A/N: Alright, sorry for such a long wait for an update, but here it is! Yay! I have a few more chapters planned, so, yes, this fic is coming to an end, but until then, please enjoy and tell me what you think!
Regina suddenly regretted her decision to go to Prince John's kingdom in hopes of freeing Robin. She had left early the next morning, only telling Little John of her plans. He insisted he go with her, but she said it would be best if she went alone.
That decision, she did not regret, though. She hardly thought Prince John would give her the time of day if she had come with her request and drug along a posse of people, especially one of the Merry Men. So, alone she went.
After entering his kingdom, the spoiled prince was more than elated to have her there. He gave his condolences to her, telling her she must be so overwhelmed running a kingdom all by herself.
"Well, you do it, don't you?" She asked, quirking an eyebrow and trying to be friendly.
"Yes, well, I'm a man." He said, giving her a slight smile.
Regina's fake smile turned into a very real scowl, one she could not even try to hide.
"But may I ask why you have graced me with your presence, Your Majesty?" He asked, weaving his arm with her's, she, allowing it reluctantly.
She took in a deep breath.
"Rumors have spread that you have captured a thief." Regina began.
"Not just any thief, Your Grace, Robin Hood." He said.
Regina unraveled her arm from his and clasped her hands together.
"Yes, Robin Hood. And what do you plan to do with him?" Regina asked.
"Let him rot, I suppose. The bastard has given me nothing but trouble for years." The Prince said, walking over to a table and pouring himself some wine.
"But what does that have anything to do with your visit?" He asked suddenly.
"I want you to release him." She said bluntly.
He regarded her for a moment, then busted into laughter.
"You cannot be serious." He said.
"I am. If you release him, your people will be less likely to revolt." She tried to reason.
"Yes, but if I do release him, he's back to stealing from me." He said sternly.
"Do you not have enough gold to last you for the rest of eternity? Surely Robin Hood makes only a small dent in your riches when he steals to give to poor villages you refuse to care for." Regina said, anger boiling up from deep inside her.
He glared at her for a moment.
"Do not think I don't know what this is really about." He began.
Regina's queenly mask fell.
"The Enchanted Forest maybe a very big place, but rumors spread quickly and easily through the trees, Your Majesty." He said, approaching her.
She stood as still as a statue.
"Do you honestly think no one has heard of your escapades with the thief? It's why Leopold kept you locked away; to keep your disgrace from the public eye as much as possible."
She looked him in the eyes, her own hooded under her dark brows.
"If you want Robin Hood, it will come with a price." He smirked, taking a sip of his wine.
The words rung in her ears with much annoyance. Rumple used to say very similar things to her. Always reminding her of the price of magic. But she had been prepared for this. She would give the awful Prince whatever he wanted just to have Robin safe again.
"I will give you anything for the return of Robin Hood. And the assurance that you will never come after him again." Regina said.
He turned back around to face her.
"Anything? Her Majesty must be more careful of what she bargains with." He said.
"I will pay any price." She said quickly.
"Even if it is your hand in marriage?" He said, looking up to gage her reaction.
Her mouth fell open slightly and her shoulders sagged.
"M-My what?" She asked.
"You are a lonely queen, recently widowed and running a very wealthy and powerful kingdom by yourself. My people are starving and my kingdom is falling around me. A union between us could turn our single kingdoms, into an empire." He said.
She stood silent, shocked by this very unexpected turn of events and even, dare she think it, scared.
"I do not want an empire." She said as strongly as possible.
"Yes, but I do. And I have Robin Hood. Marry me, and you shall have him." He smiled slyly.
Regina took a deep breath and stood firmer.
"No."
"No?" He asked.
"No." She repeated.
"You do realize you are damning Robin Hood if you do not take my hand." He said, approaching her again.
"Hardly. I'm damning you." She said, feeling like she had the upper hand. "Power and wealth is what you crave, but I will not give it to you at my own expense."
"If you turn down my request now, it will not be given again. And Robin Hood will rot in my dungeons." He said.
Regina glared at him, her mask back up.
"We'll just see about that." She said, turning away from him and heading for the doors.
"He wanted to marry you?" Little John asked.
