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 37 – Ceremonial Preparations
One Year Later
"Are you ready yet, darling?" Regina asks, resisting the urge to poke her head around the privacy screen. Red has been shrouded behind it for the past several minutes, trying on one of the dresses she'd brought from home.
For some reason, Red had elected to forsake dressing in plain view of one another by sequestering herself behind the thin paper barrier. Regina is not exactly sure why there is any need for privacy since they see each other naked on a regular basis. She suspects it has something to do with how nervous Red is about the upcoming ceremony.
This afternoon they are set to attend an event of monumental importance to kingdoms spanning two worlds. Red has been almost as anxious about formalizing this alliance as she was about being crowned, which is interesting because the night before their wedding, she was so nervous she threw up. There was no vomiting last night, thank the gods, but she had all but worn a rut in the gleaming marble flooring of their chambers as if she were a prisoner on the verge of visiting one of King Stefan's infamous guillotines. The only pause to the frenetic pacing was to beg Regina for yet another practice run of the precise timing required of them as they walked the aisle toward their friends, never mind that she had committed it to memory more than a month before. As a matter of fact, she was so tightly wound the only reason she slept at all last night was because Regina finally got frustrated with the tossing and turning and arranged a sleeping remedy to be brought to their room. Red had the good sense to take it without complaint, having understood by Regina's tight expression that resistance was not a viable option.
While their wedding was a grand affair attended by foreign royals, dignitaries from near and far, and as many ordinary citizens as could pack the citadel, the upcoming ceremony is on an another scale altogether. Initiating the accord between Oz, Misthaven, and the White Kingdom is certain to be the sort of spectacle that dwarfs all others in terms of scale and impact. Rare is the occasion upon which three powerful kingdoms officially establish an alliance ensuring their mutual defense, guaranteeing free trade between them, and securing universal rights for their respective citizens. When most monarchs cannot be bothered to care for petty issues that plague their realms, what they are doing today will make history. It is of no small consequence that Red will play an integral part in its inauguration.
Needless to say, the pressure on them both is enormous. In the interest of fairness, however, only one of them was groomed from the time she could read and write for exactly this sort of pivotal moment. Regina spent her formative years as royal stock learning how to overcome nervousness and carefully manage her demeanor in high pressure situations. On a daily she was made to practice skills and develop intangible virtues every good ruler should possess, which ensured she was more than ready to tackle any demands that responsibility might thrust upon her. Including the formation of an unprecedented alliance that may very well drastically alter the political landscapes of two disparate worlds. She was, in a manner of speaking, born to do this.
Red, on the other hand, spent her childhood believing the highest level of success she could attain would be to become a wife, mother, and homemaker. Admirable aspirations as those are to any woman whose heart lies in that direction, societal and cultural expectations stifled any dreams of expanding beyond the limits of those well-defined borders. In Perrault, the agrarian village Red's grandmother raised her in, there were precious few opportunities outside of cottage industries for young women ambitious enough to seek professional fulfillment earning a living. Eugenia herself was an example of this, having among other things scraped out a modest income knitting blankets, sewing garments of nearly every fashion popular in the region, and raising chickens for poultry and eggs to sell. Red had assumed that if she was lucky, that would be her inheritance once she married and had children.
To say the least, it is a far cry from raising and maintaining two dozen chickens to representing a country a quarter of a million inhabitants strong. Considering the extreme dichotomy of those expectations, it is really a wonder Red has handled her transition as well as she has. Some irrational fretting is to be expected. Frankly, if that's the worst she does she'll have done a better job adapting than Regina would have in her place when she had only done so out of necessity. The truth is, as a young woman she would have been happy to exchange places with Red having viewed the traditional roles many women view as a prison as an idyllic aspiration. But that is beside the point.
The fact that the ceremony will offer Red the first opportunity to observe Ozma in her natural environment has only further inflamed Red's agitation. Upon their arrival, the enchanting Queen of Oz had unfortunately been caught up in unexpected business to the east that required her immediate attention, thus rendering her unable to greet her guests at the Royal Palace. Dorothy received them in her place. Being a courteous host, Ozma was kind enough to leave profuse apologies by way of her lover in addition to a handwritten letter addressed to both Regina and Red suggesting they all – along with the Charmings – spend the following day together milling about the city. The note also included a reiteration of the procedures involved in officiating the alliance she had conveyed on her two-day solo visit – using a magic pair of silver slippers – a month prior. It then concluded with an assurance that she would return in time for the ceremony to begin as scheduled. The latter was a relief to Regina, who generally did not tolerate delays very well.
With Ozma absent, Dorothy stepped fluidly into the role of welcoming committee and guide. The afternoon of their arrival, she took them on an official tour of the Palace, which was a constant source of amazement in and of itself. All of the shadows cast by its previous occupant have vanished and were replaced by an effervescent light that seemed to radiate from every surface. No explanation was require for Regina to deduce that the gloom of the Wicked Witch had all but been eradicated by Ozma's magic. The tapestries were more colorful, the carpets more lush, and the wood and metal trimmings more brilliant. There was a lively background hum in the air that lent an aura of excitement to every breath. Every nook and cranny her eyes fell upon felt rejuvenated by the return of the embodiment of all that is good about the fantastical land of Oz. All over again, Regina was awestruck by the majestic power inherent to her half-fairy friend.
