Twenty-five.
It had been twenty five years since Robin met his demise. Leaving behind his two children, and soulmate. Everyone missed him. It left Regina in pieces, as she watched his spirit float into nothingness. She didn't know if he had moved on, or if he actually was nothing. At least his children were safe. Well, she knew Robyn was… but she hasn't seen Roland since his father's passing. He had to be around 30 years old now. She could almost imagine him. His dark brown hair like his mother, and dark brown eyes to match. He must've taken up archery, living in Sherwood Forest with the merry men, and all.
Regina regained her thoughts, and came back to her surroundings. Her gaze met a stone in the ground, reading "Robin Hood. Beloved Father, and Friend." She wished she could have fit something more… but this still commemorated him. The warm sun shined on the wet grass below them. Each critter, and creature minding their own business. Flying, and crawling by. The flowers which bloomed beside the graveyard were dreary shades of pink, and yellow. It wasn't a happy scene.
Regina stood by Robins grave, trying to hold in her tears. Her niece, Robyn, standing next to her. Zelena on the other side. She was glad she had family to surround her in her time of pain. Sure, it had been many years, but the pain of a lost loved one never fades away.
Robyn's tears began to roll down the side of her cheek. She wished he was here. Twenty five years without your father, are twenty five too many. She fell into her mother's arms, and buried her face into her chest. Zelena comforted her, whispering in her little ears that everything was going to be alright. She was a great mom you know. Even after all she's done. She's come so far. She was so close to failure, but redeemed herself.
Regina whispered to the grave. Hoping that Robin could somehow, someway hear her desperate cries. She wondered what it would've been like if Robin was there when she found out she was going to be a grandmother. What their wedding would've been like. If somehow they could've had a child of their own. She regained her thoughts again, as she removed the old bouquet of red roses from the grave.
She placed a new set of gorgeous red roses. "Until next time." She thought to herself.
Robyn let go of her mother, but she still wasn't ok. Her mind swirled. The wind around them circling. She ached for her dad. Would he be proud of the person she's become? Would he still love her regardless of the mistakes she's made, and the paths she's taken? She grabbed onto Regina, and Regina held her face for a moment. In the eyes of this beautiful young woman, she saw her soulmate. Her piercing blue eyes, and dirty blonde hair matched his perfectly. Each inch of her was Hood. "I love you Robyn." She said. Robyn held tight onto Regina, as she buried her face in her shoulder. Her tears stained her Def Leppard tee shirt.
Zelena's head shot back quickly, at the sound of rustling leaves behind them. "What is it?" Regina said as Robyn melted out of her arms. Zelena crept forward, as a figure in a brown cloak creeped closer. He was tall, and lean. His arms and legs almost blowing in breeze. Who are you?" Regina said quickly, pulling out the dagger she carried in her right pocket.
The figure came face to face with them, and pulled off his hood. He stared in Regina's eyes. Sinking deeper into the abyss that was her thoughts, Regina pondered. She knew him. Eventually, she began to blink aimlessly."You really don't remember me?" The figure said. His deep brown eyes moving like liquid across his surroundings. How could she have forgotten about him?
Regina put her hand to his cheek. "Roland?" She muttered. She was already crying before he showed up, now she was in hysterics. "Hi Regina." He said as he embraced her slowly. Her arms falling against his broad build. "How did you? But…" "It doesn't matter how I got here. What matters is that I'm here now." He said softly. His gentle, and calming voice exactly like his fathers.
Zelena stood with her mouth wide open. She put her arm on Roland, confused at everything that was going on. "Zelena." He sighed lovingly, as he embraced her as well. He had forgiven her for everything she did. After all, she did give him one of the greatest gifts of all… his sister. Who he hadn't seen in years. She probably hated him… or didn't want to speak to him. Regardless, he wanted a chance. He peeked over Zelena's shoulder. Robyn standing behind. Her eyes wondering. She kept her head down, fidgeting with her bow and arrow.
Roland slowly pushed Zelena aside. "Robyn?" He said, as he cupped his hands to his chest. A tear streaming down his bony cheek. "Robyn!" He screamed. He ran to his sister, and fully embraced her. Robyn hugged him back. "I never thought I would see you again." He said with a timid voice. They let go. He caressed his sister's beautiful face. Her ocean blue eyes meeting his. She looked so much like their dad. He wished that he inherited his looks. Instead, he took on most of his mom's features, but could shoot any target with ease. Hopefully Robyn inherited archery from their father as well.
