Chapter 11: The Impenetrable Shed
In which David's fate is decided or, rather, should be
In the shed, David is sitting against the wall. He is tied up with ropes and has dried up bloodstains on his head, feet and fingers. He is shivering but seems otherwise fine. Ruby is about to open the door, as she doesn't see anyone else in the shed, when David catches her eye.
Radolph is grinning. That was a clean solution. A way to eliminate the Prince without being present. He is on his way to the town line. In the distance, he notices several search groups but none of them are near him. He will soon be out of their grip entirely. The joy of evilness has returned now that he has found a chance at a new life. His doubts are far from his mind as every step takes him closer to that great new future.
Ruby doesn't understand what David means. He keeps on shaking his head, like he doesn't want her to open the door. She thinks it is very odd. Doesn't he want to be saved? Every time she makes a move towards the door, the shaking becomes frantic and his eyes fill with panic. Ruby figures she should wait for the others and hear their opinions.
The Blue Fairy, Emma and the others arrive at the hunting shed. "Ruby, what's the matter?" they ask, when they see her puzzled face. "David is in there, he is wounded but lucid, I think. He doesn't want me to open the door, though." Emma takes a look. Her father catches her eye and tries to send a message with them. Emma doesn't have a clue. She hesitates, doesn't know what to do, although she should show leadership. At that moment, Blue pushes her away. "Let me see," she says. This distrust of Emma's should not hurt David's chances of survival. "I think the door is compromised, like it's a trap. We should try to reach him another way." "It's only a wooden shed. We could simply chop a hole in the beams, right?" "Or I could climb through the window," a very lean nun offers. "Maybe I should check what kind of spells are put on the cabin," the Blue Fairy says. "I thought you needed fairy dust for that, to possess that kind of fairy magic," Emma claims and demands an answer. "Tell me, Blue, what are you? What are your real powers? Fairy dust hasn't been found yet!" "That's true," dwarves and nuns respond and look at her as well, more confused than angry.
"You really want to do this now, Emma? Your father is hurt in there." "Yes, I want to do this now. How do we know we can trust your spell checking? You did not bring any potions or spell books with you. How do you use magic without fairy dust? "My magic is strengthened by fairy dust, but I don't always need it, because I am the Mother of the fairies." "You are older than them and more powerful, and, and… more evil!" Emma is losing her patience. "I am older, and more powerful, not more evil. You shouldn't have read that book. It is highly biased." "What book?" the others are murmuring. "A book that claims she is responsible for the creation of the Dark One himself. Now, if she is capable of doing that, than why should anyone ever trust her again?!" Emma is on a roll. "That was the worst mistake of my life, all right! I have regretted it ever since." "So, you don't even deny it?" Emma asks shrewdly. "I can't deny it, if it's true. You would never believe me again, if I would. Or anyone else for that matter. Look, I'm not proud of it and I have tried to fix my mistake, but so far, I have failed." She shrivels like a flower petal about to fall. "You should not attack her like that, that is our Mother Superior you're talking to," one of the nuns hisses. "Yeah, Blue's been around to help us for ages," one of the dwarves pitches in.
Emma will have a riot on her hands if she continues to make allegations. So she lets the matter drop, for now. "Let's wait until Regina and Gold are here as well, and we can consult everyone," she offers. "It's only fair to wait until Mary Margaret is here, anyway." The latter argument convinces them, the first sounds quite unbelievable coming from Emma. Since when did she convert to the dark side and suddenly wants to consult Rumple and Regina?
The other two groups arrive shortly after the heated discussion. Mary Margaret is informed of the situation. Who does she trust to rescue David? It's not a simply choice, that is, not anymore. Up to a few days ago, there'd be no question at all. Rumplestiltskin will probably want something in return, Regina is a definite no-no, and Blue… Blue would be the obvious choice. Mary Margaret's head is spinning. If Emma's magic was reliable, it would solve everything.
Her choice is between Rumplestiltskin and the Blue Fairy. At least, that's how she feels about it. Her instinct should point to Blue, but Rumplestiltskin has kept his word in the past. He is no longer the Dark One, but still has a keen eye when it comes to magic. Two dark outcomes would be Rumple becoming the Dark One again when he kills this new one, his replacement, or Blue bringing her candle making her, Mary Margaret, kill someone in return for David's life.
"Well, get a move on, we can't wait here all day," a grumpy dwarf mutters. "Leave Snow alone, will you?" one of his colleagues replies. "Perhaps we can all work together?" Mary Margaret says desperately, not willing to make such a difficult choice all by herself. Regina rolls her eyes and Emma scowls at Blue. "Excellent dearie, lets pull all our resources together, oh no, wait! There's a slight complication…We hate each other's guts." "Fine, I'll make the deal with you then, Rumple, can you save David?" "Of course, of course, I'm honoured." He grins but Belle shouts a long NOOOO and begins to sob.
Too bad he didn't bring any of his spell books. A stake isn't much use, now that the perpetrator is nowhere to be seen and the lantern, well, it shines away happily. "Let me have a look at the door, shall we?" He pretends to know what he is doing, feeling like the ultimate fraud. The door doesn't give and peering from the window reveals nothing but a fearful David; it doesn't provide a good view on the door. "I already said it was a trap," Blue speaks up.
"We don't need your advice," Emma states. "Fine," Blue's feathers have been ruffled and she turns around and walks away. "Wait, Blue, wait!" Mary Margaret runs after her. "You've chosen your help," she says, peering darkly at Rumplestiltskin. She continues her path. If they want to do it without her, fine, they can try.
Radolph believes he has found a way to trick the memory curse: he had written a letter to himself explaining his origin, his name, and so on. He wonders what his destiny in this new world will be. This will be the dawn of a new era, as far as he is concerned. With his skills, power lust and ruthlessness, he could come far as a self-made man. Without noticing, he crosses the border as a hunter who carries his dagger close to his chest.