In the enchanted forest, Snow and Charming had arrived at Ella and Price Thomas's celebration for their wedding. They had all met at a ball some time ago and Snow and Charming had gotten invited to the celebration. They were doing their royal duties. They were waiting for Ella and Prince Thomas to come down to the celebration. "I'm so happy for them" Snow said turning to Charming. "I know. They both deserve to be happy just like us" Charming said smiling and kissing his wife's hand. "Are you two sure I should be here? I don't want to ruin their day by being here. I'm not exactly popular around here" Maleficent said. Charming turned to his mother and smiled at her. "Yes they said it was fine just as long as you don't curse anyone or anything" Charming said. "Of course I won't. I don't do that anymore" Maleficent said. Snow smiled at her. "We know you don't. That's why it's good for you to be here. It's a chance to get out of that dark castle you are in all by yourself" Snow said.
Ella and Thomas started walking down to the celebration. Snow and Charming linked arms and started walking over. Everyone started clapping and they did the same. Snow and Ella smiled at each other. "I'm so happy you could come" Ella said hugging Snow. "You look beautiful" Snow said as she hugged her back. "This is a beautiful celebration" Maleficent said from behind them. They all looked at her. Thomas pulled Ella to him protectively. They knew she was coming because David had told them she was but seeing her there was still a shock. "My mother's not going to hurt anyone. She's just here because she wants to congratulate you two" Charming said. Maleficent nodded her head. Ella walked over to her. "Well if David says you can be trusted than I trust you. Welcome" Ella said hugging her. Maleficent looked at her in surprise while Charming just smiled at his mother. She was finally getting out into the world more now which made Charming happy.
30 minutes later everyone was dancing and having a good time. Even Maleficent had met some people who she was having a good time with. Charming kept his eyes on her though. There was one man who she had been hanging around with who seemed to be flirting and checking her out. Charming just stared a cold and dangerous stare at the man. "Dance with me" Snow said walking up to him. Charming looked at Snow and shook his head. "I will in a second I just have to make sure that man over there doesn't have a death wish" Charming said. Snow rolled her eyes. Maleficent was out and having fun which was the whole goal in bringing her with them. The man touched Maleficent's arm in a way Charming didn't like and he saw red. He started to march over there until Snow pulled him back. "Let her have her fun. Dance with me" she said pulling him to the dance floor. Charming sighed. "I'm sorry Snow. It's just that with how my father used to treat her I'm very protective over her" Charming said.
"Your mother is having fun and mingling with people. They're not scared of her and are even accepting her. Don't ruin that for her" Snow said. Charming gave one last look back at his mother and saw that she looked happier than he had seen her in a while. He looked back at Snow and smiled. "Your right Snow but if her and death wish over there get married I'm not calling him dad" Charming said Snow laughed at his joke and continued to dance with him. Charming and Snow danced together and ended up near Ella. Charming walked over to her while Snow danced with someone else. Charming smiled at Ella as he started dancing with her. "Congratulations, Ella. You two are gonna be very happy" Charming said. "Why thank you, David" Ella said as Charming moved onto another partner. Ella and Thomas started dancing with each other. Snow was dancing with someone else and smiled over at Ella. "Ella, dear" Snow said walking over and pulling her away from Thomas. "Sorry" Snow said to Thomas.
"This is truly a night for celebration" Snow said as she and Ella danced together. "Do you realize what an inspiration you are to everyone" Snow asked. "All I did was get married" Ella said as they continued dancing together. "All you did was show that anyone can change her life. I'm proud of you" Snow said. "So am I" a voice said from behind Ella. Her and Snow turned around and looked at the source of the voice. Snow gasped in shock and Ella smiled. James and Regina stood there arms interlocked smiling at Ella. "James, Regina I'm so happy you guys could make it" Regina said giving them both a hug. "We wouldn't miss this for the world" James said. "Yea we're sorry we're late but we had an urgent matter to deal with in our castle" Regina said. "That's OK I'm just glad you guys are finally here" Ella said. "James, Regina stay away from her" Charming said coming over and standing in front of Ella. James rolled his eyes. "Great now the party pooper is here" James said.
"David what are you doing? James and Regina are my friends" Ella said. Charming looked at her in shock. "You know them" Charming asked confused. Ella looked at him confused. "Of course I do. I met James outside my stepmothers house that night don't you remember" she asked. Charming shook his head. "No I don't" he said. "James, Regina it's good to see you two" Thomas came over and hugged them. "You know them too" Snow said in shock. Thomas nodded his head. "Of course I do. The kingdom trades with them all the time. Their good friends" he said. Before Charming or Snow could react Maleficent walked up to them. "James, Regina you guys are here" she said happily. "Mom it's so good to see you" James said as he hugged her. Maleficent also hugged Regina. "It's great that you guys are here. We're so happy to see you guys" she said looking at Charming expectantly. "Oh yea we're absolutely jumping for joy" Charming said sarcastically. Maleficent glared at Charming and he felt five years old.
