The Visit Chapter 11
A/N: Sorry for the long wait to anyone still following/interested in this story. I had a long break from writing (bc depression after a breakup) but I recently started up again. I've been nervously procrastinating way too much. Hoping to finish this and Double Trouble soon. Thanks for reading :) reviews/comments would be lovely.
Summary so far: Regina underwent a Sleeping Curse in order to insert herself into teenage Emma's memories to spend a single hour with Emma and an infant Henry. Over a decade later, Emma and Henry are brought from New York to the Enchanted forest where the realm is under threat from the Wicked Witch of the West. Emma, having no memories of her former life in Storybrooke, finally meets her parents, Snow White and Prince Charming, and baby sister, Anna. She learns that the strange woman she remembers is actually Henry's adoptive mother who has already been woken up and is supposedly engaged to the man who kissed her awake.
An attack by the Witch's flying monkeys then leaves her alone with two children and two parents assumed to be dead. Emma heads for the safety of Regina, the Queen, but an encounter with the Witch means she is separated from her son and badly injured. Robin Hood and newcomer Tip rescue Emma from the Witch but she has been infected with a magical affliction called a Shade and escapes their care. Under the influence of the Shade, Emma attacks both Anna and Regina but is subdued by the Queen's power.
Upon arriving in the EF, Henry's memories were restored by the Blue Fairy with a potion that Emma refused and destroyed. Determined to prove his worth in a new world, Henry accompanies the Queen's Elite warriors on a mission to find his grandparents alive.
Though cured of the Shade, Emma is still weak but she is dying to see and demand answers from the woman who saved her, all the while fending off unwanted advances from Hook. Regina, playing her emotions close to her chest, is decidedly nonplussed with Robin Hood and is certain she will never be able to be with the one she really loves. Tink insists upon playing matchmaker and it frustrates the fairy to no end that her friend Regina has been avoiding Emma.
The Witch has made it clear that her attack on the realm is personal and somehow involves the Queen's family and the search for a lost princess.
PS. This story is definitely Swan Queen. I have not tagged OQ or CS because those ships are NOT developed here in an positive light and the narrative shows that E&R do not favour their male suitors.
Chapter 11 'State of undress'
"What took you so long?"
The Blue Fairy's tiny form hovered in mid-air a few inches away from Tink's face.
"I was-" Tink stopped herself from blurting out before changing tack. "It's been an eventful night here. There was an incident in the Queen's bedroom-"
"Of course," Blue scoffed.
"Emma turned up. She's injured but alive."
"The princess is safe?"
"Yes, thankfully."
The leader of the fairies was clearly relieved to know that the princesses Emma and Anna were safely ensconced in the Winter castle for the moment. But with the Witch rumoured to be targeting Royals in her quest to find a missing princess nothing was certain. Nobody knew exactly who she was looking for - or why. It was Regina who had told them her suspicion that the Witch was after a fabled girl called The Lost Princess. Emma certainly fit the bill after being "lost" to the real world for 28 years but was it really her the Witch was after? The Blue Fairy seemed to think so.
"Our intelligence informs us that the Witch is indeed searching for a princess," said Blue. "However, we have been unable to determine the identity or location of whom she is seeking. It is said there is some bad blood or connection to either The Evil Queen or Snow White so it could be one of her daughters. Perhaps the Witch seeks vengeance."
"You think Emma and Anna are in danger?" said Tink.
Blue bowed her head. "The princesses must be protected at all costs, especially in light of the recent attack on the Summer Palace. They were both there at the time but managed to escape so we must assume that one of them was the target."
Tink shook her head. "I don't think so. The Witch is very powerful by all accounts and she had plenty of opportunity to kill them yesterday in the snow - but she didn't. She let Anna escape with Henry and then cast a spell on Emma to force her to attack Regina instead. Why let any of them go?"
"If The Witch has a squabble with Regina it's irrelevant. Our only concern is the safety of the Royal Princesses."
It didn't make sense but Blue didn't supply anything further. Obviously she was less than alarmed by the threat to Regina than to any of the other Royals. She still didn't trust the former Evil Queen or care much whether she lived or died. Tink knew, however, that the ruling Queen of Winter was far more respected among her servants and populace since her return than anyone could have predicted. They were a desperate people and she a strong leader. It was short-sighted of the Fairy to ignore that.
"Maybe we've got it backwards," said Tink. "What if the Witch is trying to get to the Lost Princess through Regina? But the castle itself is too protected and that's why she had to send Emma."
