Bindings of Glass

Chapter 2

Lilia shook her head as she undid her braid. The plaiting made it easier on her to see and move around when she was trying to fight and otherwise but it became tight and began to give her a headache after a long period of time. She was sad to pull it out though it had never been so beautiful before thanks to Regina's nimble fingers. It was also easier to put the dagger she hid in the braid. She set her bag onto the four poster bed studying the room. Regina's palace was very different from this even though she was certain she'd tried to make it more inviting. Rich burgundies, dark blues, and dark purples had surrounded the white and silver of the inner chambers that she had seen.

But Snow's palace was very different. Very open with light blues, greens and beautiful earth tones seemed to be the most prevalent with some light lilacs mixing in. She stared around the room finding the high windows with their pretty drapes to be just in the style she would think Snow would have. She sighed pulling a brush from her bag the hand held mirror falling out onto the bed as she dug. She smiled softly at the sight of it before turning and walking into the sitting room brushing out her thick blonde hair. She knew it was late but she never really slept much thanks to years of training. She got a few hours here and there but nothing ever really solid. It often worked to her advantage that she required such little sleep. When the brush was running smoothly through her hair she slid to her feet and walked back into the bedroom picking up the mirror and sitting down.

"Regina?" She said softly knowing her friend would be able to hear her voice. "Regina?" She said again waiting until there was a slight flicker, like the surface of a pond disturbed by an outside force before Regina's pretty face flashed before her eyes.

"Did you find her?" Regina asked sounding a bit breathless.

Lilia shook her head, "No. Snow says she's not here but I'm going to stick around and see what I can find out."

"Snow could be lying to you. She knows how we used to be."

"I know but I don't think she is. I'm fairly certain she couldn't fake this. I'm going to see what I comes out before I leave and then I'll make my way around and try to figure out just where they may have ended up."

"If they're here," Regina murmured her dark eyes looking sad.

"They're here Regina. We just have to find them. I'll figure it out."

"Snow actually was willing to talk to you?" She asked instead changing the subject.

"She did but she was still very upset with me. Understandably so but I think we've come to an understanding. I promised her I would help her find Emma. And that I'd bring her back to her."

"You can't. You're supposed to bring her back to me!" Regina's anger quickly flared. "Her and Henry both."

"And I will Regina but right now we need to find them and would you really want to separate a mother and child? Even if only for a few weeks they still deserve to see each other."

"And I deserve to see them!" Regina roared her anger coming out full force. "They're my family too! You seem to forget that."
"On the contrary Regina, I know it. I know it well. I also know in your anger you get irrational. You're going to have to trust me to find your family and bring everything back the way it was supposed to be. I will keep trying I promise. I'm not giving up and I will hold up both promises to you and Snow just as I should."

"They're all I have." Regina said softly, looking broken as her anger died.

"I know and I will bring them back to you and everyone will be happy finally. Just give me the time I need to do it. And when the time is right you'll have your family."

Lilia sighed softly as she packed the mirror back in her bag. She was used to Regina's moods even after all these years but it still hurt her to see the woman she'd cared for back then to seem so broken. She'd always been so strong and delicate at the same time. Lilia had wanted to hold her close and protect her but at the same time she'd known if she were to fall and need protection it would be returned to her by Regina. It was part of why they'd worked so well when they were together.

She set her bag on the floor before getting to her feet. She'd kicked her boots off as soon as she'd come into the room so her feet came in contact with the soft rugs laid on the stone floors to add a bit of warmth to them. She shivered a bit when her feet touched the bare stone floor on her way to the sitting room to get her boots from by the door. Typically she would've kept them closer but she'd decided to forgo them that night seeing as her feet were still pretty sore from all the riding and walking she'd done to get herself here. She picked them up and settled down on the plush couch pulling them on and lacing them up tight. She forgo her usual shin guards in favor of keeping light on her feet while she explored. It was late at night and she figured if she stood a chance at seeing if Snow was lying to her it was now. She went back into her bedroom and retrieved her black cloak slipping it on in favor of her typical red one.

