A/N: Yes it's been over a month since I've posted and I'm sorry. The reasons I put it on the back-burner was because my film classes and mainly documentary that came out horribly even though had I been allotted a bigger length of time it could be made in rather than just 10 min I would have been fine. Alas twas not so. (Seriously how does one put a doc on the Westboro Baptist Church and the Equality house into 10 min? Answer is you can't without cutting a lot of information out which kind of makes the point I'm making in the doc kind of mute...) Sorry for the rant.
Anyway, I have been on break for the past 2 weeks and have been working on this. Warning though this is just filler. Complete and utter filler just to get me back in the swing of things since it's been so long, for that I am sorry as well.
As she guided, or well, seemed to guide the woman up the steps Emma watched as the guards standing outside the castle doors became shifty. Though all it did was make her smile more the blonde pretended not to notice how the men opened the doors with their eyes downcast as was how she pictured they should be.
"Is it not grand, your Majesty?"
"And what prey tell is is so grand about this affair?" she questioned back allowing her gaze to fall on the woman beside her.
Using her free hand to gesture the area around them the blonde was brimming with energy, she could feel it coursing around her, taste it, and hear it as it called to her reaching out whispering to her, "Can you not feel the energy in this place? It is alluring to say the least."
Though Regina held her well made mask of indifference she did feel the energy and how it affected the woman whose arm she held, "Pay it no mind," she commanded though her tone was even, "We cannot have come all this way only for you to cock it up now."
Snorting the knight patted the hand on her forearm, "I wasn't aware I was cocking anything my queen." the cheeky glint in her eye was a mirth Regina was seeing more of recently, but only at certain times when things weren't as demanding and stressful.
Shaking her head either in amusement or annoyance Emma wasn't sure, but it seemed to be easy to flow with the woman on her arm in this moment. Still leading the woman down the hall to another set of double doors the guards dressed in ceremonial armor opened the doors and on the other side colors and banners from all kingdoms filled the room. Walking to the staircase the herald looked terrified as the two women approached the steps fumbling with the paper he was holding.
"An-announcing her ma-majesty Q-queen Regina of the Dark Kingdom and her Champion Emma Swan." though he stuttered through the announcement once it was done all eyes were on them. Smiling Emma and Regina ignored the whispers echoing in the spaces between the crowd as they descended the stairs walking right up to the regent herself.
"Your Majesty," Cinderella curtsied in greeting though all she received from both women before her were eyes flicking over her as if she was nothing more than a simple woman in the room and not the person of power she had been.
"Champion, it's been years since I've last seen you." she wanted to make conversation. The woman in front of her was no longer the girl she once knew and it was all too obvious by the dark look she sported as well as her eyes. They seemed to hold little light.
"Yes, last time I was meeting you Snow tried to arrange a marriage between myself and your son," the knight mused to which the regent simply smiled, "How happy I was to learn he'd gotten one of the others pregnant and saved me from such a...nightmare." she finished as the Queen on her arm smirked.
"Of course," was the terse reply and Cinderella took a flute from the silver platters being carried by finishing it in one gulp, "Now, please excuse me while I tend to other guests."
"Of course dear, don't let us keep you," Regina waved her away not paying the woman much mind. Once the woman was away from them Regina removed her arm from her knight's grip, "Well I suppose it would be best if we mingled with this drabble to keep appearances, just be sure you don't get yourself killed before the ents start."
Pressing a palm to her chest the blonde laughed, "Oh how you wound me by thinking me tactless my Queen." she bowed before moving into the gathering crowd as well as looking for one person in particular.
Moving through nobles, knights, and the occasional person in power Emma was scanning the crowd for the one face she wanted to find all others be damned. Spotting the head of brown not ten paces from herself Emma moved only to be stopped by the squeal of someone she knew all too well, "EMMA!" the redhead flung her arms around the blondes neck holding her tightly only releasing her when the hug wasn't returned.
"Anna," she greeted never taking her eyes off her target.
"It's so good to see you-"
"You too, but I've got to go," she brushed the girl aside moving in between groups formed on the floor until she stood right in front of the man, "Graham."
Nobody could remove the smile he held in place as he chatted with old and new knights from other kingdoms. It was an honor to be the chosen champion for the tournaments, but that was far from his mind as he spoke to friend and foe alike. No in his mind he knew the real reason for his smile was Snow would be able to reveal herself soon, and reclaim her throne as she should. As he moved from conversation to conversation though the announcement of the Dark Kingdom's arrival had him on alert for anything to happen. It seemed though that the two were in conversation with the Regent.
"So how is it that she was able to return and in attendance with that bitch no less?" a noble from one of the lesser areas of the kingdom turned his nose up at the two.
