Hey guys! So quick note before venturing onto this chapter. This has slight M rated material toward the ending of the first scene. Nothing too graphic but I just wanted to warn those highly opposed to any of that. Anyway please carry on!

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The morning rays of sunshine were peering into the quiet room. The young princess could feel the warm streaks of light hitting her unmoving body. She had been awake for a few minutes but was in a slight daze. She did not have the strength to open her eyes but she could feel the things around her. Continuous breathing left her lungs as she was warm and content where she was. As she slowly continued to wake up she could feel the rhythmic caresses moving through her hair. It didn't take her long to realize it who it was. The familiar, strong arm wrapped around her, the comfortable shoulder she used for a pillow, and the scent that always made her feel safe and warm. She opened her hazel eyes and confirmed her hypothesis of being her lovely Italian. A grin broke through as she saw Jane lovingly gazing at her; warm, amber eyes, softly boring into her and a lazy smile with protruding dimples revealing themselves. Maura could feel her smile widening from looking at the woman before her. God she is wonderful was the thought that continually filled her mind.

"Hi" the horse voice sounded breaking off the spell.

For no reason at all Maura blushed profusely from hearing Jane's alluring voice. Finally composing herself she decides to speak. "Hello" she responds quietly.

The older woman noticing Maura's flushed face creased her eye brows in confusion. "What? What is it?"

The honey blonde further blushed but found no way around it. She heavily sighed. "Well it's just…..the things you do….just I can't control the way you make me feel."

Jane's face turned into a wide grin while looking at her Princess. "God woman you are adorable" she responds and places a lingering kiss upon her forehead and whispers, "Sometimes the way you make me feel, makes me do things that I can't explain either."

Maura's heart melts at this, that Jane too suffers the same thing. The honey blonde's eyes shutter close as she purrs at the feeling of Jane's hands caressing her head.

"Mmmm that feels wonderful" the younger woman purrs.

"Does it? My mother use to do this to me when I was young." The Italian explained.

Maura slightly smiled at this. She loved it when Jane told her about her past, even the smallest things were special. Jane's past was a precious treasure that Maura savored whenever the chance presented itself. She snuggled more into the woman she adored. A pestering itch was present on the princess' nose and she scratched it to relieve the tingling sensation. She felt the extra weight upon her hand as she opened her eyes to look at the beautiful ring upon her finger. She thought about how she obtained this trinket as she continued to observe it. The previous day had been an interesting one, full of panic and drama. The events had been exhausting as both women found easy rest. The return of Garret had caused hysteria to erupt within Maura's heart. Sure Jane had stopped him and forced him to leave her be but what if that didn't end it? What if others found them? What would they do to her? To the village? These thoughts plagued her mind but one thing set her at ease was the promise that Jane gave her and the physical reminder that was present upon her finger.

"Do you like it?" the low voice questioned.

This seemed to break the princess out of her fascination with the ring. "Why yes of course. It's absolutely beautiful Jane." She responded quickly as she rose to sit up and looked at the woman lying down beside her. "Where did you find it?"

Jane put both hands underneath her head in a comfortable position. "Well the few days I was gone in town, I stumbled upon this jewelry shop and I found it. I knew that it was perfect for you and you would love it." The raven haired woman responded with a smile on her face.

"It really is gorgeous Jane. But why a butterfly? Was there only a select few?"

"Well, Ma used to say that butterflies are like human souls. We are first these small, helpless little maggots then we go through this period of change until we sprout out new and beautiful. I feel like I used to be that horrible little maggot but after I met you, I went through a lot of change that turned me into a better person. You saved my soul Maur and without you I'm afraid I would be lost in this world full of hurt and pain." She spoke quietly as she placed her hand on the honey blonde's leg as their eyes met. "And I know that you have gone through some changes to Maur, with all the troubles you have had to faced, you have changed into a strong, independent woman." She continued on as she sat up as well and placed a hand upon her cheek. "But let me tell ya, I fell in love with the nervous, awkward girl I met in the streets of Ireland all those years ago."

