I know, maybe it's developing too slow but anyway I hope we'll get to something. I still don't know where this story is coming. We'll see. Enjoy!

Chapter 2

"Watch out!" One of the men screamed when an arrow startled his horse, that was jumping and neighing now. The whole bunch had their swords and crossbows ready in less than a second. They turned their back to each other so they could see to every direction, with Emma and Regina in the middle of the great circle.

"Put your weapons down and give up!" A voice from the forest demanded.

No one made a move, only horses where shifting a little bit. "We have no intention of giving up!" Regina called her answer.

"Then you're a dead woman!" screamed the other voice and tenths of man with wild scream jumped out of their hiding places behind the trees or the bushes, running to them with heavy axes and swords in their hands. The circle of guards still didn't make a move, waiting for the Queen's command as well trained army. Regina waved her hand and all the attackers fell to the ground, their weapons turned to birds and flew away. Her men started to laugh along with Emma which just made the attackers even more upset. They managed to push their dirty bodies covered with even poorer clothes to their feet and with not really friendly gazes walking backwards, expecting another magical defense or even attack from the Queen. "You'll see what the cruelty is!" One of them, probably the leader, called to her with fist in the air and ran to the safety of the forest.

Regina didn't take the threat seriously. The circle broke after one 'Hail to our Queen!' and they continued their ride to the Snow White's castle.

"That guy…" Emma mused.

"…was one of those who left us at the beginning." Regina finished with a smile.

"Yeah! That's it!" Emma smiled, finally remembering the scene.

"And few others. It seems they're not happy with their new Queen." Regina noted.

"Well I am."

That made Regina smile even wider.

They didn't stop in the evening but stayed in saddles even at night. At the next sunrise they could finally knock on the gate.

Soldiers up on the rampart wall could see them coming from far away so they let them in without questioning.

It didn't take long and James ran towards them, worried look on his face.

"Emma!" He hugged her, when she got off the horseback.

She smiled at the warm welcome. When he released her from his arms, he shortly touched Regina's elbow. "Alright?"

The Queen nodded, wriggling uncomfortably a little.

It seemed that he took it better than Snow. Emma was glad for that. Not that she expected or even wanted their blessing but it was good to know at least one of them is not making a big deal out of her relationship with the Evil Queen. Yes, they all apologized to Regina before they left to her castle but Emma felt it wasn't the apology. That it was probably just for what happened here. But now this small gesture of her father towards her lover was maybe a new beginning.

He ushered them to the hall with a round table after he commanded his men to take care of their other guests.

"What happened?" Charming asked when they were all seated.

"Shouldn't we wait for Mary Margaret?"

The question seemed to be a waste of breath since the mentioned queen entered the hall with Red, Zain and Henry at her heels.

"Is everything alright? Your message sounded desperately." She hurried to greet her daughter along with Henry who exclaimed happily to see his mothers.

Emma accepted another hugs and then looked at the Abner's herald sitting between her and Regina.

"Would you repeat your message?"

Everyone's attention shifted to the unobtrusive man, who was playing with his hat again, not looking anyone to their eyes. "Well…mmy master sent me…to the Evil Queen...t..t..to ask her for help."

"What kind of help?" Red and Henry asked at once.

"There is something that keeps the people from their sleep." Emma answered.

"Actually, they are under attack whenever the horse's light is out of sight." Regina added.

Everyone looked dumbfounded and quite puzzled.

Snow found her voice somehow. "Whoa, whoa…once again and human speech, please."

"There are horrible creatures attacking us when there's no light, they came while the king was gone looking for a horse."

Emma rolled her eyes at still clueless group. "The Sun-horse we were looking for with Regina."

Just then it rang a bell. "Oh, ok, go on."

"They've started to hurt our people, sometimes even our cattle, leaving terrible marks on their throats." The herald's voice was shaking again.

"So they're vampires! Cool!" Henry joined the discussion.

Regina looked at him rigidly, but couldn't hide small fire of amusement in her eyes. However it worked and Henry fell to silence with serious displayed on his face. But it didn't last long and they shared another few funny looks during the martial meeting.

As mother and son. Regina thought happily. Is it really that easy? She made funny face at Henry once again when she heard someone calling for her.

