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I do not own OUAT.
Emma weaved her way out to Aurora and Mulan who seemed to have put aside their differences for now. Actually, Mulan looked to be enjoying the little relaxation time; her head leaned back against a tree and her eyes closed, she looked the most tranquil Emma had ever seen her. "Here," she said, tossing the flask full of water to the woman, startling her. "You two share that one."
"Where's Snow?" Aurora inquired, eyeing the flask as if it were the most precious thing she had ever laid her eyes on.
"Oh, she's just behind me," Emma replied, turning around to inspect the vicinity for the brunette only to find no sign of her. "I think."
Mulan gave her a quizzical look as she passed the water to the princess. "Did she stay behind for something?"
"No…" Emma ran a hand through her blonde locks as she peered into the woods. "Maybe I'll just go and see if she's okay."
With an assertive tug of her burgundy jacket she cautiously walked the way she came, not quite sure why she was so worried all of a sudden. She just couldn't shake the feeling that something had happened. She was just behind her; there was no way she would take so long to catch-up.
There was no way she could just disappear.
Reaching the spot where she broke away from Mary Margaret, Emma started to panic. There was no sign of her anywhere. Her breathing became erratic as she frantically scanned the area, calling out her mother's name and praying that this was all a big misunderstanding.
As her eyes pooled with tears, her vision blurred, the noise of a twig snapping alerted her. "Mary Margaret?" she breathed.
"Yes, I'm here," a voice answered from the bushes before the woman's figure appeared.
Emma couldn't describe the relief she felt in that moment. It was overwhelming; so overwhelming that she thought she would fall to her knees. She held back any tears she had, embarrassed from what clearly seemed to be an overreaction. "Where…where did you go? I thought you were just behind me?"
Mary Margaret fixed her hair and clothes in one clean sweep. "I was…I just thought I saw something. I didn't mean to worry you." Emma flinched slightly as she realised that she looked anxious and she really didn't want her mother to make a big deal over what happened.
"We should get back to the others while they're still on speaking terms," she commented, changing the subject. But this time as they made their way back, Emma made sure that they were together all the way. She noticed, however, that Mary Margaret looked almost distracted as they arrived back. Maybe she did see something.
"We'll need to make camp here," Mulan attested once they showed up.
"Why?" Emma wasn't thrilled about the idea of staying another night out in the open, sleeping out under the stars in the freezing night air. Or about being ogre bait. Did nobody ever consider this?
"Aurora is not feeling well and I don't think she's fit to travel for the rest of the day. I think it best if we stay here for now and arise first thing in the morning."
"But it's not even sundown yet," the blonde protested.
"She is ill," Mulan asserted vehemently, visibly frustrated with Emma's defiance.
"Fine, whatever, but you're keeping watch first."
"No, no. I'll keep watch first," Mary Margaret interrupted as if finally listening to the exchange. She flashed Emma a look that she didn't really understand but she figured her mother knew best. After all, ever since they fell into fairytale land, that's the one lesson Emma had to learn – and fast, so there was no point in questioning her.
So she shrugged and ambled over to Aurora who was lying on the ground, her hand rubbing her stomach. The girl looked like she didn't want anyone to bother her so instead of passing some kind of witty remark, Emma just sat next to her quietly, gathering her own thoughts.
She was ashamed to admit it but that moment when she was looking for her mother, a thought crossed her mind. Maybe it was the way she was wired or maybe it was because it was one of her worst fears, but for a passing space of time, Emma actually thought Mary Margaret had left her. Deep down she knew that was impossible, especially following all they had been through here and the progress made between them. Her mother did love her, all the signs pointed to that fact but she couldn't suppress the doubt that swarmed her mind. All her life she had been gifted with the ability to doubt in any situation and now that doubt was rearing its ugly head. It also didn't help that the brunette had been acting a little strange since they got back. Even now as Emma watched her interact with Mulan, she noticed that the way the woman held herself was…different, somehow, but she couldn't put her finger on it.
The rest of the day passed by in a flurry of images and sounds as the three of them tended to Aurora and tried to keep her as comfortable as possible, hoping that whatever had taken hold of her would dissipate over time and she'd be right as rain by the morning. And, from what Emma could see, she was suffering from dehydration and possibly from not exerting energy for a ridiculous period of time which meant that with some sleep and fluids she'd be back on her feet in no time.
