Chapter 17
Music: Sarah McLachlan
Song: I Will Remember You
Ruby and Regina barged in Dorothy's office, interrupting Dorothy on a call and the mentioned name looked up at them with a perplexing face. Dorothy held up her finger to hold a conversation with Ruby. Regina pretended to look around in the office, and she felt embarrassed. Ruby took a seat in front of Dorothy's desk.
Dorothy hung up on the phone and looked up at them with raised eyebrows. She sent them a look when she wanted to know something. Regina sat down in her gracious way and looked at Ruby. The brunette werewolf handed the photos of the angels and explained.
"Regina had a dream recently. She saw that statue like this one."
"Are you sure?" Dorothy asked Regina. The brunette girl nodded silently. Dorothy took a sigh before delving in paperwork while listening to Ruby's voice.
"Regina saw Emma's parents there. Emma bestowed the statues of angels. Is it a message? Or an ominous?"
"It could be that, but I am not sure. Why do you think that?" Dorothy asked her before glancing at Regina for a moment. Regina retorted with a sigh.
"I saw them. I mean, Emma looked mournful when she was like, I mean, praying. Also, I saw Rumpelstiltskin, too; he appeared when he confronted us. He didn't say anything but gathered Emma in his arms like she was her daughter."
"Rumpelstiltskin? How?" Dorothy said.
"He just appeared like magic. But I feel something that he won't tell us or everyone why he appeared." Regina answered. Ruby pointed her look at her before went concerned. Dorothy fidgeted her hands before delving into a conversation with Regina.
"So, what's your point, Ruby?"
"I think that Emma's parents are not muggles," Ruby explained.
"How?"
"Angels were reaching down to the graves. I remember someone told me that it was part of a devil's penance."
"Devil's penance?" Regina questioned.
"It's like an offering to someone willing to die for them." Dorothy put her two cents with a nod. The brunette werewolf retorted.
"May we ask Rumplestiltskin? Because he was in Regina's dream for a reason."
"Yes, but no. I just got a call from Ella. She informed me that the battle is already there. Rumpelstiltskin and Emma arranged everything to get prepared for the battle. Regina, you will be hiding for this time. You come with me. Ruby, get ready, and they need your help." Dorothy sadly explained. Ruby stood with a nod. Regina looked up at her friend and grabbed her wrist. Ruby looked back at her.
"Please tell Emma that I miss her. Be safe, Ruby."
"I will." Ruby smiled before leaving the office. Dorothy gathered her paperwork in the box and flicked them out of the magic. She tilted her head to get out of the office. Regina followed her and heard Toto following them. Dorothy demanded the monkeys to return with Ruby for the battle. Ruby restored her werewolf form and roared before wandering into the woods. The monkeys roared before flying out from OZ.
Dorothy prepared for their departure. She knew that someone would find a haven immediately. She encouraged Regina to gather her things before escaping the haven. Toto whimpered. Dorothy picked him in her ruck-sack pack and nodded toward the secret door behind the library door. Regina walked with her along until they were on the lower floor. It was a sewer. Dorothy retorted.
"This way. We will be careful. My intel told me that they saw someone coming on this way to here. We have to get out."
"Ok. I trust you."
"Come with me; it is not far from here." Dorothy smiled. They swam through the sewer and found their way out in the dam building. Dorothy flicked her hand to unlock the door and gestured Regina to get in. She closed the door behind her. They continued trekking in the pipes room and climbed up on the ladder. Regina felt afraid. Dorothy took a look around in the hallway. No one was there. She conjured a flashlight and helped Regina out of the hole. They ran faster until they reached the gates.
"We are here," Dorothy told her before blowing air on the gate and became frozen. She pressed it hard to break it and gestured Regina to get in before conjuring a new entrance. She pointed away to the boundary line and whispered.
"We are indifferent place. We just left the OZ. This place is my friend's place. It's called Enchanted Forest."
"Ok, how can we get there to your friend's place?" Regina asked.
"Not far. Come on."
Regina and Dorothy ran on their foot through the woods. It took them a half hour to arrive. The guards stood by the gates. Dorothy took a glance at them before nodding at one of the guards. They recognized her face and nodded. The ladies finally got in and walked for a minute. Dorothy looked around and chuckled.
