Chapter 33

Regina sat at a desk in her war room. It was just off her personal study. Across the way, both Emma and Danni sat. Standing not too far away as she surveyed the map on the desk was Nicola. In her place as Vulcannonian guard, Will was standing between Regina and Emma's seats watching her aunt.

"So the Silver Army," Regina stated as she waved her hand above the map.

Nicola looked over the map and then met the hard eyes of Regina. She gave her a quick smirk and then bent over the map. Her fingers landed on the icon for the castle.

"This is the heart of the Enchanted Forest. This is your castle. It is the capital of the Winterlands."

"I know all this," Regina said dismissively.

"What you don't know is that you are in the center of the Fairy Tale World. The Summerlands to your south. The Golden Kingdom of Midas to your west, along with Agrabah. Arrandale is to your north. Eric's lovely seaside kingdom is to the east. To Southeast, just miles off shore is Vulcannon. To the northwest is the Kingdom of Eglantine. Even Atlantica follows your lead under the sea. You, your majesty, are the center of the magical world," Nicola told them.

"I can see that," Regina stated.

"What you don't see are the smaller kingdoms between all of those lands. The lands beyond the borders. And, that is where the Silver Army has grown."

"What can we do?" Emma asked.

"Send out messengers that are friendly. Ask around and see what they've seen in those areas. You'll find out more about the Army that way."

Emma looked to her wife. She could see the look in her eyes. Regina waved her hand at Emma and she left the war room to start the task.

"Anything else?" Danni asked, watching the other Vulcannonian warily.

"Yes, their leader isn't from here. He is from the World with No Magic. I've tried to track him back on Earth, but I couldn't find anything on him. It is my job to make sure that the two worlds don't bleed together. Or where they do, the power of magic is contained. Storybrooke is safe for now, but I will need to take precautions when I return back," Nicola told her.

"Like what?" Will questioned, her blue eyes staying on her aunt and her movements, still unsure of what to think of her aunt.

"He is a dangerous man. I lost track of him and for me that is hard to do. His name is Dedrick. And, no, I don't know if that is his real name, first or surname. All I know is that is what he goes by. He is deceptively clever and very anti-magic."

"Why would he come her?" Danni asked.

"If he found out that magic is real and from here, he would seek to destroy it. Lines blur easily princess. I'm sure you have seen that in your recent life in New York," Nicola answered.

"How do you know about that?"

"It is my job to know, plus you were living with my niece. It wasn't hard to figure out that you had magic or magical means. You whereabouts prior to New York are spotty at best. Any true investigator would immediately thought you were an illegal and sought to figure out who you were through higher government means and Interpol. Unfortunately, that is where I would have had to come in. I cannot allow any magical beings to be found. I would have produced papers and people that could vouch for you as a citizen of Maine and from Storybrooke. It would be a town so small that it wasn't on the map. Something I could easily make up and destroy as needed. Fortunately, the town does exist, but it doesn't at the same time."

"Outsiders don't just waltz right in," Will started to say.

"And, that is why Danni's life and background are safe," Nicola replied cocking her eyebrow at her niece.

"What does Dedrick want with me?" Regina questioned.

"Your head? Your kingdom? Who knows? The only way I can explain him is through Earth's history. Have you studied any of it?"

"I had twenty-eight years of the same day. Yes, I studied the world outside my town. I needed to know what was going on around us so that I could make the town reflect it accordingly. What of it?" Regina inquired.

"Have you heard of the neo-Nazis?"

"Yes," Danni, Regina and Will all replied.

"Think of Dedrick as the head of a neo-Nazi group and you are their number one enemy."

"Great," Danni stated.

"What should we do?" Regina questioned.

"I think like your daughter suggested. We should send a small force up to where they were lost spotted. Let them scout and then we can plan a course of action. We might want to get forces together, but quietly. We don't want to give him any reason to attack."

"We already know that he has silver on his side. He would expect us to lead with the Wolves on Conulf and Ruby's forces. I want to know what else he has. I cannot send Wolves to their slaughter. I refuse," Regina responded.

"That is true. He does have silver on his side, armor, weapons, arrow tips. He is prepared for magical beings, but not magic in its entirety. He can't really defend against that unless he has someone magical on his side," Danni added.

"Then, we need to figure out who is helping him. We need to cut him off and make sure that he knows that this realm is not going to go down without a fight. Someone has given him residence. Someone has given him quarter. And, for the realm's sake, we need to find out who," Wilhelmina stated as she moved towards the desk and the map.

Her eyes were darting around it. She was trying to map out where she thought he might be hiding and who might have given him quarter. That is where she would start her search. She needed to plan a route that they could travel quickly. They needed to figure out how to respond to this new threat and defeat it.

