Chapter 5

Pulling the horse to a standstill after about an hour riding, the young Queen scans the surrounding area to deem it suitable for them to stop. "It is getting too dark..we need to make camp.."

Emma loosens her grip on the brunette's waist and jumps down to get a better view of where they are. "I guess it will do for now.."

Regina slides off the horse and ties him up before looking towards the blonde stranger feeling worried. "I..don't even know what I'm doing.."

Walking over to a nearby log, Emma sits down. "I will stay on lookout..you should rest"

Shaking her head, the brunette walks over and sits beside the blonde. "No..that would not be fair..I will sit with you"

Smiling a little, Emma takes a breath. "I don't even know how to get home.."

The Queen looks over concerned. "You're lost?..I had no idea, I just assumed you were staying in the castle for a visit"

Biting her lip, the blonde chuckles. "Visit King Leopold?"

Regina breaks out a small smile at the irony. "Maybe not.." Taking a deep breath, the brunette turns to face the woman beside her properly. "May we start again? Although many know me as the Queen, I do also have a name" Holding her hand out for the second time, she introduces herself. "Regina.."

Emma looks dumbfounded never expecting Regina to allow anyone call her anything other than 'your majesty' when Queen. Slowly taking hold of her hand as the young woman shakes, the blonde smiles in awe. "Emma.."

"Pretty name, it means 'whole'"

Sniggering, Emma lets go of her hand. "..don't feel very whole at the moment"

Reaching to rub the woman's shoulder in comfort, the young Queen looks sad. "I believe you will find your way..I used to look at my life and hate it. I have lost so many people that I loved and cared for that I thought it didn't matter but then I realized despite everything, I am still here and now? Now I intend on making the most of my life as my..fiancé..would have wanted it before he..died"

The blonde gulps already knowing but also admires this side of Regina. "I'm sorry..I get what it is like, I lost the love of my life too"

Looking down, the brunette clasps her hands together feeling awkward. "It's the worst feeling in the world.." Bringing her hands up to her arms, she shivers.

Emma tilts her head to look at her, teary at the thought of Regina only ever feeling that way towards Daniel and not her. Picking up on her actions, the blonde removes her jacket and drapes it over the young Queen's shoulders. "Here"

Grabbing at the hem to keep it round her, Regina looks over also teary. "You will get cold.."

Shaking her head, the blonde sighs. "I can handle it" watching the woman closely, Emma get slightly embarrassed as the brunette moves over as close as possible to her so their legs are touching side by side.

"I'm going to have to go back, I didn't think this through at all"

Frowning, the blonde looks intrigued, allowing the woman to continue.

"As far as anyone were aware, we never met..I was in my chamber and you ran from the King..they will assume that you have kidnapped me and that will cause you more trouble"

"More trouble than death?"

"More trouble that it will not just be his army looking but also the surrounding kingdoms" grabbing both of Emma's hands, Regina squeezes them. "I do not want you to die at my hand. All you have done is try and help..all you want is to go home"

Emma looks to their hands. "I...I will find a way..there is a saying back home..heroes always win and find one another. So I will find a way back"

Going quiet, the young Queen simply nods. "Okay..and I will help you as much as I can, I can only think that they will need you at home with the power you possess..how did you learn? I wanted to but..the person who approached me was evil and he only knew the art of dark magic and I do not dare go that way, who taught you? Was it him, Rumplestilskin?"

"No..mine was a female teacher"

Regina nods and raises an eyebrow. "Maleficent? I have heard stories about her, she is suppose to be extremely powerful.."

The blonde's eyes widen at the thought of ever seeing that woman after killing her dragon form. "No..she is not from here..now anyway"

"Oh, you are lucky to know more than I, I only know of Maleficent and..well my mother..but she was sent away"

Staying quiet and still, Emma then looks across feeling a small weight upon her shoulder to see that the young Queen has now rested her head against her growing tired. Hesitantly, the blonde allows her head to follow and rest on top of the brunette's. 'If only this were real'

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Having moved in the night to the ground to use the log as a head rest, Emma yawns while turning over. Hearing the blonde's movement, Regina lifts her head with a pained face, her hand going straight for her neck. Glancing down, the brunette then smiles at seeing the woman's jacket still wrapped firmly around her. 'I wish she had appeared sooner' Looking back towards the sleeping blonde, the young Queen bites her lip before shuffling closer and curling up to the woman's back for extra warmth. Emma doesn't wake but subconsciously leans over grabbing Regina's hand as if aware of her still being cold and wraps it across her waist so she can hold onto the brunette's hand, hugging it to her chest.

A/N: sleeping in the woods?! Far life from being Queen! Still enjoying? P.S. sorry its short!