Hey ya! Still there i see... THANKS!
Sorry for the delay. Life you know... but here we go
Chapter 6
"Here goes nothing…" Emma wasn't an insecure person, but this situation, being in a completely strange "world" and being in charge of not only her child but also saving a bunch of people made her unsure of her abilities. She was tired of always having to be the one to save the day. It was like if she was in a comic book, but a superhero with no super power. Not fair at all.
It didn't take long her to find Robin and his friend once she entered the Inn's bar. Can I call this a bar? It's not a tavern cause it's inside the Inn…
"Emma… Emma!" Robing called waving his hands in front of her face. She had already got to the table but her thought had her distracted while he greeted her.
"Sorry. Hi, Robin. And brother Tuck I assume." She offered her hand to the chubby man in a cloak. He accepted it with a smile and gently shook her hand. "Pleasure, child."
Child? Dude looks to be the same age as me! Must be the cloth talking. She smiled back. "I believe Robin's already told you why we are here and what he plan on doing right?"
"Indeed he has. But before we discuss the details on how this will work, I must talk with you about something important. But not here. I think we should go somewhere private."
"I know a place." Robin said standing up. "Follow me."
##
"How long do you thing they're gonna take?" Asked the impatient boy.
"Don't worry Henry, your mother will come back soon. I can take care of you, you know?" Esme smiled at him. She knew he wasn't questioning her because he wanted his mom to be with him, but because he was curious about what was going on in "grown up land". The kid has had a frown ever since his mother told him he couldn't go with her to meet the priest.
"I know you could if I needed you too, Esme." He answered her with a knowing smirk that said he knew she was pulling his leg. "I'm just kinda worried about her going around this unknown place with strangers. I've read about brother Tuck, but how can I be sure he is what they wrote about him?"
"What are you talking about honey? Where have you read about the brother?" she asked confused.
"I… I meant about brothers in general, you know? How they take poverty oaths and all…How they're supposed to do good…" he tried to cover. My big mouth again, ladies and gentlemen.
"I see." She whispered not believing what he said. Henry noticed. "You know Henry, I can tell that your mother and you are different. I can't say why, but I want you to know that if you ever need me, any of you do, you can trust me. What you're doing for all of us, completely strangers, says a lot about who you are. I only hope I can repay the help." She couldn't put a finger why or when, but she came to care a great deal for the duo. And she meant every word she has just said.
Henry approached the woman and gently hugged her "Thanks Es."
##
"Are you sure there's no one living here Robin." Emma asked the hooded guy.
"Yep. I hunt here quite often and haven't seen anyone come near this place in a long time." He answered opening the cottage. It was so dusty inside Emma had no doubt what her companion said was true.
Brushing of some of the dust in one the chairs and sitting down the brother began: "Here's the thing Miss Emma, even before Robin came to me with your plan, I knew of you. Not exactly your name; however, it came to my knowledge that a foreign woman was planning on doing something against Alrik."
"How can that be?" Emma questioned worried. "Did they say anything about my kid too?"
"Not that I know." He replied honestly. "I fear someone you know may have said something to somebody they shouldn't. I won't say they wished to hurt you or your quest, but you see: if we want this to work out we need to create some kind of hierarchy. Some things must be kept on a need to know basis."
He was right. She couldn't put either Henry or anyone else in danger. Of course someone must have let it slip, not deliberately told anyone or else she would be in prison by now. Anyhow, she could not take those chances anymore. "And how do suppose we do that?"
"I have an idea. Most of the Romanies already know what we will do, but not exactly, right?" she nodded. "You don't know, but my friend here has a great knowledge in strategic. All those years coping books for the king made him read them again and again so most of it is stuck in here." He patted his friends head which made him chuckle. "Esme and Remo would have great insights when we plan on how to use the forest in our advantage. You already told me you trust them with your life, so I believe there's no problem there."
"I do." She confirmed.
"I am the way in the army and towns. I know how they work, their timetables etc. And of course there's you and Henry. I believe the five of us, I'm not counting the kid on this one for obvious reasons, can be in the top of this hierarchy Tuck was talking about. Everyone else would be informed of what happens as it goes, we would only tell them what they need to know to succeed their task."
"I agree, but how would they know who to trust. We won't stay in the same place to get to know everybody. And we'll probably have to spread to gather the most people possible." Reasoned the brother.
"We'd need some kind of password or a handshake." Emma suggested joking.
