Sherwood Manor, 2016

"Wait! I'll tell you everything, just let go!" Emma choked out, trying to pry the unnaturally cold and clammy fingers from her neck. Regina paused, surprised that the blonde was so cooperative. The other tourists (and sometimes locals) that had found their way to the manor over the last one hundred and thirty-six years were much less helpful, collapsing from fear after encountering Regina. In truth, the bride had become quite vengeful in her quest to find Robin, ripping out all the hearts of those that defied her- emulating what was done to her in death.

"As you wish." Regina relented, releasing Emma from her ghostly grasp. Henry, who had been observing the exchange in horror, decided to speak up.

"You mean you don't know what happened to your fiancé? After all this time?" The teenager watched a heartbroken expression grace the brunette's face, and he immediately wanted to comfort her. He held back, however, in favor of listening to her story.

"No, I don't. After I died, I tried searching for him, but it seems I cannot leave this room. Fate is a cruel mistress, as they say." Both Emma and Henry sympathized with the young bride, hoping that what they were about to tell her would make things right.

"Well, we found him: apparently he hung himself in the parlor downstairs. I'm sorry, truly." Regina shed a single tear, having cried out most of her grief years ago.

"He's here. After all this time, he's still here." Trying not to become overly optimistic, Regina closed the distance between herself and the doorway, eager to reunite with Robin. Upon touching the doorknob, the brunette was thrown backwards into the heap of old furniture. She was still trapped, and the revelation infuriated her.

"WHOEVER'S RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS WILL SUFFER!" The tortured bride proclaimed, distraught over the fact that she was still unable to embrace her beloved, despite her newfound knowledge of his location. The atmosphere in the room was heavy, influenced by Regina's prolonged anguish, providing the perfect environment for the culprit to appear.

"Do your worst!" The disembodied voice taunted, soon taking the form of everyone's favorite psychic medium. At that moment, Regina lost her remaining sanity, overcome with blood lust.

"No. Not you!" The enraged spirit lunged at her murderer, intent on avenging her lover.

The crystal ball disappeared just as Regina's fingertips made contact, reappearing above the trio, floating close to the ceiling.

"I'm afraid so." Zelena cackled, clearly enjoying herself. Meanwhile, Emma and Henry stood off to the side- this wasn't their fight.

"Does Robin know you trapped me here?" Regina yelled, trying in vain to reach the crystal.

"Indeed he does, he happens to share your fate." A strangled cry echoed throughout the room as the bride picked up a nearby chair, tossing it at Zelena in anger.

"Explain!"

"After Robin found out you had died he was beside himself with grief. Clutching your body, sobbing into your hair, the works. I thought he would eventually get over your passing and move on, preferably with me. As you can figure out, that didn't happen. He hung himself downstairs before I could stop him. Overcome with grief myself, I cried over his remains. But then, the spirits came to me and told me I had to rip out his heart and enact the same ritual as yours, cursing him as well. They tricked me: I was told that by enacting the ritual Robin and I would be together forever, and of course that was a lie. He ended up trapped in the parlor, and out of my reach." Zelena ended her speech with a wistful tone, staring at the floor.

"I won't let you keep me from Robin any longer, Zelena!" Regina shouted, rushing towards the door, only to be blasted back once again.

"End this, now!" Zelena only chuckled, gathering up all her remaining power in a swirl of green smoke.

"Creaking crypts and quaking tombs, I summon the spirits to this room!" As the enchantress began her summoning spell, the attic windows blew open, letting in the cool night air.

"Banshee screams, sounds of despair, send your calls through the air!" And soon, they had company. Dozens of apparitions made themselves known, targeting Emma, Henry, and Regina. The ghosts started moaning and groaning, tossing whatever they could reach at the trio.

"Rotting flesh and brittle bones, I call upon the old crones!" All hell broke loose. Literally. It was pandemonium: friendly and hostile spirits alike flew about, disorienting the group, while Regina felt herself being sucked into a forming portal.

"Emma! Henry! Do something!" Regina pleaded, not knowing how much longer she could hold out. The mother and son pair looked at each other in fear: they were out of their league.

"What do you think stops the spell?" Henry asked, quickly racking his brain for anything that could help.

"We have to defeat Zelena, she's the power source." Emma stated, shielding herself from the impact of an airborne dresser. And suddenly, Henry had an epiphany. The crystal was obviously housing her spirit, so if they destroyed that, Zelena would be gone.

"Smash the ball!" Emma didn't need to be told twice. Fighting her way through multiple projectiles being thrown her in direction, she snatched the crystal (containing an unsuspecting Zelena) out of the air and slammed it on the ground. The force was enough for it to shatter on impact, sending multiple shards speeding across the room. With nothing to sustain the spell, the conjured spirits returned to whence they came. And Zelena, the misguided psychic, was no more.

"Everyone alright?" Emma asked, brushing sawdust off her jacket that had landed there during the fight. Henry, meanwhile, maneuvered his way out of the corner he had been backed into, helping Regina up in the process.

"We're fine!" He responded, meeting his mother in the center of the room- the only spot not covered in broken furniture and pieces of wood.

