Walking into the castle, I looked around the large room. It was made of beautiful stone that had cracked from not being lived in for so long, or perhaps just poorly managed.

"Papa!" A little boy cried, running to greet Robin, he looked to be about four or five.

"Were you good for everyone?" Robin asked picking him up.

"Uhha, and guess what! I learnt how to stick fight." I giggled at the little boy and his excitement.

"Who are you?" He asked looking at me.

"My name's Elsa, but you can call me Essie." I smiled at him, he buried his head against his father's shoulder shyly.

"This is my son Roland." Robin said ruffling the boys hair. "He's a little shy when it comes to new people."

"It's fine." I smiled looking back towards the great room. "Do you mind?" I asked looking back at Robin, he shook his head and I walked into the other room. I looked around at all the people, I felt lost here and in this land all together. A man was standing in the corner watching me, pushing himself off the wall he walked towards me.

"Hi. I'm Neal, I don't think we've met." He said reaching out his hand towards me.

"Elsa, everyone calls me Essie." I smiled softly shaking his hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, you looked a little lost." He replied, I looked at him shyly.

"I guess you could say that, I'm just looking for someone." I said with a sigh.

"Does the person have a name?" He asked looking at me.

"Terry," I replied looking back at the crowd.

"Hmmmm no one jumps out at me with that name. But there are still two groups coming in within the next few days." I got excited and looked at him quickly.

"I've waited 28 years for this moment, I guess I can wait a few more days." I said with a small sigh.

"They must mean a lot to you. I know the feeling." He replied glancing at the ground.

"Have you lost someone?" I asked.

"Yes, the woman I love and my son are back in the other world with no memories of any of us. If Emma were to see me she wouldn't know how I feel. And Henry wouldn't even know me."

"I'm sorry, that must be terrible. But I'm sure you'll find them." I replied.

"So how did you not come over with the curse?" He asked

"I'm not actually from here, I'm from OZ originally and was sent over here. I was in the part of the land that wasn't reached by the curse. Terry wasn't, and I haven't been able to get out to find him." I said looking towards Neal. "Could I ask you something?"

"Sure"

"How much do you know about The Evil Queen?" I asked glancing over my shoulder at her.

"She's not half bad, she's a good mom. But her reputation has clouded how everyone views her." I looked back at him in shock.

"She's a mom?"

"Yeah, she adopted my son when he was born." I looked at him. "It's complicated. Why are you asking about her?" I sighed biting my lower lip, I could feel the air getting colder around me.

"Could we go somewhere private?" I asked shuffling my feet.

"Yeah" He said leading me out of the great hall and towards the garden.

We walked for a little while till we reached a bench in the middle. The garden was dead, making it apparent no one had taken care of it for some time. Sitting down I took a few moments before I spoke.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want, I know we've only just met." He said seeing how nervous I was.

"It's fine, I actually want to. Surprisingly I feel like I can connect with you." I replied.

"Thanks, I'll take that as a compliment." He smirked I laughed smiling a little.

"I kind of wish this wasn't happening to me right now. Being here with her." I said bitterly looking towards the castle.

"So I take it you know Regina." I nodded.

"I'm her daughter." I laughed at Neal's expression. "I was born in the Enchanted Forest but I was sent to OZ. I can only assume she didn't want me, and have lived there ever since." I explained looking down at the ground.

"Does she know?" He asked I shook my head.

"No, I don't think so."

"Are you going to tell her?" The still-surprised expression and eager eyes made me chuckle.

"You remind me of Terry, that must be why I like you."

"That doesn't answer my question." He retorted.

"I don't know, if she didn't want me why would she want to know me now?"

"Emma gave our son up because she wanted him to have his best chance and she didn't think it would be with her. Maybe she just wanted you to have a better life away from the enchanted forest."

"Obviously you have never been to OZ, but I get what you're saying. I just don't even know where to start." I sighed placing my head in my hands.

"Do what feels right, but do you want her to figure it out or be told by someone else?" I shook my head and looked up at him.

"Thank you, you didn't have to listen to my problems." I said with a little laugh.

"It's not a problem." He smiled kindly.

A woman walked towards us and I noticed Neal smile at her kindly.

"Essie this is Belle." Neal said I smiled politely.

"Hi" I said quietly.

"Hi, have we met?" Belle asked I shrugged.

"I don't think so." I said looking nervously towards the castle.

"We'll get Terry back, and get you your mom at the same time." Neal said I smiled at him.

"Thank you" I said as we all walked back towards the castle, looking up the brick wall I admired the castle. I missed the emerald city and all it's shining glory, I wanted and needed to get back.