Chapter 11: Breaking the Swan Curse
Present Day: Storybrooke
…
Prince Derek of Chamberg was kneeling by the lake shore, cradling the love of his life as she was slowly dying. It did not matter that she was still a swan, there was no way in hell he was leaving her now. Everyone knelt next to the two, keeping a respectful distance but Snow could not help but lean forward a bit and gently lay a hand on Odette's feathered head.
"Odette," she whispered. "Odette I'm right here."
The injured bird made a small mewing sound that they all took to mean that she knew her friend was there and she was comforted.
Emma's thoughts were a torrent of despair, racing at one hundred miles per hour. I can't heal her because Rothbart's magic will block it, she thought desperately. We can't move her and take her back to the animal hospital and if I called an ambulance, assuming I can convince them to come and pick up a bird, they won't get here in time.
She was the freakin' Savior and she could not do a damn thing!
"She will…die," A voice no one expected came. "She…needs magic."
The Heroes all looked away from the injured bird towards the mermaid.
Did she just talk? Emma was amazed. She was mostly unaware of the history of the mermaid, but she had been informed that the sea maiden could not talk, having gifted her voice to Rayne the wolf many years ago during their first adventure together. Maybe that mermaid magic was hers and, after Mom shot the arrow, it went back to her.
The mermaid took all of their amazed expressions in stride. She only looked at Emma. "You must…heal…Sav—vior."
Emma was overwhelmed; she wanted nothing more than to do that. "I've already tried. My magic won't work while she's a swan." She did not have to look at the sun to confirm her next statement. "The eclipse is over and we can't lift the spell temporarily." She reached over and stroked the swan's wing. "What we need is—"
Wait a minute!
"Hook! Where is that other bottle of magic you took off of Rothbart?"
Her husband quickly reached into his pirate jacket and produced the blue-tinted bottle, glowing slightly with the contents of magic. "Here love," he handed it over. "What do you suppose it is?"
Emma examined it. "I don't know, but it doesn't look dangerous." She held up the bottle to her Mom and Dad. "Do you think we can use this?"
Emma felt a light tug on the side of her jacket and realized the wolf had set her teeth in the edge of the leather article and was giving it a pull. Rayne was whining, pawing at Emma's leg while pulling on her jacket. It was like she was trying to same something.
"She say that…fairy magic," Waverly spoke in a husky voice, as if she had not used her voice in a very long time. She came forward, pushing herself clumsily onto land with her enormous fish tail, moving as a monk seal would. "Long time ago, the Blue Fairy granted her wish to change into a human." The wolf grunted a confirmation note and then added an urgent chuffing sound. The mermaid looked intently up at the humans from her position of half-in and half-out of the water. "She say: 'Use it on Princess!'"
"Really?" Emma could not help but ask. She turned and looked the wolf in her eyes. This was a big thing after all; Rayne's ability to be human was obviously very precious. There was nothing but sincerity in those golden orbs.
The Golden Mermaid nodded. "It is—", she shook her head in frustration, trying to find the words in a voice she had not used in decades, "—only way save her."
Emma quickly uncorked the bottle. As before, when she was super-charging the arrow to kill the Great Animal, she tilted the glass container and let the contents float/spill out, an odd combination of vapor and liquid. The blue hue descended upon the injured swan while everyone held their breath in anticipation.
Emma reached over and, ever so gently, took the bird from Prince Derek's arm. The swan was surprisingly heavy but she hardly noticed. What was noticeable was the blood stains on the white feathers from various wounds, including from the original arrow lodged in her chest. She saw her jacket sleeves were now stained by more wounds on the animal's back and this increased her sense of urgency.
Derek bent over the bird and kissed its feathered head. "Hold on, Odette. Hold on for me, please."
Emma cradled the bird gently on her knees. "Here goes." She held her right hand over the bird's head, closing her eyes in concentration.
Everyone watched, not daring to make one sound while the Savior was at work.
After a few seconds the blue hue around the bird started to sharpen itself, tracing its way deliberately around the bird's feathers, wings, webbed feet until sliding to a stop. Emma took a deep breath, scrunched her eyes tighter, and concentrated harder.
