AN: Alright I knew the last chapter was going to be boring, I also knew that I can only repeatedly torture someone and control them. For that I am sorry, but I am now moving the story along. I am also introducing one last new character that will be helping the SQ relationship along in the future. You can thank Number1supporter for the character. I really like him.
As for this chapter it's a long one so I hope you enjoy.
DV
"No, no, no, you're doing it all wrong," the Queen sighed as her stress seemed to increase more so recently with the blonde knight learning magic. She was skilled, powerful, and just so utterly unfocused. They'd been going over a simple conjuring spell for over three hours and still the woman couldn't make a simple flame appear. How this was possible she didn't know. She'd seen the damage to the White Castle and the flaming swords. It seemed Emma could only do the tougher acts of magic but the more simple the magic it was like trying to teach a muel. The blonde was sure as stubborn as one.
Flicking her wrist a few more times hoping to see even sparks appear Emma clenched her hand, "Well I'm sorry I can't light one simple flame your Majesty, but if I ever needed fire I'd just make some with sticks and a flint like everyone else," she commented angrily not even noticing her fist had now been encased in flame as it rested at her side.
Smirking the Queen simply replied, "Or you could just make it with magic as you are right now," gesturing to the other womans hand the blonde looked down watching how the orange flames flicked from her skin wothout burning her.
Bringing the fist closer to her eyes to study the flames the knight opened her palm allowing the fire to move to the center of her hand still waiting to be thrown or put out. It was a very hypnotizing thing to watch as the flames just waited for her command. Smiling she threw the ball up in the air then catching it as it came back down. Each time she did the gleeful smile much akin to a child's would appear.
Watching the knight entertain herself made Regina question her choice in having chosen someone easily entertained for her Champion. It was like watching a child, "Enough of that dear we don't have all day and the tournament is in two weeks. I expect you to have a semblance of control by then."
"Well if my magic is the problem just command me not to use it," she retorted as if it were so simple.
Hands on her his the regal pose was dark and unforgiving, "Then all of this would be pointless; besides if I command you not to use magic it would help no one. What if you're ever in a burning building and can't get out, or are fatally wounded and cannot heal yourself, hmm?" she questioned stepping closer to the blonde before putting the dancing flames in the knight's hand out herself, "Do you ever think of all the things magic can do?"
Rolling her eyes playfully Emma smiled, "Well of course I do, but…" she trailed off moving away from the Queen to step out onto the room's balcony, "I just like to rile you up," the smirk gracing pink lips was playful and the sparkle in green eyes against the setting sun was enrapturing and alarming all in one to the brunette who was fuming at how easily it was for the blonde to challenge her.
"I'd prefer it if you'd refrain from doing so," she bit out spinning to face the infuriating woman, "If you do not learn to master it you cannot control it which will be worse for us if you have an outburst during our time away."
Sighing the knight dropped her shoulders and the usually alive eyes seemed to dim, "Very well, I'll attempt to gain more control just for you," she smiled sweetly though her voice was sarcastic before walking away, "Now to the better part of my day." The announcement made the Queen smile knowing Emma was going to go to her father's side for his evening ride.
Walking into the stables Emma was walking with a stiff gait arms resting behind her back. Since she'd left the Queen after her training for the day the blonde couldn't help but want to prove her majesty wrong. However that'd be easier said than done. The tourney was only weeks away and though her control was exceptional when calm it lacked when angered and she was quick to temper. I need focus she berated herself not even noticing the second voice coming from the stables as she neared.
It was only when Henry greeted her that she saw the man sitting next to the Queen's father that she stopped a question in her eyes as she looked the man up and down. His features were hard and square, his trimmed beard, salt and pepper hair, and soft eyes gave him a calming presence, but the depths which his eyes spoke told otherwise. He was a man not to be trifled with, the question though, who was he?
"Ah, Emma," Henry greeted with a smile, "Let me introduce you to my friend Tobias Santiago; friend, knight, brother, and godfather to my sweet daughter."
Tobias grimaced at Henry, "It's Toby or Santi, dear friend," the seasoned knight reprimanded before nodding in greeting at the blonde, "however for you it is Ser Tobias, or just Ser shall do." he informed before turning back to his friend.
"Come now Toby-" Henry shook his head.
