A/N: Songs within this chapter are: Cry of the Celts (from Lord of the Dance), The Voice by Celtic Woman, Sleepsong (from The Secret Garden) and Main Title (from Tuck Everlasting).
Chapter II
"We should go after her," Killian states as he spins her forgotten glass.
"Why? She said she can't do anything until tomorrow," reminds Mary Margaret in a reasonable tone.
"Because something is wrong with her. And aren't you lot all about doing the right thing and helping people?"
"And that's the only reason?" continues David, his tone insinuating he believes Hook has more reasons that aren't strictly honourable.
"You're questioning me?" glares Killian, jumping to his feet, hook flashing with the movement. "Don't think you know me. Freya helped me on several occasions and it's only right that I repay her for that."
"Sounds to me like she did a lot more than help you."
Killian raises his left arm, threatening David with his hook. "Do not speak of her like that. And I should like to think I've earned a bit more credit with you after all I've done. I love your daughter and I'll do everything in my power to return her to who she is. But we need Freya's help for that, and right now she seems to need our help in return. Instead you sit here and accuse me, impugn my honour and with your words suggest that you don't believe I truly care for Emma. I defended you to Emma when she called you both hypocritical, but now I can see it too."
David clenches his fists and moves to step closer but Regina intervenes; the queen stepping into the closing distance between the two men. She holds up a hand to each of them and sends them both a fierce glare that they ignore as they remain locked glaring at the other.
"Enough! Hook is right. Freya is not acting her normal self. We need her help tomorrow and she may not be in a state to give it to us if we don't help her now. So the two of you are going to put away this petty argument and we're going after Freya. Is that understood?" she tells them steely.
"I think we'd better hurry though," Maleficent pipes up, gesturing outside where rain is pelting to the ground. "That's no ordinary storm."
"I know where she'll be. I hope. Now let's go find her, if you please, before it's too late," Killian tells them as he looks out the window and up at the thick black clouds rolling across the sky he sees before they smother the light from the moon.
As the seven make their way closer to the duck pond they feel the wind pick up. The path is treacherous and already three branches have fallen from trees. A sudden crack brings them to a halt as Regina and Maleficent throw up a barrier of magic to protect them from the tree tumbling to the ground, it's roots pulled out of the ground by the strong winds.
"We'll have to go around," shouts Regina, trying to be heard over the storm.
"There isn't time," replies Maleficent as she feels the ground beneath them start to tremble.
"What's happening?" calls out Lily. "Is it an earthquake?"
"No, much worse I'm afraid," her mother tells her, reaching out a hand to help steady the young woman.
"Freya's magic; she's losing her hold on it. Maleficent is right, there's no time to lose," says Killian before attempting to climb over the felled tree.
"It's going out of control like with Emma?" cries out Mary Margaret.
"No, Snow. Freya has full control of her power and abilities, but in times of extreme emotional distress she can lose the lock she keeps on them. If she can't get them locked down again it'll lead to quite a bit of destruction," explains Maleficent. "Which is the reason for why I didn't want you to come Lily."
Another shudder makes everyone sway where they stand. David reaches out to help Mary Margaret keep her balance, Maleficent does the same for Lily, whilst Robin and Regina hold each other and flatten their backs against the tree for stability. Killian's hook keeps him safely secured and enables him to climb over the rather expansive trunk once the tremor stops. Robin and David quickly work together to help everyone else over and back on to the path again. They go faster until Killian suddenly freezes, making Regina run into the back of him.
"I thought you were in a hurry, pirate," says Regina irately.
"Shush, listen," he tells them and they too begin to hear a melody being carried in the wind. "I've heard this music before."
When the realisation hits of where, and when, he heard the tune he takes off and begins crashing through the brush uncaring if the others are following him or not. The quick beat of the drum, preternatural notes of the tin whistle and the jaunty twangs of the fiddle that flit back to him makes the captain momentarily smile as the memory untangles itself from his brain transporting him back into a forest of trees he had stood in, that unlike their brothers ahead still stood a luscious fertile green. Killian remembers the smell of the smoke that clogged the air, and the sight of the blackened and leafless trees that encircled the very border of Lake Avalon. Some form of battle had occurred upon its shores, leaving nature paying a hefty price for the deed.
