Chapter 13: Summer Storms

Regina wandered through the orchard, deciding to check on her apple tree. In the distance she heard the continuing squabble between the geese and dogs, making her sigh. All she wanted now was to sleep late one morning, wrapped up in Robin's arms.

She sighed again as she thought of her husband. There was something troubling him and it troubled her that he was keeping it from her. He had always been so open with her. Regina guessed there had to be something he couldn't tell her eventually.

It still hurt.

It worried her too. What was he hiding from her? Did it have something to do with Keith's threats? Was civil war closer than he dared to admit? And did it have something to do with how concerned he had become lately about his food?

"What won't he tell me?" she asked her apple tree. It didn't respond as she checked its leaves, but all was well and she saw the start of the fruit it would soon bear.

A high pitched laugh sent a chill down her spine. "I think the question is—what won't you tell him, dearie?"

"Go away," she said through gritted teeth.

A mauve cloud plumed up before her, dying away to reveal the Dark One. He grinned at her. "Have you thought about my offer?"

"No," she replied, "because I'm not taking it. Leave me alone."

"We had a deal," he reminded her. A cold look came to his eyes though he continued to smile.

Regina nodded. "And I'll honor it once you chose something else. I will not become your student."

"I won't leave you alone until you agree," the Dark One threatened. "And what will you tell your beloved king? Will he be so understanding of what you did? What you agreed to?"

She paused, though she wanted to say Robin would. He had been understanding and forgiving in the entire time she had known him. Yet she knew everyone, no matter how nice they were, had a breaking point. Would magic and her deal with the Dark One be Robin's?

"Looks like I gave you something to think about. I'll leave you to your thoughts. And I promise you, dearie, I will be back." With another laugh, he flicked his wrist and disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

Regina glanced at her tree but her desire to be outside was now diminished. She sighed and leaned closer to her tree. "I'm sorry. I'll come back to visit you soon. I promise."

With one last caress of a leaf, Regina turned back toward the palace and returned inside.

Their rooms were quiet when she returned. Robin was off with his council and Tink had finished cleaning for the morning. She stood there, trying to figure out what she wanted to do. There were letters that she needed to answer, penned by noblewomen from all over Sherwood who did not reside at court for one reason or another. All had written polite greetings and wishes for a long and prosperous marriage.

Yet she was filled with too much nervous energy to sit still and focus on polite responses. So she turned around and left again, heading down the hall to her father's quarters. He'd be able to calm her down.

Daddy smiled when he opened the door. "Regina! What a pleasant surprise. Come in, my dear. Can I get you anything?"

"Maybe some tea," she said, wringing her hands.

Once Daddy had sent the servant down to the kitchens for tea, he took her hands and led her to one of the armchairs. "What's troubling you, my dear?"

"Many things," she admitted. "But first and foremost, the Dark One."

He frowned. "Why is he troubling you?"

"Because of the deal I made. He helped me get rid of Mother and now he wants me to become his student." She began to tremble, clutching her father's hands tighter.

Daddy grew pale but he didn't pull away from her. "And you've refused him?"

She nodded. "But he won't take 'no' for an answer. And he won't leave me alone."

"Have you told Robin?" Daddy asked.

"No," she replied. "He seems to be understanding of how bad my relationship with Mother was…but after having such a great relationship with his own parents and losing his father, I don't think he'd understand that I willing banished my mother to another realm, never to see her again. I also don't know what Sherwoodians believe about magic…What if they hate it?"

Daddy patted her hand. "You need to ask. I'm sure they know that magic has been used in Mist Haven, so you want to know what your new country's position is. That won't raise suspicions."

She knew what he said made sense and nodded. "I can ask Catherine or Lady Wellingsbury."

"What about Robin?"

"I feel they would have a better understanding," Regina replied honestly. "Robin is smart and knowledgeable but even he admits there is still so much for him still to learn."

Daddy wasn't fooled, though. He studied her and sighed. "You have to tell him, Regina. You can't keep this from him forever."

"I know it's just…It's so early still and we're doing so good. Maybe in a few more months, when we know each other better," she said, wringing her hands again. Her marriage was still so new, she didn't want to chance anything. Not if it meant Robin leaving her life for good.

