G!P Emma. Please don't read if that upsets you.
-/-
Somewhere in the Enchanted forest.
A long forgotten evil springs to life once more.
The beast tastes the air.
It's ripe with the most powerful magic he has ever felt.
Magic that had been created during a tentative moment between two souls sharing their first kiss.
He walks to his balcony and tries to pin point the area where he feels it the most but just as soon as it had made it self known it had disappeared again cloaked by unsure feelings and darkness.
"Well well what do we have here? I thought I had one of the only two magical gems."
A high pitch maniacal laugh escapes his lips before he slips off to his dungeon to pay a visit to his long term honored guest.
"Maybe I won't be needing you after all."
-/-
She waits.
With bated breaths and trepidation she waits for Emma on their wedding night.
Even as the moments crawl by she doesn't know what to expect, only what is expected of her.
Suddenly her corset is way to tight and it feels like she can't breathe.
She thinks of the small vial given by her mother but quickly dismisses any thought of taking anything that would dull her senses.
There are voices outside the room but it's unclear as to who it is or even what is being said.
She stares at the large door long and hard but it never opens.
Her tired body gets the best of her. Despite her resolve, some time later she falls asleep.
-/-
The morning sun creeps through the dewy canopy into Regina's temporary bedroom window. She wakes with a start. Quietly she surveys the room wondering what time it is and how she fell asleep?
There's movement on the balcony outside her room. The immediate fear that her attacker has found her returns full force.
There's no weapon handy so she simply backs into a corner out of sight.
Emma who had been awake for some time strolls back into the bedroom after surveying the fort from Regina's balcony. Even though they are leaving for her Kingdom today she wants to be sure Regina is secure from intruders that may use this way to gain access
tothe Queen inthe future.
"Regina? What is the matter?"
"You? You were the one out there?"
"Yes, I was just making sure...my Queen? You are safe. Worry not." Emma says tentatively stepping towards a very spooked Regina.
"I thought you were...the person who tried to murder me."
"It's just us I promise."
Regina settles only to realize another horrible fact.
She had indeed fallen asleep on her wedding night.
Looking down she sees that she is still in her wedding dress. Her corset digging uncomfortably into her sides.
"Majesty...how long have you been here?"
"Since last night."
"I..I fell asleep. My Queen, forgive me." Regina says quickly kneeling to a surprised Emma.
"Wait..what are you doing? Stand up. Look at me. It's quite alright." Emma replies breathing in deeply.
"I am truly sorry..."
"Your apologies are not needed. I know yesterday could not have been easy for you and then the journey you undertook must have also taken its toll."
Regina looks around the room and spots the chair and blanket that Emma slept on.
"Why didn't you sleep on the bed?"
There is a long pause as Emma seems to be trying to sort out what she's is going to say before she says it.
"My sleeping here last night was only a formality, in the future we may not share a room."
"I don't understand. We are married are we not?"
"We are. Come, let's talk."
"Yes my Queen."
"Please, -Emma- you may address me as just that."
"Yes your highness... I mean Emma."
The two take a seat in front of the large fire place. Emma throws in a couple of logs to warm the room up before turning to Regina.
"Regina I don't know what you expected last night but I would prefer if our relationship remains platonic."
"I do not understand..." Regina repeats once again.
"Right now all I can offer you is better protection from your attacker, a very comfortable life and maybe friendship somewhere along the line. There are things other than the obvious, about me that will not be palatable to you."
"Do I get a say in this?"
"I thought that given the circumstances of our matrimony, you would be more than happy about my offer?"
"My father and you decided it was best that we marry. I've left my home and everyone I love for this. I will not be anyone's pawn and you Emma, will fulfill all your duties not only of being my Queen but as my wife as unconventional as it may be."Regina
repliesstanding to her full regal height.
Emma says nothing she just smiles at the tenacious woman she had heard so much about.
The young princess raised by Henry and Cora Mills who rode her horse freely through the fields without her saddle. The princess who sat in regularly during her fathers absence at council meetings, ruling on matters of the state.
This is the Queen she can envision commanding the realm with her. She's happy to see this side of Regina so early and not just the timid woman who could barely touch her food last night.
"Queen Regina, while I admire your strength and tenacity I can only offer what I know I can give freely."
"So what is my fate then? Am I just going to be some pretty ornament on your arm that has to survive without any hope of a growing relationship with you?"
Emma struggles to form reply.
Having accepted Henry's proposal she thought that she would been able to form an understanding without ever having to reveal her true self to Regina but now all that has gone to mush and she's left trying to reformulate as they go along.
"I do not wish to cause you unhappiness."
"That is exactly what you're doing." Regina replies not even understanding why she's even pursuing Emma and a closer relationship in such a manner.
