Chapter 9

Enchanted Forest around 30 years ago

Anne Teach sat primly on the dreadfully uncomfortable chair, her back ramrod straight. Of course how could any woman's back be anything but ramrod straight, trussed up as they were required to be in corsets? Oh what it would be like to wear comfortable clothing that allowed the lady in question to breathe!

Anne sipped daintily at her tea as Miss Hornigold had instructed her. Ladies were to be prim, proper and gracious at all times—even at times like this when they were bored nearly to tears.

"Do you not agree, Miss Teach?"

Anne looked guiltily at the officious bore who'd been invited to take tea with her and Miss Hornigold. "I beg your pardon, Mr. Collins," she said daintily patting her lips with her napkin. "I seem to have missed your last statement." And everything else you've said to the best of my ability.

She caught Miss Hornigold's eye and cringed at the look of disapproval plain to be seen on her patroness's face. She sighed to herself. She'd be in for a lecture later on, no mistake about that! She'd get another earful about the proper way to receive gentlemen callers.

"I was merely commenting on the loveliness of the weather, Miss Teach," Mr. Collins said. Anne could hear the slight annoyance in his tone. He was shocked, no doubt, that anyone would be impertinent enough to wool-gather when he was speaking. This one ws about as pompous as they come!

"Indeed, Mr. Collins," Anne said in a calm, gracious voice, "we've not enjoyed such beautiful weather since last summer."

It would be quite a shame to waste the lovely weather," Miss Hornigold said with a smile, her thick spectacles magnifying her eyes. "If it would please you, I would be pleased to allow you the use of my carriage. You and Miss Teach could take a drive."

Anne whipped her neck toward her benefactress, eyes widened in shock. She wanted Anne to go out on an outing with a young man? Unchaperoned? This could only mean one thing. Miss Hornigold expected Mr. Collins to declare himself…to make her an offer of marriage. She inwardly groaned again. Could she even survive marriage to such a pompous bore?

Mr. Collins's eyes lit up. "There's nothing I would like more than an afternoon in Miss Teach's company, but I'm afraid I must decline. I have a pressing engagement with a client and then I must go out of town for the remainder of the week. If it would please Miss Teach, I would be more than pleased to take her on that drive a week from now."

Anne knew there was nothing for it. Miss Hornigold would never let her hear the end of it if she discouraged Mr. Collins. "I would be honored, Mr. Collins," she said with a small bow.

He looked as though Christmas had come early. He got to his feet, took her hand and bowed over it until his hot lips connected with her hand. It took all Anne's training to refrain from recoiling in disgust.

"Ladies," Mr. Collins said, bowing in turn to both Miss Hornigold and Anne, "until next week."

With that, a servant showed Mr. Collins out, and Anne breathed a sigh of relief.

"Miss Teach, really!" Miss Hornigold said with a tsk of disapproval. "What is the meaning of such an unladylike sound?"

"Miss Hornigold," Anne pleaded, "Mr. Collins? The man is ridiculous!"

"Nonsense, child," Miss Hornigold said, "He's a perfectly respectable man, a lawyer, with a good income. I can provide you with a comfortable home."

But what good would that do her when she died of boredom.

"But ma'am," Anne protested, "I don't love him!"

"Love! Miss Hornigold said with a tut. "What's love got to do with marriage? A good match is more important than love. Besides, you've already sent three suitors packing this month. If Mr. Collins makes you an offer, you'd best take it."

Anne wanted to roll her eyes. Ever since she'd celebrated her eighteenth birthday two months ago, Miss Hornigold had thrown what felt like every eligible bachelor within a one hundred mile radius at her. Intrigured by the money Anne stood to inherit from her wealthy benefactress—as well as by her brother's rapidly increasing wealth—the suitors were never told precisely how Edward Teach amassed his wealth—men had been tripping over each other for the honor of courting her.

Miss Hornigold softened. "Now child, you know I only have your bet interest at herat."

"I know," Anne said with a sigh—small and ladylike this time, "but I can't bear the thought of such a confined life. I long for danger and adventure—like my brother has."

Miss Hornigold pursed her lips in annoyance. "Now we'll have no more talk of piracy, young lady. I thought you'd outgrown all that!"

"I have," Anne said miserably, remembering her youth. Where other little girls liked to play house, she liked to play pirate.

"That's a good girl," Miss Hornigold said with a pat to Anne's knee. "As it turns out, I have something that I think will put a smile on your face."

