2 chapters in one night! :)
Chapter 3
A part of her felt like she was intruding, but another part just wanted to make sure her long time friend was going to be okay. Emma had set out to the Mystic kingdom in the early hours of the morning and wanted to get there as soon as she could to be the friend that the Queen deserved. Tomorrow was going to be a tough day, like it is every year on the anniversary of Regina's father's death. So Emma knew she had to see her, like she does around this time every year in case the brunette needed a friendly shoulder. Thinking back to the fateful day, the blonde remembered how stupid she felt having not been told and visited her friend due to concern.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
'After encouraging the guard to take her to see her friend, eight year old Emma ran up the steps of the small house in the outskirts of the village. Knocking softly on the door, the blonde drew patterns on the floor with her foot waiting for an answer. Seeing the wooden door pull open, she looks up to an agitated looking Cora. "Hello Mrs Mills..I am sorry to intrude but I was worried as I have not seen Regina lately and have not heard-"
"Emma now is not the time to be invading into someone's privacy, go home! Have you not got any princess jobs to be fulfilling?!"
the small blonde gulps and merely nods sadly, stepping back onto the path. "..sorry.."
Cora mutters clearly annoyed. "Stupid girl..."
Emma looks down and clasps her hands together, fiddling awkwardly while she heads back to her guard. Hearing the door open again, the blonde pauses hearing footsteps running towards her. Turning round, she practically collides with an upset brunette who hugs her. Emma frowns and hugs back even gaining the attention of her guard who looks concerned.
"Regina?..what's wrong?"
The brunette sobs into her friend. "Daddy...daddy died..."
The blonde looks shocked and rubs her friends back, keeping hold of her tightly as the brunette gives a hiccup. "I'm sorry Regina..I know you loved him very much like he loved you"
Regina pulls back to look at her all teary. "That is why I did not visit, he was ill and now...mother doesn't care. She blames me"
Emma gives a glare to the door, to the woman who is knowingly on the other side. "It is not your fault! "
The brunette looks down. "Now I am on my own..."
The blonde shakes her head. "No you're never alone not with me"
Regina looks at her a moment before crashing into her again for a second hug.
Not wanting to intrude but also wanting to try and cheer the girl up, Emma's guard steps forward. "Miss?"
The brunette pulls back and looks at him. "Yes?..."
The guard smiles and pulls sweets out of his pocket. "Here take one...I always take them for the princess when her majesty is not looking"
Emma giggles at this and nods to say it's true. Regina gives a small smile wiping her face and takes a sweet from his open hand. "Thank you"
"And I am sure on your next visit, the princess would not mind letting you ride her horse, we know that you love them"
The blonde again nods this time with her infectious grin. The brunette smiles properly this time and eats her sweet. "I will hold you to that Emma"
"I will remember, I always remember when you come Regina because I miss you when you are not there"
Regina squeezes her again then runs off back inside the house, giving the blonde a wave as she goes.'
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Strapping up her horse within the Queen's stables, Emma hugged her cloak to her chest and headed up to the castle. Standing at the large iron doors, the blonde chuckles to herself at the feeling of de ja vu and praying to god that Cora does not answer the door and that it will be one of the guards.
Seeing the door open revealing a guard, the blonde gives a sigh of relief which he notices and chuckles himself. "Princess you are like clockwork. Always here when needed"
Emma shrugs with a grin. "What can I say? I am the offspring of a Charming?"
The guard moves out the way to let her in then leans closer. "Don't you go worrying yourself, Cora is not here, she had business to attend to"
The blonde nods in thanks and heads inside to find the Queen. As it was quite chilly outside, Emma knew there would be one other place to find the brunette if not by her apple tree. Walking up the staircase, the blonde reaches Regina's chambers and knocks.
"Come in"
Emma smiles cheekily and walks inside before shutting the door behind her. "I thought you would be here"
The Queen looks over from her spot on the window seal and gives a small smile. "This is my castle Emma..."
