I'm sorry I didn't update sooner . I had three exams in the last ten days . I appreciate all the reviews and people who actually read and follow this story :)
Emma didn't even have time to blink before she was off, sprinting to the stables. She mounted the first steed she found and the beast was running full speed in Regina's direction. The young princess encouraged the horse to go faster as they approached the damsel in distress.
Regina was screaming franatically, holding onto her horse as if her life depended on it while the said animal refused to slow down. Emma approached them as close as humanly possible and reached her hand out to grab hold off the older girl.
"Hold on."
Regina didn't hesitate to put her arms around the other girl as the former tried to seperate her from the frenzied animal.
Emma used all her might to pull Regina off her steed while trying to remain balanced. The action proved to be quite difficult. There were a few seconds of reassurance just before Emma lost all composure and they both fell down, Emma on her back and Regina right on top of her. In the process of falling Emma put her arms around the young royal to guard her from the impact she herself felt when her back hit the cold ground, hard. All air was forced from her lungs as she struggled to breathe. Regina quickly got off from the other girl and watched as she struggled for air, panic evident in her eyes. She reached out and started to gently caress the said girl's hair to soothe her.
"Miss. Swan, calm down, breathe, just breathe."
The former princess tried to find comfort in the other girl's eyes as she tried to calm herself. A few seconds passed,and just as Emma thought she was about to black out, her breathing returned to normal.
"It's Miss. Swan now?" Emma teased, her smile spreading from ear to ear.
Regina's hand was removed immediately from the other girl's hair only to smack her on the head.
"Idiot! You scared the living hell out of me!"
And in that moment all worry was replaced by her composed facade and a frown.
"Oh,she's vulgar too."
"That is no way to talk to your superiors,Miss. Swan."
"I saved your life."
"You almost killed us both."
"No, I almost killed myself,there's a difference,My Lady."
Regina shot her a death glare.
"Idiot." She repeated.
"Come now, frowny face, all is fine." Emma's grin dissappeared as she tried to stand. Sharp pain shot through her back and she winced.
"I can see that. "
"It will pass. Were you injured?"
"I'm fine." Regina put her arm around the other girl's waist, helping her walk.
"I should retrieve the horses."
Emma started to pull away but Regina didn't let her.
"Nonsense. I shall ask one of the guards to take care of them. You should rest."
Emma stared at the other girl for a few moments before giving in a slight nod of approval. She understood that this was a form of saying thank you for Regina, and she wasn't about to deny her that.
"Thank you, My Lady."
"That's completely alright Miss. Swan."
The two of them proceeded back to the stables. Upon reaching their destination, Regina let go of her instructor.
"Do you need medical care,Miss. Swan?"
"I think I'll be just fine. Thank you for worrying, My Lady."
"I am not worrying Miss. Swan, I'm merely asking." Regina corrected.
"Right. Thank you anyway."
Just as she was about to exit the stables, Regina stopped. Without turning to face the other girl she gave in a small "thank you " before she completely dissappeared. It was said barely above a whisper and Emma still wasn't sure if those were the exact words which left the older girl's mouth.
Regina returned to her quarters unnoticed. Upon looking at herself in the mirror she noticed that she was a complete mess. Her once, immaculate hair was now sticking out in every possible direction and her clothes were muddy and torn.
"Mother's going to kill me."
Not a moment later, Regina heard the doors of her chambers open and she was graced by the unwelcome presence of her mother. Speak of the devil.
"Dear girl, what have you been up to?"
Her mother eyed her from head to toe in disgust.
"Have you been rolling in mud?"
"No mother, I was having my first riding lesson." Regina explained.
"I told your father you would not participate in such activities. Are you both deaf or did you simply choose to ignore me?"
"Father thought it would be good for me. It is actually quite an entertaining activity."
"Oh,you silly girl. I didn't spend all my wealth on you just so you could have fun riding ponies and roll in the hay with them. That will not give you a husband and a good life. I forbid you to go riding again."
The older Mills warned.
"Mother, that is absurd!" Regina complained.
"It seems to me, my dear girl, that you completely forgot who you're speaking to. Maybe you need a reminder?"
It had been forever since Emma had last seen Regina.
Her days had been boring enough without her, too monotone. She would wake up just as the sun was about to rise to find a tray of food left for her. She would then eat, clean the stables and tend to the horses. There wasn't much to do around here other than think and that was exactly what Emma has been doing all these days. She would simply think about nothing and everything. About Regina, about Henry and last but not least, her parents.
What would her life have been like if she stayed in the castle on that wreched day? Was it possible to go around it without running away? Maybe, but Emma doubted that. What would her life have been like if she wasn't born a princess? She never fit in that role from the moment she had became aware of her status and all the burden and responsibility that went with it. Emma was never a proper young lady she was raised to be.
She never learned which of many spoons or forks to use at the dining table, she lacked manners, her posture was slouched and she absolutely loathed dresses. All in all she was a huge disappointment and would never be fit to be a Queen. Emma's evening walk and thoughts were interrupted by a strange sound, almost like sniffing? She proceeded to walk in the direction of the noise which was getting louder and louder as she came near a large oak tree. Emma approached the source of the noise tentatively.
"Regina?"
The said girl jumped up immediately.
"Miss. Swan! What are you doing here ?"
"Are you alright? Have you been crying ?"
Emma grabbed both her hands and started to inspect the other girl's face. Regina, however jerked away from her and refused to meet Emma's curious gaze.
"No." Was the simple answer.
"Did something happen? I haven't seen you in a few days."
"Nothing happend. Can't I rest from your obnoxious behaviour for a few days!?"
Emma took a few steps back from the other girl, obviously hurt by the remark.
"Fine, I'll just leave you to it then." She turned to leave but Regina grabbed her wrist to stop her.
"I'm sorry. Miss. Swan I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at you like that."
Emma took a moment to consider Regina's apology. She searched her eyes and saw that she was, in fact, sincere.
She smiled.
"Apology accepted. Mind if I join you?"
Regina returned the smile and nodded. They both walked back to the oak tree, laying down with their backs facing the cold wood.
A few moments of complete silence passed before Regina decided to talk.
"My mother forbade me to ride."
Emma turned to face the other girl and she continued.
"She was so furious I ignored her wishes that she decided to teach me another of her famous lessons. "
Emma was silent. Too afraid to ask what her mother did to her.
"She whipped me that day." Regina continued, tears running freely now.
And right in that moment, Emma saw red. How dare she ?! How dare her mother do that to her? What gives her the right? Emma was repulsed by someone she didn't even know. She stood up, pacing up and down,her fists clenched.
"I'm going to kill her." Regina's eyes bulged.
"Miss. Swan, I did not tell you this to order an assassination of my mother."
Emma stared at her for a few moments before crunching in front of the said girl and taking both of her hands in hers.
"Listen to me Regina. No one, and I mean no one deserves what you've been through. Your mother is wrong to threat you like that and she is the one who needs to be whipped. Do you undrestand that?"
Regina just turned her head, completely avoiding Emma's knowing look. She never told anyone of her mother's evil deeds or the way she treated her and it was completely beyond her why she was telling this to a complete stranger. She felt exposed. The young Mills felt her instructor's hand gently placed under her chin before she was forced to face her.
"You are the most intelligent, beautiful, perfect girl I've ever met. And your mother is wrong to treat you as anything but such. You must know that. Please know that. "
Emma stared at her pleadingly.
Regina gave in a slight nod and squeezed Emma's hands tight.
"Thank you."
Emma freed one hand to wipe the older girl's tears away and slowly stood up. She reached out her hand and offered it to the girl still sitting on the ground.
"Come with me ."