A/N: Hi! So we're on the second to the last chapter of the fic and I hope you're still liking what you're reading. Next update will be the finale and I am hoping you're still with me 'til then. I am also so excited (and a bit sad) for the upcoming winter finale! Hiatus will be back. *sighs* Anyway, here's Chapter 20. Tell me what you think! Thanks!
"You're lucky you've met me now, in this land," Regina said honestly.
"Our encounter is just perfect," Elsa bragged. "Besides, there's no more Enchanted Forest you could go back to," she laughed coldly bringing chill down on Regina's spine.
"I don't know what else you've done Frosty," she referred to Elsa as a smirk drew on her face, "But you have no idea what I am capable of. So I'm giving you a chance to stop this winter and I will give you a gift."
"I want nothing from you!" Elsa replied boastfully but her bold blue eyes were strangers on her own face. She couldn't mask the fright she has. Clearly, she hasn't encountered anyone as powerful as herself but meeting Regina, she finally had her doubts.
"But you shall have it!" Regina fired back, confident enough that she will take the Snow Queen down. "Your life," she said, "Just surrender and you shall live… perhaps with your sister."
Elsa was not amused with everything that Regina said. She was about to send another flurry when she heard a voice and she immediately stopped, her hand suspended in the air as she halted from a definite attack.
"Elsa!" Anna's voice vibrated through the woods against the loud swooshing of the winds. And in an instant, the blizzard calmed down leaving only serene snowflakes falling on everyone's head. They all waited in anticipation – David, Emma, Zelena, Gold, Ruby, Hook and Kristoff, as Anna attempted to walk towards her sister. "Please, end this," she begged with her eyes starting to well up.
"I've been looking for you," Elsa announced facing Anna, worried and upset at the same time. "Where have you been?" She asked, but when she saw Kristoff from her periphery, she no longer expected an answer. "How many times should I tell you…" She clenched her teeth and shut her eyes, fury must have been flowing through her veins. "You can't be with a man you barely know!"
"I was alone!" Anna defended. "You shut me out and I had no one! Until he found me." Anna tried to explain, her voice trembling. "You were always in your room, you didn't want to talk to me and when you finally came out, you have that…" her voice trailed, carefully choosing her next words. "That power," she concluded. Her sister's eyes fell on her, studying her words and expression. "I was afraid!" Anna finally admitted as she broke down into soft sobs.
Everybody's attention was on Anna and Elsa until they heard footsteps approaching. A man came rushing to the group, his eyes surveying the scene, a bow on his hand and a quiver of arrows on his back. It was her Outlaw.
"Robin," Regina whispered under her breath, not able to hide the smile that slowly showed on her face. She was looking at him and she was hoping that he would look at her the way he used to, wishing that the Outlaw would still see his second chance with the Evil Queen. She stood there motionless, not caring on what could happen in the next minute. Robin, he was all that mattered to her at that very moment.
The Snow Queen paused for a second as he looked at the thief whom she recognized so quickly. She pretended not to care and continued talking to Anna. "Did you think that I'm a monster?" Elsa asked as she disgustingly gazed on Zelena. "I'll never hurt my little sister," the Snow Queen said as she extended her hands towards Anna pulling her closer for an embrace. Anna leaned on Elsa, hugging her back, her head on her older sister's shoulder as dribbles of tears still escaped her eyes. The Snow Queen placed her hands on Anna's back, rubbing it a bit for comfort and security. Everyone felt a sudden warmth in their hearts as they saw the reunion of the two sisters.
But then the unexpected happened – the pale woman on the burnt blue dress snapped her fingers sending an icy mist towards the Evil Queen whose attention was entirely focused on the Outlaw. And before everyone saw it, Regina came falling.
The thief's eyes were filled with terror, he was stiffened from shock as he tried to walk towards the person he thought was the Evil Queen. His knees were shaking as he collapsed near the unmoving body of the woman lying on the cold wet ground, "Regina!" He squealed, lifting her head and laying her on his lap. His tears started to roll down his face as he tried to stir her up.
Few feet away from them, stood her assailant, laughing coldly as the hailstorm resumed while Anna froze in astonishment, surprised as hell on what her sister did. Zelena didn't think another minute, she pushed Anna out of her way and while the Snow Queen was enjoying her what seems to be victory, the Wicked Witch stepped near her, stretched her arm towards Elsa's chest and ripped her heart out. In just a second or two, the snow stopped falling.
The shuddering body of Robin Hood tried to wake his Queen up, he was shaking her physique quite hardly in an attempt to bring her back to consciousness. His tears were continuously rushing down his face but she's still not moving. "Regina," he whispered repeatedly to no success. Out of despair, he leaned towards her, his face inches away from hers and he whispered one last time, "Regina." He pressed his lips against hers for a moment before he pulled away as he felt her stirred on his arms.
Her eyes fluttered opened as she struggled from focusing on the man holding her, she was drawing blank but then she heard him say her name again. "You remember," Regina smiled faintly, finally responding to Robin.
And as the Outlaw drew a pale smile on his face, Elsa on the other hand fell to her knees thinking of the unfathomable – she was defeated. The Wicked Witch strapped an accessory on the Snow Queen's neck, similar with the one she used to wear. The necklace instantly absorbed all power Elsa had and when it stopped seizing Elsa's magic, Zelena pulled it off her, finally rendering the Snow Queen powerless. Holding confidence that Elsa is incapable of anything harmful, Zelena put Elsa's heart back in her chest and walked towards Anna giving her a final advice, "Take care of your sister." Her eyes were glaring as she looked away from the two and went near David, with a mischievous smirk on her face, she handed him Elsa's power encased in the blue necklace.
When all seemed fine, everyone was watching the Outlaw as he held his Queen on his arms like he'll never, ever, let her go. He was smiling at her as he gazed on her beautiful brown eyes staring back on his. "I do," he confirmed, finally replying to Regina. "I remember everything," he uttered as he placed a peck on Regina's forehead. "And I love you," the Outlaw declared as rivers of tears continued to flow down from his eyes, relieved as he heard his Queen and see her beam again.
Regina smiled weakly hearing what she wanted and needed to hear. He still loves me, she thought delightfully. She placed her hand on Robin's face tracing the edges of his jaw and murmured, "I have a feeling that I have the frailest luck with snow." She let a very soft nervous laugh out and drifted off to unconsciousness.