Hours later, word was sent to them dinner would be only an intimate affair between them and the king. Gone were the feast and the guests of Camelot, leaving a more subdued kingdom in its wake.

Having spent quite a bit of time in bed, Regina was decidedly more relaxed than she had been earlier in the day. Though she would prefer having stayed in her room with Robin. She could have gone to sleep easily lying there with him. She had spent a good part of their day enjoying the peacefulness of the moment together with her against his chest while he trailed his hand up and down her back. His caress nearly putting her to sleep after what they shared between them.

She was so inexperienced and ignorant while it was happening, she could only lie back and let him unravel this whole new world for her. While her knowledge of what happened between a man and a woman was not completely unknown, she didn't think it would feel so consuming. And to imagine they still had more to share between them...

Blush rose in her face thinking about being with him again.

Robin's soft chuckle from beside as they walked down to dinner her pulled her attention to him. "While I cannot read your thoughts, my love, I can, however, tell you if you keep thinking whatever it is you're thinking I might have to pull you back up those stairs and have someone inform Arthur we will be unable to join him for dinner."

Regina bit her lip, and without turning replied, "You will do no such thing. I'm famished. But if you're not terribly tired after dinner, perhaps we can continue working on our bond of ours. I feel like we were making good progress…"

Robin didn't reply, only shook his head while smothering a grin as two of the king's guard opened the doors to the dining room at their approach.

The king had not been lying when he said it would be a small affair. He sat alone at the table, picking at a plate of grapes and looked up at the sound of their arrival.

"Ah, come, come!" Arthur's voice called out while he got to his feet with a happy smile. Gesturing to his right at the high table, he said, "Please, join me, for I will have you dine nowhere else."

The table before them was piled high with an array of breads, meats, cheeses, and desserts. For Regina, an excessive setting such as this was not something new to her. Her parents regularly dined on far more than any of them could eat, but she couldn't help but smile at the way Robin's brows rose somewhere up in the vicinity for his hairline.

"Thank you," Robin replied, pausing for a moment while Regina took a seat first. "I have to admit, my Lord, the kitchens of Camelot prepare a great feast, indeed."

Arthur raised his goblet. "You shall have nothing but the finest."

As if on cue, the servants appeared beside Robin and Regina, setting down their own goblets of wine and filling their plates for them.

Regina gaze swept around the empty hall, looking for any sign Merlin or the mad woman, Millicent would be joining them. She shuddered thinking of the later, but their sudden absence left her suspicious. "Will Merlin be joining us?

Arthur shook his head slightly through the bite of the meat he had taken. Swallowing, he answered, "Alas, he has taken leave for the night, my lady."

The sudden loud squawk of a crow made her startle.

Robin asked, "Leave?"

"To talk with the Lady," Arthur answered offhandedly.

Regina pulled her eyes from the bird and narrowed them slightly. Already unsure of the goings on of Camelot, and Merlin and Millicent and their chats with this 'Lady' was making those uncertainties all the more uneasy.

Arthur must have taken her silence as worry because his voice rose once again, and he said, "Have no fear, my lady, for he will return before the morrow. He has asked me to request your and Robin's presence in the library after breakfast."

"What do they talk about? Merlin and the Lady." Regina asked. Voicing why they spent so much time going to her for counsel yet she never came here.

"I only know of which they tell me. The talks between the Lady and the receiver are sacred and should be treated as such," the king told her, his solemn gaze meeting hers, his tone laced with caution. "There is word the Dark Fae are gathering near the caves. It seems as if the Fae Queen knows of our plans."

Robin frowned, opening his mouth to speak, but Regina spoke up first. "But how?" she questioned. Robin reached out and took her hand but she ignored the impressions he was trying to provide her. Regina's gaze stayed settled on the king. "How can she possibly know? Is this queen so powerful she can listen in on private discussions? If that's the case we are in far more trouble than you think, or could there be a more plausible option?"

Arthur sat back. "Pray, tell me your suspicions."