He remembered the fleeting fear that had clenched his heart and almost made him move closer. But before he did the sound of disembodied carefree laughter and music had floated back to where he stood gazing through the gaps in the trees, hidden from sight. Freya's brother Percival was there - leaning against one of the larger rocks upon the shore - a simple wooden and animal skin drum in his lap. The darkly beautiful Morgana stood within the shallows of the lake, playing a fiddle at a startlingly fast pace. Beside the knight of Camelot stood a young ten-year old Galahad playing an almost mystical tune upon his tin whistle. Hook had smiled at seeing a carefree Freya and some of the children from Camelot dancing through the burnt remains of the trees in time to the tune being played, giggling and aiding her in weaving magic through the land; making the captain thankful that he had been wise enough to leave his crew back in the port town where the Jolly Roger was moored as he had been able to enjoy the moment and let himself be the man he had once been, decades upon decades before.
Killian shakes his head slightly, quickly coming out of his momentary nostalgia. The music, along with the image that had fled Freya's mind and into his when she was looking at his memories, has fear taking his heart in a cold grasp. Reminiscing was never a good thing where Freya was concerned.
The music drifts off and then another tune, somewhat louder, begins to echo back to him making him pick up his pace. The lone violin with the ethereal echoing harmony of a sweet, strong and passionate voice seems to dance upon the invisible strands of the gusts of winds, the noise of which seems to amplify the song rather than drown it out.
The others quickly followed after Hook but both Regina and Maleficent halt when the sounds drifting to them from the pond are ones they both recollect from many years ago. They glance at one another, making sure the other recognised the music; a song they had both only ever been privy to hearing just once before: during Freya's Lake Ceremony.
"Quickly!" Regina looks back at the others urgently.
They begin to travel through the trees once more with Maleficent staying as close as possible to her daughter's side, and Regina holding Robin's hand; both their ears pricked for another change of song in the air. As they make their way closer and the violin picks up pace another wave of power hits them, pulling them all to their knees until it passes.
"Why don't you and Regina just use magic to transport us to the pond?" puffs Lily as they slowly regain their footing and start running on the uneven path once more.
"Freya's magic has it's own instinct, my daughter. If we were to use magic, any form of it, so close to her when she's like this and has little dominance over her abilities we could end up bearing the brunt of all her loosed power. Something that even I never wish to witness again."
It doesn't take them long after that before they reach the clearing in the woods where the duck pond is situated. Within this space there is no storm, not even a slight breeze. They all immediately stop in shock at the sight in front of them. Killian is also stood at the tree line staring in awe, and some distress, at the oval-shaped bubble of water hovering at the edge of the pond. Freya sits before it with eyes transfixed appearing unaware of her bare knees pressing down hard on the sharp rocks of the shore. The crescent moon appears from beneath the dark roiling clouds gathering above them, lighting on the watery tracks covering the young woman's cheeks and the shimmering tears still gathered in her eyes that have yet to fall. Within the floating pool of water images dance across it's face.
"That's you Regina," whispers Robin as they see a younger Regina appear within the crowd in the water dancing and laughing.
"They're memories. Freya's to be exact," murmurs Killian, his eyes bleak and never straying from watching the past flit by and Freya's broken reaction to the scenes.
Maleficent and Regina look sharply at the captain for his knowledge of such magic. Both knew of Freya's ability to do such a thing, but had never seen her perform such magic before. Killian's knowledge and matter-of-fact tone makes both witches realise however that the pirate obviously had. Before they can comment on it the ground beneath their feet shakes again. The wind that had been kept back behind the tree line rushes forth and swirls around the pond. The water no longer lies calm, waves crash harshly and thunderously against the stony banks.
The seven intently watch the images of people dancing before a rowan tree and in the shallow waters of the lake, along with Freya singing and a young dark-haired woman playing the accompanying music; the violin with her own hands and the drum with magic. The sun shines down on them from a clear blue sky. Everyone looks joyous and happy.
