Yaaaaa so I'm sorry about all the sadness lol! Have to do it though in order for the story to progress :) I'm looking forward to reading your reviews!


"Mother."

"Oh my boy!" Ruth ran to him and pulled him in to a hug, "I've missed you so much!" She stepped back and held his hands in hers, "look at you! You look like a prince!" Her wide smile faltered when she caught glimpse of pain underneath his smile, "what is it my son," she smiled, unaware of the news he had brought.

He could feel his chest tightening, "is Regina here?"

Ruth laughed happily under her breath, "no she was here yesterday but I imagine she'll be back tomorrow or the day after and you two can catch up and hold each other to your heart's content," her smile instantly vanished when James bowed his head sadly and his face warped and creased into heartbreak, "James, what is it?"

James shook his head slowly, his heart feeling like it was slowly being ripped in two, "king George and king Midas want to join their kingdoms. I am to marry king Midas' daughter," he raised his heavy head, "I was sent to say goodbye."

Ruth stood with her jaw dropped in shock, no words could come from her. Her son was to leave again only now he wouldn't come back. He didn't want to marry for any other reason but love and she knew that. Any other reason would break his heart. Regina. The name caused her to gasp. This news would hurt her and she wasn't certain there would be any coming back from it, "no, no don't do this, you don't need to do this, you can stay here, you can marry for love."

"The woman I love is already taken," his voice cracked in to a whisper and he swallowed back the tears but they still glossed his eyes. He promised Regina he wouldn't hurt her, that he would never leave her alone, that he would come back to her. He didn't want to think about how much his broken promises would hurt her but that didn't mean he could stop himself from thinking about it.

He wished she was there. A day too late, how cruel fate could be. He wanted to kiss her, he wanted to hold her tight, he wanted to tell her that he loved her, he wanted to explain this to her himself and then let her cry in his arms. He wanted to say goodbye in person. He wanted to see her face again, to see her smile, to lose himself in her troubled dark eyes, he wanted to hear her laugh and hear her voice just one more time. He didn't want to leave her. He couldn't even go and find her, he didn't even know who she was.

Ruth felt like she was choking. Her son was going to leave and she may never see him again and that was terrible but really it was inevitable, she knew a time would come when he would leave home and she wouldn't get to see him as often but Regina...she was going to lose everything all over again, her heart was going to be crushed and she was going to shut down just to keep herself from getting hurt again. She breathed an incredibly shaky breath as a tear rolled down her cheek, "no, no just stay. You don't have to go, the farm's dues have been paid far in advance and we can save money for when it runs out and you don't have to marry the princess you can stay here with Regina and me."

"If I don't do this king George will kill you and everyone else I care about and burn the farm to the ground. I don't have a choice."

"There is always a choice."

James shook his head, "I don't see one this time," he hated seeing his mother cry, "I'm sorry mother," he whispered sadly and more tears rolled down her cheeks.

"I know dear," she tried to smile but she couldn't hold it, "I'm going to miss you."

"I'm going to miss you too," he nodded and pulled her in to a hug, holding her tight as she did the same.

"I'm going to be alright dear," she assured him.

James closed his eyes and sighed through his nose, hating that he had to leave her and Regina. Then something she said finally came to his attention and reluctantly he pulled away, "what do you mean the farm's dues have been paid far in advance? We never had that much money."

She smiled and pushed on his chest with her finger, "your Regina is just full of surprises."

"Regina paid? Why?"

Ruth laughed softly, "she said she didn't want to watch us struggle. She didn't even give me a chance to interject, she tossed the king's men a bag of coins and told them not to come back until it was spent up. I got after her for it once they had left but she insisted that everything was fine...she's a very complicated woman," she smiled and nodded quickly in an attempt to keep the tears from falling.

The hopelessness on her son's face caused an intolerable pain and with shaking hands she pulled her ring off her finger, "here, take it."

"No, mother I can't take that," he put his hands over hers as he shook his head.

"Love follows this ring," she gave him a tear filled smile, "give it to the princess. Perhaps you will grow to love her."

