"C'mon Bug, you can do it…" Emma Swan urged, gently pulling the reigns to her golden palomino horse along the terrain. She'd slid off an hour ago and the horse refused to go a step forward, whining and stamping her front hoof in protest. Releasing the reigns in frustration, Emma blew a strand of hair away from her face, letting out a groan as the horse wandered off in the opposite direction. "Really?" she grumbled, watching the horse disappear into a nearby thicket. She covered her face with her hands, letting out a growl of frustration deep enough to make Ruby proud and stared up at the trees overhead through her fingers. "Well I was planning on camping anyhow so…you win." She muttered to the horse's backside tugging her riding gloves off and stuffing them unceremoniously into the pocket of her riding pants.

She had spent the past few days on the trail of a particularly gifted thief who successfully stole the crown jewel from a nearby kingdom. Tired, frustrated and half starved, Emma was just as disappointed by her efforts as King Armand seemed to be. All of her dependable leads lead to absolutely nowhere. She'd successfully become the bounty hunter to call when it came to cases like these, earning a solid reputation as the hunter who never missed a body. She had even delivered several outstanding bounties to her own mother and father, passing herself off as a silent sellsword. With every transaction, she'd watched her father's expression, his sky blue eyes, so much like her own, scanning the faces of the men she'd dragged into the constable's chamber to confirm their identities. He seemed tired and anxious and it pained her that she couldn't ask what was bothering him so much. She always hoped that she wasn't causing his distress but somehow knew she was a factor. She wondered where her mother was and if she was taking care of Prince David the way he needed to be taken care of. He always handed her the coin with a nod and a firm handshake, almost seeing through her as he accepted her bow. Every time she wanted to come home and stay put, go hunting with Ruby and come back to the castle but the call of the woods, the freedom and the ability to come and go as she pleased was too alluring. She would climb back into her room at night after a long hunt, bathe, visit Ruby and sit for a spell before sneaking off again after another bounty that crossed her father's table. Mary Margaret always suspected her daughter was off acting like the bandit she once was and never offered protests when she saw how bruised Emma's knuckles would be on the rare occasions she was home long enough to dine with her parents. She was stubborn like she was and had David's heart to match.

So far, she'd had no luck with this jewel thief, believing some of the legends that he actually didn't exist in this realm. Admittedly, she'd heard stranger things but she still held on to the hope that she'd catch him attempting to ransom back the jewel and double up on the earnings. Sighing, she resigned herself to setting up a small camp, unpacking her gear and pulling her traveling cloak off. She finger combed her long blonde hair out before tying it back with a bit leather string. She knew Bug would wander back soon enough, once she'd grown tired of staring off at the hills or whatever it was the horse liked to do.

She ferreted out her pot, the cured pieces of rabbit meat and vegetables and set about preparing yet another rabbit stew dinner. After setting up her usual traps around the camp, she set off in search of a stream to fill up her water skin and bowl. She had gotten used to roughing it but the princess turned bounty hunter couldn't help but miss her sleeping quarters, a good meal and a hot bath. She lifted her right arm and gave herself a whiff. "No wonder Bug wanted time to herself…" she mumbled, digging out some cleaning soaps and set off to take care of everything before nightfall.

The knights swept through the halls, kicking open door after door, checking room after room searching for the witch. They'd set fires all around the grounds, illuminating the Dark Tower from the base upwards, causing even the bravest knight to shiver; despite all the heat it was still a cold dark place. They'd cleared every corner of the castle, certain to flush her out and bring her back to the king for swift judgment. They decided she'd terrorized them enough and now, with a small army of men marching on the grounds, they were certain they'd end her reign of terror.

Hector swore under his breath as he patrolled the corridors himself, no sight of the witch who'd lived here and any trace of her seemingly disappeared. "I want you to sweep the realm. There is no place for this woman to hide, do you understand?" he growled to his second in command, lips tight with anger. He was certain she was here and if she was, she was probably hidden somewhere nearby, laughing, watching and waiting. "Raise the standards. Let her know we're coming for her."

She had spent her life in the pursuit of power and now it had all come to an end. She watched as her rivals raised their standards over the towers of her castle, tears threatening to spill but she would rather be dead than show weakness. She adjusted the hood of her cloak and turned on her heel, taking long strides into the woods, determined to have her revenge.

Nightfall brought on a chill and Emma wished she'd done a little more in terms of gathering firewood. Even wrapped in her wool cloak, legs tucked into her body to trap the heat, her teeth were chattering and she couldn't stop trembling. Bug had wandered back to her camp but wasn't in a body-heat sharing mood and kept her distance. "Fine, I don't want to smell anymore like you thank I already anyhow." She muttered as she wrapped the horse up in a blanket of her own, looking around the site for more drywood. She stopped in her tracks at the sound of twigs snapping underfoot. She stilled, listening as whomever it was continued stomping their way through the forest, oblivious to how much noise they were making. She bent low and drew out her boot knife, eyes scanning the bushes for movement.

"Oh." The figure stopped short, breath fogging in the moonlight. "I thought I saw a light…"

"Yeah, you did." Emma replied, palming the knife underhand, the blade pointing towards the ground as she eyed the intruder. "Kinda late for a walk through the woods isn't it?"