"Unfortunately." Regina said, sitting under her apple tree.
"And you said no?" He asked a little frustrated.
Regina shot him a confused look.
"Of course I did." Regina said.
"Even if it meant saving Robin's life? You might just have damned him, Regina!" John said.
"We'll find another way." Regina argued.
"But he was willing to hand him over." John said, pacing in front of her.
"For a price, John. And not one I was willing to pay." Regina said.
"Marriage? Believe me, there are more retched things in this world than that." John said with anger.
Regina stood quickly.
"How would you feel if it had been you, huh? If you loved someone that had been captured and the only way to save them was to marry another you did not love, how would you feel? Better yet, how would you feel if your previous marriage had not been of your choosing, either. Two arranged, loveless marriages, and for what?" She exclaimed, tears burning her eyes. "I love Robin, John. I want him free and safe just as much as you do, but I will be damned if I have to take another's hand to do so. I just got out of a marriage I thought I would never see the end of." She stepped forward, softening her voice as several tears escaped. "Please, please understand. I just couldn't accept."
Little John looked down at her. Tears painted her face, cheeks flushed. His anger simply evaporated and he suddenly felt guilt wash over him.
"I'm sorry, milady. I should have understood it from your side. We shall find another way." He said softly.
"Thank you." She nearly whispered.
"You've had a long journey. Perhaps you should go rest." He suggested.
"Perhaps I should." She began, wiping her tears away. "I should see Roland first."
"He'll be more than excited to see you, Regina." Little John said.
She gave him a weak smile and made for the archway that lead inside, when Little John stopped her.
"Regina, wait." He said.
She turned and regarded him. Swiftly, the large man approached her and gathered her small frame in his arms. The embrace was surprising, but in a good way. She'd return the gesture, but her arms were wedged tightly between her body and his.
When he released her, he muttered a "goodnight" and brushed past her, leaving Regina with a small smirk on her lips.
The next morning, Regina was met with the sound of her door creaking open and an overjoyed Roland jumping up onto her bed, bouncing it with every wobbly movement as he crawled up to meet her.
"Regina?" He whispered.
He pushed at her shoulder slightly, but she still appeared to be sleeping.
"Regina? Are you still sleeping? Wake up." He whispered.
Regina tried to rein in her smile as she pretended to sleep.
"Regina." He whined.
She turned in the bed swiftly and grabbed Roland in her arms, gently pushing his little form into the plush cushions and tickling his stomach. He giggled and squealed and reached for her to stop.
She paused and leaned over him, smiling. He was the only thing keeping her sane these days. Resting her head beside him, she pulled him close and began to play with his curls.
"Sleep well?" She asked.
"Yep. Uncle John still snores." He said with the crinkle of his nose.
She chuckled and gazed down at him again. Roland had decided he would sleep with his Uncle John because he didn't want John to get scared all by himself in the dark. That, and with Regina being away for several days in an attempt to retrieve Robin, he had no other choice than to bunk with John and not her.
"Is Prince John going to give Papa back?" He suddenly asked.
Regina as taken aback. She swallowed.
"No, sweetheart." She said simply.
"Why not?" He asked.
"Prince John is not a very nice man." Regina tried to reason with the small child.
"But you went to go get him. I know you asked nicely. Why didn't he give him back to you?" He asked.
Regina couldn't help the small smile on her lips as he assumed she politely asked for Robin back like he was a stolen toy.
"Well, the only way to get your Papa back, was to marry the Prince. But I don't love the Prince." Regina explained.
"Yeah, because you love Papa." Roland smiled up at her, playing with a string on his nightclothes.
"Yes, because I love your Papa." She smiled back, cupping his cheek and weaving the ends of her fingers in his curls.
"So, now what?" He asked innocently.
Now what, indeed. She tried to be cordially with the rotten Prince, but he certainly threw her kindness in her face. And after refusing his sudden proposal, she doubted he'd be so welcoming to her again. As if she really wanted to go crawling back to him again. No, they'd get Robin back some other way. She didn't know how, they just would.
"I don't know, Little Knight." She began, pushing his hair away from his face.
"Why don't you rescue him? Like the Merry Men do for the poor. But Papa's the gold and we're the poor." Roland suggested, looking up to Regina.
