A/N: Well this blew up like no other. I mean shit you guys are giving me so much love right now it's awesome and don't worry I promise to make this a long story for us all.
Thanks for commenting, favoriting, and following and just thank you all. Hope you like this chapter I know I did.
With the shadows of towering trees looming over them Emma on Tonitrus et themselves continue at a slow place. The land was new, full of mystery, and the darkness that scared many only welcomed her home. Knowing full well both she and her steed needed rest the former princess dismounted the stallion opting to walk beside him to find a place to sleep. Not too long after the blonde came across a little patch that seemed to be untouched and decided to rest for the night.
Not a few hours later the blonde was roused from her sleep by the beating of hooves and cries of attack. Jumping to alert Emma drew her sword and dagger still caked in blood as the sounds grew closer.
"Get him!"
"Kill the old codger!"
"No we take him alive," a commanding woman's voice filled the trees as she went unnoticed by three horsemen chasing after a fourth.
Wanting to take a closer look the woman jumped atop her own steed heading for the threat. Taking the time to get her bearings in the new area Emma listened for the direction she needed to head. Hearing most of the shouting coming from the west the blonde spurred her horse forward hoping to stop whatever was about to happen, or join in on it depending on the circumstances. The platinum blonde horse ran for all he was worth; from a distance it would have appeared as if he were lightning within the shadows of the trees, always moving and never stopping.
It didn't take much to catch up to who she'd been chasing given that they'd stopped and were surrounding the man they were after. Stopping Tonitrus a few feet away in the shadows Emma dismounted her blades at the ready so she too melted into the shadows. They were talking and the man the three surrounded stood his ground even unarmed. Curious as to what was happening the ex-princess moved closer to listen in.
"You're her weakness. Funny." one of the men said as he stepped closer to the older man.
"Leave him be Will, you'll give him a heart attack if you're not careful. Besides we were ordered to take him alive." the other reasoned.
"Enough! We don't have time for this," the familiar voice of the woman commanded pulling Will back from the man before approaching him herself, "Do you even have a heart? What man could love a monster like her?"
It was then that the old man seemed to stand taller and more defensive than before, "She is no monster."
Laughing the woman drew her blade, "Perhaps not to you, but she tore my family apart. Now I will do the same to hers."
"Marian, no!" the one called Will shouted but wasn't quick enough to stop her blade. Thankfully Emma was close enough to throw her dagger at Marian's hand making her drop the sword before it could pierce the old mans flesh. Four heads turned to her direction, but the shadows gave her the cover she needed to go undetected.
"What the bloody 'ell was that?" Will asked.
"It was a warning," the blonde now spoke stepping from the shadows embracing her, "And if you try it again," she smirked her voice taking on a sickly smooth tone, "let's just say it won't be pretty."
"You'd take all three of us on for one man you know nothing about?" Marion stepped forward taking the blonde in.
Shrugging Emma twirled her blade, "Hmm, um, yeah. I've got nothing better to do. Besides if escaping from a dungeon, killing a few guards, and taking a prince's eye isn't enough entertainment for me who's to say this won't be?"
"You don't know what his daughters done-"
"And I don't care," Emma growled taking another step forward until she was face to face with Marian, "You may be angry at his daughter all you want, but taking the love from someone drives them to the edge and once there they fall and never stop falling. Believe me, I know."
"I hope she splats at the bottom then," Marian challenged drawing a hidden dagger from her person and attacking the blonde with it.
Dodging the first strike Emma bounced on her feet with a smile, "And here.. we.. go," she laughed striking back as the other two in Marian's company drew their own blades and surrounded her, "And here I thought you'd be woman enough to stand on your own. Guess I was wrong…" she egged the woman on who was now seething.
Smiling at the effects Emma listened as the two men charged her from the left and right. Dropping down to her knees she dodged the blades however their wielders weren't so lucky. Instead of hitting the blonde the two men skewered each other.
"FUCK!"
