A/N: First off, let me say, I'm terribly sorry for not updating in such a long time. Sometimes life stuff gets in the way and some things have to take a back burner for a little bit. But I'm back into this story, which I honestly really enjoy writing for and hope all of you are still interested in. I have a part two planned for this story and hopefully I won't take so long to get it published. So, enjoy this latest installment. And thank you all for being so patient! :)
Men lay about on the forest floor; their wounds being dressed. Once they reached the cliff's peak, Regina finally realized the amount of men injured. A little over half had sustained mild injuries. They were lucky to have suffered only that considering the amount of knights fighting them. How quickly she freed Robin and escaped must have had something to do with that. If she had been maybe a minute more, who knows how much longer their small posse of Merry Men could have held off the constant stream of Prince John's guards.
She didn't take a deep breath until they were in their makeshift camp and a good distance away from Prince John's castle. She heard the murmur of voices, but registered nothing.
That had been too easy. Perhaps Prince John was aware of her plan all along. And it worried her.
She was shaken from her thoughts by Robin, who she now noticed was gazing down at her.
"Are you alright?" He asked softly.
She nodded and gave him a weak smile.
"Regina." He said with a sigh. "What's really the matter?"
Regina didn't want to answer his question, so instead, she looked down to his wrists, cut and bloodied by the shackles the Prince had him in.
"Let's clean this up." She said changing the subject.
She gently took his hand and walked him to where the supplies were. She told him to sit and he did as she said, but eying her the entire time. He knew something was on her mind. She bent down in front of him and poured water over his raw flesh. He hissed a little and he saw the ghost of a smirk on her lips.
"Amused are we?" He asked roughly.
"Not in the least." She said, looking up to him, that smirk still gracing her face.
Focusing back to her task at hand, she then gently rubbed the medicinal paste over the wounded areas, then began to wrap them.
"I can't thank you enough for what you did back there." Robin began.
Regina finished dressing his wounds and looked up to him.
"No thanks is needed. I'm just glad you're safe." Regina said, standing.
He stood, too, then cupped her face.
"I missed you." He said softly.
She regarded him silently.
"And the next time you tell me I must leave, I won't. You're stuck with me." He grinned.
She felt the beginning of tears in her eyes. Leaning forward she met her lips to his, wrapping her arms around his neck and holding him closer. Pulling away, she held his gaze.
"As long as you're alright with being stuck with me." She replied.
"More than alright, milady." Robin said.
She smiled then unraveled herself from him.
"Not that I don't want to revel in you being right in front of me, but I have a concern," She began, Robin, looking at her puzzled, "That back there, it was too easy. I'm afraid that-"
"Prince John knew the whole time." Robin finished.
"Yes. And if so, we need to move soon." Regina said, looking around at the men.
About that time, Little John approaches them.
"The men have been looked after as much as possible. We need more supplies and better cover to care for them. When do we move out?" He asked.
Robin looked between his very dear friend and the love of his life. John hadn't even regarded him. It was...strange.
"Now, if that's suitable. We can care for the wounded back at the castle." Regina replied.
Little John nodded and then turned on his heal to let the others know.
"Alright, since when does Little John go to you for orders and not me?" Robin asked, weaving his fingers into her dark locks.
She shrugged.
"I don't know, since you got yourself locked up." She said smiling widely.
He laughed and weaved his other arm around her waist, pulling her to his chest and nuzzling into her soft hair.
"Feel betrayed?" She laughed.
"I can't say I blame them, milady."
The trek through the forest was quiet. At first. They were moving slower than before with most of the being men wounded, which made getting back to the castle a much longer journey.
Regina, Robin and Little John lead the group through the dimly lit forest when they heard thunderous rumbles from the way they came. The three stopped, causing the rest to do so, as well. Regina willed herself to listen. Hooves. Horses were approaching and rather quickly.
Regina looked up to Robin, who met her gaze and must have realized the same thing.
"John, hide the wounded. Now." Regina ordered.
John nodded and quickly began to move the injured men to the shadows and brush that would hide them well enough. The rest, looked to Regina.
"Climb the trees." She said after looking around them quickly.
They took to the trees, climbing high enough to be cloaked in darkness while Regina and Robin stayed on foot, rushing to hide behind a large, fallen tree. They hit the hard ground swiftly and waited with baited breath for any sign of whoever was approaching. But Regina had a clue. Her heart was racing and she suddenly scolded herself for even suggesting Prince John had been aware at all. Maybe if she had given it no thought, this wouldn't be happening. But that alone sounded ridiculous. She knew saving Robin had been too easy.
