(Panting)
(Man) - Hurry! (Man) - After her!
(Man) Stop!
Uhh! Oh!
(Panting)
(Gasps)
(Rocks clatter, surf rolling)
Really?
You're a long way from home, Snow White.
Did you really think you could hide from the queen here?
Actually, yes.
Well, don't worry.
We're here to take you back.
The queen is eager to see you again.
Not gonna happen.
No, no, no! Wait!
(Gasping) Aah!
(Breathing heavily)
Thank you.
No problem.
You might wanna try diving in calmer waters next time.
(Gasps)
You're a...
Yeah. I'm a mermaid.
Name's Ariel.
Once Upon a Time 3x06 - Ariel Original air date November 3, 2013
Focus.
Concentrate.
It's kind of hard when you're talking in my ear.
And when the wind blows or it's raining,
or... someone's shooting arrows at you.
Yes, concentration's hard.
That's the point.
Find your anger
and use it to focus.
No. There has to be a way without going dark.
You're such a pathetic waste of ability.
And you're a monster.
(Sniffs) Smell that?
What?
Smoke.
(Sighs deeply) This is a bad idea.
She has it in her. She should learn to use it.
We just have to trust her.
Yeah, it's not Emma I don't trust.
(Whispering) We need to talk.
Pan paid me a visit.
He, uh...
(Sighs)
He told me that Neal is alive,
that he's on this very island.
(Whispering) Emma saw him.
He was shot. He fell through a portal.
No one could survive that.
Well, he did, and now he's here.
He said he took him from this very camp
while we were off in his cave.
According to Pan, if he's telling the truth.
(Whispering) And, uh, why would he tell you?
What does he hope to gain?
Who knows why he does anything?
He has his reasons,
but it's a sure bet they're not good ones.
He's telling the truth.
Tracks... and a scuffle.
Someone was here while we were gone. We have to tell her.
No, no, no.
She already lost Neal once.
And if this is a game,
we can't put her through losing him again.
He's right. Either way, telling her is what Pan wants,
which is why we shouldn't do it.
You want to find him without letting her know?
Why hurt her unnecessarily?
I've never lied to her before.
You're not lying.
You're just keeping a secret until confirmation.
Secrets always seem
to keep us from the people we really care about.
And sometimes secrets protect the people we love.
(Fire continues crackling)
What on earth would possess you to jump like that?
You ever been chased by an evil queen?
I can't say that I have.
Makes you do crazy things.
Well, that I know. (Chuckles)
Are you on the run from someone?
More like on the run to someone.
What's his name?
Come on. The one thing that makes everyone crazy is love.
(Chuckles) Eric.
He's a prince in this kingdom.
So wait. He...
Lives on land? He's human?
Okay. (Sighs) Here's the thing.
About a year ago, his ship wrecked, and I rescued him.
I do that.
He was unconscious. We never spoke, but...
When I looked at his face, I just...
I knew.
Love at first sight.
- It sounds dumb. I know. - No.
It doesn't sound dumb at all.
(Objects clatter)
Interesting.
I collect things... (Chuckles)
And I found this.
There's a ball at his castle tonight...
the annual under the sea celebration
honoring the sea goddess Ursula...
And I was hoping to meet him there. (Chuckles)
How are you planning on doing that?
With a tail?
(Chuckles)
(Water splashes)
(Whoosh)
(Chuckles)
How did you do that?!
You really know nothing of your mermaid mythology, do you?
(Giggles) Uh, probably about as much
as you know about people mythology,
- I think. - Good point.
Well, anyway, every year at the highest tide,
the legend says that the sea goddess Ursula
grants our kind with the ability to walk on dry land
until the next high tide.
- Which is when? - 12 hours.
Enough time for dinner and dancing and...
12 hours?
Why don't you ask this Ursula for a little more time?
Well, no one's seen her in a thousand years.
She's a bit of a myth.
Well, myth or no myth,
You saved my life.