Maura placed her forehead upon Jane's as she took in everything the other woman was proclaiming. She could only stare at the beauty before her until she could take no more and connected their lips. It was a sweet, painfully soft kiss that these two shared. It revealed the passion and longing that they had felt for one another. Jane pressed harder into Maura's lips and the younger woman welcomed it by pulling the other woman's bottom lip in between hers and lightly sucked on it. A surge of arousal surged down to the brunette's core as she moans from the pleasurable pain and pulled their bodies closer together and laid Maura on her back. When Maura finally releases Jane's lip, the older woman takes advantage of this and thrusts her tongue into Maura's awaiting mouth causing her to whimper and pull at Jane's head. A peaceful and sweet kiss turned into passionate osculation fest in only a few short minutes. This was quite common and had become unbearably difficult to keep under control. Eventually Jane found herself in between Maura's parted legs as both girls were thoroughly involved in caressing one another. Maura loved the extra weight of Jane's body on top of hers. It felt perfect, almost as it was meant to be there. Hips were moving at a moderate rate as Maura pulled Jane's waist lower in order to add more friction. Jane removed her lips from Maura's and looked at the woman below her with lust filled eyes.

"Maur if we keep this up then I don't think I'll be able to stop." Her husky voice replied.

"Maybe you shouldn't then" the honey blonde muttered.

Dark eyes widen at this and find hazel ones. "Maura what are you saying?"

Maura took a deep breath before speaking, "I want us to move to the next step. Please Jane I feel so much, I just want you."

Jane looked over the other woman with a concerned face. "Hey sweetie are you sure?"

"Bug, I'm positive. Please I need you." Maura responds almost begging.

Jane grins happily as she surged forward again to connect their lips in passionate heat. This was more aggressive and had more fire behind this kiss. Jane placed her hands upon Maura's covered breasts and squeezed them sending Maura moaning in response. With one hand Jane had it trail down to the helm of the dress and lifted it upward. Maura did not notice this until it was passing her midsection and suddenly stopped moving. Jane immediately halted her actions and looked up at the scared honey blonde.

"Maur are you okay?"

"Uhh yeah, but I don't think I'm ready to show you everything. I…..It's just….." the young woman began to stutter but was stopped by one of Jane's fingers.

"Hey it's okay I get it. If you're not ready for that okay. What do you want me to do?"

"Well….Just touch me clothed please. And can we move are hips together…..it felt quite marvelous sensation caused from…."

A smirked crossed Jane's lips at Maura's words. "Hey I know cuz we are touching a sensitive area. Don't need you to explain the dynamics of it all."

Maura quickly blushed at this, "I'm sorry." She muttered softly.

Jane placed one palm on the princess' cheek. "Don't be. You're beautiful." Furthering Maura's blushing.

"Oh I haven't flushed like this since my dream."

"Dream? You had a dream about me?" Jane questions as she smiles widely.

"Well…well yes. You're quite attractive Jane not to mention the way you make me feel…."

"I get it Maur I have done it too" she replied in attempt to relieve Maura's feeling of insecurity. "So what have we done in this dream?" she asks with a smirk.

Maura again flushes. "Oh….many things….things that I am not quite ready for…."

"Hey sweetheart don't worry. I just wanna make you feel good but I don't want you to feel uncomfortable. And I will but I need you to trust me."

"Of course Jane I trust you with my life."

"Good" she replies with a smile. "Ok now I am going to continue. Now if you don't feel comfortable or you want me to stop just tell me ok?"

Maura nodded her head in agreement. Slowly, Jane pressed her lips against Maura, trying not to frighten the fragile woman. They slowly kiss, almost barely touching but breaths both gasping at the soft sincerity coming from Jane's lips. Maura could not help but whimper at Jane's gentle caresses. Jane again moves the nightdress above Maura's hips but before the other can protest she lets go and puts her thigh in between her lovers legs. As Maura moved her hips, delicious friction had sparked as she loudly moaned in response. It had never felt so good. Even through her undergarment, Maura could still feel Jane's wet heat.

"Oh…" she softly mutters.

Jane moves her lips down Maura's jaw line and gently nips at them. The brunette too began to push her core against Maura's leg trying to relieve the built up pressure. Jane groans as she soon begins her journey into the abyss. Both ladies grind there cores into each other as the sensation was increasing.

"Maur…..Oh God Maura." Jane croaks as she found it difficult to keep her wits about her.

