A.N: Yay! Chapter. The site was being all mean about letting me upload stuff so this is way later than it should.

Enchanted

Chapter 9

Snow White was trying to place the young knight, soon to be a Drake, that Regina had so abruptly elevated as he stared between Emma and Regina during the tournament's opening feast. Because he was to be elevated in honor of the tourney he was seated at the high table with the rest of the visiting Royals. He was near the edge of the semicircular table and he could not keep his eyes off of her daughter and his own Queen.

It set her teeth on edge. Already most of the lords were speculating that Regina had every intention of marrying the young lord once he won the tournament, and while she was glad the focus was off of her daughter, she had a vested interest in Emma remaining happy. So far the assumption that Sir Edware was Regina's betrothed in all but name had not served to upset Emma, but she could see that something about the young, handsome, bearded knight set Emma on edge. Perhaps it was the same something that tugged at the edge of Snow's mind as she watched him watch her daughter.

A peal of high, childish laughter cut above the noise of the grand chamber and Snow turned to look at her daughter, who was smiling down at little Prince Henry with a beaming grin in place as Regina looked on indulgently.

The young Prince demanded loudly, for all the court to hear, "Dance with me Emma!"

Emma to her credit nodded solemnly and let the boy lead her from the table with as dignified an air as she could manage. Regina waved a hand and a lively tune was struck up as Emma swooped down and lifted Henry into her arms and began to whirl around the dance floor with him held tightly in her arms.

Snow's heart clenched as she watched her daughter with the little boy, as she watched her love Regina's son, who would be, fates willing, her own someday soon.

James, no doubt sensing her sudden sadness, reached out and took her hand in his and gave it a squeeze.

It was her deepest shame and regret that she had not allowed Emma to keep her own little son four years ago. As a mother she'd been disappointed that her daughter had lain with a man, or rather a boy, out of marriage. The boy she'd chosen to spend her innocence on was barely a year older than her, and still had a childish prettiness to him that some teens did. At fifteen Emma had even then known she was not in love with Ned, but she'd lain with him in a foolish moment of rebellion that had nearly cost them everything.

As a mother she'd been willing to overlook the scandal and allow her daughter to keep the baby, though Emma herself had been all but terrified at the idea of being anyone's mother at such a tender age.

As a Queen though, she could not. By the time Emma had come to her and James, tearful, frightened, and four and a half months gone with child, it had been far too late for a quick and quiet wedding with the boy who'd lain with their daughter. No noble in Crispin would believe that Emma had given birth four months early and they did not have the magic to hide the child for so long.

It had not been a question of loving her daughter or even her little grandson, but of loving Crispin as deeply. Emma could not be looked upon as unfit to rule. She and James had managed to produce one child, one perfect daughter, after and before a string of miscarriages and so Emma was their only heir.

The happiness of one girl, even if that girl was a princess, could not come before the security of the realm. Emma would be Queen one day, Crispin would avoid civil war, and the baby would be taken care of.

She had to admit that for all his faults as a young man, for all his stupidity to have lain with the heir to the throne of the country he was a guest in, Ned had proved a good father in the moments after the little boy's birth. He'd begged Snow and James to let him take the child if Emma could truly not keep him. He promised the sun and the moon that day, swearing that his child would want for nothing, that his child would have a mother in the form of his own sister, who would be hard pressed to turn her little brother away. Snow had felt certain in that moment that even if she never saw her little grandson again, he would have a happy life with Ned's family.

As she watched Emma twirl with Henry in her arms she hoped that somewhere her little grandson was as happy as Regina's boy was, with a mother just like the Queen.

She shook off the thoughts of her grandson and returned her attention to Sir Edware, who was still watching Emma and now Henry with an intense sort of focus.

Snow frowned and then chanced a glance at Regina, who was not watching Emma or Henry but instead staring harshly at the young Knight with a dark frown in in place.

Regina had seen Emma to the door of her shared chambers and had been granted a kiss by the Princess as she breathed a quiet 'Good luck' and taken her leave. She knew Emma needed to be rested for the beginning of the tournament tomorrow and so she left her though she'd wanted nothing more than to claim her lips and push her into the bed chamber. Especially after watching her brother watch Emma all night, again.

