Disclaimer: Still don't own OUAT.
So far the response to this story has been good. Now you'll start to see more changes, both in the Enchanted Forest and Storybrooke.
Hopefully you guys will like the changes.
WARNING: Intense grief over Killian ahead.
Please review!
Enjoy!
Chapter 1
Grief is in two parts. The first is loss. The second is the remaking of life. — Anne Roiphe
Emma heard her name being called, slowly becoming aware of her return to consciousness. The first thing she knew was that she was lying on hard ground, the second thing was that it was her mother who was calling her name and shaking her awake, and the third thing was the memory of Killian's lifeless body in her arms.
Her eyes tightened as she felt tears well up. Killian.
Her Killian, her pirate, was gone. All her heart felt was pain. It was as though someone reached into her chest and crushed it. It would've been so much easier had someone done that. Easier, better, than this hollow ache that threatened to swallow her.
He was gone.
She was never going to get him back.
"Emma, time to wake up." Mary Margaret's voice reached her ears.
Time to wake up?
Emma couldn't believe what she was hearing. She apparently fainted next to her boyfriend's dead body, likely discovered by a random citizen, or worse someone she and Killian knew, and her mother, her own mother, was telling her that it was time to wake up as if it was any other morning? Why in the hell would her mother even bother her after something like that? And why the hell was she on the ground outside instead of a hospital bed?
It wasn't a dream. Was it?
No. She knew her gut that Killian's death had been real. It was too vivid. The paleness of his lifeless eyes, his body growing colder in her arms, the blood…so much blood on the ground.
Finding it hard to breathe, Emma shot up, gasping for breath.
"Emma?" Mary Margaret was at her side, concern evident on her face. "Are you all right? Was it a nightmare?"
You could say that. Emma thought harshly, glaring at her mother.
That's when Emma noticed two things: one she was in the woods, and two, Mulan and Aurora were standing behind Mary Margaret and glaring at her.
"You'll need to be a light sleeper here." Mulan snapped.
Mary Margaret turned to glare at the warrior, who simply stared her down.
What the hell?
What was going on? Why were they in the woods? Why were Mulan and Aurora wearing their outfits from the Enchanted Forest?
Emma shook her head. Was she still unconscious? Was Killian's death so traumatic that she was dreaming of another realm to in order to escape it?
Or was she going crazy?
Her head couldn't make sense of it, and her heart continued to ache painfully in her chest. She thought Neal betraying her was heartbreak, or that everything with Walsh being a lie was heartbreak, but this…this was a thousand cuts doused in salt and lemon juice and aggravated by every single breath that she took.
All she wanted to do was to lay down and give up.
"Emma?" Mary Margaret lifted Emma's chin. "Are you okay?"
Emma wanted to scream at her that she'd never be okay again.
"Get up." Mulan said. "We need to get moving." She tugged on the ropes that had Emma and Mary Margaret's wrists bound.
Wait, what? Emma looked at the ropes confused and feeling an extremely intense sense of déjà vu. What the hell?
Impatient, Mulan grabbed Emma by the arm and lifted her up on her feet.
Emma jerked away. "Don't touch me."
"Then get moving." Mulan practically growled. The warrior untied the reigns of the horse from the tree before helping Aurora on the saddle.
Taking in everything with more alertness, Emma saw that she and Mary Margaret were tied to a horse. Just like they had been in the Enchanted Forest fifteen months ago. In fact, as Emma looked at her mother's clothes, and her own, Emma realized that they were wearing the exact same outfits as before.
How the hell was this possible?
How did she go from mourning over the lifeless body of the man she loved to reliving an event that happened in her life over a year ago?
Was she dreaming?
It was as if ice water had been thrown over her when it hit her. She loved Killian. She loved him more than she'd ever loved anyone romantically, and she never told him.
How could she never have told him?
He died not knowing how much he meant to her.
A new barrage of tears threatened to fall but Emma pushed them back. No, she could break down later. Though her heart protested, her mind won out, and Emma felt a surge of determination. She was going to figure out what was going on, and why she was reliving this.
It had to be some twisted dream she was having. Killian died. That much she knew. Now, she was back in the Enchanted Forest. It was apparent that she was reliving the events leading up to her meeting him…maybe that was it. Maybe her mind refused to believe he was dead and now she was trapped inside of it in order to live her life from the time she met Killian to his death over and over again.
But then why didn't she become aware at the point they met? Why was she farther back in her memories?
Though it was odd how real everything seemed. The trees looked real in the sunlight as they passed through the woods, and the hard, uneven ground certainly caused her feet to ache. Her feet aching felt very real for sure.
How could her memories be this detailed? Even her strongest memories, she knew, were distant and unclear. But it really felt as though she was actually in the Enchanted Forest.
"What the hell is going on?" Emma muttered.
Mary Margaret turned to Emma confused. "What do you mean?"
Emma winced. She hadn't meant for anyone to hear that. "Nothing."
"Emma…" Mary Margaret looked worried. "You've been acting a bit off. What happened while you were asleep?"
I am asleep. Emma huffed. She wasn't sure what to tell her mother. Oh you know, the love of my life died, so now I'm trapped in my head as a way to deny the trauma of his death? Yeah, even dream Mary Margaret would think that she was crazy.
"Maybe Aurora hit you on the head harder than I thought." Mary Margaret said.
"I'm fine." Emma lied.
Empty blue eyes swam in her vision. Her arms suddenly felt heavy with his stiff weight. A pressure pressed down on her chest. Blood. So much blood.
Emma closed her eyes tightly, trying to block out the images that insisted on haunting her.
"Emma, come on." Mary Margaret called back, tearing Emma out of her surfacing memories. "They're going to end up dragging us too much if we don't move with them."
"Uh…right." Emma swallowed, forcing her feet to move.
"We're almost there." Mulan said.
They were breaking through the trees, and Emma could see people ahead.
What the…Emma's eyes widened as she took everything in the closer they got to the clearing ahead. No…that's not…Her memory wasn't that good. It couldn't remember every individual face of every stranger or their clothes.
As it was the Safe Haven was before her and everyone who Cora would kill in a massacre was alive.
This isn't possible. Emma thought, keeping a tight hold on her denial.
If this was real…then…had she…had she time traveled?
She had time traveled before, but that was a portal, and very specific ingredients had been required.
There was no way she had time traveled now…right? She hadn't even used magic. Not that she could've known for certain given her state, but this…it just wasn't possible.
As Mulan led them closer and closer to the pit, Emma felt as though a reality check had just smacked her in the face.
Everything was so vivid and detailed and real.
"Emma, are you okay?" Mary Margaret looked concerned. "You look…well, pardon the cliche, but you look like you've seen a ghost."
