New chapter up,

Big thank you to those that commented, they all do help. Hope this is an offering due to the slight lateness in posting, work just got crazy had I have had no energy to write anything so all my other stories have gone begging for an update as well.

As before any and all comments do go a long way so if possible and of course... not ransoming the story, on your own admission. If yu could, spare a few seconds to tell me what you thought of it and I should have the next chapter, hopefully, up sooner then this.

Happy reading. :)

It took Cora just two days to come to her decision. Since Rumple had come and basically gloated to her face no less, that he had cursed their daughter… it was out there now no use denying it. It had left her stuck between a castle and a hard place. She had managed to get Regina quiet not long after he left. The screeching had intensified and so she had all but thrown the stuffed toy at her which immediately shut her up long enough for her to think.

Her first thought was that it was obvious. A child that had been cursed was no good to her, she still didn't know what with and from the look she saw him wearing as he looked in the books – she wasn't getting her answer from those. Also with the way she was now – clawing and almost shattering windows, it would be an embarrassment to her – to have people talking behind her backs… the help, sniggering away at the power-hungry witch, left with an abomination for a daughter.

This was his fault… the infuriating imp who had meddled. Yes she may have broken a deal purely to suit her own needs, but he had messed with her life for the last time… she would find a way to get her revenge if it was the last thing she did, she would find a way to hurt him so much a curse on his child would be the least of his problems.

But now said child with curse was her problem… one she had no clue about what to do about. She glanced at Regina again who had decided to go back to sleep and had lain down not even caring that her Mother had to struggle with her choices.

Such an ungrateful child,

Leaving the tot to sleep she began pacing the length of her room again. Her mind working as the hours into the night slowly ticked by, eventually she came to a plan… it wasn't a choice as of yet but it was a start.

It didn't matter what Rumple had said, the little coward would say anything to deter her from trying to find a solution. It was how he worked, his deals consisted of how he explained them… it was the reason they had been so successful, though simple enough to the lesser man who was dammed, desperate or greedy enough to go to him… a play on words from a master negotiator was soon to be their downfall as they came to learn on selling their soul to the devil.

And it might have worked on her… if she was a lesser man.

The advantage of him being in love with her was that she came to know the deeper side of the dark one, those who only dealt with him once only ever saw his mischievous side, his cunning and sly side.

She could fix this. She would break whatever spell he had inflicted on the baby and once she did, her plans would be back on track. For now this was just a… slip in the road, one she wasn't expecting but nonetheless, one she would get right. She didn't bother to try a reapply the protection charm to the chambers, now that she knew he could get past them and had done so without her knowledge, she didn't see the point in wasting her magic when it could be put to better use.

The rest of the day was spent within her dungeon Potions room. She didn't dare let Regina out of her sight and so had taken the little baby with her as she looked up from her mixtures to check on the small girl who was happily playing in the corner of the room. So far she hadn't done anything out of the ordinary much to her relief as she got back to working on a few of her own concoctions she thought might reverse his work.

Nothing had worked.

She had, for the past day and a half. Tried everything she could think of, from potions to spells to even bloody rituals. But nothing had seemed to break its effects… how did she know nothing had been successful? She had come back halfway through the day after having failed yet again and placed Regina down in her crib only to stop mid turn as the black-haired baby let out a small growl.

She was growling now… like a wild dog.

'Or some kind of trapped beast'

The words of the servant had come back to her and it was that what had her sitting on her bed, she did nothing but stare at the small child who was nibbling on her blanket with nothing in her cold, dark eyes except one thing.

She had failed.

She had failed in her bid to stop Rumple from getting his revenge. She had failed in her bid to outsmart him and to counter his magic… she had failed.

Just like he said she would.

It was in that moment, when she realized right then and there… that not only had she just lost the one thing that would have guaranteed her elevated status to a higher level of power, but if she had a heart to feel then she would have been more cut up about the fact that she had also failed her daughter at being unable to give her a normal life once more. She sat there a little while longer, just looking…

She called for a nanny to come and get Regina as soon as she had her senses once more. Now that she knew it was useless, her mind went to work again… thinking of more plans but this time, it wasn't on a way to fix Regina's problem.

It was to fix hers

The door opened as the nanny waited as usual for her to nod her permission as she moved over to the crib. By now having known the standard routine and picked the baby up, she gave the other woman a slight bow before leaving her alone as she took Regina back to her nursery. As soon as she was left alone she waited a little longer before standing and moving over to her mirror.

She waved a hand over her clothes as they changed, from the perfectly tailored dress she always never went without. To a mundane brown and dirty ragged one, it reminded her of her time as the miller's daughter as she eyed it with barely hidden disdain and shook her head before clicking her fingers and disappearing from the chambers altogether.

