Hello!
So here is the deal. This is going to be an AU. It's going to be veeery long. I don't know how long, but I plan to split it into a trilogy, to give you an idea. It will be exploring Emma's situation, and her eventual relationship with Regina. More details will become apparent as the story progresses, and things will begin to make themselves clearer.
I have a plot sketched out, and details largely decided. As we are going to be in the Enchanted Forest, I'm trying to do my research on roles in Medieval castles and whatnot.
Unfortunately for my research, depending on the website you choose to peruse, you'll get a different name for a role/job at the time. If, for whatever reason, you see me putting a wrong name to a role, you're more than welcome to correct me on it.
Without further ado, let's get this story started!
Emma awoke with a loud clanging by the middle of the communal bedrooms.
"Up and at'em you lazy fucks," Richard sneered, banging a piece of metal pipe against the ancient heater in the middle of the room that barely worked on a good day, less so after being constantly used as an alarm bell.
She quickly got up, bare feet touching the cool stone floor as she hastened to stand at the foot of her bed, hiding the sharp hiss and shudder at the cool air nipping at her exposed skin around her camisole. Along with 19 others, Emma stood still, hands clasped in front of her, staring down at the ground in deference.
There were 10 pairs of beds along the long room, with a chest at the foot of each bed containing the meagre clothes and belongings of each servant, while a rickety bedside table to the left of each bed held a small drawer for more valuable possessions. But everyone knew to not really keep anything of true value in those drawers. For officers like Richard pilfered the drawers for trinkets of interest to them and took whatever caught their fancy, never to return them. Should someone be stupid enough to question any of them, well, the answer was always a hellhole of an outhouse which would become their new home for the next week.
But of course, something had to be kept in the drawers, lest someone wished to be accused of hiding something of extreme value, which would lead to a ransacking of the chest, as well as a stay in the outhouse.
Richard started pacing the middle of the room. "Good. Now, I have your new schedules. Some of you lucky folks will get to spend more time here. You might be wondering why you're in luck for that. Six of you have been chosen to work for the Evil Queen. Now, you all know I don't give a hoot about any of you sorry sacks, but may the gods have mercy on you if you are chosen. Once your name is called, gather your belongings and report to the stables. If by the end of the hour you're not there, you will be running after the cart. Clear?"
A clear chorus of "Yes, Sir," greeted him. He huffed self-importantly and began calling out the names on his parchment. "Alright: Ace, Drune, Fa, Swan, Vortell, and West. Make sure to let me know when the funeral is."
No one looked up at him, for they were not allowed, but they could just imagine his smug smirk. The Dark Kingdom of the Evil Queen was well-known to everyone. There were stories and tales about all the evil and darkness within it, but what was rumour and what was fact, no one knew. Although the kingdom was prosperous, many doubted that they could actually venture and live in such a kingdom, under the rule of someone like the infamous Evil Queen.
The 25-year old opened her chest, where everything was already packed into her rucksack, since she was never one to settle down and take her stuff out, considering she was constantly moving. She went to her bedside table, and took out a book plus a small journal. She stuffed it all inside the bag before heading to the side rooms, where she could change away from the men and boys.
Emma removed her camisole and quickly put on her breeches, letting out a small shudder as the cool material acclimated to her skin, still warm from being under the covers. Despite their ratty condition, the bed blankets were quite warm, one of the few things that could be almost considered luxurious while living here. She found her green wool shirt in her bag and donned it, feeling warmer as she adjusted the sleeves. She hoped she'd be able to buy some new clothes soon, the shirt had shrunk to the point where the sleeves ended halfway down her forearm. And this was the longest and warmest shirt she had. Pulling her hair free of its confines under the shirt, she sat on the bench and fished for her socks.
The door opened and Fa Mulan entered. They said nothing, but greeted each other with a nod.
She found her socks and put them on, sticking the wool material through the manacles on her feet. Apart from being a way to ensure no one would run away - fast movement was impossible with heavy iron weighing their feet down - it was a symbol of being owned by Silas, the great servant trader throughout the Enchanted Forest. Emma had heard stories that others told her, of how there were other masters much less kinder than Silas. She had to count her blessings that she got a bed and a roof each time her contract was up.
Once she was done, she gathered her things, put on her black riding boots, and left the room. Everyone was silent, servants weren't there to speak, except late at night after their chores were done and they were released for the today to sleep. Conversations were at the cost of their sleep time, for every morning at 6am, they had to get up and be ready for the day ahead. Days like today, Sunday, were the only days they were allowed to sleep in, unless they were woken up for some reason or another, which happened very often. Rare were the days they actually got to sleep in.
