Chapter 8
Regina made her way down the hallway to Henry's room. She knew that Emma and Henry were in there "calling" Snow and Charming. She had been allowed to keep the magic mirror for them to use. It was the concession that Snow had allowed with Regina's punishment. Her reasoning was that she couldn't punish Emma and Henry for Regina's mistakes. Plus it gave them all a way to communicate. She stopped outside the doorway and sighed.
She knew that Emma had been right, but she was still upset by the whole situation. She had let her anger get the best of her and she knew it. She hadn't wanted to rationalize at the time, but after seeing Rhiannon with the image of her daughter, she knew that she had to speak to Snow. She had to do something. She owed Rhiannon that much.
She could hear their soft, muffled voices through the door. She knocked gently, not wanting to interrupt their conversation with the Charmings. She waited for one of them to answer the door.
"Mom?" Henry questioned as he opened the door.
"Can l speak with Emma for a minute, alone?"
"Yeah, let me get her," he stated before walking back across his room to get his other mother.
She watched him lean over and say something into Emma's ear. She saw Emma turn around and look at his doorway at her. Henry smiled at Emma. Regina watched Emma's face soften at their son's smile. She knew why Emma was tense and she knew it was her fault, but she was happy that Henry could still make Emma feel better with just his smile. But, then again, Regina wasn't surprise because he did the same thing for her. Emma met her chocolate brown eyes and gave her a slight grin. Regina returned the smile, in hopes that Emma wouldn't still be angry with her. Henry again said something to Emma that only she could here.
Emma turned back to the mirror and said something to Snow. Regina watched as Snow looked passed them at a Regina, before nodding at Emma and smiling. Emma turned to Henry, again, smiled and stood up. She crossed the room back to his door with a practiced ease that made Regina's heart skip a beat. There was just something about the way Emma moved. It was also with a purpose but also a careless abandon that Regina found interesting and annoying at the same time. It wasn't regimental and poised like her royal bearing.
"Henry said that you wanted to speak with me," Emma stated, breaking Regina out of her reverie.
"Yes, I thought about what you said. I know that you are right. I am sorry that I got angry with you. I just don't like being helpless," Regina told her.
"I know that, Regina. It was just like you weren't even going to try. You promise us both that you weren't going to give up no matter the circumstances. You just gave up, Regina. That is why I got so mad. You were having a pity party for one. You're better than that," Emma stated.
"I know. You remind me of that every day. I am just scared about this whole situation."
"Why?" Emma asked confused.
"You know why, Miss Swan," Regina told her.
"Don't you start that shit with me, Regina. Talk to me. Tell me why Rhiannon has you so scared so suddenly. Tell me what's really going on in that beautifully royal but stubborn head of yours."
"I am not sure that I have enough time to tell you everything, but I have to help her. Somehow, some way, I have to help her find her daughter. I'll explain everything to you, later, but first, I need your help with something," Regina told her.
"Yeah, and what is that?"
"I need to talk to Snow."
"That shouldn't be a problem," Emma stated.
"Alone."
"Well, that however, may prove to be interesting."
"Will you ask her if I can have a private audience with her?"
"Would you rather ask her yourself?" Emma questioned.
"I think it would be better coming from you."
"Suit yourself, but I think she might be a little more receptive if you asked her. I could prep her, now. You could ask her from here if you want. I sure it wouldn't be a problem," Emma told her.
"I am not sure that she'll be as receptive as you believe," Regina told her.
"You won't know until you try."
"Fine, I'll wait here. You ask your mother if I can have a private audience with her. I need to speak with her alone. I doubt that your father will let me do that," Regina stated.
"I'll go ask. Go make yourself a cup of coffee. I'm sure it won't take long for them to make a decision. I'll come find you as soon as I know anything," Emma told her.
"Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet."
"No, thank you for believing in me, again," Regina said as she walked away.
Instead of going downstairs to the kitchen and making herself a cup of coffee, she went back to Rhiannon's room. She knocked on the door and waited for Rhiannon to voice her approval to come in. Once she was verbally greeted, Regina opened the door slowly and walked into her own guest room. Rhiannon was sitting on the bed in just her chemise. Regina noted that her royal blue velvet dress was laid out in a sitting chair. The royal plaid was laid on top of it.
"What is it, Regina?"
"I need to ask you something."
"Does it pertain to retrieving my daughter?"
"It might."
"Then, please, dear, ask away," Rhiannon told her.
"Do you remember when you came to me after Leopold died?"
"Yes, I came for the funeral. How could I forget? That was the day you asked for my help in resurrecting your mother. It was the day that you made the pact with me. Yes, I remember it plainly. Why do you ask?"
"Do you still carry some of the Phoenix Oil?"
"Always. I never leave home without it. I can't afford not to, why?"
"We may have need of it, later. Do you promise to be ready? I need to know that you are going to help me. I need to know that you are going to be there when I need you."
"We have a blood oath, Regina. I will always be there for you as you will be for me. I don't know what you are planning, but I know that you are doing it for me. I will do what you ask, whatever it may be," Rhiannon told her.
