#lance tucker x branwen barber

[georgiapeach30513]

Rumplestiltskin, Epilogue

Summary:  ...a few years later

Pairings:  Andy Barber X Walter X Chase Collins, Lance Tucker X Branwen Barber

Rating:  🥺🥺

Warnings:  a bit of gaslighting and manipulation, sad!Andy, 18+ ONLY

Word Count:  1.2K

Previous

Series Masterlist

*dividers created by @firefly-graphics​

��Walter, how long has it been?” Andy tiredly asks the horse as they wander around the forest. Every day. All day. Nothing ever changes and he didn’t feel as if he was getting any closer. The forest seemed oddly bigger than he recalled.

“It feels as if it’s been hundreds of years with you,” the horse deadpans, and stops abruptly in the woods. Andy lets out an annoyed groan, “He’s coming,” Walter whispers. The horse backs the two of them up, while he and Andy wait with bated breath for Chase to make his monthly visit.

Chase dramatically lands in a crouch, and stands up slowly looking at Andy, “Care to guess?”

“Go over your rules again, trickster.”

“I don’t get anything past you anymore, old man. Should you give me my brother’s name that he told your precious queen, you get your family back. Should you give me his birth name, this all becomes a dream, and you have your baby back in your arms..”

“And I walk around on two legs again,” Walter blows out a puff of air, letting his hoof pound the ground.

“Yes, of course. How long has it been Andy? Your daughter won’t even remember you, would she?” Andy’s nostrils flare as he glares at the faerie. “Oh, that’s right, ten years. No doubt you’ve heard the rumblings in the forest.”

“You sack of shit! You’ve cursed the entire forest for what reason? So your baby brother could have a fantasy with my wife and child. They’ll never belong to him.”

“Hmm, doesn’t matter to me. I thrive and feed off of chaos. Your mistake has made these woods even more interesting. Had you had kept that tree standing, there never would have been the green apples. You did that Andy. Now you rush to the edge of the forest and hope some maiden won’t enter. They always do. The creatures in these woods are too enticing. Prey on the world outside without lifting a finger. Their very essence beckons those weak women in,” Chase throws his head back with a maniacal laugh. His eyes now as black as the feathers on his back and the heart in his chest.

“Bernard.”

“Wrong.”

“Steven.”

“Very wrong.”

“Theodore.”

“Oh, not close at all. Two more guesses, and I’ll see you in a month.”

Walter snorts, wiggling his back. Andy didn’t know any direction to go with these names. Didn’t have a clue what to say. It was always wrong. “Tick tock goes the clock.”

“Azriel.”

“One more guess, King Andrew.”

“Lancelot.”

Chase’s eye twitches for half a second, but then that devil turns his mouth up into an evil grin. “I’ll see you in a month.”

“Ahh!” Andy screams, letting his head collapse on Walter’s neck. “Keep going.”

“Andy, maybe it’s time…”

“Keep going. You’re under this curse until she gets her happily ever after. This is her fate and it was always destined to happen this way, which is why you’re still a horse,” a raven caws in this distance, and Walter backs up a moment.

Looking where the bird had come from, but it was already gone, and he was definitely dreaming.

Lance stands over your body, using a cloth to clean you. A new fresh vase of roses beside your bed. His thumb traces over the features on your face, and he wonders if this was even worth it. He had you, but only in part. You were just a memory now. And he’d forgotten the sound of your voice. Or the way you never hesitated to touch him or show him kindness.

A black raven lands on the window, trying to get Lance’s attention, and he looks over at her, “Come on, princess. Come see your mother,” a ten-year-old Branwen transforms back into a little girl, and she straightens out her dress, walking over to you.

She was getting so big. Changing nearly daily. She gets next to you and leans over, pressing a kiss onto your forehead, before sitting on the bed beside you, “Have you drank your apple juice today,” she turns and scowls at Lance, and he throws his hands up in surrender.

“Let me see your eyes,” with a quick caress on your hand, she goes to sit in his lap, while he examines her golden eyes, “Still the same.”

“Why do you make me drink that juice everyday?”

“Because, princess. The apple is what gives you your power. I’m afraid that should you eat the golden apple, you’d…”

“Be like you and Chase?” Lance nods his head, but his eyes move back over to you. “I saw him today,” she grimaces as she looks up at him, “I’m sorry. He was guessing.”

“I told you to avoid that man,” he looks back at her. His eyes flit around her face as he tries to figure out what she knows.

