Authors Note: Hi all! SO this is a new story that I have been playing with for a while. I love the AU's in the Enchanted Forest with a younger Emma and the Evil Queen who becomes not so evil through her love for a certain blonde princess. With that being said I have a definite plan for the story but I apologize if it takes time to update. I would also like to warn you that I do not have a beta yet so any spelling/grammar/errors are all on me. Lastly, I just want to prepare you, this story has lots of daddy!charming and Snow White struggling as a parent. I will post warnings at the beginning of each chapter.
Now that all of that is said, happy reading! And I hope you enjoy...
When Emma opened her eyes, she had hoped it was morning; instead, she woke to be standing in an apple orchard, mist swirling at her toes. The sky was a lovely early morning peach, with puffs of clouds that drifted with the breeze. The ground was covered in grass that was the same shade of green as the Princess's eyes. Wiggling her toes she let her lungs fill with fresh air and her hands lifted to trace shapes on the trunk of a nearby tree. Her dress was pale lavender and was made of silk so soft that she felt as if she were under water. But this was not her nightgown and she was not in her bedchambers. Conflicted on her situation, the princess sighed. She loved the dream world, and this dream in particular was of of her favorites. But another part of her yearned for it to be the morning, for when she woke it would be her 17th birthday.
Emma was an optimist by nature; her mother was Snow White after all. So with a grin, she started racing down the rows of thick trunked trees, letting her laughter bounce of their branches.
"Aren't you a little old for such juvenile behavior, Princess?"
"I think not," The blonde replied, letting the wind carry her words, "You see, it is true; I am getting older. So for that exact reason I believe that I should cherish these moments of fun."
"Fair enough." The response was filled with light laughter.
In all of her years of dreaming about the orchard, Emma had never been able to meet the woman behind the voice. She longed for it desperately but the reality was that she was dreaming; this wasn't real.
Emma sat down rather ungracefully, folding her legs under her and grabbing a fist full of the damp grass. She let her mind wander to less pleasant topics, causing her to fidget more.
"Why so quite young one?"
Snorting she replied, "I though you were just accusing me of being old."
"Well, you are still younger than me." The voice traveled with emphasis on me.
Looking up at the sky the princess responded thoughtfully, "Well, like you said, I am growing up, and am no longer a child."
"Does this bother you?"
"Very much so," There was a pause before she continued, "It's just that mother and father will expect me to marry soon."
At first there was no response but when the voice responded the words were spoken slowly, "And do they have someone in mind?"
The princess nodded, "Queen Aurora's son, Gabrielle."
"Have you met him?" The words were once again spoken with such a tone that it almost sounded angry.
"On occasion. He came to my 16th birthday ball last year. He was nice enough, but I don't…" Trailing off, Emma lay back in the grass, watching the clouds drift by.
"I will not push you to share, if you do not wish to, Princess."
But Emma continued, "I just don't love him. Any man for that matter."
"Well, love is a very powerful thing Emma."
"Its not that." The princess defended, "I'm not attracted to men at all."
"Oh."
"Is that a bad thing?" The blondes voice sounded unsure as she spoke up to the heavens.
"Not at all, not at all. But have you told your mother?"
"I have told father. He tells me that love is still love, and I will grow fond of Aurora's son."
"That seems very close minded coming from your father, who believes so fiercely in true love."
"He tells me that if I find a woman that I love, I should marry her. But for now, we need to support the other kingdom…" Emma trails off sounding disappointed.
"Have you Emma? Have you found a woman you love?"
Shutting her eyes tight Emma willed herself to wake up, because quite suddenly she didn't want to be dreaming anymore. She wanted do anything other than admit the truth. But when she found herself still lying in the orchard she gave in.
"I think I have." She whispered.
"I am guessing that it is more complicated than that though." The melody rang in her ears, as clear as if someone was next to her.
"Yes." The simple answer came as a sigh.
"Do you wish to tell me about her?"
A small smile crossed the Princesses lips, "She writes me the most beautiful letters."
"Love letters?"
"In a sense. They are long with details about the adventures she wants to have and the life she wishes to lead. She tells me about her childhood, about her memories, the good and the bad. She tells me about her father and how much she loves him. She says she wants to fall in love. And that she dreams of me." Emma beams thinking about the woman.
"Have you met this woman?"
Emma's brows come together, she is obviously deep in thought over such a simple question, "I believe I have, maybe in a past life; or when I was very young. But I feel as if I meet her every time I read her letters, every night when I fall asleep. It is as if she is with me, even though she is not."
A chuckle fills the air, "Oh, my darling, it sounds to me as if you are quite in love with her."
Emma nods.
"What is her name?"
A smile traces the blonde's features, as if even the thought of the other woman's name is enough to fill her heart,
"Regina."
End note: Sorry this chapter is so short, its a prologue of sorts.