Standard Disclaimer: These lovely characters ain't mine, I just play with them gently. Please don't sue me. The mistakes are mine, though.
Chapter 31 – Goodbye is a Prelude to Hello
For a few seconds after arriving at the crossroads, the full circle of her journey now completed, Regina gapes in awe at Ozma. Their earlier misunderstanding is all but forgotten. Ozma returns a smile of her own, aware of how impressed she is by the transportation spell and how none of them show a single symptom of aftereffects. Even Dorothy, who has proven susceptible to such magic, is not the least bit queasy.
What's more, the feeling of Ozma's magic encompassing and suffusing her entire being was so wonderful, so comforting and inviting and friendly that she can barely make heads or tails of it. Dark Magic has a seductive pull to it, not unlike illicit substances, while True Love magic is joyfully rapturous. Ozma's, though, is unlike anything she has ever experienced in her life. It is overwhelming yet sublime, intoxicating yet sobering, frightening yet comforting. In other words, it is simply marvelous.
For a moment the two friends are lost in their mutual appreciation. But then an evening lark chirps in the near distance, happier than any bird has any right to be, and it reminds Regina of where they are and of the fact that the hour is growing late. The sun is low in the sky as evening transitions into night, and in the distance, she can see that the faint lights of the Emerald City are more vibrant than they were the first time she saw them from here. Where once it was merely a speck of dull green light, now it is glowing under a large translucent green sphere with shafts of vertical light shooting into the sky before passing out of sight into the atmosphere that are the exact same color as Ozma's magic. There is no avoiding the correlation. Ozma's return has breathed life into Oz – into the grass which is greener, the wildlife that is more jubilant, and the trees which are fuller and stouter somehow, and into the city itself which seems vibrant in a way it was not before.
Again Regina gazes at Ozma, who is still smiling at her while Dorothy and Snow chat about something nearby. She can feel Ozma's love for her pouring out of the tall and angelic woman, who in that moment is so lovely and pure and wonderful that Regina is seized by a feeling of devotion only exceeded by that she feels for her True Love. Such is the potency of this feeling that if it were possible, she would never leave Oz, if only so she could remain close to Ozma.
"Regina, are you coming?" Snow asks, breaking the spell between Regina and her half-fairy friend.
Regina clears her throat before answering. "Yes, yes," she says, and then surveys the surrounding area searching for a sign Jefferson, who she's told to remain nearby. She finds him seated not three hundred yards away, leaning against a nearby tree. Judging by the way his head is askew and his chin propped against his chest, he is fast asleep. Determined to leave at once, she almost starts to walk in his direction to shake him awake only to dismiss the idea of being nice upon remembering what he has.
An idea then pops into her head as to how to regain possession of her heart. With wicked smile upon her face, she lifts the pouch Ozma had returned to her up to her waist and then retrieves Jefferson's heart from it. She feels Snow stiffen at her side when she holds up to her lips.
"Regina..." Snow draws out from where she is standing with Ozma and Dorothy, clearly concerned by what is going to happen when she ought not be.
Ignoring her, Regina whispers into it, "Wake up, Jefferson."
In an instant, the hatter's eyes open. Bleary-eyed, he casts them about the area, and when they land on Regina holding his heart, she can see the horrified expression wash over him. He opens his mouth as if to shout protests or obscenities or some colorful combination of both, but she stops him with another whisper. "No talking. Stand up and come over here."
"What are you doing?" Snow then asks, stepping next to Regina. "You promised." Her eyes are pleading as if she believes Regina to on the cusp of crushing his heart. The notion is not completely without merit, but considering all they've been through and that they still need Jefferson, Snow's worry is absurd.
"I'm not going to do anything immoral, dear," Regina reassures, and then commands Jefferson to stop as he draws withing arms reach. She takes a step forward, his heart gleaming and pulsing in her hand. His eyes are trained on it. "Look at me," she then orders. Jefferson has no choice but to comply, and when his eyes meet hers, all she can see is desperation and half-crazed anger. "Calm down," she says to him, holding out his heart. "I have no intention of harming you." To prove that, she does not speak into his heart, but to him directly. "Before I replace your heart, I want you to return mine to me." Jefferson gives her a look that is very nearly murderous, and to a large degree she understands his rage. She cannot, however, take any chances with her heart. When he makes no move to do as she asked, she sighs. "Please don't make me force you."
Teeth gritted with what must be painful force, he reaches into the pouch she had given him and retrieves her heart. When he holds it out to her, she notes that little has changed in it save for a new coin-sized patch of crimson glowing upon the base.
