Chapter 19
Regina sat in her study. It was the first time in weeks that she'd left either Danni's or Red's side. Since having Brittney speak with Red, she felt comfortable enough to get back to the business of running the kingdom. She knew that Emma was still spending time with both of them. And, she would indulge regularly. She just wasn't staying in there permanently like she had been.
She sighed as she heard the raven coming through her window. She was glad that she'd given Will the magical parchment. It seems that it was needed more than she thought. She smiled because she knew that it meant she was getting an update on their progress to finding the Rubrum Leaena Faolan. When she received word that Will was looking for "Red Lioness Wolf's bane," she almost lost her mind. She couldn't believe that the Vulcannonian wanted to give her poison, but Belle assuaged her fears.
The red flowering plant was similar in nature to the poisonous wolf's bane, but it wasn't anywhere near as toxic. With her research, Belle told Regina that it was used as an herbal tea to remedy magical fevers. It was only found in a valley in Ulfland and the Wolves guarded it fiercely. They used it for medicine and to counteract silver poisoning. When Belle gave her books to read about it, she calmed because she remembered that even if Danni took a fatal dose over fifty pounds at once, a feat that really couldn't be accomplished, that she was still the Dark One. She would live through it with no problems but a minor stomach ache.
She waved the raven over to her desk. It transformed into parchment as soon as it landed on her desk. She saw the familiar scrawl of Wilhelmina on the page. She was surprised to see that she was writing in Vulcannonian, but then again, she wasn't. Will liked to take precautions with everything. This was just something else, or so she thought. Then, she read the words on the page.
"BELLE!" she screamed out.
A pageboy came running in the room. He had a harried look on his face, but bowed for his queen. He knew by the tone in her voice that she wasn't happy and something was most definitely wrong in the State of the Four Kingdoms. He slowly raised his head to get her orders.
"Find Belle. Quickly. I need her here now!"
He bowed again, not needing to be told that he was dismissed. He scurried out of the room and went in search of the Bookworm, the Queen of the Dark Kingdom (formerly Rumple's). He made sure to close the door quietly as he left, not wanting to disturb her further.
Regina dropped the parchment she was holding. She reached over and grabbed another one of her enchanted raven parchments. She knew that she would have to wait for Belle to compose the note, but she also knew that she had to get the kingdom on alert. She didn't want to raise awareness about the possible threat from Ulfland, but she knew that she couldn't dismiss the idea either. She drew a quill and began writing orders. She knew that patrols would have to be picked up on the border lands. She knew that Emma would want to see to it personally.
Belle came in quickly. She wasn't sure why she was summoned so quickly, but she came quickly. She knew that if Regina was sending a page and not magicking herself to Belle's side it must be something important. She looked out of breath when she stopped in front of the table that Regina was using as desk.
"Regina?"
"Good. You're here. I need your help."
"With what?" Belle asked her.
"Will has found out some things about Danni's friends."
"Meaning?"
"It seems that everyone that Danni surrounded herself with is special in their own way. Brittney as we already discovered is an Empath. But, the rest seem to be effected by their prolonged stay here. Will has learned on her travels that Santana is a Wolf."
"She's a were?"
"Yes, apparently from a long line of Spanish Wolves. I don't know if they have an relations to the Wolves in Ulfland. They aren't going to waste any time to find out. They are worried about her, though," Regina told her.
"What? Why are they worried about her? What's happening?" Belle questioned.
"She hasn't turned. The full moon is tomorrow and they have no idea how she will react. They are going to tell her tonight. But, that isn't the troubling part."
"That's not the troubling part?"
Regina picked up the Vulcannonian's parchment and tossed it at Belle. The petite woman picked it up and read it quickly. Regina knew that Belle was the only other person in the kingdom that could read Vulcannonian. She watched as Belle read the note. When the blue-eyed woman looked back up at her, she had a silly smirk on her face.
"We need to see Red's cloak to them."
"I was thinking the same thing. I am hoping that Will is sending me another parchment soon with their location. I can't just poof it to her without knowing where it's going. But, that is only one of the problems. Keep reading," Regina commanded.
Belle read the parchment further. She started from the beginning and reread it all. She realized what Regina was really upset about. She was worried about Santana and Quinn, but she was more worried about the possible problem with the Wolves. She knew that Randae were the knights of the crown, but would they actually threaten Red's Alpha status?
"They wouldn't?" Belle inquired.
"They might."
"What are you going to do?"
