It was difficult but Regina finally managed to drag herself out of bed to get ready for the day. She and Ingrid had already missed much of the morning celebration, but the banquet awaited. So, she pulled a grumbling Ingrid up with her. They used magic to clean themselves rather than go through the trouble of filling a tub. Ingrid chose to wear a long white gown for the banquet that was covered in sparkles. Regina chose a purple gown with a more simple design. She added a diamond necklace and earrings to go with it. Ingrid took her hand and pulled her out of the room, leading the way through the horde of waiters and workers preparing the banquet. They finally came to the hall where the tables were being set and overseen by Mal, Lily and Elsa.
The elder dragon smirked when she saw them. "Finally you two get up."
"Why didn't you wake us up?" Regina asked.
"We tried." Lily answered. "You two were knocked out. Mom said to let the pregnant women sleep."
"Thank you." Ingrid cut in before Regina could retort. "We needed it. Now, is there anything we can do to help?"
"Don't be ridiculous." Elsa ushered them to a seat. "Don't you dare move."
"We can help-"
The younger blonde fixed them both with a glare powerful enough to make Regina quiver. Lily only smirked as she directed a man carrying a giant platter of food on his shoulder.
"Your majesty!" A young boy ran into the room and stopped to catch his breath. "The guests are arriving. Princess Anna is in the great hall and she asked for you."
"Thank you." Elsa gave the boy a smile that had him turning red before she strutted out of the room to answer her sister's summons.
With that, Regina and Ingrid went ahead and took their seats. It was not because Regina's feet were already starting to hurt. Damn, her feet were going to swell up like sausages. She kept her eye out for anything that could cause concern. She noticed Mal and Lily doing the same, keeping a close eye on their guests and on the food.
"Are all the people here trusted?" Regina tracked Mal across the room as she mingled with a group of nobles. The dragon was quite masterful at doing so. It was another of her many skills but one she rarely utilized. The blonde was never prone to holding balls or entertaining guests unless she was in a certain mood or she just wanted to show off her castle, so to see her in this element was new for Regina. While she smiled and laughed with the nobles, probably teasing information out of them, Regina noticed her rolling her eyes as soon as she walked away from them and it made her giggle to see the dragon so annoyed.
"As far as I know." Ingrid growled softly as she picked at the 'healthy' snack they'd been brought. "I doubt Elsa would allow anyone she didn't trust into the city after being attacked."
"Unless she wanted to send a message."
"Maybe, but with all our talk of assassins and spies, I doubt she would take the risk right now. I think her curse on Eogan was a good enough message to not warrant another."
Regina silently agreed. Elsa didn't seem to dwell on anger and past transgressions. There was a chance this was truly a banquet to celebrate a great victory and the other kingdoms visiting wanted to get on the good side of the kingdom with a dragon as their new champion. However, she was always a skeptic so that could just be her being wary of strangers and looking for enemies. At Ingrid's insistence, she let it go for now.
Soon, the guests began filling the room. Elsa and Anna led the evening quite well. Regina had to commend them because she never had the patience for such things when she was queen. It still irritated her when several of the nobles came to speak to her and she had to smile and be cordial to people she didn't know and had no real intention of knowing. Their names and titles went in one ear and out the other. One man even asked if she was married just after saying hello. She didn't miss the death glare Ingrid sent him and the slight chill that crossed the room. Anna was quick to escort him away before Ingrid froze him in a block of ice and started another war.
"Relax, my queen." Regina said softly.
"He was an idiot." Ingrid replied.
"I agree, but don't get worked up." She took Ingrid's hand under the table. "Our little one won't like it."
"Believe me, he is just as annoyed as I am."
Regina smirked as she released the blonde's hand to pick up her goblet of cold water. When she looked down she noticed a sparkling ring on her finger. Her jaw dropped when she saw it. It was beautiful. There was a large diamond as the centerpiece and the band was covered in tiny diamonds shaped like snowflakes. "Ingrid?"
"This is not a proposal. It is just to keep fools like that away from you." Ingrid said, refusing to look at her.
"So I can get you one?"
"Nope."
"Fine." Regina smirked, conjuring a matching ring on Ingrid's finger and a silver bracelet on her wrist that read "My Love." She would think of more gifts to give her beloved later. For now, Ingrid's smile would do.
She glanced up as Zelena sat down next to her. "You guys okay?"
"We are. Are you?"
"Absolutely. I managed to skip out on the meeting other people part." The witch grinned. "I can't imagine Mal is happy about it."
"She's surprisingly good at it. I haven't seen anyone mysteriously set on fire yet."
"The evening is still young."
Regina tuned back into Elsa as she addressed the room, speaking about how there was a need for peace after the surprise invasion. She also reiterated the terms of Eogan and the Duke of Weselton's exiles and the consequences of their actions. There were some whispers and suspicious looks when she mentioned cursing them, but Elsa ignored them, letting her actions stand as a warning to any others who thought Arendelle was weak. Then she introduced the ones who were instrumental in repelling the invasion, as well as her new champion, Maleficent.
Regina rose to her feet and bowed when her name was called before immediately sitting back down. This swollen feet thing was already getting old. Ingrid gave her a knowing look when she sat down as well.
After Elsa finished her speech, more food was brought to the tables and Regina burst into laughter at the people suddenly crowding around Mal for her attention and wanting to know if she was really a dragon. If the hall was large enough she was sure Mal would've transformed for them just to show off.
Regina dug into the food. There was a roasted swan prepared just for her and she could've inhaled it if she tried hard enough. She noticed that Elsa had had the cooks bring them a wide variety of food and the amount of fruits and vegetables were a bit ridiculous. Still, she ate heartily to make up for the missing days during the invasion as an apology to her little ones. It wouldn't be long before she was put on leave and would be bored while waiting to meet her children. They still had to finish the nursery but that could be finished easily now that they knew what they were having. A new project was in order. Maybe she could have Zelena look at her memories and they could try to piece together the book her ancestor, Viola, had written on light magic. It would be good to have in case any of her children were born with light magic because as it stands, only she and Emma possessed the ability and neither one were in a position to teach. While she would be happy for her children to have magic, she sincerely hoped that none of them would be like Zelena and start using magic right out of the womb. She wouldn't even begin to know how to deal with that.
