A/N: This is my first attempt at an Enchanted Forest/Fairytale Land story, and a very different genre for me, so please let me know what you think. There may be some divergence from the mythology of the show in terms of magic, as well as positioning/ages of characters since it is AU (e.g., Regina and Emma are the same age, and thus David/Snow and Henry/Cora are the same age).
Chess (specifically the "Chess in Concert" PBS special with Josh Groban and Idina Menzel) is one of my favorite shows, and I thought it might make for an interesting launching point for a fic. The actual chess game components will be minimal, as that would be quite boring to read, and my knowledge of the game beyond an occasional game for fun is limited. Instead, it serves as the backdrop for the larger story.
The opening lyrics are from the first song in Chess, lyrics by Tim Rice and Bjorn Ulvaesus (from ABBA!), and that's the only time I'll be using lyrics in the fic (no one will break into song.) They just do a much better job explaining the history of Chess than I ever could, and I thought it served as a logical preamble for this fic and a nod to the inspiration.
Although other characters appear (mostly as furniture/props and foils), it is SQ endgame and very much SQ throughout. Unlike my other fics, neither Regina nor Emma are in relationships with other people when this story starts. I hope you enjoy the ride :)
Preamble: "The Story of Chess"
Each game of chess means there's one less variation left to be played / Each day got through means one or two less mistakes remain to be made / Not much is known of early days of chess beyond a fairly vague report that 1500 years ago two princes fought, though brothers, for a Hindu throne / Their mother cried, for no one really likes their offspring fighting to the death / She begged them stop the slaughter with her every breath, but sure enough one brother died / Sad beyond belief, she told her winning son: "You have caused such grief. I can't forgive this evil thing you've done." / He tried to explain how things had really been, but he tried in vain. No words of his would satisfy the queen / And so he asked the wisest men he knew the way to lessen her distress. / They told him he'd be pretty certain to impress by using model soldiers on a checkered board to show it was his brother's fault / They thus invented chess.
Chapter One
"So it's agreed, then," King David of the Northern Kingdom said as he stood beside his wife, Queen Snow, in the courtyard of their palace. Given the high tensions of the discussion and the mild summer day, they decided to hold their meeting outside where they could all benefit from the fresh air.
"It is," King Henry of the Western Kingdom confirmed. "Rather than lose any more of our men in battle, we will each select one representative from our kingdom to battle it out on the board. To the victors go the spoils."
"That seems fair. It will be beneficial to avoid any additional lives lost unnecessarily. I'm glad you agree," Queen Snow chimed in.
Henry nodded. "If you are amenable, shall we say best two out of three?"
"That seems appropriate, yes," David assented. "And when and where shall this tournament take place?"
"We need neutral territory, free of any potentially meddling influences," Snow stated, looking pointedly at Queen Cora, who stood next to Henry. "Perhaps the Eastern Kingdom will allow us to use their castle."
Cora shook her head. "No. The Eastern Kingdom cannot be impartial. None of the other kingdoms can be. We have all had our share of quarrels with our various neighbors. I suggest we appoint a mutually agreed upon arbiter to keep things fair. We can host the first match in our kingdom, and then the second can be played here. If a winner is not determined after the second match and a third is needed, the arbiter can toss a gold coin to determine which of our kingdoms will serve as the final location. Would that appease you, Queen Snow?"
Snow nodded her consent. The arrangement seemed agreeable and just.
"Excellent," Cora stated, forcing a smile upon her severe features. "And when would you like to see this little dalliance between our players take place?"
"Let's begin the first match on the afternoon of the Midsummer," Snow suggested. "That will give us 20 days to prepare. The second match can occur 15 days later to allow for rest and travel between Kingdoms. The third match, if required, can be held 15 days after the second. This will let us wrap up this matter in under two months' time. Will that be sufficient for your chosen player?"
Henry looked to his wife, and after seeing her subtle nod, he agreed. "Yes. That suits us quite well. Now, who shall be the arbiter?"
"I can think of only one man who has equal contempt for both of our families, and therefore the most likely to be purely impartial: Rumplestiltskin," David stated.
"The Dark One? Are you sure that's wise? Is he not locked in your dungeon at this very moment?" Henry asked, startled by their suggestion.
