Chapter 7

A Sorcerer's Wife

She wandered around, looking and searching for light magic, keeping an ear open for any gossip.

"Hello! You must be Leia." Said a cheery voice, making her look up. A woman approached her, hands extended, brown curls contrasting against her yellow dress. "I'm Belle, and this is my lady in waiting, Clorinda." She introduced. The second woman had darker skin and black hair, dressed in dark burgundy.

Emma forced a smile, taking her hand between both of hers. "Leia of Alderaan." She introduced.

"Belle of Avelon, but most people here know me as the mother of the birthday boy." She laughed, it made Emma look at her with shock. Clorinda stifled a laugh.

"You married the Sorcerer?" She exclaimed. Emma had imagined the sorcerer being kind of old, despite the fact that his son was four, this woman didn't look at all like Emma had pictured.

She had heard that he had met a beauty in a local village, a girl down on her luck and had fallen madly in love, she was supposed to be humble and polite and could find the good in anyone. Belle just nodded happily, showing off the large diamond on her finger, it seemed to glow with white magic. "Isn't it beautiful?" The woman in front of her, while gorgeous, didn't sound humble at all.

"Very Milady!" Clorinda agreed when Emma didn't comment on the rock on her dainty finger.

"He's just my Rumple to me," Belle insisted, narrowing her eyes "So where is Alderaan? I'm an avid book reader and I've never heard of it, Clorinda, have you heard of it?" She asked. Emma tightened her gaze, ready to name a dozen or so facts if the woman suspected anything.

"No milady, but I'm not as avid a book reader as you are. Belle here absolutely adores books and knowledge." The woman explained. "Knowledge is power after all."

Emma couldn't tell if she was curious or searching for a reason to find fault in her story, but she didn't like the ominous way their words struck her. "In a realm far far away." She settled on, growing tired of the conversation she decided to jump straight to the point.

"Lady Belle, where is your husband? I'm needing to speak to him. It's quite urgent."

Belle nodded enthusiastically. "Of course, he's just dealing with an intrusion from his past, a party crasher." She drawled. "As a fellow member of royalty, you must know how annoying they could be. Always wanting to drink and steal our things, dance with our guests. Rumple is usually very good about keeping them out, I'll have you know, needless to say, this one won't be othering us again."

Emma felt herself tense, gazing around in search of her boys while finding the wife actually getting more annoying by the second. Emma found that she was sounding like most of the other regels she had known during her youth, rich and pompous and worst of all entitled. "I understand completely" She agreed, eyes not leaving the dance floor.

Henry was dancing with the Camelot girl but Killian…

"Are you looking for that prince of yours?" Belle asked, poking her head around. Emma nodded silently, gazing over the tops of dukes and duchesses, of knights and royals. Emma had a bad feeling in her chest as he was nowhere in sight. "How long have you two been betrothed?" The lady in waiting asked with a small grin. "He looks quite charming."

She eyed the woman carefully.

"A few weeks." She said curtly, she wanted to use her magic to locate him, but knew that would alert the Sorcerer and ruin any sort of chance she had of having a civil conversation. "I need to find him; he gets nervous in these types of situations." She chuckled. "Puts his foot in his mouth, don't want him to cause an international incident, you know how prickly royalty can be." She reasoned.

Belle laughed. "I hope you find him."

Emma replied with a smile. Her too.

"Hey Violet, one sec, I need to tell my aunt something." Said a voice behind her, Henry quickly appeared at her side. "Mom, are you alright?" her son asked carefully, looking around the ballroom for threats. She nodded. "Are we made?"

Emma could see the Camelot girl watching Henry with a big grin, waiting his return. "No, I just…I misplaced the sailor." She replied keeping her worry at bay.

"He left with someone, and he didn't look happy about it." Henry told her.

"With who?" She demanded lightly.

"I don't know, I was going to follow, but he saw me and shook his head, he didn't want me to. He went that way." Henry explained pointing to an adjacent door.

"Thank you Henry." She breathes, ruffling his hair before making a bee line for the door.

It's as she opens it that she hears the voices.

"I see you finally found your courage Deckhand." Someone taunts.

"I see you finally stuck around Sorcerer." Killian sneers right back.

The blue coat hold a sparkling gold sword against her sailor's neck, Killian;s sword is thrown to the side, as he's on his knees, half sitting up, holding his arm painfully. It looks like she walked into the end of a badly one-sided swordfight.