She quietly pushed open the stained glass doors revealing a balcony. Perfect, she thought with a smile as she climbed up into the railing. She glanced around seeing the decent sized ledges nearby that would give her a foot hold so she could climb along. If only she knew which direction she should begin. Shrugging and taking a leap she caught the rough stones easily and began to slide along the ledge. Really given her training as an amazon this was easy but she supposed if she had a fear of heights it wouldn't be a good idea. She slid along until she hit the first bank of windows. She studied the interior seeing the castle's hallways which were lit brightly with large torches. Guards were positioned outside important doors. She sighed and tugged the hood a bit higher around her face wanting to make sure her hair which would've revealed her very quickly. She shifted her hand holds on the uneven stone bringing herself away from the windows and continued around. She moved for quite a while feeling along with her feet and hands making sure she had proper holds. The second and third set of windows revealed nothing but the fourth seemed to be to her advantage.

"Hello." She muttered. She pushed experimentally on the windows finding they were locked. She sighed and shifted her weight bringing her right hand down. She pushed on the glass trying to find a weaker point. She listened carefully making sure she wouldn't be heard. Pushing on a piece near the bottom it gave. She smirked and continued to push carefully the glass popped out quietly and she slid her hand inside pulling on the small bars holding the windows together at the bottom. The window popped open and she slid inside with barely a noise. She paused glancing around and listening closely to make sure no one else was in the room. It was empty, she was confident of that.

She glanced around noticing a large wardrobe and a small cradle. A little mobile rested over the crib now with the light wind coming in from the open window moving a bit. She walked over to the crib seeing the little teddy bear and a few blankets. They were tucked tight obviously never having been used. She frowned and glanced around seeing the changing table and a rocking chair. Everything had a fine layer of dust over it. Yes this was Emma's room as a baby but the baby was definitely not here. The baby is likely not a baby anymore, she thought to herself as she backed towards the windows. Now it was time to get out of here before she was caught.

Climbing back onto the ledge was shockingly easy. She made quick, careful work of passing by the windows careful that no one was in front of them and she wouldn't be seen. She made it back to her room and removed her cloak setting it aside. It was highly likely she would go exploring again the next night but for now it had seen it's purpose and she was finally tired enough to actually try and get some rest.

The week passed quietly as Lilia continued to make her nightly excursions in the hope of finding any small hint of Emma and Henry but it appeared that there was none to be found. She frowned as she sipped her glass of water still refusing to drink alcohol or eat meat as she'd always done. She watched the royals and their gathered guests carefully observing them as easily as she'd always done people. No one even remotely resembling Emma or Henry was anywhere near the hall and she'd know having seen a picture Regina had drawn of both her lover and her son. And Regina was a shockingly good artist. She sighed picked at the nut bread on her plate not really hungry but knowing she should eat. This was going to take a while she figured. She just hoped she was able to reunite Emma and Henry with their loved ones before her own wife went into labor. She'd never be forgiven if she wasn't there for that.

She set the goblet down and picked a grape from her plate popping it into her mouth and chewing thoughtfully. She had a theory that the curse being broken since it was only on the people at Snow White's Wedding which admittedly left her a lot of ground to cover were all from the enchanted forest. Since this was the case she figured Emma and Henry had to be within the Enchanted Forest. There were admittedly many Kingdoms and border towns to search but she had a feeling that's where they would be and not here.

"You seem distracted tonight." Snow murmured softly causing her to look over.

"Do I? I'm sorry. I was just lost in thought I suppose."

"About what?" Snow's curiosity would never go away she supposed.

She smiled and shrugged, "Just thinking about my wife and daughter." She lied easily. "I miss them."

Snow frowned, "Perhaps it's time you headed home then."

"Perhaps. But I would like to come and visit you next time I am in the area. I've really enjoyed myself."