"He is, but we can grant him temporary leave. He is still paralyzed from using magic due to the squid ink, and we have ways to ensure that he remains that way during the tournament. Why, do you have someone else in mind?" Snow asked. "All the other royal families in the Enchanted Forest have allegiances or ongoing grievances with one of our families, and I would hesitate to leave such a vital task to a commoner. The Dark One is well-versed in the game of chess and I believe he can be unbiased in the dealings of this tournament."
"I am okay with that decision," Cora stated, trying not to let her satisfaction show. She had a long and complicated history with Rumplestiltskin, but they most recently bid farewell to one another on positive terms. While it is true that he was not fond of her husband, as Henry had forbidden their daughter Regina from becoming his magic student despite Rumple's insistence that he should be her tutor, he and Cora ultimately parted amicably. With Rumple imprisoned by the Charmings, Cora assumed he would be more apt to side with her if such an opportunity and need arose.
"Then he shall be our arbiter," Henry declared. "Let us now select our representatives. Who will be playing on behalf of the Northern Kingdom?"
"Sir Killian Jones," David said without hesitation.
Cora scoffed. "The reformed pirate? Interesting choice."
Henry quickly interrupted his wife. They were making progress on this agreement and her snide remarks would do them no favors in finalizing the arrangement. "And who will be his second?"
"Our daughter, Princess Emma," Snow stated proudly. "And who will be playing for the Western Kingdom?"
"Our daughter, Princess Regina," Henry indicated, surprising both Snow and David.
"And I will be her second," Cora stated, before Snow or David could ask the question.
Snow's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Two members of the royal family playing in the chess tournament to determine who has rightful claim over Avonlea's land? Why do I feel like this is a setup?"
"Need I remind you, Queen Snow, this tournament was your beloved's idea. It wasn't mine. Do not fret – I am not orchestrating some grand scheme. And furthermore, I won't be playing, dear. However, I taught my daughter everything she knows. It is only logical that I would be her second. She is the best we have in the kingdom. Why would we send anyone else when she is best equipped for the task? Besides, you have your royal daughter as a second as well. These are not low stakes. We should both use the best players we have at our disposal."
"I agree, Snow. I have no objection to Princess Regina and Queen Cora taking part in the tournament," David said to his wife.
"Very well. But we, and the arbiter, will be watching you both. There are to be no magical influences during the matches, nor the proceedings surrounding any part of the tournament."
"Of course. You have my word," Cora nodded, with a hint of disdain in her voice. "I am offended that you think we would be anything but fair, my dear Snow."
David quickly interrupted before the women's passive-aggressive accusations could escalate further. "Then it is settled. Sir Killian will meet Princess Regina on the Midsummer afternoon in the courtyard of the Western Kingdom's palace. Until then, there is to be no more bloodshed over the border land of Avonlea."
Henry met David's extended hand with his own and shook it. "Agreed. Thank you, King David and Queen Snow, for your hospitality on this visit. If you will excuse us, our carriage awaits. We must return to the Western Kingdom to begin preparations for the first match. We will see you soon."
"I have to do what, Daddy?" Regina asked when her parents sat her down in their private quarters in the palace the evening of their return to their kingdom. They had invited her to join them for a nightcap of tea before bedtime, intending to inform her of the upcoming events.
"You are to play Sir Killian Jones in a three-match chess tournament to decide the fate over Avonlea's ownership. You have seen the losses we have taken during the land battles over that village. The Northern Kingdom has suffered losses as well, and neither side is any closer to surrendering. King David suggested an alternative battle of sorts to decide the winner, and I must say it is a good idea. Neither of us can afford to lose any more soldiers over this dispute."
Regina looked down at her hands, which were folded in her lap as she sat on a plush wingback chair in her parents' parlor room. "What if I don't win?"
Before her father could respond, Cora answered. "You will."
"You don't know that," Regina said as she looked at her mother. "Unless…are you planning to use magic to manipulate the outcome?"
"Of course not. You will win, because I have trained you to be the best. It's that simple."
"You haven't seen Killian play. We don't know anything about him."
"No, I have not. But, he hasn't seen you play, either. I can't imagine a former pirate is as skilled as you are. You were raised playing this game, Regina. He was raised to stear a ship and look for buried treasure. I hardly think he will be a worthy opponent."
"How can you be sure that he won't defeat me? He was a legend in his days as a pirate. He must have some innate skill when it comes to games of strategy."
