Chapter 2

Regina grabbed a simple black suit and a white silk blouse. She wasn't going to go down and meet this mystery person in jeans and a t-shirt, no matter that it was her home and she wasn't working. She was going to meet this person in some sort of finery. She was going to look good. She might not look like royalty when she met them, but she would look good.

Once she was happy with her appearance, she made her way down the stairs and to the study where Emma and the stranger were waiting. Emma saw her first and smiled, winking slightly where only Regina would catch it. The stranger turned to see Regina standing in the door way. She immediately rose from the chair she had been sitting on and placed her tumbler of cider on Regina's desk. Emma heard Regina gasp at the sight of the stranger.

Emma could only wonder what Regina was thinking about the mysterious stranger standing before her. The raven haired woman was slightly taller than they were and carried herself with an air of aristocracy. Her clear blue eyes were fixated on Regina as she smiled in greeting. She stepped around the chair and rearranged her royal blue velvet dress to make the movement easier. Regina watched as she took two steps towards her, then the stranger grabbed the plaid that was draped around her shoulder and the waist of her dress before curtseying to Regina.

"My Lady," the stranger stated, deep in a bow.

"Stand up, Rhiannon. I am not a queen anymore. Please have a seat and tell me what brings you to my cozy little town of Storybrooke," Regina said, walking around her mahogany desk and taking her seat.

Emma poured her a glass of cider and pushed it over the desk at her. She was rewarded with a glare at the movement, but took the tumbler of cider. She took a sip and sat the glass back down on a nearby coaster. Her chestnut eyes looked at the bright blue across her desk, still questioning her presence.

"I am sorry to disturb you, Regina, but I am need of your help," she told her.

"What is it that you think I can do for you?"

"I need you to come with me to Tir Nan Og. It is time that we find my beloved Sorcha and you are the only one that I can think of that can help. I have need of your magics."

Emma squirmed a little in her chair, but took another swig of cider instead of saying anything. She watched Regina closely. She knew that Regina was gauging how she would respond.

"Unfortunately, Rhiannon, you have come too late. I cannot help you. I no longer use my magic for evil deeds I have started a new and quiet life here. I don t know what else I can tell you."

"I have heard of your banishment. All of the realms of the Fae know, Regina. I wouldn't ask if I didn't need you. I can understand your hesitation. I truly do, but as I know you used your magic because you lost the one you love, I have done this as well."

"How so?" Regina questioned.

"Sorcha is my daughter. I have searched Tir Nan Og for her and cannot find her. I need to you to help locate her. I know that your mother had a magic globe. If I could see it, then maybe it would tell me where she is and how I can find her. Can you do this for me?" Rhiannon asked her.

Regina stood up from behind her desk and made her way to the lone couch that was in her study. She sat down with her tumbler in hand. She took another drink and then shot Emma a look. Emma understood and joined Regina on the couch. She possessively placed her hand on Regina's knee. The move wasn't lost on Rhiannon, who just smirked at Regina knowingly.

"I don't have my mother's globe," Regina finally stated, breaking their awkward silence.

"Is it in the Enchanted Forest?"

"Is that the same magic globe that Gold used to find Neal?" Emma asked.

"Gold?" Rhiannon asked, "Who is this Gold? And where I can I meet him?"

"You know who Gold is, Rhiannon. He is known as Mr. Gold here. You know him better as the 'Dark One' or Rumpelstiltskin. That little imp has a lot of my mother's belongings. Most of which I don't want back. I try not to deal with him if I don't have to," Regina said, making a weak smile.

"The Dark One has your mother's globe?"

"Yes, so you see when I told you that I couldn't help you, I really can't. Gold and I make an agreement after we broke the curse for the third time. He is the grandfather of my son. We don't bother each other. The only time that we deal with each other is for Henry," Regina told her.

"Henry?"

"Yes, he is my son," Regina answered flatly.