At first it felt to Emma that nothing was happening and then she heard Snow take a sharp intake of breath. She quickly opened her eyes and that was when she saw the change.
No one had ever seen Odette transform before so everyone was in awe. There was a flash of blue light and then it all happened gradually. First her wings melted away and then her neck shortened and then finally, her entire body stretched. It all happened in the span of a few seconds but it seemed to take longer because everyone was watching so intently.
Emma now cradled an injured human female in her arms.
"Odette!" Derek leaned over her and took Odette's shoulders from Emma's hands. He clutched her head into his own, putting his own cheek right next to hers. The Swan Princess had her eyes closed and her breath was coming out only in short gasps. She was clad only in a ripped and battered hospital gown, barely concealing her body, but no one paid attention. The arrow wound on her left shoulder had opened up again and was creating a spreading stain on her blue gown. Her long, blonde hair was matted with mud while her face was cut and bloody, streaked with dirt from the swim with the mermaid in the city lake.
"Derek?" she whispered, her eyes fluttering open just a bit. "Derek is that you?"
"Yes, yes I'm here," he straightened and stroked his hand gently on her cheeks. It ached him to see her in so much pain.
"Derek…I'm so weak…I think I'm…"
"No! No don't say that Odette…"
Emma had seen and heard enough. "Please, we need to hurry," she said to Derek. "I don't know how long this transformation magic will last."
Derek nodded, his entire trust resting on the Savior's word. "What do I do?" his eyes were glistening with tears but hardened with determination.
Savior-instincts were kicking in so Emma knew exactly what had to happen. "Let's all make sure we're here," Emma instructed. She turned to the water and gestured to the mermaid. "Come up a bit." Rothbart said all who had seen Odette before she became a swan full-time have to be here so for this to work. She glanced at the dying princess again. This had better work!
Waverly looked surprised but moved forward, bringing her tail completely out of the water. Her scales shimmered a beautiful golden in the afternoon sun. The wolf came right next to her, giving her a quick lick on the face before the mermaid threw her arms around the furry neck. With practiced movement that indicated that they had done this many times before, the wolf helped draw the mermaid forward by sharing her weight on land. They both came closer together and sat next to the dying princess.
"Alright, that's everyone who saw Odette before Rothbart cursed Odette to be a swan completely," Emma said, still finding the words difficult to process. She made sure her mom, Rayne the wolf, and Waverly the mermaid were all looking at the injured woman. Then, she turned to Derek. "I think you have to try it now."
"Try—try what?"
"Try…kissing her again," Emma explained. "Really try this time."
Derek heaved a sigh. It was something he had tried before and it did not work. Maybe this time it would be different.
He kissed her on the lips, gently and with an exquisite tenderness. The kiss was tender and amorous; the act of one who was ready to give all for the sake of his love. It was gentle but it still pulled no punches. With their lips together there came a wave of colored light, expanding from the injured woman and her prince outward and caused all of them to feel a slight rush of wind.
Emma remembered that last time she had seen True Love's magic; when she was in that mansion and her magic was flailing all around and Elsa had come to save her. Elsa, who had fought the same demons, teaching Emma how to love herself.
Her best friend's words came back to her: You have to love yourself Emma. The good, the bad, all of it because this…this is who you truly are.
I hope Elsa was right, Emma thought. And that I truly am the Savior.
Emma quickly leaned over and placed her hands across Odette's bloody, wounded body.
"Odette, I'm here. Just hang on a moment. Just hang on so I can help you."
The Princess didn't seem to hear her words; her eyes had fluttered closed and she was not moving. Her thin chest did not even seem to be rising with breath.
Emma closed her own eyes and opened her heart and soul. She released herself into the warm current of her light magic. Her concentration was solely on that she wanted nothing more than to make Odette whole again. She didn't know if it would work, if the True Love's Kiss would change the outcome somehow, but she poured all of herself into it.