She regarded him for a moment, then propped herself up on her elbow. It's like it had always been right there in front of her.
"Roland, that is a wonderful idea." Regina said, smiling excitedly down at him.
Little John, David, Snow and Will all met in the throne room after Regina announced for them all to meet there. They were murmuring to each other when she burst in. They all looked in her direction, waiting for the news she obviously had to tell.
"John, do you still have contact with the other Merry Men?" She asked as she walked in.
"Some, yes. Not all, but enough. Why?" He asked.
"We'll need all the help we can get." She said.
"Whatever for?" Snow asked.
"Breaking Robin out of Prince John's dungeons, of course." She said turning to them. As if it was the most obvious thing.
"Regina, you can't be serious." Snow gasped.
"I am. Prince John is certainly not going to be reasonable and negotiate properly, so we'll just take matters into our own hands." Regina stated.
A huge grin spread across Will's face.
"Now that is a plan!" He exclaimed, excited for the adventure this was sure to bring.
"Wait a minute, Will, we need more of a plan then that." John said.
"Of course, you're absolutely right. You two will go and gather as many of the men you can, then return here and from there we will travel to Prince John's kingdom, break into his dungeons, and save Robin." Regina said with a fiery passion.
"Milady, not that this is not possible, but Prince John has many guards, more than most kingdoms. I don't think we have the man power for a such a task. Robin never infiltrated his royal grounds. Only his carriages. The many guards the Prince keeps on hand, being the main reason for Robin's uneasiness." Little John said.
"I see." Regina said, suddenly feeling deflated. "But there is someone you have that you didn't before: me." She finished.
"No, Regina, that's too dangerous. I don't-"
"I don't want to hear it. I'm going." Regina said firmly. "I can contribute something none of you men have."
Little John and Will looked at one another, Will, gesturing to his chest and cupping his hands there and mouthing the question, "Breasts?". Little John smacked him on the back of the head and muttered, "Of course not."
Regina rolled her eyes at the exchange.
"Magic. I have magic." She said.
"You do?" Little John asked.
"Yes. Well, I mean, I haven't used it in sometime. But, in this case, I can make an exception." Regina said.
Little John looked at Will and they nodded.
"Great. You must leave at once. Once you've returned, we'll make for Prince John's kingdom." Regina said.
"I'll get Roland." Will said, beginning to leave, but John stopped him.
"No, leave the lad here. He'll be safer with Regina." He said before turning to her and giving her a small smile, in which she returned.
Once Little John and Will had left the throne room, Snow began to speak.
"Regina, this is too dangerous." Snow said.
"Snow, I'm going." Regina said.
"But-"
"I would die for this man, Snow. I never thought I'd ever utter such words, but I would. He's made me believe in something I thought I'd never have again and keeps it burning inside my soul every time he is near; hope. And I cannot let him suffer any longer. I will do whatever it takes." Regina said, grasping Snow's hands and tightly squeezing.
Snow nodded. She knew there was no changing Regina's mind.
Two days it took to recover the scattered Merry Men, at least the ones willing to come back. Little John had explained some had made the decision to leave for good, claiming they could find better lives on their own.
"And you explained to them Robin was in danger? In need of them?" She asked him quickly.
"Aye, but they figure it is best this way. That our previous way of life was too dangerous and they've simply moved on." Little John said.
Regina looked away from him and in the direction Roland was playing under her apple tree.
"We leave with who we have tonight. Roland will be put in the care of Snow and David. We take only what we can carry swiftly. I want to meet with the men soon." Regina said, still looking at Roland.
Little John nodded and went to fetch all the men. Regina stayed planted to her spot, watching Roland slay imaginary dragons and save made up princesses.
"Regina, is slaying a dragon scary?" He suddenly asked, turning to her.
She raised her brows in question, then registered what he asked.
"I'm sure it is. Dragons are monstrous and strong. The only way to slay a dragon, is to be more cunning than the dragon." Regina said as she stepped towards Roland.
"Could I, one day, slay a dragon?" He asked.
