All Souls Night
Chapter 11: Celtic Lullaby
Author's Notes: I'm just plain sorry for this one guys. It's sad and it's left me very unsure of it. I've had a rough few days at work so that's why it's taken me this long and I was unsure if I liked it enough to actually post it or if I was going to try and rewrite it. I decided to screw with it a bit and I think I got it to the point we're I'm semi-happy with it but I'll never be truly happy with anything I work on. I'll always see flaws in it. Anyways I hope you guys enjoy and please don't kill me for the sadness in it. I did what I had to do to make it work for the time being. ~ Bella
Emma blinked as sunlight began to stream in through the windows. She sighed pulling her arm over her bloodshot eyes. She wondered if she could stay in bed for the rest of the day but she knew her mother would never allow it. Four years had gone by since the birth of her son and the disappearance of his other mother with him. Things hadn't changed much truthfully. There was still a large bounty out on Regina's head though she had yet to be found. And I doubt she will be, Emma thought sourly, unless she wants to be found. She'd grown bitterer over the years, no longer the bright eyed sweet girl she'd once been.
She sat up finally pushing her limp hair back from her face. It had grown longer as well but she didn't much pay attention to that. She looked up when her mother came bustling in. There was a bit of grey at her mother's temples now. A few more laugh lines around her mouth and eyes. She was still beautiful but she was getting older. Funny how we never notice things like that until they're staring us in the face, Emma thought.
Her mother gave her a tender smile which she half-heartedly returned.
"What's wrong Mom?" She croaked and shifted so she was sitting up a bit straighter.
Snow frowned but moved to sit beside her. "Does something need to be wrong?" She asked.
"You tell me. Why are you here so early?"
"It's not early Emma it's noon."
The blonde frowned, "Oh," She said dumbly. She only vaguely remembered last night. She'd gone down with some of the off duty guardsmen to a tavern and drank until almost dawn. They'd carried her back and helped her into bed she assumed.
"You're hungover…again." Her mother pointed out in a disappointed voice.
"Does it really matter if I'm hung over or not?" She sighed as her mother stood up.
"Emma your father and I have had enough of this. This self-destructive path you're on is going to put you in an early grave. You're a princess and we both feel we've given you ample time to recover from your…loss and now we feel like enough is enough. It's time for you to get back on your feet. Pinocchio has come a long ways to see you and spend some time with you and we both feel this would be for the best for you."
"You do realize the more you force me the more I'm going to say no…right?" The princess' eyes shot up towards her mother. "Pinocchio isn't Regina and he won't ever be."
"Emma I'm sorry to have to say this but I'm afraid it must be said. If she loves you as much as you seem to believe she did where is she? Why hasn't she come for you?"
"Because she can't!" The blonde exploded glaring full force at her mother. "Because of you and Father she cannot come here to me where she and our son belong!"
"Emma I know you want to blame your father and I but it's time you face facts, Regina is the evil queen. She has always looked out for herself and no one else. For all we know your son may not even be here anymore."
"She wouldn't do something like that. She loves him; I have to believe she does." Emma snapped, deflating visibly. "Because the horror of knowing that she might not isn't something I can ever imagine."
Snow reached out laying her hand on Emma's shoulder. "Neither can we; I'm sorry Emma, we cannot allow her to get away with what she has done. She's tried to kill me multiple times and your father has been threatened by her as well and we have no idea what she's teaching our grandson."
Emma looked down at the pooled blankets in her lap remaining silent. There was still a lot of bitterness she felt towards both her parents but she knew they had valid arguments. Regina hadn't sent her anything and she realized now the woman had an affinity for mirrors even if her mother had them enchanted not to work for spying, her hand mirror, the one with the apple on it wasn't enchanted and it certainly could've been used to contact her but the elusive brunette remained gone and Emma herself stayed cut off from contact.
"Let's talk about this later all right?" Snow offered softly.
"Yeah, I need to get dressed." Emma slid from the bed moving to her vanity. The first thing she picked up was the grey/black stone necklace Regina had left for her. She tied the black laces around her neck resting the pendant at the base of her throat.
"Really Emma that necklace," Snow frowned as her daughter turned arching a brow at her.
"I like this necklace," She said, deadpan.
"It sends the wrong message since everyone recognizes it."
