Title: Vengeance, Sacrifice, and Forgiveness

Author: AoN

Word Count: 5,000

Genre: Drama, Adventure

Rating: PG-13

Feedback: Please and thank you! Let me know what I'm doing right or doing wrong.

Summary: With the Evil Queen's curse weakening and Regina struggling to keep Storybrooke under control, hidden secrets and lies from long ago are beginning to surface – and they want their happily ever after.

Author's Note: ***ATTENTION*** Since the Big Bad Wolf/Red Riding Hood storyline in this fic was started before "Red-Handed" was aired and I did not see that plot twist coming, I'm handling that part of the show differently, but still adding aspects of the episodes.

Chapter Twelve

Snow worried slightly when Red had not shown up with her usual monthly delivery of goods, but she chalked that up to the snow storm. However, when the second day past with still no sign of Red and then on the third, when the thinning runt wolf appeared, Snow worried even more. She had never seen the wolf, unofficially named 'Little One,' without Red around. Something was not right. Snow was aware of the problem Red's village had been experiencing. Had it finally gotten out of hand? Was that why the Little One had shown up?

With the little wolf at her side, Snow had made her way to the village, but she had arrived after nightfall when the entire place had locked itself down. The screeching howls quickly frightened her into hiding in a chicken coop with the Little One to keep her safe, company, and warm. It had been so cold – oh so cold. The hay would not have been enough to keep her warm. Luckily enough, Snow had befriended the strangest little runt who loved to cuddle. It almost made her forget that there had been a bloodthirsty beast roaming about.

The following morning, Red had been a bit confused and a little amused to find the two in the chicken coop, mid egg snatching, but she was glad to see the two of them. She had explained the recent occurrences. Granny had been attacked; the best hunter in the whole village had been strike down which had sent everyone into a worse state of panic. Red had been under Granny's watchful eye ever since. They had all become prisoners of their own homes. It was not safe for them to wander out and it was equally dangerous for the Little One to be spotted among them. After sneaking some food to their wolf friend, the two women hid her away in the hay and blankets for the time being. They would sneak her out after lock down.

It had only taken an afternoon for Snow to realize just how much of a prison Red had been trapped in. It was no way to live, especially for Red, someone so tuned into nature. She was not the only one – the whole village was in the same predicament, Red pointed out. Then she reached a conclusion: they should kill the Big Bad Wolf.

When Snow had agreed, she had assumed that the 'they' Red had mentioned were experienced hunters and trackers, but Snow had quickly learned otherwise when Red specified that the two of them would be heroes – the Little One too. Snow did not know how to respond. Red had taken on the Wolf before and Snow had promised a while ago that she would help. They had soon found themselves sneaking out through Red's window, both armed with bows and arrows, and fetching the Little One before heading into the wilderness where Red was able to witness firsthand how terrible Snow was at tracking.

Although they were on a mission, Red took the time to explain Snow's errors. The tracks she had found belonged to that of a dog, the other a rabbit. Red had used the Little One's paw prints as an example and had pointed out that what they were looking for would have similar tracks, but they would be fairly larger. Not long after the quick tracking lesson, Snow had spotted the prints they had been searching for. The size of a single stride had frightened her – how did Red manage to escape this beast? And the Little One too?

Red would not give Snow the time to contemplate theories over. They were on the trail, they had to move fast. As they followed the tracks that weaved between trees, Red had taken an arrow from her quiver and had readied her bow (Snow had quickly done the same). Their little runt had gone ahead, nose close to the ground as it followed a scent mixed of dander and blood.

When Red and Snow came up behind the Little One, they followed her gaze to a den to which the tracks lead up. Red lowered her weapon and grabbed Snow by the arm. She lead her friend off to the side, away from the beast's possible vision. The little wolf followed.

"This is it," Red stated, her voice shook with excitement. They were moments away from liberating a whole village of people and saving countless lives – humans and livestock alike. They were so close to reaching and obtaining the title of heroes. "It's crucial that everything goes as planned."

"What exactly is the plane, Red?" Snow asked, her eyes trailing back over to the den. She felt her stomach turn over at the sight of the white melting snow tinted with a deep maroon color at its entrance. Frankly, 'kill the Wolf' did not seem like much of a plan, but she was certain Red did not lead them blindly into the forest.

The tracker raised her head, eyes scanning the area above. They were surrounded by tall trees with strong branches; they would provide them with a bit of protection. "We need to get off the ground. It has an advantage on the ground," Red explained, quietly. "Has your shot improved?"

