Chapter 32

Emma, Will, Danni and Nicola were the only ones still in the courtyard. It was still very tense between them all. None of them were sure what to do with the other.

Emma and Danni were talking low about the state of affairs, but Danni kept shooting looks at Nicola. She wasn't sure what to think of Will's aunt, especially since she didn't look much older than herself. Then she would look at Emma and shake her head. She didn't know what to do. She needed to protect her family and this realm from whatever the Silver Army was and wanted, but she didn't know how to do it without pissing her mothers off.

Will and Nicola just stared at each other for a few minutes. Nicola smiled at her niece, but she knew that Will was troubled by her existence. She didn't know how to make things right, but she knew that she would support her in any decisions that she made, and Will knew that because she was now the official Queen of the Vulcannonians even though she hadn't be crowned.

It made her wonder though. If Nicola had survived Rumple's plague, how many others had? How many were living in other realms because they were afraid to come home because of the illness? How many would be willing to come back? Could they start over?

"Don't worry too long on it," Nicola told her.

"Worry on what?"

"Going home. I won't be. I don't live there anymore, but if for some reason you did need me, I would help you. Not only because I am your aunt and you are my family, but because it is my birthright to do so. I support the Crown of Vulcannon, no matter who sits upon its throne. And, now, you are the Queen," Nicola told her.

"I am no queen. I am a knight and a Princess Royal. I was never meant to lead except in battle."

"Pyroxes did you a disservice, my darling niece," Nicola replied shaking her head.

"He loved me," Will stated in defense of her father.

"He sent you away, just like he did me. You are more like me than you'll care to admit. The Fates gave you more than he ever did. It doesn't matter that he gave you life, girl. Look around you. Do you see what he actually gave you?"

Will looked around the courtyard. She saw Regina's castle surrounding her. Here she had a purpose, a life, a family to bond with. She was young when she was given to Snow, but she had to admit that she felt more at home with Snow than she did in her own nation. She wasn't sure that she wanted to go home and rule over a vacant people. She was learning now, that she was happy where she was, and she was just learning the fact that maybe Regina had saved her after all. She looked at the castle again. This was her life now. If she was going to be Queen of the Vulcannonians, then she would do so from here. This was her home.

"He didn't just give me life. He gave me meaning and a charge. He also gave me a mission, which I still haven't failed at and I don't intend to fail. I may be the so-called Queen of Vulcannon now, but I am still the subject of Queen Regina of the Winterlands, and the protector of the Houses of Swan, Mills, and White. My purpose is here."

"And, what of your people?"

"Dead."

"And, what of your lands?"

"In ruin," Will stated.

"Have you not been home since you left, girl?" Nicola asked her before shaking her head.

Emma and Danni were still watching, unsure of what to say or do. Will seemed to be getting more agitated by her aunt the more she spoke and Danni wasn't willing to allow her to get close to Rachel without proof of who she really was. Emma didn't want to start a fight between them, but she could see that both Danni and Will, who were both protective of Rachel, seemed to be wary of the new woman.

"Will?" Emma asked hoping to break the tension between everyone.

"Yes, Emma?" Will replied as she turned to face the blonde.

"Shall we prepare rooms for your aunt or will she stay in yours?" Emma questioned.

She could see the fire in Will's eyes that had quiet dissipated from her earlier dealings with Rachel. She knew that the younger girl was being looked after by her friends, but she was worried about what it would mean for them all now that Will's aunt had shown up and claimed to be Rachel's kin. She knew that Will being a protector and knight of the realm would want to have her enemies closer to her. She wondered if that included her aunt.

"She can stay with me. Goddess knows that you have given me more than enough room in the castle. If she can't be comfortable there, then she can find her own lodging elsewhere," Will stated, finally sheathing her sword and turning towards the castle proper.

"Am I supposed to follow her?" Nicola called after Will's retreating form.

"That is entirely up to you," Danni told her as she turned back to Emma. "I am going to check on Rachel. Hopefully the shock of earlier won't keep her down too long, but we shall see. If you have any more news on the Silver Army, let me know."

"I am sure that your mother will have another war council later," Emma told her.

"I'm sure she will. But, nevertheless, I want to know as soon as you do. There are things that I can do…that I am willing to do in order to main this family and our peace."

"I know, Danni, but we won't ask that of you. I'm going to check on your aunt. I'll see you a dinner. Lady Nicola, welcome to the Winterlands. I hope that your stay is…uneventful," Emma said as she followed her daughter into the castle leaving Nicola standing there alone in the courtyard, completely out of place in her jeans and t-shirt.

