Chapter 1

Present Enchanted Forest

I stepped carefully as I walked through the woods in this unfamiliar land, not sure where I was headed and just wanting to get away. I had heard rumors that those who had been sent to the "land without magic" were back and I wanted to see for myself. It was almost noon and the sun was shining through the trees. I froze when I felt eyes watching me from behind. Spinning around, I hoped to see what was there but they were gone.

"Hello, is someone there?" I called out but heard nothing.

Letting out a sigh I started to walk again when a shadow flew above me. I looked up quickly to see a dark bird-like animal flying above me.

"Monkeys." I hissed under my breath.

Backing myself into a tree I tried to make myself less of an easy target. It swooped down, landing in front of me. I heard a rustling in the woods and my heart sank at the prospect of even more. The monkey moved towards me slowly, not taking his red beady eyes off me. A man in a cloak stepped out of the woods. Pulling out an arrow, he shot it in a mere few seconds. As I sunk to the ground, I let out a shaky breath.

"Don't think I've seen one act in such a way before. Targeting somebody like that." The man said reaching out a hand to help me up.

"Thank you," I said as he helped me up, dusting myself off I smiled at him kindly, as I watched a woman walked out from the woods.

"Did you kill it?" She asked looking at the dead monkey.

"Yes, one down. Who knows how many more are out there." The man said pulling his arrow from the body.

"She has a whole army of them at her command, some are in human form. Those are men she has kidnapped. Most of them wronged her in some way or just got on her bad side." I said without thinking.

"How do you know all this?" The woman asked.

"I grew up in OZ, I would know one of Zelena's slaves anywhere." I replied.

"I don't think I caught your name." The man said reaching out his hand. "I'm Robin."

I smiled politely and shook his hand.

"I'm Elsa, but everyone calls me Essie." I said glancing at the woman. "And you?"

"Regina, or as people like to refer to me as; The Evil Queen." I smiled at her but inside my heart was pounding. I had heard of her, even in a different realm she was well known.

"Are you out here looking for something?" Robin asked making me look back at him.

"I was told that those from the curse came back, I'm just looking for someone." I replied, picking up the satchel I had dropped.

"We can take you to them if you like, we're with the group." Robin said sliding his bow over his shoulder.

"You would do that?" I asked a little surprised.

"It's no trouble, we're headed there now." Robin said, as Regina forced what some might call a smile. I could tell already she was a royal to the core.

We started walking, watching for any more dangers that could be lurking. I shivered at the thought of what might be in this world compared to what I was used to.

"Cold?" Robin asked, getting ready to offer me his cape.

"No. I'm fine. Thank you, though."

"So, how did you get here from OZ?" Regina asked, doing her best to break the awkward stranger tension.

"It's complicated, but it was punishment for helping those who needed it." I said, glancing at her as I bit my lip. OZ would always be a sensitive subject for me.

"What about who you are looking for?" She continued to pry.

"It's just an old friend, I'm praying they went over with the curse, at least that would be better than the other option." I saw Regina and Robin look at each other.

"Well, I hope you find them, I know what it's like to lose people you care about." Robin replied. I forced a smile trying to be polite, but I didn't much feel like hearing a sob story while I was in one of my own.

We walked out of the woods to reveal a large castle ahead of us. It was old and fit nicely against the mountain. I let out a sigh I thought about my home and what could have become of it since I had left. My own home was three times the size of this castle. Grander, greener, had a more pleasant look. I missed it. I missed everything about my old life, really. As I followed Regina and Robin into the castle, I smirked, wondering if the memories I'd made so long ago could ever be topped by a happy ending.