AN: Two updates in one day?! I deserve a very large cookie but I will settle for reviews =) LOL. Warning there is a graphic scene in this chapter, not too graphic but still. Oh yeah I own nothing ! There is a movie quote in here, anybody that can tell me what it is gets TEN POINTS TO GRYFFINDOR!

"Is the plan for me to starve to death?" Emma called out from between the bars in her cell. One of the older guards came over to address her and she stumbled back when he jumped at her.

"Not so tough now." The hefty man chuckled

"Well when a fat ass like you goes bulldozing wherever he walks, I would think everyone would jump out of the way." Emma shot back, making the mistake of getting to close to the bars. The man swiftly reached in between the space with great speed and pulled her close by her tunic.

" When the time comes I shall truly enjoy killing you. " He seethed, spit flying all over.

"But until that time, you better be a *little* nicer to me. Now where's my water?" Emma smirked prying his hands from her shirt. The man walked over a couple of paces before gathering a cup of water. Instead of giving it to her, he splashed it soaking her shirt and the top if her pants.

"No ice?" Emma asked the man cheekily. Behind him there was a commotion, then a path was made and Emma could see the Princess stalking forward.

"Your majesty." The hefty guard bowed when Regina reached the bars.

"Open the gate." Regina spoke coldly

"Yes your Majesty." The guard practically tripped over himself to appease the Princess. As soon as the bars opened Regina summoned her magic to throw the White Princess backwards.

"Well I can say I wasn't expecting that." Emma wheezed out as she rose to her feet.

"Shut up or I will have your tongue ripped out! Guard, bring me my scourge!" Regina brought the girl to her knees as soon as the whip was placed into her hand.

"I see no reason why you should escape some form of punishment today." Regina walked around Emma and brought the whip sharply down on her back. The blonde didn't flinch or cry out and that enraged Regina.

"You killed my father you worthless scum! A king! He was a king you filthy girl!" Five more swift blows had Emma's body vibrating in pain, yet she still didn't move or yell out. Regina used her magic to rid the girl of her tunic as she delivered blow after blow until there was a small pool of blood at the blondes feet. She walked around Emma's front, taking in the child's red face and tear filled eyes.

"Why won't you cry? Scream! I know it hurts!" Regina delivered a swift kick to the child's stomach causing her to retch up everything in her stomach.

"He was my Papa. He was just trying to protect me. It was ME they were after and he died and its your fault!" Regina screamed tears streaming down her face.

"M'Sorry" Emma moaned out and that seemed to snap Regina out of the darkness.

"Oh my goodness what did I do." Regina gasped just as Cora appeared.

"My Sweet girl." Cora surveyed the damaged before taking her daughter into her arms.

"I'm a monster!" Regina cried

"No your not! You've just been holding that in for far too long. I'll fix it, don't worry." Cora shushed the girl before gesturing to a chamber maid to lead Regina away.

When she turned back to Emma, the child was still on her knees, water filled eyes and her head held high. Without her shirt on Cora could count her ribs and she could see various scars that littered her body.

"When was the last time you've eaten a meal?" Cora asked summoning sterile water and several rags. With a wave of her hand the vomit and blood disappeared from the floor as she set to work on her back.

"I do not remember." Emma managed to choke out as the hot water made contact with the cuts and welts that had now covered her back.

"You've said in front of my court that your parents locked you away at four winters. Why?" Cora used her magic to close up the wounds to where they stopped bleeding. She could have healed them completely but a petty part of her wanted the girl to suffer because of the state her daughter was in.

"They detest magic. When I displayed my gift, at first they were in denial. Then right after my fourth name's day I fell into a creek by the palace. I manged to magic myself out but people saw. The Dark One told them I wasn't to executed. He was fascinated by my powers and he wanted to see how they would grow. My mother couldn't handle it and I was packed up and shipped off to a tower deep in the woods with my chambermaid." Emma explained when the pain faded into a dull ache.

"Then one morning they came back to get me, only to send me here where I found out I was to be hanged." The White Princess concluded.

"They didn't tell you why? Why they order the attack on my husband and my daughter? Your mother has this notion that she is good and anything that doesn't agree with her is bad. We denied your brother's offer for Regina's hand and they took it as a slap in the face. Leopold is nearly twenty-five winters, Regina is only fifteen. I would have been morally wrong. Yet they decided to try and assassinate my crown. Do you see why you have to die?" Cora asked, icy blue eyes met mossy green and Cora noted how sullen the girl looked.

"No I don't, actually. I didn't order your daughter's death nor do I have anything to do with the king's. Yet I am expendable because of the blood that flows through my veins. Can you honestly say that my death will solve anything?" Emma's eyes hardened at the older woman.

"No my dear, I cannot." Cora murmured before rising to her feet.

