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

Season 5: Episode 8: Birth

-Late at Night/ Mary's apartment-

"And your sure it wasn't - just a dream?" David had asked, sounding skeptical. "I truly don't think so mate. I had never felt anything like that before, and I have had enough nightmares to know the difference between that and something...magically enhanced. Azelea is warning us that Emma is about to make her big move, if she hasn't already. And we don't have any more time to waste." Hook said with determination. "Let's call the others and figure out what to do." Mary said grabbing her phone, balancing the baby Neal in one arm while calling everyone.

"If Azelea really did give Hook a vision in his dream then we must listen and move now." Regina said as everyone was gathered in Mary's apartment. "So what do we do now?" Robin asked, looking just as worried as everyone else in the room. "There is still a lot that we don't know. But we do know that Arthur burned the Crimson Crown Mushroom. I say we pay him a late night visit and find out as much as we can." David said getting his gun holster on as he talked. Mary gave him a quick kiss and David paused to kiss Neal's forehead. Robin and Hook agreed to go with him, and the three men set off to Arthur's camping grounds. Mary and Regina sat beside each other on the couch as the men left and Regina sighed as tears started to silently run down Mary's cheeks. "Hey, I know that I'm not usually the best as 'looking on the bright side' but if what Hook says is true and he isn't sending us on some wild goose chase, then Azelea really did make contact with him...at least we know that she is still alive." Mary wiped her tears and gave Regina her best smile, though it was a sad smile. "I just want all my babies back in my arms." Mary said, looking down at Neal as he slept peacefully in her arms.

- Arthur's camping grounds / Storybrooke -

The three men pulled up to the campsite in David's truck and they all got out, Robin and Hook watched as David loaded his gun and put it in his gun holster. "That's Arthur's tent, I'll go in first. You two stand guard." David said. "And if our dishonest king should put up a fight?" Robin asked, holding his bow and arrows. "We will make him wish he hadn't." Hook said, watching as David entered the tent. "You take the left and I the right?" Robin asked. Hook nodded, and both men walked to stand on either side of the tent, waiting for something to happen. Minutes passed, then suddenly loud clattering and shouting was heard from inside the tent. Hook heard a ripping sound from the back of the tent and he ran over to see Arthur cutting a hole with his sword through the fabrics. "He's getting away!" David shouted as Arthur ran into the darkness of the woods. "Oh no he isn't mate." Hook growled before running after the man. He was fast, and it was hard for Hook to keep up with the running king, but the man tripped on some tree roots. Hook turned to the king struggling to recover from his sudden fall. Hook stood beside him, but before he had a chance to grab the handcuffs David had loaned him Arthur kicked his foot out at Hooks' leg, forcing him to fall face first on the ground. By the time Hook was able to gather his bearing and turn on his back Arthur had his sword out and was standing above him. Sword aimed at his chest. "Look at that. Seems you brought a hook to a sword fight. It's always the simple mistakes that get us killed." Arthur said with an evil grin. Arthur swung the sword, and Hook closed his eyes, but instead of feeling the cold pain of the sword he heard the clashing of blades. Hook opened his eyes to see Emma standing over him. She held a sword in her hands and was fighting against Arthur. Emma was able to easily get the other man's sword out of his hands and aimed her own right at Arthur's neck. The king looked shocked as he got a closer look at the sword. "Excalibur...it's whole." He said, his breath shallow as he stared in wonder at the sword. "Yes it is, but it's not going to help you." Emma said looking angry. "This sword doesn't control anyone now." she said, waving her hand, using magic to send the king flying through the air and he hit the trunk of a tree, before falling to the ground limp. Hook grunted as he pulled himself off the ground. "I suppose I should say thank you." He said, as Emma stood in front of him. "You don't need to say anything. Just don't do that again." She said. "Emma, you saved me. Your more than the Dark One...you did that Emma. Not the darkness in your heart." Hook said. "What do you want from me?" Emma asked. "I want to help you and Azelea. And I need your help to do that. Who is Nimue? And how can she defeat the Darkness?" Hook asked. "Nimue and Azelea don't matter anymore. This will all be over tomorrow." Emma said. "What will be over? Why was Azelea sending me messages in my sleep about that damn sword?" Emma didn't answer, "Oh, all this bloody power and you don't have the courage to answer one simple question. Why do you need Excalibur?" Hook asked, losing his patience. Emma turned to walk away from Hook, but the man wasn't having it. "I know you are still in there Emma. And I know that you always have your reasons! I know you love Azelea. And that you would never do anything to harm her. What is you reason for all of this?!" Hook shouted. "You want to know why I'm doing all of this?!" Emma shouted, louder and angrier than Hook. The man flinched at her tone as she turned back around to face him. "I'm doing it for you." She said, before using her magic to disappear in a cloud of smoke.