PROLOGUE
There are forces that play around us that we can never fathom.
Time they say, is the essence.
It is everything.
But time is fickle.
1560
Mary was walking along the cobblestone path of Versailles.
France.
Scotland.
They say Scotland is where she belongs.
That idea has been romanticized in her head.
But the moment she was sent to France is when it all changed.
Truth is... France has always been her home.
She chuckles in despair.
Francis and she have always dreamt of a castle filled with children.
A family of their own.
But all of that has been Turned into dust when he breathed his last.
And now...
She'll lose the only home she's ever known.
With Charles ascending the throne.
And Scotland in the verge of a rebellion.
A single tear dropped from her eye.
She knows that Francis loves her.
And she loves him with all of her.
All her life the woman always bowed down to the queen.
But this time...
It's checkmate.
No matter how powerful a queen may be, the game is over.
She used to wear the crowns of both France and Scotland.
But maybe they weren't meant to be hers in the first place.
It was past midnight and the lanterns floated to honour Francis' demise.
Adorning the white garment she wore during their wedding, she walked towards the Lakes of the Pines.
The water reflected the moon as it cries.
Mary's decision was resolved.
Till death do us part, they say.
But she will not live bearing the thought of what could have beens.
She is done with the hell she is in.
She feels the fabric getting heavy as it soaks the water of the lake she's in.
If she and Francis are not meant to be together in this life...
Maybe in another they are.
She looked back to her home for the last eighteen years and utters.
"Au revoir pour la dernière fois"
And she let herself submerge
ENCHANTED FOREST
Regina watched from afar as the people tried to understand what just happened.
She knows exactly what did.
She lost her happiness to a curse casted to find it in the very first place.
She lost Henry.
Permanently.
And she feels like breaking into two.
They've been walking down the forest path for the last two days and if it wasn't for the annoying thief constantly badgering her, she would've have broken down already.
At least he found a purpose to distract her until such time when everything is settled down and she doesn't have to be strong for everyone else.
Especially Snow White.
Ironic isnt it?
She's trying to protect the person that she's always wanted to kill.
She laughs dryly hoping no one would hear her but of course he did.
"Are you alright milady?" Asked the thief
She looked at him as if she's contemplating whether to burn him or to crush him.
But he was not bothered by it.
It seems as though he was genuinely asking her...
She sighed silently
"I'm fine. And it's your majesty" she said and walked faster away from him and he can only shake his head Because of the stubborn queen.
Their journey was was not eventful other than occasional sprain and faint.
Until they heard someone from the very end scream.
Regina's head whipped towards it and all of a sudden her heart started to quicken.
She ran by instinct, not bothering for formalities...
Something pulled her towards that direction.
And she can't deny it.
She rushed until she was off the path they were in.
People were already gathering in a semi-circle when she cut her way through the crowd and the sight that met her made her heart clench
Lying on the shore of the river is young woman in white who was sopping wet.
And by the way the way that her lips were turning blue, if she isn't moved away from the cold, she's going to die.
She moved towards and shook her to get a response.
She held her ice cold hand and tried to send out her magic towards the unconscious person just to try to warm her a little.
She was a little too focused on what she was doing that she didn't notice Robin Hood kneeling in front of them...
…Starting to lift the lady of the ground.
"We have to get her out of here" he suggested and for the first time since they've met, they were in an agreement.
They decided that they should camp for the night since it was getting dark.
The campfire was burning and hot stew was being passed around by the merry people sitting on a log outside the tent occupied by two unlikely persons to actually find the understanding to work together.
But maybe miracles do happen because in that moment, they were in sync.
They only had one goal and that is to save the person they are both becoming emotionally attached to.
It was funny how the universe works…
They've only found this person, haven't spoken to her yet, but despite that...
It feels as though they've always known her...
And they'd be damned if she dies in their care.
For the nights that followed they had a routine.
Regina would stay with the woman inside.
And Robin would Guard outside.
He was making sure the two are safe.
It wasn't until the fortnight that the stranger awakened.
Regina fell asleep on an improvised chair beside the cot in the tent when the lady started to stir.
Regina felt the movement of her hand which she unconsciously held and her sleep foggy mind alerted.
She called Robin and they both witnessed the woman open her eyes.
What they both saw, would change their lives, forever.
They've never met her before.
But the moment that they saw her deep brown expressive eyes, something just clicked.
They don't know what kind of game the universe was playing but if there is one thing they are sure of it's that they will protect this child at the cost of their lives.
They don't know what compulses them to do so.
But with the that's passed... There's one thing that will always remain constant.
"What's your name dear?" Asked Regina, gently
"Mary" she whispered groggily.
The paradox of the universe always changes.
Things come and go.
People come together and forget one another...
It's true that memories of the people isn't always permanent…
But then...
The mind may forget
But the heart will always remember.
And both of theirs recognizes Mary...
They'll just have to find out why exactly...