My New Beginning

Chapter 5 The Unwanted Guest

I was in my room, getting ready. I just finished my hair, half up half down with curls, and I put on my dress. It was a deep red velvet color with long flared sleeves, gold filigree accents along every hem, and black lace on the sleeves and neckline. In a princess style front, there was black lace with the gold filigree overlaying red satin. It also had a faux necklace with a ruby and pearls and a gold belt with rubies and pearls. Even though I could have used magic to tie the back of my dress, I decided to act like the damsel in distress because I want to give Emma something.

"Emma!"

I could hear her walking over, and I acted like I was having trouble tying the back.

"Hold on! I'll get it!"

She laced the back of my dress, and I put on my black heels.

"Wow."

I turned to Emma, who was smiling. "You look beautiful."

I returned the smile and gave a compliment. "Thank you, and so do you; a beautiful princess."

She was dressed in a beautiful white, red, and gold dress. White was the primary color with red peek-a-boo sections on the front part of the skirt, two red armbands with a gold vine pattern, and a red bodice with gold vine accents. She, too, wore her hair half up half down with curls.

In a dreamy state, she sighed, "My first ball with my family where I was born…I never thought I would see this day happen."

I placed my crown on my head, examining it in my mirror. When I finished, I picked up a crown and turned to Emma.

"This was the first crown I wore as an adult. It is still one of my favorites because my father gave it to me. Now, I am letting you wear it."

"I can't wear it." She protested, "That crown is special to you!"

"You are also special to me. You are my friend and the mother of our son. I want you to wear it." I said as I walked behind Emma and placed the crown on her head.

She was speechless as she admired the crown in my mirror. The gold crown shown in the candlelight. The diamonds reflected the light perfectly to highlight the beautiful pearl accents, a perfect crown for a princess. Emma turned to me and took me into an embrace.

"Thank you; I want you to know that you are special to me as well. You are my friend and the mother of our son. You gave him a home when I couldn't. You raised him into the wonderful boy that he is, and I am eternally grateful."

I broke the embrace and smiled. "Clara is helping Henry get ready."

"Clara, your secretary?"

"Clara was my chambermaid before she became my secretary in Storybrooke," I clarified then Emma took my hand, leading me to the door, "Well, what are you waiting for? I want to see him!"

I squeezed her hand. "I do, too. Let's go."

* * * * *MY NEW BEGINNING* * * * *

Emma and I reached Henry's door, and I knocked. The door opened, and Clara curtsied.

"Your majesty."

I walked in to see my son dressed so nicely. He had red pants with a gold vine pattern on the side hem, red waistcoat with the same design on the front with gold buttons, a white ruffle shirt, and the coat that matches the waistcoat.

He turned to look at me, and he smiled, "Mom, you look beautiful."

Emma walked in, and he added, "I correct myself. You both look beautiful. It is the first time I see you two wearing crowns."

"Hey, take it easy, kid. I love the outfit. You match us." Emma pointed out our matching color scheme.

After Henry finished buttoning his coat, he turned to us and asked, "How do I look?"

I smiled and proudly stated, "Very handsome."

"Alright, are we ready to get this ball over with?" Emma walked toward the door. I shook my head even though I was thinking the same thing; then, Henry began attempting to lighten the mood.

"Come on, Ma! It is our first ball. How bad could it be?"

* * * * *MY NEW BEGINNING* * * * *

We finally made it to the ballroom. I saw Snow and David dressed in gold; of course, they matched. They were greeting the guests as they walked around. Henry was about to walk down the steps, but I caught him by the arm. He looked at me with a questionable expression.

"We were not announced yet, dear. As a Prince, you have to be announced before you enter a grand celebration like this one."

Henry nodded then the announcer tapped his staff three times. Everyone faced him.

"Presenting her Royal Highnesses Queen Regina and Princess Emma along with His Royal Highness Prince Henry."

We descended onto the ballroom floor, and everyone was talking about Emma and I's dresses. Henry and I walked into the middle of the room to start the evening off with the Waltz. We smiled at each other.

"Are you ready?"

Henry nodded, "I am."

