Here is the next chapter people..
This one is short but long enough for you to enjoy..
Two months later..
In the clearing of the Enchanted Forrest of where once snow-covered the ground of the vault now fresh grass was growing in the silent lighted forest. Bluish-white glow appeared at the entrance of the clearing from the path.
Existing the portal could be seen of a white hair man with blue robes on his thin body with a tipsy blue hat flapping carrying a long staff. Attached to his shoulder was a brown owl who immediately flew from his shoulder to land on a branch of the oak trees surrounding the area. Following behind him were a group of people of several individuals for the event to take place.
"Come on people," Merlin stated to them, "We don't need to nally wag of getting this done now."
"Seriously Merlin," Emma replied standing in front of him dressed in black boots covering her beige pants, "You sound like we are dragging our feet on this situation." She was toying with the sword attached to her belt to get it in the right position in event she needed to use it. Above where the sword was worn she was wearing a bronze shirt with a buckskin jacket. Not that she needed she muttered. Got my magic plus Regina and Rumpelstiltskin are here.
"Well my dear savior," he answered back continuing with his blue eyes gleaming, " I got a long vacation ahead of me. I wish to get this over with soon as possible."
Three of the people from the group had went forward to the center of the clearing. In the center was a dark grayish-black square made out of metal with ancient symbols listed on the surface. As they stopped to look at the vault of the Dark One or should they say the Prison of the Gatekeepers.
Rumpelstiltskin wearing his usual attire of leather black pants, black knee-high boots, beige shirt and black vest over it had his right arm around Belle's shoulders of supporting her as she walked with him. It could be seen of the round belly growing under the blue dress she was wearing of the reason of the man who didn't stray far from her.
"Rumple stop hovering over me," Belle said with irritation trying to remove his arm from around her shoulder.
"Sweetheart just want to make sure that you didn't fall down," he responded with concern.
She turned to look into his face. Seeing the tender look he gave her. She could understand his reason but he can smother her sometimes. Always worrying that she would fall down even thou she knew she could be a klutz sometimes but he is one over protective daddy. Although she can't complain. The back rubs especially the rubbing of her feet from him were always a bonus when she got tired. Yet it can be tiresome when she goes to places. Always he attached himself to her. She was still working on him of his insecurities that she would be harm in some way. I am not half way through this pregnancy yet and don't know how much longer I can take this from him she thoughts.
She reached up with her hands to cup his face. Saying with a smile, "I'm fine. Stop worrying."
His face still concerned but some of the tension inside him relaxed. Yet he couldn't let go of the fear something will happen to her. After all he did make many enemies the last couple hundred years and any one of them would go after her. He just didn't want to lose her and his daughter.
Rumbella who had joined them by their side could only duck her head with a small grin on face. Her cheeks blushed red with that smile. She toyed with her buttons of her buckskin jacket so that her parents could not see her face. Seeing this made her feel it will be alright for the future for them and her future siblings. To know that their father will be beside them to guide them. A brave new future world with a shining light was what she always wanted for everyone. These past two months she had gotten to know them so well. She so wanted to stay with them but she knew her time with them was nearing the end.
She glanced up to her right she saw Merlin had gathered everyone in a circle around them and was watching her with a gleam in his eyes as if he knew her thoughts. With a deep breath she stood straight with her head high looking at the old gatekeeper. Letting him know she was ready when he was. The white head man only nodded at her acknowledgement.
"So this is the prison we will be using then," Charming commented to everyone however not addressing anyone particular.
"That it is Charming," Merlin answered with a grimace. Looking at the vault he designed. It was the only kind gesture he could place the evil souls to maintain peace in the realms. Good willing that no one releases them to the world. It would end the worlds as we know it.
"So how do we open it to put people in without getting sucked in?" Emma addressing the issue.
"That my dear has been a well guarded secret for over 1,000 years my dear savior," he chuckled to her question as he walked around the vault to the northern side of the rectangle shape area.
"Well," Regina demanding to know the answer.
"Patience my dear Regina," Merlin responded, "The key has always been guarded by the one person who never knew he had it. Rumpelstiltskin may I have your dagger please?"
Everyone turned to face Rumpelstiltskin. Who was surprised at the question addressed to him and clearly shows on his face. Pulling the dagger slowly out of his belt to show everyone. The once shining kriss cross dagger that had Rumpelstiltskin name engraved on it was now erased on the name of the Dark One. Showing an ordinary weapon to every one of no special meaning but only to the owner who has held it over his three hundred years as the Dark One. Holding the dagger in his hands forward-looking at Merlin.
Merlin raised his left hand his magic of bluish light came forward to lift the dagger from the man's hand to float towards him. Grasping the dagger as it entered his hand. He used his staff to tap the ground onto the vault.
A grinding sound as metal was being releasing like loud locks being undone in the ground. Slowly a circular pole made of metal emerged from the ground. The height of the pole was the size of the dagger length. The man knelt on his right knee placing his staff beside him. A few words of ancient language came out of his mouth and waving his hand on top of the object. The top of the pole glowed golden then dimmed out. Where once was a smooth surface now showed an opening fit for an object to enter. Taking the dagger he slotted it into the pole key. Using his staff as a crutch he got back up to his feet to look at everyone.
