v. making history

━ ❝ people will read stories about us one day ❞

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NEVERLAND WAS MORE magical than Arabella had first thought. The island was a dream, it almost seemed fake. Each individual tree stood proudly amongst its peers. Crystal clear water rushed up onto the shore to greet the warm, soft sand. She had only seen the shoreline and a bit of the jungle, but the magnificence she could see was awe-striking.

Malcolm had not let go of her hand. He tugged gently, guiding her to the tree that held the pixie dust that would make them fly. Excitement coursed through both of their veins with each passing step. Arabella wished that they could stay. Making a permanent home for the two of them on Neverland would solve their problems. But she could not stay, Ivy would find her a bring her home, no doubt killing Malcolm as a punishment.

They finally reached the tree. Malcolm stopped, pulling his hand out of hers almost unwillingly. He smiled softly. "Stay here. I'll be right back." With a swift stride, he was already climbing the tree. Just from her line of sight, Arabella saw coral colored flowers, a sunshine yellow dancing around the tips.

She had not realized when he jumped back down due to her gazing around. Malcolm raced over, stopping just in front of her. In his palms lied simple looking dust. Arabella's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, her eyes narrowing. "This is the pixie dust? This is what will make us fly?"

He nodded, not saying anything. Their bodies were close enough for Malcolm to reach over and sprinkle some dust on the two of them. "You have to believe in order for it to work?"

Arabella bit her lip. She took a deep breath, exhaling. Her feet lifted off the ground, followed by Malcolm's. In surprise, she lashed out and captured his arm, casting a fearful glance at him. He chuckled teasingly. "What are you scared of flying Aria."

Giving him a playful look, their arms untwinned and they both flew up into the sky. She laughed at him when he tumbled back. Once he regained his composure, he smirked. "Malcolm what are you-" He didn't let her finish as he flew forward, wrapping his arm around her waist, flying rapidly up and over the island.

The princess screamed, making him laugh. Arabella pushed him again, trying to conceal a smile that spread over her features. She looked down to see what the island had to offer. Her excitement grew. The jungle extended further but stopped in some patches to allow some empty room. From what she could see, there were a few streams, the water identical to the ocean.

"It's so beautiful."

Malcolm smiled, chuckling again. "Not as beautiful as you."

A grin was sent his way, followed by a fake eye roll. "Thank you. I think you're beautiful too." Their warm hands found each other and they did not let go.

Malcolm this time rolled his eyes but smiled at her nonetheless. They continued flying over the island. When the pixie dust ran out, they resorted to laying in a field that was similar to the one back in their kingdom.

"I don't want this to end," Arabella admitted, her head ducking to lay on his chest as they gazed up at the stars above them.

He brushed her hair back, planting a kiss on the top of her head. "I don't either. But we have to go back. We'll wake up."

"There has to be something we can do. I don't want to marry Alistair."

Arabella sat up and wiped her tear that fell on her cheek. It seemed as though when her eyes met his, she finally felt human. The princess had never cried until Malcolm. Was it human not to cry? She didn't think it was.

Malcolm sat up, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Hey, look at me." She looked up at him as tears streamed down her face. "We can find a way. I know we can. We just have to believe."

Moved by his words, Arabella kissed him hard, tears soaking their lips. When they pulled away, Neverland and Malcolm had disappeared. Light poured into the room from the dark curtains. She was back in her castle. She was back in her kingdom. Arabella wiped her tears that were still on her face, forcing herself not to cry anymore.

What were they going to do?

———

A month and a half went by and Arabella and Malcolm had been secretly dating after they visited Neverland. They would try and spend the day together but Arabella was always busy now since the wedding was soon plus she had princess training. But at night, they would always go to Neverland. They would spend the night together as they talked, stealing kisses here and there.

It was all just them trying to avoid the inevitable. To no avail. The day they both had been dreading had arrived with a dull mist.

The wedding day

Just in a matter of a few hours, Arabella had already gotten ready. Her dress was too beautiful for her liking. The dress shouldn't have been for her's and Alistair's wedding. It should've been for her's and Malcolm's. Of course not. Because that would be too much to ask.

She wasn't nervous; she was furious, upset, on the verge of sobs. The sobs were difficult to keep in as the maids smoothed her wedding gown down. One of them sent her a sympathetic smile, sadness clouded in her eyes. Each and every one of the servants in that room knew how the girl was feeling. And they all saw the look on their princess's face. The girl was in love with someone else. Tragic.

After the sayings were done, she would never see Malcolm again. Even though they said that they would visit each other in Neverland at night, it didn't make their situations any better. Queen Ivy walked in, a navy blue dress hung tightly around her and it almost looked like it was suffocating her. If it was, she didn't show her pain.

"You look beautiful honey," she smiled a sickening smile.