She extends her free hand palm up. "Place it gently in my hand."
Rather than fight her, he does as she asks, and the second her heart is in her hand, Regina shoves it back into her chest. Reunited with her heart, she feels a torrential swell of so many disparate but extreme emotions, preeminent among them her love for Red, that her knees nearly buckle – she hadn't been expecting so visceral a reaction considering how little feeling she'd lost upon removing it.
"Are you okay?" Dorothy asks, having spotted Regina's slight sway. Snow and Ozma had missed it as they watched Jefferson to make sure he did not make any kind of threatening movements.
"Thank you for asking, but I'm fine, dear," Regina answers with a slightly discomforted smile. She then turns back to Jefferson. "And now, as promised..." Without any warning whatsoever, she plunges the hand holding his heart back into his chest and replaces it.
Jefferson lurches violently on both impact and withdrawal, and rubs at his chest once Regina has stepped back. "That was totally unnecessary," he growls.
"Was it?" she poses, brow quirked. "Or were you not entertaining thoughts of controlling me once I returned." He flushes again, but not in anger. "As I thought. Ordinarily, I would be incensed at such impudence. Fortunately for you, I require haste getting back home. I assume since you have a daughter waiting for you, that would be to your liking as well. Or am I wrong?"
"No, you're not," he sighs, still rubbing at his chest. "Let's just get this over with so I can get back to Grace and try to forget about this damn hat for a while."
"A noble pursuit," says Regina, "but keep it handy in case there is need for it again. You are too valuable to retire just yet."
Jefferson scowls in her direction. "I don't work for you, Regina, and I sure as hell don't trust you. Why would I help you again after that little stunt you just pulled?"
Regina tuts, one corner of her lips turned up. "I should think it obvious. I could have done so much worse. I had you at my beck and call, and yet all I did was return what belonged to you after you did the same for me. I honored our agreement, just with some added...flair. And don't forget that I entrusted you with my heart in the first place." He beings to reply, but she holds up a hand to stop him. After a glance at Ozma, who smiles and nods, she then says, "If that, however, is not reason enough for you, perhaps I can arrange something more material to secure your services in the future."
Jefferson's eyes narrow at that. "Are you trying to bribe me?"
Regina laughs a moment before shaking her head. "No, Jefferson, I'm trying to promote you. You said quite accurately that you do not work for me. Well, I would like to amend that, and as it just so happens, the position comes with benefits."
"Such as?" Although his visage remains clouded with skepticism, his interest is evident in his tone.
Regina grins. Gotcha, she thinks, thanking Ozma for her advice. Out loud, she pitches her offer, "A parcel of land of your choosing, the size of which is open to later negotiation, and a minor title should that be of interest to you. Take one, take both. The choice is yours."
After a moment of contemplation during which Regina is pleased to see that he is genuinely interested in her offer, Jefferson says, "I'll think about it."
"You do that," Regina replies, "but don't take too long. I am not a patient woman."
"I won't."
"Good. Now that we have we've settled that, it's time for us to return home."
Jefferson makes a noise of acquiescence before bowing, somewhat condescending in the way he delivers it, but still respectful enough that Regina lets the impudence slide. For now. "I'll go get my hat," he then says, and turns away.
As Jefferson walks off toward the forest in the near distance, Regina turns back to her friends. Dorothy and Ozma as standing side-by-side, hands entwined between them, shoulders touching lightly. They are both fighting tears, and seeing them so emotional makes Regina emotional as well. Tears well up in her eyes as well, knowing that this parting will see them sundered for a long while.
"I don't know what to say to the two of you," she begins, voice choked. She addresses Dorothy first. "You saved our lives back in the Emerald City and then asked for nothing in return. Later, you took an arrow meant for me, saving my life yet again. You even went so far as to protect me from my own foolish recklessness, chancing my ire to save me a third time. And as if that was not enough, you stood with me against my sister, knowing full well the danger you were placing yourself in. Your bravery is an inspiration. I owe you a debt I can never repay."
Dorothy blushes to the roots of her hair under such praise. "You owe me nothing," she replies in her modest and forthright way as a tear leaks down her sculpted cheek. "I saved your life because it was the right thing to do, and you repaid me a thousand fold by defeating the Wicked Witch. You have freed our people from her unholy reign. It is us who owe you a debt."
Unaccustomed to blushing, Regina shifts nervously for a moment before settling herself enough to respond. "Let us consider our debts canceled out then."
