One Month Later
He had been there for hours, nothing but the silence of the forest, the trees, keeping him company. He took up his bow and aimed it towards the usual target painted on one of the tree trunks. A long breath escaped his lips as he suddenly let the arrow flying into the center of the target. He took another arrow and shot, another and another until the target had practically disappeared underneath all of them.
Leaning back against one of the trunks, he closed his eyes and tried to breathe. But all he could focus on was the heart pounding in his chest from the fear, the aggravation and frustration he felt inside of him. Why couldn't he think? He was the greatest thief in the land, master of sly and cunning. Why then couldn't he figure out a way to get Regina back?
Taking another frustrated sigh, Robin then heard something break through the silence. They were hooves belonging to several horses and presumably guards, and they were approaching fast. He gathered his bow and arrow, hopped up on his steed and began to run. Cold wind blew in his face, a few branches nicked at his cape, but he continued to go. He continued to remember what Regina had told him: "Robin, if you get arrested, there is no possible way for you to come find me again. Then I truly will be trapped there forever." He couldn't allow that to happen. He needed to get to her, to find her and bring her home.
As he rushed through the forest, he could hear the group of guards gaining on him. Looking back, he noticed how close behind they truly were. Suddenly, as he looked forward again, another guard cut him off from the side, forcing him to stop. Once the others caught up in a matter of seconds, he was surrounded. There was no possible way for him to get out of this.
"Dismount your horse," the guard in front of him commanded.
"A please in there wouldn't hurt, mate," Robin joked with a smirk though the guard simply boar into him with a vicious glare. He did as he was told and, as his feet instantly touched the ground, his arms were quickly restrained. "Whoa there. Easy," he demanded. However, the guard holding onto him only shoved him harder. Once they reached the road, they were met by a large number of guards. It seemed to be a mix of Prince John's and… King Leopold's. Robin began to wonder what was happening.
"Right where the little thief claimed he'd be." The guard shoved Robin to the hard ground in front of the prince's feet.
"I knew keeping that snitch would help us," John laughed. He smiled as Robin glanced up at him. "Been a long time, Hood."
Robin coughed a bit from the dirt in his face. "Always a pleasure, your Highness," he replied sarcastically. Robin noticed another man walk up to them. He was dressed in royal fabrics, wore a crown; Robin took a guess and made him out to be King Leopold. The thief received a wicked glare from him.
"This is the one?" Leopold asked the prince.
"Most definitely, your Majesty. I've had several encounters with this particular thief."
The king turned to the younger man with a smile. "I thank you for your support in finding this wretched scoundrel."
"Hey," Robin responded with insult as one of the guardsmen lifted him from his feet.
"And I thank you for your generosity," John replied with a faked smile as several of the king's men placed sacs of gold onto the prince's carriage as reward. "All of the people of Nottingham shall be so grateful to you," he lied through his teeth knowing very well that the people would never see a lick of that money in their lives. It was clear that the greedy prince would keep it all for himself.
"It is the least I can do." Leopold nodded in return. "And I assure you," he spoke with determination, "this monster will be severely punished for what he's done."
Bowing his head to Leopold, hiding the corrupt and evil smile on his lips, he replied, "Oh, I trust that you shall see justice through, my liege."
0-0-0
She stayed out in the courtyard, the sun shining down but the shade of her large apple tree protecting her from its rays. A small basket hung from her arm as she picked a set of ripe, red apples. She had been going out to her childhood tree more often just to sit, read, think, or really anything if it meant getting out of that confining room. However, guards continued to follow her wherever she went as per order from the King. They never left her side it seemed. Yet, though always in their company, it was strange how she still felt so alone.
With that thought, she reached up and picked another apple. Her thumb brushed over the smooth fruit before she set it down in the basket. Gazing from the basket to her even more swollen stomach, she slid her hand to it. Smiling, Regina caressed her hand up and down the bump. Robin would return for her, she knew it. She still had hope that he'd find a way to get her away from the prison she was now living in, hope that he would be there with her to bring their child to the world and meet it, hope that they could indeed find happiness after all of this.