The music began to play. He bowed, and I curtsied. We took formation, and Henry started us off in the one-two-three rhythms. After we exited the twirl, Henry traded me off for Emma. They repeated the one-two-three beats, and then Henry spun Emma. Henry continued to trade Emma and me off during the dance to dance with us both until the song ended. He bowed, and Emma and I curtsied to signal the end of the first dance. Everyone applauded then the music started again; only this time, it was more upbeat.

Emma whispered in my ear, "I think I know this one…"

I whispered back, "One of my favorites, Dance of the Fairies."

Emma smiled, "Then let's go!"

She grabbed my hand, smiled as we joined the circle of women, including a pregnant female fox I learned, was Maid Marion. We all held hands, skipped to the center, and then back out. The women partnered up; I ended up with Emma. We linked arms and followed the women. As we danced, I noticed Guyliner and that Robin fellow talking to one another while watching me and Emma dance. I have an odd feeling about this, but I am not letting it get to me while I dance with my best friend! After a few more spins, the song finished, and all the women were laughing from enjoying the dance. A slow song began to play, and the men paired off with the women. David and Snow took each other's hand, then began to sway to the music. Robin and Marion took each other's paw then began to sway to the music. Emma and I walked off the dance floor, then Captain Guyliner and Robin met us halfway off the dance floor.

"Your majesty," Robin bowed to me, and I nodded. "Robin, so glad you could make it."

"Would you like to dance?"

Wait…me? He wants to dance with me? I swallowed the lump in my throat because this would be the first time that I danced with a man at a ball who wanted to dance with me.

I smiled, "I would be delighted."

I took his hand, and as we walked to the dance floor, I heard Captain Drunk a Lot ask Emma to dance.

"I would be delighted to kind sir."

What? She was going to dance with that filthy sea dog! I wouldn't be caught dead dancing with that low life! He doesn't deserve to dance with her! I was eyeing that dirty pirate to make sure he didn't do anything to my Emma.

"Your majesty?"

I turned to look at Robin as we swayed to the music.

"Are you alright?"

I smiled, "Yes, I'm fine."

"It looks like someone pissed you off."

I shook it off, "Oh no, I'm fine."

The dance concluded, and Robin kissed my hand. Emma walked over to a table to get some cheese and crackers. I followed her and decided to see how her entertainment was.

"You and the pirate seem to be getting along just fine."

She turned to me and added her sarcasm, "You and the outlaw were getting along just beautifully."

I felt my anger rise. "And what is that supposed to mean, princess?"

"I don't know, your majesty, what do you suppose it means?"

I closed my eyes, swallowed hard, and straightened my posture, "I noticed how you looked at him."

Emma mimicked my actions. "I noticed the way you looked at Robin."

I answered coldly, "What about it?"

"Enjoying the smell of forest?"

"Enjoying the smell of saltwater and alcohol?"

We were too busy glaring at each other that we didn't know the men returned with beverages.

"Hello, your majesties…"

We turned to Robin, and he continued, "The pirate and I brought some beverages."

Emma and I accepted our drinks with a smile, drank the drink in its entirety in two sips, and placed the empty glasses down on the table. Another slow song began then Emma got that look in her eye.

She turned to Hook. "Want to have another round on the dance floor?"

Wait…she wants to dance with him again?

The pirate smiled. "I thought you'd never ask, love."

They took each other's hand and began to dance their way into the other dancers. I took Robin's hand, and we danced our way into the other dancers. Emma glanced back at Robin and me to see us laughing and smiling. I turned to see how happy Emma looked with the pirate. Why is guyliner bothering me? I returned my gaze to the forest smelling outlaw I'm dancing with. The song ended, and my favorite folk dance began to play.

