After most the guests left the White Queen's castle the ones left could let out a sigh of relief. They have been putting up with far too much the last few days and all they wanted now was to be themselves. Maleficent and Lily stayed behind so they could get to know the other side a bit better. Regina didn't want to leave her good friend behind so she was working from Snow's castle. She didn't like it very much. Every time she was stuck here she felt like she was a prisoner. She didn't like it when she was married to the King and she doesn't like it now. Her castle was just that, hers. She didn't have to worry about what changes she made or how she treated the help. Those who served her knew what was expected of them and did it. Here they still treated her as the Evil Queen at times. When Snow stood up to that King it helped others see that Snow wasn't going to just stand idly by and let others trash Regina but that doesn't mean they have forgiven her past deeds.
She sat in her old study and looked out the window lost in thought. Wanting to know when everything changed from "kill any who opposed" to "I hope this helps". As she looked out she realized she actually always wanted to help. No matter how many she killed she was always looking for ways to help her kingdom. She knew she could have let the Kingdom slowly fall as she got her revenge but she didn't. It has always ran smoothly and never once did people actually die of hunger or disease. They usually died because of something she did. "Go figure," she said quietly as she looked back to her paperwork.
A knock at the door gave her a moment from her own thoughts as Robin walked in. Regina didn't mind his interruption as he walked up to the desk with a charming smile on his face, "Good afternoon your majesty." He bowed his head as he spoke then looked the Dark Queen in the eyes. She didn't mind that he was so casual but for some reason she just didn't find him as entertaining as before. None the less she smiled back at him, "What can I do for you Robin?"
He took a seat in one of the chairs opposite Regina, "My friend was wondering if she stayed with me for a little while longer. She wants to see the lost kingdom." His eyes shined as he spoke.
Regina realized the reason that she was losing interest in any kind of relationship with this man, he didn't think things through as one should. "I suppose that is fine but I can't say if she can stay here. Unfortunately I do not want any in my castle as I am not there."
Robin lost his shine but kept his smile, "I understand your majesty. I will see if Queen Snow would mind her staying here." Regina nodded and looked back down at her papers. If she was looking at him she would have noticed his smile fade and a hard look at her. He turned and left the room.
Only a few minutes after the door shut from Robin it was opened again. Regina was about scold whoever was interrupting her when she saw Henry and Emma standing before her. She smiled up at the two who had matching goofy smiles of their own. Emma was the first to speak, "So I heard rumor."
"Oh and what rumor would that be?" Regina questioned as she sat back in her chair.
"Well I heard that you like to ride," Emma said smiling. Henry's face began to beam at her as he looked from Emma to Regina. Regina looked at him with a playful scolding look.
She sat back up, "I wonder where on earth you could have heard that."
Henry put up his hands in defense, "It wasn't me mom."
"He's right it wasn't. It was my mother. She told me how you taught her to ride." Emma moved behind the desk and leaned against it as she looked down at Regina.
"I use to ride. I haven't been able to in a long time." Regina tried to dismiss where this conversation was going.
"But you always said one should never be afraid to get back on a horse mom." Henry added making Regina wish she would have never told Henry about her own riding experience. She had too much work to do and she still had to fix some of the budgeting that was going on. Snow noticed money was missing from somewhere but couldn't figure it out.
"Come on….One afternoon of riding will make all the difference when you come back and look at those boring papers." Emma said with a smirk on her face. Regina sighed shaking her head. She knew she had looked over the paperwork for days and couldn't figure it out. Maybe they were right, she just needed to get away.
"Come on mom. Please! I want to go out on a ride with both my moms. I always go riding with Gran and Pop."
At Henry's plea she slowly stood, "Fine I will go but don't think we will make this a habit." She looked from Henry to Emma, "Especially when I need to make sure the kingdom has the money it needs to survive."
"I am all for surviving but I also would like if you lived a little." Emma grabbed Regina's hand and led the way towards the stables.
