Chapter Two
This wound up being a lot longer than I thought!

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Guest: Thank you! I too have sort an overload of Marian FF (not that most of it isn't wonderful) so I enjoy stories centered in the EF either during the missing year or an AU.
m cookieme: Hopefully this chapter is also interesting.
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It had been a long night. Roland got some sleep but Robin couldn't relax knowing he had the most notorious woman in the known world sleeping mere feet from his son. During the raging night, she had gotten a fever and voiced her nightmares out loud. Thank goodness Roland was a sound sleeper.

Watching her in these moments, it was hard to reconcile the woman before him with the tales of the great and terrible queen. Laying on the bed under the blanket, she seemed so frail and small. And beautiful. Robin had to constantly remind himself that she knew how to use her looks to great advantage and already, even unconscious, it was working.

Sitting in the early hours of the morning, Robin considered his options. There weren't many. The immediate danger of the storm was gone but it was still raining fairly hard. Who knew how much damage the winds and lightening had caused in the surrounding area? If it had just been him maybe he could have set out on foot but carrying Roland would never have worked.

Not to mention how could he explain that they would leave an injured woman all alone? She needed to be monitored, the head wound could be serious and no matter who she was, no matter what she'd done, Robin couldn't leave a human being in need. And he certainly didn't want to send mixed messages to Roland.

Glancing away, Robin turned to the breakfast. He had managed to forage for foods and cooked a morning stew. As he stirred so did the queen. Robin glanced over at Roland to make sure his son was still asleep. During this quiet time, Robin thought he came up with a good enough plan to hopefully keep her from finding out he was the outlaw Robin Hood.

She started to get up but grimaced as the pain now hit her. "Careful Milady, you are still sore from the injuries you sustained last night."

Her eyes opened and she took a few moments to focus. After a beat, her brow narrowed, "Who are you? Where am I?"

He let out a gasp he realized he was holding. Unexpected feelings had churned within him at the sight of her eyes looking into his, he could swear she could see through him. When he didn't answer, she sat up, "Well? Do you know how to speak or have you been living with the small creatures of the forest for too long?"

His eyebrows raised at her remark. He hadn't expected it. "I'm sorry, Milady, I found you last night during the storm and brought you here to heal. How are you feeling?"

"It's your Majesty," she said archly, "and I'm fine."

She looked around their surroundings and he was having a hard time remembering his actual name, much less the story he concocted. Perhaps it was her magic?

"So, who are you?"

"I'm a farmer but not from around here. We were traveling and had to seek shelter from the storm too. Luckily we found this cabin."

"We?"

"She's awake!" came Roland's excited cry. Leaping out of his makeshift bed, he jumped up and came over to stand by his father. Robin immediately tensed. He hadn't wanted to put the queen on edge, so he made sure to remain unarmed but he wished he had brought his dagger a little closer. If all the stories about her were true, one would think she ate small children for breakfast. "I told Papa that I heard you outside and then he brought you in!"

At the moment however she seemed quite surprised at Roland. "This is your son?"

"Yes, Mil-, your Majesty." Robin replied. Roland's eyes had grown as big as saucers now. It would have been cute if she wasn't so dangerous.

"Well, now that it seems the storm is over, I will be going now," she said matter-of-factly. She looked past Robin to get her boots. She reached out for them but without thinking, Robin grabbed her hand to stop her.

"I'm sorry your Majesty, I can't allow you to do that." What was the matter with me? Just let her go.

Jerking her hand away, the queen glared at him. "How dare you touch me, peasant. Am I your prisoner? Is that what this is? You are truly foolish-"

"No, no, I'm sorry to overstep. It's just…" Robin took a breath, she relaxed a little. "It's still raining and I surveyed the area earlier. We need to let things dry up a bit and you are still injured-"

"I told you I'm fine!" she roared. Roland jumped back and hid behind her father which was enough to snap her out of her anger. After a moment, she softened. "It's just rain and I need to get back to my castle. Let me just take your horse and I'll compensate you-"

Now he did laugh. "My horse? We were not traveling by horse, Milady. And if you think you are going to walk back to your castle, I still highly suggest you let the rain finish as it's far enough away but doing so wet and soaked will be quite the miserable experience!"

