"Your majesty?" The Genie waited at Regina's door.
A thud, a muffled giggle, and a few footfalls later and Regina was at the door a robe clenched tight around her, her hair standing on end, obviously saying, 'I've been having glorious sex all week along', "Genie, hello." She covered her mouth with her first three fingers to keep from giggling.
The Genie did his very best to hide his smirk, "Your majesty…" He started, almost breaking into an amused grin, but he controlled himself. His pause for breath gave him time to cover his amusement, "Tomorrow is Friday."
"And?" Regina pushed hair from her face.
"And the court announced that it's the new start of the competition."
"The court announced…? Why the hell would the court announce that?"
"Because that is when the White Princess said everyone would be recuperated."
Regina rolled her eyes, "Of course." She nodded once, recalling the words falling from her lover's lips, "She did." She started to turn into her quarters once more.
"Your Majesty?"
"Yes, Genie?" She looked back to him.
"Would you please let the princess know that I am unsure of how to make an armband as she described…? And that the other contenders wish to see her as soon as she is available?"
"Of course, Genie." Regina nodded with a sigh, "Tell everyone that we'll be in the library in two hours."
"Yes, your majesty." He gave the woman a bow before starting to walk away.
"Oh, Genie?" Regina waited for the other man to turn, "Did you go for a carpet ride?"
The Genie had told Regina of his lover and his child. He told her why they stayed separated for the time being, which she refused to understand, but did her best to be okay with the fact that he had made a promise, a true, unwavering promise that he would be there for Regina until he wasn't needed. And in the meantime, until they could find an easier solution, a 'carpet ride' was code for a visit to the two other women in his life. He smiled her way, "I did."
"I can see from the smile that everything is good?"
The Genie nodded, "Lovely."
Regina gave the man a closed mouth, happy smile before she moved back into her quarters. She moved back to her bedroom and found that her lover was not there.
"Emma?"
Emma poofed back into the bedroom, still naked, carrying clothes. "Oh… You're done talking already?"
"Did you poof naked to your assigned quarters?"
"I…. yes?"
Regina gave her princess an offended look, "You let others see your naked body? Your naked body is only for me."
Emma's brows rose in delight, "Well, my naked body was not exposed to anyone else's eyes. I went to my bedroom to grab clothes. It's not like I walked down the hall in all my glory."
"Glory it is." Regina let her eyes dance around Emma's body.
Emma chuckled as she threw her clothes on a chair, "You are so cheeky this morning." She shook her head.
Regina smiled as she walked over to her lover, "I get it from you." She kissed the blonde's lips.
Emma smiled back, "I know."
Regina kissed her again before pulling away, "We need to get ready and eat breakfast."
"Why?"
"Tomorrow is the new start of the games."
"Already?"
"Yes."
"Well… Can I—?"
"No."
"How about—?"
"No."
"Regina?" Emma watched the brunette make her way to the bathroom, the queen in her already preparing for going out in public again.
"Yes?"
"I love you." The blonde spoke softly.
This made Regina's shoulders drop and turn to look at her from the doorway, "I love you too, darling."
"I'm gonna hold your hand today." Emma gave her a serious look, "I might even kiss your cheek."
Regina looked to the side in debate before turning back to the blonde, "I'll let you." She gave her a cheeky grin before moving to the bathroom, "Shall we take one last shower before we face the world again?"
Emma nodded happily, "We shall!"
~0~0~0~0~0~
The White Princess and the Shadow Queen didn't realize how long they took in the shower until they were out and dressed. Emma's hand had laced with the Shadow Queen's as they walked the halls and made their way inside the library.
They were the last to the library when they'd planned to be the first. Literally they were the last of the people that could be allowed to the secret meeting. Everyone from little Grace, Delaney and Jefferson to Ariel and Eric to Danielle and Henry; every last royal, contender and advisor was there.
"Well as I live and breathe. There she is, that daughter of mine, whom I've missed dearly." Charming said as soon as the both of them walked into the library. He spoke loud enough for the few people around him to hear, but not loud enough to garner attention from everyone. He and his wife walked a few paces away from the rest of the congregated royals, advisors and contenders.
