Regina sighed. She ran a hand down her skirt and got up and walked to the window. The number of tents below had shrunk dramatically. Her eyes roamed the figurines about but could not see details from up here, the man's masks were made of leather simple but effective, for her part, the mask was ornate but now she barely noticed it. Having it on your face for three days and nights would do that she supposed.

She searched the camp but could not find the man she was looking for. From where she stood they all looked the same.

She turned from the scene frustrated with herself, she was the Evil Queen she had a vendetta to uphold, such fluttering was so, so unbecoming. But a blue bird flew past her window and once more all she could think about was the blue orbs and the archer, she sighed and once more moved toward the balcony. She had her whole life to be the Evil Queen she surmised; perhaps for one week she could once again just be Regina and think of deep blue eyes and wonder if perhaps he was somewhere down there thinking of her, not just as the goddess, too.

"In all my years as a priestess, I have never seen the favorite be chosen so fast" Morgana's voice startled her and Regina opened her mouth to snap only to remember and glare at the priestess.

"Oh right" a wave of a hand and Regina was able to speak for the first time in 24 hours. The second days ritual had composed of her voice being taken, a payback for something she had done to another as well as an exercise for her to be able to be alone with her thoughts and organize them, she had disliked it. It made her realize she had many regrets "I have met only two of the warriors and the second had left much to be desired"

The second task had been a balance act of sort, across the rope they had to go three times; each time bringing one object across. The archer had came in 5th and first place has gone to a boy around her stepdaughters age. It was obvious this was his first trip away from home, or castle Regina would say. He had won the rights to be the first to dine with her, others were also present of course and for those few hours Regina was glad her voice had been taken from her for she would have surely snapped. Not that the prince would have given her time to talk, anyhow, he had gone on and on that even Morgana had seemed happy when dinner had ended.

She chuckled now "he has much to learn" she told Regina who nodded in agreement. "I come barring conflicting news though about the archer" and now she had Regina's undivided attention "the third task requires a steed, those who do not have one are usually disqualified, your archer is one of those" Regina felt sorrow take place in her heart, she should have known a week was too much to ask "however when the number of those without a steed are very high, such as it is this year, we propose an exchange of sorts. An offering from them in exchange for a horse. Your archer it seems is a self made man with no backing. He has offered his guaranteed spot in the top ten, its unusual but we consider that place valuable, but the answer is yours, should he get a horse" To Morgana's utter surprise Regina paused;

"He is an honorable man" Regina said softly remembering his questions regarding the true winner of the firsts round "indeed he is" Morgana concurred "he would be worthy should he be the hunter" and Regina couldn't help rubb at her temple "yes but I would not". A hand was gently placed on Regina's shoulder and the goddess allowed the priestess to slowly turn her until they stood face to face. "The fact that you believe yourself unworthy of him because of your mistakes makes you much more worthy than you realize" Regina's shoulders sagged and she looked out toward the woods before nodding "grant him the horse" and Morgana nodded before leaving the Queen to her thoughts.

Storybrooke

"So how exactly did you find us" Henry asked scooping up fork full of spaghetti.

"I looked it into a magic ball and 'show me the evil queen' and there you guys were"

"Haha seriously though?" Cheshire hands paused halfway to her mouth and she tilted her head slightly to the side, a small smile present.

"Seriously! oh wow cool, do you still have it" Henry was now leaning forward excitedly "Henry Mills you are not getting a crystal ball, they are nothing but trouble and a complete invasion of privacy" Regina spoke in her strict tone picking up her wine glass, her eyes went from her son to the girl, both who were looking at her.

Regina saw Cheshire's eyes go from her to her boy "when's your birthday" she took a bight of her food and Henry's eyes lit up and his mouth began to open "young lady did you not here me, no crystal ball" last thing her son needed as he entered puberty was a crystal ball, way too many temptations. Cheshire picked up her own glass "yes madam mayor, no crystal balls for Henry" Regina's slanted eyes studied the girl, who was looking at the plate, for a few second before moving to her son. Pleased she had made herself clear she allowed a tiny smile and went back to her food.

"At least for today"

Regina's head snapped up with a groan of frustration at the whisper "Cheshire" she warned at the snickering girl

"September 4th"

"Henry Jared Mills" but her stern voice was lost on the snickering duo she groaned and dropped her head into her hands. But her elbows descend caused her fork to go flying which catapulted a meatball up into the air. The trio watched in utter fascination as the meatball sailed ... and fell into the sink. "GGggggoooaaaaaaalllllll" Henry's voice bounced around the apartments walls "that was marvelous shot by Regina Mills storybrooke's finest offense" Cheshire played right along. Regina shook her head but couldn't help the chuckle that escaped her "in all honesty how old are you" Cheshire smiled and picked up her wine glass again.

"A lady does not reveal her age" she went on, quite cheekily "but I am old enough to drink in this land"

"Yeah well I don't see a lady here, so how old are you?" Regina persisted "ouch mom that hurt" Henry joked "and how do you know, she may be a lady, a cat lady!" Regina was about protest when "actually if my mom had not been over thrown the title would have been princess, and as for the cat thing. I'm not a morpher or not completely" Henry and Regina stopped laughing and tried to digest the information they had been given.

