Chapter 11: The Unexpected

Regina wandered a dark hallway, confused. There were no windows, no doors and no candles to light her way. All she saw was an unending corridor that led nowhere. Her heart sped up and she stopped, calling out into the abyss. "Hello? Is anyone there?"

Whispers surrounded her but she couldn't detect a source for them. All she saw was the same blackness around her, now closing in on her. She pushed back against it. "Robin? Robin, where are you?"

"I'm right here, Regina," his voice said, piercing the darkness. "You just have to wake up."

"I can't."

"Yes, you can. Just open your eyes, lovely. Please."

She did so, finding herself back in the bedroom she shared with Robin. It was before sunrise as the windows were still dark and the room was illuminated only by the fire in the hearth. But it was still brighter than the place she had been.

Robin knelt next to her, watching her with concern. She leaned against his warm, bare chest and breathed in his now comforting scent. "It was just a dream," she said, more for herself than him.

"It was," he replied, kissing her forehead. "What was it about?"

"Nothing but darkness. I couldn't escape it." She sniffled as she fought back her tears.

Robin kissed her forehead again. "It was just a dream. Nothing more. You're safe now here in my arms."

She sighed, closing her eyes as she pressed her ear to his chest. Robin's heart beat under it, a comforting rhythm that calmed her.

"Feeling better?" he asked, voiced rumbling against her cheek.

"I am," Regina replied. She slid her hand down his chest. "Maybe we could have some fun since we're both up?"

He chuckled. "I like the way you think, lovely."

She bit her lip as her hand inched closer to his cock, already growing hard at the prospect of what was to come. But as her fingers grazed it, a sharp pang in her stomach had her doubling over. She clutched her middle as her cramps started anew.

"Regina? Are you hurting again?" Robin asked, pulling away.

"Yes," she groaned, curling up tighter. "I hate this time of the month."

He climbed out of the bed and she missed his warmth immediately. As the pain continued to rack her body, he returned quickly. "Here, Regina. I have something that should help."

Robin uncurled her a bit and pressed something hot against her stomach. The warmth seeped into her skin and down to her aching muscles, bringing some relief. She sighed as he climbed back into bed. "What is this?" she asked.

"It's my waterskin. I filled it with hot water from the bath and wrapped it in a towel. Some of the soldiers do it to soothe their sore muscles after intense trainings and I've used it as well. I thought it would help." Robin's hand held the waterskin against her, freeing up her hands.

She caressed his cheek, smiling at him. "Thank you so much for taking care of me. I promise it won't be too much longer."

"Don't worry about it," he told her, kissing the underside of her wrist. "And don't think you have to apologize every month."

"I may do so for the next couple months. You know, until I get used to how kind you are to me," she replied, honestly. She closed her eyes again, pressing her nose against the crook of his neck as she groaned once more. "Part of me wants to get pregnant just so I'll have a nine-month reprieve from the pain."

He chuckled. "In good time, lovely. Now get some rest. Maybe you'll feel better in a few hours."

"I doubt it," she muttered. But between his body warmth and the hot water in the waterskin, she found herself drawn back to sleep.

Tink set down a porcelain teacup in front of her. Regina picked it up, frowning at the unfamiliar scent. "What is in this?" she asked her handmaiden.

"It's rosemary tea," she answered. "The midwife says it will help with the pain from your monthlies."

The woman who sat next to her leaned over, blue eyes as bright as her smile. "Rosemary really does help. I drink it every month."

"I swear by it as well," another duchess stated. "One cup of it and I feel somewhat human again."

Lady Ellis, a hawkish looking woman with beady brown eyes, frowned. "So I take it we won't be having an heir anytime soon?"

"Oh, please, Lenora. It's only been a month. We all know how unpredictable conception can be. Some women get pregnant right away while others have to wait." The first woman glared at Lady Ellis.

Regina leaned over. "Thank you. And now I feel so foolish, but I'm afraid I've forgotten your name."

The woman was far from insulted, though. She chuckled, squeezing Regina's hand. "That's alright. It took me months to remember everyone's name as well. My name is Margaret, but you may call me Maggie. My husband is the Duke of Nottingham."

