Chapter 7: A Dual Compromise
A/N: Ok, I'm not as late! But still I am so sorry!
I hope this chapter kind of makes up for it!
Please leave a review - I would really love to know your thoughts on this chapter
But anyways, I'll let you read.
Enjoy!
How I got myself into this situation ceases to amaze me. Regina thinks to herself as her mind continues to try and decide what she wants to do.
In all honesty she already thought she made a decision, but for a reason she cannot explain, when Robin got her to talk she found herself doubting the path she had already set her mind to. The thief had managed to open the brunette's eyes to what she refused to believe was happening.
In her mind there was only one designated path for her to take; to kill Snow White and avenge her beloved Daniel. She had always been sure that, that was the path that would make her the happiest. However, thanks to Robin, Regina now finds herself seriously considering whether that's still the case. After all she had lived in the very same walls as the girl for years, fantasized about her death every day and yet something had always stopped the brunette from following through with her thoughts.
So, when she finally found Snow White, how could she know if she would actually follow through this time?
And more importantly, would getting her revenge finally make her happy?
Hours earlier the question had been an easy one to answer. Now however, Regina finds it to be more complicated than a simple yes or no. Especially seeing how the disguised queen had come to the sudden realisation that she has never felt so close to being happy as she is here in this camp, with these men – who are thieves no less. She wasn't even happy when she was finally rid of her mother or killed her overly-controlling husband. It was honestly amazing how in such a short amount of time, Regina feels that for the first time in her life she finally belongs. She finally feels free. And now that she knows this feeling, she's not so sure that she's ready to give it up yet. Maybe the thief's right, the brunette muses with a smile, maybe I should choose the path that already seems to make me happy.
Yes, she will have to go back to the palace at some point – she's the queen after all – but maybe she could stay here a little longer while she thinks things through. And it surely won't hurt if she continues to get to know Robin in the process.
Her thoughts then drift to that certain outlaw. He continues to surprise her. When she had told the thief of her options, she was sure that he would've encouraged her to make a quick decision so she would be able to get out of his hair as soon as possible. Instead Robin had told the brunette she could take all the time she needs.
She subconsciously smiles at the thought. She really isn't used to someone – other than her father – being so kind to her. She also isn't used to having someone to talk to about these sorts of things, and who in turn, willingly listens and not just because she told them to.
Regina can now start to see why this man has been destined to be her second chance at love. It isn't just due to the fact that he just so happens to have the ability to make her smile or laugh with such ease. No, it's also because Robin is the first person since Daniel who has been able to make her feel safe and comfortable enough to share her what's really on her mind. And how in such a short amount of time, he has managed to gain some form of trust from her.
God what am I doing? the brown-eyed woman asks herself as she leans her head back against the tree she had moved to a few minutes ago. I shouldn't be thinking about this if I ever want to leave this camp. she continues to tell herself, because it's the truth. She's already managed to form some sort of attachment to Robin so she should leave before it becomes something more.
The only problem is Regina doesn't know if she can run away from him this time.
Suddenly the brunette hears some voices, effectively breaking her from her thoughts. Immediately her body tenses, all of her senses on high alert. The disguised queen leans her back further against the tree behind her, hoping to use its thick trunk to keep her hidden from whoever is coming.
"Tomorrow's going to be hell, that's for sure." she hears a younger male sounding voice say.
"It's not anything we haven't done before." a gruffer one replies. The brunette listens intently so as to determine whether the men are a part of Robin's merry band.
"True, but that's the exact reason as to why it's gong to be hell." the first man quips and Regina relaxes slightly as the pair come into her line of sight. She exhales in relief upon identifying the slightly older and broader man to be Arthur, and the leaner, younger one to be Much who also was the one who just spoke. She tunes out from their conversation as they continue to discuss the plans that are obviously for the upcoming heist, and deciding it's probably best if she refrains from alerting the men to her presence.
"Do you think little goodie Snow will attempt to intercept us?" the disguised queen overhears Much ask his companion a few seconds later. And just like that her attention is back on the pair, suddenly very interested in their chosen topic of conversation.
"I wouldn't say so." Arthur responds.
"And why is that?" the darker haired man queries as Regina manages to stand and attempts to follow them – as they keep walking – without making a sound, the trees her only form of cover.
"Well, it just so happens that she was in town whilst we were scouting." Arthur answers. "I only know this because she literally ran into me. I then asked her what she was doing and she mentioned something about passing through."
"That's a relief." she hears Much retort. "But how do we know she's not going to interfere?"
"I suppose we don't." the blonde-haired man replies, "However, she did mention that she was making her way to a nearby village, one she heard the Evil Queen had ransacked recently."
