The staccato clacking of her heels echoes down the hallway, announcing her presence long before she is seen. Regina has never been a morning person, preferring to break her fast in the privacy of her bedchambers away from prying eyes, whispered rumors and forced pleasantries, so Snow is surprised when she requests a brief audience before the sun has properly risen above the castle walls. She enters the room, polished to perfection in all her regal glory and Snow suddenly feels very frumpy in her white lace nightgown and cream silk robe, hair still tousled from sleep. She pulls herself a little straighter in her chair, attempting to match the posture of the woman in front of her as David rises to offer her a seat, which is politely declined with the flick of a wrist and a slight nod.
"You asked to see us Regina?" she finally ventures when the silence in the room begins to feel oppressive.
"Yes. I just wanted to inform you that I will be riding north for a few days on a scouting mission. I will return before nightfall on Friday, but if you need me before then my mirror can reach me or you can send one of those silly birds you seem to be so fond of," the cool indifference of her voice makes it clear this is an announcement, not a request, but something unclear flickers behind her eyes.
There is something slightly off about her that Snow can't quite put her finger on. She is flawlessly presented, as always, in a royal blue velvet coat that is fitted in the waist and the bust, practically suctioned on to the jeweled black corset that peeks out from the deep V of the jacket collar, before flowing to the ground in a long train that practically puddles around her feet. A pair of black leather riding pants and heeled boots completes the intimidating ensemble, every inch of restrictive fabric and supportive lacing oozing the confident ruthlessness of the Evil Queen she used to be. The straight-backed stance and no-nonsense manner she presents her plans in, however, is all Madame Mayor and Snow suddenly feels a twinge of Mary Margaret rising to the surface of her consciousness. The unsettled feeling she had a moment ago returns and she truly examines the woman who raised her, trying desperately to put her finger on what it is that is not quite right, and then she sees it.
It's her hair.
The thick mane of dark curls that is usually sculpted into an elaborate updo of some sort is pulled simply in two concentric twists that begin at her temples and join in the back to form a single, thick braid that hangs like an ebony rope down her back. Her usual smoky shadow, and bold lips have been traded for a light smattering of liner and a pale glossy pink that gives her face a natural glow and suddenly Snow is once again a child on a hillside breathing in the smell of grass and gratefully clinging to a beautiful woman in a powder blue riding coat who just saved her life. All three personalities of the woman she has admired and adored, feared and hated, befriended and forgiven are all standing in front of her so clearly demonstrated that it all suddenly clicks into place and she instantly knows exactly where Regina is going.
David starts to rise from his seat, a protest ready on his lips, but Snow stills him with a gentle hand to his wrist. He glances over, confusion furrowing his brow, they both know that things with Zelena are still too unsettled for Regina to go gallivanting across the countryside for a few days, but this trip is necessary. He must see the conviction in her eyes because he settles back into his seat, the tension slowly seeping out of his face as he relaxes back into his chair.
"Of course, Regina. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to assist with your journey," she offers, with what she hopes is a reassuring smile.
"Thank you, but everything I need has been arranged. Try not to let the kingdom fall apart in my absence," she quips back with a raise of her eyebrow and a smirk that doesn't quite reach her eyes before turning on her heel and quickly stalking out of the room.
"Now are you going to tell me what that was about, or do I have to guess?" her husband inquires as soon as the sound of the queens clacking footsteps has faded down the hallway.
"This is something she needs to do on her own, don't worry," she reassures while reaching her hand over and gently squeezing his fingers, trying to convince herself as well.
This is just a little drabble from the missing year because dakota1979 requested more of those . I am planning to possibly make the previous chapter into a separate multi-chapter fic that I will post under a different title hopefully in the next few weeks when I have another chapter. It may be a while before the next update-I've broken a finger and ripped a ligament in my right hand so writing is a bit painful at the moment!
As always questions, comments, criticism, and prompts are welcomed. Thank you all so much for the lovely comments and messages you've sent, they really do bring a smile to my face and motivate me to write more! Xx