"Robin, you can't be serious lad" Marcus huffed out in desperation to his son who was paying him apparently no mind, as he loaded the chestnut stallion, strapping the stirrups on lastly.

The older man walked behind his son, a firm hand placing on his shoulder

"What exactly do you plan to do?...Steal her away from the King?….Run off into the sunset together?..."

His heart was racing as he fastened the reigns onto his horse, his father's words boiling his blood to a tipping point as he desperately tried to focus on the task at hand.

"Jesus Robin! Have some sense of mind, you will be killed for treason and more than likely so will she"

"STOP! JUST STOP TALKING!" Robin beat his hands against the leather saddle in frustration. His breath pulled heavy as his eyes closed, his mind only flashing to her.

"I'm not letting you do this Robin"

"You don't really have a choice, I am 19, not some young boy anymore"

Marcus frowned as he pulled his palm away from his son's shoulder, "I don't understand this, You are willingly to risk your life for a girl you don't even know"

But I do know her….I know her laugh…. her smile…..the pain in her eyes….the taste of her lips….. His mind flooded with her, every detail of her perfect face resonated deep in him.

He sighed heavily before turning around, "You did the same with mom….." a small smirk pulling at his lips. His blue eyes begged his father's own for understanding. His father's face grimaced into a tight smile in reciprocation, before he sighed deeply "Robin, your mother wasn't betrothed to the King….it is completely different"

Robin shook his head, "It doesn't matter, this is all wrong. The King is nearly three times her age, it's not right"

"It's not for you to decide her fate Robin. Royal marriages are tricky complex things, best not to be meddled in"

"It's not a marriage father. Marriage is for love, do you really think the King will love her as she should be…." His eyebrows rising in baiting question, "can you honestly tell me, this King will cherish her as she deserves?"

Marcus smiled sad and small at his son, a boy who had now turned into a grown man, a son a father would be proud to have. He was full of courage, and loyalty, but it was his heart that was truly the golden point.

Robin took his father's silence as response "You know as well as I that she doesn't deserve to be married off to him"

His father scoffed "Robin, he is the bloody King! The girl will want for nothing, she will have everything her heart asks, is that such a terrible fate?"

His heart sank at his father's words, maybe he was right….maybe this marriage wouldn't be the worst thing for her….though it was for him, his heart had apparently laid its stake on her and there was no turning back from that.

Robin grasped his father's sturdy forearm and smiled "I promise you, that I won't do anything reckless"

Marcus snorted "besides try to steal away the King's new bride?"

Robin laughed lightly "Well yes….but in truth all I need to know is if she is okay, and if she is then I will leave her to her new life and come home"

"And if she isn't?"

He stared at his father for a moment, the battle between his heart and mind waging a heavy war inside. Half of him knew this was crazy, and yet half of him didn't care. But if she asked him to save her, he would, and that would mean a life on the run….he wouldn't get to see his family again. And if they were caught, they would surely be punished by death.

Instead of answering what they both knew the end result of this conquest may be, Robin simply pulled his father into a strong embrace, letting the whiskey and woodsy smell of his father surround him one last time.

"Be safe" Marcus whispered into his ear as he patted him heavily on the back. He pulled back and turned from his son before the younger man could see the tears that were building up in a father's eyes. Love was a difficult things, Marcus knew all too well the lengths most people would go to, he had just hoped his son's journey would have been much simpler, but when are things about Love ever simple.

Robin swung his leg over Chivalte, the stallion giving him a huff of acknowledgement before Robin pulled the reigns and the pair charged off into the morning sun.

"Marcus?" his wife's sweet voice called out to him from the house that lay behind the stables. He let his last few tears fall before turning around to her with a wide smile. His hand extended out to hers, and she returned his smile as her slender fingers intertwined with his. He stared down at their hands for a moment, feeling the warmth between them. His Elena was the light of his life, and he had fought for her every damn day.

Her soft palm reached up and rested on his face, pulling at the light gray stubble on his jaw. Their eyes met in a tearful exchange and a sad knowing that they would possibly never see their son again.

Her voice shook slightly as she leaned into his broad chest, his thick arms encircling her …. "He's gone isn't he?"

He kissed her temple, and inhaled her smell of flour and peaches, his fingers brushed through her blonde hair that streaked with grey at its roots. He sighed heavily "Yes"

"Do you think he will come home?" Her green eyes searched up to his deep set blue.