As powerful as she was, it was still a long way from the castle to the nearest village and so she appeared again just outside of the castle gates as she looked around for any sign of a patrol before getting her breath and vanishing again. She appeared once more this time just on the outskirts of the village and decided to walk it from there as she made in the direction of where she could hear noise.

She entered the little town that she liked to call 'pheasantville' and looked around not bothering to hide her disgust at the drunk and brazen people around her, he finally spied the tavern and made for that direction as she knew she was bound to find what she was looking for there and with a gingerly push… made her way inside.

It took a while and after threatening to set two people alight. She finally came across a man who seemed to be what she needed and with a nod to the bar keeper, moved in his direction. He waere sat by himself she noted without surprise as she eyed the bar stool in front of her before thinking better of it and instead stood next to him.

He noticed her presence after a few minutes and turned to look at her. "What"

She didn't say anything. Merely nodded her head and he looked on as the bar man who had been holding a jug of mead, placed it in front of him before moving off to serve the other customers. He eyed the full mug sceptically before turning to her again.

"What's this?" She chuckled slightly before holding a hand out to his almost empty jug. "I believe it is the same as what you have been drinking already"

He eyed them both before looking back at her, "Yeah, what I wanna know is why you got it me. Normally when people buy me things it's so I don't kill them." She lifted her head a little at him. He was gruff, his demeanor practically screamed danger, and if the people giving him a wide berth was anything to go by, then she knew it wouldn't take long for her to finish the next stage in her plan.

"Well, I highly doubt you can kill me… so let's just call this a business transaction of sorts." He snorted before returning to his drink. She narrowed her eyes at him before tipping her head a little and watched as he went from under his seat to the floor below. As soon as he hit the floor the people around him stopped their activities and looked on in mild horror. She waited as he yanked himself from the floor and stood facing her.

"I was gonna let you off seeing as I was thirsty, but now you asked for it lady or no." She watched him pull out a pocket knife before smirking again. Seeing her smile set him off and he made to move to her but found himself unable to move as his face contorted with a mix of confusion... bafflement, anger and finally realization as he looked to her.

"My dear man" She began with a condescending chuckle. "If you realized who I was, then it is you who have been let of lightly." She stepped closer.

"But as it is I need your services… you seem like the type who would do just about anything for money." He snarled a little at her flippant remark as she ignored him.

"I think we need to talk."

She returned to the castle later that night having finished in her task. She appeared in her room before pulling of her cloak before banishing it to her closet and changing into her nightwear. She slid into bed and settled down feeling oddly relaxed for someone who was about to break a family come the next night. She turned over and closed her eyes,

After tomorrow

She woke to knocking on the door as she beckoned the person to enter. The nanny had returned and brought the baby back as she moved over to place the young girl back in her crib but stopped as Cora held a hand out before motioning for her to put the baby on her bed. The older woman was, for the second time in as many days confused but didn't question it as she nodded her head and placed the tiny tot in front of her.

She dismissed the other woman who left them to it as Regina turned around, her day full of energy now that she had a night's sleep and smiled at the only other in the room as Cora made little effort to return it but still kept her close.

They stayed like that for a while as the older sorceress watched her with mild interest as she dragged herself along the silken covers. A knock at the door broke her out of her trance as she turned her head and idly called for whoever it was to enter, she watched as Henry poked his head around the door and smiled hesitantly. He had been back for a longer stay and so knowing he had no visits to anywhere planned thought it be a good idea to see if Cora and Regina wanted to go for a walk.

Of course he had to ask the other woman and so kept up his cheerful smile as he observed her mood. She was sitting on her bed doing nothing with seemed a bit unusual for a woman like her but he didn't dare question her instead, he waited for her to acknowledge him.

"Yes"

He smiled a bit brighter and very slowly stepped into the room. He looked to the little tot still gnawing away on her blanket and thought nothing of it much to his ignorance of the truth before looking back to his wife.

"I was just wondering, my lady, since the weather is lovely… if you fancied taking a walk with me."

She didn't respond, just looked at him as he carried on. "With Regina, of course… a little family walk through the gardens." He finished his piece and waited anxiously for her response. She kept her gaze trained on his slightly timid stance as he fidgeted a little under her hawk like observations until at last and much to his surprise, she nodded.

"A walk sounds marvellous."

His smile was bright enough to rival the sun normally she would have scoffed at such show of blatant emotions but didn't as he asked something and without thought to what it was, nodded as he stood taller and made his way over to the baby before plucking the sprightly tot from her place as he held her in his arms before retreating to the door.

"I shall see you at the doors, my lady" As he took his leave with the small child in his arms leaving her to her thoughts. She sat long after he had left her thoughts miles away as her eyes looked on blankly at the now empty spot in front of her before eventually, she rose from her bed. She knew what she had to do and if it was to be believable… then she had to act now so with a quick wave of her hand, her outfit changed as she retouched her hair making sure it was still held firmly before leaving her chambers.

