Chapter 4

Running through to the abandoned chamber, Emma grabs her jacket and any other possession she had owned hastily. Turning sharply to leave, the blonde almost smacks into the brunette Queen, coming face to face with her with wide eyes.

"Where are you going?! You said you could help me?"

Glancing over to the door quickly, Emma then looks back to the woman. "I'm sorry, I have to go he's mad! Like I'm really going to lose my head mad!"

Following the blonde out with a frown, the Queen does what she thinks and grabs her arm forcing the panicked 'criminal' to look back at her arm getting teary at Regina's touch. "Does he know?!"

Emma shakes her head. "No. It was.. I rejected him...Please! I have to go!"

Looking down the corridor hearing a small army of guards take flight on the stairs, the Queen then stares at the blonde's tearful expression. "..I..know a way out, follow me"

Watching the brunette retreat in the opposite direction, the blonde hesitates wondering if this Regina is really helping her or playing her considering the amount of control the King has over her.

Pausing at the hidden door only she knows about, the young Queen raises an eyebrow having not seen Emma move. Hearing the noise of steel armour drawing near, she gives her a demanding look while whispering. "Come on! If I am caught with you, I will be dead"

Giving a silent gasp thinking how the brunette before her is unaware of her fateful future, the blonde feels guilt and hurries over to her, continuing to follow once the Queen descends the hidden staircase.

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Having made it out of the castle and to the stables, Regina unhooks a set of reins and leads a large sandy coloured horse out of its shed. "Here..take the path behind the stables and to the left..it will lead you to the abandoned part of woodland that the kingdom has forgotten about..I don't know why but just..be careful"

Emma looks at her in shock while seeing a small hint of the caring mayor inside the young Queen. "I don't understand...why are you helping me?"

The brunette looks down slightly feeling sad while gripping the horses reins in her palm. "I may not know of who you are but no one should have to deal with the King if there is a way out.." Growing quiet, she swallows a lump. "..I should know..besides, you must be one of the good ones to stand up to the King..no one lives if they dare test him"

Slipping her jacket on over her dress, the blonde bites her lip not even remotely thinking what this may do to the future. "You shouldn't have to deal with it either..I saw the look of fear on your face when you were in the corridor. Leave. Before it's too late and he-"

With barely a whisper, Regina looks towards the stable door that leads to the castle. "Already has...which is how I came to find that secret door. I panicked after it..and I was leaning against the wall and it opened so I ran only to find even the fields were filled with people celebrating the King's wedding"

Emma watches the Queen as she gazes at the wooden door feeling a burning sensation from her magic in her fisted hands. Before she has chance to have her say, the brunette turns around changing the subject while passing the reins over to her.

"I cannot believe that you would risk your life further for that retched..garment you are wearing.."

The blonde lets out a small laugh while looking down at herself, as it appears any given Regina, past or present has a negative opinion over her leather jacket. "I didn't just go back for the jacket.."

Regina raises an eyebrow curious. "..jacket..right..then what may I ask, did you come back for?"

Emma looks at her. "You, I...I wanted to see you..I mean because I said I would help you...disappearing on a Queen would be rude"

"Of course dear..even I have the power to have you executed"

Gulping, the blonde gives a shy smile when she sees that the brunette is merely kidding with a small smirk on her face. "Right.."

Glancing to the door again hearing the guards off in the distance, Regina sends Emma a warning look. "You need to leave now..forget about helping me, I can find another way.."

Emma looks hesitant to leave her behind but pulls herself up onto the horse, not really having a clue on what she is to do. "Are you going to get in trouble?"

Shaking her head, the young Queen tries to hide her worry but the fear is evident in her eyes. "I will be fine..go!"

Looking to her sadly for one last time thinking how she has to keep leaving the woman whether it's her Regina or not, Emma pulls on the reins gently hoping that the horse will go steady. Reaching just outside the back of the stables, the blonde squints her eyes through the darkness to figure out where the path may be to go down. Closing her eyes a moment thinking over how on earth she managed to get into this position in the first place, Emma takes a breath and goes to pull hard on the leather rope to order the horse to go faster.

"Wait!"

Quickly dropping her grip, the blonde looks over her shoulder to see the brunette struggling to run over in her gown. Emma looks at her confused and worried.
Regina looks up at her torn, mouth open but no words are forming. Mentally cursing herself, she takes one last look behind her at the castle then holds her hand up to the blonde. "I'm coming with you"

Emma's eyes widen in shock, completely ignoring the fact that the Queen is now looking scared as to why she is not taking her hand. Turning her attention back down to the brunette, the blonde sees the hopeful look that she has missed so much, whenever she was to give up. As she grabs at Regina's hand, the woman holds on tight while pulling herself up, luckily for Emma, in front of her so she can lead the horse.

"Hold on..."

Hearing the warning tone, the blonde latches on to the young Queen's waist and tightens her grip when the horse charges off down the path and left into the forest, all the while ignoring the rush of mixed emotions she is feeling.

A/N: poor young Regina wanting to get away. Did she make the right decision? ;)