As everyone watched with batted breathes the arrow wound closed itself up and the various lacerations and puncturing from the battle with the Great Animal vanished. Emma panted with exhaustion but continued to concentrate, continued to let the magic flow out of her. She felt all of the warmth of the magic gather into herself and then she let it flow out. She was still not sure how to direct it, but somehow it felt right to just let it go out of her and into Odette's need. There was a faint, white magical glow and then, it was over. Everyone watched anxiously as Emma opened her eyes and put her hands down. Odette's closed eyelids fluttered a bit before slowly, sliding open. Her pupils focused, as if she were just coming awake.
Her eyes landed on Emma. "Savior?"
Emma smiled, "Yes".
Everyone stared at Odette. She was already starting to look more alert. Her breathing was getting stronger, and more even. With Derek's help she sat up a little, rubbing a hand over her healed shoulder as if needing to touch where the wound had been to believe that it was gone.
After only a few seconds the reality seemed to sink into the Swan Princess. And she knew then that she was going to live. Wonderfully, unbelievably, against all the odds she knew she was going to live…to live as a human. Oh gods, she thought. Thank gods…to live as a human woman.
"Derek!"
"Odette!"
The prince enveloped the princess in his arms. She hugged back so hard that her arms hurt. From her position in Derek's arms, she saw the Savior and her family kneeling all around them. Odette sat up completely and then leaned sideways, enfolding Emma in another strong hug. The Savior was so taken by surprise she let out a little 'oh!' as the other woman seemed to squeeze the air out of her.
"Thank you Savior," was Odette's only statement. She squeezed Emma harder. "You saved me."
Emma returned the hug, feeling a great weight released from her shoulders. She did it. She saved the Swan Princess.
"You are very welcome," was all she could think to say.
"Thank you," Odette said again. "I want to thank you, thank you, thank you."
She pulled back, fervently wiping away the tears at her cheeks.
There was happiness all around the group.
Derek wasted no time in stripping off his jacket and wrapping the article around Odette. Now that she was human she was more vulnerable to the cold and the hospital gown was highly inadequate with its length and tattered appearance. She curled up into the jacket, rejoicing in the feel of the warmth from his body. His arm around her shoulders tightened, the back of his free hand caressed her cheek. She found all she wanted to do now was rest her head on his shoulder with her right arm around his neck.
Then, she held her left hand out in front of her face to study her fingers. A shaft of sunlight appeared in the sky and she flinched as the light descended on her, afraid of what might come. But when the feathers did not sprout, when her feet did not become webbed, and her back was not arching with the growth of wings her smile was dazzling. This was the first time she had seen her human self in the sunlight in 30 years.
"I'm human!" she let out a laugh of both ecstasy and relief. "I am human!"
Then the thought seemed to sober her up. Surprisingly, she looked a little disconcerted as she turned and faced the wolf.
"The fairy magic was yours wasn't it?" she asked.
Emma glanced at the glass bottle in Hook's hand. It was now empty and, as far as she knew, it had been a one-time use thing.
The wolf grunted a confirmation note. Odette looked troubled. "I am so sorry…I took your ability to become human didn't I?" she spoke directly to the wolf.
It seemed to Emma that if a wolf could smile, Rayne was trying to do so now. She rumbled a small, peaceful growl and used her right foreleg to stroke at Odette in a dog-like manner. She seemed to want her paw in the princess' hand. Odette complied and the wolf sat solemnly as it was shaken.
"She say…this is good," Waverly spoke up. Her golden eyes watched the princess intently. "She wants you to have her gift and not to be sad."
"But she can't ever be human—" she was stopped mid-sentence by a kiss from the wolf on her cheek.
Rayne did not always comprehend the convolutions of the human notion of giving and taking. To her, it was as simple as the princess had needed the magic gifted by the Blue Fairy and it was right that she had taken it. She was a pack sister, stricken and in need of her help. So she had helped, as simple as that.
She could not convey all of these thoughts to Odette, even with the translations of the mermaid, so she simple leaned forward and gave another quick wolf-kiss to the princess. Somehow that was all the princess needed to be reassured. She smiled. The wolf made a soft sound in her throat something very akin to the purr of a great cat. She then placed her furry head onto Odette golden hair and nuzzled gently. The princess tilted her head and pressed a gently kiss on the wolf's forehead.
