Finding You ( A sequel to A thief who stole her heart)

9. Hope & a beanstalk

Ella might have been the most powerful being in the Enchanted Forest and the student of both Rumpelstiltskin and Cora, but even some things stumped her. Her current task of finding a magic bean for starters; how could she just conjure one up?

She sighed for the 100th time that day and wiped a tired hand over her face.

Giving up so soon, Dearie? The dark one's voice haunted her.

"Go away," Ella told her mind.

This is exactly why I chose Regina; you give up too easily.

"Well if Regina is so perfect, then tell me this: How did your son end up back here begging me for help?!"

You can't help him. You can't even help yourself or your poor mother. You're useless!

"Shut up!" Ella screamed at the top of her lungs. She knew it was only her mind being cruel to her, but it felt so real. She truly did feel like a failure, but she wouldn't give up just yet. No, she wouldn't quit until she was reunited with her mother once again.

"You can do this, Ella. You can do this." She whispered words of encouragement as she stared at a piece of the beanstalk she managed to chip off.

She was hoping that somehow, she'd be able to create a synthetic bean from it. How she'd pull it off was still a mystery. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her mind was clear and after thinking a simple command, she opened her eyes.

Please, please work she begged just before looking down at her table.

Right in front of her eyes was a small plant that had begun to sprout little branches. It worked; it actually worked! Now all she had to do was to wait. She had no idea how long it would take for the beans to start growing nor if it would be successful. She was hopeful though. For the first time, she actually believed that she'd see her mother again. Her eyes shined with pride and she clasped a hand over her chest.

At the first sign of a bean sprouting, she'd properly inform Neal. For now, she figured she at least owed the man an update. She summoned her faithful companion, a small white bird, and tied a note to his claw and sent it on its way. She watched the bird fly out a window and off towards its destination.

~

Mulan had gotten a few hours of sleep, but awoke before anyone else. She decided to case the perimeter. She was coming around a corner when she saw the strangest thing. A tiny, white bird flew in through an open window. A few moments later and it flew away.

She thought she had seen something attached to it, but couldn't be sure. She hurried back inside to discover what, if anything, the bird had done.

"Mulan!" Neal called out upon seeing her.

"What's wrong, are you hurt?" Mulan worried.

"No, no. The bird, did you see it? It delivered this to me," Neal said as he held up a tiny piece of paper.

"What does it say?"

"It's from Ella. She says that she was able to create her own beanstalk. Not a real one, but a magical one and it should start growing beans soon."

"Wow, that's amazing. I told you it would all work out!" Mulan expressed her happiness for Neal. She truly was glad for him; he was one step closer to getting home.

"Thank you, Mulan." Neal said and patted her shoulder.

"You're welcome,"

"Maybe we should visit Aurora? Maybe she could get a message back to your family?" Mulan suggested.

"Do you think it'd really work?" Neal pondered.

"It's worth a shot, Mate." Robin answered. No one had heard him wake, but he obviously overheard their conversation.

"He's right. We should leave right away." Mulan said. Neal agreed to at least try. He had nothing to lose anyway. The three of them: Neal, Mulan and Robin, set out for the castle. The merry men stayed behind to watch over the place and Roland.

The journey wasn't a long one and they soon found themselves back at the familiar residence.

"Mulan!" Aurora exclaimed as she ran out to greet them.

"Aurora," Mulan returned the other woman's embrace. A small pang of sadness was left as they pulled apart, but she brushed it away from her mind.

"You came back." Aurora said and smiled at Neal. "Who is your friend?" Aurora asked as she noticed the arrow-carrying stranger.

"This is Robin Hood, he's helping us." Mulan explained.

"A friend of Mulan's is a friend of ours." Aurora extended to Robin. He smiled and nodded his head to express his gratitude.

"Well come in, I should check your bandages too, Neal. Any bleeding?"

"I think I'm fine." Neal answered.

"It won't hurt to make certain now will it?"

"No, you're right." Neal replied.

Aurora led them up the pathway to the entrance and ushered them inside. Phillip wasn't there. He had gone out to gather food. Mulan was grateful for his absence and took it as an opportunity to ask Aurora for a favor.

"Aurora, I need something of you." Mulan said softly as Aurora examined Neal's wounds. Nothing had come undone, but she re-applied fresh cloth around it anyways.

"Anything," Aurora replied sweetly.

"Neal needs to get a message back home. Do you think you could summon Henry or Snow in a dream? It'll only take a few moments of your time."

"I've been trying." Aurora admitted.

"Once when Neal first got here and again when you both left. I couldn't find them. Perhaps they weren't sleeping at the same time."

Neal's shoulders slouched upon hearing the news. He had been so hopeful, so optimistic that he'd be able to reach out back home via Aurora. He was crushed to hear of her unsuccessful attempts.

"Thanks for trying," Neal said with a sad smile.

"I won't give up. I will keep trying." Aurora reassured him with a gentle smile.

The three of them returned to Robin. Soon, Phillip came back home and Aurora set off to prepare a meal for them all.