"No, no, it's alright." She stopped him, "To call a man, much less THE Tobias Santiago by his name well known to friends is to be earned not given." she smiled as Tobias got a glint in his eye returning the smile.
"See even she understands," he clapped Henry on the shoulder before getting up from the bench on which the two sat, "However I'm sure her Majesty would like to see me."
Chuckling Henry stood as well, "Yes it would be best to let her know of your arrival it has only just been five years since you've last seen her."
Watching the two men curiously Emma detected a trust and bond so strong that she would have to try and earn something just as great if not greater to be in Tobias' good graces. Well shit, just one more person to impress and or go through.
As the older gentleman was leaving he turned back to the young knight, "It was a pleasure to meet you."
"You as well Ser," she replied as he walked away head held high and with the poise of a soldier still following battalion lines.
Watching Emma watch Santi leave was rather amusing, "He's a good man, an even better knight." he commented idly still watching her.
Turning back to Henry she nodded, "I remember reading about him when I was younger. Of course had my- I mean Snow and Charming knew they would have surely punished me for it."
Humming in acknowledgment the Lord moved over to the stall where his horse stayed listening to the woman talk about his friend as if he were something more than his name, but to her perhaps he was. "And what did you read about him?"
"He was a knight of honor, but ruthless in all he did." she made her way over to Toni readying him for the evening ride, "But what I remember most of all is what Sophia told me of when she met him and I then learned what it was to be a Knight no matter who's kingdom you served."
Glancing at the young woman Henry saw a small smile graced her features, it wasn't often she smiled, but in this moment it seemed to light up the night like the stars themselves. "You've never really spoken of her since being here," he commented gently.
"It's hard," she admitted following Henry out of the stables while leading Toni as well before looking at the sky, "But everyday seems to distance the pain, or perhaps I'm moving on…" her voice trailed off at the end upset with letting Soph go.
"Hmmm," he considered her words while mounting his horse, "You may not know it now dear child, but things will get better. They may not be easier and there will be times when you find yourself questioning the things that have happened, but everything happens for a reason."
Nodding Emma felt the cool breeze against her cheek as she settled onto the leather saddle taking in the man's words before they began their ride for the night. At first the pace was a slow trot as the two rode side by side under the light of the moon and stars. And though the ambience of the night was enough to fill the silence conversation flowed easily between the two as it always seemed to.
Back at the palace Santiago or Santiago the Silver Stallion was leisurely walking the halls taking in the feel of the way it worked and the decor as it had changed with time. He was there in the beginning when Cora, Regina's mother, had been alive to torment and shape the woman who became Queen. He and Henry had tried many times to save the girl from the punishments her mother bestowed upon her as well as let her be free in any way she chose.
It wouldn't last though as Cora had her husband and himself imprisoned in her realm of Wonderland. Shivering at the memory the knight took it all in. The dark crimson curtains stood out against the black marble pillars that held the ceiling up and no doubt was the same on each floor. Chuckling to himself the knight was about to round the corner of the first hall when a familiar scent hit his nose causing his stomach to growl loudly. Deciding to pick up a sweet roll before meeting his goddaughter again after being away for five years he followed the sweet aroma to the kitchen.
Now it was common knowledge the Queen never replaces someone in her staff unless angered or they die of natural causes. So imagine his surprise when a woman he recognises from years ago before wars and white and black stood rolling out dough on the granite countertop, "Eugena?"
Stopping the older woman looked to the door she hadn't even noticed open so in tune with her work she missed it. However as she met those familiar silver eyes she allowed herself to smile before it vanished into an angry frown, "Tobias Santiago," she grabbed the rolling pin moving towards him in one swift movement pointing the opposite end of the utensil in his face, "You have a lot of explaining to do you no good knight."
Raising his hands in defence the old man simply smiled sadly at the woman he still loved, "Eugena-"
"No," she cut him off angrily, "You left me and then the Queen puts me out of work. Do you know how many times I thought of you? Or when I wondered when you'd come home to the girl who's now Queen to save her from that monster?"
"Please," he pleaded with her moving the rolling pin away from his face, "I didn't leave you or Regina," he swore allowing his hands to slide down her arms before pulling her into a fierce hug.
