Disclaimer: I own nothing
Chapter 6 is now up and I hope it is to everyone's liking.
I will try and get chapter 7 up as quickly as possible. I apologize for the delay with this story. Lots of essays to work on at school.
Reviews are welcome and encouraged.
Emma sat comfortably on her horse as they moved at a quick pace. Regina was currently off with Ursula casting the spell on Trident's troops while Emma was in charge of leading their own soldiers to the lower valley. Snow and Charming should be on their way as well, a bit of a longer journey for themselves than Emma, but she didn't mind.
They marched quietly, well as quietly as you can with an army of twenty thousand behind you. Emma would be lying if she said that she wasn't completely nervous about this entire thing.
"Are you alright dear?" Cora asked, looking at her daughter-in-law to be with a worried expression.
"Just nervous." Emma answered honestly and gave a forced smile, their eyes meeting briefly before Emma looked back at the path ahead of them.
"She's fine." Cora said softly, making Emma's head whip to look at Cora.
"How'd you-?"
"Dear I know how you and Regina act whilst separated." Cora answered with a chuckle, "You miss her and I know she misses you, and being that we are marching to battle surely isn't helping either of your nerves."
Emma nodded in agreement.
"She will be back with us in no time. Once she completes the spell with Ursula she will be back here soon." Cora finished with a smile, hoping that her reassurance was enough to put the blonde at ease.
"I know. I just worry about her. Especially after the incident the other night." Emma admitted quietly.
Cora's lips pursed thoughtfully.
"Regina clearly knows this person somehow but she is unable to pinpoint who and how. Whatever she has done it must have been quite the blow to the face." Cora replied in agreement.
"Do you think we are in any danger from this person?" Emma asked, still looking straight ahead.
"I believe that we should all be on our guard." Cora answered after a moment, "Someone was helping those Ogre's break through our barrier the other night, and someone wants Regina to suffer. We may not be in any immediate danger right now, but I do believe we should watch our backs, especially you." Cora finished.
Emma nodded in agreement, she knew that whoever wanted to hurt Regina beyond repair would try to come after her, and she wouldn't let that happen.
"How long does this spell take?" Emma asked after a brief interval of silence, her bottom lip protruding some as she asked the older woman next to her.
Cora let out a hearty laugh and looked to the blonde, a bright smile on her face.
"A while dear. But don't worry, time will fly."
"Ursula, how much longer is this going to take?" Regina asked irritably, her foot tapping the ground and her arms crossed as she waited for the next batch of troops to poke their heads out of the water.
"Not much longer sweet cakes!" Ursula replied with a huff, making Regina purse her lips and roll her eyes as Ursula floated in the water.
"Finally." Regina muttered to herself as she watched the next wave of troops appear from the water. She moved to the edge and she and Ursula raised their hands, beginning the chant in unison, creating a thick green smoke to swirl above the heads of the troops before crashing down into them.
The smoke lifted the hundred some soldiers into the air, swirling around their bodies and making their tail fins disappear and long legs take their place.
They floated back to the water slowly, gently being let go by the smoke as they swam forward and exited the water, their armor shining in the sunlight as they marched past Regina and Ursula.
Regina raised a tan hand to her face, wiping the sweat off of her brow before she looked to her companion.
"Was that the last of them?"
"Indeed Regi." Ursula replied, letting out a relieved sigh, "Let's just hope this spell holds up."
"Yes. We wouldn't want a pile of fish lying around now would we?" Regina replied, a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips as Ursula looked at her with an expression of horror.
"That wasn't very nice." Ursula replied with a smile, making Regina return the look and chuckle lightly.
"I should be getting back to my troops. We should be arriving in the lower valley by nightfall." Regina told her friend as they walked together.
Ursula had on a pair of leather pants, hugging her curves as her purple and black armor covered the top of her body, her short hair was slicked back and wispy and a sword sat on her side. She flashed Regina a toothy grin, making the brunette arch an eyebrow in response.
"You just want to get back to Emma, you love birds don't do well separated."
