A:N/

I'm Back! Sorry for the wait, but enjoy 4k worth of story. A lot happens here, and its got a good amount of angst, and lfuff so not to worry. Our little hobbit come back! Please let me know what you think, your words would truly mean a lot to me.

Love, -Y

Chapter 9

She fought endlessly, but she couldn't move. The moment the green dust hit her nostrils she was paralyzed, and dammit she should have known what this was. How could she have been so stupid! She's heard of this world, of this state of in between the living and the dead, she knew its powers but she herself had never been there, not even sent anyone here. The spell it was ancient, one that Rumple didn't bother to teach her for, 'it's above your capabilities dearie'. And considering that man was one of the few people she knew that were able to cast this, she simply didn't know what to expect.

She rose carefully from the ground in which she landed, there was a thin layer of ash covering the floor, so she could only imagine what she looked like. She looked around but saw nothing, only the flames that could be seen from a door on the other side of the dark room. She tested her magic to no avail, and just the thought of being powerless at this moment scared the hell out of her, so when she heard footsteps approaching panic settled into her core like never before. But being the Queen she was, she looked fear in the face, she wouldn't back down, not from that imp, and not from the Green bitch who was undoubtedly a part of this whole charade. And sure enough when she turned around, Greenie was front and center.

"My, my haven't we lost our touch there sis? I'm surprised you fell for it to be honest. Although, knowing you like I do, I knew you wouldn't see this coming did we now?"

"What the hell do you want? Your monkeys weren't enough, now you have to render yourself this this place?"

"Oh no, you see this is exactly where I want you to be. You see, I've been waiting for our paths to cross for a very, very long time, and now that your here, well now I get to have some fun." She continued as she circled around Regina.

"You see, growing up in Oz, gaze me all sorts of time to think of ways to destroy you, but one of the best things I came across was my looking glass. You see, with this I saw everything I needed to see. I watched you get every single thing that was denied to me! You were given everything! A home, a family, you married a king for god's sakes! And yet, you spent your time chasing after some girl all! I mean seriously, grow up dear sister."

Regina had enough, she wasn't going to let this woman tell her that her life had been nothing but rainbows and sunshine. No.

"You. Have. No. Idea. What my life has been like." she said with clenched teeth as she was an inch from Zelena's face.

"Oh do be quiet please? Your whininess is giving me a headache." Zelena said as she backed away.

"See sis, the problem with you is that you have been handed everything to you upon a silver platter, and that's all going to change. Starting today, would like to know why?" She glared at Regina, and then the next second she appeared right in front of her. Apparently, she still had her magic, but worse was the need she held in her hand.

Regina went to back away, when out of the blue Zelena summoned the Dark One. The moment Regina Laid eyes on him she couldn't believe it, she thought of him dead from Pan's curse, but he was here, and when Zelena ordered him to restrain her, so he did. Regina felt herself being thrown against the wall, felt the blood trickling down her scalp and onto her neck, she couldn't move her hands, it felt like they were glued to the wall along with her legs.

"What are you doing? Let me go!" She yelled as she panicked, she didn't want this, she had never known this woman, not so much as even lived near her, and now she was paying for her mother's mistake.

"Oh, but where's the fun in that dear?" Zelena said she got closer. Regina looked to Rumple, begging with her eyes, but from the looks of it, he wanted to free her as much as she did. Zelena must have his dagger, it's the only explanation, she thought as he mouthed an 'I'm sorry' to her. Much good that was going to do. She tried everything in her to move so much as an inch, but it was useless, she was powerless.

"Now Regina dear," she said as a needle suddenly appeared in her hands, "while I may have to wait some time before the real fun begins, doesn't mean I can't start." she said as she smiled to Regina.

"And what the hell is that supposed to be?" Regina said.

"Oh this here? It's just my way of gracefully sending you back." She grinned wickedly, "But none the less, let's get down to business shall we? I wanted to give you an invitation, formally of course. You're going to meet me at Firefly Hill two nights from now."

