Summary: Regina's young life was ruined the moment her mother accepted the King's marriage proposal, and all her dreams were squashed the moment she was forced to say "I Do". Until the day she met the strange green fairy, who promised to reunite her with her Soulmate. Following the trail of green magic, which led them to a tavern where Regina's Soulmate sat quietly alone in the corner, Regina's life changed again when she sat across from the mysterious woman.
A/N: HI! Welcome to my new story! This is my second submission to last year's SwanQueen Supernova last years, which of course means it's a completed story. So there's no fear that it will be abandoned. I will post each week, Monday or Tuesday (depending on my life lol) as always. Before we get started, there's a bit of housekeeping to go over.
First, let's talk trigger warnings. There are a few warnings for brief discussions of non-con and sexual assault, as well as the after-care of injuries sustained during said acts. The assault and non-con is NOT between our ladies, however the after-care is. There is also some violence as well as a major character death. i PROMISE the MCD is only temporary, as I am physically incapable of writing a non-happy ending. I promise to tag the beginning of each chapter with said warmings so you know when it's coming.
Second, I would like to thank my incredible artists SwanQueenScotty and wayhaught_parrilla for the creating the amazing art for this story! Please make sure you check them both out on AO3!
And, as always I do not own Once Upon a Time, nor any characters, locations or events associated with it. The story belongs to me, but the world belongs to them.
And now, without further ado, I present "The Swan and the Queen"
Chapter 1
Part One: The Enchanted Forest
Eighteen-year-old Regina laid in the fetal position, naked on the bed in her new bedchambers, the cold air making her exposed skin prickle with goosebumps. Her body shook as she cried, and the smell of sex still lingered in the room even though it had been over thirty minutes since the King, her new husband, had left her alone. Her custom-made and extremely expensive wedding gown lay in a heap in the corner, a few of the intricate buttons lost when the dress was all but ripped off her body an hour ago. She knew she should pick it up, but she couldn't find the strength to move. With every breath she took, she could feel the soreness that had already begun to manifest between her legs, another reminder of what had occurred. She knew it would happen that night—her mother made sure she knew exactly what was expected of a bride on her wedding night. Regina had fantasized about what her wedding night would be like, and never in all her years had she dreamed it would be anything like it had been. Hard. Rough. Painful. She always dreamed she would marry someone she truly loved, but that dream was instantly shattered the moment her mother accepted the King's proposal. Her body shook harder when she thought of the stranger who had been on top of her, his face emotionless as he claimed his wife for the first time.
"Your Highness? Is there anything you need before we retreat to bed?" a soft voice asked behind her, as the chamber door closed quietly.
"No, I'm fine. Thank you," Regina answered in a voice slightly above a whisper. She didn't turn around to look at the young lady, whose name Regina had not yet been told.
"Very well. Goodnight, Your Highness," the young woman said, causing Regina to cringe slightly at the use of her new title, before turning to leave the room, stopping suddenly. "The first time is always the hardest…" she whispered. "It will get easier as time goes by."
"Thank you," Regina said, wiping the tears from her eyes. A moment later, she was alone once again with her thoughts, her mind drifting to a life she always dreamed of having. She secretly wishes she had never heard Snow White's frantic plea for help.
Days turned to weeks, which turned to months, and Regina found herself in the same routine. Breakfast in her bedchambers alone before her handmaids laced her into her dress for the day. Then she was permitted to spend a few hours wandering around the grounds before she shared a small lunch with Snow, who spent the entire time talking nonsense. After lunch, she was escorted to the library, where she was expected to read about politics until her dinner was ready, which she ate alone in an empty dining room, before being escorted to bed. Every day was the same thing, with the occasional ball or celebration mixed in. And even though she lived in a huge palace, Regina felt like a prisoner, trapped in a miserable life she never asked for and never wanted.
Suddenly, she found herself thrust into the role of Queen once more, as the one-year anniversary of her wedding approached, and she would be expected to make an appearance at the ball celebrating her marriage to the King. She wore her expensive ball gown and a fake regal smile as she shook the hands of all the nobles in the kingdom. She smiled as she watched her husband dance for hours with his nine-year-old daughter. She continued to smile as she silently slipped out of the ballroom unnoticed. No one ever seemed to notice when she left these functions early; that would require people to notice she was there to begin with.
