Chapter Twelve-
Two Days Ago - Gold's cabin She was exhausted, Mary Margaret and David had left over a hour ago, since then she had found herself staring into the mirror, watching Henry as he moved around his room in the the B&B. She was half tempted to magic in there, just to be with him but it was too dangerous, the dwarfs were watching the B&B and as Emma had been c areless enough to use her real first name with Robin and God knows who else, she knew she had to stay away, it wouldn't take long before Velma figured out who she was, although the official story was that Emma and her son were staying at the B&B as their house was being remodelled they were placing a lot of stock on Velma not knowing who was who in her version of the cursed town, it only took one passing comment for the whole story to fall apart. She wondered how Roland was getting on in this curse land, although she was relieved he was with his father, the curse memories would be troubling for him. He was so young he wouldn't understand, she wondered what Robin had told him. God this was such a mess, waving her hand she changed the mirrors location, vaguely remembering a mirror in the living room in the home she supposed shared with Robin. Roland was sat at a round dinning table, drumming his legs against the chair legs, face screwed up in concentration as he focused on his paperwork, smiling she remembered that expression from the time she had spent with him back in their realm. His Uncle John, Little John she recalled entered the room although she couldn't hear their conversation, she daren't increase the magical power of the mirror lest she bring it to the witches attention, she could imagine their words, Roland was proudly showing his not quite uncle his picture and the giant of a man was praising it. Robin must be at work she thought, she was going to have to talk to him soon, he had been trying to catch her eye in Golds shop and honestly she didn't know what to say to him, she had grown fond of Roland during the past few months and Robin had been good to her, he seemed to have a knack of giving her what she needed but what did he want from her, she was unsure. She had briefly entertained the idea that he just wanted to mess with the evil queen but realised that he truly was a good man and now that she had seen his tattoo, she didn't know what to think.
She heard a light tapping at the window plane and there he was, looking hopefully though the window and making the universal signal for let me in.
Taking a deep breath, she opened the door, "Regina could we talk please'"
"Yes I suppose we should" she agreed "So" they both say at the same causing her to wince a little at the sudden memory that played across her mind.
She indicates that he should sit, he sits heavily in the chair and looks nervous. She had never truly experienced curse memories, hers were practically non existent, she knew the story of her supposed life with him but it was just a story to her, she supposed it was different for him, she had never asked the others how it played out for them but she was sure curse memories felt real so no matter what had happened between them in the past, right now Robin would not be thinking clearly, she needed to put her feelings, confused as they were to one side, she could figure it later, besides he deserved better than her anyway.
"I realise this may be uncomfortable for you Robin but I assure you it was beyond my control, I am sorry you were dragged into this mess, I assume you were in the wrong place at the wrong time."
"The wrong place? He asked confused "You and Roland were staying in my castle, along with many others, your men were in the village as we attempted to track down this witch" she told him wanting to keep strictly to business, he didn't need to know anything more than necessary right now.
"So you think it was a proximity thing?" He hemmed "Yes probably, I am told your curse memories should fade away soon enough" she told him firmly.
"And you don't have these curse memories?"
"No, the curse did not work on me"
"I see" he said "so in the hospital when you remembered me, that wasn't real?"
"No I was uncertain at that time the exact nature of my predicament and my memories of the past months were hazy but I was aware that something was very wrong, I'm sorry that I played along with your curse memories but I am sure you can understand why I did so" she replied stiffly.
"Yes I suppose so, one never knows what one would do until in the same situation, you were trying think your way out of a tight spot, I can understand that".
"Good" she nodded so "that clears that up then" she stood indicating this chat was over.
"Right" he said seeming unsure.
She showed him to the door relieved this conversation was soon to be over.
Hand on the door knob he turned "May I something of you"?
Damn she thought but said nothing nodding at him once that he should continue.
"Roland, he is only five, I fear when we truly break the curse he maybe confused and if that should be the case and he wishes to see you, spend some time, you would grant him this?"
"Yes of course" she didn't mean her voice to sound so quiet and soft but it was too late, he had as so often in the past disarmed her with his request.
