A lovely surprise

by RegalAppleBeccaBoo

Leopold had always considered himself to be a kind and caring king to all! What he did to his wife was a punishment that she deserved! But everything began to change when there was a rebellion against the crown. Could he save his kingdom and accept that his wife was important to him? I don't own once upon a time or the characters. There are some original characters.

10. Chapter 10 : Lost Hope

Sorry for the long break between chapters guys I've got a lot going on with school and work right now but I hope you'll enjoy the chapter and let me know what you think!

Regina had waited for Snow and James to return home. She sat in the same position by the window for what seemed like an eternity waiting for her. She wanted to tell snow what had happened but she also wanted to shield her from the pain but she knew she couldn't. She did however want her to have one more night without knowing the truth about the final battle. Whilst she had been thinking of the best way to tell her; she knew that no matter what she said or did her heart, what was left of it that was, would be shattered into a million pieces upon seeing the young girls reaction.

Regina had waited for Snow and James to return home. She sat in the same position by the window, protectively hugging her stomach as if to shield her unborn child from the horrors of the world. She sat for what seemed like an eternity waiting on snow to return, staring blankly out at the foggy grounds surrounding the palace. She wanted to tell snow what had happened but she also wanted to shield her from the pain, but she knew she couldn't, she had to tell her! She knew she had to tell her… but not tonight, she wanted her to have one more peaceful nights' sleep before she ripped her whole world apart. Whilst she sat waiting she had been trying to find the best way to tell her but she knew that no matter what she said or did her heart, what was left of it that was, would shatter into a million pieces when she seen Snows reaction.

She was cold sitting by the open window now staring out at the misty night sky that contained very few stars. She couldn't see much out of her window but she could see two small figures emerging from the mist in the distance. She knew that she would have to tell Snow if she came up to the room but she wasn't ready to tell her. She hadn't yet processed the fact that she was never going to see her husband again. She decided to go to bed and that way she could prolong it further. She rang for her maid knowing it wouldn't be long before the princess arrived back.

"Your highness, you wanted me? Do you want to prepare for dinner?" Her ladies maid didn't know what to do! News of the kings' death had spread throughout the palace but everyone who was under strict instructions not to tell princess. She looked at the queen sympathetically, she had let him into her heart and now was pregnant and now her whole world was gone. She knew of the rumours of what had happened with the queens' first love and his tragic death which made this all the more heart breaking.

"No Grace, I want to retire for the night. I'm not hungry but could you send my apologies to King George and to the princess for not spending the day with her. Also could you to tell the princess that I am asleep and not to disturb me, I don't think I could answer any question on how I'm feeling without telling her of her fathers' death. Please inform everyone that they aren't to tell the princess anything I…I…I have to be the one to tell her! Please also tell Johanna to keep her away as well just tell her that I'm tired and that the past few days have taken an awful lot out of me." Grace simply nodded and helped Regina prepare for bed. Regina knew her maid would be all too willing to support her if she broke down in tears but she didn't want that! She had to be strong, well at least until her maid had left.

Regina went to bed but she couldn't sleep she tossed and turned thinking of how she was going to tell snow that she was never going to see her father again, how she was going to have to raise a baby on her own and how she'd lost everything she had! She'd had a second chance and within the space of weeks she had lost everything that was important to her. She thought of her happy place with Daniel again, she used to dream of him before Leopold had told her how he felt. It was the place where she could be happy and content knowing that nothing could hurt her but even that was gone. The only problem was that once happy dream was gone. It was more of a nightmare now. She was standing in a small clearing in the middle of the forest and not too far ahead she could she a small child, about two or three years old. He was talking to a gentleman dressed in fine clothes pointing out to different directions in the forest. She tried to walk toward them but no matter how much she tried they stayed the same distance from her, even running got her nowhere. The man had his back to her. She couldn't see his face. Again she tried running to them but she couldn't get to them, she then tried shouting but her shouts fell on deaf ears. She thought the young boy could see her. He kept looking in her direction. He pointed to the man he was with and he slowly turned around…

….