Charming watched as James and Regina chatted with a bunch of different people. They hadn't done anything yet but Charming knew better than to underestimate them. James walked over to a table with some wine. He poured two glasses and then poured the potion Rumple had given him the other night into both of them and mixed it around. "What are you really doing here" Charming asked from behind James. James turned around and smiled at his twin. "Can't a friend support another friend who just got married" James asked. Charming shook his head. "Your not a friend to them. I don't know what your planning but I won't let you hurt them" Charming said. James rolled his eyes. "You're always so paranoid. Me and Regina were invited and we decided we should show up for Ella and Thomas" James said. Charming knew James was lying but couldn't prove it and he was friends with Ella and Thomas so he couldn't actually accuse James of anything.
"Come on David. Why can't you believe that me and Regina don't have anything nefarious going on right now" James asked. "Let's see you've threatened to kill me and my wife many times, said you wouldn't rest until we were destroyed and you crashed our wedding to tell us that your going to destroy us" Charming said. James shook his head. "That is all in the past" James said patting Charming on the shoulder. "Our wedding was last month" Charming said. "Like I said that's all in the past" James said. He picked up the two glasses of wine and handed one to Charming. "Truce" James said. Charming looked at his brother surprised. "What" he asked. "I want to make a truce. Just for tonight of course. This is Ella and Thomas's big night and I don't think it's appropriate for us to ruin it" James said. Charming just stared at James. "What did Ella mean" Charming asked. Now James looked at Charming in confusion. "What did she mean about what" James asked.
"She said I was there when you two met but I don't remember that. What did you do to me" Charming asked. James shook his head. "I didn't do anything. She's just confused" James lied. Charming looked at him trying to tell if he was lying. He wanted to believe James but their past taught him not to. "Do you accept the truce or not" James asked still holding out the glass of wine. Charming looked at the glass debating whether or not to take it. He didn't know if James had poisoned the wine or something. James rolled his eyes again. "Oh for crying out loud" James said knowing what his brother was thinking. He took a sip from both glasses. He swallowed and looked at Charming. "I didn't do anything to the wine. All I want is a truce" James said. James didn't drop dead so Charming figured it was OK. Charming took the glass from his brother. "Truce" Charming said holding out his glass. "Truce" James said clinking his glass with Charming's. James watched as his brother drank the wine.
Maleficent walked up to them and hugged them. "My two babies are getting along" she said. "Mom were adults now. Were not babies anymore" James said. Maleficent shook her head. "You two will always be my babies" she said. She broke the hug and smiled at her two sons. "So you guys are friends again" she asked hopefully. "I wouldn't go that far" James said. "We made a truce" Charming said. "Only for tonight. After tonight we go back to hating each other" James said. Maleficent shook her head. "I really wish you guys would put this whole thing behind you" she said. James ignored what his mother said. "So mom me and Regina were talking and we feel that you should come stay with us" James said. Maleficent went to answer but Charming answered instead. "She's staying with me and Snow right now" he said. James laughed. "Really? You're staying in that dinky thing with them" James laughed taking another sip of wine. Charming was fuming. So much for that truce.
"Our castle is just fine" Charming said. James scoffed. "Yea if you like that kind of castle" he said. "What's that supposed to mean" Charming asked trying his best to keep his anger in check. James shrugged his shoulders. "It's a little too bright and colorful for my taste" James said. "Well at least it isn't too dark and gloomy. You have a graveyard in your backyard" Charming said. James smiled. "I know it's great isn't it. Anyway mom when you get tired of all the bright happy things just let me know. We have a room all ready for you" James said. "That sounds nice. Is Regina's father still living with you guys" Maleficent asked. "Yes and he can't wait for you to come visit again" James said. "That would be lovely. He's a good man" she said. "Yea he's a good father too unlike that monster we called a father" James said. That was the one thing him and Charming agreed on. Their father was a monster and they both hated him. "Well none of us have to worry about him anymore" Maleficent said.
