FORTY-SIX ➳ DREAMCATCHER
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CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
DREAMCATCHER
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AFTER SKINNING THE ANIMAL, THE PAIR MADE THEIR WAY TOWARD GRANNY'S, WHERE TERESA WAS GOING TO HAND HER OVER THE RABBIT. Even though they weren't in Storybrooke, their deal was still present, and Teresa still needed to hunt for her on occasion. Henry made the comfortable silence disappear as he decided to strike up a conversation with her.
"Can I ask you a question?"
Teresa smirked. "You just did. But, yes you can."
"Do you, um...maybe want to go hunting again tomorrow?"
Teresa's smirk widened. "I told you hunting was a thrill! We can go in the morning, animals tend to come out for food bright and early."
"Early bird catches the worm."
Henry beamed in relief, he had been worrying she might say no. He wasn't stupid. He could sense the tension between them, it's been there since the day he saved from Isaac's page and The Apprentice announced they were soulmates. The knowledge of them knowing who they really were seemed to drive a wedge. Henry had noticed Teresa started to avoid him at all costs, so he was thankful that Hook and his grandfather got her to dance. He felt like the tension was slowly going away, and soon they would return to how they were before.
"Well the early bird does catch the worm," Henry said.
Teresa archer a brow, letting out a breathy laugh. "What?"
"I-It's an expression."
Suddenly, the sound of hooves met their ears. Soon, a chestnut colored horse came into few, and the girl riding it pulled on the reigns to make it slow down right before them. "Hello," she said.
"Hi."
"Are you trying to find your back to the castle?" she asked them. "I could show you the way, if you'd like?"
Teresa shook her head. "We know the way, but thank you."
"We were out hunting," Henry added.
"I can see that." A grin formed on the girls face as she gestured to the skinned rabbit in Teresa's hand. "I've never met a girl who could hunt before." Teresa smirked as she climbed down off the horse, and after patting the horses mane, she turned to them with an extended hand. "My name's Violet."
Teresa hesitated before shaking her hand. "Teresa."
The girl gave a nod before turning to Henry and extending her hand.
"Henry," he said, giving her a polite smile.
"Well, it was wonderful to meet you both, perhaps we could all go hunting together one day." Violet smiled. "I've always wanted to go, but my father, I'm afraid, won't allow me. He believes hunting is only for the men. When he sees that you do it, perhaps he will let me join. That is, if you don't mind my company. I would hate to impose..."
Teresa bit her lip. She glanced at Henry before turning back to the brunette haired girl, that couldn't be any older than them, hell she was probably younger. "Uh, sure. I suppose more company wouldn't hurt."
Violet grinned. "I would like to thank you in advance for allowing me to join you one day."
"Don't mention it."
Violet frowned, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion. "Why not? It is such a kind thing to do for someone you barely know..."
Henry chuckled. "No, that's not what she meant. It's a saying, just another way of saying you're welcome."
Violet blushed in embarrassment. "Oh..." She then turned and gripped the reigns of her horse. "I should be getting back, my father will begin wondering why I've been gone for so long. Good day to you both."
"Bye," Henry said as the girl galloped away, leaving them alone once again.
➳
PRESENT DAY
STORYBROOKE
Henry stood, leaning against one of the desks in the police station. Apparently, the prisoner — who his grandpa caught having stole King Arthur's objects from a chest — had been put in a cell, and now the cell was empty.
"So he just...vanished?" Hook said.
"Could it be magic?" Robin asked. He then turned to King Arthur with a questionable expression. "Uh, your squire...did he wield such power?"
King Arthur shook his head. "Not that I ever saw."
"Well, there's no sign of tampering," David said.
"Then he must have lied about having the bean. Must've hidden it on his person somewhere and used it to escape."
"Well, in case he hadn't used the bean, Teresa is out searching the woods," David said.
"By herself?" Henry asked, eyes widened slightly.
Hook smirked at Henry's display of concern. "I'm sure the young lass can take care of herself."
"How could he be so selfish?" Queen Guinevere said, her face wearing a deep, sad frown. "We could all be home right now."
"Desperate times," King Arthur uttered, placing a gentle hand on the small of his wife's back.
"Our people want so badly to return. We must do something to raise their spirits. The despair of being away...that's what caused all this. Who knows what else it can lead to?"
"Well, you're right people need hope. And as your hosts and leaders of this town, it is up to us to provide it," Snow said.
