Thank you for all the reviews! They are much appreciated! Yep… so I killed Snow. Sorry about that, fans of Snow. I actually love her on the show, but like I said – I am trying something a little different here (which is also why both David and Henry kissed Regina and she's still asleep… don't know if you caught that…).
So here's the next chapter!
DISCLAIMER: Not mine.
Chapter 12
Snow was dead.
His beautiful, brave wife… his true love was dead. Never in his life, had David felt so empty. He had been waiting by the well for their return, he had been the one who witnessed Emma pulling Snow's still body up with her. Emma was able to relay a few facts to him and Rumpelstiltskin, who was somehow present every time something significant happened. He was sure the imp had some sort of radar that shouted 'excitement' in his ear where there was turmoil or drama. Apparently Cora's name struck a chord and upon hearing that it was her who had killed Snow, Rumple left without another word – leaving no apologies or condolences.
David had no idea how much time had passed. He was unable to move from where he sat with his back against a tree, cradling Snow's limp body in his arms. Emma was lying on the ground next to him, staring out in front of her unseeingly. They were a broken family now and although he supposed he should have had the strength to comfort his daughter, he simply did not. He had only just gotten Snow back after twenty eight years and he lost her within a day. To make matters worse, he spent the time that she was lost lusting after her arch enemy, who had become his friend – a friend he had lost now too. He had lost almost everything that had mattered and he threw his head back against the tree, wallowing in his own self-pity.
The sound of celebrating voices coming nearer broke his heart – it was no doubt the dwarves, coming forth under the impression that Emma and Snow were safely back. Grumpy saw them first, and let out something akin to a laugh.
"The princesses are back! Let's…"
He froze when he saw David's face, the other dwarves coming to a halt behind him. David looked up at the dwarves tiredly, his eyes void of all hope.
"She's dead. Snow… she's dead."
Emma let out an anguished cry at his words and within seconds the dwarves were next to her, lifting her up gently. It was Grumpy who moved towards David and gently touched Snow's face. Anger flashed in his eyes and he took a step back.
"Then she's finally got what she's always wanted. She's finally won."
David frowned at Grumpy's words, unsure of what he meant.
"I don't understand… how is this winning?"
His voice was hoarse form the tears he had shed and Grumpy shook his head as he looked at David grimly.
"The Evil Queen. This is what she wanted – Snow dead. Well, she's finally achieved it. I bet she's happy now!"
The dwarf was seething and it suddenly struck David that he didn't even realize that Regina had been under the sleeping curse for days now. They didn't notice that she was gone. David wiped tears off his cheeks and stood, lifting Snow up with him.
"It wasn't her."
Grumpy opened his mouth to argue, but David shook his head firmly.
"It was not Regina."
"Your highness, with all due respect…"
Irritation bristled within David and through his heartache, he could suddenly understand why Regina was so hesitant to change – she'd never be given a fair chance.
"It wasn't her, Grumpy. She's… she is under the sleeping curse. It couldn't have been her. She had nothing to gain from it."
He ignored the shocked mutters from the dwarves and started walking in the direction of the town slowly.
While the entire town mourned the death of their beloved princess, Rumpelstiltskin had other things to be worried about. One other thing to be worried about.
Cora.
It was not the fact that she had managed to kill Snow White that bothered him – it was the fact that she had been strong enough to break the binding curse that should have lasted long enough for Snow and Emma to return and attend the celebration party that would have been thrown in their honour. If Cora was strong enough to do that, there was nothing that prevented her from coming to Storybrooke and with Regina out of action he was the only one who could stop her.
He knew just how, and that was why he was seated at Regina's bedside again, holding a cold hand between his and talking to her in hushed tones.
"Snow White is dead, dearie… Your mother killed her. Twisted irony there, don't you think?"
Rumple sighed and closed his eyes, leaning back in the chair. He was aware of Belle hovering in the doorway – she was always there and he appreciated it to no end. Her presence was what gave him the courage to continue.