Regina was surprised as she hadn't suspected the woman, who still had golden blonde hair and barely any wrinkles, to be so much older than her. Also, Lady Nottingham was downright pleasant, open and kind. How had she raised a son such as Keith? And if he was trying to take the throne from Robin, was she aware of it? Was she in on it as well?

Lady Nottingham chuckled. "I know, I know. And I apologize for my son. I like to believe I raised him better but I'm afraid his father has had a stronger influence than I realized on Keith."

"Well, I haven't really had a chance to speak with him," Regina admitted, "though it may be awkward when I do."

"Did he really walk in on you and His Majesty in the middle of…you know?" The other duchess leaned closer, her hazel eyes wide.

Regina grew hot as she nodded. The duchess grew excited, pressing on: "What exactly were you two doing? And could he see everything?"

"Chloe! The queen is not going to share intimate details with us!" Lady Nottingham exclaimed.

Lady Ellis tapped the table. "This tea has gotten out of control. Let's remember that we are well-bred ladies of noble blood and not gossip-mongering fishwives!"

Chastened, Chloe leaned back while Lady Nottingham frowned. "You are not the hostess, Lenora. Her Majesty is. I think it's best if you remember that."

"I will when Her Majesty does," Lady Ellis responded, giving Regina a pointed look. It made her stomach sink at the thought she was failing already at her duties.

She cleared her throat. "Well, what do you normally discuss at these teas?"

"Gossip," Lady Nottingham replied, giving Lady Ellis a pointed look. She then turned back to Regina. "But why don't you pick what you wish to discuss? You are the queen and we are here to get to know you."

Regina nodded but her mind went blank as she stared at the three women around her table. She took a sip of her cooled tea, finding the taste of rosemary wasn't as bad as she feared.

"Your Majesty?" Lady Ellis prompted, clearly irritated with her.

"I was enjoying the tea," she replied, setting down the cup. "Well, since I've arrived in Sherwood, I have been trying to read as much as I could about its history. I am quite fascinated by Queen Susanna."

Lady Ellis rolled her eyes but the other two women nodded. "Have you read the letters she and her husband exchanged? They are quite romantic," Chloe said with a sigh.

"No," Regina replied, frowning. "Are they in a book?"

"Yes. Their daughter, Princess Caroline I believe, collected every letter Queen Susanna and King Peter ever wrote. They are beautiful," Lady Nottingham said, sighing.

Regina smiled. "So romance runs in the family?"

Lady Nottingham laughed. "Indeed it does."

"Has His Majesty written you any letters?" Chloe asked, leaning closer to her again.

"Not since I've arrived in Sherwood," Regina replied. "But before, when I guess we were courting, we wrote to each other constantly."

"Did you save them?"

She had, actually. Regina had tied all of Robin's letters to her up in a green ribbon before placing them in a special box with a brass clasp and a heart carved on the lid. When she had showed it to him, he had then retrieved her letters to him and added it to the box. "We can then reread them whenever we want," he told her before kissing the tip of her nose.

Lady Nottingham smiled. "Maybe one day we'll be reading your letters to each other."

"Maybe," Regina said, laughing. "If anyone really wants to read about my love of trees and his archery skills."

"Are we done with this nonsense?" Lady Ellis slammed down her teacup. "I could be doing far better things with my time."

Regina felt her smile falter. "You are excused, then, if you want. This isn't supposed to be an obligation."

Lady Ellis stood up, lips pressed together. "Well, I have never been so insulted in my life."

Silence ruled the room as the other three watched her stalk out of the room. Regina folded up her napkin, placing it on the table as she started to stand. "Maybe I should go apologize…"

"Nonsense," Lady Nottingham said, placing pressure on Regina's arm. "A queen doesn't apologize. Lady Ellis needs to for being so disrespectful to you."

"Besides, we'll have a lot more fun without her." Chloe winked at Regina before sipping at her tea.

Regina sat back down, smiling. "You bet we will. Now, where were we?"

Snow sat in the royal sitting room, her head bowed over her needlepoint project. Her tongue poked out from between her lips as she focused on every stitch. Regina supervised her from her writing desk as she wrote a letter.