The maids dispersed. "Thank you mother," Arabella said, drawing in a deep breath.

"You ready dear?"

A servant scurried over after Ivy shot a distasteful glare at them. The black-haired girl extended a hand to help Arabella off the stand. Ivy looped her arm with her daughter's, exiting the room swiftly. The stopped in front of the doors that Arabella would walk into to marry the man who was only a snobby boy.

Ivy rubbed her daughter's cheek. "I am so proud of you. You are by far the most powerful of our line." Her head leaned in toward Arabella's ear. "Do not disappoint me now." She pulled away, the seriousness gone and replaced by a smile. "Stay here. Your father will come and get you in a second."

The princess nodded and Queen Ivy walked away. King Leo came around the corner not too long later, walking towards her. He looped his arm with hers and they faced the closed door.

"I can't do this dad," Arabella whispered as she felt the tears start to reappear.

Her father was the most understanding man she'd ever encountered. Then again, Arabella hadn't met many men at all. And if she did, they were the opposite of what she wanted. Leo was kind, soft-spoken, considerate, and knew how to kept his temper. He was born into royalty life, yet he did not act like any other royal. That is where Arabella received her personality from. But, she earned her protectiveness, sharp anger, and piercing glare from Ivy.

Leo patted her hand. "You make your choice Aria. If you choose Malcolm I will not be disappointed in you."

Arabella's turned to him, her eyes wide. "How did you..."

King Leo smiled, chuckling softly. "I saw the two of you sneaking off into the forest together one day."

She relaxed. "And you're not mad?" The fear that both of her parents did not approve gnawed at her with no remorse. It was one thing to know you disappointed one parent. But both? Arabella never wished to feel that grief.

"No, I'm not. This was your mother's decision to have you marry a royal. If it was my decision, I would allow you to marry whomever you wish."

Arabella smiled as a tear fell down her cheek. "Thank you, dad."

Knowing his daughter fairly well, he nodded. The music started and they both turned toward the door as they opened. Arabella took a deep breath as they started walking down the aisle. Prince Alistair looked quite bored and just looked like he wanted to get this over with. She nearly sneered aloud. The girl truly pitied whoever would marry this boy.

Some of the royals smiled while others had the same expression Alistair did. And for the most part, the ones who smiled were the royals were acted just like Arabella and Leo; the good royals. They finally reached the altar and King Leo kissed Arabella's cheek.

"It's your choice," he whispered to her, before letting her arm go and walking to sit beside her mother who was still smiling with triumph.

Arabella stepped onto the altar platform and faced the priest as the wedding ceremony started. The priest started talking but she couldn't hear him from the pounding of her heart in her ears. Vows were not something that happened at joint agreements such as these. After all, the two never loved each other but were being forced to marry. The thought of one day having to make a family with Alistair made her stomach churn.

"Do you Prince Alistair take Arabella to be your wife?" the priest asked, which brought Arabella back to reality.

The princes seemed to be dazed off himself before replying, "I do" in a jaded tone.

"And do you Princess Arabella take Prince Alistair to be your husband?"

Her heart pounded even louder. The room filled with the very sound. She breathed in. Flashes of memories with Malcolm went by: the first time they kissed, their first meeting, their first time in Neverland, the hours they spent talking. How could she trade something like that for this? A life of never truly being happy.

The life she could have with Alistair would be full of fake kisses and affection. Sleeping in the same bed, living under the same roof, the mere idea made shivers of disgust roll down her spine. He made touch her just as Malcolm would. But it would be void of any emotion. They would be forced to have children. And Arabella would never be able to get something like that back. It would ruin her life.

But a life with Malcolm? Oh, that would be filled with real love, real affection. Sleeping in each other's arms, living in a cabin in the woods, now that thought made her inwardly smile. Malcolm would touch her softly, gently. It would tell her how much he loved and cared about her. They could have children. A happy family is what they could have. She wouldn't regret a moment of loving the boy in her village and making a life with him.

"No." There were gasps from the crowd and Arabella let go of Alistair's hand. She spun to the audience. "I'm sorry. But I do not love Prince Alistair. I never have and I never will. I'm going to live the life I want. I don't care about royalty."

She turned to her father and he was giving her a proud smile. Queen Ivy looked furious, tears had begun to form where her matching nails dug deeply into her dress. Arabella couldn't help but smile wickedly. The years of being forced to do her mother's bidding, being pushed to do what Ivy wanted, not what Arabella wanted, were just distant memories.

The brunette took off her heels and ran out the door. Choas ensued all around the castle. She sprinted out of the grounds, the rocks digging into her heels. But she didn't feel them. She didn't care.

Due to many other families coming to see the event, the gate was wide open. When it passed her, fresh air filled her nostrils. Freedom. Villagers stared in utter disbelief, gaping. Others wore proud smiles, nodding to her gratefully.