He sighed. "Alright, Regina. But you need to tell him."

"I will," she said. "I promise. When the time's right."

Daddy took her hand. "Do you want to go take a walk? Maybe it will help clear your head."

"I don't know about that but I would love to walk with you," Regina said, smiling at her father.

"Good," he said, helping her stand. "Let's go enjoy the weather somewhere far away from those wretched geese."

Regina laughed as they left the room, though her heart was still heavy.

When she returned to her rooms, she felt a bit lighter though her stomach still churned with worry. She never knew when the Dark One would appear next and she feared the wrong person would see him. The wrong person almost had, she thought with a groan as she recalled her encounter with Keith.

She sat down at her desk, sighing. Maybe it was time to tackle some of the letters. It would at least give her something to do.

A letter sat right in the middle of her desk, unsealed. Her name was written in Robin's familiar loopy cursive and she smiled as her heart skipped a beat, knowing it was his response to her love letter. She picked it up and opened it, eager to read his words.

Dearest Regina,

I must confess I am still surprised that you were the first one to think of writing love letters and not me. I must be slipping.

I am happy to hear you are happy with me. It is my deepest desire to really give you a life where you could finally have that what had been denied to you for so long—happiness, love, kindness, support and freedom. While I know the life of a royal can still be a confining one, I really hope I have still managed to deliver that last one.

You may not be able to see it in yourself, but you have blossomed since arriving here in Sherwood. You smile more and I feel you're more at ease with yourself. And I hope that I have a little responsibility for the glow that now lights you up and enhances your beauty even more.

Waking up with you in my arms makes my day brighter, no matter how gray the skies might be outside. Coming back to our rooms and seeing you erases any stress I might be feeling—and let's face it, I'm feeling a lot of stress between Lord Ellis and Keith. You make it all worthwhile.

Let us keep enjoying ourselves and not worry about anyone else. They just don't understand.

I love you.

Your devoted husband,

Robin

Regina brushed away some tears that started to dampen her cheeks. Robin's confidence in her was still something novel. It bolstered her spirits and sent butterflies soaring through her stomach.

She folded up the letter and went to retrieve her box, wanting to store it away with all the others. But with every step, guilt weighed her down. Regina stared at herself in the mirror and wondered if she really was the woman Robin thought she was.

Because at the moment, she felt like an imposter whose lies were about to be uncovered.

Her nerves were still frayed when she and Robin took their seats for supper. With their honeymoon officially over, they had started to host state dinners again. So they sat at the dais as the rest of the court gathered in the Great Hall for the meal. Regina held her head high even as she felt all eyes on her, still determining if she was a good queen or not.

Robin took her hand as the servants carried in the first of the many courses for the evening. "How are you, my love?"

"I'm well," she lied before saying: "I got your letter. I loved it."

He smiled, handing her one of the goblets on the table and raising one of his own. "To you, my wife."

"To you, my husband." She raised her goblet and tapped it against his. They both took sips as bowls of soup were placed in front of them.

As the supper wore on, Regina found herself relaxing for the first time all day. Robin held her hand in between courses, his thumb rubbing soothing circles in the back of her palm. His presence was a comfort and she was soon drawn into conversations with Ella and Aunt Eleanor, helping her ignore the stares of the court.

"Today was lovely," Ella said, sighing. "But I know the muggy weather is coming. It always does."

Regina frowned. "Muggy?"

Ella nodded. "It's the deadly combination of hot and humid. The air is so thick you feel you can't breathe, especially as it doesn't move. You don't even want to move."

"Sounds awful," Regina replied, taking a bite of her pheasant.

"And then the storms come," Ella continued.

Robin leaned closer, taking her hand again. "Please don't scare Regina away from Sherwood."

"I'm not going anywhere," she assured him. "But what about these storms?"

He sighed. "Toward the end of summer, the humidity gets so bad we have several terrible storms. Thunder, lightning, the whole works. And so much rain, our rivers tend to flood. So we have to take several precautions to minimize the damage."

