Well hey there. Been working on this one for a few days of and on so yeah. I noticed I had 666 follows so I decided why the hell and finished it today. Sorry for the wait y'all! Enjoy the chapter!
Disclaimer: I still don't own OUAT
The sincerity in Emma's eyes and ardor in her voice made Regina's breath catch and her heart skip a beat. The love she felt for this woman continued to grow every day, if that was even possible. She gave the blonde a wide, genuine smile.
"And that, my love, is how I know that we will always be victorious."
After that morning they had gone about their day as usual except Emma hadn't left the queen's side for a second. This didn't go unnoticed by the people that were in the castle so they all decided it best to just avoid both the queen and her knight unless they were told otherwise. The palace remained oddly quite which didn't bode well with Emma but she kept quiet but remained vigilant.
The next morning, Emma had decided to talk with Graham and Killian about this off feeling. She spoke to them in a hushed voice as they waited for court to begin.
"Do either of you feel as though something is… off?" she questioned but both men just looked confused.
"How so?" Graham asked, not understanding what he should be 'feeling'.
"Like something bad is about to happen. I don't know. I just can't shake this feeling of dread." The blonde shook her head in frustration. She couldn't stand it. The not knowing what was coming but knowing it was something drove her up the wall.
"Sorry lass, but I've not had the feeling you're describing but I do trust your judgment better than my own so if you say there is something coming I will prepare the men." Killian didn't know what she was talking about but the entire time he's known her she's never been wrong when she's had a gut feeling. He watched as Emma bit her lip anxiously, something she rarely did in front of others, and nodded slowly.
"Okay. I want everyone ready for whatever's coming. I don't know what it is but I can feel it and it will soon be upon us. Tell them to remain on their toes and keep a watchful eye. I still don't trust him." Emma sneered, motioning to Neal who was standing between two guards at the other end of the room looking increasingly nervous.
"I have watched him since he's been assigned to Killian and I, and I've noticed he is becoming more anxious each day. Very jittery and jumpy. He's like an animal when they know there's danger near." Graham wasn't the most talkative but it was useful when people forgot he was around. It helped him do his job better, because he noticed things that people wouldn't want him to know. He hadn't realized how much better his life could have been until he came to work in the Dark Palace. Upon his banishment from the kingdom for failing to return the princess to her parents, he wandered in the woods for two weeks with his wolves until he entered Regina's territory. He had heard, while working in the White Castle, that the killing of wolves was illegal but he hadn't believed it. Red had reacted harshly to hearing the information. Saying someone as sadistic and evil as Regina wouldn't care whether or not wolves were killed. Back then, he couldn't help argue with her logic. Snow and James' stories about the Evil Queen were known throughout the White Kingdom. The so called 'evil' of the things that happened in Regina's land were infamous. Hatred for the Evil Queen grew, as did the loyalty towards the White Kingdom. It was quite clever actually. Instill fear in the people of the kingdom therefore they pledge loyalty to the King and Queen to keep them safe.
*flashback*
In all honesty, Graham was terrified when he crossed into the Evil Queen's territory. He had slowly begun to make his way through the dark forest, remaining alert the entire time, just in case the Evil Queen had caught wind of him. His third day in, he and his other three wolves heard a twig snap from somewhere beyond the trees. Faster than his eyes could track, an arrow shot from between the trees to their left, hitting on of the wolves in the leg. The other two scattered while he quickly attended to the, now wounded, animal. A man in a black cloak stepped from the shadows of the trees, bow already loaded and pointed at him.
"Well it looks like it's my lucky day." The man drawled as he walked closer. Graham stood, unsheathing a dagger from his belt. He knew the likelihood of him getting out of this was slim to none but he had to try.
"I suggest you leave, mate." Graham warned. He had nothing to defend himself with except for the dagger in his hand and his experience. The man laughed heartily at the obviously empty warning.
