Sorry it has been a while, I am a tattoo artist and time to write does not always come often, plus it is income tax time and lots of people want tats, so I stay pretty busy. I want to say that for anyone who is highly against Zelena, then you may not want to read this story anymore. I don't plan out my stories before I write; the ideas come to me as I type. I am sorry for the guest who hates Zelena and I am sorry if you no longer wish to read because you feel that she is a rapist and you cannot stomach her having a baby in the manner in which she did. The baby she is pregnant with in my story, is the same baby she has already given birth to on the show itself. Anyone else who doesn't like her, I am sorry, but I think Regina should be able to have a relationship with her sister, because she too was Evil once upon a time. Anyways, thank you to everyone who is still reading, I hope you continue to like it. I apologize for all of the bad grammar and misspellings.
Chapter25
Emma sat on the balcony railing with her back against the castle wall. She had instructed the cooks and maids to prepare a feast that would feed many. The guards had been instructed to assist in helping care for the gypsies, who were sick or wounded. All of the others were invited to stay in the castle or they were free to go.
Esmeralda, Phoebus and her mother chose to stay for fear that her mother was not well enough to travel yet. Eladon and Cappi set out to find Florica and the rest of their caravan so they could bring them back. Most of the others chose to leave. Many hoped that their families might still be hiding somewhere; others wanted to get as far away from the castle and the construction site as they could.
Esmeralda's mother had told her how she had been commanded by the Captain to curse the bracelet and Emma the night they were attacked by the wolves. She explained that the bracelet was connected to her and that is how she was able to keep Regina's magic blocked, however when the old woman was dying on the ground, she was able to release the curse because she was not strong enough to stay connected with it. It was in that instant that Regina had fallen from the cliff. The blonde had closed her eyes to thank the Gods for being on their side and for protecting the older brunette.
The blonde was taking a small break before she went back in to continue healing more of the sick who had been in the dungeon. Maleficent had been steadily healing and had yet to even pause. Surprisingly enough, Zelena had been a huge help in healing some of the people that was until she nearly passed out. The baby was taking a lot out of her and the amount of magic needed to heal the severity of illnesses and wounds these people had was exhausting all by itself.
Emma slid her tired legs off of the railing and then hopped down. She had left Mal alone long enough and needed to get back and help. Horses' hooves could be heard in the distance and she looked over the balcony towards the front gates. Tons of horses carrying soldiers were headed her way.
A moment of panic ran through her until she saw Mulan. At first she thought the soldiers were coming to attack. Not far behind the Asian beauty rode her parents and Henry. Her eyes scanned the over the crowd, but she didn't see Regina. Just as she was about to worry, there she was, riding a stunning black stallion. It was like a scene from harlequin, it made the blonde's breath catch. The moment only lasts a second, because her eyes settled on the archer who was riding next to her.
Suddenly she felt like she was back in Story Brooke watching through the mansion windows again. Her chest felt heavy and the exhaustion was making her emotional. She turned away from the railing and went back inside. She just needed to concentrate on healing the gypsy people and not worry about her heart right now.
They had set up cots and tables in the grand ball room so that all of the sick and injured could be looked after in one area large enough to house them all. Emma heard a guard counting when they had first started bringing people into the room, but the blonde had quit listening after the number went over fifty.
As she entered the ball room, she could see Mal stumble slightly as she went to help the next person.
Emma hurried over to her and put her arm on her shoulder, "Mal, you need to take a break."
"There are still a lot of people that need healing." She said in a quiet voice.
"And we will get to them, but your magic is no good to them if you are too weak to use it." Emma smiled.
Maleficent looked as though she wanted to protest, but the dizziness she was experiencing made her nod in agreement. She turned and walked out of the room. Lots of bed seemed vacant now and Emma could only assume that it meant that Mal had healed the people who once occupied them and they left.
