Chapter 6

Laying on top of the bed, Regina stares over at the stone wall that seems to be suffocating her more and more by the day. It had been two days since the devastating event in which a secret had caused her to lose everything and by everything, that is what it felt like. She lost her last chance at freedom, of a life and of happiness. She knew her sister had no choice under their mothers cruel clutches but Emma? Where was she? The worst scenario running though her head was that the blonde princess found out and didn't want anything more to do with a pathetic and ugly looking girl. This is why she also hadn't moved in two days. What was the point? This was to be her life until her dying breath with no hope of escape.

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Glancing up at the night sky through the stable window, Emma growls in frustration over her hundredth mistake. Leaning back against a stable door as she sat perched on a stool, the blonde looks towards the large strands of rope within her hands. She knew it could be the most ridiculous idea she has ever had but she had to try for Regina's sake. Rubbing her head tiredly, the princess continues to stitch the material tightly together.

Prising her eyes open at the harsh light streaming in through the window, Emma sits up quick as she realises where she was. Looking down to the rope, praying that she did not fall asleep too early and got more of it done, the blonde lifts the heavy material and stands. Walking to the other side of the stable, the princess takes a deep breath as she throws the rope over a wooden beam and pulls to figure out its strength. Watching as the material snaps midway, Emma grips her fists tightly in anger. Stepping back annoyed, the blonde blinks back tears through both being heartbroken and tired. Thinking over what else she could do as she made a promise to Zelena and also does not want to let Regina down, the princess bites her lip before rushing out of the stables with a second plan.

Strolling freely along the courtyard, Emma peers between the knights in training and the deliveries currently being sent through to the castle. Spotting the person she is after, the blonde grins. "Graham!"

Hearing his name and following the direction of the voice, the head knight smiles upon seeing Emma. "Princess, what can I do for you?" Taking in the girls tired appearance, Graham scratches his stumble curiously. "Why are you still in yesterday's clothes?"

Glancing down at herself, the princess bites her lip. "I..feel asleep in the stables..seeing to Teddy.."

"Oh..I still don't understand why you called your horse that"

Shrugging in response, Emma looks around for anyone who may be trying to listen. "Graham..you know those rope arrows? Where might..somebody..keep them?"

Frowning in confusion, the knight also checks their surroundings before ushering the blonde to the archway. "Princess, forgive me for intruding but why are you asking me about such a weapon? Are you in some sort of trouble?"

Pursing her lip, wondering how to reply, Emma then shakes her head. "No..not..I'm just curious. I keep asking father if I could train with you but he said that I am not aware of enough to do so. I thought if I understood the weapons used a bit more, he might let me join in..." Gulping silently at her blatant lie, the princess stares with guilt towards the older man.

Taking hold of the blondes arm, Graham appears to buy it. "We keep them under lock and key obviously in case the castle is ever under attack and gets raided.."

Sighing at the actual lack of answer, Emma rolls her eyes. "And that is where?"

"Down the basement behind the wine cellar.."

Raising an eyebrow at the whereabouts, the princess then smiles. "Thank you for your help Graham. Keep up the good job" patting his shoulder armour, the blonde then heads off back towards the castle before the knight can ask any further questions while also hoping that their conversation stays strictly between the pair and that the man does not go blabbing to her father.

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Hugging into her pillow, the young brunette tries to ignore the loose, sharp strands of hair which covers the pillowcase. Sliding her hand underneath, Regina pulls out the small round object in which she was hiding and stares down at it within her palm. Emma's button from her cloak. Closing up her hand and squeezing it into a fist, the woman then jumps upon seeing her mother appear in a cloud of smoke.

"I might have known.." Scoffing towards her daughter, Cora then approaches the bed. "This is what you're going to do for the rest of your life?"

"Why does it bother you so much? I'm just the child you never wanted..why even come back?" Regina responds while lifting her head slightly to meet the older woman's stare.

"You're still my daughter and we did have good times.."

Watching as her mother attempts to graze her cheek with the back of her hand, the brunette shifts away on the bed and sits up, curling her legs up to her chest. "Just leave mother, you have won"

Muttering under her breath, Cora magics a basket upon the small wooden table with a sigh. " I'm not going to let you starve to death. If I were you dear girl, I'd behave and watch your tongue when talking to your mother. If you do, I just might allow Zelena here again"

At hearing her sisters name, the young woman moves onto her knees and leans forward, closer to the older brunette in concern. "Where is Zelena? What did you do to her?"

"I did nothing. She was of age and in our land once you reach it, you marry. End of discussion"

Sniggering, Regina masks her face with a look of anger. "Might have known you would control her as much as you control me" Rising from the bed, the brunette comes to stand before her mother. "Why do you do it? Is it because no one actually wants you in their life so you have to force them? How much exactly did you pay for the King's love?"

Glaring in a mixture of shock and anger at her youngest daughter's words, the older woman raises her hand and swings hard, slapping the brunette across the face. Turning her face away, the young woman holds onto her cheek with a wince.

"Don't you ever talk to me like that again! You have no idea what I am capable of child. I swear to you right now that if you ever act like this again, it will be with your last breath" Cora sneers before disappearing from the tower.

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Slipping down past the servants quarters and into the basement, Emma lifts the lit torch from the wall and hurries down through the wine cellar and out the back. Coming to a large and locked iron door, the blonde bites her lip as she hooks the light into place before reaching behind her head and unhooking her hair from its bun up do. Crouching down towards the lock, the princess grins to herself, thankful for her mischievous childhood in which she learnt to pick locks from an older cousin and slips her hair clip into the hole before twisting it back and forth, rattling the lock and eventually prising it open. Standing back, Emma pulls with both hands at the rusty ring handle then stares wide eyed at the room filled with numerous amounts of weapons, some she had never even seen or heard of. Stepping inside, the blonde frowns to herself as she tries to pinpoint what it is she is looking for. Approaching the shelves of hand held weapons, the princess reaches up and makes a grab for a rope arrow.