With a groan, Snow set down her work. "Can I take a break? My fingers are very sore," she told Regina.

"Of course. Why don't you get yourself something to drink?" Regina motioned to the pitcher and glasses Tink had left for them.

Snow stood and Regina returned her attention to her letter, focusing on every word. As she dabbed away some excess ink, Snow set a glass of lemonade down on her desk. "Who are you writing to?" she asked.

"Robin," Regina replied, smiling.

"But you live with him. Why do you need to write him?"

She chuckled, laying down her quill to look up at the young princess. "Because it's romantic. Sometimes, one can say things more eloquently using the written word rather than the spoken word. And it'll be a nice surprise."

"Do you love him?" Snow's eyes were bright and she was smiling widely.

Regina paused, considering her words. "I think I'm starting to."

"He loves you, you know," she said. "His eyes light up when he's looking at you and he often has this silly smile on his face. I've noticed he tries to touch you whenever he can, even if it's just to lay his hand on your back. And if you're in a room, he's always watching you even when he's having a conversation with someone else."

"What about me? How do I act around him?" Regina asked, both teasing her and out of genuine curiosity.

Snow thought about it before responding: "You get this soft smile and you look at him like he's the only person in the room. And you lean into his touch every time."

Regina smiled but her response died as Robin entered the room. He was scowling and she could almost see a dark cloud hovering over him. Without saying a word, she went to his liquor cabinet and fixed him a whiskey on the rocks. She handed him the glass, asking: "Lord Ellis?"

"How'd you guess?" He took a gulp of the whiskey, closing his eyes as the liquid no doubt burned his throat.

"Lady Ellis walked out of my tea this afternoon," she replied. "What did Lord Ellis do?"

"He's stubborn about distributing meat, no matter how often I insist that it's the Royal Gamekeeper's duty. Several other council members support me but he won't listen." Robin flopped down on the couch before taking another sip.

Regina sat down next to him, curling her legs under her body as she pressed herself against his side. "So he's not going to give the villagers better cuts of meat?"

"Not until I throw him into the tower for refusing to follow a royal order. Which I doubt will go over well." Robin scrubbed his face as she kissed the side of his head.

"Why is he being so stubborn about this?"

Robin shrugged. "I wish I knew."

"Why does a village need someone to dole out meat? Can't they get their own?" Snow asked, stepping closer to the couch.

"Snow! I didn't know you were here." Robin sat up straighter and set his drink down. He patted the spot next to him. "Have a seat and I'll explain it to you."

Snow sank down onto the couch and hung on Robin's every word. Regina watched the young girl's brow furrow, no doubt confused about how some people could have so little. Especially after all the years she spent in the lap of luxury in her father's palace.

An idea came to Regina and when Robin paused, she patted his arm. "When are the friars going to the village again?"

"I believe in two days' time," he answered, looking at her. "I can confirm with Friar Tuck, though. Why?"

"I think the three of us should go." She motioned between herself, him and Snow.

Robin grinned. "I think that's a great idea. What do you say, Snow?"

Snow tilted her head, studying the two of them. "Is it safe?"

"Very safe," Regina assured her. "You'll be with me and Robin the entire time."

"Then I would love to come. Thank you." Snow stood up, excusing herself to leave Robin and Regina alone.

Regina curled around Robin, kissing his cheek. "Thank you for letting Snow come with us."

"I meant what I said. It's a very good idea. Snow is still young enough to be molded into a good queen. Such a trip will help her." He kissed her forehead before wrapping his arm around her, reclining with her on the couch.

She rested her ear over his heart, listening to its steady rhythm as he rubbed her back. "How was your tea?" Robin asked.

"It was nice," she replied, "once Lady Ellis left. Lady Nottingham is surprisingly pleasant."

"That sounds like Aunt Maggie."

Regina lifted her head, finding Robin's eyes closed and a soft smile on his lips. She frowned, though. "So she's Aunt Maggie?"

He nodded. "She's my father's cousin. I'm not sure how she ended up married to Nottingham and unfortunately, Keith did not take after her."

"Is Aunt Maggie trustworthy?"

Robin's eyes opened and he nodded. "She knows where her loyalties lie."

