AN: Ok, here's the next part. Another rather short chapter. Sorry about that. I don't have much else to say, so, give it a read and let me know what you thought. Have an awesome day!
The cooling air slapped across my face as the brutish guards drug my uncooperative body outside. The sun had begun to set, and surroundings were painted in vibrant colors; a stark contrast to my impending doom. Small pebbles gathered in my worn shoes as I refused to pick up my feet and make their task easier. The shorter, huskier guard grumbled and jerked my arm roughly, "Wench, stop being difficult."
"Why?"
"Because I don't like it."
"Why should I care what you like? I'm about to die." I mumbled in response.
"You should care because I'm the one in charge of how quickly and painfully you die."
"My impression was that the Queen would like it to be both very painful and rather quick. Is there much flexibility with that request?" I questioned, morbidly amused with the unexpected conversation. I was surprised that the guards were speaking at all, let alone arguing with me. The Queen would not like that. A small smirk twitched at my mouth at that thought.
"There is flexibility as the Queen is not present. She doesn't have to know exactly how you died, only that you did. I don't enjoy extravagant deaths. If I am to ensure that you are to die, I will do it efficiently. However, if you continue to cause trouble, I'll happily bring your death in a more gruesome manner."
"You're a very strange henchmen." I grunted as he threw me against the side of a small, plain carriage.
"And, you're a very strange servant girl to believe it was a good idea to defile the princess."
"I didn't- never mind." I sighed as he yanked open the door and shoved me through. When he slammed the door behind me, I slumped over and let out a trembling breath. The sound of the knights mumbling to one another faded into the background as reality came into sharp focus. I lost Regina. I was going to die. Highlighting the latter musing, the carriage started to jostle as the knights spurred the horses into motion. Frozen dread encased my nerves, slowly numbing my body, only to have happy memories of Regina crack them, making them raw and agonizing. Every single second with Regina may have been worth the consequences, but the consequences were still terrible and terrifying. Staring out into the waning light and growing darkness, I wondered about Regina. What was she doing? Was she safe? Was she in pain? What would she do next? Would she marry Jefferson? Would she forget me? Would she be better off without me? I furiously wiped at my eyes, tears of longing and despair seeping out without my permission. My stomach churned violent knots as I realized that I already missed her. Longed for her. Needed her. I missed her voice, her smile, her eyes, her touch...I missed how she looked at me like I was the only thing that mattered. We'd only been separated for less than an hour, and already I felt as if I might die without her. I supposed I would...
The slowing and halt of the carriage coaxed me from my wallowing. "Did you see that?" The voice of the tall, previously silent guard could just be heard from my position.
"What?" The thicker, much louder guard that had hassled me, clearly saw nothing to be wary of.
"Something. There."
"There ain't nothing there. You're always worrying. Just keep going. I want to get this done and go finish my dinner."
"Of course, you do. I'm going to go take a quick look around." The cart swayed slightly with his departure.
I heard a groan from the other guard, "Stupid, damn..." Again, the carriage jiggled as he, too, got down from the driver's bench.
Momentarily ignoring my sorrow, I strained my ears in attempt to ascertain what was happening outside my mobile prison. Several moments of silence-interrupted by several grumblings from the stout guard- passed sluggishly. Suddenly, I could discern twin grunts, followed by twin thuds of fallen men. I held my breath. Careful, but rushed footsteps approached the carriage. The knob turned. Pulling myself as small as possible against the farthest wall, I prepared for whoever was on the other side. I squinted as the door was yanked open and a lantern thrust in, "Emma?"
My vision adjusted, and the voice triggered recognition, "Daniel?"
"Yes. Come on. We don't have much time. Marco and I knocked out the knights, but they won't be down long." Noticing me glance out behind him, he supplied, "He's retrieving the mare I left tethered to a tree down the road."
