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I would consider Snow having an elder sibling as non sequitir. Since she has been firmly established by episodic canon as her parents only child and as such is the heir by any rule of succession you put forward save agnatic primogeniture (in which case the kingdom would go to Leopold’s closest male relative and Snow would be on her own)
[adrotate group="5"]Custodian of Graham's darts, Rumple's spindle and Robin's quiver
I also don’t think George is related to Regina, unless in the way many European monarchs related to each other because of constant intermarrying. We also cannot conclude that Henry had 4 brothers because we don’t know the rules of succession in that fictional Kingdom. Regina took over Leo’s throne, in part because she framed Snow for murder, but it could be the usual rule that a spouse would take over, if heirs not born or too young (as Regent at least). I’m not a historian, but I believe at different points various monarchies have allowed for succession through a female child rather than only the male line. So it might also be the case females could inherit the throne in this Once fantasy kingdom setting. (Eva in Miller’s Daughter is already a princess though not married). So maybe Henry had another brother who had 3 kids and a wife. I think the writers just left space to figure it out later, if they manage to book Rose to play young Cora and want to pad out some storytelling in a future episode. It really doesn’t feel plot critical to me to learn how exactly Regina’s original royal line might have played into things, as there are multiple kingdoms in this realm.
Until we have an episode that confirms it of course we can assume that those preceding Henry in the succession are his elder siblings . Aside from satisfying a curiosity it is a logical avenue that one can travel when you consider the possibilities. Now, if A & E follow the standard convention of male heirs taking precedence (which historically follows from Salic Law) which we have seen nothing so far to contradict we can assume that for the moment that Henry has elder siblings and that they are male. Now could Henry have an elder sibling with children, of course and a Richard III-esqe plot could follow. I would argue that Regina’s family situation is critical to understanding how Cora and Henry ended up at the manor house, how far Cora’s ambition went and just what impact if any was such a treacherous family on young Regina’s development.
As far as Snow is concerned she is a sole child and the legitimate heir, Regina as Queen Consort usurped power and because Snow fled to the woods after Graham spared her life and made no initial attempts to redress the situation Regina was able to rule unopposed. That is why in 3×02 Regina tried to force Snow to renounce her rights, when she did have a mind to exercise them. The role of women in the EF does seem to be rather conventional however, I would point to what Belle said about “lack of opportunities” for women in that realm and the eyebrows that Mulan raises by being a warrior. Which would seem to imply that traditional expectations of women predominate.
The rules of succession in most monarchies fall into the following categories:
equal primogeniture: First-born child regardless of gender succeeds Ex. Scandinavian monarchies
male-preference primogeniture: First-born male children inherit taking precedence even over elder female relatives. Ex. United Kingdom (until recently)
agnatic primogeniture: All heirs must be male w/o exception Ex. Principality of Lichtenstein
Custodian of Graham's darts, Rumple's spindle and Robin's quiver
Consider how irritated Rumple was at being disturbed by David who said he wasn’t taking no for an answer and that Rumple must have something. Rumple I’ll bet told him the Excalibur tale to get him to go away. Then when Snow wanted to pay off the debt angered that his time has been wasted Rumple exposes David’s deception and exacts her mother’s necklace for his troubles.
Relevant clip: http://youtu.be/edyUU-8K8zg
Not to harp on casting choices and the like but if absolute continuity of appearance was the aim then why did the Robin Hood recast Tom Elis’s Robin who is black-haired and a touch swarthy with Sean McGuire who is brown-haired and has a lighter skin-tone? Plus Latin America like North America is a great ethnic melting pot so one will find quite a number of Latinos and Latinas with some African heritage. It is a TV show after all.
David may not have considered himself George’s son but he kept going by the name James (recall Thomas and Ella’s wedding) so he kept up the façade. Technically David would be an usurper no matter how much of an improvement he may have been over George and David still gets addressed to as Prince. Stands to reason that there is a legal heir to George’s kingdom out there.
Custodian of Graham's darts, Rumple's spindle and Robin's quiver
For someone who’s name means “happy/lucky” he looks more like sad sack. Maybe for Felix he came by choice and not by charm to look after a younger sibling and became morose after his death. Remember what Hook said to him in that fight during 3×02.