"During your first match, I will find his weakness in his movements and train you harder so that you will win the second match. If you do not win the first, you will win the second and third under my tutelage."
"I wish I had your confidence, mother," Regina stated. She looked to her father, hoping for some reassurance or confirmation.
"My dear Regina," he started. "We know that you are the best player in our kingdom, and thus are most suited to the task at hand. Do your best. That is all we can ask of you."
Despite her father's words, Regina still felt uneasy. She looked over at Cora, whose expression was unreadable. "I assume, Mother, that you will officially be my second in this tournament? Or will you have a figurehead stand in while you control the reigns from the sidelines?"
"Of course I will be your second, dear. I cannot trust such an important task to anyone else. Who else could possibly be a better choice?"
"No one. I thank you in advance for your assistance and insight," she paused, waiting for her mother's reaction. When there was none, she continued. "And who will be Killian's second?"
"Princess Emma," Cora smirked before quickly resetting her expression to neutral.
There it is, Regina thought as she saw Cora's face break momentarily, displaying her inner thoughts for a mere second. It wasn't long, but Regina had years of practice analyzing her mother's mannerisms. She caught that minor twitch in the corner of her mother's lips. She wasn't sure what her mother was planning, but she knew she likely wouldn't enjoy whatever was to come. "Princess Emma?" Regina asked, needing confirmation that she had heard correctly.
"Yes," her father said.
"I see," was all that Regina said in response.
"I know it has been many years, at least a decade, but you do remember meeting her a few times, do you not?" Henry asked her.
"I do. I remember spending time with her briefly in the gardens of her parent's palace as a child and young adolescent. I just didn't realize she played chess."
"That was a surprise to us as well, but her parents must see the value in the game as we do. After all, it requires strategic thinking, and not unlike our kingdom, the Northern Kingdom doesn't have a male heir to throne. With Emma as the crown princess, it is understandable that they would have trained her early in the best game of strategy in our realm, just as we have done with you," her father explained.
"Yes, you are right. It has prepared me well, I think, to one day serve as the leader of the Western Kingdom when you and mother abdicate the throne."
"Indeed it has. After all, the queen is the most powerful piece on the board, Regina. She must be protected at all costs," Cora added. While the statement was indisputable fact, neither Regina nor Henry missed the deeper undertones of her words.
"Well, it has been a long day and a tiring journey. I am going to retire for the evening. Goodnight, Regina. I love you, my darling daughter," Henry said as he stood.
Regina stood up to hug her father goodnight. "I love you, too, Daddy. I will do my best not to let the kingdom down. I would hate to disappoint you and mother."
"Honey, you could never disappoint us. We love you," he said as he pulled back from his daughter's embrace.
While she believed her father's statement was sincere, she knew her mother felt differently. She caught her mother's eye in her periphery, finding the look she received in response quite unsettling. After her father had departed, Regina looked back at her mother as a handmaid removed their empty teacups. "What's your endgame, Mother?"
"Excuse me? Watch your tone, young lady," Cora responded, lifting her hand in warning. It had been some time since she had used magic to keep her daughter in line, as Henry greatly disapproved of such tactics, but she saw no harm in a gentle reminder and the occasional threat with a wave of her hand.
Regina reflexively rolled her eyes before she could think better of herself. "I know you have a larger game in mind…something more than three simple Chess matches. It would help me if I knew what was really at stake."
"You know what is at stake, Regina. The land on our kingdoms' border."
"Then why did you agree to this? Why not just go in and obliterate the Charmings' soldiers with your magic and put an end to this feud?"
"Because, my sweet girl, that would violate the laws we have. Our treaties with the surrounding kingdoms forbid the use of magic in inter-kingdom conflicts, particularly among the monarchs. If I used my magic on their army, they would know it was me. Perhaps one day I will be willing to break those treaties, but that day is not today. This little squabble is not worth the larger war that would wage," Cora explained before she chuckled. "Oh Regina, what a silly question. Clearly you are not as ready to rule this kingdom as you think you are."
"I apologize, Mother. What battle would be worth breaking that treaty, then?"
"Believe me – you'll know it when you see it. Until then, I will abide by the laws of our land. Goodnight, Regina."
Regina understood that this conversation was over and that it was unlikely that she would learn her mother's hidden agenda prior to the start of the tournament. She just hoped she would figure it out before it would be too late to stop her.