Author's Note: So although I had planned for this chapter to be longer, I feel that it is better to end it where I have. It is a filler chapter that once again brings in Rumpelstiltskin. This time however I did not write him with the help of my sister (aka my editor of sorts), so all mistakes and inconsistencies are my own. This chapter also brings in a lot of new faces to the story but old names we are all accustomed to, and some we may not be. I hope you enjoy it. Regina and Emma return in Chapter 8.
Chapter 7
'So We Meet Again'
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There is a rush of adrenaline coursing through her and she sees it matched in her husband. Snow feels her heart plummet into her stomach as she watches James foolishly rush towards Regina. The smoke that appears around them clouds her vision. Her hand holds tightly to Jamie's shoulder. She refuses to let her son be as foolhardy as his father.
Looking around them Snow knows something is coming before it does. She can sense the dread against the back of her neck. James is busy looking around them as well as if sensing the same thing. She meets his gaze for a moment. He looks as if he is about to be sick. His eyes are staring at something behind her, something just over her shoulder.
Turning around Snow's eyes widen and her mouth drops as she sees Regina looking at her, grinning, her hand on Emma's shoulder.
"NOO…!" Snow screams unable to help herself. Before the sound has even left her mouth they are gone. Both of them. Regina is gone. The witch is gone and the smoke is back and, and when it clears Emma is gone. Emma isn't standing anywhere in sight and she's gone. She's gone and and…
Snow doesn't realize the echoing cries bouncing off the walls of the open hall are her own until it stops. Clutching at her chest Snow falls into a heap, sobbing uncontrollably as she rocks back and forth.
Regina came back.
Regina returned and even as she swore she had meant no harm, she had. Of course she had. The witch had been after her revenge for years. Why would she suddenly start to change her tune? Eighteen years hadn't changed anything. Nothing! She was such an idiot!
Regina came back and promised she just wanted to talk.
Snow had almost believed that Regina could change. She had wanted desperately to believe that her former step mother could be the woman that she once was. Snow believed that it was possible for Regina to change, she always had. Regina had once been kind and loving, and not all of it had been a trick. Not all of it had been a façade. Snow knew the moment it had become a façade was after…was after her thirteenth birthday.
Regina came back and promised she wanted to talk but she lied. She lied!
Everyone is silent for a few moments before the chattering begins. The hush that fell over the ballroom is lost now that it is clear what has happened.
The Princess whose birthday they were all here to celebrate was gone. Vanished. Taken by the Evil Queen.
"Emma…" Jamie whispers in shock realizing that Emma is gone. His short sword falls to the ground with a clang.
"I'll find them. I'll get her back. I promise. I'll get her back, Snow. I'll get her back." James touches Snow's shoulder for only a moment, before he disappears. "Steven, Desmond, follow me." James instructs.
The two Princes look at their mother and sister. Unsure if they should leave them as they are. As loyal as they are to King James and Snow White, their first priority is always their own family.
"Go…" Aurora insists as she kneels between Snow and Cinderella. She is the only one capable of taking care of her friends. Thankfully Alexandra is here to care for Cinderella and Penelope, her youngest, can assist her with Snow. As unfair as it seems the two Princesses will have to help her take care of the two Queens. For a moment Aurora wishes that Philip was here, her husband would be better suited to help King James than her sons. Sadly, this is not the time to think on such things.
Steven and Desmond both nod. Desmond is the first to follow after King James, listening to the orders the King is giving him as he goes. Several young men from the crowd join Desmond and King James, leaving the hall with the expectation of going to battle. This battle won't be again an army or even a horde of ogres. This battle would be against evil incarnate, and the darkest power of magic. What they could truly do against a witch as powerful as the Evil Queen escapes all the men following King James, but they will go to battle with him, for him, and for the glory of saving the White Princess.
As quickly as Desmond leaves, Steven remains. He hesitates, looking between his family and the friends of his family. He is unsure where he is truly needed and his internal dilemma is easily visible upon his face. Yet, the moment he sees the teary eyes of the youngest Prince he hardens his own expression. He cannot show fear. He needs to be strong for his family and his friends.
