A/N And holy shit. This thing has blown up beyond my expectations. All of you guys are so awesome I live you.
To the Guest Comenter- Thank you for loving this story so much you want to get an account. I'm sure other stories have had such an influence on you but I'm glad to say mine played a part in this. You'll have to leeme know your user name or just pm me and let me know it you.
I've decided I'll be updating EVERY OTHER WEEK! So you'll be getting another chapter the week after next. Enjoy the chapter below!
Oh and just a warning there's like slight OutlawQueen here...don't hate me.
She didn't know how long it's been since she's been down there, but by the meals stacked in the corner the blonde would venture to guess at least two days. Snorting in a fever dazed haze Emma closed her eyes. Three days. Three days since I lost you Sophie. Three days and still not one step closer to removing their heads. Now on the brink of a fever induced coma from her infected back.
Rolling her head to look at the rotting food and rats feasting on the bread and what little fruit (apples), and the irony makes her laugh, but then she hears a voice and the light of flames comes into view.
"You're still alive I see, and the guards told me you were dead. Pity."
Glancing towards the bars Emma took in a deep breath. Standing on the other side was Sophie. Her Sophie. Long brunette locks, blue eyes, and simple smile gazing at her. Rolling off the bed Emma fell on her hands and knees, "Sophie?" she reached out but the image backed away from her.
Watching the blonde fall to her hands and knees for someone named Sophie piqued the Queen's curiosity and she decided to question the blonde further, "Yes?"
"I- I thought you were dead," the dry voice rasped grasping at the metal bars to pull herself up, "I watched you die. I held you in my arms while you bled and left me! her voice though dry held the anger of a broken heart "I will avenge you, but you left me…" her voice now rough with emotion threatened to break, "and I miss you." she added reaching a hand out between the bars to caress her cheek but the image who was actually the Queen avoided the touch.
Still invested in her curiosity the Queen ignored murmured ramblings of white and blood spilling thinking it unimportant at the moment. So far all she knew was that she'd saved her father, killed Little John and Will Scarlet, and almost would have ended Marian's (her lovers and Champion's wife) life if not for her fathers intervention. But who are you, and how can I use Sophie to my advantage? She podered while inspecting the woman further. Regina noticed the paler complexion than what she'd seen three days ago and sweat creased her brow. "You're feverish."
"And you're always going on about how much of an idiot I am." Emma retorted to 'Sophie', "You can say it you know?"
"Say what dear?"
"That you were right. You're always right. We should have just run then and not gone back to the castle," the blonde smiled at the thought, "but we did...and you…"
"Died," the Queen finished her thought.
"Yeah," was the last word the blonde spoke as green eyes rolled back and her body fell to the ground too exhausted to remain awake any further.
At first Regina wasn't sure what to do. On one hand the woman wasn't afraid of her and thought she could become more powerful than herself, but on the other hand she'd saved her father and killed two of the Merry Men wanted for treason as well as capturing Marian alive. She was still an unknown though. Sighing the Queen snapped her fingers poofing them to the infirmary chambers near the guards barracks.
All men and women stood to attention with their Queen's arrival waiting her instruction, "Fetch me a healer and watch this woman," she ordered to the nearest guard, "do not let her escape should she try too."
"At once you Majesty," he responded before fetching the healer and leaving another to watch over the blonde who whispered in her unconscious state.
Wondering what thought spilled from pink lips Regina leaned closer to hear that was said without thought, "Snow-" taking a sharp intake of breath the brunette burned her gaze into the unconscious form in front of her. She is from that Kingdom. Now she is fated for death. the Queen promised, but the next words out of the delirious woman's mouth made her blood run cold, "When I'm done with you mother every step you take shall be covered in blood as everything that you hold dear crumbles before you. And I shall revel in it as you drown in the crimson of your people, friends, and lovers."
"So you are the child of Snow White and her idiot, the supposed Savior meant to be my end, however you are nothing like them. I wonder…" the Queen trailed off in thought until the guard came back with the healer as requested as well as a physician just in case he was needed.
Allowing them to go to work Regina watched as the two inspected her body. The physician turned her over to reveal a pus covered cut on her lower back that reeked of rot and decay, if the brunette had been squeamish she would have lost her lunch there but she just watched on in intrigue. It was amazing really that the girl wasn't already dead. As the two men finished up the Queen looked to the guards, "Tell me when she's awoken."
Bowing their heads they all say, "Yes your Majesty as she walks away knowing no one would defy her commands.
