8Chapter 3
"Here, we've reached." Beth said, ending their hike and pointing to the seemingly abandoned cottage in front of them.
"A cottage? Who's is it?" Henry asked. She shrugged. "Who cares? It's empty. That's what matters."
"It might belong to my grandpa - Mr Gold." Henry warned, but to his surprise, she smirked.
"Oh, he won't be bothering us for a while." She said confidently as she opened the door.
Henry paused in his steps. "What exactly did you do to him?"
"Nothing permanent," she said with a snort, "and believe me, it's a boon, though a short-lived one."
"It appears that the girl has some sort of poison that can render me powerless." Mr Gold, now conscious, explained to the gathered crowd. "For how long, I don't know, but it seems to be temporary. She can't permanently strip me of my powers."
"Okay, so no harm done." Emma said, then turned to the others. "I think we should try finding her. She's new here and stripped of her magic, unless she asks for help, it should be easy."
"Let's get going, then."
"Hold on," Regina paused as her phone started ringing. They watched her face grow pale as she heard whatever the person on the other end had to say.
"What is it?" Emma asked.
"It was Robin. I-I told him to keep an eye on Henry and Roland." Regina said, "Henry's missing."
"So... this will be your hideout?" Henry asked.
"Not yet." Beth pulled up her sleeve, showing him the cuff. "Can you remove it?"
Henry took a step back, narrowing his eyes. "I don't think that'll be the best idea."
Beth snorted. "Now the sensible boy is showing through! I was wondering how you became so naive..." when he didn't change his stance, she sighed. "Look, I mean no harm to anyone. Your family or anyone else in Storybrooke haven't wronged me in anyway and I have enough honour to not harm them just because they exist. The only feud I have is with the Dark One, which is settled unless he to strike me. The only use I'd put my magic to would be to defend myself, which I need to do right now. Your family wants to imprison me because they don't trust me, and living in a jail cell isn't exactly my favourite vacationing spot, especially after being trapped in a box for so long. That's why I need it."
Henry looked thoughtful, but indecisive, and she sighed again. She took a deep breath. "I promise I wouldn't intentionally hurt anyone in this town, except in self-preservation. You know, I really can't do better than that; I lived trapped in my castle for a century because of a stupid promise!"
Henry thought for a moment before nodding. "Okay, but in return... I want you to tell me about yourself!"
Beth hesitated. "Why are you so curious about me?"
He shrugged. "Just like that. Maybe if I know you well I - and everybody else - would understand you."
"You can't tell anyone else." she said sharply, "I'm going to trust you because you trusted me, but no one else can know. Don't betray me."
"I won't." he promised, and removed the cuff from her extended arm.
Beth took a deep breath, and started casting some spell around the cottage. She smiled once she was done. "We're protected, and invisible." she said, sitting down on the chair. Henry sat down on the other.
"So... will you tell me about yourself now?" he asked.
"You're very persistent." she commented, "Somewhat like an annoying younger sibling."
He looked at her expectantly, and she sighed. "It was a long time ago, nearly two centuries. I was born a princess, and grew up preparing to be queen. But the day came too early... when I was sixteen, my mother passed away, but before her death, she made me promise never to abandon my kingdom no matter what. She wanted me to rule forever, and so on my sixteenth birthday, my mother gave me the present of a cursed kingdom, where time doesn't move, and in the process gave away her own life. The people left, every last one, but I couldn't, because I had promised my mother. I gained eternal life, but at the cost of eternal loneliness."
"Did you ever leave?" Henry asked, and Beth nodded slowly.
"After a hundred years or so." she said, "It had grown to be too much, and I couldn't take it anymore. So I left, but only to be captured by Rumplestiltskin."
They were silent for a while, before Henry asked, "Can I ask another question?"
"That in itself is a question." Beth retorted.
"Another one, then. How do you know so much about everyone?" He asked.
She smirked. "Well, well... why don't you guess?"
Henry placed his perceptive gaze on her. "Okay. Magic mirror?"
"Got me." she said, slipping a hand into her pocket and pulling out an ornate mirror. "I thought you would, seeing as Regina has a substandard replication. This one's better, and it doesn't have someone trapped in it."
Henry looked at it, fascinated. "I wonder why my book dooesn't have anything about you or the mirror. Can I use it?"
Beth smiled. It had been so long since she had company; despite her apprehension, it felt good to be able to share. "Sure. Let's see where your family are." then commanded to her mirror, "Show us."
It showed them all one by one, trekking through different parts of the forest or the town, searching for Henry.
"It seems you should be on your way, boy." Beth said.
"Henry." he corrected.
"Henry," she repeated, "it was nice to meet you. I know I can't really expect you to lie for me, but it's my request that you don't tell anyone anything."
"Okay." Henry said with a smile.
Emma and Killian were searching one side of the woods, while Snow and David took the other. Regina and Robin were checking the other parts of the town.
"I should have known." Emma said for the umpteenth time. "He wanted to come along, and we refused to let him. If he was with us, at least we'd know he's safe, and now I don't know where and how he is, and with our mystery girl on the loose..."
"Relax, Swan, we'll find him." Killian said, trying to give her confidence. "And he can take care of himself. He's your son after all."
"I know, but... I'm worried. That girl killed someone." Emma said.
"She did that in a fit of rage. I doubt she'll do something like that again for no reason." Killian reasoned. "And... well, she is just a lass. Hardly older than Henry. Who knows, maybe she's also just a young lass who needs our help..."
At that moment the bushes moved and they turned their attention to it, immediately on their guard. A moment later, the bushes parted and Henry came out, looking every bit the teenager caught red-handed.
"Oops?" he said, smiling sheepishly at Emma's glare.
Beth watched the scene through her mirror and chuckled, an almost fond look crossing her face.
Henry barely escaped getting grounded, but he managed it. He was living at Emma's tonight, and as Killian and Emma were having a date, Henry was home alone until later at night. Or he was supposed to be.
When he was sure his mom and Killian had left, he opened the back window and hissed.
Beth got out of her hiding place and made her way to the window, taking care to ensure no one notices.
"The coast is clear. Come on in." he whispered, and she climbed in through the window.
"Thanks a lot, Henry. I can never thank you enough for this." Beth said gratefully.
"Oh come on, you don't expect me to let you starve?" he said, smiling, "The kitchen's this way, mom made enough food for us both to eat." he laughed, "Does she really expect me to eat all of it? I don't eat that much."
The door burst open and Emma came into their view, followed by Killian. They both had stern expressions on their faces, but both Beth and Henry were too stunned to react.
Emma broke the silence. "Didn't you think it possible that maybe we knew you'd have somone over for dinner?" she commented casually.
Beth and Henry glanced at each other and then at the two grown ups. Well, well, well... they were in trouble.