A/N Thanks so much for everyone's positive intrest, 20 followers in 48hrs has got to say something right ! As a thank you, enjoy the extra long chapter ! DM
No trigger warnings for this one !
They had been walking for a good while now, weaving through what Emma felt was an endless jungle of rope and canvas, having only seen the inside of the Commander's tent since she had woken up, she had imagined what the camp looked like but had not been prepared for its overwhelming vastness. Regina watched as Emma took it all in, eyes wide with disbelief and awe. Regina was proud of her army, the men were loyal, any one of them willing to lay down his life if she commanded it.
"I know that sometimes, your first visit to a camp can be a little overwhelming if not a bit frightening but there is nothing to fear here from either myself or any of my men. You had my word that no harm will come to you." Regina said trying to relax Emma a bit and bring her thoughts back to the present. Emma looked at Regina in sight confusion
"I am not scared I just didn't think it would be so big, that you had so many men with you. No wonder they call the dark army the most powerful in history." Emma said in awe. Regina let out a small chuckle at Emma's innocence, this wasn't her army it was a small company of only 500 men or so, the bulk of her forces were in the barracks back at the dark castle.
"What's so funny ?" Emma asked even more confused by Regina's sudden bark of laughter and feeling slightly offended by it as if Regina was laughing at her somehow.
"I'm sorry Emma, I didn't mean to offend you. It's just that this isn't my army just a small part of it" Regina said apologetically.
"You're saying that you have even more men that this? How big is your army then?" Emma asked curiously.
"My army is around 80,000 strong, although I believe only about 60,000 of them are currently in active service. I must admit I do not the numbers exactly, I let my general's handle recruitment and stationing although I'm heavily involved in training. I only want the best" Regina replied honestly. Emma smiled cheekily at the commander.
"Note to self : do not piss off Regina" Emma said in a faked hush whisper before snickering quietly.
"That's sounds like wise advice" Regina said in a light hearted tone as a small smile graced her mouth.
"So Who is it we're going meet then" Emma asked, suddenly remembering where they were going, as Regina weaved her round yet another set of tents.
"His name is Daniel, he's my master horseman. You shall be travelling with him whilst were on the road. He is a good man, he will look out for you and keep you safe" Regina said firmly, well more like stated really. Regina knew Emma wasn't going to like the idea and therefore wanted to leave this conversation to the last possible minute and luckily enough for Regina the temporary stables were just in sight.
"Why can't I travel with you, are you really that desperate to free yourself of me" Emma snapped angrily, this constant push and pull she felt from Regina was truly starting to annoy her.
"Its not like that and you know it" Regina said trying to keep her own irritation out of her tone. "I have to lead my men and I cannot show weakness in front of them Emma" Regina said firmly praying to the gods that Emma would understand why it had to be this way.
"Argh, are you afraid if your men see that thier big bad commander has actual feelings they won't follow you anymore" Emma said mockingly with spite and anger in her eyes. Regina was not blind, she could both sense and see that their was now more than just the two of them drawn to this conversation. Regina grabbed Emma's elbow roughly and dragged her behind one of the tents, away from the prying eyes and listening ears. As soon as they were out of sight Regina whirled on Emma with fire and rage in her eyes.
"Don't ever speak to me like that again" Regina snarled, at a now slightly trembling Emma. "No one disrespects or undermines me in front of my men, do I make myself understood ?" Emma silently nodded, fearful of the anger in Regina's eyes and bite in her tone, and for the first time Emma saw a glimpse of Regina's dark side, the dark commander of the stories. "Now come" Regina ordered, her tone more annoyed than angry now as she turned and stalked off towards the stables quickly as Emma nervously followed behind.
As they entered the stables, Daniel felt the tension fill the room as it radiated off the two woman and instantly knew that this day was going to be a long one.
"Daniel, this is Emma" Regina said informatively as Daniel made his way over to them. "Thank you for doing this. I must take my leave now, hopefully you can teach her a few things about respect during the course of the day" Regina said nonchalantly, but both Emma and Daniel felt the anger that was still bubbling underneath.
