After Snow had explained to her daughter in detail about the terms of her deal with Rumpelstiltskin, Emma stormed away from the woman, despite Snow's best efforts of reconciling with the blonde.
That night, Emma knew what she had to do. She no longer felt safe in her own castle. There was no one she could trust, especially not her own parents. She had to run away. Thinking back to her wedding with Neal, Emma recalled the woman who had interrupted the ceremony, how her deep brown eyes bore into her own, causing an unknown fluttering feeling within her chest that the blonde had never felt before.
That woman, the princess felt though she could not explain why, she could trust. The woman she had encountered gave her hope, and ever since that night, that woman had been invading the blonde's dreams. Emma was determined to find that woman again, hoping to get answers for all her questions. Even if she didn't have the answers the blonde was so desperate for, maybe the woman could offer her something else…a home.
Throwing a sack full of treasured belongings over her shoulder, Emma propelled herself down from her bedroom window, using a linen-crafted rope that she had constructed. When she made it to the grass below, she exhaled deeply, finally feeling the freedom she had desired.
Sneaking into the night, covered by a dark cape, the princess crept into the stables and stole one of her favorite horses for her journey. Once out the castle's confines, Emma and her horse galloped out to the dark forest without looking back.
The blonde had ridden through the night, and when day broke, she heard her horse panting loudly and led them off course to a nearby stream. When they arrived, Emma was surprised to find that the stream was in fact an ocean. She was at a beach.
Pouring some water from the canteen into a bowl she had brought with her, she placed the item down in front of the horse, petting its neck as she encouraged the animal to drink up. When she had succeeded in the task, she sauntered over towards the ocean, taking off her riding boots in the process.
Once she had managed to get knee-deep in the water, her pants having been rolled up as she went deeper, she heard the horse begin to panic. When Emma's gaze followed the horse's she was shocked to see a figure looming near a lone rock in the water. Her curiosity getting the better of her, the blonde chased after the shadow, no longer caring if her clothes got soaked in the process.
When she had finally rounded the rock, she came face to face with the most beautiful woman she had ever seen–the woman from her dreams.
"It's you," Emma breathed out, staring at the woman in awe. Studying the blonde's face, the mermaid slowly shifted closer to the woman and gazed deeply into her hazel eyes.
"It is," Regina confirmed in response. She knew that the Emma she knew was no longer there, but she couldn't help but crave to be near the woman. When she had first seen her in the water, Regina had been waiting for Hook's ship to arrive. She had heard of the princess' disappearance from the docks and assumed the girl had run away, and the most common route was by pirate ship.
This time, it was Emma who had begun to close the distance between the two, asking, "Why did you interrupt my wedding?" There was no judgement or accusation in her voice, just genuine wonderment. Diverting her gaze away from the blonde, Regina answered, "I couldn't have you marry someone like him." Emma furrowed her brows in response and inquired, "You don't like Neal?"
Inhaling deeply, Regina replied, "It's not just Neal, it's anyone besides me." After the brunette had finished her statement, Emma's lips latched onto her own, causing her to shift backwards in shock, then melt into the woman's warm embrace.
Regina felt as if the kiss was pure magic, and when they pulled apart, she felt as if the Emma she knew was back with her. Gazing into caramel eyes, Emma breathed out her name, "Regina." Tears formed in the siren's eyes at the realization that she hadn't told Emma her name, not since her memories had disappeared.
"Emma," she gasped in response as they both became lost in another meaningful kiss. Breaking apart, Regina questioned the blonde, "But how?" Having expected the question, Emma answered, "My father threatened your life so I took a potion to lose my memories of you. I am so sorry." Using her hand to tuck a loose blonde lock behind the princess' ear, Regina shushed the woman.
"It's okay," lifting the blonde's gaze to make sure she heard her, the brunette repeated, "It's okay." Wiping a stray, salty tear from her eye, Emma wrapped her strong arms around the siren's neck. "I am so sorry. I will never leave you again." Interrupting their precious moment, they both were jolted back by a loud, scolding voice.
"I knew you were up to no good, you insolent child," seethed Cora, emerging from the sea. Instantly, Regina's eyes glazed over at being caught by her mother. Taking notice of the brunette's change in demeanor, Emma felt a feeling of dread overwhelm her.
A second later, Emma felt something grab her by the leg, dragging her down into the water. The action happened so quickly that Regina didn't have enough time to react and reach for the blonde's arm before it was too late. Diving under the water's surface, Regina darted after the blonde's shrinking form.
Inwardly cursing her mother, the brunette increased her speed in attempts to catch up to them. She was not going to lose Emma again. Not after she had just gotten her back. After swimming through the broken window of a sunken ship, Regina halted her movements, unable to detect which way her mother had taken the blonde. Shrinking into herself, the brunette began to weep at the loss.
Meanwhile, Emma was kicking her legs frantically while trying to hold her breath the best she could, attempting to free herself from Cora's grasp. She had no idea who this other mermaid was, but, if Regina's expression was any indication, she was not good at all.
After she had completely lost sight of Regina chasing after her, their pace slowed as the approached a darkened cave hidden in the cracks of the ocean floor. When the entered inside the cave, the woman threw her inside a cage, making quick work to close it before the blonde could escape.
Three seconds later, Emma felt her consciousness begin slipping. After struggling to keep her eyes open, her body surrendered to the darkness, causing her body to go limp. Emma feared that this was going to be the end of her. The last thought the woman had before drifting off was the image of Regina smiling down at her after she had first met the brunette.