"They couldn't have made it far. Keep looking." They heard a voice boom.
Regina looked at Robin, could make out very little of his face in the darkness, but still she could see him.
"There is a brook not far from here. If you follow it, it leads you straight to the village before the castle. Move the men that way." Regina whispered.
"Me? What about you?" He asked.
"I'll be the distraction." Regina said.
He immediately shook his head.
"No. Absolutely not."
"Robin-"
"Regina, no. It's too dangerous." Robin insisted.
"I have a secret weapon. I can do this." Regina reassured him.
He regarded her for a long moment.
"Besides, since when have I ever done as you've asked?" She smirked.
A small smile formed on his lips before he molded them to her's quickly.
"Be safe, my love." He said, then swiftly moved to the other men to quietly gather them up.
When he was a good distance away, Regina stood from behind the log and whistled. The group of knights halted instantly and she saw some turn to her. That's when she took off in the opposite direction.
"After her!" The head knight commanded.
She twisted between trees and leaped over logs, checking over her shoulder to make sure they were following her. She darted behind a large tree without the knights noticing and then held out her palm.
"Come on. Come on you stupid flame." She chanted, staring down her flat palm and waiting for a flame to appear.
She had yet to master it. Once she left the castle and became a bandit, she felt no need for magic. And lessons with Rumple meant blowing her cover with the King so she dropped magic for good. Until this very moment.
Suddenly, a small flicker of a flame appeared in her palm. Smiling widely she turned away from the tree, just in time to meet her pursuers. She thrust her hand forward, palm out and the flame jumped from her hand and in front of the knights, spooking their horses and ultimately, spooking them. Having fallen from their horses, they retreated, but only three. Only three had pursued her. There were at least ten. The others must have stayed behind to look for the men.
Panic consumed only three knights followed her, the rest had kept in their search for Robin and the Merry Men. Realization struck her and she darted back the way she had come. She heard shouts and metal clanking and knew the men had been found. Some were still well enough to fight and were holding off knights as much as they could, but none of them were in any condition to fight so many of them.
She scanned the area with quick movements and immediately spotted Robin barely holding off one of Prince John's knights. Adrenaline pulsed through her and she didn't have a plan, but making sure Robin was safe was the only plan she needed.
She looked down to her palms and focused on saving Robin, saving the men and getting home to Roland with his father in one piece. She felt the magic run through her veins, the familiar feel of electric power coursing through her.
She pushed her arms out in front of her towards their attackers and suddenly, a blinding white light escaped from her hands and threw the knights back into trees and bushes and turned them into a heap on the forest floor. The strange magic that had escaped her, was magic she was not familiar. She looked down at her hands like she had never seen magic before, then looked up to see the knights standing and retreating quickly.
All of the Merry Men gazed at her and she, at them. She chanced a glance at Robin, who looked surprised, but also relieved. He ran to her, wrapped her in his arms and whispered, "You have magic?"
"Yes." She whispered back.
"Was that your secret weapon?" He asked, pulling back to see her face which was etched with worry and confusion.
"Yes." She replied quietly.
He chuckled and embraced her again.
"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked.
She shrugged, only making him hold her tighter.
"I was afraid." She whispered. "I was afraid of what you'd think of me."
He pulled away and cupped her face, looking her sternly in her bright, brown orbs.
"I see you no differently because of this, Regina. Now, I will admit, I'm weary of magic, based off my own experiences, but what you just did, you saved our lives." He said before planting his lips firmly to her's.
"So you're not mad?" She asked after he pulled away
"Surprised? Yes. Mad? Absolutely not." He said, combing through her dark mess of hair.
She sighed visibly and he kissed her sweetly on her forehead before looking to his men and asking if everyone was alright. When he got the okay, he stated they should begin to move, that surely more knights would be after them.
Regina was exhausted and even the thought of walking made her want to pass out. Her magic had obviously taken more out of her than expected, but she had to trudge on. They were only a day away, maybe less, if they kept moving. Stopping would mean risking being caught and not getting home any faster. She wanted her own bed and Robin safe with Roland, otherwise, she would not be able to sleep.
Robin noticed her heavy eyelids and sluggish demeanor as they broke away from their original path and to the brook Regina had mentioned before, deciding it was the easier way home.
"Are you alright?" He asked.
She nodded, gave him a small smile and looked to him.
"Yes. Just a little tired." She said.
"Certainly that blast of magic was draining." He said, wrapping his arm around her.
"It was. But I've also been walking for hours and fighting of knights is rather tiresome." She said.