Regina flinches when she hears Evil Queen. She's anything but evil! Sure, her patience has run short a few times and she has murdered…But those people deserved their fates. Yet, the brunette doesn't allow herself to dwell on these thoughts, so she shakes her head and focuses on the information that she's been given.
Snow White is a lot closer than what she originally thought, and thanks to these very kind gentlemen Regina now knows where she needs to look. The brunette lets an evil grin form on her lips.
Maybe taking part in this heist isn't such a bad idea after all.
Twilight had fallen when Regina decided it was time to make her way back to the main part of camp. she's made her decision already and will tell Robin what her choice is after dinner and before they all head off to bed.
But right now, the brunette is allowing herself to enjoy the company of the men around her, eagerly listening to the various jokes and stories they're telling her.
"And that was how I ended up bringing nothing but a stick to defend myself." Alan says, finishing his tale and causing laughter to erupt around her, Regina willingly joining in.
"That really is quite the story." she manages once her laughs turn into small chuckles.
"It is," David – who's currently sitting next to her – agrees, "but we wouldn't expect anything less from the joker of the camp."
"And I wouldn't offer any less." the sandy-haired man quips before giving a mock bow, again making the brown-eyed woman chuckle along with some of the others.
"We must have heard at least a hundred different versions of that story." booms to voice of Little John from his spot beside the cauldron cooking over the fire. "It amazes me that you're even still able to change the outcome each time!" the bear-like man adds.
"But then what kind of thespian would that make me if I didn't?" Alan retorts, a hand over his chest feigning offense.
"A serious one." Tuck answers and once again laughter can be heard around the camp.
It dies when John declares the soup is ready, but even then the joyful atmosphere remains as bowls are given out and everyone fervently tucks into their dinner. The tales and jokes continue throughout the meal and suddenly, for the first time since she came back Regina notices that one Merry Man in particular is missing.
"Tuck." she murmurs to the man next to her, aiming to catch his attention without alerting the other men. When he replies with a Yes, she's quick to ask him, "Do you know where Robin is?"
"When I last saw him, he was near the tent we're using as an armoury." the friar answers. "Why do you ask?"
The brunette shrugs, turning her head away as she responds, "No particular reason. I just wanted to tell him something after supper."
"I see." she hears the man reply. "And just what might that something be?"
Regina brings her gaze to his, a retort on her tongue, but she doesn't voice it when she sees the smirk on his lips. The brown-eyed woman sighs. "I need to inform him of the decision I've made." she tells him.
"On whether you're staying with us?" Tuck asks to which she nods. "Then I will lead you to where he is after you've finished your meal." He declares, and she notices the knowing smirk on his lips.
"Thank you." Regina replies, a smile making its way onto her own features.
Robin is looking over a map of the town square one of the men managed to obtain. He's mainly doing a last-minute check on the routes each pair will take once they've raided the manor, making sure he can't spot any faults that could prove disastrous for him and his men.
He also makes plans in case Wilma decides to stay with them. The thief understands the woman may not be too keen in taking part in the heist but he's managed to find a role that will suit her perfectly.
Suddenly he hears voices coming from outside the tent, however Robin is quickly able to determine the owners of the voices, deciding the more masculine and gruff sounding one belongs to Tuck, whilst the more feminine and raspy tone is Wilma's. Just as they're outside the tent's entrance he hears the woman utter a Thank you before distinguishing the sound of footsteps walking back to the centre of camp.
The blue-eyed man still has his back to the entrance when he hears the rustling of the flaps, and before he has a chance to turn around a bowl containing what seems to be soup is placed in front of him. "I brought you some supper." the brunette tells him.
"Yes, I can see that." the thief replies with a smile, turning to face her. "Thank you." he adds before picking the bowl up and taking a spoonful of the concoction within, before wincing at how it's no longer warm.
Wilma must notice because she's quickly apologizing, "I'm sorry if it's cold. Little John didn't really put a lid over the cauldron when he took it off of the fire."
"Don't worry," he assures with a small chuckle, "it's my fault after all, seeing as I didn't go out for dinner in the first place."
"True." the brown-eyed woman agrees with a slight smirk before a comfortable silence falls over them in which the outlaw manages a few more spoonfuls of his stone-cold meal.
"So," he starts after putting the still half-full bowl down on the table next to him, "did you come and find me just to deliver this awfully delicious meal?" Robin questions, smiling when a laugh leaves her lips. "Or is there something else you wish to tell me?" he annexes, his grin widening as their gazes lock.
Wilma nods, her smile remaining, "Yes, there is something I would like to tell you."
"Have you made a decision?" he asks, trying not to sound too eager to know what her choice is.
