Author's note: Yay to 2 chapters in a day! I decided to separate them in order to create two different sets of storytelling. One is from Emma's perspective and the other one is from Regina's. Hope you like this chapter and review and suggestions are welcomed. All errors are mine.

At Edge of the White Kingdom

Princess Emma Swan was riding her horse as fast as possible. She had been on the run for the last week, and although she had been able to avoid gaining the attention of the people from the towns, she saw royal guards stopping and questioning them. For some reason the guards were close on her tail, and after switching destinations and making final destination decisions on the spur of the moment, she still found herself being closely followed. She did not understand why this was happening, and it annoyed her tremendously to only be able to remain one day in a town. Bug was getting tired, and she was afraid that soon the horse would lose a shoe, which meant that she would have to stay an extra day in town. Emma was upset at her parents for wasting resources on her, especially because this trip allowed her to see the reality that the peasants lived in her parents' kingdom: Most of them lived in terrible conditions, barely having enough to feed themselves. The tax collectors came daily and refused to leave empty handed. When someone was unable to pay, the person was sent to the dungeons to await for trail. It made her blood boil to see these people suffering while her family and the rest of the royals were busy stuffing themselves with unnecessary riches. It did not surprise her that her parents' kingdom was broke, considering their poor investment techniques and extravagant expenses. But, as it usually was with societies, the people that paid for the mistakes of the top were the ones at the bottom of the pyramid. She did not miss the angry group of peasants that met in taverns late at night and discussed their sorrows over a cup of beer, usually remaining quiet on one corner while drinking. Today's comments went from insulting her parents (this was an usual thing), the unnecessary presence of the guards at their town and how much the kingdom had deteriorated under the White royal line.

"You know, although she was severe with her punishments and obsessed with capturing Snow White, the Evil Queen was a good ruler." a man had said.

"She was evil!" a woman shrieked. "How can you even say something like that?"

"She was a Queen. She ruled and she kept the people of her kingdom, those who did not involve themselves with Snow White, fed and satisfied." the man replied firmly. "Tell me Maureen, when was the last time you ate a piece of meat?"

Maureen looked down, unable to quickly think of an answer.

"I remember." the same man said while earning the attention of more people. "It was during the Evil Queen's reign. Unlike the Whites', she did not spend our money on chasing runaway princesses and holding balls for foreign kingdoms. The Evil Queen got her own hands dirty."

"Princess Emma was kidnapped." a man from the other side of the bar said.

"Don't be fooled Tommy." the man kept on rambling. "That girl decided to run before her parents sold her like a piece of steak to the highest bidder. Or do you think that the Underwater Kingdom just came for the scenery?" he smirked.

"And you keep your mouth shut before someone who matters hears you old man." Tommy told the man who simply laughed. "Or do you not care about your life?"

"I do not care about this kingdom or their rulers. I was once faithful to a tough but fair ruler. As it usually happens with humans, she had her flaws, but leaving her people abandoned and starving to death was not one of them." he raised two fingers and placed them on his chest where his heart was. "Long live the Evil Queen."

The moment the man did the sign Emma saw a group of men in white uniforms stand up and make their way towards the older man. Smirking to himself, he simply continued drinking his beer while the guards forced him to turn around and face them.

"Admitting allegiance to the Evil Queen is considered treason. The punishment for treason is death. Do you accept this sentence?" one guard told him.

The older man smiled. And while bending down in a submissive stand he quickly used his shoulder to hit one of the white guard's kneecaps. Howling in pain because of the contact, the guard's hold on the man loosened up, which then gave him enough leverage to raise his leg and hit the second guard on his balls. Wincing in consideration, Emma smiled when the older man stood up and finished his beer, amused at having bested the royal guards so easily. When they finally came to their bearings, the guards angrily stood up and ran towards him, and Emma, who had been sitting a few chairs behind him, couldn't help herself and moved her foot so the guards would collide and fall to the floor. Winking at the older man who nodded in recognition, Emma quickly paid for her drink and started to head out of the tavern only to be stopped by those two guards. Scolding herself for placing herself in such a vulnerable position, Emma saw Bug a few meters away from her, calmly waiting for her return. She knew she had to distract the men for long enough so her horse would come close enough.

"Can I help you with something?" she said while avoiding their gaze.

"You aided that man. Is your allegiance also with the Evil Queen?" the guard said angrily while grabbing her hood and lowering it, making it obvious that it was her the one under it.

