This guided me
more surely than the light of noon
to where he was awaiting me
- him I knew so well -
there in a place where no one appeared.
Regina, after dismounting, brushed herself off as Robin and the others brought the horses to the stable. She waited patiently with Roland until all returned , and then walked into the castle. She knew where she needed to go and would get there as fast as she could.
"Regina, wait!"
She kept walking. Deja vu.
He caught up with her, "Slow down Regina."
"No need to," she called back, "I know where I'm going. Let's just get this over with."
"Over with?"
"The spell, the portal, leave… "
"Regina…"
She kept moving.
"Dammit, Regina." His voice rang, "will you stop?"
She did.
Robin stood next to her. "You weren't going to say goodbye?"
"I'm not one for goodbyes," she replied.
"For once could you stop thinking only about yourself?"
That was like a splash of cold water.
Robin ran his hand through his hair, and continued, "Think that maybe there are more feelings than your own?"
Regina was completely stopped now. "I'm a terrible person, Robin. I told you that before."
She lifted her chin, but regretted it immediately. That caused the tears to overflow.
"Just slow down." He took her in his arms, "slow down, Regina."
She cried then. Fully. And then cried some more.
Somewhere she found her voice, "I don't want to go, Robin."
"And I don't want you to either," he spoke in her ear. "Have you not known, even in this short time?" He stopped and swallowed, "Do you really think I don't feel as gutted as you?"
Great! He wasn't helping to stop the tears.
So he held her for a long time, until her emotions subsided, somewhat. And then he broke the embrace gently and said, "Let's go together. Where is it?"
Regina wiped her eyes, "In the library."
"Ok. Let's go to the library."
Robin took her hand and they walked together.
Regina told Robin the title.
"A poetry book?" he asked.
Regina rolled her eyes, "Who knows why the imp does what he does?"
He smiled at that, and she did too. Ok. Good. Angst starting to abide.
Breathing in. And out.
Easier together.
So much easier together.
Robin would know the best way to do this, wouldn't he?
Smug bastard!
That caused her to laugh. Luckily, he didn't comment.
She then found the volume and pulled it out. Leafing through the pages she saw the parchment, folded up neatly.
Regina took the spell and handed the book to Robin, "Be sure to note the page. It may have something we need."
He nodded.
Regina looked the spell over and frowned.
"What is it?" Robin asked.
"He would wouldn't he?"
"What?"
"The stupid thing must be cast between the first light of dawn and the noon hour," she explained.
He stared at her.
Regina stared back, "I guess you'll get your slow goodbye."
"Yes," Robin replied, looked again at the page, folded over a small triangle, then said, "What do you say to a bath, change of clothes, and a lovely meal in the castle kitchen?"
"It sounds perfect, Robin," she smiled.
And she leaned in and kissed him.
She may as well give up.
Everything was always beyond her control anyways. No matter what she did.
Always beyond her.