He chuckled.
"But all worth it, right?" He said, giving her a lopsided grin.
She smiled and leaned into him.
"Absolutely." She said quietly.
David watched Snow play with Roland in the gardens. He was making flower crowns and David heard him boast that Regina had taught him how. Snow said Regina had taught her, too. David moved in a little closer and sat under Regina's apple tree, observing them as they sat in the grassy patch and plucked flowers.
"When did Regina teach you?" Roland asked.
"When I was a little girl." Snow smiled.
In fact, looking back on it, Snow realized Regina's flower crown lesson was more to shut her up than to actually spend time with her. Snow had been wandering around the castle when she stepped outside into the warm, spring air, noticing the young queen seated amongst dozen of colorful flowers of various kinds. She asked to know how she made them and Regina taught her, probably reluctantly, Snow thought. Regina never told her where she learned such a skill, nor did it ever seem to cross Snow's mind until now. Certainly Cora didn't teach her. Snow didn't know the details, but Regina was not as close to her mother as Snow had been to her's.
"You knew Regina when you were little? But you look the same age." Roland pointed out.
"We're not. Regina was my step-mother." Snow explained with a chuckle. "She had married my father a long time ago when I was just ten."
Roland looked puzzled.
"So, Regina was your mother, too?" Roland asked.
"Yes, she was-is, I suppose." Snow said, weaving flowers together, then pausing. "Roland, what do you mean 'your mother, too'? Do you think of Regina as your mother?"
He shrugged.
"I didn't have a mommy until Regina came to camp with Papa. She told me stories and made me food and Papa really liked her and was always with her. She did all the things mothers are supposed to do, I guess." Roland said, still making his flower crown.
Snow sat silent for a moment, observing the little boy she was growing ever fond of. He must have really loved Regina, of course, that didn't surprise her. She loved Regina from the very moment they met. Snow just knew she wanted Regina in her life, she just never knew it would turn out the way it did.
"Yes, I do suppose that's all the things mothers do." Snow smiled.
Snow was also silently thinking about when they'd be back. If they ever did come back. Which they would, she had to remind herself when she lost hope in the slightest that they would be back.
It was mid-morning, but from what Snow heard of Regina's plans, the usually two day trip, if stops were avoided, should only take a day at the most. They should be here by now, she thought.
"Roland!"
Snow turned her head to see Regina's father calling the boy, approaching them.
"Roland, it's time for your breakfast." Henry said as he got closer.
"Better get some food for that belly, hmm?" Snow suggested as she stood and helped the small child up.
Roland thanked Snow for making crowns with him, then took Henry's hand and was lead to the dining hall where a plate would surely be waiting for him. He took to the old man rather quickly. Once he knew he was Regina's father, he never seemed to want to leave his side.
Snow watched him walk away, then sat next to David.
"What do you think about children, David?" She asked.
She caught him off guard and he simply looked her with an open mouth.
"I, uh, they're great." David replied.
"And would you, someday, like children of your own?" She asked, tilting her head.
"Yes, I suppose. Why?" He asked.
"No reason." She smiled then grasped his hand in her's. "We should get some breakfast, too. I'm starved."
David chuckled and followed Snow from their spot under the tree and inside.
She had never been so glad to see the castle in her life. For once, it was a beacon of light, leading them out of the darkness as opposed to it being the darkness itself. She looked to the sky, determining it was nearly noon by the sun's position and the heat it was releasing.
She released the clasp on her cloak and shrugged it off her shoulders. A slight breeze picked up and cooled her slightly, but she was still burning up.
Robin had been giving her concerned glances the entire time. He asked constantly if she'd like some water or if they should stop and rest. She refused each time. He knew she was stubborn, but damn, she looked like death beside him and it terrified him.
They reached the castle and they heard guards shouting and the sound of a bell being rung to announce their arrival. Robin saw the great, wide doors of the castle open and saw Snow and David leading the way. The Princess hurried to them and nearly toppled Regina. Noticing her so weak, Snow pulled away.
"Regina, what happened?"
"I'm fine, just tired." Regina said, brushing Snow's concern away.
Robin knew she was spent, the last of her energy being used up on her magic.
"Papa!"
Robin heard the familiar squeal of his boy and turned to the delightful sound. Roland was bounding to him like a frolicking animal. He bent down and nearly fell over with the force that was his son.
"I missed you so much." Roland muttered into Robin's shoulder.
"I missed you, too, my boy." He said, fighting tears.
"Don't go away ever again." Roland said.
"I won't." Robin chuckled.
"And don't you go away again, either." Roland said.
