If convincing Snow that she was fine to journey had been a hassle, the morning of their departure turned into a mountainous task. From the moment she had stepped outside of Roland's room with the boy at her side, they were met with the Princess fast approaching them. But thankfully, magic always came in handy.
"Regi-" The younger brunette started to speak, but before she got any further Regina lifted her hands, transporting her and Roland into Granny's corridor.
"Woah" giggled Roland as he started to fall had her hands not tightened around his to prevent the fall. "Regina! Let's do it again!"
Laughing she answered him, "We can't sweetheart, but when I come back, we can anywhere around the castle, ok? We have to go see Granny now, remember?"
He had been a mess the night before, clinging onto her even in his sleep. When morning had rolled around, he promised to let her go if only he could speak to her every day, no matter what. It was that promise that had her enchanting a pocket mirror and breaking it in half. She had hers' ready underneath her bodice, as he had his under his tunic. Looking down at him now she could see he wasn't still all that pleased, so she crouched down to see him and tilted his face to see her. "Roland, honey, listen to me. I know you're not happy about me going, and neither is Snow, but I'll be able to talk to you; and when I come back, hopefully I'll have your Papa with me. But until then, you promised me you would behave and be my guarding little Knight here in the castle. Okay?"
"Okay…" he whispered. With that she took his face in her hands and kissed him, hoping to soothe his worries away. Guilt gnawed in her stomach, feeling so much for this child who has had to endure so much. The child within her has yet to be born, and yet she's somehow failed them too. She needed Robin, not just for herself but for the child in her arms, and the one growing in her.
After leaving Roland under the capable hands of Granny, it was time to face the music and start her way to the stables. She had been lucky thus far to not run into Snow, but arriving in the stables she knew her streak was over.
"Snow, please we had enough of this. I'm going and that's it. There's nothing else to discuss so please don't bore me with your need to stop me." She said as she approached the Princess standing at the stable entrance.
"You could have at least listened to me this morning before poofing out of sight with Roland in tow. I spent all this time looking for you. I just wanted to see you off before you left Regina." Snow said as she followed her inside.
It seemed like a lifetime ago when a young woman and child stood under a stable. Little did they know at that moment how much their lives would change in that instant. Life has an interesting way of coming around from time to time, but it wasn't something she could dwell on now. Self-pity ran wild in her. As it was, she didn't have time to wallow in it, especially as John came forward with her horse saddled and ready for her.
"Your horse is saddled and ready. The men are by the gate, as are Belle and Neal. They'll ride with us until they part for Gold's castle."
"Very good John, thank you. Let's get going, there's no time to waste. There's a lot of ground to cover." She said as she thanked him and took the horse from him. Sparing a glance at Snow, she nodded her goodbye and made her way to the castle gates.
There was no moment to spare.
As the hours passed, Belle and Neal had long left the group, bidding their farewells and promises of future contact. With the sun far into the horizon, night was fast approaching. But it didn't slow Regina down, and the men behind her seemed to be of the same state of mind.
With their hearts and soul, they rode far away from the castle, each looking above for any threats that could be lurking around. And as much as she once hated the idea of these men being around her, she is grateful for them now. She feels safe and protected among them, knowing that they would protect her, just as she would do to them. These were Robin's men, but more than that, she has seen the acceptance in their eyes of her. More than once have they rallied to stand behind her. So regardless of how unfortunate this situation is, she is glad they are here. If not just because they are just as eager to see Robin back.
It was well into the night when they all decided to stop to rest. The horses needed to be fed, and they could all use a bite to eat. They made good time of their journey so far, a good 15 miles from the castle, but they would have to push on hard tomorrow. They managed to cross the castles boundaries, and it would only be another 20 miles and they would enter the North Woods. But they trekked farther into the escape and safety of the woods now to seek shelter, find a place that would keep them out of site from those wicked beasts.
"There is a cave the we have used in the past that will provide enough coverage for us and the horse about half a mile upstream. We can rest the night, and be back on our way first thing in the morning." Came John's voice from her right as they came closer to the forest's edge.
"Who were you hiding from when you all made such a discovery?" She asked breathlessly from the day's ride.
"Why you, of course! That bloody Nottingham wouldn't dare come this close to your kingdom." Will all but hollered as he came closer.
