Sitting at the head of the table, Regina looked every bit the regal Queen she once was. Her shoulders back, her head poised, commanding commanding respect and loyalty as only a Queen would know how. Her slender black and purple dress dipped seductively at her breast showing a touch of delicate flesh. Beside her, rumpled blue shirt, leather vest, and newly acquired leather wristbands, Emma could be viewed as the Queen's right hand man, the kingdom's White Knight and her Savior.
For formal dinners, a table would be laid with the finest china and silverware found in the kingdom - second best only to the silverware and china found at Snow White and Prince Charming's castle. For a simple family dinner, only commonplace crockery - white ceramic plates set with a black and purple insignia of mayoral office of Storybrooke, a cherished keepsake of Reginas -was laid, with familiar glasses - a crystal glass with an etched apple tree for Regina- and mugs - a plain black ceramic mug with marvel comic characters on it for Henry and a plain black ceramic mug with the insignia of a sheriff's badge for Emma - that were known by the castle staff to be favored by Regina, Emma and Henry.
Possessions such as these were secreted from Storybrooke and into Fairy Tale Land. Many travelers used the items to barter safe passage, or like Hook's Smee, just found things and knew of their importance or great value, and in knowing that, knew exactly who to seek to make a trade with for goods known as "Other Realm Items"
Henry eyed his mothers, knowing that they would not be able to keep to their promise. He smiled to himself, knowing also that his threats to leave and return to his grandparents castle were as empty as the mug he held in his hand. He loved his mothers dearly, but he had grown to detest their incessant treatment of him. He felt he was no longer a child, yet they could not see that before them was a man who had fought beside them, had helped them defeat a great evil, had proven himself worthy of the title of Prince long before he was able to ride like one. For crying out loud, he could shave now! and actually had something to shave! - unlike a number of the tavern boys he was sometimes wanton to run with. He reached forward and pulled a pitcher full of apple cider towards him. A Kitchen Staff Hand leaned down and filled his glass for him. Henry's brow furrowed. He turned towards the girl, no older than himself and scowled.
"While I am who I am, Carissa, I am no more helpless than a child. I can pour my own cider."
Taken aback by Henry's brash tone, the girl bowed her head and backed away, mumbling apologies. the sudden display caught the attention of his mothers and he was confronted by Emma's concerned look and Regina's questioningly raised eyebrow.
"Care to tell us what that was about, son?" Regina asked, placing her fork next to her plate and crossing her hands in a manner that told Henry he would need to explain or risk a lecture. Henry glanced sheepishly at Emma as he ducked his head.
"Sorry, kid. you are on your own for this one, even I agree that was uncalled for."
Henry took a gulp of his cider and slowly placed his mug on the table.
"Im not a kid anymore" he mumbled.
"Im sorry, I didn't hear that, could you please refrain from mumbling" Regina countered.
"I said, Im not a kid anymore" Henry stated, raising his head and glaring down his mother, a move that made him so like Regina it was no doubt as to who had instilled in him the courage, boldness, confidence and fortitude he now displayed.
Regina eyed her son, and turned to Emma for support. It was Emma who spoke.
"Kid, we know you are not a kid anymore. We know you are growing up and will be a great man -"
"I am a man!" Henry interjected. "I can shave and everything!"
Emma chuckled, causing Henry to scowl at her.
"You are a young man, yes, but not a grown man. I can shave too, does that make me a man?"
Henry sulked "That's different, and not what I mean. I want to go. I want to find adventure. I want to do what you do. Im ready. Ive been training. Grandfather thinks Im ready, so why can't I? And - and I have decided, I want to find Cora-"
Regina's chair fell to the floor with a heavy thud and she stood abruptly. She slammed her hand on the table, causing both Henry and Emma to jump.
"No! Absolutely not. You are not to leave this castle! I forbid it!" Regina said sternly, her eyes seeming to grow darker and well with tears at the same time.
"You cant stop me" Henry yelled, his anger rising and beating down his conscience "You're not my mother!"
The words hung in the air. Regina's eyes flickered, never one to show emotion, her hurt was quickly buried. Her heart felt heavy and wounded as she imagined Henry's sword piercing her chest and stilling her heart's beat. She picked up her plate and hurled it in Henry's direction. Henry ducked to the side as the plate sailed past him and smashed as it hit the stone floor. Regina glanced fleetingly at Emma before storming past the uncertain castle staff that had gathered by the dining room door.
Henry's guilt overcame him as he watched his mother push through the onlookers.
"That was an awful thing to say Henry. Im a little disappointed. I think, maybe you should go and chill out in the library while I go see what damage was done."
Numbed by his actions and the guilt that gripped at his insides, Henry nodded and made his way to his sanctuary. Emma followed the upturned vases and statues that adorned the castle hallways to the north wing and Regina's apothecary. It was there, amongst the smashed vials, that she found Regina. As Emma bent to embrace her Queen, Regina clawed at her vest and sobbed desperately.
"She's destroyed me"
Not knowing what else to do, Emma listened to Regina's cries, smoothed her hair and rocked her soothingly well into the night. When she knew that her Queen had exhausted herself with grief, she picked her up and carried her to their bedchambers. Emma curled herself around Regina's sobbing form and stayed awake listening and soothing until the sobbing subsided to the deep labored breaths of sleep. it was then, that Emma allowed herself to close her eyes and succumb to the sleep that stung her own eyes.