The way her father moved from the crowd, told Emma that she needed to placate him. She dropped Regina's hand as she made her way over to him and her mother. "Sorry, Daddy, I was…busy." She said as she leaned in to hug him
Charming though, scooped her into his arms, finally getting the real hug he'd been wanting since they'd triumphed at the Dark One's hidden castle. He well knew that he'd hugged her there, but this was the hug he'd needed. "Busy doing things I hope to never hear about, I presume?" He asked.
Emma let out a laugh as she was pushed to her mother and gave her father a scolding look as she felt the blush rise in her cheeks, "Daddy…" She hugged her mother tight, "Hi, Momma."
"Hello, little girl." Snow smiled in the hug.
"Hello, grandmother." Emma reached her hand out in the hug to the undead woman.
Eva smiled and took the hand, "Hello, granddaughter."
Emma released her mother and let go of her grandmother's hand before she gave them both and her father a smile. She turned, taking Regina's hand once more then the both of them made their way to the front of the crowd.
"Well… How nice to see you both." Maleficent let out a knowing, slightly evil chuckle. "Haven't seen you all week."
"Yes, Maleficent, tell me, what are you still doing here?" Regina gave the other woman a playful look. "Don't you have a castle of your own?"
Aurora spoke before Maleficent could, "Phyl and I don't like the Forbidden Mountain. Bad things happen there."
"And you like it here, Aurora?" Emma clarified as she moved Regina's hand to her other and placed her now free hand on the brunette's lower back.
"Oh yes. We like it a lot more. And we'll like it even more in weeks to come." She gave the White Princess a happy grin.
Emma could only smile back.
"What's all that? What does she know?" Chip asked Emma then looked to Aurora, looked to the source of information, "What do you know?"
All the Morpheus Princess did was smile, but Maleficent quickly raised her hand when she saw her lover was going to say nothing, "Oh, I know."
"Phyllipina!" Aurora scolded. "This is Emma and Regina's time. And before you roll your eyes, let me already start to remind you that Emma put our hearts back in our chests."
Maleficent merely pursed her lips and looked at the Shadow Queen and White Princess to start talking.
Emma knit her brows, "How do you know?" she stared at her great-aunt.
Maleficent pointed to her ladylove, "She told me."
"Oh, of course. And if she knows then that means grandmother knows." Emma looked to Eva who only smiled as a response, "Well, this is going to be far less surprising and climactic…"
"What is?" Artie asked. "Are we out of the competition? Can it just not happen?" he was almost excited.
"Yes, I think I speak for every contender when I say, 'This is ludicrous. I am not going to compete for Regina's hand. I'd rather overthrow this government and let you both get the show on the road.'" Alexander's sarcasm made everyone in the room smirk and try to keep their laughter at bay.
Emma put her hands up to calm them, "Gentlebros, please…" She gave them all a look, "Calm down." She smiled, "It will be all right. Come." She finally let go of her ladylove and gestured to the table in front of her, asking them to gather at the front table. "I just need to grab a book."
The White Princess walked over to the wall of books and tried to remember where she'd last seen the one she wanted. She knew it was in the top row, on the west wall, but she wasn't quite sure where. As she pondered she felt herself begin to hover, rather she noticed the shelves were moving then noticed it was actually her floating in the air.
Emma turned and looked down at the awed looks of the royals, advisors and contenders, "Well, this is a convenient new trick. I've never floated before…" She turned back and started looking to the book titles before it finally caught her eye. "Aha! 'The Ins and Outs of the Traditional Battle Royale'." She plucked the book from its home and floated back down as she looked at the table of contents then, after a quick consult with the index, she flipped to the appropriate page. "Here. Read that." She told the men at the table.
Arely decided to read aloud for the class, "'Should all but one contender willingly forfeit, the one contender will be named 'winner'.'"
The rest of the room's curious faces formed devious smirks.
Alexander chuckled as he read a bit more of the page, "It's right in between, 'Should all contenders forfeit, please refer to page 691.' And, 'Should all but two contenders willingly forfeit, the two will be put to 'the ring' for a 'sudden death'—should death actually commence, please refer to page 432.'"
After reading all of the men looked back up to the White Princess with big grins.
"So, all we do is formally forfeit and you're pronounced the winner?" Gustave asked. He looked to his king and queen, "I'll have to ruin the sanctity of my knighthood if you say I must compete." He earned a chuckle from a few of the royals.