"And why the hell would I do that."

"Because if you don't that little shield you have around the castle won't protect those people from me. I gave you and those peasants a break, but fail to meet me there, and you'll see just what I'm capable of." She said as she took Regina's face into her hands.

"Like hell you are." Regina hissed.

"Now as for this," Zelena said as she waived the needle in front of Regina's face, "this will take you back to your waking world, but not without a present, from me of course. So goodbye for now dear sister, and I'll see you soon." She smiled wickedly. Before Regina got a chance to say anything, Zelena pricked the needle into her wrist.

The moment it made contact with her skin it burned like fire, she thought she would have woken up front the sheer amount of pain she was in, but she gritted her teeth, and dropped to the floor. She looked up to see Zelena, but when she looked around she was alone once more. 'Why aren't I waking yet!' She thought to herself. She didn't know what Zelena had done to her, but the throbbing of her head, and the burning sensation on her wrist, she closed her eyes once more.

Then she heard it. His voice, his paralyzing voice that had haunted her for years. She felt her head spin just at the thought. He was dead. She killed him.

She rose to her feet, looking around, she backed away slowly when her back collided with something, or more like someone. She froze in place, her eyes widening, her heart dropping to her stomach, she felt her blood run cold through her body. This couldn't be happening. Not again. Then he spoke.

"Regina my dear, it's been so long." The King spoke as he raised his hands to touch her waist.

The moment his hand made contact she turned around and started walking away from him. He wasn't real, she had killed him, his wasn't real was all she could think. He couldn't hurt her.

"Don't touch me!" She scream to him. "You're dead. You're not real. Get the hell away from me!"

"That is no way to speak to your husband!" He hollered as he closed the distance and slapped her hard against her face, causing her to fall to the ground. She felt like she was suddenly 17 again, powerless and useless against this man. The man who took away her innocence, who ruined and marked her for the rest of her life.

"You will never be anyone's but mine, get that through your head! You are mine, and mine alone." He said as he started to approach her again. She tried to crawl away, but failed. He managed to stop her, grabbed her hands and forcefully brought her to her feet.

"When will you ever learn to not disrespect me Regina? We've been over this time and time again. It only ends up worse for you, you know this my Queen."

She struggled against his hold, until he moved his hand to her bicep, and the other to her neck, holding her with such force that she knew would bruise, if he didn't choke the life out of her first. He moved her backwards and slammed her body against the wall behind them.

She thought she was going to vomit, when he moved his face to her neck, and tried to bite her as she knew he would, something he did to her years ago. But she lifted her knee, and hit him right in between his legs causing him to double over in pain.

She slid away from him trying to catch her breath, her hand shooting to her neck trying to protect herself. She turned her face and saw him on his knees, but everything started to go fuzzy and she fell to her knees.

The room around her echoed her name, a man's voice, his voice. Robins voice.

She turned her face searching for him, but when she saw the King stand, bracing himself on the wall, trying to reach her once more, she knew she was too weak to fight it. She fell to her knees once more, the room growing darker and darker, and her vison failing her, as she curled into herself more.

Before she gave into the pain, the last thing she thought of was the man with the blue eyes. ".. Robin?"

He had searched for her in the dining hall that morning, he still couldn't believe what had occurred between them the night before, but all he wanted was to see her thins morning. He thought he could persuade her to take a walk around the castle grounds with Roland, his boy who shot up from bed faster than Robin had ever seen him do in his little life after hearing his Papa's plans. So off they went in search for 'Gina' as Roland had adequately put it. When they found the dining hall, they saw she was not there yet. Robin managed to leave Roland with Will and Little John with the promise to his son of bring Regina to him.

It wasn't until he made it up the stairs to her room that he saw her. Her back was turned to face him, all he could see was Snow and David. He decided to hang back, knowing she may not want to make a public display, and he wasn't about to go and ruin the trust she had given him, so he leaned against the wall, watching her. He wasn't able to hear what was going on, but when Snow handed her something, he saw the cloud of green dust that surrounded her face, and the next second she was falling to the ground.

