I have wrestled with this chapter for two weeks and still, I am not happy with the result. But, as it is only a filler, in my opinion, I didn't want to spend any more time on it. So there it is.
Enjoy!
PS Thank you for the reviews.
Chapter 12.
As Snow watched her daughter disappear in the blue-white mist of her magic, she patted her grandson's shoulder with a soothing and kind gesture. "Come on," she spoke to him softly, glancing up to David. "We need to get of this ship." Leading the boy toward the boat, she leaned her head onto David's shoulder when he stepped right next to her. No one stopped them and with David's powerful muscles, they were on the shore quickly.
Going to the village hall where Snow expected the other children of the ship to be, she let Henry explore the village for the first time they were there. Without worrying about Regina's safety, Henry could allow himself to look around taking in the sights and all the interesting things he could see in the village. "He looks alright," David whispered to Snow while they were watching him talk to a blacksmith.
"It hasn't hit him yet." Snow crossed her arms on her chest. "And when it does…" She looked up to her husband's kind blue eyes, her worry evident in her green ones.
"Hey there," another voice joined them there. The couple turned to see the newcomer and smiled in welcome when they saw that it was Princess Aurora, carrying the little one in her arms. "I was starting to get worried. It has been hours since you left the children in our care." She looked over to Henry, searching for something. "I hoped Regina would be with you," she spoke when she saw that the older woman was nowhere in sight. "This little one was getting fussy…"
Snow shared a look with David and took Kyle out of Aurora's hands. The princess smiled at the young one recognizing the pixie haired woman. As the baby calmed down and started playing with the buttons on Snow's coat, Aurora saw Henry talk to Elias, interested in what he had to show him. Glancing sideways she noticed the ever vigilant eyes of the Prince Charming follow the boy wherever he went. Looking up at the cloudy sky, she nodded to herself. It was near supper time. "Will you stay for the meal? There is enough room for everyone to sleep here, if you wish."
"It is kind of you to offer," Snow started, but before she could continue Aurora's blue eyes filled with a fierce look. "We left our people on the ship…" Snow tried again, but she was met with a pleased smile.
"A runner will be sent, and your shipmates will be invited. Come along, Snow, I bet you have grown tired of the constant movement of the deck. Enjoy the opportunity to sleep on the hard ground." Aurora spoke, leading them inside, as the boys came running to them. "Hot meals, warm beds, and enough privacy… How can you say no?"
"Apparently, I can't." Snow said with a hard edge to her tone, before she smiled and entered the village hall. Entering from another side than before, she noticed a stairwell hidden in the shadows, leading to the upper floor.
Aurora led Snow and David to the central room, and as Snow passed her by, she took her arm, careful not to disturb Kyle in Snow's other one. "I have had the rooms upstairs prepared for you and the children. Even the pirate is welcome to a warm bed and good ale." The woman guided them to take their seats in the room they had been before, only now there were two tables set for dining. Although they were prepared in simple and, well poor fashion Snow could feel the welcome beyond the gesture. Walking to the table meant for the adults, Snow took her seat beside Aurora, gently lowering herself, minding the baby. David sat beside her, leaving one seat at their side. Across of them was meant for Neal and Rumplestiltskin, leaving Hook to sit beside Mulan across the rulers of the village. The idea of the dark pirate beside the warrior woman made Snow snicker silently.
They ate, talking about various things, Phillip and Mulan describing their travels while they had searched for Aurora, Neal sharing some of his adventures, with others joining in with anecdotes or questions. They had left the children to amuse themselves at the table just aside theirs, apart from Kyle who had been tucked in, under Martha's careful watch. Often, Snow or Aurora would rise to check on them.
On one such trip, Aurora joined Snow, smiling at Henry who kept the rest of the children at the table animated by a story of the Savior. "I would have thought that Regina would have joined us," Aurora said as an introduction, as they moved away from the children's table. Snow gently shook her head, walking to the corner of the great room, staying in sight, but far enough not to be heard by the others. With a soft sigh she sat on a low seat at the wall, crossing her ankles. Aurora joined her, interested in what Snow had to say. "Does it have to do anything with your talk today?" Aurora spoke softly.
Snow smiled in chagrin and nodded. "I had to make her accept some things and I was unsuccessful right up to the end."
"We were too far to hear anything, but it seemed intense," the Princess added gently.
"You could say that. I honestly still cannot believe she has let me live, even after all the things I have said to her." Snow looked down at her hands, feeling them shake at the memory of the day's event.
"What was it that she had to accept?" Aurora asked, her mind deciding that she already knew. Snow had forced Regina away for the good of the family.
"That she is Emma's True Love," Snow said, her voice barely heard over the joyous laughter booming from the adult table. Aurora blinked and frowned in confusion.
"I think I've just heard you say that Regina was Emma's True Love," she said with the obvious disbelief in her voice, as her eyebrows almost reached her hairline.
"That is what I said," Snow replied, looking at the younger woman, the seriousness of her words apparent in her eyes. "And, she is," she added before Aurora could say anything. "Emma has been awakened this afternoon by none other than Regina."
"But, I thought that man, Baelfire, was Emma's True Love. That is why you came here, isn't it?"
