The Halcyon

by ArkhamBarbie

The curse may have been broken but many characters from Henry's book have yet to return and remember. There are still some lost pages. More stories to be told. But where could they have gone?

Jefferson was always indebted to Regina and with good reason-the wife that he lost was her sister, Odette. But will her return in Storybrooke turn things around? Only Mr. Gold knows and an angry and jealous prince is fighting alongside him for his happy ending.

Curiosity begins with a page left unturned. There were many decisions that were thought of long and hard. Many battles fought-lost and won-and even throughout all of that, hope was never lost. Peace may have been achieved by the inhabitants of Storybrooke but there were still a few who remained lost and distant. And it is the persistence of fate that kept the story from writing itself out.

And for Emma, things were about to get a whole lot more...enchanted than it seemed and it all begins with a torn chapter in Mr. Gold's repository,

Once upon a time.

One~ In which Henry reads an unfinished story...

There was once a very ambitious lady who lived in a humble home. With her were two young daughters and a loyal husband. Her name was Cora.

Her ambition created an unstable life for her and her family. She had been married off to Henry, a man of title, a Lord but the turmoil between Kingdoms had caused the couple to relieve possessions in order to keep their status. Despite every trial, Cora never let anything nor anyone hinder her goal to climb the ladders of court. Her time may have passed but her daughters were still fresh fruits waiting to get picked.

Cora had prized her daughters so much that the thought of them achieving anything less than great was unbearable and as any champion in greedy possession of her mark of triumph, she was not one to let what she earned go easily. But today would be an exception, she thought. Today, she would let go of one of her trophies. Mother knows best. She reminded herself. No such magic of hers could ever grant her a better chance than this.

There was an extra aura of restlessness inside the Mills abode, "Regina, where has your sister gone? The match maker waits for no one," Cora entered her daughter's room hurriedly, shuffling towards the window, looking for any sign of her youngest daughter.

Regina cocked a brow and stood to greet her mother. She was most unhappy about this day. The eldest of the Mills daughters cared dearly for her younger sister. She was her confidante, her wall and the only person she could tell all her secrets too. The thought of losing her sister was most unbearable and yet, she knew enough that she should not stand in the way of an opportune moment. She had always wanted the best for her and likewise. Regina cleared her throat and made a face. She knew very well where her sister might be at the moment yet, she knew better to give her time to herself before she was sent away, "She just went out for some air mother. She knows how important this day is for her, for all of us," What she had stated wasn't entirely true. It isfor all of their sakes, however, it was mostly all for her mother.

Cora frowned as she put her arms at the side of her waist. She blinked at her eldest and sighed as she made her way towards the door, "If you see her, tell her to come to the dressing quarters at once," Above all, it was not Cora nor the youngest of her daughters who was most skeptical of the arrangement and yet, she knew that if her sister would let the chance go, she would be burdened with an even more difficult obligation. Regina cared enough to take her sister's place but as it was proclaimed in a discussion; her mother had other plans for her. Regina never knew if they have come to terms only just because they didn't want to displease their mother. They thought mostly of the state of their gentle but ailing father who deserved better care than he was receiving. Or maybe it was because they had no choice at all.~

Henry closed his book as soon as Emma called out to him. He had just finished re-reading the story of his grandparents. He got up from the bench near the school entrance and made his way towards his birthmother's yellow car. Regina had agreed to give liberty to Emma's visits however, it was agreed upon that Regina would be his primary guardian. This did not trouble Henry at all. He had loved both of them and having them in ground state made him feel more secure. It had been a while since the whole of Storybrooke had come to decent terms with regard to their real and previous life and had continued to live in the mortal world in peace. August, however, had told Henry that the pages he had added into his book would not tell him much about the other Kingdoms and other tales of characters he had never met. Most pages were just fragments of a story and for some peculiar reason, no one seems to know where the other pages were and where the people behind the characters had gone which was the most probably reason why Henry had yet to read the new additions. He had looked at the pictures yes, but nothing more.

Henry tucked in the large book inside his backpack and hopped in the car.

