A/N: I would like to apologize for the lack of Emma; but Emma will make her appearance in this chapter. YAY!I just think there is so much potential in Regina's life before the curse. Plus a good foundation was needed for the story to make sense. Now that that's out of the way, it is getting pretty close to Storybrooke. So expect more time skips in chapters. Thanks for the follows and reviews; as usual you guys are the bomb dot com. Lol. Enjoy!
-Enchanted Forest, Two Weeks After the Funeral-
Regina was growing impatient, that bumbling excuse for a guard captain was taking too long collecting evidence that was right in front of him. She exhaled in exasperation 'Maybe I should have let Rune head the "investigation", things would definitely be going quicker than they are now.' Her sister was not in the palace at the moment; she was following up on a lead concerning the location of Akeem. She was not due to return for another week if things went well. She rubbed her eyes as she looked at the parchment in her hands. She had no idea how her recently deceased husband allowed the country to get this bad. They were pouring gold down the river the way he had things; that is why she found herself in her study virtually buried in paperwork. She would not see her kingdom fall because of a dead King's poor judgment. But as she read her mid drifted back to her other dilemma, 'Perhaps I can find someone to take care of this burden of mine; someone in the village.' She placed the parchment back down on her desk and paced over to the full length mirror in her study Rune had given it to her as soon as they figured out that he could travel to any reflective surface. Rune certainly loved to tease the man about his imprisonment; constantly asking him if he'd like to come out and stretch his legs and comments of similar nature. Smiling she waited for the Genie's face to appear before her, it didn't take long; she was surprised at his eagerness to please, not that she was complaining mind you, she just found his love for his newest form of captivity disturbing. "My Queen," he spoke while inclining his head in respect. "How may I be of assistance?" Regina cleared her throat, "I need you to find someone for me, someone with experience who isn't afraid of getting their hands dirty. As soon as you find someone that fits the description alert me straightaway." With another incline of his head he disappeared and left Regina alone.
She hugged her cloak closer to her body to lessen the chance of it getting snagged on anything. It would cause her to stand out; which was not something she desired to happen. Not too far ahead of her she saw a familiar head of hair bob as they walked through the markets. He was weaving through the crowd with practiced ease; a novice would have lost his trail long ago, but Rune was no novice. When she came to this small city to follow up on a tip that he may have passed through a fortnight ago she had not expected that he would return. She could recognize that arrogant stride anywhere; Akeem was in the city again and had unknowingly presented himself on a silver platter. As she followed him the population in the street started to decrease and he began to make occasional glances behind him. The risk of being discovered had increased significantly and with the sun still so high in the air there weren't any shadows to sink into. She made the split second choice and ducked into an alley and nearly ran into a ladder; swearing softly is surprise she grabs the ladder, and decides it would be easier to follow him from above. Quickly scaling the ladder she reached the roof of the complex and spotted her target, he had stopped just a few paces away and appeared to be looking for someone. 'Probably an outside contact; it's the only possibility that makes sense.' Rune suspected. 'A very likely possibility, I sincerely doubt his failure at the village has staunched his lust for power.' Willow hypothesized angrily. Rune was not going to sit idly by and allow him to do any more damage. She unsheathed her dagger and jumped off the building; Akeem had just enough time to look up before her shadow was upon him.
Xxxxxx
Akeem was in a hurry; he had returned to the city for a woman. Her beauty had plagued his mind ever since he saw her that day. When their eyes made contact he felt as though all was right in the world. He had approached the alluring woman and introduced himself, normally he would have gone by an alias; but she was too good for that. He saw a look of satisfaction cross her face and knew he had made the right choice. She had introduced herself shortly after; Esmeralda. Her voice had caressed his senses and his knees went wear for a moment. The name suited her; for it matched her intense green eyes. And although her goat didn't seem to enjoy his company she did. He left the city soon after their meeting to seek out a contact that could help him gain power within a promising mercenary group. He had not even made it halfway to the next city before he turned back to get her. Once he was back within the city's gates he went off in search of the gypsy group traveling with his beloved; he checked the marketplace first, assuming they would be there to sell their wares but there was not a gypsy in sight. Not allowing himself to be discouraged he continued on, even as the people in the streets dwindled. He turned around looking back in the direction of the markets. 'Maybe I should head to where we met. It seemed as though they had set up camp there.' Akeem supposed. The sunlight above him dimmed out of nowhere and he looked up in time to see a cloaked figure about to land on him.
She could not believe the good fortune that had been bestowed upon her. Months before she had promised her lover that she would keep an eye out for a man on her travels; and not only had the man she just met match the description but they also had the same name. She would need to tell Rune if her suspicions as soon as she could get away, she had beguiled him into telling her his plans of travel and she now had the names of three cities that he would visit. If he had left by the time Rune arrived to the city then she would tell her of his next destinations. There was no reason to include all of the information in the letter; besides it would be poor judgment on her part to not take advantage of her lover's presence in the city…the sheets were too cold in her opinion and she knew Rune would be more than willing to oblige in warming them. She smirked, oh yes she was quite fortunate indeed.
