A/N: There are many revelations in this chapter, about Amelia and Mal, about Cora's agenda, about where Regina and Robin stand. I'm looking forward to reading your feelings about all of that :-D
Enjoy!
"Your baby is perfectly fine." Amelia says as she smiles at Regina. "You say that you were able to see it when Robin put his hand on your stomach?"
Regina smoothers her dress, sits up. "Yes. It was as if there was a connection between the three of us. It stopped the second our hands parted."
"That's quite a baby you have here. First, it makes you and Robin dream of each other, and now this. This is no typical pregnancy."
Regina glances down at her abdomen, tenderly rubbing it. "Definitely not. Maleficent told me that my baby is the first child of its kind, and that I should expect anything. Well, I clearly didn't expect this."
She notices the way Amelia flinches at the mention of Maleficent, and Regina pauses, chewing the inside of her cheek. She knows Amelia hasn't spoken to Maleficent since she learned that she was her mother. She also knows that Maleficent was respectful enough not to push. But things can't go on like this. Amelia can't keep pushing her away without knowing the whole truth. Regina clears her throat, attempts warily, "You still haven't given her a chance to explain herself, have you?"
Amelia huffs in annoyance, turning away and moving to the furniture on the other side of the room, pretending to be busy while Regina knows very well that she's not.
"There's no explanation needed."
Regina sighs heavily, gets up and walks towards her friend slowly. "I disagree." She places her hand on Amelia's arm, drawing the woman's eyes to hers. "I've been there, Amelia. I've been fooled and lied to. I've felt-" she pauses, about to correct herself and put her sentence to present time, but searching deep down within her, she realizes that this feeling is indeed part of the past now. That she's put this behind her and moved on, as the brief exchange between them and their child has mended her broken heart a little more, if not completely. "betrayed. But knowing the whole story helps. I promise you, it does."
"She lied to me my entire life." Amelia argues. "She could have found us, be a part of our family." She looks down. "Be a mother. If she really cared about us, she should have fought for us."
"You can't judge her without knowing all the facts." Regina reasons. "Look, I don't say that you should forgive her and act as if you've known her since you were born. But at least give her a chance to explain herself. I'm sure there's a good reason for her to have stayed away all this time."
"Did she tell you why?" Amelia questions with hopeful yet skeptical eyes.
But Regina shakes her head. "She didn't. But I know that she's had a difficult life, that she was abandoned -more exactly thrown out," she corrects with a duck of her head. "By her parents when she was barely a teenager. I know that they've considered her a monster and cursed her." She carefully chooses to keep for herself the part where someone died. She doesn't have any detail about that part and it would mostly freak Amelia out. "I don't know her very much, yet I know that she's secretive, not used to human contact, full of self-loathing."
Just like her brother…
"I'd say that there are plenty of reasons why she would've wanted to stay away." She argues, Amelia staring at her with wide, surprised eyes. She takes the woman's hands, tugs at them. "Give her a chance! Once you know the whole story, if you decide that you don't want to have a relationship with her, then that's fine. But she deserves to be heard. And you deserve to know the truth."
xxx
Regina wipes her sweaty forehead when she puts the basket of vegetables on the floor. She stretches her back, rubs her stomach, exhaling heavily.
"Is everything alright, Regina?"
She smiles at her father, tenderly places a hand on his shoulder. "I'm fine, daddy. My back is just a bit sore and stirring, nothing more."
Affectionnately looking at her stomach, he approaches a tentative hand. "How's my grandchild doing?"
"She's fine. Taking a tremendous pleasure in punching my stomach in the middle of the night," they both chuckle, and she lets him brush her stomach for a little time, lets him connect with her baby and feel the small kicks under his palm. "But she's doing well. Do you want to help me settle everything for the market?"
Her father's face brightens. She hasn't gotten to spend much time with him since they arrived at the village. Between Robin's recovery, and going back to the life she'd started to build, she was extremely busy, and missed out on sharing her time with him.
"It'd be my pleasure."
She guides him, shows him how to arrange the booth before the market begins. To her surprise, he enjoys himself, doesn't mind doing what would've been considered a servant's work when he was running their lands. He chats with her, more than usual, comes off his usual reserve, and Regina enjoys this moment tremendously, can't fight the smile creeping her cheeks. She didn't know how much she'd missed him until she found him again. If she'd had the chance, she'd have made Leopold pay for what he did to him, even more so than to Robin, because he was innocent.
A shiver suddenly runs down her spine, making her freeze, a feeling of uneasiness washing over her, and Regina narrows her eyes, glancing around them. There's this feeling again, as if someone was observing her, but up until now she's never managed to know where it came from, as all the people she'd seen were always villagers she knew.
Her father senses her change of mood, one of his hands covering her arm.
"Is there something wrong?"
It pulls her out of her thoughts, the feeling vanishing as she faces her father. She dismisses it then, focuses on him, on their moment, putting on a reassuring smile.
"No, Daddy. I just had a strange feeling, that's all."
"Hello, you two!" Hannah greets as she heads their ways, a large basket of potatoes and a smaller one of eggs in hands. "What a wonderful morning!" She places her baskets on the booth. "Do you want to help us, Henry?" She asks happily.
"If you don't mind, I'd love to." he offers with a smile.
Regina bites her lower lip, so glad to see her father being excited about this, something as trivial as selling eggs and vegetables at a market. It's good to share more with him than whining over Daniel's loss and her miserable life as Queen.
"Of course not!" Hannah replies. "It's pretty easy, you'll see."
Morning goes by faster than usual, her father's presence giving Regina a renewed energy, allowing her to share moments she's never got to share with him before, while having fun with Hannah too. They all chat, Hannah and Henry getting to know each other, and villagers coming around with Henry too. Regina feels her heart swell at the sight of her father slowly being acquainted with people, being accepted as one of their own.
