A/N - I could preface this story by apologizing (for the fifty-eighth time) for how infrequtly I update, or making excuses for moving/work/out-of-town guests/vacation, but instead I'll promise that I WILL see this story through to the conclusion so long as I have readers. The good news is the next chapter is in final editing, so it should be up next weekend!

Thanks as always to textbookone for her work as beta. :)

The next few weeks passed in a mundane blur. Emma and Bae developed quiet daily routines; breakfast together, daily activities done on their own and conversation back in the cottage in between the setting of the sun and the time for slumber. Remaining unaccustomed to providing for themselves, trips up the hill to beg assistance were made far more frequently than either would have preferred. Emma made the journey home to visit her parents each week, never quite realizing that the return to the cottage became easier each time. Despite his promises to join her, Bae always found an excuse to stay behind.

Also occurring on a regular basis were Bae's nightmares. Emma had become accustomed to calming him; stumbling out of bed as a matter of routine and then returning to sleep without much fuss. Insofar as she knew, he had no recollection of the incidents. Certainly, they had never spoken of them. She preferred not to dwell on whatever it was that his subconscious might be churning up.

Overall their life together was not uncomfortable. They existed as comrades, working together when necessary but remaining entrenched in their separate lives. Bae remained on the settee - though he and Emma would both swear it had grown by several inches in the weeks since their marriage. His Papa's doing, to be sure. Not unlike the constant replenishment of charcoal and paper at the drawing desk, fresh books on the bookshelf, and the occasional appearance of jewelry, hairbows, and assorted baubles on the dresser in the bedroom. As the weeks passed, Emma's indignant reactions faded into annoyance, then acceptance and finally amusement. With the exception of the art supplies - an easy victory - the gifts served as proof of how poorly her father-in-law knew the duo. Had he spent time listening to them instead of attempting to manage them, he would have known that Emma was not the sort to be swayed by jewelry and Bae was rarely interested in the novels he sent over. Despite that, it was clear that no matter how cantankerous he might act towards them, Rumplestiltskin was making an effort to keep the duo comfortable... even if it was undoubtedly for his own reasons.

And so it was, several weeks after the ball, that Emma announced at breakfast that she'd received a note via carrier pigeon inviting her out to visit Alexandra. As a matter of course, she extended the invitation to Bae, although she knew he wouldn't accept and he knew she wouldn't want him to. Once the breakfast dishes were done - in the end, it did seem that the cottage's magical kitchen only extended as far as replenishment of food - she set out on the horse she'd borrowed so often that she was coming to consider it her own.

Much like our heroes, the queen of hearts and the pirate found themselves falling into a pattern of their own - theirs a bit less formidable and significantly more frustrating. Each day they would arrive in a coastal town and take rooms at the nearest inn. As the afternoon crept on, they'd make a visit to the local tavern, mingling amongst the locals in search of information on the Jolly Roger. Lacking this information, they'd retire to their quarters, waking the next morning to continue moving down the coastline to the next town. Alas, as the weeks wore on they found their search to be fruitless... until that fateful day when their persistence finally paid off.

"Aye," a young fishmonger answered, six pints of ale and an honesty spell under his belt. "I seen a ship matching that description. Due south, perhaps three days' journey - Chesterport, believe it was."

"Cora, darling," Hook hollered across the tavern, slamming a hand down on the table in his excitement, "I do believe we owe this young man a reward!"

The sorceress rose from her spot nearby, moving to stand behind the sailor. "You've found it?" she asked.

"Aye," the pirate replied. "Chesterport."

Cora dropped a single gold coin onto the table and marched towards the front door of the tavern. Over her shoulder she barked at the pirate, stating simply, "Come."

Hook dutifully stood, following her into the courtyard. "He said it's three days' journey. If we leave within the hour-"

"Nonsense. We traveled down the coast as you suggested. Now it's my turn to make the decisions." With that, she lifted her arm, casting forth a swirl of magic that deposited them instantly at the port in question.

Swaying lightly on his feet, Hook frowned at the sudden relocation. "But our things-"

"You won't need them. Isn't this your ship?" Cora asked, gesturing a finger toward the boat that lay in front of them.

"It is indeed!" the pirate cried, a grin spreading across his face.

"Excellent," said Cora, striding towards the ship. "Now to locate the squid ink."

