A.N: So... I need someone to bounce ideas off of, I have so many for this fic. That would mean spoilers... le sigh. Anyway, chapter! Yay. If you haven't be sure to take a look at the list of Kingdoms. It might be helpful.

Urel: Earl

Drake: Duke


Enchanted

Chapter 8

Emma wasn't sure if Regina was serious when she told her that she needed to win the tournament outright, but she was going to assume she wasn't kidding. And while she had every confidence she could win the swordsmanship portion easily enough, there was no way she'd ever win the joust. On her best day of riding she was still one rear away from toppling off her mount, there was no chance that she'd be able to ride well enough, while wielding a lance, and hope to win against knights whose whole life was about learning to fight on horseback.

She understood that Regina was a fantastic rider but Emma was not.

So as stared at the Queen who was hurrying through the castle in hopes of finding her parents, Emma had to ask, "Can we cheat?"

Regina tossed a glare over her shoulder, "Not if you want the win to truly matter, and it has to for what I have in mind."

Emma picked up her pace, "What do you have in mind?"

Regina turned to smile at her and Emma stamped down the flutter in her chest as the Queen spoke, "I've decided on a prize, and if you win, not even the nobles can deny you your right as champion."

Emma cocked her head curiously, "And what will my right as Champion be?"

Regina spun and pressed against her for a long second before pulling away and murmuring, "The right to marry me…"

Emma stared after her as Regina swept away, and as the Queen turned a corner Emma muttered to herself, "…I should go practice…"


She accosted William, Charles, and George and used William's guilt over nearly killing her to convince them to help her. First she'd need armor for jousting, and as Aurora had decided that George was still too young for the joust, George was perfect. It would take far less time to have his armor altered than to commission a new set of armor. Next she'd need Charles and William to help train her, along with Philip and her father if she could convince the older men that she wasn't mad.

As she mounted a horse and was pointed towards a tiny ring, she steeled herself. This was for Regina, for her happiness, for her hand. She ground her teeth down and spurred her horse into a charge.

She and all the men watching were stunned when she threaded the lance through the small hanging ring on the first try.

Emma pulled the horse to a stop and nodded to herself. She would win the tournament, because Regina asked it of her, and then she would marry her Queen.

She closed her eyes and pictured Regina, who favored darker clothing, in a white gown, simple for a reason she couldn't name, and smiled. True love indeed…

That same day Regina had floated the idea that she was considering remarrying to Lord Smythe, knowing the gossipy man could be counted on to rush to the nearest lord and spill the beans. She also made it sound like she was considering marrying the winner of the tournament, should they prove worthy and unmarried.

She only had to wait a day for her nobles to plead with her to remarry, so that she could be safe and happy, protected by a knight or lord who was worthy of the title of protector. No doubt if they could win such a large tournament, they could also protect their beloved Queen, and father many children to further secure the Summer Throne.

Regina had to hide her smirk as she hesitated, and denied them before finally giving into their wishes, for the sake of the kingdom of course.

It was Addly with his sharp eyes and even sharper mind that brought up the idea of an oath. He declared that it would be best for all the lords of her council, the heads of the high noble families in her kingdom and her biggest obstacle, to take an oath, swearing to honor and defend her champion should Regina deem them worthy, should their victory deem them worthy.

Once they were all sworn to support the victor, she turned her mind to making sure that even if Emma lost, the winner would still be a married man, or a man she could not marry for… certain reasons. She couldn't cheat to help Emma win, but she could affect who might win instead.


That night at the feast she called forward Addly's son and watched her court like the falcon that leant its name to her House as he bowed before her.

Addly was tense, unsure of her next move as she eyed his son with poorly disguised interest. Indeed, she let a warmth rarely seen from her shine in her eyes as she stared at the man who was three years her junior. He was as dark as she was, with his mahogany eyes and raven hair. He was tall and lean, the perfect specimen of a man, and what's more, she knew something about him that only Addly and Edware knew. He was perfect.

