A Promise Kept
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters contained within nor the shows from which they appear in. Any coincidence to real life is unintentional. This story is not used for profit and is for entertainment purposes only. Quote used is from Batman Begins, another thing I do not own any part of.
Summary: Snow and Emma return to Storybrooke but something is amiss. Henry and Regina strive to find the true Emma and to that extent they contact a Dream-Walker: Morganna. (Swan Queen, Regal Red Belle teamwork, Regal Cricket, Evil Regal Mafia Coven, Mills family reparation, Merlin/Morganna)
Author's Note: A Promise Kept is second in a series of three connected stories, centering on Regina Mills, Henry Mills and Emma Swan. The prequel to this story is called Regina's Most Dreadful Nightmare. It is not necessary to read that story to understand A Promise Kept, however, many elements will slowly crop up over the course of the story, and it will be an important aspect of several points made in the story and ensuing sequel, so I would highly suggest reading it in conjunction with A Promise Kept. It may not seem that way, but the names used to identify characters are used deliberately. I'm including a quote from Batman Begins as I feel it resonates strongly with the series.
Please read this link to my tumblr for an idea for how I will be handling the Regina/Henry dynamic.
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Chapter Notes: Thank you all very much for taking the time to read this series and your continued support! I cherish all of your comments, alerts and favourites. I love to read your thoughts! This chapter has more allies join Henry, David and Regina, including Morganna. And Swan Queen finally reunites! I must admit I was distracted by the preview for the next episode where Emma believes Regina is innocent and she will obviously save Regina once more from an execution. Oh, my shipper heart. Then I saw Neil in new shots and am convinced he's Baelfire. And I'm up past two in the morning. Gonna pass out now.
"…But I know the rage that drives you. That impossible anger, strangling the grief until the memory of your loved one is just…poison in your veins. And one day you catch yourself wishing the person you loved never existed, so you'd be spared your pain. Your anger gives you great power. But if you let it, it will destroy you."—R'as al Ghul, Batman Begins
"Hello, Regina."
The cloying voice instantly sent familiar shivers down Regina's back. She was grateful her back was turned to the intruders for she knew her face would betray her emotions, the carefully laid out plan she was working on with David, with Gold, with Henry. Regina would recognize her mother in any form and Cora probably knew it, too. If years under her mother's guidance taught her anything, it was how to school her emotions, learn the time for control and restraint.
Regina turned to face Cora, even though her body was that of Mary Margaret's. "Hello, Miss Blanchard," her voice oozed honey and her perfect smile was received well by Cora. When Regina's eyes shifted to extend a greeting to Hook, her emotions betrayed her into allowing her lips to soften into a mirage of a real smile. "Miss Swan. Welcome back," she enunciated slowly, willing herself to picture Hook instead of Emma.
Hook smirked and it was deliciously Emma's. It activated something painful in Regina's heart. "Your Majesty," he gave a little bow.
For the first time ever, Regina blessed David. He had stepped forward and engaged her, drew her away from her conflicted feelings. "Regina, it's about time you showed your face."
It was easy to play pretend with David. "Whatever do you mean, Mr. Nolan? You act as I've been away. Surely you would care more about spending time with those who were away," Regina replied with a sickly sweet smile.
"I saw you with Gold," Hook interrupted and a flash of hatred appeared on Emma's face, the expression one that she had never used. Regina refused to think about how well she knew Emma's facial expressions. "What are you two planning?"
"I had no idea my activities were under such scrutiny, Sheriff," Regina icily replied and refused to even glance at Cora who was inching closer to her. It was easier to focus if her eyes were on Emma. "Am I to be vilified for speaking to whomever I please?"
"Cut the crap," Hook growled and got up into Regina's personal space and her body trembled with the effort to stand her ground.
"You're planning to take Henry back from us," Cora ascertained and Regina caught David's eye as she gazed upon Cora.
"You will not keep my son from me," Regina threatened and feels something in her chest break as she stands up to her mother. "And where I go and what I do is none of your business, so if you don't mind," she begins to sweep aside Hook when he grabs her arm. Regina recoiled at the touch. It was so wrong and the magic within her began crackling at the falsehood.
"Let. Go." Regina ground out.
"I'm watching you," Hook smirked as he gave Regina a long once–over before releasing her arm. He began to walk away, with David hot on his heels and Regina braced herself when Cora lingered behind.
"Yes?" Regina refused to be swayed by her emotions and knew that her mother was secretly proud of her composure.
"This isn't over," Cora said from under the dark lashes of Mary Margaret.
Regina settled for a fierce glare and knew it wouldn't hold out as long as she needed it to. She turned her heel on Cora and stalked off to her car.
When Leroy entered Granny's for his "special" coffee before heading to the mines, Henry Mills and Red practically yanked his arms out of their sockets in their haste to drag him to the bar.
"What the he–ck?" Leroy caught himself when Henry looked at him. He had finally been released in the strangely empty establishment next to Archie who was looking expectantly at Leroy from his seat on the bar stool.
"We don't have a lot of time for this, Leroy, but we need your help," Archie began in that patient and calm tone he had. Leroy rolled his eyes.
"Now what?" Leroy looked at the three of them and felt a sinking feeling in his gut at their serious expressions. "Did something happen?"
"Emma and Mary Margaret aren't really back," Henry bounced up in the seat next to Archie.
"What are you talkin' about?" Leroy grumped. "Of course they're back."
