Sorry about the duplicate post...here is the new one! Thanks for all those who let me know xx

Thanks for reviewing last chapter, I thought I'd squeeze that in as I felt Emma had been neglected recently ;)

Big recap with all the Red sections so it's clear what's going on, I've had a few people comment they got a bit lost, but still the usual amount of new material will follow. And yes, it was done on purpose to keep you on your toes!

Enjoy, comment, make a sandwich …...

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Red left the castle in her wolf form, the journey was urgent and she had more stamina than even the queen's best horses. She ran all through the night and as dawn was about to break she approached her destination, slowing as she reached the border, knowing she would not approach unseen.

What she wasn't expecting was the net that came down on her, claws slashing out as she struggled to free herself or the arrow that hit her shoulder. It was then the rage took her and she broke free but the wound was worse than anticipated and -. Was that poison? The wolf thought as her head began to spin and her body went into spasms as it tried to decide which form was safest.

"Oh, we are in so much shit," the wolf heard muttered before she lost her last grip on consciousness.

Red woke suddenly and immediately struggled to be free, kicking and biting, her teeth long and sharp, fighting against the bodies holding her as they dragged her along, even with the drug in her system she was strong, strong enough to land teeth and claws in flesh and knock the bodies away from her.

The wolf whirled to put eyes on her captors but found herself surrounded, she refused to be beaten and prepared to shift but first, first reaching up to pull the arrow from her shoulder so she could heal. Wrenching the shaft from her flesh, it burned and bled but then she shifted, or tried to. Too much damage, too much wrong in her blood so she stood and faced her enemies head on. She would not go down without a fight.

It was a spectacular sight that the queen came upon, a naked lone woman, bloody, beaten, teeth and claws inhumanly bared and eyes glowing yellow but standing tall in front of twenty of her armed but admittedly youthful warriors, they looked terrified, terrified but determined.

"Stand down!" The order was clear and her army well trained and they obeyed their queen, weapons dropping away from their target who continued to growl and snap. "Red!" The word caught the wolf's attention but she was still too deep in her battle rage to focus. "Red," the woman came closer and the wolf shook her head, trying to clear it. The voice sounded familiar but there was blood rushing around her head and a ringing in her ears and -. "Oh, we are in so much shit," the repeated phrase was the last the wolf heard as she collapsed, her body shifting as it did in an attempt to protect itself, to heal.

"Red! Red!" The wolf was groggy and her head pounded, a hand soothed her burning forehead and familiar magic poured into her. "Easy, my wolf," Regina purred as she attempted to calm the fever raging through her pet. "What was in that poison?" She hissed at the woman standing by bed.

"A mixture of local herbs," a sigh. "It usually just knocks people out for a few hours but it's obviously reacted very badly this time, maybe the wolf or -." Regina snarled at the explanation and the woman stood back, the room empty except for the three of them as she watched the queen tend to her pet with a tenderness most thought her incapable of.

Regina focused and flushed as much of her own magic into the wolf as she deemed safe, boosting Red's own healing and destroying the poison, soon the wolf seemed to calm, the fever gone and the wolf now still. Red stirred enough to nudge her nose against who she now recognised to be her mistress, a rumble of greeting as she licked the hand tending her before sleep came.

"She has been partially transforming since she collapsed but never returning fully human," Regina nodded. "It looked painful," her companion wrinkled her nose, recalling the grotesque forms the wolf had morphed between.

"It is extremely painful," Regina acknowledged. "There are certain herbs that I use on the young ones to control the change," the queen explained, "I suspect there are the same or similar ones in the poison you manufacture. It can cause problems such as these if not dosed correctly."

"Is she going to be alright?" The queen's companion queried, still very concerned about the wolf and the overall consequences of the attack.

"She will recover quickly," Regina confirmed as she stood. "Pet!" At the call the door opened and Emma stepped inside.

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"The wolf needs us," her mistress had announced, dressing herself in an instant while Emma still struggled to comprehend what was going on, the previous nights activities had exhausted her and she had been in a deep, deep sleep. Struggling out from under the blankets and furs Emma stood naked, aching, sore. In a heartbeat the slave found her self being dressed by the queen's magic before a section of the stone wall in the bedchamber was waved to one side to show a large selections of weapons.