In all, the tour took much longer than expected, as the Royal Palace of Oz is at the very least twice as large as the Dark Palace. During those hours, Snow's prediction over a year before came true: Red and Dorothy made fast friends. The two tall brunettes chatted up a storm as Dorothy led them down various passageways, including the secret pathway they'd utilized to escape the Wheelers, and introduced them to each wing of the castle. Most of the conversation between the two was Red assaulting their guide with a barrage of questions, wide eyed with wonder, while Dorothy answered as best she could in between amused glances back at Regina. For her part, Regina contented herself to linger a step behind so she could enjoy her wife's childlike enthusiasm for their new environment. As usual, it was endlessly adorable.
After the tour, Dorothy took them to one of the many Royal Guest chambers located along the wide, now well-lit and vibrantly decorated corridor that was once an inanimate representation of Zelena's evil reign. The entire palace seemed to be brimming with vital energy, whereas before it was dull and dead, but it the change was especially noticeable there. The vibrancy visible in every stone made Regina think back to when Ozma reentered the world, and how the Emerald City began to shine and nature itself reawakened as if out of a deep slumber in recognition of their sovereign's return, for she brought life with her wherever she went. And as Dorothy bade her temporary goodbyes around noon, Regina found herself longing to once more be graced with Ozma's presence, if only to bask in the same inexplicable force that restored these once inanimate objects into so much more.
In the year that has passed since departing Oz, she has thought of Ozma often, of her angelic beauty and pervasive goodness, of the vast stores of power that lurk just beneath the surface of her porcelain skin merely waiting for a command from its mistress to be unleashed. Power to build worlds and to tear them down rests within Ozma's slight frame, and yet she is as unassuming in her regality and supernatural strength as Red is in hers. That demur humility is one of the reasons Regina is so very fond of her, for it not only reminds her of Red but serves as proof that people of such immense capabilities do not have to succumb to the enticing temptations of darkness. One can be good and powerful at the same time. That the two do not have to be mutually exclusive gives her hope that one day she, too, might learn to use her magic for the sake of all that is good and right in the world.
With the ceremony permanently ratifying the alliance between their kingdoms drawing near, Regina can feel the butterflies begin to stir in her own stomach. She will soon be reunited with Ozma, and as foreign a sensation as it is for her to feel that way for someone who is only a friend, there is a wonderful buzz attached to that anticipation. She has never experienced a platonic love so intense before, and it is something she finds herself quite enthralled by. It inspires her to wish she was able to form more such bonds, perhaps even with other people whose love for her far outstrips hers for them. One notable example is Snow, who has more than adequately proven her own affections by her actions.
With Snow, however, the past has always posed an insurmountable obstacle. Daniel's death has lingered between them for so long like a ghastly, provocative shadow over their relationship, souring something that could have been beautiful and transforming it into something ugly. Over the past year, various attempts have been made to further establish the lines of communication between them, and although Regina has publicly accepted and encouraged those efforts, privately she has withheld her consent for Snow to feel welcome in the Dark Palace whenever she wishes. Although Red's patience with this reluctance has been above and beyond the call of duty, Regina can tell she has been growing increasingly exasperated.
Red had initially harbored an unrealistic hope that the relationship between Regina and Snow would vastly improve after their joint adventure to save her life. It was not, Regina had to delicately explain, a reasonable expectation. When Red required a bit more convincing, she told her that just because there was not an immediate reconciliation including tearful hugs and kisses and open invitations for spur of the moment visits did not mean that there had not been any reconciliation at all. While it hadn't taken the form Red would have preferred, at least visible progress was being made. This seemed to have satisfied Red for the moment. But who's to say how long that will last?
Snow, while clearly hurt by Regina's withdrawal, has exercised vastly improved wisdom in handling the snail's pace their relations were taking. Evidently she was listening back in Oz when Regina told her, though perhaps not in these exact terms, that there were far too many years of bitterness on her end for the past to be so hastily expunged. Thus far, and to her credit, Snow has shown a commendable willingness to let Regina set the tempo, and that shows every sign of continuing indefinitely.
But now that those feelings Regina experienced in Ozma's cabin are being reawakened, she can see that she has belabored the situation with Snow longer than merited. Out of habit she had reverted to the status quo rather than owning up to her mistakes and failures regarding her tragic fall from grace. Snow has more than earned a chance to be an active part of her life again, and it is high time to give it to her.
As terrifying a prospect as that is, returning to an Oz positively brimming with life and hope and joy because of what she and Snow accomplished has inspired her. At last, buoyed by that abundance of revitalizing energy, she feels ready to take another step forward with her former step-daughter and to truly allow for the possibility of a friendship to burgeon between them.
