Sorry this took longer than i expected! I'm working on a bunch of SQ stuff right now, and realized I had this finished but never posted it...my bad...

I don't own ONCE, to my dismay.

tell me what you think!

~~hayleynymphadora

Chapter 2:

(Twenty three years later)

Emma Charming glared at the beautiful white horse standing in front of her. It wasn't false that she had always wanted to learn to ride, she just detested that it had to be in this way. "Can I not just walk to the village?" she complained to her parents.

David Charming, Emma's father, rolled his eyes. "Come now, Emma. Don't act as if you haven't spent sixteen years of your life wishing to ride Melody over here…" he patted the horse lightly and stroked her mane lovingly.

Melody. The most pathetic and feminine name for such a strong and majestic horse that my ears have ever heard. Emma thought to herself, pulling at her dress to fix it back into its rightful place. She absolutely loathed wearing dresses and when she was alone in the castle she could quite often get away with wearing trousers, but since she was outside where any passing villager could see her, Snow had insisted she wear a dress, believing that not doing so would be improper.

Knowing the story of her parents, Queen Snow White and King David Charming she could help not but to wonder what gave her mother the right to be so hypocritical. Really, must everything be so proper, just because they were royals? Emma thought not, though very few shared her opinion on the matter.

Snow was already on her own noble steed, smiling down at Emma. "Come now," she agreed with David, coaxing her daughter. "I'll teach you to ride side-saddle with me,"

"No," Emma refused her parents and it most certainly was not the first time she did so. She yanked back the skirts of her dress to reveal a pair of black riding pants she had snuck on, to her mother's annoyance. At this point it was Snow who rolled her eyes.

"Honestly, Emma—"

"If I'm to learn to ride, I'm to ride like a Knight, not a damsel in distress,"

David and Snow cast each other weary glances. They had gone over situations similar to this on numerous occasions throughout their daughter's life. She never wished to be regal, nor did she ever act upon her expected duties as Princess. She did as she was told…rarely; using the mindset that one didn't have to act prim and proper to be a respected royal. It was bothersome to her when she was told to act more like her mother because she was her own separate person. She was most certainly not her mother. Emma was free spirited and there was a part in her parents that respected that, which was the largest reason they let her get away with all that she did.

"You are a lady, Emma," Snow reminded her, not unkindly. "You are a princess."

"I am a woman," Emma wrapped one leg around each side of the horse. She looked David in the eye. "Are you going to teach me to ride or not, father?" she raised an eyebrow, her lips forming a small smirk.

. . .

Regina did her best not to cringe when she hoisted herself up to her dark black steed. "Easy now," she whispered. "If you please?" she added in as a quick afterthought.

"Talking to horses again I see?" Arik passed her and she straightened up, no matter how much pain she was in. Throughout the long years of being wife to Arik, her pain tolerance grew stronger and she grew aware of her actions and much more mature. That didn't mean her whole body was not still throbbing from when he struck her and took her the night before.

Though Regina's beauty would likely be timeless, the fact that she was still seventeen in appearance and full of youth seemed to make Arik a bit easier on her—because at least, he thought, she was still attractive and had the energy of a teenager.

Cora had cast a spell, approximately seven moons after the wedding of Arik and Regina had taken place. This spell only affected herself, Henry, Arik, and of course Regina. It froze their ages in time and Regina could hardly bare it—stuck at seventeen, in this position, for so long? Death, at least, would have been more peaceful, as well as far less painful.

Arik noted the way Regina rested on her steed; side saddle. After a moments' contemplation and some devious thought, he shook his head slowly. "No, Regina. Today you will ride like a man."

Whatever for?!

Baffled, Regina was at a loss for an appropriate response. She was aware that wrapping a leg around each side had excellent odds to force a scream out of her—especially if they were to take a rough trail, which, with her luck, was most likely. Secondly, she was disgusted by the fact that he wanted his Queen to be seen riding like a man in such a dress. Clearly, Arik had made a mistake in judgment.

"I fail to see the benefit of risking villagers seeing their Queen riding in such a way." She spoke up and immediately thought it too bold, regretting even thinking such a thing.

It seemed the whole world went still as the tension between husband and wife thickened. Where a cool autumn breeze blew moments before, there was none; however a shiver still swept down Regina's spine. She grew slightly nervous and a huge gust of wind suddenly took over the forest where they stood. Trees shook furiously and leaves were swirling upward, sky-bound. A few even landed in Regina's hair and she cursed herself again for not yet being able to control the magic that Rumplestiltskin had been teaching her about. She was aware that the magic was in her veins and she was upset that she had little control over it so far into her studies.

Arik approached her slowly, pulling a leaf out of her hair, which today was down and very slightly bushy but beautifully so. Her hair had not grown since Cora cast that "curse" (as Regina often referred to it), but it was still well past chest length—almost reaching her waist.

Did Arik care about her beauty? It helped, but vaguely.

"Do you? Fail to see benefit, that is?" he wore a scowl as his expression. Arik always was scowling; his voice always daring her to respond.

Reaching into the leather bag which was attached by clasps to the saddle of his steed, he pulled out a pair of riding pants and threw them at Regina. She blinked rapidly, attempting to comprehend.

"They are from Cora," he explained to her. "You are to wear them under your dress."

Regina hesitated; if the pants were from her mother, she couldn't imagine them the slightest bit comfortable nor did she want to consider the possibility that Cora had enchanted them in some way. She would almost rather just ride in the dress. Her hesitation cost her and Arik struck her across the face.

