Hi All! Thank you so much for your reviews and for reading! Sorry this update took me so long. I hope it will not be so long for the next update. My goal is to have the story done by the time Season 4 starts. I can't wait for the premiere and it's getting so close, woohoo! Thanks again for reading and reviewing!
Enchanted Forest - Missing year
Regina's royal gown had dried out and the first thing she did when she woke was change out of the rags. Being back in her element put her in a good mood. She was pleased with her deeds of the prior evening, a fine mixture of heroic deeds and Evil Queen mischief. The combination made her almost cheerful. The knowledge she could never see Henry again made full happiness an impossibility.
When Little John approached her she managed to greet him with a smile.
"Beggin' your pardon, your highness, but have you seen Robin?"
Regina openly invited the conversation though the meaning of it did not register with her.
"You see, little Roland and I made breakfast for Ro-bear and he didn't come back to camp last night."
Little John looked down and Roland appeared behind his thick leg.
"Where's papa?" Roland's big round eyes melted the Evil Queen's heart. It was then she realized that the thief was still roaming the woods as a fox. She silently scolded herself for forgetting to change him back. She had been too tired to care last night as she crawled into bed, and despite her good mood this morning she was still angry with him for the unexpected kiss.
Regina knelt down and put her hand on Roland's chest.
"I'm sure he is around somewhere. Why don't you keep his breakfast warm and I will see if I can find him?"
Roland bobbed his head then looked up at Little John.
"Thank you, ma'am."
Regina smiled and the large man and the tiny boy walked away. She stood and spun around. Her gown flared with the movement. She squared her shoulders and marched into the woods. With each step she braced herself for the encounter ahead. She knew her cute little fox thief would not be pleased with her.
She reached a clearing in a secluded part of the forest not far from camp. She sensed his presence but saw no sign.
"I know you're angry with me but if you don't show yourself I can't change you back."
She waited but the only sound that filled the pine scented air was the chirp of birds.
"I'm not going to apologize if that's what your waiting for." Regina put her hand on her hip. "You deserved it, and more."
She still saw no trace of the fox between the large pines.
"Your son misses you. He has breakfast waiting."
A red, furry head poked out of the end of a fallen oak trunk.
"There you are," Regina spoke as if he were an infant. The fox growled but came into the clearing.
"Oh, it wasn't that bad. Think what a great tale it will make for Roland."
Regina ignored his growl and lifted her hands into the air. A cloud of purple rose from the ground and seconds later Robin Hood emerged. He brushed the mud from his clothes as he got to his feet.
"See, no worse for wear." Regina smiled but Robin looked at her with such hatred she felt a surge of alarm. He shook his head.
"That unimpressive kiss was not worth the slap you gave me," he put his hand to his jaw, "let alone spending the night as a rodent."
Regina dropped her shoulders and straightened her posture. It had been a long, long time since a man had hurt her pride. She jutted her jaw forward.
"It wasn't a rodent. Foxes are beautiful, intelligent animals. You should be flattered."
Regina hoped rather than saw that her words smoothed over the incident. Last night had taught her that she kind of liked the thief.
Robin laughed but his lips did not form a smile.
"I didn't get the chance to ask. Did you find the other piece of the golden scarab?"
Regina thought the change of subject might make him forget his anger.
"I did. I think it's better if I hold onto it. Splitting the pieces splits the power."
Regina clutched the edge of her cape. He did not trust her and he broke his word. She was unsure which infuriated her most.
"That wasn't part of the deal."
Robin stepped close to her.
"Neither was your turning me into a fox."
Regina pressed her lips together and averted her eyes. She might have apologized if she did not have to look at his indignant, self-righteous expression.
"Don't worry, my lady," he caught her gaze again, but his eyes were softer. "You have cured me of any desire to kiss you again. I did learn my lesson."
His shoulder bumped hers as he walked around her. Regina stood alone in the quiet forest. For some reason she felt like the one who learned the lesson. After a few moments she shrugged off the odd sense of loss. He was, after all, only a thief.
Storybrooke - Present day
The Merry Men all stopped the various activities they were engaged in when Regina swept through the camp. She ignored them, and made a line straight for Robin's tent. She threw back the cloth entrance of his home and stepped inside. Robin blinked at her then lifted to his feet.
"Regina?" The mix of emotion she saw in his face would have wounded her to the point if incapacitation had she not been on a mission. She scanned the area but saw no sign of Marian or... Roland.
"I need the other piece of the scarab."
Robin ran a hand through his hair.
"And I need to talk to you."
Regina squared her shoulders.
"I don't have time for that. Give me the scarab."