"It's not them," Red shook her head and moved behind the bar to start preparing Leroy's drink. "They don't smell the same."
"Well, excuse me for not being able to sniff everyone out," Leroy scoffed. Red paused her preparations to glare stonily at him. "Why are you going around sniffing Emma and Snow?"
"Because Henry and Regina asked me to." Red folded her arms.
"What!" Leroy cried. "You actually trust her?!" His disbelief grew as he looked at Henry and Archie who had nodded emphatically.
"I trust Henry and David," Red clarified.
"And I trust my mom," Henry declared without any pretense and peered down at Leroy in an eerily similar way that Regina did.
Leroy sighed and leaned against the bar. "And you, Doc?"
Archie pushed his glasses up his nose. "Yes, I do. Regina has been working hard on redeeming herself and repairing her relationships, especially hers with Henry." At Leroy's skeptical expression, he continued. "You don't need to trust her but haven't you noticed something different about Snow and Emma since they've gotten back?"
Leroy scowled and hopped up on the seat next to Henry who seemed pleased by the move. "Snow doesn't seem like herself," he admitted and Red smiled and turned back to preparing his drink.
"She's actually Regina's mother," Archie explained and Leroy had to gape at that.
"And she's here for a little family reunion? What, are they going to join hands and raze the town for their family bonding?" Leroy looked at Henry.
"We don't know for sure what she's planning with Hook, he's after Gold," Henry added. "But we need to get Mary Margaret and my mom back here."
"Yeah but how do we do that?" Leroy questioned as he noticed Archie keeping an eye on the door. It looked as if he were keeping a look–out.
"The fairy–dust," Red set down Leroy's drink in front of him. He let it sit there.
"Are you kidding? We don't have the hat anymore, King George saw to that," Leroy spat.
"Gold said that we can use the fairy–dust to construct a looking glass that can bring back Snow and Emma," Red said. "We need your help in getting that."
"Why not just let Gold do it? He's a slick enough bas–er, guy to just do it himself," Leroy glanced warily at Henry.
"My Mom figured out a way to contact Mary Margaret and my mom in your world and I need to help them so you've got to show the fakes the fairy–dust," Henry revealed.
Leroy crossed his arms. "You want me to show them where they can get their hands on magic? That's kind of a stupid idea," he pointed out.
Red rolled her eyes. "We're going to swap out the real stuff tonight. That way when they go to grab it they'll think they have an edge for whatever it is that they're planning but hopefully when the magic fails them it will give us time to come up with a way to beat them."
"I'll find out more from my mom and Mr. Gold when I go meet them and let Ruby know the details of the plan," Henry bounced excitedly on this stool and Leroy had to smile at his exuberance. Kid wanted some adventure, that's for sure.
"I can do that," Leroy nodded and tried not to be moved when Henry hugged his arm in appreciation. "I figure I owe your mom for booze and indoor plumbing," he tried to remain aloof.
Henry smiled with all the innocence Leroy had ever witnessed on Nova's face. He felt his chest constrict painfully. "Thanks, Leroy. My mom will prove that she's changed to everyone."
"Well, my only Queen is Snow," Leroy gruffly said. "Whatever she decides to do with Regina when she gets back will be good enough for me. As far as I'm concerned, it's their grudge match that we all got dragged into."
"While that may be true, you're entitled to your opinion, too," Archie said and Leroy wanted to shove the little bug off his stool.
"You'll be able to go see the world one day," Henry promised and Leroy swallowed thickly.
The doorbell clanged and Leroy did his best to appear nonchalant as David, Snow and Emma waltzed in. "Hey, David," he called casually.
"What is it, Leroy?" David questioned, his eyes landing on Henry momentarily.
Leroy cleared his throat. "It looks like we got even more fairy–dust in the mines. Just thought you should know."
When Leroy glanced at Snow he felt a chill settle in his spine at the shrewd way her eyes narrowed. Not even when Snow erased the love from her heart did she ever look that way. If this woman was Regina's mother, Leroy had to hand it to the woman. He didn't know if he could be able to love a person like Regina loved Henry if he had grown up in a place with that kind of woman being his mother. Good thing he was a dwarf.
"There's fairy–dust in this world?" Snow asked lightly. She turned a scathing look on David who impressively stood up to it.
"I guess I forgot about it when you guys came back," he appeared sheepish enough to be convincing. "If you want to check it out, I'm sure Leroy could take us…?" David tapered off and Snow leveled a regal gaze on Leroy. The real Snow had an air of aristocracy about her but never had she looked as arrogant as she did now.
"Yeah, I can do that," Leroy sipped his beverage.
Behind the curtain of her eyelids Regina kept seeing Emma. She ignored the sounds of Gold brewing the potion necessary for them to enter Dreaming. The soft pitter–patter of Belle assisting him fell by the way–side when Regina recalled the way Emma typically stomped her way around. Regina loathed her discovery of her attachment to Emma but knew she would have to put up with the confounding woman for Henry's sake. How Emma's quirks had become endearing to Regina over Emma's absence was a most unsettling thought. The dreams and visions replaying through her mind left her with the strangest nostalgia and, sometimes, Regina could swear they were replenishing her magic.
Regina's eyes snapped open the instant before the doors to the library were flung open by Henry, closely followed by Archie. She had sensed Henry's arrival and this pleased her to no end, but not as much as when Henry bee–lined for her and gave her a quick hug and smile.
