beatrice, baby?"

Beatrice's eyes fluttered open as Gold and Belle sighed in relief.

"Okay, seriously, what the hell is the white light thing?," asked Beatrice.

Belle had tears in her eyes. "Don't frighten us like that!"

"Well, don't frighten me like that!" She looked around. "Where's Pan?"

Merlin held up the sphere stone. "Right here."

"You trapped him in that?," asked Emma.

"He is that," said Merlin. "Baelfire, Beatrice, say goodbye to your grandfather. The family reunion is officially over."

"Do you promise?," asked Beatrice.

Merlin walked above deck. Gold followed him, followed by Belle, Neal and Emma. Beatrice found herself face to face with Tink.

"Sorry, have we met?"

"No, I'm Tinker Bell."

"Right," said Beatrice. "Neverland. Wearing green. Of course you are. Did Regina do something to you?"

Tink looked at her in astonishment. "How did you know?"

They followed the others back up to the deck.

"So, that kills him?," asked Emma staring at Merlin and the stone.

"Yes and so help me if anyone starts to give me a speech about why we shouldn't kill Peter Pan once and for all," Merlin said, turning to glare at David and Mary Margaret.

"I didn't even say anything," said Mary Margaret.

"You really wanted to," said Merlin. He held the stone over the side of the ship. "Any last words? No?"

Merlin dropped the stone.

"What about Pan's Shadow?," asked Ariel.

"Couldn't we just wrap some duct tape around the coconut?," asked Beatrice.

Everyone turned and looked at her.

"Why would that work?," asked Mary Margaret.

"Why does holding the shadow in a coconut work?"

"See?," said Merlin. "That's thinking."


Reinette didn't knock at the door which threw Belle off at first. Feeling a defiant mood, she was about to scream about her privacy, but something was not right with her mother.

"I don't remember why I came here," Reinette stated.

That frightened Belle.

"Mama?"

Reinette sat on the bed. Belle put her book down.

"I suddenly feel very compelled to tell you that you are the most important person in my life," said Reinette. "Everything I have done has been for your benefit."

Belle rolled her eyes. "I know, Mama."

"I don't think you do, though." Reinette swooned, collapsing.

"Mama?," Belle exclaimed, scrambling to her feet. "Mama!"

"Send for the physician and Leigh," said Reinette. Then she added, "And my parents."

"Your parents?"

"Please, Belle."

"Yes, of course, Mama," said Belle. "Anything you ask. We'll get you better."


Belle realized something as she stood next to her daughter on the desk of the Jolly Roger.

"You're taller than me," she said to Beatrice. "You got taller than me. How did I not notice that?"

"It was probably the four inch heels you always wear," said Beatrice.

Belle looked at Gold. "Did you notice she got taller than me?"

"Are you sure you don't want to rest?," asked Gold.

Belle tightened her grip around Beatrice as they stood on the deck of the Jolly Roger. "I'm fine, Rumple. Besides, I will rest much better in Storybrooke."

Gold nodded, pulling the magic bean from inside his jacket. He looked back at Hook. "Are you ready, pirate?"

"I'm always ready, beast."

"Yeah, that's not getting old at all," Beatrice muttered to her mother.

Belle smiled and kissed her daughter on the cheek.

"Everyone grab hold of something," David instructed.

"Oh, good," said Emma. "This was so fun the first time."

Gold did a cursory glance around the deck to see that the passengers were actually holding on to something. He tossed the magic bean into the sea in front of them and the portal came open. He quickly grabbed the ropes next to Beatrice and Belle.

Beatrice stared at the vortex as it grew and widened. It was even bigger than the one that had sprung from Jefferson's hat and seemed to be swallowing the ocean.

"And we're definitely sure that goes home?," she asked.

"Where else?," asked Belle.

"Sometime you have got to tell me how that blind faith thing works," said Beatrice as the ship sailed out of eternal night and towards daylight.