A/N: Still not mine. Thanks as always to CS, who puts so much time and care into editing that she probably should get co-authoring credit. Thanks to all who have read/reviewed/etc and for the condolences you all offered. The puppy with a ridiculously long name, usually just called Miracle, is doing amazingly well and has kept us from falling apart this last week or so.

Random aside - I've reached the point where trying to come up with chapter titles is sometimes as difficult as coming up with the chapters themselves. Why did I think naming the chapters was a good idea in the first place? And now...

Chapter 15

The next morning found Regina and Snow once again taking care to avoid each other as much as possible; their old animosities choking off any unnecessary attempts at communication. Of course, both women were smart enough to know that they would eventually have to speak in order to work together, whether in Fairytale Land or Storybrooke, but neither was ready to break the stalemate quite yet. Nevertheless, they efficiently carried out their usual tasks; one providing food and the other preparing it for consumption. Afterwards, Snow resumed fashioning arrows and sharpening the weapons she had available. Regina sat at the other end of the space, repairing the ridiculous jacket Emma had wisely chosen to leave behind. For a time, they both seemed oblivious to the other; each woman keeping not only herself but her focus restricted to her corner and task.

By mid-day, the silence had become oppressive for both women. It was time to find a way to tolerate each other, rather than just inhabit the same space without open conflict. Setting down the arrow she had been preparing, Snow took a deep breath and threw the first volley. "If you hate that jacket so much, why are you bothering to repair it?"

Regina's hands hesitated briefly before she responded, "I thought I would take it back for Henry. He's always been a sentimental boy; I thought it might help him to have something of Emma's while she is away."

Snow looked on as Regina continued to deftly repair the jacket. Her skilled hands almost seemed to caress the material of Emma's jacket as though it were her son. A swift pang of jealousy flared at the maternal act, but Snow quickly tamped it down when she realized something else. "You've changed, Regina."

"What do you mean, dear?"

"I mean, I haven't seen you this tender in years; decades really. You really do love him, don't you?"

"How's that?" Her body betraying her disgust at being called "tender" – she couldn't quite stop the twitch of her shoulders at the word – Regina nevertheless looked up, apparently intrigued by Snow's comment despite her efforts to remain closed off.

"Henry; you really do love him."

Regina tried to fix Snow with a steely gaze, but couldn't sustain it. Instead, she blinked a couple of times and looked away, simply responding "Yes, very much," before continuing with her task.

"Did you…?" Snow began, trailing off with uncharacteristic reticence.

"Did I what?" Regina waited a beat, and when Snow remained silent she prodded, not so gently, "Say what's on your mind, so I can concentrate on Emma." A barely perceptible pause betrayed who was really foremost in her mind, then, "-s jacket…repair." Snow noticed the slip, but made no comment and saw Regina breathe a sigh of relief, apparently also content to leave some things forever unsaid between them.

Snow braced herself to ask a most painful question, that had haunted her for years. "Did you ever truly love me?" Once she managed that much, it was almost natural to add, "Because I loved you so much, Regina."

Whatever she had thought might come out of Snow's mouth, this certainly was not it. Regina was taken aback, not only by Snow's question but by the confusing mix of emotions it elicited. After swallowing a lump of feelings she couldn't identify, Regina cleared her throat and replied, "I fail to see how that is relevant." Her eyes remained steadfastly on the jacket in her lap, although her shoulders hunched briefly, betraying her discomfort, before she noticed and forced them to relax.

Snow pressed on, clearly intent, now that she finally had this opportunity to really communicate with Regina, on gaining the answers that she'd wanted for so long. "It is relevant, Regina. To me it is. For so long you were my hero. You saved my life, taught me about True Love. You were my dearest friend. You may have been my step-mother but I loved you like a sister. And then, one day, you just turned on me. I understand now; I know what Cora made you believe. But, did you ever truly care for me, or was it all just an act? Were you just plotting the whole time how to kill me?" Her courage finally leaving her, Snow's voice was barely even a whisper. Tears threatened to fall as she concluded, "Was any of it real, Regina?"