"Is there something else that we need to be prepared for?" Danni asked.

"Not that I know of. I don't know who or what he has working for him, Princess. The only magical beings that have faced him and survived that I know of are in this castle. And, in that situation, I am sure that it was an accident. He hasn't let me get close enough to him to see what he is really after. I have followed him for years, but this is the biggest that I believe he has gotten. And, I would think that we should be afraid and with good reason. Is there anyone that you can think would wish you ill or massive harm?"

"Plenty," Regina replied.

"She was the 'Evil Queen'," Will answered.

Nicola looked up and studied the Queen before her. She knew the fairy tales from Earth, but to meet the "Evil Queen" in person... She wasn't sure if it was an honor or not. She bowed slightly to Regina as she regarded her again. The woman before her didn't seem as bad as the stories made her appear to be. She also wasn't old.

"Forgive me for saying this, but you are beautiful and in no way the old witch from the tales and legends," Nicola stated.

"Not all stories are true," Danni replied.

"I know this, Princess."

"Will you not call me by my name?" Danni asked her.

"And, what name should I use? The name you were given at birth, Princess Remy Aurora Swan? The name you were given in exile, Coraline Danielle French? Or, the name you have chosen for yourself, Danni Gallia?"

"You speak with a fresh tongue, but you know of me?" Danni questioned.

"It isn't the process of knowing that I have ascertained your story, my Princess," Nicola said.

Danni stood up. She wasn't sure what to make of the woman before. Crossing the room to face, Danni sized her up for the first time since they'd met. She could see the strong familiar resemblance between Nicola and Wilhelmina, but the fire in their eyes was different. She couldn't explain that. Maybe it was the time spent away from each other or maybe it was the fact that they protected two different things.

She let her eyes roam across the older woman. She could see the muscle and sinew that she had worked out for and kept honed. She was a weapon as she had been trained to be as a Vulcannonian knight. She was prepared to die for her people, her crown, and for magic. She could see that. Hell, Will had told her as much, but there was something else behind her movements. There was a grace that she had only seen once before. And, then it dawn on her...Rachel.

"Why are you afraid of Rachel staying her too long?" Danni inquired as soon as the thought was formed.

Regina was intrigued with her daughter's line of thinking. She figured that this was the only way that Nicola would have heard about Danni and her abilities or lineage. Will for her part just watch her aunt and her lover as they verbally sparred. She didn't know which side to take and she was afraid to take either. So, hedging her bets, she took Emma's seat next Regina and waited for the other two Alpha Females to duke it out. She knew that Regina wouldn't stop them because of the amused look on her face. She knew that Regina liked facts and she didn't care how she had to get them. She knew her daughter had no qualms about bending things to get what they needed, but she also knew that the Charming-White blood that was inside Danni would keep her from maiming, killing, or abusing her power too much.

"The longer she stays here, the more powers she will continue to grow up to and including immortality. Forgive me for not wanting her to have that life. She doesn't understand this world or this way of life. She was born for the stage and she thrives there. She needs to go back."

"I agree with you, Nicola, but convincing her otherwise as long as I am here, is futile. She will not leave my side. She feels indebted to me, but I assure you, any debt that she may have made, she has more than made up for. I wish for her to go home as well. That is why you found us in the courtyard earlier. I was trying to prove a point. And, I believe that I did."

"You chose a very visceral way to do it," Regina added.

"I couldn't think of any other way, Mom. She needed to know that death is a real possibility and that she doesn't have the stomach for it. I don't want her to go to battle for me. I never asked her for that. I don't care if she hates me, now, but she needed to see what we would on the battlefield," Danni stated.

"Back to the Army. We know who their leader is. Why can't we just get him?" Regina questioned.

"Yes, he is not only a fearful man, but a smart man. He uses charms and other natural things to disguise himself, his army, his camp, et cetera. He also uses them to get close to beings and then destroy him. For the Earthern realm being one of no magic, they sure have a lot of information on magical beings, objects and spells," Nicola replied.

Danni laughed. She knew exactly what Nicola meant. Regina and Will did but didn't. They knew magic, so they didn't understand why Nicola made her statement.

"But, they don't believe any of it, thank the gods," Danni responded.

"So, Danni, if I agree to let the three of you go, would you?" Regina asked.

"I would, Mom."

"Then, gather what you need to defend yourselves. Will, you will go and that is an order. I'll have the troops doubled, quietly and without much fanfare. I am sure Emma can find a way to camoflauge them all. As for you, Nicola, will you ride under my banner?" Regina inquired.

"If my Queen wishes, yes, I would be honored."

"I do," Will and Regina both answered.

