Emma put everything she had into the kiss she left on Regina's hand. The feel of her skin against hers was almost too much for her to bear. For a moment she considered keeping her hand and making a run for it together, but it passed when her lips broke their contact. It was impossible.
She could feel all eyes on her, pressing her as hard as the need to get out of the castle as soon as possible. She could feel Regina's heart beating wildly as her fingertips still brushed the underside of her wrist. She looked up at her once more. One last time, one last glimpse. Regina's lip trembled. She knew.
"Who are you?" She almost whispered, but her gaze was locked to Emma's
Emma rose to her feet. "Your friend" she said, meaning it with all of her heart. She gave her one last smile and melted into the crowd around them.
She smiled automatically at a few people she passed. Blood rushed in her ears and all noise around her blurred in her anxiety to get out. Every woman she passed seemed to be trying to grab her with their eyes and more than a few of the men did the same. The next song started and people shifted to dance. She ducked and dived trying to get to the door that lead to the gardens.
"My dear prince" said an old man with a curled up moustache. He was dressed in an ornate doublet of royal colours.
Fuck fuck fuck.
"I don't believe we have been introduced. The Archduke to the House of Mills, Monarchs of the Western Kingdom of the Enchanted Forest"
Though he bowed Emma held out her hand to shake his. She was so close to the door, all she needed was to distract him. As soon as she was out she would be gone. She had warned Regina, said goodbye, done her job and danced at her ball, she had done everything and was almost away with it.
"It is good to meet you in person." She did her best imitation of a nobleman she had known a long time ago, Lord Alyn of the Summerlands. "Tell me, Archduke, in the Summerlands we have extensive water gardens, are there any such spectacles here?" She could see the cogs whirring in his mind, trying to remember the royal families in the Summerlands, their names and whether they had even been invited. "We have orchards too, any fruit you can imagine we have them. Do you have orchards of anything but apples here?" She tried
"Indeed majesty, let us drink to health of your noble family first, then we may discuss the virtues of the Enchanted Forest all evening if you so desire" he smiled knowing he had bought himself some time.
She smiled acquiescence though she began to sweat. He put his hand on her shoulder and led them away from the doors. He chatted and she pretended to be thoroughly absorbed in the dancing. She looked for Regina but couldn't see her.
"Indeed, Archduke" she said "very good"
He turned to her with a drink. "Please lead the toast" he passed her a glass of something that fizzed. Champagne she guessed. Sparkling piss, Pip called it. She smiled at the thought.
"From the great houses of the Summerlands, to the noble lines that course the Enchanted Forest like rivers" she paraphrased a speech Lord Alyn's son had given at a leaving dinner held for her and Pip when they had finished with his rehabilitation "may the gods of light and life shine down upon is both, may we be looking up to receive it. Walk in light" she finished with their greeting of good health.
"Tread surely" he replied. Emma was impressed that he knew the appropriate response. He drank, seemingly satisfied.
She pressed her glass to her lips, felt it wash against her top lip but didn't drink. The smell of elderflower filled her mind and for a moment she was among the flower sprays with Regina on one of their walks again. The archduke turned to put his glass down.
"Now" he said "you wanted to know about the palace gardens, is that so?"
This was her chance. Emma was gone. She slipped through the crowd. There was no way she'd make it to the outer door again, but she couldn't risk being here any longer. She flew up the grand staircase out of the hall that lead to the rest of the palace.
"Where's the bathroom, chaps?" She asked the guards as she approached. They were surprised by the question and seemed to relax to the image of a stranger fast approaching them.
"That way, my lord" one of them said.
"Very well, as you were" she passed them both quickly and was through the doors.
"Wotcher James" she smiled at the footman as she stalked past him. "If anyone asks, I went that way" she said, pointing in the opposite direction as she tossed him a gold coin. He caught it and stared at her in wide eyed confusion.
"Yes sir" he replied and she grinned. She broke into a sprint. All she needed was a window, a door, anything. Two guards met her coming around a corner and she slowed.
"Bathroom?" One of them pointed to the corridor on her left. "Very good" she said and turned to walk that way. She heard their heavy armoured footfall follow her at a distance. She came upon the door and slowly walked past it.