"My shot?" Snow repeated with a frown. "That's the plan? We're going to shoot the beast down? Better hunters have tried and failed, Red."

But Red held out one of their arrows. Snow's eyebrows furrowed in confusion at first before her eyes grew wide at the sight. She had not noticed the tip before and she was not certain how she had missed it either. It was not black like all the arrows she had used in the past while Red was teaching Snow the basics of archery. No, the tip was shiny, reflecting her own distorted image back to her.

"Silver?" Snow asked.

Red nodded. "Deadly to wolves. The hunting parties aren't equip with them – not that it matters. They hunt at night with little visibility. Their shots are terrible," she explained. "The Wolf blends in with the darkness."

"How did you get these?" Snow questioned, looking up at Red for another explanation.

"Peter's a blacksmith," Red answered, placing the arrow back in her quiver. "When Granny was attacked, he gave them to me to better protect her. The Wolf had a taste of her blood, we were certain it would be back for her. That's when the Wolf started coming even closer to the village. Your quiver's full of them too."

"We're going to charge in and fire?"

"We need to get off the ground," Red repeated. She patted the trunk of the nearest tree. "You'll climb this one and I'll be across the way. The Little One will lure the Wolf out when we're both in position and then we fire."

"The Wolf can't climb, can it?"

"Oh, it can," Red responded, an answer Snow had not expected or wanted to hear. "This isn't an ordinary wolf," she pointed out. "But it won't be able to defend itself it it's climbing. It won't stand a chance. Are you ready?"

Snow nodded because she knew her voice would betray her. Red did not need to know how nervous she felt, just that she was willing to help a friend. Red smiled faintly before giving Snow a boost to the nearest branch which she grabbed and pulled herself up. She then was able to scale up the tree with relative ease. It was an activity she had done time and time again when she was younger – it frequently made Lily, who had been too weak to climb, jealous. The thought of the little girl made her heartache even now, years later. Little did she know that the wolf had watched her with the same sense of jealously.

Quietly, Snow watched a hunched Red cross the entrance to the den, still a good distance away. As her friend reached her intended tree, Snow readied her bow and arrow. She had failed to tell Red that her shot did improve some, as long as her target was not moving. Her ability was about to be put to the test. She could hear the Little One shifting on her paws, uneasily. Snow looked down at the small wolf lingering at the bottom of the tree, her eyes locked on the den which Snow's gaze followed. A shadow was emerging from within. Snow, feeling panic start to rise, quickly glanced back over to Red who was standing on her tip toes to reach a low branch.

The Wolf had not been in a deep of a sleep as they had hoped and, if Snow did not do anything, Red would be its next meal. Snow pulled back her bow and released her arrow as a paw stepped into the light.

"Red!" she shouted as the arrow missed.

Snow's shrill caught the attention of both Red and the Wolf. Red immediately dropped to her feet, knowing any other action would be futile. The Wolf lunged and so did the Little One. Snow's shaking hands only caused her aim to become more terrible and her second arrow barely missed the Little One, never mind hitting their actual target, causing her to duck in fright. Granny's arrow had stung; she did not want to also experience Snow's as well.

In the time it took Snow to fetch another arrow, Red had fired off three, hitting her target each time square in the chest. The third caused the beast to stop in its tracks. Both Red and Snow prepared another arrow, both holding their breaths. The Wolf's muzzle scrunched and when it lifted its paw into the air, both arrows were released. Red's pierced through the paw and Snow's struck the creature in the back.

As the Wolf staggered slightly, its beady black eyes locked onto Red's before fading into a soft hazel brown color, causing Red to lower her bow. Its tall stature was shrinking, becoming no taller than a man. As the fur disappeared, so did the canine features that were replaced with those of a human, a familiar human, and Red's eyes grew wide. Her heart jumped into her throat.

Her voice was weak, shaky. "Peter?"

xxxx

The sun had set a long while ago when the sheriff had finally told Ruby she could go home for the day and, upon reaching the bed and breakfast, Ruby sat down on the steps of the porch, unable to bring herself to go inside just yet. Being outside in the fresh cold air offered her a chance to clear her thoughts, something she desperately needed right now.

Her mind was racing. There was no sign of Lucy. She had disappeared into a forest with the Big Bad Wolf and Ruby had no seen her since. Her worries did not stop there. Mary Margaret had gone to the scene of the crime, where Ruby, Emma, and Lucy had encountered the Wolf. When she came back to the station, she reported that David was out there, wandering around and not acting like himself. Emma and Ruby were quickly on it after warning Mary Margaret how dangerous it was to go out there by herself.