"I thought you said your mother had abandoned you" Regina asked confused "oh she did but my mom adopted me, she and her husband couldn't have any more kids and her husband already had the kid who would take over in the future; so my mom adopted me" "your birth mother abandoned you?" Henry asked,

"Yep just like yours did" and now the air was thick "and I was adopted too by a women who didn't have her own kids, just like your mom" there was something in Cheshire's eyes that for a moment unsettled Regina, a hint of anger, regret? "Where did you grow up?" Henry fired the next question "oh well I was cursed in a mirror for many, many years, I was raised in a castle for many more years, then abroad a pirate ship as an apprentice and some more years cursed then wonderland and then here" Henry blinked trying to keep track "wow! why all the changes?" And for the first time since Regina could remember the girls smile diminished to one almost nonexistent and a bitter smile took hold "because I was ripped away from my mom, and I have been trying to get back to her" and Regina felt her mother instincts take over as she saw the sadness in the girls eyes, she knew too well what it was like to lose a family member you loved "do you know where she is?" Regina asked gently " yes, but I'm afraid" "of what?" Henry jumped in "It's been a very long time; she has a new family and her own worries now." She paused and shook her head slightly as though to disperse her thoughts "Any way I'm just here to fix thing so she can have a happy and peaceful life" She then looked at Regina "that's my motivation for being here and trying to fix things, so no need to worry I'll be gone as soon as things are fixed"

"You should talk to her" Regina stated firmly but she could see the girl was done on that topic at least for now "is that why mom let us stay here, she wanted to know what you were up too?" Henry asked "I knew there is no way you would let us stay at a strangers place on a whim" Regina opened her mouth to defend herself but Cheshire beat her to it "partly that," Regina glared at the smiling girl "partly for safety and partly to finish her interrogation on me, but as to what I'm up to your mother did a full sweep of my apartment the first night I met her" Regina was surprised "MOM, you broke into her apartment!" The girl locked eyes with Regina, daring her to deny it. Instead Regina leaned back and crossed her legs " I did some research" she said matter of faculty before her signature smirk took over her face " I am the evil queen after all" she said with extra flair and dramatics causing the two youth at the table to start laughing.

Never Ending Forrest

"What shall today's winner get?" Regina asked as she and Morgana made their way to the box set up for them again, the white curtains were still in place "the honor of the first dance in tomorrow's ball as well as a token from the goddess" and Regina sighed. "How is this not chauvinistic, I'm still the prize to be won" "Love, Regina is about surrendering to someone; this ritual is not about the emotional love, true, but it's about the physical act of it. You have been chosen and by doing the exercises each day, you are earning the right to take part in the act; all these men have chosen to be here tonight as well and by competing in the tasks they too are earning the right. Make no mistake you can make them all fail and refuse to take part in the ritual, just as they can leave at anytime they wish. So Regina do you wish to leave?" Morgana's voice held nothing but sincerity. Regina let out a breath and shook her head "no, I wish to see this through" and then the men entered on their horses, trumpets were called and jousting began. It was a blur of activities of horses riding and metals clanking. Soon enough, it was down to the top five, each jousting for the top spot, "your archer is riding hi steed well for a man without a horse" and Regina clung to the information she had her suspicion on which he was but had refused to ask this far but as 5 turned to top 3 she could take no more and voiced her question "he's the one on the grey steed, isn't he Morgana" and she waited like maid with her first squire, please tell her she has not been rooting for the wrong man. Morgana looked young too as she paused, a wicked smile on her lips "yes, indeed he is" and Regina could not help the smile as her archer made it to the top two.

But after the first run she was worried, the other man was built bigger, his armor and horse were also better quality and he aimed to hurt, she did not like him.
Her archer kept up though, used his speed to offset the other mans strength. It was the last pass and her Archer was in the lead when suddenly the opponent aimed for the archer's horse's side which caused the horse to go down alongside her Archer.

Regina was tough but at the cry of the animal her hand flew to her mouth horrified; her eyes desperately searched to see if the Archer or the horse would rise but instead other men swarmed the arena some to congratulate the winner others to aid the fallen warrior.
"He cheated!" Regina stated worry and anger mixing together "do you wish to disqualify them" "them? But the archer did nothing it was the other who aimed for the horse" Morgana got up "are you sure you wish to make your favor known so soon" Regina was pacing now neither horse nor archer could be seen yet "this has nothing to do with that, he cheated." She paused "I have enough of dishonesty in my average life I do not wish to see it here" Morgana took her hands "what do you wish to do?" Regina looked unsure now "did he cheat?" She asked this time and Morgana nodded "in a manner, it's not an outright cheat more of an underhand method" Regina paused oh the irony of what she was going to say was not lost on her "I dislike such methods, if their aim is to please me, I dislike such methods"

Morgana nodded and studied the women "it's more than just the archer isn't it, it's the horse as well" Regina looked down thinking of Daniel, she nodded. "Then come we shall tell them together" Regina went with her but was puzzled "is this allowed" " on occasion yes, but you cannot speak, so tell me what is it you wish to say" Regina paused and looked down at the thin green scarf about her neck with a small dragon talisman on one end "he won't be disqualified, and he can open the dance but he won't get the token I was to give him and please make it known I did not appreciate the stunt" Morgana nodded "and the archer will get the token for luck?" Regina paused she had not thought of that "we'll see" was all she said on the matter.

