Storm Song || OUAT x GoT [ON HOLD]

𝔠𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 𝔰𝔢𝔳𝔢𝔫

the curse

the enchanted forest

– THE ABANDONED TAVERN WAS NEARLY EMPTY, ESPECIALLY AT THIS HOUR. Only one set of boots clomped over the dusty floor, sharp lavender eyes scanning every cobweb and grain of wood.

"I know you're here." she called. "You can come out."

"Hello there, dearie." she whirled to glare at the man behind her, seated at a table of food and wine with one leg crossed over the other. His skin glinted green and gold in the light.

Rhaenyra approached with caution, setting her sword down against a wood post before situating herself across from the Dark One. Her suspicious gaze never left him. "Rumplestiltskin." she stated simply. "I've been looking for you for a long time."

"Out of loyalty? Or desperation?" He crinkled his nose in amusement, and she refrained from flinching at the implication.

"If you think I'd turn tail and run so easily, you're not as smart as I gave you credit for." She retorted. "I'm not you." oh yes, the young dragon princess knew much more about his past than most others could claim.

"And yet, you haven't killed me yet. You need my help."

"I will take no magic from you." She kept her tone calm and even. "I only wish to know if I am wasting my time looking for some on my own."

"Everything comes at a price, my dear. The information you seek is more valuable than you know."

Rhaenyra bit down on her lip. She did not want to make a deal with this man. Not even close. But she'd come so far... "Is there a way?" she blurted out before she could think better of it. "Any way at all?"

"You should really eat something."

"I am not a fool." she snapped. "I know how to spot poison." a tiny dragon crawled from the pocket of her leather coat, black and red. Living in a land of magic, she'd more than once discovered, had its perks, like drogon's size-shifting abilities. He crawled across the table, took one sniff of the food, and shrieked angrily before flying back to take his place on Rhaenyra's shoulder. "Is. it. Possible?"

He sighed. "It is beyond my reach, unfortunately for the both of us. I doubt even a magic bean could take you where you want to go." Just like that, her eyes fluttered shut, and an exhausted sigh escaped her. All this time, she'd had hope. Now there was none. "Oh, it's not completely hopeless."

Her eyes snapped back up to his. "What are you talking about?"

"The only one capable of opening that door for you... is you. It was magic that you carry in your blood that brought you here. Only that magic can return you... home?" he grinned. "Is it home anymore?" She faltered, and his expression became mocking. "Poor little dragon, all alone in the world. You've spent so long running, you no longer know where you belong."

Her hands slammed against the table as she rose from her seat. "We're done here." she ground out.

She was at the door when his voice made her stop. "Just remember, dearie, you owe me now. And I don't take debts... lightly." When she looked back, he and the food and the candles had disappeared, leaving the tavern cold and dark once again. What have I gotten myself into?

storybrooke, maine

– AMIDST THE SHOUTING OF EMMA AND THE HOSPITAL STAFF, RAYNE PRACTICALLY ELBOWED HER WAY TO HENRY'S SIDE WITH NO PLANS OF LEAVING. Her heart raced in her chest, absolutely terrified. Khal was by her side, a small comfort, though technically he shouldn't be in here. Would Henry be okay? What in fuck's name happened to him? A feeling of dread curled in her gut. It told her he was right about that stupid turnover, and if that was the case... she squeezed her eyes shut. She couldn't bring herself to think that Regina had done this to him, regardless of who her target truly was.

"What happened?" Dr Whale asked, voicing the very question speeding through her mind. "Did he fall? Hit his head?"

Emma brandished the pastry in the bag. "He ate this. I think it's poisoned." Rayne's heart wrenched, as though the words were a slap.

"His airway's clear. Did he vomit? Any convulsing or disorientation?"

Emma replied, as Rayne, absolutely distraught, simply clutched her brother's hand mutely. Internally, she was begging him to wake up. I can't lose you. "He took a bite of this and then he just collapsed! So run the tests for arsenic or bleach or drain-o or whatever could have done this to him!"

"The boy is showing no symptoms that would suggest neurotoxin." He told her firmly. "So whatever's going on, this is not the culprit." Rayne wanted to feel relieved, but her gut feeling combined with the way her dog snarled at the bag just made her want to curl up and cry all over again.

"But what else could it be?"

"I don't know. That's what I'm trying to find out."

"He's gonna be okay though, right?"

"Right now, we just need to stabilise him, cause he's slipping away." Rayne whimpered quietly, clutching Henry's hand tighter. Don't go. Don't go. Don't go. "Is there anything else you can remember? Any little detail?"

"I already told you everything. Do something!" Panicking, Emma turned to Henry's bag, dumping the contents for any clues at all.

"Look, I understand you're frustrated, Miss Swan, I do, but I need something to treat. And right now, there is no explanation. It's like..." he trailed off. There was nothing else he could say. No word that matched his confusion.

Emma's eyes settled on the storybook that had haunted them all since she arrived. "Like magic." She murmured.

A small commotion erupted from the lobby as Regina came rushing in. "Where's my son?" Rayne stared up at her mother desperately, eyes begging her to do something, but only seconds after she had arrived at Henry's bedside, she was ripped away by a strong hand on her arm, dragged off to a janitor's closet by Emma.

Confused and shocked, Rayne jumped up to follow them, though she stumbled back a step from their fight once she was inside. "Mom!"

"You did this!"

"What the hell are you doing?! Stop this! My son-" she was cut off, slammed against the wall.

"Is sick because of you! That apple turnover you gave me, he ate it!"

"...what?" That was all she needed. The horror in Regina's eyes, her tone, it made Rayne want to vomit. Because it confirmed what that little warning voice in her mind had been telling her all along. She did this. "It was meant for you!"

Emma's voice lowered to a dangerous tone. "It's true, isn't it?" she can't mean...

"What are you talking about-?"

"It's true, isn't it? All of it."

Regina gave up, her head falling back against the lockers behind her, expression full of despair. "Yes." She locked eyes with Rayne, who gripped the shelf behind her for support, shock seeping into every bone in her body. She'd been lied to? All of this time? Was anything she thought she knew real? How could I be so stupid? Henry, I'm sorry. "I'm so sorry, Rayne." Regina – the Evil Queen – managed. "I'm so, so sorry."

A/N
Gina, you are so screwed.