"Regina." The sound of her father's voice provoked her to snap out of her daze and turn around. She noticed the frantic look in his eyes, the nervousness they held.
"Daddy, what is it?" She set down the basket and took her father's hands. "Have you heard any news of Leopold's search?" She asked.
Henry shook his head apologetically as he answered, "I'm sorry, sweetheart."
Her hopeful expression suddenly faded and her voice dropped to a soft, disappointed tone. "They found him."
"Yes," Henry replied simply, feeling so much sympathy and sorrow for his daughter.
Looking into his dark eyes, she said, "Daddy, I need to see him. I need to talk to him."
"What can I do?"
Regina glanced up at the guards beside the palace doors. "We need to get rid of them. Meet me in my bedchambers. We can think of something there."
Henry nodded with a smile before kissing his daughter's hands and returning inside. She followed short after, the guards three steps behind as she went to her bedchamber to figure out a way to get her to Robin.
0-0-0
She stood on the other side of the door, listening to the voices. The plan was for Henry to cause a simple distraction so that Regina had enough time to get away from the two guards. He began to inform them that Leopold wished to see them for a report or something like that. As he began to lead them away, Regina slowly and carefully turned the handle and peaked out the door. With a quick hand signal from her father, she snuck out the door and headed down the opposite hallway.
After so many years of having to sneak around and tiptoe passed her mother, the young queen was experienced with getting where she wanted and rather quickly. And with this type of determination, she was able to get to the dungeon in almost an instant. Wrapped in a cloak, a lantern in her hand, Regina made her way down the stone steps to the dungeon. Reaching a darkened tunnel, she cautiously held the lantern out in front of her. She checked carefully for guards at every turn, but the dungeon was so empty that it didn't seem necessary to have any there.
As she continued down the dark way, she suddenly noticed one particular cell that was lit up but another lantern. As she approached it, she spoke out nervously, "Robin?"
She watched a figure step towards the bars, the lighting of the lantern too dim to reveal his features. However, she recognized the deep accented voice. "Regina?"
A smile slowly formed on her face as she realized that she had finally found him. "Robin," she whispered before briskly making her way over to the cell. As she approached, his face became clearer. It was him. Letting out a small giggle, Regina stepped close, placed a hand upon his cheek and didn't hesitate another moment to kiss his sweet, familiar lips through the bars. She had missed this feeling of warmth and tender love between them. As they parted with a soft sigh, she spoke, "I knew you'd find me again."
With a smile, Robin replied, "Actually, it was you who found me, love. I only wish it were under different circumstances." His face becoming more concerned, he asked her, "Regina, why am I here? The search ended after you returned to the palace and now, all of a sudden, I am hunted down by Prince John's and your King Leopold's guards once more." He shook his head. "I've been arrested for treason, Regina. They say I violated you. I-"
"Robin," Regina shook her head with wide eyes, "I said nothing and certainly didn't not accuse you of any such thing."
"Then how could they possibly accuse me of it?"
"Because," Regina let out a soft sigh, tears welling in her eyes and a small grin on her face. She set down the lantern and then began to unbutton her cloak. Very slowly, she opened the front of it, revealing her five-month-pregnant stomach through her gown. She rested her hand on top of it and gazed up at his shocked face. Giving a sweet smile, she continued, "I couldn't hide the evidence any longer."
His eyes panned from her brown orbs down to her swollen abdomen once again. His face held a look mixed with disbelief, shock and amazement. Reaching his hand out, he placed it upon the side of the small bump and then let out an excited laugh. "This is-?"
"Our baby," Regina answered him, meeting his gaze. "Yes," she grinned joyfully.
He let out another sigh in awe as his thumb caressed it sweetly. He brought her close for another kiss, and then whispered adoringly, "I love you, Regina."
Staring into his grey eyes, she smiled, "I love you too."
