A/N: Just wanted to do a quick thanks for all the reviews and traffic this thing has gotten. They really help to push me to keep writing. Anyway, here's the next chapter. Super long for me anyway, haha.
3 – Through woods and mirrors
The sun was high and beat down pleasantly as Emma emerged from the castle. Walking towards the horse that had been prepared for her, she was grateful for the light breeze that pushed cool air off of the lake that surrounded the southern wall of the castle. As cushy as it was living in an actual, honest-to-God castle, she couldn't wait to get out of there even if it was just for the afternoon.
Although, I would really appreciate it if we had decent transportation here. Hell I'd take a motorcycle at this point.
A quick grimace overcame her features that then smoothed out as she got closer to the horse. She had to admit the stallion was very pretty, all muscle and sinew covered in a white, glossy coat. The thought of how she would look riding it flicked its way through her mind.
"Ha, White Knight indeed. I should get some armor to go with that title." Emma smirked to herself as she pet the animal along its neck. Walking a few steps, she secured her satchel of provisions for her outing to the saddle.
She glanced to her right where someone who had just arrived slid gracefully from the saddle, the riding cloak he wore fluttered dramatically behind him as he landed on the ground. The blonde rolled her eyes.
Flappy clothes. Ugh.
Holding onto the pommel and placing a booted foot into the stirrup, Emma gave a quick prayer, hoping she wouldn't make a fool of herself climbing up onto this thing. She hadn't bungled it recently, but a quick plea to whoever may be listening wouldn't hurt, right?
With a heave of one foot and a pull of her arms she was able to get herself to the right height before swinging her dangling leg over onto the other side. She clambered up into the saddle and sat herself atop the horse. Sure, not the most graceful maneuver ever seen. Especially when compared to the people who actually grew up with these things.
Hell not even as graceful as Henry, Emma thought with a wry smile. Blowing out a small breath of relief, she took up the reigns and pushed the horse into a slow trot.
The call of "your Highness," was sounded when she approached the gate. She nearly rolled her eyes and gave a jaunty salute but controlled herself. As the guards stood to attention and cleared the path for her she gave them a nod of thanks and passed the threshold of the castle.
Looking into the vibrant green of the forest, Emma felt a freeing breath of air enter her as she guided her horse towards a trail that curved left into the fairly dense growth. This particular road led to a great spot halfway around the lake, and the anticipation nearly made her break the horse into a run.
However, remembering what happened the last time that happened made her contain her excitement and let the horse continue on at a relaxed pace. So with an almost white-knuckled grip on the reigns the Princess continued on her uncomfortable way atop her steed.
The speckled sunlight threw glints of warm gold through her hair as the horse bounced her along on the trail. The side to side motion forced her hips to mimic the horse's stride or slide off onto the dirt road.
Birds chirped above her head, and the rustle of small woodland creatures in the brush surrounded Emma. The sun was shining, the air was pure, not a car or smog cloud in sight. Add the constant cadence of the horse's hooves, it was National Geographic in high def.
The city girl inside Emma was curling up and screaming bloody murder.
What I wouldn't give for an iPod. This album of 'the sounds of nature' shit is too much.
Checking her surroundings and taking into consideration how fast the horse was walking, it would probably take another twenty or so minutes to get to her destination. She settled herself for the ride, trying to recall half-remembered songs in her head. Heaven forbid if she tried to sing them. In this world she might actually end up killing something if a note passed from her lips.
Head bobbing from the horse and the music passing through her mind, she almost missed the dark flutter that flew in the corner of her eye. For a second she thought she had imagined it. That the light and shadows of the forest were playing with her. After a moment though, she saw it again as the black…animal?-followed her, hidden behind the tree line.
With her little stalker, Emma continued on. Sure it was a bit creepy, kind of reminded her of that one guy in Boston that- never mind that's better left forgotten. As long as it made no move to hurt her then it was no skin off her back.
Alert but calm, she reached the little glade that sat near the water's edge. Though she complained about the almost overwhelming amount of nature, she wasn't so uncivilized that she couldn't appreciate this particular view. One that could take your breath away and even though she had seen it before, it still did. Just a little.
The view seemed out of a fairy tale. Rather fitting when you considered the situation. White horse, check. Princess with vibrant green grass underneath her feet, check. And to top it all off, the view of a beautiful crystalline lake that partially surrounded the dignified castle in the distance.
She would probably end up taking Henry here at some point. He would definitely appreciate the story book setting.
But for now, it was her private sanctuary. She could get away from the castle with its servants and well-meaning parents and rules and responsibilities that she wasn't ready for.
Directing her horse to a sapling surrounded by edible grass she then clumsily dismounted. Landing with a decided thump on the ground, Emma made her way to the small tree and tied her ride to the trunk so it wouldn't go running off.
Some parking brake. Emma snorted a little at her thought.
Making sure the horse was alright and secure, she gave it a quick pat on its neck before she went to unpack her saddle bags. Leaving it to graze, she carried her bundle and set the food down a few paces away from the water and spread out her blanket. Flopping onto it she lay for a moment, squinting up towards the sky as she soaked up some sun.
So maybe this whole nature thing isn't too horrible. Could still definitely use some music though. Emma smiled as she sat up. She turned onto her side to rummage through the pack of food. Pulling an apple, she smirked lightly.
Rolling back, she propped up a knee and rested her free arm on it as she looked over the water. Biting into the vibrant red of the fruit, she relished the sweetness that hit her tongue. It had taken months but she was finally able to enjoy one of these again.
The flutter of wings pulled her attention from the incredible view in front of her. Pulling the apple from her mouth she looked to her right, where the largest raven she had ever seen had landed and was looking at her curiously.
