Sorry. I was busy because of school so I didn't update last Friday. It's break now so I have some time to write.
I don't know what I feel about this chapter, but here it is. Hope you enjoy it.
Chapter 5: Strangers, Friends, and Shadows
As Emma entered the protective layer around the lake, a gush of wind welcomed her like she was entering another realm. Veins snaked on the colored glass of the single tower in the middle of the lake outlined the petals of a stain glass flower.
Emma yearned to use her magic to cast away their pursuers but along with the magic came the darkness and her simple stunt was not worth the risk.
Racing along the bridge, the horse's hooves pounding on the cobblestone, Emma peered past the layers of stone underneath into the overlapping waves of the water below. If they were to slip, simply the impact of the fall could break their bodies. Unwinding chains signaled the drop of the drawbridge that opened into a courtyard. Though the entire lake was protected in a ward, the drawbridge was still immediately closed up as another layer of defense.
Killian jumped off the horse and helped Emma off as well, just as a woman greeted them from the entrance of the fortress. She stood with an aura that pulsed with regality. Her long velvet wine dress trailed slightly behind her and she walked forward. As a sort of response to Emma's stare, the woman said, "I know it isn't what I typically wear, but if we're back in the Enchanted Forest, I get to wear dresses again."
Emma was at a loss for a response at the openness of the words like the woman was greeting an old friend. "Um. I am sorry. I know we must have known each other before, but after I became the Dark One, my memory has vanished. You are…"
The woman's gaze softened and her bare shoulders drooped slightly as though she was disappointed. Emma's mood soured as well. She did not know the Emma that everyone seemed to see in her and she did not know if she would ever be that person again, even if she regained her memories―which was doubtable.
"My name is Regina. Nice to meet you." She extended her hand, the motion gawky like the formality had never been present between the two. Emma took it and gripped her hand hard. She wished that the two of them would still develop a friendship, though it would be one different than whatever was between the original Emma and Regina. She was different now.
"Hello, love." Emma's attention snapped to Killian. "Hi. I'm still here. Not to break the moment but just to get all the introductions done with, you may remember that my name is Killian. You can call me Hook as well." Emma bowed. It was a formality in front of what she still felt to be strangers.
Their chase was fruitless. Hook had brought Emma into a fortress and the ward outside repelled Snow and Charming's horses. In a fit of rage, Snow smashed her hands against the invisible layer that prevented them from following any further. The force resonated through her entire arm as though she had hit an actual brick wall instead of a concealed magical bubble. With a frustrated grunt, Snow charged away on her mare, leaving Charming alone in front of the lake. He followed but slowed to a trot when she yelled back, "Don't follow me!"
"Snow…" he whispered.
"I don't want you to be here right now. Go back. I'll return later." Snow looked back. "I promise. Just go." Her pleading eyes sought out Charming's and he knew. Past the layers of ferocity that her darkened heart had added, the Snow he loved was still in there, just like their strong daughter, Emma. He didn't want to argue so he pulled the reins to the side and followed their path back.
Like she was speaking to an invisible figure, Snow muttered, "I can't do this anymore. Everything is broken. Nothing is going according to your plan." Her mare clopped aimlessly through the forest and soon Snow could smell the salty breeze off the ocean that churned near both fortresses. Shells crunched beneath the horse's hooves. "Please, my lord, provide me with aid." A shadow flickered amongst the pebbles of the shore and disappeared.
Snow's drained energy replenished itself. Her lips curled into a smirk, knowing that the Master had received the message.