This system has gone on for a few months. Emily would train her guards and write weekly letters to her family. No one actually received her letters, so they were concerned for her safety. Emily kept saying how wonderful it was there, but Regina always feared the worse was happening. Regina was so worried, that she decided to surprise Emily with a visit.

It is getting to be around spring, so the scenery is wonderful. The flowers are in bloom, all the baby animals are out, and everything has life. The war has died down immensely since Emily joined the Gold Army. The ogres have stopped fighting and might be open to a peace treaty. Regina told Emma that she was going to be back in a few days and that there is nothing to be worried about. Emma let her go, but only if she was safe. Regina rolled her eyes and got in her carriage. She can't just appear in the kingdom with her magic, so she opts to see the views along the way and maybe get Henry to study some botany in the end.

The ride was smooth and there were no complications. She loved seeming all the bright colors out and the little animals. She has always had a soft spot for animals, so that isn't much of a surprise. She arrived at the castle and walked through the gates. She was greeted by a very eager Katherine with a Frederick in tow.

"Regina! How are you? What are you doing here?"

"Hello, Katherine. I am well. I am here to see Emily. I haven't heard from her since she left and I wanted to know she was okay."

"She is great. She has been a great help here. I thought you would have heard from her. She sent a lot of letters to you. I was witness to all her writing and the pigeon she used."

"She did? Well, I want to see her for myself if it isn't any trouble."

"None at all. She will be training for the next hour. I can't pull her because she it trying to teach skills against someone with magic. She is using her own fireballs as demonstrations, so she is having trouble showing technique, but she seems to know what she is doing."

"Okay. Can I wait in her room? I just want to see her when I can."

"Sure. Follow me."

Katherine led Regina down the corridor until she was met with a door that was decorated in flowers and vines with names spelled in the vines. She was glad to see that there were a lot of names. Regina Henry Emma Snow David Emily Katherine Ruby Granny All the names were in cursive and all connected. It was a very nice personal touch. Katherine looked at Regina and thought Like mother, like daughter, I suppose. They continued in the room. The furniture was very basic and the bed was a full and not a queen. Regina looked at her friend and all Katherine could do was shrug her shoulders. Regina saw there was a balcony and it had so much art supplies. She went and looked under the bed and saw all these different pictures of the sunrise/sunset or people. She saw that there was a looking glass, so at least there was something different. This looking glass looked like the one the Snow Queen had for her curse. Regina thought it looked nice. She sat on the chaise and Katherine left her in peace.

Regina was lounging and waiting that she almost fell asleep from how calm it was. She never got this much quiet at once. She then heard the door open and an audible gasp. She opened her eyes and saw a very muscular, very gorgeous daughter standing. Regina sat up to get a better look at Emily. She had some protruding bicep muscles, and a noticeable six pack through the tank top she was wearing. Her clothes looked like Emma's, but the jeans had been replaced with sport shorts. Emily walked over to the lounge and looked at her mother. Her mom was as regal as every. Her nice red dress on that made everyone stare, her hair was up, and she was wearing those fuck-me-heels, which Emily never understood the point of.

"Mom, what are you doing here? I am glad to see you, but I didn't think you would come."

"I wanted to see how you were. Apparently, all your letters were lost with the birds. I didn't get a single one."

"Oh. So, you wanted to make sure that I was okay?"

"Yes. I also wanted you to consider coming back."

"Mom, I can-"

"Just hear me out. The war is coming to an end and I think you should be a part of the decision process. You know so much about what they want, so it could help. I miss you and I want you back with me. I want to be able to keep an eye on you and make sure you're safe. I don't want you to do anything you don't want to, but please consider coming home and being my personal guard."

"I know the war is ending. Katherine wanted me at the table as well, and also at the final exchange. She says it is customary to send the most valiant knight to the negotiations. I didn't want to, but she insisted. I would love to come home, but I don't know if I can just leave."

"I am sure we can work something out. Now I want to hear everything that has happened. I also want you to ask Katherine about tradition, so we don't do something wrong."

"Okay. I got here and it was great. Everyone was so nice and I had time to settle in. The whole place was..."

Emily went on and on about how it was in the Gold Kingdom. Regina saw how enthusiastic her daughter was about this place. She was going to go into deep thought about taking her to the negotiation table. What she remembers from tradition is the knight must cut him/herself with a knife for the blood bond. The two warriors would be bound and if any of the agreements of the treaty are broken, their knight will die. She doesn't know how a ogre does this, but she sure as he'll ain't trying to kill her daughter for any missteps.

Emily showered off and went to dinner with everyone else. She was excited about this whole treaty stuff. She grew up learning these things, but never was allowed to apply them to use. She was going to make suggestions about land disputes and rights that the ogres have in the kingdoms. Katherine listened to Emily when she said that they should get a small section of land for their people. She also suggested that they have some restrictions on their actions, but should be allowed to govern in their own way because they would act like a separate kingdom. Katherine decided that could work and sent one of the maids to find some maps of all the lands. This war has caused problems with the Black Kingdom, White Kingdom, Gold Kingdom, and sometimes the haven, but nothing more. They would all get together and figure out the whole treaty. Regina was very impressed that her daughter could do this. She herself didn't learn any of this until she was with Leopold. Regina was glad that she could see what her daughter is capable of.