"You'll have to start reinforcing the levees and preparing sandbags," Aunt Eleanor advised. "We don't want to be caught unprepared."

"I understand," he said, nodding.

Regina frowned. "Is there anything I can do?"

He shook his head. "Not really. I just have to give the orders and my soldiers will take care of the rest."

"Nothing to worry about?"

"If all goes well, no," he told her. "And we're on high ground here at the palace. We'll be fine."

She nodded as an older man approached the dais. His gray hair was pulled back into a small ponytail and he wore a red silk doublet paired with black breeches. A silk hat with a black feather was crushed between his hands as he bowed. "My apologies for interrupting, Your Majesties, but there is a matter I must discuss with you."

Robin glanced over him before nodding. "What is it?"

"There have been reports that the Dark One has been spotted," the man said, freezing Regina's blood in her veins. She looked at her husband, waiting to see his reaction.

He frowned, eyes darkening as he leaned forward. "The Dark One? Are you certain?"

"Aye, Your Majesty," he replied, wringing his hat. "I saw him with mine own eyes. He was lingering in the flower gardens though I do not know for what purpose."

"Thank you for this information. We'll keep an eye out for him," Robin said, dismissing the man. He grew pensive and rubbed his chin as he digested the news. Regina continued to hold her breath as her heart thumped away in her chest.

Catherine leaned toward her son. "This is serious news indeed. The Dark One hasn't been seen in Sherwood for some time."

"I know," he replied gravely. "I'll seek counsel with the Abbot in the morning before I bring it to the council's attention."

The conversation moved on but Regina's mind was spinning again. People had noticed the Dark One. She was going to have to be even more careful now, especially as she now feared Sherwoodians condemned magic.

"This is an abomination! That…creature sullies our good soil!" The Abbot was spitting fire as he paced their sitting room. Regina tried not to look guilty but felt sick to her stomach over everything. It was her fault.

Robin placed his hand on her shoulder, giving it a squeeze. "Abbot, I must respectfully ask you to lower your voice. You're upsetting Her Majesty."

The Abbot glanced at her, dark eyes narrowing. "The Dark One is known to haunt your lands. Perhaps his presence is because of you."

She felt the blood drain from her face. Did he know? Could he tell the way Lord Samuel had? Was the Dark One's darkness clinging to her because of what she did to Mother? Was she about to lose her everything—Robin?

Robin stepped closer to the Abbot, glaring at the man. "I do not wish to disrespect you, but if you continue to lob such accusations at my wife…"

The Abbot did not back down. "We need to consider everything. Especially as I heard your cousin, Lord Samuel, refused to give her entry to his house at first. He said she had a darkness about her."

Regina paled. Who had told him about that? Lord Christopher had dismissed it as his cousin's eccentricity while she and Daddy had an unspoken agreement to never speak of it again. Who else would know?

"You're putting stock into what Cousin Samuel had to say?" Robin scoffed. "He is not all there."

"Maybe. Or maybe he can see things clearer than we can."

"Enough! If you have anything useful to add, I'd like to hear it. If not, I think it's best if you leave." Robin glared at him, crossing his arms.

The Abbot bristled but nodded. "The Dark One is tricky and won't easily be captured. I'll have to research this more."

"Thank you," Robin said. He nodded to the Abbot, who bowed only to Robin and left the room without acknowledging Regina.

She tried to get her breathing under control. "How does he know what happened at Lord Samuel's?"

"Who knows?" Robin plopped down next to her on the couch before frowning. "Wait, what exactly happened at my cousin's? And why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't think it was a big deal," she replied. "He didn't like me and called me evil. At least he's done it to my face. I'm sure everyone else does it behind my back."

He took her hand and kissed it. "Pay them no mind. I know you, Regina. You are not evil."

She tried to smile but she couldn't, knowing the real truth. He wouldn't say that if he knew the truth as well. "What do we do now?"

"We remain vigilant. You must promise me that you will tell me if you see the Dark One on the property. Understand?" Robin cupped her cheek, forcing her to look in his eyes.

"Yes," she replied, looking at his nose rather than his blue, blue eyes. "I promise."

