First off, holy crap! I was seriously not expecting this feedback. Thank you guys so much for the lovely comments and kudos, I appreciate it.
In order to avoid confusion, Henry Sr. won't appear as much as Henry Jr. and when he does, he'll be referred to as "her father".
There's foreshadowing in this chapter, but I'm not gonna say what :P
I used some dialogue from the episode "Pilot" and "The Stable Boy", as well as the Prince of Egypt movie.
Also, those of you who were hoping for Killian to make an appearance this chapter, sorry! ^_^
Hugh thank you to all the lovely ladies at the CSMM discord for all of your writing help and support. I could not have done this without you guys! 3
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Chapter 2:
25 years later…
"Come now, Emma! Is that the best you can do?" Regina shouted over her shoulder.
Emma laughed and urged her horse, Icarus, faster. "Oh, I'm just getting started!"
No matter how many times they raced each other, her sister was always victorious. It was as if she and her horse were of one mind, an unstoppable force.
But today? Today, she was finally going to beat Regina.
One of the benefits of repeatedly losing was that she was able to learn from her mistakes. Her father told her once that sometimes strategy was more important than mere skill. So she decided to test that theory today.
They were approaching the fork in the road. One way was past the old abandoned mill near the castle, the other was through the forest near the village. Emma knew the forest way was slightly faster because it cut straight through instead of going around. If she managed to keep going at this speed, she just might be able to get home first.
With any luck, they'd be back in time before morning lessons.
She tapped her heels against Icarus's flank as the fork grew closer.
"You're not even trying," Regina taunted. "I'm starting to think you enjoy being behind me!"
"Trust me, it's not much of a view!" Emma said with a smile.
And with that, she gave one final tap against Icarus and leaned forward until her nose was almost touching the horse. Icarus snorted, charging ahead. The wind stung her eyes and whipped her blonde hair into her mouth but she kept her gaze fixed ahead. She felt as if she was flying, past Regina, past the fork's opening and now racing along the forest trail. In the distance, she could hear Regina shouting after her, but she paid no mind.
Icarus thundered down the path, his hooves kicking up mud. When Emma looked behind her, she could no longer see Regina. She had done it. She had managed to get ahead. She tried to bite back the laugh that was building in her throat. "Not there yet," she thought.
She and her sister loved to compete against each other. Their father often joked that they had been doing that since the day they were born. One of them had to be the first at something; the first to sit on a horse, the first to write their name, the first to dance the waltz. But it wasn't a malicious rivalry. In truth, they admired each other's strengths and the competition often helped push them to achievement.
Still, she envied Regina sometimes. She had always known, even as a child, that she was considered the lesser daughter, the spare to the throne. Though she had no desire to be the Queen. She saw how much Regina loathed the idea. But the truth was she often felt alone. Despite being sisters, Emma looked nothing like Regina. Frankly, she looked nothing like her parents either. From her golden hair and bright green eyes to her boyish smile and mischievous laugh. Yes, she loved her family dearly and that they cared about her just as much. It was hard to explain but she felt something was missing. Like she was an out of place thread in a tapestry. And no matter how many times she tried to understand why, it remained just as unclear.
A few feet ahead, she could see a small boy wandering along the path.
"Look out!"
The boy turned and, seeing the horse coming towards him, froze. Emma pulled on the reins but it was too late. The sudden stop had frightened Icarus and he reared up on his hind legs, whinnying loudly. Instantly, Emma grabbed onto Icarus's neck. Like before, she tried to keep her body as flush as she could to the horse. As long as she held on, she wouldn't fall off.
But Icarus continued to buck and rear. Worse, the boy was still standing there, fear bright in his eyes. And Icarus's hoofs, which were roughly the same size as the boy's head, kept getting closer and closer.
"Get back!" she shouted to him. This seemed to snap the boy out of his trance because he immediately scurried off the path, behind a tree.
Emma kicked her feet out of the stirrups. She swung her legs off to the side and quickly slid off. Landing agilely on her feet, she backed away but made sure Icarus could still see her and raised her hands to show him that there was no danger. Icarus still kept rearing up, eyes wide and ears back.
"Easy boy, easy." Slowly, Icarus stopped rearing, but kept grunting. Emma was undeterred though. She gently hummed to Icarus as she approached, reaching for the reins. It wasn't a particular song, just a simple tune that she often sang when bored. Soon her hands began to brush his nose and the horse finally began to calm.
From behind the tree, a small head of dark hair poked out. He was trembling.
"Are you alright there, kid?"
"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to scare your horse!" he squeaked.
"It's alright. I'm just glad you're not hurt." Emma said.