"It's that door sir, on your left" one of them shouted after her. She carried on. She heard them pick up their pace and turned her walk to a run again.
"Oi!" One of them shouted. She heard their armour clamour as they ran.
She turned right hoping for literally anything but more guards. It was a balcony. She made a mental note to put "dead ends" on her list of things she didn't want to run into. There were widows hung with long drapes along the wall but there was no way she could get to them, even if she leapt. The balcony looked out into an empty hall below.
The footsteps of the guards were almost upon her. She hauled a long sword from the hands of a nearby suit of armour. It was longer than she was used to but her height was an advantage. She could at least keep them away until she thought of something better.
"Here he is" one of them said. She might try and blag her way out of it if she didn't know what utter bastards the dark guards in this castle were.
"Alright chaps" she said "one at a time, make it fair"
They looked at one another and lunged at her in unison. She held her ground then ducked to the side at the last minute. The guard nearest her stumbled as his sword came down on the stone balcony. She kicked him hard in the side and knocked them both over. The way was free, she leapt for her exit.
Something caught her boot and she hit the floor with a thud that winded her. She rolled over to see the other guard get to his feet. His helmet had rolled away from him. She kicked free and scrambled upright.
He swung at her with his sword and she jumped back. She was quicker than him and less the weight of armour that weighed him down.
The guard she had kicked was getting to his feet. She hoped he at least cracked a rib, that might stop him from swinging a sword. She had to act if she was going to get away. She swung at the standing guard and he parried poorly, leaving himself open. In one swift movement she scooped the helmet from the floor and brought it up with all her strength. It contacted with the side do his head with a sickening crunch. He fell back into the other guard clutching his head.
"What?!" She heard behind her. Two more patrolling guards ran at her, swords raised.
"Oh shit" she said
She didn't have a second to think of a way out. She did the only thing that came to mind. She closed both hands around the hilt of her blunt, heavy sword and threw it as hard as she could. The guards shouted and lowered their swords to block it, running too hard to turn or get out of the way.
She didn't wait to see why happened. She turned to the two bested guards to see blood pouring from the face of one, the other had gotten out from under him. Emma ran at him and he bent, reaching for his sword. She was quicker and leapt over his back and the edge of the balcony.
ANYTHING she thought as she hoped she would land on something other than her legs. Something that wasn't her legs broke underneath her. She landed hard on a circular table full of folded linen and dinnerware.
"Thank you gods" she said scrambling out of the pile of broken dishes. There were shouts above her and she ran for the nearest door. It opened on a corridor. There was an external door. She walked calmly towards it but her slight limp aroused suspicions of the guards standing by it.
"You can't go that way, sir" one said
"Just need some air chaps, I'll be right back" She opened the door quickly and was out.
"Can he do that?" She heard one ask
"No!" The other shouted "stop!" He jumped after her.
This side of the palace looked completely different from the other. "Where the fuck am I?" She asked out loud
"What kind of prince doesn't take a bloody sword to a ball, you absolute tosspot!" Came a voice she vaguely recognised. A sword was thrust into her hand. She turned to see a man in a green doublet jabbing, cutting and slicing at the two guards. She leapt right in to help.
"The steps to your left" the man shouted.
Emma deflected a swipe coming down on course to the redheaded prince's neck. This sword was much better, she could actually attack now. Her guard backed way off, recognising more than his match in her.
"Get back here you bloody coward!" The other guard shouted.
Emma and the mystery prince approached the remaining guard, swords raised. He yelled and charged at them. His sword was met easily by the prince and Emma swiped his legs from under him. The redhead threw his sword away, grabbed the shoulder of Emma's now slightly frayed jacket and hauled her down the stone steps.
They hit a gravel path and she let herself be lead, though the hand on her shoulder had gone with the guy now running ahead of her.
"Where are we going?" Emma asked, wondering now that her most pressing mortal threat was over if she should be trusting this complete stranger.
"Hurry up!" Was his reply "the palace will be on lockdown any minute now. Emma, run!"