Dropping the makeshift weapon Granny returned the embrace tightly as if he were going to disappear again, "I have missed you," she whispered.
"And I you," he replied before letting go to get a look at her. Though she'd aged and well he silently added to himself looking into her periwinkle eyes made him feel at home, "I never meant to leave you, but Cora had me and Henry sent to another realm so she could finish raising Regina the way she wanted. We escaped the land with the help of the hatter and Henry came back to protect his girl, but you were gone… I looked for you for so long, but Regina needed me and by that time she was marrying the king when I had to give up my search. Then all the business with Snow, I'd found you but…"
"You were with the Evil Queen," she finished for him and he nodded sadly. However what the woman did next shook him to his core, "And still you didn't even approach me? I would have talked to you, tried to understand, but it's been years and now you decide to appear. Why?"
Hanging his head in shame Tobias took a breath, "Because I needed to return home."
Searching his eyes Eugena let him go before turning back to her work, "I suggest you take a tray of sweet rolls with you when you go to see her," her tone was one the knight was familiar with. She was hurt and had every right to be.
"Eugena-"
"Here, take them," she handed him a tray indicating their conversation was over. Sighing in resignation the man turned back to the door but not before looking back over his shoulder to see the woman he'd loved for years closing the kitchen for the night.
Back to walking the cold halls of the palace Toby was quick to ascend the stairs eventually arriving at the Queen's chambers at the top. The wooden mahogany doors seemed almost black and the silver door handles shone in the light of the chandeliers hanging from above. Raising a fist to knock the doors swung open to reveal the Queen still on her balcony.
"The Mirror alerted me to your presence some time ago Tobias."
And oh shit he was in trouble. She never used his formal name unless in such a setting deemed it or if he was in major trouble, and well he was hoping the sweet rolls would help smooth things over. "Apologies my Queen," he stepped over to where she watched two riders in the night.
"You've met her I assume?"
"Yes."
"And?"
"I have not seen her skill with a blade though if what happened to most of the guards in the White Kingdom is true…" he trailed off wanting it confirmed or denied by the very person who was there.
Taking her eyes away from her father and his guard Regina looked to her friend, "It would have made you proud, but she's sloppy. When tested I knew Killian was going to select some of our worst fighters and three who were no longer needed. The knight had been able to best them handedly, and as for the White Kingdom well, you know how they train their lot."
Nodding in thought Toby rubbed his chin pulling on his beard hairs as his fingers fell from his face, "I see, but until tomorrow let us get off the topic of business and tell me how you've been?"
As the Queen and her godfather talked into the night across the forest someone else was stirring and planning for the tourney to come as well. THe Blue Fairy had been perfecting her potion as it bubbled a deep black adding the last ingredient into the pot it burst out a puff of flames letting its creator know it was done. Smiling wickedly the fairy poured the contents into two vials. One labeled EQ and the other SW. If her plan was going to be correct the after party for the tourney will be one to remember for decades.
"Blue?" the voice called from the other room with steps fast approaching.
"Yes dear?" she turned to her Queen.
Watching Snow move about the kitchen she made sure to hide the vials knowing full well the pixie haired buffoon would want to know what they were. But all good things come to those who wait, "When is supper to be ready?
"Soon dear, very soon," she smiled evilly knowing Snow would take it as a simple gesture of her kindness watching the woman retreat back into the cottage. She really should tell Snow her plan, but for now it was easier to lie and remain aloof as how to take the Evil Queen down.
It had been a grueling few days, most of them were spent with practice in both magic and intense training for the tournament. All Emma had time to do in between the lessons aside from sleep and guard Henry was wait. Wait and count the moments until she would stand against some of the most revered and feared knights in all the kingdoms and hopefully add her name to the list. As she looked out over the balcony in the library tower however something still didn't feel right. She knew going was a risk and her magic wasn't totally under control but it was enough; just enough to make it fair to the others she would fight.
"You seek peace and yet find more conflicting thoughts do you not?" Tobias questioned. He'd been helping her train and was a good mentor to have. He was wise with council and swift with judgment and never held back.
"I fear something will go wrong," she admitted not daring to look into the silver eyes that could read her like a book.
Content to stand beside his pupil Toby smiled, "Reminds me of my first tourney."