"Princess Emma!" the guard said and immediately grabbed her arm. "We thought you were dead."

Emma simply shrugged. "I thought I would be, but thanks to you I am finally safe. I merely stopped you from going after that man because he was my captor. It seems that your bravery spooked him." she gagged at the fake compliments. Bug was getting closer.

"Only the best for her Highness." the second guard said proudly. "Your parents will be so relieved when we tell them we found you."

"And I will make sure you are handsomely rewarded for your bravery." Emma smiled and then saw Bug pass right in front of them.

Making a quick run, she jumped on top of the horse and turned around to see the surprised looks of her two captors.

Smirking in contempt, Emma made Bug go into a gallop, wanting to set the most possible space between the royal guards and herself. She smiled, relieved at having escaped that close encounter with her captors and at the same time scolding herself for her carelessness. She had to remember that she was not a peasant, but merely a runaway royal among them. She hoped the old man was smart enough to go away from town, especially since she had basically accused him of kidnapping a royal. Distracted, Emma failed to see that Bug was whining in warning, and before she could do a thing she found herself on the floor after her horse had stopped so abruptly. The fall had hurt like a bitch, and for sure was going to leave her some bruises, but what scared her the most was the whimper that came from Bug. Quickly standing up, she went to where her horse was laying down and saw that one of the shoes had come loose. She exhaled: She had no town or stable in sight, and based on what had happened a few hours ago, she had royal guards tailing her. And, to further complicate things for her, her horse had stopped so abruptly because she almost went over a woman. Terrified of her recklessness and nervous about her imminent doom, Emma faced her almost victim and was ready to sputter quick apologies and a possible compensation for the incident. What she did instead was dumbly stare: The woman in front was exquisite. Soft olive skin highlighted by dark large hair, she was a sight for sore eyes. Not dressed expensively, but also nice enough to be placed in the middle class, Emma saw light brown eyes stare angrily at her, clearly waiting for her to say something. But how could she when faced with such perfection? Emma had not been raised on ideas that established men were destined for women and vice-versa. She had been raised to appreciate beauty, no matter the form and shape it took. At least that she could thank her parents for.

"Well, are you going to say something or simply stare at me?" the woman simply grew tired of the awkward silence.

Emma gulped and shook her head. "I am so sorry." she apologized. "I was distracted, in a hurry, and failed to see you."

"That is obvious." the woman's tone made Emma smirk.

"If it wasn't for Bug you would have been made puree."

The woman nodded and approached her horse. "I guess I should be thanking him for his service." she caressed the horse. "He seems to have lost a shoe."

"Yeah." Emma whispered. "It was getting loose before I left the other town and it seems that it finally fell because of the abrupt stop. Do you know if there is a town nearby?"

The woman shook her head. "Closest one is half a day on horse, I am afraid."

"Then I guess the sooner I start to move the better chance I have of making it before nightfall." Emma shrugged and made way. "Thank you and again I am very sorry." the blonde started to put her hands inside her pockets so she could give some coins to the woman but a big noise stopped her. She knew the sound of that trumpet very well, and based on the other woman's face she also recognized it.

SQ-SQ-SQ-SQ-SQ

When Regina opened her eyes again she saw a door standing closely to her. Whimpering because of the pain, she softly stood up and entered the room, tired and merely wanting to be done with everything no matter the result. The moment she did she saw everything change in front of her, and with a small gasp she found herself on her parents' stable. Knowing what she was going to be forced to see, Regina started to softly cry in resignation at reliving all of her pain. As expected, Daniel entered the stable and her heart started beating quickly, followed by a younger version of herself. She could hear their soft voices and promises made to each other as if they were being said to her. Gasping at the moment she felt her mother's dark magic, Regina tried to stand between her mother and the man she had loved so much. She tried to make a sign to her younger self, tried to warn her about her mother's intention but it was all useless: Daniel's fate had been to die.

"Love is weakness Regina." Regina could hear her mother's speech. "It feels real right now, at the start it always does. But it's an illusion, it fades and then you are left with nothing. But power, true power endures. And then you don't have to rely on anyone to get what you want. I've saved you my love."

"You ruined everything!" Regina screamed. "I loved him! I loved him!"

"Enough! I've endured this long enough! Now clean yourself up. Wipe away your tears because now. Now you will be Queen." her mother scolded her and took her away from her lover's body.