Arabella had made history

She made it to the blacksmith where Malcolm was hitting a hammer against a sword solemnly, though underneath he wore a frown. "Malcolm!" she yelled, gaining his attention.

His eyes were red and puffy from crying. "Aria?"

With one stride, she reached his side and pulled him away, running off already. "We must hurry. They'll be coming for me."

Malcolm almost tripped. She helped him keep balance. "But I thought you were marrying-"

Then Arabella stopped suddenly, smiling. "I said no. I love you Malcolm, not Alistair. Why would I live a life that is a lie when I have you?"

Malcolm looked at her in shock, then he grabbed her face and kissed her with passion. It was fast and hasty because the blacksmith owner came up to them. "You guys need a horse?" he asked.

A midnight black horse was held by its reigns. The girl sighed, going over to it. For years she thought that being kind to villagers would be a waste. But it was her nature so she was kind to them no matter what. They were devoted to her, they looked up to her. And Arabella could see now just how much it went.

"Thank you." Malcolm got onto the horse, sitting behind her, wrapping her arms around her wedding dress.

"No, thank you, Arabella. You have inspired many with her choice," the man thanked, taking off his cap to bow down.

With that, the princess took off. Malcolm tightened his grip as the horse accelerated. Arabella was quick to reach the kingdom border. Over her shoulder, she asked, "Well, where shall we go?" 

"Far from here. They'll be looking for us so we better get far," he replied, laying his head on her left shoulder.

Arabella turned to him, pecked his lips, then smiled at him. "I love you."

Malcolm smiled at her. "I love you too Aria. Always."

———

The older woman sighed, looking out of the hut she resided in. It was cozy, fit for her small family. Woods surrounded them and a field lied not too far away, giving her a sense of déjà vu. Arms encaptured her waist, a kiss was landed on her neck. Laughter from outside filled her ears. A small child ran toward the cabin.

"What are you thinking about?" Malcolm asked, his voice just above a whisper.

His hands traveled to her waist, kissing her neck once more. Arabella sighed again, leaning her body back toward him. "When we ran away together. I can't believe it's already been 30 years."

She turned to him. Malcolm chuckled, pecking her lips. "Time flies doesn't it."

Before his wife could reply, their son ran into the room. "Momma, Papa, look!" Rumplestiltskin exclaimed, smiling as he came running into the room with a sparkling rock.

"What do you have?" Arabella questioned, crouching down to his height. Her doe, motherly eyes gazed at the rock in her son's hands. "Ah, a rock." Rumple smiled. "That's a very interesting rock."

Her son ran out of the room after that, going to find another. Malcolm laughed again, making her stand up and turn to him. "That was an interesting rock though," he said.

She rolled her eyes, intertwining their hands. "Yes, it was." They kissed again, a bit longer than the last. "I love you."

"I love you too."

Later that night, Arabella was putting Rumple to bed. She tucked him in, giving him a kiss on his forehead fondly. "Goodnight sweetheart."

"Goodnight momma," he murmured sleepily.

Arabella smiled, hearing him clearly, and left the room. She went to her and Malcolm's room and laid down next to him. "Goodnight," he said to her.

"Goodnight," she replied back.

They fell asleep next to one another, their bodies close as always. But neither was aware of the dark figure hovering nearby. After the two had fallen asleep, the dark figure appeared in the room and smirked evilly. Smoke surrounded Arabella and soon the former princess disappeared. The figure continued smirking as they disappeared.

Malcolm woke up alone the next morning, wondering where his true love was. He searched and searched. Only to find her missing and out of sight.

———

Centuries later, a girl appeared at the StoryBrooke town line, in dirty clothes and dry blood all over her body. Leroy and the dwarfs had gone to the town line to make sure no one had crossed over after the curse broke. That's when they saw her.

Emma and David got out of the car along with Regina, Mary Margaret, and Henry as they ran toward the girl they had received a call about.

"Oh my gosh," Mary Margaret gasped in shock.

David grabbed the girl's wrist, feeling for a pulse. The blonde whipped out her phone, dialing fast. "Hello? Yes, I need an ambulance at the town line ASAP. There's a girl here, she's injured and her pulse isn't steady."

Soon there was the sound of sirens. "Will she be ok mom?" Henry asked as he looked at the girl with a worried expression.

"I hope so kid," Emma said, frowning in worry.

Even though none of them knew it, the girl's name was Arabella. Her body had become the teenage version of herself once more. The questions they did not ask themselves due to them not knowing her was how did she turn back into a teenager? And how did she get to StoryBrooke?

———

I managed to fit in an update. I apologize! My computer screen is falling off atm and so I'm trying to be careful. Hopefully, once I get a new one, updates will start back up.

I can't think of any questions so just let me know your thoughts! :)

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