They decided to set off early in the morning right before dawn. They agreed to meet at the stables and her heart sank with a familiar nagging ache when she saw him standing there his back at her. For some time she wasn't moving just watching him. He stood firm and strong in the hazy light of the lazily starting morning. Robin did remind her of sweet Daniel the very first moment she noticed him, but just for a second. He wasn't anything like him. Daniel was a young slim stable boy, but just a lovely youth nonetheless. He was her first love and he was too young when he died. Robin was a wellbuilt, muscular and tough woodsman. Everything about him spoke of how mature and confident he was. That attracted her to him and scared her as well. She was starting to feel something for Robin, something she had never felt for anyone else in her whole life. Something she couldn't control or even explain. That was why she was always nervous around him and did her best to hide it. He obviously noticed her presence and turned round.

"You're here." He gasped out at seeing her. She was wearing black leather pants and dark blue velvet jacket which was rather closely cut making the set fit perfectly tight on her. The Queen couldn't help but notice that his eyes were all over her, examining her from head to toe. But his gaze wasn't undressing Regina like the typical gaze of a lustful man would, which she was a bit used to by now, he was admiring her, every inch of her. That felt nice and unfamiliar.

"Isn't it only polite to greet someone when you meet?" She snapped out at him and fixed her long dark hair that was gathered at the top of the head and hung loosely at the shoulders.

Robin just gave her one of his sly smiles and bowed slightly.

"You have to excuse me, m'lady. I was just struck by your beauty. You look gorgeous, your majesty."

There, his bluntness again. The Queen was definitely taken aback by his words. She had nothing to respond to him with. It felt so nice to be complemented, and complemented not out of duty or fear. The corners of her mouth lifted involuntarily. Robin noticed that and returned the smile. There was something mystical about the way he could read her and she blushed a little.

"I didn't know the Queen could blush, your majesty." Now he looked pleased with himself and that made the woman want to take his head off.

"I don't blush, you fool. It's just the wind..."

"As you say, your majesty. Shall we?" He pointed towards the path that led to the Dark Forest.

She had already started feeling that she was losing to him. No matter how hard she tried, it was obvious that he'd still be in charge. The woods were his element just like magic was hers.

They walked in silence. As they got deeper into the woods he got in front of her, clearing the passage with a sword. Regina had to admit to herself that she felt safe around this outlaw. She couldn't explain why, but he gave her this sense of security that a woman looks for in a man. She kept looking at his muscular back and shoulders. He was really good with his sword not just the bow. He moved carefully, but with decision and tried to make as little noise as possible.

"So, is that where you live?" She asked hesitantly.

"Not exactly, m'lady. My merry men and I prefer to dwell in safer places, like the Sherwood Forest or the Enchanted Forest, not this dark place as it is. However, I've been here many times before and know very many hidden passages." They exchanged smiles and he stopped and looked right into her beautiful eyes.

"I wish you could see the Sherwood Forest. It is truly wonderful with tall pine trees and sun streaming right through their branches, and wild raspberry bushes and long blue rivers with their crystal clear water which is so refreshing after a long day."

"It sounds like a magical place!"

"And it is. I think nature has its own magic, don't you?"

Regina would have never guessed that this woodsman was such a romantic after all. She felt so happy all of a sudden and let out a carefree laugh.

"You have to promise me you'd take me there someday." Her eyes gleamed with a playful spark. She felt young again as if she was just that eighteen-year-old girl and not the Queen any longer. Robin was surprised, but was smiling back at her trying to understand what had happened to the woman everybody was so used to seeing in her.

"As you wish." He whispered afraid to make this new Regina disappear.

"Well, well, well, isn't that lovely?" This wonderful moment of their bonding was ruined by a familiar voice. "Are you having fun with a commaner, sis?"

"Zelena." Regina spat out her name. In a heartbeat Robin got in front of the Queen protecting her with his whole body. The problem was that they could hear the Witch, but still couldn't see her.

Regina felt little sparks of magic already gathering at the fingertips of her right hand. "Show yourself, Greenie, and you'll regret you were ever born!"

The man noticed her slight hand movement and caught the Queen's hand with his own.

"What the hell are you doing, Thief! Let me go!" She yelled at him unable to control the rising anger.

"Regina, don't do it! Listen to me. I think that's what she wants." He said in a calm quiet voice. "She wants you to use magic and reveal yourself. I don't think she knows where we are exactly, otherwise she would have attacked already, don't you think?"

Robin's words made a lot of sense now that she thought about it. However, she decided to keep the conversation with the Witch going just in case she might be able to provoke her to act.

"Why are you hiding, Zelena? You're afraid of meeting me in a fair fight?"

" A fair fight? Stop fooling yourself, Regina, I am much stronger than you are!"

"You just keep telling yourself that!"

"You won't prevent me from fulfilling my plans, sis! You and your magic are hardly a threat to me! Me with my skills, on the other hand, can be your undoing, my dear!"

Every word Zelena said made Regina shiver with hatred. This sister appeared in Regina's life out of nowhere and tried to prove that she had a right to take what belonged to her. The Queen wouldn't have it!

"I find it rather hard to believe!" Regina felt strong and self assured as the fiery anger began to flow through her blood. She had the sense that magic was burning inside building up at her core and looking for a way to get out.

"And that brave knight of yours... Oops, I made a mistake here, your companion might be brave, but he is no knight! Just a mere thief that's all. He is just your companion, right? Or is there something else between the two of you? Please, don't tell me you fell for someone like him!"

"That's enough, sister!"

And when she said 'enough' she really meant it. She broke loose off Robin's grip and using both of her hands now cast a blocking spell. Everything went silent and still, clouds of purple and reddish smoke covering both of them.

"Why did you do that?!" Came Robin's voice. She could see how dissaponted he was, but still she was very pleased with herself.

"Why are you complaining? I made her shut up, didn't I?" She grinned at the man.

"You should've listened to me!" He stated firmly and grabbed her a bit too harshly by the arm. "Hurry, we gotta go now! It's not safe here any longer! Listen... D'you hear how quiet it is?" He starting walking fast through the deep woods pulling her along.

"Stop dragging me! I thought it's always so quiet here!" She tried to protest and make him stop, but he kept carrying on with the same pace.

"It is quieter here then anywhere else as it is a dark place after all, but not that dead quiet! That means we better get the hell out of here now!"

Thanx for reading it, guys! I hope you still like it! Reviews and comments are much appreciated! We'll see what happens to them next ;-)