The tops of the tallest tower from the kingdom of Arendale glimmered in the distance beyond the mountain peaks. This should have lifted Killian up, given him hope, but his focus was on the steep hike ahead. A pull at his heartstrings had him looking back over his shoulder longingly, as if he would see Emma there. Of course she was not, nothing was behind them, not even a bird was present as he peered into the horizon.
"We should warn the others about the army headed their way, what if they go back to the homestead?" Red looked between Gran and Anita but she could tell from their expression, they already agreed.
"No, we've had enough detours" Ingrid's glare silenced her as she continued forwards leading the group. "I need to find my niece"
"We'll continue as planned" Gran said as she gave Red a sympathetic look.
"Just come back with me to the den, it's not safe here for our kind" Anita's voice pleaded but the comment went unacknowledged by her daughter, who slowed her pace walking alongside Killian.
"You're quiet?" She asked with a pointed look.
"Somethings wrong, I should have gone with Emma" Killian's shaky voice barely got the words out.
"Why didn't you?" Red turned to him curious.
"I was scared," he admitted, eyes on the three in front of him as they continued up the mountainside.
"Killian Jones scared, never" she teased trying to get a smile but he remained sullen.
"Scared of what I might do" He elaborated.
There was a silence as his eyes became distant, his face contorted if his inner demons were striking blows. Red could see the change in his eyes, for the first time since meeting Emma he felt the urge to cross that line. That bitter taste of hatred was familiar, almost comforting to know he still had it within him.
"I won't let the dark one take another person I love" Killian said but even with hate brewing in his heart, his bright blue eyes were pleading, as he turned to face his friend.
"Neither will I," Red nodded.
Although they didn't say it aloud, the intent was clear they would do whatever it took to save Emma. If that meant another life had to be lost, if she never forgave them, that was simply the price they would pay.
Continuing their hike along the cliffside a sudden noise caught their immediate attention, it was the sound of footsteps rapidly approaching. The wind whistled, as a black net soared towards the group. With heightened senses, all three werewolves were quick to dash out of its crosshairs. Killian and Ingrid didn't have the advantage and were struck, flung to the ground as it wrapped around them.
"Bloody hell" Killian grunted, feeling a pointed rock strike his spine when he hit the ground.
Red moved forward ready to cut the binds that held them with her back turned; she did not see the brute of a man, surging towards her with an axe.
Anita jumped in front of her taking the brunt of the attack while Granny let her arrow fly from her crossbow piercing the man in the back. He barely flinched, pulling the axe viciously back out of Anita's arm, not even looking, as she moaned in pain. He turned his attention back to Red ready to strike, but instead there was a burst of white, Ingrid froze the restraints and they crumbled away.
"Move" Ingrid commanded.
Marching forwards past a surprised Red, grabbing the man Ingrid clasped her hand around his neck. Immediately he gasped out in agony, his skin became blue, and his garments froze solid in an instant. When she let go he fell to the ground with a thud as one solid piece of ice that cracked and split into pieces. It all happened in a moment too quick for anyone to stop it.
"What have I done?"
Ingrid's words of regret reached Red's ears just as the blood from her mothers' wounds trickled onto the ground. Coating the dirt in bright red, the sight of it triggered something in her mind. The same glimpses she saw in the maze, when the poison coursed through her dredging up a repressed memory. Red's hand went to her temple and she gasped, her mind faded, her thoughts taking her back.
Looking at the world around her everything was so big, but the world hadn't changed; she was just smaller. The crystal white snow beneath her paws was blood red, guzzling out of the man she had killed. His body lay before her, torn apart but the vicious teeth of a killer. In one reactionary moment of panic lunging at his jugular as he swung his axe and her world shifted.
She had changed for the first time into the wolf, now shaking on four paws in the snow while her mother approached slowly. There was no fear in Anita's eyes, only love for her daughter, the kind that filled her with ease. Everything was going to be ok now, mom was here, feeling a gush of relief she stepped forwards. The world shifted again and she was back on two feet.
"Let's go get cleaned up" Anita gasped, wrapping her arms around Red.
Anita took her hand, her tiny four-year-old hand, without hesitation leading the young Red to the river, washing away the blood. Tears poured down Anita's cheeks as she looked over at her daughter with adoration and sadness, trying to take in as much as she could. There was no time left for them; the sounds of the man's screams as he died had alerted the nearby village. Footsteps already approached running through the snow they had mere seconds before they emerged from the tree line.
"Go back to Granny's, stay on the path, straight home" she instructed through tears.
"Mommy what's wrong, I'm sorry" Red pleaded assuming her mothers tears were caused by her disappointment in Red.
"No, this wasn't your fault, but mom has to go, I'll see you again, I-I promise" Anita's voice broke, turning Red around she gently patted her back, pushing her forward.