Morning is productive, earns them good money, enough for Regina to offer a part of her share to her father, insisting that he deserves it for his hard work. That day, she spends her lunch laughing with him and Hannah, having a truly wonderful time, and when she joins Anya to help her at the village's small school, she's still grinning like an idiot.
Days keep passing by, and soon, Robin is good to go, fully healed, no more care being needed. Regina notices the relief on his face, smirks in answer because he clearly can't wait to be free, is struggling to stay patient during the whole "be careful" speech. She exchanges an amused glance with Maleficent, the woman obviously holding back a laugh as well.
"Did you listen?" Amelia asks Robin with slight annoyance and a pointed look.
Robin rolls his eyes. "Yes. Eat regularly, exercise every day, sleep whenever I'm tired, no exhausting myself. I got it. Am I good to go, now?"
"This isn't a joke, Robin." Friar Tuck scolds him. "After all the time and energy Amelia and I spent treating you, the least you should do is listen to our recommendations."
"I know, and I'm incredibly grateful for what you did. But I'm not going anywhere." Robin replies, shrugging. "I'll be around if there's any problem."
"Our goal is precisely for you not to have any more problems." Amelia points out.
"That's why we'll have to check on you regularly." Tuck adds.
"Fine." Robin relents. "Whatever you want, as long as I can go for a walk without anyone chaperoning me."
Amelia and Friar Tuck finally let out a chuckle, shaking their heads before the man waves his hand towards the door.
"Alright, you're good to go!"
Robin doesn't need to be told twice, as he victoriously beams at Regina and his sister, before rushing outside without another warning like a child free of a punishment.
The four stay behind, respecting Robin's need for privacy and freedom, very much aware that if they follow him immediately, he will only be reminded of the previous weeks' chaperoning. Regina looks at her friends, grateful.
"Thank you, for saving his life."
Friar Tuck smiles at her. "There's no need, Regina."
"But you've risked your lives for him. For me." She adds, instinctively glancing down and cupping her stomach. "You didn't have to."
"Regina is right." Maleficent adds. "What you did for them… I will never be able to thank you enough. Both of you."
"Now, make sure he doesn't ruin our hard work." Friar Tuck teases.
"Count on me on that!"
Regina doesn't miss Amelia's embarrassment, the way she tentatively glances in Maleficent's direction. She knows she still hasn't accepted to talk to her mother, and Maleficent didn't push. As Amelia doesn't make any more move, Regina is about to leave with Maleficent, after thanking her and Tuck another dozen times, when…
"Maleficent?"
The two women stop, looking back. They find Amelia, pursing her lips as she frowns.
"Yes?" Maleficent says as she turns to fully face her daughter.
Amelia dares lock eyes with her. "Do you have a moment? I have some questions… if you don't mind, of course."
Regina can swear that she sees Mal's eyes brighten, but the woman hides it pretty well to anyone who doesn't know her.
"Of course. Why don't we go for a walk?
As she watches the two leave the cabin, Regina and Tuck share a hopeful smile.
"It's been hard for her."
"For the two of them. I hope they'll finally settle everything down."
"Me too, Regina. Me too."
xxx
They wander in the forest, silent at first. Amelia struggles to find the courage to start the conversation, while Maleficent waits, patient, giving her daughter the necessary time to ready herself for the conversation to come.
It takes a moment. They're both wounded, both secretive, not inclined to open up, and it truly requires a lot of effort, a lot of self-control, for them to go back to this conversation that had left them both hurt to the core.
"Tell me what happened." Amelia finally lets out. "If you truly loved us, tell me why you chose to stay away from us. Why my father never wanted to give me details about you."
Maleficent shudders, her eyes closing on their own as she nods.
"Your father and I were forbidden to be together." Maleficent reveals with a shaky voice. "Because of my magic, my parents saw me as a monster and locked me in the basement when I was barely a toddler, forbidding me to even see the light of day. They'd bring me my meals downstairs, never shared one with me. When Robin was old enough, he had to hide in order to come visit me."
She misses the shock washing on Amelia's face, the sadness filling her eyes.
"Thanks to my magic, I was able to connect with birds, therefore, to see the outside world through their eyes. As I grew up, I couldn't take bear this situation anymore. The darkness, the loneliness, that was such a contrast with the brightness of the world outside. So at night, or when my parents were out, I managed to secretly get out a few times." She smiles, closing her eyes as she remembers the feeling of freedom seizing her every time she was able to exit her prison.
"Is that how you met my father?"
Maleficent nods. "Yes. Damian was... the most beautiful boy I had ever seen. Well, he was the only one I had seen aside from my father and brother." she admits, allowing herself to chuckle. "But still. I was taking care of a raven with a broken wing when your father saw me. The moment our eyes connected, I felt something in me. I couldn't tell what it was by then, but now, I know it was love at first sight. I was afraid at first, and I think that he was too. For a while, we met at this exact same place. He was waiting for me every day, and I was going as much as I could. We didn't talk, only observed each other. Until we dared take a step towards each other. From then on, we were inseparable. We kept meeting in secret whenever it was possible, and our relationship blossomed. It took him five months to kiss me." she reveals, almost sheepishly, digging a tooth into her lip, red creeping her cheeks as she doesn't dare meet her daughter's gaze.
"Did he know about your magic?"
"He did. Just like I knew about his. He healed that raven's wing on the day we met. That's what brought us closer."
"Did you tell him how your parents were treating you?
"Yes."
"And he didn't like it." Amelia guesses.
Maleficent nods. "That's a nice way to put it. We were barely fourteen, but all he wanted was to take me away, to run away with me."
"What stopped you?"
Maleficent pauses, looks up at the bright sky above their heads, to the sun's warmth she can feel through the tree leaves. "I did." Before Amelia voices her confusion, Maleficent looks back at her. "Unlike me, he had a loving family. I didn't want to take this away from him. I knew too well how it felt to be alone and cut out from the world. To be a pariah. I refused to impose the same thing on him."
