Chapter 42

Rhiannon and Henry passed in Regina's study. Belle and Snow watched them, unsure of what to say to calm them. The call had come from Emma minutes before that they were on their way back. They confirmed that Shannon was alright and that she was indeed Rhiannon's missing daughter. Rhiannon was relieved at the news. Henry then relayed that Birgit was with her.

"Birgit? My sister? She is with Shannon?"

"She is," Henry answered.

He gave her nothing more because he had nothing more to give her. Emma had hung up before any questions could be asked, but did let him know that both she and Regina loved him. He smiled knowing that it meant that his mother was flustered. She was in over her head with magic again and he could tell by her voice.

"What's wrong?" Snow asked, seeing his worried look but smile.

"Ma," he answered.

"What about her?"

"Something with magic is bothering her. I could tell but she wouldn't give me time to ask her about it. They are running from something. I just know it. I just wish I could help."

"Your mother isn't going to let anything happen to them, either of them. They will be home before you know it. Trust me, Henry. Emma will bring them back."

"I am not doubting that, Grams. I know she will. She will always keep us together. She is the Savior. I just don't know what is following them."

"I do," Rhiannon stated.

"Who or what is it?"

"Mara," she replied simply.

"Your former hand maiden?" Belle asked.

"You've heard of her?"

"When I was a prisoner of Regina's, she mentioned in passing one day that Mara was close by. Regina didn't seem impressed but she was worried. It didn't make any sense at the time. It still really doesn't, but if she was enough to worry Regina, then I don't want to meet her," Belle said.

"Well, that doesn't bode well," Snow stated.

"She evil?" Henry asked.

"In the worst way," Rhiannon stated.

"What did she do?" he asked.

"She tried to kill Shannon. Birgit stole her away before she could. I barely knew that Birgit had her. By the time, I was powerful enough to get to them; I had to send them through a portal to another realm. There was only one I could think of at the time. I never knew if she really made it or not. I could only hope," Rhiannon told them.

"Why is that?" Snow asked, suddenly more curious.

"Because I gave up my powers to send them through that portal. I gave up some of my magicks in order to protect my daughter. I did what I had to do, but I've regretted that it has taken me this long to find her. I wish that I could have done more for her," Rhiannon replied.

"Don't we all," Snow said, getting up and leaving the room.

Henry watched her go, but didn't stop her. It was something that Snow had to deal with on her own. Emma would talk to her when she got home, but they were the only ones that could deal with that issue. An issue that Henry knew, they may never agree on.

"So, what do can we do to stop Mara?" Belle asked.

"I don't know. She doesn't have any real magical power, but if she knows where Shannon is, she'll try to kill her. She'll destroy Storybrooke if she has to. She wants Shannon dead."

"Why?" Henry asked.

"Because a long time ago, she tried to take over the kingdom with her son. He was made prince in place of my daughter. His mother was Mara. Her lover, not her husband, helped her. It seems that even though she was my handmaiden and her husband was Pawl's second in command. It wasn't good enough. I thought that she was my friend and when I needed her most she betrayed me to my husband and her own. She usurped the throne by putting her son on it. The people split and civil war almost erupted. She had been trying to kill me and Shannon for years, without success," Rhiannon told them.

"And, now she had found her?" Snow asked.

"I don't know if she has or not. If she has and Shannon hasn't started the transformation back into her Fae self, Mara might actually stand a chance. If she has started to turn, then Emma, Regina and Shannon will deal with the problem. Birgit will protect them all as long as she had breath. Don't fret about them, White Queen. Your daughter is safe."

"It isn't Emma I'm worried about," Snow stated.

"You still care for her like a sister?"

"She is my sister now. I have named her as such. We betrayed each other. We have saved each other. We are family. Regina knows as much as I do that I will defend my family with my life."

"And, so does she, little one. So does she. She took a curse upon herself for you, little one. She did it for penance and to keep the White Knight and young Prince. She had done everything to keep her family. Can you not see that?"

"I can."

"Will you defend her now?"

"I will."

"Will you defend her, Henry?"

"My mother? Of course, I will. I will stand up for Swan-Mills, even though Mom my ground me when she gets home. I am adult. This is my family. I don't care that I have the heart of the Truest Believer. I can fight. I will fight. I am a Knight of the White Kingdom, now."

"That is true," Snow stated.

"Wait, just a second…" Belle started.

"Yes, little one, what is it?" Rhiannon asked Belle.

"You said that Regina took upon herself a curse to protect her family. What did you mean by that? What curse and when?"

