Gone but never forgotten 9
Keep on keepin on/ we taking back a kingdom.
—
Emma wandered the castle in search of the king and queen.
"Miss Emma!" She heard queen Lilian voice from behind her.
"Oh queen Lilian, I was just looking for you." Emma said walking up to the queen.
"What can I aid you with?"
"Regina needs to travel back to her kingdom... I don't believe this is a wise plan but I do believe she'll do it without me if I don't help her."
Queen Lilian looked worried, "I'm sure you're right, she's always been strong willed that one."
"We'll be on our way then, I was going to ask if you'd lend us a carriage, Regina can't ride a horse in her condition."
"Of course! I'll have the stable prepare you with enough supplies for your journey right away."
Xx
When Emma returned to the room Cora was assisting Regina in getting dressed. She was wearing a beautiful tan color gown, with rhinestones along the seems, fit for a queen. In her hand was a cane and Cora was placing a beautiful silver crown on her head.
"In order for the kingdom to follow you you must look like a queen. But you also must act like one, be strong, keep your head up and victorious."
"Won't you come with us mother?" Regina asked.
"I am going to return to our estate and fetch your father. He will be thrilled to see you. We will join you at the castle as soon as we're able. Miss Swan will take care of you, isn't that right?" Cora looked at Emma with a knowing smile.
"Always." Emma replied without hesitation. Regina looked at Emma and her eyes just barely sparkled when she smiled sweetly at the woman.
"I'm going to poof home but I will need rest so your father and I will take a carriage to the castle, expect us in about three days time darling." Regina nodded and hugged her mother goodbye. Then she turned to Emma as Cora proofed away.
"Time to take back the kingdom."
Emma smiled at her and lent her an elbow to grip as they walked, Regina leaning heavily on her cane.
Xx
The carriage rumbled as they rode along. Emma and Regina were both seated in the back while two guards drove.
They pulled off the road and Emma opened the door to check what was going on.
"The horses just need a water break before we continue Lady Emma." One guard said as he unhitched the horses and let them to water. Emma returned to the cab where Regina was waiting, bouncing her knee anxiously.
"They're watering the horses, giving them a quick break, would you like to take a break, get some air?" Emma asked.
Regina smile at her and nodded. Emma held a hand out for Regina to take and helped her down the steps. Regina took a deep breath, inhaling all the nature that she'd been deprived of.
"We're taking the shortest route, we should be nearly to the castle by morning if we ride through the night."
Regina nodded but said nothing. She was worried about Snow. She knew the guards would protect her, they'd watched her grow up... but she also knew they were loyal to Leopold.
"What troubles you?" Emma asked.
"I'm just worried for Snow, she's so young and I know she's done a lot of growing up in the last couple of months... and that's mostly my fault but I'm still worried, she lived such a sheltered life."
"Snows tougher than she looks, I wouldn't worry until we have something to worry about." Emma says and takes Reginas hand in her own. Regina looks into her eyes and smiles. Emma just had a way of calming her down that she couldn't explain. They leaned closer together, their breath mingling, almost kissing until the guard returned with the horses and Emma jumped back, bashfully. Regina looked a little disheartened at the way Emma jumped away from her but kept her lips sealed and turned to the guard.
"Are the horses ready to keep moving?" She asked, and made her way back to the carriage, attempting to pull herself up but struggling.
"Regina... let me help." Emma said helping Regina up the steps. Regina grumbled but let Emma help her anyway.
Once seated in the cab Emma climbed in and sat back across from her. Regina looked out the small window as the carriage began to pick up speed and Emma simply watched Regina.
Xx
When they arrived at the gates of the castle the guard stopped them. From inside the cab Regina could here the driver say, "Queen Regina and Lady Emma have arrived."
The guard walked over to the door and opened it, there stood Graham, one of the knights that Regina had gotten to know well during her time at the castle, he was a kind a gentle man with a bit of a rough exterior.
"Regina! I'm so glad you're alright."
"Thank you Graham... I'm doing better now."
Emma cleared her throat.
"Oh Graham this is Miss Swan... I mean, Emma. She is the woman who uh... removed me from Leopold's custody.
"I quiet remember, big entrance, white flowy magic shooting out of her hands, not easy to forget." He laughed but it seemed heavy, like he was trying to make her feel better about when he had seen Emma, what had been going on.
"Indeed, she is something special for sure..." Regina said and glanced over at the woman with a soft smile.
"Well, I'll open the gate for you, Snow is inside with some of the villagers trying to explain the situation, she could probably use some help..."
Xx
In the main throne room Snow stood attempting to speak while fifteen villagers shouted at her. Two knights soon at her side protectively.
"Where is the Queen!?"
"What's becomes of the king!?"
"Where have you been all this time?"
Snow sighed and rubbed her head, when she thought of this idea it seemed like a good one but now she wasn't so sure.
Before she even had the change to try and talk to them again she hear the large doors open loudly and footsteps entering.
The steps were slow and uneven and they all looked to see who was entering.
Upon sight of their queen the villagers cheered, "Queen Regina!"
Regina walked toward Snow leaning heavily on her cane.
Snow rushed to her side and helped her to her seat.
"Thank you darling..." Regina said and placed a gentle hand on Snows cheek.
"Loyal subjects..." Regina started, looking to the villagers now. "What seems to be the problem?"
"We need leadership your majesty, with the king finally gone we thought you might listen to us." One woman said, who was holding a small child on her hip. Regina nodded, "of course, but before you speak I wish to say something. Princess Snow White is NOT to be treated with anything but your respect and love."
"But she ran away! She left you here to r-" one man shouted but Regina interrupted him.
"I told Snow to leave, I feared for her safety from her father just as I was no longer safe so I told her to run and she swore to me she would return for me. And she did. She saved me, she is my Saviour."