"Well that's a relief to hear. But escapes aside, I don't think she's going to attack. She would have made her presence or magic known by now, granted we haven't been exactly subtle in our journey, but I don't sense anything around us. Not close anyway" Regina replied as she followed Alan across the stream and onto the rocky shore.
"Magic or no, we'll have men take shifts in the night. You and the little one need to get your rest. It will be a long ride tomorrow, and Robin will have our heads if he hears we did not allow you to rest."
Right. As much as she wanted to keep going, she felt it in her bones how tired and worn out she felt. Thankfully the trek to the shelter was not too far, and within a few minutes she began to see why they were never found way back when. First she saw the hidden trinkets in the trees, the dense foliage surrounding what was meant to look like a rock; yet as Will and Alan jumped off their horses, she saw it was merely a cover to an entrance.
"I see why you thieves were never caught." She said as the men cleared the path for the horses. "How in the world did you find this? I've only seen another of its kind before?"
"Well, the same way we find most of our spots, running away from a good chase. This one though, this one we come to only if it's necessary. It's not exactly close to Sherwood, but we never wanted it ruined, or harmed. The less anyone knows of it, then it remains as it should be, alone and protected. It's beauty we try to keep hidden." He answered as he made his way towards the little stream that ran across.
She had seen this only once before. She didn't know of many around, but here she was, in one of the Enchanted Forest's most hidden secrets. She understood now why they wanted to keep this gem hidden, it was big enough for them and the horses, and probably another 80 people.
"It's its own forest within a forest if you will." Came Will's voice.
"You're absolutely right." She answered as she explored her surroundings. Somewhere off she could hear the waterfall, sourcing the stream in which the horses were currently being taken to. Its beauty was overwhelming, but all she could sense was the peace this place provided. A hidden treasure in all its right. If only for a moment she closed her eyes and allowed herself to enjoy its serenity, seeing as they had yet a far journey ahead of them. Whatever this place was, she felt safe, and even though she couldn't understand it, she felt serene and peaceful.
Slowly, she could feel the exhaustion of the day catching up to her. Alan and Tuck had secured her tent and cot once everyone had been fed and settled in for the night. She spared the obvious comment as to how easily it could all have been done with a flick of her hand, but the truth is she realized the need to do something to distract the mind. Not only that but she was practically falling asleep on her own two feet. So instead, she stood back, quietly finishing her stew as she watched the men place everything together. And once it was all done and standing, she bid her goodnight and retreated to the comfort the cot provided. Quickly changing out of the day's clothing, she stripped down to her shift and laid in bed as the delicious pull of sleep dragged her in.
She was asleep before she even knew it happened, but it was the sweet melody ringing through her ears that woke her from the blissful sleep she had been enjoying. The closer it got, the more she came to consciousness, and by the time she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was the blue luminescent orb above her head. She drew her hand out tentatively, not sensing any dark magic at play, but as soon as her hand got close, the orb flew through the tent's opening. What it was, she could not tell, or even less how she felt drawn to it, but before she knew it, she was up on her feet and through the tent's opening. Stepping outside of the safety of her tent, everything around her had changed from when she had gone to sleep. The men were no longer around her, or anywhere to be seen for that matter, but the biggest thing she could see is that the river was glowing just as bright as the blue orb. As she moved closer to get a look, the floor beneath her feet glowed just as brightly with every step she took.
"What is this place? Where is everyone?" She whispered as she continued to look around for anyone.
Suddenly, the orb came closer to her, its wisps of blue just flowing around glowing, "You are the one in my home, it is I that should be asking of you the questions."
Then, all at once the forest around her came to life. The flowers and trees outlined in the same glow as the river and orb, and the only thing she could think of for the briefest of moments is a movie she had seen a lifetime ago with Henry. This place was right out of a James Cameron movie.
"Who are you?" She questioned as she moved out of reach from the orb. She felt the edge of fear creeping slowly into her as she searched for a way out.
"You won't find me Regina Mills. This is my home and it protects me. Only it will reveal me to you when it's ready to. The voice spoke again, this time she could see in the distance as the waterfall parted ways to make way for a small canoe to pass through. "I'm not getting in that if that's your plan." She answered into the abyss.
"Oh but you will, for you have journeyed far to seek answers, did you not? To seek the man whose child you carry." It spoke.
"How the hell do you know this!? Who are you!?" Regina demanded, her hands instinctively covering to protect her stomach, squaring up her defenses.