Humming the knight waited for him to continue, "And what is so similar? I am a traitor to the people of the White Kingdom the only reason I'm allowed back is because of the neutral grounds of the games nobles play to prove the strength of their kingdoms."
"True, but all men who fight are traitors in some way." He reasoned, "A man may become a soldier thinking of protecting his family but promised to never harm a child or leave one an orphan. How many men have betrayed their morals and beliefs by doing that? There are also those who become feared in name because of the acts they commit but are truly just as human as you and me."
"But I killed a king, and so many more…"
"And others have not?" he questioned one last time before disappearing into the halls.
Looking over her shoulder to watch his retreating figure Emma watched as the horses were readied and settled. Deciding it was time to get ready herself she left to the new chambers she'd been gifted with. As Champion there were a few nice perks to the job, one of those being a room inside the palace. Thankfully it wasn't Robin's old one because that wouldn't have gone over too well. Passing by busy maids, butlers, soldiers, and really any member of the palace staff readying the home to be without its Queen for some time the knight made it to her room.
Upon opening the doors she entered the room with a smile. The curtains hung in black rather than the crimson posted all over the rest of the palace and clothes maids hadn't come by to pick up littered both the bed and floor. It was nice to be able to throw garments that were dirty around knowing she wouldn't be reprimanded for it. Making her way over to her wardrobe Emma was stopped by Sydney alerting her that Regina wanted to see her.
Now interestingly enough as the two weeks Emma spent preparing for the tourney she had more time to read Regina. She could tell whether she could push certain things or not. Most of the time their practices were in silence or throwing sarcastic comments at one another. However the Queen was aptly skilled and why shouldn't she have been? She is Queen after all. Then there were the days where they'd talk about Henry. Though the Queen herself didn't say much about the man didn't mean Emma didn't talk about him. The blonde saw how the brunette smiled every time she brought her...friend? Yes, friend up in the conversation. It was a small smile, but it made the woman seem less cold and harsh.
"Very well Mirror, be off with you," she waved the floating head away. She really hated that guy, but he had his uses which is why she was sure the queen kept him around. Pulling three more tunics from the hangers as well as two pairs of dark breeches the blonde unceremoniously shoved them into her trunk sitting on her bed before poofing (which she'd finally learned) to outside the Queen's chambers.
Lifting her hand to knock she stopped before gloved knuckles rapped on the dark wood hearing voices from the other side, and though muffled she could understand most of it.
"And you're sure of this?" Tobias' voice questioned, one of the only people who could question the Queen it would seem made a habit of it.
Unable to hear the woman's response Emma frowned but then again she knew better than to be eavesdropping on the woman just behind the doors, so instead of lingering longer she finally made her presence known.
Regina was about to respond to the knight when three loud knocks were heard from the other side of her door. Narrowing her eyes at the pepper haired man as if to tell him to keep quiet about their discussion for now the brunette waved a hand opening the door, "Good you're here." and though her eyes never left Toby Emma knew the words were directed a her.
"You sent for my your Majesty?" she asked with a slight bow.
Finally turning her attention away from the man the queen had a glint in her eyes as she looked at Emma, "Yes, we will be leaving soon, but you should know of the situation in the kingdom we are about to visit."
"Situation?" the blonde quirked a brow shifting her eyes between Regina and Toby. As far as she was aware things we neutral when it came to tournaments. Sure there were the few little riotous uproars, but not on a major scale.
"Hmmm, yes," the woman hummed simply waving her Champion in further into the room until both knight's and herself were in front of her mirror, "Show me the White Kingdom." she commanded and the glass rippled like water bringing the picture of the tournaments into view.
In the streets effigies of both Emma and Regina burned, chants were shouted, and brawls between both peasants and knights were had in the streets. What was most curious to the blonde though was how even some of the guards and soldiers stood protesting and rioting with the commoners.
"This is quite unsettling," Toby spoke breaking the silence all three had been under watching as the violence unfolded.
Nodding her head in agreement Emma was mildly concerned, "Has the regent been doing anything to quell these riots? Surely they cannot be condoned and if they are that breaks laws over a hundred years old."
"Indeed it does Swan," Regina nodded, "As for why I showed you this because these men and women are out for blood. Our blood to be more precise," she turned to the blonde looking her dead in the eye, "And when we arrive I expect you to let it go. I need you to be as if nothing is happening and for you to ignore every last bit of it understood?"