"It is no trouble Commander, anything I can do to help" Daniel replied formally but with a friendly smile on his face as he looked over at emma, who was still standing a few paces behind Regina timidly.
"I will see you both when we make camp later on in the day then" Regina replied and with that she left the two people in the stables without even glancing back at the woman who challenged her emotional control.
Emma watched silently as Regina stalked away from her and back towards the swirling mass of people breaking camp, hesitating as to whether she should go after her or not. Part of her felt she needed to apologise, she shouldn't of spoken to Regina like that but yet part of her was still furious and a little scared by Regina's anger.
"I wouldn't if I was you, best let her calm down a bit first, she can be a royal bitch when she's angry" Daniel said in a lighthearted tone, bringing Emma back from her thoughts. When Emma looked at him with guilt and fear in her eyes, he smiled at her gently. "Things will be better later, I promise".
"How can you be sure ?" Emma asked disbelievingly.
"I've known the Commander a long time, she just needs to blow off some steam" Daniel replied. "Guess you must of pushed one of her buttons" He mused, curiously. Emma smiled at him nervously,
"I didn't mean too, its just sometimes I get so caught up in the moment, I forget who she is and where we are" Emma said defeatedly, she was starting to realise their was the commander and then there was Regina, depending on where you are and who you were with.
"Welcome to the Regina or the commander minefield" Daniel chuckled, "those closest to her know it well, maybe I can give you a few tips" he said good naturedly trying to put Emma more at ease with herself. Emma let out a small laugh,
"Any chance you've got a map?" She mused with a hopeful look.
"I'll see what I can do" Daniel said letting out a deep throated laugh of his own. "In the mean time, we should probably get a shift on, the main group are just about leaving so we need to get going too" Daniel said leading Emma further into the stables. Emma looked around nervously at the last few horses still being saddled up.
"Are we riding ?" Emma asked hesitantly, aware that the deep scratches on her thighs were already sore, and she didn't know how to ride side saddle. Daniel saw the nervousness in Emma's eyes and understood instantly her uneasiness. He had heard the rumours if the state the young woman was in when Regina brought her back to camp, and could still see for himself the rememnants of the damage that had been inflicted.
"Not exactly, we'll be riding in the wagon with the kit and tackle for the horses. I hope that's OK, on the plus side you get the pleasure of my company until we stop for the night" Daniel said humourously but with a gentle kindness that was reflected in his eyes.
"That's fine, I like meeting new people, I never got to do it much when I was young" Emma said sincerely, smiling at the kind and gentle man she had just met, feeling as if maybe this day was going to turn out OK after all.
"Well in that case, thiers no time like the present" Daniel said pointing to where the way on was already loaded up and harnessed up to two large brown mares, who stomped impatiently. Upon reaching the way on, Daniel helped Emma up onto the seat before climbing up beside her and taking up the reins.
"So how long have you known Regina" Emma asked curiously. Daniel let out a small sigh before quietly chuckling, he knew this was going to be a long day.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Emma closed her eyes and laid back into the seat, her body relaxing in the late afternoon sun as its rays filled her with a gentle warmth. Her mind mulling over everything Daniel had told her, he was a gentle, kind natured man who obviously cared for Regina which is why she now felt a little guilty for the way her curiosity turned into an full blown grilling session on everything he knew about Regina and her past. For the most part Daniel had answered her questions as truthfully as possible although there were some that he didn't know the answers too or refused to answer because he felt it was not his place too. Emma understood and respected him for that, he was loyal and trustworthy, a man with integrity.
