Chapter 21 Retreat?
As more weeks went by, things were finally getting under control. The werewolves were backing off faster than they had predicted.
"We should take this as a good sign, their retreat is a good sign for our kingdoms" Snow stated. Charming, Cora and Henry, all exchanged a look, not really sure if that is the case.
"We don't know that for certain…honey" Charming spoke for the rest of them. He took hold of Snow's hand, providing assurance that things will be alright.
They decided to hold a meeting in the chamber room, two months of sending their soldiers out to clear the land from the werewolves. They were met with heavy resistance at first but slowly noticed the retreat from their enemy. Which was surprising since they assumed this would last for years to solve.
As much as they wanted to share their sentiment with Snow, they knew something was wrong.
"For the time being, we don't need to cause panic among our people. Let's keep our eyes and ears open and take it one step at a time. I am sure we will figure out what the werewolves are planning." Charming spoke as he looked around the round table and sought everyone's approval on the decision. Everyone nodded their head in agreement.
"I will send out a message to the other kingdoms." Charming said as he motioned for one of his soldiers to come forth and take the scrolls to be sent out.
After the meeting was adjourned, Charming invited the Mills for dinner which they declined. They needed to take care of some things back home. Cora however did inquire about how Regina was settling into which Snow and James gave each other a worried look.
They were walking down the hall together when the question was brought up.
"Well, I guess as good as any new couple would be at the beginning of their marriage" Snow shared with a small smile on her face. Cora didn't pay much attention to the statement.
"Regina will come around, she has to. I assure you she understands and takes the marriage very seriously" Cora informed the other couple. She noticed the hesitant look on Henry's face and nudged him in the side with her elbow.
Henry smiled a fake smile, "Yes of course, she is just nervous just give her some more time"
Snow and James smiled on their own and continued to walk the other couple to the gate. Both couples waved goodbyes to each other and went about their way.
Let's see what's been going on with Ruby and the other werewolves…
The werewolves plan to treat so quickly was a strategy that they decided to use. They knew for the time being they were outnumbered and out matched.
"Are we really letting her lead us in this battle? I don't think she's ready!" one of the werewolves shared their sentiment with the rest of the pack. They had all gather around without granny and Ruby. Some were very worried about the idea of having Ruby lead them per granny's orders of course.
"I believe she is capable" Roxanne shared. She felt compelled to share her viewpoint on this. She knew Ruby had her flaws but the sudden change in Ruby's behavior didn't go unnoticed by her. Roxanne was very sure it was because of what happened with Regina.
"Roxanne's right!" Granny spoke out from behind the circled crowd, everyone moved out of the way to let granny walk to the middle, Ruby right behind her.
There was something awfully off about Ruby, she appeared so different from how she was. Not very timid or scared like before but more bolder and Roxanne couldn't help but sense a dark aura around her.
'I see…..She let the wolf take control…interesting' Roxanne thought to herself as she shot Ruby a smile which Ruby ignored.
"As you all are aware from now on Ruby is our leader. Believe me when I say this, she will lead us to victory, I give you, my word." Granny spoke with such confidence that it shocked everyone else around her. She placed her hands on Ruby's shoulder and pushed her forward. She brought out a necklace with a garnet stone and placed it around Ruby's neck. Everyone stood around shocked and in disbelief that granny official crowned Ruby as the wolfpack leader. The ritual was done.
Ruby stared everyone in the eye, a wicked smile upon her face. "From now on, we will prevail, and the humans will face their downfall" Ruby spoke with such confidence that it sent shivers down everyone's spine.
"You are all dismissed!" Ruby motioned with her hand as she shouted out loud causing everyone to disperse into different direction.
"You know, there is no need to scare everyone to death" Roxanne joked as she came up from behind Granny to Ruby and placed her hand on her cheek and stared into her eyes.
"Hmmm….." was the only thing Ruby spoke out as she took hold of the hand on her cheek and squeezed it but not too hard, causing Roxanne to whimper in pain.
"Never ever touch me again!" Ruby swatted the hand away and walked off.
Roxanne rubbed her hand softly and looked at granny in disbelief.
"It's the wolf in her; she is going to need some time to fully control it" granny spoke with an apologetic tone to her voice. Granny then wrapped her arm around Roxanne's shoulder to comfort her.
"Now let's get to business, we have a lot of things to accomplish before we set our plans in motion" Granny stated out loud as they both walked off.
Ruby on the other hand, couldn't believe she almost hurt another werewolf, the wolf in her just wanted to take control of everything and everyone. The wolf in her didn't like to be questioned.
"There is no way in hell you, I'm letting you completely take over" Ruby stated out loud as she rolled around on the floor in her cave. It was taking everything in her power not to completely let go.
She had made a deal with the devil. She partially let the wolf take control of her but now the wolf was trying to take advantage and completely engulf her in his thirst.
She went through the torture for several minutes before finally relaxing and trying to control her breathing to bring her heartbeat down. She didn't know how long she could keep this up. Although the wolf had agreed to do her biding in helping her reach her goals, she wasn't so sure if she made the right decision. This was taking a toll on her body and her mind. She could feel the darkness creep in slowly. So far, she had managed to keep control, she hoped that it continued to be so.
'Regina…' was the last thought on her mind as she let her body give into the slumber from exhaustion.
