Belle -
Pushing herself to her feet, hand pressed against the soreness on her chest, Belle surveys the wreckage that used to be their shop. Breathing deeply, she fought against the panic that she could feel rising, the town is frozen by a unknown foe or foes or a magical mishap, Regina is completely insane and Rumple had lied to her on the very day he had proposed. What a fool she had been, she'd walked away a few times in the past but always came back to him, knowing they were stronger together, a sentiment he clearly did not share.
He didn't even have to lie, she wanted him to have control of his life, had given him back his dagger but he had returned into her with a smile and a false promise, that was the worst sting of all. Forcing herself from her thoughts, she had to put her feelings to one side, for now the town was facing possibly it's biggest threat yet.
A pulse of fear ran through her as the implications of what had happened flashed through her mind, Regina has Rumple's dagger, she could kill him or control him, she had to find him.
The house was in darkness when she reached it, ignoring the burning in her lungs and the sting of pain in her feet, somewhere along the way she had kicked off her heels, running full pelt bare foot through the icy streets, she stumbled up the front steps, towards the door.
Be brave, be brave she willed herself, shivering with the cold, she ran into the house, screaming out for Rumple. She ran from room to room, shouting for him, she knew he wasn't there or if he was he couldn't answer, she could hear the fear in her voice, he maybe a liar but he wouldn't ignore her like this. You're panicking Belle, you need to stay calm and think. Rumple came for the book, if the book is gone then he came here, if it's still here, he didn't. He is not answering his phone it would be pointless to try again, despite knowing this, she called again, leaving a slightly more coherent message, warning him of the danger and begging him to call her. The book was gone, so he had been here and had left, there was no sign of a struggle so presumably Regina had not been here, it was far more likely Regina had summoned him with the dagger, she was too late.
Belle sank onto the bed, heart breaking at the thought of Rumple once again being controlled against his will.
Regina had left her alive for now but she was not safe, perhaps it would be better not to find Rumple lest she became a pawn in the Evil Quuen's twisted games.
The only hope they had right now lay with the Charmings, if David's hunch was right and the well water could restore the town, it should restore Regina's heart and stop her madness, hopefully before she killed anyone.
Unable to sit still any longer, she dialled Emma's number, pacing the floor, the phone rang and rang, leaving yet another message, Belle grabbed her warmest coat, winter boots, a torch and just incase pocketed the small gun Rumple kept hidden in the drawer.
Leaning against the hallway door, Belle struggled into her heavy boots when a flicker of light caught her eye, the door to the cellar was slightly ajar, a thin beam of light could be seen against the dark floorboards. After quickly tying her laces, she made her way slowly to the door, gave it a small push. "Hello" she called out "Rumple" .
The ice cold air hit her like a slap to the face, the streets had been cold, the house chilly but the cellar was absolutely freezing. Bracing herself, Belle slowly made her way down the treacherous stairs, her gasp of shock trapped in her throat, she stared at the scene with disbelieving eyes.
The cellar was solid ice, the walls, the floor, the ceiling encrusted with bright solid shiny ice, crystals caught the light reflected from the open door, beautiful crystals that shimmered upon the metal chains that bound the young women to the floor.
"Please help me" she implored.
Emma -
"Don't move" a voice calls.
Emma stops struggling against the heavy cloth that pins them to the forest floorr, she can feel Mary Margaret's legs kicking against her, not helping she grumbles. Her mom mumbles an apology and quits her thrashing.
The pressure is finally lifted, relieved Emma takes a deep breathe of clean cold air, the cloth smelt really bad, she pushes herself to her feet, twists around the check her parents are doing alright.
"Apologies" Robin chuckles raising a hand to help her "it appears you have disturbed one of our traps" he gestures to the group of men circling them looking slightly amused.
"You're not frozen" is the first thing she thinks to say. Robin looks puzzled "not that I'm aware of".
Mary Margaret breathes a thank God and quickly informs Robin and his men of the situation. Robin nods "we will accompany you to the well and then into the town, wait here one moment" he leaves her side speaking quietly to his men, who give grim nods, clap hands on shoulders and split into groups, a few men take off back into the woods, going to guard their camp and their families, the rest remain, their guards she realised.
David is thanking Robin, who is waving it away, Emma hears him ask after Regina, she is safe he enquires. David nods she should be, once we find the well water we will check on her, Robin is nodding yes, his concern written on his brow.
Distracted Emma pulls out her phone, she has three missed calls from Belle, sighing she hits the message waiting button.
Her mom is shaking her head in shock, no she is saying, that's not possible, Regina would not do that, why now after everything, would she do this now?
"It's not her" Robin says softly "it's the curse" his hand on his chest.
"But the fairy dust?" Mary Margaret "Obviously didn't work" David says grimly.
They stand in silence, Emma pushes away her fear, she's never been one to dwell on what ifs but there's a whole bunch of them running through her head right now, what if the well water doesn't work?, what if Regina becomes the dark one? will she still love Henry? is that connection she there?, what about her soul mate? She glances at Robin, he stands very still, hands and jaw clenching. And what of Belle and Rumple, is Henry to lose his grandfather after just losing his father?
What if she just grabbed Henry, Neal and her parents and ran across the town line, would the magic stay behind? sure her parents wouldn't remember but they would be alive. Could she do that? leave the town to Regina's, no she reminds herself, the Evil Queen's mercy and what of Regina? The woman had practically begged to be locked up, Emma had seen the fear in her eyes and now she was gone, turned to her mom "do you have it still? Her mom raises her eyebrows in question. Emma points to the bag slung over her mom's shoulders, "the book"
"Emma I'm not sure that's the best idea toght now, without anyone to guide you, it might make things worse"
"Not sure how much worse they could get but I don't really think I have any choice right now"
Her mom and dad exchanged worried glances, a concern Emma shares but what choice does she have, her hands tremble a little as she takes the book from her mom.
She opens the book, what page she wonders does it matter? Her magic has always been instinctively so she empty her mind, let's intuition guide her, waits until her hand stops of its own accord. She draws in a deep breath, holds the book out in front of her, mincing her mom's actions in Rumple's prison which seems oh so long ago, she blows the magic across the page and breathes in deeply allowing the magic to enter her body, she waits.
Note -
So thoughts? Where's Rumple, does the Evil Queen have him? What will happen when the Evil Queen finds the Charmings and Robin?
Is Regina truly lost now?
Please review. Any questions, please ask!