Emma found that the more she learned about Regina, the more complex it became not only as to who Regina was as a person, but how Emma felt about her the more she pieced together. Her mind started ticked off what Daniel had told like a checklist, whilst her heart ran through the emotions the information caused; humour, pain, compassion, anger, hope, disappointment, she felt them all. Daniel had told Emma how they had first met, little over 12yrs ago. He was just a stable hand at the castle then, they're shared passion for horses is what drew them together but it took a long time for Regina to trust him enough to become her friend even back then and when she asked Daniel about Regina's trust issues all he told her was that the Dark Queen, Regina's mother had a lot to answer for. Emma knew better than to press when she saw the anger and sadness in his eyes on his forced trip down memory lane. After that Emma began questioning Daniel on the stories she had heard about the Dark Commander, what was true, what wasn't, If Regina really did those evil and horrific things people say she did. According to Daniel there was a little bit of truth in almost every story she had heard although most had been embellished and had now taken on a life of their own. Like the story Emma had heard about the Dark Commander's attack on Hamlin, where she ordered her men to kill every child and burn the town down as a lesson against those who spoke out against the Dark Queen's rule. The truth was Regina was sent there to squash the uprising in Hamlin, before it became a rebellion. As punishment the Queen had ordered that the 1st born from each family was to be surrendered into the queen's service to serve in her army. The fire broke out after Regina and her men had left with their prisoners, she had nothing to do with it, but that was just one story, the others didn't paint Regina in such a good light. There were many horrible things she had done, some under orders but some that weren't. She did them because she wanted to and Emma wasn't sure how she felt about that. The wagon suddenly jerked to a stop pulling Emma out of the recesses of her mind and back into the present.
"Why are we stopping" Emma asked curiously as Daniel jumped down from the seat.
"Not sure. Stay here, I'm going to find out" Daniel said before jogging up the line in front and disappeared from Emma's sight. It was only a few minutes later, that Emma saw Daniel returning.
"It appears we're stopping here for the night. There's been a rock fall in the canyon a few miles ahead, the Commander has taken a few scouts up ahead to see if it can be cleared or if we will have to go around" Daniel said as he jumped up onto the seat beside Emma. Emma just nodded as she stared up the line with a conflicted look in her eyes.
"She'll be fine Emma, don't worry" Daniel said gently as he began to follow the other wagons turning off the road and into the trees.
"That wasn't, it isn't, I'm not..." Emma began but Daniel took her hand gently before cutting her off.
"Look I wouldn't normally do this but I know Regina would thank me for it in the long run. I know you must be feeling many things about Regina right now and I can guess that a lot of it seems frightening but I'm going to be honest with you and I need you to really listen to what I'm going to say" Daniel said with a gentle smile and sincerity in his eyes. Emma silently nodded in understanding sensing that whatever it was Daniel was about to tell her it was important.
"Regina wasn't always this way, when I first met her she was a kind and warmhearted girl and it was the events that followed that turned her into something much darker. I've always believed underneath the Commander's armour she's still that same girl, a girl who wants to be good even though she's been suffocating under the darkness that surrounds her" Daniel paused momentarily to make sure he still had Emma's full attention, which he did.
"She needs you Emma. I was starting to think i had already lost my friend to the darkness but then she brought you here in, the last few days I have seen more of the Regina I used to know than I have in years and I know that is because of you. It is not my place to question the connection that you share but it obviously runs deep. I know Regina is scared of being happy and I know she has good reason to but if you believe in what you feel, what I can see in your eyes when someone mentions her name then fight for it Emma. Don't let Regina push you away, she wants to be happy and good, I know she does but she just needs the right person to help her and I honestly believe you are that person. Please rescue her Emma or I'm afraid I'll lose her to the darkness for good" Daniel said as tears welled in his eyes and emotion cracks his voice. Emma's face was streaked with her own tears, she felt every one of Daniel's words and all they really did was confirm what she already felt deep down.