Dorothy smiles at that. "Works for me, my friend."
Regina returns the brunette warrior's smile. "Thank you for that, Dorothy...for being my friend, that is. I don't have many of those."
"Well, you've made two here in Oz." The sincerity of Dorothy's declaration stirs Regina's heart, and she is doubly affected when Ozma adds, "Well said, my love."
Regina directs her gaze to Ozma, her fellow Queen, a woman she feels such a kindred spirit for that it is hard to describe. "And to you, my dear Queen Ozma," she says, "I give thanks for your hospitality. You took Snow and I in when you did not have to. Your graciousness is equaled only by your beauty, and that is indeed unrivaled save for my own personal biases. I have delighted in your company, particularly when you and Dorothy are bantering like an old married couple, which made me feel close to Red even though we are worlds apart. Without thought for yourself, you restored me with your own energy simply because you knew how important it is for me to return home expeditiously. I wish there was a better way with which to convey my gratitude than this inadequate speech."
Ozma wipes a tear from her eye as she sniffles. "Further thanks is unnecessary. You are not alone in your feelings. I, too, have been assuaged by your presence. The two of you brought a feeling of family to our little home that I think Dorothy will agree has been been lacking," Dorothy nods in agreement with her assumption, "though we were ignorant of it until your arrival. I have had no visitors to my cabin except for Dorothy since Zelena took the Emerald City and drove me into hiding, and it did grow lonely out here while she spent that year...away."
Ozma still looks disconcerted by what Dorothy endured in Zelena's clutches, and Regina sympathizes with her. She can't imagine how she would feel if someone did to Red what Zelena did to Dorothy. She knows at Ozma is strong, though, and that she and Dorothy will help each other through their pain, just as Regina knows she and Red will.
"Would that I could bottle up the warmth and camaraderie we have shared," Ozma continues. "But alas, I cannot. I will have to settle for the precious memories left behind and anticipate the promise of many future gatherings between us and our families."
"Hopefully those reunions will happen sooner rather than later," Snow says, to which all echo enthusiastic agreement.
"Now, before you depart," Ozma then says, "I have prepared something for both of you. A gift, really, or a token of our mutual affection," she amends, gesturing for Snow to stand next to Regina. Once the diminutive former bandit has drawn up to Regina's side, Ozma snaps her fingers. Two keys crested with her personal sigil appear in her hands, gilded in gold and gleaming in the sunlight afternoon sunlight. She approaches, Dorothy following along still holding her hand, and extends the keys out toward them.
"These are the keys to the Emerald City itself," she then explains. "They will open any door within it's walls. I, Ozma, Queen of Oz, bestow them upon you as an offering of friendship, not only to the two heroes who saved our land from the Wicked Witch, but who are as dear to my heart as any other, save one." She smiles at Dorothy, who smiles back at her. "They may also serve as the symbol of an alliance between our kingdoms should that be of interest to either of you." Ozma winks at Regina, showing that she had chosen her some of words purposefully as a play on what she'd said to Jefferson.
Regina chuckles, but sobers quickly at the gravity of Ozma's offer. "I accept your offer on behalf of Misthaven," she says, and after a respectful curtsy and a bow of her head, takes one of the proffered keys.
"I accept as well," follows Snow. Once she had repeated the proper deference to Ozma, she takes the remaining key, and then adds, "I will, of course, have to ratify our alliance with my council first, but I see no reason why any should object when I inform them of what happened here."
"Of course," replies Ozma. "I also will have to follow protocol. It is but a formality, however."
"As it is it for me," adds Regina. "I daresay the council will accede without protest. After what I've been through the past week, they'll know better than to oppose me."
Snow nods fervently. "Exactly. Nobles are greedy, not stupid." She then gestures toward Ozma and Dorothy. "I know we've only known one another a little over a day, but what we have formed here goes beyond the scope of kingdoms and monarchs and nobles. Our hearts have already ratified the special bond we built here in so short a time. No matter what, the two of you have earned my personal loyalty and friendship."
"I heartily concur," Regina confirms, impressed by Snow's very adequate response.
Just then, Ozma glances behind them, and Regina looks back over her shoulder to see Jefferson approaching with his hat in hand.
"Well," Ozma says in a forced tone that is falsely wistful, "I believe this is goodbye."
"Goodbye is merely a prelude for hello," Dorothy amends, giving Regina and Snow a watery smile. "Instead, let's say...farewell for now and may we meet again."
"May we meet again," Ozma echoes, eyes swimming with unshed tears.