Emma gave him a smile, "Still carrying that with you, I see,"

"Yeah. Pinnochio, I mean, August, added some pages he found in the repository," Emma sighed and Henry quickly knew that she still hasn't come to complete terms with everything that has transgressed and so he kept his questions to himself, "Just something to pass the time,"

"Alright. Put on your seatbelt, we don't wanna be late."

Henry's brows weaved, "Late for what?"

"You gotta go and put your best suit on. Your mother got us tickets to the theatre," Emma started the engine and began to drive.

"I have to wear a suit to watch a movie?"

Emma grinned, "Not that theatre kiddo. Remember the small stadium near Jefferson's house?" Henry nodded, "Well, he had that place restored a while back and apparently some famous theatre group wants to stage their new production there. You can check out the invitation when we arrive at my place,"

"Sounds good," Henry replied and for some weird inclination, Henry had a feeling that as any person who arrives and stays in Storybrooke, their lives would become a little less normal and little more...interesting.

~The outskirts of the busy town was a always a haven for Regina and her sister. Here they would share their most kept thoughts. This was the place they played, they read and they had picnics. This was the place where they worried about nothing and no one. And this would the last day that they would ever feel safe and secure about everything and everyone.

Regina lifted her skirt and walked hurriedly towards her sister who was making intricate movements that formed a court dance. Regina sighed, "Odette! There you are! I've been looking for you everywhere," she called out.

Odette, though only three years younger than her sister, had experienced more than she could have imagined and as far as she was concerned all her years of being kept from mingling with others her age were about to change in extremes. "I'm sorry... I was just practicing," she looked at her older sister with the same dark and luminescent eyes as hers.

They were always told that they looked alike and different at the same time. Both of Cora's children always stood out, in the most positive ways and means physical however, they were treated as outcasts by most due to controversies led by her as well. But there was always something about Odette that made her a person of interest. The talks always pointed out to the mystery that surrounded her eyes and the majesty of her movements when she danced. She never quite understood what her father had meant.

Regina was relieved to see her sister calm despite the impending arrangement, "Practicing? You've danced a thousand times and each time I've seen you, you have been nothing less than perfect," She walked to her sister's side and gave her a smile.

Odette knew that Regina saw through her facade but she was thankful still for having Regina mirror the same amount of strength for her, "Thank you..."

Regina nodded and fixed the untwined strands of Odette's hair. She then took her sister's hand motioned for them to walk, "We must go. Mother is-"

"I-I'm scared," The tone of glee left Odette and for a moment, she could do nothing but stand frozen. She had never parted from her family and thinking about the possibility of never returning to them scared her even more.

Regina gave her a reassuring look, "You have nothing to be scared of. Prince Siegfried is known to be a gentle and handsome prince," she did not know if her tone of uncertainty surfaced. She never quite trusted the heresay of courtsfolk but she had no other choice but to believe them. For the sake of Odette.

Odette shook her head and looked away, "He's not gonna pick me and I'd rather he not...I'd rather stay here," she pleaded.

Regina held back her tears. There was no getting out of the agreement. It was afterall, the best chance for Odette to have a normal and free life would be away from their mother. Regina knew about their mother's dark practice but Odette didn't have to see that wickedness, "He could provide you with a better life than what you have now and...you would be away from..." the words escaped her mouth all too soon.

Odette did not look surprised, "I can't leave you," she already knew.

It's not too late for her. Regina bit her tongue to keep from the truth that she had wanted to say, "Father will be with me..."

Odette took a deep breath and cupped her sister's face, "Just promise me one thing,"

Regina weaved her brows, "Of course."

"I may not be able to chose the person whom I spend my life but I don't want you to ever give up on Daniel," Regina's eyes shot wide open. She hadn't told her about the deepened involvement between her and the stable boy.

"How did you-"

Odette let go of her sister and smiled, "I'm your sister. I know you. To see the both of you happy will be enough for me,"

Regina couldn't help but let a tear trail down her cheeks as she gave her sister a hug, "I promise."~

~Cora was still left in misery as she continued to pace back and forth of their study, waiting for her daughters to return. She had started a fire and as time passed, the pressure for her to make things perfect rose. The tension was evident as the flames glowed brighter and brighter as if to mirror her emotions.

