Hello dears hope you guys are enjoying your summer, vacation is almost done so have fun. On another note I've gotten some reviews where I've been asked if Robin is playing dumb with Marian, he's not it's only been two days since he's seen her and yes things with her are weird but he's too worried about solving the conundrum with Regina and how to tell Marian about it. But no worries this chapter will deal with that and I hope not but by the end you might hate me so sorry but don't worry it will be fixed.
Chapter 11 ~ An Ugly Truth, A Broken Heart
Dinner with Marian had been somewhat strange to Robin. Pinocchio who was eating with his father bumped into her and the death glare she gave him terrified the boy and made him run back to his father. Without a word about what transpired with the boy they sat in one of the back booths. From the booth she kept glaring at Gold and Belle, who were lost in conversation at the front of the diner, anger and envy in her eyes.
Something was up with Marian and Robin wanted to know what it was. 'Doll', 'Off with you peasant' those words weren't Marian's at all, Robin had thought. Marian had always been a sweet, happy soul, she had never been mean to anyone, less a child. She had never projected hate, anger, or envy she was nice to everyone always trying to help, giving of what she didn't have to people in need, always smiling even if she wasn't having the greatest day. Surely a couple of hours, not even a night, at the Queen's castle were not enough to take away that kind and gentle person she had always been.
Robin remembered that even with the continuous persecution of the Sheriff of Nottingham Marian had always found the positive side to it, all the time saying that she was glad she got to see more places and meet more people. She used to be so caring of the kids they would encounter in their journeys, telling them stories, singing to them, and making them laugh. Everyone enjoyed her company, everyone looked up to her. Where had that woman gone?
The more Robin thought about it all the more he convinced himself that something was wrong with Marian. Roland, who was scared of really nothing much, who hadn't had many nightmares in his short life, who was sweet and kind, just like his mother, didn't want to be near her. What was it that made her more than a stranger to him? What was it that terrified him about her?
After the wordless quick dinner they went back up to the room. Robin sat on the small couch too caught up his head and Marian sat on the edge of the bed, silently watching how he was beginning to tense up.
'Doll, who had said that before' he kept going face after face in his head and still no one came to mind. At least no one alive… and then it hit him Zelena, the wicked witch, Regina's sister. Then again she was dead they saw it happen. Though somehow she had opened the portal, could it be that she had in some way changed her form or stolen Marian's body? Maybe Marian was dead and Zelena had been posing as her.
Robin's head was spinning with so many thoughts, so many questions. Confusion was written all over his face, his breath quickened, and a sudden fear struck him. If Zelena was here she would want nothing good. Maybe that was why Marian had acted so weird, like she wasn't herself. Maybe that was why Roland had been protecting himself from her, sacrificial protection spell. It made sense Marian knew who Zelena was, she knew Regina had changed and that was why Roland was connected to her. Marian didn't want Regina anywhere near her or even Roland but that was just to hurt Regina.
The more Robin went over everything that had happened since Marian had come back the more he convinced himself that Marian was in fact Zelena.
"Zelena" he whispered, calming down a bit before turning around to look at her.
She looked deep into his eyes, the way he was looking at her made her uneasy. "Is everything alright Robin?" she asked innocently.
"Why wouldn't everything be alright love?" he asked monotonically, all the while rising from the couch and walking towards her.
She felt a bit threatened and rose from the bed "I don't know, you're are acting strange" she said tensing up.
"I'm acting strange, no, you are..." hostility in his tone "Marian or what's your name again?"
"What is wrong with you? My name is Marian, you know that" she said a bit alarmed, trying her best to still look as innocent and vulnerable as the peasant would.
"Do I, now. I'm not so sure... doll" he said bitterly. He kept getting closer to her until he grabbed both of her arms and looked deep in her eyes, as if trying to extract the truth out of them.
Marian's eyes widened a bit and her jaw clenched, she seemed taken aback for the way he had said it, as if it meant something more than what a simple toy or nickname would. Though taken by surprise she calmed herself down, with her jaw set and her eyes now narrowing. She enjoyed playing the hopeless wife but it was stupid, she had clearly been discovered, so what now?
