Chapter 1
Regina paces in a circle causing tread marks into the grass. "What am I going to do? This cannot be happening!"
Emma sits against the tree watching her with a sorry expression. "Your mother accepted...I don't think there is anything you can do?"
Regina looks over running a hand over her braid. "So that's it? You marry this..duke and I marry the..king"
Emma sighs leaning forward grabbing her hand. "I don't want it to be but I really have no idea on how we can get out of this. Well I have more chance than you. This is the King we are talking about Regina..you would be set for the rest of your life!"
Regina grips the blonde's hand looking desperate, becoming teary."But he's not you"
Emma looks sad and pulls at her hand. "Come here.."
Regina goes and sits next to Emma against the tree, resting her head against the blonde's shoulder. "It's not fair she always takes over.."
Emma strokes her hand looking over. "I know but she sorta has a point"
Regina removes her head looking up at the blonde in shock, also pulling her hand away. "Are you serious?"
Emma rests her hand on the grass turning to completely face her. "Regina just listen to me, your mother was from the mills and the king...you will want for nothing"
Regina shakes her head standing up, annoyed. "I can't believe your saying this"
Emma also stands reaching for her arm. "Please.."
Regina shakes her off and walks over to her horse petting he's nose. "Just leave it Emma its clear whose side your on"
"No!"
Regina glances over at Emma looking hurt. Emma walks over taking her hands. "I know it's not what you planned..but I care about what happens to you and..if you do this you will be Queen now that's something...and I will be happy knowing your safe and wanted"
Regina looks down. "I don't want to be Queen and I won't be wanted, the King just wants someone on his arm...it has nothing to do with happiness or love. Emma that is what I want and if I marry him I will not be happy I can assure you"
Emma hates seeing her hurt pulling her into a hug. "No matter what happens I will be right here okay? I promise you"
Regina clings to Emma sniffing, burying her head into the blonde's shoulder. Emma kisses her head. "Always here"
Having left their meeting spot, Regina takes her horse back to the stables. Taking a deep breath, she is met by her mother on the way to the house, standing at the bottom of the steps leading to the field where Regina has her riding lessons. "Mother?"
Cora smiles. "We need to have a talk dear"
Regina looks concerned as Cora puts an arm round her shoulder leading her back to their house. "As you aware Regina, you are about to become Queen, which means that certain aspects of your life are in need of change. For example..the choice of company"
Regina looks over to her heading inside. "Company?"
Cora nods. "Dear you cannot expect a Queen to be shown riding around with a person of lower status"
Regina sighs. "..Emma.."
"It would make perfect sense to end your friendship now than later. I know you have known one another a long time but I have been informed she is also to marry..a duke...so really there will be no time for friends, you will have your King to think about"
Regina moves away from Cora sharply as if she has been burnt. "No mother, Emma is the only friend I have I am not going to stop being friends with her because of a...title"
Cora looks shocked. "Regina! It is not just a title, it's an honour that out of all the kingdom the King has chosen you to be his wife!"
Regina shakes her head annoyed. "He didn't choose mother you did!"
Cora glares. "You disappoint me Regina I do not want to hear another word, you are to end your friendship with this girl or so help me"
Regina shakes her head again running to the stairs. Cora lifts her hand freezing her on the spot, Regina looks over desperately. "You will learn Regina and you will be Queen"
Regina falls down on to the stairs and pushes herself up running to her room, leaning against the door once it is closed behind her.
After leaving Regina, Emma heads home and also goes straight to her room. Having heard her daughter come home, Snow walks to her door knocking. "Emma?"
Emma opens the door looking at her. "Yes?"
Snow looks at her and raises an eyebrow at her outfit. "Emma honey how many times have I told you to wear a dress?"
Emma bites her lip. "Sorry I will put one on now, it was only because I took the horse out"
Snow shakes her head with a smile. "Your father is a bad influence on you"
Emma smiles at this. "Mom can I talk to you.."
Snow looks worried and nods walking into the room. Emma sits on her bed while Snow looks for a dress for her daughter. "About this whole marriage thing.."
Snow looks over. "Emma we talked about this..it's all arranged"
Emma pulls a face. "But why?!...you and dad never had an arranged one"
Snow nods smiling at the memory. "That was because we found each other and if you had someone you cared about you could have the same but you don't so you have a chance now with this person"
Emma falls back on the bed as Snow passes her a dress. "But.." Sighing Emma covers her face. "This is not fair.."
Snow rolls her eyes. "At least he is close your age, what about Regina? The King is old enough to be her grandfather"
Emma pulls a face not liking the thought. "She doesn't want to but Cora is making her... Like your making me"
Snow sighs and heads back to the door. "Put your dress on please and come help your mother with the ball preparations"
Emma looks over nodding then glances at the red dress her mother has laid out. Standing up, she changes in the dress and sticks her hair up allowing a couple of curls to frame her face. Heading to the door, she hears a scraping noise at her balcony window. Looking over, Emma frowns seeing a bird flap like mad. "Okay..clearly got the wrong window my mother is down the hall"
Walking over she opens a door raising an eyebrow at the bird perched on the railing. Frowning she spots a note and unties it from the bird seeing it's from Regina.
"I need to see you"
Emma smiles to herself then heads out to the ballroom to inform her mother that she is feeling poorly and is going to lie down. Once back in her room, Emma goes out the balcony and climbs down the terrace. Running to the stables, she grabs her horse and rides over to the Mills house.
Jumping down, Emma peers in to see if Cora or Henry are about before climbing the terrace up to Regina's room. Steadying herself on the balcony and sorting her dress out hoping that it hasn't ripped or her mother would kill her, Emma looks through the doors noticing the brunette sitting huddled against her door, head down on her knees while hugging her legs.
Emma looks sad and taps lightly on the door not wanting to frighten her. Regina looks up wiping her face and stands quickly. Walking over opening a door, she launches herself at the blonde who immediately wraps her arms round her. "Regina what's happened?"
Regina starts sobbing clinging to the front of Emma's dress. "Mother..she doesn't want us to be friends anymore..she said once I'm Queen that is it..I'm his and no one else's"
Emma looks angry and hugs her more. "You're not marrying him"
Regina looks up teary as Emma wipes a tear from her face, also removing a strand of hair to behind the brunettes ear. "What? But you said..."
Emma looks back at her. "I know...screw it. If you're not happy then you're not marrying him I won't let you"
Regina chuckles slightly as how possessive Emma is being. "Then what are we going to do?"
Emma frowns thinking then smiles. "We'll get married"
Author's note: ooooo :)