"So what did you do?"
"We loved each other in secret. For months. Until..."
"You got pregnant."
"Yes." Maleficent swallows heavily. "After I told him, he cut a heart-shaped necklace in half, one half for each of us as proof of our love, of our engagement towards one another. Your father wanted to take me to his family, he was certain that his parents would accept me. But despite everything, I loved my family, especially my little brother. So we decided to tell them the truth. Your father came with me. I was terrified." she remembers, shuddering. "about how they would react, what would happen to us, to me, to you. Much to our surprise, my parents accepted him, and my pregnancy. I was allowed to have a room in the house, to see Damian whenever I wanted. I met his parents, and before I realized we were all discussing our wedding! I was in heaven, and in the middle of my happiness, I dropped my guard, didn't realize that so many changes didn't bode well. My biggest mistake." She sighs, voice dropping an octave with the next revelations. "When the day came, when I was about to deliver you, your father was here."
She smiles at the memory, remember his young and hopeful face, his support, the love written in his eyes that had given her the strength to go through such event barely fifteen. She remembers how terrorized she was, how painful her whole body felt, as if her stomach was splitting in two. But Damian was there, he was helping her, holding her hand, applying a fresh towel to her forehead, kissing her cheek. She thought her life was taking a better turn. She didn't know it was the beginning of her hell.
"But what was supposed to be the most beautiful day of my life, turned into a nightmare." Maleficent's eyes darken, forcing her to take a break, to ready herself for the next part of her story. "Once you were born, the first thing I asked was to hold you, my beautiful little girl." she says with teary eyes. "My baby. But," she turns away, glances down, then back up. "instead of giving you to me, the midwife gave you to my mother. Damian tried to step in, but that's when his parents entered the room. We were confused, and it all happened so fast. They took you, and told Damian that they were leaving. We didn't understand what was going on immediately, but as I was forced to stay on the bed and his father was dragging Damian outside, the truth dawned upon us. They were separating us, taking you and Damian away from me. Everything they let us believe, that we could live together, that we could get married, was a lie. He fought his best, but he was only fifteen, he wasn't a match against them. I still remember the words his father used that day: We need to protect you from this monster."
Maleficent stops, exhaling slowly, her hands trembling. That was the worse memory of her life, that she's pushed away and buried deep down for years, never told anyone else, but today, the truth needs to be out. Amelia deserves to know why she grew up without her mother. She gathers all her courage, and reveals.
"His father had to knock Damian out to be able to leave with the two of you. You were gone before I got the chance to hold you. I lost control then. I... My magic... My anger, my fear, took over me, and it created a wave of magic so powerful it projected everyone against the walls. Except..." She stops, bracing herself for the revelation that might very well rip her daughter away from her once and for all. "The midwife's head knocked against the chimney so hard it killed her instantly."
Amelia holds her breath, closes her eyes at the revelation, and Maleficent can't tell what's on her mind at the moment. So she resumes, sadness filling her voice, tears brimming at the corner of her eyes, waiting for the ultimate blow, her daughter's rejection.
"I took a life, the same day I gave you life. When I recovered and understood what I had done, I froze, and my father used that moment to knock me out. Once I woke up, they had already found a way to bound my magic, to curse me. They had found a magical creature, a fairy, who was able to contain most of my magic into-" she waves towards her horns. "these, and to connect the use of my magic to my life. My punishment: The monster in me would be out for everyone to see, to keep me away from them, remind me every day of what I had done. And if I ever were to use my powers to hurt someone else again, the spell would backfire, and reduce my life at the same time. After that, they sent me to the other side of the Kingdom, and abandoned me. I only owe my survival to the birds who took me under their wing, and through my connection with them, helped me adapt to life outside."
Amelia's eyes widen, this time in horror, Maleficent is certain, especially when she breathes.
"That's horrible! You were their daughter, how could they do that to you?"
Maleficent shrugs simply, full of guilt. "I was a murderer. This was what I deserved."
"But they forced you on that road!" the young woman replies in shock. "That woman's life was on them, not on you!"
Maleficent stares at Amelia in surprise and misunderstanding. She killed someone, it wasn't her parents' doing.
"No, you don't understand. I am the one with blood on my hands. It's my magic who killed her. My parents were right. I am a monster." She looks down with a frown. "That's why I never reached out to you and your father. I didn't want to hurt you. I didn't want to impose..." She vaguely waves towards her horns and, more generally, herself. "this, on you."
"Are you kidding me?"
Maleficent startles at Amelia's furious tone. Before she can reply, Amelia grabs her hands, and continues.
"You were a victim in this. Since when do parents lock their children in a basement and treat them like monsters?" Her question leaves her speechless, Maleficent staring at Amelia, barely able to recover from the feeling of her daughter's hands holding hers. "Since when do they curse them, or abandon them?" She tightens her grip on her hands. "I understand better now why my father took me away from his home as soon as he could, and never allowed his parents to see us again. They were the reason he never smiled with anyone else but with me. They were the reason his eyes always clouded with sadness when I asked about you. His parents and yours have made you both miserable." She pauses, catches her breath, and when she lifts apologetic eyes towards her mother, she continues with a soft, sheepish voice. "I'm sorry it took me so long to accept to hear your story. I'm sorry I've been so awful to you."
Maleficent's eyes water as she looks deep into her beautiful daughter's blue eyes. Eyes that reminds her so much of that man she's loved and lost so long ago, but who's never left her heart and mind.
"I..." Amelia calms down, breathes as she says, her eyes hopeful and shining. "Would you mind giving me another chance? Please?"