The figure chuckled, hearty, throaty, dangerous. "I could say the same for you Miss…"

"Swan."

"Ah." The figure pushed back her hood, a smile crossing an elegant face. "I didn't mean to startle you, Miss Swan. I was just turned around is all…"

Emma studied the woman across from her, deep brown eyes set into a full warm face, jet-black hair pulled into a simple bun. She was too regal to be a commoner but Emma couldn't place where she was from. She squeezed the hilt of her blade for reassurance, fixing her stance to be less imposing and nodding. "That happens when you're out here without anything to guide you."

"Or anyone." The stranger offered, still standing as passively as ever.

Emma didn't like that she couldn't see her hands, despite hers being visible. "Clever. Who are you?"

"My name is Regina…I…I was traveling and seem to have gotten quite lost."

Emma couldn't shake the uncertainty that crept along her body as she studied this woman across from her. She was elegant despite being dressed like a pig farmer's wife. Her posture was too correct, too, proper and refined and even as she stood just outside of the firelight, she seemed to glow with power. Emma suddenly felt like she was filthy, stank and had never bothered to attend etiquette class in all her time at the castle. "I saw your campfire and I hoped maybe you could help me…" she continued, cutting into Emma's thoughts. She eyed the blade in Emma's hand. "If it's not too much trouble of course."

"No, no trouble." Emma replied, slipping the blade back home and waving the woman closer. She didn't need the blade but she wanted to make sure Regina knew she could handle herself. "I was just freezing all alone out here, so the company is welcome."

"Thank you." Regina replied, passing by Emma to take a place by the fire. Emma noticed she wasn't traveling with any bags and the creeping feeling returned with a vengeance. She watched as Regina perched on a nearby stone, arranging herself closer to the fire, holding her hands out toward the flame. Maybe she was tired, or freezing but it seemed to grow in size and intensity with her presence as she warmed her palms.

"Where'd you say you were traveling to?" Emma asked, crossing and taking her seat on the log she'd propped up against a tree, beads of sweat forming on her lower back from the heat of the fire. Surreptitiously Emma checked her sword as it lay propped against the tree, as though she was reminding Regina that she was heavily armed.

"Oh." Regina blushed, looking up from the fire towards Emma, a mischievous smile on her face. "I was running away actually."

"Running away." Emma repeated.

"I know, it sounds ridiculous but…" she shrugged. "I needed a new start."

Emma understood what she was talking about. She felt that way riding around on Bug and catching bad guys. She watched Regina silently, deciding that maybe she was a lady in waiting that got tired of waiting. She nudged the still warm bowl of rabbit stew in Regina's direction with the edge of her boot. "You're welcome to what's left."

"Thank you for your kindness Miss Swan." Regina replied, immediately setting on the bowl with delight. "This might be the best rabbit stew I've had in a long time."

"No accounting for taste I see."

Regina chuckled, spooning out a potato and catching Emma's eyes. "You don't trust me very much do you…?"

"What's not to trust? Woman stumbling around at night with a fairly flimsy story about being lost…"

"Flimsy?"

Emma nodded and leaned forward, resting her elbows on the tops of her knees, holding Regina's gaze intently. "I have a bit of a power…"

Interest flickered in Regina's eyes. "A power…?"

"Yes. I can tell when people are lying."

Regina seemed let down by the revelation, holding Emma's gaze still chewing on the potato. "Can you dear?"

"Yep. I can tell you're lying."

"What am I lying about exactly…?" Regina put the bowl down, careful not to spill it over and still holding Emma's gaze. She had lovely eyes.

"Your reason for being in the woods this late."

"I told you, I'm running away…"

Emma shook her head, casually flicking her wrist, a blade appearing in her palm. She made sure Regina could see the glint of steel in the firelight. "A little more specific, please." Regina's eyes landed on the blade. She smiled sweetly, flashing brilliant white teeth. "Spare no details."

"I'm sure you've heard of the witch who's been terrorizing the countryside…"

Regina began, careful with how so phrased her words. "She's displaced me…she put a curse on my land and I fled before anything worse could happen…"

Emma stared at Regina, her expression inscrutable as she fidgeted with the blade in her palm, debating whether she believed her story or not. "What kind of curse?"

"Well, how should I know? I certainly wasn't going to stop and ask…" replied Regina exasperation etching her face. "I thank you for the meal and the hospitality. I'll be on my way." Regina stood up and nodded curtly, her chin held high as she nearly knocked the bowl over with her speed. Emma stood immediately and crossed to block her exit.

"Stay. Atleast for the night…it's dangerous out there…" Emma insisted, pushing the blade back into it's hiding space. "I apologize. I've spent a long time out here traveling that some people's stories tend to…sound a little far fetched. Please, at least until daybreak."

Regina stared Emma down, hoping to move the woman out of her way but the kindness and sincerity won out. She unclenched her jaw and nodded in ascent. "Fine." She sat back down again on the stone, reaching for the bowl again. "I can't let this stew go to waste."