Not all of the sick or injured people were gypsies. Some of them were soldier who had fought against them. Suddenly an image of the soldier she had killed on the battle field entered her mind. She felt guilty that she didn't feel as guilt as she should have for killing the man. It only made her angrier with the General.
Her thoughts drifted to Regina. The stories she had heard about the Evil Queen, made Regina sound just as evil as Shaw. She found it hard to believe the woman she loved could ever have been that cruel. She knew the truth, but she could only see the slightly uptight and very caring woman who had given unconditional love to a child that the blonde gave away.
Now she found herself thinking of Henry and what a horrible mother she was for not even checking to see if he was all right when she stormed off after hitting Robin. She ran a hand through her hair and let out a deep breath. She had been such a jerk because she had a temper tantrum.
"Emma I need you over here." Esmeralda's voice pulled her from her thoughts.
She could see the gypsy knelt down next to a soldier lying on a cot. As she got closer, she recognized his face. He had been one of the soldiers who Emma had seen through Regina's eye, slaughtering the sickly gypsy people.
The darker haired woman was applying pressure to a deep gash that was in the man stomach. Had the blonde seen this injury before she knew about magic, she would guarantee his death, but since she did in fact have magic, she was about to change his odds. She placed her hands over the man's wound and closed her eyes. He had lost a lot of blood and his breathing was much like the elderly gypsy woman from earlier.
"I don't know if I can do this alone." Emma said as she swallowed.
"All you can do is try. I have faith in you." Her dark haired friend said.
She concentrated on healing the wound and her hand heated up. As the blonde began to picture his breath coming back to normal Esmeralda gasped causing the sheriff to open her eyes.
"I think we are too late, he's lost too much blood and he's not breathing." The gypsy said sadly.
Emma clenched her teeth together. She thought she was supposed to have the strongest magic at least that is what everyone kept telling her. She closed her eyes again, leaving her hands where they were. She took a deep breath and slowly released it as she imagined his heart beating, his lungs expanding and she imagined life returning to his eyes. Her hands were on fire, but she kept her eyes closed. Emma head was starting to spin and her heart was racing. She almost felt like she was floating as she felt heat fill the rest of her body.
A loud intake of air came from below her. When she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was the soldier panting with his eyes wide. A strange feeling came over the sheriff as she looked around. Her entire body was shining a brilliant white light and she and the soldier were floating several feet up in the air.
Emma could see all of the people in the room with their eyes on her. Movement caught her attention from the door way and she turn her head to see a very stunned Snow, David, and Henry standing dumbfounded in the doorway.
"Emma, no!" Regina shouted as she rushed through the doorway.
The magic Emma was emitting was dissipating and the man and her body floated softly back down to their more grounded position. As soon as the light from her body went out, the blonde found it hard to keep her eyes open. Her body felt numb and she was just so tired.
Regina ran over to the blonde catching her as she started to fall back onto the stone floor, "Emma, stay with me."
"Hey beautiful." The sheriff managed to slur out before the world went dark.
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"How could you let her do this without explaining the consequences?" Regina asked.
"I thought she knew what she was doing. I would never have expected her to bring someone back from the dead. We were only healing sick and wounded. The dark haired gypsy's mother was nearly dead, but there were three of us who healed her." Mal explained.
Regina rubbed her forehead before crossing her arms, "She could have died. Hell she could still die." Tears were welling up in the queen's eyes, but she refused to cry in front of the dragon.
Mal stood from the love seat she had been resting on, "Regina, I didn't know she would try and heal someone that far gone, and I certainly didn't know she would actually be able to do it. None of us have been able to bring someone back from the dead successfully, not even the dark one."
Regina walked to the window and peered out. She knew she was being too hard on the older blonde. All she could think about was Emma who was in a coma like state in the queen's chambers. Nothing was ever going to be easy for her. It made her want to scream out at the top of her lungs.
Maleficent walked up behind the queen, "If your princess is mighty enough to raise the dead, then she will pull through this."
