Hi all! Thanks for everyone who reviewed for the first chapter. I hope you like this one :) I used similar dialogue from the show for this chapter, as it will fit into my story.

Disclaimer: I do not own OUaT. Sadly.

Katie

Chapter 2

Regina stared at herself in the mirror. She was wearing a new riding outfit and she was excited to show Daniel. It had been a few days since they had last spent time together. They hadn't been able to be completely alone since that day when they made love for the first time.

Regina blushed at the thought. It was amazing to be with him. She wanted more time to be able to do…it… again. Smiling, she ran her hands down her body and smoothed the small wrinkles out of her jacket and pants. She wanted to look pretty for Daniel.

She tightened the red ribbon in her hair, which was keeping her braids in tact. She turned her head to look at the back of her outfit, making sure there was nothing out of place. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her mother standing behind her. Regina decided to let her speak first, for she feared she might be scolded if she spoke out of turn. She wouldn't let her mother ruin her good mood – not today.

"What are you doing, my dear?" her mother inquired, titling her head slightly. Regina knew that she didn't truly care about what her daughter did with her time. She just liked being noisy. She liked knowing everything about everyone for that was just the kind of person she was. Regina turned back to glance at her mirror again. She didn't want to look into her mother's cold, dark eyes. Not now. So instead she fiddled with the buttons on her jacket.

"I'm trying on this new riding outfit, Mother. I have a riding lesson with Daniel later today, as you well know," Regina replied. She couldn't help but say Daniel's name with a hint of love in her voice. She hoped her mother didn't notice. Regina watched as her mother shook her head at her. Suddenly, Regina was engulfed in a dark purple smoke. When it disappeared, her outfit had changed.

She was wearing a dress. A tight…lengthy…light blue dress. Even her hair had changed, instead of her cute braids; her dark curls were now completely pinned up, exposing her bare shoulders. Regina stared blankly at herself in the mirror for a moment. It was then that she saw it. There was a damn tiara on her head too. Regina sighed inwardly. This was the person she didn't want to be. The person who could never completely be with Daniel…

She turned around to face her mother. While raising her eyebrows, she crossed her arms over her chest.

"What did you do that for, Mother?"

Cora smiled brightly at her daughter, while slowly approaching her. She reached up and placed her hand upon Regina's cheek.

"You're a Princess, my darling," Cora replied, almost sounding sincere. "It's about time you started to dress like one. You can't go walking around the castle and grounds dressed in those ridiculous slacks and riding jackets all the time. How will you attract a worthy husband?"

Regina couldn't help but roll her eyes. She knew all too well what her mother expected of her for marriage. She would be thrown – or rather, dragged – into an arranged marriage whether she liked it or not. It was never going to be her choice. She felt her mother lightly tap her hand for her disrespect.

"Your riding lesson will be cut short today," her mother stated, not knowing how much that announcement truly irritated her daughter. "I want Lucinda to take your measurements again. I'm planning on getting some new gowns made for you, for any important balls that you may need to attend in the future."

"Mother…" Regina whined, while glaring at Cora. "I'm nearly twenty years old. I can dress without your assistance. When will you stop treating me like a child?"

Cora frowned as if she was actually insulted by the words and took her daughter's hands into hers.

"Oh Regina, you are still my child no matter how grown up you are. I'm just trying to do what's best for you. It's what mother's do for their children. Someday you might understand." With a small pat to Regina's hand, Cora was gone just as fast as she had appeared.

Luckily for Regina, with her mother's absence, the dress she had placed on her vanished. Regina breathed a sigh of relief as she made her way towards her bedroom balcony. She opened the two huge glass doors and stepped out into the sunshine. She smiled as she caught sight of the riding stables. She couldn't wait to see Daniel later. He always knew how to calm her nerves whenever she had problems with her mother.

Regina wrapped her arms around herself as she stepped back into her bedroom, closing the glass doors behind her. She cringed, realizing it was time for her lessons with her tutor.

Later on that day…

"Tighten your thighs just a little bit, Your Highness," a strong voice advised. Regina looked over at Daniel, who winked. Giggling, she did as he asked and urged her horse forward. Storm, her horse, relaxed under her control and easily soared over one of their practice jumps. Regina shot a triumphant smile towards Daniel, but her smile faded as she noticed that her mother was watching them. She guided Storm towards Daniel as Cora approached the riding ring. Regina could see the disappointment in her mother's eyes from a mile away.

