Sorry guys last time I post it was a mess. No clue what happened. Thanks Literariness for pointing that out =D
Chapter 7
Princess Snow's name day finally arrived and all the tattoos were done. They didn't look like as if they were the same. Remo took the liberty of, despite the fact that they were all red lions, put some of the owners personality in each. For the girls he drew something more feminine, Emma's had the attentive eye she possessed; Esme's her softness in the lines; Robin's had only red lines with no filling witch made it look very keen; Tuck's was a bit chubby and Remo's was rough on the edges, so to speak.
They were all very excited about the festivities and decided that their quest could wait for a couple of days, after all the Romani people had to work and this was the most profitable time of the year. Henry was helping Esme with the herbs she sells in her tent. They were gathering large quantities of each kind to take them to the center of the town.
"Emma, we leave in 10." Shouted the boy to his mom, who was helping Remo with the colored tents.
"Key! We're almost done here too." She shouted back. "Should I wear something different?"
He looked at her pants and shirt "No, you're good, just leave the sleeves down. I don't want people noticing that we all have the tattoos until it's time."
"ok. I'll go grab those two and then we can leave."
##
"Oh maaan, this is so awesome!" Henry exclaimed but then looked down with a sad face. "Do you think we'll see mom?"
Emma fidgeted in her stool "I don't know. I guess. If not today, maybe tomorrow in the castle."
"Yeah. Have you thought about the way to go back? I know we have to finish this first, but I kinda miss technology, junk food, toilets, shower.. and I was hoping that if we find a way to go back we can also bring mom, and grandma, and grandpa, and all the people from Storybrook." He said hopefully.
"I don't think I'd be a good idea to take them from here. It´d change everything…"
"No ma, I mean the older them. If we break this curse, maybe we can all go back to Storybrook." He argued.
"Perhaps. But if you think about it, this is the opposite of a curse. Your mom broke Pan's curse by sending you away, but the thing she did to us, try to give us a happy ending was something like… like a blessing?" she finished not so sure of what she was talking about anymore.
"I know, but it didn't work, so what does that mean? Should we break a curse or a "blessing" to go back?" asked the now confused boy.
"Well, I have no clue." She answered honestly. "Maybe your mother's spell did work and we're supposed to find our happy ending here. Maybe what she thought she was giving us were new memories but in the end our happy ending wasn't in our realm… I don't know kid." She felt exhausted.
"No. it can't be it. There's no way we will find happiness knowing that we have to let all the things that hurt our parents happen so we can live." He reasoned.
"Wise words grasshopper…" she half joked to what he rolled his eyes.
"Ok, I'm tired of sitting inside this tent. Let's take a walk and see what this thing is all about."
"Yey!"
##
Almost a month has passed since they had arrived in this realm and all she could think about was what her son and his mother were up to. She wasn't sorry for the choice she had made but couldn't say she was happy about it either. She really hoped they were happy, that her sacrifice was worth it. She loved her son with all her heart, so much that it even crossed her mind to rip it away not to feel the pain that missing the boy brought to her. The memory of her mother made her change her mind. Even if Henry wasn't there to see her, she wanted to be a better person, the person he wanted and believed her to be.
I wish there was a way to make myself not to miss him so much. I'm going crazy! I even miss her! How could I ever even think about her? She is the one there living with MY son. Our son... How can I not hate her? Sure we've come a long way and her idiot heroism helped us get Henry back. But that was it, wasn't it? It's official, I'm getting insane. I'm thinking about Miss Swan in a warm way and..
"My Queen." Called a guard.
"Yes." She answered shaking her head and thoughts away. This was her life now; she had to live in the present.
"This is sir Robin Hood, the Lion's kingdom representative. He came to talk to your majesty about the forest limits now that we're back." He explained.
"Good afternoon your majesty" he greeted extending his hand to grab hers and kiss as it was the costume. When Regina looked at the extended arm she saw it: the red lion tattoo.
"G'd.. good evening sir Hood." Her voice failed but she let him kiss her hand. "I hope we can agree on terms that will beneficiate both kingdoms." She gave going back to her queen mode.
"I certainly hope so." He replied now admiring the beauty of the queen. Years have passed since he had lost his wife and he not thought of a woman in that way for almost that long. There had been Emma, but his feeling for her were only an attraction turned into admiration. After she had left he was so busy being the first in command that the thought of a woman to spend the rest of his life with didn't even come to his mind. There were, of course, those he spent his nights with, but none he would have called "mine".
"Shall we?" she smiled pointing a table full of maps.
"We shall." He smirked.
##
"Tink! Where are you?" the brunette called. "TINK!"
The former pixie came running as soon as she heard. "What is it Regina? Did you forget I can't simply puff myself here and there? I have to use the 'what are they called? oh legs'" she scoffed.
"No time for jokes. I've met him. The man with the lion tattoo. He was here to talk about Lion's kingdom affairs." She explained.
"No shit!" the blonde exclaimed. "Should I be happy for you or you're gonna run from him again?" the sarcasm evident in her words.
"I don't know. He is charm… handsome. But weren't I supposed to feel something immediately?" she asked "By the way you have spent too much time with Emma. Language." She scolded.
"Most people say they feel a great emotion when they meet their true love. For Snow if I recall was hate" she laughed "for Aurora and Phillip was stupid love at first sight. I can't say for sure… And we can't call your case typical, so there's no way to compare. At least not to my knowledge."
