Chapter 37

Regina's eyes snapped open. She laid still, not willing to move after such a horrifying scene played out before her eyes. It took her a moment to realize she was still in her princess' embrace: a strong arm wrapped around her middle, a steady heartbeat coming from her chest. She took a deep breath and the smell of Emma invaded her senses. A slight smile graced her lips as she remembered their night together and the bath they shared just before they drifted off to sleep. She had rubbed the cinnamon scented soap all over Emma's body, and the scent still lingered. Something she was exceedingly grateful for.

Her smile slipped away as the thought that this would be the last time they were safe together entered her mind. Once they left with their army, they would be targets. She slowly brought Emma even closer to her and placed a light kiss on her shoulder.

"I love you," she whispered quietly. When Emma let out a grunt in her sleep, the Queen smiled. She squeezed her tight once more before slowly removing herself from the blonde. As her feet hit the cold stone, she suppressed a shiver.

It was an almost surreal feeling, knowing that in just a few short hours she would be mounted on Heloise and Emma on Uriel and they would be riding to meet the princess' mother and father's army. And from there, they'd go to fight the most powerful being in the realm. If there was only one thing she was certain of, it was that she had to protect Emma at all costs.

She walked towards her balcony and looked towards the south. Catapults were lined up neatly and soldiers were already preparing the oxen that would help pull them. Of course, her magic would help that as well. While it was impossible to make them weightless, she would be able to lighten them so they would be able to move quicker. It had already been established that they would go directly to the forest surrounding Rumpelstiltskin's manor and wait for them there. A group of soldiers would accompany them for protection from any scouts he might have put out. However, it was entirely likely he would know they were there even without hearing back from his magical army. Had it been any other enemy, she would worry about him sending a force to destroy the weapons, but she knew he was overly-confident and would consider sending troops out for such a menial task trivial and not needed in the slightest.

Taking one last look from her balcony, she turned back to her desk and waved her hand, placing the same sound-proof charm around her as she had when she contacted Graham about training Emma. As she sat down, Sydney appeared in the mirror and looked at her with a bored expression.

"Leaving me behind, I suppose?" he asked.

"I couldn't get rid of you if I tried," she replied quickly, frowning as she leaned back in her chair. "Actually, I did try. And you ended up how you are now." He scowled at her, but she knew he didn't really mean it. They had been at this game for years. "Besides, you can travel with us in any reflective surface. You can see as much of the action as you want."

"Yes. I'm sure showing up in a soldier's sword as it plunges into an enemy's chest would be simply wonderful."

Regina looked at the mirror with a raised eyebrow. "Armor. Snow's army has reflective armor." Sydney rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed that the Queen didn't appreciate his attempt at humor. "Speaking of armor, can you see any of Rumple's army through theirs?"

"Ah, interesting question, your majesty," he said surprisingly brightly. "I can sense their armor and I can travel to it, but I cannot see anything. The same goes for the waters surrounding his estate and the mirrors inside."

"So we're going in blind," she murmured. "He's probably placed an enchantment on reflective surfaces that could allow us to spy on him."

"And the scouts you sent?" he asked.

"Never returned. I assume they were killed. Most likely in a very unpleasant manner."

"The wolves can't help you?"

"Sending them anywhere near him without an army with them would be sending them to their death. He'd capture them and run his experiments, most likely killing them in the process."

"You're nervous?" he asked, seeing her eyes shift from his to down in front of her.

"Of course I am," she snapped. "I'm risking thousands of lives by marching on him. Contrary to common belief, the bloodshed of innocents is not something I'm particularly fond of."

They sat in silence for a moment, Regina's eyes resting on Emma's still sleeping form. She was risking those lives for Emma. It was strange to her that ever since she learned that Snow was pregnant, her entire life had revolved around the princess. She had wanted to destroy her, she had wanted to break her, wanted to control her, and now, she wanted to save her.

"I think you'll win," Sydney said quietly. Almost like he was afraid to say it.

"And what defines a victory?" she asked just as quietly. "I'm as human as everyone else. As human as the families sending their husbands, sons, and brothers off to war. If they die, will those who lost the ones they love still consider it a victory even if we do defeat Rumple? I know I wouldn't."

"You aren't backing down, are you? That's very out of character for you."

