Apologies for any mistakes as I did not proof read, had a few hectic days!

Chapter 4

Dithering about the small space of Regina's prisoned home, Cora raises an eyebrow towards her youngest daughter as she witnesses the young woman smiling to herself as she moves each flower stem from the bunch her mother had brought to brighten the place up. "You seem...happy"

Pausing in her arrangement, Regina goes a little wide eyed. "Oh..I..well it's a nice day with a lovely sunny view from the window and I cannot wait to start on that new book you gave me.."

Nodding in response but not really buying it, the older woman watches warily before tidying through Regina's belongings and placing her freshly laundered clothes away. Coming across a slip of paper within the top draw, Cora picks it up. "What do we have here?"

Staring in a panic at Zelena's letter, the young woman reaches for it and grabs it tightly within her grasp before offering an apologetic look for her abrupt behaviour, knowing that her mother despises any rudeness and will not tolerate it. "Nothing..it's a surprise..I can never give you anything in return for your care so I..I thought I'd..make something..it's just..the plan"

Attempting a smile, the older brunette ends up looking rather sour. "..how sweet..."

Nervously smiling, Regina moves to place the letter into another draw. "Is that all for today mother? As I said I cannot wait to try my book"

Scanning the small room, Cora looks in distaste at her daughter's choice of decor. "Yes, yes that will be all. I will see you tomorrow dear"

Seeing her mother to the window, the brunette peers over as the woman descends down, clinging to her braid roughly then heads back over to her draw with a slight sprint. Flopping down on her bed with a sigh of relief, Regina re reads the letter given to her by Emma, from her sister.

'Dear Regina,

I really have no idea on how to start this letter, as you must be aware that finding you has been as much of a shock to me as it has been for you. I apologise for my lack of contact, however, I find the tree climb rather daunting. I do wish I could put my fear behind me to meet you properly and until that day comes, Emma will just have to do with regards to the exchanging of letters..that's if you want to write one back. You must be confused and angry, I know I would be too if I were in your position..to be honest I am angry, angry as to why mother has kept you a secret but it would appear that she is simply saving face as I briefly dropped your name to my father and he informed me that he did not know of a Regina. This means only one thing, that mother was not capable of being faithful which has made me pity my father but at the same time grateful to know that I am no longer alone. I have a sister..someone to help carry the Mills title because I do believe despite biology that if my father knew about you, he would care for you as if you were his own as he is a very kind and gentle man. Please know that I am here for you. Both Emma and I will continue to keep you company until we find a way to resolve whatever issue our mother has..yes she can be scary but I won't let that stop me. Just know that one day, you will be gone from this tower to live a happy, free life filled with love. Deep down I know you deserve it.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Your sister, Zelena.'

Smiling to herself at the fact that she is no longer alone, Regina searches through her draws for her stationary to write a response.

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Leaning out against the window ledge as darkness begins to take over, Regina trails her eyes around the surrounding forest. Pursing her lips at the lack of movement and sound, the brunette lifts herself up and sits against the stone wall while stretching her legs out in front of her. Taking a deep, impatient breath, the young woman glances across to her hand written letter marked to Zelena then rests her head back to wait. So far her two favourite people had been coming the same time every night so she took the risk in preparing herself in case they show. Hearing a sudden rustle from below, Regina looks down to find a strange horse. Frowning slightly, she leans further over the ledge while gripping the stone hard to prevent a fall before letting out a whispered call. "Emma?!" Noticing a hooded person come into view, the brunette's eyes widen as she draws back and out of view of her window.

"Hey!"

Jumping at the loud voice beside her, Regina gulps down her terrified lump then tilts her head towards the nearest tree to find the blonde in question sliding towards the end of the branch with a grin.

Appearing speechless as the last time she had seen the princess, they had gotten rather close, the brunette then gives a coy smile. "..hello.."

"Can I come over or are we going out tonight?" Chuckling at her joke attempt over the fact that they are both more or less outside instead of in the tower, Emma then looks concerned at Regina's worried face. "What's wrong?"