Mal walked by the table and naturally, Regina's eyes latched on to the dragon as she gently touched the server who had been refilling Elsa's wine. She offered him a smile as a small barrier went up around the head table, hiding them from the eyes of their guests.
"Mal, what is it?" Regina asked. She could see the dragon's hand tighten on the back of the man's neck.
The dragon ignored her and moved Elsa's glass towards the servant. "Have a drink my friend. You must have been working hard tonight." Before the young man could even protest, Mal grabbed his wrist and shattered it with a sharp squeeze. She clamped her other hand over his mouth before he could scream.
"What's going on?" Anna asked, looking shocked by the scene.
Mal pulled over a plate, dumping its contents onto another and poured Elsa's wine into it. The wine was red and it filled the plate, threatening to spill over the side. Regina scowled when something else started to pour slowly from the glass. It was paler than the wine and thicker, like syrup.
"Gray toadstool." Regina said.
"What is that?" Ingrid demanded.
"Poison." Mal answered. "Potent, lethal and leads to a violent, painful death. It can be added to liquids but is slow to dissolve. So, my friend," She growled to the server, waving her hand. The wine and poison flowed back into the glass. "Tell me who put you up to this or I'll make you drink it." She moved her fingers so he could talk.
"I didn't do anything. Please, I'm just the server." He pleaded, shaking like a leaf under the dragon's grip.
"After an invasion, one must be on the lookout for other opportunists who seek to finish the deed. Someone tried to poison Queen Elsa before, it makes sense for them to try again. I checked everything that left that kitchen before the banquet." Mal said, ignoring the crying server. "The poison could only have been recently put in the glass. It hadn't dissolved yet."
"Lily and I can take care of him." Zelena said. "You stay and keep watch." The witch teleported away with the server, the glass and Lily.
"How did you know he was trying to poison me?" Elsa asked.
"He was trembling and nervous even before he got to you and he did not fill any other glass in the room or on the table. Only yours."
Elsa scowled and frost gathered on her fingertips, crawling up her arms. Anna and Ingrid both touched her arms and the ice stopped crawling, only to thicken. "Someone tried to have me assassinated again?! Why? For what reason? What would my death change about Arendelle for someone else to take advantage of? It doesn't make any sense."
"Don't worry, Elsa. Mal stopped it." Anna assured her.
"Yes, we can discuss it after the banquet." Ingrid added.
Elsa slowly nodded and the ice on her arms receded. Regina felt her skin crawl at the way her queenly mask slid back into place. She remembered how awful it was, having to play queen at all of Leopold's banquets, having to pretend as if she were happy and she wasn't drowning. She knew that look all too well. It did not belong on Elsa's face. Mal took down the barrier and the evening continued but none of their hearts were in it anymore and she wasn't sure if their guests could tell.
As soon as they were able to, the royal family retired to one of the upper chambers and Elsa instantly started to pace, ice already forming along her shoulders and snow starting to fall from above.
"What did the server say?" Regina asked, looking at her sister.
"Nothing, just cried." Zelena replied. "So I ripped out his heart and looked through his memories. He wasn't the one doing the poisoning, but he was paid off. He saw a man in the kitchen who wasn't supposed to be there, claiming to be leaving a gift for Queen Elsa."
"Who was it?" Elsa demanded.
"Lord Jacobsen. Do you know him?"
"I don't. Not really." Elsa replied. "But his family has always been good friends with ours. Our fathers were good friends anyway and Anna and he played together when they were younger but they haven't visited since his death. As far as I know he has no reason to want me dead." Elsa started pacing again. "Where's Maleficent?"
"Talking with Lord Jacobsen now. Don't worry, she promised to be discreet."
Regina rolled her eyes as she sat down in the nearest chair. Dragons didn't know the meaning of the word. "Hopefully she was sincere. Arendelle doesn't need another war."
A heavy silence fell upon the group as they waited for Mal to return and Zelena pored over some book she'd found. The snow had stopped and Ingrid and Anna had seemingly calmed Elsa down, but Regina knew that wouldn't last.
"How do you deal with it?" Elsa asked, looking up at her. "People trying to kill you. I don't want to have to live in fear and I don't want to be angry like this all the time. How do you do it?"
Regina couldn't help smirking. "I'm still dealing with it honestly, but…I would say to let people help you. I know how you feel and when I was stuck feeling the way you do, I didn't have a fraction of the support you do. The best advice I can give you is to accept help and don't let the sons of bitches who want to kill you win."
"Agreed." Zelena added.
Elsa went back to pacing for another minute before going to a nearby desk and searching the drawers. She pulled out some paper and a quill.
"What are you doing?" Anna asked.
"Writing a will. Or rather an addendum to the one I already have."
"What? Why?"
"Someone has tried to kill me several times now and if they should succeed, you and Arendelle need to be secured. You are my heir already, in the event I do not have children."
"Elsa, you don't have to do this now." Anna said, looking worried for her sister.
"I know, but I want to. These people think killing me will weaken or destabilize Arendelle and it won't. After you and your children, if you and Kristoff have any, Aunt Ingrid and her children will be next in line." She looked up at Ingrid, who dipped her head in agreement. She wrote furiously for a couple of minutes with Anna and Kristoff looking over her shoulder. Then she had everyone sign it. She even called in a couple guards and one of her generals to sign it as well as more witnesses. At her behest, Zelena made several copies of the document.
"Regina, will you teach me about this stuff? The poison, the assassins, everything. I need to know how to protect myself."
Regina agreed of course. That only led her to wonder just what sort of education Elsa had received. She knew that Elsa spent most of her childhood as a recluse due to fear of her powers, similar to Ingrid. Both were lacking in several areas due to not being properly taught. Luckily, Elsa had generals and family to support her and offer her counsel, but there still must be so much she could stand to learn and there was so much that went into ruling. Done properly anyway. Cora had drilled into her head how to be a queen from the day she was born. Everything from politics and intrigue to blackmail and seductions. Even down to the logistics of construction, trade deals and inventory. Unintentionally, she had refused to deal with any of that as the Evil Queen. She did not host balls and banquets or tried to curry favor with other nobles and she hired other people to deal with the logistics of running a kingdom so she could focus on Snow. Anyone who didn't want to do as she commanded or actively tried to rally against her were exiled or executed. That was not the queen Elsa wanted to be. She hadn't forgotten her mother's lessons though and she was more than willing to pass on that knowledge to Elsa.
