Chapter Four

So I imagined to get another chapter written before the holiday! I'm on a roll. It's because of all your reviews and praise! I'm overwhelmed!

Hurricane Jackson: LOL, Robin doesn't think they are as even as Regina did! Hope you like this one.
Whas'up: This chapter is completely Robin's POV. And I appreciate you noticing that Regina has the same problems any ruler would have: funding. I continued that here.
liliesandroses: He has other eggs. :D And I have a little bit of Roland in this.
: Thank you. I hope this is funny too.
MyDarlingRose: Thank you. More R&R interaction here too!
theEvilPandaa: I have actually posted BEFORE 4th of July. :D
anotherOUATwriter: Thanks for commenting.
buffypurple122: Awww, I'm glad you love it.
Guest: I don't know if I can keep up the pace. This week was slow due to the holiday but please keep commenting. That drives me!
Murina: Wow, such great praise! I know my description does give the impression it's like a Florance Nightingale piece, but I don't think that's fair, especially with Regina as the evil queen. For them to fall in love so early (and part of me wonders if it really is possible without Henry) it's going ot have to be a process.
Guest 2: Oh, thank you. I hope this chapter you will love as much as the others.
phnxgrl: I also loved Robin easily working his way through the duke's traps. It was fun to write!

Robin limped along the road, being sure to keep his head down, the tattered cloak covering most of his form. The walking stick he chose to use turned out not to be strong enough to handle his full weight much less his heavy satchel.

The queen hadn't taken all the things he'd stole, he had grabbed two other Faberge eggs from the useless duke so last night wasn't totally a waste. But Robin couldn't let his mind forget what had happened. At first he had been relieved, he had faced the queen again and she let him go alive. But after having time as well as much needed distance, Robin remembered her stating they were even and annoyance filled up his heart.

How was this even? He had saved her. If she had remained on the forest floor that night with the amount of rains, she probably would have drowned. Her head wound while not as serious as he originally worried, left untreated probably would have gotten infected. He brought her back to the cabin, warmed her, bandaged her, and fed her. She may have offered him monetary rewards yet that hardly made up for her ungrateful attitude especially when just a simple thank you would suffice.

So upon catching him red handed, and truth be told his pride was hurt that he got caught and especially by her, she took for herself the real reason he had come at all. That StormFire egg was the most expensive thing he ever stole and she took it back like it belonged to her all along.

It did belong to her husband, the king. Robin shook away the irritating thought. Robin had done his research, that egg was no longer in Leopold's possession by the time he had married Regina. Thinking of the now dead ruler, Robin began stomping. Leopold's rule might have provided his people with nostalgic sentiment at the memory, he certainly had a very caring disposition no matter who was before him, but his policies and programs were improperly planned and administered. Of course, Robin didn't know if that was so much the king's fault or his advisors, but for all of the queen's sins and there were many, she had made some rather surprising improvements to everything. Even in her vigilance against Snow White, all those patrols by the black guards did reduce bandits, not all of them were as honorable as he was, but it also kept him out of her realm.

Robin had to slow his pace, the satchel was growing heavier. Besides the treasure and supplies he needed, there was also Roland's gift. He hadn't forgotten about that though he had no intention of giving it to her. When planning this theft, Roland managed to pick up on where he was going, a habit that Robin needed to nip in the bud. It wouldn't do if his son at his young age knew too much of their jobs and missions. But at the moment Roland knew that Robin was headed to a ball and it was likely the queen would be there.

"Can you give her this?" Roland had asked.

Robin's eyes widened at the object he had in his hand. Something he freely got from the forest but altered so it was now something else, or at least in Roland's powerful imagination something else. "What is that?"

"A squirrel!" his son answered like it was obvious.

It really wasn't. Roland had an innovative mind, he loved creating things. But some of it didn't turn out as well as the boy thought. Robin loved all of it, and most of the merry men did too. Their love for his son and his enthusiasm for giving to others was endearing. But not everyone appreciated it, and Robin could well imagine how the queen would react.

"Why do you want to give her a gift?"

Roland smiled, "You told me she lives in a big castle and not in the forest. She should have this to remind her of it. Of us!"

Robin didn't have the heart to tell him the queen wouldn't give a damn about them and probably wanted his head on a platter. Of course, during their short time together, she treated Roland far better than Robin would ever have imagined.