She reached into her reticule and pulled out an envelope. Anne took it and squealed. "A letter! It's from Edward!"

Anne pulled the single sheet from its envelope and perused it, her smile widening as she read.

"He's coming for a visit and he says he has good news!

….

Anne paced the entryway waiting. Edward was due in today! Given her choice, she would be down at the docks waiting for Edward's ship to make berth. Unfortunately, Anne feared Miss Hornigold would truly keel over with apoplexy if she even suggested it. Oh! This waiting was killing her!

It wasn't just the waiting that had the butterflies dancing in her stomach. It was the nerves. She'd come to a decision in the two days since Mr. Collins's visit. Now, all that remained was to get Edward's consent.

Finally, at long last, she heard the sound of the doorbell. He was back! Though it was far from the refined thing to do, she raced through the entryway, overtook the doorman, and opened the door herself.

There he was! This man who was her brother. He'd changed in the two years since she'd last seen him. He had a harder look about him, he was more weather-beaten, and the bushy black beard he wore made him look positively dangerous. She felt a sudden shyness, as though she didn't know this pirate at all.

And then Edward smiled and said "Annie-girl?" in the way he always used to, and she surged into his arms.

"Oh Edward!" she said with a laugh, "it's been so long! I've missed you so much!"

He hugged her and then held her out at arm's length. "Look at you, little sister! Where's the skinny little half-grown filly I left behind two years ago?"

She chucked him playfully on the arm "I grew up. So what's this exciting news you were talking about."

He shook his head. "Never one for small talk, were you, pet?"

"Come on, Edward!" she wheedled, tugging at his arm and pulling him toward the sitting room. "You sounded so excited in your letter! I'm dying to hear your news!"

"Alright, alright," he said with a smile, obligingly taking the seat she indicated. "Captain Hornigold's decided to retire and he's named me the new captain of his vessel!"

That was wonderful. It was better news than Anne could ever have hoped for. As captain, Edward would have even more ability to grant her request! She jumped from her seat, rushed forward and threw her arms around him. "Congratulations! Just think! Captain Teach!"

He chuckled. "Captain Blackbeard, actually. Hornigold convinced me to take a more colorful moniker."

She studied him. "Aye," she said at last, "Blackbeard suits you. So dangerous and frightening!"

He laughed again. "I hope so."

A knock came at the door, and a middle-aged maid in a mobcap came in. "Mistress ordered a tea service, Miss. For you and your guest."

"Thank you," Anne said, jumping up to take the loaded tray from the other woman. "That will be all."

Several minutes were taken pouring, fixing and serving the tgea, finger sandwiches and pastries. After they both had eaten, Edward spoke again.

"I hear you have some rather exciting news yourself, little sister."

Anne squinted her eyes in confusion. What news did she have to share?

"Hornigold's sister tells me that you expect a proposal of marriage any day from a certain Mr. Collins."

Anne felt as though the walls were closing in on her. She couldn't marry Mr. Collins; she simply couldn't

"I take it from your expression you're less than enthusiastic about the match?"

"Oh Edward! I can't marry that man. He's positively dreadful!"

Edward gave her a speculative look for long moments. "Miss Hornigold assures me he's an excellent match. She said he's a good man of sound character and that he can provide you all the luxury you might want."

Tears of frustration filled Anne's eyes. "But he's utterly ridiculous! If I marry him, I'll slowly suffocate, die of confinement. Besides…"

"Aye?" Edward asked, leaning forward, "Besides what, Annie-girl?"

There was no time like the present. Either she asked him now or she'd never work up the courage to do so. "I wanted to ask you something."

"Aye, what might that be?"

"Take me with you!" she pleaded. She saw the 'no' in his eyes, so she hastily continued. "Please! Hear me out. I'm a hard worker and I'm smart. I can learn to do any of the tasks your men do. I'm not cut out for the tedious, sedentary life I lead here. I'm made for action and adventure, just like you! I feel the very spirit draining out of me day by day."

Edward looked sorrowful and slowly shook his head. Anne's spirits plummeted. This had been one of her last hopes.

"Anne," he said gently, "you know I can't agree to that. A pirate ship is no place for a lass. I've no doubt you could work as hard as any of my crew, but that is beside the point. My men are a rough lot. On board my ship you'd be subjected to the worst coarseness, crass treatment, the kind of thing no innocent young woman should be subjected to."

"But Edward…"

"No, Anne," he said firmly. "You are in my charge, and this is a point on which I simply will not yield."

