The Girl With a Rose on Her Forehead -Once Upon a Time Fanfiction-

Season 5: Episode 2: The Price

-Camelot, six weeks ago-

"Wow" Henry said with awe as everyone walked into King Authors castle. "Wow is right." David said as he stood by Mary and Azelea. "I'm so not dressed for this." Mary said with Neal in her arms. "I don't think you have the correct wardrobe for this place." Azelea whispered as she looked around her. She had never seen these types of clothes before. Even she had never traveled to this realm before. "Now that you have seen my kingdom, allow me to introduce the loveliest creature in all of Camelot. My Queen, Guinevere." King Author said gesturing to the palace stairs where a woman walked down, her dress flowing behind her as she smiled to her husband. Mary stepped up in front of the group, stepping back into her role as Queen with ease. "Your Majesty." She said with a bow, everyone followed in our group behind her. "We're not in Storybrooke anymore that's for sure." Henry said as Azelea smirked. "The pleasure is ours. We have been waiting your arrival from the moment we heard Merlin's prophecy." Guinevere said taking King Authors hand in hers. "Well, we hope you haven't been waiting too long." David said taking Mary's into his. Although Mary and David were dressed in their clothes from Storybrooke, it was clear that they were acting as the Queen and King of the Enchanted Forest right now. "Only a decade or so." King Author said with an easy grin. David chucked, his charming side showing itself. "Oh, sorry." He said. "I'll wager it's been worth the wait. On the positive side it has given us a chance to prepare a Ball in your honor tonight." The king said with excitement. Azelea blinked in surprise. It would seem that this prophecy was very important to this kingdom. She needed more information, but now wasn't the time. She stood back in silence as everyone talked. She held her potion bag tightly to her side, with the wand the Apprentice had given her tucked inside. She didn't know who could, and couldn't be trusted in this kingdom. So secrets would have to be kept for now. But she did trust the Apprentice. He had given her this wand for a reason, he always knew more than he let on. And if she were to find Merlin, this wand may be the best way to do so. She would have to lay low as to not attract too much attention from the people of Camelot, but lucky for her she was good at being a wallflower. "Your Majesty, when are we going to start our quest to find Merlin?" Hook asked stepping up. "Find him? We don't need to find him we know exactly where he is." King Author said, and that got everyone's attention.

-The Garden-

"So the most powerful sorcerer of all time is stuck inside a bloody tree?" Hook asked as he, Emma, Azelea, Robin, Regina, David, and Mary stood with King Author and one of his many knights. "I said the exact same thing the first time I stood here." Author said. "And you think we can get him out?" Emma asked, looking at the tree in confusion. "Oh we don't think - we know. Merlin's prophecy's are never wrong." Author said. Azelea was looking the tree up and down, feeling a sort of magical pull. Something inside of the tree, probably Merlin himself was calling for her with his magic. David noticed how on edge the teen was and put his hand on her shoulder, getting her attention. "You alright?" He whispered. Azelea nodded, not taking her eyes off the tree. She could feel Merlin in there. But now wasn't the time to show her full power in front of King Author. "Why are you all so eager to get him out?" The knight asked. "Our home is being threatened by...it's called the Dark One." David said, quick on his feet. "The Dark One, yes we are well aware of this demon. I pray that Merlin can help. But first we must free him fro his prison." Author said with a frown. "The prophecy says that one of you is the Savior...so which if you is it?" The king asked the group. Emma was about to answer when Regina stepped up. "I-am the savior." she said. "I'm the one who is going to free Merlin from that tree, and then we can take care of the Dark One." She said with growing confidence. "And then we can all go home." Regina said looking to Emma. She was frowning, but didn't protest Regina and her lie. "That is what we hope, now let's get you all out of those...clothes and we can start preparing for the ball tonight." King Author said leading the group away. Mary had to grab Azelea's hand and pull her a bit to get the teen's attention. "What is going on?" Mary asked, knowing something was up with Azelea. "I'll explain later, when it's just us." She whispered as they followed the group inside. But not before stealing one last look at the tree.