"Okay," she breathed, face schooled to show no emotion but her eyes, her eyes shone with something more than simple fear and apprehension...inside lay a hope that none had seen within the girl for so long now. She inhaled deeply as she turned to look back through the window, her eyes falling upon his figure once more, his silhouette somewhat misted by the frosted glass of the tavern. "Okay, I can do this," she spoke lowly, more to herself than to the fairy beside her. Her gut was churning with nerves, her heart fluttering within her chest in a way she hadn't felt since her early days, days of saddles and stables. She yearned for that feeling again, the thought of her poor Daniel still aching inside of her but she'd had to learn to let him go, especially now when the prospect of love waiting for her inside the warmth of a pub. It was with that thought, the desire to feel alive again, that she turned back to Tinkerbelle, a somewhat hopeful smile brightening her features. "I can be happy."

"I know you can," she gave back, the complete certainty in her eyes as comforting to Regina as it was disconcerting...how could she be so sure? "Go," was her last spoken word before she turned and began moving swiftly away, remaining in her human form for a while longer.

The brunette turned as her new friend disappeared, her hands falling to hold her weight up against the window frame, bracing herself for what was to come. Her breaths were deep as her eyes remained unseeing as she fought against her nerves, her apprehension. Dainty hands stroked down the back of her ivory dress, lines of beading grounding her against the feeling of floating that had taken over her, the strangeness, the surreal nature of what she was about to do hitting her.

Her hand settled on the handle of the door, sliding a little with trembling hands, thanking the Gods that she was, as of yet, still unknown to most of the Kingdom. The King only deigning to show her off when beauty mattered to the company he kept, his subjects not worthy of the knowledge of his personal life nor the image of his young bride.

The warm air within the tavern washed over her as she pulled open the door finally, a small smile gracing her features at having the courage to do such a thing, the hard part was over now...wasn't it?

The place smelled of hearty meals, tinged with the ale from the metal cups that all seemed to be in possession off and laced with a heady hit of wood smoke. It was comforting, it was contented and it felt like safety to her.

His form was still lit with the ethereal green glow of the pixie dust, seen only by her it seemed as he continued conversing with those sitting at his table. Laughter could be heard from all corners, groups of men, some women also which surprised her, all enjoying what little they had in life. Some glanced her way briefly, the feeling of the cold night air hitting their backs, a winter's draft blowing at their skin. The feeling of eyes on her had her instantly stepping inside, thankful that the door did not emit an echoing thud as it closed, much like many in the castle did, her prison.

"Are we here alone tonight my lovely?"

She startled at the voice suddenly beside her, an impressive figure of a woman regarding her with a kind smile, gentle eyes like those of the kitchen cook she often visited when allowed time alone. The woman would scold her for her tiny frame, accuse her of feeding her meals to the castle dogs for she certainly could not remain so slight should she be eating the food, have you not seen our little princess? Cook had asked rhetorically one night, her eyebrows raised almost into her hairline as she continued, placing her hands over Regina's to adjust the size at which the young Queen was chopping the carrots, that girl may well turn into a cake one day should she continue indulging so.

It wasn't until she saw the woman's brow furrow that she realised she had yet to give her an answer. "I am alone," she replied, a nervous smile on her face, uncomfortable with being studied so openly.

"Well then," the kindly woman replied, making a hook with one arm and using her free hand to thread Regina's through it, leading her over to what appeared to be the bar, going around the tables meaning the brunette was still unable to catch a glimpse of her 'soul mate's' face.

It was with a gentle push, a warm hand on her shoulder and kind emerald eyes that still studied her, that she allowed herself to be placed onto a stool in front of the tavern bar, her fingers hooking onto the edge of the wooden board ever so delicately. The woman, dirty blonde hair wild and coiled tightly into curls, leaned behind the bar, propping her head up with her elbow against the wood.

"So what brings a pretty little thing like yourself to a place such as this?"

Her full lips parted gently and her eyes widened ever so slightly as she considered her answer. "I..." she coughed daintily into a fist trying to gather her thoughts, "I-" and then a warm hand curled over her own, green eyes understanding though Regina suspected the woman did not truly know the cause of her hesitation.

"It's okay my love," she spoke gently, words as warm as her eyes, "many like yourself have walked through my door over the years and I seek no answers, I need no explanations, I just require one thing..."

Dark eyes narrowed only slightly as she looked to the hand covering her own, feeling a gentle comforting squeeze before looking back up, the kind woman's words somewhat surprising to her after being brought up in a place in which her business was never just her own. "And, may I ask, what would that be?"

And the woman laughed ever so gently, a sound Regina had only ever known to be mocking when directed at her though this time, she could hear only amusement. The woman's perfume was verging on the edge of overpowering a she leant forward a little more, a wry smile pulling at the brunette's lips with the feeling of freedom beginning to creep through her. "All I require," she spoke as gently as though to a child for the vulnerability still dancing through the young woman's eyes spoke volumes to one as experienced in the lost as she, "is your name," and at the look of somewhat relieved surprise within dark eyes she laughed again, "I can't go on calling you girl all night now can I?"

