I will always find you

Through the wardrobe

In another world, in another time, Snow White stood hand in hand with Prince Charming in the Royal Castle's ballroom. All the kingdom's subjects surrounded the couple. The two looked into each other's eyes as the bishop asked Snow if she would have Charming forever. There was no hesitation. She said that she would, and the two smiled at each other nervously and lovingly as the bishop pronounced them man and wife. The court's musicians began to play, and Charming and Snow leaned together to kiss once again.

It had been something of a miracle. Charming had awoken Snow from a cursed sleep brought on by her stepmother, the Evil Queen. But they were not free of her yet.

This time, just as their lips touched, a tremendous clap of thunder overwhelmed the music, and many in the room cried out. The assembled guests all turned at once to the ballroom's great doors, where the sound had originated, which flew open with great violence, striking the walls on either side of the entrance. There, in the doorway, stood a figure all in black. The Evil Queen. 

Guards rushed her as she began to stride toward Snow and Charming, who stood in the centre of the room, clutching each other. The Queen sent a half-dozen guards flying through the air with a flick of her wrist—her magic was still powerful, there was no doubt.

When she was near, Snow pushed Charming back, grabbed the hilt of his sword, and unsheathed it before he could stop her. Snow White pointed the blade at the Queen, eyes aflame.

"You are not welcome here," she said, and her strong voice echoed through the great room. "Go. Now." The Queen stopped walking, kept smiling.

"Hello again, Snow White," she said. Charming, his hand on Snow's, slowly pushed the sword down until its tip touched the stone floor.

"She has no power," he said to Snow quietly. "We've already won." He was right, she knew—after Charming woke Snow from the Queen's sleeping curse, the two of them united the kingdom against the Queen, driving her from power and allowing love to reign. "Leave us," said Charming to the Queen. "You've already lost, and I won't let you ruin this day. Not another one. Let us have our happiness. You've been defeated."

"On the contrary," said the Queen, "I'm not here to ruin anything. I've come to give you a gift."

"We don't want it," said Snow quickly. It didn't matter what it was.

"And nevertheless, I shall give it to you," said the Queen. She raised an eyebrow. "Generous of me, don't you think?" As the Evil Queen spoke, more guards poured into the room, surrounding her, but her gaze did not waver. "My gift to you is happiness," she said. "This happiness. Today."

"What do you mean?" asked Charming cautiously.

"I mean that tomorrow, good prince," said the Queen, "I will begin my life's work. To destroy your happiness. Permanently." At this, Charming had had enough, and he threw his sword in one quick, lightning-fast move. It sailed toward the Queen, tip forward, bearing down on her heart. Just before it reached her, the Queen disappeared in a cloud of inky black-and-purple smoke. The sword disappeared as well. Snow White, her hand on her new husband's arm, watched the cloud swirl and fade.

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Snow White, belly amply swollen with both new life and anxious anticipation, hurriedly followed the jailer through the dark corridor. She and Prince Charming were on their way to speak with the one man in the realm who could answer their question. Snow had not been able to find peace since the Queen's threats; she had to know the truth. The jailer did not like this idea one bit.

"Don't give him your name, and here, wear these cloaks," he said knowingly, passing two heavy hooded cloaks back to the couple. "Your best line of defence is anonymity." Charming took the cloaks, put his on, handed one to his wife.

"Why did I let you talk me into this?" he said to her. Snow kept pace beside him. She put her cloak on, too.

"It's the only way," she said. "You know I'm always right."

"He is right to be wary, m'lady," said the jailer ominously. "None is filled with more regret than he who's spoken to Rumplestiltskin." Charming and Snow shared a look: They were both a little worried at the man's words.