AN: This is a completely AU story starting when Daniel was still alive and he and Regina see Snow in danger on the horse. Some ages will be changed and I will explain why I decided to make these changes in my end of story AN. Thanks for reading.

A different tale.

They'd been riding. There was nothing she loved more than riding with him, watching him as he flew through the air was magical, but not the bad kind of magic that it could be when her mother used and abused it. This must be what real magic feels like she thought to herself, freedom, and laughter and love. They came to a stop at the stables and her perfect stable boy slid off the horse and she followed suit. The two grinned at each other and before they could meet for a tender moment her mother came into the stable.

"Hello dear." She said to her daughter. "Have you been riding?"

Regina stepped away from Daniel and turned towards her mother. "Yes mother, I asked Daniel to escort me since those bandits have been riding around."

"Very good idea love, it's been a week and I do believe they've moved on but you can never be too careful. I think I will go for a ride as well, Daniel I will not require your company I think if they come back I will be able to handle them."

"Yes, my lady." He said as he moved to help her onto the horse Regina had ridden a moment ago. She rode off and they both were happy for the brief solace they would enjoy from their ride. Ever since Regina's father had passed away the year prior Cora had ruled her home with an iron fist. Henry was no longer there to provide any laughter, fun or goodness. Regina desperately wanted to run away and planned to do so as soon as she turned 18. With Daniel the only negative was that was a whole year and a half away. So for now she would have to endure her mother's torment.

All at once it happened. They heard the shrieking of a young girl. They saw someone on a rampaging horse heading straight towards the rushing river that was at the edge of the property. The river was normally very calm but the land had been plagued with storms lately that made it a death trap for this girl. Daniel and Regina both began to move to help her but in a flash Cora had gotten to the girl grabbed her off the horse and was riding her safely towards the stables. It was only then they noticed the two dozen guards and a man dressed regally racing behind the girl now.

"Thank you!" The girl gasped. "Thank you so much!"

"It was no worry dear, are you alright?"

"Yes I am now, thanks to you." The girl replied. Regina guessed she would be about 14.

"SNOW!" They heard a voice bellow, it was then Regina realized who this girl was and what had happened. This was Snow White the daughter of the king, the king who had been made a widow eight months earlier.

"Papa!" Snow exclaimed rushing to her father. "Papa this woman saved me! I surely would have met my death in that river!" The king held his daughter to his chest and looked up. It was Cora, his former fiancé.

"You have my heartfelt thanks my lady. Please rise, all of you." He said as Cora, Regina and Daniel had bowed in the presence of their king.

"Snow go with your guards so I might speak to Cora for a moment."

"We shall also take our leave." Regina spoke.

"No!" The king exclaimed. "I'd like the two of you to stay and hear what I propose. If that suits you my lady." He spoke again to Cora.

"I have no secrets with my daughter and Daniel has been a trusted servant for some time now. They may stay." Regina surprised an eye roll at the no secrets comment.

"Cora, you and I were once engaged long ago but we could not marry due to certain circumstances (he didn't mention the stealing of the fact she'd been pregnant with another child that wasn't his but it no longer mattered as she hadn't kept the child.) "Because you saved my daughter and I have been told many times I will not have another child. I would like you to marry me now and be my queen. Your daughter will come live with us in the palace and be a princess, any servants you have may hold their same positions there and I will make sure this estate is well kept for the time when your daughter marries and inherits it from your late husband. Does this suit you?"

Cora smiled. "Whatever his majesty wishes suits me quite well, my lord. But will your daughter be alright with this? The loss of her mother is so recent." She said in false sympathy.

"My counsel has asked me for the past four months to find a new wife. Snow knows this and looks forward to having a step mother. I believe she will be quite happy with that woman being the same one who saved her life."

Regina looked on in disbelief. Her mother had gotten exactly what she'd wanted. Still she couldn't help but feel hope. Maybe now she could find a way for the king to convince her mother to allow her to marry Daniel. She'd have a sister and everyone said the king and his daughter were wonderful people. Maybe in the palace she'd find the happiness she'd missed here.

AN: Ok so here is why I'm making these changes. 1 I didn't understand why it didn't happen like this in the first place. Cora didn't want to be the mother of the queen she wanted to be queen. I hope you enjoyed I'll post another chapter soon. R&R.