The task of building anything positive with Snow appears daunting at first blush, but then again so did the possibility of finding love again after Daniel was so cruelly taken from her. Yet she had done just that, and with Snow's best friend of all people. Pragmatist though she is, there are no evident coincidences there. Through the person of Red, the hand of fate was at work bringing her and Snow back together. To deny that would be to deny that the moon loves the sun when every available observation is loudly proclaiming otherwise. She is many things, most of them unseemly, but she is neither blind nor a fool.
"You're awfully deep in thought over there," Red asks, now milling about the chambers. Dorothy had left a while ago to prepare Snow and Charming for their entrance to the ceremony, which will precede Regina and Red's. Before departing, she placed an amiable kiss to Red's cheek that was returned with equal affection and then promised to fetch them personally when it was their time to make an entrance.
That Dorothy and Red hit it off so famously came as no great surprise. Not only was Red a personable woman with an infectious vivaciousness, but Dorothy had this genuine earnestness to her that was deeply endearing to everyone except insanely jealous, green-skinned witches. Their complementary personalities made striking up a fast friendship almost inevitable. Within an hour the two were behaving as if they had known one another for years, sharing laughs over funny stories during their respective adventures through life and then mooning over their significant others.
Dorothy was particularly generous with her commentary of how 'absolutely adorable' a couple Red and Regina were, and that she could 'totally see' how in love they were just by the way they looked at each other. Red, of course, turned into an effusive fountain of sentimentality over the compliments. Regina, on the other hand, received them with the elegance befitting a queen. And if she preened a bit and stood closer to her wife than was technically appropriate in order to claim her territory by holding hands, then she was simply exercising a prerogative of her station.
"Hey," Red's voice calls again, drawing Regina's attention away from her own thoughts. When she looks up, it dawns on her that Red is no longer behind the privacy screen. Instead she is standing before a large square mirror, clad only in her shift as she peers at Regina through the glass. She is also holding a gorgeous looking green gown – so thoughtfully provided by Ozma – up to her frame. Concern cuts a deep furrow into her brow when Regina catches her eyes. "Are you okay, hon? You looked a thousand miles away just now."
Regina smiles reassuringly to diffuse her wife's worry. "I'm fine. Just thinking about how glad I am you and Dorothy got along so well."
"Me, too," Red replies with her own smile, her anxieties forgotten. She returns her attention to studying the dress, imagining how it will look on her via her reflection. As she talks, her gaze alternates between that task and holding Regina's gaze in the mirror. "Her life has been pretty full of craziness, kinda like mine, so I think we had that common ground to build on. She's a pretty awesome lady, but I'd already expected that from the glowing way you talked about her. There is a wicked sense of humor hiding behind that serious facade, though. I wasn't expecting that."
"You don't know the half of it," Regina confirms, eyes crinkling with mirth as she remembers Dorothy's interactions with a certain half-fairy. "Just wait until you see her with Ozma. Their bickering is almost as amusing as ours."
"Well, you know what I say about that," Red responds, shifting to the side just a bit to admire the length of the gown. "Fussing is a sign of a healthy relationship. It means their love is secure enough to endure a little testiness and some edgy jesting without either getting offended."
Regina stands and smooths her hand down her dress, a comfortable sapphire blue satin number tied at the waist by a silver chain. "My thoughts exactly," she says as she waltzes over to stand behind her wife, admiring the way the gown looks against her pale skin. "By the way, I think you will look absolutely ravishing in this. Are you going to wear it instead of the one you brought along?"
Red nods thoughtfully. "I really like it and green suits me, so I think I will." She then nervously nibbles at her bottom lip and peers at Regina through her lashes. "If that won't throw us off, I mean," she amends. "I know we were planning on a coordinated look. I don't wanna mess that up if it'll bother you."
The reference is to the dresses they had chosen back home, which were matching colors in order to visibly project the united front that they were in reality. Red changing her mind now is an inconvenience to be sure, but in the grand scheme of things a minor one.
When they'd arrived in their chambers with Dorothy, there were two complementary gowns hanging from the hooks next to the closet. Ozma, Dorothy explained, had provided them as an alternative to consider, and then explained that they were of identical cut but differing colors. The green was for Red and ironically the red for Regina. Dorothy then assured them, after gesturing toward their luggage an attendant had ferried to their chambers, that their own clothes would be perfectly acceptable as well if that was their preference. While Ozma's selections were gorgeous, Regina was set on her choice.
Apparently Red has been swayed, though, and she is far too arrested by how alluring she will look to mind even a little bit. Red would be gorgeous in a worn out burlap sack, but in this stunning garment she will be absolutely ravishing.
"Not at all. I'm rather looking forward to seeing you in this as a matter of fact." She does not bother to hide an appreciative leer.
Red flushes under her appraisal with an approval that is a stark contrast to the shy reactions she used to have when they barely knew one another and were still tiptoeing around their attraction. "You won't have to wait long," she replies, eyes smoldering. "But you need to stop looking at me like that or we're going to be late."