A few minutes later, a giddy Mal finally arrived and before anyone could ask her any questions she raised a hand for silence. "Jacobsen tried to poison you. It was some foolish plan about trying to kill you and then marrying Anna to become king. It only involved him, not his family and he has been placed in the dungeon. I know where he got the poison and it is as we suspected. The poison was made by a poison maker who just makes it for money, never mind what it's used for or who it's used on. The man Zelena and I trailed in Eogan's kingdom is probably working with him, maybe to drum up business." She shrugged at that part. "I'm not sure, but-"
"So you're going to go kill him?" Ingrid interrupted. "And make it painful, yes?"
"I could-"
"What if you use him?" Zelena asked. "If this is about money, Mal can supplement that and he can give you information about the people asking him for poison, let you know who your enemies are."
Elsa instantly shook her head. "Ordinarily, I might consider the suggestion, but I want him dead. He or whoever hired him has tried to kill me twice now. I don't want there to be a third time."
"I agree." Regina said, drawing everyone's attention. "Better yet, get the information, then kill him. And be careful when you do. It may be best to watch and wait until you have more information. We don't know what this guy is or what he can do. He might not even be human."
"Another trip then?" Zelena grinned, smacking Mal on the arm. The dragon rolled her eyes and let out a huff.
"Fine."
"Also, don't buy anything else for the babies." Regina added.
"Why?!" The dragon snapped, seemingly genuinely offended by her request. "I'm going to spoil my godchildren, Regina. You don't get a say in that. Besides, you're sending me who knows where with her," She gestured with a scowl at Zelena. "You owe me."
"Why do I owe you?"
"Because you cursed me." Mal shrugged. "No, I am not letting that go until I have created the perfect wonderland for my godchildren."
Regina turned to Ingrid. "This is your fault."
With that decided, Elsa left with Anna, Mal and Zelena to talk to Jacobsen. Regina and Ingrid were essentially sent back to their rooms by the queen and while she was annoyed about being ordered around, she did welcome her bed with a gentle belly flop. She heard Lily laugh as she corrected her position and helped Ingrid into bed as well. She would be upset the next morning at how easily she fell asleep after an assassination attempt on a family member, especially when she wanted to discuss everything with Ingrid.
The next morning, after waking up, Regina moved across the bed to cuddle with Ingrid. The blonde flinched a little before she realized what was happening and just let Regina wrap her arms around her.
"What time is it?"
"I don't know exactly. We should build a phone tower somewhere in town so I can have a reason to charge my phone."
Ingrid snorted. "No phones in Arendelle. You can use it when we get sent home."
"Yeah, I don't know how I feel about this telling me what to do thing. The Evil Queen should outrank the Ice Queen."
"Perhaps it would if this was your kingdom." Ingrid replied. "Besides, Elsa is only looking out for us."
"I know. I understand it. That doesn't mean I like it."
"But you do listen to her."
Regina smirked. "That means nothing. She's not at all frightening when she wants to be." She felt Ingrid shake in her arms as she laughed. "Should we get up?"
"I suppose. The banquet technically isn't over."
"Do you think Elsa will let me torture Jacobsen a bit?"
"I think Mal has that covered."
Regina smiled as she rolled out of bed and stood up. Her feet weren't hurting today, which was nice. She had too much to do to be sidelined because of aching feet. She changed the bathtub into a shower and took the first one. By the time she finished, Zelena had arrived to tell them breakfast was ready. She got dressed in a simple blue dress while Ingrid showered and her lover chose to wear a cream colored dress to breakfast, which was served in Elsa's private chambers. Anna, Kristoff, Belle, Ruby and Lily were already there. Mal and Zelena soon arrived with the queen.
For a little while, conversation was pleasant and the topic of what happened with Jacobsen took a backseat to talk of planning for the babies. They could finish the nursery easily now but after that, they had no real plans. Zelena had a few of her own though. She told them that some Lost Boys had approached her about learning magic and potion making so her plans for a small school would eventually come to fruition. Ingrid then made the suggestion that some of the Lost Boys might enjoy living in Arendelle and Regina made a mental note to talk to Aerrick about it when they got back home. Then Lily had the bright idea of going camping.
"Are you kidding me?" Regina said. "Me? Camping?"
"It would be fun." Anna agreed. "Exploring the forest and fjord. I never got to leave the castle much as a child."
"Me either." Elsa added.
"It's actually a good idea, Regina." Mal cut in. "When I was flying this morning, I noticed that the eastern woods aren't used for anything."
"They're not." Elsa assured her.
"The woods would be a good place to practice magic. You could build a nice cabin there and there's a beach. As Lily suggested, you could go camping. Build a little getaway home away from home. Also, there's a nice rock there that you could turn into a sunstone for me."
Regina instantly rolled her eyes. "Any rock could be made into a sunstone."
"It's a big one, Regina."
"What's a sunstone?" Ingrid asked.
"It's a rock filled with magical fire. It keeps the stone warm. Dragons like laying on warm things. They're like giant cats."
"We should make one here as well then." Ingrid said.
"Agreed." Elsa added. "Our champion must be well accommodated." That would have the dragon purring all morning.
"But the cabin is a good idea." Zelena continued. "Especially for magic practice. Besides, you might as well do all you can, Regina. Eventually, you'll be put on bed rest and bored out of your mind. You can also make it a luxury cabin, your majesty. If that's what you're worried about."
"I suppose." Regina looked at Ingrid, already knowing what the blonde would choose.
"We don't have to if you don't want to."
"No, we should. I want to practice light magic as soon as I can. However, the problem of Jacobsen needs to be dealt with."
All eyes turned to Elsa. The young queen let out a sigh. "I'm not going to execute him. I should. I'm already tired of letting people go who have tried to kill me. However, because of our parents' friendship, I will spare his life. I've already sent missives to his father explaining the situation and he'll be my prisoner until we receive word back. I won't curse him either. Mal beat him enough to satisfy me. I think that'll be the last time I will be merciful."
"Indeed. You should allow me to burn your enemies alive now." Mal said, sipping her coffee.
"Mal." Regina growled in warning. "Not everyone is like you, Dragon. Not everyone is going to leap straight to killing for any transgression."