Suddenly the vivid colours and shapes in the ellipses distort and change. The same lake that the previous party had been dancing around and through now sits peacefully bathed in the orange light of a setting sun, the darkening sky and slowly-appearing twinkling stars reflect in its serene surface. Before it there are just two people now: Freya and a young dark-skinned boy - the same one who had danced mostly around Freya in the previous scene, only now he appeared to be about double his age. The soft, emotional melody that floats out from the scene is a sweet, crooning lullaby.
The other Freya, the one inside the water, wears only a short-sleeved dress of homespun green cotton with a plain chain girdle of unburnished steel; her longer red curls dance freely in the wind as she embraces the young teenage boy. He clutches her to him, tears attempting to escape his unusual amber eyes. His dark hair is cropped short. Unlike Freya his clothing is of a richer standard. The dark blue long-sleeve shirt is embroidered with silvery runes upon the cuffs of the sleeves that glint as he moves. His breeches are made from fine soft leather and he wears a belt made from thick links of gold that shimmer as the light from the dying sun reflects off the crystalline pool of still water. Unlike Freya - who stands upon the grass in her bare feet - the boy wears well-shod leather ankle boots.
Tears gather in her eyes and she blinks them away, stepping back so that she can take all of him in. One last time. Freya's fingers card through his shorn hair. The young boy straightens himself and nods, even as his tears make their escape. Not turning from the boy she raises a hand towards the lake and after several non-verbal words of incantation a swirling vortex opens. The boy gives a courtly bow and turns to make his way into the portal.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
The whispered goodbye sounds much too loud at the duck pond to Maleficent and Killian. Regina also feels an ache at the goodbye even though she did not know the young boy nearly as well as the other two. They turn their heads from the sight of the boy jumping and Freya's reaction to him being lost to her. They alone know who the little lad is and what he means to the woman they all see as a dear friend. A gasp from Mary Margaret has them turn back to see that the image has changed to a memory from this world. An elderly man, with the same strange amber eyes as the boy, lies in a large comfortable-looking bed looking deathly pale. His wheezes and coughing echo over the water of the pond.
"Sing to me. One last time, Mama. Please," he begs with a soft smile behind the oxygen mask strapped to his face.
"Of course, my sweet boy," answers Freya as she moves to lie next to him and gently takes the frail-looking man into her arms.
She runs a tender hand through his short black and grey hair as she starts to hum and then sing the Sleepsong; the same song the onlookers at the duckpond had heard when the previous images had played upon the spherical surface. As the song finishes a cry of anguish from the Freya in the water fills the air around the group. The old man lays dead in her arms, his features slack and at peace.
The seven dart fearfully forward as behind them the trees begin to crack and fall with more frequency. Suddenly everything stills as Killian begins to whistle a catchy jaunty melody. The oval of water falls with a splash back into the lake. The trees stop creaking and groaning behind them. The wind disappears as if it had never been, and no longer does the earth shake and tremble beneath them. Freya takes a gulp of air before turning to face Killian. Her face crumbles and deep, harsh sobs burst from within her.
"Hush lass," he soothes her as he pulls her into his arms. "Galahad was the one I saw in the boat, wasn't he?" Killian murmurs, to which her only reply is a short nod and further tears.
"He...he said he'd led a good life...and was ready for what dea...death would bring," she manages to get out when her sobs finally die down a little.
Maleficent and Regina look at each other and step forward together to embrace Freya too. Maleficent had only survived the loss of her child because of Freya, and now here she stood with her daughter. Regina loved Henry with all her heart and more; she never wanted to imagine the pain and loss she would feel if anything happened to him. Though painted as villains by many, neither would wish Freya's pain and suffering of surviving her child (even though he wasn't her blood kin) on their worst enemies.
"Alright, enough of this hugging malarkey," Mal suddenly says, breaking the quiet that had enveloped them. "What I want to know is how you knew to whistle that particular tune, as I assume it has some significance?"
"My brother taught me it. He whistled it to me when I was young and couldn't sleep," explains Freya. "It alone seems to be able to reach me and bring me back to myself."
"And I heard her use it in Neverland. When the Lost Boys would wish for home or feel sad, Freya would whistle to them and it never failed to lift their spirits some and give them a little peace."
"Thank you Killian," Freya tells him gratefully. "And I thank all of you for coming here."
"Don't thank us all yet. You likely as not have another tsunami to stop," grins Killian.