"That's a pity," Regina says, and then gives Red a final pointed once over before firmly swatting her ass. She grins at Red's indignant yelp before sidling back over to the bed, where she sits primly upon the edge, utterly unrepentant. "This bed likely hasn't seen any action in some time. It needs proper and thorough testing." To punctuate the statement, she bounces on it a few times, brows raised suggestively. She grins at the way Red's pupils dilate as they follow the resultant jiggling of her breasts.
"Oh, I assure you we will do just that," Red says, eyes black with desire before she sucks in a deep, calming breath that returns them to a familiar jade. "Tonight."
Regina frowns at the end of her fun. "When did you get to be such a bore? Here we are in a foreign country on a foreign planet with a ridiculously comfortable bed all at our disposal, and my hot-blooded wife who is normally insatiable is turning down sex. Where's your sense of romance and adventure?"
"Sewn into the hidden pocket of my pants back home," Red retorts, then sticks out her tongue childishly. "It's your fault I'm such a bore, by the way. You're the one that made me a Queen. I'm just trying to act like one instead of the wanton mistress I used to be."
Rather than further tease Red about a subject she can be sensitive over, Regina softens her gaze. "And what a marvelous Queen you've turned out to be," she mollifies, meaning every word. "I will grant that perhaps now is not the time for a romp when we have such important matter to attend to shortly. Tonight, though…tonight I intend to ensure you are made perfectly aware of just how marvelous you are. Perhaps I'll even give Oz a proper introduction to werewolves by making you howl."
"Mmmmmm," Red hums, allowing her eyes glaze over in thoughtful anticipation. A shudder passes through her tall frame. "I look forward to that, especially since I can feel her close to the surface." She is, of course, speaking of her wolf, who is a presence in Red's mind even outside of Wolf's Time. "Being in a new world is making her extra frisky. Guess you get to be the beneficiary."
"Lucky me," Regina returns, echoing another night about a year ago when she'd said the same words. She worries her bottom lip at the low, seductive tone Red's voice had taken on. The sexuality that is pouring off her threatens to batter her wavering restraint to pieces. To calm herself lest she lose control, she decides a little separation is in order. She indicates toward a privacy screen nearby with her head, now seeing the wisdom in Red's decision to use it. "Why don't you go ahead and change while I put the rest of our things away."
Red raises a brow. They had neglected to unpack because they hadn't had time, and this has to strike her as an odd moment to change up their routine. "You don't want to dress first?"
Normally at home, Regina gets ready first because she is most used to dealing with the bothersome mechanics of sartorial finery. Once she is done, she helps Red into her clothes. At first, the arrangement was practical because of Red's inexperience with gowns and dresses that are worth more gold than her grandmother's entire estate. Now, however, it is a comfortable rhythm of their every day life together. Regina is loathe to break it but cannot think of an alternative means of distraction so far away from home in a palace she is not used to. And she needs one, or else she's going to make them late. Damn that woman for being so irresistible...
To set Red at ease, she adopts a nonchalant posture and plasters a smirk across her lips. "You forget, dear, I have magic. I can be done in the snap of a finger if I so choose." She doesn't most of the time, preferring the monotony and familiarity of doing some tasks manually. Exceptions are made, however, and this will be one of them.
Rather than argue, Red simply nods and starts to move in behind the privacy screen. Regina stops her short by calling her name, having just thought of something. Red turns, brow raised inquisitively.
"Would you like me to braid your hair before or after?" Regina asks, already knowing what design she will implement.
Red's respondent grin is bright enough to light half the palace up. "Before please. If you don't mind. It will make it easier to slip into the dress. Plus, you know much I enjoy having you braid my hair."
"And I do so love to accommodate you," Regina smiles, then gestures to a nearby chair that she summons closer. It slides along the floor, squeaking as it goes, causing Red to giggle and comment about her nifty parlor tricks. "What can I say, they keep those of short attention spans easily entertained," she retorts, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Pooches are especially exciteable when I summon sticks for them to fetch."
"Hey!" Red pouts at the playful jab and crosses her arms over her chest. "That wasn't nice."
"Obviously I wasn't referring to you, sweetheart," Regina lies, and Red narrows her eyes in accusation. "Okay, fine," she admits with a sigh, "I might have been alluding to your other half, but it was all in good fun."
Red does not budge, features set obstinately. "I'm not sitting until you apologize. I am a majestic wolf! Not some common mutt who rolls over and plays fetch for a belly scratch."
Regina rolls her eyes and scoffs, but apologies anyway. Red really has made her soft. "Fine. I'm sorry, mi amada. In no way do I believe you to be on the level of a simple canine, even if you do appreciate a good belly rub. Especially when you are in heat." She exaggerates the last part a bit for effect, so that Red chuckles in exasperation and relaxes her posture.
"Can't argue with the last bit," Red grins wryly. "But I don't recall you complaining much about it either. In fact, you seem to get particularly excited when I go into heat."
Regina shrugs, albeit with a cherry red blush. "I can't help it. For me, it's like Yule, only better because I get to enjoy it twice per year."