"Regina, darling, you need to ride more gracefully. You ride like a man. It's not proper," Cora said disapprovingly. "Daniel, is this what we've been paying you for? She shouldn't be learning to jump her horse. I simply instructed you to show her how to guide her horse properly and be taught how to handle him."

Daniel bowed quickly in front of Cora, hoping to avoid a confrontation between her and Regina.

"Her Highness showed interest in jumping," Daniel replied apologetically. "I only wanted to help in that interest, My Lady."

Cora brushed him off with a wave of her hand. She honestly had no interest in excuses from her hired help. Regina rolled her eyes at her mother's comment, but remained firmly on her horse. She liked jumping and definitely liked spending any time she could with Daniel. Why couldn't her mother just leave her alone for one afternoon?

"Your lesson is finished now, Regina. Lucinda is waiting for us to take those measurements. I need you to go get changed now."

Regina could feel her anger rising at her mother's command. She wanted to be here, riding Storm with Daniel. She didn't want to get her measurements taken. She didn't want to be told what to do. She didn't want new dresses and she certainly didn't want to do as she was told.

"No, Mother," Regina responded. "I'm not done by lesson. I'm not getting changed."

Cora reached up and grabbed her daughter's leg roughly. Her eyes narrowed at her daughter's reaction, "You will do as I say. Now, Regina, get off that horse."

Regina glared into her mother's eyes for a moment. She could feel her hands tightening around her horse's reins, wanting to bolt so badly. Instead, she gave in to her mother's command and began to get off of Storm. She knew there was nothing else she could do. Suddenly, they heard a piercing scream in the distance.

"Help! Somebody help me! Please!"

The scream was frightening and Regina immediately flipped her leg back over Storm once she saw a horse bolting in the distance. She noticed that there was a child attempting to stop the animal. If she didn't catch her fast, she could be seriously injured. Regina looked to her mother before flying off towards the open fields, not noticing the smile on her mother's face as she rode off. She urged Storm over the fence of the practice ring and tapped him with her heels. She could hear Daniel yelling at her to be careful.

"Come on, Storm! Faster boy!" Regina tightened her legs around Storm and continually urged him onwards. Regina could see the little girl hanging on as tightly as she could to the bolting horse. A few moments later, Storm had finally caught up to the other horse and they were now galloping side by side. The little girl's horse seemed a little irritated and tried to throw Storm off his path. Regina held her ground and kept Storm at the other horse's pace. She looked over towards the little girl, whose face was full of tears. Her white dress was flying all over the place and was covered in dirt. The child suddenly noticed Regina and called to her.

"Please! Help me!"

"Grab my hand!" Regina called, reaching her hand towards her. "Jump off of him!"

The little girl looked into Regina's eyes, clearly terrified. She hesitated for a moment, then sat up quickly and swung her foot over her horse's saddle. She reached for Regina's hand and pushed off her horse. Regina pulled the little girl over the back of her saddle. She breathed a sigh of relief as the horse continued on its way. The little girl was safe.

Regina pulled Storm's reins causing him to stop quickly. He whined in complaint. Regina swiftly jumped off of him and pulled the little girl from the saddle. She put her hands to the child's face, checking for any sign of injury. Luckily, she appeared to be all right. Regina smiled, while kneeling down to come face to face with the girl.

"Are you okay?" Regina asked, taking her hands away from the girl's face as she attempted to fix her dress. It was filthy.

The little girl seemed shaken and didn't answer at first. Then she smiled at Regina.

"Thank you so much for saving me! I…I… I don't know what happened to him. I was going for a ride, when he accidently threw me off when I was spooked by a noise. I got back on and then he bolted away! I couldn't handle him…" The little girl suddenly looked upset. "I'll never ride again." Her face looked crestfallen.

Regina's eyes widened. "No, no. You will ride again. You must! Don't be afraid. You must overcome your fear and get back on a horse."

The child's eyes brightened a little at Regina's words. "Really? You think I will?"

Regina nodded.

"Yes, I know it. My name's Regina. What's your name?"

The little girl took Regina's hand and smiled sweetly.

"My name's Snow…Snow White."

TBC...

Let me know what you think :)

- Jess