His heart sank at the expression of pure worry and fear on Elena's face. He shook his head slightly and placed a gentle kiss to her forehead "I hope we do, and yet, I hope he saves her…. Which would mean we may not, but he does love her so I hope for his happiness…."

"That damn love" she chuckled sadly into his chest. He smiled into the crown of her hair…. "That damn love" he whispered back.

He raced through the forest, pushing Chivalte as hard as he could. He knew the King's castle was at least a day's ride from here, if not two. If Regina was engaged to the king, Robin hastened that it wouldn't be long before the Royal wedding happened and then it would be too late.

The sun was warm on his skin as he pulled through the woods, riding free and fast like this always seemed to calm him down and when the clock was ticking as it was now, a soothed heart was what he needed. The hours ticked by and he could feel his stallion beginning to slow from exhaustion, though he loathed to stop, he couldn't let his horse collapse. Pulling on the reigns they slowed nearly instantly to a gentle walk, his hands ran through the horses dark chocolate mane as he whispered his gratitude for the horse's strength and stamina. He truly was a magnificent beast.

They walked along the dirt road, as the sun reached it's peak in the sky, it's heat burning the back of Robin's neck. They needed to rest, find some shade and some more water. He pulled on the reigns, halting Chivalte as he slid off, his feet landing lightly on the dirt. If he judged the distance they had covered and by the sun's position, there should be a river a mile to the west of them by the next village.

It didn't take long before Robin pulled into the small rows of cottages, thankful to see the lazy river that ran in the distance. Making his way over, he dropped the reins, letting Chivalte drink on the river bed as he splashed his face with the ice cold water before filling his own canteen. He sat on the sandy beach for a moment, pulling an apple from his satchel. He smiled down at the red fruit, his memory lingering to her playful voice as she scoffed at his remark that apples were sour….she had thrown back in play that oranges were sickly sweet, life needed a bit of tart to it. They laughed together, agreeing to disagree on fruit choice, but in the end Robin had grabbed the red apple over the bowl of oranges on his kitchen counter.

"OIY‼!" A loud voice boomed around him, startling Robin into a standing position as he scrambled to his feet.

He was met with a large looking man, near around his age he guessed, but the guy was big…..already had a thick brown beard on his face, and unruly brown curls in his hair.

"Is that my mom's apple! You be stealing from us?!" The man charged forward and Robin threw his hands up in surrender

"No, I swear, I didn't steal it. It's mine"

The man stopped a few feet in front of him, eyeing up the piece of half eaten fruit….Robin's breathing was stalling, the guy was way to big to take on himself, he'd half to run and hope that he could mount Chivalte before this massive bloke caught a hold of him.

His feet were about to turn and make a break for it but he was frozen to the spot when the other man began laughing. He stared at him in bewilderment at the sudden change in attitude…. One minute it looked like he was going to punch Robin out, the next his bellows were echoing around the small beach.

"Relax mate, me mom's apples are more yellow, that ain't from her garden. I apologize"

Robin let out a grateful sigh "You sure know your fruit…."

The other man laughed and clasped Robin heavy on the shoulder "Well, I am a growing man, best if I know all that this fine world has to offer, don'tcha think!"

Robin couldn't help but let out a laugh of his own "I guess you're right"

"John Mirrows!" His beefy hand extended forward "But most people call me Little John"

Robin laughed harder at that as he clasped the man's hand "Robin of Locksley…..Little John?"

John echoed his laugh "Aye, It's the running gag around this part of town. Where you off to?"

His heart suddenly clenched as he thought of Regina, he shifted his gaze to the stream, pushing the rapid beating of his heart down from his throat …. "The King's Castle"

Johns eye's widened "What brings you there?"

"Just some personal business" he answered back. It wouldn't be in the right to let a complete stranger know he was on his way to hopefully rescue the new Queen to be.

John furrowed his thick eyebrows, his chocolate eyes flickered across Robins face.

He could feel his heart rate picking up as John analyzed him in silence, obviously trying to figure out what Robin was hiding.

After a tense few moments, John shrugged "You should probably get going, the castle and town are getting hectic what with the Royal wedding tomorrow"

TOMORROW‼ His mind cursed at him for delaying so long at this beach, he thought the wedding wouldn't be for at least a week, giving him time to plan. He threw the apple core to the ground before running to Chivalte.

"Oiy, Robin. If ya ever need a place, you know where you can stay" John hollered at him.

