Disclaimer: I do not own anything from Once Upon a Time.
Author's Note: This is something I just typed up for you guys. I hope this will keep you satisfied for a little while. Armina's true colors shine through! As always, R & R.
~Meanwhile~
Armina sat in the grand hall of her house, Andrew at her side. Many of her subjects in the other world had come to swear fealty again to her. It was nearly an hour before she was able to get them to leave her home. Andrew left after a while, deciding to go and groom his horse in the stables.
She walked back through the entranceway, finding none other than Rumpelstiltskin and Belle. With a sigh, Armina sat at the bottom of the grand staircase, beckoning them closer. "What do you want?" she asked.
Belle smiled and threaded her hand with the imp's. "Um, we wanted you to marry us."
Armina's eyes opened wide at Belle's declaration. Surely the girl didn't know what she was getting into. "Dear, do you know what this imp is? He is the Dark One, the bane of many a man's existence. He makes deals that benefit no one but himself."
"I know that, your majesty, but I love him anyway. And he promised that, if I marry him, he would allow me to give him True Love's Kiss and break his curse once and for all."
The queen grinned, showing her pointed teeth. "My, how the mighty have fallen. Rumple, I didn't expect this from you," she said, her smile growing wider. She began to laugh.
"Don't laugh, dearie. The girl is serious. We're in love and I intend to marry her, with or without your help."
Armina wiped tears from her eyes. She hadn't laughed that hard in years. "Here's the deal, Rumple: I will marry you two, but you must wait until sundown. Go buy your bride something to wear that isn't a work dress belonging to a gypsy. Take one of my vehicles, if you must, but get the girl a good dress!"
"I so appreciate your…kindness, your majesty," said Rumpelstiltskin hesitantly. He nodded his head in an abbreviated bow and guided Belle out the front door. He passed the group of guards that Armina had sent out to find Regina.
Armina rose from her spot on the grand staircase and greeted her guard. "Have you brought the one whom I wish to dispatch?"
The men's faces were downcast, and their leader spoke for them, "We did not find her. We checked everything. Even her house was empty, my queen."
Armina's eyes flashed a dangerous red for a brief second before she regained her composure. "Go and rest now. We will resume searching later. I think she is hiding in a cave somewhere, licking her wounds as we speak. We'll wait her out. You are dismissed."
The guards bowed low and left, returning to their families. Armina made her way up the stairs and entered the library. She found Henry fast asleep in one of the leather recliners, a beautifully-illustrated fairytale book open in his lap.
She heard the telltale click of a gun being loaded. The queen turned and found Emma standing between her and the door. "To what do I owe this?" asked Armina, her face the epitome of calm.
"I will not be used for your plans, beast," Emma growled.
"What are you talking about, Emma?" the queen questioned as she took a step forward.
"No! Don't step any closer. I want answers, queen. I want them now," Emma said, her voice getting shaky.
"Put down your weapon, and I'll answer your question, girl. This is no way to get me to talk," warned Armina.
"I'm not putting the gun down. Now answer me. Why should I let you live?"
Armina's brow furrowed in disbelief. "What have I done to warrant this?
Emma laughed halfheartedly. "I know everything. You worked with Regina while the rest of your race was killed off. You're a coward, Armina. I know this. Why should I trust you to be fighting on my side, against Regina, when you were working for her?" Emma's tone was accusatory.
"So this is what it's about then? Yes, but I only did it because I thought she would stop her massacres! She betrayed me, Emma, and I curse her name with every word that comes from my lips. You think I don't regret it? Well, I do."
"Why shouldn't I shoot you?" asked Emma.
"I am your last hope, girl. By night's end, the Dark One will no longer exist and I will be the last one powerful enough to reopen the portal to get us home."
"I could steal Regina's power," Emma said shakily.
"Then shoot me, Emma. Kill me. I am ready to die. Punish me for my past wrongs! My soul is ready, my conscience clear. Kill me, Emma, and you won't worry about me anymore. But, are you ready to hold the distinction of killing the Queen of Beasts, who offered herself to you, ready to die?" Armina asked, arching a delicate brow. Henry stirred in his chair, hearing the commotion.
"What are you doing?" he screamed, seeing Emma's gun pointed at the queen.
"Yes, Emma, what are you doing?" Armina asked with a mocking edge.
Emma hesitated, and then replied, ignoring the question, "What plan do you have for me?"
"I want to go home," Armina replied simply.
"I can't kill you," said Emma as she lowered her gun.
Armina gave Emma a satisfied smile and made a dismissive gesture with her hand, making the gun disappear. "For the record, I could have done that at any time."
Emma collapsed on the floor as Henry rushed to her side. Armina walked out, drawing the doors shut behind her.