Chapter Fifteen- Off with Her Head
As directed her sister's army was drawn by breakfast the next morning, and all of the royals simply pushed around there meals. Nerves getting the best of them along with the heavy tension from the previous day seemed to strain heavy on the mood.
"Emmalyn, would you like to talk about what happened yesterday?" Zelena spoke first, looking hopeful in Emma's direction. Emma tried to make it seem like she didn't hear her, but she had faltered in her journey to bring her oats to her mouth. Then she began shoveling in her food.
"Emma." Regina hissed, hitting her in the ribs lightly with her elbow.
"No not really. I have more pressing things to worry about than whom you choose to shack up with." Emma gritted out.
"I'm not shacking up with Elsa! What I feel for her runs much deeper than that." Zelena frowned, but didn't back down when she felt Elsa squeeze her knee reassuringly.
"Runs so deep that you failed to tell me until after the deed was done. Not scratch that, Cora told me. I thought we told each other everything. You too Elsa! I thought you were my best friend but not once did you ever mention even liking Zelena!" Emma glared at both of them.
"There was a lot going on, it didn't seem like the right time." Elsa defended.
"That's bullshit! You had two years to tell me. But you're right, there is a lot going on and I have to prepare to go to battle. If you'll excuse me." Emma dropped her spoon back into her still full bowl before rushing out the room.
"She hates me." Zelena shook her head.
"Darling if that's what you got from that, you truly are dense. She isn't mad about your relationship, she's mad that she found out from someone else and it was just sprung on her. That girl tells you everything, probably more than she should and she feels hurt that neither of you told her you liked one another." Cora responded.
"She'll get over it." Regina replied, taking a bite out of her roasted meat.
"Is that why you're not going after her?" Elsa accused.
"I'm not going after her because I'm hungry and she's on edge. Once she has a moment to calm down, I shall speak with her. What's the reason you haven't gone after her?" Regina raised an eyebrow, looking at the Ice Princess.
"She's angry at me. It wouldn't be wise to approach her at this moment." Elsa replied while staring her plate down. Having her best friend angry at her had put a damper on her mood. But she couldn't help that she was enraptured with Zelena. The heart wants what the heart wants, and Emma of all people should know and understand that.
"The simple fact that she has forgiven Regina for the all the shit she has put her through yet she is throwing a tantrum about me finding someone I can be happy with is truly baffling." Zelena was growing angry at Emma's stubbornness. Throwing her fork down on the table, she flicked her wrist and Emma appeared after the green smoke evaporated. Tears were streaming down her face as she roughly wiped at them before looking around confused
"Who-" Emma was cut off by Zelena.
"I understand you feel hurt that I didn't confide in you sooner about my feelings for Elsa. I just didn't want to make things awkward for you. To be honest I was hoping they would go away because I felt nothing would become of it. However I have supported you and Regina's relationship one hundred percent even though I had my doubts! It's childish and hypocritical the way you have treated myself and Elsa!" Zelena ranted. Everything was silent for a moment before Emma spoke.
"You think I'm not happy that you found someone? I'm angry because you didn't think to tell me that you even liked someone. I thought we told each other everything. That's what you promised me. To always be honest but you lied. Every time I asked you if there was ever someone you thought that you could give your heart to, you said no. But the whole time you felt deeply for her. What kind of family is this?" Emma shook her head.
"Emma its not that I didn't want to tell you-" Zelena protested.
"You wanted to...but you didn't. Now I know where we stand with each other. I wish you both the best in your relationship and I hope you relish the fruits of it." Emma straightened her back before speaking politically.
"Darling this shouldn't change anything!" Zelena started to walk around the table but stopped when Emma let out a humorlessly chuckle.
"It changes everything." Emma replied
"You're still my daughter, and I love you with everything in me. I'm so sorry that I hurt you with this!" Zelena apologized .
"Maybe I'm overreacting. Maybe I'm stressed about what we are about to start. But right now I just need some space from everything. I'm heading towards the stables so if you could refrain from bringing me back here it will be greatly appreciated." Emma spoke in a clipped tone before poofing away.
"I hope you know that if you would have let her fully cool off, she wouldn't have distanced herself so much from you. Yes she is overreacting with your relationship, but trying to force her into a corner and accept it by bringing up the things that I have done to her wasn't the best move." Regina narrowed her eyes at her older sister.
"Shut it, Regina!" Zelena snapped.
"Girls! We need to be a united front! I'll handle Emmalyn and snap her out of this entitled attitude, you both kiss and make up by the time I get back!" Cora demanded before setting off to find the White Princess.
"So are you going to tell me what has you snapping at everyone who cares about you? I know you're upset with Zelena and Elsa, but normally by now you all would be laughing about something like this." Cora watched as Emma meticulously brushed her horse.
"Maybe I'm tired of forgiving and forgetting. I've been letting your princesses walk all over me for as long as I can remember. Maybe I'm tired of laying down like a dog and taking it."" Emma replied.
