Henry's Adventures in Fairytale Land

Reunion

Zelena used her magic to transport them back to her palace. Her guards held onto Henry as they spun around, causing his stomach to turn. When they landed, he leaned forward and threw up onto the dead grass that surrounded her palace.

The witch crinkled her nose. "Disgusting. Wash him off and then reunite him with his friends in the dungeon. I'm sure they'll be happy to see him."

Henry was jerked around by the guards, who stripped him of his shirt and put a clean one on him. It was a little too big for him and he noted the sleeves were too long. One of the guards frowned at him. "Be grateful we ain't letting you sit in your own vomit. Now come on."

The guards dragged him down into the dank and murky dungeons, tossing him into a barely lit room before slamming the door. "Who's there?" Will called out.

"Will? Is Little John with you?" Henry asked, trying to see who else was in the room with him.

"Henry!" For a moment, he thought it was his mother but remembered where he was just as Regina emerged from the shadows. She engulfed Henry in a hug, holding him close. "I was so worried about you."

He held her tight as well. "Zelena captured you?"

"Yes, when I went back to rescue Granny and Red," she said.

"What about them?"

"We're here too," Red said. "Chained to the wall. I have no clue who I'm next to but he snores like a bear."

"You growl in your sleep," Little John shot back.

Regina let Henry go, rolling her eyes. "Behave or I will come over there and box your ears."

"Box his ears?" Henry was confused. "What's that?"

"You don't want to know," Will called out.

Everyone chuckled as Regina drew Henry closer. She ran her fingers through his hair. "How did she find you?"

"Hook," Henry replied. "He betrayed me to get his wife back from the witch."

Will and Little John swore, Regina barely able to cover his ears. She chided them before turning to Henry. "I'm so sorry."

"It brought me back to all of you so it's not too bad. But now we won't find the Toymaker in time to rescue Robin," Henry said.

Regina sighed. "I know," she said softly. "We tried."

"I'm sorry." He hugged her again.

"It's not your fault," Little John said. "We all failed."

*****

Eight-years-old Henry leaned out the open window of Robin's truck, the spring air blowing through his hair. "This is so cool!" he exclaimed.

Robin chuckled as he navigated down the dirt road. "But don't tell your mother. She'll kill me."

"Mom wouldn't do that. She likes you too much," Henry replied. He pulled in his head and noticed that Robin had gone quiet with a soft smile on his face. "Robin?"

"Your mom really likes me?" he asked.

Henry gave him his best "duh" face. "Why do you think we spend so much time with you? It's certainly not in mom's job description."