Chapter 22: Lady of the lake
Mary-Margaret was still unconscious while Cora looked at her head. Emma asked if she was okay and Cora nodded and said she would be fine. Rose just looked at the woman with suspicion. Since Cora had made her presence known, Rose hadn't taken her eye off of her. She didn't trust the woman one bit.
Emma asked why Cora was imprisoned like them. Her answer made Emma uneasy, and Rose had a frown on her face, and her suspicions grew. Cora saw the look on their faces and tried to say that she and Regina were very different.
"But you have nothing to fear from me. The apple fell very far from the tree. But you know that better than anybody, Rose." She said smiling at Rose.
"I don't know who you are or what are you talking about, but I trust what my instincts tell me." Said Rose looking at the woman up and down.
"And what do they tell you?" Cora asked in wonder.
Rose smiled, turned around and approached Mary-Margaret. She didn't answer Cora. The older woman tried very hard to contain her anger. It seemed that Rose Red had lost her memories of her life before the curse. Until she knew if Snow had the same issue, she couldn't risk saying too much. Rose Red may not remember her, but she was still a potential danger to her plans. Cora decided to focus her attempts on the other woman, who seemed less inclined to mistrust her.
"You're from over there, aren't you? How'd you get back?" She asked with a smile.
Rose saw Mary-Margaret stir and wake up. She helped her up and when Mary-Margaret saw Emma standing beside Cora, she quickly went to stand in front of her. Rose followed but kept some distance between Cora and herself.
"As bad as you think Regina is, this woman is worse." Said Mary-Margaret trying to let Emma know that Cora couldn't be trusted.
Emma was trying to convince her friends that they needed Cora's help, as they were trapped in a hole. She mentioned going back to Henry that was with Regina, and that grabbed Cora's attention. She asked about him and even though Rose and Mary-Margaret tried to stop Emma, she answered anyway.
"My son. I kind of share him with Regina. It's complicated."
Mary-Margaret admonished her and Rose hit her upside the head. Then a rope was thrown from the outside and a guard told them that their leader wanted to speak to them. Rose pushed Emma to the rope, so she would climb first, while Mary-Margaret watched Cora like a hawk. They weren't going to let Emma say anything else to Cora. Then Mary-Margaret climbed the rope.
Rose grabbed the rope and was about to climb, when she turned to Cora. She looked at her with suspicion.
"I may not remember who I was, but that doesn't mean that I trust you. I know you are up to something. I won't let you hurt the ones I love."
She started to climb and heard Cora chuckle. She looked down at her and saw the older woman looking at her with a smirk.
"I'm glad to see that you didn't lose your perception and protectiveness along with your memories. You always proved to be a challenge and a nuisance. Let's see how this ends."
Rose glared at her and kept climbing.
The three of them were walking towards the leader's hut, and Mary-Margaret was still fuming about Emma talking with Cora. Emma wasn't taking Mary-Margaret seriously, saying that she could have handled Cora. Mary-Margaret scoffed.
"Cora? Don't be so sure. I've lived here, Emma. I know this world. And its dangers."
Emma still wasn't convinced and got defensive. Rose put a hand on her shoulder and looked at her with a serious look.
"If you don't' believe her, believe me. I don't' trust her. She is up to something. She seemed too interested in how we got here and in Henry and Regina. I don't like it and I don't like her. When have I been wrong with something like that?"
Emma sighed. She knew that Rose had always been a good judge of character. She had always been right about the people she trusted and the people she didn't. But at the moment, her mind was occupied with getting back to Henry. She couldn't process what her friends were telling her.
Then a knight came out of the hut and Mary-Margaret smiled. The knight recognized her and they hugged. He told her how he would have never imprisoned them if he knew it was her. Then he turned to Rose and Emma.
"And who might you be?" He said with a smile. "Wait. Rose? Rose Red? I thought you died?"
"Oh, no. We still don't know what happened to her, but she doesn't remember anything from the Enchanted Forest." Said Mary-Margaret with a sad smile.
