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Many thanks to Fi for beta magic.
Chapter Five
Robin winced at his wife accusation tone. "Marian, please..."
"Don't Marian me, Robin! You know how she is!" she spat angrily at him.
"Yes, I know her and she is not what you think."
"Sorry to interrupt your conversation but since you're talking about me, might I remind you that I'm standing right here," Regina pointed out.
Marian ignored her. "You know her?" she mocked him. "Yesterday you were planning to help Snow White escape from her and now you're companionably strolling with her in the forest! Not to mention you leaving me here with Roland while you went off God knows where!"
Neither Robin nor Regina had the courage to tell her that more than a few days had passed since her and Robin had seen each other for the last time.
"There was an emergency, Marian. I had to go and check what was happening. Two people have asked for our help. That's what we did in Sherwood, Marian. We helped people in need," he reminded her in a low and reproachful tone.
"Who were they?" she asked.
"I'll explain it to you later. What's most important is that there's someone wandering the woods. We don't know who it is for sure or whether it has evil intentions, so be careful and, most of all, don't leave Roland wandering around by himself," his breath came in warm puffs. "It's freezing out here, why aren't you in the tent?"
"I was waiting for you. I was worried," Marian answered.
"What about Roland?" he asked after a moment's pause.
"He fell asleep in my arms," she stated.
"Don't you think he might be cold? Look how snuggled up he is into your embrace; he's clearly cold." He reached for his son but she retreated, holding Roland tight.
"Don't tell me what to do with my child!" she hissed.
"He's my child too, Marian," he said patiently.
"But I'm his mother, I know what's best for him!"
"Not right now, you don't," Robin stated.
"Don't you dare imply -" Marian started, but stopped midsentence when she felt Roland stir.
The child sighed contentedly before murmuring, his voice thick with sleep, "Mama?"
"Hello, Roland," Marian greeted him sweetly. "I'm sorry I woke you."
"Is Papa back?" he asked, yawning.
"He is."
"Has he found 'Gina?" the boy asked hopefully.
Regina felt her heart sing and she couldn't help the smile that lit up her face, which Robin didn't miss. Marian stiffened.
"I'm right here, sweetheart," Regina replied and Robin noticed how much her voice softened. Roland turned towards her in his mother's arms and he smiled widely, his dimples more marked than ever. He wiggled in Marian's embrace, making it clear he wanted her to put him down. Marian obliged, her lips set in a thin line.
He waddled towards Regina as fast as his little legs would allow and hugged her legs. She kneeled down in front of him, overwhelmed by his affection. "Hello, Roland," she murmured.
"I missed you, 'Gina," he confessed. "Why did you leave me and Papa before? Papa was worried for you. He bringed us here and he searched for you."
Regina's eyes widened at the child's revelation but she didn't dare glance at Robin. "I needed to be alone for a while, Roland. Besides your mother was with you," she added, forcing a smile.
"But I wanted you too," he whined.
"And now I'm here," she whispered to him, a small smile tugging at her lips. He nodded eagerly, before embracing her.
She heard Marian's sharp intake of breath before she hugged him back, bringing him closer to her, one hand on his head, caressing his curls, the other holding his little body tightly to hers. She inhaled his sweet scent and she remembered the time when he had fallen asleep on her, when he had come over with Robin for dinner. It seemed like a lifetime ago now...
"Come, Roland, let's put you to bed," Marian said curtly.
He looked uncertainly into Regina's eyes and she nodded. "Go with your Mama."
Roland let go of her and wandered off to his mother, taking hold of her hand and following her. As soon as they disappeared in the woods, an uncomfortable silence settled between Regina and Robin.
Taking a deep breath Regina asked the question she had been dying to know the answer. "You really went to look for me?"
He stared at her. "As soon as I noticed you weren't at Granny's I took Roland and Marian back to the camp and then set off in search for you. I met David, who asked me to meet him and Snow at their apartment in half an hour. When I arrived, you were already there, thankfully."
She just stared at him as he spoke, not sure what to say.
"Regina, I -" He made to move closer and take her hand in his but a rustling of leaves announced Marian's return.
"I asked Little John to put him to bed," she announced.
Regina glanced at her watch. "It's rather late, I should go."
"I'll accompany you," Robin instantly offered.
"There is no need."
"I insist," his tone admitted no arguments
"I need to talk to you, Robin", said Marian, her voice low and dangerous.
He turned towards his wife, whose hands were clenched into fists. "I'll return very soon. Then we can talk," his tone was final. This time, Marian had no objections.
He gestured for Regina to start walking ahead of him and she did, without sparing a single glance at Marian. It was obvious the other woman didn't like her; she imagined it must be hard to forget all the things her evil self had done to them (she knew it better than anyone, for forgiveness didn't come easy to her), but did Marian dislike her only because she was the Evil Queen? She couldn't help but wonder if Roland's mother felt threatened by her relationship with Robin.
But it didn't show that much, did it? The only thing she had done in front of her was talk to the man and hold his child... she froze. Hold his child.
