Thanks again for reviews! I hope I haven't done anything wrong in this chapter. But it's up to you to consider. Enjoy!
Chapter 4
They went back to the cave and Regina looked around, then explored every wall. Emma just stood there casually. "What are you doing? Shouldn't we be looking for a key to that chamber and running away? I doubt it's in the wall."
"I'm looking for some cleaning tools, Miss Swan." Regina replied snappily.
Emma frowned. She waved her hand in front of brunette's face. "Um…hallo! Regina! We're planning on to escape not to clean the cave."
Regina slapped her hand away. "Don't be ridiculous. We are going to escape. But we can success only if the hag doesn't suspect anything. Days are short and I doubt we can find the key just like that," she snapped her fingers. "When we find it and that hag is away, we can start then."
Emma backed off and pointed to her right. "Is that what you're looking for?" There were buckets, brooms and rags waiting for them. Regina grabbed a rag from the bucket but it turned to dust immediately. She brushed it off hands.
"Nice. That gives us small advantage, only one of us has more work to do." She looked pointedly at Emma.
"What? I have to do it alone?" Emma knew she has to since she saw what happened with the rag in Regina's hands.
"Yes. In a meantime, I can gather things we'll need on our way. If I remember right it's very dangerous as well, but there are portals that can send us closer to Enchanted Forest." The older woman said that very calmly but shivered a little at the thought of the dark caves. She wasn't afraid of darkness but the old hag could stop them anyway. She probably wasn't that strong there. But still dangerous.
Emma groaned in distaste and took the tools, starting to clean the cave up. Regina was scrabbling about the drawers and cabinets in all chambers to gather everything useful. This hag has probably everything. She found some clothes perfect for traveling. Then she found a wooden box with flint and some kind of backpacks. It didn't take her long. In the evening they stayed at the cottage, where they wanted to take a look at the cabinet with potions. Regina knew some of them, but the others were apparently the witch's special recipes.
Emma was looking for a key. She took a good look at the lock so she knew what's she's looking for. She searched like every cabinet and every pocket in all the pieces of clothing in the cottage. Nothing. As if the key melted away. Tired of all day work she sat down on warm fur at the kiln. "You know, I could always try to open it with some rods." She yawned deeply, leaned her back against the side of the kiln, closing her eyes.
"I won't work, Miss Swan." Regina brushed it of, without turning her eyes from the vial she was holding to the light from the candle. "You need magical key to open the door," she said musingly.
"Uhm…I know." Emma was falling asleep. Suddenly the brunette shook her awake from her little nap. Sound of metal meeting stone startled them both. They looked down at what 'caused that. Small chest appeared in the ashes, hidden under the thick layer.
"Well, well, well. Jackpot." Regina took the chest and opened it revealing old rusted key.
"This is the key?" Emma's eyes shined with relief and satisfaction. We can leave now.
Regina closed the chest and put it back under the kiln, strewing ashes back on it. "She's going to check on that key when she comes back. We can take it after she does so."
They put everything back in place and got something to eat. Food wasn't problem, the hag had full cupboards and stone cellar outside.
Back in the cave Regina sat in one of the comfortable armchairs and closed her eyes to gather her strength. She needed her magic back. Not for power, but for protection. She felt it coming back inside her but not as fast as she needed to. Fucking witch! She hit her head to the back of the armchair and opened her eyes. Something smelled wonderfully under her nose.
"I found tubs with hot water if you want to bath." Emma came to her vision, drying her hair with towel, dressed just in her tank top and panties. Regina took a long look up and down the blonde's figure, muscles flexing with every turn and brush of the towel. She blinked a few times and stood up, averting her eyes.
She got to their bedroom, took her sleeping clothes and headed to the door full of steam. But when she entered the chamber tubs where gone and she could get crazy from that. Emma was already in the bedroom. So she went outside, pulled the bucket out of the well and washed herself with the cold water. As I suspected. I can't use any stuff of the cleaner. She changed in the hall and then got to bed really fast.
Emma was sleeping soundly after hours of work. That look warmed Regina a little bit but not enough, she was still freezing. Even under the thick blanket. She tried not to sneeze and turned to lie on her side facing the wall. Few seconds later Emma embraced her from behind, snuggling up to her. "God, Regina, you're cold," she murmured. Regina closed her eyes and tried not to think about it.
After two days of cleaning and exploring the passage in the cave, the old hag appeared at the fence.
"I brought you some herbs. And new seeds for the garden," she said and smiled genuinely, handing the sack to Emma. The blonde took it and Regina stepped to the hag to help her to the cottage.
"You can leave," the hag said so quietly Regina wasn't sure if she didn't imagine it.
"You can leave anytime you want," the old woman repeated. "You are not ordinary peasant. I've noticed vestige of magic." The hag smiled. "You're like me, sister."
Regina froze in her tracks. Then she composed herself. "I can't leave her. She saved me." 'And my son' she wanted to add but bit her lip. No sharing more details of my life with you, sister.
"So she belongs to you."
Regina frowned. Negotiation? Maybe I can make a deal with her. Regina mused. Yeah? And what would you offer, Your Majesty? You have nothing to give her. And she knows that. So you can leave and live, or you stay and die. That wasn't nice vision. We found a key. I can't leave her behind.
"I'll leave her here with you. Give me just few more days with her to return her the favor." Regina smiled at the woman with one of those dazzling smiles.