As Emma looked at the refugees they passed, she could only utter "I think I have."
Mulan pulled the horse to a stop, and dismounted.
Wait, that wasn't right. They had stopped before reaching the camp, and Mary Margaret had attacked Aurora in an attempt to escape.
Even as Emma thought it, Mary Margaret stepped forward. Some deeper instinct shouted at Emma to stop her.
"What are you going to do with us now?" Emma asked, stepping in front of Mary Margaret, ready to stop her if necessary.
"Put you in the pit." Mulan said.
The pit. Cora. Emma was not looking forward to that.
If, and that was a big if, she had time traveled, then that meant that she had two options regarding this new development. She could keep things the same or change them.
A memory hit her.
She was crying over Killian's body, her only thoughts being that she had wasted so much time. That they hadn't had enough time.
It was as if someone punched all of the air out of her lungs.
Time traveling meant that Killian was alive. If Killian was alive then…then that meant they had time now. She could change things for the better.
Still, Emma hesitated. Wouldn't that be like playing God? Using her knowledge of the future for her own ends? She couldn't do that.
….Could she?
If it meant more time with Killian, would it be worth it?
A desperate voice screamed from within.
It would be.
He was worth it.
She just had to find him first.
"We haven't done anything wrong." Mary Margaret's voice brought Emma back to the present…or well, past.
"That has yet to be determined." Mulan glared, pulling out her sword. "Now, come with me."
Emma grabbed Mary Margaret's arm, a silent warning to comply with Mulan's wishes.
"What are you doing?" Mary Margaret hissed as Mulan directed them towards the pit.
Changing things…apparently… Emma turned to Mary Margaret. "I'm just trying to figure things out." Emma carefully crafted her words. If she was going to do this, then she had to do this right. "We need to be careful here, and we definitely don't need to be rash, especially when we're outmatched and out weaponed."
"We need to escape and find our way home." Mary Margaret insisted.
"We might need their help." Emma countered. "I think for now, it's better to stay on their good side." She hoped that Mary Margaret would listen to her for once.
Mary Margaret seemed to disagree, but she remained silent.
Emma breathed a sigh of relief.
They reached the pit and watched as Mulan threw the rope down the hole. "Climb down, and stay down."
Emma walked forward, already thinking of how to get around Cora, as she grabbed the rope and started her descent, knowing Mary Margaret would have no choice but to follow.
When Emma's feet touched the ground, she backed away to give Mary Margaret room, and looked around the pit. She spotted a figure in the shadows almost immediately since she knew Cora was there.
Mary Margaret finished her descent and the rope was pulled away. "I have a bad feeling about this."
"Who are you?" Emma asked the figure. For some reason, instinct told her that playing ignorant was the best thing to do in this time traveling adventure.
Knowing the future was a dangerous thing that could be used against her.
The figure stepped forward and Emma's blood went cold even knowing who it was.
Mary Margaret gasped, pure shock on her face. "Cora."
Cora smiled insincerely. "Snow White, it's so good to see you."
Emma swallowed.
This time traveling thing was definitely going to be harder than she thought.
Looking in the mirror, David couldn't help but feel uncomfortable. The shoulder holster felt odd and constrictive, feeling very different from a scabbard belt. The badge on his hip felt like a thousand pound weight pulling him down.
In Emma's absence, the town voted him as interim sheriff.
Him.
He understood why, really he did. He was their leader in the Enchanted Forest. The man that had helped Snow lead them in a war against King George and Regina in which good had been victorious, even if it had been brief.
With the curse broken, someone had to step up to keep the town and the people in order.
David was that person. Apparently. According to Snow and Ruby, he'd had a knack for leading in the Enchanted Forest, but that was another lifetime ago. Even when he had been Prince Charming, he'd never felt comfortable in the skin of a prince.
Just as he wasn't comfortable in the skin of a sheriff.
Taking a deep breath, David turned away from the mirror. The job he faced now wasn't going to be easy, and why would it be?
The town was still reeling from the curse and everyone was struggling with two lives in their heads. Relations between everyone were changing drastically. Friends were now enemies, enemies were friends, grudges were remembered, traumas relived, and everyone was still looking for someone they lost to the curse.
Then there was Henry.
David had never had a child in his care with the exception of the precious moments he had Emma in his arms before he sent her through the wardrobe.
That wasn't exactly a stellar track record for a care taker.
There was no question that Henry was absolutely not going back into Regina's care ever. David would die or kill Regina himself before he let that happen. Especially since she seemed to have some of her magic back. He rubbed at the red mark on his throat. Yeah, no, she was too dangerous.
Still, David had no idea what to do. Snow was the maternal one, and Emma was Henry's mother. They would know what to do.
What the hell could he do?
He wasn't a prince or a sheriff, and he was robbed at his chance to be a father.
Henry bounded down the stairs. "Ready for your first day, grandpa?"
Grandpa. That was a word he'd have to get used to.
David plastered on what he hoped was a happy smile. "Ready as I'll ever be. You ready to stay with Granny for the day?"
"Why can't I be your deputy?" Henry asked. "School's shut down. I have nothing else to do."
David understood Henry's desire to be a hero. He himself had felt that a long time ago. "It's safer with Granny."
That seemed to disappoint Henry, but David knew that he was doing the right thing. Henry was his grandson, and he had to protect him.
He might not know all the ropes, but he was going to do his best, and ensure that Henry was happy and safe. He hoped it would be enough.
Just as he hoped to find a way to bring Snow and Emma home.
The tension in the pit was palpable.
"Mary Margaret, who is this?" Emma asked, though this playing dumb thing was going to wear on her nerves, she just knew that it would. Just as looking at Cora, walking around and breathing, struck her with fear and anger. She could stop Cora this time around, knowing what the witch was capable of. The how she would do it was the problem she had to solve.
Magic was out of the question for now. Not that Emma was any better at using magic than before…well, she had some control. Maybe she could make it seem instinctual? It wouldn't be hard. For her, magic was instinct born from emotions.
Still, Cora was much more seasoned in the usage of magic. Emma decided that the risk wasn't worth it. She needed to play this as smart as possible.
"This is Cora." Mary Margaret said coldly. "She's Regina's mother, and she's a thousand times worse."
"Oh Snow, sweet, sweet Snow, whatever Regina told you, it isn't true." Cora pleaded. "The apple fell very far from the tree…Regina…I could never imagine that my daughter could be so cruel."
"Yeah, why don't I believe that?" Emma glared. "Regina had to get that cruel streak from somewhere." Emma was impressed at just how good of an actress Cora was; then again, the woman was a master manipulator.
