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Chapter 3

Regina didn't have time to knock. Door opened before she could. The old woman smiled at them revealing those few teeth that remained in her mouth.

Regina ducked her head a little elbowing Emma lightly to do the same. "Gods bless your home, wise woman."

"Gods bless your traveling souls." She opened the door wider to let them in. "Come to my house and eat with old woman." They had to bend their backs a little to pass through the door. The cottage was small. Dark, full of rattles and stale air. Fire crackling in fireplace wasn't helping it. Bunches of various herbs were hanging from beams at the ceiling. They sat down on a wooden pew at the table. Emma never felt so strange. Not that she was afraid but this reminded her foster families she lived in somehow. So maybe it was kind of aversion. The woman just looked like old hag which's making potions in big cauldron. She smiled to herself. Yeah, like a fairytale witch. But Regina told her to take it seriously, to trust her with no trusting anyone.

The big bowl of food landed on the table, hitting their noses with odd smell. Not bad, just odd.

At this Emma couldn't stay silent. "Smells good. What is it?"

Regina shot her a glare. She had a posture like queen and talked like noble but still she was like a little lamb with that hag around. Or maybe like a predator waiting for its prey to make a move. Emma thought.

"It's my mother's secret recipe. Few potatoes, sheep cheese, bacon, flour and a secret ingredient of course." The woman offered her genuine smile and pushed the pot in their direction. "Take your spoons and eat as much as you want. It's a long time since someone came here. Happy day for me today."

Regina politely nodded and smiled, taking the spoon, filling it to half and ate slowly. Emma didn't care about manners. Only now she realized how hungry she was. She hasn't eaten in ages. She dig the spoon to the food and full spoon tucked to her mouth moaning with pleasure at fantastic taste, leaning her head back, closing her eyes.

Regina just gaped at her, forgetting her manners as well, her jaw almost fell to the wooden floor. Damn all the manners and rules if she can do that sound again! The picture of Emma moaning like that in a different situation popped to her mind. She put her jaw back in place and looked back to her food. You getting crazy? This is not for you. Take her to safe ground, find your son and her family. She frowned at that thought. Disgusted, Regina? You know you have to do it. You split this family apart. Thanks to you this woman never had any. She didn't like the sound of those words, but then she realized, she'd done exactly what it says. She's a destroyer of any happiness. She couldn't even make her own family happy. She disappointed her mother so many times, she didn't listen to her father... She killed everyone that seemed too happy. So selfish. Killing all those people, and not just them, because she couldn't find her own happy ending. But Snow White caused all of this. If she wouldn't tell my mother…she would find me and Daniel anyway… She sighed, putting the spoon back on the table.

Emma was eating with big appetite. When she was full. She just sat back on the pew and waited, right after she eased her belt.

"Where are you coming from?" she asked narrowing her eyes, looking from Emma to Regina.

Emma took a breath to respond but Regina was faster, again. "We're from a land far far away. We were heading to an Enchanted Forest but we got lost in these woods."

The woman coughed. "So you haven't come here to lighten the heart of old woman," she stated musingly touching her chin with shriveled hand. "I thought I got fresh meat for spare servant's space in my house."

But this time, when Regina was thinking hardly what to say, Emma spoke, "We can help you with a few things if you want. Who with their heart in chest wouldn't help woman who can cook like that." She motioned with her hand to the bow. "I promise I'll do what you need. You know like thank you for feeding us…"

"…and showing us the way to Enchanted Forest," Regina finished the sentence before any more wrong promises would be done.

Emma smiled happily. It couldn't be much work here, could it? Regina's face was unreadable.

The hag stood up and led them outside. It was already sunset. They looked, stunned, at the picturesque country in front of them. The trees of the forest on the both sides of the valley, darkening with every second, flowers of all colors catching last rays of their master, orange light dancing on the wild river, sliding down the stones. Light wind blowing, caressing perfectly green grass.

Emma breathed deeply. This feels like paradise.

Regina on the other hand, had darker thoughts. Now they were in big trouble. How could she be so blind and take Emma here? Right to the lion's lair.

The mentioned lion showed them to follow her around the cottage to the big hole in rock. They didn't notice these mountains here before. They had to be far in the North. Regina remembered hearing about some rocky giants with caves like cities in it. There were lighted lanterns on the wall. They went deeper and when they rounded a corner, big room with thousands of candles and lanterns greeted them. At the back of the 'hall' Regina could recognize doors mounted to the solid rock.

Emma opened her mouth at the beauty. She looked at the ceiling then every wall, every piece of furniture. She opened one drawer and found dress made probably of the most precious fabrics.

Eventually they got to one of the doors Regina noticed before. The hag opened the latch and showed them perfectly furnished bedroom. For two. Well, for one but the bed was big enough for two.

"I hope you'll have sweet dreams, my friends." She bowed slightly and closed the door, leaving them alone.