"Hello Coraaa..." an eerie voice crept from her back and her thoughts were disrupted by a strange looking man in decent apparel.

Cora's face fell, "Rumplestiltskin. Aren't you a little too early? My daughter has yet to prepare for the ball,"

Rumplestiltskin tapped his fingers together and grimaced, "Oh I know. I was just here to check on my investment. You don't want to break our deal now, don't you?

"Of course not."

The estranged sorcerer curved his lips, "Good, if that is the case then, let me reiterate the terms of our agreement. In exchange for the title and the dowry that the Prince will grant you-"

"You assure that he will choose Odette?" Cora's tone was filled with steel which made Rumplestiltskin flinch.

He laughed, "For certain! And as I was saying, once the dowry and title has been transferred to your family, your daughter will never be allowed to see you again. She would have to be under my protection from thereon," Cora's expression began to harden, "You cannot interrupt in any more affairs after that, understood?"

Cora blinked, "And if I decline? If any of us break a rule?"

Rumplestiltskin clicked his tongue,"Then you will damn your daughter to a curse and everything that you worked hard for will perish. Not to mention, this little secret of ours will be revealed to your other daughter and husband,"

Cora gritted her teeth, "You wouldn't dare!"

"I wouldn't yes BUT only if we reach a consignment. Is it a deal?" He held out his hand towards Cora and looked at her steadily.

Cora looked icily at the dark one. This is for your own good. This is for us. She thought, convincing herself that she was right, "Deal."~

~Nightfall came all too soon. Regina was never good at goodbyes. She wasn't ready to see her sister go. Even with Daniel, she knew she would still feel the loneliness of having her sister taken away from her and yet...she needed to be her pillar. She needed to be strong for Odette. She would not cry tonight. She had promised after all.

Henry went to his eldest daughter's side and pressed on her hand as if to reassure her. She was doing the same for Odette but Regina knew of the sleepless nights he had since her mother broke news about the arrangement.

Regina spotted her sister approach them. She had finally dressed. Into a peculiar choice of robe to be honest. Probably not even something Cora would choose for her daughter. She was all clad in black in an intricately woven dress and feathered mask but she looked breathtaking still. If only a smile would complete her look, "You look beautiful Odette. I wish I could watch as your prince sweeps you off of your feet," she beamed.

Odette said nothing but mirrored her smile. Soon, Cora came with a decent looking man at her side. This troubled Henry which Cora did not mind.

Cora spoke, "Odette, this is the Count I was telling you about, he will be with you at the ball. He's going to take care of you,"

Odette curtsied.

Rumplestiltskin, even in the glamour he was in, could not help but grin sinisterly at the sight of Odette. He took her hand and kissed it as courtesy, "Pleasure is all mine. Come come, the ball waits for no one," he gestured for her to follow him towards the carriage which made her flinch. She turned to her mother who nodded in affirmation.

Odette took only a step forward when her father ran to wrap his arms around his daughter for one last time, "You will always have a home here. I will miss you child," Odette tried her best to remain composed. Soon enough, Regina joined them. She had broken her promise to keep from crying but there was nothing else she could have done.

Odette cleared her throat, "I will miss you too Papa, I love you," Regina replaced their father and quickly gave her sister a hug but soon, Cora came to fetch Odette. Her mother could only look at Odette in all glee and bitterness as she fixed her hair and kissed her temple but Odette knew better than to be clouded by the truth and in the end she could only say one thing to her mother before she entered the carriage,

"Goodbye," ~

Everyone was enjoying the performance of the troupe. There were acrobats, musical performers, magicians, thespians and animal tamers...a very peculiar circus group. Despite the magical background of most Storybrooke inhabitants, there wasn't one member of the audience who was not the least bit impressed by the show, even the mayor herself, Regina. She had a quick conversation with the manager of the performing arts company, Ben Storm, who was a performer himself. The premier acrobat of their group. She had wanted to meet the company owner as well but there was no word nor sign of him since they've arrived. It seemed odd, but she didn't pay much attention to it since she had thought that he was merely busy overseeing the whole production. She looked towards Henry and Emma who were just a few seats cross from her. She, along with the town patrons, David, the newly appointed sheriff along with Belle and Godl, were obligated to situate themselves in the front of the stage. Save for Jefferson, the man who owned the theatre.