"Because Henry and Regina insisted, and Rumplestiltskin was all for finding his son. But, the rest of us, Gold included, thought Regina would see the truth for what it was and act on it. It didn't work that way…"
"So Emma's awake? And, you have left the couple…"
"No." Snow interrupted before Aurora could say anything suggestive or outright crude. "Regina has fled after the kiss. Emma is looking for her."
"You aren't helping?"
"I am the last person Regina wants to see right now." Snow placed her hands on her knees in resignation. "And, they left using magic."
"What? Emma has magic?" At Snow's pointed look, Aurora nodded. "Of course she has. Go on."
"Because of all the damage I have caused, Emma might take a while to find her, and then to convince her to come back. I don't expect her to return alone, and she knows that. And, maybe it would do them good to be alone for a while…" Snow discontinued that line of thought, refusing to think about her daughter that way.
After Aurora realized Snow would not say anything more on the subject, and seeing that the people were getting tired, children especially, so she took it upon herself to be a good hostess and guide the youngest ones to the room upstairs, set specifically for them. After they had settled in, she came down and explained to the others where their rooms where. Then, she came to Henry and Elias. Stooping down a bit, she smiled at them, telling them that they can share the room with the rest of the boys, or go into a different one, just the two of them. With delight of freedom, they scampered off to the upper floor, taking the offered room for them. As everyone was situated, the Royals of the village bid them good night and left, followed by Mulan.
As the tables were cleared by the villagers, the men left upstairs rather quickly, deciding to go to bed early as they overindulged in the ale and wine, leaving Snow and Rumplestiltskin beside the fire in the great room.
Snow smiled lovingly at the antics of her husband, who was obviously worried about their daughter, and in the company of other 'tough' men he had decided that the merriment and drinking would take his mind of Emma.
"It seems that we have been abandoned for warm sheets, Miss Blanchard," Rumplestiltskin spoke walking to Snow, as he carried a large pitcher of fresh water. He sat beside the fire, placing his cane beside his seat, as he lowered the pitcher down carefully. Leaning back, he spread his aching leg, pulling out a hidden woven basket from beneath his seat.
"I guess that Neal and David decided to drown their worries and sorrow in the wine," Snow remarked, looking at the older man. "And, the good Captain just wanted to drown himself in the good drink." Rumplestiltskin chuckled at the humor in the woman's voice but he sensed something beyond it, something other than worry.
"Something on your mind, dearie?" he asked, his trademark condescending high pitched tone that usually accompanied the word gone.
Snow looked around to see if anyone but them remained in the room. The villagers had cleared the tables, putting them away, and now the guests were alone in the village hall. "You mentioned before that Henry was to bring about your doom." Snow looked at the old man, as he looked around the woven basket. "And, in Neverland, it was said that he would have helped Peter because he was the boy from the prophesy." She sighed. "What it all means?"
"Ah," Rumplestiltskin said, taking out a copper kettle and pouring water in it. "You cannot put much stock in prophesies. They are often not what they seem. They come true in unexpected ways." He looked toward Snow and seeing her confused frown he continued. "When I was still young, I was drafted to fight in the Ogre Wars." With a slight smirk as he remembered his delight when he had learned about it. Having placed the kettle over the fire, he leaned back. "At the soldier camp I came across a child seer. She had foreseen that the very next day, my actions on the battlefield would leave my son fatherless." Rumplestiltskin saw that he had the young woman's complete attention. "So, guided by her words I made a choice. I didn't want to leave my, as I thought then, unborn child without a father. You see, I had grown up without one, and I didn't want my son to suffer so, therefore I concocted a plan to escape. The morning of the supposed battle I broke my ankle on purpose, this making myself unfit to fight. Dismissed from the army, I hobbled home to see my newborn son." As he talked, Snow could see that he remembered those moments that had happened centuries before as they had happened only a day before. "But, because of the choice I made I was branded coward and it started a chain reaction that ended with my own boy leaving me…" He patted his damaged leg. "So my actions had indeed left my son fatherless…" As the water started boiling in the kettle, the old man took it out of the fire, pouring the water in another kettle, used for steaming the tea leaves. "At the other instance, I had been foretold that a boy would lead me to my son, but also to my destruction," Rumplestiltskin started speaking again, as he took out two cups, as well as the container of tea herbs he wanted. Placing the leaves in the steaming pot, he looked at Snow. "So, when I heard it, I decided I would simply eliminate the boy. But only recently I have learned that he is my own grandson and that my destruction was, again, my choice, to protect and save him." As he finished tinkering with the pot, he leaned back again. "Fate and Destiny are peculiar things, dearie, and knowing them can be, and often is more damaging than going blindly through life."
At that moment, Elias came down the stairs. After the boy had seen Snow and Rumplestiltskin sitting by the fire, he came to the woman, taking his seat beside her feet. The woman gently ruffled his hair, watching his tired face. "What is it, Elias?"
"I cannot sleep, Your Ma…" Elias started but stopped himself at the look Snow directed at him. "Erm, Snow," the boy said, keeping his head down in respect.
"Then you can join us for a cup of tea, young man," Rumplestiltskin spoke before Snow would say a word. The woman in question nodded in approval when the boy looked at her for direction, his eyes asking for permission.
"So, Elias, what keeps you up?" the old man asked, his voice unusually gentle, as he took out another cup out of the basket. The boy just shrugged his shoulders, leaning onto Snow's knees, using them to stay upright. For several minutes, they engaged in mindless chatting, involving the boy as much as they could in their conversation, but, it slowly came to a lull, as they run out of the topics Elias could join in.