Blue dismissed the theory. "This is not the first time someone has tried to destroy the realm because of a ridiculous family feud involving one of the Millses. Whatever is between the Queen and the Witch has already caused the destruction of many lives. If Regina has brought this upon all of us she can bear the cross alone."
Well, that's not quite fair, thought Tink with a frown. There's a lot more to it than that.
"Do you remember the spell I lost my wings over?" Tink blurted out her question, nervous all of a sudden. She didn't exactly enjoy bringing up the most humiliating and painful time of her life.
The Blue Fairy's expression shifted uncomfortably for a split second before being replaced with the usual formidable mask.
"Yes," said Blue. "You used precious rare pixie dust for a task that was little more than a cheap parlour trick, fortune telling. It was beneath you, as it is beneath me now to have to discuss this again."
"I wanted to help her!" Tink's lower lip trembled but she bit back in earnest. "She was miserable. I wanted to help young Regina find another True Love but it led her to Robin Hood. They can't be soulmates. Not anymore at least. They're… they're not right for each other and it's not what she wants. Is it possible I was wrong?"
"You were certainly wrong to abuse your position and risk your career for such a foolish endeavour. This is exactly your problem, Green. You care too much about insignificant things. What relevance does one woman's love life have to the workings of the realm, to centuries of work and planning?"
"It was one woman's love life that led to Storybrooke's 28 year curse," Tink pointed out with a stubborn lift of her chin. "That wasn't insignificant. If we had helped her we may have prevented all of that."
"It's not our place to interfere."
"But it's ok to interfere by sending a baby into a magic wardrobe to another world I suppose! How is that different? How is that not interfering?"
The Blue Fairy refused to answer and there was no point arguing so Tink had to let it go. The former fairy was no longer officially under Blue's chain of command so she was even less able to make herself heard.
They turned back to discussing the problems of the realm at hand. The Ogres had been slaughtered by unknown means bringing an end to a centuries-long feud. The whereabouts of Snow White and her Prince were still unknown, following the attack on the Summer Palace. The Witch, supposedly behind both, was building herself up to be a formidable foe...
Tink told the other fairy what Regina had related to her this morning. "The Witch sent the Queen a message saying she would take everything from her. First her enemies, then her friends, and finally her loved ones."
The Blue Fairy raised an eyebrow. "It seems the first part of the threat has been fulfilled. If I were you, Green, I'd be worried."
"Why?"
"Are you not Regina's friend? Her only friend? You may be next."
Regina knocked on the door to Robin's rooms but received no answer. It was her castle and he was her "fiance" (supposedly) so she felt it was within her rights to look inside for him. She still had not been able to bring herself to inform him that they were not engaged and would not marry, yet at the same time she was impatient to have it over and done with.
Upon entering the outer room she noted first that he was not there and second that it was almost unchanged by its guest's presence, except for some wet clothes drying beside the glowing fireplace.
Regina thought she could detect trace of magic nearby, but it was of a kind she did not recognise and soon disappeared.
A log crackled and it was only then that she noticed a thin figure standing there naked in front of the fire. The child was either a pre-teen or young teenager, a pale nymph with blond hair cropped short like a boy's. Whoever this was, they were obviously comfortable enough to be in Robin's quarters in a state of undress and that in itself raised questions of propriety. Perhaps Robin had an older child in addition to Roland?
Before Regina could apologise for the intrusion the teen saw her and blushed fiercely, then escaped into the adjoining bathroom just as Robin was leaving it.
"I am sorry-" Regina began to apologise. "I didn't know you had anyone with you. Who is she?"
Robin greeted her with a smile and followed her gaze to the close door behind him. "Oh, you mean Tip?"
"Yes."
"Tip is one of my Merry Men, having recently joined us to learn survival experience."
Regina let her confusion show. "But-"
"I do not know where Tip is from -" Robin continued, talking over her next question in the hope that he would not have to answer it. "I have not asked - but I assume he is from somewhere where anyone different was made to feel like an outsider. I have never met a wiser or more thoughtful soul in a person so young."
The Queen listened as Robin told her of how he had been teaching Tip to shoot a bow and arrow in the snowy forest when they had come across Emma's body. In fact, it had been Tip who had discovered the injured Saviour. Hearing this made Regina immediately keen to relay both her gratitude to the teen and her regret at having embarrassed him just now.
