Chapter 4

Regina stood up forcefully. She couldn't be seated any longer. She didn't like the look that Rhiannon was giving her. Her shoulders were burning from where Emma had been touching her. She turned to smile at Emma, to try to give her some reassurance that she wasn't going to break and to make herself believe it. She knew that this wasn't the first time since she'd been bound by Emma that she almost broke because she didn't have her magic.

Emma smiled, softly back at trying to help assuage Regina's fears, but knowing that she was doing no good. Magic was part of them both and while Emma had learned to control hers finally, she knew the destruction and the good that Regina could do. Regina was the one afraid of herself. There was no denying it. Emma saw the purple haze start to fill Regina's eyes, but knew that she couldn't summon the powers to act upon it.

"Regina?" Emma asked.

"I'll be alright," she answered as the purple haze started to dissipate.

The silent conversation that continued thru their eyes let Emma know that she would have to another binding later that night, in the privacy of their room. She knew the pain it would cause Regina to do it with Henry in the house, but they both could see that it was needed. lf she didn't get it under control tonight, there was no telling what she might do once they got to the Enchanted Forest.

Rhiannon remained sitting, waiting for them to address her again directly. She was amused by the emotional side of Regina with Emma. She remembered how guarded Regina had been when they were younger. She could remember the fire in Regina's eyes and the passion that she bore. This definitely was not the Regina she remembered. This Regina was broken, wounded, and better for it.

Rhiannon watched the silent interactions, the loving glances, the faint touches, all of them between them. She knew that Emma was still watching her. She was protective of Regina in a feral and carnal fashion. She had only seen that look before in someone eyes. It had been Regina when she talked about Daniel. She cocked her head while she thought about that. She knew that Regina hated to seem weak, but she conceited her strength to Emma. She smiled, realizing that Regina had indeed found her soul mate, the one person that handle her in every way and love her completely while she did it.

"Mom, Ma?" Henry asked as he returned to the study.

He could sense that something was going on. He didn't know what it was, but he knew it was big and it concerned his mother, Regina. He could see the pain and fear on her face, even though she was trying to hide it. He could sense the emotions in the air. He couldn't name them all or the feeling that was surrounding his mothers, but they were both worried.

"Henry, what is it, dear?" Regina asked, suddenly very sober in the moment.

"Dinner is ready. l put the lasagna on the table and the turnovers in the oven. Twenty minutes, right?"

"Yes, twenty minutes is correct. I hope that you set an extra space for Rhiannon. I am sure that she is staying for dinner. I will help you find a place to stay after we eat and then, l will help you find a way home. More than that, I cannot do for you, Rhiannon," Regina told her.

"We will speak later, I am sure."

"We will indeed. Miss Swan, are you ready for dinner? I am finding myself particularly famished now. Shall we go then? And, Henry, my darling little prince, you must tell me about your competition. How did you ride?" Regina asked, composing herself a little more with each phrase.

Rhiannon nodded in agreement. She stood and joined them as they walked into the dining room. She noted the stark whites and blacks that the house was decorated in. She noticed the complete lack of colors. Everything was black or white. The fixtures were all nickel or chrome. The absence of color made Rhiannon watch Regina closer.

She stared into the mirror across from the mahogany table. She traced the intricate design of the frame of the mirror with her eyes. Regina caught the movement and smiled. Rhiannon had always had an eye for details; it was another reason she and Regina got along so well.

"This is delicious," Rhiannon finally said, breaking the silence.

"Why thank you, Rhiannon. I believe that it is pepper flakes that give it a nice kick and sets it apart from other recipes. I am glad that you enjoy it."

"You cooked this?" Rhiannon asked, surprised.

"Yes, I did. I cook a lot of things. This happens to be one of my specialties."