"I am not here to hurt you, Regina Mills. It is you who have entered my domain. It is you and your men who have sought shelter and safety in a place that belongs to none. I will not harm you, Regina Mills. The question is, will you believe my word? For the answers, you seek, you must step inside and trust that I will not harm you. For I too must trust my home that you will not harm me." The voice spoke again.
Regina could only stare into the abyss of her surroundings. She could feel her heartbeat, that sickly feeling of panic lurking within her, ready to be unleashed, yet for whatever reason, it was still at bay. She should be full of terror and ready to fight, yet a part of her was frighteningly calm. Still, she was alone and whoever this thing is, could clearly give her the answers she needs.
"How I am supposed to trust you? I don't even know who you are?" She asked cautiously.
"You have traveled from afar seeking a witch whom no one has seen for decades. You have placed your last hope in someone you don't know will even help you. You have placed your trust blindly in those who you knew would harm you in the past Regina, but I assure you I mean no harm. It is why I place my trust in you, knowing you won't hurt me as well. For the guidance and answers you seek, you must come to me, bearing your trust in me. Step inside the boat if this is what you truly believe." The voice replied.
Taking in a deep breath and closing her eyes, she took a moment before she moved. She knew what she had to do, and even though there was no certainty to it, she knew that she needed to go. So, with one last breath, she opened her eyes and made her way to the canoe. She had barely sat down before it started to move, directing itself closer to the waterfall, who once again parted to make room for passing. The moment she was through, she couldn't believe her eyes. Behind her lay a forest laminated in hues of blue, yet before her now were trees of white. The canoe finally stopped at the bay of a grand weeping willow, pink flowers dangling from its vines. She could feel the grass under her feet as she stepped out, a cool summer breeze blowing right through her, blue skies above. She felt as if she had traveled to a different land altogether.
"I'm glad to see you have made the right choice, Regina." Came a woman's voice from behind the tree, nearly making Regina fall into the lake. Being too caught up in the change of scenery, she had failed to notice the woman's figure lurking behind the tree.
"A little warning would have been nice." Regina replied curtly, moving back just enough to create space between them.
"Imagine my scare when you all stepped inside my home today. I assure you the feeling is mutual." The woman replied, both women taking each other in for the first time.
"How is it that you know me? Know my circumstances?" Regina asked, not wanting to waste any time.
"I have been here a long time, this place has become my home, though I assure you it hasn't always been the case. But the magic that lays here protects me and shelters me. The very few who have come and gone, it is because this forest allows them to. The moment they step inside, I know everything about them. Including you." The woman replied as she caressed the tree.
"Who are you?" Regina asked, yet somehow she knew what the answer would be.
"I was banished here a long time ago by the very woman you seek to destroy. My name is Glinda, the Good Witch of the North."
"How are we doing this fabulous day, dear? It's quite lovely outside, though I'm sure you can't even tell the time of the day, can you?" Came the voice he has come to despise more than ever.
"Oh my, look at you. Have you been misbehaving again? Dear, dear, when will you learn."
He was hunched over against the wall, his arms far above his head, thin and itchy straps holding them in place. The shirt he was wearing was barely hanging on by a thread, and his pants had so much dirt and blood on them that he couldn't even remember what color they were.
"What do you want now?" Robin asked impatiently.
"I'd watch your tongue if I were you, all this time here and you still haven't learned?" Zelena spoke as she bent down to face him.
"The only thing I've learned since I have been here is how utterly pathetic you are. So, let's not waste any more time, because frankly I'd rather take the guards than have to see your face any longer." This seemed to be one of the few things that he knew could get under her skin. The first time he had done it had earned him a slap across the face, but gaining this knowledge made it all worth it. Knowing this would be no different, he carried on.
"How long has it been, Zelena, since you brought me here. All this time and still, here we are. You're no closer to finding your so-called secret weapon, and all I can see is how desperate and pathetic you have become. And by the look on your face, I can tell it's yet another day and you've got nothing." Robin spoke, his voice hoarse.
"Time will give me what I need, you idiot. Your darling Regina has three months left before my plan can rise to action, by which I will have everything I need. And you, my dear, well let's just say what I have planned for you both will be nothing shorter than hell." With that, she stood and made her way to the entrance of the cell. Turning back, she looked at him once more and laughed before leaving.
The sound of her footsteps lasted for some time, the cell sealing itself shut with the green shimmer of her magic.
