Episode 5: Huntsman

The noise of loud drunkards filled the tavern. Clanking of mugs and fists slamming into wooden tables. Laughter, chatter, fighting. All suddenly fell silent the moment the doors flung open. Black stiletto boots clanked heavily against the floor. Jaws dropped smiles widened.

The barkeep looked up from drying out a mug. Calm and casual, "What do we owe the honor of your presence, your majesty?"

Stained red lips curled in a twisted sultry smile. Her fingers curled over the bar's edge as she leaned forward against the counter. "Well my dear, I happen to be looking for someone in particular. Perhaps, you'll be able to assist me. " She chuckled.

"I will do my best, who is it you are looking for?" he asked.

"A lone hunter who is quiet not one to mingle with his kinsmen. Due to his sole hatred of humans." Her large emerald green eyes glanced to the side overlooking everyone in the room.

A disgruntled look overtook him. Looking around his tavern. He couldn't quite place it on who she wanted until at last in the poorly lit corner sat a man hunched over bellowing into his mug. Pointing at him, "I believe that is whom you are looking for. He never much talks and always snatches the mugs while cursing under his breath. Scowling at the hunters as they brag about their kills."

"Perfect," she clicked her tongue and left a few gold pieces on the counter before walking away. Straight to the savage man, unkept, smelled of wildlife. "So, you're the wolf man?" She asked as she glided into a chair across from him. "I do hope your reputation is true as they say."

Growling his hazel eyes peered over the mug refusing to sit upright. "And who is asking?" he grunted drunkenly.

Rubbing her lips together, "Your Queen of course," she said elegantly. Trying to hold back her irritation at his ignorance. Though it was expected considering the rumors she had heard.

Laughing, "I have no queen. You don't rule me." His shoulders shook from laughter, messy shaggy brown hair moving with each har.

Curling her lips tightly, "Whether you recognize it or not Huntsman, I am the one true Queen." A chuckle escaped her, her fingers playing with her loose strands of red hair. Using her charming beauty to mask her shaken insecurities. "Now, I need your capabilities to track down a pesky blonde princess for me and then carve out her heart."

"Why? Because you asked? What do I get in return?" The huntsman scoffed in complete rejection of her request. Standing up he shoved the stool out from underneath him.

Reaching her hand to let her fingers glide over his but suddenly he had pulled away. Her eyes flickered over him, "Do you have a request perhaps that I can fulfill to help sway you toward my favor?" She battered her lashes.

He thought on it long and hard his hands resting at his sides, looking her deep in the eyes nearly piercing, "Make hunting wolves illegal and you have yourself a deal."

Standing up grabbing her little black satchel, "It's a deal, Huntsman." She pulled out a lock of blonde hair handing it to him. "This is her hair use it to track her… oh" she then reached into her dark green cloak pulling out a wooden box, setting it down on the table before him, "and then place her heart inside this box for me." She laughed turning away to exit.

Rustling through the trees. The fire long burned out Emma lay fast asleep on a blanket Regina had given her. A smile on her face as she dreamed water dripped onto her cheek from above waking Emma. Vision blurry she jolted headbutting Regina.

"Really Swan?" she spat rubbing her head. "Honestly, that is what woke you?"

Covering her nose at the smell, ignoring the throbbing from her head, "Eww, get that smelly thing away from me. Why did you have it hovering over me?

Regina laughed moving it closer to Emma, "What? You don't like fish?' The long scaly fish dangled from her hook, dripping water, a silver shimmer every time the sunlight reflects through the trees hitting it.

Inching away using the palms of her hands and feet Emma cringed, "I prefer it cooked thank you." Her face scrunched up, "It smells horrible, and is it still moving?" She pointed.

Lifting it up Regina looked at it as it flapped, "Oh yes it is, very much alive. I just caught it actually. And look at that— " moving her hands to make the fish look as if it was talking, "Swan, don't eat me. Please I beg you." she laughed.

Rolling her eyes, "Sooo funny Regina. Now stop it." She stood up brushing herself off. "It isn't funny, and honestly it really does smell."

"Oh come now and lighten up, Swan. Start the day off right and have a little fun." Regina laughed.

Smiling at her Emma walked closer taking the fish and making it kiss Regina, "Aw, now that's true love right there. A match made for sure. You're right Regina, having a little fun does start my day off right." She tased laughing watching Regina pull the fish away, "What's wrong? I'm just as you say….lightening up is all, Regina." She gave an innocent smile, tilting her head to the right.

Making a face Regina flung the fish over her shoulder as she turned around, the water and juice from it flung all over Emma "Oh, I know dear. Now, it's time to eat my prince charming!" She laughed moving towards the fire pit. Starting it up and resting a cast iron pan over it laying the fish inside.