Kneeling down in front of Prince James, he touches Jamie's shoulder. His touch is much gentler then that of Emma's impetuous dance partner. His touch is meant to soothe, not startle. "Look after them, Prince James…"
Jamie looks to Prince Steven, his eyes filled with tears but he brings his hand up to his head and salutes the older Prince. "Yes sir…" his voice is weak and his hand shakes.
Steven salutes the young Prince before he looks to his mother.
"Go…" Aurora insists to her son and his nod is as hesitant as his departure.
Sighing, Aurora looks around her. There are several women headed in their direction, most of them hired hands of the White castle.
"Alexandra, can you move your mother? We must bring this to a more private area…" Aurora insists as she sees the greedy eyes of the aristocrats.
"Can I be of assistance?" A young man asks, by the looks of his uniform he is a Captain from Cinderella's kingdom.
"Yes, yes, Trevor, please, we need to get out of here." Alexandra begs as she looks to the man, Trevor.
"Of course my lady, may I?" He steps forward and kneels upon one knee in front of Cinderella. Their interaction is familiar. Alexandra trusts him enough to carry Cinderella, and that is enough for Aurora.
Aurora does not need to worry about his help being some form of sabotage. The thought alone, that there would be others willing to betray them, to hurt them comes so quickly to her she feels ill.
It has been nearly two decades since she has had to fear for her family and for her friends and their families. It is far too easy to slip back into the practice of thinking everyone is willing and able to betray them. Far too easy, and it sickens her.
They had been safe, for nearly twenty years they had been safe. There had been hardly any stir in the darker sides of their kingdoms. Yes, there were riots and natural disasters to handle and the occasional outlaw to deal with, but the arch nemesis that had long ago plagued them seemed to have quieted with Regina's departure.
Now, the moment Regina returned, everything went to hell! Even her fledging friendship with Maleficent was lost to her. All in one instant, all because of one woman.
Aurora breaths heavily through her nose as she kneels in front of Snow White. If she had hated Regina before she is unsure what she feels for the witch now. It is dark and spreads far too quickly through her for her liking. It is almost as if the feeling is as natural as breathing by the way it slides into her chest and spreads out from her heart to the tips of her fingers. It is cold and slimy and makes her feel dirty but she can't stop it.
Shaking away the feeling, or trying her best not to acknowledge it, Aurora grasps both of Snow White's cheeks and makes her friend look into her eyes.
"Snow…Snow…" Aurora sees how empty Snow White's eyes are. There is no flame, nothing. It is like she isn't even there anymore. Hissing, Aurora looks to her side and sees Jamie standing there, ringing his hands together as he shifts his weight from one foot to the other.
"Jamie…" Aurora calls and the prince snaps to attention, finally looking away from his mother to look at her. "…I need your assistance. Can you assist me?"
Jamie nods his head and moves to stand in front of his mother at his Aunt Aurora's behest. "Momma…?" Jamie speaks softly, just like Aurora told him too.
His mother looks up at him and he sniffles as he tries not to cry. He has to be brave. He is the man of the castle. He is supposed to take care of his mother now that his father has left. Prince Steven trusted him to look after everyone, so that is what he needs to do.
"Jay…" Snow swallows and blinks several times. "Jamie…"
"Hi…" Jamie touched his mother's shoulder and looked to Aurora before looking back to his mom.
"We just need to get her into the private hall, Jamie, okay? So a medicine man can look after her." Aurora tries to coach Jamie as he coaxes his mother out from her shock. Aurora knows that if Emma's disappearance is the reason Snow lost herself, it will be because of Jamie's continued presence that she escapes the confines of her own mind.
"You hear that Momma? We need to leave here right now. Just for now though. We can come back later." Jamie promises as he puts a hand out for his mother to take. "We need to go now."
Snow nods her head, her eyes still unfocused even as she takes a hold of Jamie's hand and stands from her seat upon the cold tile floor of the ballroom.