"Now what to do about the Savior…"
Walking her halls Regina barely noticed as all servants and guards made themselves scarce, something she usually took pleasure in, but today her mind was occupied elsewhere. Mainly on the blonde in the infirmary who so happens to be the daughter of Snow White and prophesied woman to end her. But she doesn't seem to want to kill me, but rather her mother. Pushing the thought from mind the Queen finally made it to her chambers he rubbed her temples trying to stifle the headache that was coming from this new information. "There must be something. Some other plan for her to be here. No one of her descent would willingly come here so she must have an ulterior motive. It's the only explanation," she reasoned pacing the length of her room unaware of her lover sitting out on the balcony writing a letter.
Shaking her head to clear her mind the brunette walked over to said balcony taking in the vast world it overlooked. The Dark Forest covered most of the western half meant to keep the White Kingdom out and still one had braved the dark to be here. It just made the situation that much more complicated.
"If it's of any consequence your Majesty I could have her killed."
Slightly startled but regal enough to remain unaffected Regina studied her champion's features; from his stubbled jaw to his eyes that crinkled as they narrowed in suspicion, "That won't be necessary."
"And why is that? Should we not kill the spawn of Snow and Charming?" his voice sounded a little too eager for her liking, but that was to be expected she thought considering it's all she ever brought up sometimes. Many times she listed ways to get back a the brat Snow was, but seeing Emma and hearing the anger toward her own mother was refreshing, but still she had to be sure.
"She may be an asset, a little leverage should they do something to anger me further." she spoke in a tone that left no room to question, "Now my champion take me to bed."
"Of course m'lady," he smiled watching her leave the balcony before sealing the letter meant to be sent to Snow White.
"Oh and your wife's been captured. Her execution happens when the princess awakes," standing stock still Robin felt his heart break. He'd told Marian to stay out of the war, but he should have known she wouldn't have listened. Pushing away his fears and hoping one of the Merry Men would be there to save her tomorrow Robin fell back into the role of dutiful champion and lover. Feeling his presence behind her Regina spun around crashing their lips together in a dominating kiss taking control for the rest of the evening.
Heavy lids opened in the night only able to see by the candle lit on the bedside table emerald eyes observed new surroundings. Sitting up the blonde groaned in pain feeling her back stitched and cleaned the blonde was grateful, but now in a room without bars she wanted to explore as well as finish a task she promised she would.
Studying the room more closely Emma could hear the faint snores and shifts of metal as the guards nearby napped on watch. You'd think they'd be more afraid they would be caught by the queen than risk falling asleep. Idiots. She mused slipping her legs off the cot she was situated on sucking in a breath as the stones chilled her feet. Pushing up from the bed she found her boots and a soldiers undershirt on a hook near the door. Slipping out she headed for the stables intent on retrieving the letter and seeing Tonitrus. Little did she know eyes followed her in the night, but did not alert the Queen, too curious as to what the girl was doing.
Out in the cool night Emma reveled in the breeze that she hadn't felt in what seemed like forever. Breathing in a content sigh the ex-princess searched for any clue as to where the stables may have been. Luckily for her a group of soldiers walking their horses in the direction. Shadowing them as to not arouse anyone to her presence the blonde stuck to the shadows as well as she could sometimes making use of the practice field dummies to hide her shape.
Moving from reflective surface to reflective surface Sidney watched somewhat impressed, but mostly chuckling at what will happen once he tells the Queen. Intending to just that he disappeared from the chestplate he watched through knowing the show would be one to die for.
Laying unsatisfied by the man meant to be her soul mate the Queen of the sleeping Robin to his own chambers intent on sending for someone far more capable of relieving her arousal. Before that was able to happen though the mirror rippled, "Your Majesty there's something you may want to see," her most competent spy spoke showing a certain blonde moving to the stables.
Growling at having to leave her relief for later the Queen snapped her fingers poofing herself to the stables content to wait for the blonde to try and run before torturing her. Watching from one of the empty stalls dark eyes watched the interaction between steed and owner. The smile on the blondes face reached her eyes and a hand held up sugar cubes that she'd no doubt confiscated from the stables stock.
"Sorry I didn't come to see you sooner. I was kind of tied up," she laughed when the stallion snorted as if saying 'you mean imprisoned'.
"Yeah yeah whatever." she replied pushing the londe horse on his flank playfully, "Besides you know I could never leave you. You're all I have left."
Hearing the admission the Queen wanted to make her presence known to torture the girl but something held her back. She wanted to see where this was going and if anything happened she always had magic at her disposal.