"Thank you" he told her, he looked like he wanted to say some thing else but whatever it was he held back. He opened the door and stepped through "well goodbye then Regina" "Good bye Robin" she told him shutting the door she leaned her forehead against, taking a deep breath before straightening, she locked the door and walked back to the mirror, focusing it on the one thing that mattered, her son.
Two months ago - Enchanted Forest -Regina's Castle The curse was coming and there was nothing they could do to stop it.
She had felt it activate but the curse cloud was still far away, they had a few hours at least.
It was funny really she mused, the witch insisted Regina was a failure but here she was playing copy cat, she had already tried out her castle for size and her clothes and now she was borrowing the curse, of course that didn't mean the curse the witch had enacted would take them back to StoryBrooke in the land without magic, Regina couldn't believe the witch would be quite so unoriginal but maybe she would, just to make a point that she could do it better, either way it didn't bode well. It certainly was interesting being on the other side of the curse, she had even found herself offering comfort to Snow and Charming.
Snow had insisted on addressing the kingdom, the three of them standing side by the side on the royal balcony, the Charmings spoke of hope and family. She had played her part, her very presence the point Snow hoped to make, look what could be achieved when we stand together. She supposed she should be angry at the assumption she would stand there merely decorative, just like Leopold used to expect but she understood the point and they didn't want panic on their hands. The crowd had clapped roused by the stirring speech of their reining monarchs but she could not but think it slightly lacklustre, perhaps the terror of such curses had worn off. She recalled a private conversation between two guards she'd been eavesdropping on earlier that day, lamenting their fate yet again and wondering what lay ahead, another guard had pipped up and told his fellows not to worry, these curses make no difference to the likes of you and me, it's them he had said jerking a finger towards the throne room, that come off worst. She had smirked at that, he had a point after all.
Snow and David had invited her to take early supper with them, which she had accepted gratefully, eager not to spend the evening alone with her thoughts.
Throughout the meal, Snow had kept sending worried glances at her until David grasping his wife's hand, told her to stop and reminded her that they would find each, family always does he added, smiling at Regina, she rolled her eyes at their ever sickly motto but now she wondered if David had meant her too.
She left after they had cleared their plates, wanting to give the couple some alone time.
The castle was silent as she made her way to her room, the servants and guards had all been given the night off to spend with their families.
Suddenly she didn't want to go back to her chambers alone, and she found her feet taking her in a different direction.
She found herself knocking at Robin's door, acting on a sudden urge to say goodbye to his son. Roland would probably be sleeping and although she didn't want to wake him She needed to see his sweet face one more to reassure herself that for this moment in time he was safe.
"Milady" Robin bade her welcome into the room he had taken for himself and the boy, his presence in the castle so frequent, he had taken a room for ease and to keep his son close. The room contained four chambers, a small living parlour in which they now stood, two doors, one to the left, one to the right contained the sleeping quarters, another door at the back of the living area where the washroom would be.
Clearly her throat and feeling ridiculously nervous as she told Robin the purpose of her visit.
"Of course" he smiled pointing at the door to the left standing ajar slightly, dim glow of candle filtering through.
She nodded and smiled her thanks at him and quietly entered the room. The boy was indeed asleep, she knelt by the side of his bed, watching him breath in and out softly, unable to resist urge she gently ran her hand through the boys soft brown curls, stay safe Roland, sweet boy, she whispered. She placed a kiss to his forehead, allowed herself one last look and left the room. Robin pressed a glass of wine into her hand, she hoped he didn't notice her hand trembling, silly Regina she scolded herself, you barely know the child but it wasn't really true, he had worked his way into her heart, ever since he boy had realised she was the one who rescued him, he would seek her out whenever he could, clambering over the high backed chairs in the library to ask her what she was doing as she poured over old dusty tomes, writing nonsense in the dust, confessing his fears over the monkey he knew to be held in the dungeon, begging her to look in the magic mirror to watch his papa when Robin left the protected walls of the castle, suggesting that cake would make him feel better and one time when he was feeling unwell with a sore tummy crawling into her lap seeking comfort.