Something about her brother's gaze had settled poorly in her stomach. That she could not discern the meaning in his gaze did not improve her mood in the slightest. There were moments when it seemed that a sort of longing was present in his eyes and yet other moments where he'd eyed Emma almost angrily.

Regina shook away her uncertainty and ghosted down the corridors of her palace to where Edware and Addly were lodged. As close favorites they were lodged lavishly, and nearer to her own apartments than any of the visiting royals save for Snow, James, and Emma. While she'd provided rich apartments for the visiting Royals, she'd had little interest in running into them on the off hours when she simply wished to be left alone and so they were farther away.

She blew past a set of guards and stopped outside of Addly's chambers and raised her eyebrow at one of the guards, "Open the doors." The young man scrambled to obey as he and his companion pushed the heavy doors open.

She nodded and ordered, "Close them behind me."

The two guards gave a deep bow and shut the doors behind her before no doubt running to her wolf to report on the Queen's whereabouts.

She glanced around the outer chamber and finding it empty, waved a hand and waited until a low purple glow settled over the room. No one would hear them now.

She called out harshly, "NED!"

A few moments passed before her brother emerged from his bedchamber to blink at her, "Regina?"

She scowled at him, not at all happy with his breach of protocol even in private, when he'd spent two weeks staring at her princess.

He rushed to correct his mistake, "Forgive me your Majesty. How might I serve you?"

She asked shortly, "Where is your father?"

Edware smirked happily, "He has elected to spend the night with Lady Elaine."

Regina couldn't help the small grin that flashed across her face, "Randy old man."

Edware nodded, "Indeed your Majesty." He stood across from her, "To what do I owe the honor of your presence so late at night my Queen?"

Regina's smile vanished as she all but snarled, "Why were you staring at Princess Emma so... intently tonight Sir Edware, indeed you have done little else these past two weeks but stare at her."

Edware ducked his head, "I... I fear that should I tell you, your Majesty would be enraged."

Regina's fists clenched, "Have you fallen in love with her? Do you believe it true love?" She fought the sneer that wanted to spread across her face. What if it was though, what if Emma could return those feelings for Ned? What would she do then, for her little brother and the woman she loved? She sagged, "Tell me it isn't love Ned."

Her brother was before her in an instant, "No Regina. I do not love her, I swear it... she... I knew her once, when I was little more than a boy."

Regina let relief sink into her bones for a long moment before she narrowed her eyes, "So? Why should that provoke such staring Ned?" She added after a second, "And why hasn't she recognized you?"

Ned nodded towards the couch and Regina sat as he sighed, "I am very different than I was then sister. I have my beard now, and have lost much of my... prettiness." He scowled at the word.

Regina patted his face, knowing the word was not one favored by her Ned, "I know, and now you are very handsome instead."

Ned smiled at his sister's words before frowning, "Princess Emma... she is not the pure maiden she has led you to believe she is."

Regina shot from her seat and snarled at him, "You dare impugn her honor? You who have whored your way through half the common ladies of Summer!"

He stood and shouted back, "And she was the first of many!" He blinked in time with Regina, who stared at him.

She felt the blood drain from her face as she stared at her little brother, at her true love's first, "You... you have lain with her?"

He, who was seldom shamed by anything, such was being the son of a King, even a bastard, colored in shame, "I have. She was fifteen. It was during the rebellion, after I'd learned who my father was."

Regina stepped away from him as she tried to process what he'd just told. Her brother, her Ned, had lain with Emma. She supposed she could fly into a rage, decry Emma as a whore if she had a mind to, but she knew her brother, knew that he was dangerously charming when he wanted something.

Quietly she asked, "Did you know she was a Princess when you... bedded her?"

He colored further, "I... I did."

Regina closed her eyes. It hadn't even been about Emma then. No doubt he'd sullied the heir to Crispin as a way to poke at her, politically at least, as he'd have had no way of knowing that Emma would turn out to be her true love. He'd done it to hurt her then, as angry as he'd been then she supposed she should be grateful it hadn't started a war.

She demanded then, "How did you keep your head?"

Ned eyed her as if she was liable to strike him as he murmured, "I think you know Regina..."

She clutched at the small locket at her neck, where Henry's miniature lay, "Henry? My son is... He is Emma's son?"

