A Bounty For A Witch's Heart

by In-betweens

FTL AU. Regina never casts the Dark Curse. She leaves FTL with her father sure she will never return. Until Fate brings her back 18yrs later. With a prophecy, a Great War, and a Bounty on her head, Regina will need all the help she can get from two unlikely allies. SwanQueen, Maleficent/OMC. Violence, adventure, magic, romance, and subterfuge await you within. *Working on update*

23. Chapter Twenty Two

HUGE thank you to mooglesmuse for beta reading this chapter a few weeks ago. I appreciate it and all you do to help me with this and my other stories.

Author's Note: The Afterellen website is having a femslash competition and Swan Queen is losing to Faberry. All you swanqueen shippers need to get over there and vote for our girls and prove just how intentional Swan Queen can be. I couldn't post the link but if you go to Afterellen dot com then you can easily find it if you put in the Femslash Tournament. And tonight is the last night so get going!

2nd Author's Note: I am very Very VERY sorry that this update is only coming now. I am in the process of moving so things are really crazy. I hope that you'll forgive me and enjoy this chapter. As mentioned in the previous chapter once 30 (or 35+ reviews –one for each page) are up I will post Chapter 23 –even if it's not edited. I'll go back and fix the mistakes later. There was a STAGGERING amount of reviews for the last chapter, a total of 50, the first 30 in the first two days after it was updated.

So after forever and a day, here is chapter 22 and the battle of Hoymel.

---

Chapter 22
'The Battle Begins'

E-E-E-E-E-E

Above the horizon of trees that passed by in blurs of bark and leaves, Emma noted the sun. It was descending lower and lower by the minute as she raced on down the secondary paths that lead to Hoymel.

The First Guard had taken the patrolled roads while she raced down the unkempt paths that traders who could not afford the tolls and taxes on their goods used. The brush was thick to the right and left in the slim path, the dirt well worn by wagon and mule but empty of other travelers.

It would take Emma longer to reach Hoymel through these parts but she could not afford to ride into the advancing soldiers. Clicking her tongue against her cheek she urged her borrowed steed onward.

It was nearly an hour more before Emma came upon the first soul she'd seen since leaving the capital city of Primrose. It was an old man walking beside a horse drawn wagon. There were a handful of children and women on the tiny wagon, their faces drawn. They huddled close together on the rickety wood with blankets strewn over their legs, women coddling their children and humming lullaby tunes meant to soothe them. The sight of a little boy no older than three with tears in his eyes as he looked at her over his mother's shoulders tugged at Emma's heart.

"Where's Papa?" One child asked their voice deep with sleep.

"Defending the port, Alize."

"And Lyam." There was no answer for this question, just a broken sob.

"Are we almost there, Mama, to the castle?"

"Almost, child. Almost."

Emma hadn't the time to speak with any of them but the man still called out in warning for her to turn around, that danger lay down this road.

"Hoymel and Raceen burn!" He shouted after her.

The warning merely ignited its own fire that burned throughout her body as she galloped onward.

Emma leaned her body forward, her hood still drawn as the wind lashed on either side of her and she asked her horse for more. They needed to move faster. Swifter. They could not be late. It would haunt her if she were mere seconds late to stop any horror from befalling an innocent party in this mess. Her anger fueled her anxiousness. Around her fingers a flicker of light blue energy sizzled against the leather rein she gripped tightly as Flint rode on.

Now as Emma looked towards the horizon she saw rising smoke.

The cities burned, he warned.

Emma much preferred an armed assailant over fire. Fire was deadlier than the sword ever could be. It spread with no remorse or concern. Its flamed licked at the dry dirt and spit itself at the hay of roves and wood of the walls. It tore through homes and businesses, the woods, and people alike. There was no control or an easy way to disarm its fiery intent.

The closer she came to the city the more people crowded the path, the First Guard having diverted most traffic to this path so they could march on undaunted. She was forced to slow Flint to a trot as she maneuvered around the crowd.

There were people covered in soot, others with burned and tattered clothing, and more still with blood soaked bandages. Most walked with nothing but the clothes on their back and their hands tight around a limb or body part of a loved one. Some rode upon horseback, others placed two or three children on the horses' backs. Those with belongings did not have much, they carried sacks that were either bursting at the seams or half empty. The few wagons and carriages had more people than belongings stacked upon the wooden bed.

The path became overrun quickly and Emma had to abandon it lest she be swamped by the fleeing villagers.

"Help awaits at the capitol! Food and shelter and healers." Emma promised the refugees as she passed them. Urging them forward in their trip as she continued onward in hers, knowing the hell they escaped was what awaited her at the end of her journey.

As Emma found a path clear of another human being she brought her steed to a raging gallop. Her heart raced as her fingers gripped tightly into the mane of her mount. She moved her body as if it were a part of the horse's own. Their hearts beating in time as her thighs quaked with each galloped trot the ground beneath them left with an imprint of a shoed hoof. Her lips expelled her breath in a strong exhale as a huff left the mare's.

Just beyond the horizon a growing black gray cloud of smoke rose higher and higher into the sky.

Hoymel and Raceen waited.

R-R-R-R-R-R

The crackle in the air was tangible, visible even to those without a magic spec in their bodies. There before the decrepit burned wood of a stable long forgotten formed a swirl of lightning, of green and purple electricity surrounded by black smoke. It was small at first. But it grew. The oval's radius grew wider and wider as the soldiers stood rooted in place. It began to tower over them by a full body length, then two, and three before it reached stabilization. It was as wide as a four mast carrack ship and as tall as the secondary tower of the Dark Castle.

The horses of the cavalry bucked and reared; the magic frightening them as it touched something inside them. The soldiers felt the touch of it too. It was powerful and dark. If left the hair on their bodies erect while sweat formed at the back of their necks as shivers coursed through their spines.

Never before had any of them witnessed such a gloriously ominous display of power and magic before. Many of them were young; gifted, but young. They only knew stories of the Dark Queen's former reign. They hadn't been present, had never seen or felt the majesty of her magic.

Regina stood several feet in front of her cohort of soldiers, men and women, separated into their battalions, platoons, and squads, shaking. Each squad led by the squad leader who took orders from the captains of each company who were led by the lieutenants, colonels, brigadier general all the way up to General Raul and herself. They wore the insignia of the Dark Kingdom, their colors a deep black and vibrant red.

The witch felt sick to her stomach as she exerted so much energy into opening the portal. It was extending her powers just a bit more then she was accustomed. She had gone a handful of years without magic and it had returned to her like it had never left. But she was bending a powerful magic to her will. Its consequence would be hers to bear when the time came. What it would entail she tried not to fathom now; for the last time she had used such magic it had cost her the only living relative she had left.

She waited, her legs trembling, for Maleficent to open the portal on her end, hoping her friend wasn't having much of a hard time.

Slowly the swirling vortex of black began to brighten, greens and browns and shades of orange and blue began appearing as Maleficent opened the portal on the other side. Regina smiled as she now stood only twenty feet away from her friend, the wooden area of Red's Wood and the Primrose Kingdom visible to all the warriors behind her.

"Now General." Regina ordered. She needed to remain on her side of the portal until the last man had gone through.

Raul raised his arm and upon horseback he led the cavalry into the vortex first. When the men behind saw the General arrive on the opposite side beside Maleficent the colonels and lieutenants marched their companies forward.

When the last of the soldiers had made their way through Regina closed the portal until there was just enough space for her to walk through herself. It rippled down until there was nothing in the open air behind her to suggest the portal had ever even existed.

Before Regina, Maleficent groaned as she fell to her knees, breathing heavily. The blonde locks of her friend stuck to the top of her head, her gown slick with her sweat.

Regina helped Maleficent to her feet and smiled kindly at her friend. Regina wore her silver and black armor, the color in stark contrast to the armor of her men. It would make it easier for her enemies to spot her on the battle field full of black armored soldiers, which was her intent. Let her enemies come after her themselves, spare the Dark Kingdom soldiers.

"You….are…a…crazy…witch." Maleficent proclaimed as she swallowed as heavily as she panted, her eyes shining with amazement as she beheld Regina's countenance. Regina didn't even seem physically phased by the amount of magic she had just expelled, while Maleficent looked a wreck and certainly felt it. Her limbs were weak, she could hardly stand on her own and that was with the additional power boost Regina's potion had given her.

"Here…" Regina pulled another potion from the purse at her side. "…drink this."

Maleficent didn't question what it was, just grabbed the vial and tipped her head back as she chugged it. The liquid tasted like rotting fish and cheese. She gagged after swallowing wishing potions tasted at least semi consumable.

"Uck, ack…gods what was that?!." Maleficent groaned as her taste buds revolted even as her magic stores were replenished and the weakness in her limbs disappeared.

"Something to take the edge off." Regina's grin was mischievous but whatever had been inside the vial was already helping so Maleficent refrained from complaining, much.

