Sorry, I meant to have this chapter up yesterday but the day got away from me. The Snow Queen finally makes an actual appearance here. I promise there will be a Robin and Regina scene next chapter! Hope you guys enjoy!

Smoke curled around Regina's fingers as they glowed over the cauldron. Elsa peered over her shoulder, watching the potion glow a deep gold.

"This is so cool." Elsa said, a grin spreading over her face.

"I'm glad you think so. Do you have the piece of ice?" Regina asked, her gaze never straying from the cauldron. She and Elsa had gone to the ice wall to take it down but couldn't. After examining the magic signature, Regina discovered that it was the same one that was around Marian's frozen body. They had taken a chip of ice for the potion.

"Right here," Elsa held it up, "What do I do?"

"You're going to need to let yourself feel the magic in the ice. It should be easy for you since you already possess that magic. Once you feel it, isolate it, envision the ice as magic and it should transform into its raw form."

"Then it goes in the cauldron?"

"Yes."

Elsa took a deep breath and held her hands out, closing her eyes. A pale light shot out from her hands and twisted around the ice. It began to crumble, transforming itself into a shining white ball.

"You did it." Regina said, holding her own hand out, letting flickers of purple light dance between her fingertips as her magic stretched out to take the glowing ball. Once she had it safely entwined in her magic, Elsa let her hands drop and watched as Regina moved it over and into the cauldron. The smoke turned an ivory color, the smoke looking more like a cloud of snow than anything.

"How do we use it to track the caster?" Elsa asked.

"We need to use another spell. What we've made right now is basically a beacon as a liquid, we need to transform it into something that can help direct us." Regina turned to the pile of books next to her and shuffled through them before holding up a deep burgundy one. She flipped through the battered pages before stopping on a page, "This should work."

Elsa peered over her shoulder, "A direction spell? How do we use it?"

"I should just be able to mold the potion into a compass of sorts. One that points us to whoever has been causing this icy havoc."

"What's a compass?"

"It's a device that helps you navigate by showing you which direction is north."

Elsa nodded as Regina trailed a finger over the theory behind the spell. It wasn't too complicated. She should be able to do it on the first try. She let the magic weave between her fingers as she murmured the incantation. Magic shot out and the ivory liquid was lifted into the air. Regina and Elsa watched as it compressed and molded into a circular shape before the finer, more intricate details appeared.

"It worked!" Elsa said happily, sharing a grin with Regina.

"Well, let's track down this person." Regina reached out and grabbed the compass and waved her hand, sending herself and Elsa to the forest in a puff of purple smoke.

Regina had landed them in what looked like the middle of the forest. She glanced down at the compass and turned counterclockwise in the direction the arrow was pointing. She was glad for the snow for once, glad for the bitter cold that hung in the air. It masked the smell of pine and needles. Being in the forest already reminded her too much of Robin but at least she couldn't smell the muskiness that always clung to him. She had thought it disgusting at first, only heightening their differences. But ever since the second Dark Curse had brought them to Storybrooke and they got along better and had started to fall in love, it had become a source of protection for her.

She loved hugging him, feeling his strong arms wrap around her, and she would breath in the pine and needles and knew that she was safe, that she was home. She would never get that feeling again, that utter comfort at being in the arms of her soulmate because that gave her hope. That things would work out when they are meant to.

That it's all about timing.

Even if she had walked away from him all those years ago, it hadn't ruined her chances for happiness. She hadn't ruined her chance for happiness when she chose anger over the possibility of love. Robin had told her, had convinced her that it was all about timing. That turned out to be a cruel joke. Her eyes trailed over the snow-covered trees as she pulled her coat tighter around herself. She supposed it all went back to her past.

She was a villain and villains don't get happy endings.

She shook her head as if clearing her thoughts, she needed to focus on saving Marian and that started with finding the person responsible for it.

"That is still the coolest thing I've ever done." Elsa said as they started walking among the trees, "Just being able to disappear in smoke."

"It is rather convenient." Regina said, an amused grin playing on her lips before glancing down at the compass. They were still following the arrow.

They had been walking for about ten minutes when Regina stopped sharply, Elsa halting alongside her.

"What is it?"

"I feel magic. Can't you?" Regina said, her hand at the ready to conjure a fireball as she looked around warily. Elsa closed her eyes and it was a minute before she opened them,

"I feel it too. It's weird, it's not someone's magical signature but it seems like it."