She met with her husband at the foot of the stairs leading to the large double door and to the palace gardens as he smiled at her arrival, she saw him holding Regina still in his arms as the small girl flailed in his arms taking in all around her and giggling delightedly. He turned a little so she could see the older woman come closer as the baby spied her approaching and gifted her with a gummy smile.

Cora looked on at the happy baby and wasn't surprised that she felt nothing inside as she smiled as expected on seeing him watching the pair; she instead had only to look upon them to confirm her plans. Any fool could see his love for the little girl; she was the pride and joy of his life… it confused her really, she watched them interact and it both intrigued and baffled her at just how he acted when around the small tot.

He turned to look at her, "Shall we go?" She merely nodded as they turned and made their way to the large door which slowly opened to let them out as they made their trip to the gardens.

They took their time moving through the decorated landscape. Cora did nothing but eye them as Henry lifted the little girl up to a small tree and smiled as she giggled and tried to reach the leaves only to fall short due to her stubby little arm. Regina whimpered a little at having failed to reach her goal and let out a small whimper. Something Cora heard as the older woman spun from her observing of the rose-bush to stare in slight horror at the increasingly upset child.

"There, there… shhh –it's ok" Henry muttered into her hair as he rocked her a little. Regina squirmed in his grip a little as she tried to lift herself up, the older woman heard a few more struggling whimpers and quickly lifted her hand, flicking her fingers as a few leaves rustled before falling from the tree and down into the grasping fist of happy baby. Satisfied she had nullified what could have been a problematic situation before turning away once more.

She had been deep in thought during their walk. As they carried on their journey, she had to let it be so that the people who had worked in the gardens around them saw the small baby in order for her plan to work as they stopped at the lake. She gave them a furtive glance at the two as the prince turned the small baby around to see the water and the birds that swam there as eventually he knelt so that they were closer to the water.

Keeping her hands slightly hidden she flicked her fingers once more. As a passing swan suddenly let out a shill wail and rose from the water slightly. The large bird flapped its wings causing water to splash over them as Henry did his best to shield them both from the spattering's as she flicked her fingers again and with another strangled cry, the bird shot out of the lake and straight at them.

She moved away slightly and watched as Henry lowered his arm only to see the white creature come at them as he tried to step away, but wasn't fast enough as the swan crashed into them and in his slight distraction, his grip on the tiny tot slid, and he gasped in horror as Regina tumbled to the floor. The small baby hit the grassy ground and rolled, bouncing a little as she rolled on to her back coming to a stop in the small puddle that covered the mossy green.

Dark brown eyes blinked in silent shock before they crinkled and the calm garden was filled with high-pitched wails as she started to cry, she flailed in the puddle her arms splashing about and her clothes gathering moisture as he fought the attacking bird off with the older woman waiting, having the pretense of being behind him as an obstacle for not helping their daughter. Henry dived for the fallen tot as soon as he got his bearings after shooing the bird off finally as Cora moved over to them silently. He stood straight and tried to calm the shrieking child as hands slid over his and soon he found Regina plucked from his grasp as Cora tended to her.

He watched in surprise as the normally cold woman fussed over her daughter in a rare show of affection as she ran her hand across the black curls.

"Hush my little one."

He watched in morbid fascination… the scene making him feel oddly nervous but knew that it was more than it was worth to try and question it a little while later Regina stopped crying as slowly her wails turned into pitiful whimpers as she looked up to the woman nursing her, Cora smiled as their eyes met.

"Everything's all right now."

The baby gazed at her for a moment before letting out a loud sneeze. She shook with the force and looked around a little dazed as Cora kept her gaze on her, Henry on hearing the sneeze panicked slightly, and Cora slowly lifted her head to see his fidgety stance.

"Something wrong"

He turned to look at her watching him and though he wanted his daughter back inside as soon as on hearing what could be the first signs on what could have been a cold as the air around them grew chillier the small baby shivered a little.

"Can we- can we get Regina indoors." She titled her head a little to the side for a moment as he waited before finally nodding and turned missing his smile of relief as he followed them quickly back up to the castle. Once inside he came to a stop as Cora turned to him suddenly in the middle of the hall.

"I think I shall take Regina back for a nap now."

He stared at her in silence. His mind in two places, he had accidentally dropped his daughter to the ground. Yes he may have picked her up as soon as he had, but it was still enough to have her hitting her back… she was also soaking as her clothes had dripped water all the way up and onto the marble floor, she shuddered again in her mother's grip. He nodded and watched as she quickly moved away from him and around the corner once up the stairs.

She pushed on the door and placed the small girl on her bed. Her hand waving over her body and the wet clothes vanishing, being replaced with new dry ones Regina, now having been taken out of her old and used clothes. Looked down slightly before her attention drifted, and she found herself being distracted by something that had been left out on the cover.