"My Queen?" Regina looked to the Captain that was in charge of her guard. The Queen's guard consisted of thirteen highly trained knights. He stood beside her horse, ready to help her into the saddle.

Regina looked between him and Maleficent, uncertain. Maleficent may not be well enough to stay alone but her people awaited her. The rest of the soldiers had already started their trek as soon as they came through the portal. There was no time to waste. They were already at the disadvantage. By the time they reached Raceen King Phillip and his men would have over two hours on them. Two hours to besiege and possibly take the port city.

"Go." Maleficent waved Regina off as she stepped away, proving she was capable and steady on her own two feet. "That potion tasted like rotting fish but it certainly did the trick." The blonde assured Regina as she created a new outfit for herself. "I'll meet you there." Maleficent wiggled her fingers in a wave before she disappeared with a crack of grey-ish green and purple sparks.

"Stay safe, Fee," Regina whispered to the open air.

Regina stared at the ruins that had been blocked by the open portal and bowed her head in thanks, the magic of the area helping her replenish her own stores of magic the longer she stood before them.

Regina only had one of each potion readily available, she hadn't restocked her stores after returning. She hadn't the time. She swore after this she would make the time, she could not be caught without again. Both of the potions with regenerative proprieties she had given to Maleficent to ensure the blonde did not face any ill effects from using so much of her magic.

The blonde would be within Raceen's borders for hours before Regina arrived. She would not leave Maleficent defenseless and powerless. Maleficent relied too heavily on her magic to be without it during a battle. It was only right that Regina give her friend the potions. Maleficent, unlike Regina, hadn't partaken in any of Emma's lessons in self-defense; something Regina now wished was different. The blonde shape shifter had refused to be taught by Emma and she'd even protested when Steven offered to teach her himself. Regina was sure Steven had taught maleficent something, small as it might be, but the blonde's refusal to get her hands dirty needed to change. They could not always depend on their magic, something Regina had learned the hard way.

Regina had two hours to restore her own magic while riding to Raceen while Maleficent had none as the witch was already within the walls of the port city. Regina would need every last ounce of magic she could gather for what awaited her.

"Let us ride!" Regina mounted her horse and began her trek to battle.

S-S-S-S-S-S

Steven rode between the first infantry and the second surrounded by the King's Guard, his father and Desmond to his right. The smoke was thick as they moved passed the city of Hoymel. Hoymel wasn't under siege. There were tents where healers were assisting the wounded. Many of the remaining soldiers were helping douse the fires and tend to the injured.

There were many people packing their belongings into carriages as they prepared to flee.

"Captain!" Phillip called out and Steven watched as William, a boy he'd grown up with saluted his father.

"Yes, my King."

"Take your men and set up camp here. Prepare for wounded. Fortify the city. We move on to Raceen."

"Aye, my liege." William's voice called out for his men to break off from the rest of the First Guard and begin to make camp and assist the villagers.

Steven's eyes widened as his father spoke of continuing on to Raceen. There were no soldiers from Raceen near the smaller village. Raceen's city walls were under attack not Hoymel's.

"Father…" Steven spoke up quickly. "…Raceen is under siege by our own." Hoymel was not the victimized party in this situation.

"And it will be under our control once more by sunrise. They will no longer be a threat to Hoymel after this night. She must be driven back." Phillip promised Steven before waving their men on.

Steven kicked his heels and kept close to his father a pit growing in his stomach. He looked to Desmond, hoping his brother would share his concerns but when he saw the same determined glint in Desmond's eyes he knew he was alone. His heart sank like a stone into the depths of his belly as he remained silent.

E-E-E-E-E-E

Come on…come on…faster. Emma thought as she neared the city limits of Hoymel. As she broke the tree line of the woods and saw the village gate open down an incline she road forward. There were a dozen soldiers corralling villagers down the secondary path Emma had originally riden upon.

She scanned the area but saw no opposing forces. It seemed like the soldiers from the Primrose castle were almost bored. Emma rode into the gates of the village, the soldiers too occupied with the fleeing villagers to bother stopping her. There was no fighting but there were hardly any First Guard either. As Emma slowed Flint's gate to a slow trot she saw whatever fires had burned here were quickly put out. There were a few homes that still glowed with the hot embers of fire but they were lost, collapsed onto themselves.

"Where are the King's soldiers?" Emma asked one man as he raced from his home to a wagon, packing as quickly as he could.

"Stupid girl see I'm busy?" The man muttered under his breath as he panted at the physical exertion it took to get his things into his wagon.

Emma moved on from him, knowing she would get no answer. She rode through the village until she reached the river. The river was thin here no more than five or six body lengths across from bank to bank. The village had two small bridges over it to travel from side to side. The river itself widened as it traveled south towards Raceen.

Raceen bordered one of the larger lakes in Primrose that had stems that led to the ocean.

"Back, get back traitor!"

Emma twisted to look over her shoulder. Two Primrose soldiers were stopping two young kids, maybe Penelope's age, from entering the village. The boys were bleeding and one was burned.

"We need help over here!" One of the guards called out as more people started to try and make their way across one of the bridges that led into Hoymel.

People from Raceen were making their way into the village through the back.

"Let them through! They're children!" A villager called out against the guards. A crowd was growing on this side of the river while the number of injured grew on the other.

"Please…my brother, he needs help!" One of the two boys pleaded as he looked to the soldiers blocking his path, their swords drawn. The boys were unarmed.

"No. Keep them out. They've started this."

"They deserve what they get."

"Traitors!"

"They are our brothers and sisters!" The same woman that had begged to allow them in shouted at those around her.

"They need our help."

"They are family! Friends!"

"They have always helped us."

"They betrayed us."

"They kept us from starving last winter!"

"They aligned themselves with the Evil Queen."

"My brother lives in Raceen."

"As does your sister, Patrick."

"And my cousins!"

"Please, let them in."

"Turn them away. They are evil."

"They accepted evil into their hearts."

"They deserve their fates."

"We will be evil if we turn our backs on them."

"Do you condemn them for separating from a King that marches on them while their city burns?" The elder woman with gray hair and a crocked back asked as she used her cane to put herself in front of the growing crowd.

Another much younger woman linked her arms with the older woman. "They have families here. They have lives. Children. Do you wish them all death for joining a Kingdom different from our own?"

A man pushed through the crowd to stand beside the two women. "They have kept us fed. Just last winter during our shortage!"

"Yes, and helped us rebuild after floods!" Someone cried out from the circle of people although he refused to step out and be counted.

"And you deny them passage? Safety? They give many of you men jobs on their ships. You've walked with them, broke bread in their homes. You will all be judged for turning them away now. Judged!" The older woman finished as she stared out into the crowd, shying away when one of the bulkier men from the group stepped forward menacingly, in his hand a long spear.

Emma was about to get involved if he raised his hand against the woman and her small group when he instead turned and addressed the guards. "Let them through."

"We have orders…"

"To secure the town and help the injured and set up camp. Not to deny refuges passage or care." The burly man with the spear, obviously a soldier or warrior himself, spoke on behalf of the Hoymel villagers.

"Let them through."

"Yeah, let them through!"

The guards looked at each other and then the group of twenty villagers that stood behind them and the thirty or so in front of them.

They walked off the bridge and waved the refugees through.

One of the newly arriving guards even took a burned child from the arms of an injured woman and carried the boy himself towards the healers' tents.

Emma escaped the walls of the village by entering the river up to her horse's shins. She watched and avoided the people treading through the river seeking sanctuary in Hoymel.

Down the river towards Raceen Emma saw a city under siege. The First Guard was trying to force their way into the city through the front gate while the Dark Kingdom soldiers stationed in Raceen were floundering in their attempts to keep the city from burning down from inside.

Raceen was in danger of quickly being overtaken, their numbers too few and spread too thin. Emma clicked her heels against her horse's sides and raced to save as many lives as she could.

M-M-M-M-M-M

Maleficent appeared with a crackle of electricity and puff of smoke inside the city walls of Raceen.

The large port city was a smoke ridden chaotic mess.

"My word…" Maleficent whispered, surprised at the sight before her. It had been many years since she had last been involved in a battle. Even longer since she had willingly put herself in the midst of such deadly chaos.

She covered her mouth and bent down low to keep from inhaling too much smoke.

All around the frozen witch, homes and businesses were burning, people screaming, and those who weren't screaming were attempting to put out the fires or escape the city. Boats were taking in the fleeing people by the port while most able bodied persons were hauling water from the stream and the wells to the wooden structures that were slowly burning to the ground. There were hardly any soldiers in the midst of the city, all armed forces drawn mostly to the gates where the Primrose soldiers were pressing through.

"Help!"

"Please god, help!"

"I need help over here!"

"More water!"

"More men to the gates!"