"SHIT!" came the two wounded cries and still they pulled the blades from the other only making it worse.
As the two man stumbled back from their failed attack Emma and Marian dueled it out one on one until the boy's wanted to play again. Surrounded once more Emma decided to stop playing with her targets and do some real damage. Feigning a swing at Marian the woman jumped back just in time as the sword completed its arc and sunk into the back of Will's knee, her true target, sending him to a kneeling position as the metal ground against bone. Pulling the blade from flesh blood showered the other two in a mist of crimson.
"Now who's next?" the words were eerily light and sounded as if they were only playing a game.
Still trying to stop the blood loss Will took a chance while Emma was facing his companions and raised his blade as best he could before slicing it across her lower back. Toppling forward the blonde caught herself before she fell and in an act of adrenaline, rage, and entertainment spun around with her sword slicing through his jugular killing him instantly.
"No!" the other man cried running to the other man's side completely ignoring the blood spilling blonde beside him, "Will."
Shaking her head but with a small smile etched on her face Emma glanced at the bigger man cradling the smaller one in his arms then back to Marion who had a face of pure shock and horror, "You're just like her, the Evil Queen." the woman whispered almost inaudibly.
"So they tell me, bit I plan on being more. Much much more." Emma replied happily raising her blade once more lobbing the head off the other man before moving quickly to Marian, "Now it's your turn. Anything else to say before you die?" with silence as confirmation the blonde for the third time since she's awoken raised her blade to kill.
Before she was able to make her kill however a tired voice filled the air, "Stop. Please." the old man spoke almost willing Emma to stay her blade.
Still raised to fall the blade glinted in what little moon light penetrated the forest telling its tale. Two lives it had taken tonight and a third is on its way, or was because as Emma looked into the man's eyes she saw something there. An understanding, respect, and fear. How is it this man understands me? She wanted to know, but before she had a chance to make up her mind three knights clad in ebony armor broke through the tree's surrounding them on horseback.
"Lower your weapon and you'll be spared. That is until the Queen deals with you," one promised.
Pursing her lips the blonde looked again to the old man, "And if I say I did nothing but help this man here what does that get me?"
"Not being dragged behind the horses by rope around your wrists." the same man replied.
Knowing full well she could take the knights if she wanted to, but also wanting to make it to the Dark Palace without causing trouble with the Queen seemed to be the right call to make, "Very well just let me get my steed please." it was not a question. Whistling into the night the stallion revealed itself to all. Moving over to said horse Emma mounted him ignoring the pain in her lower back waiting for the knights to do something, "So are we just gonna stand here or what?"
The three of them looked a little baffled by her actions. She was not frightened by them nor did she seem to care that they were taking her to the Queen. THE EVIL QUEEN! Then again she may have a death wish. Oh, but if they only knew. Watching the ex-princess closely the lead knight motioned for another to bind Marion's hands and take any weapon she may have while the other pulled a horse around for Henry, "My Lord."
Taking the black stallion from the guard Henry moved over to Emma looking at her as though he knew. Knew that she was the child of Snow White, but he also seemed to look at her with a respect she'd only felt with Sophie, Granny, or Red. It was nice to see it from someone she didn't even know, "Thank you." and with that he moved to the lead knight as the five moved out followed by Marian who was attached to the group by a rope.
Along their journey one of the knights would look her way as if waiting for the other shoe to drop and fear to set in however every time they looked her way she'd stare back until they turned away first. She was never one to back down from a challenge no matter how stupid it was, and sometimes that's what got her into trouble.
It was only a mere few hours before they reached the thick metal gate that protected the entrance to the castle grounds. The stone walls were tall and strong casting an even darker shadow over them. It was enchanting seeing something still standing after so long since the stone practice that was used is no longer used. At least in the White Kingdom anyway, they've had to repair their walls over forty times in the past twenty years, and that's just from bandit raids.
""Who goes there?" a patrolling guard called from the gates tower.