"Then, I will be doubly blessed. By your leave, I'll will need to see your stores. I would like to leave in the morning, Dark One. I'll see you outside the armory at sunrise," Nicola told them as she bowed gracefully and backed towards the door.

As soon as she left, Regina turned to daughter and asked, "Do you believe her?"

"Yes, Mom, I do. She knows too much and she is scared for Rachel. She wasn't lying to us. She genuinely wants to take Rachel home. I think that she'll agree to anything that she has to, to ensure that it happens and quickly. If taking care of this Silver Army led by this Dedrick is the way, then she will do it without any qualms," Danni explained.

"And, you?"

"I will do as you ask, Mom. I am still your knight and at your biding. Have your forgotten the tattoo?" Danni questioned.

Will looked at Regina. She had heard mention of it, but never saw Regina use it. The fact that Danni still had it, and even as the Dark One had to obey, brought about a new set of complications in their relationship. Magic was magic and by law it had to be obeyed. The tattoo gave Regina power to dictate her daughter's will without her consent.

"Can we talk?" Will asked Regina.

Regina nodded. Danni looked from Will to Regina. She bowed to her mother.

"We'll follow up after dinner, Mom. I'll have plans by then. May I take this map?"

Regina nodded again. Danni rolled the map up and bowed again. She turned towards the war room's door and then back at Will. She gave the Vulcannonian a slight smile and took her leave.

Will finally sat down at the desk in front of Regina. Her blue eyes were icy and cold. She was trying to rein in her emotions. How could she not know that the tattoo upon Danni's bicep was that of the Queen's personal guard? She knew what spells Regina has used in the past to invoke loyalty to her and her alone with them. Had she truly given her own daughter one?

"Regina, what the hell did she mean by that?"

"By what, Will?" Regina replied in question.

"She has an elite guard tattoo?"

"She gave it to herself in her timeline. I was already gone and amazingly being the Black Queen negated the magic of it. Obviously, I wouldn't have given it to her if she'd asked. And, from what I understand, she did it to rebel against Ruby and to try to identify with the other refugees."

"You've never really spoken on it?"

"No."

"You've never used it?"

"Only once and it was by accident," Regina admitted.

"By accident? How do you command your daughter to obey by accident? Did you know she had the tattoo when you did it?" Will questioned.

"Yes, and that is why I did it."

"Why? Why would you do that to do her? What would possess you to do that to your own daughter?" Will demanded.

"Because I didn't know that she was my daughter at the time. Trust me, had I known, I wouldn't have used the tattoo's power to command her. And, now that I do know, I am not proud of it."

Will had the smarts to look ashamed of accusing her Queen in that moment. She should have known that Regina wasn't that cruel. She should have also known that Regina would have never allowed Danni, Coraline, or Remy, depending on the timeline and era, get the tattoo no matter how much she begged. Will had seen the tattoo but didn't think anything of it because the seal was slightly altered.

"I'm sorry, Majesty," Will stated after she'd gathered her wits with her head bowed in shame.

"There is nothing for you to apologize for, Wilhelmina. You didn't know. I didn't know at the time. I apologized to her about it after the fact. She's forgiven me. Her comments weren't meant to anger me," Regina explained.

"Then, why did she say it?"

"She is giving herself an out. She is still afraid of the Darkness and being the Dark One. She knows that I have gone to the brink and come back. We share that fear. She knows that. She was telling me that I still have power of over her if needed. It's her contingency plan."

"Contingency plan? Why does she need that? She hasn't acted out in ages. She's calm."

"But, she knows how quickly she can lose that. As long as I, Emma, or Snow are near enough to her, we can stop her. We can use the power of the tattoo to make her stop whatever it is that she is doing. That tattoo is her Dark One dagger now."

"What happens when you all die then?"

"Remy, Henry and Neal will be able to control her."

"But how?" Wilhelmina asked.

"Because they will be the new rulers of the three kingdoms," Regina said.

"Do you think that Remy or Henry would command her?"

"I don't know. I would like to think that it would never have to come to that, but I honestly don't know. I hope not. But, I can't see the future. But, I do believe that she will have help with her, now, regardless of where she is," Regina added.

"And, what would that be?" Will inquired.

"You," Regina said simply giving Will a knowing look.

Danni knocked on the door. She wasn't sure why she went straight to Ruby's rooms, but she needed to talk to her aunt. She needed her "other" mother. She knew that Belle would be there most likely, but she wanted to talk to Ruby alone for a few minutes. Then she would talk with Belle. In her heart, as much as Belle was her foster mother, she was more her sister. Normally she would go to Belle, but this was different. She needed Ruby's help and her knowledge. She needed the Wolf and the woman.