Regina started pacing, putting her hand to her chin thinking. Emma fell backwards onto bed, staring to the ceiling with hazy eyes. She felt good, cared about. And hope. That's what she felt. Hope, that it's not that hard to find Henry. She felt warm, which was lulling her to sleep.

Regina narrowed her eyes and looked at the door, listening carefully. Then she turned to Emma with not very happy expression on her face. "Miss Swan, you couldn't keep your mouth shut, could you?" She put her hands on her hips, her voice shaking with fury.

Emma raised herself off the bed a little, supported by her elbows. She looked at Regina, confused. "Um…yes? I could but we have nothing to fear about. That old woman is just so lonely."

"Have you lost your mind?! Making promises like that! When you got to Earth, I hope you'll realize what you've done." Regina sat down on the bed from the other side. Emma got to her knees and crept to the older woman. She put her hand on Regina's shoulder.

"I'm here all the time. But I don't understand, Regina. It was just being nice to the woman. She helped us, and she'll show us the way. So why can't we help her?"

Regina turned her head slightly but didn't look at Emma. She could feel warmth radiating from Emma's body and wanted to have her arms around herself. Why there's always some catch in everything? "That woman is a witch and with that promise of yours, you chained as here for god knows how long." She trailed off.

Emma's eyes widen in surprise but she was optimistic. "We can escape, ran to the woods. She's no chance to catch us if we're fast and if we take advantage of the right moment."

Regina grabbed Emma's face with her hands looking to her eyes with more concern that she wanted to. "You don't get it, do you? We're not just stuck in this country, we're stuck in here! She won't let us go and even if she did, we wouldn't get far. She's got magic and I don't. I can't protect you." As I couldn't protect Daniel. Tears fell from her eyes. She wanted to stand up, to get away from the closeness but Emma pulled her back. She embraced her and Regina put her head on Emma's shoulder. Why do you open your heart so easily to this woman? She sobbed. Emma caressed her hair and back gently. "She's not gonna hurt anyone," she said remembering saying the very same words to Henry only few hours ago.

Regina pulled out of the warm loving embrace. "We should go to sleep." She wiped off remains of her tears with the back of her hand. "Tomorrow is a work day for us."

"What does it mean? Who is this witch anyway? We're not gonna work in mines forever, are we?" Emma asked in attempt to lighten the mood.

"Let's get ready for bed and I'll tell you a goodnight story," Regina was getting back to her skin. They found some clothes in drawers and changed. They blew out all candles except those which were closest to the head of the bed. They sank to the mix of comfortable cushions and blankets. When they settled, total silence hit the room.

"So, what's with my bedtime story?" Emma nagged.

Regina sighed, and started monotonously, "In a land far far away…"

Emma giggled and covered her mouth with her hand. When she noticed the glance from Regina, she readjusted herself and put on a serious face. "Sorry, go on."

The older woman started again. "In a land far far away, no one remembers where, long long time ago there was a young girl who lived only with her father. They were poor but good people. She had a friend who was a rich girl. They were like sisters, but people talked about the rich mother of the other girl as wicked old hag. The young girl didn't believe it and convinced her father to get married. But the day her father got married to her was the last day of their happiness. Right after the wedding they used them as slaves. After a few weeks the young girl decided to go to the world to find her happiness. Her step-mother just laughed at her and her daughter as well. So the girl went to explore the world, searching for happiness. She wandered through large plains, deep forests. When she finally got to the cottage. She was hungry and exhausted. So she didn't hesitate to knock on the door. The door opened and old woman smiled at her. They greeted and the girl asked her if she can work as her servant for a while, just for food and bed. The woman told her she needs a servant but she's not sure if the girl would stand so much work. She was used to work home so why not? Her only work for the hag became cleaning all the rooms in a cave. Except one. It was strictly forbidden for her to enter the room. The girl was ok with that and happy to help the old woman. But after a while she got curious. One day, when the hag went to collect some herbs to the other valley, she couldn't hold back the curiosity and took the key of the room and opened the door. She peeked in and saw three tubs full of copper, silver and gold liquid. She was so stunned she climbed to the tub with gold and bathed in it. Immediately jewels appeared in her hair and her skin was golden as well as her clothes. She gathered her stuff and ran to the woods. When the hag came back home, she took a look of the chambers in the cave and she noticed it's not cleaned and the last one is open with key still in the lock. She got furious and took her flying potion and comb to her hand. She squirted herself with the potion and flew after the girl. Fire and smoke with her. When she got close enough she waved with the comb and tried to bury it in girl's hair to get back the jewels. But something or someone stopped her. The tale says the girl helped a few magical creatures on her way to the cottage and they saved her from the hag. She got home to her father and they lived happily ever after. But her step-mother wanted fortune like that too. She sent her own daughter to the hag and the situation repeated, only this time it ended with tragedy. When the witch caught up the other girl, she managed to flay all the jewels from her hair, ripped off her golden clothes and scratched her with the comb to death. She was selfish, she didn't help anyone on her journey," Regina finished the story.

Emma listened stunned, her eyes fixed on Regina's lips. "We can do the same maybe?"