Regina nodded her agreement and took a couple paces forward when movement in the air came from her peripheral. Elsa grabbed her arm,

"Look! Snowflakes."

Regina eyed the swirl of flakes cautiously, stretching her hands out to sense the magic around it, "It's a tracking spell!" Her eyes widened as she looked in the direction that the snowflakes had come from. A blonde head was approaching through the trees. Regina rolled her eyes, of course it was Emma.

"Regina! Elsa? What are you guys doing here?" Emma came into the clearing, a surprised look on her face.

"Apparently the same thing as you, Ms. Swan. Now forgive me for my lack of faith in your magical abilities, it's nothing personal except disdain for your work ethic, but I know you didn't make this tracking spell yourself. Who helped?"

"Gold came back. I went to ask him for help and he told me to get a strand of Marian's hair and he could use the magical signature to track the user."

"That's what we're doing. We didn't use a hair though. We used a bit of ice from the wall." Elsa said and Regina was pleased to see that Elsa was looking at Emma with distrust. At least some people still had common sense and didn't bow down and worship the ground the Savior walked on.

"Oh, do you mind if I tag along then?"

Elsa looked at Regina who scoffed, "Does it matter if I mind? If I say no, you'll just come along anyway." She turned and began walking, she could hear Elsa and Emma following her. It was silent for a couple minutes before Regina heard the murmur of their voices, she couldn't make out what they were saying. Not that she cared, she had no desire to listen to the Savior's voice any longer than necessary. Keeping her eyes glued to the compass, she led the way amidst the forest path.

She heard the crunch of snow on the ground and glanced up, Emma had fallen in step beside her. They made eye contact and Regina could distinguish the unease in Emma's hazel orbs. She rolled her eyes and looked away, back down to the compass.

"So," Emma started out nervously, as if fishing for a conversation topic, "is this a locator spell? Should we be following a floaty object? Like the snowflakes? What happened to them anyway?"

"Oh so now you're a magic expert?" Regina drawled.

"No, I was just wondering."

"Well if you ever bothered to sit down and learn about magic, you might be able to answer such a rudimentary question yourself."

"It's not like there's a class I can take!" Emma defended, "You're the only one who explained things in a way that made sense. I felt like I really understood how to use magic and how to harness my emotions."

"I'm not a teacher."

"Regina, I really don't know what to say. I'm trying here."

Regina raised an eyebrow, "Trying to do what exactly? If you're looking for me to mitigate your guilt, you're wasting your time. I know you think you didn't mean to do it, but you hurt someone, Ms. Swan, intentions aside. Do what I do- learn to live with it." Regina stalked ahead. She was not in the mood to try and do anything about her relationship with Emma. As much as she had liked the blonde, despite her unfortunate genes, as much as she had thought that they were working things out, becoming friends; she had brought Marian back, which had ruined Regina's relationship with Robin.

That wasn't just any relationship either. Robin was some person she had merely met, he was her soulmate. There wasn't anyone else for her. There would be no moving on from him. Not when she knew what it was like to be with someone who was meant to be in your life, not when it was written in the stars. She would've made more of an effort, well, that was a lie- she would be more open to fixing things with Emma if she hadn't tried to take Henry away from her again. When he actually wanted to be with her and she had tried to mask it under the false intention of supporting Regina through a mess she had created. She had trusted Emma, just like she had trusted Snow, and once again, she had suffered because of it.

No, she wouldn't be forgiving Emma just yet. She had learned a long time ago that words meant nothing when their actions repeatedly contradicted it. Her mother was a prime example of that. She had loved and forgiven her mother for so many things and kept giving her the same close, inner spot in her heart. All her mother did in return was exploit it for her own benefit, not caring how much she hurt her own daughter in the process. Regina was done giving people second chances to get close because all they did was hurt her in return. Her whole life was a testament to that.

The air shifted, drawing Regina out of her thoughts, putting her on edge. She could feel the magic swirl around her skin and it wasn't Emma's or Elsa's.