"Thank you for your assistance." Regina said, grateful for their help. "Because of you, I can finally see my fiancé again." The brunette slowly glided to the doorway, willing to try again one final time. Her breath was slow and shaky as her hand touched the doorknob, relieved that she was met with no resistance. She turned to look at her saviors, who gave her a smile and nod, and then departed the attic- the door closing behind her.

"I'm happy for her, you know?" Henry stated, the pair following suit.

"Yeah, we did a good thing today." Emma agreed, noticing how much brighter the atmosphere in the manor was. Zelena's commanding presence was gone, leaving a much calmer one in its wake: the manor was no longer a place of foreboding.

Now back in the foyer, Emma and Henry almost didn't want to leave. Their time here left a lasting impression- one of absolute belief in the supernatural. And speaking of, there was a particular apparition that wasn't ready to say goodbye.

"Emma, Henry, wait! There's someone I'd like you to meet!" Regina's voice rang from the parlor, now joyous and exuberant. Chuckling to themselves, the duo retraced their steps and walked back into the parlor, the scene before them heartwarming.

Completely intertwined, limbs locking and foreheads touching, the bride and groom only had eyes for each other, until Emma and Henry made themselves known. The couple broke apart, but Robin kept an arm around Regina's waist, extending the other for Emma to shake.

"I don't believe we've met- Robin Gracey, Lord of Sherwood Manor." Emma returned the handshake, unable to keep her enthusiasm in check.

"It's an honor to meet you, sir. Emma Swan, and this is my son Henry." Henry stepped forward, greeting the man with a handshake of his own.

"And you already know my fiancée, Lady Regina Mills." At the mention of her name, Regina blushed (as much as a ghost could) and curled further into her betrothed.

"She loves you so very much, you would have had a great life together." The ghostly couple shared a look, and Emma could see that there was something on their minds.

"Actually, we have a favor to ask of you." Regina said, unsure of how to phrase it. Robin sensed her hesitation, and stepped in.

"Regina and I would like you to marry us." The shock on Emma's face was evident.

"We were denied a wedding in life, but death is much more forgiving." Robin continued, trailing his fingers up and down Regina's side.

"I have waited over one hundred years to call this woman my wife, and that is long enough." By now, everyone was misty-eyed, tears threatening to spill over. Emma dabbed at her face with her sleeve before happily agreeing to the request.

"I would love to."

"We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Lady Regina Mills and Lord Robin Gracey in holy matrimony." Emma began, reading from a traditional ceremonial transcript on her iPhone. Regina and Robin were facing each other, hands grasped, with Regina's veil lifted over her face. Henry was the designated ring bearer.

"Should there be anyone who objects to this union, they must speak now or forever hold their peace." As expected, there was silence.

"You may now exchange vows." Robin was first, gazing adoringly at his bride.

"Regina Mills, I have loved you since the moment I laid eyes on you. You are bold and audacious, wonderfully kind, and unearthly beautiful. Although we've had our fair share of misfortune, we are here now, and this is true. You are my future." Tears were now freely flowing down Regina's face, and she had to gather herself before responding.

"Robin Gracey, my heart and soul, you are my everything. Your generosity and selflessness never cease to amaze me. I still don't understand what you see in me, but I look forward to an eternity of finding out." Emma waited patiently for them to finish, and then continued.

"Do you, Robin Gracey, take Regina Mills to be your wife? Do you promise to love, honor, and cherish her forevermore?"

"I do."

"Do you, Regina Mills, take Robin Gracey to be your husband? Do you promise to love, honor and cherish him forevermore?"

"I do."

Henry stepped forward with the rings, having procured them from the writing desk drawer. The bride and groom took turns exchanging them, each adding their own declaration.

"I, Robin take thee Regina to be my wife. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in life and in death, for richer or poorer, and I promise my love to you from this day forth."

"I, Regina take thee Robin to be my husband. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in life and in death, for richer or poorer, and I promise my love to you from this day forth." Emma put down her phone for the big moment, getting choked up herself.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride!" Absolutely elated, having made it official, the newlyweds crashed their lips together and threw out all notions of chastity in the process. They could finally rest in peace.

"As much as I hate to rain on the parade, Henry and I should get going. We can't stay here forever." Emma's words broke the couple out of their trance, and they gave each other a knowing look: they couldn't avoid this moment even if they tried.

"Of course, we understand." Robin responded, escorting Emma and Henry to the front door. Regina, being a proper hostess, personally saw her guests off.

"Thank you for everything. We hope you visit us soon!" Regina hugged them warmly before moving to stand on the porch, Robin joining her.

"Don't worry, we will." Henry reassured, waving at the two of them. Sparing one final glance at the manor, Emma and Henry began their journey down the pathway, putting distance between them and the haunted residence.

"Think we missed the end of Mardi Gras?" Henry joked as they reached the gate, eager to return to the festivities.

"Only one way to find out!" Emma responded, ready to head back to New Orleans.

As they passed through weathered brick columns, the cast iron gates clanged shut behind them. Brushing it off as the wind, they kept walking. Emma felt a tap on her shoulder, but ignored it: it was probably nothing. But then, a voice whispered into her ear, and her heart stopped.

"Hurry back, we're just dying to have you!" She whipped around, trying to find its owner, and her eyes landed on the manor in the background. She could have sworn a shadow crossed the attic window…