"Now we need to release her from the box onto the platform," He stated waving his hand at the center of the vault.
Opening his hand and waving onto his palm of purple smoke. The Pandora box arrived onto Rumpelstiltskin's right hand. Walking forward onto the vault surface. He could feel the dark magic locked below him wanting to escape. Stopping a foot away from the platform. Feeling shivers down his spine of remembering his time below there with those evil souls. Closing his eyes. He froze.
Sensing something off with her father. Rumbella left her mother side to stand beside her father taking his left hand in a grasp staring at him to show her support. She didn't have to speak just stood there with her shoulders held back to show stand strong.
Rumpelstiltskin came out of the memories at the grasp of someone's hand onto his. Opening and glancing down seeing his daughter trying to give him courage. He copied of standing straight like her with a small grin on his face. Holding the box out in front of him. He gave a nod in her direction to the box.
Seeing the permission from her father. For a moment she didn't want to do the deed. Yet she understood. With the family surrounding her giving her support. This was a duty of a gatekeeper. There was a motto quoted from the book.
"Protect the innocent and guard the realms at all costs."
Taking a deep breath. Rumbella taking courage she summoned her magic over the Pandora Box releasing the catch of the box. Bright light magic emerged from the box. Throwing Zelena out of the box onto the ground at their feet.
Both father and daughter with solemn faces with the same resolved look from their eyes gazed at the witch. Zelena who just sat up from the ground. Seeing two people in front of her. Her gaze slowly went up to the people in front of her. The looks on their faces with the same identical eye colors. Knowing she would not be pardon for no reason. She could only spat at their feet.
Rumbella was not fazed by the gesture. All she could think of was all her family was killed by this one person. Anger still ate at her heart. Oh she still wanted to kill this witch so badly but she remembered one thing. It was dark magic that killed her family. Hope was given to her that she lived to do right with light magic to save her family. Feeling a squeeze of her right hand. She closed her eyes to get rid of the dark thoughts.
Finally with resolve. She opened her eyes staring coldly at the witch. Wetting her lips. She voiced loudly, "I sentence you Zelena to the prison of the gatekeepers for eternity of the crimes committed against the realms of Enchanted Forrest, OZ and the Land Of No Magic."
Using her magic she froze the witch and with a whoosh sound of her hand she pushed her to the entrance of the vault. She then turned her gaze to Merlin. The old gatekeeper bowed to her of her action. His hand came down onto the dagger turning it clockwise. A loud rumbling sound from under the vault released a thick black ooze. As it emerged out of the opening of the platform. The ooze surrounded her encasing her then started sucking her into the vault. As the witch was disappearing into the vault you could hear her screams of hatred to everyone present.
Rumbella released her breath. Didn't even know she was holding it as she watched the scene in front of her. Completely seeing Zelena was gone as the ooze disappeared back into the vault. As she turned away she ran into her father's arms as they surrounded her of some comfort. She had no regret of the deed. Her arms went around Rumpelstiltskin's waist. This was the first time she got to hold him in her life. A wishful dream of what she always wanted. Her arms tightened around him more.
Rumpelstiltskin had no words to express to the child in his arms. He so wanted to hide her from the horror she had endured in her lifetime. Yet he couldn't do that for her. Now with her he could at least give her the peace and justice she needed from his gesture. Feeling her head on his heart with the tighten arms surrounding him. He could only put his head onto hers and holding her little tighter as well.
Feeling the arms tighten around her. Rumbella's heart soared more of the movement. She had been held a lot by her family members when growing up. However this was the first time in a decade since she left her mother's arms to safety that she truly felt safe. Wanting to keep this moment as long as she could.
Watching the scene of father and daughter hugging each other for the first time. Belle's tears could only flow down onto her cheeks. There was no emotion of sadness or hate to express of the deed that was done. Only joy of what she saw in front of her. A bond that was never there was taking form.
Finally Rumbella stepped back out of the embrace to gaze into her father's face with a smile in which it was returned. No words were needed between the pair. The hug told all that was needed.
Both of them then turned to the group behind them.
Rumbella could see Regina had Emma had come up to stand next to Belle. Her eyes wandered over everyone. She received nods from Hook, Robin, Lumeire and Charming of a job well done. Her features were only showing a beaming smile with eyes shining like liquid amber of her joy on her face of the support they were giving her. She could still remember the words she received from Snow before coming here. She said, "The strength of a people united is greater than the power of any evil. Yet some choices are easy. Some stay with you forever. Make the right choices as you go forward."
"Job well done Rumbella," Merlin voiced behind her as he came up to everyone.
Archimedes just descended onto Merlin's shoulder from his flight of leaving the branches of the tree.. Who couldn't resist speaking, "Admit it old friend she is what you expected all along."
Rumbella circled around her father hearing this with her right eyebrow raised at the pair in front of her.
"So I did," Merlin chuckled rubbing his beard with his hand. He released his beard to reach into his long robes to pull out the dagger that he had retrieved after closing the vault. He handed the hilt first of the dagger to Rumpelstiltskin to return it to him.