Henry swatted the air, "Are you joking? I can't wait to see the looks on the arrogant bastards' faces."
"Henry." Danielle scolded his word choice before deciding he was right, "My husband does have a point…"
~0~0~0~0~0~
Emma was the first one there. She walked along the corridor that all the contenders were to meet in. It led to the stadium floor. She didn't suit up for the battle. She didn't have any weapons with her, not even her axe. The only thing she had to show that she was 'competing' was the armband she'd ended up creating so as not to trouble the Genie (and to see if she could make something like she'd described to the court).
She wore a simple white shirt under an even simpler grey shirt, tight denim pants that had only recently been introduced to the lands called 'jeans', brown boots, and a jacket that had been specially made for her by the Shadow Queen's seamstress. The seamstress had died the leather blue, in honor of Emma being a Pure One, and it was lined with white and grey stripes. It was insanely comfortable; and she could tell Regina thought she looked good.
She took a breath and closed her eyes. The last time she'd gone out onto the arena, she'd been kidnapped. This time though, she was going to win her Shadow Queen.
She felt eyes piercing her back and looked to find Chip studying her. She smiled when she saw him equally as casual. She looked down the hall to find the rest of the contenders. They all seemed rather blasé. They were all comfortable, casual. They all wore jackets with their nations' signs, and as a happy coincidence, all of the jackets were leather.
The cheering of the crowd caught her attention and her heart began pounding as nerves surfaced. She stared at all of them a moment longer, and if her mind wasn't concentrating on her racing heartbeat and the rhythm of the crowd, she'd note just how hot and sexy they all were.
But her mind was concentrating on her racing heartbeat and the rhythm of the crowd. She closed her eyes as she thought about what was to come. She had been instructed all too many times at this point of what exactly was going to happen by Regina, by all six of the advisors. Separately. Her parents, her grandmother—even her great-aunt and the Briar Rose, and of course, the court all told her what was going to come. Even though most of them knew that she'd literally read the book on the subject, she was still tortured with the trivial rules of the Battle.
Each contender was going to be introduced—rather, re-introduced. They were going to stand in a line at the center of the arena in the order of which they are called. She was going to be checked for her armband multiple times before the battle started, during a small Q&A period, and, of course, as the battle 'commenced'.
Regina had magicked a microphone, an object that most of the other countries already had more than enough of, for the announcer. And as he tapped on it, the thud echoed throughout the stadium, Emma knew it was time.
"Ladies and Gentlemen. Thank you for coming out today. As you well have heard, our good contenders and our lovely Queen have defeated the Dark one and his mistress. There will be no interruption from them for the start of this new competition. The Queen welcomes you and hopes that you enjoy the second first battle of the Battle Royale for her hand." He waited for applause and cheers to die down before he continued, "Well, without further adieu, let us bring out the contestants!" Another loud applause.
The announcer inhaled and looked around, "Please welcome from Far, Far Away, Prince Artie. He, as you may recall, is representing his cousins King Shrek and Queen Fiona, and was one of the final four in the original competition. His favorite thing to do when not representing his country is dance. He's been dubbed 'Lord of the Dance' by the other competitors."
Artie knit his brows at the last part, giving the other contenders and odd look. "Did you guys say something to him?" He asked questioningly.
The other seven simply shook their heads; and he could tell by their confusion that they were truthful.
The applause didn't seem to die. He shrugged as he walked out. He looked at the crowd as he went and saw signs that said, 'Lord of the Dance', 'Twinkle Toes', and 'Artie I Love You!'—or similar phrases of the same meaning.
The announcer settled the crowd, "From the Eastern Kingdom of the Enchanted Forest, Prince Alexander!" He applauded with the crowd, "Alexander is representing his parents, King Thomas and Queen Ella, and his sister, Princess Alexandra. He too was one of the final four in the original competition. Alexander enjoys designing his own clothes and a nice table setting."
Everyone still in the corridor laughed as they turned to Alexander.
"What? I mean I do, but… What?" Alexander said.
"He's only got a list full of rumors for us all. Whether they're true or not, ignore him. He's an ignoramus." Patrick patted his back.
Alexander gave his lover a look before he sighed and walked out of the corridor to the arena. He too got a few signs of love and a couple that asked him to marry the girls holding them. He could only chuckle at that.