"Please, I just want to help." Cora put a lot of sadness into her tone and expression.
It was a struggle for Emma to keep her eyes from rolling. Cora was laying it on thick. "We don't need your help." Emma turned back to Mary Margaret. "We need to figure out how to…" Emma was interrupted by the rope being thrown down in the pit.
A guard looked down at them. "Our leader requests an audience with you two."
That was odd. Emma thought they were in the pit longer the first time around. Then again, it seemed the smallest events were changing just by her being there.
Mary Margaret glared at Cora before stepping forward and climbing up the rope.
Emma followed her. They were about to meet Lancelot, or Cora disguised as Lancelot. The witch had never cleared up when exactly she had begun impersonating the knight. Whether they were meeting the real Lancelot or Cora, Emma knew for certain that she couldn't trust him. This time around, she was going to keep her cards close to her chest.
As they walked towards the table where they'd meet Lancelot, Emma couldn't help but search the camp. Killian was here somewhere. She needed to find him and change his course. A plan had sort of started in her head. If she found Killian, she could convince him to join their side and work against Cora. Just…she just needed him by her side again.
The ache in her heart still weighed her down and his eyes…God, could she even look Killian in the eyes again without being haunted by his death?
There was no sign of him anywhere and Emma tried not to be disappointed.
The guard stopped, leaving Emma and Mary Margaret no choice but to stop as well.
"Wait here." The guard told them before leaving.
"We need to get out of here." Mary Margaret said. "We need to get home."
"I know." Emma agreed. "You think I want to be stuck here while Henry's with Regina?" That was partially the truth. Regina might've changed in the future, but from Emma's memory, the last time she saw Regina during this time, the woman had almost killed Henry. That was definitely not the kind of parent Henry needed at the moment.
"Then why are you so certain that we need their help?" Mary Margaret huffed. "And who were you looking for?"
"I wasn't looking for anyone." Emma snapped, worried that she gave herself away. "I'm just…not used to this world." That was still the truth. She hadn't been in the Enchanted Forest long enough to get used to it with every intention of getting back to Henry, and the other time, she and Killian had a mission to get through.
Mary Margaret nodded. "It can be dangerous."
A man appeared from the hut.
"Lancelot?" Mary Margaret asked, a surprised grin on her face.
Or Cora. Emma thought, eyes narrowed.
"Snow?" Lancelot chuckled in surprise before hugging Snow. "If I had known that you were the prisoners Mulan had brought back, I never would have locked you away. Please, forgive me."
Mary Margaret smiled. "Of course."
"Just like that?" Emma arched a brow. She did have to play up the disbelief that Mary Margaret could be so trusting. "How can we trust him?"
"He's a friend." Mary Margaret reassured.
"A friend that could've changed since the last time you met." Emma glared at Lancelot. Come on Mary Margaret. Don't make this hard.
"Emma." Mary Margaret admonished. "Don't be rude."
Emma's hackles raised, but she bit back her remark. She wasn't a child, and even in the future, Mary Margaret wasn't much of a mother to her.
"It's all right, Snow." Lancelot said. "She is wise not to give her trust to others so easily."
His words seemed to disappoint Mary Margaret.
"Come now, let us eat." Lancelot said. "You both must be hungry."
"Starved." Mary Margaret agreed.
Henry stared into his hot cocoa, not in the mood to really finish it. His mom and grandmother were trapped in another realm, and his grandfather just wanted him to sit back and do nothing just because he was a kid.
It wasn't fair.
He wanted to be a hero too, just like his family, so why wouldn't they let him? It's not like he was too young. He was almost eleven years old. He could be a hero too.
"I know that look." Ruby said, taking a seat beside Henry. "Snow usually has that face when she's upset about something."
Henry shrugged. "I'm no upset."
"Henry, I'm a wolf." Ruby reminded him. "I can smell emotions and I can tell when people are lying."
That was weird to know. Henry sighed. It wouldn't hurt to get someone else's opinion. "My mom and grandma are trapped in another realm, but grandpa won't let me help. Everyone still thinks I'm just a kid, but I've been through a lot too."
Ruby gave him a sympathetic look. She could certainly understand where he was coming from since Granny treated her much the same back in the Enchanted Forest. Unlike Henry, Ruby was much more aware of why Granny and David did what they did. She understood just what it meant for them to protect their loved ones. "You know it's not because you're a kid, right? I mean that's part of the reason, most certainly, but it's also because David is your grandfather and he loves you and he's responsible for you. If anything happened to you, David would never forgive himself."
Henry winced. He should've known that Ruby would say something like that. Most adults do. He knew that she was right though, and that David was probably doing what was best for him, but that didn't change the fact that Henry still wanted to help. He had every right to help. "I know, but that doesn't mean I can't help. They're my family too. I just want to help them come home."
Ruby put an arm around Henry. "I know. I want them back too, we all do, but Henry, none of us have magic. There's not much we can do. We will try, but what you need to do, is just be a kid. The school will be re-opened soon, we hope, and when it does, you can make friends and just live your life. Let the adults handle the crisis, okay?"
Unhappy about that answer, Henry just mumbled an "Okay."
Granny walked over then. "Ruby, where's David?"
"He's holding down the fort at the station." Ruby told her. "I stopped over there on my way over here, and the poor guy is fielding all kinds of calls and complaints."
"Well I got another one." Granny told her. "I don't know if it's credible, I've never met the man who just told me this, but Regina's vault is apparently here."
Ruby paled. "What?"
"He said it was under her father's grave." Granny told her. "He wanted us to tell David."
"Why didn't he go to David himself?" Ruby asked, wary of a man who'd know such a big thing, but not report it directly to David.
"I have no idea." Granny said. "He told me quickly and then got the hell out of here."
Henry was listening intently. If Regina's vault was here, and Mr. Gold brought magic to this land, then that might mean that Regina's vault could have something that could bring his mom and grandmother back home.
"Okay, I'm going to tell David." Ruby stood. "It might not be credible, but if it's true, then Regina has access to magical items that could cause chaos for all of us."
Granny nodded grimly.
Watching Ruby leave, a plan formed in Henry's head.
Across the camp, Mulan and Aurora watched as Lancelot talked with the prisoners as he showered them with food.
"Why is he being kind to them?" Aurora growled. "They were responsible for Phillip's death."
Mulan sighed. "You're new here, Aurora. Phillip trusted Lancelot. So must we."
"I want justice." Aurora hissed.
Mulan considered Aurora for a moment. "Tread carefully. It's dangerous to confuse vengeance with justice. Do you understand me?"
Aurora remained quiet, a stubborn look in her eyes.
