Slowly blinking her eyes open Lucy tried her best to make sense of her surroundings. Her vision was blurry at first but it wasn't long before they slowly adjusted to the poorly lit room. It was clear she wasn't in the comfort of her own home. Windows had been boarded up with pieces of wood and cobwebs hung in every nook and cranny of the room. The chilly air was so cold that she could see her breath. The room was completely empty apart from the candles that hung on the walls. She was alone.

Her head throbbed like crazy as she slowly got up from the dirty floor. Any quick movement made her dizzy like she was on a ship on the rough seas. Her throat was dry as she tried to call for help but nothing but a croaky voice was heard. She had no idea where she was. the last thing she could remember was being in the courtyard playing in the snow until she saw that woman. This must be her doing Lucy thought. The cold was beginning to affect her body as she shivered. Wrapping her arms across her body Lucy tried to create some kind of warmth but it was to no avail. The door was on the over side of the room and with a steady pace, Lucy made her way to the escape.

To her surprise, the door was unlocked and without hesitation, she made her way out. Slowly walking down the Corridor just like the empty room the windows were boarded up and the dim light of the candles lit her way. The Corridors were decorated with classical paintings and various statues but it was clear that the place had been neglected for years.

" where am I?" Lucy said quietly as she reached the end of the corridor.

"You're in my Castle," Swiftly turning around Lucy was once again greeted by the woman she had met back in the courtyard. The quick movement instantly made her sick making her headache worst. Groaning in pain Lucy gently rubbed her head trying to reduce the dizziness.

"Don't worry the pain should slowly fade away. Now that you're awake follow me." Sigrid took a sharp turn down the corridor pulling Lucy's arm along with her. Dragging the girl through the castle They finally reached the private gardens or what was left of them. Nothing but snow and ice covered the grounds and standing in the frosty weather rested statues made entirely of ice. As they walked closer Lucy noticed that the ice statues were in the form of people but they all looked to be in pain. Some were even crumbling apart.

"What are these?"

"The unlucky ones." Sigrid sternly said, "Do you know why it's winter here all year round?" Sigrid watched Lucy slowly move away clearly uncertain about what was happening however she was quickly pulled to Sigrid's side. " Because of the Shadow-Man." Sigrid spat. The grip Sigrid had on Lucy tightened and Lucy hissed in pain.

" Please let me go!" Lucy cried as she tried to untangle the tight grip the woman had on her. However, Sigrid only tightened her hold on the girl. Focusing the girl to look back at the Statues of corpses.

"He robbed me of my family and future but today I will destroy everything he cares about and you will help me achieve that goal," Sigrid said sternly pushing the girl away from her so fast that Lucy lost her balance tumbling to the ice cold floor.

Landing on her knees Lucy looked up at the woman who towered over her. Sigrid's nice demeanour had vanished. The woman was cold and cruel which left Lucy feeling scared. She didn't know how far she was from home and her parents didn't know she had gone. Tears began to wail up in her brown eyes but she did her best to stop them. She failed. Lucy looked away from the woman who stood over her. "You're a cruel nasty woman!" Lucy wailed but Sigrid hushed the girl.

" I am not cruel the Shadow-man your family lets hang around is cruel. He is the reason my Sister and Father are gone...he made me into this ice monster but now I will get my justice for what he did."

" But what has it got to do with me? Lucy said frowning at the woman.

"Let's just say keeping you here will only tear your family apart because the shadow man will be responsible for that."

Carefully getting back on her feet Lucy couldn't believe what the woman was saying. She had overheard that the shadow man had done bad things but she had never thought he had destroyed somebody's family. Curiosity seem to overtake Lucy as she took a deep breath and asked a question The Snow Queen would never have expected.

Do you think hurting the Shadow-man will make you feel better?

I'll find out. Lucy could see the doubt plastered across Sigrid's face.

"Your powers don't make you a monster what you do with them does. Hurting the shadow man won't stop your pain. It will only make it worst." Lucy said as she stood up. Sigrid laughed at the girl in disbelief.

"Who told you such crap?!"

"I was told that evil isn't born it's made...my Abuela told me that. When she started using her magic for good she started to feel happy again," Lucy explained but Sigrid rowed eyes at the girl.

"Ahh, how sweet did your Abuela also tell you she murdered thousands of villagers and hurt many of her loved ones just to get what she wanted? Your Abuela, the Evil Queen isn't a stranger to me sweet child. I heard rumours and stories from other lands far beyond my own. She might have changed to get her happy ending but it doesn't change that she nothing but a murderer...like me. Your friends and family are liars, cheats, thieves, and killers!"

