Overhill and Underhill

Chapter 4

Author's Notes: Here's where I'm really beginning to screw with mythology. Nuada Silverhand is the name of the King of the Tuatha de Danann. The Tuatha de Danann are also said to be very fond of helping abused children by taking them away from their abusers and raising them themselves. Don't quote me on that however but I read it somewhere and hey I'm going to use it. I recommend reading up on him if you'd like to know his actual story but for the sake of mine I'm screwing with things and twisting them up to suit my purpose. I hope you all enjoy this and as always if you'd like to let me know please do. It does help motivate me to continue. ~ Scarlette

Emma stopped, watching as the graceful woman strode forward without looking back over her shoulder to see how her comment had affected the photographer. She blinked once, twice then opened and closed her mouth completely flabbergasted over the woman's words and general demeanor. There was something off about her and yet she didn't feel uncomfortable. The closest feeling she could associate her time with the strange brunette was the time she went to photograph the Old North Church in Boston. Something about being in such an old church that had played a significant role in the Revolutionary War had been awe inspiring but also a bit timeless. She was this tiny creature and this old, beautiful church would be there long after she was gone. There was a heavy feeling in the air, time and different energies all clashing to make the place seem otherworldly. She cocked her head, that's exactly how Regina was making her feel. Tiny and insignificant against someone that seemed like she couldn't possibly be of this world.

She took a few large steps intending to catch up to her companion only to stop when she found her kneeling down. Despite the grass and rocks, Regina had tucked her dress and was gently talking to a small child. Ahead a group of children ran and played tag and the small boy, maybe six or seven at the oldest looked as though he wanted to go play with them but didn't have the confidence to ask. She walked closer, attempting and failing to hear the conversation. The closer she got the more she could see what drew her companion's attention. The small child was dirty and covered in bruises. The haunted look in his eyes was very telling. She knew that look well having had it herself at that age. She felt cold dread pool in her belly as Regina reached out a tender hand, gently pushing dirty brown hair behind the boy's ear. It may have been curly had it been clean but now it hung near his ears in lank strands. His oversized clothes did little to hide the abuse he was likely suffering. Regina offered him a tender smile and stood back up as he ran towards the other children now with a bright smile on his cute round face.

"What was that about?" The photographer asked.

Regina made a small noise and shrugged her shoulders. "He fell and I helped him up that's all."

That wasn't all, Emma's internal lie detector pinged, the hair on the back of her neck stood up when Regina offered her Mona Lisa smile and gently took Emma's arm, resting her hand in the crook of her elbow.

"Shall we continue our walk or do you have other places you need to be?"

"Um…I need to head to my next destination…I need to check in to my new hotel."

"Where is that?"

"Uh…Limerick."

"That's in Munster Province. Not too far from here."

"No apparently about an hour drive?"

"About give or take a bit on that." Regina shrugged.

"So um…"

"I'm finding myself rather peckish. Why don't we have lunch together before you get on the road?"

The photographer blinked and then dipped her head. "All right. Is there anything nearby?"

"Doolin Café is close if you'd like to go. It can get rather crowded with tourists but the food is good and the service is superb."

"Sure, that sounds great."

"Wonderful, shall I ride with you so that you don't get lost on the way there?"

"Uh well that might be a bit of a problem." The photographer pushed her hair back with her hand.

"Why would you say that?"

"Well…uh…better to show you then explain honestly."

The woman's brow furrowed, her dark sunglasses and hat hid her face for the most part but it was still easy to read her emotions as if her face was so expressive that it just gave it all away.

"A portrait of whom?" Regina asked watching as Emma pulled open the hatch of her little rental car and showed her the large frame that had a blanket tucked around it, hiding the subject from sight.

"A woman actually. I found it in this little antique shop and couldn't pass it up."

"And you didn't send it back to the states why?"

Emma paused fiddling with the keys for a moment and then shifting her weight from booted foot to foot she tried to figure out how to explain why she couldn't seem to part with the mysterious woman's portrait.

"I don't know. I just…I can't do it."

"All right, well this will be a tight squeeze but very doable. Shall we?" Regina shrugged as though this bothered her very little.

The photographer opened her mouth and then shut it with an audible snap. "Sure." Really what else was there that she could say?

"Are you going to take your sunglasses off?" Emma asked as soon as they sat down at the small table in the cute café Regina had suggested near a black and white wall papered wall. The café was cute inside, tiny and warm. It was still strange though that Regina had yet to pull off her sunglasses especially since the lighting was dimmer than the bright sunlight outside.

"I had forgotten I had them on still."

The photographer's brow furrowed at that. How could she forget when the light was low in here? She watched enraptured as tiny hands pulled the black frames from her pretty face. Bright green eyes stared back at her and for some strange reason she found herself utterly…disappointed at the color. For some reason she'd thought they'd be a warm honeyed brown. She shook her head, taking a sip of her water to try and hide her disappointment.

Throughout lunch, Regina remained silent, her eyes traced over the faces of those around her but she seemed tense and distracted.

"Well um…I guess I should get going. I can take you back to your car if you'd like?" The photographer finally broke the strange silence that had befallen them.

"There's no need. I'm meeting a friend in the next few minutes. Thank you for having lunch with me."

"Of course…um…so I guess I won't see you again?"

"Oh I'm sure you will see me again. I am often traveling throughout." The vague answer unnerved her but the photographer dipped her head.

"Should I give you my phone number?"

"I'm sure that would help me find you in the near future. You're not leaving for another few weeks correct?"