The quiet conversation in the carriage subsided. Lucy, in prince form rolled up her doublet and used it for a pillow. Pip sat beside her and Emma rested her head on his shoulder. Her heart rate had slowed to its natural pace. The quiet of evening pushed it's way into their carriage as they plodded up the road. Moonlight lit the night outside, it filtered through the forest lighting their way, growing brighter as the trees thinned and they passed the first village. Emma sat back from the window. There was no one around but they still had to be careful.
As they pulled away from the last of the trees that marked the edge of the hillside town, the palace sailed into view, beautiful as it was ominous. A dull ache filled Emma's chest. She felt tiredness like a heavy blanket suppressing all her limbs.
She couldn't tear her eyes from the fortress in the distance. It was the last time she would see it, the last time she would see Regina's home. She had no feelings about the palace itself. All the hidden architectural detail, the masterpieces that lined the corridors, the extravagance that lined every piece of furniture, every window, every staircase. Emma was enamoured by none of it. She barely noticed it. Since she had first watched the princess's lip curl in irritation, to last time her eyes brushed over the innocent face that hid her tumultuous soul, Emma Swan had cared for almost nothing else.
Every inch of her ached. She shifted in her seat and rolled her shoulders. It was all such an effort. She let her head fall back against the carriage wall as she stared at the building that held Regina captive, though not for much longer. Maybe she could ambush her carriage on the way to Leopold, steal her away and they could live as outlaws. No, Regina living in the forest? It was a stupid idea. Regina had someone to dress her for god's sake.
The palace rolled behind a low building. Emma sat up and strained to see it again. Maybe Regina was looking out of a window into the darkness at that moment. The thought have Emma the slightest relief until the palace rolled out of view again.
They stopped at a tavern on the edge of the forest that Robin and Marian had vouched for. Emma had come outside for air and leant on the doorframe, before sliding down it and sitting to watch bats fly overhead.
"You can't be out here, Em" she heard without listening
"It's beautiful here, Pip" The tiny winged creatures ducked and dived past and around each other. They flew at such speed, they were incredible to watch.
"Yeah" he replied non-committally
"What if this is the place? What if this is where we're supposed to be? What if it's...home?" She asked and a tear rolled down her cheek.
"Do you think you might feel like that because the princess is here?"
"She won't be for long" Emma growled
"No. Maybe then another kingdom will feel like home, because their nightingales sing sweetly, or the rivers are clearer than glass. Em. You have to come inside"
"I can't" she said. The bats were the only things keeping her together, the only thing that helped.
"You can" he said. She didn't respond though she knew he was right. Her mind said move, her body was not interested. He looked down at her, crumpled on the ground and held a hand out. She took it and he dragged her up
"God you're heavy as a guy" he said
"I'm a prince, jerk" she said, pointing to the sigil on her chest, a swan with wings spread on a gold field.
"Prince Swan? That's funny" he said, supporting her as they walked inside.
"Prince Swan of the Summerlands, I'll have you know"
"Nice!" He said as they crossed the threshold of the pub. "Did you use Lord Delwyn's speech?"
"Yeah a bit"
"Gods, Lord Delwyn. That takes me back"
"There were rumors he took you back quite a lot"
"Well, people will talk" he grinned
The clamour of the chiming clock echoed down the hall and around Regina's head. She didn't count them. They didn't register any meaning with her, they just broke her sleep and increased the pressure in her head until they stopped. Then the quiet rang in her ears, louder than anything she had heard. Someone entered her room, spoke to her and left when she didn't respond. At some point the fire was lit to keep out the chill of the unseasonably cold spring.
Later, she didn't know how much later someone else entered. She didn't respond to them either. It wasn't that she wanted to be rude or difficult, she just didn't have the energy to do anything.
'I should say something' she thought 'I should roll over, get up, let her dress me' but she just lay there.
"I'm terribly sorry Miss Regina but the Queen is asking for you. Shall I tell her majesty you're ill?"
At that moment Zelena burst through the open door. "Honestly, lazy bones, the kingdom is crawling with handsome, eligible men and you're still in bed? You're so spoilt and ungrateful" Zelena came down on the bed with a heavy thump. Pain shot through Regina's legs. She sat up and tried to drag them from under Zelena. "Oops" she said sarcastically
"Get off my bed!" Regina pushed her off
"Now sis" Zelena grabbed her wrists and pushed her back "don't start a fight you can't win" her nails dug into her skin.
