Chapter 9
Rushing up towards the chambers in search of the brunette, Emma looks around panicked as to where she would be.
"Princess?"
Looking over her shoulder towards her guard, the blonde shakes her head. "I don't care what my parents have ordered you to do, I won't-"
"Forgive me for interrupting princess but I thought you should know that your friend is currently saddling up a horse within the stables"
"No!" Eyes widening, the princess hurries past her guard and grabs her cloak before heading down the corridor and meeting zelena at the staircase. "She's at the stables!"
Exiting the castle, the two women make their way towards the stables but stop upon seeing Regina ride out on a horse hastily. Backing up quick before getting trampled on, Emma holds her arm out towards the fellow princess. "Wait here, I know the surrounding lands" turning into the stables, the blonde takes hold of her horses reigns then guides him out into the clearing before mounting and yanking on the leather strap, prompting the horse to gallop off and follow the brunette's trail.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Slowing her horse down to a steady pace, Emma scans the surrounding forestry as she had lost the brunette's trail. Noticing where she has ended up, the blonde steers through to the burnt out clearing and stops. Sliding down from her horse, the princess clicks her teeth to guide him over and ties him to the nearest tree. "I'll be back buddy.." Patting her horse's head, Emma walks up to the confused looking brunette who is currently staring upwards while fiddling with her hands. Quietly standing beside her, the blonde bites her lip.
Feeling the young woman's presence, Regina doesn't move, keeping her eyes focused on the view in front of her. "..it looks smaller somehow..."
"Yeah..I know what you mean" also tilting her gaze up towards the abandoned tower, the princess clasps her hands together. "..Regina.."
"You shouldn't be here. You shouldn't have followed me"
Scoffing in disbelief, Emma shakes her head. "And what? Just leave you out here contemplating on how to get back inside that prison? I don't think so"
"Right now it's probably the safest place for me. I don't want to hurt anyone." Wrapping her hands over her arms, the brunette hugs herself. "I don't want to hurt you"
"You're not going to.." Gently placing a hand to Regina's shoulder to stop the woman fidgeting, the blonde turns to face her. "You protected me.."
Flinching slightly at the touch, Regina attempts to move herself away but is prevented by the princess taking both her shoulders. "I..I didn't know..what i was doing..she..she made me mad and..at first I thought of all the times she's tried to tear me down and then..she turned on you and what she was saying about you...and..your heart...No one has the right to break that.."
Giving a small pout at the brunette's cracking voice, Emma rubs her shoulders soothingly. "...Regina.."
Looking down ashamed, the young woman takes a breath before barely whispering. "..I don't know what I'm capable of.."
Taking a chance, the princess sets a light kiss onto the brunette's forehead then gathers the lost woman into her arms, feeling Regina give up and relax against her before gradually slipping her arms around the blondes back.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"David, what are we going to do?! If Emma finds out we've been lying to her all this time, she'll never forgive us!"
Watching his wife pace up and down in front of the fire place in a panic, the prince sighs and rubs his forehead. "We just have to hope it won't come down to that.."
Coming to a halt, irritated, the Queen looks to her husband. "David! Our daughter is apparently in some sort of relationship with a girl who we have just discovered has magic, dark magic I'm guessing if her mother is anything to go by. How long before Emma is tempted? Before she wants to see what magic is like, only to find out that-"
"I know!" Huffing, David sits down on the armchair.
"David..." Coming to sit beside him, Snow looks over. "What if...what Cora said to Regina about ruling the kingdom together, what if that means..Regina is..."
"I think Emma would be heartbroken.." The prince states sadly before reaching for his wife's hand.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Leaning herself back into the safe pair of arms wrapped around her, Regina rests her head against the blondes shoulder as she clasps her hands over the top of the princess' hands that are draped across her stomach, legs held tightly against her thighs to keep her wedged into place. "..it's quiet here..."
Tilting her head down, resting her chin on top of the brunette's head, Emma smiles a little. "Yes..it's..nice"
Also smiling, Regina closes her eyes briefly. "It's freeing...being able to sit here in the open, taking it all in. I used to think sitting on the window ledge was amazing but this definitely tops it"
"I'm glad you're feeling better.."
"I've worked it out. If I just stay calm, I should be fine..that and if you stay in one piece"
Laughing a little, the princess then sighs. "We should head back. My parents will wonder where we are and will be sending out the guards if they haven't already plus I told Zelena I would bring you back"
Pouting a little, the brunette hugs into the blondes arm tightly. "They were scared of me Emma. I saw their faces..the King is bound to retract his invitation to live with him and I doubt your parents will keep to their invite either.."
"I don't think scared is the right word. More shocked and concerned?" Emma suggests as she pulls her legs up, releasing the young woman in front of her so she can stand by using the tree as leverage.
Also standing, Regina brushes her dress down of leaves then turns to face the princess who is doing the same. "It doesn't matter..maybe I could go with Zelena.." Pondering over the idea, the brunette bites her lip curiously.
"No"
Lifting her gaze towards Emma, the young woman frowns at the sudden yet harsh outburst. "Emma?.."
Glancing down embarrassed, the blonde fiddles with her hands as she clasps them together. "If you go with Zelena...that means moving away..leaving the kingdom.." Growing quiet, the princess mutters. "I don't want you to do that.."