Robin looked confused, then saw his son glaring at Regina. She gave the boy as much of a smile as possible.
"I won't. I promise." She said.
"Good." He said, letting go of Robin and taking both his hand and Regina's. He then looked up at Regina. "I made you another flower crown. I'm getting really good at them."
Regina smiled weakly.
"I'm sure you are." She replied.
"Henry helped me pick the flowers. He told me all your favorites." Roland said.
She had not known her father had been watching Roland, too.
"But that's what Papas do; they know your favorite things." Roland said, toddling along between them.
Regina smiled to herself as they passed the threshold and into the castle. She'd have to find her father once she was well rested and somewhat coherent.
She felt Robin's eye's on her and then heard him speak, but she did not register his words. Looking to him, she gave him a quizzical expression, which prompted him to release Roland's hand and approach her.
"Go rest, my love. We'll take care of the wounded, you take care of yourself." He said.
She nodded weakly, absently, then made for the stairs.
"Would you like an escort, milady?" He asked.
She could hear the smirk in his tone.
"I remember my way, Thief." She smiled and continued on without facing him.
Sleep came easy. And so did the nightmares. They usually always did. So much had happened to her so quickly. The uprooting of many emotions triggering distant memories and awful scenarios in her mind as she tossed and turned in her bed.
It all started with her in her chambers, but Leopold was alive once more and continued to hold her captive in his castle. And worse, he had been successful in capturing Robin, killing him right in front of her, but then Leopold turned into Prince John and he was laughing over Robin's still form and the next she knew, she was in a true prison, a dungeon; cold and wet and stale. She could almost feel the cool, metal bars as she beat against them to escape, but she couldn't, then all in a flash, she was no longer behind bars or in a dungeon, but in a stable. This time, she was calling for Robin, and when he came, relief flooded her veins when suddenly, she felt warmth, a beating organ in her palm. When she looked down, his heart rested in her hands. She looked up to meet his eyes, but before she could question what was going on, he collapsed to the floor and she realized with horror she had crushed his heart. Falling next to him to the dusty, hay-covered floor, she cried and begged him to forgive her when a familiar giggle filled the air.
"All magic comes with a price, dearie. The Darkness, it likes how you taste. You can't escape it." Rumple taunted.
"I'm not dark!" She cries.
"Ah, but you are and you'll lose the ones you love because of it. You weren't destined for happiness, Regina, you were destined to get other's their happiness, don't you see?" He said, approaching her.
"I can be happy." She said firmly, looking him dead on.
"Can you?" He asked.
"I can!" She exclaimed.
"Prove it." He taunted.
She stared him down until she suddenly awoke, gasping for air and shooting upright in her bed. It was dark out now. She must have slept through the afternoon and into the night. She was panting and she could feel the cool, night air chilling her sweat covered skin. She hadn't had a vivid dream like that in ages.
"Regina?"
She looked towards her chamber doors, golden light streaming in from the corridor and she saw Robin's silhouette peaking into her room.
"Are you alright? I heard you screaming." He said, taking long strides to reach her bedside.
"No, I'm fine. Just...a nightmare." She said, combing through her disheveled hair.
Robin reached forward and cupped her cheek, brushing his thumb gently across warm, yet cool flesh and wiping away tears. Had she been crying?
She met his eyes, then placed her hand over his.
"I'm fine." She reassured him.
"You're not, but I'm sure you'll tell me the matter when you're ready." He said softly.
"Of course." She whispered, then, "How are your men?"
Robin moved his hand from her cheek then, covering her own hand on the bed with his.
"No serious news to report; all are recovering just fine." Robin said with what sounded like a sigh of relief.
"Good." Regina breathed. She was still very tired and even though she was sure she slept quite enough, her body was telling her otherwise.
"You still look tired, love. Get some rest, I'll be back soon. Just let me tuck in Roland." Robin said.
"Take your time. I'm fine, really." Regina said, giving him a weak, reassuring smile.
"Alright." He finally said before leaning over and kissing her forehead gently and leaving the room.
Only the sound of crickets chirping outside filled the room and suddenly Regina wished he had stayed. She could not go back to sleep, not after her nightmare. So, she pushed the covers away from herself and walked to the wash room joining her own room.
Instead of calling in any handmaidens, she just conjured the warm water herself. She stepped into the tub and leaned back, resting her head and shutting her eyes. Maybe this will relax her. Though, it must have, because the next Regina is aware of is Robin saying her name and cupping her cheek.
Regina squints her eyes then blinks some before he continues.