"Or what? You'll have one of your walking pelts attack me? I think not." He stepped closer, raising his arm to aim the bow directly against the huntsman. "Now I suggest you move out of the way." Graham stood his ground, his body tense and ready to move at a moment's notice. Before he could blink the arrow was launched through the air and embedded in his shoulder. The hit caught him off guard, taking him to the ground with a grunt of pain. He looked up to see the man smirk at him from under the hood that covered his face. He reloaded his bow lazily, the cocky look that adorned his face frustrating Graham to no end. He stood, arrow still in his shoulder, and faced the man again. He paused, staring at the Huntsman before chuckling.
"Well aren't you persistent… and dimwitted. Haven't you learned to walk away when you're outmatched?" Graham didn't even get a chance to respond before the man in front of him moaned out in obvious agony and feel to his knees. He saw the Evil Queen herself holding the man's heart in her hand with a smirk on her face.
"I could ask you the same thing, dear." She walked around to stand in front of the man on his knees and leaned down in front of him so they were at eye level. She just looked at him a moment before squeezing his heart making him groan and clutch his chest where his heart should be, before loosening her grip and standing up straight up again. She turned around, acknowledging Graham for the first time since she appeared. He would be lying if he didn't say he was absolutely terrified. His breathing picked up significantly as she walked closer to him. He stood in front of the wolf still, clutching his shoulder. He lowered his eyes knowing he was going to die here, at the hands at the ruthless Evil Queen.
She observed him. Noticing how he stood protectively in front of the wounded animal despite his own injuries. She would not admit it out loud but it was quite commendable to say the least. Most would have gone down on their knees upon her appearance but this man still stood there, knowing he had no chance if she wanted him dead, guarding the wolf. She put a finger under his chin, making him look at her. Fear was the first emotions she noticed, but that wasn't what caught her attention. No, what caught her attention was the determination she saw lying underneath the fear. She released his chin then turned again to the man who now knelt, trying to control his labored breaths.
"It is known throughout my land that hunting wolves here has been outlawed for some time now. Yet here you stand attempting to kill this wolf and the man protecting it. Explain to me why I have not yet crushed your heart." Graham looked up at the queen. The rumors had been true? That can't be… he thought to himself.
"I-I apologize, you majesty. I meant no disrespect to you or your laws." That was all the man said. He gave no excuses. She made a humming sound. Making it seems as if she were thinking. Considering the man's words.
"What is your name?" She demanded to know.
"G-Gregory, your majesty." He stuttered.
"Well Gregory, for your honesty I think a reward is in order." The man looked up at her sharply, confusion and hope clear in his eyes.
"Thank you, your majesty! Thank you!" She raised a brow at his gratitude and smirked.
"Oh you don't get the reward, dear. No, you've broken one of my laws so you will die here but you should be happy to know that the reward goes to none other than the wolf you tried to kill. It is only fair isn't it?" The hope in his eyes diminished and he hung his head. Without another word the queen crushed the heart in her hands, the screams from the man not phasing him for a second. She clapped the dust from her hands and turned to the Huntsman.
"You are losing too much blood. It is wonder how you are still standing." She spoke almost kindly to him. There was no bite in her voice but it was not soft either, just factual and almost bored sounding. She walked to him and raised her hand to his shoulder but stopped when he flinched away.
"If you do not remain still you will die of blood loss. Do not move and accept this rare act of kindness." When she moved again he stayed still but groaned when she snapped the arrowhead and pulled it from his shoulder. She moved him to stand sideways and put her hands on both sides of the wound. He tried pulling away when her hands began to glow but the glare she sent him froze him in his place. He realized she was healing his shoulder and he looked at her with wide eyes. This was not the Evil Queen he heard rumors of back at the White Castle. This was not the vindictive woman he heard so much about and he could not help but be hopelessly confused. She felt his eyes on her and rolled her eyes.