Moments passed as the couple continued to quietly celebrate the life they had created. His hand never strayed from her stomach, his eyes glued to it with an adoring smile on his lips. Just for a short while, they forgot about Robin's sentencing, about the dark and dank dungeon they were in and even the fact that they were now divided by the bars of the cell. However, both soon snapped back into reality.
She glanced down at where his hand was placed on her belly and admitted to him, "I intend to go to Leopold and tell him the truth about this."
"What?" Robin's expression quickly dropped as he pulled his hand away. "Regina, no. You can't."
"Your life is at stake if I don't. I'm not doing this without you." She placed her hand on his chest through the bars and shook her head. "I'm not letting this baby grow up without its father. And I know you don't what that either."
"No," he replied quietly, staring down at where their child grew inside of her. "But, I also don't want to risk it losing both of us. What if you tell Leopold and you too are arrested for treason? This baby shall then lose both of its parents and I can't have that. I can't have it growing up the way I did, Regina."
Tears welling in her eyes, she responded, "I can't just leave you here." She shook her head and took a hold of his hand. "I can't just let you die for something you didn't do. I will get you out of here. We will get away and you are not going to die." She leaned forward, touching lips through the bars again.
"You should go, love," Robin suggested as he caressed her cheek. He smiled. "I will see you again. Very soon."
Regina just looked at him for another moment. There was complete silence while they stood in only the glow of the two lanterns. She picked hers up and slowly backed away. She was filled with pain and sorrow for having to leave him like this; however, she still continued to take small steps away from him, his image growing darker before she finally turned and headed out of the dungeon.
0-0-0
Regina returned to her room with the feeling of unease and fear. How was she supposed to get Robin out of the dungeon, escape the kingdom and prevent the guards from hunting them down yet again? It seemed almost impossible. She sat down, contemplating. He was the only thing she could think of; the only one she knew could do this. She didn't have the time for any other option, but she knew that resorting to a deal with him could only cause more trouble. Thinking about it again, though, could it truly get worse? Robin's life was in jeopardy.
She closed her eyes, already regretting what she was about to do. "Rumplestiltskin," she spoke out.
"It's about time, dearie." The man suddenly appeared by the window with the usual wicked grin on his lips. He commented, "Though I knew you'd agree to that deal eventually."
"I don't want a deal," she replied, staring down at the floor. "I just want your help."
The imp cackled at her suggestion. "Afraid it doesn't work like that. I don't offer help; I work in deals." Turning away from her, he mumbled loud enough for her to hear, "But if you really don't wish to make a deal, then I suppose the thief can just die."
"No," Regina quickly stood up and approached the man. "No, I can't let him die."
"Well, then what are you going to do?" Rumple turned around and noticed the look of conflict in her eyes. This was right where he wanted her.
With a soft sigh, Regina gazed down at her stomach and placed her hand upon it. She couldn't allow Robin to die for a crime he never committed; she couldn't let their child grow up not knowing him. "I'll do it." She said deeply. "I'll make the deal."
The imp's lips began to stretch into a wide grin. "Marvelous."
Regina looked up at him, straight into his eyes and asked, "You'll help Robin and I get away?" He nodded. "And prevent any guard, Leopold's or Prince John's, from come after us again? Prevent any harm from coming to either of us in the near future?"
He nodded again. "The King shall come to believe that you are not his queen. You and the thief shall be free at last. No guards, no harm whatsoever."
"How do you intend to make him believe that?" Regina asked curiously.
"What does that matter, dearie? You'll get what you want."
"What do you want in return?"
"Mmmm," the man hummed with a high-pitched tone. "Perhaps," he placed his finger to his chin, "just a little something of value in return. I will come to collect it when the time comes."
"What kind of something?" Regina asked.
"Did anyone tell you that you ask too many questions, dearie?" He held out his hand for her and smirked. "So do we have a deal or not?"
Regina stared down at the man's hand with some hesitation. She had a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach, but also her mind just kept reminding her of Robin and the fact that he would die if she didn't do this. She slowly took his hand and shook it. "Deal."