“Chase went to him first. He wanted to know your name. What’s he looking for,” Lance holds up his hand pointing at you, “Why does he want my mother? Can he fix her?”

“No, let’s not worry about that.”

“But I want her, Papa. It’s not fair that I don’t have her awake. What can we do to wake her?”

“Only one thing, my beautiful little raven,” Branwen sighs, assuming that Lance will never tell her, “True love’s kiss.”

“Then it’s my dad?”

“I suppose.”

“So I need to find him. And he can wake her up, and we can live happily ever after?” She smiles up at Lance. Her cheeks dent in with her dimples. “What does he look like?”

“We shouldn’t worry about that. Should your dad want to find your mom, here she is. And if you, her, and your father live happily ever after, where does that leave me? Have I not been good to you? I make sure you have time with her.”

“It’s not the same. That…that child in the forest. She has seven dads. Why can’t I find mine? Would one of them be mine? Can I ask them? Papa, I want my mama,” she pouts up at him while her eyes fill with tears. “It isn’t fair. Princess Orla has all these dads and her mom, and I have neither. And she said her mother is having another.”

“Am I not enough?” She shakes her head, before laying down on Lance’s chest. Her fingers wipe away the tears that just won’t stop, and Lance has to look up at the ceiling.

It wasn’t fair what he was doing. But he couldn’t lose his little raven. The thought of showing up at the tower with you gone, just didn’t feel right. So instead he fights the need to reunite your family. “Orla said her father is Beck. He’s a doctor. Can I bring him here to my mother? Maybe there’s another way.”

“Shh, you need rest. You’ve been flying all over the forest, and you're such a small Raven. But a beautiful and fierce one, my darling Branwen. Go to sleep, child. We’ll go home in the morning.”

Branwen doesn’t want to close her eyes, but when Lance starts singing to her softly, her eyes become heavier, before she drifts asleep on his heart. He looks down at his wings at the bottom feathers turn white, “I won’t give her back,” he says to himself, as the white feathers drift to the floor.

“I can’t. She makes me feel normal again,” he knows this back and forth game he was playing with his soul couldn’t be good. Gain his humanity back, only for him to prove he was in fact a cruel faerie. But he had raised Branwen. She was his daughter now. And Andy could search the forest for a hundred years, and he would never give you back. You and her belonged to him.

Masterlist

Taglist: @tis-thedamn-season​ @marveloustaylortot​ @pono-pura-vida​ @sstan-hoe​ @peaches1958​ @whimsyplaty92​ @xcaptain-winterx​ @bambamwolf87​ @lavender-annd-lilac​ @thedarkplume​ @duuhrayliegh​ @rebekahdawkins​ @johndeaconshands​ @whiskeytangofoxtrot555​ @feyfantome​ @athena-penrose​ @smile1318​ @royalwritersoftheuniverses​ @andydrysdalerogers​

[georgiapeach30513]

Rumplestiltskin, Branwen Barber

Summary:  Branwen is growing up

Pairings:  Branwen/Lance X Chase, Branwen X Dove, Branwen X the Bears

Rating:  🥺🥺

Warnings:  none, 18+ ONLY

Word Count:  2.4K

Series Masterlist

*dividers created by @firefly-graphics​

“Oh my little raven,” Lance bounces the baby in his arms, trying to get her to stop crying to no avail. “Branwen, my darling, I don’t understand.”

Chase growls. His head resting in his hand, before he looks up from his thorned throne, slamming the hand on the armrest, and it only makes her cry harder. “Would you get that thing to shut up. I thought she would be an asset to us, but instead she’s giving away our location with her shrill cries. Take her to her mother.”

Branwen’s golden eyes start to get darker and she lifts up out of Lance’s arms and cries directly at the other faerie, “I have told you she’s smart. She won’t take kindly to screaming at her,” she reaches towards the exits. Her fist curling up, making grabby hands. “Is that what you want? You need your mother?”

“Get rid of it. I will have her left in the woods for Geralt to carry her off. Leaving nothing but her scattered bones in the forest,” looking back at Chase her screams reach a high pitch that rattles the walls. Even Andy searching in the forest, stills, listening further.

“You beastly! Lance control the brat.”

“Maybe if you didn’t give her juice made from the golden apples she wouldn’t be acting like this!”

“Maybe if you would have milked the fucking cow she would have something to drink,” Branwen slaps at Lance’s arm, growling at him. “Baah! To you, too.”

