To hear his wife speak of magic, curses, and charms with the ease of one of the cooks talking of porridge in the kitchen was not something that Robin could ever fully accept and understand. He watched as she, still exuding the regal confidence that most would label as something worse, spoke with Elsa about the ingredients that still had to be gathered. Though she was clearly still addled from the past few days of having magic and then losing it again with the cuffs that she wore beneath her sleeves, he noted that her voice was laced with strength and even hints of frustration rather than softness.

"Wouldn't it be easier if you were to go?" Elsa asked, her brow furrowed as she stared at the parchment list. "I have never been one to cook spells and whatnot. I'm more of a…"

"Yes, I'm aware of your abilities. And if children and adults didn't still cower at the sight of the former Evil Queen, it would make sense for me to go." Regina drew a long finger down the table where they were currently storing all the documents and texts that might help them in their quest to reach the foursome still trapped in the Endless Forest. Its infinite boundaries would be too much to conquer without magical intervention. And without sacrificing others, reaching one of the four through a dream state would be the best of bets.

"I think we have bigger concerns than who is about to do the shopping," Grumpy said, living up to his name. The dwarfs had chosen him to represent them all in the conversations with Snow and the others. His short form not overlooked at the table, he was most concerned at the idea of surrendering their queen in a plan that was concocted by their former enemy. "Who exactly will be left in charge if Snow is unable to awaken from this curse?"

Snow's gentle and hopeful tone was out voiced by Regina who showed disdain without filter on her face. "I've already told you that this is not a curse. I am simply trying to give her something to prolong and deepen her sleep so that she might enter the dream realm without worrying about waking from it. As well, I am going to give her a few herbs that will aid in her navigation through that realm to reach Charming. It's all very safe and simple. She'll be awake again by morning with no ill effects."

The dwarf grumbled that he hoped that she would still have a kingdom when she woke, still not feeling all that comfortable with trusting a woman they had fought for years.

"I wouldn't risk the kingdom," Snow told him gently. "But it makes sense that I do this. I have been through a sleeping curse, which leaves me uniquely qualified if these books and whatnot are right. I should be able to better understand the navigation." She twisted the emerald ring on her finger, wishing that it truly did work as her husband's mother had claimed – leading to her true love. But it seemed to only do that at the bloom of love not throughout it. "I am so scared for them. I must do something to bring them home."

Regina scoffed at the teary eyed stepdaughter who had once believed her to be the answer to a prayer. "I doubt many of them are suffering. That wolf is probably appreciating her time in the forest, as is the huntsman. And the pirate might not be on the sea, but I doubt he is complaining at your daughter's side. I imagine he would walk through fire if she only asked him."

It was Elsa who had the good sense to get the conversation back on track, asking about the availability of items. "I have never really shopped," she admitted. As most royals did, she had people bring things to her, tailors, designers, bakers, craftsmen, and more. "Won't…"

"I will do the shopping," Granny interrupted, her hands trembling a bit with age and perhaps adrenaline. "You are going to make sure that the ingredients are authentic and possess the magic that you will need to concoct this thing."

***AAA***

Emma felt the last of her emotional strength fade and melt into a puddle of screaming tears as she ran toward the crumpled form of her father there on the forest floor. His limbs were twisted and wounds both deep and superficial marred his flesh. She sank next to him, what was left of the beauty of her gown staining with mud and muck.

Even Killian was silent as she let her green eyes rove over him with only Ruby saying anything. No one was even sure if Emma heard her godmother's explanation as to why he was in such a state. However, the dark haired beauty knew she needed to tell her friend's only daughter the truth.

"He thought he saw something," Ruby stammered, reaching fruitlessly for Emma's trembling hand. "The branch broke." Graham pointed to it as though it might deserve punishment for its treason, eying it suspiciously. "We couldn't get to him in time. Emma, I tried."

"It was an accident," Emma said softly, her fingers running over a patch of skin that remained as she remembered. "He wouldn't have wanted…"

"He's alive," Red clarified. "But the injuries are severe and without a surgeon…I was thinking perhaps you could heal him. I know you did so with Hook there."