The honey blonde groaned at this, loving the way her name sounded coming off Jane's lips. The want and need was present that made her even more aroused. Maura continued her movements as she tried to move her thigh higher to make it easier for her lover. Jane growled at this as she pressed her core harder into Maura causing the other woman to gasp out.

"Oh Jane…..fas….faster please." The young woman begged.

Jane complied as she both increased pressure and speed as it was becoming difficult for her as well. 'Yes' she lowly mumbled as the other woman repetitively chanted 'don't stop' as she was hitting just the right spot. Panting and gasping had filled the room.

"Oh Jane….I….I think…I'm almost there….."

"Me too Maur. I'm so close."

Maura's arms were scratching at Jane's back as her head was thrown back from the impending pleasure. Jane had her face tucked into Maura's neck heavily breathing. Finally after the final thrust it threw Maura over the edge as she cried out in absolute pleasure. It was the most extraordinary feeling that the princess ever felt. Her toes curled as well as her back arched involuntarily as pleasure was flying all over. She could fell her body physically shake from the gratification she was receiving. Finally Maura slumped back into exhausting fall to the abyss. Finally finishing off her climax, Jane collapses onto Maura heavily breathing with shaky legs. Both women continue to breathe out as their bodies recuperated from the powerful endeavor they both pursued. No words spoken, only two hearts simultaneously beating together.

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Laugher could be easily heard throughout the woodland area as both ladies discuss something highly amusing. They had just been hunting as Jane said she truly needed to and Maura could not separate from the brunette. It had been a few days from the wondrous morning both ladies shared and life could not be better. They had moved forward within their relationship. Even if it wasn't completely all the way it was definitely something. Tensions had lessened as they did not fear moving on to the next level as much. Not to mention their communication exploded alarmingly having experiencing something as monumental as this together. No matter how trivia it may seem it was a first time experience for Maura to open up to someone at that level. It helped reinforced her trust in Jane and what they had was lasting. Nothing went beyond what had happened that morning but they were getting there as their confidence soared. Gleaming smiles filled her face as she thought about the past few days and how their relationship has transformed for the better. Both ladies were walking closely as they made their way through the forest as they couldn't wait to make their way home and into each other's arms. Entering through the entrance a scream sounded in the distance. This stopped both of the girls in their tracks as they quickly looked at each other in fear. Jane quickly grabs the blonde's arm in a titanium grip and slowly drags her across the outskirts. As they slowly approached the sound of commotion they tried to stay hidden from the dangerous turmoil. They noticed a large tree and used it to hide behind. Maura looked over and her jaw dropped from what she was witnessing. There was complete chaos and hysteria that had erupted within the town square. People were screaming and running around as men dressed in uniform pillage and plundered all around. Men and women of all ages were being attacked by the soldiers with no mercy. Horror filled her eyes as she watched the violence take place before her. Her worst nightmare had come to life and was wreaking havoc on the townspeople. Smoke and flame had invaded her nasal cavity from one of the soldier lighting a house on fire. One man turned and met her hazel eyes as he motioned near them. Suddenly Jane grabbed Maura and pulled her left going west away of the fray. At enough distance, the brunette turned and faced the honey blonde.

"Get your bow out and an arrow." She quickly spoke.

Maura complied with the command and took out her bow that was nestled on her chest and withdrew an arrow from her quiver. Jane then quickly grabbed the arrows within her quiver and shoved them into Maura's. Then she sudden placed her hands upon the other's shoulders.

"Okay Maura now listen to me carefully. We are in danger" she spoke with fierce eyes. "This is what you have been training for and we need to help. I need to go out there and do what I can and you need to stay here and fight from afar. Can you do that?" she asked softly.

Maura was like a fishes mouth trying to figure out what to say to Jane. Could she do this? Yes she had trained for this but this was the real deal. Could she actually kill another human being? All these thoughts clouded her mind but she could not panic. She closed her mouth and nodded her head in compliance. Jane begun to rub up and down her arm as she saw uncertainty in her eyes, trying to console her.

"Okay now I must go."

Before she could go Maura grabs on to her arm to prevent her from leaving.

"Jane I….please don't leave me... What if we get separated or something happens? I couldn't handle it if something happened to you….." she sputtered out as tears fell from her eyes.