"I would bet my life you could." She smiled. "But only if you found it absolutely necessarily. Like, saving a princess from one. Dragons are fearsome and often destructive, but unless provoked, are often never seen because they are hidden away in mountain caves or in ruined castles. They'd much rather be left alone then to destroy villages. It only happens when man oversteps his boundaries."
She sat under her tree as she explained the complex nature of dragons to Roland, who was now leaning against her side, playing with the fabric of her skirts.
"How do you know so much about dragons?" Roland asked.
"I met one once." Regina smiled.
Roland's eyes grew five times their size as he climbed up beside her.
"You met one?! Was he big and scary?! Did you slay him?!" He asked excitedly.
"I did, but it wasn't a he, but a she and no I didn't slay her. We became friends."
Roland looked puzzled.
"Well where is she?" He asked.
"I don't know." She smiled. "I saved her from a group of knights meaning to kill her. After I saved her, she revealed to me to be a woman disguised as a dragon. Her name was Maleficent." Regina explained.
"And she thanked me and gave me this as a token of her gratitude." She held her palm out and showed Roland a beautiful red gem attached to a necklace. "It's called the Dragon Heart. Anyone who posses it, can summon any dragon they like, as long as they think of them. She told me if I ever needed help, to use it. I keep it with me always."
"You were very brave to go up against a dragon." Roland pointed out.
She supposed that's what it may have looked liked, but in reality, she wasn't brave or scared or anything. She was still new to being Queen at the time she met Maleficent. She would never tell anyone, but when she ran into a enraged dragon, the first thought to cross her mind was to hope the thing ate her whole so she would be done with her new life. Meeting Maleficent was a complete accident. She was actually attempting to run away for the first time, but she, instead saved the cornered dragon and was rewarded for doing such. She did go back. That time in her life did not offer much confidence and even though she had just come face to face with a dragon, she feared the punishment of leaving the King far more for some reason. Fast forward eight years, and she had pushed that fear away and lived three of the best years of her life as a bandit. Now, here she was, Queen again, yet she had much more freedom than before and her true prison, would never be realized again. No one could make her go back to where she had once been.
"Yes, I suppose I was." Regina said, answering Roland.
"And I wouldn't save princesses." Roland said shaking his head.
She looked down at him puzzled, then realized to what he was referring.
"Then who?" She asked.
"Queens. Like you." He smiled.
She smiled back and pulled him into her lap, hugging him close. She was going to miss his bouncy curls and dimples while she was away, but she was returning with his father and then he would finally be reunited after so long of being apart. That urged her forward. Urged her to let him go that night while saying goodbye even when she did not want to. Urged her into a more determined state to get Robin back as she and ten of the Merry Men walked off the royal grounds and onto the dangerous path of saving Robin. It would not be easy, but Regina did not care the level of difficulty in which this mission was. They would not return without Robin, even if it meant he returned without one of them.
Robin sat on the cold, stone floor of his cell, feeling the usual ache of his sitting position. His arms were cuffed, the metal cuffs attached to the floor by chains, making standing up fully, impossible. He leaned his head against the stone wall and sighed, closing his eyes.
His mind drifted to Roland and Little John; to Regina, as it always did. He wondered if she even knew.
He heard a door squeak open then slam shut. Footsteps echoed in the dungeons and Robin's eyes shot open.
"You had a visitor, Outlaw." The voice said.
Robin made a scowl at the sound of the Prince's voice.
"I told them you weren't taking any visitors." He said.
He could hear the smile in his tone, knew he grinned with shear pleasure at his expense.
"Let's see, who was it again? What was their name?" He heard him say. Soon the Prince was stand just beyond the bars of his cell. "Oh yes, Regina."
Robin's heart sank and he felt colder than before. He then shot up in anger, his chains catching him and tugging violently at his wrists.
"You leave her alone!" Robin exclaimed.
"Oh, I intended to, but she came to me, begging for your release. I offered her very simply my hand for your life, but she refused. Clearly your life means nothing to her." Prince John said.
Robin was trying to process his words. He asked for her hand in marriage? The bloody bastard, Robin thought. He would never have asked that of her just to save his life. Never. He's glad she refused.
"I do believe it means quite the opposite. You do not know Regina the way I do." Robin said.