"Why is Prince Henry so special?" Elias suddenly asked, interrupting the silence that had fallen on them. At Snow's startled glance he blushed. "I am sorry…" he started, but the woman waved his apology away with a smile, while she placed the cup into her lap.
"What do you mean?" she asked him, instead.
"Well," he looked at her, still blushing. "When we were brought to the island, one of the lost ones would check our faces against the one drawn on a parchment. One of the men said that he was the Realms' Walker and that he had the power of crossing Realms at his command, not needing anything else. That is why Peter wanted him, to take that power for himself. It was foretold." Elias worried his hands when he saw both of them staring at him with surprise and interest. With hurried moves, he drank the tea at once. "That is what I heard," he added, embarrassed by the continuing looks he was getting.
"Prince Henry is the Savior's son, and perhaps he inherited more than just his eyes and manners from her," Rumplestiltskin spoke kindly, patting the boy gently on his back, easing his discomfort. "Until that is proven, he is just a boy who had the fortune, or possibly infortune to be born into this family," he added with an amused glance toward Snow. With soft encouraging moves, he sent off the boy to bed, Elias obeying with eagerness, after he had said his goodnights.
"A Realms' Walker?" Snow whispered with awe, after the soft thuds of Elias's footsteps could not be heard any more on the stairs and on the boards above them. As the second floor had an inner railing that looked down on to the central room, providing more space for the people, enabling everyone in the village to attend the village meetings in the village hall, Snow had waited for the footsteps to move away from the room.
"It doesn't have to mean anything. We haven't heard the original prophesy, only someone's interpretation of it. And, even so, Henry has walked through various Realms already, hasn't he?" The pointed tone of the man's voice drew Snow's attention. "His world, the Nether world, the Neverland, and the Enchanted Forest."
"But, the same could be said about me," Snow said in disappointment, drinking the rest of her tea.
"That is why prophesies should not be taken lightly. There are many ways they can come about, and it is almost impossible to predict how something is to come to be."
The silence fell on them, as Snow couldn't find an opposing argument. With another batch of soothing tea, they watched the fire, the sounds of the tranquil night, accompanied by the cracking of the burning logs heard in the great room. Snow sipped the tea, thinking…
Suddenly, something came to her, and unwilling to let the opportunity go, Snow turned to the older man beside her. "Did you father Regina only to have her cast the curse?"
"Well, no." Rumplestiltskin looked at the woman beside him and with a strange feeling of release he started talking about his past. "I needed someone powerful to cast it. Someone who would be desperate enough to do it, no matter what the cost." He glanced upon Snow. "And, it was a great cost." Pouring another cup of his concoction for himself, he continued on. "So, I approached a poor miller's daughter after she had forced herself in the proverbial corner with her own arrogance and scorn for others. As I said once to Miss Swan, I had a talent of finding desperate souls, so I appeared to Cora, offering her a deal: I would turn the straw into the gold, thus making her seem more than she was, and in return she would give me her firstborn. I thought, a woman that power hungry would do anything to gain influence, even give their own child away. However, she surprised me as she wanted to change the deal. If I thought her how to use magic, if I thought her how to spin straw in to gold, she would give me her firstborn. And, as time passed my fondness of her grew. She was an eager student, learning quickly. Finally, she changed the deal for the last time – it would be my own progeny she would give me, as we would be together. I agreed. But, her thirst for power and arrogance were stronger than any affection she might have had for me, so she ripped her own heart out to prevent it from influencing her on her way to power and the throne. Up to that moment, I honestly considered finding someone else for casting the curse as I was unwilling to let the child of the woman I cared for be part of something devious. However, my desire to have someone else fulfill that part disappeared the moment Cora betrayed me, leaving me with Regina. So, I used her as it was planned in the beginning as a revenge for her mother's sins against me."
Snow blinked at the story she unexpectedly got from once the most mysterious and most feared creature in the land. "She suffered a lot because of it," she said softly. Rumplestiltskin chuckled as if he knew something she did not. And, knowing who he had used to be, Snow concluded, that just might be the case.
"Through great suffering comes greatness," Rumplestiltskin said after a moment of silence. "It is the challenges in life that make us who we are, Miss Blanchard, that shape us into people we are."
Snow frowned, unable to deny his claim, as often it had been happening that night.
"Let's take you, for example. Snow White, the much celebrated daughter of Leopold and Eva, the just Royals… If your mother had lived, there would have been no need for you to set the example for the Kingdom, thus learning responsibilities of a Royal the hard way at such young age. You would have grown up into a kind and fair ruler under her guidance, but not the paragon of good you have been for the people of the Enchanted Forest." Rumplestiltskin took her cup, filling it with fresh tea. Offering it back, he continued. "Because she died, Eva remained a saint in your memory, as you did not have a chance to see that she was just another human being. And, as she was a saint for you, her ideals and rules for a good person and Royal were your laws that you abided by to a fault. And, when Cora poisoned your mother, the choice you made defined you. A choice that caused you a lot of pain, no doubt, but the choice your mother was proud of you for it. And, so it became her legacy…"
Leaning back, the old man sighed. "And, the loss you suffered made you try to protect another one from losing their mother, even though it was a mistake, but it was for the right reasons."
