Chapter 12: The Harp of Hope
In which cooperation between Regina and Rumple brings about severe changes
Regina sees Rumple struggling. Her old master, the poor sod. He doesn't possess that much power anymore and simply cannot bear it. Perhaps she should give him a hand, for old times' sake. "Have you considered a Revealing spell? Let me." She grabs the reins and Rumple has never been more grateful in his life. Regina soon discovers that the shed is under a similar spell that held Rumple himself in their own land. Very strong and powerful. Virtually impossible to break. The both of them exchange looks and they are not promising. "Shall you tell them, or shall I?" Regina offers. Rumple explains the situation, leaving Emma and Mary Margaret aghast.
After a long discussion they decide that a rotating shift to keep David company is the best they can do right now. All of them will help Rumple and Regina to find a way to beat this spell. Time is of the essence. Food is scarce in the cabin, but fortunately Regina had been able to untie him. A few spells could reach through the barrier, but alas, a food reproduction spell wasn't one of them. The idea of a starving David before their very eyes makes the whole town willing to do their utmost.
One day after the discovery of David's fate, Mary Margaret had made her peace with Blue. Emma couldn't be talked into anything concerning her, but Mary Margaret had swallowed her pride and apologized profusely. Blue had been kind enough and offered to help. She had done her own search of the forest but the Dark One seemed to have vanished into thin air. A thought niggled in the back of her mind.
Since she helped him out, Regina and Rumple's relationship has improved significantly. Searching for a solution in his pawnshop or her office, their former relationship is revived. Both can learn from each other's knowledge and experience. Rummaging in Rumple's inventory Regina discovers the harp. "Where did you get that?" she exclaims shocked and enormously cheerful. A gift from Santa could not have been welcomed more. "It was in one of those spell books; it's supposed to be a weapon but I haven't a clue as to how…" "It's the harp of love, life and lament. It's extremely powerful. My mother was always on about it. It can kill, restore life, bring love." "Do you think Belle?" "Does she still reside at Granny's?" "She's terribly stubborn, almost worse than me. She hardly speaks to me. Perhaps if we find a way to rescue David she'll get a more positive view on magic." "Belle? I don't think so!"
"You should take a more proactive approach," Regina advises him. "Use the harp and Belle will return to you." "Really?" "Yes, it's that simple. Where did you find those books?" "I happened upon them." Regina isn't satisfied with that answer. "Wait a second.. I've used that harp; it made awful music. Do you think I accidently killed anyone?" "The harp doesn't make awful music, now you, however…" Regina scorns.
David is doing relatively fine, considering. Mary Margaret can hardly be torn from the window although it pains her extremely to see him like that. David tries to console her but it is useless. He is glad to finally be able to move and the amount of dried meat in the cabin should last at least a few days. Beer wasn't in short supply. It's the caging in that is getting to him most at the moment.
"Of course, besides the spell, there is still the matter of the door being, what booby-trapped?" "Yes, the Revealing spell also indicated that a giant blast will happen if the door is touched after the spell is lifted." "So we'll be needing axes for the wooden beams." "It's not that simple though, a small tremble could be enough to set off the blast." "And we don't even have squid ink to lift the spell…" "We have the harp. It could revive Charming were he to die." "That's your grand plan?" Rumple is amazed at the sheer stupidity. "We don't even know if the thing works and how!" he shouts at her. "Of course, we do. We'll test it. We'll test it now." A giant smile spreads on her face as she lifts the harp in her hands.
"You asked if you accidently killed anyone with it. You can't. You need to know the incantations. So you just made lousy music on it. It's a safety measure, otherwise every dumb musician that might come across it could be responsible for mass murders." "And you wouldn't want that, of course." Rumple smirks. "I don't mind personally," Regina's eyes twinkle, "but whoever made it probably does." "Let me see if I remember it correctly…" She closes her eyes and a wrinkle appears on her forehead. She touches the white string and plucks it at every word.
"By the power invested in thee, return his life to be." "Whose life? David isn't dead yet." "Well, Daniel's, silly." Regina is sizzling with anticipation. "I've brought him, and it should work! We could wait for him to get here, or collect him." "Regina, what have you done?" "We came back, didn't we?" "We were only gone for what? Minutes, hours at most! Daniel's been gone for…" "Time stopped whilst we were here." "But he was dead years before we came here!" "Don't be such a spoil sport. Do you want Belle back or what?" "What do I do?" "It's very similar, but you need the red string."
Daniel opens his eyes and after adjusting to the dark, notices the glass coffin he resides in. A few pushes do the trick. He has no recollection of this place. It takes a while but he finds the way out of the crypt. Daniel is standing in a graveyard. He doesn't recognize anything in this strange world. Panic overwhelms him and he runs towards a few houses in the distance.
"By the power invested in thee, return my love to me." Seconds later, Belle senses forgiveness in her heart. Rumple is her true love, no denying it. She will go to him at once. Belle checks out at Granny's —at this hour?— and makes straight for the pawnshop. He should still be there, although it's late.