Sheepishly Ruby stared at the spot that had been blemished with an angry red cut that Emma had healed easily. However, the Princess's lack of confidence shown in her tear filled eyes and her head waved back and forth with growing ferocity. "I'm not strong enough. What if…What if I hurt him? It could kill him."

"Doing nothing will kill him," Graham said, holding his hand atop Red's shoulder. "Princess, I know this is not normal circumstances, but if you don't try it will surely be the last moments for your father."

"You are special, love," Killian added, his own hand hovering near her back. "Your powers are enough to make the bloody Dark One cower. You can do this. You can save your father."

Lacing her fingers together and bringing her hands up toward her mouth, she looked at the bloodied and mangled form of her father before her. She could hear his voice in her head, telling her of adventures and magic from long ago. He had always spoken of Lake Nostos and other places that she imagined in her youth, places that could heal and protect, find lost people and objects. He believed in those things. He believed in her. Yes, he'd had fears of her magic, not wanting her to be different or as Hook said, special. He wanted her to have a normal life with a husband and children. When she had run away she had destroyed the connection between them

"I'll try," she said, dipping her head in what might have been a moment of contemplative prayer or mediation before extending her hands with palms down and fingers splayed. At first there was no visible reaction, merely a trembling that she felt from within. Graham and Red averted their eyes from hers, hoping to give her the privacy that would build confidence as if that would help. But Killian kept his blue eyes trained on her hands, encouraging her softly as the light stuttered and then shown from her fingers.

Her lashes created shadows on her damp cheeks as she moved her hands just inches over her father's sleeping form. The glow ebbed and flowed dramatically and her body shook with the effort. Marred skin was healed and abrasions disappeared under the magic that flowed out of her.

Graham gasped at the sight, blinking to reassure himself it was not an illusion. Emma tried to concentrate on her father, but she could hear Killian's words to spur on her continued tirade of magic, including calling her bloody brilliant and magnificent. Her hands stopped at the top of her father's head, the magic not trickling but abruptly stuttering to a conclusion. And while he looked to be simply napping on the damp forest floor, his injuries no longer visible, his eyes remained shut to the world.

Emma teetered sideways, collapsing against the pirate with an exhaustion that seemed to overtake her. He did not flinch at the addition of her weight against him, embracing her and whispering his admiration and comfort as she sobbed uncontrollably either from fear, relief, or a mixture of the two.

***AAA***

Belle's shoes wore the dusty remnants of another visit to the dungeon chamber that held the Dark One, something Regina and Snow immediately discerned as the woman entered the family quarters. Her expression pained as she curtsied to both women, Belle folded one hand over the other and breathed in shakily as she waited for acknowledgement.

"Whatever it is just say it," Regina instructed, ignoring the pointed look from the reigning queen.

"I believe I can get him to help us find your family, Queen Snow," she began, taking a single step closer to the two. "My father spoke of the Dark One's ability to see into the future as well as into the minds of people. Perhaps this would useful?"

"We need to know where they are located not what the weather will be tomorrow," Regina scoffed, turning her attention back to the map of the kingdom that had long been used for defensive meetings. "Unless he's willing to provide that information, I don't see any reason to continue visiting the imp."

Snow's reaction was much more subdue, one side of her mouth lifting in understanding. "It's a nice idea, Belle, but I don't think we or at least I can bring myself to trust him. No, it's better to exhaust our other means." She looked about the sitting room and its ornate furniture and fabrics. "I'm so sorry, Belle. I know that you must hope that he can…"

"I hope to be of help to you," Belle said weakly. "I only want to help you return your family and the others."

They took time to speak of books where the infinite forest was mentioned, finding no record detailing of anyone other than King David who had escaped its endless maze. He had help, Snow explained to the waifish woman. Rumpelstiltskin had enchanted a ring to guide him to her. She told the story as if talking of someone else, some other couple's love. Maybe that was a help, she told herself. Maybe she could make things more bearable if she pretend it was someone else. However, the tears on her cheeks and on Belle's told her that she failed at that. And for a moment she caught a glimmering reflection on Regina's too. Snow wiped at her cheeks and excused herself, disappearing behind the curtained off dressing area.