The least I can do is help you find the love of yours.
Thank you.
But can you keep a secret?
- Mm-hmm. - I'm a mermaid.
Yeah, I got that.
But Eric doesn't know that.
So...
Can we just maybe...
Keep that under the sea for now?
Isn't that something he eventually needs to find out?
Just let him fall for me first, okay?
Okay. (Chuckles)
Your secret's safe with me.
(Lowered voice) If we're gonna hide this,
we need a good cover story.
Done. That's not a problem.
Where you guys going?
- Firewood. - To get water.
Guys, what's going on?
Neal's alive.
Neal i... is...
Alive?
Maybe.
(Whispers) Sorry. She deserved to know.
(Exhales)
(Whoosh)
(Sighs) You can't see the future here.
It's impossible to see the future
in a place where time stands still.
I may not see the future here, but I can make one happen.
Was that a threat? (Laughs)
And here I made you your favorite breakfast...
eggs in a basket.
I thought you could use it.
You looked a little down in the dumps.
I'm fine.
Sure you are, Rumple.
You've lost your son Neal.
Again.
And Henry's unattainable because...
Well, you'd have to go through me,
and we both know you can't.
You still like the yolk runny, don't you?
What do you want?
Well, if you won't eat, then I will.
(Mouth full) I'm just trying to point out the silver lining
in your cloudy life.
That by killing you, all our troubles end?
(Laughs and sniffs)
We both know that's not going to happen,
because the only way to do that is for you to die, too.
You can go,
leave the island.
And abandon my son? And Henry?
I don't think so.
Look, even if you did save them... which you won't...
what would be the point?
They'll never forgive you
for all the horrible things you've done.
(Whispers) You don't know that.
Have you forgiven your father?
You see my point?
Back to that silver lining...
you have a nice girl waiting for you back in Storybrooke.
Belle, is it?
Stop this foolishness and go back to her.
Make a new start.
She looks fertile. Maybe a new child?
You and I both know that's the only future for you...
Assuming you want to live.
Enjoy the eggs.
This is a waste of time.
He's toying with us.
I don't think so.
Look. More scuffling.
Someone was definitely resisting.
How do we know that means Neal?
Well, then someone was fighting for his life.
Are you really going to fall for this?
Fine.
You wanna follow the Evil Munchkin's dirt road?
Be my guest.
Wait. Where are you going?
To save our son.
We need to stick together.
(Laughs) No, we don't.
You may be prepared to risk Henry's life
over some heartbroken fool's errand,
but I'm not.
I'm tired of waiting around.
What if she's right? Pan could be lying.
Just because it seems too good to be true doesn't mean it is.
Don't give up.
You owe it to Henry to find out if his father's still alive,
and you owe it to yourself.
(Whispers) Wow!
It's even better than I imagined.
Do I look okay? Is this how people dress?
You look fantastic.
Does it fit right? Because it just feels a little...
Tight? That's a corset. It's supposed to be.
How do you know all these things?
In another life, I was a princess.
Well, perhaps you'll be one again.
I doubt it. But tonight, you can be.
(Chuckles)
(Lowered voice) Remember what I taught you.
What's this?
Mini-trident.
Salad-trident?
Fork. (Laughs) Salad fork.
Oh. Um...
Oh.
It's really not that valuable.
(Whispers) There. Look.
Is that him?
(Chuckles) Yes.
That's him. (Sighs)
He's just as I remembered.
Less wet... (Chuckles)
But more handsome.
Go to him.
Just... walk over there?
Love at first sight doesn't need much prompting.
Oh! Uhh!
(Women murmur)
Would you like to dance?
Might be easier than walking.
(Indistinct conversations)
No one's dancing.
Well, that's one of the perks of being the prince.
If I want to dance, I can.
♪
I'm Eric.
Ariel.
You look familiar.
Have we met?
Uh... I don't think so.
I know where it's from.
Where?
I was in a shipwreck.