Regina swallowed the lump in her throat and she felt a cold feeling settle in her chest. Ursula's smile quickly faded and a look of concern replaced it as she looked at her friend.
"Did something happen?" Ursula asked.
"After the battle the other night, I was weakened from the amount of magic I had used. Normally I have more than enough to keep my mind shielded from intruders but…" She trailed off, her brown orbs finally turning up to meet Ursula's.
"Who Regi?" Ursula asked, her voice low.
"I don't know. Well I think I do, I mean." Regina stopped and let out a frustrated sigh, "This person sounded so familiar but it's almost like a memory that you can't remember, so close yet so far away. I feel as if I know this person but…"
"You just can't place them." Ursula finished, nodding in understanding.
"Yes. Clearly I have wronged this person in some way since they felt the need to invade my mind and make me suffer." Regina growled out angrily, she gave a cold laugh, "But then again whom haven't I wronged in my lifetime."
Ursula urged Regina to tell her what happened, and Regina begrudgingly agreed, telling Ursula everything about the vision she had received from this person that spoke of her future.
Ursula's facial expression was dark as she contemplated the information Regina had given her.
"Regina, visions of the future are something to be heeded."
"I am well aware. Which is why this vision is so disturbing to me, Ursula I can't lose Emma and I can't become the Evil Queen again. I don't want it." Regina replied with a sigh.
"I am well aware darling, you can always change the course of your future but I think it would be best if you stay on your guard." Ursula stated firmly.
"Which is why I need to get back to Emma." Regina replied, shifting from one foot to the other as she looked around Trident's camp.
"You keep her safe, keep both of you safe." Ursula said with a small smile before she gave Regina a hug, "Go to your fiancée and I will see you tomorrow on the battlefield."
Regina nodded in agreement before she waved her hands, her purple and black smoke shielding her eyes from sight as she was transported to Emma.
"Regina's coming." Emma stated out of the blue.
"I feel it too." Cora replied. The air always crackled before someone arrived with magic, each person's energy vibe giving off something different in order to distinguish.
Up ahead of the path the swirl of smoke appeared, spinning like a mini tornado before dissipating and revealing Regina in all of her glorious armor. Her brown orbs found Emma immediately and she strutted forward, never breaking eye contact with the blonde as Alek released the reigns to her own steed in her grasp.
She made quick work of mounting her horse and pulled it into step next to Emma's.
"I was wondering when you would be back." Emma said softly to the brunette, a soft smile playing on her lips as she looked to her fiancée.
"I couldn't wait to come back and be at your side." Regina replied honestly, offering her own smile to Emma before she looked to her and her mother, "The spell has been cast and Trident's troops are ready for battle. They will be arriving at the lower valley prior to us. I briefly checked in with Snow and Charming on my way here, they are about the same distance away as we are."
"So we should all be there by tonight then?" Cora asked her daughter.
"Yes." Regina replied easily before looking ahead.
Her mind had been so preoccupied with her vision that conversation between herself and Emma had been lacking. She didn't know what to say to Emma to try and make the blonde understand that this was very serious business, and Emma didn't know what else to say to reassure Regina that they would be safe.
They settled for their actions instead, making love until the early morning each night since the vision, showering each other with love and kisses and soft touches that held promises.
The golden glow of their lovemaking brightening the room each time they crested and broke, holding tight to each other as if they would slip away.
Regina had clung to Emma like a rag doll each night when they would go to sleep, staying that way through the night with her arms wrapped around the blonde and her face firmly tucked the valley of her neck.
And Emma would hold her tight, whispering words of reassurance until Regina's breathing evened out and she drifted off to a peaceful slumber. They would wake up, still wrapped up in each other's arms, a comforting reminder that neither had disappeared during their sleep.
"Your majesty." Regina jerked with a start, being brought out from her reverie to look to her Captain.
"Yes Alek?" Regina asked, straightening her position on her horse.
"The encampment is just over this ridge." Alek stated, his horse falling into step with the Queen's.
"Take a small squadron of your men and take a look, make sure we won't be facing any trouble." Regina instructed, watching as Alek took a group of ten with him to check ahead.
