. . . by the secret ladder, disguised,
. . . in darkness and concealment . . .
It was less than a day since they had begun the journey to Rumplestiltskin's castle and Regina was already nearing her last nerve. Walking and climbing through the untamed forest was not her idea of a holiday and it was anything but fun trekking in the midst of men whose hands were never away from their weapon's reach. From the unfriendly visages accompanying the alert men, Regina was certain that if an arrow "slipped" and she became a human pin-cushion, no tears would be shed.
As each minute of tedium increased, she found the need to speak something growing within her. She held it back, trying- for Henry, it's for Henry—not to say anything imprudent.
Regina lasted one more hour.
"You seem reduced," she said out loud. Some eyes went her direction, but then went back forward, "Did some Merry Men abandon ship? Start a new hobby?"
Robin halted, and turned around. "The ones that you see are those you did not imprison or order executed."
"Oh." Great. Just reminded them of the reason why she should be impaled. Robin resumed walking. She followed after another cautious look at the men's weapon hands. No sign of an "oops" coming.
For now.
They moved on in continued silence pausing as they reached a ledge, the men lithely jumped down. Robin Hood looked to Little John, and cocked a thumb in her direction.
"I can help myse…" Regina began to protest, but was cut off as she was swiftly lifted, or rather, dragged down. Little John let go of her waist immediately. "Thank you." She straightened her coat about her as he moved swiftly back to his leader.
The thick silence remained until they set camp that evening.
She ate alone, isolated a distance from the men. "We're doubling back," she said aloud into the silent space, "I've noticed."
After a moment, Robin came to her, and handed her a jug of water. "We're rendezvousing with a few of our people."
Regina nodded, taking a deep gulp. She hadn't realized how thirsty she was. "Is that when I'll meet Maid Marian again?" She allowed a small smirk, "though I guess after she ran off and married you, she doesn't quite go by the first part of that name." Robin stiffened and his expression reminded her why he was a man people had feared. She could have eaten the chill for desert. Robin walked to the outskirts of the circle where he was only a silhouette. She didn't need to see more than one pair of visual daggers now coming from all directions to know they were there.
Damn.
"Ok," Regina shouted out to those who might hear, looking up and about, "what did I say?" She emphasized with exasperated palms out with her words, "What did I say now?"
Nobody answered, "Ohh kay," she muttered.
After minutes of unsettling silence, she heard Robin speak, "My wife is dead."
Regina looked down. What to say to that? She stared ahead into the wall of darkness. "I'm sorry," she said softly.
The shadows showed him shake his head, "No, you're not." And he disappeared completely into the darkness.
Regina took a step forward, "I beg your pardon, but I am," she directed to wherever he had disappeared. "I know what it's like to lose family too!"
No reply.
Regina bit her lip.
Yes. She was going to kill Tinkerbell.