So he took the gift with him though of course he had no intention of giving to her majesty, or to even see her for that matter. He decided he would tell Roland he hadn't seen her at the ball which now turned out to be a lie.

"Make way for the queen!"

Robin froze, this wasn't happening. He had purposely chosen a road that led away from her castle so there was no chance their paths would cross. What was she doing here?

His first instinct was to run away…to the woods in the distance. But there weren't many peasants around and they were bound to have seen him by now. He stepped off the road into the wet grass, his resentment growing. The knights marched by on their horses, Robin kept his head down knowing they wouldn't bother to even look at him. Her carriage rolled down, the other people on the street kneeled or bowed, greeting "Your Majesty!"

When it got to him, he bowed trying to keep up his shabby appearance, but the rebel in him was stronger at the moment and with unveiled contempt, he said loudly, "MiLady!" It was barely a few seconds before he heard her voice. "Stop the carriage!"

Damn it. All you had to do was play the part of a poor beggar and act timid and respectful. But when it came to this woman he couldn't do it. He couldn't pretend to be something he wasn't, he was surprised she even bought his farmer act.

The door to her carriage opened and there she stood wearing a flamboyant dress with matching hat. The look on her face was indescribable other than its beauty. But Robin tried not to think about that. "You! Identify yourself."

Adding a high pitched shrill to his voice, Robin kept his head down. "Just a humble beggar, your Majesty!" He knew it was a waste of time once he heard it. He gripped his walking stick tightly waiting for her to inevitably call her guards, hoping to use it as a weapon.

"I see. Let me extend some hospitality and offer you a ride, old man." When he didn't move, her voice was laced with iciness. "Don't make me force you." He knew she wasn't talking about using her guards.

He followed her inside, surprised how cozy it was. She was facing forward and he had his back to the driver who was technically outside. Across from the door was a small table which looked to have a cabinet underneath, probably to hold food and money. Everything was covered in either gold, marble, and velvet. She yelled for the driver to move on and he felt the carriage lurch forward.

He pulled off his hood. Her eyes widened at the sight of him, was that a hint of desire? The very thought sent his heart racing, probably because of fear. She sat back and in doing so her cleavage was very prominently displayed. It was taking all his willpower not to stare. "We really must stop meeting like this!"

"We really do, thief."

He cocked his head. "Ahhh, but it was you who stole from me!"

"Hardly the only thing you took. When Edward found out he'd been robbed, it wasn't just the one egg." She had a hint of a smile.

"The duke would no doubt forget all about them if he found any comfort from you, your Highness." The very idea of her being in that idiot's room almost made Robin see red. He had no idea why.

She shook her head. "No, Norrington is too materialistic to have been comforted over the loss of his treasures."

Robin couldn't let that go by. "He's materialistic?" He gestured at the tapestry hanging in the corner. That alone was probably worth what one family made in a year.

"Do you have a death wish?" she scowled. "Is that what you are doing here?"

"Actually what I'm doing here…" he was about to say was get the hell away from her. But then remembered Roland's gift. Why not? "…is to offer you a gift of my own."

"A gift?" Of course she was suspicious. It was absurd.

"A gift to show my respect and appreciation for letting me go last night," Robin pulled his satchel up on the seat beside him, "even though it was nakedly self serving."

"You just happened to have a gift on you to bestow to me."

He smiled. "I am a thief after all."

"True," she said, returning it. His heart leaped at the sight but he knew she suspected he might be playing her. And he was. "By all means, give me this gift."

He could see she was plainly on guard, not trusting him one bit. On the other hand, her eyes danced and he was positive she was hoping, just hoping, that he would reveal another egg. Opening the satchel, he reached down and found Roland's gift. It was wrapped so Robin used both hands to undo it still keeping it hidden from her. Once it was freed, he quickly placed it in the middle of the table with as much pomp and circumstance as if he was giving her a golden goose.

At the sight of it, Regina's eyes narrowed out of confusion. When she realized what it was, actually what it used to be, her expression changed to horror. Robin looked back at it and was pleased to see it had crumbled a bit, making a mess on her gold inlay table. He sat back taking in her reactions. It was probably the funniest he'd ever seen in years…she was honestly grinding her teeth but trying to keep her composure. Of course she hated it and was no doubt offended at its mere presence. Poor Roland would have been devastated at her indignant revulsion. But since he wasn't here and it was likely the queen wouldn't let Robin go unscathed this time, he was going to enjoy this for all it's worth.