"No," she said, regaining her air of confidence. "Merely pondering in the calm before the storm." Sydney looked at her for a moment before nodding once. "I need to speak with Red immediately. Contact her at once."

The man in the mirror disappeared in a cloud of blue smoke. She waited patiently until a rather sleepy looking Red appeared.

"I trust I'm not interrupting anything," the Queen said, clearly not caring she had woken the girl up. Red shook her head quickly and rubbed some sleep out of her eyes. "My army is leaving in a few hours to meet with Snow and Charming at the border. From there, we march on Rumpelstiltskin. I want you and the warriors that are accompanying you to meet us at the edge of the forest surrounding his estate."

Red stared at her for a minute, sleep obviously still invading her mind. When the Queen raised her eyebrow indicating she expected a far quicker response than she was receiving, Red shook her head and took a deep breath. "Should we leave today? When do you expect us to meet?"

"Tomorrow. In the evening."

"Tomorrow?" Red asked incredulously. "How are you going to move two entire armies in two days that far?"

"Sometimes, I think people genuinely forget that I have magic," she said absentmindedly. "I can make the armies move slightly faster. And Snow's army is closer to the border than we are. We will be there in time."

"Of…of course, your majesty," she said quickly. "I'll have them leave right away."

"Excellent," she said. "One more thing, Red." Regina saw the girl sigh ever so slightly, clearly annoyed at being woken up. The Queen narrowed her eyes at her showing her that she had seen the girl's displeasure. "I am under the impression that you were upset by a change you sensed in Graham after he got his heart back."

"Your majesty," Red said after a pause, "this really isn't anything for you to concern-"

"Yes it is," she said sternly. "Graham has conveyed his regret to me for not telling you about his…condition. I agree with him that he should have told you. And if I had known he hadn't informed you, I would have let you know. Having feelings for someone who has no heart is unbearable."

The two sat in silence for a moment before Red looked into Regina's eyes through the mirror. The Queen could see tears swirling around. "He wasn't even capable of feeling. What was he doing? Just going through the motions?"

Regina blinked. In all honesty, all she had wanted to do was apologize to Red for not telling her that Graham was incapable of the feelings she was feeling, but it was obvious this was turning into something more. And she supposed it was better to deal with these things now as opposed to when they were about to step onto the battlefield.

"I believe he was trying to feel again. He knew what he should do to feel those things, but he couldn't. And now that he can, he wants nothing more than for you to return those feelings."

"His feelings were a lie," Red said softly. "Actually, his lack of feelings was a lie. I've been here for two weeks thinking about what he did. I can't just let everything go back to the way it was. He would have to show me he means it now."

Regina nodded once. "If he seeks you out, you should tell him this."

"And what good will it do?"

"He'll know how you feel," she said. "But I'm afraid I only have a few hours until daybreak, and there is still much to do here. Do consider what I said about Graham and ensure that you are in position by tomorrow evening. I will see you there."

The Queen waved her hand and leaned back into her chair, Red disappearing from the mirror. She leaned sideways and rested her head in her hand. Of all the things she was planning on speaking about this morning, that was the last.

"You give such good relationship advice," Sydney said.

"Which is ironic considering how my relationships end." The Queen offered him a wry smile before rising from her chair.

She walked over to Emma and knelt beside their bed. Emma was facing the other way, but the Queen could still watch her sleeping form breath slowly and deeply. She looked to her side to see the rose again. When she had cast the spell to conjure the flower, she had no idea that she and her love for Emma would be so deeply connected to it. She tilted her head, taking in the soft, deep red petals that were perfectly shaped. It was still blooming beautifully, and thorns were still present, but she smiled at it.

Her eyes fell back on Emma who had turned over and was now facing the Queen. Her eyebrows were scrunched together and her mouth hanging open, and even though she looked completely ridiculous, Regina couldn't help but smile at her. She brought her hand up and brushed blonde hair out of her eyes. For a moment, she wanted to leave her there. Just march with her army and keep Emma safe, out of harm's way. But she knew the princess too well to think she wouldn't find a way to meet up with her. And, in the process of that, it was likely she would come to harm that Regina couldn't stop. Keeping Emma safe meant throwing her into the heart of danger itself.