He was next to her in seconds, surprising both Snow and David. He looked to them, asking what the hell had happened to her, they said they had received a letter with Regina's name written on it. Not knowing what was happening, he gathered Regina onto his arms, and made way to her room, ignoring the confused looks on the Royals face.

Panic settled quickly onto him, he placed her on her bed, and brushed the hair away from her face asking David to get him some water, and a rag. While she may have been unconscious, her body was trembling, mumbling words he didn't quit understand. She thrashed from side to side, he tried to calm her and hold her down, but it seemed to make things worse, so he let go of her hands.

He looked to Snow once more, but before he could ask her anything, she let out a startled gasp, and told him to look back at her.

What he saw made his eyes grow wide.

As Regina turned her head, they saw the pillow stained with blood, he tried to reach out to her, but it was as if she was possessed, she fought against him and ended up on the floor. It was agony watching her like this. He didn't know what it was, but it had to be some sort of magic, for this wasn't just a nightmare.

By the time David made it back to the room, there were bruises on Regina's arms, along with a nasty red looking burn on her wrist. He walked in when Robin and Snow were practically yelling and begging for her to wake, and the closer he got, the greater his worry, for Regina laid on the ground gasping for air, as a bruise on her neck was slowly forming. Whatever was happening to her, they needed to find a way to wake her. Quickly.

As he passed the bucket of water to Snow and the cloth to Robin, Regina had managed to calm down some, no longer violently shaking, as Robin held her in his arms. He looked to his wife as she had tears running down her face, quietly begging Regina to wake. Robin on the other hand, used the cloth with the cold water and gently cleaned her face, whispering words that David could barely hear over Snows cries.

It felt like an eternity, but a couple of minutes later they heard her.

"..Robin?"

"Regina, Regina love I'm right here. Can you her me?" Robin said as he tried to coax her awake.

"Open your eyes for me milady, please, open them" he said as he caressed her face.

It wasn't until that she opened her eyes, and fought her way through the haze in them that she came to her senses, and when she did, she panicked. Nothing registered to her at first, she screamed when she felt arms around her thinking she was still with the King, in that god awful place.

"Please to don't hurt me! Please!" She yelled as she fought against the arms that surrounded her.

She manage to escape his hold, and pushed her self until her back collided with the wall near her bed.

David, Snow and Robin were completely shocked, they had no idea what she had just been through. Their hearts broke at the sight in front of them, Regina had curled herself into the corner of the wall, hugging her knees impossibly tight to her chest, shaking her head, and screaming out 'no, no, please. I promise I'll be good, just don't hurt me, please' over and over again.

It wasn't until that moment that something clicked in Snows head. It was déjà vu, she's heard her say these words before, years ago. A night she had woken to Regina's frantic screams, not knowing what was going on, a younger Snow walked out of her chambers to find her father hovering over Regina. She remembers walking up to her father, when she saw Regina's tear stained face, hands cupping her right cheek.

"Daddy?" Young Snow had said.

"My little Snow Bell, what are you doing out of bed?" He father was said.

"I heard someone screaming Daddy. Regina what's wrong?" Snow had said as she was being lifted by her father.

"Don't worry child, Regina just… well you know how clumsy she is, she fell again. But she's all better now, and she's going to put you in bed, aren't you my dear wife." He had said.

It was Robin's sudden movement that snapped Snow out of her trance. "Oh god, what did he do?" She said as she sobbed into her hands.

….

Robin couldn't take it anymore, his he felt his heart literally shatter at the thought of her thinking he was going to hurt her. Whatever nightmare she had woken from, she was still traumatized by it, she was having a panic attack right before his eyes, and he needed to help her, to help snap her out of this. So he carefully started moving to her, and when he got closer she grew frantic. Shaking her head worse than before, flailing her hands at every which way. He tried calling out for her, but when it gave no results he raised his voice. "REGINA!" he all but hollered, as much as he hated to do it, it seemed to still her.