As she listened to this heartfelt outpouring of emotion, Regina's movements slowed to a standstill, and she silently pleaded that her companion's own struggle to cope with overwhelming feelings would keep her from noticing Regina's breath catching as she turned her face away. She tried very hard to be angry. Anger and hate had always been her fall-back positions when she felt threatened, and they'd served her well… until, without warning, they no longer did. To her great dismay, so many decades of rage seemed to have consumed all available fuel; the fire suddenly flaring, but then fizzling out almost immediately. Regina was left feeling more vulnerable than she had since the times of which Snow was speaking. Feeling too many raw emotions, and not willing to share the experience, Regina abruptly popped out of the shelter and to the nearby stream.

Snow was only slightly startled, and greatly disappointed, by Regina's sudden retreat. But she didn't pursue her; the woman had obviously reached her limit for now. A short time later, Regina reappeared. With urgency that Snow did not understand, Regina ordered, "Get your weapons and anything you wish to take with you; it is time."

Promptly at daybreak, there was a knock at Emma's door. Emma groaned and tried to go back to sleep, but the knock repeated, this time accompanied by Millie's voice. "Emma, dear, are you in? I've returned with some of the Queen's soldiers. They can help you out, dear. Are you up?" Emma groaned again, but rose as swiftly as she was able in her sleepy state. Making sure she was decent, Emma opened the door to see Millie with two soldiers flanking her. "Oh dear," Millie said on seeing her. "I've woken you up. I'm so sorry. Would you like us to come back later?"

"No, it's fine," Emma assured. "Give me a few minutes to get ready and we can talk, okay?"

"Of course, dear. We'll be waiting out front for you." With that, the false queen and her guards turned and left as Emma retreated into her room once again. She quickly gathered her belongings, placing the dagger in the hidden sheath on her leg and the sword in its scabbard. Once she was finished with her morning ablutions, Emma moved to the front of the inn, settling her tab and joining her visitors. Millie again greeted her and suggested they go to the tavern – being the only food establishment - for breakfast. Emma was reluctant, not wanting to wake the Tavern proprietor. When Emma questioned whether the Tavern would be open so early, one of the soldiers spoke for the first time.

"For the Queen's Guard, they are." His low voice put Emma in mind of movie trailer announcers from home.

"Oh," Emma replied, "of course. Well, okay then. Let's eat."

Emma had always thought that she, and Henry for that matter, had big appetites; they were nothing compared to the soldiers' though. As they shoveled an obscene amount of food down, Millie made introductions. "Emma, these are Jon and Trey, two of the Queen's Guard. Why don't you tell them what you told me?"

"Um, sure. I'm, uh, I'm from a different land. To be honest, I'm not really sure exactly how I got here." That much, Emma figured, was at least the truth. Now to embellish. "There was a savage attack on my village. I was away at the time and so I was spared, but not many were. My whole family was lost to me, and only a few items remained. Among them was a sword that's been in my family for generations. It's supposed to have some kind of magical powers but that's all I know about it. I was part of my village's militia so I have a little experience, but I'm sure it's nothing like being part of a Queen's army. But this sword is said to help the owner in battle, though it only responds to someone from my bloodline. So I thought maybe I could join Her Majesty's Army, or possibly find someone who can teach me how to use the magic of the sword."

The two soldiers exchanged glances. Jon, the man that had spoken previously, offered "Yes, I think we can help you, Emma. As it happens, Her Majesty employs magic users in a variety of positions, including among Her troops. There is talk of need for a new apprentice for one of Her Majesty's most favored sorceresses. This is most fortuitous. Perhaps you will be what the old woman is looking for."

Puzzled, and surprised by the soldier's seeming disrespect, Emma ventured, "I didn't realize the Queen was an old woman. I thought she was still quite young."

Both soldiers gave out deep laughs, and Millie chuckled. It was she who clarified. "No, dear, not the Queen. I assure you, Her Majesty's soldiers would never speak of her in such a way. He was referring to Cora, the Queen's favored sorceress and advisor. The men call her 'old woman' – when they think she can't hear, of course."

This time Trey spoke up. "Of course she can't hear, Widow Mildred. We're a long way from the castle."

"Um," Emma began in her characteristically eloquent manner. "Maybe I'm wrong, but if she's such a great sorceress that she's the Queen's favorite then couldn't she have, like, magical spies or something?" The soldiers looked at each other with wide eyes, as though they had never considered this a possibility until now. Emma continued. "Just, ya know, maybe you should be a little more careful. But maybe I'm wrong 'cause nothing's happened to you guys yet, right?" Millie just chuckled quietly for reasons known only to her – as far as she knew.

