The Girl and the Nutcracker ~ A Once Upon a Time Story

~ The Enchanted Forest ~

Clara was sitting in a small tavern in the middle of the woods. She was drinking some rum when a man walked inside with a wolf next to him. Some men started talking about him and one of them even started to talk shit in his face. At some point, the wolf started to bare its teeth at the man and his owner drew his knife and stabbed the man.

Clara looked at the fight with glee, the wolfman was obviously skilled in combat. The other men had joined the fight as well, but were quickly struck down. Before they could be harmed, they ran out of the tavern. Clara walked over to the wolf and gave him a pet, before sitting down at the table.

"I've never seen a wolf with eyes so red and black before, and I've been in many, many places." Clara said as she looked at the man, and she stuck out her hand, "Clara."

The man looked warily at her hand, before shaking it, "The Huntsman." Clara laughed, "The Huntsman? Do you not have an actual name?"

"What does it matter to you?" The Huntsman muttered and Clara shrugged, "It doesn't, just wanted to be friendly. So... can you talk with animals, is that why you're so fond of him?"

"I was raised by wolves." He answered and Clara gave him a look of surprise and disbelief, "Really? Can I call you wolfman?"

The Huntsman gave her a look, "I don't care what you do." At that moment, the door to the tavern opened, and the Evil Queen's guards walked towards The Huntsman. "The Queen wants to see you, now."

He had barely any time to respond before the guards almost shoved him out of his chair, and took him and his wolf to the Queen's castle.

~ Storybrooke ~

Clara had an extra shift at Gold's shop again. She was supposed to stay with Henry this afternoon, but Henry insisted he could stay home for a couple hours on his own. She was reading a book when the bell jingled, when she looked up she saw Graham.

"Hey, Graham." Clara greeted as he walked towards her. He stared at her intently and Clara slowly looked up to him, "Uh... Graham? Is something wrong?"

Graham still stared at her, "I met you..." Clara looked confused, "Yeah... we've known each other for years no-"

"In that tavern." Graham finished and Clara scoffed, "Tavern? I don't know if there's a tavern in Storybrooke, sounds a bit medieval."

She closed her book and looked at Graham, "If this is about last night I-"

"This is not about last night." Graham interrupted, "I just saw Henry, he showed me the book. I met you in that tavern, and you called me wolfman..."

Clara was shocked, "You remember?" Graham nodded, "I think so... you know about it too?"

"Oh, I have never been cursed. But don't tell Henry, he doesn't know that." Clara admitted, and Graham looked at her in disbelief, "So it's all true?"

Clara nodded and Graham asked, "The vault, the Queen's vault... Do you know where it is?"

"Oh sure. It's at the graveyard. You know that big crypt? It's her vault." Clara answered, and Graham immediately walked out of the door. Clara picked up her book again, "Let's hope Regina won't find you."