"Thanks, John. I appreciate that" He waved his hand back before pulling hard on the stallion's reins and taking off back onto the kings road, his heart panicking as he thundered down the pathway, it was still at least 50 miles till the castle…. Time was running out.

He'd hit the edges of the Kingdom by nightfall, his brow dripped in sweat through his exhaustion. He lead Chivalte to a stable quarter and paid the old man a few silvers for his keep. He sighed heavily as he left the stable, his eyes looking up at the enormous stone castle. He'd made it, but now what? He couldn't exactly go running through the castle calling for her, that would be absurd.

He walked around the town at the entrance of the castle, the preparations for the wedding were in full swing. Flowers were being treked in by the cart, tables of food and decorations followed behind. He was certain he had never seen so much food in one place in his life.

A band was in full swing to the right of him, villagers dancing enthusiastically around as they clinked goblets of ale and wine together. They all seemed to be in incredibly high spirits and Robin shuddered internally. If they only knew who their new Queen actually was, a girl of only 17.

"You look lost Lad" a gruff older woman nearly bumped into him as he continued to walk blindly around the cobblestone pathways.

He turned to the woman, she was older, grey hair in a tight bun, glasses rested low on her nose. He could see the bright blue of her eyes, sparkling in curiosity at him.

He stuttered to find his voice for a moment "I…uh…."

"You're not from around here are you?"

He smiled small and shook his head "No ma'am I am not"

"No need for ma'ams and all. What are you looking for?"

His eyes coasted up to the castle, the looming stone turrets jutting high into the black starry sky.

She watched him, saw his eyes flicker to the towers, he couldn't have been more than 20 she guessed, and by the look of his dirty clothing, he certainly wasn't of this town and his accent he was most certainly a foreign boy.

"Are you here for the wedding?"

"No" he was to quick to reply.

"Then what's with the for-longing look in your eyes?" Her eyebrow arched high as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you" He laughed out.

"You are looking for someone"

It wasn't a question but a statement of fact.

Robin sighed and bowed his head, he didn't need to respond. He wasn't sure why he was being this honest with a stranger, but there was an odd sense of comfort in her eyes that he couldn't help but feel he could trust her.

"She's in the Castle I take it?"

He nodded as his eyes flickered back up to the castle.

"Where are you from boy?"

"Sherwood Townsville"

Her eyes widened at his response

"That's where the new Queen is from"

Again it wasn't a question but a simple statement.

A moment of silence surrounded the pair as she took him in, she knew that look, had seen in on her husband's face for many a year before he passed. She had seen it in her grand daughters green eyes when she looked at that woodman's boy.

She also knew more about this young Queen than most, being a cook in the kitchen. She had seen the girl walk into the Castle two days back. The older woman had watched her as she slowly walked through the Castle, and it hit her hard in her heart as she saw the sad defeated look in the young girl's eyes, the bare hint of smiles she tried to sell off. She was young, maybe a year older than her own Ruby, too young to be a Queen, especially to a man who was near three times her age.

The night of their arrival, she had served the new family, and had watched from the corner as the new Queen to be sat silent beside her mother. The other woman made her cringe, the way she loomed over her daughter, there was no doubt she controlled her. The young Queen's long chocolate hair cascaded around her face, as she hid her eyes when the talk around the expansive table shifted to the wedding preparations. The tears brimming her thick lashes as she listened to what was left of her freedom being taken away.

She watched in silence as the young girl excused herself from the table after the dessert course, lying that she was tired from the journey and needed rest. The King let her go without so much as a second glance, waving his hand in her dismissal. She followed the young girl up to her chambers in silence, a distance behind but there was a strange tug in her heart, she needed to ensure the girl was okay.

She stopped for a moment in front of the thick oak door of the Queen's new bed chambers, thinking of knocking but she knew that she probably wouldn't be let in. Instead she cracked the door open and her heart crashed as she saw the young girl sitting on the balcony, her knees curled into her chest, her shoulders trembling as she silently cried. She shuffled towards her, and the young woman didn't realize her presence until she placed a light hand on her shoulder.

She jolted up, a look of panic in her eyes as she stared at the older woman.

"Don't be afraid"

She watched as the girl brushed back the tears that stained her cheeks, trying her best to paint a smile on her face.

"I'm sorry" her voice shook as her lower lip trembled.

"No child, there is no need for that" She smiled at the girl.

"Who are you?"

"Milly Lucas, but you can call my Granny, most do"

It was a moment that passed as the girl stared up with her red rimmed chocolate eyes, debating whether she could trust this woman or not.

