A/N : I promised an update before the end of the year, so here I am keeping my word. WIRM should be updated soon, holidays got in the way of the last part of betareading.

Before you discover this chapter, a little information so you won't be confused: This chapter starts a little after the end of chapter 7, when Robin decided to put an end to his contract.

It took me a lot of editing before being satisfied, and I believe I finally found the correct version. Hopefully you'll enjoy it. Don't forget to review on your way out ;-)

"Contract cancelled."

Leopold paces in his bedroom, staring at the piece of paper that arrived by raven a couple of hours ago. He can't believe it. How dare he? How. Dare. He? Who is that man to dismiss his demand while so close to be fulfilling his contract?

"Go to hell, hunter!" Leopold screams with rage, throwing the paper in the fire of his chimney. "You'll pay for your audacity! I will send every man in the kingdom after you, and you won't have a minute rest. As for my dear wife," He looks ahead of him, through the window, to the immensity of the forest stretching to the horizon. "I'll find another way to have her head served on a plate."

"So much violence..." A voice comes from behind him, startling him.

Leopold turns to face the creature that has had the annoying tendency to show up without a warning over the last months. Rumpelstiltskin. The Dark One... He appeared for the first time not long after he hired the assassin, and has paid him regular visits since. His agenda isn't clear, but at least in his presence, Leopold can speak without hiding behind pretenses and appearances. He can have outbursts of anger, list the many ideas of torture that go through his head at his wife's thought, and let his frustration overwhelm him in front of the shameless attitude of this so-called killer who refuses to honor his deal.

"They deserve it!" he spits. "They've betrayed me, both of them. And this man's nerve... Cancelling the contract without further explanation. He's insulting me. Me! The King!" he thunders, banging his fist on the table. "I'm King of this realm, this is insubordination! The sentence for such action is death!"

The creature giggles and jumps from the desk he was sitting on, one arm folded against his chest, the other lifted, forefinger held up.

"Indeed. But what would people think if they learned the real reason why you know this man?" he points. "He's a hunter, an assassin known through the Enchanted Forest. While you are a respected King, whose wife suddenly disappeared without any explanation, leaving you and your daughter heartbroken." he giggles. "Surely, you couldn't have any reason to know such a... reprehensible individual."

The imp's words quiet down the King. He's right, Leopold realizes. He should think this through more carefully, and find a way to find this assassin, wherever he is, and make him pay. Just like his wife. He should let this go though. She left months ago, nothing indicates that she will come back, but he can't take any chances. And truth be told, he can't suppress the intense need to see her dead. She fooled him, and no one fools a King. She deserves to pay for what she did.

And the more he thinks about it, the more he wonders... Could Regina be the reason why the assassin turned his back on him? Could she have... enchanted him somehow? He ignores how much power she possesses, but she's a witch, and she did manage to escape his castle while locked up, so maybe...

Well, if they are found together, all the better. And if she indeed started a relationship with him, whether by using magic or not, he will use this to his advantage, will accuse her of treason and witchcraft, and will sentence her to death without having to worry about what his court will think. He will simply be applying the law. For now, they still believe his men are truly looking for her, while in reality Anton is simply on a wild goose chase to give the change while the hunter was supposed to fulfill his mission. The most important thing is that no one has to find out the real reason why his wife is gone, and why she will be burned on a pyre.

But now that he knows for certain that the hunter's mission has failed, he can change his plan. He can play the concerned King who's yearning for his wife's return, and add the hunter in the equation. Wherever Regina is hiding, if he sends the entire kingdom after her, he will find her. And this time, he will make sure that whoever accepts the mission, has no way around their decision.

"Mmm..." The King looks up at the Dark One, who's watching him with madness and eyes shining with curiosity. "Just gotten an idea, did you?" the creature giggles.

"I did." Leopold replies with confidence. "The only thing I need is an opportunity."

xxx

"I need a costume for my wedding." Guy brags, walking his head high in the middle of the crowd.

"Your lady seems refined." William sneers, glancing at the large market around them. "I'm not certain that you'll find what you're looking for in this place."

"Her father gave me the address of a seller further on this road." Guy explains, his hand vaguely pointing ahead of them. "He said he sells good-"

"Bloody hell!"

Guy stops in his tracks and follows William's gaze, his friend staring at a portrait on a tree, dumbfounded. It takes Guy a moment, but soon, he recognizes her.

The Queen?

"Don't tell me I tried to pick up a Queen?"

Guy steps closer to the portrait. Yes, it's definitely the woman William was talking to on the day they met Robin. He was so thrilled to have found his old friend that he barely paid attention to her, but her beauty had caught his eye immediately, even if she was trying to hide it.

"5 000 reward for anyone who finds her?"

His eyes fall to the bottom of the portrait. According to this, the Queen has been missing for months. Despite how long it's been since she disappeared, the royal family carries the hope that she can still be found, and that someone might know something about what happened to her.

