Finally, here is the next chapter. My muse was focused on my other AU story, This Is Right, over the past week so I had to run with it. If you get a chance, check it out and tell me what you think. Lots about to happen in the Snowing department in that story :) Now, Chapter 10! Part of the scene will be very familiar but will blend back in with my story. I do not own OUAT or any of its awesome characters.
As always, loving the reviews and support. I feel like I've grown a lot with this story and have all of you to thank for keeping me motivated. Give yourself a high five!
David sat in the chair across from Emma, unable to find words after what he'd just heard. His daughter avoided his gaze as she sat stiffly on the couch next to Regina, who looked like she had plenty to say for everyone.
"You turned Hook into a Dark One?"
"It was the only way to save him," Emma responded, still staring ahead at nothing in particular. Her voice was almost a whisper, the harsh even tone she'd adopted since taking on the darkness, but David could see the cracks starting to show through. While not wanting to see her in pain, he couldn't help but feel hopeful that he could still glimpse the real Emma under the Dark One's facade.
"And you didn't think of the consequences to everyone else?" Regina continued, clearly exasperated.
"I couldn't just let him die, you can understand that." Her words were directed at Regina, but they tugged at David's heart. Yes, he certainly could understand.
"Well yes but..." Regina shook her head and let out a breath of frustration, "Now we have a bigger problem."
"I know," Emma continued. "I didn't think any of this would happen. I was trying to get rid of the darkness for good. You can't tell me after all Zelena's done to you your life wouldn't be easier if she were gone. I was doing you a favor."
David shook his head and spoke before Regina could. "This is pre-meditated murder, Emma. You should have come to us." She still avoided looking at him. He glanced at Regina for backup.
"And risk losing someone else?" Emma asked, emotion lacing her voice. "I thought the best way to control the darkness was to isolate myself but when I did that there was no one around to give me hope or tell me when I was being stupid."
"Fine, you're being stupid. So stop it," Regina interjected, standing up and moving to lean her hands on the back of the couch. "Right now we have to clean up this mess. Although, which one should we start with?"
"What do you mean 'which one'?" Emma asked, furrowing her brow and glancing at Regina, who was looking at David. Emma turned to him, looking as if she actually sees him for the first time. "What's going on?"
David exhaled, rubbing a hand over his face, feeling old and tired. "Your mother and brother were taken, Emma."
Her lips opened in surprise, eyes widening. "What do you mean 'taken'?" Her eyes flitted briefly to his neck, though he was sure it had stopped bleeding by now.
"Lily and George took them through a portal to the Enchanted Forest. I uh..." he cleared his throat, trying to get his emotions in check again before continuing. "I couldn't stop it. George took Neal first and Snow followed after pushing Lily in. George is going to try and pass your brother off as his own heir. She didn't want Neal to be alone."
David swallowed hard. Of all the times he wanted his Emma back, now was when he wished it most.
"Why didn't I feel her get through my barrier?" Emma asked, almost to herself, looking down at her palms.
"Barrier?" Regina responded, tilting her head to look back down at Emma.
"I had a protection spell on the loft, how'd she get through without me knowing?"
David's heart skipped a beat. Emma had tried to protect them.
Regina contemplated an answer, but Emma spoke first as she raised her hand. "The cuff. I couldn't feel it because of the cuff."
"Which leads us back to the immediate problem at hand. Hook," Regina said.
David was still looking at Emma like he could hug her at any moment, but she was too distracted to notice. He mentally shook himself, bringing all of his attention back to the task at hand. "Give us back our memories, Emma," he said calmly. "Your dream catchers. Regina can access them right? We can piece together Hook's plan and stop him."
"Actually, no we can't," Henry said, coming into the room and looking at Emma. "I looked where you said they'd be. They're gone."
They all glanced at each other. David exhaled again, rubbing a hand on the back of his neck. Of course the dream catchers are gone, but why? He looked up, finding Emma staring at him now.
"What the hell is Captain Dark One up to?" Regina asked.
"I'd tell you but he took my memories when he took the dream catchers," Emma replied irritably. Another moment of stunned silence.
"We need to find them," Henry said. "We'll find them and get our memories back. That's the first step. What are we going to do about Grandma and Neal though? We can't just leave them in the Forest."
Emma blinks, still staring at David. He's not sure what she's thinking but it's the same look Snow gets when she's weighing options. It fills his heart yet makes it break at the same time.
"David."
He startles, blinking up at Regina. "Sorry, what?"
Regina's eyes grew slightly softer but her tone remained calmly stern. "We need a plan. I know your first instinct is to find your family but we aren't even sure how we can send you back to them yet. Plus, with Hook on the loose, who knows what will happen now."