"That's right. I'll be here at least another two weeks."

"Then I'm sure I'll see you again Emma."

"You too Regina."

There was something light about returning home. Regina sighed as she glanced around the fields of Underhill. The fae folks lived here in peace, never aging, always happy. The colors were brighter in Underhill. The lush emerald green taking on a brighter hue than in Overhill. The flowers were brighter as well and smelled sweeter. She was happy to shed the shoes she'd worn in Overhill. She didn't need to worry about her feet being torn here. The grass was so soft it was like walking on a cloud and she sighed happily at the connection she felt with her homeland. The bright blue of the sky and the warmth of the sun beat down on her as she walked, taking in a fragrant lung full of air.

"Regina!" A pretty melodic voice called and yet she found herself tensing as her silent private space was suddenly invaded.

"Snow, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?" Her voice was flat, she was irritated and doing very little to hide it.

"I'm glad you're home. We've been missing you. It isn't quite the same without you here." Snow rushed to her in that slightly ungraceful way that a fae shouldn't possess but somehow she did and it made her all the more adorable…and annoying to the other though no one else seemed to feel that way towards Snow. Yet another thing that set her apart from her kind she supposed.

"What do you want?" She asked, resisting the urge to grab and pinch the bridge of her nose.

"Tinkerbelle was just here and Robin has been coming around again…and oh Regina it's so exciting!"

"What are you talking about?"

"You and Robin! He's asking to court you! And Nuada…I mean Killian said if you wanted…"

"What?" Regina's honeyed brown eyes narrowed. "He said what?"

"He's asking Killian for permission to court you." Snow's pretty features twisted into a frown. "This doesn't please you?"

"If I wanted to be courted I'd have gone to Silverhand myself. But because I don't…I won't be. Robin may think because I refused him, he can go behind my back to force my hand but it won't happen."

"But Tinkerbelle said…"

"Tinkerbelle is allowing her own need to interfere in my life to run wild. She's done enough. Now leave it be."

She twisted and stalked away, fists closing and loosening as she made her way towards her home. The beautiful apple tree stood directly out front of the hill she called her own. She smiled brightly at the sight of it growing so strongly.

"Hello darling." She said softly as she traced her fingers of the trunk. "I'm glad to see you doing so well. I know it's been a while since I've been home but you're still growing strong."

"I wondered when you would arrive."

"Nuada…or should I say Killian. Is that the name you're going by now?"

"In Overhill only." The swarthy man grinned at her and lifted his hook, the one he favored from time to time to touch her cheek. She allowed the touch without a word but took a step back when his hand retreated. It was best not to allow Silverhand too close to her after the last disaster.

"What are you doing here?"

"I see Snow got to you before I could…pity that. I wanted to discuss things with you."

"I've all ready heard Robin is trying to force my hand."

"You play fast and loose with the Gods Regina. The Gods and me."

"I do what I have to do to survive Silverhand. You've never meddled in my affairs since the first and last disaterous time and I've frankly had enough of everyone trying to do so."

Killian's smile fell and he looked to the ground. "I'm sorry…for everything that happened."

"You double crossed me to my Mother knowing exactly what she would do with the knowledge."

"I didn't…I swear I didn't know what she was planning Regina."

"Because of you I was trapped, enslaved for years. While the person I truly loved was killed right before my eyes. Because of you and everyone else. Leave it be Killian. You've done enough damage to me." She twisted around, bare feet guiding her towards the door of her home.

"I refused his request."

"As you should've. I would've come to you had I wished for it to come to pass."

"Tinkerbelle came to me. She said you've been spending a lot of time in Overhill. You've always favored the humes, looked out for them in ways none of us has in several years."

"There's a little boy…he's being abused…I'm bringing him here as my foster child to raise. Do you object?"

"You know I don't. The Tuatha de Da'nann have always favored children. If he is being harmed, then I have no objections to you bringing him here to live." He took a tentative step toward her obviously believing now that he'd agreed to her request that she'd soften towards him.

"Good; if that's all."

"It isn't…Overhill will feel Robin's wrath with my refusal. He is a God after all."

"I doubt he'll cause much damage."

"I would see you happy Regina. After this many years…"

"It isn't enough Silverhand."

"Tinkerbelle mentioned…there might be someone…" His voice was tentative again, not roguish and cocky like it could be.

"Perhaps there is. Only time will tell."

"If you choose to bring this person to Underhill…I'd give you my blessing."

"Even if it was an adult hume?"

"If they make you happy…I would see it done for you…despite the anger it will bring down on us to allow you to do so."

"Then why are you willing to do this for me?"

"I wronged you greatly in the past…I want to rectify that…and if this small measure will do so I will allow you to do as you will. Underhill is your home…as it is mine and many others. Bring her here if she proves to be the one you've desired for so long."

"You know about her?"

"Not much escapes my notice. She's beautiful Regina…truly…if you don't want her…I wouldn't mind pursuing her myself."

"Keep your slimy paws to yourself." The brunette snapped, waving a finger in a threatening manner at the King of the Tuatha de Danann.

He laughed, "There's the fire I've been waiting to see again. This woman is proving to be good for you Regina."

"Stay out of my affairs Silverhand."

"As you wish." The King grinned at her and she found herself all the more angry because of it. He'd done what he'd come to do and now that he knew what he needed, he didn't have to worry. The one he'd wronged so long ago would have it righted after so many years of heartache and loneliness. He couldn't foresee a better way than if he himself had set everything in motion.