Why 9

They laid in silence after they woke several hours later. Emma stayed tucked up against Regina, running her fingers softly up and down the queen's arm. She brushed the brunette hair aside and placed a soft kiss to the back of her neck. Regina had reached behind and held onto the back of Emma's leg, bending her wrist to run gentle circles where she could reach.

Emma leaned down and rubbed her cheek against the queen's, smiling slightly at the soft sigh she received. She let her chin rest on Regina's shoulder for a moment as she continued to stroke her arm.

"I'm sorry about Leopold," Emma whispered.

Regina sighed. "He was a terrible king and an even worse husband. But he didn't deserve to be murdered, certainly not by his own daughter," Regina said sincerely. She shook her head and scoffed. "I lost nearly half my royal guard in that castle."

Emma flinched, remembering the look on his face as Peter died in front of her eyes. Suddenly a thought occurred to her. "Do you regret it?"

Regina turned her face a bit toward Emma. "Regret what?"

Emma kissed the queen on the top of her shoulder. "Not letting your mother kill Snow?"

Regina thought for a moment before shaking her head. "No. Do I wish I could change the things she's done? Yes. But Snow's the child killer, not me."

Emma's heart exploded into warmth. She smiled and rolled Regina towards her onto her back. She ran her hand down the side of Regina's face as she looked adoringly into the queen's eyes. "You're amazing, you know that?"

Regina smiled sleepily and reached up to run her hand down Emma's arm. "You're not so bad, yourself, Captain," she said seductively.

Emma sighed out as her heart swelled. She traced a thumb across Regina's lower lip as she felt Regina grip around her elbow. Emma leaned down and gently pressed her lips against the queen's. It seems like eons since she had felt those soft lips last, and Emma felt her eyebrows furrow as a sigh left her lungs. Her hand reached out and tangled into brown locks, head tilting slightly to deepen the kiss.

Regina felt her body sing as finally Emma's tongue danced into her mouth. Regina opened gladly to accept the soft tongue into her mouth, reaching back with her own eagerly. Regina's hands started wandering all over the blonde above her, clutching at the fabric of her cotton shift. Regina moaned as a firm brush of Emma's tongue ignited the fire in her core.

Emma exploded with arousal as their kiss became even more passionate, and she leaned over, rolling herself half on top of the queen. When she felt Regina pulling her closer, Emma groaned into the queen's mouth. Emma dragged her leg upward slightly, gently meeting the apex of Regina's legs.

Regina let go of Emma's lips as she felt pressure at her core, dipping her head back into the pillow and gasping. She listed her hips forward, causing Emma to gasp into her ear as well. Regina picked her head up and gripped the hair at the back of the captain's neck, locking onto the green orbs.

They searched each others eyes desperately. They were both breathing heavily, fingers gripping tightly where ever they had laid. Regina saw in those sea green eyes everything that she was looking for. She saw all the lust, desire, adoration, appreciation, protectiveness and dare she say it, love that she had been looking for for her whole life.

Regina let out a silent chuckle as she smiled up into the eyes of the woman that had changed her life. This woman that swooped in and didn't bow to a queen. She didn't give trust and loyalty without it being first earned. She cussed and called names and pushed and demanded answers. And for some reason, Queen Regina bowed to her. She fought to earn the trust and loyalty of this remarkable woman that Regina knew was worth risking everything for.

Emma saw the flurry of thoughts and emotions run the gambit through Regina's eyes, and she knew her heart no longer belonged to her. And for the first time in her life, she was completely comfortable to have her life in someone else's hands. She pledged her life as the protector of others, never allowing someone else to have power over her. Until now. This woman could make or break her, but Emma trusted the queen completely with her heart.

With a slight whimper, Emma dove down, trying to drown herself in Regina's kiss. Tongues wrestled hungrily, hands wandered desperately trying to gain purchase in their sea of desire. Both women had stirred their arousal into a flurry, and desperately needed the touch of the other woman.

Regina's eyes were clamped shut, lips swollen as Emma trailed kisses down her neck, moaning in pleasure when a furious knock came to the door. Though flinching in surprise, neither woman moved to stop what they were doing.

Emma left Regina's neck and returned to moist lips when the knock came again, louder and longer lived than before.