Sighing Emma moved to the saddle mounted on the wall and opened the satchel pulling out a piece of paper along with an apple feeding it to her friend, "Now to find Belle. Wherever she may be."
Belle? Why would she need to see Belle? Ah well times up. "You really should try to be more discreet in your movements dear. It'd get you farther and extend your lifespan tenfold." The Queen mused making herself known to the blonde.
"Ah, but if one worries all the time then nothing would get done, but I'm sure you have a dungeon to throw me in again yes? Ah well, pity. Though I do ask that this gets to your advisor Belle, I guess is her name, but after that I will willingly accept death if that's what you see so fit as to do to me." Emma shrugged all the queen had said off not even batting an eye when she spoke of her own death.
I do not understand you. Regina mused curiously looking at the envelope with Belle's name on it.
"I could also say the same about you," Emma confessed seeing the look of horror flash in brown eyes realising she'd spoken her thought aloud, "but I know some things about you however muddles they may be there's still some truths in them."
Sneering at the woman still Regina decided to play her hand, "Well princess," she mocked moving closer to lessen the gap between them, "I think Snow would oh so enjoy me sending you back in pieces."
'If that's what you wish then so be it however know that without me there's no way of entering the White Palace undetected and there's also no way you're able to kill the rulers of said palace without my help." her tone not hiding the cockiness it held riled the brunette to anger.
"And what makes you think I need you? All I have to do is tell mommy and daddy dearest I have you and they'll do anything to get you back." the Queen smirked though she knew it wasn't true considering what she'd heard Emma say in her sleep it still helped to egg the woman on.
"Fine. I'll be on my way then. No use in stopping here, maybe King George will take my offer more kindly and if he doesn't I'll kill him take the crown and kill both the idiots in charge of the White Kingdom and if I feel so compelled refrain from attacking yours once I have both George's and Snow's kingdoms under my rule." though Regina believed the princess to be all talk the brutal way her father described the blonde made the Queen aware of what she had in her possession.
"And what makes you think I'll let you live, or even leave if I were so inclined?"
Sending a lopsided smile the Queen's way Emma remained silent as if thinking it over, "Well first off living is always a choice. Even with your magic I could still probably kill you where you stand right now, but I'd rather be friends than anything else-"
"I don't have friends," the Queen interjected, "I have servants, peasants, and bed warmers. I need nothing more."
"Fine, fine," the blonde waved off the brunette with a wave of her hand, "Allies and acquaintances then and believe me you could do much worse."
Trying to make sense of where she had originally planned to go with this as to where we are now the Queen considered her options. It's true she's the daughter of that brat and idiot, there was no doubt. However he woman wanted her parents dead which works in my favor as well as the information she seems so willing to give. Where is the catch?
"And you? What do you get from this?"
"A place among your knights and to be apart of the ones that take the castle when the time comes."
"Nothing else?"
"Well I'd really like to finish what I started with Marian a few nights ago. Your guards interrupted me before I could decide her fate."
"No," Regina replied with her regal tone that bordered on annoyance and mercilessness, "She committed a crime against my family and I will do as I see fit. If however you are so inclined you may watch with the rest of the peasants tomorrow. As for becoming a knight you will be tested and accounted for by my Captain Killian. You shall begin tomorrow, if you survive that is. I do however want those secrets soon princess."
"You have yourself a deal your Majesty," Emma mock bowed knowing it would only aggravate the Queen further.
Growling at her childness Regina glared daggers at the blonde, "Oh, and before I forget you will be renouncing your ties to the White Kingdom as well."
Shaking her head with a chuckle Emma could only imagine the fit her newly estranged parents would have if she beat them to renouncing the other, "Oh I look forward to it, and please if it's not too much trouble may I deliver this message to Belle?" she asked tapping the envelope held in hand.
"I don't see why not." The Queen relented turning from the girl with nothing more than that before poofing away leaving the smell of apples behind as she did so.
"Well that was easier than I thought it would be." Emma sighed in relief.
Back in her chambers Regina ran a hand through her locks. I just gave her a place among my Knights and basically welcomed her to the kingdom? Maybe I'm the one with a fever.
A/N Woot! Chapter four is done and I want to know your thoughts. I want to know what your little minds have thought of this chapter and what to fix or answer for you if I can.
As always please please comment, or follow if you haven't, and favorite if you haven't yet cause it's you guys that build me up! See you inn 2 weeks!