Fairest of them All

Chapter 1: My First True Love

It was a nice sunny spring day. The grass had the morning dew still on it as it dripped from the crisp cool land. The sound of nearby dogs could be heard as birds flew from a nearby oak tree, as the birds flew and the howling of the dogs died down the sound of horse hooves could be heard in the distance.

Coming upon a hurdle, the girl sat on a dark brown horse as she prepared herself for the landing. Landing firmly on the ground she smiled to herself as she had finally done it. After countless tries Regina had finally been able to jump the hurdle without falling off.

Dressed in a baby blue riding outfit Regina was prepared to face anything that life was thrown at her. Well at least for right now anyways. Why couldn't Regina handle anything? After all she was the daughter of a well known Duke and Duchess Cora and Henry.

Regina was loved by all who knew her. The children that danced in the streets of her town loved her dearly. Even the lowest of the low loved her. She was kind to all who knew her, she never showed any curly to anyone who crossed her path. Regina was loved by all. In all truth Regina couldn't ask for a better life. However, there was something missing from her young life, something that every girl longed for, true love.

Tossing a braid behind her shoulder Regina got ready to jump again. If she could do it once surly she could do it again. Getting herself set she prepared herself for what was to come. As the horse waited for her master to tap her side she became a little disoriented and scared as he saw a copper head snake hidden within the grass. Getting up on its back legs Regina gripped the reins.

"Easy girl, easy." She told her horse as she tried to get it to calm down. Unknowing to Regina there was a praetor among her, before Regina had time to think on what to do she found herself being tossed from the horse. Flying over the head of the horse she hoped that no harm would come to her. Trying her best to protect her body and better yet her face she tried to duck and roll.

Lying on her back she did her best to move. Sitting up she found herself a little dizzy. Hearing a loud hissing sound she froze with fear. Oh how she hated snakes. Swallowing hard she saw the big fat snack coming towards her. Shutting her eyes she knew this was it she was done for.

"Oh not so fast, where do you think you are going?" came a deep voice. Opening her eyes Regina looked up and saw a rather tall figure, but the sun was blocking his face from her sight. Seeing the snake move within the man's hands he put it in a cage and locked it. "Are you alright?" the man asked. He bent down to help the young girl up.

Now Regina was face to face with the young man that had saved her life. His face was so kind looking. He looked as if he wasn't much older than herself. His eyes the color of two lily pads that sat on a crystal blue lake. His jaw line was thick as was the rest of his body. Taking his hand he pulled her to her feet. Now looking at him at full height she saw how tall he really was. His frame was at least 6'1 maybe 6'2. Weighing at least 180 maybe give or take a few. Hair the color of Beauties main, the color of a trunk of a tree, such darkness was added to it. He looked as if he were a prince from a far away land.

"Yes I'm alright," Regina answered with a smile. Looking deeper and deeper into his eyes she felt her knees go week. "I'm sorry but I'm afraid I don't know your name."

"Aw yes, that is a bit odd isn't it?" the young man answered as a laugh escaped his lips. "It's Daniel and I'm assuming you are Regina," She just looked at him as if he knew something that she didn't. He laughed again. "You look upon me as if I'm mad or something. That I can assure you I am not. It is hard not to look upon someone as lovely as yourself. And as for me knowing who you are. Well let's just say everyone knows who the prettiest one in all the land is."

At hearing those words Regina blushed from embracement. He was just being nice was all? Regina was sure he said this to all of the girls he met. Walking back to the barn they began making small talk. "What brings you here?" Regina asked. Where her families personal stables were located not a lot of people knew about them.

Walking into the stable Daniel grabbed a brush. "I work here." Brushing the horse he looked back at her. She wasn't expecting that as his answer.

"Oh," was the word that left her lips.

"You seem stunned my dear." Daniel answered as he placed Beauty in her stall.

"Oh no I was just-"

"Just say it," Daniel answered as he poured water for the horse. "You are surprised that I work here? That I don't appear to be poor, that I don't look as though I belong here. I know what you are going to say. I get it a lot." Regina felt bad for thinking such things. Why of course she thought those things, but she wasn't like everyone else. She looked upon the person for who they were not by what their job was or what their title was. Why they could have the lowest of jobs and be the nicest of people.

At hearing commotion coming from within the barn Cora peaked through the stable doors and found her daughter talking to the stable boy. So that's what had been going on for a while now? But little did Cora know that the forbidden romance of her daughter and the stable boy was just beginning.

Cora wondered why Regina had been getting up before the sun and staying out far past what she was allowed to. But in all truth Regina had been practicing her riding lessons. There was no secret that was being kept, at least until now that is.

Telling Regina that he would see her later Daniel kissed her white hand and they departed. Feeling her heart do a flip Regina left with great happiness. Opening the stable door she accidently hit something or someone with it.

"Oh I'm sorry I didn't-"seeing her mother standing behind the doors only then did Regina know that she was in trouble. "Mother I'm sorry I didn't know you were standing there."

"Regina, that's enough. You are coming with me and we are having a long talk with your father."

"But mother I-"Began Regina but she didn't get a chance to finish.

"No, buts now come along." Cora commanded. Following behind her mother Regina looked back only once. Only then did she see Daniel loading hay for the horses that stood outside of the barn. Looking at each other sadness filled her eyes as she knew this wasn't going to end in her favor. No it would be far worse. Far worse then what she knew it could be.

Her chance at love was gone before it had barely begun. Or was it? Could they still find a way to be together? Or would it be dashed by her parents?

A/N: This is my first Once Upon A Time story. If you would be nice when submitting a review. Thanks:)