[identity profile] perrysburggirl.livejournal.com posting in [community profile] abc_onceupon
Title: Second Chances (Part 5: Without a Trace)
Note: I do not own “Once Upon A Time”. I am just a fan who loves happy endings and wants to write.
Setting: Fairy Tale Land
Rating: PG
Warnings: None
Possible spoilers from: 1x04 The Price of Gold and 1x08 Desperate Souls
Genre: Drama
Word Count: 2956
Cast: Anastasia, Lord Jeremy Trenton, Lord Carlton Trenton, Ella, Prince Thomas, Prince James, mentions of Rumpelstiltskin
Summary: Ana's engagement seems to be going smoothly until one of her friends disappears suddenly. Ana is determined to do whatever is necessary to find them, but is she willing to pay the price.

Sorry for such a long chapter, but I just needed to get all of this in here. I hope you guys like it!



Ana felt like she was dreaming. She was getting married to a handsome gentleman in the royal palace in only eight days. All the arrangements had been made by her sister Ella and brother-in-law Prince Thomas. Of course Ana had a say in everything. Ella wanted the day to be perfect for her sister. Ana only wanted a few things like white roses for her bouquet and a beautiful white gown with gold trim. Everything else she asked for were requests from her mother and Drizella. Her mother asked for many fancy and ornate things for the wedding and Ana asked Ella for them. She didn't want to upset her mom since she had been so nice and happy as of late and Ella gave into every request. She wanted no problems with her step mother and she did not want her to turn on Ana.

Ana was also happy because Ella had finally told her friends and Thomas about the upcoming baby. Ana was excited about becoming an aunt, but no one else seemed to be as excited as she was. In fact, most people seemed upset and troubled about it. Ella and Thomas made Ana promise not to say anything about the baby. Ella had a dress made for the wedding that would hide her growing baby bump. She did not want anyone else outside the palace to know she was pregnant.

Ana packed a basket of freshly baked muffins from the kitchen and headed out the door. She had a lot to do today. First she had to stop by Jeremy's house to drop off some muffins for him and his father and then it was off to the palace to try her dress on. She couldn't wait!! As she rounded the corner and headed up the path to the Trenton estate, she the saw the carriage of the town tailor in front of the house. Ana giggled and hurried down the path. Maybe she would catch a glimpse of Jeremy in his wedding formals. Ana got to the door and was just about to open it when she was greeted by Lord Carlton.

“Good morning, my dear. How are you this beautiful morning?”, he said blocking her way into the house. Ana smiled back the best she could. She really wanted to see Jeremy this morning especially if he was in his formal attire.

“I am great Lord Carlton. I brought you and Jeremy muffins. They are cranberry today,” she said holding out the basket. Lord Carlton looked down at the basket and then back to Ana before taking the basket from her.

“Thank you Ana. I am sure they are delicious like always. I am afraid if you came over to see Jeremy this morning, you will be greatly disappointed. He left for town about an hour ago. He has a very busy day. Some last minute affairs to attend to before the big day. I will let him know you were here though,” said Lord Carlton. Ana's smile slowly started to fade away. She was really hoping to see Jeremy today. He was gone so often as of late and it seemed like every time she stopped by he was never there anymore.

“I was hoping I would've caught him at home with the tailor's carriage here,” she said trying to think of something to say to keep herself from crying.

Lord Carlton looked at the carriage and turned to Ana. “The Tailor is here for me. He is making last minute adjustments to my formal attire for the wedding. I am sorry Ana but I must get back to him. He has a very tight schedule today. I will let Jeremy know you were here.”

Lord Carlton shut the door and Ana turned and started back down the path. She was very upset. She hated not seeing Jeremy that often anymore. She spent so much time with him for so many months while he courted her but ever since they got engaged she saw him less and less. She felt selfish for wanting him to spend more time with her. She thought to herself that she just had to get through one more week and then they would spend their lives together. That would fix everything.

Lord Carlton looked out the window and watched Ana leave. He waited until she turned off the path and was heading towards her house before he left the window and stormed up the stairs. When he reach the top floor he pounded on the first door he got to. No one answered the door which made him more upset. He pounded on the door again.

“I'm coming. I'm coming. Hold your horses,” said the voice on the other side of the door.

