She woke to the voices outside her tent as they started to cut through the haze that muddled her head. Her body felt heavy, and just an attempt at moving her finger, let alone her eyes was a momentous task she was willing to hold off on. But she focused on the voice and sounds around her, doing her best to fight through her subconscious. It was then as she started to blink her eyes open that she heard the opening if the tent flap open. "Regina dear, you're finally awake! How are you feeling?" Came the fleeting voice of a woman. Confusion plagued her mind as she tried to figure out who this woman was, until the events of the past came rushing forward. "Glinda?" She tried to say, but her mouth felt as if it were a dessert, and any attempt of vocalizing any words came out as nothing but a groan. Trying to move herself into a sitting position, she was thankful when she felt the woman's hands on her back and a whispered Let me help you. Once she got her body to comply with her demands, Glinda's hands disappeared for a moment, only to return with a cup of water, pressing it to her mouth and allowing Regina to drink the savored liquid.

"Thank you." She spoke as she moved her hand to push away the cup, only to find that the movement brought a searing pain. "What the hell?" She said as she looked at the bandaged hand. "What happened?"

"What do you remember Regina?" Came Glinda's voice as she settled on the cot next to her.

"I-I left you. I had to go back to the cave so I could find the source and-oh."

"Yeah 'oh'. It nearly got you killed. I knew it the moment you had started the enchantments, my enclosure started to cave in, and my magic barely making it through the little gap that allowed for my escape. By the time I managed to free myself, I came through to find you on the ground, ashen faced, and blood pouring from your hands. Whatever Zelena placed on that crystal bird wasn't meant to be survived if ever broken, but I managed to stop the blood loss, but I am afraid the burn on your hand is one I cannot seem to be able to heal. It depleted you of all your energy, but somehow I think that little one inside you was the one to keep you alive."

At that, Regina snapped her eyes from the woman, to the child inside her, a slight panic running through her at the thought of anything happening to this baby. It's a thought she couldn't bear no matter what her history was in the past. She couldn't lose this child, and hearing Glinda voice that this baby somehow had saved her left her at a complete loss. Looking back at the blonde woman, she asked, "What do you mean?"

"When I used my magic to heal you, I almost had to stop. When my magic made contact with you it was as if I had been shocked, the magic inside you was testing me and who I was. I felt a sense of intrusion, but as quick as it had happened, it went away, allowing me to help you. I couldn't explain it better, but once I did all I could for you, I just felt at peace. I've never felt anything like it, your baby was protecting you Regina. Just as it has been for the past two days when I have come in to give you a magical boost of sorts."

Speechless. There was nothing she could even begin to say or even begin to feel at hearing Glinda speak her truth. Her child, this baby, had protected her. She could feel the tears begin to form in her eyes as she closed them, and wrapped her hands around the swell of her belly, thanking whatever gods were out there for this miracle.

"It is because of the both of you that I am here, and for that I am eternally indebted to you. You have managed to free me from that prison. A simple thank you doesn't even seem enough to express my gratitude to you."

She smiled tearfully at Glinda as she moved her eyes to meet hers, whispering out a quiet you're welcome.

Clearing her throat Glinda smiled and continued, "Now I know you must be tired, but we need to leave. I have no doubt that Zelena knows what happened here and of my new-found freedom from her cage. Your men have spotted her winged beasts nearby and the last thing we need is for an attack from them, or her for that matter.''

"I can't go back to the castle Glinda, I can't go back without him." Regina began to protest, but Glinda quickly cut her off.

"Calm down my dear, we're not going back. After what you have done for me, we will get your thief back, but for everyone's safety we need to retreat from this cave. There is still a lot that you don't know Regina, a lot of things at play that are beyond our control, but sitting here like ducks is not going to help us." She declared as she stood from the cot, making her way to leave. "I know this is hard for you, but trust me Regina, you will have Robin back. This child that grows in you will not know of a world where neither of its parents are by its side. This I swear to you."

After that, the day seemed to pass by her in a blur. One moment she was digesting everything Glinda had told her, then one second she was being escorted out of the tent with Little John at her side, the men hugging her and berating her for the carelessness of her actions. Now here they all are, mounted on their horses, weapons checked and loaded as the made their way out of the cave.

"We worried you weren't going to be up by the time we left." John's voice came as he rode up along her.

"You cheated us on a show to see you waking up to John's arm on his horse." Came Wills mocking voice from behind them.