"We get to enjoy it," Red amends, winking as she finally sashays over to the chair, then sits. "A lot, I might add."
Regina hums her affirmation as she threads her fingers into the hair at Red's temple, thinking fondly of some of those memorable periods where the door containing Red's libido comes entirely unhinged for nearly three solid weeks. As she begins separating strands with nimble fingers and practiced movements Red sits with her back erect and completely still like the good girl she is. The process only takes a few minutes. Once finished, Regina steps back to admire her handiwork, then decides to add a little flair by magically curling Red's enviable curls even more than usual so that the free strands tumble down her shoulders in ringlets.
She nods in approval of her work. A pattern she had learned from Iris just for this occasion, she has intricately braided Red's hair into thick twin braids which run along the side of her head from her temples to the back where they merge into another design of thinner braided twists and loops that reach just past her shoulder blades where her curls end. It is the best job she has done yet, so she gives herself a well deserved mental pat on the back.
"Alright, all done," she says, and then shoos Red away to get dressed.
After disappearing behind the screen, Red begins to divest herself of her shift, and the shadowed sight of it pooling about her ankles just about does Regina in. As a distraction, she quickly busies herself with arranging their week's worth of clothing into the closet to get them through their scheduled stay in Oz. Next, she goes about unpacking her own dress to ease the drain on her magic, however little that small amendment affords. The mundane tasks settle her mind, and she fluidly accomplishes them.
After her busy work is done, she eyes the privacy screen, noting that Red is still getting dressed and taking her sweet time. She rolls her eyes fondly, then settles herself into the chair Red so recently vacated, closes her eyes, and waits. When a few more minutes pass with only the shuffling of clothing, she pries open one eye to find that Red is still behind the screen, though she appears to be dressed judging by the way she is turning side to side in self-appraisal.
Smiling to herself at how much she loves that quirky woman, she calls out. Red whirls around at the sound of Regina's voice – which Regina knows because of her shadow – and calls out, "Just a second." She turns back to the secondary mirror at her disposal in the changing area and proceeds to worry her hands over the fabric of her dress, smoothing down wrinkles Regina is is positive are not there. She then heaves a deep breath. "Okay, I'm coming out."
Regina stands and magics herself into the dress she'd chosen to bring along, wanting to be ready when Red reveals herself at last. When the lavender smoke of her magic clears, she is arrayed in a black gown with sharp crimson accents that fit her personality more accurately than Ozma's less audacious gown. To complete her look, she has her hair woven into an elegant bun, her favorite tiara sitting atop her head. It is a golden design with spikes lined along the base tipped by crescent moon shaped rubies. Red gifted it to her for their first wedding anniversary – "A crown fit for my Midnight Queen," she'd said, and was rewarded with a kiss that didn't stay innocent for very long – and that made it her favorite diadem. Around her neck is a necklace with an apple shaped pendant crafted from, once again, a flawless ruby. This piece she had commissioned on her own to complement what she liked to call her Midnight Crown. The whole ensemble is probably her favorite, and to preserve its stunning effect, she only breaks it out on two special occasions that happen annually. One is Red's birthday bash and the other is their wedding anniversary. She made an exception today because of the unique circumstances. That, and Red had lit up like Lumiere when she mentioned she was thinking of wearing it for the alliance ceremony.
Regina smooths a hand down her bodice and takes a deep breath, watching intently as Red rounds the edge of the barrier and steps out into the room. Upon catching sight of her, Regina's lungs briefly seize up and her heart begins to thud heavily against her breastbone. She is beyond happy that her kindhearted wife did not have the heart to turn down Ozma's thoughtful offer because she is totally enthralled.
A glorious vision in the emerald green gown graciously provided by Ozma, Red simply radiates splendor. Her pale skin appears to glow, starkly offset as it is by the rich jade green material, and her eyes glimmer even more brilliantly. The fabric of the sleeveless gown clings tightly to her svelte frame, highlighting delicate curves that Regina's fingers itch to trace. Her eyes trace the familiar planes from the neckline that dips down to expose only the barest hints of decolletage then wraps over the delicate swell of modest breasts. From there, she follows the gentle flaring of hips where the material is cinched by an ornate golden chain belt fashioned as if it were multiple vines threading around one another that converge in the center at an exquisitely crafted blooming poppy, which is made of what appears to be an arrangement of opaque crimson-tinted crystals. The smooth skirts then flare out as they flow down about Red's ankles, and an emerald-bejeweled train perhaps a foot and a half long trails along behind her, shimmering in the light provided by sunlight penetrating the room's opaque windows; the train jingles a merry crystalline song with every step she takes.
To complete the ensemble, Red's bare upper arms and wrists are bound with golden bangles that are crested with emeralds bearing interlocking oval sigils. Regina recognizes them as representing the three kingdoms of the alliance: Ozma's sigil for Oz, the White family crest for the realm ruled by Snow and Charming, and her own family crest for Misthaven. In addition, Red has also woven miniature red poppies from the plant in their room into the braids along her temples, and a golden chain sits atop the crown of her head with a pendant attached shaped like a crescent moon made of yet another ruby which dangles down over the center of her forehead. The theme does not escape Regina, and again she is grateful that Ozma is such a detail-oriented individual. In all, the effect of the decorative hairdo on Red's angular face is simply marvelous, only enhancing her large and expressive green eyes, highly-arched brows, pale skin with ruddy cheeks, and perfect pink lips.