Xxxxxx
Rune smirked at Akeem's cry of pain, while he had moved it wasn't enough to keep him uninjured. His left arm was bleeding heavily, but it was still usable. She intended to fix that, there was much more blood to be spilled for his betrayal. Akeem was gripping his arm but seemed to be prepared to defend himself, "Who the hell are you?!" he demanded shrilly. Rune gripped her dagger tighter, she was not going to waste her breath, Akeem had always been a snake in the grass but he would not worm his way out of this. She sprinted towards him and just barely managed to duck under his slicing curse. She barreled into him and thrust her dagger deep into the flesh of his arm as they made contact with the building behind him. Akeem fought back and blasted Rune across the street with a burst of energy that disintegrated her cloak and scorched her charmed vest. Akeem's face paled as he recognized who it was before him. 'How did she find me, I had been so careful?! It seems as if she's gained more power than she had before; that shouldn't be possible!' His mind wailed as he tried to find a way to escape. Rune quickly recovered and sent her own torrent of magic at him. Akeem dodged most of the spells that hurtled towards him but his leg was a victim of a rather nasty carving hex that left it nearly unusable. Akeem's vision was slightly blurred but he could make out the sound of his cousin's approach over the blood pounding in his ears. "Halt, in the name of the Queen!" a voice sounded from somewhere to his left. 'It's the Royal Guards!' His mind sighed in relief. Rune ignored them and continued her advance. "I said to stop! Do not move!" the voice cried in anger. Rune whipped her head to the side and glared at the annoying man, "This is official Royal business." She growled. "Oh really, since when is destroying Her Majesty's city official business." The stout man asked imperiously. She sneered at his tone, "As the Queen's Enforcer I am obligated to chase after and capture the most dangerous criminals." As the words left her lips she saw every face in the patrol pale significantly. She slowly turned her head in the direction Akeem had been gripping his leg in pain. He was nowhere to be found. 'NO! AKEEM, YOU SON OF A BASTARD!' 'ARRGGH! Those insolent fools!' Rune rounded on the Guard Captain "That man was responsible for the murders of an entire village," she declared as she walked up to him. "And thanks to you and your interference, he has now escaped!" she shouted as her hands found purchase around his plump neck and tightened her grip. The other guards winced as they heard his trachea being crushed; he struggled in vain to dislodge the iron grip around his throat depriving him of precious oxygen, but soon his struggles lessen and finally stop. Rune lets the body drop as she releases her hold on his neck; her blood still feels like lava, the kill did nothing to sate her anger. "Who is next in command?" she demands. A red haired boy around 19 steps up. "I am, ma'am." She gives him an appraising look. "Congratulations on the promotion; set up a perimeter and search for him. I doubt he is still within the city but I will not take any chances. If you find anything that you believe could lead to his discovery or capture send me a raven. I will be there as quickly as possible." The boy seems slightly frazzled at all the information he has been given but nods. "Will you not be staying here?" he asks tentatively. "No, I must return to The Queen."
-Enchanted Forest, Two Days Later-
Rune had returned last night in one of the foulest moods Regina had ever seen her in. After Rune recounted what happened she couldn't blame her. The Royal Guards were starting to become somewhat of nuisance. 'It's a wonder that The King wasn't murdered sooner than this the way they go about things.' Regina mused condescendingly. She just hoped that Rune or Willow would go on a rampage and kill all of the Royal Guards, though she suspected that would be more Willow's style. Regina was currently on her way to a tavern; normally she would not lower herself to be in such an unsavory place, but she had to find someone. It had taken a while longer to hear back from the mirror with news of what she required, but what he did find was suitable for this task. He was said to be a true Child of the Forest, so they only called him the Huntsman. It was also rumored that he had some strange code of honor that he lived by, but she had no doubt that she could get around it. When she saw the man she was immediately attracted to his gruffness, it didn't take much to get him to agree to come to her castle so they could iron out the details of his contract. She pushed open the doors to her study and wasn't surprised at her sister's presence; what did surprise her was her attire. She was dressed in knee high boots and black leather pants with a matching vest over a blood red shirt; Anne being perched on her shoulder just added to the slightly sinister image. Regina chuckled lightly, Rune was not usually one for theatrics but when she did it, she did it well. She turned to the Huntsman, "I need you to kill someone for me; are you capable of doing such a thing?" Regina probed. The Huntsman nodded. A triumphant smile ghosted across her face. "Excellent, name your price and it shall be yours." Regina stated. "Upon completion of course." Rune added. The Huntsman glowered at Rune before switching his gaze back to the Queen. "The wolves; they are to be protected. I would like a law declaring that it is illegal to harm or kill one." Regina raised an eyebrow at the request while Rune laughed. "You'd better hope you can complete this task, if not I'll personally see to it that wolf hunting becomes this land's favorite pastime." The Huntsman shoots another glare at Rune who snickers. "It will be done." Regina agrees; the Huntsman nods "You are to kill the princess while escorting her on her daily walk. I would also like you to retrieve something from her," she says slowly looking into his eyes. "Name it my lady." Regina smirks, "Her heart; bring it back here with you." Nodding takes his leave to search for the girl. Regina turned to look at her sister, "Must you always be so antagonizing?" "What can I say? I enjoy watching people attempt to challenge me." Rune said darkly. "You fancy him." It was not a question, just an observation but Regina still felt the need to deny it. So she scoffed and headed over to the window, "I simply find his build attractive. Nothing more, nothing less." "I never said it wasn't strictly physical." Regina could practically hear the smirk in Rune's voice as she walked to stand behind her. "You nearly have her; how do you feel?" Regina is silent for a few moments, "I have no idea how to feel; I suppose when her heart is in my vault the situation will sink in. Until then this all feels surreal."