"What are we doing here? Who are the guards?" The brunette girl went curious before asking Dorothy.
"Those guards are Belle French's. You could say that she is Neal's mother."
"Neal Cassidy, a werewolf?" Regina blurted it out with a surprise.
"Yes, look. We have horses. Do you know how to ride those?" Dorothy asked. Regina nodded. They reached the reins before straddling on those horses and galloped through the open field. It made Regina feel free when riding on a horse. She didn't worry about everything but on the point to Emma. They made it safely to the French castle. Regina took a study on the beautiful castle. It was similar to the Windsor Castle look. The guard bowed them inside and closed the gate. Dorothy tilted her head up and said.
"Is it beautiful?"
"It is breathtaking. How do you know Belle French?"
"We've been friends for a long time. I let you know that she is getting married to Ruby Lucas, our werewolf." Dorothy sent her a grin before getting off from the saddle. Regina raised her eyebrows before getting off. The guard came to get the horses and strolled to the barn. Dorothy smiled when Belle came out of the front door.
"Welcome, Dorothy!"
Regina heard her before meeting Belle formally. She was surprised that Belle looks younger. Dorothy and Belle hugged each other before conversing with good grace. Regina didn't know that Belle looks younger but retorted.
"Hello."
"Oh, I apologize. Dorothy, you are supposed to introduce your new friend. My name is Belle French. Come in and have a drink."
Dorothy gestured them to the entrance of the grand foyer. Regina took a look in the castle and walked with them along until they reached the grand hall. The guards were in their position when they came in. Belle encouraged them to sit down and waved to the servant to fetch them some tea.
"Belle, here is Regina Mills. You know, Henry Mills. It's his daughter."
"I haven't yet heard from the infamous hybrid-wolf, Henry Mills. The last time I heard from him was the wedding."
"Wedding?" Regina asked.
"Of course, the marriage to Cora," Belle replied. Dorothy slowly turned her head to see Regina's reaction before asking another question.
"Do you know that the battle is there?"
"Yes, Dorothy. I know. Neal sent me a message not a while ago. I sent my army to help them out. It's a devastating time. I hope Emma is preparing very well."
"Belle, I do have some questions." Regina blurted it out before saving her embarrassment. Dorothy snickered. Belle smiled before sipping her tea.
"Sure. Before you continue, you have my grace to stay here for a while. Neal informed me that you are to be hidden. With my understandings, it would be dangerous if you stay there."
"Yes, it is correct. But I am afraid that Emma is in this worse situation. I mean, everything turns out in a big war." Dorothy explained with a sad look. Regina sighed before asking her a question.
"How do you know my father?"
"Henry and I are acquaintances before he was taken away."
"How does my father turn into a hybrid-wolf, as they told me?" Regina softened her question before looking up at Belle. Dorothy sipped her tea before glancing at her friend.
"Did he tell you?" Belle retorted with her curiosity. Regina sadly smiled with a shake of nod.
"No. He didn't have a chance to tell me. But I know that he is like us. Supernatural. I am told that I am a half-witch."
"Powerful one," Dorothy replied.
"I think he should tell you. I believe that he has stories to tell you."
"Last question, how come that you are Neal's mother?" Dorothy chuckled at Regina's question. Belle sent her a scornful look before replying to that question. Regina was confused at Dorothy's chuckle before glanced at her.
"I had him in my womb when I was with Rumpelstiltskin in a brief time."
"You were with him when you were pregnant?" Dorothy replied before blinking her eyes for a moment.
"Yes. But he is not a father of Neal. I was raped." Belle told them before getting up.
"I think it is time to get some nap." Dorothy quirked up with a smile, so she didn't want Belle to feel sad when it happened. Regina looked at her and nodded. Belle was relieved that Dorothy intervened. She guided them to the rooms. Regina found herself in a large bedroom with a bathroom included. Dorothy nodded at her before leaving. Belle walked in and waited.
"How do you like it here?"
"It's nice. I mean, luxurious."
