She's alive!

Sorry this has taken so long, I really have no excuse.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Narnia or Once Upon a Time

Warning: Some dark elements to this chapter including violence (magical and non) against children.

Chapter 12: It's a Scary World Out There

There was a cell, deep under Regina's castle, that had no windows or doors, no light of any kind. The only way in or out was a small, barred hole in the ceiling through which a rope ladder was lowered anytime one needed to descend; few ever ascended. It was here that Edmund found himself, courtesy of the Queen's guards. A bucket of water was lowered down what he guessed was about once a week and food more rarely than that.

Time meant nothing down in the dark hole and so Edmund didn't know how long he'd been down there when he unexpectedly found himself pulled out by two pairs of rough, unforgiving hands. Before he could get his bearings in the dim light of the dungeon (so much brighter than his hole), he found his hands and feet clamped in cold iron manacles and he was frog-marched up the stairs out of the dungeon in silence.

Edmund kept his sensitive eyes tightly shut through the dimly lit halls of the castle and cleared his mind to escape from his sad reality. He soon found himself thrown to his knees on the hard marble of the Queen's personal chambers.

XXXX

Jake woke up like any other day, yawning and stretching his arms above his head. He padded his way softly down the stairs after using the bathroom and slid quietly onto one of the stools at the kitchen island. He reached for the plate of muffins (blueberry, his favorite) on the counter and glanced at the note sitting in front of them. His lips jerked in an attempt at a smile as he recognized his sister's elegant script. The note informed him that she'd left early so she could get a head start on setting up her booth for Miner's Day. Jake groaned and rubbed at his tired eyes. He'd forgotten it was that time of year already. Every year Mags asked for his help and he was hopeless to resist her big, green eyes. As much as he hated crowds (and people in general), he just couldn't say no to his sister when she asked for his help. He read the note again and was surprised when he realized that Mags hadn't mentioned anything about needing his help. His brow furrowed in confusion. How odd, he thought as he nibbled absently on his muffin. He supposed he'd just have to find something else to occupy his day then.

XXXX

Edmund keep his dark eyes fixed on the floor as the Queen paced back and forth in front of him, her black heels making a sharp clacking sound on the floor. She finally came to a stop directly in front of him, her toes pointed forward and her feet evenly spaced. "I grow tired of your foolish resistance, pest," she sneered. "For the last time, will you join me?"

Edmund straightened his spine and dared to look the Queen in the eyes; eyes so like his that, but for the darkness lurking in hers', they might have been family. "I've told you, your majesty, that I will not help you kill your step-daughter—the rightful queen of this land." He smirked at the astonishment that flashed ever so briefly across her flawless features. "Oh yes, your majesty, I've heard things while enjoying your gracious hospitality; things I'm sure you'd rather I not know. I know that you were married to Snow White's father and that she is the one meant to be on the throne, not you."

Edmund was expecting the hit when it came, but the Queen's strength still surprised him as the blow to his face caused his weakened body to tumble to the floor. "Shut your filthy mouth, pest," she hissed, staring down at him with contempt. "You know nothing of which you speak." She used her dark magic to pull him to his feet until he was dangling in the air, just inches above the ground. The Queen began to circle Edmund, scrutinizing him carefully. He refused to be cowed this time and kept his gaze steady and his head held high.

XXXX

After breakfast, Jake headed out to find Liam as school was closed for Miner's Day (as always). He found his friend walking his large black lab, Fang, out by the docks. "Liam!" he called out, waving the tall, lanky boy down.

"Hey Jake," Liam replied in his nasally voice. "What do you have planned for us today? Does Maggie need any help with her booth for the festival?"

Jake shrugged. "She didn't say anything this morning, so we have the day free this year. If you're up to it, I thought we could take a hike through the woods with Fang. Whadd'ya say?"

Liam rubbed absently at the place where his left leg met his prosthetic. "Sure, why not," he replied. "My leg's feeling pretty spry today; besides, it's been a while since we've gone hiking together. Let's do it."

XXXX

The Queen finally stopped in front of Edmund and grabbed his face by the chin, her long nails digging uncomfortably into his pale, freckled cheeks. "You know," she said thoughtfully, jerking his head to the side to study his profile, "you could pass as Snow White's brother." She turned his head the other way briefly before jerking him forward to look into his eyes. "Yes," she said, a glint of something appearing in her eyes, "I believe you could pass as her brother. Of course, not a full brother—you're much too young for that. Perhaps…yes, I do believe I could work with that…"

"Wh-what are you talking about?" Edmund asked hesitantly, the malicious smile slowly crawling across the Queen's face making him increasingly nervous.

"I believe I have just figured out how you may be of use to me, little pest."

"I told you I'll never help you defeat Snow White!" Edmund exclaimed, jerking his head to free himself from her strong grip.

The Queen sneered and smacked Edmund across the face, leaving behind three thin scratches from her blood-red nails on his left cheek. "How dare you defy me!" she snarled. "You will regret that, pest!"

XXXX

Jake, Liam, and Fang wandered through the woods in silence for a while. Finally Liam spoke. "How's your sister doing with all the drama going around town right now?"

Jake shrugged. "She's holding it together—kinda," he said. "She's thrown herself extra hard into the Miner's Day festival this year…Can we not talk about her right now though? Please."

Liam narrowed his moss green eyes at his pale friend, but nodded in agreement. "Sure Jake," he said. "What should we talk about, then? How about that weird encounter with the Gold girl the other day? What was that all about?"

Jake groaned and buried his head in his hands. "Of course you would go for that," he mumbled. "I have no idea what that was all about, Liam," he said. "I'm just as much in the dark as you. I've certainly never interacted with the girl before."