"Take everything you need," Regina commanded and was pleased to see that her pet had gathered her wits enough to follow the order and took only a minute or two to load a weapon into every possible carrying place, including small dagger in each boot, a sword strapped to her waist, another on her back.

If there had been more time Regina would have admired the view for much longer but her wolf was in danger, the link the queen shared with Red had cut out, waking her from a deep sleep beside her pet. It had reappeared almost immediately, assuring her the wolf was not dead, but Red could be grievously injured. The connection was much weaker than it should be and this worried Regina, greatly.

"Come," Emma stepped towards her mistress and was startled when the queen snaked an arm around her waist. "Hold on," she was warned before everything disappeared for a moment and there was nothing. It only lasted a split second then they were in a bustling square. Emma blinked as she rapidly assessed any potential danger, drawing her sword just in case, a little disorientated but no nausea, maybe that was only caused by magical travel, Harry Potter style?

"At ease, pet," Regina murmured as she noted the shock their sudden appearance was causing, worried looks and cries of alarm following their progress.

"Where is your queen?" Regina called out as she strode through the square towards what she knew to be the royal quarters, glaring at the bevy of amazons staring at them like idiots. "Where is my wolf?" She snarled, reaching out with her magic until she detected Red's unique signature. It felt off which concerned her greatly.

"Majesty!" A slightly more competent looking woman wearing a rather shiny set of armour jogged to meet them. "This way please, the queen is with her." Regina nodded and with her pet close on her heels they followed the woman into one of the larger buildings.

"Stand guard," the queen instructed her slave and Emma nodded, taking her current position outside the room that held her mistress and friend.,

"Let me pass!" A tall, well built, intimidating dark haired woman with tanned skin demanded as she approached Emma, another woman by her side, this one blonde but the slave ignored the request, keeping herself positioned in front of the doorway. "Let me pass, my queen is inside."

"As is mine, back off!" Emma growled as the woman stepped closer. "Who are you more afraid of?" The slave bared her teeth and her hand twitched on her sword hilt. "My mistress will not take kindly to being disturbed for a second time today," the blonde stated coldly. "And are amazons not beholden to my queen?"

Emma had quickly figured out where they were by the distinct lack of men around and the various styles of armour worn by a good portion of the all female citizens she had seen. If Red was here then she was most likely on an errand for the queen but Emma had no idea why. If any of these women had hurt her friend -.

"How is she?" Another woman approached, also dressed in armour, younger than the first two who now stood against the opposite wall, glaring at Emma. This one was in her late teens but no older, attractive with caramel hair tied off her face, biting her lip nervously as she eyed the irate blonde.

"I don't know," Emma replied honestly and the girl's face fell.

"I shot her," the amazon admitted. "It was an accident though, really." She added quickly as Emma scowled. "You accidentally shot Red?" Emma growled at the girl who looked terrified when faced with the blonde's anger. "Then I pity you."

"My queen has already reprimanded me and stripped me of my duties," the girl replied with a sigh. "But I feel really bad and hope she's alright, the way she fought -. There are ten of my sisters in the infirmary and look -." Emma continued to glare as the amazon lifted the edge of her armour to show a large but bandaged wound. "Those claws are nasty!"

"Yes, they carry poison, make sure they are cleaned properly," Emma informed the girl, passing on the knowledge she had learned from the queen when Greta had sliced at her, last time they had sparred.

"Oh!" The amazon looked suitably terrified at that piece of information. "I'll go and tell the healer," she muttered and Emma felt slightly better having scared the cause of Red's 'condition'.

"Pet!" Emma turned away from the amazon audience she had attracted and stepped inside the room she had been guarding at the summons. Red lay on the bed, in her wolf form, but the slave detected that her mistress was worried, the queen's shoulders were set and small lines marred the side of her eyes.

"How is she?" The blonde cast narrowed eyes towards the bed. "She was shot?" Regina pleased by her pets show of loyalty towards the wolf, obviously genuinely upset by the state Red was in.

"Yes, I have yet to hear the details. She will now make a full recovery but she cannot be moved by magic as yet. We shall stay until she is strong enough to travel," the queen decreed.

"Of course, you are always welcome, my friend," the other, unknown, woman replied, "though I wish it was under less dire circumstances."

"As do I. I will have both my pets stay in safer quarters," at those words Emma received an appraisal from the other woman. This one was called friend by her mistress? The two women assessed each other, Emma holding still under the scrutiny, as she had many times before, returning the curious gaze with a dismissive one of her own.

