Chapter Twenty-One

It seems even a fake funeral took time to plan – the most time-consuming task being that both Regina and Emma needed to work on protection spells that could provide security for the sombre event. However, ever since they'd circulated the fake news of Robin's demise, Elsa had yet to launch any attacks – perhaps the Ice Queen wasn't as cold as she seemed, perhaps. All the better, but the plan still continued.

And two days after that group meeting at the Charmings', Regina's face was stoic as she gathered, along with the people of Storybrooke, around the empty casket being lowered to the ground – without flowers.

By the sight and sounds around her, Regina was quite impressed. She didn't think these peasants were all such quality actors and actresses. Too good, in fact, because part of her thought maybe it was being overdone a little bit – especially as she sees Granny practically faint in Whale's arms after she'd tossed a rose over the hole.

When the ceremony ends, Regina stayed behind – albeit not near the 'grave'. She was by herself a little ways away, leaning up against a tree – a part of her just enjoying the smell and sounds of the trees around her; she closes her eyes for a moment.

They snap open when someone suddenly takes a hold of her hand, and she was met by the sight of Roland smiling up at her – "Hi Gina! You look sad." Then he looked suspiciously around them, before whispering, "It's just pretend because Papa is fine, you know?"

Regina smiled and kneeled to his level, squeezing his chubby little fingers in her hand: "Yes, I know. I'm not sad."

"Good," the boy says, taking her face in his hands, "I don't like you sad." Then he looked to be thinking, "I don't like being sad, too. I was sad when you said if I kissed Papa he would wake up and he didn't the first time."

"I'm sorry about that, Roland," Regina said quickly, caressing his cheek.

"Why?" He said, head tilting to the side. "It may not have worked fast but it did. Like Papa tells me, all in due time." He paused. "It means things happen even…event…"

"Eventually," Regina finished for him with a smile.

"Yes, yes! That's it," Roland said. "So, will you also visit me again in due time?"

Regina sighed, "I would love to visit you every day, but –"

"Visit us, then!" Roland said with an innocent smile. "Me and Monkey miss you when you don't come – with the ice cream."

Regina laughed, and asked him jokingly, "Is it me you miss or the ice cream?"

He looked to think for a minute, "You, of course! Like the drawing I gifted you said, I love you and Monkey loves you, too."

She tried to hold back the tears about to fall from her eyes, "That is my most favourite drawing of all time. Whenever I look at it, it always brings a smile to my face," She stared at the little boy in front of her, "And I love you, too, Roland."

"And Monkey?"

"Of course, Monkey, too," Regina replied with a smile.

Roland smiled back, dimples showing, and said, "Papa will be happy when I say to him that I made you smile! He doesn't like you sad, too – he told me so. He says when you are sad, then he is –"

"Roland!" they both hear behind them, in Marian's firm and stern voice. She quickly made her way towards Regina and Roland, grabbing her son towards her.

Regina takes a deep breath, and straightens up, "You know I'd never hurt him, right?"

Marian nods, still holding on to Roland's hand, "Yes, Robin has all but spelled it out for me, but it's hard to adjust, Majesty."

Regina almost rolls her eyes, "You can call me Regina. I'd prefer it, in fact."

"Yup, Mama," Roland agrees, "Her name is Gina!" Then he frowned, looking at his mother: "And she's not…," he scrunched his nose, "…(whispering) evil…like you said that one time."

Silence.

Regina could feel Marian's glare as she went down to Roland's level again, "Roland, look at me. Do not be upset with your mother, alright?" She swallowed, before continuing – choosing her words carefully, "There was a time, a while ago, when I wasn't very nice to a lot of people."

She took a breath and closed her eyes briefly, bracing herself for his response. But when she finally looked at the boy again, he didn't look angry – he had his head tilted to the side, biting his lower lip.

Then Roland slipped out of Marian's hold and went up to Regina. He nods his head at her, "Like Papa, he used to be an outlaw. But not anymore, now he's just Papa." Then he smiled at her, a big smile: "And now, you're just Gina."

Regina's heart swelled at the little boy's innocent observation – she wanted to hug him tight and never let go; but she feared what Marian would do and she wanted to maintain a cordial environment around Roland.

"Thank you, Roland," Regina says, breathing deeply. "Thank you."

And with a final smile to boy, she stood back up and clears her throat, "Well, I must be off. I still have to meet with the Charmings."

Marian nodded apprehensively as Regina continued, "Please remind your…husband, that Emma will grab him tonight when we're ready." Then smiling to Roland, "Bye, little guy. Give Monkey a hug for me, alright?"

Marian holds onto Roland's hand again. She took a deep breath and despite everything else, she calls to Regina as the former Queen walked away, "I do want to say thank you!"

Regina turns, surprised, as Marian continued: "It was your idea with Roland that saved my Robin. So, thank you – from our whole family."

Regina nods her head – noting the statement of possession. "It was nothing," she replied after beat. And she continued on her way.