"So James why don't you do the pleasure of giving me a dance? David already did and I would like to dance with my other son" Maleficent said. James smiled at her. "Of course I will. I'll be right there" James said. Maleficent walked away. "I'm going to find Snow" Charming said finishing his wine and starting to walk away. "Congratulations by the way" James said. Charming turned around. "For what" he asked. James smiled a big smile at him. "Your going to be a father" James said. That shocked Charming to his core. He dropped the wine glass and it shattered. How did James find out? They hadn't told anyone yet. "How did you find out" Charming asked. James drank the rest of his wine and placed the glass on the table. "Let's just say I have my ways. That's really exciting I can't wait to meet my niece or nephew" James said walking away. Charming grabbed his arm and stopped him. "If you do anything to harm Snow or my child I will make you pay" Charming said.
"Don't worry about me. That baby has you as a father. That's punishment enough" James said pulling his arm out of Charming's grasp and walking over to where his mother was waiting for him. James danced with Maleficent. "I'm so happy you and Regina decided to come" she said. James smiled at his mother. "Of course we came. Ella and Thomas are our friends" he said. "I'm also happy you and David were able to make up even if it is just for tonight" she said. "Well tonight's not about us. It's about Ella and Thomas" James said. "I really wish it wasn't just for tonight though. You and David used to be so close" Maleficent said. "That was a long time ago mom" James said. "Do you think you guys could ever truly become friends again" Maleficent asked. James shook his head. "I can never forgive him for what he did" James said. "He was manipulated by your father and you know how he is. Please just consider forgiving him" Maleficent said. James was about to answer when he saw Ella by herself looking upset.
He knew why she was upset. "James are you listening to me" Maleficent asked her son snapping him out of his thoughts. "I have to go mom" James said walking away. Maleficent grabbed his hand and stopped him. "James where are you going" she asked. "I have business to take care of" James said trying to walk away again but Maleficent pulled him back. "What about what we were talking about" she asked him. Now James was angry. She would just never drop the whole idea of him forgiving David. "A word of advice mom. Stop making excuses for David. He's an adult and he knew what he was doing. I meant what I said at his wedding. I'm going to destroy him and if you stand in my way I'll have no choice but to destroy you to" James said pulling his hand away from his mother and walking over to Ella. "Is everything alright" he asked her. Ella jumped back in surprise but smiled when she saw James. "James how are you enjoying the party" Ella asked.
"I would prefer better company but your hospitality has been amazing me and Regina are very happy" James said. Ella smiled at him. "I'm glad now if you'll excuse me" she said walking away. James grabbed her arm stopping her. "Everyone else got to have a dance with the lucky bride. I think it's my turn" James said. Ella stood there for a moment but then put on a fake smile and started dancing with James. "You really impressed me" James said. "Really" Ella asked. James nodded his head. "When me and Rumplestilskin gave you our little magical boost I didn't think you would be able to pull it off. Pretending to be a princess, meeting the prince and marrying him. It's ridiculous if you think about it" James said. "What're you talking about" Ella asked not really liking the way James was talking to her. James shrugged. "It's just you seem happy. Now that you got what you want you need to uphold your end of the bargain. I would hate for all you to lose your true love, riches and your happy ending. Did you get everything you desired" James asked.
"Yes, I did, now what do you want? What's your price" Ella asked James. "Just a small favor and then I will leave you alone forever. What I want is something only you can get for me" James answered. "What is it" Ella asked. "The jewel of Amara. It is in this kingdom and I need you to get it for me" James said. "Why can't you get it yourself" Ella asked. "It is enchanted. Only members of this royal family can get it and seeing as how your now married to Thomas that includes you" James said. Ella moved out of James's arms. "I won't steal from my family" Ella said walking away. "I can protect your baby from Rumplestilskin" James called out. Ella stopped walking and turned around. "How do you know that's what he wants" Ella asked. James smiled sinisterly. "It was apart of the contract you signed. Always read the fine print" James said. Ella thought for a moment. "What do I have to do" she asked. "Just get the jewel, come meet me in the woods outside of this castle, give it to me and you'll be free" James said.
"How will I know when and where to meet you" Ella asked. "There is a well in the woods meet me there and you have 3 days. Don't be late. I'm not a very patient man" James said. "How will I give it to you? If it's enchanted for only the family to touch it how will you be bale to touch it" Ella asked. "If someone from the family gives it to someone outside of the family then the curse won't affect them. Don't disappoint me. If you want to keep all of this make sure I get the jewel" James said. He started to walk away to find Regina. "Enjoy the rest of your party. I know I will" James said as he walked away. Ella didn't know what to do. Two very powerful and scary men wanted something from her and if she didn't give it to them she could lose everything. David was right about his brother. He was evil. She should have listened to him. She knew that whatever she decided to do it would affect the rest of her life. She just didn't know if it would be in a negative or positive way.