Jane wiped the offending tears away and placed a loving hand on her cheek. A sad smiled filled her lips looking upon the woman she loved. "I know but I have to help Maur. I have to do everything I can. But I swear I will make it make back to you. I love you." She declared fiercely.

"Oh Bug I love you with everything I have." Maura responded and suddenly attached her lips to Jane's as a fierce kiss took a hold of them. When they finally released Jane grabbed Maura's shoulder as they made their way back from the square at a higher area for a better vantage point.

Jane turned to look at her. "Ok stay hidden here and hit as many as Constance's men as you can. I will come back to you but you need to stay here until I return understand?" She spoke and Maura nodded. Then finally Jane sprinted forward and made her way to the fight. She released the sword from its confines and swung it at a soldier chasing after a woman. They both fought against each other as Maura helplessly watched from afar as her love was in danger. Feeling the bow within her grasp, Maura placed an arrow within the string of the bow, aimed and released into a soldier, knocking him down to the ground. She continued this for a few shots, hitting men with fatal shots. She looked across the expanse, trying to locate Jane but the Italian was lost amongst the battlefield but all she could see is familiar faces that had looks of pure pain and terror. Then suddenly a familiar cry erupted from a child who was running from the fight. Maura recognized it as the Alice's child, Aileen and the Princess was quick to act. She quickly ran down the hillside and ran toward the distraught child.

"Maura!" The young girl screamed when she noticed her and ran toward her.

Maura saw a figure running after the child and withdrew a dagger from her belt, ready to throw it. "Ailee run up the hill!" the princess shouted to the child.

The young girl obeyed and ran passed Maura. The man continued to follow the girl with pure hate in his eyes. Quickly Maura raised her occupied hand and launched the dagger into his neck. She looked around to see if Alice or any of her other children were present. Oh God are they ok? No one is okay they are getting killed because of you. The honey blonde thought as she turned and made her way back up the hill. She finally found Aileen cowering to the ground and shaking from fear. Maura kneeled down and embraced the young girl. "Oh Ailee you are ok. I won't let anything happen to you" She softly spoke then released the girl and looked into her eyes. "Honey do you know where your mommy or your sibling are?" she asked gently.

Aileen's eyes showed fear and confusion. She shook her head violently. "Noo…no. Mommy told us to stay close…but…but I lost her…." She began to say hysterically and Maura pulled the upset girl in her arms.

Again screams filled the area as Maura looked up to see the damage being done. "Aileen honey you just sit right here and we will try to find them honey just hang on." She spoke to her and grabbed her bow once more. "I just need to stop some of these bad men." She then raised her bow with a renewed feeling and did what was needed. Maura was able to take down three men as Aileen idly watched the honey blonde in action.

"MAURA!" a voice boomed in the distance. Casey made his way to them as he shoved a soldier off with his sword. "Are you alright?" he asked when he reached them.

"Yes were fine. I found her. She's been separated from her mother." Maura explained as she released another arrow.

Casey looked at the young girl and nodded his head. "Alright we are meeting at the forest area for the weak and defenseless to hide. It's possible her mother is there come on let's go."

"But Jane told me to stay here…."

"Jane is too busy fighting off these vermin to come back. I need to make sure you are safe, Jane would never forgive me if something happened to you."

Maura nodded and picked up Aileen. "Alright how are we going to get there it is on the other side. We have to past by the square. How do we do that unharmed?"

"You're just gonna have to follow me, be ready to run." He responded. "Are you ready?"

Maura made sure she had everything. She held the child in her arms tight and nodded her head to Casey.

"Alright go!" he yelled and ran into the fight sword ready. He swung his weapon at a soldier, pushing him back and clearing a way for them to run through. Maura tried to maneuver her way across the field, by avoiding the danger for herself and of course for the innocent in her arms. They continued their sprint getting closer and closer to their safe haven.

Casey met with a large man and begun to aggressively attack him. He turned his face slightly toward them. "Maura keep running and go to the clearing hurry!"

Maura obeyed the man's orders and ran with haste without looking back. Her heart pounded heavily as she panted out. Sweet oxygen filled her lungs as she treaded the expanse of field. She ignored the aches from her arms and legs telling her to stop. But she refused and only focused on fleeing the area and bringing the child to safety. Finally she entered the forest and made her way to the clearing, finally finding some familiar faces that were being tended to.