Nicola stood there for a few moments as the rain began to pelt her. She looked up at the sky and welcomed the warm rain as it covered her. She was happy to be back in the Enchanted Forest, back in Fairy Tale Land, back in this realm. This was her home. This was her birthplace, but she had never made a life there. A her great-granddaughter was proof of that. Rachel was the reason that she came back. Her job had been to protect the portals to their realm and make sure that no one crossed without permission.

Somehow, she'd failed that mission. She knew that it wasn't her fault. Rumple had caused the curse to happen. She'd read the histories that came through Petra's gates, but she knew that they were just the words. Seeing the royal families working together and seeing her niece at their side, she knew that Will had really found her place. She was a guard and her niece was as well, just in a different way, but they were both securing the future of the realm and their people.

The rain grew harder and she still didn't move from the courtyard. She wanted to check on Rachel but she doubted that her friends or Will would let her close enough to see her. She had information on the leader of the Silver Army, if he was who she thought he was and it only meant trouble for them all.

She began to pace, but made no move to find shelter. The rain caused her hair to plaster to her head as rivulets of water cascaded off her. She turned around in the mud and looked at the stone surrounding her. She could see it. She could feel it. These people would fight to the last dying man to protect each other and their throne. It wasn't just a loyalty that they had garnered. It was a familial camaraderie and one that even she had to respect. She was in Will's world now.

She wasn't startled when the rain around her stopped. She could see it still pelted the ground, but she was no longer getting wetter. Not long after the rain stopped, she felt herself getting warm and her clothes dried. She turned back to face the main portal door to the main part of the castle and saw Regina standing there.

They regarded each other for a few minutes. They didn't say anything. Just stared at each other like they were trying to determine who would make the first move. Both of them were wary of the other, knowing the power that they possessed, but also hoping that they wouldn't use it.

"I see that you don't have the sense to come in out of the rain either," Regina stated, still watching her carefully.

"I wouldn't say that. It has just been so long since I've enjoyed a good rain storm here in the Enchanted Forest. It is very cleansing. Don't you think?" Nicola questioned.

"It can be."

"What can I do for you, my Queen?" Nicola asked, still standing on protocol.

Regina smiled at her. She knew that Nicola was only asking to be polite. She really didn't care. She was more worried about Will and Rachel than anything else at the moment. She also knew that she would do anything that she had to in order to get the answers she wanted and Regina couldn't and wouldn't blame her for that. Regina knew that she would have to extend an olive branch of sorts, but they could help each other. She just needed to make Nicola understand how that would be beneficial for them both.

"I don't think that we need to stand on aires, Nicola. I certainly don't except at court. Now, that you are here and you are understandably worried about my daughter's friend, Rachel, who you say is your granddaughter of sorts, I am wondering what you want to do."

"I want to take her back to Storybrooke or New York. She doesn't belong here. She doesn't understand what her powers are or what she is actually capable of doing. She is in danger here and I am not sure that anyone can honestly protect her. But, she is a princess in her own right and Will is her queen and cousin by blood. I cannot go against Wilhelmina's wishes as I am still a servant to the Crown of Vulcannon," Nicola told her.

"And, if Will forbids you from seeing her?"

"Then, I cannot unless someone else is with her or more specifically if Wilhelmina is with her."

"Do you think that she would go that far?" Regina asked her.

"Depends on your daughter."

"What does Coraline...Danni have to do with this?" Regina demanded to know.

"She seems to carry some sort of heavy weight with my kin. I don't know what happened between them but there is a bond that even blood cannot destroy. Am I thankful that she has that? Yes, but it also frightens me."

"Why?"

"Because she is Vulcannonian."

"You think that she has come to some sort of agreement with Danni?"

"Unconsciously, yes, I do. And, with that, the bond is unbreakable until Danni releases her. I am not even sure that they know it. They both seem devoted to one another like soul mates, but they are not in love with each other. I can see that much. The elf loves her. I could see the fire in her eyes. And, Wilhelmina...she is stricken by your daughter in a way that only Vulcannonians can be. I've seen the look before in my own eyes."

"Do you approve of those matches?"

"It isn't for me to say. I can't override a Vulcannonian heart, not would I go against my Queen. No matter what Wilhelmina wants, she is the only living heir of Pyroxes and as such is the Queen of Vulcannon. I will serve her like I have the Crown for years. If she wishes to rule by staying here, that is her prerogative and I will support it. If for chance something happens that prevents her from her duties, then it will fall to me to rule, unless she has child I don't know about," Nicola answered.

"There is no child."

"Then, I am her heir."

"You don't sound too happy about that."

