The brunette studies herself appreciatively as she sits in front of the ornate dressing table in her newly claimed suite. She had worn her hair swept back stylishly to dinner and now busies herself brushing out her soft locks peacefully. She raises an eyebrow at a soft knock at her door; wondering for a moment who could possibly have any business seeking her council- especially when she has retired to her room- before adopting a knowing smirk, her eyes glittering pleasantly.

"Come in."

"Regina."

"Oh... It's you."

"Were you expecting someone else?"

The schoolteacher inquires curiously; sure the Queen's scarlet lips had been pulled into a small smile only seconds ago. Of course, the brunette's instant coldness could also be attributed to her well publicized distaste for Snow herself.

"No, dear, I would just think it to be a little late for social visits."

"Well, that's too bad, because we need to talk."

"Oh?"

Regina's tone is haughty and arrogant, but she watches the younger woman as she takes a seat at the end of her bed through the glass, raising an eyebrow as a sign that Snow should continue.

"I've spent the last week racking my brains on ways to get back to Storybrooke, and I'll admit that I have no other options to bring to the table as it were... But, I need to ask you... Do you really believe Ursula is our only chance?"

"Well, I wouldn't have suggested it if I thought otherwise."

"I know. I just needed to ask..."

"Why?... Which one of you is getting cold feet?"

The brunette turns round on her stool to fix the raven headed woman with a scrutinizing stare. Mary Margaret sighs loftily, before her shoulders slump and she regards the floor.

"Oh, Emma seems to be under the impression that this might actually be 'kind of fun'..."

"Naivety is a terrible family trait... Did you show her the stories documented on the Sea Witch?"

"... Most of them."

"Ah, now why does that give me pause?"

"She knew the story of Ariel, of course... At least, the first part anyway; the part that was told in the Disney cartoon... I explained the rest of it to her. She... Well, she didn't seem all that bothered."

"How much did you tell her?"

"That the red merwoman was tricked into living a life of crippling pain and punishment above water while the Sea Witch single-handedly massacred Triton and his people... That she took his throne and kept the survivors enslaved... That she never returned the mermaid's voice, but kept it as her own..."

"And this didn't faze her?"

The schoolteacher frowns as she shakes her head.

"No. I think... We heard a lot this week... Saw and went through a lot this week. Ursula's legend is just one more reason she wants to get home... She understands the witch is evil, but I don't think she understands the magnitude of it. She-"

"-She's battled a dragon, been sucked into another land by a Wraith, was almost beheaded by an ogre as far as I understand, and has been tossed into a pit by a man who turned out to be the mother of her dearest enemy, who then proceeded to try and smash her into tiny, broken pieces against a castle wall. In the space of a week... I imagine Miss Swan was in fact fairly unimpressed by Ariel's suffering."

"...Exactly."

Snow glances up at the brunette quizzically, astonished at the Queen's insight to the blonde's behavior. Regina merely shrugs, turning back to her reflection and proceeding to lean forwards to inspect her pores.

"Then she is foolish, but not as foolish as her mother."

"Excuse me?"

"Ariel's story and the plight of the Tritonians is nothing now but juicy gossip left over from a time when you would have barely been able to walk. It is just one of many travesties to occur at the hands of the Sea Queen, and it is most certainly not the reason for which you have come to disturb me tonight... Am I to deduce then, that you told your precious little girl nothing more of Ursula's wrath?"

"What good is it telling her of such things?!"

"She has a right to know why her mother finds herself so worried. Tell me, Snow, which of the many legends and rumors have bought you here to me tonight?"

"...You know which one."

"...Delphine."

"Yes."

"Well, dear, then you can rest easy, as not one of us holds the same position as that poor wretch."

"...Emma-"

"-Is the Fair Queen's daughter. She is not Delphine."

