Gretel (True North)


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"You're... you're letting us go?"
 * This article is about the character, Gretel. For her Storybrooke counterpart, see Ava Zimmer.
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- Gretel to the Evil Queen

Gretel is a character on Once Upon a Time. She débuts in the ninth episode of the first season. She is portrayed by Karley Scott Collins, and is the Enchanted Forest counterpart of Ava Zimmer.

Gretel is based on one of the titular characters from the fairytale, "Hansel and Gretel".

Before the Curse
When her father goes missing in the woods, Gretel and her twin brother Hansel decide to go look for him. The siblings bump into the Evil Queen along their way. She tells them that she will help them find their father if they assist her with something.

The Queen asks the twins to enter the home of the Blind Witch and steal a bag while the witch is asleep. When Gretel asks why she does not just go herself, the Queen replies that the house has a spell on it that keeps out adults; only children can enter. She also warns them not to eat anything.

The twins manage to sneak in the witch's house, but Hansel eats a cupcake, waking up the witch. It is only because of Gretel's quick thinking that they are able to get out of the gingerbread house alive. They deliver the bag to the Evil Queen. When Gretel sees the item in the bag is an apple, she asks her why they risked their lives for that, and the Queen replies that it is not just an apple but also a weapon.

Impressed by their bravery, the Evil Queen offers to let them stay with her instead of finding their father. Hansel and Gretel decline and tell her to find their father instead. The Queen becomes angry and magically sends them back into the forest. It is revealed that the Queen was the one who kidnapped their father. When the Woodcutter informs her that his children refused to stay with her because "family always stays together", the Queen tells him that they can be together if they can find each other.

For events occurring after the casting of the Dark Curse, see Ava Zimmer.

Trivia

 * In the traditional story, "Hansel and Gretel", Gretel is younger than Hansel. In the Once Upon a Time adaption, Gretel is the older twin.
 * In the original "Pilot" script, when the war council is debating how to stop the Evil Queen's curse, the Woodcutter and his two children, Hansel and Gretel, were supposed to walk in with the enchanted tree along with the Blue Fairy.
 * The name "Gretel" is of Latin origin derived from the diminutive form of "Grete" as well as "Margaret" and itself derived from the Greek word "margarites" that means "pearl."
 * She carries and is able to use a sling.