"It's Not Easy Being Green"

How gently and lovingly

you wake in my heart,

where in secret you dwell alone;

and in your sweet breathing,

filled with good and glory,

how tenderly you swell my heart with love.

Regina stood to the side of her son at the funeral. Robin was with her holding her hand. Regina only felt a little guilty that she was not focused on the dead man whom they were remembering, but her boy, seeing him hurting and not being able to comfort him. Robin put his arm around her, holding tight the other hand, she then comforting him at the loss of a friend.

Both in grief for different reasons.

Roland had been left with the Merry Men. They'd agreed he was too young to understand, and neither wanted him to see Henry. The little boy was confused enough. Henry not knowing who he was would only upset him needlessly.

The wake which followed was a rather sober scene. Robin had gone to gather some drinks and Tinkerbell went to Regina.

"Everything alright?" she asked.

Regina shrugged. "We have a lot on our minds."

Then Robin came over with the drinks. Tink took one, and Regina shook her head, "Maybe another time."

Before Robin could reply, they were interrupted by Zelena's rather melodramatic entrance.

One that led Regina to an old letter from her mother, and then seeking solitude in the woods.

She should not have been surprised when Robin found her.

He sat by her. "How are you holding up?

"I'm not a flying monkey if that's what you mean," Regina replied dryly.

Robin chuckled. "So are you going to tell me what's in that letter you've been starting at?"

"What letter?"

"This one?" He lifted up the letter for her to see. "I'm a pick-pocket by trade," he said apologetically, "I spent many years learning how to rob from magicians."

Regina's eyes narrowed, "You're lucky I'm saving my strength for that witch."

"I think deep down you want to talk about what's in here."

Regina glared.

"So, can I read it?" he asked.

"I'm not stopping you."

Robin read, "'Cora dear, I finally got my hands on your first born. Never thought I'd find her, did you? Now I know why. She's the most powerful sorceress I've ever encountered even more powerful than you. Stunning in every way.' Rather complimentary I'd say. Why is this troubling you?"

Regina stared ahead, "I've seen that letter a hundred times before. In my darkest moments I'd go to it for comfort, solace, for a boost when I needed it because … because I always thought it was about me."

Robin sighed, "It's about Zelena."

"Rumplestiltskin thinks she is more powerful than I am."

"Why care what that Imp thinks?" Robin asked.

"Because if the man who taught me everything I know about magic thinks she is stronger than I am, then there is no way I can win this fight."

Robin thought a moment, and then, "On the contrary, I think there is."

"What's that?"

"Don't you know?"

Later that night Regina found Robin with the help of a flashlight.

"Did the plan work?" he asked.

"That depends," Regina answered a little anxiously, "Is it still here?"

"Right where you left it." Robin held the heart out to her.

"Then it worked." She put her heart in a bag. "I just needed to find the one thing I had that Zelena didn't."

"And what exactly is that?" Robin wanted to know.

"My heartless mother." Regina looked down at his wrist, "My sister was right about something. She said I don't always realize what I have right in front of me." And she leaned forward, giving him a soft kiss. Then she took his hand and placed her heart into it. "Would you mind holding onto this for a bit longer?"

Robin looked down at it. "I knew you'd given me your heart. I just never thought one day it would be so literal."

Regina gave him a small smile, "I guess it's one way to make it official."

Her hand was still under his, and he took the heart. Then, "You still owe me that drink," he reminded her.

She smiled back, "Yes, I suppose I do."

Robin wrapped one arm around her, kissing her temple as they walked towards Granny's for a much needed shot of whiskey.