"Well hello there." Emma cocked her head to the right as she looked at the dark bird. "Are you the one who's been following me?"
She half-expected the bird to answer her, but it only continued their little stare down. She smiled a little as it hopped just a bit closer.
Slowly moving so as not to startle it, she reached down towards her boot. Pulling out a small concealed knife, she cut a small piece of the apple away. Offering it gently to the bird it hopped even closer, fluttering its wings a bit as it turned a judging eye at the blonde.
After a beat it seemed to find her alright and picked at the piece of fruit that was held out to it. Emma gave a smile and carefully reached out with her free hand and gave the bird a light stroke to its wing. Seeing it up close, when the light hit it just right the black of its wing had a deep purple shine. It really was a beautiful bird.
"Aren't you something special? I think I'd take a talking raven like you over a squirrel any day," Emma laughed a little as she thought about her conversation with Henry.
The raven cocked its head at her and then fluttered to her knee. With its feet resting on her, Emma suddenly noticed the loose ties that were around one of its legs. "Oh, I see. So you're not just some random bird, you're a messenger bird. I wonder who you belong to?"
"He belongs to the Queen, Princess."
Whirling around she dislodged the raven which cawed its displeasure as it flew away. Emma gripped her knife as she turned towards the voice of the intruder. She glanced at her sword that lay on the ground next to her pack. If worst came to worst, she could throw the knife to buy her time to pick up the longer blade.
"Come out! I'm not liking the whole mysterious voice in the woods act." She pushed bravery into her voice, hiding the line of nervousness that ran through her.
"Apologies." Emma nearly dropped the knife she held as a large wolf stepped out of the forest, a blood red eye staring back at her. A shiver of fear ran down her spine. As she continued to look at it though, green eyes squinted as she looked at the predator.
"Don't I know you?"
"We've met once before. In that other world when my human was still alive."
A spark of recognition widened her eyes. "Graham..." the whisper was laced with sadness.
"Hm, yes I suppose that was his name there. I knew him only as Huntsman." The wolf approached the Princess, paws traversing the ground quietly.
"You seem bigger since then...uh, do you have a name?" Emma asked, her back tensing slightly as the sentient animal got closer.
Mismatched eyes looked over the blonde human in front of him. "Garnet. And yes, the magic cast by the Queen had restricted my development. I was physically a pup for far longer than I should have been."
"Ah." Well, what else could she say to that? Her stance hadn't changed since the wolf had appeared out of the brush.
Amusement glinted in his eyes. "Your scent is still laced with fear Princess. Do not worry in the presence of the Grey Pack. We are fairly neutral in the affairs of humans after all. And you were friend to the Huntsman."
Startled at his ability to pick out her nervousness, she tried to relax. She tried reminding herself that this was a friend of Graham's. Yea, a large wolf-shaped friend that has lots of pointy teeth. Not odd at all. At. All.
"Wait, did you just say that bird was the Queen's? Do you mean Snow White?" Emma asked, with doubt in her voice and on her face.
"No, the bird is not from the flock that follows your mother. It comes from the darker Queen, steeped in magic and sadness."
The blonde's eyes widened at the fact that she had come in contact with Regina's bird. What would it be doing here?
She must have jerked or her scent gave off voodoo or something because the wolf in front of her shifted closer. "The Dark Queen has not encroached on the Gwyn Kingdom since the truce was struck. I will vouch that she holds to her pacts as she has kept to the Lupus Agreement since before the curse and afterwards."
"Well, that's good. I mean I'd heard there was a treaty, but what's this now about your wolves and her?" Emma felt so lost. She'd been unconscious in this world for a good week from transferring worlds when that agreement had passed. An image of Regina on her knees, offering her love to Henry flashed through her mind.
"In exchange for a favor, the Huntsman bartered the protection of wolves on her land. It was promised between he, the Queen, and the then Alpha." The wolf's tail swished lazily behind him as he explained.
Emma crossed her arms against her chest, tapping the dagger absentmindedly on her arm. "So you're her allies? Then why are you here? Personally I have no problems with it, but I dunno about," she waved her hand dismissively, "everyone else."
"We're not allies per say. Like I said, we are neutral in human disputes. As to why I'm here, it was the earliest I could leave my pack to see you, Princess."
"Me? Um, please call me Emma. All those titles...can't say they do anything for me." Her arms squeezed tighter imperceptibly.
"But your title is why I had to see you as soon as I was able. As a sentient and leader of my pack we are obligated to visit and swear fealty to primary members of the ruling family on the lands that we live and hunt on. Your parents have already received us, but due to the circumstances of your birth...well."
"Oh, I see. Well, this is it right? There isn't any freaky stuff that needs to go down...?" Emma trailed off, still unsure of the finer points of this life.
"Essentially. It's more the action than the words. Like most things here in this world. You would do well to apply that to all things." The wolf said this as he moved to leave, his coat ruffling with the breeze.
"Wait, what?" Emma's arms fell to her sides as the odd words registered in her mind.
"As for the bird, you may want to consider what the Queen might be keeping an eye on. Or...you could always just ask her yourself." As the wolf disappeared into the forest once again, the confused Princess didn't see the canine smile that flitted across his mouth.
In the private chambers of a dark castle, quiet cursing could be heard.
"Damn you Garnet. That's the last time I'm confiding in you, blasted wolf." The image of a certain former Sheriff clouded over in the mirror. The brunette clothed in dark fabric whirled towards her study where a large raven sat perched on one of her chairs.
Sighing quietly to herself Regina stared out the window as one of her hands played absentmindedly on a piece of parchment, scripted words glinting on its surface.