"My lady," said Robin, with sudden unease. "Might we seek a favour from you?"
"Of course."
"The maidservant who prepared the baths brought that for Tip to wear," the thief gestured to a pile of pink silk that had been balled up and thrown into a corner. "She refused to bring anything else for the lad."
Regina closed her eyes in annoyance and set her jaw. "That will not happen again, I assure you. I will speak to my staff."
The Queen then waved her hand to simultaneously vanish the dress and conjure a new outfit. A fresh lawn shirt, leather vest, and green breeches appeared on the bed in a puff of purple smoke.
"Will that do?" she asked.
Robin was visibly startled by her use of magic. But he nodded, indicating that the new clothes would be much more suitable and appreciated. He retrieved the clothes, then went to knock on the bathroom door to hand them through to Tip.
It irked Regina to see his reaction to her magic, even when she was using it to help. He knew she had been the Evil Queen now and she remembered Robin telling her earlier that he despised magic and that when they were married it would no longer be a part of her life. It rankled that he had apparently decided that for her. Even if it were possible for her rid herself of magic or stop using it she was not sure that she would choose to.
Her youth had been sacrificed for an unwanted marriage, her soul had been bartered for magic lessons with a manipulative imp, and her heart had traitorously given itself to someone who hated her. She was certainly not going to give up the power she'd scraped together from the shattered pieces of her life. Never again. Not for anyone.
Just say it! Regina willed herself to speak up to him and practiced the words in her mind... I will not marry you. Stop telling everyone we are engaged. I will not marry you. This time I will have my choice of life. I will not marry you…
But the words were stuck in her throat. It felt like a dream in which she was aware of her actions and of what was happening but could not force herself to move or act. It was as though she were watching the scene from within her own body and shouting the words she wanted to say. Decades of life had forced assertiveness into her. As either the Evil Queen or the Mayor she had no problem inspiring fear into others. She was no shrinking violet. Why could she not make herself be heard now?
"Last night must have been terrible for you. How is Miss Swan now?" Robin stood across from her asking after the woman he'd rescued.
Regina blinked. "I do not know."
"If she as the Shade could get past your guards to attack you, others might manage it also. You need to be better protected."
"I need nothing of the sort," she said coldly, her hand ready on the doorknob to leave. "In this world I am Queen of the Winter Kingdom and I'll thank you to remember it. It is my duty to protect them."
The Queen's chambers
When Emma woke she felt no better than the last time. Her head felt leaden and her entire body still ached, especially the wound in her side. The last thing she remembered before passing out was Regina ordering her back to bed and then falling into the beautiful brunette's arms.
Oh, how embarrassing!
Damnit, she hadn't even been conscious long enough to enjoy it.
When there was a knock on the door, she hoped it would be Regina for a second before realising the Queen would not likely knock to enter her own bedroom. It wasn't her. Unfortunately it was that lecherous pirate again and a very short older man with white hair, rosy cheeks, and half-moon glasses.
"You are looking less lovely than usual, Swan." Hook sent her a disarming smile. "If I might be so bold I suggest taking a bath… and soon. You are quite fragrant."
"Go. Away." Emma gritted her teeth.
"I do enjoy our banter but you could play a little less hard to get, Swan."
She gave him a false smile. "Did you send my message to the Queen?"
"What message."
"That I need to speak with her but I'm too ill to get up."
"Ah!" Hook nodded vigorously. "Yes, I saw her in the hallway leaving her fiance's room, looking a bit dishevelled if you catch my meaning. She said she's too busy to see you today, you know, running the Kingdom and planning her wedding to Robin Hood..."
Emma fought the urge to roll her eyes at his obvious lies. She knew he'd had no intention of going to find Regina for her. Then again, she herself had been spying on Regina with Robin not long ago and couldn't help feeling unjustifiably jealous. What if Regina had indeed gone to see Robin instead of her? Emma could be lying here half-dead for all she knew. The woman had sacrificed herself for the young Emma's peace of mind and yet now she couldn't be bothered coming to check on her?
"Ahem," said the short older man, who had been waiting patiently aside. "I need to examine the patient."
The doctor looked pointedly at Hook for a beat. The pirate didn't seem to get the hint.
Emma lost her patience. "He means get the hell out. Now! Pervert." she hissed.
Hook merely smirked as he took his leave, as though she had used a term of endearment rather than an insult. That guy simply refused to get the message that she wasn't interested. What was it going to take to get him to leave her alone - a punch in the face?