There are eyes on them, the Lords watching like hawks. Aurora glares at any willing to meet her eyes. Let them stew in their uselessness. They had done nothing to prevent this kidnapping and now they ate at the vulnerability it left in its wake.
Monsters, Aurora thinks. They're as despicable as Regina and Maleficent. Bottom dwellers.
Stepping beside Snow, Aurora eases herself under Snow's arm, helping the queen walk through the open hall. There is a line of serving women blocking the path they are taking out of the hall. Many of the ladies are pushing back several overly eager guests who are asking questions about what the Queen could need. "Go back to your homes…" Aurora insists, to many of them.
Penelope walks beside her and the moment that they are through the back doors of the hall the doors are closed, leaving them in relative peace. They continue down a long stretch of hallway until they reach what Aurora knows is Snow and James' private library. The smell of the musky tomes brings a small smile to Aurora. This room is familiar and offers them all a bit of solace in their panic or fear. There is a small round table in the corner by the ceiling high windows. The curtains are open, allowing for the star light to stream in through the crystal glass. Torches are being lit by the staff as Aurora walks with Snow and Jamie through the library. The clack of her heels echoing through the otherwise empty chamber.
"My Queen…what may I do to assist you?" Frances, Aurora thinks is the woman's name. She has worked here in White Castle for as long as Aurora had known Snow White. So it surprises her that the woman is speaking to her, not to Snow White. The woman is smart to realize the gravity of the situation.
"There is much to discuss and her majesty is unwell. Send for a healer immediately." Hopefully they could give Snow some kind of draught that would help her sleep if nothing else. She was already calm so there is no need for a calming draught, though if Snow were to snap free from her revere it might become necessary for her to drink one. That was without even considering how Cinderella may need assistance as well.
"Snow, Snow, can you look at me?" Aurora asks as she and Jamie sit the immaturely dressed Queen upon the nearest chair. Snow doesn't look away from Jamie, but thankfully she's responsive enough to realize her son is crying and wipe away his tears.
"Mom, you need to stay seated…" Aurora looks into the corner of the room where Alexandra is busy trying to keep Cinderella upon the couch she and Sir Trevor placed her upon.
"Where are we, the last I remember…" Cinderella shakes her head and promptly falls back into the well cushioned couch. "What happened?" Cinderella's brow is creased in her confusion and her gloved hand reaches to massage away the headache focused at her temple.
"You fainted…" Alexandra explains, the sag of her shoulders evidence of the relief she feels at speaking with her coherent mother. Now if only Jamie could find that same relief.
Aurora turns away from the duo, allowing Alexandra the opportunity to explain what Cinderella missed. Jamie needs her assistance in reviving his mother.
"Mother, can I do something?" Penelope asks from beside her and Aurora swallows thickly at the sight of her daughter. Penelope's hair is wrapped in a circular bun atop her head, her strawberry blonde locks so like Aurora's own. Her dress is a deep purple with embroidered gold and green gems. The gems are fake, nothing but quart and gold painted cobble. Maleficent had helped Penelope sew the dress herself. Aurora feels tears prick at her wishing to fall, but she pushes them aside. When all is said and done and Emma has returned to them safely she will mourn the friendship she had found in her former enemy. Her thoughts cannot be corrupted with thoughts of Maleficent and her deceit. Her friends need her, her children need her to stay strong and she will.
"Yes, please, Penelope, see if your three aunts are nearby. You know how to summon them. I believe that your aunt Fauna is within the hall itself, as is the Blue Fairy. Please have them come here as quickly as they can."
"Of course…" Penelope does not wait another moment, happy with the task she has been given. She leaves the library to find and summon those her mother requested. As Penelope leaves she pumps into a woman dressed in a deep forest green dress, with a blood red cloak around her shoulders.
"Red…" Aurora sighs in relief at the sight of the other woman. Red and Granny step into the library followed closely by a grown Pinocchio and Jiminy Cricket upon his shoulder.