At his words she stood up and he followed. Her body was tense and Robin sensed it was due to her apparent lack of freedom rather than any discomfort, so he did his best to defuse the situation. "Please, your Majesty. You need to eat something…and when we are done, if it's stopped raining, we can leave together."

"Excuse me?" Just as he expected, when she looked at the stew she turned her nose up. "I'm not going to eat that and I hardly need someone like you to escort me anywhere."

"Well, you sure as hell needed someone like me last night when you nearly gotten yourself killed out in the middle of a thunderstorm! I could have left you there to die, you know!"

She hissed, "So why didn't you?"

He was about to say he didn't realize who she was until AFTER he got her inside but someone else stopped him. Roland took a step forward and said loudly, "Because we help people!"

The queen's eyes left Robin's and looked down to the boy. Robin wasn't sure what was more incredulous, Roland talking so firmly to her when he's usually extremely shy with strangers or the fact she was actually affected by him.

"What is your name?" she asked.

"Roland." He said. Thinking hard on what she said earlier, he made an attempt. "And you are m'jest…m'gessy."

For a split second, Robin saw a smile cross her lips but it was gone so fast he wondered if he imagined it. "Majesty. You can call me Re-" she paused. "You can say Your Highness."

"Your Highness." Roland repeated.

She sat back down and looked at Robin, she glared at him as if expecting something from him. He shifted on his feet wondering what was next and she gestured to the stew. "Well? Do I have to serve myself?"

He almost laughed again. He actually wished he could tell her exactly how she could serve herself but thought better of it. Taking a bowl, he gave her a portion and handed it to her. She smelled it and made another face. "What's in this?"

Making some for Roland, Robin answered, "Rabbit. I seasoned with some nearby herbs."

"You sure this is safe to eat?"

Robin looked at Roland who didn't appear much happier at his share than the queen. Taking his own bite, he realized it was rather bland. But it would do and they were lucky to have it. "Would I give it to my son otherwise?"

She looked like she wanted to say something to that but remained silent. Robin mentally kicked himself. Why was he antagonizing her?

"Is this what you normally eat, Roland?" she asked.

Robin tensed. If Roland made mention of their camp, it was bound to prompt questions. "I usually have deer and fish. And Papa makes me have yucky stuff like veg-ables."

Again a smile flashed over her face at Roland trying to converse. Robin had an odd feeling about it. They ate in silence for a few minutes. Eventually though, she tossed her spoon in the bowl and set it away. "Okay, I've eaten. I'm ready to leave."

He wanted to argue. But the rain had let up a bit and maybe he they could get out of this in one piece.

"Wait a minute!" she shouted. "Thief! Where is it? What did you do with it?!"

She stood and the cabin and magic must have radiated off her body because the cabin was shaking.

"Where is what?"

"My bracelet! I had it on me and now it's gone. Obviously you stole it!"

Quickly Robin got to his feet, he wasn't sure how much more of this he could take. "Calm down! It's in your pocket!"

She quickly checked and pulled out her bracelet. Breathing a sigh of relief, she put it on her wrist. Realizing she was in error, she straightened up. "Good."

"Apology accepted," Robin said through gritted teeth. Of course, he was a thief, but she didn't know that. Not yet.

"I'm sorry."

The queen was apologizing to him? Or Roland. She had directed her comment to the child who had again moved behind his father at her outburst.

Robin realized he needed to just stop wasting time and do what she asked. He took the bowls and cleaned them with some of the remaining rags that were lying around. He then used the rags to put out the fire. Carefully taking their gear, he had wrapped his bow and quiver with some of the blankets so it looked like it was a sleeping bag.