"Right." Jon began after a few moments' pause. "Well, good thinking Emma. After we finish here, you can come with us. We can get you an audience with the Captain of the Guard. Perhaps, once he hears your story, he will be able to get you an introduction to the sorceress."

By mid-morning, the four had begun their journey. Millie quickly explained that she would be walking with them part way to see Emma off, but that she would be going off on her own errands before long. Once Millie had bid her farewells, Emma inquired of the two soldiers, "Did you walk all night? How did you make it by daybreak if we're so far from the castle?"

Clearly the more outspoken of the men, Jon replied "We're really not so far. A few hours' walk at most. But we didn't actually come from there. We oversee activity at various outposts throughout the kingdom. Widow Mildred fetched us from there. We served with her son when he was killed in battle. We look out for her, and she puts us up and gives us good home cooked meals when we visit. The widow knows our rotation schedule almost better than we do, so she knew we would be heading back to the castle soon. As luck would have it, Tara, our relief, came a day early." Jon leaned over as if imparting a secret. "She fancies one of the local men in a nearby village, but she thinks we don't know that." Straightening back into his usual military bearing, he continued. "Anyway, with Tara there early we were able to leave and come meet you."

"So the Queen does have female soldiers in Her Army?" Emma inquired.

"Of course she does. Why wouldn't she?" Trey jumped in. "Didn't you hear Widow Mildred say the Queen's closest advisor is a woman?"

"Well yes, of course. It's just, I wondered whether women were just sorceresses and support, or if they could actually be soldiers."

"It wouldn't be very wise of the Queen to turn away a good warrior just because she's a woman, would it?" Jon pointed out. "Her Majesty is more concerned with loyalty and competence. It has always been that way in our land. What land are you from that such a question would even be asked?"

"Oh, well, in my land it used to be only men that could be warriors. It's changing some, but kind of slowly. Like, I was in my village's militia, I think I already said that, but not every village allowed that."

"Huh. Well, rest assured that there is no such restriction here. If you can meet the requirements and are found to be loyal to Her Majesty, there is a place for you here," Jon asserted.

"Oh, well, good." Silence fell again as they continued traveling.

Emma was grateful for the time she had spent walking about with Snow; it had built up her endurance quite a bit. Still, by the time they reached the barracks at the castle walls, she was nearly exhausted. Although it had indeed only been a few hours, it was quite warm and the terrain was sometimes rough. Jon and Trey called out greetings to fellow soldiers as they approached the wood and stone building that housed the soldiers. Jon called out to one, "Is Cap in his office?" Receiving an affirmative reply, he directed Emma to a smaller building near but separated from the barracks. Knocking on the door and receiving a command to enter, Jon proceeded to lead Emma into the building. She saw a large man seated behind a desk with various papers, maps, and other items scattered about.

Standing at attention in front of the desk, Jon addressed his Captain. "Captain, Trey and I have brought a woman to speak with you. We believe her to be a candidate for an audience with Advisor Cora regarding apprenticeship, if you agree of course, Sir."

The Captain's gaze moved between Jon and Emma as the soldier addressed him. Shortly he spoke, in a surprisingly gentle voice. "Very well, Jon. Tell me what compels you to bring this woman forward. And what is her name?" Though addressing Jon, he was now watching Emma.

"Of course, Sir. This is Emma. She is not local, but her homeland has been destroyed. She has a family heirloom with her, a sword that is said to have magical properties. Based on our discussion this morning, it seems likely that she is descended from a line of magic workers in her land, but has no training in the arts."

"And what brings you to this conclusion Jon?" the Captain inquired.

"Captain, Emma stated that the sword only works for one of her bloodline. I am not a magic user, as you well know, Sir, but every item I've ever heard of that only works for a specific bloodline, is tied to the bloodline of sorceresses and sorcerers."

"Yes," the Captain concurred. "That has always been my understanding as well. Emma," he turned and addressed her, "please step forward and tell me about yourself. Have you any experience that might be useful in the Queen's Army? What do you know of your sword and its history?"