Lancelot nodded, put a hand on Rose's shoulder and smiled.
"Anyway, I'm glad to see you are okay, even if you don't remember me."
Rose nodded and gave him a small smile. Once his back was turned to her, her smile slipped off and frown appeared. She couldn't put her finger on it, but there was something weird about Lancelot. Emma saw the look and the redhead's face and knew that Lancelot fell on the no trust category for Rose.
Lancelot brought them to a table full of food. HE explained what had happened, but it didn't help much. It seemed that even they didn't know what had happened, and why they weren't affected by the curse. Mary-Margaret asked if they knew of any portal they could use to go back, but Lancelot just told them that there were no portals and that it was very dangerous outside the camp, as Ogres were back.
Mary-Margaret then thought of one portal that may still exist and said so. Emma was curious, but the way that Lancelot asked for the location eagerly, instead than with curiosity like Emma had Rose's suspicions rise.
Mary-Margaret opened her mouth to answer, but Rose squeezed her hand under the table. She gave a quick glance to her sister and saw the frown on her face. She quickly covered her pause looking around.
"Cora's near. I don't feel comfortable voicing my plans. She's powerful." Lancelot said that she didn't have powers, but Mary-Margaret shook her head. "Nevertheless, I'm not taking chances. Just trust me. I may have a way. Let us go?"
He thought about it, and finally agreed only if Mulan went with them. Emma was about to protest, but Mary-Margaret quickly agreed and thanked Lancelot.
Mulan brought them to a chest full of weapon and told them to grab some. Emma got a dagger, Mary-Margaret grabbed a sword and Rose got two daggers. Emma asked for her gun back and was talking with Mulan about it and about Ogres. Rose grabbed a long bow and handed it to Mary-Margaret with a smile, while she grabbed a composite bow.
Mary-Margaret took the longbow in surprise. When Rose Red taught her how to use different weapons and refresh her skills with a bow, she told her that for her character and abilities a long bow would be better for her, instead than the composite bow she favored. Maybe, being in the Enchanted Forest was awakening Rose's memories. But she didn't want to get her hopes up. She knew that once Rose got her memories back, she would tell her.
Once they were ready, they started to leave and Mary-Margaret promised that she would keep Emma safe and that they should stick to the plan. Emma asked about the plan, and Mary-Margaret told her it was the wardrobe. If it had survived the curse, then maybe it could take them to the Land Without Magic. Emma asked where it was and Mary-Margaret smiled.
"My place. Want to see where you're from, Emma? That's right. We're going home." She looked at Rose and smiled softly. "You too, Rose. You may not have been there for too long, but it was always your home."
They started walking, and when the sun started to set Mulan told them that they would make camp. They just needed to find water and wood to make a fire that could last the night. Emma was skeptical about making a fire, after all they were trying to avoid Ogres. Mary-Margaret told her how Ogres hunted by sound not sight. Emma let out a sarcastic response and Mary-Margaret sighed.
"Look, I know you're out of your element…" Emma interrupted saying that she was fine, but she didn't believe her. "I know. But, maybe you should just stay here while we get wood and water. Guard the campsite? Rose could you stay with her."
Rose nodded and shook her head with a smile when Emma replied with a hint of fear in her voice. She didn't think staying in an open clearing was safe. Mary-Margaret just told them that it was the safest place and that they would be right back. With that she and Mulan left in opposite directions to find what was needed.
"Now, what?" Said Emma with a huff.
"Now, we look around and find a perfect place to set up camp. We need a place far enough from the woods and in the open." Rose said looking around. "If we are in an open space, it will be easier to spot predators and enemies. And a fire will keep most animals away."
Emma sighed and followed Rose to the center of the clearing. Once there, she dropped her jacket and told Emma to do the same. Then she grabbed her bow and looked at Emma with a grin.
"I saw a couple of rabbit holes. Want to learn how to hunt?" She said handing Emma her bow.
Snow was thrown to the ground at the camp. Once King George's men left, she whistled the familiar tune and looked around. The camp was destroyed. Before she could look for any clues or trails that could lead her to the others, she heard a horse approaching. She hid behind a tree with a large branch. When he was close enough, she struck him, and he fell of the horse.
Lancelot was trying to tell Snow that he wanted to help, when an arrow embedded itself next to his head, cutting his cheek. The two of them turned to see Rose Red on her horse with her bow drawn with another arrow.
"Said the word, White. And the next one will be between his eyes." Rose said glaring at the knight on the floor.
"Believe me. After what the King did to you, I'm not on his side. I have some honor left." He said looking from one sister to the other.
"Yeah, right." Snorted Rose. "Because a man with honor would betray his King, his best friend by kissing his wife."
"Rose, you know that's not what happened." HE sighed, still not moving from his position on the ground. "Believe me. King George knows the location of the cabin where the prince is hiding his mother. He sent guards there to kill her."
Snow looked from Lancelot to her sister. She would trust Rose's words above anyone else's. Rose nodded and Snow stood back, letting Lancelot get up and dust himself off.
"I know what happened that day. I know that you have more honor than King George and all his knights put together." She smiled at him softly, putting down her bow. "Why would you work for him?"
"I'm a sword for hire now. I worked for questionable characters, but got away when their deeds turn dishonorable. I knew King George wasn't a good man, but I never expected him to do something so despicable. I'm sorry." He said the last part directed at Snow.
"I heard something different about you. You can tell me what happened on the way to the cabin." Said Rose with a frown.
Snow told her what happened and Rose nodded. She told her sister not to worry. They would find a way to cure her. They reached the cabin and saw a bunch of George's men dead. They dismounted and rushed to David's side. They saw his mother with an arrow on her chest.
Emma and Rose were making their way back with four skinned rabbits. Emma had a disgusted face and was wiping the blood on her pants.
"I'm not doing that ever again. I prefer my meat already dead and ready to cook."
"Oh, come on. It wasn't that bad." Said Rose with a laugh. "But I have to admit, you suck at skinning animals. I don't know how you managed to get so much blood from such a tiny rabbit."
Emma glared at her friend. When they reached the clearing, they saw Mulan getting Mary-Margaret off of Aurora. Rose was about to ask what had happened, when Emma shot her gun to the sky in warning. Mulan started to look around and Mary-Margaret looked at Emma with a mix of fear and disappointment.
"Do you have any idea what you've just done?"
Rose hit Emma upside the head and glared at her.
"Didn't they say that Ogres hunt by sound? Are you crazy or stupid?"
Then a roar was heard and Emma realized her mistake. Mary-Margaret told them to run and after a while they split up. Mary-Margaret, Emma and Rose in one direction and Mulan and Aurora in the other.
Emma tripped and the Ogre found her. She tried to shot him, but he slapped the gun away. He growled at her and was about to attack, when a whistle was heard from behind him. He turned around and found Mary-Margaret and Rose.
"Back away from my daughter!" Mary-Margaret said in anger.
The Ogre turned to them and Mary-Margaret and Rose notched an arrow. When he was close enough, they shot and their arrows hit the ogre in the eyes. Two perfect shots. The Ogre fell to the ground and Mary-Margaret grabbed the two arrows, handing one to Rose.
Emma was pretty shaken up from the whole thing, and she was impressed by what the two women had accomplished. She asked them how they did it. Mary-Margaret confessed that she hadn't used a bow in 28 years, but that it was like riding a bicycle. Rose shrugged her shoulders and said that archery was a pretty common thing to learn in high society.
Mary-Margaret told Emma to listen to her. Emma didn't know anything about the Enchanted Forest and it showed. And while Rose didn't remember, it was clear that she knew how to handle herself in these situations. Emma nodded and put away her useless gun.
David, Snow, Lancelot and Rose were standing around Ruth. Lancelot and Rose had managed to take the arrow off without hurting the woman too much. The knight informed them that the arrow had poison. Snow and David started to say ways that could help Ruth live, but Lancelot and Rose shook their heads. They knew that to cure a poison that was so close to the heart, they would need something very powerful.