Custodian of Graham's darts, Rumple's spindle and Robin's quiver
The professional historian in me speaking here, keep in mind that the coat-of-arms traditionally reflects the reigning monarch. A succeeding monarch need not retain the coat-of-arms of his or her predecessor (although some have to present an air of legitimacy). Ex. Regina’s personal standard above the mantle in her palace chambers is a crown wreathed in laurels but Leopold’s coat-of-arms which is the symbol of that kingdom can be seen above the mantle in Eva’s chambers and on the surcoats of his soldiers when he arrives at Henry and Cora’s home to ask for Regina’s hand. Likewise with all the other soldiers of the various realms we’ve encountered.
Ethnicity in casting I’ve learned is not always a firm guarantee. The actress who played Marian is of Caucasian and African-American heritage and the boy who plays Roland is Hispanic.
Remember that it was Rumple who told David about Excalibur and cross-pollinating Robin with King Richard is doubtful since he was a confirmed real-life individual and none of the classic characters depicted in OUAT have an existence outside of established Fairy Tales, Myths, Legends, Novels etc.
Custodian of Graham's darts, Rumple's spindle and Robin's quiver
To the best of my knowledge the bow is either lying in the woods abandoned by Snow after David was taken by George’s men or one might speculate Snow kept it as a personal weapon (which I think is doubtful).
If Robin has been cross-pollinated my money for the present is on Arthur aka Wart. We’ve seen Lancelot, allusions to the Lady of the Lady, Camelot, Excalibur, and the Grail. That tattoo makes me think of the Sword in the Stone. Gotta love the Arthur legend he grew up an orphan (he was just Sir Ector’s ward) after his father Uther made a deal with Merlin to posses the Lady Igraine, that resulted in Uther’s death and Arthur belonging to Merlin so he could fulfill his destiny. (I digress)
On David and James parentage, I will say David does have darkness in him that he’s been denying (evidence that short temper of his, his pig-headedness that he won’t even put aside when he’s taken full poison) the other characters with a similar short fuse are the Mills women Cora and Regina. That would be something, if Regina turned out to be David’s cousin.
Custodian of Graham's darts, Rumple's spindle and Robin's quiver
One thing about Robin that sticks in my head is Rumple’s response to the Sheriff saying: “Robin Hood. He goes by Robin Hood.”
Two things I parsed out of this exchange. 1) Is Robin Hood an alias? A possibility considering how many of our characters have been cross-pollinated Ex. Cora/Queen of Hearts, Rumple/Beast/Crocodile etc. 2) Rumple’s facial reactions to hearing that name which from my PoV shifted from concern (perhaps fear) to an opportunistic smile. I’m betting he knows he’s meant for Regina and if Belle hadn’t been there and Marian been pregnant with Roland that arrow would be in Rob’s heart. Side note must keep track of that wand he stole and the bow that never misses.Custodian of Graham's darts, Rumple's spindle and Robin's quiver
A Sundered Heart (a poem in free verse)
By the pale moonlight a fair maid’s heart was left sundered and undone
In the darkness of eternal night it lay cursed and its truth renounced
Hard and dark it became closed to all but for a child’s belief
Through his belief a single shard of light flickers in the gloam
But true love must hasten now for by its hand alone can all be made whole
Custodian of Graham's darts, Rumple's spindle and Robin's quiver
Why can’t Regina create one?
“It wouldn’t be a very good story” -Henry
Custodian of Graham's darts, Rumple's spindle and Robin's quiver
Going off of what was said about the price of casting the curse let’s recap (paying close attention to the wording):
Maleficent said “It will leave an emptiness inside you. A void you will never be able to fill.”
If that’s the case then Regina’s heart needs to be filled by another say a certain archer whose color is Lincoln Green?
I think that Rumple made that a part of the curse with Regina in mind why, I’m not entirely sure but it would have to be out of more than spite in my opinion. I think the potion he gave Snow in “Heart of Darkness” was a trial run. Remember he said it “took away her love, left a big hole in her heart. The person she was there’s no way to bring her back. No potion can bring back true love.” We’ve seen that Regina can only come part of the way when it comes to redemption and that despite loving Henry and being prepared to sacrifice her life to ensure he would not be alone her heat remains darkened. I think that ultimately the dysfunctional family will have to come to her rescue.
Custodian of Graham's darts, Rumple's spindle and Robin's quiver
