Regina was not on speaking terms with Robin. It wasn't that she minded living at the camp. In fact, she found it to be rather peaceful. But the fact that she wasn't allowed to leave made her feel like a prisoner all over again. At least the camp was more enjoyable than the castle.

It had taken her some time to find her role - everyone at the camp was expected to take on some chore or duty. At first, she'd been placed in sewing, but once there the ladies had quickly discovered she was only able to do the most basic stitching, and she did it so much slower than the rest of them. She had no talent in cooking, so she was sent to watch the children, but the other caregivers were much too cheerful for her taste. And she imagined she got on their nerves as often as they got on hers.

As a last resort, she was set to fetching water, carrying a bucket down to the river and then back up to camp where she climbed a ladder and dumped the bucket into the community water tower. Then back down the ladder to do it all over again and again and again. And once it was full, she was to take water to those who were too unwell to get it themselves. At this she was at least capable, but it was very boring.

Her moment of clarity came when she happened upon the community pens where most of the animals were kept. There was only one horse, and he was small and stout, not built for riding but for carrying or pulling things. But he was still beautiful, and Regina fell in love with him immediately.

There were other animals in the pens as well; a few oxen, a number of hens, a pig, some ducks, two goats, and a sheep. Regina, along with a few other villagers taking care of the animals, mucked out the stalls, distributed feed, and let the animals out a few at a time to allow for exercise. Her favorite mornings were when it was her turn to walk Squat, as the horse had been named.

After the morning chores was free time. Many of the women took this time to gather their children, while the men trained in various hunting or fighting styles. While the camp was peaceful, its inhabitants were well aware that if the Sheriff ever found them, they would have to fight.

Regina watched a group of men training with a variety of light swords.

"I'd like to learn," she said.

The sword master looked at her and laughed. He turned back to observe the men, shooing her with a motion of his hand.

"I personally vouch for this woman," said Robin, coming up from behind Regina. "She's a fast learner and has the makings of an excellent swordsman." He smiled at her.

Regina ignored him.

The sword master looked her up and down, rubbing his chin with his thumb. Eventually he gave a jerk of his head, signaling Regina to join the men.

The sword she was given to train with was not a rapier, which she was glad about for two reasons. One, because she preferred the slashing method, and two, because Robin stood by and watched, and she didn't want him to have the satisfaction of watching her train with his weapon of choice.

After free time, afternoon chores, and after more free time came the evening meal, which was eaten as a community. Robin sometimes sat next to her, but she didn't speak to him.

After dinner, there was usually music and dancing. Regina usually sat and watched rather than participated. One evening, one of the younger men convinced her to dance with him, and she was truly having fun until the time came for dancers to exchange partners and she found her hands clasped with Robin's. At that moment, she excused herself for the night and retired to her room.

She lived at the camp for two full weeks. Robin tried to catch her attention, and she ignored or avoided him at every opportunity. It wasn't that she hated him or that she no longer desired his company. It was only that she was angry, and she wanted him to know it.

Though the rule was no one could leave the camp, Robin and a contingent of men often left to monitor the trade route or see to other forms of business, and she thought it to be quite the double standard. She imagined the night they had met, Robin and his men enjoying time in the tavern located in a part of town where no one would willingly turn him in.

What of the other villagers? What of her? She might have chosen this life on her own, but she didn't appreciate being forced into it. Even if Robin were to ask her to join his group of men on their outings, she would tell him 'no' on principle. In truth, she found the rule of everyone staying at camp, even Robin and his men leaving it from time to time, to be reasonable under the circumstances, but that didn't mean she had to like it.

Sometimes she wondered how things were at the castle. If any word had gotten out about the Queen's disappearance, Regina hadn't heard anything. And though she often eavesdropped on Robin and his men, she hadn't heard the topic come up. It was quite possible that though she was being searched for, a public announcement had not yet been made. The crown would not want to cause panic or appear weak by admitting the Queen had vanished without a trace. She didn't know what would happen once word got out, and she wasn't sure she really cared.

At first, Regina had been surprised no one had recognized her as Queen. But how recognizable was the Queen, really? Her only public appearance so far had been on her wedding day. And that had been a very brief appearance on a balcony. How solid an image had anyone gotten of her from so high up? The people closest to her in the crowd below would have been nobles, the lower classes pushed toward the back.

Would any of them have seen her clearly? And even if they had, she must be completely unrecognizable now in the most basic clothing, covered in dirt and hay, and her hair worn down and disheveled. Regina laughed at the stark contrast she must be now compared to her wedding day, dressed in the richest of gowns, her skin scrubbed and polished, and her hair done up and perfect.

She'd heard nothing from Tinker Bell since her arrival at camp, nor from Rumplestiltskin. Tink, from what she had told Regina, had been confined to the Flower Garden, whatever that was, until the other fairies decided her punishment for stealing the pixie dust. But she'd been allowed out when Regina had needed help after thinking Robin a bandit. Either the fairies had decided Regina didn't need help at the moment, or Tinker Bell had no idea how to find her. Regina partially missed their conversations, despite the fact they usually ended up arguing with each other.

Even though she hadn't seen or heard from Rumple in all her time at camp, her fingers often found the bottle she still carried around in her pocket. She just hadn't found the right time to use it, and she wasn't sure she wanted to anymore.

But then, she arrived.

