It had been about three days since Regina and Tinkerbelle were separated from the group, and the longer they were away from them, the more Regina thought that she might be better off without their constant nagging of always doing things the right way, and if she heard another Charming and Snow "I will always find you"…she would shove both of them off a plank on their way back to Storybrooke. The boy Roland apparently slept a lot, so neither she nor Tinkerbelle could get much info out of him, but who could blame the boy who was forced away from his father, and brought to a strange land that only had sunlight three times a week. But based on Roland's behavior when he's awake, Regina could clearly see that he had been raised well so far, and really loved his daddy. Not to mention he is the most adorable child Regina's had this close to her since Henry, who she couldn't wait to get back and get the hell out of this land of teenage delinquents, and Tinkerbelle couldn't agree more.
However, she and Tinkerbelle had heard a noise, which led Regina to giving a wide away Roland to Tinkerbelle so she could go to ensure that the coast was clear. However, what she didn't expect to see was Rumpelstilskin getting comfort from "Belle". Regina, practically smelling the dark magic over "Belle" quickly proved to Mr. Gold exactly who she was, Pan's Shadow, which flew off to god knows where before Regina or Rumple could roast him with flame. After giving Rumpelstilskin a lecture, she finally decided that maybe she should stick together with him, considering they were on one accord, and were clearly two of the most powerful magical beings on this island.
"I said no Regina…Emma and the others will need somebody who can lead them! That's why I told you not to follow me because she's not ready! Go back now!" Rumple had scolded Regina as if she were a child. Regina waved her hand dismissively not needing to feel reprimanding from her old teacher who she had just caught participating in "amateur hour."
"Look…I've been teaching Emma magic lately-"Regina started before she heard Rumple release an amused chuckle causing her to become even further agitated than she originally was. "What!" she asked.
"The lovely Charmings have allowed you to teach their daughter magic?" he asked as he turned back to face the sea that shined brilliantly with the Moon's light.
"Emma's thirty years old now…I don't think she needs mommy and daddy's permission," Regina replied sitting down on a nearby large rock.
"It's still just a bit amusing don't you think?"
"What is?"
"That you were once the Sorcerer's Apprentice, and now you have an apprentice of your own…I don't think I've ever told you I'm somewhat proud," Rumple admitted with a visible shudder at admitting he was proud of his former student, who raised an eyebrow at his admission.
"Is that so? Well…as much as I would gloat over that matter, we have bigger fish to fry," Regina said.
"Yes…do call out your fairy friend and that child," Rumple said not even turning around from the sea, but he could already see the look of shock on his former pupil's face.
"How did you-"Regina started.
"Dearie…you may have become the savior's Master…but you will never outsmart your own Master," Rumple said with his famous giggle.
Regina narrowed her eyes, and pursed her lips as she shook her head at Rumple's obvious egotistic, but playful manners. She stood up clapping her hands together before a grin appeared on her face. "My mother sure did," she replied, and took pleasure in watching Rumple stiffen bringing a victorious laugh out of her.
"Tinkerbelle, come out!" she whispered into the darkness of the forest knowing the fairy was hiding somewhere around there. It was then that Tinkerbelle came out holding an awaken Roland on her shoulder, who smiled upon seeing Regina. Even though he and Tinkerbelle had gotten closer in the past three days…it was something about Regina that seemed so special to him. Roland instantly held out his arms to Regina who came over, and took the four year old out of Tinkerbelle's hands.
"It's about time!" Tinkerbelle stated.
"I was helping Rumpelstilskin here solve his "Belle" conundrum," Regina replied.
Tinkerbelle looked over at the dark sorcerer she heard so much about, and he didn't look all that terrifying as people made him out to be. "This is Rumpelstilskin…you're Baelfire's dad?" she then remembered.
"Well, well, well…if it isn't the lovely Tinkerbelle…the Peter Pan movie didn't do you any justice," Rumpelstilskin stated. "And yes I am Bae's dad…do you know where he is?"
"No, I haven't seen Baelfire in about twenty years since he escaped this blasted island. What's a movie?" Tinkerbelle asked.
"Yeah, what's a movie?" Roland asked looking at Regina with his innocent green eyes. Looking at this new man was of fresh territory, Roland wasn't sure if he wanted to walk into just yet. "I'll explain that sometime later, Roland, but trust me, you and Tinkerbelle would love them," Regina assured Roland with a smile, who nodded apparently eager to see what this "movie" was all about.
Rumpelstilskin watched this exchange, and couldn't help but feel interested in what this child did to bring such warmth out of his pupil, warmth he's seen her only give Henry. "And who's this young lad?" he asked.
"This is Roland…Pan's Shadow brought him here," Tinkerbelle answered.
"Now we have to help him find his father, and makes sure that he gets home safe and sound," Regina added.
"Really, and where did you come from Roland?" Rumpelstilskin asked.
"The Enchanted Forest," he replied.
"And what was your dad's name?" Regina asked.