"Yes, I have." she replies and when her smile doesn't falter Robin can't help but hope that she has chosen to extend her stay as he's not too sure he's ready to see her leave just yet. "I've decided to stay while I work out what path I want my life to take." the brunette tells him as her brown orbs continue to gaze into his blue ones.
All of a sudden, Robin feels a strong urge to wrap the woman in a hug as a wave of euphoria overwhelms him. But the thief manages to refrain himself from doing so and instead takes one of her hands between both of his. "Feel free to take as long as you need, milady." he replies allowing a grin to form on his lips.
Wilma returns it with a nod. "I've also decided to take part in you heist." she adds.
"Is that so?" he asks releasing her hand to cross his arms over his chest, amusement lacing his tone. "If I recall, you weren't overly comfortable with the idea of taking part in burrowing money from a rich lord." the blue-eyed man points out, unable to resist emphasising the term he and his men use for robbing.
The brunette chuckles softly. "Let's just say, I may have changed my mind."
Robin hums in response. "Well then," he says as he claps his hands together, "I have the perfect role for you."
"Oh?" she questions, raising an eyebrow. "But how did you know that I would stay exactly?"
He simply chuckles as he motions for her to come over to the table where the map lays, "I had a feeling." The thief catches her smile when he glances over at the woman before bringing his attention to the design in front of him. "Tomorrow, we'll pack up camp before heading to what will be our rendezvous point, which will be situated here." Robin tells her, pointing to a spot on the map, just outside the town square. "Your role," he continues, "will be to act as a lookout and watch the camp to make sure our meeting point isn't compromised." The outlaw then turns to the brunette, "Got that?" She nods in response. "Good." he tells her before grabbing her hand and leading her out of the tent.
"Where are we going?" Wilma asks.
"You'll just have to wait and see." Robin replies with a chuckle.
They walk a short distance; however, he slows down for the brunette's sake and offers for her to lean on him to help with her limp. She murmurs a Thank you as she smiles softly and he continues to lead her to their destination.
The blue-eyed man stops upon reaching the edge of a clearing. "Here we are." he announces to the woman beside him as he looks down at her.
Her brow immediately crinkles in confusion as she gazes out at the field in front of her. "But there's nothing here…" she comments, bringing her flabbergasted brown orbs to his sure blue ones. And Robin can't help the smirk that forms on his lips.
"Well milady," he replies, "it may not look like much at the moment. But…" The thief trails off as he gently releases her before jogging out into the field, once he does so, he is surrounded by fireflies. He then hears a gasp come from behind him, so Robin turns only to find that Wilma is in a state of pure joy as one hand covers her gaping mouth, whilst the other seems to be reaching out in front of her. The thief walks back to the woman, noticing pools of tears within her brown eyes that are reflected in the moonlight. "Is everything alright?" he asks, concerned as he didn't mean to upset her.
But she's soon nodding her head. "Everything is wonderful." she replies, bringing her shining orbs to his and taking both of his hands. "Absolutely wonderful." she adds before she walks past him, one of her hands still holding onto his. He lets the brunette lead him further out into the clearing, stopping only when she does. She then gracefully waves her hand through the tall grass and he hears her laugh as the bugs fly out from within it.
Robin gently releases her hand before he runs in a circle around the woman. He relishes in the laughs that leave her lips and smiles at how the sound makes his heart leap, his own guffaw erupting from deep within his throat as he keeps running.
After a moment the brunette joins him – although she hobbles more than runs – their laughter continuing as they fill the night sky with fireflies. When the outlaw starts to slow down he notices that she's in the middle of the clearing surrounded by the glowing bugs. Her hands outstretched on either side of her as she spins in a circle, a huge smile on her face.
Robin's heart skips a beat at the sight of her. She's positively beautiful. So, he takes a minute to memorise this moment because he's honestly never seen the woman look as free as what she does now. And even though he knows they may become nothing more than friends; the thief cannot deny what he feels right here and now. He knows it isn't love, but it's definitely more than a simple attraction. He then shakes his head, bringing himself out of his thoughts before making his way over to the woman.
At first Wilma doesn't stop and Robin chuckles at her obliviousness, but eventually the woman slows down, though her grin remains plastered to her face. He notices she sways a little and manages to hold her upright before her right leg buckles beneath her and causes her to collapse into him. "Easy there." he smiles as the blue-eyed man lets her lean against his chest, his hands gripping beneath her elbows to help steady her.
Once the brunette has seemingly gained some control of her balance she looks up at him, face aglow with joy. His breath hitches in his throat as her eyes bore into his. And before he even processes it, he's murmuring, "You're beautiful."
Wilma's eyes widen in response and even in the moonlight he notices a sudden red tinge come to her cheeks before she's ducking her head. "Robin, you shouldn't something like that." she says so quietly he almost misses it.
