Raven hair and ruby lips
sparks fly from her finger tips
Echoed voices in the night
she's a restless spirit on an endless flight

("Witchy Woman," Eagles)

Chapter 14: Escalation

Sitting at another council meeting, I was glad Robin and I had talked about our relationship and came to an agreement. I didn't think I could've handled the meeting without him holding my hand, giving me silent support. Once again, everyone but Robin and Snow were regarding me with an air of suspicion.

"Regina, how long have you had magical abilities?" Charming asked me. "Why didn't you tell us?"

"Because I don't have magic. I come from the land without magic, remember?" I squeezed Robin's hand when in reality I wanted to shout until I was hoarse. He squeezed back, grounding me.

Snow turned to her husband. "That is true, Charming. And Regina hasn't shown any magical abilities before."

"That we know of. Robin?" Charming looked at Robin.

He shook his head. "Regina's never shown any signs of magic in my presence. And I'd like to add that she's always been honest with this council. Why would you suspect her now?"

Charming had no response and Snow nodded in agreement with Robin. Granny and Red exchanged a look before Granny spoke up: "I have to agree with Robin. We never saw anything from Regina prior to this."

"And Regina has always been on our side. She wouldn't be concealing dark magic. So even if she does have magic, I believe she would use it for good," Red said, defending me.

It warmed me to know how loyal my friends were, how loyal Robin was. I looked at Snow, wondering what she was going to say next. She studied me. "Perhaps Regina has always been magical but it's only manifesting now that she's here. We should ask the Blue Fairy. She might know."

Charming leaned back in his chair. "Yes, you're right. I'm certain we all need answers."

"Good. Now can I take Regina back to our quarters? She's shaken up and we do have a son to comfort as well." Robin's protective side was coming out again. I wondered if it ever went away when it came to me and decided it probably didn't.

"Yes, I think we all need some rest. I'll see everyone in the morning," Snow said, her way of dismissing us.

Robin helped me up and I realized my legs were still shaking. Granny approached us. "Do you want to eat with us tonight?"

"Thank you, but I think we'd prefer to eat alone tonight. Good night." Robin bowed his head in respect.

I engulfed the woman in a hug. "Thank you for your support. It means so much to me."

"Of course, Regina. You let me know if anyone gives you trouble. I'll take them on," Granny whispered back.

"Thank you. But I think Robin will get to them first." I pulled away and took his hand, nodding to tell him I was ready to leave.

"Regina. Regina, talk to me please." Robin grabbed my hips, halting my pacing.

I wrapped my arms around him and leaned my head against his chest. His heartbeat was steady and it soothed me. I took a deep breath. "I'm not a witch."

"You're Regina. That's all that matters to me." He tilted my head up so he could look me in the eyes. "If you end up having magical powers, I don't care. It doesn't automatically make you evil. You know that right?"

Pushing away from him, I shrugged. "The word witch doesn't have a good connotation where I come from. We don't believe in magic now, but there was a long time when people did believe in magic and used it as an excuse to persecute people, mostly women."

"I can't say we're very tolerant of magic, but we're more tolerant than that of people with magic." Robin studied me. "That's not what is bothering you. Please, Regina, what is it?"

I sighed. "It's just…When I was in the Winter Palace, I told you I was in the dungeons before the Queen moved me to the secret prison cells."

"Yes, because the Dark One was talking to you." Robin pulled me closer. "Did he say something to you?"

I nodded. "Rump…"

Robin covered my mouth, a strange look in his eyes. "Don't say it. Names can have incredible power here in the Enchanted Forest, especially that one."

It seemed strange to be afraid of a name. But as I thought about it, I realized until Snow uttered it at her wedding, I didn't know Zelena's name. Everyone always called her "the Queen." Even I found myself doing it despite knowing her name. So I nodded. "Okay. The Dark One thought I had magic, told me there was something special about me."

"Well, I'm not going to argue with him on that." Robin tucked some of my hair behind my ear.

"There's more. The Queen told me we were alike and I'm starting to believe she might be right."

Robin's eyebrows knitted in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"We both came from other worlds. I may have magic like her. And…her mother."

"Her mother? What does she have to do with this?"

I sighed. "She looks like my mother, sounds like her, acts like her. I only know she's not my mother because she would've told me. She would've gloated that she followed me here to continue making me miserable."

"And so you think that binds you to the Queen more?" Robin asked. When I nodded, he sighed. "It doesn't bind you to her at all. You only have circumstances in common with her. But you are nothing like her. She is power-hungry and only cares about herself. Those are things I'd never say about you."

He took my right hand, spinning the silver ring on my finger. "Besides, you're bound to me. No one else. At least here."

Neither of us glanced down at the gold band resting on my left ring finger. Instead, I focused on his blue eyes and smiled. "Thank you. I needed to hear that."

