Emma climbed down the last of the mountains that served as the border between Elvia and the Fading Lands. The rest of their group was already setting up camp in the valley below. Everyone was in a good mood again. David was so certain they could go home now, and everyone else was happy for them. He and his new friend, Tajik, were even joking around with each other.
Emma sighed as she walked toward the group, trying to pretend she was happy as well. It was nice that Ellysetta believed there were portals in this world, after all. Emma had to admit it made sense if the story of Snow White eating the apple was familiar in this world. How else would these people have heard it if not because of a portal? But what they didn't seem to realize was that portal probably led back to the Enchanted Forest. Emma had no good memories of that place. It wasn't her home and never would be. She wanted to go back to Storybrooke.
As she walked toward the fire Tajik had just started (with magic, of course) she thought she heard her name. "Emma," someone seemed to say. However, when she looked around, no one seemed to be paying any attention to her. David and Tajik were laughing about something. Bel, Gil, and Rijonn were gathering and conjuring food for the evening. Ellysetta and Rain were wrapped in each other's arms. She shrugged and continued walking.
As she went to sit down on a nearby rock (not as good as a chair, but not nearly as uncomfortable as sitting on the floor), she heard it again. "Emma." She looked around again, but still, no one paid attention to her. Actually, she wasn't really sure she actually heard it out loud. Maybe she was just imagining it. That was probably it. She settled down to wait for dinner.
As dinner cooked, Emma tried to think of good things in her life. She and David had new friends and they would be in a place with real beds soon! Real beds and sleeping indoors; that sounded so wonderful to Emma. But she still wished they would be returning to Storybrooke, not the Enchanted Forest.
Soon they were dishing out the meal, which consisted of wild berries and conjured bread and cheese, as well as some kind of eggs. She thanked the man, Rijonn, for conjuring the bread and cheese, since she was pretty sure he had done that for her benefit. After all, everyone else here was familiar with the strange food they served. Even David seemed to recognize some of it. She suspected he ate some of it in the Enchanted Forest. There was another problem with going back there She'd never be able to eat her favorite foods again.
As Emma took a bite of cheese, she heard her name again. "Emma." However, when she looked around at the group, they were all eating. She needed to get away. Away from all these happy people. Then she would stop hearing things. David, she could see from the distance, got up to follow her. Emma walked away even further.
Eventually, someone tapped her shoulder. But when Emma finally turned around, it wasn't David standing in front of her; it was Ellysetta. "Oh, it's just you," Emma said in relief, without thinking. Then she covered her mouth. She didn't want anyone to know about the problems she was having with David.
Ellysetta, however, smiled patiently. "So, I take it you received my message? I said your name in spirit in your mind, right?"
Emma's mouth dropped open. "That was you? I thought I was going crazy! Usually when you introduce new magic to me, you ask me first."
Ellysetta sighed. "I don't know what you mean by 'going crazy', but I didn't ask you about it first because that's the best way to test if a person can receive a spirit message. When I was first introduced to magic, Rain did the same thing with me."
Emma nodded. "Okay, whatever."
"Can you try to say something back to me? Focus on your spirit magic, and then think of something you'd like to say to me. Imagine your message being transported to my mind," Ellysetta instructed patiently. That was one of the nice things about Ellysetta. She really understood how overwhelmed Emma was feeling about all this.
Still, being told to speak to Ellysetta that way, after everything, was too much. She shook her head at Ellysetta and began walking away from her.
But as Emma walked away, she realized she was walking back to the group. More specifically, to David. Was she ready to deal with him right now? She sighed and headed back to Ellysetta. As she did, she tried focusing on what Ellysetta called Spirit. Then she focused on Ellysetta's mind. Can you hear me? She thought.
Ellysetta nodded eagerly. I can hear you! Emma heard in her mind. Maybe she would get a handle on this magic stuff.