Belle answered the door. She moved out of the way to allow Danni to enter. She could see the weariness in Danni's dark eyes. She watched as Danni moved to sit next to Ruby. Belle just watched her. She didn't want to disturb her. She could tell that Danni needed time with Ruby and like their new resident empath, Brittany, Danni could do that. But, as she watched Danni with Ruby and saw their connect, Belle couldn't help but want Ruby to wake. She missed her wife.

"I'll be outside. Just let me know when you need me to come back in. If you need anything, just let me know as well," Belle told them as she opened the door again.

Danni turned to face the woman who she called sister and was her aunt by marriage. She could see the anguish on her face about Ruby. She resigned to bring it up with Ruby while they were talking. She gave Belle a courtesy nod and turned back to Ruby.

She waited until she heard the door close. When she knew that she was alone, she picked up Ruby's left hand and held it in both her hands. She closed her eyes and let herself drift away. She thought of the peace that she could feel after a rain storm and let that wash over her and soon enough her conscienousness merged with Ruby's.

She looked around the world that Ruby's body had created for her inside her own head. It was peaceful and a small village. If she thought about it long enough, Danni could see that it was the village that Ruby grew up in just outside of the castle. She smiled. This was a peaceful place for Ruby and she knew it. There were good memories here.

She heard two pups whimpering softly just outside a small cottage. She stepped down the snowy path towards the cottage. The two pups looked up at her and they had the most brilliant blue eyes. In that instant, Danni knew that they were her cousins, yet to be born. She giggled at the fact that they were small pups, but it made sense, since they were half Wolf.

She heard the door to the cottage open, but she didn't look up to see who it was. She assumed that it was Ruby. When the pups started yipping and the voice cooed at them, she realized that it wasn't Ruby at all. It was Belle, but she didn't know how.

"I am part of Ruby's life."

"I know that," Danni answered.

"That is why I have a form here. My persona changes regularly. I've been you, Regina, Granny and Belle. Even Emma has made an appearance or two, along with Snow. We all are just here to help Ruby through this pregnancy. As for the pups, well those really are the pups. They will be pups in her eyes until they are born. You can pet them if you want. They really seem to like you."

"I would hope so. I am their cousin. And, I like them, too. I can't wait to meet them in person, though and get to know their little personalities," Danni replied.

"So, you're going to stay," Ruby stated as she walked up to the cottage.

Danni spun around to face her. Dark eyes meeting azure blue in wonder. She missed her aunt and it showed. She took in the sight before her. Dark flowing hair and wondrous blue eyes accentuated by a tall and lithe body, obviously toned and ready for anything. The bright red cloak tied around her neck was distressing, but Danni could understand Ruby's want for it.

"I don't know, yet. There is a lot to think about. There is a lot at stake. And, a war is brewing that I don't know that I can stop this time," Danni said.

"Why do you have to stop it all by yourself?" Ruby asked her.

"Because I am the Dark One. I have the power to do it. I can't help myself. I want to stop it."

"That is your Ma talking. You make Emma proud you know that. I think that you can't help your hero complex. You come by it honestly, being the granddaughter of Charming and Snow and all."

"I guess that much is true," Danni replied.

"Come on in. I can see you want to talk. We'll talk and have some tea."

"You were expecting me?"

"Brittany is a very smart girl for just coming into her powers," Ruby replied as she walked inside the cottage without waiting for Danni to follow her.

Danni did follow her, however, and sat down at the rustic wooden table in the middle of the kitchen area while Ruby gathered some cups and the kettle. Ruby sat and then began serving the tea. After offering Danni cream and sugar, she handed her a steaming hot cup of tea.

"What plagues you little one?"

"I told Mom that she still could control me. I hadn't thought about it until then. I am not sure why I even did it. I mean...I know that she won't use it against me. You wouldn't let her. Belle won't let her. But, I still told her. I can't figure out why though," Danni explained.

"What is going on out there?"

"We are planning to do some recon against the Silver Army," Danni replied.

"You are going to war."

"We might," Danni answered.

"No, that is why you told her. You are going to war. You still remember your actions against King George and your afraid. You've spent years, years we don't know about, to rein in your temper and learn to control the Darkness. And, you're afraid with good reason that you will actually become the Dark One, like those of old. You were giving yourself and out. Your tattoo is your dagger and your brain just figured it out," Ruby told her.

"Then, why didn't it make me stay before?"

"Because neither Emma or Regina begged your to stay. It was Will. Will is not your ruler. She loves you and commands your heart, but she is not your Queen. She is not of the line of the House of White, Swan, or Mills. She is a princess and worthy your love and station, but until you swear fidelity to her, the magic of the tattoo will not answer to her," Ruby explained.

"How do I do that?"

"You could always marry her," Ruby suggested.