Ruffletes! Welcome to the first of the 12 Days of Outlaw Queen Christmas AU's! (man that is a mouthful!) This first one was an idea of my own & I believe I smiled the whole time I was writing this. I probably look like a crazed lunatic... oh, yes, Biffy confirms that the woman behind the counter in this homey little coffee shop has been staring. Well la! I think you might join me in the infinite good mood when you read further! DO ENJOY! thank you for your AU submitions! My fingers really are going to fall off with all of your good ideas! Keep sending them in as there are 11 more to go!
Ps: I had "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful" the Stuart Damon version and then "Falling In Love With Love" as sung by Rebecca Luker in the live Boys From Syracuse version on repeat in the background. However I did skip the ending of the first song every time... the shrillness of the womans voice just rubs me the wrong way :p
Oh and I don't know if you saw, but if you subscribe to me you might have noticed I have released a new fic... don't get your hopes up, it's not Sir Dimples.. but it is a holiday Outlaw Queen mini fic... If you like fluff (& Dimples Queen!) I would suggest you check out Warm Hearts!
Prompt: Robin & Regina Cinderella AU
"But your majesty!" Came the booming voice of Sir John.
"No John! She is out there, I know it! And this, this shoe will help me find her!"
"But Robin!" John began, but he held his breath. He could see the determined look in his majesty, the princes's eye. He had known Robin for a long time. They had been friends ever since they were old enough to walk. Stealing sweets from the vendors in the market place and tugging on the little girls braids. He had always been able to read Robin. He knew what the prince was thinking, sometimes sooner then the prince knew himself! That was why Robin had taken him and his brothers in after his mother had past away unexpectedly. That was why he had knighted him and dubbed him as one of his royal guard, the personal protector to the prince. Robin was his best mate. And John knew that when Robin set his heart on something, there was no turning back.
He released his breath, "How is this shoe going to help us?"
The prince beamed.
"Magic," was all he said. Robin clapped John on the shoulder in excitement before immediately rushing across the ballroom to the grand doors of the castle.
"Your Highness!?"
"Come on John!" The Prince yelled over his shoulder, "We have a wizard to see!"
xxx
Regina bolted into her stables, just barely making the fence separating her grounds from those of the castle before the moon hit it's peak over the grounds signaling that it was midnight in the Enchanted Forest.
There was a loud bang! And then a series of small pops and whizzes from the humans that had been driving her, quickly fading back into their animal forms. She jumped out of her carriage just before it to returned to it's regular state of an over large pumpkin.
Regina ran to the doors of the stables, swiftly slamming them shut before anyone could be made known of her returned presence.
She could hear the neighs of the horses behind her and the squee of the mice that had been humans only moments before.
She took a deep breath, trying to steady her fluttering heart.
She had been at the ball! And not just any ball, but the ball that had been held as a welcome home ceremony for princes return! It was said to be the biggest event of the year, even bigger than her majesty's birthday. And she had danced, and twirled and had a merry time! It was almost to much for her as she remembered the details of the evening. There had been music, and snacks and dresses of every color and style. The men had been in their best suits and the women in colorful gowns. Their hair had been up and the music had been fast. And she had entered undetected by anyone in her glowing dress and shoes.
They had been a gift from her fairy godmother who had appeared in her room not hours before. The small fairy named Tink had introduced herself and them proceeded to tell Regina that she had to attend the ball for her true love would be there. But she had refused. When the squire had come to the Mills door a day prior, knocking and explaining how the Princes return ball was an event for everyone, Regina had been overjoyed. This would be the first ball she had ever been allowed to attend! Immediately she had gone back to finish her housework as to not get in trouble, but the moment she was done scrubbing the floors and dusting the window panes she had gone straight to work, making a dress for the event. She had worked the whole evening, skipping her dinner and working straight on through the night. It was in the wee hours of the morning, when the sunlight began streaming through her windows, that she had held it up, examining the finished product.