I nearly drowned. Someone saved me.
I didn't see them, but...
I've had a recurring dream since then,
of a face.
Your face.
That can't be.
I'm new in town, so...
How could I have possibly saved you?
I know.
Ursula's the one who saved me.
And in doing so, she showed me a vision of my future.
That's the face I saw.
That's you.
(Exhales)
Ursula is just a myth.
Is she?
'Cause you're right here in front of me.
Now what brings you to our kingdom?
(Sighs) Well...
I wanna see the world.
Then you and I have something in common.
I'm leaving in the morning... a grand expedition...
to do just that.
What?
I've been planning it for years.
This shall be my final Ursula ball,
for tomorrow,
I'm exploring the unknown lands...
the desert from this realm to Agrabah.
You're actually doing it.
I've always wanted to see the world.
Then come.
I see it in your eyes. You want to.
Unless I've misread things.
No.
Um, I mean...
Yes.
I mean no.
I'm pressuring you. That's unfair.
How about this?
Tomorrow morning,
I'll wait for you.
If you show up, I'll be filled with joy.
If you don't, well...
I may be heartbroken, but I'll understand.
So nice to meet you, Ariel.
(Applause)
(Snow whispers) What?
(Whispering indistinctly)
Ugh.
That's the woman that rescued Snow.
The red hair.
It's unmistakable.
I thought she had a tail, but yes, I'm sure.
Next time you let someone fall to their death,
make sure they're actually dead.
She looked dead.
No.
Death looks more like this...
(Crunch and squish, thud)
S-sh-sh-shall I lead more knights after Snow White?
You boys have proved unequal to the task.
(Gasps)
No.
I've got a new idea.
(Both speaking inaudibly)
(Various animals making noises)
Look at them go.
So determined to find their missing friend.
Speaking of that friend...
What should we do with Neal?
(Sighs) It's time to move him.
Take him to the Echo Cave.
The game is about to get interesting.
You don't know what to do, do you?
No, I don't.
Come home to Storybrooke.
And just leave...
Henry, my family behind?
Come with me,
and we can start a new family.
Our own family.
That's what I want.
Don't you?
No, you... you can't want anything.
You're just a figment of my self-conscious.
No. No. I'm really here.
Take my hand.
(Whispering) Believe in our love, and we can go back.
Take it, Rumple. Please.
Come home to me.
(Gasping)
Enough of this.
Regina!
Are you really going to fall for this?
(Continues gasping) Rumple, st... stop her.
Don't listen to him.
What are you doing?
Showing you the truth.
Aah! (Shrieks)
No! (Thud)
(Choking and screaming)
Look who you're really dealing with.
(Whoosh)
(Whispers) Pan.
(Shrieks)
(Lowered voice) I kissed him.
What?
- Who? - Hook.
I kissed Hook.
Oh! Well...
Why?
I... I don't know. I... I was...
It's been a while. I was feeling good. I don't know.
Did it mean anything?
It... it was just a kiss.
I'm sure Neal will understand.
If he's still alive.
Emma, I get what you're doing, you know.
You don't want to open yourself up to the hope that he's alive,
but you should.
Why?
Because you deserve a happy ending, Emma.
And happy endings always start with hope.
This was a terrible, terrible mistake.
You met him. It's a start.
More like an end.
I can't ask him to give up his dream for someone he just met.
Maybe you're the dream.
Maybe.
But I can't make him choose.
It's not right.
You can't make him choose?
Or you don't want to make him choose?
You're afraid.
Of what?
Of his choice.
(Sighs)
There is nothing about any of this... (Whispers) that's easy.
So take my advice.
Do the hard thing.
Be honest.
No secrets.
Open your heart to love.
(Whispers) It is so worth the risk,
even if you get hurt.
Then you'll know... you'll know you tried.
(Inhales deeply)
I just need some time to think.
Well, you have three hours. So I'll be here if you need me.
What should I do?