"Hello, dear," Regina whispered fondly. When she looked up to see Archie's smile, she felt no shame in extending one of her own to him. "Hello, Dr. Hopper," and it appeared that he understood her gratitude for he nodded. "I presume Henry filled you in on our plan?"
"Yes," Archie affirmed. "We also brought Leroy in on it and he's showing the mines to David, Cora and Hook as we speak. Hopefully this won't take too long," he glanced warily at Gold and Belle, the latter offering up a tentative wave.
"It shouldn't," Gold answered as a little puff of smoke arose from the vial he was swirling around in his hand. "Time in Dreaming works differently than when we dream regularly, if you can understand that."
Regina scowled at his condescending tone. "The sooner we do this, the sooner we can see Emma and Snow back safely." Henry nestled into her side at the proclamation.
"Of course, dearie," Gold simpered back at her and began pouring the contents of the vial into several small glasses that were resting on a tray Belle held.
"What's that?" Henry frowned warily as Gold and Belle approached.
"You've got your necklace, Henry?" Gold asked instead.
Henry touched the dangling jewelry. "Yeah."
"And you brought something of Morganna's?" Gold looked expectantly at Regina who dug into her purse to produce a raven's feather.
"Yes," Regina responded instead of getting into an argument.
"Okay, here's how this works," Gold handed a glass to Henry and Regina. "We all sit down," he indicated a large sofa to the left of Belle, "and Henry, you need to hold onto Regina's hand while she holds the feather. This will allow you two to bypass the task of finding each other in Dreaming."
"What do you mean we need to find each other?" Henry interrupted but Gold merely continued in a patient tone.
"The potion that we drink will allow us access to Dreaming immediately," Gold explained. "It's a world that's different from regular dreams and the room where the curse takes you." Regina stiffened at the mention of the curse. "In that world you have to search for someone and it will take much time to find a person unless you've already formed a connection in Dreaming. By holding onto Regina you will arrive in Dreaming together and instantly form that bond. Regina holding a familiar object of Morganna's will help point the way to her location in Dreaming."
"Okay," Henry said at length. "But what if she's not asleep?"
"Not to worry," Gold shook his head. "Morganna's abilities as a Dream– Walker allow her to be able to be connected to it even while she's awake. You can think of it like she has a piece of herself in the Dreaming at all times."
"So when we find her she will be able to connect us to Emma and Mary Margaret?" Henry asked.
"Not quite yet," Regina gently touched his shoulder. "She will need to find them physically and that's why we need you." At Henry's befuddled expression she continued. "Your connection to Aurora via the Sleeping Curse will leave a trail of sorts that Morganna can follow to them."
"Okay," Henry nodded, excited that he could be of help. "And then we can set up a time where we can see them tonight when we sleep! We're going to be connected to Morganna, too, right?"
"Yes," Gold answered before Regina. "All you have to do when you go to sleep tonight is hold onto your necklace and think hard about the world of Dreaming and Morganna. When you fall asleep you will be transported in Dreaming to where Morganna's 'clone' will be."
Henry smiled widely, excited at the prospect of seeing Emma and Mary Margaret. "And Mom will hold onto the feather for her connection, right? What about you, are you going to be there?"
Gold nodded. "Yes, Henry. I have experience with that world."
Regina frowned at what Gold didn't say. He must have a connection to Morganna but decided not to pursue the issue. "Let's do this, then," she smiled down at Henry and led them to the sofa. She sat down and Henry plopped next to her and Gold lowered himself slowly on her other side. Archie and Belle hovered at the sides of the sofa, acting as sort of guardians for them and Regina felt a strange twist in her chest.
This was more than just allies looking out for each other. It was like friends watching over each other and the thought hit Regina like a freight train.
"Regina?" Gold's voice snapped Regina out of her thoughts. He raised the glass to his lips and Regina and Henry followed suit. Downing the liquid quickly, Regina was surprised that it didn't have the awful taste that many potions did. It tasted a lot like whipped cream, even though the liquid wasn't viscous. The after–taste had a hint of grass on it and Regina had to smile when Henry gripped her hand a little tighter. Her eyes drooped before blinking once, twice, and three times before staying shut.
Henry wasn't too sure what it was that he'd find when he opened his eyes and found himself in the world Gold and his Mom called Dreaming. He glanced around quickly and his first thought was that he was in a giant painting. It was like all the colours from the spectrum had been poured together to form the sky and had come alive, swirling around. If Henry concentrated hard enough on a particular area, the colours would ceased to be blurred for a moment and reveal a crystal clear image of a tree or a building, never the same thing twice, before switching back to the beautiful swirls. Henry looked down and found that the ground was a bleak gray and wondered if all the life had been sucked out of it to form the rest of the world.
"Are you alright?" His mother's voice echoed faintly and Henry felt her fingers tighten around his. He turned to face her fully and gasped, startled, as she looked nothing like Regina but was unequivocally her at the same time. She was wearing a strangely puffy turquoise outfit like the kind he would sometimes see depicted in The Book or from paintings from his world. "Mom?" Henry hesitantly peered up at her. She looked so young and care–free; innocent, even.
"Yes, Henry? What's the matter?" Her voice became etched with concern and when Henry blinked she was back in the skirt and blazer combo that she had worn to the library.