"Are we interrupting you?"

"Hm? What?" The brunette was looking around confused while Henry burst to the uncontrollable giggling seizure.

"We were saying…Henry, this is serious!" Zain's fist hit the table.

Everyone froze and agreed quietly. "What is he doing here anyway?"

Red took his hand in hers and tried to calm him down. He was a warrior, she understood.

"He's a prince, a part of the family and a future king. He should know what's going on. And it's thanks to him that we are home now." Snow defended her grandson.

"Just a kid for god's sake!" Zain didn't want to retreat as well.

"Hey! Stop it! Now!" Emma stood up from her chair.

"Sorry." Zain lowered his eyes.

"Henry?" His mom looked at him expectantly.

"I'm sorry." He mumbled.

"Regina?" Another serious look.

"I'm ok, we can continue," she said with a smile.

Charmings offered her sharp glares.

Zain took it as a moment to continue his speech, seeing that the volcano is ready to erupt. "As I was saying, we need a good plan. There is absolute darkness there. The only light source is the horse. But we don't know how much of the light comes from it, how far it can reach. We know that those creatures are attacking only in dark. That is big advantage. For them. We are not used to that thick darkness and to be honest I doubt that any magic can make it better. To orientate there would be hard. Fortunately we got someone who's been there before we were." He turned to the Queen.

"That is quite right. I've been to Abner's kingdom before. I had some issues with his father." She smiled slowly. "But I don't know his son that good. I don't know how the land changed. But we'll see what we can do when we meet him. I hope he'll show us everything."

"Well, he has to if he wants to save his people. This is not a game, if it really is how he says, it's more than serious." Red noted.

"You're right." Snow and James nodded.

"Go to your master, good man, and tell him we are coming. We'll be there as soon as we can."

The herald smiled and looked truly relieved to hear he can go finally. He bowed. "Your majesties!"

When the sound of his steps faded away Emma breathed out deeply. "Ok, now with the real plan."
No one knew what she's talking about, looking pointlessly at one another.

The young woman didn't pay attention to that. "Abner is one hell of a snide cat. Not that he didn't even care about the horse coming back but he wanted to kill Regina." She looked up eventually.

"Why would he try to kill her?" Red asked curiously.

"He told me about her and his father and he asked a lot of questions." Emma started to explain. "I had a feeling that once he found out she's alive he was more interested in the opportunity to meet her than in catching the only source of light for his people." The blonde needed few seconds to breathe, watching the quizzical looks on all the faces around the table. "He was pretending to be not interested in anything but a person can sense he wouldn't leave a chance to catch her. He confessed she was quite cruel, or at least his father said so. But she put her life at stake for his people and he didn't even blink."

All the time, Regina was looking at her hand, playing with them. But after a while, she said, "He was right. But there's no time for personal issues. He called me to save him because I got magic and that can be a big help."

"But it could be a trap." James intervened. "If he's trying to avenge his father…" he mused.

Regina nodded. "Indeed it could. But we can simply ask our lie detector if the herald was saying the truth." She winked at the blonde.

Emma smiled and just as Regina few seconds before she nodded too. "He wasn't lying," she told everyone.

That answer satisfied Regina. "Well then, it's decided. We are going there to deal with those intruders!" Full of optimism and looking forward kicking some asses again she was ready to stand up and leave the room.

However, in moment she was about to rise from her seat Emma spoke again. "But," the blonde said contemplatively, "it still could be trap. We have to be careful. And I mean careful." She had to emphasize the word. Because in the past, in what they went through they were careful, or they thought they were. She realized that all they'd done was improvisation. That was probably her style, but what about Regina? She needs protection and something to rely on, some plan she can trust. And surely not to think of it alone. But how can they plan war they don't know what to expect in?

Regina dropped back on the chair. She sighed. "Oh, what are we going to do then?"

"We're gonna protect you, mum." Henry beamed. "So when are we setting off?"

"Henry?" Snow addressed him. "I think Zain was right with something. Not that you are kid." She hurried to calm him down when he was taking breath to answer. "But it would be better if you haven't started your knight career here. Let's say first you have to learn how to defend. Only after that you can learn how to attack. You will stay and take care of the castle with some others ok? So take this as a defensive exercise, huh?"