"You don't trust me, do you?" Regina asked the other woman.

"You attempted to kidnap and hold me away from Rumple and from my family. Forgive me for not trusting that you have changed your heart as well as your behavior."

Regina sat regally on the chair, her pinched face giving no satisfaction to the biting words. "I suppose I deserve that lack of trust, but I must ask. I must ask what it is that he has done that has makes him more redeemable in your eyes. For all the evil things I have done will never be a fraction of his deeds."

"He is cursed," Belle said, drawing the taupe cape about her tighter. "You chose everything you did. You chose to be evil because you couldn't get the life you wanted. There is a difference."

"I'm not here to defend myself, but I will say that he is hardly as innocent as he would have you believe, Belle. He chose to take on that curse the same was you chose that frock you are wearing today. And he has chosen to keep those powers even after…even after it cost him his family. You can deny that all you wish, but he's no hero."

***AAA***

Elsa tugged at the oversized brown gloves that Granny had handed her during their walk from the stables toward town. The very process of walking and not taking a gilded carriage is foreign enough, but Granny threw a near fit at the realization that the Queen of Arendelle's hands were without callous or scar.

"Those aren't the hands of a kitchen maid or cook," Granny announced, throwing her own shawl down in resigned disgust. "No one will believe us."

Elsa looked down at her hands, wondering why she was so ashamed of their lack of character in that moment. She had replaced her normal finery with a dull tan dress that had been patched and altered a number of times. Delicate slippers were now laced boots and jewelry was removed. Even her glinting white gold hair was dulled and plaited beneath and brown and blue hood that had the singe marks of its previous owner's penchant for standing too close to the fire in the winter.

Giving a warning look to the Queen of the northern kingdom, the older woman stopped cold and drew in a breath. "Well, those will have to do," she said. "Remember, no formal talk. No magic. And absolutely none of this." The woman gave her best impression of flitting about aimlessly, lifting the edge of her skirts as though traipsing along a path with nary a worry in the world.

"I know what to do, Mrs. Lucas," Elsa said defensively, leaving out how she never flitted about that way.

"Granny. Everyone calls me Granny. If this is to work, you're a girl working with me not my superior and certainly not a queen. You call me Granny."

"Yes, Granny," Elsa said, the familiar type name sounding strange. She had never known her own grandparents and never felt the affectionate name had meaning to her. It certainly wasn't a name she expected to use on the discerning woman with narrow eyes that glared at her over spectacles. "I think I'm ready."

Maybe if she had sounded more sure Granny would have talked about the weather or even crops as they made their way to town in a wagon that had none of the features fit for royalty. Instead Granny made her practice her posture and her words, correcting the preciseness of her enunciation and filling in with slang and naturalness that were anything but to the Queen. By the time they reached the apothecary, she was no longer worried. Frustrated? Yes, but she did not seem to notice that people ignored her as they crossed the busy street and dodged the horses and pedestrians. She did not cringe when men leered at her or the way the assistant tried to undress her with his eyes.

When she noted that the ingredients were right in line with those prescribed by Regina, Granny tossed a few coppers in the direction of the proprietor. He must have been impressed, as he wrapped their purchases carefully and even offered to have his assistant bring their cart round for them.

"That stuff," Granny said, her hands loosely holding the reigns that the two bay horses pulled at in the direction of the palace, "it'll put Snow to sleep."

"Poppies have that property," Elsa said, her fingers circling the muslin pack of different herbs and ingredients. "Whistle root is to help her navigate the dream world. And the dried leaves of the odder stem will keep her alert in that state."

"I thought you never cast spells like that," the older woman said accusingly, guiding the horses around the long way. Just in case anyone was watching the two mismatched shoppers, Granny hoped to send them in another direction by taking an indirect route to the palace. "You seem in tune with these ingredients."

"My parents never encouraged magic, but they were versed in herbs and the like. Whenever my sister or I were ill as children, my father would blend up some sort of tea with herbs that had healing properties. I suppose I picked up a bit of that, as well as reading over the past few days. The former Queen Regina doesn't dabble much in the more natural arts, but she does have a bit of that information." Elsa blinked against the spring sun that seemed to warm the kingdom beyond its needs. While she had heard the dangers of the infinite forest, she wondered if Emma and the others could see that same sun, feel its warmth, and follow its path. Somehow she doubted it, as the images in her mind of the place they were trapped included a thick umbrella of foliage and winding trails that doubled back on themselves.