Liam made a face as he absently tugged on Fang's leash (he'd been following a smell and was wandering too far). "I dunno, bud," he said, "it was weird. Like, she's Gold's daughter. Why the heck was she talking to us?"

"I've got an even better question for you," said Jake, staring at something off in the distance. "What's she doing wandering alone in the woods?" He pointed his finger at the distant, but distinct figure for Liam to follow.

"What say we follow her and find out?" said Liam, his curiosity taking over as Fang yipped at his heels in agreement.

XXXX

Edmund gasped as the Evil Queen thrust her hand into his chest and grasped a hold of his heart. She sneered and squeezed lightly, causing his breath to hitch in discomfort. "If you won't follow me willingly, I'll just have to make you obey," she said, pulling her hand out slowly.

Edmund stared in shock at the still beating heart in the Queen's hands. "How am I not dead?" he gasped, dark eyes wide in fear.

"Magic, dear Edmund," she said with an insidious smile. "Now you are mine to command and you will do exactly as I tell you." Edmund opened his mouth to speak. "Silence," snapped Regina. "You will not speak unless I tell you to. From now on you will only respond to the name Prince Daniel, my son and my late husband's: the rightful heir to Alba's throne. This will crush Snow's precious little rebellion for sure."

XXX

Jake, Liam, and Fang stealthily followed the small figure of Lenore Gold through the thick woods. They had to make a quick dash behind some trees a few times, but somehow managed to avoid detection. Soon they reached what seemed to be Lenore's destination: a small log cabin that would have seemed deserted but for the smoke pouring out of the chimney. They crouched behind some berry bushes as Lenore scanned the forest before she knocked on the door and was admitted by someone who was apparently expecting her.

The boys crept forward, keeping low to the ground, and settled underneath a window on the side of the house where they could hear faint voices steadily growing stronger as they moved closer and closer. Liam absently stroked Fang's head to keep him calm and quiet as the boys strained their ears to hear what was being said inside.

"…it won't be much longer, I promise." The Gold girl Jake mouthed to Liam. He nodded in agreement.

"I don't mean to sound ungrateful," said a second voice—male and adult. "You know I'm thankful for everything you've done for me…I'm just going a little stir crazy, even with Miss Faire as a roommate."

"Is everything alright with you two?"

"There's nothing wrong…I just…" the man heaved a heavy sigh, "with the return of my memories, I've come to realize how much of a hermit I am and living with another human…I can't tell you the last time I did that. That's why I asked if we could meet up here instead of the house—it's so secluded out here. I love it."

"I'm sorry you can't stay here," Lenore said, sympathy obvious in her voice, "but Papa's been restless lately and that's usually when he comes out here. This is his thinking place."

Liam took a chance and glanced through the window. His face blanched and he looked at Jake with wide green eyes. "What's wrong?" Jake whispered.

"That's Sheriff Graham in there," Liam whispered back.

Jake's dark eyes widened too. "But I thought he died!"

"Apparently not," said Liam. "This town just keeps getting weirder and weirder."

"I can't disagree with you there, mate."

XXXX

Edmund stared blankly ahead from his seat on the plush throne, desperately trying to ignore the Queen's dark presence at his side and the aching emptiness in his chest. Queen Regina set a perfectly manicured hand on his shoulder in what appeared to be a gesture of comfort but was actually one of possession before she stood to address her assembled court.

"My people," she began, her voice strong and steady, "it is with great pleasure that We are finally able to introduce to you our son, Crown Prince Daniel. Before today We could not trust our son's safety would not be compromised in the public eye, but after the traitor Snow White's latest attack, We realize that We must not hide him anymore. Sot it is with deepest pride that We present to you Prince Daniel Leopold, son of Queen Regina and the late King Leopold of Alba—may he rest in peace. Long live Prince Daniel!"

"Long live Prince Daniel!" The assemblage began to repeat the chant.

Regina took Edmund's hand to draw him to his feet, a secret smirk evident on her crimson lips. "Smile for your people son," she hissed in his ear. Edmund—Prince Daniel—had no choice but to obey, as the Queen quite literally held his heart in her possession.

XXXX

Jake and Liam left the woods shortly after their discovery as not to test their luck. They made their way back to town in silence where they finally parted ways, Liam off to his house and Jake off to town square to find his sister.

Jake arrived to find that Mary-Margaret had had some unexpected help in setting up her Miner's Day booth this year in the form of Leroy, the handyman and town drunk, and Sister Astrid ("Former sister," she informed him politely.). Jake slipped into his usual role of helper and roamed around the square with a box of candles to sell.

Of the three, it seemed he was the only one who had any luck selling them…until an unexpected blackout caused a rush in sales and they suddenly found themselves sold out. Jake joined his sister and her friends in celebration, toasting each other with mugs of hot chocolate (no cinnamon for him, thank you very much—his sister's taste buds were just plain weird).

Their joyous revelry was interrupted by a somber faced Emma Swan, newly appointed Sheriff, who pulled up not in her yellow bug, but in the town's only police cruiser. "Emma, what's wrong?" Mary-Margaret asked as the blonde woman stopped in front of her.

"I'm so sorry to do this Mary-Margaret," she said, "but I have to place you under arrest."

"Arrest?" exclaimed Jake, spewing hot chocolate out of his nose. "What the bloody hell for?"

"Yes, please, what have I done?" asked Mary-Margaret, genuinely confused.

"Mary-Margaret Blanchard, you are under arrest for the murder of Katheryn Nolan."

Reviews are welcome- flames are not.

Fang, Liam's large black lab: Toothless