"And not everyone is like you." Mal replied. "You were once a tyrant, hated and reviled by almost your entire kingdom and then your entire town. You strive everyday to be different from the woman you were before, even though you know that many lessons you learned as the Evil Queen are necessary. And any transgression? Jacobsen tried to kill a queen. He forfeited his life the moment he poured that poison into the wine. One cannot always be kind and merciful to people who believe in nothing but blood."
"You know the kind of queens we were." Regina said. Ingrid took her hand under the table and gave it a squeeze.
"And you will never be that queen again." The dragon's utter conviction in that statement had her stunned. "And Elsa will not be you either. I know my kind tend to think in extremes, but there is a reason why I have lived for so long. Whole kingdoms, and enemies as powerful as the Dark One knew not to fuck with the Dragon Queen. Why? Because it meant certain death. It was a battle they did not want to fight. The same thing happened to you, whether you know it or not. Your eye was turned to Snow White, no one wanted you to focus on them."
"I know!" Regina snapped. "I understand completely. Eogan, the Duke and Jacobsen would be dead if I were making the decisions. You are right, but it is so easy to justify anything when you believe you are in the right. Even cruelty. I thought I was in the right when I killed Leopold and started a war with Snow. King Stefan hurt you. Did his family deserve to suffer for his actions as well?" Mal's eyes lit up bright gold for a second, the spike of rage and hatred that always came with hearing that man's name. "I am not judging you, Mal. You know I don't have the right to pass judgment on anyone. I just…I don't want anyone…"
"Regina." Ingrid gave her hand another squeeze as she looked down, trying to rein in her emotions. She didn't want Elsa learning from the Evil Queen. Elsa wanted to be a good queen, a just queen, and she was. She didn't want the Evil Queen influencing her. "Regina." Ingrid said again. Regina finally looked up, only meeting her eyes. She didn't know what the others would say. "I know you. I know your heart. I believe that Elsa can learn a lot from you." Regina opened her mouth to protest, but Ingrid shook her head, raising a hand for silence. "I know that when you look back at your past, you see nothing good. But there is good there and we can always learn from our pasts. Even the Evil Queen's past."
"She's right, Sis." Zelena added. "We can't get rid of our pasts, so we might as well use them for something. For what it's worth…I am all for executing Jacobsen."
Regina rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling at her sister's simplicity. "Sorry, Elsa." She said to the young queen, who only shook her head.
"There is nothing to be sorry for. I'm glad that all of you are here to counsel me. I am afraid of what it would be like if you all weren't here." Elsa assured her.
Regina simply dipped her head. After breakfast was over, they agreed that Regina and Ingrid would go back to Storybrooke to finish the nursery. Mal would begin work on the cabin in the meantime and about a week later, they would make the journey out to it. Lily suggested they use sleds and skis. Ruby agreed with her so they eventually decided to make a trip of it. They would be spending the next few months at the cabin and in Arendelle. After that, the soon to be mothers would probably be put on bed rest and confined to Storybrooke until the births. So Regina decided to take Zelena's advice and do as much as she could.
/
Emma Swan was doing the same. The house was coming along nicely. She had Geppetto and the dwarves build furniture, paid Gold to conjure what they couldn't make and finished buying new appliances at the store in town. She spent a good deal of her savings decorating and took a week off of work just to settle in. Her parents offered to help but she declined. For now, it was just her and Henry, and he was already talking about inviting his friends over.
It felt good to have her own place again and she hoped that it would give her the space for her and her son to try and get over Regina. She still loved Regina of course, but she was coming to terms with the fact that a romantic relationship between them would never happen. However, she was adamant that she would build a better friendship with Regina. After these past couple of years, she couldn't imagine life without her. She knew it was the same for Henry. He pretended not to care but she knew that he did. Regina letting him go had hurt him and he refused to acknowledge that. He grew irritated and reserved just at the mention of his former mother's name. It made her wonder why he bothered to go to the rec center knowing that Regina and Ingrid spent so much time there.
It was after she'd dropped him off at said rec center that she went to the mayor's office. Tink was filling in as interim mayor until Regina's return but Emma doubted that she would return to office at this point. She heard they'd come back to Storybrooke at one point but they didn't stay long and that was at least a month ago. Arendelle must be treating them well.
A sharp spike of fear struck as she knocked on the office doors. What if Regina decided not to come back to Storybrooke at all? She didn't know why she was so afraid of that possibility. She had no claim to Regina but it felt like she would be losing her completely if she were to leave.
"Come in." Tink called.
Emma stepped in, folding the forms she needed her to sign against her chest. The fairy was seated at the desk with a mirror sitting next to her.
"Can I tell you how much I hate dragons?"
Emma forced herself not to run around the desk at the sound of Regina's voice. Tink didn't seem concerned about her so she put the forms on the desk and peered around to see what the fairy was watching. Her heart ached to see Regina with snowflakes in her hair, rosy cheeks from the cold and a big smile. She looked like the queen of winter rather than the former Evil Queen.
"You don't mean that, Regina." Tink smiled at the mirror.
"Yes, I do. Mal has never ridden a snowboard before today and all of a sudden, she's a pro at it. Lily too, but I'm sure she just lied to hustle me out of that diamond necklace. Bitches, the both of them." Regina said. She turned the mirror around to show the others playing in the snow. It wasn't clear who was who but she could tell they were enjoying the snow. They had snowboards and skis and she was sure she spotted Ruby in wolf form pulling a sled with someone in it. "You have to come see the cabin, Tink. It's gorgeous. This whole place is gorgeous. We're calling it the Queenswood."
"Perfect name." Tink grinned. "I can be there tomorrow. You used to complain about this job but it's 90% paperwork. The rest is dealing with people that you ignore anyway." Tink murmured something in another language.
"Hello, Miss Swan." Regina called.
"Uh, hi."
Regina suddenly burst out laughing. "Zelena fell off her skis." Her laughter turned to screaming, then laughter again. "She keeps trying to shoot the pregnant lady."
"Oh shut up. Who are you talking to?" Zelena came into view. The witch was bundled up from the neck down in a dark green jacket with a gray scarf tied around the lower half of her face. It made her blue eyes pop caught between the dark colored clothing and her red hair. "Hello, Tink. Are you working? Screw it. Get over here."
"Someone has to keep the town running." Tink replied. "Plus, I'm taking off tomorrow. I'll come then."
