"You want me to lead a sector of your army?"
"No. I want you to lead the whole army. I want you to be commander."
"Your highness, I am flattered, but I don't know what to say. This is so sudden."
"Yes, but out soldiers need someone that can connect better. You are young and very skilled."
"Thank you, but I would like to discuss this with my mothers, if that is alright with you?"
"Of course. I leave in the morning, so I would like an answer by then."
"Sure. Regina, Emma, a word."
The three women left Katherine in the room. Emily turned to face her mothers and there was a fire in her eyes. "You are making me leave?!"
"No, honey. We didn't know Katherine would do that. We don't want you to go, but it is your choice," Regina said.
"What should I do? I don't know how to lead an army. I can do a sector, but there are so many more people. I don't know any of them."
"Emily, this is something very big. I think you should take this opportunity to see another kingdom. We can always ask Katherine if she would be willing to send you back whenever you would like."
"I think that would be best, Emma. I guess I am moving to the Gold Kingdom for a while. Any pointers?"
"Just be yourself and do your best. We will always be here to support you. Now, tell my best friend that my daughter is now officially a royal commander in the Gold Kingdom," Regina said.
Emily hugged both of them and went back into the room. She told Katherine yes and Katherine screamed loud enough to have every royal rush into the room. They all looked panicked, but then saw that Emily was being hugged to death. Midas and Frederick knew exactly what happened, so they left them alone. Snow, David, Henry, and Neal were still very confused. Emily explained that she is going to stay at the Gold Castle because she is going to train people. Snow and David didn't like the idea because they were losing one of the best they have every seen, but if it makes their granddaughter happy, they can't stand in the way. They all came to the conclusion of a goodbye dinner as well as packing Emily's room. She said she could pack while everyone else relaxed. She would still finish training today, but she leaves in the morning. She headed to her room and got out a suitcase. She got all her casual clothes and a few pictures, but there was still extra space, so she got her art supplies. She wanted to do one last drawing and it was going to be a nice one. She got to work from her memory. She had to stop because she still had to watch the soldiers. She went back and suggested they work on punches and twisting into it. They started and soon after everyone was getting the hang of it. The issue was that afterwards, their arms felt like putty. Emily said that practicing would make it easier. She told them the news and was engulfed by a giant group hug. She loved the feeling, but the deal had been made and she has to follow through. She said her farewells and went to the dining hall for dinner.
She saw a large feast and all the guests were sitting. Emily sat next to the king because he wanted to know what to expect. Soon, every other royal filed in and all started to eat. Emily didn't have much of an appetite, so she had some vegetables and that was it. She usually would eat something more, but she wasn't feeling it. Midas kept asking her questions about her stay, and she explained the simple rule that she would be allowed to return at any point if she chooses to because she was still a child. He said that it was fine, but she also has to do her best. There was some light conversation about their daily activities. Frederick could see that Emily wasn't used to having all this power and attention, so he decided to chat with her.
"Emily, I think I know what you're feeling. I was a knight before I was a prince and now I an heir to the throne. I can help you as much as you would like."
"Thank you, Frederick. I will soon be a subject of your kingdom and I will need some time to adjust."
"Understandable. I actually wouldn't think that a princess to a knight to a commander would be a big jump."
"Well it was more like commoner to knight to sort of princess to commander. I wasn't raised in the castle because of something I did as a baby. It was for my protection, but now I get to have my family and I couldn't be happier. I would like to know how the royal family of the Gold Kingdom heard about me? I am not very public and I doubt any of the other kingdoms know I exist."
"Regina and Katherine send letters a lot. We had the sense that you are a wonderful leader and we were hoping that you could help with the ogres."
"I can do that. Thanks for listening."
"Nothing to it. Come to me with anything and I would be glad to help."
They both started to listen to the conversations around them. Emily was at a loss because she did not want to hear about foreign policy at the dinner table. She finally was able to escape and finish her drawing. She was up most of the night working on it, until her door started to open. She quickly blew the light out and hid her work. She pretended to sleep, but the figure kept getting closer. Emily tensed up, not knowing what to do. She settled on shooting out of bed because she was startled by something. She did so and was face to face with...Regina.
