Title: Vengeance, Sacrifice, and Forgiveness

Author: AoN

Word Count: 4,100

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.

Chapter Nineteen

Regina could feel the heart weakening as it struggled to beat between her fingers; her squeeze tightened, on the verge of reducing the precious muscle to nothing but dust. The woman would collapse wherever she stood and she would no longer be a problem, nor a risk to the curse's existence. The heart seized in her hand, ready to give in. In a matter of moments, the woman would be –

'You fixed Mr. Bear when I forgot him in the field.'

Suddenly, it was Regina's grasp that weakened. She could hear that woman, her voice. Lily's voice. 'You brought him back at bed time to tuck me in, saying he went off to slay a furious dragon. He fought valiantly.'

There was an ache in her chest, one that only grew as she watched the heart return to a slow, shallow beat. It was the same ache she felt whenever she saw Lily's empty bed, whenever she tended to her apple tree by herself. The ache had been brought on by the loss of a child, an act she nearly repeated, but could not. She could not take her own daughter's life. Even if she looked at Regina with such hatred and disdain, she was still Lily, still her own flesh and blood. As much as Regina wanted to deny it, she could not.

Nor could she, as a mother, murder the full grown woman who was still her precious little child – a child that she has now harmed. Regina had followed in her own mother's footsteps and LiIy was on her way to following Regina's, wasn't she? Regina retaliated against her mother and the fire that had been in Lily's eyes was a sign that she was capable of the same thing. Like mother, like daughter – a never ending cycle of love, misunderstanding, and hate.

All of this could have been avoided. All of her future problems could have been as well. All she had to do, what she could still do, was squeeze. Just one squeeze and she would be in control again, she would rid herself of this weakness. She would also rid herself of her bright eyed little girl. Regina would only amplify her own suffering, expanding her own unfillable void.

Lily may not be able to look at Regina without any disdain in her eyes ever again. Regina was nearly certain of it, but there would never be enough reassurance to drive her to end the woman. Regina learned very early on, before Lily's birth, that a mother could not ignore the deep unconditional love she had for her child. It was that love that fueled her to stand up against the Dark One when she, herself, had been a novice in magic still – the same love she tried desperately to show Henry, but he kept pushing away.

The same love would ultimately be her downfall, wouldn't it?

xxxx

Footsteps were drawing closer. Grumbling voices were becoming clearer and clearer. They had found her. The queen would be pleased and they would be spared. She would not be able to escape again. They would make sure of it.

Once more, Lucy's freedom was being threatened and she could not do anything about it. She laid on the forest floor, unable to move. Her mind lingered between consciousness and unconsciousness. She was unable to open her eyes and she was fading fast. The two grumbling voices of the orderlies were now becoming faint, but they stood over her. She knew they were, she could smell their pungent scent – it was the same as that ward, the ward she refused to go back to.

The sudden howl that caught the orderlies' attention confirmed that she would not be returning any time soon. If she had enough strength to smirk, Lucy would have. Now only one thought was crossing her mind: go get them, Red.

Hearty screams were met with fierce growls, barks, and loud snapping. When she heard two pairs of feet scampering away, Lucy knew she was alright. She felt someone kneel down beside her and gently shake her shoulders in an attempt to wake her, but she was slipping despite Ruby's worried voice. She was too tired to wake up, she just needed to sleep a little. She just needed –

"There's a castle of fairies by the sea, there's a king's castle over the earth."

That song.

"There's a young queen among the maidens, there are sweet spirits among the stars."

That voice.

"The king's castle is your cradle, the young queen is your mother."

Her voice.

"Who, with all the fairies, repeats in chorus, the most sweet and loving lullaby."

She forced herself to open her eyes, no matter how difficult the task proved to be. Lucy sat up quickly, inhaling sharply at the voided color of the courtyard she had spent countless hours playing in when she was younger. She quickly looked up, but her vision of the sky was partially blocked by the all too familiar leaves and apples. She was under the tree. Their tree.

"Sleep my treasure, sleep my love."

The voice was coming from behind her. Lucy winced as she pushed herself forward and pulled herself to her feet. She stumbled slightly, but she managed to walk around the tree, following the voice which led her to a sight that made her heart so incredibly heavy. The queen sat, her back against the trunk of the tree, with her young daughter curled up in her lap. Next to them was a small basket filled with the apples they just picked. Lucy felt a lump growing in her throat, her eyes stinging. Quietly, she mouthed the last phrase of her lullaby along with the singing queen.

"Above your head are the spirits, above your heart is my heart."

Shaking her head, Lucy tilted her head up and blinked furiously. It was a pitiful attempt to stop the evitable tears. One or two managed to slip by, rolling down her cheeks. How many times had that song calmed her, put her to sleep? Lucy caught herself feeling rather envious of the child in the protective arms of the queen. It was an embrace she longed for years, to be held by her mother, to be told that everything would be alright. She would never have that chance again. Her mother, she was gone. Everyone she had ever loved was –

"That song always put you to sleep."

