A/N: Just an Enchanted Forest AU. This is set right after Daniel died but before they left for Leopold's castle.

Regina needed to escape. She needed to get away from everyone; her heartless mother, her cowardly father, the king, who thrice her age and wants to marry her, and his insufferable daughter; who can't keep a secret to save her life. So she rode off into the darkness of the night. She rode until she and Rocinante were exhausted. It was daylight by the time she made it to a village far away from the palace. There wasn't a soul insight except for a woman with dark hair and mocha colored skin. The woman was retrieving water from the well when she heard Regina and Rocinante walking up.

The woman rushed over to Regina, who was unsteady on her feet.

"Whoa, are you ok Miss?" She asked.

Regina looked into the woman's brown eyes before she passed out.

oOo

Regina awoke hours later.

Panicking she quickly sat up, not knowing where she was.

A hand reached out and touched hers, "Hey, you're ok." The woman said softly.

"Where am I? Where's Rocinante?" Regina asked.

The woman gave her a soft smile, "You're in the village of Lathan; and your horse is fine, he's been tended to properly and placed inside my family's stable." The woman told her.

"Who are you?" Regina asked.

The lady chuckled, "And just who are you; your clothes seem far too fancy to be from anywhere around here."

"I asked you first." Regina childishly stated.

The woman let out another hearty chuckle, "You did. I'm Marian. And you are?"

"I'm Regin... I'm Reggie." Regina answered.

Marian cocked her eyebrow, "Are you sure?"

Regina was flabbergasted.

"I mean you started to say one thing only to say another. I know you don't know me so I understand the uneasiness you may feel around me but I can assure you that you are safe from whatever or whoever it is you were running from." Marian told her.

Regina rolled her eyes, "And you're going to keep me safe." She scoffed.

"Can you wield a sword or handle a bow and arrow Princess?" Marian asked.

Regina stayed silent; then Marian continued, "Didn't think so."

Regina folded her arms in a childlike fashion, "I'm not a princess; I'm a future queen." She mumbled.

Marian's jaw dropped, "You're joking right."

Regina shook her head.

"Is that why you're running; you don't want to marry King Leopold?" Marian asked softly.

Regina nodded, "It was never my intentions to marry into royalty. I saved his daughter from a runaway horse and when we met he was proposing and my mother accepted his offer."

Marian kneeled down in front of Regina, "Nobody should be forced into a marriage against their will; you can stay here as long as you need or until they start looking for you then we'll move."

"We'll, you're staying with me?" Regina questioned.

"Yes I'm staying with you; I'm already inadvertently involved."

"Thank you." Regina expressed.

"You're welcome; now get some rest because we'll most likely be traveling by tomorrow."