It had been beautiful. A light blue chiffon dress, dusted with flecks of pixie dust that she had received from her father before he had passed away. Her father had been a kind, affectionate gentlemen and Regina had loved him very much. He had always been there to take care of his family. But he knew that in order to keep his loved ones safe he needed to put the safety of his kingdom first. So he had left, going out to fight in the war against the orgers. But before he had gone he had given her a small vile of pixie dust.
"For a special day." He had said, before pulling her into a hug and leaving her with her new stepmother and two step sisters.
That had been the last time she had seen her father. Word had gotten back to them a few months later that he had been killed in battle, slain by one of the many orgers that had taken over the Edge. She had been heart broken by the new but her stepmother did not seem to share the same anguish.
Her stepmother, Cora, had taken over her fathers lands almost over night. Casting out the old staffing of the Mills house hold, bringing in a few new ones that were not loyal to the old Miller.
She had revamped the acres of land that had once been used as free ground for Regina to run and ride her horses on, and cleared them to grow her acres of apple trees.
But Regina had been to saddened to notice the changes.
When her stepmother had cast her out of her room however and into the attic, it was to late to do anything.
So Regina had come to be under the stepmothers thumb, a servant in what used to be her own house.
She cleaned the estate everyday, sweeping up the fire places and taking care of her stepmothers cats. She even had to tailor to her two stepsisters, Zelena and Maleficent, every whim and fancy.
So when she had come down, dressed in her newly made gown she had not been surprised at the look of astonishment on her step families faces.
Their eyes had grown as big as dinner plates and their jaws had dropped as she made her way down the stairs. She couldn't help but smile when her stepmothers normally stoic face, showed all signs of actual emotion. She should have been alarmed however when the older woman stalked closer, a look a unstated wrath in her eyes.
She had reprimanded her for her foolishness. When Regina had argued that the squire had stated that every one had been invite to the ball, and that included her, Cora scoffed. She had yelled at her, forbidding her from stepping one foot outside the Mill doors, stopping her from being able to go to the ball.
Regina had talked back, trying to make her stepmother see reason. She had never asked for anything in all of the years that she had been her servant. She had done everything that Cora had asked without question or complaint. She dropped down to her knees and began to beg before she felt the sting of a hand on her cheek and another at the shoulder of her dress.
When she looked down it was all she could do not to cry. Her stepmother had torn her dress, a large rip from the sleeve across the bodice was now visible.
As the tears began to swarm down her face there was nothing but a smile on her stepmothers lips. They curved upwards as she ripped away another shred and another, her lips curling wickedly.
When the dress was nothing more then a pile of scraps, she had let out the most sinister of cackles followed by the hoots and hollers of her two daughters behind her.
They had left, singing their taunts and waving their hands as they headed off to the ball, leaving Regina behind in a heap on the floor.
Regina had cried.
She had cried over the ruins of her dress. She had cried over the fact that she wasn't allowed to go to the ball. But most of all, she had cried because she was alone and afraid.
Afraid that she may never get out. Afraid that she may never be able to find a way to leave and be happy.
So when the small fairy had appeared in her room, telling her that she was there to bring her to the ball to meet her true love, she had been skeptical. It wasn't until the little green woman turned her stepmothers cat, Cheshire, into a Thoroughbred that she began to believe in her powers.
Moments later Regina had found herself riding in the back of a magnificent horse drawn carriage, being driven to the castle.
She held her excitement in baited breath.
The small fairy had given her everything, transport and escorts.
She had even remade her gown, however she had changed the color and shape a bit to fit her better. It was now a deep blood red. Her fairy godmother had said it complimented her more, bringing out her eyes and the color of her skin. It was beyond beautiful.
Regina felt like a completely different person. The gown wrapped around her, hugging her every curve, fanning out at the hips like a princess. It faded into a sheer bottom, which allowed onlookers to see her shoes for they were magnificent. They glittered, catching the light and bouncing colors off of the walls as she walked.
Tink had used the remains of the pixie dust from her fathers vile to make them.
She felt like royalty, a far cry from a millers daughter turned house maid. And away she had gone.
