Regina's POV:

The world became a blur of colours and sounds as they quickly threw basic necessities from the cabin into worn leather satchels. Another dress and some healing ingredients for her, another cloak and basic food for him. Before long, Robin was urging her back out of the cottage as faint screeches began breaking through the crisp air. Stuffing a handful of the hidden letters beneath her cloak, Regina stumbled to meet him at the door for their timely departure.

Regina tried in vain to bring forth her magic but it did nothing more than spark and smoke. "Regina, there is no time. We have to go." His frantic eyes found hers as the foreboding sense of winged doomed grew. Extending his hand towards hers, Robin asked a simple question which threatened to change things between forever "Do you trust me?" His hand remained as steadfast as his gaze upon her and for that moment nothing but the sound of their shared breathing could she register. Biting down upon her lip, Regina places her hand once again in his as they disappear into his world. The world of endless forests and giant sky scrapping trees. Protected by the dense foliage as he introduces her to the one place he thought he'd never again share. The hidden pathway of the Merry Men.

Regina's eyes grew large as he perfectly guided them through the elaborate courses of bridges and ropes hidden just out of view amongst the tree tops. Together they weaved through unruly branches that for too long hadn't been tended and hid when winged beasts came to close for comfort. In this moment, the former Queen caught a glimpse at the great thief this man had once been. The way his eyes lit up with a mischievous spark every time he snuck by undetected. The almost carefree smile that had broken across his face as he perfectly leaped from tree to tree. He truly did belong here, this strange man of whom she was currently entrusting her life to. Not for the first time, Regina felt truly remorseful for the events that had taken this from him and the rather large part she had to play in it.

Time past and the two left behind the shrill sounds of winged beast. They ran until the painful screams of those unfortunate enough to have been ensnared where lost to the wind. The forest began to become sparser as the continued onwards. Robin suggested they make their way back down to the ground as many of the old routes had fallen into a dangerous state of disrepair. Just as they went to climb downwards a black shadow swooped overhead. All life seemed to stop in an instant, waiting expectantly for the inevitable tragedy that was to unfold. The thief and the queen froze. Hands gripping on one another's. Hoping whim against wish that they would remain undetected. Slowly, Robin pulled Regina backward into his chest, manoeuvring her to fit between him and the course tree bark. Faces inches apart. Every breath and heart beat in perfect sync. A dull thud sounded behind him but Regina could see nothing. Robins taller frame hid everything from her sight. Clawed feet pierced the splintering wood of the suspended as the low inhuman chatter only seemed to increase. Regina was sure the beast was trying to sniff them out in the open breeze but the look in Robin's eyes calmed her. It was almost as if he was already 2 steps ahead with a plan to get them out of this. She felt a hand wrap slowly around her waist, pulling her closer to him. Compliantly she went, ignoring the hitch in both their breaths when their bodies where finally flush against each other.

Suddenly, his face broke out in a grin as his hand yanked something from behind her. An incoherent mess of noises split through the silence then all went quiet. Regina looked up at Robin. Puzzlement clearly marked in her dark features. Withdrawing his hands from her, Robin spun around as to let the former Queen view his handiwork. For there, hanging from a vine was the winged beast, unconscious with a coloured dart impaled into its neck.

"A simple sleeping dart M'Lady. Just like the ones we used to use of your very own guards if I'm not mistaken." His voice carried an air of jest as he leant back on the tree, arms crossed with a smirk. Regina in that moment didn't quite know what to do and so she did the only thing she could. She laughed. She laughed a true and strong as tears began to run down her cheeks. She laughed until her stomach hurt and she couldn't laugh anymore.

Robin's POV:

In that instant, Robin was sure he'd never seen such a beautiful sight than Regina laughing freely in the oncoming sunset. The vibrant hues of golden sunlight danced off her skin as her faced was decorated in the most captivating smile he'd ever seen. For that moment he could see no trace of the malicious witch from tale or even of the armoured woman he'd travelled with. In that moment, he simply saw her. Regina. Nothing more and nothing less. He knew in that moment this vision before him would forever stay within his mind.

Robin was brought out of his musing when the woman once again attempted to regain some composure. Wiping away the tears that had fallen but not completely able to wipe away the smile that graced her lips. Pushing off from the tree, Robin began to make his descent down. Careful to hide his private thoughts. Calling to her to be careful, he instructed Regina to follow his route exactly. Much to Robin's amusement, Regina was in fact a much better climber than he'd previously believed. That being said, the only person he'd climbed with in years had been his little boy and that was a far more stressful event. When her feet hit the ground next to his, she took in his confused face and simply stated "I have a son. Don't look so surprised." With a smirk and a nod, the thief and queen began to make their way down the path towards the village sensing that he would never not be curious about the woman beside him.