Everyone watched the whole exchange, smiling with glee. They had done it. They had saved the Swan Princess.
Emma was the first to speak. "Well…what do we do now?"
Hook chuckled. "I'm not sure love. What is it that we often do after we have solved another 'happy-ending'?"
Emma was about to declare loudly 'We celebrate!' when she noticed Odette rocking forward in an effort to stand. Derek immediately put a gentle hand on her shoulder to help her up. "Odette you should rest, you just went through a huge battle with a monster and—"
"Derek, will you marry me?"
Even Emma was shocked at her audacity. Of all times to ask him, now?
If she was puzzled, Prince Derek looked absolutely aghast.
"What is it Derek?" Odette clutched at the jacket wrapped around her tightly as she swayed a little on her bare feet. "What's wrong?"
Derek stared at Odette's face, shadowed by the blue dusk that now lay over the lake, his brow furrowed and troubled. "I am not going to lie to you Odette…I have little or nothing to offer you. No kingdom, no crown, not even a luxurious lifestyle." Derek stroked her hair and then cupped her cheek. "I live simply here in Storybrooke. If you want to go back to our kingdom I can certainly try and find a magic bean but…"
Odette laughed, a light and simple sound. "Derek, is that what you're worried about?" She patted his hand, then kissed his cheek. "I've been living as a bird for 30 years now! I lived on a lake, I slept in reeds, I even ate frogs!" Odette guffawed. "And when I became human during the moonlight I've been taking my meals at a homeless shelter and working in a kitchen."
"Wait? You're a—", a bit of Derek was still very much old-fashioned Enchanted Forest. To him it was a bit of an indignity that a princess should work as a common kitchen maid.
Odette hardly noticed. "Yes," she said, giving his hand a squeeze, "and I have loved it." Her eyes probed her lover's face relentless. "I am going to keep working there. They took me in and gave me a roof over my head and, not only do I owe it to them, I enjoy it." She smiled.
As did Derek. "Oh Odette, and here I was worried you would not want a life with me here because in this land we are no longer…royalty."
She laughed. "Derek, you and I will live simply but wonderfully." She pressed her head into his chest and could hear his heart beating. "Don't you see? All I have ever wanted was you."
6 months later…
"Wow!"
Emma was more than impressed with the set-up that her mother had come up with for the Swan Princess' wedding. From the start Odette had insisted on a small affair, nothing to the scale of what the imposter Odile had tried to pull off. A few friends and important people, a small ceremony by Swan Lake (now the official name of the town lake), and that was it.
Snow White, being the big romantic that she was, had immediately thrown herself into full-blown wedding planning with something akin to the enthusiasm she had had for her daughter's wedding to Hook. A flowered archway had been set up, right at the lake's edge. Rows of white chairs for guests to sit in and a table ladled with a home-cook feast curtesy of the food co-op where Odette now worked full-time. Emma walked amongst the chairs and tables. She was particularly impressed by the strings of lights her father and husband had managed to weave into the hanging branches of the willow trees around the lake and the decorative lanterns strung across several wooden beams; the lights dangled and swayed in the breeze and it all looked like—Well…like a fairytale she could not suppress her chuckle.
"What's so funny?"
Emma turned to her husband. He looked very handsome in his black tuxedo and jacket. They had both gone all out for the wedding with a beautiful, cream-colored dress for Emma, cut in the fashion of the Enchanted Forest, and a nice suit for Hook.
"Nothing, I'm just so happy for them," Emma reassured her husband. She wound her right arm comfortably in his left and settled her hand on his hook, just as they had done so many times before.
Hook smiled. "Aye love." He took in the beautiful décor and could not help but be nostalgic. "Do you remember our wedding?"
Emma returned the smile. "Like it was yesterday." She snuggled into his arm a little. "I was so happy. Despite the threat of the Black Fairy I knew that no matter what happened, no matter what obstacles we would face, we would do it together and that was what really mattered."
She tilted her head up and they shared a quick kiss before Snow White came hurrying over. As the official wedding planner she was adamant that everything go well.
