AN: Thank you for reviewing. No, it's not going to be Stockholm syndrome SQ. Regina is mellowing from the pre-curse Regina and because she doesn't know who Emma is will be giving her the same freedom as any of the guards who had volunteered for their positions.

Red helped Emma pick out suitable clothes for her first official audience with the Queen. They adjusted the guard uniform to be more flattering on her and found a small dagger for her to wear – it was lighter than the swords and Emma thought she might have better luck trying to use it. Red reminded her that any action she tried to take against Regina was impossible. Emma just nodded.

Regina watched them through one of her mirrors. There was something about the blonde woman that fascinated her as she listened to their conversation. She was supposed to be deciding what duties she could give to Emma.

"I have never used a sword or a bow." Emma had told Red.

Regina was relieved when Emma admitted to knowing how to read and write. Many of the men called to be her guards were country bumpkins who had gotten lucky in a fight and had very little schooling. If Emma proved to be intelligent it would make conversations with her much more interesting. She was curious that the girl had mentioned the White Kingdom.

Regina wasn't sure how she would fit in as a guard. Perhaps they could train her? That would take the other guards away from their duties though. Red, on the other hand, was already befriending her and might enjoy training her. Regina smiled. That could work.

Regina swept into the room. Red bowed automatically, and nudged Emma to copy her.

"How do you like your new room?" Regina asked Emma, signalling that the two women could rise.

Emma tried to steady herself before answering. "It's very big."

Red choked back a laugh and lowered her eyes out of respect, so that she couldn't see Regina's reaction.

"It is a castle. These are the guest rooms so they are smaller than the main family wing, but only the servants quarters are smaller."

"It's ok, it's just that I've lived in apartments smaller than this. It will take some getting used to."

"Well, while you are adjusting to your new life I have decided to allow Red to be your guide and mentor. She will train you and show you around the kingdom. You will need to learn where the boundaries are so that you don't harm yourself trying to go beyond them." Regina turned to Red. "See what she knows and fill in any gaps required. You are now responsible for her, teach her whatever she doesn't know; tracking, hunting… I trust you to do this for me."

Red bowed, pleased with the new responsibility. "Thank you, your majesty."

Regina turned back to Emma. "There are spare clothes and weapons in the store rooms. Wages are paid at the end of the month, but you are welcome to request items from the storerooms. If you wish to send a portion of your wages home to your family, discuss it with the treasury clerk."

Emma shrugged. "I don't know where my family are."

"Very well, I will leave you to go to work. If I have need of your services I will summon you."

Red nudged Emma again and they both bowed as Regina left. Emma straightened up with a sigh as the door closed and looked at Red.

"Well that was nice and short. I'm sorry you've been lumbered with me."

"It is an honour that she trusts me to train you."

"When she said tracking and hunting, what did she mean?"

"Sometimes law breakers go into the Enchanted Forest, hoping to hide from justice for their crimes. With my wolf senses I am usually able to track them easily, but sometimes I must rely on my human eyes to spot their trail and find them. If the guards don't call me in quickly the criminals get further away and I can spend hours looking. In those instances I have to hunt for food. Have you done anything like that where you are from?"

"No, I'm a city girl. Give me a computer and I'll track bail jumpers, but I'd be useless in a forest."

"We'll go to the storerooms first then and get you some supplies. After a couple of days learning the basics we'll ask permission to camp out there for the more intense lessons."

"Camping? I never wanted to try it at a campsite with running water and the luxury tents. How basic is your idea of camping?"

"I can teach you to survive on your own with no outside supplies, but not straightaway. We'll ease you into it."

"What about wild animals? Any bears wandering around and if so are they the type to try and eat humans?"

Red rolled her eyes. "Just forget whatever you think you know about forests and listen to what I tell you."