Grasping his outstretched hand, I followed him without much thought, too surprised and confused to question him immediately. Stepping down, I scanned the area, sight distorted by the dull light of disappearing dusk; but my ears were able to just make out the sounds of hooves on gravel a good way away. "Not that I'm not grateful for the apparent rescue, but what are the two of you doing?"
Daniel turned to me, hazel eyes flitting over my face for a few seconds, "Marco came and got me after the Queen had you removed, he asked for my help..." I nodded in understanding, watching as his emotions flickered across his features. "I've been suspicious of the true nature of your relationship with Regina for a long time. I'll admit that I found myself jealous on occasion, but really..." He ran a hand through his shaggy, dark blonde hair-shifting his eyes along the road, then back, "She's my oldest friend, and Marco loves her like his own. We just want her as happy as possible... So, he enlisted me to help save you...However-"
"However, everyone, including Regina must believe you are dead." Marco finished the thought as he brought a trotting horse up to us. "The guards will wake, and if they know what is good for them, they will tell the Queen they completed her request. They may search for you-however, I believe they will simply assume you'd be stupid to return, and let you go. These two are not the most blood thirsty of her knights."
"But, what about you two?" I asked, horrified by the thought of harm coming to them because the helped me.
"Neither saw us, we'll be fine." He offered the reins of the golden mare to me, "This horse is new, Cora has not yet seen her, therefore, will not miss her. I sincerely apologize that I had little time to procure provisions for you. I only managed a small rucksack with bread, a canteen, a few apples, and a couple pieces of silver."
"And, I brought a cloak and a strip of dried deer meat. I'm afraid those items do not amount to much..." Daniel murmured sadly.
After allowing him to fasten the cloak around me, and I strapped the sack to my back, I grasped a hand from each man. My heart swelled with their kindness, "It's more than I could hope for. Thank you both. I sincerely appreciate the care, and the risk you've taken." I moved toward the mare, hoisting myself up swiftly. I cast a yearning gaze toward the castle. "Tell Regina-" I cut myself off, realizing that relaying any message from me was not an option. Gulping harshly, I shook my head and tried to ease my racing heart. Everything hurt. "Maybe she could come with me? I could just-"
Daniel held up a hand, "No, if you don't go now, you will lose your chance."
"The Queen has secured the princess in her room. It will take time and planning to remove her safely and discreetly, time that we do not have." Marco explained gently, but urgently.
"She locked her up!?" My blood boiled with rage and desperation, my hands jerking the reins to aim the horse toward the castle. "I have to go get her out."
"Emma, no." Daniel gripped the reins, seizing control and stilling the mare.
"Then, I'll simply hide somewhere in the area and wait for the time when I can free her. It's not good for her here. We could go-" Words tumbled from my lips, fumbling for any idea that may ease the aching in my chest, and eliminate our separation.
"Go where? Go on the run with an escaped servant? Run away with no money or prospects? You want her to leave her safe and prosperous future for a life with little or no security? Is that really what you want for her?" Marco questioned firmly, but with a sympathetic sheen in his eyes.
Tremors swept my body, born of inner conflict; flesh, organs, and soul torn between two very real truths. "But, I- We-" Love had to be strong enough.
"We know, Emma. We know. But..." Daniel dropped a hand to my knee, urging me to hear him. "But, I also know that you don't really want that life for her. And, she would want you safe. If she was standing here right now, would she tell you to stay or go?" My jaw clenched painfully, and I squeezed my eyes shut. Bile rose in my stomach and my hands shook. Daniel's voice lowered, "You had to know this day was coming...and this, this is the best possible outcome. This is for the best."
He was right. My brain knew he was right. My heart didn't believe it for a second. "Just-" My voice cracked with agony, "-take care her?"
"I promise." Daniel nodded solemnly and stepped away.
"Of course." Marco added sincerely. "But, you must go. Now."
With one last glance at my home for over a year- a home that kept the most precious aspect of my existence-and an unsteady breath, I urged the horse to turn around and galloped into the darkness.
AN: So?