Serendipity-Book 4

Chapter 12: Darkness On The Edge Of Town

At the Charming Family's loft, Granny looks after Neal. Emma says goodbye to her brother and leaves. She joins Hook. They meet Belle at the library. Emma leaves Hook and Belle.

Hook and Belle are at the Library. They try to figure out how to release the fairies from the hat."Well, I see you still have your temper."Belle noted.

"Six weeks and nothing. They're still trapped inside that bloody hat. If we're reduced to those magic boxes, then I'd say hope is in short supply. All because I left myself be tricked by that Crocodile. How could I have been so weak?"

"Well... We both were."Belle said,"You know, Rumplestiltskin got the best of us. And you're right. You... You should've been stronger, but you weren't. And...Well, neither was I. You know, I... I should've seen through him."

"You were blinded by love. What was my excuse?"

Belle shrugged. "Probably the same, just for someone else."

"Well, he's right about one thing... Love is a weapon, as dangerous and persuasive as magic. As big a bastard as he was, he did love you."

"And, uh, now he's gone from our lives forever."Belle went on,"Yeah, I... I just, I uh... I just hope he's found whatever it is he's looking for."

Meanwhile Emma follows Regina into her office."How do you feel about kale salad?"

Regina shrugged. "Like someone found someplace other than Granny's for takeout. You eat like a child. Is that a root beer?"

"Two. I got you one. Thought you could use a break."

"A break from what?"Regina asked,"Dead end after dead end? This sorcerer... Or author... Whatever he wants to be called... Doesn't want to be found."

"It's only been a few weeks."

"Exactly, and I've conquered entire realms in less time."Regina said.

"Can you conquer these bottles? I thought they were twist-offs."

"Do I look like I can pry them off with my teeth?"Regina asked,"I'm a queen and a bit more refined.

"Yeah, I got that. My mom had a bottle opener here during her brief tenure, somewhere. Wait...What's this? Did you take it from the book?"

Regina shook her head. "It's not from the book. Robin found it... Before he left with his family. Robin thought it was hope, a sign that... Things would work out for me. Turns out it was a cruel joke."

"Have you heard from him?"

"No."

Hook and Belle enter. "I, uh, I found an incantation. It's, uh, it's part of a spell in, uh, an ancient tongue I've never seen before. I found a book about linguistics from Oxford, and he just emailed me with the translation. It's an ancient ceremony, but, uh, one that'll bring them back. I, uh, I just need you to enact it. Emma: Ceremony, huh? Well, madam mayor, ready to pronounce today "Free the fairies day"?"

Belle then found herself in the woods, running right into Emma and Regina."Here."

"You got it?"

"I got it." Regina frees the fairies.

"You all right?"

Mother Superior shook her head. "No. I'll live. But being in there with... Thank you."

"Actually, you should thank the mayor."

"Welcome back." Regina said.

Emma walks into the diner, running into Hook. "Whoa. Beware of lurking pirates. What are you doin'?