"One hell of a way to throw a party, Snow…" Red stops her jovial taunt as it becomes clear Snow White isn't in a joking mood. "Oh lord…" Red exhales noisily. She rushes into the room and kneels down in front of her best friend, and Aurora stands to the side, sure that Red would pull the catatonic Queen back to them all. Granny moves in as well, slowly leaning heavily on her cane. She stands next to Jamie and pulls the fretting boy against her. The boy wraps his arms tightly, as tightly as he dares around the elderly woman.
"So, we're back to this are we? Well, this is unacceptable. You need to snap out of it, this instant. You see that boy over my shoulder, you see him?" Snow looks over Red's shoulder at Jamie as Aurora watches on with baited breath. "He needs you right now. Your son needs you, Snow." A single tear falls from Snow's eyes down ivory skin. "Jamie needs you to tell him that everything is going to be alright!" Red insists her hands tightly on Snow's knees as she looks into her friends tearing eyes.
"Above all that, Snow, he needs you to believe it. He needs you to believe that everything is going to be alright, that James is going to find Emma and we're all going to handle Regina." The passion in which Red speaks seems to easily cut through the darkness that has clouded over their friend. Red laughs shortly, scaring Aurora slightly with the darker tilt it carries. "We can handle her. You know we can. But I understand…this is everything you've feared come to life. I know that, my friend. I do, but…Mary…" Red speaks gently cupping Snow's cheek. "There is always a way. Always, and this is not that way. Now snap out of it!" Red raises her voice, punctuating her words with a tap of her palm against Snow's cheek.
Snow blinks several times, her tears falling as she finally began to focus on everyone around her. Aurora sighs, and offers Red a smile. They often have varying opinions but she cannot speak ill of the woman when it comes to understanding and knowing how to handle Snow White.
"Thank you…" Snow whispers as she squeezes Red's hand.
"Mom!" Jamie cries as he rushes forward.
"Woah…" Red exclaims as she dives out of the way of both mother and son.
Snow kneels down in front of Jamie and wraps her arms around her son as he hides his head against her shoulder.
"Oh Jamie, I'm so sorry…we'll find Emma. We'll find her, I promise."
"That's the spirit deary…"
Aurora turns to the door sighing happily as she sees her Aunt Fauna beside the Blue Fairy, with Penelope behind them. "Aunt Fauna…" The relief flows through Aurora immediately at the sight of her own magical family member. Opening her arms, Aurora hugs Penelope close as her Aunt tisks at her.
"Oh Rose, what have you gotten yourself into now?"
"I…" There is no time for Aurora to even attempt to defend herself.
"I told you! Did I not tell you that, that purple witch was up to no good? I told you, you know I did. I told you she was up to no good! Now look at the mess we're in."
Penelope is outraged by the accusation. "She wasn't behind this kidnapping!" Aurora is surprised that she doesn't immediately berate Penelope for defending Maleficent. After all the grief the witch had caused her, it only took three years for the witch to worm her way into Aurora's heart and that of her children.
"Oh child…"
"No, she did not take Emma! She is not responsible for this. She's not evil! She, she's not…she, she helped me make my dress." Penelope's voice falters as she stares around the room, disbelieving eyes looking forlornly at her. "Mom…?" Penelope tilts her head up as she leans it against Aurora's chest, her eyes pleading with her, begging her to agree with her declaration.
Aurora wants nothing more than to agree, to believe that the Maleficent that she and her family have come to know in the last two years is in fact the true woman behind the visage. Sadly, it is hard. So very hard to keep her old doubts, her old fears from creeping in around her.
"Penny…" Aurora tries as gently as she can, but it is not gentle enough.
"NO! No, you…cannot take their side, no...mom, please..." Penelope sags, her arms tight around her own chest as she steps away from her mother, distancing herself from everyone else in the room. Feeling the space will truly match her feelings of separation.
