Chapter 42

Danni sat down as close to the tent as should could. She was trying to be seen. She wanted to be chosen for guard duty. She wanted to get as close to Dedrick as she could and then she would make a plan on what to do further. From what she could see, she knew that Dedrick was unhappy with something big. She just wanted to know what that something big was. She tried to listen in, but she couldn't really hear what he was yelling about in his tent.

The shouting stopped. Danni tried not to look too interested when she saw a cloaked figure leave the command tent. She could tell by the movements that it was a woman. The cloak around her was green and velvet. It reminded her of something. The longer that she stared at the woman, the more she felt like she knew her from somewhere back on Earth or the "Real World," but she just couldn't place her. Her dark eyes followed the woman until there was a guard in front of her.

"YOU!" he shouted in her face.

"Yes?"

"You're on duty next. Get ready and head up to see Lord Dedrick. Move!" the guard commanded.

She dropped her eyes and nodded in recognition that she wasn't a higher rank. This seemed to appease the guard for her blatant staring earlier. She nodded as she picked up the sword beside her and started moving towards the command tent. Her ruse had worked. She wasn't sure if Dedrick would recognize her or if he would realize that she had magic as well. She would deal with that when the time came.

"Reporting for guard duty," Danni told the guards standing before the tent.

"Stand over there and wait for your partner. Don't speak. Don't look at Lord Dedrick. If he needs something, he'll address you as Guard. Understand?"

She nodded her head and took up position where she'd been told to be. She was closer to the tent than she thought she'd be. She gave a quick smirk and then dropped it before anyone else could see it. She didn't want anyone to know what she was doing. She knew that she had to keep herself on guard and her intentions on the down low, but she wasn't sure that she wouldn't react if Dedrick did something extremely threatening while she was nearby.

"Fancy meeting you here," Drea said as she took up the other guard's position.

"How'd you get picked?"

"Wrong place at the right time," Drea answered.

"Could be worse."

"How so?"

"You could be out there with all of them," Danni replied.

Drea looked out at all the men. Danni was right. They had the better assignment for the time being. She would gladly be where she was then dealing with the masses. It was easier to be near the thing you hated than to fight amongst everyone about it.

"True."

Danni kept looking around at everyone as they passed by. No one seemed to show any rank. She began to wonder if Dedrick did that on purpose. If no one among them knew who was in charge besides Dedrick and a select few that stayed away from the men, then he could command them more easily. But, that wouldn't be true. He would breed more chaos. They wouldn't know how to look to for information and guidance. They would blindly go into battle. And, then it clicked. He was keeping them off guard on purpose. While he seemed to be idiot in some things, Dedrick was very smart.

But, Danni could tell that his plans were unraveling. She wasn't sure if that was because of what Regina was doing back in the Winterlands or if it was just falling apart. Frankly, she didn't care. She was there to make sure that he failed and the less bloodshed that could happen the better.

"Do you think that he'll actually attack Midas?" Drea asked her.

"Right now, I wouldn't put anything passed him. But, I don't know. I am not him and I am not sure I fully understand what is motivating this campaign of his. I'm just here like everyone else at this point."

"What are we going to do?"

"Be good little soldiers and wait. I am sure that Regina has something up her sleeves. She'll make herself known soon enough. Until then, we wait and then we fight and we fight back," Danni replied.

She smiled as she conjured a small blue bird. She watched as it took flight. She knew that bird carried a message, but she doubted that anyone else did. She turned at looked a Drea. She hadn't been paying attention, so Danni wasn't afraid of getting caught. What Danni didn't see was the sorceress watching her from her hidden tent not too far away and smiling at Danni's actions, but wondering how she was using magic without her knowing and it actually working.

Regina and Rachel were in the courtyard. They were watching the Rocs as they trained with the soldiers. They were practicing defensive maneuvers. Rachel was in awe of their gracefulness. Regina was amused at Rachel's amazement. She always did like it when people that didn't grow up seeing magical things saw them for the first time. There was an innocence to it that she couldn't explain and that was why she liked it so much. She smiled when Rachel turned to her with a giant grin on her face.

"I am supposed to name them all?" Rachel asked her.

"Over time, I am sure, Rachel. Don't worry about it too much right now. But, yes, as the reigning Queen of Vulcannon, it is up to you to name them all."

"That is going to be a daunting task," Rachel replied.

"Just remember that you naming them is considered an honor."

Rachel shook her head in affirmation as she watched them above her. They were doing complex swoops and dives. She saw it as a dance, perfectly choreographed and deadly. She could admire the complexity of it while seeing the offensiveness and defense tactics that the Rocs would use in an airborne battle.

"Regina?"