"Let go of me" she said firmly, squirming around trying to free herself from his grasp.
"Tell me who you are" he held her in place, anger making his insides boil.
"What is wrong with you, let me go!" she said loudly.
"Tell me!" he demanded.
She looked at him and smiled wickedly "Who do you think I am, doll?" she said amusingly, a teasing look in her face.
"Zelena" he in a low almost cut voice letting go of her instantly, any doubt that he held about her being Marian, after all, disappearing. Zelena laughed evilly, her eyes fixed on him threateningly.
"So now you know" she chuckled darkly. "What are you going to do, thief?"
Regaining his posture and voice, he looked back at her "Whatever I have to, to make sure you don't hurt anyone witch" he said eyes sharply looking at her.
She laughed at his statement walking around him "You can't do anything to stop me" she said, a grin in her face.
"What did you do to Marian?" he asked.
"Aww so nice of you to think about her. Well if you must know, she's no longer here." she made a fake pout "She's dead"
"You stole her body. You should be DEAD not her!" he screamed.
"Now you feel bad for your wife. Do you think that makes me feel bad? You been sneaking around with Regina, the woman responsible for her death" she said bitterly.
"My wife died almost 30 years ago and Regina has changed. You see Marian was all about giving people second chances and Regina deserved that. Didn't you sister offer you that? Why didn't you take it, why did you have to come back to torture us?" he could feel his heart beat faster, his blood boiling up, anger rising up.
"Well that's nice of you, talking about second chances and all. You know I think you're right. This is my second chance. My second chance to make Regina and everyone in this bloody town suffer." she said, aggressively batting her hands signaling outside the window.
"I won't let you. You won't be able to hurt anyone, especially Regina. I will do everything in my power to stop you" he moved towards his bow, which was propped up against the wall by the door.
Zelena disappeared in a cloud of green smoke, Robin looked all around the room with bow in hand. The clock on the nightstand fell on the ground and he turned quickly, ready to shoot, but Zelena was too fast she disappeared again and reappeared behind him.
Before Robin could turn around to face her he felt a sharp pain in his chest, a pain like no other pain and a tug. As he turned around Zelena chuckled darkly holding a bright red beating heart in her hand.
His breath was shallow, fear spread in his face as he saw her slowly closing her fist. A pain even worse than before made him crumble down to the ground and she laughed at the sight.
"I don't think you'll be able to stop me now thief" she smiled evilly.
Robin said nothing and just retorted on the ground as she squeezed and released his heart continuously. He was blinded with pain, his whole body shaking, he tried to get up but none of his limbs would work.
"Oh keep trying all you want but unless I want you to move you won't. You see I hold your heart and I control you, you are now my puppet." she laughed. "I love feeling the rush of taking a heart, holding a life in the palm of my hand. It feels great to have so much power over someone."
Robin kept trying to rise up but every time he tried she would squeeze and will him to lay in the ground.
Finally able to speak "You… won't get away... with this" his voice rough and tired.
"Oh so hopeful, you. I think I will and you know what makes this even better" she said willing him to rise "You are the best tool to hurt her" she smiled wickedly.
"What are you going to do?" he asked. A question to which he already knew the answer, an answer that horrified him.
"You know what I'm going to do. The thing is that you won't only do a good job because I hold your heart but because you have someone aside from Regina that you care about. Your biggest weakness, what's his name again?" she asked playfully "Ah yes, Roland, little sweet Roland"
"No. Leave him out of this witch." he said angrily.
"Oh but that, is only on you, doll. If you are good then he will be just fine. Now, how about we start." she said.
"You know at the end you'll fail… " his words trailed off as another shot of pain sent him to the ground again, "Ahh" he moaned grasping his chest.
"We'll see about that. Now, where were we? Oh yes, let's begin." she looked down at him "First, I want you to go and take the boy from Regina, tonight, and don't worry I'll help you with what you are to say. Go now and take the boy. Bring him here and act as you always do. I don't want anyone interfering with this and don't even think about making a run for it thief, you won't get far. Remember if you so much as breath when I don't want you to your son will suffer the consequences" she threatened.