She slowly made her way back to her bedchambers, saying a silent prayer that her husband would be too drunk after the party to even think about having sex with her. She was never in the mood for him, but tonight she held extra disdain for the older man. She quickly unlaced her dress and corset and put on her simple cotton nightgown, before stepping out onto her balcony, the only place she truly felt at peace. She sighed as she gazed up at the stars, a stray tear falling from her eye. She closed her eyes and leaned heavily against the railing.
"Don't do it," a familiar voice said behind her.
"What? What are you talking about?" Regina asked as she turned to face the same handmaid she had met the night of her wedding, exactly one year prior.
"You were thinking, 'if I should happen to fall, all this will be over and the pain will finally be gone.'"
"I wasn't…" Regina started to say as the blonde woman shook her head, holding her hand up to silence the Queen.
"Yes, you were. I could hear your thoughts a mile away," the blonde woman said.
"What? You couldn't hear my thoughts. That's impossible," Regina said, turning her attention back to the sky, trying to ignore the woman's preposterous statement.
"There are some who can hear these things. Who can feel when someone's heart is in pain. Who can sense a soul crying out for their other half," the woman said, moving closer to Regina. "And who have the ability to find and reunite two souls that have been separated. Who can reunite Soulmates."
"I've heard those tales as well. Tales of Fairies who swoop in and save the heartbroken. Reunite them with their True Loves," Regina said, turning toward the young woman. "But that's all they are. Tales. Bedtime stories we tell children to soothe them off to sleep."
"This time, the stories are true," the woman said as a burst of green magic engulfed her, changing the woman's appearance instantly.
"What? Who are you?" Regina asked, backing away slightly as she watched in awe as the woman before her stretched her translucent wings.
"My name is Tinkerbell, and I am your Fairy Godmother." She smiled at the shock on Regina's face. "You can call me Tink."
"Tink?" Regina asked, still in shock.
"At your service." Tink smiled, bowing slightly. "And I'm here to help reunite you with your True Love."
"But…why me? I'm nobody," Regina asked, her gaze dropping to the floor.
"I was assigned to you the moment your mother accepted the King's proposal. The moment you had your happiness ripped away from you. I'm here to make things right again," Tink explained. "Your soul has been crying out for your other half from the moment you were forced to say 'I Do'. I'm here to change that. If you're ready, I can bring you to your Soulmate," Tink said, her deep smile never leaving her face.
"Really? You can do that?" Regina asked, still in shock at the Fairy in front of her.
"Absolutely!" Tink replied. "But first, I think we need to change your clothes. You can't go where we're going in a nightgown." Tink laughed as she waved her wand, transforming Regina's nightgown into a simple white dress, her hair draped across her shoulders.
"We're going right now?" Regina asked, her voice shaking.
"I think you've waited long enough, don't you agree?" Tink asked, reaching her hand out to Regina.
Regina nodded as she tentatively reached out for the Fairy, taking her outstretched hand. Tink swiftly waved her wand over Regina's chest, and a sudden burst of magic shot out from Regina's heart, creating a path of green magic in the sky.
"Hold on tight." Tink smiled as the two slowly rose into the air, Regina's feet thrashing frantically at the sudden loss of the ground below her.
"What do we do now?" Regina asked, with fear in her voice.
"Now, we follow the magic," Tink said as she slowly led them through the air, following the shimmering magic created by Regina's heart.
They followed the magic to a small tavern on the outskirts of a nearby town. The sound of music and voices could be heard through the closed door as they landed and slowly made their way toward the small window on the side of the building.
"Inside here lies the beginning of your happiness," Tink said as she approached the window. "All the pain in your past will be just that, the past," she said, peeking through the window, following the green magic to its final destination.
"I just need a moment," Regina said as she nervously took a step back.
"You're nervous. I get it," Tink said, turning her attention back to the window and into the tavern.
"Can you see him?" Regina asked, her voice shaky.
"Yes. Come see," Tink said, holding her hand out for Regina, encouraging her to look through the window.
"There's too many people, I can't tell who he is," Regina said as she slowly approached the window, looking in at the busy tavern, full of people eating and drinking.
"Do you see that man, the one with the lion tattoo?" Tink asked, pointing her finger through the window.
