𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓛𝓸𝓼𝓽 𝓟𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓬𝓮𝓼𝓼

Guilt

Letting the wind blow against her face, a few leaves brushing past her feet, Brooklyn stared aimlessly at the newly polished coffin that laid before her.

A few days had passed since the announcement of Archie's death, and now, she, her family and a few of Archie's closest friends were stood together in the forest for his funeral.

The girl was stood next to her nephew, her sister just behind them as they listened to their mothers eulogy. "Some of us new him as Archie. Others as Jiminy. But we all new him, as a true friend." Mary Margaret kept her back straight, wanting to stay strong for her friends and family, though the expression she held, told a different story. "And, though he may be gone, he will always love on inside of us." She stared at the coffin, her tears uncontrollable. "Reminding us, to be our best selves. To do the right think, to always fight for what what we believe in." Emma held her son close, unknowingly taking her sisters hand. Although she didn't know the man very well, Brooklyn knew she had to be there for everyone, no matter how close they were or not. "So, we shouldn't think of today as goodbye. Just as a way of saying, Archie will be listening.." she opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Knowing she couldn't say any more, Mary Margaret turned, letting her husband pull her into his chest without a word.

They all stood silently, an older man walking up to the coffin. Brooklyn recognised him as Marco, the towns repair man. She had seen him around town a few times, but the two never really spoke.

Wanting to give the man space, Emma took her sons hand, the two silently leaving with Pongo. Brooklyn stayed, though keeping herself more hidden behind everyone. She watched as they hugged and condoled each other for their sudden loss.

•••

Everyone had resided back at Mary Margaret's Loft after the service, plus a few extra friends who couldn't make it this morning.

Henry was sat over on his grandparents bed, holding his head in his hands as he just stared emotionless my at the closed window.

Holding a plate, Emma joined the boy, smiling sadly. "Hey, kid. You hungry? I managed to wrangle up a pop tart."

Henry gave her a saddened expression, his voice low. "No thanks." Emma sighed, looking over at her mother, the older woman sending her daughter a sympathetic look. Leaving the plate with him, Emma silently walked back over to the pixie haired woman, her shoulders slumping.

"Well, that went well."

"Emma, you're doing all you can do." Mary Margaret sympathised, rubbing her arm softly.

"That's what makes me feel awful."

"Ladies?" They looked over to see Leroy making his way over to them, holding a pained look of his own. Brooklyn, who was sat away from the large group watched the three, silently. "There dwarves have been thinking. We have to ask.." the man took a deep breath. "When do we go back?"

Confused, Emma asked. "Back? Where?"

"The enchanted Forest. Our home." Leroy explained, slowly starting to catch people's attention.

"You wanna go back?" Mary Margaret asked, her face shocked.

"We fought really hard to get here." Emma stated, watching as the rest of the dwarfs joined them.

"Yeah, but with what Regina did to Archie, Storybrooke ain't as safe as we thought."

"We're gonna find her. There's only so many places she can hide."