Four months. All this time, all this time and he hasn't been by her side. Four months of hearing this witch's plan for his unborn child, and there has been nothing he has been able to do. He has endured every punch, kick, and magic thrown at him by that vile woman and her simian army. But he knew it was all for her, to keep her and his family safe. He does not regret it all for any second, it been the thing that has kept him alive all this time. Yet it breaks his heart every time he thinks of all that he is missing. He pictures her every second of every day, thinking of how her body has changed to make room for the child growing in her, the feel of her skin against his, her hair threading through his fingers. He misses everything about her.
She stood still as if the world around her was about to cave down on her. If she moved, she feared it would all disappear, because this woman standing in front of her is the very one she has set out to find. "I-wha-..." The words failed her as she stared this woman down.
"I daresay I have left you speechless, but don't fret. This is real, and you are here Regina, and this place is not going to come crashing down on you. Breathe, Regina." Glinda answered as she slowly approached her.
"How can this be? How are you here? We're not even near the North Woods?"
"The North Woods have never been my home Regina; it is merely where many think I am. You see, to be frank with you, I don't even know where 'here' is. Not since my banishment. My home is Oz, though as you can see it hasn't been for some time." Glinda responded.
"But that is neither here nor there, for now you realize it is me that you have been seeking. And I know why you're here, but I'm afraid of how much I will be of help to you." Glinda declared quietly as she waved her hand and procured a bench, motioning Regina to sit.
"What, no. No, you must know something, anything to help me!" Regina begged. She had to have known something that would be able to get Robin back.
"I can try to answer your questions, but you have to realize that the woman you want to kill is the very one who has imprisoned me here. You see, when I met her, I had found a helpless woman, one I thought needed our help. So, I showed her what she could do, the good she could do with her magic. But I was wrong, and naive to think that she would change, and there is where I failed Oz. She became envious, and obsessive with magic and her powers. It became everything she had, and when we tried to approach her, she attacked. And now I am here, my people lost to me."
'Why did she banish you?" Regina questioned.
"Zelena was taught as young child that she was not worthy, that her magic was dark and to never use it. When she did use, it she was punished by the ones who raises her. From then on she saw everything and everyone as a threat, and thought that with more power, she would be safe. The pendant that the witches of Oz wear, it holds our power, and most importantly, it channels who we are as castors. When she attacked The Witch of the East to gain her pendant, her magic resisted, and in turn came after Zelena. She changed. Her pendant sensing the rage, anger, and envy in Zelena turned emerald, and surrounded her in a cloud of green. When she emerged, everything had changed. Her skin, her dress. She became more powerful than us, and though she could not kill us, she banished us all. But before she did, we tried to stop her, and for a moment when our magic surrounded her, we thought we had her. But she broke free, and well the rest is history."
"This doesn't make any sense" Regina whispered. She was holding on to every word that had just come out of this woman's mouth, but nothing there told her what was needed to defeat Zelena. All this time, this whole trip, it couldn't have been for nothing. She can't go back empty handed; she couldn't leave this place without something to help her. Standing up to her feet, she started pacing back and forth, trying to wrap her mind around everything that has transpired. But before she could say anything, she turned around and Glinda started to speak once more.
"There is something I must point out to you. Zelena, though our time was very brief, did not react well to our magic. Our, light magic."
"What do you mean?" Regina impatiently asked.
"When we had her, before she broke free, our light magic seemed to be nearly destroying her. Her screams were agonizing, but we were not strong enough to hold on and stop her. Going back now, as I tend to do day by day, is to think of what would happen had we fought harder. Useless as it is, I know now that that was not our fight to win. No, this battle belongs to you Regina." Glinda proclaimed as she stood to meet Regina.
Regina was beyond puzzled. There is no way this woman could be assuming what she was implying was true.
"Oh but it is Regina."
"GET OUT OF MY HEAD! You don't know what you're saying! You don't know me! I'm the Evil Queen. My magic IS DARK."
"But it's not, is it? It's changed and you can't tell me otherwise. If you were truly a castor of dark magic, you would not be standing here, for as I told you before, this cave protects me from dark practitioners."
As much as she could try to deny it, she knew what Glinda was saying was true. She had sensed it for a long time now, ever since the encounter with her sister. And if she was honest with herself, she knew it began to change once Henry came along. Love changed her, and her magic along with it. She turned away from Glinda, trying to hold herself together and close her eyes.
