Thanks for the lovely reviews.
Does anyone fancy a day at the horse races?
"You work too hard." A voice broke into her thoughts one morning. She looked up at the familiar voice of Robin, a lazy grin on his face, "You need a break."
"What is it that you do all day again?" Regina huffed. This spell she was working on was driving her absolutely mad. The last thing she needed was distraction in the form of Robin Hood. These visits from Robin and Roland, though pleasant, had prevented her from getting as much done as she could have.
"If memory serves me correctly...I believe someone once declared they were going to... kick my ass in a horse race." Robin had moved right next to her, having dropped down so his mouth was level with her ear, his voice dropped several octaves and he quietly drawled, "You wouldn't happen to know who that was, would you?"
Regina slowly turned to look at him, one of her eyebrows raised, "Really? You want to race me? On a horse?" Regina rolled her eyes at him and turned back to her book.
"I knew it," she heard him continue, she once again looked at him, her eyes questioning what it was he knew exactly. Standing up now walking away from her, he went on, "I knew that a queen as...delicate, as yourself," he turned, his fingers pointing to indicate her, "could only handle the ride from the safety of her carriage."
Regina knew he was baiting her. "Are you five years old?" She murmured as she watched him strut around the room.
"It's fine. I understand, you cannot handle the heat. I will simply inform Roland whom the superior rider is and let you get back to...work," he told her, glancing at her books.
God this man was impossible. She got up and strolled over to stand right in front of him, her eyes locking with his. "When and where?" She softly growled.
Robin smirked, clearly pleased with getting his way. "One hour, the field out back. May the best rider win." He stuck out his hand to shake, his dancing eyes never leaving hers. She raised her hand and firmly grasped his, her heart feeling excitement for the first time in...a long while, she had a horse race to win.
Regina stood in the stable, brushing Realeza's mane, softly murmuring praises to the horse every once in a while. Her own hair was in a simple braid, she had magically conjured up a riding outfit, she was sure Robin would have some comment, but it would be worth it after winning this thing in comfort.
She heard a noise indicating someone else was in the stable as well, glancing up she watched as John led Robin's horse towards her. "Hello, your majesty," he nodded his head in greeting. "I was just coming to get the horses for...the race." He coughed, clearing his throat. John was a lot less timid when interacting with her then when they had first met but, on the rare occasion they were alone, his nerves were still quite obvious.
Regina had decided that she...liked John. Roland adored him and vice versa. That was enough of an endorsement for her. It seemed John had come to the same conclusion about her, although the whole evil queen thing still made him a bit uneasy. She did threaten him with a fireball on their first meeting. "I can lead Realeza out. May I walk with you?" She asked. It was time she stepped out of her comfort zone, extend some friendliness. This was not her area of expertise, she found she was slightly nervous.
"Oh..of course, your maj..your majesty," John stuttered, sounding slightly surprised.
She offered him a small smile which seemed to relax him somewhat. "Roland is quite excited about the race," John continued, "He seems fairly confident that you will win, much to Robin's chagrin."
Regina found herself smiling brightly at this news. "Well, Roland is a smart boy. I will be winning this race."
"Oh, I have no doubt your majesty," John answered.
Regina glanced over at him, "My name is Regina," she offered.
John nodded his head, offering her a small smile in return.
As the two arrived in the opening with the horses, Robin, Roland, and a few curious onlookers were there waiting. Roland noticed them approaching and sprinted towards Regina. "REGINA!" He jumped into her arms, surprising her. His small arms wrapped around her neck and his nose bumped against hers in affection. Regina felt a warmth spread through her. "I know you are going to win," his voice whispered, excited.
"I am," she smiled, agreeing.
She glanced over at Robin, his eyes watching them, a look of fondness settled there. It threw her a bit off balance. "It seems there is a traitor in our midst," he finally said.
"Oh really?" She looked at Roland, putting her forehead against his smiling, "I don't see any."