"I thought you did." He flipped down the blankets on our bed. "Now, I think it's time we get some sleep. It's been a busy day."

I climbed into bed and he followed. For the first time, we didn't stay on separate sides of the bed. He spooned against me as I wrapped his arm around me. It was comforting to have him so close and I fell asleep within seconds of my head hitting the pillow.

When we awoke the next morning, I found I had shifted in my sleep and now faced his chest. The ties holding his nightshirt closed had come undone, so some of his chest hair tickled my nose, a minor inconvenience compared to how comfortable I was.

"I don't want to get up," Robin muttered.

I hummed in agreement. "Maybe we don't have to?"

"Mama Regina! Papa!" Roland's voice echoed through our rooms and I heard the patter of his little feet.

Robin sighed. "Not a luxury as a parent."

"Right. I'm still getting used to this whole motherhood thing."

We separated as Roland landed on the bed. He crawled up until he laid between us, smiling. "Good morning!"

"Good morning to you, too!" I kissed his forehead. "How did you sleep?"

"All right. I had a dream about the monkey but you turned it into a toy for me so it was a good dream," Roland said, smiling.

Robin pouted. "I do believe you have supplanted me as my son's hero."

"You're still my hero." I leaned over and kissed him. He smiled against my lips, kissing me again.

"Eww!" Roland's cry broke us apart. We looked down to find him covering his eyes and started to laugh.

Robin tickled his son. "I am going to remember that comment for the day you kiss your first lass."

"Eww, Papa! Never!" Roland's protestations soon gave way to childish giggles.

I climbed out of bed and began dressing, pulling on one of the warmer wool dresses Granny had dropped off for me the day before. The gray was rather plain but I didn't feel like standing out today. Besides, there weren't many people who could see me anyway.

Like clockwork, I felt Robin's hands on the laces. He knew how tight I liked my dress by now. "There you go."

"Thank you." I turned to the bed where Roland had cocooned himself in our blankets. "Oh, don't get comfortable. Time for you to get dressed as well, young man."

His face lit up. "Are you going to help me?"

"Yes, I am. Come on." I held out my hand for him. He jumped off the bed and took it. We left the bedroom, him skipping beside me. As I helped him dress, I felt I was starting to get a handle on being a mother. But the question about my magic still nagged at me throughout the rest of the morning.

I went with Robin and Roland to the Merry Men camp, nervous about what they would think after yesterday's wind storm. But I realized I needn't have worried. They were glad that Roland and I were unharmed. Little John hoisted the boy onto his shoulders and carried him away while Robin discussed business with his men.

"We need to be more vigilant. I doubt that's the last monkey we'll see," Robin told Alan and Much.

Much nodded. "We can step up patrols, if the Prince and Princess allow it."

"I'll speak with them but I have a feeling they will approve. We may even have more people to help with patrols," Robin said.

I watched my pretend husband at work. Robin was a natural leader, much like Snow. His men respected and listened to him. He also respected and listened to them, allowing them to voice ideas to continue protecting the palace and its inhabitants. Something stirred in me, something more than admiration or even infatuation.

Something I didn't feel ready to name.

"I also will be taking Regina to the target area more often. I want to make certain she can defend herself should the worst happen." Robin looked down at me.

I frowned. "What's that?"

"Should the spell be broken and the Queen able to see you." Robin sat down next to me. "I want you to have a fighting chance."

Should something happen to me. It was unsaid but I heard it in his tone. I leaned against his shoulder, wanting the contact. Closing my eyes, I pushed back the image from my nightmares of Robin lying dead.

As if feeling my worry, he kissed the top of my head. "It's just a precaution. What do you say?"

"I do miss training with you." I raised my head and looked at him. "You ready for me to beat you, Locksley?"

"Is that a challenge, milady?"

"You know it is."

I stared at him and he returned my gaze. We waited to see who blinked first. He was a fool if he thought it would be me.

His eyes closed and I smiled in triumph. "Oh, this is going to be fun."

"I'll say," Much said. "Can I watch?"

Robin raised an eyebrow. "No. But I will entrust you to help Regina when I can't."

"Yes, sir. It would be an honor." Much bowed to me.

Friar Tuck approached camp. "Robin, Regina, they are looking for you at the palace. Something about a council meeting."

"Thank you, Tuck." Robin held out his hand to me. "Ready, milady?"

I took a deep breath and nodded as I took his hand. "Let's go."

Blue was waiting for us as we entered. Robin pulled out my seat and waited until I took it before sitting himself. I grabbed his hand, interlocking our fingers. Across the table, I saw Snow smile.

Charming cleared this throat. "I do believe we all know why we're here. We've filled in the Blue Fairy about what happened yesterday…"

"But I'd like to hear it from Regina." Blue landed in front of me. "If you could, please?"