Twenty minutes later, the crew of the Jolly Roger had been set to slumber and summarily tied up. After finishing a final knot, Cora brushed off her hands. She stood awaiting Hook's return, having sent him to canvas the ship. As soon as he appeared above deck, she extended an outstretched hand towards him. "My ink?"

"Ah - not yet, love. The deal was that I get my ship back. Although we've found her, I'd hardly say she's back in my possession. She still has another captain laying claim to her."

Cora's brow furrowed as she thought for a moment. "Very well," she said, waving her hand and lifting the sleeping spell off of a handful of the crewmen seated nearby.

The men looked around, groggy and confused, one of them finally setting his sights on Cora. Struggling against his binds, he addressed her. "What is the meaning of this?"

"I've brought you a new captain, dear."

The pirate glared at her. "Blackbeard's been our captain for nigh on two decades!"

"And which of you, pray tell, is the famed Blackbeard?" Cora asked, scanning the crew for the captain. A dark-haired pirate caught her gaze, challenging her stare.

"It is I."

"And you lay claim to the Jolly Roger?"

"I do."

"And you, crew, you lay allegiance to this so-called captain?"

A cheer went up from the various mates and deckhands, affirming her question. "Pity," she replied. "As I already told you, The Jolly Roger will be assuming a new captain. Perhaps she will need a new crew as well."

"Over my dead body," Blackbeard spat back. "This is my vessel!"

"Very well," Cora replied, patience for the argument spent before it had even begun. She heaved an annoyed sigh, waving her hand and leaving a cloud of purple smoke to tumble off of it. When it cleared, a crow sat amongst the loosely coiled ropes that had once held the Jolly Roger's captain. "Blackbeard? Perhaps he'll prefer life as a black bird." Chuckling at her own joke, she turned to the crew and gestured at the recently transfigured captain. "Now, crew, let me ask you again. How many of you lay allegiance to Blackbeard?"

A murmur spread through the crowd, notes of shock and dismay peppering the whispers of the sailors. But no voices rang out, leaving Cora to continue. "Very well," she said. "Hook shall once again be captain of this vessel." Turning her attention to the newly appointed captain, she continued. "Assuming he fulfils his end of the bargain, of course."

"Indeed," he replied, rolling his arm in a partial bow. "A noble pirate always fulfils his debts."

"Then get to it," Cora snapped, causing him to scurry below decks. The crew sat in their binds, discomfort spreading through the ranks as they watched the sorceress pace across the deck. It was perhaps ten minutes later when their new captain reemerged, a triumphant grin spread across his face. In his hand he cradled a glass bottle, murky liquid splashing against the stopper as he climbed the last few steps.

"M'lady," he said, repeating his mock bow as he extended his hand.

Cora took the vial from him, examining it before mirroring the triumph in his grin. "Excellent," she said. Looking at Hook, she raised an eyebrow. "Let's get on with it then!"

"Would you kindly release my crew?" he asked.

Cora snapped her fingers, waking the last of the men and unfurling their binds. Despite their freedom, their eyes darted back and forth between the captain who had assumed command of them and the sorceress who seemed to outrank him, even on his own ship. They sat uncertainly, awaiting a command lest they meet the same fate as their former captain.

Finally Hook addressed them. "Well? You heard the woman. Set sail for Northpass!"

"Aye aye," came the chorus as the crew scurried about, unfurling sails, untying the moorings and raising the anchor.

Cora watched the action, satisfied, and in a matter of minutes the ship was ready to shove off. Hook gave the order and the Jolly Roger - complete with its new crow atop the mast - set sail for the Northern Kingdom. With a satisfied smile, Hook turned to Cora. "We should arrive by morning."

"Excellent," she replied, sea breeze whipping through her hair. "Then tomorrow is when we liberate my daughter."

Emma blew through the door, breathless, as the last rays of the sun disappeared over the horizon. Bae looked up from his perch on the couch, where he sat thumbing through the book she'd finally finished the week prior. Meeting her eyes, he shook his head.

"Made it!" she declared, grinning.

"Yeah... this time. You cut it closer and closer. One of these days you're gonna hit nightfall and it'll be a snail's life for you."

Emma rolled her eyes. "Not funny."

"And what about that poor horse?" he continued, a glimmer in his eye. "I'm amazed he hasn't come up lame from the way you push him!"