Reaching the stables, she saw that the ride would not be comfortable. The cart had no roof, and the wheels were made of wood, meaning that it'd be a bumpy ride, and it was chilly as well, even though it was only early September.
She made her way to the cart, and to the two guards chatting. "Name?" one asked as she made her way closer.
"Emma Swan," she replied simply.
After checking a list, her jerked his thumb into the cart. "Go ahead. Put your bag by your feet and scoot right to the front."
One hour later, nearly everyone was there. The only person they were missing was Sigmund Vortell. When he finally showed up, he ran towards the cart. Once they processed him, they grabbed some rope, and tied his hands together. With the other end of the rope, the guards tied it to a metal ring on the back of the cart. For being late, Sigmund would have to travel running after the cart.
They'd all been there once, and it was well known that some preferred to drop and then be dragged to their destination, bumps along the road be damned, rather than attempt to tire themselves out by running after the cart. They also knew that, should anyone attempt to help him, it would only lead to having to join him running, and no act of solidarity would get them out of their punishment. They had all been well-trained in accepting their roles as workers for those with higher status of living than them. After 13 years of being a servant, Emma knew better. Vortell was also a slimy bastard, so she felt no sympathy for the man. He frequently made lewd comments and advances towards other women, which often led to Emma interfering and clocking him until he retreated.
It had also meant that she'd been in the outhouse quite a number of times, but it had been worth it to get him to back off.
None of them were given the luxury of jackets, only being allowed 4 pairs of clothing, so they were all huddled together, trying not to freeze as the cool air nipped at them. In the horizon, Emma could see what would become her new home for the next year.
Regina rolled her eyes as she heard someone knock on her door. "Enter," she coolly commanded.
Sidney Glass, her castle's Steward, entered with a brusque bow.
"What is it?" she asked, glaring at the man.
He kept his head high but did not meet her gaze. Despite the many years in her service, he knew about etiquette in front of his Queen. "Your Majesty, I have taken the liberty of hiring one more servant than usual; perhaps you'd reconsider my offer of once more having a handmaiden?"
The royal sighed. Of course he would be persistent. She had terrified the poor scullery maids who had been recently tasked with serving her food and cleaning her room. Ever since Brunhilde had died, she hadn't found anyone who did everything she asked of properly. They'd always mess up here and there, and she was not someone to take mistakes lightly, no matter how accidental. She did not gain the moniker of Evil Queen by being merciful. "Very well. Send her here when she arrives."
"Yes your Majesty, of course." Sidney bowed out and left, knowing that in a couple of hours his new servants would be arriving.
Once they passed by the gate, they entered the stables and finally got a reprieve from the rain. It had begun drizzling over an hour ago, and they were all soaked, on top of being frozen.
"Alright, everyone get up and form a line," one guard barked at them. "And leave your bags. They'll be inspected and returned to you tomorrow once you have your assignments."
They silently did as they were told, and after they were escorted out of the stables and towards the castle, they were quickly marshalled into some dingy cells. They had been travelling for an entire day, and from what Emma saw, it was already evening. They were given some bowls with stale porridge, and then told that tomorrow, they would be given their assignments.
Emma fell into an easy slumber in her hard cot, joints stiff from having been jostled around so much in the cart.
Next thing she knew, she was sopping wet and freezing as a bucket of ice water was poured on her.
"Come on lass! We don't have all day," a gruff voice demanded. "Out of your rooms and on your knees, in positions before the Steward arrives."
Calling these cells rooms were a stretch, from Emma's vantage point, but she silently shuffled as she followed orders.
She was still in yesterday's clothes, and really felt the chill as she got into position beside her fellow workers. The kneeling position was one of three standard positions that all servants were taught to adhere to while in service.
It was fairly simple. Left knee on the ground, right foot planted well. Left fist on the ground, knuckles facing forward in front of their left knee, while their right fist rested over their heart. Head was bowed, and once a command or order was issued, the servant was to thump their right hand over their heart once to signal that they had understood.
The door opened and in walked a man that, just from the boots he wore, demonstrated he was a man of stature. This must be the Steward.