Blinking back tears, she took a grateful sip of her wine, expecting the homemade brew to burn her throat and disguise her tears but the wine tasted sweet and good "stealing from my wine cellar?" she enquired "Ooh I wouldn't dream of it" Robin winked He damn well had but she would let it go tonight of all nights.
She hummed her disapproval but said nothing.
"So" they both said at the same time. Robin laughed out loud and gestured to the couch.
She sat down smoothing her gown, back straight clutching her glass with both hands, staring forward. Robin tucked his legs to the side, turning his body towards her, his relaxed demeanour the stark opposite to hers. "So" he repeated "how are you holding up milady?"
"I'm fine" she said quietly "you?"
"I must admit I'm slightly terrified" he confessed although his eyes remained strong she knew he would be thinking about his boy "Its unlikely you will be separated" she told him, turning to look at him she added softly "the curse may take away memories but it cannot stop the soul from recognising loved ones, it certainly worked that way for the Charmings, they did not know each but were drawn to each other just the same"
"Thank you Regina" reaching out Robin tugged one of her hands away from the wine glass that was threatening to crack under the pressure of her grasp. Squeezing her fingers, "and you milady I'm concerned for you"
She barked out a laugh "don't worry about me thief, I will be fine, if she wanted me dead, I would be by now"
"We both know there are worst things then death Regina"
"You certainly know how to cheer a girl up Robin" she told him "Ahh yes I do seem to be in rather a melancholy mood tonight, more wine I think" he refilled his glass and topped up hers.
Sinking back into the sofa, she sighed "I certainty didn't see this coming", there's a certain poetic element in all of this I admit, being on the other side of a wicked witch, I just wish she would settle her differences with me, whatever they may be and leave the rest of the kingdom out of it" "You still don't know the cause of this resentment?" He asked "No, I must have wronged her in some way but how and what I don't know" "You can't blame yourself for this Regina"
"Of course I can" she scoffed "this is entirely my fault, it's all my fault" "Perhaps" Robin agreed "but you can't live in the past, with guilt and regrets, trust me it's no way to live"
"Yes I should focus on the future, I don't see any problems with that, oh wait there's a small matter of a wicked witch and her big fat curse" Robin laughed again "well apart from that everything is just peachy"
"Just peachy" she agreed smiling at him.
At some point he had managed to close the gap between them and as she lent back into the couch she felt his arm draped onto her shoulder, "what no yawn" she teased, laughing at the confused look on his face "never mind" she assured.
If Robin was going to offer her comfort, then this time just for tonight she was going to take it, she shifted her weight, practically snuggling into him, right now she didn't care, that she was a queen and he a common thief, those were just titles and neither were particularly true.
She hoped he would take the hint and he did, leaning forward he placed his wine glass on the table and gently took hers from her hand placing it on the table next to his, turning back to her "Regina" he said softly, gaze upon her face flickering to her lips, yes he definitely wanted to kiss her "Hood" she matched his tone He leaned forward and kissed her softly, pulling back he brought both hands to the side of her head, kissed her again longer, threading his fingers into her hair. Wiggling forward to meet him, lips never leaving his, she wrapped her arms around his neck.
They fell into each, he pressed her back into the couch, his body crowding hers deliciously. "Shall we?" He asked flicking his eyes to the unoccupied room to the right "We shall" Grinning he pulled her to her feet and kissed her deeply, hands sliding down her body and finding her hands he walked backwards leading her towards his room.
Once again gathering her to him, he stopped in the doorway, pressing her against it, hands not leaving hers, forehead on hers, his breath gently caressing her face "Regina, are you here because you won't remember in a few hours"? He asked softly.
Refusing to break eye contact she answered him honestly "this was not my intention in coming here this evening but right now I want to be here, I cannot speak for tomorrow any more than you can" she pecked a kiss upon his lips, he hummed against her cheek.
"For now then milady"
"Yes for now thief".
.