The utter devastation must have been plain to see on Anne's face, because Edward softened. "All is not lost, Anne. You need not marry Mr. Collin's if you find the possibility so loathesome. I'll speak to Hornigold's sister. You need marry no one unless you choose to do so."

Well, that was some comfort, she supposed. Anne forced herself to put her sorrow and disappointment aside. She wouldn't mar Edward's short visit with moping. Once he'd taken his leave, there would be plenty of time to plan her next move. Because Edward or no Edward, she planned to have her share of adventures before she was forced into the prison known as holy matrimony.

Enchanted Forest, present day

Regina leaned over and brushed Robin's fair hair off his forehead. He was hot to the touch. Frowning, she leaned forward even more and touched her lips to his head. Definitely hot; burning up in fact.

She looked him over carefully, checking each of his wounds. The facial lacerations looked like they were healing nicely as did the wounds on his chest and abdomen. Finally she lifted the bandage from a large, deep cut on his left forearm and gasped. It was an angry red and swollen. She was no doctor, but she would swear the wound was infected.

Reaching for the rag in the basin of water, she thoroughly cleaned the wound and wrapped it with a new bandage. Throughout the whole process, which was no doubt quite painful, Robin didn't so much as twitch.

Regina threw the now-soiled rag back into its basin and began pacing. He was growing worse. He needed a real doctor, not merely a friar who was skilled with healing plants! He needed a hospital and modern medicine.

Regina swatted at a gnat that buzzed around her sweaty head. He needed a room that wasn't a blazing inferno in the summer. A room that was clean and free of insects. This cabin might have been nice and cozy in the winter when she was last here, but the summer was a far different story!

Never had Regina wanted to get back to the Land Without Magic more. She briefly considered a curse. Maybe she could get her hands on another one of those. She could sweep herself and Robin and the rest of the fools she'd come her with back to Storybrooke and the villain who caused all the havoc could just have at it.

Regina dropped into the straight backed chair at Robin's side, and blew out a deep sigh. She reached for a clean rag, dipped it in the tepid water, and smoothed it over Robin's over-heated brow. It wouldn't work. For one thing, in order to cast the curse, she'd need to sacrifice the one she loved the most, Robin, and that would kind of defeat the purpose. For another, Roland was still missing.

Where was he? Was he being well-treated? Rage coursed through her at the thought of anyone mistreating her little boy. They would pay. Oh, yes, they would pay beyond their deepest fears!

Slowly the anger drained, and the helplessness took over. She hated being powerless like this. Waiting, not knowing, imagining the worst. And really, what good would revenge do? It wouldn't spare Robin's little lad any of the fear or abuse he was suffering now. No, she'd give up any thought of retribution or vengeance if only she could get Roland back safe and sound—and if only Robin would recover.

Perhaps her magic could help? She'd trafficked almost exclusively in dark-magic ever since the first curse, but since she'd had Henry, since she'd fallen in love with Robin, the light magic had come more and more easily. Could she relieve some of Robin's suffering with magic.

Regina closed her eyes, extended her hands and focused her energy on the man lying before her. She let her love for him overwhelm her. It was a strange sensation, this light magic bubbling up. She'd become so accustomed to taping into her anger and hate to produce magic, that this was a distinctly foreign and awkward experience.

But it was working. She could tell by the feelings—like a warm, soothing rush of water was flowing out of her hands—that something was coming of her efforts. She opened her eyes to see bright, white light coming from her fingertips and connecting with the wounds on Robin's face. One, still raw and bloody scabbed over.

Regina focused her energy on the infected wound on Robin's arm. She kept the focus of magic flowing for as long as she could sustain it, until her hands dropped and she closed her eyes, utterly spent with the effort it had taken to produce the magic. Opening her eyes, she looked once more at the wound. Not much change. Perhaps a small fraction of the swelling had subsided. It was hard to tell.

Tears filled Regina's eyes, and with no one around to see them, she allowed them to escape their banks and flow unchecked down her cheeks. Maybe if Emma were here, her magic would have been more effective, but she wasn't. She and her husband had left several hours ago, and it was anyone's guess when they would return.

I hope they're enjoying their idyllic little time together, Regina thought with a sneer. That wasn't fair, and she knew it. No doubt Emma and Hook were enjoying their time alone together, but they hadn't abandoned her. They'd gone off to find help.

She just hoped it wouldn't come too late for her true love and his son.