"The horse is always walked out and groomed properly. Matter of fact, he's the reason I'm late tonight."

"Oh?" Bae raised an eyebrow.

"Burrs in his tail. Silly fellow decided a little off-trail adventure would be a wise idea. I objected, of course, but not before he'd created a bit of extra grooming for me."

He bit back a laugh. "Perhaps he was in search of a less demanding mistress."

She rolled her eyes. "Very funny." Kicking off her boots, she continued. "If you ask me, he frolics with joy at actually being ridden. Poor chap, been stuck in the stable of this creepy castle for the better part of his life. I don't even know why your father keeps horses. He never rides them."

Bae shrugged again. "Status? Acquired in a deal? Premonition that he'd someday host a restless princess in need of transportation?"

Snorting, Emma flopped herself onto her favorite chair. "Probably."

Bae put the book on the end table, using its spine to move aside the candle that had taken up residence there. He leaned back, crossing his legs at the ankles, and gave Emma his full attention as he eased up on the teasing. "So how did your visit with Alexandra go?"

She brightened. "Very well! I've missed that silly girl so much. Somehow managed to keep her distracted by trivial things - they're redecorating parts of the castle, you know, hours worth of conversation there. Made for less prying about my 'new relationship,' which of course she was immensely curious about. 'Tell me about this boy you've married! However did you meet him?'" She shook her head. "The fewer tales I need to spin, the better."

He chuckled. "So very true." A moment passed before his curiosity got the better of him. "And whatever did you end up telling Alexandra about our meeting?"

Emma cracked a lopsided grin. "I told her you were out in the garden at my castle, passing the time while our fathers discussed some business. After spying me riding sidesaddle across the meadow, you fell instantly in love. Came rushing across the meadow, presented me with a crown of daisies and asked if I'd forever be yours. And how could I turn down such an offer?"

Bae gaped, horrified at the byproduct of Emma's peculiar sense of humor. "Crown of- Emma, whatever would possess you? You do know that's the story we'll forever be stuck with now?!"

Emma began laughing, nearly doubling over with amusement. "Come now, Bae, does that story sound much like me?"

"Not in the least!"

"Of course it's not what I told her. Don't be so gullible! Although to be fair I'd considered it, wanting to see how long until she called my bluff - I mean, we met in the fall, daisies aren't even in bloom! But she's been so unlike herself lately I'm not sure she would have caught on at all." She shook her head, disgraced at her friend's lack of perception. "No, the tale I delivered was much more my speed. Clandestine meetings in the butler's pantry, stolen glances across the dinner table, an eleventh hour wedding upon your departure to preserve my parents' honor - and it's just as well. Alex is a bit of a mess at the moment, I fear she would have taken the ridiculous daisy story and run with it."

"That certainly would have been a nightmare," Bae said. As he further considered her statement, the words about her friend jumped out at him. "But - Alexandra a mess? What's wrong with her?"

Emma shrugged. "It's a bit concerning, honestly. She clearly doesn't feel well, just about nodded off during tea. Acts as if it's normal, what with the baby and all. Hard work, apparently. I took my leave so she could nap. She told me she felt like she needed to sleep for a week to even approach feeling human again."

"Goodness!"

"A week - Bae, can you imagine? I'm not sure I've ever felt the need to sleep for a solid day, let alone a full week. I know Alex has a flair for drama, but I'm not sure I've ever approached that level of exhaustion!"

"No, I haven't either," he concurred, somewhat amused by her astonishment. "Poor girl."

"Poor girl indeed." She shook her head. "In any event, she's not at her sharpest. I decided to forgo the humor of the daisy crown lest we get stuck repeating that tale for eternity."

"A wise decision."

"Mmhm. Glad you approve."

He shrugged. "Emma, I think we both know you don't need my approval for anything."

"Fair enough," she said. "Still, better to have it than to start an argument."

Chuckling, he nodded. "I suppose that's true."

The conversation hit a short lull, Emma staring off into space as she worried over her friend's malaise. Snapping out of her reverie, she turned her focus onto Bae. "And how did your day go? Did you end up visiting your father?"

"Unfortunately." He grimaced. "I thought perhaps I could get Clara to mend my cloak without running into him, but I wasn't quite so lucky. Of course he wouldn't allow me to just have it mended... insisted on conjuring up a whole new one."

