The next morning, Emma had a bee in her bonnet that she couldn't shake. While Henry slept, she knocked on the Charmings' door and asked the man for one more favor. Snow was still asleep, but Charming had been up for a while thinking about various things. He was more than willing to get, what he thought would be, a breath of fresh air.
"Can you take me to him again?" Emma asked as they strode down the corridors together. After she'd heard Snow acknowledge a daughter, the two of them changed in Emma's point of view. Her blanket was still tucked away in Henry's bag, and she wondered if she would ever have the guts to show them. But, that was for a different time.
"Baelfire?" Charming resolved. They walked past several guards, none of whom questioned them.
Emma nodded firmly. "Just for a few minutes. I gotta tell him something."
"I thought he didn't know you?"
"He does," Emma fixed. "I'm just... somewhere else in his memories."
Charming had to remind himself that Emma's business was none of his, and that he had no actual right to pry into her life. If she wanted to see Baelfire, and if she came to him for help, then that was all. "Of course. Follow me."
When Regina woke up, traces of the previous day teased her cruelly; her anger, her agitation, Emma Swan. That was it, Regina was going to march up to the blonde woman and regretfully inform her that she would have to find another shelter. She'd rehearsed the lines in her head repeatedly, since the moment she stepped out of bed.
It took Regina only a few moments to dress herself and style her hair, but she never took her mind off of her goal. Emma's room was right next to her own, it would be over before she knew it. No lingering, no socializing. She could already see the smug smile on the woman's face.
What Regina hadn't counted on was Henry answering the door. The young boy's endearing eyes fixed themselves on Regina, and everything she was going to say slipped her mind. "Mom- uh, Regina?"
Hearing her name, Regina snapped out of her dazed state. "Young man, that is the second time you've referred to me as 'mom' and I'd appreciate it if you stopped."
Henry winced at the ice in his mother's voice; he hadn't heard her sound so insensitive in a long time. Then again, he hadn't heard her speak at all. "Uh, sorry. I just- it was an accident," he stumbled.
"Yes, well, see to it that it doesn't happen again," Regina ordered. Any kindness she'd shown the boy was gone, replaced with her former indifference. "Is your mother around? I have some... unfortunate news to deliver."
"No, she went out for a walk or something. She'll be back soon, though. I can leave her a message," Henry offered willingly.
"That won't be necessary," Regina said as she rotated to leave. Again, Emma had left her son- not even with someone else, but alone! How irresponsible! Without any further conversation, Regina was gone and Henry was left standing in the doorway to watch his other mom walk away. He hadn't expected it to hurt so much.
Again, with Charming as a chaperone, Emma was able to walk into the dungeons unscathed by any guards' knives. The Prince proved to be a watchful bodyguard, and Emma couldn't help but appreciate the moment. She was never one to need a man to protect her, but this was different. This guy could be her father.
"When we found Baelfire, I thought he'd be able to work off his debt," Charming said, hiding the actual reason for the man's imprisonment. "I bargained with Regina, I tried to appeal to her human side. She allowed him to come back, provided he worked around the castle. Our physician, Doc, he examined Baelfire. Unfortunately, he's too weak for any labor."
"And you didn't tell Regina?" Emma guessed. In a small way, it was comforting to know even a Prince could be afraid.
"Not yet," Charming confirmed.
"I don't blame you," the Savior empathized. "She seems... unstable."
The little angel on Charming's shoulder told him what Snow always said, "You shouldn't talk about her like that." The gentleman let their discussion dissolve as they neared Neal's holding block. Charming swiped the keys from one of the men and unlocked the door himself. "You must hurry."
She didn't need to see Neal's face to know that he was still asleep. It was easier this way, less awkward. It pained Emma to see him so frail; he'd always been so strong and tough. She couldn't imagine what he'd gone through in this world.