"Please Robin," she whispered, lying beside him and wrapping him in an embrace. "Please fight. I can't lose you. If you die the best part of me, the part that wants to put aside evil and hatred, will die with you. If you die, might as well die too."

….

"So, Little John, what do you suggest?" Charming asked, peering intently at the larger man. Killian and Emma had left late that morning, and it would likely be another day or two before they would return with Camelot reinforcements.

"We find out who's living in the palace."

"You don't know?"

Little John shook his shaggy head. "No. The palace was empty for months after you left, then suddenly, about a week ago our scouts began to see signs of habitation."

"Do you think whoever's there had anything to do with the men who attacked you?" Snow asked.

Little John shrugged. "I just don't know. Normally some of our company would have scouted out the situation, but with the attack, we've not had the opportunity."

"It seems to me," Rumplestiltskin said, "that finding out who thinks they're in charge is our first course of action."

"Agreed," Charming said with a nod. "So as soon as we can manage it, we'll go. Little John, gather a small group of your finest, and they can join Rumplestiltskin and me."

"I'm coming too," Snow White insisted, a glint of challenge in her eye. "My bow will be useful to you if we encounter enemies rather than friends."

Charming shook his head. "I need you to stay here."

Snow frowned and crossed her arms, looking as determined as she always did when she got an idea into her head. "And just why should I stay here?"

Charming sighed in frustration. "Snow, think! think! You're more than six months pregnant! It's not just you or me we have to think of now, it's that little boy."

Snow dropped her eyes and picked at a loose thread on her maternity blouse. "I would be careful. I wouldn't take unnecessary risks."

Charming threw up his hands and rolled his eyes. "The whole adventure would be an unnecessary risk. Please! For once just listen to me."

Friar Tuck piped up, and Charming didn't think he'd ever been so grateful to someone for jumping into a conversation. "Your husband is right, your majesty. As a healer, I must insist you refrain from such a dangerous mission. In your delicate condition, it would be most inadvisable."

Snow visibly wilted. so grateful to someone for jumping into a conversation. "Your husband is right, your majesty. As a healer, I must insist you refrain from such a dangerous mission. In your delicate condition, it would be most inadvisable."

Snow visibly wilted, and then she turned pleading eyes toward Charming. The expression in their brown depths tore at him. "Charming, I'll go crazy just waiting here," she said, her voice breaking. "Last time there was an unknown person in our castle, it was the Wicked Witch of the West, and she nearly killed us!"

Charming took her in his arms and held her. "We don't know what we'll be encountering there," he said. "Could be a friend. Besides, I'll be going with Gold and the merry men and Regina, if we can talk her into it. I promise we won't take unnecessary risks. We won't confront anyone, just do some surveillance, find out who's there."

Little John stepped forward. "Your majesty," he said, addressing Snow White, "I swear to personally guard your husband's back. He will come back to you, on my word."

Snow visibly pulled herself together and then stepped back out of Charming's arms. She nodded. "Okay. Well, no use dragging this out any longer. Let's go talk to Regina."

….

"You want me to do what?" Regina sputtered.

"Come with us to determine just what miscreant has invaded your castle, Dearie," Gold said with his accustomed sneer.

"Let me get this straight," Regina said, getting to her feet. "You all want me to leave the man I love. The man who's so badly injured he might even…." she pulled in a deep breath leaving the sentence unfinished. "You want me to do this just so that I can babysit you while you pretend to be spies?"

"Regina, you know who was there last year," Charming argued. "You really want to be caught unprepared again? You really want to drag this whole thing out, or do you want to get to the bottom of what happened to Robin and Roland as soon as possible?"

"You know the answer to that!" Regina said, her eyes flashing, "but why do you need me? You've got plenty of people for a surveillance mission."

"Think, Dearie!" Gold answered. "The more magical of a presence we hold, the better our chances if we do come upon any enemies."

"Besides," Charming argued, "you know that castle inside and out. You can get us inside without detection."

Regina knew they were right, but the thought of leaving Robin tore at her. She dropped her eyes, and then let her gaze connect with Charming's. "You understand true love. What would you do if Snow were lying in that bed near to death? What would you do if someone asked you to go off and leave her unprotected?"

Charming drew in a long, ragged breath. "It would kill me to leave Snow in that state, but I would want to find her attacker, bring him to justice and make sure he never hurt another soul like that again."