Granny settled down beside her and took her hand into her own grasp "I am not here to hurt you"

The young girl couldn't control herself any longer as she crumbled back into her legs, sobbing harshly.

Granny's heart ached for the girl, and she did what she knew best, pulling the girl into her arms, resting her head on her chest and began to rub smooth circles on her back. They fell into a quiet few minutes, as the girl clutched to her chest, her cries finally seeming to subside. She pulled back from Granny's arms, and shook her head in embarrassment "I'm sorry"

"I already told you there was no need for that"

"You must think I am being silly, crying over the fact I am about to be Queen" she let out a hitch laugh, her eyes coasting back out to the night.

"I think nothing of the sort" Their eyes met and Granny pushed a long strand of hair from her face, tucking it gently behind her ears "I know that royal marriages are tricky and often not for the right reasons"

The girls mouth dropped open at the words from the older woman. "You say that without fear of punishment?"

Granny chuckled "These people around here would starve without me, I have very little to be worried for"

The girl laughed lightly, swallowing the heavy lump in her chest as she played with the strings of her dress "I don't want to be Queen"

"So I gathered"

"Can you help me?"

Granny sighed heavily and pulled the girl's hands back into her own "Not in the way you wish, but I will do what I can to help you as Queen"

A fat tear fell from her eyes.

"What's your name?"

"Regina"

"Do you know the Queen to be?"

His eyes shot back to the older woman, his mouth parted as he inhaled a quick sharp breath.

"To a degree, you could say"

"Does she know you are coming?"

He shook his head miserably "No"

She took a moment to truly look at the boy, the sad hopefulness in his eyes as they fell back to the turrets.

"Why don't you help me with these baskets of vegetables. They are to go to the Castle Kitchens"

His eyes shot back to hers, and she smiled, a to knowing smile that had his heart skip a beat.

"I don't have all day" She huffed out as she handed two heavy baskets to him which he automatically grabbed. His feet moved without accord as he followed the older woman behind the Castle doors.

His jaw dropped at the expansive nature of the great hall, it could have fit three of his own small cottage back home. His eyes wandered to the heavy drapery, the thousands of golden candelabras that adorned the walls. He followed silently as his eyes searched for her. He didn't realize they had stopped until his chest hit the older womans back.

"EASY!"

"I'm sorry" he huffed out a quick apology.

"Set them down over there, and be careful. There are guards all over the place and they won't hesitate to take you directly to the king if they suspect anything"

He smiled and grasped her hand "Thank You"

With her simple nod he turned and made his way back to the Great Hall. He ran a hand through his blonde sandy hair. She wasn't here, and his first thought was her bed chambers…but that had to be heavily guarded. This was going to prove incredibly difficult. He fell into the shadows as he made his way up an enormous amount of steps, he only hoped he was going in the right direction.

His heart stopped as he saw the King and an older woman walking down the hallway towards him, deep in thick conversation. He pulled back into the shadows, hiding his body from their gaze. They passed without second glances in his direction, their conversation obviously stealing their attention fully. He breathed a sigh of relief as they walked down the steps, leaving the hallway in silence.

He pushed back from his hide away and walked with hurried steps towards the massive oak door at the end, surely this had to be for a Royal, he stole his breath before knocking gently, but there was no answer. For a moment he figured he had gotten the wrong door and his eyes searched the hallway for another. He smiled as he saw a small wooden entrance not twenty feet from him, a maid's door.

He turned the knob and walked through the dimly lit tunnel, finding another door at the end. Gently he pushed it open and his breath halted as his eyes took in the incredible room. There was a massive bed on the far corner, vanities and closets filled each wall and a heavy fire burned through the room, glowing it in warmth. He stepped in and shut the maids door behind him.

"Regina?" his voice whispered but there wasn't an answer, slowly he began to walk around the room, his fingers gliding gently along the diamonds and jewelry that adorned the vanity beside him. One necklace could feed an entire village he thought absently. He turned around and his heart stopped.

She was there, learning her body of the balcony, the light wind blowing her long locks around her small body. The gown she wore was incredibly, hugging her curves like a glove, a deep dark blue against her olive skin. His breath seemed to falter as he stepped closer to her…. "Regina?"

She stood straight up as she whirled around, her eyes wide in fear as she searched the room for who she thought was the King or her mother back to berate her more. Her own heart stopped beating for a moment as her eyes fell onto the stranger in her room. His blue eyes stealing into her as a small crooked smile ghosted his lips. Her mind betrayed her as all she saw was her Daniel, staring back…..her voice hitched as tears brimmed her eyes "Daniel?"