Noiselessly, Emma knelt down at Neal's bedside and put a light hand in his. She noticed the line in his forehead, the way they'd deepened with age. Charming turned a blind eye to the whole thing. "So, here you are. You know, I always wondered what I do if I saw you again. A kiss wasn't really what I had in mind. But, I guess it was kind of a good thing. Henry, you know, your son, got me sucked into whatever this is. Something about a curse. Apparently, I'm some of Savior, and I'm the only one who can help all these people." Charming may not have been watching, but he did catch the word "Savior." "He's so sure of it too. I want to believe him, I really do, but I dunno." Emma took a deep breath in hopes that Neal would have some advice. "What? Nothing? No words of wisdom from the man who knew everything?" she asked bitterly. "I'm not surprised. You're a pro at leaving people when they need you, aren't you? I guess if all else fails, at least I know where we stand- we don't. I loved you, Neal. Even after you left, I loved you. I still kind of do, but like I told my son; I'm not in love with you."
Regina was restlessly pacing the floors of her room, her floor-length dressed dragging behind her, her own mother's chastising echoing in her head. The door to the terrace was open, and cool winds blew in uncomfortably, throwing Regina's hair behind her. Her father's apple tree swayed with the breeze and a couple of apples fell to the ground. Regina rushed to salvage the precious fruit and conjured a basket to put them in.
"Not what you were expecting, hm?"
That creaky voice felt like nails on a chalkboard to Regina, and only one person could do that. "What do you want?" she asked as she packed away the last of the fallen food.
"I'm already getting what I want, Your Majesty. I'm merely here to see that everything is on track," Elphaba chimed. She sat at Regina's vanity, one leg crossed over the other, her green epidermis reflected the sun.
"Do you not trust that I'll follow through?" Regina challenged menacingly.
"I must admit, I would have expected more from the Dark One. What I've witnessed frightens me, Your Majesty. Your willingness to open your home to people you don't know," Elphaba discarded. "Should I worry about what state you'll turn your kingdom over to me?"
Regina tightened her her hold on the apple so hard, she hadn't realized that she'd crushed it. Without facing the woman, Regina responded cooly. "I am not Rumplestiltskin, do not hold me accountable for any of his previous actions. As to who is living in my home, that is beside the point. They'll be gone by your arrival. You'll have nothing to fret over."
"Oh, but I do, my pretty. And if you cannot see that," Elphaba sighed, "then you are far more delusional that I originally assumed."
Regina spun instantly and chucked the basket of fruit in Elphaba's direction, but the witch was already gone. Her prized apples scattered across the floor. But, before Regina could recover enough to regain control, a guard passed through her door. "What now?!" she hissed.
"Your Majesty, your guest would like a word," the cloaked figure grumbled.
Right as Regina was going to ask which one, Emma popped out from behind, her gold hair bounced on her shoulders. As she internally counted to 10, Regina waved off her subject, "Leave us."
The metal armor clashed together as the man exited Regina's room and left the two women alone. Emma noticed the scattered apples and Regina's frazzled expression. "Uh, I didn't mean to interrupt. I can go," she said as she reached for door.
"You're already here," Regina snarled. "What do you want?"
Emma moved away from the handle and shoved her hands into her pockets, suddenly nervous. "I just, uh, wanted to... uh, well-"
"Out with it!" Regina stomped impatiently. The sooner Emma said her piece, the sooner Regina could kick her out. And, oh, what a gratifying experience that would be.
"I wanted to apologize, Your, um, Majesty," Emma said. "For yesterday. I might've said some things I shouldn't have."
"'Might?'" Regina asked doubtfully.
"Ok, I did, geez. Anyway, I'm sorry. That's... that's all I wanted say." Emma backed away and headed for the door, but she took her time in hopes that Regina would say something. Desperate to keep the energy going, Emma paused with one hand on the doorknob. "We might go into town today, if that's cool. Do you... do you need anything?"
"No, I have everything I want," Regina huffed. She'd lost all nerve to give Emma the boot, and instead pushed through the awkward interactions.
"That's... that's not really what I asked, but ok..." Emma trailed off. "I'll see you around." When there was nothing else from Regina, Emma finally took it as he cue to leave. Regina didn't stop her.
She didn't even flinch when the door closed, she was used to people walking away. Emma was just another person, and she'd be gone soon anyway. There was no use in getting upset about a complete stranger. Regina had a week left in her home, and she wasn't going to let anyone ruin it.
It seems as though everyone except for Regina had the urge to get out of the castle- even Snow White. Emma, Henry, Hook, and the Charmings rode together through the forest and into the small town ahead. Emma and Henry shared a horse, Hook had his own, and Charming drove Snow in her own carriage. He'd mentioned nothing of Emma's use of the word "Savior" to Snow. It wasn't the right time.