That's right,
I'm talking to you, Ursula,
mythical goddess of the sea.
He thought you brought us together,
but we both know that's lie, so...
Tell me,
between girlfriends,
what do I do?
Nothing, huh?
Well, what should I expect from a long-dead myth?
You gave me legs, but that's it, right?
No answers?
Thanks... for nothin'.
(Whoosh)
Ursula?
Hello...
Ariel.
What is this? Amateur hour?
Did you really believe that was Belle?
Why are you here?
Well, for starters, it appears I'm saving your ass.
You were about to be Pan's lunch.
Oh, what do you care?
(Scoffs) I care because
I've been camping with the Charmings for a week
and getting nowhere.
If we're gonna get Henry,
I need you.
I need Rumplestiltskin.
Well, the problem, dearie,
is that Rumplestiltskin can only stop Pan by dying.
You're not gonna die at anyone's hands but my own.
We're the two most powerful practitioners of magic
who have ever lived.
The Evil Queen and the Dark One joining forces?
I'd say we can find another way to handle one smug teenager.
You've never faced him. I have.
And I know what killing him requires.
And that is? My life.
Well, as much as I want to,
maybe we don't have to kill him.
If that's the case, then...
(Sighs deeply) Maybe we can find another way...
something to contain him, some other fate.
A fate worse than death.
Now we're talkin'.
There's my malevolent imp.
Is there a spell you know? Something we can enact?
No. But back in my shop,
I might have just the thing.
Well, why didn't you bring it with you in the first place?!
Because I came here to kill him and die in the process!
(Laughs)
Well, I could've told you that wasn't gonna happen.
You forget, dear.
I've known you a long time.
I know all about your survival instincts.
Yeah, well, they just kicked in.
Good.
So now we just need a change of plans.
We need to get back to your shop, pick up this magical item,
and then all of our problems are solved.
Crossing realms? Is that all?
Yes.
That's all.
(Water lapping)
You're... real.
(Laughs) As real as the legs you're standing on.
I'm sorry if I was rude before. I...
My dear sweet child.
Don't fret.
I understand.
But you're also in luck.
I can help with your...
Dilemma.
With prince Eric?
I have to tell him the truth, don't I?
Bah!
Your friend was mistaken.
Are you sure?
Of course I'm sure.
If you tell him the truth...
that you're from two different worlds...
he won't accept that.
Or you.
How is this helping again?
What if I told you
that you could keep your... legs?
That you can walk on land,
be a part of his world...
(Gasps)
Forever,
without ever telling him your secret,
that you're a mermaid?
Would you be interested?
Of course.
(Chuckles evilly)
What is it? What happened?
Something amazing.
And not just for me, but for the both of us.
What are you talking about?
I received a gift... a gift that will allow me
to spend the rest of my life with Eric,
and a way for you to escape your evil queen.
How is that possible?
Look.
(Chuckles)
(Bracelet clicks) What are you doing?
This is no ordinary bracelet.
- Look. - Ohh.
(Whooshing)
- Here. - What's happening?
Oh!
You're a mermaid.
(Voice breaks) Ariel...
What have you done?
The bracelet is magic.
I got it from Ursula.
By wearing it, you get my tail, and I can keep my legs.
That's the price, but it's a good price.
Don't you see?
You can escape. You can travel to my land...
a land where the evil queen cannot follow.
And you can have a life,
a wonderful life,
under the sea.
Ursula gave you the bracelet?
Yes.
Ursula is a myth.
She hasn't existed for thousands of years.
She's not real.
Yes, she is.
Actually...
It's not entirely true.
What's going on?
(Chuckles evilly)
Well, well, well.
Look at the catch of the day.
(Chuckles evilly)
Ursula?
No, this isn't Ursula.
This is Regina,
the evil queen.
The tracks lead directly into that cave.
This must be where Pan is keeping Neal.
If the cave is some sort of prison,
why aren't there any guards posted to stop us?