Snow and James were returning from their ride that had lead them into the forest to a secluded clearing that was a small piece of heaven where they had been able to escape to. Snow was able to escape the reality that was becoming all too much for snow she didn't know if her father was going to come home and even Regina's return hadn't cheered her up as much as she had thought it would. She just wanted to go home and be happy again with her family but she knew that that may not even be a possibility. She feared the day that someone would bring news to say that the battle was over but that she'd not see her father again… but when she spent time with James she forgot all of this. He had been there for her, supporting her and although she didn't want to admit it she liked it and kind of needed it. Her feelings for him had started to grow more and more and she didn't want to tell him how she felt incase he didn't feel the same way. She knew that Regina could see that she liked him she had done nothing but teased her since she arrived.

James had allowed snow to lead them through the forest, knowing that she could handle herself and she was strong and independent. He liked that about her. She made him feel like he belonged in this world that he could be a royal and please the king. He wanted to stay in this life and he knew he needed to start behaving the way the king wanted for the sake of his mother, he feared she would be hurt if he disobeyed the king. But when he was with Snow all those worries evaporated, she made him feel important. When they had arrived at a small clearing she dismounted her horse and he followed her.

"Many years ago I came here when I was a child with… with err the other James *she gave a small giggle before continuing* it wasn't long after my mother had died and my father thought a change of scenery and a friendly face would help me heal. The scenery did, there was no friendly face. I used to come her to escape and he would follow me, it was like my safe haven where I was alone and could escape reality. But I think you need it too." She gave him a small smile knowing that he would understand the meaning behind her words.

"You're going to share it with me? It would be nice to get away from the reality of this and just remember the life I had before with my mother. Did it help? Coming here I mean?" He hoped there was another meaning behind her words that she too felt the same way as he did.

"Well it is part of you kingdom so technically it is yours I just borrow it when I'm here. Yes, it did help until he came everyday wanting me to do things with him like go riding and playing around but I didn't want to. It helped me to think of all the happy times with my mother and recently I've started to worry that I'll need it again for my father." The tears began to form in her eyes she wanted to hope for the best but her hope faded with each passing day when there was no news from the battlefield.

James done what felt natural to him. He closed the gap between them and engulfed her in a warm comforting hug, much to his surprise she leaned into the hug. And even more to his surprise she returned it. Her shoulders were shaking slightly as she cried into his shoulder. All he could do to help her was to rub soothing circle on her back, which she didn't object to, as a way to calm her. They stood like that until she had nearly stopped crying and ended the hug they shared. He took in her appearance, wiping the still cascading tears from her cheeks with his thumb. Even with her puffy red eyes and tear stained face he still thought she was perfect.

"Snow! Don't think that way! Sometimes not hearing news isn't always bad, it could mean that things are just developing with the battle, or maybe it hasn't yet stared. But remember sometimes no news is good news! I don't want to get your hopes up and you think everything will be fine I just don't want you to think of the worst out come." He was trying to appeal to her senses, try to get her to think about the positive things that could come out the war and no news.

"How can I not think the worst? Nothing good ever happens to my family! Just when something good happens, something bad always follows! How can I hope for the best when I always expect the worst?" She was on the verge of tears again, the pools forming in her eyes would surely spill and cause both of them heartache.

"But if you always think like that, I mean thinking the worst how do you expect to be happy? How do you expect to live your life with happiness if you're living in fear of the what if's this happened or what if that hadn't happened? If you do that you will lose every chance at happiness for fear of what could happen!" He was trying to be forceful with his point without hurting her but not beating about the bush in making it clear to her.