Marian wasn't stupid; if Regina was so familiar with the son, she must be familiar with the father as well. And she obviously didn't trust her. After all who would trust the Evil Queen near their family?
Also, the fact that Marian, despite Emma having told her the truth at the start, apparently still thought just a few days had passed since her capture and escape, was another issue. Exiting the forest, Regina spoke, walking quickly. "You need to explain to Marian that we are not in the year she thinks we are. She is obviously confused about it all. You need to tell her about my curse and -"
He stopped her by placing his hand on her arm, spinning her around. "I'm going to tell her about us."
His statement left Regina staring at him stupidly, open mouthed for a second before she recovered herself.
"I'm not stopping you," she said plainly. "You must have a death wish," she commented. He didn't laugh.
She started walking again. "I'm serious, Regina," he stressed, as they finally reached her house. "I'll break the matter to her gently, after explaining all the curses this town went through."
She turned abruptly to face him upon reaching her door. "Look, Robin, it's not my business what you say or don't say to your wife."
"But this matter regards you as well and Marian deserves to know the truth."
Regina nodded. "As you wish," she cut him short, before opening the door.
"Regina, I -" he started.
"Robin, please. It's been a tiring day, I don't want to discuss these things now."
He seemed taken aback by her retort and a bit disappointed as well. "Of course. I'm sorry."
Her expression softened. "Don't be sorry, Robin. It's not your fault."
He half smiled and reached out to caress her cheek but she stepped back into her house, her hand on the door handle and a grimace on her face. She was looking at him as if his touch might burn her. "Goodnight, Robin."
"Goodnight, milady," he replied melancholy, his head unconsciously low.
As Regina watched him going away from her, she called for him again. "Thank you for walking me home."
He seemed surprised by that. It wasn't any day that Regina Mills let you walk her home like she was some damsel in distress and then thank you for it. "Anytime, Regina," he answered sincerely, before turning the corner and disappearing from her sight. With a sigh Regina closed the door behind her.
He started by kissing her hard on the mouth, his hands travelling down her body as a moan escaped her, which only provoked him further. He then kissed his way down her throat and by then she was panting heavily, her hands gripping his shoulder tightly, arching her body towards him.
"Oh, Rumple," she sighed, making his heart soar. He grinned stupidly at her, feeling like the happiest man on earth.
She raised herself on her tiptoes to kiss him again, sweetly and reverently, his hands travelling down the smooth skin of her arms when he stopped.
He had felt it. Suddenly he felt a tingle running down his body, like a cold hand ghosting over his spine.
"Rumple, what is it?" Belle asked, concerned by his look. She stared at him dumbfounded as he grabbed his cane and walked down the stairs. "Rumple?" her voice echoing in the stairwell.
He stepped into his shop and turned on the light. Someone had been there, he could feel it. His magic had felt another magical presence.
He started looking around to check everything was ok. Satisfied every item seemed to be in its rightful place, he made to turn off the light but then he froze on the spot... No, it couldn't be!
"Damn!" he shouted in frustration, as realization dawned on him.
"Rumple, what happened?" Belle appeared in the doorway.
He glanced at her, a deep frown on his face. "Someone has broken into the shop."
"Oh no, have they taken something important?"
"Yes, they have. A magical mirror."
By the time Robin returned to his camp, every light was out, including the one in his tent. He knew Marian was waiting for him.
Upon entering, her saw her sitting next to their sleeping son, a big smile on her face as she watched his peaceful slumber. He stood at the entrance of the tent for a few minutes; he couldn't help watching his family reunited together after a very long time. It seemed only yesterday Roland was born, instead four years had passed. A voice in his mind reminded him that time had frozen for them as well, so almost three decades had passed since Regina had first cast her curse. It seemed impossible even to him, if he wasn't living into this situation he wouldn't think it likely. He could understand Marian's struggle in believing it.
He cleared his throat and his wife turned to him. "Oh, you're back."
"Shall we talk?" he gestured for them to go outside.
She nodded and followed him. It was freezing cold and Robin noted he should try to rent rooms at Granny's for himself and his men. Roland needed to stay warm.
"I don't like the queen near you and Roland," Marian spoke first. He turned to face her, suppressing a sigh.
"Marian we've already been through this."
"I don't care, she's evil."
"But she's changed!"
"After all she's done to us, you believe her stories!"
"I know her, Marian."
"Who knows what she did to you and Roland -" she continued unabashed.
"She did nothing -" he tried to protest.
"She might have bewitched you in order for you to like her -"
"Stop talking about her like that!" he finally snapped, his hands balled up into fists, his nostrils flaring.
"Why should I? When she -"
"Stop!" he couldn't bear to hear her talk like that, she had never behaved herself that way, he remembered how she had always a gentle word for everyone, even for hopeless men. What had happened to her?
"She was the one who imprisoned me, Robin!" she burst out finally, shouting at him.
His eyes widened. That was what had happened to her.
Don't hate on poor Marian please! She's just struggling with a whole new world and a completely different timeline!
PS. Drop me a review, pretty please? :)