"No, I do not. But rumor has it you got to know the Queen quite well during her time as a wanted bandit. Excuse me for hoping I could get to know her the same way." The Prince said nonchalantly.
Robin tugged at his restraints violently once more.
"How dare you speak of her in such a way!" Robin shouted angrily.
He heard the Prince laugh then the scuff of his boots as he turned.
"Enjoy your prison, Robin Hood. These walls will be your home for the rest of your days."
They didn't even bother to make camp, simply rested for a few hours at different intervals, then back to their journey. Regina wanted to grab Robin and be as far away from Prince John as humanly possible. That meant less stops and more trudging through the woods and swampy areas to get to their destination.
She had shed her queen like gowns for a more practical wardrobe just because of the situation. It had felt strange at first, to be back in her bandit clothes, but she felt at ease with them much more quickly than she thought she would. She lead the men through the forest, though she didn't know why. Surely they knew the way just as well as she, but yet they let her take the lead. Little John stayed in the back since he was the largest and Will stood behind Regina.
The men were weary, but pushed on and because of their limited stops, it took a whole day less to reach Prince John's kingdom. When Regina began to recognize her surroundings, she gestured for them to rest as she, Will and Little John formulated a strategy.
"The dungeons are located behind his castle." Will pointed out. "They're usually guarded by two men. I couldn't tell you about the inside, though."
"That's fine. We'll handle that once we get in. If we move swiftly enough, we won't alarm any other guards." Regina said. "I trust you two to assign men to positions; you know their strength better than I, but I want you two with me when I head inside to break out Robin."
Will and Little John nodded and went to speak with the men.
Regina looked over the cliff they were standing on, eyeing the castle illuminated by flame, it being the only brightness in the dark of night. The moon was not even out, instead blocked by clouds overhead. She heard Little John's confirmation of the men being ready. She simply nodded. It was now or never.
They took their positions all around the dungeon entrance. Two guards were in fact posted there. Regina, with her hood up and covering her in shadows, signalled to the two archers in nearby trees. They signalled back and just as swiftly as she had motioned for them, their arrows left their bows and struck both guards. Not a peep from anyone, silence hung in the air as if nothing had just occurred.
Little John signalled the next group of men to check and see if the area was clear and once they confirmed it was, Little John, Regina and Will all made for the entrance. Regina reached down and began frantically searching both guards for the keys, finally finding them and snatching them from his lifeless body. She tried each key, hoping it would be the one to open the door, but there were so many and she had no idea which was it.
Soon, they heard shouting. She froze for a second and looked to Little John.
"You focus on the keys, we'll fight off anyone who may be coming." He said, rushing to gather some men.
She heard the shouts and commands getting closer. Yes, most certainly guards. Someone must have seen. They had made no noise enough to alert their presence. She heard the clatter of swords and the swooshes of arrows through the air, bodies falling and cries of distress. And then the door clicked and fell open slightly. She looked to Will, but before she could manage any words he said, "Go get him. I'm staying here to fight off anyone from getting in. Go!"
She nodded, even though she was worried and even scared. She didn't know who would be waiting in this place. She didn't know if there were anymore guards inside or if she could fight them off. She was probably a bit rusty. She hadn't fought anyone in months and the anxiety of the moment began to catch up to her.
She moved inside, closing the door behind her and swiftly moving down the musty corridor. She hoped it was a small dungeon. She didn't have all the time in the world to find him. And the men outside couldn't hold off the guards all night, either. She was suddenly more worried than before. What if she didn't get to him in time? What if she got caught? This would all be in vain. Then what of Roland?
She couldn't think about that. She only needed to focus on saving Robin.
Running down the dimly lit halls, she searched frantically for Robin. She realized quickly, though, that the dungeon was a straight shot. No other halls to turn down and the only other room besides cells were the guard's quarters. She noticed no one was there, the place empty other than two or three prisoners she could see.
"Robin?" She said aloud, hoping she was alone as she had thought.
She continued to look into each cell thoroughly and called out his name again. Nothing.
"Robin?!" She hissed again.
"Who is it?" A raspy voice answered.
She stopped suddenly and looked in the direction she thought she heard it come from.
"Robin?" She asked.
"Regina?" She heard. The last cell.