Regina's eyes never left the window where she was looking out into nothing. The snow had started falling again and she couldn't see through it. She just wanted to let Emma know how much she loved her and go home with the two loves of her life.
Footsteps caused her to turn towards the door where her son was entering carrying a tray, "Thought I would find you here." He smiled at his mother and carried the tray over to a small table, "I brought you two some dinner."
Mal smiled at the boy and walked over to the table and pulled up a chair, "Well aren't you the good son? I am quite famished."
Regina didn't move from the window, instead she continued to stare out at the five feet of visibility she had.
"Mom, come and eat." Henry said softly.
"I'm not hungry right now, but thank you." She said.
"Oh no you don't. Come over here and sit down now." He said raising his voice.
Both Maleficent and Regina looked at the boy in surprise. The queen started to scold the teen, but he cut her off.
"I watched Emma starve herself, go without sleep and I lost her for months, I will not go through it again, so sit down and eat." Henry was very stern and his eyes meant business.
Regina looked over at the dragon who stared back at her with the same intensity, "Fine." She said plopping down into the wooden chair. Her son said nothing as he put a bowl down in front of her and one in front of Mal. She really wasn't hungry and looking down at the bowl of stew, she wanted to toss it out the window. It seemed that was all they ate around here, but instead of causing a scene that would further upset her son, she took a bite. The only thing she was thankful for with the stew was that at least they had seasonings here at the castle.
"The cook said it was the easiest thing for her to make on short notice and that would feed so many people." Henry gave a tight lipped smile.
She had to take her mind off of Emma and this stew, "You said that it took three of you to heal Esmeralda's mother? Who was the third?" She asked Maleficent.
The blonde woman swallowed the bite she had chewed and answered, "Your sister."
Regina raised an eye brow, "My sister? Zelena helped save someone?" She found it hard to believe that woman could ever think of anyone other than herself.
"She did, and she helped to heal many other people here. That was until the magic and the baby wore her out." Mal said.
Henry sat down in a vacant chair watching his mother. Regina hadn't really noticed as her mind was now on her sister, "What is she up to I wonder?"
"Up too?" Mal asked and then took another bite.
"Zelena doesn't do things out of the kindness of her heart, there has to be something up her sleeve." Regina said still deep in thought.
"Maybe she just wanted to help people." Henry said as he nudged his mother's forearm for her to take another bite.
Regina took another bite and then said, "Have you met Zelena? She has yet to do something that didn't benefit her."
"Tell me how you really feel Sis." Zelena said from the doorway.
Regina didn't turn to look at her, "Tell me you did this out of the kindness of your heart."
"I could tell you whatever you wanted and you wouldn't believe me." The red head sneered.
The queen put her spoon down and turned to look at her half-sister, "You're right; I wouldn't believe a damned thing you say."
Zelena walked over to the window that Regina had been standing at only moments ago and peered out in a similar fashion, "I don't have to explain myself or my actions to you."
Regina noticed the hushed tone in the red heads voice and she looked up at her face trying to read her expression.
Mal scooted her chair back, "Well I think Henry and I should go and find something to do."
Her son took the hint and exited the room with the older blonde. Henry turned, "Don't forget to eat." She watched them leave, but stayed quiet until the door was closed behind them, "Why did you help?"
Zelena turned towards her sister, "I don't know."
Regina furrowed her brows. She had expected some snarky comment or some snide insult, but instead she got, 'I don't know'. That left the brunette speechless.
"I can see how you are looking at me and if you think I am going to spill my guts in some kind of sisterly bonding experience, and then you would be wrong." Zelena said. Her face was the same snarky face she always wore, but her eyes were screaming an entirely different tune.
"And if you think I am going to beg you to tell me your secrets while we braid each others hair, then you would be wrong. I have other things to worry about than your motives." Regina replied.
The queen wanted to be mad at the other woman for the whole Robin thing, but the truth was, she wasn't. She found herself feeling relieved that she wasn't the one breaking his heart. She could see the dark circles under the red heads eyes and it just validated that she was tired from using so much healing magic, "You should go and get some rest."