"I shall have a guard bring you some substance." The Queen dusted off the imaginary dirt off her dress.

:

:

:

:

:

"Mother..." Regina's voice was hesitant and Cora found herself putting away her quill to turn to the teen.

"Yes my Darling?" She asked sweetly, well as sweetly as a Queen could.

"I didn't mean it. I feel sick to my stomach now that I have had time to ponder it." Regina sunk into the chair gracelessly.

"What are you going on about?" Cora asked tiredly, wanting nothing more than to finish writing her letter so she could send it off.

"The White Princess doesn't deserve to die. Her parents do. They are the one's that sent the order, they should be the one's receiving the punishment. The child is...innocent" Regina normally tanned skin was pale when she thought about what she did to the girl.

"I see." Cora nodded at her daughter before she continued on.

"So what do you suppose? We call of the execution?" Cora cocked an eyebrow at her youngest daughter.

"Surely you cannot be asking me this." Regina gasped when she realized her mother was leaving the decision to her.

"Regina you are the heir to the Dark Crown. One day you'll have to make difficult decisions, such as whether a life continues or ends." Cora explained

"Your Majesty! I beg your pardon!" One of the newer guards rushed in and bowed lowly to both royals.

"What is it?" Cora hissed, angry at being interrupted.

"The prisoner, she has escaped from her cell!" The guard rushed out.

"Rise! What is your name?" Cora peered curiously at the new face.

"Graham but I am better know as the Huntsman." Graham said once he straighten up.

"Well Huntsman, it is your duty to return the White Princess to me. Unharmed! You are dismissed . Cora waved him off

"As you wish." He bowed one last time before leaving in a hurry.

"Darling you have until he brings her to decide her fate. Now if you'll excuse me I have to finish writing your sister." Cora turned her attention back to the parchment.

:

:

:

:

:

:

Her lungs were on fire and it seemed like she couldn't get enough oxygen in. Whipping around a corner fast, she nearly barreled into a hulking figure, before she just managed to slide in between his legs.

"HALT!" The guards were coming from every direction until she was boxed in. Panicking she accidentally summoned her magic and poofed out just as one of them made a grab for her. She was dizzy when she landed in a very lavish room. When her vision cleared she caught sight of the Princess and before she could stop it she let out a loud gasp causing Cora and Regina to jump from where they stood. She backed away quickly from Regina who she landed closely to, tripping over a small chair before tumbling backwards.

"How did you get in here? There are charms preventing magically beings from entering without my consent!" Cora hissed standing in front of Regina protectively.

"I-I...I" Emma tried to talk but she couldn't breathe, squeezing her eyes tightly she focused on bringing air into her chest cavity.

"Dear, do calm yourself." Regina was concern, she went to take a step forward but Cora stopped her.

"Come on , come on!" Emma whispered frantically trying to use her magic to leave but nothing was happening.

"Figures it wouldn't work when I need it!" The girl gritted out slapping the floor.

"Are you trying to use magic?" Cora asked now amused

"Are you gonna kill me now? Or strip me and beat me like a thief in the street?" Emma asked tilting her head up defiantly

"Regina what are we going to do?" Cora turned half of her attention to her daughter but kept an eye on the girl.

"By Gods she is going to tear apart my soul!" Emma turned a pale shade before quickly turning green.

"Are you going to be sick?" As soon as the question came from Regina's mouth Emma was scrambling to a waste basket.

"Eating for the first time in at least weeks and then running around my castle like a chicken without a head isn't the smartest thing to do." Cora tiffed before magicking away the bile.

"I wish to apologize to you. What I did was unacceptable and barbaric and you did not deserve that." Regina stepped forward wringing her hands as Emma watched her warily.

"We're not going to kill. I don't know how but I swear on my life no harm shall come to you." Regina said firmly getting lost in the girls mossy green eyes.

"What do you wish in return?" Emma eyed her suspiciously

"Forgiveness I suppose. I wish for you to forgive me for my heinous actions" Regina swallowed harshly as she waited for the girl's reply.

"I suppose if your sparing me, I have no choice." Emma face remained stoic and Regina felt disappointed. She wanted Emma's forgiveness because the girl truly forgave her, not because she felt obligated.

"I guess this is the part where I thank you profusely for your mercy." Emma sent the Dark Princess a grin as she walked towards her. She bowed lowly, taking the princess hand and placing a kiss on her knuckles.

"How Charming." Regina said sarcastically but her cheeks were a tinted red.

"No I believe that is the man people refer to as my father." Emma replied, the grin wiped completely off her face. Cora coughed awkwardly bringing the attention back to her.

"I really need to finish writing your sister. I'm thinking she can help with our situation." Cora said gesturing to Emma.

"Well do get on with it." Regina urged