"How can I be happy when all my life I've seen great happiness followed by great loss? When I was younger my mother taught me a lesson not that long before she died. Her and my father had arranged a ball for my birthday for which I was to receive my first proper tiara. When I went to my mother's room my maid was trying it on and I shouted at her because she wasn't a royal. My mother reprimanded me instead of her! She told me that we were no different or better than anyone else just because we were royals. That everyone was equal and that I needed to realise that and treat everyone in our kingdom with respect and kindness. After that lesson and the excitement of my first ball my mother fell ill and died shortly after. Then my father was looking for a new wife and we travelled around the land. My horse ran wild and I nearly died but Regina saved me! My father proposed to her and she was to be my mother but when I went to overcome my fear of horses I found her in the stables kissing a man. She told me it was her true love and she was going to run off with him because he made her happy and she asked me not to tell her mother… but I did because she said she just wanted Regina's happiness. Then Regina told me he ran off and so she married my father. I was upset because she wasn't going to be my new mother but then when he ran of things worked out. But the Regina that saved my life vanished before my eyes. Then when her and my father grew closer everything looked like it was getting better but then the war began. James I can't hope for the best when I'm already preparing for the worst!" Fresh tears were falling down her face too fast for him to wipe away. He couldn't comfort her because she began to walk around the clearing in an aid to calm herself.

"Snow! Snow! Look at me! If you keep thinking like this you can never be happy! Just for a minute forget about what could happen to your father and think of the good things in your life. Is there anything you might regret not doing? Not saying to someone when you had the chance because of your fears? I'm sure that's not what your father would want! He would want you to be happy!" He wanted so much to tell her how he felt. His words were almost pleading as if he wanted her to say she had feelings for him or deny them.

"There is something that I need to tell someone! But what if they don't like what I have to say? What if it ruins things? I need this person and this could ruin everything! My father has told me this before, not to let my fears take over!" She was hoping that he would read deeper into her words. How did he feel? Would he rebuff her? Would he want nothing more to do with her?

"And what if this person you need, likes what you have to say? What if it wouldn't ruin things? I have something I want to tell someone as well but I have the same fears as you! What if they don't want to change things? What if they want things to stay the way they are? But those are what if's! so what do you say will we get rid of the what if's and focus on the what happens after I tell this person what I need to? Agreed?" He was hoping that what he was getting from her words was what she meant. That she wanted to tell him something, that it was him she needed and that it wasn't just a one sided love.

He hadn't even noticed that she had walked closer to him while he had been talking now he just stared blankly at her. He was taking in her features, the way her face looked after she had been crying, the new gleam of hope that resided in her eyes. She took was looking at him, hoping he would speak first. But then she remembered it was her that had to agree to change. What if she was the person he needed to tell something? The tension was growing between them and they could both feel it.

Snow couldn't find her voice and didn't know how to answer him. What if she kisses him and he pulled away? What if she opened her heart to the possibility of love and had it crushed almost instantly? But most of all, what if he felt the same? She decided to give up on what if's like he said and just go for her happiness. She closed the remaining gap between them but to her surprise it was him that kisses her! She was taken aback for a moment. He did feel the same way. She slowly realised what was happening and returned the kiss. It grew deeper and more passionate s their emotions were running high and the relief that the other felt the same way!

It was James who broke the kiss to survey her face. She was looking at him with relief, almost like hiding her feelings had been a huge burden to her that was not lifted. But he also saw the fear and doubt in her eyes that she could be happy. What if this made her happy and something bad happened to her father would she blame him, be angry at him for giving her hope of happiness when she had told him her fears. But right now that didn't matter she felt the same way as he did.

With their ride, conversation and kiss they hadn't been aware of the time that had passed. The sun was slowly sinking in the sky, giving a red glow to everything its rays touched. On their ride back they talked about when they realise when they were falling for the other. The sun had set by the time they had arrived back at the stables and the fog had begun to set in. As they walked across the front lawn toward the palace they could see the lights glowing from the many rooms in the castle. Snow looked to the window of Regina's room and seen the flickering light from the candle disappear. She wanted to talk to her to tell her, her news but she also wanted to check on how she was. The light going out she knew was strange as they would leave the candles to burn while they ate dinner, was it later than they had anticipated or was something wrong.

When the pair arrived back at the palace they were greeted by King George. He was standing alone in the entrance hall, appearing to be waiting on them.