"Maybe but I'm leaning towards the maybe not. Now tell me what has you acting like this entitled brat, and remember you can't bullshit the person who taught you the game." Cora raised her eyebrow before crossing her arms and waiting for Emma to start. In that moment Emma could see where Regina learned her 'not backing down' look.
"I can't sleep. Every time I close my eyes if even for a moment I'm back there. Alone cold and starving waiting for the elements to finish me off. Sometimes I wished I didn't have my magic and you had been able to properly hang me that day." Emma admitted, gently placing down the brush before turning away from her soon to be mother in law.
"That's a morbid thing to wish for. I for one am glad that I did not succeed. I was able to see you grow into a strong Queen, ready to take back what belongs to her." Cora swallowed back her guilt and pushed forward.
"I truly don't see how you were able to accept me after what my family put you through. I don't understand how your children claim to love me yet it was my blood who stole their father from them." Emma remarked, looking down at the ring that Regina had magically altered to fit her finger.
"You are not the blood that runs through your veins. You are the one who taught us that. That wide eyed, frail but mischievous child that crashed into our lives." Cora responded easily.
"I said what I had to say to stay alive. Call it self preservation." Emma grumbled before putting the saddle onto Pegasus and securing it.
"If that's the way you wish to look about it. However I would like to point out that what you are doing isn't fair. Lashing out at Zelena because you are afraid to speak about the things going on in your head isn't helping any one. What if something happens to either Elsa or Zelena and the last moments are you acting the way that you are? You should talk to your mother, she's a very good listener." Cora pointed out.
"I'd rather fall to my death from my horse than to ever tell Zelena anything ever again. Yes I am not truly mad at her for not telling me, and I'm probably directing my anger in the wrong way. However she burned that bridge for the both of us." Emma snapped, before stalking into the nearby stall to change out of her dress. Once she appeared in leather trousers and a loose shirt with a fitted vest, Cora nodded.
"Suit yourself, dear. You must speak with someone though. Or this will tear you apart." Cora remarked before poofing away. Emma rolled her eyes before heaving herself on top of her horse. All of the royals were due soon out front so that they could march towards the Dark Kingdom and then towards the elusive White Kingdom.
"Come on boy, we have work to be done." She urged on Pegasus.
"Do you think I'm wrong for confronting her like did?" Zelena murmured through chaste kisses. Elsa was draped over her but when she started talking the Ice Princess pulled back with a huff.
"Emmalyn is acting like the entitled bitch she was trained to be. Honestly you have a point in what you said about her forgiving Regina for all of the things she has done. Hell I was there when Regina hurt her badly so if she thinks she can just turn the other cheek to me for wanting to be with you then fuck her!" Elsa spat causing Zelena to frown.
"She's still my daughter." Zelena defended.
"She's not acting much like one right now, she is especially not acting like a good friend." Elsa snorted before rolling off the bed completely and slipping on her riding pants.
"We have to be down soon." Zelena mumbled, looking at her ceiling.
"I know." Elsa exhaled deeply as Zelena magicked herself into her clothes.
Four Days Later:
They had made it to the Dark Palace in no time, with their armies already drawn. What they hadn't expected was to be met with Robin Hood's refusal to follow Captain Graham's orders.
"With all due respect, Your Highness. My Queen appointed me Captain of the Guard. I don't have to listen to him or you, you hold no power here!" Robin turned his nose up in disgust when Emma told him he was to report to Graham. In a flash, Emma was standing in front of him holding his heart in her hand.
"That's a mighty fine trick if I do say so myself." Emma raised an eyebrow to her fiance who shot her a toothy grin.
"What is going on here?" Zelena walked up with Elsa and Cora flanking both of her sides.
"My Queen! Please tell her that she has no authority to do this!" Robin pleaded with Cora. Emma squeezed his heart in response, bringing him to his knees.
"I have grown quite tired of you and your disrespectful tongue. Maybe I should take that too?" Emma sneered.
"Solider, you know who you answer to. You have just chosen to think that the White Princess doesn't fall into that category." Cora sniffed in indifference.
"Oh how I hate that title." Emma sighed.
"I'm the Captain of the Guard! I don't answer to Graham!" Robin defended weakly.
"You were supposed to be Captain of the Guard, until you thought it was wise to touch my heir. I meant to cancel that Raven but with everything happening it didn't make top priority. Consider yourself demoted." Cora replied coolly, causing Emma to burst out laughing.
"I hope they finally kill you, you stupid bitch!" Robin spat at Emma's feet. Regina's lips curled back in disgust before she plucked the heart out of Emma's hands.
"Regina!" Emma glared at the brunette before reaching out for the heart.
"You insult my Princess and think you still deserve to live?" Regina laughed hauntingly before crushing the heart to dust, slowly.
"I had that handled!" Emma protested, crossing her arms with a pout.
"Emmalyn, don't start with me." Regina bit out before turning on her heel.
"And they say I'm the bitch in the relationship?" Emma muttered and Regina could hear Zelena chuckle.
"Emma and Elsa, why don't you get a fire started. I need to speak with my children." Cora demanded, ignoring the glare Emma sent her.
