Chapter Three

Training

I would like to personally apologize to JamieOUAT I didn't forget your PM and I feel horrible for taking so long to update, life's just been super busy at the moment. Although it was your PM that made me interested in writing it again. I do know what I want to do with the fanfiction it's just difficult for me to sit down and write and more importantly figure out HOW to write what I want to happen. Also please leave a review tell me what you do and don't like and maybe which chapter is your favorite, I really do need guidance in this story.

"How does magic work?" Anya asked curiously, tilting her head in question as she stared across the table at the black queen.

"Well..." She trailed off. Trying to explain magic simply was like explaining surgery to a child. "All it is, is desire. If you really want something to happen, to create something...you need to will it. See it in your mind and make it happen." she said, doing her best to leave out the twisted emotions involved, this child seemed to young...to innocent to understand it, and Regina feared that introducing her to anger at such an early stage would drive her away.

"I...I don't think I understand." Anya began. "If it's that easy why can't you unlock my memories?"

"Well it isn't that easy...I guess you'll understand soon...when you start your apprenticeship." Regina said, momentarily avoiding Anya's gaze her eyes widening, staring at the dark angel in shock. Her attention hooked. That one word seeming to hold a magic of its own.

"Oh my gosh!" she exclaimed, "Thank you!" Anya rose, making a move to hug the queen but fell to an abrupt halt under her piercing gaze, the conduct to out of line even for the queen. Anya stumbled back into the chair, bumping the table clumsily and the queen sighed.

I've got my work cut out for me. The queen thought to herself as Anya scrambled around the table, fixing the placement she'd knocked over. Her attention finally turning back to the queen.

"Thank you Regina!" She cried out excitedly, receiving one of the queen famous to-kill stares, her gaze softening momentarily, knowing that she should be insulted by the lack of formality, yet there was something in the child's words, the innocence as she said her name that Regina couldn't bring herself to scold her. A kindness lost in others when in the witch's presence. She was never referred to as Regina anymore.

"Well, I guess we are just going to have to wait and see how you take to magic." she said, a slight hesitation in her voice, before rising from the table. "It's been a long day and I think it's time little girls go to bed." nodding Anya hurried from the room, leaving Regina to return to her own chambers, sighing as she took a seat in front of her mirror. Staring long and hard at herself as she gathered her thoughts. The road ahead would certainly not be easy but she was certain that Anya could do it...with the proper motivation.

Days passed but Anya showed no signs of magic, and once again found herself staring intently at the amethyst stone pedestaled in front of Regina's mirror, but after hours nothing happened and Regina was ready to give up.

"What's the point?" She sighed, growing frustrated as she began to pack up the scattered magical items, potions and rocks, the simplest of witchcraft.

"No wait!" Anya pleaded. "I've almost got it." she begged, jumping up from her chair.

"Look kid we've got to face the facts, not everyone is born with magic." the queen replied, the stone appearing magically in her hand without a second thought, almost as if to prove how simple it was.

"But I'm getting close I can feel it." Anya begged, clapping her hands together in a pleading gesture. "I can do it I know I can! I want to!" she cried, her emotions growing, a tantrum building inside of her, her voice rising almost to a shout. Regina's eyes sharpened, a menacing glare over taking her. She would not tolerate such behavior. She was a queen for god sakes and his child had no right to scream at her. However before Regina could lash out Anya fell silent and the queen was overtaken with shock. The black gemstone resting peacefully in Anya's hand both girls standing in wide eyed shock as the orphan had snatched it from her hand with a cloud of seemingly orange smoke.

"I-I did it." Anya gasped, amazed by her own success.

"Interesting." Regina mused, looking the girl up and down. The spike of emotions, the intensity must have triggered her true desire within her. "Maybe there's hope for you yet."

"Does this mean I can keep training?" Anya begged her eyes sparkling with excitement as the sorceress nodded. "Yes! Thank you! I promise I won't let you down."

Weeks passed and the hot summer began to fade away as leaves turned gold and crimson, falling like graceful feathers from their trees. The leaf covered pass crunching under their footsteps as the witch and her apprentice made their way through the woods. The child seemingly carefree, safe as long as her angel was near.

"Regina look at this!" She exclaimed, smiling as with excitement as she closed her eyes, concentrating for a moment as the winds picked up around her, blowing a nearby pile of leaves sending them spiraling playfully around the child. Rustling her now combed and beautiful red hair.

"Very good." The queen laughed, smiling as Anya raced around her, admiring the innocent oddities of nature that the evil queen had long since forgotten. Blind to the beauty by her rage. The child was like a breath of fresh air, a difference between her guards and anger and duties. Beyond that, Anya was a reflection into her past.