She had arrived at the castle in moments with thanks from the magically driven carriage. She knew this was her one chance. Her one chance to break free from her bonds of servant hood. Her chance to get out of her home turned prison. Her chance to mingle and meet other inhabitants of the kingdom. Her chance to dance and be merry.
And it was only tonight, for at the stroke of midnight, the fairies magic would disappear.
So she had known what to expect and she had gone in with her head held high, as if she had been born wearing a crown.
All eyes had been on her the moment she walked down the steps. She felt her cheeks turn red like her dress as she made her way to the bottom.
She wasn't used to people staring at her for any other reason then her having soot on her face from cleaning the chimneys all day. But there was no residue on her face tonight. Nothing to mar her beauty from being seen.
She knew she was beautiful. Her father had always called her that as a little girl, but it had been a long time since she had felt so. Yet in her dress, made of silk and velvet, she couldn't help but feel like the belle of the ball.
Regina watched as the ladies stared and the men tipped their hats. She nodded back to a few of them, a shy smile forming on her face. It wasn't until she had made it to the other side of the ballroom that she realized she didn't have the slightest idea of what she was supposed to do.
But in that moment she had felt a light tap on her shoulder. Turning around she saw one of the men that had been watching her as she entered. He bowed, asking her to dance and she was so overjoyed that she agreed eagerly. He whisked her away and they danced to one of the faster songs as the onlookers stared.
As the music switched so did her partners. Regina danced and danced, one song with a duke, another with a count. Each complemented her beauty, comparing it to the likes of a summer day. She was flattered. Never had she heard so many wonderful things about herself, from strangers no less.
She twirled once, losing contact with the earl that had taken her hand. She spun a little to fast however and began to lose her balance. She felt a white flash of fear jolt through her as she realized she wasn't going to be able to remain upright.
Her leg slipped out from under her and she began to descend. However right as she began to fall an arm shot out and caught her.
Regina released a sob of relief, looking up to thank her rescuer and paused.
Her eyes connected with his and she found that she lost all ability to speak.
He was charming. His face looked like it had been carved by angels.
She took in the long coat and lapels and realized that he must be a man of high ranking to be wearing such fine attire.
She gulped, nearly tripping over her feet again as she did so.
"Be careful my lady," said the fine gentlemen. Regina had never heard an accent like his before and found herself drawn in as he spoke to her, "We wouldn't want the most beautiful woman at the ball to come crashing to her knees no would we?"
"Well no, I suppose not." She had responded.
He stared at her for a long moment and she would have sworn her eyes must have glittered for how intense his gaze was. But then he seemed to remember himself and he pulled her up, from her awkward position, righting her back on the dance floor.
She took a moment to straighten her dress before she looked back up.
He was still there, looking at her like she was the most incredible thing he had ever seen.
She had felt herself going red again under his gaze. Then, as if it had stopped and only chosen to come back at that minute, the music started back up.
"M'lady can I have this dance?" the man said.
Regina blushed at the full bow that he gave her. Holding his hand out, he bent down, exposing the top of his head to her.
She accepted gratefully and smiled when she saw the beaming grin that grew on his face because of her.
The moment they touched however it felt like she had been wrapped up in warm blanket. The feeling of warmth spread through her like a wild fire. He was only lightly grasping her hand in his, but she felt like he could have been holding her fully, his arms wrapped around her indefinitely. And they had danced.
The songs had been fast at first but began to slow with time. It wasn't until the songs had dropped to that of romantic nature and he had pulled her in closer to him. She could feel his breath on her exposed collar bone, making her shiver, and then she realized how long they had been together.
They hadn't broken apart all night, neither leaving each other nor the dance floor for more than a second at a time.
She looked back, feeling his hand on her hip move with her. For a moment she stared into his eyes and he stared back. And it was as if the whole world stopped existing and it became just the two of them, alone in the room.
His eyes bore into hers, as if he were trying to memorize every line on her face and hair on her head, and she did the same to him.
He was beautiful. His scent was alluring, but it was his lips that fascinated her the most. Her eyes dropped, now level with his mouth. She felt more than heard him take in a sharp gasp of air, before she felt his head lean in, just a decimal of a space closer.