Fey talk this way when they want to have a private conversation without others listening. Apparently, you can do it, too, just like a lot of other Fey women's powers, Ellysetta continued in Emma's head. Suddenly Emma understood. All of those times Rain and Ellysetta looked like they were communicating with just facial expressions, they were actually communicating with this "spirit." That explained the time Emma saw Ellysetta communicate without words with her guards, too. They all had magic, so they could all communicate this way. And now, Emma had magic, so she could, too. Was that a good thing or not?
There was a big part of Emma that still wanted to run away from all this. But how would that help her family? Plus, if she ran again, David would probably want to find her and talk to her, like he tried to do a few moments ago. She wanted to avoid speaking to David for a while. He was too excited about returning to the Enchanted Forest.
Focusing on her spirt magic, Emma tried again. Yeah, I guess you're right. She thought to Ellysetta.
So, Ellysetta continued in Emma's mind, What's bothering you? I can feel you're turmoil. We can talk this way without anyone knowing, and you can practice at the same time.
Emma felt like she was caught between a rock and a hard place. On one hand, she really didn't want to put a damper on anyone's good mood about the portal. On the other hand, it would give her more time to practice magic. Plus, Ellysetta was right, talking with this "spirit", she wouldn't have to worry about anyone else hearing them. It would be easier to talk to Ellysetta than to David…
I know everyone's glad we do have a portal somewhere in this world. And I'm glad we do too, don't get me wrong. As much as I enjoy your friendship, I don't want stay here permanently. But, it's just…it will be a portal to the Enchanted Forest. You said it yourself. It's a portal to David's world.
Ellysetta obviously looked confused. I thought you said you and he came from the same place… And I know you don't think of him that way… but Lord Hawksheart said he was your father. So... wouldn't it be your world too?
Emma sighed and shook her head. This was obviously something that got lost in the translation when they first met. Although, David knew her history, and he still didn't understand that the Enchanted Forest wasn't her home and never would be. Could she explain it to Ellysetta? It might be easier, because she wasn't so invested in the Enchanted Forest. When she tried to explain her feelings to David back in Storybrooke; he wouldn't listen.
It's complicated, Emma replied, sending the message to Ellysetta's mind. I was born in this 'Enchanted Forest' and then sent to Earth, that's a land without magic, because I was supposed to break a powerful Curse set on all the people in the Enchanted Forest. As a result, I grew up on Earth. I have no memories of growing up in the Enchanted Forest, like David does and everyone else we know. Earthis my home.
Ellysetta appeared to think about this for a few minutes, trying to understand all this new information. Okay, I understand you have no memories of the Enchanted Forest, but why are you so interested in this 'land without magic'? I thought you had accepted your magic? Emma still marveled that she could hear Ellysetta's words inside her head.
Emma shook her head. This really was so complicated. No, that's not the problem. I'm learning to accept magic. I know sometimes it's necessary. There's magic in Storybrooke, now, too, which was our home before we went to Neverland and David and I ended up here. But Storybrooke is still… normal enough for me. It has the food I'm used to; we drive cars, have TVs, and use elevators! It's still on Earth.
Ellysetta nodded, obviously trying to understand.
Emma continued, And that's not the only problem. In the last year, after the Curse broke, I was involuntarily sent to the Enchanted Forest with Mary Margaret. We faced a lot of dangerous stuff, including huge ogres that are incredibly hard to kill and lots of new powerful enemies. Almost all of the memories I do have of that world are negative. I… just don't want to go back. But David won't listen. He's too excited about going back to his home to realize I'm losing mine.
Ellysetta nodded. I think I understand better now. I don't think I'd want to go there, if I were you, either. But Emma… I know you don't want to hear this, but just because the Enchanted Forest was never your home doesn't mean it can't become one, especially if all of your family is there.
Emma shook her head. Ellysetta really didn't understand.No… only Storybrooke is home for me. It's the only place that ever will be. It's the only real home I've ever had.