Emma shrugged. "At least you'll be warm through the winter. I still don't know how you tore that thing clear through the center!"

He threw up his hands in defense. "I caught it on a bush! I told you that already. As if you're one to talk, miss 'I've worn through the soles of my riding boots.'"

"By riding in them, Bae! How do you rip a cape when you never go anywhere?" She shook her head, not giving him room to answer. "You bring up a good point though - I need to figure out what to do about my boots before the weather turns. I'll suppose I'll have to make a trip to the market."

"Tomorrow looks to be clear and on the warmer side. You might take advantage."

She made a face. "That won't work. I've promised my parents a visit. Though I might be able to use that to my advantage and ask Mama for some pocket money." She paused, chewing on her lip. "Perhaps you could join me?"

"Emma..." Bae let out a heavy sigh.

"My mother asks after you often, you know."

He made a face, the argument having played out before. "It's really best if I give you that time with your family. Besides, your father-"

Rolling her eyes, Emma cut him off. "He doesn't hate you!"

"Indeed he does! You know it as well as I do."

She sat forward, scowling at him. "Don't be ridiculous. He just plays the part of the overprotective father. Besides, even if he did harbor some dislike, the best way to change his mind is to give him the opportunity to get to know you."

"It's not wise, Emma."

She rolled her eyes again. "You're being ridiculous."

He folded his arms across his chest in a show of stubbornness that neither quite realized he'd picked up from Emma herself. "You might feel that way, but I disagree. Why don't you ask him tomorrow, see how he feels about extending an invitation to the son-in-law he never wanted? I suspect his response will be less than welcoming."

Emma made a face, tapping her toe as she considered a means to persuade him. "Baelfire, come on. Certainly he's not looking to invite you, but if you'd just give it a chance-"

Bae wrinkled his nose, matching her own sour face as he shook his head. "Your father made a passing effort to welcome me before deciding I wasn't a good match for his daughter. That was made quite clear at the ball. Why toss that in his face, in his own home nonetheless? Perhaps there will come a day when it seems prudent to make the trip with you, but for the moment, it's best you go alone."

She let out an overly dramatic sigh, pairing it with a glare that was more annoyance than anger. "If you insist. But if I have to listen to yet another morning featuring my mother's not-so-subtle line of questioning about you..."

"I'll owe you not only the breakfast preparation but the dishes afterwards as well. I know, Emma, I know." He chuckled, thinking it a small price to pay for avoiding a day's worth of parental judgement.

"And lunch as well!" she cried, swatting him on the shoulder as she headed to the bedroom. "I'll be setting off early, then, and see you in time for supper tomorrow. Good night, Bae!"

"Night, Emma," he replied. Shaking his head, he went about his own nighttime preparations lost in thought. As sweet as it was of her to invite him along, and as much as he hated to refuse her request, he could handle a disappointed princess with far more ease than he could her angry father. The prince would need to extend an olive branch before he even began to consider such a visit.

The ship had docked in Northpass somewhere in the wee hours of the morning - Cora complained of stirring briefly as she heard the dull thud of the wood against the dock. She arose just before sunup, waking the pirate and dragging him ashore with her.

"Time is of the essence," she had told him, though he couldn't quite understand why - after nearly two decades - a few more hours of sleep would cause an issue. Perhaps it was just her impatience speaking.

As soon as they set foot upon the dock, Cora called her magic to them, swirling around and depositing them a short distance from the mines where Rumplestiltskin had been held captive. "The spells that are woven about the cell may radiate beyond it," she told Hook. "I'm unsure of how far out they go, so it's best we go on foot from here. A magical mishap inside the caverns could be quite... unfortunate."

He nodded. "I see." Puzzled, groggy, and still grumpy from the abrupt awakening, he continued. "And you need me on this errand because...?"

"Brute strength," she replied, punctuating her answer with a shrug. "My magic will get me far, but at some point the blockade will render it useless. From there on, getting us past the guards becomes your responsibility."

"Of course it does," he grumbled. "I'm beginning to question the benefits to me in this partnership."

"Aside from the return of your ship and future assistance with defeating the Dark One?"

"Touché."