"Emma! Don't forget we're—"
"'—walking Odette down the aisle together'" Emma finished for her. "I know Mom." She reached over and touched Snow's shoulder gently. "Calm down, everything will go perfectly!"
"Oh I hope so," Snow answered, a bit flustered. "I better go see if the dwarves are finished setting up the dance floor!"
Both Emma and Hook shared a laugh.
"She certainly likes to be in charge of these things," Hook commented.
Emma chuckled, "That's my mom for you…Snow White, the fairest of them all." Damn it never gets old saying that.
When the setting sun turned the lake water's golden, at last it was time.
Odette, Emma, and Snow White emerged from behind the tree line, ready to take the slow walk down the aisle. Odette gripped Emma's hand as if it was the only thing keeping her on the ground. From his position underneath the arch Derek kept looking at her and grinning a helpless smile. She in turn could not keep her eyes off of him.
The groom looked magnificent in his black and white jacket. The bride likewise was stunning in her simple white dress. It was also cut in the fashion of the Enchanted Forest, but with a few Storybrooke personalized touches. Namely the white wings that decorated the back and the feathers all around. As the princess stepped towards the aisle Snow could tell that her knees were trembling a bit.
Reaching over, she gave the princess a reassuring touch. Odette acknowledged her maid-of-honor with a grateful smile before straightening a bit and then continuing the walk down the aisle. Emma, at Odette left side, beamed with pleasure. Hook stood to the far right of Derek, grinning just as much. Waverly and Rayne stood behind and the wolf's golden eyes glittered. In the small ensemble of seated wedding guests Dopey was smiling happily and Dr. Ameyew dabbed at his eyes with an already tear-dampened handkerchief.
When the princess and the prince were lined up in front of Jiminy, the former cricket straightened up, clasping his hands. Behind them, the small assembly fell silent, ready to hear the vows.
Jiminy adjusted his glasses, a gesture that he always did when he performed wedding vows, and began: "It is my great honor to officiate this momentous occasion. These two people are ready to share a life in this world, and they have proven themselves to each other in their strength and in their hearts. And now…they wish to be wedded. To continue their adventures together, as man and wife."
Odette and Derek's hands tightened on each other's and it was clear they were thinking the same thing: It's finally happening!
"Here in front of all…both of you will bound not only by your words but by your own hearts."
He met Derek's eyes.
"Do you, Prince Derek, take this woman as your wife, and will you love and honor her for the rest of your days?"
"I will," he said in a strong voice.
Jiminy looked into Odette's eyes. "And do you, Princess Odette, take this man as your husband, and will you love and honor him for the rest of your days?"
"I will," she said in a clear voice that mimicked Derek's.
"Then, before your friends and your family, I now pronounce you…husband and wife."
As Derek took Odette into his arms and kissed her, everyone applauded at once. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed back, just as passionately. Everyone clapped harder. The wolf howled a joyous sound, using her voice where her hands were not available.
Later on everyone sat down to the wedding feast. The long table had been decorated with a white table cloth and ladled with delicious food for all. Even Rayne joined in. Emma was a bit surprised when the wolf jumped into one of the table chairs and settled herself with the rest of the seated guests but, since no one else batted an eye, she shrugged and turned back to her meal.
Only in a town like Storybrooke, she thought happily.
Snow, with a few tears in her eyes, hugged Odette. "Odette, thank you for having me. I know I failed you back in the Enchanted Forest but now, you honor me to be here at this wedding. Thank you."
Odette wiped the tear from Snow's cheek. "There is nothing to forgive Snow. You helped me when no one else could and now, we are all here because of that. Thank you."
Later on a band picked up their instruments and everyone crowded to the dance floor, which was simply a flattened space near the lake that had been covered with a wooden-boarded area and railings. The bride and groom swayed to a slow waltz underneath the glittering paper lanterns and strings of twinkling colored lights. Emma and Hook stood to the side a little, watching the happy couple. Emma could not help the swell of pride in her heart; she had done this. She had helped Odette and Derek, made their lives better. She was the Savior.
Everyone deserves their happy ending, she thought to herself. And I am the one to help them get it.