As he helped Roland with the boy's small cloak, he noticed the queen had picked up his. "This is ripped."

"Yes, it got ripped last night while Roland and I were trying to get out of the storm."

"Damn!" she flung it on the floor.

"Hey!" he yelled, picking it up. "Just because something is damaged doesn't mean it no longer has any use." He rolled it up and hooked it on his belt.

She didn't reply to that, simply rolled her eyes. She began to stroll to the door as if she had no injuries whatsoever but by the time she walked outside she was rubbing her side. When they caught up to her, he noticed a glimpse of purple smoke and guessed she healed some of her wounds. Good, Robin thought, anything to help speed up their time together.

Outside the cabin, he was glad to see it was barely misting at this point. His eyes scanned around them and he was about to gesture to the queen which way to head but she had other plans. With amusement he saw her head off east which was not the direction they needed to go in. Clearing his throat loudly, she stopped and wheeled around. "What?"

"Begging your pardon, Your Majesty, but I think you will find this way is the right direction if you want to get to the main road."

Huffing, she kept her head high and breezed past them. Robin had to admit, she really knew how to carry herself and he was very glad to be behind her, though he told himself it was to keep a better eye on her and not to admire her form.

Much to his dismay however, Roland ran a bit ahead to walk right alongside her. Robin was so perplexed, it just wasn't like his son to take to a stranger, especially one who exhibited such authority and rudeness. Watching the pair, he noticed she tried to ignore the child, but occasionally would glance down at him.

As they walked on, they came to a fallen tree. Swiftly, Robin leaped to the side and got up on top of the trunk. With ease he lifted Roland over it, the young boy gleefully singing "Wheeee" as he went over. Robin turned to her highness.

She ignored his offered hand, choosing to try to use a nearby branch to hoist herself up, but Robin saw at once that wasn't going to work. The branch broke under her weight. Before she could fall back, he grabbed her wrist and elbow hoping she didn't miss any bruises when she healed herself. The look she gave told him she wasn't hurt so much as agitated at his assistance. As he guided her over the tree trunk, he couldn't keep from brushing himself up against her and he felt his hands tighten on her needlessly.

"I've got it!" she said quickly, jerking her arm away and practically jumping the rest of the way. Well, at least she wanted to get away from him as much as he did her.

Roland waited patiently for the queen to start walking again and took her pace. Robin shook his head at the sight. Placing his hands on his waist, he felt his damaged cloak and remembered the queen's earlier treatment. "Your Highness, why were you so upset at seeing my torn cloak?"

He noticed she tensed at the question. She mumbled something he didn't hear.

"I beg your pardon?"

"I said, I thought it belonged to someone else."

Roland was curious now. "Who?"

"I was in pursuit of Snow White and thought the cloak belonged to her."

Robin was afraid it was something like that. Everyone inside and outside her kingdom knew not to get in her way where the princess was concerned and those that did would lose their lives. Robin had never met the woman but always knew he would help her if he could.

"Who is Snow White?" Roland inquired.

"Only someone…" she started but realized Roland didn't need to hear whatever the history that existed. Clearing her throat, she followed, "An outlaw."

Robin cringed as he knew Roland would recognize the term. Almost immediately, his son leaped with joy. "We're outlaws!"

"You are?" The queen asked. Evidently, her majesty thought Roland was playing out some game. "I wouldn't have thought so."

"You wouldn't?" Roland asked.

She now turned directly to his son with an honest to God smile. Not one she tried to conceal or drop, but a full-fledged beaming one and Robin felt his heart pace quicken. She really should smile more often. "I would have thought you a knight!"

"A knight?"

"Yes, you saved me after all. That's what knights do, they rescue queens."

Roland was too literal for her praise. He turned back towards his father and pointed, "No, Papa saved you."

Glancing back at him, the queen's smile did drop which prompted disappointment within Robin that he didn't understand. She continued, "Ah, but it was you who heard me to start, and so it is you that I owe my thanks."