"What the hell is going on here?" She growls, it takes every bit of her self-control not to throw this man back. The man looks at her, but doesn't move the weapon.

"How rude, my apologies, dealing with some rift-raft, I'll be with you in a moment madam." He says politely. All it does is make her even angrier.

"I am not a madam." She snaps, getting closer. "That's my fiancée you have your blade on, so unless you want me to get involved, and trust me you do not want me involved, get away from him." She hissed dangerously.

"Leia love, it's fine. Nothing to concern yourself with." Killian has the gall to say, eyeing her carefully. "Just a couple of old friends catching up." He says darkly.

"We are not friends." The blue coat snaps, pressing the blade a bit deeper, Killian doesn't flinch, instead he raised his head higher, eyeing the man with a daring look. He was daring this man to kill him.

Killian chuckles. "Yes, I suppose we're not."

She wants him to shut up so she can get them out of this.

"Don't you dare princess." He warns, looking at her. "This is my fight."

His fight. Emma hated those words. This was their fight so long as they both had something to lose.

"Brave words from a coward." The man taunted.

"I am not a coward." He growled, shoving the sword away, and getting to his feet. "And you aren't going to kill me." Kilian stalked over to the man, hands clenched at his side. He was visibly shaking, but in rage, not fear. "That would ruin all that Light magic you acquired wouldn't it Sorcerer?" He dared. "You were never one who liked to lose your power."

Sorcerer? Killian is enemies with the Sorcerer?

Now that was going to make things complicated.

The man growled his way, before trying to contain himself. "I may not be able to kill you, but I can still ruin you like you ruined me, you destroyed my family!" The man turned and looked at her.

Killian tensed, stepping in the way.

"Don't you dare look at her; you ruined your own bloody family!" Killian seethed.

"Princess Leia I recall?" The man introduced, ignoring Killian. "I'm sorry to be the one to break it to you, but Prince Charles here is no royalty."

Emma played the part well, realizing that he didn't know who she was, not yet.

"Charles? Is that true?" She demanded.

Killian kept his eyes on the sorcerer.

"You tell her, and I'll tell your wife all about it as well." Killian warned. The man waved his hand, throwing him back towards the far wall, a curtain wrapping around his chest pinning him there.

"Indeed it is Princess, but that's not the greatest of his sins. He seduced a married woman and plotted to steal her away. He drove her son away so she would go with him." He continued, all things Emma already knew, just warped to make Killian the villain.

"Bae left because you would rather parade around under the title of knight rather than be there for your boy!" Killian shouted. "Face it, I was more of a father to that boy, more of a husband to your wife."

Emma blinked. This is Milah's husband?! Bae's father? She hadn't expected that.

"But his worse sin, was he promised her he'd fight for her but when it came down to it, that man is too much of a coward to do a single thing. He couldn't fight for his love, how is he going to fight for you dearie?" Emma saw Killian flinch.

She remembered Hans, blood seeping through his royal robes, eyes unseeing.

She remembered the faraway look, the rage. The endless rage.

She remembered drowning, waking up to him breathing life into her.

"You're wrong." She snapped. "I came here to earn your good graces, but if you continue to talk to Killian like this, I will get angry." She warned.

"Killian? Why I believe I heard you introduce him as Charles" The man said cautiously, raising his sword towards her.

She crossed her arms, hiding her frustration for her rookie move. She knew better than to slip up like that, but she just couldn't help it. He was ruining Killian's good name. "Couldn't have my father know I had fallen for a deckhand." She chuckled. "He's always so protective of his darling baby girl."

The man looked at Killian, he flashed an angry grin as Killian was dropped to the floor roughly. He went to the sword, picking it up, eyeing the man carefully. She could tell he really wanted to strike at him again, but he didn't.

"Anyway, this is actually just what I came here for, to speak with you." She replied. "Sorcerer." He looked at her curiously.

"Oh, well, Rumplestiltskin at your service." He introduced. "Sorcerer of Light Magic." She heard Killian grumble as he went to stand by her side, entire body wrought with tension.

"A friend of mine was captured by the Queen." She started. "And you." She stated accusingly.

"You don't waste time do you Princess?" The man chuckled.

"Leia is fine." She replied, tired of that title. She actually hated it, her mother's old pet name for her, it had surprised her how delightful it felt to hear her sailor turn that hated term to something endearing.

