To say that Regina was seething would be an understatement. She did not sign up to play hero for anyone, but there goes Rumple trying to play the damn hero for once in his life to save some dim witted girl. She held Roland close to her who was now twirling her hair around his little finger, as she and Rumple walked in silence through the jungle. "I can't believe you agreed to this!" she sneered at him.
"Well, dearie, you get to play hero to that child, but I don't get to play hero for the only girl who's being held captive," Rumple retorted as they treaded carefully over an overthrown log.
"Oh, I have no doubt in my mind she's been pretty busy this Wendy Darling. The only young girl on an island full of delinquent minded, teenage boys," Regina stated.
"Must you always be so pessimistic?" Rumple inquired.
"I learned it from you," Regina replied. "I just wanna grab my son and get off this blasted island, and back home as soon as possible!"
"And what of the boy in your arms? Are you gonna force him to be your son like you tried to do little Owen?" Rumple whispered to her so that Roland wouldn't hear.
"That was a different situation, and despite popular belief, Henry has changed me for the better, and I will find Roland's father , and return him," Regina whispered back.
It was then that they approached Tink's tree house, and came through the bushes but were interrupted as the entire JR6 pointed their weapons at them. Regina arched an eyebrow as she could already see Henry imagining them as those Avengers he reads so much about. Past enemies united for one cause, Henry. It was then that Regina and Rumple explained their plan on how to trap Pan, but she could see that they were intrigued as to who the young boy that she was carried.
"Kidnapped another kid, your majesty?" Killian questioned out of the blue. He figured that he'd be the one break the ice, and ask the question everyone was pondering over.
"Why no Hook, Tinkerbelle and I saved him," Regina replied.
"Willingly?" Snow asked before she could stop herself.
"Yes, willingly!" Regina nearly snapped but had to remain calm as to not panic Roland who was already hiding his head in her neck from the strangers around them.
"He's shy everyone, we figure he doesn't like being the center of attention," Tinkerbelle explained.
Regina rocked Roland on her hip, as he turned his head to look at the strangers around him. "Say hi, Roland," she whispered to Roland who held out a hand to wave nervously.
"Hi," he said. "Is this your family, Regina?" he asked timidly.
Emma had to stifle a laugh at that question, but like everyone else, she listened intently to what Regina's answer would be. Regina contemplated the right words to say, as she rocked him on her hip trying to stall for time. "Yes, we're family" she decided to say wanting to make this boy feel as comfortable as he could.
It was then Emma let out a snicker, and Snow placed her hand over her heart as she tilted her head clearly affected by the words. David, like his daughter was finding it hard not to crack a grin, which Hook, Tinkerbelle, and Rumple allowed to show. "Aw, thanks grandma," Emma said causing the entire gang to burst out laughing.
Regina narrowed her eyes at all of them, and before she could lash out as she normally would, she looked to see Roland who was clearly tickled causing a smile to come across her face but she still sent a glare in Emma's direction who smiled at seeing Regina so motherly towards this child. "Oh, Miss Swan, I don't forget," she warned.
"That's alright, now can you finish telling us the rest of the plan?" Emma asked.
"Actually, there won't be a plan, not with him at least," Neal stated pointing at Rumple.
"Bae, please," Rumple said.
Everyone listened as Neal began explaining the prophecy to all of them, and when he was done, everyone stared at Rumpelstilskin in disbelief. Their expressions varied from shock and anger before everyone drew their weapons against Rumpelstilskin and to Regina's surprise, Roland didn't even show the tiniest bit of fear at the weapons that were drawn, and pointed at Rumpelstilskin.
"You wanted to kill our son?" Emma asked.
"Everything I've ever done was for Henry," Rumple explained.
"Then why didn't you tell us about this little prophecy of yours?" Regina questioned.
"He didn't want any of us to know," Neal stated, and Rumple could see that him holding that secret still hurt his son on some level.
"Why would you even think that killing Henry would solve anything!" David asked.
"Do you even know if the prophecy was talking about Henry?" Snow asked.
"Looks like I can skin myself a crocodile after all," Hook muttered earning him a jab in the ribs by Tinkerbelle.
"Hold up everyone!" Regina yelled not believing what she was about to do. "I think we're taking this a bit to the extreme, he is Henry's grandfather, and if he wanted my son dead…then he would have killed him in Storybrooke. Which would mean all of us would be sitting in prison right now for killing him," Regina declared.
Emma thought about it for a moment, and what Regina said did make sense. There were plenty of opportunities that Rumpelstilskin could have used to kill Henry, but he didn't. Yet, that didn't mean that she trusted Rumple anymore at this very moment. Before Emma could even respond, they heard the sound of arrows and swords being drawn, and turned around to see a group of men with their weapons pointed at them, causing the JR6 to turn their weapons upon them in a stand off.
"Drop your weapons!" A British accented voice ordered from the leader who stood with three arrows lined on the bow. A hood covered his head, but they could see by the narrow line of his lips, and cold glare in his eyes that he meant business.
"You first!" Emma retorted.
It was then that the man saw the child in Regina's arms, and they could see a look of relief come into his eyes. "Roland!" he yelled.
As if on cue, Roland turned to look at the man before he started to wiggle out of Regina's arms, causing her to have to place him on the ground. Regina and the gang watched as the man dropped his bow and arrows, and picked the Roland into his arms. "Papa! You came!" Roland yelled excitedly.
"Is that your kid?" Emma asked.
"Yes, this is my boy," the man said as he kissed the side of his son's hair before standing up to his full height holding the boy on his side. He watched as the entire gang let out a sigh of relief at the fact that Roland had found his father, now the question was how he got here. But one sigh was not heard, but instead it was a gasp as everyone turned to Regina who took a slight step back as she and the man locked eyes with one another. Snow, Emma, David, Hook, Tinkerbelle, and Rumple glanced between the man and Regina.
Regina's heart nearly stopped itself as she saw a smile show under Hooded Man's face who took a step forward, a familiar laugh coming out of him. Emma, David, and Snow looked at Regina who looked pale as a ghost, as the Hooded Man removed his hood smiling widely. "Well, well, well, It's been a long time hasn't it Princess?" the man asked.
"Robin Hood" Regina whispered.
X: Thank you all so much for the awesome reviews, and I hope this isn't too rushed, I just want to be caught up with the show. Next chapter we'll see the reunion between Regina and Robin Hood, and a reunion it will be! To my wonderful reviewers, just because I don't update weekly doesn't mean I forget, so you all need not worry, I know the ending of this story already. It's just school and then work, but I will find time to update more often dears! Thank you all for the wonderful reviews because they keep me inspired, so please, please review! Thanks!