He frowns. "Why not?" the blue-eyed man asks, confused.
The brown-eyed woman meets his gaze and replies softly, "Because you don't know who I really am."
He refrains from bringing a hand to cup her cheek, instead brings her slightly closer. "Of course, I do. Look I know it's been-"
"You don't Robin." she says firmly, cutting him off mid-sentence. The outlaw opens his mouth to protest but she presses her fingers over his lips, stopping him before she continues, "In reality I'm someone very different from the woman in front of you."
His brow furrows further in confusion, his frown deepening. "What do you mean?"
Wilma sighs, her hands moving from his chest to grip beneath his elbows as she averts her gaze. "It's complicated." she mumbles.
Robin hooks a finger under her chin, bringing her brown orbs back to his blue ones. "Try me." he states, staring deeply into her eyes.
At first her mouth opens and closes as she seemingly tries to find the right words, then she's shaking her head slightly. "I can't tell you, at least not yet." the brunette tells him. When he gives her a bewildered look she adds softly, "I don't want to ruin this moment." Robin merely nods, releasing her chin and this time he's the one who is averting his gaze. Then he feels a finger hook under his own chin, bringing his blue orbs to her brown ones. "I want to tell you Robin, I really do." she says, "But I want this moment to stay happy." The woman pauses and the thief simply gazes into her sparkling brown eyes knowing they display all of the emotions she feels. "You've helped me feel something I haven't in a very long time." she continues, "You've helped me feel free." A dazzling smile covers her face as she cups his cheek, "You have no idea how grateful I am. Thank you, Robin."
The thief can't help but lean slightly into her touch as he feels his own smile making its way onto his lips. "You're very welcome, milady." he replies softly, "I'll be here when you're ready." And then he gives into temptation, wrapping his arms around her and bringing her close to him. Wilma relaxes almost immediately, bringing her hands back to his chest as her head rest below his chin.
They stay like that for God knows how long, because Robin knows that even though he can't read her mind, they're both thinking the same thing;
Who knows how long they have left.
Regina had a wonderful evening with Robin. After she spent what felt like hours in his arms in the middle of a firefly filled clearing they had broken apart before he took her hand as he led her back through the forest in a comfortable silence. Once they reached her tent, he brought the hand he was holding to his lips and placed a soft kiss on her knuckles. The thief then wished her goodnight and she replied in kind, watching him walk away before entering the tent.
The brunette felt giddy as she laid down to sleep, slowly drifting off as she thought of his clear blue eyes and strong arms.
Now she lay awake the next morning with a stupid grin on her face. Regina knows this is dangerous, but who can blame her for wanting a taste of what she hasn't had in years? She is more than certain of her growing affection for the man with the lion tattoo, and what surprises her the most is that she finds herself not minding that one bit.
Just as the brown-eyed woman is about to exit her tent for breakfast, Arthur pokes his head through the flaps. "Excuse me, madam," he says quickly, "but I've been told to come and let you know we'll be leaving soon."
"Oh right." she replies with a nod, remembering the heist she agreed to be a part of. "Thank you." he returns the nod before leaving.
Regina then starts to gather the few things she has with her before exiting through the flaps. She makes her way over to where some of the men are gathered who then direct her to where the horses are, telling her to claim one before the others do. The brunette does, choosing a chestnut mare with a gentle temperament. She ties her only bag to the saddle before heading back to the centre of camp, asking What can I do to help? But they quickly order her to sit down, claiming they'll have it done in a jiffy. Regina protests of course only to give up when she receives stern looks in return.
Soon the tents are packed away, chests are loaded onto the few carts the Merry Men own and the horses are saddled and ready for the journey. The small group hits the road and already the jokes and stories have started. The brown-eyed woman does listen and laugh occasionally, though her mind is somewhere else, planning. Planning her route to the village she knows Snow is either in or going to. Planning what she would do when the moment she's been waiting for, finally arrives.
Because even though revenge may only be a small part of what will make her happy, she needs to go through with this if she ever wants to move on.
Regina gives a quick glance to the man beside her. Her heart fluttering when her brown orbs meet his. Robin smiles at her, his knee-weakening dimples on full display giving her no choice but to smile back. And suddenly for a moment the brunette considers whether she's making the right decision by planning to kill her step-daughter.
But it's only for a moment. Her mind has been made up.
And curse Robin Hood if he ever gets in her way.
A/N: So her decision has been made. Smooth sailing from here on out?
Well, you'll have to wait and see!
Please review! I would love to know your thoughts about what you think is going to happen next - and who knows you might give me ideas...
IMPORTANT: I may not update for the next two weeks as school is piling up and I won't have lots of free time. But I promise you guys I won't take more than a month!
See you next time!