Is anyone still there? Hope so =)
Chapter 4
"I still can´t believe you refuse to help them." Henry spoke loudly.
"I'm not refusing to help. I just can't lead a bunch of people I don't know, into a thing I know even less against a person that, guess what, I don't know. Besides, we have a lot on our plate right now." She reasoned.
They were helping the caravan to pack things in order to go back to the road. They had another two weeks before arriving at the Winter Palace. Still no sing of Tink.
"It's not like we have much to do until Tink comes back with an answer. And what if the whole meaning of our jump is to help them? What if we did help them the first time around? If we don't help them this time we might change everything!"
Emma pinched the bridge of her nose. The kid had a point. Again. But could she know for sure? There's no way to be completely certain about this. She's never heard anybody speak of a war in Nottinghamshire, nor of a rebellion of any kind. What if…
"Henry get me your book, please." She asked.
"Brilliant Emma!" he said and ran after his book.
When he was back they both sat on a log and began flipping the thick pages. Cinderella, The Mad-Hatter, Snow meets James, Snow hates James, James is really David, Snow and David fall in love, Evil Queen tries to separate them, Snow marries Dav-.
"Oh my god!" she exclaimed. "Look at this Henry." She said pointing at the wedding pictures. "Look the Standards of the guests."
"Holy moly, mom. It's half a lion half a swan! We were here before!"
"I can't believe it. But how? I am not Robin Hood. Do you even think he is real here?" she sadly asked. She didn't know what to think. How was she supposed to lead a rebellion and go home. Perhaps they would never go back home. Perhaps this is their home now and this would be her legacy. She might as well conform and watch from a distance as their family and friends become the ones they know.
"We should talk to Tink and see if he exists and if she can find him." He suggested.
"Hey Esme, Henry and I will go clean up a bit before we leave. We'll be right back." She shouted at the Romani who was in her tent finishing packing.
"Ok. But hurry, we are almost ready."
###
Emma closed her eyes and wished Tink there. C'mon Green, I need you.
"Hello Emma." Tink said with a smile. "I'm sorry to say I haven't found anything to help you yet. I'm still looking."
"It's fine, I called you for another reason. Henry and I discovered that we did something the other time we were here. I mean we will do something. Man this is so complicated! Anyhow, we found out that I will kinda lead a rebellion against the guy who is in charge while king Richard is out of town." She exhaled loudly. "Thing is, I have no clue how to do that, I know nothing about battle. I was wondering if you ever heard of Robin Hood. In my realm he is the one who does the leading in this story."
"Can you find him Tink?" Henry said and startled the pixie.
"This is your son I imagine. Hey there little buddy." She sang whist ruffling his hair.
"Every single time…" he complained and fixed his hair back.
"So… Robin? Can you find him? Is he real here?" Emma asked full of hope.
Tinker Bell smile broadly and waved her wand. With her eyes closed she answered: "Yes I can dear. He is in the White Town. Are you sure he is the man for your mission? The Robin I see is in bad shape."
"Really, why?" asked the worried boy.
"His wife just died leaving him and they're infant son behind. The kid is being cared for by his aunt while the father soaks his sorrow in rum."
"We have to help him ma! Can you bring him here Tink?"
"Henry we will be there in two weeks maybe less if we can convince the Romanies to go straight there. We still need to talk to them about us joining their fight and our plan. I mean the plan used by our Robin Hood. Is he as good with a bow as I remember Tink?"
"He has the bow that once belonged to the Dark One, the one that never misses, so I believe he is." She answered grinning.
###
Back in the camp, Emma went straight to Esmeralda's cart. She was almost done so the duo helped her.
"Esme, Henry and I were talking and we decided we want to help you guys. I kinda have plan that will make our lack of army and advantage not a weakness. But I will need the help of a man who is currently in a bad place. Not literally, he is actually in the White Town. What I mean is that he just lost his wife and needs some help to get back on his feet." She rambled.
