How Deep Is Your Love

Chapter Twenty-One

Ingrid casually walked away from the clinic and through the downtown street without worry of being seen or caught because anyone who was of any threat to her were still inside with their wounded friend, while everyone else didn't have the power or courage to try to stop her. A few of the dwarfs saw the Snow Queen and attempted to apprehend her as they raised their axes they carried to defend themselves should she attack them, but she quickly froze them where they stood and continued walking out of town and back towards the woods still holding onto the pirate's hook and its brace.

When she reached the woods and slowly made her way through the trees surrounding her, it didn't take long before she was halted on her way back to her cavern as a snide voice spoke up from behind her saying, "You know, you're really creating quite the panic around this hellhole. And quite the name for yourself as well. Though you actually haven't mentioned your name to anyone other than the bloody Dark One. That's right, I know that you and he have had a few heart to hearts since you've made yourself known. The question is, what exactly is your endgame here? It isn't to kill the Savior, because you could have already done so a dozen times over."

The Snow Queen finally turned around to get a look at the woman brave enough to sneak up on her and recognized her from one of the many shops in town, then she smiled as she responded, "I've seen you around. But I've noticed you prefer to keep to yourself other than the few customers that come to you for their meat. Which begs the questions, what could you possibly want from me and what do they call you?"

"Peep," the other woman replied first. "You can call me Peep. Everyone else does, but should we become partners in order to bring down all of these so called heroes, I may even allow you to call me Bo. Back in the Enchanted Forest, I'm what they call a warlord around here and out in the real world. So I've heard anyways."

"I don't work with a partner," Ingrid answered coldly. "And I haven't come here to Storybrooke to destroy it and everyone in it. My reasons are my own. I suggest you leave before I freeze you permanently and you know that I can."

When she turned her back to her once more, Bo chuckled and then responded, "You're right. I know you can kill me if you want to, but I'm willing to bet that you won't because it appears you and I have common interests. I heard you've taken good care of that bastard pirate and now I see you've stolen his hook from him. It's just desserts if you ask me. Ever since he helped the biggest pain in my ass here rescue his daughter and that other ice witch out by relieving me of my shepherd's crook, I've wanted to see him pay. Though to be fair the Prince is really who I'm after. I don't take kindly to people crossing me. I never…"

The Snow Queen stopped the other woman then as she interrupted, "I told you to leave. Revenge isn't why motivation. I won't help you get it on the Prince or anyone else because doing so doesn't play into my plans. Good night, Bo Beep."

"Help me get my crook back from the sheriffs and get a little payback, or I will go to the Savior and tell her where your hide out is," Peep replied smugly. "That's right, I know exactly where it is because tonight isn't the first time I've followed you from town. I'm guessing you're not ready to have these heroes know where you currently reside just yet, or about that mirror of yours that allows you to spy on them. Or should I say used to allow you to spy on them."

"You've taken my mirror?" Ingrid questioned angrily.

The warlord smiled as she answered, "Technically I only borrowed it. Theft is the best way to get exactly what you want and I'm very good at it. Although it was land that I used to steal. Land from farmers and their wives, or from farm boys and their poor old mothers. Don't worry about your magic mirror, Your Majesty. I aim to give it back to you, so long as you help me with a small favor and let me in on your plans for Captain Hook. You freeze me if you wish or kill me where I stand. But if you do that, you won't ever see your possession again. My minions here have explicit instructions to destroy it should something happen to me. What do you say?"

The woman with magic glared at the shepherdess as she said coldly, "It appears I've no choice. Very well, you have a deal. I'll help you get back your crook and get your petty revenge on the Savior's father as well as Hook, but we will do it my way. Don't worry, I think you're going to be pleasantly surprised. Or at the very least, satisfied. Tell me, Peep. How do you feel about coming with me to my place to have ourselves a drink so we can discuss the details?"