"And this concoction will be safe for Snow?" Granny pressed. "I don't mean to subscribe to conspiracy theories like Grumpy or the rest, but trusting Regina is beyond many of us. It wouldn't be unheard of her to try to kill our Queen with poison. And while she is cuffed again and unable to perform magic, she could…"

"Use me to do her bidding," Elsa concluded, her defined features crumbling as she considered that. "I hope that you don't think I would ever willingly…"

"I don't trust easily, nor do I have the fine education that many may have had over their years. But I assure you that I do watch over Snow and her family very carefully. And I do hope that you know what you are doing, your majesty." Granny tightened her hands on the reigns. "Now let's get these ingredients back so we can get them back home."

***AAA***

It was not the richest or brightest stew she had ever tasted, as the meat was quite gamey and the herbs and roots not as good of quality. Yet the taste of something that had been simmering over the fire tasted good on her tongue as he carefully spooned it into her mouth. She felt a heaviness about her that was not usual, but at least she was blinking, breathing, and speaking again.

"I'm capable of feeding myself," she said, hazarding a glance toward where her father still lay sleeping on the floor of the forest. Red had fashioned him a bed with one of the blankets over leaves and brush that Killian had cut for just that purpose. Hardly the mattresses of the palace, but it was serviceable. Another of the blankets covered him. "Is he?"

"Sleeping," Killian answered her, dipping the wooden spoon back into the weak broth. "His color appears good, as does his breathing. I suppose we just wait."

"Did I…" She cleared her throat, looking at her hands and then back at her father. "Did I do any good at all?"

"You helped him, love. It was quite lovely to see that light and feel the warmth of your magic. There's nary a scratch on him now. I simply think he is sleeping to let his body catch up to the repairs. You were brilliant, my love, simply brilliant." He tipped the spoon toward her parted lips, smiling encouragingly as she sipped. "I'm afraid it exhausted you though. You have slept for nearly as long as your father. Red has worried about you. Though she is not yet back to check on you. She and the huntsman have gone in search for grazing areas for the horses. Should be back soon though."

She swallowed. "And you? Did you worry about me?"

"I find myself in a constant state of wonder with you. While I cannot name it as worry, you are never far from my thoughts." Kneeling, he rocked backwards and craned his neck back to look at the coverage of the branches that blocked out much of the sky.

"You miss it, don't you?"

"You will have to be more specific." He let her remove the spoon from his hand and allowed her to feed herself. She was clearly feeling stronger after the nap though her hand shook with the effort of it.

"Being at sea?" She glanced upwards. "This place is so very claustrophobic. It feels as if it is all caving in on us." She did not lift the spoon again, letting it rest in the broth.

"Are you asking that out of concern for me or to have me declare my feelings for you are stronger than they are for my ship and crew?" The right corner of his mouth rose in a subtle smirk. "I do miss the night sky, which is substantially more beautiful on sea than on land. But I don't miss the endless days of searching and the longing that I had developed for you. And while I don't know that I fully recognize my life without a quest for revenge, I assure you, my love, that I have no regrets." He looked to the bowl. "Now eat up. We can't have you falling ill."

She didn't feel all that weak, though an argument could be made. So she shifted, looking skyward herself. "I'm not that hungry."

He didn't argue with her. Setting aside the bowl, he moved to her side, resting his arms on his bent legs. "I have been thinking…"

She wavered a bit, even in her sitting position feeling the heaviness of her body and the pull of needed rest. There was no way that he didn't notice, pulling her toward him and pushing aside whatever thoughts he might have had to tell her. "This won't do at all," he said, adding a bit of mirth to his voice. "We can't have the princess so outside herself that she might crumple and fall in the slightest breeze. Come now. You can use this old pirate as a pillow if you like."

"You were going to say something?"

