A/N I don't believe I've done the last scene justice...opinions? Thanks for following me into 2015 :) Reviews are greatly appreciated.
The rest of the evening had gone by with mild interest. The atmosphere was dreary and dark, similar in regard to the Dark Palace, yet so very different. There was a sense of loneliness that grabbed at Emma and the longer she remained here the more she could feel her heart aching for life. How could the blonde witch stand it? It was hard to believe that Maleficent spent most of her days with no one other than Mirella, her pet Unicorn, and the one servant that had served them their meal.
Wonder ran through Emma when the dark creature entered into the dining hall. She had never seen one in person. She wanted to venture closer, but she saw the protective way the older blonde ran her hands through her ebony mane.
Following dinner, they sat in a rather large room that contained only two high-backed chairs in front of a hearth. Maleficent asked the blonde if she desired a drink, but before a reply could even leave pink lips, crimson wine was being poured into a crystal glass.
Icy blue eyes watched the younger woman tentatively grasp the thin neck of the glass between slender fingers. Was she frightened? Uncomfortable? Or was she normally just an awkward girl? It didn't matter though. Maleficent had a companion for the next few days.
"You're a curious, thing," the older woman commented.
Emma's brows rose.
"Me?"
"A princess running into the arms of one of the most alleged evil rulers," she tapped her fingers on her thigh.
"Why does everyone keep looking at me as if I'm some astonishment?"
"You don't want to be?"
"No! Everyone always wants something of me. They want me to be a proper princess and to be a future ruler. Even Regina wants me to be something I'm not."
"How so?"
Maleficent looked upon her with intrigue. The younger woman quickly looked away.
"She thinks I'm out to ruin her. I know why she sent me here; she doesn't trust me, but what the hell am I going to do? Take over her kingdom in a night? She wants me to be this contrasting figure against her when I have no intention in the world to return to where I once called home. I…"
I can see it in her eyes. She wants me to betray her because it's all she's ever known.
She fell silent and waited to be reprimanded, yet nothing ensued other than a nod. Regina had never been one to put trust in others. It was a surprise that she trusted Maleficent enough to watch over the Princess, but what was all the more astonishing was that she was willing to fight for this child when she could simply give her back.
What about this child intrigued the Queen, Maleficent wondered. Emma was definitely a looker, a fair combination of both her mother and father from what she remembered. Those waves of golden silk looked soft enough to run one's fingers through and those emerald eyes were captivating. Her present attire didn't show much of her pale skin, but it did enough justice to make the mind wander. There was truly only one reason Regina was eager to fight for this prize.
Emma began to grow restless upon being examined, her own eyes flittering around the room looking for something of interest. They found the staff once again, curiosity flickering out in waves around the magical object.
Taking the newly placed look for boredom, Maleficent placed her glass onto the table and stood.
"You must be exhausted, Emma. Let me show you where you'll be sleeping."
It wasn't a surprise to see that the Charming's had beat Regina to the Hollow Hill, their chosen meeting place. It was an area that resided equal distances apart from both kingdoms, far away enough that neither could have the upper hand.
Their exact meeting place was inside of a cavern that opened up to the sky at the center giving them privacy away from prying eyes, yet the light of day. It was a peculiar spot to rendezvous, but it was neutral ground.
Two of silver knights bearing the symbol of a dove stood at the entrance; their eyes grew wide with hesitation and as the brunette strode towards them their grip tightened around their pikes.
"No guards beyond this point," one of the knights said with a straight face as their weapons came down in front of cave opening.
"Don't worry your little hearts," Regina purred, "I know very well how things work with your Kingdom."
After instructing her guards to wait outside, she was granted access. The corridor was narrow and dark with a glowing end that opened up into the heart of the cave. When the rocks widened, Regina found herself face to face with her mortal enemies that she hadn't laid eyes upon in at least a decade.
James's hair didn't hold the bright blonde it used to. Instead it was mixed with a dark grey. His charming face was now marred by time, wrinkles across his forehead. Beside him stood Snow White whose face had turned from worried to hostile the moment she laid eyes upon the Evil Queen. By her straight posture and balled up fists, Regina knew she was struggling to keep her distance.
"Regina," she said bitterly. Age hadn't taken her so harshly, but women had a way of hiding time behind cream and makeup.
"It's been quite some time," Regina said with an edged smile, "How are you both faring?"
"We're not here for idle chatter."
"Very well then. How would you like to proceed?"
Charming removed his arm from around his wife and marched towards the older woman. Instinctively, he reached for his sword, but refrained from drawing it when he realized what that would lead to.
"We demand our daughter back."
"Oh you mean that sweet, innocent young lady who fell to her knees for me? I could hardly believe she was yours with that mouth on her."
A nasty fire crackled through the room between eyes. There was hardly any room left for talk. It wouldn't come as a surprise if they broke out in a fight this very instant. However, everyone knew that nothing but blood would come out of that and even as satisfying as it may have been there were words that needed to be said.
"What more do you want from us, Regina?" Snow asked, "More bloodshed? We've been at peace for two decades and now you wish to disrupt it?"
"Let me be clear with you both," the Evil Queen spat, "We have never been at peace. I want nothing more than to crush both of your hearts right now. As for your daughter, she is mine. She came to me."
"You're lying," Snow accused, "Emma had everything. She would never ask for comfort in the likes of you."
There was a hindrance in her eyes as if she was second guessing herself.
"Oh but she did! I turned her away and she crawled right back to me."
Charming put a hand on Snow's shoulder and whispered into her ear. Snow shook her head and then nodded.
"There is nothing you could ever persuade me with," Regina interjected, "The girl stays with me."
"Regina," Charming looked at her, "You do realize that you're making a terrible mistake. We will stop at nothing until Emma is back in our arms."
"Have I ever told you your hope speeches bore me to tears?" Cruel laughter spilled from her lips as the blonde man scowled. "Save your words; I've heard them all before."
The younger brunette turned her head into the blond's chest to hide the swelling of tears. One would have thought Snow to put up more of a fight, but it looked as if she hadn't slept in days, if not longer, which only led to emotional wreckage.
"Then you leave us no other choice, Regina," Charming stated gravely, "and I swear if you dare lay a finger on her—"
"Oh, Charming… I've done so much more."
With one final snicker, Regina spun around and proceeded towards the exit only to hear the sound of an unsheathed sword. He always had to show off didn't he? She dared a glance and caught the glimmer of the blade coming towards her before she vanished into a cloud of smoke.