King Midas/Regina

Regina was sitting on her balcony, looking out over the kingdom and contemplating the fact that in a few short days, she would be married to some old fart 4 times her age. She was sick to her stomach at the thought, but her mother wouldn't seem to have it any other way. She sighed, wishing for all the world that she could have only one thing, and that was freedom. But wishing wasn't doing her any good. She was doomed. The arrival of a great golden carriage made her rise to her feet however, and she tilted her head at the sight of the magnificent golden elk pulling the extravagant structure behind them.

"Regina!" Her mother burst into the room and Regina fought back a sigh. "Get dressed. King Midas has arrived for your wedding. We want to be there to greet him."

Regina thought about arguing, but ultimately went into her closet and changed into a long red dress. Cora nodded her approval and lead her through the castle and into the throne room. Regina completely tuned out her mother instructing her on various ways to present herself. She really didn't care about any of this. She just wanted to go riding, not spend every waking minute with Leopold and Snow and meeting people she could care less about. Arriving at the throne room, Leopold dipped his head in her direction and she politely did the same, but she ignored Snow. Her mother glared at her, but she didn't care.

The doors of the throne opened and King Midas and his young daughter, Abigail stepped through, accompanied by a small escort of soldiers, clad in shining armor. Regina was shocked for a moment. She'd expected an old man like Leopold, but instead Midas looked to be barely in his late 30s, if that. He was handsome and broad shouldered and tall, with a neatly trimmed dark beard and long dark blonde hair tied at the nape of his neck. He wore regal golden robes and little Abigail, no older than Snow, was wearing a beautiful golden dress that sparkled with diamonds embedded into the fabric.

Leopold laughed as Midas clasped him on the forearm. "It's been too long, Midas."

"I agree, Old Friend." Midas chuckled. "I'm afraid we're getting far too old for wars now."

"Wars?" Regina said automatically, earning a scowl from her mother at speaking before being introduced.

"My, this must be the future queen." Midas and Abigail both bowed. Regina bowed in return.

"You are very pretty, your Majesty." Abigail said, smiling brightly.

"Not as pretty as you are." Regina replied in her sweetest voice.

"Come with me, Midas, and we can reminisce about old times."

"There will be plenty of time for that, my friend. Abby is tired and I want to make sure she is taken care of."

"Of course." Leopold said. "I will have one of my servants show you to your rooms and perhaps later, Regina could take Abigail and Snow out to the pasture while we talk."

Regina fought the scowl wanting to erupt at the man's gawl of volunteering her for something. Midas smiled charmingly in her direction as he bowed again. Abigail yawned and he lifted his daughter in his arms, carrying her off after the servant. Leopold went on his way. Snow tried to get Regina to play some sort of game with her, but she was quickly dismissed. Regina even tuned out her mother's angry instructions. She made her way back to her room and closed the door with a sigh. She wanted this life to be over. She was only wasting it pandering to her mother's whims. It wasn't a life she wanted. She just wanted to be free of it, all of it.

/

That evening, Regina got dressed to go riding and walked down to the stables, finding the Golden Princess already there, stroking the side of a large golden elk. Abigail was a few months older than Snow, but was smaller and skinnier. Her long blonde hair nearly reached the back of her thighs but was held out of her face by a silver band. She was wearing a golden riding jacket, tan leather pants and brown riding boots. The little girl smiled nervously at Regina and bowed as she approached.

"You don't need to bow every time you see me, dear." Regina said.

"Sorry, Lady Regina."

"Just Regina please."

Abigail grinned. "Regina." She went about trying to saddle the elk, but her hair kept falling into her face and she dropped the heavy saddle. Regina fought back a smirk as she saddled the elk for the girl and pulled her over to a bench. She gently collected the mass of gold strands and braided it into a long braid. "Thank you, Regina. Snow is lucky to have you for a mother."

"I'm...not her mother." Regina said.

"I know. But she is lucky to have you. You're really nice." Her words made Regina smile and she helped the little blonde mount up while she went to get Rocinante. Snow arrived with her own personal stablehand who saddled her white horse and helped mount up. Regina lead them out at a gentle gallop around the paddock, but her gaze kept sweeping over to the large elk.

"Are elks normal in Midas' kingdom?" She ventured to ask.

"Yes." Abigail smiled. "They're really friendly but only the golden ones work for daddy. He's beautiful, isn't he?"

"He is." she agreed.

"Would you like to ride him?"

Regina thought about it for a minute before she dismounted and Abigail helped her up into the saddle behind her. Rocinante sputtered and trotted off back to the stables. Riding a horse was one thing, but an elk was another. Abigail steered the animal expertly however and Regina actually found herself enjoying racing along the trail. Of course she had to keep Snow in mind and they had to slow down often for her to catch up. When they rode back to the stables, she found herself smiling and laughing.

"Did you like it?" Abigail asked.