Robin squeezed my hand and I took a deep breath, explaining everything that had happened from my viewpoint. "I just wanted to reach Roland. The wind was coincidental if you ask me."

"I see. Well, I'm afraid I have to agree with Charming that it wasn't natural. I do believe you called it, Regina. You might have latent magical abilities," Blue said.

"How?" Robin asked. "She's from the Land Without Magic."

"Yes, but there's a chance magic still exists. From what we know about Regina's world, it seems more like people have just stopped believing in magic rather than magic being impossible," Snow said.

Blue nodded. "It's possible."

"So I could've been born with magic?" I asked.

"Yes. If Snow's theory is right, it was just quashed. Or if there really is no magic in your land, it just lay dormant. When you arrived here, the magic of our land triggered yours to come to the surface."

I took another deep breath. "Now what?"

"Well, Regina, that's up to you. If you want to learn how to control your magic, you just have to ask." Blue floated up and over to Charming.

Robin leaned closer to me. "It's up to you. I'll support you no matter what you choose."

"Thank you," I said. "Looks like I still have some thinking to do."

As I thought, the Queen increased her attacks on the palace. Flying monkeys were becoming a daily occurrence and once again we found ourselves confined to the indoors for most of the day. Robin and I still found time, usually in the morning, to go down to the target area and practice. I enjoyed our time together, relishing being in his company.

When we weren't together, I was busy trying to keep Roland and the other children entertained while the other adults handled the increased attacks. I felt I was contributing in some way. And it kept my mind off the awful things that could happen while Robin was out patrolling. I was grateful he only went patrolling during the day, always making sure to return in time for supper. He didn't want to leave us unprotected during the night, even if he had a Merry Man shadowing us whenever he was gone. Several people began to disappear over the next few weeks. No one knew where they went but we all suspected who took them: the Queen. We waited for ransom demands, for an exchange—Snow or me for the taken people. Charming and Robin were adamant such an exchange would never take place and that we would find other ways to get them back. But as time went on, no such demands came. We were left to wonder.

One afternoon, I sat at our table with Roland on my lap. He practiced his letters, tongue sticking out as he focused on his strokes. I oversaw his work and made sure to praise him when he did it right. When he got off track, I corrected him as gently as I could. "No, no. Remember it's supposed to look like a teacup without the handle."

"Oh, right!" Roland adjusted his line so it started to curve. "Thank you, Mama Regina."

"Regina! Come quick, we need…." Red burst in and stopped when she saw Roland. He leaned back against me, seeking comfort. She swallowed, calming down. "Sorry."

Roland looked up at me with wide eyes. "Is it Papa?"

I glanced at Red, who shook her head. She leaned down to address Roland. "No, your Papa is fine. We just need Regina's help."

"With what?" I asked.

"We need one of your healing potions. Actually, a lot of your healing potions."

I nodded. "Can you watch Roland?"

"Gepetto said he would."

Roland grew excited. "I get to play with Pinocchio?"

"Yes, you do." I put him on the floor. "Why don't you go ahead with Red? I'll meet you at Gepetto's."

He took her hand and Red nodded at me before they left. I gathered as much of the potion as I could, making note that I would need to make more.

Once Roland was settled with Gepetto and Pinocchio, Red led me down to a small room by the armory. The patrol was carrying in a wounded guard. He had large, long claw marks on his chest and back. They had cut through his uniform and were oozing with blood. I stopped next to Robin, who had led the patrol. "Flying monkey?"

He nodded. "Caught us by surprise. Put up a fight until we killed it to get it off him. We turned right around and I sent someone ahead so they could get your potion."

"They're deep wounds," I said, examining the guard. "The potion may not work."

"We have to try," Charming said.

"Of course. Robin, can you hand me some clean cloth? Let's start tending to these wounds." I pushed up my sleeves and opened the first bottle. Robin handed me pieces of linen and I poured a liberal amount of potion on it, laying it on part of the wounds. I repeated a few times but stopped when the guard began to convulse. I looked up at Doc. "What's happening?"

"I don't know." Doc stared down at the guard, eyes wide.

Robin pulled me back as gray fur began to sprout over the guard's body. He began to twist in unnatural ways as a tail sprouted forth, followed by wings. Horrible screeches emitted from him and I had to cover my ears. Turning my head, I found a flying monkey where the guard had been. It screamed at us before taking off, no doubt going to its new master. Silence settled over us as we processed what had just happened.

"They're people. The flying monkeys we've never had a second thought about killing…they are people." Snow was inconsolable. I held her as we sat in the council room, letting her cry against my shoulder.

Charming paced the room as everyone sat in silence. Robin leaned against a wall, watching me. I was shaken up but in a better shape than Snow, who continued to sob. I rubbed her shoulders. "You didn't know. None of us knew."