He let her hands slip from his and he took the ring he offered her, "I don't believe I will be able to love anyone as much as I do Regina," he whispered sadly and spun the ring between his fingers

"But you will be able to love another, you have a big heart James and Regina will always be in there taking up a big part of it but I know you will find room for another," she nodded and caught his eye before he dropped them back down to the ring in his fingers.

"Um," she dropped her head and swallowed, gently clearing her throat to steady her shaky voice, "if she doesn't make it today," she pushed her eyes closed and tilted her head, forcing down the painful throb in her chest before opening her eyes and looking up at her distraught son, "what do you want me to say to her?"

...

"It's been nearly two days...do you think we are in the clear?"

"No. Mind you I have always been in the clear, it's yourself that you have to worry about."

He hadn't been able to relax, he was constantly jumping at people's sudden appearances or footsteps behind him. He was incredibly paranoid but for good reason, "you think she'll have me executed?" He didn't understand how his friend could be so calm.

"Who? Me?"

Both men spun around to find the queen standing in the doorway of the quarters they and their colleagues were given to enjoy. His heart all but stopped beating and he held his breath, his eyes wide with fear as she walked toward them with her head held high and a face that have nothing away.

It was times like these when she appreciated the power she had. She walked with a strong stride and stopped in front of them as the shorter one scrambled to his feet to stand next to his already standing companion. She stood in front of them silently, her eyes moving over them critically causing the nervous one to grow even more tense. She had skipped her ride the day earlier because of the sudden emotional state she had found herself in and she didn't even want to try and find these two guards when her emotions were on such a high.

Now she stood in front of the two men seeming much taller than she really was, "I am not going to have you executed," she said simply but her dark eyes remained hard and daring making the shorter one's relief short lived, "but I will not stand for that behavior toward any of my people," she spat and he flinched, "that was absolutely unacceptable, these people deserve to be treated with respect and not as an array of play things to be used at your disposal!" She found she was leaning forward slightly as her eyes moved between the two men, "have I made myself perfectly clear?"

"Yes your Majesty," they answered in unison, their voices each carrying a different tone.

She turned to address only the shorter one and she noticed him shrink back slightly, "as long as you keep your mouth shut about that day and you treat my people as people I won't say a word. Your well being is in your own hands."

"Yes. Thank you your Majesty."

She looked him over once more, letting her disgust with his behavior known before she turned to the taller guard and her features relaxed in to a relaxed expression, "can you ride?"

"Of course."

"Come," she turned and walked away, hearing a pause likely due to an exchanged glance between both men before footsteps were heard behind her.

...

"You still haven't told me why you have brought me with you," there was an underlying question as he addressed her.

"What is your name?"

"Claude."

"Well Claude I am not permitted to leave the castle without an escort," she said simply, "and I need you to assure me that you aren't going to run up to the king and tell him that I have been leaving without one despite his direct order," she turned her head and looked directly at the tall bald man as their horses walked side by side.

He shrugged, "I have no reason to tell the king."

"That may be so but you also have no reason to not tell him."

Claude nodded and raised his eyebrows, not at all offended by her distrust, "that is also true."

"Unlike your perfectly delightful companion, I have nothing on you to keep you quiet," she looked him over thoughtfully when a smile formed on his face as she addressed the second guard. Her fingers tapped her reins and she continued, "you seem to be one of the better men in the world. All your morals relatively in the right place."

"Thank you," it came out as almost a question.

"I think I believe you when you say you will not tell him but if the situation ever arose that he asked you to your face what do I need to do to ensure that you won't answer him honestly?"

"Just ask me not to," he shrugged his shoulders and then looked over to the queen. She was looking at him with a doubtful stare, eyes narrowed and lips pursed slightly in thought, "you obviously care for that small family, you wouldn't have risked your identity to help them if you didn't. At least I assume they don't know who you are, with the choice in your appearance I can't come to another conclusion."

She remained silent and still upon her horse's back as she listened attentively, "you weren't brought up in this lifestyle and you have never seemed to quite fit. I don't see anything wrong with you taking time to enjoy the simple things in life like you may have done before you were brought here. If the king desires to keep that from you that's his business but clearly it hasn't stopped you. There would be no point in me telling him, it would only cause more distress for everyone and as you said I have all my morals in relatively the right places," he gave her a relaxed smile and he could see the doubt in him beginning to fade, "I don't hurt anyone unless it is necessary or ordered by you or the king. So if you wish me to remain quiet no matter the circumstances then just ask."