"Go away!" Regina yelled, hands never leaving Emma's soft skin.

Through the door came the demanding voice of Robin. "Urgent news from the White Kingdom, your grace!"

Both women froze, knowing this had to be addressed. Their passionate union would have to wait, and both groaned in frustration. Emma gave Regina one more passionate kiss before shaking her head and groaning again as she exited the bed.

Regina propped herself up on her elbows and glared at the closed door as Emma pulled on a robe. "Alright, come in!" She yelled angrily.

Robin rushed in followed by another man Emma didn't know. Robin sheepishly looked from Emma to a clearly disheveled queen still in the bed. He cleared his throat before addressing the queen. "Your highness, a scout has returned with news," he motioned to the man behind him who stepped forward and bowed.

"Your grace, I have news," he said.

Regina rolled her eyes. "So I've heard. Spit it out, man!"

The man blushed before continuing. "Yes, highness. Word is spreading over the White Kingdom of Leopold's death. They are saying you murdered him in his sleep with the help of Captain Swan."

Regina sighed and saw Emma drop her arms out of the corner of her eye. "Of course they are."

"They say you tried to kill Queen Snow but were thwarted. They have declared war on the Black Kingdom. After King Leopold's funeral in two days time they will ride to the Black Castle...and raze it to the ground. And execute both you and the captain in the town square."

Everyone was silent. Robin spoke up first. "You're guard has taken a hit, but we still have good soldiers ready to fight for you, my queen. Let them come. We will crush their army like bugs."

Regina got up out of the bed and paced a bit. "Last I knew, Snow had three times the amount of men that we have. She's always been more militant than us, we focused more on keeping our people fed than arming them." She looked over to see Emma deep in thought.

"It doesn't matter," Robin insisted. "You're people are loyal to you. I'm sure many of them would be willing to take up arms in your defense."

Regina put her hands on her hips in thought. She looked over to see a troubled look on Emma's face. "Swan? You know those forces better than any of us. Any suggestions?"

Emma bit her bottom lip, reluctant to speak. "I do. But you're not going to like it."

"Well, you've never pulled any punches with telling me like it is, why start now," Regina snarked.

Emma took a deep breath. "Robin is right. She has at least twice as many men as you. However, things are so bad in the White Kingdom, they aren't nearly as loyal as your men are." She saw she had everyone's attention and continued. "When I was walking around the kingdom, doing some, suggested reconnaissance," she paused to hitch a smile at Regina, "it's clear that her royal guard are extremely loyal to Snow."

"But you just said-"

"Her royal guard is, but not the foot soldiers. When I was wandering around the barracks I heard grumblings. Snow treats her common soldiers as well as she treats her peasants. They barely get paid enough to support their families, and are forced to train impossible hours under terrible conditions. They are overworked and under appreciated. They resent the village raids and punishment of peasants they are forced to enact. Given the proper motivation and courage, I think they would turn on her and help us."

Regina didn't like where this was going. "And how do you propose we provide the proper motivation."

Emma looked at her and swallowed. "If they heard from someone they knew...someone they trusted...the truth, they could be convinced they're fighting for the wrong side. If they knew that things are different here, that they don't have to live under Snow's cruelty, they WOULD fight for a better life."

Robin knew that there was something going on between his Queen and the captain, and watched as the queen realized what she was proposing. She wasn't happy, but Robing knew this plan was their best bet.

Emma looked at Regina and tightened her jaw. "I'm the only one who has a chance at convincing them."

Regina shook her head and balled her hands into fists. "If you go back there they will hang you. Absolutely not."

Emma softened her eyes. "Your highness, you know this is the only way. I'm the only one who can pull this off. They know me. They'll listen."

"Or they'll turn you over to Snow as fast as you can blink."

"That's a risk I'll have to take. You know this is the only way. Please, highness, I can do this. You have to trust me," Emma begged.

For a moment Regina forgot they weren't the only ones in the room. "Of course I trust you, it's just that I can't let you-" Regina was cut off by Emma clearing her throat, glancing at Robin. Regina regained her composure and continued. "There's no way you can infiltrate the White Kingdom without being spotted. Even you can't fight your way through the entire White Army."