"Ah! There you are! We thought you had gotten lost. My dear you've been crying, is everything alright?" As he surveyed her face for any answers he began to look more closely at the princess and his son and soon his eyes fell upon their clasped hands. His mind went into overdrive it would be a great union or would it considering all the surrounded Snow's kingdom. He had almost forgotten he'd had asked her a question when she replied.

"We were just in the forest. I'm fine thank you King George I was just remembering a few things that made me a little tearful. I hope we haven't had you and Regina worried. Is she alright? Do you know where I could find her?" She was hopeful that she could tell Regina everything about her day with James even though she knew it would warrant an awful lot more teasing. But the look on the King's face when she mentioned Regina worried her.

"No, no dear I was just teasing. Yes Regina's fine she just exhausted. She asked me to tell you that she was sorry she couldn't spend the day with you and that she didn't want to be disturbed tonight she wants to rest. The past few days have caught up with her and she needs to sleep she said so that she can spend more time with you catching up properly." He both envied her and pitied her. She knew nothing of her father's death and it made things worse that she would have to wait another day to find out the truth. He knew how hard Eva's death had been on her and now this, he could see that Regina and her clearly had a bond but would that be enough? He wanted her to know about Leopold but he also knew that it was Regina's place to tell her and she clearly wasn't ready and he could understand why.

"Is that's all that wrong with her? The ba… I mean she isn't feeling sick or anything?" She was clearly in distress at this point now and she wanted to know if the baby was okay but she didn't know if Regina would have told George or not.

"Yes my dear, she is fine. Just tired not sick, unless you count morning sickness but no she's fine and so is the baby. That's what you wanted to ask wasn't it?" He gave a soft chuckle and a smile of reassurance. All snow did was nod and now that worried expression was gone not that she had the reassurance that both her stepmother and the baby we fine.

The three of them entered through to the dining room so that they could have dinner. Snow and James hadn't realised how hungry they were, they hadn't eaten since breakfast but hadn't noticed any hunger perhaps because of what had transpired between them in the woods. All three enjoyed a lovely dinner where James and Snow told him all about their day in the woods leaving out the fears of her father and her mothers' death. He seemed happier now, knowing that they both brought each other great happiness and he knew that's just what she was going to need right now. The three of them full and tired from the day's events retire to their bedrooms for the night. …. She had broken out in a cold sweat amongst the drama of the dream. She waited for him to turn around, the anticipation was building but before he could turn around, she sprang up in the bed, remembering everything but the man's face. Everything came flooding back to her then. He was gone. She was never going to see him again. George had told her they couldn't find a body and that they were continuing to search for him and he would send his guards to help. She remembered when he told her this that she said that with no body there was no proof that he was dead but her was soon to quash that hope. He told her that the guards that were with him had went to his aid when the rebels had been defeated that was attacking them and they all said that he was dead. Any hope that she had of a reunion between the two, gone. Any hope for a future, gone. Any hope for a happy family, gone. Any hope at all was gone!

She then thought about what the following day would consist of; tears, heartbreak and the need to be strong for Snow. She hadn't yet found a way to tell her, but she thought there's no point in trying to find the right words to tell her. There were no right words. There was no way to sugarcoat the truth. Once she had come to realise there was no easy way to tell snow, she tried to go back to sleep. She knew herself that it wouldn't be much of a sleep but she had to try if not for her but for her baby.

She had slept on and off for most of the night it was only when the dream of the little boy and the man had stopped that she was able to go to sleep. She was asleep no more than an hour before the suns golden rays came streaming through the windows that stood opposite the bed. For a brief moment she forgot everything, she forgot that she was not at home, that she was alone and that he was gone but it soon came rushing back to her. She knew today appear to be a good day that she knew all too well would turn sour. She called for her maid to go fetch Snow so that she could tell her the news from the battle field. She knew the longer she waited the more she wouldn't want to tell her.

She hadn't had much time to prepare herself before the heavy wooden doors parted and a small head peeked around the door as if to see that she was welcome. Upon seeing Regina's welcoming smile she proceeded into the room and rushed over to the bed.

