A/N: Sorry my updates have taken such a long time again! I've been gone for two weeks on a big camping trip and then to summer camp where I was a counselor to some of the kids. But I'm back now and ready to update for you.
Enjoy!
Regina was roused early the next morning by her servants. She had about five of them, all grim-faced, dressed in natural colors such as green and brown. Their dresses were very simple as well, just as servants were in Regina's manor, back in her home between King Leopold and King Xavier's kingdoms. However, her maids back home were kind to her, but the looks she received from these women were cold and unfriendly. They didn't talk, just pushed open the flaps of her tent to allow the sun to shine right in her face to wake her, shooed Cael out with a whistle, and practically yanked her out of bed to get her ready for the day.
Lessons, right. She has lessons with Tink today so that she can become accustomed to such a different culture and more importantly, be its queen. She does not feel like a queen right now as she sits in a wooden tub with servants bustling about her, telling her things in Elvish and when she cannot understand, they move her this way or that or bend her over or lift a limb very roughly with their rough hands. Even the bath salt they use is coarse and it rubs Regina's skin red and raw, for it is used to more delicate methods of cleaning. Her hair is lavished in oils after the assault on her poor, now tingling skin and she is grateful that at least now, her handmaidens aren't jerking her body in ways she didn't know it could move. However, they do make comments about her now in which she still cannot understand, but judging by the steely looks and crude smirks and laughs, Regina knows it's anything but complimentary.
Once she's done with her bath, the women dry her off and dress her in a loose fitting dress of forest green, no corsets thank goodness, embroidered with golden string. The maids tie her hair back in a half up-do with intricate braids and little white flowers being woven into her hair. They only give her a light dusting of makeup, a bit of powder upon her cheeks, nose, and forehead to give her a healthy shine, a bit of eyeliner on her upper and lower lids, a dash of light brown eyeshadow, and faint pink lip stain to give her lips that extra pop. By this time, Robin has come calling for her and when Regina hears her own language, she feels relieved to finally know what someone is saying.
"Good morning," Robin greets as he makes his way into the tent. The servants immediately bow to him, but he doesn't notice. His eyes are fixed on Regina. "You look beautiful today, it is nice to see you in my kingdom's clothing. After your lessons today, we'll have you fitted for a tailor but I think you're around Marian's size, given you fit into her clothing pretty nicely."
"You mean this isn't mine?" Regina asks as she stares down at the dress. Pity, she thinks it is beautiful.
"No, I'm afraid not, but Marian doesn't mind sharing," Robin says and when Regina gives him a look when he refers to this other woman, he elaborates. "My sister-in-law, married to my younger brother, John."
Regina smiles and nods. "Ah. I thought the firstborn always married first," she says.
"Maybe if our parents arranged our marriages but they believed in love and wanted us to find the right person and well, John did," says Robin. "And she's a lovely woman and a great mother. I'm sure she'll have a lot of wisdom to give you about marriage, so if you need to confide in someone, confide in her, as I will confide in John."
"So, your brother and Marian have children?" Regina asks curiously.
Robin smiles wide. "Yes. They were married at eighteen, much like you. They conceived on their wedding night actually, and they have a healthy two-year-old son named Roland. I love that boy as if he were my own. You'll meet Roland and his family today and I guarantee he will be all over you," Robin explains.
"You said royalty learns the common tongue," Regina says as Robin makes his way to the tent's exit and holds the flaps open for her to leave. "Do John, Marian, and Roland know it?" she inquires as she ducks down and exits the tent, Robin following close behind.
"Yes, of course. Anyone in the royal family knows," he replies. "Roland is learning both languages simultaneously and can understand both of them. He's two so you may not understand his responses but he can understand you," Robin chuckles.
"Good to know," Regina replies, feeling a bit relieved now.
