Regina was antsy from the moment she left the castle on Quicksilver. Her mother would be leaving in the morning and despite a month of magic lessons, Regina didn't feel any better about this power inside her. She had hoped to speak to Emma about it which is why she had invited her wife on this ride. But Emma had turned her down which did nothing to help this feeling she had that Emma was being more cautious around her because of her magic.

Now when she needed Emma's calming influence the most, it didn't seem to be there.

Tonight would be her final lesson with her mother and while Cora had promised to give her some exercises to do on her own, she knew that without a magic breakthrough there would be no real progress made.

All of this had combined to give Regina a case of nerves even as she sought to relax on her ride.

She glanced behind her, seeing her assigned riders – there were four of them per Emma's order since the night of the fireworks – but they were all a good distance back. It was one of her stipulations if her guards were to be doubled they must still maintain a distance from her. The four while spread out didn't seem to be paying any particular attention to her – more like the area around her as if looking for any threats.

She came this way often when she was first married because she had scouted it out as the place most likely for her to lose her guards because of the terrain and her skill. She hadn't ridden this way with any particular thought in mind today but even as she recognized where she was at she began to feel that desire to run off once more.

It was a stupid thought, she knew because she wasn't going to run away. Even as she thought it though she wondered what the harm would be in taking a little time on her own.

The trick was to gain a little speed as she went up this high hill that was upcoming. As much as she would like to go full speed that might tip off the guards to her plan. Once at the top then she could go fast down it despite the somewhat uneven and rocky terrain on that side. If she did it right she could be more than halfway across the flat stretch that led to the forest beyond by the time her guards even reached the top of the hill. If she could get to the forest, she was confident she could lose them there as it was sparse at first, giving enough room for her to go fast. And by the time she had to slow down, she would be in a little hideaway spot that she had mapped out in her mind long ago.

She took one more look behind her as she approached the hill, making her decision as Quicksilver began his climb. When she reached the top she didn't hesitate as she spurred her horse on.

By the time she was partway across the straight stretch she had given him free rein to go fast and she laughed in joy as she felt him fly. She didn't even look back until she hit the forest and she knew there was no way they could catch her.

Hurrying through the first part she knew they could track her but once it got thicker the needles and broken branches on the forest floor would help mask her route – at least long enough that they would probably have to dismount to check for the horse's hoofprints.

She dismounted even as she heard one of the guards yell for her and she lead Quicksilver over to a cave about forty or fifty yards from where she had gotten off her horse. She had discovered the cave on one of her first rides. Two guards had been with her at the time she found it and one had gone inside to see how deep it was, but neither guard was with the group now trying to catch up to her. She kept Quicksilver calm as they entered and then made him stay as she exited and masked their tracks even more before returning.

More guards were calling her name by that time but she remained where she was hidden.

They came closer but not too close to her hideaway and when they moved off past her she still waited a bit before grabbing Quicksilver's reins and moved on toward the east of where they were. She walked for a long time until the forest began to clear and she was once again in open land where she could ride.

A part of her knew she should go back and find her guards or at least go back to the castle before anyone got worried, but once she saw that open stretch in front of her all she wanted to do was ride.

At first, she let Quicksilver really run, relishing the feel of the wind on her face and hair as they raced along. Then she slowed him down and went at a relaxed trot as she thought about everything that she had been pushing around in her brain for so long.
If only Emma had come with her, then she wouldn't be out here alone. She could talk to Emma and Emma as she always did would make it all better. But Emma wasn't there and Regina was alone.

Finally, she decided to turn toward home. By now at least one of the guards would have returned to the castle and Emma would have been informed that she had ridden off. Her intention was never to make Emma worried and she realized that is what she had selfishly done. She hoped Emma could forgive her.

As she steered Quicksilver toward home she heard a scream off to her left and she saw what appeared to be a runaway horse with a distressed rider. She spurred Quicksilver on, confident her horse could catch the other. She pulled alongside it and reached out for the other's reins. It took her several attempts but she finally got a hold of it and pulled the horse to a stop.

Getting down from Quicksilver she kept a hand on the reins of the other horse as she pet it to help it calm down.

