'It's not that far down…' Jefferson thought hopefully, forcing his eyes to remain watching his fingers that were desperately clinging to the mossy rock, slowly slip closer and closer to the edge.
Against his better judgement, he cast a glance down into the whirlwind of waves that cascaded along the ravine beneath him, looking quite a way away. The ravine and its gushing stream had seemed pretty harmless whilst he had been scaling the rocks in search of the cave entrance, but now Jefferson was growing to dread the waters beneath him. Gritting his teeth, Jefferson clawed at algae coated rock, though he knew it was pointless: he could feel his dangling body begins to drag him down. Despite the drop, he felt as though he had only fallen for mere seconds before hitting the water.
Icy shards of water stabbed into every part of him as Jefferson was submerged into the water. Overcome by shock, Jefferson he let out a sharp gasp, choking as the water filled his mouth, scalding his throat. His mind still seemed to be reeling from the initial shock and all Jefferson could to was instinctively thrash in the water, sinking with each second that passed by. Every molecule had become as cold as the water itself, apart from his lungs, which burnt from the sting of the water. The overpowering waves that rushed past his head and freezing temperature were weakening him far too rapidly- the surface seemed impossible to reach, a darkening blur overhead.
'There are so many realms I haven't shown Elizabeth, I can't leave her now…I'm the dark one's best thief for gods' sakes…I can't die by drowning….'
Jefferson repeated the words inside his head, over and over, writhing against the chasm of water he was being dragged into, his stiff legs kicking against the waves. With one last kick, he rose up to the surface, gulping in the air. The waves were still pulling him along: too fast-moving to resist. As the ravine widened at the head of the caves, the waves began to dissipate and Jefferson swam to the rocky shore. He heaved himself up onto the shore, and between heavy gasps for air, coughed up the water from his lungs. Jefferson knew he had both Elizabeth and Regina awaiting his return, though for very different reasons, and forced himself to rise, taking shaky, sodden steps into the cave.
As soon he entered the caves, a hand pressed against the wall to support himself, a low voice began to echo across the cave. The sound reverberated off every side of the cave, amplified and impossible to trace its location, bellowing out to him:
"Proceed with caution, take great care,
For you have entered the genie's lair,
Three wishes I may grant thee- but beware,
Whether you wish for gold, silver, love or fame,
Should there be consequences-it is not the genie you should blame,
So think twice before you make a wish,
You might not get what you…I mean…No, that doesn't rhyme….don't step any closer!"
Jefferson froze, having finally found the lamp, the genie's words becoming deafening. Having glanced around to confirm there definitely wasn't someone behind him speaking, Jefferson called back to the lamp,
"I don't want to make a wish!"
"Liar," the genie's voice replied, "everyone wants to make a wish, all you humans have desires.'
"I can't make a wish, I'm not going to use you for my own gain," Jefferson said, "look, just come out so I can see you and I'll explain."
"You have to rub the lamp."
Rolling his eyes, Jefferson reached into the water and picked up the lamp before rubbing his fingers, the algae coming away to reveal small rubies engraved into the golden lamp. As he begrudgingly rubbed the lamp for the third time, purple smoke began to issue from the lid, swirling around him. The smoke faded to reveal the genie, stood before Jefferson.
"If you are not to use me for yourself, why have you sought me? What on earth have you been promised that is greater than three wishes, that could persuade you to cross the perilous waters outside of this cave and not heed my warning?"
"I wasn't actually told about the water- my employer told me very little, all they did was give me some vague instructions: but they did threaten the woman that I love," Jefferson explained.
"Love?" The genie mused sighing despondently, "said to be the greatest magic of them all."
"I take it you've never been in love?"
The genie shook his head sorrowfully and Jefferson cast him an empathetic smile, clasping a damp arm around the Genie's shoulder.
"Well, I've seen many things, but nothing quite like the powers of love. But hey, you won't find love stuck in this cave- there are plenty of women in my kingdom, the enchanted forest- trust me; I've slept with most of them."
He winked at the genie, who gave a laugh before staring, lost in thought, towards the cave's entrance. For a minute or so, the genie remained silent.
"Do you really think I'll be able to find love in your kingdom?"
"I'm sure of it," Jefferson replied, with convincing certainty, "you don't mind going back in your lamp do you? I could do with putting you in my satchel."