"And from the Kingdom of France, Sir Gustave. He is representing his King and Queen, King Henry and Queen Danielle. He is one of the two knights in the competition. When not representing his country, Gustave likes piña coladas, getting caught in the rain, making love at midnight and… cooking."
"Now, now. I like making love at all times of the day…" Gustave said as he commanded every part of his body not to laugh at the announcer. But soon as he walked out to the crowd's cheering, he couldn't help his laughter as he repeated the announcer's words in his head. He waved and laughed the entire way to his spot.
"From the Caspian Lands, let's hear it for Prince Arely. Arely represents his fathers, Kings Eric and Ariel, and his sister Princess Melody. Arely thinks himself a pirate and has had the unbridled pleasure of kissing a mermaid and living to tell the tale."
Arely rolled his eyes and shook his head, "Really? Where is he getting this stuff?"
"Probably just listened to the workers' gossip around the castle. But at least half of this seems to be real…" Chip said as he clapped the other prince on the shoulder.
"Yeah, yeah." Arely turned, put a smile on his face and waved. He saw girl after girl, some of whom he was pretty sure he'd bedded, trying to get his attention. But for some reason, none of them seemed appealing.
"From the Southern Kingdom of the Enchanted Forest, please welcome once again, Sir Patrick. He is representing his king and queen, King Edward and Queen Nancy. Patrick is one of the most gallant knights in all the lands; when not representing his kingdom, he enjoys camping and fishing, a regular outdoorsman."
Emma caught his eye, "Do you really?" He simply chuckled and nodded as he made his way out of the entrance, "Does Alexander know this and go along?"
Patrick turned around and gave her a look, "Do you think Alexander would go camping unless camping constituted a guest cabin near a lake? And still, do you think he would actually go fishing?"
Emma laughed, "You're argument is valid."
Patrick smirked then turned back around with a smile and made his way to his spot. Garnering cheers as he went.
"From Stormhold, give it up for Prince Dunstan. Dunstan is representing his still young and beautiful grandparents, King Tristan and Queen Yvaine. Dunstan was eliminated from the last competition because he didn't know the forbidden dances. But don't fret ladies, he's a quick learner, he learned them all in a half hour and can dance circles around anyone now."
Dunstan blushed, this caught Emma and Chip's attention. "Dunstan?" Chip asked as he watched him like a hawk—like a wolf. "Did you go out dancing without us?"
"Might have." Dunstan's blush amplified.
"And are you blushing because you didn't include us, or because you met someone that taught you how dance those circles around everyone?" Emma asked.
Dunstan ignored the princess and walked out waving. He looked over the posters, just like the other men, but a pair of big, deep teal eyes caught his attention. He tried not to blush anymore so as not to set off alarms from the freakishly perceptive two people he'd left to walk to his spot.
"You think that's her? The one that looks like a gypsy?" Emma asked Chip.
"Definitely." Chip nodded. "Way to go Dunstan."
"Indeed."
Chip whipped his head to his friend and gave her a look.
"What? I can look, I just can't stare or even consider touching…"
Chip nodded, smirking at the pure one as she stated the rules of what she was and was not allowed to do around other women.
"From the Western Kingdom of the Enchanted Forest, put your hands together for Prince Chip. Chip is representing his mothers, Queens Red and Belle. Over the course of the last competition, of which he was never eliminated, Chip proved himself to be the delightful surprise. Ladies, he's strong and noble and loyal to a fault… And single. For the time being." The announcer forgot that he was announcing a competition for his queen's hand. Again.
"Well, I guess this is it." Chip said.
"I guess it is." Emma leaned into the werewolf and hugged him, "Thanks for everything you've done for me. You really are loyal to a fault."
"You deserve my loyalty." He grinned a boyish grin before walking out of the corridor to his spot next to Dunstan. He kept his grin as he waved to the crowd. A woman's brazier came awfully close to his feet and he did his best not to react or blush.
"WOAH!" Emma said as she watched the booby-holder fly onto the floor. After recovering from that little incident, she decided to have a little fun. "That's it, Chip. Work it. You have women throwing their bras at you. Show them what they're missing. Make them want you more."
When the werewolf turned back to give her a glare, she merely laughed and continued, "Strut your stuff, Chip! Show them all your sweet little hiney I know you have because Regina would not shut up about its nakedness a couple nights ago." This made the prince blush as he took his place next to Dunstan.