So he tried once more, moving slowly towards her.

"Regina, its Robin, love. It's Robin."

He didn't want to approach her until he was sure she had registered where she was.

Ever so slowly Regina raised her head, brown eyes wide with fear as they moved around the room, but when her eyes locked with his, her face fell, as she whispered, "Is that really you?"

As he nodded, he made his way to her, finally reaching out to touch her hands. And when he managed to touch her, she all but flew onto to him, her hands wrapping around his neck as her sobs wrecked her small frame.

His hands instantly wrapped around her, thanking the gods that she was finally out of that haze. His hands were rubbing her back, while the other gingerly combed through her hair until she calmed down enough for him to pull her face to him. He lifted her chin for her to meet his eyes.

"Regina, what happened?"

She closed her eyes, as tears continued to run down her face, her lips pressed together, and she shook her head. "I can't Robin, not now please." She cried softly. "Just please, hold me. Please?" She cried as she moved her face into his chest and wept.

He held her tighter against him, but he didn't press her any further. Whatever had just happened to her, she wasn't ready to talk about. So he rocked her back and forth.

A few minutes later her breathing had calmed, she wasn't sleeping for the hold on his shirt just grew tighter. He turned his head, to see Snow and David there. He couldn't read Snows expression but she looked as if she had just seen a ghost. He looked over to David, and pleaded with his eyes to give them some privacy. David nodded his head, wrapped his arms around Snow, and ushered them out.

/

Robin stayed there holding Regina, and when he heard the door shut, he moved his face closer to her ear.

"Regina, let's get you cleaned up ok?

At her nod, he lifted himself up far enough to wrap his arms around her waist, and another under her knees, and carried her to the bathroom. He sat her on the edge of the tub, her face emotionless, and her eyes blood shoot with tears. He drew her a bath, but felt uncomfortable undressing her. When he told her he was going to get her someone to help her, she grabbed is hand and shook her head. "Please don't go."

"… Ok. Would you like me to help you or should I leave you?"

Never in her life had someone treated her with such delicacy, she was close to tears at the thought. So instead of answering, she gave him a small smile, and weakly rose to her feet. She turned, and without a thing to say, Robin undid the laces to her dress. He helped her out of it, his body tensing at the scar on her back, going from one shoulder down to the middle of her back, the bruising around her ribs, far more recent than the nasty scar.

"I can feel your staring you know" she whispered, she knew all too well what she looked like.

"I'm sorry milady, but this," he said as his fingers traced her scar, "who did this to you?"

She stepped out of her dress, and stepped into the tub, now filled with warm water. She lowered herself, letting the water soak her skin, and breathing in the smell. Lavender, he must have placed some in.

Robin could sense her uneasiness, but he let her go quite for a few minutes.

"Regina, please talk to me." He pleaded.

She opened her eyes, slowly to look at him, she brought her knees to her chest once more, and wrapped her arms around them.

"Robin, please not now okay? I just….. I can't right now."

He looked at the sadness in her eyes, and granted her wish. Instead he grabbed the soap, and sponge and washed her back, then soaked her hair until it was blood free. He left for a brief moment, telling her he needed to get her clothes, and bandages, while she dried off.

He returned a few moment later and found her sitting on the bench with towel dried hair, and said towel wrapped around her. As much as he was worried for her, he couldn't help but think how truly stunning she looked right then and there, broken cracks and all, she never looked more beautiful. And as if she could feel his gaze, she looked up and smiled at him. The bath seemed to help, for she looked a bit better. He walked to her, and helped her get dressed. He then took time so wrapped the wound on her wrist in some bandage before taking her hand and walking her to her bed. As he was about to draw the covers back for her to lay on it, they heard a knock on the door, and the voice of a frantic little four year old screaming for his Gina.

"Papa! You promised you'd bring Gina! Open up I wanna see her!" Her little knight yelled.