A soft knock at the door breaks the tension.
"Enter."
"Your Highness, pardon the interruption but preparations forour journey is finished."
"Where are we traveling too?" Regina asks confused.
"Our Kingdom."
"Is this not your palace?" Regina asks trying to mask her worry and disappointment at being even further away from her childhood home and family.
"No my Queen. This is merely a supply fort. Now, it will be almost a half days ride to get home, I will leave you to get dressed. I will have your handmaidens sent in. Oh and please do join me for breakfast you didn't eat much last night."
Regina doesn't even get a chance to reply or ask to continue the previous conversation before Emma is out the door and her helpers are rushing in to prepare her for the day.
-/-
Breakfast is quiet.
Regina does not make any eye contact with Emma as she pushes various fruits around her plate.
Emma makes an attempt to start some conversation hoping to ease the almost palpable tension between them.
"How is your food?"
"It is fine My Queen."
"Call me Emma...please just that is fine."
"I prefer not to address you so informally in public, your Majesty."
Emma realizes that Regina is upset and that they need to continue their discussion from earlier but it will have to wait until a later time.
-/-
Almost half a day later Regina's carriage finally breaches the hills of her new home. The White Kingdoms castle is magnificent. Its walls rising up above the city beneath it.
Having grown up in a Kingdom of her own seeing other places never phases her or causes her to be envious but this before her gives her pause.
Emma smiles as she watches the awe on Regina's face.
She takes a moment to catch herself.
Though her queen is breathtaking she feels that's she needs to keep her at arms length.
Emma dismounts her horse and helps Regina and her hand maidens Ruby and Eugenia out of the carriage.
When they have all disembarked Emma extends her arm and Regina loops her hand aroundit as they make their way through the welcoming party.
"There are a few formalities." Emma says as she leans in and whispers next to Regina's ear.
Immediate goosebumps form at the sensation of Emma's warm breath ghosting her flesh.
"Regina these are some of the Queens Guard. August, Lancelot, Mulan, Neal, Lily and Marian. They will stay with you in spilt shifts during the day and night."
All of the men and women who are charged with protecting her step forward and bow pleading their allegiance.
Regina accepts their pledge and they immediately split up in groups of threes. Mulan, Neal and Lily fall into step along side Regina assimilating seamlessly into the entourage.
"I know you have your own two hand maidens but I will also provide a few more for you. They will help get you settled in your wing of the castle. They will also show you around the city if need be."
"My wing of the castle? Are you also living there?"
"No my queen I stay on the northern side. You are to the east of me."
The moment Emma says that, she can feel Regina's grip loosen on her arms.
She's trying to balance everything between herself and the tiny brunette but failing miserably.
-/-
Almost a month into her marriage and Regina has only seen Emma when they both listen to complaints from their subjects once a week and when they eat.
Any other time has been when their paths cross by accident.
Being away from home and her family starts taking a toll on Regina. She begins to withdrawinto her self and away from everyone.
-/-
"Merlin! Where have you been?"
"My Queen, I was scouting the woods. I am running short on a few supplies for the apothecary."
"Ah.." Emma replies nonchalantly as they walk the length of the top floor hallway that faces Regina's room.
"Is something bothering you, Majesty?"
Emma pauses for a moment. The only thing that has been irking her lately is her relationship with Regina.
"Do you think she hates me?"
Merlin looks over to where Emma is staring knowing exactly about whom the blonde speaks off.
"Disappointed maybe, but certainly not hate."
"What shall I do about her?"
"I think if you're asking me then you already know."
"Some members of my court thinks it better to keep away from her. They feel that she is an outsider and should not be privy to the inner workings of the kingdom."
"I don't think she presents such a threat. Those wary of her need to give her a chance."
"Even me?"
"May I be frank my Queen?"
"Speak freely."
"I believe she's the only bit of light you've brought into your life in a long time. You can still look for your mother and tend to your Queen. And who cares what they think? What do you feel when you're near her?"
"I feel...hope. That I can trust her."
"Then trust yourself. What you think. What you feel."
Emma turns to Merlin and smiles.
"Thank you old friend."
Her talk with her oldest confidant reaffirms what she already knew. That she had definitely developed feelings for the princess turned Queen and she needs to see where it leads too.
She thinks about the hurt she saw in Regina's eyes when she told her that she didn't wish any intimacy between them.
"If I want this to work with her I will have to tell her everything about myself."
Hopefully it would all go well.
-/-
"Good morning your Majesty, Queen Regina is getting dresses. I shall inform her that you're here."
Emma nods as she enters the foyer.
Before Eugenia can make her way to the room though, Regina steps out absolutely surprised to see Emma there.
"Emma?"
"My Queen, I thought we'd take a brief stroll before breakfast? Are you free?"