Emma could feel the heat building underneath her fingers. She immediately started watching Rhiannon a little more closely. She wasn't sure what it was about her that made her uneasy, but she decided that it was because she was making Regina more and more uncomfortable the longer that sat there.

"You have a son?

"We have a son," Emma corrected.

"I am sorry. I didn't know. But, then at least, you can understand my plight. My daughter is missing, Regina and I need to find her. Things are not as peaceful as they once were in Tir Nan Og. I need to find her to ensure the line of the throne and the peace. I wouldn't have come to you if I didn't need your help. I am sorry to ask this of you."

"I don't do magic anymore. I am the mayor of this town. I live a quiet life, now. I live simply here with my wife, Emma. I don't know what else to tell you. You could seek out Gold, if you wish. I'll even go with you to see ifl could help, but Rhiannon, I simply cannot go to Tir Nan Og to help you."

"Have you forgotten everything, Regina? Have you forgotten the summers spent with me? Can you honestly tell me 'no,' now?"

Regina sighed. Her heart felt for Rhiannon, but she had promised Emma and Henry no more magic. She had been good. She was doing well and now this was a huge temptation back into the dark.

Regina felt like she was an impasse. She wanted to help Rhiannon. She really did, but things had changed drastically since their childhood. She couldn't just do what she wanted anymore. She had Henry and Emma to think about. Then, there was the little deal about her exile and punishment. She wasn't going to go against the Charmings anymore. She had promised. She was a woman of her word and she meant.

"I'm sorry. I just can't help you. Rhiannon, please understand that I want to help. I just can't."

"I'm sorry, but Il don't understand. You are a queen, Regina. How is it that you are unable to help me? What has happened to the girl I once knew?"

"A lot, unfortunately. I am sure that my reputation has preceded me in your land as well. Normally, I would be willing to help you, Rhiannon. I just can't. I promised my son that I wouldn't go against my in—laws anymore. I have kept my word and I plan on continuing to do that," Regina told her.

"I should leave you alone. It sounds like you need to catch up. Besides, I sure that Henry will be here soon," Emma stated, getting up from the couch.

She patted Regina's leg in reassurance and headed towards the kitchen to check on Regina's lasagna. She stopped in the door way and turned to give Regina a smile. Regina smiled back, knowing that she was giving her the room to discuss more openly about the truce with the Charmings. They were both brought out of their thoughts by Henry announcing that he was home from school.

"Mom, Ma, I'm home. Where you at? Please tell me that is lasagna, too!"

"Henry!" Regina called out in surprise.

"In here, Kid," Emma told him.

Henry came into the study and gave both of his mother's a glance. He stared at Rhiannon, who was still seated. He seemed unsettled by the woman but didn't say anything. He could tell that Regina was a little of sorts with her being there and decided to wait until they were alone later to discuss this. He could tell by the look on Regina's face that there was more going on than he could see.

"Henry, this is my old friend, Rhiannon. She came to visit. Please say hello to her," Regina told him.

Henry came further into the room. He waited for her to extend her hand and he shook it. He felt an odd sensation when he did and he immediately looked over Rhiannon's shoulder to Emma. He gave her a look of bewilderment and Emma shrugged, making a motion with her head to follow her.

"Hey, Kid, come on and help me set the table. I am sure that Rhiannon and your mom have some business to discuss. Then you can help me get ready for your aunts who will be here tomorrow,"

Emma stated as she headed off to the kitchen, again.

"Okay, Ma," he replied, following Emma out of the study.

"Good lad you have there, Regina," Rhiannon stated after they were gone.

"He is. He really is."

Regina watched her. Rhiannon still seemed puzzled by the whole issue of Emma and Henry. She couldn't seem to fathom Regina's reluctance, regardless of the reason.

"Would you help your son?"

"I would."

"You would help your son, but you won't help me help my own daughter."

"It isn't a matter of want, Rhiannon. I cannot. I will not jeopardize my well-being for magic, again."

"You won't or you can't?"

"I can't."

"What happened, Regina? What happened to you? Why did you turn your back on magic?"