Because this prison doesn't require guards.
(Hook sighs deeply)
(Whispers) Echo Cave.
You know it?
All too well.
I lost half my crew inside those rock walls.
The only way to rescue someone from inside
is to reveal a secret.
A secret?
That's all?
Your darkest secret.
Echo Cave derives its name from an old saying...
"the deeper the lie, the more truth in its echo."
The cave demands that you reveal a truth about yourself.
A secret you would never admit to anyone.
This is ridiculous.
- Don't kill the messenger, luv. - Even if we spill our guts,
how do we know Neal's still alive in there?
Because this is what Pan wants.
He wants us to rescue him.
Why?
So that we reveal our secrets.
He believes once we do, our secrets will destroy us.
(Grunting)
Having trouble with your fin?
I'll figure it out!
(Whispers) Snow, the bracelet.
(Gasps)
The wearer can't take it off.
Oh.
Did I leave that detail out?
(Chuckles evilly)
For once, Snow,
you won't be able to run away.
You tricked me?
You went to a long-dead octopus for advice,
and you're going to blame me for your problems?
This is wrong.
Unh-unh-unh.
Sorry, dear.
You're not helping her.
Ariel, get out of here.
For once we're in agreement.
Get out of here, mermaid!
Not if you're gonna hurt my friend.
You have a choice.
Your friend's going to be hurt either way.
The real question is
whether you're going to join her.
Or are you going to run off and get your happy ending?
Hmm?
Go on.
There are no second chances.
It's okay, Ariel.
I can't keep running forever.
You have a chance at happiness.
That's something the queen will never have.
Eric is going to leave any moment. Go to him.
Listen to her, Ariel!
Are you really going to give up the love of your life...
For a friend?
(Whispers) I'm sorry.
(Chuckles evilly)
Now...
Where were we?
Oh, right.
The catch of the day.
(Whoosh) (Gasps)
(Coughs)
(Gasps)
(Coughs and gasps) Oh!
Aah! (Groans)
(Queen) Aah!
Uhh! What are you doing?
(Gasps)
Uhh!
- Uhh! - Hold your breath.
(Grunts)
(Growls)
Emma! (Voice echoes)
(Gasps) Neal.
It must be a hundred feet across.
Even if we fashioned some sort of rope,
there's nothing to attach it to.
No way to swing over.
So what do we do?
I told you what needs to be done.
Consider this the moment of truth, literally.
Now... who wants to kick things off?
So, what?
Someone tells their secret and they sprout wings?
I don't know the particulars, only what I've been told.
Well, how do you know it'll work?
(Sighs)
There's only one way to find out, I suppose.
(Sighs deeply)
I kissed Emma.
- You did what? - David, now is not the time.
I already told Mary Margaret,
so technically it's not a secret.
But it was just a kiss.
How's that your darkest secret?
It's what the kiss exposed.
My secret is,
I never thought I'd be capable of letting go
of my first love... of my Milah...
to believe that I could find someone else
that is, until I met you.
(Rumble, clatter)
Uh...
- Mary Margaret... - No, no. No.
Me next.
Ever since the curse broke,
since we found each other, since we found Emma...
And all of that happiness,
there is something I haven't wanted to admit.
Our daughter is a beautiful, smart,
amazing woman whom I love very much,
and of whom I could not be more proud.
But she's all grown up.
And...
As much as I wanna pretend I'm okay with that, I'm not.
We missed it, David.
What we have with her is unique,
but it's not what I wanted.
We were cheated out of everything...
her first step, her first word, her first smile.
We missed it all.
What are you saying?
When we get off this island
and get back to Storybrooke, I want another go at it.
I wanna have another baby.
(Rumble, clatter)
Nothing in this world would make me happier,
and I know
with all my heart that you would make...
An amazing mother.
But it can never happen...
At least not with me.
What do you mean?
When Hook and I went to search for the sextant,
he was really taking me to find a cure.
A cure for what?