She smiled. "Good. Because I really like her and I would hate to have to start excluding her. I need all the allies I can get."

"We need all the allies we can get." Robin tucked his arm under his head. "But let's not focus on that right now. I have you in my arms and would rather be thinking of more pleasant things."

"Oh? Like what?" She laid her head back down on his chest, fingers curling around his silk shirt.

"You."

Regina's cheeks started to hurt from her smile. "What about me? After all, my monthlies aren't over yet."

"There's more to our relationship than sex, milady. We can do so much together." He sat up, holding her hand. "Come with me and I'll show you."

They raced through the halls of the palace, giggling like children as Robin led her down to the practice pitch. He held out a bow and some arrows to her with a smile. "Care to learn how to shoot, milady?"

"I would love to," she said, taking the bow and the arrows. "Where do we start?"

She then spent the afternoon with him pressed to her, showing her the right posture and how to hold the bow. Together, she was able to fire several arrows and almost hit the bullseye. Yet she didn't care if she never hit a single target. She just enjoyed spending the time with Robin.

Robin helped Snow onto the horse she had been riding her entire time in Sherwood. She wore a plain brown dress Tink had borrowed from a daughter of one of the servants. Her hair was braided simply and hung over her shoulder as she situated herself in the saddle.

Once she was comfortable, he smiled. "Just hang on. Regina and I will be right with you."

"I think you mean you'll be right with us," Regina said, bringing Rocinante alongside her husband. She smiled down at him. "You're going too slow, my king."

"Only you can get away with criticizing me, my queen," he teased back, patting her leg before heading to Outlaw behind them.

Snow frowned as she looked at Regina. "Did he mean that? Can no one else criticize him?"

Regina shook her head. "Robin was just teasing. While he's not going to let everyone criticize him, he will accept it from a select group of people. He's not power-hungry."

"Oh," Snow replied before smiling. "He seems so different from Daddy."

"He is. We can't expect all kings to be alike, right?" Regina pointed out.

She nodded as Robin rode up to them. "Are you ladies ready? The friars are ready to leave."

"We are," Regina replied. "Why don't you ride ahead of us, Snow?"

"Alright." The princess looked confused but guided her horse toward the friars while Robin and Regina followed behind her.

He glanced over at her. "So, why send Snow on ahead instead of having her ride between us?"

"I could say it's because I wanted to keep an eye on her better, but in truth, I just wanted some alone time with you," she admitted.

"Well, I can't fault you for that." He grinned at her before winking. "So, what do you want to do with our alone time?"

She shrugged. "Well, there's not much to do with all these friars around and Snow just ahead of us. Do you have any suggestions?"

"It depends. Do you fancy leaving the road for a bit?"

"Not really, no."

Robin nodded. "That's what I thought. Well, we can always talk. I enjoy doing that with you."

"You do?" she asked, surprised. "I wouldn't think I was very interesting."

"What's it been? Almost five months? I thought I had proved to you that I find you very, very interesting," he replied.

She blushed. "I guess it's all still so new."

"I get it," Robin said, leaning over to take her hand. "Five months of me isn't enough to erase eighteen years of your mother."

Regina squeezed his hand. "Thank you. For just…everything. You've made my life so much better."

"You've done the same with mine," he replied. "I have never been so happy than I have been this past month."

"Are you two being all mushy again?" Will rode up, slowing his horse once he reached Robin and Regina.

Robin frowned at his friend. "What are you doing here?"

"Your mother heard you were taking Snow and Regina into the village and asked me to come with you," he said. "I didn't realize you had left already."

"Don't you have a wedding to get ready for?" Robin asked, frowning.

Will shrugged. "I think that's one of the reasons I was chased out of the palace, you know?"

Regina chuckled though Robin scowled. She leaned over and patted Will's hand. "Well, we're glad you're here."

"Speak for yourself," Robin grumbled.

Will rolled his eyes before chuckling at Regina's frown. "Don't worry. I'm used to him. He'll suck it up soon enough."

"I heard that!"

"I didn't whisper it," Will retorted before looking at Regina. "Good luck with him. I'm going to ride ahead and get an idea of the friars' schedule."

