A/N: Hi all! Thank you for the reviews and all of the new followers! You're great and I'm glad you're enjoy this story.
Incase any of you were wondering about Marian in this story, I didn't actually clear that up. This story is actually meant to portray Regina as Marian in the original tale of Robin Hood. So, in this story, Marian doesn't exist because, technically, Regina is the role of Marian. Just thought it'd be a fun twist. :) Okay! Happy reading!
One Week Later
She watched the way he carefully erected the bow and arrow. He had a look of pure focus and concentration in his eyes. With a sudden release, she listened to the swoosh and glanced over at the target. He hit a perfect bullseye.
He looked to her with a smile of accomplishment and asked, "Care to give it a go?"
Regina's eyes widened. She shook her head, replying, "I couldn't. I have no clue how."
"Then I shall teach you," Robin laughed as he pulled the young brunette over. He turned her around and stood very close behind her. "Take the bow in your left, the arrow in your right," he said calmly while handing them to her.
She stared at them for a moment, very nervous about how this might go. Carefully taking the bow as instructed, she felt him wrapped his hand over hers. He leaned in closer when she took the arrow. His right hand guided hers in the correct position to hold it.
"Three fingers on the string," he spoke, his cheek pressed gently against hers. She could feel the way his stubbled jawline scratched her skin when he spoke, though she couldn't help but smile at it. She listened as he continued, "The arrow between the first and second fingers. Hold it firmly." He then assisted her in raising her arms into the shooting position. "Now," his voice had suddenly become a whisper, "relax the elbow." He gently pressed down on her right arm to relieve the tension. "Your thumb should rest comfortably by your mouth." He brought the hand holding the string down slightly until her thumb was in line perfectly with the corner of her lips. He massaged his left hand over hers, whispering, "Ease up on the grip here."
She felt how his body was pressed directly against hers, her back to his front. His cheek remained against hers as they both gazed over at the target several feet away.
"Now, I want you to focus on the target, love. Take a deep breath." He listened carefully to the slow breath she took. As she exhaled, he whispered into her ear, "Now, release."
Regina let her fingers slide from the string, releasing the arrow. They watched how in a split second it went flying and dug into the tree where the target had been painted. It landed a few inches above where Robin's had hit; not a perfect bullseye, but for the first try, it was amazing.
"I did it," Regina turned around with a thrilled expression.
Robin brought his arms around her waist and smiled back at her. "You're a natural, Regina." He leaned forward and placed a kiss on her lips tenderly.
She giggled softly and replied, "It's only because I have a wonderful teacher."
"Really?" Robin joked with her before kissing her sweetly again.
"Mhmm," Regina hummed in the midst of locked lips. Suddenly, Robin lifted the beautiful young woman off of the ground, making her let out a small yelp in response. She wrapped her arms around his neck and began to laugh cheerfully. "What are you doing?" She asked as he began to carry her over to their horse.
"I am carrying the lovely maiden to our valiant steed so we may journey home before sundown." He replied with a playful grin. Regina laughed in response as he set her down and then helped her onto the horse. Mounting it himself, he said, "Let's get home."
0-0-0
Home was a very simple place, a quaint cottage on the slight outskirts of Nottingham. It belonged to Robin's parents before their passing. When Robin was sent to the orphanage as a child, it was left abandoned. No one ever claimed it because not many knew of its existence in the quiet woods of Sherwood Forest.
Time and time again, Robin would return to it to relive the memories of his home. But, being a thief on the run, he had no reason to permanently live there. Well, until now. After the celebration on the day they had arrived, Robin took Regina to this little cottage and asked her if she would like to make this place their home just as his parents had. Soon after she agreed, they began to work night and day, with the help of the friar and the Merry Men, until it was restored.
Regina came to understand that it wouldn't always be a permanent home. Though they were together now, it wouldn't change the fact that Robin was a thief. He made it his duty to provide money, food, etc. to the people of the town and surrounding areas and that wasn't going to end. There would be days where they would have to have to leave their home and spend nights building a camp or sleeping in an inn. She understood that. But she also knew that this place would in fact always be the place that they returned to in the end.
As the couple approached the cottage, Robin spotted something rather odd. There were several horses outside. From where they were, he could see that the front door was open. With a little bit of a closer look, the thief noticed that they were not just any horses but the horses of Prince John's guard. Eyes widening anxiously, he spoke to Regina, "Love, hold on tight."
"Why?" Regina asked. She was not able to see over his shoulder.
"Guards," he answered before turning the horse around quickly. As they began to gallop away he could hear shouts coming from behind them. They were spotted.