"Tsunami?" cries out David alarmed.
"Aye, what'll this be now Freya, our third one together?"
"Second," replies Freya as she shuts her eyes and holds her hands up to the sky. "There, the wave is slowly dissipating."
"How's it only the second? There was that one in that little marina when we first met, then your second trip to Neverland and now this one," argues Killian.
"Technically you weren't present for that second one as that was my way out of Neverland after you handed me over to Pan as payment to leave, the Jolly Roger and your crew in tow."
"You sold Freya out to Pan in order to escape Neverland?" Maleficent raises an eyebrow at Hook, her red lips pouted in distaste.
"Mal, don't act like you wouldn't have used me too if it benefited you in some way. Everyone who has ever come to my lake for my assistance has, whether they be 'hero' or 'villain'."
"And you're fine with that?" frowns Mary Margaret.
"I don't take issue with it no, Snow White. My purpose is to help and if my life or abilities is the necessary exchange for me to help a person in need of my aid then I'll willingly do so."
"Ah, yes," grimaces Killian, scratching his chin with his hook. "About that, did I ever apologise for using you in such a way without asking your permission first, lass?"
"I would expect you would remember that particular apology as it was rather memorable. It's when you discovered my punishment of being unseeable by anyone who did not know me prior to my sending Galahad through that portal."
Killian's kohl-rimmed eyes widen. "That was the apology for Neverland?"
"Oh yes," grins Freya. "And if it hadn't been for dear Prince James' presence my brother would definitely have called you out," she sniggers.
"My presence? I don't recall meeting Hook in our world. And it's David, James was my twin brother that King George had me pretend to be," explains the blonde-haired prince.
"Nice to properly meet you David. You didn't exactly 'meet' Hook. You just saw a shirtless man leaning against the rowan tree in the middle of Lake Avalon."
"Freya," pleas Killian.
"My brother looked so furious," she laughs in reply. "And because you could not see me David, he couldn't react to the fact my legs were wrapped around Killian's waist. And before you go off on one at Killian remember that this was before you and Snow had even married; and Emma wasn't even a concept. We were both free agents, as it were."
"Your brother," frowns David. "Wait you're Percival's little sister?"
Freya gives a small smile in reply before wrapping her arms around her abdomen, a move that the pirate recognised all too well as something Freya would do when she wanted to avoid a particular conversation.
"Speaking of lakes, mi'lady. That one I saw…"
"Yes, it's this world's Avalon. Many centuries ago this world had it's own Camelot and Avalon. There was some magic, but different from what magic is in our realm. Because Avalon, my Avalon, has a twin in this land it's forbidden for the Lady of the Lake to open the portal to this world. If she does the punishment is harsh and severe."
"Wait, are you saying you had the power to portal here?" questions Regina.
"Yes, but don't go telling Rumple that. He first asked Morgana - my predecessor - about her ability to open portals to other realms. She lied and said that this world was one of the few places closed to the magic and abilities of the Lady. He'd known me as a young child and so it was only a few months after my Lake Ceremony that he asked me. I too lied because I knew he would ask me to pay whatever price required so that he might be with Baelfire once more. It was several years later, after my return from my extended trip to Neverland, before he approached me again but this time questioned me about other methods that could help him get to this world and so I told him of the Dark Curse."
"You told him?" rages Mary Margaret at the same time Killian blurts out, "You knew the Crocodile and never said a word to me about it?"
"Like I said before Snow, I help both sides. And Killian you would have simply wanted information on Rumplestiltskin and we wouldn't have had all the fun we did. Anyway as I was saying, the remains of this world's Camelot are no more but the lake remains. It is to this land that I sent Galahad when he was just fourteen as a precaution against Arthur's wrath should he discover Lancelot's feelings for Neve. As a result I became invisible to any who had not known me prior to using my power in such a way. At first I did not think it a truly bad punishment and then...well I would not wish such a thing on anyone."
"I assume that you used the portal a second time to get here, but why would you after knowing the punishment would be a hard one?" asks Regina.
"Well you have your darling mother to thank for that one."
"Apologies for my involvement in that matter too," winces Killian as he bows to Freya.