Mentally noting to praise Ozma for such exquisite attentiveness, she marvels at how the gown and the accessories come together into a gorgeous, coherent whole. In comparison to the goddess in green before her, Regina feels altogether inadequate. Red would disagree, of course, having often proclaimed Regina's beauty greater than her own and more than sufficient to conquer any hearts she wishes to bend to her will without the need for magic. The thing is she doesn't want to bend anyone to her will, nor does she desire any worship aside from that which is so effusively bestowed upon her by her own personal angel. It is at times like this when she can do little else but stand in awe of her wife's peerless beauty – both inside and out – and wonder at how blessed she is to be greeted by it each and every morning. She truly is the luckiest woman on any earth.
"You are an absolute vision," she gushes, approaching to take Red's hands, which are currently being worried together at her waist.
Red bites her lip demurely. "A good one, I hope."
Regina raises Red's hands to her lips to place feather-lite kisses upon her knuckles, careful not to smear her lip paint. "Good does not begin to describe how exquisite you look," she then replies. "The heavens themselves are paltry in comparison. The sun seethes and the moon weeps for envy while the stars kneel in reverence."
"Aww, thanks," Red says, blushing prettily from the praise.
There was a time Red would have hidden her face from such adulation. Only time and fervent efforts on Regina's behalf have taught her how to better take a compliment, which is something she is saturated by during social functions with noble lord and ladies looking to make a good impression. Regina herself has never struggled with receiving such flattery, as anything that feeds her ego is readily acceptable in her eyes. But Red was a sheltered girl quite unused to being fawned over, so she'd had to adjust to being made an object of worship once she was crowned. To her credit, she has made great strides in accepting these accolades, though Regina still has to hear the occasional complaint when Red has endured "just about enough being slobbered over."
"So," Regina says after inhaling a measured breath, "are you ready to face the music?"
Red bites her lip diffidently. "I think so. This is a good day and what we're doing is a good thing for so many people, so I'm mostly happy about it. But I can't lie about how nervous I am."
Since become a Queen in her own right, Red has presided over many state functions, such as the naming and launching of the kingdom's first ship of the line, the Queens of Misthaven. On the Harvest Moon in autumn, she officiates the convocation by giving a speech upon the ramparts before the enormous crowds that gather in the citadel each year. After concluding, she shifts into her wolfen form to howl an announcement of the festival's commencement at the glowing orange moon. But none of those events hold the significance of what is going to happen today.
Today, they are set to sign an interplanetary treaty, the first of its kind in the history of the Enchanted Forest. Dorothy had informed them earlier that she and Ozma expect at least fifty thousand celebrants to crowd the Emerald City, and Regina can easily see that conservative estimate being toppled. When their small procession passed through the gates of the city, an ear-deafening cheer had erupted from the masses lining the road from the grand gate to the Royal Palace. The numbers were easily in the tens of thousands already. Vast experience dealing with crowds and high pressure situations aside, even she is a bit anxious about the ceremony, so she can certainly understand Red's nervousness.
"You'll do fine, my love," she encourages Red, squeezing her hands. "Just hold on to those happy thoughts of the bright future this alliance will ring in: one I hope is full of peace and prosperity for us all."
"And friendship," Red adds, smiling now despite the fading hint of apprehension lingering about her. "Dorothy was really sweet, and I can't wait to see Ozma in action. And you already know how I feel about Snow and Charming."
"That I do," Regina grins wryly. "I don't hold it against you, by the way." Red chuckles in amused exasperation. "Like I said, I'm glad you and Dorothy got along so well. I had expected you would. As you said, the two of you are very similar. And Ozma...well, let's just say I am very much looking forward to you seeing her in her element. She is..." Regina trails off, struggling to figure out how best to describe a woman who is nearly indescribable. "Well, I knew her all of two days and I consider her perhaps my dearest friend. That should tell you something. You saw bits and pieces of what drew me to her when she visited last month. But here in Oz at the seat of her power? Let's just say she is magical beyond description. I've never met anyone like her before..."
"The feeling is mutual in case you were wondering," says Dorothy, and both Regina and Red swirl to find her leaning against the door frame, adorned in a more formal version of her famous blue and white gingham dress. Her brown hair is parted down the middle and braided into pig-tails, tied at the ends with ribbons the color of a clear summer sky. She looks girlish but beautiful, and her blue eyes twinkle with a fondness for them both that sends frissons of pleasant warmth through Regina's chest.
"How did you..." Red gapes at Dorothy as if she has materialized in the doorway rather than used the conventional method of entering a room. It is quite a feat to sneak up on a werewolf, yet Dorothy has done just that.