His sincerity was almost off putting, she wasn't used to it, she had only seen it in a select few, "I wish you to keep this between us," her voice had lost its distinctive certainty.

Claude nodded once, "alright," he smiled and turned his head to look at her again, "I expect you'll be watching me very closely until you find it in you to trust me," he teased lightly and it earned him a small smile from her.

"Thank you."

"Of course."

"No," she shook her head, "I mean thank you for treating me like a person and not a queen."

"You are a person. Queen is just your title and while you should be treated as a queen, most forget that there is still a person under that power."

Regina hummed approvingly and her smile reached her eyes this time, "I am happy to hear that outside of my own head."

...

"Ruth?" She called as she slid from Rocinante's back. The woman was always there to greet her on her arrival but this time there was no reply. She walked to check the small house, worried that she may have hurt herself in some way. The house was empty of life which gave her some relief but also fed her curiosity on where she could be.

She didn't think too much of it. She likely had something to fetch in town. Since James had gone to complete the work of the king she had a lot of work she had to get done on her own. She had grown quite close to Ruth, helping her around the farm and talking as they worked. It was comforting and quite a relief to have someone to talk to in James' absence. She hoped he would return soon and that he would return in the same condition he had left.

...

She walked slowly back home. The day before she had remained at the house, silent, sad, worried, and almost hopeful that Regina wouldn't show for both her own sake so she would have to tell her but also so that she wouldn't have to live with being just a day too late. Regina hadn't come yesterday and Ruth was relieved but now she was anxious. She didn't want to tell Regina. It would crush her gentle soul and she knew she would run. Run to try and escape the pain that followed. She didn't know when to expect the girl to arrive but she knew it wouldn't be long before she did.

She walked with slow steps and her head hung low, her basket empty despite her trip in to town. She hadn't needed anything in the first place, she just wanted a change in scenery and almost hoped Regina would come and go in her time away and she could prolong telling her just a little longer. She didn't know how to tell her.

As she emerged from the tree line she caught sight of the chestnut mare grazing outside the home and her heart sunk. She paused for a moment and took a deep breath only continuing when the mare lifted her head and greeted her with a soft nicker. She didn't want to break the girl's heart.

...

Regina lifted her head when she heard Rocinante greet someone and she got up from the worn wooden table and walked quickly to the door, a joyful smile on her face. When she made it outside and saw Ruth walking toward her she continued forward with a skip in her step that faded quickly. She looked like she had the weight of the world on her shoulders.

Regina tried a smile as she got closer but it came off nervous as the older woman came nearer and she could see the lines of pain she had hoped she would never have to see on her kind face, "Ruth?"

She attempted a smile in return to ease the concern in Regina's features, "hello Regina. How long have you been here?"

"Not long," her brow furrowed gently when she stopped in front of her and her fingers picked at the empty basket anxiously, "are you alright? You're starting to scare me..."

"Honestly," she rocked her head sadly and tried to keep her voice from cracking, "I've definitely been better." She didn't deserve this, she was so young and bright and it had already happened to her. This time she feared there wouldn't be a recovery.

Regina shifted her weight on to her other foot and cocked her head slightly, "how do you mean?"

"I have news about my son," she felt sick when she saw the fear grow over her features and she ever so slowly started to shake her head, "Regina...he isn't coming back."

"No, that," she shook her head in short movements as the tears welled up in her eyes, "that can't be right."

Ruth nodded gently as the tears started to pool in her own eyes, "I'm afraid it is, dear. He was here the day before yesterday-"

"He's alive? Well then why can't he come back? Ruth that doesn't make any sense," the first tear trailed down her cheek.

"The king has forced him in to a marriage, threatening him with the lives of everyone he loves," she took a step forward and held her arms gently, "he would have found you dear and he would have killed you."

Regina shook her head and lowered her hand that had been covering her mouth, she felt sick, "e-even if he did find out who I was he couldn't kill me and I would have kept you both safe," she pushed her eyes closed as the tears fell faster.

"Regina there would have been nothing you could have done."