Xxxxxx
She was running as fast as she could branches were whipping across her face but she didn't care. She needed to get away; while she was surprised Regina hadn't sent Rune to kill her she was glad. Snow had always been fond of the stoic body guard, but she knew if Regina asked for Rune to cut out her heart she would not have hesitated. She had decided to avoid the road and the nearby forests surrounding it. That would easily get her captured; she had not slowed her pace since the Huntsman let her escape. She was so tired but she couldn't stop, there was still so much ground to put between her and the only home she'd ever known. She couldn't risk being anywhere near the castle, or rather Regina and by proxy Rune, if the Huntsman's treachery was discovered. Snow doubted that her letter would have any effect on her stepmother, but it was worth it in the end by giving her another chance at life. The sun was getting ready to set and Snow clutched her cloak closer in an attempt to keep warm. It would be winter soon, which would make her easier to track. She would rest later she told herself, for now she would keep running until her legs gave out and she collapsed from exhaustion.
She hated reconnaissance missions. They were usually a waste of time and resources but Rune had assigned her with scouting out a small city for this Akeem character. She had jumped at the opportunity when Rune had mentioned it, eager to prove herself. Out of the 50 possible guards that The Enforcer had been scouting she was proud to say that she was in the top 5 out of the 10 that had made it into the program. She sighed and ran her hands through her blonde locks, now she was forced to return with nothing to show for her time there. Emma knew when she had joined the Royal Guard that she would have to work five times as hard to gain the same amount of respect that the weakest man had. She was pissed; Rune was going to be disappointed in her. She might even lose her position as Squad Leader because of this. She knew that Rune would want the news as soon as she arrived and the palace was coming into view. She sped up her horse and prayed that she wouldn't be skinned alive for this. When she arrived at the castle she was informed that her leader was in The Queen's study. 'Just my luck that I'd also need to report my failure while the Queen is present.' Emma groaned internally. She collected herself and pushed through the doors.
Regina was pleased when the doors opened but the sight that greeted her was not one that she expected. The blonde bowed hastily and Regina heard a chuckle from behind her. "I wasn't expecting you until tomorrow. What news have you brought that could not wait?" Regina whipped her head towards her sister. 'She knows this woman? When did they meet? How close are they?' Regina's thoughts are going a mile a minute but no answer comes to her. Regina was so lost in thought that she nearly missed the flaxen haired woman's response. "There is no news to report I'm afraid, he wasn't in the city. I would have found him otherwise." "Relax Emma; I know he would have been hog tied to your saddle otherwise." Rune stated as her eyes shined with mirth. "We will have to keep an eye on the city in the future but nothing one of the others can't handle. Your Highness, I don't believe you two have met. My Queen, this is Emma Squad Leader of my Elite. Emma, this is her Royal Highness Queen Regina." At this Emma looked up and saw the most beautiful woman she had ever laid eyes on. Both women felt their hearts leap as their eyes met. One brushed it off while the other saved it to examine it for later. Their moment was interrupted by the Huntsman who strode through the doors. Emma looked at him curiously, and then looked to Rune for her orders. Rune glared at the man before meeting Emma's gaze, "Stay here, your assistance may be needed." Emma nodded and took up a position near the door. Rune joined her by the door. "So, that guy…he seems like a fruit." Emma states casually. Rune tries to stifle her laughter and succeeded for the most part. "I'm glad that I wasn't the only one who picked up on that." Their friendly conversation at the Huntsman's expense was interrupted by Regina's cry of outrage. The duo grabbed the Huntsman as Regina stormed back into the study with murder in her eyes. She plunged her hand into the unsuspecting man's chest and pulled out his heart. "Take him to the dungeons!" Regina had been betrayed and once again Snow White was the cause.