Chapter 10

Panic ripples through her body, and she wonders if this feeling has truly left her at any point in the last few years. Fear, panic, dread have been constant companions ever since Henry learned the truth, realized she was the evil queen. Here she stands, Henry's arms wrapped tightly around her frame, people who actually care about her, here to rescue her, and she feels the terror settle into her bones, take up residence in her soul once again because now, now she has so much to lose.

The queen is out of sight now, lost somewhere in the trees and distance, and Regina can feel the stupor of shock lift from her mind. Turning to Rumple she speaks, "We have to stop them. The people in that camp need our protection. If she comes across them," Regina frowns, looks at the ground, then back to her former mentor, "she will kill them. People will die, our futures will be irreparably damaged."

She looks at her fingers, tries to pull forth her strength, her magic, but it still fails her, only tiny bits being released like a dam ready to burst, but still holding steady, and she desperately searches Rumple's eyes pleading for him to do something because she cannot, she is helpless.

"If I perform magic she will know." He tells her as if it is obvious, like she should have already come to the same conclusion, but her head feels bogged with anxiety as she ponders his words. "I could perform a cloaking spell, but she will feel me, she will sense it. You were always very familiar with my dark magic deary." He says with something akin to affection in his eyes. "Light magic however, she does not know. Light magic she will not sense." He declares looking from Regina to Emma and back.

"But she isn't strong enough, not yet. She has only just started tapping into her potential." Regina wishes she was wrong, wishes Emma could perform such a powerful spell and protect them all, but she knows better. A cloaking spell requires a vast amount of energy, so much power and strength, something Emma does not have, not yet.

The dejection that passes over Emma's face causes a twinge of guilt to take root in Regina, but she speaks the truth, and Rumple knows it as well as she does, taking that moment to voice his thoughts.

"True. Miss Swan has powerful magic, but she is not skilled enough to perform a cloaking spell. Her power is too raw, too undeveloped, but," and all eyes fall on her former mentor, while his eyes find her own, "if she has help, then it could work."

In the next moment she feels so small, wonders if she visibly shrinks before them with all their gazes trained to her face. She straightens her back, drops her shoulders, and raises her chin before yelling defensively, "Haven't you been listening? I do not have my magic back!" Her show of strength does not seem to fool anyone. Fear shines brightly through the mask that seems to fail her now, fail her with these people who truly know her, truly know Regina. A hand finds her shoulder. She did not hear his approach, not surprising considering his former occupation as a thief, but the contact he makes calms her, steadies the rising trepidation within her psyche.

Rumple speaks again, his words direct, to the point, "Leola root is quite a nasty specimen. It prevents even the strongest of dark magic from being put to use, but," he states with a knowing lilt to his voice, "it has no affect on light magic."

Understanding sinks into her mind. She can help. She can conjure light magic. Between Emma and herself, they can protect the camp, they can perform the cloaking spell, and she doesn't waste another instant hesitating on insecurities and self-doubt.

"Rumple, bring us back to the camp perimeter." she dictates, "Far enough away that your magic won't leave a residual trace for her, for...the evil queen, to feel."

"Since you ask so nicely." he responds arrogantly.

"Please." she retorts in an exasperated tone, but it does the trick as he smugly nods, begins gathering them all closer together.

"Hold on! Wait a second. What are we going to do? Just walk right back into the camp we just escaped?" Emma asks clearly questioning the sanity of such actions. "I can't imagine they are going to take kindly to our return after having threatened them and run off with their captive." She states gesturing toward Regina.

Regina knows she is right. It would be better to discuss options, come up with a plan of action, but they are running out of time. The last horse moved out of view minutes ago. They have to move fast, and there is no time for deliberation.

"Miss Swan," Regina addresses the blonde, "if you want to insure that your mother lives, that she gives birth to you, and that, inturn, you give birth to Henry," she glances down into Henry's eyes, "then we need to move, now!" Emma shifts her footing, looks to David, and quickly makes her decision with a nod to Regina.

Moments later the heaviness sinks into Regina's limbs again, followed by the familiar floating sensation, the lack of oxygen, the constriction of her lungs, but then she is whole again, firmly standing on dirt and fallen leaves, calming herself with deep breaths. The camp stands a few yards away from them, from where they have appeared still hidden amongst the trees. Robin is beside her, holding his bow, arrow notched, but lowered toward the ground, unthreatening. His eyes find hers with a reassuring stare.

"I've got your back." He whispers for her alone, and a surge of gratitude fills her, strengthens her. Regina breathes out a sigh, looks forward, allows her resolve to toughen, her determination to rise, and she moves hastily without a word, through the trees, over roots, foot falls behind her finding her ears, until she reaches the clearing and takes the final step into view of the camp.

Not much has changed since her escape. Robin stands in the center of camp with the Charmings and their group of misfits gathered around with a few merry men. All seem to be speaking animatedly, debating what course of action should be taken, so enthralled in conversation that they do not notice her standing there, or the people standing with her at the treeline.

Robin looks perplexed, stunned silent, while the others voice opinions and concerns. She can't blame him, cannot imagine what it was like for him to see a replica of himself rescue the evil queen from his own camp.

Then his head rises slightly, and he opens his mouth in reply to the others, "We already tried that. There is no way to track her. They used magic to escape, leaving behind a cold trail, no indication of their direction. They are gone...she is gone." He says with finality.

"No," Regina steps forward, moving on shaky legs, head swimming with uncertainty, "she is not."

So not as much action as I intended for this chapter, but I decided to split it in two. Sorry for leaving you with another cliffhanger, but I have chapter 11 almost finished, so you won't have to wait long.

I hope the story continues to be enjoyable. Please let me know what you think. Thanks!