It had been Ruby who found David laying on the forest floor. She was glad to discover her tracking abilities had not been lost. They brought him back into town. Emma accompanied David to the hospital and Ruby went back to the office, but she had not stayed long. Emma had sent her to the toll bridge and what she found here… Ruby could not help but shiver at the thought that still made her sick to think about – that box, that heart. Ruby had never seen an actual human heart before.

A sudden whimper coming from her right caught her attention. Even in the dark, Ruby could make out the silhouette of the wolf limping along the side of the house which brought Ruby quickly to her feet. "Lucy?" she called out. She could see the faint glowing red eye – it had to be her.

By the time Lucy reached the lit porch, she was no longer a wolf, but her injuries remained the same. The cut on her cheek stopped bleeding, but the blood stained her cheek, chin, and neck. She was covered in cuts and bruises, aches and pains that only intensified with the transformation. Before she could say anything, her arms involuntary curled into her body. She closed her eyes tightly, grinding her teeth as her legs gave out. AS she fell forward, Ruby stepped up and grabbed her before she could hit the ground.

"Lucy? Hey, Lucy," Ruby called out, shaking her slightly. "Hang on, Little One, okay? Please? I'll take care of you. I got you," she promised.

But Lucy did not hear Ruby at all.

When her eyes fluttered open, Lucy found herself laying on the floor of the Enchanted Forest. It was too bright, too colorful to be Storybrooke. Everything, every little detail, was more vivid with a sense of magic in the air. Lucy sat up quickly, no pain. Her eyebrows furrowed as she realized she was not a four legged creature. If this was the Enchanted Forest, she should have been a wolf, she should not have been human. What was going on?

Lucy looked down at what she was wearing – a blue gown, one that matched her eye color. It resembled the last dress she, Lily, had ever worn, but it was simply more elegant, fitting for a –

"Princess?"

Immediately, Lily looked up. Her eyes grew soft as she frowned at the owner of the voice. She did not know how to response. All she could muster was a very shaky, barely audibly 'you' as the Huntsman extended his hand out to her. Lily took it and pulled herself up, eyes never leaving his. "It's you," she murmured with a nervous laugh.

"The Queen," he warned. "She has your heart."

"She has my what?"

"Your heart," the Huntsman repeated, taking her hand and placing it against her chest.

"What?"

"Shh," he replied. "Listen. Feel."

Lily did not know what the Huntsman was talking about. What did he mean that the Queen had her heart? It was not possible. And what did he want her to listen and feel for? Her heartbeat? Her heartbeat was right –

She looked up at him, her expression mixed of concerned and confusion equally. However, it quickly turned to horror as the memory of the cemetery came back into the light. She remembered being pinned against the wall by an unexplainable force, remembered Regina ripping into her chest and now… now she felt no heartbeat. She heard nothing. Lily soon realized that there had not been a trip to the hospital, no test. Regina knew because there had been no heart to take.

"It doesn't matter who you are. If you go against her, she will end you," the Huntsman stated. "She's killed many, Lily. Me, her own father – your grandfather. If you fight her, you're putting yourself and others in danger."

"And if I do nothing and perish having allowed evil to prevail, I'll vanish from that world with no honor, Brother," Lily pointed out. "Us wolves are supposed to be honorable creatures and I will continue into the next life with my own. Heart or no."

The Huntsman frowned, shaking his head. "I can see the vengeance in your eyes – don't let it consume you," he warned. "We fight for good, to protect." His own eyes shifted slightly to look over her shoulder. Both his expression and demeanor changed causing Lily to turn around. They were no longer in the Enchanted Forest, but in the Queen's study in the presence of her majesty. "Vengeance will turn you as it did her and all your sacrifices will be for nothing," the Huntsman pointed out.

Lily quickly glanced over her shoulder. No one was behind her, she was standing inches away from a wall. She turned her attention back to the Evil Queen who had approached her. Before Lily could say anything, Regina, standing uncomfortably close, held up a beating heart in her hand which commanded Lily's attention. Without any warning, Regina squeezed the beating muscle into dust, summoning a sharp, shrilling pain to erupt from Lily's chest, instantly crippling the woman. As her knees buckled as she fell, Lily grabbed a hold of the Evil Queen's shoulder as she muttered a word that had been foreign to her for years.

"Mother."

Lucy's body jerked as her dream-self hit the floor, awakening her from her slumber. Inhaling sharply, the young woman sat up in the bed she found herself in with a wince from the aches and pains. At the foot of the bed, she found Ruby's upper body curled up, her lowered sitting on the floor. Lucy gazed around the room. She had been in here before, she broke in here for a chance of clothes – something Ruby had now given her willingly. Lucy had really done a number on the previous outfit. She was more than grateful for another pair of jeans and white tank top.