"We have returned with Lord Henry and two others."
"Very well enter." and like that the guard was lifting the gate for them and Emma could feel a stirring in her gut. Something told her that tonight would be more interesting than she could ever imagine. Either that or I'm hungry, but my gut's never steered me wrong before. She reasoned as they slowly made their way to the stables.
As the three guards and the man now known as Lord Henry approach the stables one of the knights looks at her expectantly, but she does not dismount.
Crossing his arms the knight staring at her growled but she did not flinch but rather lifted a brow in question, "Is that supposed to be intimidating?"
"No dear, it's meant to be a warning," a smooth voice sounded behind her causing Emma to whip her head around in surprise, "but seeing as you're new to these lands I'll let it pass for now."
Scoffing at the brunette woman in black leather riding trousers and burgundy blouse Emma shakes her head in disbelief, "And who are you supposed to be? The Queen?" she jests but by the smirk that graces the delicate tan features and the silence of those around her Emma would say she'd hit it right on the head. Well fuck. What a good way to meet your mothers mortal enemy and hopefully soon to be ally. "Well shit," she muttered.
"Eloquently put dear, but maybe you should heed such things next time or it might not end so well for you." the Queen reasoned raising a challenge.
Pursing her lips and not knowing if she could push her luck seeing as how the Queen didn't know who she was, yet, Emma dismounted her steed bowing respectfully once both feet were grounded, "My apologies your Majesty, your mercy knows no bounds."
"And who said anything about mercy? I was merely stating a fact and I still do not know who you are," studying the girl closer Regina flicked brown orbs up and down the girls muscular body taking in each and every detail. When she met the woman's eyes however she was surprised the intense gaze never wavered from her own. A challenge held within to try something, anything. Does she not fear me? Foolish girl. Regina internally chuckled.
Stepping closer to the blonde Regina conjured a ball of flame in her hand bringing it closer to pale flesh with each step, but still the blonde stood her ground. It was infuriating, exciting, and cause her mind to race with questions as to why she was not feared by this one person. Where she is used to seeing fear of magic she only sees curiosity and wonder in the emerald gaze, "You do not fear me?" she finally questions.
Cocking her head in thought Emma took the Queen in. She looked no older than thirty, and for her to look still so young would mean that she used magic to keep her age, cognac eyes swirled with unreadable emotions guarded by walls, and the air about her was cold but hidden far beneath seemed to be something warmth lurking waiting to be free, "No."
Nostrils flaring at the answer the Queen summoned a riding crop in hand quickly striking it against the blondes face, but she did not flinch, did not cry, and still her eyes never wavered. It was as though she thought them equal, "And now?"
It wasn't the first time her blood had been drawn from her, but it was the first where she truly felt nothing. Wiping the copper tasting liquid from under her eye the ex-princess let her words fall, "Have others fear you, and I will have no fear." she simply put.
Sneering at the challenging blonde Regina ightened her grip on the crop, "Are you saying I should fear you? Because if so I do not."
Smirking Emma read the Queens body language clearly: increased breathing, white knuckles gripped the riding crop tighter, and brown pools told all, "But you do," Emma whispered, "I am an unknown. I do not flinch, cry, or beg for anything. I am just. Like. You."
"Like me you say?"
"Yes, only I have the power to be so much more." the last word came out as a warning and a chance to be allies. The only problem was the Queen did not know which to take, so she does what she does best.
With a wave of the Queens hand both Emma and Marian found themselves in cells within the castles dungeons. "Great two dungeons in two days. Great track record Emma." the blonde grumbled wincing as she layed down on the cot in the corner of the little room she had. Sighing and wishing sleep would claim her the blood caked blonde could only think and stare at the stone ceiling above her, waiting for the Queen to decide her fate.
A/N And there it is my lovely readers chapter 3 leaving way for a chapter 4. Let me know what y'all thought by following, favoriting, and or y'know commenting...any of those work for me.