"If Will was here, I would send her out to see how real the threat is. But, she isn't here. I have to treat it as it if was going to happen tomorrow. They know that Will is away and that know that Red is here. We've been able to keep her state a secret for a while, but that doesn't mean that we will continue to be able to do it. We need to make sure that no one finds out about her conditions. We can't let them do anything to her," Regina replied with a desperation in her voice that Belle had never heard before.
"I love her, too, Regina. She is my wife, remember? We have a daughter, your niece Danielle Coraline. We named her after Coraline, remember? She's sitting with her other mother at the moment. And, evidently, we have two more on the way. I know that you know I will fight. I am not going to let some crazy hell-bent Wolf threaten my family. That includes you, too, Regina. I will draw blood if necessary."
"I have no doubt in that, Bookworm. You have teeth and you aren't afraid to use them. I appreciate that. I do. But, I am going to leave this up to Charming and Emma. They are the fighters and I am going to let them secure the kingdoms."
"And, what about Red?"
"I'll be setting up a field around her. No one will be able to enter her room except those I deem necessary. I am not going to let anything happen to my sister."
Belle nodded. She understood that the threat was very real to Regina and not having Will there to comfort her fears, even Emma would do it as well, was a little disconcerting. She wasn't afraid that something might happen to Wilhelmina like she was with Emma or Red. Will was immortal. She could take the hits and keep on fighting. Emma could not. She watched as Regina swallowed hard. They had plans to make and they needed to do them quickly.
"I'll get Brittney. I'll talk with Red. We'll figure out what to do," Belle told her.
"Do one thing for me?"
"What's that?" Belle replied in question.
"Find out what Red Lioness Wolf's Bane is and why it is so damn important to Will."
"Is that what they are looking for?" Belle asked.
"Yes, why?"
"It is a magical herb used in magic sickness. It is almost a cure all, but it is only found in Ulfland in one valley. I know where they are going, but I don't know where they are now. I'll go talk to Red. I'll be back. Send a parchment to Will. We need to know how close they are to the Valley of Faolan. If they can get to the Rebe Peeks, then I can give you the information to guide them into the Nic'draca Rebe. There they'll find the flower they seek."
"I'm sending the raven now," Regina told her as she composed another note.
Once it was completed, she folded it up. She stood up from her desk and walked over to the window. She threw the parchment out the window and watched it turn into a raven. As it flew away, Regina smiled. She hoped that Will would get the information quickly and respond.
"How long until you hear back from them?" Belle asked.
"I never know. But, hopefully soon. I know that Will will send it as soon as she can. She isn't going to play around and wait. Especially since Santana is going to phase tomorrow. She knows that she is on borrowed time."
"What are you going to do about the borders?"
"We'll have to tell Emma what's going on."
"What about Brittney?" Belle questioned.
"Go get her. We should tell her the truth now. It will be better that she knows what she is getting into, and you can help assure her. They are both going to need our help."
"I'll go get them both."
Regina just nodded as Belle left. She didn't know what else to do. She couldn't protect Danni without Will's help. She couldn't protect Red without the knowledge that Brittney had given her. She couldn't protect Danni's friends without the help of everyone around her. She had unending magical resources around her and she was still defenseless against certain threats. It didn't make her happy.
She grabbed the maps of the lands of the kingdoms surrounding Ulfland. She wanted to start parchment ravens to send to their allies to the north and the west. She needed to make sure that the Randae that were staying on their land and not preparing to invade. If they were, Regina wanted to make sure that they were dealt with quickly and without mercy. She had fought hard for the peace they had and she wasn't going to let it die. If the Randae wanted to usurp their queen, then they were going to have to go through Regina to do it.
"Your majesty," Brittney stated bringing Regina out of her thoughts.
She turned to face the blonde. Her clear blue eyes were full of questions and all Regina could do was smile. She pointed to a chair and Brittney walked over it to, taking the seat.
It was only a few minutes later that Belle and Emma came into the room. Belle looked flustered and then she saw the blonde waiting on them. She calmed immediately, nodding at the blonde and silently thanking her for not only being there, but helping calm her. Brittney nodded back in return. There was a silent conversation between them as Belle took a seat beside her.
"What's going on, Love?" Emma asked as she walked over to another chair and took a seat.
"Please remember to stay calm as I tell you this," Regina looked at Brittney as she finished her statement. The blonde nodded in the affirmative. Regina waited for a few seconds and then continued. She knew that this was going to be hard to hear from her, but they deserved to know. "I've heard from Will."
"What happened?" Emma asked.
"Nothing yet, and that may or may not be the problem. She's has gotten word that the Randae are breaking. It seems that their commander is thinking of challenging Red for the position of Alpha. He is moving the Randae around the kingdoms. He is looking for word on Red and where she is. Don't worry. I've already taken some precautions in order to protect her."