And to her surprise, a laugh brewed up and out of Regina's own lips in response, the sound so foreign to her in these dark days. "No," she chuckled ever so gently, "I suppose not." and as she prepared to lie, to give a false name, something about the woman standing before her, talking to her with such care, uninterested in the baggage she carried, the Queen found she couldn't bring herself to do it. "Regina," she answered quietly, a hand coming up to brush back an errant lock of ebony hair before she joined gazes with the woman again, "my name is Regina."

"Regina..." the lady repeated with a smile, the name that had been spoken with simple content and obligation for so many years sounded simply lovely rolling from her tongue, "a beautiful name for a beautiful young woman."

Her cheeks heated with the compliment, her eyes falling to the hands that she had moved to lay in her lap as she shook off the comment. "and what may I call you?" she asked when she felt her skin cooling once more, amber eyes meeting bright green with her own little smile.

"My name my dear," she began with a little flourish of her hand, the dramatics drawing a giggle from the young brunette as her eyebrows raised in interest, "is-"

"Alma!"

Both women turned at the unamused call from one of the tables, two men seemingly in disagreement about something and needing the barmaid's opinion to settle the matter. She sighs as Regina turns back to her, the sound having the young woman laughing softly in amusement.

"Not the prettiest of names," she chuckled, "but, that's me."

"I think it's lovely," Regina gave back in complete sincerity.

"Hmm..." the woman hummed with suspicion as she moved to step from behind the bar, placing a metal cup in front of Regina before pouring in a steady stream of amber liquid that the young Queen had only seen during the most glorious of the King's feasts and served only to the men. It was on those night's that Regina learned to be completely quiet, to allow Leopold to take what he needed and leave her dirty and bruised in the sheets...it was always easier that way.

Regina was brought away from the dark memories with a touch of Alma's hand on her shoulder, a gentle squeeze as the woman smiled and moved to tend to her patron's leaving the brunette to stare into her mug. She lifted it cautiously, sniffing at it daintily and cringing a little at the potent smell. With a quick glance around, however, she found the other women to be drinking from their cups heartily, a little smack of their lips upon swallowing and always followed with a warm bout of laughter. It was with that observation that she lifted her own cup to her lips, parting them hesitantly and allowing the golden, sparkling liquid to flow in just a little.

She grimaced upon swallowing, a bitterness she had never experienced as it trickled down her throat, she felt it all the way to her stomach, swirling a little before fizzing into nothing.

"You'll get used to it."

Her dark hair swung to land over her right shoulder as her head snapped to the left, startled once more by the closeness of another voice, another person she hadn't heard approaching. Her surprise clearly showed on her face as the person before her held up his hands in apology, the mark on his wrist causing her heart to skip a little.

"Apologies m'lady," his accent was different yet immediately appealing to her for reasons she knew not, his voice thick and warm like honey. "I didn't mean to startle you." and when she remained silent, only staring with parted lips and wide eyes, he began to back away, bright eyes regretful, a sad frown pulling at his mouth. "I'll leave you to your thoughts."

"No," she choked out instantly, cheeks reddening with embarrassment at the word that had fallen out without her permission, "that is to say," she tried to regain composure as he moved forward again, "please, don't leave on my account."

His eyes crinkled with the smile that came in response, his head bowing a little in acceptance before he was pulling out the stool beside her own. He held a mug in his own hand, not much of his drink left though he didn't seem to mind, his thumbs tapping against the metal as he looked at her once more. "I've not seen you in these parts before m'lady," he commented as way of making conversation though he noticed the way she tensed, clearly uncomfortable at his observation.

"I don't venture from my home too often," she replied softly, sad eyes dropping to her own mug held between her small hands.

"Well," he dipped his head to signal his desire to see her eyes once more, glad when her face lifted, "I'm glad you made an exception."


They had moved to a quieter location a little over an hour ago, a group of somewhat rowdy men having made their way into the tavern, Alma more than ready to deal should they become too comfortable in her establishment.

"I don't believe that for one second," he gave with a laugh that she easily matched, her nerves all but gone as she sat opposite him, a table and four mugs between them, two long since empty and the other two very near to being so again.

"It's true," she giggled somewhat girlishly, a hand lifting to cover her mouth, to muffle the sound though he wished she wouldn't. "It was during my early lessons and I'd stubbornly decided that I could tame the wildest of horses within our stables," she shook her head at the memory as he leaned further forward on his elbows, eyes bright with interest, "I managed, somehow, to mount him and Gods," she scoffed, her eyes turning to the ceiling in her own disbelief, her own embarrassment, "I was so smug, grinning like I'd just climbed the highest of beanstalks."

"So what happened next?" he asked inquisitively, still taking note of how shocked she appeared at his interest in her, a little saddened at how sheltered her life seemed to have been thus far.

