Chapter 8
I couldn't help but feel unease as I rode into the Charming's palace grounds; last time I was there, I was announcing the first curse to the newly wedded couple. Boos and angry cries had followed us for the whole journey, despite my fairly radical wardrobe change (I was wearing a red dress not unlike the one I wore in Camelot) people still saw me as the Evil Queen. I suppose I have no one to blame but myself for that.
As if he were reading my thoughts, Robin reached out and squeezed my hand, reminding me without words that I am not who the people think I am anymore. "We're going to be fine. Snow and David will be expecting us, so they won't let us receive any trouble getting in." He said to me with that wonderful, reassuring smile of his. We carried on riding through the extensive grounds until we reached the grand entrance of the palace. A few sentries were posted by the great doors, who immediately unsheathed their swords at the sight of me.
"What business do you have here, witch?" One of them said with a sneer, "just because it is against the law to kill you doesn't mean we won't try, after all you have done to us and our families." They began inching forward towards me, their blades gleaming menacingly in the mid-day sun. As I lifted my arm so I could teach the idiots what magic really does, Robin gave me a subtle, yet very clear shake of the head, pleading me with his eyes to not sink back to my old ways.
I swallowed my anger down, bringing my hand back down to the reins. "Not going to fight, are we? What's stopping you from killing us on the spot?" The sentries were uncomfortably close now, almost in range for attack.
"What's stopping her is the fact that Regina is better than that now, and has more self-control and moral judgement than the both of you combined." I don't think I could have ever been so relieved to hear Snow's voice in my life, as she walked out of the huge doors behind the men. "You two will no longer be part of the royal guard, due to your crimes against allies of the crown. You are dismissed." She said with a regal confidence I hadn't seen in years. Charming walked up behind her, beginning to unsheathe his sword as a warning. The sentries scuttled of with their tails between their legs (metaphorically speaking) and I jumped off of my horse with practiced ease.
"I am so sorry about that, Regina, are you okay?" She said.
"Forget it, we're both fine. Thanks for stepping in back there." I replied
Two more uniformed men walked out from behind the two, taking away mine and Robin's horses. We followed the Snow and Charming in, them asking redundant questions about where we woke up, and what Hook said to us (which was largely the same as what he had told them).
"So do you have any idea as to how the hell we are going to get back to our daughter?" The prince asked, clearly growing impatient.
"It's near impossible now to find any magic beans in the Enchanted forest, so we will have to find an alternative way back." Robin replied "Do you still have the wand which you used to banish the witch?"
"No, it's back in Storybrooke. And it's a one way portal, so folks back home can't use it to get us back."
"We need to think back to ways we have traveled between realms…" David began until Snow cut him off.
"A curse." She said simply. "You need to create a curse which can send us back to Storybrooke without touching our memories."
"Well, do you have magical supplies here?" I asked, thankful that we were actually getting somewhere.
"Plenty." Snow replied with a strong look of determination. "How long?"
"Two days at most, then we can get back," Smiles simultaneously spread across the faces of David, Robin and Snow. "I best get to work then," I walked off towards the magic room of the palace, after all, I had lived here many years ago.
Walking to the magic room made me realize that my home was no longer here in the Enchanted Forest, that it was in Storybrooke, alongside Henry and Robin. And however much I hate to say it, also alongside Emma and her family. And I longed to get back with all my soul.
Killian's pov
Bingo. After no more than one hour of feverish rummaging through the contents of Regina's vault, I had found the potion I needed. The stuff was a gentle blue color, with a rather unnatural glimmer to it, as you find with many potions.
It had been around two days since my communications with Regina and Snow White, as the Blue fairy had insisted on my rest, saying that I would be no use to Emma if I was falling asleep while standing. Unfortunately, the whole Underworld ordeal had worn me out more than I presumed, and slept for a whole night and day; far longer than I had expected.
I made my way back to the loft, to see the Blue fairy still sitting by Emma's bed. Doesn't she get bored of it after a while? I suppose it is what her kind do; find joy in the aid of people in need.
"Did you find it?" she asked, barely looking up.
"Aye. I believe there is enough for it to work?" I said it as a question, hoping for confirmation. She briefly glanced at the vial and simply nodded.
"I'll go and fetch Henry from school, so he can be around when his mother wakes up." She rushed off, leaving me alone with Emma. Gulping with nerves, I poured the liquid onto my hook.
"Don't let me fail you, Emma."