"Well it wouldn't have been quit the show if I had woken up on your horse." Regina joked along them, smiling as the men around her laughed quietly at their banter.

"We're not far now from the edge of the North Woods. If all goes well, and these beasts stick to the trees we should arrive in a few hours. We'll make camp, and from there we decide where we are going."

With John's command their little party powered through. Regina spent her time speaking briefly with the men around her, and Glinda. There was just so much that had happened that she didn't even know where to begin wrapping her head around it all. But one thing was for certain, they weren't returning to that castle empty handed. The men knew that, Glinda knew it, it had been written all over Regina's face the moment their excursion began. They rode of for a good three hours, the beasts in the trees slowly slimming their numbers down, only two remaining that they could see. The others no doubt gone to report to their mistress. She only hoped her sister would back off long enough for her to regain some of her strength. Two days out to the world, but her body still felt the attack.

It was then that she realized it had been two days and once again she has broken a promise she had done her best to do. Quickly maneuvering the pocket mirror, she held it out in front of her and called out his name. A few calls later, and she hear the little squeal of her name through the mirror, but an even louder one came powering through.

"Jesus woman where the hell have you been!" Granny screamed through the glass. "You were supposed to report back each dam day and yet we barely hear a peep out of this thing until now!"

"Granny calm down, you're going to break the damn thing if you keep screaming." She whispered harshly. A few of the men, and Glinda turned to look at her, but she paid them no mind.

"How's Roland?" She asked desperately.

"I here Gina! Granny give it back, I want to speak to my majesty!" Demanded her littlest thief. Hearing his voice was enough to have tears spring into her eyes. God she missed him.

"Hi sweetheart." she said quietly, slowing her horse enough to look carefully at the mirror, lest she fall off.

"Why didn't you come in the mirror Gina, you promised me you would call me every day." His little voice spoke, as his button nose scrunched up. "I'm so sorry baby, but we ran into a little bit of trouble, but everything is fine now. And guess what my little knight? We found her! We found the woman who's going to help me find your Papa."

"Really Gina? Does that mean you can come back now?" He questioned excitedly.

"Not yet sweetie, but soon. I promise, and I'm sorry I didn't call you sooner but I'll do my best to call you every chance I get okay."

His mumbled okay was barely heard, and it broke her heart to see how sad he was. But she needed to do this, for him she had to. They spoke a little bit longer, she asked how well he was guarding the castle and sought to get him out of his sad mood, if only for a little bit. She rode as she heard of all his adventures, grateful she had left him in the care of the older woman that she could see and hear occasionally. They cooked together and adventured on their own exploring the castle, and the grounds as much as they could. It warmed her heart knowing Granny would protect him with all she had. A few minutes later she got an earful from the Wolf herself, berating her for all she did , making sure Roland was far away enough to hear them. Oddly enough it was Granny the one to soothe her battered soul the way only she could. As much as Regina knew that the wolf wanted her back, they knew what was to come at play. "You think you are indestructible Regina, we all do, but I asked you when you left to please take care for yourself and your babe, but for the love of god stop trying to play hero and get yourself killed. It's not just you that you need to think about. There's a little boy here whose father is lost to him, don't let him loose the only mother he's ever known. Not to mention the child growing inside you."

By nightfall the beasts that had been tailing them had left, leaving them more alarmed than relaxed. But with the cover of the night sky, they made their way deep into the North Woods and made camp. Knowing the beasts were no longer there should have given way for some relief, but they all knew it would only be a matter of time before Zelena knew exactly where they were.

"Alan and Tuck are going to go scout the area, make sure there are no surprises for the night. We'll set camp here, come morning I assume we will know well as to where we are heading." John spoke as he helped her off the horse.

"We can only hope for a quiet evening. Though I'm not sure that's in my sister's nature."

Chuckling, he left her as they began to make camp.

By the time the tents were up, and a small fire was lit, the men along with Glinda and Regina sat around the fire with their small meals to keep them through the night. It wasn't until Will broke the silence that they started to plan for the following day.

"I believe it's safe to say this group does not plan to return to the castle unless Robin is in our hands?"

"Were so close Will, so close and yet I have no idea how to get him back. But I promised Roland that I would bring his father back. I can't take back my word." Regina spoke quietly as she looked at him sadly.

