Chapter Twenty- Six

The Curse

Author's Note: So don't hate me, but it'scome to my attention that I've been sitting on four chapters, which I had assumed i had already posted. Sorry! But here's to looking forward to three chapters after this and counting.

"This is…I honestly can't ask for better," Regina murmured. David nodded as he reported back. He'd gone with Graham to make sure Snow wasn't harmed at all, but he'd come back earlier.

"Yeah, honestly couldn't have planned it better. She's bringing this world's version of me and the dwarves back with the flower. They tried to have sex and they've barely had a full conversation."

"Shut up," Emma said. "So, like it's going down."

"Like an avalanche, one way or another," Regina told her from her place by the window as she watched the arrival of Snow's Uncle. She walked over and rang the bell for a servant.

"Yes, my Queen?" she asked dipping low in a curtsy.

"Announce to everyone that I want a ball held tonight, not just a fancy dinner, we are going to announce my precious Snow's engagement. I've just received word that she will be back tonight." The girl dipped another curtsy and ran out. Regina turned to David.

"Go tell Graham to make sure they're late, I want them walking in filthy." David nodded and she sent him back to Graham.

"What's next?" Emma asked. She wanted this over with so that Regina and the baby were home safe. Every second that passed was too slow as she waited for some threat to get them.

"Next, we make sure Tiny, Derek, and Clarence are where they're supposed to be. As well as Graham."

"What about Rumple and your mom's heart?" Mulan asked.

"So hopefully with luck he will release my body once the spell is going. My hope is that we will then jump before the curse is completely enacted, because we will be stuck in their Storybrooke for thirtyish odd years until whatever their savior is breaks it."

"Oh god, thirty years from the girls no," Emma said. "But even if they fight, Snow is too hopeful and too used to getting what she wants."

"I thought of that, and I have a plan, but I didn't want to say this in front of David," Regina said. "We need to take Snow's heart and make sure she runs in gushing about David loudly and embarrass him. And then we're going to suggest Mother banish David to a world without magic, but really, he'll just be in a room with donuts."

"Smart, because then she will want to go." Regina nodded. "I'll do it, you'll need to make appearances and stay in the spotlight."

"Wait what if she loves David already so much there's no way she can enact the curse."

"Oh my God send guards out immediately, that love cannot grow, it just needs to be enough that it doesn't eclipse her father yet anyway. We're walking a fine line because we know they will have true love," Emma cried out. The thought of Regina stuck in this world was too much for Emma. She certainly wasn't going to bring back Henry and the girls to live in this hellhole.

"You're probably right." They were nervous all day, but by the time the ball rolled around Snow was being dragged in filthy screaming at the guards that her father would not stand for this. Leopold of course was furious as he approached her uncle at the state of her.

"Where have you been, your uncle has been waiting for you," Leopold declared. Snow seemed to realize where she was and dipped a quick and yet inadequate curtsy. Regina heard her mother scoff knowing that Regina, even in her haste, always gave adequate respect.

"I'm sorry Daddy, it's just the guards took David away and I love him and don't want him hurt. He saved my life."

"Love," her uncle balked. "Leopold what is the meaning of this, you wrote to me that your daughter was well bred and now she's in love with one of the guards." He spat in disgust.

"He's a shepherd actually," Regina supplied as she approached them just as regal as ever. The vein in Leopold's head practically popped out.

"Stepmother, please tell them it's true love," Snow cried. Regina gasped.

"True love does this mean he has had you?" Regina asked as if trying to keep her voice low, but no one was making a sound around them. "My dear girl, I never meant for you to find love like this. Your father has so graciously arranged your marriage to your Uncle Seymour. You are to be his Queen."

"What," Snow said looking at her uncle with wide and frightened eyes.

"You are his precious Snow, so you can only wed a King."

"No, no, I'm to be Queen here," Snow said. "I can't marry a King of another land."

"No longer," Leopold replied. "My mistress is pregnant and shall give birth to a son, he will be raised by your stepmother." There were gasps through the crowd. "And if not, perhaps you'll have a son thanks to that stupid flower, and he will be raised by your stepmother, but you do not inherit my throne any longer. Now go clean yourself up, you disgrace me."

"Come along dear," Regina said.

"No!" Snow yelled. "I won't marry him, I love David!" Leopold slapped her hard.

"You will lower your voice and come to your senses. Your future husband awaits a dance with you. Forget about this shepherd, if he's in my dungeon, he's dead." Leopold walked away and Regina led her out. She got her cleaned up and Snow kept going on and on about how she needed to speak with her father.

"Put on a brave face dear, the first meeting is always the most terrifying," Regina told her. "I'm sure you can win your father over, but ultimately it is his decision." Snow nodded.

"I hope David is all right for now, he won't kill him, will he?" Snow asked.

"I'll attempt to stay his hand," Regina agreed. Snow nodded and watching her be miserable was something Regina committed to memory. Let some version of Snow experience the unwanted attentions of an old man. Regina made sure though that although he might touch her thigh every now and again, he got no further. Snow also did her best to speak to her father until he absolutely blew up and caused yet another commotion at the ball.