She cleared her throat and stood, ignoring the royals seated at the high table with her as she stepped around the raised table and spoke, "Sir Edware! I am so pleased to see you tonight, so honored to see you join us." She could see her nobles bristle at the positive attention she was bestowing on the young man and smiled.

He smiled at her, pleased with her attention, but also confused, "I am glad that it is so your Majesty. It is I who am honored; indeed after the service your Magician provided to my father I am forever in your debt." His eyes flicked past her for just a moment and for a second she was sure he'd glanced at Emma. The moment was short though as he focused on her again.

Regina waved a hand, "What less could I do for those whom I love."

Edware's face stayed pleasant, but she could see alarm in his eyes at her sudden goodwill, even towards him, "Thank you your Majesty, you are very kind."

Regina raised her voice so that all of her gossipy courtiers could hear her, "I have a gift for you Sir Edware."

As Edware's eyebrow rose, Addly's eyes narrowed as his son asked, "A gift my Queen?"

Regina nodded dramatically and replied, "I have decided to ennoble you my dear Edware."

The court was suddenly silent as her lords and ladies stared at her and Edware. To ennoble this man was to make quite the statement as his father was already Urel of Woodshire and Edware was his only son and heir.

Edware gaped at her, "Ennoble me your Majesty?"

Regina smiled at him, softer and less dragon like that her normal smile, "I will create you Drake of Winter Reach…" The gasps of her court were music to her ears as she grinned and purred once the hall was silent, "Does that please your Grace?"

He nodded dumbly, "Yes your Majesty…" He tacked on a second later, "Thank you my Queen." She could see the question in his eyes but she could not answer him now.

She reached out and squeezed his hand before turning from him and making her way back to her chair. She winced in her mind's eye as Emma stared at her with a hurt look in place. She was quite aware of how the scene had looked, as she had intended it to.

She reached under the table and took Emma's hand as she leaned in to whisper, "You must trust me my dear, I have a plan… and my nobles are predictable." She snorted, "To a point I suppose."

Emma tensed even as she nodded minutely and lifted her spoon to continue her meal.


Emma was able to avoid her mother and father's concerned questions that night and the next day. She knew that if she had doubted Regina, if only for a moment, then her parents were likely livid with the young Queen and while she did not want Regina to be treated coldly by her mother or father, Emma had no way of knowing what Regina's plan was, and she wasn't sure how she was meant to explain to them why she trusted Regina.

And so she threw herself into training, shunning any type of converstation as Charles and William barked orders at her, telling her how to hold the lance, what she was doing wrong, which if the two princes were to be believed, was everything. Her apparent natural talent for the joust was still there, as was her determination to win Regina's hand, but her mount was spirited, and Emma was still a poor rider.

She was thrown more than was healthy the day after Regina's announcement about Sir Edware's ennoblement.

Thankfully Henry had managed to sneak away to watch her with intense focus. After she'd fallen for the sixth time off her borrowed horse he ducked under the barrier and marched up to the horse, "You are a very naughty horse sir!"

The horse snorted at him and Emma made to pull the little boy away from the horse's hooves only to have him shake her off and scold further, "Mama's horse is an Argrahban stallion and very very mean and he never throws Mama or anyone else." He reached up a small hand and tugged at the hanging reins, pulling the horse's head down so that he could look Henry in the eye, "So you, a nice Summer horse, should be much more polite that Tubal." The horse didn't snort as Henry stared into his eyes; instead he finally nudged the little boy gently in the chest and then stood still.

Emma eyed the horse as she pulled Henry away, "You have a way with horses Henry."

The boy beamed at her, "Just like Mama! She loves horses."

Emma smiled down at the little boy who would, if the fates permitted, be her son one day soon, "Thank you for your help Henry. Your Mama will be proud that she has such a brave son."

Henry hopped eagerly, holding his arms out so that she could swing him into the air, "I want to always be brave for Mama! I shall slay all the dragons in the world, and I shall fight lions and tigers and bears for her!"