"My name is Doc," the older man said kindly. "You might not remember me from early this morning. You were in quite a state!"
"I don't remember anything from last night." Emma frowned. "Is that bad?"
"It's to be expected. You were very lucky." Doc asked permission to lift her shirt and began the task of removing the dressings on her stab wound. He tsked and wiped away the foul-smelling pus gathered there as best he could. Emma winced at each swipe and managed to only cry out in pain once as he scraped dirt from the deepest part.
"Ahh, Jesus, fuck!" Emma panted. "That hurts. Is it - is it infected?"
"I'm afraid so. You'll need to keep it very clean and have someone change the bandages often."
Emma let out a rueful laugh. "Don't suppose you have any antibiotics on hand?"
"Alas no, the Queen keeps sending the Alchemists whatever bread can be spared but they have so far failed to invent 'penicillin' as she calls it. Whatever that is."
"Great. So I'll just have to rely on my own immunity and hope I don't die," she joked.
"Yes. That is what we do here."
As soon as Doc finished up he declared her not likely to die in the next few hours. He told her she was allowed to get up whenever she felt able but not to push her luck and fall faint again. As he left a rail thin middle-aged maidservant strode in and began bustling around the room.
"You'll bathe now," the servant informed Emma.
The maidservant hardly said another word to her as she busily set about preparing a hot bath in the copper tub in the Queen's bathing room. Once the water was ready, the no-nonsense servant got her up out of bed and shuttled her to the bath. Rough hands began to undress her and Emma was too exhausted to put any effort into protesting so she just went along with it.
With some help, Emma sank into the steaming bathwater with a sigh of relief for her aching body. Her last meal felt like weeks ago and she was utterly exhausted from running through the woods trying to get the children to safety. Being infected by the Shade of Envy had done a number on her, physically and mentally.
The servant scooped up Emma's dirty jeans and blood-stained shirt with annoyance and then left her in peace.
As she lay there soaking up the warmth Emma pictured her little sister Anna, wondering where in the castle she was and what she was doing and whether she was still crying for her parents. But it was Henry who dominated her thoughts and worries. Hook hadn't known where the boy was which meant he probably wasn't here in the castle. So where was he? And then she thought of Regina, she was desperate to ask about their son and dying to know more about her and whatever history they shared together.
After what seemed to be an interminable length of time the water began to grow cold and the servant had not returned to help Emma get out of the tub. She wasn't going to wait around any longer but as she was still unsteady on her feet she got out on her own carefully and looked around for something to put on. But there was nothing. She still had to hold onto the walls and furniture to make her way back to the main room and when she made it (finally) she saw it.
The servant had left a frilly medieval-style dress on the bed, apparently intending her to don it after her bath. Emma would rather have put her bloody clothes back on but they were nowhere to be seen. She sighed.
The bedroom door swung open suddenly and Emma, stark naked and dripping wet, startled like a deer in headlights. Her eyes went wide at the person standing in the doorway.
It was Regina, stock frozen in her tracks. The stunning beauty's eyes darkened in shock as they raked over the blonde's wet form and her jaw dropped. It took her a second to remember herself and then she spun around and closed the door shut.
In an uncharacteristic display of frustration the Queen swore and muttered, "Not again!"
The Great Hall, later that evening
The Unboarding Ceremony was both a funeral and a military occasion to honour the fallen. The Pawn guard named Torin had been killed in service by a Shade acting upon the will of The Witch.
As was tradition, Regina presided over the Board in her official position as Queen. She was supposed to act solemn and unaffected when a guard fell but in this case she could not fulfill that duty. Her guards swore an oath to protect the Royal and they knew exactly what could happen in the course of the game. Being selected for Her Majesty's Elite Royal Guards was considered to be the highest honour in the land and their family lines would receive unending compensation.
However, it had never pleased her to see young people sacrifice their lives in this capacity. Regina made a point of identifying Torin's family members located at the front of the congregation so that she could personally speak with them later. She saw a woman her own age, fighting off tears as Torin's achievements and bravery were lauded, and couldn't imagine what it would be like to lose her own son who was only a few years younger. Regina missed Henry dearly. She wondered what he was doing right now and willed him to be safe.
The ceremony was well attended as Torin was a well-liked young man, although there were a few notable absences that the Castle gossipmongers picked up on. All of the First Elites were missing, which spurred rumours that they'd been sent on a revenge mission against The Witch. Plenty of gossip was also generated by the curious absence of the Queen's supposed fiance, Robin Hood, who was not occupying the place to her left, and they speculated about her engagement.