He shook his head. "It's just, for a moment, you didn't look like you," he explained. Regina's eyebrows raised slightly. "It was you, I knew it was you, you felt the same, it's just," he grasped for an answer. "You looked younger, and your hair was longer and you were wearing this blue outfit."
Regina licked her lips nervously and looked away. "It sounds like you saw a vision of me when I was younger."
"Can that happen? Is that what's been happening to you?"
"Anything is possible in Dreaming," Gold's voice joined Henry's and he and Regina gripped their hands tighter. "Let's not waste any more time. Regina, if you would," he inclined his head.
Regina nodded and released Henry's hand and held her palm up, the feather in her hands slowly rising into the air. Henry watched, fascinated, as it began to glow slightly as it climbed higher in the air. The light grew brighter and it reflected down upon them like the sun, the rays slowly extending until all three of them were in its light. The feather began to spin and Henry had to close his eyes to fight the feeling of vertigo.
When Henry finally felt as if things weren't spinning anymore, he cautiously peeked one eye open and was surprised to see that he was in what appeared to be a castle. The stone walls exuded a chill that permeated into his bones, the torches interspersed intermittently along the walls doing little to add warmth to his environment. Henry opened his other eye and followed the flames' path a ways to see a stretch of crimson carpet leading to a few stairs and a throne upon which there sat a woman. Her indifferent expression remained locked on a torch to her left. She appeared to be bundled in a dark robe that Henry guessed was made of fur when he squinted to get a closer look at it.
"Morganna," Regina called and even though she said it softly, the walls took the sound and amplified it so that it became a booming summons. Henry jumped slightly and Regina moved to place herself in front of him, shielding him, and Henry thought if Emma was the White Knight, Regina could be the Black Knight, not the Evil Queen.
Morganna's eyes snapped to the sound of his mom's voice and her head slowly turned to look at them. Henry gulped as the ice–blue of her eyes shone, made ever so brighter by the inky curls of her hair and the black of her robe. She rose imperiously and Henry didn't have to wonder how she and his mom were friends.
"Hello, Regina," Morganna replied and descended the steps to come to a stop in front of Henry and Regina. A flicker of something Henry couldn't identify went across her face when she looked at Gold. "Rumplestiltskin," she coldly greeted and Henry felt the already chilled room drop even further in temperature. "What are you doing here?"
"We need your help," Henry answered and swallowed tightly when Morganna turned her eyes on him. The almost imperceptible softening of her eyes would have been lost on him before his mother had begun her own path to redemption. He could tell when her defenses lowered and that's what he saw thawing Morganna's eyes and felt the temperature in the room rise.
"And what could you possibly want from me, little boy?" Morganna afforded him an uninterrupted eye contact instead of looking to the adults with him. Henry felt as if he shouldn't like her but something echoed in his chest that bolstered his resolve.
"My other mom and grandma are trapped in your world and we need your help to bring them back. I want to talk to them," he felt his eyes water at the thought of seeing Emma again but valiantly blinked them back. His mother turned slightly from Morganna to step a little behind him and her presence comforted him.
"Other mother?" Morganna cackled as she smirked at Regina who huffed irritably.
"It's complicated," was Regina's clipped answer.
"I never got the chance to thank you for the curse, Regina," Morganna coyly flipped the long coils of her hair over one shoulder. "It's been nothing but a barrel full of laughs in the Dreaming for 28 years."
Regina glared stonily at Morganna and Henry was reminded of all the times she had looked that way at Emma. "I apologize for the inconvenience."
"Inconvenience?" Morganna laughed airily. "Figuring out new ways to kill Arthur for 28 years isn't an inconvenience, it's actually been a blessing, an edge," she smirked when Regina looked taken aback. "So that is a real, true thank you. What I'm not pleased about is that I haven't found him in our world, nor in Dreaming. Care to explain how he's no longer here? Is he dead?" Her voice got desperate.
Regina floundered for a moment. "I have no idea, Morganna. This is the first time I've been to Dreaming. Although I had heard of your feud with Arthur, I have never met him so I am unable to tell you if he resides in Storybrooke."
"Feud?" Morganna balked. "What Arthur and I have isn't just a feud," Morganna growled. "I will not rest until he's good and dead. I'm sure you understand."
Regina pursed her lips for several moments. "I used to," she muttered. Henry glanced quizzically at her and looked to Morganna who seemed as confused as he was.
"It's of no matter whether you understand or not," Morganna continued. "I'm afraid I cannot offer you my assistance."
"You don't have to come to our world," Henry piped up and Morganna focused on him. "We just want to talk to Emma and Snow."
"Snow?" Morganna laughed in Regina's face. "You're asking for my help in order for you to help Snow White? Oh, this is too rich."
"As I recall, you were the one to teach her how to talk to birds," Regina sneered.
Morganna sobered instantly. "That was a long time ago."
Regina offered her hand to Morganna and Henry noticed that the feather had returned to Regina's palm. Morganna swallowed unsteadily and turned her back to Regina for several moments before facing them again. "I suppose it wouldn't be too much of a bother to connect them to Dreaming for you."
Gold, who had been content to watch the back–and–forth in silence, finally spoke. "Henry here has a connection to someone else that they are traveling with. They are connected by a special Sleeping Curse," he raised an eyebrow meaningfully and Henry didn't think that the already fair Morganna could pale further but she turned white as a sheet.
"I see," was all she said and looked at Henry. "I need you to picture this person in your mind, Henry."