Dreamshade.
The lost boys, the arrow... you pushed me out of the way...
I wasn't fast enough.
I was hit.
Hook was able to find a cure, but it comes at a price.
I can't leave Neverland.
If I do, I'll die.
(Rumble)
(Clattering)
(Blade zings)
You okay?
Yeah. But Henry... I...
It's okay. We're gonna take care of him.
Just need to get you out of there first.
(Clanging)
Wha... Emma, Emma, Emma, Emma!
You know that's not how this works.
(Panting)
(Exhales deeply)
It's okay.
You can tell me anything.
When I heard you might be here,
and that you might still be alive,
I knew I should be happy,
but I wasn't.
I was terrified.
I didn't understand why until now.
From the moment I saw you in New York,
in the instant you stepped back in my life,
I knew.
I knew I'd never stopped loving you.
And before I even had a chance to take a breath, I...
I lost you once more, and all that pain
that I had pushed down for all those years,
it just came... rushing back, and I...
I didn't know if I could go through it again.
I love you.
(Voice breaking) I probably always will.
(Gasps)
But my secret...
Is that I was hoping that this was a trick.
(Crying)
I was hoping you were dead...
Because it would be easier for me
to put you behind me
than to face all the pain that we went through
all over again.
(Exhales deeply)
Thank you.
Well, don't thank us yet. We still have to save Henry.
We found your star map, so the real question is,
do you know how to get off this island?
If we can find Henry, I can get us home.
Well, let's go get Tinker Bell and... retrieve the boy.
You all right?
Yeah, I'm fine.
About what I said...
- Hey. Hey, Emma, it's okay. - No, it's not.
I wish I could change how I feel
more than anything, but...
I can't. I'm sorry.
Don't be.
After everything I've put you through,
you don't ever have to apologize to me
about how you feel.
Hey, I'm glad you told me.
I have a secret, too, Emma.
I'm never gonna stop fighting for you.
Never.
(Leaves rustling)
Look, I know I should've told you...
Don't. Just... not now.
I am so sorry, Snow. Are you okay?
Yeah.
(Panting) I'm fine!
But you need to go.
What?
Eric... tell him the truth.
Go to him.
The caravan is probably long gone by now,
and we're miles from the docks.
I saw how he looked at you at the ball.
He'll wait as long as possible.
You think he's still there?
There is only one way to find out.
Go!
(Exhales)
Thank you, Snow!
Go! Just go!
Your Highness...
It's time.
Just a little longer.
(Sighs)
(Mouths word)
(Mouthing words)
(Continues mouthing words)
I told you there'd be no second chances.
Hmm?
Oh, that. Your voice.
I took it.
The only thing worse
about telling your prince how you feel
and rejecting you is...
Never telling him at all.
Never knowing.
Never even having... a chance at true love.
(Chuckles) That's right, dear.
He's gone.
Time to swim back home...
Little mermaid.
(Sighs contentedly)
Hello, Regina.
(Whoosh)
(Gasps) You.
You're real?
Next time you claim to be me,
you'll find out just how real I am.
Oh! (Gasping)
Don't ever do that again.
(Gasping)
(Whoosh)
(Crickets chirping)
If you think summoning a giant squid is the answer,
I've already tried that.
Oh, you've had fun, haven't you?
I have no intention of ordering calamari.
(Waves rippling)
(Blowing air)
(Waves continue rippling)
Hello, Ariel.
Long time.
It's true mermaids can travel across realms.
But they can't be trusted.
This one can.
We have history together.
Well, that would explain
the distasteful look on her face.
And now she's going to help us.
(Mouths words)
Oh, right, your voice.
(Whoosh)
Why would I help you?
Because I can give you what you want.
(Whoosh)
I can give you legs, Ariel,
and this time, control over them.
But more importantly, I can give you what you need most.
What?
The place I'm sending you... among its residents...
is your prince Eric.
What's the name of this place?
Storybrooke.