The maid had stepped way back from the bed and dithered watching them both. Regina launched herself at Zelena who screamed.
"You've never fought for anything, what do you know about fighting?" she shouted, freeing her arms and trying to restrain her sister.
Zelena pushed back, her knee caught Regina's hip. It stung and Regina's arms slackened. Zelena rolled herself triumphantly on top and pinned her arms. Regina used the momentum of her movement and her new physical strength to propel Zelena off her and over the side of the bed. The servant rushed to help her.
"Are you alright mi-" Zelena slapped her across the face and she immediately withdrew, head bowed.
"Get out!" Regina shouted at her
Zelena bared her teeth. "Mother will hear of what a barbarian you are" she spat and left
"Are you alright?" Regina asked the maid.
"Yes thank you Miss" she replied, her unbruised cheek turning red out of embarrassment, to match the one growing red out of violence.
"Ring for another servant and sit on the chaise" Regina said
"M-miss?" She hesitated at being told to sit down while she was supposed to be working.
"Please do as I ask" Regina replied. Suddenly she had a purpose and she was out of bed. She took a clean cloth from her basin cupboard, soaked it in the cold water and rung it out. She handed it to the confused maid who pressed it to her cheek. "I'm sorry, what Zelena did was horrible"
"I'm sure I deserved it, Miss"
"You didn't" Regina replied. A servant followed a knock a the door.
"Majesty" she bowed
"Bim, good morning to you"
"Good morning, Miss" Bim replied politely, though now it was afternoon.
"I'm afraid this girl, I'm sorry I don't know your name, through no fault of her own was on the receiving end of my sister's temper. Please see to it that she is properly attended"
"Yes Miss" Bim bobbed her head and gestured for the maid to come with her.
"And if it's not too much trouble, could you attend to me? I have been summoned by The Queen"
"Of course miss" she took the hand of the injured maid and led her from the room.
Regina looked around her and sighed. She tugged the corners of her bed sheet so it was more or less straight, then took a deep breath and dropped herself face first into it again. "I don't want to" she groaned to herself, hoping the universe might hear her and intervene.
Regina's hands shook and she couldn't still them. She would have to keep them tightly clasped for the journey to Leopold's Kingdom.
"So Emma was right" she thought before she could censor herself. Anxiety flourished in her stomach. Not Emma, the prince who had looked like her.
She pulled the edges of her travel gloves once more and straightened them. They were soft and pleasing to touch. They were not her favourites, they had been packed away because they clashed with the hint of blue in her outfit. She didn't have many blue things, she preferred black, white and grey with deep reds if she needed to add colour. It was the opposite of Zelena's signature green and as much distance as she could put between them, the better.
The gloves she wore were white doe skin. Her dress was grey and white, loosely corseted to make travel slightly more bearable, and a brooch of blue. It was not the same blue as Emma's cloak, or the sparkling emerald of her eyes, but it was somewhere in between, and that almost made it better.
"Breakfast is served, Majesty" Regina's maid said from the door.
"Thank you, Dorota"
She glanced at her reflection in the glass and sighed. She barely recognised herself. For weeks she had gotten up and been dressed, breakfasted quickly and come back to her room to fuss over her appearance again until she was certain she was pleased with the result. She didn't recognise the dull face of the woman looking back at her. Her cheeks were more shallow, her eyes less their sparkle, her smile was gone entirely. She needed a visit to the hanging tree, though she knew it would never help her like it used to. Every memory, every vice she needed to draw on was tinged with guilt, sadness and another feeling that she couldn't name. Her eyes settled on the brooch.
She slid the gloves off quickly and went to pass them to Dorota. She wasn't there. She didn't remember dismissing her, though that didn't mean it didn't happen she supposed.
She glanced at her room one last time. What would she miss here? Her view of the forest? The comfort of the familiar? All of her things were packed but they held little value for her. There was nothing for her to miss in the castle, but she still didn't want to leave. She loved the landscape and the forest, the diversity and the heart-warming accent of the common people. She loved the strongly defined seasons, finding new gifts in each of them, from the freshness of spring buds to the pallet of Autumn colours. And Emma felt like she was here. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and headed down to breakfast.