He thought about it for a while. Then he nodded seriously. "Ok, I think you're right. But if anything happens I can come and help you. Just send a message…"

Charming ruffled his hair. "Sure we will."

The most famous of the fairytale castles became quiet and peaceful place once the sun fell behind the hills. Everyone was resting before the big day. The campaign was going to take long time. Who knows where to mystical land is. But not all inhabitants were sleeping.

"Are you sure this is a right thing to do?" Snow asked while pacing the chamber barefoot. Hem of her long nightgown touching the floor lightly.

"Come on! What is it with you?" James was already getting to bed.

Snow's hand flew widely to the air. "It's just…we are helping…HER!"

Charming sighed. "Look, why can't we throw it behind us and start over?" He was looking at her lovingly.

But she shot him a glare. "What are you saying? She did so much to us! She separated us for 28 years! Even here she hunted us, pursued us, trying to destroy everything we had, trying to take away our happiness! How can we go through this? How can we forgive her?" She was almost yelling in fury or maybe desperation.

"Look, I'm not saying we should forget everything but Emma trusts her. And I trust Emma. There must be something good in her."

Snow stopped pacing and frowned.

"Once you said you've seen the good in her. Remember in Storybrooke? Was she advancing only her interests?"

That was a rhetorical question but Snow was ready to nod in agreement.

But Charming's index finger flew to the air. "No, she wasn't. She was looking also after the others."

Snow couldn't believe her ears. "Since when are you on her side?"

He stepped to her from the bed and took her hands in hers. "I'm not on anyone's side. I'm just trying to say that if we have to work together and if we want Emma to accept us as her parents or at least something close to that, we have to make peace with this. It's not easy. It never is, I know. But we are people who can forgive, remember? She was evil and why? Because she couldn't forget, she couldn't get over something. But we were, are, different. Now even she seems to be moving on. We gave her few chances but it didn't work. Maybe we weren't right people to do that, maybe we weren't the ones to judge her, we were standing too close. When Emma gave her the right chance, not from the hatred or anger or misunderstanding, but from something deeper it worked. And it saved us."

"I'm sure she didn't mean to do that." Snow was still not convinced.

"What?" James thought his words had some effect.

"Can't you see it? She didn't mean to break the curse. She seduced Emma and kissed her and maybe she put some spell on her." She argued.

"You know very well that nothing can break such a curse, only true love's kiss." That was the only logical argument.

Snow shook her head. "Anyone else could be kissing in the same moment, and those people probably broke the curse."

Charming brushed his chin. "It wasn't us." He stated. "You could see and feel that the magic didn't come from near us. It was from somewhere else."

"It could be really anyone, you know? We're not the only ones who found true love I think. And why would Regina want to break her own curse? Why would she do that?" Snow was stubbornly standing to her opinion.

"What if she didn't know Emma was her true love? Or what if she wanted it to end? Maybe she was too tired of it, or she was sorry." The last part of the sentence didn't make sense even to James.

"She's not sorry even now. She still believes that I am responsible for all bad things that happened to her. I know I've done something wrong and I apologized few times, not just once, but it wasn't enough for her. She treated us all like we betrayed her."

James touched Snow's cheek gently. "What's the point in getting angrier and contemning her all the time? We won't find a peace until she does. So we can help her and support her and Emma. Be like family with her."

"I wanted to be family with her once." Snow whispered. "It backfired at me." She had tears in her eyes and lowered her head.

Charming put two fingers under her chin and lifted it to look her in the eye. "We can be family. And I know you two can get over this. I trust you. Besides, Henry loves both of his mums. How would he feel if his grandmother would be so…unfriendly, to her."

That poured some thought to Snow. She nodded slowly and kissed him shortly.

He smiled. No matter what was happening, he loved this woman.

One story above them, Regina was squirming in her sleep, covered with sweat again. Emma was sleeping soundly next to her oblivious to her lover's state.

She was sitting in a huge library but she couldn't move. It wasn't that cozy romantic place as she had fixed in her head. This library was cold, too cold, window panes were broken or there weren't any at all. It was dark but there was enough light from outside that she could see giant bookshelves almost touching the ceiling. She looked at her body in the leathered armchair. It looked so strange, as if it wasn't hers anymore. She heard footsteps from somewhere and her head snapped up. She couldn't see anyway but someone was definitely walking fast. Finally she could recognize the figure.