Maleficent finds herself at a loss for words. Her mouth is dry, her throat squeezing, mind dizzy as she can't believe what she's just heard. After years of self-loathing, of loneliness, of telling herself that she didn't deserve happiness, that she was a horrible person, she finds herself facing the possibility of finally getting a glimpse of the life she never had. Of the life that, according to her brother, and apparently, her daughter, she was robbed of. It seems too good to be true, and the broken child in her is on her guards, not wanting to suffer again. Yet, the adult in her, the mother, knows, deep down in her heart, that these words aren't hollow. That Amelia means them, and that they might be on the verge of finding the missing part in each of their lives, after twenty long years.
"Of course." She breathes without realizing, chocking on a sob. "I'd love nothing more."
Amelia reacts immediately, wraps her arms around her neck, and envelops her in a hug. Maleficent freezes at first, hands hanging mid-air, but soon she closes her eyes, answers her daughter's embrace, burying her face in her neck, breathing her in.
After twenty years, of the for the first time, she can finally hold her daughter in her arms.
xxx
"Next time, be more careful." Regina scolds. "You're lucky it's only a superficial burn. It could've been worse."
Eric shakes his head, almost rolling his eyes. "I'm a smith, Regina. That's not my first burn, it ain't gonna be my last."
"You may be used to it," Tinkerbell counteracts. "But it doesn't mean you shouldn't pay more attention. I saw how it happened, you were completely distracted."
"By you, Tink." he reminds with a wink. "Because we were discussing the last details about your house."
She pokes his shoulder gently, glaring. "Don't blame me for your clumsiness."
"We're simply asking you to try not to injure yourself. At least not before you've done building our house." Regina adds, smirking.
It feels so good, the recklessness, the light conversations, joking with her friends. Her improved relationship with Robin, that was tremendously helped by the connection they now have with their child –their daughter-, has also helped Regina relax and let go of her painful memories.
Her life has gone back to what it was before the rescue mission, except that now, through Robin, the woodcutters, and mostly her father, a part of her past has taken place in her present, and she couldn't be more grateful to be surrounded by these people she loves so much.
Her relationship with Robin has greatly improved, partially thanks to the deeper connection they now share with their daughter. The last barriers Regina had left are crumbling, relieving her of a weight, allowing her to smile, talk, laugh with him without feeling the pain of his betrayal. To make physical contact without dreading it.
He worked a lot to get there as well. If his sacrifice had been the best proof of his good faith, he didn't take things for granted. He found the exact balance between being here for her while giving her enough space, is full of little attentions whose ideas often come from their friends, but touch her nonetheless. He actively participates to the village's life, even more since he's fully recovered, offers his help to anyone who needs it. He works with Michael on the new houses to build, plays with the twins almost every day –she can see how much they're fond of him, and her heart melts at the sight every time, because she knows he'll be an amazing father to their child-, even offered Alan and Little John to train together, to which the boys happily agreed to. He also, to her greatest pleasure, spends time with her father, and she can't express how glad she is that the two have bonded and are still here for each other, even now that they're outside their cells.
Truth be told, Robin is an entirely new man, one that Maleficent secretly told her she knew he was, but that Robin himself didn't know existed. He's back to the man she fell in love with, and she knows her last walls protecting her from heartbreak are on the verge of giving up, if they haven't already.
It's almost the life she's always dreamt of.
"If everything goes well, you should be able to move in by the end of the week."
Tinkerbell squeals excitedly, gripping Regina's arm. "I can't wait!"
"Me too. It's going to be so-"
"Watch out!"
A violent and intense pain strikes Regina in her left side, spreading to her stomach and back, as a ball collides with her at full speed, knocking the air out of her lungs. She stumbles, dizzy, barely aware of the several calls of her name as she falls on her knees, hands crisped over her belly.
"What the hell is wrong with you? Can't you pay attention to what you're doing?"
She looks up with difficulty, attempting to blink back her tears as she's still choking on the pain, struggling to recover from the shock and find her breath.
"Are you okay?"
Through her barely opened eyes, she recognizes Tinkerbell's worried face, and Eric in the background, yelling at Will. There's a hand rubbing her back, voices coming closer, agitation around her, and when she's recovered enough from the shock and her daze state, she realizes that several villagers are here, checking on her.
"Regina, how are you feeling?" Tinkerbell questions frantically.
"Alan went looking for Tuck." Little John adds.
She lifts a trembling hand, attempts a small smile as she shakes her head and tries to get up despite the dizziness. "I'm fine. I-"
"You received a ball to your stomach, and you're pregnant." Tinkerbell points out. "You're going nowhere as long as Tuck didn't check on you."
Regina grunts in annoyance, but relents, leaning against Eric when he settles behind her, refusing to admit out loud that she's indeed dizzy, her head pounding and her stomach sore. She rubs it slowly, trying to feel her child and lessen the pain at the same time.
"Regina?"
She looks up to find Amelia and Maleficent heading her way, the young healer kneeling in front of her. "What happened?"
"Alan, Will and I were playing with a bat and ball and-" John begins.
"Will sent it straight towards Regina, hit her in her side." Eric finishes dryly. "I don't know what he was thinking."
"I didn't mean to hurt anyone!"
"But you did!" Eric snaps as he looks up. "You better hope there will be no severe consequences, or-"
Regina stops him with a hand to his arm, silently shaking her head to shush him.
"Do you feel up to getting up, Regina?" Amelia questions, a hand hovering above her stomach, another ready to support her.
She nods, dizziness fading, but the pain where the ball hit her remaining. Eric and Amelia help her on her feet just when Friar Tuck joins them, taking Eric's place and leading Regina to his cabin.
Once they're inside, Eric sighs loudly, glaring at Will. "You really need to start paying attention to what you're doing!"
The boy sighs in annoyance. "How many times do I have to repeat that I didn't do it on purpose?"
"Until you finally stop acting like an idiot!"
"Eric, we were playing." Alan tries to reason. "It could've come from any of us."
Eric is about to yell again, but Tinkerbell grabs and squeezes his hand, stopping him when she tugs at him.