She did the same, closing what was left of the breathing room left between them.
When they were no more than a hairs width apart she shot her eyes back up to his to see that he had closed his already. He was waiting for her to kiss him. Another jolt of warmth spread through her, making her heart jump and flutter with joy.
But all was for not when she heard the clock bell chime signaling that it was the dawn of midnight.
She gasped, breaking away from the handsome stranger in her arms.
She turned and ran.
She didn't hear him calling for her, she didn't see him tearing through the room to look for her, nor did she feel the loss of her left shoe as she had already left, running up the stairs and out to her carriage.
Regina rested her body against the doors of her stable. Closing her eyes she felt the fairies magic wash over her. Her gown falling away, replaced by the ragged remains of the handmade dress she had been in before. But she still felt a small smile form on her face.
She had had a perfect night. She had gone to the ball, she had worn a dress like all of the royal ladies of the realm, and she had danced with the most handsome stranger she had ever set eyes on.
And she had nearly kissed him.
She felt the blush climb up her cheeks as the heat rushed through her body at the thought of him. He had been so beautiful and kind. He had lead her on the dance floor, spinning and twirling together like their bodies had been meant for each other. And he had looked at her like she was more than a precious thing, but a treasure more valuable than gold. It was as if their souls had sought out each other because they had been meant to find one another.
She thought of his eyes and of his smile and she felt her heart leap as if it were trying to free itself from the confines of her chest to be with his.
That night had been her one night and she had danced. And she had felt love.
She rested her hand over her beating heart, opening her eyes.
And it hadn't just been him loving her, she had fallen for him the same.
Regina was in love with a man whose name she did not know.
"Oh my." She breathed.
xxx
Sir John and the Prince arrived at the entrance of the dark castle hours later.
"Are you sure my Lord?" John questioned. But Robin was having none of it. He dismounted his stead, making his way up to the dark doors.
With a knock the doors swung open and the Prince made his way inside.
John sighed, dismounting his horse as well. Gathering the bow and arrows that Prince Robin had left behind in his haste to find the wizard inside that could lead him to the woman that had taken his heart. His true love.
John had to refrain from rolling his eyes at his prince. He didn't believe in such things as love at first sight. And he knew that love, true love, was a miraculous thing and was only for the fated few that had the chance to find it and take advantage of it in this lifetime. He had it. He had known since the day he had met his beloved, Sarah, that she was the woman for him. But that had been different. He hadn't approached her about his feelings until years later when they had both grown into the people that they were going to be for the rest of their lives. But by then his love for her was so strong, even the strongest of army's could not break it.
But Robin chasing after a woman that he had only just met, that could not bode well John thought. He clutched the arrows in his overly large fists following his prince into the dark castle.
xxx
The dark wizards castle was intricate.
Sir John and Prince Robin found themselves going round in circles thrice before John had the idea to mark the walls that they had already passed as to avoid going backwards.
Finally they found what seemed to be the center of the palace.
It was dimly lit. There were no windows on the insides, or they were all covered by the large tapestries that hung from the vaulted ceilings all the way down to a heap on the floors.
John spotted a figure moving in the shadows and he pulled his bow.
"Oi Robin!" He yelled, "There's something behind you!"
The Prince turned to face whatever it was that had snuck up on him but he found nothing for the figure had disfigured into a cloud of smoke, reappearing in front of Sir John.
"There's no need for this, dearie."
John gasped as he laid eyes on the aureate skinned figure before him. The creature had the body of a man but the eyes of a beast. John gripped his bow tighter, only to have the thing before him push it away as if it were a handful of daises.
"John!" Robin yelled, pulling his knife from his back pocket, "What is that?!"
"Is that any way to greet your host?" The beast said, turning his putrid face towards the prince.
"Host? You're Rumpelstiltskin?!" Robin questioned.
"Robin!" John yelled. He was stunned, he knew the legends of the infamous Rumpelstiltskin. He was a man in his youth, who had turned vile and gold like the straw that he spun after coming over with an unshakable greed and lust for power.