The hag laughed in high pitched tone, putting her hands on her stomach. "Of course, my dear. She's a beautiful girl, ain't she?" She started walking to the cottage again, leaving disgusted Regina behind.
After dinner and listening to the hag's boring lecture about herbs, they went to cave where the woman just nodded after checking all the chambers.
Next morning she went for another trip, but for two days. Emma went for the key to the kiln and Regina was packing up last few things. In one of many chests, she found some weapons. She took two daggers and sword. In the cottage she packed as much food as they could have with other stuff. Also took few potion vials from witch's cupboard. Maybe she can block Regina's magic but not her own.
Regina walked back to the cave through fresh morning air. The door to the tub chamber was opened and she didn't want to snoop on Emma but she had to be sure everything's going as they planned. She entered the room quietly with clothes she had for Emma.
The blonde was lying in tub, eyes closed, relaxing. Regina got to her in less than a second and shook her arm to get her attention. "Emma! Don't let it control you! Just dive into it and jump out here."
"Few minutes, sweetie. And I'm all yours," Emma said with lazy smile.
Regina didn't waste any time and even though it was harsh, she put her hand on the top of Emma's head and pushed her under the liquid. Emma struggled and her head reappeared, this time her skin shining with gold and her hair full of jewels. She leaned back against the wall of the tub and closed her eyes again.
"We don't have time for this." Regina's heart was beating chaotically. This costs them precious time. The older woman slid her arms around Emma's body pulling her out of tub. They fell to hardwood floor. Emma's eyes snapped open. "What happened?" She gained no answer from the brunette. Regina stood up, and helped Emma to get to her feet.
"Here, got your clothes." She handed her bunch of clothes. "Hurry up. If we want this to work, we need few hours lead."
Emma put on the clothes, which were very comfortable but good for traveling or fighting. Hope I won't need to do that. She approached Regina, who carried two backpacks and sword in its scabbard.
"For you, Miss Swan." Regina handed her the sword and dagger, similar to the one under her belt. "Now, sit down."
Emma hesitated. "Um…you said we have no time…so why…"
"Sit down, Miss Swan!" Regina demanded.
Emma sat down at the nearest chair. Regina took out a comb from her pocket and started to brush the jewels from Emma's hair. When she was done, she took all the jewels and put them in pouches she found before. She handed one to the blonde. Emma took it without word, knowing it's useless to ask or say anything, 'cause Regina is not amateur.
"Ready?" Regina asked.
Emma nodded. They took the backpacks and lanterns from the wall and stepped to the passage. If it wasn't for Emma's golden skin magically lighting the cave, lanterns would be almost useless. After half an hour of walking the cave started to quake. Small stones were falling from the ceiling and they could hear something like explosion behind them. That could mean only one thing. The hag came back sooner and she found out they're not there.
"Run!" Regina screamed and pushed Emma further through the passage. They crossed tenths of other passages on their run. After a while, they couldn't hear anything but their footsteps and shallow breathing. They stopped and listened. Nothing. The pair continued but they noticed the change in temperature. The cave was cold here but suddenly the heat was radiating from the corridors.
Green eyes met dark brown and they both nodded, starting the run again. Only few inches behind them the flames blew out from another passage. And then in front of them. They both fell to the ground trying to stop in the dust. From behind them they could hear the hag's furious screams. They got up and continued but the hag wasn't far behind. Her voice stopped them.
"How rude is to leave and not to say goodbye."
They both turned around.
"You forgot to talk? That's a shame. I won't talk to my slaves again? I hoped to have some company."
They were liked nailed to the ground from fear. Regina pulled herself together a little bit and took out one of the vials, throwing it to the witch.
"Emma, go! Go!" She pushed Emma a few times to get her to move. "Go!" Emma still with heart in her throat turned on her heels and ran away. The witch was paralyzed. Regina took one last look at her and ran after Emma but couldn't see her anywhere.
The blonde felt cold air again but didn't stop running. When she realized there is absolute silence. She stopped and turned around hoping to see Regina. Something shuffled behind her and she looked over her shoulder. She couldn't believe her eyes. Little boy was standing there. He looked really poor.
"Hey…" Emma said turning to him. "How did you get here, kid? This is a dangerous place." He just stared at her with puppy dog eyes.
"Can I help you? You looking for a way out?" Emma asked kindly.
He shook her head slightly. "No, I'm looking for you."
Emma took a few steps backwards and stumbled. The boy jerked to her with mad scream. Emma stood there, shocked, she felt something to brush against her arm and saw Regina pulling the sword from her belt and decapitating the boy.
"Noooo!" Emma screamed but at a same time the body of the boy transformed to the mix of old hag's limbs and blood.
Her heart pounded in her chest as a runaway horse. Her breath hitched in her throat. She had to lean against the wall. The coldness helped her to calm down. Regina put her hand on Emma's cheek. "You ok?"
Emma nodded, still not able to speak. She breathed out deeply.
"We have to go." Regina smiled at her. "And I guess we were lucky today."
"No we weren't," Emma spoke. "You were amazing with that sword."
Regina smiled mysteriously. "Thank you, Miss Swan. But I wasn't referring to that."
Emma was confused.
"Haven't you noticed where we are?" Regina looked to Emma's eyes.
Emma shook her head. But then… "The light. We're near the portal aren't we?"
She laughed. They both did. From relief and happiness.
As usually, reviews are welcome. Tell me what you like, don't like and what you'd like to read. I'll try to do something with it. Have a beautiful day!