They arrived at the Dark Palace, Regina expected to see a dazed Emma Swan when she looked over but was surprised to see an almost weary expression. For Emma's part she recognised the palace, well not this exact one but it was an exact replica of the White palace but instead of bright white marble it was made of dark onyx, she was vaguely aware of hearing that tale before. They walked the horses into the stable yard before handing the reigns to the stable boys. The queen dismissed the sentinels and gestured for Emma to follow her. As they entered the palace knights stepped into place around them. They entered the throne room, the knights took their places along the back wall and Emma knelt in the centre of the room as Regina took her seat at the front, impressed with Emma's knowledge of etiquette, many of the her knights in training spent a vast amount of their time as a squire learning it, actually, Regina mused, that was mostly what the squireship stage of knighthood was about, that and a few basics to do with weapons, like not to hold the pointy end of the blade. Regina smirked to herself as one of her knight lords stepped forward by her side and crouched to talk in her ear. "Who is this, your majesty?" He asked politely.

"Squire Swan, Graham. I shall be placing her under your command, train her and make her feel welcomed. Squire Terrance is no longer your concern."

"Where will she be quartered?" Graham enquired politely, aware that all the knights of all ranks in the Dark Palace were men.

"In the east wing second floor, with my ladies maids. If that is agreeable with you Squire Swan."

"Yes your majesty." Emma said grateful for her consideration and that of Graham as well, he sounded like a decent man and she felt that she would do well under his command.

"Very well your majesty, I will make the preparations."

"Good, Knight Lord, you are dismissed." Graham turned, clicking his boots together smartly and exited the room. She waved her hand and dismissed the other knights in the room. "Squire Swan, repeat your oath after me. I Emma Swan do so swear to loyally serve and protect my liege Queen Regina of the Dark Kingdom, to do her biding and to put her before myself at all times until my service is at an end." Emma repeated the oath and stood, slowly walking to her knew queen. She knelt, gently took the offered hand and placed a light kiss to the knuckles before bowing her head and waiting for instructions.

"Squire, you are good mannered. Pray where did you acquire these manners?" Emma knew she couldn't lie to her queen.

"The White Kingdom." The queen tensed momentarily.

"Why have you come here?"

"Escape and freedom."

"You are not very free now you have pledged yourself into my service."

"Freer than I was your majesty, and not hiding who I want to be."

"You act like a Princess Squire." Regina commented innocently, now it was Emma's turn to tense. "Who are you, really?" Regina gently cupped Emma's chin, directing her face up towards her own. They were close enough that Emma could feel the queens' warm breath on her and for some inexplicable reason she trusted the monarch before her.

"My name is Emma Charming; I am the daughter of Queen Snow and King James, heir to the thrown of the White Kingdom."