"So be it." Emma turned back to face the mirror reaching for her brush. She refused to allow any personal servants to help her unless she absolutely had to have them. She had no interest in anyone getting that close to her again.
"You're quiet today." Pinocchio pointed out as they walked through the gardens. He'd known Emma almost her entire life and he knew her moods better than most.
"I had a rough night," Emma said softly as they rounded a corner in the hedge maze. She frowned when they came upon the mermaid fountain which was still as beautifully attended to as it had been five years ago. She remembered how close she and Regina had stood in front of it. The frozen waters were no longer frozen as spring was vast approaching and with it All Souls Night. The princess no longer took part in the ceremonies she had no desire to feel the flames dance inside of her like they had that night she had met Regina. She didn't wish to see if there was another that could make her feel like Regina had that night.
"I heard drinking with the off duty guards again. You worry your parents so with your antics."
"Don't you dare lecture me," Emma warned turning around to glare at him.
"Someone has to." Pinocchio sighed as he looked over at her. He twisted his hand resting it on the hilt of his broadsword as he awaited her response knowing her temper rivaled her mother's and that was a hard one to top. Snow White had an infamous temperament.
"You aren't my mother nor my father nor someone who in any way has that sort of power over me or my actions."
"I'm your friend and I always have been. Your best interests are mine even if others would use you I would not." Pinocchio stopped turning around to face his black clad friend. She never wore color not anymore. It was such a strange choice for her but he never questioned her. Those that had had gotten told it was none of their business.
"My best interests, well if you're looking out for my best interests then tell everyone to back off. I'm not a child nor do I need to be treated like one. I'm a grown woman and it's high time everyone you included realize that." Emma twisted following a side path through the gardens knowing her friend was right behind him. Anger blinded her to everything as she marched along on the weathered stone path refusing to be lectured again. She'd had enough lectures to last a lifetime and she was fed up with them.
"Emma, wait. Please I didn't mean to upset you." Pinocchio trailed after her trying to get his blonde friend to stop moving so quickly. "I know how you feel..." He began only to have her suddenly glaring in his face. He took a step back his hands coming up to try and soothe her.
"You have no idea how I feel." She snapped, "And don't you ever proceed to tell me you do."
Pinocchio sighed and nodded, "You're right I don't know how you feel but I think it might be best if you at least try to get back to a normal life. I know it's been tough these past few years and I'm not telling you to stop caring about her or anything but perhaps you can at least try and get back to a routine. I think it would help you and ease your parents worry."
"I have a routine just fine." Emma sighed, as she turned away from him. "It doesn't matter what I do anyways."
"It matters to me. Look All Souls is coming up in a few nights. When we were young you used to talk about nothing else. Why don't you go and enjoy yourself?"
Emma frowned, "I don't know that it's a good idea."
"It would mean a lot to your family if you blessed the fires with them."
"The fire blessing only has to involve my parents." Emma pointed out but she sighed at the look he gave her. "Fine, fine, I'll go and bless the fires with Mom and Dad."
All Souls came as quickly as it always had and Emma grew more and more bitter about going out. She'd avoided all the celebrations even skipping Yule ever since Regina had taken their son. She had no desire to be among the revelry when she saw no reason to celebrate. She followed behind her parents dressed in black with Regina's necklace tied around her neck and the black swan mask she'd left her what seemed like a lifetime ago about her face. She sighed as her parents followed the winding paths surrounded by their guards holding torches aloft.
She shifted from foot to foot watching as her mother spread flowers amongst the logs with her father's help. She began to feel uneasy like someone was watching her. It was a prickling sensation like all the hairs on the back of her neck were standing up. She glanced around as her father's torch touched the fire lighting the logs as a cheer went through the gathered masked spectators. She glanced around as the drums began to play and the music began.
"Emma, are you coming darling?" Her mother spoke softly beside her ear and Emma forced her eyes away.
"I think I'll stay here for a moment Mom. I'll catch up."
"Are you sure darling?" Snow looked concerned and Emma nodded giving her a smile.
"I'm positive. I'll be right there." She promised.