He was taken aback for a moment, but his feet pushed him forward to her. He could see the confusion in her eyes as they filled with tears...He reached out for her hand, holding her cold fingers into his warm palm "No, Regina. It's Robin"

Clarity flooded through her as she came back to reality, she pulled her hand from his as though burned by hot iron, her eyes creasing in confusion at him "Robin?"

He smiled and went back to reach for her but she recoiled a step and his heart clenched, maybe she didn't want to see him? Maybe this feeling was only on his part….his internal battle raged as he thought of how utterly ridiculous this all began to feel. Surely she didn't have the same feelings as he had.

His voice wavered as he ran his hand over his face, "I'm sorry, I just…."

"Why are you here?" she cut him off, her voice loaded in uncertainty.

Robin sighed and clenched his fists, his eyes fell to the floor, his embarrassment over taking him as he stood somewhat dumbfounded in front of her.

"Robin…" her voice came out as a whisper.

His eyes flickered up to hers and his heart thrummed in his chest heavy. She was incredibly beautiful, more so in person than in his mind. Her eyes were painted lightly, a rose shade covered her lips, her long chocolate hair pulled half up and half let fall around her slender shoulders.

She could see his own uncertainty as he looked at her….his eyes ghosting over her face as a small smile spread through his chiseled face. This was wrong, he shouldn't be here.

"Robin." She voiced out more stern and that seemed to pull him from his momentary daze.

"Regina, I'm sorry. I …I just…." The words seemed to falter him, the pull in his heart was overwhelming, the need to touch her hand and feel her warmth clouded his mind. But it was obvious in her stature that she wasn't feeling the same.

He turned on the spot, making way back to the door, his fingers nearly turning the knob before he heard her voice, shaking from behind him

"Wait!"

He stalled, his head turning back to hers to where she still stood frozen to the spot.

Her heart thrashed in her chest, she had just lost Daniel, the love of her life, and now there was Robin who was in front of her, a boy she had met only once, but the feeling of him had never left her. She knew she wasn't in love with the man, she wouldn't love anyone every again. But there was a strange pull in her stomach, a tingling in her heart as she stared back at the blue eyes that held her gaze.

She swallowed down the lump in her throat, "Why are you here?"

He turned fully to face her, his shoulders shrugged as his head bowed low, but his eyes never left hers.

She felt her body move towards him without her consent, but it was happening regardless, she stepped slowly closer and closer till she was only an arm's length away from him. They held each other's gaze for a long moment, either knowing what to say.

A long strand of curled hair fell around her face and as if on instinct he reached up and tucked it behind her ear. She flinched for a half second before letting the tension in her shoulder die down. His palm never left her as it now rested on her cheek, his calloused thumb pad gently smoothing over her cheek bone.

His heart was racing at the contact, that familiar warming sensation that flooded his body at the feeling of her skin. He smiled at her, "I just wanted to see you again"

The tingling on her cheek from his fingers sent butterflies into her stomach, but this wasn't right. She loved Daniel. This was just a reaction her current situation, she forced down the strange feeling, burying it deep.

"You can't be here"

"You're the one who shouldn't be here, Regina"

Her breath hitched at his words and she felt the emotional bubble threatening to explode, he was right, she shouldn't be here, she should be with Daniel. Her eyes closed heavy as a lone tear fell from her lashes. His thumb was quick to brush it away.

"Hey, Hey. I didn't mean to upset you M'lady" . He stepped a half stone closer to her, his other hand finding light purchase on her hip. He felt her hands placed lightly against his chest and the feeling set his heart on fire.

Her voice trembled as she forced herself to look back up at him. His eyes were so filled with concern and comfort she could have drown in them. Without knowing what she was doing, she leaned in and buried her head into his chest, clutching at the lapels of his shirt as she began to cry. His arms wrapped around her, pulling her tighter into him. His fingers played mindlessly with the ends of her hair, his cheek leaning into the crown of her head. The familiar smell of vanilla and apple floated through him as he took a deep breath. She was so beautiful, everything about her sent his heart into a race.

"Regina, let me take you away from here" He whispered into her ebony locks. He could feel her tense before she pulled back from him. Her eyes wide in question, her rose lips parted as the last remnants of tears ghosted along the seam.