"I have need of enough to resurrect one."
"For who?"
"Myself," Regina told her.
"My Queen, there is an outsider seeking an audience."
"Who is it, Huntsman?"
"She says she is Princess Rhiannon," he answered.
"Show her in, then and be quick about it."
Regina straightened her dress. It had been many years since she'd met Rhiannon with her mother, but she knew that she could help her deal with her problems. Rhiannon was a good distraction. She missed spending her summers with her since her marriage to Leopold, but now that he was dead, she could go visit her again.
"My Queen," Rhiannon said, as she entered Regina's room.
"Rhiannon, my old friend, it has been too long."
"That it has. I see you have fulfilled my prophecy to be queen. How are things?"
"Quiet at the moment and dull. I know that his daughter questions me but she has the mindset of a child. She doesn't think her actions through very well. I am worried that I might have to have her killed. She will upset the populace," Regina told her.
"Ah, that cannot be good for your rule. What can I do for you? Anything?"
"We aren't children, Rhiannon. I won't ask you to destroy her. I know that you are capable, but I have my own ways of dealing with her, if it comes to that. Why are you here?"
"We made an oath, in blood, my dear. I am here for you. I have come to support your rule."
"But, you have no absolute power here," Regina told her.
"True, your kingdom is not of my realm, but I still have enough power here to support you."
"I think that won't be necessary."
"What happened to you?" Rhiannon asked.
"What do you mean? I am the same person I was years ago, when we met. I may have grown up, but it was not a peaceful process. My mother scarred me in more ways than I'll ever admit."
"I can see that. Your aura is all wrong. And, your magics flow from anger. You know this is not the way magic should be used. Regina, what happened to you?"
"Daniel died. I married Leopold. I arranged for his death. I am queen. And, now, I fear that Snow, my own step-daughter is going to push for rule based on blood. I find myself at a crossroads that I would have died for years ago, but now, I can have whatever I want."
"That might be so, but you should be careful with that kind of power."
"Why? Nothing can hurt me. I am a great sorceress and the queen. No one will dare to challenge me," Regina told her.
"That may be true, now, but eventually there will be someone who will."
"I doubt that. Once I deal with Snow, there will be no one with enough clout to stand up against me. I can have all that I want now. I will find a way to bring Daniel back and I will have it all."
"Be careful with that, Regina. I will support you, but your own wants will bring about your own downfall. You know what having that much power will accomplish. Nothing good will come of this. I am telling you this as a friend."
"I will get my vengeance and I will get it."
"Regina, this is not a magical path to follow. It will only lead to destruction and heart ache. It will poison your heart. Once, your heart turns black, only love can heal it."
"Well, my heart was blackened years ago. As for love, that is what Daniel will give me, again. And, don't worry about my heart being poisoned; my mother already did that for me."
Rhiannon just stared at her. She peered inside Regina's already darkening heart and sighed. Rhiannon wasn't afraid for herself; she was afraid for Regina. The woman before her wasn't the same girl that she knew years ago. She could feel the loneliness that was clinging to her. Rhiannon didn't know when or how, but she knew that Regina would fall and she would fall hard. She could only hope that she was there for her when it happened.
"I'll be on my way, then. Good luck with your reign, Regina. You know how to find me when you need me," Rhiannon stated as she started to take her leave.
"Wait."
"Yes, my Queen?" she replied.
"I received your invitation. I shall come to your wedding to Pol. He sounds like a good man for you. I am sure that alliance of the clans will keep the hard fought peace of your realm. I am happy for you, my friend," Regina told her.
"Thank you, Regina. That means a lot to me. I shall await your arrival. Do come early, though. I would love to show you around a bit more this time. I am sure that you will find Tir Nan Og to your liking. I would love for you to come riding with me," Rhiannon said.
"Could we go visit the Phoenix Valley again? I feel so at peace there. Take me there and we have a deal, my old friend," Regina stated.
"If you would like, yes, we can go there. My wedding will be held near there. It would be an honor to take you through the valley again, Regina. I know that Taliesin will be glad to see you again. He keeps telling me that he wants to see you laugh again. It seems to be all he thinks about these days. He misses you terribly," Rhiannon explained.
"Tell him, I shall come for the wedding. If he thinks that he can make me laugh, then he can try then. I would love to hear the stories of Avalon, again."
"You know how he loves to tell them," Rhiannon added.
Rhiannon followed Regina out of the room and into the hallway. Rhiannon's sapphire eyes watched Regina's chocolate eyes trying to find something to hold on to, something that would let her know what Regina was thinking. She hid behind her eyes, not revealing anything. Her mother had taught her well in disguising his displeasure in public. Rhiannon could tell that Regina was breaking on the inside, even if she wasn't showing it on the outside.
Emma found them standing the hallway. She couldn't tell what was passing between them, but she knew that Regina was planning something. She hoped that it wasn't something they would all regret later. She waited until she knew that Regina felt her. When she turned to face her, her green eyes met brown.
"Snow agreed to talk you," Emma told her.