Fairytale Land
The wind whistled by as the horses hooves cluttered against the dirt path that wound it's way through the forest. Two sets of four tracked through the forest as the clattering of soldiers following behind on their own horses chased after them. It was a natural occurence an everyday thing that seemed to happen to the two occupants. It was necessary if everything was going to work out like it should, if the path was to be corrected. That one saying 'Everything Happens For A Reason' crossed one of the mysterious strangers head briefy. It was necessary. It had to happen.
"To the right we should wound round the forest of nighmares hopefully lose them inside." One of the horseback strangers pointed out towards the thick terrain between the tree's.
The second stranger nodded and followed after the first as they both pushed on with their horses. Galloping quickly through the thick forest both strangers ducked out of the reach of tree's and forestry that tried to hold them down.
The forest of nightmares was one no one dared traverse not even wildlife. It's tree's were alive, it's greens were alive. It covered itself in foliage allowing no sunlight to peek inside. The forest was said to drive those who dared enter insane, showing you your worst fears until you literally died of fear.
The screams behind them propelled them forward and seemingly down a uncovered path that wound it's way through the evil forest. Screams continued to echo in the silence and dark the only thing they were following was the sounds of hooves touching dirt. Believing - trusting that their horses would get them to safety. Putting their lives into the animals they were riding. Putting their faith into them.
"Light!" The first stranger threw over their shoulders ducking as a branch snapped out to grab them.
The second one pushed on propelling the horse forward into a gallop, quickly overtaking the first. "It's closing up!" They called back, "Faster!"
The tree's folded and bended slowly cutting of all traces of light from the small opening until the last vestiges of light no longer shone. There was no way out that way. The forest had blocked an entrance. The forest was alive. The forest was deadly. Very few survived once they entered.
"Ha!" The second stranger called out to the horse yanking the horse to the left and continuing in a gallop throughout the forest. "One last entrance faster!"
The sounds of galloping hooves continued, picking up pace. Yet the foliage seemed to quicken as they did folding over the sunlight slowly seeping away into nothingness.
"Jump!"
With one last push the horses galloped the brief distance between the interior of the forest and freedom. Stepping onto the back of the horses the two strangers lept through the last hole within the tree's.
"Omph!"
"Omph!"
The strangers landed with an ungraceful roll that seemed more like a tumble. The briefest of sounds of horses wailing as the tree's closed up was the final sounds of the forest taking yet another victim in it's sinister onslaught. How many has it taken already? Millions.
The second stranger stood to their feet and turned to the forest - to the exit that had been there only seconds ago. A brief encounter with death really does take it's toll. A quick cross symbol was made over their body for the beasts that had helped them to freedom. That had given their lives so that they may live.
"Off with the Queens head!"
The second stranger snapped around to find their counterpart in the line of fire of soldiers weilding bows and arrows. Reaching out to the stranger they called, "Regina!"
Storybrooke
Regina snapped awake. Shooting up into a sitting position. Breathing heavily as she panted. Sweat dripping from her forehead. Heart thudding against her ribcage as the salty taste of a mixture of sweat and tears was tasted on her lips. Her pupils were dilated and wide open. She hadn't had that dream in so long. In ever so long.
Glancing around her room she took in her bedroom to find it was in fact just that. A dream. Nothing more. How long had it been since she had seen them? The curse didn't work to perfection, she had lost the two people who she cared about a lot more than she probably should, they were probably still in Fairytale Land or were somewhere else in this god forsaken world. No...no she knew one was dead, the other had abandoned her, if they hadn't she would have found her by now, she would have come in search of her. She promised she would. What has this curse cost you Regina?
Hand to her chest she found the beat rather soothing. Closing her eyes she let the soft thudding against her ribcage soothe the adrenaline coursing through her body. She had only had the dream once in Storybrooke and that had been during the first night of staying in the new town. After that she had never had it again. She had deemed it guilt but then realized that Evil doesn't feel guilt. Evil can't love. Evil doesn't love. Evil never gets it's happily ever after. That's why they took away other's - if they couldn't have it no one could.