She was supposed to have run with Daniel. Her heart tore apart at the thought of her stable boy, the green of his eyes warm and soft, the smell of hay and wood that clung to him, his gentle palms that held her.

Her mind ran a thousands miles a minute as Daniel's face faded from her vision and Robin's came into view. His eyes to held that same sense of ease, of adoration. He smelt like forest, the fresh smell of rain and pine. His hands ran up and down her back in soothing motion as he smiled gently at her.

"I Can't"

"Yes, Regina you can. We can leave right now" His voice thick in hope.

She shakes her head and extracts herself from his arms, the immediate coldness surrounds her as his warmth moves away.

"No Robin. If I ran, If we ran, the King and my mother would find us. It is treason against the crown, we would be executed"

He sighed heavily, missing the feeling of her in his arms instantly. He knew the risk that this would be…. "Regina…"

"Robin, stop. I have already lost so much, I would rather another innocent life not be taken on behalf of me. I can't go with you, I'm sorry"

He saw the sadness infiltrate her eyes at her apology as she turned back to the balcony, her shoulders slumping forwards as a slender hand wrapped around her waist. He watched as she stepped slowly to the open breeze, her body resting against the balcony door frame.

"You have to go, before they find out you snuck in here"

His heart clenched and he walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist as he buried his head into the crook of her neck. He felt her breath stall for a minute, her body tense before relaxing into him. They stood together for a minute before once again she pulled from him and his heart ached.

"Regina, I know I can't give you the kind of life that a Queen would live in….and I know that we barely know one another…."

She snapped as she turned to him "We don't know each other at all"

Her sudden tone catches him off guard and he steps back from her . He can see her eyes brimming in tears, the clenching and unclenching of her fists at her sides. She is battling herself and it takes everything in him not to just sweep her up into a searing kiss.

"Do you not want to leave?" He asked quietly and she stops her pacing staring at him with a shocked expression.

"Of course I want to leave, you think I wanted to marry the King?" she turns her back to him and rests her forearms against the railings, silence surrounds them as Robin is unsure what to do. Her soft cries pull him from his tranced state and he walks up beside her, bumping her shoulder with his, and leaning against the iron balcony.

"I don't wish to be Queen. I don't want this life" she whispers between tears.

"Then come with me"

She shakes her head "I can't. And I can't let you die because you want to save me"

"I won't, if you haven't noticed I'm quite the artist at moving in the shadows, I made it to your room in the King's Castle without being noticed" He smiles and bumps her shoulder with his. She smiles, for the first time, and his heart skips a beat.

"I'll give you that, you have guts. Stealing into a Castle to kidnap the Queen. Quite the thief you are"

He chuckles and grabs her hand, the warm tingle spreads through his body and he wonders if she feels the same thing.

"Let me protect you Regina"

"You're very sweet Robin. And I appreciate the effort. But I can't" She squeezes his palm.

They stand together in calm silence, his thumb rubbing her knuckles. She leans into him and rests her head against his shoulder.

Their silence is interrupted by a loud bang at the door. They jump apart and she stares at the door, fear flooding her eyes as she looks up at Robin.

"You have to leave!"

"Regina, I won't let –"

"ROBIN! If they find you here they will kill you please!" she begs, pushing against his chest.

Another bang hits the door and she pulls his hand dragging him to the maid's door.

"I'm not going to leave you here Regina" He grabbed her wrist.

"Robin please‼" She began to tremble as the door knob opened, she swung the maids door open and pushed him inside. "I don't want to lose you to‼ Just go‼"

"I'm coming back" He pulled her into a tight hug before letting her go. She nodded frantically and closed the door on him just as the other swung open and her Mother parading in.

"REGINA! When I knock you answer!"

"I'm sorry mother" Her eyes flickered to the door beside her that hid Robin. Cora's eyes followed hers and she frowned moving closer to Regina.

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing" she replied to quickly and her mother gripped her forearm tight.

"You've been crying….again. Regina I've told you to cut that out. You are to become the Queen"

"I don't want to be Queen!"

"You have no choice, now what's going on…" Her eyes flashed back to the door as she moved Regina to the side.

Her heart panicked as she watched her mother reach for the knob. If she stopped her, Cora would surely know something was going on. She prayed that Robin had the sense to actually leave.

Her breath caught in her throat as the maid's door swung open. Cora stepped inside her eyes flickering around the dark hallway.

Regina let out her breath silently as she watched her mother retreat at shut the door.

He left, he was safe.

For now at least