"Oh no need to start worrying about me now Sis." Zelena shined a fake smile.
"I wasn't. My concern lies with your unborn child." Regina tried to sound snarky, but she lacked the conviction.
The red head sat down in the chair her nephew had been seated in and grabbed Regina's bowl. She picked up the spoon dipping into the liquid substance and then bringing it to her nose to smell it. After a second she shrugged and put the food into her mouth.
"How do you know I didn't poison that?" Regina asked surprised the other woman would just pick up someone else's plate and eat from it.
"You wouldn't want to harm my unborn child." She said with a smirk.
Regina rolled her eyes. There was a different tension between them, maybe an even lighter one, but it was still there. This woman hated her for the life she had growing up, and Regina hated that life. It was all very stupid really, but yet here they were.
The queen leaned back in her chair and rubbed her forehead again. She was so tired from the lack of sleep and the events that have taken place for the last few days. She was tired of fighting and tired of everything. For once in her life she just wanted things to be normal.
"So what is the verdict on the Savior?" Zelena asked.
Regina opened her eyes to read the other woman's express. She was not about to have to deal with her sister's insults, and she couldn't promise at this point that she wouldn't shoot a fireball at her if she said anything close to insulting about Emma.
Zelena tilted her head slightly as she looked back at the brunette, "What? Am I not allowed to ask about her?"
"Zelena, I'm not in the mood." Regina sighed.
The red headed woman stared at the mayor for a long moment, but her expression was unreadable, "I was a little shocked at first that you took Robin and I sneaking around behind your back so well. I honestly expected you to be ready to wage war." She leaned back in her chair, "So, tell me, how did the Charmings take the news?"
Regina wasn't fully confident that she knew what the other woman was speaking of, "What news?"
Her sister curled the corner of her mouth upwards, "Oh now don't play coy with me Sis. How did the Charmings react when they found out about you and the Savior?"
The mayor clenched her jaw muscle, "I don't see how this is any of your business."
"Why do you keep avoiding my questions? Are you ashamed of the Savior?" The red head chuckled lightly.
"No, I am not ashamed of Emma. I just do not feel that you are someone I need to discuss her with. As far as Robin, I should be upset, but I'm not. I realized that I was only in love with the idea of him and I being soulmates, not that I was ever in love with him. I have realized that I am hopelessly in love with a stubborn, clumsy blonde who also happens to be the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming and I don't know how she is doing. I don't know if she is going to die, or stay asleep forever, I just don't know." Regina she raised her voice as tears slipped passed her eyes.
Zelena's eye had widened slightly at her sisters ramblings and somewhat confessions. The brunette regretted it as soon as she opened her mouth. She doesn't know what compelled her to say all of that to the witch, but she couldn't stop herself. The queen rolled her eyes at herself as she quickly stood pushing the chair back, "I have to go."
Just as she made it to the door her sister's voice said, "Your Savior will be all right. The Heroes always prevail."
Regina stopped at the door, but didn't turn around. She could hear the sincerity in the other woman's voice, but it was just too much for her to take right now. She had wished for a sister so many times as a child. She wanted a sister to play with, but most of all, she yearned for a friend with whom she could have shared her secrets with and in turn trusted her to share theirs. She closed her eyes, after all the woman behind her had put everyone through, now was not the time she would try to reconcile things with her long lost sister. The mayor pushed opened the door and disappeared towards the Grand Ballroom. She wanted to let Emma's family spend time with her for now and she thought it best if she checked on all of the gypsies.
Gold was working on some theories and said he would share what Bell and he found later. All she could do now was to wait. The Gods were in deed punishing her.
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David's body jerked awake as he heard footstep coming down the stone steps. He had come down to keep watch over all of the new prisoners here in the dungeon, and make sure everything was written down correctly. He also needed some time alone and thought he would be nice to give the guards a break for a while.