"Keep staring at me like you are now and I will not hesitate to blind you." She snapped. He averted his eyes immediately and when her hands left his shoulder he rushed to kneel next to his wolf. He removed the arrow from its leg but there was nothing else he could do. He was surprised yet again when the queen knelt across from him and examined the wolf. Not sparing Graham a glance the queen went about gently moving the wolf so she could get to his injury. The bright glow lit up the small space they were in and Graham couldn't help but study the woman. He noticed her body was tense but her face remained relaxed and concentrated. He couldn't deny the fact that she was incredibly sexy. He could see why some people would submit to her rule by looks alone but not everyone would willingly live under the reign of the Evil Queen. She's probably taken the hearts of her worker and terrified her subjects into staying. Graham was struggling to separate the things he's heard since he'd been in the White Kingdom to what he was witnessing with his own two eyes. When the glowing died down the wolf shakily got up, licked the queen's hand in gratitude and ran off into the woods. Graham watched him go, knowing he'd see his companions again at some point. The queen stood and stared at Graham with a look he couldn't decipher.
"Why are you roaming around in my woods? I know for a fact you do not live here." There was a slight edge to her voice. She stepped closer, looking intently at the man before her face hardened.
"I've seen you before." Graham was surprised to hear this. When had she seen him? "You were trying to take Emma away despite the fact that she had no desire to go with you." His eyes widened. She remembers him from that? Oh my gods! What has she done to the princess? He had hung back on his horse as the other tried to return the princess home in case he needed to get more men to aid in her 'rescue'. He was easily noticable but he hadn't considered she'd seen him. He figured she was too preoccupied.
"What have you done with her?" The strength with which he spoke surprised her, though she didn't show it. Of course he assumes I've done something to her.
"I'd watch my tongue if I were you. You're no longer in the White Kingdom and I am far less merciful than those two idiots." Regina was not in the mood for accusations. She and Emma had a particularly pleasant day so she was feeling a bit more generous than she usually was but now that feeling was starting to wane.
"I just want to know if she's alright." His voice was less demanding and more pleading this time. She stared at him a moment before grabbing his arm, before he could protest and took them to her castle. He stumbled when his feet met the marble floor. Taking a quick look at his surroundings, he concluded that there was no possible way out of the room. It was the throne room, or so he assumed, when he saw not one but two thrones. One now occupied by the queen herself and the other empty. Who could that throne possibly belong to? He felt himself being forced to his knees by one of the guards that was standing at the door before returning to his post.
"Killian! Go get Emma. Tell her nothing except that I request her presence." With a nod he was out of the room in controlled haste. The huntsman glanced around the room at the other guards who stood blank-faced, almost bored looking, with their hands on their sword. All eyes were on him, daring him to make a move against their queen. The door was flung open and a flash of blonde hair went past his line of sight as Emma bounded up the steps to the Evil Queen. He wanted to warn her, to tell her to run while he tried to give her a head start but he didn't. The way Emma had rushed past him without a second glance, her eyes set on the queen the moment the doors opened confused him. So he watched the regal woman's face soften to a fond smile as she watched the princess settle into, apparently, her throne. Legs settled over one of the arm rests and her back against the other, she used her arm to keep her head propped up as she nudged the queen's elbow with her toes, earning an amused look from the older woman.
"So what's up?" Emma asked, still not glancing at the man kneeling in front of them.
"Well, dear. If you even bothered to look at the lone man kneeling in front of us I believe you would easily be able to deduce 'what is up'." Her voice came off light and playful, throwing Graham for a loop. He looked at the other guards, wondering if they were just as surprised as he was but if they were they hid it well.
"What are you talki… Graham?" The princess looked at him wide eyed, surprise evident in her voice and face.
"Evening, Princess." He said respectfully. He had been in her life for many years. Watching her grow up over the years even though he wasn't much older himself he always felt protective of her. Seeing her sitting next to the Evil Queen, was… odd, to say the least.
"What the hell are you doing here? Why aren't you at my pa- their palace?" He noticed how she stopped herself but thought it wise to say nothing about it.
"I- well I was exiled for failing to return you to them. That was just over a fortnight ago." Emma looked appalled at the news.