"Her name is Aurora," he said and Morganna nodded. "Do you want me to think of Emma and Snow White, too?"
"It isn't necessary but you may," Morganna's voice had become quite gentle and once more Henry was reminded of Regina. He closed his eyes and thought hard about Emma and Mary Margaret, how they had looked before they left Storybrooke. He felt his love for Emma bubble up in his chest and he choked back a sob. Henry then pictured Aurora, as well as he could remember, despite the flames of the room they met in obscuring many details about her.
"That should be sufficient," Morganna said and Henry blearily opened his eyes. She offered a slight smile to him. "I will be able to track your connection to her through Dreaming and be able to physically find them."
"Will you be able to find them within twelve hours?" Regina asked and Henry was surprised to see a hopeful expression on her face. He knew things were complicated between his mom and Snow and Emma but he didn't expect to see her be so invested in their safe return. Henry guessed that a lot of Regina's hopes were because it was what he wanted, but then he remembered what Regina had been telling him about her visions. He wondered if his mom had developed feelings for Emma and Mary Margaret due to them. If anything, it was another indicator to the good she had in her heart. Even a month ago Henry would still have been adamant on the clear line between good and evil, black and white but watching Regina change gave him pause, like there was good and evil within everyone.
"Of course," Morganna's arrogant reply brought Henry out of his thoughts. "I can fly, Regina, don't you remember?"
Regina sighed. "How could I have forgotten?" She sarcastically replied.
Morganna chuckled at the response before turning a critical eye on Gold. "Don't think I've forgotten about you. I know you're not here out of the purity of your heart. What is it that you want?"
Gold placed a hand to his chest in mock outrage. "I've always been invested in True Love, Morganna. And to reunite a boy with his parents," his face turned serious and Morganna's wariness melted away to match it. Henry got the distinct impression that the three adults in the room shared something deeper than just a bond of magic. He brought a hand up to wrap around his mother's forearm and her stern expression faded into one of such tenderness that it made Henry long for Emma to complete the picture.
"Fine," Morganna tersely bit out and with a swipe of her hand, Henry felt his head plummet backwards and his body suddenly jolted forward and he tumbled off the couch in the library, the whiplash from the movement and world shifting making him nauseous.
"Henry! Are you alright?" Archie hastily asked and placed a warm hand to Henry's back.
"Yeah, I think so," Henry said and looked for his mother. Regina had managed not to fall off the couch but she retained a sickly pallor while Gold shook his head slightly but appeared no worse for the wear.
"We'd better get back to the diner," Archie hesitantly spoke and Henry nodded slowly.
"Do you remember how to get back to Dreaming, Henry?" Regina softly spoke as she straightened, hands automatically going to fluff her hair and smooth non–existent wrinkles out of her outfit. Henry was filled with fondness for her.
"Uh–huh," he replied and stared up at her for a few moments. Regina wore an expression that was so similar to Emma's that it creeped Henry out a little. "I'll see you later, Mom." He quickly moved into her open arms and sighed as she brushed a hand reverently atop his head.
"Yes, dear, and we will see Emma and Mary Margaret," Regina promised and Henry knew that her word was her bond.
"Owwww!" Emma groused as Snow daubed the wet cloth on her back. "That hurts," she ground out between her clenched teeth.
Snow backed off immediately to hover menacingly over Emma who couldn't help feeling a bit cowed. The massive bruise covering her left cheek did nothing but add a sinister shadow to her mother's naturally pixie–like features and Emma was scared that Mary Margaret was secretly some fairy–demon deep down. "Of course it does, Emma, you did get slashed by a hook," she snapped and pressed the cloth over Emma's wound again and Emma let an irritated growl out. "I wasn't born yesterday."
"Whatever," Emma snorted and squirmed slightly, hoping to find a position that would help alleviate the pain.
"Drink this," Mulan materialized at Emma's side offering a cup of some nasty–smelling green goop and that's when she knew she must really be out of it if she thought Mulan could just appear out of thin air. Then she remembered where the hell she was and shook her head.
"Thanks," Emma grumbled and took a swig. She promptly gagged on the glop. "What the hell is this?"
"It's tea," Aurora stated, setting herself down on the log next to Emma. Still displeased, Emma turned slightly to her. "That has some medicinal properties to it that will help dull the pain," Aurora explained further. Emma knew she couldn't bump her off the log out of spite so she settled for spitting out the leftover chunks swirling in her mouth.
"What about the pain from trying to ingest this swill?" Emma shoved the cup back into Aurora's hands and heard her mother tut disapprovingly behind her. She was just as bad as Regina.
"Maybe it could work as some sort of salve," Aurora mused as Mulan came limping back to join her and Emma.
"Yay," Emma dryly retorted and took a small breath. She had learned quickly that the wound on her back didn't allow for deep breathing.
"How's your heart?" Mulan gently inquired of Aurora, taking another assessment of her. Aurora smiled thinly and nodded.
"It feels a little cold," Aurora admitted and Emma wondered if that's how Graham felt. "Is your leg feeling better?"
"Just a little stiff," Mulan gamely said and Emma was kind of impressed by the woman's tenacity. She could really take a beating.
"Are you ready to go to sleep yet, Aurora?" Snow asked. "Henry said that we needed to be ready about this…" she cut off suddenly and Emma had to position her body to look back at her.