He had watched as the queen had magically transported his daughter to her chambers. He had told himself that he accepted his daughter and the queen being together, but it was different seeing it with his own eyes. He hadn't changed his mind about them, it was just weird, he guessed. Being back in the enchanted forest and seeing his ex-nemesis in the whole Evil Queen attire just brought back many unwanted memories mixed with the new images of her caring for Emma.
"You are not supposed to be here." Mulan's voice called from the stairs. "Why aren't you upstairs with your family?"
David stood up and stretched, "I figured they needed some time alone, besides that I wanted to help out down here."
"My men are fully capable of guarding and recording inmates." The Asian beauty said as she came into view, "What are you hiding from?"
David smiled slightly, "I'm not really hiding, just trying to give everyone their space."
"Let me guess." Mulan started as she stood in front of the man looking him in the eyes, "You had convinced yourself that you were all right with your daughter being with Queen Regina, but now you are not so sure."
The number two sheriff chewed his lip and then said, "Something like that, well not really, I mean, I don't know. I know Regina has changed, I've seen it, it's just being back here and everything…" He looked down to the ground, "I mean it always seems Regina is centered on everything that goes wrong in our lives."
Mulan leaned back against an empty cell's bars and crossed her arms over her chest, "So you are saying it is the Queen's fault Emma fell in love with her?"
David sighed, "At one time I would have said yes to that question. She has a way with poison, and there is nothing I would have put passed her. I do blame her for the multiple attempts on my wife's life, making us put our daughter only minutes after she was born in a wardrobe where it took twenty-seven years for us to see her again because of a curse." He stopped as he started to get angry all over again.
"The way I see it, it worked out the way the Ancestor's saw fit. You have a beautiful grandson because of that curse. You can sit and cry about the should of, could of, and would ofs, or you can live life for today and hope for a better tomorrow." Mulan said with an arched eyebrow.
David let out a small chuckle, "My God you sound like a fortune cookie."
Mulan was not amused, "That is very similar to what your daughter said to me back on the road. What is a fortune cookie?"
David shook his head, "It's a long story." He had to give the warrior credit, everything she had said made sense and he agreed with her. As long as he could know for sure that Regina loved his daughter, then he would force himself to let go of these feelings. He had spoken to her back on the cliff, but he didn't get to go too far in depth. She had asked him if he was all right with her and his daughter seeing each other and his answer was yes. Maybe he would get another chance to speak to her soon.
Footsteps on the stairs called his attention. When he looked up, he noticed Ruby.
"Hey David, I didn't know you would be down here." The wolf blushed.
David started to reply, but then paused when he saw the reddening in her cheeks. He looked at Mulan who looked just as he did, "I was just about to go up. Is something wrong?"
The brunette smiled letting her eyes move between the prince and the warrior, "I thought I would come and give Mulan a hand while she is on guard."
David again moved his eyes from the wolf to Mulan and could see her look still mirrored his.
"There is no need for you to have to sit with me. It is a very simple job." The Asian beauty said naïvely.
"I-I was bored anyways and thought that you and I could keep each other company." The wolf said a little nervously, but her eyes were lock with the warriors who was now catching on.
David's eyebrows shot up into his hairline and he began getting antsy, "All right then, I'm going to go and see about Emma." He didn't wait for either woman to respond before he started his quick ascend of the stairs.
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"What are you doing in here?" Hook said as the queen passed him in the Grand Ballroom.
She glanced in his direction, but then let her eyes look around the room, "This is my castle pirate, I can go where ever I like."
Killian rolled his eyes but followed her, "That's not what I meant, Love."
Regina stopped in her tracks and spun to face him, "I am not your love."
Hook ground his teeth for a moment, "No, your Emma's. Why are you not with her?"
Regina's mouth fell open, but she was quick to close it, "Her mother is with her. I came to see if my assistance is needed here."