"Thank you," said the woman who was now getting down from the horse. "I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't have come along."

Regina looked at the woman who was older than her but still had a young appearance. Regina wasn't sure she could pinpoint an age for this woman. Despite being flustered by the runaway horse she stood straight-backed and Regina got the feeling that this was a woman who was used to getting her way.

"You are safe now," Regina said, handing her back the reins to her horse. She looked around them. "Are you out here alone?"

"Yes," the woman said. "I was traveling. I'm renting out a storefront in the castle just to the west of here. I assume since you are out here that you are from here."

"I am," Regina said, not feeling the need to tell her that she is one of the queens. "You certainly are traveling light for someone opening a shop."

"Oh. The horse, was pulling a cart with my stuff but I stopped to get my bearings and unhitched him. I'm not even sure what spooked him but I barely got on him before he was sprinting."

"Which way did you come from?"

The woman pointed behind her.

"Come, I will accompany you back to your cart," Regina said.

"Why thank you. That is kind of you," the woman said. "I don't even know your name."

"It's Regina."

The woman paused and studied Regina for a second and then glanced at Quicksilver.

"Oh my, your majesty," the woman bowed. "I'm sorry, I didn't know."

Regina looked at her horse and the royal seal that was imprinted on the saddle. Only a member of the royal family would have that. So much for not being queen, Regina thought.

"It's fine," Regina said. "Since you know who I am, may I ask your name?"

"It's Anita," the woman said smiling at her.

Regina smiled back at her and then directed her to walk so they could find her cart.

"What kind of business are you looking to operate?" Regina asked.

"An Apothecary shop."

"Really?" Regina said.

"Don't sound so surprised your majesty," Anita said, again smiling at her. "After all a woman can rule a kingdom, why shouldn't a woman be a practitioner of the finer arts?"

Regina felt like this woman could read her thoughts as she had been thinking of any woman she had ever heard of being involved in such a field and was coming up blank.

"Please, tell me more."

They continued to walk at a leisurely pace as Anita spoke of how she had become interested in the apothecary practice. She talked of how she found her place there – a real sense of belonging, not necessarily with the people in the profession but a comfort in herself.

"It was like going through life wondering what was missing, or what made me different and then all of sudden I was taken in and did an apprenticeship and everything fell into place. It's hard to explain. I think deep down we all know when something is right or not right in the world around us and we seek this balance in our own lives," Anita said. "But I needed to get away from where I was at. Some of the people I had surrounded myself with, turned out to be faithless. They betrayed me and I needed to get away and come someplace where I could just be me if that makes any sense."

"It does," Regina said, thinking of how she also felt different because of this magic inside of her. She wished too that she could find a balance in her life. "Well, we're happy to get your services here in our kingdom."

Regina found the other woman was very easy to listen to. But as they came in sight of the cart, Regina exhaled deeply.

"Is something wrong your majesty?"

"No," Regina replied. "As you can see a couple of my guards seemed to have found your cart."

Another smile. "I admit I wondered why the queen would be out here on her own."

"Yes, well, not quite alone."

"That's very sensible of you to go out with your guards."

Regina didn't say anything as one of the guards approached them.

"Your majesty," he said. Regina could tell there was something else he probably wanted to say but he was smart enough to keep his mouth shut as he looked at Anita.

"Her horse got loose. Perhaps you could assist her in getting him harnessed back up and then we will escort her back to the castle."

"I can take care of it myself. I wouldn't want to cause you to be delayed. I'm sure you have responsibilities you must get back to," Anita said.

"My only responsibility right now is ensuring you arrive safely," Regina said.

"I'm in your debt," Anita said bowing once more. Even as she did so she kept her eyes locked on Regina's. Normally when people bowed they lowered their eyes, but not her. Again Regina felt like she was in the presence of someone who knew how to carry themselves despite the situation. And her eyes showed a depth of wisdom that seemed to go beyond her years and Regina again tried to place an age on her.

Anita was fascinating to her, yet Regina couldn't say for sure why that was. Here was an intelligent, well-spoken woman who had an independent streak to her. She seemed to live by her own rules and Regina found that appealing.

