So here's the next chapter, I hope you're all still enjoying this story! I had fun writing this chapter, Regina & Robin decided to get a bit playful on me ;)

On a little side note I realized tonight I seem to get ideas for this story while washing dishes. Seriously, for some reason my mind wonders a lot then and I start writing chapters in my head. It happened tonight and I realized for some earlier chapters as well. Weird right? Anyways, without further ado, here's chapter 7! :)

Disclaimer: As usual I don't own anything (as much as I may want to, I don't)


Chapter 7

"Regina! Regina!" He called out anxiously riding his horse, how far could she have gotten? He rode further into the woods until he come upon a clearing and realized the river wasn't too far ahead. Perhaps she had stopped for something to drink or to bathe. He followed the trail and saw her horse tied to a maple on the river's edge. It was eating an apple and as he rounded the corner he saw Regina squatting in the river. He let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding and approached the river. It looked like she was filling a canteen, one no doubt she had stolen from his tent. He could tell she was trying not to get too wet but was failing miserably. A large wave came out of nowhere and she shrieked toppling over completely in the river. He jumped off his horse and tied it near hers before jogging over to help her out of the river.

"M'lady, are you alright?" He offered her his arm but she refused.

"Yes, I'm fine." She huffed, ringing out her clothes "Did you not read my letter or was I not clear enough?"

"I did and am I right in saying that it was most likely spontaneous. If it was, you wouldn't have any supplies for an hour's journey, let alone days." He smirked; he just loved pushing her buttons.

"I, I suppose your right. I didn't think of that, all I was thinking is that I needed to get out of this place. You smell like forest" She admitted, she hated when he was right.

He stepped closer to her, testing the waters. He quite liked her like this, it was how could he put it, intoxicating. "Since when did that become a problem? I thought you liked it, or did my charm turn you off," He teased inching closer; he could almost feel her breath.

She tried to resist him, but he was making it so damn difficult. Being so smug and she hated to admit it but right. "Fine, maybe I do like it but this," She gestured to the forest around them, "Isn't my life. It's all just a distraction; my life is at the palace. I don't belong here, it was a mistake staying this long," She shook her head, why was her life so cruel. All she ever wanted was to be free but this was too painful. She could see a life here with Robin, a good one but she could never have it.

"Perhaps," He pondered, wishing there was something he could do. He hated seeing her so unhappy but alas they were stuck. "At least allow me to accompany you home. So I know you'll arrive one piece of course," He watched as a smile returned to her face, god he missed that smile.

"Fine," She laughed, "But don't get in my way"

"I wouldn't dream of it," He replied, as she began walking back to her horse. He followed behind; yes this was going to be an interesting journey.


"So I assume you have all the supplies, unless you were being a hypocrite" She raised an eyebrow, as she re-tied a sack to her horse.

"I do, hopefully it's enough to last us until we reach the next village. I also brought these," He lifted a shawl and a peasant dress from one of his bags. "We can't have you sticking out like a sore thumb now can we?"

"I don't have a choice do I?" She sighed, though the clothes didn't look too bad. They definitely had lots of wear left in them.

"Nope," He smirked as she ripped the clothes from his hand and went off into the forest to change. Five minutes later she re-emerged from the forest, the dress was simple in beige with a v-neckline but the shawl in deep red had a sparkling brooch.

Robin was speechless, "Wow, you look…"

"Normal?" She presumed, the dress was plain but at least the brooch brightened it up a little.

"I was going to say beautiful," He smiled

"In this?" she said dumbfounded, she looked no more than a commoner.

"Yes, you look beautiful in anything you know" He explained making her blush.

She shook her head, stuffing her clothes in the sack and tying it back on to his horse.

"There, now shall we go?" She asked, patting his horse.

"Of course," He smirked putting his foot in the stirrup to hoist himself up on the horse. "Follow me,"

Regina mounted her horse and did as he said, following him through the forest. They winded through the trees until they emerged onto a path that would lead them to the next village away.


"Thank you," she said. They'd been riding for an hour or two in complete silence when she realized she'd never given him a proper thank you. She always seemed think more clearly on a horse; it was like a kind or therapy for her.

"For what?" he asked.

"For saving my life, taking care of me. You know the same old," she smirked, feeling playful.

"It was my honor, your majesty. It's not every day you find a queen in the middle of a forest," He replied, pulling on the reigns a little.

"No I guess it's not, but you do realize I'll be forever in your debt. How will I ever repay you?" She pondered playfully.

"Hmm, perhaps some golden dipped arrows?" She raised an eyebrow, "I'm joking, your company will suffice" He smiled, it was true after all. He wanted nothing more than to be with her for as long as he could.

"Really? You wouldn't want anything at all." She asked surprised, for wouldn't a thief like him want something, at least a bit of gold?

"No, I wouldn't" He said looking over at her, "For there is no price equal to saving someone's life,"

He looked deep into her eyes, as if penetrating into her soul and she knew. In that moment she had truly fallen in love with him.