Regina was watching the chickens with another woman when a commotion went up among the people. Regina looked up to see the men returning with a well-dressed noble woman. Robin came running out to meet her and embraced her. Regina didn't like how he kissed her on the cheek and put an arm around her as he escorted her to one of the buildings.

"Who is that?" asked Regina.

"That's the Lady Marian," said the woman, who was following Robin and the Lady with her eyes.

"Who?" said Regina.

The woman turned to her and blinked as though she couldn't believe Regina didn't know. "She and Robin were betrothed once," she said, much to Regina's ire. "Robin's been trying to get her here for the past two months."

It was late afternoon when Marian finally left Robin's side to make preparations for her stay at the camp. Regina climbed the ladder to Robin's home and paused outside the door when she heard voices.

"I don't see why you don't just give her up, Robin," came a man's voice Regina didn't immediately recognize.

"I can't," said Robin simply.

"She won't even talk to you." Regina realized the man was talking about her. "How do you even know she's interested?"

"John," said Robin, with a tone that implied he wasn't exactly sure how to put what he was about to say. "She's a complicated young woman."

"I'll say," said John.

"She just needs time," said Robin gently.

"How much time are you willing to give her?"

"As long as it takes."

"You're lost mate," said John. "You'd be better off setting your sights on Marian." When Robin didn't reply, he added, "She's a nice girl."

"She is," said Robin conversationally. "She is."

"Well," said John when neither of them had anything more to say. "I'm gonna check on dinner. Maybe you'll get lucky and she'll actually speak to you when you sit with her this time."

Robin chuckled as John's footsteps faded away. Once she heard the creak of the rope bridge, Regina knew it was safe to poke her head in. She found Robin sitting in much the same position he had been in when she had originally arrived at camp.

"Who is she?" she asked, standing in the doorway.

Robin looked at her, then threw his head back and laughed, a big hard laugh that nearly made Regina forgive him then and there, but she remained cold and steely.

"I don't see what's so funny," she said.

Robin smiled. "You don't speak to me for over two weeks, and then suddenly some woman appears and you're jealous."

"I'm not jealous," Regina said, but she knew he didn't believe her. "Who is she?" she asked again. What she really wanted to know was who she was to Robin without directly asking him.

"Her name's Marian," he said. "She was previously engaged to the Sheriff of Nottingham. We've been trying for months to warn her of his treachery. We finally got through."

"This endeavor was beneficial to the community?" she asked.

"Well," said Robin. "Leaving the Sheriff without the financial and political support of Marian's family is certainly beneficial to our cause."

"And it wasn't about preventing her from marrying someone?"

"Well, partially. I certainly wouldn't want her marrying that horrible retch." Robin stared at her. "What do you mean?"

Regina shrugged as though it didn't mean anything to her. "One of the women said you'd been betrothed."

Robin smiled, her jealousy completely obvious to him. "We were once. As I told you, I was a horrible brat. Her parents revoked the match."

"She seems very dear to you," she said, remembering how he had run out to greet her.

"She is," he admitted. "We've known each other since we were able to walk."

"And you're not interested in getting to know her more?"

"Regina," he said, standing from his chair and stepping close to her. "You should know you're the only woman I have eyes for." He leaned in to kiss her, but she moved away from him.

He raised his hand in an apologetic gesture. "I know my place," he said, and he sat back down.

Regina lingered in the doorway for a few moments, unsure what to do. Part of her wanted him to kiss her, but a much larger part was still upset, especially about Marian, despite his assurances.

Eventually, she headed back down the ladder.

Robin didn't sit with her at dinner, preferring the company of Marian. Regina watched them almost the entire meal. They seemed very happy together and quite comfortable in each other's company. Her fingers returned to the potion in her pocket, and she knew she had to use it.

She waited late into the night once she was sure everyone was asleep. Then she climbed the ladder to Robin's home where she found him sleeping in a simple animal hide cot.

She uncorked the vial and sprinkled the silvery liquid over him. The liquid hung over him in a fine mist and did not dissipate. She closed her eyes and thought of the future. Could she and Robin truly be together?

When she opened her eyes, she was delighted to find the mist reflected an image of her and Robin in richer clothing and very clearly in love. Then the image changed and it was just Robin looking very sad and lonely. The vision turned again and, to Regina's horror, it was Robin and Marian, and Marian was heavy with child.

Regina felt hot tears come to her eyes. She swiped her hand through the mist, dispelling it. If there was more to see, she didn't want to know.

Regina left Robin and slowly climbed back down the ladder. If it was possible for Robin to have a future with Marian, it was obvious that was what he would choose. Why would he chooser herself over Marian? She had been horrible to him, and very few of her encounters with Robin had ended in the happy smiles and contentment she had seen between Robin and Marian.

She had no reason to stay at the camp anymore. It was easy for her to set a fire to draw away the night watch and sneak off into the forest. It was difficult to find her way back to the castle, but she remembered the landmarks and arrived at the castle gates by morning.

She shook the bars. "Let me in! I'm the Queen!"

The guard did a double take. Then he frantically set to opening the gate for her.

"Send for the King!" he yelled to the other guard with him.

Before long, Leopold was rushing out to greet her. "Regina! Where have you been?" He embraced her. "We were so worried. What happened?"

Regina said the only thing that came to her mind. "I was kidnapped," she told him. "By Robin Hood."