Cries for help echoed around the city as Death hovered ready to take the souls of the unlucky. Maleficent was here to keep as many souls inside their vessels as she could. As one of the best healers this was where her abilities came most in handy. Even if it had been some time since she'd been in such a horrifying situation.

"Healer, I need a healer!" Maleficent heard the cry for a healer and followed it towards one of the stables. The roof was aflame. She had to dodge the released horses that scrambled to get away from the burning building. Maleficent saw what she assumed was a stable hand trying to help another limp out from the structurally unsound building. Strips of hay alight in flame raining down around them, clogging the air.

Maleficent rolled her eyes at the stupidity of some people and their decency. These two men were much like Regina. Maleficent knew that the Queen would risk herself to save the helpless even at risk to herself; human and animal alike.

"Oh thank you, thank you." Maleficent ignored the man's thanks and wrapped her arm under the injured man's left arm, her hand gripping the good Samaritan's shoulder to keep the other's weight up. She helped him limp out into the front of the stables. The stalls were empty. They'd gotten all the horses out.

The roof collapsed behind them and Maleficent looked underneath the injured man's bent head towards his savoir.

"Where have they brought the wounded?" Maleficent asked over the rampage of noise around them.

"The town halls." Plural. The city was certainly large enough to need more than one town hall.

"How far to the nearest one?"

"A few hundred paces to the east."

Maleficent took a quick look at the gash in the man's leg. "He'll make it till then."

"Hear that, Emory, you'll make it till then."

"I hear ya, Paten."

Maleficent had no idea where the town hall was and was grateful that Paten led them towards it. It was a large brick building that looked capable of holding over five hundred, standing only. It was the ideal choice to bring the wounded; close to the main gate but far enough away to be considered safe, easily accessible from any end of the city, and strong enough to withstand the flames.

By the way people were flocking to it and the brick buildings around it there were far more wounded than Maleficent had prepared herself to handle. Far more people. She wasn't a people person; never had been. Her bedside manner was atrocious and these poor fools were about to see just how bitchy she could become.

E-E-E-E-E-E

By the time Emma worked her way into the city walls of Raceen so had the Primrose soldiers. With her hood held up, hiding her identity, she moved quickly through the city.

The Dark Kingdom men were quickly overrun and separated as they did their best to defend the citizens of Raceen against the onslaught of Primrose First Guard.

As Emma rode in from the port she was shocked to see an officer of the First Guard dragging a woman by her hair away from what Emma assumed was her home and her son. The guard threw the woman to the side and back handed the boy who stood in the doorway trying to protect his home.

All around Emma there were Primrose soldiers looting and pillaging, throwing torches upon roofs and watching them burn. Chaos. Utter chaos.

Men and women had taken to carrying around pots, pans, cooking knives, and staves. They used anything heavy to protect themselves as they fought off the soldiers. All the Raceen citizens were doing their best to keep the soldiers from stealing their belongings or destroying their homes and families.

The soldiers pillaged and destroyed. This wasn't a battle. It was a hostile overtaking that would lead to a massacre.

Emma took the bow from her back and reached for the familiar fletching of her arrows. With the feather sliding across the pads of her fingers she pulled it from her quiver, set it, aimed, drew back and released. The arrow sunk into the calf, right between the leg guards of the soldier who'd been about to cut down the woman for jumping on his back to protect her son. He turned towards Emma and growled menacingly even as he howled in pain. She set another of her arrows and released it, the arrowhead spinning as it hit her target and cut right through the man's hand forcing him to drop his weapon and clutch at his wrist.

She moved on when she saw the woman smack the soldier across the cheek with a pan of some kind. With her bow back over her shoulder she pulled out her short sword and began disarming any Primrose soldier she saw roughing up innocent villagers.

As Emma moved through the city on horseback she drew the attention of everyone she passed. Those she saved formed lines behind her. She did her best not to kill any of those she went up against. She'd wound them but never deal a fatal blow. She knew most of the guards she was facing, had seen them around the castle, spoke with many of them. She knew their names and their faces and families and it hurt her to think she was injuring them, but her heart ached for the actions they were committing against unarmed towns people.

Emma knew she could not keep them all alive; she would need to kill her enemies the further into battle she moved. That didn't mean it didn't affect her. But she couldn't stop. She had picked her side long before she'd ever arrived.

Whatever soldiers she disarmed, injured, or knocked down were quickly overtaken by those she had rescued or the growing group of men following her deeper into the city towards the front gate where most of the First Guard remained. They needed to push the First Guard back until the cavalry arrived.

Above all, Emma needed to find Steven. Clicking her tongue she urged Flint on, eyes peeled and blood rushing through her veins.

S-S-S-S-S-S

Battle lust formed a haze around the Primrose First Guard as they moved like locusts through the city of Raceen. They cut down any soldier they could find even as they retreated and surrender had been offered up. Calls for 'No Mercy' rang out from the Captains and Lieutenants of the Primrose First Guard. The orders sent the petty foot soldiers spiraling into the deep dark depths of battle lust, taking away their morals and consciences.

Battle lust consumed all except Steven and the soldiers at his side, who watched in silent disgust.

"Stop this madness!" Steven cried out as he dove off of his horse towards a Primrose soldier who'd cornered an entire family of six against the front wall of their home. The only men among the group were either as old as the home or as young as Prince James.

The soldier tried to throw Steven off when he regained his breath but Steven drew a dagger he'd taken from Emma's kit and held it against the man's neck.

"We do not kill the innocent. We are not here to pillage and plunder!" Steven insisted, even while knowing that many of the Captains and Lieutenants had given orders to loot the city before they burned it to the ground.

"Steven, what are you doing?!" Desmond dismounted quickly, his boots shaking the ground beneath him. His hand moved quickly to his sword and his eyes looked all around them. People just beyond them were trying to put out the fire one of their soldiers had started while their guards ran with arms full of loot, their footfalls heavy, uncaring of the fires scorching the city.

The soldiers were getting carried away.

"We are not animals!" Steven raged, spittle flying from his mouth as he snarled at Desmond, looking more animal than either Desmond or the soldier he held at knifepoint did. He was desperate and angry. So very angry. "We do not hurt the innocent or steal from them!"

"They are traitors! These are no longer our people, Steven. We owe them nothing!" Desmond insisted though Steven saw his eyes flicker towards the cowering family before them.

"Do you hear yourself, Desmond?" Steven couldn't fathom how his brother could stand there and defend the barbaric actions taking place around them. "Do they look like traitors!?" Steven asked as he pointed his finger directly at the family Desmond now considered enemies. His finger trembled as he watched Desmond's eyes travel to the terrified family. Now Desmond could see, was forced to see what he was allowing to go unchecked so long as it only happened in the corner of his eye. "They are women and children and elderly." Steven shook his head dejectedly as he stared down at the soldier he held still, "They are innocent."

Desmond visibly winced, his weight shifting as his eyes stared at the children huddled between their mother and grandmother. Their grandfather held his arms widespread to try and deflect any attack from hurting those behind him.

Steven swallowed thickly, calming only slightly as he saw realization and comprehension dawn in Desmond's eyes. "They are defenseless! We're not like this Desmond. Primrose, our people and Kingdom would enver stand for these kinds of acts. You will one day rule this land; do you wish to be known for your blood thirsty ways? For refusing mercy to those who sought it?"

Desmond's muscles tensed as he scanned their immediate area once again. He swallowed back bile at the sight of their soldiers attacking villagers trying to defend their homes and families, looting, pillaging, and destroying everything in their path. The screams of the innocent echoed around him until Steven's voice pierced through the insanity.

"This is not who we are! We are better than this!" Steven stated softer, pushing the soldier away from him.

"Yes, we are." Desmond agreed, his eyes fanning back to the family who waited for their judgment. The tears falling from the children's eyes tore at his heart. He looked helplessly to Steven, "What are we to do?"

"Rescind the orders given!" Steven stated immediately.

Desmond remained horrified and useless. "How?" he asked weekly.

Steven marched over to Desmond and took the small horn attached to his belt recognizing his brother was allowing the horrors to seep into his skin, into his soul. Steven yanked the horn off Desmond's belt and brought it up to his lips. He blew into it. Once. Twice. Thrice; for as long as he could. The sound drew the First Guard away from their current tasks. The sound was a signal to regroup, reform lines. It would pull them away from their vicious actions.

Steven thrust the horn at Desmond's chest before he mounted his horse. "Protect the people of Raceen!" Steven ordered the squad of men around him, not his royal brigade. "Spread the word to our soldiers. Mercy and quarter to all who seek it!"

The soldiers around Steven saluted him before fanning out into the city, leaving the two Princes with their knights. Steven remained with Desmond as they shouted out the new orders, trying to right the wrongs they had allowed to happen due to their cowardice.

M-M-M-M-M-M

Maleficent panted as she held a woman by her underarms and dragged her towards town hall. The men that had been helping her with the wounded were called to help defend the gate an hour ago.