"Why do you want him here? He won't be of any help. Please let him stay with her." he begged. He didn't want his son anywhere near her, he wanted Roland to be safe, even if it was away from him.
"Because, my pretty, that will hurt her too. To lose the boy and you is the first step then I'm taking her beloved son, Henry" she replied, no care, no emotion, nothing in her tone.
"Now off with you, thief" she spitted out. Without a word and unwillingly Robin stood up and exited the room obediently.
Regina and Roland stopped at the pizza parlor before getting home to get dinner, which made Henry static, he loved pizza and it had been a long time since he ate pizza here. He and Elsa had explored the town all afternoon, or rather some parts of it. They had arrived a couple of minutes earlier, apparently Elsa had loved the arcade, where they explored the most, and had been playing for hours.
Everyone sat at the table, eating and laughing mainly at Elsa while she struggled with the cheese. Henry talked about how she was so good at playing Pac-Man, Galaxian, and Donkey Kong.
"Mom she beat the high score, it was awesome!" Henry said excitingly.
"Maybe we can go again soon and take Roland with us, right little bro?" Henry asked sweetly, sending a big smile to Roland, who returned it with and even bigger one with deep dimples.
"Yes, can we mommy? Can we go soon? How about tomorrow?" he asked looking at Regina with loving eyes.
"I don't know about tomorrow. Remember you need to go and see your mom" she said, hurting inside but managing a smile. Roland's smile turned into a frown looking down at the piece of pizza on his plate.
"But soon we can all go and see about that high score Elsa set" she said hoping to bring back Roland's smile, which she accomplished.
After they had all eaten and cleared the table Elsa excused herself to take a shower. She began to go upstairs when she remembered she didn't quite know how to use it.
"Umm, Regina how was it that you used that again?" she said turning around to see Regina chuckling and shaking her head.
"Yeah I was waiting for the question, let's go I'll show you. Roland. Henry. Both of you come upstairs to get ready for bed." she called the two boys and went up with Elsa.
After explaining a couple of times how to use the shower and giving Elsa some pjs and toiletries Regina went over to Henry's room.
The sight was heartwarming, she stayed at the door admiring her sons with a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. The boys were sitting next to each other in the bed, Henry was showing Roland some of his comics.
Henry was such a good big brother, Regina remembered how he had always wanted a little brother or sister to share things with. "Mommy I think I'd make a cool big brother, right? Can I be one soon?" he had asked her that many times until she had worked up the nerve to tell him he was adopted. Which at the beginning was fine with him always telling her that he was happy that she had picked him but then he slowly began pulling away. But never mind that now he was here sharing things with his little brother, what he had always wanted.
She cleared her throat making her presence known to the boys, who turned around a bit startled.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Didn't mean to scare you. What are you doing?" she asked walking over to sit on the other side of the bed.
"Nothing, just showing Roland some of my comics." Henry answered with a smile, wrapping his arm around a giggling Roland.
"Well, I'm glad you are having a nice time but how about we get ready for bed. Henry can you look for some of your smallest pjs for Roland?" she asked grabbing Roland and tickling him, which sent him in a fit of giggles and laughter.
"Sure mom, watch out Roland she'll get you" he warned the little boy who was no match for her quick hands.
Henry looked in his drawers until he found the smallest pjs he could find, he placed them on the bed and jumped right in the tickle fight, lunging himself towards his mother.
"Don't worry Roland I'll save you" he said triumphantly, tickling Regina and freeing Roland from her.
"No wait, wait!" she said laughing, trying to get away from both boys, who were now on top of her tickling and giggling.
"Would you like some help there, Regina?" Elsa said chuckling from the door.
"Please I beg you help me" Regina said from under the boys.
"Umm, I don't think I should" Elsa said mockingly.
"Yeah no help mom, that's not fair" Henry said.
"Yeah no fair mommy" Roland added.
"Not fair… stop please, this is not fair…" she laughed "it's two against one… stop!"
"Ok, c'mon Roland let her be. Maybe now she knows not to mess with us." Henry said standing up from the bed.
"That's right, no mess" Roland giggled.