"I know this is more than what we came to do, but I have Glinda here. I know you all have families back home, people waiting on you. I won't ask you to stay here with me-"

"You think we're going to turn our backs now and miss all the fun? Clearly you still don't get this whole Merry Men concept but we leave no man-or woman- behind. You're one of us Regina, It's time you realized that. Not to mention Robin would kill us all should he see that we abandoned you. So let's skip the speech about how we should go back, and straight to the part where we start making a plan to get him back." Declared John once again, giving Regina no room to argue. It was more than Regina could handle, so with a small smile and a nod to John, she turned to Glinda and spoke,

"I need you to help me with this light magic. I know you said it's in me, but I have no means of controlling it, let alone calling for it. I won't stand a chance against Zelena, maybe just long enough to get Robin away from her, but I need your help to do this. I'm sure that if she kept you in that cage she did it to keep you close, so I know she's not too far from us. We just have to hope she doesn't pop in on us before you teach me how to control this." She spoke as she started to pace around the area around her. She could still feel the exhaustion seeping into her bones, and wanted nothing more than to curl up in her tent and sleep for days. But it was a luxury she didn't have, so she needed to stay awake. She needed to-

"Regina Stop. You're pacing yourself into a hole if you continue, not to mention you're not good to anyone if you are dead on your feet. I will help you. But right now you need to rest." Came Glinda's voice as she all but walked into her.

No, I -"

"No Regina, she's right. For heaven's sake you are almost five months pregnant with the wee barn, you need to rest. We have been riding hard for days on end, you almost got yourself killed with liberating this woman, and you have yet to settle down. The wicked witch will still be here tomorrow, so for the love you bear on your children lay down and rest." Declared John as he approached her, with a tone leaving no room for argument.

Clearly not fooling anyone she bowed her head, and closed her eyes where she stood. Not seeing him, she was surprised when she felt the man's arms around her shoulders as he guided her through the men and to her tent. Looking up she nodded her head and whispered out a thank you as she made her way into the tent. She was asleep before her head even hit the pillow.

The days the followed tested her in ways that she never knew she could be tested. Rumple had loved to teach her in sadistic ways, but learning this new found magic with Glinda was something she simply was not ready for. Dark magic is all she had known to use, but the magic she possessed now was magic that she couldn't control. She had done it before when her sister had threatened those she cared about, but it's been two days and she has yet to tap into it. Which has led her here, to the edge of camp with her temper ready to blow, and Glinda's never ending hope. At this point she didn't know who was worse, Snow or Glinda.

"Regina you're not listening to me" came Glinda's voice

"I hear you perfectly fine. My ears aren't the problem Glinda. I simply don't know how to do this!" Regina sneered.

"Yes, you can. You've just been conditioned to believe you're not enough, that all you've ever possessed was dark magic when it was all lie. I know what's resides inside you Regina. Why do you think your mother fought so hard with you, and did everything in her power to take everyone you ever cared about from you? Or why Rumple choose you to cast the Dark Curse. After everything you have been through you still don't get it do you?"

"Get what Glinda?"

"Regina the people around have tried to influence you and your magic for their own good. They have tried to taint you and your soul but after everything you are here. Risking everything you have for Robin. Your son has changed you, but even before then good lived inside you. You have the most resilient heart and it's within you to do this! Your love brought you to your son, Robin, and everyone else that you protect. You love fiercely and you love with all of your heart, and that right there is what is going to power our fight against your sister. It's not about your anger toward her, it's about the love of the people you so desperately want to protect. And it's that same power that will power your magic."

She stood there frozen on the spot with that. She knew what Glinda was saying was true, but hearing it out loud was another thing all together. She closed her eyes and fought the tears. All this time, all the pain and sorrow all for it to lead her here. But he realized then that she couldn't change it. She has her son, she has all of her children and Robin. Even through this wretched time in this enchanted Forest she has had more support from those she had never imagined. She has given, and she has lost, but in the end she is here, Fighting to protect those he once would have turned a blind eye too.

"Open your eyes Regina." Came Glinda's calming voice.

Opening her eyes slowly she couldn't believe her eyes. All around her she was white. Magic radiating over her entire being in waves, shining in hues of silver are gold, her hands were swirling with wisps of shining magic. The tears that fell were ones she could not contain, because what she was seeing now was magic at its purest. And magic that had come from within her,

"You did it Regina," Was all Glinda said, smiling.

"Hello, its me..."

Well we all know how the song goes, but I'm Back! I am truly sorry that its taken all this time to get this to you, but alas here we are.

Thank you for sticking with me, and for your kind words.

As always all mistakes are mine as there is no beta.

My love and thanks to you all