Eyebrows furrowing at a voice that long ago faded into her distant memory, Lucy quickly turned around. The revelation caused a small gasp to part from her lips and the tears fell more freely. Grandpa Henry stood before her. He seemed so… real. He extended his arms slightly.

"Lily-pad."

It was him.

In a split second, she was in his arms, hugging him so tight. She buried her face against his shoulder and refused to admit that she was too afraid to let go. What if he disappeared? What if this was the only way of keeping him here? They were both equally childish thoughts but at the moment, they all seemed so rational. Nothing in this world made any sense – none of it was real. This was close enough.

He gently rubbed he rback, a soothing act that quickly calmed her in a way that only a grandfather could. Henry pulled away from the embrace and held Lucy out at arm's length. He was beaming. "A far cry from my little Lily-pad," he smiled softly. "You've become quite the young lady."

"I'll always be your little Lily-pad," Lucy reassured her voice cracking. Henry reached out to gently wipe the tears from her cheeks.

"Tears don't suit you, Lillian," he commented.

Lucy laughed weakly as she shook her head. "I've really missed you," she admitted, new tears threatening to pool over, despite what her grandfather just told her. "A-And I don't understand any of this – where are we? What is this place?"

Henry sighed heavily, gazing around the virtually motionless, now silent courtyard. Lucy followed his gaze until it landed on the queen cradling her sleeping child. "This place," he began, turning his attention to Lucy whose own gaze lingered on the queen for a moment longer before facing him. "This is a place of memories – memories of things we long for. Glimpses of truth we were once too blind to see or simply want to ignore, and of things we have come to regret."

Her expression quickly echoed with confusion. She did not need to question Henry. He was already providing an answer. "It's a passage, Lily-pad," he explained. "Between worlds."

"Worlds?" Lucy repeated. She was not too familiar with other worlds, not apart from Storybrooke and home. She knew one of her mother's close friends was a traveler of worlds, but Lucy was not – a far cry from it. Why would she be in a passage between worlds? She was not going anywhere –

"The living and the dead," Lucy realized, eyes widening. "Grandpa, I don't have a lot of time left, do I?"

His beaming had come to a sudden stop. The joy in his eyes had been replaced by remorse due to the question he did not want to answer. Lucy already knew his response. He slowly shook his head. "I'm sorry, Lily-pad."

xxxx

With sweat dripping down her brow, Ruby dragged, not only herself, but the unconscious Lucy who was hoisted onto her back, up the steps of the bed and breakfast with difficulty. In this form, Lucy's dead weight proved to be more than the challenge she had anticipated. The Little One would have been simpler, but both would have raised questions regardless. It would have been between an escaped patient or a wolf. Both equally odd.

Reaching the top of the steps, Ruby pushed on towards the front door. Her eyes landed on the knob, but before she could contemplate how she could maneuver Lucy as not to drop her, the knob turned. Her stomach turned over, she had not anticipated anyone to be at the bed and breakfast. Granny was still hospitalized and even if she was not, she knew Ruby was searching for a friend. Then who –

August.

The door swung open, revealing the scruffy, mysterious writer. Silence rang between them. Their eyes met, each exchanging the same general message: what are you doing here? Ruby glanced down at the motorcycle helmet in his hand. His own gaze drifted just over Ruby's shoulder where Lucy's head rested.

"I-It's not what it looks like," she admitted.

"Oh, well, that's good," August said with a slight nod as he stepped onto the patio, closer to Ruby. "because from where I'm standing, it looks like you just abducted someone from the hospital."

Ruby gazed over her shoulder, fully aware that that was exactly what all this appeared to look like. "Well," she began, turning back to him. "It's definitely not," she finished lamely.

"Right," August agreed, making Ruby feel uneasy. He was being too nonchalant about this situation. "But," he continued. "Allow me to make a guess – you'll find that I'm quite excellent at observing."

Frowning, Ruby's eyes narrowed. She did not have any time for all of these games, but August went on, regardless of her annoyed expression. "So, let's see…" he murmured, rubbing his chin. "I know she goes by Lucy, but I told her Lily suited her better – "

"What?" Ruby tried not to look surprised or taken back, but knew she was failing miserably on both accounts.

"Princess Lillian, actually," August corrected himself. "And you're saving her from the Evil Queen and her men, aren't you, Red Riding Hood?"

