The Clash, Book One

Chapter 43: The Eighth Witch, Part D

New Enchanted Forest, Four Years Ago

Rumplestiltskin - having reverted to his Dark One alter-ego - giggled as he spun straw at his wheel. He stopped when Hook approached him and began to speak.

"Rumplestiltskin, we need your help. Gothel has freed Drizella. The prophecy is coming true. Surely you've got some kind of magic that can delay this curse. Or give us more time."

"Well...I do have this," he began before a small sculpture appeared in his hand with a flourish. Hook reached for it, but Rumple snatched it away.

"A white elephant. Are you familiar with the expression? A name we give to things who have outlived their useful lives, and yet persist. And I find that personally quite moving."

Fed up, Hook snatched the elephant and demanded, "Enough games! Will this help delay the curse or not?"

"Delay it? What a novel idea, dearie. Nothing can delay it. But when the curse comes, that can keep your most precious relationship intact," Rumple explained as he gestured with his hands.

The pirate looked down at the elephant and whispered, "Alice." He then looked back up and questioned, "So we will remember who we are?"

As though the answer were obvious, Rumple pointed out, "No. Your memories will be replaced," pausing before he continued, "But in the random tumult of the curse, it ensures you will still be father and daughter."

"You're doing this for me?" Hook questioned, and he couldn't help but be surprised.

With a giggle, Rumple clarified, "I'm doing it for her," pointing somewhere behind the pirate. Hook then turned around and spied his daughter standing by a tree.

"Alice?" he then spoke before he walked over to her. She disappeared behind the tree before Hook asked her: "Are you sure this is still where you want to be?"

Alice peeked out and answered, "Knowing what he gave up for me, I owe it to him to stay by his side. And who knows," shrugging and glancing upwards, "maybe our cursed memories will be better."

Hook looked down at the white elephant before he conceded, "Fewer trees and walls in the way," a brief - and small - smile making its way across his face.

"Yes," Alice agreed with a small smile of her own. She then looked off to the side and her expression grew somber.

"But, Papa, when this happens, I will lose her."

Hook then reassured her, "No, don't say that, love. Don't. True love can win out over so much more."

A small appeared over Alice's features once more as she spoke, "I hope so." She then placed a letter by the tree and requested, "Please give this to her for me."

The letter read "My Love" across the front, and Hook picked it up as Alice continued, "I don't have one for you, but you already know how I feel."

Though they tried to remain hopeful, they couldn't help the sorrow that settled in their hearts - they knew their time ran short.

Hook then tried to assure her: "I'll deliver it. But I'm gonna do my best to make sure that nothing parts any of us."

"I hope that's enough," Alice told him before she stated, "Take it." He looked at his daughter one last time before he walked away.

Hyperion Heights, Present Day

After driving a rental car from the airport, Henry and Alena - with her holding tightly to the twins' hands - rushed into the hospital. He stopped abruptly and looked around frantically.