Snow was peering up at the sky. Emma squinted and searched above her and saw nothing but a bird. Cora was gone but the sight of a raven still set Emma on edge. The raven drew closer until it was clear to Emma that it was flying straight toward them.
"What are you standing there for? Shoot it!" Emma demanded of Snow and tried to pick herself up off the log with some difficulty.
"No, Emma, wait," Snow placed a hand on Emma's shoulder to steady her.
Emma had seen a lot of crazy stuff since she arrived in her parent's homeworld but when the raven got within 10 feet of her group it hovered in the air for a moment before a bunch of feathers burst from its body. The thick cloud of black started to dissipate and a woman appeared. She was wearing a black dress that had an expensive sheen about it and a crimson sash tied about her waist. The midnight locks of her hair tumbled well past her shoulders and she gazed over Emma critically before focusing on Snow.
"Hello, Snow," the woman said and Emma found herself struggling to remember where she had heard such an accent before.
"Morganna?" Snow hesitantly asked. Morganna shifted her lips slightly to resemble a smile and Emma thought of Regina before shaking her head to rid herself of the thought.
"Morganna? Like the Morganna from Camelot? Like Lancelot?" Emma felt slightly dizzy and was pretty sure that tea she choked down was some sort of poison.
"Lancelot?" Morganna echoed sternly. "You know Lancelot?" She looked expectantly at Snow.
Snow struggled for a moment, clearly trying to decide how to tell Morganna the news. "Regina's mother was masquerading as him…after she killed him," she quietly said.
Morganna's face contorted in a fit of rage and Emma could feel the air become hot and oppressive with the energy of magic. "Cora killed Lancelot!?" Lightning crackled from Morganna's fists and Emma noticed the sky was darkening as thunderclouds began to form. As if becoming aware of what she was actually doing, Morganna let out a breath and regained her composure in a way that would make Regina proud.
Damn it, Emma sourly thought. Her thoughts kept coming back to Regina, damn her. Unfortunately, Morganna's next statement didn't help matters.
"Regina didn't mention her," Morganna grumbled and Emma wondered if she was talking more to herself at this point.
"Wait, you've talked to Regina?" Emma ignored the pain shooting up her spine and felt her wound begin to bleed heavily once more. "Did she mention Henry?"
Morganna swept over Emma's form as Snow rushed to force Emma back into a sitting position. "That's why I'm here," she answered and Emma felt the smallest flicker of hope light in her chest. Snow was a fountain of optimism and Emma preferred to be more realistic. She had grown up without that safety net or cocoon of love that Snow did and knew all too well how reality panned out. "Henry's your son that you share with Regina, correct?"
Emma scowled as she remembered telling Cora the same thing. "Yeah, well, it's complicated," she muttered before protesting to the pressure that Snow began to apply to back in order to staunch the bleeding.
"Emma!" Snow admonished harshly. "We can't let you bleed out! There's no way we can get a blood transfusion and we don't have magic…"she looked quickly back to Morganna.
Morganna sighed as if she had been saddled with a great burden. "I suppose I can…wait…"a glassy look came over her eyes. "I can help you in the Dreaming, but for now we have to go."
"Go? Go where?" Emma demanded hotly and Mulan kept her rigid defense posture in front of Aurora.
"Dreaming, I'll explain later," Morganna snapped her fingers and a small pouch appeared in her hands. She closed the distance between them and was nonplussed when Mulan leveled her sword at her. "We're going to go to sleep," Morganna emptied the pouch into her hand and a thin layer of powder came to rest in her palm. Before anyone else could react, Morganna blew the powder at them and Emma felt her eyes roll and her mind went blank for several seconds.
"Emma!"
Emma gasped as she opened her eyes when she felt something hard collide with her stomach. She looked down to see Henry gripping her tightly.
"H–Henry," she stammered, aware of the building pressure in her back but the tighter he gripped her middle the more she was assured that it was really him. The uncomplicated affection he had always given to her rushed to her head and caused her eyes to start watering and she gripped him tightly back.
"I knew we'd find you," Henry pulled his head back far enough to look up at Emma.
Her eyes were blurred by her tears but Emma could see well enough to look in her son's eyes. "We? What's going on?" Henry turned his head and Emma followed his gaze to look upon Regina Mills. Emma's heart lurched as she beheld the woman looking unsurely back at her, a tentative smile fighting to find purchase on her lips. In that moment she forgot just how much she hated Regina.
"Yeah, mom helped me find you, just like she promised," and the pride in Henry's voice was not lost on Emma. She had heard the same tone when he woke up in the hospital.
Regina nodded sharply and cleared her throat. "Emma," she said and Emma hugged Henry back to her.
"Thanks," Emma breathed, dumbfounded.
"Emma!" Henry cried and pushed himself off her and only when she saw his hands coated with her blood did the pain come back full force. "Mom!" Henry cried as Emma sank to the ground. She heard swift footsteps stampede their way toward her and a pair of arms gently encircle her and twist her softly so that she was sprawled to rest upon a pair of legs.
"You've been gravely wounded," Regina said and Emma scowled at the disapproval in the words.
"Hey, it's not like I did it on purpose," she grumbled and craned her head to see that it was indeed Regina who had cradled her, not her mother. The thought sent a hot flush to her cheeks.
"Mom, you've got to heal her," Henry pleaded anxiously.
"Of course," Regina replied swiftly and Emma could see a look of apprehension come over her. She remembered how Regina's magic hadn't been working properly back in Storybrooke and was afraid that she wouldn't be able to do much to help Emma's wound.
