Board Thread:Spoilers!/@comment-6175354-20140325184817/@comment-32390199-20140326162502

I still think Emma is the Ugly Duckling, not that she is ugly, but more because of the story of the fairy tale.

The Ugly Duckling's egg accidentally was born in the nest of a few ducks(?). Because he was different he got abused so he ran away, but eventually reunited with the swans after realizing he is one himself.

Emma is similar. She was send to the LWM and grew up in different families (we don't know if she was abused or picked on, but eventually she was reunited with her fairy tale parents after realizing she is a one herself.