Her face flushed red again then, hands coming to cool her flaming cheeks as her gaze dropped to study the cracks in the wooden table. "The horse was understandably startled for I was the first to have ever made it up onto his back, the feel of me scaring him so he bucked and I fell." she explained, her face scrunching adorably at the anecdote expecting him to laugh at her expense though, as was truly to be expected, he didn't. "It was just unfortunate that it happened to be the water pail that broke my fall and not the comfortable looking pile of hay just beside it."

And he did laugh then, though it was with her and not at her like many had when her mother had retold the story to those she considered her friends. His eyes fell from her own as their laughter began to quieten, his gaze tracing over her lips and lingering on the scar that they had been discussing. "Well," he comments, blue eyes capturing amber once more, "I think it is very becoming." And he revelled in the colour he managed to draw out of her once again.


"Must you leave?" he asked with an almost whine lacing his words, her laughter so familiar to him now. They had talked well into the night, many of the drunkards having been heaved out by Alma and some of his own Merry Men before they too left leaving only Robin, Regina and Alma who was currently wiping down the last of the tables, a knowing smirk on her face as she glanced over at the two from time to time.

Robin had long since moved to sit beside Regina, their knees knocking should they move even a little, and they had been lost in their own little cocoon of conversation...that was until Regina had noticed the lightening of the sky as dawn approached, a hot spike of panic rolling through her at the notion of returning back to the palace, to her prison - the thought even more painful after knowing such delicious freedom.

"I have stayed too long already," she explained gently, surprised when she instinctually moved to place a hand to his thigh, her thumb rubbing little lines before she pulled it away, "I'm sorry, that was-"

"Don't be," he smirked playfully, his eyebrows raising as he teased, "I quite enjoyed it."

And so her shoulders relaxed a little, terrified that she had crossed a line and ruined the ease of their words. "As I have enjoyed tonight," she gave back, her chest warming at the brilliant smile that crossed his features, "thank you Robin." They had exchanged names some time ago, she enjoying the way his rolled from her tongue and he the way hers remained strong, constant within his mind as he was sure the rest of her would for quite some time.

Their eyes lingered a long moment more, the air growing thick between them before a wet rag was thrown down onto their table, breaking the spell they had found themselves under. Both looked up to find a grinning Alma hovering above them, her hands instantly falling to the archer's shoulders as she smiled at both he and Regina. "As much as I love you both," she began, for she had grown quite a bit attached to the lovely brunette that had wandered into her tavern, "I can hear my bed calling for me and so must bring this night to a close."

"I'm sorry Alma," Robin was quick to apologise, his own hands coming to rest over those the barmaid still had on his shoulders, his head tilting back and chuckling when she pressed an accepting kiss onto his forehead.

"It's okay," she replied with a soft squeeze before leaning down to rest her chin on his shoulder and speaking to him yet looking only at the young brunette she found she wanted to protect with everything in her, "as long as you bring this lovely young creature back to see me."

"Alma I-"

"Ah," the older woman cut Regina off with a raise of her pointer finger, "don't break my heart dear girl," she winked to show no harm was meant which had the brunette smiling back at her with a slight purse to her lips, "but in all seriousness," she continued with completely sincerity, "don't be a stranger Regina, we are a family here and we do anything we can for our own."

And it was with those words, Regina's eyes misting at the acceptance that she found in such a place, that Robin reached for her hand and led her from the tavern, out into the early morning air.


"I am somewhat discontented to let you go," Robin commented quietly as they neared the place in which she had deemed it far enough away from the castle for him not to suspect anything, and close enough to walk when he left her alone, deciding to call Tinkerbelle to her aid when she reached the borders. The fairy brought her out here, the fairy could return her also.

Their fingers were tangled loosely together, neither having pulled away from the contact upon leaving the tavern, neither wanting to. She had never felt so at ease with another, so connected and so tethered. Her love with Daniel had been her first and was as innocent and lovely as a first love should be. She had truly believed herself fated to remain alone for the rest of her days now that her true love was gone but walking, shoulder to shoulder with their hands interlinked, stealing shy glances at one another every now and again, the thought returned to her mind. I can be happy.

"I am quite discontented to leave..." she replied shyly, closing her eyes briefly when she felt a gentle squeeze to her digits.

"Will I ever see you again?" and the sheer emotion she heard in his voice, the hope she felt blooming in her heart, the strangeness of feeling wanted leaving her heart pounding and her breath hitching as he brought them to a stop.

She looked away for a moment, the scent of him so close bringing tears to her eyes, all woods and pine, safety and comfort. "I certainly hope so," she replied finally, her eyes finding him in the early morning light, watching with baited breath as he pulled their interlinked hand up to his face, blue orbs never leaving hers as he pulled her hand to his lips, kissing every knuckle ever so gently.

"Until then, Regina." he whispered and then he was gone, leaving only a tingling sensation running up from her arm throughout her body and an aching within her heart as she let her eyes linger on the space in which he had disappeared for a long moment before turning her eyes back to the horizon, to the foreboding shadow of the White Palace, bile rising in her throat at the thought of returning to her prison.

With one last longing look in the opposite direction, she steeled herself and began the short walk to the palace walls.

"Until then, my dear Robin."