Now that people had been around to see them as they had stopped their work on hearing the babies wails before watching as they made their way back to the castle. The first part of the plan was complete. The second was to make sure that Regina came down with sickness. Once she was sick she could use the excuse to keep the small girl with her as she readied the third part of her plan.

Of course she would allow Henry to see her, if not for appearances sake. But for the fact that after the third part was complete. He would never be seeing the younger girl again and so, would give him that small mercy. She stayed in her rooms up until Henry made another appearance much sooner than she would have liked and she fought to roll her eyes but figured that he wouldn't get much more of a chance as he made his way over to where Regina lay.

Couldn't have been like any of the other royals who didn't pay attention to their kids.

"How is she?"

Giving the baby a small glance she shrugged and spoke. "I changed her clothes as soon as we got in but it sounds like she is getting a cold." His face instantly morphed into one of sadness and that she couldn't help the eye roll, simpleton. He reached in and cooed at the tiny tot who was messing with her toy.

"Poor thing"

"Hmm"

A few sniffles proved her point as he simpered a little longer with Cora leaving him to it, soon he bade them goodnight and was on his way with one last kiss to her head. Regina slowly let her tiny body fall back as she lay down intent on going to sleep, Cora slowly approached the crib and let her eyes roam the small face before her as Regina's chest fluttered slightly and she stretched her arms out tiredly.

She moved away to get changed though it wouldn't be for long as she removed her hair from its confines and got under her covers. She laid down not as fully as she would normally do as she half sat against her cushions half lay and closed her eyes.

It was when the moon was high in the sky did she wake again. She looked to the crib where the snuffles could still be heard as she slowly pulled back her covers. She wasted no time in getting changed as she did up her hair again and very gently picked up the snoozing baby. Regina whined a little and turned slightly but didn't wake as Cora placed her against her shoulder and after changing her clothes into something more weather worthy, she vanished from the room.

She came back out to where she first appeared, back outside the gates and quickly moved into the forest in case Regina woke which to her surprise. She hadn't and so set off down the trail. She walked until she came to a small clearing as she looked around for any sign on the hired help before a sound had her turning to see him coming from the clearing across the small fire that had been lit.

"You actually showed." He moved closer and placed something he had been holding down and snorted "Getting paid aren't I?" She didn't respond merely let her eyes travel to the baggage he had been instructed to bring.

"So… anybody going to notice." He shrugged at her question. "Like I know… just some sickly brat from a whore most likely not even going to notice it gone… just like you asked" She nodded as she motioned for him to pick it up as he scowled but moved to take the second baby that he had stolen per her order, as he held it out in front of him causing the smaller child to let out a weak cry.

She eyed the second baby in his arms. It really did look sick. The skin was as pale and transparent even with the fire lighting her skin. She looked malnourished, which was what was to be expected if he had indeed stolen the child from a woman of little morals… it was like she was doing her a favour as conjured a basket for Regina before lifting her from her shoulder.

Miraculously Regina hadn't even woken despite being jostled. She merely snuffled a little as Cora lifted her up to the fires light so she could look at her, the man watched as the older woman seemingly lost herself in the smaller child's face for a moment before speaking.

"Look, we doing this or what?"

She let her gaze roam over the tiny girls face once more before nodding as she lowered the sleeping tot into the basket and placed it in the middle of them. He learned forward to take the second basket as he switched the children around before straightening up; he looked to the right of him for a second more before turning back to her.

"We done"

She nodded. "Make sure that no one notices her," He held up his hand and nodded.

"Yeah sure whatever, when I'm I getting my money" She lifted her head a little and regarded him for a moment longer before finally replying. "Meet me back here in two days… you shall get your money then."

He held her gaze for a moment as he picked up the basket and turned around. She waited as he retreated backwards and watched as both he and her daughter disappeared into the murky blackness behind them. She stayed by the fire a little after he had gone just staring at the space they had been.

She had just given her daughter away. Cast her aside like she was nothing but a rag doll and she felt nothing… she knew if she had her heart things would have been different, she wouldn't have been cursed for one as she would have gladly loved Rumple the way he loved her, he wouldn't have felt it necessary to be spiteful and ruin a young child's life just for revenge.

Even if she felt the crippling guilt she knew should have been coursing through her veins right now, that it was his entire fault. And so picked up the smaller, frailer baby and clicked her fingers as they vanished from the clearing.

A day later saw the man and small baby sitting in another small clearing on the other side of the forest. He sat on a fallen trunk glancing over at the wriggling child as he ate his catch for the morning, he had no idea why it was he still had the brat with him when he could have just given her away to the nearest person around, it wasn't his child, he could just leave her here and go back in two days' time for the money saying he had done the job.