He knew that the beast was known for making deals and therefore the imp was not to be trusted. And if this was the wizard that Robin had been referring to John was willing to go ahead and knock on every door in the kingdom himself to find the maiden that had stolen his princes heart.
"What is it you want from me?" The imp said.
"I have come to make a deal with you," The Prince spoke. He held out the shoe that he had kept safely tucked away in his breast pocket. "I need to find the woman whose shoe this belongs to. She has stolen my heart and I believe her to be my true love."
"Yes yes," Rumpelstiltskin slithered as if he were part snake, "I can see the sickening love struck look in your eyes. Now tell me dearie, what's in it for me?"
"I can offer you gold-" Robin began but was cut off by a bellow from the man turned beast before them.
"NO!" The imp roared, nearly shaking the castle walls with his echos. "What use do I have for gold?! Why I can spin it with my own hands!" He said, flicking his wrists to personify his point.
"No, you are the Prince of the Enchanted Forest, dearie, I know you can offer me more then mere treasure from your daddy's vaults."
John and Robin both had to hold in their gasps as the imp took them by surprise with his affluence of information.
"Did you think I did not know that? Why I could smell the royal blood off of you for miles like I was smelling the bark of a cedar tree in the forest." he spoke. "So, what'll it be your Highness? Robin, is it?"
Robin swallowed, lowering his weapon.
"What is it that you want?" He asked.
The foul creature smiled wretchedly, making both John and Robin's stomachs turn. When the beast neared the prince, John pulled his arrow taught before he felt it poof away as if it had been taken from him by magic.
"Hey!" he yelled.
"I've grown tired of you pointing that thing at me," the auriferous man said.
"Now," Rumpelstiltskin continued, grabbing the glass slipper from the princes's hands. "Let's see who this belongs to."
The imp rubbed his golden green hands over the shoe. Moments later an image of the woman that he had danced with, the woman that had taken his heart in one night, was there, projected above the heel in what looked to be his memory of her.
She was beautiful. They were images of them, dancing, smiling, holding each other close.
Robin sighed, she was breathtaking.
But the imp turned on his so quickly, the image fading back into the shoe as quickly as it came.
"You're in love with Regina?! Why she's nothing more than a deceased millers daughter, a servant maid?"
"Regina," Robin repeated.
The golden man thrust the shoe back at him.
"No I shant be helping you with that. She has nothing special about her to offer me. She should be easy enough for you to find." he said.
The shadow of a man began to walk away from the duo, but Robin called out, "How will I find her?"
"Why don't you try searching the chimneys!" the sorcerer yelled, and with that he was gone, engulfed by a cloud of smoke.
xxx
"Robin...Robin!"
"What John?!" Robin yelled back. He had had enough. He was in love with the woman named Regina and he didn't care what her social status was. She was beautiful and his soul seemed to call out for hers. He didn't need anyone trying to ruin his plans, especially not his best man. He rounded on his friend, exasperated.
"Your Highness, I suggest we devise a plan to find this woman."
The prince was stunned. He had expected another demeaning remark or a plea to stop his ceaseless search. They had been searching for days, day in and day out, knocking on every door with no luck. His men were tired. But instead of a call to stop it seemed that his friend was finally coming around.
They had made it out of the dark wizards castle alive and John was content enough about that to consider himself blessed. However he was tired, and sick of being on his feet. But he could see the determination in his Prince's eye. He knew that Robin would not cease his search until he found the woman that had made him lose so much sleep. So John had decided to stop browbeating the man and decided that he would help full force. But to do that they needed a plan. They needed to separate the men so that they could cover more ground quicker. He was sure that if that woman that had made the prince lose his mind was still in the Enchanted Forest, there would be no way she would be able to hide for long with the entirety of the royal army on their side.
That and he wanted to see Robin happy. He was his best mate and he had never seen him so passionate about something before in his life. He wanted nothing but the best for his friend. So he spoke again.