"Thanks, that was helpful."
"Hahaha. I'm not your fairy godmother anymore honey, I don't need to help." She said with a grin. "Can I meet him?"
"Haven't you already? At the bar, all those years ago." The queen asked confused.
"Nope. I couldn't see properly. That dump's windows were too dirty and he was wearing a hood. The only thing I could kinda see was a red lion likeish tattoo. I knew he had the exact same tattoo. Besides he was glowing due the fairy dust so that's how I knew. But I didn't see his face at all. End of story." She bowed as actors would do at the end of a play.
"Cute. And yes you can meet him. He'll come tomorrow with the king's signature to our deal. And I have asked him for dinner." She blushed. Well if he is my true love why should I waste any time?
"Uhhhh. I like your style. No wasting time. I just wondered what woulda happen if you had been this way with Emma…" she whispered the last part. Not quietly enough so the queen wouldn't hear.
"Whatever do you mean by that, dear?" she asked incredulous.
"Nothing, Regina." Tink gave back.
"Say what you mean -she said getting angry but calmed herself -please."
"I.. just thought.. I think I saw something between the two of you. The way you look at each other. Putting your safety and happiness in jeopardy for each other. If that's not love, spirits, I'm glad I lost my gig cause I was really bad at picking the signs."
"I don't know what you are talking about. All we did was for Henry, to save him and give him his happy ending." She argued and began to pace around the room.
"And to do so you had to exchange all those looks, right… Lingering touches were also fundamental. You are right. Look here –she turned over – the lack of wings says you're completely right." She snapped.
Regina was speechless. She hadn't seen this passion from the blonde since she had given her heart for her to destroy in Neverland.
"It doesn't matter now anyway. When Emma was here for the first time she said she'd do whatever she could to give you your happy ending. I guess even if she was here she'd let go of what I'm pretty sure she feels for you and let you have your true love." She finished.
"First time?" she asked utterly confused.
"I guess there's no harm telling you now… She was here with your son in the past. They time/space jumped here when we first met. She said she couldn't help you then cause it might change the future and their birth could not happen, but promised me she would do whatever she could to make you have your happy ending when she returned to her time."
The only word that could come out of a dumbfounded Regina was: "What?"
Tinker Bell sighed. It was time Regina knew all that had passed so many years ago. So she told her friend everything she knew, from the day they had met to the day she left for Neverland.
##
It was the day after Snow's birthday which meant that the Romani troupe was supposed to entertain royalty. Henry and Emma were helping their friends to load the karts that were going inside the castle. The former could not be more excited the latter apprehensive. Is not that she didn't want to see her mother as a teenager or meet her grandfather; it was just a bit surreal and overwhelming.
"Kid, can you help them finish, I need some fresh air."
"Are you ok mom?" he asked worried.
"Yeah, just a little overwhelmed. I'm good, don't worry." She smiled.
"Key, don't be long. We're almost done here." He smiled back.
##
"I don't think you're allowed here boy." She told the hooded back.
"I'm not a…" Emma replied turning around "boy…" she looks stunning. Fairytale wardrobe really works for her.
"Oh…" Regina could not put a finger of what had just happened to her. She felt the air get thin as if there was not enough oxygen in it, what made her have to take a deep breath not to faint. What a handsome woman. And nosy. "I suppose you're not. Anyway, this place is off limits for outsiders." She said regaining composure.
"I'm sorry Reg.. I mean your majesty. I had no idea. I apologize if I've imposed my welcome in this castle." She said bowing her head. Once in Rome…
"It's fine. Who are you anyway?" and why do I feel the need to get to know you?
"My name is Emma Swan and I am with the Romani troupe. I came to help loading and unloading." She replied.
I can see why with those arms. What am I taking about? "So you're just a mule without talent?" she sassed.
There's my Regina. My? "au contraire milady, I have many skills." She smirked. Thanks Xena. Wait, am I flirting with Regina? What the hell?! Ok, you know you have always found her very attractive and lately you have thought of her as a friend, but more? Nah. Are you even into women? Well there was that one time in prison. Yes that's it. You just need to get laid.
"Oh really? Pray tell what kind of skills?" By the curious and innocent way she asked the question Emma was sure she didn't pick up on the innuendo. No, not the Regina I know…"
"For starters I can tell if someone is lying to me." She tried to impress the future mother of her son. "I'm also very good at finding people and if you can keep a secret I'll show you what else I can do." She teased.
"I don't believe you." She stated almost pouting.
Adorable. "Try me then." The blonde challenged.
"I won't do such thing. I'm the queen! You can't tell me what to do. I don't want you here, leave." She ordered. What was with this woman and the rollercoaster of emotions she brought with her.
"Lie." Emma smirked.
"How dare you to contradict the queen." She all but shouted. This woman is infuriating!
"Do you really want me to leave? I will if you wish me to." She said honestly.
"I do. And I hope I'll never see you again." She declared
"Lie." Emma said but began to walk away. "By the way, this is what I can also do." She materialized a pink lily and threw it to the young queen. And think all she felt when she first met the Evil Queen was utter anger for treating a kid so bad that he'd want to leave and look for somebody else to live with. If she thought back, maybe her feelings were a bit too intense for the situation, but who cares, that was almost three years ago.
A/N there you go. Lots of Regina!