Wonderstruck
Chapter 15
Author's Notes: Damn it's been a while since I worked on this. I meant to work on it over spring break but I was with my lady for nine days and well we partied it up for a few days and then just chilled together so that ended that. Plus I still had school work to do. I'm almost done! I have one more class to finish my Master's and then I'm done! Finally, it's been a while coming. My business has also picked up too so that's another reason I've been conspicuously absent. Sorry about that. If you want to check out my business we're on Etsy! It's called The Nerd Spa or if you'd like to follow me on Tumblr that's also an option. You can find me at Tumblr: scarlette-rayne. tumblr. com Business: etsy shop/ nerdspa . Drop by and say hi or you can do that here too. I'm on Tumblr way more often than I am over here so yeah. Sorry if I'm super slow on replies. I've been dying to play one of my favorite video games but school is rather crazy so I've not been able to and some of that came through here. Sorry about that. Anyways if you enjoy please let me know and I'll try to be better about updating but it most likely won't happen in the next three weeks since I'm having to travel eight hours round trip to go to class one night a week (since January; I'm so ready to be done with traveling for school) and still having other things to do for this final push of school. As soon as school is out my lady is coming so I may or may not be able to get this one out in the nearish future but I promise I'll try. ~ Scarlette
"What are you doing here?" Regina asked, setting her book down and looking over at the purple smoke that was slowly dissolving to reveal a woman's figure.
"Can I not come and see my only friend?"
"It's dangerous with my Mother." Regina pointed out but she rose to her feet from her window seat and smiled at the tall blonde woman. "It's good to see you…Maleficent."
"And you too. I've missed you."
"Is there a particular reason you are here? Not to be hasty but it's rare that I see you without some type of agenda or warning."
Maleficent smiled at the younger girl, "You've grown pale. Is she denying you light again?"
"She worries for me." Regina offered but the sucked lemon look on her pretty face gave away her thoughts on the matter.
Maleficent let out a rather un-ladylike snort and stepped forward, her purple dress swishing as she tilted her head. Her horned crown caught the torchlight, jewels reflecting it beautifully.
"It's freezing in here."
"Why do you think I'm curled up with this?" Regina held out her thick blanket.
Staying within her own borders wasn't all that complicated given the high mountains that kept her separated from Moonshollow made it rather easy to stay isolated. The high mountains that surrounded the Kingdom of Moonshollow gave her a distinct advantage that not many had. Darkskeep may move but she didn't have that option despite being a rather powerful sorceress in her own right. It made the soldiers of King Phillip and Queen Aurora unable to find her well-hidden rocky fortress and allowed her to spot them long before they ever came near her. The paling she put up helped that as well. Completely invisible to non-magic users, it prevented the soldiers from being able to lift their heavy metal weapons, which forced them to fight with their fists if they even bothered to try. It was rare they ever did however. She cupped Regina's cheek, smiling at the way the girl leaned into her touch.
"I'm sorry I can't get you out of here."
"You got my message then?"
"Of course I did. You know it's not true. You can have a child and I'll help you with it."
"A healer said I could. I'm not concerned with that now."
"Still…if I can't do anything else that is something I can assure you of. I may not be able to get you out of here but a child I will ensure is possible for you."
"It's not your fault. I know you've tried in the past. The summer I was allowed to spend with you was one of the best of my life." They both shared a fond smile at the old memory. Cora had been trying to retrieve a magical artifact from Maleficent and had in turn offered her weakling daughter to the witch as a show of good faith. Of course she had to be returned unscarred but beyond that the witch was free to do as she wished with the princess.
What the blonde sorceress hadn't expected upon seeing the scared eleven year old for the first time was a fierce girl with a sharp tongue and an even sharper mind once her terrorizer was gone. They'd spent hours in the evening debating philosophy, politics, and whatever else came to mind. Regina had adored her pet unicorn, which had helped soften her to her exponentially. It also helped that Springfall's princess was around the same age as her missing daughter. She shook her head and offered the girl a warm smile, which was returned whole-heartedly.
