Chapter 4
For the next three weeks, Emma visits Regina every day. She comes early in the mornings, after her Knight training, then leaves at dusk to make it back to her kingdom for bed. The king was too busy organising her 21st birthday to even notice she wasn't there. Emma read at least 3 magical books per day. She learnt all about enchantments, hex's and curses, about the Dark One and all of the Great Ogre Wars. She found a spell book that explained that white magic, which she possesses, is pure magic. If used to no direct gain of herself, it could be used without paying a price.
She read about the history of the White Kingdom and how it was over taken by the Evil Queen after she viciously had the dear King Leopold murdered. Emma knew better to believe that though. She had found Regina's journal and had read about the terrors that she endured.
Her mother abusing her with magic all throughout her childhood.
Her first love Daniel that was murdered because Snow White, "my mother?" Emma thought, couldn't keep it secret.
The arranged marriage to King Leopold.
The abuse and neglect she experienced while living in the White Kingdom.
And the freedom she had once she had the King killed.
Emma sat on the bed propped up on the pillows next to Regina, re-reading the leather bound journal. It spoke about a tree that Regina and her father had planted in the kingdoms courtyard. The tree blossomed the most beautiful honey-crisp apples and the gardens were filled with Regina's favourite flowers.
"lilies are my favourite too" Emma whispered over to Regina.
She continues to read about how Regina would climb the tree to pick the apples and jump down into her father's arms. They would laze on the grass, basking with the sun on their faces, surrounded by gardens filled with lilies.
Emma looks over at Regina and smiles, "you really are quite beautiful" she says to the sleeping woman. She reaches over and touches Regina's hand and watches how her magic sparks when she touches her.
"I read about this yesterday" she says as she examines their hands. "my magic feels connected to you and can sense that something is wrong".
She tilts her head to the side and stares at the woman's face "I think it wants to wake you up as much as I do".
Emma looks at Regina's lips and pulls herself back as she thinks about how inappropriate it is of her to want to kiss the woman.
"I bet your waiting on your own Prince Charming to come and wake you with his kiss" she scoffs to herself.
Emma abruptly stands, leaving the book open on the page and goes to the bathroom.
Washing her hands in the sink, she catches the reflection of outside the window in the mirror. She turns and makes her way to the window and looks outside. In the courtyard is a big tree that looks like the one she just read about. She decides to go check it out.
Emma makes her may down the stairs and takes the back entrance into the courtyard.
She steps out onto the terrace and walks down to the edge of the small set of steps. Looking around, Emma sees that there are dried up garden beds that are surrounded by equally as dead grass. In the middle, she spots the tree. The tree is still alive but definitely needs some TLC.
"Looks like I'm getting dirty" she says to herself.
Making her way down the steps, she rolls up her sleeves and starts to climb the tree.
An hour passes as she has made it half way up the tree, throwing down all the dead sticks that have gotten stuck in the branches. As she reaches for a branch, her foot slips and she starts to fall out of the tree.
"SHIT! SHIT! SHIT!" she yelps as she closes her eyes and waits for the impact landing on the ground.
Confused by no pain, she opens an eye and sees that her hands are glowing again while she sits on her arse on the dead grass.
"thank the gods for that" she says as she stands.
"as for you" she points to the tree, "fuck you".
She walks back towards the tree and grabs a low hanging branch to hoist herself back up…it snaps off.
"seriously?" she says to it.
"you know what?" she looks at the offending tree, "I'm done for the day" she says as she slaps the trunk.
Emma's hand starts to glow brighter than they ever have before. White light flashes all around the tree, enveloping it in a white cloud. It cascades down to the trunk, and flows out on the grass into the nearby gardens.
The Tree now regenerated back to its full health, the grass as green as her eyes and the gardens fully blooming with lilies.
"wow!" Emma says looking over the now pristine courtyard. "Magic definitely has its perks" she states matter of factly.
Emma makes her way over to the flowerbed and picks half a dozen before making her way back inside. She walks into the kitchen on the ground floor and finds a beautiful crystal vase in one of the cupboards. Filling it with water before making her way back into Regina's room.
Emma places the flowers on the nightstand beside Regina's bed. She makes her way over to the East side windows and opens the curtains.
"I really hope this brings you sweet dreams of your father", she states sadly. "being in the dark for so long can't do much for peaceful dreams".
Emma walks over to the other window and draws those curtains open too.
Looking around the room, Emma smiles. "I should have done this earlier" she blushes as she sees Regina's features shine with the sun shimmering on her face.
Emma walks over to the desk and picks up the necklace. She studies the way it sparkles in her hands. Unconsciously, she undoes the clasp and puts the necklace on. Holding the pendant, she starts to twirl it around one of her fingers. Emma starts to feel an unusual feeling course through her body. She looks up at Regina and watches as she takes a deep breath through her mouth. Emma rushes to Regina's side and slowly shakes her shoulders
"Regina?" …
nothing.
"come on Regina, it's time to wake up now" Emma desperately says.
Emma sighs as she watches Regina's go back to her normal shallow breathes.
Emma makes her way over, to what she calls, her side of the bed and lays down. Resting her head on the pillow and looking over at the brunette. "we will get through this" she smiles "I will find a way to wake you".
leaning back into the comfort of the mattress, Emma closes her eyes. Her hand snakes up to the necklace as she falls asleep.
White light starts to flow throughout the room.