True Love's Gift

Chapter 8

Arena's Point of View

My heart was still beating fast, my breathing heavy with fear of what I had just experienced as I remained sitting on the cold tile floor. I grasped the gold necklace tightly in my hand, closing my eyes with guilt as the reality of the incident & my reaction to it sunk in. I laid back on the floor thinking – my intentions had certainly never been to condemn Regina or make her feel judged, after all she had been very kind to me, but after the horrifying tales Rumple had told me? I couldn't help but recoil in terror at the perfectly manicured, slender hand that reached towards my chest; in that moment I had the full belief that she intended to end my life.

I sighed getting up from the floor, reaching inside of the shower I turned the dial to the hot setting, after removing my clothes & laying my necklace on the sink, I stepped into the steaming chamber, relaxing under the heat of the liquid. I tried to move my mind from the words Rumple had spoken to me but they simply wouldn't quit tormenting & mocking me – why had I so easily believe a man who had done nothing but harm & lie to me my whole life? My mind replayed the scenario from the day before; it was as though I were still in the room with him.

"Now listen closer dearie..." He began "don't be fooled by her sugary sweet smile or calm composure, Regina Mills is a wicked, vile woman who will stop at nothing to bring destruction, pain & death – even to the innocent, for her own selfish gain & personal vengeance."

"She sounds awful, Rumple isn't there another way? Anyone else I can go to who can help me find my mother?!" I ask with pleading eyes "I'm – I'm scared of Regina."

As you should be – she ripped her own father's heart out to enact this faulty curse of hers, she's mass murdered countless innocent people in the name of service 'justice' to a woman who she felt did her wrong years ago – mind you the woman was but a child of 11 when she made the mistake…" Rumples shakes his head "that is the kind of woman you are about to encounter but Arena she is the greatest source of information for you to find your mother."

"Well then I must go to her..." I nod taking a deep breath "Nothing will stop me from being with my mother, not even an evil queen."

" That's what I'm counting on …" he mumbled under his breath while polishing a lamp from his shop while standing behind the counter, once finished he placed it on a shelf for safekeeping then pulled out a small white index card " here's the address , I'm sure your canine friend can help you sniff out your way there." He smirked at Ruby who was standing by my side, narrowing her eyes at him – arms crossed.

"Lets' just go Arena." She huffed, grabbing my arm & pulling me towards the door.

"Rumple?" I call to him from the door way, he looks up at the sound of my voice "Thank you ." I smiled softly at him before going out the door with Ruby; she only took me to the street Regina lived on, refusing to go on the property of the forbidden mansion of the 'evil' queen. I had never been so frightened as when I stood on her porch, attempting to work up the nerve to knock.

I shook the thoughts away as I turned off the shower, now the fear was replaced with deep guilt – the look of pain & rejection in Regina's eyes at my judgment of her innocent actions & ultimately her character was something I never wished to see again. I finished drying my hair the wrapped the towel around my body before walking into the bedroom where I found a pair of gray sweatpants & a white t-shirt laid out for me to wear to bed , my heart grew heavy with shame as I realized she had brought them in here for me – proving she was a caring decent woman – not quite the witch I had imagined.

Once dressed, I went back into the restroom to retrieve my necklace from the sink counter; I stood in front of the mirror attempting to clasp the necklace when upon looking in my own eyes I was struck with an idea that I thought perhaps might redeem my earlier mistake a bit. I made my way down the steps quietly, there I was her sitting in a black & white floral patterned high back chair, black reading glasses adorning her delicate yet strong face ; she was carefully & thoroughly reading each section of the towns newspaper , a bit of a frown on her face. I timidly walked over , stopping directly in front of her, still trembling a bit as I tightly held the necklace in my hand.

"Can I help you?" She inquired annoyed as she put the newspaper down, crossing her arms over her chest & raising an eyebrow at me.

"It was my mom's…" I state nervously holding the necklace out in front of her "here you can look at it."

"Arena you really don't have to do this…" she sighs, shifting in her seat, obviously defensive & hurt.

" No, no it's totally fine…here " I bravely reach over , taking one of her hands causing total shock to cover her face as I pressed the necklace into her palm.

"This is beautiful Arena..." she finally commented quietly after examining it for a moment, dangling it from her finger by the gold chain "So this was your mother's necklace? How did you come to have it if you never knew each other?"

"Well I would constantly cry to meet my mother or ask a million questions about her which of course infuriated Rumplestiltskin." I laughed a bit rolling my eyes " So finally one day he opened the door to my cell & threw this at me telling me it was my 'wretched mother's' that from the on out I wasn't to ask to know anything about her or to meet her because that was all of her I was ever getting . " I hear my voice catch slightly when I say the last words; I take a moment together myself before taking a deep breath & meeting her now saddened eyes looking directly at me "Regina I'm so sorry about earlier…"

"It's fine dear…" she replies with a tight smile & a sigh " It's not like you're the first & you were just acting instinctively based on what you'd been told, I don't blame you for the reaction" she shrugged , once again hold the necklace up at eye level & examining it closely.

"I know Regina but it was still wrong of me to judge you just because someone told me something negative about you." I say deeply apologetic " I feel horrible about it & regret it …I'm so sorry & from here on out I'm not going to judge you by anything I've been or will be told, I'm just going to get to know you for you – deal?" I smile brightly, hoping she would relax & feel safe knowing I'm not coming from the place of judgment she had grown accustomed to as far as interaction with others.

"You say that now but…" she started to argue but upon seeing my face fall she sighed deeply, looking me up & down "Deal… I guess.." she gives me a half smile before directing her attention to the necklace " Arena, I know this mean a great deal to you but it's in quite poor condition, how about I get it cleaned up for you dear? After all, proper care is the key to the life of your jewelry.

I am both shocked & a bit suspicious of her sudden offer of kindness but I quickly remember my earlier promise not to judge her, therefore I hesitantly give her a nod & small smile. She gave returned my smile, obviously pleased at my agreement before she rose from her seat, my necklace in her palm. She began to exit the room.

"Regina…" I hesitantly place my hand on her arm causing her to look back at me "please take care of my necklace – it's all I have of her."

"I will dear, I promise." She replied, her tone honest & sure.

"Okay, I trust you." I reply taking a breath & giving her a small smile.

"I ...Um...Thank you." She laughed slightly; I could tell she was taken aback by my declaration "Goodnight Arena."

"Goodnight Regina. " I answered knowing that was her way of ending the conversation & my cue to go upstairs while she retreated to her office. I let out a small sigh before climbing the stairs to my room. I definitely need a good night's rest.