He eyed the child, she was weird. He found… not sure if it was him having been drunk at the time or animal around. But he was sure he heard growling's coming from her little body; it wasn't just that either… the sides of her basket carry was slightly shredded. It creeped him out but if he didn't think the that the other woman would have somehow known that he had just left her lying about then he would have done exactly that.

Not that he would admit it but there was something about the older brunette that just screamed danger, even to a man who had killed like himself, and so he was going to see this one through.

But to what end he actually didn't know. The older woman hadn't said anything about a destination. She had given him any information about where to take the child, just gave her to him and off he went. He sighed and threw away the small bones from the rabbit he had eaten.

"Well isn't she just a cute thing."

He sprung up and pulled out the knife he always carried with him and turned to face the sound of the sudden voice as his eyed took in the newcomer and widened as they settled on a glittery skinned man standing above the baby peering down at her.

"Who the hell are you?"

Rumple didn't respond for a moment as he took in the sight of his child lying on the ground. She looked up to him and smiled her trademark gummy smile as her eyes focused on him and let out a small laugh. He finally lifted his head to look in the direction of the other man.

"What was it you said?"

"I said, who are you… why you here." He thrust his knife towards the golden colored man and licked his lips nervously, Rumple merely apprised the henchman who Cora had tasked with taking Regina away and his lips split into a predatory grin making the man across from him even wearier.

"Doesn't look like you…"

The man frowned in confusion. "Ey?"

"The child, I said she doesn't look a bit like you." Both sets of eyes glanced at the blissfully ignorant child as he spoke.

"Looking after her for someone"

"Oh?"

"Yeah, taking her back now actually." To this Rumples smile widened even more. The man jumped a mile when he vanished without so much as a blink before coming to his side before he could even yell.

"And where exactly are you taking her?" Turning quickly he kept the knife at his arm level taking a step away, he didn't have a clue what was going on or who the… well he had no idea as to what was standing across from him but he seemed to be taking an interest in the baby.

"You want her or something?"

Rumple laughed out loud at the question before shaking his head. "Oh my good man… no, no I couldn't take her, not in a million years."

"Why not… you look like you could." Dancing nimbly, he manoeuvred his way around the nervous man before spinning on his heel. "…Sounds intriguing, I'll bite." He turned his gaze back on Regina for a few seconds.

"And just why, dear sir, you think me capable of looking after this child. For all you know I could be stealing small babies and taking them back to my castle to eat." The man looked perturbed

"…Do you… do you do that?" Rumple shook his head. "No, but the possibility is always there. It's nice to have options" He giggled again at the look on his face before moving away.

"You have no idea as to why that woman gave her away do you?" He eyed the man who shook his head slowly. "She just said make sure no one sees her"

The reptilian man nodded and pursed his lips. "Did it occur to you that maybe there is something wrong with the baby?" The other man took another look at the dark-haired girl on his words.

"Is there"

Rumple shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know… why, do you think there is?"

It took him a few minutes to reply but he did by nodding his head, "… I've heard things," The shimmering man leaned in closer, his sharp teeth on show as he listened.

"Things?" He nodded

"Well do tell, do tell don't keep me waiting."

"… She growls"

"Growls" He nodded. "I thought it was a fox but it's here I know it is, also… her basket is ripped, torn where she sleeps… like she scratches with claws or summit."

At this Rumple gasped in mock surprise and cast a glance at the wriggling baby. "Oh surely you jest… babies don't have claws nor do they growl."

"I swear it! It's like she's an animal or something." Rumple leaned in closer so he was now a hair width away from the other man.

"Did it ever occur to you, maybe that's exactly what she is." The man lowered his knife confused once more at the cryptic words the odd-looking man was saying and watched as he hopped and skipped his way back to the basket. He bent down and picked Regina up, who seemed happy as she patted his cheek. He watched them interact a little and vaguely heard the words he seemed to babble to her.

"Come on dearie… laugh for old Rumple you can do it… just one big" He threw her slightly into the air making her squeal with laughter as he caught her in his hands again.

"Laugh"

The other man stumbled back. His knife coming up again as he backed away from the pair as fast as he could in horror at what he saw. He had been around a few villages… been to different kingdoms and knew that magic existed, he had seen things whilst he robbed and killed before moving on but never in his life had he seen something like this.

"Matches her skin tone… don't you think."

He gaped in fear at the girl whose pupils had now been reduced to naught but slits and the color a vivid green as he turned to the man holding her.

"Freaks… your both freaks."

"Oh come now she's just a baby, practically harmless. Well, if you don't count the teeth that is."

"…. Teeth?" Rumple nodded, his grin widening once more as he looked at the little girl in his arms. "And claws, you would indeed be right about those. Nasty things if they catch you, bleed something fierce."