It had been weeks since the incident between Emma and Regina. Emma was working hard to avoid Regina at all costs. She even refused to eat at the dining table with them just so she didn't have to face Regina. The guilt and shame were enormous in her heart. She knew she wasn't doing right by Regina by avoiding her. She needed to face her soon she just didn't know when and how.
Another day had passed by, she made it to another day and accomplished at avoiding Regina. Ignoring the fact that it was eating at her. She found herself giving into the invitation by Daniel to join him and Robin to one of the local bars. She had sparred with Daniel again to let out more of the frustration she was holding on to and now she was at a bar, drinking away like there was no tomorrow.
"Let…me tell…you…your princess is hard to read….." Emma shared her drunken thought with the two knights. Daniel and Robin just looked each other, unaware as to what the princess was talking about.
"uh….i think you have had enough, Princess Emma" Robin spoke out as he took hold of Emma's mug to take away from her. They only been at the bar for couple of hours and the princess was already drunk.
'Well…in her defense she has been chugging down the drinks like it was water' Daniel thought to himself as he raised his eyebrows at Robin who in return shrugged his shoulders at him.
"We need to take her back to the castle" Robin loudly whispered at Daniel. Daniel unable to hear due to the bar being so loud, just gave a confused look. Robin demonstrated some random motions with his hands to try to show Daniel that they needed to physically carry out the princess. Daniel even more confused now just stared blankly at the other man as he crossed his arms across his chest in annoyance.
Robin got up from his seat next to Emma and went to the other side where Daniel was sitting on the other side to the princess.
"I said, we need to carry out the princess out of here" Robin explained, "Well why didn't you just say that!" Daniel exclaimed at the man in front of him, squinting his eyebrows in confusion as to why Robin was making this so difficult. Robin just sighed in frustration as he threw his hands up in the air in defeat.
Daniel got up and looked behind Robin to discover that the Princess wasn't there anymore.
"Damn it all to hell!" Daniel said out loud. "What?" Robin said as he turned around to notice what Daniel was looking at.
"Where did she go?" Robin asked as he fretted around the chair and the whole damn bar in search of the Princess.
"I can't believe we fucking lost her! "Robin spoke as he whined. "We are so dead!" Robin stated as he looked at Daniel with worry in her eyes.
"Let's just go look for her. Mind you the princess is very capable" Daniel stated trying to come forth as composed and not show his concern.
They looked up and down the local areas and did not find a single sign of the princess. After an hour or so of searching they finally gave up and went back to the castle. Upon reaching the gate, they noticed several guards gathered around in a circle.
Daniel and Robin ran up to the crowd ,"What's going on?" Daniel asked as he pried his way to the middle, Robin right behind him.
"Sir…..apologies….we…" one of the soldiers blurted out noticing the two knights, unable to finish his sentence.
Daniel crouched to the floor and signaled Robin to do the same on the other side. They both circled their arms around Emma and picked her off the ground and got her to her feet.
"oh….finally, it's you guys….i was looking all over…you both…." Emma spoke in her drunken state. Daniel and Robin just looked at each other, feeling guilty for losing the princess like that.
"Listen….I don't want a word of this getting out…." Daniel said in a stern tone and gave each soldier a stern look as they all nodded in agreement.
They walked the princess inside the castle and brought her up to the room. They dismissed the soldiers by the door and knocked softly. They waited for a little bit and knocked again. Emma was starting to regain consciousness again. the words coming out of her mouth were incoherent.
Robin sighed and knocked harder this time. They waited once more and right when Robin was about to knock again, even louder this time, right then the door flew open.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Regina yelled out loud still half asleep.
"Umm….forgive us princess Regina…but…uhhh…." Daniel decided to speak but did not know how to convey the message.
At Daniel's voice Regina eyes fully opened and her face contorted in annoyance at who was right in front of her.
"What is the meaning of this?" She didn't want to go through this again. She was not some babysitter for whenever it felt for Emma to indulge herself in her stupidity.
Daniel again decided to speak but Regina stopped him with her palm up in his face. "You know what, I do not need to know, just take her to her other room" Regina ordered, ready to close the door and go back to her slumber. Before Daniel could say anything, the door was closing on them.
Robin watching whole interaction did the dumbest thing he could possible do blocking door with his palms while letting his hold go on Emma, Daniel quick on his feet managed to catch Emma before she hit the floor and sighed a sigh of relief.
"Princess Regina…please we beg you….just let the princess stay in for tonight…."Robin spoke with Hope in his eyes. Regina gave him a glare that could kill. "It's our fault princess; we are the reason she's in this state." Robin admitted, waiting for Regina to punish them for letting something like this happen.
"Of course….you would take the blame for her actions…..just bring her in…."Regina spoke with irritation in her voice, she can't believe she was letting this woman get away with this behavior again.
They brought her in together and laid her on the bed. Daniel gave one last look at Princess Emma and exhaled out a breath. He was glad Princess Regina agreed to let Emma stay in the same room as her.
They excited the room, leaving a half consciousness Emma in Regina's care. They knew this was either going to end horrible or good.
"We could have taken her to her other room, you know" Robin spoke as they continued walk down the corridor. Daniel shook his head and spoke, "I know but this could turn out to be good" Daniel was optimistic where Robin felt the dread creep in. It will be their behinds if things went to shit.