Since then Maleficent had seen more Primrose guards then she'd like moving through the city. The Dark Kingdom soldiers had fallen back, many taking to defend the two separate town halls that lay on the east and west end of the city. But even they had left when word spread of reforming the lines.

Maleficent bit into her bottom lip as she heaved and continued to walk backwards, her body bent awkwardly. She'd wrapped the woman's leg with a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. So long as she could get her back to the town hall where more supplies and assistants awaited her, the woman would make it.

Maleficent saved her magic for defense only; she couldn't afford to waste it on teleporting back and forth, even with the wounded.

"Watch out!" Someone called from somewhere behind Maleficent.

The witch looked up in time to see a Primrose soldier on horseback galloping towards her, sword drawn. She watched as the man cut down an unarmed man in his way with a deft swipe of his sword and continue towards her. Her eyes glowed dangerously and she stood to her full height, giving the soldier a better target. Just as he was inches away from her she raised both of her hands and watched as the man flipped up into the air, spun three times as he soared twenty feet behind her before landing roughly on the ground. He didn't get back up.

"AHHHHRRHRHRHRH…"

Maleficent turned to look back towards the direction the soldier had originally come and saw a group of foot soldiers charging towards her.

"Of course he brought friends." Maleficent growled as she shifted her weight. She prepared to spin herself into a windstorm and crash headfirst into the charging men when from the right a single hooded figure threw themself at the men, tackling three of the five.

The remaining two tripped over their fallen comrades as the figure in a deep blood red cloak fluidly jumped to their feet. The red cloaked fighter placed themselves between Maleficent and the woman she was helping.

"Go, I'll hold them off." Maleficent stopped short when she recognized the woman's deep sultry voice.

'Well I'll be…' Maleficent thought as she watched Red disarm the quickest of the soldiers to recover. A backhand to his face sent him careening off into the distance and assured Maleficent the woman was capable of handling the situation.

"Don't be afraid to eat them, dear. I'm sure they'll taste delectable." Maleficent purred to the werewolf as she bent down to regain a hold of the injured woman and started dragging her once more to the town hall.

Maleficent almost began to worry when Red did not join her in the town hall. Almost, because she'd be damned if anyone knew she had a heart that was big enough and pure enough to worry about someone else.

"I need learoot and ginger now!" Red called out as she made her way into the hall carrying a man nearly twice her size over her shoulders. She dropped him down in the nearest empty spot, which happened to be right next to the patient Maleficent was attempting to help.

After they'd both done all they could for their patients they stood to move on to the next, practically bumping into each other as they did.

Red smirked, "Surprising to see you here."

"Is it?"

Red shook her head, "No, I guess it's not." Not when she considered Raceen was Regina's city and Regina's first and strongest alley was the witch in front of her.

"The biggest surprise is you. Isn't it…that…time of the month?" Maleficent asked, knowing full well that the full moon was out tonight. It was how Red had been so capable of carrying a man twice her size over her shoulders and had swatted that soldier away like an errant fly. The cloak she wore kept her from shifting but she was able to retain the extra strength and agility in her human form.

"Mmmhmm…why I was able to get here so quickly and save your boney ass." Red commented as she looked over a man's burned leg. She coated it in the bucket of water beside her, "do we have any aloe?"

"None left." Maleficent shook her head sadly. It had been making things more difficult. They hadn't had enough supplies for the wounded they were treating. The incoming ones were going to be out of luck if they couldn't figure something else out quickly.

Those well enough to help had taken to ripping up clean clothes, sheets, and bed cloths. They needed bandages but they were running low.

"What about plantain?"

"No."

"Chickweed?"

"We may have some."

Red growled, the sound inhuman. "What have you been using?"

Maleficent looked up from the arm she'd just wrapped with a cloth bathed in, "Witch hazel and comfry."

Red rolled her eyes, "Of course you'd use witch hazel."

Maleficent glared, "I work with what I have and what we have is a big mess and too little supplies and help."

Red withdrew at the ire in Maleficent's voice. The sea green eyes of the witch flashed dangerously with a deep black and purple hue that Maleficent was quick to blink away. There were worry lines all across her face, making her look closer to her real age than the thirty plus she appeared. It was the oldest looking Red had ever seen Maleficent.

"I know." Red sighed, wiping at her sweating brow, "I'm sorry." Red offered the apology even as Maleficent waved it off.

"I thought you were going to remain neutral?" Maleficent couldn't help but wonder why the werewolf had saved her.

"I couldn't very well let them kill you or the woman you were with."

So it was the innocent woman that had been Red's deciding factor. That almost made Maleficent happy to hear. The last thing she wanted was to owe the werewolf anything.

Still, she couldn't have Red thinking her weak. "What makes you think they'd have been able to kill me?"

Red huffed. "Nothing I suppose." She focused on the woman in front of her, moving away after quickly bandaging the gash in her arm to the man laid out unconscious next to her with a severe burn down his entire right arm. Her nose twitched at the putrid smell. "They've been killing and pillaging the city. Innocent, unarmed people. I couldn't just do nothing."

Red's eyes widened as she realize she'd admitted to interfering before saving Maleficent. She'd admitted a weakness to a woman who would use that knowledge to her advantage when given the opportunity. If the other Kingdoms knew that Red had helped Maleficent or Regina, sided with the Dark Kingdom over Phillip's men rather than just offer neutral assistance to the injured it could mean the end of the alliance she shared with them. It could mean the end of her friendship with Phillip and Aurora. The end of her 'rule' of Red's Wood.

"Well, your secret is safe with me, so long as mine is with you." Maleficent stressed, knowing they were both in a precarious situation for getting more involved than just offering medical assistance.

"Cross my heart." Red swore as she scraped her fingernail over her heart. Maleficent mimicked the action, sealing their promise.

"Back to work." Maleficent ordered them both to pay attention to their tasks at hand.

"Aye, your Majesty." Red was quick to get back to work, ducking her head away so Maleficent couldn't see her smirk, which meant Red didn't see Maleficent's either.

E-E-E-E-E-E

Emma's eyes roved over each armed guard she passed, eyes peeled for cropped dirty blonde hair and the light blue Primrose breast plate over the dark navy blue of the other soldier's uniforms. She hadn't found it yet, but her determination remained strong. Steven was here. Somewhere. She just needed to find him.

As Emma led her contingent she noticed the first formation of Dark Kingdom guards since entering the city. Mostly the guards she had passed were in pairs or alone amongst crowds of civilians. In front of her was a squad of 12 to 15 men being led by a Captain. They were outnumbered by almost two to one.

"Charge!" Emma called the armed civilians behind her. The civilians and rouge Dark Kingdom soldiers were quick to their feet at Emma's command when they saw the contingent of outnumbered Dark Kingdom guards.

Emma and two of the Dark Kingdom soldiers she had passed while working through the city were the only three upon horse back as they rode forward. Emma pulled out her two short swords from the scabbards on either side of her horse, swinging as soon as she reached the fray of soldiers.

Just as Emma neared the center of the fray, the Captain of the Dark Kingdom contingent within it, the sound of a horn blew through the air.

The First Guard were slow to react to the sound of it but soon as the horn continued to blow they were defending themselves as they retreated instead of advanced.

"They're reforming their lines." Emma muttered.

"Tell me something I don't know." The Captain growled wiping the blood off his forehead, the slice down his face having just missed his eye.

"Where are the rest of your men?" Emma asked as she looked down at the man from her saddle.

The Captain shrugged his shoulders. "We retreated into the city to defend the town halls." Emma had passed what the city considered their west town hall during her 'tour' of the city. "We were outnumbered 4 to 1 when they arrived. Even with civilians helping." He sighed, "They weren't properly outfitted."

"I have twenty behind me." Emma looked at her dedicated and skilled bunch, many of the men craftsman of some kind and even a few women who were skilled with staves. "If they're reforming we have to meet them." Emma directed the suggestion to the Captain. "Help is on the way." Emma could feel it.

There had been something in the air hours ago. Something shifted; a powerful exertion of magic of some kind had been released and as it dispelled it had rippled out, the touch causing Emma's own magic to flare for a moment. The caress was familiar in an ethereal way. Her body had tingled the same way it did when she felt Regina teleporting somewhere in her vicinity. Regina was coming, and she was close.

The Captain laughed at Emma, "They'll never make it in time. The city's already been breached."

"Let us do our best to drive them back!" Emma insisted her conversation with the Captain gaining the attention of the civilians and soldiers around them.

The Captain scuffed, "Are you mad? We stand no chance."

Emma grimaced, "We can't just let them take the city."

"Look around you!" He gestured his arms wide around them. Emma didn't need to look around to see the fires continuing to spread now that most of the towns folk had abandoned the town or were too busy fighting for their lives to put them out. "The city's already fallen!"