Together they continued along until they came to a spot at the edge of the mountain. "Stand back," Cora commanded, pulling herself up to her full height and tightening her shoulders in preparation for the spell she was about to cast. Hook did as she asked, walking several paces away from the sorceress. Cora released a blast of magic and quickly he discovered that perhaps he should have asked for clarification on "back." He was tossed off his feet by the explosion as Cora's magic bore a hole into the rock face.

"Come along," she said, nonplussed by the effort. She entered the crater she'd just created, beckoning him over her shoulder and showing no concern for the tumble he'd just endured. Hook shook himself out as he trailed behind, finding Cora a handful of steps ahead of him, allowing her eyes to adjust to the dim lighting. "Keep up, pirate. You'll need to be at the ready when we encounter the guards. I've no way to know how far the effects of the fairy dust reach, and when it kicks in it can cause my magic to be a bit..."

"Ineffective?"

She scowled, offended. "Unpredictable."

Cora led the way as they wound through the caverns, veering right at this passage while continuing on past the next. Hook had asked how Cora knew where to turn, only to have her insult his intelligence and ask what he thought she was doing during the last month while they'd traveled if not to memorize the cave map she'd found in one of Regina's books. As this conversation concluded she stopped short, narrowly avoiding being trampled by her companion. Cocking her head to the side, she motioned at him, pressing herself flat against the wall and indicating that he should do the same. She peered around the corner before waving Hook forward.

"What was that?" he asked.

"Guards. I expected there to be guards," she whispered, a hint of confusion in her voice.

They trudged on another few yards only to have the situation repeat itself again - and again. "There's no guards," she said, stating the obvious in an attempt to clear her confusion. "The schematic listed guards every quarter mile. Where are they?"

"It has been twenty years, love," he replied. "Perhaps after decades without incident they felt the cell's enchantment was sufficient to hold her?"

Cora scoffed at his response, but at a loss for answers she continued moving forwards without a rebuttal. Rounding a final corner, the cell came into sight, and the calculated smile that Hook had come to know so well made its way onto Cora's face. "Finally," she said, rushing forward. As she grasped the bars, she peered inside the shallow cell - only to find it empty.

"Regina?" she called, waiting for an answer. It was to no avail. She looked back at Hook, whose only response was a maddening shrug. Looking back into the cell, she tried again. "REGINA!"

The only reply was the echo of Cora's voice as it resounded throughout the cavern.

"So does Bae head up to see his father when you come to see us?"

The question came out of the blue - though not as a surprise. Emma bit the inside of her cheek to keep from smiling. At least her mother had managed to restrain herself until midday this time. "Not typically, no."

"No? I would have thought he'd... ah, well. So long as he's content, I suppose."

Emma rolled her eyes at her mother's transparency. "You can say it, you know. You wish he'd come around sometimes. I know you're curious - but he insists that my visits should be 'family time.' I'd probably have an easier time convincing him to join me if Daddy hadn't put the fear of the kingdom into him!"

"But it's my job, dear Emma," came the voice of the Prince as he entered the room, dropping a kiss on his daughter's head before slipping into his own seat at the lunch table. "He needs to know there will be repercussions if he ever lays a hand on you."

"No, he doesn't," Emma retorted. "I am perfectly capable of defending myself from nefarious suitors. Which isn't Bae, anyways! He's not some boy looking to run roughshod over the kingdom - or my heart. He's as trapped as I am, and we're both trying to make the best of it. Which would be far easier if both of our fathers weren't acting completely insane!"

"I fear he'll take advantage of you, Emma!"

"How so? By sleeping on a settee every night, or by handling breakfast so that I don't burn the cottage down?! Really," she said, shaking her head. "You entered me into this situation as an adult, the least you could do is respect my ability to evaluate things - like the fact that the boy you've married me off to is not a threat to my safety or well-being."

Charming scowled. "Watch your tone, young lady."

"Watch my-" Emma looked at her father, slack-jawed. "You must be kidding. You're accusing a boy you hardly know of nefarious intent - and you take issue with my tone?"

"All right, you two, that's enough," Snow said, interrupting their argument. "Charming, Emma's right. We've no reason to speak ill of this boy. He's gone out of his way to show her kindness. And as for you, young lady-" she sent her daughter a pointed look, "-you could try listening to what your father has to say. He's worried for you, and that is his job. Even if you take issue with how he displays it."