"Screaming at Will or Alan won't solve anything. Let's wait until Tuck and Amelia have checked on her. I'm sure she and the baby are fine."
They fall silent then, some pacing, others resting against trees or sitting on nearby rocks. They wait, all of them, Tinkerbell, Eric, Alan, John, Will and Maleficent. Eric's tension and anxiety are obvious, but he doesn't intervene anymore.
Voices reach them, voices that catch Maleficent's attention, and she swirls on her feet, looking in the direction of the forest behind them.
"Robin!" she calls, heading his way. She has to tell him about what happened, he has a right to know.
Maleficent realizes the exact moment Robin's face shifts from carelessness to concern, and he quickens his pace, Michael following him.
"What is it?" he asks once he's facing her, gaze landing over the group waiting next to Tuck's cabin.
"It's probably nothing, but Regina was injured. Friar Tuck and Amelia are-"
Before she gets a chance to finish, Robin is heading towards the cabin's door, ready to knock on the door or step in, she's not really sure, but he's stopped by Eric, who stands in front of him, arms crossed over his chest.
Robin frowns, stops dead to avoid colliding with the man. He doesn't know him very well, aside from the fact that he's one of Regina's friends here. She did admit that he was a bit overprotective, not really fond of him, that he had trouble believing he had changed, despite her attempts at convincing him. But Robin doesn't back down. He did mess up, but he has changed, he has made up for his mistakes, still is, and Regina is allowing him in more and more, he can tell, can read it in her behavior towards him. He owns nothing to this man who dares judge him without knowing him, and keeps resenting him for something everyone else has forgiven him for.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"Check up on her." Robin replies simply, his tone calm and even. He's not here for a fight, and he really doesn't want to come to that.
"We're all waiting here. That's what you should do too."
"She's the mother of my child, I believe I have a right to-"
"So that's how you see her, huh?" Eric snaps, his tone clearly challenging as he leans forward and narrows his eyes. "You only care about her because she carries your baby?"
"Eric!" Tinkerbell scolds, shocked by his words.
"That is not what I said!" Robin replies through gritted teeth. He's really trying to stay calm here, but if that man keeps pushing him, it won't end well.
"Then what did you say?" Eric quirks an eyebrow. "Because after what you did to her, I have trouble believing that you care even a little about her."
"Eric, man, you're going too far." Little John argues, stepping closer.
"You don't know anything about what's going on between Regina and I!" Robin growls, fuming, finding it very hard to stay calm as all he wants is to put his fist into this man's face.
"Robin, don't listen to him!" Maleficent tries to reason, catching his shoulder. "It's not worth it."
"Well, I know that unlike you, I am someone that she can actually trust. I don't need flowers to prove how much I care about her." he spits, glancing at the bunch of wild flowers Robin is holding.
"Eric, stop it!" Tinkerbell insists. "You have no right to say that."
"If it wasn't for the sake of her baby, she wouldn't have risked her life to go save your ass."
"Robin, no!"
Robin sees red at his words. His fist raises despite his good will, and he steps forward, threatening, ignoring the calls of Maleficent, Tinkerbell, Little John and Alan around them. Missing the way Eric smirks as he receives the blow in his face, looking up with a hand over his cheek and dark eyes staring at him.
"This is who you are!" he spits. "You're no better than her husband. She doesn't need someone like you in her life!"
The cabin's door suddenly slams open, interrupting the scene immediately, everyone staring at Regina, standing in front of them, furious.
"Enough!" she thunders, her voice not calling for an argument. She glares at Eric and Robin, taking a few, slow strides in their direction, furious. She's heard the conversation heating, but she hoped they would be reasonable enough to stop by themselves. Apparently, they weren't. "Are you out of your mind? Both of you!" She pauses, narrowing her eyes. "Don't you think that what I need, is a quiet and peaceful environment? To be surrounded by people who don't punch," she glares at Robin, who looks down, then at Eric, his face falling when he notices her anger and deception. "Or provoke one another. This is not a contest about who's best for me. I am not a prize to win, and I certainly can make decisions about my own life without my friends challenging them!" She points out, glaring at Eric. She turns towards everyone else then, speaks to them with a kinder voice. "I'm fine, the baby seems to be good as well."
"I'm sorry, Regina." Will apologizes. "I never wanted to hurt you."
She smiles at him, nods her acknowledgment and acceptance. "Thank you, Will. I know you didn't. Be more careful next time, okay?"
"I will." he answers, before taking his leave, John and Alan following him.
"Robin," she calls on a much drier tone. As he looks at her in question, she tilts her head, begins to walk away. "Come with me." she invites. She then turns towards Eric. "You and I will need to have a talk as well."
She walks a little with Robin, trying to calm herself. The fight between him and Eric really riled her up, while she needs to share a peaceful moment with him. So, she keeps walking, lets herself cool down, Robin next to her, silent, sheepish, waiting for her to speak the first.
Regina spots a bench nearby, a bit hidden from sight, and she heads there, sits and invites Robin to do the same. Without a word, she grabs his hand more firmly than she intended, but places it against her stomach with care, exhaling softly as their minds connect, the regular thump thump, their child's heartbeat that they've listened to a few times already coming to their ears, the same image as usual before their eyes. Regina smiles at the sight of their baby girl, shivering from the love she's full of, from the need to kiss and hold her, her hand tightening in reflex over Robin's, and he answers her touch.
When Regina breaks the contact, therefore putting an end to the connection with their baby, she's smiling, like she always does during these moments. The image of her child within her, her beautiful voice so full of energy, the certainty that she's safe, ease her fear and allow her to relax, to let her anger and annoyance caused by the fight between Robin and Eric be wiped away and replaced by a strong and powerful feeling of calmness.
