Chapter 41

Bevin sat up a little straighter on the couch. She couldn't believe that she had just heard correctly. Was Bridget really Birgit, her long lost aunt? Could it be possible? It suddenly all made sense. It was the reason why Bridget wouldn't leave her. Everything was clear, now. Bridget felt responsible for her because she was actually her protector in disguise. She could only wonder what happened that would cause Bridget to forget herself.

"Regina, what are you doing here?" Birgit asked her.

"I could ask you the same thing, old friend. We've come to take Shannon back to her mother. She is waiting for her at my house in Maine. I assume that you plan on coming with her, now, too."

"Yes, I will be accompanying her."

"Umm...Regina, what did I just miss?" Emma asked.

"I'm sorry. How rude of me, let me introduce you. Emma, this is Princess Shannon of Avalon, heir to the throne of Tir Nan Og and Rhiannon's only daughter. Her friend is actually her aunt and Rhiannon's younger sister, Birgit. She is often according to the tales spoke of as a cousin to hide her identity. She is the one that rescued Shannon from Mara when she was just a babe."

"You're Rhiannon's sister?" Emma questioned mouth agape.

"Aye, I am. I wasn't raised at court. I believe that it why the tales call me her cousin. It was simpler for our father at the time to believe that he only had one daughter. Besides, I didn't live up to his expectations, no matter that I loved my family fiercely."

"I know what you mean," Emma and Regina both replied.

"What happened to your mother, my Queen?" Birgit asked Regina.

"She died."

"I'm sorry to hear that. I heard that she was ruling Wonderland. I had hoped that you had both reconciled your differences. Rhiannon wished only for your happiness. I hope that you both made your peace before she passed."

"You could say that," Regina stated as Emma sniffed in manner to cover up her snicker.

"Birgit, this is Emma Swan, Princess of the Winterlands and Summerlands, daughter of Queen Snow White and Prince David, known as Prince Charming, Crown Princess of the Enchanted Forest and now she is also my fiancée. She is the fabled savior of my dark curse. She is also the mother of my son, Henry Mills, Crown Prince of the Enchanted Forest and knight of the realm. But, you may call her Sheriff Swan. She prefers that title above all others," Regina told her.

"Sheriff? What is u sheriff? Is that some sort of title in this realm?" Birgit asked.

Bevin asked. It was obvious that not all of the memories that Bridget bore came with her. They would have to catch her up on the ride back to Storybrooke. With the knowledge of Bridget being Birgit, Bevin could understand why Bridget disappeared from her line of foresight. Bridget no longer existed where Birgit did. They were one in the same, but different. Bevin laughed at the simplicity of it.

"What?" Birgit asked, wondering why Bevin found the situation humorous when no one else seemed to laughing about it. Birgit gave her a look. Emma took a seat and waited for Regina to join her, neither of them sure what was actually going on now.

"How much do you remember from being Bridget?" Bevin asked her.

"Not enough, it seems," she replied.

"No, really, how much?"

"I know that Bridget befriended Bevin at school. They are both members of the equestrian team, and just won the women's division at the national tournament. Other than that, I don't know what they were doing. I don't know why you are here. What is going on?"

"We can discuss it en route," Emma offered. "We should be heading back. I'll call Henry. Do you think that we could leave tonight?"

"I don't see why not," Regina answered. "That is, if it is okay with you, Princess. Is there a reason we shouldn't be getting you back to your mother?"

"None that I can think of. Birgit, help Emma with whatever she may need. I'll spend some time with Regina. I have a feeling that we have much to discuss. I am sure that I will be safe with the Dark Queen, Birgit. We will talk later, I'm sure," Bevin told her.

She bowed, even though she didn't know at the time that Shannon couldn't see her do it. Regina smiled. Emma leaned over putting her cup of tea on the coffee table. When she righted herself, she kissed Regina on the cheek and stood. Birgit followed her out the apartment door and to the cruiser.

"Regina, are you well?"

"No, I am not."

"I can feel the heat coming from you. The tea will help with that. I had it made before you came."

"Your mother may have mentioned that you would be able to help me."

"She must have foreseen it. She sent me here with a vial of Phoenix oil. I didn't tell Bridget, well Birgit, what it was. Once we were in this land. I began to forget everything but that vial. For whatever reason, through every life, I carried it, always close to my heart. I never let it out of my reach. Thankfully, I have never needed it. It seems that the early Banshees knew how to prolong my life here." Shannon told her.

"First thing, Highness: how do you wish to be addressed?"

"I am sorry?"

"Your last incarnation you were called Bevin, I presume. However, I have only known you as Shannon, Princess of Avalon. I am merely asking what name you wish to be called."

"Shannon is fine. I know enough of my history now to know that it is my name. I was afraid that Bridget might be the only one calling me Bevin, but now, I don't think that I will have to worry about that. But, tell me about this Sheriff Swan. That is surely a surprise," Shannon replied.

"To us all," Regina stated.

"You love her?"

"With my entire being."

"She is good for you. Too bad she couldn't have been born sooner. It might have saved you a lot of heartache, but then again. I don't think you would be who are had you not fought to be where you are."

"You are a wise princess, Shannon."