Red walked down the path turning back to see her mother watching her, in the distance people emerged with weapons and torches, screaming profanities. Anita turned and faced the mob with blood on her hands.
"Straight to Granny's" Anita stated again, as a smile flickered just at the corners of her mouth.
Snapped back to the present-day Red looked up to see everyone's concerned expressions directed towards her as she lay on the ground.
"You saved me, it was me, I killed him" Red gasped out eyes wide with guilt.
"What are you talking about?" Anita shook her head.
"I remember, I remember mom" Red choked out her mouth gaped open.
There was a look of recognition amongst the group and Red moved closer to her mother while Granny tried to bandage Anita's arm, she hugged her tight.
"I don't understand, why did you take the fall for me, I killed that hunter" Red asked bewildered.
"I would do anything for you," she scoffed. "I knew if I left, they would come after me, you'd be safe, free to live your life, I never wanted you to know the truth" Anita admitted.
"You sacrificed everything for me" Red voice broke looking up at her mother in awe.
There was a stunned silence for a moment, before Red turned to Granny, her expression now angry.
"And you never told me the truth" Red raised her voice at her Gran.
"I thought that she left, that she killed the hunter" Gran clasped her hand over her mouth ashamed "so I lied- told you, she died"
Granny looked over to her daughter with tears in her eyes, having all this time believed she was the killer, who abandoned them. With Anita wound bandaged up she let out a deep breath letting go of all her resentment.
"Thank you, for watching over her" Anita's words were sincere, smiling at her mother.
All their doubt and anger fading away when they looked into each other's eyes knowing their pain came from love. They still loved each other, even after all this time apart.
Killian watched in awe, but it was in that moment he knew where he needed to be and what he had to do.
"I'm going back, you can continue ahead without me" Kilian stated firmly.
"No you can't go alone" Red shook her head.
"Where almost there, why turn back now" Ingrid's earlier grit gone from her voice broke, as reality sunk in and she glanced back to see the tops of the tower now covered by clouds.
"We don't know if Anna is even in Arendale, but it's not hard to guess where those knights are heading" Gran's voice was soft as she tried to convince her.
"Why are you so sure they're after us?" Anita questioned as her eyes narrowed.
"The Dark One, she killed their leader, its revenge they want"
Killians tone was short, as anger fuelled him, his fist clenched he turned marching back down the mountain. Red raced after him while the others hesitated for a moment watching with bated breath.
"Killian, Emma will be ok" Red's weary tone wasn't convincing.
"You don't know that, she doesn't even have her heart" Killian's shame and heartbreak present in his broken voice as he marched ahead.
"This isn't just about her heart is it?" Red questioned chasing after him.
Killian sighed he couldn't say it aloud but the reminder of what lengths a mother would go to protect their child, terrified him. Aware of how love can turn sour if the right buttons are pushed. That the fierce and at times possessive nature of the love Snow White had for her daughter could lead to disaster, with her heart turned dark.
"We keep separating" Killian turned his head to Red but found the others had also began to follow "You remember in the maze Red, we fell apart, when we stood alone" his anger evaporated, now encouraging as he met their eyes.
"Together then" Red smiled.
"Why are you so sure if we return, Emma will be there?" Ingrid asked curiously.
"Right in the middle of a dangerous battle" he sighed "Where else would she be"
Turning back to the others she could see they agreed the best way forwards was home, there they would make a stand. The uncertainty that had plagued them as they wandered was gone, knowing in their hearts this was the right path.
"How far is it, to the castle?" Emma scrunched up her face as she swatted another large flying insect away from her face.
"Sometimes you just need to appreciate the journey, you never know what you'll find" David smiled looking towards his wife; she smiled back grateful the tension had settled between them.
"I know guys, I read the book" Emma said while her eyes rolled, dragging her feet in a huff as she trailed behind her parents.
Emma's eyes remained ahead squarely on her mother scrutinizing every step she took, in her black layered gear. It sat unnaturally on her skin as if alive and changing as she moved, movements that had become stiff, calculated and cold. With every step, every minute that went by, the darkness stained her mothers heart. Forcing a distance between them, a gap Emma made sure not to close, dawdling behind her.
"Why don't we just, you know, magic there?" Emma blurted out frustrated.
"Rumpelstiltskin is gone, but his wards remain" she explained, turning to with the same guilt ridden expression.
She could plainly see Snow's desperation in her eyes, all she wanted was reassurance, to know things would be alright between them. But Emma wasn't willing to let go of her anger, not yet.
"Maybe I can try?" Emma stated after a moment looking down and inspecting her palms.
There was no light pulsing outward, an energy she came accustomed too was unattainable and her limited control of it in hindsight, felt like a fluke. That's what she told herself as her doubts took hold.