"So, you never ask me again," Leopold told her as they stopped dancing. He turned to a guard. "Bring me the shepherd now!" David was brought in, and an illusion spell made it look like he was beaten and bruised. Leopold intended to behead him right then and there.

"Wait my King," Regina intervened. Leopold glared at her. "Spare his life, he did save our dear Snow from being kidnapped when she ditched her guards."

"And what do you suppose we do so that she gets this silly idea out of her head?"

"Mother can banish him to another realm, there are many," Regina pointed out. Leopold scoffed.

"Oh, so he can escape that realm with a magic bean, no thanks," Leopold said raising the sword.

"No, to a land without magic, one where he can't come back from," Regina told him. Slowly Leopold lowered his sword.

"No!" Snow cried. Her uncle held her back roughly by the arm. Cora came forward and did as her daughter had instructed earlier. David disappeared and for good measure screamed in pain that he loved her. Snow collapsed on the floor and Regina being the dutiful stepmother who would talk to her. Regina rolled her eyes that her father was so cruel to separate them like that.

"How could you suggest it Mother," Snow cried.

"Well, it was that or death," Regina reminded her gently.

"But I'll never see him again!" Snow cried. "There are no magic beans!"

"So, there no longer are," Regina agreed. "But of course there are other ways, perhaps Mother Superior has a solution."

"You saw the look on her face!" Snow cried. "She sat there and let father and Uncle discuss terms!"

"Hmm…she was much the same when my parents, discussed terms with your father, you are correct, she can't be trusted to reunite you and your true love."

"So, you are on my side?" Snow asked.

"Of course, I am, I want you reunited with your true love as much as you do, but I know that making a scene was going to do nothing to sway your father from his ways. Once he's got an idea that is that," Regina shrugged delicately. Emma rolled her eyes from where she lay back on the bed watching the exchange with Mulan who was rolling her eyes just as hard.

"Maybe Grandma Cora can send me there too?" Snow asked.

"And leave your people without a proper heir, you don't honestly think that your father's mistress's son should rule, do you?"

"You'll raise him like you did me, and he'll be a good ruler," Snow insisted.

"If I live that long, your father will of course want a Queen that can bare him a proper heir." Regina looked away sadly and Emma just straight up snorted at the manipulation and how Snow fell for it too. "No, we must all go to the land without magic and no monarchies that way we can all be happy," Regina told her.

"How?"

"No, I shouldn't have said that it's dangerous magic, dark magic," Regina told her. "Go to bed dear, you just have to accept that you will marry your uncle." Snow left out to cry about it.

"You should be an actor baby," Emma said. Regina curtsied while Mulan chuckled. Ruby was let in as servants came and undressed Regina for bed. The maids gasped. Regina's eyes went down as she followed their eyes. She had just enough of a bump for them to notice.

"Fuck," Emma said and started grabbing hearts as Regina quickly covered herself.

"What do I do now?" Emma asked, freaking out now that she had two hearts in her hand.

"Please don't kill me," they cried falling to their knees, but they were looking at Regina. She realized that to them their heart was literally floating in the air. She took each heart gently from Emma and told them to forget what they saw and what happened.

"Enjoy your night off girls," Regina told them as they tied her robe a few moments later.

"Thank you, your majesty," they replied before they had left giggling because they were heading out to the tavern or with a guard.

"That was a close one, are you going to like pop now?" Emma asked.

"I have no idea, but I'm not having this baby here, Rumpelstiltskin, Rumpelstiltskin, Rumpelstiltskin!"

"What is it deary," Rumple giggled. "Not trying to get mummy's heart back before the deal is over, are you?"

"No, but I think it's time you've done your part in corrupting the Princess to cast the curse sooner rather than later." Rumple huffed.

"What if I want to wait until she's really miserable and married?"

"I'll keep jumping beans until Mother dies and I go home, but you can be stuck here if you like." Rumple looked annoyed.

"Fine, I'll offer her the way." He disappeared. The next two days were long, her uncle truly was a worse pig than Leopold, not only had he tried his luck at getting into her bedroom, but he'd gone after Snow. Regina wasn't cruel, she'd thrown him out of a screaming Snow's room and hugged her through the night. Leopold had rolled his eyes in the morning and said her uncle was entitled and she shouldn't have stopped him. That seemed to do it for Snow, because she was absolutely miserable for the next week and not because of her uncle. She'd taken to sleeping next to Regina to her annoyance because she wanted to be curled up with Emma and she didn't sleep well because of it.

"Finally, get some sleep baby," Emma told Regina as she rubbed her stomach the way she liked, and she relaxed enough to rest. It was about midday and Regina had taken her chance to sleep without Snow after an extra-long breakfast where Leopold had made so many toasts, she was down her cup of juice and her usual water. By the time he was done singing praises Regina had a massive headache and her exhaustion quickly caught up with her. Regina was out almost as soon as she had breathed in Emma's scent, but she was awake just as quickly as Snow ran in.

"Mother!" Regina sighed as she rolled on her back. She was so exhausted and just wanted to rest.

"Yes, Snow?" Regina asked.