"Mind some company?" He asked softly.
She smiles tiredly.
"Not at all." She replied.
He stood then, shedding his clothes and then dipping himself behind her in the warm bath.
"Gods it feels good to have a warm bath." He said as he rests himself on the back of the tub.
She leaned back into him, relaxing much more now that he was there. She felt his hand pull her hair off her shoulders before he planted a soft kiss there on her neck.
"I'm sorry." Regina whispered.
"For what?" Robin asked.
"For getting you caught; for all of this." Regina said.
"Regina-"
"It's all my fault and no matter what you say, I'll feel that way." She turned slightly so she could see his face. "If I had just let you go; If I had just told myself that little bag of gold was nothing and had just left, you wouldn't be here, in this situation. You'd be safe, in your camp, with Roland and your men. All of this could have been avoided."
Robin studied her face, then brushed her hair away from her neck.
"Now why would I want any of that?" He asked.
She looked at him puzzled.
"You are one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me. Well, fell on me." He smiled.
But she did not.
"Regina, I don't regret a single minute with you. I regret the ones without you. Remember me telling you that you'd made me whole once more?"
She nodded.
"Well, I wasn't lying about that. You and Roland were all I could think about in that cell. You both kept me going."
She leaned her head on his shoulder and planted her palm on his chest.
"I was beginning to lose hope of ever seeing you again after that night." Regina said softly.
Robin pressed his lips to her forehead and then just rested them there.
"I'm here now, my love, I'm not going anywhere. Unless you ever grow tired of me." He chuckled.
She lifted her head and smiled, genuinely, for the first time since he'd seen her after her nightmare.
"That's never going to happen." She said before gently pressing her lips to his.
He smiled back, then his smile grew soft, reserved. He gently brushed his thumb over her cheek.
"I meant what I said, Regina, about you making me whole once more. Never doubt that."
She nodded and then, without much warning, yawned.
Robin smiled.
"Let's get you back to bed, love. You've had an exhausting trip."
Robin helped Regina out of the tub and wrapped a warm robe around her, then himself.
"I'll go grab you something to wear." Robin said.
Regina nodded and quickly dried off. The night air was creeping into the castle and a chill was setting into her bones. Robin quickly returned, a silky, golden nightgown in hand.
"You couldn't find something a little warmer?" Regina teased as she handed him her robe in exchange for the gown.
"That's why you have me, my love." He smirked as she dressed.
She gave him a pointed look from under her dark lashes and Robin was suddenly overcome with love for her. She was finally standing in front of him. Flesh and bone and blood and beauty, right there before him. At one moment, one very low moment when he was imprisoned and tired and hungry, he felt that he would never see her or his son again. Now one was safely tucked into bed and the other was standing before him, half dressed, tips of dark hair curling as they dried and he couldn't believe his dumb luck.
"I don't understand why you continue to dress when once I get you to bed, it'll just be stripped off again." Robin said as he wrapped his arms around her waist, pushing dark hair from her shoulder to reveal her neck.
"Oh really?" Regina narrowed her eyes.
"Really." Robin said, leaning forward and giving her the kiss he really wanted to give her when he saw her after all this time apart. Gods, he missed her.
They pulled apart only enough to breathe in each other before she whispered, "Take me to bed."
Robin smiled and lifted her from her spot, carrying her to the bed and together they fell onto the plushness.
"Bless this bed." Robin groaned as he reveled in the softness and comfort.
"Stone doesn't make a nice bed?" Regina questioned as she began to strip Robin of his robe.
"Not at all, my love." He smirked before kissing her again. He ran his hands down her body, the silk leaving nothing to the imagination. Of course, he needed no imagination when it came to Regina. She was his fantasy.
His heart raced as she pushed the robe from his body and racked her hands down his chest, hands he wouldn't mind somewhere else.
Regina broke from the kiss and ran her hands back up to cup Robin's face.
"Maybe I should've kept the dress off." She painted.
Robin chuckled and moved his less than steady hands to push the silk sleeves off her shoulders and down her arms. He slid it down her body until in landed in a golden heap on the floor.
He would never tire of how glorious she looked bare. How absolutely stunning she was. Her arm wrapped around his neck and pulled him down until his nose was touching her's. Her other hand came to stroke his other cheek.
"I never want to be apart from you that long ever again." She whispered, her breath mingling with his.
"You never will. I promise." He said before sealing his lips over her's.
That night, he made love to her. Slow and passionate and satisfying. He'd been without her too long and he never wanted to go through that again. Tonight was their reunion. Their final one, for they would never be without each other ever again.