A/N Not the most exciting chapter, I fear; there was supposed to be at least another scene in this but it will have to wait till next chapter. I just came up with one scene that I'm ecstatic to write!
Anywho, please enjoy! Happy Holidays! and if I don't post before 2015 have a great New Years!
Crimson red apples glistened from the light of the moon hanging delicately on the branches of its mother. After all these years the apple tree was young and thriving unlike the Queen herself. Her beating heart held hardly a beat; some would say it was the result of it turning black, but even during her darkest hours she had perseverance to enact the cruelest of actions towards her people and others. Now? She could hardly care at all if they were starving.
She may have seemed young from the excess amounts of spells to keep her so, but within herself she knew that her soul was dying. There was no desire anymore…At least not until the blonde showed up; even now it was the faintest flicker of life, but still something nonetheless.
"You wanted to see me, Your Majesty?" Emma said as she walked to meet the brunette by the apple tree. Upon seeing the fruit in the woman's hand she hesitated. Was this the same tree of the infamous apple that induced her mother into a sleeping curse?
Regina noticed the uncertainty, but passed it off to the tension that had been built between them since the night in the torture chamber.
But there had been a moment of kindness, Regina thought, much out of place, but it had been there.
"I know what it's like to be looked at as if you're something else."
Emma had actually tried to understand her.
Why would she even attempt to care? That compassion was merely façade. It always is. She wanted to patch up the rift.
"Yes," Regina finally admitted while examined her apple as if fascinated, "I have been called away for business matters. You are to be spending the next few days with an old friend of mine."
"Why?"
The older woman's lips pressed together watching Emma cross her arms over her chest.
"I don't believe I need to explain myself to you, Princess."
"You're going to see my parents."
The scowled response to this was met but a light chuckle.
"I may be stubborn, but I'm not an idiot, Your Highness. What do you think I'm going to do? Go streaking down the halls?"
It sounded humorous in her head. The look on the other woman's face told otherwise.
"You've already caused enough trouble as it is. Besides, Maleficent has been rather lonely and it would do her good to have some company."
"Fine," Emma groaned with a roll of her eyes.
"Fine?"
An arched brow rose.
"Yes, fine. Would you rather me go kicking and screaming?"
"I expected such."
"I'd rather remain on your good side for the time being," Emma jested, but in reality she really did want to keep as far away from feeling those lashes again.
There was an uneasy pause as dark amber collided with emerald, and they both seemed to feel the same energetic pulse causing them both to shiver. Regina cleared her throat and spoke as she strode towards the blonde.
"Well then, I suggest you go pack a bag. I'll come get you when our carriage is ready."
Just as she was about to pass the pale woman, she stopped and opened up her hand, placing an apple into her palm.
Staring at the red gem as the Queen disappeared into the palace, Emma's stomach grew queasy. Beyond the thin layer of perfection must have been an oozing black liquid of poison waiting to take hold of whoever dared sink their teeth into its flesh. Or has there been just one? One cursed venomous fruit. Squeezing the apple momentarily, feeling the fresh firmness of it, she sat it down onto the ledge.
"How far away is this witch's castle?" Emma droned while staring out the window of passing trees.
"You may want to refrain from such a demeaning title, dear."
The blonde looked across to the older woman with wide eyes.
"Sorry…I just—"
"I know," the brunette acknowledged, "It may be common tongue elsewhere, but most here would bite their tongue before proceeding."
With a nod, Emma did just that, pink sticking out between pearled teeth. The Queen noted the ridiculous look as the blonde brought her eyebrows in.
"What do they call your kind then?"
A raised eyebrow was given in return.
"My kind?"
"Well…you know, the ones that practice magic."
"Anyone can learn magic, my dear" Regina responded with a roll of her eyes as she brushed her hands down her dress, "But I suppose you mean the ones who have mastered it. Some call themselves sorcerers, magicians, wizards, and some even prefer the title of witch; however, I haven't actually thought about it for myself," there was a moment of pause, "I've always been known as the Evil Queen and nothing more."
A swift passing of disappointment brushed through brown eyes. Had she always been this way? Surely not. She had a father who loved her dearly; he didn't look at her as evil, did he?
But Emma had seen the dark shade of Regina; far beyond what her imagination could have painted. Her eyes had fallen upon rage, but she had also been met with kindness. A kindness that was uncanny for such a woman…or so Red had said.
Pink lips opened, but shut just as quietly.
"I trust you'll behave yourself, dear?" Regina asked as they walked towards the entrance of the Forbidden Fortress with a dark knight following behind with Emma's belongings. The princess has insisted that she could manage a small bag, it wasn't like she had much to her name in the first place, but there would be no arguments of the matter.
"As you wish, Your Majesty," Emma droned.
When they stepped inside the fortress a blonde woman dressed in a violet gown stood waiting. She held a golden staff in her right hand, the one she had when she visited the Queen's palace. An orb sat on the top of the staff glowing with a strange hue. It made Emma wonder. Was that the source of her magic?
She had missed what the two women were talking about for the last five minutes that when Maleficent called out her name Regina had to tap her on the shoulder.
"Sorry, what?"
Emma's cheeks flushed.
"I said it would be nice to have a guest stay here. I'm nearly enamored by the thought of the stories you have to tell of Lucia."
"Maleficent doesn't get out much," The brunette chuckled briskly, "I must be on my way though, dears. I have a long ride ahead of me. Expect me back in no more than a few days."
A silent desperation fluttered through the young woman's stomach as the Queen left her with this stranger. When the last image of the brunette disappeared behind giant doors a hand pulled at her.
"Come! I bet you're famished."