Hi, I don't know how long this will be or how often I will update. I have had this in my drafts for a while thought I would throw it out and see what you guys think. Not yet sure if it will be g!p Emma like my other fic. Let me know what you think/want.
-/-
The battlefield is set.
It smells of day old shit and fear.
Two warring armies will finally meet in a bloody dance for victory.
Riders from both sides parlay in the middle in a last ditch effort to discuss a resolution.
"How about we just settle this the old fashion way? Your best fighter against mine?"
The terms are taken back and after consideration, the Queen accepts. She will send her best and to meet theirs.
After all her quarrel is not with the common man but with its monarchy.
The opposing fighter steps out of the crowd.
He's a large man. Bald and shirtless.
He yells then raises his sword and shield in the air, amping up the soldiers behind him.
Queen Emma, who's watching from a mound some distance away, smiles.
"This should be easy." She says to the guard next to her makeshift throne.
She stands and takes only a long spear and helmet as she sprints towards the hulking man.
He turns in time to see someone dressed in white, running towards him.
He's not afraid of the approaching soldier.
That person might be tall and muscular.
But he is taller and far bigger.
He puts his shield up in front of him and raises his sword to strike. In hindsight, this is a horrible defensive position.
Emma, who's almost upon her opponent is now in full stride.
At about 10 feet before him, she quickly shakes left then right before she leaps into the air.
Her opponent doesn't even have time to react.
He falls to his knees, blood spurting out of the gaping hole in his chest.
The crowd behind him goes completely silent.
The victor pulls off their helmet and reveals her identity.
The men before her gasp.
She says nothing as she runs her rough hands through her long blonde mane.
Before she leaves the battlefield today their King will have to kneel before her and pledge his allegiance to her crown.
Another victory for the White Queen.
-/-
Like every other kingdom she has conquered, Emma now sets her sights on the Kingdom that is home to King Henry and Queen Cora.
River Run is rather small but strategically placed between the marshlands. It is also home to the largest port of call, one which Emma has plenty of use for.
She knows she needs this kingdom under her control and she wants to do so with as little violence as possible.
She sends her Royal messenger with her scrolls to be delivered only to the King himself.
King Henry is a wise ruler.
He has never and will never allow his people to suffer.
If he chooses war his people would never survive even with the help of neighboring allies.
Under the cloak of darkness he meets with the rulers of the 3 remaining kingdoms Emma means to conquer. The Northern Kingdom helmed by King George, The Golden Kingdom's King Midas and the ruler of Helms Deep, King Leopold who is accompanied by his sonDaniel.
They all agree that even if they combine their forces, they won't match even half of Emma's foot soldiers. Fighting her head on will be fruitless.
Henry informs the group that his intent is not to fight the Queen but to bow to her rule. He knows his small kingdom is no match for the Queens massive army.
King Leopold, whose son Daniel is betrothed to Henry's only child, the Princess Regina, warns that if he concedes to the Queen so easily he will break the promise of marriage between their kingdoms.
"You have left me in a very bad position Leopold. I must do what is right by my people."
"If you concede no one here will ever take your daughters hand in marriage. All ties will be cut." King George says angrily agreeing with Leopold and Daniel.
"Then so be it. Remember this though, just as she has come knocking on my door, she will come to yours. I hope the Gods have mercy on your souls then."
-/-
King Henry paces his chamber. He has tried to think of every way out of this situation but none has a good ending.
Soon, word comes of approaching riders baring the flags of the White Kingdom's Royal Messenger.
Henry meets them in the Throne room.
He presents a scroll but just before he's about to hand it over, he has an idea.
"I would have words with the Queen before I give my decision. Is that possible?"
The messenger nods.
"I will take your request to my Queen."
-/-
"Father, please don't do this I cannot marry that savage!" Regina pleads to Henry when she learns that Daniel has broken their engagement and her father intends to bond her to Queen Emma.
"Regina, my child I wish there was another way. I have tried every way out and none ends well for our kingdom. For our people or for you."
"Father, it took me so long to find acceptance of my impending marriage to Daniel I don't know if I will be able to with her." Regina cries as Cora tries to comfort her.
"Regina, more things have come to light. King George now moves against us. He has allied with Leopold and Prince Daniel. They wish to destroy us."
"Father..?"
He waves her off. He knows she means well. She's a smart girl who will one day become a great queen. He simply needs to ensure that she lives to realize her potential. He fears that if she remains at River Run, her life will be in danger despite fallingunder
QueenEmma's protection.