"Do you understand me?" Mulan repeated with more intensity.
Aurora clenched her teeth. "Yes."
Mulan gave her a final warning look before walking away.
Aurora looked around before pulling out a dagger from her waistband. She clutched the hilt tightly as she returned it to it's hiding spot. That dagger would help her get justice for Phillip, no matter what.
Emma tried to act out of her element, which she was, but remembering her trip to the Enchanted Forest made it feel like she was going through a daily routine. So she made herself confused by the chimera again, though after trying it the first time, she definitely wasn't willing to eat it again, and she tried not to scrutinize Lancelot too much as she tried to see any indication that he was already Cora. She also refrained from looking around the camp for Killian in order to avoid more scrutiny from Mary Margaret and so Lancelot or Cora, whoever he was, wouldn't become suspicious.
"I don't understand." Mary Margaret started. "We were told this land didn't even exist anymore. How did you all escape the curse?"
Cora. Emma thought, watching Lancelot as he spoke.
"It is a mystery." Lancelot lied.
Emma kept her expression neutral.
"The curse struck and when the smoke cleared, most of us had been torn from this land. But some of us here, in this particular region, were left behind. We don't know how, and we don't know why. Finding this safe haven wasn't easy. Took some spilled blood. But worry not. You're safe here."
If Lancelot was lying, and Emma knew that he was, then he was really Cora. Emma just knew it. The problem was, what could she change, or what should she change, or should she change anything at all? As it was, she was becoming more certain by the second that Lancelot was Cora in disguise.
"We can't stay here." Mary Margaret said. "We need to get back home. My husband is back there, and so is…"
Emma cut her off. "Everyone we care about." Like hell she was going to let Cora know about Henry this go around.
Mary Margaret shot her a confused look.
"We need a portal." Emma continued carefully. "Can you help us find one?"
Lancelot shook his head, his brow furrowed with faux worry. "Leaving is unwise. The Enchanted Forest has changed. The ogres have returned."
Emma arched a brow. She remembered the ogres well, and she wasn't keen to repeat that incident. She definitely needed a sword, which could help her find Killian. His cover in the camp had been a blacksmith. Needing a sword was just the pretense that she needed.
"Snow, please, stay here." Lancelot implored. "There are no portals left and risking a run in with the ogres is something that no one needs."
"Actually, I might know of one portal." Mary Margaret said.
"Where?" Lancelot asked.
"Cora's near." Mary Margaret told him. "I don't feel comfortable voicing my plans. She's powerful."
"Not anymore." Lancelot lied again. "The curse stripped her of her powers. But, given her reputation, we kept her locked up as a precaution."
Mary Margaret considered his words. "Nevertheless, I'm not taking any chances. Just trust me. I may have a way. Let us go?"
Lancelot looked reluctant. "I'll allow it. But on one condition, take my bravest warrior with you." He motioned someone over.
Mulan appeared at his side.
"Allow Mulan to defend you." Lancelot said.
"Thank you, Lancelot." Mary Margaret smiled. "For always looking out for me."
Emma's stomach knotted. Mary Margaret well and truly believed that this man was her friend. But how could Emma warn her that Lancelot was Cora without any proof? She could tell Mary Margaret that her lie detector went off, but would Mary Margaret believe her over someone she believed to be a close friend?
Instead, Emma needed to focus on one thing at a time and right now finding Killian was her priority. "Mulan?"
Mulan looked at her warily.
"If there's a chance that we're going to face off against these…ogres, I don't know how effective my gun might be." Emma lied. She knew how effective, but like hell she was going to risk a gunshot luring more ogres. "Is there anyone I can get a sword from? Like a sword…maker or something?"
"A blacksmith?" Mulan suggested.
Maybe this faking ignorance thing was working a little too well. Emma thought. "Yeah…that."
"There is one here." Mulan said as she started walking. "I don't know how much help he will be though."
Emma walked with her. "Why do you say that?" Her heart was racing. It was a struggle for her to keep calm and keep her emotions in check. Please be Killian, please be Killian.
"He only has one hand." Mulan stopped nodding ahead of them.
Emma looked ahead, her heart skipping as she took in the sight of familiar, tousled dark hair, and bright blue eyes. Killian.
He was sharpening a dagger, seeming as though he wasn't really paying attention to everyone around him, but Emma knew him well enough to see the relaxed and unassuming facade for what it was. She had forgotten how much like a wolf in sheep's clothing he could be.
"He's newer here." Mulan told her. "I wouldn't trust him."
Emma snorted. "From what I gather, you don't trust anyone."
Mulan glared at her before heading back towards Lancelot.
Emma took a moment to just watch him, taking him in. Here he was, alive and well, not yet the man that she fell in love with, but she knew that he was somewhere in there, under the surface of all of that revenge and pain.
The ache in her heart left her as she watched him. She could breathe now. He was alive. Her Killian was alive.
Taking a breath to calm her nerves, she walked forward, steeling herself, because he was supposed to be a stranger who she had no feelings for whatsoever. She had a feeling that pretending not to love him was going to be the hardest task she'd be undertaking.
"Excuse me?" She asked, her tone a bit too rude.
He looked up at her, and Emma found it hard to breathe again. The eyes that had been lifeless just hours ago were staring at her in awe. Emma couldn't help but feel a little prideful that he still seemed as awestruck by her now as he had when they had first met in the Enchanted Forest, when he had found her in New York, and when she had met his past self. It seemed Killian Jones always saw something in her that even she couldn't see.
He blinked a couple of times, opening and closing his mouth before he seemed to find his voice. "Aye, lass, how can I help you?"
Emma forced down her smile. "Well, I need a sword, and I'm told you're a blacksmith."
"Aye." Killian nodded. "I am that."
Her lie detector went off, as she knew it would, but she had to play this carefully. Plus, it couldn't hurt to have a little fun with him first. "So you got a sword?"
"That I do." Killian stood, leaning into her personal space. "And I'd gladly use it on you."
Emma narrowed her eyes, hoping to convey irritation, but on the inside she was happy to see Captain Innuendo. "I don't have time for games. Now, do you have a sword for me to use? Preferably on you."
"Ooh, well, aren't you a tough lass." Killian smirked. "Does the lady have a name?"
"Yours first, pal." Emma growled. It was actually kind of fun acting like she had no idea who he was. It was kind of like role playing, in fact; it was just like what she used to do in bail bonds. Act a part, lure a guy in, and then he's hers. She could do this…she could pretend not to know him. She hoped. That didn't change the fact that every word he said and every look he gave her still had an effect on her.
"Killian Jones."
Emma eyed him, trying to make him squirm, but all he did was smirk back. "Emma Swan."