Closing her eyes, Regina refused to see Daniel's empty eyes. It had been painful to see what happened and unable to protect the man he loved. And now that she knew she had the power to stop her mother she was still left to simply stare and let things go on. A bright light forced her to open her eyes after it dimmed, and again she felt her body succumb to the tiredness it had been feeling since this whole thing started. Not only was she in another painful memory, but she was outside, running in an attempt to catch a very distraught young Snow White from telling her father her secret.

"Love doesn't work that way." her younger self whispered lovingly. "Love, true love, is magic. Not just any magic, the most powerful magic of all. It creates happiness." she saw herself smile warmly. It had been really long since she showed such an innocent and warm smile.

"And that man in the stables." young Snow said sadly. "You love him."

"With all my heart."

Young Snow smiled warmly at her younger self and a pang of pain went through Regina's heart. How much she had cared about that child before Daniel's death. "Then you must marry him. I will go tell father right away."

"No no no! You can't." her younger self said vehemently.

"Why not? Surely he'll understand." the innocence in such a statement made her gag.

"Perhaps, but not everyone will. My mother for one, she'll stand in the way".

"That's why you are running." the young girl finally seemed to understand.

"It's the only way our love can survive." her younger self said sadly. "Snow, do you know what a secret is?" the girl nodded. "If you really, truly want to help me..."

"I do!"

"Then what you saw, what I just told you. You must keep it a secret. Can you do that?"

"I think so." the young girl responded and older Regina scoffed at her younger self innocence. She should have known that the moment the little girl doubted herself was the moment her secret was out.

"I need you to be certain. You can never speak of this. and above all, you mustn't tell my mother. Will you do that for me?"

"Yes, I promise." young Snow promised her and hugged her younger self warmly.

Regina turned around the scene and left the two shadows dissolve in front of her. She understood why this scene was shown to her. At this moment her life changed completely, her trust on others shattered by the carelessness and ignorance of a 10 year old girl who desperately wanted a mother. Ironically, she had cared about the little girl and felt truly sad about her situation when she was making her bags later that same night. What do you want me to do with this?, Regina asked the men while moving from side to side. Do you want me to forgive Snow White? Do you want me to forget what the selfishness of that little girl cost me? She knew she was never going to be capable of doing that. But she could simply resign herself to the reality that what she just saw was that, a memory of the past. There was nothing for her to do, no chance of changing fate or bringing back the dead. It had taken her almost a lifetime, but she finally accepted that her past was just that, the past.

The moment she admitted this to herself a bright light appeared, and without any struggle she felt her body moving towards it. Minutes later she found herself inside a white room, the pain that she had felt during the whole time finally numbed away. Relieved at being able to walk without wanting to throw up, Regina saw a set of clothes on top of the bed that had also magically appeared and immediately changed. Maybe because she just finished Fate's test, or because of what she discovered while doing it, she felt lighter, freer of the burden that all her victims and guilty people had inflicted on her own heart. She knew that she was ready to start over, to earn her happiness again. And, for the first time in a long time she felt that she somehow deserved it because Fate had deemed her worthy enough. Nevertheless, before she was let go she heard the voices of the white men whispering one last time…

"Go, and find your happiness, Regina Mills. You deserve it."

Regina nodded and closed her eyes, taking that final step towards the door of her room and she immediately fell on the cold ground. Not knowing where she was exactly, the brunette was not quick enough to notice a horse making its way right towards her. When she finally saw it, she closed her eyes and used her magic to make it stop, that of course making the irresponsible driver fall from it. Bruise well deserved for being so reckless, she smirked to herself until she saw the woman that had been on top of the horse. The woman, although dressed in men's clothes, had an endearing beauty that made her hold her breath. She also noticed how the younger woman was bluntly staring at her, her gaze focused on her face and surprisingly remaining there. The innocence of this woman is astounding, Regina thought because she could see the faint blush that adorned the blonde's face when she was asking her for directions. Noticing the horse, she realized that the breed was a good one. Indeed curious, she mused to herself while smiling, to see a young woman, obviously on a hurry, with such an expensive and well bred horse. She was on her way to ask the woman more questions, after seeing her desire to quickly leave her side, but before any of them could say something else, Regina heard the distinct trumpet that identified the knights of the White Kingdom.

"They are coming for me." both women yelled at the same time.

"Wait, they are coming for you?" they asked at the same time again.