Guy frowns, remembering their encounter with her. She was on her own when they saw her, and clearly uncomfortable, as if she was afraid. Of what, he doesn't know. But maybe this is the opportunity to find out.

"What do you think?" Guy is dragged from his thoughts by his friend, William looking at him with a smirk. "One last adventure before you settle down? You could definitely use this money for your marital life, and I personally wouldn't complain about having a little nest egg to spare."

Guy glances between his friend and the portrait, hesitant. He promised Marian and her father to stay around until the wedding, to get to know each other better and vow her properly. This isn't a decision he can make on his own.

"Let's go back to Marian." he declares. "I need to discuss this with her and my future father-in-law. I have his blessing to marry her, I don't want to screw everything up by flying off to the wind and let them think I'm a coward."

xxx

"How long would this trip last?"

Marian's father, Robert Fitzwater, is standing straight, arms crossed over his chest, next to his daughter and in front of William de Widenal and Guy de Gisborne. He has silently listened to the two men's suggestion to find the King's wife and bring her back to him safe, only nodded from time to time.

Guy looks at William. "I can't say for sure. With good horses, we could reach the village where we met her in a few days. But if she's not there anymore... We can track her, but it's been weeks since we crossed path with her, and snow has covered half the land. My guess would be a month, possibly more."

Robert turns towards his daughter, who's been silent during the whole discussion. "What do you think, Marian?"

The young woman smiles at her fiancé, Guy returning her smile. "I trust him to come back to me. This mission is a great matter for the King, he and the Princess must be devastated. If Guy can help, it will only make me prouder to marry him once he comes back."

The man gets up from his seat to kneel in front of the woman, taking her hands and bringing them to his lips.

"Your words make me the happiest of men, Milady. I promise you, I won't disappoint you."

xxx

"Father?"

The voice is shy, unsure. Leopold turns away from the window to face his daughter. Snow White is waiting for him before entering the room. He gives her permission with a simple nod of his head. The young teenager walks to him carefully, an air of sadness covering her face. Something that hasn't left her since that damn witch escaped.

"What is it, Snow?" He questions, crouching in front of his daughter. He has the feeling that the answer won't please him, but no one besides Anton knows the truth behind what happened with Regina, so he has to control himself and not let anything show.

"I had a dream about Regina."

Leopold clenches his jaw. His daughter isn't aware of her step mother's betrayal and the strong anger and resentment –or should he say hate? - he feels towards her, and he intends to keep things that way.

"It's been months, Father. I'm worried about her."

His large hand cups his daughter's cheek. "I know. But you must have faith, my beautiful Snow. I promise you, if she's out there somewhere, then I'll bring her back."

Except that the witch will be dead before you get to see her...

"I miss her." Snow White admits, looking down.

"I know you do, Snow. You have such a good heart, I know how much you got attached to her."

Knock Knock...

"Your Highness?"

"Come in." Leopold answers, looking over his shoulder to discover Anton, the captain of his guards who tentatively peaks his head in the room.

"I apologize for the disturbance, Your Highness, but two men are requesting a hearing. They pretend to have news about the Queen."

Leopold gets up and swirls around to face him immediately.

Finally!

"Regina?"

Damn, Snow...

"Do they know where Regina is?" the girl questions, taking several steps towards the man.

The guard awkwardly stands in the entrance. "I don't know, You Highness. They want to speak to the King only."

Snow White looks at her father with a hopeful and stubborn face. In his luck, he had the misfortune that she heard this. Now she won't let this go.

"Escort them to the throne room. I'll be right here."

"Very well, Your Highness."

As soon as the door is closed, Snow White's face brightens. "It's a sign! I knew it! There's a reason why I dreamt about her!" she exclaims happily. "Regina is alive! She's alive, Father!" She takes his hands. "You have to find her!"

"And I will, Snow!" he assures, biting the inside of his cheek to hide his real feelings. "I will."

xxx

"Gentlemen, I've been told you may hold information about the Queen's whereabouts."

Guy and William bow respectfully. "We do, Your Majesty."

"I'm all ears."

The King listens to their tale with curious and attentive ears, suppressing a victorious smile. This is good... Exactly what he needed. If what these men say is true, even if Regina has left the village where they met her, their abilities will allow them to track and find her. Also, they pretend to be excellent fighters, something that might reveal very useful, especially if –or when- they encounter a certain skilled assassin. And if said assassin stands in their way and they have to get rid of him... well, Leopold certainly won't cry over his death.

"You are the first people who have brought me news about the Queen since she disappeared." Leopold says once they're done, resuming without waiting for an answer. "As we ignore what happened to her, I'm unsure as to why she seemed 'alone and frightened' when you met her, to quote your own words. I do hope that nothing bad has happened to her, and that no one has hurt her. I may live in this castle but I'm aware that all the lands aren't safe. However, what I do know is that the princess and I are looking forward to her return, and you, gentlemen, have the opportunity to help us on that."