Emma did as requested and approached the desk, standing as tall as she could with no actual military training to draw from. "Yeah, um, yes Captain. I served in my village's militia for the last few years. I was away on personal business when the village fell to a brutal attack. I only wish I had been there to help defend our home, but by the time I returned all of my family and most of the village were lost. The sword is one of the few things I was able to salvage. I don't really know a lot about it, Sir. As Jon said, I know that it is said to hold powers to assist the owner in battle and to only work for one from my bloodline. Which I guess is now me, since I'm all that's left."

"I don't understand, Emma. If this sword is so powerful, how was your village destroyed? Shouldn't it have protected at least your family?"

Emma hadn't completely thought through such a question, but was able to come up with a reasonable answer. She also found herself speaking more formally than she was usually capable of, feeling like she was in some sort of audition or job interview – which in fact she was. "I wish that had been the case, Captain. The truth is my family had only been in that village for about three generations. We came there when my grandmother married a man from the village. She brought the sword with her, but soon found out that most of the village was distrustful of magic. It stayed hidden for years, until I found it in Grandmother's barn as a child. That's when Grandmother told me what I know of the sword, but she swore me to secrecy so the villagers wouldn't turn on us."

"I see. Yes, here too there are peasants who do not understand the benefits of magic. Of course, since Her Majesty regularly employs it through her advisor and other sorceresses they generally keep their opinions to themselves. You said when you found the sword your grandmother told you about it. What did she tell you?"

"Right, well, you know this was a long time ago so I may not remember it all. But she said she inherited it from her father when he retired from the military. He taught her how to use the magic to defend herself and others. I think she said something about strategic something or other, but I was kinda young at the time so I didn't understand everything, ya know." Belatedly, Emma realized that her nervousness was bleeding through in her speech. She tried to correct it as she continued. "But anyway, she inherited it from Great Granddad when she was about my age and he taught her to use it. She never really had to use it – like I told Jon, women in my land weren't always allowed to fight. But Great Granddad didn't have any sons, and he wanted to make sure the sword stayed in the family so he taught her. She practiced with it in secret. She even, a few times, used it when there was a battle near the village – but she hid and nobody knew she had helped." Emma thought she was doing pretty well thinking on her feet, and both the Captain and Jon seemed quite interested. "When she married and moved to Granddad's village, she was allowed to fight when needed but everybody feared the magic. So, she hid it and again kept it secret. I don't think even my parents knew about it, just me. She told me that it's tied to our family, that to anyone else it would just be a decent blade and no more. She planned to teach me about it when I came of age, but illness took her from us before that happened. So that's really all I know. I hope there's someone that knows enough about magic and that can use me. I don't know if I have magic myself or if it's just the sword, but I'd like to find out." Emma took a deep breath, hoping she hadn't given too much information, and hoping that it was a believable story.

"Fascinating." Indeed, the Captain did seem quite taken Emma's tale. "Well, I guess it's a good thing that I've already contacted Advisor Cora for an audience, isn't it?" He gave a good-natured smirk.

"Sir?" and "Huh?" were spoken simultaneously.

The Captain's smile grew as he responded, "Jon, your account of this young woman did seem like something the advisor should hear about. A select few of us have a means of contacting her and other officials when necessary. I have already requested her presence. In the meantime, why don't you take Emma to the mess hall? We are, of course, between meals but I'm sure they can spare some water after your journey. Stay close, I will fetch you when Advisor Cora is ready." With that, he turned his attention to his desk, making it clear that they were dismissed. Jon led Emma outside and to yet another small building, where they had a seat and commenced to wait.

While they sat, Emma decided it was time to check in with Regina. Asking for the nearest latrine, Emma excused herself for privacy. Nervous about trying to use the dagger while introducing herself as magically incompetent, Emma settled on reaching for their connection. In short order she felt the undefinable sense of warmth that characterized their connection. Emma concentrated on the information she wanted to convey – that she was safe, had made it to the surrounds of the castle, and that she would be meeting the real Cora soon. Most importantly, she needed Regina to know that Cora would be away from the castle, giving her and Snow an opportunity to get to the wardrobe. Regina returned the contact, confirming that she would gather Snow and their belongings and begin making their way towards the castle. They agreed that it would be best for the two women to begin by walking, reducing the distance required for teleporting and allowing time for Cora to arrive and be adequately distracted. Having accomplished her mission, Emma returned to the mess hall where she again joined Jon and resumed waiting.