-/-
Regina is heartbroken.
She knows only rumors of Queen Emma.
She doesn't know if she can love someone who is said to be cruel, ugly and savage.
Her thoughts are interrupted by some movement outside of her window.
"Hello? Is...is someone there?"
There's no reply just a whirring sound as an arrow shoots past her shoulder.
She screams and takes cover.
There's a thumping sound on her balcony that lets her know that someone is just outside her room.
"Your Majesty, is everything alright in there?"
"Help me!" She screams back to her Royal Guards hoping her attacker has not been alerted to her position.
Within seconds her guards are in the room assessing the situation as she points to the arrow on the wall that was shot at her.
Now she sees how real the threats are.
The sleepy kingdom rouses as word spreads of attempted assassination of their beloved Princess.
The attacker however is not found.
-/-
"Do you think that big lug you speared in the chest even knows he's dead yet?" Merlin, Emma most trusted friend and advisor asks laughing heartily as they enter the throne room to greet the guests.
"Her Majesty, The Queen Emma is entering the room, please rise."
"Gods, I told him to cut back on that. It's embarrassing." Emma whispers to Merlin.
"It is customary."
Emma takes her seat after throughly rolling her eyes at Merlin.
Your Majesty, our first honored guest may I present King Henry of River Run.
Henry steps forward and bow his head in respect.
"To what do I owe the honor?" Emma asks more than eager to speak to the old king.
"I have come to accept your offer of being part of the White Kingdom."
"That is good news but there was no need for you to travel all this way just to do so your majesty."
"Actually, my Queen there is a matter I wish to speak to you about, in private. If I may?"
Emma thinks for a moment and nods.
It is immediately announce for everyone to clear the room.
The doors closes, only Emma and Henry remain.
"Speak freely."
"My Queen because of the decisions I've made regarding my kingdom in the past few days I have lost many allies. Many friends. I will accept your terms if you agree to marry my only daughter, the Princess Regina.
"You want me to marry your daughter?" Emma asks confused
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"King Henry, I'm sure you are aware of my reputation. I am afraid your daughters life will not be as easy as you think it will be."
"I fear if she remains at River Run her life will be forfeited anyway. At least with you there is more protection, more chances for survival."
"Yes I heard about the attempt on the Princess' life, But who will protect your daughter from me good Sir?"
"Your Majesty your reputation may be something to fear but I think you protect the things close to you by any means necessary. Like you do with your father."
"What do you know of my father?!"
"That he lives."
"How do you know that?"
"I didn't but you just confirmed what was only a suspicion. I do think your mother is alive and closer than you know."
"What do know of her whereabouts?" Emma ask stepping towards Henry almost livid.
"I know of only rumors. The same ones that's been around for the last decade."
"If you know who took her...!"
"Again, much like you I only have my suspicions."
Emma fights every nerve in her body to calm herself down. Henry by no means is a weak man she now sees.
"It's best to keep him close." She thinks.
Henry realizes after their little spat that Emma is most likely not going to accept his offer now that he has angered her. He holds his breath and waits for a rejection.
"King Henry, I appreciate you coming all the way here. I will like the night to think on what you have offered. Please make yourself at home until then and I will have your answer by morning." Emma says, her voice never wavering.
Hope.
"Thank you my Queen."
-/-
"What may I ask did the old man want?" Merlin inquires from Emma as they go over their morning exercises.
"He wants..to bind our kingdoms through marriage."
"He wants to marry you?" Merlin ask smiling mischievously.
"No you oaf he wants me to marry his daughter." Emma replies neglecting to mention the fact that Henry spoke of her parents.
"Ah Princess Regina. I have heard many stories of her beauty but she's older than you I think, and if I'm not mistaken betrothed to Prince Daniel."
"I care not what she looks like. I care that her kingdom is the gateway to many of my allies and possible answers."
"And her legs will be the gateway to many great pleasures and happiness."
Emma stops, she hadn't even given thought to that.
"I'm not interested in that. Just what her kingdom offers. It's why I wanted to conquer it in the first place."
"You are right Majesty. The kingdom does offer many rewards. But think about this, If you bind yourself to it through marriage your hold over it will be stronger."
Emma, for the first time sees clearly. She smiles looking at her advisor.
"This is why I haven't thrown you off the side of a mountain yet. Sometimes you prove yourself to be useful." She muses before taking a tactical stance against him.
