Mapped out what will be happening for the next couple of chapters. Once I get further into the story I will begin writing longer chapters but at the moment I'm trying to get a feel for the story. All mistakes are mine.

Storybook Henry's POV

Henry liked to think of himself as grown up. However, since that day he had almost died due to his own misguided actions, he had felt anything but. It came as a surprise to him how much he missed his Mo…wait no she wasn't his mom, not now and not ever. She just took him in as part of her long planned revenge, he knew this now. She never actually loved him, how could she when she was clearly incapable of such a thing. He felt sick at the realisation that every birthday breakfast, and comic book Sunday was nothing more than a illusion. A way for her to keep him close and under control. That however, did not stop the longing he now felt inside of himself overtime he thought of he face. Her velvet toned voice that soothed his nightmares and her soft hands that would always be supporting him whenever was needed. He crossed his pyjama covered legs on the rickety attic bed and tried desperately to push her out of his mind but no matter where he looked, reminders of her where everywhere. The comic book he was reading she had given to him just before Emma had come to town, the clock tower in the distance that he used to gaze upon from his bedroom window. Even the desperate and confused reflection in the mirror reminded him of her even though they shared no tears threatened to fall down his cheeks at the apparent loss of control he now seemed to have over both his emotions and thoughts. Sweeping everything off the top, he climbed into the slightly uncomfortable bed, pulling the stitched quilt up to his face unable to push away how wrong everything still felt. Closing his stinging eyes, he begged for the darkness to enclose him so that he may be free for a moment. Quickly, his prayers we answered and he fell into a deep slumber missing the flash of purple light outside and ignoring the pain he felt through pierce through his heart.

Enchanted Forest Robin's POV

This was not how today was supposed to go. His orders had been simple, gather information on the evil queen and report back. Never in his briefing was he told to go anywhere near that monster and there had certainly be no mention of interacting with her in any way ( even if it was to stop her crossing back over.) The Queen would be pissed. That was as clear as the scars he had from every other times he'd displeased her over the years.

Looking down at the heap that he knew to be a person on the floor, he realised that the bizarre other clothing she was wearing was no more. Now she was lain on the forest floor in the a huge, imposing black dress worthy of her reputation. Her corset looked to be so tight he almost felt pity for it until he remembered what it was he was looking at. This monster deserved every bit of pain that she was feeling. Be it the broken ribs she seems to be sporting or the nasty gash from her cape he was sure would become infected if not treated. Yes, this former queen deserved everything she had and was about to receive. It was her fault he nearly lost his son and had lost his wife in the process. It was her fault that he now lived in fear and trepidation. Without her curse this would have never happened. Without her it would have never happened. Robin was brought back from his dark thoughts by the sounds of bile being projected outward by the woman still laying hunched on the floor. Although a dark and twisted part of him wanted to watch her writhe in pain, a small shard of his former self still couldn't help but want to tend to her. To make sure that she wouldn't die if left here at least. Cursing himself, he stalked over to the fallen queen and stood towering before her.

'If you wish to kill me, I highly recommend you do it quickly because trust me, when i get the chance… you'll be nothing but a smoking pile of ash.' her voice was strained but still sharp, still provoking him at every opportunity.

'As charming as that sounds m'lady, i don't believe you are in any position to be making idle threats. I know enough about you to know if you had your magic, I'd have been dead back in the other realm.' He smirked through speech, relishing in the fact he'd got the upper hand. ' If I were you I would remain still and silent until I tell you to do otherwise. Wouldn't want to have to report back to the queen that you were dead in the middle of her forest would I?' His voice caught at the thought that now even the peace of the forest was destroyed. ' Stand and we shall access how much….unfortunate damage you have sustained during your re-entry to this world.'

He watched her try to get her self up. Jaw set and both eyes and fists clenched shut. Realising that she would neither get up alone nor ask for help, he hoisted her up abruptly. Now the once powerful evil queen was now stood before him. Or rather about a foot below him. How could a woman with such horror and villainy inside her fit into such a small body. Furthermore, he had convinced himself that years away from magic, her previous horrific acts would have been reflected in her features. Laying waste to the camp fire stories of her ensnaring beauty that he was told not to fall for but this also was not the case. When she opened her large brown eyes, tears swimming in them , he couldn't look away. Never before had he thought someone eyes captured emotion like her for within he saw the obvious hatred and disgust but also….despair and heartbreak. But how could that be? The evil queen has no emotion other than malice, surely tha-

'Are you just going to stand there gawking at me like some confused animal. I am queen of this land. Do you have any idea what I could do to you, even without my magic?'

Her eyes once again bore into his, daring him. Her lips were now forced into a thin grimace and her complexion had taken on a strange greyish hue. Even with all the bravado, something was certainly not right. Moving quickly, he grabbed and inspected the open wound on her face. It was letting a continuous stream of deep crimson blood mar her porcelain face so instinctively he ripped a section of his shirt and held it in place. Catching himself in a moment of humanity, he ordered her to hold the rag and then pressed, firmer than he needed, on her rib cage. Instantly she doubled over in pain, confirming his theory.

'Your ribs are broken. From the looks of things I would estimate at least 2. The castle is a 3 day walk. You wont be able to make it in your current condition We shall make camp for a few day, reset your ribs and then move out at the end of the week. Trust me when I say if you try to run, I will kill you…no matter the cost.' Making his move,he spotted a what seemed to look like an painted photo that must have fallen from her discard bag. He made out the former queen, even if the serine looking woman in the photo held little resemblance to the one before him now. But the young boy…that made no sense to him. Surely he would have been told if she had a son right? He suddenly got the feeling there was more to this queen than he'd previously known.