"You have been guarding this dagger for so long it is now your right to guard the vault," he said as Rumpelstiltskin took the dagger from his grasp, "I will give you the magical wards so that you can continue to do so as the guardian till the day the next gatekeeper can take your place."
Rumpelstiltskin could only nod of the acceptance of the job in front of him.
"So I assume we are all done here then," Emma asked, "I got to make sure that the kid hasn't done anything with magic at home."
"He better not," Regina remarked, "He was warned not to until we are there to help him."
"Are you sure you are teaching him correctly you two or do I have to take over dearies," Rumpelstiltskin smirked. Which he was behind their backs. He wasn't telling them that and neither was Henry. He did promise the boy he would teach him.
"Please don't start that debate up again Rumple," Regina argued with a frown on her face.
Rumbella allowed everyone to proceed in front of her as they continued the conversation about who was teaching Henry magic. Her gaze over her family was a joy to see them all alive.
"It's time Rumbella," Merlin said softly to her as he came to stand beside her.
Merlin had waited and watched for this gatekeeper to be born since he cursed the Dark One. He regrets that he will need to pull her away from them now but it must be done. She can't merge with a baby when its born. It would be too much for an infant to handle. Taking her into the future to merge with herself will help her to handle all the memories as a time traveler. His cousin he remembered had traveled 100 times and she always loved the changes she did to continue peace.
"I know but it's hard to leave them," she said with a sigh.
Regina who was talking glanced back to see where Rumbella was and heard the comment from Merlin. Stopping in mid sentence of her words. Her eyes started glaring with daggers as she started stalking back to the old man and the teenager.
"You know you can't be here when you are born," he said firmly to her.
Archimedes seeing Regina coming knew she overheard the words.
"Uh uh Merlin," he croaked tried to get his attention.
"Not now Archimedes," Merlin waving his hand at the bird's face.
"Okay, don't say I didn't warn you," Archimedes laughing as he flew off the old man's shoulder to go to a near branch on an oak tree not far from them.
"I know that ah...," Rumbella replied but was interrupted by Regina voice.
"What do you mean it's time?" Regina demanded with a cold voice standing in front of them. Her gaze fixed upon the old man then back to the teenager in front of her. As she had walked up to them her thoughts went back to that fatal night when the child talked that she could not go back to her time and yet couldn't stay till her mission was finished. Well the mission is completed and now it's like the girl had to go. Not happening while on her watch. She had felt a kinship to the child even if it was from another time line. Destiny has a way to trick people in any time period.
As the words left Regina mouth everyone had turned and started walking towards behind Regina. Except Lumeire who was backing away from the group. Knowing the whole family is about to go in an uproar of what Merlin must do. He wasn't getting involved.
"What's going on?" Rumpelstiltskin demanded as he came up beside Regina.
Rumbella faced her family and knew if they found out she had to leave they will try to stop Merlin. So it must be her to stop them. With regret. She opened her full magic to everyone present and froze all her family members.
"I'm sorry," she said to them, "I can't stay here or I will endanger myself. I have to journey elsewhere of where I am needed."
She walked towards facing her parents. Stopping she reached up to touching their faces with her hands. "I will see you again," she spoke with certainly, "Not now but one day."
Lumeire had raised his arm for Archimedes after Rumbella froze her family. Without words spoken for him to come. Archimedes with a huff flew from his perch to land on the man's arm then onto to his shoulder. They walked forward to stand next to Merlin.
"Are you sure this is right?" he asked his mentor. His face with some concern of the decision being made here today.
"It must be done," Merlin stated firmly, " For she needs to learn how to travel as a time traveler. Besides they will get over it once the merger is complete."
Rumbella stood with her parents gazing at them for a few moments more. Remembering these last eight weeks were a gift to them and to her. With regret she turned from them to approach Merlin and Lumeire who were standing a few feet away from her. She felt awful doing this to them. Bright side of it that Merlin promised I will see them again one day and would not die. She didn't know all the details of what he would do but she had hope.
"I'm ready," she said finally.
Merlin nodded then he stepped forward the group.
"No harm will come to her," he continued to say to the group, "You will see her again."
Not liking the evil glint from Rumpelstiltskin's eyes. He approached to stand next to the man to whisper into his ear, "Have Belle tell you what a time traveler does in time merger then you will understand."
Stepping back making a complete turn walking towards a small clearing near the woods. He opened his bag and retrieved an acorn. Before releasing it unlike in the past. He casted a spell onto the acorn then threw it onto the ground. Where a portal opened with a wave of his hand he gestured of Lumeire and Rumbella into the portal.
Before entering the portal he turned back to the group. Gazing at the group. He could only shake his head at the amazement of each individual in the group. What a family they make for this new world to build for the gatekeepers. His cousin choose well. With a twinkle in his blue eyes with a smile emerged bright in his beard. One more stop then he can finally go on his vacation.
Waving his hand he removed the spell casted by Rumbella to release them from their frozen state. Turned and entered the portal. Within a blink of an eye the portal disappeared in the silent quite forest.
The last chapter is coming up people..
Who will you see?
Stay tuned...