Regina crossed her arms over her chest. "What do you have in mind?"
"How about a dance?"
All eyes turned to Henry, and Hook and David gave each other a knowing look.
"A dance, huh?" David inhaled sharply. "Looking for an excuse to ask your girlfriend out on a date?"
Regina's eyes widened. "Girlfriend? What girlfriend?"
"She's not my girlfriend," Henry said.
"Who's not your girlfriend?"
"The archer, of course," Hook said. "Who else?"
Snow smiled, already excited about throwing a dance, especially if it helped her grandson finally make a move. "I think a dance is exactly what we need."
Hook walked over to Henry and patted his shoulder, wearing a smirk. "Well, if it's dating tips you need, lad, I know my way around women."
Regina thew the pirate a glare. "Over your dead body."
"Regina!" Snow exclaimed. "Let's start planning. I think it is time Storybrooke had a ball."
Regina sighed. "You just want your little archer to get with my son."
"Cheer up, love!" Hook grinned. "It's bound to happen."
"You wanna keep that hand?" Regina threatened.
Suddenly, Belle came running in, out of breath. Everyone perked up, wondering what was wrong now. There was always something wrong. They were worried, considering that after rescuing Robin Hood, apparently Belle had left the Granny's in a rush because Gold had woken up.
"Belle. What is it?"
"It's, uh, it's Rumple."
"What happened?"
"He's missing."
➳
"So, let me get this straight." Teresa sighed through her cell phone as she walked down the road back toward town. She had searched the woods for nearly two hours and hadn't found any sign of the escapee prisoner. "Not only did we lose the prisoner, but now Rumplestiltskin is missing?"
Snow sighed. "That's right. If I were you, I'd head back. We assume it's Emma, and if it is, none of us should be alone. Who knows what Emma is doing."
"I can handle Emma."
"Teri..."
"I'm on my way anyways, I couldn't find the prisoner anywhere. Any leads there?"
"None. We assume that he most likely used the magic bean to escape."
"Speaking of which, I've got an inkling about who stole all of mine."
"You do?"
"Yep. My minds been whirling since we found out they went missing, going over all the possibilities. I'm thinking that damn thief stole them, the one Belle's dating. Or was dating. Who knows with Belle, her love life is all over the place." Teresa sighed. "He's always getting his hands on the goods, so he can later use them for his own purposes."
"Will Scarlet?" Snow hummed. "It is a good lead. But what would he need them for?"
Teresa scoffed. "Who the hell knows. All I know, is that Will Scarlet and I have never been on the best of terms. He tried to rob me once. Who robs a twelve-year-old?"
"You're kidding?! You were just a kid."
"Exactly my point. He'll steal anything with now concern for anyone."
"Well, just hurry back, alright?"
"On it." Teresa then hung up the phone and as she did, she noticed there were messages from Henry in the notifications section.
A smile formed on her face as she read the messages he sent her.
Hi :) So after Queen
Guinevere mentioned
that her people need
to blow off some steam,
my grandparents decided
to throw a block party...
Teresa furrowed her eyebrows and decided to reply back.
What the hell is
a block party?
After a few moments, her phone chimed, and she lifted it up to see his response.
It's like a party in the
streets. There's food, like
popcorn and cotton candy
and ice cream. You even
can play games. It's fun,
trust me. I was thinking...
do you maybe want to go?
With me?
Teresa bit her in order to contain her smile. Her heart was pounding against her ribcage;she suddenly felt like she couldn't breath; her eyes widened considerably, and she lowered the phone. Is he asking me on a date?
After a few moments, Teresa replied back.
I've never been to one
before, it sounds like fun.
I'll see you there.
With that, Teresa let out a shaky breath, her heart still racing, and she stuffed her phone into her pocket. "Oh god...what did I just do?"
➳
SIX WEEKS AGO
CAMELOT
Henry grunted as he let another arrow fly. It hit the tree, but not where he was aiming. He didn't understand why he was having troubles. Perhaps it was because of Teresa's absence. He let out a sigh as he walked over to retrieve it from the bark.
"Henry!"
Henry turned at the sound of his name. He was half expecting it to be Teresa, but instead found his mothers. He smiled. "Hey...moms. I was, uh...getting in the Camelot spirit. You know...trying to understand this world."
"By shooting arrows?" Emma raised a brow and crossed her arms over her chest. She already knew why he was doing this, it was quite obvious: he was trying to impress Teresa.