David told them about Lake Nostos and how it was less than a day away. Lancelot went to find a wagon to carry Ruth. Snow looked at her sister with a frown.
"Is there anything you can do, Red?"
"I can't cure her. This is beyond my abilities." She said with a frown. "But I can dull the pain."
Rose put her hand above the wound and a white light appeared. Once it faded, and she took her hand away, Ruth smiled at the redhead.
"Thank you, dear. That helps a lot." She said with a voice full of kindness and gratitude.
"It's the least I can do. The effects won't last forever. Once you start feeling pain again, let me know." She said with a soft smile.
Snow smiled at her sister and David mouthed a 'thank you'.
Lancelot came with a wagon, and they put Ruth on it. They started to make their way to the lake. David asked Lancelot how he ended up there. Lancelot smirked and told him it was just like him, because of a woman. They left to scout ahead and Snow and Rose stayed with Ruth.
She thanked Snow for making David happy, and she told them the story about her pendant and how it could predict the sex of your firstborn. After some convincing, Snow agreed to try, just for the pendant to stay still. Ruth saw the pain in Snow's face and told her not to worry about it. Rose put a hand on her sister's shoulder and squeezed.
At that, Ruth knew that there was something more that she didn't know. Snow told her about what King George had done and how now she was barren. Ruth told Snow that the water for Lake Nostos could cure the both of them. Snow didn't want to, but her hopes rose.
"I told you we would find a way for you to have children. After all, I need nephews and nieces to spoil." Said Rose with a grin.
They arrived at the lake, but they found it dry. David explained how he had slain the siren that lived in the lake and that was the reason for the lake to have dried up. Lancelot told them that there had to be some water left, they just had to find it. While Snow stayed with Ruth, David, Lancelot and Rose went to find any water left.
Rose had her eyes closed and was concentrating on the sound around her. If there was any magical water, she would be able to hear it. Then she heard a faint sound, the one magical objects made. She followed it to a tree trunk and when she got there, Lancelot was there too. He smiled at her when he grabbed a shell that still had some water in it.
"It seems that your abilities are as sharp as ever." He said with a smile.
David approached them, and they poured the water in a canteen and went to Ruth and Snow. David gave his mother the canteen, so she could sip the last of Lake Nostos' water. She took it and told Snow that to have faith, that they would find a way for her to heal. Rose looked at the scene with a small smile but looked at Ruth when the others were distracted. The woman saw the look and smiled signaling her to keep quiet.
After a while, David knew that the water hadn't worked and wanted to find more, but his mother told him to stop. She had made peace with her fate and only regretted not seeing him get married. Snow then got an idea. She asked Lancelot to marry them there.
They built a small arch with wild flowers and Lancelot performed the ceremony. He told them about a cup from his kingdom that was said to grant eternal life and how he hoped that their love would also be eternal. Snow took a sip and so did David. After the kiss, they saw that Ruth had passed with a smile on her face. David said goodbye to his mother with Snow by his side.
The group of women reached Emma's room at the castle, where the wardrobe was. They looked around the destroyed room with Mary-Margaret telling them about what she had hopped to do with Emma. She grabbed a small red plushie of a bird and showed it to Rose.
"You gave us this one day. Said it was for your future niece, so she could have a reminder of her cool aunt. We didn't' even know I was pregnant yet." She said with a small laugh and tears in her eyes. "You also gave us a crystal mobile with unicorns, but it's not here."
They approached the wardrobe and were wondering how to make it work, when Lancelot entered the room. Rose immediately frowned and Mary-Margaret noticed. She asked him what he was doing here, and he said he wanted to help. He approached the wardrobe and started asking questions about it and said that there had to be a way to reactivate it. Mary-Margaret asked why he was so interested in it.
"Well, I just want you to get home to your husband and son. Henry. They must miss you."