"What the hell is she… what are you!" He raised his weapon as the crocodile shrouded man took a step nearer. "Me? I'm simply a man my good sir, but this little one." He lifted her up in his arms as she giggled causing her eyes to glow slightly brighter.

"… Some sort of dragon I'd say." His causal response had the other man shifting back even further. "Dragon? You expect me to believe that."

Rumple shrugged as he bounced the tiny child. "Think what you like… but just what was the reason Cora had for giving her away again" He waited for him to response."

"Cora?"

"Hmm"

"That witch lady, the royal one…" Rumple nodded his confirmation. As the man pointed to the baby.

"So that's that little princess everyone's going on about." This was more than what he had agreed, not for any royal even if he didn't know exactly who it was that hired him.

"Not anymore if her own Mother was so eager to be rid of her." He gave the little girl a sad pout. "You think she knew."

"But of course. And being the perfectly model royal she is, couldn't possibly have a child whose more creature than human now could she." He didn't respond to his statement as he rocked the baby back and forth.

"So why do you care."

"Pardon."

"The baby, why do you care about her." He watched as the other man paused in replying as a small hand fiddled with his lapel. He couldn't work out the expression on his face but knew that it had him thinking hard.

"An avid interest, you could say." He didn't say any more but he knew from his tone the subject closed as his slightly morose demeanour turned back to his sprightly and gleeful self in the blink of his eye.

"So back to my earlier question. Now that you know just why the witch was so eager to be rid of, where are you going to take her now"

The man faltered at his words. Where was he going to take her, now that he had seen with his own eyes that the small baby was practically a beast… A dragon… he didn't know if he was true but he was going to take his word for it, Rumple observed his predicament. This was the part he intervened, the reason for his being there at all as he spoke.

"Come on now, an immoral man like yourself. You've been around, know a few places… surely the answer is easy." He lifted his head from where he had looked to the ground as their eyes met.

"Where… in this realm and the next. Is there a place where a dragon dwells"

Eyes widened in realization as Rumple smiled in satisfaction. "The forbidden fortress."

"Indeed"

He shook his head. "No way, I'm not going there... I have heard the stories."

Rumple lifted his head a little in regards to the fallen Faerie. Whilst he hadn't the pleasure of actually meeting her, he had heard the tales of those who dared venture near her home above the frozen mountain. Never to come back again. It was actually the other side to her that prompted him to research the elemental side as well as the creature side of magic.

It was the very reason for his curse.

"My dear man if there were no survivors. Where did the stories come from."

His remark silenced the man's protests as he thought about what he said. Rumple placed the baby back in her basket and moved over to him.

"Well now that's all settled, I think I shall leave you to get on with your journey." This had him shaking his head again.

"I said I'm not going." He turned away, this really was more than what his time was worth and was about to walk away when Rumples smooth voice cut the air again.

"I wonder," He stopped in spite of himself. "Just how much it was Cora had promised you,"

He spun and glared at the trickster imp who was leaning against a tree. "It must have been quite a bit considering it was after all, a princess you have in all technically kidnapped."

The knife he had sheathed on walking away was feeling heavy on his side. "But I'm also assuming that is once you have completed your job." His grin lingered knowingly on the other man.

"Right?"

He laughed and vanished when the knife sailed his way and the thug found himself being thrown through the air, coming to land heavily on the ground.

"Trust me when I say this, no matter how you think you can abandon your task and claim the money for it later, she will know." He groaned and lifted himself to his elbows as he saw Rumple standing across from him.

"She always, knows… If I didn't know her from previous meetings I would think that woman a creature herself, a canny ability when it comes to people's secrets… more hawk then woman"

He staggered to his feet and wheezed as he struggled to get his breath. "Believe me when I say, it would be in your best interest… and health, to finish what you started."

He nodded without protest. He knew that no matter what he said or did, it wouldn't make a difference and so took him at his word. Rumple saw his yield and clapped his hands.

"Marvellous."

He waved his hands as the man suddenly found himself with an armful of basket and baby as he struggled to keep it upright. "I'll even help you along your way as a gesture of goodwill."

Before he had time to ask what he meant. The imp twisted his hand again and watched as they were sucked up by the light pink plume of smoke as it carried them off leaving him alone. His humourist expression faded, replaced with one of contemplation. Now that he had persuaded the man to follow his advice and take the baby to where she would be most looked after, he wondered what would come next.

He may have had the power of foresight but even the most accurate of oracle can tell that the future could change like the wind. He mused on his thoughts which turned to the older witch… she might not have bothered as to where her daughter ended up, but as he was still determined to forge ahead with his plans he knew that she had to be out of the picture lest she try to get her revenge.

He pushed that thought to the back of his mind. That would come later, he had bigger things to work on now and so vanished back to his castle leaving destiny to travel its new path.