"There was someone down there..." Gesturing with her eyes down to the ground, the brunette continues to keep herself out of view. "Someone in a cloak.."

Biting her lip to stifle a laugh at the young woman's reaction, the princess then clears her throat. "That's Zelena"

Feeling herself grow red, Regina looks to her lap. "..oh.."

"She may not be able to climb this tree but she's been very adamant in joining me on the journey because she hopes to somehow see you" Emma explains while smiling in adoration.

Shifting herself again to peer over the ledge, the brunette watches intrigued as the cloaked figure pulls their hood down to reveal the redhead who then glances up, meeting the eyes of her younger sister before offering a small wave and smile. Smiling back, Regina also waves before turning her attention to the blonde sat before her. "Is it safe for her to be out there? Mother always said the forest was dangerous.."

Staring in awe over the brunette's care of welfare for her new sister, Emma nods. "She'll be fine. I promise you"

Nodding slowly, the young woman smiles shyly once again before trailing her hair over the edge in offer towards the princess who accepts.

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After returning home late from her secret visit the night before, Zelena had waited until morning before reading her letter from her younger sister. Settling herself down on her bed within her chamber, the redhead rests back against the headboard as she reads.

'Dear Zelena,

Thank you for your letter and your kind words, you have no idea how much it means knowing that I now have not only gained a friend but also a sister. I've always dreamt of being part of a big family and now I have you to rely on as I can no longer rely or trust our mother. As you wrote in your letter, I too find this rather strange..writing to you or in my case, writing in general. Yes I'll admit I have wrote a journal in the past but aside from mother, I have never had any contact with anyone else face to face or through the likes of a letter. I do hope that one day I get to meet you in person, preferably out of this tower depending on if I can get out of mother's shameful clutches. If the day comes, as much as I want us to be family, I also do not want to cause your father any pain. He did not or does not deserve the treatment he is getting from mother. As for you, I am also here if you need me, just write what you need. Thank you so much for believing in me, if it wasn't for you and Emma I would still be stuck but now I have at least a slither of hope.

Talk again soon.

Your younger sister, Regina.'

Smiling from ear to ear, Zelena slips her letter into her bedside cabinet then stands to prepare herself for the day. Reaching for her gown, the redhead heads towards the door to request her maids presence. Pulling the door open, Zelena steps back slightly with a shock inhale of breath at seeing Cora stood there. "..mother..is everything okay?"

"Yes dear, why wouldn't it be?" Sliding past her daughter and inviting herself into the chamber, the older woman pauses by the balcony. "I was just making sure that you are still alive as I have not seen you since yesterday morning"

Taking hold of the chamber door handle tightly, the redhead rolls her eyes slightly. "I am perfectly fine mother. You do not need to keep tabs on me, I am no longer a child but a young woman..you do not need to concern yourself of my whereabouts all the time"

Raising an eyebrow at the very shifty response, Cora clears her throat awkwardly. "Zelena, I am your mother, I will always be concerned of your wellbeing. You seem to be spending a lot of your time away from the castle and I was just making sure that everything is okay..." Acting innocent, the older woman bites her lip. "Where is it that you have been going?..."

Hugging her arms nervously, Zelena briefly glances towards she draw. "No where in particular. Some friends and I have been riding.."

"Riding where?"

"Around the grounds.." Frowning at the interrogation, the redhead then sighs before approaching the woman. "I am aware that the material for my dress is still not here. I cannot attend the ball tomorrow night without a new dress"

"Of course, I'll have some sent immediately.."

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Entering the foreign castle with her parents, Zelena takes in its interior which gave off a certain charm to its home compared to her own.

"Ah King Henry!"