"Oh, Regina! I was so worried about you when King George said you weren't joining us last night but then he said you were tired. Are you feeling better? Did you sleep?" The worry in Snows voice broke her heart into a million more pieces and she hadn't told her about Leopold yet! "I'm fine. I just needed to rest." She was lying again she had to find the courage to tell her but found it hard. "What did you do yesterday I seen you and James walking back across the grounds before I went to bed." She noticed how snows face reddened at the mention of the prince.

"We…uh…we went riding in the forest. Then…uh…well…we….em…realised that we both feel the same way. Don't look at me like that! You know exactly what I'm talking about you've been teasing me since you got her. He made me realise that I can be happy and don't need to worry about what the worst case scenario could be all the time. He made me realise that I could be happy." She was so happy at telling Regina but she couldn't help notice that while she appeared happy her eyes were swimming with sadness.

"That's wonderful news Snow! I'm glad you're happy." She wanted even less to tell her the news she had to tell her.

"Are you sure? You don't seem yourself!"

She didn't want to lie to her anymore she decided to start with the truth that she was avoiding her.

"I need to tell you the truth." She saw the fear grow in Snows eyes.

"I wasn't tired I just didn't want to face anyone after my meeting with George. I hope you can forgive me for lying. I have something I need to tell you sweetheart… I…I don't know where to start." Regina could see the concern in her eyes change to hurt that she had lied to her and was avoiding her but there was something else too. Fear.

"What is it Regina? What's going on? What did King George tell you?" The panic was clear in her voice, deep down she knew what Regina was going to tell her.

"Just remember that I love you very much and I'll always be here when you need me."

"REGINA! WHAT'S GOING ON?" She hadn't realised she was shouting until she saw the expression on Regina's face. "Snow one of you fathers guards was here yesterday morning to see King George. He came from the battlefield to bring news of what had happened. He said that the war was a success. That the war had been won." She could see the hope in her stepdaughters eyes which only broke her heart more.

"There's more sweetheart….The rebels advanced upon them in great numbers and there wasn't enough of them to deal with it from what George told me. They were surrounded and had nowhere to go! He said your father fought as hard as he could! He fought to protect you and me! He fought to protect the parts of our Kingdom that remained loyal to us!" The tears were streaming down both of their faces. Snow knew this had been coming but she didn't want to accept reality. She saw how Regina was trying to stay strong for her. Snow moved closer to the center of the bed and hugged Regina. She lay in her arms the silent tears streaming down her face while Regina stroked her hair in and attempt to calm both of looked at the ceiling, took a deep breath before trying to continue the story George had told her.

"He fought a heroic battle...un...un...until the end... George said the guard wanted us to that your fathers sacrifice was not in vain. And that he didn't go down without a fight. The guards fought to avenge his death! Snow he fought to save us, fought to defend the kingdom that was loyal to us. He's...he's" her voice trailed off she was too absorbed in trying to comfort the now wailing Snow. She couldn't hold back the tears herself and had lost the voice she fought so hard to keep strong.

She gave into the tears and let her feelings take over. She hugged Snow tighter hoping that this would somehow make things better but she knew that nothing could ever make it better. Neither of them was able to speak for a long time, even long after the waterfall of tears had run dry, now lost in their thoughts of happier times.

They were only brought back to the real world when there was a knock on the door and a weary Johanna poked her head around the door. The sight she seen broke her heart. She seen the Queen the strong woman she'd always seen was gone replaced by a fragile woman that looked like she could break any minute. Then she looked to the princess who clung to the Queen, almost as if trying to ensure that nothing happened to her too. Johanna had witnessed snows behaviour in the aftermath of her mother's death and feared that this would be so much worse in comparison. She didn't know what to do the Queens red puffy tear stain had distracted her from what she had come for.

"Your Majesty? Would…would you like anything brought to your room? Anything to eat? Or would you prefer that you weren't disturbed?" Johanna hoped that she would take something to eat if not for her sake but for the baby's she wanted to make sure that the Regina was okay and that the baby would be too.