"Daddy said to never give out his name to anybody…but that to give a description,"
"And what is that?" Tinkerbelle inquired.
"He has darkish lightest hair, blue eyes, tall, and wears a lot of green, and he carries big bows and sticks," Roland stated.
"Well, that's more than what he's given us," Tinkerbelle declared.
"That description sounds very familiar…but I can't place my finger on it," Rumple said as he knew that he knew who this man was, he could almost see a face, but couldn't bring a name. But looking at this young boy, Rumple knew that it was important to this boy he reunite with his dad, and he'd be damned before he leaves another child at the hands of Pan. "Well, Roland…I'm sure that you'll be back with your pa soon. I'll see to it."
"You're gonna help?" Regina asked incredously.
"Why is that so hard to believe dearie?" Rumple asked.
"Because you're….you," Tinkerbelle added.
"And I'm also a father who spent centuries trying to get back to his son who spent centuries on this island at the mercy of Pan. I know what his father must be going through, so I'm going to help," Rumpelstilskin replied.
"Roland…I don't know how you do it…you just have everybody wanting to get you back to your dad," Regina said pulling the boy tighter to her who smiled widely up at her, and then surprisingly to Rumpelstilskin. "Thank you Mr. Rumbellestin," he said causing the trio to laugh at the boy's happy attitude.
"Just call me Mr. Gold, dearie," Rumpelstilskin said nodding in his direction.
"Gold…my daddy likes that stuff," Roland said.
"Another clue as to whose the father…he likes gold," Regina stated.
"Now, Tinkerbelle, all I need you to do is to go back and tell the gang that Regina and I have come up with a plan to defeat Pan. I've been keeping an eye on them through the sea," Rumple said as he waved his hand over the sea causing the waters to ripple revealing Emma, David, Snow, Hook, and everyone couldn't believe it…it was Neal.
"Bae…you're safe," Rumple said in relief that his boy was alright after all, even though their last meeting didn't end all that well.
"Baelfire, he's returned," Tinkerbelle stated in awe.
"It appears he has," Regina added.
"That's the man who was with my dad the other week," Roland said pointing at the waters which showed the gang coming up with a plan to split up, and meet up at Tinkerbelle's place thinking that that's where Regina and Tinkerbelle went back to.
"He's the man, well, that means that he knows your dad, and can help us get you back to him," Regina said.
"I guess that's my cue to head back. It was an unexpected pleasure to finally meet your acquaintance Rumpelstilskin," Tinkerbelle said shocking even herself, but if the man could raise a man as brilliant as Baelfire was, then the father must not be all that bad himself.
"Likewise, Tinkerbelle, and I'll transport you back to your tree house. Tell them that we're nearly done with Neverland." Rumpelstilskin stated.
"Gotcha, Rumple. Bye Roland, I'll see you and Regina back at my place as soon as everyone is ready to finally put whatever our plan's gonna be in action. Good luck Regina," Tinkerbelle said before stepping back.
"Thank you Tinkerbelle, and tell Emma to use the little magic that I taught her!" Regina replied to her friend before she too stepped back.
Roland waved at Tinkerbelle. "Bye, Ms. Tinkers," he said, and caught her waving back just as Rumpelstilskin waved his hand causing Tinkerbelle to disappear in a puff of reddish smoke. He then turned to Regina who was walking along the beach in front of the sea. "Now, what's this plan of yours to be able to cross worlds?" he asked.
"Ah ha!" Regina said as she bent down to pick up a sea shell, blew on it lightly. "This is our plan," she replied.
"You're going to summon a Giant Squid? No offense dearie, but I've already tried that," he stated.
"You've been having fun haven't you?" Regina mocked playfully. "But see, my "master" just doesn't have the connections I have in this particular situation," Regina replied.
"And what connections might those be?" Rumpelstilskin asked intrigued.
"Roland…I just need you to blow into this for me as hard as you can," Regina said deciding to allow the boy to do something fun, and by the look of excitement on his face as he took the shell from her, she could see he enjoyed it. Roland blew into the sea shell which made an enchanted sound that radiated off the sea. It wasn't five seconds that Roland saw a beautiful young woman with red hair, and green fins appear out of the sea. He was in too much awe of how a human can be a fish too, but came back to reality at Regina calling his voice.
"Roland, meet the little mermaid Ariel," she whispered to him.
Roland shyly waved his hand to Ariel. "Hi Ariel," he said, and felt relaxed as Ariel waved back at him with just as much childlike energy as he did. It was then that he watched the adults converse between one another.
"And what is the name of this new land?" Ariel asked.
"Storybrooke," Regina replied, a smile of incoming victory plastered across her face.
X: Thank you all so much for the awesome reviews, and I hope this isn't too rushed, I just want to be caught up with the show. I know a few wish to see Daughter of A Queen updated, but that is still in the works, and will also be a Regal Hood. And don't worry…it won't be long till we see the reunion between Regina and Robin Hood, and a reunion it will be! Reviews keep me inspired, so please review! Thanks!