"You okay baby?" Emma asked softly, making the brunette turn to look at her. Their eyes met and Regina gave a sad smile.
"I'm fine dear." Regina replied, her heart clenching as she lied to her fiancée. She knew Emma felt her pain and recognized the lie, but instead Emma nodded; content to put off the conversation until later.
"I wonder if Snow and Charming have arrived with their army yet." Cora wondered aloud, hoping to get the girls minds off of any dark possibilities.
"If they are not here yet they should be arriving soon." Regina replied, watching ahead as Alek and his group returned.
"The passage is safe your majesty." Alek stated.
Regina slowly sat down in her chair behind the desk in front of her, the war plan spread out across the table, allowing her to examine it once more tonight before they would engage in battle tomorrow.
Emma was busy keeping an eye out for the arrival of Snow and Charming. Ursula had already arrived with Trident and his troops and were currently station just across the way.
Regina let out a sigh as she looked at the map, she heard the flap of her tent open but didn't bother to look up, thinking that it was just Alek coming to check in and give a report on the troops.
"Yes?" Regina asked, her eyes still trained on the map in front of her.
"Hard at work I see." Snow said with a smile, making Regina's eyes look up quickly, a tiny smile breaking out on her face.
"Snow. I am glad to see that you arrived safely." Regina said, "Please sit." She gestured to the chair next to her and Snow took her seat.
"I take it you have everything ready?" Snow asked seriously, receiving a nod from Regina.
"I do."
"Have you informed Ursula?"
"I have." Regina answered as she sat back in her chair with a sigh.
"You seem tired. I know you have been planning a war and everything but… Regina is everything alright?" Snow asked, her voice laced with concern as she looked to the brunette.
For a moment Regina considered answering honestly and telling the smaller brunette what had transpired. After all, their relationship had gradually gone from toleration to an actual friendship.
But the last thing she wanted to do was worry Snow, and most importantly; she didn't want Snow to fear for her daughter's safety.
So Regina did what she did best, she forced a weary smile on her face and nodded.
"I'm fine dear, just tired from all the planning and I enacted the spell on Trident's troops earlier today. Magic takes a lot out of you."
Snow nodded in agreement, thinking back on the events that had transpired just a few days ago with the Ogre's.
She knew there was more to the story but decided to not press the issue any further. After all, if Regina wanted her to know she would say something, but instead the older brunette sat and gave a tight smile.
"I don't want to keep you, I'm sure you'd very much like to rest. I just wanted to check in on you and let you know our troops had arrived." Snow said softly.
"Thank you. You should rest as well. Tomorrow will be a big day." Regina stated.
Snow nodded in agreement before standing and heading to exit the room.
"Regina… I know you will watch out for Emma." Snow said, turning to face Regina.
"Of course I will." Regina replied firmly, she would be damned that anything would happen to the blonde.
"Good… Just-. Let her watch out for you as well." Snow said before she exited the tent.
Regina let out another sigh and glanced over at her and Emma's armor, which was standing in the corner of the tent. The armor was the perfect yin and yang to each other, much like Regina was to Emma.
The thought made her smile; she was drawn from her thoughts when the flap of the tent opened once more. This time Emma entered, a tired smile on her face.
"Hey." Emma said softly, making a small smile appear on Regina's face before she stood and walked over to the blonde, wrapping her in her arms.
"I'm sorry I have been short with you it is just-."
"Shh it's alright. I know babe." Emma replied, placing a soft kiss against Regina's lips.
"I don't want to sleep." Regina said.
"You need to though. Tomorrow is huge and I know you're afraid of something happening but baby you have got to get some rest." Emma breathed out, one hand coming up to cup Regina's cheek and give it a soft stroke with the pad of her thumb.
Regina nodded in agreement before allowing Emma to lead her back to the bed and lay her down, quickly climbing in behind her and wrapping her arms around her.
"I love you."
"I love you too. So much dear."
"Your majesties!" Alek's voice boomed out as he flew into the tent, quickly waking Regina and Emma from their surprisingly peaceful slumber.