Roland beamed at this logic, and turned around. "Did you hear that Papa? I'm a knight!"

"You are indeed." Robin said softly. Roland ran ahead, picking up a stick, slashing away at imaginary beasts. The ground became uneven, slowing her down. Robin caught up to her. He knew he should drop it, but his thoughts were filled of the black knights that filled the queen's armies. "You think being a knight is more honorable than an outlaw?"

She gave him a puzzled look, like his question was absurd. "Of course."

"Perhaps then her majesty should take a closer look at her guards."

"Excuse me?" she asked, an edge to her voice.

"Just that the black knights are known for burning down homes and attacking-"

He felt air leave his lungs and his feet would not leave the ground. She had a hold on him and he looked to Roland to make sure his boy was far enough away as not to get see. She whispered in his ear, "Anyone that has met such fates from my knights deserved it, I assure you."

Then he could breathe again but she didn't release his feet to move. He turned to her and realized she was very close to him. He knew she expected him to apologize but he had seen firsthand some of the violence inflicted on others. "I think if that were really true, it wouldn't anger you so much to say so."

She opened her mouth for a retort, but a noise ahead got their attention. Roland had let out a scream and without a second thought Robin ran towards him forgetting his feet were supposed to be frozen to the ground. She was right beside him and together they surrounded his son who lay on the ground crying.

Apparently he had fallen and cut his knee. Both of the adults examined his wound. Robin immediately wiped away some of the blood while Regina was trying to quiet down his cries. "There, it doesn't look so bad."

"That's right, Roland. It's okay." Robin went to take off his pack to look for a bandage.

The queen had other ideas. "That's not necessary. Look, sweetie, if I move my hand over it, it gets better." As she waved her hand, the wound disappeared including what was left of the blood. Immediately Roland stopped crying, though probably because he just witnessed magic, not because it felt better. She then wiped away the tears off his cheek using her dress sleeves, her expensive dress sleeves, and helped Roland to stand. "See? You truly are a knight, you're so brave."

"Where did it go?" he asked, bending down to see if the cut was indeed gone.

"I healed it."

Roland jerked his head up and stared at her, shocked at her admission. "You used magic?"

This wasn't good. Roland seemed to have a big fascination with anything magic related and he was already mesmerized by the queen, finding out she was a sorceress wasn't going to help. Standing up, Robin placed his hands on Roland's shoulders. "Yes, well, we better keep going. Your Majesty, after you."

Again, something flashed upon her face but it was gone before he could determine what it was. She walked forward and together he and Roland followed.

Did he think I would let the child bleed to death? Regina thought as she stomped ahead of them. This stranger clearly didn't appreciate magic, even in healing form, and she couldn't wait to get away from them. From him. Whatever his name was.

Regina hadn't attempted to find out the man's name again, she didn't care at all. He was a farmer, a mere peasant who enjoyed eating rodents and smelled like forest. On the other hand, his child was charming and sweet and apparently inherited all his good traits from his mother. Whoever she was.

The image of a beautiful young woman welcoming Roland and his father home came to her mind and in spite of not really caring, she couldn't help but ask, "So will your wife be worried you are delayed?"

"My wife?" he asked which annoyed her all the more.

"Yes, Roland's mother."

"My mother isn't here anymore," Roland answered. Regina snapped her head back and saw the sadness on the child's face. Her eyes went up to his father who clarified. "Marian died a few years ago."

His features clearly showed grief and Regina flinched not realizing such a possibility. "I'm-I'm sorry. So it's just you to raise him?"

He cocked his head at that. He probably had many girlfriends helping him. No doubt throwing themselves to win a handsome farmer. Not that she thought he was handsome. He shrugged. "I have help from friends."

"Papa has lots of friends!" Roland shouted, now smiling.

"Really? That's rather hard to believe." She risked a glance at Robin who raised an eyebrow at her.

"I can be charming sometimes."