"I never blamed you for it Killian. You were hell-bent on revenge and she was providing you with a way that you might actually be able to get close to him. Why do you think I sent you far into the woods when Lancelot and Cora began to fight."
"My mother came to you? Why?" frowns Regina, her voice trembling slightly making Robin move closer to her and take her hand in his.
"She wanted a way to get to you. I'd met her on a few occasions in Wonderland and along with what I assume Killian told her, she had managed to piece together that I could portal to the world you were going to. The two of them came when you were about to enact the curse but I wasn't alone. Once a month, even after being exiled, Lancelot would sneak into Camelot's lands and come to the lake where we could scry in the water and see Galahad. Lancelot fought your mother and told me to escape so that Cora would be unable to use me to come to this world. My last sight before I landed here was your mother crushing Lancelot's heart."
"What was the price you had to pay?" asks Robin.
Freya holds her right leg out to the seven and lightly flicks two of her fingers. Around her ankle a bright red mark, three inches wide, suddenly appears. Mary Margaret's green eyes widen and she looks pained for what Freya must have suffered. Beside her Killian also recognises the mark left behind from a tight shackle but frowns at it having remained such a vivid painful colour.
"An enchanted chain was shackled to my ankle and reached through the depths of the lake in this world into my Avalon. The only way it could be broken was with either a great sword or an enchanted one like Excalibur. I accepted my punishment and stayed by the lake for twenty-eight years. Navarre brought me things so that I could gain knowledge of this world, and he would bring me and take missives to Jefferson. When he told me of the Saviour being in Storybrooke I tried to use the lake to contact anyone that might be in Camelot but it didn't work. When the curse was broken here I tried again but still no one in Camelot heard me. Galahad did, however, in a dream and he had his grandson bring him to find me. They brought me a lot of things and gave me human companionship once more. I got a final letter from Jefferson just before you broke Pan's curse and sent everyone back to the Enchanted Forest. I tried one last time to make contact, and I managed it. Neve, with Morgana Le Fay's help, sent through Lancelot's sword and with it Thomas (Galahad's grandson) was able to cut me free of my bindings."
"I don't understand why you tried to contact them if you knew about the Dark Curse. Surely they were brought over with everyone else," states David.
"Camelot was more protected than all your other lands and realms. Because of the power in Avalon, it's people were safe from the curse."
"You've been communicating with Jefferson all this time?" asks Regina.
"He still remains my brother-in-law for all intents and purposes, even though my sister is dead."
"Who is Jefferson?" asks Lily confusedly.
"You'd probably know him better as the Mad Hatter. My father left our land and remarried when I was five years old. It wasn't until years later whilst travelling with the infamous Captain Hook that I learned I had a stepsister and a ten year old brother. She would come visit me at Avalon sometimes and it was there that she met Jefferson."
"Couldn't you have returned home when we did?" asks Mary Margaret.
"I had the choice to do just that, but I decided I wanted to spend some more time with Galahad; or as he was known in this world George. And then a message was sent to me through Avalon about the danger you faced from Zelena at the same time we learned that Galahad was gravely ill. I couldn't leave him and so left you all to sort it out yourselves, which you seem to have done remarkably well. He'd become worse by the time you'd defeated the Wicked Witch and so even though Navarre brought the missive about Ingrid from Jefferson, I knew I could not help you as my place was by Galahad's side. Anyway, that's enough about all that. Your ship here, Hook? 'Cause I plan to go get drunk on it."
"Aye, darling. It's anchored in the harbour. But is drinking copious amounts wise in your current state?"
"Hence the drinking on your boat. I'll be away from any possible chances of making awful decisions. Also, you're not exactly who I thought would ever be cautioning against drinking. But yes to answer your question, it is wise because it hurts too much to be sober right now."
"When did Galahad…" trails off Maleficent.
"Five days ago. Phillip got a letter to me through Navarre a week ago about your return, asking for my help. One of Thomas' friends got me set up with identification and a visa to get me here, but I waited to come until he had passed and I'd performed the Fiery Arrow Ceremony."
"What is that?" asks Robin to which Regina tells him she'll explain later when Freya flinches at the memory the question drags up.
"We'll walk you to the harbour," offers David genially.
"And if there's anything you need or want, don't hesitate to ask," smiles Mary Margaret.