/Once Upon A Time ain't mine except for Clary/
She groaned, the pain in her ribs continuously aching. She could hear footsteps and voices. Voices that she doesn't know. She tried to will her eyes open, but alas, it failed. She wasn't too strong. So, she let darkness consume her once again as she drifted to sleep.
Regina and the others ( cue Snow White, Prince Charming and the insufferable Robin Hood ) sat at the chairs she had conjured for them, purposely missing one for the outlaw, just to let him know his presence was deeply unwanted. Robin sent a glare on her way as he went out and took his own chair with him on the way back. They all stared at the girl, too shocked to handle the situation. Closing her eyes, the way they found her replayed in her head.
"What? How could that happen? Zelena herself can't go in here!" David said as Regina composed herself, a hand still clutching the thief's hands for support.
"We've seen her try to enter, she even used magic and it failed." Snow said, backing her husband up.
Regina didn't miss the worried looked coming from the thief directed towards her. She ignored him, just like she always does.
"Who knows it's her?" Robin asked, looking at Regina for answers as the Queen stood to her full height, looking at him before looking at the window that overlooks the gardens.
She was kind of weak, since she already repaired the damaged done to the barrier but alas, it would take them long to go down the flight of stairs and conquer the big grounds of the castle. So she had to teleport them.
"Only one way to find out." She said and in a split second, they were on the outskirts of the grounds near the burnt line that separated the castle and the forest.
"Let's separate, I go to the North, Regina can take on the East, Snow you go on the West while Robin can go to the South." David commanded. Before Regina could spit out some comment about him bossing her, the three ran to the different directions David had pointed out. Teleporting herself yet again with the bit of energy left, she poofed herself to the East part of her castle.
Walking through the green lush grasses, a road came to view. Her eyes softened when she remembered. This was the road she used to take to escape from her mother, eight times to be exact, only to be caught in vines up in the air. Every. Single. Damn. Time.
'Stop it Regina.' She chided herself as she trudged forward. If she was given more time to change, she would've. A sheer long-sleeved grey night gown and a silky red robe is not the perfect attire. Using her magic would just be a waste of time. And energy.
She was cursing Charming for assigning her to where the grasses grew thick and tall when the breath was knocked out of her. A girl of fifteen was lying down in the grass, her forehead bruised and a bit of blood oozed out. She was deeply pale, covered only by a worn out cloak to the cold harsh wind of the night. It made her ran as fast as she could, to weak to poof herself again. She dropped down to her knees, softly tucking the stray hairs that's covering her face to her ears. But then, a thought came to her head.
What if it was Zelena? Or what if it was someone she sent? It made her freeze but maternal instincts won over, taking her robe off to put it instead of the woollen cloak that must itch. As she unlocked the clasp of the cloak, what she saw inside made her gasp, loudly.
The girl was wearing clothes that only could have existed in one land.
The Land Without Magic.
She was wearing what Emma usually wears, a leather jacket over a white tank top and dark skinny jeans with black boots.
Hope blooms within her, maybe she can see her son again after all. Maybe she should have listened to Snow about having hope. Maybe this is it. She can see her son again!
"SNOW! CHARMING! ROBIN!" She yelled, hoping she was heard. She was too weak to do any magic really, so her voice would have to do.
The Queen kneeled, cradling the girl's head, only to feel something sticky on her hands as soon as she puts it in the kid's head. Taking it out, she saw blood all over her hands. She turned the head slowly, to reveal a bigger wound on the back of her skull, the blood colouring the grass beneath her red.
"Regina!" A familiar voice said. She turned, whipping her long hair. Robin was running towards them and as he reached them, his eyes widen.
It just had to be the thief huh?
Robin was stunned. He had not seen such weird clothing in his whole life. The wounds, and Regina's bloodied hand, was enough to pull him back from his thoughts.
"She's wounded and she needs to be tended to, we need to get her to the castle." Regina hurriedly said, worrying about the child's safety.
The Outlaw was continuously surprised by the Queen's maternal instincts. She was a good mother. He can hear the worry laced in her voice, for a child she does not know. Like how she talks to Robin when she catches Roland on his own, with worry and protection.
"Well you have magic, poof us there." But of course he would not let her see his admiration for her. Though she may know already.
Regina glared at him, enough to cut him to pieces.
"If I can, I would have left you and the two fools alone!" Regina almost yelled. Stupid idiots!