"Thank-you, Johanna. I don't really feel like eating. I haven't got much of an appetite. But I promise ill ring for something when I need it." She tried to keep her voice from breaking. The last thing she wanted to do was cry infront of her, she wanted to mourn in private.

"Very well your Majesty. I will leave you and the Princess and tell everyone to stay away." She gave the queen a small smile before turning around and closing the heavy wooden doors. As they closed Regina felt almost like they were being shut off from the outside world. They were in their own small bubble. If only that bubble had keep this dreadful news away from them.

When she looked down at snow she was sleeping. She couldn't blame her she herself was tired from the crying and decided that she too would for a short nap to see if she would have that same dream. She needed to know who the man was! She needed to know if it was him! If it was, what did that mean? Was he really dead? Or would she see him again? Was she going to have a son? And the little boy in her dreams was him? Was she seeing Leopold and their child? If so and he was dead then why could the child see him? Why could she see him? Her mind was running over time with question… questions that may never be answered.

When she drifted off to sleep, she had a dreamless sleep. She didn't think about the baby, about Leopold or what was going on in reality. Regina and snow remained in her bed chambers for the rest of the day and most of the following week. The only contact they had with anyone was Johanna and her maid when they brought food or helped them prepare for bed.

About a week after they had received the news of his death, Regina decided it was time to face the rest of the palace and to talk with George to see what was going on. Snow didn't feel like joining her so instead went to her own bed chamber to get Johanna help her dress to go riding. She needed her safe haven again. She only hoped that James wouldn't be there or wouldn't go there. She couldn't face him.

Regina walked down the cold empty hallways. The sound of her heels clicking with each step echoed of the walls making the already eerie palace seem an awful lot empty that it really was. She had asked her maid to tell King George that she wanted to talk to him so he had arranged to meet her in his study after breakfast. She turned the corner into the entrance hall and found James standing there apparently waiting it would seem to see whole the owner of the clicking heels were and she saw the disappointment on his face when she rounded the corner.

"James? Is everything alright? Do you know if your father is in his study yet?" She wanted to be calm and collected. She was good at pretending to be alright when she wasn't she had learned that skill over the years.

"Your Majesty. I'm sorry for your loss," he gave her a small sympathetic smile before continuing, "I had hoped that snow would be with you. I wanted to try and take her mind of things. I believe so, he left the dining room as soon as he'd finished his food." He wanted so much to see her but he knew that she might not want to see him. He told her to believe that things would get better that just because you allow yourself to be happy something bad will happen and she had then received the worst news. How could he not feel terrible? He wanted to see her, to apologise and to help her.

She gave him a small grateful smile that soon turned to a frown at the mention of Snow she didn't know what to say. Snow had told her that she didn't want to see him and she didn't want to see anyone other that her and Johanna.

"James. She needs time. She just wants to be alone; she doesn't want to see anyone. She's hardly spoken to me or Johanna in the past week. Give her time." She gave him a small smile before proceeding across the hall and headed toward George's study.

When she arrived at the door she stood outside unsure of what to do. She looked at the door as if it would open with her looking at it. She wanted to go in but then again she didn't want to. She didn't want to see Georges' sympathetic expression and she wasn't sure what he would have to say to her. She took a deep breathe and pushed the door open. When she walked into the study George stood up to greet her but he didn't have a sympathetic look on his face, it was almost as if he knew that she wouldn't want to be looked at in a way that reminded her of her misery. She took a seat near the window that looked out over the ground so that she could watch to see if snow went riding like she had planned. She wanted to know more about the war and what was going to happen next.

"Regina? How…how are you doing? And snow?" He had a nervous tone to his voice almost like he knew she didn't want to talk about it but he couldn't not ask her.

"As good as can be expected." She gave him a soft reassuring smile before continuing. "Snow not so much. It's really hit her hard. She doesn't want to talk about it though so I don't know what to do. I'm afraid of saying the wrong thing and making things worse! But there's nothing I can do for her except let her deal with it the way she needs to. I know she'll come to me or Johanna when she's ready."