"When we arrive at the next village I'll ask for a council meeting and you can expose all that." Esme said smiling. First step forward she thought. "But first, read this. It's an old prophecy that I think talks about you and Henry. I apologize for not showing you before, but I had to be sure of your intentions."
"Wow" was the only thing that came out of Emma's mouth when she finished reading.
###
Emma never liked talking in public. She got nervous every time. But this time she had her son here with her, so when she felt Henry's hand gripping hers a little harder she took a deep breath and began:
"Hello, everyone, and thank you again for meeting me tonight. I know how tired you must be after traveling all day long." She saw people nodding. "The situation in Nottinghamshire came to my knowledge and I believe it's not acceptable. My son and I decided that we can't just sit and watch while people starve. We come from a family that has some kind of disease –she smiled at her son- we need to be heroes, we can't just live our lives when there's someone in need. But I digress. The thing is I have a plan, and if you're willing to hear it, I will share it with you."
"We know she is not from our community, hell, she is not even from here, but Remo and I truly believe she is the one the prophecy talks about." Esme tried to help. "So hear her out".
"Thank you Esme. To be honest our plan is quite simple. I figured there would be no way to form an army as big as the one Alrik has anytime soon, so with a little help from history (and fiction) we decided the easiest way to defeat them would be prevent any supplies to get in their hands. I'm not yet familiar with the castle's surroundings but there's usually one, maybe two, gates to enter the walls. If we guard the roads that lead to them, I'm certain we can make sure nothing goes in without our knowledge and permission." Emma explained.
"But Emma, how do you suppose we do that? We can't simply ask them to turn around." Remo asked.
Emma looked at her son and sighed. "No we can't. That's the tricky part. We will steal their goods and give them for those in need. And keep some for ourselves cause we would have to stop working so we would need some supplies too." She didn't want to steal or make anyone do it either. But this had worked in the books so probably should for them too, right? Besides that Alrik jerk should not keep ruling in that manner.
"We are not thieves!" Exclaimed a man sitting in the back. "I've fought too long in behalf of the Romanies so we would not be seen as enemies."
"And where did it bring us Bert?" asked a woman beside Esme. "They see us as monsters, I was once called devil's child for diagnosing cramps in a baby. Only thing I did was give the child some tea! I don't see them seeing us as friends anytime soon. Maybe this way they will see who we are: people who fight for what we want and need."
Esme also warned: "We need them to have money so we can continue to do our show and be paid for it. Of course we could always just forget Nottingham and Sherwood and just travel around the Enchanted Forest, but to me, every single one of these forests is home. I have too many memories to just leave without looking back."
Remo stood up and stood next to Emma and Henry. "We will sleep on this and tomorrow we'll gather again and decide."
"Just one more question, Remo. How are we gonna do this if we decide to do so. I don't see any strategist here." Questioned Burt again.
"I know someone. He is now in the White Palace and I might have some convincing to do, but I'm sure he is the man for the job." The blonde answered. Burt grunted.
"We'll meet again at noon tomorrow. Good night." Esme dismissed them.
###
"They don't trust me, why would them?" Emma muttered.
"They don't know you, mom. You just have to show them the White Knight." Henry tried to cheer her up. "Besides, we don't need them to trust us, they have to trust Robin. We will find a way to go home waaay before they finish their mission." He whispered.
"I hope so kid, I really do. Now, bed."
"Night ma, love you."
"Night kid, love you too."
She didn't mean to eavesdrop, but before she could make her presence known the talk was already over. Esmeralda then entered her tent and bade goodnight to her "roommates". She had always known the duo was not from around here, but where were they from? And why could they not go home?
###
Almost two weeks had passed since most of the Romanies had agreed on the plan. They had after all been looking for someone to take a stand and do something, they were just not so sure Emma and they were the ones that could do anything about it. They were artists, not knights. And robbing? Was that really the answer? Of course they would donate what they took, but even so. Esme had showed them the prophesy and the name book. That was what had convinced most, but some were still not certain that the plan would work.