"Perhaps I was just going to tell you some tale of life on the seas, of some realm that sounds so much better than the place we find ourselves now. Or perhaps it was just some boring drabble that was meant to put you to sleep." He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "I can't quite remember."

"Because you are so old?" That made both of them chuckle.

"Aye, you will be taking on quite a task with me if we are to make our lives together, Princess. You'll be reminding me of where I left things and massaging my aching muscles."

"Doesn't sound like too bad of a fate to me."

***AAA***

The royal bedroom rarely saw so much traffic, save the royal couple and their attendants. However, it was quite full of people that late afternoon. Johanna had the three boys playing a short distance away, but all other visitors crowded into the normally cavernous room.

"You don't have to do this," Regina said as Elsa and Granny brewed the tea for Snow over the fire. "You are more than capable of ruling this kingdom and raising your son to do the same. No one would blame you if you were to look out for the people rather than plan some rescue mission."

"That's what you want," Grumpy said in that gruff way he had, folding the blanket that was made from patches of Emma's dresses that she had worn as a child. "Isn't it? If she leaves the King and Emma there in that forest to die, you get to keep that boy. You keep Emma's son."

"Grumpy, please," Mary Margaret said, situating herself on the bed that she usually shared with her husband. Fluffy pillows surrounded her, as did the velvety blankets that were fit for royalty. It was quite different than her days as a bandit, sleeping on branches and leaves, the ground her only comfort as she caught naps between runs and missions. "Regina is only warning me of my options. And while this may seem to some a very selfish task, I'm ready to accept that. I need to know that I am doing all I can to return those four home."

Robin, from his spot by the door, nodded in agreement. "I dare say not a one of the kingdom's residents would argue with you. The dwarves and I will join with the guards to watch over the castle while you slumber, milady. No enemy shall cross the borders."

"Thank you, Robin," Snow said, folding her hands in her lap. "And none of you should worry. I'm simply taking a nap. This is not a curse."

"Of course not," Regina spat. "Alright. Once you are under you will have a limited amount of time to contact him. If he is not there, that means he's not asleep. And you will have to try again later if that is the case."

Elsa carried the steaming cup over, its contents a murky green color with hints of browns and grays. "There is more than enough tea to try at least 10 more times," she said, settling on the stool that had been placed by the bed. "I only brewed a bit of it so that you might try again if necessary."

"Thank you, Elsa," Snow said, taking the cup and wrapping a hand around it. "Here's hoping I will only need that on a sleepless night beside my husband."

She held the cup up to her lips, the floral pattern of forget-me-nots painted delicately on the porcelain cup. "I'll see you all soon." Her green eyes scanned the worried faces staring back at her. "Please don't worry. It's just a nap."

***AAA***

Emma moved from under the protective arm of the pirate at her side and stumbled over to her father. She knew that Killian had told her that he was sleeping, unaware of the precarious situation that had befallen him, but she wanted to feel the warmth of his skin and see the color in his cheeks before she could knowingly rest. Light from the setting sun cracked through the breaks in the branches and leaves, giving an orange glow to him as she sank down to the earth.

"Papa," she said quietly, her hand tracing over the scar on his right hand. It was the remnant of a fight he'd had as a child, a souvenir that reminded him not to lose him temper under minor provocation. He had once told her the story of it when she had let her magic flare at a jealous princess from another kingdom, scaring both her and her victim into tears. She'd sworn then that she would never lose control again, earning the story from his childhood.

He lay there unmoving, for all the world asleep. "I am so sorry, Papa. I shouldn't have let you risk yourself like that. I should have been better at fighting the Dark One. Whatever the reason you are here like this, I'm sorry, Papa. I'm so sorry." She lifted his slack hand up to her cheek, reveling for a moment that there was still warmth in it. "I'm going to fix this. I am."

She knew there was a little daylight left, far too little to set out on a journey on her own. But the attempts at healing him earlier had shown her that with the proper concentration her magic could work even in the suffocating foliage of these woods. It was not just the trees so tall that their tops were unseen by eyes, clouds hanging in their branches to obscure the view. It was the impenetrable mass of underbrush and the paths that wound and drove in directions that seemed correct until all twisted and ended in that same familiar finale. But there had to be a way. And if her assumption that time was running out for them was correct, she had to make her move soon. She had to save them before it was too late.