"It comes with being older than you look. Something with which I am sure you have found to be interesting in your time in this world. How is it that the savior is almost as old as you are?"

"With the Dark Curse, we didn`t age in Storybrooke. So for years, we basically relived every day, every month, every year. Nothing changed. Until Emma came to town."

"That is only partially the truth," Shannon stated.

"What do you mean?"

"You changed with the boy. He changed you. He opened your heart again. He believed in you."

"He did."

"His name is Henry Mills, correct?"

"Yes, and Emma is his birth mother."

"I don't understand that, but it doesn't matter. Does he ride horses? And, is in college here?"

"Here at this university, no. He is student at Boston College, but he is at home right now. They are on break. He does like to ride. It is one of the few things that we could share, why?" Regina asked.

"I believe that we have met."

"You've met my son?" Regina asked the tension evident in her voice.

"Yes, we've met. I believe it was in Virginia at the Horse Championships. He was the only one to best my score the entire tournament. He rides...well. He is serious about his care for the horses, too. Another trait he must have acquired from you, my Queen."

"You've met Henry?" Regina asked in disbelief.

"Yes, we spoke in the stables after our runs one evening. He seems like he is a good lad. You should be proud of him. He will make a good king," Shannon told her.

"We are proud of him," Emma stated, pulling a possessive hand on Regina's shoulder, as they came back into the apartment.

"You have nothing to fear from me towards you son, Sheriff Swan. It was just an observance. He has earned the right for you to be proud of him. He has a very regal bearing for someone who didn't grow up knowing his true background," Shannon explained.

"He had the Queen for his mother. He learned even though he didn't know he was learning. She is great teacher. She did her best for him when I couldn't. She is an amazing mother," Emma said, beaming proud of both Regina and Henry.

"You have done well with him yourself, Sheriff. Do not discount your upbringing as unconventional as it maybe for a Princess of your stature. You have made the most of it and Henry knows that. He looks up to both of you. You have given him something to strive to be. You have given him back his heroes. He only wishes to make you proud," Shannon explained.

"He does that on the regular. So, Princess, you want to get meet your mother. I hear that it has been years since you've seen each other. Trust me, when I say, I know how than is," Emma told her.

"I am. But, first, I believe that Birgit should pack the rest of the tea. I fear that Regina might need it on our travels. I will also ask that we take a different route back than the one you took to get here. It seems that Mara has locked onto some form of magic. She is using it like a beacon to find me. I am sure that Birgit has already packed our bags. Whatever we don't have here, l assume we can get in your Storybrooke?"

"Don't worry about it. We'll provide for you. I am sure that we can get anything you have forgotten or anything that you might need at home. There is nothing that I cannot get. Besides, I know that I have some things in my family crypt for Birgit. I was wondering why I had them, but now, I know. Your mother has provided for this moment, for years."

"Sounds like it. She seems to have been prepared. She did what she could for me, I know that much. I just wish that I could have met her when I was younger. It wouldn't make this as bittersweet as it is going to be for me. I am sure for her as well."

"It will be hard, but you'll make it through it. You are both strong women. She was only doing what she needed to do to protect you from Mara," Emma told her.

"You speak like you know," Shannon stated.

"I would. Due to Regina's curse I grew up here without Snow. I didn't even know she was my mother until I broke the curse. And, I couldn't even do that well. It look Henry trying to sacrifice himself for me to believe that it could be possible. Don't get me wrong, Shannon. I respect you and your mother. I understand the position in which you find yourself. I was once there, but trust me when I say that it won't matter once you see your mother. It really won't matter. Once, all this craziness is done, she will still be your mother and the one that defend you until she dies. That is her only lot in life. It took me a long time to understand that and it was only because of my son."

"I don't understand," Shannon replied.

"I had to lose him to realize that I loved him and that I would do anything, and I mean anything, for him. Regina found that in him first. She was so against me knowing him and loving him that she tried to kill me. Now, tell that doesn't sound ironic that we are now going to marry. I grew up without love and alone. You thankfully have had lives and families protecting you it seems. You have adapted to the hardships of this world without losing yourself to them. I didn't have that luxury. I've had to fight for everything that I own and everything that I have. It makes it more precious to me. And, I will do anything to protect them."

"That may be true, Miss Swan, but you wouldn't be the person you are without those hardships," Regina said, taking her hand and kissing it. "It makes you fight for everything. It made you the savior. Plus, it made me fall in love with you."

"She's right, Emma. Your life made you into your destiny. You wouldn't have accomplished so much without all the heartbreak you suffered as a child. I can see it on your heart still. You are still afraid that everyone is going to leave you. Don't fret, young one. You will have them for a great while."

"Thanks, I think," Emma replied.

"I've packed your things, Shannon. Are you ready? Do you want some more tea before we go?"

"No. I have no more need of the tea. It won't do me any good. As soon as we get to Storybrooke, my transformation will be completed. I can only hope that we get there before Mara. She won't be able to enter the town normally, but that will not stop her from trying to harm us or them. I fear that she will find a way in regardless."

"Then, we should go," Emma stated, leading the way towards the door. Her senses told her to believe in the young woman before her, not caring that it'd mean another fight. She was the savior. She'd win and that was her destiny.