She was tempted to respond but she focused on the latest tree that they had to step around. Roland climbed it on his own while his father stepped over it. Thanks to her dress, she was forced to step up and it was rather awkward to get down. However, here stood the farmer with his arms outstretched waiting to help her. He had a smirk on his face because he knew she would be forced to accept his help. "Truly, your highness, I'm really a rather nice man once you get to know me."

When he set her down, she was closer to him than she felt comfortable. With a biting edge, she answered, "Thankfully there isn't much reason for a queen to get to know a farmer."

She heard his answer behind her. "Thankfully."

For several minutes they continued without speaking and Regina was glad of it. The terrain was difficult to maneuver and she was becoming fatigued, using her magic to heal herself and Roland probably hadn't helped. Eventually Roland shouted out, "Listen! A drum!"

Regina tilted her head and smiled. It was a drum. Obviously her knights were out looking for her. Relief overcame her, a part of her was worried they wouldn't have been looking at all. A quick gesture of her hand, she created a transparent window that let her see through the trees. About 15 yards ahead of them was a company of black knights and a wagon. Hopefully she had enough magic left to turn it into something a bit fancier, fit for a queen to ride.

Releasing the vision, Roland came into focus, running back to her. She smiled to herself imaging the young boy riding in a carriage, she was sure he'd enjoy it.

Before she could tell them of her wishes, the father made his well known. "Well your majesty, I trust you can catch them from here."

Disappointment flooded her, she wasn't sure why. Probably because she enjoyed Roland so much. "You are leaving?"

"But Papa…I don't want to leave the queen!"

Obviously the man before her did not share young Roland's opinion. He picked up his son and said, "I'm sorry but no. Truth be told, our direction is the other way and it's best we get to walking now."

Regina had no doubt this man wanted to get away from her as quickly as possible, most people did, but to spend all this time with her only to leave now? Did he not want his reward? That is when she realized she hadn't made it clear. "But surely you want your…compensation for helping me. You certainly deserve something for helping me-"

"Oh spending time with your majesty is payment enough." Robin said it almost mockingly and Regina had to fight back the urge to set him on fire. Good thing he was holding his dear son. Glancing over at him, Robin's face softened. "Roland, say goodbye to her majesty."

The boy frowned because he obviously didn't want to say goodbye. It tugged at her heart. He waved and said, "Bye majestry!"

She smiled at the boy and finally gave in to what she wanted to say earlier. "You can call me Regina, Sir Roland." His smile stretched across his face which Regina couldn't help but return. Glancing at his father, she let the smile fall. The boy was precious but hardly worth time forced in his insufferable father's company. She turned abruptly around, telling herself she was glad to not see him again.

It took not a little bit of effort to catch up with the knights but it wasn't that hard. Regina suspected the troops weren't in that much hurry to find her. Calling out to them, they stood at attention. The captain of this troop came riding up. "Your Majesty! You're alright!"

Rolling her eyes at the obvious disappointment in his voice, Regina walked past him, she was in no mood to punish him. Right now she was more anxious to find the useless troops that left her behind yesterday. Slapping her hands together, the wagon before her turned into an elegant carriage. She climbed in trying to ignore the regret she was feeling at being alone.

As they moved on, the captain approached her though reluctantly. "Your Majesty…"

"What?" She asked, letting the exhaustion escape her voice.

"I'm-I'm afraid to inform you-" he paused.

Regina was amazed that a simple farmer could freely wield his opinion to her yet a black knight risen to the rank of captain was terrified to even speak. "What? Spit it out while you still have a tongue!"

"The outlaw you were in pursuit last night was not Snow White."

Oh that. She nodded. "Yes, I'm aware."

"It seems the outlaw in question is not a she but a he, your highness." She was about to correct him, the man wasn't an outlaw at all. "It turns out, your majesty was pursuing the notorious bandit, Robin Hood."

I'm updating quicker since this is Outlaw Queen week. Usually I write slower. However, nothing gets me writing faster than having reviews. Please comment!