All Souls Night
Chapter 8: The Mummer's Dance
Author's Notes: This one was fun for me to write to be honest. It took a bit of time to perfect but I'm happy with how it turned out. I just hope you guys will enjoy it. As always please let me know what you think and hopefully the next chapter won't take me so long to get up. ~ Bella
They were running through the gardens again. The fog was thick though, it was hard to see anything let alone what was in front of you and yet Emma pushed on. Her shoulder brushed against the high green hedge as she rounded the corner just in time to catch sight of Regina's deep forest green gown disappearing around the other side. She gasped almost losing her footing on a loose stone before catching herself and continuing to run.
Laughter rang out as she caught sight of dark silky hair blowing in the wind along with the thick velvet of her gown. The blonde reached out her hand brushing against the other woman's hair only to have it fall completely out of reach as they rounded another corner. Suddenly Emma was alone.
"Regina?" She called out looking around for the beautiful woman she'd been chasing. The fog was growing thicker with each passing moment. "Regina where are you?" She called again.
There was a cry and a soft coo of a woman's voice singing a lullaby in an ancient tongue she didn't recognize. She rounded the corner to find a little boy tucked into Regina's arms. The beautiful woman didn't look winded at all as she rocked the small child whose rich brown hair and bright eyes resembled Regina in so many ways but there were hints of Emma and her father in there as well. Regina's voice carried to her ears as she sung to the small child who watched her with wide attentive eyes that were only slight damp due to his tears. She could see the way it left a sparkling trail down his chubby cheeks as he held a piece of the velvet fabric of Regina's gown close to his cheek obviously taking comfort in her scent.
It was then that Emma took notice of the almost elfin appearance of the small boy. "He's yours," She breathed.
A hand rested on her shoulder and she turned only to find Regina's dark eyes staring at her from underneath a black hood. She glanced back over her shoulder. The woman was still sitting in the forest green dress cooing the lullaby to the child.
"He's ours," The specter with Regina's form spoke. She was hidden behind a black robe that was so dark it was hard to see anything of the woman's beautiful features underneath other than her beautiful warm caramel eyes.
"That's not possible," Emma breathed.
"Yes it is," The shadow drew near settling down on the bench next to the two people who didn't even seem to notice her presence nor the blonde princess'.
"They're yours or what you'd like to claim them as but you will never get that chance."
"What are you talking about?" Emma breathed.
"You'll see," The fog thickened as the words carried over her shutting out the image of the woman she loved and the little boy she was cradling so tenderly.
Emma jerked awake her eyes wide as the storm winds howled outside her bedroom window. She was breathing heavily, sweat soaking most of her body as she threw back the covers and forced herself to her feet. Her hands went to her protruding belly as she stumbled her way to the floor length mirror in the corner of her massive bedroom.
Her hands went to her stomach as her pretty eyes widened. Lightning cracked across the sky causing her to jump and scream. The loud noise barely drowned out her scream as she stared wide eyed at her reflection. She barely registered her mother's entrance with two armed guards as her eyes refused to look away from her reflection. The hand mirror, ever close to her when she was in her chambers flashed with the lighting strike against her pillow drawing her mother's green eyes for a moment.
Snow's eyes were drawn back to Emma as the princess turned towards her looking pale and drawn.
"Momma," She whimpered as Snow's brow furrowed.
"What's wrong sweetheart? Did the storm scare you?" Her mother's arms were around her immediately, trying to soothe away every nightmare just like she had when Emma was a child.
If the blonde had been in her right mind, she would've given her mother a strange look as it was though she turned to look at her reflection resting her hands on her abdomen before she spoke.
"I'm with child Momma," she refused to meet her mother's eyes in the shimmery reflection of the mirror.
James watched with a frown on his face as his wife paced restlessly before the marble fireplace in their sitting room. Resting on the overstuffed couch across from him, with her head in her hands, his beautiful daughter continued to cry softly. His heart ached to hear her cry like she was but what else could she do realistically? Not having been born to royalty he didn't fully understand the breadth of their problems but he knew they weren't good.
His baby was having a baby. He couldn't believe it. Last he checked his daughter had just fallen in love according to his wife and with if they were lucky a half elf or if they were extremely lucky a full elf. Now she was pregnant.
"How could you let this happen?" Snow stopped eyeing her daughter. "Do you realize what this will mean? Emma how could you?"
"Snow," James spoke softly interrupting as his daughter burst out into another round of loud sobs.
"I didn't even know it was possible Momma." Emma sobbed breaking James' heart all over again. He sighed sitting forward and laying his large calloused hand on his daughter's shoulder.
"We'll figure it out baby girl," He kept his words soft and comforting before looking up at his wife who was glaring at him.
"This will ruin your reputation if it gets out." Snow lectured still looking rather furious.
"It hasn't gotten out though," James pointed out ever the voice of reason. It was partly why he and Snow worked so well together.
She was quick to anger, hot tempered and stubborn. He was calmer, more gentile and thankfully equally as stubborn. It caused some rather epic fights but they always ended on good terms. Neither believed in going to bed mad at the other which was good since sometimes their fights could go on all night. He shook his head chasing away those thoughts to focus on the present.
"We'll have to send you away Emma." The Queen's hands twisted as her daughter sobbed again.
"It's for the best baby girl," James said softly. "No one can know about you're…condition."
