Red Rebellion

Chapter 12

They stood in their line apprehensively with raised weapons before David found the urge to step forward. "Show yourselves!"

Emma and Killian shared a look of uncertainty when suddenly, the first of five familiar faces tentatively emerged from the shadows: Neal. He was followed by Robin Hood, Regina, Belle, and then finally Rumplestiltskin. They all had their weapons drawn as well, though they were not in offensive stances as they approached the camp.

Adam gulped nervously when catching sight of his parents, more importantly the cross countenance of his father. Belle lowered her dagger when first noticing her son, then immediately rushed across the clearing to embrace him in her arms. Adam dropped his sword and lowered his head onto his mother's shoulder. "Mum," he muttered lowly.

"Adam," Belle smiled, "you had us so worried." Rumplestiltskin stiffly walked over to the two of them embracing. He laid his hand on the back of his son's shoulder, "what were you thinking coming here?"

Adam nervously looked up to meet the disappointed glare of his father, "I'm sorry, I really am. I never wanted to give you grief from my absence. When Henry arrived with Tink, I knew you wouldn't understand."

Rumplestiltskin winced, "Understand? What is there to understand? You betrayed our trust, stole a magical relic from my stores, and traveled to Neverland of all places."

Belle brushed Adam's bushy brown hair off from his eyes. He frowned down at his mother, standing a few inches taller than both parents, and turned back to his father. "I'm not the one who needed the glove; Henry took it."

"Henry?" Emma repeated and met eyes with Regina, whose expression had changed to reflect a sense of horror. "Why would Henry need a glove?"

"The glove was enchanted," Rumplestiltskin grumbled. "Henry must have a plan that requires the assistance of magic..." He trailed off as he put the pieces together himself.

Regina swallowed and shut her eyes, unaware that she had started to shake her head.

"You don't think that Henry is planning to..." Neal began though couldn't find it in his heart to finish.

Killian lowered his gaze while subconsciously taking Emma's free hand, "he's planning on utilizing the magic in the glove to make the trade again."

"No," Regina firmly protested, "Henry knows what would happen if Pan were to get a hold of his heart. He knows he wouldn't survive the exchange." Robin frowned at the group before taking a step closer to Regina. He slowly lifted a hand to trail her back, giving her the simple reassurance of his touch.

"Well that's just it, then. Henry can't be planning on returning home safe and sound with his sister." Rumplestiltskin cautiously frowned at Neal, "He's on a suicide mission."

After shrugging off her boots, pants, and long-sleeved shirt, Elizabeth waded into the ice cold water of the river slowly. Goosebumps prickled over her paling skin. She wrapped her arms around her chest, thankful to still be wearing her simple black bra and matching black hiphuggers, while gritting her teeth to fight back the cold. Her toes curled over the smooth weathered stones along the river floor for balance. She knew that despite the unpleasant chill to the river, there was no way she was spending another day with the grime of the last few days layering over her skin.

She reluctantly kicked out her feet and dropped underwater. Her body shivered in protest. When opening her eyes, Elizabeth was shocked to view the subtle beauty of the river's bottom. The moonlight, which was impossibly bright, shined through the canopies of the trees above in defined beams of light. Each ray struck the water and blurred clear blue aura under the surface, vividly brightening the river bottom comprised of flat stones. Elizabeth swallowed a gulp of the freshwater and noted how refreshingly sweet it tasted. She kicked off from the ground and broke through the surface to gasp for air.