** TW: Violence **

CHAPTER 6

Emma stood close to the teenaged version of her Mother as she frowned over at the man she couldn't believe was her grandfather.

Leopold had awakened from his drunken stupor only to turn and assault his daughter once again. Afterward he stumbled from the room.

Shortly after that a maid and some guards came in with buckets filled with water. They filled the bathtub and relit the fires that had died out. Then the guards left leaving the maid to handle Snow who was lying in the bed crying hysterically.

"You must get up, your Highness. The King orders it so," she said as she forced Snow to get up despite her cries.

"I don't care! I hate him!"

The maid looked around nervously. She reached out and tentatively wiped away Snow's tears. "I understand miss. But things have changed. And so has he. I think it's best not to test him miss," she gently dragged Snow into the bathroom.

She helped her out of her torn and bloodstained nightgown and into the bath. Then she helped her get dressed in a big long dress with a lot of ruffles. She ran a brush through Snow's thick curls and pulled it back with some combs.

Just as she'd finished a knock sounded at the door. A guard stuck his head in. "Your Majesty requests the Princess's presence outside."

Snow cried and protested but the maid helped her on with her coat and gloves anyway. She'd just managed to get them on when more guards came in for Snow. They gathered Snow between them. The maid walked behind them as they made their way outside.

They made their way to a platform that held 3 men in stockades. Leopold was strutting from end to end as a crowd gathered underneath them.

Snow was helped upon the platform. Emma's heart clenched seeing the little color there was on her Mother's face fade away. Snow White swayed on her feet as she was shown to a place at the end of the platform.

Emma was so thoroughly focused on her Mother that she almost missed the block of wood being placed upon the platform. Her stomach clenched as she saw the ax sticking out and realized what was about to happen.

"My good people. As you all know I am a benevolent King. I stand by my people and for my people always. But two nights ago the Queen escaped. And these men who were tasked with watching over her did nothing to stop it," Leopold gestured at the 3 men.

Emma realized they must've been the guards who were on duty the night that Regina left. The men were busy crying as were a large number of the crowd. Snow just looked sicker.

"Allowing the Queen to go unprotected is the same as raising a hand against the crown. For this, they will face the ultimate penalty. So that everyone from this day forward will know that their duty to this kingdom shall be taken with the utmost seriousness."

Emma blanched as the first man was taken from the stockades and forced to kneel. He looked barely older than Henry. He was little more than a child. She'd be surprised if he was even 15 years old.

The lad cried as Leopold stepped back and the executioner stepped onto the platform. "Please Your Majesty. I am sorry. We did no wrong. Have mercy on us."

Leopold waved him away impatiently as a guard tripped him and cracked him over the head with the end of his sword. He fell heavily forward as cries of mercy were chanted throughout the crowd. The executioner looked at the King who nodded his consent. With one swift blow the lads head fell into the bucket below the platform.

Snow tried to leave but she was held firmly in place by her Father. He grabbed a handful of her hair and forced her to watch as the two other boys quickly followed the first. She coughed and clutched at her stomach but managed to not become sick. Emma however couldn't say the same. She bent over heaving and coughing but nothing came up. She sat down winded on the end of the platform as she tried to get her stomach to sto churning and her head to stop spinning.

The crowd was still obviously upset as the King stepped in the middle of the platform and addressed them again. "Now that the punishment has been delivered let the message ring loud and clear. Princess Snow will now become the new Queen. From here on out she will be known as Queen Snow the benevolent. And if anything shall befall her all will pay the price."

Leopold finished his speech and walked away. Snow fainted on the spot.

RQ

Regina, her father, and Gizmo all sat up front of the carriage as her Father drove. Regina wanted to miss nothing. She realized she had actually only seen small parts of the world. She grimaced, the same as back home. She'd done a little sightseeing when she first got there but otherwise she'd stayed trapped in that one little hole that was Storybrooke. She wished she'd had the courage to get out sooner.

Gizmo regaled them with his angelic voice while they continued riding. When it became late, they'd stop at an inn for the night. Her father would stable the horses and they would spend a little time exploring whatever town they were in before turning in for the night.

It took them almost 3 weeks of traveling to reach King Xavier's Kingdom. Her Father had to stop the carriage and pull over as he gathered himself. As he cried he told Regina he thought he'd never see this place again. Regina was glad she was able to give this to her Dad.

They began to make their way to the castle. At the gate leading in, Henry explained to an obviously new and perplexed guard that he was here to see his Father. He explained being the youngest son and that he had been away for a long time but was now returning with his daughter and her son. Gizmo smiled up at Regina when he said that part. She smiled back at him and rubbed her hand along his shoulderblades.