She held out her hand. Robin scanned her face and then walked across the room. He opened a large antique chest and retrieved a small object.
"What's wrong?" He asked as he stepped closer to her. She felt her hand quiver in anticipation of his touch.
"There is no time to explain."
He looked down at his hands, and then at hers. He did not hand her the object but instead looked up.
"You used to talk to me. I felt you could tell me anything."
Regina's patience wore thin. She resisted the urge to take what she needed.
"Snow White had me almost believing in her pathetic life philosophy that true love conquers all," Regina scoffed. "I have to thank you for curing me of that momentary insanity."
Robin shook his head. He reached for Regina's hand but she pulled away.
"I've never seen you like this. I worry about you."
"You've never seen the real me." Regina savored the darkness that she felt pool in the pit of her stomach. She relished the familiar sensation and the powerful dark magic that returned to her finger tips.
"I found out that Marian is in love with someone else."
Regina's breath hitched. She overcame the surprise and sneered.
"How convenient."
"I want things back the way they were between us."
Regina could tell he meant it, which is what hurt her the most. She tossed her hair over her shoulder.
"That can never be."
Robin reached for her again but she took a step backwards.
"I don't believe that. What we have is special."
"Special?" Regina growled at him and paced across the room. "It was more than that."
She looked him in the eyes, and for the first time she let another person see just how devastated she was by his decision.
"Between you and Henry I started to believe I could change," Regina's voice dropped to its lowest tone. "But when you chose her I knew my destiny would always be the Evil Queen." She spoke through clenched teeth.
Robin turned his head to the side and his eyes widened.
"My wife came back from the dead! You can't tell me if it had been Daniel you wouldn't have done the same thing."
Regina lifted her chin and put her hands on her hips.
"No, Robin. I wouldn't have. I loved him, but I didn't know what that really meant until I met you."
Robin visibly swallowed. He took a step toward her but she backed away.
"Neither did I," he whispered. The words reached out to her, pulled at her heart, and begged her forgiveness. He was too late. She had known the day she met Henry for lunch. The despair of her loss cut her heart off even from the reach of her son.
"You forgot all about me in an instant," she said under her breath, "It's better that way."
A tear found its way down Robin's cheek and disappeared in his four o'clock shadow.
"I could never forget you." Robin reached out and took Regina's hand. She felt the scarab touch her palm. She could not look him in the eye.
"You're wrong about us. I promise you, I will find a way to make you trust me again."
She exited the tent quickly with the item clenched in her fist. She no longer minded the sacrifice she had to make.
Mary Margaret set Neal's empty bottle on the kitchen table and went to answer the rather frantic pound on the door.
She opened it to find a disheveled Mr. Gold on the other side.
"Who is it, grandma?" Henry questioned from the living room. Mary Margaret did not have time to answer.
"I'm afraid Regina is about to do something rash."
Mr. Gold kept this hands on his cane. Mary Margaret rolled her eyes.
"And this is news?"
Henry came around the door and stood on the other side of Mary Margaret.
"It involves Marian."
Henry and Mary Margaret exchanged glances.
"Where is she?" Henry asked.
"Marian is at Granny's and Regina will be if she isn't already." Rumple lifted his hand. "I suggest we hurry."
"Henry, get your coat and call Emma. I'll get Neal."
Ten minutes later the four of them entered the diner. Regina stood at the back of the room. Several bodies were littered on the floor in her wake. Everyone inside the diner save for Roland had been incapacitated. The boy looked near hysteria. Regina's magic bound Marian in the form of purple ropes.
"Regina! What are you doing?" Emma was the first to speak.
The Evil Queen turned around. The wildness in her eyes was tempered when she saw Henry.
"Mom?"
Mary Margaret saw the glistening of tears in Regina's eyes when she heard her son's call.
"Don't do this," Henry pleaded. He tried to move forward but his feet stuck to the ground. Emma put her hands on his shoulders and glared at Regina.
A strange light appeared in the diner, like someone ripped apart the particles in the air. A fierce wind and loud howling filled the diner. The hole grew larger, and Mary Margaret looked to Rumple as she held Neal closer.
"She is using the scarab to open a portal," Rumple explained and grabbed a table to help brace against the wind. His hair flew wildly around his head.
"Stop her!" Emma ordered.
"No, dearie. She is trying to save us all."
Mary Margaret looked to Emma.
"Mama!" Roland called but Regina sent Marian through the portal. The Queen did not look at the boy.
"Regina, let us help you," Mary Margaret yelled over the howl of the wind. Regina glanced at her, then to Henry.
"It's all for you, Henry. It's only a matter of time before I let you down. This is for the best."