This brought a smile to Snow's face. "I would like that very much. Are you still going to keep a lookout for anything strange?" She had yet to tell James she had asked Lilia to look for their daughter.

"Yes I am. And if I find something you'll be the first to know." She assured her. "I'll leave in the morning and see where I end up come nightfall. Perhaps I'll get lucky and follow the path I need to be on."

"We can hope your luck is with you."

The ride back to Regina's castle took her a week. She spent a few days exploring the nearby villages on the way trying to determine if anyone new or strange was either in their town or had come through but to no avail. She would just have to widen her search she figured. She doubled around Regina's lands making sure she wasn't followed before she finally entered the palace.

The guards stared at her suspiciously and she couldn't help but roll her eyes at the porcupine look of their helmets. She hated those damn things couldn't Regina put them in something decent? They weren't too happy to have an amazon amongst them obviously but she was allowed access to the stable where she handed the reins to a groom and untacked her things before heading up to Regina's study figuring at this time of day that's where she would be. She had been careful not to use the mirror any more than necessary fearing that it may get her caught and likely executed since Regina didn't seem to be the only one holding a grudge. Though admittedly Snow would likely forgive her step-mother for everything if Regina were to sincerely apologize for her part in what happened.

Regina was sitting behind a large oak desk. Carved harps held up the large table that was piled high with various pieces of parchment and quills resting in inkwells ready to be used. She watched as Regina's dark eyes scanned the piece of parchment in front of her reading what was written before signing her name and applying her seal. The room was lined with bookshelves up to the very top filled to the brim with leather bound volumes on what Lilia was certain was every subject imaginable. She glanced up as was her habit to look at her surroundings and noticed the large stained glass windows in the top depicted pictures of well not nice things. She couldn't quite make out the subjects but they looked rather gory. She'd have to remind Regina to change that before Henry or Emma came into this room no sense in letting them see something like that.

"Lilia? I didn't expect you back so soon." Regina looked up at her as Lilia turned her green eyes to her. She smiled at her.

"Well I came back to let you know what I'd found which wasn't a whole lot. They think Emma is still a baby and that she's been kidnapped. I'm not sure what to make of that."

"It's possible that she may be a baby still." Regina had an odd look on her face as though saying it pained her and soured her at the same time.

Lilia shrugged moving over and carefully sitting herself on the corner of the desk despite the little growl of annoyance Regina gave at the gesture. It was very much like Emma Swan.

"I doubt it but anything is possible. Anyways I figured if she's anywhere she'll be within the Enchanted Forest. It's a big place and it'll take a while to search especially since we'll need to be stealthy but it's the best chance we've got at finding them. They'll be somewhere around here. We've just got to do some digging and find them." Lilia sighed. "I asked around a few of the villages and I recognize what Henry and Emma look like from your drawing but I didn't see them nor did anyone say anyone strange or different passed through."

"Perhaps there is another way." Regina started then paused chewing on her pretty red bottom lip.

Lilia arched a brow staring at her, "Are you going to enlighten me?"

"No. Let's do things your way first. Ask around see what we can find if we can't find them in a few months given it'll take you that much time to get through most of Snow's Kingdom and the border villages then I'll tell you my plan to find them."

"Don't do anything stupid Regina. Promise me you won't."

Regina stared at her seeing the intense look in her green eyes, "I won't."

Author's Ramblings: GUYS! Come on give me some feedback here! It makes me work faster. I promise...plus being a cop I keep all kinds of odd hours so when I'm on stakeouts and other such things reading nice reviews and constructive criticism helps! It makes me work harder to fix mistakes and gives me inspiration on my down time to keep writing. Also this is unbetaed. Sorry in advance about any mistakes. Let me know where you spot them and I'll fix them I promise! Next chapter is being worked out so look for it soon. I dunno when it'll get posted seeing as I'm on lunch break right now and I should be eating instead of posting this...oh well. Anyways, thanks for everything! Hope you enjoyed this installment!