They continued to run, though he feared that the soldiers were gaining on them.
Regina glanced back and noticed the way the guards were dressed. "Those aren't Leopold's guards."
"No," Robin replied. "They are Prince John's."
"Who?"
"A man who is not particularly fond of me. He must have caught word about your so-called kidnapping and sent his guards after us. No doubt for some reward," he commented with some aggravation.
Robin could feel how tightly she held onto him, her head buried into his shoulder, her hands gripping his vest. He couldn't let her go back to that place. He had promised her. The wind blew hard in his face as their speed increased, but for some reason it didn't seem enough. He could hear the loud sounds of hooves coming from behind.
"Robin," Regina whispered shakily.
"Everything will be fine, love. Trust me."
Very quickly, Robin turned off of the path. They began galloping through the forest, taking as many turns and going as many different ways as possible so as to lose them. Listening carefully for the sounds behind them, Robing noticed that he had lost them for the time being. He stopped and got off of the horse.
Regina stared down at him in a panic. "What are you doing?"
"Getting them off of our trail. Now come on." He took her down from the horse, gathered their belongings and then slapped the horse to make him continue running back towards the path. "He goes that way; we head this way."
They ran through the forest for a while until Regina, rather out of breath and tired, stopped him. She could hear the sounds of hooves approaching. "Robin, they're coming."
"Regina, we have to keep going." Robin looked to her concerned.
"No," she shook her head. "I can't." Robin placed his hand around her back and bent over so as the lift her off of the ground and carry her. "No," she beckoned. "It'll only slow you down."
"I'm not going without you. We can't just give up."
Regina placed her hands on his chest. "I'm not giving up because I know for sure you'll come back and find me."
"Regina," Robin took a hold of her waist, looking into her eyes so confused. "What are you talking about?"
"You need to go," she said in a completely serious tone.
"I can't allow you to go back to that place forever!" Robin protested.
"Which is why you are going to run now. Robin, if you get arrested, there is no possible way for you to come find me again. Then I truly will be trapped there forever." Her hands slid from his chest to his cheeks. "But you need to listen to me now and go. You can't stay here much longer."
"Regina, I can't bear to say goodbye to you." He caressed her soft cheek while staring into her teary brown eyes.
"It's not goodbye," she choked. "It's simply, until we meet again."
Robin leaned forward and planted a passionate kiss upon her lips. "I love you," he whispered, wiping the tears from her eyes. "I give you my word, I will find you again."
She smiled up at him, placed a soft peck to his lips and replied, "I love you too and I know you will." With final kiss, she said, "Now go," and pushed him away. She watched as he hesitated before turning and continuing to run.
0-0-0
Ten Weeks Later
Returned to the palace, returned to her old life, Regina found herself locked in her bedchambers just as she had always done before. Nothing had changed in this life. The king still ignored her, her stepdaughter was still unaware of the pain she caused her, and she was still incredibly lonely. Day by day, Regina had come to hope that Robin would return for her. And it seemed like now, that hope was turning into worry.
The young queen lied in bed, an ache drilling into her head and an uncomfortable churning in her stomach. Leaning off of the bedside, she suddenly threw up into a bucket that had been set there by her handmaid. It had been the second time that morning.
In hearing the young woman heaving, the handmaid quickly entered the room to assist her. She held her long hair back until she was finally finished, handed her a rag to wipe her mouth with and then asked her, "Would you care for me to get you anything, your Majesty?"
Regina's eyes remained closed for a minute; she remained still, hanging over the bedside. When finally getting a hold of herself, she shook her head and replied, "No." She slowly sat up in the bed while the maid set the pillows up against her back. "I'll be fine, thank you."
"Are you sure, your Majesty? You've been ill for quite some time."
"It's nothing," Regina shook her head and faked a grin. She was incredibly pale, sweating slightly. "It's just a virus of some sort. I'll be alright."
The maid nodded, picked up the bucket and stepped out of the room without another word.
Once alone, the young queen shut her eyes and leaned her head back against the headboard. She knew she was lying and she knew she wouldn't be able to keep it up much longer. She lifted her head and glanced down, the duvet covers resting her lap and her rather loose silk white nightgown bunched up where she sat. Bring her hands down and tightening the gown around her abdomen, she was then able to see it. It was small and barely noticeable under the loose gowns she always wore. But when she did this, it was clear. A little bump showed through the thin white fabric, and though it was small, it was still big enough for her to understand what was happening.
Placing her right hand upon it, she then closed her eyes and rested her head back again. She let out a soft sigh and whispered nervously, "Robin, where are you?"