The blonde glares playfully at her remark. "Well yes obviously but I meant in here.."
Regina nods and rests her head again, against the window and looks out at the ongoing field. Emma picks up on her sad mood and walks over sitting herself on the opposite side so they are head to foot. Watching the brunette a moment, the blonde takes a breath before also looking out the window. "I feel a pig-out coming on..."
Regina drops her frown and lets out a laugh at Emma's statement. "For you maybe..but a Queen doesn't pig-out"
The blonde looks insulted. "Since when?!"
The brunette shrugs and goes quiet again. Emma sits forward hugging her knees to her chest. "What would you like to do instead?"
The Queen looks over at her. "It doesn't matter what I want to do, I have a meeting to attend to in an hour"
The princess shakes her head. "No, not today you're not, so..."
Regina looks back to the window. "Can we just sit?"
Emma nods and reaches out stroking her arm lightly. "Of course"
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The rest of the afternoon stayed a quiet one with small talk and eventually a mini feast at the request of Emma insisting that Regina had to eat something at some point.
Despite her current mood, the brunette was very glad of the blonde's presence like she was every year when Emma would visit to cheer her up and support her. Luckily this year her mother decided to go on a trip leaving the women alone to be themselves without the older woman scolding them for acting childish or inappropriate.
It was now reaching late evening and the darkness was gradually taking over the kingdom. Having returned to the Queen's chambers after eating, Emma glanced out the window with a pout. "It's getting dark, I will have to leave before mother will start to worry and send all the guards out to find me"
Regina slowly sits on the edge of her bed and nods looking down. The blonde looks to her fragile friend and walks over. "Regina?"
The brunette looks up with tears in her eyes. Emma sighs softly and kneels in front of her, taking hold of the Queen's hands. "Hey..I know you're sad and I also know how strong you are but..you don't need to be with me. It's just me, just Emma. Let it out please"
Regina nods letting her lip go before quickly wrapping her arms around the blonde's neck tightly. "I don't want to do this anymore Emma..it's not just about my father, although thinking about him has made me realize..everything I am missing. I'm alone..mother was right, I am a lonely Queen who no one will want. I had my chance with the King and now..I am destined to just live my days out here by myself"
Emma strokes her back soothingly. "What did I tell you before? You are never going to be alone or by yourself, you have me. We have been friends since we were four and you're stuck with me"
The brunette closes her eyes secretly wishing she could just stay in the princess' hold forever. "Until you marry.."
The blonde pulls back to look at her. "Not true. You were still there for me when you got married"
The Queen chuckles slightly. "Because I didn't like who I was marrying. When you marry Emma I know for a fact it will be because you have found the one you have been searching for and are in love"
Emma smiles at the thought, thinking to herself 'yes and she is right in front of me' . "I will still be here, you're a part of my family Gina.."
Regina smiles at the sentiment and takes a calming breath. "And you're mine.."
The blonde grins and rises back to her feet.
"Stay..."
Emma looks down at her friend who looks hopeful but also a little bit lost. "Regina I...give me a minute.."
The Queen nods then looks down to her hands. The blonde leaves briefly then returns to find Regina changed into her nightwear. Emma smiles reassuringly and changes with her back turned, into the spare piece of clothing left for her.
The brunette climbs into bed and lays down on her side, facing towards the window. The princess watches a moment then climbs in next to her, laying on her back, looking towards the ceiling.
"Emma?"
The blonde glances over towards her friend only seeing her back. "Yes?"
Regina takes a deep breath and tries to relax. "Thank you"
Emma smiles to herself then takes a breath of her own before shifting closer, hearing the Queen sniffle. Turning onto her side so her front is to the brunette's back, the princess drapes an arm across and takes one of Regina's hands. The Queen squeezes her hand back tightly as the blonde tightens her own grip on the brunette's waist before allowing sleep to take over the pair.
A/N: sad chapter :( let's see what tomorrow brings...