After a few minutes of turmoil running through her, she turned to face Glinda once more and managed to speak.
"I have come up against her more times that I care to admit. She has nearly killed me; how do you expect me to win this. To defeat her?"
"Regina, you understand the ways of magic and their properties. How it is intertwined into every ounce of your being. When you have come across your Sister, you have channeled your fear and anger into your heart and into your magic. But you know how much your magic has changed, and what you channel now into our magic; love, and the need to protect those you care about. Your light magic, it has always been in you. Many have tried to change that for fear of who you are, but Regina, it has always been in your destiny to be a castor of light magic. And it is that magic that will defeat Zelena and save Robin, to save us all from her wrath."
Regina stared at her dumbstruck. It's as if all this time she had been waiting for someone to voice this out, everything that she had been denying to herself since she felt the change in her. She didn't want to believe it, and even less now, but as it was she knew she couldn't avoid it anymore. She thought of the times she had confronted her Sister, she through of how she had channeled her magic to protect Robin, Roland and everyone near her.
Quietly she looked back at Glinda, "How am I supposed to do this when I don't know how to control it. I don't know how."
"The same way you have done it before Regina, the same way you channel your dark magic, instead now you are coming from a place of love, to care for those you wish to protect."
"I don't know if I will be able to do that, you need to help me. I need you to come with me."
"You know I can't leave here Regina. She has banished me here."
"If you say my magic is as powerful as you say then there must be a way! That wicked woman is my sister, there must be something you know that could help us. Do you know how she's kept you in here all these years?" She questions desperately.
"No, not entirely anyways. We used a similar spell to banish people away from Oz, those who posed only the greatest of threats to our home. But this, she's added her own touch to it."
"What do you mean 'her own touch'?"
"Her blood. And in any world, you know there is no way to break a blood lock Regina."
And suddenly, it seemed as if the veil had been lifted. The gleam in her eyes returned once more, for Regina knew blood magic, had used it several times before, and now this, this she could handle.
"Glinda, she's my sister. We share the same blood! We just need to figure out how she mixed both spells and I'll be able to get you out!"
And with that both women set their task for freedom. Glinda gave all the answers to Regina's question on how these spells work and the forces behind them. For the better part of two hours they spent their time and magic trying everything they could think of. The only true progress came when at last Glinda could move past the waterfalls entrance. Having been locked away inside it without being able to go past it, they knew they were heading in the right direction. If they could get past the waterfall, then soon enough they would be able to get out of it entirely.
"I think you have to send me back." Came Regina's exasperated voice as she looked over to Glinda.
"What do you mean?"
"We have looked everywhere for a source to what holds this magic, but this place doesn't exist without its physical being. If I go back, I can try to find it, and reverse the spell that separates us. When I came in, none of this was here. It was all just a hidden cave, not one full of this visible magic. I could sense something was here, but not here because it's all around me. I need to go back to reverse this spell."
She woke moments later gasping as if she had just come up for air for the first time. Yet, instead of waking up in her tent she was on lying on the ground, with the faces of the Merry Men around her. She was shivering against the cold that flooded her skin, she was soaked from head to toe in what she could only assume was water.
"What the bloody hell were you thinking woman!" Hollered John. "Were all sleeping when all the sudden we hear Tuck screaming out your name, only to find him ready to jump into the lake after you!"
"Stop yelling!" Regina all but screamed as she sat up with the help of the men around her. It took her a second to realize everything that had happened, and at once she got up on her bare feet and looked around, only to find the men staring questioningly at her.
"Well what the bloody hell were you doing!" John tried again, looking as if he were about to explode.
"We found her." As all she said as she closed her eyes and started to tap into her magic.
"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL DO YOU MEAN! You almost drowned yourself to death Regina!" Came Will's screeching voice.
At that she opened her eyes and stared at him. "I don't know what you mean, or why I was in the lake, but believe me my intention was not to kill myself you baboon." She answered. Knowing they were going to let this go, she explained everything that had happened, and what this place held.
"…I need to get her out of here, it's the only way to defeat Zelena. So, I need to find what is sourcing this magic, break the blood lock and free her."
"You mean, we've been coming here all these years, and it housed some mythical enslaved woman all this time?" Questioned Tuck.
"Yes, and now it's time to break her free. So please, just give me a second and help me."