But here she was dreaming that one dream again. Were the many other's to come as well? Was she to dream of the millions of other guilt ridden dreams of things she had done? Of pain filled dreams? Of loving Daniel? Of losing Daniel? Of marrying the horrid man that Snow called her father? Of banishing her mother? Of meetin...of losin... No she couldn't think about them. Wherever she was, she was better off. She was a no good cause, whenever around her disaster seemed iminent. You couldn't escape it. She was better off. Even - no she wouldn't think of her either.
Regina showered, dressed and slipped out of her house into the early morning light of morning. This had been a usual thing for Regina something that she had done multiple times. Something she was likely to repeat for the rest of her life. Slipping into her car she started the ignition and pulled out of the driveway. She had given up her quest for revenge against Snow White, that didn't mean she liked the woman. No in fact she despised the woman for everything she was but she couldn't kill the woman if it meant losing Henry. Hook was still out for vengence against Rumplestiltskin. Belle was slowly gathering back memories of who she really was - but it was a slow process. Neal was engaging with Henry on multiple levels and was engaged to Tamara...someone who set her nerves alight. Someone who made her caution everything she did. She had never felt so much caution around anyone other then Snow and even this 'Tamara' woman superceded her. Rumplestiltskin was trying to get back the son he had lost but it seemed to be a losing battle.
Regina chuckled lightly. Rumplestiltskin seemed to have gotten the worse part of the curse now that she thought about it. Rumplestiltskin had more trouble then anything, his true love refused to acknowledge him, his son too and not to mention he was still without most of his powers since her mother had gotten her hands on him and Hook was hunting him down in all possible ways. The town just ignored her and frankly she was fine with it. Regina sighed when she spotted the police squad car up next to the docks she went to every morning.
She pulled the car up behind the police car and sat in the vehicle for a few seconds deciding her next move. She didn't have to acknowledge the blonde sitting there staring at her through the windshield. She could also pull away and drive back home. Instead she killed the ignition and stepped out of her mercedes.
"Regina," Emma politely nodded when the brunette stepped her way. She could feel the flutter in the pit of her stomach but ignored it.
"Miss Swan," Regina nodded politely and continued past the blonde and down the walkway she was used to taking every morning.
Emma hoped to her feet and followed along behind Regina, head bowed looking towards the wooden dock floorboard.
"Something you need Miss Swan?"
Emma shook her head but realized Regina wasn't turning to look at her so she couldn't see the movement. "No I just...I noticed you came out here every morning and I figu-can we just walk together and not fight."
Regina paused and turned to face Emma. She stared at her a few seconds. Where's the catch? Her inner voice questioned her. "I'd prefer not to Miss Swan."
Emma shifted on her feet. "I believe Tamara may be up to something."
Regina scoffed. "Jealousy can make you do remarkable things."
Emma shook her head. "Trust me I'm not jealous. That asshole left me to get arrested which lead to me giving up Henry."
"Even so why tell me?" Regina asked.
Emma noted the two meter distance between them and yet still she could feel the heat radiating of Regina. She could still feel the emptiness coming from the lonely woman. She could feel the hurt, the loss, everything and deep down inside Emma knew something cracked whenever she was this close to the woman, whenever she could feel that pain.
"Because Regina I have no idea what she's up too."
"And you think I do?" Regina asked with a raised eyebrow.
"No I tell you because I know you feel it too."
Regina couldn't deny that but out of habit she asked coldly, "And what makes you think you know me well enough to believe you know what I feel?"
"I see the way you avoid her as if she's the plague. You fear getting involved in whatever plan she's concocting because if you do, you fear losing Henry altogether. Your trying Regina I know you are." Emma said sincerely.
Regina looked down towards her boots on her feet. "I have to go Miss Swan." With that Regina pushed past Emma and made her way back to her vehicle. Abandoning the sea air and breeze whilst leaving behind a disturbed looking Emma behind. No matter what she did, she would always fail to redeem herself. There's no such thing as Evil being Good. There's no such thing as redemption for the Evil Queen.
Okay I've decided to take this story in a different direction. Update to this chapter should be up exceptionally soon. Although the stranger will remain the same - somebody you won't guess but will make an appearance in the next chapter. Although I won't explain what part they play in Fairytale Land for a little while. Hopefully you enjoyed this.