Henry's Adventures in Fairytale Land

Dangers

Hook's innkeeper friend was able to give them some advice on how to get to where the Toymaker supposedly was. Like Hook suspected, it was to stay clear of the mountains. "Evil resides there," the innkeeper warned. "No one who goes up them ever comes back down. Just stick to this road and you'll be fine."

"Thank you." Hook held out his hand, shaking his friend's. "I hope we see you on our way back."

The man nodded. "I'll save a room for you."

Everyone climbed into the wagon and Regina urged the horses forward. As they left the inn behind, Henry's stomach started to do flips. "We will come back, right?" he asked Hook.

"Aye, lad." Hook nodded as he patted Henry's leg. "You see. We'll be back here before we know it."

Henry smiled. "And hopefully the Toymaker can give us everything we need."

"He will. You'll find a way home, Regina will get her thief back, I'll get my Emma and those two...what do they get?" Hook asked, motioning to Will and Little John.

"Robin's their friend and leader," Henry explained. "They want him back as much as Regina."

Hook nodded. "I see. Well, I'd be so lucky to have friends like that."

"You could," Henry said.

"Oh? And what makes you think that, lad?"

Henry motioned to the small group. "You can have us. We can be your friends."

This seemed to catch Hook off guard. He glanced around the others and leaned forward. "You think so?"

"Yeah. They took me in and have been taking care of me. They're a great group."

Hook smiled. "Well, I'll give them a chance if they give me one. We'll see what happens after we find the Toymaker, yeah?"

*****

The men in the back of the wagon dozed as it rolled down the road. Henry was in and out himself, though he became more conscious as the wagon slowed down at one point. Judging by the sun, he believed it was noon or so. He sat up to talk to Little John. "Are we having lunch?"

"Not yet," he replied. "There seems to be a roadblock up ahead."

Regina frowned. "I don't like the looks of it."

"Can we go around it?" Hook was awake and kneeling beside Henry now. "Or is it unavoidable?"

"It appears to be unavoidable. We'll either have to turn back or..." she trailed off and Henry's stomach tumbled.

"No. We're not going through the mountain. It's too dangerous, Regina," Little John said.

She shook her head. "It's the only way, though, John. This has seen to that."

"Indeed," Hook replied, rubbing his chin. "Awfully convenient, wouldn't you say? Like someone wants us to go through the mountain."

Henry's sinking feeling grew worse. "You don't think it's the witch? That she's somehow found out about our quest?"

"She does have spies everywhere," Will said. "I say we go through it. How difficult can that be?"

Little John jumped down. "Come on, Will. Let's go investigate and see if we can answer your question."