Her father hurried to her, as fast as he could with his old legs.

"Daughter, I found you, thank god!"He looked happy to see her.

"Daddy," Regina beamed, happy to see him again. "How did you get here? And where are? How did you get here?"

He ducked his head. "Oh honey, what have you done again?"

The brunette didn't understand. "What?" She followed his eyes to her hands which she was sure weren't tied tightly to the armchair before. She twitched to get free or to find out if she's not imagining the rope around her hands and waist.

"Why did you do this to yourself?" he asked her, obviously disappointed. As if she did it many times before.

"I don't know," she answered shakily, tears tightening muscles in her throat, strangling her. Henry untied her and touched her hand gently to motion her to get up and go with him.

She got up from the armchair to her shaking legs. How long has she been there? Her father was still holding her forearm, leading her deeper between the bookshelves.

"Where are we going daddy?"

He didn't reply right away. "Back to your room, honey."

"But…I don't want to go to my room."

He patted her forearm to calm her. "It's ok, daughter. We can go watch the stars."

She liked that idea more than the picture of her dark chamber. The old man took her up the stairs. He opened the hatch leading to the fresh air. Once up on the roof, they were standing at the best spot, the queen sighed in relief. Cold wind was blowing from North, enticing her hair to go with him. Her wrists started to burn, she didn't realize the rope hurt her so.

"Better?" Henry asked her quietly.

She turned her head to him and nodded, returning to watch the sky.

He shifted his weight from foot to foot. "Why are you doing this, honey?"

Regina's eyes widened and turned back to him. Unidentified fear filled her chest.

As if he was choking on something. "The ropes, the armchair, the tying…"

"But daddy!" She took him by both hands. "How could I tie myself up?"

He didn't raise his head to look at her. Just sobbed. "I'm sorry, honey," he murmured. Then he extracted his hands from her grasp and put one on her arm. "I'm sorry."One tear left his eye, wading its way down his cheek. Then he pushed the brunette with all his strength over the edge of the roof.

A scream escaped her mouth…

…but in the chamber of Snow White's castle she just opened her eyes, inhaling deeply, putting her hand to her forehead. She wiped off the sweat she found there. It took her senses few minutes to adjust to the different surroundings, time, world, reality. Slowly she sat up in the bed, feeling too warm suddenly, pushing the blanket to her ankles, putting her sore head on her bend knees. Staying like that, breathing deeply it helped her to get more strength to her muscles. She looked at the blonde still sleeping next to her and decided to sneak out of bed. She walked across the room to pour herself a glass of water. 'Honey, can I get a glass of water?' One of her hands grabbed the glass and the other tried to navigate the jar to pour water in it. She managed to fill it only to half and drank it fast, afraid that she want get more. But it was enough to quench her thirst. She leaned against the coffer which was usually full of clothes and rested with closed eyes, contemplating her next moves. She pushed off the coffer and dressed to take a little walk and wait for a sunrise as the last time with Emma, when she didn't have to sleep. But she thought about it again and resignedly put off her clothes, climbing back to bed. As if Emma sensed she was there, she shifted closer to her and put her arm around Regina's waist. The queen didn't complain, it made her feel safe somehow. So she stared to the darkness of the ceiling and waited. Even if her eyes were sore, she couldn't sleep, only few minutes before sunrise she dozed off.

But that kind of sleep couldn't charge her with enough energy for the day, so she was very fretful when Emma after calling her name and attempting to shake her from her sleep tugged at the warm blanket covering her tired figure.

"Rise and shine, honey!" Emma tugged at the blanket playfully.

"Miss Swan, if you continue on yelling, I won't hesitate to use my powers," she mumbled to her pillow.

Emma jumped on the bed, her knees right next to Regina's head, pecking the brunette's cheek. "Someone's not in mood today. Come on, it was your idea to go to that Scary Land.

"Hmmmm," Regina couldn't force herself to get up, her limbs were too heavy from the lack of sleep.

"So, we have to do it in a hard way I guess." Emma put her index finger to her chin as if she was thinking what to do. She grabbed one side of the blanket at pulled it off of the queen with one smart move, putting it on her side of the bed.