There were no trumpets as they entered the arena; the men had clustered around the two warriors like moth to a flame. So they did not notice the ladies arrival. Regina, without waiting for the ok began moving toward the fallen horse. As she drew closer she could hear the panting of the beast; with every step, men began to fall back taking their hats off bowing slightly and had she look she would have seen the looks of surprise on their faces. But her eyes only searched for the horse and the Archer. When she finally reached the center, her heart for a moment felt relief, the Archer was kneeling next the horses head and seemed only badly beaten but still alive and relatively well.

The silence of the other men was what grabbed his attention and when he looked up, all thoughts escaped his mind. The raven haired beauty; she was here in their midst, he would have been sure that his mind had been addled due to the fall, but others were also gaping at her. His eyes flitter over them and lock with her chocolate brown ones. And he feels lost, feels as though he is being engulfed in those eyes so full of concern, anguish and so much pain.

Her eyes are still locked on his while she takes two more steps and lowers herself next to him, by the animals head. Her eyes are on his and then they are gone and the loss of her gaze makes Robin long for it back in a preposterous way. She holds out a hand toward the wounded animal and the animal rears, it is hurt and angry and the men have held it down until it is calm enough as to not hurt itself or anyone else when they help him rise. They give a cry of warning as the lady gently places her hand on the beast's mane and horse rears its head and the men surge forward but she holds up a hand and they freeze as does the animal.

He does not know what she sees in the steed's eyes nor what the horse sees in hers but after a moment, the huffing of air slows and the horse is taking calmer breath and when the lady gently begins to rise the animal slowly begins to go with her. The moment the horse is standing it hobbles to the lady and she begin petting it and Robin takes that moment to unsaddle the horse before another group approaches the horse while he is calm with the lady and began putting on salves and start healing the horse.

"You have caused the goddess distress"

The priestess's voice has him turning from the lady in question who is looking at no one but the horse, though Robin can tell she is listening. Surprisingly the priestess is not looking at him but the champion of this round, who has made his way over to the circle that had formed around the lady.

"She does not approve of the manner of this win, she value's honor and honesty and sees none in this win." The winner opens his mouth but the priestess cuts him off "she also values a tactical mind but does not appreciate pain inflicted on the innocence" and Morgana's eyes travels to the horse.

"She will not deny you this win warrior" the man looks relieved "and will grant you the rights of the first dance at the ball tomorrow" the man nods and bows his head toward Regina and she stops her petting to stare at the man, but with a tilt of the head she is back to petting the horse "however she does deny you a token of good luck" the man looks displeased but Regina simply ignores him and steps aside allowing the horse to be led away. When she turns Morgana has a question in her eyes and Regina answers her by untying the scarf with the pendent from around her neck.

It takes all her power not to lose herself in the archer's eyes as she steps toward him. Takes every ounce of control to not jump at the spark that shoots through her body at the contact that happens as she places the green fabric in his palm, before she moves once more; until she stands next to Morgana "let this show that the lady does not simply favor victors, but rather she favors champions who not only care for victory but the methods that lead to it as well" and as they began climbing the steps Regina could not help but let tears escape, for while she was living the version of herself that she had always longed for, the version that Daniel had fallen in love with and who her father had raised her too be she knew she is exactly as the victor bellow, ruthless and unyielding.

As they approached her chamber Morgana stopped her "it's time for your assignment" and Regina can't help but look at the setting sun "worry not you can stay up as long as you need, tomorrows event is a ball in the evening you can sleep in late but you must finish this assignment" Regina nods in understanding "you have already made a list of those you care for and a list of those who have wronged you, tonight you will write a list of those who you have wronged" and Regina wants to say no and demand that she wants to go home, but earlier events are weighing her down and so she nods and knows she will not be getting any sleep tonight.

"Regina" the priestess calls as she is about to enter her chamber "you have yet to give me the first list" and Regina is too tired to argue, too fight her and worry about the vulnerability she will be at if this women has the list of the names of those she cares about. Her hands turn over the list from her pocket and Morgana takes it. The first name, Henry her father, she knew would be on the list but the second gives her pause and she can't help but ask

"who is Ruby?"

And the answer she gets as Regina slips in her chambers is a bigger surprise than she could imagine.

"My godchild"

AN: Ok, so I hoped you liked it and I also hoped you didn't see this coming, hehe believe me when I say I have plan and purpose. I'm not sure if you all like the story or not, the ones who have reviewed I love you truly do, you have no idea how giddy I feel when I get a review notification. If you hate the story (for other reasons than you don't like the pairs I'm writing about) please let me know.

I do wonder if I should break the chapters down to smaller ones? Am I too all over the place? And also I honestly want to know what you think so let's make a deal, give me suggestions and if you are the 20s reviewer I will definitely put your suggestion in, as always Once is not mine and thank for reading