"We're close." Regina whispered. Emma and Elsa came up alongside her. The snow was falling down heavier, and Regina had to lift her feet up to an abnormal height to be able to continue moving. As they walked out from behind a thicket of trees, Regina caught sight of a large sheet of ice. Approaching it, she realized that it wasn't just a sheet of ice, it was only part of a castle-like structure. The ice building in front of her was nowhere close to the size of a regular castle, but it was so much grander than a regular home. They had found it. Regina could sense the magic power surrounding the place. If it wasn't so cold, she would be jealous and thoroughly impressed at such a creation, especially with magic. Regina drew her hands up, ready to conjure a fireball at any sign of danger.

"Do we go in?" Emma asked, looking around warily.

"No need." The soft, feminine voice came with a swirl of ivory smoke. Regina narrowed her eyes at the woman in front of her. Her hair was in a simple updo and her dress was ivory with a layer of sheer, sparkling material overtop. It was such an appropriate dress for a snow queen.

"So, the infamous snow queen." Regina drawled, "I'd say it's nice to meet you but I'd prefer if you didn't resort to such drastic measures to get our attention."

The Snow Queen clenched her jaw, "The Evil Queen. I wouldn't say it's a pleasure either." Her eyes darted toward Elsa and Emma, her gaze visibly softening.

"Elsa, it's nice to see you again. The clothing of this world really suits you."

Regina looked at Elsa quickly, did she know this lady? But at her glance, Elsa's stance was tense, and very much confused.

"How- you know me? I know you?"

"Yes. You've simply forgotten." The Snow Queen said, tilting her head in a soft, resigned manner.

"I wouldn't forget someone like you. Like me."

Regina's heart clenched at Elsa's words. The poor girl had been so isolated because of her magic, and Regina could relate all too well.

"The magic of the rock trolls. They pull memoires. They did quite a number on you, I'm afraid."

Regina furrowed her brows, she vaguely remembered a section in one of her books about the rock trolls and their cognitive powers, especially regarding memories. They had lived off in the mountains in Arendelle, she remembered that now. It made sense for Elsa to have run into them.

"The rock trolls? Why would they do that to me?"

"For the same reason they did it to your sister, Anna. Some memories are too painful."

"You know Anna?" Elsa's tone had shifted from guarded to vulnerable in the matter of seconds, "What happened to her?"

"The same thing that happens to every ordinary person. Eventually… they grow to fear us. Did you ever wonder how you ended up trapped in that urn? It was your sister. Anna put you there."

Regina had caught the brief waver in the Snow Queen's voice when she had mentioned people growing to fear those with magic. She suppressed a smirk, it would seem they had found a touchy subject.

"You're lying." Elsa said venomously.

"Am I? Look at the people in this town. They're ready to burn you at the stake."

"Because of what you did," Elsa exclaimed, "You hurt one of them."

"You mean that woman…Marian. Well, that was an accident."

"Just like the ice wall I assume." Regina snapped, "You keep telling yourself that, Snowy."

"I would think that you of all people wouldn't have minded the accident of magic I did. Or should I say who it affected?"

Regina pinned her with a furious glare, "I am not that person anymore. You are causing problems, Snowy, and you are going to fix them."

The Snow Queen tilted her head making Regina fight to repress the urge to snap her neck at the condescending manner the action had, "Oh, people like us can't change. We were born monsters and that's how we'll always be known. It's best to accept that now."

"I make my own fate."

Elsa cut in, "It wasn't an accident." The Snow Queen and Regina both looked at her, and Elsa went on, "What you did to Marian, it wasn't an accident. You were trying to frame me!"

The Snow Queen shook her head, "I was trying to teach you a lesson. Eventually, everyone turns on people like us. Even friends. Even family. They're just waiting for a reason." She shot a blast of magic toward Regina who lazily waved her hand, putting up a barrier, blocking the spell from reaching her.

"Oh, dear, you're going to have to do better than that."

The Snow Queen's gaze turned murderous for the first time, gone was all softness and delicacy that had surrounded her. She shot more blasts toward Regina, who still blocked them effortlessly. Growling, the Snow Queen waved a hand, ice formed underneath Regina, trapping her in one spot. Raising an unimpressed eyebrow, Regina conjured a fireball and shot it at her feet and the ice disappeared.

"What are you doing?" Elsa asked, "Why are you trying to hurt her?"

"To protect you! Do you really think that the Evil Queen is your friend?"