:::::

"Hi, Mom," Henry greets as Regina lets herself into the Charmings' apartment, giving her a hug.

"Hi, sweetheart!"

Suddenly, the door bursts open behind her and Emma comes in, shuddering at the cold outside. She scowls, and says, "These are the times when I miss New York – it is unbelievably freezing out there."

"I do believe it snows there, too, Miss Swan," Regina says, "But really, New York again?"

"Oh, trust me, I'm not leaving anytime soon," Emma says, teeth chattering still – looking from Henry to Killian (which earned an eye roll from Regina). "But, I'm just saying it's nice to get away from this place sometimes – you know, just for a vacation."

Regina was about to give a retort, but instead something struck her about Emma's words.

"So, Regina," Charming says, breaking Regina from her thoughts, "How should we tell Elsa that we're surrendering Rumplestilskin?"

"Well, you can't write her a letter," they hear Henry say, not even looking up from his handheld game. "I don't think the mailman delivers, and I think she forgot the whole ice mailbox thing."

Hook lets out an amused snort.

"He gets that from you," Emma comments, nudging Regina. "You should be proud."

Despite herself, Regina smiles and calls out to Henry: "Thank you, honey!" Then turning to Charming, "I was thinking, we need some grand gesture…"

"I hope you're not planning on parading me around the streets, dearie," Rumple says then, appearing beside Regina.

"On the contrary," Regina states, "I don't think you should be on the streets at all – we can't afford to accidently lose our bargaining chip." Then she adds, snidely. "But we will be needing your dagger – don't worry, the fake one you gave Belle will do."

Snow gasped, and stared at Rumple, "What?"

Rumple was furious and says to Regina, "Careful there, dearie. I'm not the only one of us that has secrets."

Regina narrowed her eyes at him – ready if he tried anything, but all that happened was the dagger suddenly appearing in her hand. "Do what you must then," Rumple states; before disappearing as swiftly as he appeared.

"How does that help us?" Emma says then.

Regina gives the room a wicked grin, before disappearing – much like Rumple – in a cloud of purple smoke.

"Oh, she didn't," Snow says, indicating Regina's obvious recklessness.

"I think she just did," Emma states flatly. "What do we do now?"

"Now, we wait," Charming states.

:::::

Regina materializes at the bottom of the mountain holding Elsa's ice palace atop it. She took a deep breath, and allowed herself to then appear at what she can guess are the front doors. It was a massive structure – made from ice, of course – but with surprisingly intricate details.

She doesn't know if she should knock, but just as she poised to do so – the doors swing open. And then she's face to face with the Ice Queen herself, Elsa.

"Regina," Elsa states, controlling the surprise in her voice. "What are you doing here?"

Regina raises her chin, looking defiant, "I'm here to see if the deal is still on the table."

Elsa grimaces. "Deal. Did you know I hate that word?"

Regina nods her head knowingly, finally realizing, and so she amends her mistake, "Agreement, then."

The Ice Queen remains stoic, "I was under the impression you were in league with Rumplestilskin. What changed your mind?"

"You and I both know that the mind can be easily swayed," Regina states, whilst raising her hand and allowing the Dark One's 'dagger' to materialize in her grasp.

She sees Elsa take a step back. "Is that…"

"Aren't you going to invite me in, then?" Regina says.

Elsa moves out of the way unceremoniously, leading Regina inside the massive ice palace. Regina couldn't stop herself from being taken aback at the place. It was massive, and looked to be well-designed (despite the obvious lack of furniture); it was like going into the most complex ice skating rink ever made. She casts her eyes around; before finally looking up, at the beautiful and elaborate chandelier-like contraption hanging from her ceiling – its glitz and glamour intensified by the fact that it was made from solid ice.

Then they were both just standing there, in the middle of her palace. Finally, Elsa waves her hand – and two icy chairs appear. She sits in one and gestures to Regina.

Regina looks at it – that cannot be comfortable, "I'll stand, thank you."

"So," Elsa says, "You've his dagger – you control the Dark One now?"

Regina stayed silent; to say that she controlled Rumple could make Elsa think she's here for an attack. So, instead, she says, "I'll ask again, Elsa, is the agreement you once offered still on the table?"

"What made you change your mind?" Elsa asks, looking intently at the woman she only knew as the Queen of the Enchanted Forest. "I have many questions, you know – about you and about this land."

"I didn't come here for a chit-chat, Elsa," Regina says, her voice curt. "I came for a purpose."

"And you've stated it," Elsa replies easily, "I think you know what my answer is. Now, if you'd rather not talk, then I suggest you summon the Dark One here now, and I end all this."

Regina swallows, "Not today. We will bring him to you tomorrow; if we have an agreement now that you will honour your end once you have Rumplestilskin."

"We?" Elsa asks. She stands then, and moves to stand behind the chair – placing both hands on its back. "You understand my apprehension, Regina. I need you to answer at least some questions, I won't have your troop waltzing in here – I need to know your motives. So again, why hand him to me now?"