Stepping closer and reaching for the princess' hand, the brunette tilts her head slightly as she lifts the future reigning monarch's chin with her finger. "I don't want to ever leave..but I am running out of options..and you heard my mother, she will be back"
Leaning into Regina's hand upon her face, Emma sighs. "This isn't fair.."
"I know.." Scanning the area briefly at hearing distant shouting, followed by galloping horses, the young woman gulps. "We need to go back. We can figure it out then"
Nodding slowly, the princess grips the brunette's hand before bringing it to her lips and kissing her knuckles. "Whatever happens. I'm not letting you go.."
Letting out a smile, Regina tugs gently and leads them both back to their horses before mounting and riding alongside one another back to the castle.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Deciding that the best course of action was to inform Henry of their predicament as having their kingdoms unite for protection purposes was the best solution, the trio of leaders pause in their talk as the double doors leading to the hall open and the two missing women appear alongside the redhead who was determined not to let her sister go and held her arm for safe measure.
"Emma! Thank god" rushing over to hug her daughter, the short haired woman then pulls back before looking towards the two sisters. "Regina. How are you feeling?"
Feeling her stomach drop at the somewhat awkward and cold tone from the Queen, clearly wanting to be polite, the brunette replies. "I'm better your majesty. I apologise for what you had to witness and that I fled without your permission.."
"It's no problem. Henry and I were just discussing the matter..we think that until Cora is once again brought to our attention that you should be..for lack of a better word, sent away.." Watching her daughter recoil with a look of shock and anger, the Queen continues. "Not far! Just..maybe..the tower"
"What?! Are you insane!"
"Emma! That is in no way appropriate to speak to your mother and Queen like that. Especially not in front of the King!" David steps in with a scold.
Looking between the pair, the blonde shakes her head in disbelief before turning towards the King. "And I suppose you are opposed to this ridiculous idea too?!"
"Emma!" Reaching for his daughters arm, the prince pulls her to one side. "That's enough! Just hear your mother out"
Watching by the door sadly, Regina looks down as she grows teary while feeling Zelena rub her hand up and down her arm in a comforting manner.
Clearing her throat, Snow continues. "As I was saying. If she goes back to the tower, she is in one place and we can use guards to protect her plus it would help us in case she loses control of this new found power she has. There will be no one around to hurt. Also this could draw Cora out..she clearly has some big plan and she is not going to do anything about it until she has her daughter back. We cannot live our lives and run the kingdom while treading on egg shells Emma"
"So you want to use her as bait? No! That is not going to happen!" Making her way over to the brunette, the princess wraps her arms around the young woman.
"We're just trying to protect you Emma, all of you" David cuts in as he stands beside his wife. "Henry and I will personally check the tower on a daily basis and we will ask Blue to put a protection around it"
Trying not to get upset, the blonde shakes her head again. "Regina has just got out of there, you're trapping her again!"
Shifting herself away from the princess, causing Emma to look over confused and slightly hurt, Regina takes a breath. "They are right Emma. If it protects you.."
"Regina..no..listen to Emma.." Zelena states before glancing over to her father. "Daddy do something! Why are you agreeing to this?"
"Because it's for the best sweetheart..until Cora is found and Regina has control of her magic.." Henry tries to explain but stops as his daughter turns away annoyed.
"I..I better get ready.." The brunette informs before slipping out of the double doors.
Glaring at all three monarchs, Emma follows quickly behind the young woman and grabs at her wrist within the corridor. "Wait.."
Being pulled back, Regina turns around with a sniffle and finds herself being tugged in close as the two women stand facing one another. Taking hold of the brunette's face within her hands, the princess leans forward and kisses her softly before resting their heads together. "I love you.."
Letting her lip tremble, Regina gives a sad smile as she takes hold of the blondes waist tightly. "I love you too"
Pecking her lips again, the blonde remains still as she hears the doors open, signalling that the group of rulers are making their way out. "You can't take her.."
"Emma..." Snow sighs sadly.
"No. You can't take her, I won't let you. I love her mom and I'm going to marry her" Emma states confidently gaining a wide eyed look from her beloved, prompting the princess to kiss her nose as she finally pulls back.
"Emma, you cannot marry her.."
Turning around and keeping Regina behind her, the blonde looks on to her parents with a tear stricken face. "Why not? It's not against any of our laws..you just didn't know that I.."
Sharing a worrying look with her husband, the Queen shakes her head. "Emma, you cannot marry her, it will destroy the kingdom. I forbid it"
"Destroy the kingdom? What are you.." Frowning, the blonde continues to stand her ground. "I don't understand.."
"It's complicated.."
"Why won't you tell me?!" The princess shouts desperate for an answer.
Trying to remain calm, Snow huffs. "Emma, if you marry her, she will be the cause of your downfall. You will no longer reign and the kingdom will crumble.."
Instantly detaching herself from the princess at the Queen's words, Regina backs away from the blonde in fear of hurting her.
Trying to hold back her tears, Emma shakes her head. "You're wrong.." Holding her hand out towards the brunette, the blonde frowns as she doesn't feel her hand. "Regina?" Turning to face the young woman, the princess stares at her in shock as Regina doesn't move and simply stares at her with as much distance between them as possible.