"Oh, I'll get you both soon." Regina said getting up and fixing her hair.
"Is that a threat?" Henry narrowed his eyes playfully.
"Oh no, not a threat. Just a warning" Regina chuckled. "Well now, Henry go take a shower and Roland come with me I'll give you a bath and then time for bed."
Roland walked over to her at once but Henry just stood in place looking at her.
"Mom, you do know I'm not a child anymore?" he asked.
"I know, how can I forget if you keep reminding me about it." she replied.
"So you don't have to mother me so much and it's early still can I stay awake for a while longer." he begged.
"Not a child and you keep on whining." she shook her head slightly and smiled "Fine but no tv just reading, that's better than having your head stuck in a video game."
"Ok deal. No video games just comics." he said walking over to his desk where he had a series of comics spread about.
Roland grabbed Regina's hand a looked back at Henry with a smile. "Goodnight Henry"
"Goodnight little bro" Henry said walking over to them, fist out to Roland for a fist bump.
"Goodnight mom" he gave her a kiss and a side hug.
"Goodnight, my little prince" she kissed the top of his forehead.
Elsa just watched from the door, witnessing such an amazing family moment which brought her hope. Then she said her goodnight's and walked over to her room.
Regina and Roland headed over to her room, she took him to the bathroom and began to fill the tub for his bath. She put some bubbles in for him to play a bit, while she got the bed ready. He was marveled by the so many bubbles and kept giggling.
Regina smiled while listening to him "All good in there, sweetie?" she asked.
"Yes mommy, these pubbles are funny" he replied from the bathroom.
"Bubbles sweetheart, bubbles" she corrected.
"Yeah pubbles mommy" he said again, making her chuckle.
She went back in the bathroom to find him wearing a wig and a beard of bubbles, which made her giggle a bit.
"Enjoying ourselves aren't we?" she smiled.
"Well I'm having fun mommy, are you?" he asked grinning at her, a grin just like his father's.
"So much fun, now is time to get out." she said grabbing the towel and offering her hand.
"Awww now, but this is fun mommy." he whined.
"I know it is but we have to leave some for later or if not we'll run out." she said raising her eyebrows.
After getting him all dried up and putting him on bed they snuggled. She told him a bedtime story about a brave knight in shining armor, who saved an entire kingdom. She almost got to the end when she noticed he was already asleep. Carefully she got up from bed taking her night clothes and leaving the bathroom door ajar just in case he woke up while she showered.
She came back to bed to find him in the same place where she had left him. When she slid under the covers next to him he opened his eyes slightly and came closer to her to snuggle and fell back asleep instantly. She smiled looking at him and kissed his forehead, brushing off some of his brown curls.
Regina felt happy, so happy, and hopeful. For the first time in so long she felt complete, even though Robin wasn't at her side yet, she felt complete. She had Robin, who would soon also be spending the nights next to her, loving her and sharing everything with her, her soulmate. She had Henry, her son, who she knew would be by her side, who had always believed in her. She had Tink and Elsa and Snow, who she knew would always stand up for her and fight against everyone for her, who were her friends. She had this sweet loving child, who was also her son and who loved her over everything, who had decided to call her mommy, giving her a unique place in his heart.
Yes, she was happy because everything was falling into place, because slowly she was getting her happy ending. Filled with joy and happy thoughts she drifted into sleep and started dreaming about her happy ending, with her family, friends, and true love.
Not even an hour into sleep Regina was startled awake by a sudden ache in her chest. Placing her hand over her heart and panting she turned to look at Roland. She scanned his little face to see if maybe he was having another nightmare, however when she looked at him she found him comfortably asleep at her side. He looked so peaceful in his sleep, no nightmare, so she looked around the room, nothing seemed out of place, no danger.
If Roland was fine, why was she feeling this pain, this sadness, this fear? She looked back at the sleeping boy and carefully slid out of bed. Still looking around her room, she made her way towards her window. She took a peek outside and everything was still, no lights flickered in her neighbors' house, no one walked on the sidewalk, everything was as normal as ever.
A horrifying thought went through her head. "Henry" she whispered. Glancing back at a sleeping Roland she exited the room silently and headed towards Henry's room.
