Chapter Twelve.

As Blackbeard and his crew prepared for sail a few days later, Freya was on a quest of her own.
She wandered the harbour after picking up some herbs for some spells until she found a small shop that sold all sorts of trinkets and gizmos.
She stepped through the threshold, wincing a little at the harsh sound of the welcome bell.
"Hello?" She called.
In a second, an old woman dressed in clothes much too young for her, came from a section of the shop at the back.
"Oh, hello there dear. What can I do for you?" She gave a wide smile, bearing her yellow, decaying teeth.
"I was wondering if you had any items or books with magical properties." Freya replied.
The woman's expression turned borderline sinister.
"You want to practice the arts, do you?" She wondered. "Or is it just new material you're after?"
"I'm not from this realm. I need to familiarise myself with it's magic."
The woman gave a knowing nod.
"I don't have anything of that nature for public selling, but I may be able to find you something in my personal quarters, Lady Freya." The gruesome smile returned.
"You know who I am, then." Freya raised an eyebrow.
"Visitors with magic abilities from other realms aren't very common in these parts." She chuckled.
"Well, anything you have will be much appreciated." Freya nodded.
"Come through, dear." She beckoned the Heretic over to the rear of the shop.

The room she was lead to was dark and piled high with clutter, just the same as the front of the shop.
The difference was, instead of hand-me-down junk, the room was filled with ancient relics and old books.
The woman grabbed her glasses from a nearby table and hobbled over to the tallest bookshelf, examining every cover with precision.
As she scanned the spines of the books, Freya took a moment to explore other items in the shop.
"Ah yes, here it is." The old woman chirped, pulling out a very large and tattered brown, leather-bound book.
She practically threw it onto the table next to her, dust flying everywhere.
"This was my grandmother's." She said. "But since I try to avoid practicing, it's yours now."
"Wow." Freya smiled, running her fingers along the leather cover. "At what price?"
The woman thought for a moment, studying Freya.
"How about that ring?" She suggested, pointing down to the Heretic's Daylight ring.
"Oh, uh... I can't give that away." Freya chuckled nervously, twisting the ring between her fingers. "I have this curse; the ring is the only thing that keeps me from bursting into flames in the Sun."
"That is my price, dear. Take it or leave it. But know this – you've found one of the only places outside of the Evil Queen's castle that keeps spell books." She shrugged.
Freya got progressively angrier, but kept her cool as best she could.
"There must be something else you want." She huffed, folding her arms across her chest.
The old woman looked back down to the array of rings that littered Freya's fingers. Everything from the ring Killian had given her, to the amethyst encrusted band on her right middle finger, or the handmade steel and brass band next to that.
"How about that purple one? It looks of value." She smiled.
Freya looked down at it, instantly remembered the day Elijah had given it to her. He had always said that it complimented the gold flakes in her green/hazel eyes perfectly.
She sighed heavily. "I suppose..."
"Even better that it clearly has emotional value to you. That means that this is a fair exchange. You may have my grandmother's spell book for the ring someone you care for very deeply gifted you." Freya hesitated, but removed the Amethyst ring and handed it to the old woman. "It was a pleasure doing business with you, my Lady."

Back at the harbour, Freya boarded Blackbeard's ship, which had just finished being loaded with supplies, clutching the book to her chest.
"Did you find what you were after, my Lady?" Blackbeard asked.
"I did, thank you. Are we ready to set sail?"
Blackbeard gave her a smirk, jumping up onto one of the crew quarter hatches, gripping the nearest section of rigging.
"Weigh anchor, gentlemen. We set a course for Neverland." He growled excitedly.
Freya watched as the crew apprehensively obeyed their captain, trying to avoid the Heretic's gaze at all cost.
"What is their problem?" Freya asked.
"It's bad luck to have a woman on board – who knows what bad luck someone with your abilities could bring. They're just worried. Don't mind them." The Captain chuckled.
"Oh..." Freya sighed. "That's a thing here too."
"All sea folk have their superstitions, M'Lady. No matter the realm they're from." Blackbeard raised an eyebrow.
"That particular superstition isn't much implemented in my realm anymore." The Heretic shrugged, making her way towards the crew hatch.
"Where are you going, Lady Freya?" He asked.
"To grab a hammock before they're all taken." Freya frowned, as though it were obvious. "Unless you have a job for me."
"No job for our guest of honour. But I fear my men won't be able to keep their hands to themselves – and whilst I trust that you can take care of yourself, I would prefer that I don't lose any of my crew during this 'venture." Blackbeard huffed. "You will sleep in the Captain's quarters."
"And where will you sleep?" Freya folded her arms across her chest.
"I shall sleep at my desk." He bowed his head slightly. "I will ensure your safety, myself."
"Well, thank you, Captain. It's much appreciated." Freya smiled.