"I'm not going to have to. I know that kingdom like the back of my hand. I know exactly how to get to the barracks without being seen," Emma reassured.

Regina was beside herself. She knew this was something she had to let Emma do. But it was so dangerous, she couldn't risk losing Emma. Not now. Not ever. "No. I won't allow it."

Emma sighed and looked at Robin. "Will you give is a moment, Captain?"

Robin nodded and left the room, closing the door behind him.

Emma walked over and took Regina in her arms who melted into the embrace. "I can't let you go!"

Emma held tightly to the back of Regina's neck. "You have to. If it was anyone else you would have agreed to it by now."

Regina squeezed tighter. "You're not anybody else."

Emma pulled back to look Regina in the eyes. "You know this is the only chance we have. You have always done your best to do what was in the best interest of your Kingdom. This is no different. I promise I will return to you," Emma pleaded. "I've just found you, I'm not leaving you now."

Regina sighed out a sob as she took Emma's face in her hands, tears starting to fall. "Do you promise? You promise me you'll come back to me?"

Emma smiled and brushed the tears away. "I promise. I will return to you. I pledge my allegiance and my life to you. I won't let you down."

Regina pulled Emma in for a desperate kiss, begging for this not to be the last they ever shared.

Emma pulled back and gave Regina a reassuring smile, kissing her on the knuckles. Emma took a deep breath and opened the door, Robin waiting patiently in the doorway.

Emma nodded to Robin. "Lets do it. Get a horse ready for me. I leave in an hour."

XXXXXXXXX

Emma stood in front of the castle gate, tying the rest of her gear into the saddle bags. Robin stood solemnly holding the reins until Emma turned to him, her task completed. Robin sighed out and reached his arm out, smiling when Emma gripped onto his forearm. "I know I gave you a hard time, Swan, but you're good people. And by far the greatest fighter I've ever known. I wish you safe travels. I hope to see you again."

Emma smiled and gripped his shoulder with her other hand. When she saw Robin's attention behind her she let go and turned, Regina approaching in a long cloak. She swallowed thickly and turned to face her.

Regina looked sadly into Emma's eyes, fear churning in her stomach like poison. They looked at each other expectantly, Regina's guard standing with Robin not too far away. She cleared her throat and tossed the cloak over her shoulders, revealing Regina in her royal armor, glowing gold even in the cloudy light of the morning. Emma gasped a bit, causing Regina to crack a smile. Regina drew her sword. "Emma Swan, kneel."

Emma's heart jumped into her throat, eyes locking on the queen's as she slowly dropped to her knees, shoulders back.

Regina swallowed and steeled her nerve. She held her sword with two hands out in front of her. "Emma Swan. Do you pledge fealty to the Black Kingdom, and to me, Queen Regina of The Black Castle...do you offer your life up in service, loyalty and protection... against all enemies...to lay down your life for the honor and defense of your charge...from now until death takes you, or I release you from your vow?"

Emma's eyes shined as the moment she had secretly dreamed about since the first day she met Regina was realized. "I pledge my life to Kingdom Black, and to you...Queen Regina of the Black Castle, and vow to defend the crown and kingdom at all costs, until the day I die."

Regina sighed silently at this, tapping her sword on first one of Emma's shoulders, then the other. "Then I dub thee, Emma Swan, sworn protector of the crown, esteemed soldier in the Queen's Royal Guard of the Black Castle. Arise, Swan, and begin your service to the crown." As Emma stood proudly, Regina's voice broke, even as the volume dropped. "May your service be long and honorable."

Before she let the tears start falling, Emma stepped forward, grabbing one of Regina's hands. She bent down and kissed the royal ring on her delicate finger, carefully sliding her lips off the ring to let her lips touch the soft fingers of the queen. She swiftly let go, glancing one last time at her love. Emma turned quickly and swung up on her horse, clicking him forward and out the of castle, away from Regina.

Regina begged in her mind for Emma to glance back one more time, her heart breaking into a million pieces. She knew there was a great possibility that she would never see Emma again. Regina's wish was answered as just before Emma rounded the corner toward the White Kingdom, she looked back and met Regina's eyes. They smiled at each other one more time; the calm before the terrible storm that was sure to come.