"Regina... You said yourself that I'll be lucky if my reputation doesn't prove to be my curse... Ursula's hunger for power and extravagance will leave her sorely disappointed by my rule, as you hinted. The fact that Emma is considered royalty in this land only through her blood tie to myself at this moment in time puts her in what I would foresee as a very precarious position. Never mind the fact that she was never this land's 'princess', whom the people witnessed grow and change and blossom... Or that she's... well... Emma."

"Then do something about it! You were so desperate to play the mother; now's your chance. You stop her from being 'Emma'... If she does that, theSea Queen may even take a liking to her... Curiosity always was her greatest vice."

"... And what about when her curiosity has been sated... I trust you recall how the story of Delphine ends?"

The Queen glances at the paler woman as she sits reflected morosely within the sliver glass. Her brow furrows for just a moment before she tosses back her hair and turns back to regard Snow levelly.

"All too well, dear. Delphine; the youngest daughter of a fisherman who fell to the mercy of the sea when her father's boat capsized. A mermaid of the Mulieres Mares took pity on the drowning girl and pulled her down to the Land Below Water. There she was nurtured and comforted by her savior until the Queen received word of the girl. Ursula sought young Delphine out, intent on getting rid of her, but was transfixed by the young girl's beauty. She offered the merwoman who had taken responsibility for Delphine a promise of good fortune should she hand over the girl to the Queen's court. The merwoman bravely refused, but Delphine was bold and spoke up that she was not to be bartered for; presuming life with the Sea Queen would be rich with luxury, thus allowing Ursula to take ownership of her there and then. The Sea Queen toyed with the young girl and used her for any form of vile amusement her heart desired, before eventually growing tired of Delphine's company as the girl became broken and used. When she deemed her useless, she stripped the girl bare and proceeded to lash her until she bled freely, releasing her into the eel pit where she was consumed to nothing but bone..."

The brunette's eyes glitter fiercely as she recites the tale's grizzly conclusion, studying the paler woman who shudders visibly. Turning to put away her brush and several small pieces of jewellery, the Queen's voice is stern when she speaks.

"Emma is not Delphine."

"... But what will become of her, of any of us, if Ursula decides she doesn't take kindly to our trespassing with a plea for help...?"

"I don't care to think about such outcomes, dear."

"That's because you know exactly why I'm here... Why I thought on poor Delphine."

"And why's that?"

"... Look...I know you dislike Emma, and I know your hatred for myself runs black and deep, but right now that doesn't matter. You need us to get back to Henry, so you have no choice but to listen to me... I followed my daughter into that hateful hat because I couldn't stand taking a chance that anything would happen to her. Evidently, my mere presence is not enough. You know as well as I do that if Ursula decides she wants to play us in any way that she's going to go for Emma. Blood only means so much when in another land... I fear for myself, but I fear for my daughter more... And I need you to give me your word that you will do everything within your power to keep her from hurting Emma, however much you may want her to."

"... I believe I've made it fairly clear that I don't wish any harm to come to Emma."

"For which I am grateful... But you have been given a great many chances before, Regina, and sometimes-"

"- I will not allow Ursula to hurt Emma. Not when it is within my power to stop her from doing so."

"...Thank you."

Regina rises; walking over to the door in a clear request that the schoolteacher take her leave.

"As you two keep reminding each other; I need you both alive. Now. Go and take care of your daughter. Her dressings will need changing and I would guess the Grass Nettle has long since worn off... You will need to keep a small stock of it once we leave here, as she is likely to still be in pain. Go to your daughter, and go tell her a bedtime story. She should know the story of Delphine, for no other reason than that it serves to show the Sea Queen's true malice. See to her, and inform her that we shall be leaving this place at noon."

Snow nods, making her way quickly to the door, eagerly wishing to distance herself from the brunette. Turning to regard the older woman briefly before she slips out the room, her voice is quiet; not quite believing everything that seems to be happening.

"...We're really going to the Land Beneath Water..."

"Yes, dear, indeed we are."