"What..." She couldn't even complete a sentence.

Concentrating hard, as it was difficult not to let the laughter escape, Robin explained. "It's a squirrel! See that's its tail and its arms-"

"It's a pine cone!" she argued.

"Well, yes that is what it was originally. Don't you know we treasure the forest's resources? The items we can't eat or wear or burn, we can make decorative art."

She clenched her hands and Robin expected her magic to destroy it at any moment. He was surprised it took her this long. Roland had done a good job of attaching everything in the proper spot but it still was rather ugly and it didn't help it had flattened some while traveling with Robin. Still, the outlaw hated to see anything his son made to be so carelessly destroyed so he added…"Roland made it."

"I'm so relieved you said…" she paused, slightly whispering, "Roland made it." The implication was otherwise he would have and that was the last straw. Robin couldn't hold it in anymore, he laughed.

He didn't think it was possible, but she showed even more surprise at his delight of her reaction. She allowed herself to relax now…chuckling a bit. "Why did Roland make it?"

"He made it for you."

"Just tell me the truth, Ro-thief."

Robin pretended he hadn't noticed she almost used his real name. For some reason he found he truly wished to hear her say it. "I am telling you the truth, your Majesty."

She scoffed. "Your son made a gift for me? A woman he barely knows?"

Robin nodded. "Yes, you made quite the impression on him." Confusion reappeared on her face. She looked back down at the squirrel cone. "What?"

"Nothing." She didn't add anything to it, just kept staring at the cone.

When was the last time someone gave you something, your Majesty? Robin only thought it. She obviously was affected at hearing his child sincerely wanted to give her something, something he made. But she was a queen, don't people give her gifts all the time? "Your Majesty?"

Whatever she was thinking, she shook it off. When her eyes met his again, Robin saw a new coldness in her eyes. "Where do you leave Roland while you're off stealing?"

That was going one too far. "If you think I would tell you-"

"I just try to wrap my head around a father who places crimes above his own son?"

Robin was not offended. "You're lecturing me?"

"I'm not a thief!"

"No, you're a murderer!" He knew he had stepped over the line now. Immediately a fireball appeared in her hand and Robin jerked back. The only way out of the carriage was through the door and he'd be on fire before touching the handle.

"Will it be worth it? To die right now and never see your son again?" Such menace in her voice.

"If you think I leave Roland lightly or not worry about his fate should I die, you'd be wrong. I think about that every day. Every hour. Every minute. While I'm gone, I barely sleep because my dreams are filled of nightmares of what might happen to him or what did happen to-" He stopped. Why was he saying all of this?

But it was enough to intrigue her. The fireball remained but she lowered it. "What did happen to…?"

He might as well say. "To Marian."

Much to his surprise, she extinguished the fireball. He expected her next question to get to the details of Marian's death. But instead she asked, "Does Roland miss her?"

"He misses…" Robin closed his eyes. He couldn't believe he was talking about this. "he misses the idea of her. He was too young to remember Marian. But he knows little boys should have mothers and he doesn't. He gets sad on that sometimes, but he also doesn't like to dwell on sad things. He prefers to be happy."

"Don't we all?" Regina said absently. Robin wasn't sure what just happened. It was like she was somewhere else. Maybe some other time.

"I hadn't planned on giving you this. Obviously I had hoped to sneak out of the ball undetected. I was going to tell Roland I didn't see you."

"And yet here you are!" she said sarcastically.

"On a road heading in the opposite direction of your kingdom. So imagine my shock when your carriage shows up."

She sighed. "I have to meet with King George. Some issues have arisen against our borders and I need him to do his part."

Robin didn't know what to say to that. He felt foolish that the only thing he could come up with was "Really?"

It annoyed her though. "Yes, in between peasant head choppings and village smiting, I do some actual ruling.

"Oh, I know you do!" He said it before he could stop himself.

She thought he was mocking her. "Don't patronize me, thief. I hardly expect you to understand."

"I understand that after your husband's death, you discovered the royal treasury was not exactly overflowing and many of the king's programs were close to bankruptcy." He admitted so much because for some reason he hated the idea the queen thought he was a simpleton. He wanted so very much to prove her wrong.

"How do you know that?"

Robin sighed. "Because I'm a thief who robs from the rich and gives to the poor, it's helpful to know who the poor truly are. Ten years ago I spent much time in your kingdom."

