Sorry for this taking so long, I've already got another chapter that is almost finished. I promise it wont be as long for me to next update. A x
She hated him. Simple. How dare he treat her this way. He obviously knew who she was…is, and yet he still spoke to her in such a way. Regina didn't know whether to smack him or actually be impressed that he had the balls in the first place. This was by no means the first time she had been forced to walk behind a man she'd rather set alight to but, just like all those years ago she was powerless to do anything but. Her magic hadn't returned. She could feel it burning like molten lava through her veins, desperate for release but without avail. Once again she was vulnerable and that was not a state that Regina Mills past or present ever liked to be in. Robin continued to glance behind him to the Queen, completely confused by her. He had heard her legend around the campfire more times than he could count. How she'd send children into witches houses to be eaten and gambled her whole kingdom just to kill her own step-daughter in the name of jealousy. However, the woman with him seemed just that…a woman. Aside from her extremely sharp tongue, he had seen little of her evil nature and Robin was uneasy as to why. What game was she playing? His eyes inevitably fell to where her hands were grasping at her side, knuckles white with force. Could this all just be an act to lull him into a false sense of security? It wouldn't be the first time he'd been trapped by a woman playing damsel in destress. Furthermore, he couldn't let what had transpired happen again, not due to his own again. Yes, this Queen was a continuous puzzle to him but that didn't change his orders or what he knew he'd have to do. Resolute in his decision he pushed on, making his way through the dense, damp forest.
Sweat began to coat Regina's brow as the terrain grew unsteady. She willed her face to remain imposing and most of all, in control. The pain in her side had gotten worse, was making it hard to breathe let alone trek through this bloody goddamn forest. All that could be seen were endless tall, opposing trees for miles. Their thick roots erupting unceremoniously from the ground as though they were trying to trip her. She silently cursed the damp air that had caused her long hair to stick to her face, continuously irritating the still bleeding gash on her face. How anyone could want to live in these woods was far beyond her comprehension. The very idea she'd have to spend the night already had her wishing for her bed back home. Home. Just another thing to add to the endless list of what she'd lost. Not that she could blame him for running. Hell, if she could run from herself she would in a heartbeat. She deserved this fate, whatever it may be.
It had been a few hours since they'd started their journey into the endless forest and the Queen still hadn't said a word. She hadn't demanded an explanation as to where he was taking her, hadn't threatened to raise hell upon him. She hadn't even made a snide comment whilst his back was turned. When he imagined the Queen, this was nowhere close. The fire that burned initially quickly fizzled and she seemed hollow and withdrawn. It was through she was nothing more than a ghost, a shell of the former Queen. What had happened in that other land? Casting his eyes to the skies, he saw the impending night creeping in on the horizon. They would need to set up camp soon before night plagued the land. Even with his position, these lands were no longer safe once darkness spread. 'We shall spend the night in that tree there. Night is quickly descending upon us and trust me, your chances of surviving out here once it does and as good a naught. Are you listening to me?' He spun around, preparing for a verbal spar only to see the Queen's haunted face examining the quarry they found themselves in. She knew this place that much was clear but he didn't have time for this. Darkness was quickly descending.
Of all the places to stop this was the one he chose. Really? Was it not bad enough that she was already back in this cursed land but now she was forced back into the pit where Snow White had once tended to her. Where she had tasted forgiveness and kindness all before it went wrong. As her eyes fell to the tree where they'd camped, a sense of remorse and grief washed over her. Why hadn't she just left then. Lived unknown in the village just like she'd always dreamed. Moved on from her past. Maybe met somebody, had a family and finally found the happiness she'd always so desperately craved. Why had she let one stupid girl ruin her whole life? The inner turmoil that she'd so carefully kept wrapped up for years began to seep through the cracks and Regina knew that she needed to recompose herself before she lost it completely. She was suddenly acutely aware of his eyes burning into her skin, a silent question within them that she never wanted to answer. Turning to face him, her hazel eyes found his questioning blue ones and for a moment froze, feeling utterly naked under his gaze. Her true shattered self completely exposed for his personal viewing before she could slip her mask back on. Pulling her eyes from his she quickly hastened into the tree, firmly fitting her mask back in place.
As he moved towards her their eyes locked and Robin could see nothing but the immense pain and self-loathing that was currently swirling in the Queen's eyes. He could feel the sheer force of her emotion threatening to break through and it rooted him to the very spot he was standing. By the time he had once again gained basic functions, she'd already darted into cover and not a moment too soon. Night was on them and the screeching sounds it brought upon it split through the night. Robin ran into the opening following closely behind the Queen pulling debris behind him to protect them. At least for tonight.