"I need your help, but please don't hate me," Snow sobbed. She walked over to the bed and got on her knees while Regina took a moment to sit up and the room did spin a bit but settled.

"Tell me what is wrong," Regina told her as gently as she could manage.

"I talked to the Dark One." Regina paused in brushing hair out of her face and looked at Snow. She was all tears. Regina waited for her to continue. "He said, he said if I could convince you that there's a way to get to the land without magic."

"Did he now?" Regina said. "And did he say how I would manage that?"

"He said you have dormant power and I saw it when you saved me from Uncle, he said if you would mix the potion he gave me, I could, I could be with David again."

"Ah that is the same potion he once offered me, and did he tell you that all magic comes with a price?" Regina asked. Snow nodded.

"Yes, that's why I've been sad. He said I'd have to give up the person I love the most and I was really sad because I thought that was you." Regina immediately shoved Snow away from her. When Snow looked up, she had a dagger. "No, no Cora helped me see that wasn't so." Regina lowered the dagger only slightly. "But I do not wish to harm you, I think you'd never forgive me."

"You're afraid to take your father from me," Regina said lowering the dagger further as Emma was behind Snow now ready to stop her. Snow nodded her head slowly.

"I know that even if we go, he'll be furious and try to stop David and I from marrying."

"Hm…shall I let you in on a secret dear Snow?" Regina asked her. Snow nodded. "Daniel was sent to the land without magic by mother. I long to go there too, but I couldn't take your father from you, but if you are ready for your happy ending, I could never be angry with you." Snow was all tears and Emma was rolling her eyes so hard she could see the back wall.

"So, you'll make it?" Snow asked.

"Yes, come we will speak with Mother, your father will be angry of course and try to stop us, but I know that while he's upset and angry, he would be happy to make this sacrifice for you." Regina looked pointedly at Emma who nodded as she went to gather everyone.

"What are you doing here?" Leopold gasped later that night. Regina stood over him smirking.

"I just wanted to give you your heart back my King, however, will you save your daughter from enacting the Dark One's curse to defy you? I know you won't be sad that she means to take my heart and corrupt her own, but ah well I'm sure you'll enjoy the land without magic and without your crown." Regina disappeared.

"You have your bag?" Regina asked Snow. Snow nodded as she looked at the Kingdom.

"You're sure everyone will be all right," Snow said. They nodded.

"Yes, mother is very cunning and modified the curse. Everyone will be happy, they won't even notice a difference," Regina told her. "Besides, once you find David, you will share True love's kiss and we'll be home. You and David can rule the Kingdom and I will retire with Daniel to the countryside and of course you can visit whenever you like."

"Is it bad I hope the curse kills Uncle?"

"No one will be sad, I assure you," Regina told her. Ruby trotted up beside her and nodded. It didn't take long for the king to arrive with the intention of killing them.

"Oh no," Snow cried. Regina happily pulled out her sword and easily made it seem like they were all coming for Snow in a less than protective way. Ruby took down several guards as Emma and Mulan appeared and attacked from behind. David was there, but thankfully he didn't look like himself either or that would have messed things up.

"Snow you need to do it, he won't stop!" Regina cried. Cora appeared behind Leopold and took his heart. She appeared next to Snow and handed her the pulsing black heart.

"What is this, why is father's heart so black?" Snow asked.

"He's ill dear, you'll be saving him really," Regina told her. "Hearts are bright like yours." Rumple dutifully whispered in her ear that she could have it all and save her father from suffering. Regina made sure every guard possible was on their way up to increase Snow's urgency and giving her no time to think as she just missed being hit by an arrow.

"Now!" Regina yelled.

"Snow!" Leopold screamed. "Don't you dare!"

"Daddy I'm so sorry," Snow sobbed, and she crushed his heart just as Regina cut his hamstring. The familiar black smoke began to pour from the cauldron.

"Run it's a curse!" Regina yelled and the guards high-tailed it out of there. They left Snow crying over her father's body apologizing for having to do this to him.

"Mother return her Shepherd," Regina told her. Snow gasped as David appeared as healthy as ever. He ran straight to her.

"David!" Snow cried. "You're here." He nodded.

"I never left I just was kept comfortable in Prince Henry's rooms."

"Enjoy the next world," Regina told her.

"Mother, what, why did you?" Snow cried.

"So, I wasn't trapped anymore," Regina simply told her. "Now it's time for me to go." She disappeared with all her friends and Mother just as the dwarves arrived. They made it to the clearing, but not before Regina really did send a bolt of lightning to kill Snow's Uncle.

"Graham, are you coming?" Regina asked him. He looked back and nodded. Rumple appeared briefly when he released her body to her father who sobbed at the sight of her. She was glad she wasn't rotting yet. Emma also sobbed seeing her. Regina covered herself with a casket and Rumple disappeared.

"Let's go home," Emma said. Regina created a portal once more and used a bean to power it and direct them home. David must have been thinking of Snow as she appeared to be depressed at home without him. He smiled realizing that their love was still true, and Rowan appeared. Regina and Emma thought of their true love babies and Emma felt the little ping that drew them home and the tiniest ping from Regina's belly. They couldn't help but smile before they all jumped.

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