The man put down his sword, looking at her curiously, waving over a table and two chairs, leaving Killian to stand. "I assume you think I can help you rescue her? Sorry to inform you, I don't do recues anymore-"

Emma shook her head. "Your magic undid their protection spell. I want an explanation, and your word that you won't undo the protection spell a second time. The people you helped hand over to the Queen, they are good people."

He looked at her before narrowing towards Killian. She suppressed her protective instincts to keep him from looking at her sailor, especially when he pulled Killian towards him with his magic. He grabbed his arm, pulling back his sleeve that hid the bandages over his wrist and hand once he was close enough, making him hiss in pain.

"Hey! Get your hands off him." She started rising.

"You have me curious Leia." The man reasoned with a knowing smirk. "Coming in here, with this cowardly deckhand who's been burned by dark magic, asking about prisoners who were protected by the same dark magic."

Emma blinked.

"Hurt by dark magic?" She asked, looking at Killian. "Burned." She repeated, voice shaking.

No. I wouldn't. I have control, I could never-

"Let go of me." He demanded trying to pull away. "You don't know what you're talking about." He growled.

"Relax deckhand. Dark magic doesn't heal naturally, unless you know another magician, you're going to want me to heal it." He grumbled.

"I don't want your magic! I don't want anything from you." He roared, pulling away. Emma leapt to her feet. Grabbing his arm, just above the wrist.

"Let me see." She ordered. "Killian!" She growled, gripping it.

"Love, let me explain." He breathed, other hand cupping her cheek. She pulled way the bandage, seeing the damaged skin, red with no sign of healing, she rested her hand over it, feeling for the magic.

Please, let it be Elsa, or Ingrid, or anyone but…

There was no mistaking it.

"I told you I'd ruin you deckhand." The Sorcerer crackled. "Although I never pictured you to be involved with the Dark One, I suppose Milah is better off than to see how far you've fallen." He turned, keeping her behind him.

"Shut the hell up! You-" She pulled him back, Killian was losing it. He was about to snap and do something we would both regret.

"Killian. Look at me." He did, calming down a fraction.

"Sorcerer, I need your word that you'll keep away from them, and don't pretend you don't know who I'm talking about." Emma warned, eyes still locked with blue ones.

"And why would I do that? I'm protecting the kingdom, they are allied with the Dark One." He warned, "Thankfully, she is locked up, but still, they should not be free to torment these people." He declared.

"What about her son?" Emma asked, glancing his way. "Are you really prepared to leave a boy without his family? His mother? His grandmother?"

He flinched. "A son?"

Killian nodded. "He's the same age Bae was." He supplied. "Leave another boy without a mother, real heroic, wouldn't you say?" He added sarcastically.

The Sorcerer clenched his fist. He was about to respond when little feet bolted into the room, leaping into Rumpelstiltskin's arms.

"Papa!" He pulled him up, swinging him, all hints of malicious intent fades when his son enters the room.

It's the birthday boy, Emma had yet to see the kid, a head filled with blonde hair and bright green eyes. "Pawty!" he exclaimed.

"Neal, my boy, what are you doing here?" He asked.

"Mama said to come get you. But then I got lost." He explained, voice with that sweetness children have at that point.

"Auntie. I fount you." Said a second voice, Emma turned seeing Henry and the princess. He looked towards the sorcerer. "I remember you." He said suddenly. This is the man that helped them take away Moma." Eyes wide. The princess grabbed his hand, giving him a comforting look.

Henry really knew how to use his youth to his advantage.

"Yes Henry he is." She breathed, pulling him towards her (and away from the princess, he was her little boy, he wasn't allowed to look at a girl yet)

"Daddy, Henwy found me and bwought me to you!" Neal exclaimed. "He said he wanted you help, you'll help him papa, you a hero!" He said enthusiastically.

The man smiled, looking towards them with contained anger. "Yes. You have my word."

Emma smiled nodding gratefully, a hand on Killian, they had to talk later. She started to lead them away, when Neal started squirming in Rumpelstiltskin's arms, the boy dropped down grabbing Henry's hand.

"Henwy! Violet! You can't leave yet! We haven't even had cake yet!" He squealed. It brought a smile to her face, remembering Henry at that age. Her boy looked at her, pleading. She nodded.

"Once you finish your cake, we'll be leaving." She warned him, in other words, slip away as soon as possible.