"Yes, Rachel?"

"Are the Rocs going to fight for us?"

"I don't know...yet. It depends on what we find out. I believe that Danni is trying to find a way to do this peacefully. She doesn't want a war and neither do I. I don't want them to fight, but they might. It depends on Danni's mission. I am hoping that it doesn't come to that. I am hoping that whatever Dedrick has planned doesn't come to fruition. But, I am sure that we will be ready. The Rocs are our allies. And, we have more that are ready to fight with us. They are all waiting for word from me. I hope that Danni contacts us soon," Regina stated.

Rachel understood what she was saying. They didn't want to fight, but they would if it came to that. Rachel didn't want to fight either. She wasn't a fighter. She was a singer. She was trying to understand this world, but she couldn't fully. This was a world of stories and fantasy to her, but then again it wasn't. Their were fantastic beasts and magical beings that had been nothing but talk and stories. She'd now met them. She also was staying in the castle of the former Evil Queen.

"So do I," Rachel said as she moved around the courtyard just watching the Rocs.

Emma came back into the courtyard with the knights. Rachel and Regina could see that they weren't normal troops, but more of Emma's elites. They were the best of the best in the Winterlands. They were changed in multiple disciplines and weapons. They could fight a foot, riding a horse, and they were learning to fight in the air. Emma was proud of the soldiers. They were learning quickly and were adept at adapting to the changing landscape of the Enchanted Forest. She rode her horse over to where Regina was standing and she watched the Rocs continued their practice.

In the midst of all the flying, a small bird made its way through them all. Regina and Rachel saw it. Rachel moved back towards Regina and saw Emma doing the same. Regina watched the bird's flight as it looked around the humans in the courtyard and then zeroed in on her. She cocked an eyebrow as it flew down towards her. She extended her arm and let it land, waiting for the bird to give her its message. It hopped around and then sat perfectly in the palm of her hand.

Regina looked at it quizzically. It hadn't moved since it sat down in the palm of her hand. Emma and Rachel were looking at it as well.

"Is it from Mom?" Emma asked.

"No, if it was, it would be blue. This one is black and is magical. I don't know what to do to make it give me the message it is carrying. I am not sure who it is from, but I'm hoping it is from Danni," Regina answered.

Rachel smiled. She knew what it was without knowing. She started singing a tune and the bird faded into some rolled parchments in Regina's hand.

"How did you know?" Regina questioned.

"Danni used to leave me files to read on the computer with voice passwords. She would make me sing to get them open. And, I was the only one that could do it. I took a chance that she did the same thing with this. She knew that I would be close to you here at the castle," Rachel explained.

"And, she knows you love to sing as well," Emma added with a smirk.

Regina unrolled the scrolls and began to read them out loud:

Hello Moms and Rachel.

I know that you have to be together in order to read this. I used a magical lock on purpose. I hope that this finds you well. I have gotten inside Dedrick's camp. Don't worry too much. Nicola and Will have eyes on me and I know because I can feel them. I can't see much past the camp, but we are inside of Midas' kingdom, near his capital. He is no longer cooperating with Dedrick. This has lead to much anger and a very loud temper tamptrom. He has someone with a lot of magical power working for him, but they are cloaked. I haven't found them, but I am trying. I'm trying to limit my magic usage because I don't want his sorceress to figure out that I have magic. I've honestly on cast one spell and that was to find out who amongst his ranks actually believed in his ideology against magic. There are few. Most of those that are here were taken against their wills and cannot leave. Once you are in camp, you are magically bound to it. There is no escape from him but death. He seems to be hell bent on destroying magic no matter the cost, including his life. I am not sure what delusion is driving him, but I'm trying to find out. I've managed to get myself assigned to a platoon of sorts and on guard duty near him, protecting his personal tent. I'll send more word when I can. For now, gather the troops and rally our allies. Hopefully I can broker a peace.

Love to you all, Danielle Coraline French

"Well, that was to the point, in a round about way," Emma replied.

"That's Danni for you," Rachel added. "So, what do we do now? Continue training with the Rocs?"

"Yes, that is exactly what we do. She is telling us that she needs more time. I'll speak with our allies in the Room of Mirrors. I'll see what we can do. Maybe we could pressure him from the outside. But, it is good to hear that Midas has broken ties with him," Regina stated.

"It is. Go. We'll watch them. I am sure that Rachel is enjoying the show while thinking of names for them all," Emma said.

"Oh, don't remind me," Rachel whined as she playfully shoved at Emma.

"Be good the both of you. I'll send Quinn and Santana out. I'm sure they'll want to spar this afternoon," Regina told them.

"What about Brittany?"