Ellysetta sighed again. Like I said, I understand you wanting to go back home; I really do. Especially the only home you've ever had. But… Look when Rain first found me, and declared me his Shei'tani", Emma still didn't know what that meant but she let it pass. It was obviously a romantic relationship of some sort. "he was the Fey king and I was just a Celierian peasant. I had lived in Celieria all my life, with my family. It was my home. But if I wanted to marry Rain, I would have to live in the Fading Lands with him. I accepted it, because I wanted to marry him. But I still considered Celieria my home. It was where my family was. It was the only home I had ever known. I looked forward to returning to Celieria as often as possible, and told Rain as much.
But now? All of my family has moved to the Fading Lands. And as much as I have fond memories of my childhood in Celieria, it's not my home anymore. I don't feel the need to go back as often as possible. You might find the same is true for you if you do return to the Enchanted Forest.
Ellysetta had a point. She never really enjoyed her time in the Enchanted Forest because she missed Henry so much. If her son had been with her, maybe it would make a difference. But what about Neal? He liked the Enchanted Forest even less than she did. You have a point,Emma said to Ellysetta. "But that's not all. I have…or I might have a boyfriend again. Ellysetta looked at Emma blankly. Apparently, they didn't use the same terms for relationships. What was it that Ellysetta had thought she and David were when they first arrived again? I think you call them a mate? she asked questioningly.
Ellysetta nodded, understanding. His memories of the Enchanted Forest are even worse than mine. He would never want to go back there, even if I did. So if I want things to work out with him…And even though the idea of pursuing a relationship with Neal made her nervous, she was pretty sure she wanted to try.
Ellysetta nodded again. That does make it more complicated. But even though I agree that there is probably a portal to the Enchanted Forest here somewhere it doesn't mean there isn't one to Earth as well. We both have stories about Snow White, right? Didn't we agree they had to come from somewhere? What if that means there's a portal to Earth, too?
Emma nodded, feeling a little bit better. Maybe they could return to Storybrooke, after all. Assuming she could convince David to go to Storybrooke, that is. She and Ellysetta walked back to the rest of their group. Emma hadn't eaten much, after all.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
David was really enjoying talking to Tajik. They were becoming very good friends. Right now, he was explaining how he had dealt with his other nemesis, King George. "… So, he tried to tell me I wasn't fit to rule. I told him the people had seen me defeat him before, and if he wanted to take me on, they'd see me do it again." He chuckled.
Tajik nodded. "Rain had a problem like that once. Some of his advisors thought he was putting the Fading Lands in jeopardy and wanted to strip him of his crown. He made them understand… eventually." Tajik looked over at Rain, but he was concentrating on Ellysetta, with his arms wrapped around her.
As the food was dished out, Emma suddenly disappeared from the group. What was wrong? David immediately got up to talk to Emma. If his daughter was upset, he needed to know how to fix it. But when he was about half way there, Ellysetta stopped him.
"Let me talk to her, David. I think some of this is about some new magic I'm trying with her. I need to let her practice it with me again."
David nodded. That made sense. Still… "Are you sure I can't watch? If she's upset about magic she might like to have me there to support her."
Ellysetta looked nervous. "I…. also think she might need to talk, David. I can relate to a lot of stuff she's going through. It might be easier for her to talk to me."
David nodded sadly and walked back to the group. It was true. Emma and Ellysetta were becoming close friends. Just like him and Tajik; they had a lot in common. Still it was disappointing that even though he and Emma were getting along better than before; she still wasn't comfortable talking to him about her problems. Would she ever really consider him her father? Or was it always going to be one step forward, two steps back?
He picked up a boiled serpent's egg and began munching. They needed to eat if they wanted to make it to Rain and Ellysetta's palace tomorrow in Dharsa. There were beds there. Emma should look forward to that. And Ellysetta said the information on portals could be in the Hall of Scrolls, also in Dharsa. They were both looking forward to that.
Rain, who had barely paid any attention to him at all since they met, suddenly looked at David strangely. "I'm trying to figure out the story you told to Ellysetta this afternoon. You said you knew something happened to Snow when she ate that apple? How is that possible? What did you mean by it?"
David sighed. It was the part of the story a lot of people had problems comprehending. "I just did," he replied. "I felt it, like a physical pain. And I knew it had to do with Snow, somehow."