"Are you fucking kidding me? They freaking banished you? Did they do that to anyone else?" Emma was up out of her throne, seething at the fact her parents would do such a thing. This is the exact reason I left that hell hole. She paced back and forth trying to calm herself down but she couldn't. Emma was pissed and it just kept building.
Regina watched the princess pace and couldn't help but be worried. The blonde was fuming and Regina couldn't just sit idly by and watch.
"Come here, Princess." Regina beckoned with an open hand from where she sat. Emma turned and trudged up the steps to stand in front of Regina.
"What?" She felt like she was about to be scolded so Emma spoke quietly, hoping to soften the blow. Regina just grabbed Emma's hand and tugged her into her lap. The blonde went willingly, loving being held by the queen, especially when they slept.
"Dear, I understand that you're angry. You have every right to be but it's not going to help him now so what solution do we have for taking care of him and the situation?" Regina spoke softly so no one else would hear her. Emma looked at her surprised.
"You're asking me what I think we should do?" she seemed genuinely shocked that the queen had asked her for her opinion.
"Yes. You live here now so you will eventually help me make major decisions for the kingdom. I'm not saying you're going to have to rule but I would like to know your thoughts on certain things." Emma's smile was dazzling. She was never asked what she thought or wanted when she was in the White palace. She was always given and told what was 'best for her'.
"Um, Graham are you going anywhere any time soon or did you plan to stay for a while?" After Graham shook off the surprise of seeing the princess in the queen's lap he answered.
"I have no immediate plans. I was just going to travel until I stumbled onto something." Emma turned to Regina with pleading eyes and Regina already knew she would give her whatever it is she was about to ask for.
"Can he stay? Work in the palace or on the grounds?" Emma all but begged. She bit her lip but stopped immediately when she remembered Regina's warning a few weeks ago. And she now knew the queen does in fact make good on her promises.
"I suppose. Graham, is it? What was your position in the White castle?"
"I was in charge of the weaponry and the Huntsman, you majesty."
"Then that is what you will be here. You will work alongside my captain. Killian, come here." She called for the man who stood behind the thrones.
"This will be our new head of arms. Show him how it works here. If he fails in any aspect it is your head, do you understand?" With a respectful nod and a "Yes, your majesty." he was dismissed.
"Oh and Graham, do not think I will not punish you because you are new here. Slackers do not last long here so I hope for your sake you can keep up." The man nodded then followed Killian out with one last look at the princess. Both men walked down different corridors until they arrived at the library.
"This here is the library. You will need to do some research about the queen's territory. I will tell you the basic laws for inside the castle but the rest you will have to read, got it mate?" Graham just nodded, debating whether or not to ask the question he's been itching to ask for a while now. The captain walked around the large library, picking books from shelves and putting them on one of the tables. Without looking up he spoke to the newcomer.
"I know you have questions. Go on and ask then."
"Do you truly have free will here or are you under her control?" Killian stopped and looked at him, narrowing his eyes. He walked closer to Graham, stopping a few feet from him.
"Lookie here mate, I know you're from the White Kingdom but don't speak like that here. All the men in the guard fight because we genuinely want to protect out queen. The rumors floating around other kingdoms are absolute rubbish. Just follow me, pay attention and don't cock up. Queen Regina only takes the hearts of criminals and those who have broken the law and even then that isn't always the punishment. Now get to reading and don't leave the room until I return." Killian walked to the door of the library and opened it but turned back to Graham smirking as he spoke.
"Oh and huntsman? Welcome to the Dark Palace." Then he was gone.
He had been accepted pretty quickly by the rest of the guard when they saw what he could do with a weapon. He was skilled in all weaponry so their respect was quickly earned.
"He knows something. I know he knows something but he won't give it up. At least not until he absolutely has to." Emma commented. She knew Neal had something to do with this uneasy feeling in her gut.
"I need you both to promise me something." She said looking at the captain and head of arms.
"Anything. What is it?" Killian asked.