"Yes. Yes, I see him. Is that him?" she asked, excitement filling her voice.
"No. Look just behind him, to the left," Tink said, directing Regina's gaze toward the blonde woman sitting at the table alone, a ring of green magic surrounding her head like a shimmering green halo.
"That's her," Regina whispered, her heart skipping a beat at the sight of the stranger. "Who is she? What do I do now?" Regina asked, unable to pull her gaze from the woman.
"I don't know. I can only bring you to them, you must do the rest," Tink explained. "But, might I make a suggestion?"
"Yes, please," Regina said, finally looking away.
"You might want to try going in and introducing yourself." Tink winked, gesturing toward the door.
"No, I can't," Regina said, backing away from the building.
"Regina, you must make the first move. She doesn't know you're here," Tink explained, gently nudging Regina toward the door.
"I can't." Regina shook her head, trying to resist the surprisingly strong Fairy. "Please, come in with me," Regina pleaded.
"That I can do," Tink said, shaking her torso slightly, hiding her wings under the fabric of her dress and tucking her wand into her sleeve. She took the first step and opened the heavy wooden door, gesturing to Regina to enter first, and followed the Queen into the busy tavern.
Regina's heart was pounding as she weaved her way through the crowd of people, making her way toward the strange blonde woman, who still had a faint trace of magic radiating from her body. Just as she reached the table in the corner, she lost her nerve, and walked completely past her, taking the last table in the opposite corner, adjusting her chair to give herself the best view of the woman.
"Regina, you were supposed to stop and talk to her," Tink said, half laughing.
"I can't." Regina frowned, her voice trembling, her eyes never leaving the stranger. "What if she doesn't like me?"
"Regina, she's your Soulmate. I think it's impossible for her to not like you." Tink laughed, patting the nervous woman's hand for comfort.
"With my luck, she'll hate me." Regina scoffed. "Can we just sit here for a little while?" Regina asked.
"Of course." Tink laughed and settled into the chair. She chuckled as she watched Regina stare at the woman sitting alone, reading a book while carefully eating her meal.
"I wonder what she's reading," Regina asked idly, her eyes never deviating.
"You could easily find out…" Tink started to say, taking a moment before finishing. "…if you go over there and talk to her." Tink laughed at the look of horror on Regina's face at the suggestion that she talk to the mysterious woman.
They sat in silence as people bustled around them, Regina's eyes fixed on the woman.
"Last chance." Tink laughed as they saw the woman hand a few coins to the waitress that came by to clear her plate. Regina's heart pounded as she watched the woman stand from her chair and slowly make her way out of the tavern, her tattered book tucked securely under her arm.
"Oh no!" Regina said once the door closed behind the woman. "I missed it. I missed my chance. What if that was my only oppertunity to meet her?" Regina panicked, deeply regretting her decision to not approach her.
"Relax," Tink said, shifting in her chair. "There will be other chances. Come, let's get home before someone notices you're not at the ball," she said, standing from the table. Tink led the way out, and before they knew it, they were back in the air, flying toward the castle that had been Regina's home for the last year.
"What do we do now?" Regina asked, as soon as her feet were firmly planted on the balcony.
"Now, you go to sleep, Your Majesty. I'll come back when you have another opportunity to meet," Tink said. "Until then, maybe work on your confidence. You will eventually have to speak to her." Tink laughed as she waved her wand once more, this time turning herself into a tiny Fairy, flying away quickly, a trail of green pixie dust trailing behind her.
For the first time in a year, Regina slept soundly, her dreams filled with the mysterious blonde woman she had seen at the tavern.
They returned to the tavern once a week for the next four weeks, always sitting at the same table, always watching the mysterious blonde woman as she sat alone, eating her meal and reading a different book each time. And each week, Regina tried to muster up the courage to approach her, and each week she fell painfully short.
Regina held the door of the tavern open for Tink as she usually did, but the Fairy stayed rooted in the same spot, shaking her head.
"What's the matter?" Regina asked, concern washing over her face. "Aren't you coming in?"
"Not this time." Tink smiled. "This time, you have to go alone."
"What? No! I can't," Regina said fearfully, shaking her head as she quickly walked away from the door. "No! I can't do it without you!"