The man had, on jerking out of the pink smog. Found himself in the town closest to the mountain that the fortress dwelt. He looked up at the ominous looking backdrop, if he hadn't of taken the words of the glitter laden man to heart, then he would have just left the child the moment he found out about her… affliction.

But as it was he was more worried about the older woman. Now that he knew it was the royal… the witch that had given him the job, he knew he had to succeed, not for the money but for his life. He saw her eyes… saw how hollow and cold they looked, he didn't like it and shuddered to think what might lie in store should he fail. He decided to carry on with his journey getting it over with as soon as possible.

But before he could he needed provisions and so crept down the side of the nearest ally, reverting back to what he did best before he even took a step closer to what could have only been the most dangerous journey of his life.

After returning to his castle. Rumple made for his study. After having done what he needed to in concerns for his daughter, his next step was to take action in regards to his son. She shut the door behind him and stepped over to his work bench where he had tinkered with different Potions and spells in preparation for his plans. He had the basics down the formula was proving tricky as he picked up a small bottle and tilted the contents around, inspecting it before returning it to the table.

It wasn't just the curse that was proving troublesome to create. Now that his first and most ideal candidate had been taken out of play, he needed to find someone with enough power to be able to cast it he had people willing, students dying to prove their worth to him and so would have fallen over their feet in desperation to make him happy giving him ample to choose from.

But none were good enough. Regina was the only one that had the power to cast it, the only one with enough talent to pull it off and successfully… not anymore it seemed.

Shaking his head he got back to his work. That like the Cora problem could wait. First he had to make the thing first and so spent the rest of the afternoon hold up in his little laboratory.

After managing to pilfer what he needed from unsuspecting townspeople. He had enough to begin his trip, he made his way down the narrow path that led out of the town and to the foot of the mountain wondering how it was he had gone from hardened criminal to baby carrier for a dragon child.

There was the threat of death by unimaginable horrors from the Mother of course. But still, if anyone could see him now oh how they would laugh. He trudged miserably hefting the baby, now clean after he had conned some woman into changing her for him at the side of him ignoring the looks he was getting as he neared the track that would lead him pas the safety point.

A hand made him stop and he was pulled back a bit as he turned to see an older looking man with a greyish beard staring at him. His eyes were slightly wide and fearing as he held onto his arms.

"Do you know where you are going?" He asked shaking him a little as the man nodded. The older man's gaze went past him before coming back to land on him.

"That's the home of the dragon… the feared one." Shrugging his arms off. The man glared at him. "Of course I knew, it wasn't like I was going up there blind."

The man, on hearing him stared at him like he was crazy. "You know what the mountain holds?" He nodded. "Yet you still go." He nodded again.

"Even with the little one." His eyes lowered to the baby in the basket as she looked around. The thug man followed his gaze as his eyes met that of the child's and he flinched slightly at remembering them glowing.

"… I think the babies just fine… now leave." He turned and made for the path ignoring his cries for him to stop.

"You'll get yourself and that baby killed… come back! Stop!" But he didn't stop. In fact he kept on going, following the trail as it got narrower, steeper and rockier with him cursing the day he met the witch as he climbed. He had to stop and take a longer way as he saw the quickest had been cut off and so followed the pass as it cut through the forest.

He cursed the day he met Cora… He cursed the money she offered, he cursed the imp, and he cursed the child he was carrying. He stopped for a while to have a rest and some drink as he awkwardly gave some to the baby who squealed as it dribbled down her front before her attention fell to the small piece of bread in his hand. He handed it over and watched as she gummed it for a while.

He carried on his way once he had eaten never stopping until at last he reached the halfway point by which he could make out the black castle that sat nestled on the mountain. He gazed upon the chilling scene and was about to take a step closer when an earth trembling roar had him stopping. His eyes instantly alert swept the length of the path trying to spot the danger as another roar had him moving back.

Of course what he didn't know was that he had crossed a ward on the path as he walked alerting his presence to that of the Dark Faerie who had been waiting for his arrival.

At hearing the sound of the ward going off had both surprised and confused Maleficent. The blond-haired witch never had visitors. Either by her own admission or because everyone knew about her reputation. So to hear that somebody had actually braved climbing her mountain in the hopes of reaching her castle as it was the only thing around for miles had her intrigued.

She was all for letting whomever it was get closer to her home content to wait it out until they arrived, but then realized that there were still plenty of other dangers on and around the mountainside that could hinder their journey and so decided to go and greet them personally. After all, they had made the effort to come and see her, the least she could do was make it easier on them.

Back outside the man was still looking around for any sign of what had made the noise. He had crept back as far as he could go so that if anything did get close to them they would be at least hidden from view as the roar got louder and he swore loudly when a large shadow had him looking up as he finally realized just what it was.