Ah, it's about the control thing. Emma surmised, "Of course your Majesty. I shall be a rock and they shall be water."
Though her facade as a hard queen was still in tact Emma noticed a change in the energy surrounding the woman when she agreed to letting this go. She relaxed more, but only slightly, "If that is all my queen?"
"Dismissed," the brunette waved a hand and Emma bowed before departing.
Tents of all colors lined the streets, craft shops, vendors, and bleachers filled them as well as the people milled about. However the Huntsman was not interested in the crafts or food as he weaved in between the people moving to the tavern where a certain fairy asked to meet him. He had been wary to meet at first, but the thought of being able to perhaps see Snow sooner if he went bid him to go.
Hood over head he entered the Rusty Screw watching as patrons drank, ate, and fornicated in the dark corners of the building. Silently passing all without notice hs brown boots climbed the stairs coming to the first door on the left he knocked as instructed. Three knocks, pause. Two knocks, pause. One knock, and on the last the door opened to reveal a dusty room that by the looks of it hadn't been cleaned in ages. He wasn't here to rest though, no he was here to plan.
Moving into the room Graham let down his hood making his way over to the small round table where a bottle of brandy sat, pouring himself a drink he turned as the door closed coming face to face with the woman he needed to see, "Is it time?"
"Yes Huntsman, the time has come to turn the kingdoms against the Evil Queen once and for all." she smiled moving closer to him and pouring her own drink, "No longer shall she rule and no longer shall Snow have to hide. After the tournaments begin we shall finish laying the groundwork for her demise."
Smiling the man was please however he was unaware of the plan and his part in it, "Yes, but what do you need of me?"
Happy he took the bait she took a sip from her cup, "There's a banquet after the Champion of the games has been announced; during this time I'll need you to distract Emma. While this happens the evil bitch should still be in her room where I'll have one of the servants bring up her specially brought cider under the guise that Emma sent it. When she takes a drink of it though she'll be put under a powerful sleeping spell, not a curse because that's not what we do." she smiled as his eyes seemed to get bigger with excitement, "Following so far?"
Nodding he chugged what was left in his cup pouring himself another, "Please continue."
"Then once she is asleep I shall impersonate Snow, but then the real one shall come barging in where I shall then glamor myself to to look like the evil queen when she accuses me of such." she informed, "it is then that she shall go on to explain how she was saved by true love's kiss, but not David's, but by yours."
"Then how shall we explain Emma?" he questioned seeing a hole in her plan.
Quirking her lips Gothel laughed, "Simple I explain after snows awakening I found you, wiped your memories, and paired her with David forever separating her from her true love." she waved a hand hoping he wasn't too dull to understand.
"Oh, how fun this shall be." he grinned, "Shall I tell my people to increase and lay off the riots when they arrive?" he asked.
Taking a seat in one of the wooden chairs by the table the woman looked up, "And make sure they're violent please," she spoke sweetly watching him bow as he left the room. Oh, how much fun this shall be, the fairy smirked swishing around her drink before looking out the window scrutinizing all the pesky peasants below like cockroaches in a hovel.
The carriage ride was utterly silent and stifling. Though there were windows on both sides Emma felt trapped. Not because she was claustrophobic, but because the blonde was bored. They'd left two days ago and were almost to the White Kingdom and with each passing moment her thoughts grew bigger and bigger. She'd seen the riot's, heard the lies, and knew without a doubt something bad was going to happen while there. The only question was when and how.
Noticing the knight's fidgeting hands Regina decided to break the silence wanting to know exactly what was wrong with her for if she wasn't at her best then she would surely lose, "Oh, what is it now Ser Swan?" Surprised the woman had even asked the woman opened her mouth, but nothing came out, "Well out with it we don't have all day dear."
Closing her eyes Emma breathed in, "I feel a storm coming, and no I don't mean literally like I can sense the weather, but as in a shitstorm of bad news is coming our way once we get there."
"I see," the hard tone was disbelieving.
Sighing Emma just shook her head, "Look, it's been almost months now that the White Queen has been hiding with the help of that blue gnat that's enough time for the winged bitch to gather supporters for the queen and without a doubt she has. Now what she has planned with the runaway queen is unknown, all I know is somthing is going to go down either during or after the tournament and I'd rather be prepared than caught off guard."