"Then we take it back!" Emma's voice rose, face flushed. She calmed herself down, forcing her lungs to take in deep breathes. The air around her crackled with magic. Her cape blowing as a sudden gust of wind exemplified her mysterious persona.

The towns folk that had followed her into battle began murmuring about magic and her power, some suddenly afraid while others were reassured and reinvigorated to follow her.

Emma calmed herself enough to rein in her magic. Her emotions, blood pressure, and stress levels were far too high for her to retain full control of her magic. "Calvary is coming from the Forbidden Forest and Dark Kingdom."

"What city?" The Captain asked, trying to figure out how long it would take for reinforcements from the Forbidden Forest to arrive.

For all any of them knew the cavalry from Mirdilay could be fighting the First Guard outside the city walls, they could be cause for the retreat.

"Mirdilay, from the Forbidden Forest and the capitol from the—"

"The Capitol? They'll be here in two weeks time." The Captain allowed one of the foot soldiers to quickly tend to his bleeding forehead.

Emma smirked, "Do not underestimate your Queen. She is a powerful woman."

"The soldiers from Mirdilay will be here within the hour if not already. We must hold the city until then." One of the civilians behind Emma spoke up from the crowd.

The foot soldier backed away from the Captain as he spoke up, "The Primrose forces have regrouped, perhaps Mirdilay's assist has already arrived."

The soldiers and civilians were talking amongst themselves again. Their decision rang out from three or four of them at the same time. "We must assist them!"

Emma saw the Captain beginning to consider reforming the lines of his men. Emma jumped off her horse and used the blade of her short sword to draw the city wall and the directions each cavalry unit would be approaching. "If Mirdilay's men come from the south west and we attach from the south we can hold them off until the reinforcements from the capitol arrive from the north east." She stuck the dirt as if it were a pig about to be roasted for dinner; her eyes alight as she met the Captain's.

"Reform the lines." He told one soldiers. "Recall the soldiers." He told another, both were quick to race away. "Reform the lines." The Captain ordered and the squad leader beside him pulled out a horn that sounded more like a wind instrument then a horn.

"Put the militia here to good use." The Captain ordered one of his men who moved through the twenty or so civilians that had been following Emma and started ordering them into positions.

The Dark Kingdom Captain finally turned back to Emma, the man had several inches on her. She stood before him, her hood still raised.

"Who are you?" He asked.

Emma smiled as she tilted her head up to allow him to see the glow of her teeth, "A friend."

"Well then, friend, I'm taking your horse." He stepped forward to follow through on his threat.

Emma laughed mirthlessly as she put her left hand on his chest to stop him from moving closer to her horse, her right hand still held tightly onto her short sword. There were two soldiers behind her with horses he could feel free to take and use. She wasn't about to give hers up.

"Like Tarturus you are Captain." Emma pushed the man away from her. It took a great deal of strength to do so, but he stumbled back several feet allowing her ample time to mount her horse. "I haven't found MY friend yet."

Emma clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth and left the Captain behind to reform his men.

P-P-P-P-P-P

"My King, my King!" A messenger raced up towards where Phillip stood surrounded by his body guards overlooking the battlefield.

The city, in Phillip's opinion, had been taken hours ago. When they'd broken through the weekly formed ranks of Raceen's 'soldiers' they had taken the city. It was theirs. He had conquered it. Now it was about capturing it.

He was just about to ride into the city when the first messenger came barreling towards them, and that had been half an hour before.

The sun was setting over the horizon and Phillip was assured by his Generals that the city would be theirs before the witching hour.

One of his guards stopped the boy from crashing into Phillip in his haste. "What is it boy?"

"Soldiers, over two hundred of them from the…"

"We already know of the Forbidden Forest soldiers, boy." The General dismissed his warning and took the piece of paper with a flourish, hardly even glancing at it.

"No, General. Not Forbidden Forest. Dark Forest, the Dark Kingdom, over two hundred strong on horseback ride in from the North east!" The messenger panted out the message, hoping the men in front of him realized the gravity of the dispatch now that they'd let him finish it.

"What!?" Phillip pulled out a telescope from his General's belt.

Towards the North east, just as the boy said, there rode over two hundred men on horseback with a hundred or so more on foot, being led by none other than the Evil Queen herself. Phillip's grip on the telescope tightened as he noticed Regina immediately, the queen's silver armor in stark contrast to the men around her as she rode at the head of her army.

His teeth ground together.

"How!? HOW!?"

That woman was over two weeks ride from here. There was no earthly way she could have brought such an incredible amount of men with her.

She hadn't that type of power…

Phillip's hand dropped to his side the telescope slipping from his fingers.

…did she?

The glass of the telescope cracked as it landed on the hard dirt ground.

Around Phillip his Generals started calling out orders as they tried to get word down to the soldiers to turn and form ranks to the north.

They had company.

R-R-R-R-R-R

The colors on the horizon matched the flames rising from Raceen. The black billowing smoke worried Regina, but not as much as seeing the ranks formed outside of Raceen's gates wearing Primrose colors. The Primrose colors weren't matched by any means. Regina could point out ranks of Forbidden Forest soldiers fighting their way into the center mass of the Primrose soldiers outside the gate while from inside four dozen Dark Kingdom soldiers tried to meet the Mirdilay men in the middle.

It had been years since Regina rode into battle with hundreds of men and women behind her. There was a thrill. How could there not be? To charge forward with over a hundred others behind you and on either side of you with men waiting to meet you directly before you was thrilling. Exciting. It left her breathless most times. Just like she was sure this battle would.

There was also always a nauseous feeling in the pit of her stomach that sometimes masked the thrill of it all. Just like now.

Regina pulled her basket hilted sword from its scabbard. Its cut was straight and sharp but weighed less than normal allowing her to move it more swiftly even if it required more upper body arm strength to deflect and defend herself. It was her weapon of choice, the one she had the most practice with. Regina looked at the gleam of the sword in the waning light; it had been a gift from Emma.

"With your blessing, my Queen?" Raul asked, drawing Regina's eyes back to the talented soldier. Raul pulled his sword out slowly as well. She inclined her head, unable to find words.

As Raul raised his sword she mimicked him and they each dropped the sword to their chest calling forth a charge. Raul led his men to the left to reinforce Maleficent's men while she led hers to the right. Raul would focus on the soldiers stationed outside the gate while Regina focused on entering the city walls to help fortify them.

The stomp of over a hundred horses galloping forward made the earth tremble and shake as soldiers cried out through the charge, hearts racing, blood pumping and adrenaline surging.

S-S-S-S-S-S

Steven growled as he withdrew his sword from the belly of a Dark Kingdom's soldier. Desmond was behind him, the brothers back to back as they fought against Regina's reinforcements. They'd been trying to retreat back outside of the city when they'd been blocked off by the charging forces of the Dark Kingdom.

Somehow Steven and Desmond's squads had come face to face with the Dark Queen's guard as the witch led the charge into the city.

Steven had met Regina's eyes for a fraction of a second. In that moment his heart plummeted. Regina couldn't call off her men from attacking him. Not when it was Steven's guard that attacked them first.

He hadn't the time to dwell on what this situation would bring for either of them as he was suddenly outnumbered and being attacked from every which side. He'd been forced off his horse some time ago, Desmond quickly joining him in the center of an oval like structure of Primrose soldiers trying to defend their two Princes. It wasn't working. Dark Kingdom soldiers broke through forcing them to reform.

They worked their way deftly through the enemy soldiers, their numbers pulling in to form two straight lines, shield and sword in hand. Steven hadn't been able to grab his shield after being forcefully dismounted and was left in the center of the back line.

It was as Steven was pulling out a dagger from his belt that Desmond yelled to him, "Kill the Queen!"

Steven turned his head and saw Regina's horse had reared up, leaving the Queen defenseless against attack as she struggled to keep herself on the saddle. Steven fingered his blade, Desmond watching him do it.

He couldn't throw it, he couldn't kill Regina.

"THROW IT!" Desmond screamed, bashing his shoulder against another soldier, knocking them over as he scrambled to grab the dagger off a soldier in front of him. Desmond threw it towards the queen's heart, screaming in frustration as it missed its mark as Regina released her grip on the reins and fell to the ground purposefully to avoid the dagger.

The Queen's guard was quick to form around her.

Steven blinked and shook his head to get himself moving. He froze. He knew it and now Desmond knew it too. He thought that his moment of fear and abject refusal only cost him Desmond's respect. He was wrong. It cost him much more.

He never saw the arrow released by a Dark Kingdom soldier but he felt it as the arrowhead cut through his skin, sinking deeper and deeper into his body through the slats of his armor at his underarm.

He didn't scream. He hardly even released a groan of pain as he fell to his knees. The ability to stand, breathe, and remain conscious slipping away from him immediately.

Desmond announced Steven's injury as he watched his brother fall with wide horrified eyes.