"A new pet, Regina?" Emma blinked at the familiarity of address the other woman used towards her mistress.

"Yes, she is very talented," Regina purred as she surveyed her slave, only now having time to fully appreciate her pet's attire. Dark eyes admiring strong legs encased in black leather but these pants were thicker than what she normally wore, akin to the armoured ones worn by motorcyclists in the slave's world, not that the queen had known this when creating them, only that they would offer some protection if needed. The same had been applied to the slave's upper body, a soft cotton under-shirt covered by a hardened leather armour, cut with a rounded neck to protect her breast bone, exposing her collar, but shaped around her curves. The queen's apple tree insignia was embossed on the front highlighted in silver, on the back was a copy of Emma's tattoo which the slave had noticed before they left, having had a moment to admire herself before they had left the queen's palace. Strapped to her body was an array of daggers and the blonde had added some throwing knives as well as her swords. Emma felt like a superhero and knew she looked damn good.

"A warrior?" A brow raised in question of the queen.

"I find her to be very proficient in many areas," Regina chuckled. "Pet, bring the wolf." Emma nodded, eyeing Red warily but found the wolf offered no resistance when the slave slid her arms underneath her massive canine body, gathering her up against her chest. A sniff as Red registered Emma's scent and allowing herself to be manhandled, trusting her friend.

"You have rooms?" The queen questioned.

"There is a guest suite adjacent to my own, you are welcome to use it as long as you wish." Emma followed as her mistress was led from the infirmary by their host and back across the square, all eyes on the small party as they made their way towards the largest building in sight. Once they entered, well constructed but modestly decorated halls finally led to a large doorway. "Regina, I will await you in my conference room, please join me for some food and wine when you are ready," a dip of the woman's head and she left them alone.

"Mistress" Emma questioned, Red was getting restless, it couldn't be comfortable for her being held like this, the blonde was strong but her muscles were starting to burn.

"Yes, yes," Regina entered the room and gestured towards the large bed and Emma was relieved to be able to lay the wolf down. Red whined before drawing her legs under herself and letting her head fall so she could watch what was going on. "Feeling better, my wolf?" The queen asked, scratching behind furry but sensitive ears. Red wagged her tail in response but it still lacked the energy it normally would have had. "Sleep, find me when you're rested," a wave of the queen's hand and a pile of clothes appeared on the bed. "I do not wish the amazon's seeing you unclothed, again." Another wag which Regina took as the wolf's agreement. "You are protected here," the queen added, pausing to focus as her magic extended and set wards around the room.

"Come, we have business to attend to," Emma fell into step behind her mistress as they retraced their steps through the halls, diverging before the exit was reached and entering a less grand corridor. "Be wary, the amazon's are beholden to me but can be hot-headed, as has been proven today. I do not wish the inconvenience of having another pet injured."

"No, Mistress," Emma murmured in reply.

"But neither do I wish to let this incident go unpunished," Regina sighed. "Follow my lead and act if required."

"Yes, Mistress," the slave repeated as they approached a pair of guards marking their destination, framing a large doorway.

"Oh, and be aware that these amazon's are very sexual, promiscuous creatures so feel free to use that to your full advantage. Should you deem it necessary," Regina turned to look at her pet and was unsurprised to see a dark smile crossing full lips.

"As you wish, Mistress," Emma's tone purposefully low, earning her a chuckle from the queen as their presence was announced and they were ushered into the room.

"Ah, that was quick!" The same woman from earlier greeted them as she stood from where she was seated behind a large table, papers spread out in front of her. "I know this is not what you are used to but we are people of nature, my friend."

"You speak as though I have never visited you before," Regina replied with a smile as she took the chair Emma held out for her before the slave dropped to her knees beside her mistress.

"Yes, but you were younger then," their host teased. "Not as used to the fine living."

"Younger but no less experienced," the queen replied, brow raised but smiling.

"Oh, I remember well. Being queen has its privileges, for us both," Emma had already reached the logical conclusion that the woman her mistress was so friendly with was the amazon's queen. "Shall we eat?" Emma very glad to hear those words as she was already hungry, still far away from her full strength and she hoped to benefit from the meal. Food was served and the queens discussed trade which bored Emma but the morsels of food passed her way did not, the slave taking each piece delicately which led to more, occasionally the queen toying with her but never withholding sustenance.

