Chapter 5

Staring fearfully at the window, knowing their mother is out there waiting to be let up, Regina then looks around the room in a panic. "You need to hide!"

Nodding in agreement, Zelena moves over towards the staircase and slips inside the closet door before giving her sister a reassuring smile. "It will be okay sis.." Backing up until she hits the cupboard wall, the redhead remains silent as she is surrounded in clothes.

Taking a deep, nervous breath, the brunette walks towards the window and glances down at the impatient looking Cora. "Coming mother!" Lifting her braid, Regina lowers it out of the window and grimaces at the sharp tug when her mother latches on.

Reaching the ledge, the older brunette passes her daughter a basket then steps down inside. "I know I said tomorrow but I have some important news as I won't be coming tomorrow"

A little shocked as her mother has never missed a day, the young woman sits down quietly at her table. "Oh? Why not?"

"I have to go away for a week or so but I will leave you with enough food don't worry about that"

Gulping at first at the prospect of being alone for longer, Regina then realises this could be her chance to get out with the help of Emma and Zelena. "I'm sure I'll survive mother..."

"You seem to be taking this extra well dear.." Cora eyes her daughter warily.

Shrugging in response gaining a scold, the brunette clears her throat. "I am old enough now and besides I have a plan for what I want to do for the week..and maybe some cleaning.."

"Oh you poor girl, getting excited over cleaning. What the point is in your life sometimes I'll never know" the older brunette states casually as she begins to unpack. "Anyway, I'll try not to be long..it's a wedding which I'm sure won't last but I have to at least make an appearance..it's this insufferable redheaded girl..rather a daddy's one which is entirely pathetic. She's been matched to a suitor as she is of age"

Frowning at the familiarities, Regina side glances the closet wondering if she means Zelena. "I don't think it's a bad thing to be close to your parents...if they love you. I wish her luck.."

Pausing, Cora raises an eyebrow as she watches her daughter stare at the closet door. "Regina?"

Snapping her head back towards her mother a little wide eyed at being caught, the brunette bites her lip. "Yes mother?"

"That surprise you mentioned before..is it ready yet? Is it in the closet?"

Shaking her head abruptly, Regina gulps. "No mother..it's not.."

Rolling her eyes at her daughter's lack of eloquence, the older woman moves around the room then freezes at seeing an abandoned pile of clothing on the floor. Sighing, Cora reaches for the mass only to find it to be a cloak. Frowning as Regina does not have a cloak, the older woman appears shocked in realisation. "Regina..." Turning around in anger, Cora grits her teeth. "Where in the world did you get this?"

Looking at a loss for words, knowing that it is Zelena's, Regina stares in shock. "I..that..that is mine..."

Hastily heading over towards the table, the older woman slams the cloak onto the table. "Why would you have a cloak, you do not go anywhere!"

Jumping slightly at the item slamming down, the brunette grows teary as she looks to the closet again before looking down at her mother's judgemental glare. "Mother..I.."

Noticing the numerous amount of glances, Cora stands straight and looks towards the closet before rolling her wrist angrily, prompting the door to prise open with a bang. "Come out!..."

Swallowing hard, Zelena takes a shaky breath before moving forward and stepping out of the closet, coming face to face with her mother.

Appearing surprised, the older woman lowers her hand. "Zelena..."

Looking towards her clearly petrified sister as she never knew of their mothers magic, the redhead goes into defence mode and moves quickly over to her before kneeling beside her chair. "Mother none of this was her fault. I got curious, you kept going out and being so secretive..so I followed you and then..I met her. She's my sister! I wanted to get to know her"

"Be quiet!" Stalking up to the pair, Cora stares between the two. "Your father can never know about this! He would dethrone me! Say your goodbyes and leave Zelena or so help me I will use my magic on you!"

"Goodbyes? I'm not leaving her! She needs to come with us. I promise you we will remain quiet. All the kingdom needs to know is that she is a friend...just please let Regina come with us. She doesn't deserved to be imprisoned for your unfaithful act!" Standing up to meet her mother's stance, Zelena glares. "I cannot believe you did this"

Having given a warning already, the older woman sighs as she raises her hand and sends her eldest daughter across the room and towards the window. "Leave now!"

Gasping in fright, Regina goes to move to her sisters aid but is prevented as she is forced back down onto her seat and tied.

Letting out a calm breath, Cora looks between them. "Now...that we have all stopped disobeying, Zelena dear you have a wedding to prepare for. Yes it was you I was talking about.." Watching as the redhead slowly rises while rubbing her temple, the older woman then turns towards her youngest. "As for you. You're not going anywhere..in a long time." Strolling up to the chair, Cora gently strokes the brunette's cheek as the girl attempts to move. "This is for your own good dear" leaning down to kiss her daughter's forehead as a distraction, the older woman reaches for the girls braid in one hand while procuring a pair of scissors in the other. Standing tall, Cora smirks and yanks roughly at the brunette's hair to force Regina to look at her. "You will no longer have contact with anyone"

Beginning to breath heavily, Regina sides glances to see what her mother is doing and let's out a choked sob at the sight of the scissors. "..mother..please no...ill be good. Zelena doesn't need to see..me anymore.."

Turning her attention to Zelena who is holding a hand out in surrender while trying to draw close to her sister, the older woman chuckles as the redhead comes stuck to the spot as a large group of vines shoot from the ground and wrap around her ankles.