She blinked again, her cheek stinging.

"Don't waste my precious time, woman!" he practically bellowed in the young girl's face before turning back to his steed and attending to his saddle. "Put on the damn riding trousers before I really give you something to complain about."

Silently, Regina did as she was told and mounted her horse awkwardly—not allowing her expression to show the amount of agony she was truly in.

"Today we ride to the northern lands. We are to visit King Charming's kingdom for the remainder of the month."

Everything was starting to make sense to Regina now as actions fell into place. It was of course why she had been told to pack for their journey, though did not explain why their luggage was in the carriage behind them and they themselves were not. She counted out days in her head and nearly let a gasp escape her. What business did they have with King David and Queen Snow for so long of a time period? She didn't bother to ask; she was aware Arik would not respond to her.

They rode in silence and she risked wincing with every other step. He let her make the damn facial expressions.

What bother is it to me, really, unless I'm bedding her? He thought smugly. I'll let the woman announce her discomfort—at least until we reach the kingdom.

Regina was well aware of the little time she had to prepare herself to be presentable to the King and Queen and Princess of the northern lands. Slowly but steadily she grew used to the trotting of her steed and was able to stop showing her pain through her features. However she noticed herself correct about the pants—Cora had made them one size too small, squeezing Regina's legs tightly and forcing more discomfort which she ignored to the best of her ability. She had felt worse before and knew she'd survive all of this somehow, someday. Her hope was lost slowly as each year had passed. These days she recognized that all she could do was fake a grin and bare it.

It took most of the day to reach King Charming's castle, leaving Regina weak and exhausted, however she showed no sign of any such feelings. She had never in fact met King David, Queen Snow, or their daughter, Emma. All she knew was their names and a bit about their run as royals. King Leopold, Queen Snow's father, had been the ruler of the kingdom before a heart attack caused his untimely death and forced Snow and David to take his place. Ever since, they had ruled over the kingdom together kindly. Regina aspired to make a good impression on them.

King and Queen Valentin finally made it to the northern castle which was waiting for them, large and beautiful. King Charming, Queen Snow, and Princess Emma were standing at the gates, waiting for their guests to arrive. Earlier in the day, Snow and David had talked to Emma about the King and Queen's arrival.

"The Valentin's will be staying with us for a while, Emma," Snow announced over lunch. "The Queen, Regina, she's only a year older than you are."

David seemed puzzled and looked at his wife, quizzically. "How is that so? The two of them have ruled the southern Kingdom for nearly twenty four years, have they not? Or is my information faulty?"

"Mmm. They have ruled for nearly twenty four years; however her mother, Cora, has a curse cast on them—Regina's been seventeen for far too long. I pity her, really. I couldn't imagine being stuck at that age. Such a difficult age…"

"Are you hinting I should be married by next year because Queen Valentin is somewhat seventeen?" Emma couldn't stop herself from wondering aloud.

"Emma, no, goodness, that isn't what I'm trying to say. I'm merely informing you that she'll be staying with us for the remainder of the month, as well as her husband, Arik. We have strategies to discuss."

"Are you referring to battle strategies?" Emma never knew just when she was to keep her mouth shut.

Snow shifted uncomfortably and ignored her daughter's pestering. "They'll be staying in the guest bedroom down the hall from yours, Emma, and I expect you to be more than cordial to them. This is the first they've left their kingdom in a very long time."

"Why is it they didn't simply stay there and rule? I'm sure strategies could've been discussed through letters."

"Play fair," David warned her and that was the end of it.

Now they stood at the gates, watching as Queen Regina and King Arik walked their noble steeds up to the front gate, looking more professional than Emma had ever felt in her life. The princess smoothed her dress down in irritation. Her mother had insisted she wear the damn thing, and refused to let her fashion any pants underneath.

Why? It isn't as if they're going to be staring up my dress… Emma thought bitterly to herself. She refused to act like anything she was not, and she cared not who was spending the remaining month with her and her family. So what if this woman was a queen and her husband a king? She was a princess, and she was who she was. Not exactly regal, not particularly not and that was how she preferred to live her life. The moment dinner was over she was planning on changing back into pants again.

When Queen Regina's eyes met Emma's they seemed emotionless. Cold. But there was something else there that Emma couldn't help but to notice. A kindness, perhaps? It seemed as if the Queen had secrets. She inclined her head to Emma and Emma did the same, however Regina did not speak, so Emma said something first.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Queen Valentin,"

"Please, you may call me Regina," she gave the princess a small smile.

Emma had to admit, when she had first heard that the King and Queen were to arrive, she was less than thrilled and much more frustrated. Whenever there was company around she was expected to act much more proper than she cared to act. But as she watched Regina's careful steps, her rigid movements, she was interested in spending time trying to see what made this Queen tick. The woman was quite obviously full of mystery and Emma looked forward to spending some time with her.

She was admittedly gorgeous, Regina.

Her very long black hair was down and parts of it braided and pinned. There was a scar on the top of her lip and Emma couldn't quite help but wonder how it got there. It was endearing. The Queen's eyes were dark and brown and lovely. Emma wasn't quite sure how to feel about her.

Regina's deep brown eyes met Princess Emma's suspicious blue ones. Her long but admittedly very pretty blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders. Regina had never seen anyone with blonde hair, but she thought it was very nice. Emma looked as though she was quite mischievous and it gave Regina pause. Staying with this family would be interesting.