"Don't forget about dessert, Mom. Your apple turnovers are the best. Wait until you taste those,"

Henry stated as he shoveled more lasagna into his mouth. Regina smiled at him. Each day he reminded her more and more of Emma with his mannerisms. She found it amazing how he acted like Emma when she was the one who reared him. He looked up at her smiling at him and smiled that same damn Charming smile that Emma had.

"Apple turnovers?" Rhiannon questioned, completely shocked by the situation.

"Yeah, they are the best. Fresh apples in a pastry shell with a little sugar on top, perfectly moist, ooey, gooey goodness. You'll love them. Trust me. Everyone does," Emma told her as she shoved another forkful of lasagna in her mouth.

Rhiannon almost giggled at Regina's face. She couldn't believe the look on Regina's face at their table manners. She knew that Regina was seething, but she wouldn't say anything at the table. It was unladylike, even if she was the head of the family and royal. She wouldn't demean herself in that way before Rhiannon and Rhiannon knew it. But, she could see the fire behind Regina's eyes and she knew that there would be a long conversation between the family before her later.

"So, Kid, how was your meet? You didn't tell me earlier. You win?" Emma asked, trying to distract the very unamused Regina from their plight in manners.

Henry looked up at his mother and beamed. He put his fork down on his plate and was reward with a smile. He smiled back at Regina across the table before he became very animated in the telling of his story. Emma lit up as well, beaming with pride at the accomplishments of their son. Rhiannon could see the love reflected on all their faces. It was this sight that made Rhiannon join in their enthusiasm. She would talk to Regina later, but now, she would share in Henry's triumph.

"Well our competition was in Virginia. It was really pretty there and not as cold. I had fun. I wish you could have joined us down there, but I understood why you couldn't," Henry told them.

Emma watched Regina wince at the news. She knew that Regina was over protective of the boy and him being out of Boston, even for a little while and not in Storybrooke, pained her. Emma gave her a reassuring smile and Regina calmed.

"It was awesome. There were teams from all over the country there. The international equestrian team coach was there as well. He rode in an exhibition run. You would have loved to see him ride, Mom."

Regina turned to face him, beaming with a smile. He couldn't hide his enthusiasm for riding. It was something that he could share with Regina and they both loved that. Regina looked at his dancing hazel eyes and deepened her smile.

"I would have, Henry, and why is that?"

"He was magnificent. It was like he was one with the horse. You know, like you tell me to be? He made it look so effortless. He reminded me of watching you ride. It was beautiful," Henry told her.

"Thank you, dear, that means a lot coming from you," Regina told him, smiling a little bigger.

"I wish I had the video so you could watch it."

"But, Kid, how did you do?" Emma asked bringing the conversation back for everyone.

"I did alright, I guess."

"What do you mean you guess?" Emma questioned.

"Well, I placed first in the men's division over all."

"That's great, Henry," Regina told him.

"Over all, huh? I thought you were riding jumps and stuff. What does over all mean?" Emma asked.

"I got first place in all three events for individual and then we won all three as team."

"So you mean you got six first place awards?" Regina asked, totally wrapped in his story.

"Yeah, I got all six. BC took first over all for teams. We came in fourth in the women's individual though. It was a great meet for the school. We were a long shot according to all the specs and notes they had from around the country."

"So you were the 'dark horse' winners, my little Prince?" Regina replied.

Emma and Henry laughed at the joke, but Rhiannon looked on fascinated. She didn't understand the humor of having a dark horse. She couldn't help, however, but to be proud of Henry achievements. She smiled along with them as they continued their discussion of the horse competition as they ate. Rhiannon didn't notice the change in demeanor until Emma was taking her plate.

"Hey, Henry, help me with the dishes and then we'll go...um...call your grandmother about tomorrow night. I'll catch up with you, Regina. You two go talk. We'll clean this up," Emma told her.

Rhiannon smiled still impressed with the level of domestication between them. It wasn't what she would have expected from the Queen of Winterlands, but Regina always had been an enigma. Regina nodded, in a royal fashion, in agreement and stood from the table. Rhiannon follow suit and then followed Regina back to the study.