Robin turned to see Regina, only to see her smiling, as she made her way to her doors. The moment she opened it, she met Little Johns eyes, and felt Roland crash onto her legs. She gave John a smile, and nodded as she picked up the child, and drew him to her hips.

"Thank you John" She said. The gentle giant gave her a smile, and looked over her shoulder and nodded to Robin. With that he left, and Regina closed the door.

"Hello my Little Knight."

"Gina! Papa cheated! He said he was going to bring you to me so we can a'venture today! But he never brought you! Papa! You cheated! You stayed with Gina without me!" Roland exclaimed with such indignity as he could muster.

"Its ok Roland, I wasn't feeling well and your Papa just helped me. But you know what would make me feel even better?" She asked as she nuzzled her nose with his. The child was simply adorable, and when his little face scrunched up, and he brought his little finger to tap his nose, she fell for him even more. So he shook his little hair, mops of curls moving freeing bout his face, and she whispered to in his ear. He pulls away from her long enough for him to beam her a power watt dimpled smile, and nodding his head.

She made her way back to her bed, placing the child on it first. She took his little jacket off, and removed his shoes. She wasn't planning on leaving this room today, and so she conjured up some PJ's for the young boy, and helped him into them. Laughing as he was thrilled of her magic, his amazement of the new garments and helped him into them. When she was done, she raised her head to find Robin starring at the two.

He watched in a trance, enamored at the care this woman had for his child. She was beautiful, and resilient.

She smiled kindly towards him, and made her way onto the bed. She held out her hand, and when Robin removed his jacket and shoes, he crawled into bed. It wasn't even noon, but the two adults were completely drained. So Robin arranged some pillows, and laid himself down upon them, extending out his arm so Regina could lay with him. She curled into him, his arms wrapping around her, her back to his chest, and they lay there listening to the little boy talk a mile a minute about the new adventures they would go on. Bouncing on and off the bed, running from one side of the room, causing Regina to laugh over and over again. Robin enjoyed every moment of it, but from her labored breathing he could tell she was in some sort of pain. So he was gratefully when Roland climbed back into the bed, and snuggled himself into her arms. He fell asleep with his nose buried in her chest, and his arms wrapped around her, while her hands rubbed absentmindedly through his hair.

The queen's chambers had never been filled with so much laughter than it did in those precious hours, with Roland and Robin, she knew what was to come in the next two days, but she decided to loose herself in this moment, with Robins arms around her, and her little knight tucked beside her. She sighed heavily, turned her body, dragging Roland with her as she snuggled the boy and herself into Robins embrace. She fell asleep while he rubbed circles on her back.

When she woke an hour later, she would tell him what happened, she would tell him of who was there, and when she did, it took everything he had in him for his rage not to overpower him. Just the thought of someone hurting her the way that man did, he was glad he was dead, for if he were right in front of him, he would kill him himself. Again.

She didn't tell him of her sisters demand about seeing her in two days, nor did she tell him everything about her life with the 'noble king' no. She cried in his arms as he tried to sooth her nightmares away, promising that she was strong, and brave, and beautiful. And when the little boy in her arms stirred, and wiped away her tears, she cried harder.

The Hood men made it their mission that day to pamper her, and show her the love they had. They eventually made it out of her bed, but didn't get very far, they ended up on the floor, where Regina introduced both children to crayons and markers. She found Roland didn't know how to read or write but the child had an act for drawing. So she would see to it that he would learn.

They made it to the dining hall after almost everyone was gone, Snow made an attempt to speak with her, But one look from Regina to Robin, had the man telling the Princess that perhaps another time. When she left, Regina gave Robin an appreciative smile, silently thanking him.

The two outlaws ended their night in the Queens chambers once more, and when sleep found them they were curled into each other, Roland in Regina's arms, and Regina in Robins.

She basked in the care and protectiveness Roland and Robin gave her, for tomorrow she had a battle to prep for.

Don't forget to leave your thoughts!