Ned nodded, "I just... I am worried at the trouble it could cause should Emma discover that I am the same Ned that fathered her child. It wouldn't be long before she realized that Henry isn't you son-"

She cut him off harshly, "He is my son, he has been my son since the moment you came to me and begged me to take him, since the moment I betrayed a friend and faked a marriage with another to protect him, to create a lie the nobility would believe. Since the moment my friend was slaughtered for being his 'father' he became my son!"

Ned held up his hands, "I meant to say by blood, none could deny the boy is yours in his heart and in your own."

Regina glared at him, "What would you have me do Edware? Would you have me tell Emma we cannot be married, would you have me go back on my word, break my own heart? If she truly is Henry's mother then she would never breathe a word of it to anyone, even if she does discover the truth. She loves him even though she thinks him my son alone, should that change when she realizes he is her flesh and blood?"

Ned shook his head, "I did not intend to tell you Regina. I simply wanted to be sure that she truly loved you. I wasn't sure if she'd discovered that he was her son."

Regina scowled, "Emma is not the villain you seem to think she is. She loves me, and she loves Henry because he is my son. You will keep your silence about the Ned, so help me, I will tell her in my own time, but if you breathe a word about this to anyone…" She let the threat hang there for a long moment before she spun on her heel and headed towards the chamber doors after tossing over her shoulder, "Good luck in the tournament Sir Knight."

She shoved the doors open herself and stalked past the guards outside as Graham fell into step beside her, "Are you well Majesty?"

She nodded shortly, "I shall retire to bed Captain…" She considered that for a long second as she strode along next to Graham before adding, "After I check on my son."

Graham nodded and fell into step just behind her. She thanked her stars for Graham, who knew her well enough to leave her alone with her black mood as she hurried to her son's apartments.

Henry stirred as he felt another presence in the room with him, "Mama?" He knew sometimes that his Mama would come watch him sleep, usually after someone had said something rude about him or his Papa who was dead, and should have been left alone.

She smoothed a hand over his hair and he let out a happy sigh, "Hello Mama."

She smiled at him and he felt his chest warm, his Mama should always be smiling, at him if it could be helped.

Her smiled slipped away too soon though and so he asked, "Why are you sad Mama?"

His Mama let out a sigh as she asked quietly, "Do you like Princess Emma Henry?"

He furrowed his brow at the question, "Very much Mama…" He added after a moment, hoping to reassure her, "You are still the very best though."

She nuzzled his hair as she settled him in her lap, "And you'd like to have her in our family?"

His head popped up, "I would like that very much!"

She frowned, "You would not rather have a new Papa?"

He curled his little fist around the medallion at his neck, "I would rather have two Mamas."

She cocked her head, "Why?"

He considered the question before answering honestly, "Well having one is so very good, that having two must be better." She let out a laugh and he beamed at her, "And you love her."

She pulled away to stare at him, "How do you know that Henry?"

He eyed her for a moment before he huffed, "I am four Mama, not dumb."

She let out a loud laugh this time as she pulled him into a tight hug, "I love you Henry, so very much."

He wrapped his little arms around her neck and squeezed back tightly, "I love you too Mama, more than anything."

Emma eyed herself in the mirror and had to admit she looked rather impressive in her, well George's, armor.

Her mother was fretting over her, "And remember to tilt your chin up as the lance is about to hit you, for fate's sake Emma, no one wants to marry a blind princess."

Emma rolled her eyes, "It seems stupid to take my eyes off my opponent though."

James waved a hand, "It isn't if it protects your eyes."

Emma smoothed her hands over the gleaming armor one more time just as the flap of the tent opened and Henry rushed in, "Emma!" She watched as he pelted towards her and had to admit that Regina spared no expense of her son's clothing. The little boy was very dapper in his suit of light blues, with his dark blue stockings offsetting the very light clothing.

She settled a hand on his head, "Good morning Henry, are you excited for the joust?"

He nodded happily, "I'm excited to watch you beat everyone!"

Emma was happy he had confidence in her at least, "I hope I don't disappoint you."

He shrugged his shoulders, "You won't. You have to win so you can marry Mama, that's what she said."

Emma stared down at him, "You sound very sure that I will."

Henry nodded, "If you love her you'll do everything to make her happy. Just like me!"

His mother's voice called out, "Henry? Are you in there?"

Henry replied back, "I was wishing Princess Emma luck Mama!"