Backing away from the men around her, she turned to look across the river flowing through the cave. Closing her eyes she called forth her magic, tracing all the was around her. It took her several moments, but finally she was able to detect a disturbance in the air, she moved around, trying to sense its strength, and moving away when the disturbance weakened.
Turning towards the rock near the waterfall, she finally opened her eyes in the direction when the magic felt its strongest. Carefully moving vines that stood in her way, she felt the men begin to gathering behind her. Once the forestry was moved, she could have laughed at her sister's mechanics, for in a little whole in the caves wall laid something that once belonged to her. A little crystal blue bird sat on the whole, the very same which once hung in her nursery as child. How Zelena had managed to get a hold of this she'll never know, but clearly her Sister had some severe issues. But this after all was the work of her sister, so waiving her hand in front of the hole to trace hat magic lay there. It simple enough, both she and Glinda had been able to cross through the barrier that had kept Glinda locked inside the waterfall, and both assumed that in order to break the seal completely both the spell and Regina's blood would be needed.
Turning to the men behind her, she looked around for one who carried a knife, then looked to Alan and spoke, "I need you knife Alan."
Clearly not expecting this, Alan moved his hand to cover his knife and looked aghast at Regina and said, "What do you mean to do?"
Rolling her eyes in exasperation she spoke once more, ' I told you, Zelena has a blood lock, and the only way to break it is with my own blood. Now I can very well conjure up my own, but I need to save my energy. So please Alan, your knife."
Taking a few moments to digest the information he was given , Alan hesitantly made his way towards Regina and handed over his knife, nodding quietly at the thank you she gave to him.
"I want you all to back away. I don't know exactly what will happen, but once the spell is given, and my blood is drawn Glinda should be able to cross through. Don't come close until Glinda is here, understood?" Regina declared.
Not waiting to hear or see their response, she turned back around to the task at hand, she closed her hand around the blade, grunting quietly as the blade pierced her skin, all the while murmuring the ancient spell both she and Glinda had used before. Continuing the spell, she moved her hand to hang above the crystal bird, letting her blood drip upon it.
All at once the cave began to shake, birds frantically flying away, but she had to hold on. She had enclosed her hand around the crystal bird, not wanting to loose contact, but the moment she did, she dropped to her knees in pain. She could barely register the screams of the men around her, as the burning sensation was cursing up her arm. She could feel herself wanting to scream out in pain but in that moment nothing registered. She had to keep the spell going, and she needed to keep her hand on the bird until Glinda was through. She tried to open her eyes through the scorching pain, but she only managed to see the flashes of blue breaking through the waterfall, she could barely see Glinda's from beginning to make itself seen.
As the moments began to pass, the harder it became to keep repeating the words, she knew Glinda was near, she could feel the woman's magic working alongside hers, but the amount of blood she was losing was far more than she expected. The blackened spots in her vision started to become more prominent, her words barely making any sense at this point. She knew she needed to hold on, but just as she attempted to open her eyes once more, her world went dark.
"Will you stop shaking her, please! She's not dead!"
"Listen Lady, you don't understand, the lass is pregnant, and if something happens to her while she's on our watch, we might as well throw ourselves to those wicked beast, they'll be a hell of a lot kinder than Robin getting to us." Came Scarlet's concerned voice through the haze that surrounded her mind.
She felt warm, too warm, and as she moved her arm up towards her face she only assumed it was due to the heavy blanket that surrounded her.
"Look! I told you she was alive, give her some room!" Came this stranger's voice. She doesn't remember another wom- "Glinda!?" Regina whispered as her eyes shoot open.
"Yes Regina it me. You were brilliant, you freed me! But please, do lay down. What you did almost killed you, I have healed you as best as I could, but for the sake of you and your child you need to lay down and rest okay."
She felt the exhaustion in her bones, she wanted to ask more, she wanted to know how she finally managed to break free, but all she could feel is the sweet pull of sleep wrapping her up.
She would ask the questions she needed as soon as she was up, but all that mattered is that Glinda was freed, and that meant she was one step closer to getting to Robin than before.
With that last thought she gave herself into her exhaustion.
I can only apologize for how delayed this update is, but at the same time I can only thank those who have stuck to this journey with me. I know I say this every time, but my dear friends this story is close to ending. So, thank you to all of you who are still here.
And a great big thank you to daneeelleee for beta'ing this for me, she is truly amazing!
The world can be an ugly place, but it is full of beautiful people. Stay safe, and be kind.