To whom it belongs
Chapter 6
The door to the storm cellar swung open. For the first time in what felt like forever, Rumplestiltkin could finally see the stars. He hadn't been out of his cage for days and he was beginning to go mad—well more mad than usual. However, he knew this feeling would be short lived.
The Wicked Witch walked down the stairs and stood in front of the cage. Her monkey minion flew down behind her and perched atop a barrel. Zelena had Rumple's dagger in her hands. She enjoyed taunting him with it. It was a reminder that even those who have the most power are never necessarily the ones in power.
"What do you want, dearie?" he spat the last word. With each passing day he hated his captor more and more.
"Oh pretty one, I'm just passing the time."
She slowly paced back and forth in front of the cage, twiddling the dagger against her finger.
"Well," she stopped walking and turned to face her prisoner, "it won't be long now before Regina finds the final ingredient for my curse. You know, the one you so kindly hid from me."
"All for good reason I assure you," Rumple grinned. "You are aware that she won't let you have it? She will destroy it, and you, the first chance she gets."
"Yes, but if she does that, then poor Henry will die," Zelena pouted, pretending that the idea saddened her.
"She'll find a way around that. She's clever that one," he looked up, mischief in his eyes, "More clever than you."
If there was anything Zelena hated more than losing, it was being told that she paled in comparison to Regina. All those years of trying to prove herself to Rumple, that she was strong enough to cast the curse. All that time after being rejected, thinking about what made her sister better than her. All of this was enough to make anyone green with envy and hungry for revenge.
"It's always about Regina isn't it?" she asked, her voice rising. "She's always going to be the special one isn't she? Well no matter. It doesn't matter whether she does what I ask. If she can't find what I'm looking for then there are other ways to get it. Now Belle on the other hand—"
Rumple reached his hands through the cage. He tried to reach her, to get his hands on her or his dagger but she was just out of reach.
"Tsk tsk Dark One," she brought the dagger towards him causing him to retreat back into the cage. "We shouldn't let our feelings get in our way. Love is weakness after all."
"And how would you know anything about that?"
She smiled softly. He thought his words would hurt her but she had gotten used to these jabs. The good-guy types were always so predictable, always going on about love and friendship. It was becoming a game for her, to see how many times they talked about these clichés.
Zelena let out a sigh. "Never the less Rumple, I did not come here to talk to you about your little librarian. I need you to use those psychic powers of yours. I'd like to see if the investment I made will pay off."
"Investment?"
"Oh," she scrunched her nose, "just a little matter of the heart."
Her pet screeched as she opened the cage door. He too was getting excited for what would unfold.
"Don't you think about refusing. As long as I have your dagger, resistance is futile." She pressed the blade against his face for good measure.
Rumple knew she was right so he pressed his palms against her temples.
"Visualize who or want you want to know about and I will try to show you what the future holds. Be warned, it will not tickle."
Zelena cried out.
Killian Jones paced the floor of what appeared to be someone's room. It was filled with treasures known only to the Enchanted Forest. He stopped to admire a Lieutenant figurine. It reminded him of his time spent with his brother, Liam. After returning it to its home, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. He had shed his pirate clothes and eyeliner for a more formal attire. Dressed in golds and reds he was hardly recognizable.
The door opened and Killian turned to face the princess he was awaiting.
"Emma, you look beautiful."
Emma blushed. She was wearing a gown made of the finest silk her family could afford. She crossed the floor to stand face to face with her admirer.
"You look quite handsome yourself, Killian."
Killian pulled her in close. She laughed.
"I think we should break that dress in."
Before she could ask what he meant, he had picked her up and swung her around in the air. As they spun, her dress sparkled. She couldn't stop laughing.
Killian put her down. "Now wasn't that fun?"
She playfully hit him on the arm before walking to the mirror to fix her hair. It had taken hours and she had to look her best for the ball.
"You still look beautiful, love."
With his left hand Killian pushed back a loose strand of hair from her face and towards her back. His hook was gone. He kissed Emma's neck lightly, causing her to shiver. She spun around and smiled. Grabbing that same hand, Emma pulled him towards the door.
"Come on, we don't want to be late."