Regina looks down, and Elsa nods from her place, "It was because of him? The man who saved you from my curse?" A pause. "I heard of his…death."

Regina nods her head, "He was an important part of our group – his loss made us realize that no more life should be given up for this cause. When only one truly deserved the punishment of suffering."

"When he stepped in to save you," Elsa says, "the look in his eyes. I thought for sure you'd be able to save him. Or did you lose the ability to love after you married your King?" Elsa huffs. "You always looked so lonely then, if I recall correctly."

"He wasn't mine to save," Regina said. "His actions were done purely because that's the man he is – or was. It wasn't right for you to have done what you did to him."

"It wasn't right for Rumplestilskin to have done what he did to my sister," Elsa seethes.

Regina sighed. "I know what you're going through. I know what it's like to be driven by revenge – it will consume you, until the moment you don't recognize who you've become; or what you've become."

Elsa glared at the Queen, "I highly doubt you do, actually."

"You asked about this land we're in – I made this place happen. I cast a curse to bring the whole of the Enchanted Forest to this land without magic three decades ago – and I did it all in the pursuit of one," Regina states. "After Maleficent laid waste to Arendelle, and you disappeared – Rumplestilskin became my mentor. He honed my magic into the Dark Arts. I murdered the King and went on a murderous spree for his daughter – the one who I pegged as the cause of all of my unhappiness. I became known as the 'Evil Queen'.

Regina finally takes a seat on the icy chair, "So, yes, I know exactly what you're talking about. Rumplestilskin used me, too. He bullied me, he manipulated me – all because he knew I would be the only one that could bring him to this land without magic; all for his own selfish pursuits."

Elsa just continued to stare at Regina, and so the once Evil Queen continued, "Evil isn't born, Elsa, it's made. But you can choose to change."

The Ice Queen huffs at that, "Is that what you did? It's easy to say something when you've had your vengeance, Regina."

"But I don't," Regina counters. "Snow White lives."

Elsa's gaze squinted at Regina, "And now you're in league with her, too?"

"Her death wouldn't have brought back what I lost," Regina said. "But it was my anger for her that fueled my magic – and as you know, Rumplestilskin will do everything to get what he wants. He needed my powers strong, and so he needed to keep me angry at Snow. He awakened a part of me that only dealt with rage and focused on revenge!"

Elsa shook her head at the Queen, "How could you have even hesitated when I first asked you for Rumplestilskin, then? After what he did to you? After what you've just told me? You should've been at my side from the very beginning!"

"I couldn't do that," Regina replied. "As much as he had done to me, ultimately, it all led to me having my son."

"He is your anchor, then," Elsa says, voice softer – almost melancholy. "My sister, Anna, was my anchor. Anna always believed in me, she always saw the good in me. Endless chances, she would have given me hundreds without my asking for it. That's the person she was: understanding, quick to forgive, and good to a fault."

Regina startled at that description, those were ones she could use to define a certain archer.

She watch the Ice Queen take a deep breath – as if reaching far back into the recesses of her memories: "There was something about that first night when I let my powers out – when I just let it all go. It was invigorating and powerful. And although it broke my heart to be away from my sister, I knew; I was giving her the best chance at life – away from me and my endless battle with this…this darkness."

Regina swallowed; she knew and understood all about the darkness, too.

"I should've continued to stay away after the eternal winter ended. I shouldn't have been swayed by the Dark One's promises – we knew of his reputation – but Anna insisted that surely the man who helped saved our kingdom could be trusted; should be given a chance. He used her trusting nature against her."

Elsa then turns to Regina, rage evident in her eyes: "He will pay for everything he has done to my sister – I will see to that."

Regina looked around worriedly; as a flurry of snow begin to fall from halfway up the ceiling and the wind gusted inside the palace.

"And you're wrong, Regina," Elsa says confidently, "it is not revenge! I seek justice for the wrong that has been done to my home, to my people, my family, and to me. He locked me up in that vase – and if it wasn't for unseen circumstances, I would've been there forever!"

The wind was swirling all around them, snow harshly billowing in a circle. Regina stands from her seat, her eyes defiant and ready.

"You may have given up on your pursuit to right the wrongs done to you, Regina," the Ice Queen continued, "but I will prevail in mine, so unlike the way you failed in yours."

Regina looks at the woman – wonders if this is how she looked to people back when she pursued Snow White relentlessly. She wanted to shake Elsa – to tell her no matter what she did, nothing will ever bring back the one person she wanted most; not even if she killed each and every person in this godforsaken town. But the look in the Ice Queen's eyes stopped her – maybe it was too late for some people. By the looks of things, this woman before her was already as frozen as everything else around her.

Suddenly, Elsa raises her hand and the door of the palace burst open, and she says, "Tomorrow – just before the sun is highest in the sky. You will bring me the Dark One!"