"I can use my magic to get us out of here first?" The genie offered, "Getting past the ravine may prove difficult: I see you've taken a swim already."
Jefferson laughed and flipped his hat, the only thing that had remained dry, onto the ground, "It's alright- I have my own form of transportation."
After landing in the middle of the forest, Jefferson soon found his way back to the path that lead towards Lake Nostos, though he remained on the path, following it further downstream. About a mile or so away from Regina's castle, he slipped the lamp out from his satchel and whispered:
"Do I have to rub this thing again or can you come out?"
Smoke streamed out from the lamp and the genie appeared once again.
"Are we here?" he asked, gazing around at the calm stream and the tall trees that bordered the forest.
"Not exactly: I've been thinking-whatever my employer wants with you, it can't be good. As long as they have you, you'll never find love. But plenty of people, plenty of women, walk down this pathway; someone'll be bound to see the lamp and pick it up. The people of this kingdom are good- lead by the example of their King," Jefferson said, quickly adding, "and Queen."
"That's very kind of you: but what about your employer's threat? Won't they hurt the woman you love?"
"I can protect her," Jefferson assured the genie, "you said so yourself- love is the most powerful of all magic. I'm afraid you'll have to go back into the lamp, but I'm sure you'll be found soon."
The genie complied, and Jefferson carefully set the lamp down in the grassy weeds by the stream, where a few gentle waves could lap against the lamp before setting off for Rumplestiltskin's castle.
By the time he arrived at the castle, the midday sun had set into a hazy afternoon glow and through a dusty window, Jefferson could see someone had lit a fire in the potions room. He pushed open the doors and wrung the edge of his drenched coat on the doorstep before stepping inside . Unsurprisingly, Rumplestiltskin had taken his usual position of spinning straw into gold and was so absorbed in watching the spinning wheel that he barely noticed Jefferson; still soaked to the skin, go past into the potions room.
Regina was facing the flames, her hands reaching into the flames and retracting, unscathed, with a modicum amount of fire resting in the palm of her hands. Upon hearing the door opening, she turned, smiling as she took in Jefferson, the box of vipers in one hand, his hat in the other.
"I did as you asked: got the vipers, got the genie and placed the genie by the stream."
"Oh I am pleased," Regina said softly, smirking as she grew closer and saw his soaked clothing, "perhaps I ought to have warned you about reaching the genie. Come, warm by the fire, you'll dry off soon enough."
Jefferson shook his head and side stepped Regina's outstretched hand, placing the viper's box onto the potions bench.
"We're done Regina. Now you have to uphold your side of the bargain."
Regina ignored him, studying the box before waving her hand. The clasps unbuckled and the lid flew open. Jefferson let out a protest, the viper hissing furiously, and with another wave of her hand, the claps snapped shut again, sealing the viper.
"Just checking," Regina said, "and yes, a deal is a deal. I won't hurt Elizabeth. I'm too busy making Snow pay anyway."
Jefferson had already begun to leave, thinking of Elizabeth and the shop with a sauna in Arendelle, but her words made him stop.
"Regina, it doesn't take a genius to work out why you need the genie and the vipers. But it's a rather cruel way to go isn't it? Can't you just slip your husband some poison?"
"Of course not!" Regina replied, a malevolent smile playing on her lips, "Snow needs to feel the pain I felt: I want to see the look on her face when she discovers her dearest father is dead."
"Yes, but she's just a kid-"
"Just a kid?" Regina snarled, "Don't you remember what she did to me? She's responsible for Daniel's death! I don't see why you care so much: I thought you hated kids?"
"I do!" Jefferson said, "it's just seems, well…"
"Well what? If I were you, I wouldn't worry for the King or Princess Snow's futures- I'd be thinking of my own future. I mean, you have a girlfriend now, whom you claim to love- sounds like you're heading towards a rather serious relationship. But what do you want: her to be your assistant forever? You think Elizabeth will always be satisfied with travelling the realms and stealing? She'll want marriage one day- and children. What are you going to do then?"
"Yeah, well...that's pretty far in the future!" Jefferson responded, placing his hat on his head, "now if you'll excuse me, I have places to be."
Turning his back on Regina, Jefferson grabbed the door handle and slamming it behind him.