Chapter 10

Reflection

Alright so a friend of mine helped me figure out what to do with the rest of he fanfic yay! and i got so excited that i wrote the next chapter this very same day! i know its been a long time and i apologize but i have been stressing over this and could NOT think of a way to continue without help so shoutout to my friend Anna lol

Appearing in the woods, Anya was lost glancing around in a panic. Wherever she was, it had to be somewhere she'd been before, or somewhere she was set on, as was the extent of teleportation magic, and in her frustration she hadn't thought before teleporting. She slowed to a stop as she spotted a cottage, its walls old and door rotten, having fallen off its hinges ages ago.

Her heart slowed, sadness over taking her as she recognized the cottage from her childhood, the bones of the guard still at the door where she'd ripped his heart out. Stepping gingerly over the remains she made her way inside, taking a seat on an elk chair and setting the music box on a seemingly unsteady table. She stared at it in silence for a long time before finally setting it to play, its gentle lullaby lingering lightly in the dusty air. She was a fugitive now...and she wasn't quite sure what to do about it. Where was she to go? The only homes she'd ever known were destroyed. The only family dead and even if by some chance there was someone who'd survived she doubted they would recognize her, she was no longer the carefree child of her youth, and the mother she had left...she was dead to her. Knowing the evil queen I am sure she will want my head on a stake. She thought sadly, choking back tears. She was completely alone.

Regina had always talked about the possibility of a power stronger than magic, a pre-determined role they each played, and at that exact moment, Anya could do nothing but pray to it. If there really was a fate, a destiny, then why was she getting screwed over? If there really was a fate, and that was a big if, then it needed to prove itself and it needed to help her right then.

"Send me a sign! A hint, anything!" she called out, into the empty cabin, screaming out her frustrations to the dust and mice.

"Hello?" came a response not even a moment later, catching the girl off guard as her head swirled towards the entrance, finding an older woman in a blue dress and light hair awaiting her attention. Anya could only stare for a moment, the final notes of the music box dying through the air. Once the surprise settled Anya struggled for the words to speak.

"Who are you?"

Laughing the woman didn't answer, merely answering in question.

"More importantly is who you are...Anastasia." Anya tensed, ready to fling this woman into oblivion if she decided to attack. Anya wasn't going to take shit from anybody, not after a lifetime of being the evil queen's pet.

"How do you know who I am?"

"I know many things. I know you and Rumpelstiltskin, I know what Regina did to you and I can help you get her back."

"How?" Anya demanded, abandoning hope of an answer. "When I faced her I was horribly outmatched...I can't beat her."

"You're right, you can't, but you are grand duchess Anastasia, last of the royal bloodline and rightful heir to the throne...you may be weak but your kingdom is strong." Anya was silent, staring at this woman in utter awe. What she was proposing was preposterous. Take back her throne? No one would believe she was the grand duchess and she couldn't prove it. Her reputation wasn't going to help much either. How would she even get into the castle?

No, Anya you cannot possibly be thinking about this...it's crazy! She screamed silently to herself, yet found her emotions numb. She had nothing left to lose if she failed.

"The Stewart of your kingdom has become pompous and arrogant, far too high strung for his own good. He bathes in wealth while his subjects starve. What right does a ruler like that hold to a throne that is rightfully yours? He's smearing your birthright through the mud." The woman had long since stepped closer, her voice almost hypnotic to the impressionable girl, leaving her listening, hanging onto every word...she was right. Anya could take that country...build up its army and take down the evil queen. She wouldn't be a traitor...she'd be a hero.

Anya raised her gaze silently to the woman, a glint of determination shimmering in her eyes.

"What do I have to do?"