"Emma?" she whispered out. For some reason, tears seemed to threaten to spill out of her eyes. She closed them quickly, swallowing her emotion. The blonde's eyes blinked open and Regina looked into glazed over green eyes. She smiled gently and ran her fingers through the princess' hair. "It's time to get ready."

Emma blinked again and furrowed her eyebrows. She sat up abruptly and Regina leaned back before it was possible for the blonde to end up smacking her in the face. The princess looked around and finally realized it was the Queen who was next to her. The brunette looked up at her with a smile before placing a chaste kiss on her lips.

"Already?" Emma whined. Regina rolled her eyes before standing up and sitting on the bed beside her.

"When I said we would be leaving at dawn, I meant it, dear," she said. "We need to get you in your armor." Emma looked at her with a confused expression. "The soldiers will be traveling in their armor, it is only right that we do as well."

"It's too early for this."

Regina rolled her eyes again and grabbed Emma under the arm, forcing her to stand. She stood there compliantly, merely watching as Regina walked to stand in front of her. The Queen waved her hand and the princess' armor appeared next to her.

"I want to put it on you personally," she said quietly. She instructed Emma to remove her clothes and the blonde did quickly, leaving on only her cotton undergarments. Regina stepped forward and ran her finger along a thin scar along Emma's right side. She frowned as she remembered the princess insisting they practice at least once together without their armor and Regina accidently cut her side. When she said she would remove the scar, Emma told her she wanted to keep it because it would always remind her of her.

With a wave of her hand, a cotton, white shirt and leather, white breeches appeared draped over the Queen's arm. She placed the pants by her feet and instructed Emma to raise her arms so she could put the shirt on her. Next, she slid on the breeches, Emma holding onto the Queen's shoulders for support. After she tied a knot to keep them in place, she moved up to the laces at the top of Emma's shirt, tying it together with deft fingers.

"Why are you doing this?" Emma asked quietly, attempting to make eye contact with the Queen.

Regina hesitated for a moment, her eyes carefully watching her work. "I find something terribly romantic about a Queen preparing her prized knight to ride off for battle," she said slowly. When she caught Emma's questioning eyes, she continued. "My sense of romanticism does extend beyond casting curses."

Regina waved her hand again and chain mail appeared next to her. She began putting it on Emma methodically.

"So, do you want me to…prepare you or whatever?" she asked, somewhat uncertain.

"Oh, no," Regina said with a smirk. "I'm perfectly capable of dressing myself."

"I am, too," Emma mumbled.

"Please, dear," Regina said, standing back up from helping with the chainmail. "When you first got here, you couldn't even put on your own dress."

Emma smiled before Regina waved her hand one final time and Emma's armor appeared next to her. She held Emma's eyes for a moment before beginning to put it on her, starting first with her boots and leg armor. She went slowly, ensuring everything was secure. Even though they would only be riding today and most likely not see any battle at all, galloping on a horse was tough on any armor. Then, after this time, she could easily put it on Emma with magic (just as she had done so many times before) but with the added confidence of knowing exactly how it fitted together.

As she attached Emma's cloak, she smiled and turned Emma to face her. She quietly instructed her to call Victoria to her and the princess' eyes closed quickly, opening when her sword was at her side. Regina stepped back and took her in.

"You really do fit the part of White Knight," she said. Emma took a step towards her and kneeled, a smirk playing on her lips.

"Of course, your majesty. Is there anything you would like your White Knight to do?"

Regina rolled her eyes and bent down to place a quick kiss on her lips, smiling into them. She stood back up and purple mist engulfed her. The light weight of her armor pressed down on her, but she quickly grew accustomed to her. As her vision cleared, she saw Emma take her in. Mostly, her eyes stayed on the skin exposed on her chest, but she also saw them follow the red cracks. Without blinking, she called Lilith to her side and rested her left hand on her hilt.

"That doesn't seem very practical," Emma said, eyeing her chest.

"Hephaestus weaved some magic so it is just like real armor there."

"Planning on distracting your enemies?"

"Well, it certainly seems to be working on you, so let's hope we aren't fighting against women who bear a resemblance to me."

Emma rolled her eyes and wrapped her arms around Regina's waist, their armor clinking as it hit each other. She pulled the Queen into an innocent kiss that both melted in to. Regina closed her eyes, and just as she felt that the kiss might deepen into something she wouldn't be able to stop, she pulled away slowly.