Lucy's scared tears quickly turned angry ones as she refused to listen to the woman's harsh words about her family.

"It's time you grew up Lucy, not even your Father and mother are innocent in the end everyone finds a way to the darkness," Sigrid said softly as she watched Lucy's world crumble around her.

Deep down she knew it was true, She had overheard what her mother and Tina had said back in the castle and many other tales that happened in the enchanted forest.

Balling her hands into fists Lucy felt her magic rise within her as she listened to the woman tort her with cruel words. She wasn't sure what to think anymore. The people she loved were capable of such evilness but she knew they were capable of love and goodness too. That didn't mean they were bad...right? What did that mean for her was she too destined for darkness? After she got her magic through an angry outburst, was her magic going manifested into dark magic just like her Abuela?

"My family isn't perfect but they still do the right thing unlike you!" Lucy shouted at Sigrid who seem to take enjoyment in the girl's tantrum.

"Oh, poor sweet Lucy is the truth all too much for you." Sigrid teased which only angered Lucy more. Lucy's balled fists were beginning to spark magic as her emotions intensified more.

"You dare use magic on me you little brat!" with one quick snap, Lucy was flung into one of the statues hitting her head as she landed. Rubbing her head in pain Lucy regained her vision as she was beginning to see double. Her hair was turning white and her fingertips had turned icy blue.

"Everyone has to pay for their sins." The Snow Queen kneeled down to Lucy's level. Her eyes pierced into her brown ones. "The Shadow-Man's time is up."

"Please you don't have to do this."

Lucy's plea, however, went on death ears. As the Snow Queen pulled Lucy to her feet she only smiled at what her magic was doing to Lucy.

"Tick-tock, Lucy, your time is almost up too."

Looking through his collection of books, Raphael was on edge once again. Multiple dead ends, nothing came to fruition. He needed a solid plan but he had nothing. It had been almost 24 hours since Lucy's disappearance and as time continued to pass by the more desperate he became.

The bizarre made it almost impossible to know if it was night or day which only fuelled his frustration. Slamming his hands on the table the books fell to floor. He couldn't look at them anymore. Not for another second. Sloughing into his chair he was starting to feel hopeless. Placing his head into the palm of his rough hands he ponder how he was going to fix this.

His magic was unique not like most witches or wizards, it was like some kind of ancient magic. Long gone or forgotten from the realms. Like a ton of bricks, it hit him. Her magic was ancient magic which meant he would find a cure in the pages of books but somewhere else.

Quickly getting up he searched for the book on kingdom histories. Flipping through the pages finally found what he was looking for. The first ancestral home of Sigrid's family. The land of Ahtohallan. They had migrated from the north to the south of the realm and possibly brought their ancient magic along with them.

The land of Antohallan wasn't an easy place to access. The land was surrounded by glaciers, cold waters and intense freezing winds. Striking a resemblance to the frozen wasteland Sigrid had forged for herself. Finding the old location of ruins Raphael began packing his bag of warm clothes. The journey to Antohallan would be slightly easier due to his transportation spell but a long hiking walk up the mountain to reach the true destination would be a battle.

Regina of course wasn't happy with the dangerous journey he had to take but with reassuring words and showing her his sudden breakthrough research Regina understood. Kissing his family goodbye he headed out into the unknown.

The abandoned civilisation of Antohallan wasn't surprising. The extreme climate and surrounding glaciers made growing food there difficult. The unknown history of the little towns that once thrived on the land was now lost. Nothing left but ice and snow as he hiked his way through.

Reaching the top of the mountain to a rocky surface four pillars of ruins towered over him. Despite the rocky uneven surface beneath him symbols of relics peaked through the debris. The ancient symbols were foreign to him as he cleared what he could to get a better look.

Pulling out the book he had read along the way, he needed guidance. His magic could sense the flow of magic that still rested within the stones of the ruin. The Illustration depicted glowing symbols on the pillars that had the potential to reveal the information he sought. Following what he could understand he placed his hand on the first pillar. A crackling sound erupted around him. The symbol on the pillar began to glow bright blue along with symbols on the floor. The rocky debris around him also began to move and form something he didn't quite expect. A troll.

The small rocky creatures cautiously moved closer to him. Staring at him as he moved his hand away from the pillar. He wasn't sure how many there were but the many eyes looking at him made him grasp his bag filled with potions tighter. Preparing himself for an unwelcome greeting.

"Who are you?" one of the trolls spoke.

"Raphael Faciller, I mean no harm to your land. I've only come for information to stop a powerful sorceress."