"Captain?" Regina asked, bolting straight up in bed, her eyes immediately falling on the man.
"The Ogre's are here. Somehow they knew. They've taken us by surprise and we are losing people fast. Quickly, we must hurry." Alek explained as the women hopped from the bed, Regina magicking their armor on their bodies as well as their weapons.
"Emma go with Alek and get the troops rounded up, be careful. I'm going to my mother and Ursula." Regina said hurriedly before kissing Emma quickly and then disappearing.
"This way your highness." Alek said as Emma followed the man from the tent and into the chaos.
The soldiers were scrambling to put the armor on their bodies and grab their weapons as the Ogre's continued to plow through the camp.
"This is gonna be a problem." Emma said to Alek, "we need witches to get some sort of barrier up to at least buy us some time!"
Emma had just turned around when she saw the flash of light as a strong magical wave passed through them and straight at the Ogre's, hitting them and pushing them back and away from the encampment.
Seems Regina was already on top of that.
"Well that was good timing." Emma muttered to Alek before they continued to round their troops.
"I need archers positioned on top of the ridges this instant!" Regina yelled out as she marched through the camp, giving her officer's orders as they scrambled to comply.
"Regina this barrier isn't going to hold for long." Ursula pointed out as she walked next to her friend.
"I am well aware of that fact dear." Regina said irritably.
Ursula merely chuckled, having forgotten just how irritable Regina got during wartime.
"I said get those archers on the ridges NOW!" Regina yelled out, watching as a large force began moving from the camp, "I'm surrounded by idiots." She muttered as they continued to walk.
"Where do you want the witches positioned?" Ursula asked, ready to round up her portion of the forces.
"Half get sent along with the archers in order to create barriers for protection. The remainder will stay on the battlefield." Regina explained, rounding the corner of the camp and heading straight for a little ridge that stood a little higher than the camp.
Regina stepped up on top of the ridge and allowed a burst of magic crackle in the air, her universal signal to her troops that she was to speak to all of them.
Trident and Snow's troops looked on in confusion at the signal, but quickly adapted; ready to listen to what the Queen had to say.
"Any and all archers are to be positioned along the ridges surrounding the valley. Half of the witches will accompany them, I suggest you all get a move on." Regina's voice boomed out, her eyes following Ursula as she rounded her portion and her mother take care of hers.
"I know that we were taken by surprise, how I do not know. But I do know that we will have the upper hand, I won't accept anything less than that. Commanders prepare your squadrons. Ursula and I will be taking down the barrier and when that happens it is time to attack."
Regina paused, her dark eyes searching the sea of troops and finally falling on the blonde that stood in the front, green eyes staring at her intently. Their eyes locked and Regina felt a surge of strength enter her body, causing a confident smirk to appear on her face.
"It is time to take our land back! For the Enchanted Forest!" Regina cried out, receiving a wave of chants in return, filled with bloodlust and enthusiasm.
"Commanders, gather your troops!" Regina called out as she stepped down from the ridge, walking straight to Emma.
"Quite a speech your majesty." Emma said with a grin as she looked to Regina.
The brunette couldn't help but crack a smile before her expression grew serious again.
"Try to stay near me okay? I want you in eye sight." Regina said seriously, which Emma nodded in agreement to.
"Ready to take down the barrier?" Ursula asked walking up to Regina.
The Queen nodded her head and once she doubled check to make sure everyone was ready, they began lowering it.
The second the shield was down the Ogre's charged, running straight into the throng of soldiers.
Blood began to flow quickly, a mixture of deep red and black, as it caught the morning light.
Regina and Emma took off in the same direction, Regina knocking the nearest Ogre to the ground with her magic while Emma pounced, stabbing it in the eye and moving on to the next.
They worked as a team and it was proving to be quite effective as they took down Ogre after Ogre.
"Emma move!" Regina yelled out, throwing her hand at Emma and tossing the blonde out of the way of an incoming Ogre running at full force.
Emma hit the ground hard and when she looked up Regina was nowhere to be seen.