"We don't need magic, we can hike for another four hours, then rest for lunch before continuing until nightfall" David encouraged somewhat breathless rushing ahead, guiding the horse alongside him.
"You're not serious" Emma grimaced.
"Why don't you sit on the horse, I'll lead" He raised his eyebrows and an encouraging smile lighting up his face.
"I thought I'd get my learners permit, guess this is close enough" Emma chuckled, placing her foot in the stirrup she jumped up with ease.
The reigns still in David's hand he led them forward deep into the dark forests surrounding the Dark One's castle. Many souls had gotten lost in these woods, but for Snow and David this foggy trial was familiar. Emma could see fear in their eyes, growing further apart with every step closer to the dark fortress in awkward silence, which she couldn't help but break.
"I don't know how you two ever hiked this much, I can't wait to sit in those plastic classroom chairs again" Emma furrowed her brow, now feeling and aching from the saddle.
"Emma, you know that may not be possible, the only way back would-" David trailed off, looking up at Emma with concern.
"Another curse, I just forgot for a moment" Emma's eyes became distant and longing.
Just as her father lifted his hand to take hers, the world before Emma shifted as she was flung backwards, the horse reared up before taking off. The reins slipped from David's grasp, when he was pulled forwards face first into the ground. Emma wrapped her arms around the horse's main gripping tight, her eyes closed, as the horse galloped through the forest. Leaping over a fallen tree with such velocity she almost lost her grip.
"Stop!" She yelled.
To Emma's surprise the horse did, abruptly coming to a halt, but she didn't stop. Her head smacked into the horse, before she slid off the side. Desperately clinging to the saddle she minimalized her fall but landed on her leg with a force that brought a sudden sharp pain.
"Sorry, couldn't help myself" Cora stated stepping forward with a blank expression.
"I doubt that; what do you want now?" Emma glared, her hands shaking while she remained on the ground.
Cora smiled looking eyes at Emma knowingly, with the kind of smugness that she had only ever seen on the face of Regina.
"Getting tired of repeating myself" Cora's jaw clenched while her voice stayed neutral "I'm here to help".
Emma's eyes closed as she tried to focus her emotions but all she could see was Elsa lying on the ground, after she struck her. It was like trying to breathe underwater, every time she reached inside herself and the magic pulsed through her, it only made her feel weaker.
"What's happening to me?" Emma gasped out.
"It's ok dear, you just need proper guidance" Cora's eyes went wide and a smile spread across her face.
"You know how to fix this?" Emma questioned in disbelief.
Snow White appeared beside Emma; her eyes narrowed open seeing Cora. A slight grin appeared on her face. Itching for the fight, while Emma pulled herself up from the ground, wincing as she put weight back on her leg.
"Emma, don't talk to her," Snow stated firmly.
"Well, this is familiar," Cora chuckled looking up at the horse.
Snow's eyes darted to the horse back to Cora before going wide with realisation, one which Cora wanted her to know. Know that it was Cora, that spooked her horse all those years ago, that she had manipulated everything from the very beginning. The look of satisfaction on her face made it clear, smiling as she watched Snow figure it out.
"You can go now" Emma spat, feeling a fire rise in her upon seeing her mothers heartbroken expression.
"You will be asking for my help soon enough" Cora smirked in her eyes admiration as she glanced over to Emma.
"Help" Snow scoffed, "we're trying to stop 'your' daughter".
"A child I sent to another realm, she's only returned now, to destroy all that I've accomplished". Cora, eyes narrowed on Snow.
"You sent her away, alone?" Emma asked, her anger extinguished at the thought of it.
"I had to give myself my best chance" Cora shrugged as she explained.
Taking a step closer to Emma, she was immediately flung backwards by Snow White who instinctively swung her arm forwards, stepping between them. Cora slammed into a tree, she took a moment to get up from the ground.
"I'll never trust you" Snow disregarded her coldly.
"Oh, Snow I don't need your trust, you need me, or you'll never get into that castle" Cora smirked.
"Why do you care?" Emma stepped forward wincing as pain radiated up her leg.
"In order to stop Zelena, you will need very powerful magic".
Cora's eyes were piercing as she turned to look at Emma knowingly but just as she was about to elaborate, David arrived out of breath he ran to Emma's side, sighing with relief.
"We don't need your help" David stated firmly, his arm around his daughter's shoulder letting her lean on him.
"And yet, you shall have it" Cora smiled reaching into her cloak.
A small scroll in her hand she gently opened it up blowing on the parchment, as she did, the words gently rose from the paper. Suddenly as if they had dust in their eyes, all three of them blinked to find that when they opened them again, they were now inside the Rumpelstiltskin castle.