Regina swallows around the lump in her throat, but manages to get out her own wishful oath that is proceeded by Snow's. "May we meet again."
"Alright," Jefferson then speaks up from behind them. "Let's get this show on the road." They turn to see his hat already on the ground.
When Snow and Regina reach Jefferson and his hat, they begin to jump in only to halt at Ozma's voice. She careens forward, waving a piece of parchement in her hand. "Wait!" she calls as she hurries to them, Dorothy once again following in her wake. When she reaches them, she thrusts the page toward Regina. "You'll need this once you get home."
Regina takes it and skims over the words on the page. Though they are written in a foreign tongue, the words jump out at her in a way that she is able to understand them. No doubt the effect is due to an enchantment Ozma has cast upon the paper. She glances up at her friend, appreciation shining in her eyes. "Thank you for this, Ozma," she breathes.
"What is it?" Snow asks, looking at the page curiously.
"It is the instructions for brewing the counteragent to nullify the reagent Zelena added to her curse," Ozma explains. "While Regina was asleep and I said I was going for a walk to clear my head, I was not exactly being honest. In truth, I magicked myself to the Emerald City and paid a visit to a certain wizard whose knowledge of chemistry made the reagent possible in the first place."
"Ozma!" Dorothy shouts in protest. "That was reckless! You should have taken one of us to guard you."
When Ozma starts to argue, Regina nods and speaks up. "I agree with Dorothy," she tells Ozma, who looks at her sporting a wounded expression of mock betrayal. Regina shrugs. "It was foolish to go alone, but that doesn't mean I'm not grateful. I am. I might have been fumbling around my chemistry books for days searching for a viable recipe had you not procured this for me."
"Which is why I did it," Ozma says, face grave. "There is not enough time for you to conduct such extensive research."
"What do you mean by that?" Snow asks, eyes suddenly wide and fearful.
"While I met with the wizard, he explained that the reagent Zelena used expedites the process of the curse. You must hurry, Regina. Your Red has only days to live, if that."
The news spurs Regina into immediate action. "Then we must depart at once." With one last glance at Ozma and Dorothy, who are urging her with their eyes to do what she must, she tells them, "I will see you both soon," and then she jumps headlong into the portal.
She does not bother waiting for Snow upon reaching the Hall of Doors, trusting that her companion will follow swiftly. Rather, she moves to stand before the door that will lead her back home to the Dark Palace.
As she waits those few seconds for Snow and Jefferson to arrive, she experiences a bout of anxiety that has her heart palpitating within her chest. After all of this, after nearly dying to Zelena, having to flee the Wheelers, being saved by Snow from certain death and then again by Dorothy, she is on the home stretch now. Red waits just beyond the door. And yet Regina can only stress over what she'll find when she arrives.
Ozma's parting declaration lingers in her mind. If the wizard was correct in predicting how much time Red has left, there should be enough for her to make the potion. But at the same time, she has received an estimate for Red's demise from one incredibly knowledgeable source already. Few know more about curses then the Dark One, and he had been wrong. Or he lied to her. Whatever the case, Regina cannot help but worry about whether the wizard's predictions will hold true. After all, he is purportedly a chemist of great skill and renown, but she has heard nothing of his knowledge of magic. So while it is possible Red has days yet, she may also have more or less, and it is the latter that terrifies her straight past sensible reaction and out upon the bleeding precipice of panic.
A moment later Snow arrives in the Hall, and Jefferson right behind her, hat in hand, so Regina cannot stew for long on her trepidation.
"After you," she tells Jefferson, who nods curtly, opens the door and then passes though. Regina next gestures for Snow to step through.
Snow dutifully obeys, but pauses to touch Regina's arm at the elbow. "She'll be okay," she says in that sunny way of her. "Have faith."
It is startling to Regina how easily Snow is able to read her now when she used to remain so very ignorant. But then again, she was a child then and is a Queen now. Though her personality has not changed, there is a vast gulf of experience between the woman Snow became and the girl she was, and with that experience has come an intuitiveness that she'd once lacked.
Regina nods tightly, throat constricted as she replies, "I'm trying."
With a final squeeze to Regina's elbow, Snow smiles and then heads to the door and steps through it. Regina does not linger, following immediately behind.
In seconds, she is back in the courtyard from which she had departed two days ago with Snow and Jefferson, and as Regina takes in the hellish scene around her, a cold chill runs up her spine. This is not the pristine courtyard she had left behind. Something terrible has happened, and she is almost afraid to find out what.