"I'll come get you. We need to go grocery shopping anyway. Elsa and Anna drank all of my hot chocolate and Mal drank all of my fucking tea! She probably did it just to spite me. I know she and Lily prefer coffee." The redhead complained. Regina was only smiling at her sister. "We can trade you for Ruby. She keeps hogging all of the blankets even though she has fur!"
"As you can see, Zelena's enjoying her time here." Regina said. She turned away for a second and Emma and Tink both started at the raucous laughter they heard. She knew that laugh. It was too similar to Ingrid's the last time she'd arrested her and Regina. "Mal's too hot to make a snow angel." She explained after a moment.
"Regina, your girlfriend is right over there." They heard Mal say.
"That's not what I meant!" Regina snapped.
"You're the one who keeps calling me hot."
"Because you're a dragon. You know what I meant." Regina let out a sigh. "I don't know why I bother arguing with her."
"Agreed. It's a waste of time arguing with the old woman set in her ways." Zelena added. "Tink, I'll be there in a few hours. Start packing."
"Yes, I think an early break is deserved." Regina replied. "Storybrooke will be safe in the hands of their savior for a weekend. Right, Emma?"
"Yes, ma'am." Emma saluted the mirror. Regina glanced at her, meeting her eyes for just a moment. Then she ended the connection of the mirrors.
Tink turned to look at the documents she'd brought. "You could've just dropped these off, you know."
"I know."
Tink's eyes flicked up towards her before going back to the pages. "Are you still pining after my friend?"
It was surprising to hear the fairy come right out and say it, but Emma assured her that she understood that Regina loved Ingrid. "I would still like to be friends though. I know it's really not up to me and I don't deserve it but I still want to be in her life and …I like seeing her happy." She shrugged, looking away. She saw pity in Tinker Bell's gaze and she didn't like it. "I'll be fine. I'll get over it."
"I could help you, you know."
"If you mean pixie dust, then no. I don't need an answer to that question."
"So I can help you find your soulmate in the next five minutes, but you wouldn't want that?" The fairy shook her head. "You and Regina are the same. It's just love. You'd rather be unhappy in your current predicament than take a chance for something better."
"Our circumstances are hardly the same." Emma replied. "And as I said, I'm fine. Yeah, I'll be upset for a little while, but I have new motherly duties to keep me occupied."
"Are you sure?"
Emma nodded resolutely and watched as Tink went through the forms, signing where it was needed. "Is there anything you need from me while I'm here?"
"Actually, yes. I need you or your mother to talk to your dwarf friends because they're getting on my nerves. I see why Regina ignores every request they make and I've begun to do the same. Let them know the reason, will you?"
Emma laughed softly and saluted again. "I'll talk to them." Tink finished signing the forms and clipped them all together. "Can you do me a favor?"
"Does it involve Regina?" Tink asked, lifting one eyebrow.
"Yes. Just tell her that if she needs me, I'm here. Also, ask her if I can send her and Ingrid a gift…or three. For the babies."
Tink nodded. "Okay."
Emma collected the forms and made her departure, Tink's request hanging heavy over her heart. The fairy offered her a way to find her soulmate. She could find another love. It was a beautiful idea, but one she didn't entirely believe in. After all, Regina and Robin were supposedly soulmates but Regina was the happiest Emma had ever seen her because of Ingrid. Robin had never seemed right for Regina to Emma anyway but she was also pretty jealous at the time and he came with a lot of other problems, many of which she was the cause of. She didn't regret saving Marian's life because she felt it was the right thing to do but she hated that she had hurt Regina so deeply in the process. Their relationship was never quite the same after that.
She also didn't want someone telling her who to love. She believed falling in love should feel natural, as if you weren't even aware it was happening. That was how she fell for Regina. Day in and day out they could fight and argue, but she could always count on Regina to have her back, to help when she needed it. She'd have a sassy remark ready but actions speak louder than words and Regina's actions were always true. She would fight her hardest for the people she cared about, even almost sacrificing herself on a couple of occasions. Even when they were at odds, she was often struck by the feeling of loss when Regina shut her out and she couldn't imagine not having the bold brunette in her life. Even if they were fighting every day or facing every kind of monster and villain the world had to throw at them, it was almost okay. Because she had Regina. She was so stupid for not telling Regina about her feelings earlier and for letting Henry treat her like crap. She should've stepped in and done something. Now they were both poorer for their actions. Regina had cut them out and she couldn't say that they didn't deserve it.
Arriving back at the station, she was greeted by the sight of visitors. It was two boys that she didn't recognize but she guessed they were probably Lost Boys at some point. One was tall and broad shouldered, wearing black jeans and a black t-shirt that seemed a bit too small. He had wavy black hair that partially hid his eyes. The other boy was a bit shorter and less muscular. He wore dark jeans and a green army jacket and had messy brown curls that he kept out of his face by a green headband. His eyes were also green and he had freckles splashed across his nose and cheeks. Both boys were a bit pale, but all of the former Lost Boys were. Lately, Emma had noticed that they were doing a lot better since Regina's new reforms. They were active in the community, helping at the rec center and the stables, assisting Tink in her mayoral duties, attending the night school Regina set up for them, and helping Granny at the diner. Regina had even created an archery range and a gym just for them and they pretty much did whatever she or Ingrid asked them to.
David was there at his desk but he seemed to be ignoring the boys. Emma cleared her throat as she stepped into the room. He simply gestured to the boys. "They won't talk to me."
"Why not?" Emma asked.
The black haired boy turned to look at her. "We came to speak to the sheriff."
"I am also the sheriff." David said.
"You also stole and cursed a child." He replied. "One who happens to be a friend of ours and a dear friend to our queen. We have little respect for you."
"Okay, um, follow me." Emma exchanged a confused glance with her father as she gestured for them to join her in her office. She put the forms in a drawer and sat down. "Have a seat. How can I help you?"
"My name is Sam. Second in the Lost Boys. This is Alec. He's third in command." Said the black haired boy. "We were actually thinking of helping you."
"Oh really? Help me how?"
"We want to help protect Storybrooke. Regina and Ingrid have given us a new appreciation for this town and we are dedicated to making it our home. We know that as the sheriff and the Savior, you are the first line of defense for any problems that arise in Storybrooke, whether it be typical criminal behavior or magical villains and monsters. However, literally no one else does anything to help you. Except the same people. Regina, your mother, your father, all of it falls to you all. We want to help."