Rain however nodded with understanding. Had he ever experienced something similar with Ellysetta?
"Can I ask you something?" Rain continued. "What do you think of when you look at Ellysetta?'
David had no idea where that came from or how that was related to his ability to feel Snow's pain when she ate the apple. He shrugged. "I see a person who's been a lot of help to Emma and me. She's teaching Emma more about her magic, and she's trying to help us get home, so we can see the rest of our family again." He took another bite of serpent's egg.
Rain nodded. "I suppose I always knew that; I just didn't think of it consciously. A lot of mortals in this world still don't like fey and distrust our magic, even though the Mages are gone now. You saw it at the trial." David nodded wondering were Rain was going with this. "But I guess… when I look at you, I see a mortal. I don't usually trust mortals. Not unless they've proven themselves. I thought maybe you feared Ellysetta." He ate a few berries.
David shook his head, still not understanding why Rain was discussing this with him. "No, of course not. I mean, I did in the beginning because I know magic can be misused, and I know a lot of people back in our land who do. But when Ellysetta explained how her and Emma's magic was so similar, and offered to teach her, I knew you were all good people. Magic doesn't have to be bad. Emma has magic, and I know she's good. And there are others who use magic for good in our world, too. Like the fairies."
Rain nodded. "And, don't take this the wrong way but… you're not attracted to Ellysetta?"
David looked at Rain as if he was crazy. "No! Why would you think that? I have a wife that I'm trying desperately to get back to! Weren't we just talking about that? Besides, even if I didn't, I'd never be interested in a married woman." David huffed. He realized they had just met a week ago, but to even think he was capable of…. He needed to get away from this man.
David started to walk away, but Rain stopped him. "This is what I mean by taking it the wrong way. Most people who aren't afraid of Fey can't help but be attracted to Fey women. It's kind of…part of the magic. Do you remember how Lord Teleos looked at Ellysetta?"
David definitely remembered. He nodded. "I was surprised you got along so well with him looking at her like that."
Rain sighed. "He's done a lot for Ellysetta and me and the rest of the Fey. I consider him a friend. As far as the way he looks at Ellysetta… like I said, it's not his fault. I don't like it, but I can't blame him. Fey women are supposed to wear veils when they go to Celieria, so men won't be able to see their faces. Ellysetta won't do it. She says she's been denying her heritage for too long. But if she wore one, I wouldn't have to worry about men looking at her like…"
"Like a teenager drunk on love?" David finished. He had forgiven Rain for asking him if he was attracted to Ellysetta. His explanation made perfect sense.
Rain nodded, a little confused. Apparently they didn't have the same slang here, but Rain seemed to understand what David was trying to say. "Right," Rain continued. "But getting back to you. You're not afraid of Ellysetta or her magic. But you can look at her without…acting like Lord Teleos did. I think that's because of the relationship you have with your wife."
David agreed, although he didn't understand why that was such a revelation for Rain. "Yes, I love my wife, and I'm only interested in her that way. So, what?"
Rain shook his head. "You don't understand what I'm saying. If a Celierian, or any mortal, isn't afraid of Fey, they really can't help but be interested in Fey women, even if they are married to someone else. So what makes you different? Let's return to the food while we finish this conversation."
David shrugged and walked back to his dinner. They did need to eat. He took a bite of bread.
Rain took a bite of cheese and swallowed. "Have you heard me refer to Ellysetta as 'shei'tani?'" David nodded. "Do you know what that means?" Rain continued.
Shrugging, David replied, "A pet name or an endearment of some sort, I suppose. I know you're married."
Rain sighed. "Yes, we are. But shei'tani means more than that. It means 'truemate.' It means our souls are tied together and have been since I first saw her. So I won't ever be interested in another woman… How did you meet your wife? What did you feel when you met her?"