Roland giggled. Robin walked over to them, "You are going to rue the day you bet against me, my boy," he said laughing, tickling his son making him squeal in delight. Robin then looked at Regina, "Are you ready...to lose...my queen?" He bowed dramatically, taking her hand in his, bringing it to his lips and giving it a soft kiss. She rolled her eyes, pulling her hand away, ignoring the increase of her heart rate.
She placed Roland on the ground, leaned in to Robin's ear and whispered, "Be prepared to get an eyeful of my horse's ass." Robin threw his head back, howling in laughter.
"What do you say to us making things more interesting...since you are so...confident," Robin teased.
"What do you have in mind?" Two could play at this game Regina thought, though she felt a stomach flip betray her confidence.
"When I win," Robin grinned, "...you will have dinner with me."
What? Regina's mind reeled. Dinner? As in...a date? Clearly he was trying to throw her off her game she decided. He had no interest in actually having dinner with her. He couldn't. She would not let him get to her.
Forcing her face to indifference, she asked, "And when I win, what is it that I would get?"
Robin opened his arms wide, his smile devilish, "Whatever you would like your majesty."
She led her eyes travel up the length of his body, slowly, "Hmmm," she hummed, "I'll let you know what I want after I win." She put on her most seductive smile. His grin had faded, his body now emanating a certain tension. Good, Regina thought. She turned quickly towards her horse before her face gave away how unsure she was of the tactic she just used.
Sitting on top of Realeza she glanced down at Roland who was jumping up and down in excitement, "Go Regina!," he yelled. She smiled at him, winking.
John was the official race starter. She looked over at Robin once more, now sitting on his own horse. He was looking at her, his self-assurance back full force. He offered her a quick smile as John began the race.
They were off. Robin had a better start and was slightly ahead of her. She held the reins tighter and urged Realeza to gallop faster. The wind was hitting her face, cool and hard, her heart was thumping, thrilled at the speed she was travelling. She felt alive, she felt relaxed, she felt...home. She and Robin were now neck and neck, he was a good rider she had to admit. He looked good on a horse as well, the thought came uninvited to her mind. She shook her head, she needed to concentrate. She saw the tree they were to turn around at in the distance and she coaxed Realeza to go faster. She watched, delighted, as they pulled ahead of Robin. She reached the tree and led Realeza easily around it. She glanced back and watched as Robin had a trickier time persuading his horse to round the tree. This was her race to lose now. She threw her head back and laughed...truly laughed. She couldn't remember the last time she laughed. It felt great. She sailed to an easy victory.
Roland was waiting at the finish line, ecstatic that Regina had won. She jumped off her horse and scooped him up as he launched himself at her. She spun him around a few times as he proclaimed, "I knowed you'd win Regina, I just knowed it!"
Regina laughed, "You are one smart boy."
By this time Robin had joined them. "Have you come to admit defeat?" She asked wickedly, grinning widely.
"Ah," he smiled, still seeming pleased, "You are the superior rider...today," he added.
Regina snorted. Robin continued, "I am saddened by one thing."
"Only one?" She teased.
He turned serious, catching her off guard, "I was quite looking forward to dining with you." Regina felt a thrill rush through her that she couldn't only contribute to winning the race.
Robin's grin returned as quickly as it had faded and he questioned, "What is it that I owe you, as winner of our friendly wager?"
Regina cleared her throat, her mind trying to stay on top of their conversation, "I'll let you know."
Regina paced back and forth. Her mind at war with itself. She couldn't quite stop thinking about Robin wanting to have dinner with her, how much fun this afternoon had been racing the horses. She had to stop thinking about it. She was here for one purpose, to get prepared for this witch...if she even was a threat. Regina was starting to wonder if there even was a witch. Perhaps it would be best if she were to regroup with Snow White and Charming and then be on her way to her own castle. She was becoming too...attached to Roland, to...Robin. She was meant to be alone. Losing Daniel, and now losing Henry, it had been reaffirmed in her mind. It was dangerous to let people into your heart. She had let it get too far as it was. She needed to leave, but as she readied herself to do just that, she found her heart wouldn't let her. The thought of disappointing Roland, of hurting him by not saying goodbye, stopped her. She thought back to the dinner proposal part of the wager. If she was being truthful with herself, a part of her longed to do just that. Yes, she decided. She would make them dinner, have one last pleasant memory, say good-bye and she would be on her way, out of their lives.
