In the dead of night, not a single one moved in the castle. Except for the queen. Young Regina, step mother of the princess Snow. As Regina wandered the halls and grand balconies, she wondered where her life was headed. Up until a week ago she had thought she would end up married to her true love Daniel. Daniel. The very thought of his name sent a spike through her heart. Thoughts of his brown hair which shone gold in the sun, thoughts of his long straight nose that bumped against hers when they kissed, thoughts of his strong laughter which warmed her very soul. Nothing and no one would ever be able to do that to her again. No one had made her smile since she had witnessed her own mother grip Daniel's glowing heart, and crush it. She had held Daniels body as it shuddered and shook as the life was stolen from him. Her own mother.
Her mother was in the castle she knew, but she had been avoiding her since their arrival. She had meals in her own chambers and didn't leave them but for these nightly strolls. She knew she should spend time with her husband, the king but since Daniels death she couldn't be with any males. The only time she had spoken with her husband was when she requested female guards. She had been denied. But maids who were trained in fighting were nearby at all times.
Her husband was a fine person but not what she wanted in life. She wanted someone who made her feel safe. Someone who felt like home. The girl snow was okay. Or not. She wasn't sure how she felt. Snow obviously wasn't mean but she was shallow and spoiled to a point where she believed herself better than everyone. Regina didn't bother with avoiding her, but she never truly enjoyed it when they talked.
Months passed until Regina found herself wandering the halls once more. She trailed her fingers against the cold stone, her gown trailing smoothly behind her. Staircases and narrow passages finally guided her to the pinnacle of the royal castle. She gripped the railing tightly as she gazes out at the kingdom, her kingdom. But it didn't feel that way. She didn't feel like a queen. She felt like a replacement. And no one approved of her. The gardens below were still and dark with shadows and the installments where the guards kept watch carried only small torches. Directly below her were the walkways that lead to the grand front doors where visiting royals were welcomed. And they were made of cold hard and very solid stone. She knew she wasn't cut out for this world and she let her weight fall forward. Down, further and further she fell hundreds of feet and she knew she was supposed to regret this but she couldn't. No one wanted her. An then a soft green light filled the air, catching her around the middle and slowing her descent, finally laying her down on the stone. Regina sighed face down into the stone and slowly lifted herself into a sitting position.
"This would be the second time that you have been saved by a fairy from a falling short of death," a voice said quietly.
"Yeah well, this time I meant to fall. Who are you?" Regina asked the fairy. She looked strikingly similar to Tinker Bell but there were a few distinct differences. For one, this fairy was a brunette and held her hair down. But other than being taller, she was quite like Tink.
"You knew my sister. I'm Shining Star. Tinker bell was my fairy sister. I understand you had a hand in her demise." She raised an eyebrow coldly as she looked down at the queen. And the queen bowed her head.
"Yes, I believe I did," she looked the fairy in the eyes and speaking with her whole heart she whispered, "and I regret it every day." The Green Fairy nodded. "I know why you didn't go in you know. Into the pub, I mean. It wasn't love from a man you were looking for, it is love from a woman that you need. And I can bring you to her," The Green Fairy regarded the queen as she mulled it over. But Regina knew it was true what she said.
"If you don't mind," Regina said carefully, I would like an image of her. Nothing more," The Green Fairy nodded and drew her wand in a circle. In the circle appeared a striking blonde woman in unfamiliar clothing. She wore some sort of red coat and had her hair down and blowing in the wind. She was chasing after a man who was running down a black path surrounded by tall straight buildings. Regina didn't recognize anything but knew that the woman who was shown was the woman for her. "What is her name?"
"Emma. Emma Swan," the Green Fairy rose into the air and called, "She is in a land without magic. If you really want happiness, you will have to cross the realms to find her. Let this be a test to your determination!" She waved her wand and the image disappeared.
"Thank you!" Regina called as the Green Fairy left.
Shining Star turned, "you're welcome Regina. I hope you find her," and she was gone.
Years passed in which not a day passed that Regina didn't think of the woman. Emma. The crossing of realms, while difficult was not impossible. But she wanted revenge on girl Snow. She had ruined too much for her to forgive. If this Emma was truly perfect for her, then she would understand her need to exact punishment on Snow. And so she spent every day working on destroying Snow's happiness and traveling realms. It was only when she combined the two ideas that she made progress. And so the curse was set motion.
The Land Without Magic • After Emma returns to Storybrooke after the missing year enacted by Snow and Charming
Emma and Henry were sitting at Granny's with Mary Margaret and David. Henry still without a clue as to who people were. And Regina turned from the counter and caught sight of Emma. And she dropped the cup, shattering in the floor and catching the attention of the whole diner. Emma and Henry. Regina stiffened as her son looked through her and her loves face winced in sympathy. The two people who she kissed everyday both looked at her with heart wrenching looks and Regina was quickly dragged by Emma into the back to explain about Henry's condition. But Regina interrupted her.
"I didn't enact this curse. I wouldn't have brought myself into a world where Henry or you didn't remember me." But Emma heard something odd and interjected, "Why would my memory matter?" And Regina realized her mistake. Her year of hiding her feelings for the blonde burst forth against her will.
"Because I've loved you since you sawed at my tree to get out son back. I love your laugh and your smile. I love to hear your voice speak my name and when you touch me, my heart bursts forth. I hate seeing you in physical pain and I grow crazy with fear when your heart is hurt. And I may not remember it but I am sure that I missed you and Henry everyday of that missing year. And I can't hold back my feelings anymore." She ended in a whisper, head down and too afraid took her love in the eye. One of Emma's beautiful fingers lifted Regina's chin and forced her to look her in the eye.
"I love you too. I have loved you since I saw your commitment to Henry and to your goals. I have loved your elusive smiles and laughs. I love your deviousness and your cunning ways. And I love your power. And I want you just as much as you apparently want me." And their lips met a burst of light pulsing out from where their lips met and racing out away from them. And true love was made.