Following the voice, the redhead notices a couple, one brunette and one fair with a definite air and grace to their stance as they smile towards the trio of people. Stepping forward, Zelena bows to them before falling back in line beside her mother. Reaching for the home owners hand, Henry smiles. "David..Snow it is great to see you again. We thank you kindly for you're thoughtful invitation for this evenings ball. I must admit it does take the pressure off when it is not your own"

Chuckling at the man, David nods as they shake before Snow speaks up. "Please feel free to take a drink and enjoy the buffet in the main hall. Princess Zelena, maybe you would benefit from a tour of the castle from my daughter" glancing back over her shoulder, the dark haired woman gestures to the young woman stood by the staircase. "Emma honey, come and say hello to the Mills family"

Walking over while feeling a mixture of happiness at Zelena being there, meaning that they could slip out to visit Regina, and anger towards the fellow princess' mother having never met the woman who abandoned Regina when she was a baby. "Hello..it is a pleasure to meet you all" bowing in welcome towards Henry, Emma smiles.

"I was just telling Zelena here that you would show her around the castle? I know these gatherings can be somewhat of a bore for young women like yourselves.." Snow states while trying to ignore the glare she is receiving from Cora as the older woman clearly would have both young women married off by now if she had her way.

"Yes mother, It's nice to have someone close of age here.." Signalling for the redhead to follow her, the blonde princess sighs in relief once the pair make it out towards the gardens.

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Clinging tightly to the blonde and cherishing their short moments together, Regina hugs into the princess, not wanting to let go. "Is this weird?"

Trailing a hand up and down the brunette's back in comfort, Emma looks confused. "Is what weird?"

"This?, what we are doing?.." Pulling back enough to look up at the blonde but able to stay within her embrace, the young woman explains her question. "I don't mean this..the hug, I mean how..we feel..i..well maybe you don't feel the exact same but I just-"

"Regina, I do really like you. You're right, this does feel slightly weird but when you know, you know. I'm not saying it's all smooth sailing and happy ever afters but, I believe that this, us could happen and it would be completely right. My parents for example, knew they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together from their first meeting which involved some banditry, they just didn't act upon it straight away. I on the other hand do not want to make that mistake..I want to grab at every opportunity. I want to do all that with you"

Smiling with glossy eyes, Regina slides her hands up the princess' arms before cupping Emma's face. "I want to try. I want to fight for the possibility of us. Even though all of this is a little unconventional"

Grinning back at the brunette, Emma interlocks her fingers around the young woman's back then leans closer for a kiss as Regina begins to gently caress her face. Slipping up onto her toes, Regina kisses back

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Pacing along the forest ground, Zelena places her hands on her hips as she pauses within her step to glance up at the open window. Turning her attention fearfully towards the only form of contact, the tree, the redhead stalks up to it and takes a deep breath. Lifting herself up to the first branch, Zelena wobbles slightly as she begins to peer down. Shaking her head, scolding herself for doing so, the redhead continues to ascend the tree slowly and carefully until she reaches the famous branch in which Emma uses to get to Regina. Sliding herself onto the edge, Zelena gulps then witnesses the scene before her in the tower. Clearing her throat loudly, the redhead watches as both Emma and Regina Spring apart from their spontaneous lip lock sharply.

Staring in shock at seeing her sister, the brunette moves towards the window as the princess clings tightly to the branch. "..this is..high.."

Helping quickly and despite the slight pain from the tugging of her braid, Regina steps back as Zelena comes into view properly. "..hello.."

Remaining silent, the redhead smiles then quickly moves forward and engulfs the young brunette into a hug. "It's about time we met one another.."

Instinctively hugging back, the brunette smiles to herself then at Emma who keeps her distance to give them some space before deciding it would be best for her to leave altogether as she can see Regina again tomorrow. Moving back to take a look at her younger sister properly, Zelena keeps a firm hold of her hands. "It's nice to finally meet you..this all seems so crazy. I mean you look exactly like mother.."

Biting her lip at finding it more an insult than compliment, Regina goes to response but goes wide eyed at hearing a distant sound.

"Regina?!"

Their mother's voice.