"Perhaps there is a traitor amongst your people?"

Arthur's eyes flashed back with equal frustration. "My lady, I understand this is not ideal…"

"Not ideal?" Regina scoffed.

"Regina," Robin attempted, but she cut him off once again.

"No, I want an explanation," she said undisguised bitterness in her voice. Her irritation was aimed in the king's direction, and Robin shook his head. Regina knew he wanted her to tone down how she addressed the king, but she would not be deterred. How could they get home if this queen knew of their every move? Her eyes bore into Arthur's and, she added, "If someone here is giving the Fae Queen our plans, I think we have a right to know about it."

The king's jaw clenched. "You have my assurance, Lady Regina, it is being looked into."

Regina sighed, and Robin met her gaze with his own troubled eyes. "I hope that it is," she said, then stood, no longer hungry.

"Regina," Robin implored, pulsing his hand around hers.

She gave him a smile, squeezing his hand once before taking it back. She flashed the king an apologetic look. "I'm going to take my leave. I'm not feeling very hungry."


Robin sighed, watching her walk swiftly out of the dining hall. Leaning forward, he pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache beneath the surface. If he could have held onto her a moment longer he could have ground her, but it was no use.

"I am sorry, my cousin." Arthur was looking troubled himself.

Cousin. The familiarity would take some getting used to.

"No, Arthur," Robin replied with a frown. "It is I who should apologize. Lady Regina is just anxious to get home. She has a young daughter in our land who has people looking for her." He took a breath, stopping himself from saying too much, not that the king wouldn't understand, he would, but it was not Robin's story to tell. "And she could possibly be in danger. Wanting to protect Snow and keep her from harm, while being here in Camelot makes such a feat seem impossible for her now."

"I understand her predicament, both of yours." Arthur sighed. His jaw clenched, as he looked Robin in the eyes. "If the source of the information has come from inside the sacred walls of this castle, I can promise you, upon my word, cousin, the one responsible will be dealt with swiftly and justly."

"Your word alone, I would never question, Your Highness." Robin met his king's eyes. What else could he say? He trusted Author. Or trusted he believed he was doing everything he could.

"I am told that we shall leave within the fortnight," Arthur said, perking up a bit. "Merlin would like to make sure you and your lady are well prepared for the journey."

Robin's brow knitted together. "Prepared?"

The king nodded, having taken a drink of wine, he swallowed and then continued, "Indeed. He speaks of the magic you and Lady Regina hold as sort of a protection for you both as well as a way to break the curse upon Avalon."

"I see." Two weeks they would have to wait. What he wouldn't give to rest without fear for his son and his people at home.

"Please, try not to worry, cousin, for I know it is difficult," Arthur said, his eyes hopeful and determined. "Merlin assures me our journey along the lake should keep us all well within the protection of the Lady."

"How far is this place?" Robin took a deep breath and braced himself.

Arthur assured, "Not more than three days ride at most."

Robin nodded, thoughtfully. "That's something, I suppose. How do you know our magic will work to get you out of Avalon, Arthur? Surely, not everyone in Camelot will be going on such a dangerous journey?"

"Ah, no." The king shook his head, but a small hint of a smile broke across his lips, and he added, "But the Lady has foretold the most powerful of all white magic may break her hold upon the kingdom. If you succeed in opening the doorway, it could be enough to release us all. The entire kingdom back to its rightful place."

Robin chuckled lightly. "No pressure then."

"My dear friend, I have faith in Merlin and the Lady." He gestured to the doorway. "Just as you have with yours. We shall get you home, we shall all get home." He smiled and raised his goblet in a toast.


Her eyes studied the stone ceiling above her. The dark ridges and specs of crystal from the rock used in its construction held her attention as she tried to calm her high emotions.

With her arms crossed over her chest, she waited. Seething in the light glow of the room, waiting for Robin to return. She accepted they were trapped there for the time being but she did not have to like it.

"I bought you something to eat."