Every fiber of her being on high alert, magic prickling in her fingertips. No one would hurt her boys and she would make sure of that. Once at Henry's door she readied herself and opened the door quietly. When she looked inside Henry was in bed asleep.
It seemed he had fallen asleep while reading, his comic book rested on his chest, one hand over it and the other dangling from the side of the bed. Regina walked in and examined the room, everything was in place, and Henry was fine.
She walked over to his bed, took the comic book and placed it back on his messy desk. Then she placed his dangling hand on his side and took the blanket to cover him. Just like Roland had done when she laid next to him, Henry opened his eyes sleepily and smiled.
"Love you mom" his voice raspy and almost in whisper.
"I love you too" she smiled and he closed his eyes and drifted back into sleep.
Regina admired her son for a minute and then walked out of his room. Both her sons were fine, they were both sleeping peacefully, and yet she still felt uneasy with an ache in her chest. She decided to go down and make herself some tea, maybe it was just nerves.
Waiting for the tea to cool a little she walked around the kitchen island and sat on the stool. She watched as the steam from the hot tea came up and slowly disappeared. She was tired and yet she didn't feel like she could sleep at all.
After waiting for the tea to cool she took her mug and went over to the living room, turning on the lamp next to the couch. She sat there and as she brought the mug to her mouth for a sip there was a knock on the door.
Placing the mug on the center table she walked over to the door in hushed steps. She looked through the glass and saw Robin standing in the other side of the door. She was confused and a bit scared thinking there might be another threat in town.
"Robin?" she said opening the door "Is everything ok?"
Robin just stood in the porch unmoving eyes full of sadness and hurt. "Where's Roland?" he simply said.
"Umm, he's asleep upstairs. Robin are you ok? Come in" she said worried taking his hand. He had never looked so dreadful and in pain.
"I'm ok and I prefer not to go in there" he said, pushing her hand away and looking past her and into the house "Now bring my son. He will not spend any more time with a murderer"
Regina's eyes widened and confusion shot across her face. Shaking her hand she asked "Robin what are you talking about. Are you ok?"
"I said I'm fine, you Evil Queen" his words came firm, and those words hurt her more than anything ever had "Bring me my son"
"Robin what's going on? What are you doing?" she asked tears in her eyes. A lump was beginning to form in her throat and she slowly backed away from him.
"Like I said I don't want my son anywhere near you. You who destroyed our lives when you killed my wife. You who know only how to inflict pain. You whose heart is darker than any void in the deep sea. I don't want my son with you, so give him to me now!" he yelled in anger.
Regina had never seen Robin like that, looking at her with so much hate and so much anger. She didn't care when the townspeople would look at her like that but Robin, him doing it, it broke her. Hours ago they had sat in the park side by side watching Roland play. He had said he loved her and when she put her hand on his thigh he took it in his. What was wrong now? What had change? Why was he talking to her that way?
"Robin I don't know why you're talking to me like that. I haven't done anything. You saw my change. Why are treating me like this? You said you loved Me." a tear trickled from her eye and slid down her cheek.
Robin's hand went up a bit, he felt like hell, he wanted to hold her, to tell her what was happening, to tell her that he did love her. He wanted to wipe that tear from her face but as his hand came up a voice in his head said NO, and his hand fell back on his side.
"I don't love you Regina, I never did. You were just a substitute for my one and only true love, my wife. You don't mean anything to me." Robin said sharply, with his heart aching as he watched her retreat further away from him shaking her head.
"No, Robin don't do this, please don't." tears flowing down her face now and feeling her whole self shaking, Regina looked at him and implored.
Little footsteps could be heard at the top of the stairs, Regina looked up and seeing Roland wiped her tear stained face.
"Roland, we need to go" Robin said in a nicer tone.
"Why?" Roland asked rubbing his eyes sleepily.
"Because I said so. We need to go back to you real mother." he said, his voice returning to that angry and firm tone.
"But you said I could stay with mommy" Roland walked over to Regina and help her hand.
"She is not your mom Roland. Now let's go!" he shouted a bit.