"She begged me not to tell, especially not to Cora."
"And with the Evil Queen in your life, you met your Prince Charming… And, the rest is, as they say, history. But, consider this. If she hadn't hunted you, you would have never turned into a road thief, and never would have met David. And, if your love had not been tested on every step of the way, how would you know it is the True Love that you have?"
"But, why is it necessary for one to suffer so to be great?"
"Ah, Your Majesty, it is not one's suffering that ensures greatness. It is what the person does while they are suffering. The choices they make while in pain. The sacrifices they offer."
"The heroes…" Snow whispered, remembering one of Henry's rants about the duties of a hero.
"Yes. And, I have yet to meet a person who has the luck to have a True Love, and not to suffer greatly in life. I think it is a trade, of sorts, a reward. And, also, it is a gift that only people who know how to treasure it get."
"So you would say that Regina deserves True Love?" Snow asked with interest.
"It is not important what I think. She has one, and it speaks for itself." Rumplestiltskin shifted in his chair. "But, I would say that she does. After all that had been done to her, yes." He looked at Snow with his eyebrow raised. "Don't you?"
The pixie haired woman just nodded, lifting her cup up to her mouth. Rumplestiltskin was right, it did not matter what they thought, the fact was that Regina had her True Love, and that it was Emma. It was written in stone, and nothing could change it. And, she was the last person to try to get in between the two bonded in such way. But, for some odd reason she did not mind that fact at all. It was a bit strange to see Regina as her daughter's True Love, when she had been Snow's step mother, but wasn't anything she wouldn't deal with.
"If she is your daughter," Snow started after a while, an idea coming to her mind. "Shouldn't Regina be more powerful?" she asked, looking at the man, whose countenance had changed a bit when the Queen's name had been mentioned.
"She is," Rumplestiltskin answered with strange gentleness in his voice. "She just doesn't know it yet." The soft smile of pride came to his lips, for a moment making him look younger. "Regina always used her magic as a tool, a way to get things done, but she never tried to delve deeper into the core of her power. She learned that offhand approach from her mother's behavior." He steepled his fingers in front of him, leaning back with an amused smile. "It is good that she had not discovered her true power before she casted the curse. If she had, we all would have been burned to cinders," he said with a chuckle, surprising Snow with his callous behavior. "But, it won't remain a secret for long. Miss Swan has a penchant for unearthing and solving mysteries and being Regina's True Love, she could already know about it. After all, they had shared their minds and magic, I doubt there is much Emma doesn't know about Regina." He spoke with interest. But, when Snow moved in confusion, he smiled at her, feeling the patience he had been blessed that evening last even longer. "What is it that you know of the True Love couples?"
Snow blanched at his question, surprised with his line of conversation. "Not much. I can only draw from my experience. But, what does it have to do with Regina's powers?"
"Everything…" Rumplestiltskin gathered the cups and the kettle and the pot, placing them beside the fireplace. "The main trait of the couples is that they are equals. They are the presentation of the balance, and as such one cannot be more than the other." With a smile, he took his cane, leaning his chin against the hand hold. "You and David are equals as Royals, equals as fighters; all in all you complement each other perfectly, and you understand each other completely. He might be a bit rash, but you balance it out with your foresight. It is the same about our hosts. Phillip and Aurora are equals, as well."
"So, Emma could have only a very powerful witch, or a magical being for her True Love? One that would be able to understand her past…" Snow added, comprehension dawning on her face. It was obvious.
"And how many people fit that bill?" Rumplestiltskin said knowingly, rising up from his seat, sighing when he leaned onto his injured leg. With a respectful inclination of his head, he bid Snow good night, leaving her to her own thoughts. While he climbed up, he felt eyes upon him, but as he was tired and unused to not having his power, he disregarded the feeling, leaving for the room he shared with his son.
Henry sat on the floor of the inner balcony, hidden in the shadows, right above where Snow and Rumplestiltskin had been sitting the whole evening. His position had given him a perfect opportunity to listen to his grandmother and grandfather talk, as the stone hearth helped the sound travel upstairs. Shocked with the knowledge he had gained with eavesdropping, he slowly and carefully moved over the boards to his room, aware that Snow was bound to come checking upon him and Elias any minute. He sneaked in the room he shared with the other boy, not a moment too soon, for as soon as he covered himself with a blanket, the door opened and a head peaked inside. Pretending to sleep, he waited for the door to close before he opened his eyes, wide awake.
He had heard Snow say the word understand and it sparkled something in his memory, something that someone else had told him. Only one is her own salvation, and it is born not only of love but of understanding and forgiveness, as well. It was the fairy that had told him, and Snow was the only one beside him who could understand the words. She had known because she had heard the words and understood them, but he hadn't. He had been warned that the solution had been a lot closer that he had thought, but he had pressed on with finding Neal. Emma had never forgiven Baelfire for choosing the fabled prophesy over her, no matter how cool she pretended to be about it. And, she was the only one who showed any kind of forgiveness for the Evil Queen, even if she had been doing it for his sake.