Rolling her eyes Emma picked up their campsite. Packing it up before giving Regina's horse a good brushing. Her stomach rumbled, "is it almost ready?" she asked with a hint of a whine.

"Nearly now go wash up and when you come back it will be." Her eyes intensely fixated on the fish. A hunger in her eyes, licking her lips.

Brushing her hands together, Emma bobbed her head. "Alright but don't eat that without me. I am hungry too you know."

"Wouldn't dream of eating without you," she smirked letting out a small chuckle. "Warm and tasty in my stomach. Oh, come on princey."

"Are you talking to me or the fish?" Emma questioned as Regina hadn't moved, a look almost maddening that Emma couldn't help but smile and laugh while walking away.

Heading towards the nearest stream, washing up she hummed taking in the scenery she hated being dirty but honestly, she loved traveling. She knew what she was getting into upon embarking on her travels. Fully aware, not many would take in Regina due to her past. But that didn't bother Emma, well, perhaps a little since she knew Regina was a changed woman and she hoped and wished others would see what she did. Smirking Emma found herself so curious, Regina didn't speak much about herself and it only made Emma want to know more. Sure she'd heard stories of when Regin was the Black Knight but what lead up to that? A woman that was taught by Merlin himself. Raised in Camelot.

A growling bark came from behind Emma. Startling her she slipped and fell into the stream. Submerging underwater briefly before catching some air. She looked up and thought for a moment to have seen a man petting a grey wolf. Staring at her with a cold dead look.

Stumbling to her feet, soaking wet she ran back towards Regina. Circling herself to make sure no one was following her Emma backed into Regina not paying attention. Falling over into the dirt, mudding up herself as she let out a shriek.

Catching herself from falling into the fire Regina bolted up, "Swan!" she exclaimed, "What in the blazing hell is wrong with you?" Extending out her arm to aid Emma up to her feet, "You're soaked and now covered in mud. I said to wash up not take a mud bath." She snapped her fingers and purple smoke surrounded Emma leaving her in dry clean clothes. "Now that's better."

After she had been cleaned up Emma shook her head, "Something…. Or was it someone… either way I wasn't alone at the stream. I saw someone in the bushes watching me when I turned to see where this bark had come from. It scared me and I lost my balance. When I went to go look they were gone." She explained taking a seat on a log.

Her brow arched as Regina looked around checking around their camp. "Show me," she insisted following Emma towards the stream. Investigating the bushes and trees. No sign of tracks, broken limbs, "I don't see any trails. If someone was here we probably should head out just in case."

Her lip curled as she pouted, "But, I'm hungry! Can we at least eat first then go? We can't waste the food…" her stomach rumbled loudly as did Regina's.

Rubbing her lips together Regina let out a sigh, "Yes, of course, I don't want our food to go to waste." In the corner of her eye, she glanced back behind her. Something was off and she had a hunch Emma wasn't seeing things. Keeping her thoughts to herself as she continued to observe their surroundings Regina remained silent in order to not worry Emma.

Walking through the merchant row while she waited on Regina. Emma looked down at an empty ally. Spotting a grey wolf with one blue and yellow eye. It was staring at her quietly. It's tail still. Ears perked. Shaking her head believing she was seeing things but peering back down that same ally it was still there. Its eyes were intense and focused on nothing but her. Emma found herself curiously drawn towards it. Halfway towards it the wolf stood up and ran off down another ally to its left. Continuing following it until she couldn't see it anymore. "Odd…" she muttered turning around to return back the way she came.

Not realizing behind her stood a shaggy lonesome man. A dagger in his hand, inching closer towards her as she walked slowly. Wrapping his arms around her, placing the dagger to her throat and his other hand covering her mouth. "Stay quiet, do not fight me or I will slit your throat princess," he whispered into her ear. Slow steps back they walked.

Emma let out a whimper, holding back her scream. Remaining calm as she took a breath feeling the blade so close that when she exhaled it nearly scraped against her skin. Her words muffled while she talked, he lowered his hand, "You have me mistaken for someone else." she calmly explained, "The name is Swan and I'm a peasant from an outside village. I understand your mistake it happens often that I am mistaken as a Princess. But I swear to you I am not her."

He dragged her back down the hall to his hideaway, "Good attempt in your lie but I tracked you by scent. I'm very quite good at my job and my mark never escapes me. Now keep quiet." He returned his hand over her mouth as he lead her away.

Remaining steady as they walked Emma still hostage, tried to find a way out let alone— "How did you get my scent? And what do you want?" her words muffled beneath his hand.

The Huntsman remained silent ignoring her questions until they reached the woods. "The Evil Queen wants your heart," he pushed her against a tree, and Emma fell to her knees. Wielding his dagger into the air. The wooden box lay on the ground at his feet protected by his wolf friend. "And she'll get just that. So long— princess."