"Why are you trying to protect me?" Elsa exclaimed. The Snow Queen shot another blast of magic at Regina. Elsa raised her hands in the direction of the Snow Queen but nothing happened, "What did you do?"

"I neutralized your magic."

Regina was still waving one hand after the other, her protection spells counteracting the blasts being shot at her. Emma had stepped beside her, hands brimming with gold magic and shot a retaliatory blast at the Snow Queen who blocked it, eyes widening in surprise,

"Emma?"

Regina was taken aback at the tone, the Snow Queen seemed shocked that Emma would try and harm her. Well, shocked didn't seem to be the right word, more like hurt.

"Back off, Dairy Queen."

"She's dangerous! Why are you two so bent on protecting her? I'm just trying to help you!"

"She's my friend!" Elsa screamed.

"No, she's not! She's evil!" The Snow Queen said viciously. Her blasts were picking up, Regina was throwing up protection spell after protection spell. She could feel her energy draining, she wasn't sure how much longer she would be able to do this. She had taken a step to the side just after a jet of magic had been released from the Snow Queen's palm. Emma had stepped beside her.

Emma, who was in the direct path of the jet of magic. Emma, who couldn't put up a protection barrier. Regina didn't have time to think, to do anything beside the obvious. She pushed Emma aside, the jet of ice hitting her arm. It was cold. That was Regina's first thought. Her arm had turned a sickly, pale blue. It didn't hurt though. It didn't feel much of anything. Like it was numb.

"Regina!" Emma gasped, "You're hit."

"Really? I hadn't noticed." She said snarkily before raising her other hand, letting the familiar tingle of magic gather in her palm before running it over her arm. Warmth shot through her nerves. Her arm had returned to its normal color. She flexed it gingerly, wincing as she felt the soreness in her bones. She looked up just in time to catch the horror-stricken face of the Snow Queen staring at Emma before she disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"She's gone." Elsa said, "Regina, are you okay?" Elsa had come up to her side and was inspecting her arm.

"It's a little sore, but I'm fine."

"Thank you," Emma breathed, "That was headed straight for my chest. If you hadn't pushed me out the way…" She trailed off.

Regina waved a dismissive hand, "Don't mention it."

"Regina.."

"Don't, Ms. Swan. I assume you're going to head back and tell the Charmings all about our newest threat."

"Oh, yeah, I suppose I should."

"I need to find my sister." Elsa's frantic tone caused Regina to turn toward her.

"We'll find her. I promise."

"Is there some way we can track her? Like we did with the Snow Queen?"

"Do you have something of hers?"

"No." Elsa's shoulders drooped.

"Mr. Gold's shop might have something." Emma chimed in. Elsa looked at the blonde, her eyes lighting up hopefully.

"Where is it? Can we go?"

"We should probably split up. Ms. Swan can go back and fill the Charmings in. Elsa, you can go to Mr. Gold's shop and look for something from Anna. I need to go back and figure out how to help Marian since this was a dead end."

"That works, I'll just poof there." Elsa said.

Regina looked at Emma, "Have you learned to do that?"

"What? Poof myself? No, I haven't."

Regina sighed heavily, "Of course not. I'll poof us all to the edge of the forest and we can go our separate ways then."

Elsa had gone to Mr. Gold's shop to look for something that belonged to Anna and Regina shifted from her place, getting up and stretching. She walked around her vault, tidying it up, putting some books that they didn't need away. She had just closed the lid on some potion ingredients when a nearby picture frame caught her eye. She reached over and picked it up gently. Her eyes trailed over the image of her and Robin and sadness crashed over like a wave. She was drowning in it. Why couldn't Emma have just left things alone! Then everything would be fine. She and Robin would still be together, falling in love like they were meant to. She'd have Henry and Roland.

Roland.

A heavier pang of sadness entered her body, rushing through her veins. Her little knight. She missed him. She wondered how he was handling the whole Marian-being-frozen thing. She had to find a way to bring her back. Roland deserved his mother. Robin needed his wife. Her thumb rubbed the edge of the frame and for a split second, she allowed herself to get lost in the what-ifs. How things could've been if Emma hadn't brought Marian back.