But the fact that Rumplestiltskin was Regina's father was something he could not wrap his mind around. Hearing him speak that evening about Regina and her destiny only sparked anger in him, for he had been under belief that Regina had chosen to be evil, because of all bad things that had happened. But to hear that she had been meant for it from the start was the last drop in his already overwhelmed cup. No one had told him any of that! Still bristling, he closed his eyes, willing himself to sleep.
In the morning, he rose early, and after sneaking to the kitchens and taking a small fresh loaf of bread, he walked out, directing himself to the beach front. Picking up a stick along the way, he waved it in front of himself, breaking the grass and smaller bushes in his way. After several minutes, undisturbed, he reached the beach Elias had told him about the night before. Finding a good place for hiding, he sat, leaning his back on the driftwood that was taller than him in seated position, masking his position. Pulling his knees to his chest, he placed his forearms on them, looking at the waves, coming to the shore.
The tranquil rhythm of the sea calmed his wild thoughts. The waves of foamy water crashed upon the shore with the endless hum. Tired, he leaned his head to the wood behind him. His sleep was often interrupted with his memories of his mother sharing something with him, or his adoptive mother telling him about Emma. The final memory that had kept him awake since the dawn had been the moment before Regina had woken Emma with the kiss. The words he had not been supposed to hear ringed in his ears even now. You may be the Savior, Emma, but you always had the power to destroy me. The words Regina had whispered looking down at the pale face of the blonde had made such impression on Henry. And after the events of the day before, he understood some of the things his brunette mother had meant. It had been Emma who had protected Regina from the wraith, and also it was Emma who accused her for killing Archie. She was the only one who had sat down with him and had told him that he had been wrong about his mother, even telling him why the Madam Mayor had behaved in such way.
It hadn't been just about the curse that Regina had spoken of. There were things at work that even he understood that he was too young to understand. But all the little details that his brain catalogued for the future came in full force, helping him create a picture, a picture he would never think of seeing before the True Love's connection his mothers had shared.
The shirt he had stolen for Emma had mysteriously found its way back to his mother, and she had worn it while Emma and Snow had been lost in the Enchanted Forest. At the time he had thought it weird, but as he had been worried about Emma he hadn't given it much of the thought. And, Regina's unsecure congeniality toward Emma after she had gotten back was shown in a different light. He had noticed that whenever there had been a fight between the Charmings and his mother, Regina would almost always look only at Emma.
It hadn't been only Regina that had behaved weird. Emma, also, had some unexplainable moments. Inviting Regina for her welcome home party, giving her a warning about leaving, saving her at all the right moments… And, Snow had told him that they had been friendly on the ship. They even had shared the cabin without killing each other. His mother herself had been telling him the stories of their training together, with the gentle light in her eyes he had used to see only when she had been talking to him. After all, he had seen them interact with his own eyes, and he had witnessed the seamless communication they had exhibited while saving him from the dungeons of Neverland.
So, if he really thought about it, it made perfect sense. But, it did not change the fact that Regina had not told him about Rumplestiltskin. Neal hadn't either. Emma couldn't have. However, even that wasn't what was troubling him in the early cold morning.
We came here to destroy magic, Henry, but then we found something more important… Something that changed everything. You.
Peter Pan had been taking the children from various worlds to find him, because of prophesy. So many boys, ripped away from their homes, never to be found again. He had been the reason Elias and others would never be able to go home. He was the reason they were all stuck in the Enchanted Forest. He had known that he had been captured to be used by Peter for something bad, but to hear it from Elias was an unexpected blow. He had listened carefully to Rumplestiltskin when he had explained the thing about prophesies, but even his sure tones had done nothing to ease his guilt that had been troubling him since Greg had kidnapped him.
But as he sat at the beach, he realized that the guilt that he had felt hadn't been only about the kidnapped children, but about his part in Emma suffering the curse of darkness. If she hadn't taken off the mail to give it to him, she wouldn't have been affected with the curse. The fact that he would have been dead frightened him but not as much the fact that he could have lost both of his mothers that day. And he had forgotten about the stupid dagger Emma had given him, until he had given it to David to free himself. If Peter had succeeded, then he would have been responsible for deaths of many.
"There you are," David spoke from behind the driftwood. "I found him! He is alright." He yelled to someone behind before he walked around the wood and took his place beside his grandson. He just glanced upon the boy, not asking anything, knowing that Henry would say when he was ready to talk.
They sat in silence, watching the sea for a long time. But, after a while, Henry looked up at his grandfather with frown on his face. "Why did no one tell me that Rumplestiltskin was my mom's father?" Henry started, anger evident in his tone. "No one tells me anything, anymore!" He picked the stick and threw it away from himself. "And, what is keeping them so long?"
"You miss them." David said softly, compassion in his voice as he placed his arm around the boy's shoulders. Henry shrugged him off, leaning onto his knees. David exhaled. "You know your mother is stubborn. And, you remember how she is like about Daniel. I believe that it is hard for her to accept that she has another chance at this, and with Emma of all people. But, Emma will find her and bring her to us, no matter what. It may take a little bit of time, but they will come to you." Again, David placed his hand on Henry's back but this time he wasn't rejected. "You have been eavesdropping?" he asked carefully.
Henry looked at him with angry scowl. "It is the only way I learn anything around you!" But at David's patient look he calmed down. "Elias had woken me last night, and I followed him out, but when he asked Snow about me, I had to hear." He bowed his head in apology, knowing that he had been rude to his grandfather. "So, it's true? He is her dad?"