Lance looks down to her chubby little arm, pulling at a few black feathers on her. She turns to look at him pouting, “They’re attached. What did you do?”

“Good. She can be our little spy and eyes of the sky. Are you becoming what your name means?”

“Chase, these are raven feathers.”

“So they are.”

“I’m going to Aurelia’s tower. And I’m staying, and will try to figure out how I’m supposed to teach a baby how to use powers. She only crawls and she’s sprouting feathers! You’re the vilest of monsters in the forest,” Chase shrugs his shoulders, and flicks his hand towards the door. “How many apples have you eaten?”

“Are you jealous?”

“I feel sorry for you.”

Chase’s nose curls up in a snarl. Gritting his teeth, he clings tightly to his throne, “You think you’re better than me because your feathers change colors. The demon faerie turning back into an Angel. Why don’t you go live with Castiel, and explain to him what you did. How you took a baby from her father. And how you don’t know how to make deals with humans.”

“Aurelia was born of magic! And you know. You have her mother in a well. It would be near impossible to trick her.”

“The damn mermaid wasn’t cooperating. I need ears and eyes on land, water, and the air. And that little brat will be next,” Lance launches himself into the air to go to you, ignoring his tyrant bother all together. “She will be mine. As soon as the laws that bind me from making deals with children end. She will be mine.”

Lance lands softly into your room, setting Branwen on the bed, and the baby crawls up your body, laying belly down on your stomach, while her head rests on your chest, “Mama.”

“Yes, my beautiful raven. That’s your mama,” walking closer to her, he pets along the feathers on her arm, and she hides her arm from him, pouting and shaking her head no. “I don’t want to hurt you. I’m curious. I think you may be covered in feathers one day. But those only appear when you’re angry. Look.”

She brings her arm back, and they both watch as one dissolves back into her skin. “Your mother relaxes you, huh? I’m sorry, my child,” he regretfully answers. Walking towards your bed, he brushes the hair off your face. “She’s beautiful, isn’t she?”

Branwen’s eyes get heavier, and her hand reaches for her arm. Without thinking, Lance pulls up your arm to lay over her body. It was a pitiful way for her to hold Branwen. “Your mother saw past my corrupt heart. If I had to do it over again, I wouldn’t have done it.”

“Dada.”

“No, darling, your daddy would take you away from me. Men in the forest are not to be trusted. You never know what they are capable of. Now, sleep. And when you wake, you can have your apple juice,” her lips smack as her eyes fully close. This was the best way for her to sleep. She felt most at ease when she was with you.

Lance sits on a chair close by watching the two of you, if he had to do it again, he’d never taken you. He would have left you and Branwen to be found by Andy. Ready to gravel at his feet while he begged for forgiveness. And now he thinks he’s just too far gone. Needing to keep the charade up a bit more.

Branwen walks through the forest, having heard people’s voices. Pushing back branches as she gets closer to a woman with a swollen stomach, holding a toddler over her head smiling. A man rests his hand on her belly, smiling up at the little girl, and they both giggle up at her.

Getting too close, a she steps on a fallen branch, and the crack alert the couple, and she starts to retreat. “Bucky, there’s a little girl.”

He stands up, blocking his wife and daughter, trying to get closer to her, “Are you alone?”

“Don’t eat me,” Branwen cowers away. Her fear making her transformation impossible. “I can’t fly away. Please don’t eat me.”

“I don’t eat children. Are you alone?”

“I’m supposed to be watching the woods for my uncle.”

Bucky turns back to the woman, giving her an odd look before stepping closer to her, “Where’s your mother?”

“Asleep in the tower. You won’t eat me?” She trembles, trying to look around at you, and gives you the most pitiful look.”

“Would you like some food? Water?”

“Dove!”

“Bucky, this is a child. I am a mother, and she’s alone in the forest, if you and the others can not protect me, Orla, and this unborn baby from a child, there is something clearly wrong. Come on, little one. What’s your name?”

Never give them your real name, Lance’s voice is clear in her head. “Raven.”

“That’s a beautiful name. Come on. You’re a bit older than my daughter Orla, but I’m sure you two can play. Do you have brothers and sisters?” Branwen shakes her head reaching out to grab the woman’s hand. “Don’t worry, Bucky is a lot scarier looking that he actually is.”

“If anything should happen to you or the babies, I…”

“Nothing will happen, James. She’s fine.”

——

Artie tries gathering his sisters up from foraging in the forest, “Eden, Calysta, can you quit rolling around, and grab your baskets.”