The troll grumbled among themselves until they were hushed by the first troll that spoke. "You mean the Snow Queen. We are aware of her magical curse plaguing the realm. Such power cannot be left unchecked but you will not find salvation here."

" This says differently," Raphael said as he displayed the book in front of them. " Your land holds secrets on how to stop her...I need answers."

The troll seemed shocked for a moment before he nodded, "Come with me Raphael, we have much to discuss."

The trolls lead him into a cave not so far from the ruins. Inside the cave appeared dark until the troll clapped his hands. The darkness turned into a burst of colours. Bursting from every corner of the cave like a beam of sunlight. "What is this place?" Raphael was gobsmacked by the beauty of the place.

" This cave holds our history, memories as well as our magic. The very magic the Snow Queen processes," The troll said. With another clap, the light seemed to transform into various moving images. The troll seemed to control them bending them to his will as he moved around the room with ease. Raphael watched with amazement as the troll worked his magic. But his amazement ended when he recognised a familiar image. The moving images had turned to the sword he once owned and was responsible for the uprise of the Snow Queen.

" You know this sword?" The troll said as he noticed the uneasiness of Raphael.

"Yes, it was what brought out Sigrid's abilities."

" This sword holds a piece of our magic and using it to cut into the Snow Queen's heart will stop the curse. Thawing a frozen heart." As the troll said this another came forth with a scroll. " This scroll will show you how to find it. The Snow Queen discarded it when she learned of its true nature."

Reading the scroll he was confused about what it revealed."The river of souls?" Why would she place it in that river he thought.

" Only a person with true intentions can retrieve the sword from its waters as well as say the incantation written on the scroll."

Standing with the information he had spent weeks trying to find was finally in his hands. The answer to putting Sigrid down for good was even closer. Lucy, Ben and the realm could be saved from the chaos.

All there was left to do was wait. It wouldn't be long before they realized the girl was missing and come running to rescue her. Smiling to herself she couldn't wait for the so-called heroes to walk through her doors. Demanding her to release the young girl from her icy prison. The thought almost left her laughing at the ridiculous idea. What she had in plan for the Shadow-man was far worst than death and it made her itching with anticipation. Sitting on her icy throne Sigrid counted down the hours she would finally get her revenge.

Finally, her nemesis will feel what it was like to have the people he loved torn apart from him. To watch them one by one turn into nothing but ice and shatter into nothing but tiny sharp pieces. Thinking about her glorious plan made her eyes sparkle with excitement. That day had finally come.

Daydreaming about her upcoming victory was rudely interrupted when she heard loud sniffles from the chair beside her. "I'm cold," Lucy whined.

Sigrid rolled her eyes at the girl's whiny tone. It had been hours since she had taken Lucy from the courtyard but the girl's hopeful spirit hadn't been fully broken yet. Informing Lucy with the knowledge of her family's dark nature hadn't detoured her. In fact, it weirdly enough made her more determined than before.

"I don't care!" the snappy tone made Lucy jump in her icy seat. Lucy had wrapped her arms around her body for extra warmth but to no avail. Sniffling and shivering as waited in her seat.

Seeing the girl shiver somewhat amused her. She couldn't feel the cold herself, her magic was to thank for that ability. The forgotten feeling of the cool breeze brushing across her face was nothing but a fading memory. Only reminded of the effects of the cold when she saw others struggle with plummeting temperatures. Although, that was rare.

"Please...I.I...I'm so...cold and my head hurts." However, Sigrid ignored Lucy's pleas once again.

"Why are we waiting in this throne room anyway."

"ENOUGH!" Sigrid abruptly left her seat, grumbling unpleasant words under her breath as she did so "If I get you warmer clothes will you shut the hell up!"

Lucy nodded, happy at the promise of warm clothes. " I will also shut up if you let me leave." Lucy's snarky response under her breath. Lucky for her Sigrid was too far to hear.

" Then follow me."

Lucy swiftly followed the woman down the multiple chilling halls and corridors. keeping up with Sigrid's long strides as best as she could. Not caring Sigrid made no effort to slow down for her desperate to reach their destination and finally be back in silence. Unlocking the door Sigrid ushered Lucy into the room filled with abandoned clothes scattered all over the place.

"I'm giving you three minutes to pick a piece of clothing. What you pick is what you get." Sigrid said sternly leaving the room and closing the door behind her. Although it wasn't long before she heard hard knocks at the door. "Well, that was quick."

Swiftly opening the door Sigrid was confused at Lucy's appearance. "You haven't changed."

"Nothing here will fit me." Lucy crossed her arms as watched Sigrid's anger build.

"There must be something...did you even look!" Lucy nodded as she lazily picked a fur coat that was twice her size.