Once Will was gone, Robin brightened. "Good. I wasn't sure if he was going to leave us alone or stay to annoy me."

"He's your friend," she said, incredulous.

"He's more like a brother," he replied. "And likes to annoy me like one. He knows there's no hard feelings between us. Trust me."

Regina shrugged. "I like Will. So be nice to him."

"Yes, dear." Robin then smiled at her. "You really like Will?"

She nodded. "I do. He's been very welcoming and like your cousins, has made a real effort to get to know me. I think I can call him a friend as well."

"I'm glad." He patted her hand before craning his neck. "We're almost at the village. We should probably ride up to flank Snow."

Regina followed his lead and watched the young princess as the village came into focus. Her eyes widened and her lip began to quiver. "Everything looks so…bare," Snow whispered.

Glancing around, Regina believed the village looked better than it did when she was last there before her wedding. More houses had been patched up and a few people were tending to small gardens at the edge of the forest. They looked up as the party approached and cheered for them.

Their party came to a halt and Robin dismounted first. He helped Snow down before turning to do the same to Regina. Once her feet hit the ground, the children of the village surrounded her again. "Will you play with us?" a little girl asked.

"In a little bit," she said, holding the girl close. She then motioned to Snow. "But I brought a friend with me. Why don't you play with her?"

They swarmed Snow and pulled her off to play their games with them. While Snow was always surrounded at court, Regina knew she didn't have much contact with other children and believed time with the villagers would be good for her.

Regina walked over to where Robin stood with the village elders and slipped her hand into his. He pulled her close and the chief elder smiled at her. "Welcome, Your Majesty. Our entire village wishes you and His Majesty a long and happy marriage."

"Thank you," she said, smiling up at Robin. "We intend to have just that. Don't we, dear?"

He nodded before turning back to the elders. "Now, have Nottingham's men been giving you anymore trouble?"

"No, Your Majesty," the chief elder replied. "They've been giving us a wide berth though some women have reported the men catcalling and harassing them on their way to market."

Robin frowned. "On the road to the market?"

The man nodded. "By Finn's pub."

"That place is far from reputable," Will said, coming up behind them. "And they were there during the day?"

"Aye," an older woman replied, coming up to the group with a basket full of laundry on her hip. "It was about midday when we were nearing the city and they were well on their way to being drunk."

Robin shook his head. "No one wearing the uniform of Sherwood's military, which I know Nottingham's soldiers do, should be drunk that early in the day. Were they in uniform?"

"They were," she confirmed. "That's how we were able to identify them"

"Unacceptable," Will muttered. Regina had to agree.

Robin turned to her, kissing her cheek. "I'm going to talk to the elders some more. Why don't you help Tuck and the other friars dole out food?"

"I'll go get Snow as well." She nodded to the chief elders before heading to where the children had dragged the princess earlier.

Regina found her chasing around some of the other girls, her brown curls flying behind her as she laughed. There was a healthy bloom in her cheeks and her green eyes shown with merriment. It made Regina smile and she hated to end it so soon. But she had brought Snow out here for a reason. And it was not to play all day.

"Sorry, girls, but I need to borrow Snow," she said, stepping into their game.

They groaned but then one threw her arms around Regina's waist. "Will you come play with us afterwards? Please?"

She smiled and ran her fingers through the young girl's hair. "I'll see. But I'll do my best to try to."

Appeased by the chance of playing with the queen, the girls let Snow White go and returned to their game. Regina wrapped her arm around the young princess, guiding her to where the friars are set up. "Did you have fun?"

"I did," she replied. "I never really realized that there aren't many children my age back home at court."

"No, there aren't. Most don't go to court until they are older," Regina replied.

"But I'm not even allowed to play with the servants. I've never felt lonely but…"

She trailed off but Regina knew what she was thinking. "But you realize you only have subjects, not friends?"

"Yes. Well, I have you." Snow hugged her, resting her head against Regina's breast. "But what can I do when you're so far away?"

"Talk to your father. And try to vary your social circles. Be friends with people of all classes because deep down, we're all the same," Regina told her.