"I want her with me in the Hall of Mirrors. She can read people. I'll be smart about it. I'll keep her to the side and out of the line of sight of anyone but me. I'll also make it so I'm the only one that hears her talking to me," Regina explained, reassuring them both.

Rachel and Emma both nodded as Regina turned and walked back into the castle proper. They knew that rough times were coming. And, they all hoped that Danni would be able to stop this war before it actually started completely.

Belle sat by Ruby's bed. Brittany was in the room with her, but far enough away to give her some much needed privacy. In her hands was a book on the histories of the royal houses of the Enchanted Forest. She was learning a lot. It also taught her how much respect that she should have for her friend. She was the descendant of many royal houses, from both sides. She smiled at the thought because she knew that no matter how much she tried to be normal, Danni never was. She wasn't born to be. She looked at Belle then.

Belle wasn't meant to lead a normal life either. The daughter of a nobleman, she gave up that right when she decided to sacrifice herself for her people. Her sacrifice was to go live and work for Rumple. It wasn't a hard life, but she learned a lot about magic and the Enchanted Forest from the books that he kept. Books that were now in Regina's library at Belle's insistence. She knew that it was something about some of them falling into the wrong hands and how bad that would be. She hadn't found that section yet and she doubted that she would. She wasn't worried about it, though. She knew that Belle and Regina had it under control. As long they did, she wouldn't think about it too much.

She watched the blonde as she sat with Ruby. They were a pair, similar to herself and Santana. Light and Dark. She giggled a little when she thought about it. Belle and Ruby. Emma and Regina. Quinn and Rachel. She and Santana. Danni and Will, in their own way. They were all a representation of light and dark, peace and violence. They were the yin to each other's yang. They were balanced and they worked because of it.

"She'll wake soon," Brittany said breaking their silence.

"You think so?" Belle asked her.

"She will. The pups are ready to be born and she is ready to fight. She can't fight still pregnant and she knows it."

"She's been out of it for a long time. Will she be ready? What about the pups?"

"They are ready. They can't wait for you to hold them. But, she knows that she has to wait for them to come. She isn't trying to rush things. But, she wants to be Danni's side if it comes to fighting."

"She wants to make up for not being there for Regina and Danni when she was younger," Belle replied.

"There is that, but she swore to protect her. Dark One or not, Danni has many protectors in this castle and they are all ready to lay down their lives for her. They know that she won't ask for that and that she can handle herself, but that doesn't stop them from wanting to help her. She is her mothers' daughter and she has earned the respect that is bestowed on her, whether she believes that or not," Brittany stated.

"Oh, don't I know that."

"Are you ready for the pups?"

"I am. I am ready to have my family together and whole again. As much as Danielle tries to hide the fact that she is Ruby's daughter because the Wolves don't accept her for not phasing yet, she needs Ruby as much as I do. We are lost without her with us. I know that she is here with us physically, Brittany, but still isn't with me. I can touch her, but I can't touch her. I can talk to her, but she doesn't talk with me. She is here, but she isn't," Belle explained.

"I've tried to help with that, though."

"You have, Brittany and I am grateful for that, but it honestly isn't the same."

"Do you want me to leave you alone with her?"

"Not yet, if you don't mind," Belle told her.

"I don't," Brittany answered as she leaned back in her chair and waited for something else to happen.

Belle nodded. They sat there in the quiet and just enjoyed it. There was nothing else that needed to be done. They were just enjoying each other's company. Brittany was learning more and more about the quiet librarian and the wolf.

Regina came in moments later. Brittany could feel her coming, but didn't see the need to interrupt Belle's vigil. She knew that Regina was coming for her and that it was for something with bearing on the possible war with Dedrick. Brittany had been trying to get through the fog of magic to get a read on him to no avail. Regina hadn't been upset. She was frustrated. She wanted Danni back and this to be over with.

"Sorry to bother you both, but I need Brittany for awhile. Do you mind, Belle? It's important," Regina said breaking their thoughts.

"No, it's fine," Belle answered.

Brittany quickly looked at her. She could feel the worry coming from the other woman, but she couldn't see it. She knew that Belle was keeping a brave face when it came to Ruby. And, she realized that she couldn't blame Belle for journeying to New York to find Danni. She was trying to save her wife. It just turned out that she might be saving the entire realm and many kingdoms. Belle might be helping to rewrite the story of the Dark One. But, first she wanted to have Ruby back in her arms.

"I'll be back as soon as I can, Belle. You'll see. Things will be find soon. I promise," Brittany told her.

"You can't promise that, Britt. No one really can. But, thank you for trying. Now, go. I am sure that whatever Regina needs you for is important."