David sighed as he let the memories overtake him. He had to get his mother's ring back! He had promised her he would give to his fiancée! How dare that thief take away the last piece of his mother he still had! Such cowardliness! All thieves were cowards! When he finally caught up with the thief he said as much. "Coward!" he shouted as he toppled over him….Or who he thought was a him. "You're…a girl?" he asked shocked. "Woman," she had replied, insulted. He stared at her for a minute. How could it be? And that's when she hit him on the face with a rock. He remembered it fondly now, but he was pretty angry at her at the time. "I was surprised, for one. She was dressed like a man, so I didn't expect her to be a woman. That really stunned me. And I was angry for hitting me with a rock." He rubbed the scar on his chin, which after thirty years, was still there.
Rain nodded, obviously thinking.
"I didn't fall in love with her when I met her, if that's what you mean. Interested, maybe but not love. No matter what the Disney movie claims," he added.
Rain looked at him confused. "It's another version of our story that exists back on Earth. The one Emma was talking about yesterday from the 1930s."
Rain smiled and shook his head. "I'm glad I don't have that many different stories of my life. But as far as "love at first sight", that's not really what I meant. I didn't fall in love with Ellysetta at first sight, either. Actually, I was still mourning the loss of my first mate. My heart didn't want her at all, then. But there was a pull… a connection that I could feel right away. A desire to protect her and make her mine. Are you sure that 'stunned' feeling you had couldn't have been that?"
David thought for a minute. "I was definitely surprised she was a girl, no doubt about that. But a connection… maybe." He thought further. Boy that Snow White made him angry! He thought as he finally climbed out of the river. He had let her go after she stole his mother's ring and promised not to turn her over to the Queen, and she still throws him in the river the first chance she gets? She was going to get a piece of his mind when he found her again! And he would find her again. She wouldn't get rid of him that easily!
When he finally did find her however, the Queen's knights had found her as well. She appeared to be caught off guard and unable to defend herself. They were going to cut out her heart. How dare they! David threw a dagger at the first knight and ran to the others, sword drawn. He would protect her. At the time he thought he had defended Snow because it was the "honorable thing to do." No matter what she had done to him, no one should have their heart cut out with a knife like that! But looking back, David wondered. Why had he been so angry at her in one moment and so willing to die to defend her in the next? Was it because, like Rain said, they had a bond? A bond that made him have to protect Snow no matter what? "You're right," he grinned at Rain. "I was determined to protect her, from the beginning." Then he ate another serpent's egg.
"A fey with an uncompleted truemate bond is also very possessive of his mate. He even doesn't want other men touching her. Before my bond with Ellysetta was complete, I wouldn't even let her dancing instructor touch her. After the bond is complete, it's not that big of a deal. Have you ever gotten possessive or jealous?"
The only time David remembered being jealous about Snow was when he found out about her one – night stand with Whale. He still believed punching him was completely justified. "The only time I can think of right now happened a few months ago," he shrugged.
Rain shook his head. "That's too recent. Your bond would have been complete by then. I mean something that happened before you were married, or just after you were married. Something that made sense to you at the time, but seems unreasonable now." He ate another piece of bread.
David thought further back. Suddenly he remembered another incident. An incident, that thinking about it now, he became incredibly embarrassed by it. They had just one a huge battle against King George's army, and everyone was celebrating. The dwarves were giving toasts to Snow and her Prince, Red was dancing, and he and Snow were laughing along with everyone else. One of the knights gave Snow a big huge, saying "You did a good job."
David watched with increasing anger. How dare that man put his hands on his fiancée! He came up behind them and pulled the man off Snow, shaking his head at him as he did so. The knight gave David a weird look and then walked away. Snow, on the other hand, looked at him angrily. "What was that about?" she asked him. "It was just a hug from a friend, Charming! How is that different from all the hugs I've received from the dwarves?" Her eyes flashed in anger.
David couldn't answer that. Obviously, she was closer to the dwarves, so it was easier to see their affection was innocent, but the knight appeared innocent, too. But still, the idea of that man's hands on Snow…he just couldn't handle it. "I don't know why it's different. It just is," he replied to Snow. Snow hadn't talked to him for the rest of the night, obviously still angry at his behavior. But eventually she, and the knights, learned to accept he didn't want them touching her. But Rain was right. Thinking about it now…why had he been so unreasonable? It was no different from the hugs she got from the dwarves, or for that matter, the hugs he got from Red. "Okay, there may have been a time where I was…unreasonably possessive about Snow," he admitted, sighing. Perhaps he didn't need to feel so guilty about that any more, though?