"How did Lily open a portal?" Everyone turned to look at Emma again, but her eyes were on her father.
David pulled the necklace from his pocket and handed it to her. "She used this. None of us are sure how it worked. Belle should be looking into it... Emma?"
Emma hadn't taken her eyes off of the dragon egg necklace. "It's from the Enchanted Forest. Dragons are some of the most magical creatures to exist in any realm. It might have created the connection to send Lily back to where she originated."
"It could be a tether?" Regina asked, starting to follow Emma's train of thought. "That would work but it would need an anchor. Maleficent is a part of its creation but she's here."
"Anchor?" David asked.
"A tether is a magical connection. Anchors are the points it is connected to," Regina explained. "The egg was a part of Lily, as it is a part of Maleficent. How they are connected to each other and also how they are connected to where they came from."
"So," Henry chimed in slowly, "there must be another anchor in the Forest."
"Lily's father," David finished and stood up. "We need to find Maleficent. Maybe she can help us."
"No offense, but I doubt she'll be interested in helping you," Regina said regretfully, arms crossed.
"Probably not," he responded. "But she'll want her daughter back. I can help ensure that she's found."
"What about Hook?" Henry asked, glancing at Emma."We need to figure out what his plan is."
Ring ring ring
Regina pulled out her cell phone and answered, "Hello." She knit her brow, letting out an exasperated, "Seriously?"
Henry moved closer to David, both of them trying to hear what was being said on the other end of the conversation. Emma stood completely still, listening attentively.
"Ok, we'll be right there. I love you too," Regina finished, a small smile on her lips at the last words.
"What did he say?" Emma asked.
"It seems your pirate has regained his flare for the dramatic. We need to get to the library. Now."
Heavy. Everything feels heavy.
Snow tries to move, but her body doesn't want to comply. She slowly opens her eyes, ignoring the pain that is pulsing in her head and the nausea that comes with it. She's lying on the ground and can faintly make out the outline of trees against sky through her blurred vision. Someone puts a hand on her shoulder as she tries to sit up.
"Easy, it's alright," an unfamiliar voice whispers softly.
Right, Snow manages to piece together as she closes her eyes again, The Enchanted Forest. Groaning, Snow turns to her side, hand rubbing the back of her head only to find that a bandage had been wrapped there. She can vaguely feel it wound over her forehead as well. Where's Neal?
"Your husband has your son, but he's safe. Please try to stay calm, the bleeding only just stopped," the female voice said, soft but urgent. Snow felt the stranger shift to crouch in front of her, hand still comforting on her arm.
Charming, Snow thought. He came.
"Where are they?" Snow managed to say despite how dry her mouth was.
"It's been decades since King George was last seen. And here he is, returned with a new Queen and infant son. You'll understand it has raised much suspicion. He is trying to answer questions and calm any concerns."
Snow could sense something in the woman's voice. She was skeptical and careful, obviously unsure of George's fabricated story. And yet, here she was, trying to help her anyways.
Snow opened her eyes again and thought she was having visions of wishful thinking. The woman looked like Emma at first glance, but a blink cleared the vision away. She had similar features to Emma, that was all. Long blonde hair, a lean frame, and fair sun-kissed skin. Her eyes were a beautiful blue, unlike Emma's green, but they held the familiar look of guarded wariness. Snow saw she'd equipped herself with bow and arrows, as well as two short blades sheathed at each side.
"Is there another woman with him?" Snow asked, feeling like her mind was slowly beginning to wake up again.
"Yes, she went with him," the stranger said warily.
"She's dangerous. Everyone needs to be careful," Snow responded urgently.
The other woman's brow furrowed and she leaned in closer and whispered, "What do you mean?"
"Please. George will want to move on to reclaim the throne at the castle. Lily, the other woman, is dangerous. More dangerous than you can imagine. Please, convince your people to heed his demands until help arrives. George.." Snow swallowed, tears filling her eyes, "He's taken my son and I from my husband and daughter. I am not his Queen."
The woman gazed at Snow for a moment, hand still on her shoulder. "I assumed as much when he left you in this state."
Snow exhaled. Somehow, she knew this woman believed her. Maybe it was the concussion or the fact that she looked like her Emma, but Snow trusted her.
"My husband will come for me. I don't know when, but he'll find us. He always does."
The woman nodded and whispered, "What is his name?"
"David," Snow breathed, the pain in her heart echoing the pain in her head. "Please, if you come across him, tell him you spoke to me. Please."
Her vision was going fuzzy again, threatening to lull her back to sleep. Snow knew she shouldn't, but the pull to rest was overwhelming. She felt the stranger squeeze her shoulder gently. The last thing Snow remembered before sinking back into the darkness was the woman's voice.
"I promise."
Thanks everyone. Hope you liked it!