"Well, I renovated here with my friends. Well, I am sure that you heard a tale about Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." Belle grinned. Regina furrowed her brows with a chuckle.
"Yes, I do."
"The Seven Dwarfs built my place as I was pregnant with Neal. So, another time to tell you a story. I better let you get some sleep. Please let me know if you need anything, just tell a guard outside by your doors. They will deliver a message."
"Thank you for your generosity, Belle."
"Good night, Regina." Belle closed the doors. Regina sighed and laid down on the duvet bed, and closed her eyes.
Regina took herself to wake up and slowly looked around herself. It was the cemetery. She got up and swept on her black wrap dress. Regina felt the cold air blowing on her, and she took her time to walk through the tombstones. The cloud has begun to darken, and the wind got less.
Her eyes searched the figure of Emma. Regina knew that she was in the dream, and she was sure that Emma was somewhere. The crows cawed to get Regina's attention, and she looked up at the tree branches above her head. The first verse came into the wind, and Regina heard it immediately when she turned around to see Emma standing by the tombstones.
I will remember you, will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories
Remember the good times that we had?
I let them slip away from us when things got bad
How clearly I first saw you smilin' in the sun
Want to feel your warmth upon me
I want to be the one
Regina slowly walked upon reaching Emma by the tombstones. She looked down at the writings on the stone. It was Emma's parents. Regina felt sad and waited. The crows cawed. Regina looked at the blonde and saw the cloud forming the memories of Emma's. The first one was the laughter between the trio in the park. Elizabeth was tickling Emma on the ground. Chad was filming the camera on the ladies. The second verse came into Emma's voice.
I will remember you, will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories
The second cloud was the Christmas time. Emma was excited to open the big present. Chad encouraged her to open the gift, which was in the center of the living room. Emma grinned when she tore the wrapping paper. It was a new bicycle. Her face showed a sincere expression as she jumped up and down. Elizabeth laughed as she filmed her daughter opening her present. Emma sang the third verse as she squatted down on the grass.
I'm so tired but I can't sleep
Standin' on the edge of something much too deep
It's funny how we feel so much, but we cannot say a word
We are screaming inside, but we can't be heard
Regina crouched beside her and looked at the tombstone that Emma's father buried. The crows fled away as they cawed. The clouds darkened and began to rain. Regina looked up at the sky and waited. The cloud formed the third memory as the fourth verse came out. It was Emma making a birthday cake for her father as Elizabeth gave her some instructions.
I will remember you, will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories
Emma took her time to clean on her mother's burial ground. Regina watched her crying over her parents' burials. The flowers wilted as the dirt-smeared through the grass. Regina felt heartbroken for Emma as she waited to listen to the fifth verse from Emma's singing voice. The rain continuously poured on them.
So afraid to love you
But more afraid to lose
Clinging to a past that doesn't let me choose
Once there was a darkness
Deep and endless night
You gave me everything you had, oh you gave me life
Regina felt herself pulling away from Emma. They stood by the tombstones. Emma looked up at the sky and kept crying. The rain gushed on them. Emma slowly looked at Regina and charged with the sixth verse as they pulled themselves away from each other. Regina tried to reach her, but she didn't.
I will remember you, will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories
Emma faded away as she cried for the last verse. The clouds went black, and the tree ignited up with the fire to burn it out. The tombstones cracked. Regina fought herself to reach Emma, but it was strong to pull her away from the place. It shook her up as the last verse sang out for the last time.
I will remember you, will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories
Weep not for the memories
Regina closed her eyes as she fell into a wormhole. All she heard was Emma's voice that echoed through the wormhole. Her dream blinked in a dark moment as the memories flashed out with Regina's memories with her parents when she was a little girl. It started up when she opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling. Regina sat up and took her surroundings carefully until she realized that she was in her room.
Her breathing started with a panic attack, but it halted every second as she breathed slowly. Regina was worried about Emma and wanted a hug from her. Her thoughts went to her mother, who usually despised her in her whole life. She found out that her mother was much alive but didn't know why Cora wanted her.
The last thing was that Regina knew… Regina wanted Emma to be safe with her. That's all she wanted.
It is now beginning.