"I don't think it's a good idea. We are dealing with people with little to no education. Unfortunately, I fear people could forget the password or handshake." Sadly said the cloaked man.
"Well, if you are completely invested on this I might have an idea." Laughed Robin.
"Go ahead." Encouraged the blonde.
"A tattoo. It's visual, it's simple. It won't be a strange thing for the Romanies, they are used to those as you might have noticed." He looked at Emma.
"Yeah." I can't believe I'm going to finally have to find the guts to get a tattoo. Well, it's bout damn time.
"Are you both up for it?" Robin asked.
"Ok."
"Yes."
"Good, let's go back to the camp and get some ink then." Robin exclaimed.
##
When the night came, and Esme and Remo were aware of the news, the five of them decided that they should have a red lion tattooed on their forearm in honor of the Lion King. Emma for one thought that was a little too tacky but Henry got so excited that she didn't mention it. He, of course, wanted to get one too but his mom just gave him her best Regina's look that made the boy stay quiet for over half an hour.
"So… when are we doing it?" Emma asked. She was afraid her courage would fade out as time passed. "Do you guys know a place?"
"A place? Ha! I will do it honey." Remo answered with a huge grin. "I'm quite famous for my ink work" he explained showing his left arm and pulling his shirt off so she could see his chest. "I even did my own chest with the help of a mirror." He said proudly. And proud he could be. The art work was amazing! Maybe this won't be so bad after all… Emma thought.
"Can we do it tonight? I might need some liquor courage." Brother Tuck blushed at his statement.
"Sure. You can stay for dinner. It's almost sundown anyway. Robin can you help me with our hunt. I think we got something big today." Esmeralda asked. "Emma, get the liquor and pass it out. I'll be waiting for my share by the fire." she winked at the blonde.
"Will do." She began grabbing mugs and pouring them some drinks. "Nope, not for you today my friend, I want my lion to look like a feline not a dog." She directed Remo and his awaiting arms.
"C'mon Emma, I can do it with my eyes closed if needed be." He pouted.
"Show me one of the ones you've tattooed when you were inebriated then." She challenged.
He lifted his shirt once again and she didn't even need the pointing finger to see the hideous thing hidden among his great work. "What on earth is that?"
"Bear eating a salmon." He whispered. Emma and Brother Tuck exchanged a knowing look that said "Only when hell freezes."
"More like Chewbacca eating a human arm!" she all but shouted.
"A what?" both men asked.
"Never mind. Point is: you're not drinking tonight, ok?"
"Fine…"
##
"We're done here Emma, you can open your eyes now." Remo laughed. They have decided that she would be the one to get her tattoo today. Of course they by now figured that it'd take more than a day to tattoo the five of them, so it was stipulated that Emma would go first, after all, it was her plan, then Esme, Tuck and Robin. Remo's tattoo would be done not at once but during his free time daily until it was finished.
"Are you sure it's over?" she said opening just one eye. Man that hurts! Not again! Never.
"I am, kiddo." He answered patting her hand. "Well I guess this calls for a celebration, don't you think guys?" he exclaimed.
"Yeah! Robin here is on board! The Inn?"
"Nah, I have a place with way better beer than that hole." An already drunk priest replied in between hiccups.
"Oh, please, do share the information my good man." Robin bowed.
"I'll do better, I'll show you. All on board?"
"aye captain!" came the choir.
"Let me just make sure Henry is in bed and has someone to look after him." She almost rubbed her arm, but refrained from doing so, knowing that if she did, it'd hurt a lot. "Man, this stings like a bitch…"
"Yes, it will for a while. Then it will get itchy. Just leave your sleeve up."
##
"Are you sure this is the place Tink? It's such a dirty place…" Regina asked unsure.
"Yes, this is where all the pain of your past becomes that: your past. Look –she pointed through the dirty window- that one, with the lion tattoo, that's your true love, your second chance." The pixie said with a glow in her eyes.
"That under the hood?" she asked trying to see better but failing to do so.
"Yes, go ahead. Go get your happiness."
"Ok, I can do that." Tink left her with a huge smile on her face.
But Regina couldn't. She panicked after opening the door. Closing it with a bang, she left running.
"What the hell was that?" chuckled an inebriated Emma who was with her back turned to the door.
"Must have been the wind. Drink up Swan!" Shouted Robin.
A/N Is Regina coming to the picture soon? If this chap didn't answer that question here it goes: YES!