Chapter 3: Information

August and Emma rode away from the dwarfs cottage as they headed toward Wolf Lake. Emma was lost in thought as they continued riding. For ten years she searched for the Vampire Queen to get revenge for her parent's deaths. To this day she wondered why some vamps would want her parents dead. They never harmed anyone so why were they killed. Emma glanced up at the starry night sky and a tear fell from her face. The night sky reminded her of her old girlfriend Regina. Ever since Emma was 5 years old Regina and she were best friends. Finally when she turned 12 they shared their first kiss. After all this time she still thought about Regna and wonder if the brunette even remembered her. There were many times she thought about visiting Regina but her parent's death kept her occupied. They broke camp and surrounded their campsite with holy water and garlic. Both of the hunters slept with a cross around their necks and a crossbow in their hands. Emma never feared the night because that was when she and Regina would play together. Regina would always come by her house late at night and take Emma into the woods. For the first few years her parents thought Regina was an imaginary friend and they tried to keep Emma inside the house at night. Finally they met Regina when Emma was 9 and they were in shock. Yet they allowed Emma to play with Regina as long as Emma came back in time for bed. Emma loved running barefoot through the woods with Regina it just felt so magically. The moon bathed them in a silver light as the wind danced around them. Yes, Emma thought the night was fun and magical until she turned 13 and some vamps murdered her parents. After that Emma realized that the night was dangerous and unpredictable. That dark creatures hid in the shadows waiting to strike at any given moment. The next day they awoke and packed up their things and rode toward Wolf Lake. Emma and August rode in to a clearing as they slid off their horses. In the center of the meadow was a crystal blue lake and standing right by the lake was a man and woman. The woman looked a little younger then Emma with blood red hair and turquoise eyes. The man was a few years older than Emma with dark brown hair and a small beard with dark brown eyes. "Ruby and Graham it is so good to see you guys again", Emma said cheerfully as she hugged them both. Ruby was different from Graham with the help of a magical red cloak Ruby could stay in human form during the full moon as long as she wore her cloak.

"Emma it is good to see you too", Ruby said cheerfully as she hugged Emma and August.

"How are you two doing?" Graham asked politely.

"Just fine Grumpy told us you had some information about the location of the Vampire Queen", August told them.

"Well we don't but we did find someone who does", Ruby said.

"Who?" Emma questioned.

"Follow us", Graham said as they led Emma and August deeper into the woods. They came to a black twisted tree and Ruby knocked three times on the bark. The tree revealed a door and a young blonde woman appeared from the door.

"Hello Belle it is Ruby I have brought some friends to meet your husband", Ruby said gently.

"Please do come in", Belle said sweetly as they followed her down into the trunk of the tree. Belle led them down a winding staircase to a wooden door. Belle opened it and motioned for the group to come in. Standing by a roaring fire was Rumpelstilskin a powerful magician that could find anything, anyone, or do anything for a price. "Darling we have company", Belle said softly. Rumpel turned to greet his guests with a crooked smile.

"My a bunch of werewolves and hunters such an odd pair", he said in amusement. "What do I owe the pleasure of your company", he asked with curiosity.

"I am here to find the location of the Vampire Queen", Emma said firmly. Belle dropped her cup as her husband helped her pick it up.

"Ah the Vampire Queen quite an interesting lady what is your business with her?" Rumpel asked.

"I think she knows who murdered my parents 10 years ago", Emma stated.

"Oh yes I heard about that quite tragic", he said sadly. "Well it just so happens that I have a map that can lead you to the Vampire Queen's Castle", he said as he drew a map out of thin air.

"What is your price?" August asked suspiciously.

"Oh nothing too serious just that cross around this young lady's neck", Rumpel said eyeing Emma with a grin.

"Why do you want it?" Emma asked cautiously.

"It is not for me but for my wife you see my magic protects me from these creatures but my wife likes to journey without me and I fear for her safety", Rumpel said seriously.

"Alright here", Emma said as she handed her cross over to Belle and Rumpelstilskin handed her the map.

"Thank you dearie and have a wonderful trip", Rumpel said with a grin. Emma nodded her thanks as they left the imp's house.

"So we got the map now what?" August asked.

"According to the map we travel a few days west another know which way that is?" Emma asked. Ruby and Graham both stuck out their noses and sniffed the air.

"That way", they both said together as they motioned to the right.

"Alright let's go", Emma said as Ruby climbed on her horse and Graham rode with August. They traveled for five days going west until the map told them to turn north. They traveled down another darkened forest as the hunters and the werewolves were under guard. As they got closer to the castle they were now in deep vampire territory. Each night Ruby and Graham stood watch for they had the better senses. Emma was partly thrilled yet partly scared. Finally she would find the Vampire Queen and avenge the murder of her parents. Yet, part of her was afraid that she would fail and maybe just maybe she would never find the Queen, They were just a few miles away when they entered a village and the group went to the pub for a drink. Just as the group sat down a stranger walked up toward Ruby. He had black skin with white hair and grayish eyes.

"Hello my beauty my name is Sidney mind if you give me your name?" he asked sweetly.

"Uh it's Ruby", Ruby said uncomfortably as she edged away from Sidney. Sidney not taking the hint scooted closer to Ruby and placed an arm around her. Graham's eyes went wide as he held back a growl. He slowly got up and took Sidney's arm off of Ruby.

"Excuse me sir but this is my wife and I do not appreciate your arm being around her", Graham said in a cold tone.

"Sorry friend just wanted to know if this charming lady wanted to join me for a drink", Sidney said politely.

"Well sorry sir but I don't so please leave", Ruby said as she stroked Graham's beard. Sidney nodded his apologies and then his eyes locked on Emma. But before he could utter a word Emma's eyes told him to get lost. After a while Emma decided to take a stroll for some fresh air and told her friends she would be right back. She stepped outside and suddenly heard a noise from an alleyway. Clutching a small bottle of holy water Emma stepped into the alleyway. Out of the shadows Sidney grabbed her, his eyeballs blazing red as he revealed canine teeth.

"I wanted a quick drink with your friend but I'll gladly take you instead", he hissed. Emma elbowed him and kicked him the groin. He knelt down in agony as he leapt at her. He ripped off her jacket just as August appeared with a crossbow. Sidney saw Ruby and Graham coming to the alleyway as well and knew he was outnumbered. He turned into a bat carrying Emma's jacket with him.

"Emma are you ok?" August asked in a worried tone.

"Yeah I am just fine", Emma said in relief as they walked back to the pub. Back at the castle Sidney transformed back into his human form.

"Where have you been?" Regina demanded in an angry tone.

"I was trying to get some blood from a maiden but was attacked by her friends", Sidney said quickly.

Regina hit him upside the head as she hissed", You idiot you are not allowed to feed on the living we are trying to keep the peace do you want hunters coming here".

"I think some are already here my Queen", Sidney said as he handed her the red jacket that the maiden was wearing. Regina took it from him and gave it a sniff. She couldn't believe it the jacket smelled like honeysuckles. Regina knew this scent anywhere as her face softened.

"Emma at long last I have finally found you", she said in a dreamy voice as she held the jacket tightly in her arms.

Author's Note: Hope you enjoyed the chapter and please review