"Tonight we'll arrive at the Winter Town." Esme told Emma while driving her cart.
"Oh, really? I thought it'd take at least another two days." Said Emma still looking at the trees passing by.
"No, we decided to go a bit faster than usual." She replied. "Listen Emma, I know you are feeling a little insecure about everything and some of us are not helping you feel better, but you have to understand that we are a suspicious crowd. We had to be in order to survive in the woods. Don't get them wrong, dear, once the plan is in motion, we will all fight by your side."
"I just…I just hope the plan is good enough. I don't want any of you, of us, to get hurt. I know is a cause worth fighting and even dying for but I'm just tired of those. You see, before I came here I had twice to fight for my life and of those I love, I just wished after that we could have some peace, you know?" she disembosommed.
"I understand dear. Sometimes life does not work the way we thought it would. Destiny has its own mind. But let me tell you one thing: everything happens for a reason. We might not see it right away, but with time and wisdom we will."
"I really hope so Esme. And thanks. You know, for being there." She said with a smile.
"Go get Henry, we will make a last stop to eat and wash before we get to the palace."
"Yes ma'am!" she chuckled.
###
"Kid, hurry up! We still have to call Tink!"
"I'm coming! It's just these pants, they have weird strings. How do you do with yours?" He asked fumbling with his strings.
"Dude just lace them, you know bunnies ears and all. I thought your mom had taught you that." She laughed while the boy gazed at her.
"Just call her already…"
Emma called Tink in her head and seconds later the fairy was there.
"Uh hi. Hello you two." She said with a guilty face. "How can I help you?"
"Hey, we are almost there so we need to know where exactly Robin is."
"Oh, ok. He is… still drinking. Rabbit Hole Inn I think." She told looking like dear caught in the headlights.
"Ok I was gonna let it go, but what the hell is going on with you today?" Emma asked exasperated.
"Yeah, you look weird, even more than after you…" Henry caught himself before speaking too much.
She ignored the boy. "Nothing, it's nothing." She said not looking at them.
"Wow, even I know she is lying!" Henry exclaimed.
"Go on Tink, you can trust us. Tell us." Emma softly said.
Tink sighed loudly and began: "Remember when I told you about finding Regina's second chance at true love?"
"You, what? My mom has another true love? Shut the front door! This is awesome who is it?" the boy asked jumping of excitement.
"Your mom? What are talking about? Emma is your mom, right?" asked the confused pixie.
"Henry! Be quiet. It's a long story Tink and I don't think we should talk about this. We can't change the future."
"Enough, Emma. If this is about Regina too I have to know. I'm about to do something very foolish so I can find her what she need and be the fairy godmother she needs, so please, tell me the whole story." She pleaded.
"I really can't Tink, you might try to do or avoid something and change everything. Henry and I might not even be born if you do. You have to understand…" the blond tried to reason.
"Fine, Emma." She said with her lips pursed. "I don't know what your relationship with Regina is, but if you really cared about her you wouldn't want to let her suffer as much as she is now. If I knew of something that could help her future to be brighter I'd do it in a heartbeat."
"Oh my god, you love her don't you?" the so far quiet boy asked incredulous.
"Not in the way you think. I just fell in love with her passion for life. Ever since she was a little kid, even though her horrible mother would treat her like she was not worthy of love, she had this light in her eyes. Hunger for life. Her mother put spells on her so her wishes would not be granted but that didn't keep me from hearing them, or caring for her. Now she is a grown woman and her mother is gone, this is my chance to finally help her." She finished with tears in her eyes.
"We will help her." Emma whispered. "We have to go back to our time. But I promise we will help her. Find her second chance I I'll will take him to her in our time. Not long has passed if you think, maybe ten years in her biological time. I can't help you now. Henry is her happy ending too, you see. She sacrificed her happy ending so he would have his, we would have ours. I can't imagine a happy Regina without him." She began to walk away. "So do what you have to do, find out who he is and I'll do what I can to bring them together."