Henry's mouth opened but he only watched as Regina and the portal vanished. The wind died away and an eerie quiet settle over them. Mary Margaret rushed over to Roland. The boy was shaking and on the brink of tears.
"Where did they go?" Emma asked Rumple.
"The scarab only leads to one realm. The Netherworld. She is going to try and stop the tide from coming to Storybrooke."
Mary Margaret tried to untangle Rumple's riddle, but she really had no idea what any of it meant.
"She's gonna kill Marian," Granny said from behind the counter. Mary Margaret covered Roland's ears and glared at the diner owner.
"Marian is only the bait." Rumple's voice carried an ominous ring.
"Will my mom be okay?" Henry looked to his grandpa.
Mr. Gold remained silent.
Regina never liked the Netherworld. It was a strange place, with a perpetually stormy sky, jagged cliffs and barren trees. Her regal gown and jeweled headpiece gave her a sense of control amidst the chaos.
"Where are we?" Marian asked.
Regina turned and Marian flew over the ground and into a tree. Regina's magical chords latched themselves to the barren trunk. Marian struggled but she was no match for the Queen. Regina walked passed her and toward the edge of the cliff.
"You!" Marian hissed. "You did have the treasure beacon."
Regina stopped, looked down at the glowing golden object and frowned.
"What will you do with it?"
Regina hardly felt the need to explain herself to the wench.
"Why do you care?" Regina thought that was a much more interesting question. Marian looked away.
"I was going to use it to find the man I loved, and our son."
Regina closed her fist around the scarab.
"I really would like so very much to kill you."
"Then do it!" Marian looked Regina directly in the eyes. "What is one more murder to the Evil Queen?"
Regina grabbed Marian's face and dug her fingernails into her skin. Marian tried to turn her head away, but she struggled in vain.
"If you do anything to hurt Henry, Roland, or Robin I promise I will torment you for the rest of eternity."
She let go of Marian, turned her back, and walked to the edge of the cliff.
"You," Marian called after her. "The price... I don't know how it's possible, but you're Roland's mother, aren't you?"
Regina turned her head to the side. The wind from the sea hit the side of her face carrying tiny droplets of salt water.
"Not the mother he knows." Regina closed her eyes and whispered to herself, "Not the mother he loves."
Regina lifted the scarab above her head and the rough seas below began to swell. The water thickened and a tidal wave rose from beyond the cliff. The enormous swell threatened to engulf the cliff and everything on it.
Regina waited. The wave neared but suspended itself high above Regina. A piece of the black sea broke away from the large mass. The liquid churned until it resembled the shape of a human. The human liquid walked across the open air. When it reached Regina it changed into the form of a person. Cora.
Regina should have expected a visit from her mother. The tides of time always bring the dead with them.
"My daughter," Cora said with an amount of pride. She touched Regina's face. Regina pushed her hand away.
"Don't do this, Regina. It's not your time. You don't owe those peasants your life."
Regina wished she had prepared for this. Seeing her mother again, seeing the love in Cora's eyes, was extremely difficult to fight.
"It's for Henry."
Cora smiled sadly.
"Henry will never belong to you. Neither will Roland."
Regina clenched her teeth. She wished she had something to fight her mother with. Even in her regal gown she felt exposed and weak.
"And Robin Hood? Please, Regina, the man wasn't even in love with his wife and he still chose her over you. You really do have the worst taste in men."
Regina inhaled, lifted her shoulders, and looked around Cora to the hovering wave. She held up the scarab.
"Here is the treasure you seek. Take me and recede for another century."
Another piece of liquid broke from the wave. It outstretched its arm to Regina.
"Then come," it said and turned into the form of Daniel. Regina felt her heart jump to her throat. "Come with me, Regina."
Cora stepped in front of her daughter.
"No! I won't let you take her."
Two more figures emerged from the liquid. A man with a crown and a little boy. They went to Marian. The wife of Robin Hood struggled to break free of the bonds that held her. Regina could see she wanted to go with them. Regina took some satisfaction in knowing Marian would remain separated from her love.
Regina put her hand on Cora's shoulder.
"It's okay mother. I want to go with him."
Cora turned around and grabbed Regina by the shoulders.
"Fool, child! He isn't your soul-mate. Your soul-mate is in Storybrooke, with your sons. Go back to them."
"Make up your mind, Mother," Regina growled. "You always would say anything to get what you want. Not this time. I finally belong somewhere."
Regina reached out to Daniel.
"No!" Cora cried.
As soon as their fingers touched the tidal wave descended on the cliff. When the waters receded the rocky shore was as barren of all life.
