𝑳𝑶𝑽𝑬𝑳𝒀 - Rumplestiltskin [2]

fifty four

54|BE MY FRIEND

"There may be a way to get the fairies out." Hook announced as they burst into the Mayor's office where Emma and Regina were.

"I found an incantation." Celeste explained to Regina. "It's part of a spell in an ancient tongue I've never seen before."

"Which made translation a challenge." He added, informing them why they took so long.

"But I did it." She smiled proudly to herself. "I going a professor of linguistics from Oxford, and he just emailed me with the translation. It's an ancient ceremony, but, uh, one that will bring them back. I just need you to enact it."

"Ceremony, huh?" Emma said excitedly, looking over the paper Celeste gave Regina. "Well, Madam Mayor, ready to pronounce today Free the Fairies day?"

The small group plus Snow White stood in the forest, the strange box sat on a stone as Celeste passed Regina the dagger.

They all stepped back as Regina waved the dagger over the box, a bright light shooting out. The fairies appeared kneeled on the ground beside the box, confused and looking around. They quickly helped the women to their feet, checking they were okay.

"You okay?" Celeste wrapped her arm around Regina's, noticing the hesitant look on her face. "You seem worried."

"I'll be okay." Regina reassured her as they all made their way to Granny's to celebrate getting the fairies back.

Celeste was sat on a stool talking to Snow, Red and Hook when the growl shook the building. Her hands automatically went protectively to her stomach.

They followed Emma and Regina out the door, hearing the screams and yells of fright.

"My library." Celeste whined as they spotted a large, devil like creature sat on top of the clocktower.

The monster began to swoop the townsfolk, roaring as it attacked them. The group quickly ran, hiding behind a wall.

"Did that thing come out of the hat?" Regina yelled over its yells, looking at Celeste who had given her the spell. "I thought the spell was only supposed to release the fairies."

"Maybe it is some kind of fairy?" Snow shrugged, trying to catch her breath.

"That's one ugly ass fairy." Celeste commented, pulling a face of disgust as another roar ripped through the air.

"Why not put it back in the hat and figure out the rest later?" Emma suggested, thinking of the most obvious answer.

"Because we can't." The pregnant woman breathed out heavily, her ankles hurting. "Once something is freed, it can never be re-trapped."

"Great." The Sheriff said sarcastically. "So our best defense against magical beasts follows the same rules as chickenpox?"

"Surely the Saviour and Evil Queen can defeat a simple hell-beast." Hook gestured to the powerful pair.

"Can we drop the "E" word already?" Regina sighed, feeling offended she was still referred to as evil.

The pair ran into the middle of the street, using both their powers to trying and kill the monster. Their attempts were futile, the creature flying away without a scratch.

"Celeste." Emma turned to ask her a favour.

"I'll see if I can find anything about this thing in the library." Celeste answered before she could ask.

"Thanks. And Mary Margaret." She smiled at her before turning to her mother.

"I'll get everyone to safety." Snow stated, cutting her off before walking away. "I'm on it."

"Wow, you guys really have this down." Emma said with amazement at the pair.

"I'll keep you updated." Celeste gave her a quick hug before wandering off to the Pawnshop, hesitant to enter.

The small shop was filled with too many memories from cursed self tea dates to normal self intimate moments. Her hands shook as she opened the door, his smell attacking her senses as the door closed behind her.

"Celeste." Hook called out her name, noticing her panicked state in the middle of the store. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"I haven't been here since I betrayed my husband." She mumbled, shaky hands and blurry vision. She reached out for him, holding his hand as she tried to calm her breathing and racing heart. "I just, I can't breathe."

"Here, sit down." He helped her sit on the ground, back leaning again a glass display. He wandered into the back room, returning with two mugs of tea. "I don't know what to say, love."

"Just sit and be my friend." Celeste hummed, leaning her head on his shoulder and sipping the tea as they discuss what the monster could be and how they could defeat it.