Mary-Margaret turned slightly and drew her sword at Lancelot, pushing Emma behind her. Rose had drawn the daggers out and stood beside Mary-Margaret. Emma was confused and asked what was going on. Mary-Margaret said how there was only one person that knew Henry's name, Cora.
In a puff of smoke, Lancelot transformed into Cora. She said how she had killed Lancelot a long time ago and that she posed as him so people would follow her. Mary-Margaret went to attack her, but Cora restrained her with magic. Emma tried the same but she was also pushed aside. Rose twirled her daggers and waited for an opening.
"As careful as ever, Rose" Said Cora with a smile. "But you won't' be able to do much if you don't remember how to use your magic."
She sent a wave of magic her way, but Rose managed to dodge it. She saw that Emma was trying to destroy the wardrobe and tried to keep Cora's attention on her. She went to Mary-Margaret's side and Cora followed her with her eyes.
"Thank you. I've been looking for a way over for so long." She told them with a smile. "I never thought the person to help me find it would be the two of you."
Mary-Margaret was struggling against the magic hold and Rose asked Cora why she was doing this. Trying to give Emma enough time.
"I want to see my daughter. It's been too long. And you know, I would love to meet my grandson, Henry."
That sparked Emma's anger, and she set the wardrobe on fire. Cora used magic to divert the flame towards Emma, but Mulan jumped in and blocked it with her sword. Cora disappeared in a puff of smoke. Aurora was helping Emma up and Rose helped Mary-Margaret. They watched how the wardrobe burned, taking their way home with it.
After they buried Ruth by her cottage, David wanted to give Snow his mother pendant. He wanted to try it, but Snow panicked. She didn't know how to tell him the bad news. Then the pendant started to swing. Snow looked at it and tears appeared in her eyes. They were going to have a child.
David left to assemble their army back and Snow realized something. She turned to Lancelot and Rose. She had guessed what Ruth had done and how Lancelot had helped and Rose hadn't said anything. He smirked and denied knowing what she was telling them. Snow turned to her sister with a raised eyebrow.
"You heard the man. We don't' know what you are talking about." She said with a grin.
Lancelot asked about the gender of Snow's future child. She looked at David and turned to them again saying that it was going to be a girl.
"Yes." Said Rose with a big smile. "Aunt Rose will show her niece how to drive her mother crazy."
Snow laughed and pushed her sister jokingly. She was just so happy that she could have a family of her own. Then she looked at Rose with a smirk.
"Why don't' you try the pendant, Red?"
"W-what?" Said Rose with a blush that could rival her hair.
Snow and Lancelot burst out laughing at the look on the redhead's face.
The women stood on the room wondering what to do. Mulan was angry with herself for being fooled by Cora. She was wondering what to tell the people back at the village. They needed a leader. Aurora asked who was going to lead them and Mulan turned to Mary-Margaret and Rose.
"Them. Snow has shown that she can rule. And I know the stories about Rose Red. You can lead and protect our people." Mulan told them.
"We are honored. But we still have to find a way back to Storybrooke." Mary-Margaret said after seeing the surprised face of her sister.
Mulan said that they would help them find a way. She turned to Aurora who nodded and said that that way she could channel her anger. They left the room and Rose followed them. At the door she turned around and signaled Mary-Margaret to talk with Emma. She had felt that the two needed to talk.
Outside, Mulan turned to Rose in curiosity.
"You don't remember your life here. Everything you did."
"Everyone keeps telling me that I'm Rose Red, but I don't remember yet." She said with a shrug. She turned to Mulan with a sheepish smile. "Sorry if you knew me and I don't remember you."
"No, we didn't meet." She said shaking her head. "Someone told me about you. That the stories about your adventures and your advice gave her the courage to be herself. And I had heard about you. Mostly in taverns, where people told stories about the adventurous princess."
"Man. The more I hear about my supposed other life, the more I want to remember. I sound like a badass." Said Rose with a grin.
Emma and Mary-Margaret came out, and the women started their way back to the village. Now they had to find another portal to get back home.