David pulled the boy to him, embracing him. Even he didn't know how he was feeling about the information Snow and Emma had shared with him about Regina's origins, and he couldn't imagine how confusing must have been for Henry. "It's the truth that he is her biological father. But he is not her dad." David spoke gently, rubbing the boy's back. "Prince Henry was Regina's father, and nothing can change that, not even the biology. Just like Regina is your mother, no matter what."
Henry nodded in understanding. "I am the reason she ran away," he mumbled into David's chest, burrowing himself deeper into the hug.
"What do you mean?" David asked, reaching for Henry's chin to look into his eyes.
"If I hadn't pushed for finding Neal, she wouldn't feel rejected and she wouldn't run. It's my fault." The boy's green eyes filled with tears, as he sniffled.
"Henry, no!" David said firmly, as he forced the boy to look into his caring blue eyes. "There are too many reasons for Regina's run to take blame for them. You may have been a bit rude and pushy, but Regina had her own reasons. It is not your fault. At least, majority of it is not your fault." Pressing the brown head against his chest, he sighed. "What ever the reasons, Emma will get her back. Regina would never leave you. She just needs some time to work some things out. She learned about Rumplestiltskin on the ship herself. And, she hadn't had time to deal with it before we found you. Emma had been a great help to your mother, but when she was cursed, Regina was left without support – for she wasn't going to come to us to talk. And, I think she wanted to wait for Emma to wake up to help her tell you."
The words his grandfather spoke had sense in them, and Henry could agree with them, but still it did not diminish the guilt that had gripped him. He had shunned his mother, and now he was paying for it. But, as soon as that thought passed through his mind he shook it away. He was being selfish, thinking only about himself and the consequences that concerned him. However, both of his mothers had many more things to deal with, regardless of him. One of those things being the True Love they shared.
Henry smirked with approval as he thought of Emma's and Regina's animosity toward each other while they had been in Storybrooke before the curse had been broken. It was certainly a way to make them be civil to each other, and to attempt in being one family, however functional. With gentle nod, he decided to let them be, and to come to him whenever they decided, if it meant that Regina would stay.
He looked into his grandfather's inquisitive eyes and nodded at the unasked question. He was alright, and he would be patient. It is time to stop behaving like a child, he firmly decided, somewhat ashamed with his outburst. And, he wanted to talk about prophesy with Regina and Emma, perhaps they knew something more.
He started asking David questions about the Enchanted Forest, how it had looked before the curse, enjoying the descriptions his grandfather was sharing with him. But, after an hour of incessant talk about the past in that place, the strange rumbling passed through the air, and the light close to the two turned greenish. David rose, reaching for his sword, but Henry only stepped forward to the point where the rumbling was coming from.
"It's a portal!" Henry yelled over the noise, instantly recognizing the electric currents of the air, as he had experienced them before. David stood beside him, ready to defend the child with his sword. He glanced toward the village and saw Mulan and Phillip rush toward them with a group of armed people.
The hole in the air opened and spit two people out, throwing them to the ground hard. In a second, the air regained its previous color, and the rumbling stopped. Henry exclaimed with glee when he recognized one of the newcomers by the noticeable red coat. "Ruby!" he said, rushing toward the women, as he knew the other one as well. "Belle!" Throwing himself onto his knees beside his often times sitter and guardian, he placed his palm onto Ruby's face.
The woman groaned and opened her eyes, recognizing the boy instantly. With a squeal she threw her hands around him and hugged him tightly in greeting, as she rose to a sitting position. Turning to her side, she looked at the other woman. Belle had lifted herself onto her elbows, smiling at the boy with her gentle smile. David helped her up, hugging her. By the time they all settled, Phillip and Mulan reached them. When Phillip saw who the newcomers were he dismissed the guard and came to the kind woman he once upon a time called a friend.
"It is good to see you again, Belle!" he spoke, taking her hand, covering it with both of his. "Welcome," he said with smile, his look encompassing both women. As he saw Henry still holding the other woman, he concluded that she had been the family friend, and as such she also was welcome. After Mulan murmured a quiet greeting to the women, they all started toward the village, the only one talking was Henry as he was shooting out his questions about the people left behind in Storybrooke.
They reached the village hall, and as David had thought, they were led right into it. The commotion of the armed people already alerted everyone that they had visitors, and the return of the guard told that it was friends who were coming. Therefore, Aurora was already in the village hall, commanding the kitchens, as she wanted to offer the guests something warm and filling, as it was nearly time for lunch.
Snow rushed in, with children, and as she saw who it was, she gave Kyle to Elias to hold and rushed into the arms of the woman with the red coat, mindful of Henry, who had just moved out of the way. "Red!" Snow said with happiness, hugging her dearest friend. Then, she turned to the other woman, offering another friendly hug. "Belle," she spoke gently. "I know someone will be very happy to see you," she said, noting with glee as the kind eyes lit with happiness and expectance.
"How did you come here?" Henry asked finally, as all the greetings were exchanged. He missed the commotion at the door, but when he saw Belle's teary gaze, he turned to see his grandfather frozen by the entrance into the great room. Blinking the tears away, Belle stepped toward the man, snapping him out of his stupor and hugged him desperately.