"Are you sure you can do it?" Emma asked and Regina's puff of irritation ruffled the hair atop Emma's head and she had to bite her lip to keep herself from giggling.
"If you'd stop interrupting me perhaps we shall see," Regina huffed and Emma recoiled slightly as Regina's fingers grazed her injury. They were like ice and Emma shivered under their touch. Emma swallowed as she felt warmth begin to emanate from the tips of Regina's fingers and it began to travel across her injury and Emma thought of pouring hot cocoa into a mug. She felt a warm pulse begin to echo throughout her body and soon the wound had closed up enough that Emma could move her head enough to peer over her shoulder to see a purple mist flowing from Regina's fingers. A few more seconds passed and Emma felt the rest of her skin stitch together. Regina's hand lowered to traverse across Emma's skin as if to double–check that the wound was completely eradicated.
It tickled.
Emma struggled to get up.
"Calm yourself, Emma, don't rush," Regina reprimanded and soon Emma was lifted up by two pairs of hands and saw that Henry and Regina had both taken a side to help raise her up. Emma was touched by the gesture.
Looking around, Emma finally got a bearing on her surroundings. It appeared that she had been transported to a castle like the one she visited recently. There was something darker about the walls, despite them being more alive than the castle she was recently in. It gave her the creeps. Emma noticed with surprise that Gold was there as well, standing next to an irate looking Morganna and her mother. Snow was gazing intently at Regina, as if trying to put the pieces of a puzzle together.
Realizing that she still held Emma's arm possessively, Regina dropped the limb. Emma felt cold instantly. "Thanks," Emma stared at Regina who merely nodded and looked to a smiling Henry before letting herself smile.
Shaking her head, Emma looked at her mother to see that Aurora and Mulan had joined her. They all looked as if they had been healed as well. "Okay, does someone want to explain what the hell is going on here?"
"You're in a place called Dreaming which we can use to communicate between our worlds," Henry immediately piped up as he molded himself into Emma's side and she automatically wrapped an arm around his shoulders. She looked down to smile at him and noticed that Regina was still peering at her cautiously.
"We found a way to bring you back to Storybrooke but you will need to accomplish several things in order for us to do so," Gold spoke before Emma could question Regina. Emma felt her anger at him rise instantly but let it go in favour of the more pressing task of returning to her world.
"What do we have to do?" Snow eagerly asked.
"First, you will need to return to your castle and gather some of the ashes from the wardrobe. You will then need to travel to Lake Nostos and obtain some of its water," Gold said.
"But the water is all gone," Snow replied, confused.
"My mother restored it," Regina said and her gaze upon Snow was not unkind.
"You will also need something unique to Storybrooke to act as a guide, something that cannot be replicated in our world," Gold said.
Regina snickered lightly and Emma felt her eyes begin to roll before Regina even spoke. "I propose the jacket make a noble sacrifice," Regina suggested and she leveled her gaze on Emma's jacket. Henry, the little traitor, snorted with amusement.
"What do you have against my jackets, Regina?" Emma demanded petulantly.
Regina gawped at Emma as if she were a simpleton. "The one you're wearing right now is barely more than a few scraps held together by stitching. It could at least give one last hurrah before its untimely demise."
Emma scowled at Regina's smirk. An idea occurred to her and she smirked right back at Regina, pleased to see an eyebrow raised in preparation. "Then fix it."
The way Regina laughed at the counter–offer made Emma's ears heat. "There's no point in restoring that monstrosity if it's just going to be destroyed anyway."
Emma stood firm in her smirk, pleased to see Regina's falter slightly. "This jacket isn't unique to Storybrooke: it could be replicated in your world, so clearly we need to use something else. So, you can fix my jacket. You fixed me."
Snow coughed violently at Emma's choice of words, as did Regina.
"That's completely different," Regina spluttered and Emma gave a pleased chuckle at the way Regina's face turned red.
"Nah, I don't think so. The magic stitched together my skin which is more complex than stitching together fabric, right? Organic, living tissue vs. threads?"
Regina looked strangely proud at that.
"And if that's not enough for you, it's important to me, and what's important to me is important to Henry, right, kid?" Emma squeezed his shoulder.
Henry shook his head quickly. "Don't bring me into this."
"What kind of crazy logic is that?" Regina stormed her way to Emma but placed a hand on Emma's back, regardless, and Emma watched in muted triumph as purple mist started to rise from her back and the chill from the hole was covered up.
"The kind that works," Emma stated and her smile wavered as Regina trailed her hand down Emma's back. She smirked at Emma.
"Emma, do you have something else in mind that we can use?" Snow blessedly interrupted the stare–down Emma was engaged in with Regina.
"Yeah," Emma mumbled and dug in her pocket to produce Henry's school portrait. She felt her cheeks flush from the sweet looks Henry and Regina gave her. Emma wasn't quite sure what had transpired in her absence but it looked like Henry and Regina were repairing their relationship and Emma wasn't too surprised to find that she was pleased about that. When she first arrived in Storybrooke it had broken her heart a little when Henry treated Regina so coldly upon his return when it was clear that Regina loved him. Emma wanted to scold him because she knew she wouldn't have been able to provide him with such a safe, stable life. She remembered that she had never had affection so openly heaped upon her like Regina did for Henry.