***AAA***

"Is she sleeping?" Robin asked, his bow at his side as his wife entered the hallway. "Already?"

"Poppies are quite fast acting when they are in that form. It's quite nearly instantaneous." Regina rested her hand on the door, her fingers smoothing the grain of the wood. "If he's asleep at the same time…well, this could all be over soon."

"You think that…"

"I think that I know the Queen and her husband well. She'll find him and beg him to help us locate him. He will be unable, but the noble side of him will tell her to give up. Eventually she will listen." She turned, the dark green of her dress fitting to her form as she spun. "Or perhaps true love will prevail."

"You don't sound convinced. Have we not seen the miracles that true love can create?

"I don't disbelieve," she conceded. "Robin, I'm not an optimist. That's Snow. I'm not even…I'm practical, pragmatic, and strategic. There is nothing in me other than my ability to perform magic that speaks to happy endings and enchantments. But that is Snow. She has always had that heart inside her. And I believe that perhaps her daughter does too. That's where Henry must get his belief in good from."

"He must get some of that from you. You have been a loving mother to the boy for years. That stands for something."

"Perhaps it does," Regina said. She placed three fingers at the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes. "I think I should get a bit of rest myself."

"Of course," Robin said, holding the bow a bit higher. "I shall watch over you as well, darling. Sleep well."

***AAA***

Cresting the hill, Snow gasped for breath, wondering why even in her dreams it seemed that the run was tiring. Shouldn't she be able to fly in her dreams or at least run without becoming winded. Her golden flecked green eyes scanned the horizon, seeing nothing but the darkness of the forest and its constant walls of underbrush. Even above her the pines and firs towered out of sight, their evergreen branches providing a canopy over the earth that even the sun only penetrated in small amounts.

"Charming?" she called out, darting forward again. "David?"

Snow found him in the clearing, the trees giving way a bit up a slight rise and creating a near circle free from the oppressive flora. It reminded her a bit of the spot where he had found her so many years before, her fate sealed by Regina and a poison apple. He had said that their love guided him there. She had learned not to doubt him.

"Charming," she said, the nickname feeling more familiar in that moment than his birth name. "Charming, it's you…"

He turned to her slowly, even in this sleep state his eyes blinking in disbelief as she flung herself up the path toward him. "Snow, you're…you're here."

"It's a dream," she said, interrupting him as she watched him stumble to his feet. Even in the dream state he stood and looked the same, wiping his hands on the leather pants he wore on his hunting trips and journeys. "I didn't know if you would be asleep, but I had to try."

"I'm…I'm not sure what I am." He held out his arm, studying it as though it was foreign to him. "I have been hurt. Emma, she tried to heal me."

"It's why you're asleep," she finished dejectedly. "I thought…I thought we were past all this. All those days of serving cross purposes and finding each other. I thought we were done with all that." A sickish laugh split the cool air. "This is what I was so scared our life would be…one journey after another, searching and searching…"

"We always find each other," he said just as sadly, pulling her hands together in his grip. "I don't see that as a bad thing."

"Isn't it? You're hurt and lost. There is nothing I can do. What can I do? How do I reach you so that you can come home to me?" Her head thrashed back, the dark hair whipping free of its confines. "You aren't going to be able to even tell our daughter how to get out of there."

"You have a plan?"

"No," she admitted, stilling in his eyes. "I hoped you could tell me something…anything…"

"The air, my love, the air. The answer must come from the air. I was…in a tree. I was trying to find the way out by taking to the air to see the path." He shook his head. "I cannot expect you to take flight like a bird, but if anyone could it would be you. You have always loved your birds." Smiling fondly, he sighed. "I don't have the answer or a plan either."

"Maybe…" she paused, looking skyward to the canopy of green needles and clouds. "David, what about the fairies? Don't you remember when we were battling your father and Regina? We always had them lead the way through the sky as we followed after on foot. What if we did that again? Blue and the others? They might have enough magic to combat this forest."

"You might just have the answer, Snow."