That evening at dinner, they conversed about the ogres and how to conquer them. Emma had mentioned to Regina that if it was necessary, she would help defend the kingdom. She knew she would need to be trained, but she was a fast learner...something both of them had distinguished a long time ago. However, Regina only stared at the blonde as if she had lost her mind. Emma knew not to push the subject any further.
After Emma mentioned this, the remainder of dinner was relatively silent. Emma felt a pang in her heart as if this was something she needed to do. For Regina at least…for everything she had done for her…for loving her. She owed it to the queen. The blonde nodded to herself, I'm going to do it, she thought. The young woman took one last bite of her dinner before striding over to her queen, placing a gentle kiss on her lips.
"Where are you heading to, darling?" Regina caressed her fair face, staring into those emerald eyes with complete love and admiration.
"I'm going to go back to the library for a bit. I wasn't quite done reading my story." The blonde offered a small smile, looking back into those amber eyes with the same amount of loving intensity. "I shouldn't be too long, my queen."
"I certainly hope not," the queen flashed a bright smile with a minor scoff. "I have grown accustomed to you by my side. And besides, I've missed you today."
Emma beamed. "I missed you too darling."
"Hurry back, dear. I will be waiting for you."
Emma squeezed the brunette's hand assuring her that she will be there as fast as she could. She then tuned and headed to the library to read…but not Romeo & Juliet, but about sword fighting.
Roughly two hours had passed since the women parted ways. Regina was pacing in her room back in forth in her long silk nightgown. It was thirty minutes past eleven. The firewood was cracking and popping as fierce as her worry. Where is she?! She thought. She said she wouldn't be long and it's been over two hours! She stopped dead in her track, worry and fear flooding her heart. Oh no, did she leave?! The queen rushed to the door to go looking for her, but as soon as she opened her door, a surprised blonde was standing before her.
"What are you doing still up?" Emma asked in great surprise. The queen was normally asleep by now. Emma had no idea how late it was until she looked up at the large grandfather clock in the library before she ran up the stairs to her queen. Emma was too busy reading and trying to teach herself to fight. There was a large knight figurine holding a sword, a real sword; she picked it up and began teaching herself how to hold it properly, strike and avert attacks. She followed the instructions and pictures in the books, but she knew she needed to practice with a real person. However, it seemed easy enough and came quite naturally to the woman.
"What have you been doing?!" the queen sneered. "You know I can't sleep without you!"
Emma chuckled then sauntered into the bedroom, closing the door behind her with her foot before gripping the brunette, pulling her into a tight, reaffirming hug. "I'm sorry my love, I just lost track of time."
Regina placed her face in the crook of her neck. "I thought you left me again." she stated sadly.
Emma placed her hands on the queens' shoulders, pushing her back gently to look at her. "Hey, I love you. I'm not going to leave you. I promise."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes." Emma whispered, placing a devoted kiss on her lips, tangling her fingers into long brown hair. The kiss quickly became filled with passion. Emma picked up Regina princess style, which caused the older woman to gasp. The blonde placed her onto the bed, hovering over her, lips lingering apart. "I need to ask you something."
"Anything." Regina whispered, her lips begging Emma not to stop kissing her.
"When we kissed a few months ago, sparks circled around us for a moment. What was that? It hasn't happened again."
Regina sighed for a moment before grabbing the woman over her and crashed their lips together. After invading the blonde's mouth with her a tongue for a few moments, she released her. "It was true loves kiss. It's the strongest kind of magic there is in all the realms. It can break almost every curse and if the person you love is injured or dead, if they kiss you, they will wake up."
Emma rolled onto her side, propping her head on her hand. "Soo, what does that mean? Why did it happen between us?"
"It happened because we are meant to be." Regina took a deep breath as she looked at the confused blonde. "It means that you are my true love…my soul mate." Emma's eyes widened. "Crazy right?"
"Not entirely." she smirked. "So if something happens to you, or…something happens to me, you can just kiss me back to life?"
"Correct."
"Hmm, very interesting indeed." Emma rose from the bed, removing her clothes as she grabbed one of Regina's long-sleeved cotton nightgown. Once the gown was one, she slowly walked to the bed, but clumsily tripped over her own two feet onto the floor.
"Emma?! Are you alright?!" Regina asked worriedly, rushing to her side.
"Oh no! I'm injured! I think is a kiss in order!" trying to groan in pain, laying on the ground. "Hurry Regina! I think I might-" she stopped talking before making fake death noises. Regina shook her head before kissing her hard. Emma began wiggling then sat up quickly, wrapping her arms around the queen, pulling her into her lap. "You saved me!"
"You're such an idiot."
"But I'm your idiot."
Regina let out a throaty snicker before kissing her once more. "Indeed you are."