He could see the worry that passed the queen's eyes. She looked different to him somehow. She looked human with her hair a little messy, the worry and lack of sleep in her eyes. Hook had seen that same look somewhere else. Then he remembered, he had seen that look on his own reflection in the mirror when he didn't know what was wrong with Emma or why she was avoiding him. He actually found himself sympathizing with the woman.
Regina started to walk away, but he gently grabbed her arm causing her to turn back towards him, "You should be with her."
The queen glared at him pulling her arm away from his grip, "What am I supposed to do? She is just lying there and there is nothing I can do about it. Maybe this is the Gods' way of telling me we are not meant to be together." Tears welled up in her eyes and Hook knew that was something she didn't want anyone to see, especially not him.
"That's not true. Even Rumple said you two have a powerful connection that can only be shared between soulmates." Killian said with a small smile.
Regina raised an eye brow, "Why do you care anyways? You've never liked me Hook and I can just imagine how it felt to learn that Emma had feelings for me. And as much as I would like to rub this situation in your face, I actually cannot muster up the strength at this time."
He wanted to scream at her, a little part of him wanted to hit her even, but he forced himself to remain calm, "Well, glad to know where we still stand. I care because I want Emma to be happy and I made a promise to your son that I would help to get you two together."
Regina furrowed her brows, "Why would you do that?" The look on her face was one of annoyance, but the tone of her voice was puzzlement.
Killian didn't want to answer the question. His motives were actually very honorable, but he didn't need to go bleeding his heart out to the Evil Queen.
"Regina." Robin said as he walked up.
For a moment the pirate was glad that he had interrupted. He wasn't getting to far by himself and maybe the archer could put things into a better prospective.
"Robin." The queen replied, but Hook could see she was avoiding eye contact with the other man.
"I thought you would be with Emma." He said.
"Why is everyone so interested in my business?" She said with slight sarcasm.
Robin looked at Killian who raised his eye brow and shrugged his shoulders.
"I am glad that this is working out for the two of us." The archer said casually.
Hook was starting to feel awkward standing in the middle of their conversation. He needed to find some rum.
"What is it that you are referring to?" Regina asked.
Robin smiled, "That things are working out between you and the Savior, and for Zelena and me."
Yep, things were getting very awkward and by the look on the queen's face she was agreeing.
"Look Robin, I am glad that you are happy, but do not for one second think that I have forgotten that you ran around on me for months. Your only saving grace is that I happen to have fallen in love with Emma, which made things much easier for you." Regina said, anger starting to show itself.
Robin looked at Hook who again shrugged his shoulders to indicate that he was on his own with that one.
The Archer tilted his head towards the brunette woman, "Okay, you got me there, but I know things about you too. Like the only way that you and Emma can be connected through your magic, is if you have already slept with her."
Hook's eyes widened, but he didn't want to listen to this. He had agreed to help the two women get together, but that did not mean he wanted to hear about the two of them in bed. Besides, learning this information only made the situation that much more real, "Bloody hell, you don't waste any time do you Love?"
Regina licked her lips as a blush crept up to her cheeks as she ignored the pirate and spoke to Robin, "What the two of us do in private is of no concern of yours."
"What are you guys talking about?" Henry asked as he walked up holding a large pitcher of water.
All three adults made eye contact with one another and then looked back to the teen. Regina and Robin seemed lost for words so Hook took it upon himself to respond, "Ummm, just how much your mum loves Emma." He swallowed and looked back to the queen. Her eyes screamed appreciation for the help.
"Oh." Henry said with a big grin, "They were meant to be together."
The teen walked away to pour water for some of the sick gypsies. Hook looked up at Robin, "I need a drink." He didn't miss the small smile and nod the queen threw his way before he turned to leave. He smiled and nodded back. He would be lying if he said he wasn't a little hurt to find out that the two women had been intimate already. It almost seemed as though Emma had cheated on him, when in reality he knew they were over months ago. A man could hope though, couldn't he?