While the Savior and her pirate were standing quietly Waverly approached, Rayne trotting at her heals. "Hello Savior," she said. Emma smiled. Waverly's speaking had vastly improved since they had first met. Mermaids were quick learners and Waverly had been living and learning about life in Storybrooke these past few days in an effort to prepare for the wedding.
She was dressed in a beautiful, full-length golden dress, complete with sea shell accessories and sea weed woven into her hair. She joined Emma and Hook in watching Odette and Derek, beaming at the sight of the two. "I am very glad she found her mate," she said. Emma nodded in agreement. "I think she fought very hard and very long to be with him." She looked up at the Savior and smiled even wider. "And I am glad I got to meet you too Savior. I will tell all under the sea how you saved the Swan Princess."
"Thank you," Emma replied. And I will happily carry that mantle of 'Savior' again.
As the mermaid and wolf wandered off Emma's attention turned to the dancing couples. Her parents had joined Odette and Derek on the dance floor; Grumpy was swaying with a rather tall woman that Emma knew was one of the sisters at the Storybrooke nunnery, and Dr. Ameyew had his wife in his arms.
For a moment, they just stood there, enjoying the view and each other's company. Emma tightened her grip on her husband's hand and was about to turn and ask him something when he beat her to it. "Care to dance love?"
She smiled. "You know it pirate."
They stepped onto the dance floor together and assumed the waltz position. With Hook's hand in hers and the familiar 6-part beat in the air Emma felt her heart lift and her spirits soar.
"I love you", she whispered as they started to sway.
"I love you, now, and always," he whispered back.
They swayed back and forth to the music. For someone who did not even know what a waltz was a few years ago, I think I do pretty good, Emma thought with pardonable pride.
As they moved across the dance floor they came close to Derek and Odette. The Swan Princess took her eyes off her beloved for a moment to acknowledge Emma with a grateful smile and a small nod of the head. The gesture spoke volumes of her gratitude to the Savior.
Emma smiled at the sight, as did Hook.
"You did it Swan," he said. "You saved them."
"Yeah…I did, didn't I?" Emma answered. Her husband led her into a twirl and she could not help her sigh of satisfaction.
"So how does it feel to be the Savior again?" asked her husband.
Emma tilted her head back, her smile widening further. "Amazing actually."
"I knew you could do it. Never once doubted you."
Emma chucked. "I think I more than made up for that."
The two fell silent as they let the music wash over them and continued to dance.
"Swan," Hook quietly spoke up. "I've been meaning to ask you something."
"What is it?"
"Well, now that you know your Savior adventures are not over and you will still be helping others get their happy endings have you ever thought about the next steps in our own 'happy beginning' as you called it?"
Emma tilted her head. "In what way?"
Her husband looked surprisingly bashful. "Um, not to say that we have to talk about it now but…well, you had Henry and he is a fine lad indeed but I thought maybe…if you would like give a try at the whole thing again that we could—"
Emma showed mercy by silencing him with a finger over his lips, smiling. "Killian," she touched the stubble on his left cheek, "I know what you're trying to ask and—"she nodded "—I think we would make excellent parents."
The pirate's eyes brightened like two stars. "Really?" His smile was hopeful and so darn adorable, Emma's heart just about melted.
"Yes, really." She stroked his cheek, smiling just as hard right back at him. "I am definitely still the Savior but you and I have our own adventures to do, as a family."
The pirate's smile widened even further. "Aye love," his hold on her tightened and the two stopped dancing just for a moment. They were too lost in the moment to concentrate on anything else. "I just have one request."
Emma tilted her head. Odd thing to bring up now. "And what is that?"
"If we have a little girl, her name will be 'Hope'," replied the pirate. Not a note of hesitation was in his voice.
Emma tilted her head. "Hope," she turned the name over in her head. "I love it."
The End
…
Phew! That was a couple of years in the making; first came up with the story idea way back in 2016 while I was doing research in Oz.
Anyway, it is now the end of an era. Rayne (i.e. me!) will be having more adventures but likely no longer in the 'Once' realms.
If you enjoyed it please let me know how in a review. Many many thanks to my readers, you know who you are, for your support and your views. I hope the ending was alright.