Luckily for them, Aurora was keen on sleeping and by the time the sun had set she was lost in slumber. The chill of the night had emerged and lingered around them like a predator waiting to attack. Every breath of air slinked down their throats, spreading to each part of their bodies, and any attempt at retaining body heat was pointless. The only thing to do was to wrap up with anything that looked like it might contain warmth. It was the only night when Emma wished she had what Mulan was wearing; a suit of armour would have done her the world of good. Plus, she wondered how armour would look on her; if her father was a prince and her mother was handy with a bow and arrow, then surely she was tailor-made to wear something like that.
Maybe if she was sneaky enough, Mulan would never notice…
"Are you going asleep?" Emma raised her head to look at Mary Margaret, who's frame, in the dense darkness of the night, was somewhat menacing.
"I was going to try, but it's so cold I'm afraid I'll turn into a block of ice," she deadpanned.
"You'll be fine. Once you're asleep you'll forget all about the temperature. Trust me."
"I hope so. What about you?"
"I'm keeping guard," the brunette said firmly.
"I could stay up with you for a little while…if you'd like?" Emma could hardly believe the words coming out of her mouth. It was like that little episode earlier had sparked something within her and the idea of not being around her mother made her apprehensive. She felt silly; she felt like a child, but she couldn't help how she felt. It was like she was becoming a new version of herself; almost like a new person who dealt with emotions and feelings. Sort of like an upgrade. Emma 2.0.
"No, no it's okay," Mary Margaret responded. Quite quickly if Emma was reading into it…which she wasn't. "You should sleep; tomorrow will be a long day, especially if our friend is still unwell so we must keep our energy up," she finished rather formally.
Her words stung Emma, more so than she ever thought and yet she knew they weren't meant to. It almost felt like a rejection. "Oh. Yeah, you're right." She crossed her arms across her chest, pulled her knees in close and gently positioned her chin on top.
Mary Margaret looked at her with soft eyes as she put a cold hand on her head. "Goodnight, dear."
"Goodnight."
As Mary Margaret walked away towards a tree stump for the night, Emma felt that uneasiness again. However, this was a different type of uneasy. Perhaps she was misinterpreting things or her mind was playing tricks on her, but Mary Margaret wasn't the same. She, too, was a new version of herself – one Emma had never witnessed before. Whatever had happened earlier had caused a shift to occur.
But, she probably just needed the night to recover – just like Aurora.
Emma was just reading a little too much into the situation. Feeling her mind starting to hurt due to the countless things thrashing around in there, she closed her eyes and begged God, the universe, whoever would listen, that the artic conditions she was subject to would not take root and that she'd be able to drift away.
There was shuffle somewhere in the distance. Or it could have been closer; Snow wasn't sure. All she knew was the dull throb between her eyes. With all her might she managed to prize her eyes open to inspect her surroundings. One thing was for sure: she wasn't in the forest anymore. Instead, she was in a place far more sinister. Attempting to compose herself over the initial shock of gazing around the dungeon, Snow drew in a deep breath. She was really here…in Regina's Palace. Chained to the wall, her heart quickened. She knew how she got here and who was responsible for her disappearing act, but she didn't know why. Being back at the palace brought back nothing but the painful, anguish inducing moments of her life of which she longed to forget and yet, here she was literally trapped in the place that caused her so much hurt.
She struggled against the chains, emptily hoping that somehow, by sheer will and determination, she'd be able to free herself but she knew better. Evil doesn't do anything half-heartedly – it's all or nothing. There was no escape from this snare.
Though knowing it a bad idea, Snow let her thoughts drift to Emma and wondered what she was doing. Did she know she was gone or that something had happened to her? Would she…would she think she had abandoned her…? No, she couldn't let herself think like that. Emma knew how much she was loved; she had to know that Snow would never ever leave her alone again…right? And before she even was aware of it herself, she released a sob that jolted through her entire body and shook her very core. The thought of Emma thinking that Snow would ever get up and leave her was unbearable and soon enough her cheeks ached from the cries.
"Crying doesn't suit you dear, Snow," a voice said from the darkness. Snow squinted, steeling her muscles as the figure emerged from the shadows stepping into the harsh light. The sly, arrogant smirk on her face sent a shiver down her spine, but she didn't show it. She couldn't show any more weakness; she had to be brave.
"What do you want from me? Why am I here?"
"Oh, Snow," Cora shushed, placing a finger on her lips. "You need to relax. Good things come to those who wait."
Snow's blood boiled, her anger seething. "What good can possibly come from this?" She clanked her chains in emphasis, her eyes on fire.
Much to her dismay, Cora laughed at her display. "You misunderstood; I never said good things would come to you."
The words cut through Snow, the evil underlay slicing at her heart. This, certainly, was not good. "Whatever you have planned, whatever it is you think you're accomplishing with this little abduction of yours, it's not going to work. They're going to realise that I'm gone and when they do, they're going to hunt for you and they won't stop until they find you. That you can count on."
Cora stalked over to Snow, her gaze fixated on Snow's. "They don't even know you're gone, darling."
"Wha-"
"You have much faith in that daughter of yours. Emma, isn't it? Pretty name. She appears to be a very obstinate young woman, thus your theory stands firm. But you underestimate me." She backed away, clicked her fingers and, in a haze of purple, Cora vanished, only to be replaced by…Snow White.
Snow's face paled and dropped, her stomach churning. She was face to face with herself and there was nothing distinguishable between them. Cora was an exact replica. She cast her mind back to when she was so easily fooled by Cora as Lancelot and how she didn't suspect anything until much later. She gulped, her fears materialising into a fresh batch of tears.
No, Emma would know the difference. She just would. She had to. Cora would slip up like she did back in the nursery and Emma would be the first have her head.
"What are you trying to accomplish with this? What's the desired result?" She tried so hard to keep her voice steady but faltered last minute. The only thing worse than being afraid, was showing fear to your enemy.
With another swish of purple, Cora reappeared, her face contemplative. "You know, in a funny way I always thought I owed you."
"Owed me?"
"For telling me about Regina's plans to be with that…stable boy. For if it were not for you, I may have never have stopped her from making the biggest mistake of her life. You allowed me to put her back on the right path, the path of power, the path I had always intended for her."
"You killed him!" Snow yelled, horrified by her association to the heinous crime committed by Cora. "All I wanted was for you to have a relationship with your daughter but you ruined any chance you had of that!"
"That may be true, yet now I have a way to fix what has been broken." She raised a jar of sparkling dust in front of Snow, moving it side to side. "I have found a way to see my daughter. The only thing in my way is you and your band of followers. I cannot let any of you reveal my identity to the people back at the haven so I must do what it takes to keep on my course back to my daughter. You are all obstacles which I simply must overcome."
"Your daughter doesn't want to see you because you were a terrible mother!" she spat, keeping her eyes fixed on the sparkle.
"Well, at least I didn't send my daughter away," Cora replied calmly.
"I had to send Emma away to protect her becauseof how cruel you were to Regina! You are the root of Regina's evil!"
"Spin it any way you want, dear, but none of that was my doing."
Tired from being trapped and tired of the fear that gripped her, Snow dropped her head, silently pleading to Emma to save her. To never lose hope. "What exactly are you going to do to me?"
The eyes glinted mischievously. "I'm going to kill them first and save you until last."
And just like a bolt of lightning, she was gone again.
Back to the others.
Back to Emma.
Cora was going to kill them and she was going to do it as Snow White.
Snow could have easily fallen to pieces right there and then, but if there was one thing that Snow was good at, it was never giving up. She would not let Cora destroy her happiness. She would not let her succeed. And thus, a new determination was born. No matter what, Snow was going to find her way back to her daughter. After all, that's what Charming's do; they find one another even in the bleakest of circumstances and she would not stop until she was embracing Emma again.
Cora better watch out because Snow White had a score to settle.
So what did you all think? Please be honest! I do have an idea of where I want to take the story but if any of you have any suggestions please do tell me and I'll see what I can do! Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed and please, please review – it'd make my day :)