"We need to meet the troops," she said quietly. Emma nodded once and stepped back. The Queen turned away and walked to the doors, waving them open with her hand. She turned back and saw Emma looking around the room as if it would be the last time she ever saw it.

Emma turned to meet Regina's gaze and walked towards her, nodding as she was about to leave. They walked in silence, the weight of the situation resting on their shoulders. Regina knew Emma was thinking that it was entirely possible that this was the last time they would walk down this hall together, go to the grounds of the palace with each other. And the aura the dark hallways were giving off seemed entirely appropriate.

As they reached the large doors that led outside, Regina waved her hand and they opened slowly. Directly outside, Raegar stood with his hands crossed in front of him. He bowed politely to the Queen and inclined his head towards Emma.

"Go meet up with Graham," Regina told Emma. "I'll join you as soon as I can." Emma nodded quickly, but lingered for a moment, as if she didn't want to leave the Queen when they were so close to leaving the castle. But as Regina tilted her head to the side contemplating her reaction, Emma turned and left.

Regina looked down at the boy in front of her and smiled warmly. But as both remained silent, it turned almost sad. There were few times she had been alone with a child who wasn't Snow, and all of them had been painfully awkward. She inclined her head towards the direction her and Raegar would be heading and turned to begin walking. He followed, and when she realized he was practically running to keep up, she slowed her pace, allowing him to walk next to her.

"Are you, ah, excited for your lessons?" she asked. He said that he was. "Your tutor is the best in the land. You'll learn much." Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him nod once and chew on his lip. She wanted to scold him for it, but thought that perhaps he was as nervous as she was.

"Your majesty, may I ask you something?" he said timidly.

"Of course."

He stayed silent for a moment, searching for the right words. "You will come back, won't you? You, Graham, and Emma. You'll be back."

Regina slowed to a stop and looked down at Raegar. He refused to meet her eyes and instead looked down at the ground. She sighed before bending down and placing two fingers under his chin, forcing him to look at her.

"This is war, Raegar. There will be casualties."

"But not you three," he said. Regina saw pleading in his eyes. "You've become my family over the past weeks. I don't want to lose my family again."

Regina pulled back slightly and blinked her eyes. "Again?" she said quietly.

"That's why I came here," he said, looking at the ground again. "My parents died of one of the sicknesses. I didn't have anywhere, but then some of your recruiters came and I joined. I had a place to live, meals, and people who would accept me without asking about my past. And then, when you first noticed me, I really felt like I belonged here. But now, you, Emma, and Graham, you've all made me…remember…"

The Queen smiled sadly and pushed his chin up just a little more, urging him to look into her eyes again. "Someone will always be here to take care of you," she said. "I promise."

"But not all of you."

Regina smiled again and rose. "We must hurry. Follow me." They continued walking, the silence between them heavy. When they finally reached two doors at the end of a hallway, she stopped and turned to look at him. "Well," she said, "here you go."

Raegar turned to her and kept her gaze. Her smile faltered as she knew he was imagining that this could be the last time he ever saw the Queen. When he took his first step towards her, she felt herself tense at what she knew he was about to do. At his second step, she consciously made the decision to stay where she was. His arms wrapped around her waist and she stayed still. She stiffly wrapped her own arms around his shoulders and he pulled her closer.

"Stay safe," he whispered.

"I will," she whispered back. She pushed him away gently and saw that his face was red. It was obvious that he now felt some embarrassment at his actions. She turned him to face the door and nudged him towards it. He walked forwards and looked back just before he entered the room. As the door closed behind him, Regina turned away and briskly walked towards the castle grounds. She had an army to meet.

A/N: Ok. So I have no excuse except family being family, school being school, and I got a job so I'm no longer a starving writer. This chapter took a very long time to get up because everything happened at once. But let me tell you that I have the next chapter done even if it is very short. So you'll get two updates tonight.

Friendly reminder that I love each and every one of you charming readers and I love your reviews. Since I know a lot of you are looking forward to a war, I'm estimating it in about two to three more chapters.

Please review, follow, favorite, PM me, do whatever you wish to do! And once again, I'm terribly sorry for the hiatus. But at least they aren't as frequent with me as they are with the show.