Emma rested his weight on her hip and asked, "No wolves?"

Henry shook his head solemnly, "Never wolves, Mama has outlawed hunting them."

Emma cocked, "Why?"

Henry shrugged as he played with the griffin pendant he wore around his neck, "She said that the wolves were Graham's family, and Graham is her friend, so the wolves were meant to be protected." Emma's gaze was drawn to the pendant for a long moment as she tried to place where she'd seen it before.

"Henry?"

He gazed up at her, "Yes?"

She tugged at the pendant, "Where did you get this?"

Henry smiled at her, almost sadly, "My papa had one just like it. There were two of them. My papa still has one."

Emma was quiet for a long moment before she smiled and held him closer, sorry that she'd reminded him of his dead father. She racked her brain for a distraction before she returned to the subject of the Captain of the Royal Guard.

Emma turned to look at Captain Graham who was standing out of earshot, guarding the boy prince, likely at Regina's express command. Even with Emma Henry was still guarded vigilantly, which Emma approved of entirely.

She waved the man over, "Captain…"

He bowed low, "Your Highness," He smiled at Henry, "My Lord Prince."

Henry giggled, "Did you see Emma's naughty horse Graham? I scolded him just like Mama!"

Graham nodded, "I did see the horse, and you were very fierce my Prince."

Henry nodded firmly, "Like Mama?"

Graham answered quickly, "Just like your mother Highness."

Henry snuggled into Emma's arms and laid his head on her chest with a yawn, "I'm glad."

Graham stepped closer and reached out, "I believe it is time for the Prince's afternoon nap…"

Emma stepped back and shook her head, "I will take him to the Palace."

Graham frowned but nodded, "Of course Princess."

Emma shrugged, "He seems so comfortable…" Finally she pushed aside her jealousy of this man, this handsome man who seemed to know Regina in a way that she couldn't, not yet at least, and asked, "You will walk with us of course?"

Graham's frown vanished as he bowed low, "Of course your Highness. Prince Henry's safety is my only concern."

Emma nodded at one of the grooms and waited until her unruly horse was led away before she shifted Henry and began her trek to the Palace with Graham at her side.

They were largely silent until Graham turned to glance behind and ordered, "Men…" The guards following them snapped to attention, "Step back ten paces." The men obeyed instantly and suddenly Emma found herself with Graham, with a certain amount of privacy.

Graham offered her a smile and spoke quietly, "May I speak freely your Highness?"

Emma hesitated before she dipped her head in consent, "Of course."

Graham rubbed a hand over the scruff on his face and spoke, "I wanted to let you know that should you have need of a messenger, I would be happy to convey any… notes to the Queen, no matter the content Princess."

Emma schooled her features, though inside her stomach was churning, "I do not know what you mean…"

Graham shrugged, "Her Majesty loves you, and I can only hope that you return her affection, though I suspect you are training for the joust because you do Highness."

Emma glanced at him, unable to hide her surprise, "How…?"

Graham smiled gently, "There is little about the Queen that I do not know, her thoughts, her affections, it is my business, my charge to know her heart as well, if not better, than she does, so that I might protect her."

Emma breathed out, "You love her?"

Graham inclined his head in agreement, "I do, but not in the way that a man loves of woman."

Emma cocked her head, confused, "How do love her then?"

Graham's whole demeanor softened as his eyes grew distance, "How does one love their savior?" He was quiet for a few minutes as they walked before he finally added, "I have known her Majesty since I was a boy of twelve. She… she saved my life when my own parents had abandoned me to the wilds."

Emma ran a hand down Henry's back as he murmured and asked softly, "How did she save you?"

