Life couldn't get better. But apparently it could get worse.

The twins were only a month old, but they were already showing plenty of personality. Arion was at his happiest after a nap and when he was in his father's arms while Lucas tried to read. Lacey's green eyes seemed to glow whenever she saw anything new and she seemed to try to avoid naps as much as she could.

Lucas and Aurelia were happier than they'd ever been. They had each other and couldn't be any more in love and they had the twins. The twins were already the most important things in their lives.

It was July 31st, exactly a year from the end of their adventure. The king and pqueen were sitting in the study, reading. Their children lay in separate bassinets near them.

It was expected he would arrive. He promised he would. They knew he would honor those promises. They knew they had to be prepared.

They weren't.

"Relia," Lucas looked up from his book, massaging his temples. "I can't find any more information on these elves."

Aurelia sighed. "Me neither. I can't even find Mr. Gold's true name. If only we had that, just in case."

"Are you okay?" Lucas asked his wife.

Aurelia shook her head. "Luke, I'm terrified. We don't know what Mr. Gold wants. He could demand anything and we'd have to give it to him."

Lucas grabbed her hand, rubbing the back of it with his thumb. "I know. But we'll have to see what he wants. Do you think you might be able to use that strange gift you have to find something out?"

"I don't even know how it works!" Aurelia groaned. "Or else I would. I wish I knew what it is or why I have it."

"It's nearly sundown. He'll be here soon." Lucas sighed.

"Right you are, your highness. Sorry, your majesty." A voice said, coming from nowhere. With a puff of smoke a little man appeared to occupy the voice. He bowed.

Lucas and Aurelia leapt to their feet, glaring at Mr. Gold immediately.

"Now is that anyway to greet someone? You act like we're not old friends. My, Lucas, you were never great with your manners were you, but Miss Miller I expected more from you." Mr. Gold smirked. When neither said anything he corrected himself. "Sorry I meant Queen Aurelia."

"You are mistaken, Mr. Gold," Aurelia straightened up. "We were never friends."

"Where I come from that's as close as you get to friendship." Mr. Gold strolled over to the bassinets. "Two of them, my have you two been busy! I was only expecting one. Look at the little tykes."

Aurelia put herself between Gold and her babies. "What do you want?" She hissed.

Lucas put himself in front of his wife. "Yes, let's cut the small talk. What do you want?"

Mr. Gold snorted. "I'd hardly call it small talk. I'm hear for that little favor you promised me a year ago."

"Well I'd hardly call whatever you have planned a little favor." Aurelia snapped.

"So much hostility. Need I remind you that I'm the reason you have everything you do. No wonder you're so scared of me. I could take away everything you love."

"We didn't need you for everything." Lucas stated.

"Oh? Would the two of each other fall in love if it weren't for my interference?" Mr. Gold wondered. Lucas grabbed Aurelia's hand. "No I believe you were engaged to Princess Serenity and," Mr. Gold pointed at Aurelia. "You weren't looking for love. If I hadn't dragged you across the sea for a month the two of you would have hardly given each other a second thought."

"That's not true-" Lucas snapped.

"You manipulated us?" Aurelia asked. "Why? Why did our love lives matter to you?"

Mr. Gold said nothing but glanced at the two bassinets. Aurelia gasped.

"No! They weren't even born yet- What do they have to do with anything?"

"What are their names?" Mr. Gold shifted the subject.

"We know how important names are in your world." Lucas hissed. "Just tell us what you want."

"Alright, let's stop avoiding the subject." Mr. Gold materialized a scroll out of thin air. "You signed over your first born to me. I'm here to collect payment."

"No! No we didn't!" Aurelia grabbed Lacey out of her bassinet.

"Why would you want our first born?"

"I thought you were more intelligent than that. You've heard the stories haven't you? The blood of a true prince is a very powerful item. I want it."

Lucas and Aurelia shared a look. Aurelia hugged Lacey tightly.

"But our first child wasn't a prince."