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Regina's POV

Ever since he left, fleeing into the forest, he has been on my mind constantly. It's only been two days since the night where the thief saved my life, though I felt like it's been longer. The days felt longer as I thought about him and where he might be. I couldn't get him off my mind. It was impossible to think about anything else. Considering I had all the time in the world to think, being prisoner in this castle. Since the guards nearly caught him, they have increased my protection. At all times, there was a guard at my side practically. If I was in the bedroom, there was one stationed outside the door and there were double the guards watching outside the palace. I would argue and they would respond with the king put them in charge while he was away. It made sense. Even with the warden away, I was on lockup. I could not leave or go anywhere without them breathing down my neck. It was almost suffocating. The only thing that got me through it was thinking about that man. Instead of my usual nightmares of my husband, I would dream of him; seeing his face brought me peace. The thought about how he wanted to see me again brought me joy, though it faded when realization hit; that would unlikely happen again. With the increase of guards and protection, I knew if he ever attempted to return, he would be caught. No matter how good he is with escapes, I doubted he would be able to escape. More than anything, I doubted he would risk it for me. I was not worth the risk.

As dawn approached, I sat by the window, thinking about him again. I could not sleep, so sat by my window just picturing him. And then it hit me—or rather, right above me. I was startled by an arrow that hit the top of my window, inches above my head. I stared at it for a moment and then looked out my window. I didn't see anyone, but someone had to have shot the arrow. I stood and then noticed there was a note attached. I reached for it, taking the note and opening it.

My dearest Regina, you have not left my mind since the moment we met. I lay awake at night, picturing your face, specifically that flawless smile of yours. I want nothing but to return to you, but I fret that may be impossible. As your guards have increased their number as my last visit, I cannot get within feet of your palace. Know, you would be worth the risk of my capture, but instead I write to you, so you I can be sure you know, my love, that I am thinking of you. Yours truly, Robin.

I held the note close to my heart as I looked out the window. I looked out my window, though I couldn't see him, somehow I knew he was somewhere, possibly watching; but most definitely thinking of me. It brought warmth to my heart as I relayed those words in my mind. They almost didn't feel real.

As dusk came the next day, another arrow came. I didn't hesitate to pull the arrow from the wall and then unattach the note.

My dearest Regina, you occupy my dreams so much so that it hurts. It pains me that I cannot be closer to you. How I wish I could gaze upon and get lost in your eyes. How I yearn to feel your lips on top of mine. I ache, knowing I cannot get to you, but here in this letter, I offer all I am able. The knowledge that I will send these, to remind you of our love, which shall never be forgotten.

A tear escaped my eye as I read that one. I felt that pain more so every day with every moment I think of him. I want him here. What I wouldn't give to see him once more. I miss him more with every note he sends me, but I can live with that pain for as long as he continues with them; these letters bring me more comfort than he knows. The hours and another day past. I knew the king would be returning soon and I was dreading it. I thought about him returning and wanting his wife to please him and it made me feel sick. But rereading one of Robin's notes took me away from that place of despair; they brought me comfort and happiness. Some sadness, knowing I would never see him again, but mostly good feelings; and they seemed to conquer the bad.

Then during the afternoon of that next day, I went out into the courtyard and one of the guards insisted on accompanying me.

"My queen, just allow me to be remain nearby. For your safety." Frances insisted.

"I am going to my apple tree." I told him. "I would prefer if I didn't have you breathing down my neck."

"Your majesty," He spoke again.

"Just give me a few minutes alone out here. Please." I pleaded, this time my voice sounded more desperate than angry. I just needed some time alone and out here. I wanted to be alone with the fresh air. If they could only allow it for a few moments, then it would be worth it. That was all I was asking. It was more than the king would allow me on a good day. They nodded, staying back and I walked over. I sat there by the tree, looking out at the forest with the sun sitting above the trees. It was a beautiful sight. I look above and picked an apple off the tree. I took a bite as I looked out, enjoying the view. Any view of the forest made me think of him. And then as I went to take another bite of my apple, an arrow was shot into my tree, inches from my head. I looked up at it for a minute and smiled as I removed the note from it. I pocketed it quickly as I heard the guards rushing over. Great, they noticed the arrow.

"Your majesty, are you injured?" Frances asked rushing to my aid as two other guards drew their swords.

"I'm fine." I confirmed.

"An assassination attempt, it is not safe out here for you." Frances responded, pulling the arrow from the tree. "It seems the thief from the other night attempted to finish the job. Luckily he missed."

I rolled my eyes and stood. They had no idea. "Look, I am fine. The arrow did not even touch me."

"It could have. We are all just fortunate he missed the shot." Frances responded. "Get inside my queen. It is safer there for you." He essentially repeated and I nodded, knowing I would not win the argument, especially now.

I went back inside the palace and went into my room, where I could be alone. I knew it was one of the few places they would allow me to be alone. They had guards on post outside the castle and my room, in case someone managed to break in. For once, I was actually satisfied with the idea of being locked away in my room. I had a new note to read. Luckily I had time to pocket it before the guards noticed the arrow. I took it out of my pocket and opened it.

My dearest Regina, though I cannot reach you, I can see you from afar. I watch you and admire your beauty, as it is truly magnificent. The king truly does not appreciate what he has. As you look out the forest, it gives me comfort, believing that I may occupy your mind as you do mine. And as I am sure, the guards noticed my arrow, and I will say, I never miss. Though it was worth it for you to get my message and for me to see you, I fret that it may be a while before my next one. The guards will be on high alert now and I fear what might happen to you if anyone else were to discover these notes. So for a while, just hold on this and my love for you, which will never break. Yours truly, Robin.