Regina murmured to the guard who was standing at attention to her right in formal black regalia. "Any word from the Firsts? They should have arrived at Snow White's castle by now."
"No word, Your Majesty," said the female bishop who commanded the Second Elites. "Should I deploy my guards to recover them and complete the mission instead?"
"That won't be necessary." Regina said with a trace of amusement. "I have complete faith in Commander Bishop as I do in you, Commander Beretta. However, what I do not understand is the ridiculous rivalry between you two."
"Forgive me, Your Majesty. I was merely pointing out that the Seconds are ready and we eagerly await your orders."
"I am aware. I do not consider First and Second as measures of relative competence when it comes to my guards. You are both on the same side. Remember that."
Beretta bowed her head in acknowledgement, her ruffled feathers smoothed for now.
"Unless you have some other reason for wanting to be nearer to Commander Bishop?" Regina teased. She knew it was a little unfair of her, since the guard could hardly reply to her in similar vein but it was too tempting not to. She'd noticed the attraction between Bishop and Beretta for years, going back to their childhoods and recruitment as Pawns, and it seemed everyone knew but themselves.
Beretta cleared her throat and changed the subject back to her report. "As per your orders I have sent the Rooks to accompany the return of the war children. They'll arrive early tomorrow."
The Queen nodded her approval.
"Should I arrange for a public announcement that the lost Princesses have been found safe? People have been asking after Snow White's daughters."
"No," Regina said hastily. "Make no reference to Anna and Emma. Or any other guest of the Castle. Especially do not name any of the younger guests."
"As you wish, Majesty."
Once the formal part of the ceremony was over, people began to mingle and exchange condolences. Though almost no-one was brave enough to approach the Queen, every eye in the room noticed her breach of protocol in bowing low to Torin's mother. The poor woman was bewildered by the gesture and burst into tears. No doubt there were people in the room who disapproved the Queen's lowering of her dignity to a peasant but Regina neither noticed nor cared.
It was well into the evening before a friend caught up to her, relieving her from standing around alone.
"I heard a rumour," Tink whispered into her ear.
Regina smiled. "Oh? Anything good."
"Just that Robin called off your engagement because you cut your hair short like a boy's. Or the other way around. Why are people so interested in your haircut? You've caused quite a stir tonight."
"I'm a queen," Regina said drolly. "Everything I do is interesting."
The two women barely managed to contain their scoffs (it would be unseemly to be seen laughing at an Unboarding) but the rumours were indeed ridiculous. Regina noticed a courtier staring at her unabashedly and ran a hand through the silky dark locks that kicked around her neck at chin length. It was ridiculous that her short hair was considered to be more scandalous than showing her cleavage.
"So, have you seen Emma?" asked Tink.
Regina swallowed hard as the images of the Saviour's wet naked body came to mind. She knew she'd be pictured it for many nights yet to come. "Yes, I … saw her. For a moment. She's still recovering from her ordeal. I don't think she knows about Torin, else I imagine she'd have insisted on coming here tonight."
"Well, there was an empty square next to you on the Board..."
Regina sighed in annoyance. "Tink, you're not being subtle."
"And you are driving me crazy by avoiding talking to the woman you love!"
Seeing that her friend had clammed up on the topic of her love life, Tink went serious for a minute. "I spoke to the Blue Fairy."
"How odd. You don't seem bored to death."
"Very funny. I told her about you being attacked last night. She thinks the Witch is after the Lost Princess who is either Emma or Anna."
"Good to hear her powers of discernment are as sharp as always. She's wrong."
"I know, but she wouldn't listen to me. I have another theory. I think the Witch is after you, or is trying to get to the princess through you."
Regina shook her head. "It's not me she's really after."
"How do you know?"
"Because I know who the Lost Princess is."
"You've figured it out?!"
The Queen checked over her shoulder that they could not be overheard and lowered her voice. "She's looking for Ozma Tippetarius."
Tink's surprise was evident on her face. "The legendary rightful ruler of Oz who hasn't been seen in five thousand years? The Princess Ozma?"
"Yes."
"But that's-... crazy right?"
Regina's lip curled into a satisfied smirk. "Indeed, the Witch is not going to find who she is looking for. Not here, not anywhere."