The door creaked open. Lord Carlton pushed the door all the way open and walked into the room. He looked over to the bed and saw Cammi the seamstress putting on her boots. She looked up and gave Lord Carlton a smirk of a smile. She stood up from putting on her boots and walked over to the doorway. Before she left the room she leaned over to Jeremy who was standing behind the door and kissed him hard on the lips. Jeremy wrapped his arms around her and kissed her back. Lord Carlton cleared his throat and the two stopped kissing and Cammi left the room and headed downstairs.

Lord Carlton looked at his son in disgust. “This is the third time this month that I had to cover for you. If Ana found out, the wedding would be off and everything that we have worked on will be lost. Is that what you want?,” said Lord Carlton getting in his son's face.

Jeremy stepped back from his father and rolled his eyes. “Of course not. I like the fact that I have been invited to everything lately and I like the fact that the King is giving Ana and I a new house and land. I just have needs father and you said I did not have to give up my activities.”

“You don't have to, but you need to be more careful. Also you need to spend some time with your future wife. We don't need her to become suspicious or cancel the wedding. Make time for her tomorrow,” said Lord Carlton.

Jeremy nodded. “Fine father. I will go see Ana tomorrow for a few hours. Maybe that will keep her happy until the wedding.”

Lord Carlton walked over and hugged his son and both men went downstairs. Jeremy grabbed his coat and was just about ready to leave for town when his father turned to him and handed him the basket of muffins. Jeremy rolled his eyes and took the basket from his father and headed out the door. Once he was outside he walked around the house to the pig pen. He opened the basket and tossed the muffins into the pen. He watched the pigs eat the muffins and then turned and headed off to town.

Ana sat in the carriage and looked out the window as she rode to the palace. She sighed. She should be happy today. Her wedding was right around the corner and she was trying on her dream dress today, so why was she so depressed. She knew the answer. Jeremy had not been around. He was not there helping to plan the wedding. He was not there to take her out. He was not there period. It was like all the romance they had was already disappearing. It was gone without a trace. She shook her head. She must be just having wedding jitters. These feelings would probably go away soon or so she hoped at least.

As the carriage pulled up in front of the palace, Ana immediately noticed that something was going on. The palace guards were all out front and many carriages were there. Ana stepped out of the carriage and was immediately approached by one of the guards.

“I am sorry Miss Tremaine, but the royal family is not seeing visitors today,” he said blocking her way to the steps.

Ana thought this was very odd. They were expecting her. “I'm sorry but Ella is aware that I was coming.”

Ana tried to walk around the guard but he moved in front of her again. “I am sorry but I have strict orders for no one to visit today.”

Ana looked around at all the other guards and saw how serious everyone was. She knew something had happened or something was about to happen. She was worried about Ella. What if something had happened to her, or to the King or Thomas? She had to know what was going on.

Just then Ana caught a glimpse of a burgundy jacket. She knew that jacket and the person wearing it. It was Prince James. Ana moved to the side of the guard and shouted up to him. The guard got very mad and tried to push Ana towards the carriage but she pushed back. She had to know what was happening.

“Let her go,” said James coming down the steps. “She can come in. Her sister needs her right now.”

Ana looked at James who held out his hand to her. She grabbed his hand. As soon as they touched James began to run with her up the palace steps. Ana didn't say anything but run with him. She knew something was just not right.

When they got up the stairs and down the main hall, James stopped and looked at Ana.

“Ella is very upset right now. Last night Thomas disappeared and we have not been able to find him. We have people searching the realms for him as we speak, but no one has found him.”

Ana couldn't believe what she was hearing. Thomas was well liked by everyone. No one would dare hurt him or kidnap him. Everyone loved the King as well. This just didn't seem right.

“Was anyone with him when he disappeared? Does anyone know where he was last?,” Ana said trying to understand what was happening.
“I was.” Ana turned around to see her sister in the hallway. Ella's face was blotchy and her eyes were swollen from her constant crying. She looked sick and ragged.

“It's my fault. I knew we shouldn't use magic. That's what started all of this in the first place and now my dear sweet Thomas is paying for it,” Ella said breaking down in tears again. James rushed to her side and helped her to a chair.

“It's not your fault. We talked you into this. We should've known that filthy imp would pull something. We will find Thomas even if it means searching ever stream, mountain, or forest. We will find him,” said James hugging her.

Ana was confused. Magic caused all of this? What did Ella do and who is this filthy imp they were talking about?

