How One Princess Broke A Spell, Rebuilt A Kingdom and Reunited Several Families

Chapter Eighteen: Margaret

It was early the next morning when Harry shook her awake. "Princess, we have to go."

"Can you stop calling me that?" Caitriona groaned. "That nickname describes half the people I know." Harry sighed.

"Well I don't know much about you other than your fancy title and your cute little temper," he teased her. "So I'll let you know when I come up with something better." Caitriona rolled her eyes. I almost hope he never comes up with something better, she thought. It'd be nice if he just called me by my name, actually. "In the meantime, we're heading out for Port Royal today, so I suggest you get up and get ready." Caitriona nodded.

"I'll... I'll get changed," she said. "Wait outside."

"Oh, so you don't want me to stay here with you?" he shot back. "As you wish, princess." Caitriona grumbled something like 'cocky little son of a bitch' as he left. Thinks he's so special and brilliant. Was he wrong? No, not really- he was smart, and she certainly didn't know anyone like him. Did that give him the right to act this way? Also no.

She settled on a plain black t-shirt, a pair of dark jeans, and a plaid flannel over it as a jacket. There were plenty of hoodies and coats in her suitcase that she could take out if she got colder. When she stepped outside her bedroom, the smell of pancakes and bacon overwhelmed her. That smells amazing. I wonder who's making it? She only noticed Harry when he smirked and gave the necklace she wore a little tug.

"Always wearing that, huh princess?" His hand- or the hook he carried around, actually- was still on the necklace, drawing it closer to him so he could look at the pendant. She slapped his hand off before he got the chance.

"Yes," she said. "It's good luck." She turned around and made her way down the stairs. "Achaius, Beathag, Eilidh, c'mon!" They followed her immediately, and Caitriona took note of the fact that all four of them had weapons on them somewhere. Achaius carried his somewhere not directly visible but easy to spot if you were looking. Beathag and Eilidh kept theirs truly hidden to any eyes but one of the four of them.

"Breakfast smells great this morning, Ms. Swan," Eilidh piped up as soon as they entered the building. "I've never had bacon before, it smells wonderful." Beathag rolled her eyes and mouthed, suck up.

Caitriona watched Hook and Emma interact, trying to figure out their exact dynamic. She had a feeling they hadn't always liked each other, but she wasn't sure how their relationship progressed. It was clear to her that Hook definitely fell first, though.

What was far more interesting to her though was Henry. He had a magical aura, but not a strong one. Perhaps it was simply residual from his mother, but she had a feeling it wasn't. After a few minutes of watching him (but keeping it a secret), she spoke up.

"You," she said looking directly at Henry. "You have a magical aura of some sort, but not one like your mother's or Zelena, the woman who raised Harry. What is it?" Henry looked startled at her bluntness, but evidently decided it was harmless since he gave her an honest answer.

"I'm the author," he told her.

"The what?" she asked. He doesn't intend to convince me that I am a figment of his imagination, or that he created the world in which I live, right? She almost laughed out loud. She knew she was real, and Harry was definitely real as well, so whatever he was doing, it wasn't going to work.

"The author," Harry continued. "I record stories from other worlds, and from this one, and preserve them by putting them down in these storybooks. See?" He pulled one out. "This is the first one I wrote- the one where my mom became the dark one for a little while." Caitriona leaned in.