Chapter 1

Present.

The first rays of the sun shone upon the frost-covered clearing. Insects were buzzing and chirping as a bone-numbing breeze stirred in the tall grass. These cold gusts of wind fell from the nearby mountain, its large and domineering form cast an enormous shadow down upon the surrounding land; obscuring threats and causing black shadowy illusions to meander to and fro. The large ancient oak trees acted as wardens, as they surrounded both the clearing, giving one a sense of safety and obscurity as it provided a pleasant spot of respite for any traveller to rest peacefully.

Yet, the clearing only appeared safe. The tall and frost-covered grasses hid the small creatures within: and the sound of an arrow releasing from the bow was deafening, when released around the clearing.

I sighed and drew my bow, feeling the string touch my cheeks. I held it steady and felt a cold wind brush against my face. Suddenly it felt as if time stood still, the only noise was my breathing, my heart beat and the wind rushing through the forest.

Then I remembered. I remembered why I was living and sleeping in a treehouse, in the Enchanted Forest, and not in a two-story house in Storybrooke with my mum and dad. It had been two years, I was 14 years old when I was forced to run away, but I remember everything as if it was yesterday.

2 years earlier.

Storybrooke is a town in the land without magic, created twice by the Dark Curse and located in Maine. After the final Dark Curse was broken, Storybrooke merged with every other realm of story and Regina became the Queen.15 years later, the realms seemed at peace, with an older, more mature Regina in charge. But in a far corner of the furthest realm, the Dark Kingdom led by Jafar, started amassing an army.

…

Late one night, when all seemed calmed, they attacked. Starting from the dock, the Dark Kingdom's army slid silently into town. Knocking out all who stood in their way, before a very drunk Leroy coming from the White Rabbit, yelled at the top of his lungs.

"WE ARE UNDER ATTACK."

That woke up the residents on the Main Street of the town, who in turn called everyone to wake them up too. That's when the bombs started. The first one hit the Clock Tower. That poor tower it had been through a lot in its lifetime. It still stood as a reminder to all. But now it was in ruins, the roof was lying on the street, and sparks were flying out of the base.

I was watching the chaos from my bedroom window, in the cottage where I lived with my parents. My name is Ellie Swan-Jones, I am the daughter of the Saviour and a pirate.

My parents came running into my room, tears streaming down their faces and grabbed me, and tore me away from the window, into a three way hug.

Robin came running into the bedroom yelling, "Emma, Killian unfortunately they are heading this way. Are they coming for her?"

Emma looked up from the hug. "Oh no. They must be, why my daughter? Why?"

Killian responded, "It's okay Emma. Robin, we need to ask you a favour? Can you get Hope out of here? We will help you by distracting the villains."

Emma hugs Hope. "We will find you Hope. It has to be this way, this way we are giving you your best chance. Just like my mother gave me by placing me in that wardrobe all those years ago. We love you." She hesitantly removed my arms from her waist and cupped my cheeks.

She was cut off by a sudden banging on the door which caused more chaos in the room. Killian was holding the door closed with his utmost strength.

"Listen to me, Hope," my mother said, tears overflowing from her eyes. "You are our daughter, a strong girl. You will be ours and our best Kingdom's hope. I'm sorry it had to be like this. But things will be better. For now, you have to go with Robin and save yourself." She finished as she cried.

"Mum, Dad, I love you!" I said as Robin and I climbed out of the second floor window, and began to repel down the climbing vines and trellis, crying all the way down. We made it to the ground and began to run, leaping over fences and puddles, we just made it to the border of the Enchanted forest, before we heard noises behind us.

"THERE SHE IS. HOPE SWAN-JONES. GET HER" The voices said. Robin stopped and turned to see where they were. She noted that they were gaining on us.

"Hope we are not going to out run them. You have to keep going. I will give you time. Keep running and hide. I will find you. Take my bow and arrows and use your wits and skills to survive, you are ready." She reached around her back, and pulled off her quiver and bow and placed it in my hands. I gripped the handle of the bow with vigour and anger. I flung the quiver over my head and it landed on my back in a second, same with the bow.

"Robin, I don't know If I can do this, without you and mum and dad."

Robin stared at me "You can do it. Please everyone thinks it would be bad for them to get a hold of you. Don't let them. Run faster than ever before and I will find you."

I hugged Robin, and when we let each other go, I turned away and ran. As I got further away into the Enchanted Forest, I heard Robin yell. I turned and hid behind the nearest tree trunk, watching the scene some 30 metres away. The knights had caught up to Robin and had her on her knees, and the last thing I saw before turning away was a sword coming slashing down towards Robin. I sprinted as fast as I could to the river where the wild roots, branches and grass were. I didn't have any idea where to run to, I just knew that I had to run away from this. I could only hope this was just a bad dream. But deep down I knew it wasn't, all I knew for sure was I was coming back.

Present.

I could never forget that horrible night. The night that I started with my parents telling me that everything would be alright. I will never be alright, not without them by my side. I would trade anything just to hear them laugh again. I swear I will never throw any more tantrums or make faces at my mother, when she scolds me. I would do anything to just be able to hug them again. I have been living in the Enchanted forest for just under two years, not knowing if they are alive or dead.

'Don't worry mum and dad. I will find whoever did this to you, to us to this town. I will take revenge, I promise.' I whispered to myself, and I released the arrow. I hit the target perfectly.

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed.