David opened his eyes slowly. His shoulder and legs were still sore. Emma had healed him enough so the bleeding stopped, and he could walk to the portal they had gone through. But the injuries were still there, and he definitely felt them.
Still, there were other things that were more important than his sore limbs. Where was Henry? Where was Snow? He took in the bright scenery. It was daytime here. They weren't in Storybrooke. With the element of magic in the air, David assumed they must be back in the Enchanted Forest. He broke into a grin, loving that they had returned home.
Then he began reflecting on all the people left in Storybrooke. People like Gold's Belle and their family's good friend, Ruby. The dwarves, who were so loyal to him and Snow, were also still in Storybrooke. The dwarves had grown the beans for them, and they had wanted to come home as much as he did, if not more. Could they bring them to the Enchanted Forest from here or would they have to return to Storybrooke first?
Emma, on the other hand, wasn't as happy to be back in the Enchanted Forest. "Are you kidding me!" she exclaimed. "Again! Just what I need, more ogres!" She glanced around, probably trying to make sure there weren't any nearby. "Where's everybody else, anyway?" she added, confused.
"Don't worry, we'll find them," he replied confidently. He moved to get up, and bit back a groan. His legs still hurt quite a bit.
David and Emma looked around, wondering which direction the others may have taken. Come to think of it, in what part of the Enchanted Forest were they? There was large river nearby, and some mountains in the distance, but no forest. Of course, David hadn't traveled all over the Enchanted Forest, but between the wars with George and Regina, he had seen quite a bit, and this wasn't familiar. Well, no matter.
Suddenly, Emma seemed to notice something, as she turned around sharply. A couple appeared to be arguing nearby. The woman had long dark hair, although not as dark as Snow's, and wore leather traveling clothes. The man had short brown hair and wore leather as well.
"David, I don't understand what they're saying!" said Emma, trying not to sound as nervous as she obviously was. "Is there more than one language in this land of yours?"
"Some of the distant realms, yes…but…" his voice trailed off, confused. It was true some distant realms spoke other languages, but something still felt off. And why was Emma calling him 'David' again, anyway? She had finally started calling him Dad when they left Neverland.
Eventually, the couple seemed to reach a decision and disappeared. Emma turned back to him, "Should we follow them? They might lead us to some answers. Maybe they know where everyone else is!"
David thought for a minute. She had a point, but could they trust the newcomers? Who were they? He had never seen them before and had no idea who they might be. Plus, what if Snow and Henry were in the opposite direction? "Maybe we should follow the river," he replied, pointing the other way. If Henry and…"
What should he call his wife to Emma? He had been calling her Mary Margaret in Storybrooke before, but since leaving he was calling her Snow again. Plus, Emma had been calling him Dad before. Should he call her "your mother"?
"Yeah, that's a good idea", Emma agreed, interrupting him before he could finish his sentence. Apparently, Emma wasn't sure what to call Snow, either. It made him sad, but at least they agreed to follow the river.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
They must be in a very different part of the Enchanted Forest than she had been before, Emma thought to herself. There were no forests nearby at all. Furthermore, those people had been speaking a foreign language. For all the trouble she had with the Enchanted Forest before, it had been comforting that everyone she encountered had all spoken English. Emma wondered if they could find Mulan and Aurora again. For all their clashes with the two women, they had been a big help to Emma and Mary Margaret.
Speaking of Mary Margaret, she really hoped to see her again soon. And she desperately needed to see Henry. Henry, her little adventurer who never understood not to rush right into danger. Not to mention Neal, who she had just found all over again. Gold and Regina, she supposed were important, too, in some ways. Hopefully David was right, and they were following the river, too. Everyone needs water, right?
She glanced back at David, suddenly realizing he was moving a few steps behind her. That was unusual for him. In the time she had gotten to know David since the Curse broke, Emma knew David walked in the front of a group, or at least beside someone. He was a leader, not a follower. So, what was wrong? She turned around and looked at him. "Hey, what's the matter?"
"Nothing, Emma," he replied a little too quickly. "I just want to find them. Let's get a move on."
"For someone who wants to 'get a move on', you're not moving very fast. What is it?"
"Nothing you need to be concerned with," David replied firmly.
"Okay, if it's something that's going to prevent us from getting to everyone else as soon as we'd like, it's certainly something for me to be concerned with. What. Is. It?"
"I'll just try to walk faster. Don't worry."
Emma didn't like the sound of that at all. She had promised Mary Margaret she'd take care of him. Still, explaining this all to him made her extremely uncomfortable. Being back in the Enchanted Forest, having to worry about Ogres again, dealing with the possibility that they may not find someone who spoke English, and being away from the rest of their group, was all overwhelming enough. She wanted some emotional space from him to deal with everything. So even though it made her feel guilty, she kept walking.
As Emma looked at the ground, she noticed another odd thing. There was very little grass. For all the Enchanted Forest's problems before, it did grow vegetation. Here, there were some flowers, beautiful flowers with six white petals and pink centers. The stems of all things were also pink. Emma thought that was odd. She had never seen or heard of a flower with a pink stem before, but she supposed this land was magical. Still besides the flowers dotting the landscape, there were no grasses, clover, trees, or bushes. Maybe this area was worse off than the part she and Mary Margaret had been through. Hopefully that would mean fewer ogres, but she wasn't holding her breath.
They continued to walk alone the river for a while. Emma really hoped they would find everyone else soon. Why were they always being split up, anyway? It was getting tiring. Actually, Emma was getting tired. But where was Henry? Was he okay? What if he needed her help? What if Neal needed her again? As Emma pondered these issues, she suddenly heard a thump.
Confused, she turned toward the sound and found David…lying on the ground, passed out. Horrified she ran the few feet back to him. Fortunately, he was still breathing, but what was wrong with him? Was he just over tired? They had should have taken a break to sleep before. Was it his injuries? Was there something else wrong she didn't even know about?
She knew she should have insisted he tell her what the problem was before. What if something was really wrong? What if he didn't wake up? How would she tell Mary Margaret? How would Henry react, who almost iodized his grandfather? Emma refused to think about how David dying or suffering a serious injury would affect her.
Emma stared at David for a few minutes. What should she do? She glanced at the river. Could she wake him by splashing water on his face?
Just as she was about to try, two huge winged cat creatures appeared overhead. One was jet black and the other was a vibrant red. Both had golden wings and each spanned bigger than a horse. What on Earth? Were they anything like ogres? How would they attack? Should she use David's sword to defend them? How about her gun, which she was a lot more comfortable with?
As Emma pondered the problem the cat creatures landed on the ground and shifted into humans. The black cat became a tall, handsome man with black hair. The red cat became a beautiful woman with long, curly red hair. Okay, so they weren't like ogres, but they were shape shifters. While, she had defeated Cora with magic before, could she do the same with these two?
Emma took a deep breath and thought of David, unconscious and unable to defend himself. She thought of the rest of her family, and how they all needed her alive. With her feet planted firmly on the ground, Emma's magic exploded and pushed the other two back a few feet.
Unfortunately, it wasn't much of an attack, as the two shape shifters simply walked right back where they were. Now what? Should she try magic again? She wasn't very good at it, obviously, since she really didn't know what she was doing. Or should she try a weapon? If she remembered correctly, weapons hadn't worked very well on Cora. Still, they had worked on the Lost Boys.
Moving to get David's sword, figuring a sword was probably better in a magical land, Emma paused. She still didn't know what was wrong with David. What if moving him made him worse? She reached for her gun, yelling, "Stay back or I'll shoot!" but as she did the woman called out, "Don't worry. It's okay, we won't hurt you," very calmly.
Emma was suspicious of this; after all they were shape shifters! But she did always know when someone was lying, and she knew the woman at least, was telling the truth. Actually, as she continued to stand in their presence, she felt a calmness she hadn't felt in a long time. Everything would be okay. "Who are you?" Emma asked, still confused.
"I am Ellysetta, and this is my mate, Rain. We are the rulers of this land. Who are you and what magic did you use to get here? Is something wrong with your mate?"
Emma hesitated. She knew these people wouldn't harm them now, but that didn't mean it was safe to tell them their names. Still, the woman had already offered hers. "I'm Emma, and…" suddenly she registered that they thought she and David were a couple! That was the use of the term "mate" in that sentence (unlike the way Hook used it). Ewww!
"Well, that's David, but he's not my 'mate. He's my…" her voice trailed off. She had decided she could trust these strangers, to a certain extent. They weren't going to harm her or David. But could she really trust them with everything? "good friend," she finished lamely. The added benefit was that she didn't have to think about her real relationship with David.
Ellysetta nodded, a little confused. "Okay, but we really need to know how you got here. I've never heard of magic that transports you from one place to another. How is this possible?
Rain nodded, more sternly than the woman beside him. "Not even Mages have that power. Where do you and your magic come from?" Ellysetta placed her hand on Rain's arm, and he appeared to calm considerably. But they still waited for an answer from Emma.
Should she really tell them? She certainly couldn't run with David in his condition, and she hated to use a weapon on people who had promised not to harm them. And her magic hadn't subdued them very much the last time she tried it. But what would they do with this information? Would they harm others? "We…just…sort…of…fell…here." Emma finally finished lamely. Not the best answer, but she really didn't think too many people should know about the beans. Even if these two did nothing with them, what if they told others?
Ellysetta looked at her sternly and placed her hand on Emma's shoulder. "Now," she commanded. "Tell me again." Suddenly Emma felt compelled to tell this woman everything, her words being pulled out of her, one fact at a time. She told her about Neverland, and how their group was there to get Henry back. She told her about Neal, and how she managed to remind him who he really was. And she told her about how Neal found the beans that opened portals to different realms, which she had used to escape from Neverland.
When Ellysetta released her hand, Emma collapsed to the ground, feeling both drained of energy and completely naked. "What was that?" she asked in shock.
"Truthspeaking," Ellysetta replied, sounding a little confused. "I know it's not pleasant, and I apologize for doing it, especially without asking, but I needed to know how our land was being entered through magic to protect it. I see now that it's not your fault."
"Yeah…well…" Emma stammered. The woman, at least, was extremely powerful. So far none of Emma's magic had been of any use against her. And after this "truthspeaking", she was even less inclined to trust Ellysetta. How had she forced Emma to tell her everything like that? It wasn't just upsetting that she had been forced, it had been painful! Yet Emma still knew that neither of these strangers would attack them. It was confusing.
Emma stood up. Her legs still felt a bit weak, but she couldn't let this Ellyestta defeat her.
"I've never heard of these "magic beans" that you speak of that can transport between worlds, though. How did you even leave this land?" asked Ellysetta.
Emma sighed. She really, really, really didn't trust this woman with more information. Someone who would force information out of Emma like she just did was not someone Emma wanted to be talking to. Still, she couldn't leave with David in his condition. Furthermore, if she didn't tell her, would she do that "truthspeaking" thing again?
"It's a long story. There was a wardrobe carved out an enchanted tree…and then ashes…the second time…and a compass…" Emma shook her head. She still didn't understand the Enchanted Forest very well.
Ellysetta looked confused, and Emma wasn't surprised. From what she had heard from May Margaret when she was in the Enchanted Forest before, as well as all the trouble they had gone through, travel between realms was notoriously difficult. That Ellysetta didn't know about the ways to transport wasn't surprising.
"So, what's wrong with your 'friend' there anyway? Do you need help healing him?" The man remained silent during throughout this conversation, although he was still holding onto to Ellysetta, supporting her. If she didn't distrust them so much, she'd think they looked like Mary Margaret and David working through a problem together in Storybrooke.
Should she accept the woman's help healing? What kind of magic did she use, anyway? She obviously wasn't a fairy, since she had no wand. So she must use some form of dark magic, especially with the whole "truthspeaking" experience Emma had just gone through. Did she really want to be more associated with dark magic than she already was? Still, the longer David remained on the ground, the more worried she became. What would she do if she couldn't wake him up; if she couldn't heal him? If the woman could help, shouldn't she accept? What would Mary Margaret do if someone like Ellysetta, or Gold for that matter, offered to help heal David?
Emma sighed looking at David, still dead to the world. "I don't really know what's wrong with him. I know he had some pretty deep cuts that left him unconscious back in Neverland, which I thought I healed for him. I mean he woke up and was able to go through the portal with me. And we started walking along the river together, and he just…collapsed. Do you think it's because of his injuries? Or is he sick or something? I promised someone I'd take care of him!"
Ellysetta shook her head. "If he was awake, I'd be able to tell what the problem was, because I'd feel his pain. But since he's not…Are you sure you didn't feel his pain when he was awake?"
Emma didn't have vaguest idea what she was talking about. Feel his pain? Why would she feel David's pain? But she only shook her head.
Ellysetta sighed. "We could try to heal his injuries together, first. Would you like my assistance?"
Emma nodded slowly. It amazed her how civil this "Ellysetta" was now that the truthspeaking torture was done. It was like she was a different person. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that the woman was trying to lure her into a false sense of security. For what purpose, Emma wasn't sure, but she didn't want to be around to find out. Still, she wasn't very good at this whole magic thing, yet, especially when she really didn't know what she needed to heal in the first place.
She and Ellysetta stood in front of David with their arms out. Then Emma did her best to gather her magic to heal David's wounds. She saw Ellysetta's magic also appearing around David. In minutes, the scars disappeared completely. Emma sighed in relief. Hopefully now he would wake up. "David? Come on, get up, David!" she called to him.
Nothing happened. Now what? Ellysetta touched him carefully. Emma's instincts were to tell her to stop, especially if she was going to do that "truthspeaking" thing on David. But she did seem to know more about healing with magic than Emma did, and David needed help. "He doesn't appear ill, not feverish or anything, so I don't think it's that. He is breathing, so we don't need to worry about rescuing him from the well of souls."
The well of what? The man, meanwhile, finally spoke at that. "Ellysetta!" he said sharply, clearly unhappy at that statement for some reason.
Ellysetta turned back to him. "I said we won't have to, Rain. Now calm down." She put her hand on the man's arm again, and he did seem to calm considerably. "Anyway, do you have a bond with him? Can you call out to him? I know you said he wasn't your mate, but maybe another bond?" she asked Emma.
A bond? What did the woman mean? She supposed she did, considering he was actually her father, but what did that have to do with waking him up? Some persons believed a voice of a loved one could wake someone from unconsciousness, Emma suddenly remembered. Actually, hadn't that worked with David when he was in the coma?
Still the problem with that was that Emma would have to express feelings she wasn't ready to express or comfortable expressing in front of strangers she didn't fully trust. But what if was the only way to wake him up? She thought of Mary Margaret, who had depended on her to heal David. She thought of Henry, who had believed David would wake up from the coma, and who loved his grandfather. And she thought of herself, who really couldn't lose her father all over again, as hard as it was for her to admit it.
So she leaned in close to David's face, so she could whisper in his ear. "It's Emma…Dad." There she said, it. As hard as it was for her, especially in this strange land where she felt she needed her walls all over again to protect herself, she needed him to wake up more. And Emma knew him, and that would be the word he would respond to from her. "I need you to wake up. We need to find the others. Henry, and…and…" Could she say it? "Mom. And you helped me get Neal back, and now we need to find him, too. Come on."
Then suddenly David grunted. He seemed to be struggling against something. And then he opened his eyes. "Emma."
XXXXXXXXXX
It all happened so quickly. One moment David was walking along the river with Emma, trying to ignore his pain and dizziness, and the next minute he was back in the fire room.
The nightmares associated with his sleeping curse were less frequent in the last few weeks, but now he was stuck here again. He grumbled in frustration and then jumped, just narrowly avoiding the fire.
David shook his head. It wasn't as if he regretted being put under the sleeping curse. It allowed him to see Snow when he was desperate do so, not to mention assisted in her and Emma coming back to Storybrooke. But now Snow wasn't in the burning room, and Emma needed him awake to help her find the others.
He blinked, hard, trying to force himself to wake up, but to no avail. In the process of blinking, he also didn't see the fire coming. This time, he wasn't able to move before the fire burned him, right across the neck. David screamed in pain. Why didn't he just wake up? Should he simply sit down and wait?
As he moved to do so, more fire appeared right next to him. No, sitting down was a bad idea, he decided as he quickly moved away from that area.
David stared into the flames. He wished he knew if Emma was okay. She was obviously uncomfortable being in the Enchanted Forest again without Henry and Snow, and all the rest of their friends. That was especially true since this was an area she hadn't been to before. Besides, the people in this area appeared to speak a different language. How could he help his daughter and protect her from the dangers if he was stuck here? Too bad these flames didn't have any answers.
Not only that, but he still desperately needed to find Henry and Snow again. He hoped they were following the river, just like he and Emma had decided to do. He really couldn't afford to lose his family again. Why wasn't he waking up? He moved his arm quickly, narrowly avoiding getting burned again.
"Emma!" he screamed. "Snow! Henry!"
The flames roared and snapped in reply.
David grumbled again. What was he going to do? How could he protect his family if he was stuck here? He usually had an incredible amount of faith. His family depended on him for it. But he really didn't see how he could he could hold onto that faith if he couldn't get out of here!
As he moved his leg away from the flames again, he thought he heard something. A voice. He strained to hear it another time, and almost missed the flames coming at him all over again.
Then, just as he began to accept the voice had been his imagination, he heard it again, more clearly. "…Dad…" It was Emma! Emma, who needed him to protect her and take care of her. Emma, who was finally calling him 'Dad!' One more time, David struggled to wake up, this time harder than he had ever tried before.
This time, he felt himself being lifted from the burning room, and finally he opened his eyes to find himself lying on the ground near the river. Leaning over him was a beautiful blond that he was overjoyed to see.
"Emma," he said, grinning. "Well, let's get going again. We've got to find the others." As he moved to pull himself up, however, a wave of dizziness washed over him and he hit the ground again. "Let me try that over again."
Emma shook her head. "Oh, no. You're obviously not ready to get up yet."
"But we have… to find the… rest of… our family!" he tried to shout. "Snow! And Henry!"
Emma nodded. "and Neal, I know. But we can't do it if you can't walk properly! Or talk, for that matter."
David shook his head, reminding himself not to shout, so he wouldn't worry Emma by sounding out of breath. "I can walk Emma, I know I can. I just have to try harder."
Emma slapped him across the face and he hissed in pain. Apparently his burns were still present in this world, just like they had been for Henry. Hopefully Emma wouldn't notice it. In the meantime, she was talking. "Like you did before? Tried so hard you passed out? Do you have any idea how that made me feel? I didn't know what was wrong, David. And I'm promised Mary Margaret I'd take care of you.
David shook his head again. "But you're… my daughter Emma. I'm… supposed to… take care of you!" he shouted, gasping for breath at the same time.
Emma appeared angry at that. "I don't need you to take care of me! I'm an adult. And you were injured. If we don't take care of you, you won't recover. Then how are we supposed to find the rest of our family? Our family needs you to be okay. I need you to be okay."
David sighed. Emma was right he supposed. If Snow were here, she'd save the same thing. It was just so hard to ignore his instinct to take care of and protect his daughter.
Suddenly a red – haired woman appeared from the background with a glass of water in her hand. "Give this to your good friend," she said carefully. From her tone, it was obvious she knew there was more to the relationship. David suddenly wished he hadn't shouted that Emma was his daughter. It wasn't something he wanted strangers to know, but he had no idea they weren't alone. "Now that he's awake, I can tell he's dehydrated, which make sense with the wounds he had. That's probably why he can't stand up yet."
David took the water, looking at carefully. The woman didn't seem threatening, but you never know. Still, she was right. With his injuries, he really should have had some water a while ago. And the glass didn't smell or look like it had anything but water in it. So he began sipping, slowly.
When he finished, the redhead handed Emma another glass. "He still needs more." David started to protest; what he needed was to get away from these strangers and find the rest of his family!
But as he tried to get up once again, Emma stopped him. "No. You're going to finish until she says it's okay. I'm not letting you pass out again!" The look she gave him reminded David of Snow when she was angry at him. It made him want to say "yes, ma'am!" without a second thought. But still… "Emma I'm not that dizzy anymore. I won't pass out. We need to find Snow and Henry! What if something's happening to them?"
Emma sighed. "Okay, not that dizzy and not dizzy at all are two different things. You might still pass out eventually. And I know we need to find everyone else. But didn't I already explain to you that we won't be able to find our family if you don't recover? Your still not recovered yet, David…Dad."
David sighed and began drinking the second glass of water. His daughter was right, again, and her use of the word "Dad" showed just how important it was for him to listen to her.
Finally, after finishing the second glass of water, Emma and the redhead agreed David could get back on his feet. But as he did, the sun shined right on the burn that ran right across the front of his neck. Although he tried to hold back, he grunted in pain.
The redhead immediately examined his neck. "This is a burn. I didn't see it when we were healing your other injuries." She turned to Emma. "This one shouldn't be that hard. Did you want to heal it yourself or do you still need help?"
Okay, that was a lot of information to digest at once. First, this woman knew Emma had magic, which was another thing he didn't want strangers knowing. Why did he have to be stuck in that fire room unable to protect his daughter, again? Second, the redheaded also had, or at least used magic. That didn't make him comfortable at all. Most people from the Enchanted Forest who used magic were not really trustworthy. They needed to leave these strangers as soon as possible. Still, the woman also said she had helped Emma heal his injuries. That probably helped him wake up. In a way, David owed her.
Emma, meanwhile, was shaking her head. "I think I'll do it myself," she replied firmly. She looked at his burn carefully. "Where did you get this? You certainly didn't have it when we left Neverland. And I don't remember you getting burned here."
David sighed. He really didn't want Emma to have another reason to worry about him. Plus, if she didn't know a sleeping curse victim could get burned in the fire room, he didn't really want to be the one to tell her. It would be one more reason to feel guilty about not being there for Henry when he was going through it. "I'm not really sure," he replied. Hopefully he was convincing enough for her.
By the expression on Emma's face, however, it wasn't. "Tell me the truth, David!" she said sharply. "You know, I thought my family would actually trust me. Especially from someone who always knows when another person is lying!"
David slumped. He had only been trying to protect Emma; instead he pushed her further away. He didn't miss that she was back to calling him "David." And what did she mean; she always knew when someone is lying?
"What do you mean when you say you always know?"
"I mean it's just instinct, I guess." Emma shrugged, looking closed – off again. "I just always know. I've told you this, before you know, if you had bothered to listen to me. During the Curse."
David sighed. Of course, she had. When she had been investigating Kathryn's "disappearance." As he thought of one of his least favorite memories, the past washed over him.
He and Emma were talking on the side of the road, near the town line. Kathryn had just gone missing. He had just told Emma he didn't know about Kathryn's disappearance.
"I know there has been lies and deceit and I'm really not judging you but is that really the truth?" The look on Emma's face showed she was judging him, even though she claimed otherwise. It wasn't as if he didn't deserve it. Honestly, David judged Nolan for this, too.
"Yes," he had replied. "I haven't spoken to her since we…I ended things. Then I found all her things gone. I assumed she went to Boston….Am I as suspect?" David remembered feeling nervous. How could he convince this woman, who obviously didn't trust him, that he didn't do anything to Kathryn? Except break her heart, that is.
But Emma had surprised him. "No, I know when people are telling the truth David, and you are."
A couple of days later, they had a similar conversation in the Sheriff's office. Emma was worried that they hadn't found Kathryn yet, but they had found evidence that she had called him right before she left. It was incriminating. "…Your wife is missing. You are in love with another woman. There's this unexplained phone call!" Emma told him obviously frustrated.
David remembered being frustrated as well. How could he help Kathryn and prove his innocence?
"I know", he had replied. "I know. I can't explain why it says that. I didn't do anything to my wife."
But Emma surprised him again." I'm pretty good at spotting a liar, and honestly liars have better material." She believed him? Even with all the evidence against him, she still believed he didn't have anything to with Kathryn's disappearance?
David mind returned to the present. "Yeah, you're right, Emma. You did tell me that before. And I was listening, believe me. It's just that part of my life…isn't fun to think about for me, you know? I hurt too many people I care about. And I won't tell you anymore lies."
"Whatever," Emma replied, obviously not convinced.
"Listen, I got the burn from the fire room, okay? And the reason I didn't tell you before was because I didn't want to worry you." Out of the corner of his eye, David saw the red - haired woman nod to a black – haired man. What was that about? It didn't matter right now. What mattered was restoring his relationship with his daughter.
Emma sighed. "I thought we already had this conversation before. I don't need protection! Now do you want me to heal you or not?" She still sounded closed – off. David had a feeling she would be for quite a while. At least she hadn't realized that Henry had suffered the same fate in the fire room.
Still, she had offered to heal him, so maybe all was not lost. "Yes, Emma, please do heal the burn," he said calmly. He hoped his voice would make her more composed. It had done wonders for angry sheep, a long time ago.
Emma raised her hand above his burn. He felt the magic flowing on his skin, but the burn stayed. "Sorry. It looks like I'm not able to heal you after all."
David smiled at her. "It's okay. Don't worry about it."
The redhead stepped forward. "Would you like me to try?" she asked in the same calm voice David had just used with Emma.
Emma and David both replied, "No!" at the same time, and she stepped away. At least he and Emma agreed on something. Neither of them wanted to trust these strangers more than they had to.
"I can walk with the burn. I'll be fine," Charming continued, as he stood up again. He wasn't sure who he was talking to right now; Emma who he didn't want to worry about him, or the redhead who he didn't really trust.
Both Emma and the redhead nodded. Clearly neither of them knew who he was talking to, either. "Well, thank you for your assistance, miss. We're going to follow the river. We're looking for the rest of our family." David looked at the redhead and the black – haired man sternly. He hoped they got his hint; that he and Emma would go on their own.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot I never introduced myself to you. My name is Ellysetta and this is my mate, Rain. We rule this land. And I hate to disappoint you, but I don't think your family is here. We were informed immediately when you arrived. I'm sure we would have been told if others had as well."
David shook his head. He refused to believe that. They would find their family. Isn't that what they always did?
Emma disagreed as well. "Maybe they landed somewhere else when their portal opened. If I remember correctly, this land is pretty big."
The man shook his head and finally spoke. "No matter how big the land is, someone would tell about newcomers. And we didn't see any when we were flying, either."
Emma still disagreed. "What I meant was a part of the land that you don't rule."
Ellysetta shrugged. "I suppose it's possible they landed in Celieria, although I doubt it because they don't have a lot of magic there. It would probably make the portal difficult to work. I could check with King Dorian if you wanted, though, and even Lord Hawkheart and Lady Brighhand."
Charming nodded immediately. He had no idea who those people were, but if they could help them find Snow and Henry if they were in a different part of the Enchanted Forest, he would agree.
The other man, Rain, expressed displeasure, although he said nothing. Ellysetta looked back at him sharply and shook her head. Charming had no idea what that was about, but apparently, they were having a silent argument about helping him and Emma. It went on for some time as the couple silently quarreled about their fate, and their families.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"It will take a few days, I warn you," the man said several minutes later. He was obviously not happy. "I'll have to prepare Ellysetta's quintet if we're going to leave the Fading Lands."
Emma nodded, understanding. Of course. Ogres.
"I have been meaning to ask you," Ellysetta asked curiously. "You said you came from this land, and your strong magic talent indicates that. But you speak and look Celierian, not Feyan. Plus, you obviously haven't been trained in magic yet. Why is that?" When they both look confused, she continued. "It could be important to finding your family."
Emma took a deep breath. She and David both seemed to agree not to give these people too much information. Who knows what they would do with it? And David didn't even know about the woman's "truthspeaking" yet. Still, she said it could be important in find in their family. She needed Henry. And Mary Margaret. And Neal. Emma knew Ellysetta was telling the truth about that at least, thanks to her superpower.
"I was born in this land, but my parents put me in a wardrobe to save me from a curse. The curse, actually, is why I have magic. I was supposed to be the Savior of said curse." David looked at her sternly and shook his head. Apparently he didn't want her revealing this information. Well, he'd have to deal. If it helped her find everyone else, so be it. David really needed to learn to trust her and her superpower.
"As for looking and speaking 'Celierian', I don't know what that is. In my world, they call it English." Emma shrugged.
Ellysetta and Rain looked shocked. Completely shocked. "If you don't know Celieria in any way, then I'm afraid you're not from here at all. Where do you think you are?"
Emma and David looked at each other warily. Where were they? Were they even more lost than they had thought? "We're not in the Enchanted Forest?" David exclaimed.
Rain shook his head. "This is the Fey homeland. It's called the Fading Lands. I've never heard of an Enchanted Forest, although some of the trees in Elvira are magical. Is that what you're referring to?"
Emma and David shook their head, both dumbfounded. Finally David managed to speak. "No, I didn't mean the trees are magical in the Enchanted Forest…although some of the m used to be," David added, obviously remembering the tree Geppetto had carved into the wardrobe for them. "The Enchanted Forest I know has castles, and fairies, and horses, and magic…and princesses. Or at least, it used to. Before the Curse." He sounded wistful. Emma knew David really wanted to go back to the Enchanted Forest. She just wished she could explain that world would never be home for her.
"And ogres. Don't forget the ogres," Emma added. Sometimes she really thought David pictured Enchanted Forest too romantically. She would never forget the ogres!
Rain and Ellysetta nodded. "Well, we have some of those things here, too, although I don't think we have ogres." Ellsettaa replied. Rain shook his head.
Emma nodded, relieved. One less thing to worry about.
"But…then this isn't our home, after all." David looked so heartbroken Emma felt sorry for him; although she'd still like to explain that the Enchanted Forest was not her home. Storybrooke was home.
"But we can still look for the rest of our family," she told him, trying to make him feel better. She was still pretty upset at David for lying to her before, but she did care about him. Besides, they were only going to be able to find the others if they worked together.
David brightened immediately. "That's right! We can find them!" He looked at Rain and Ellysetta. "You're still willing to take us to the other kingdoms to take to the kings and queens there?"
"Of course", Ellysetta replied immediately. She and Rain has some kind of conversation with their eyes.