"Steven!" He sucked in a deep breath as he called out so all Primrose soldiers in the area knew, "THE PRINCE IS DOWN!"

M-M-M-M-M-M

Within the east town hall Maleficent froze. Her steps faltered as she felt an intense stab of pain encase her chest, tightening around her heart. She leaned over, her weight held up by the table of dwindling supplies.

Red, across the hall, saw Maleficent clutching at her heart but before she could do or say anything Maleficent forced herself to stand and continue on. The only evidence that she was still in pain was the cringe upon her face.

R-R-R-R-R-R

Regina heard Desmond's yell over the clang of swords and grunts of men surrounding her. She spun towards where she last saw Steven and saw Desmond kneeling down upon the ground, the Primrose soldiers multiplying as many made their way to form a protective circle around the fallen Prince.

Regina felt her heart race and magic crackle at her fingertips. She couldn't see what type of wound Steven had suffered but by the urgency in which the Primrose soldiers were attempting to create a path, it wasn't promising.

"Let them pass." Regina ordered.

"Your majesty?" Morly, Captain of her guard, asked wishing for her to repeat the order because surely she hadn't just told them to allow the son of their enemy to pass freely?

"Let them pass!" Regina raised her voice so that the Dark Kingdom soldiers around her could hear her order clearly and make way for the injured soldier, her friend.

The Primrose soldiers remained formed around their prince even as passage was granted. Desmond was at his brother's side as they marched quickly through.

Regina's eyes met Desmond's as he passed by her guards. The soldiers behind Regina that formed almost all the way back to the wall of the city began shouting out the order to let the Primrose guard through as the blue uniformed soldiers got closer.

Regina's eyes found Steven. He was held by four men and the amount of blood left in his wake made her ill. He wouldn't make it to the King's tent where the best healers were stationed. Not with the pace they were going and the distance they needed to cover.

With a wave of her hand Regina expelled a great amount of her regained magic. It encased Steven, Desmond, and the four men carrying the Prince and transported them directly to the King's tent. When they had disappeared Regina turned to her Captain.

"Mercy and quarter, Captain. For all."

The man stiffly nodded his head once and swallowed thickly at the dangerous tone Regina spoke in. The Queen's eyes were almost completely black as she turned back to the battle at hand.

P-P-P-P-P-P

The sudden appearance of Prince Desmond and Steven was announced loudly.

Phillip was quick to race from the inside of his tent where he and his Generals were going over their strategy, what they could do now that they were the ones outnumbered. The Generals had just advised a full retreat when shouts echoed into the tent about Desmond and Steven's arrival.

Phillip had been about to berate both of his sons for leaving the battle field when no retreat had sounded. The words, mean in manner, caught in his throat at the sight of Steven's unconscious body being delivered onto the head healer's table.

He felt his breath leave him and his heart clench painfully in his chest at the sound of Steven's labored breathing. The sight of Steven's blood coating the table made him nauseated.

"What…happened?" He demanded answers, his eyes only leaving Steven when he had a grip on his boy's hand. It was cold. Steven's hand was cold and his skin was pale, so very pale. "What happened!?" He yelled louder, his glare focused on Desmond.

"He, he…" Desmond swallowed, wiping his sweaty forehead with the back of his hand. He wouldn't tell his father how Steven froze. "He was going to kill the Evil Queen. Had her in his sights. Dagger in hand. Archer got him right between the armor. He fell. I…it happened so fast." Desmond shook his head to clear away the memory, feeling like a child lost in the Forbidden Forest without hope of finding a way home.

Phillip touched Steven's cheek, "When did this happen?"

"Not two moments ago." Desmond assured, hoping their quick arrival meant Steven could be helped, saved.

Phillip balked, "How did you get here so quickly?"

"The Evil Queen…she…she transported us here. Gave orders to make way. She, she must have seen him when we passed and sent us here." Desmond didn't understand it. How could he? All he'd ever known was how evil Regina was. How she was vindictive and sadistic and would rather see people die then help them. How was he supposed to understand her compassion when he'd only ever known and heard tales of her malicious rule?

Phillip blinked slowly. Regina had used magic to bring his son to him. Why? So he could watch him die? The cruel bitch. There could be no other reason. It was to spite him, to make him suffer. To break him.

No. No! He refused to let that witch win. The healers would save Steven. They would save him and he'd have that witch's head if it was the last thing he did.

"Your Majesty…" One of the Generals dared to come forward. "…your orders, sir?"

Phillip licked his dry lips his eyes trained on the healers as they took off Steven's armor and tried to find where the arrow had stopped, what it had punctured.

"Retreat." His voice was hollow as he cupped Steven's cold hand in both of his own. "Sound the retreat. But get me that woman's head!" He growled menacingly.

E-E-E-E-E-E

Emma groaned as she sat up slowly. Where was she?

As she looked around she winced, and let her head rest back down. Around her there were men and women treating others whom were spread out on the floor in similar positions to her own. She heard people crying in pain, in sorrow, others groaning and calling out people's names.

She licked her dry lips as she tried to recall what happened, how she'd gotten here, to what she assumed was one of the town halls.

The last she could remember she'd been leading a dozen soldiers back towards the east town hall when word of a fire reaching it had made it to them. They felt comfortable leaving the front walls as their cavalry had finally arrived.

The Dark Queen rode in towards them. It was a sight to see, one etched in Emma's mind. How could she have almost forgotten it?

Regina was surrounded by her soldiers upon horseback, her sword raised, and there was a gleam of red and gold flames flickering off her silver armor. Emma's heart had skipped a beat at the sight, her body thrumming suddenly. She'd had to shake it off quickly though and look away—gods how she'd wanted to continue to stare.

They needed help at the town hall. So she got a group of men to follow her back into the city to stop the fires as best they could.

Emma had seen Steven on horseback in the corner of her eye. He was making his way towards the gate as she left that area. She'd been just about to turn to meet with him when she'd heard screaming. Someone was trapped inside one of the burning homes, alive and calling for help.

She dismounted and ran into the house, sending the soldiers on ahead of her. Her enchanted cloak kept the flames from burning her much like they had Steven when they'd faced Maleficent's soldiers together all those months ago.

It was a little girl screaming as she tried to pull her mother out from underneath a pile of rubble.

Emma tried to get the woman out from underneath the wood pylons but they were too heavy. She couldn't lift them up on her own. She was about to give up when the little girl pulled on her shoulder and stared at her hopefully. With a grimace Emma bent back down and grabbed a hold of the wood, her hands glowing a dark blue as she forced her aching muscles to lift higher and higher.

"Pull her…" Emma ordered the girl who took to pulling on her mother's arms like she had been before, but this time her mother's body slid much easier away from the rubble.

Once the woman was free Emma let the rubble fall, her breath short as she dropped to her knees. Behind them the path out of the house was still blocked by fire. Emma stared into the fearful eyes of the child who petted her mother's matted hair. Her resolve hardened. She would get them out.

Emma held the girl flush against her side under her cloak as she picked up the woman and carried her over both of her arms. She did her best to emit a barrier of types around all three of them as she walked them into the flames. The girl's hands were tight against her pants at each crackle and sizzle of the flames as they lapped at the enchanted cloak as if looking for a weakness.

By the time they'd made it out of the house Emma was exhausted. She'd never had to create such a large barrier before and sustain it for that long.

A stranger saw the three of them and raced over to help.

"Come on, we've got you. The town hall. Healers are there." He informed Emma, as if she didn't already know.

Emma let him take the woman out of her arms and was glad that the girl followed after him. She needed a moment to catch her breath. She watched them step a few feet away from her when she heard cries from the Primrose soldiers.

"The Prince has fallen."

"The Prince has fallen!"

Several of the soldiers raced past Emma as everything around her went black and she collapsed to the ground, her weight kicking up ash and dirt the heat of the burning house radiating in waves around her, scorching the bottom of her boots as the cloak kept her body safe.

"Steven!" Emma cried out, shooting up in place, her head swimming around her as she did. That was the last thing Emma remembered.

They'd called out about a fallen Prince. Was it Steven? Desmond? Who had it been? She had to find out. She had to make sure Steven was okay. That was why she'd come. She wanted to protect him. If he was hurt then she'd have failed. She'd have left him without someone to cover his back.

"Shhh, shhh, calm down." Emma snapped her head to the side at the authoritative voice. She knew that voice.

"Red…" Emma whispered and heard the brunette's rumbling laughter as her eyes finally took in her god-mother's face.

"Surprised to see me?"

Emma swallowed and nodded her head slowly.

Red smiled, despite her anger, "Feeling's mutual. What in all the world you think you're doing here, Emma?"

"I came to help." Emma cringed, feeling like she was six years old being scolded, once again, by Red for sneaking out well past bedtime. This time she wasn't just sneaking out onto her balcony to look out at the stars till the sun rose but sneaking into battle where people got hurt, and people died, where she could have been killed and had killed others.