Emma looked up at him with swollen tearful eyes. She set her jaw looking so much like him when he was determined. She nodded as she looked at him and then her mother.
Snow was chewing her pink bottom lip as she stared over at her daughter and husband. "Your father is right. We'll have to send you away until the child is born. Once it is then we'll figure out what to do."
Emma looked down at her belly and nodded. She reached up pushing at her cheeks to brush away her tears. "When do I have to leave?"
"As soon as possible," Snow folded her arms across her chest looking over at her daughter.
The princess bit her lip and nodded, "So tomorrow." She glanced out the large glass doors at the storm raging on outside. Lighting cracked across the sky causing her and her mother both to jump. James watched them closely but didn't say a word as the loud sound of the thunder rolled around fitting for all their dark moods he supposed.
The Queen sighed, her bare feet brushing against the stones as she came to kneel before her daughter, "We'll figure this out Emma. I promise."
The blonde nodded looking down at her lap before up at her mother and then her father. She forced a weak smile and nodded. "I shouldn't tell…her…should I?"
"No," Snow said immediately even as James opened his mouth to say something. "It's best if she doesn't know."
"She will wonder why she's gone though Snow." The King pointed out softly.
"We'll deal with that in time. It's best if we deal with this quietly on our own." The petite brunette sighed rising back to her feet and pacing in front of the marble fireplace yet again.
"What if she doesn't understand? Is it apart of her culture? Maybe she didn't realize this was possible either. Shouldn't we give her the option of knowing?" The princess asked watching as her mother tried to wear a hole in the stone floor.
"We don't know what their laws are regarding this sort of matter. Its possible her people would get very angry with her, could possibly bring harm to her as punishment. No, it's best if we deal with this just the three of us and exclude her to shield her just in case." Dark curls flew as the queen shook her head, her hands moving as she spoke.
The King sighed folding his hands as he leaned forward, bracing his elbows on his knees. "We could speak to her. Find out what her laws are."
"And if her laws are that she would come to harm? Then what?" Snow asked.
"Momma's right Dad; it would be best if we kept her out of this. I'll go into seclusion like she said and we'll go from there."
James frowned but nodded in agreement when he saw the determined look on Emma's face.
There wasn't much sleep to be had over the next few days as Emma made her way to the summer home her parents kept. It was closer to the ruins where she'd met Regina but it was still far enough away and in her condition not a good idea to go to.
She sighed sliding her hand over her belly. She couldn't believe it. She'd never even entertained the thought of children much less marriage. Marriage seemed such a far off concept and children were even further. She wasn't very maternal she'd come to find. When exposed to small children she tended to cringe and pull away from them. She wasn't sure what to do with them let alone how to keep them happy. She turned from the full length mirror. Her bare feet glided across the polished wooden floors as she slid into bed. She pulled out the hand mirror from the drawer she'd put it in and set it on the pillow beside her. Now more than ever she liked keeping it close. Strange how such an object brought comfort.
She inhaled deeply glad that she'd spread a bit of Regina's perfume on her pillow. It helped her sleep if only a tiny bit. The familiar comforting scent of the other woman was something she needed desperately. She still had no idea how to get word to her. She didn't fully agree with her mother but she knew she did have a point. So she endured without her love though she longed for her comforting presence and beautiful smile more and more as each day passed.
As All Souls approached the hustle and bustle of the summer house picked up. The few servants that were here barely had any contact with the princess. It was for the best her mother assured her. Even as her belly rounded further and the days became longer she still longed for something familiar. It was then that All Souls came to pass.
Slowly she made her way out into the fields glad that she'd donned a mask and loose clothing to hide the swell of her belly. She stayed to the shadows watching others dancing, laughing enjoying themselves as the drums pounded. These celebrations were a bit different than the ones in the part of the Kingdom she lived in. Here the celebrations featured a large man made of wood that was burned beautifully on the top of the hill for all to bear witness.
She stroked a hand over her stomach smiling as she watched the people dance and feast enjoying the revelries of the night. Suddenly a hand appeared at her arm. Her heart leapt into her throat for a moment as she turned; hope shining in her eyes, only to find herself completely disappointed. A pretty woman with bright blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes stood before her.
"Why are you not enjoying the festivities?" She asked cocking her head to one side. Half of her face was hidden behind a beautiful burgundy mask.
"I'm tired," Emma offered softly.
"Oh well I suppose I can understand that. Congratulations by the way." She offered a soft smile to which Emma nodded and looked away.
"You're not happy about the baby are you?" She asked proving herself to be rather perceptive. The princess frowned turning back to look at her with a firm shake of her head.
"No." Emma kept her voice quiet, "I'm…unmarried."
The girl twisted to look at her with a small smile. "Why is that a problem?" She paused at the incredulous look Emma managed despite her mask. "I'm sorry let me explain. The elders of our village always say that a man should be honored to marry a woman that is fertile. It's one of the highest honors he can hope to have when he chooses a wife."
Emma's eyes widened as the girl gave her a smile, "even if he's not the father?"
"Does that matter? The blood line flows through the mother at least that's what we believe." The pretty masked blonde gave her a smile. "It's still a great honor for him to receive."
Emma nodded and gave her a small smile. "Thanks."
"You're welcome. I'm Coraline by the way."
"Emma, it's nice to meet you Coraline."
"You too; should we go enjoy the festivities?"
Emma nodded with a smile as Coraline took her hand leading her into the fray of dancers around the large bonfire.