"I did. Your elks are very majestic and beautiful." She looked up, noticing Midas waiting at the stable doors with a smile. He held up his hand to help the ladies down. "Your majesty." Regina bowed politely.

"Nonsense, I am within your kingdom. I should be bowing to you." The stablehands came to take their mounts and they walked back to the castle.

"Midas."

"Yes?" He asked.

"What wars did you and Leopold fight in?"

"The first ogre war." Midas answered. "It was a bloody conflict. Thankfully we were able to achieve our victory."

"You are very modest for a king." She said. He looked surprised. "You are the hero of the first ogre war. You slew 30 alone, more so than any warrior."

"You have done research." He chuckled.

"Not by choice." She muttered. "I shall leave you all to prepare for the ball tonight."

Midas bowed deeply as he took her hand and kissed it. "I shall await your return." He flashed a dashing smile and she found herself blushing as she turned to head back to her room, where her mother was waiting to get her ready. Regina was scrubbed down, shoved into a corset and draped in a glorious white dress with pearls sewn onto the fabric. Her mother brushed her hair and put it up in a neat bun. Regina scowled the entire time. She hated it all, but her mother's anger and magic left little room for rebellion. She did put up a fight in wearing Daniel's ring around her neck. Her mother relented on this small miniscule detail. Regina felt a little bit of vindication at this act. She would never be Leopold's for her heart belonged to Daniel. The ball was elegant and grand and it lead Regina to wonder just where Leopold was getting the money for this since the kingdom was not exactly in the best position to waste money on frivolous things. As expected, she was completely ignored by the king throughout most of the night, preferring instead to dance with his beloved daughter. Abigail pleaded with her for a dance, so she obliged the polite little girl. Then Midas had his turn and for the first time she actually enjoyed herself at a ball. After her last dance, she sat down with Abigail, answering the curious girl's questions about her life and what she liked. Regina found her much more pleasant to be around than her future stepdaughter. Snow wasn't a bad child, albeit annoying and often taking it upon herself to go into Regina's things without permission. It's just that when Regina looked at her, she could only remember that broken promise that lead to Daniel's death. Despite the girl's good intentions, it didn't matter. Daniel was dead. If she hadn't told, then he wouldn't be. She associated his death with Snow and her mother and she simply did not want to be around either one of them.

Midas invited her for a walk in the courtyard, leaving Abigail to entertain Snow. It was a cool night and the music of the ball drifted down to them from afar. "Did you enjoy yourself, Regina?"

"More than I thought I would." She said truthfully.

"You're not happy here, are you, Regina?" He asked. She paused to look at him.

"What do you mean?"

"This isn't where you want to be. It's not what you want. You do a poor job of pretending to like Leopold and Snow clearly bothers you. I've been here for a day and I know this." He fixed her with a tender, concerned gaze. "What do you want?"

"No one has ever asked me that." She whispered. "I just want to be free. But I can't. My mother is a powerful sorceress and she will never let me go. I am a prisoner here. I'm the queen of nothing." All of it just came pouring out. Midas lead her over to a bench and sat with her, listening in resolute silence as she described her dark tale. "I don't know what to do." she sighed. "My life has barely begun and I'm expected to be a queen, a mother and a wife."

"Clearly," Midas said, holding up his hand, the hand that bore the glove that kept him from turning things to gold. She placed her hand in his and he gently stroked the back. "Your life was never your own to live. But you can take it back, my dear."

"How?"

"I can help you get your engagement annulled."

"The wedding is in only a few days."

"Let me work, and I will do everything possible to free you. Okay? Trust me. My word is as good as gold." He smiled.

She rolled her eyes. "That was quite corny, your Majesty."

"Really? We say it all the time in my kingdom. By the way." He stood up and offered his arm to escort her back to the ball. "I think you would look much better in gold than white."

/

Regina was stressed every second the day of her wedding drew closer. She spent some time with Midas and Abigail and they helped to reduce it some, but she couldn't help be disgusted at the future she had in store if she stayed where she was. She had a couple talks with Midas at night, a secret gathering of theirs to enjoy simple talks and a bit of drinking. She grew to like the Golden King more and more. She even told him about Daniel and he in turn told her about his lost wife who died giving birth to Abigail. That night was a particularly sad one.

The night before the wedding she went to his chambers one last time, but she was surprised to find Leopold already there.

"Regina, welcome." Midas said. By the twitch of his lip she could tell that Leopold's visit had surprised him too. "Have you come to finalize our seats for the wedding reception?"

"Yes, my king." Regina dipped her head respectfully.

"Good, good." Midas walked over to a table and wrote on a piece of paper and handed it to her. "Then that shall be all."

Regina dipped her head again, accepting the piece of paper and departed quickly. She opened the note. Midas wanted to meet her as soon as possible at the stables. She quickly grabbed her cloak and made her way as discreetly as possible to the rendezvous point. An hour passed before Midas arrived. She entered his arms in greeting, accepting a kiss on the forehead as well.

