Regina watched throughout the journey that Ruby was silent. She was lost in thought for most of the time. And now it was starting to get quite boring. If this is how these two days is going to be then she was sure that she will never ever get to have a chance to understand Red like her father asked her to.
" Are you going to talk something Chief or just spend the rest of the journey like this?" Regina asked cautiously to know the reaction. Ruby turned to the side and looked at Regina confused not understanding what she did. "Pardon your majesty but I didn't understand what's the matter?"she asked unsure of what to say.
Regina sighed. Apparently the great warrior is some sort of idiot who doesn't understand people's gestures. Well she can't blame her, it's been years since she had any other human contact other than Graham.
" I asked if you would like to spend this journey a little bit entertaining?" Regina tried to explain.
Ruby again looked at her confused and replied " I thought we are being entertained while riding. I heard you talking to his majesty about how much you like horse riding."
Regina wanted to smack some sense into the idiot wolf but she refrained herself. " Yes I do love horse riding. But we are going to be riding for a long time. So why don't we use this time to get to know each other?" Regina suggested feeling about bold. She knew she took a step too far but she wasn't going to back down. She wanted to know about Ruby more if they are going to spend time together.
" What would you like to talk about princess?" Ruby asked now understanding what the princess meant. She felt like an idiot for not getting the basic things.
" Well how about you tell me something about you" Regina suggested.
Ruby remained silent for a moment. All they could hear was the chirping of crickets in the background and the sound of birds. Cold wind blew on their faces. Regina looked at Red wondering if she crossed a line.
"Princess you know me very well. Theresnt much to know about me. Other than the fact that I spend most of my life separated from my family in a mountain training to be a ruthless warrior" Ruby finished without any emotions. Regina wondered what type of training she must have given inroder to forget all the emotions. She felt sorry for the poor soldier for spending years away from her family just because she was destined to be a protector. She though for a moment and replied.
" I am sorry that you have to live away from your family. It must have been hard on you"
Ruby halted her horse for a moment and looked down. She was trying hard not to cry thinking about all those times where she practically begged Graham to take her home.
" It was hard. There were times when I would wish to see my mom. I was ten for gods sake. A child in need of parents. But I guess your father wanted me to be a ruthless warrior rather than a child" Ruby spat the final words with venom. She knew she was talking to the princess about what her father did to her. But she couldn't care less. She had been holding up all these emotions within her for years. She needed to let it out.
Regina was shocked to hear the outburst. She abruptly came to a stop and looke at Ruby to make sure what she heard was true. Red didn't bother to look back she kept her horse moving. Regina stood ther shocked no knowing what to say. After a brief moment she wondered if her father did the right thing.
She didn't realise it's been some time she stopped moving. When she looked around it was getting dark and Ruby was nowhere to be seen. She moved her horse faster in order to catch up with Ruby.
Some distance later Regina saw Ruby tieing her horse to a tree. When she looked around she saw a small cave nearby.
" It's getting dark we should rest up some time. We can't travel at night. It's dangerous. I will start fire. You can make yourself comfortable inside the cave. I have checked it's safe" Ruby replied when she saw Regina looking confused.