Tentatively, the boy emerged. He was a small child, roughly about ten years old, with large brown eyes. He quickly bowed to her, as if suddenly remembering who she was.
"Please don't be afraid, I'm not angry at you."
From his bow, the boy looked up. "You're not?"
She shook her head. "What's your name?"
"Henry," he said, straightening up.
Emma couldn't help but smile. The boy had been named after her father, the prince.
"Well, Henry," she said. "Thank you. I must admit my day so far was pretty uneventful, but you managed to bring some excitement to it. And for that, I'm very grateful to you." She then gave a graceful bow to him.
Henry giggled. Her smile widened at the dimples in his cheeks and his uneven teeth.
She noticed that he was holding something large under his cloak. "What's that?" she asked, pointing to it.
The smile suddenly vanished from Henry's face and he clutched the object closer. "It's nothing." He said defensively, as if she was about to snatch it away.
Emma frowned. "You're holding it pretty tightly for it to be nothing."
Henry didn't loosen his grip, but she could now see that it was a large leatherbound book. She also could see that he was also starting to shuffle back.
"It must be a good book."
"It's more than just a book." Henry said. "It's really important."
Emma raised an eyebrow at this, but she nodded in understanding. "Is that why you're all the way out here? You were reading?"
Henry nodded, hugging the book closer.
"Why aren't you with your friends? Or with your parents? I'm sure they're wondering where you are." He didn't answer, instead looking down at his feet. "Are you alone?" She asked gently.
Once again, he nodded, although this time just barely.
"The poor boy," she thought. Slowly, Emma bent down until she was about eye level with him and smiled kindly. "Well you're not anymore." This finally got Henry to look up at her with those big eyes. An excited grin was slowly breaking out on his face.
The sound of hoofbeats came from the other end of the path. Emma quickly rose to her feet, hoping that it wasn't the Black Knights coming to fetch her. Her mother often sent them if she was late.
Luckily, it was Regina. She must have made it to the castle first then doubled back to look for Emma. In all the excitement, she had forgotten about the race.
"There you are," she said as her horse, Rocinante, came to a stop. "I guess the old saying is true: 'second born, second place'." Emma just rolled her eyes "And who is this?" Regina asked curiously, as she cocked her head towards Henry.
"Oh, this is Henry. We just met. Henry, this is my sister Regina."
Henry bowed courteously. "Your Majesty." he said formally.
"Well, hello there." Regina smiled warmly. She then looked at Emma. "So, ready to lose again?"
Before Emma could answer, the clocktower bell began to ring in the distance. Both she and Regina froze.
They were late for lessons.
"Emma…" Regina said, a slight tinge of panic in her voice.
"I know." She replied, eyes wide.
"What do we do?"
"Maybe if we hurry she won't notice."
"She always notices!"
"Well, then we better move it!" She put one of her feet in the stirrups and quickly hoisted herself up into Icarus's saddle. Regina was already halfway back up the path, looking anxiously towards the direction of the castle.
"I'm really sorry, kid." Emma said to the boy. "But I have to go. It was really nice to meet you."
"It's alright, I understand." He said. "It was really nice to meet you too." And he gave her another small bow. But as he straightened up, he added "And don't worry - your secret's safe with me."
Emma tilted her head, puzzled. "What-" She started to say but then Regina impatiently called to her so she forced herself to turn away and follow her sister.
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Queen Cora sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "What did I ever do to have such disobedient daughters?"
"We didn't-"
"Do be quiet, dear. Mother's talking."
Emma had come to learn that everyone had a special talent, whether it was with a sword or with a quill. Cora had a talent with words. She could effortlessly find different ways to express her disappointment in anyone and still make it sound like a compliment. And Cora was usually disappointed with everyone.
Particularly with her daughters.
Whenever their mother wanted to speak with them, it was rarely a good reason. Usually, it was about trivial things: the way they wore their hair, the dresses they wore, their general manners, it was endless. Regina unfortunately got the worst of it.
Over the years, Emma taught herself not to cry, especially not in front of her mother. Cora would offer no apologies or comfort. Only cruel observations. So as time went on, Emma cried less and less. Soon she seemed to have forgotten how to do so. Instead, she would imagine herself wearing a suit of armor. That way she was able to protect herself emotionally. Eventually, the armor became a part of her and she seldom removed it.
But Cora's words were made of glass. They would shatter on impact against the armor but splinter and fall through the cracks, embedding themselves deep.
And here she was once again, in the throne room, facing her mother's stony stare. Queen Cora was truly an intimidating figure, from her pinched face and red lips to her dark eyes. Even though her feet barely touched the floor from her throne, she still towered over everyone.