She pushed herself away from the bed, dropping her gaze from the ceiling to him. By the look on his face, her expression must have been something fierce. His warm, blue eyes were brimming with questions and concern, but his frown held annoyance, at her, and it only irked her all more. She scowled. "I'm not hungry."

Instead of being intimidated by her, he stood a little straighter and said, "You never did give Arthur a chance to explain tonight."

She pressed her lips together to ensure her silence, but it was not a moment before she burst out, "He didn't need to. The appalling lack of allegiance is obviously telling of a king who has simply given into a life of idle luxury and has clearly lost the respect of his people because he is not trying."

"Regina, stop." He took her by the arms, but she shrugged him off and stomped over beside the fireplace.

"Tell me I'm wrong," she implored. "Tell me that it's not true, Robin." His silence was all the answer she needed and it enraged her even more. Her hands clenched into fists, and her eyes blazed with fury. "Tell me you don't see what I do."

"It is not our place to judge them," he said, and she could tell he was trying not to let her own emotions get the better of him, and be patient with her but that did it.

She had enough.

They'd been there for three days, and it felt like three years. It was too much. From the incredible high of his love blazing through her, to the lows of realizing there was a huge problem in the palace, and everything in-between, she'd reached her emotional limit. Anxiety, impatience, and exhaustion all vied for dominance within her. She glared at Robin from across the room.

"I do judge them for it! These people are our only way home, and if they think I will sit by and let them stop me from getting back-"

"He knows, Regina!" he cried out, interrupting her with desperation in his voice that stopped her. Closing the distance between them, Robin took her by the arms, this time tightening his hold on her. "He knows his kingdom is on borrowed time, and he knows there is someone amongst them has betrayed them. Do you think you are the only one who wishes to leave here? I want to be home as much as you do. I share your pain, and I know you can feel mine. Our love for our children is as deep and as true as the pain which comes from being apart from them."

Tears filled her eyes, but they never left his intense gaze.

"We will return to them. To Roland and to Snow, and damn every Fae Queen or king who tries to take them from us. You only need to believe, Regina. Believe in us, and our comrades, and the people of my camp. I promise you, they will protect them till we can return. You must have hope, my love."

Her chest ached thinking about her precious Snow, and dear, sweet Roland, and then all the fight went out of her. Guilt washed over her from head to toe. "Belief isn't easy when I have nothing left. My magic is what they are counting on and it's gone, Robin." Her voice trembled.

His brow furrowed and he shook his head. "You still have your magic. I can feel it in you. What we have together is magic."

"It's not the same."

"Then what is it?" he pleaded to understand.

"Haven't you been listening?" She placed her hand over his chest, his heart. "I don't know what this is. If this magic is something we share together, or is it coming from you? If it is then we're in trouble. I've been summoning up every spell, every enchantment, every charm and nothing. I'm failing, Robin. If my magic is a way out, then there may not be a way for us to get home. We may be stuck here."

His frown deepened. "I don't believe that."

"Then you're a fool." She looked away from him, her jaw tightening.

"That may be, but…" He closed the gap between them, using a finger under her chin to turn her head back, and then his forehead rested against hers, and his hands came up to tangle in her hair. "I, for one, happen to believe in you."

Sighing, she closed her eyes. Hurt burned through him at her words and she immediately regretted them. Raising her hands, she gripped his arms. "You really do, don't you?"

"Aye, my lady. Forever," he vowed. "Now, will I have to kiss that scowl away from your beautiful lips?"

She rolled her eyes. The tension of the moment was finally broken. Her tears retreated, but she gave him a withering look for good measure before her lips tipped into a small smile. "You can kiss me all you want, but I'll scowl as much as I like."

He brought his lips down and placed them on hers. Regina tried to resist her desire to kiss him in return, but her mouth curved into another smile as his mouth softened over hers.

The kiss lingered and they pulled away slowly, foreheads meeting once again. "I hate it when you do that," she whispered, earning a grin from him, right before her lips sought his once again.