The two of them begin to make their way through the camp, which is bustling with early morning activity. Regina feels many eyes glued to her as she follows Robin as he weaves around tents. They are judging eyes and she finds herself looking away to avoid their cool gazes. She hears whispers in a language she can't understand but when she sees the muscles tense in Robin's back, she knows it can't be good.
Robin leads her to a large bonfire in the center of camp where there are several people gathered around. Cael is there waiting for them, his tail wagging happily the minute he sees Robin. Regina notices a few other direwolves lurking about, a particularly small one, little and boisterous enough to be a pup, accompanied by two larger ones.
Suddenly, there is a voice nearby, deep and amiable, but speaking gibberish she doesn't understand. Regina looks up to find a large man making his way over, one of the direwolves getting up to follow. The man glances at her, but doesn't say anything to her. He and Robin exchange words in Elven and Regina stands there, shifting her weight nervously.
"Regina," Robin says suddenly and holds his hand out, beckoning her forward. She gently takes his hand and moves to stand by his side. "This is my brother, John."
"Hello," the man says with a smile. For as bulky as he is, John isn't an ugly man, he just needs to sport a bit of restraint at the buffet, Regina thinks. He's got thick, dark, curly hair that reaches his shoulders and black eyes. Had Robin not told her, she never would have guessed that this was his brother. "It is nice to meet you, Regina."
"You too," she replies with a polite smile. John holds his hand out to her and Regina takes it. He gives it a firm shake and lets go the moment a pretty dark-haired woman approaches, a young child sharing her complexion hoisted on her hip.
"You must be Robin's fiancée," the woman says. "I'm Marian, John's wife, and your soon-to-be sister-in-law," she introduces and moves one hand away from the boy she has in her arms to shake Regina's hand.
"I'm Regina," she replies and shakes the young woman's hand. Her gaze falls to the little boy who hides shyly against his mother's shoulder, peeking up at Regina with a little smile, big brown eyes, and the most adorable pair of dimples she's ever seen. "And you must be Roland," she says. "Your uncle told me all about you."
The little boy raises his head with a smile and nods. "I am," he says tenderly.
"You're darling," Regina says, grinning at him.
Marian looks up at Regina. "You like kids, huh?" she asks.
Regina nods her head. "Of course," she replies. "They're precious."
Marian smiles and sets her son down as the little direwolf Regina had seen earlier came running over to him. "Perfect. You'll be a great mother someday," she says. "And maybe Roland will have a playmate soon."
Regina feels a bit taken aback and feels something knot in her stomach as she thinks about the marriage bed and more importantly, what has to come from that. She isn't ready for this, even if it is one of her duties as queen to give her husband pleasure as well as give him a son.
Robin clears his throat quickly. "Regina and I have plenty of time for that, Marian," he says with a frown. "We still need to teach her all there is to know about being a queen of this kingdom and we still need to get married and form a relationship before we think about an heir," he says. "We didn't have the pleasure of falling in love that you and John did. We need to work up to that."
Regina feels herself let out a breath of relief, one that must be audible because Robin, John, and Marian stare at her for a moment. "I-... uh, yes, we plan on focusing on us before anything else," Regina confirms.
Robin nods. "We'll see you two later. Regina needs to get her breakfast so that she can start her lessons with Tink."
"Uncle Robin?" Roland's timid voice says. "Are you still gonna play with me today?"
Robin bends down to his sweet little nephew and taps him gently on the nose. "Of course I am, lad. Just let me get Regina settled in first, okay?" he says.
"Okay," Roland says before Marian lifts him up into her arms again.
Robin turns to Regina and offers his arm which she loops through her own. She lets him lead her to the fire and they sit down together on one of the logs. They're immediately served platters of eggs, sausage, and porridge for breakfast. Regina eats her meal, which is surprisingly the best breakfast she's ever had. Cael sits before Robin and Regina and begs for their food, practically drooling over the sausage. Regina can't help but chuckle, but Robin shooes him away, clearly not as amused.