"Sure you can," Tink said, lightly grabbing Regina's shoulders. "You can do this. I have faith in you."
"But what if she doesn't like me?" Regina asked, tears forming in her eyes as she anticipated a rejection.
"That's physically impossible," Tink answered.
"I don't know what to do. Or what to say. What if…?" Regina said, her mind racing with what-ifs. "I need you to come with me. I can't do this alone."
"Regina, you can't keep using me as a crutch. I have the utmost faith in you. It's time you had faith in yourself as well. Now, come on. You can do this," Tink said, turning Regina around, pushing her toward the door.
"What do I do?" Regina asked, panic rising in her voice.
"Why don't you start with 'Hi, I'm Regina.' And see where that takes you," Tink suggested, pushing Regina the last few steps toward the door. "I'll be waiting here when you're done. Now go, meet your Soulmate already."
Regina took a deep breath to try and calm her shaking hands, but she quickly found it did no good. Her hands continued to shake as she pulled the heavy wooden door.
The tavern was busy as usual, with people milling around, eating and drinking, waitresses carrying trays full of plates and bowls of food, as well as mugs overflowing with ale. Regina scanned the sea of people, frantically searching for her mystery woman, panicking slightly when she couldn't find her right away. She was just about to give up her search and rush back out to Tink, when she finally spotted the familiar blonde hair, sitting at a table in the corner with her head bent as she read the book in her lap. Regina took another deep breath before she slowly made her way to the table. Her heart pounded in her chest with each step, until she was standing directly in front of the mysterious woman.
"Ummm…excuse me?" Regina asked, her voice shaking. She waited a moment until the woman lifted her head, a wide smile spreading across it when she saw Regina standing in front of her. "Would you mind terribly if I joined you?" Regina asked, her voice cracking with nerves.
"Not at all. I would be delighted," the woman said, closing her book and placing it gently on the table in front of her, giving Regina her undivided attention.
"Thank you." Regina smiled, pulling the chair out, sitting gracefully in front of the stranger. "I'm Regina," she said, extending her hand across the table toward the woman.
"I'm Eala," the mysterious woman answered, shaking Regina's hand, causing a small shock when the women's skin touched hers for the first time. She had a firm handshake, squeezing harder than anyone dared to squeeze the young Queen's hand. "It's nice to meet you, Regina."
"It's nice to meet you, too," Regina said, a slight blush falling across her face. "Eala. What a beautiful name." Regina smiled.
"Thanks. It means 'Swan' in Gaelic," Eala explained, her eyes shining as she explained her name to Regina, her voice filling slightly with emotion. "My mother used to say that she knew she wouldn't be able to give me much in life, but the one thing she could give me was a beautiful name."
"Well, it definitely suits you," Regina said, a feeble attempt at flirting.
"Thanks," Eala said, blushing hard. "So, where's your friend?" she asked, after a brief moment of silence.
"What? My friend?" Regina asked, a little confused.
"Well, I've seen you here six times now, and each time before this you've been with a blonde woman with the peculiar green dress," Eala explained.
"Oh," Regina said, her eyes wide with surprise. "You've noticed me?"
"It's hard not to notice when a beautiful woman walks into the room," Eala said, blushing.
"Oh…thank you…" Regina whispered as she tried to control her pounding heart. "My…ummm…my friend said I was on my own tonight and that I needed to stop using her as a crutch and finally come over and talk to you," Regina said, her face turning an even deeper shade of red.
"Finally come talk to me?" Eala asked, a slightly confused expression falling on her face.
"Yeah…I've been…watching you…" Regina confessed. "But not in a creepy way! I come here to see you, but I've always been too shy to approach you…until today," Regina said, contemplating what she just said. "Alright, perhaps I am slightly creepy."
"Well. I'm glad your friend ditched you tonight." Eala smiled. "And I'm even more glad you came over to talk to me."
"Me too." Regina smiled. They fell into a sudden silence as their eyes locked for the first time, only to be interrupted by the voice of the waitress, asking if she could bring them anything. They quickly ordered and fell into a light conversation while they waited for their meals to be delivered.
Time seemed to fly by as they ate and drank, and before they knew it, their plates were scrapped clean and their mugs of ale were dry. They both frowned slightly when the waitress returned to retrieve their dishes, expecting payment.