They were shown into the castle's great drawing room. Henry paced nervously until the door from the gardens opened. "Enrique," a man older and paunchier than her Father held out his arms. The resemblance was obvious so Regina figured he was one of the brothers. Henry ran into them as if he was a young boy. They kissed each other upon both cheeks and hugged each other closely.

When they pulled back his brother patted his belly, "You've gotten soft there old man."

Henry laughs and waved goodheartedly at his older brother. He patted his belly in turn, "So have you older man."

The two share a laugh before turning to Regina and Gizmo. "What a beautiful daughter. I heard that she had gotten married."

Regina relied on her years of training from her Mother and as Mayor to force herself to step up and hold out her hand to the man. "Yes well, be careful of what you hear. Not all rumors are true, Mr - ?"

The man looked startled. "Mr? You my dear are family. If Enrique hadn't kept you away so long you'd know that." He grabbed Regina's hand and pulled her in. He kissed her on both cheeks. Regina's cheeks burned red as she wasn't used to affection from just anyone. The man pointed to himself, "Soy tu Tio Fernando. I am the big brother to little Enrique here," he threw his arm around his young brother and nuzzled his bald head.

Henry fought him off, "Yes well. I know it's been a while. That's why we came. I wanted to show mijita where I grew up."

His brother looked offended, "Enrique my boy, this is always your home. And now it is the home to your beautiful daughter and her son - ?" Fernando looked at Regina curiously.

Regina thought quickly, "Jacob," Regina supplied. Gizmo looked up at her puzzled. She smiled down at him, "But he likes being called Gizmo."

Fernando seemed surprised but let it pass.

"Where is Papi?" Henry asked.

Fernando's face became grave. He sighed, "Papi no esta bien. The doctors are expecting him to be gone anyday now. But Papi never was one to listen. They've been saying that for the past 2 weeks. Now I can see why. He has been waiting on you y tu hija to appear. This is why he's been holding on. So that he can see our entire family one last time together."

Fernando clapped his hands and a maid and a butler appeared. "Come, we shall have a large feast tonight with all the favorites." He turned to her, "I want there to be tons of food and music. Tonight my family will feast." The maid bowed and walked away. Fernando turned to the butler, "show my brother and his daughter and grandson to their rooms. Give them anything they need to make themselves comfortable. Esta noche nos fiesta. Con musica, comida, vino, y siempre muchas bailando."

He turned to Regina and took her hand and kissed it, "This will also allow you a chance to meet your entire family. All of the Tias, Tios y primos that Henry has been hiding you away from." His brow scrunched as he asked, "Enrique did teach you our language right?"

"Si," Regina responded. "Papi siempre dijo que era muy importante para conocer nuestra historia. Siempre hemos hablado el lenguaje desde que era un bebé."

Fernando raised his eyebrows and smiled obviously impressed, "Y tu Papi tenia razón." He turned back to his Butler, "Now see them off to their rooms and make sure they are comfortable. I shall be by later so that you can spend some time with Papi. I'm sure he'll be thrilled once he hears that his baby boy is home." Fernando bowed slightly and walked away.

The family turned toward the Butler who began to lead them up to the 3rd story levels of the castle. He showed them to a set of rooms that were next door to one another. "Your things are being brought up as we speak. And I shall have a bath drawn for you all. Dinner is at 7 but I shall have the maid bring you up some tea in the meantime."

They smiled their thanks and then he bowed and left.

Regina turned to her Father, "Is it like you remember?" He had told her bits and pieces about his home and growing up over the years. The stories were always filled with happy times and celebrations. She knew he had missed his home and family for a long time but under Cora's hawk-eyes he had been too terrified to even bring up trying to come back for a visit.

Henry wiped at his eyes, "It is everything I remember and then some."

A maid came up with 3 guards and began to fill the two bathtubs in the adjoining room. They lit the fires in the bathroom and the main rooms and told them if they needed anything else to just ring the bell. Regina thanked them and Henry made his excuses as he retired to his own room.

Regina turned to Gizmo. "I think it's time for you to get all the dirt from the road washed off of you." Gizmo had been trying out some confections that had been brought up along with the tea and his face fell. He wanted to protest but Regina raised her eyebrow at him and shook her head letting him know it was futile. He hung his head and followed her into the bathrooms.

After their bath Regina poured the two of them some tea. Then they laid down and had a little nap to get ready for the night's festivities.