"I have other business to discuss," Regina brought up her reason for sending Red here in the first place.

"Ah, I wondered what had brought Red to us." A sigh. "I'm sorry again for what happened, two of the youngest guards were watching that particular pass and mistook her for a rabid wolf. They have been reprimanded and bear wounds from the altercation. They have been put on latrine duty for the next half a year." Regina curled her lip at the thought.

"I need more," she demanded. "Red could have been killed if they had continued their attack on her. They lack a basic education in magical creatures, what if it happens again? If they kill or even injure another? Red is mine and answers to me but I could not guarantee that another tribe would not retaliate and they are all very powerful in their own right," Regina warned.

"What do you suggest?" The amazon queen sighed, realising she was getting off lightly so far, probably only due to her friendship with the other queen.

"I require your presence to witness the punishment of one under your sovereignty that has betrayed me," Regina stated her real reason for Red's errand. "Bring the ones responsible with you and I will find a way for them to work off their debt to me," she ordered, noting the frown of disapproval from the other queen.

"Treason? A serious crime," the amazon queen mused, considering the information but knowing it would not be fabricated. She trusted the dark queen who had always treated her tribe fairly.

"Extremely," Regina replied as she fed Emma a piece of fruit the blonde could not identify but it tasted good.

"We will ride as soon as you leave and be with you in a day," she promised, knowing there was no way of avoiding the requested visit. "I am pleased that you extended me the courtesy of informing me of the matter."

"You have always supported me," Regina replied, holding the other woman's eye for a moment, saying more than was uttered, more that Emma was not to be privy to.

"And you, I," the sentiment was returned and Emma was curious to know what had brought these women together, in friendship it seemed.

The moment was interrupted when an amazon returned to check on the progress of the meal. As the food was being cleared there was a commotion in the hallway and Emma, on hearing weapons being drawn, leapt to her feet, her own sword in hand just as the door burst open, an amazon flying through it, then another before Red entered the room.

"Feeling better?" Regina enquired, still seated, already knowing it was her wolf at the door.

"Much, My Queen. Thank you, but these amazons vex me," the wolf growled, now fully dressed in the armour provided by her mistress. Her face was drawn but she had regained control of her body, extremely pissed off at what she had been put through and the hassle it had been to reach her mistress, several more incapacitated women littering her way

"Amazing," the amazon queen murmured as she stared at her unconscious soldiers where they lay on the floor and then back to the wolf.

"Oh, she is remarkable," Regina praised.

"I live to serve you, Mistress," Red bowed her head at the compliment but Emma knew her friend well enough to realise she was was more touched by it than she let on.

"And your amazons are thick headed but loyal," their mistress acknowledged."But remember I have an entire army of wolves almost as accomplished as Red in my service," Regina reminded the amazon queen with a smirk. They may be allies but it never hurt to brag.

"I was aware of this but until today I had not had a true demonstration of their power," the amazon queen rued. "Not that I would ever condone any uprising against you but there is always the odd one that dislikes being under the rule of another sovereign. Today's events have maybe shown them exactly what they would be up against."

"Red always performs well, whatever duties I require," the wolf issued a low growl of agreement. "But now we must return, there are many matters I must attend to." Both the queen's pets stood to attention as their queen rose to her feet, coming to stand either side of their mistress as she reached for their hands. "Until tomorrow," Regina bade her friend farewell as they disappeared in a swirl of purple smoke.

"That woman always causes trouble," the amazon queen muttered to herself as her warriors began to pick themselves of the floor. "But it sure keeps life interesting," she chuckled. "Send me Belle so she can explain to me again why she shot the Queen's messenger," she commanded her guards. "And ready the horses. We set out for the palace in an hour!"

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Next on The Collar

"Then I wish to discuss this matter further," the amazon queen demanded. "with or without an audience. Lay out your charges," she continued eyes steely and arms crossed across her chest.

"Your amazon assisted my slave to leave the palace, she procured a horse for her and on her journey my pet was grievously injured, to the point of near death. Her crime is two fold, aiding a slave she knew was possibly escaping and by doing so having a hand in the damage my property sustained," Regina hissed.

The room was silent as the two queens regarded one another, one obviously more powerful than the other but neither prepared to back down.