"This wouldn't have anything to do with Teresa, would it?" Regina asked.
Henry blushed.
"Henry...changing so someone likes you never works." Emma heaved a sigh. "I mean, I...I liked your dad because he was always himself."
"But...but maybe, if I try, I could be something better than I am." Henry looked at Regina. "If you didn't change for the better, you wouldn't be with Robin."
"True," Regina said, nodding. "But do you really think Teresa would be interested in someone who's just like her? Remember when I told you about Daniel?"
"Yeah. Your first love."
Regina hummed. "Mm-hmm. And it wasn't because he tried to impress me by being like the others. It was because he was so different...so unique."
"Henry, you're already perfectly unique. Who wouldn't want a handsome young writer?"
"Thanks." Henry then grinned, a sudden idea coming to him. "I have to go make a few arrangements."
➳
After receiving a note from Henry to meet him at Granny's Diner, Teresa had been confused, but she didn't question it, nor did she tell anymore. Instead, she began heading for the diner located in the middle of the woods.
The entire time, Teresa's hands felt clammy; she was constantly wiping on her pants. She wondered why Henry wanted to see her for.
When she finally got to Granny's she walked up to the door, but before she opened it and walked in, she peered through the window. And her heart broke.
Henry was inside, but he wasn't alone. He was talking to the girl — Violet — that they had met while hunting together. Henry looked nice; he was clad in a nice suit and he had even went to the trouble of preparing a candlight meal for them. It was a kind gesture, but it wasn't her inside with him.
It was Violet.
And they were and smiling at each other. They looked...happy.
Teresa's smile disappeared and she took a step back before completely turning on her heel and bolting into the woods. Her heart was clenched tightly in her chest, like someone had ripped it from her chest and was squeezing it as tight as they could without completely crushing it and killing her. Her vision was soon blurry with tears, and whimper like breaths escaped past her lips.
By the time she reached the castle with her head hung low, she was crying.
"Teresa!" It was Emma and Regina. They were standing at Merlin's tree.
Teresa paused, meeting Emma's gaze. "I'm not really in the mood right now, so if you don't mind..."
"Woah, stop, wait!" Emma caught her wrist, her eyes full of concern. "What happened?"
Teresa sniffled. "It's nothing."
"Teresa."
Teresa sighed. She hesitated for a moment, before reaching into her pocket and pulling out the now crumbled up piece of paper. "I got this from Henry."
Emma gingerly took the letter, and held it up for both her and Regina to read it.
She sniffled, again. "I went."
"I got that," Emma said. "And what happened?"
"He had set up a dinner for us." Teresa gave a weak, broken smile. Even Regina smiled at her sons fondness toward the archer. "Or at least I think it was meant for us. B-But h-h-he was there with Violet." Regina and Emma furrowed their eyebrows in confusion.
"Who's Violet?" Regina asked.
"S-She's a girl we met earlier today."
Emma frowned, and gently rubbed Teresa's back. And then it hit her. The tears of the brokenhearted.
"This'll work." Emma said.
"What?" Teresa croaked, eyebrows furrowed.
"This tear. Your tear, Teresa."
"It can free Merlin?" Teresa asked.
Emma nodded. "You can save me, kid."
Teresa sniffled, too hurt by Henry's action to even correct Emma about calling her kid. Regina had noticed.
"Stop!" King Arthur suddenly ran over, his Knights with him. "Stay away from the tree. I won't ask twice. You and your people have done nothing but lie to me ever since you got here. That woman is no savior. You're a fraud."
"Go ahead. Call me a fraud again. I dare you," Regina said with a glare.
"We welcomed you, celebrated you. And in return, you bring the Dark One into the heart of my kingdom, endangering all who live here. Give me the dagger!"
"You want it? Come and get it," Regina snarled. She then turned to Emma. "Now, Emma."
After obtaining Teresa's brokenhearted tear, Emma threw the potion onto the tree. They took a step back as the tree began to sizzle.
"It's working!"
"Charge!"
As Emma used both light and dark magic to free Merlin, Teresa assisted Regina in making sure King Arthur and his Knights stayed back; Regina was shooting magical fireballs, while Teresa brought on a harsh, cold wind, that made white flurries block their vision.
Soon, the tree was gone, and with it, Merlin was replaced. The dark-skinned man wore a kind smile as he stared at Emma. "I've been waiting for you...Emma." Merlin switched his gaze to King Arthur. "And you...the boy who would be king. My great hope. How you've disappointed me."