Roland tightened his tiny hand around Regina's and she could feel his fear. "Robin please calm down, you're scaring him." she said through an almost none existent voice.
Crouching down to face Roland she cupped his face with her free hand "Sweetheart…" she said her voice trailing "you need to go with your papa now" she said with tears in her eyes.
Roland shook his head and fresh tears appeared in his eyes "I don't want to leave mommy"
Robin walked into the house and grabbed Roland's hand "We're leaving now Roland. Come on, let's go" he said pulling him slightly.
"No papa, no." he said trying to free his hand.
"We are going now." Robin bent down and picked the struggling boy up. "Let go of her Roland" he demanded.
"No papa, please no" the boy begged. "Mommy please don't let go. Mommy I love you, please"
Regina's heart was breaking, hearing him and watching him struggle. "Robin, why are you doing this? Please stop. What did I do?" she asked.
"You were born" with that Robin took Roland's hand from her.
Regina just stood there for a while watching as Robin took Roland and walked away from her. The boy screamed for her and asked her to take him. On impulse she ran after them but Robin turned around to face her.
"I don't want you anywhere near us, you evil witch. Don't follow us. Don't look for us. Don't ask for us. I don't want to see you, murderer. I hate you with all my heart and soul" he spitted out.
"Rob" she began but he cut her off.
"You should remember, villains don't get happy endings. Someone as evil and foul as you doesn't deserve anything. You should be dead" after that he continued walking away with a crying Roland.
She crumbled to ground in her walkway, sobbing uncontrollably hands on her chest. Her world crumbling with her, her heart breaking into a million pieces. Where had their love gone? They were supposed to be soulmates, destined to be with each other for the rest of their days. How could all of that gone away? Where had that hate and anger come from?
She could feel the pull from Roland but there was nothing to do but cry and watch as they got lost in the dark street.
She began to feel an immense emptiness 'Someone as evil and foul as you doesn't deserve anything' kept playing over and over in her head along with 'You should be dead'. His words resonated in her head and hammered against her heart. Sadness and pain engulfed her slowly and there on the ground she continued to cry, her whole body shaking and aching all over. Her vision began to blur with tears that poured and poured down her face and neck.
She began to stand up tears still flowing, sobs still echoing, and her body still shaking. It was so hard to make her way back to the door, she could still feel the pull from Roland but she couldn't do anything. Closing the door behind her she looked up to see Elsa watching her.
"Regina I didn't know what to do. I'm so sorry." Elsa confessed with tears of her own.
"It's ok" Regina's voice came hoarse and mangled.
Elsa walked to her wrapping her arms around her. "I'm here Regina, with you forever"
Regina slumped into the embrace letting go of everything, sobbing loudly against Elsa's shoulder. Elsa looked at the stairs and waved her hand making an ice wall to prevent Henry from waking up. Still holding onto Regina she walked over to the living room couch waving her hand again to close the door.
Regina laid her head on Elsa's lap still crying, Elsa allowed her to let go of everything she had in. No words were necessary for Regina and Elsa knew that so she just brushed back Regina's hair.
Regina cried herself to sleep in Elsa's lap and even after she was asleep tears rushed out of her eyes. Elsa felt so helpless watching her friend like that after only a couple of of hours ago she was having a tickle fight with her sons.
Elsa wanted to know what made Robin change his mind and who this Marian was. She wanted to know what had caused him to take Roland away and to break Regina the way he had and she would find out. She needed help to do so and though she hated the idea only one person came to mind, Tinkerbell. She didn't care though for Regina she was going to do anything, for her best friend she would endure anything. Regina had been there for her through so much and now it was time to repay her. She was going to find a way to try and mend Regina's, once again, broken heart.
Well do you guys hate me? Hopefully you don't hate me so much. Don't worry though Regina is going to have her happy ending sooner or later.
Anyhow I read a review by Han Cini where she said Zelena was basically Voldemort. I didn't mean to make it sound like that but the Potterhead in me did so what are we going to do. Zelena is a female version of dear old Voldy lol.
Remember to review, I love hearing your feedback. #KeepTheOutlawQueenFaith