She would be waking up to loving blue eyes and warm arms that did nothing but make her feel safe. Roland would come in and snuggle with them on some mornings or he would be so energetic that he would be begging them to get up so he could have pancakes. The four of them would have breakfast before Henry and Roland went off to school, she would go to the office, and Robin would help patrol and do some sheriff work. She would come home to a house filled with laughter and make dinner. They would have movie nights, game nights, fort nights, and so much more. She would tuck Roland in and read him a bedtime story. Robin, her, and Henry would hang out a bit later before Henry would go to bed. Then it would be her and Robin, alone to make love, or just relax together.

But none of that would ever happen.

She quickly wiped away a treacherous tear that had made its way down her cheek. She set the photograph aside and went over to the pile of books. There had to be something here that could help Marian. She picked up a book and was about to start looking through it when she heard footsteps. Lifting her head, she saw Emma approach.

"Ms. Swan, what does it take for you to leave me alone? Go away!"

"I'm an idiot."

"Finally something we can agree on."

"I'm an idiot because I've been down this road before."

"Irritating me, yes, you have."

"No, I mean I made the mistake of not being there for someone in my past. I don't want to make the same mistake again. I want to try and fix it before it's too late. I want to try and help." Emma's voice was soft and timid. Once it was clear that Regina wasn't going to grace her with a response, she sighed, her eyes had falling to the book that Regina was holding, "How's the whole Marian thing going?"

"Last time I checked, she was still a human icicle, does that answer your question?" She replied sharply, wishing Emma would get to the point or leave.

"Well, I know I'm not much help with the whole magic thing but if you ever need some extra juice or whatever for a spell, let me know."

"You're offering to help me?" Regina raised a skeptical eyebrow.

"Despite everything, you've done a lot for me. Hell, you saved my life today! You've had my back, and I want you to know that I have yours."

Regina scoffed, "If one thing is certain, Ms. Swan, it's that you've never had my back. You bring someone back without thinking of the consequences or who it could affect. You tried to keep Henry away from me because you didn't trust my reaction to your mistake. It's safe to say that you've never had my back and you never will."

"I do trust you! I was trying to have your back after bringing Marian back. I was trying to give you space if you needed it. I didn't want you to feel pressured to be there for Henry, you could take some time for yourself."

"Space I clearly didn't ask for. I don't need space from my son. We have been separated too many times and I will not push him away if he is the one who wants to stay with me."

"I'm sorry, I was just trying to help."

"Has it ever occurred to you, Ms. Swan, maybe I don't want your help? It seems to bring me nothing but misery."

"I only wanted to save her life," Emma pleaded, her eyes searching Regina's for some form of understanding, "I didn't mean to hurt you."

"But you did," Regina said coldly, "I know you didn't mean to but intentions don't override actions. You made a decision without thinking of the consequences and I am suffering because of it."

"What can I do?"

"You can't do anything! You have to learn to live with it." Regina's hard gaze took in Emma's pitiful state. Her wide hazel eyes were filled with such raw emotion that Regina felt herself soften. "I don't blame you for what you did. You saw someone who needed help and you helped them. That's who you are. It was my actions and my choices that put me in this situation. I don't like that you brought her back, I don't like what happened because of it, you meddled with something that you should've left alone.. Period. But we can't change that."

"I'm not going to apologize for saving-"

"I am not asking you to. I'm just saying that you went back in time. Something that has never been done before. Not only did you do that, but you also brought someone back."

"I don't know what to say, I don't know what you want me to say."

"Honestly Ms. Swan, neither do I. This situation is a mess. If I'm really thinking about it, all of this is probably just some karmic fate in response to everything that I have done."

"Don't say that. You've changed, you're a hero now."

Regina let out a bitter laugh, "That doesn't change the fact that I was a villain. Villains don't get happy endings. No matter what I do, no matter how many good things I do, it's not going to change all the evil that I have done."

"You're right, but you are changing. You are leaving your past behind. That has to speak for something."

"You and I can agree on that. But it still doesn't change the fact that Robin has his wife back, his family is complete."

"Regina, I don't think it's that easy for him." Emma said tentatively, "It's clear to everyone that he had feelings for you. That he still has feelings for you."

Regina tried to ignore the spark of hope that ignited inside of her at Emma's words. She couldn't focus on that, couldn't allow herself to believe that everything just might work out for her. She was already hurt, if she allowed herself to hope, well, then she was only opening herself up to more pain, "He has a duty to his wife, a code to live by. Not to mention that regardless of what he felt or feels for me, his True Love is back. The person he would walk through hell to be with again."