Carefully, Lucy snuck out of bed, doing her best not to wake Ruby. She slipped on the boots she found at the end of the bed along with a flannel shirt and black leather jacket. Ruby was not going to appreciate another disappearing act, but that dream… what the Huntsman said, that vengeance will turn her as it did Regina… Lucy needed fresh air, if only for a couple hours.

xxxx

With each mound of yellow straw that her eyes laid upon in the circular room, the young Regina grew more and more nervous, desperate. The door behind her had been locked and she knew a palace guard was keeping watch. Tears stung her eyes as she recalled the recent events, how her mother placed her in this predicament of which there was no viable way to get out with her life. She had been given just two options that would earn her freedom from the tower and, of the two, only one seemed likely: the window. She could simply jump and fall to her death.

Her other option was to spin – spin the spinning wheel which resided in the middle of the room. She would have to spin the mounds of straw into gold and then she would be able to walk away from all this, but there was one simple problem: Regina was not capable of such a task. Failure meant a life sentence in the dungeon, a fate that would ultimately lead to her death. Clearly, it was a matter of preference. Does she want to go quick or suffer?

The thought caused her to sink to her knees as a tiny sob escaped her. She buried her face into her hands, wondering when and where she had lost control of her life or if she had any of it to begin with. Her mother, Cora, had been vague about the King's summoning, leaving Regina to ponder why he would request an audience with the two of them. Her wildest theories did not compare to the insanity that had been the truth.

It was common knowledge that all the realms were suffering from the Ogre wars and King Leopold's had been no different. His kingdom was collapsing fiscally and he had been seeking a solution. Therefore, when the rumor of a Miller's daughter being able to spin gold caught his attention, he summoned her right away. Little did Regina know that it had been Cora who started this particular rumor and she only heard it for the first time when King Leopold had ordered her away for three nights. The gold she would spin in those three nights would provide the kingdom with enough wealth to last four all time. Regina had not protested or denied her ability; it would have meant instant death for her and her mother.

However, it probably did not matter. Her mother would meet the same end as Regina on the end of the third night. Regina could not help but laugh bitterly at the thought. Cora would find a way to spare herself. Regina, on the other hand, would probably meet the end like Daniel. The very thought of him caused her chest to grow heavy as fresh tears threatened to be released once more.

"There, there, dearie – there's no reason to cry now."

Regina's breath hitched as she gasped in fright at the sudden voice. Her head jerked up to its general direction where she discovered a cloaked figure sitting at the spinning wheel. His skin glistened slightly in the moonlight pooling into the room from the window that had remained undisturbed. How did he get in? She had not heard him enter – had he been hiding in the straw all this time? Regina quickly assumed no. His cloak was straw-free whereas her light blue dress was already covered in the matter by merely sitting in it.

She stood up and took a couple steps back, placing a small amount of distance between herself and the unknown stranger.

"There is also no need to be afraid of me, dearie," he reassured, standing himself. He lowered his hood, revealing his wavy, slightly unkempt hair and his eyes – there was something about his eyes, something not human. "For I am the answers to all your prayers," he added with a short, high pitched laugh which only made Regina scoot back even further.

"I-I…" Regina began, shaking her head in confusion. "Who are you?"

"Hard of hearing, are we?"

"Your name," Regina clarified.

The man smirked. He hilted his head and gave her a small shrug of the shoulders. "Names have a great power over their individuals," he commented. "However, many do refer to me as the Dark One!" he stated theatrically.

Regina felt herself back up into the stone wall. She had no other place to go. "The Dark One," she repeated. Her heart was starting to race out of nerves and fright.

He nodded. "Nothing gets past you, does it, dearie?" he teased. "You're in quite the predicament, aren't you?" he asked, but received no answer. "How will you turn all this straw into gold?"

She did not know how to respond. She had no answer. When this man sensed her uneasiness, he pointed at himself. Regina frowned. "Y-You?" she questioned.

"Me!" he grinned slyly. "Why yes, spinning gold is one of my specialties – an ability you're desperately seeking, aren't you? In return for your freedom?"

"You would do that for me?"

"For a price."

"A price?" Regina repeated, eyebrows furrowing. He simply pointed at her chest. Regina looked down, her hand immediately went to the golden chain hanging around her neck. "My necklace?" she asked.

"Do we have a deal, dearie?" he replied.

