Cursed Hearts

A Family Endeavor

Being powerless in an unfamiliar realm was the worst possible fate she could think of. Everything that was once effortless now took work- painstaking work, and it left her aching and exhausted, the loneliness intensifying so much Zelena feared it would overcome her completely. She had planned so many different scenarios in her head of how her violent escapade would turn out, yet nothing could have prepared her for the truth she fought so hard to deny- she feared for Caroline's life. It was what she thought about every second since they had left her alone in that maze of a forest.

That's why Zelena found herself trudging in the direction of the castle, the very top of the daunting structure looming above the trees. Being powerless, she knew there was little she could do to stop the dark events from transpiring. Still, she continued on, cursing herself for how much she cared about the girl. Caroline despised her for what she had done. Regina would hate her even more, if she could be saved from the hell she had put her in. All nonsensical ideas of getting to know her sister and niece were squandered just as quickly as they appeared in her mind.

The absence of her magic seemed to allow these odious thoughts to flow freely as she walked. It was all new to her, the dependency on other people and things. She had tried to block off all feelings of sadness towards Cora and Regina, using only the anger to give her what she needed. But, eventually she gave into the loneliness, desperately searching for a way to change fate. Being around Caroline made the loneliness subside, even if it were only for a moment. She wanted nothing more than to feel whole again.

The sun was high in the air above her, making the cold seem hardly as daunting. Everything around her was quiet, making Zelena believe that she was the only person around for miles. When she was met with a woman in a blue dress and perfectly braided blonde hair, she realized just how wrong she was.

"I figured you'd be dead," Elsa said, amusement drenched in her voice, "but this is way more exciting. How long have you been wandering around out here?"

Her initial thought was to throw a fireball straight at her head to show the bitch who was in charge. Dominance had been the only tool she knew, ever since she could remember. Now that she was without magic, Zelena truly felt out of her element.

"Does it matter?" She finally replied, giving her a harsh look. "Why are you here, haven't you already become the most powerful being in existence?"

When the Ice Queen's expression broke away from its previous gaudiness, she took her opportunity.

"She used her magic against you, didn't she?" Her smile only grew wider as she knew the wild accusation was correct. "You were outmatched by a ten year old child? God, that's a new one."

The blonde scowled back at her, walking towards her with a driving fire blazing in her eyes. "You were right about her magic. that's why we're meeting again in the castle- with all the residual power abandoned by the Dark One, she'll stand no chance."

Before Zelena had a chance to react, the black box containing the items needed to create the time travel portal was in the woman's hands. "This is what they're so desperate for. They don't even care that they could change any course of existence- only that it'll get them back to their normal life. Can you imagine, the first means of time travel being used for something so mundane?"

Zelena couldn't take her eyes off of the box, soon becoming lost in her own thoughts. For months, achieving the goal of time travel had been the only thought in her mind. Months ago, she didn't have a care in the world about trading Caroline's life in for a chance at a better one for herself.

"Are portals really so hard to come by in this realm?"

Elsa let out a small laugh. "I suppose so- doesn't matter to me. Once I get her power, I'll have everything I need."