The twin girls giggle as they continue to spin around until they get dizzy, and falling to the floor. “No wonder daddy and papa have doubts you’ll turn into a bear,” a girl dressed in all black, a several years older than Artie drops to the floor, and both girls scream running behind their brother.

He backs them up slowly, trying to get close enough to the cottage to call out to his fathers. “What do you mean they’ll turn into a bear?”

“We’re werebears,” he whispers, getting ever closer to the cottage.

“So you drink apple juice everyday? Am I a wereraven?”

“What are you talking about?” He looks back at his sister, “Fetch papa and daddy,” looking back at Branwen she lets a few feathers sprout on her arm. “I don’t want to hurt you, bird. My fathers are a grizzly and kodiak. And they’ll eat you.”

“I don’t want to hurt you. I’m curious. I’ve never met anyone that can change into an animal.”

“Artie,” Eden gives her big brother a tug on his arm, and he glances back swishing his head towards the cottage. “She’s pretty. Do you growl?”

“Ravens don’t growl,” she giggles. Sitting down on the ground. “Did you know that the name Eden means blessed bear and Calysta means most beautiful and is in a bear constellation. Artie? Is that short for Arthur?”

“Yes!” Eden says, grabbing her sisters hand to sit in front of the girl. “He’s already turned. He’s a polar bear.”

“Ahh, the white and noble bear. His name literally means bear,” Arthur wants to get his dads. But he couldn’t leave his sisters. “And do you guys turn, too?”

“They haven’t,” Calysta pouts back at her brother, while Eden slaps her hand on the floor. “They probably won’t.”

“Artie only changed because Sadie was threatened,” Calysta giggles. Both girls collapse on each other all giggly again.

“Sadie Barnes?” They both laugh out a yes, and Brawnwen looks up at him. “I know her. And Orla. Are there other bears?”

“Koda!” Eden squeaks. Both girls now giddy and in tears with laughter.

“Koda, little bear,” she smiles, reaching a hand out to the girls.

“Don’t touch them?” Arthur’s skin prickles up, and he shakes his head. “Please, I can’t control the anger just yet.”

“Artie! Eden! Calysta!”

“That’s our mama!” Calysta jumps up, running towards her voice, and grabs a hold of her mother’s legs with Eden shortly behind.

You walk to see your handsome boy, trying to control his urge to change, and you press his head against your side, “Artie, you are a sweet boy. You don’t have to fear the change. You are protective and fierce and…oh! Sy! Ari! Koda, fetch Papa and Daddy,” the chubby cubby boy waddles off to get his dad, and she rubs her hand over her little bump.

“Son, is this why your changing?”

“Yes, mama,” he turns his piercing eyes away from Branwen who starts to back away. Two giant men run to her side, and one scoops up both girls, while the other stands in front of her, bringing his son by his side.

“Who are you?” His voice growls out.

“Raven. I’m just girl.”

“Sy,” her hand holds onto his arm, ���She’s shaking. Where did you come from?”

“The tower. I heard him say the girls wouldn’t turn into bears. I’m just curious,” the woman tilts her head to the side looking at her, “I turn into a raven. I don’t mean any harm.”

“Birth or magic?” Sy grunts again.

“I’ve always done this, as long as I can remember. I don’t mean any harm.”

“Daddy, she’s nice,” the woman smiles at her.

“She is,” the twins say in Ari’s arms. “She told us our name meanings.”

“Daddy, Papa I think we can let her come into the cottage. Talk to her about changing. What harm could come of that?”

Ari leans his head back on the wall. Sitting outside his daughters’ room because his wife had insisted to let the girl stay. Her hand grazes under his chin, before she struggles to sit in the hallway with him. “You should get some rest.”

“As should you. She’s just a child.”

“Who came from where? Where are her parents? Who is she? Have you ever heard of someone who could turn into a raven?”

“No,” she answers quickly, grabbing his hands, “But I had never heard of werebears until I came into the forest. And now I can’t get away from them. Why such hatred for the child?”

“It’s not hatred, Goldie,” Sy joins the two of them in the floor. “It’s fear. Our cubs and you are in here. Artie fears he can’t control himself as a bear, because of the stupid faerie, Castiel who makes a point to show up every year, and every cub that’s born,” his hand presses against her stomach, and his clicks his tongue, “Our job is to protect you.”

“And my job is to be a mother. And she needs one.”