The whole castle was filled with chatter about the ogres, while the royals decided that they should focus on the land. There was not much extra land, so they could each give up some. The black kingdom is a democracy right now because no one rules it, so they need to talk to the delegates from there, as well as people at the haven. The Gold Kingdom was willing to give up a considerable amount land, while Regina would have to talk to Snow about where they can cut territory. Emily was thinking about all her options. She could be the victor with the Gold kingdom and White kingdom, but she would have to choose her territory. The people at the haven are going to send Aurora because she is close to their kingdom, while the Black kingdom is going to send Maleficent because she has the most power. Emily is representing two kingdoms and is hoping that she doesn't get her head chopped off. Regina told her to not tell Mal anything because she has a way of manipulating situations. She didn't know much about Aurora, except she and Philip have a daughter that is a bit older than her. Aurora is probably going to be nice because she knows the Charmings, but Emily can't say that.

The following week would be the summit and it was going to be boring. Debating policies that aren't even for their people. They all had to talk about this and they didn't even include the ogres. It is like World War I negotiations. The ogres are losing, so they want a truce. The winners don't include them in the discussion. It is so very annoying how we all talk about things that don't affect us all that much. Anyways, Mal and Aurora are going to be in the Gold Kingdom, as well as Snow, Katherine, Regina, and Emily. Regina and Snow were talking, while Emily was initiating all the conversations and suggestions. They were going to arrive for dinner and conversations would be in the morning on Wednesday. Emily was mostly finishing all her work because she was thinking about leaving everything done. She wasn't making it official, but she might go home with her family. Her guards did start to question what she was doing about her job, but she told them it was still undecided. She didn't want to have to deal with this right now, so she wanted to wait to tell everyone.

On Tuesday evening, everyone had arrived and was situated. Mal and Regina seemed to have a lot to talk about, while Snow and Aurora started up conversations about their kids and husbands. Emily had left the room, feeling her services were not needed. Mal saw this and then started to really talk.

"So, what is up with that little girl? She seems young to be the leader of an army."

"According to Katherine, she is very advanced and has helped the whole war effort in our favor. I don't really see how you are questioning this."

"Touchy. I don't know why you are defending her. You are listening to Katherine and haven't witnessed anything yourself. How much trust can she have?"

"A lot."

"Why are you defending her? Do you like her? Naughty Regina, always going for what she can't have. You're married and older than her."

"I am not into her. She is beautiful, yes, but I don't have feelings for her. Just drop the subject, Mal."

"There is something because you don't defend just anyone. I am going to figure it out. So, how is your wife and son?"

"They are great. My daughter returned and is at the castle. She and Henry get along well. Her name is Sky."

"Sounds nice and free. I would love to meet her at some point."

"Okay. How is the old Black Kingdom?"

"Boring. Democracy is overrated."

"Why do you think we still have a monarchy?"

"Fair point. Now, how about we talk about why she is really here?"

"She has some very reasonable ideas for the treaty and I want her to suggest them. Snow and I have agreed that she will take the blood oath if asked."

"Good. Now we should all get some sleep. I don't want to bite any heads off tomorrow."

"Night, Mal. I am going to check on the victor."

Regina got up and walked to Emily's room. She looked in and saw that her daughter was staring off into the night sky, with a sketch pad and pencil in hand. She quietly walked in behind her daughter and was hoping to watch her for a little bit.

"Mom, I know you are there. You don't have to pretend not to be. Come over here." Regina raised an eyebrow at her boldness. "And put that eyebrow back down. I want to show you this." Regina relented and walked out on the balcony. She stood next to her daughter and looked at the sketch. It wasn't of the sky, but of Emma and Henry. Emma was wearing a leather jacket and Henry was wearing a sweater vest and looked much younger. Regina looked shocked because Emily didn't know them that long ago and she drew it so accurately. Emily sensed the question and started to talk. "I just guessed what they would wear a while ago. Henry I knew looked like this because he tried his best to describe his look. I wanted to draw the clock tower in the background, but there is not enough information for me to draw it."

"This is amazing. I didn't know you could do this."

"I surprised myself. I thought about it and then just started to draw."

"Well, when you finish, I know that Emma and Henry will like this. I also suggest that maybe you should draw Henry's castle instead. They used to meet there all the time."

"Thanks. Are you going to bed?"

"Yes. I can sense that you will be in a few hours. Don't stay up too long because we both have a long day."

"I will finish and then I will sleep. Tell everyone goodnight for me. I love you, mom."

"I love you, too. Good Night."

"Night."

Regina walked out of that room and went to her room. She fell asleep thinking about her family and her hope that Emily will decide to come home with her. There were so many unknown variables and she didn't want to take any chances. She slept and dreamed of a life where she was happy and content with her whole family.

Emily went to bed after she was satisfied with her work. She was fell asleep around midnight. She dreamed of being in a world where she was alone, but felt at home with what she had and who supported her.