Regina shook her head, "you don't know who I am. There is so much that I could have done," she was the queen. It was all happening again, she was losing love again. She couldn't handle standing there any longer, she felt like she was being torn in two. She needed to get away.

"Dear, unless you are the queen there is absolutely nothing you could have done," she said it gently and tried to soothe her by running her hands up and down her arms but her words only made it worse and she broke down entirely. Her body shook viciously and it sounded almost as though she was choking, "this was his sacrifice to keep us safe."

"I have to go," she darted her tear filled eyes around, looking anywhere but the devastated expression Ruth wore.

Ruth tightened her grip when she began to back away but she tore free anyway, "Regina!" She cried after her and caught the girl's wrist before she got more than four steps. "Regina! You don't get to run away! Not yet! Not until you hear what I have to say," her heart broke all over again when she met the dark eyes that were filled with such light and warmth only minutes ago but were now empty save for the intense pain that seemed to physically shatter her.

Her voice was shaky, "he made me promise to tell you and I will not break that promise," her voice quieted in to a whisper as she neared the end of her sentence as her own cries fought to take over. She shook her head to show that she was not going to let her go and she willed herself to stay strong for her. The tears fell anyway, "he loves you Regina. He loves you with all his heart and the fact that he couldn't say goodbye himself hurt him more than you can ever know."

Regina closed her eyes tightly and bowed her head but could not swallow the quiet sob that shook her shoulders. She could feel her heart wilting away painfully in her chest.

Ruth took a shaky breath to try and pull herself together enough to continue. She had never seen such hurt in a person before, "he told me he promised he would never leave you alone, that he wouldn't make you go through that pain again and that he would always be there for you. He knew it would crush you that he had to break that promise, I know it paid a similar toll on him."

She watched with great difficulty as the young brunette pushed her lips together to try and silence another pained cry. Her lips parted in a shaky and audible breath as she looked up just over and to the side of her head, her eyes now open to intensify the look of heartbreak.

"He wants you to find happiness, to stay strong, to never forget who you are in here," she gently placed a hand over Regina's heart causing her to cry further and push herself closer to crying herself, "I will take his place, I will put that promise on myself. I will always be here for you my dear, I will not leave you," she shook her head as her voice gave way to her own shaky cries, "I do not expect I will see you again," she paused to try and hopelessly steady her voice and let her own pain take hold in her chest, "but I truly hope I will. Do not forget us, if you choose not to come back, do not forget us."

Regina didn't no what to say, her entire body hurt. She didn't want to believe he was gone, she didn't want to believe that she had lost love again, she didn't want to believe that she would likely never see him again. "I have to go," she didn't think her voice could sound so sad and quiet as the words came out slowly in defeat.

She shook her head again as she lifted her head to meet Ruth's eyes. She didn't even want to think about how this was tearing the kind woman apart. Losing her son, having to let him go, "I could never forget you or James. Not after how you have treated me so kindly," her body quivered and her mouth pulled in to a frown as she tried once more to calm her unsteady breaths but they only turned vocal.

She stepped forward quickly and wrapped her arms tightly around the older woman as she sobbed into her neck. She was like a mother to her, a proper mother, and she didn't want to lose her too but she couldn't come back to this place, not with the memories she and James had created there. Perhaps when she was stronger she would come back. She felt so safe in her arms, "I love you."

Ruth broke then, no longer able to hold back her cries any longer, "I love you to my dear," she hugged her tighter, knowing full well how hard it was for her to trust anyone let alone admit she loved them and put herself in such a vulnerable position. She didn't want to let her go but she understood that she didn't want to be surrounded by the memories of lost love. Again. So she let her slip from her hold, her face absolutely devastating and filled with despair as she backed away.

She backed away because she wanted to remember her face. She made it several paces before she could no longer bear to watch the tears roll down her face and she turned and ran toward Rocinante who stood waiting nearby, sensing something was wrong. She vaulted herself on and was galloping away before she had even balanced on her back.

Once at the bottom of the hill she looked back over her shoulder. Ruth stood at the top watching her leave, her posture suggesting nothing else but a calm understanding. Regina whipped her head forward when the tears blurred her vision again and she whispered in to her mare's neck, "run Rocinante. Just run."