"I told you I would see you again," she whispered to her love, making him chuckle with elation. Then she turned to the room. "Anton salvaged some of the beans from the field and washed them in the water from the well."
"Water of the Lake Nostos," Rumplestiltskin whispered with understanding. As Belle nodded, he took her to take a seat, he sitting beside her. The others joined them, spreading around, Phillip and Mulan taking the outer edge, not wanting to intrude. "But, how did you know we were here?" he asked, surprised. But, it wasn't Belle who answered.
"We didn't." Ruby spoke, taking up the storytelling as she saw that her friend was too shaken by seeing her love alive to talk. "We went to Neverland, first. There, a pixie, a friend of yours, I believe," Ruby said with a smile, turning to Henry, "told us that you had already moved on, to the Enchanted Forest." Reaching out to the boy, she patted his head. "She also told me what had happened there. And, she said that she hoped that you understood her message."
Seeing the boy's smile and nod, she went on. "So, we came here right away. You told me about the Safe Haven, and I thought it would be the perfect place to start looking for you." Ruby said, looking at Snow. "And, here we are, all together." But, as she looked around, she noticed people missing and Neal, standing beside the door. Nodding to him in greeting, she glanced over the people in the room one more time. "Almost all." She turned to Snow, her look containing sympathy but before she could speak, Snow smiled shaking her head.
"She is awake, and Regina is with her. We just don't know where…" The pixie haired woman said softly to her friend, explaining as she saw the confused look. The intense look they shared afterwards told the guest everything she needed to know, as she had been informed that Emma had been under the curse of darkness by the little fairy, and that only True Love's Kiss would save her. And, if Emma was away with Regina…
"Well, I'll be damned, I was right!" Ruby exclaimed before she placed her hand over her mouth, looking slightly abashed, as much as Ruby could look abashed. The young woman smirked at her friend and grinning, she leaned back.
"So, how many beans do you have?" David asked, interrupting the pregnant silence.
"Just one more. But, Anton is growing more back in Storybrooke with the dwarves' help." Belle answered, avoiding Rumplestiltskin's look. "We can go back to Storybrooke."
"But, the spell…" Rumplestiltskin started, but suddenly his countenance changed. "You didn't cast it. Belle…" he started, with worry but the young woman placed her hand onto his cheek.
"I gave it to Mother Superior and she found a way to change it, so we can go back. It is casted."
"Belle, it is a powerful spell, it is not meant to be trifled with." Rumplestiltskin said. "Magic always has a price."
"She understands that. She managed to change it, to keep its cloaking properties, adding some protective and repelling charms and she also found a way to bind it to people of the town." Belle spoke softly, urging the man to settle down. She would not say that she had begged the woman to find a way for them to return to the town. "It is all very complicated and long, and I didn't understand most of it. The point is there is a special chant that can enable people to come into the town, and only specific people, invited by the protectors of it. And a consensus has to be made."
"Who are the protectors?" David asked, pleased that the young woman had found a way to circumvent Rumplestiltskin's wishes and still protect the town from another Greg or Tamara.
Ruby looked at Snow with unexplainable look and then she glanced upon David, frowning. "Blue, Emma and…" she stopped, but then she looked at Henry and with a gentle smile she continued, "Regina." The moment she spoke the name, she flexed her muscles, expecting a roar of outrage but the silent acceptance surprised her. Obviously, they had missed a lot. Even with Regina being Emma's True Love, she did not expect Snow to accept the fact so calmly. It seemed that the impossible had happened. The truce was called. She shared a look with Belle, and with a smile she winked at the boy who glowed at the news.
"I am surprised, though that the town picked Regina as one of the protectors," Snow spoke with interest, placing her hand over Henry's shoulders, pulling him toward her. She was glad that the woman was part of the defenses, it meant that she wouldn't be run out of the town the moment they got back, and Henry finally can relax and start living his life, along with the woman who had suffered greatly in her life. Regina could finally be part of something greater than her, a family, an accepted part of the town, a protector… Snow was glad for the woman, and her entire family.
"She did save the town," Belle answered. "And, the people thought that as she was already familiar with the bureaucracy of the town policy, she would be a welcome asset in Storybrooke. She is even reinstated as a Mayor."
With that Henry frowned, as he thought that the town would be invisible to the rest of the world. "I thought no one would know that Storybrooke existed. Why would it need a Mayor if that is true?"
"It's complicated but the town exists only no one would feel the need or desire to see it, or even look for it," Belle said, frowning as she searched for an example that Henry would understand. "It's like repellant spells in Harry Potter. They would know it's there but they would need to go somewhere else…" When she saw comprehension in his eyes, she smiled gently in success.
As the main reasons for them being there, Belle and Ruby asked to be filled in on the adventures of the small group. They talked into the late afternoon, breaking their conversations only to eat a light meal. During the break Phillip reached for Belle's hand and introduced her to Aurora and with remembrance of the adventure when Mulan and Phillip had met Belle, they talked.
Soon, the people of the group were reminiscing the particular parts of their pasts, enjoying the simple meal with friends. Even the younglings joined them, listening to the stories that adults told. Henry climbed into his father's lap and enjoyed the time surrounded by the people he loved, missing the two most important women in his life fiercely, but the company of his family and the knowledge that they would return to him soothed him.