"I'll gather the wood and you light it?" Elsa offered, already picking up large hunks of broken tree branches.
"Sounds like a plan, Your Highness." Emma agreed reluctantly. Once Elsa had placed the wood into a circle, Emma flicked her wrist creating a white ball of light before shooting it towards the circle.
"Neat trick. Did Regina teach you?" Elsa tried to make conversation.
"No Princess, Queen Zelena taught me nearly everything I know." Emma responded poking the fire.
"Yet you still disregard her like yesterdays trash." Elsa spoke before she could stop her tongue. She watched Emma's body go rigid at the accusation.
"I didn't mean that-" Elsa tried to take it back.
"Yes, you did. Don't assume to know what I am doing. I love the Queen dearly, and I would lay down my life for hers in an instant. I am eternally grateful for all that she has done for me." Emma didn't even glance in Elsa's direction.
"You know she cries, every night because of what you are doing to her!" Elsa hissed.
"Well at least she has you there to pick up the pieces and confide in." Emma quipped.
"You're a bitch, and I don't even know why she bothers. She is the kindest sweetest woman in this realm and she is stuck with you because of a favor she owed her mother. I don't even know why they are going to war for someone who obviously doesn't give a damn!" Elsa just wanted a reaction from Emma. She could deal with an angry Emma, but she couldn't deal with the cold political facade she gave everyone else. She didn't expect for Emma to lash out using her magic.
"Shut the fuck up!" Emma snapped, flying off the log she was sitting on and hitting Elsa with a burst of magic in the chest. The Ice Princess went flying back before she crashed into a tree and let out a whimper.
"EMMA!" She could hear Zelena shout her name but her focus was on Elsa who was picking herself up off the ground.
"So the claws have come out, hmm?" Elsa gritted out.
"You started it, bitch! Might as well finish it!" Emma responded, taking off her cloak.
"Girls please! You are friends!" Zelena was held back by Cora when Elsa shot a burst of magic at Emma. It hit the White Princess in the shoulder and Emma howled out in pain. Ignoring her now bleeding shoulder, she began flinging hit after hit and she didn't stop until she was hit from the side by Cora.
"Both of you stop this right now! You are going to kill each other!" Cora barked, watching both girls look thoroughly chastised.
"I-I'm so sorry!" Emma apologized when she saw Elsa cupping her bleeding nose. She looked to a disappointed Zelena who seemed to be stuck in between them.
"Mama I'm so sorry..." Emma's bottom lip quivered as she held back her tears. Zelena looked to Elsa who was picking herself up from the ground. When she swayed on her feet, Zelena went to steady her. She missed it when Emma took off towards their tents that had just finished being set up.
"Are you alright? I can't believe she attacked you." Zelena frowned.
"I can! Did you tell her you only took Emma in because you owed Mother a favor?" Regina glared at the blonde who looked down ashamed.
"I just wanted to get her angry. I wanted her to talk to me even if she yelled." Elsa defended weakly.
"You antagonized her. And you finally picked a side." Regina was now looking at Zelena who stammered for a response.
"Emma knows that isn't true." Zelena responded.
"Emma is emotional right now. She hasn't been sleeping and its put her on edge. I was trying to get her to speak with you both, but the Ice Pop never knew when to leave well enough alone. I'm not sure if there is any coming back from this." Regina countered.
"Don't say that!" Zelena protested.
"I should probably make sure she's alright. Everyone get some sleep, we'll reach the White Palace by noon break tomorrow."Regina walked towards where Emma had run off to.
"We need to talk." Regina spoke as soon as she walked into the tent.
"I know I mess up and now she truly hates me." Emma had wrapped her arms around her torso.
"She doesn't hate you, both of you need to get on the same page. You have everyone walking on egg shells my love. Just tell me what's wrong!" Regina spoke exasperatedly.
"It would be easier to tell you what isn't. I feel like a stranger in my own body. I say things without thinking and do things that I know will hurt the people I care about the most. I haven't been able to sleep or keep anything down. On top of that I have these...feelings. And I don't know how to act upon them." Emma tried to explain.
"What feelings? About you and I?" Regina frowned at the implications.
"Yes" Emma nodded.
"Well are you going to tell me what these feelings are about?" Regina crossed her arms.
"Sometimes I watch you. I get this feeling low in my belly and something happens to me down there. I just don't want you to disregard me like what happened at last years ball." Emma finally admitted.
"You know I would never do anything like that again, my love." Regina defended herself.
"Yes I know, however it doesn't silence my lingering doubts." Emma replied softly while looking down at the ground.
"Yes but I know what will..." Regina looked at her fiance thoughtfully before stalking over to her.
AN: So sorry! I know I said they were going to be going after the White Kingdom this chapter but I really needed to get the rest of this shit-fest emotional separation blah blah blah out so it fit in this chapter. They will definitely be at the white palace tomorrow. It's already been written. To make it up I'll let you guys decide if there should be swan queen smut next chapter or if I should just skip over it. Just let me know!