“Goldie, I know what you’re doing,” Ari pushes back her baby hairs, and gets closer to her. “She’s a mystery. And she is no child. She’s nearly grown.”

“She acts as if she’s alone. And she has a chain around her neck. What if she’s in trouble?”

“It’s a necklace,” Sy moves to stand up, extending a hand down to her. “You need rest. Let Ari watch over the girls. Koda is asleep in the bed.”

“That is a chain. I don’t care what you say. We need to inform Castiel and…”

“Goldie, bed,” Sy pulls her up, looking down at Ari as she walks into their room. “Do you think this is the girl that Dean was talking about?”

“I thought it was just a necklace,” Sy gives a low growl, and Ari shrugs his shoulders. “I don’t know. I don’t want Goldie to worry about it. She’s carrying our cub. Whoever this is, she won’t be left alone with our giggle boxes that I fear don’t have enough anger to turn into a bear. And I will refuse to let that faerie continue to check on Artie if he makes him feel that amount of fear. He would never hurt his mom or siblings. Didn’t even hurt Sadie.”

“Sadie,” Sy smiles. “Bucky is going to love them when they get older.”

“Go tend to our wife. I’ve got the twins.”

“Koda is in the bed with us. There won’t be any tending.”

“Good. I get jealous when I’m not present. Go. I’m sure she’s harmless. But just need to be on the safe side.”

Branwen blinks her eyes slowly. Hearing every word from the three outside. The only children she had ever met had more than one father, while she didn’t have any. She had been shown immense love from women that didn’t even know her, but her own mother was in an ageless sleep. Her own body now nearly caught up with her mother’s. It wasn’t fair.

Her chain around her neck gives a small tug, but she ignores it. She’ll spend tonight at the bears house, and in the morning she would fly to their cave. Refusing to give any information to Chase before she spends the rest of the day with her Papa. She lets her eyes close softly before letting sleep take over her. Feeling warm and loved in this cottage, even if the men did not trust her. She understood why they didn’t. She wouldn’t either.

Branwen had a fear that the drinking of the apple juice would turn her corrupt just like the faeries, but alas it had not. Instead of scouting the skies, she now spent her days trying to find children to make her feel like her life had a meaning. Growing up alone and with only faeries was no fun. But the forest was full of them. Even though now she was far past her age of playing with children.

She was no longer a child, even if she wanted to be. It only meant that too many years had passed, and didn’t appear that her father was any closer to finding her mother. Not yet anyways. But maybe one day. One day, she knew they would all be reunited again, and she would finally get to hear her mother’s voice. No longer would she have to wrap your arms around her, you would just be able to hold her. One day.

Masterlist

Taglist: @tis-thedamn-season​ @marveloustaylortot​ @pono-pura-vida​ @sstan-hoe​ @peaches1958​ @whimsyplaty92​ @xcaptain-winterx​ @bambamwolf87​ @lavender-annd-lilac​ @thedarkplume​ @duuhrayliegh​ @rebekahdawkins​ @johndeaconshands​ @whiskeytangofoxtrot555​ @feyfantome​ @athena-penrose​ @smile1318​ @royalwritersoftheuniverses​ @andydrysdalerogers​

[georgiapeach30513]

Rumplestiltskin, Part 10

Summary:  the conclusion and end of the King and Queen of Palmona

Pairings:  Andy Barber X Ransom, Lance Tucker X Reader, Chase Collins X Andy Barber

Rating:  mild

Warnings:  language, kidnapping(?), 18+ ONLY

Word Count:  2.7K

Previous

Series Masterlist

*dividers by @firefly-graphics​

“Oh, come here, my little princess,” you pick up your daughter who looks back at her window.  Her hand outstretched to the opening and she whines looking at you, and then back to the window.  “Is that where he comes in at?”

Her chubby little hands curl to the outside.  Gurgling out nonsensical words, and you step back, “Not today sweetheart.  Any day but today,” your arms wrap around her tightly when you give her a soft kiss to the top of her head.  You had a pit in your stomach that should Lance come to call, he would try something drastic.  

“Come on, let’s go into mama and daddy’s room.  Later, we’re going to take Marshall to visit your papa,” looking back out the window, you take a deep calming breath before walking into your room.  You were uneasy, and felt as if you should hold Branwen all day.  Would the contract allow Lance to take your precious daughter?  Would there be a hold on him to where he could not remove her from you?  It was things that you didn’t want to think about, but things that you should ponder greatly.