"If we were to separate the men, send out one squad to the west, one to the east, one to the south and we take the north, then we will cover more ground and find your woman faster."
The prince beamed.
"Thank you dear friend."
John nodded and they did just that.
xxx
Regina swept the dirty kitchen floors. The dust kept swirling in the wind from the cracked open windows. Catching in the breeze and whirling around her, making her sneeze.
It had been nearly a week since the ball.
She had remained undetected as she had snuck back into the manor. However it was the next morning when she had awoke to her step mother leaning over her, holding up one glittering heel.
She had been punished severely.
Her stepmother had tortured her with countless tasks around the house. Arranging and rearranging the heavy furniture. Cooking food at hot temperatures, only to have to remake them when Cora decided she did not want the dish after all.
She had worked her non stop for a week. Trying with all of her might to get her to tell where she had gone to that night. Cora did not know where she had gone, all she knew was that she had disobeyed her and left the confines of the house.
But Regina refused to tell her. She would not reveal that she had indeed been at the ball and danced with the most gorgeous man.
No, she wouldn't let her step mother take that from he. She knew that the wicked woman would twist her happy tale into nothing more than a young naive girls fantasy.
So she put up with the endless tasks.
She wiped the sweat from her brow as a knock came at the doors above.
She heard the sound of her step sisters rushing to the entrance, the scuffle of their heels on the marbled floors was like that of nails on a chalkboard.
The doors opened and she could just make out the sound of muffled voice, speaking at the entrance way.
There was a shriek followed by noises of rapid shifting, furniture moving and excitement.
Then suddenly all noise stopped.
The sound of booted feet retreating back to the exit and then the soft thud of the grand doors shutting.
Regina set down her broom, turning to the window behind her.
She could just see the top of the street through the slim crack. For a moment there was nothing and the she saw the hooves of multiple horses, followed by the boots of the men of the royal guard.
There were multiple guards, all heading out of the manor to circle around one person. She squinted.
She could just barely make out the back of the light haired man in the center. Then Regina lost her breath.
It was him! The man she had danced with at the ball! He was there!
She could just make out his long coat and sash across his chest. He was clad again in his luxurious attire. There were multiple brass buttons and medals pinned to his breast, and then she realized something that she had not before.
There was a reason he had seemed so familiar. He was dressed like royalty. He was one of the Prince's men, one of the royal guard!
Regina gasped at her realization. She had danced with one of the Prince's men at ball! And she had almost kissed him!
She felt her face light on fire with embarrassment. And now he was just outside her door.
She could just barely see the crease on his brow as he spoke to the men. Then he pulled something out of his breast pocket.
It glittered as it caught the rays of the morning light.
She felt her heart flutter when she realized what it was.
Her shoe!
He had the other half of her shoe and he was using it to direct his men. He was looking for her!
Regina let out an involuntary high pitched squeak and ran, as fast as her legs would carry her.
She made her way up the stairs from the kitchens. Round the sculptures and down the long hallway to the grand entrance way.
Her step sisters were there, sitting sullenly in the corner of the room. They yelled as they saw her, saying that she was tracking dirt throughout the house, but she didn't care. She burst through the doors.
The light hit her the moment she stepped outside, blinding her momentarily.
When her vision came back however there were no more guards in front of her door. Instead there was the dust from the horses horses.
She turned to the left, her eyes following the hove prints.
She could just see them, making their way back down the path of her home.
She yelled for them to stop but no one seemed to hear her.
Regina tried again but her voice stopped in her throat as she felt felt the pain of multiple hands grabbing at her, pulling her back into the house.
She kicked and screamed but it was no use. They were gone, he was gone.
She stopped fighting, giving in. She felt her feet being dragged up the stone steps, she knew she would receive a punishment for messing up the pristine floors. But she didn't care. She felt faint. Like there was a giant whole where her heart had once been. It was as if the hands on her back were claws, that had gripped her, tearing through her and removing her heart form her chest. She was dragged back into the house when suddenly another hand shot out and grabbed her.
Regina opened her eyes to find that she was staring back into none other than those of the handsome strangers.