She stood in Rumple's kitchen, it was not really up to the standard of hers in Storybrooke, obviously. It wasn't fully stocked, outlaws didn't live like kings. This would have to do,she mused. She was determined to use as little magic as possible, a sort of gift to Robin for all that he had done for her. Regina set to work hand mixing, kneading, glazing. When she was finished, she sought out Roland and sent him to get his father.
As she waited, she lit a candle but then blew it out immediately, worried that it would look romantic. She inwardly groaned, this was a friendly dinner...with Roland, why was she acting like a schoolgirl?
"Well, what is this?" She heard Robin ask, as he and Roland entered the kitchen. "When Roland came to tell me that you had cooked us dinner, I thought it was a trick. I am glad to see that I was wrong," he smiled but his eyes held some confusion. He continued, "Was this afternoon a nightmare and I actually did win the race?" He grinned.
Roland laughed, "Papa, Regina beat the pants off you fair and square," he then doubled over in giggles at the expression he had learnt from Regina earlier.
Regina smiled, her nerves having settled...somewhat. "I told you I love to cook so it seemed like a win for me."
Robin's eyes sparkled, he moved closer to her, "I think...you could not resist the idea of having dinner with a handsome guy like myself," he said, his voice deep and slow.
Regina's heart jumped, she turned her head not wanting him to be able to see in her eyes the truth of that statement. "I felt sorry for you," she drawled.
Robin chuckled but let it go. "It smells delicious," he told her.
Roland agreed, "I'm hungry!"
Regina smiled, "Let's eat!"
The meal together was enjoyable, Roland went into great detail on his perspective of the horse race delighting both Robin and Regina. Robin teased Regina that she must have used magic to cook the food, there was no way a queen could cook as good as this. She had smacked him in the arm causing him to laugh. Regina felt...happy? Three months ago she didn't think she would be able to ever smile again. Henry held a place in her heart that could never be filled, so there would forever be a hole, but maybe...she could be happy again?
Regina looked down as Roland came to her and crawled onto her lap. His little body seem to mold perfectly against her, his head resting on her chest. She closed her eyes and breathed him in. He smelt of the outdoors and cinnamon.
"I believe it is past someone's bedtime." She heard Robin's gentle voice.
A smaller voice quietly protested but soon relented asking for Regina to come help tuck him in. Regina readily agreed.
She looked over at Robin across the table, his smile warm, his eyes contented and she felt that perhaps she should stick around, make sure that the witch was definitely no threat.
Robin suddenly looked nervous as he cleared his throat, "Perhaps, you would care to join me in the library, uh….to chat, once we have seen Roland to bed."
Regina's heart hammered a little harder in her chest. "Yeah, I'd like that."
Robin smiled, showcasing his dimples and her heart sped a little faster, if that was possible.
On the way to Roland's room, he realized he had forgotten his favourite blanket in the library that morning. Regina volunteered to go with him and off they went hand in hand.
"I think it's in our secret hideout," Roland yawned, "I be right back."
"Ok," Regina said, tousling his hair.
Regina was a bundle of nerves thinking about spending the rest of the evening with Robin. No Roland and no spell research to keep them distracted. She was lost in her own thoughts when she felt a rough hand cover her mouth and a sharp blade graze against her throat.
"You shouldn't be here," the sinister, cold voice growled.
She thought of Roland as the knife dug deeper into her skin.
Uh-oh! Hope you enjoyed. Let me know what you thought.