Andy marches up the steps of the castle his brother was erecting.  It wasn’t as grand as the one that they had grown up in, but this one was being fashioned with gold everywhere.  Andy’s cloak billows behind him as he searches for his absentee brother.  No word from him in months.  

He spots the greedy man, and stomps over to him.  Ransom spins on his heels looking at him, and Andy stops, and flinches away at the sight of him, “Why are you here?” Ransom demands.  “Why have you set foot in my castle?”

“I have come to tell you that you can no longer marry Aurelia.”

“Why?  Because you already have?” With a nod of his head, Ransom shrugs.  “Andy, I did that to have something you didn’t have.  But even that cunny in between her legs is not greater than this,” his hand lifts up as he motions around his grand castle.  “You think too small.  Pussy is pussy.  But gold is forever.  You take your wife and your bastard daughter, while I’ll let my women age out.  Go after a newer, younger model when I tire of the heat in between her thighs.  It’s just sex.”

“What has happened to you brother?”

“What do you mean?” Andy takes a step back as Ransom’s voice turns into more of a growl.  The bright blue of his eyes start to darken, turning a burnished gold.  “I am fine!  I am happy and have all the riches in the world.  You have a used up piece of ass and a disgusting brat.  Take them.  I can fill every room in my castle with different pussy.  Have a new one for every night of the week.  Have ten fulfill my every filthy desire at once if I choose.  Stack them on top of each other and use them just as the flesh that they are.  You see?  I don’t fucking care about your precious princess Aurelia.  I have more power than you because I have no weakness.  You are but a slug on the earth.  Should they be taken away from you,” his eyes darken more, turning a deep shade of black, and a flash within them makes Andy jump back.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost.  Does he come to you at night and grant you your wishes?”  Ransom’s neck twists at an awkward angle, and the veins surrounding his eyes turn gold.  It was grotesque watching his brother become the beast that was always residing deep within him.  “He told me he won’t be granting your wish.  Better run home Andrew.  Time’s up.”

Andy looks behind his brother, sitting in a gnarly and crooked tree was a man with grand black feathers, “Tick tock.  How long will it take you to ride back to Palmona?  Left them all alone,” he sneers as a mix between a grunt and a cackle ripples through his body, and Andy runs back from whence he came.

“Walter!” He shouts, jumping onto the horse who grunts at his weight.  “They’re in trouble.  You need to run at the speed of lightning,” Walter rares back on his hind legs, before charging back towards the kingdom.  Snorting at how stupid Andy had been to leave you and Branwen alone, and traveling so far.  

You watch your happy baby shake her rattle on the floor.  Thinking to yourself you had enough time to pour some water into a cup.  Taking your eyes off her a few seconds, to turn to the basin when you hear a thump, and a squealing giggle from Branwen.  Spinning around, you gasp.  She was reaching towards Lance with a smile.

He looked different.  Closer to when you first met him, “Lance,” you go towards him, but he tsks you.  Shaking his finger, and he lifts her up in your arms.  “Give her to me.”

“Why?’

“She’s mine.”

“Did you forget?” You shake your head no, getting right beside him, and reaching your arms to grab her.  “She’s no longer yours, Queen Aurelia.  She belongs with me now.”

“No!” He tries to launch himself off the ground, but his feet won’t allow him to move.  “Give her to me!”

He tries again, only to grunt in frustration.  Branwen looks up at him with a pout, and then back at you.  Her golden amber eyes start to fill with tears, “Don’t cry, little one.  I’m trying to get us home.”

“You can’t take her.”

“We had a deal.  She now belongs to me, so whatever power you have over me, let it fall.  Our deal was a legal binding contract between faerie and mortal.  Aurelia, I won’t be so kind when I ask the second time.”

“Please, you’re scaring her,” he looks down at the baby whose lip was puckered out.  Her mouth opens as a silent cry escapes.  Her eyes close as crocodile tears drift down her face.  “My darling, mommy’s right here.”

“What have you done?”

“She’s not Ransom’s,” Lance puffs up his chest, confused as to why you would say that.  “Our contract was for mine and Ransom’s first child.  She’s Andy’s.  You can’t leave with her.  Our contract was binding and legal.  You have no claim over that baby.  She is mine and Andy’s.  Now give her to me.”

Lance’s nose flairs, and his head tilts back.  Letting out a piercing scream when you run to gather your baby.  Holding her tight against your chest.  Wiping the tears off her beautiful skin, and peppering kisses over her silky black hair.  Trying to hold her ears as Lance’s cry makes your ears feel as if they're bleeding.  Walking the two of you back into a corner, when the noise suddenly stops.