For a moment, Regina remained silent. Her fingers ran over the charm, her family symbol. What did she have to lose? A necklace in return for her freedom? Her mother was not expecting her to succeed. Regina would be able to escape from her at last. She nodded. "Yes," she answered, removing the chain.

With the deal struck, the Dark One returned to the spinning wheel. At first, Regina watched carefully as he turned the straw into gold. She could hardly believe what she was seeing. The shiny material gave her a slight sense of hope. She would get out of this tower. King Leopold would get exactly what he had wanted and then she would be able to flee the realm with her trusty steed. She would be able to start her life anew.

Her thoughts faded into dreams and when she awoke to the loud knock on the door in the morning, the Dark One was gone. Regina did her best to not look at all surprised or relieved as the guards brought in more straw after collecting the gold. Just two more nights. She would have to continue this act for two more nights.

That evening, the Dark One appeared in the same fashion as the previous night. Regina had been under the impression that he would just continue his work, but that was not the case. "I believe tonight, that ring of yours will suffice," he stated.

She stared at him for a second before shaking her head, perplexed. "But I already gave you my necklace," Regina pointed out.

"Oh, yes," the Dark One replied with a nod. "That was my price for last night. Tonight, the price for tonight is that ring," he explained.

Regina did not know it was at all possible to be backed into a corner in a circular room. She slipped the ring from her finger. What else could she do? That night, Regina did not fall asleep. Her preoccupied mind would not permit it. Nor did it allow her to doze off during the day. She had come so close, but tonight she would fail. Tonight, nightmares of a life spent in a dungeon forever would haunt her.

"What plagues you, dearie?"

For a third night, Regina did not notice his entrance. She swallowed the growing lump in her throat, defeat looming in the air. "I don't have anything else to give you," she admitted. There was no need to beat around the bush. "All I had were my necklace and ring – I can't pay you."

"Now, don't give up so soon, dearie," the Dark One said, approaching her. "After all, you're so close to the end."

Chills ran up and down her spine. He was standing so close to her now, so uncomfortably close. "How can I not?" Regina asked, masking her fear with a sense of false strength. "I have nothing."

"Nothing?" the Dark One repeated with a faint smirk. He hovered his hands right above her stomach. "What about something you currently don't possess?"

"What do you mean?" she asked in return.

"I mean," he began. "Tonight, I will spin for you for a third and final time. In the morning, you will leave this tower at last. You'll have your freedom and freedom does not come cheap. In return, you will give me your first born child."

She did not like his gleeful look, but Regina forced herself to keep his gaze. He wanted her first born? A child required a partner, a lover, and Regina's had been taken from her. She would never experience true love again, she would never be a mother. She would be promising away a life that would never exist, but he did not have to know that.

"Well, dearie, do we have a deal?"

"Y-yes," she replied. "We have a deal."

And for a third night, he spun for her. This night, exhaustion had caught up with Regina. When the guards awoke her the following morning, the only thing in the room had been the spinning wheel. Regina did her chest to remain calm, reassured herself that the guards would have taken her straight to the dungeon had there not been gold, not the throne room. They must have collected while she slept, but she could not help by wonder why she was being taken to the throne room.

Everything would be alright, she reminded herself.

The guards stopped in front of the entrance to the throne room, allowing her to continue without them. Regina preceded alone, her stomach tying itself into tighter knots with each nervous step she took. The king was sitting on his throne and her mother stood before him, facing her. They had been waiting. Her mother watched her with pride, an act for the king, Regina did not doubt.

"Congratulations, my dear," Cora stated with a sweet, fake smile.

"Congratulations are in order?" Regina asked, mindful of her tone as she always did when her mother was present. "For doing something I always do?" She was lying through her teeth, but she did not have a choice. The King would still have her thrown in the dungeon if her secret was told.

"Oh no!" Cora laughed, shaking her head. "On your engagement, of course."

"Engagement?" Regina felt as though someone had knocked the wind out of her. Her mind was spinning.

"Regina, you have single handedly saved the entire kingdom," King Leopold spoke up. "The gold you have spun will ensure a comfortable and happy life for all who reside here. You would make a fine queen, not only for me, but for all our people," he pointed out, standing from his throne. He walked past Cora and knelt down in front of the young woman before presenting her with a ring. "I am offering you the opportunity to be my wife."

Regina did not have to confirm that her mother was watching her sternly, mentally telling her not to mess all this up and reminding her that she only had one option. She had no choice, she had no freedom. She had exchanged one sentence in for another.

To be continued

Author's Note: Thanks for reading! Please take the time to tell me what you think in a review!