"That's to be expected, her and Leopold were very close. She was the same when Eva died she wouldn't speak to him for weeks and it worried him but she came round eventually." He didn't know if mentioning Eva was the right thing or not but decided not to dwell to much on it.

"Have you heard anymore from the guards." She was trying to get to a different subject other than her feelings.

He began to grow nervous fidgeting with the papers on his desk as if hoping she would forget that she'd asked him. He looked up and seen her staring at him as if prompting him to speak.

"Regina! One of your guards was here again yesterday and well he brought more news with him. They have started to clear the battle field and take the injured back to your castle. My men are still there helping them sort everything out. Regina there's something you need to know, but first I suggest you sit down." He walked over to the fire and stared at the flames so that he didn't have to watch her as he told her the next piece of news. "They ca…can't find him. They have searched the entire battle field and they can't find him. Regina I assure you that my men will not leave that battle field until they bring him home to you." He was glad he wasn't looking at her, listening to her trying to stifle her tears was enough to tell him that she wasn't taking this news well but then again he had never expected her to.

"What do you mean they can't find him? Surely he would still be where he had been fighting? It's not like someone could have moved him without someone noticing! How?" Her voice was starting to break. She couldn't keep it calm with each word her voice rose an octave.

"Regina. I don't know. That is what I said to him but all he said was that they would keep looking. He said that he will send word when the palace is ready for you and Snow to return. I must stress to you though that you are welcome to stay here as long as you want. I made Leopold a promise that I would protect both you and Snow, and that is what I shall do." He didn't know what else to do or say that would make her feel any better and by the look on her face she knew what he was thinking.

"Thank-you, George! That means an awful lot! If you don't mind I think ill go back to my room now and see you and James at dinner and who knows I might be able to convince Snow to come with me." She gave him a small smile to show him that she was grateful for his kindness.

She walked back along the cold empty hallways, her heels clicking all the more with each of her steps. She hoped that she could get through to Snow but she didn't want to push her.

….

Johanna had helped snow change into her riding clothes so that she could try and clear her head. She wanted to think of the happy times with her father but she knew she needed to be alone as well. She needed somewhere peaceful and quiet and she only knew of one place. When she had dressed she walked as quickly as possible to the stables hoping that she wouldn't be spotted by anyone who would tell James where she was and so that she wouldn't have to endure the sympathy they would express towards her. She just wanted to escape reality. She entered the stable and readied her horse for the trek through the woods. It didn't take her long to get to the clearing where she was glad she was alone. She dismounted the horse and tied him to the tree before she sat down resting against a nearby tree.

She thought of the recent happy memories of her father. She remembered the evening she spent with him and Regina not that long ago when Regina told her all about love and the happiness it brought but she soon left that memory behind because it led her to think of James and that hurt her too much. She then thought of when he father had bought her, her horse. She had been so upset when someone had stolen the horse she had had since she was little by she remembered the joy on his face when she had told him how happy she was. She was so deep in thought she hadn't heard the sound James arriving. He walked slowly and quietly towards her hoping not to alarm her or remove her from her thoughts. He slowly edged closer to her before talking a seat next to her.

She jumped to what he thought was about a mile in the air. She had a mixture of emotions in her eyes. They were swimming with fear, loss, anger and love. He wanted so much to hug her and tell her everything would be alright but he knew that would be of no comfort to her and with the current expression on her face, impossible.

She jumped to her feet retreating from him. It took her a while to find her voice she was so shocked at him being here, angry at him giving her false hope the previous week and scared that he had gotten so close to her without her realising. Her voice was fully on anger when she spoke to him. "What are you doing here? Haven't you done enough?"

"Snow?" He was at a loss for words how could she be so cold, this wasn't the person her knew.

"Save it! I don't want to hear anything you have to say!" she was so angry at him but now at herself. She went to walk towards her horse but he grabbed her wrist before she could go any further.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter. I made it a long one to make up for taking so long to write and because I won't have much time to write the next chapter until my exams are over. Hope you'll let me know what you thought and will like the next chapter when I post it.