"Why won't either of you ever learn..." Turning back to the brunette, Cora hastily chops at the hair tie before moving up and snipping away at each inch of hair. "You will learn to obey me"

Watching as a huge chunk of hair falls to the ground, Regina's shoulders shake as she sobs openly while not being able to hide away as her hands are tied. "..please..stop!.."

Gaining an idea, the older woman stops then tilts her head towards the redhead. "Fine. I'll stop..but Zelena..why don't you finish it off?"

"No..I..no" shaking her head in horror, Zelena blinks back her own tears at seeing her sister so upset. "I'll take whatever punishment you have just please don't make me do that"

"Oh you won't receive the punishment, she will..and believe me it will be a lot worse than losing a bit of hair" Cora states while releasing her magic to provoke her eldest daughter over.

Walking over while trying to hold it together for her sisters sake, the redhead grips her hand into a fist shakily not wanting to do it. Looking up at her, the young brunette's lip trembles as she sniffles and a tear rolls down her cheek. Not wanting her older sister to feel the burden, Regina nods slowly. "..just..do it..it'll grow back.."

Allowing a few tears to fall herself, Zelena inhales sharply as she reaches for the scissors from their mother. "..I'm..sorry..I'm so..sorry.." Sliding the scissors through the last generous portion of hair left, the redhead hiccups as she closes the handles sharply together, slicing the dark locks and prompting them to fall to the floor. Shaking her head in disbelief over what she has done, Zelena shoves the scissors back towards their mother and drops down besides her sisters chair once again while taking her hand. "..please..Regina..forgive me..please.."

Feeling Cora chop away at whatever is left, the brunette grips tightly to her sisters hand and places a kiss to her head as Zelena sobs into her lap to reassure her that she does not blame her for anything while holding back the last of her tears as her eyes were now red raw.

Stepping back to examine her work, the older woman smirks. "That'll do..no point trying to tidy it up..no one would want to look at you anyhow..your hair child was the only thing of beauty you had"

Sniffling as she tries her hardest to calm down at her mother's harsh words, Regina glances up at the woman. "I hate you.."

Chuckling at the girls attempt to be brave, Cora waves her hand half heartedly. "Feelings mutual dear. Zelena..come now, we have to leave"

Lifting her head, the redhead wipes at her cheek. "No.."

Clearing her throat as she sounds hoarse, the brunette taps her hand. "Zelena..do as she says..please..I don't want you hurt"

"For once she speaks with her mind" Cora rolls her eyes and moves away from the table to wait for her eldest to follow.

Standing slowly, Zelena takes one last look at her sister before hugging her tightly around her neck, while whispering in her ear. "You are beautiful" pulling away, the redhead composes herself. "I'll come mother but I'm not getting married.."

"Yes you will, your father insists and you won't want to let him down would you"

Sighing as the fact is true, the redhead steps up to her mother who engulfs them in smoke to take them home.

Slumping down against the table, Regina feels herself shake as she tries to overcome what has happened. Reaching a hand up slowly to touch her head, the brunette bites back a sob as she feels sharp, short strands of hair with uneven patches. Rising slowly, the young woman makes her way over towards the mirror, closing her eyes to brace herself. Taking a deep breath, Regina opens her eyes to look. Staring in shock at her appearance, the brunette feels herself grow angry as she lifts the mirror off of the wall and slams it down onto the table causing shards of glass to smash and fly through the air in multiply directions. Dropping the frame onto the floor, Regina frowns as she feels a warm heat seeping through the window. Treading over the glass, the young woman leans against the stone ledge with her eyes widening at seeing the trees and foliage surrounding the tower on fire.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Informing her mother that she wishes to buy a new dress for her upcoming nuptials, Zelena then bribes her guard that was told to stay with her at all times to prevent her straying to any tower as she makes her way towards the White kingdom in her carriage.

Now knowing of the castles layout, Zelena rushes out of the carriage upon arrival and heads towards the fields, knowing that Emma likes to spend her free time out in the open or seeing to her horse. Finding the blonde entering the stables, the redhead grabs at the hem of her dress and runs over. "Emma!"

Clicking her tongue as she guides her horse to a stop, Emma looks across to the stable entrance with a smile. "Hey, I wasn't expecting a visit.." Watching as the woman stops before her with a sad expression, the blondes face drops. "Zelena what is it?"

"Mother found out that I was visiting Regina.." Noticing the princess' eyes grow wide, the redhead places a reassuring hand on her arm. "She doesn't know about you..but..Emma she was horrible..she's prevented all ways of contact completely..only she can access with her magic"

Frowning, Emma shakes her head. "What do you mean? Are you saying I can't see her anymore?"

Getting teary at the memory, Zelena looks down. "She..she cut all of her hair..and..and set fire to the surrounding forest. There's nothing left..."

Looking distraught, the blonde gulps. "..what..."

"I'm having to go away to be married..I just don't know what to do..mother's coming with me so if you have any idea please make sure she's okay..she looked like she had given up all hope.."

Nodding adamantly, Emma takes a breath. "I won't give up for the both of us. Even if there wasn't anything there I would still do it because she doesn't deserve any of this"

Smiling slightly at the care, the redheaded princess sighs. "You really do care for her don't you.."

"With all my heart.." Smiling sadly, the blonde mulls over what she needs to do next.