"Years ago, things were different between the kingdoms. Peace was only maintained through war and diplomacy. The enemy of my enemy is my friend mentality ran repent through Fairy Tale Land. The kingdoms often sided in the battles on whichever one benefited them in the long run. Midas turned to George. George turned to Regina. When Rumple told Regina to bankrupt George, she went to Midas. She gave him what he needed because she needed to keep Rumple on her side or so she thought. She didn't realize then that he was using her, molding her, creating her into the Evil Queen. With George cutoff, he didn't have a leg to stand on. When David chose Snow over Abigail, Midas' daughter, it sealed all their fates. Rumple devised everything knowing that Snow and Charming would always find a way to be together. They were True Love. He set the whole damn thing up and Regina just played her part. When she realized this, she felt sick. She hurt more than she let on. Her emotions controlled her magic and she was suffering. She didn't know what to do," Rhiannon explained.

"She came to me, didn't she?" Snow asked.

"She might have, begging for release. The only way she could control her magic was to not have it. To keep it cornered and locked up, like a beast about to break out of its cage, she tried. But, she was not strong enough to do it herself. When you passed your sentence that she would remain in Storybrooke, forever exiled, it was a blessing. Magic is different here. It isn't as strong. She could tolerate it more and easier. But it still wasn't enough."

"No, it wasn't. She would have Ma bind every so often. Don't look at me like that, Grams. I knew. I knew all about it. I used to hear them argue about it. I heard the screams coming from their bedroom at night every time that Ma had to redo it. It hurt her into her soul. It had to, but I don't understand why. Why would she do it? Why would she do that?"

"Because, she was fighting for her family, Henry. She was fighting for you and for Emma. Every time she was bound, it was for you both. She wanted to remain with you. She wanted to be a family, but she couldn't have her magic to do that. She couldn't go with you to see your grandparents with her magic. If she did, she could die. She knew that. The bindings were to keep her from wielding magic in the Enchanted Forest. She figured that living in Storybrooke for almost thirty years she would be okay. She didn't know what that kind of buildup would do to her. She could feel it though, the days before the portals were first opened."

"That is the night she came to me," Snow mused.

"Yes, she begged you for punishment. Anything to keep her from going back to that realm, but she didn't tell you why. If she had crossed the portal then, thirty years of pent up magic would have escaped as soon as she made it clear. Thirty years of anger and love can create quite the massive fireball. She was willing to let Emma and Henry go, because she didn't want to become a monster. She was afraid of the darkness that lived in the Forest. She knew how easy it was to give in to it. But, unfortunately, Emma's power wasn't enough to bind her fully."

"But, Rumple's was?" Belle asked.

"Yes, little one, it was. Combined with Emma's binding, Rumple's curse dealt with her problem. But, there was a catch and Rumple knew that. He failed to tell Emma or Regina what it was. And, they found out last night."

"That is why Ma called?"

"Yes, it is why she called, Henry. Your mother went to Rumple to have her powers striped, completely removed. She would later tell you Snow why she did it, but for now, it would be her secret. Her price to Rumple was learning about your future Henry. She gladly gave that up, hoping that you would be happy with her choice. She wouldn't have magic, but Emma would. She would train Emma and you would be protected."

"But, she didn't count on you coming back?"

"No, she didn't. And, with her resurrection and the return of her magicks, your mother is very powerful. More powerful than she ever was before, her body didn't know how to process it. She started feeling ill, but she didn't tell Emma. She didn't realize how bad it was until they were far away from Storybrooke, too far from help, but I knew that there was something else besides your mother's binding on her. So, I sent them prepared."

"You helped her?"

"I did."

"You saved them both?"

"I did."

"Thank you, Henry, but now, we need to help Shannon. She isn't ready for the war she is about to inherit. She, like you Henry, doesn't know her people or their ways. But, she must return to save the throne of Avalon or Tir Nan Og will perish. I have to get her back. I have to save my kingdom. Will you let your mothers help me?"

"I'll be by their side," he said, slamming a first into his chest and giving her a bow.

"As will I," Snow said.

"And I," Belle told her.

"She has more friends than she's ever known, both of them. Regina would kill me for saying this, but thank you. Snow, what about your daughters?"

"Granny will keep them. I am not letting this family fall apart. Regina owes you a debt. Then we all owe that debt to you. You once made an alliance with the White Kingdom before my father died with Regina, did you not?" Snow asked her.

"I did."

"Will you make the same pledge with me?"

"I will."

"Then, I need to make a very important phone call."

"Grams?" Henry asked.

"If it is a war against this family Mara wants, then a war she shall have. But, I doubt that she would expecting the White kingdom to come to Rhiannon's aid. I'll have troops ready by the morning. Belle figure out how to make a portal to Tir Nan Og. Henry, I need you to get me everything on this prophecy about Shannon. Rhiannon, we're going to need maps, lots of maps."

"Grams?"

"What Henry?"

"I believe," Henry told her.

"I believe, too, Henry. I believe, too. Now, go. We have a lot to do before your mothers get home. And, now, I need to find my charming husband," Snow told them.