"I still feel awful. What kind of fate is that? You're either a monkey for the rest of your life or your own friends kill you!" She wailed again and I pressed a handkerchief into her hand. I glanced over at Red, who shook herself from her own stupor to come help me comfort Snow.

"This is going to change how we fight them. We're now going to hesitate whenever they attack. It could be deadly," Robin offered.

Snow lifted her head from my shoulder. "You mean you're still going to fight them? Even knowing what they really are?"

"We have no choice, Snow." Charming knelt before his wife, taking her hands. "It could even be seen as an act of mercy."

"It still seems wrong. How could my stepmother put us into this situation?" She threw herself at Charming and he caught her, cradling her.

I looked up, meeting Robin's eyes, and sighed. "What type of monster is this queen?"

No one had an answer for me. I didn't really expect one.

Robin and I were in somber moods for the rest of the evening. It didn't seem to affect Roland, though, who was too tired from playing with Pinocchio to notice. He fought to stay awake to eat his dinner. When he was finished, he pulled my hand and went into his room before dessert. I dressed him for bed and tucked him in. Before I left, he was already asleep.

I found Robin staring into the fire. Walking over to him, I wrapped my arms around his waist and leaned my head against his back. "Not hungry for dessert either?"

"Supper had no taste. Not after what we saw today."

"I know." My voice was soft but I knew he still heard me. "I'm scared to go to bed. Lord only knows what I'm going to see in my dreams tonight."

"I fear sleep as well." Robin sighed. "Is Roland asleep?"

"Yes. At least someone will get a good night's rest."

He moved and I let him go. Robin looked at me. "Why don't you go get ready? I'll be right in."

"Okay. Can you just undo my laces first?"

"Of course. Turn around." I did and he unlaced me in seconds. Before heading to our room, I kissed him. "See you in a few minutes."

After changing into a fresh shift for bed, I was braiding my hair when Robin returned. He carried Roland, who continued to slumber against his father's shoulder. Robin laid him in our bed, using his own pillow to cushion his son's head. When our eyes met, I saw the pain in his eyes and understood. He wanted everyone he cared about it one place, just to assure himself that we weren't flying monkeys.

I needed the same.

He pulled off his shirt, putting on the one he wore to bed before pulling off his pants. I tied off my braid and climbed into bed, careful not to wake Roland. Robin got in on the other side after blowing out the candles. We both lay on our sides, facing each other as we fell asleep.

Once again, I was back in the Winter Palace. I tensed up, waiting for Cora or Zelena to reveal herself. Silence surrounded me as I surveyed the empty parlor. This was a trap; they were waiting for me to do something and then they would grab me.

"My dear, you breathe too loud. Has anyone ever told you it is unladylike?" Cora emerged from the shadows in a corner, frowning. She motioned me forward. "Come. I won't bite."

"No. You'll just pull out my heart and squash it."

Cora chuckled. "You are a faster learned. Good. But I have something to show you."

I moved of my own accord, dread growing in my stomach. From my past nightmares—for I was cognizant that this was a nightmare—I knew what I was going to see. I did everything in my power to stop myself, to wake myself up, but sleep had a tighter grip on me.

On the other side of the table lay Daniel. His eyes were open but unseeing. I knew Cora had already crushed his heart. She continued to chuckle as I looked up at her. "You monster," I said.

"I'm no monster." Cora pointed across the room. "But as for your other husband…"

I followed her finger to find Zelena holding Robin. His eyes pleaded with me but this time, I was rooted to my spot. I watched as he transformed into a flying monkey, crying out in agony as Zelena and her mother laughed. Zelena let go of him, letting him fly about the room. He went for the window, banging against it.

"Robin? Robin, man, wake up! We need you to come quick." I shot up in bed as I realized the banging noise was someone knocking on our door.

Beside me, Robin sat up as Roland stirred in his sleep. I rubbed the boy's back until he settled back into a peaceful sleep. Robin had already changed and threw open the door. A frantic Little John stood on the other side. "About time, Robin. You need to come with me."

"What's wrong?" Robin asked.

Little John took a deep breath. "It's the Dark One. We've captured him."

A/N: Here's the next chapter. And I keep adding more chapters to this! At the rate I'm going, I might end up rivaling the original Outlander. I have a feeling you lot won't mind.

I won't be posting a chapter next week. My cousin is having a party for her son and lives five hours from us. So we usually stay the weekend at a hotel. While said hotel has WiFi, it's kinda sucky. So I don't want to have my blood pressure shoot through the roof while I try to upload the next chapter.

But if you check my tumblr, you'll see I'm participating in Outlaw Queen Week. Starting today, there will be a new little ficlet hopefully each day. (I'm still writing them so the last three may not be on the day assigned that prompt). I will also post them here once I'm done with all seven, but you are more than welcome to read them on tumblr.

Have a happy Valentine's Day and I'll see you the week after!

-Mac