"Now, what exactly are you doing in here?"

Jumping slightly, Emma then freezes at hearing her father's voice.

"Emma? What are you doing in here?" Waiting for his daughters reply, David Charming crosses her arms.

Gulping, the blonde turns slowly to meet her father's disappointed stare. Composing herself, feeling rather awkward considering her father is stood in armour as if ready for a fight, the princess takes a deep breath. "Dad..it's not what you think..well it is what you think because I am looking in here when I shouldn't be but..I..I need to borrow something..I promise you that whatever Graham may have told you, I'm not in trouble! Please.." Stopping for breath, Emma looks desperate. "...trust me?.."

Listening intently then watching his daughters face drop, David scratches his neck. "..he was just concerned as am I. These weapons are not to be used incorrectly, they are for battle, if the castle was ever to be attacked.."

"I know! I just need..I..id bring it back within a couple of hours..please daddy. I just need to get something but I can't get to it without one of those..." Gesturing towards the rope arrow, the blonde pouts. "You know I'm always careful and can fend for myself.."

Sighing, the prince steps forward and reaches for one off the shelf before handing it to Emma. "Promise me you will stay safe and take a guard with you. Also not a word to your mother!"

Nodding with a small smile, the young woman places the weapon down and quickly hugs her father tightly. "Thank you"

Hugging back just as tight, David kisses the top of her head then watches as the princess leaves the basement.

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Taking direction, Emma pulls on her horses reins as she leads the way, followed by a guard. Coming towards the empty clearing of the forest, the blonde slides down off her horse then waits,!knowing the guard will attempt to follow. "Please wait here. I know what I am doing and I can assure you there is no danger. I am simply visiting a friend.."

Pondering over what the princess has said, the guard nods. "Very well princess but if you are not back within the hour, I shall have no choice but to come find you"

"That is absolutely fine" smiling, Emma tightens her cloak and heads under the small bridge before stopping at the sight. Gasping, the blonde looks around at the burnt out grass and blackened tree stumps. Trailing her eyes up to the tower, the princess runs up to the wall and prepares herself as she swings the rope at the direction of the window, hooking it against the stone ledge.

Inside the tower, Regina turns at hearing movement outside. Watching as an arrow flies into the room, the brunette's eyes widen in fear. Moving off the bed, the brunette rushes towards the closet and locks the door behind her.

Managing to climb up the tower with great difficulty, Emma pushes herself up onto the ledge and over into the room with grunt. Scanning around the small space, the blonde grows teary at seeing the place empty and unkept. Slumping down against the wall, the princess sniffles as she begins to sob at the realisation that something has finally happened to Regina at the clutches of her mother. Zelena warned her and she wasn't fast enough.

At remaining still and quiet, Regina frowns from inside the closet at hearing the intruder cry. Carefully unlocking the door, the brunette pushes it open softly so she can stare through the crack. As blonde locks come into view as Emma is hugging her knees sobbing, Regina appears surprised at her presence but quickly opens the door and steps out concerned. "Emma?"

Stopping mid sob, the princess lifts her head coming face to face with the brunette. "Regina!" Rising hastily, Emma rushes over and practically crashes into her, hugging tightly.

Stiffening up, Regina swallows hard. "Why was you crying?"

Feeling the woman tense up, the blonde pulls back confused. "I..I thought something bad happened to you..your mother..Regina what's wrong?"

Trying not to get teary herself as she finally sees the princess' tear stricken face, the brunette chuckles in disbelief. "What's wrong? Look at me?!" Gesturing to herself, Regina huffs.

"I am looking at you" wiping her face, Emma attempts a smile. "You're beautiful.."

Looking down, the brunette shakes her head. "No I'm not..."

Grabbing at her hands, the blonde steps closer and tilts her head to try and meet the young woman's gaze. "Yes you are"

"But..I..my hair..you..didn't come back.."

Feeling guilty, Emma sniffles. "I know I didn't..but it wasn't that I didn't want to see you. It was the complete opposite. Zelena came to me and told me what happened..I needed to find a way to get to you. I tried to stupidly make a rope to get up here but it broke and then i decided to steal from the weapon room for this rope arrow and got caught by my father so-"

"He caught you?! How are you even here?" Squeezing Emma's hands, finally giving her some contact, Regina looks wide eyed, worried.

"I told him to trust me and he did. We need to leave soon" rubbing the brunette's hand with her thumb, the princess smiles.

Raising an eyebrow, the brunette questions. "We?"

"I'm not leaving you here..Zelena said your mother went with her"

"She did but she's already back..she came this morning.."

"I don't care. You're coming with me..we can go to the King..tell him everything..she won't get away with this" releasing a hand to cup Regina's cheek, Emma stares at her lovingly. "I know you're going to say about her magic but I know fairies with magic we can win this. You're going to get your life back"

Tugging the blonde towards her, the young woman hugs into her while clinging to the princess' back. "I am so grateful you came into my life"

Cradling the back of the brunette's head, Emma kisses her temple. "I am so grateful I found you. Plus I'm kinda liking the hair"

Laughing into the woman's shoulder, Regina then sighs contently. "Why couldn't I just have a normal family? Or at least one that loved me?"

"You will have all that. I promise.."

Pulling back but staying within the princess' grasp, the brunette smiles because although Emma had not actually said I love you, she knew exactly what she meant. "I'll hold you to that.."

Grinning, the blonde briefly rests her forehead against Regina's before feeling the young woman's soft lips against her own. Kissing back, Emma makes sure she keeps a tight hold of the woman she loves.