"You know what I have to do, dearie… I'm sorry. But it's the only way."
He stood quickly and turned to face Belle, who was looking at him with a worried expression.
"What is it, Rumple? What is it that you need to do?"
Rumple sighed and kissed her on her forehead. He had to do it – if not for himself, then for Belle. She was his weakness and he could not let Cora get to her.
"Stay here with Regina. I'll be back soon."
"Rumple…"
He shook his head with a small smile.
"Belle… I need you to stay with Regina. Snow White is dead and the town is going to be out for blood – her blood. It doesn't matter that she was under the curse, they'll still blame her. She can't be left alone."
Perhaps it was strange that Belle would be willing to protect the woman who had kept her locked up for the better of three decades, but she couldn't find it in her heart to leave Regina vulnerable to an angry crowd – especially if they were angry for something that wasn't her fault. She nodded and pulled Rumple in for a quick kiss.
"Hurry back. And be safe."
He nodded and touched her cheek gently before he disappeared out of his shop and after casting a quick protection spell around it he left for Regina's vault. It did not take him too long to find what he had been looking for and he let out a breath of relief when he finally held it in his hands.
Cora's heart.
It was not without a sliver of hesitation that he started squeezing slowly.
Slowly.
Slowly.
Until there was only dust left.
He mumbled a soft apology – unaware of whether it was meant for Cora or Regina – before leaving the vault once again.
He did not look back once.
To his surprize, Belle was not alone with Regina when he re-entered his shop. Despite the comforting fact that his protection spells were still in place, the charming prince sat next to the queen again. He would have been furious, had it not been for Henry – asleep in the corner of the room. He quite liked the boy, who reminded him of Baelfire in a way. He cast a distasteful look in the prince's direction before looking back at Belle.
"Why is he here?"
Belle shrugged hesitantly.
"You cast a protection spell – I felt it. And no one else was able to enter, but he was. So I assumed it was safe for him to be here."
David looked up at Rumple with red rimmed eyes.
"You cast a spell?"
Rumpelstiltskin nodded and sat down far away from the prince, still not entirely happy with his presence.
"Yes. I cast a spell so that anyone who wishes to harm the queen cannot enter my shop. They blame her, you know."
David nodded and took Regina's hand in his.
"I know. It's not her fault though – I should know. She had nothing to do with this."
A playful giggle escaped Rumple's lips and Belle just rolled her eyes at the insanity peeking through his layers. She moved forward to rest a hand on his shoulder and where David sat, he noticed how Rumple subtly leaned in to her touch. He smiled sadly.
Even Rumpelstiltskin managed to find true love.
He watched as the princess whispered something to Rumple before leaving the room and he sighed, turning away from Rumple to face Regina once more. David addressed Rumple without looking at him.
"You love her, don't you?"
"I do. She's my… second chance at happiness. She's my everything."
David sighed and bit back the tears that threatened to spill again.
"A second chance… Does that even exist? I mean, I just lost Snow and I don't think I'll ever be happy again, I don't think I'll ever love again."
Rumpelstiltskin just lifted a brow, but decided not to comment on Charming's musings.
"Why are you here, your highness?"
David shrugged lightly.
"Out there… everyone keeps trying to tell me how sorry they are for my loss, and whenever I start that conversation I end up being the one who comforts them. Those people… I care about them, I respect them, but they are Snow's friends not mine. They only know me because of Snow, without her I am nothing. Regina is my friend – just mine, you know? She's the only one who really knows who I am without Snow by my side… I just needed to talk to her."
Rumpelstiltskin nodded and David leaned his head back with a deep sigh. For some reason, he suddenly managed to open up to Rumpelstiltskin – perhaps it was because the man did not express sympathies and condolences.
"Snow's never coming back. Regina's not coming back. Emma is a wreck and I have no idea how to help her. I just want to fall down and cry, but I can't because I need to carry this town. I just… I just wish I'm the one who went under this damn sleeping curse!"