"Come on, he's just hungry," Regina says and smiles. "And he was giving you the puppy eyes."
"I know but he knows how to get his own food when he gets hungry. I don't want him bothering people while they're eating or get used to having humans feed him," he explains.
"I guess that makes sense," Regina replies. "He is still a wild animal after all."
Robin nods. "Exactly," he says. "So, what are you thinking so far?" he asks curiously. "Of this place..."
"It's certainly beautiful," Regina replies. "I've never seen a forest so enchanting. And they call it the Enchanted Forest where I live. This is where the real magic is," she says.
"And where it really came from, too," Robin says. "But you'll learn more about that with Tink. I am glad you like your new home, though."
"It's very beautiful," Regina agrees as she takes a bite of her porridge. "I do hope everyone accepts me here."
"They will," Robin assures. "I can already tell that you are kind and have a beautiful soul. They may be wary of you now but you'll grow on them. My–our subjects will fall in love with you, as I hope to do," he says.
"I hope so, too," Regina replies. She then lowers her spoon with a frown. "Robin... What if we can't love each other?" she asks. "What if we find out that we just aren't compatible."
"I won't force you to remain married to me if that is the case," Robin says. "I'll find another wife and you may find another man who will love you if I can't." He sighs softly. "But I already feel a connection between us Regina. Something I cannot explain. I will fight every day for love, I will try my hardest to make you happy, even if it isn't with me."
Regina can't help but feel touched at his words. He is willing to try so hard for her, a perfect stranger, and she will try for him, too, and for Daniel, because she knows it would be what he would want, for her to find happiness and love and she thinks that maybe Robin could be that. "Thank you," she says. "I will try my hardest for us as well. You're a wonderful man, Robin, and I'm lucky to have you."
"And I'm thankful that your uncle let me know about you so that I could save you from men who wouldn't want the things for you that I do," he says. "At least here with me, you're safe. I won't hurt you and I won't let harm come to you." It is then that he leans in and presses a quick kiss to her cheek. It is a small gesture, but it still steals her breath away. "We aren't allowed to touch until our wedding but I couldn't resist," he says with a smirk that shows off his dimples and puts an amiable crinkle around his gorgeous blue eyes and Regina feels as if she's been put under a spell. "But now we must get you to Tink. She's waiting."
Robin stands and hands his plate off to a servant before gently taking Regina's empty one from her hands, one that is plucked away by a servant as well. Robin offers his hand to Regina after that and she takes it in her own, letting him lead her back through the maze of the tent city she still must learn her way around. After turning this way and that, Robin leads Regina into one of them. Regina is greeted by the sight of a young blonde girl who looks much to pretty to be a handmaiden, even though Robin assured Regina before that that was all she was.
"Your Majesty... my lady," she greets Robin and Regina almost immediately and bows to them. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you," she tells Regina.
"And you," Regina answers. "You must be Tink."
"Yes, I am," she says. "I'm going to teach you all there is to know about your new home, and don't worry, I'll make it as easy as possible."
"I hope so," Regina replies and smiles at her.
Robin clears her throat to remind the two of them he's still there. "I'll leave you both to it then. Regina, I'll be back for you at lunchtime," he informs.
"See you later, Robin," Regina says.
"Good day, Your Majesty," Tink adds. Once Robin leaves the tent, she turns to Regina. "So, Regina, let's get started. What do you want to talk about first?"
"The wedding," Regina answers immediately. "I know I should be curious about histories and language and customs but... The wedding will be so soon and I want to be prepared."
Tink smiles and takes Regina's hands. They sit down together on the chaise in her tent and Regina shifts to get comfortable. "I'll tell you all you need to know, don't worry. I want you to have a clear head and if that means going over your wedding ritual, I'll tell you. You deserve to know what happens on your big day."
"Thank you," Regina says gently. "So tell me what happens from the beginning."