"Why do I have a feeling that isn't the only bad news that Will sent back?" Emma asked
"What is it?" Brittney asked.
"Will has been around magical beings longer than we have. She knows how to recognize them and what to do with them as well, especially if they become a threat to the kingdom. It seems that she has found a new being on her travels," Regina told them.
"What is it?" Emma questioned.
"It isn't something that we really have to be worried about. Will is dealing with the issue as well as she can. The biggest thing is that we have to be able to support her and those who come back with her like we always have. She is going to need our help," Regina replied.
"Anything, you know that," Emma stated.
"You already know how I feel about it, Regina," Belle told her.
"Why aren't you telling me everything?" Brittney asked her.
Regina looked at her. There was something in her blue eyes that she could deny. This was the woman who helped give her her sister back to her. Who was she to deny her the truth now?
"This isn't going to be easy for you, Brittney. But, you are right. You all need to know everything that Will has found out. I have no right to keep it from you," Regina told her.
"What's wrong? I can feel your anxiety from her. What's happened?"
"Nothing yet and we are hoping to keep it that way for a while. Will has discovered through her own knowledge and then that of the Randae that one your friends is also a were. She hasn't changed yet and Will is afraid of her reaction. She is doing everything that she can, but we want to send her something to help her this time," Regina explained.
"A were?"
"One of them is a Wolf?" Emma asked.
"Yes, she is, but she doesn't know that she is. It seems that the longer you four are exposed to magic, the more your magical natures are drawn out. Brittney, you're an Empath. And, while I am grateful for your abilities, I am sure that it was slightly hard for you to know what you are."
"Not really. I've been like this all my life. It just seems to be amplified here. But, I mean, yeah, talking with Red was new but it wasn't hard. I've been different all my life," Brittney replied.
"I am glad that you feel that way," Regina told her.
"What is it? No, rather, who is it? I am assuming that it is Santana."
"Why do you say that?" Regina asked.
"Because if it was Quinn, you would have Rachel in here. Or, it could be Quinn and you are trying to gauge how Rachel will react. I think that you are afraid of us on some level because we are so close to your daughter and we haven't really left her side since we came her."
"That last part is true. You do know my daughter better than I do, but that is because of circumstances beyond my control. I am doing everything that I can to prove to her that we don't want her to leave again, but I can't do that when I can't talk to her. I need her to get well. I need for her to know that I love her and that I will do anything for her."
"She knows that," Brittney said simply.
Regina nodded and leaned back in her chair. She regarded the women before her. They each had their own problems to deal with, but they had each bonded because of those hardships. They were learning to trust each other and work together for a common goal. She needed to get it out.
"It is Santana," Regina stated.
Brittney took a sharp breath, but she didn't make any visible outward signs of distress. Regina watched her. Belle turned to face her. Blue eyes met blue and held.
"That's why Belle is here?" Brittney questioned.
"She can help you," Regina added.
Brittney shook her head. She turned to face Belle a little more fully. The small brunette reached over and held out her hand. Brittney looked down at the hand and then took it. The calm that Belle was giving her helped to assuage her fears.
"What do we need to do?" Brittney asked as she turned to face Regina a little more fully.
"We need to be able to get Ruby's cloak to her so she won't phase until she is back here with us and in a confined environment. I would feel better if Red was awake, but I know that we may not have that luxury. I am more afraid of the Randae at the moment and I know that we need to make plans to keep them in check. I need to know that I can count on you all to help me."
"I am in," Emma stated.
"I will do anything to help them," Belle added.
"I will help you in any way I can. Just let me know. I may not know how to deal with everything here, but you'll find that we are quick learners. But, like you, my Queen, I would prefer that Santana and Quinn were back. Unfortunately we don't have that time or luxury at the moment, so tell me what you need of me," Brittney said.
"Well, you're taking it extremely well," Emma stated giving them a smirk.
Brittney turned to face Emma. Their eyes met, blue and green. Emma's smirk faded as Brittney looked at her. There was a silent conversation between the two. Before Emma could say anything, Brittney shook her head and Emma closed her mouth. When Emma looked over at Regina, she had a fire in her eyes.
"I'll go deal with the knights. We'll start doing more patrols. I'll keep them close to the borders of the three kingdoms. I wouldn't want them to think that we are aware of their plans. I'll keep them on our sides of the border. Is there anything else you need from me, right now?" Emma asked as she started to stand.
"Yes, there is," Brittney told her.