She opens her eyes, meets Robin's overwhelmed ones. He's always shaken by these connections with their baby, and Regina's heart melts at the sight. For a moment that's only them, they lose themselves into the other's gaze, this well-being filling them lingering. They're not fixed, not yet, but Regina can tell that she's on the verge of giving in, that she's falling for him again, if that's even possible. His usual kindness with her, the way he acts with his sister, the twins, Eleanor and Michael. The friendship that developed, against all odds, between him, Little John and Alan. The strong respect held between him and her father, with Friar Tuck as well. The way he gave Amelia time to accept the truth about her mother, and decided not to step in nor be intrusive, no matter how much he clearly wanted to.
This, is part of the man she loves. This is the person she wants to be with.
Not the one who settles his fights with his fists.
"Do not, ever, dare do again what you did earlier with Eric, Robin." she warns, although she's calmer now, can speak without struggling to contain her anger. She remembers the words Eric used to provoke Robin, more than understands that it'd piss him off. Yet that's no excuse to hit someone, not for her. "You need to let go of your old ways if you want us to be a family."
"I know, Regina. I'm sorry. I went too far."
"You did." she confirms, reading the sadness and contrition in his eyes. "But, he did push. I do not forget that he's the only one who hasn't accepted you."
"He wants to protect you."
"That's not an excuse for the way he's acted with you. I'll have a talk with him, make sure that what happened will stay a one-time thing."
Robin breathes out, relieved. He was afraid that she'd only blame him for his mistake, but he's glad that Regina admitted he wasn't the only one at fault. "Thank you."
She nods, relaxing slightly as her hand falls over her stomach. "I know I don't tell you this enough, but I see all the efforts you're making daily." Robin frowns at her, confused, so she explains. "I... I appreciate that you're trying, Robin. I'm grateful. In case it doesn't show, I can assure you that it helps."
Robin digs a tooth in his lower lip, sheepishly glancing at her with puppy and hopeful eyes. Regina holds out her hand, nodding when he hesitates.
So, he does.
Robin closes his hand over Regina, shivering at the contact, his heart missing a beat when they lock eyes. It's barely perceptible, but it's here, shining in her brown expressive eyes, but also, deep down, within him. Her forgiveness. Her gratitude. It's small, but it's here, makes his heart leap with joy at the feeling, makes him smile like an idiot because they might not be perfect yet, but it's better than what he had in the beginning.
"Who are these for?" Regina questions teasingly, pointing at the bunch of wild flowers in his free hand. They are slightly creased, as he didn't release them during his altercation with Eric, yet Regina can't help but smile when he tentatively hands them to her, shrugging.
"It was supposed to be a good surprise. Michael told me that women usually like flowers."
Regina's smile widens as she gets a good hold on the flowers, bringing them to her nose and smelling the wonderful perfumes.
"Michael's right. And it is a good surprise, Robin. Eric may be my friend, but he was wrong. I love flowers," She cups his cheek tenderly. "especially if they are offered to prove that someone cares about me."
"You know that I do." Robin whispers, leaning in her palm, in her touch, breathing out softly as the warmth of her skin spreads in him.
Regina leans forward, caught in the moment, pushed by an invisible force and an unintelligible voice speaking from her heart. She's ready. She's not sure what for, but she is. Her last doubts are wiped away as she loses herself into Robin's blue eyes, and she reads nothing else but his love for her, and how desperate he is to be forgiven.
He is.
He's forgiven.
He may have made a mistake earlier with Eric, but he was pushed and insulted by a man who's been nothing but unfair to him, and to be honest, his kindness, understanding, patience with her are enough proofs that he's earned his second chance.
She gives in then, slowly closes the space between them...
And freezes.
Here's this sensation again, that feeling of being watched, the hair at the back of her neck raising in warning, and when she looks at Robin she sees that he's alert too, frowning at her, focused on their surroundings, on the sounds around them, until he moves away from her, getting up and scanning the area.
"Who's here?" he asks, protectively standing in front of her.
Regina gets up, walking closer to him, a hand on his arm, startling when something moves in the bush in front of them. Robin instinctively straightens, and Regina holds her breath as whoever is hiding seems resolute to show themselves.
She almost chokes as she faces her.
"Mother?" she asks incredulously, failing to hide her anguish.
Cora takes two steps forward, just enough to be out in the open, but not close enough to be threatening, and she holds her hands in the air, as if surrendering.
"Hello, Regina." she greets with a voice that sounds like nothing Regina's ever heard from her.
It's gentle, kind, and the change from the mother she's known and fought is so disturbing that she doesn't know what to answer.
"I'm not here to hurt you, if that's what you're afraid of."
Noticing Regina's silence, Robin asks. "Then why are you here?"
"Because I've made a mistake, and I'm here to make amend."
Regina emerges from her torpor. "What do you mean?"
"I know you've ran away from the castle."
Regina and Robin exchange a confused look.
"Is he sending you?" the young woman asks warily. If her mother talked with her husband, who knows what he's told her.
But Cora shakes her head. "No, Regina. I didn't talk with him, and I didn't need to. I've been told he treated you poorly, and the person who told me that wasn't lying."
It's been a long time since Regina read so much sincerity in her mother's eyes, and she shouldn't, she usually wouldn't, but something in her screams at her to give her a chance and listen to her. She squeezes Robin's biceps, nods at him, leaning in to kiss his cheek, smiling.
"We'll finish this later." she assures. "Can you give me a moment alone with my mother, please? We have a lot of things to discuss."
Robin smiles, although she can tell that he's a bit anxious at the prospect of leaving her alone with her mother, the person she described to him as the reason for her misery. He presses a kiss to her forehead with a boldness he wouldn't have had a few moments earlier, giving her hand a gentle tug, as sign of his support. When he pulls back, Regina can't help but grin at him, forgetting for a moment that they're in front of her mother, a woman who loathes outbursts of love. But she loves when Robin's like this, she loves this closeness that's growing again between them, their connection that's coming back a bit more every day.
