Guests began arriving for the ball just as the bells chimed the hour, some having travelled far to be here. Zelena watched them from the window in her room, her maid having finished arranging her hair and dress already. This would be her first chance to attend a celebration since Leopold's death and even though she still had to wear black she was looking forward to it. Just another two months before she could shed the mourning clothes and enjoy a new wardrobe. The dressmakers would be busy, she intended to take notes from the dresses their guests wore this evening.

Snow was finally turning eighteen. By the standards of the Enchanted Forest she would have been seen as an adult for two years if she hadn't been a princess, but the rules were clear. While a male heir could take the throne with Regents to guide him from birth, a female heir was forced to wait until she married or turned twenty-one to rule. It was an archaic rule, one which Zelena appreciated now that she was Queen and intended to abolish as soon as Snow was no longer around.

She had tried to persuade her mother to send Snow away, to marry her to a foreign prince who would want to rule his own land and find the White Kingdom too far to be bothered with. Then she could continue as Queen unchallenged. Her mother disagreed, reminding her that if Snow had heirs they could try and claim the throne. Even though she knew Regina would be hurt by the princess's death, Zelena accepted her mother's plan. They just had to make sure Regina never suspected her part in it, because Zelena knew her sister would never forgive her.

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

Cora entered, smiling at her daughter, "you look lovely, dear."

"Thank you."

"I hope Snow appreciates everything you have done to try and make this party a success."

"I'm sure she will."

"I took the liberty of sending out a few additional invitations, I hope you don't mind. There were some young gentlemen who simply had to come."

"Mother, you promised. Regina…"

"That I would give her a year to find someone. I'm simply giving her a few choices to consider. Don't worry, I have ensured there will be enough places at dinner and perhaps you will even make a few new friends this evening."

"Really?"

"It's not too early to start thinking about heirs of your own and I'm sure your father wouldn't mind a few grandchildren to fuss over."

Zelena stared at her mother, open-mouthed and speechless.

"Oh, I'm not suggesting that you start working on that tonight. For goodness sake, you mustn't consider such things under after the mourning period has ended but think of this as a little bit of perusing materials for a new gown. You can look, but you don't need to buy what is on offer."

Still unable to think of a reply, Zelena shook her head. Cora held out her arm, ready to escort her to the ball.

With all the guards focusing on the visitors due to arrive, they paid little attention to anyone trying to leave. Even though they were heading east to the Infinite Forest, Snow and Regina went through a gate to the north to throw off an initial pursuit. The day before Regina had taken her horse for a long ride and purchased items they would need. She had stored them along their route, protected with magic to keep them hidden, knowing they wouldn't be able to carry much and that even their horses would have to be left behind.

Snow was being so brave; she had followed each of Regina's instructions and remained silent as they walked through the servant's exit and over the grass. As they passed through the gate, Regina reached out for her hands and found them trembling and cold. Giving them a squeeze and Snow an encouraging nod, she held her breath until they were through, grateful for the large hood that kept anyone from seeing their faces. Regina kept them moving quickly, knowing they wouldn't be safe until they reached the end of the road and stepped between the trees. By the time the bells chimed and the first carriage had drawn up to the castle, they were collecting their new belongings and within sight of the Infinite Forest.

They had put so much effort into their plans; they just had to succeed. Snow had chosen to spend time with the guards, watching how they used their weapons and learning how they caught food when travelling. Meanwhile Regina followed Johanna when she went to speak to the kitchen servants, listening to their discussions and wishing she could do more than watch them prepare meals. She had hidden a note for her father in Rocinante's stall, where she hoped he would find it. There was nothing to say where they were going; it was more of an apology for not saying goodbye in person. Leaving her horse behind was hard, but she didn't know enough about the Forest and her father would take care of him. It had been too dangerous to leave something similar for Zelena, she couldn't risk her sister finding it too soon.

"Last chance to turn back," she whispered to Snow, looking at the place where the trail disappeared into the trees.

The princess pushed back her hood and smiled, "we can do this."

For two days they had followed the river, travelling as far into the forest as they could, stopping only to forage for supplies and rest. They slept on the ground, using a large cotton sheet strung between two trees as a makeshift tent, taking turns to keep watch. Luckily the weather was fine, so they didn't need to start a fire to keep warm.

On the third day they came to a clearing, and Regina suggested they rest. Exhausted, they cooled their feet in the river and Snow took the opportunity to practice her fishing skills.

"We should try and find a permanent place to stay soon," Regina explained. "We'll need to be able to store supplies in case of a bad winter, and have somewhere to keep out any wildlife. I think I heard wolves last night and we don't know what else is lurking out here."

"Do you think a cave would be best, or should we try to build something?"

Regina smiled, "while I'd love a little cottage with all the frills, that will have to wait. A cave is a good idea, solid and if we can find one near the river we won't have to travel far in bad weather for water."

"Is that why we've been walking this way, to stay near the water?"

"And so we'll be able to find our way out of the Forest if you want to go home. Legends say once you enter you'll get lost and never leave again, but I hope this will help us find a way back out."

"If we go back, they'll kill me and your mother might hurt you too," Snow reminder her.

"We just need to stay here long enough that they'll stop looking for us, then we can travel to another kingdom where you'll be safe. You don't want to live like this for the rest of your life Snow; you're a princess."

Snow shrugged, not sure how to explain to Regina that she liked the idea of living in the forest. She couldn't wait to try wearing trousers when she went hunting and having the chance to do what she wanted without a dozen people around watching and commenting. Secretly she was picturing a large log cabin for them to live in, and if the trees further in the forest were as large as the ones they had seen so far they might be able to build one off the ground providing camouflage in case anyone came looking for them.

Ignorant of Snow's plans, Regina began filling their flasks with water, "if we can survive a year, maybe two, that should be enough."

Three months later...

Their new home was comfortable, though still very rustic. They had found a cave large enough that they could stand and move around inside with ease. There was room for a sleeping area far enough from the entrance that they wouldn't be too cold now that winter was approaching. During the day they moved their beds (made from soft grasses and moss) to the sides so the area became a kitchen and they could sit close to the fire. Snow went out in the mornings to hunt, while Regina spent time practicing the different methods of preserving food. She wanted a good selection, knowing when the snow came it might get too dangerous for Snow to venture out. Sometimes she would wander into the forest to collect vines which she dried until they were strong enough to weave together. With the vine-ropes she created a large net that would hold extra wood for the fire, they were going to keep a store of it in the cave but didn't want loose pieces rolling towards the fire while they slept in case they caught alight. They could also be used to hang the preserved meat and sometimes Snow took pieces of rope to practice setting traps in the forest. So far none of her traps had been successful, but she refused to give up. They had found a few plants that Regina recognised as edible, though she wished there was more variety. Part of the supplies they had brought with them vegetable and herb seeds, but she didn't want to plant them until she was sure this was the best place to stay.

Regina watched Snow leave, then set about tidying the cave. She set out the flasks to remind her to collect water later and when everything was finished she sat to wait for her visitor.

"Well dearie, how are we this fine morning?"

"I'm ready."

Rumplestiltskin had come to find her two months ago, appearing when Snow went to find food. He had made her guess at his identity; then introduced himself as Zelena's father when she failed.