Snow nodded, clearly deep in thought as Tuck handed her a ladle for the soup. Regina moved down a bit, covering her mouth as a foul stench reached her nose. "What is that?"

"The meat Lord Ellis' men had delivered the other day," Tuck explained, handing her his handkerchief. "It was already rancid. Hold that to your nose and mouth. It'll help."

She nodded as she did what he instructed. "Does Robin know about the meat?"

"I'm certain the elders are telling him about it now. Are you well, Your Majesty? Perhaps we should move you to a different station?" Tuck gripped her elbow.

If Regina was honest, she wasn't. Her stomach was threatening to expel the breakfast she and Robin had shared that morning and the constant hum of the flies circling where the meat was being kept was giving her a headache. But she shook her head. "I'll be fine. The people need this food even more now."

Tuck tied the handkerchief around her face so she could have use of both hands. Regina then served the people of the village while fighting her nausea. Her blood boiled at the thought of what Lord Ellis had done and she vowed she would help Robin with however he chose to punish the man.

Regina wandered the hallway, making her way down to check on her apple tree. She knew Robin was holed away with a few advisors he truly trusted to determine his next steps with Lord Ellis. While he was appreciative of her support, he had gently declined her request to join the meeting.

"I don't want to give Lord Ellis any reason to come after you," he said, cupping her cheek. "Not when Nottingham and Keith might be going after you as well."

"Fine. But I still want to help," she told him.

Robin kissed her forehead. "I know. And we'll figure out how."

So with him busy and Snow getting ready to return to Mist Haven, Regina decided to entertain herself with a walk down to the orchard. It would cheer her up to spend time with her apple tree, she believed.

"Penny for your thoughts, dearie?" The high-pitched voice she had hoped to never hear again sent a chill down her spine.

Regina turned her head to find the Dark One lounging on a windowsill. She frowned. "What do you want?"

"We made a deal. I'm here to collect my payment." He hopped off the windowsill.

She pressed her lips together. "Fine. What do you want? Gold? Silver? Jewels? Land?"

"I told you, I don't want any of that." He waved his hand before point at her. "I want you. Namely, I want you to become my student and learn magic."

Horror filled Regina and she recoiled from him, shaking her head. "I don't have any magic."

"Nonsense. Do you think just anybody could've done what you did? Magic flows through your veins, dearie. Let me teach you to harness it. You can become greater than your mother," he said.

She shook her head again. "I don't want to be anything like her. So pick something else. Anything else. But I will not be your student."

The Dark One shook his head. "Not how my deals work. You agree and I set the terms. These are my terms."

"I'm still refusing," she hissed.

"How did it feel?" he asked her, seemingly changing tracks. "How did it feel to use magic to banish your mother to that other realm?"

Tears pricked Regina's eyes. "Awful. Her look as she fell into the mirror still haunts my dreams."

"But she's out of your life."

"And now I want you out of mine. Just name something else. But I will not be your student." Regina squared her shoulders and held her ground.

He leaned closer to her. "I think you'll find I can be very persuasive and persistent. You will honor your deal."

Before she could reply, he disappeared in a cloud of mauve smoke. Regina swatted it away before rubbing at her eyes to get rid of her tears.

"Your Majesty? Is something wrong?" Keith asked, causing her to bite back a groan. He was the last person she wanted to see now.

She took a deep breath and did her best to school her emotions as she turned to face him. He was looking her over with a knowing smirk on his face. Regina wanted to slap it off. "Nothing is wrong. Thank you for asking."

"Are you certain? I thought I heard another voice here." He glanced around, as if the secret lover he believed she had would pop out from behind a curtain.

"You heard wrong. If you'll excuse me, I was on my way to the orchard." She turned and started to walk away.

Keith wasn't done, though. "You may have fooled Robin, but he's always been a trusting sort. You won't fool us all. I see right through you."

Regina didn't look back or acknowledge him at all.

A/N: So now you all know what Rumple wants—he wants Regina to become his student. I'm sure you can all figure out why he wants that. He's definitely going to be a pest in upcoming chapters.

So will Keith.

And Lord and Lady Ellis.

You'll see what Regina wrote to Robin in the next chapter. Promise!

-Mac