Ruth

**Ruth Nolan** is a minor character of *Once Upon a Time*. She was the mother of Prince James and Prince David and wife of Robert. After death, she became the mother-in-law of Snow White through her marriage to her son and then became the paternal grandmother of Emma Swan and Neal Nolan. After Emma had become pregnant with Neal's child, Ruth becomes the great-grandmother of Henry Mills.

## Biography

### Before the First Curse

Ruth married a farmer through an arranged marriage by their parents. With him, she has twin sons named David and James.However, their family was very poor. Rumplestiltskin came to them and since the children couldn't be raised together by their parents, Ruth and Mr. Nolan gave away James and kept David in exchange for Rumple giving them money to support their second son. During the year, her husband got too drunk and got killed and Ruth was left raising their son alone. One day a young woman named Joan came to them however, the family owed a debt to Bo Peep, a very terrifying war lord. However, they managed to fighting for it causing Peep to lose her claim over their farm.

Several years later, she meets Rumplestiltskin once again, who takes away her son to replace Prince James. After David is done, Ruth is supported by the king. David tells his mother that if he doesn't pose as Prince James, then his mother will be killed. However, after becoming an enemy of his father George, David approaches her and tells her to go into hiding. She later prepares to meet her son and his fiancee, Snow White, but unfortunately George sends his guards to kill David, who tells Ruth to hide in the house. However, fearing her son is hurt, Ruth runs out the door, only to be shot with a poison arrow.

There, Ruth meets Snow for the first time, happy to finally meet her. on the brink of death, David, Lancelot and Snow take Ruth to Lake Nostos. Ruth later gives her son's fiancee a necklace that tells the first gender of their child.Her dying wish is to see David and Snow marry, to be married by Sir Lancelot before Ruth succumbs to the poison. Secretly, she confided to Lancelot and had him put the water inside the wedding chalice. Snow realizes this moments after burying Ruth. Later, Snow comes in possession of the necklace Ruth showed her and realizes their first child will be a girl.

## Personality

Ruth was a very kind and considerate woman who cared only for her son's happiness. At first, she tries to play matchmaker for her son to the local wealthy grain merchant's daughter, but then realizes he should pursue his one true love. Ruth cared a great deal for family, showing no hostility towards Snow White (like a typical mother-in-law trait) and was selfless giving up her chance to heal herself, only to heal SNow from the infirtility potion.

## Appearances

### *Once Upon a Time*

#### Season 1

* "Snow Falls" (First mentioned)
* "The Shepherd" (First appearance; appears in flashbacks)
* "A Land Without Magic" (Mentioned only)

#### Season 2

* Lady of the Lake" (appears in flashbacks)

#### Season 4

* "White Out (lappears in flashbacks)

* "The Brothers Jones" (Mentioned only)
* "Sisters" (Mentioned only)

## Trivia

* Ruth is the mother of the prince from the Fairytale, "Snow White" and the princes from the "Prince and the Pauper".
* Fans give Ruth's name as her granddaughter, Emma's middle-name