"He can worry for me without making poor Bae fear for his life, Mama."

Charming rolled his eyes. "Don't you feel that's a little dramatic? It's not as if I'm calling for a firing squad."

Emma met his gaze, challenging him. "Not when your experience with fathers is based upon the Dark One." To his credit, Charming looked abashed, and a beat passed.

Snow took advantage of the break in the bickering to redirect the conversation. "Charming, let him be. He's a young man who takes his responsibility seriously. Now, tell me, how is Johanna faring?"

He looked at his wife in confusion, blinking a few times as he computed the change in subject. "Better than yesterday, worse than the day prior. I've gotten her all settled with the physician. Once we finish lunch, I'll check in on them."

"Hopefully he has a remedy for the rheumatism that's plaguing her."

"It would be a relief, that's for certain. Emma, dear, could you pass the butter?"

The climb back out of the cavern was far swifter than the descent had been, Cora fueled by her anger and muttering under her breath about "those fools, the Charmings," and how she'd "make them pay." Hook remained quiet; pointing out that Regina was not in the cell had not won him any favors. He found himself thankful that Cora was distracted by far more pressing matters than turning him into an insect, rodent or other undesirable.

Even expediency caused by anger can only reduce a distance by so much, and the sun was beginning to dip in the sky by the time the duo surfaced. "Back to the ship, my queen?" Hook asked, hoping to stall the queen's murderous rage.

"Don't be foolish," she replied with a sneer. "The royals must pay for this. My daughter is missing, and I'd lay stakes that they're involved somehow."

"Of course they are, love."

"I'm going to make them tell me what they've done with my daughter. And then I might just dispense with the whole family! We only need to put some distance between us and this infernal mountain."

They journeyed along for another hour or so until Cora declared that they were free from the risk of any spillover from the spells. She informed Hook that it was best he remain out of sight, maintaining the element of surprise. He braced himself for the swirl of magic that engulfed him, express transportation back to his ship. Cora, meanwhile, made her way directly to the castle of the royals she was so determined to ruin.

"Hopefully the poultice will ease her pain," the physician said, speaking in low tones in the hall outside of his patient's room.

"Let's hope so," Prince Charming said. "If not, we'll have you back out to consider another course of treatment."

"It would be my pleasure."

"Thank you for taking the time to visit," the prince finished, handing a small pouch of coins to the physician.

"No trouble at all," he replied.

"May I walk you out? I'm headed to the front hall myself, actually."

"That would be - oh! I left my bag in her room. Let me grab it. I'll see you there?"

The prince nodded, heading down the stairs, and the physician turned back for his bag. As he left Johanna's room, he caught voices drifting up from the hall below. Upon nearing the top of the stairwell, he heard a yelp of surprise resonate off of the stone walls.

The physician crept forward a few steps, cautious to avoid being spotted, until he was able to just peer down into the hall below. There he was confronted with a strange sight: the prince and princess squaring off with another woman, dressed in clothes not unlike their own, who seemed to have startled them terribly with her arrival.

"My dear, sweet Snow," the woman began, her smile spreading like a poison across her face.

"Cora!" Snow gasped, taken aback at the shock of having the woman appear in a cloud of magic. "Why, how - how lovely to see you!"

"Yes, lovely, isn't it? Why, the last time I saw you, you were but a slip of a thing. And then Regina married your father, and - well. I wasn't around much after that."

Snow drew in a breath, an attempt to maintain her composure. "Regina said you'd taken a trip?"

Cora chuckled. "Is that what she called it? My, Regina has a way for words." She paused, narrowing her eyes before she continued. "Speaking of my daughter... can you tell me where I could find her?"

Snow glanced at Charming, who raised an eyebrow, encouraging her response. "She's no longer here," Snow said, appearing to mentally brace for Cora's response.

"Then where is she?"

"The agreement was that she would be put in exile."

"Exile where?" Cora replied, her icy exterior far more terrifying than a tantrum would have been. "Come now, dear, I'll need a few more details than that."

Snow bit her lip. "I'm - I'm not sure, exactly. We weren't privy to the details."

At this lack of information Cora's patience ran out, and she stepped towards Snow. The princess flinched, backing away. Without missing a stride Cora waved her hand, immobilizing not only Snow White but her prince as well.