"You want to be a policeman?" Emma said. "How old are you?"
"I'm seventeen. Alec is sixteen. Yes, we're young, but we're marksmen and we know how to fight. Granted, it won't be all of the Lost Boys, but some have approached me about a job with you. After all, Regina will soon have her children and she will be busy raising them. We know she'll fight to defend her family, but we want to protect her too."
"When Lady Zelena returns," Alec added. "She plans to open a small magic school and an apothecary. About twelve of us have decided to learn magic, myself included, and we want to use that magic to protect the town. We may never be as powerful of an ally as Regina, but if you have to fight a magically inclined opponent, you will have help."
It was an intriguing proposal and it would certainly be good to have help around here. She even had a momentary thought of attending Zelena's magic school as well, but the witch didn't know how to use light magic. The only one who could teach her was Regina and she wasn't sure the brunette knew enough to utilize it herself. It was quiet now and they hadn't had a villain show up since Ingrid's "defeat" so it would be an ideal time for training. A dozen more spellcasters would also be a huge help in a number of ways.
"Have you spoken to Regina about this?" She asked.
"We have." Alec pulled an envelope from his jacket and she took it to read it. It was in Regina's handwriting. The former queen proposed that the Lost Boys could join the station as her deputies or they could create a separate branch for them entirely, as well as offering to provide any necessary equipment and funds should she accept to take on the Lost Boys. It also included a list of the boys who wanted to fulfill which role and a suggestion for Emma to make the time to meet them. Again, it was an intriguing proposal.
"Okay." She decided. "I'll come and meet the ones who want to join up, but we won't make any final decisions until Regina gets back and I meet with her and all of your leaders. Is that acceptable?"
"Is something wrong?" Sam asked.
"No, I just want time to think on this. I want you to think on this. In the letter, Regina suggested creating a separate branch for the Lost Boys. That might appeal to some of you more than being my deputy, especially if there are a lot of you. Also, if you're going to work here, you're going to have to respect my dad. I understand why you don't like him, but he is a sheriff too." They also already seemed to have their own hierarchy that she didn't want to intrude in. She noticed Alec looking to Sam for his decision but Sam didn't look at him. As Second, it did seem to be his call to make. Emma had never even met the leader of the Lost Boys and she wondered what he thought of all this or if Sam and Alec could do whatever they wanted.
"Okay." Sam said. "Regina and Ingrid won't be back for a few months. They said they'll be back when Arendelle is secure, Regina gets tired of the cabin life and she can no longer get up without assistance."
"I'll still meet with those who want to join us, but why wouldn't Arendelle be secure?" Emma frowned. "I thought the war was over."
"Someone tried to poison Elsa but Maleficent stopped them." Sam answered, rising to his feet. "As far as I could tell, they're safe now."
Emma stood up to escort them out. Her dad immediately asked what they wanted and she told him.
"They won't listen to us." David scoffed. "They'll probably opt for the separate branch. The only ones the Lost Boys listen to are their leaders and Regina."
"I get that, but they seem to just want to protect the town, be useful. As long as their friends are here, they'll protect it like we would."
"And you think they'll work with us? They already hate me."
"Yeah, it must suck to constantly have your past shoved in your face." Emma snapped, remembering the way they'd treated Regina, even after she'd almost died to save them, and the paltry attempt at acceptance that they'd offered her. Regina had to deal with her past every day and it would seem that her parents were tired of everyone reminding them what they did to Lily. It was really just Regina's followers because of her friendship with the dragons, but finding out what Snow and David had done had tainted their image to almost everyone in town. They still had supporters of course, who believed that the good they'd done and were still doing outweighed the bad, but even they no longer hung on her parents' every word.
"Emma-"
"No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that." Emma sighed.
"You did." He replied.
"I did. Not everyone has to like you. Besides, weren't you and Mom complaining about constantly having to fight villains? Did you think I was going to take over the family business while you retired?" Before he could retort, she raised her hand. "Look, no decisions will be made until Regina and Ingrid get back, but the Lost Boys are young, they're fearless and they're willing to protect Storybrooke. They don't have to be loyal to you in order to do that."
David didn't look too convinced at her argument, but she didn't care. "If this is about trying to get into Regina's good graces…you know she's with Ingrid and pregnant-"
"I know that!" Emma snapped. "Believe me, I know it! You and Mom won't let me forget while trying to push me towards someone else. And of course I want to get back into her good graces. I know she'll never love me but if friendship is all I can get, then so be it. As long as she's happy, I'm fine. I'll get over it." She paused to take a deep breath before continuing. "I am the protector of this town and I plan to do that. If people want to help me do that, then I won't refuse. I want to make this town safe for everyone, for the children, for Regina's children. I want her to know that they'll be safe because I am protecting them. If you're going to complain about it every day, then step down now."
"Never." David said firmly.
"Good. So let's get back to work."
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Ingrid's laughter was like music to Regina's ears. She could listen to it forever. She didn't even care that it was at her expense.
"I don't know if we're doing this right." Lily commented.
Regina felt Mal's burning hands pull her out of the snowdrift she'd unwittingly buried herself in. She dusted the snow off of her jacket and turned back to the targets Zelena had set up. Her sister was standing nearby with Elsa and Ingrid, looking at the book on light magic they were able to replicate from Regina's memories. The only problems were that Viola's notes were difficult to understand and using light magic was something Regina constantly struggled with. Calling upon it at all required immense concentration and sapped her energy in minutes.
Regina took a deep breath and tried to focus on what she felt when she first used light magic. She was changing then, becoming better. She felt pride and joy at becoming someone better than she used to be, doing away with the past that constantly tried to drag her back into the darkness. Her efforts hadn't been effective. It was always too much or no power at all. Maybe Lily was right and they were coming about this the wrong way.
"Maybe you're trying to force it." Ingrid suggested. "Maybe light magic can't be taught. Maybe it has to be felt."
"Well that's just great. How would I teach our kids then?" Regina scoffed, closing her eyes once again. Although she had to admit that Ingrid had a point. She couldn't pull at light magic the same way she used dark magic. She thought back to Ingrid teaching her to use her ice magic. Ingrid didn't pull or force her own magic. It was more like directing it. Emma's light magic was focused on protection and it flared up when she was in danger or someone she loved was in danger. If she couldn't actually control it then it wasn't useful.