"REGINA!" Emma yelled out, her eyes frantically glancing around the battlefield before she felt the crackle of magic and watched the smoke appear.
Regina launched a bolt of magic at the Ogre, hitting it in the eye and making it stagger until it lost it's footing and toppled. Regina made quick work of it, pulling her sword from its eyes before rushing to Emma and helping her up.
"Don't scare me like that." Emma said quickly before they moved off together again.
"Regina!" They heard the yell come from a short distance away, almost inaudible over the clinking and clanging of the war around them.
"Stay here!" Regina yelled to Emma before she took off in the direction the voice came from.
Emma managed to take on another Ogre on her own, her eyes glancing in Regina's direction where she was helping her mother with a few brutes. They danced in and out of the air, throwing blows where they could before dropping the Ogre's.
A look to her left gave her a view of Ursula, equally battling an Ogre and using her magic to take down the foe.
A loud roar tore Emma's attention from the battle and her eyes found a mountain of flesh running straight for her. She braced her sword and charged head on at the Ogre, side stepping just in time and swiping her sword at its leg, cutting a tendon and making the brute howl in pain.
She spun around quickly and slashed again, slicing a neighboring tendon and making the Ogre fall to the ground on its stomach. She hopped onto its back and raised her sword above her head, the blade catching the light of the sun as it descended into the skull beneath her.
Emma let out a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding as she pulled her sword from the Ogre, a grimace gracing her face as she eyed the black ooze.
"Regina I have to check on the witches!" Cora yelled over the battle, her daughter nodded in agreement before Cora disappeared from sight.
Regina hurled her sword at the incoming Ogre, striking it in the eye and dropping it. She walked to it quickly, and began pulling her sword from its head, never seeing the figure that was walking towards her.
Ursula barrel rolled out of the way of the falling Ogre, a grunt escaping her lips as she pulled herself up.
She looked to her right and her eyes landed on Emma, pulling a sword from the skull of a fallen Ogre and she gave a proud smirk.
She glanced beyond Emma and found Regina, walking to her own fallen Ogre to retrieve her sword.
That's when she saw it.
The cloak of blood red danced in the sun and shone brightly on the battlefield. Her eyes met the wearer of the cloak, the yellow tint glowing beneath the dark hood and she felt her breath catch in her throat.
It's eyes turned from her and trained on Regina, unsuspecting to who lurked behind her.
"EMMA!" Ursula screamed out, drawing the blonde's attention from her kill. The worry and alarm in Ursula's eyes made Emma's widen in panic and she quickly turned around to look for Regina.
Her vision just caught the flash of red and her fiancée before a large Ogre blocked her view, engaging in battle with some of her soldiers.
"Regina!" Emma cried, running straight across the battlefield as fast as she could go, but when she rounded the Ogre, Regina was gone.
She looked around frantically, her eyes searching for the blood red cloak but finding nothing.
She felt pain in her chest and worry as she continued to search. Ursula appeared at her side, equally as flustered and worried as she was.
"Where did she go?" Emma asked, her voice cracking with worry.
"I-." Ursula paused and continued to search, "I didn't see."
Emma felt a feeling of dread enter her stomach and then suddenly everything became cold.
Regina awoke on the outskirts of the battle, deep in the woods from what she could tell.
She was lying on the forest floor, her sword still at her side. All she remembered was the feeling of magic enter her system and seeing Emma's look of panic before everything went black.
Emma! Regina thought frantically, jumping to her feet and swaying a moment.
"Easy now. Wouldn't want you to hurt yourself now would we?" The voice said, causing Regina to whip around.
"You. You're the one from my vision." Regina stated, her voice firm.
"Indeed I am." The voice replied with a cackle that was all too familiar.
"I know you." Regina said, a hint of confusion in her voice as she eyed the blood red cloak.
"Oh yes. Very well might I add." The voice replied.
Dark hands reached up to the hood of the cloak and slowly pulled it back, revealing the wearers face.
Regina felt the dread enter her stomach as she looked on the wearer.
"Not you."
A/N: Things are about to get very interesting.
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter.
I will update as soon as I can.