At this terrifying turn, the physician evaluated his escape, determining that if he could slip down the hall, he might be able to escape out a back door unnoticed. He kept his eyes fixed on Cora as he crept along, sticking close to the wall. Fortunately for him, he did not hold any interest for the sorceress. Instead, she was taking advantage of the Princess' frozen state, igniting a fireball in her hand and stepping uncomfortably close to her intended victim. "Then who is?" she asked.

He could see the princess gulp just before he ducked around the corner. "The Dark One."

"The Dark One indeed!" the sorceress' voice echoed down the hall behind him. "I'll see to it that he brings her back to me. And then - THEN my dear princess - I shall make you pay. I shall cause you to lose your daughter as you caused me to lose mine! Better yet, I will ensure that the loss happens at Regina's hands. Once I am reunited with my daughter, I will allow her to finally have all that she deserves... beginning with crushing your daughter's heart!"

As he crept along, the physician put the pieces together and realized that the woman in the hall was none other than the mother of the Evil Queen. And she was bent on murdering the heir to the kingdom! Being a man of long memory, he knew her threats were not idle, and he took care to excise himself from her presence immediately. It was but a few steps to the end of the stone corridor, where he scrambled down a set of servants' stairs to his waiting horse outside.

"Thank you, sir. These will be lovely."

The cobbler smiled at Emma, having had his day made when she purchased the most expensive wares he carried. "My pleasure, Miss," he replied, handing her the change. She tucked it into the pocket of her cloak, then turned to tighten the saddlebag that held her new boots. As she did so, a nearby booth caught her eye. Stepping over to look at the artisan's wares, she spotted a paint set and contemplated whether Bae might want to try his hand at a new medium.

"'Allo, Tomas!" The cobbler's cry made Emma look in his direction once more; she smiled at his grin and exuberant wave. It wasn't often that she was able to sneak into the market, but there was a certain bustle and camaraderie there that she loved. As she turned her attention back to the paints in front of her, she caught herself listening in on the men next to her.

"How's business been?" the cobbler asked his friend.

The friend let out a noncommittal hum. "Gettin' by. Today's a good day; the royals had me out to see to a servant whose rheumatism was acting up. For all they tax us, at least they pay well."

Upon realizing that the man to her right was the physician she'd seen earlier, Emma took care to tug her hood more tightly about her head. She turned her body slightly, further hiding her face and enabling her to continue her eavesdropping as the cobbler replied. "That's the truth, ain't it? Any news of note?"

The physician let out a long whistle. "Things are set to get interesting up there. I took my leave before I got caught in the crossfire. Seems the Evil Queen's mother's come back from wherever it is she disappeared to. Cora, I believe they called her. Bellowing on about finding her daughter - exiled by the royals, you know - and how she's going to murder the young princess. Guess she wants to get back at the family for all of the wrongs they've done to hers. Seems to feel killing their daughter's the best way to do that. Shouldn't be hard, unfortunately. Apparently she's some kind of sorceress - wielding fireballs, casting immobility spells, tossing threats about, the whole nine yards. If I were that little princess, I'd be right skittish about the whole thing."

Emma's eyes grew wide, all thoughts of painting supplies vanquished. Skittish was an apt description - terrified even more on point. She'd heard vague allusions to Cora as a child, fleeting memories of conversations overheard when her parents thought she was out of earshot. The gist of the matter seemed to be that however awful the Evil Queen was, her mother was worse - apparently the one who had ignited the feud in the first place.

She shrunk back from the table, grasping blindly for her steed. Thrusting a foot into the stirrup, she flung her other leg over the horse's back and snapped the reins before she'd even gotten fully seated in the saddle. Emma wasn't sure what her plan was, but she hadn't time to stay and listen to the rest of the conversation. If Cora was out for her head, the middle of the marketplace was no place to be. Instinct told her to run home to her parents, but that's where Cora was, making the cottage a better bet. She galloped out of the market, sights set on the mountains that framed the Dark Castle.

A/N - Credit where credit's due, "crown of daisies" is a small homage to a former ship of mine, As The World Turns' Katie & Simon. There are tiny homages to various ships scatted throughout all of my stories, but this one is a bit more blatant than most so I wanted to make sure I gave credit!

Next up: Emma formulates a plan to avoid Cora's muderous rage. Can you guess what it might be?