"Good morning, I am the Dark Castle's Steward and Chamberlain, Sidney Glass. I, along with my Usher, Killian Jones, whom you have already met, will be your masters for the next year. You are to refer to us always as Sir, or Sir Glass and Sir Jones, respectively. We've been told good things from the servants who come from Silas, so I expect I won't have any trouble with you lot, but just in case, a reminder:
"You are here to serve, nothing more. You will be given assignments and report directly to your superiors. You are always to follow their explicit instructions to the letter, or suffer the consequences. Should some parameter or order not be clear, you are to fall back on your training, and the Castle's rules. We have a clear chain of command and you are to adhere to your place, never straying. You are to speak only when spoken to, and you are never to look any one of your superiors, or anyone above your station in the eye. You are to follow all orders, despite any personal opinions or apprehensions you may have. Whenever the Queen is about to enter a room, two guards at the doorway will thump their staffs, like so," - near the door, the one guard on duty thumped their staff twice on the ground - "and when you hear that, you are to get on your knees as you are now, until you hear the same sound again, wherein you will be allowed to get back up and return to your duties.
"As you are all new, the first week will be a trial period. You will be sleeping here until we deem you are satisfactory in your tasks, and are allowed to remain at the Castle. When that happens, you will be given a bed in the servants' communal area. Should you be chosen to remain here after the year is up, a room will be granted to you. As part of your employment, all of you will be fitted with leather bracers on your arms, one displaying the Castle's Royal Crest, thereby demonstrating your employment here, and another for your superiors to summon you should they need you. So stand up and hold your right arm out."
They all stood up and held their right arms out, fists clenched, palms up. Jones came around and attached one bracer, the leather magically snapping shut. Once he was done, Emma quickly glanced at the front of the bracer. It had a beautiful carving of the Dark Kingdom seal.
"Now, your other bracers shall be given to you depending on your employment. So let's get to it. Ladies, in my hand I have a shorter straw, which will be used to determine which one of you will get a special assignment, so step forward, and take a pick."
Emma took a step forward and her eyes quickly flitted to the Steward's hand, and as she reached out, she hoped she wouldn't get the shorter stick. Special assignments usually meant that it was a complicated chore, more chances of screwing up and making a mess, which meant getting into trouble. She always preferred a simple task, remaining in the background until her service was over.
Once all 3 straws were taken, Glass demanded, "Open your palms and show us your straw."
Jones quickly inspected each of the women's straws, and then came to stand in front of Emma. Well shit. "This lass here seems to have the shorter stick. She's the lucky one."
This was going to be a long year.
After Jones had taken the 5 other workers out to their new jobs, Emma was left with Glass. She was in rest position, hands clasped in front of her by her pelvis, arms now covered with both bracers. Now her shirt's length wasn't so bad, the bracers provided some warmth where the shirt didn't. They had been given their rucksacks once more, and Emma had quickly taken possession of hers, noting from the weight that it seemed the guards were not so greedy that they had pocketed anything of value.
"So, your assignment. You are going to be the Queen's handmaiden. She is strict, and she is demanding, as Queens are wont to be." Were Emma not so trained, she would be gaping at how impertinent Sir Glass was. But it wasn't her place to comment on that, so she just kept staring down. "You are to cater to her every whim, and be prepared. The last three girls were let go within an inch of their lives. Now let's go, her Majesty does not like to be kept waiting."
Silently they made their way through the castle. Emma began taking stock of all the routes and passages. Every now and then her guide would point out important places for her to keep in mind, such as the kitchens. They went up some staircases, and then crossed a long corridor, until reaching a doorway flanked by two guards.
Glass knocked on the door and was greeted by a cool, "Enter."
The two entered the room, and as soon as Sidney stopped in the middle of the room, she kneeled in position.
"Is this my new handmaiden?"
"Yes, your Majesty," Sidney nodded.
The Queen's tone was cool as she responded, "Good, I was getting impatient waiting. I have plenty of things to do. Now, servant, I will give you one hour to put your belongings away in your room off to the side here, and then before I return for lunch time, I want this room spotless and clean, am I clear?"
"Yes, your Majesty," Emma responded. Her brain was working overtime as it tried to decipher why the Queen would be giving her her own room. But she wouldn't question it, she took the little favours as they came.
Sidney however, found fault in the Queen's command. "Your Majesty, I must have misunderstood. You want the servant to reside in your chambers?"
The Queen was not happy with the questioning of her orders. "Yes. I have a servant's quarters here and no one is using them. Not to mention that the last three girls who were absolutely impossible to deal with, resided in their quarters all the way on the other side of the castle. By the time they reached here with my breakfast, it was cold. Now, I have a meeting to attend to."
Once both the Queen and the Steward had left, Emma finally stood up and released the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.
Time to get started.
So! A first chapter/teaser for everyone.
I'd love to know your thoughts on it so far!
Would anyone be interested in a breakdown of what roles are meant to be what?
Also, this castle isn't meant to be like Regina's castle on the show, so I wouldn't use it as a base.
Next chapter will hopefully be up soon. In terms of other fics I'll be updating, Welcome to Storybrooke is next, and then In Sickness and in Health!