Chuckling the Huntsman nodded in agreement, "How indeed. One would think that a traitorous daughter who has no qualms spilling the blood of those who protected her would never be welcome back, but alas the tourneys rules dictate this is a neutral event hence why I'm speaking with you."
"Always so blunt Huntsman, but tell me have you heard anything of Snow? Without her I fear plans may be halted."
"Fear not I believe Snow is closer and safer than you think." he replied, but the look on the man's face held a note of fear, noticing how silent the room had gone he turned to find himself at swordpoint at the other end none other than Emma, "Well speak of the devil, we were just talking about you."
Tilting her head Emma simply studied the man. His features were lighter than when she'd seen him last as if he knew something she didn't, "No, I'm sorry you must have me mistaken for Snow." the gasps echoed and you could have heard a pin drop from the resulting silence that followed.
"You would do well not to speak ill of your betters," he spat through gritted teeth to which she just pushed forward with her blade, "But then again the best way to learn that would be on your back."
Pressing forward Emma placed the tip right at his sternum, "It seems you know nothing then," she smirked as the guards finally seemed to snap out of their stupor due to a shouting regent for them to do something, "Snow is not my better, nor my equal, the only person better than me here is my Queen."
Brushing the blade away Graham moved closer to her towering over the blonde by a mere inch if not less, "This is your only warning child, and heed it well, there will be a time when the army of White will rise and destroy your pathetic kingdom and you shall fall with it."
Snorting in laughter Emma simply sheathed her blade looking at him in amusement, "And when that day comes I'll be sure to find you and make you watch as the blood of your friends is sucked from them by the cold hard ground and corpses are devoured for fertilizer." turning away Emma sauntered away to the farthest corner for some refreshments though the eyes of every person there followed her paying them no mind.
It was not five minutes later when the debacle was forgotten, as if they were all used to it, and went back to chatting adamantly about the games to come when Regina ended up beside her Champion once more since their parting, "Are you out of your mind?" the hushed tone held back the anger as to not attract attention,
Shrugging it off Emma watched more of the Champions, "I was finding his weakness, for some reason it seems to be Snow," she observed watching him once more.
Following the woman's gaze the Queen realized what her knight was doing, "Finding weaknesses both mental and physical. At least you're thorough,"
Tipping her glass of wine Emma smirked at the brunette, "I wouldn't be here if I wasn't," to which the brunette gave a small nod of acceptance, "But I see someone I've yet to find her weakness for, so if I may be excused?"
"Very well, but one more stunt like that and I can promise you will be banned from the training grounds for the rest of the year."
"Very well, but if they pull something on me first I make no promises." Emma relented walking away though she knew the woman was still watching her. Keeping her eyes on the red head dressed in a floor length green gown who was speaking to another.
"-No, with the Queen gone the White Kingdom may be better off-"
"Someone with some sense then," the blonde chuckled when the woman wiped around coming face to face with Emma. As green and blue met in a battle she was the first to smile, "Forgive my interruption ladies I simply seem to agree with what Lady-"
"Merida, Merida of DunBroch." the woman replied with a smile, "And you are Emma Swan, ex-princess of the White Kingdom, and now Champion to the Dark Kingdom. Funny how fate shifts the scales yes?"
Smiling Emma laughs, "Ah, humor, something the world needs more of...right under the destruction of the White's that is."
Pink lips pursed in amusement, "I aim to please," she allowed her eyes to roam over Emma who smirked at the attention,"but surely you have no problems with that."
"No, no I don't," the blonde whispered taking a sip of her drink while still studying the creature before her. Her red hair frizzed beyond the point of control framed her freckled face making the blue in her eyes pop. Oh how deep they drug her before knowing she was dallying about, "But enough about me, what do you think of the competition?"
A brow raised in question but the woman aquisited to the blondes question, "Well over there, Prince Triton of the Coral Kingdom, is an expert with a Trident much like his grandfather was." Nodding Emma observed the dark haired man. From what she'd learned earlier in the week about him he wasn't just good, her was the best along the eastern coastal kingdoms, "And that over there," Merida pointed to a woman standing next to Aurora, "Mulan saved her entire country, but after doing so the Emperor wanted her as a concubine, so rather than submit to that life she came here in search of a new start. She's an artist with a blade finding balance in all things."
Keeping track of how much information being supplied was new and what she'd already known Emma began to plan. The games were to begin the next morning and information was knowledge, strategy, victory, and power. She would go in knowing more about her opponents than they knew of her, and that would be their downfall.
"As for me I accel in archery, only person to have ever beat me is the man whom you've replaced. Pity." Casting a side glance at the woman Emma simply shrugged knowing it wouldn't do any good to get riled up, at least not until the sun rose the next day.