“How did magic cause Thomas's disappearance?,” said Ana very quietly. She didn't want to upset anyone but she just had to know. She was so lost and confused right now.

“I made a deal the night of the Prince's Ball that I would owe a favor to someone if they got me to the ball and changed my life. They dressed me up in beautiful clothes and got me to the ball and you know the rest. I married Thomas and the night of the wedding he showed up and said what I owed him. I owed him my first born. That's why I was afraid when I got pregnant. I didn't want him to come and take my baby. I told Thomas and he said we had to trick him into making another deal. We used magic against magic. His magic was frozen or at least we thought it was. Thomas went to get me a drink of water and then disappeared. We know he did it. He said I will never see Thomas again until I give him this baby. That's why it's all my fault,” said Ella.

Ana now understood why they were keeping the pregnancy a secret. They didn't want this person to know she was pregnant. She didn't understand why they all seemed afraid of him. Even James seemed bothered.

A few handmaids of Ella's came down to get her to take her to bed. Ana tried to help them, but Ella told her there was nothing for her to do. She told her to go home and get rest herself.

“You have a busy week, Ana. At least one good thing will happen this week. You will be married. I will make sure that you are at least happy,” said Ella before she turned and left.

Ana watched her go and then raced after James.

“Wait James! What can I do to help?,” Ana said out of breath from chasing him.

James smiled at her and shook his head. “I wish there was something but alas none of us know what to do. We have been searching all night and day and have found no trace of Thomas. We questioned the imp and he won't tell us a thing.”

“Who is this imp you keep talking about and what does he has to do with Ella and Thomas?”, said Ana.

James stared at Ana. He couldn't believe she didn't know who he was talking about. Everybody had to know of the imp that made deals. Everyone had to know of all the wretched things he had done around the realms.

“His name is Rumpelstiltskin. He is the one that made the deal with Ella for her baby. He is the one we tried to double cross tonight. He is the one we have locked up in the minds, yet he managed to make Thomas disappear without a trace. He is pure evil and very dangerous,” said James very seriously.

Ana covered her mouth. She had heard of Rumpelstiltskin. She knew he was the reason for many bad events that had happened around her town. Then Ana felt sick. Ella had made that deal because of her and her mother and sister. Ella was so desperate to leave their house that she made a deal with the devil to do it. It wasn't Ella's fault, it was hers. Ana had to do something. She had to make this right, but what could she do.

“James, what do we know about Rumpelstiltskin?,” said Ana who started to pace.

“Not much. We have some notes that have been written by people in all the realms but it hasn't helped much. We have a few of his belongings but they haven't help either,” said James.

“Can I see the notes and the belongings? Maybe I can find something,” said Ana. She looked at James and gave him the most pleading look. James nodded.

“I doubt you will find anything but right now what do we have to lose,” he said signaling her to follow him.

Ana and James went into a small room next to library. James went to one of the shelves and pulled out a box. He walked over to the table and set the box down. “This is all the notes and belongings to him. Feel free to look through them. When you are done, place the box back. I must leave you because another search party is about to leave and I promised I would lead them. If you find anything please let the King know.”

James bowed to Ana and ran out of the room. Ana looked into the box. Not much was in there. She picked up the papers and started to look at them. Each one talked about Rumpelstiltskin. Each one told of his evil deed and deals that he has done. Lists of names were on the paper, of people that made a deal with him and what they promised. She saw so many names she recognized. Snow White was on the list and Prince James, even her mother was on the list. Ana sat there and read each paper and jotted down some notes of her own. She looked at the objects in the box. There was a dented flask, a broken wand, a small vile of some liquid and a sheath which held a dagger.

James was right, she thought. There was nothing here to help them. She looked at the papers again. There had to be something. He had to have some kind of a weakness. As she reread the papers, she noticed something. There was something that he asked for a lot, more than anything else. That had to mean something. Ana looked around the room and opened her satchel up. She carefully folded up a few sheets of paper and placed them into into her satchel. She then picked up the flask and the sheath holding the dagger and placed it also in to her satchel. She closed the box up and placed it back on the shelf.

Ana hurried down the steps of the palace to her carriage. She knew what had to be done. She had to do it. She had to fix this one way or another. She knew what she had to do. She took a deep breath and walked over to the carriage and got in. Jeffrey started to shut the door, when Ana spoke.

“I'm not going home Jeffrey. Take me to the mines at the edge of the forest.”
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