I never liked waiting. And until Rumpelstiltskin did what I asked, I was stuck. As for Belle, I had walked away before he told me where she was, but it didn't matter. I could track her. But I decided it could wait. First, I wanted to speak to Henry. I couldn't just track him, because he didn't remember magic and I couldn't risk him noticing. So I decided to ask Emma where he was. I traced her to her parents apartment, where I hesitated. My father could be in there. And I didn't want him remembering me until after Zelena was defeated, because I'd distract him. But seeing me wouldn't make him remember, as I'd discovered in the Enchanted Forest. So I knocked. Emma answered.
"Hi", I said.
"Uh... hi, Elizabeth. Now's not a good time..."
"Why?"
"Henry's here."
"Well, I actually came because I want to meet him."
"Dressed like that?"
"What? Oh..." I hadn't realized I was dressed in a very pirate-like outfit. I used magic to change into a light pink dress that looked more like something a teenage girl would wear in this world.
"Better?", I asked.
"Yeah. Ok, he's in there. Just... be careful what you say."
"Of course."
Emma led me inside, where Henry was waiting. "Henry, this is Elizabeth. She lives here, and she wanted to meet you."
"Why?"
"Because... you're pretty famous around here", I said.
"Why?"
"Mostly because of your parents... just... you are. Does it matter why?"
"I guess not."
"So, Henry, why don't you go hang out with Elizabeth while Mary Margaret and David and I discuss... stuff", Emma suggested.
"Ok..."
Henry and I walked out, and then I realized I had no idea what to say.
"So, you live here?", asked Henry.
"Yeah", I lied.
"Then... do you know what it is they're doing that they won't talk to me about?"
"I do. But I've been sworn to secrecy."
"Why?"
"Your mother doesn't want you to know."
"Why? I mean, I know something's wrong..."
"Yes. It's related to the person who killed your father", I said, wary of how much I wanted to reveal.
"Why did she kill him?", he asked.
By this point, I wanted to tell him the truth. But I couldn't. And it was infuriating. I decided to go with, "It's a long story. And believe me, you don't want to delve into that family history."
"They're related?"
"No, not exactly. It's more of... a feud. Between their family and yours."
"A family feud?"
"A blood feud."
"What does their family want with mine?"
"Another long story."
"Why... why am I famous?"
"Like I said, it's because of your parents."
"Did you know my father?"
"I did."
"How?"
"It's... complicated."
He turned around and looked at me. "Tell me the truth, Elizabeth." I couldn't lie to him anymore. I decided to tell the truth in the least revealing way possible.
"He's my brother."
"Your brother?"
"Half-brother, to be exact."
"Which side?"
"Mother."
"Really? Did they, like, divorce?"
"Your grandmother, my mother, had a child with your grandfather, then left him for my father."
"Oh."
"Yeah, family histories can get confusing. Especially ours."
"So that's the real reason you wanted to meet me?"
"Yes."
"You're pretty cool, Elizabeth."
"Thanks, Henry."
"So... did my dad live here?"
"Yes. And your grandfather, his father."
"Is he still alive?"
"Your grandfather? Yes. In fact, he's even more famous then your parents."
"Can I meet him."
"No."
"Why not?"
"He's... busy. And not a people person."
"Oh."
We both realized there wasn't much more to talk about, so we went back to his apartment and I then went to talk to Belle. I tracked her to a pawn shop on the edge of town, and I entered. She was behind the counter.
"Belle?"
She turned around. "Uh, hi. Who are you?"
"My name is Elizabeth. We met during the missing year."
"Really? And... you remember that."
"Yes, I left the Enchanted Forest long before the curse was cast."
"Why?"
"I was looking for this", I said, lifting the book.
"Is that..."
"The book of Analain."
"You found it?"
"I did."
"So... what did you want it for."
"It showed me how to cast a spell I wish to cast."
"You... have magic?"
"Yes. In fact, even before the curse, Zelena wiped all your memories of me because she said I was too big a threat to her."
"She's threatened by you?", Belle asked, surprised.
"Yes. Funny, your reaction was similar to Rumpelstiltskin's when I told him that."
"You - you talked to Rumple?"
"Yes. I suppose there is danger in dancing with darkness, but a deal is a deal, and he can help me."
"With what?"
"A spell. To change the laws of magic."
"To... what?"
"Not everywhere, mind you. Just for me."
"Why would he help you with that?"
"Because I'll bring his son back from the dead."
"Why would you do that?"
"Because he's my half-brother."
"I'm guessing not on Rumple's side?"
"No."
"So... your mother is Milah."
"Yes."
"Does that mean your father is..."
"Killian Jones. You call him Hook."
"And... why has he never mentioned you?"
"He doesn't remember I exist."
"Why?"
"Essentially, because of Rumpelstiltskin."
"Oh."
"Anyway, I was wondering if you could hold on to this", I said, handing her the book.
"You trust me with one of the most important objects in existence?"
"Of course, Belle. It's a book. And I know you love books."
"So... what do you need Rumple's help for?"
"Distracting Zelena. So I can cross the town line."
"Good luck."
I walked away to the town line, casting a spell so I would know when it was safe to cross. And I waited. A while later, the spell indicated that it was safe. And so I crossed the town line, venturing into a world I hadn't seen in over a century.
A/N: Please please please review! It is greatly appreciated!