Your chest heaves with your tears, and you lift your baby up to look at her.  Her little hand reaches back towards the window, and she starts to cry.  Almost as if she realized that her friend was truly gone.  Holding onto her tightly, rocking her until her tears stop.  Yourself falling into a deep sleep.

“Aurelia,” Andy was calling.  Your eyes blink openly heavily, your daughter still sleeping soundly in your arms, “Aurelia,” his voice sounded off, but you follow it into Branwen’s room that had a golden glow to it.  “Aurelia.”

One foot in front of the other.  Your steps were heavy as you try to get out of your hazy feeling.  That horrendous machinery in the middle of your daughter’s room, and you cuss Andy.  “Aurelia, just touch it.  It’ll get rid of it for good, princess.”

Branwen’s eyes blink open, and yips as you get closer to the spinning wheel.  Your hand out in front of you, and Branwen cries.  “Aurelia, you’re almost there, darling.  Just touch it.”

You press your finger down on the spindle, and you're transported to a garden with Andy and Branwen.  It was beautiful.  So green, and open with your husband and child.  Your golden crown on top of your head, and even Andy looks regal with his own crown.  Branwen tries to walk towards you, her own little tiara already crooked on her jet black hair.  

“You could have hurt her!” Lance bends over to pick your crying baby up off the floor, and she buries her face into his chest.  “What did you do?”

“Well, we had a deal.  She touched the spindle.  Take her, and the child can go with you,” Lance looks between you and the baby in his arms that he was trying to soothe and shakes his head.  “Fine,” Chase answers quickly.  “Let Andy arrive.  He kisses your queen, and he gets her and the child.  And you are nothing but a blackened soul.”

“He can’t…he can’t do that.”

“Oh, he can.  True love’s kiss, you see.  The debt will be paid.  She touched it, she’s asleep, and only Andy’s lips can wake her.”

Branwen reaches towards your body, and pouts up at Lance, “Mama.”

“Oh, Andy will be here soon.  Figure it out,” Chase bends at his knees, before flying out the window, leaving Lance alone to think.

“Mama!” Branwen reaches towards your sleeping body, her lip trembling at him, “Mama.  Dada!”

“No!”

“Ehh!” She smacks at Lance’s nose, “Mama!  Dada!”

“No, you won’t be seeing your father.  You are mine to raise.  He lets your mother do everything.  She needs a break,” Lance takes a deep breath, realizing he’s going to have to do more than fly you out of here.  The beating of the hooves of Walter in the distance as Andy gets closer to the palace.   “I’m going to be out of magic for awhile with this one,” he crouches down by your body, making sure to touch you and the baby, before you’re gone with nothing left but his golden sparkles.

Andy races into your room, and watches as the final sparkles drift down to the floor, “Aurelia!  Branwen!  No!” His face distorts in anger, and he kicks at the spinning wheel.  

“I was wondering when you would show up,” Andy looks into the shadows to see Chase, and he stands up at full height, but Andy stays unflinching.  Grabbing up one of the baby’s toys, he throws it at Chase, who laughs at Andy’s misery.  “Missing something?”

“What did you do?”

“Ah, I made a deal with my brother.  He made a deal with your wife,” he shrugs, still laughing at Andy.  “Want them back?”

“They’re all I want.  Take this cursed crown off my head and bring me my family back!”

“I like your passion, Andrew.  But you see, we’re at an impasse here.  I don’t know for certain where my brother has taken them.”

“She’s not Ransom’s.  That child is born of my blood and love.  Bring her back!”

“Yes, I’m aware of your wife’s forked tongue.  Tricking a faerie isn’t easy to do, but when a faerie is in love with a woman who loves another, words are missed.  But I offer you something,” Andy breathes deeply as Chase walks around his body.  Sniffing at the man, and he retches.  “You smell of them.”

“Shut up you beast!”

“That’s your brother.  How did he look today?  His transformation is well under way.  I wonder if anyone will ever love him when he resembles the beast that dwells inside his dark soul?  No matter, I have a gift for you.  Your wife isn’t dead.  Merely asleep, and the touch of your lips is just the remedy.  Find her and kiss her.  Of course, she’s in an ageless sleep.  You and your daughter are not.  Faeries move quickly, they hide in plain sight, so what if you die before she ever wakes.”

“No!” Andy swings his fist at the faerie, but Chase lowers his gaze at him.  “I’ll do anything.  I can’t lose them.”

