Storybrook

2012

"So who is this Esme that lives with you and Regina now? You feel ok about it?" Emma looked cautiously at Henry who was sipping his cocoa in front of her in the booth at Granny's.

"Of course! She's great! You must meet her." His enthusiasm made the blonde chuckle.

"What I meant to say was that...she has a history, you know..." Emma played with words trying not to sound that harsh.

"She is not crazy!" Henry cut her off. "She was put in the hospital because she believed."

"Believed?" Emma urged for him to specify, one of her eyebrows furrowing.

"Yep. She believed that she saw a demon, a shadow. She refused to stop believing and they locked her in a hospital for that." Emma considered what Henry was saying and although she wasn't exactly happy with someone with any ties to a mental facility living under one roof with her son, she couldn't help but think that it was too extreme measure to lock a teenager in such an institution only because she believed too strongly in a fantasy. "Besides, she is from a fairytale world too."

That made the blonde's expression regain the one of an optimistic imprecation.

"Really?"

"Duh!" The boy's face brightened as he turned the fairy-tale book that never left his side to his birth mother and pointed at one of the pictures on the bottom of the page. "Esmeralda."

Enchanted Forest

before the curse

"The guards have left, so you can come out, Princess." The voice of the woman, strong and determined, repeated.

Snow took a glance at little Esmeralda who was nodding her head furiously, her greyish eyes dancing like two bright lightnings in darkest sky. The heiress got up and feeling the wind hitting her face shamelessly left the tent, leaving the gypsy child behind.

Snow White took a chance to get a look at her surrounding: there were two big shelters and the smaller one that she used to hide in, a waggon and two horses. She saw two men in shabby but colourful clothes, both with beards, not older then 30 years of age, they were talking the language Snow could not understand.

"I'm sorry, I had to hide from the Queen's soldiers...I'm..."

"I know who you are." The woman in front of her interrupted. She had the reddish hair Snow has ever seen, it fell down in perfect ringlets to her lower back where her corset was sealed. Her green eyes were looking at the princess as if they were reading her soul. "The daughter of the King who turned into a refugee."

She was in her middle age but talked as if she carried a knowledge of at least a hundred years: something in her voice made her sound so much wiser.

"Call me Snow." The brunette finally said, giving the tiniest smile.

"Well, Snow," The gypsy carried on. "I'm Amara. And I believe, you've already met Esmeralda."

Both women turned to see the small girl peaking through the fabric of the tent. As soon as she realized she's been caught, the child rushed to hide in the shelter again.

"I didn't want to disturb you, you have to believe me..." Snow tried again, this time calmer and softer as she saw no intention in Amara to harm her.

"Oh, I know you didn't. In fact, I was waiting for you to come for a long time now." The redhead said and proceeded to make her way to where the fire was being set up by the two men.

Snow's mouth formed an 'o'. Her legs unconsciously started carrying her to the flames, closer to where the gypsy woman took a sit.

"You must be hungry, Princess." She heard Amara call. "Sit. Eat with us."

Still shocked and in some state of strange pleasant trance, Snow obeyed.

"Esmeralda!" One of the man with a distinctive white scar that graced his neck called loudly. "Come out!"

The girl as if summoned by magic, appeared, draping a burgundy-coloured gown with fur underneath around her shoulders. She was smiling as she took small steps to near the place where the four adults were sitting.

"Dance for us, child." Amara smiled what made the girl's smile grow as well.

As Esmeralda started dancing some unknown dance, one that was foreign to Snow's kingdom, her pale skin started shining in the lights of flames, her grey eyes garish as if they were two diamonds and the energy that was coming from her was just...magical. It made Snow want to watch the dance forever or go and join her...

"She is a special little girl." Amara acknowledged knowingly.

Snow could only nod, enchanted.

Storybrook

2012

Esme's dark hair was dancing in the wind as the last rays of sunlight graced the town. The streets were empty save for an occasional passer-by here and there.

The young woman didn't have a purpose of her trip, she just enjoyed being able to go where she wanted to when she wanted to.

"I'm certainly glad to see they let you out of prison."

Esme stopped rooted to the pavement. Taking a deep breath she turned slowly first her eyes spying the cane, then the man behind it.

"Mr. Gold."

"Esme."

"Nice to see you're doing well."

"I'm always doing well, dearie." He answered with a small chuckle. "Oh my, you're all grown up now, aren't you."

"That's what time does to you." Esme answered but still didn't move.

Gold nodded though didn't offer any comment. "Well, I won't hold you any longer."

As he turned to leave, Esme called after him:

"Thank you."

The man turned back at the sound of her voice.

"I'm glad I could be of service."

"I owe you." She admitted.

"Yes, you do." The smile crossed his face, the smile Esme could hardly call a smile.

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I know, dearies, some of this stuff does not mean much right know but I have to start somewhere so just bare with me for now!

I'm still waiting for your reviews and suggestions! Kisses to all who's reading xx