Taking her time to think over her champion's words Regina was too suspicious of what was going to happen upon arrival at the castle. However there was no use in worrying about things yet to come, "They know better than to try anything against me dear," she brushed it off though she could tell the woman across from her was steeling herself for whatever was to come.
After the brief conversation had died the two fell back into a comfortable silence and surprisingly they were making good time. That may have been due tot the fact that the carriage was being pulled by eight ebony horses rather than two. Looking out the window at the fields they now passed Emma closed her eyes thinking about Sophie. It wasn't easy to admit, but she felt like she was losing the woman every day and every day even with all of the pain the Queen has been causing her made her feel better, "I spoke with your father that night I left and Ser Santiago made himself present in the kingdom."
Noticing her closed eyes Regina raised a brow, "Oh?"
Practically seeing the raised brow in her head Emma smiled, "Yes, he told me things happen for a reason, but I'm not so sure I believe him."
"And why tell me this?"
Opening her eyes and turning so they connected with the rich brown across from them the knight spoke softly but firmly, "Because if everything happens for a reason why s the Dark Kingdom you rule better off than that of the White Kingdom? By fate's standards it should be the other way around. Yet here we are riding to the poorest kingdom in the lands and to what? Prove that one kingdom is better than the other?"
Running fingers through dark locks Regina hummed, "Or perhaps fate has a twisted sense of humor." she reasoned not understanding where the blonde was going with this, "But I assume there is more than just that."
"It would also mean that Sophie was always going to die, no matter what I did. Even had we run she would have died."
Ah, there it is. The crux of the matter. "Ah, I see," she really didn't know much about the woman Emma spoke of other than what was revealed when the knight was delirious with fever, "This is what this is about."
Tilting her head Emma didn't understand what the woman was implying, "What, what is about?"
"The fate of your lover Ser Swan." Regina clarified, "You're thinking if things happened differently that she still would have died, but what would have happened to you hmm?" she posed her own question. "Would you have become the person you are in this very moment? Or would you have wasted away until your own ashes joined hers in oblivion?"
Clenching her jaw Emma wish she knew the answers, "I don't know."
Smirking the queen turned her gaze out the window, "Then there is your answer. Fate is cruel, there are no choices in the end. We are all puppets tied to strings and those strings tied to the moves of others. Never are we able to choose the course our lives take but we can choose the things we take and use ourselves. Remember this for it shall serve you well in time."
Turning her own gaze back out the window Emma took Regina's words to heart. Fate was uncontrollable but maybe not so bad? she questioned herself as she glanced at the queen from the corner of her eye. She just hoped not too much would go wrong this coming week.
"We want blood!" the voices cried as a mob of soldiers, guards, and peasants followed the carriage to the castle. Many threw rotten foods, shit like literal shit, and other projectiles at the transportation both Emma and the Queen resided in. It wasn't the easiest thing to let go, but Emma managed.
"I swear next person to throw-" her sentence was cut off by a molotov cocktail flying through the window and landing on the floor. Reacting to the threat Regina simply vanished it making it reappear above the mob outside dousing them in flame and glass.
Looking at the woman who'd been telling her that magic was a no-no on the trip the knight raised a brow in question, "It was self defense and you are the one not allowed to do magic dear," she simply replied as if it were obvious.
"Yeah, well forgive me for not being sure, but come on I could have handled that." she tried to reason, but the hard glare she received front the woman shut her up.
Feeling the carriage come to a stop Emma rose from her seat exiting the uncomfortable box on wheels first before offering her hand to help her Queen out as well. Taking the offered hand Regina stepped down onto the stone ground her cold mask perfectly in place as she took the offered arm and Emma escorted her into the castle. Walking up the steps Emma couldn't help but relive the memory of taking her father's life, of knowing she could have destroyed it and herself had Regina not intervene. Looking upon the white stoned castle Emma smiled, this was going to be fun.
I hope you liked it. I know the conversation between Emma and Regina about the fate thing seemed to come out of no where but I promise it will be relevant in future chapters. Cause come on we all blurt things out from time to time and have a philosophical discussion about them don't we?
Please let me know what you thought.