I just wanted him here now. I reread the newest note and then held it close as I started to cry. Though he made it clear I would always be on his mind, even without sending a reminder, it hurt not knowing that I would get another. Each one brought me closer to him and without them, I felt truly further. I knew that it probably would be for the best for the notes to cease, like Robin said. The king returns tomorrow. If the king were to find one of my notes, my life would surely worsen. But one thing was certain no matter what: My hell would continue once again and I did not see any silver linings. I spent the rest of the day, rereading the notes Robin had sent me. I hid them when I was brought food. I wouldn't eat, I felt too sad to think about eating. All I could think about him, but this time, how sad I was, not knowing if I would hear from him again. Fearing, even though he reassured me I would always be on his mind, I couldn't believe the promise; after a while he could forget. After sunset, I laid there for a while until suddenly I had an idea. I went through my things and found my mother's spell book. I had kept it with me if I were to ever need it. A part of me hoped that time would never come. I had tried to resist magic because I hated how it could be used. My mother used it against my whole life and I didn't ever want to use it. Especially given how much I had liked using to send her to Wonderland, I knew I had to resist as much as I could unless I was desperate; and now I was desperate. I had to find a way to Robin. My heart ached for him so much it could kill me.

When I couldn't find a spell to help me, I knew I had only one other option; to ask for help. I was reluctant because of the way I left things last time I saw him, but I was desperate.

"Rumpelstiltskin." I said and then he appeared behind me, startling me.

"Hello dearie." He smiled, showing off his rotten teeth and then giggled devilishly. "Enjoying your life?"

"I need your help." I said. "I—"

"I know what you want." He cut me off. "You want to leave your palace so you can go see that thief."

"He isn't a thief."

"You met him while he stole from the castle, did you not?" He retaliated. He had a point. "Anyways, don't waste my time. I know why you called me here. You want to see your archer but you can't. Not with all the guards and with the king returning tonight."

"He is returning tomorrow." I corrected.

"That's where you'd be wrong." He giggled. "The king is to return earlier than expected. He'll back here and in bed with you tonight." I knew that he was right. Of course, so he would surprise me with his return tonight and surely he would be aching for some fun tonight. I felt nauseous at the thought. "Excited, are we?" I glared in the direction of the dark one. He knew I was far from excited. It seemed he knew exactly what the king liked to do.

"Do you find this amusing?" I asked.

"You chose this. If you had let me teach you magic then you could stop him from penetrating you." The dark one replied. It was true I chose not become his student. And it was true, if I learned, Leopold likely would never be able to hurt me, but I knew I couldn't. As much as I hated that man, I would not harm him with magic; even if he does deserve it.

"I don't want to use magic to hurt people." I explained, once more, for what felt like the tenth time. And if he knew my mother as well as he said he did, then he would know why.

"I remember you seeing you enjoy it when you sent your mother through the looking glass."

I couldn't respond. I did enjoy it. Which is why I cannot be his student. I don't want to be anything like my mother. And if I became the dark one's student, then I would become dark, just like her. Just like him. Given all the anger I had, I was afraid that giving into the darkness would be too easy.

"That doesn't matter." I said. "I didn't call you here to discuss being your student."

"I know, you want to be able to see your thief."

"Can you help me?"

"Can I? Yes. Will I? No." He answered. "You see dearie, I can't just give what you want. For that, there is a price."

"What do you want?" I asked.

"For you to be my student." He told me and I sighed.

"Why is that so important to you? Me learning magic. What do you get out of it?" I asked. Why did it have to be me? Why couldn't he find someone else to teach? Surely someone better than me could learn and do whatever it is he wanted.

"That matters not." He said, avoiding the question. "But what does is that I have a way for you to see your thief, a way that makes us both happy." He giggled. "Do we have a deal?"

I looked at him and pondered this. A part of me had a bad feeling about this. There was a reason why I did not want to learn magic, dark magic. I didn't want to give in to my anger and pain. Maybe that was what made mother the way she is. I was afraid of being like her. She caused me so much pain and I did not want to cause someone else pain even remotely close to what she has done to me; or what Leopold continues to do to me. But I remembered why I had called the dark one here. I was desperate. I took out the notes Robin had wrote me. I held them in the palm of my hand and closed the palm. Maybe I just needed something to keep me from going down the dark path. I have more pain and anger than people will ever realize, because of my mother and husband, but maybe I need to hold onto something. Love. The love that Robin and I share for each other. Maybe our love is strong enough to keep me in the light. I had to take the risk and find out.

"Deal." I nodded.

The dark one snapped his fingers twice and then I was out of the dress that the king had made for me and I was wearing something more fit for the forest. Boots, an outer piece with wool and then a cloak. It would definitely keep me warm.

"The outfit seems more appropriate for the forest." He said, giggling. "Now your king will have a delay in his journey home. You have a day with your thief. But you must return by midnight tomorrow." He explained.

"How will I find him?" I asked. I didn't know exactly where he was and I wanted to have as much time with him as I could get before I had to return.

"You two are in love, aren't you?" He asked and I nodded; at least I'd like to believe that. "Then you will find him. True love somehow always ends up finding each other." That sounded odd coming from him. How would he know anything about love? But I decided not to question it. I had what I wanted and soon he would get what he wanted from me.

I went to the window and looked out. I noticed all the guards posted outside the castle were unconscious. I smiled slightly. I could leave without being stopped. I could go find him and somehow, even without knowing for sure, I believed that I would find him.

"I'll find you, Robin." I said as then took the leap out the window. "I have faith I will."

A/N: I apologize that the chapter took so long. The last few weeks have been busy between Halloween and the last week I worked double time a few days at work. But I hope this chapter makes up for it. So Robin sent Regina love notes and she made a deal with the dark one so she can have a day with him. Will she find him?

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