"I probably should have announced myself," Dorothy explains with a modest touch of apology, "but I heard you two talking and presumed that you were both dressed, so I came in. I think you were too lost in each other to hear the door open."
"With good reason as you can see," Regina replies, not even a little upset with Dorothy at the intrusion as she side-eyes her gorgeous wife.
"Yes, I do see that," Dorothy says, and then lopes over to Red wearing an appreciative smirk. "My, my, don't you look simply scrumptious."
"She does, indeed," Regina agrees proudly, and then playfully glares at her friend. "But keep your greedy mittens off her farm girl, she's all mine."
"Hey!" Red protests, back straightening as she bristles with mock offense. "While that may be true, I am quite capable of fending off advances all on my own thank you very much."
"Something you have to do often, is it?" Dorothy needles, lopsided grin firmly in place. "Looking like that, I imagine you have to beat them off with a stick."
Red grins mischievously. "Not with Regina around, I don't. Her hateful glares are a repellent to brazen rakes of either sex."
Although Dorothy chuckles lightly at the comment as if it makes perfect sense to her, Regina squares her shoulders proudly. To her, it is high praise, jest or not. "A Queen must protect what's hers, even if against profligate eyes and hands," she says, causing Red's grin to stretch even wider.
Dorothy sighs affectedly. "You two are just too much," she says, and to Red offers, "and you are everything she said you would be and more. I am still owed a story about how you two fell in love, but as much as I'd love to sit back and bask in all that adorableness, the ceremony will begin soon. Are you both ready to go?"
After a glance at Red, who is smoothing a slightly unsteady hand down her dress, Regina inclines her head in affirmation. "We are."
Dorothy nods. "In that case, please follow me." She then swivels neatly in place, and makes her way out of the room with Regina and Red following closely behind.
"Ozma has been practically abuzz all week, flitting about like a bird in a panic trying to get the palace ready and such," Dorothy says as she leads them through the hallway, around a corner, and then instead of bearing to the left down the hallway toward the scullery, she guides them straight through the t-intersection. "I told her, 'slow down, doll, everything is going to be fine,' but she just wouldn't listen, you know? Stubborn woman. She needs everything to be perfect, especially...Oh!" she then stops for a brief moment just past the intersection to face Regina and Red, her eyes lingering pointedly on Regina. "Ozma has prepared a surprise for the ceremony, I just want to warn you so you don't get caught unprepared." When Regina's eyes widen, Dorothy hastily adds assurances, "It's not bad or anything. It's just...well, it's ambitious. She is sure it's possible though, so I'm asking you to trust her, even though I know you already do."
"Why ask then?" Regina poses, curious.
"Only because what she's going to need your help to perform a spell that will probably seem impossible," Dorothy explains. "Or so she's said. I don't know much about magic but I've learned never to question Ozma when it comes to such things."
"Sounds intriguing," Red comments, and Regina nods her agreement.
"Oh, it is," Dorothy smiles, eyes twinkling again. "It will change everything for us all." And with that mysterious bookend, she turns and begins walking again. "Come along now," she calls over her shoulder, "I've already escorted Snow and Charming. Everyone is waiting on us."
Regina feels Red stiffen beside her. "Everyone?" she asks, swallowing thickly.
Dorothy hums her confirmation. "The most esteemed guests are always presented last. Ozma insisted that was the two of you."
Regina's entire body suffuses with warmth at hearing Ozma has given her and Red the enormous honor of being the last party introduced. It serves as reinforcement to Dorothy's earlier insistence that Ozma fully reciprocates Regina's feelings of friendship. A year has gone by since their introduction and those feelings have not faded even a little, rather growing with absence as old proverbs affirm that they should. The two days spent in each other's company a month before only stoked the flame further. Regina imagines ten years will not be enough to quench it.
Tears bite at her eyes as fondness wells up within her breast, but she does not allow them to fall lest they ruin the makeup she'd so carefully applied to her face. "Thank you both for so high an honor," she says instead of gushing out her affection not only for Ozma but for Dorothy as well. That she is tempted to at all is a strange compulsion since before coming to Oz she had no real friends to speak of since she was a young lady who befriended a simple stable boy so long ago. And while she could consider her relationship with Red as having started with friendship, she knows that is not true. Red has always been much more. With Dorothy and Ozma, though it is especially true of Ozma, she'd felt an instant kinship she had never experienced before, as if the bond they shared as true friends was sufficient to meet a need she did not know she had.
"Speak nothing of it," Dorothy replies, waving her hand as if the gesture of Regina and Red being given the most prominent position in the ceremony was a foregone conclusion. "The kingdom you two have built is what all should strive to emulate. Both Ozma and I are firm in that belief."
"You speak as if you've personally inspected our realm," Red responds, not suspicious at all, but evidently having caught something in Dorothy's tone that was worth investigating.