William nods. The King couldn't be more correct. How did the Queen manage to survive in such hostile environment is a mystery to him, so the possibility that she wasn't alone is an idea that crossed his mind. Did she run away? But why would a Queen run away from her life? Was she maybe kidnapped, or forced to leave? But he's interrupted in his thoughts when the King resumes.

"I cannot participate in your entire journey, royal business keeps me here. Nevertheless, I would like to be present when you'll find her. Send me a message by bird when you'll be sure you're on the right track, and I'll join you as soon as possible." He waits for a protest, but there is none. "Will this be an issue for you?"

"Not at all, Your Majesty." Guy confirms with a nod. "We will do as you say." He adds, bowing his head reverently. They could have brought the Queen safely back to the castle, but if those are the King's conditions, they will adjust.

"Good." Leopold gives them a nod. "What do you need for this mission, gentlemen?"

"Horses, Your Majesty. The fastest you can provide us with. And of course, food for the road."

"I suppose you'll need money too."

"Yes, it could be useful indeed." William admits. "We might need to pay for-"

Leopold lifts a hand to silence them. "I don't want to know what you need it for. Is that all?"

The two mercenaries exchange a glance, before Guy replies. "I believe it is, Your Majesty."

Leopold allows himself a small smile. Now, let's get to real business! "Now that everything is settled, I need to have your word."

"Our word, My Lord?" William questions.

"Yes." Leopold nods. "Your word that you will fulfill your mission until the end, no matter what it takes."

William swallows heavily. The King's tone has changed, so has his demeanor. He can't tell exactly what it is, but as he looks at the King now, something bothers him, makes him feel uncomfortable. The man is still calm, but his voice is cold, firm, authoritative, more than it was a minute ago.

"I'm not sure to understand." he says carefully.

The King straightens in his seat. "There is nothing to understand. Are you ready to swear an oath to me?"

William glances at Guy. Are they really doing this? His friend seems sure of himself, but there's something about this King, this conversation... something sounds fake. The man changed when he realized that they were able to help him find the Queen. And not in a good way...

"We are." Guy declares, unaware of his friend's turmoil.

"Sir. De Gisborne and De Widenal," Leopold announces solemnly. "are you ready to do everything in your power to find the Queen of this Kingdom?"

"We are."

"Do you swear to warn me the second you'll find her tracks, so I can be present once you'll find her?"

"We do."

"Do you swear to finish your mission no matter what happens?"

"We do."

"Very well." Leopold smiles wickedly. He got them. "You will be supplied with anything you deem necessary, and the reward will be yours once the Queen will be safely back here." He pauses for a second, makes sure every one of his words are heard and understood. "Know, gentlemen, that if any of you betrays me, I will make sure that you, and your soon-to-be bride, Lady Marian Fitzwalter, will all be arrested, thrown in jail, and sentenced to death for high treason."

xxx

"Your Highness," the captain of the King's guard says carefully. "Are you certain that it will work this time? The previous man you hired to-"

Leopold clucks, cutting him off instantly. "No need to remind me of my mistake, Anton. Don't worry, this time, I made sure they had no choice but to obey me."

The man takes a careful step closer to the King, as he's watching his realm through the large window of the throne room.

"I trust your judgment, Your Highness. But if anyone were to learn the truth about what happened that day-"

Leopold turns around instantly, shutting the guard off. "No one," he says clearly. "will learn the truth. No one, do you hear me?" The guard swallows down, and nods shakily. "You are partly responsible for this, remember? She escaped while she was on your watch! So, if you care about your and your family's lives, you better make sure everything goes according to my plans."

xxx

"What the hell happened in there?" William questions once he and his friend have exited the castle.

He's still stunned by the King's last sentence. It was a threat. It definitely was a threat. But why? Their only goal was to help, why hang a sword of Damocles over their heads? Why threaten an innocent woman?

"Marian can't know about this." Guy says resolutely, watching ahead of him. "She believes in the King, she claims that he's good and fair. This side of him..." He slows down, gaze lost. "If she was to learn the man he really is... No sane person would do what he just did."

William stops his friend with a hand on his arm, waits until Guy meets his gaze. "Did you realize that he never, not even once, called the Queen his "wife"? As if she simply was a title, and not his supposedly beloved wife."

"After the speech he gave us, I'm not certain that he really wants her back. He probably does that for good measure. He didn't carry the concern of someone whose wife has been missing for so long. At least, not after what he said in the end."

William steps back, crosses his arms over his chest, brow burrowed. "Do you think he told us the entire truth?"

"I don't know, my friend." Guy replies sadly. "But wherever the truth lies, our hands are now tied."

Coming next :As the relationship between Regina and Robin evolves, painful revelations lead to an unexpected apparition.