"Mom? What are you doing here? It is late and I thought you would be with Emma."
"I wanted to see you before you left."
"You could have seem me in the morning."
"Can I just sleep here? I don't want to let go."
"Okay." Emily threw the covers off and Regina climbed in behind her. Emily felt Regina wrap her arms around her waist and fall asleep. Emily thought this would be the perfect moment to finish her art. She used her magic and her paper and pencil appeared. She shifted until she was facing her mother and started to draw. She finished as the moon was low in the sky. She need 10 minutes before she did anything else, so she slept for 10 minutes before the sun shone through her window. She was immediately up and started to get dressed. Regina was still asleep and didn't move at all. It was perfect. She silently left her room and got her a snack. She ate and grabbed her bag. She folded her drawing and gave it to one of the chefs to give to Regina at breakfast.
Emily left without a final goodbye because if she did she would never leave because it would hurt too much. She arrived at the castle very quickly, though it would have been faster if she used her wolf speed, but she didn't suspect anyone knew about that. She was escorted to her room and got settled in. She had some time to run and explore. She went around the perimeter and ran as fast as she could. She heard something in the distance. It was faint, but there was something out there with her. She stopped and listened. She heard it again. This loud thump. It was like thunder, but there was no chance of rain for there was no clouds in the sky. She listened and it got closer, and closer and closer until she saw it. An ogre had emerged from the forest with an attitude. She had no idea what to do. She learned they hunt by scent because they are blind. The only way to kill is was to shoot them in the eye. She started to freak out because she didn't bring a weapon. She thought it would slow her down. She then remembered her gift and she transformed it into a hair clip. She took it and thought about a bow and arrow. She took her aim, but the ogre had already started to charge. It was 10 feet away before she shot, but it hit the little arrow away.
That had never been heard of. An ogre that deflects a hit. This one either was used to attacks or learned from those who have previously fallen. She stood frozen and looking at the beast. It was larger than she thought it was and she didn't want to fight it. She thought she might actually die if she didn't do something, so she created a sword and used that. She started to move around it and and was behind it when she struck. She knocked it over, but it got up with a paper cut like scratch. She went again at the same spot and that deepened the spot slightly. It didn't even flinch. She kept hitting and hoped that it would fall. It never did. She then tried something else. She kept changing the weapon between a sword and a bow. Shot an arrow and then struck. She managed to keep it up and the ogre was confused. It kept trying to crush Emily, but she was very agile. She eventually hit her target after a few scratched and bruises from the rock shards hitting her as she rolled and was stomped at.
The ogre was dead and she didn't want that. She wanted a peaceful existence without death, but it seemed like that would not happen. She transformed the bow back into a hair clip and ran back to the castle. She was already late as it was, so she had to hurry to dinner. She was sweaty, bleeding and panting as she entered the dining hall.
"Emily, what happened!?" Katherine practically shrieked.
"Ogre...forest...big...attack...no one hurt...dead...just...give...minute."
"You need to go to the physician."
"I...can...do...self." Emily waited until she was okay and then she waved her hand to heal her wounds, but had a few more scars showing. "See, I can heal myself, so I don't need to go to the doctor and please don't tell Regina or she is going to make me go back."
"Okay, but you should be careful. I didn't know there was going to be any scouts. Are you sure you are okay?"
"Yeah. I will just need to sleep more to replenish all the lost energy. I will be fine. I will be more careful in the future. Just make sure the soldiers are ready to show me what their made of in the morning." Emily walked back to her room. She didn't know the castle, but she knew that she had some magically enchanted homing objects for her to track. She found the room and was ready to collapse, when she remembered she needed to write her mom another note. She wrote quickly and a little messy, but it was nice.
Dear Mom,
I made it to the castle fine and in one piece. Everything is great so far and everything is being accommodated for.
It has been a very boring day so there is nothing to report. I can't wait to see you when I can. I miss you already.
Tell Emma and Henry hi from me. I would love to hear form you soon.
-Emily
When she finished her note she called for a dove. It came to her and she sent the note. She needed to make sure that her mom would not use magic and poof in constantly to check on her. She was so tired. She barely made it to the bed before she collapsed and fell into a blissful sleep, filled with dreams of the future. She would be at home with her family and she was dating Tyler and everything was perfect.