She moved quickly to the end, peeking into the last cell between bars.
"Robin." She said in a shaky voice.
He shot up from the floor, his restraints catching him, but he could not care.
"How did you know I was here?" He asked, both with worry and happiness.
"Little John came to me. He told me everything." Regina said while struggling to unlock his cell.
"Jiggle the key a little." He instructed.
"What?" She asked.
"Jiggle the key. The tumbler is a little funny." He said.
She did as he said and the cell door creaked open. She pushed past it and moved to unlock his cuffs. Once he was free, he immediately wrapped his arms around her, she, doing the same. She felt tears burn her eyes as she clung to him, hoping he was real and if he was, never letting him go. He pressed his face into her hair and muttered something she couldn't understand, but she couldn't even care.
"We need to get out of here before they get past the men." Regina said.
"Another moment, my love." He whispered, pulling her back to face him, then crashing his lips to her's. It was quick, but she could feel every ounce of his love poured into it. He held her face and tears shown in his eyes.
"Thoughts of you and Roland have kept me going. I knew I would see you again." He smiled.
She gave him a watery smile, giving him another quick kiss before clutching at his hand.
"Let's get out here, shall we?" She said, a smirk on her lips.
Gods, how he has missed her.
She tugged him out of the cell and down the way she came. They hurried past the other cells and Regina's heart was beating out of her chest it felt like.
"So, what's the plan after this?" He asked her.
"Uh, run?" She said.
"Run? That's it?" He asked.
"Really? You're criticizing my plan to save you now? When we're still in the dungeon? Do you want me to just leave your ass here?" Regina shouted back to him.
"On second thought, running has worked for us before." He said.
She rolled her eyes as a smirk formed on her lips.
They were nearing the exit when it burst open and someone blocked their way.
"Never thought I'd see you two again." He said.
He stepped out of the shadows to reveal his face.
"Paul?" Robin asked.
"I don't understand." Regina said, holding on to Robin for dear life.
"Let's just say, after turning you in, Prince John felt I was a rather smart investment in his guard. It pays better, too." Paul said, pulling out his knife.
Everything then fell into place. Paul had told Nottingham where the camp was, thus getting Regina caught. Which lead Robin to believe he had been feeding more secrets of his Merry Men to the Prince. In fact, that's probably how he knew Robin was going to be at King Leopold's ball that night. He knew Robin would visit Regina, knew he'd meant to see her and on the night where disguise was so simple it hurt. Robin felt the betrayal cut deep, but he felt more anger towards the scum before him than anything.
"You slimy bastard. What have I ever done to you other than provide you a home and people to care for you?! You took an oath! We were brothers!" Robin shouted, moving Regina behind him and feeling defensive and protective.
"I obviously didn't take it very seriously." Paul said.
Robin released Regina's hand quickly and pushed Paul against the wall. He saw red, felt nothing but anger and hurt from this person who was supposed to be a friend, an allied. He then felt Regina's soft, but firm tug at his arm.
"Robin, we have to go. Now." She said cooly.
He lowered Paul, who was sputtering and coughing once he stood on the floor again. Regina grabbed Robin's hand and pulled him towards the door, but just before the walked out, Robin turned and punched Paul straight in his jaw, making him tumble backwards and onto his ass.
"Good riddance." Robin muttered and followed Regina out of the dungeons.
They were met with a gruesome scene. Bloodied bodies lay about the grasses, none so far, that looked like their men.
"This way." Regina said, leading him to the treeline in which they had all emerged. She heard rustling and a shape moved quickly out of the corner of her eye.
"Regina, over here!" Little John's hushed shout broke the silence.
She jumped slightly and swallowed, her and Robin following towards Little John.
"The rest of the men retreated back to our base point. Some are hurt, but not badly. We must move quickly." Little John said, then turned to Robin and embracing him. "It's good to have you back."
"It's good to be back." Robin breathed then looked at Regina who was watching the exchange.
"Well, hurry then. This way." Little John said, taking the lead.
Robin tightly clutched Regina's hand in his as they followed Little John. They had made it. He didn't know how, but they did. He could not wait to see his boy again. But until then, he simply revealed in the feel of his skin touching her's again and promising to never let her go again.