"Pick anything I don't care if it doesn't fit, use it like a blanket then." Snatching the fur coat from Lucy's hand. " That should do, now get out."

"Wait, that's not enough, I will still be cold. Please you must have something I could wear as actual clothes." Lucy's protesting made steam pour out her eyes like a volcano ready to erupt. Thinking what the girl could wear Sigrid quickly remembered something that could help. Quickly turning on her heels she matched down the corridor and Lucy quickly came following after.

Reaching another door, Lucy noticed how different it looked compared to the others. Frost had taken over the frame of the door but she could still see the beautiful carving of flowers. They stretched over the doorframe and the door itself. Even the doorknob had a craved flower on it.

As Sigrid opened the door she wasted no time getting what she needed. Opening the wardrobe to rummage through it. Lucy, however, decided to explore the beautiful room, admiring the decorations and little trinkets that littered the wooden tables. The bedroom looked like it belonged to a young child as it was decorated with cute carvings of flowers and bunnies across the walls. Even the wooden bed was freshly made and decorated with vine carving spiralling up the four bedposts. It was truly breathtaking. No frost, ice or even dust appeared in the room which shocked Lucy. Almost like the room was frozen in time, waiting for the owner to return. She wondered why the Snow Queen left the room untouched as she continued to search the room, brushing her fingers across the little trinkets on the table.

One little box caught her attention as it was engraved with the name Annette. Making sure Sigrid wasn't looking she carefully opened it only for it to reveal a folded paper crown tied together with a pink ribbon. Pulling the crown out of the box Lucy wasted no time putting it on. It fitted perfectly.

"What are you doing!" Sigrid froze as she witnessed the paper crown on Lucy's head.

Her throat went dry as she looked at the paper crown. She hadn't seen it in years and the memories that it held were too strong for her to keep. Her eyes became glossy and her lips started to tremble.

Watching all of this unfolding, Lucy didn't know what to do. It was wrong to go through other people's things but she was here against her will. Clearly, the Snow Queen didn't care about polite etiquette. But the reaction Sigrid was giving off was baffling, It was just a paper crown.

"Take it off!" Sigrid shrieked as tears rolled down her cheeks. The shrieking voice rattled Lucy. At such a sound Lucy quickly pulled the paper crown from her head ripping it in the process. "What have you down!"

Sigrid looked at the ripped crown in Lucy's hands. Her sad eyes now turned to angry ones as she stared at the young girl. Lucy felt her heart quicken knowing she had clearly crossed a line.

" I can fix it," Lucy stressed. Putting the ripped pieces together Lucy closed her eyes. Focusing on the spell she had leant too long ago she channelled her magic to mend the crown. A small light lit through her hands and as she opened them the crown was fixed. "See I fixed it." Lucy looked quite pleased with herself. She was still new to magic spells but this had worked.

Taking a deep breath Sigrid carefully took the crown from her. Holding it close to her chest for a moment before putting back into the box. " Did your mother ever tell you not to touch things that don't belong to you?"

"Didn't yours tell you not to kidnap kids?" Lucy barked back which earned her a nasty look.

" Carefully, Lucy...before I make you a permeant statue for my collection." Chucking the clothes at Lucy. "Put these on."

Holding the jar of pixie dust in his hand Raphael slowly moved the substance around. Analysing it as he pondered the next right move. This would buy him time to keep the Snow Queen in place to deliver the final blow. Death. However, something wasn't feeling right.

Sighing Raphael looked at the hundreds of books scatters across his study. He was running out of time but the more he thought about ending the monster he helped create the more he felt sick to his stomach. He had searched high and low for an answer but they all lead to the same thing. A sword through the heart. The Snow Queen's magic was so ancient as well as chaotic. Clearly, a dormant gene that the royal family had no idea they had. Rumbling his forehead, a headache was beginning to form.

She was messing with his family and killed incidents just to get his attention. Looking at the ring box that rested on the table he prayed that nothing would take away his chance at love. She had to be stopped but the price would be too steep to bear. She was his monster. Nothing more, Nothing less. He knew how she operated. He knew what she wanted. What she truly wanted. He could offer a different way out for her. A different path. Just like he had once offered to him.

"Are you Ready my Love?" Regina said as she wrapped her arms around his shoulder. She softly placed a kiss on his cheek before travelling down to his neck. Her kisses were always comforting but they weren't enough to distract him from his wondering thoughts.

"Almost." His short answer alarmed Regina and she pulled away only to sit into his lap. Gently turning his face to look at her.