"Swan." He breathed her name like a prayer.
Emma's facade almost broke at hearing her name, his name for her, on his lips, when she thought she might never have heard it again.
"So, sword?"
Killian backed away. "Follow me."
Emma followed him over to a hut, where he held the flap open for her. "Such a gentleman."
"I'm always a gentleman." Killian said, sending Emma's head spinning.
She might be able to act the part she needed to, but she wasn't entirely certain she would get used to reliving the same dialogue over again, especially since this wasn't the beanstalk. Was that going to change too? God, what if this was all a mistake? She should not be here, messing with the timeline. She was probably breaking a thousand magical rules that Regina never got around to teaching her. But as she looked at Killian, as he sorted through the weapons in the hut, her heart knew that he was more than worth it.
Killian picked out a few swords and laid them out on an empty space on the table in front of Emma. While she had asked Killian and David to train her with swords in Neverland, they never got around to it until just a few weeks ago, after Rumplestiltskin's banishment, so Emma's basic knowledge was still at the forefront of her mind. Which meant that she could recognize these types of swords. One was a sabre, the second a claymore, and the third a cutlass. Since her very limited training was with her father's arming sword and Killian's cutlass, Emma picked up the cutlass.
"A fine choice." Killian smirked.
"Yeah." Emma unsheathed the blade and twirled it experimentally, before bringing it up to Killian's neck, and stepping back. She learned the hard way that getting into his personal space with a weapon, regardless of whether or not he was armed, was a bad idea. The man was a three hundred year old combat expert who had a penchant for cheating and using every disadvantage an opponent had against them. "And now, you're going to tell me who you really are."
"I've told you who I am." Killian said, eyeing the blade, not warily, but intently, waiting for her to make a wrong move.
"I believe you're Killian Jones." Emma agreed. "But you're not a blacksmith. You see, I have this superpower. I can tell when people are lying. So…who are you really?"
Killian's eyes met hers, and Emma could see him weighing his options. "What's in it for me, if I tell you the truth?"
"What do you want?" Emma asked.
Killian cocked his head. "All right, I'll bite. If I don't tell you the truth, what are you going to do?"
"Tell everyone here that you're not who you say you are and watch them throw you in the pit with Cora." Emma told him.
Killian tensed at the mention of Cora.
"What? Afraid of a frail old woman?" Emma snarked.
"I assure you Cora is far from frail." Killian warned.
"So Lancelot was lying about her magic." Emma said.
Killian arched a brow.
"My mother is friends with Lancelot." Emma explained. "He doesn't know about my superpower. He told us Cora's magic was stripped and that she wasn't a threat. So is Lancelot working with Cora?"
"How would I know that?" Killian asked.
"Because you knew Cora still had her magic." Emma pressed the blade against his neck, careful not to cut him. "And I think you know that if I reveal you're working with Cora, it could only make things worse for you. So start talking, buddy."
"If I tell you the truth, how can I trust that you will give me what I want in return?"
Emma paused, thinking of how she could get Killian to trust her. "How about this, you tell me what you want, and I'll tell you exactly how I can make that happen, so long as you stay on my side. If I suspect for a moment that you're working against me with Cora, I'm going to take your other hand and your other sword." She hoped she was convincingly threatening, considering just how empty her threats were.
By the bob of Killian's Adam's apple, Emma knew that he was certainly convinced.
"I need a portal to the Land Without Magic." Killian told her. "I'm seeking someone who's there."
"Who and why?"
"If I told you that, then you won't help me." Killian said.
"How do you know?"
"Because I can see that you're a good person." Killian's smirk was bitter. "I'm not. I'm a pirate, and a villain. You won't let me come with you with dastardly intentions such as mine."
"You want to hurt someone?" Emma guessed. She glanced at his stump, hidden under the hookless brace. "Your missing hand have anything to do with that?"
"You're quite perceptive, aren't you?"
"I've been told that before." Emma said, feeling dread in her gut. She knew that this Killian was still out for revenge against Rumplestiltskin, but she wasn't sure how she'd get Killian to let go of his revenge. She feared that this time around she might fail to make Killian become the hero he was at heart. "Look, maybe you're not a good guy, but you and I both want the same thing. A portal. My son and my dad are back in the Land Without Magic, and I need to get home. You help me, and I'll help you."
"And you know where to come by a portal?" Killian's eyebrow rose.
"Actually, I do." Emma said. "My mother, one of Lancelot's guards, and I are going to go find one soon. So, here's the deal, I keep my mouth shut and help you get to the Land Without Magic, and you stop working with Cora. Deal?"
He looked at her of a long moment, considering her words, before his lips curled slowly into a smirk. "You have an accord, Swan." He held his hand out for her to shake.
Emma removed the cutlass from Killian's neck, sheathing the sword, and taking his hand. "You betray me, I will make good on those promises." She squeezed his hand tightly and glanced down at his crotch before meeting his eyes again.
"I wouldn't dream of betraying you, love." Killian chuckled.
Emma's heart fluttered at the endearment. "I'm not your love. Now, come on."
Regina roughly tossed her things into boxes. Her removal from office had come sooner than she expected. She hoped that with her magic back, people would be too scared to push her out of office. Apparently, they were not, and everyone wanted her head on a platter. Her removal from office would just be the beginning.
It made Regina want to burn this whole town to the ground.
She was the Evil Queen. These people deserved her ire. They were supposed to fear her and let her rule over them. Now that the curse was broken, it seemed that everyone had grown a backbone. All she wanted was her happy ending, but she was a villain, and villains never seemed to win.
It was all Ms. Swan's fault. Ever since she arrived in town, everything in Regina's life had been upended, and then that little blonde bitch had to break her curse and ruin everything for good. Not to mention that Henry had been taken away too. How dare those Charmings do this to her. Her curse was supposed to destroy their happiness, but now it had destroyed her happiness. She had nothing left.
The only small measure of comfort she had was that Ms. Swan and Snow White were trapped in another realm, or a desolate wasteland, and that they had no way back home. Regina smiled at the thought. Without the Savior and Snow White here, she could get the town to buckle underneath her. All she had to do first was get rid of Prince Charming.
She could wage a war and win.
She could get Henry and her happiness back.
Her cell phone rang. That surprised her. No one in Storybrooke liked her right now and it's not like she ever had any friends. Her phone almost dropped from her hands when she saw that it was Henry calling her.
A smile broke out onto her face. "Henry?"
"Hey mom." Henry replied.
"I'm surprised you're calling." Regina admitted. "I thought you hated me."
"I don't hate you." Henry told her. "I just…I don't like that you do bad things."