With a little help from a locator spell using Killian's ring, the ship was able to reach the designated location at the right time.
"I'm going to put some of my magic into your ship and use said magic to make the ship fly." Freya informed Blackbeard.
"Very well." He nodded before turning to address his crew. "Haul wind, lads. I feel we're in for a bumpy ride."
With that, Freya places her hands firmly on the mast and closed her eyes.
"Oribos turai manecsitus. Orbiem. Oribos turai manecsitus." She chanted in a whisper.
Within a few moments, her hands began to glow. Blackbeard watched on out of pure curiosity.
When she felt like she'd passed on enough magic to the ship, Freya disconnected the spell, sending her staggering back a few paces as she quickly became dizzy. Blackbeard quickly leapt to her aid, holding her at the shoulders.
"Are you well, Lady Freya?" He asked.
"Yes. Thank you." The Heretic panted, remaining the strength in her legs enough to stand properly.
"Do you need a moment to compose yourself before we sail the skies?" Blackbeard raised an eyebrow.
"No, I'm fine." Freya nodded, rubbing her hands together in both anticipation and preparation.
With a simple wave of her hand, the Heretic cast the ship into the sky, destined for the second star to the right.

"I can't believe I'm finally back here." Freya sat at the tip of the bowsprit, one leg over the other just minutes after they touched down on Neverland waters.
"Your journey isn't over yet, M'Lady. We still have to find your pesky Hook." Blackbeard smirked, holding his hands behind his back as he stood in the safety of the bow of the ship.
"I think I remember a spell that could help." Freya told him, getting up from her spot and balancing her way back to proper floorboards.
"It's almost as though you're trying to leave us as soon as possible." The Captain chuckled.
"I am grateful for everything you've done for me, Captain Blackbeard. But I need to get to him." Freya gave him a warm smile, to which he returned, bowing his head slightly.
"I hope you get all the happiness you're looking for." He said.

Freya stood at the desk in Blackbeard's quarters, overlooking one of the only maps of Neverland in existence after drawing a circle of white chalk around the desk to contain her magic. Carefully, she removed her necklace – a silver pendant shaped like a tear drop – and hung it on the rafters, letting it sway as the waves rocked the ship. She then lit six candles and the sage smudge stick from her spell in New Orleans, which she had kept in her rucksack with her clothes and a few other things. In a bowl next to the map, she had sprigs of Violet for protection, Myrrh for meditation and Acacia for focus.
She sat down in the desk's chair and placed her hands gently in her lap, closing her eyes as she did so.
"I'll be back in a minute." She told Blackbeard.
"Where are you going?" He asked, frowning in confusion.
"To see Killian." Freya smiled, taking a deep breath. "Sang bis najit trouver. Sang bis najit trouver." She began to chant, causing a magical wind to come out of nowhere.
Freya opened her eyes to see she was in some sort of jungle.
She turned on her heel and saw a group of people she never expected to see.
"Emma?" She gasped.
The blonde's eyes went wide.
"Freya!" Emma's reaction mimicked her adopted mother's.
Looking around at the group, she saw Regina, Snow White, two men she had never met and...
"Killian..." Freya breathed.
The Pirate's eyes filled with tears in an instant, just as the Heretic's did.
"Freya..." His smile stretched across half his face as he ran to her, but she backed away.
"Stop, you can't touch me." She put her hand out.
"Why not?" He asked, looking quite hurt by her words.
"I'm not technically here. I'm on Blackbeard's ship. He took me here to find you. This spell to make myself appear to you was the last step. Where are you?" She frowned.
"We're on Neverland searching for Emma's son." Killian replied.
"Um, excuse me. Whose son?" Regina scoffed, folding her arms over her chest.
Freya glared at her.
"I'd be quiet if I were you, Regina. I have at least two bones to pick with you later on."
"Does that really matter right now?" Emma shrugged.
Regina looked away, mumbling something under her breath.
"What are you both doing with her?" Freya wondered aloud before leaning around Killian to look at Snow. "And what are you doing with her? She was trying to kill you, last I checked."
"We have an... Arrangement. It's good to see you again, by the way." She smiled brightly.
"It's good to see you too, Snow." Freya nodded before turning back to Killian. "You need to show me where you are." She said. "Phasmatos lacus."
In her hand, appeared the map of Neverland, which was rolled up neatly. She unravelled it and stood next to Killian.
"We're about here." He told her, pointing to a spot not far from the Eastern coast of the island.
"Brilliant. Meet me at the shoreline in an hour. In the meantime, I'll find out exactly where Henry is and figure out a way to get him back." Freya instructed.
"Aye, love. We'll be there." Killian gave her a small smile, leaning into her slightly, wanting nothing but to hold her and kiss her.
"Speak for yourself. I'm going to find my son." Regina sneered, going to walk off.
"Great. Go get lost. That's just what we need." Snow sighed heavily.
Regina immediately knew she was right and reluctantly moved back to her previous position.
"I hope you know what you're doing Klay." The Queen spat.
"I've only been doing this for the better part of a thousand years, Regina. Believe me when I say that I definitely know what I'm doing." Freya glared, turning back to her love. "When I get onto dry land, I'll make a fire so that you can pinpoint my location."
"We'll be there. I've waited far too long to have you in my arms again." He smiled down at her, attempting to stroke her cheek, but only going through her apparition like she were a ghost.
"You will. I promise."