" I love you." Her soft words pulled his heartstrings. With three simple words, she said everything she needed to. The unspoken words behind the 'I Love You' was too much for him to process. Pulling her closer to him he buried his head into the neck. Embracing her tighter. The smell of her made his heart swell and the softness of her skin was like a warm blanket for his damaged soul. He could hear her velvet voice echoing into his ear but he wasn't ready to let go. Regina straddled him now but he still refused to look at her. His face was now buried in the warmth of her breast. Once they left the room he knew nothing would be the same. So this moment was something he was going to treasure. Remembering every curve and beauty mark his love possessed.

Holding her close was enough. For a moment they stayed like this before time demanded they depart. She said his name once again and this time he looked back at her. Knowing that their time had come to an end. Searching her brown eyes Raphael only saw the deep love she had for him. Seeing such love scared him once but with all the shit they had been through he engulfed every ounce of love she had to offer. She was his beacon. His light.

Capturing her lips he savoured them. Remembering how they felt against his own. Nipping at her bottom lip, asking for entry which she so gracefully granted. Tasting her as their tongues clashed together as they battled for dominance. Deeping such a kiss had granted him a couple of deep moans that travelled through him. Hitting the sweet spot of his core. She was his drug, his choice of poison and she knew it. Feeling her rocking herself on his lap made him release a deep moan of his own. Pulling her closer as he released her now swollen lips only to go after her soft neck. Sucking the hot skin until he heard her cries of pleasure. Releasing the skin with pop He watched Regina's hooded eyes pour into his. Filled with nothing but lust.

"We have to go my love." His words left disappointment as she protested. Enjoying the intimate kisses and touches he offered. Wrapping her arms around his shoulders again Regina placed another kiss, biting his bottom lip, teasing him.

As they made themselves presentable Raphael placed the pixie dust into his pocket. Regina was the first to leave the Study, meeting up with others back in the great hall in the castle.

Opening the cabinet doors he reached for two more vials. Placing them into his inner coat pocket. He prayed to the ancestors he wouldn't have to use one of them. What was to come next he wasn't sure all he knew was that the history between him and the Snow Queen had to come to an end.

" So that the plan...A sword through the cold bitch's heart." Zelena said flabbergasted. Everyone at the table had bickered and debated about what needed to be done. Time was ticking and such a situation could be solved with a sword. " Why can't Regina just crush her heart instead if that's the case."

"No, Only steel can break a frozen heart," Regina informed her sister. " But trust me if I could I would do it myself."

" And where did you find this information? Can we trust it will work?" Henry said anxiously. Regina took her son's hand squeezing it to reassure him.

"Raphael found ancient scrolls that spoke about the Snow Queen's type of magic. It's possible to stop her, she can be killed with a blade made of steel blessed by the river of souls." Regina said factually. Placing the ancient scrolls across the table the group observed them.

"Like the blade that unlocked her powers in the first place," Tiana said as she analysed the scrolls.

"So where do we find the blade?" Henry said concerned

"Raphael knows where it is. He's gone to get the blade. He should be black before sundown." Regina said hopefully. Watching her son fall apart in front of her was breaking her heart. Ella had retired to her room completely broken. She hadn't been seen in three days, preferring to be by her son's bedside.

As the group waited patiently for new news. On the other side of the realm, Raphael entered the murky swamp water. In the middle of the bayou. Each realm holds streams that lead to the river of souls and this realm was no different.

Using the Summoning spell the scroll from Antohallan appeared. The incantation on the scroll wasn't long but had to be repeated twice. Taking a deep breath he spoke the words carefully.

"River, reveal the treasures below, Reveal the magic you behold."

Instantly the river began to bubble and swirl. Watching as the water reacted to the spell the sword moved slowly rose from the water. Holding the blade he carefully It didn't take much time before the sword began to glow a bright gold colour before fading back into its original colour.

Pulling the blade from the waters he admired it. Rising the blade to the light he watched how the magical properties shimmered over the blade. It was truly beautiful to witness.

"So really fucking did it."

The voice made every hair on his body spike up. Looking up he was meant with his nightmare. "Sigrid."

"The Shadow-man has finally come to pay for his crimes" Sigrid grinned at the man standing before her. I knew you wouldn't let the girl suffer for your sins but I didn't think you would try and kill me in the process." Looking at the blade she sneered.

"Sigrid! Let Lucy go it's me you really want."

"No!" She barked. As Sigrid moved closer to Raphael he rose the blade. Pointing at her with a warning look.

"Not a step closer." Looking at the woman he watched as she burned with rage. Her eyes piercing into his only show the deep hatred she processes. " It doesn't have to end this way, Sigrid."

The Sigrid laughed at his words, " We both know that's not true." Without another word, she vanished