Merlin smiles before taking a defensive position.
-/-
Word is sent to Henry that the Queen has made her decision regarding his proposition.
He joins her for breakfast.
"Your Majesty." Henry bows his head as he walks into the room.
"Please King Henry, come sit."
"Thank you my Queen."
"Have you slept well?"
"Your hospitality has been of the best but I'm afraid worry keeps me restless."
"Well worry no more. I have given thought to your terms. I have decided to accept them. I will marry your daughter. We will bind our kingdoms as you wish. I will insure that no harm will come to our people."
"Thank you my Queen." Henry says happily.
Emma looks upon the old man as he speaks to Merlin. She hopes he has answers to some of her most pressing problems.
-/-
"Mother, I do not know if I can do this."
"I'm so sorry my child, I don't know how to help you." Cora replies regretfully as she puts the finishing touches on Regina's wedding dress.
She takes Regina's face in her hands.
"You are stronger than you know Regina. Reign your worry in." Cora reassures as she slips a small vial into her daughters palms.
"What..?"
"To dull your pain tonight."
To be honest Regina had not really been thinking of her wedding night.
She was mostly afraid to leave her home and her father's side not knowing if she would be allowed to visit or see them again.
She knows very little of Emma's temperament to those close to her. She also knows very little of her future wife's kingdom.
"What if Emma is like the monster in the stories she had been told?" She wonders.
She does not have anymore time to ponder.
"Come, we must not keep the wedding party waiting. It's a long ride to reach the the fort where the ceremony will take place."
Regina nods accepting her fate hoping her fathers kingdom, their people and their legacy will be saved.
-/-
The forest covered fort is beautiful.
It's sprawling with high walls covered in vines and moss.
If someone wasn't looking for it they'd probably walk right past it.
The forts' almost impenetrable gate opens to King Henry. The small wedding procession enters and flows into a sprawling courtyard.
Regina sits in the carriage nervous.
She wrings her hands until the white gloves she's wearing starts to chafe her flesh.
Soon the doors open and they are escorted into the grand chapel.
She realizes she will not be able to even see her future wife before the ceremony. Maybe it's for the best. She is not sure what her reaction to Emma will be and she hopes she can steel herself.
There's someone playing a harp in the corner and she can't seem to focus on anything but that.
There are several people standing at the alter however she can not recognize anyone through the thick material of her veil.
Regina has half a mind to turn and make haste out of there as fast as she can when she gets to the end of the isle but her father squeezes her hand before giving her a light kiss on the cheeks.
"This is why she's doing this." She thinks.
Regina steels her heart and steps up to the altar.
She swallows every drop of fear and takes several deep breaths.
Emma steps forward and raises the veil of her future Queen.
"Beautiful." Is all she manages to whisper as she takes in the tanned skin goddess before her.
Regina finally is able to focus as she sets her eyes upon Emma.
The woman before her is far from so many rumors Regina has heard.
The White Queen is stunning.
Thick blonde hair with forest green eyes that pairs wonderfully with her pale skin.
Emma's beauty leaves Regina speechless.
Whatever the two women had expected this moment of meeting would be, it couldn't live up to what they were both experiencing.
The ceremony isn't long, it ends soon after Emma places Regina's wedding band on her finger.
"You may seal your bonds with a kiss."
Emma steps forward.
Her right hand reaches up and lightly holds Regina's chin.
"May I?"
"You may."
She leans down and gently connects their lips.
It's soft and sweet.
If it weren't for the terrifying situation that Regina is actually in she'd probably say that it feels like she was always meant to be kissing these soft thin lips.
Though it's short, their first kiss is anything but ordinary.
They're both breathless by its end.
In a daze they both turn to the crowd as their names and title are said.
-/-
The feast set before the wedding party is extravagant to say the least but Emma quickly notices that Regina is yet to partake in anything presented.
"My Queen, do you require anything?" Emma asks leaning in close to Regina ear.
"No my Queen, I am fine." Regina replies not meeting Emma's gaze.
"You have barely touched your meal, I am sure you must be starving from your journey. If it is not to your liking I will have something else prepared for you."
"I am fine, truly." Regina replies looking anywhere but at Emma.
"You need not worry my Queen. Please if you can, eat something."
Regina turns to Emma, again surprised at her softness.
This is the great savage White Queen that she's heard so many stories about? This person who's said to have ripped heads from bodies with her bare hands and teeth.
How is that possible?
The myth, the legend that is Emma, was untrue.