Regina rolled her eyes. "We can't, Miss Swan. We came from different country, we didn't walk here through miles of forest. And didn't help anyone. So they won't help us, whoever they are."

"But they were alone and scared to death. And it's the two of us here, we have better chance like that." Emma pulled herself up to sitting position as well.

"You want to fight her? The woman who can control fire and kill you with simple comb?" Regina shook her head in disbelief. "It's too risky. And I still don't have my magic back, the process is probably blocked completely with the hag's magic." She looked at her hands helplessly.

"Can't we kill her in an old fashion way?" Emma raised an eyebrow.

"Do you really think she's so stupid to not prevent from that situation?" Regina had enough of this. She had to calm down and get some sleep soon, otherwise her head's gonna explode. She knew what she had to do. Stay with Emma. She couldn't leave her behind. She yawned. "Go to sleep, Miss Swan. We can talk about the plan tomorrow." She closed her eyes.

"Um, Regina?"

Regina's eyes popped open. "Yes?" she asked, annoyed.

"Thanks for the story. Gonna sleep as a baby." Emma smiled and closed her eyes too.

Regina chuckled and in a few minutes she fell asleep. She woke up at sharp pain in her ribs. She shook her head to clear her mind from sleepiness. When her eyes adapted to the darkness a little, she could recognize familiar blonde waves spread all over her arm and arm holding onto her tightly. She shifted a little to make Emma loosen her grip but she was relentless, even in her sleep. She put a hand on Emma's arm and shook it gently. "Miss Swan," she whispered carefully. "Emma, wake up."

Emma stirred and looked at brunette with sleepy eyes. "What is it, Regina?"

"I'll need the doctor in the morning if you don't let go of me." She waved her head in the direction of Emma's arm around her waist.

Emma loosened her grip but didn't let go. "And that's why you woke me up?" Suddenly, her face was dangerously close to Regina's. The older woman didn't answer. Well, she had no time for that, since Emma crushed her lips to hers. She wanted to fight it, to pull away but Emma was stubborn. Finally she gave up and run away with the kiss. She brushed her hand through the golden locks, then put her hand to the nape of Emma's neck and pulled her down against her body. Emma nipped at Regina's bottom lip demanding to enter, and the brunette obeyed. But their tongues didn't fight. They were savoring the pleasure moving slowly against each other. Emma put her hand on Regina's hip, slowly sliding under the fabric and moving upwards. Regina broke free from the kiss and pushed Emma away slightly. "No," she whispered. "I can't." Her face turned red, fortunately the room was dark. But the look in her eyes Emma could recognize. She tried to shake the blond off of her but no luck.

"Regina, Regina!" Emma grabbed her wrists and pinned her to the bed. "Regina, I understand, calm down." Regina finally stopped pushing her away. "Let's get to original plan and get to sleep." She smiled and caressed Regina's cheek. "It's ok." She lay back down, carefully putting her arm back on Regina's waist. "Good night, Regina."

The brunette didn't relax only when she heard Emma's breathing steadily. She let the tension from her back to flood out.

After few hours they were out of bed, ready to start the new day. They got out of the cave to the morning light and walked to the well. There they found the old hag waiting for them already.

"The sun woke up sooner than you today." She offered them that fake smile again.

"Beautiful day isn't it," Regina stated with matching smile. "So what's our assignment?"

The hag looked at Emma. "I'm old end my bones are not that strong. I can't clean all the cave chambers myself. Can you help me? I need to go to collect some herbs for my new healing spices. All you need is in the cave."

"Sure, no problem." Emma kneaded her hands. "We can start right now." She looked at Regina who just nodded.

"Wonderful! I'll be back in 3 days. Take care of my house and yourselves, dears." She beamed. Then took big sack that lied at her feet and sling it over her shoulder.

The two women watched her till she got to the trees. They walked back to cottage with no intention of cleaning. "So, what's the plan?" they asked simultaneously.

"Before we run away we have to do one more thing."

"What thing?"

"You have to bath in the golden liquid." Regina said firmly.

"W-what?" Emma thought she's hallucinating. "You mean like that golden liquid?"

Regina nodded.

"Why would we want the hag to get angrier? You might be a good general as the queen, Regina, I don't know, but this is definitely not a good plan."

"Emma," Regina stepped closer to her. "Have you listened carefully to my story yesterday? It's the only way you have a chance to escape. Those girls didn't even know why they could go further away from here. They bathed in gold 'cause they couldn't resist. If they wouldn't they would have to come back and serve the hag forever. The only way to break the seal of the promise you gave her, is to bath in that tub."

"Oh fuck," Emma breathed.

"Exactly. We have to find the key, open the door, immerse you to that liquid and then run like hell." Regina explained.

"Well, yeah, but you said we need help of those creatures." Emma remembered.

"We don't. I've noticed a tunnel at the back of the big hall. We can go through there."

"Sounds like a plan," Emma said, attempting to smile.

"Yeah." Regina sighed. It's not gonna be easy.