The Jewel of Neverland

Chapter 26

Amy P.O.V.

"There she is!" Hook shouted as he steered us through the brightening clouds. "Welcome home, lads!"

I was anxious to see Storybrooke, but my eyes were too strained underneath the bright blue sky to see anything clearly. I had been so used to Neverland's endless night and enchanting eeriness.My heart ached at its memory but I ignored it and focused on what lay ahead.

As my eyes adjusted and the winds whipped my hair over my shoulders, shapes began to form below the ship. The Jolly Roger was descending over a body of water that housed a port full of wooden docks. The adjoining land was lush with thick evergreen trees, nothing like what I was used to in my hometown. A clock tower peaked through, overlooking the other buildings that collected to form a small town. I could make out people roaming the streets and my stomach churned with nerves.

"Grab ahold, Amy." David called from my right. I turned to see him wrapping an arm around one of the ship's wooden poles. I quickly did the same to avoid being tossed about when the ship finally hit water. During the descent, my stomach lifted and the sound of waves welcomed us. Hook's righteous laughter rang us in as we finally touched water.

"That a girl!" He shouted, hook proudly raised in the air. The brisk afternoon air smelled of salt and pine, much different than Neverland's mossy forest scent. On the docks, crowds of people stood expecting our arrival, cheering madly at the return of their friends. A few shouted for their king and queen, and I remembered that Mary Margaret and David were royalty. My eyes found Regina's scowl and I smiled lightly, knowing for sure that the crowd didn't care for my sister, the Evil Queen, in the slightest.

As we approached the welcoming party, I scanned their faces, hoping to recognize more potential fairytale characters. I had no luck, but was looking forward to meeting them all. It was hard to believe that the characters I had grown up watching and reading were, in fact, real and that I came from the same land as they did.

We completed our decent and made our way to land. As soon as Henry reached the docks, he was stormed with hugs and affection by the townspeople. He was clearly so well-loved, and I couldn't help but smile at the sight, so different from how I had grown up. Peter played his part well, hugging everyone back. I was certain that he was internally disgusted by all the love he was being shown, I chuckled.

Walking ahead of me was grimy Rumpelstiltskin. He came to an abrupt stop, which made me nearly run into him. I peered around from where he stood and when I saw her, I felt my heart stop. Her. All I could do was stare. I felt immobilized as if I were the anchor holding the Jolly Roger steady.

Rumpelstiltskin continued towards a pretty brunette with big blue eyes. He pulled her into his arms and she eagerly returned the hug, wrapping her arms around him tightly. Her eyes were squeezed shut in delight as they reunited.

"I told you I'd see you again," she said to him, gazing with so much love that it stunned me, leaving me numb.

"That's the last time I don't listen to you," he cooed softly. She beamed at him, tears in her happy eyes.

"Hey," another voice called. Neal walked up to them.

"Hi!" she said, keeping one arm around Rumpelstiltskin and touching Neal's shoulder with the other hand. "Welcome back."

Neal smiled. "Thank you." He held out a cane. "I found this below deck. I thought you might need it."

"Thank you Bae, I do," Rumpelstiltskin said, taking the cane in his hand. "It's a reminder of the man I was, but will no longer be."

I couldn't stop staring. Love had saved the Dark One. This was a cruel man who tricked, manipulated and hurt people. Yet, my sweet, incredible Belle changed him. If that was possible for him, it was possible for anyone. I glanced over where Peter stood with Emma and a group of others, hope overpowering any doubt I had.