"No, please. Allow me," Eala said as she reached into the small purse attached to her waist, pulling out a few coins, handing them to the waitress to pay for both their meals.
"Oh, you don't have to do that," Regina said, trying to protest as the waitress cleared their plates and mugs.
"It's my pleasure!" Eala smiled. "It's not everyday a beautiful woman chooses me to be her dinner companion. It's the least I could do," she said, blushing deeply. "Besides, a proper gentleman always pays for the beautiful lady's meal," she whispered, her voice barely audible against the noise of the loud tavern.
"Then it is I who should be paying for your meal," Regina said, not missing a beat.
"I…uhh…I…I better be going," Eala said, her voice stuttering as if her brain didn't know how to process Regina's last statement. "Thank you for joining me tonight. I'm very happy you found the courage to approach me." She smiled.
"Thank you for allowing me to join you," Regina said, a deep blush reaching across her face.
"I really hope I can see you again…soon…" Eala said as she stood from the table, making sure to grab her forgotten book. "It was wonderful meeting you tonight. Good night, Regina."
"Good night, Eala," Regina said as she watched Eala take a few steps toward the door.
"And, just for the record," Eala said, turning around suddenly, her voice very low. "I don't think you're creepy." She smiled before she turned around and left the tavern, disappearing into the darkness outside.
Regina sat at the table for a few more minutes, waiting for her heart to slow before making her way outside as well, scanning the area for her friend.
"So, how did it go?" Tink asked, suddenly showing up behind her, startling her slightly.
"I did it. I finally did it. I met her," Regina said, her voice exploding with excitement.
"I know. I was watching you through the window. I had to make sure you actually approached her before I walked away." Tink laughed, leading them away from the entrance so they could talk in private. "So, tell me. What is she like?"
"She's wonderful! Simply wonderful!" Regina said, her eyes twinkling with the memory. It didn't take a Fairy to know that Regina was clearly smitten with the woman. "Her name is Eala," Regina explained.
"Eala. What an unusual name," Tink commented.
"Says the Fairy named Tinkerbell," Regina joked, nudging the Fairy slightly.
"Point taken." Tink laughed.
"It means 'Swan' in Gaelic." Regina smiled. "I think perhaps, starting tomorrow, I will begin to study Gaelic. In case there are other words or phrases she might use," Regina said, blushing slightly.
"I'll try to find some language books for you." Tink laughed. "Tell me more!"
"I was so nervous, but the moment she looked up at me from her book, all fear and nervousness instantly disappeared," Regina explained.
"Love will do that." Tink smiled.
"She said she hopes to see me again soon." Regina smiled, getting lost in her thoughts.
"I told you so," Tink said, laughing.
"What?" Regina asked, pulling herself out of her own thoughts.
"I knew you could do it. Approach and talk to her, without rejection," Tink answered.
"Fine. Yes. You were right," Regina said, frustration in her voice.
"Alright, Your Majesty. I think it's best we return home for the evening," Tink said, leading them to a dark corner before stretching out her wings once more. Seconds later, they were in the air again, flying toward Regina's balcony.
"When can we go back? When can I see her again?" Regina asked the moment her feet were securely planted back onto the marble balcony.
"Slow down there. Unfortunately, there is no more 'We' . You're on your own from now on," Tink explained.
"What? What do you mean? You're not coming with me anymore?" Regina asked, fear rushing across her face.
"My job is to bring you to your Soulmate. Once you make contact, there's nothing more for me to do." Tink smiled. "I will continue to advise you, as a friend, of course. But the rest must come from you."
"How do I get back to the tavern? All the times we've been there we have flown," Regina asked, her anxiety clearly building.
"Calm down, Regina. The tavern is a thirty-minute ride from here," Tink said, moving closer to Regina. "This is a good thing, remember? You met your Soulmate tonight." Tink smiled, grabbing Regina's shoulders to stop her from pacing.
"I did." Regina smiled, tears of happiness beginning to well in her eyes. "I met my Soulmate tonight…"
"You met your Soulmate tonight," Tink repeated, her voice calmer, her smile wider.
"And she's amazing!" Regina said as a stray tear of happiness fell from her eye.
A/N: Eala is pronounced "Ay-La", which does translate into "Swan" in Gaelic/Irish.