"What happened?"

"Leopold might be getting suspicious. He was a bit forceful with his warning not long ago."

"Is everything ready?"

Midas nodded and gestured behind her. 6 spellcasters materialized a few feet away. "They'll stop whatever magic your mother tries to use, and I have plenty of gold set in a carriage waiting for you. You can go wherever you want." He smiled. "You'll be free."

Regina smiled as well. "Thank you, Midas. I don't know how I'll repay you for this."

"Enjoy your freedom." He said. "That's all I could desire."

She nodded and hugged him again and looked at the spellcasters as they teleported away. "I suppose I'll go get ready."

"I'll do the same." He watched her go, excitedly running now rather than the hapless shuffle from before. Happiness radiated off of her. It pained him to know that soon she would gone and he would probably never see her again. Their talks over the last few days had been quite pleasant and uplifting. She made him believe in love again. Tomorrow would be interesting.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The wedding march sounded and all rose as Regina walked out of the back. She wasn't wearing her wedding dress. Her hair was down and lightly brushed and she hardly wore any makeup. She was wearing a fitted brown riding jacket, black leather pants and brown boots. Midas' spellcasters walked behind her.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Leopold hissed. He glanced at Midas, who simply shrugged.

"King Leopold, I must say with the utmost satisfaction, I'll not be marrying you today. Not any other day. You're going to have find yourself another replacement queen and another for Snow." Regina lifted her chin proudly.

Cora glared at her. "Regina, what the hell are you doing?"

"Choosing my own Fate. Doing something that will make me happy: separating myself from you. I'm going to leave, Mother. Don't follow me. I don't want power. I've never wanted it. I don't want to be queen. I've never wanted it?! I just want to be free from all of you!" Regina roared at her mother. "But then again, you never cared about what I wanted, did you?"

"Regina." Leopold hissed. "Stop this."

"No." She replied. "Because the last thing I will be is your queen, you old, pathetic excuse for a man. I will never let you touch me. And I will never be a fake mother to Snow. My apologies for completely humiliating you, but I had things I needed to say. I will take my leave now." Regina turned to leave and her mother lashed out with magic, but Midas' mages fended off the blast. She didn't even look back as she left the castle. Her mother's screams followed her through the halls. Magic could no longer hurt her and she was free.

Arriving at the stables, she hooked Rocinante to Midas' carriage and the mages accompanied her to the edges of the kingdom. At last, she was truly free.

Xxxxxxxxxx

Midas returned to his own kingdom soon after Regina had departed, thinking he would never see the young woman again. It was another 3 years before he did, walking into his office and finding her talking with Abigail like old friends. She looked better, happier, than he'd last seen her. And she was wearing his favorite color. "If I'd known you were coming, your majesty, I would've fixed up the place." He said with a smile.

She smiled as well and stood up. "Well then, it wouldn't be a surprise. Now, would it?" Abigail greeted her father, excitedly begged Regina to go riding with her later, to which the brunette agreed, and slipped away. That left him with Regina, and she seemed fascinated with his office. It was a bit gaudy and extravagant, every piece either whitewood or gold, turned that way by his own hand.

"Where have you been? Care to regale me with some tales?" He asked, going to pour them a drink. She told him. She told him of traveling over the many kingdoms, meeting the Dragon Queen and learning magic from her, studying and exploring the world that had been closed off to her for so long to the fullest extent.

"I even learned some swordplay and a bit of the bow." She finished with a happy sigh.

"You seemed to have been having fun. Why return?"

"Perhaps something brought me back." She shrugged. "I had to see Abigail again. She wrote me all the time and I felt bad when I didn't return it. I only knew her for a few days, but she grew on me."

"She can do that." He chuckled.

"She wasn't the only one, Midas." Regina looked up at him, but quickly turned away. "How are things with Leopold and Snow?"

Midas arched an eyebrow as he rose to his feet and walked towards her. "Your mother disappeared. Your father has been well cared for in your absence. Leopold is devastated, humiliated and focused on running his kingdom. Snow is...fine, I suppose." He held out his hands to her and she took them. He pulled her to her feet and she ran her fingers over the silk glove on his right hand. "You know, I wish I had stolen you from Leopold."

"Wishing never gets the job done. You have to act." She replied, eyes sparkling. He didn't hesitate to kiss her. She'd captured him in a way she could not know. She returned the kiss with heated passion. The only thing that finally drew them apart was the need for air. Regina was left gasping, leaning her head against his chest.

"Wow."

She laughed. "The Golden King reduced to a single word. My, you know how to flatter a lady."

"Will you be staying for a while?" Midas asked.

"As long as you'll have me, my king."

"Promise?"

"My word is as good as gold." She smiled.

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Sorry if its rushed, Read and Review!