Henry was shifting in his saddle three hours into the ride, but not complaining. Regina smiled and whispered, "I think my little Prince doesn't know it's alright to admit the riding is tiring if you aren't used to the saddle."
Snow smiled, "Well perhaps we should stop and eat. I noticed you didn't eat much today. I have some dried rabbit meat, cheese and bread."
"I should be thankful we don't have to kill it ourselves I've been out of this damn place too long," Regina called out to Henry that they were stopping and dismounted first to take the reins of his horse. "They eat before we do. There are carrots in my saddle bag Henry."
"You always did like horses more than people." Snow said as she tied up her own horse and helped take Henry's from Regina.
"Horses don't lie and they're excellent judges of character."
"Is that why Buttercup didn't like you," Snow ventured trying to tease this woman who felt so much like Regina that she wanted to find what kind of relationship she had with her in whatever land the future brought.
"Buttercup didn't like me because I hated Buttercup. And you. That horse was so well bread and so well trained it made you into the greatest rider in the kingdom." Regina said somewhat bitterly.
"You were better." Snow shook her head.
"The ribbons said otherwise." Regina shrugged. "And being mad at the horse was easier than being mad at tournament judges who didn't want to displease your father."
Henry looked up. It was the first time he'd ever heard his mother reference his great grandfather, Regina saw it and started gathering kindling for a fire.
"I've always wondered... what happened to Buttercup?"
"Buttercup took a nap," Regina said simply.
Henry raised an eyebrow, "Really mom. A sleeping curse? Couldn't you be more original?"
"I'll have you know it was original when I cursed the horse."
Snow looked stunned. "I thought you might have ... but how could you Regina. You loved horses so much."
Regina shrugged as she continued to set up camp, "I hated you more than I loved anything at the time. Not without help along the way. And it was one more thing you were taking from me."
"I wanted to share it with you..." Snow shook her head.
Regina looked up sympathetic. "I've never claimed I was particularly sane or rational in my anger, Snow."
"You killed my horse because people said I was a better rider than you."
"Cursed not killed," Regina said holding up a finger, "There is a difference."
"I'm so glad as soon as we find my horse's true love," Snow sighed.
"I believe the stable master put her down eventually. While you were traveling to Midas' court for the summer." Regina sighed, "Snow I'm not a good person. I wasn't then and I'm not really now." She glanced over at Henry. "I try to be the person he needs but if you are expecting some grand rapprochement in the future it doesn't come from me becoming someone I can't be. I'm still the woman who cursed a horse, and you, and ... well I've other sins far worse that are still in your future."
"But you'll come back eventually. I've always hoped you would." Snow gave her a soft smile and one of those infuriating and wonderful looks that had gotten Regina through the year without Henry. "I ... wondered if sanity was possible. I just ... maybe hoped..."
Regina sighed and put a hand on her shoulder. "Snow, there are things that are more powerful than magic. More lasting. True love. And a blackened heart. It doesn't matter how many ways I try to make up for what I've done... I'll die the Evil Queen."
"If you do I'll die regretting having given you that name."
"Snow, I told you, you can't be responsible for someone else's black heart," She glanced over at Henry.
"I don't believe you." Snow decided. "That you'll always be a black hearted monster. I believe in healing."
"And hope," Regina said with a shake of her head, "You always could make me believe in impossible things with that faith of yours." Like a heart split in two.
Both Regina and Snow paused mid-conversation as they both heard riders. Snow glanced at Regina, "Shouldn't be my men..."
A flash of white capes and silver armor, answered that question as four knights and a crimson clad King George came upon them drawing their swords. He didn't even look at Henry and Regina closely, dressed as they were and in the darkness, but he was focused on his prey.
"Snow White the bandit princess, I was hoping to capture my useless son but this will do nicely and Regina will pay handsomely for your head."
"I never collected heads you moron," Regina growled and with a push of both her hands the horses reared up and threw two of the riders. Snow drew her bow and show one of the riders and from somewhere behind them David came running screaming with his sword drawn clashing with one of the remaining knights. Another arrow landed home and George came tumbling down from his mount. The entire scene was now illuminated by the fire in Regina's hand which she used to spook the attacker's horses making them run and nearly trampling the fallen king in the process.
One of the knights with a crossbow took aim at snow and fired once before David could knock him out. He turned to see if she was safe only to see Regina's outstretched hand holding the arrow just inches from Snow's face and Snow looking terrified and shocked as the Queen had caught it just in time.
David shook his head, "Neat trick." He stepped on George's hand as he was grasping for a sword and the old man let out a yell. "Hello father."
"Can we skip the pretending you two are actually related." Regina said annoyed as she put her fireball out and checked Henry who had taken it on himself to protect the party's own horses. Once she was satisfied that he was unhurt she turned back to their prisoners.
George was staring at her in disbelief, "I knew you were a crazy bitch but ..."
"Oh shut up George. You always were such a jackass." The prisoners stared between the Evil Queen, their alley, dressed strangely and Snow White and Prince James her sworn enemies. "Unfortunately we're going to have to let them go."
"Why?" David said annoyed.
"Because you aren't supposed to capture him now. We've altered the timeline," Henry said, "In a big way. Failure at basic time travel."
Regina smiled at her prince but considered that perhaps they might have watched a few too many science fiction movies.
"So what do you suggest, Your Majesty?" David added the last with something like half respect and half mocking.
"A specialty of mine," Regina said approaching George.
"You are not ripping out his heart," Snow said firmly.
"Of course not," Regina said dismissively, but smiled at the frightened men, "I'm going to take away his memory. And because of that I can tell you George that you will continue to be a petty despot who managed to run a kingdom into the ground before these two idiots humiliate you. Twice. Because double the failure is even more humiliating."
He struggled in David's grip but Regina placed a hand on his head and he was knocked out cold, before moving to each of his guards.
"Will they be alright," Snow said.
"They'll wake up in two days with the world's worst headache and the memory of a deeply unpleasant encounter with a pack of centaurs."
"Centaurs?" Henry asked, confused.
"It explains the arrow wounds." Snow supplied. "Centaurs hate humans. It's a good story."
Regina nodded before turning to look at David, "Following us?"
"I had to make sure you weren't going to hurt Snow."
"And what's the conclusion?"
"That I'm really not looking forward to the next time we have to fight the Evil Queen." He offered a hand to Regina. She looked down at it as if debating taking it.
"Mom..." Henry warned.
Regina sighed and shook his hand. "You're still a jumped up shepherd."
"And you are still a bitch."
"But a bitch who just saved my life. Again." Snow said.
Regina shook her head not wanting to take credit, "We keep doing that. Come on, with Charming here we have another mouth to feed before we can get riding again."