"I won't give up on her Daniel I promise" Emma said honestly. "I don't think I ever could" she said shyly causing Daniel to break out in a massive grin
"I'm glad we have an understanding then" Daniel said cockily to which caused Emma to let a small chuckle. Daniel stopped the horses as they entered a large clearing which was obviously the spot the were setting up camp in and jumped down. "Come on then let's start getting this stuff unpacked" Daniel said as he held out his hand to help Emma down from the seat. Once Emma was on the ground Daniel went to begin to unload the wagon as Emma stared off into the distance longingly. She wanted to see Regina. She wanted to make things right and now she was filled with a sense of hope and promise from Daniel's words she wanted to talk to Regina now. Emma jumped as Daniel whispered in her ear, too lost in her own thoughts to hear his footsteps approach from behind her.
"She'll be back before you know it." Daniel said gently "Come on this stuff won't unpack itself" He said taking hold of Emma's arm and giving it a gentle tug of encouragement. Emma smiled sincerely and followed him to help the others make camp.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Whilst Emma had been with Daniel, Regina had been with her generals leading the army up front. She had barely spoken a word to anyone all day except to bark the occasional order, to lost in her own thoughts and emotions too really take in what was going on around her. It wasn't until Regina insisted to go with the scouts to examine the rock fall that Mulan finally decided to speak up about what she had seen and heard whilst Regina was lost in her own world. Regina stood before the mass of fallen rocks that had blocked their route home, the good news was that it wasn't as bad as the first scouts had made out. It could easily be shifted and hopefully they would be back on their way by mid morning. Regina knew it was Mulan approaching by her footsteps long before the woman spoke.
"Commander, may I speak with you a moment" Mulan asked respectfully.
"Of course my friend" Regina said warmly still feeling a little guilty for the way she had spoken to her friend earlier that morning. Mulan shifted from foot to foot nervously, knowing full well that what she was about to voice would anger the brunette. Regina took note of her friends nervous behaviour and knew she wasn't going to like it.
"You may speak freely Mulan, what is it that bothers you so ?" Regina said worriedly.
"Commander, I only speak out of concern. I have heard whispers amongst the men today regarding both yourself and your guest. The altercation between you this morning that was witnessed by a few of us has lead the men to start to question your ability to lead. Many of the men believe that this woman is making you soft, you are not acting like yourself" Mulan said nervously but with genuine concern in her voice. Regina swallowed, attempting to remain stoic as she faced Mulan.
"Explain" Regina said impassively.
Mulan took a deep breath to steady herself before continuing. "I can tell you care deeply for this girl, you would never of let someone speak to you that way without punishment otherwise and this worries me greatly. You are the Dark Commander the most ruthless, feared and respected warrior this kingdom has ever known. Your title and position does not allow for emotional attachments and I fear for both your safety and well being if the men lose faith in your command. You once told me that we have no choice in our destinies, we must learn to accept what is rather than what can be, do not let this woman tempt you from who you are and the destiny you have already accepted" Mulan stood tall, believing in what she had said and awaited Regina's response with apprehension but instead of the anger and backlash she was expecting, Regina met her gaze with tears in her eyes and insecurity in her voice.
"What if I was wrong, what if I was meant to be more than just a weapon of fear and control" Regina asked weakly although from the way Mulan looked at her, shocked and slack jawed at her open display of emotion, she already wished she hadn't. Mulan was right Emma was making her weak, no matter how much she felt scared and conflicted she was still the Dark Commander.
"Return to camp, I will stay to oversee the first shift." Regina ordered her commander mask firmly back in place as she gestured to the men to begin removing the rubble in front of them. Mulan remained frozen having the sudden realisation that Regina may not actually want to be the Dark Commander anymore and maybe she never really did and was having a hard time trying to process it.
"Regina, I..." Mulan started to say but was abruptly cut off.
"You are dismissed general" Regina growled angrily. Mulan snapped out of her daze aware she was still staring at her commander like a startled rabbit.
"Yes Commander". Mulan dutifully obeyed and fled the scene of her crime. Regina watched her men silently and lost herself in her emotions. She felt angry, scared and conflicted. She felt insecure in who she was and who she could be. She didn't like it and what was worse was that she no idea what she was supposed to do about it.