"How about when you were away from her? Before you were married, I mean? How did you feel then?"
Rain continued questioning him. He ate a few more berries.
David stopped eating again as he let the memories of he and Snow's courtship fill his mind. "I was depressed. Really depressed. Even more than I am know because I didn't know if I would see here again. And I didn't even have Emma with me, either. I didn't have any friends, really." He shook his head as he remembered the time he had to pretend to be King George's son, happily planning his wedding to Princess Abigail.
Rain nodded again, still thinking. "Understandable. But usually a Fey with an uncompleted truemate bond goes through something called "bond madness" when he's away from his shei'tani. First it means their magic is harder to control." David looked at him blankly. What did that have to do with him? "I know, you don't posses magic, so that wouldn't affect you, right?" David nodded. "But then his temper is harder to control. Were you angry a lot when you were separated from her?"
David nodded vigorously. "Oh yes." "Prince James, which suit would you like to wear to marry Princess Abigail?" The tailor held up two suits, one in blue, and one in black. David resisted the urge to throw them back in the man's face. He hated everything about this wedding! He was marrying a woman he couldn't stand to be around, and his heart was longing for Snow White more and more every day.
To the tailor, he replied, "Whatever you think is best." Then David spun around before he could insult the other man further.
A few days later, he was taking to King George. "Stop moping. I need you to give a speech to the guests at the party tonight. And I expect you to act happy. You're a prince now." Oh yeah he was a prince all right, but none of this was his idea! He was supposed to have killed the dragon and gone home. Not be stuck in this castle with…him as a father.
"What speech?" he snarled at the king.
King George grabbed the lapels of his suit and growled, "About how much better everyone will be after you marry Princess Abigail, of course! And how happy you are to be marrying her!" Then King George let go of him and walked away. David wanted to scream at him, "I'm not happy to be marrying Princess Abigail! I want to find Snow White!" but he didn't. Because he knew his mother's life depended on him honoring his commitment. And he had promised his mother he would give Abigail the ring.
That night, after forcing himself through the horrible speech King George made him give, he tried once more to give his mother's ring to Princess Abigail. "True Love follows this ring wherever it goes," his mother had told him. So I want you to give this ring to your fiancée, so you'll be happy." He didn't see how he'd ever be happy with such a spoiled, disagreeable woman, especially since he'd rather give the ring to someone else. But he had promised his mother he would give the ring to Abigail. So he would. "Hello, dear," he said trying to forcing himself to be cheerful. "Would you like to go out on the balcony with me and look at the stars ? It's a lovely night."
But Abigail shook her head. "The night air could be bad for my throat. I usually stay inside." That woman was a snob. He pictured Snow, who lived in the forest. She would be more than happy to look at the stars with him, he'd bet.
"Fine," he snapped to Abigail. "Stay inside then. You'll miss a lovely view." Not to mention a ring his mother loved and had become very special to him. How could he give the ring to Abigail if she kept snubbing him every chance he tried to do so?" He discretely spat in her direction. That's all she was worth. Looking back, David wished he wasn't so hard on Abigail. She wasn't a bad person or even a spoiled princess, like he had thought. She was missing Fredrick and angry that he was being replaced. But yes, he had been angry a lot at that time.
To Rain he said, "I always thought I was just angry at King George for putting me in that situation; we never got along. And I was angry at Abigail for not being Snow, but she was angry at me for not being the man she had loved and lost."
Rain nodded, "But what about everyone else? Was there anyone you weren't angry at that time?" David thought for a minute. Tailors trying to tell him he needed a suit for his wedding, knights trying to protect him from… what? Himself, it seemed half the time. Chiefs trying to serve him his "favorite meals", which were actually the original Prince James's favorites… maids who believed he would pick up their dresses every chance he got… no he had definitely been angry at everyone. "Yes, okay I was angry at everyone, as well as depressed. I always thought I had a good reason!"