"For you, always." Regina replies as a small spark of hope in getting to know Emma better overrides her senses.
Emma takes her hand and leads them to the gardens.
Their stroll is mostly quiet but neither of them mind.
"Have you been well? Are you getting familiar with the grounds?"
"I am well. I have not walked around much. Beyond this garden I'm not sure what else lies here."
"Well just beyond, is the library. Would you like to take a look?"
"Yes of course!" Regina replies a little over excited.
She loves reading and though Ruby had mentioned finding the library Regina had declined seeking it out herself.
"Formatia trans sicere educatorum"
"Enter all ye who seek knowledge." Belle, the librarian supplies.
"Thank you." Regina replies.
"Welcome your Majesties. Queen Regina, I am Belle if you need help just let me know."
"Thank you Belle." Regina says sincerely as she take the young woman's hand in her own.
Regina and Emma spend quite sometime perusing the dusty shelves before they head back to have breakfast.
It may not have been much but it was a start.
-/-
Emma sits face to face with Regina.
She's about to tell her wife her biggest secret. She hopes the kind brunette will be as understanding as she seems with everything. She also hopes this will give Regina some clarification on why Emma wanted limited intimacy.
The blonde searches Regina's face for any indication of acceptance when she finally is finished telling Regina what she had kept hidden about her body.
The brunette is mostly curious
How it works?
Did magic cause it?
Is that the reason there has not been any intimacy despite their growing desire for each other's company?
Emma answers her as best as she can.
In the end though Regina simply leans forward and kisses Emma's cheeks calming the blondes nerves.
-/-
"King Henry, I hope this letter finds you well. As we speak I am dispatching the requested aide. Iunderstand King Leopold's troops have now occupied west of the marshlands. My scouts however have noticed their numbers dwindling. Strange.I will havethem
/look further into that."
Emma dips the pen in the ink jar and takes a quick look over to Regina who's reading the thickest book she has ever seen.
The brunette is so engulfed in her reading she doesn't even notice Emma staring.
"As for your other inquiry, Regina seems well however I know she misses her home. Her family. I wish there was a way to help her cope with that. Alas even I know that nothing can replace the longing you have for what is familial. Hopefully our visit for
/your birthdaywill quell her longing."
Emma finishes up her letter and puts her seal on it before she starts working on one of her many royal decrees but not before stealing another quick glance at her Queen.
-/-
One week after sending Henry's letter, Emma received one in return with a gift in tow. The blonde smiles. She hopes this will tide Regina's homesickness over until their visit.
She heads to Regina's room.
As soon as she enters the women scatter.
"My Queen." Regina says as she jumps to her feet to greet Emma.
"Regina I was wondering if you'd like to accompany me to the stable to take a ride today?"
"Of course, give me a moment to change into some riding clothes."
The Royal Stables are the only place Emma has yet to escort Regina to.
The brunette looks like a child in a candy shop as she comfortably interacts with the horses she comes into contact with.
"I have had the stable hand prepare one of our more cordial mares. I hope she will be to your liking."
"You know Emma I can ride. You don't have to be worried."
"Do you want to choose one then?"
"Yes. I would prefer too."
"Be my guest Your Majesty."
Regina walks around looking carefully at all the horses she'll know which one she wants when they choose her.
She looks back and she only now realizes that she had walked quite a ways from Emma but she's not worried as long as she knows both her guards and her Queen are close by.
"How about this one?" Emma asks from behind her.
Regina can't believe her eyes. "Could it be?" She wonders.
She runs closer to the large majestic animal.
"Rocinante?"
"Your father sent him."
"I missed you!"
"How long has he been yours?"
"He's been mine forever. I may actually like this horse more than I do you." Regina teases tearfully.
"I can see why. He is a magnificent animal." Emma replies as she gently strokes the horses beautifully groomed mane.
Regina sidesteps her horse. She takes both of Emma's hands in hers.
"Thank you for this." She says as she stands on the tip of her booted toes to kiss her Queen.
For the last month they have shared quick tentative kisses that never deepened but this one is different.
Regina steps even closer and molds their bodies together. She opens her mouth and allows Emma's questing tongue entrance.
The blonde moans into her wife's mouth. Never has anything felt or tasted so good.
Their kiss comes to an abrupt end as Rocinante unceremoniously sticks his head between them.
"Seriously?" Regina says scolding the large beast as both her and Emma dissolve into almost childlike giggles.
Outside the stables Emma's Knight, Killian watches, disappointed in his Queen. He had hoped that these two would not let this abomination of a relationship continue.
Maybe it's time to take matters into his own hands?
-/-
Rumpelstiltskin sits quietly spinning his straw wheel as another burst of energy permeates the air around him.
He smiles.
"Soon."
-TBC