Dunstan caught this and glanced to the corridor to see Emma grinning. He kept his smile as he glanced to Chip, "Is she saying something to make you blush?"
"In short… Yes."
Dunstan nodded, "Figures." He chuckled as he looked around the stadium again and found teal eyes once more.
The announcer's voice broke into the applause, "Finally, from the Northern Kingdom of the Enchanted Forest, the surprising, the female, Princess Emma. Emma represents her parents, King Charming and Queen Snow. She is the only woman in the competition. If she wins, history will be made for the Shadow Lands. She was the fourth and final competitor that wasn't eliminated from the original competition. Her favorite dessert is chocolate cake. And, in case you've not been kept in the loop, she's the Pure One that first was kidnapped, then along with the Shadow Queen, saved us all from The Dark One and his mistress."
Emma chuckled as she walked out. She waved and garnered a riotous applause. She swiftly made her way to her spot and raised her other arm, the arm with the armband tied on it, looking directly to the court, giving them a fake smile.
"Alright. Settle down. Settle." The announcer quieted the crowd. "The Shadow Queen has a few words to say."
Regina stepped up to the microphone, "Afternoon my good people." She started, "I don't want to take away from the competition, but I wanted to explain what will happen before the battle actually commences. The court has chosen two questions. For each question, the competitors will come up and answer it one at a time. After both questions have been answered, the court will choose to either eliminate one contestant before the battle, or two will be eliminated during the battle." She looked down to the competitors, "So, to the eight of you, I have two words," She smirked, almost breaking her character, "Good luck." Over her years, she'd gotten really good at lying to the court. And that's all she was doing; she was just putting on a show.
"Thank you, your majesty." The announcer said as he took the mic over once more. He then looked down to the court, "Shall I proceed?" He waved the paper that had the questions written on it.
The more prominent members of the court waved their allowance before he started, "Alright. The first question for each of you: Why do you deserve the Shadow Queen's hand?"
Artie looked down the line and gave Emma wink before muttering to Alexander, "Were they making this as easy as possible?"
Alexander chuckled, "They had to have been." He joked.
Artie moved to the microphone that was placed a few feet in front of the center of their line. "I don't." He said simply, "I don't deserve the Shadow Queen's hand. I respect her, sure, but I don't love her like a partner should. I never will. I'm young and flighty. I've actually come here today to forfeit my position in the competition."
A collective gasp was heard throughout the arena before it went silent. No one wanted to miss what they were all positive was a collective withdrawal form the competition.
Artie ignored the intense silence as he stepped back to his spot in the line.
Alexander walked up, "Like Artie, I respect the Shadow Queen, but I do not love her in the way she deserves. I too have come here today to forfeit my position in the competition."
Alexander stepped back. He glanced to Gustave who gave him a nod of thanks.
The knight then came forward, "I was eliminated the first time around for a reason. I forfeit my position in the competition. I don't deserve her."
"Now hold on a moment!" One of the court members stood up. He was ignored as Gustave moved back to his place in line and Arely came forward.
The Caspian Prince took a breath as he quickly considered his words, "I was the first to be eliminated because quite frankly, I couldn't keep it in my pants." He waited for the not-so-surprised gasps and chuckles to die down, "Do I really deserve to be king here? I don't deserve my own kingdom. I withdraw my position in this competition."
He turned giving the competitors a cheesy grin as he traded places with Patrick.
Patrick took a breath as he stepped forward. No commoner knew of his and Alexander's love and if they did, they kept it private. He knew that he was not outing his lover, but only himself. He took another breath, "I'm queer. I once used the phrase 'scream rainbows and piss butterflies' whilst speaking with the White Princess, trying to deflect my true self by passing it on to her. I am so queer that I really do scream rainbows and piss butterflies. I'd never be able to give an heir because I'd never be able to bring myself to lay with the Queen no matter how gorgeous she truly is, and let's be honest. She's the kind of beautiful that makes us all weak in the knees. I prefer a different kind of queen." He chuckled, "I withdraw my place in the competition." He turned to find the competitors giving him a round of applause. He gave his lover a wink as he walked back to his place.