"And wound up here, needing help." Red shook her head and released a heavy sigh as she regarded Emma.

"I saved countless!" Emma defended herself knowing Red hadn't the faintest idea how much she had done, how many lives she'd saved and possibly taken. "Their lives would have been worth mine."

"No…" Red shook her head, unwilling to believe that any life Emma saved could be worth hers. "No they wouldn't."

Emma knew they weren't going to see eye to eye on this. Red was family and Emma understood that it was hard for her to consider Emma dying. It was hard for Emma to consider the possibility of her own death as well. Her death would be harder on those she left behind, intellectually she knew that, but she also had a responsibility to these people, to help.

"I'm fine now. I can help. Just…Steven. When I passed out there had been calls, shouts, about a fallen Prince."

Red bowed her head low as she took a hold of Emma's hand and squeezed it gently. "It was Steven."

Emma didn't gasp. She didn't move or blink. She stared, breath held inside her lungs making them burn. It had been Steven. Steven had fallen. He had been the Prince the soldiers were racing forward to help. She hadn't been there. She should have been there. She had been so close. She had finally had him in her sights. She had chosen to save the girl over going to Steven. She had chosen someone over Steven.

She released the breath when Red grabbed both of her cheeks and shook her a little. It snapped her out of the deepening sorrow she was falling into.

"I have to go; I have to see to him." Emma was sluggish in her movements, but she rose nevertheless.

"You can hardly stand yourself!" Red gripped Emma's arm and took on most of Emma's weight as the Princess stood. "You need to rest. He's in the best hands imaginable. They've retreated back to Hoymel and the Capitol. There is nothing you can do for him that isn't already being done. Besides, you're not even supposed to be here."

Emma sighed, allowing Red to help her back down to the floor. She couldn't find a horse and race to see Steven's condition. She'd be found out immediately; not that she wasn't already. Red knew. It would only be a matter of time until others found out, her parents and Phillip specifically. None of that mattered. Her secrets were nothing to be frightened of being exposed when the fear encompassing her heart at the thought of losing Steven was so strong.

"You can't tell anyone…"

Red mimicked the sealing of her lips, the gesture calming Emma. "Just take a few minutes. I'm needed elsewhere. I'll be back to see to you soon. You better still be here!" Red raised a single finger and pointed it directly at Emma in warning.

Emma made no promises to stay, but she didn't move as she watched Red move about the crowded hall helping those that continued to arrive seeking attention and care.

R-M-R-M-R-M-R

Maleficent blinked. She couldn't possibly have heard right. No. No, they were mistaken. There was no way that Steven had fallen during the battle. He couldn't have. He was her everything. If she did not have him there was nothing left for her. Not even Regina was enough to keep her rooted in this plane. She would rather death take her and reunite with her Prince than stay here, alone.

Maleficent had raced to Regina, needing to hear it from her friend's lips. She needed to know if Steven had fallen.

It had been easy to find Regina. The Queen had given orders for her soldiers to help put out the fires and tend to the wounded. The Primrose soldiers had already retreated back to Hoymel with their King. The battle was over and won; now they needed to salvage Raceen as best they could.

Regina had made her way to the two town halls to assist the wounded while her men worked with the citizens of the city to put out the fires. Befroe the steps of the east town hall is where she collided with Maleficent.

Maleficent felt weak and out of body as she launched herself at Regina, grabbed onto her shoulders, and begged her to tell her Steven hadn't fallen.

Before Regina even opened her mouth to speak Maleficent knew.

"Fee…"

The look in Regina's eyes, the flinch and cringe so small no one else would have recognized it. And she knew. Maleficent whined in pain, a full body pain—agony that quickly took hold.

"I'm sorry, Fee. I'm so sorry." Regina apologized as she took on all of Maleficent's weight as her friend collapsed into her.

Maleficent bit into her bottom lip trying to contain her wail as her body arched awkwardly into Regina. Regina tried to keep them both standing.

Maleficent felt the sting of tears hit her eyes as the winds changed and swirled around them. The strength of the gusts were heavy. They sucked all the warm air inwards towards the two witches, thus pulling the flames of the fires closest to them away from the buildings as if they were being sucked dry. The flames slithered in the air as they approached the source of the pull: Maleficent. As the flames got closer and Maleficent's grief fully took hold the flamed winds swirled in spirals around Regina and Maleficent forcing everyone away from the two women as a vortex of flame blocked them from all else.

Maleficent broke when Regina could no longer hold both their weights up and they fell to the ground, the impact hard on Regina's knees.

"Why…" Maleficent begged for answers. Why had Fate chosen to give her such a true and good and honest love in her life again just to take it away? Had her evil deeds finally come back to haunt her? Was this her consequence? Was losing Steven the price she needed to bear for all the grief she had caused in her long life? She could not bear this cost, could not live with it. If there was someone to take the fullness of the consequences it should have been her. They were hers to bear and now, now she had lost him. Lost the love of her life and it was agony. A burning agony that moved through her veins like acid, burning her up from the inside. Maleficent had never understood the depths of Regina's pain when she lost Daniel and Calla, but now she knew how the once white witch could be so wholly consumed by the darkness of revenge and her pain.

Maleficent wailed again, the flames flashing brightly as the spiral began to rise further up into the air as more and more of the fire in the area was sucked inward by the ferocious winds.

Regina was calm as the flames continued to swirl around them, the ground beneath the spiral cracking and collapsing. Maleficent's magic was what pulled the flames to them but it was also Maleficent's magic that protected them from the heat.

"He is with his father and the royal healers. He is being tended to, Fee." Regina prayed that he would make it. Prayed for it more than anything at the moment because Maleficent needed Steven, he was essential to her friend's existence, to her happiness and sanity.

Maleficent sniffled as she tried to focus on Regina's words. It sounded like they were being spoken to her from leagues away. She could hardly hear them. But they were being spoken and she could just decipher the whispers.

"He, heh, he's alive?" Maleficent raised her head off of Regina's shoulder and dared to look into her friend's eyes; hopeful, so very hopeful.

"Yes, of course." Regina's mouth fell open as her pupils dilated. "You didn't know he was-"

Maleficent whimpered as she shook her head stiffly from side to side before falling back into Regina's embrace. Regina held Maleficent tightly as the blonde clung to her. Around them the fiery winds began to die down extinguishing themselves in a gigantic puff of white grey fog.

Maleficent's head shot up from Regina's shoulder, "I need to go to him."

"Fee, you can't…" Regina warned, seeing the crazed look in her friend's eyes. "They'll kill you on sight."

"I don't care." Maleficent blinked, still dazed. "I need to go to him. He needs me. I can heal him." Maleficent forced herself to stand up, her legs shaky enough that she reached out to Regina to steady herself.

"You won't reach him in this form and you can't magically heal him." Regina quickly tried to speak some sense into her friend. She could see Maleficent's decision was final. She would be going to Steven no matter what Regina said.

Regina just hoped she could make her friend see reason. She was not trying to stop her from going to Steven. She couldn't fathom that but she needed Maleficent to be safe, to think clearly and see what she'd unintentionally be doing if she arrived at Hoymel or the Palace as herself demanding to be beside Steven.

Maleficent nodded her head and stepped away from Regina. She wiped away the tears that had fallen from her cheeks.

Before Regina's eyes Maleficent transformed her body, shape shifting into the spitting image of Princess Emma of the White Kingdom. Regina was sure her eyes were playing tricks on her but before she could question Maleficent's sanity her friend was gone in a puff of smoke and crackle of electricity.

At least in Emma's form Maleficent wouldn't be stopped from seeing Steven. She would be lectured perhaps, but she wouldn't be stopped, and that was all Maleficent needed. She just needed to see Steven so she could heal him a bit, keep him from death's door and then let the other healers do as they would. So long as what the healers were doing was what was best for him.

Regina's shoulders sagged knowing Maleficent's actions would come back to haunt them both.

"My Queen!"

Regina turned to see General Raul standing several yards away from her with a handful of Dark Kingdom soldiers at his side. They were all blinking slowly, staring open mouthed at her.

"General Raul?"

Raul stepped forward with a shaggy haired Captain that had a new wound, a slice from the top of his forehead to just above his lip, beside him. The six men behind the officers were still too stunned to move towards her. In fear or shock she was not sure. The two braver men saluted her and she inclined her head to them allowing them to stand at attention.

"What have you to report General?" She ignored the Captain for now.

"The fires in this quadrant have been stemmed." Regina saw Raul's eye twitch a bit. She wondered if the men had done most of the work or if Maleficent's release of magic had been helpful to them all.

"What of the rest of the city?" Regina asked as she waved the two men to walk with her. She wished to tend to the wounded in the east town hall now that Maleficent had left them to tend to Steven.

"The men that are not fortifying the gates and tending to the wounded are making great haste and progress with the flames." Raul opened the doors for Regina.