"If you'll excuse me," she politely departed making her way towards the Queen once more coming to stand beside her as she spoke to Albert Spencer a known enemy of the White's.
"At least he's dead, but there is no knowing when that brat will show up again," The balding man spat taking note of Emma's presence, "Ah, Swan, at least something came of my son's choices."
Huffing Emma glared at the man but not speaking knowing that Regina might not be too pleased if she did, "Yes, it is amazing that child could create something so useful for once," the brunette agreed with a smile, "but it is getting late, I should retire."
Bowing Albert watched as Emma held her arm out to escort the Queen to her chambers for the night, "Sleep well, and fight well tomorrow."
Ignoring the man's parting words the two women made their way to the staircase where they were led by a guard to their rooms. Passing through the halls Emma had run through when she was younger and naive was easier than it should have been. Then again she hadn't been that Emma for a long time now. With each torch that passed Emma let go of the memories as they continued on until they came to the Queen's room.
"You have a room inside the room knight, a servant's room just like you should have," he offhandedly remarked.
Though Regina paid this comment no mnd Emma was in his personal space in a flash, "You'd do well to keep your mouth shut boy," she growled whipping around to follow her Queen into the room.
"You really shouldn't let someone lesser than you bother you too much dear." the brunette drawled taking in the room. It was big...enough. A four poster bed in the center of the room accompanied by a loveseat in front of the fireplace adjacent to the bathroom and a window that looked over the grounds.
Crossing her arms Emma remained silent for a moment, "Yes, well he should know when to not speak ill of others."
"Some would say the same of you," she chided moving to the window the blonde close to follow, "For now I believe it time to retire. The challenge ahead is enough to deal with for now."
Nodding her acceptance Emma turned her back to the Queen moving into her own smaller room, "Sleep well your Majesty." was the last thing said between the two settled in for the morning to come.
The crowd roared as the Champions took the field all preparing for the games to come, "Champions and honored guests welcome to the Grand Tournament!" Cinderella addressed the people, "It is with great pleasure we hold this annual tournament here in the White Kingdom. Before we start however rules of the games, Jaq if you please." she waved to the man beside her.
Hew was a mouse of a thing: pointy nose, big ears and teeth, but the pitch of his voice is what really gave way to the comparison as his squeaky pitch made some cringe, "The rules are as follows: Above and foremost there shall be no killing, each Champion must display honor even if they lose, no cheating in between your turns, and no magic," he looked to Emma alone though there were other known magic users on the field, "As for how the games work we will be starting with the joust. Each Champion will be paired against another and work their way up the brackets until the final two face off against one another. We will cover the archery contest and sparring accordingly when the time comes. Until then prepare yourselves." Nodding at his job well done Jaq stepped back from the viewers box allowing the regent to take over once more.
Smiling the woman clapped her hands, "Thank you Jaq, now please return to your tents and prepare for the coming challenges." with the dismissal all the men and women moved to their places minds closing off to everything but the goal ahead of them.
Blocking out the sound of cheers, jeers, and all noise in general Emma made her way to her tent. It was a dark black collecting heat from the sun as it bore down on them that day though the small breeze made up for the heat. Standing in front of the canvas shelter flaps lightly moving she entered the space seeing her set of armor and weapons laid out for her on the wooden table at the end of the tent. Moving towards it she observed the skill with which it was made. Running her hands over the black metal worked and shaped to her structure she observed it's intricate carvings and chains. The two shoulder guards were spiked tall and wicked, more came off the gauntlets and greaves.
So intent in appreciating fine craftsmanship Emma didn't notice the presence watching her from the entrance, "I believe it is time for you to dress, dear," the voice offered stepping further into the tent.
"Yes, it is." Was her response as she picked up the first piece studying how the pieces fit together. When she picked it up though she was surprised to find how light the metal was.
Watching the woman try and decide which piece to adorn first the Queen shook her head moving closer to the young knight, "Allow me," she offered taking the gauntlet from Emma's hands before picking up the tassets and directing she put them on. With each new piece added the knight looked more fearsome than many the Queen had witnessed before. With only the helmet left Emma looked like a cross between a spirit and demon with her angelic face and dark armor.
Looking into dark eyes Emma smiled, "Thank you Your Majesty."
"Well I couldn't have you embarrassing me now could I?" she questioned before making her way out however before she left the brunette turned to take a look at her knight knowing that this tournament would be one to speak of for ages to come.
A/N: So yeah, filler...I told you that's what it would be. Also I'm looking for a beta, if you're interested let me know. You can PM me here or I'm on FB as Larm Ox. Hope it wasn't too disappointing, but if it was well never said I was perfect. Have a good new year and keep on shipping!
DV