Robin then proceeded to take the girl in his arms with a secret smile, making the Queen angry seems to bring pleasure to him, upon noticing the blood coloured grass where she used to lay her head, his smile dropped. It was serious.
"Let's go." He said and together, they set off for the warmth of the castle.
Looking at the girl who was sleeping soundly, they couldn't find the words to say anything. Until David of course,
"I thought all contacts with other realms are deemed impossible once the curse is enacted?"
"It does." Regina answered shortly, "I've tried creating a portal right after we went inside the castle and it didn't work. I tried it again and again this morning and nothing." She said, rubbing her forehead with her fingertips. So much for hope.
The four of them had not gained any sleep since then, they watched over the girl, unsure of her identity. Regina got the same bracelet that neutralises magic clasped around both the girl's arms, just in case.
"We need to rest." Robin said as he looked at them, as Snow longingly looked at the young girl.
She never got to see her own daughter at this age, and seeing the girl reminded her of Emma. Sighing, she pulls out from her thoughts. Snow forced herself to stand up and go with David, leaving a promise of 'we'll be back' to Regina and Robin.
They closed the doors, leaving the hot headed royal, the patient outlaw and the unconscious teen alone.
Robin cleared his throat, noticing that his presence was unwanted, much more when it was only the two of them alone in the room.
"I'll be back with food milady." He said as he exited the door, leaving the two inside.
Making sure there was no one there, Regina rose and pulled her chair with her, settling beside the young girl.
Without the wounds and blood in her face, Regina can look at the girl properly. She had medium length hair that is as black as the midnight sky. She haven't seen her eyes, so she has no clue what her eye colour is. Fair skin and tall, she looks just like a normal pampered girl that she sees back then in The Land Without Magic.
Unconsciously, she started stroking the girl's soft locks, looking at the peaceful expression resting on her face.
She knows that when Snow gets the chance, she would convince this girl to be Emma's possible sibling.
No.
Something about the girl is... Well, something.
"Get well soon my dear." She softly spoke with a small smile.
The mother inside her will never be erased, and she was going to have a hard time covering it. She had a reputation to keep up. Besides, she barely knows this girl.
A clearing of throat was heard that made her turn around. A smiling Robin Hood was leaning on the door, his dimples as charming as ever.
Wait what?
"I knew you'd act soft." He said, smiling like he just won the lottery.
Really, he doesn't know why people call her 'evil'. All he see is a broken woman, a hurt mother who got teared away from her beloved son that is causing her so much pain. He had no idea what happened to her and Snow White but it probably is big. She hunted Snow White down as if her life depended on it.
Maybe it did.
Standing there, he could see fire burning beneath the chocolate orbs that he seems to be caught up in every time they look at each other. He has to admit though, the Queen is beautiful, gorgeous even. Spending his days running away from her Black Knights, Robin had heard the tales of the Merciless Queen who's evilness rivals her beauty. He hadn't expected her to be this... This... Perfect.
'Snap out of it Robin!'
"Excuse me?" Regina scoffed.
How dare he!
"I said I knew you'd act soft once everyone was gone." He said again, pushing himself off the door with a smirk Regina wanted to slap off his damned face. "Every mother with a heart like yours would."
How dare her talk about her as if he knows her? Well he doesn't. No one does.
But she has to admit, he was right. Regina admits to herself that she was acting soft. But that won't happen again.
"Don't talk as if you know me."
"I will, soon enough."
"Keep on dreaming thief."
"Oh I will."
"Then I hope you fall asleep and dream to your death."
"Why thank you."
"You are insufferable!"
"It's my job milady." He fired back, his grin expanding if it was even possible. Regina could only groan in frustration and walk past him to her gardens, particularly her apple tree. Robin chuckled as he watched her retreating form.
"The soup is going to get cold milady!" He called out as Regina stopped. "I did put an effort of bringing this soup for you."
"Nobody asked you to bring me one so I suggest you stuff it in your stomach because I won't eat anything thieves and peasants like you bring."
He was an insufferable thief that should be kicked out of her castle immediately. Planning his execution, she set off.
So I'm here once again! This is the secconnd chapter of FR! I'm sorry if it's not that long T.T all mistakes are mine!
I hope you like this! And please leave a comment below ya know if ya just like to or if you dont pfft its fine
(comment comment comment XD)
til the next chapter!