"What are you doing here?" Robyn stated awkwardly, as she shook with excitement. Roland walked her over to their father's grave. He took out one of the arrows Robin had made him years ago. The whistling wind began to calm his nerves. The sound of the creatures around them made him sure of what he was going to do. He placed the arrow down next to the roses, unsure of how Regina would feel. "You think on the twenty fifth anniversary of our fathers death, I would leave you alone?" He said as he grabbed his sister. He held her tight to him, and she sunk into his arms.
He had really come to leave something on his father's grave, but he didn't want her to know that. At the same time though, he wanted to check on his baby sister. He missed her more than words could say. He wondered if his father was proud of him. If he saw what he was accomplishing. Regardless, he had to do something to commemorate him. He promised his dad he could take care of Robyn, and he was doing that. No matter what realm he has to cross, or portal he has to jump through.
Zelena held Regina's warm hands, as they walked over to Robyn and Roland. Regina sighed, out of frustration. "I'm so sorry. I failed you Roland." She said as she sucked up the remaining tears, and snot. He looked at her. His face settling. "You didn't fail me Regina... You raised me."Roland said he he slid his hand down, to meet hers. Regina chuckled, as she grabbed his arms. He knew exactly what to say. Another thing he inherited from his dad.
"I…" Regina said before she got interrupted. "I know." Roland exclaimed. Robyn stood in shock. She just met her brother. She heard stories of him yes, but didn't remember him. There was something familiar in his eyes. She saw it when he ran to her. In that instant she knew. The piece of her that was missing, was now filled because of Roland.
The part of her that ached, didn't ache as badly anymore. She prayed that Roland would be sticking around for a while.
A portal blast open behind them, and out came two other people. One was a beautiful dark skinned woman, with hair even more brown than Roland's, and eyes as blue as the shimmering sky. She was holding the hand of what seemed to be a three year old girl. With the same dark skin, and hair. Her eyes a dashing blue as well.
"Daddy!" The little girl screamed as she ran up to Roland. Regina shook with fear. Roland had a daughter of his own now. Robin would be so proud of him. The woman came walking behind, unsure of the other people Roland was surrounded by. Roland picked up the young girl, and spun her around.
Regina was struck in the heart. She remembered the time Robin did that to her in the vault. She remembers his exact words. She missed him even more now, than ever. She longed for the smell of forest. It just wasn't quite the same scent Roland had. Robin's forest smell, was special… different.
"Hi my princess!" Roland yelled as he placed her gently on the ground. Robyn gestured over to him, confused. "This is your aunt Robyn." He said excitedly. The little girl walked over to Robyn. She stared at her for a minute, wondering what to do next. She hugged her knees tightly, and Robyn cane down to meet her. She knelt down to the young girls level and placed her head on hers.
This was all too much. Regina thought.
The woman came over, and kissed Roland passionately. She stared at everyone, and smiled. "Everyone. This is my wife… Moana." He paused, holding back tears. His family was finally back together. With the exception of his father, and mother… they found each other. "And my daughter, Ember." The little girl, ran from Robyn, and back to her dad. She hid behind his legs. She had shy tendencies.
Regina smacked her lips together, and knelt down to meet the girl. "Hi Ember. I'm Regina." She said as she introduced herself. "Regina? That's my middle name!" The little girl shouted. Roland just chuckled. His little girl was so smart, and brave.
Regina stood up, as she began to cry again. What an eventful day it has been. The birds sung all around them. The flowers danced in the wind. Regina didn't know how to respond. Roland named his precious little girl after her… and she didn't deserve it. Any of it, for that matter. But for some reason, she was loved.
Zelena took her hand swiftly, as they all began to walk through the trees in the graveyard. The beaches hung, as the evergreens swayed in the breeze. Ember held Robyn's hand the whole time. They had an almost instant aunt/niece bond. She now understood why Regina loved her so much. She couldn't even comprehend the fact that she was an aunt in the first place.
I guess it's all about timing. Life works out eventually.
Regina turned back. Sitting in the sun for a moment. The calm and chaos of spring was ever changing. As she let the sun beam on her face, she saw a feather floating in the wind. In that moment, she knew Robin was with her. She knew he was watching the whole time.
The end.