"This isn't Maleficent's doing…" All the heads in the room turn to the voice. "This is Regina's doing. This was her plan all along. She, she did not come here to talk. She came here with a purpose. She has always had a purpose when it comes to me. To my family…" Snow straightens her back, her hands firm upon Jamie's back as she meets everyone's eyes. "Red, can you please look after Jamie…"
"Sure, Snow, but what…" Red questions as she accepts Jamie into her own embrace, holding the young boy against her as she looks curiously at her friend who simply storms passed her and out the doors of the library. "…are you doing?"
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"This little piggy went to market…this little piggy stayed home. This little piggy had roast beef, This little piggy had none. And this little piggy went 'wee…wee…wee…' all the way home." The unnatural laughter bubbles up through the darkness.
"A is for Princess Allie who fell down the stairs."
Snow stood against the moist cavernous wall of the dungeon. The torch light flickers ten feet in front of her as she hides silently in the shadows. It had taken her all of ten seconds to know that she had to visit with Rumpelstiltskin. He would know what to do, and even if he didn't he could help her. She knows he can. Even if that meant she had to release him to do it. She is desperate. He would realize just how desperate she is, how inconsolable. It would be to his advantage to tell her all she needs to know. He craves freedom, and she yearns to have her daughter back safely.
"B is for Briar Rose assaulted by bears."
If Aurora, Cinderella, or Red knew where she stood and what she is contemplating they would have her committed. They would lock her in her rooms until this crisis was over. To release Rumpelstiltskin is going to be the biggest mistake of her life. It has taken them all years, generations, to capture the man. The Dark One, the imp of a man whom had meddled and weaved himself into all their lives in the most dastardly of ways. Should she release him, offer him his freedom, he would be free to torture their children, another generations of innocents taken advantage of because of her. Those were the consequences to the actions she is truly contemplating.
"C is for Cinderella who wasted away."
Can she truly condemn them all, all over again? After all the hard work she and her dearest friends had suffered through to trap this incorrigible man, can she now condemn Aurora's children, Alexandra, Jamie, and Emma to that fate? To once again live with the darkest temptations offered to them in their greatest times of need? Can she be responsible for that? Would she be able to live with the guilt of her actions? To save her child, grown though she may be? Then when it is all said and done, can she allow Emma to live with that guilt of knowing that because of her all the future evil doings transpired?
"D is for Desmond thrown out of a sleigh."
No. No she can't.
Yet she stays. Staring, watching Rumpelstiltskin in his insanity. Listening to his incessant prattle.
"I know you are there dearie…" Rumpelstiltskin calls out in his glee as he skips in a slithering way to the bars of his cage. When Snow does not answer he grins, his yellow teeth glowing in the dusky lit dungeon. "E is for Emma who speaks not a peep..hehe."
Snow feels her gloved hands fist, her nails digging through the material of the white gloves into her palms as she realizes what the prisoner has been going on about.
"F is for Flora sucked dry by a leech." He ticks off another finger as he continues in his sing song way. "G is for Granny smothered under a rug. H is for Henry done in by a thug. I is for Isabella who drowned in a lake. J is for James who took lye by mistake."
Snow's head spins as she listens to his rhyme, the air around her seems to crackle and smell far too sweet to be normal. There is something transpiring, even between them and in the distance. He's casting some form of spell, she's sure of it. There is no other explanation as to why she suddenly steps out from her hidden nook and walks steadily towards the bars. Her hands wring themselves as if around someone's neck, squeezing and twisting and tight.
"K is for Kathryn struck with an axe. L is for Leo who swallowed some tacks. M is for Mary who wept herself out to sea."
"Enough…" Snow's voice is soft, weak.
"N is for Neville who died of ennui. O is for Olive run through with an awl. P is for Penelope trampled flat in a brawl."
"Enough…" Snow's voice is slightly stronger. Her tongue wipes across her bottom lip as she swallows down the lump in her throat.
"Q is for Quentin who sank in a mire. R is for Regina consumed by a fire. S is for Steven who perished of fits."
"Enough!" Snow yells, her fists at her side as she glares darkly at Rumpelstiltskin.