The remainder of their journey was blissfully uneventful. Both parties talked politely, neither bringing up the day's earlier events. Much of their chatter was restricted to their sons. Tales of them growing up. Robin couldn't help himself from envision a life with his son once this was all over. Maybe with a stunning woman and her boy also. A perfect happy family. Of course, this was a dream that could never be. For currently in this land there was an evil that had never before been experienced. An evil that he would have to soon give Regina over to. One that would forever control his life.

He must have fallen further into his thoughts than he'd realised for then he felt a hand slip into his and gently pull him to a stop.

"Robin. Are you alight?"

Her brows were furrowed and lips slightly pursed as bottomless coffee eyes bore into his. Robin looked down at their hands, his much larger enveloping hers. Thumb soothingly rubbing on the joined skin. The guilt and shame grew tenfold for how could he tell her why he'd lost his family. His son. It had been easy to blame it all on her before when she was a fictional monster but now… now he had to admit she may have started to chain of events, but it was his actions that finalised them. However, now was not the time to discuss such matters. One could never be sure who was listening nowhere days and he'd rather of had a couple drinks before he delved into this topic and so he diverted the conversation.

"It doesn't are nearing the village, do you still remember the plan?"

Regina looked at him sceptically. Opening her mouth as if to say something only to think better of it at the last moment. Nodding towards him they continued walking.

" I know you're not keen on this plan but it is the safest way for you to make it through the night. Only my snoring to put up with."

"I understand Robin. These are primitive lands with primitive men after all."

Regina pulls ahead of him and Robin is left stunned at her curt words. For after all that had happened between them that, he'd believed she'd softened towards him, if only slightly. But obviously he'd said or done something that had stifled that theory.

By the time they reached the villages edge, Regina had still not uttered more than a mere scoff when he tried their usual back and forth. If he was honest with himself…it pissed him off. If he were even more honest , he'd admit it hurt more that he would of thought.

Regina POV:

He was holding something back from her. True, they didn't really know each other that well and he had no reason to tell her, but it got under her skin that he wouldn't. Only he had looked so wistful one moment and then the next he had looked pained in a way that struck her to her core. For it was a look that she saw every time she'd looked in the mirror all her life. A look of desperate longing. But obviously, she was no such person to share these thoughts with. Even though he knew of her loss and was literally the only person he could talk to right now. In her head, Regina knew that there was no reason to get as irritated as she was but he'd hurt her without even realising. Just when she thought he may be different from every other man.

When they reached the edge of the village, Regina still hadn't said a word to Robin and not through lack of trying on his half. Every question was met with a stoic silence and eventually he gave up trying at all and walked beside her in an uncomfortable detachment.

"We're here Your Majesty." His words were cold and empty. They held none of the spark she'd become accustomed to and were just that of the trained hunter she'd originally met. Hollow and detached. It was then that she realised how childish she had behaved. Punishing Robin for her inability to have an actual conversation with another person without getting petulant over trivial things. Why was it that without Henry around, she couldn't act like the woman she knew she was? The one he may eventually be proud to call his mother again. It was as though without her son, she could not function right. Every decision made felt wrong, every turn only brought more danger. Worst of all, in true Mill's fashion, she blamed someone else for her own problems. Coming to stand in front of him, Regina took and breath and prepared herself to do something she never did.

Apologise. With no strings or alternate motive attached.

"Look, Robin. I'm…"

"Save it Regina, let's just… get this over and done with. The sooner this night is over the better it shall be for both of us"

Guilt ate away inside her at his words as they finally crossed into the village.

Hesitantly , he began taking her arm and draping it through his as to ask her permission. At least he still had common decency whilst he was pissed at her she thought with a smug smile. They began their walk into the crowds, Regina sticking to Robin's side like glue, resolute that she wouldn't lose him. Dusk was beginning to fall and the streets had an uneasy feeling of dread that hung overhead like a thick smoke. Choking the light and goodness out of those below. As the sun began to sink from the sky, the crowds dispersed. All knowing what waited for them in the dark.

Robin continued to guide Regina through the narrow streets. Holding her forever closer with every figure that emerged from the shadows. As much as she loathed to admit it, he had been correct. This land had grown far more savage than it was when she ruled over it. She could feel the lustful eyes creeping over her body as Robin held her in his arms. The very thought of what could happen terrified her in a way she didn't wish to remember.

