THAT NIGHT
"Where are we?" Emma asked shyly, looking around at the densely-packed forest. The trees made a tight embrace where the path was now barely visible.
"I... To be honest, I'm... I'm not sure. I've never seen this place before. I thought... I thought I made the right turn. I suppose I..."
"We're lost?!"
"No! I mean... Well, yes."
"Oh, God," Emma whimpered, leaning back slightly.
As she started to move away from Regina, she began to lose her balance, nearly falling off the horse before Regina reached back and grabbed her arm, pulling her back. Holding onto both of Emma's hands, the brunette wrapped the girls arms around herself until the girl's chest was pressed against her back.
"I will protect you, my queen," Regina vowed, "but it's dark. We should rest and wait for the morning light to travel further."
"What? We're going to sleep out here?"
"I'm so sorry, Queen Emma. I didn't realize... In the morning, I'll climb one of these trees to get a better look around to see where we are, but right now, I won't be able to see anything. It's gotten too dark. Even the light of the moon isn't enough for me to find the path, but I swear to you, in the morning, I'll get you home safely, my queen."
Regina's voice was cracking, so Emma could sense her embarrassment and the sincerity in her apology, which calmed her slightly and increased her faith in the girl's words.
"It's cold tonight," Regina pointed out as she dismounted, then helped Emma off the horse as well.
Again, she hesitated to set the young queen down on the ground as she found herself lost in the girl's bright eyes that were illuminated by moonlight.
"Please stay close to me," the brunette finally managed. "I don't want anything to happen to you."
Emma, after gazing around at her dark and rather menacing surroundings, looked back at Regina and slowly nodded her head.
When Emma revealed her ability to build a large, full fire, Regina asked, "How did you learn to do that?"
"My parents taught me when I was young," Emma answered. "In the forest, staying warm is paramount."
Regina nodded her head and looked away, saying, "I don't know how to do anything like that."
"I can teach you."
"Really?"
"Of course," Emma told her, letting out a soft laugh. "The next time we get lost in the woods, I'll make you a professional."
Regina laughed, too, and reached her hands out towards the fire to warm them.
When the temperature dropped even further as the moon became obscured by dark clouds that looked as though they would bring a brutal storm, the two moved closer together and closer to the fire. When Regina glanced over and noticed her queen's eyes beginning to droop, she smiled.
"You can lay down, if you would like. I'll stay awake and watch for animals."
"No, Queen Regina!" Emma cried. "I'd never ask you to do that."
"You didn't ask me. I'm offering. You look quite tired."
"I'm not... I mean... Perhaps, a little bit... but it's fine! I can stay awake. Why don't you sleep while I keep watch?"
"Please, my queen," Regina pleaded with her. "Why don't we take turns? I'll wake you up in a few hours."
With a sigh, Emma finally conceded and began to lay down on the ground about a meter away from her new bride.
"Queen Emma," Regina said shyly, "would you like to rest your head on my lap?"
Caught off guard, Emma sat up slowly and considered the offer. Rather than replying, she moved closer to the girl and curled onto her side, lowering her head onto her thigh. Unsure of herself but unable to resist, the brunette ran her fingers through Emma's golden locks of hair, stroking softly as the girl fell asleep.
EARLY THE NEXT MORNING
"Emma, wake up," Regina whispered, gently shaking the girl's shoulders. "The sun's up."
"You were supposed to wake me up after a few hours!" Emma cried.
"I know, but I... You just looked... I mean... You were tired."
"I... Thank you, Queen Regina."
"You are welcome."
Regina ascended the tree quickly, and when she came back down, she was wearing a bright, triumphant smile.
"Did you see it?" Emma asked. "Did you see the path?"
"Yes! And we're not as far as I thought we were. I just took a wrong turn last night, and I apologize for that. I didn't mean to put you in danger."
"I wan't in danger," Emma countered. "I was with you."
Flattered into silence, Regina mounted the horse and helped Emma to do the same. Though the girl was less frightened and more confident on the horse than the previous day, she wrapped her arms around her queen just as tightly as before, feeling her palms begin to sweat slightly as Regina's hand rested on hers.
It only took them a few hours to reach the castle, and when they did, Regina helped Emma off the horse for the last time. Once again, she hesitated before setting her bride on the ground. This time, Emma blushed, and her hands remained on the brunette's shoulders just a little longer than was necessary. Their bodies were close together, causing Emma's breath to catch in her lungs.
"T-Thank you, my queen," the blonde stammered, pulling away at last.
"I..." Regina started. "You are very welcome, Queen Emma. I'm just happy you're safe."
"I am safe, thanks to you."
Not knowing what to say, the brunette simply smiled.
THAT NIGHT
The two stood in the hallway in front of Regina's bedchamber, looking at each other for a long moment before either dared to speak.
"Goodnight, my queen," Regina said softly, kissing the girl's knuckles and turning to leave.
"Wait," Emma said quickly, grabbing onto her bride's hand. "May I rest with you tonight?"
Taken aback by this but not startled enough to let go of Emma's hand, Regina answered, "Of course, my queen. Anything you wish."
So Emma was led into the girl's bedchamber, and they slipped under the covers together.
Just when Regina thought that her queen had fallen asleep, the blonde said, "May I ask you something that may be inappropriate?"
"You may ask me anything you'd like."
"Would you touch my hair again? I haven't... I've never..."
"As you wish," Regina whispered softly, curling onto her side to face Emma, propping herself up by her elbow, and used her free hand to stroke the honey-golden locks.
This put the girl to sleep rather quickly. Once that happened, Regina leaned in a little bit closer, her lips hovering above Emma's forehead. When the girl stirred, though, her courage waned, and she leaned away, sinking into her own pillow, only put to sleep by her queen's slow, steady breathing.
THE NEXT MORNING
Regina awoke to the sound of clothes shuffling and was surprised at what she saw when she opened her eyes. Her queen, turned away, was undressing, slowly slipping out of her nightgown and revealing the pale flesh of her bra-less back. When Regina let out a heavy breath of air, Emma heard her and turned around, covering her bare chest with her hands.
"Oh, God, don't look!" Emma gasped. "I'm... I'm disgusting."
Regina quickly shut her eyes out of respect for her queen, but countered gently, "My queen, you are radiant beyond compare. Please, don't be ashamed."
"No, I'm not," the blonde queen said shortly, quickly re-clothing herself in her nightgown, "and you are very unfortunate to have been betrothed to me."
"Please, don't say that. You've been nothing but kind to me. Our people are happy, and safe. Together, you and I will return prosperity to our kingdom."
"You may open your eyes," Emma said, "Perhaps you are right about that, but it is unfortunate that your parents chose me as your betrothed."
"And why is that?"
"Because I have nothing to offer you, my queen. I am no match for your beauty or grace. I don't belong here, in a palace. I belong in a hut in a forest, living in isolation where no one has to put up with my clumsiness and dull personality."
"You misunderstand me, then," the brunette told her. "The only thing I would have you offer me is your companionship."
"But I-"
"Nothing more is needed. You are my queen, and a just one at that. You've shown great wisdom in the short time that you have ruled."
Emma looked at her feet as though they were interesting - they were not - then suddenly knelt down on one knee, lifting her eyes to meet her queen's, saying, "My companionship is yours, my queen, as long as you will have it."
"That is all I would ever ask of you, Queen Emma, and you have thus far exceeded that desire."