"I have two living heirs that don't know about this world completely. No, I am not happy about it. They aren't full Vulcannonians, but they do display some of the traits. Their blood hadn't been activated, until now. Rachel will stop aging soon if I don't get her out of here. I don't think that she if prepared to be immortal. She wasn't raised in that fashion. Her mother didn't think about her actions completely when she gave her up for adoption. Yes, she was helping a couple that couldn't have children have a child, but that child would never know the power of the blood that runs through her veins. I have watched her since I knew of her birth and she never knew. I was never far away unless I was in Petra protecting the gate. She didn't need to know about her heritage then. Now...now, she does."

"You serve Wilhelmina's wishes, no matter what they are?" Regina questioned.

"I must. I have no other contract, but to the throne of Vulcannonian. Whatever she wishes of me, I will do," Nicola answered.

"So, if she gave me contract over you, you would have to answer to me?"

"Yes, but I doubt she would do that."

"I know she wouldn't."

"Why are you so sure of that?" Nicola asked her.

"Because I released her from her contract to me. She stays because she is comfortable here. And, she hoped that Danni would return to us. She has, but I don't know that she'll stay if Danni chooses to go back to the Land of No Magic."

"You want them to stay?"

"I want my daughter to be happy. She hasn't had that in her life. She has constantly been fighting for this family and I know that she is tired. I want her to be happy. I want her to have everything that she wants. I want to be in her life. If that means I have to give her up to a world with no magic, I will. I know that she carries the burden of the being the Dark One with her, but she fights that darkness everyday. She is stronger than it is. She's proven that on more than one occasion, but she fears herself. In any other case, I would be worried for her. But, I am not. I know that her fear is well placed. She doesn't want to give into the temptation that magic provides for her. I applaud her for that. I know her being here is a constant struggle, but she has your granddaughter and her friends. Are the a strange bunch together? Yes, but they care for each other like sisters and they will fight to the death for each other. Rachel has already proven that. Unfortunately, you can in at the tail end of that lesson," Regina explained.

"Meaning?"

"Wilhelmina wanted her to know what it was like to kill someone."

Nicola's eyes burned with fury. She never wanted Rachel to know that pain or that anguish. But, she couldn't approach Wilhelmina about it without defying her. She would however talk to her niece about her approach to the subject.

"She learned that she can't stomach it, Nicola. Will was doing it for her own good. Rachel is too innocent for the pain that death causes. She was trying to make her see that."

"And, that is where I came in?"

"Yes," Regina stated as she pointed across the court yard towards the armory.

Nicola nodded, understanding that Regina wanted to sit. The warmth and the absence of rain followed them as they moved to a small wooden bench just outside the armory. They both sat down with little fanfare.

"And, that is why Danni closed ranks?"

"Yes," Regina replied.

"Your daughter is a warrior?"

"She had to be."

"She is not from our time?"

"It is a long story, but no, she isn't. She is from another time line and her coming changed a lot of her history. That is why she is so protective of us, and Rachel. She doesn't want anyone to suffer like she has," Regina replied.

Nicola could hear the pain in Regina's voice. She knew that the Dark One had suffered. She could feel it herself when they were together earlier. But to see the anguish in the High Queen's features, Nicola knew that Danni had almost broken. She could feel the strength from Regina and she'd felt it from Emma as well. She knew that together their daughter, Danni, had to be strong. And, possessing the powers of the Dark One but not fully succumbing to its awesomeness, Nick had to give her props.

"She is strong, Regina. Even I can feel that. But, what about Rachel? What happened between them? Why are they so close? Why is she so protective of her?"

"I am not sure that it is my place to say, but Danni saved Rachel when she ended up in New York through a portal of her own making. In turn, Rachel saved her, taught her how to live in that world, and made her a friend. The other three took to her because of Rachel. As time past and their relationship grew, the five of them became stronger together. Eventually they all went into a very profitable business together. They've won awards and are very good for each other. The each have their own weaknesses and strengths, but they compliment each other. Where one is weak, another is strong," Regina told her.

"I can see that."

"They close ranks quickly. Even, Will has issues getting close to them sometimes. I am sure that it isn't because they don't trust her. They just don't know what to do with her. It isn't everyday that your one single friend turns out to be a magical being and her lover, her soul mate, her True Love, just happens to be an immortal from a magical world, too. They are still trying to process everything, but I think Will's demonstration didn't help at all."

"Do you think-" Nicola started to ask before she was interrupted.

Regina stood up. Will and Danni were both before them. Will had changed out of her bloody clothes and Danni was just in a dark tunic and a pair of leather pants. Both of them were in high black leather boots. The Swan-Mills(-White) crest was obvious on both of their clothes.