"Regina? Is that you?"
Regina gasped. He knew her name! She was so stunned staring back at him that she forgot to speak.
When her stepmother grabbed her again however she let out a yelp.
"Unhand her madame! Can't you see that that's hurting her!" The light hared man bellowed.
"But Your Highness.." began the voice of her Step mother behind her. But Regina heard no more past that.
Highness? Surly Cora was mistaken. He was one of the prince's royal guard. No more than a humble knight, a step below royalty, but a hundred steps above her. He couldn't be anything other than that, could he? He couldn't be the prince himself. Or could he?
Regina shook her head, trying to focus on the man that was currently holding her, in the same awkward position that they had met in.
He was speaking to her step mother but she couldn't make out the words. She could only see him. His beautiful face hovering above hers.
"You-" she breathed. Suddenly the man ceased his talking, staring down to look at her.
"Regina?" He spoke.
"H-how do you know my name?"
The man beamed, his smile stretching widely from ear to ear. Regina thought it made him look that much more alluring.
"I have been searching far and wide for you m'lady." He spoke, not failing to remain smiling as he did, "Have you not heard the news or seen the signs?"
Regina shook her head. She hadn't been allowed to set foot out of the manor since the morning after the ball. Her stepmother had watched her like a hawk, making sure of it. She had only thought it was Cora's sick way of punishing her, by not letting her enjoy the freedom that she had once had as a child. But now she wasn't so sure. Maybe she had known, maybe her step mother hadn't been so clueless to her whereabouts on the night of the ball. Her thoughts whirled round but they seemed to come to a stop as soon as the man presented the glittering shoe that he had been holding in his hand.
"Regina," he began, setting her down lightly on the stone steps, "May I?"
For a moment she was confused until he nodded from the shoe to her uncovered feet.
She felt the heat of embarrassment burn threw her at the sight of her dirtied soles, but he didn't seem to mind. Only then did she realize how she must have looked.
She had been cleaning chimneys all night and the kitchens all day. There must have been soot on her face and cinder in her hair. She wanted nothing more than to run away, to disappear, to not let him see her like this. But he didn't appear to care.
He leaned in, kneeling down to face her. His light touch on her ankle sending shivers through her whole body. She held her breath as he lowered the sparkling heel to her. It slid on without pause over her small foot, fitting her flawlessly as if it had been made just for her, because it had.
She felt his grip shake ever so slightly on her leg as he looked up at her. When their eyes connected again however she felt a pull so strong it was almost unbearable. It was like ropes had shot out and wrapped themselves around them, tugging at her, pulling at them to be together.
"Regina, it's you." He whispered.
She felt a small smile grow on her lips as she answered, "It's me."
The man let our a breath that sounded like a small cry of joy.
"You seem to know my name," she continued as he moved closer to her, "But I have yet to learn yours."
By now the gorgeous stranger had gotten so close, she could see every fleck that made up his azure eyes. He placed his hands on either side of her cheeks, cupping her face lightly.
"Robin," he spoke, "My name is Robin. You may know me as Robin of Locksley but I would prefer it if you were to call me Robin."
"Robin." she repeated.
Regina couldn't believe it. The man she had danced with, the one who had held her in his hands so closely at the ball. He was there! He was there holding her again, cupping her face with his warm hands. And she knew his name. Robin.
Suddenly it hit her, Robin of Locksley as in thee Robin of Locksley!
"Y-you're th-the -" she stuttered.
"The Prince," he finished for her.
Regina could only nod, her voice leaving her completely.
"Yes, of that I am guilty," he laughed.
Regina gasped. He wasn't just any man in the prince's royal guard, he was the prince himself!
"And I would love to ask, if it isn't to bold, but my men and I have been searching for you without rest since the ball and I am sorry if I have caused you any trouble, but I just had to find you because...because I," he paused, his voice stopping as if he were searching for the exact words to explain his feelings.
"Oh spit it out Robin!" came a voice from behind him.