"Can you take care of them for me while I finish here?" she asks as she hands him the bouquet. He nods silently and grabs the flowers. "I'll get them back later."
Once he's gone, she turns towards her mother, flush creeping her cheeks when she realizes that Cora saw everything. She holds her arm, feeling very much exposed in this moment, but her mother simply waves towards the bench, inviting her to sit down.
"I have to admit that it's not what I expected to find when I started looking for you. I thought I taught you that love was foolish, Regina."
"More foolish than letting your husband kill you?" she counteracts.
Cora frowns at her, ducking her head. "What happened, Regina? I may have pushed you into a loveless marriage, but it was a marriage to a man who wasn't supposed to hurt you. You were supposed to be safe."
"The King's kindness is only a façade, Mother." Regina reveals. "Since the moment we got married, he's been violent with me." She notices the shock and anger filling her mother's eyes. "When I started to fight back about a year ago, he tried to kill me, that's why I had to escape. To stay alive."
Cora becomes livid at her words, face blank although her eyes darken with anger, but for once she doesn't act on it. Instead, she furrows her brow, nodding several times as if processing the information.
"That's not what I had planned for you, Regina." she admits. "You were supposed to be Queen, to be powerful. If I had known-"
Regina places a hand over her mother's, which brings Cora's eyes to hers. "You couldn't have. No one could."
"Is this child the King's?" her mother questions as she glances at her stomach for the first time, eyes sparkling with something Regina can't quite decipher.
"No. I was never able to be pregnant when I was with him. This child is Robin's, the man you saw earlier."
"And this man, does he treat you well?"
Regina holds back a scoff at the memory of their story, but in all honesty, despite his misstep, she can't deny the truth.
"He's trying. It's not perfect, but he's doing his best, and it's enough. He makes me happy," she admits honestly. "But Mother, why are you here? And how did you find me?" Regina changes the subject, anxious. She's still not sure if she should trust her mother or not, but for the first time in her life, she feels like they could finally create a relationship that wouldn't only be made of conflicts.
"It's a long story. One night, I was awakened by a strong pull of magic, that emanated from the King's castle, where you were supposed to live. I immediately went there, but instead of finding you, I've met the princess. She told me that you were gone and the King had put a price on your head. At first, I was angry with you for ruining all my efforts," she admits. "But she was quick to tell me that you were right to leave. It seems that she's heard guards talking about how the King was with you and-"
She pauses when Regina looks away, her jaw clenching at the memory, at the thought that servants and guards might have heard or witnessed the abuse she suffered, might have discussed it, still are apparently. It makes her sick. But people talk, there's nothing she can do about that. Even here in Nottingham, in this quaint little village where it's good to live, rumors and talks are a normal thing that keep people entertained.
Cora puts a hand over Regina's thigh. "Regina, what did he do to you?"
Regina breathes out, looking down shamefully. She never expected this, that she'd talk about what Leopold did to her to one of her parents, even less her mother. She's kept this information from her father, and she knows he will never push to know the truth, but her mother... She'd want to know. She'd push. Because she, unlike her father, has the power to make the responsible for her misery pay.
"He... He made me miserable, mother. I was... well... as expected, I only had one purpose to his eyes, but even then. I think he's always hated me. That day, when he wrapped his hands around my throat and squeezed so hard I thought I was about to die, I... I decided that it was the last time."
She can tell her mother's temper flares at that, that the way she straightens and breathes out through her nose are meant to keep her anger inside. And somehow, Regina's glad. Her mother has never been the warmest, she did use her magic on her, kill the man she loved, impose a wedding on her, but she never wanted for her to be killed.
"I knew you didn't want this marriage," Cora says with a dry voice that speaks all the suppressed anger she's full of. "but I didn't think he'd have been abusive." She turns towards her, eyes dark and furious. "He needs to pay for what he's done to you."
"I'm safe here, Mother. He can't find me." Regina assures, squeezing her hand to tamper her ire, feeling Cora squeeze back. "Which makes me think. How did you find me here? No one knows where I am."
"After I understood that you weren't at the castle, I went to the other place from where the pull of magic came: Here. I've met a woman who told me she didn't know you, but somehow, I knew it was a lie. So, I asked my men to stay around, wait for your return, and warn me when you'll come back. That's what they did a few weeks ago."
Regina frowns, confused. "Why did you stay away then?"
Cora tilts her head, looking deep into her eyes. "Because after our last meeting, I wasn't sure if you wanted to see me."
Regina looks down. So much has happened since the day she pushed her mother through a mirror out of anger. She may have rejected her years ago, but today, knowing that she was able to find and see her when the invisibility ring wouldn't allow anyone meaning to harm her to, proves that the evil parts within her mother aren't directed towards her. That Cora, in her own way, cares about her and means no harm.
She glances up smiling, confident about what she has to do. "The girl who hated you for what you did is gone, Mother. Murdering Daniel..." she sighs. "That, I can't forget. But what's most important, is that you're here today. That you care."
Cora brings a hand to her face, cupping her cheek gently as she answers her smile. "I do, Regina. You're my daughter. We may have not wanted the same thing, but I certainly didn't want everything that has happened. But, Regina, can you explain where that magic came from? The one that I've felt months ago."
Regina looks away towards where she guesses Robin must be, a hand absentmindedly rubbing her abdomen. Should she tell her mother the truth? She wants to, truly does, but this is about the safety of her child.
She looks back at her mother. She came back for her. She overcame the darkness inside of her, and opened up to her daughter's love. That must mean something.
"Did you ever notice something in me. Something that would make me different?"
"Aren't our own differences enough?"
Regina chuckles. "Indeed they are. What I meant is that... Robin and I, we are special to each other. Unique. We are-"
"Soulmates." Cora realizes, eyes widening.
Regina nods. "The King had captured him, and almost killed him. The wave of magic you've felt was a message from our child," she tenderly looks at and cups her stomach, before meeting her mother's eyes again. "to warn me that Robin's life was in danger."