Early the next morning, it was Regina who awoke to an empty bed. She turned to her side and saw the blonde staring out the window wrapped in a fur blanket. She seemed very lost in thought. It was early, too early. The sun wasn't even up yet, but the blonde was wide awake, just staring off into the distance. The fire still burning strong, made Emma look breathtaking. The brunette squinted her eyes to the clock. Fifteen after six…What is she doing up at this ungodly hour? She slowly rose, wrapping herself in her robe. "Emma, what are you doing up?" She placed a hand on her shoulder, which startled Emma. She had been deep in thought, reflecting about the last few weeks. They had come to a compromise, but Regina hadn't followed any of her request and it was really starting to bother her.
"I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep."
"What's on your mind, dear? Why don't you come back to bed."
Emma had remembered something Regina had said about wanting to find Snow White, but where was she? Did she still want to kill her? She turned to the brunette, who looked hardly look away, but still looked concerned. "What happened to Snow White?" the blonde blurted out. This apparently woke the queen. Her eyes widened in both anger and aggravation. It's far too early to for this, the older woman thought.
"Why?" the regal woman asked, cocking her head to the side.
"I just remembered you telling me she was one of the reasons you became evil. So, I was wondering if you knew where she was."
Regina huffed then sat down on the chair near the fire. "No. I haven't seen or heard anything from that rechet girl in months. However," she paused for a moment as she looked into the blondes eager eyes. "I believe she is behind all of this ogre nonsense."
"Seriously?"
"Yes. The last time I saw her, was a few days after you came here. She said she would threaten my kingdom if I wouldn't let her live in peace with her Charming." she mocked the name in a whining tone. "Ever since then, the ogres have been ravishing the land more and more. Each month getting worse."
"I see." was all the blonde could muster up.
"Why the sudden interest?"
"I've been thinking…we haven't really been respecting our compromises we made to each other when you came to me at my old home. It's starting to bother me."
Regina was frazzled at first, but when she remembered, she looked down in despair. "I-I'm sorry Emma. I honestly haven't been taking what you said into consideration."
"There are a few things I need you to stop immediately since we are now sweethearts." With her tone stern, she glanced at the brunette, taking a step closer her. "I need you to stop calling me pet. I am not an animal…I may have grown up in the Woodlands, but that doesn't mean you can call me that. It really bothers me." Regina nodded in approval. "I know I said not to tie me up or gag me and you did that pretty quickly since I've been back." The brunette looked up as if she was about to argue her point, but got interrupted. "BUT, I think I am somewhat okay with it if it remains how it's been the past few weeks. However, I stand firmly on you not spanking me…I do not want that any time soon. I also want to call you Regina unless I feel like calling you by your title."
"My, my, my what a list." the brunette retorted playfully. Emma glared, the blonde wasn't joking in the least. Regina scoffed. "Not to worry, dear. You have my word."
"There's just one more thing."
The queen sighed. "Yes?"
"I'm going to fight in the ogre war."
The queen's eyes shot up, her nostrils flared then stood to her feet. "No you are not! I forbid it!"
"I am fighting whether you want me to or not. It's something I need to do."
"You could get killed! You don't even know the first thing about war! Nonetheless fighting in one!"
"I've been reading up on it. I even practiced last night. It's quite natural for me."
This angered the older woman more. "I thought I smelled a hint of sweat on you last night! No wonder you've been spending all your time in the library!"
"To be fair, I was reading Romeo & Juliet, but after I mentioned fighting for the kingdom last night, I came across the books about sword fighting. I even practiced with the sword from the knight figurine!" Regina was fuming.
"Oh Emma…sweet, ignorant Emma…there is a huge difference between practicing and practicing with a person."
"Then teach me."
Regina laughed a hearty laugh. "You do not want to fight with me, dear. I am a queen and a bit more refined."
"Yeah, I got that, but I need to learn and you are the best."
"How do you know?"
"I've watched you."
"When?" her tone a bit calmer.
"There was someone in the gardens when I first arrived. Some man with dark hair. I don't remember what he looked like…it was dark. Anyway, it seemed like he was trying to kill you, but you fought him off. It was a very intriguing sight to see."
Regina pondered for a moment. "That was a pirate. He wanted me to hand over all my possessions. He was rather dimwitted. So, I told him if he killed me, he could take whatever his hearts desired. I did kill him in the end."
"I didn't see that part."
"That's because when the fight was over, I snapped his neck." Emma was taken aback in great surprise. "Oh come now, don't seem so shocked. He had it coming anyway."
"Have you killed anyone else since I've been here?"
Regina's face softened, placing a tender hand onto rosy cheeks. "I have not. Have I thrown people in jail and tortured them? Yes, but I have not kill them."
"Why not?" the blonde asked quietly.
The regal woman softened her eyes then gave a sweet smile, "I simply don't desire to anymore." Because of you. Emma leaned in and kissed the brunette firmly. Regina hummed in approval before breaking the kiss with a grin. "Now, why don't we get some rest for a few more hours. Since you insist on fighting in this damn war, you need to practice…meaning you need your strength. And you will be practicing with me, so I suggest you get back into that bed Miss. Swan."
Emma grinned with a giggle. "Yes your Majesty." Kissing her luscious lips once more before they both headed back to their warm bed.