Regina rolled on her back and tried to open her glued eyes. Emma took the advantage of still not that conscious woman and kissed her kindly. Regina's brain was waking up slowly, until she was conscious enough to take control of the kiss, circling her hands around the blonde's waist, pulling her down on her own body. The kiss wasn't that deep, but it was good morning alarm.

When they parted she opened her eyes and smiled at Emma. The younger would swear she seen flash of pain in the brunette's eyes but then pushed that thought away. What would cause that anyway? She thought

Knock on the door startled them both, Emma automatically pulling the blanket back on them, not wanting anyone to see her naked girlfriend. The door opened and Snow entered the room. When she realized what she interrupted she lowered her head and put a hand before her eyes. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't meat to…"

Meanwhile, Emma managed to slide off the bed and Regina sat up against a headboard, holding the blanket tightly to her chest.

"What is it?" Emma stood up right in front of her mother to prevent her from looking at Regina.

"I just wanted to ask if you're ready, so we can go." Snow put down her hand but wasn't looking directly at her daughter. Emma smiled. She felt like a teenager. But now she had more courage than back in those times. "We'll wait for you down in the yard." Snow, red as beet, turned on her heels and walked out of the room.

Emma looked back at Regina who was smiling mischievously.

"Ok, that was awkward," Emma noted with smile on her face too. "But, we have to catch on those years we were separated, I guess."

Regina was still smiling and with just the blanket covering her body she got up of the bed and walked to Emma still standing in her spot.

"Well, agreed, but only if it doesn't take much of our time together," she spoke as she brushed her nose with Emma's, teasing her, touching her lips slightly with her own but not kissing. When she was sure she's got Emma on her hook she left her personal space. Emma groaned.

Group of fifty best men in the land were waiting in full armor in the yard. Horses were snorting impatiently. Now they were waiting only for Regina and Emma. After a while they walked out of the castle, straight to the horses waiting for them, the group of Regina's soldiers joined them too. Snow and Charming where still on the ground leaving few last instructions to Granny, Red, Zain and Henry. They were all staying.

"Henry!" Regina called from the saddle and boy ran to his mothers.

"Take good care of this place." She winked at him conspirationally.

"And make sure the dwarves are not organizing too many parties," Emma added.

Henry saluted. "Yes mom!"

Snow and James got to the front of the group signaling everyone they should go. The men were riding off slowly to the morning.

"Ok, Henry, we gotta go. See you in a while."

"Be good, Henry. I know you'll do well."

They both waved to the group behind him and prodded their horses to hurry after Charmings.

"Why didn't Miss Lucas go with us?" Regina asked when they caught up to them.

Snow frowned. "Well, someone has to watch over the castle and land, and she and her grandmother are the best choice now."

"Well I'm sorry, dear, but we would welcome help of the wolf, they are quite useful in the dark. Not to mention that her sense of order is quite messed up." Regina let out a small laugh.

Snow's face colored with red and she took a breath to answer but then she remembered last night's conversation. Really forced smile appeared on her face. "I'm sure Granny can handle her. And officially Henry with Granny is in charge till Abigail and Frederick will come to take over." Satisfied with her answer she didn't have to pretend smile.

If the Queen was surprised she didn't show it. "Then why didn't we take the wolf with us?"

She repeated her question with face like stone but smiling inwardly. This was the easiest way to stay sane with those two.

This time Snow couldn't find answer. "Because it is as it is. And you heard us yesterday if we need them we will send a message."

"Oh ok." Regina knew she had her victim already half eaten but decided to save it for later. "Now…to get to our plan…" She halted her horse; the others did the same and the whole crowd too. "We're going ahead and talk to Abner, you come after us since I can't move the whole…army." She looked over the riders. "Hey!" She called to one of her man and he hurried to his mistress immediately. "You will stay with them and obey their orders, is that clear?"

"Yes, your highness." He bowed.

"Good." Regina turned back to the commanders. "You know the way. I hope I described it clearly last night." Her eyes shifting from Charming to Snow White. "Good luck!" She took Emma by hand and they disappeared in a smoke.

Hope you had a good time reading chapter 2! Please review. :o)