“Good, I knew you’d see things in my way.  But, I am fae, so this goes with a contract.  I can put the whole woods in an ageless…”

“Not sleep!”

“No, an ageless bubble.  With conditions.  Once our young reaches the age of your wife, they stop,” Andy looks at him in fear, realizing that he didn’t mean the whole woods.  “That’s right.  Your daughter could be grown by the time you see her again.  You won’t age past today.  But that beautiful little raven can grow into a beautiful woman.  Being raised by faeries, she could learn to magic.  Her mother is born of magic.  You haven’t noticed she possessed some herself?  You see, there are stipulations.”

“Of course there is.  The devil always has stipulations,” Andy grabs Chase’s arms from circling him, “Look me in the eye when you’re making your offer.”

“We have a problem.  And I love chaos.  How will we ever get fresh meat in the forest?  I will construct an apple tree.  Partake of the apple, and you’re stuck in these dark woods for as long as your wife is asleep.  It is hard to get out of tall, dark trees anyways, but this would make it impossible.”

“You’re trapping people in here?”

“For your benefit, Andrew.  Do you know what resides in these woods?  Men that transform into animals.  Even swans that wait for the moon to shine on them.  A wolf that desires virgins.  And your brother a greedy beast who lusts after gold.  He’s not finished, by the way.  What of your father, and his own greed?  How did you become so noble?  Andy, I think we can both agree you will take my offer.  You’ll search for a hundred years and never find her.  Become penniless and weak searching for a ghost and a raven.  I only offer you this once.  When I leave, you’re alone.  You’ll die of old age before you ever find your precious Aurelia, and your daughter will never even know you exist,” he moves to strike Andy, but a powerful force stops him.

“What have you,” Chase pulls down Andy’s shirt, and sees his brother’s medallion hanging on his chest, “Your wife is clever.  Protecting you from faeries.  I guess that’s why she touched the spinning wheel the same day that the protection was away from her.  She should have kept it on.  You could have had longer with your daughter.”

“Or,” Lance cackles, watching Andy’s face go through so many emotions.  He did in fact love you beyond words, “I offer you an alternative.  Say my brother’s name, and everything becomes just a blink of time.  Your family will be sleeping in your bed,” Andy looks at him, shaking his head.  You never once uttered the faerie’s name.  Never told him of his name.  Never spoke much about him.  Keeping the life you had with Lance a secret.  “She failed that time.”

Chase turns to leave, and Andy slowly closes his eyes.  The visions he had of you and him ruling together now crushed, and gone.  His daughter that he had wanted was now taken from him.  “Stop!  You have your deal.”

Chase’s lips turn up into a snarl, and he snaps his fingers.  Launching out the window to plant his magical apple seed.  Should Andy ever try to chop it down, another would sprout, and that one would be deadly.  Andy collapses on the floor as he mourns the loss of you and his daughter.  You were not dead, but he couldn’t feel your warmth.  He no longer heard his beautiful daughter laughing because Andy was truly alone.  Destined to wander these woods in search of his family.  A family that he would never forget, but a daughter that would never remember him.

With his body shaking in anger and turmoil, he stands.  Casting his crown to the side and slowly walks out of the castle, jumping on his trusty steed Walter, “You really screwed up this time.”

“You can talk?”

“Chase likes chaos,” Walter snorts.  “I thought my spell would be broken when you kissed her.”

“Who are you,” Andy leans to look at the horse.

“Her uncle.  Now I’m stuck in life with the likes of you.  And if you meet her again, and kiss her, and I’m still a fucking horse, I’m going to hoof that stupid faerie to death,” Walter whinnies as he trots out into the forest.  An impossible journey with a man he only halfway liked.  This was going to be a long lifetime saddled with the former King of Palmona.  And an eternity searching for Andy’s lost family as he becomes the guardian of the woods.  The woodcutter that protected all that resided here, until he found his true love.  And with his kiss, the spell on the woods would be broken.  Until then he is but a nomad.

THE END FRIEND

Epilogue

Masterlist

Journey Back Into the Woods

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[late-to-the-party-81]

🥺🥺

Rumplestiltskin, Branwen Barber

Summary:  Branwen is growing up

Pairings:  Branwen/Lance X Chase, Branwen X Dove, Branwen X the Bears

Rating:  🥺🥺

Warnings:  none, 18+ ONLY

Word Count:  2.4K

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*dividers created by @firefly-graphics​

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