Everything Has Changed

Chapter 11 - Brave

Together Regina, Robin and Snow left the library. They didn't know exactly how to break Zelena's curse, but they were certain that there was someone who did. The bell over Gold's shop door rang gently as they stepped inside. From the back room he could feel Her Majesty's presence, and he called out to her.

"One moment Your Majesty, I'll be right there." When he emerged into the front room he could feel all three sets of eyes staring at him.

"You know? How long have you known?" Her voice was harsh, but not cruel. It had the demanding tone of a queen.

"Since you gave the princess the book."

"How?" Robin looked at Gold suspiciously. "I didn't remember until I held the book, why did you regain your memories first?"

"I created the curse dearies. Of course I made it so that I would regain my memories as soon as one person believed the truth."

Robin and Regina exchanged a look over Snow's head, but she caught on quickly. "Okay, so I believed and you remembered. That means you have to help us!"

"And how is that dearie?"

"If it weren't for me and Mom then you would still be just as trapped as everyone else. I think that means you owe us a favor."

Gold smiled down at the young princess, she was a good deal smarter than her father had been at that age, and a good deal braver than Regina had been. His gaze shifted upwards and he met Regina's eyes for the first time since they had arrived. He could feel the magic radiating from her before, but looking in her eyes he took a step back.

"Mr. Gold?" Snow looked up at him curiously, but he didn't answer her. Instead he moved around her and stopped directly in front of the young queen.

His impish grin played on his lips when he spoke. "Your Majesty, it seems you have finally fully embraced who you are."

"Excuse me?"

He retrieved a mirror from the counter and held it up in front of her, she gasped when she saw her eyes. The normal chocolate color was infused with a light purple. "Is that?"

"Magic? What do you think dearie?"

"But I've never had magic before? How can I have it now? And here of all places?"

Snow looked at Robin and he nodded. "Belief."

Regina spun around to look at her stepdaughter, "What?"

Robin put a hand on her arm and met her eyes. "Belief. When you chose to believe you embraced the magic, and honestly," he slid his hand down and twinned his fingers with hers, causing the magic in her eyes to dance, "I think I may have something to do with it."

"More than something Outlaw." All three of them turned back to Gold. "There is only one way to break this curse." He gave the two adults a knowing look. "True Love."

"True Love? You're serious?"

"Yes I am. When did time start moving Regina? How does your magic get stronger?" When she didn't answer he knew he was right. He pointed to Robin, "He is your answer. You want to break this curse? You want to save everyone? You two figure it out." And with that he ushered them out of the shop and closed the door.

Across town Cora let out a sharp cry. "You're sure?"

Zelena nodded her head slowly. "They left the library together and headed to Gold's. They looked happy, and Mother," Zelena cringed inwardly, she really didn't want to be the one to tell Cora. "She has magic."

Before Cora could respond there was a knock on the office door and Zelena called out, "Come in."

The door opened to reveal Leopold, who looked like he was about to have a breakdown. "Have either of you seen my wife, or my daughter? I just went to the school to pick up Mary Margaret and they said that Regina picked her up right after lunch, and no one seems to know where they went!"