"What did you do?" Regina asked her while stretching her hand so that the blonde could also start moving away from their sight.

"I don't believe this is the best moment for story-sharing." the younger woman spat angrily. "And where are you taking us?!"

"Away from the main road of course! How do you think royal guards move around the different parts of the kingdom?" Regina scoffed in annoyance.

"But my horse!" she whimpered. "I cannot leave him!"

"I am afraid that without his shoe he is quite useless." the brunette whispered sadly. She could understand the woman's bond with her steed.

"I refuse to leave him! He has been with me since he was a pony."

"You will be captured the moment the guards see you."

"Please..." the blonde begged her. "He is the only thing I have left."

Regina turned around and hid the two of them under the bushes. Seriously, why was she risking herself so much for a woman whom she had just met? I am doing so because of my second chance, she scoffed mentally and started to count the number of guards that were standing around the girl's horse.

"Why are we waiting here? The more we wait the more guards will arrive."

"Well, unlike you Miss…" Regina asked while gazing at the taller woman. She was certainly attractive.

"Swan." the blonde responded. "Emma Swan."

"Unlike you Miss Swan, my plan is to not die at the hands of the knights of the White Kingdom."

"Ok, Miss Know it All, what do you suggest us to do?" Emma said angrily.

"Since you asked for my help, I suggest you listen to me and do as I say." Regina answered back, already annoyed at the blond's stubbornness.

"I can do that." Emma huffed, also annoyed.

The two women stayed in complete silence for a couple of minutes, Regina assessing the situation while Emma held her tongue every time she felt herself close to saying something. She was going to show the older woman that she could follow orders and remain quiet. Of course, Emma being Emma realized that the attempt was futile. Realizing that she could gain advantage of this, the blonde smirked.

"Why are the knights of the White Kingdom chasing you?" Emma asked the brunette.

Regina thought for a while her answer. Was it better to lie or just go with the truth? She looked at Emma and saw in her eyes a spark of mischief and openness that convinced her to go with the truth. "In the past I killed people."

"Nothing too shocking, considering the fact that this is the Enchanted Forest and one can die from like literally anything." Emma shrugged.

"That is rather tolerant of you." Regina said intrigued. "And since you asked I believe the same courtesy extends to me?" she got an affirmative nod from Emma and continued. "Why are you running away from the White guards?"

"I refused to marry someone I did not love."

"For them to care it must mean that your union is of interest to the royal family."

"And that is the only thing I will tell you." Emma closed the discussion and Regina noticed the blonde's tight hold on her bag.

Runaway royal, Regina mused to herself in annoyance. Why did I get myself involved?

"What about you? What is your name?"

"Regina Mills at your service, your highness." she mocked the blonde and got an angry look from her. For some strange reason Regina enjoyed antagonizing this intriguing woman.

"Do not call me that! My name is Emma and we are the same."

"I'm afraid we are not." Regina told the woman while smiling in understanding. "No matter how hard you want to believe it, you will never be the same as the rest of the peasants."

"You do not know me, how can you even assume something like that without knowing me?" Emma asked angry and at the same time sad. She wanted Regina to like her.

"You are correct. I do not know you, and because of that what I may or may not think of you should be of no consequence to you." Regina merely shrugged and continued staring at the men.

"I refuse to stay here and listen to your sarcastic remarks." Emma suddenly stood up and took her sword out. "Thank you for the wonderful company, Regina Mills. It was certainly not a pleasure." she gritted and made her way towards the guards.

"Emma no!" Regina whispered loudly and groaned in anger. Stupid woman, going to fight 10 men all by herself.

Emma was angry. She had felt weak when she asked the older brunette for help, and after being on the receiving end of her unfair judgment, the last thing she wanted was to remain with her. Huffing and quickly standing near one of the guards, Emma turned the handle of her sword and hit the man quickly on the head. Hiding him from the rest, she used the bushes near the area and placed the stunned men inside of them.

Regina, meanwhile, had been quietly staring. She was surprised that Emma had managed to covertly get rid of most of the guard without any of them noticing it. But, as oblivious as the men could be, it was impossible for them to not notice that five of their men had vanished. The moment they did Regina saw Emma come out from one of the bushes and attack the nearest white guard with a quick blow to his head. One down, four more to go, the brunette muttered to herself.