Dunstan continued clapping with the audience and the other competitors for Patrick. He started to make his way forward, but turned, looked to the other man and smiled, "You are an incredibly brave man." He turned back to the audience as he finished his way to the mic, "Whoever told the announcer that I can now dance circles around any of you must have forgotten to mention that I met a lovely woman that taught me how to dance those circles. I'm not willing to let a competition I was already eliminated from get in the way of possibility. What kind of possibility? I'm not exactly sure, but I do know that there is possibility." He glanced to those teal eyes once more, "I'm taking myself out of the competition." He stepped back.
Chip started forward, but Lord Big Shnoz had made it to the announcer's post and grabbed the mic, "Prince Chip don't say a word! You cannot withdraw from the competition!"
"You'll find, Sir, and you'll understand that I'm using that form of address loosely," Chip stared at the man, "that I can." he gave the man a serious look, "I withdraw from the competition, Sir." He smirked, "See? It was that easy." He gave Emma a cocky smile as he made his way back to his spot.
Emma gave him a grin in return and moved coolly to the mic.
"Go ahead, Princess, make a mockery of the Battle Royale like the rest of your opponents." Lord Big Shnoz said as if the entire thing had been a game between him and the competitors and he'd lost, which it was and he had, but the game wasn't quite over.
"No." Emma spoke into the mic, "I'd rather answer the question…" She looked up to her queen as the crowd collectively gasped to the point of dancing on combustion, "I deserve the Shadow Queen's hand. I should not have to give a reason for it. Every last one of you know it to be true. But if you need reasons…"
She shrugged taking a breath, "I'm in love with her. It's real love. True love. That go to the ends of each and every world and realm, fight to the death, annoy her, make her happy, fight with her, make up with her; can't eat, can't sleep, reach for the stars, make a family, fall in love deeper everyday kind of love. That forever rid the world of the only people that've managed to hurt you—or at least rid the world of them for the next 10,000 years."
She chuckled and took a breath as she sobered, "And, probably the most important and beneficial reason I can give for you, the court members, is that I'm a Pure One. You will know that this kingdom will always be protected. I will make sure of that." She nodded once and waited a moment before she remembered something else, "And also… I'm utterly adorable." She gave them a cheeky smile and waited for a response of some kind.
When nothing happened, not even applause—everyone seemed to be waiting with bated breath—she spoke again, "I'm ready for the next question… Or… since I'm the only competitor left, you could just give me my damn medal now and get the show over with…" She gave the court another cheeky smile.
Regina stood from her seat and walked down the steps, regal as ever, as she dangled the medal from her wrist. After she passed them, she gave the court a glance over her shoulder, "I don't know why you people still make me go in circles. You should know by now, I don't always get what I want, but when I try, I always get what I need."
"Yes, my queen, you do." Lord Van Dyke said as she passed him by. She turned and gave him her attention. He simply smiled and gave her a wink, "Congratulations, your majesty."
Regina smiled and took the old man's hand, "Thank you, Lord Van Dyke." She turned and continued on.
The crowd seemed to collectively stand as they watched Regina make her way down the rest of the stairs to the gate that led to the floor.
It took everything inside her not to run into sinewy arms and hug her princess. Instead, she took a couple of deep breaths as she made her way, at a regal pace, to where the Princess stood. She took the ribbon the medal was attached to and opened it, holding it up. Emma bowed her head and let the medal be placed around her neck.
"Congratulations, Princess." The Shadow Queen said by way of formality. "You've won the Battle Royale."
Emma smiled as she flipped her hair from under the thick ribbon that held the medal and gave Regina a grin, "I'm gonna kiss you now."
"I'll let you." Regina smiled back.
Emma took Regina's face and gave her the beginnings of the simplest of kisses. Soon though, her arms fell around the brunette's waist and she picked her up, twirling her around like all the romance novels told her to do. She'd bet her sword that Regina's foot-popped during the kiss. When they pulled back from each other, they finally realized just how loud the applause was. It was deafening. They couldn't hear anything, and they could hear everything.
They knew that in that moment, they were going to get their happily ever after.
AN: There. All better. There's a "House" Easter Egg in this one for you "House" fans. I hope someone can tell me what it is! There are more to come as well. Well, there will now be 27 chapters for sure, but the Epilogue will probably be broken into 2-3 parts. Hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Thoughts and feels? Read and Review, please!