The beautifully masked queen looked like she was about to object before nodding and doing as she was asked. When Emma was certain her parents and the guards were gone she twisted back. The dancers had begun their easy movements; swaying to and fro dropping to the ground rolling their hips. All the same sexually charged movements she remembered the last All Souls she'd actually been out long enough to watch. She moved around the large bonfire careful not to hit anyone as she moved; stalking around like a caged panther. She didn't have to wait long. As she made another lap a small hand clasped her shoulder. She twisted, turning and gasping when she came face to face with none other than the woman she'd longed to see above all else. The drums swelled as the stared at each other through their masks.
Regina hadn't changed a bit it appeared. She was dressed in gold to match the beautifully made butterfly mask she wore. The low neckline showed off her small chest and her long neck which was adorned in a pearl and diamond necklace. She looked like a queen and not a commoner but the blonde quickly realized she wasn't ever common.
"Regina," She breathed the woman's name unable to keep her eyes off the beautiful rich caramel ones that continued to haunt her dreams.
Regina merely offered her a small smile as the wind picked up blowing her long hair and bringing with it the scent of the fire and the night. She lifted her hand from Emma's shoulder looking around before making her decision. Offering nothing more, she turned picking up her skirts and began to run knowing somehow that despite Emma's bitterness she'd follow. And follow she did. Just like she had that first night they'd met five years ago.
With hands holding up both their skirts they ran through the crowds of people that cried out at being shoved and almost barreled over, past the fires that raged and the drums that pounded. They ran and they ran towards the woods and the large oak tree that Emma had visited so many times in the past looking for any sign of Regina. The blonde stopped at the foot of the tree watching as Regina peered around it at her with her small hands resting on the bark just as she had that first night.
"I'm not chasing you again Regina," She stated firmly meaning it. "Come out here and talk to me. You've been gone for a long time and I deserve an explanation."
Regina remained quiet seeming to contemplate before she moved around the tree. "Where have you been?" She asked softly. "I came back for you." She added.
"Where have I been?" Emma asked disbelieving. "Where have I been? That's all you can think to say! You took our son Regina, a few hours after he'd been born and you left me without so much as a word as to why."
Regina remained quiet allowing the blonde to scream at her before she spoke. "I did what I thought was right for our son. He was my top priority."
"And what was I? Just a vessel to carry him in," She snarled angrily as the former queen looked back at her through her mask.
"I wanted a child, you gave him to me." Was her only explanation.
"That's all you have to say? I gave you a son that you wanted. You are a cruel vile witch!"
"Call me what you will but I did what I thought was right and that's all that matters. Our son is healthy and happy if you want to know but since you don't I'll be leaving now."
"Don't you dare walk away from me Regina!" Emma yelled angrily following the woman as she sauntered away.
Regina turned, glaring at her. "What do you want me to say Emma? That I'm sorry? Sorry isn't good enough according to you so what is the point in my staying?"
"I want to know why you left me. Why you took our son away from me. Did you feel nothing at all when we were together?"
Regina's jaw set itself as she turned away before she spoke. "It's none of your business Emma. Go back to your world and leave me to mine. Our son is safe and I came to tell you that. Now that I have I feel no obligation to return."
"So that's all you came for? Is to tell me our son is well?"
Regina remained quiet for a long time before giving a small nod of her head. "Yes," She answered.
"Then it's true? What they say about you? That you just used me and you never cared for me?" That hurt more than the blonde cared to admit.
"No." Regina's reply was barely heard over the sound of the wind.
Emma's heart stopped in her chest for just a moment before feeling like it sputtered back to life. "Regina," She said the former queen's name softly as the beauty turned to face her.
"Don't seek me out again Emma. I won't come but I need a promise from you."
"What sort of promise?"
"If our son comes to you at any time that you will protect him and keep him safe."
"Why couldn't you do that?"
"Promise me!"
"Okay, okay I promise."
Regina's shoulders dropped from their tense position before she turned to look at Emma. The blonde stared back at her sadly knowing this was it, this was goodbye. Soft silk covered arms engulfed her and pulled her close before warm cherry red lips pressed to hers for what she believed to be the last time. Slowly the kiss broke and Regina gave her a small sad smile. "Goodbye Emma."
Suddenly Emma wasn't holding her anymore, her hands fell limply to her sides as she watched the purple smoke rise up disappearing on the winds. Feeling sad and empty she turned only to come face to face with a large stag. She fell back a step almost tripping over a raised tree root as the stag moved towards her. He stopped seemingly staring her down before he turned leaving her to her sad thoughts as he jumped and ran off into the darkness.