When they reached Regina used magic to change into her riding clothes. She missed the feeling she got when she had them. Daniel popped into her head in that moment and she let a sad smile show on her face as his last words echoed to her, Love Again. She looked up to a touch on her arm finding Emma looking at her. Emma gave Regina a sad smile of her own. Henry had told Emma the story of Daniel and Snow had told her the story of both his deaths. The White Princess had a feeling that the reason Regina didn't ride unless she had to was due to Daniel. Regina placed her other hand over Emma's, squeezed it, then moved away to look at the available horses.
As she went from stall to stall she didn't see a horse that she felt a connection with. As she was about to use that as an excuse she heard whining and banging noises from one of the bigger stalls. She moved to open the door when she was stopped by the stable manager, "This horse has yet to be broken Majesty."
"How long have you been trying?" Her hand never leaving the handle to the stall.
His hand dropped from her's, "A month Majesty."
She looked at him with determination, "Then I will do what you cannot."
Emma was there in an instant, "Regina my father has tried to break that horse. No one has done it. To top it off its a very mean horse. It tried to take me down while I watched."
Regina smiled at Emma, "Can't help when a horse sees weakness Princess. I will ride this horse in no time."
Emma stepped back, "Its your body, just don't say I didn't warn you." Regina smiled at her as she pulled the door open.
When she walked in she almost lost her breath. The horse was magnificent. It was as dark as a moonless night. Its mane was long and wavy making it look stunning. She stood just in the door as she looked at the horse. As soon as the horse noticed her it stopped pacing and looked at her head on. In an instance it charged towards her. Regina wasn't one to run so easily though. Right as it was about to run into her it stopped dead in its tracks. It let out a hard breath at her because she didn't run. They had a stare down for a few minutes before the horse shook its head and took a step back. Regina conjured an apple and a knife. After cutting the apple into four pieces she held a piece out to the mare. The horse eyed the food then Regina. Slowly it took the apple from Regina's hand and swallowed it. Again a piece was offered and again the horse hesitated before taking it.
After the last piece was eaten Regina grabbed the nearby rope and slid it slowly over the mare's head. Once it was secure she led it out of the bigger stall towards the outer fields. The horse was calm and obeyed as Regina led. Emma and Henry had watched as several people even some of the knights from Henry's celebration tried to tame the beast. The fact that Regina could get a rope on its neck without it going wild shocked the two. As Regina walked it towards the gated area Charming was walking up, "What is she doing?" He whispered trying not to spook the horse. Emma and Henry shrugged their shoulders as they walked behind Regina and the horse. Once the two were in the manager locked the corral.
Regina whispered encouraging things to the horse as she ran her hands over its neck and face. She held the horse's attention as she let a calming energy go from her the mare. After a few minutes of rubbing the horse's neck she moved to the horse's body. The horse didn't move to watch her just take in the way Regina handled herself. When Regina felt the horse was ready she conjured a saddle on it. Making sure it wasn't too tight or loose she moved back to the front of the horse. She didn't want to hop on and scare her so she let the mare get use to the weight of the saddle.
Snow came out to watch as well. A young James at her side watching in awe as Regina seemed so at ease with the huge beast. Snow smiled as she bent down and picked him up, "Aunt Regina is very good with animals. One day I will tell you about how she saved me from a runaway horse." James giggled at his mother then looked back at Regina.
Once the horse seemed to handle the saddle she conjured reins on it and removed the rope. The horse whined and jump at this but Regina didn't move away from her. When the horse was done throwing a fit Regina was smiling and shaking her head. She talked in low tones letting the horse know that she was just doing what needed to be done. She grabbed the reins and started to lead the horse once again. The horse pulled back for the first several steps but Regina kept talking to the mare with a calm steady voice. They made a full circle around the corral before Regina turned back to the horse. Once she looked a the horse she started to explain, "Now that you have gotten used to all this change I plan on getting on. I won't hurt you and I won't push you too hard. I need you to just relax and trust me." She waited for the horse to take in what she said. With what one could call a reluctant huff the horse nodded. "Thank you."