Upon finding a tavern, Robin proceeded to procure them a room. Spinning a tale that himself a Regina were a newlywed married couple on route to the capital after a particually crude comment was made to her upon their entry. Surprisingly, Robin played the role of doting husband perfectly. Or at least how she had always imagined. Continuously showering her with complements and soft touches, stunning Regina to a flushed silence. Never failing to gaze into her eyes with every word he spoke. However, once the door closed to their room, the spell was broken.

The room was small and smelt as though it hadn't been cleaned in a generation. But it was warm and provided them with a safe shelter from the outside world. There was a small open window in the corner, the night air flowing through the curtains. Overhead a small lantern that would serve as their only light once the moon arose. In the centre was a singular bed. Straw stuffed and just about large enough for two.

"You can take the bed. I'll take the floor." Regina stated. Hoping to appease him in any way.

"No. You need the rest more. Besides…it's been years since I slept on a mattress. I wouldn't know what to do with one."

Robin stretched him arm behind his head, bristling his hair as to avoid her gaze.

There was a silence in the room that Regina couldn't break through. She just continued to look at him. Wishing that he would be the one to make the move she was too afraid to. But, he never looked up from the floor. Not once. He simply announced he was going for a drink, leaving her completely alone with nothing other than her demons for company.

Resting on the side of the bed, Regina's breath hitched. The events of the previous days once again boiling over the top. All at once, the agony and fear exploded from her body in loud sobs only stifled by the hand she'd smothered her mouth with. They were excruciating and forceful in their power. Her ever more frail body bearing the effects. Regina wept for all she had lost until the darkness once again consumed her.

When Regina awoke, she noticed 2 things. Firstly, she had been asleep too long. The stars now shone in the midnight sky like a thousand diamonds, allowing moonlight to bathe the room. Secondly, Robin hadn't returned to her. Fear ran her blood cold in an instant. Leaping from the bed where she'd lain, Regina rushed down the stairs. Frantically looking for her 'husband' with more worry than she'd dare admit. When the woman at the front directed her to the far side of the tavern, Regina didn't know whether to be relieved he was okay or kill him herself for making her come down here alone to get him. Dangerous eyes found her quickly and she then felt sick for a completely different reason. How long had he been down here with these barbarians and their disgusting agenda? Spotting him in the dimly lit corner booth, all anger disappears from her. For when upon her eyes fell upon him, he was nothing but a broken man. Walking quickly towards him, careful to keep her head down and cloak wrapped tightly, Regina noted the number of tankards littering the table and the same haunted look upon him face once again. As Regina reached the table, he glanced upwards. She simply sat down opposite him and called for a drink. This was going to be a long night.

Robin's POV:

He didn't mean to leave her for so long but the bloody woman made his blood boil. Every time he thought he had learnt the dance, she would change the steps. It was infuriating. It was insufferable. It was…something he just couldn't seem to give up. Looking down into his mug of now warm ale, Robin rubbed his eyes, willing the thoughts of this exasperating woman away. But when he didn't think of her, he thought of Roland and Marian. How he had failed them in every promise he'd ever made. To protect and guide them. Never letting anything harm them. Now Marian was dead and his son at the Mercy of the false Queen. For all he knew of his boys welfare, he too could be dead. It had been months, nearly a year since he'd last seen his son. Would Roland still believe he'd come back? Or worse yet… did he even remember who he was? Grief burned in his skull threatening to drown him in a never-ending river of regret. Hot tears ran down his cheeks as he rhythmically clawed into the wooden table, praying it would offer him some rooting to the ground.

Then suddenly, she appeared. The light behind threw her features into its shadowed veil yet, the candles dimming light still caught her ivory face. Its beauty cast into an expression of turmoil and understanding and for that moment, Robin found it a little easier to breathe.

As she moved to sit, Robin found no will in himself to stop her so when he found himself a half hour later, silently sipping their drinks, he could only blame himself.

Regina had looked as though she'd wanted to speak since she'd sat but for some reason held back. Raising his head up once more from the table, he offered watery smile as she began.

"Robin, look…I'm, I'm sorry for what I said. Or rather how I said it. You didn't deserve that nor did you deserve how I acted afterwards. It was selfish and immature of me to…"

"Regina. It wasn't just you. I too played my part." He took another gulp of ale before letting it rest on the table.

The Queen looked confused. Obviously the fact that he too had admitted his part in the evenings events had thrown her a loop. Her dark brows scrunched harshly inwards as she tried to make sense of it. Though from the continued silence, something still didn't quite add up in her head and so adverting his eyes downward again, Robin continued.