Of course the prince would go to the noble motive. "Bring him to justice"? Ha! At the moment she couldn't care less if justice was served so long as she had a chance to tear the s.o.b. who did this limb from limb—with her bare hands—and then roast him with her magical fireballs for good measure.

Belle stepped forward and placed a comforting hand on Regina's shoulder. "And as for Robin, don't worry. I'll sit with him the entire time you're gone. I'll do everything in my power to keep him comfortable."

Snow stepped forward as well. "And I'll help her. Since my husband insists I keep my pregnant self out of the line of fire, I won't have anything else to do while you're gone."

Regina felt a swell of affection for this group of people. She nodded, kissed her fingertips, and placed them firmly against Robin's over-warm lips. "I'll be back as soon as I can," she whispered to his inert form.

….

Regina peered through the nursery door, looking from side to side along the deserted corridor. Seeing no danger, she stepped out and beckoned the others to join her. As they almost noiselessly did so, Regina couldn't help but remember finding herself in a very similar situation only a year and some months ago.

A bitter-sweet pain stabbed through her at the recollection. That time, it had been Robin with her as she broke into her castle, not this ragtag group of sorcerers and princes and thieves. Though that mission had been largely unsuccessful, it had brought Regina and Robin together. It had resulted in their first kiss. It had been as a result of that near-disastrous day that she, Robin and Roland had been forced to live in hiding at Friar Tuck's cottage. In retrospect agreeing to that mission—and agreeing to let Robin come with her—had been one of the best decisions of her life.

"Now what?" Charming whispered.

"Now we don't get caught," Regina whispered snidely.

"That might be easier said than done, your majesty," Mulan said looking intently back and forth from one side of the corridor to the other. Regina followed her gaze. Dozens of guards dressed as her black knights used to poured toward them from both directions.

Wonderful.

Regina heard her companions drawing their weapons of choice and she conjured fireballs in both hands. Targeting the closest man, she threw her weapons. The man in question raised a strange, silver shield, and the fireball disintegrated in thin air. What the hell?

She tried again. The same result. From the soft curses coming from her companions, it would seem they were having no better success—even Rumplestiltskin. What kind of enchantment did their shields carry if even the Dark One couldn't penetrate them?

Within moments, the entire group—her, Charming, Rumple, Mulan, Little John and Alan-a-Dale were effectively disarmed. The leader of the guards stepped forward and rested his sword against her neck. Crap.

"State your name and purpose," the man demanded in a hard voice.

Oh no! This was not going to happen! Not again! She'd be damned before she just rolled over and allowed another villain to take over her castle. The Wicked Witch was more than enough, thank you very much.

Regina reached up and pushed the man's sword away. She took a menacing step forward, and the guard, seeming to be nonplussed, took a step back.

"No," Regina said nastily, "you and your employer are the trespassers. You'll tell us who you are and who employs you."

The guard quickly got over his shock. His sword tip returned to her throat. Out of the corner of her eye, Regina saw all of her companions in the same predicament.

"It seems to me that you are in no position to make demands," the guard growled. "As for our employers, you will determine their identity soon enough. You and your companions will follow me. Now!"

He barked out the last word so forcefully, Regina jumped in spite of herself.

Disarmed, unable to use magic, it seemed there was nothing for them but to obey. Regina marched forward in the direction her guard indicated, her head held high. No one, no one would get the satisfaction of seeing her dragged to them cowering!

The guards led their group down the west flight of stairs directly into the great hall. Regina saw the couple saw the couple on the dais as soon as she entered the huge room, and nearly sagged with relief. Philip and Aurora. Her castle was currently occupied by Philip and Aurora. Finally they'd gotten a break. They were among friends.

Notes

-I was definitely going for a Jane Austen (whose works I love) vibe with the 30 years ago section. In fact, "Mr. Collins's" name was taken directly from my favorite of her novels. Anne is certainly not content in the stifling world in which she lives, but how far will she go to escape it? Will Edward's insistence that she can marry who she wants be enough to satisfy her?

-In the current day section, they've discovered that Philip and Aurora are the current residents of the castle. At least they're friends rather than enemies, this time.

-Up next: Around a year before the 1st curse, Ursula attempts to put her plan to ensnare Ariel into effect. Unfortunately for her, someone else beats her to the punch. She is not amused. In the current day section, Regina and company discuss the situation with Philip and Aurora and get their support, and the gang moves from Friar Tuck's cottage to the castle. Robin seems to be, if anything, worse, and Regina's getting desperate. Snow White has a suggestion worthy of a fairy tale, but will it work?