King Arthur scoffed. "I disappointed you? You gave me false prophecies. Sent me on an impossible quest! You ruined my life!"
Merlin all but smirked when King Arthur threatened to use his sword on him. "Put it away, Arthur. We both know that broken sword can't hurt me."
Teresa smirke as she watch King Arthur run away with his tail between his legs. "This is not finished."
➳
PRESENT DAY
STORYBROOKE
The sky was dark, the moon now shining bright, having replaced the sun. There was music playing, and people were laughing and eating and conversing with each other.
Teresa walked under the streams of lights that had been put up, a smile on her face. She could smell the fresh butter popcorn, and it smelled amazing. She wanted to go straight to it, but she was searching for Henry.
Instead of Henry, she found Snow, who was pushing Baby Neal around in his stroller. "There you are," Snow grinned. "I was wondering if you were coming."
"I wouldn't miss it," Teresa replied. She looked around at all the festivities with a grin. "So you did all this in just a few hours?"
Snow chuckled. "I had some help."
"I've never been to one of these before, but it seems like you did good. Everyone looks like they're having fun."
"Yea," Snow agreed. A smile was on her face as she looked around at all the people. "Want to join me and Neal?"
Teresa bit her lip, a sheepish look on her face. Before she could tell her that she already agreed to spend the evening with Henry, Henry himself had arrived.
"There you are! I've been looking for you."
"Oh, well you two have fun." Snow beamed at them. "Come on Neal, lets go find your father."
Teresa gave Henry a neverous smile before clapping her hands together. "So, what do you want to do?"
"We can play some of the games?"
"Lead the way."
Henry grinned and began leading her toward one of the many booths set up.
➳
Later that night, after the festivities were over, Regina stood inside her house with Robin, clutching the dreamcatcher that they had found in Emma's house earlier in the day, in her hand.
"If Emma used this to rip our memories, maybe it can tell us what happened in Camelot."
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Robin said, gesturing toward the dreamcatcher. He then frownes. "You're afraid of what you might see, aren't you?"
"Emma clearly thought she had good reason for what she did. Who knows what happened to us there?"
Robin sighed. "Well...there's only one way to find out."
Regina nodded, and after a moment of hesitance, she waved her hand over the dreamcatcher. It swirled around before making a clear image of Teresa and Henry standing in the woods, talking to a brown haired girl.
"My name's Violet."
"Teresa."
"Henry."
"Are these Henry's memories?" Robin asked, his eyebrows furrowed.
"No. No, I think it's that girls."
Unbeknownst to them, Henry had walked in, Teresa having suggested they retire for the evening. He remained silent, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion, as he walked up behind his mom and Robin Hood.
Henry was able to see what they were seeing, and it shocked him. Violet, a girl Teresa told him about earlier, was standing in what looked to be stables. She was brushing a chestnut colored horse, when Emma suddenly appeared beside her.
"You're Violet, correct? Henry and Teresa's friend?"
"I met them only earlier, I wouldn't say friends yet..."
"Can you keep a secret?"
Violet nodded. "Of course."
"Good. Because Henry and Teresa can never know about this." Emma reached into her chest, ripping out the girls heart. Violet let out a pained gasp.
"Violet, listen. You will get this back. I just need your help first."
"W-W-What do you need?"
"I need the tear of a lost first love...a fresh tear. I need you to break Teresa's heart."
Suddenly, the scene had changed, and Violet was walking into Granny's, no longer clad in her riding clothes, but in a lilac purple dress. Violet had a smile on her face as she walked further inside.
"Hi, Henry!"
Henry furrowed his eyebrows as he watched himself in the dreamcatcher look up from a candlelight dinner and to Violet.
"Violet, what're you doing here?"
"Teresa had told me about this place earlier, I couldn't help but be curious and take a look myself."
"Oh, um, well...I-I'm kind of expecting somebody..."
Violet looked at the candlight and her eyes widened. "Oh, my apologies! May I ask who you've set up this wonderful evening for? It's so beautiful in here."
"Teresa." The Henry in the dreamcatcher smiled. "She should be arriving any moment."
Henry dropped his bag of popcorn, causing the pieces to go all over the floor. At the noise, Regina and Robin whipped around, and their eyes widened in shock.
"Henry..."
A/N: This chapter had some SERIOUS feels!! 😍💔😟💘
So, do you think Will was actually the one who stole her magic beans? Or do you think it was someone else?
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