Regina winced. She had already been plotting evil acts, and she hadn't even thought of how it might make Henry feel. He had to understand though. She was the Evil Queen; she couldn't change who she was. "I'm the Evil Queen, Henry. I'm supposed to do bad things."
Henry gave a disappointed sigh that tugged at Regina's heart. "I wish you didn't. I think you could be good if you really wanted to be."
Regina didn't respond to that. "Is there a reason you called? Are you okay?"
"Um, yeah." Henry said. "I just wanted to see if you'd like to have lunch. I'm at Granny's and I just wanted to talk."
His words surprised her again. She wondered why he wanted to meet her, but it was a good thing. If he wanted to meet with her and talk, she could convince him that she was in the right, and maybe she could even convince him to come home. "Okay. I'll meet you there now. I'm just finishing packing up my office. I've been removed as mayor."
"Sorry." Henry muttered.
"It's all right." Regina told him. It wouldn't be long until she gained her power back anyhow. "I'll be there soon." Hanging up her phone, she grabbed her boxes and left the office. Henry was going to come around, she just knew it.
As soon as Regina left the office, Henry entered it quietly. He knew that she had to have skeleton keys for the whole town somewhere after falsifying murder charges on Mary Margaret. He just had to find them.
Quickly, he searched a few cabinets before he found a large set of keys. Inwardly cheering, Henry tucked the keys into his pocket and left the office.
They were just waiting on "Lancelot" to bring them more supplies and see them off, so Emma figured that she could go for a short walk, not too far away, in order to clear her head. She needed time to herself to figure out what the hell she was going to do. All she cared about when she first got here was saving Killian, and now, she was scared that she changed too much already, and that she screwed up the future.
How much had she changed in the future just by changing the things she had already changed? How different was everything going to be now?
Speaking of things to change, Emma looked out at the refugee camp. If Emma hadn't known the future, she'd be much less anxious about leaving these innocent people to die at Cora's hand. But what the hell could she do, claim Cora had magic, that she was impersonating Lancelot, and that she was going to kill them all? Everyone would think she was insane. Her magic couldn't protect them, could it? Hell, even if she could use her magic, she had no idea what spell to use.
Maybe she could stop Cora somehow. Or maybe Cora wouldn't kill the refugees. The only reason she had murdered them in the first place was to assimilate Hook into the heroes group. So if Killian was with them, there should be no reason for Cora to kill these people…or she would do it for another reason.
She'd have to figure out something, but the others were waiting for her.
If she did try to warn people about Cora, she also feared tipping "Lancelot" off. Knowing that she'd be risking Cora having the advantage didn't quell Emma's guilt about all of these people dying, though she hoped that she already changed enough that Cora wouldn't go to that extreme, but what if she hadn't changed enough?
Emma was getting a headache from all of this overthinking.
Speaking of Killian, he was currently receiving glares from Mulan and distrustful looks from Mary Margaret, neither one of whom understood Emma's reasons for bringing him along. Especially since Emma had just vaguely said something about needing all the help they could get. Mary Margaret was really confused by Emma's actions, knowing that Emma's trust was not given easily.
She turned away, shaking her head, feeling like things were about to get a lot harder, when she bumped into someone. "Oh I'm sorry."
"It's all right." A familiar voice said.
Emma froze knowing that it absolutely wasn't possible for her to be hearing that voice. She looked up to see Marian smiling politely at her. Emma had to force herself not to do a double take, clenching her jaw to keep it from dropping. There was no way that Marian could be alive right now. Not when she and Killian hadn't time traveled yet. Not when Emma knew that Regina, as of this point in time, executed Marian. Schooling her features, Emma smiled at Marian. "No, really it was my fault." Emma said, as her thoughts were raced through her head.
How in the hell was it possible for Marian to be alive? Unless it was Cora messing with Emma's mind. No, that couldn't be possible either. Cora had no reason to mess with Emma, and she definitely wouldn't know about Marian. Could it be Zelena? Emma doubted it, because she knew that Zelena was still in Oz. So how was Marian here?
"Are you all right?" Marian asked.
"Um, yeah, I'm fine." Emma said.
Marian seemed bemused. "You're not from here, are you?"
"Um, technically I am." Emma chuckled, trying to play up the stranger in a strange land thing. "But really I'm from the Land Without Magic. The Enchanted Forest is entirely new territory for me."
"Everything is new territory for us now." Marian's tone was sad.
Emma nodded. "As new as this is for me, my kid would've been excited. He would've thought that this was one big adventure." She was prodding for answers. If this was Marian, then Marian would know about her own child.
Marian smiled warmly, a hint of longing and empathy in her eyes. "You have a child? How old?"
"Ten." Emma said, careful not to mention Henry's name. She still wasn't sure whether or not this was really Marian after all, but finding out details that only Marian would know, well details that Emma hoped Cora wouldn't know, to confirm that this was Marian.
"I have a son." Marian admitted. "Roland. He's only two…no, he'd be three by now." She seemed heartbroken and dejected over the thought of her child growing up without her.
"When was the last time you saw him?" Emma asked gently.
"Before the curse when…" Marian shuddered. "Robin and Roland went ahead of me, to find a new camp, I stayed behind to wait on an injured friend who I was caring for. The Evil Queen…" Marian broke off, a distant look in her eyes.
"Regina?" Emma asked.
Marian looked startled. "That was her name I suppose. I only ever remember her as the Evil Queen. My husband and I aren't from these kingdoms. We're more east, from the Sherwood Forest. We only travelled across these lands to the Northwest where the Dark One resided. After that, we had been traveling to return to Sherwood, but the Evil Queen had delayed us quite a bit."
"What happened after you and your family separated?" Emma was curious. She didn't know all of the details for how Marian ended up in prison, but this Marian was giving her so many details, and she was so genuine, that Emma's lie detector wasn't going off at all.
"The Evil Queen was looking for Snow White." Marian said. "Of course, the entire village knew she was there hiding, but no one wanted to give her up. I was just the unlucky one chosen as an example. I was supposed to be executed, but I was rescued from my cell by a girl."
Emma knew there was no way that could've been her. The book would've always had her and Killian in it if they had always been meant to time travel and her parents original story would've always been the one that she and Killian had changed. But that's not what happened. Did that mean that Marian was never meant to die by Regina's hand? Had she still been alive and wandering the Enchanted Forest or other lands looking for Robin and Roland, and Emma's interference changed all of that?
"I'm trying to find a way back to my kid." Emma told her. "He's with his grandfather over in the other realm, but Regina is there too, so I need to get back. Maybe you could come with us, and see if Robin and Roland were taken by Regina's curse?" Of course, Emma knew that wasn't the case, but if Cora was still going to murder these people, and Emma really did need to find a way to stop her, Emma couldn't in good conscience let Marian die too. Marian needed to come with them.