"I heard troubling news; I made my way here as quickly as I could."
"What is it?" Regina asked, brown eyes watching her friend closely.
"Your Mother plans to marry you off to Wintersend…specifically Princess Emma."
Regina smiled softly at her and shook her head. "It's true but I've agreed to it." She hadn't told Maleficent why she wanted to know if she could bare a child knowing how angry her only friend would get at Wintersend princess' taking her as her wife.
"Why would you allow that?" Maleficent frowned, sliding her fingers into Regina's thick hair. She tugged playfully on a curl and watched it snap back. The girl's appearance was as always flawless. Dressed in gold with accents of red and a thick ruby necklace clasped around her neck, Regina was the picture of Princess of Springfall even if she was a little pale and gaunt.
"I don't think I have a choice. Mother is after the diamonds in the mines of Wintersend. They're more valuable than the gar of Summerslanding. They contain more magical properties not to mention King Raithwell of Old lived in Wintersend and was known to have contact with the Valaar."
"The Valaar don't even exist child. The Gods of old are long dead or have lost interest completely in us."
"The suncryst was said to have been held in Wintersend. Raithwell himself wielded the sword of Kings. He could've brought the entire world to it's knees with that kind of power. The suncryst has been lost to time and with it the power my Mother desperately seeks."
"And she thinks it's in the diamond mines? Why hasn't it been discovered by now if it was there? The dwarfs mine it constantly to keep that kingdom's economy inflated while they fight a senseless battle." Maleficent shook her head, her own long tight blonde curls dancing over her shoulders before she sighed and stepped around Regina's small body. She'd offered to attempt to find a cure for the girl's sickliness but it was to no avail. Regina remained tiny and underweight but despite that she was still beautiful.
"Supposedly it was moved to Summerslanding. It was the true reason why she threw me into Prince Charles' path although she tried to say it was because of the iron deposits and the gar the kingdom is famous for."
"Gar has some uses, hardened armor but not like the suncryst. If your Mother is after that, she'll bring everyone to their knees." Maleficent paced as Regina curled back up in the window seat with her thick blanket wrapped around her. "How is your magic?"
"Growing stronger but still nothing for Mother to compete with. The suppressor you gave me keeps her from realizing that I have it."
"She'd use you as a conduit if she knew."
"I know but you've ensured that won't happen." Regina shifted her toes in her boot, feeling the small gold ring that rested around the second toe of her right foot. Her Mother rarely saw her without slippers so it was the perfect place to hide it and since it looked like just a simple trinket, she'd never suspect that it was actually something more without closer inspection. She smiled softly watching her only friend pace back and forth.
"It's a dangerous game you play."
"I cannot risk her thinking me anything but a simpleton."
"And you'll sacrifice your body for her plans?"
"In order to stop her I must."
"You know my history with the White Queen. When she lost her so called Prince Charming, I gave up my vengeance on them for the horrors they inflicted on me."
Regina frowned, "She's grown cold but I don't think her unkind at least where her daughter is concerned."
"She's not as white as she claims to be…a murky shade of gray suits her better but she's praised as a saint when she's bloodied her hands as much as anyone in this world has."
Regina nodded, "I'm aware…I am sorry that I cannot take your child's place and that Queen Snow has done what she's done to you."
"You shouldn't apologize for things that aren't your fault Regina." Maleficent moved forward and settled behind Regina's small body. "Where's your brush? I can fix your hair if you'd like."
"Braids?" Regina asked, looking over her shoulder.
"Whatever you desire." They shared a warm smile and Regina jumped to her feet, running to get her brush and do as her friend asked. She settled eagerly into the seat and sighed as she felt Maleficent take up the simple task. "No one is as gentle as you are with me."
"I'm not known for being gentle."