Once inside it was obvious where Regina's attention would be, there were hundreds of people littering every available space the hall had to offer. Most injured in some way while those who were not moved quickly from patient to patient or from the supply table to the healers.

Regina allowed Raul to follow after her as she made her way through the hall and helped the healers where and when she could. The two men always close behind her as she made her way from person to person. The good Captain and General helping her as she requested it of them.

Regina offered those she passed a gentle touch or word as she continued on. Scattered around the room were the six soldiers that had stood frozen outside the hall.

It was only half an hour later when Raul decided he had kept quiet long enough.

"There was an incident." Raul looked to the Captain, forcing Regina to consider the man before her.

"What type of incident?" Regina inquired, slowly standing.

Raul gestured to the Captain and Regina held his eyes.

"There was a masked rider in a cloak. They…"

Regina's interest rose the moment he spoke of a cloaked rider. "They?"

The Captain hesitated for a moment. "I am uncertain…" He sighed. "I believe the rider was female, your Majesty."

Regina tried to hide a smirk from her lips as she looked away from the Captain. "A woman you say. In a green cloak?"

"Yes, Majesty." The Captain raised a brow in question, wondering how the Queen had known it was a green cloak. Looking to the General the Captain found no answer to his silent inquiry.

"What about this rider, Captain?" Regina asked, a bit amused but doing her best to remain stoic.

"They…she…" He seemed pained to admit to the rider's gender. "…rallied our forces and led us to meet the Mirdilay forces before your arrival."

"And?" Regina asked, briefly wondering why the Captain had not done so himself. But leave it to Emma to rally her troops and forge ahead in battle.

The girl really did lack self-preservation. In this case that lack of instinct had helped Regina and her people but how long was it before it got the Princess killed? How long before Emma bit off more than she could chew?

"She…" The Captain refrained from speaking suddenly.

Regina turned angrily to him, why was he taking such breaks between speaking?

"Spit it out Cap…" Regina's eyes widened as she watched a flow of blood trail out from the Captain's mouth, a blade protruding from his chest. The sickening sound of it being removed slithered against her ears taunting her. The Captain fell to reveal a soldier, one of her own soldiers, standing there with a bloody sword and a manic smirk.

Regina hardly had time to take an involuntary step back when she felt Raul pushing her to the ground as he drew his sword and cried, "Traitor!"

There was an echo bouncing off the walls of the hall, even as moans of pain and suffering continued to emit all around them. It was her name.

"Reeeehhgeeeennnnaaaahhhh!"

Someone was screaming her name. But where? It bounced off the high ceiling. It could come from anywhere.

Finally after what felt like ages Regina hit the ground with a hard thud, her stomach falling onto an injured woman's bent knee. Whatever breath was in her lungs was lost at the impact. It left her immobile, faint, and the need to throw up. The woman she fell on was trying to push away from whatever was behind Regina.

Still Regina tried to turn to see what Raul was facing. As she looked up an arrow—somewhat familiar—flew overhead and sank into the throat of a soldier dressed in Dark Kingdom regalia, his sword raised to deliver a killing blow to Raul, the General unawares of the coward who'd have stabbed him in the back.

The soldier fell, dead. Regina knew his sword would have fallen on Raul's back and killed her favored General who was busy fighting off three armed soldiers had that arrow not stopped him. Where had it come from?

Each soldier facing Raul was dressed in Dark Kingdom armor further confusing Regina. Traitors? They had traitors in their midst? Or assassins? Why were her own men attacking her?

Raul was outnumbered. Already facing two men with another coming towards them, to aide him or assist his attackers, Regina did not know. She did not care. She needed to aid him!

Regina's heart raced against her chest as she pushed herself up onto her hands and knees. Another arrow soared through the air, this one missing Regina's head—that'd just popped up as she'd tried to stand—and making its new home in the gut of a soldier Regina hadn't even seen coming. The energy behind the arrow was so strong it knocked the traitorous soldier clear off his feet, his sword leaving his hand as he fell backwards.

Regina turned towards the direction the arrows had come from and saw a tall lithe blonde in riding attire and a shimmering green cloak coming towards the fight.

'Emma…' Regina thought the girl's name like a prayer. Emma was here. She hadn't been mistaken. Emma was the green cloaked rider.

Emma was jumping and leaping over the injured as she tossed away her seemingly useless bow now that she had no arrows. The length of the hall and the people scurrying to get away from the fight that was breaking out kept Emma from easily reaching the besieged Queen.

The Princess's cloak flew behind her, the hood down as the blonde curls bounced around her while she raced towards Regina and Raul.

Regina groaned as she made her way slowly to her feet. She took the Captain's sword into her shaking hand, ready to aid Raul. It was as she raised her sword and stepped forward that Emma finally reached them.

Raul felled one of his opponents and was holding another off when his head whipped around to warn Regina.

"My Queen!" Was all that escaped his mouth before Regina saw what both Emma and Raul had standing to her left several dozen feet away.

Raul's eyes widened when he saw someone putting themselves bodily in front of Regina, wearing the green cloak that the Captain had mentioned.

"Got you!" The blonde collided with Regina, her muscular arms wrapping tightly around Regina. Emma spun them around with her remaining speed, Regina's sword thankfully pointed to the ground as Emma's arms pinned Regina's to her side.

In slow motion she and Emma seemed to spin until Emma's back was facing the west wall, where an archer released an arrow that cut right through Emma's green cloak and the blonde's leather armor.

"Get down!" Raul's voice reached Regina's ears too late, as her eyes watched Emma's cloak shimmer for a moment, the magic in it rippling, even as it did nothing to stop the pointed arrowhead.

Emma groaned as the arrow breached her skin and stuck out of her back. Her grip on Regina tightened for a moment before it lessened, her lips pulled back in a grimace as her legs gave out.

She sank slowly to her knees her fingers gripping against Regina's forearms as they dragged down to Regina's hands. Her fingers slipped through Regina's, the Queen watching in horror as Emma fell to her floor, lying across her feet.

Red, who had just made her way back into the town hall at the screaming commotion of civilians racing outside, screamed when she saw Emma fall, an arrow sticking out from her back only to reveal who she had placed herself between.

"Eeehhmma…!" Red took to her feet immediately.

"My Queen!" Raul warned trying to make his way to Regina as the archer across the hall aimed and released another arrow.

Regina turned to the archer who'd dared attack her. Dared try and kill her. That had harmed Emma.

Any thought of mercy was gone as she felt the warm sticky flow of Emma's blood touch her ankle and foot. Her eyes glowed a deep purple-ish black as around her the hall itself began to tremble. Her magic came to life with her rage. Dark energy crackled all around Regina as the ground shook and the air in the room became thick with a bitter chill. The veins in Regina's arms and face becoming larger, darker and more visible as the magic seared through her blood stream.

The men around the hall dressed in her colors who stood against her were thrown against walls or the ceiling, their bones breaking with the force of their collisions. The arrow heading right for her heart stopped centimeters before it touched her armor. She saved that archer for last and sent the arrow speeding back at the man, never looking away even as it cut through his armor through his body and pinned itself against the wall, the man's heart now hanging from the wall by the piercing arrow. The heartless man collapsed in a dead heap on the floor as Regina's magic continued to storm around her.

The sound of Emma's whimper caught Regina's attention. The stiffness of her body loosened as her eyes began to return to their brown hue. Her magic settling as she lowered herself down to Emma's prone body.

The Princess had taken an arrow for her. Such a stark difference from when they first met and Emma was the archer attempting to kill her. Regina's throat was practically closed, her chest tight in excruciating pain as she touched Emma's head, running her fingers through the blonde hair.

"You foolish, foolish girl!" Regina whispered as she looked down at the back of Emma's head reverently. "I've got you, now." Regina promised as she felt tears burning her eyes as she gently placed her hand on Emma's shoulder.

Regina looked up and saw Raul staring at her curiously. She noted the panic this scene had caused but she cared very little for any of it.

"Take care of my city, Raul. I expect your return within the month." Raul could only bow his head in understanding. What else was there for him to do? He would handle Raceen and the issue of their traitors. And should King Phillip attack again they would be prepared. It was his job and he would happily do it for his Queen.

Red panted, her eyes shifting to glow a golden hue as she tried to race over to Regina and Emma. It was difficult, even with her superior strength. There was a stampede of people trying to escape the hall at Regina's display. Red groaned as someone body checked her but they fell as she continued to move forward. Her eyes tried to peer over the heads of the oncoming crowd. Right as she broke through the stampede her eyes widened.

Red watched, in awed shock and horror as Regina kneeled down in front of Emma's body and with a deafening crack disappeared with the fallen Princess.

"Emma!"

End Chapter 22

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed and aren't ready to send a lynch mob after me.

Oh and if Swan Queen wins the After Ellen tournament then I promised SWEN that I would write the sequel to Magical Mishaps Happen.