Even though she was wary, Marian considered Emma's offer. While she wanted to stay here in the hopes that Robin and Roland found their way here, there was no guarantee that the curse hadn't taken them, and she could be waiting for nothing. More than that, she was not a woman to stand idly by when she could be doing something to help others. If Emma needed help getting back to her son, and if it could mean a reunion with Robin and Roland, Marian didn't see how she could turn Emma down. "I supposed that could work. I might have a better chance finding them out there instead of being stuck here."
Emma smiled. "I'm Emma Swan, by the way."
"Marian."
Emma hoped that she was doing the right thing by saving Marian, again, and that this wasn't going to come back to bite her in the ass, again.
David pinched the bridge of his nose as he listened to more complaints from citizens. He didn't have time for this. Ruby told him about the possibility that Regina's vault was here and he needed to go investigate it.
Ruby was trying to help by answering phones, just as he was, and writing down messages for David to get to later, but even that wasn't much of a relief.
He was just glad people stopped coming by the station to take up all of his time.
The sound of the station door opening reached David's ear as he hung up the phone and he groaned.
Ruby shot him a sympathetic look.
David turned just as Regina was hauled into the station, Granny's crossbow at her back, her hands tied with rope, and the dwarves surrounding her with pickaxes. "What's going on?"
"This one decided my diner needed her presence." Granny growled. "Luckily, her magic failed her and we managed to capture her ass and bring her in."
"I told you, Henry called me." Regina snapped. "And my magic won't fail me for long."
"Oh right, and the kid is conveniently missing?" Leroy growled at her.
"What?" David exclaimed, panic seizing at him. "Okay, start from the beginning."
Granny opened her mouth to speak, but Regina beat her to the punch. "Henry called me to invite me to lunch at Granny's and when I got there he wasn't there."
"Why would Henry call you?" Ruby hissed. "He's scared of you."
"I'm his mother." Regina snapped.
"No." David said fiercely. "Emma is. Now, where is Henry?" "I don't know." Regina growled.
David hated it, but he could see Regina was telling the truth and she did seem worried about Henry. Before he could question them more, Ruby grabbed him by the arm and dragged him into Emma's office, shutting the door behind them.
"I didn't want to let Regina know that we know she has her vault." Ruby explained before David could question her. "David, Henry and I were talking earlier. He wants to help bring Emma and Snow back, and he heard us talking about Regina's vault."
Fear gripped at David's heart. "You think he went to the vault."
Ruby nodded. "He must've lured Regina to Granny's so that she wouldn't be at the vault."
"Okay, I'm going after him." David told her. "You help keep Regina here until Henry is safe. I don't want to risk her going to her vault for any reason, and I don't want to risk near Henry."
"Okay." Ruby agreed.
David hurried out of the station, praying that Henry hadn't yet gotten to the vault or that he hadn't gotten into anything yet. He'd never forgive himself if anything happened to Henry.
Hook watched the Swan girl walk away. She was a good distraction from the glares coming from the warrior and Swan's mother. He was surprised at their ages until he figured the curse must've frozen the mother, but that didn't explain how Swan aged. Perhaps he'd be able to question her about it on their journey.
He wondered if betraying Cora was the smart move. She had promised him a way to get his revenge, yet she brought them here to this camp, no set plan for moving forward.
The Swan girl, however, had a plan that he could work with. She certainly was impressive, amazing, tough, and perceptive. The moment he laid eyes on her, a part of him was so awestruck by her that he stared at her like a fool, while the other part of him knew that he was in trouble. His heart had raced as though he were a schoolboy with a crush. It was absolutely ridiculous; he would not have feelings for this blonde beauty, not when he still had to avenge Milah.
Still, the way Swan had glowed with the sun shining on her…it was so striking, breathtaking, that Hook was certain that the image of her standing above him was burned in his mind forever.
Shaking himself, he formed his own plan just in case Swan's failed. Cora had given him a pair of cuffs that would allow him and her to climb up a beanstalk for a compass that Cora said was necessary for any portal that they used whether it was a magic bean or any other way. He hadn't yet shared that with Swan, but until a portal was a guarantee, then he'd keep his cards close to his vest.
He'd go with Swan, her mother, and the warrior to the castle for this so called portal, and if that failed, he'd take the cuffs, get the compass, and procure a magic bean.
Swan's approach caught his attention. It seemed she very easily got his attentions, no matter how much his mind warred with his heart on the matter.
A tawny skinned woman with raven hair accompanied her.
Swan introduced the woman, Marian, to their little group, and Hook found her striking still, the only blonde among the rest of their raven haired group. She seemed to be the sun that they all orbited around. Or was that just him?
It's not like blondes didn't exist in the Enchanted Forest, but there weren't many that he had come across, and certainly none that stood out like Emma. There was a glow about her, a magnetism, whether she realized it or not, that simply drew him to her. She was just so striking. It wasn't really something he felt putting words to could justify. It was as though her beauty, her aura, her very essence was just so awing and extraordinary that she was ineffable. Ineffably enthralling and captivating…
He shook his head. He shouldn't be having such thoughts about a woman that he just met. Milah and avenging her death should be his focus. Finally getting his revenge on Rumplestiltskin after three hundred years should be his focus.
"…know you from somewhere?" Marian said.
Hook looked between Marian and Snow White, trying not to be obvious that he missed the beginning of the conversation, because he had been too wrapped up in his thoughts about Emma as he stared at the blonde in question.
From the look on Emma's face, she had noticed his gaze, and the upturn of her lips made him feel as though his attentions weren't all that unwelcome.
"Yes, you do look familiar." Snow said.
Marian stared at Snow only a moment longer before it clicked. "You're the girl. You saved me from the Evil Queen."
Snow gasped when recognition clicked. "You were the girl from the village! Regina was looking for me, and took you to be made an example of." Snow surprised the woman by hugging her. "I'm so glad you made it out of there all right."
"I'm just glad you were there to save me." Marian said, returning the hug. "I can't believe I was saved by the Snow White. I'm surprised I didn't recognize you from your wanted posters."
"As am I." Snow chuckled.
Mulan moved away from the group as some of Lancelot's men approached with supplies, and Marian and Snow became engrossed in conversation.
Emma herself seemed full of questions, asking her mother for the full story.
"I was hiding in disguise in one of the homes, but I could still hear and see everything that was happening when Regina came to the village." Snow explained. "I saw her take Marian away, and I couldn't just runaway and leave Marian to die when I could do something to save her. It was risky going into the castle, but I knew where the tunnels were, and I knew Regina wouldn't place too many guards on one person in a cell. I just went in with Grumpy and Doc for backup. We actually really lucked out, because it turned out there wasn't a single guard down there."