"You always have been with me. You've never been cruel to me. Only kind. I don't understand how anyone can think otherwise of you."
"Perhaps I'm just not a people person."
They both laughed softly and the princess sighed softly. "Emma is kind despite her mother's sins. She's never treated me like an object. She takes my feelings into consideration. She even gave me a small taste of freedom when we saw each other last."
She felt Maleficent's hands freeze in her hair but she remained facing forward.
"Do you love her?" The sorceress finally asked.
"No, but I think I could if given enough time."
"Does she love you?"
"She hardly knows me but I think she might and even if she doesn't…she still respects me and that's not a bad foundation with which to begin a marriage on."
"Royalty often starts with less." Maleficent said softly; before she shook her head and smiled softly at the girl in front of her. "How fares your apple tree?"
"It's doing well. I'm hoping I can bring it with me to Wintersend."
"Do you think such a move wise?"
"It's one of the few things I care about and I'd like it close." Regina shrugged but then settled allowing the sorceress to twist tiny braids together in an elaborate updo.
"I'll see what I can provide that may help the task."
"I know I can always depend on you. Will you come and see me when I'm at Wintersend?"
"It'll be complicated for me. I'm unsure if I can resist ripping Queen Snow's throat out."
"That's my future mother-in-law."
"Aren't you supposed to hate your in-laws?"
"You never have lost your sense of humor have you?"
"I do what I can to survive." The older woman smiled as she used a little magic to hide a few short wispy hairs that had come loose from her styling.
"You can disguise yourself as my servant and come visit. I'd like you at my wedding but I doubt that'll happen."
"I'll figure something out. I'd like nothing more than to be there."
Regina twisted and threw her arms around the older woman. "Thank you. It means the word to me that you'll be there even if I don't know it's you."
"I'll always be there for you." Maleficent vowed tucking the younger woman's head gently into her shoulder.
"You're concerned." Maleficent looked up as the petite blonde woman came towards her. She arched a silent brow as the former green fairy stopped near her on the grand hall's staircase. The sorceress paused but allowed the slight height difference to remain even if it made her grit her teeth in irritation. She never did like how the fairies thought they were so high above her. She hadn't liked anyone that thought they were above her truthfully but especially those that weren't respectful of her in her own home and Tinkerbelle could never be considered respectful of anyone.
"You were meant to be her fairy godmother. You tell me you aren't concerned for her."
Tinkerbelle looked away as the sorceress stopped at the foot of the grand staircase. "I got you off that Valaar forsaken island. Though it did nothing for me to do so."
"I'm aware Maleficent." Tinkerbelle sighed softly.
Maleficent arched a brow choosing not to speak of the initial...tickle she'd felt at the fact that the former fairy had defied The Blue Fairy. It was initially why she'd gone to get her in the first place...well that and her connection to Regina but perhaps she had selfish motives when it came to her reasons for allowing the fairy to remain with her despite her impertinence.
"Do you still have pixie dust?" There they were; the true reason she allowed the fairy to remain hidden in her home. The illusion spell that accompanied the paling kept magic users from finding her home as well. It was probably why Tinkerbelle was able to remain. Had she had her magic, the illusion would've tossed her right out.
"Only a tiny amount and only what I could take before Cora and The Blue Fairy sent me away." Tinkerbelle shrugged. "Why?"
"Keep it close, we may need it in order to protect Regina."
"You're awfully fond of her." The former green fairy offered. The blonde sorceress paused on the stairs as though measuring her words.
"That girl's zest for life kept me alive a long time ago when I was ready to die. She's a fascinating creature and much more than anyone wants to give her credit for." She paused for a moment. "Including you."
"I can help her."
"You will stay away from her. There is more going on here then either of us realize."
Tinkerbelle opened her mouth then closed it when the sorceress flashed her a dark look. She dipped her head, her shoulders slumping and waited until Maleficent was out of earshot, "But I can help her."