Brittany nodded and followed Regina out of the room and down the hall. Belle sighed when they were gone. Looking longingly over at her mate, she began to wonder if Ruby really would wake. She understood part of the reasoning for Ruby's coma, but then again, she didn't. The Wolf was pregnant with her pups, not dying. Belle was human. She'd carried Ruby child with little issue. Sure, Danielle was born only after only two and half months. And, she is far more mature than Remy, her cousin and they were born the same year. She couldn't fathom what was different with the twin pups that Ruby was carrying.

"I love you, Ruby."

"I love you, too," Red whispered from the pallet she was laying on.

Belle's eyes went wide. It was the first words that Ruby had uttered in almost two months. It was the first words that Ruby had said when she'd gone into the coma. Belle wasn't sure if it was reflex or not. She stood up from her chair and leaned closer to Ruby. She looked down hoping to see her blue-hazel eyes open and greeting her. She wasn't disappointed.

"Ruby?"

"Hey there, my mate," Red answered.

Belle felt her eyes beginning to water. She couldn't be happier at the moment. Red had woken up and she was talking to her.

"You're awake."

"I am."

"You're awake!"

"I know."

"Why now?"

"It's time," Red told her.

"Time for what?"

"The pups. It's time. I'm going to be going into labor soon."

Belle started for the door. She needed to get Regina. She was going to need help delivering the pups. Her hand was still on the door handle when she heard Ruby address her again.

"Stay with me, Belle. Regina will be back in time. I'm sure that Brittany will let her know, but she has some things that she needs to take care of right now. Just talk to me for now."

"I can do that," Belle replied as she moved back across the room and sat down back in the chair that she'd been keeping vigil in for the last few weeks.

"How is Regina?"

"She is frustrated and happy."

"Emma?"

"Glad that Danni is back, but she is worried about what it means for Remy. She doesn't quite understand that they aren't the same. Danni changed the timeline so her past never happened here. Remy is the child that took her place. I guess it is another reason that Remy looks more like Emma than she does Regina. It doesn't change the fact that Emma still loves Danni."

"Regina named her an heir?" Ruby asked.

"In a manner of fashion, yes, she did. But, it was only after much debate between Emma, Regina, Danni and Will. She doesn't want the position. She never did and she recognizes that Henry is still her older brother and he is the heir to the throne. She doesn't want it. And, even though she is the Dark One and could take it, she's never made a play for it and she won't."

"She's going to go back to Storybrooke, isn't she?"

"Yes, she wants to. She can't keep the magic bound anymore. It hurt her too much."

"You gave her Gold's kingdom?"

"I thought about it, but we talked. She thought that Danielle would be a better candidate for it. She is my daughter and not recognized as your pup by the pack. She is still a princess, so it made sense to name her my heir for that throne even though it is the throne of the Dark One," Belle explained.

"You've been busy," Ruby teased.

"We all have."

"And, what about Danni's friends? Have they been accepted?"

"They have. You've spoken with Brittany. She's the Empath. And, you've spoken with Santana. She's the Wolf and a Brannonulf by lineage. She's already sworn allegiance to you. So no worries about her. It seems where she is dark, Brittany is light. They are a perfect couple."

"But there is more to it than that," Red replied.

"There is. Rachel is Vulcannonian and the grand-niece of Wilhelmina. That was some drama. Her partner, Quinn is a descendant of the High Elves. And, she is every bit an elf without the pointy ears. She is also best friends with Santana. Those two are trouble together, but Rachel and Brittany balance them out. They all cared for Danni."

"You know why she changed her name, don't you?" Ruby asked her as she started to sit up a little.

"No, I don't."

"She was running from being the Dark One. A new name. A new world. New friends. She tried to forget everything about this place and she bound her magic."

"She cut her heart out," Belle told her.

"Didn't work, did it?"

"No, it didn't."

"And, it won't. Danni was meant to reform the Dark One. She was meant to come back to us. And, she will continue to do it. But, as time passes, she will no longer be protecting us, but the kingdom as a whole. It is good that she fallen in love with a Vulcannonian and Will at that."

"Why?"

"Because they can be old together and still protect the realm. I wouldn't doubt that in a few years the Curse of the Dark One just becomes a myth and the legend of Danni is born. She would do better among the people as a Vulcannonian than being labeled as the Dark One. She knows that."

"Vulcannonians have magic, too," Belle stated.

"I know. So, does most of the magical world. She'll be safer that way. Besides, she has no dagger to control her. She is free of that part of the Curse. She was meant to break it, Belle. She was meant for a lot of things. But, in the same vein as her ancestors, she is a Charming."

"Meaning?"

"She'll always be a hero and a savior to the realms," Red told her.