Rain sighed. "We all think we have a good reason. So, let me see. You felt… something the moment you met Snow. You were very determined to protect her, as soon as you met her. You were unreasonably possessive of her early on. You suffered from signs of bond madness when you were separated from her, and you felt her pain when Regina made her eat the apple enchanted with your sleeping curse. Not to mention the fact that you have no attraction to Ellysetta, even though you're not bothered by her magic. And then there's the fact that your child is a daughter. Only truemates are supposed to have female children. I think you have a truemate bond with your wife."
Bel, Rijonn, and Gil shook their heads vigorously; Tajik listened, interested. "That doesn't make any sense, Rain. He's not Fey. He's mortal," Bel protested.
"I thought so, too. He certainly looks it. And despite the fact that his daughter has magic, he doesn't", Rain admitted.
It was amazing how easy these people accepted that Emma was his daughter, especially when she didn't accept it herself a lot of times. Suddenly he realized Emma was back, sitting and eating again. Had he been so involved in his discussion with Rain and his memories of Snow that he didn't even see her come back? He smiled at her, hoping whatever was bothering her before was okay now. She smiled back, although her smile didn't meet her eyes. He'd really have to talk to her later.
"But can you think of another reason why he would feel her pain when she ate that apple?" Rain continued. "Only truemates have that ability." The other fey shrugged. "Has that ever happened since then? Feeling her pain, I mean? Or her feeling yours?" Rain asked David.
David thought for a minute. Then his eyes lit up, remembering. He had just returned to their palace after spending a week near the borders. A group of outlaws thought he and Snow were weak because they tried to be kind to their subjects and ruled without magic. So they had been attacking women and making off with their fine silks. David showed them he wouldn't stand for such behavior. Women were to be treated with respect. Unfortunately, before he captured them, the outlaws bruised his leg. He was able to ride back home, but it bothered him.
When he finally entered their castle, he was eager to see Snow, especially since she was pregnant with their first child. As soon as he walked in however, Doc was waiting for him. "Snow insisted that I look at you first. Something about you leg… I think you have some bruises", he said examining it. He tried to tell Doc that he was okay, and he wanted to see Snow first, but Doc would have none of it. At the time he was too upset that he hadn't seen Snow right away to think about it, but how did she know he had been injured?** Yeah, I guess she did feel my pain before….And just last month, Regina pulled her heart out again. I didn't want to believe it. Regina had said she didn't need Snow's heart anymore, and I wanted to believe her. But I knew something was wrong; I felt that, too. But when the pain went away I told myself I had imagined it."
Rain nodded again. The other Fey shrugged, still trying to understand how this was possible. Emma looked very uncomfortable. David still needed to see what was bothering her soon. But as he looked at the fey again, something occurred to him. "You fey…all have pale skin, right?" They all nodded, obviously confused. "Almost glowing?"
"Why do you ask?" Tajik asked.
David took a deep breath. "Snow has skin like that. At least, she still has pale skin. Back in the Enchanted Forest, he skin had a glow to it. It doesn't in Storybrooke...but people look different there. Rumplestiltskin looks more human. It might have something to do with magic working differently in Storybrooke."
They all nodded. But Bel shook his head, "Even if that's true, your wife doesn't have magic. And neither do you. So you still can't be fey."
Ellysetta, who had also returned to the group, apparently heard part of the conversation as well. "Yes but Bel,…something doesn't make sense. Rain was right; they have all the signs of a truemate bond…And with the portals…" She trailed off still trying to think. "Could it be possible other fey used the portal to go to this "Enchanted Forest? So his wife at least, would be fey? Or partially fey?"
Rain nodded, looking at Ellysetta proudly. "That makes sense."
But Bel shook his head firmly again. "But they still don't have magic. And he doesn't look fey at all. Only full – blooded fey can truemate."
