Chapter 1
Perched up on the creaky old bar, worn out laced boots making its mark on a small wooden stool ready to break, Emma rests her chin in the palm of her hand waiting to serve her order to the already drunk suitors of the village. Receiving a poke to the side, Emma smooth's her raggedy dress out, making sure there is enough cleavage on show for a tip and nothing more. Stepping off the bar, she picks up the four tankards and makes her way over to the group of pirates in the corner placing the drinks down gaining a sneer from the captain.
Rolling her eyes, Emma shakes her head." Keep on dreaming I'm way out of your league"
Raising an eyebrow, the captain sits up leaning forward." No pretty girl you belong in the gutter with me"
Ignoring his remark, Emma picks up the empty tankards and goes to make her way to the bar feeling a hand slap across her backside. Freezing, she inhales deeply setting the tankards back down turning to the captain grabbing his arm before he can retrieve fully and bends it back. Hearing stools scrape across the hard floor, Emma looks over seeing more or less everyone raise to their feet. Letting go of the captains arm realising her mistake as there is only one of her, Emma suddenly feels a sharp sting across her face as the captain lashes out. Falling to the ground holding the side of her face, Emma hears panic arise among the pirates as they grab the angry captain back warning him that they hear horses outside. Not understanding the situation, the captain swings at his pirates causing a brawl.
Emma moves herself up onto a stool still holding her face jumping at the loud bang of the door flying open. Eyes widening seeing the visitor enter, Emma quickly looks away not wanting to be part of the trouble.
Scanning the room, the regal woman glares creating a fireball in her hand." Do you think this behaviour is acceptable in front of your queen?!"
Silence takes over the tavern as everyone freezes in their place before standing straight and bowing down. The queen walks over watching each person drop to the floor at her feet with a raised eyebrow and a satisfied smile. Reaching the bar, she drops her smile seeing Emma still sat on the stool facing the other direction. Standing in front of her, she clears her throat. "And what makes you so special dear that you cannot bow down?"
Emma realises the queens presence in front of her and glances over briefly before quickly slipping off the stool into a bow position on the floor. Having caught her look, the queen leans down grabbing Emma's chin in her hand forcing the blonde to lift her head up to her. Watching her a moment making Emma feel nervous, the queen looks towards the line of people still bowed down. "Who struck this girls face?"
Hearing no response, she lets go of Emma's chin and turns to the rest of them. "If you want your lives spared I suggest you answer your queen"
The group of pirates all glance to their captain who rolls his eyes at them slowly standing." It was I, your majesty"
Walking up to him, the queen looks at him. "do you think it is appropriate for a man of your status to be laying a hand on a young girl?"
The captain takes an angry breath, replying through gritted teeth. "no your majesty"
The queen gives a unimpressed 'hmm' still looking at him. "follow me"
The captain watches her walk back to the blonde and follows. The queen looks at Emma who is still facing the floor and takes her arm causing the blonde to look at her. The queen nods helping Emma to her feet causing an array of gasps through the tavern at the act of the queen helping someone else. She looks to the captain and points to Emma's feet." Bow and apologise or I will not be responsible for my actions"
The captain looks shocked but takes in the anger portrayed in the queens face and quickly drops down looking to the floor."..I..apologise for what I have done.."
The queen smirks in achievement as some sniggers can be heard. The captain looks to her as she gestures for him to rise. "Now get out of my village"
The captain nods and runs out followed by his pirates. The queen moves back to the door herself with her two guards." I do not want to see that type of behaviour again" looking over to Emma once more, the queen turns towards the door." Someone get that girl some ice" heading outside, the queen approaches her carriage.
Emma bites her lip watching her leave and heads out the door herself walking over to the carriage being stopped by the two guards standing in front of her. Looking up at them kind of scared, Emma sees them part and move away at the queens request. Emma immediately looks down at the queens confused approach.
"I...I wanted to thank you...your majesty"
Watching her actions, the queen once again reaches for the blondes chin lifting it to her eye level. "Keep your head high dear, you have nothing to be ashamed of"
Nodding, Emma gives the queen a small smile before bowing once again heading back inside.
Returning to her castle, the queen sighs looking around the large empty space in which she resides alone. Heading to her chambers, she removes all trace of the queen, clothing and make up before sitting in her night gown staring at her lost reflection to brush her hair. "One day they will understand who I am"
It had been a month since the queen had entered one of her many villages which meant she could arrive again at any given time. Going about their usual business, the people of the village carried on their normality. All but one.
She had found herself stuck in a rut and she was getting desperate. Ensuring her cloak was well secured around her now shrinking frame, Emma fixed her hood over her face to hide her identity as she made her way in and out of the crowds at the daily market. Approaching a stall, Emma peered around her to see if anyone was looking in her direction before slipping her hand out taking a roll off the stall and making it disappear into her cloak. Moving onto the next stall of fruit to do the same, Emma repeats her actions before leaning across.
"Halt!"
Freezing in her spot, fear overcomes her face as two guards approach her. Taking hold of her outstretched arm, one guard moves it behind her. Emma hears a clatter of chain feeling the shackles being snapped round her wrists. "How dare you steal from your queen!"
Looking down Emma hears the guard continue." Does she not do enough for this village! I should have your head removed now!"
Emma glances over still within her hood seeing a shadow through her cloak fabric before being pulled off and into a wooden caged cart falling down as she is pushed in. Sitting herself up, Emma looks towards the door as it is locked hearing the guard. "Let's see what the queen has to say"
Having been thrown into the dungeons, Emma looks around at her surroundings seeing nothing but darkness at candle light. Rubbing her wrists sore from the shackles, Emma keeps her head in her hood hearing footsteps and keys jingling.
"So you think you can steal from the queen and get away with it do you?"
Emma closes her eyes a second guilty and stays still knowing the queens approaching. The queen stops well within Emma's personal space and glares." Too ashamed to reveal yourself..."
Emma takes a much needed breath as the queen yanks the hood off of her head. With the look of shock on her face, the queen drops her hand." Well...what do we have here?"
Emma looks at her remembering what the queen had said to her last. " I'm sorry your majesty..I did not want to steal..I would not usually sink to that level"
The queen looks intrigued raising an eyebrow and crossing her arms." And why did you? From when I saw you last did you not have work and lodgings?"
Emma nods. " until you left that night your majesty"
The queen frowns." Explain yourself"
Emma fiddles with her hands nervous at a now approaching conversation with the queen. " as soon as your carriage left...the owner of the tavern told me not to come back for causing trouble..that he had to look after his own and well...women are not exactly part of that. So you see..I.." Emma grows quiet having to admit."...I was hungry.."
The queen watches her, anger building up inside. Emma picks up on this and steps back. Noticing her reaction, the queen softens her posture and look." It would appear it is I that needs to apologise my dear ..it seems the people in the village do not understand how to follow orders..as for what you did..we can solve both the theft and your problems by having you work here.."
Seeing the guard approach, the queen looks at him." Your majesty I do not think it would be wise having a thief work within the castle"
"I assure you this girl will not steal again will you?" Looking back to Emma, Emma nods quickly.
"Take her to the servants quarters" leaving the guard with Emma, the queen looks back over her shoulder to the blonde looking at her with such sorrow in her eyes.
Author's note: hope you guys like the beginning of this story! you will see a bond between the pair and a gradually a soft side to Regina. please let me know what you think! :)