Once they were out of ear shot, Henry turned to Emma, "Who is she?"

"Your Mom already told you. She is Rhiannon, Queen of Tir Nan Og. She is one of your Mom's old friends, from you know where," Emma told him.

"I heard all that earlier. But, who is she really? What does she want?" he questioned as they started washing dishes in the kitchen.

He watched as Emma tensed. He knew that she wasn't sure how to answer him. It was in that moment that he knew something was off.

"Don't lie."

"I wasn't going to lie, Henry. I can't tell you what I don't know. I don't know anything about her."

"How is that?"

"Well, she showed up shortly before you did. It was quite a shock for your Mom. She didn't seem too happy that she was here. I've tried to give her some room to talk, but I am not sure that Regina wants to be alone with her. I am sure that they have some history."

"Shouldn't you be in there then?" Henry asked.

"I trust her. I know you do, too. She'll tell me what she needs to tell me, when she is ready," Emma told him.

Truth was that she was worried. She had seen the fury in Regina's eyes before dinner. She could feel the familiar tingle of the magic coming back. She didn't want to worry Henry with that. He had enough to deal with this weekend with his birthday and such. He didn't need to be worried about how his mother was reacting to an uninvited guest.

"But there is more, isn't there?" he asked, studying her face.

"Yeah, Kid, there is, but I'll deal with it. I promise. Everything is going to be fine. You'll see."

"Still want to call Grandma Snow and Grandpa?"

"Yeah, I do."

"Am I going to have to dress up, again?" Henry asked, turning his attention to his party.

"I am sure that Snow has the tailors waiting to do finishing touches on some crazy outfit for you. Enjoy it, Kid. I know that l can't wait to see what crazy dress she has for me to wear," Emma told him.

"I am sure it is big and puffy."

"Oh, I am sure it is."

They laughed, but they knew that it was true. Ever since Snow and Charming had returned to the Enchanted Forest, it seemed like they were trying to make up for lost time. The extravagant balls and celebrations they threw were over the top even for them. No one seemed to complain. Everyone loved the parties and the fun. The greatest thing about them for Henry and Emma was that no one seemed to even mind that Regina was there.

"Do you know what colors they are planning this time?" Henry asked.

"I have no idea. I haven't really talked to them about any of it. Snow wanted it that way. She says that besides you knowing that there is a party in your honor for your birthday, that you weren't to know anything else, and that your aunts were coming home with us afterward. Something about she and Charming are going on a tour of the land to check on everyone that came back."

"Yeah, the 'Royal Tour,' they do it once a year."

"I know, but it just seems odd that they would plan it after your birthday party."

"Maybe there is something else they need to tell us when they get there," Henry suggested.

"I hope it isn't some crazy quest. l am kind of tired of questing. ljust want to sit at home with your Mom and be happy. Can't we have that?"

"Don't you know: we are the heirs to their throne?

"Don't remind me. Snow keeps trying to get me to come there. She understands that I love Regina, but she still banished her. I won't live there without her. You would think that after five years, they would get it through their heads that I am not leaving her...or you," Emma told him.

"She worries. Il guess it is a 'mom' thing. And, don't look at me like that. I know you saw the look that Mom was giving me when she found out that I was in Virginia and not Boston. I thought her head was going to explode," Henry explained.

"I forgot to tell her," Emma offered.

"You know how she gets. Do you remember what it took to let her let me go to Boston College? Ma, she was mess. I know she doesn't like going outside of Storybrooke, but she needs to get out of here, out of her comfort zone. l know she is the mayor and all, but even she needs a break," Henry stated.

"I've been trying, Kid. Hopefully, our adventure to your Grandparents' castle will do something for her mood. I hate seeing her like this, but she won't let me take her anywhere else.

"What if she doesn't have a choice?" Henry asked, conspiratorially, grinning up at Emma.