Once Upon A Time: Hook's Adopted Son (Book 1)

Snow Falls

(The Enchanted Forest)

Everyone knows the tale of Snow White and Prince Charming, but the truth is far richer and more complex than the stories would have you believe.

In the picturesque landscapes of the Enchanted Forest, a royal carriage trundled along the winding path to King George's castle. Inside sat Prince James, commonly known as Charming, and Princess Abigail, the two unfortunate participants in a political marriage arranged for alliance rather than love. Abigail, as composed as ever, glanced out of the carriage window and sighed dramatically. "We should have taken the Troll Road," she remarked. "It's faster and much less bumpy. I detest being late to the palace."

Charming hardly acknowledged her complaint, his focus fixed elsewhere. In his hands, he clutched a small leather pouch containing his mother's cherished ring—a symbol of the love and freedom he felt he'd lost the moment this arrangement was set in stone. The carriage abruptly halted, jostling them both. Charming glanced up sharply. "What now?" Abigail groaned.

Charming opened the door and stepped out. The knights escorting their journey were huddled ahead, studying a large tree sprawled across the path. "My Lord," one of them called, "a tree has fallen and blocked the road."

Charming strode forward, inspecting the tree with narrowed eyes. Something felt wrong. His fingers traced the trunk, stopping when he spotted deep, precise notches near the base. "This wasn't an accident," he muttered, his voice low but firm.

"What do you mean?"

He stood, brushing bark off his hands. "Look at these markings. This tree didn't fall—it was cut." His eyes darted back toward the carriage. "It's an ambush!"

Before the knights could react, a figure dropped from the treetops onto the carriage roof with a thud, startling Abigail and causing her to scream. The bandit wasted no time, prying open the carriage and snatching Charming's leather pouch. Then, with remarkable speed, the thief mounted one of the horses and bolted into the forest. Charming barely had time to react. He grabbed the reins of his steed and swung into the saddle, spurring the horse forward in pursuit. The chase was intense, the two weaving through trees and over uneven terrain until Charming finally closed the distance.

With a calculated leap, he tackled the thief off their horse, both tumbling hard to the forest floor. Dazed but determined, Charming pinned the thief to the ground. "Show your face, you coward!" he demanded, yanking back the hood.

He froze, blinking in disbelief as the bandit's identity was revealed—not a grizzled highwayman or a hardened criminal, but a young woman with striking features and an expression that held more defiance than fear. "You're a girl," he blurted, incredulous.

"Woman," she corrected sharply.

Before he could react, she grabbed a nearby rock and hurled it at his face. The impact forced him to release her with a grunt of pain. She scrambled to her feet and darted toward her horse, mounting it in one fluid motion. Charming clambered to his feet, clutching his jaw where the rock had grazed him. "You can't hide from me!" he shouted after her retreating form. "Wherever you are, I will find you!"

Snow White, for that was who she was, glanced back with a mischievous smirk before disappearing into the dense trees. Charming watched her go, his anger simmering just below the surface. The thief had escaped for now, but this was far from over.

(Storybrooke)

Harry was helping Ruby with the diner, but truthfully, he was just there to make sure that Mary Margret and Dr. Whale's date was going well. It wasn't, Dr. Whale just kept ignoring her and was more focused on Ruby. He only listens to her when she is talking about her class coming to the hospital to put up decorations tomorrow. Mary Margret was miserable, she asked for the check and paid for the dinner herself. She left the dinner, knowing that there was no such thing as love at first sight. Harry left early to speak with Mary Margret. He caught up to her "Hey, I saw the whole thing. Sorry about that Miss Branched." Harry apologized.