"Very lucky." Marian continued. "They used a pickaxe on the lock, and got me out. We separated, myself and one of your dwarves ran in another direction, and I don't think we walked until we were a mile or so away. The dwarf left me once I was back in the village. My friend was missing and I was so terrified that Regina would come after me." Marian finished her part of the story. "Instead of going east to catch up with Robin and Roland, I went west, just in case Regina put me on the next set of wanted posters."
Mulan returned, alerting the group that their supplies were ready. She warned Marian that if she was coming then she needed to get a weapon. They only had to wait on Marian a few minutes before she returned with a bow and a quiver of arrows.
Once they had everything they needed, they began their trek, following Snow's lead.
Henry entered the vault with nervous anticipation. He had no idea what Regina had down here, but surely there was something that could bring Emma and Snow back. Magic was the solution to the problem, he knew that it was. He could find a way to bring them back home and they're family would be reunited again.
There were many cabinets and shelves with so many items that Henry had no idea where to start. There was a wall full of drawers and it sounded to Henry as though the drawers were thumping. Walking over, he opened one up, shocked to see a glowing heart beating away. Quickly, he shut the drawer back, eyeing the other drawers warily.
Figuring that he needed to look elsewhere, Henry walked to another part of the vault and saw a chest. Wondering what could be in there, Henry opened it.
Two green snakes reared and hissed at him causing Henry to jump back before someone slammed the chest closed.
Henry looked up to see a worried David staring at him.
David helped Henry up and checked him for injuries. "Are you all right?"
"Yeah." Henry said. "How did you know where I was?"
"Ruby put it together when Regina told us you stood her up for lunch." David said. "Henry, what were you thinking?"
"I just want them back." Henry told him. "It wasn't supposed to be this way. When the curse broke, we were all supposed to be together. Now they're trapped and we might never see them again."
"Oh, Henry." David pulled him into a hug. "I know. I know exactly how you feel, but that doesn't mean that you should go out of your way to put yourself in danger. I would never forgive myself if anything happened to you. What about Emma? Do you think she'd want you risking your safety for her?"
Henry shook his head.
"I know that this isn't easy Henry." David sighed. "But I know in my heart that Emma and Snow will find a way back to us. We just have to believe in them. If they can't, then I will find a way. I know you want to help, but you have to understand that magic can be very dangerous. I don't want you getting hurt."
Henry nodded solemnly. "I'm sorry, grandpa."
"It's okay." David said. "Let's get you back home, okay?"
"Follow my lead. Step where I step. Do exactly as I say, and you might survive." Mulan told them after Snow explained that she wanted to go to her castle.
"Great pep talk." Emma huffed. "But I think we're good. I just killed a dragon this week." Though in hindsight, it had been more due to luck than any skill, but hey, Mulan didn't need to know that.
"Have you ever seen an ogre?" Mulan asked, her perpetual glare much less effective this time around for Emma.
Emma shrugged. "Pretty sure I've dated a few."
Hook snorted at the comment, earning a glare from Mary Margaret.
Emma didn't mind. Now that she was reliving all of this, she could appreciate the humor in her own words more. Besides, other than Killian, all of her relationships ended up being with a guy who wasn't great or ended very badly or both.
Mulan stepped forward. "Legend has it that when they kill you, the last thing you see is yourself dying in the reflection in their eyes."
"I doubt that intimidation tactic will work on Swan here." Hook said, coming to stand next to Emma. "She'll likely be the one scaring the ogres off."
"Ha ha." Emma said dryly, fighting off a smirk. "Careful buddy, or I might scare you off."
Hook winked at her.
Emma caught the strange look on Mary Margaret's face. Damn, she really hoped that she didn't sound like she was flirting with Hook. She didn't think she did, but it was hard to tell. Maybe it was because she was fifteen months wiser and she had been dating Hook after all. She changed so much in the past year, so maybe she couldn't go back to who she was before, and maybe her openness was what Mary Margaret found strange. God, having Hook, Henry, her parents, her brother, and Elsa in her life really brought down her walls. Could she even pretend to find them again and act as though her heart was a fortress and hold her emotions at bay?
"We need to keep moving." Mulan said. "It'll be dark soon." She turned and stalked ahead of the group.
"So what's the plan?" Emma asked her mother as soon as the rest of them started walking to catch up to Mulan.
Mary Margaret glared at Hook.
"Oh, am I not to be privy to the plan that I am helping execute?" Hook arched a brow. "There's common sense for you."
"Jones, be nice." Emma reprimanded.
Hook huffed. "Very well." He walked ahead of them towards Mulan muttering that "the warrior was better company anyway."
Emma loved the man, but she forgot how he could be a jackass when he wasn't truly on the side of good. She turned back to her mother. "So, plan?"
Mary Margaret regarded her strangely for a moment before speaking. "The wardrobe."
"The wardrobe as in the wardrobe?" Emma asked feigning surprise while she was calculating if she should get the ashes before Cora or leave the ashes as she had before. "The wardrobe that sent little baby me to Maine? You think that can get us back to Storybrooke?"
"Wait, a wardrobe is a portal?" Marian asked. "That's a little farfetched, isn't it?"
"Well C.S. Lewis thought it worked." Emma shrugged.
"Who?" Marian seemed even more confused.
"The wardrobe was made from an Enchanted Tree." Mary Margaret explained. "It allowed David and I to send Emma to the Land Without Magic ahead of the curse. Doing that allowed Emma to become the Savior that she was foreseen to be."
Emma shifted uncomfortably at the title, and was surprised to find that it wasn't for show. Even after all this time, did she really still not consider herself to be the Savior?
"The wardrobe will take us to your realm?" Marian asked.
"I don't know." Mary Margaret said. "First, we have to see if it survived the curse, then we'll worry about making it work."
Marian nodded. "Then we should keep moving. The sooner we find that wardrobe, the better."
"Agreed." Emma said.
They picked up their pace, determine to be reunited with their families. Nothing was going to stop them.
So things are changing.
I already have Cora as Lancelot based off of the line where she said she killed him a long time ago.
Marian is alive, because I wanted her alive and I was wondering what if she was always meant to escape? So I made it kind of fit with canon. I mean, Snow really wouldn't leave someone to die in good conscience and in canon s3 finale, there weren't any guards when Emma and Marian were imprisoned and Snow managed to sneak in fairly easily before, so it is pretty safe to assume Regina's security isn't very tight at all.
Until next time.