"Rhiannon, it isn't something that I like to talk about. Listen, what you knew of me before I married Leopold is not the person that I became. My mother twisted me into something that I never wanted. I tried to rebel against her and what I was becoming, but the magic became a drug and a power that I thought that I could live without. I became a monster bent on revenge and destruction. I will not go back down that path. I cannot. I would lose everything that I love."

"Henry and Emma?"

"Yes," Regina sighed in response.

"Time is a strange motivator is it not?"

"What do you mean?"

"What if I could give you time back?"

"As a reward?"

"In a manner of speaking, yes. I have that ability. I can give you back some of the wasted years, if you wish. You could change the outcome. You could still keep what you want, what you tell me you love."

"Rhiannon, it would be a lie. I promised Henry that I wouldn't lie to him. I will keep my word. Besides, I cannot help you. There is more than my happiness at play here."

"I know that, Regina. I heard of the prophecy for your curse. I have one of my own. I believe that it involves my daughter. I thought you might know something about it, considering everything."

"I am sorry I do not," Regina answered, "I don't care for legends anymore. Well, not since I was bound. I read for enjoyment and entertainment. I care not for prophecies. I spent too much of my time trying to prevent them with magic. Magic that I no longer possess."

"Who bound you?"

"Does it really matter?" Regina asked.

"It might. I could undo the binding. I could ask them to undo it."

"I doubt they will help you."

"Is it the Dark One?" Rhiannon questioned.

"No, thank the gods, it wasn't him."

"Then, who, Regina? Who is the great person who bound your powers? Who took your magic?"

Regina looked at her pleadingly. It had been so long ago. Things were different then. She wasn't happy. She wasn't free to be who she wanted. She didn't know how to live without magic. She didn't know what the power of love was.

Emma stood in the doorway to the study. She knew that Regina and Rhiannon couldn't see her. She saw the pain in Regina's eyes. She knew that Regina wanted to help her friend and she knew why she couldn't. Emma wanted to ease her pain, but she didn't know if Regina would let her. it had been ages since she had seen that kind of anguish on Regina's face and she didn't like it. She heard what Regina told Rhiannon, but she was surprised that she actually told her about the binding.

Regina finally saw Emma standing in the doorway, with a look of pure unadulterated love. It broke Regina's heart to see Emma like that, because even after all this time she still didn't believe that she deserved the Savior's love. Regina smiled at her, hoping that Emma would just go away and let her try to deal with Rhiannon alone. She realized too late that Emma wasn't going to let her do that. Emma wasn't going to let her suffer, because Regina knew that if she was suffering for whatever reason, Emma suffered along with her.

Rhiannon felt Emma's presence, but didn't acknowledge her. She saw the quick interaction between them. It was enough for her to know that they were speaking volumes with their eyes in a language that only they understood. She was intruding on their lives, but she needed answers.

"Regina, please tell me who bound your powers. l must know. I need your help."

"I'll tell you who bound her powers," Emma told Rhiannon, coming around to stand behind Regina.

She placed her hand on Regina's shoulders and gave them a loving squeeze. Regina reached up and grabbed Emma's hand. Rhiannon ignored the look of horror on Regina's face as she stared at Emma.

"And, who would that be, my dear Sheriff?" Rhiannon asked her.

"The person who bound Regina's powers is the child of prophecy. The Enchanted Forest's own Savior, the child of pure love, she is the child of the Queen of the Enchanted Forest and her true love."

"Henry bound you?" Rhiannon asked, puzzled.

"No, I did."

Rhiannon turn sharply and meet the viridian gaze of Emma. Regina stood motionless watching them. Emma looked like she was ready for battle. Her stance was rigid and defensive. Regina gave her a sympathetic look.

"I am that child. I am the child of Snow White and Prince Charming. I bound her powers because she asked that I do it. I am the only one who was strong enough to keep her bound. It was her choice, Rhiannon and not mine. But, it was a decision that I didn't take lightly. Trust me on that."