"Oh! And this!" Anya cried out excitedly, putting a good several feet between herself and the queen before holding out her hand, palm up. She stared at it intently for a moment, concentrating until a small flickering flame appeared barely the size of an acorn before vanishing into the air. "Did you see that? I'm getting better! I'm going to control fire just like you."

"Oh no, no, no." the raven haired angel laughed, shaking her head. "Fire is my thing, find your own."

"But I wanted to control fire." the girl pleaded unable to stop grinning, after all her angel was only playing around.

"No, I'm serious." she replied, keeping a light hearted tone. "I'll teach you anything else but fire is my trademark...don't worry we'll find one for you." she said tapping the girl lightly on the nose before continuing down the leaf ridden path. The slightly disappointed but ever energetic redhead following closely behind.

"Are you going to teach me to ride a horse?" Anya questioned, pushing a skinny branch out of her way as she began to explore between the trees. Her bright yellow dress skimming the tops of the leaves at her ankles. "Wait am I going to fall?" she pouted, suddenly fearful, as if just realizing the danger. "What if it's too high?"

"You're not going to fall." the queen comforted, rolling her eyes. "I'm not going to let you."

"Even if the horse is big?"

"Even if the horse is big." she reassured, snickering at the child's strangest of insecurities. Out of all of her training horse riding was one Regina looked forward to the most. The freedom, the power of the wind rushing through the rider's hair. She couldn't wait to see how Anya would take it. The whole thing felt like it would be perfect for an adventurous girl like Anya. The redhead smiled, glancing up at the queen the way one would a mother, the fading sunlight seeming to give an angelic light to the woman's dark dress.

"Thanks Regina." she muttered softly, reassured by the queen's words as she continued, swinging herself around the thick tree trunks, a sudden rustling catching her off guard and sending the child stumbling back, retreating to the queen's side. Clutching her legs, her gaze never leaving the bush.

"What is it now?" she asked, surprised by the girl's grip, doing her best not to pull away and straighten her dress.

"Do you think it's another wolf?" Anya whispered, as the bush shook again.

"No, not in these woods." the queen glanced down at Anya once, the child's terror filled eyes urging her on until the queen took several graceful steps forward, waving a lazy hand to push the bush aside, revealing nothing more than a white rabbit twitching in the leaves.

"Oh!" Anya half laughed, scratching the back of her head in embarrassment before hurrying forward and crouching next to the creature, her eyes wide with excitement. "It's so cute! Regina!" she whined, reaching out and stroking the creature lightly. "It's so cute can we keep it?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because...rabbits are dirty, they smell and poop everywhere." the queen retorted, shaking her head. She was giving the girl a lot as it was, however she was unwilling to have her castle stink of rabbit droppings because a child begged her.

"Please Regina?"

"No." That's when it hit her, and the queen suddenly knelt down after Anya. Why was it letting her pet it? Rabbits were so easily frightened. As she knelt down she could see that the creature was trembling, lying on its side one leg kicking, its eyes wide in terror of the child yet its other leg remained perfectly still, A small cut running along its paw.

"Its hurt." The queen observed, examining the pathetic creature with a wary eye. It was going to die soon anyway, there was no need to waste her time.

"Aw..." Anya groaned. "Will it be alright?"

"I'm afraid not."

"Can we help it?" the girl's plea caught the queen off guard.

"Didn't I just tell you we can't keep it?"

"Just until it's healed." Anya begged. "You can teach me healing magic, and I'll feed and care for it I promise I will." she begged, clasping her hands together, her emerald eyes turning to her mother, who met her gaze coldly.

"No...no" she repeated, sighing before finally giving in. "Just until it's healed...then we release it...but this is homework you are going to have to heal it I won't help." without hesitation Anya scooped the rabbit into her arms rubbing gently behind its ear.

"Look at you're pretty snow white fur." she cooed, receiving an unnoticed death stare from Regina. "I think I'll name you Ivory."

"Alright...let's get Ivory back to the castle...I'll tell daddy to set up a cage for it." excitedly the ginger hurried back to the castle, the not as enthusiastic queen retreating to her room and with a sigh collapsed into a chair. She was tired, but there was something...refreshing that placed a smile on her lips. There was finally someone who wouldn't run from her, and just for a moment it gave her peace.

"Your majesty." And with those simple words, the moment was over.

"Yes what is it?" She snapped, glancing up into her mirror to find a face staring back at her. "What do you want?"

"My Queen...I've learned about the girl's home."

(Things are finally about to get interesting! The next two chapters should be fun!)