Emma was on a roll. She had forgotten how much it was to spar and use her sword for something more than decoration. It had been easy to stun the first guards. Seriously, the blonde scolded, so much money is being wasted on these men and they are incapable of capturing an 18 year old? Then, as if called, one of the remaining 5 guards noticed her and she immediately jumped on top of him, quickly using her sword to incapacitate him. Nevertheless, the other four became aware of her presence and had now circled her. Emma had practiced enough sword-fighting to realize that her position was not a good one. She felt a quick swish on her left and her sword clashed with another one. Moving her feet in a fast pace, she started to grow weary and tired. She was not going to be able to hold the rhythm for longer, and based on the White guard's smirks they also knew it.

The moment Regina saw Emma's sword falter was the moment she decided to intervene. Although good with a sword, the task of facing 10 men with brute strength was not a battle that Emma Swan would win. Getting out of her hiding spot, Regina raised her hand and started to mutter to herself. Magic poured out of her hands and without any of the guards noticing who cast the spell, they found themselves on the floor, asleep.

Regina nodded in satisfaction at having her magic back, and after checking that the rest of the guards were also asleep, she made her way towards Emma and grabbed her forcefully.

"Were you trying to get yourself killed?!" she screamed at the blonde who was numbed. "I told you to follow my lead and instead you end up doing the complete opposite!"

"Regina, you have magic." the blonde smiled softly at her and all of the brunette's anger dissipated.

What the hell?

"If you want to survive you have to be smarter than this Emma." she pointed at the guards. "The best way to move around is by not bring attention to yourself."

"I know." the blonde huffed. "But I was not going to leave Bug behind."

Regina nodded in understanding. "Well, these guards will remain asleep for a couple of hours, which gives us enough time to part ways."

"Part ways?" Emma asked softly.

Regina was going to confirm her previous statement, but something in the blonde's eyes forced her to reconsider. She knew it was stupid to get involved with a wanted royal, but at the same time she had always been stubborn.

"Well, perhaps we are going to the same place?" Regina asked instead and the blonde's face brightened.

"My final destination is the Dark Forest." Emma told her and this again intrigued the brunette.

"You are either very brave or dumb when you think that without the aid of magic you will be capable of escaping that forest." Regina teased her and the blonde laughed.

"So can't you like transport us to the Dark Forest?" Emma asked.

"I'm afraid there is an enchantment on it that prevents magic wielders from using it." Regina huffed. Before it had been a preventive measure, but now she simply found it annoying.

"Well, can you at least heal my horse?" Emma sassed and earned herself a shoulder slap from the older woman "That way we can go riding instead of walking?"

Regina huffed and with a flick of her hand Bug was on her feet and ready to move.

"You know, if you would have done this earlier we could have avoided so much drama."

"And lose the chance of fighting some knights of the White Kingdom?" Regina teased. "Besides, I did not know you. Well, I still do not know much about you."

"I understand." Emma smiled softly. "And besides, it has been so long since I have heard of a magic wielder. I actually thought they were extinct."

"Extinct?" Regina asked surprised.

"Yes, the Sorcerers' War." Emma shrugged. "It lasted 5 years and most of the magic wielders were either killed or captured."

"Why would someone do something like that?" Regina asked angrily.

"You seriously did not know about this?" Emma asked suspiciously.

"It appears I have remained far too isolated from the world." she merely responded. "In hiding." she added and the blonde accepted it as a fair excuse.

"Well, after the defeat of the Evil Queen, Royals from all the kingdoms were afraid of the power that magic wielders possessed and how they could use this power to take their kingdoms away from them. So, with all of the kingdom's joining forces and forming one big army, the humans captured every fairy, destroyed every wand, persecuted every witch and wizard and finally destroyed all written material about the subject. Magic was prohibited in the realm and any person that was discovered had the capability of performing magic simply disappeared." Emma finished her dark tale and saw the brunette's fear.

Regina felt tears fall from her eyes. She had grown to hate magic, but at the same time had been excited about having it and using it. She admired the magical beings that could use it for goodness, and now she just got told that all of it had been destroyed by the people that had been ironically protected by this kind of magic. Obviously, a large amount of time had passed by since her covered demise. Relieved that Emma did not suspect anything, she knew the next question she had to ask.

"How long has it been since the Evil Queen was defeated?" Regina asked nervously.

Emma looked curiously at her, and again deciding that answering her would not compromise her status she answered. "18 years, almost 19."