"Maybe because I have," Dorothy replies as she leads them down a final corridor bearing south, which flares out at the end into a grand vestibule. "About two month after you left Oz, I used my enchanted slippers to investigate both of the realms with which we are forging this alliance. The council insisted that we reconnoiter our potential allies before signing the treaty. Ozma, of course, objected, as did I, but we both saw the wisdom in being prudent. So, I took it upon myself to journey through both Misthaven and the White Kingdom for a period of four months. In the process, I learned all I could about the people that occupied your lands, how they felt about their monarchs, surveyed the kingdoms for strengths and weaknesses, etc. Not to assess a potential foe, mind you," she clarifies, perhaps having sensed Regina's growing concern. "Ozma has never went to war during her reign, nor shall she ever if there is recourse to prevent it. We simply wanted to better understand the peoples we were allying with."
"And what did you discover?" Regina asks, careful to keep her voice steady.
"Pretty much exactly what I expected," Dorothy replies. "That the White Kingdom is ruled by a benevolent monarchy whom the people adore and that the defenses of the realm are lacking in many areas because it is a peaceful place not frequent to strife. But there is much bravery there and an innocence that is precious. They will make excellent allies."
"And of Misthaven?" Red then inquires, sounding as nervous as Regina feels about Dorothy's assessment of their realm.
The brunette warrior casts a smile over her shoulder. "Misthaven was most impressive of all," she says. "It's people are tenderhearted but hardy and strong. And though they love their monarchs, they also respectfully fear them because the kingdom is one ruled by law and order, and with a stern hand when necessary. Misthaven, I found, is ultimately a reflection of it's Queens, for it is powerful and resilient like one of them yet kind and tenacious like the other. They, too, shall make a most excellent ally. As I reported back to the council, Oz is fortunate to have made such friends."
"We are equally fortunate," Regina says, feeling extraordinarily proud of her people for having made such a good impression without knowing they were being tested.
"I'm glad we're all in agreement," Dorothy then says as they enter the vestibule.
Regina stills for a moment to study the wondrous architecture of the circular room. Marble columns perhaps three feet wide line the inside of the room in a circle. Within the walls are oval shapes insets with pedestals built into them spaced perhaps four feet apart and upon which set marble busts of various men and women of dignified appearance.
"Amazing isn't it?" Dorothy asks, drawing her attention. "I had the same reaction the first time I came here. It's all of the past Kings and Queens of Oz, Ozma's heritage. Each commissioned a bust upon their official succession that was put on display on the first anniversary of their death to commemorate their reign. I've seen Ozma's, and though her relatives are all worthy of respect and remembrance, she outshines them all."
"Hopefully hers won't be seen here for many long centuries," Regina comments, aware that Ozma being a half-fairy makes her immortal, meaning her reign could theoretically last forever.
Regina doubts Ozma will have the heart to carry on ruling once Dorothy dies the natural death of mortals. It is likely, in her opinion, that Ozma will abdicate shortly thereafter, as she would in Ozma's place. Carrying on without the one person in the world who makes life worth living would feel infinitely more grievous with an eternity to miss them. Honestly, the thought makes her a bit sorry for Rumple. The man had endured centuries without his son. No wonder she used to think him three quarters mad on a good day.
"If only," Dorothy replies cryptically, and Regina looks at her, noting the brunette's expression has somewhat soured. She says nothing because whatever internal turmoil driving Dorothy's reaction to her comment soon shutters off behind a facade of carefree happiness. "We should proceed on to the throne room. Everyone will be awaiting your announcement."
Regina nods and gestures towards her. "Lead the way."
When Dorothy turns around and begins to walk toward a grand golden door inlaid with emeralds in the near distance, Regina spares a glance to Red, who appears as concerned as she is. Something significant was behind Dorothy's unexpected response and she is determined to find out what. But that will have to wait until later.
As Dorothy strides away, Regina rushes along behind her, Red following closely at her side. Soon enough they are standing outside the humongous, ornate double doors which bar entry to the throne room.
"Wait here for a moment," Dorothy instructs as she hovers close to the door, her hand braced against it. "I'll go in and join Ozma, then she will have the herald announce the two of you. Remember, simply follow the golden path toward the dais and take your spot to the right of Ozma and I, across from Snow and David. Once you are both in place, she will begin the ceremony."
"Got it," Red replies, then sucks in a deep breath through her teeth.
Regina gives her wife an encouraging rub on the small of her back before speaking to Dorothy. "Indeed. We'll be waiting. Thank you for the escort, dear. It was most appreciated"
Dorothy's smile turns genuine, a vast improvement from her falseness to cover up whatever had bothered her back in the vestibule. "You are welcome, my friends." And with that, she pushes the door open. She is halfway through when Red calls out for her to wait, causing Dorothy to turn back, looking perplexed.
"After this is over, I'll tell you our story like I said I would," Red says. "It's a good one. It involved a snowy mountain top, too."
"Is that so?" Dorothy asks, intrigued at the coincidence. When Red nods, she glances to Regina, who confirms it to be true with a nod of her own. "In that case, I very much look forward to the telling. Now, I best get moving before Ozma has a fit over me taking so long. I will see you both inside." And with that, she pushes her way through the door and disappears from view.