"Magic reacts to emotion, right?" Tink, their newest arrival, stumbled through the snow towards her. The fairy looked adorable in an oversized green and gold jacket. "When you first used light magic, how did you feel at that time?"
"That's what I was just thinking about but nothing happened."
"Try again. I'm sure it's a bit different for everyone but maybe it's like fairy magic. Fairy magic is so light and intangible, you barely have to think for it to act. Maybe you're thinking too hard."
Regina took a deep breath. She could feel the light magic, a foreign thing just beneath the surface, just out of her reach. None of her old lessons would help her in this situation. When she was learning to make fireballs, Gold taught her to pull at the elements that already existed before she tried to make her own, like a burning fireplace or a cooking fire. She couldn't do that with light magic because it was fucking everywhere and she could barely channel her own.
"I'm done for today." She eventually decided, taking a seat in the chair Mal conjured for her.
"Fine, Quitter." The dragon walked back into the middle of their little training area. "Elsa, Ingrid, you're next."
In addition to wanting to learn about diplomacy, Elsa also asked her new champion about self defense and magic training. Ingrid had joined her. In just a couple of days Regina was able to tell the differences in their magic and it was fascinating to see. Elsa's magic responded quickly to her command and was usually bluer in color. She was easily able to follow Mal's exercises, but her magic was more unpredictable and this led to her panicking more to regain control. Luckily, spending time with Mal and Zelena was helping erase those doubts and fears that had been drilled into her head. For Ingrid, her magic was more silver in color and a bit slower to move and follow command. However, other than the occasional snowing when she was overwhelmed emotionally, Ingrid's magic was almost never out of her control. She could work a little more on her finesse and methods of attack which was what she was doing. Instead of focusing on the powerful, broad attacks that could spread over a large area, Mal wanted her to focus on smaller ones. Currently, Elsa was conjuring blades of ice, using magic to sharpen them and then throw them at the targets set up across the clearing. Mal occasionally switched it up by having her conjure spears and swords and shields, each time testing the weight and strength of the ice. Then she would use them in her combat lessons. This was also to help them to focus their magic instead of it reacting all the time.
Regina leaned back with Tink to watch the lesson. Zelena conjured up a bench to sit on, still looking through her book. Elsa was getting faster at creating the weapons every time she tried it. Ingrid's favorite weapon was slowly becoming the staff and she could summon one made of ice without much thought.
"They're getting good." Tink said, pulling up the hood of her jacket.
"They are. It's a shame that Ingrid will have to stop soon. Mal says she won't train her when we get too big."
"Understandable. How has Arendelle been since the banquet?"
"Quiet. Peaceful. I worry about if something like it happens again. Elsa is one assassination attempt away from killing everyone."
"And you have a problem with that?" Tink asked. "The former Evil Queen cautioning people against killing the people who try to kill you? I must have fallen into an alternate reality."
Regina rolled her eyes. "I just don't want her to become a killer."
"Then people should learn to stop trying to assassinate her. It is one thing to be merciful and kind but it is another to be a fool. People will always take advantage of that."
"The fairy is advocating for violence?" Regina scoffed.
"I stopped being a fairy when I lost my wings and had to survive on a deserted island with Pan and his crazy cronies." Tink replied. "Who are thankfully much better now." She added after a moment, reaching out to take Regina's hand and give it a squeeze. "She will never be the Evil Queen. The Evil Queen was manipulated her entire life, was pushed into the darkness and had no support. You will never hurt Elsa and you can keep others from hurting her. She also has all of our support so there is no need to worry."
"Told her that." Zelena muttered.
Regina threw her a small glare but she listened to her friends once again and let the matter go. She just didn't want to corrupt anyone. She didn't want anyone to have to go down the road she took, knowing how painful every step was and how hard the fight was to get back. One day she would be free of those fears and she wouldn't worry as much. That wasn't today though.
After Elsa and Ingrid were sufficiently exhausted, they made their way back to the cabin and it warmed Regina's heart to see it. It was quite large due to having enough space for all of them, but it was also cozy. It was built from dark wood, white stone and marble and decorated to appear more like a snowy mountain lodge. It was settled on the edge of a wide river that led out to the ocean and had a gorgeous view of the snow capped mountains around them. Most of the grounds had been cleared of snow. There were two barns nearby. One was for the snowboards, skis, sleds and snowmobiles they'd conjured to try out. The other was for Sven. There was a giant rock next to the cabin as well that Mal had converted into a sunstone for herself and there was a boat sitting on the beach that they'd used when they tried fishing one day. None of them really had the patience for it but they did catch enough for Ruby and Lily to feast on.
Regina led the way inside the cabin, wiping her feet in the foyer. Mal helped her out of her coat and she left her boots and socks at the door. The carpet was thick enough for her to sink into and the air was perfectly warm. It was a blessed feeling after spending the morning out in the cold. Kristoff and Anna were cuddling on the couch watching a movie and Belle was off in her little nook reading a book. Ruby was laid out in front of the fireplace, half asleep as she basked in the warmth. Regina loved this place and she could tell the others did too. They hadn't been here long but every day they tried something new. Some days they just relaxed or explored the Queenswood or trained. It was a new experience, being away from both Storybrooke and Arendelle, away from pressures and problems. It was nice to just be for a while, especially because it was quickly becoming difficult to do many physical things. Already her stomach was twice as big as Ingrid's and the pregnancy was beginning to drain her energy. She was very much at the point where she wanted them out of her.
She followed Ingrid upstairs to the master bedroom that was covered in white and cream with traces of royal blue. The blonde immediately crawled into bed and buried herself beneath the comforter. "You okay, Ingrid?"
"Just tired. You?"
"Well, I didn't really do any training today."
"You couldn't have expected to master it when you've only just started."
"I know but I expected to be able to do something!" Regina let out an exasperated sigh as she sat on the edge of the bed.
"You'll get it, Regina. There's nothing you can't do."
Regina smiled as she turned around and crawled across the bed to peck her lover's lips. "Thank you."
"I only spoke the truth."
Regina collapsed onto her side and let out a sigh once she was no longer supporting her stomach. Ingrid chuckled softly as she reached out to rub it for her. "Thank you. How long have we been pregnant now? 20 years?"
"Not quite."
"Feels like it."
"I know. By the way, I wanted your opinion on a name. I want to name this baby, Bjorn. What do you think?" Ingrid looked away, as if she were nervous or unsure.