Emma and Henry had never been in such a setting; pigs and lambs were roasting over open fires, children ran around the small tents and chased after each other with whimsy, beggars haggled innocent shoppers, and venders bargained with anyone who would listen. Everyone had on similar clothes: dirty, worn, mostly beige. The children were the only ones who wore smiles.
As soon as people saw the Prince, they all bowed together before him. Charming waved at them politely, and Emma could see him blush. He never did like the attention given to him because of his title. Both he and Snow tried to assimilate as best they could.
While Charming assisted Snow, Henry had already hopped off his horse and darted around the small patch of land. There wasn't much room for him to get lost, and Emma wasn't so worried. No one looked dangerous or malicious. To be honest, they all looked too thin and tired to try anything.
"Your Highness," a woman approached Snow and Charming. She bowed again, as though she hadn't just done so moments before. Her long, red hair was braided together and hung loosely at the base of her back. "We have fresh meat for you all, if you so wish."
"We were just saying how we needed something for dinner," Snow said kindly. From her cloth handbag, she retrieved three gold coins and placed them in the woman's hand. "We'll take it all."
"Yes, Your Highness," the vender rushed. "Right away."
Emma may not have known Snow very well, but she did know that the castle had plenty of food. And what they lacked, Regina could conjure with ease. The blonde and the Princess exchanged a formal nod and Emma could see Snow as a true royal.
"Your Highness," a lower voice addressed Charming. An older man, in his early 50's with gray wisps and a receding hairline bent forward. "Our best welder has just made a new sword, a stronger one. It could slay any dragon and fight the mightiest of ogres."
Charming gave the poor man a genial smirk, "Then I must see this praised blade! Bring me to it." He gave his wife a peck on the cheek before following after the eager salesman to his tent. The bride and groom were both helping the people in more ways than one.
Hook came limping over to Emma's side and popped the cork to his bottle. "Your parents are quite the compassionate souls; always looking out for others."
"I don't get it," she mumbled. "My mom and dad are Prince Charming and Snow White, freaking saints. I'm... I'm nothing like that."
Hook heard the regret in Emma's voice, the mourning for the life she could have had. "I wouldn't say that, Swan. You're here, aren't you? Realms away from your world to help them- to help everyone. That's got to count for something."
"Yeah, well..." Emma wanted to change the subject so badly it hurt. Henry was standing next to Charming, listening to the rest of the dealers spiel. Even from behind, Henry and Charming stood the same way: their weight on their left leg, their arms crossed. When she glanced back, the palace was in plain view. The large piers towered over the forest, intimidating it and all of its inhabitants. She couldn't see Regina, but she had a feeling the Queen was somehow keeping tabs on her residents.
Eventually, Emma wandered off and checked out the pavilions on her own. There were materials for clothing, stalks for basket weaving, feathers for blankets and pillows, basic necessities. Emma was so accustomed to shopping in a store with everything a person needed and then some. She hadn't seen the real, backbreaking fruits of labor.
There was one tent, at the very end that was selling leather saddles. Only two merchants occupied the fort and they kept a close eye on Emma. She could feel the heat of their gawking, but choose to ignore it. What she couldn't overlook, however, was they way they spoke of the Queen. "I heard she killed her own lover, hm mm. Ripped his heart out without any remorse," the man said.
"No, no, no, that's not how it happened. She cursed him to live amongst the giants, and he was murdered up there," the woman chided.
"Really? That's awful! You know who I blame- her mother. I was informed that she trained her in the dark art of magic; practiced on her whenever possible. I don't blame the Queen for her heart turning black."
"I don't care what happened, a person should never kill for sport. Did you know she took the life of my sister's husband's cousin's nephew? Just like that!" the peddler snapped her fingers.
"Evil, just evil," the man shuddered. "Well, she got what she deserved. Serves her right to live alone."
"Ma! You ready to go?" Henry wondered from their horses.
Emma acted as though she hadn't heard anything of what had just been said and went back to her son. Henry was already in the saddle, the reigns in his hands. "Nice try, Kid. I'm driving."