The huge purple dragon had flown the skies. Her steely gaze scouring the rocky Cliffside for any sign of her guests as she flew around. He watched the great beast circle the area and ducked low when it soared down low. Regina squealed and laughed oblivious to the clear danger above her as he turned his head to her and bent trying to shut her up.

His sharp mobility had not gone unnoticed. Her eyesight being seven times better than what a humans was, Maleficent sighted the movement against the seemingly motionless inanimate backdrop as a feral grin graced her thin lips. He realized that he wasn't going to shut her up and so turned his attentions back to the threat above only to gasp when he saw the large creature now flying to them.

It was clear they had been seen and so looking down at the still blissful baby, he paused for a few seconds before turning and fleeing. He could take a lot of things but being dragon food was not one of them. The money wasn't worth risking his life this much as he jumped down the ledge and ran back downwards to the smoother path that led back to the village. As far as he were concerned, he had done his job, he had gotten the child as far away as possible and so didn't look back.

Maleficent had seen him running away and was all for going after him but a sound had her looking back to where he had hidden. Now she was closer to the mountain her hearing was better and so her curiosity won out over her need to entertainment as she flew closer.

Getting as near as she could, she used her claws to grip the ledge and edged around until she came to the exact spot where he had hidden, she heard the sound of light whimpering and pulled her head back slightly before deigning it worth further investigation. Her form shrank as she shuffled further onto the ledge as soon she was back on two legs and walked to where she could hear the sound.

To say she was shocked was an understatement as her eyes fell upon the basket and the baby it contained as by now Regina had seen that no one was around and so had gone from happy to scared as little whimpers slipped from her mouth. The blonde stayed out of sight of the scared infant just observing…

This was completely new to her, having never been in the vicinity of any child before. Not unless she counted Sleeping Beauty as one but really, she was just a pest. Finally she decided it was time to find out why he had left a small child in the middle of nowhere, and her home especially as she made her way closer.

As if sensing somebody nearing, her whimpers stopped and in their place came the slight struggles as she tried to twist in her little basket to see who it was. Maleficent moved nearer, her eyes never leaving the small baby, there was something about the tiny girl… something off, but what she didn't know yet.

Finally having twisted far enough dark eyes caught sight of the purple dressed woman and her smile spread across her lips as she shuffled a little so that she could see her without craning her neck.

"Little young to be out here on your own aren't you?" She spoke to the tiny tot as Regina gazed up at her, she stepped so she was now right in front of her as they eyes never wavered. The more she watched the more she found herself being allured by the small child, her eyes, though still that of a baby's they seemed to hold so much…

Well she didn't know which was probably what captivated her so, that and the little nagging in the back of her mind that was telling her that something was still not… not right about the tiny girl.

"Aren't you just the most fascinating thing" She muttered, she was still wondering just why it was the man had fled leaving the young girl alone by herself. She idly wondered if he was coming back as she didn't see any chance of her taking in the baby.

"Not much of a talker are you?"

Regina gurgled and lifted her arm as her hand made a grabbing motion which caused the blonde to chuckle. "Oh no – I don't think so dear, not with this dress." Her curiosity was slowly being replaced by amusement as the dark-haired baby looked at her before copying her actions.

Her laughter turned into a small gasp as like before. The sudden spike in emotion caused the baby's cursed features to emerge and the dark Faerie was once more stunned into silence as she gazed upon the now green glowing irises, narrowed down into slits.

This was what she had felt. The slightly unsettled feeling in her gut that told her a threat was about. But of course this baby wasn't a threat… certainly not yet anyhow, it genuinely shocked her to find another like her, and in one so young… she didn't know what kind the little girl was as she was still too young to change if she could, but she could now only assume this was the reason the man had fled without taking her with him.

He must have known all along what she was. That she was more Draconian than human and so must have brought her here… the only other dragon in the realm. Her eyes darkened as it dawned on her that seeing as he wasn't coming back, she was in effective – stuck with this child.

A small growl had her looking down as by now along with her eyes, the small teeth that had lengthened and sharpened until they were naught but tiny fangs. The older sorceress gazed down at the smiling infant and once more wondered who it was that could have possibly made the choice to abandon her, it made her a little angry at the thought that once again due to the ignorance of some, a child went without a family and was left out like a dog.

Cocking her head to the side. She regarded the baby once more before making her choice. Not that she had much of one. "You really are just positively the most puzzling thing I have seen in ages."

She bent a little making Regina gurgle happily again. "Well, I think it's best if you come with me… don't you?" Her eyes went to the blanket the baby was wrapped in and her hand moved to lift the side to read the name eloquently woven into the quilt.

"Regina" She pursed her lips at the regal name before standing up straight again. "Right then little queen. I think it's time I showed you my home."

And with that the two vanished from the side of the mountain ledge. As one destined path ended, only to pavé way for another.