"You remind me so much of someone Regina. Someone who has been gone for a long time and at this point, if I'm honest, I'm desperately clinging onto their memory to not forget them."

Regina shuffled forwards in her seat, resting her elbows on the tables edge. Saying not a word, silent allowing him to talk, and so he did.

"You remind me of my mother Regina. You have the same expressive eyes. Dark, captivating hair. Like you, she was a strong and formidable woman. Took no shit from anybody. Even if the bloke was double her size, and being a woman in court, they all were. I can still remember her voice and her laughter. If I close my eyes I can hear those melodies in my head as if they were happening now. The way her smile completely changed her face. Made me believe that nothing in this realm or the next could ever hurt me. For a sickly child, that meant everything to me." He chuckled at the memory before a shadow fell over his face.

"However, inside…inside she was broken or diseased I don't know. Her soul was fractured apart not unlike one of your mirrors. You see, she never wanted the life she was forced into. Wouldn't have stayed if not for me but by the time I realised it was too late. She was too far gone and I never got the chance to help her. Now I know we haven't known each other long, a little over a week really, but I have learnt a few things about you Regina. I've learnt that whatever happened in that castle of yours… must have been horrific. It changed something inside of you to make you into that monster you were. The one that you now live in fear of. Something or someone took over your very soul. Your life and distorted your entire sense of reality. I've seen it before."

Regina's face was an almost perfect mask of indifference but her lips were pressed to thin, her eyes shining slightly as she held back tears. For a spell, both let the other see past the fortress of walls they had so carefully constructed. Truly showing broken every part of them now was. Clearing his throat, the spell was broken and eyes were adverted in an attempt to regain composure.

"My mother died trying to smuggle me out of the grounds. Believed if we left everything behind… the darkness wouldn't follow us. That she would become the person she once was. My father made damn sure we'd never make it out of the gates. A knight's sword straight through the heart. She died right there in front of me."

Robin felt Regina's hand curl around his and gently stroke the skin she found there. Stray tears falling down the apples of her cheeks.

Her voice broke through, crackling slightly "Robin, why are you telling me this?"

He noted that her breath was short, as though one miss-step and they'd have a re-run of what had happened in the forest.

"I am telling you this, because I don't want you to have the same burdens as she. You're no longer bound to that life. You escaped. It is evident in how you fight every day for you son, even though you believe him lost to you, that you are not the same woman. And although I shall still need your aid in saving my son, I hope that our partnership can offer you some comfort until then. Because Regina, you are stunning in every way and I just wish you would let people close enough to tell you that. I truly hope that you find whatever peace you are seeking."

Regina had gone unusually quiet. Her breathing sounded more laborious than a moment ago. The hand he still held felt clammy in his grasp but it was the panicked, glazed stare that had him moving around the table next to her.

Regina's POV:

The room was spinning. All her senses became distorted. Lights too bright. Sounds too loud. Blood was rushing to her head as though floodgates had been open whilst long buried images once again appeared in her mind. No longer could she hear Robin's kind words for she was lost in a world of her own demons. Some of her own creation. Some inflicted onto her much to young. Cries and screams pounded together to create a dialogue of desperation. Regina could feel her chest aching but for the life of her couldn't seem to get a breath in.

A solidity enveloped her acting as her anchor to the present. The only sign that what she was experiencing wasn't fully real. Not anymore. She felt herself being gripped before a weightlessness overtook. Flexing hands found purchase on a soft fabric and dug in as the world moved past. Past and present crashing over one another like waves in a storm.

A voice was just out of reach. The continuous agony blocking it from her reach until it became clearer. It spoke but one word. "Henry". Though she knew not where the disembodied voice came from, Regina did now know what to do. Focusing on her son. The memories of his first words. First steps. How he used to babble endless nonsense whenever she was near and clap at the first sight of snow. The way he learnt to read and grew right before her. Mending the broken heart she'd hidden just by being her son.

As the memories came easier, so did the air into her lungs. The sounds of past mistakes faded into the background as the clear exhales took over. Clear exhales and the warm lilt of his voice. Far clearer than it was previously. As though a veil had been lifted from around her and suddenly he was not the same as he was before. Now this man something more. Dangerous. Beautiful. Secure.

Before her reeling mind could fully comprehend what was happening, Regina leant forwards. Firmly grasping the lapels of his shirt, she let her lips meet his in a passionate kiss and for the first time in forever, just let herself feeling something other than anger, pain and regret. For the first time in forever, she let herself feel comfort.