Ruby stood more rigid – a far cry from an attack stance, but it was all she could do with Lucy weighing down her back heavily. She lowered her head slightly, eyes glaring dangerously. The playing field had changed and she did not like it. August knew – was he one of the queen's men also? "Who are you?" she demanded, shifting slightly. If dropping Lucy meant being able to protect the both of them, then so be it. Lucy would understand if she had another bruise or two. "I won't let you take her back there," she growled. "I-"

"I'm not taking her anywhere," August stated firmly. He held his arms up, a small, pitiful gesture to demonstrate that he would not harm either of them. "We've met before, Red – a long time ago. I'm an old friend – "

"That's not possible," Ruby interrupted. "I've never met you before you turned up here. You're one of her – "

"We've met, I promise," August insisted. "I was just a boy back then, before the curse – "

"No one here has aged, not since the curse was cast," Ruby pointed out.

"Red, it's me – Pinocchio."

The name lingered in the air for a moment. Ruby continued to stare hard at him, her stance not changing. August did not budge either. "I was sitting on the floor next to my father, playing with a wooden toy whale, during the war council. How else would I know that? The two of us made that wardrobe that brought Emma to this world."

"Do you honestly expect me to just believe you?" Ruby questioned.

"No," August replied honestly. "Otherwise I would have told you a while ago. At least now I can prove it to you."

Ruby shook her head. "Your nose not growing does not prove anything," she retorted.

"The transformation hasn't reached that point yet," August replied seriously. "You're all too familiar with transformations – both of you are experts, actually." When he bent forward, Ruby shifted once more. "And I already know the consequences of trying to harm either of you – I saw what you did to the Wolf back there in the forest," he pointed out, reaching down to roll up one of his pant legs.

The sight of wood where there should have been flesh caused the frowning Ruby to tilt her head slightly. She looked back up at him, their eyes meeting once more. "There's a lot to explain, I know," he admitted. "But I'm on your side and I'm here to help."

xxxx

The queen gently stroked her peacefully sleeping child's long dark hair, an action Lucy found herself attempting to mimic. Her fingers gently ran through her own long strands of hair, but they provided very little comfort, especially in the light of the revelation that had been made. Her time was more limited than what she had previously thought. She had to hurry. She had to… What did she have to do?

Slowly, Lucy tore her eyes away from the mother and daughter and turned to face Henry once more who watched her with a somber expression. "It's evident that you miss her, Lily-pad," he said softly. "You can still go back to her."

Perhaps Lucy should have tried harder not to laugh bitterly, but she could not have helped it. Henry's shoulders fell slightly as Lucy shook her head at the suggestion. "There's no one to go back to. That woman back there, she's not the same person as her," she said, gazing back over to the queen. "Mother disappeared a long time ago."

With her back turned to Henry, she could not see him frown. He took a step closer to his granddaughter. "That's where you're wrong, Lillian. She's still there. Deep down, your mother still exists and you can't abandon her. You never abandon your family."

This time Lily did stop herself from scoffing. She turned to Henry again. "Family?" she repeated. "Don't abandon family? I'm not supposed to abandon the woman who murders fathers and rips out her own daughter's heart – "

"That wasn't Regina."

"Of course it wasn't!" Lucy spat, her voice beginning to lace with such hatred and disdain. "Then why else would she have it? Why else would she use it against me? She couldn't just let me rest in peace, could she? I was five – a child. She had to rip it out of my chest because why – "

"All this anger is misdirected!"

The sudden outburst from the most docile man she had ever known instantly caused her to become silent, but it did not stop the anger. Even if it were misplaced, a simple statement would not redirect its course, not one so feeble. "Then who?" Lucy spoke up after a moment. "tell me who I should be upset with."

"Anger is a dangerous thing, Lily-pad," Henry replied.

"Are you saying I should simply forget?" Lucy suggested. "I have every right o be angry, Grandpa."

"And what if it consumes you?" Henry asked. "Just like your mother. You'll walk down steps you won't be able to retrace."

"Please," Lucy nearly begged. "Tell me who. You want me to see her differently – just tell me who."

Henry did not respond, but he gestured over Lucy's shoulder. She quickly whirled around and her eyes widen at the new figure that stood over the queen, causing her some distress. Lucy knew that figure, that woman, well. She shook her head in disbelief. "No," she mumbled. "It can't – no. Grandma did this?"

"Everything," Henry replied, voice weak. "I understand that now more than ever. Regina's descent into the darkness, to hate… It all stemmed from Cora, she fueled it. I should have protected her, but I didn't."

Lucy's eyebrows furrowed, she gazed at Henry again, confused.

"It is why I have never found peace," he explained. "The regret I feel from not helping her when she needed it the most – "

"Grandpa…"

"You were her hope, Lily. Her light," Henry went on. "You made her realize that goodness, happiness still existed for her. After your death… after discovering what Cora had done, nothing stopped her plunge into the darkness."