But this time Rain shook his head. "Aren't you forgetting about Talisa? She was only partially fey, and her soul still called Adrial's. Maybe that rule isn't as necessary as we always believed. If she's fey, or mostly fey, and he's partially fey…maybe that was enough to create the bond."
Everyone else nodded in agreement. Apparently David had a "truemate bond" with Snow. What the significance of that was, he wasn't sure. Other than he was going to have to pay more attention to the sensation he got when she was hurt, that is.
Bel, however, still had one more argument. "What about magic, though? They don't have magic!"
Rain smiled at Emma, who was obviously becoming more and more uncomfortable with this conversation. What was bothering her? But Rain didn't seem to notice, as he was to intent on explaining to the rest of the group how David and Snow were truemates. "Their daughter has magic," he pointed out.
Emma finally spoke up. "That doesn't mean anything! It was because of Gold. Or Rumplestiltskin, whatever his name is.
David bristled with anger again at how that man…that creature had used his family for his own gain. "Don't remind me", he grumbled. He really wished the imp was in front of him right now so he could wipe the Dark One's grin right off his face. He stared at his food again. He had completely forgotten about his dinner. He took another bite of serpent's egg.
Rain nodded thoughtfully. "But is that really the only reason you have magic, Emma, in light of this discussion? Or did this "Rumplestiltskin" just jump start something that was already there? Something that was dormant in your parents, but active in you?"
Emma shrugged, "Maybe." She replied. She looked like she was ready to bolt. Instead she took a bite of cheese. David really needed to talk to her. Still, he liked Rain's idea why Emma had magic. It was always present; Gold just activated what she already inherited.
Ellysetta nodded enthusiastically, her long red hair bouncing all around her. "That makes sense. I always thought it was strange that your powers were exactly the same as a shei'dalin, yet you had no fey heritage. I agree I think your parents are at least partially fey," she said, directing the comment to Emma. Then she turned to Bel. "And as for why they don't posses magic themselves, Bel, who knows how long their ancestors left the Fading Lands? Wouldn't that leave them with no faerilas to recharge their magic at all? But since they were still fey, they still had the capacity to truemate."
Bel nodded reluctantly. "I guess that makes sense", he finally admitted.
Rain looked at David with admiration. "Now that is settled, I have to say, I can't believe you and your wife…your shei'tani could complete the bond when you didn't even know what you were doing! Ellysetta and I recently completed our bond, and it was extremely difficult. Still, I knew enough of the fey heritage to guide Ellysetta. Neither of you had that benefit."
Charming shrugged. "I did what I needed to do to love Snow. Nothing more, nothing less." He munched on a few berries. "Can I ask why this is so important? Other than paying more attention to my ability to know when she's hurt, that is?"
Rain smiled at him. "First, like I said before, we just find it incredible that they are bonded truemates outside our world. It also makes you not just friends….For lack of a better way of putting it… you're one of us. Fey. But as for why it's important to you…two things. First, I don't know if you know this or not, but you don't ever have to worry about one of you dying without the other. Truemates live forever or die together." Charming nodded. That was good to know. They had always said they had eternal love...but maybe it was more literal than either of them had realized.
"But this is the most important thing for you right now," Rain continued. "Is that you can communicate with her. Truemates can communicate through their bond, without magic. You could try to contact her right now, if you wanted."
Charming's mouth dropped open. He could talk to Snow? Right now? He could tell her he loved her? That he and Emma were okay and that they were working on getting back home again? It was almost too good to be true. "Rrrreeeallllyyyy?" he stammered.
The other fey nodded, smiling at him.
Charming hesitated. "But she's in a different world. Would this bond…thing still work with her in one world and me in another?" As much as he wanted to believe, it sounded so far – fetched to him.
Rain hesitated as well. "That's true. We don't know if it would work in another world. We've never had truemates cross worlds before. But I think it would. You completed your bond outside the Fading Lands already. And I've never seen truemate bonds fail, ever. Try. Besides, I'd be willing to bet you still feel her inside you, if you look. You know she's alive, right?"
Charming nodded.
Rain patted him on the back. "That's the bond. Focus on that, and you should be able to speak to her."
Chapter 8