Regina and Emma stared at the younger blonde. Belle reached out to take her arm, but Brittney pulled away from her. She needed to do this. She wasn't going to back away from this, not now, not ever. Santana needed her and she was going to be prepared.
"What, Little One?" Regina asked her amused by the conviction in her voice.
"You want me to help you, then help me."
"With what?" Belle questioned as she stood up with them.
"I will stay with Danni and try to break through to her and see if we can figure out how she contracted the magical fever. I will continue to work with Red. But, I need you to all agree to teach me what I need to know. From you, my Queen, I will need help with magic and what I need to look out for in order to help Santana. I would also ask that you help me find a way to help her while she comes to grips with her abilities."
"I would be happy to help you, Little One," Regina told her.
"And, from you, Queen Emma, I ask that you allow me to work out with you. I understand that physical prowess isn't something that I need to possess with my powers, but I have always been active. I am a dancer. I was a cheerleader. So, I expect you to work me hard. I would also learn how to be proficient in the weapons of the castle. I will not stand back and allow Danni, Quinn or Santana to be the ones defending us while we are here. I can stage fight, but I know that it isn't the same," Brittney replied.
"I would be honored to teach you and to work out with you, Brittney," Emma said.
"And, Belle, you are going to have the hardest job of them all. I am going to want to research Santana's blood lines. I want to find out how her Wolf line compares to those here, even to see if she has family. Also, I want to learn everything that you can teach me about the Ulf and their ways. The more I know about it, the more I can help Santana process things. I also have some personal questions that I think would be better left asked when we are alone," Brittney stated.
"That sounds like a fine idea, Brittney. Now, if you will all excuse me, I am going back to Red's room. Brittney, feel free to join me when you'd like. I am sure that there are things that Red would like to tell you on her own," Belle replied with a slight smirk and she left.
Brittney nodded at them, then dropped a curtsey before leaving. She followed Belle out the door. Emma and Regina just grinned at the younger blonde.
"She's a special one," Emma stated.
"That she is, Dear. Her empathic abilities have been a part of her since birth and she has taken to the extra strength of them here well. She isn't afraid to face fear and deal with it. I don't know what those girls dealt with before they met Danni, but they each have their own darkness. They came together and fought it. Maybe that is what drew Danni to them. She could see their darkness and magic inside them and thought that she could learn from it," Regina explained.
"Maybe," Emma started. "We won't know if Danni knew that they had powers until she isn't so feverish. She is still talking in tongues that Belle doesn't recognize. There is no telling how many different worlds that she went through before she went back to Storybrooke before coming back to us. She's older than we are now, Regina. She's been through more than we can ever fathom, but that doesn't mean that I don't love any less. If anything, I love her more."
"I never said that it did, Dear. Brittney knows that we will do anything to help them. She can feel it emanating from us. She is brilliant in her own way. I think that is why she is so calm about her girlfriend being a werewolf," Regina told her.
"Wife."
"What?"
"Santana is her wife," Emma replied.
"Excuse me?"
"Santana and Brittney are married. Just like Quinn and Rachel are. Danni was their friend, but she never sought anyone else to comfort her. She surrounded herself with love so she didn't feel alone. Those women, her friends, replaced us as her family. Quinn and Rachel are like us. Santana and Brittney are her new Belle and Red. We have to face the fact that our daughter has chosen people that remind her of us and they are a generation younger," Emma stated taking her wife's hand and pulling her close for hug.
Regina fell into her embrace. When Emma turned her head to kiss her, she deepened the kiss quickly. No matter how long it had been or what they had been going through, Emma's kiss always soothed her. It made her feel loved and complete. Emma had almost successfully pulled her out of the room, when another raven flew in from the window.
Regina ran across the room. She opened the parchment quickly. She scanned it and then looked up at Emma. It didn't more than the look for Emma for her to respond. Emma ran out of the room and down the corridor. She knew that Regina was going to need Belle and quickly. Regina already had a raven parchment out of her desk.
Belle and Emma came running back in. Regina just held out the parchment for Belle to take. She did and she read it. Throwing it down on the desk, she ran across the room and grabbed a book of maps. She flipped through the book before her finger landed on a page. She turned the book around and showed Regina the map. Regina looked at the page and then began furiously writing. She was giving them a place to go, a place that Regina could picture enough in her mind in order to give Will what she needed. And, for Regina to picture that place, she was going to need Brittney and Red to help.
"How long?" Emma asked.
"A few hours for them to get to that point," Regina stated.
"Then let's do this," Emma stated. "I'll get Brittney ready. Do what you need to do, Regina."