The woman's blonde hair reminded her of Emma's and Regina realized that up until then she hadn't thought of Emma since being around Anita. She felt a stab of guilt over not just running off, but also that she had made helping this woman a priority over letting her wife know she was ok.

After regaining her memories Emma wanted nothing more than to see her wife. While she logically knew that Regina still wouldn't remember, she still wondered if she or Regina would feel that connection again that they had as children.

It was why she was distressed when one of the guards who had gone out with Regina approached her to tell her that Regina had ridden off and while the other guards were still out there searching for her, he had returned to inform her and get any further orders. Emma had to restrain herself from sending out half of their troops in search of her.

From what the guard had said, Regina had purposely lost her escort. She had done it – she has run away. And while Emma didn't think (well didn't believe) that Regina was running for good, she still worried about how long Regina was going to be gone.
She also couldn't let this get around or people in the kingdom would think ill of their queen if they thought she had abandoned them.

So Emma did what she felt she had to do - lie.

"And you lost her?" Emma said to the guard.

"Yes, your majesty."

"Don't worry, she will be back. She and I had discussed it before she went out. She only did it to see if the guards I was assigning to her could keep up. I guess we know the answer to that."

"I'm sorry your majesty."

"It's fine. We all know what an excellent rider she is. It was expected that she would succeed. All this means is a little more instruction on how much space should be between her and her escort. It's not your skills or the skills of the others that are in doubt. I just needed to put my mind at ease that if anything would ever happen out there that you would be close enough to protect her. It won't happen again."

She could tell he was a little skeptical about the response, but it wasn't like he would argue with her either.

Now she had to wait in hopes that Regina would return quickly and then find out what had prompted this in the first place. Yes, Regina had previously admitted to wanting to run away at times, but Emma thought since their anniversary they had moved past that.

Of course, she didn't need to guess as to why Regina might do this now. Everything that unsettled her wife came down to her magic and lies that she had been told to keep her from fulfilling the seer's prophecy. And with Cora leaving the next morning she could only guess at the amount of anxiety she must be feeling. She felt bad suddenly that she had not accompanied her on her ride. Regina had asked her to but Emma had said no so that she could speak with Cora.

She had traded knowing Regina in the past for being there for her in the present.

All she could do is wait for her to return.

Regina waited as Anita got to the storefront she was renting out. She would also be living there Regina learned as there was space in the back for quarters. If the landlord thought it odd that the queen was there, he made no mention of it although he did look over at her several times.

"Thanks again for your assistance, your majesty," Anita said once they were again alone. Regina had stepped inside with her while the two guards who now seemed to have permanently attached themselves to her waited outside. "I do hope I could entice you to come to visit once I'm fully opened up."

"I have been known to go shopping in this district," Regina said. "Perhaps next time I do, I shall stop by to see how you are doing."

"I would be honored," Anita said as she took Regina's hand and bowed down once more, and kissed it. "Your majesty."

Regina was surprised by Anita's boldness that she wasn't sure what to say.

"I should get back to the castle," she said finally.

"You probably should," Anita smiled. "Good day my queen."

Regina stepped out, taking one more glance inside at Anita before heading in the direction of the castle. Even as she walked away she wondered how long it would be before she came back to see Anita's shop.

Once Regina was gone, Anita began the task of putting away the items from her cart. This shop would be the perfect setup for this borrowed identity that she had taken on.

Now that she had made contact with Regina, she was sure that the young queen would be returning to her and she had to be ready for when that happened.
One of the last items she brought in was a full-length mirror which she carefully set up. She stood in front of it and let the disguise of Anita drop.

A smile immediately appeared on her face as she took in the view of her own body. Ever since she had been freed from her dragon form, Maleficent had found she enjoyed seeing her human form more and more.

And it would appear that her information was correct in that Regina was not schooled in magic or else she might have known that Maleficent was using magic to hide her true identity.

It wouldn't be long before Regina would be able to detect such magic. Maleficent had found her newest student and she would hone her into a weapon that this world would be unprepared for – and the fact that she would get her revenge against Cora at the same time made it all the sweeter.