Nursery
Maisy the servant strode through the castle halls holding a purple plush pig in front of her as proudly as though it was the Queen's crown. She was delighted to have been trusted to perform this task. She wasn't sure exactly why her old position of plucking birds was now redundant - perhaps the Queen had lost her taste for roast swan? But now she'd been given another job in the Castle. All thanks to the Queen.
Maisy was a little nervous to be presenting her creation to the young princess. The toy pig was huggable and cute, made from a patchwork of edge cuttings from various gowns the castle seamstresses had given her. She'd put a few sprigs of lavender inside with the stuffing to soften the baby's sleep. She dearly hoped the little girl would like it.
Upon entering the nursery, Maisy saw the occupants, a grown man and two toddlers, roughhousing on the floor amid a mess of coloured blocks and balls.
"Papa! Papa! Do it again!" a little boy laughed.
The young Princess Anna giggled and shrieked with laughter. Her golden curls tossed around her shoulders as she wriggled on the floor rug.
"...and then the dragon gave a mighty ROARRRR!" The rugged-looking man stopped mid-roar with his hands in the air like claws when he noticed her. "Hello, have you come to rescue the children from the angry dragon?"
"Um… yes, Sir," said Maisy, following along.
"You had best be quick! 'Cause I'm about to… ROARRR!" He resumed tickling the little boy around the middle.
Anna put her hands over her ears. "Stop noisin' it, Wobbuh. Too loud!"
Robin sighed and sat back on his haunches. "Very well, the Princess has spoken. And the dragon is too exhausted to go on."
Maisy had heard the rumours (it was hard not to) and surmised that this man was Robin Hood, the Queen's suitor. Though he had a reputation as a thief, he seemed an affable sort - and good with children - but it surprised her that the Queen would take someone so ordinary and a commoner to boot. But this man might soon be elevated to Queen's Consort and hence he would be able to give her orders so she thought it best to get off on the right foot.
"Beggin' your pardon, Sir," Maisy began. "If I may interrupt the dragon's rest... I've been charged with fulfilling a custom order for a special little tyke. I'm here to deliver it."
Robin raised his eyebrows, noticing the plush toy in her hands. "Ah, I see. May I inspect the G-I-F-T?"
"Of course, Sir."
On the sly, Robin took the plush pig and checked it over. He ran his thumb over the sewn-on eyes to check they were safely secured. One of the eyes was a black wooden button which held fast, but the other was a shiny purple marble that rolled easily when pushed or pulled. It was not immediately apparent what material it was made of or how it had been fastened to the fabric in the first place.
"This eye here is a bit loose," Robin murmured with concern. "Would you mind if I removed it? She might pull it off and swallow it otherwise."
Maisy blushed and stammered. "O-of course. I apologise, I did not realise -"
"No harm done." Robin smiled. He raised the pig to his mouth so that he could pull the marble free with his teeth. "See? Perfectly safe now."
"I'm deeply sorry, Sir. It's just that it looked ever so pretty -"
"It's a strange looking thing. Where did it come from?"
"One of the maids. Not anyone I know the name of. I've not seen hide nor hair of her since. If I do, I'll give'r a right piece of my mind!"
Robin handed the pig back so that Maisy herself could present the gift to Anna. The little princess's jaw dropped comically low out of surprise when she realised it was for her.
"Woooow. My pig? Piggy pig pig!" Anna hugged the toy tight, smiling happily like it was the best thing she'd ever been given. Apparently she didn't notice or care that the pig was imperfect, having only one eye now, and didn't mind that it wasn't exactly the same as her previous comfort object.
"That is indeed the most resplendent pig I have ever seen," said Robin.
Anna, who was not at all shy with strangers and well-schooled already in manners, said to Maisy, "T'ank you."
Maisy bowed to the sweet child. "The joy was mine, Your Highness."
Robin nodded to her as thanks and a dismissal and turned back to the children. "And now, little ones, the dragon is beginning to rouse from his rest… and you know what that means!…"
The children began to giggle as he built up the theatrics.
"Soon, SOON, … you will face my WRATH!"
Maisy closed the nursery door behind her and hummed to herself with delight at her success. What she did not see, and perhaps would not have realised its portent if she had, was a purplish hue beginning to suffuse Robin's skin.
The unknown maid who had slipped her the pretty purple marble for the pig's eye had supplied a more dangerous object than even Robin Hood suspected. It was no mere choking hazard.
The infection just beginning to take hold of him was another Shade.
