A/N: Sorry I've been so bad about updating, but the story is almost done, and I should have the last chapter and epilogue up by next week. Fingers crossed! Still unbeta'd and I own nothing really. but y'all knew that! on with the story!

Camp in the caves…

Henry awoke feeling warm and safe, blearily opening his eyes, expecting to see the cubs curled around him, he was greeted with the sight of his family. His Papa had one arm wrapped around him and the other was a pillow of sorts for his head and his Mama's. He slowly removed himself from the embrace, to bid farewell to his bear foster family. He patted each one and whispered thank yous to all three. Just as they began to depart their eyes went past Henry to his parents now awake.

Emma smiled at her boy's sweetness. He was always so considerate. She moved forward cautiously pulling Killian along behind her to pay their thanks to those that had aided their son in his escape.

Soon the small family was making their way through the dense woods once more, relying on Killian's excellent navigating skills to make their way to the shore so they could signal for the Jewel to dock so they could go home.

They stopped for a small repast, and Emma pulled some meats and bread from one of the satchels to give her son. As Killian settled in with Henry and they began to bond and eat, Emma retrieved the small hand held mirror from her satchel and concentrating on her family an ocean away, she was able to make contact with her grandmother.

While Regina was more that thrilled that they were alright, she knew she had to warn Emma of Rothbart, and what he could have planned. So deep in their conversation, Emma barely heard the tale Regina told them of the havoc and evil that Rothbart was capable of as well as the fact that Emma bore a striking resemblance to her ancestor, Odette. At the mention of her many times great grandmother, Emma perked up, and the newly reunited family saw through the small mirror the painting of Princess Odette, and it was as though they were looking right at Emma if not for the differing dress, the likeness was uncanny. It was then that they knew they could dally no longer, they had to push themselves to return to the White Kingdom. There was no knowing what Rothbart would do, and the longer they remained on his island, the more vulnerable they and their kingdom would be.

Their family reassured them that so far all was well in their kingdom, nothing untoward had happened, but a small and quiet rescue party was prepared at the docks for when the small family would journey home, they would require supplies midway through and a medic would be there to clear them of any malnutrition or injuries sustained. They also compared the story written in the tomes to the information from Adam. And as they started piecing together more about Rothbart, they were disturbed by the sound of boots coming at them from two sides, they were left with the choice to retreat back into the woods for cover, or risk exposing themselves by making a break for the ship. With all their knowledge of the terror that the evil magician was capable of they made a mad dash for the ship. Emma ran out first dropping any unnecessary supplies but tucking the small handheld mirror into a boot, and Killian followed slinging Henry onto his back and instructing their son to hold on as tightly as he could to his father's coat and wrapping his short legs around his waist.

There, the ship was in view, and they were so close as they could see the soldiers closing in on them, Killian transferred Henry to Emma and drew his sword, they needed some kind of distraction, and because of the narrow passage to the ship, the soldiers were funneling in in smaller groups of 2 and three instead of all at once.

"Emma take Henry, have them ready the ship. I'll hold them off and follow after."

"No Killian, there's too many, run with us. Let's just go, we need to get home."

At the moment two soldiers engaged the young captain and were quickly disposed of while Killian moved closer with his family toward the ship.

"No my love, you must go, we'll never make it if I don't hold them here. Take Henry and run, I'll be right behind you I promise."

Emma faltered in her step but as more soldiers funneled through she knew she had to get Henry to safety she ran toward the ship seeing the men prepare the gangplank for her and Henry. They were so close.

Killian fought tirelessly, knowing he was keeping his precious family safe, giving them time to make it to the ship. He began to move towards them, as he glanced behind him to see his wife and son just a sprint away from the gangplank. Sadly his relief was short lived when he felt the sharp sting of a blade to his sword arm.

Henry was looking back towards his papa as his mama ran them to safety. His papa was so brave fighting the bad men off, and mesmerized Henry watched the play of swords clashing as his father had the upper hand on the men coming for them. In an instant it changed, his papa had looked back at them and given Henry a small smile that turned to a grimace as the blade sliced a line through his upper arm. Henry began screaming for his papa causing Emma to pause in her stride to look back at Killian. Seeing the blood running down his arm as he continued to fight off their attackers, she set Henry down and placed a protection spell on his cloak and had him wait for her as she drew her own sword and began to run towards her husband to help him.

"Love, why aren't you on the ship? Where's Henry?"

"He's safe, and you're hurt, I had to help you. I can't lose you again Killian, I won't survive it. Henry and I need you."

She grunted out the last of her declaration as she kicked one soldier into those behind and they fall backward causing a pile up of bodies in the narrow stretch of beach. Emma then concentrated her magic to create a barrier between them and the soldiers and grabbed Killian's hand to get their son and head back to the ship.

As she scooped Henry in her arms, they were surrounded by a cloud of smoke. Within seconds, they could see nothing and felt a strange pull. It felt like they were falling, with no hope of touching the ground. Henry began to whimper into Emma's neck, as Killian reached for them to cradle them and protect him with his body. The little family held on to each other in what they believed would be their last moments, whispering words of undying love.

Suddenly the air cleared and they found themselves inside a darkened throne room. Killian held his family behind him and brandished his sword. Quickly Emma reiterated the protection spell over Henry's little hiccuping body and drew her own sword. The couple looked formidable caging their son's body between them, daring anyone to come for their family. They quickly made eye contact and shared a quick kiss. As they surveyed the long room, they heard a booming disembodied voice.

"Welcome Swan, I see you've found your way back to me."

Emma had had enough, this man had tormented her family and now she just wanted to go home.

"Who's there? I'm nobody's swan, I am Princess Emma of the White Kingdom. Show yourself coward!"

With a pop and swirl of black Rothbart stood before them. Descending from the dais, he spread his arms in a mocking show of welcome.

"Well then, welcome Princess Emma of the White Kingdom, I am Lord Rothbart. The rightful ruler of the White Kingdom."

"My kingdom has never been or will ever be yours, just because you deluded yourself into believing you had any claim on my ancestor's affections, gives you no claim to the throne."

With a sneer, Rothbart rounded on the couple and they readjusted their stance to make a solid front to his advances.

"The Princess Odette belonged to me, and you will as well. Submit and I'll allow your brat and lover to live. All you have to do Princess Emma is agree to be my queen and we'll rule the White Kingdom together."

"Never! I will never be your queen. We will defeat you Rothbart, and you will pay for the wrongs you've done."

As Emma spoke she had activated the mirror in her boot, trying to call attention to her family to call for aid.

Enraged by her blatant refusal Rothbart sent Killian flying into one of the stone pillars, knocking him unconscious. Emma screamed as Henry ran to his father's side, trying to get him to wake up. Emma stood her ground as tears began to fall. They had been so close to escaping this hell hole of an island and now her husband was out for the count, but as she looked back at her boys, there was her brave little man trying to protect his papa. Knowing that Henry was protected by her magic gave her the courage to stand tall in front of Rothbart.

"I could easily dispose of them my dear, but if you just submit to being mine, I'll let them leave the island."

"I will never submit, they are my family and I won't let you take them from me. I will not be your queen, Killian and I are married and we will leave you here in ruins."

With a sickening roar, Rothbart withdrew and began to be shrouded in a dark cloud once more.

When the smoke cleared, the man was gone and in his place a terrifying monster stood.

He'd become the great animal once more.