"Well, on your wedding day, you'll be woken up and dressed as usual, but in a beautiful gown which you'll be tailored for later. Then, you'll be taken down to the river on a white horse that signifies your purity and innocence. There, you and Robin will be pledged to each other and you'll say your vows. Your palms will be cut and you must press your hands together to signify that you are of one blood before you can wash them in the river. After that, you'll both be crowned King and Queen of Sherwood," Tink explains. "Afterwards, you will depart on the white horse and will be taken to a huge feast. There, you will eat, dance, and be awarded gifts. There will be a ceremony at the end of the night where you will be given your direwolf. After that, you and Robin will be taken to your separate chambers, bathed, and dressed. You will then be taken into his chambers where your wedding night will commence. There you will consummate your marriage. You'll be required to stay with him all night and in the morning, your sheets will be checked to ensure your marriage was consummated and that you were a virgin before your wedding night."
Regina begins to feel nervous as Tink tells her about the wedding night. She is so nervous to bare her body to Robin, to let him take her virginity when he is but a mere stranger. She is worried he won't find her beautiful, for her mother was always telling her that she had never grown into a womanly figure, that she still looked girlish. Robin is a man and he probably wants a woman to bed, not a girl. And that is what she is, she's barely a woman, still a child in her eyes and in the eyes of many others, and she still carries that innocence with her.
"Regina, are you okay?" Tink asks, breaking her from her thoughts.
"Yes," she answers quietly. "I'm just nervous about all of this. Robin is a kind man but I am scared to marry him, to give him the only thing I have left of myself. I-... what if I'm not good enough?"
Tink sighs a little and places her hands on Regina's shoulders. "Regina, dear, you don't need to fear that. Robin already seems very fond of you. And you aren't expected to be an expert at sex on your first go. He will understand that," she assures. "He has not been with a woman before either, he too is inexperienced but that is the beautiful thing. As husband and wife you can experiment together, find each other's sexual likes and dislikes and you can become better with each other."
"Can you give me any advice?" asks Regina. "I just... I know how sex works for the most part but I don't know how to give pleasure. How do I make him like it? Or do I just lay there and let him do everything?"
Tink chuckles. "Guys are easy, Regina and you can always make them want more if they know you'll give it. Laying there will be hard once you experience it. You'll see what I mean. Your body will naturally begin to respond to him but there are several things you can do to make him crawl back for more. For one, look him in the eyes. The eyes are the key to a man's heart. No matter what you are doing with him, no matter how silly or embarrassed you may feel, always look him in the eyes. It's almost like you can put a man under a spell just by gazing directly into his eyes."
Regina nods, taking in this new information and Tink continues. "Don't be afraid to experiment. Try new things. For the good of you both, you'll want to find several different ways to bring you both pleasure. It's more fun and it keeps things in the marriage bed interesting. Men always seem to be adventurous in that way, keep up with him, but don't be afraid to say no if it isn't something you like or feel uncomfortable with. Robin is a good man and I'm sure he will understand that."
"Thank you, Tink," Regina replies. "I will keep that in mind and I'll come to you if I need help with anything else. I just hope Robin finds me satisfactory," she says.
"Regina, you're a very pretty young woman," Tink says. "You're the buzz of the kingdom. I'm always hearing the noblewomen go on about how beautiful you are and how jealous they are of your beauty. You are a thing to be desired. Women want to be you and men want to have you. Robin is a very lucky man to have such a beautiful bride. If he is not satisfied with how you look or perform, he is making a mistake."
Regina smiles a little at that. "Thank you, again," she says gently. "I really appreciate that Tink. I feel a little better now."
"Good. You can always come to me for advice or a pep talk. I'm here to help you be the greatest queen Sherwood has ever known and I intend to help you in more ways than just teaching you about this kingdom," Tink says confidently. "Now? Shall we get started? You've got much to learn."
Let me know what you thought! We will be back in Robin's head next chapter and also, you guys will get to see a wedding next update ;) See ya then!