"If something happens to me or I'm not around, promise me you won't allow Regina to touch him. I don't care what you have to do or say just make sure she doesn't do anything to him." She pleaded. Emma was one to be prepared for all situations and have fallback plans for her fallback plans. Both men promised and Emma turned her attention to Regina who sat in her throne. She sat in hers and grabbed her wife's hand.
"What's on that beautiful mind of yours?" Emma asked giving her a cheeky smile. Regina just rolled her eyes but still felt a smile creep onto her face.
"I can tell you are worried and I am contemplating reasons as to why you would be feeling this way."
"Regina, I don't even know why I'm feeling like this. I'm just being paranoid." Emma didn't mean to worry her wife. She had enough stress as is.
"Don't feel guilty, dear. I'm not straining for reasons, just thinking while I wait." She spoke again a beat later. "Did you know I had a conversation with Maleficent yesterday?"
"I did not. Is that why you were gone when I woke up." She wasn't upset that Regina wasn't there, just genuinely curious.
"Yes. I went to the gardens and she showed up soon after I did. We sat in silence for some time before she asked me of your identity. She guessed who you were easily but she is no threat." Regina hesitated, not knowing whether or not to mention the other half of the conversation, but Emma noticed.
"You're hesitating. You never hesitate. What else did you two talk about?" Regina sighed.
"She said I was lucky for finding love because people like me and her hadn't expected it. I told her she may find love someday and that was the end of that. A few minutes after that I felt your panic and left." Emma nodded at the information. She was kinda glad Regina had a friend, acquaintance type deal going on with Maleficent. She wasn't happy about the other blonde having had relations with her wife but she was glad Regina would have more than her to talk to.
"Well I'm glad you two are getting along. You barely spend time with your other friends and don't even try denying that you have them."
"Yes well just because we're getting along doesn't mean we will be sharing secrets and doing spells together anytime soon." Emma laughed and shrugged her shoulders.
"So are you gonna help her find someone? Find love?" Emma's question surprised her. She honestly hadn't thought about helping Maleficent find somebody to love but logically it would be the least she could do.
"I had not thought about it but now that you mention it I may speak with her about it at some point." Regina answered with finality, effectively ending that conversation topic. Emma sat in her throne, bored, as she waited for the guards to round up those coming in for court. She looked at Neal, who stood by the door, and sighed heavily.
"Hey Neal. Do you have something to say yet? Your days are limited you know." The man shook his head defiantly, frustrating Emma.
"How about this, you tell me something useful and I do something nice for you." She smirked when she noticed Graham dragging him closer so she wouldn't have to yell across the room.
"What could you offer me?" He was actually very interested in what she was proposing. Regina was too as she looked skeptically at her wife.
"You give me some useful and truthful information, I'll let you have your own chambers but two guards must be in it at all times. It also has to be something we don't already know" The offer was a good one and very tempting. Regina had to commend her wife's negotiation skills. She could see the wheels in the man's head turning, wondering if he'd actually take the deal. After a few moments Neal slowly nodded his head. He obviously wasn't the most loyal person around.
"Okay. I accept." Emma looked at him expectantly and rolled her eyes when he just stood there silently.
"You have to actually tell me something for this to work." She said with an exasperated sigh.
"Oh right. Um, Queen Snow has been contacting nearby kingdoms and asking them for their help with resources and more men." This caught everyone's attention.
"How many kingdoms has she contacted?" Emma asked hurriedly. Needing the information so she could prepare them for what was coming.
"Three, I think." Emma looked at her wife with wide, determined eyes.
"You know what this means, right?" Emma asked quietly. The queen nodded slowly, already planning on who she would need to assist her.
"Of course, dear. This means war."
Okay be completely honest. How many of you thought the guy with the bow and cloak was Robin? I didn't even realize it may have seemed like that until after I wrote it. Made me chuckle though.
A/N: I told you I'd come back to the other villains eventually. So I'm going to put the next four that y'all voted for earlier and then I'll choose the two with the most votes. They were: Yzma (The Emperor's New Groove), Ursula (The little Mermaid), Hades (Hercules), and Cruella Deville (101 Dalmatians)