"Aunt Nick," Will started in addressing her.

Nicola quickly jumped up off the bench and bowed to her niece. Danni had to keep herself from chuckling because she knew that Will was hating this new upgrade in status. Regina just grinned at the measure, but waited stoically for Danni or Will to address them.

"Rachel is upset right now and she doesn't know what to do. She is...apprehensive about meeting you. She has issues when it comes to family. Don't think that reflects on anything you did. It doesn't. She is just cautious by nature when it comes to relatives," Will stated.

"I understand that. I really do. I don't want to upset her. I want to explain things to her."

"And, what would you explain?" Danni asked.

"I just want her to know about her heritage. If she chooses not to embrace, that is her choice. However the longer she stays here, the harder it will be for her to age."

"I don't think that it will be a problem due to her being Quinn's True Love. Quinn is a high elf and will not be aging anymore or as quickly. But, I am still leaving that decision up to them. I am not going to interfere. It is a lot for her to take in this quickly," Danni stated.

"I appreciate that as well. I also appreciate everything that you have done for her, Dark One. If there is anything that you need, I am at your service as long as it doesn't go against my niece's wishes," Nicola told her.

Will and Danni looked at each other. There was a quick exchange between them. Regina wasn't sure if Nicola caught it, but she did. She could also see the look of determination on her daughter's face. Whatever it was, she knew that Danni was about to propose something and Regina wasn't sure that she would like it.

"I have an idea, but it would be for my Queen's approval," Danni stated.

Regina watched her. She narrowed her eyes and wondered at what her daughter was playing at. She couldn't think of anything that Danni would outright do to challenge her, but she knew that she could and would win if Danni tried. She admired her daughter and her restraint because it was something that she didn't show at that age.

"What is it?" Regina asked, not with her full venom, but enough for Danni to understand that she was skating on thin ice.

"I want to go find this Silver Army."

"No."

"Hear me out, first, please," Danni stated.

Regina stared at her. She knew what Danni's position was on the Silver Army. But, Regina wasn't ready to start a war that she didn't know that could win. She didn't want to order her men to their possible deaths without a reasonable expectation that it was for the best of the realm.

"What would you like to do?" Regina asked as she waved her hand at the two.

"I propose that we go see what we can find out about what the Silver Army is doing. You now have not only the Dark One, but two Vulcannonian knights at your disposal. Let us go and do the recon. Let us find out what their strengths are and let us figure what they want. Once we have enough, we'll come back here and make a game plan. This way you don't have to worry about any of us getting hurt. We can take whatever they dish out. If for some reason we get caught or captured, we can say that we are an emissary for the Crown. It wouldn't be a compete lie," Danni explained.

"You're not going to let this go, are you?" Regina questioned.

"No, I am not. I'll either do it with your permission or without. I don't honestly need it."

Regina sighed. She knew that Danni was telling her the truth. She honestly couldn't keep her daughter from doing anything. She obeyed out of courtesy and nothing more. She was her own person and swore allegiance to the Crown, but only as long as it tried to protect itself and the family.

"Fine."

"Wait, what?" Will stated, flabbergasted that Regina acquiesced to Danni's demand.

"Take Wilhelmina and Nicola with you. I believe that you will be able to get me the information that I want to make an informed decision. I know that you will find out what we need to know in order to demand reprimands or send a declaration of war. Just don't start something before I make a decision," Regina demanded.

"Yes, mother," Danni replied and bowed.

"Do I have a say in this?" Will asked.

"No," Nicola answered.

"And, why not?"

"Because she is your True Love and you still respect Regina as your queen even though you are no longer under contract to her," Nicola replied.

"Fucking since of pride and loyalty," Will muttered.

"And, since you are going, niece, I will be as well. By your leave, majesties. I have preparations to make," Nicola stated as she bowed again.

"Anything you need, Will or Danni will get for you. Now, I expect all of you at dinner. Don't keep me waiting. Make a plan and go over it with Emma," Regina told them as she stood. "And, do come in out of the rain. Wouldn't want you getting sick."

Will and Danni watched her go. Danni with a smirk on her face. She had inheirated both of her mothers' sass and snark. She didn't appreciate as much when she was in New York as much as she did now. She could actually see where she came from here. She admired them. And, she only hoped that she'd make them proud. She was doing this for them. If she could fight the entire coming war on her own, she would. Family and love be damned. She would destroy the army, but for now...she would do things the way that Regina wanted.

"So, Nick, what do you know about the Silver Army?" Danni asked spinning back around to face the older Vulcannonian.

"Too much," Nicola answered and gestured for them to enter the armory.