Jefferson had decided to sit two rows behind his daughter Grace's adoptive family, who had allowed him a few visits as the rights were still being processed. It was enough for him. He finally had someone to call family and yet, he still felt, a tad bit alone. He remained a wealthy businessman in Storybrooke, however, he was not fond of mingling with others since the clock had restarted. He kept to himself and spent most days trying to rebuild his relationship with his daughter and restore his name. He had hoped that the theatre would give him a head start and with Regina and David's blessing, things were changing, little by little.

The fire eater made his bow and exited the stage and was soon replaced by the person they called The Ringmaster. He was a short man with a limp arm and scathed right eye. But despite his appearance, he still seemed a jolly fellow. He raised his arms as if to signal the crowd to silence and grinned, "Thank you one and all for joining tonight's festivities. I do hope that you all are having fun," there was cheering, "But, the amazement has yet to come for our famous ballet drama is just about to commence! Beginning our act are the exceptional Ali and Jasmia!" Out came a duo, both of middle-eastern decent, who presented themselves in a charismatic and tantric dance. The act was embezzled with a number of tricks involving a few costume changes by the girl which the boy had initiated but the crowed was more impressed when the duo performed tricks with a fierce white lion. Everyone was all applause as they took their bows and went to the side of the stage.

The Ringmaster entered once more and this time he had presented himself with a few daggers in hand and a board with a sillhouette of a woman cascading from afar, "And now, may I present the last presentation of the night, The Dance of the Daggers but before I introduce our last act, let me begin by giving her a little warm up, yes?" The Ringmaster took a dagger and showed it to the audience and suddenly threw the dagger towards the silhoutted figure who gracefully dodged the throw. The shadow bowed as the audience recovered from their gasps. The Ringmaster grinned and continued to throw the remaining three of his daggers at the performer who literally danced her way from getting punctured. The figure bowed once more as the Ringmaster took to the center of the stage, "And now, our muse herself, the daredevil dancer and enchantress, the lovely, Olivia!" The Ringmaster exited the stage as soon as the spotlight centered on the troupe's muse. Olivia, as the Ringmaster had named her, gracefully curtsied and smiled behind her masked face. She was clad in silvery black tapestries, so light that every time she moved, the cloth moved with her. She moved in small intricate movements at first and as one by one, the stage began to fill with a few dance partners, she began to tell a story.

As soon as she took her final pirouette and stance, the whole stadium stood and applauded. She took a bow and smiled at the crowd. The Ringmaster and the rest of the cast joined their muse as they each gave her a rose as tradition. She took another bow, along with the rest of the cast and soon, they left the stage.

The Ringmaster kissed her hand and spoke on the mic, "Thank You Storybrooke! The cast will be greeting everyone at the exit in gratitude for your time and patience. Goodnight to all of you!"

Grace had called unto her adoptive parents to hurry. She had always loved ballet and so her admiration for the muse called Olivia was to be expected. She peered towards her biological father, who too, was left in a complete daze, and gestured for him to make haste.

Everyone was captivated but no one could ever match the surprise and shock that Regina had in her eyes. There was more to the troupe than she had expected.

Everyone was captivated by the performance. Years before Regina cast the curse, there was no word of Odette. Which was to be expected of course since...she died in their Kingdom long ago.

Then again Regina was wrong about many things before.

Author's Note~

BABS HERE! (same ArkhamBarbie as this account u/4329073/ArkhamBarbie) but I won't be using that anymore.

Yes, I reposted the story because I couldn't access my old email! AHH! Please do view my profile for details :)

I do not own Once Upon a Time. All characters based off the interpretations of the show and my own remakings.

This is my first attempt to create a OUAT fanfiction. Still working on it. Tell me your thoughts and guesses about the fairy tale characters I had embedded in this chapter.

Thanks for the time!

~~~~Babs