"I have sacrificed so much for you two, ensuring that this family's legacy will live on. And yet, you seemed to be more interested in behaving like commoners than princesses."
"We were just having some fun." Emma said.
Cora scoffed. "Fun?" She sighed and shook her head disapprovingly. "Regina, did you try on your dress for tonight?"
"Not yet, mother." Regina answered dutifully.
"And why is that?"
Regina hesitated, biting her lip. "Because I went-"
"Because you decided to have fun instead." Cora finished. "When are you going to take your duty more seriously?"
"I do, Mother!" Regina said defensively. "I just don't want my life to be dictated by it. I want some freedom."
This made Cora laugh. "Darling, freedom is an illusion. Like many things, it's something that we tell ourselves for comfort about our actions. But when you're queen, you won't need that anymore."
"Well maybe I don't be queen! Did you ever consider that? Maybe I just want to be me!" Regina angrily replied. She turned on her heel and began to walk away.
"We're not finished here." Cora sternly called after her, reaching for her ruby cane next to her. Emma's eyes widened. "No, wait!"
But it was too late. Cora tapped her cane once against the floor. Regina's feet suddenly sank into the ground, as if the marble had become mud. She almost toppled over, but managed to keep herself upright.
"Mother!" she exclaimed, struggling to lift her feet. "I hate it when you do this!"
"I'll stop once you start being more obedient. Trust me darling, I'm only trying to help you."
"I don't need your help! I need-" Her knees were sucked into the floor. "This isn't funny!"
"I'm not laughing, dear." said Cora coldy. And with, that Regina sunk further into the floor, now only visible from the waist up.
"Mother, stop." Emma said fearfully.
But Cora didn't. Regina kept struggling, but the more she did, the more she sank. Soon, she was up to her armpits. Emma rushed forward and tried to pull her free, but it was no use.
"Please stop…" Regina begged as her arms became no longer visible.
"Mother, stop!" Emma cried. "It was my fault! I was the one who wanted to race! I got distracted and fell behind! Regina only came back for me! Please don't punish her, punish me!"
For a moment, Cora didn't seem to hear her. But then she looked at Emma and smiled with twisted pride.
"Spoken like a true princess. At least Emma takes responsibility for her actions."
She tapped her cane again. Regina immediately rose back up and the floor solidified under her. Emma bent down to help but Regina pushed her hands away and got to her feet unsteadily.
"Remember, Regina. One weak link is all it takes to break the chain of a great dynasty."
Regina didn't answer. She simply squared her shoulders and strode out of the room, slamming the door behind her for good measure.
Emma felt the adrenaline wearing off, but her hands kept shaking. Her mother was one of the few people in the Enchanted Forest who knew how to use magic. She had planned to teach only Regina this, which suited Emma just fine. She too hated it when her mother used magic. She didn't know what she hated the most; being a victim of it or witnessing it.
Worst of all, she hated herself for being so helpless.
Behind her, Cora softly groaned. She was slumped over in her seat exhausted, cane clattering on the floor.
"Mother?" Emma hurried over to her side, but Cora gently waved her away.
"I'm alright, dear. Just give me a moment." She said slowly, sitting back up.
This often happened whenever Cora used magic. Several years ago, before Emma was born, her mother had been involved in a war with the awful Snow White. In order to stop her, she had to cast a powerful spell that banished the wicked queen and her followers. But the spell was so great, it took a huge physical toll on her. She needed to use a cane to walk and even the simplest of magic was exhausting for her.
"Would you like me to get you some water?" Emma asked.
"Oh no, darling. I'll be alright."
Gently Emma said "Why are you so hard on Regina? You knew it was my fault."
Once again, Cora didn't seem to hear her. Emma briefly worried that she might have stepped out of line but to her surprise, her mother didn't seem angry. She just seemed tired. Gone was the proud queen and in her place was a sad, old woman.
"Emma, you will never have to bear a burden like Regina will when I pass my crown onto her. She cannot allow herself to be led astray. Not even by you."
It wasn't like her mother to be this vulnerable with her. Frankly, it made her feel a bit uncomfortable. Yet, Cora was actually being reasonable at the moment, so maybe she could try and get through to her.
"She works so hard to earn your approval. If you just gave her a chance to show you, you'd see."
"Maybe," Cora answered thoughtfully. "Maybe so." She leaned over to arrange some of Emma's hair and then lifted her chin, studying her. "You may go."
Emma nodded and bowed to her mother. She was about halfway to the door when Cora called after her.
"Don't slouch, dear. It's very unbecoming."