Henry watched as Lucy lowered her head, eyes narrowing as she tried to process all that she was learning. The image she had built up for this terrible woman, he could tell, was shattering. "There is a definite reason as to why you came back to the world of the living as a human being, Lily. Family, no matter the cost, will always find one another."

xxxx

The two police officers had stepped up to the small cells in the sheriff's office. Emma was standing off to the side or, at least, that was what Mary Margaret assumed. She did not trust herself to even glance at that general direction – just the mere sight of Emma was simply too painful to grasp and it would have blown her cover, without a doubt. One of the officers stepped forward to handcuff her. Mary Margaret continued to stare ahead blankly. What else could she possibly do?

"Mary Margaret," Emma murmured, unaware of how deeply her voice was cutting into the other woman's chest. "I'm sorry."

Sorry.

No. It was not Emma who should have been apologizing. It should have been Mary Margaret. She had so much to be apologizing for. She wanted to apologize for everything – this had not been the life she wanted for her daughter. She had deserved so much more and Mary Margaret had desperately wanted to have given her everything. She should have been able to give Emma everything.

This was all Regina's fault and she would soon pay, wouldn't she? Emma was the savior and she returned to them, exactly twenty eight years later, to the day. The curse would soon be brought to an end and they would all live happily ever after. They could finally be a family, but first… first they had to deal with this situation.

The two officers began to lead her away from the sheriff's office. Just as Ruby had told her to do so, Mary Margaret remained silent and did not utter a single word. Ruby advised her to act normal. No one could know that she remembered, especially Emma who probably would not have believed her anyway. This had been a precaution. The Evil Queen was up to something, an attempt to get rid of Mary Margaret forever.

Naturally, Mary Margaret assumed Ruby had a detailed plan – she always did, it was simply her way. Needless to say, she had quickly grown worrisome when Ruby admitted to not knowing the next step. The plan had not been hers, but she was not going to allow anything to happen to Mary Margaret. Ruby would have stopped whoever herself if need be.

As Mary Margaret continued down the quiet hallway, escorted by the two unfamiliar officers, she released a shaking breath. This was not the first time she was blindly trusting Ruby, nor was it probably the last either.

xxxx

Lucy watched as Cora continued to scold Regina and Regina beg her to be quiet, Lily was sleeping. At least, that was what the conversation she was envisioning was about. She could see their lips moving, forming words and stringing them together into flowing sentences, but no sound parted from either of them. All Lucy could hear was a deafening silence.

Her eyes lingered on Cora as she placed a hand over her chest. Henry had shed a new light, had destroyed the image of the grandmother she once had. Cora… had she really been so… evil? The sight before her said yes which led Lucy to question all the moments she had spent with her. Had there always been an alternative motive?

The answer was yes, wasn't it?

Lucy felt sick to her stomach suddenly – all those times when her mother worried about where she had gone off to. Had she always been afraid that she was with Cora? Had her mother feared what Cora was capable of doing to Lucy? How many times had her mother reminded her to always tell her where she was or where she was going and with who? Her mother had been paranoid of Cora's influences.

And she had a right to be – look what they had done to herself.

But that did not excuse anything else. Regina was still a fault for many crimes, regardless as to how she became a person Lucy could not even recognize.

"She murdered you," Lucy murmured to Henry. "And my father. 'Family' does not really murder each other – they're not supposed to."

"Lily-pad, you don't understand."

"I understand well enough," Lucy remarked. "Taking another living creature's life selfishly, there's no honor behind it. There never is – "

"You were too young to see the man King Leopold was," Henry interrupted.

"Grandpa, don't," Lucy begged. "Don't tarnish what little memory I have left of him. He was a good father."

Henry forced himself to look away from her pleading eyes. Lucy had nearly been an exact copy of Regina. Nearly. Her eyes were the only reminder that she was not. They were Leopold's eyes. For now, he would forgot the fact that Leopold had barely been present at her birth and how disappointed he was in Regina for not giving him a son. No, after all that, he supposed Lucy was mostly correct.

"He was a good father to you, yes," Henry agreed. "But he could have been a far better husband to your mother."

"What do you mean?"

"Theirs was a forced marriage, Lily," Henry answered after a heavy sigh.

Lucy frowned. "What?"

"Often times… royals would marry for the sake of saving their kingdom from many threats," Henry explained. "Not too long after the passing of King Leopold's first wife, the kingdom was struck with extreme poverty. Word reached the king that Regina could help. He sent for her, threatened her with certain death had she not. She managed to save the entire kingdom in just three days time. The king wanted to keep her close, to make her his wife. Lily, she may have been queen, but she was essentially nothing more than a prisoner."

"I… prisoner? Three days?" So many questions were now swimming through her mind. "How? How did she save the kingdom?"

"By spinning straw into gold."

"I didn't know she had that ability," Lucy admitted.

"She doesn't."

To be continued.

Author's Note: The lullaby used in this chapter is a quick and adapted translations of Giuseppe Morosini's "Ninna Nanna."