Over a decade ago, Grandpa Charming took the young Henry into the very heart of the castle to where the Enchanted Council gathered. The huge tree trunk, sawn down and polished to a shining round table, was crowded with high-backed, regal chairs that cushioned the King and Queen's most trusted advisors from all over the land.
"Here, Henry, is where rule is established," the King had told his grandson. "Whether in times of peace or war, safety or peril, this is where we guide our people. They look to us to make important decisions on behalf of their safety."
"Like what?" Henry asked, looking up from under his new armour.
"The last time was concerning your mother," Charming replied, "and the Evil Queen. She had threatened the land with a curse and we had to stop her. We gathered the council, and your grandmother and I found a way to end her tyranny forever."
"Wow, Grandpa," said Henry. "Will I ever be on the Enchanted Council?"
"Henry, one day you will head the Council."
"You are gathered," Henry said, looking around those who were now seated at the table, "because we find ourselves in a state of emergency."
The faces in front of him looked confused, worried, downtrodden, but determined. Henry thought he saw the Grasshopper, Jiminy, twitch a little under his magnifying lens.
"This morning, the Evil Queen returned," Henry explained. "You saw this at my knighting ceremony, though I'm sure you could hardly believe your eyes."
"It's really her, then?" Grumpy said.
"We may have doubted at first, but..." Henry faltered, hanging his head as he struggled to find the words. "My mother went to the Evil Queen's old castle to surrender and retrieve our beloved King and Queen, but the Evil Queen crushed their hearts."
"No!"
"It can't be!"
Sobs and outcries erupted from ever chair, some standing, some banging their fists. The collective sorrow touched Henry and fuelled his fire; this kingdom would not be the same without his grandparents, but he would not let their people down.
"My sweet mother could do nothing in the face of such an evil. I arrived in time only to watch the King and Queen die in front of her. Just as I threw my sword to vanquish the Evil Queen, she froze time," Henry said. "By the time my sword hit the ground, she had vanished, taking my mother with her."
"We should have known," Grumpy said, his fists clenched. "We should have realised that no one could get rid of the Evil Queen forever."
"She was the darkest thing in this land then, and she is again now," Granny said, "and believe me, I've seen my share of darkness."
"Not the darkest."
All eyes turned to rest on Henry, who was looking around intensely. The sudden hush sent a wave of electric anticipation around the table.
"He still exists," Henry said. "Not only do we know where he is, we have him easily within our grasp."
"No," the Blue Fairy said, speaking for the first time. Her eyes were full of concern and hesitancy. "No, we cannot trust him."
"We have no choice. I cannot let this stand," Henry said. "The long and peaceful reign of my grandparents will not have been in vain. We will find the Evil Queen and make her pay for her treason, and we will use his power to do it."
The Blue Fairy went to speak, but the Huntsman spoke up.
"You have the Royal Guard at your command, Your Highness," he said, the crest of the Enchanted Forest emblazoned upon his armoured chest. "What would you bid us do?"
"Put a bounty on the Evil Queen's head," Henry said. "If anyone so much as glimpses her, we need to know. You should accompany troops to search the forest, her castle, everywhere. She will be found. The Blue Fairy and I will go to the dungeon."
"What about the price, Henry?" the Blue Fairy pleaded. "You have not seen this, after so much peace in our land, but all magic – especially dark magic – comes with a price."
"You think me ignorant, fairy?"
"No, Your Highness, but you must be cautious."
"I am following in the footsteps of our beloved King and Queen. Caution will come after they have been avenged."
"And what happens when the Evil Queen is found?" asked Gepetto. "We no longer have the Enchanted Tree as a vessel or a portal."
"That," Henry said, "is something we will have to ask the Dark One."
Thanks for reading, all! I thought I'd explore what Henry might be like if his mother hadn't been the Saviour; without her, he wouldn't have any need to believe.
Emma, Regina and Hook back next chapter!
Emily x
