Wow, well Happy almost New Year! I know it has been a very long time since I've updated this fic but here you go, I hope not to leave it almost a year and a half between chapters this time! Haha! I hope this chapter lives up to your expectations! Please don't forget to comment and let me know what you think!

Happy New Year to All! 3 K

In front of Regina stood a 10ft tall green monster. It's clouded eyes searching for any form of moment. She dare not move. Dare not step. Dare not breathe. Regina could feel heat moving down her arm from her chest. It landed just above her hand. Her chocolate eyes quickly dashed down to the spot where the heat laid causing a small gasp to release from her lungs as her eyes grew wider….

The sign of the burning ball above her palm made Regina frightened. Her lessons from the crazy Rumplestilskin never got to something like this, he had tried coaxing her but she was never able to create something of this magnitude. Without even a thought a smaller ball released from that which was in her hand hitting the large beast in the shoulder. He lunged forward at the pain just missing the spot where Regina still stood in shock.

"No!" She yelled releasing another fireball though this time hitting him in the middle or his forehead just as he once again lunged at her unmoving form. The monster topped over himself before crashing against the ground with a shake. Every sense of feeling left Regina's body as the fireball ceased to exist only leaving a sense of heightened power that made her both afraid and excited at the same time. Shouting from the distance awoke her from her almost dream like state as a caravan quickly approached her with the royal flags.

This might have been the first time she had ever been delighted to see the symbol of the King.

King Leopold jumped from the horse he was on as if he was 20 years younger than he currently was. A large bruise from where they had knocked him unconscious when she had been taken captive by Robin's men, shone bright on the side of his face.

"Regina! Regina my Queen!" Leopold yelled running to her before giving her a rather unexpected embrace. Her eyes caught the fact that her dress had been torn from running from the beast and grass and dirt lined the bottom though she refused to care. It almost felt safe in Leopolds arms, something she never would have thought before. Though she knew 100% that she in fact could take care of herself.

"Are you alright?" Leopold asked looking her over before two of the royal guards came to her sides to lead her to a horse. There was no royal carriage which made her need to ride a horse, nor was there a side saddle which she was extremely grateful for though she knew it would not be proper for her to ride without one she really didn't care.

"I am okay." She nodded before hoping up onto one of the horses.

"Where are the men that took you, I will have a bounty out for everyone associated with Robin Hood! I want him dead or alive!" Leopold shouted at the guards, a few took off back towards the castle to deliver the decree before Regina had time to protest. It was not Robins fault, she wouldn't let anything happen to him, though she needed to be quick about how she went about this with her husband.

"They protected me, three men gave their lives to save me from the ogre, is that not enough penance for their crimes?" Regina asked as Leopold brought his own horse next to hers.

"No, I am afraid not, what these men have done is unforgivable, it is treachery to have kidnapped the Queen, my wife!" His anger began to well up unlike anything Regina had witness from him before. She knew being upset would be a natural reaction having her have been kidnapped but it seemed like he had really cared for her. This was personal for him, that much she was certain of.

By the time they reached the castle Regina knew there was not anything she herself could do to persuade the King of his decisions against Robin's men. Maybe, there was someone else that could. No. she wouldn't make a deal with the imp she couldn't what about Tink could she do something, is that too much to ask as Regina really didn't have much to give back in return to what Tinkerbell had already given her.

Regina's lady's in waiting helped her down from the horse before escorting her towards her bedchambers to get cleaned up. Little Snow White even refused to leave her side during the whole time. Regina was happy for the company of the young girl but she knew she would need time to herself if she was going to contact Tinkerbell, or event he imp if that was her last resort. It burned deep in her soul the need to not let anything happen to Robin.

It was after Regina was cleaned up, dressed, and given dinner that she had some alone time. Leopold had convinced his daughter Snow to let Regina sleep alone for the night, she needed time to herself. Regina was more than grateful for his kindness though she could tell the anger that festered within the man. She had no idea he was capable of such a feel, especially when it came to something that happened to her.

She paced in her room, from the bed to the sitting area, to the fireplace trying to decide what she should do, should she go an warn Robin, should she ask Tink, could Rumplestillskin do something, but what would the cost be for her. At this point she didn't care the cost she had to keep him safe!

The sound of something hitting her balcony made her practically jump in her skin. The fear of another fireball appearing was evident though it never came to be. She hid herself behind the couch preparing to yell for the now army sized guard posted outside of her door. The shimmer of light hair caught her attention as did the tip of the bow of a man that walked into her room from the balcony. How on earth did anyone climb up there it was quite a step height?

"Robin?" Regina asked realizing who it was.

"Regina!" Thank god you're alright, when my men didn't return I thought the worse, then when I saw the ogre. I'm sorry I had to make sure you're alright." He said running over and holding her in a tight hug. It was much different then when Leopold hugged her earlier in the day, sure she felt safe, but with Robin the feelings of comfort, assurance and belonging seemed to envelop her as she held herself as close to his chest as she could.

"Robin, I am so sorry for everything, but you can't be here, the King, he's put out a bounty on your head, your men too, you have to leave!" She pleaded releasing herself from his warm embrace.

"Regina, I need to apologize, I should not have sent you away, none of this would have happened if I let you stay at the camp. I know about the bounty but I won't leave here without you!"

"You don't have a choice, if the guards find you here…" her words trailed off as her bedchamber door burst open revealing four guards with swords drawn. They most have herd the voice of a man in with her. What the hell was she supposed to do now?