The tent flap opened again and Regina entered with Graham on her heels, "Henry I want you to go with Graham to the Royal box." As she spoke Emma took in her Queen. Regina, shunning her usual dark gowns had settled on a gown of gold with deep orange and red splashes. Her golden tiara sparkled even in the dim light of the tent.

Henry pouted up at her for a moment before huffing and holding his arms out so that Graham could swing him into the air, "Bye Emma! Win please!"

Regina waited until her son was gone before glancing at Snow and James, "Queen Snow, King James, might I have a moment alone with Emma."

Emma ignored the smirk her mother shot her as she nodded gamely, "Of course, Queen Regina." She and Emma's father left the tent hurriedly, giggling like children as Emma rolled her eyes.

She dipped into a bow once they were alone, "My Queen…"

Regina shook her head and stepped forward to catch her hands, "My love…"

Emma let out a deep sigh as Regina caught her lips in a gentle, stolen kiss.

Regina pulled away and held something out to her, "I want you to have this."

Emma clutched at the strip of fabric that Regina had placed in her hand, "It is my true favor, and while I regret that the crowd cannot know it comes from me, I would see you wear it."

Emma peered down at the deep red fabric, at the embroidered crowned White Swan that stood proudly above the words, 'True Love's Champion'.

Emma looked back up at Regina, "A crowned swan? I…"

Regina stepped closer again and took the swath of fabric from her, "Because you are Queen of my heart."

Emma surged forward and caught Regina's lips, "I love you and I will win this tournament for you." She spoke softly, "What else could I do for love?"

Regina smiled at her as she tied the strip of red cloth around her bicep, "I know you will Emma and I love you as well."

She pressed another quick kiss to Emma's lips before pulling away completely, "I must go."

Emma nodded as she watched her leave the tent before brushing her fingers over the rich scarlet fabric and smiling. She would win, with Regina's favor tied around her arm, she could not lose.

Regina sighed as yet another Knight paraded themselves before her. She cared little for the pageantry of this particular tournament, instead she simply wished for Emma's first joust to be over and done with so that the knot in her stomach could release itself, at least until the next match.

Aurora leaned across Snow, "You seem restless Regina, is everything alright?"

Regina gave a curt nod, "I am fine Aurora, I simply did not sleep well last night, and all this… frippery is nonsense."

George chimed in readily, "I agree your Majesty! I want to see some blood and sweat."

Regina smirked as Aurora hissed at him, "And you wonder why I think you too young to joust?"

Regina replied, "I hope there is no blood today your Highness, if there isn't then it will be a good day in the lists."

George nodded, "Or course your Majesty."

Alexandra spoke up from behind James, "I still can't believe you let Emma joust Queen Snow."

Snow White shook her head, "There was little I could say to change her mind." Regina had to credit the woman with excellent acting skills; she looked every inch a chagrined mother.

Regina's attention was stolen as all the women in the stands tittered as Ned approached the railing on horseback, "Your Majesties…" He nodded to each of the Royals in turn before speaking to Regina, "Would you do me the honor of allowing me to wear your favor my Queen?"

Regina nodded but did not smile as she stood and tied the tiny purple ribbon that had been tied around her wrist to the tip of his lance, "May your lance strike true Sir Knight."

He nodded and pulled his horse away as Aurora spoke up, "He's a handsome one Regina."

Regina hummed, "He is."

She didn't miss the concerned looks Aurora and Cinderella were sending Snow, but ignored what they might mean.

The field had been cleared as the herald boomed out, "His Lordship, Robare, Urel of Devain!"

A richly armored man clopped towards his side and waved to the crowd who cheered. Regina took in Emma's first opponent and thanked the stars that it was a foreign noble; the crowd was far more likely to take to Emma if her first victory was over another foreigner.

The herald waited a moment before smirking and calling out, "Her royal Highness, Emma, Princess of Crispin!"

The crowd let out a rolling murmur as Emma took her place on the other side of the field. After a moment the crowd let out a delighted cheer, happy with the novelty of a jousting Princess as the flag bearer moved to the center and brought the flag down.

Emma spurred her horse and began her charge as her opponent did the same and in the stands Regina gripped Snow's hand as her Princess charged towards the point of a lance.

Read and Review please, I'm getting the shakes.