"Yes, that will do nicely," Gold interrupted Emma's thoughts and Regina shifted slightly away from her. "Since you will be at the castle, you will also need to visit my old cell."
Snow balked at the statement. "Why would we need to visit there?"
Gold shrugged lightly. "I left something there that will be useful in shutting down Cora's magic. The ink I hid in there will be able to bind Cora, much like how you captured me."
"Okay," Snow nodded. "How do we construct this item?"
"It's a looking glass, dearie, and our lovely Morganna here will be able to do that for you," Gold sneered as Morganna began to look outraged.
"I agreed to no such thing, Rumplestiltskin," Morganna growled. "And you," her dress swirled as she pointed a finger at Regina, "didn't tell me your mother was involved in this!"
Regina blanched and Emma was filled with the urge to comfort her. "You know my mother?"
Morganna scoffed but didn't answer. "She killed Lancelot."
Emma supposed that Regina was used to death but she still expected a little more from the woman than just a gasp.
"I'm sorry, Morganna," Regina apologized delicately and Emma felt her jaw drop as Regina surprised her once more. She looked to Henry to see him smiling encouragingly at Regina. Her kid was some sort of miracle worker.
Morganna nodded tightly.
"Well, if that's not incentive enough," Gold said and dug in the pockets of his impeccably pressed suit. He produced a small square and offered it to Morganna as if it were no big deal but the way Morganna recoiled and began trembling as she beheld the scrap clued Emma into its real worth. She wasn't surprised that Gold had something up his sleeve.
"And this is the world you are in, Storybrooke?" Morganna's voice broke every other syllable and Snow sent a concerned glance her way.
"Yes, dearie, so I would assume that you would want to help Emma and Snow now. Am I right?' Gold pocketed the scrap despite Morganna's desperate grasp.
Morganna glowered and Emma had never seen such a look of hatred on anyone's face, not even Regina's. She and Regina unconsciously shuffled closer to each other and she felt a strange sense of comfort bolster her. "Indeed, you are," Morganna growled lowly.
"You'll need to move quickly. My mother and Hook won't be sitting idly by much longer," Regina said and Snow strode over to join Emma in holding Henry. Regina nodded tightly to Snow who blinked before offering up a half–smile. "What happened?" Regina softly asked of Snow.
Snow sighed as she moved the hand she had placed on Henry's back closer to Emma's. "We had just gotten the compass when Cora sent the villagers she killed after us. She was controlling their hearts."
"Like zombies?" Henry gasped, a little too exuberantly for he received admonishing looks from the women surrounding him.
"Yeah," Emma confirmed and looked to Regina. "Your mom's a real piece of work, you know?"
Regina had a far–off look in her eyes. "Indeed I do. But that's no excuse for me."
Snow whipped her head quickly to glare at Regina. "What do you mean?"
"I mean that even growing up with someone like my mother doesn't excuse my actions," Regina explained and Emma was pretty sure she got plunged into the Twilight Zone. "I…" love her, Emma filled in the blank instantly.
"She's a monster," Snow supplied and it clearly cut Regina to the quick for she flinched as if the words were a physical blow.
"Yes, but that's no excuse. I should have known—no, I did know better, but I did it anyway. That's what's been going on in Storybrooke with me and Henry," Regina finished and shared a shaky smile with her son.
Wanting to escape the heavy atmosphere, Emma cleared her throat. "Yeah, so…uh…while we were fighting the zombies, Hook captured Aurora and took her heart. We had to give them the compass in exchange and when we tried to get it back, well…we kinda got our butts kicked," Emma trailed off.
"I'm not surprised," Regina quipped and was unfazed by Emma and Snow's combined glares. "While Snow may have some experience in fighting a magic–wielder, you, my dear, have little to none." At Emma's pout, Regina's stern expression softened. "There, now, even Rumplestiltskin and I would have faced difficulty in besting her."
Snow eyed Regina's attempt at cheering Emma up. "So how are you going to be able to stop her?"
Regina shook her head. "We will at least be able to stave off her attack for awhile during which time you can hopefully return. The ink will likely be instrumental in her containment."
"Containment?" Snow incredulously echoed. "You're not going to kill her?"
Regina leveled her with a look. "I didn't kill you."
"That's different," Snow stammered. She and Regina continued to stare at each other for a few more charged moments and Henry shifted uncomfortably under Emma's arm.
"So…Regina…"Emma attempted to break up the tension. "Why is Henry in p.j.'s and you are looking all put together? Don't tell me you wanted to make an impression," Emma teased, knowing it would only serve to ruffle Regina's feathers.
Sure enough, Regina swiveled her head to face Emma fully, an adorable little scowl in place. "I don't need to get gussied up in order to make an impression, Miss Swan," Regina sniffed and tossed her hair. Emma snorted at the obvious lie. "I've no idea why you feel the need to treat yourself to banter all the time."
It was a great way of deflecting, Emma thought fleetingly. "You like tricks, I like treats, together we're like Halloween," she joked and felt her smile drop at her mother's repulsed look.
"Emma," Snow wearily sighed.
"What?" Emma feigned innocence and peered down at Henry. He was fighting a smile so it was all good to Emma.
"You had better get going, mom," Henry said seriously before snuggling into Emma's side. She took a moment to let his love wash over her and settle like a blanket over her heart. She looked to Snow and Regina to see similar fond expressions on their faces.
"Be careful," Regina murmured when she locked eyes with Emma.