Regina climbed on and sat slowly down. The horse took a few steps this way and that. Regina started to relax on the saddle and with that the horse started to jump. "Mom!" Henry yelled but Emma kept him from climbing into the corral.
"Don't worry young prince. Your mother can handle that small beast just fine," Maleficent seemed to come out of nowhere as she spoke trying to calm Henry down. Lily and Ruby were also with her. Regina had drawn a crowd to watch her break this horse. The horse was running back and forth, bucking hard trying to get Regina to fly off. Regina though was determined to let the horse have its way but also get hers.
She continued to speak in quiet tones to the beast. "I will not break your spirit. You are too strong for that. I just ask that you work with me. Let me feel that strong spirit." After a few minutes the horse started to slow. Regina was able to lean over and repeat her words to the mare. As if the mare finally understood she stopped bucking and shook her head. Regina let the horse walk where it wanted and get used to Regina leading. After a few rounds around the small space Regina leaned over and whispered something to the horse. The horse stomped its hoof to the ground in answer. Regina face lit up as a huge smile could be seen. With a small nudge the horse sprinted off. With no fear and no worries in her or Regina the crowd watched in amazement as the horse jumped the coral's side running towards the woods. Regina's voice could be heard in the distance, "Catch us if you can!" With one look to each other Henry and Emma ran to get their horses and catch up to the Queen.
As the three were out riding horses there was someone in the castle snooping around. With the permission of the White Queen Zelena was able to stay. She started searching the castle for weaknesses her sister had. She searched and searched but with very little luck. "The woman has placed herself in a box," Zelena said to herself. Everyone she talked to on the staff here and at Regina's castle only said she likes order and has a bad temper. Though the entire time she has been around Regina that temper has never shown. Zelena smiled to herself, She's gone soft. She gave up the search for today and started making her way towards the main halls. As she walked she ran into Maleficent. Mal didn't like this woman from their first meeting and she barely controlled the distaste of her when Zelena was around.
"Are you lost," Mal questioned.
A fake smile plastered on her face and a slight bow of the head Zelena responded, "No ma'am. I was just exploring the castle."
"It is quite the building. The Kings tend to have big taste don't you think?" Maleficent looked around her then back to Zelena.
"Yes, it would seem that they did." Zelena's smile faded only slightly.
"I'm sorry I don't remember your name." Maleficent held Zelena's gaze as she asked the question.
Zelena was barely keeping a smile on her face as she answered, "I am Zelena."
"Robin's…." Mal waited for her to finish the statement.
"Friend. We used to steal things together." Zelena gave.
"Right," Mal didn't like the answers she was given but kept it to herself. "So how long do you plan on staying?"
"Not sure right now. I was getting very bored back home and find this place more fascinating." Zelena replied as she started to walk.
Mal being ever curious walked with her, "I can understand that. My daughter has been thinking about staying too. Seems she has found several people who will let her in besides me. She hasn't really had too many people she trusts."
"I can understand that. Trust is a big thing. Can't always find someone who is worth it." As they walked Zelena felt more at ease because she could move.
"Yes. Plus Regina is here and it would seem the two have become very close." Mal stated and regretted it once she saw a pause in Zelena.
"That's good that she has someone like Regina to look out for her. She has change so much since her darker days," Zelena said a little colder than she was before.
"Yes well we still may leave. I have my own castle to tend to and those I take care of." Mal stopped them by turning to Zelena, "Well I hope you find what you are looking for. I must go and speak with my daughter about a few things. Good day Zelena."
Zelena curtsied, "Good day." With that Maleficent was gone in a puff of smoke. Zelena's cold smile was gone and replaced with hatred. She didn't like the dragon lady to begin with and now it would seem there would be two of them looking out for Regina. She needed to find the one person who could handle it all. "Rumple." She took off and left the castle to go find some information on her lost teacher.