Back in the Swan-Mills Castle
Regina had woken up to en empty bed. She ran around the room and hoped that Emily was still there. Sadly, she was gone. Regina went out to the balcony and looked out into the horizon. She saw the gold carriage and waved to it, in hope that Emily would see this. She was sad that Emily left, but knew that it was her choice and nothing would persuade her. She decided to eat something now or she would forget to all day. She was surprised to see that her breakfast was already prepared and served. She also spotted the little white note with her name on it. There was also another note.
Mom,
I have already left and I am sorry that I didn't say goodbye. I had to leave or else I would have to run there. It wouldn't be a problem, but I don't want everyone knowing that I am a werewolf. The chef has prepared apple pancakes with strawberries on the side. There is also another paper that is folded. It is a little gift that I want you to have. I hope you have a good day. I will send you another note soon. I love you.
-Emily
She looked at the little paper and unfolded it. The picture that she was presented with was amazing. It was a sketched outline of Emily and herself. Emily was hugging her mom and Regina was hugging her back. It reminded her of when Henry did that when she did something good. She loved it and it looked exactly like them. It was uncanny. She was going to keep this safe. Regina magicked a picture frame and enchanted it so no one could touch it. She placed the drawing inside and sent it to her bedside table. She was going to take a closer look later, right now, she had to deal with finding a new head guard that will hopefully be temporary.
She interviewed everyone that wanted the position and tested their skill. They were decent, but they were no Emily. She saw that Neal was the most qualified to take the position. She was about to call him in when Amelia walked in.
"Hi, Regina. I was wondering if we could talk."
"Sure, Amelia. What is it?"
"Well, it is about Emily. I know that we haven't seen each other in years, but I was wondering if it was possible for two friends to reunite, even if one is doing it for another reason."
"What reason would that be?"
"Tyler. He is heartbroken about her leaving and is still beating himself up about hurting her and everything he said. He wants to make it right, but she left. I just want to know if it is possible for me to contact her and get her to come home."
"Well, she is the offspring of two people that put off walls and both are also stubborn, so I don't know how effective it will be. I do know that if you are doing this just for your brother she won't want to do it. To need to do it because you want something to happen. She will protect herself. If you want her back, then by all means go and get her, but if not, then back off. If Tyler wants to go after her, he can, but he shouldn't send someone else to do it."
"I do want her back. I miss my friend."
"Then go and get her. She doesn't know when she needs to come out of something and right now would be the perfect time. She is just starting something. If yoyo want to wait, fine, but give her a few months."
"Okay. I think I will give her this opportunity and then we can talk about asking her back. She wants to do this and I will give that to her. I just want my friend back."
"She will come back. It isn't like she is missing out on a lot. I am betting that she wants her friend back as well. Maybe send her some letters and start talking again. Don't start with an apology because you did nothing wrong. She is a lot like me, so never say sorry for something that was not in your control."
"Thanks, Regina. I should let you get back to whatever you were doing before."
"Any time. I was thankful for the interruption. We can talk more about this if you would like. I just need to tell my brother-in-law about something."
"Sure. Your family tree is meshed up, you know that right?"
"I sure do. It is quite confusing. Go to the garden and I will meet you there. You can stay in the castle as long as you wish."
"Thanks again. I will see you later." Amelia walked out of the room and left Regina to stew about what she was going to do. She has to give to position to Neal, but she didn't want to because of what her did. She would have to get over that at some point, but not today. She called for Neal to come back in.
"Yes?"
"You get the title as head commander, but there are also going to be stricter rule enforcements. You are not allowed to hurt any other soldier intentionally. You are not to serve punishments without consulting with a ruling heir. You are not allowed to train freely, you must train everyone equally. You also have to be up and on time to classes. You are the head of the guards and this is a very serious title. Do you choose to accept this task?"
"Yes. I will take this title with pride. Thank you."
"You are welcome, now you may return to your barracks. Dismissed." Neal walked out and he was oddly professional. She didn't want to talk about it. She opted to skip her talk with Amelia and skip dinner because she was not feeling well. She went to sleep and dreamed of the days when she would see her daughter run back into her arms. She never heard from Emily after that day.