Rumpelstiltskin's shoulders sag a bit, his fun ruined. "No need to yell my pretty."
Snow's nostrils flare, her body breaking out in goose bumps as he chuckles happily, clapping as he leans leisurely against the bars, his chin resting on a horizontal bar so their eyes are trained equally on each other.
"You certainly did not come to stand and stare. Did you? Oh, won't King James be jealous. Finally found a soft spot for me have you, your highness?" He straightens up with a grin, pulling at his grimy dark dyed clothes, trying to appear dapper and handsome in his own whimsical way.
Snow lets him have his fun. Wondering how she could think, even if it was for just one second, how amusing Rumpelstiltskin could be. Shaking away the thoughts, Snow remains silent, even as he continues to chatter away.
"No? Well, your loss my dear." His teeth appear again as he sneers. "Do not waste out time. You would not be here if there were not a purpose."
"I know, as you do, that you are aware of what has happened. Just as you always are."
His sneer becomes a smirk as he tilts his head from side to side, if he didn't give off an aura of evil incarnate it'd look bashful. "Well, there is that of course. It's just so much fun to pretend, don't you think?"
Snow opens her mouth but cannot answer, "Of course it is. You pretend for the entire kingdom, don't you? You parade yourself to your friends, family, and kingdom as something you are not. You pretend to be free of hate, of despise, of blame." He grins as Snow gasps, "but you and I know the truth. So does she…"
"She has taken my child."
"Poor dear won't know what she's gotten herself into. Would you? Had you been taken to that dark fortress surrounded by not one but two witches?"
"Dark fortress…two witches…" Snow's eyes widen. "Emma is at Maleficent's fortress?"
"Oh dear, did I say that?" He giggles again his finger pressing to his lip. "Oh no matter, by the time your forces arrive they will have gone."
Snow growls at the man behind the bars. His games have never been more unappreciated. "Tell me where she is…"
"Hmmm…" he seems to consider it. "No." He spins around and skips to the back of his cell, sits down and pulls one of the books he was given to read. The lighting is very poor but after years he's gotten used to it.
Snow slams her hand against the bars in front of her, her head bowed as her heart races against her chest. She cannot offer him anything. She will not offer him anything, nothing. She will not speak a word of a deal, not one single wo… "What do you wish for in return?"
He seems shocked, if only for a moment, that she has caved so easily. His eyes narrow and he closes the book in his hand, but makes no move to return to the front of his cage. "What do I wish for in return?" He repeats, his eyes moving around his home for the last nineteen years. It lacks the proper accommodations he became used to in his many years of frugality. What he wishes for more than anything in this world is to be free of this place. To leave this cage and find…and find his own way back to his happy ending. After making each and every royal prat pay for their betrayal.
Snow bites her tongue so as not to say she would promise him anything he wanted. "You wish to speak with Emma…"
His brow rose, "I wished to speak with her…"
"How can you speak with her if she is not returned to us?" Snow questions, her heart racing against her ribcage, her stomach twirling around itself in knots.
"Hmm…that is a curious predicament." He speaks aloud rubbing his chin as if in thought. "I will not need to speak with her if she is dead." He shrugs, leaning back against the wall, props his feet up on his bed and opens his book, ignoring Snow's wail at the idea of Emma's death.
"No, please that cannot be…" Snow begs, to deaf ears.
"T is for Lady Tremaine who was blown to bits. U is for Ursula who slipped down a drain. V is for Victoria squashed under a lady's train."
"Stop…please there must be something you can do!"
"W is for the little Red Wolf embedded in ice. X is for Xerxes devoured by mice. Y is for Yorick whose head was knocked in. Z is for Zillah who drank too much gin…A is for Alexandra who fell down the stairs. B is for Briar Rose assaulted by bears. C is for Cinderella who wasted away."
Snow's head fell to the lean against the magic laced bars, her tears falling as Rumpelstiltskin continued his rhymes. The grisly deaths playing before her closed eyes like a puppet show.
End Chapter Seven