The Prince looked up, as if the gruff mans voice had stirred him into remembering that there were more people then just the two of them in the crowded entrance way of the manor.
"Yes, thank you John," he said back to the man who only smiled. Robin took in a deep breath, craning his neck back to see her. He steadied himself and then opened his eyes, staring into hers, "I was wondering if you would give me the honor of allowing me to court you."
"Pardon?!" came a high pitched, and very un-Regina like voice from Regina's body that she immediately detested the moment it came out.
The Prince only laughed, cupping her face once again from where his hands had fallen down to grasp hers.
"Yes, we've been searching nonstop," Robin continued. "And I'm sorry, I would have found you sooner if I had only been able to convince the dark one to make a deal with me in exchange for your location."
"Oh goodness!" Regina responded, alarmed. "I do hope that you didn't!"
She knew of the one that they referred to as the dark one. He was a sorcerer of the most sinister kind, a man who made her step mother look like a friendly pixie.
"No, no," Robin shook his head, "No, he wouldn't take my offer. Foolish man, I suppose he just didn't see in you what I do."
"And what is that?" Regina found herself questioning, more so his statement that he saw anything in her more than the soot covered millers daughter turned maid that she was, but he answered her just the same.
"Hopefully what you see in me," he spoke, his voice dropping into a soft whisper that caressed her skin like the touch of the finest satin, "A chance. A chance to be with the person we were destined to be with. A chance at love."
Regina's heart stopped.
Love. He had said love. Could he possibly be feeling the same unexplainable feelings that she did?
"So m'lady," Robin went on. "What do you say? Will you give a feeling struck man a chance? Would you allow me the honor of your hand and a promise that I would be the one that you would turn to whenever you feel the need to dance so beautifully again?"
Regina gasped again, realizing that if were to continue like this it would become the most unsightly habit of hers.
Robin only smiled as she sat there, dumbstruck. But then she heard the whispers of the voices around them and they sounded like music. Instantly she was brought back to the moment, only one week ago, when they had shared the same air and danced. He had held her in such a way that she had felt like she was floating. And now, in his arms again, she felt the almost unsettling sensation taking over every nerve of hers as if his touch was magic.
"Come on lass," came the voice of the man that had spoken before. Then there was a chorus murmurs from each of the countless men in Robins guard. She picked up a few encouraging statements and pleas for her to answer.
It was when Robins warm hands on her began to slip away that she realized that she had been shaking her head at the ruckus, making it look like she was answering with a negative.
"So that's a no then?"
"No!" Regina stated. She reached out, re-grabbing his hands that had snapped away from her as if they had been burned by a fire.
"No," she repeated and then answered with a, "Yes."
"Yes?" The Prince questioned, his brown creasing in confusion.
Regina merely smiled, her curved lips filling the expanse of her face beautifully, "Yes you may court me." she answered.
Robin let out a jubilant whoop. He proceeded to scoop her up, wrapping his strong arms under her, at the base of her legs, and spun them both round until Regina couldn't tell which way was north from south.
When he set her down again she was dizzy from the movement but lightheaded from the excitement buzzing through her.
"I cannot tell you how happy you have made me m'lady." Robin expressed.
"I only have one question for you," he continued.
"Oh? A request already?" she questioned with a raise of her brow.
The Prince smiled enchantingly. He took a step back, getting down on to one knee.
If Regina had thought that here heart had stopped before she had been wrong. She physically had reprimand herself by way of biting down on her tongue, to stop herself from gasping again.
Robin looked into her eyes and spoke, "May I have this dance?"
A sudden burst of euphoria exploded through Regina. That fairy couldn't have been more right when she had said that her soul mate resided at the ball a week ago. Never in her lifetime however would she have expected him to be such a wonderful man. Never would she have expected him to be a prince.
Without hesitation she took his hand.
"I think I would like that very much."
And dance they did.
there shall be 11 more updates to this mini series! make sure to leave your Outlaw Queen AU requests in the comments & then check back in two days for the next instalment! #12daysofOQ if you want to keep track of the updates on Twitter! I am RuffledParasols! x