Everyone formed two lines. The men facing the women and the feuding friends were right next to each other. The women and the men stepped toward each other, and their palms touched. We walked in a circle counterclockwise. We took each other's hand facing left. We walked forward four times, then skipped and backed up four times, then skipped. Our palms touched then walked in a circle clockwise. We took each other's hand facing right. We stepped forward five times, then skipped twice and backed up five times, then skipped twice. We stopped; the men twirled the women out the lines and made a huge circle. Emma caught on very quickly. The men joined the circle; Emma was between me and Hook holding hands. First, we started going to the left after making a full round then turned to go right. We stopped after completing a full circle and broke off into partners. Robin and I joined hands, so did Emma and Hook. We went right then left. We spun each other around. We went left then right, and the men turned the women around. The couples joined the big circle again, and Snow and David started the couple spotlight. The other couples stayed in the circle clapping for every couple. I'm tired of being in the ring for so long. It was Emma and Hook's turn. Hook led Emma into a toe-tapping routine, spun her around, lifted her, and then spun her back into the circle. Finally, it was Robin and I's turn. I heard Snow cheering us on. Robin smiled as he twirled me into the center. Our right palms touched and quickly spun away from each other. Then our left palms touched and promptly turned away from each other. We came back to each other, and Robin picked me up in his arms then spun around. He placed me back down and dipped me, signaling the end. Everyone cheered and broke off to get some refreshments. Regina noticed Emma standing by the cheese and crackers, and decided to talk to her. Emma sensed Regina's presence and beat her to the punch.

"Enjoyed your favorite dance, your majesty?"

I was so annoyed with her attitude, and frustratingly sighed, "Emma, what did I do to you?"

"You are asking me that question like you have no idea. What have I done to you? You snapped at me first about dancing with Hook!"

"You snapped at me about dancing with Robin!"

Both of our mouths dropped open in realization then said at the same time, "You're jealous! Me, jealous? Never!"

We glared at each other for a while, then Emma shook her head, "You know what. It is not even worth it. I need some air."

She walked off, and my heart sank. Did I just lose my beloved friend over a dance?

"Excuse me, Your Highness."

I turned around to see the fox, Robin, waiting for me to acknowledge him.

"I'm so sorry, Robin, for seeming distant at the moment."

He shrugged it off. "It's quite alright. Marion and I get in arguments like that all the time. Speaking of Marion, I need to take her home. She's not feeling well at the moment. I think it's getting close for her to have the baby."

I smiled at him. "Go home and take care of your wife. Tell her I hope she feels better soon. I can't wait to see the baby."

"Thank you for such a lovely evening, your Grace. Marion and I haven't had this much fun since our wedding."

"Thank you for coming."

He bowed and left. Now, I need to talk to Emma.

* * * * *MY NEW BEGINNING* * * * *

I walked into the courtyard and spotted Emma sitting on one of the stone benches. Damn, this hurts so bad! I can't take this anymore! I walked over to Emma, and the gentle breeze carried the echo of my footfalls toward her. She moved as she sensed me walking up to her.

"Emma?"

Silence.

I sighed then sat down next to her on the bench. "Listen, I don't know what came over me tonight. Seeing you with Hook, made me think that he was taking you away from me."

Emma turned to face me. "Strange, that's how I felt about you and Robin."

I took Emma's hand in mine. "I don't like fighting with you. Our magical bond has brought us closer, and I don't want a guy, especially guyliner…"

"Or a man that smells like a forest?" Emma added, and I chuckled. "Or a man that smells like a forest to drive a wedge between us."

Emma placed her free hand on top of mine. "I don't want that either. I'm sorry for the way I acted."

I embraced her. "I'm so sorry for how I acted this evening. Can you ever forgive me?"

"Of course, I forgive you. Can you forgive me?" Emma said as she scratched my back.

I broke the embrace and smiled. "Of course, I do."

The wind picked up speed, and the sound of thunder clasped. Emma and I looked out and saw a tornado form. We stood up and ran inside.

"Take cover!" Emma exclaimed, then I warned, "There's a tornado heading this way. Everyone take cover."

Emma and I's magic began to go haywire. Both of our hands lit up like lightning rods then the energy shot out of both of our hands. We followed the electric power to see it speed toward the tornado. When it reached the twister, the energy burst into millions of tiny lightning rods merged with the funnel. A loud, high-pitched scream sounded. Emma and I couldn't believe a woman was taken up into the twister. As the tornado dissipated, the cry was soaring toward us.

"Get inside," Emma led me inside just in time to take cover.

The scream flew into the room on a broom and landed in the middle of the floor. Emma and I let go of each other to get a good look at the one who just entered the ballroom. She was clothed in black with long red curly hair and green skin.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm late for the party," the green woman replied, then I questioned her, "I'm sorry, but who are you?"

"I'm sorry, your majesty. I didn't formally introduce myself. I am known as the Wicked Witch of the West, but my given name is Zelena. Hello, sis."