Graham shifted and answered in a low voice, "She found me in the woods near the Palace when she was six, and from that day on I had a fierce friend and my own protector, though she was such a tiny little girl." Emma smiled but stayed silent, mentally commanding that he continue, "She taught me to read… brought me food every day. I still don't know how she managed to slip her guards so often." He frowned, "Obviously they were not as vigilant as my own men." Emma smirked as he let out a chuckle, "When I was eighteen she convinced her father to allow me to train amongst the royal guards and by the time her father died I was part of her personal guard."

Emma dipped her head as she all but snarled, "It has been said you saved her from her bastard cousin."

Graham's upper lip curled back as he growled, "The honor-less monster, he managed to turn some of her own guard against her, the sons of some of the noblemen, and would have had them stand back and watch as he… violated her." He shook his head as his hands balled into fists, angry even now, years later, "I heard her scream from outside. She called out for me to save her and to my everlasting pride I was able to repay the debt I owed her." He chuckled meanly, "I even gave her cousin a nice scar to remember her by." He tapped the knife in his belt, "This was a gift from her… it was only fitting that it should draw his blood."

Emma glanced at the dagger and noted that it was a fine weapon with beautiful dragon scale inlay and rose gold, "It's beautiful."

Graham smiled with pride, "Thank you. Her Majesty does give the very best gifts." He let out a soft laugh and nodded at Henry, "As I'm sure her son would agree Princess."

Emma smirked, "He's still waiting on his pony."

Graham grinned, "Her Majesty has been spending time in the stable lately, and today she acquired a new mount," He frowned, "Though it was not Prince Henry's pony."

Emma shrugged, "I am that if I had her skill one a horse, I would spend time in the stables as well."

They were quiet for the rest of the way, content to walk and guard Henry, whose little hand had curled around Emma's hair as he sleep peacefully in her arms.


Regina rolled her eyes as Addly all but growled at her, "What, pray tell, are you playing at my Queen?"

Regina scowled at him, "Careful old man, I may love you, but I am still your Queen."

Addly drooped, properly scolded, "Forgive me Majesty, but why would you draw attention to Edware now of all times?"

Regina shrugged, "I can raise anyone I see fit to raise."

Addly huffed at her, "Now though? When all of the nobility will take it as a sign that you mean for him to win the tournament?"

Regina's lips curled slowly, "I know exactly how the nobles will see it."

Addly ran a hand through his white hair, blonde in his youth, and ground out, "You know as well as I that you cannot marry Edware my Queen."

Regina shrugged, "I know that, you know that, and Edware knows that, but the nobles do not."

Addly threw his hands up, "He is one of the best in the Kingdom with a lance! He might well win, and then what will you do? The nobles will tell their sons to let him win because he is your choice and appropriate. What then? What happens when he wins?"

Regina replied quietly, "If he wins, I will acknowledge him as my brother."

From the corner, where he'd been quietly listening to his father and his sister, Edware snapped his head up to gape at Regina, "What?"

Regina smiled at her little brother, "I think it is past time brother."

Edware shook his head, "Regina… I won't have you acknowledge me just so that the traitorous snakes can try to put me forward as King. I won't let you risk that."

Regina scoffed, "They can't very well launch a rebellion in your name when you won't cooperate."

Edware scowled, "And you really believe that will stop them?"

Regina stood and shook out her hair with a wicked smile, "I do not need you to win Edware, I need the nobles to believe I want you to."

Addly's eyes narrowed, "Who is meant to win then my Queen?"

Regina turned to look at him and asked flatly, "Who do you think Addly?"

Addly blinked at her before he let out a booming laugh despite his age, "You clever, wicked girl! You've had them all swear to honor the victor as your choice!"

Regina waved a hand and replied, "Now Addly, I believe the oath was your idea."

Addly smiled proudly at her, "Well played my Queen… well played?"

Edware glanced between them and asked, "I don't understand, who is meant to win?"

Regina and Addly spoke at the same time, like naughty children sharing a secret, "Princess Emma!"

So involved in congratulating themselves, neither saw his face pale or his hand clench the hidden pendant around his neck.


Read and Review... and also... I hope I've clouded the issue of Henry's parentage...