The three ran out into the ball room, leaving it to be the adults again. Rumpelstiltskin nodded and Emma quickly took her sailor back to the ball room, dropping her touch as soon as they were out. Rumpelstiltskin moved past them towards Belle's side, he kissed the brunette's cheek..

"Is that his wife?" Killian asked in a near snap. She would have snapped back, but she could see how tense and frustrated Killian was already, he needed to calm down. He was trembling in anger and pain. She placed her hand over his flinched fist.

"Yes." Emma said, voice expressionless. "Her name is Belle, most annoying woman I've ever had the displeasure of meeting, can't believe she's a librarian." Emma muttered, recalling her earlier conversation.

"Hmm." Killian muttered before sighing and turning to her, dropping whatever thought he had in his head. "I can assume that you are mad at me." Killian whispered in her ear, getting closer to her. She pulled away. She didn't, couldn't risk burning him again. She couldn't believe that she had done that, to Killian, how could she have hurt Killian and not even know it?

"That you lied to me? That I had burned you and you didn't tell me? That you knew the sorcerer?" She hissed back, pushing his hands away from her.

"In my defense, he wasn't a sorcerer when I knew him." Killian reminded her. "As for the burn, I knew you would act like this. I honestly thought it would heal and you' never have to know."

She huffed in annoyance, ready to reply when she heard horns, announcement horns. She felt a chill in the air, a familiar chill, the chill of magic.

Dark magic.

Feelings surged through her, rage, anger, vengeance as well as fear, hurt and the desire to run.

She grabbed a hold of Killian in reflex, burying her face in his chest, holding onto him like a lifeline as well as a way to keep anyone from seeing her face. He seemed surprised, but didn't hesitate, to pull her closer and kiss her on the head, asking what the matter was.

"Please don't tell me…" She whispered. "They can't be…"

"Now announcing Queen Snow and her loyal Huntsman!"

It was.

Omg. I just watched that last episode...and the promo...at least 10 times (the promo, not the episode)

Omg...it broke me. Omg...Killian. Next episode...I need the week to fly by. Like seriously.

This chapter has a whole other slew of problems and revelations for our poor Killian,

(but I still can't get over the episode so...)

Evil Queen Snow makes her first appearance! Yay!

Guest reviews:

andria: Yeah, I was planning that from day one, and am glad that regardless of my clues, it was a surprise. More surprises to come I assure you. We're in for a bumpy ride. But nothing comes easy to this ship, makes the adventure fun!

Guest: Emma will find out...eventually. Hope you liked her entrance, tried to base it as much as I could on Regina's entrance. Hope you liked Rumplestiltskin.

Rumple was REALLY hard to write, since he's a villain and has his greed as one of his main character traits, but at the same time, he's a hero here,so...

Anyway, I'm about to rant furiously on both episodes...Doubt dose of my opinion. Skip if you want, skip if you haven't seen Souls of the Departed and Labor of Love.

Ok.

And now I shall vent about both episodes.

5x12:

Regina solving some of the family issues she had was really sweet and well needed. It sort of is like a new start for her, and Robin and Henry and Roland and the unnamed child. (I hope she gets a name before she starts walking) Emma was so sad the entire time, especially when she saw Killian all battered. I think once enough souls pass on, and the clock reaches a certain point, something important is going to happen. That's my guess. Cora turned to a miller again! That was great! Perfect Hell for someone so terrible. So ironic. I guess thats the last we'll see of her minus flashbacks.

5x13:

Omg Killllian!

That scene in the jail, "When you love someone, you just know." It killed me. Seriously, the feels. I loved it. He looks so hurt, I just can't wait for the reunion, its going to be great! Hercules and Snow was adorable, simply adorable. Even though Snowing is so Canon that any thought of them apart burns this shipper's soul, that little kiddy romance was perfect. It does make me think we'll see that spot over the fire alot as people move on. Its like Heaven's junction point as far as I can tell, I was sort of upset that Meg and Hercules didn't have the sort of romance relationship that I expected, Meg seemed like a damsel, and she was the one female of that era who...wasn't.

But Hades, omg such an awesome villain, I hate him, but love how evil he is. I thought Zelena was bad but this is so much worse. The whole creepy thing with the grave stones was awful, poor Killian. We all know he isn't going to pick anyone, and that's not going to be good. But Emma's going to save him. That I'm sure of. She has to. Rumple...I hope he doesn't mess everything up. I honestly don't think he will, I think they're trying to redeem him...slowly.

Is it next Sunday yet?

Please?

~Luna