Regina pulled herself closer, dramatically threw the comforter away and pressed a kiss to Ingrid's belly. "Bjorn. I like it. To be honest, my love, I probably would love any name you picked so long as it wasn't the same one as someone I hate. Hello in there, Prince Bjorn."
"Prince?" Ingrid said.
"Of course. The son of the Snow Queen and the Evil Queen will be a prince." Regina replied sternly. "Of what kingdom, I don't know, but that doesn't matter. Prince of Storybrooke, maybe?"
"Have you decided your names?"
"Actually, I was thinking of Livia for the girl. It has the Roman theme we were going for. For our other boy, I was thinking of August. But I don't know-"
"I love them." Ingrid slid closer so she could press her lips to Regina's belly. "Princess Livia and Prince August. You know, I was expecting you to name them Winter or Jack Frost or something."
Regina laughed. "No, that would be too on the nose. Anyways, I like our names. We should have them painted in the nursery somewhere."
"Agreed. Should we go tell the others?"
"Nap first." Regina pulled the comforter back over them both. "Besides, if we tell Mal, she'll just go out and buy a closet full of monogrammed clothes and baby products." Ingrid laughed softly as she relaxed in her arms.
There was a knock at the door and Lily peeked in. "You guys need anything?"
"No, we're going to take a quick nap."
"Okay, Mom and Zelena are going to check out the poison maker again. They said they'll be back in an hour this time." The young dragon was gone a second later, gently closing the door behind her.
For the last month or so, Mal and Zelena had shared the task of watching the poison maker's location, gathering information as to who and what he was before they confronted him. So far, they only said that he seemed to be human with a large garden of plants and he'd had a few visitors that they'd questioned and erased their memories but they were just regular customers looking to go to the apothecary. Apparently the man sold other things besides poisons.
Regina didn't really care much about him, as long as he stopped providing poison to people who wanted to kill Elsa. The fact that two people from two different kingdoms went to him specifically for a poison to target Elsa was odd and too much of a coincidence.
It felt like no time had passed at all before Regina felt Lily shaking her awake. "We have a situation. Mom asked if you wanted to see it." Ingrid looked confused as she sat up. Lily held out her arm to help them out of bed and they went downstairs to get dressed. Mal appeared next to them and handed them enchanted masks. The dragon was also wearing one. Regina put hers on and it fastened itself to her face. Mal also placed some kind of spell around her and Ingrid before they were teleported away again.
Regina's jaw dropped when they appeared before the homestead that belonged to the poison maker. Everything had been turned to ash. The gardens had been reduced to cinder and smoke still hung heavy in the air. "Uh, did you do this?"
"Didn't have the chance to." Mal replied. "Zelena and I talked to the people in the nearby towns while you were asleep and apparently this happened overnight. No one heard or saw a thing until it was too late."
"Is the poison maker alive?" Ingrid asked.
Mal waved for them to follow and they crossed the burnt fields to the charred husk of a house in the very center. "We asked around and then got you guys. Zelena might have found something."
"This is a bit odd. An entire field is destroyed and it doesn't arouse suspicion or concern? It must have been done with magic." Ingrid theorized, pausing to look around. "Does the damage stop at the edge of the property?"
"According to the owner of the farm nearby, yes." Mal answered.
They made it to the house and went inside. The entire place had been cleared out before it had been set on fire. Elsa and Zelena were already present, checking the fireplace to see if any information was salvageable.
"Was there a body?" Regina asked.
"Nope." Zelena stood up and wiped her hands on her coat, leaving gray streaks. "Maybe someone assassinated him."
"Or he got spooked," Lily suggested, coming in behind Regina. "Packed his stuff, torched the place and ran off. He didn't see you guys, right?" Mal only raised an eyebrow at her. "Fine then. Geez."
"Didn't you say someone was working for him?" Elsa asked. "Collecting customers? Perhaps he did it to take over the business?"
"All plausible and unfortunately unprovable." Mal replied. "However, the last scenario seems unlikely. The garden was burned as well. Even the harmless plants and the ones used primarily in medicine."
"You guys sure this is the guy?" Lily asked. "You said he wasn't doing anything noteworthy. What if the real poison maker framed this guy and killed him to make us think he's dead and no longer a threat. While he disappears into the night to start up again somewhere else."
"You've seen too many movies." Her mother replied. "Besides, I recognized the plants used to make the poison that was in Elsa's wine. This was him." She wandered into another room, leaving the others to examine the main room.
Ingrid walked into the middle of the room, strangely bright in the darkened area. "This man could've just been making the poison. That's why you didn't see him do anything else. The other guy is the problem. He is the only connection we have to Eogan and Jacobsen. Two leaders, oceans apart, never met before, go to the same man to poison the same woman?"
"He will be harder to track down." Zelena murmured. "We have nothing to go on in regards to his whereabouts. He could be anywhere."
"We could just wait for him to help someone try to assassinate me again." Elsa said, receiving a light smack on the arm from Lily.
Regina backed out of the house and teleported to the edge of the property. It was true that the damage to the area was along a precise line, further confirming their suspicions that this had been done deliberately and with magic. She glanced over her shoulder when she heard the others calling for her. She teleported back to the house and found Mal holding out a scrap of purple cloth. "What's that?"
"Piece of fabric. I believe it's from a robe. It's enchanted so it didn't burn."
"Can you figure out the enchantment or who cast it?" Elsa asked.
"No need. I know who did this." Mal replied. "Merlin."
"Merlin?" Zelena scoffed. "As in the Wizard of Wizards? Are we taking a trip to Camelot, Bestie?"
Mal glared at her as Regina took the fabric to hold. She could indeed feel the magic on the scrap of cloth but she had never met Merlin before. "It will take time to find him. He's rarely in Camelot and tracking him down will be just as difficult as tracking the poison maker."
"How do you know that?" Elsa asked.
Mal shrugged. "He's an old friend."
"Friend or fling?" Regina tilted her head, smirking behind her mask.
"Both." Said the dragon. "I am curious as to why he would go through the trouble of destroying this farm." She tucked the cloth away. "Alright, let's get the pregnant women home to eat so they can feed my godchildren. They must be famished."
Regina rubbed her temples and looked up when she heard Elsa and Ingrid giggling at her reaction. "Again, Ingrid, this is your fault."
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