"You saved him from your husband?"
"I almost got caught." she admits. "But in the end, I did. He's safe now."
"And you?" Cora asks, true concern in her eyes, something Regina is so not used to it leaves her speechless for a few seconds.
"I am. As long as the King doesn't know where I am. Now, what do you plan to do?"
"It depends on you. I am Queen of another land, a kingdom that can only be reached by magic. I have to go back, and you could come with me. You'd be safe out there, the King would have no way to find you."
Regina is barely surprised by her mother's revelation. Cora is powerful, and has always sought more power, it's not a shock to learn that she's managed to become Queen somewhere. However, as she considers her offer, she hesitates. This is tempting, really. Out there, Leopold would be nothing but a bad memory, she'd be free. But as background noises reach her, as she recognizes the twins' happy screams, John and Alan shouting at each other, Diablo's croaking, the village's life, she can't find it in herself to abandon everything –everyone- behind. She also knows they would refuse to follow her to another world.
"I can't, Mother." she answers sadly. "I've built myself a life here. I know that's not what you want, but I don't belong in a castle. This, is the life I've always wanted."
"I was afraid you'd say that." Cora rises. "At least I tried." Regina follows when she begins to walk. "Is there any other way I can help you?"
Regina thinks her offer through. In fact, there is something.
"Since you can have eyes everywhere, could you watch the King? Warn me if he comes too close from here?"
Her mother nods. "I can do that. I'll let you know if anything happens."
Regina squeezes her mother's hands, and, for the first time since as long as she remembers, takes the liberty to take her mother in her arms. She can tell that she's unsettled by it, but against all odds, Cora lets go of her usual reserve, and returns the gesture.
xxx
The vase smashes to the ground in a loud clatter.
Anton and his team captains leap back, keep their heads down as the king unleashes his anger.
"Are you telling me that we still have no sign of them anywhere?" he thunders, fist crashing against the table.
"No, Your Highness." Anton dares replying with a wobbly voice he hopes the King won't hear.
"And the prisoners?"
One of Anton's men replies. "They keep claiming that they had no idea the Queen was going to break into the castle. They were never in contact with her."
"What about the fiancée?"
"We couldn't find her either."
Since the Queen escaped with the huntsman and her father, life at the castle has become a real hell, for everyone. They all thought the King couldn't be crueler. They were wrong. The King who was told to be kind and good to his subjects, has become an abject and fearless leader. He holds them all, since the moment he has noticed their lack of faith in him. To ensure their loyalty, he used all possible ways to keep his men under control. He's succeeded. Most of them don't follow him out of faith or love anymore, but out of fear.
"Maybe I should stop paying your balance, see if hunger motivates you to work harder?" He threatens, spitting his words like venom that makes them shudder. "Or start sending to the gallows all of the poor souls that are filling my cells?" He walks closer to one of the men, his face barely inches from him. "Mmm? What do you think? Would this be a good enough motivation to do your job?"
Silence answers him, no one being bold enough to answer his question. No one dares confronting him.
Except…
"Your Highness, if I may?" a voice from the background breaks the silence.
Leopold lifts his chin, frowning as he attempts to discern who spoke. His men immediately step back when he heads towards the origin of the voice. There's a man standing in the back, who looks utterly petrified, yet straightens at his approach, not looking down.
"I'm listening."
"This is a wild goose chase." the young man, Denis, says.
Anton's eyes widen at his nerve. He probably just sentenced himself to death with this one sentence.
"We've searched the Queen in your Kingdom, but we all know that's not where she is." the guard explains quickly. "Despite all of our threats, the prisoners won't help us again, and we have no way to pressure them. We have no way to get to the Queen, unless the Kings from the other kingdoms allow us to search their lands again, which, you know, after your daughter's letters to them, they won't do."
Leopold stares at him in silence, listening, his brain working at fast speed to answer the problems pointed out by the soldier.
"We should give up, Your Highness."
Anton shivers at the conclusion. This is what they all think, but none of them was stupid enough to voice it to the King.
Everyone in the room freezes when the King straightens, huffing out through his nose.
"If I follow your reasoning, that is, indeed, the only conclusion possible." the King admits with a neutral voice that doesn't let his thoughts slip.
All his men look at him in silence, dreading his next reaction as he cups his own chin and thoughtfully rubs it with his forefinger.
"There's one major flaw to your reasoning though."
"What is it, Your Highness?"
Anton watches the scene with apprehension, trying to decipher what answer could the King give, but he's only stuck with one, and he doesn't like it. He hopes to be wrong, but dread fills him as the King furrows his brow, leaning forward.
Before any of them can react, the King has reached the dagger at the soldier's belt, and plunges it in his stomach. Gasps are heard, but held back as soon as the soldiers realize their weakness. They watch in horror as the King approaches the soldier until he's in his face, whispering with a devilish grin.
"I don't want to give up."
The soldier winces and groans as he bends in half, his blood flowing heavily from the wound where the blade is still deeply buried.
The King twists his wrist, tearing the soldier's insides apart, triggering a painful and broken cry from him, before pushing forward, letting the man's body fall on the floor in a loud thud.
He turns towards the remaining guards, the dagger still in his bloodied hand, his tone furious as he growls. "Find the Queen and the huntsman! Whatever kingdom they are in. Search every single house on your way. Arrest anyone that you suspect to have crossed path with them. Burn everything down to the ground if you have to! I want their heads served on a plate!"
Anton shudders. If they really cross the kingdom's borders and destroy everything on their way, the other Kings are going to take this as an act of war.
Leopold walks over the dead body on the floor, heads for the door without a look back.
"And clean up this mess! Throw his body in the pit with the others."
Coming next: As the last remaining tensions subside in Nottingham, the relationship between Robin and Regina takes a huge leap forward, while King Leopold's dungeons fill up.