"I don't think you should be so quick to give up hope. Think about it from his perspective, think how difficult it must be for him. What would you do if it had been Daniel that came back."

Regina scoffed, "Is that supposed to be the dramatic line that makes me realize that I've been irrational and haven't understood everything?"

"What? No, of course not! I'm just saying that there's a bigger picture. You can have more than one love and they can both be special. Robin is faced with the conflict of having to choose and you are definitely something he wants to choose. You mean a lot to him, but so did Marian. It would be like if Daniel came back for you."

"Okay. Let's play along with your point. Say Daniel did come back. What do you think his reaction would be when he learns of what I became after his death?" Regina paused, letting her words sink in. "I would be so scared that he would reject me. I know he would've hated how I've tarnished his memory. Robin would be the one to comfort me, because he is the one who has loved me regardless of my past. I wouldn't just throw that away."

"You're just saying that." Emma said softly. Regina shook her head,

"I am not. Daniel's death has changed me in irrevocable ways. Ask anyone, they could tell you." She added bitterly, "My point is, I am not the girl that Daniel fell in love with. I haven't been for a long time and I can never be that girl again. I cannot undo all of the things that I have done, the people I have hurt, tortured, and killed. The families I have torn apart. I cannot change back into that girl, I have been hurt and I have suffered and lost far too much to be able to go back. The girl I used to be believed in love, believed in the power of True Love, that it could overcome anything. She was kind and innocent, she chose to love above anything else. She wanted to be the exact opposite of who her mother was, a heartless monster that cared about nobody but herself. My mother did terrible, unspeakable things and that girl vowed to be the exact opposite. To radiate kindness, compassion, strength. To believe that despite what my mother said, that love was not a weakness, that it truly was the most powerful magic of all. That it could overcome any obstacle, even death. That is the girl that Daniel loved. That is the girl that died with him in the stables. Who I am, what I have done, that is the person that Robin loves. There would be no choice for me. Not even if Daniel decided that despite all the terrible things I have done, that he still loved me. I would've believed him dead, I would've done all of those things that made me who I am today. His death changed me and if I were to go back to him, it wouldn't be real. We would be trying to make something work that had died a long, long time ago."

"Robin seems to be in the same position." Emma pointed out, "He's trying to make something work that ended a long time ago. I think if you just give it time, he'll realize what you just said."

Regina shook her head sadly, "I don't think it works that way."

"I hate to sound like my parents, but you just need to have hope. Things will work out for you. I will make sure of that. I'm the Savior, I'm supposed to bring back all the happy endings and that includes yours."

Regina gave Emma a soft smile, "I appreciate the sentiment but I think I just have to accept that fate doesn't have that in store for me."

"Well, if you ever need a drinking partner or whatever, just let me know." Emma flashed her an uneasy smile, "And about before, I wasn't looking for you to assuage my guilt. I know I messed up and nothing can fix that. I was just hoping we could be friends."

"You want to be friends?" Regina said, taken aback.

"Crazy right," Emma let out a weak chuckle, "But I've realized that while I have my parents and Henry, and they're great, but they don't understand me. Not the way you do. I was hoping that maybe we could try and be friends. I'm not going to stop trying, even if you still want to kill me."

Regina stood there, a little dumbfounded at the sentiment that Emma had expressed. She had Henry, Tink, and Snow but they couldn't understand her in the way that Emma could. The way Robin used to. It would be nice to have a friend. Plus, it would be better for Henry if they got along. Emma had turned and started to walk away,

"Emma," Regina called after her, the blonde turned, "I don't want to kill you."

Emma's face had shifted, the corners of her lips turning up and her eyes shining, "That's a start!" She said happily. Regina tried to suppress her matching smile at the reaction her words had on Emma. It was nice to have someone who genuinely wanted to be your friend, especially after the complicated history they had.

"It's a start," Regina agreed, letting a small smile break through.

"Do you need any help with research or whatever?" Emma asked. Regina looked around at the books,

"That would be nice. Maybe you'll actually learn a few things. We all know you could use it."

"Is that an offer to teach me?"

"I just don't want your incompetence to rub off on me. If you have magic, you might as well be useful."

"Okay, Madam Mayor, teach away."