She reflected on what he said. It had felt so long ago for him, he couldn't imagine how distant such memories were for her. "I had forgotten actually. Leopold would complain a lot about you."

"I'm sure he did," Robin nearly rolled his eyes. "Because it was easier to blame the symptom rather than work on the cause."

She didn't answer right away. She just stared as if contemplating. "Most people think Leopold was the greatest ruler we ever had while I'm the worst."

"I don't believe either of those." She now rolled her eyes at his statement. She was obviously about to utter a sarcastic comment but Robin was serious. "King Leopold was probably sincere in wanting what was best for his kingdom and the people in it. Unfortunately he didn't seem to realize a person's well being is as much about the future as it is about their current situation. His programs depended too heavily on taxes and had no longevity."

"You-you saw that?" She looked so surprised. It actually saddened Robin. People were so quick to point out a person's flaws without giving much if any credit to their accomplishments.

"Your first program where you pushed farmers who lost their lands to drought or famine to take up public works was a good idea."

She snorted. "People hated it and at first I had a near rebellion."

"Well, it didn't help the first people you chose were horsewhipped to do the work." That did bother him.

"The first people I chose weren't those farmers. They were conmen, forgers and…" she leaned in, "thieves."

He leaned forward too. "But the people didn't know that, did they? They were just told soon they would soon be taking the place of these men who were beaten routinely right before their eyes."

"I'm not required to lay out my entire agenda so people who can barely read and write can give their approval!" She leaned back, crossing her arms. "Fear is an effective tool."

Sighing, Robin realized it would do no good to argue. Mimicking her body language, he went on. "My point was that this program, granted it got off to a bad start, but over time it proved itself. People were kept busy, improvements were made to the kingdom and it did generate its own income that covered its actual cost."

She wouldn't look at him now. She was acting childish. Roland had better manners. "Did you hear me?"

"Of course I heard you! If this squirrel was real he would have heard you." She glanced down at the pine cone. Then realized her mistake. "And if it had ears."

"You know, you could act a little more gracious."

"I could act more gracious?"

"When someone gives you a compliment, you should be gracious!" He said loudly.

She laughed but it wasn't a kind sound. "I'm not so desperate for human kindness that I look to the likes of you for a barely recognizable form of praise."

Actually, Robin was beginning to think she was that desperate, but he wisely kept that opinion to himself. He simply laid his head back on the velvet cushion running up the chariot wall while he looked out towards the passing trees. If someone had told him he'd be riding with the queen in her own carriage, he would have thought they were crazy.

He wasn't sure how long they went in silence. It was odd. She seemed almost content at his sitting there across from her.

Unable to remain quiet any longer, Robin finally spoke. "You should be more careful."

She didn't answer, she just waited. He swore her eyes looked right through him.

"Giving a beggar a ride through the woods. People will talk. Think you are trying to implement a public transportation system."

The corners of her mouth twitched. Encouraged, Robin went on. "Before long you will have to change out your carriages for something longer with more seats. A wagon perhaps. Have little compartments so peasants could store their chickens and fish from the market."

"As long as they don't bring squirrels that would be fine."

His eyebrow arched. She was smiling a bit more now. "Naturally there would be a private compartment for you in the back. Wouldn't do for you to actually sit with the commoners."

She shook her head at him but her eyes were shimmering. He'd give anything to know what she was thinking.

"Stop!" she called to the driver. "The beggar is ready to get out." Looking at him she said, "We are coming to the crossroads and unless you would rather accompany me to see King George, you should leave."

A frown formed on his face. Then he remembered he was supposed to be relieved. Putting the cloak back on, he wasn't sure what to say. What could he say? As he opened the door, she placed her hand on his arm. An electric jolt went through his body at her touch. Probably her magic.

"Thank Roland for my gift."

She was closer than he expected. He could feel her breath on his face. Clearing his throat, he replied. "Try not to hit someone when you throw it out of your carriage." With that he climbed down.

Back on the road, he heard her issue a forward command and they left. Robin stood in placing watching her carriage go. He didn't leave until it was completely out of sight.

I may be taking huge liberties of Leopold's reign. But I like the idea that Regina would treat ruling the kingdom like running a business. (And I think it shows years later at being mayor).

As before, reviews and comments inspire me to keep writing. I'm so glad this rather spontaneous story is enjoyed by someone other than me.