"Oh Maura thank God you're alright!" Melanie cried out as she ran to Maura and quickly embraced her.

Maura looked at the other woman. "Melanie I found Aileen in the mist of the fight and I brought her back do you know where…"

"Aileen? Aileen sweetie is that you?!" an injured Alice screeched.

"MOMMY MOMMY!" the little girl yelled, jumped from Maura and ran toward her mother.

A sigh of relief escaped Maura for finding Alice quite alive. "Is she ok? Where are Finn and Fiona?"

"They are fine honey. I found them with their mother as she was trying to protect them from a guard." The red head explained.

Maura looked upon the expanse of hurt villagers bloody and bruised. Their faces were filled with fear and terror of the events that were going on. Cries could be heard either from pain or fear. Maura had felt sick to her stomach because this event was caused by her.

"Oh God Melanie this is all my fault." She whispered from her ashamed feelings.

Melanie quickly grabbed her by her shoulders. "Maura this is not your fault. This is the horrible Queen who is deciding to destroy the town and its inhabitants. Don't you dare think that you are responsible for any of this." She spoke trying to convince the young woman.

Maura took a deep breath trying to take everything in. After a minute she raised her head with a determined look in her eyes. "What is the plan of action?"

"Well Vince and the others who can are fighting out there. They occasionally return with people who are hurt and we are trying to treat them here. Eventually we are going to have to find somewhere else to hide but for now we are stuck here until we must leave."

Maura nodded her head in understanding. "Ok well I am going out there."

"What? Maura wait!" Melanie scolded trying to stop her.

"No. If it wasn't for me this wouldn't be happening. I am able to fight and must do what I can. You have to understand."

The red head considered this and nodded her head. "Alright but Maura please be careful" she says concerned. "And if you find any survivors bring them here!"

"Alright I will." She responds and quickly turned around to make her way back. She finally makes her way back to the battlefield and not much had changed. Chaos still happening as cruel violence was overtaking the village. Bodies were littering the floor as Maura tried to find possible survivors of this heinous crime. Maura shuttered at seeing familiar faces, eyes wide open, lying on the ground lifeless. This caused anger to stir within her body as she grabbed a knife and threw it at an offending soldier. The man next to him turned around and faced Maura. An evil glint filled his face that Maura knew he had recognized her and started toward her. Knowing she was out of arrows she grabbed a knife and flung it at him but was blocked by his shield and he continued to get closer. She again tried to grab another but he was close enough and swung his blade at her and she rolled over in order to dodger it. She seized her sword and used it to parry his strike. She quickly rose up and tried to an overhead assault but was deflected. Then he aggressively stepped closer and continually ushered her powerful blows that were taking a beating on the honey blonde. Maura did as best she could to hold his attacks off but knew she couldn't do it for that much longer. Suddenly, a swift kick to the man's side landed him face first on the ground. He was slightly winded but quickly rose up to fight his opponent as he charged at him. His opponent was quick to dodge his attack and then lodged a knife into his side, making him plummet to the ground in defeat. Maura looked upon Frost's face as he smiled at the girl and she mirrored his response. A glimmer of hope filled Maura's soul. Even with the clanking of swords and the screams around them there was a serene ambiance around the two friends. But soon this feeling quickly dissolved into pure darkness. Frost's face consorted into an expression of complete shock, pain, and sorrow. It took a while for the Princess to see the steel blade piercing through his body from behind. Liquid substance that was colored crimson was seeping out of the wounded body. The blood profusely oozed from him as he fell to his knees, unable to hold himself up. The honey blonde was at a standstill and could not act. She did not even notice the new figure to appear and used a sword to spear through the assailant. All Maura could do was stare helplessly at her fallen friend who was dying right before her. She did not know how she crawled to her friend but she hovered over him trying to find the entrance of his wound. A pair of arms encompassed her and started to pull her away from her comrade and away from the fray. Maura was fighting the limbs holding her as she screamed trying to desperately reach her friend, to help him; only finding his dark eyes staring straight at her as he fell through the dark abyss.

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Omg what just happened?! So I didn't mean to but I kind of left this at a cliffhanger but I felt best to stop here! What do you guys think? Good stuff to come soon as we continue this journey. Please leave reviews for yours truly.

~C.L. 3