As the evening came, the women excused themselves to the others, retiring to sleep, as they had a very exhausting day. Hook only stopped by to eat something, keeping himself away from Mulan and Aurora. As he had explained to Snow, he felt much more comfortable on the ship, than in the village. As he turned to leave, Neal joined him, deciding that he too would be more comfortable on the ship, leaving Rumplestiltskin and Belle with a room for themselves. One by one, the others went to their sleeping rooms, as it was already getting late. Henry followed Elias without a complaint, listening to the other boy tell him about Red, who had been the member of the war council with Snow. Although he already had known that, it was interesting to hear someone else's point of view.
As he changed into pajamas, he looked out the window and wished for a safe journey to his mothers. With a smile, he said good night to the other boy, and blowing out a candle, he settled into his bed. Closing his eyes, he thought of Emma and his mother, hoping they were alright, wherever they were. He fell asleep quite quickly, as he had not slept much the night before. When Snow came later in the night to check upon him, she saw him blissfully unaware of the world around him, bundled into the soft blanket.
She sat on his bed, careful not to wake him. David had told her about his night excursion and that he had heard them talk about him and Regina. He had also told her that Henry seemed to come to a decision there on the beach, and by his polite excitement with which he interrogated Red and Belle, she could see what his decision had been. Not once had he asked about his mothers' unless it was to clarify something someone else said. Pleased with his patience, she leaned down and kissed his forehead, pulling the covers over his shoulders, tucking him in. She turned to tuck Elias in as well, smiling at the boy, as he had thrown his leg over the blanket and stuffed his head under the pillow. Gently, she corrected his position and turned to leave, when a small cloud of purple mist drew her attention.
On the floor beside Henry's bed was a parchment, still surrounded by the remnant purple mist. As she crouched to take it, she noticed the sharp elegant letters spelling Henry's name with flourish. Recognizing Regina's handwriting, she picked the parchment of the floor and placed it beside Henry's pillow, where she was sure that he would see it the first thing in the morning. As much as she was burning to read it, to see if Emma had joined her, she abstained because it was meant for the boy and she would not meddle in their communication. With a smile she welcomed the sign from other woman, and left the room, closing the door behind her slowly, soundlessly.
She went to the room where David was waiting for her, and smiled at her husband. "He is alright and in his bed. I expect he will be ecstatic in the morning." She spoke softly, refusing to explain as she saw perplexed look in the blue eyes she adored. Lying down, she settled and in the arms of her own True Love she fell asleep.
The morning came with cheerful chatter of the villagers, waking Henry up. When he opened his eyes, he noticed that he was alone in the room and that something was bothering him, as it rustled under his cheek. Moving away he saw that he had been lying on a piece of twice folded paper with his name on the top. Instantly recognizing his mother's cursive he opened it, an excited squeal passing his lips. With a mortified look around, he checked if anyone witnessed his behavior. Satisfied that he was alone, and that the door was closed, he directed his attention to the letter.
Dearest Henry, his mother wrote, her elegant handwriting flowing on the paper, but he could see the traces of blotted ink on the parchment as she had written with an old style quill. Disregarding his thoughts on the whole process of writing and dipping in the inkwell, he returned to the letter itself.
Dearest Henry,
As I write these words, Emma sleeps close by, so you can tell your worried grandmother that she had found me. She would get a charge out of the thought, as it seems it is the Charmings' most annoying trait…
After Emma had found me and poured some sense in me, I decided to see what the curse had done to the land and in order to do so, I'd instigated a hike that Emma agreed with, to the Safe Haven. It should take us another day's worth of hike, two at the most. So, we should be there in the evening of the second day, or the morning of the third. But, my dear son, we are coming. Do not doubt that for a second.
Your mother had met the trolls for the first time this evening, and she was magnificent against them. Now, we are camping under the stars in the forest, safe and warm.
I hope you are well and that your grandparents, all of them, are keeping you safe. And, Neal, as well. But, remember, no sweets in the evenings and brush your teeth regularly. And, no ale for you, young mister, no matter what anybody says.
With all my love,
Regina
Henry smiled at the weak lettering of the word all in the last line of the parchment, as if his mother hadn't known what to put there. And he hadn't missed that Regina had addressed Emma as his mother, and as well she had called him her own son. Glad that the things were finally working out, he left the warmth of the bed and dressed. He rushed out of his room, running to find his grandmother to show her the letter, rather than to tell her the news.
Elated with the information he had, he spent the whole day playing with other kids, or talking with Red, as she showed him how to use a bow. The other boys watched with pleasure, trying out the small bows David had fashioned for them, as he watched over them. Snow and Aurora shared the duties regarding Kyle, often times both joining the other boys, enjoying their cheering laughter.
After Snow had read the letter she smiled. Regina had been right - she did have a kick out of finding out that Emma had found her. As once Regina had said, that should be the family motto. But, the thing that warmed her heart mostly was the offhand mention of Emma as Henry's mother, and the obvious pride when she had written about the trolls. As she was sure that the women would keep each other safe, she relaxed and enjoyed the day with her grandson and the other children, the constant chatter of prepubescent people reminding her of her time as a teacher.
Too quickly, it seemed to the children and people around them, the day passed. Another evening spent in the village hall, only this one was a quiet one as they sat together, chatting about their day unobtrusively. They joined their hosts for a supper, the tables placed in the great room once more.