He kissed her forehead. "Thank you, Regina. I have to go speak with the council. Will you be fine?"

She nodded. "I'll keep myself busy. You go do what you have to do and I'll see you for the midday meal."

"Maybe sooner if I can swing it." He winked before slipping out of the room.

Once he was gone, Regina laid back with a sigh. She felt everything she had built falling down around her and she was powerless to stop it.

It was a feeling she was all too familiar with and hated with every fiber of her being.

Regina finished all her correspondence and sent the letters off with Tink for the royal postmaster to be dispatched. She then stood and decided to go for a walk to stretch out her legs, which were aching after she had been sitting for so long. "Will you tell His Majesty if he's looking for me?" she asked Tink.

"Of course," she replied. "Be safe, especially with the Dark One lurking about. You wouldn't want to meet up with him."

"No, I definitely do not," Regina murmured, her stomach twisting up in knots. The Dark One wouldn't reach out to her again so soon, right? There had always been some gaps between his visit.

When she stepped out of the palace, it seemed the skies were reflecting her mood. Gray clouds had moved in and blotted out the sun, bringing a cool wind with them. It chilled Regina down to her bones and she wished she had brought her cloak. But rather than turn back, she pushed forward as her hair whipped about her face.

The leaves rustled as the wind blew through the trees and she saw a few bend in it. It was the harbinger of a powerful storm, she knew. She recalled Ella's and Robin's words, hugging herself as she prayed the palace did indeed provide suitable protection from whatever was coming.

"If you had started your lessons with me, you might already be able to cast a ward or charm to make sure the protection is absolute," the Dark One said, his voice sounding like it came from above her.

She looked up, frowning when she saw him lounging on a branch of Robin's beloved oak tree. "You get down from there right now," she ordered, as if he were an errant child. "You have no right to be there."

Mauve smoke engulfed him before flaring up in front of her. When it died down, he stood only inches from her. He smiled, his gold teeth unnerving her. "You can't keep resisting, dearie."

"I'm flat out refusing. So leave and don't come back," she said, backing away. She hoped she sounded authoritative, like a queen.

He shook his head. "It doesn't work like that. I will get what I want."

"I won't go with you!"

The Dark One stepped forward as if to grab her but a sword pressed against his throat stopped him. "I would advise you to back away from my wife," Robin said, voice cold.

He moved to stand between her and the imp, the point of his sword now at the Dark One's throat. "Leave."

"Not just yet," he replied. "Your wife and I have business to discuss."

"You're not talking with her," Robin growled.

The Dark One took a step back. "Fine. But she and I made a deal. And she's going to honor it."

With a flick of his wrist, he disappeared again in that mauve cloud Regina was starting to detest. Robin lowered his sword and turned to her, frowning. "Regina? What is he talking about?"

"I…" Her tongue felt thick and she started to overheat. Darkness crept into her vision and her knees buckled. She collapsed to the ground, Robin catching her with a shout of her name before she gave into the darkness.

Something damp and cool brushed against her neck and she let out a soft moan. Opening her eyes, she found Robin kneeling next to her as he sponged her with a wet rag. He sighed in relief when he saw her eyes were open. "Regina, are you alright?" he asked.

"I think so," she replied. When she tried to sit up, the room began to spin and she lied down again quickly. "Maybe not."

He stood, placing his hand on her shoulder. "Then get some rest. I'm going to have the kitchens send you up something to eat. How does soup sound?"

"Soup sounds fine." She watched him leave before closing her eyes again. It was only a matter of time before they would have to discuss what the Dark One had said. And she wasn't ready for it.

The bed dipped and she felt Robin's fingers brush her cheek. "Regina," he whispered. "Regina, can you open your eyes?"

"Yes. I'm awake." She opened her eyes to find Robin sitting next to her.

"Good." He took her hand, rubbing his thumb against it. "Why didn't you call for help? Why deal with the Dark One alone?"

"I thought I could order him to leave," she replied. "Once again tell him to leave me alone."

"Once again?" His frowned deepened. "Regina, you've spoken with him before? Does it have to do with that deal he mentioned?"

She glanced down at her hands, letting her hair curtain her face. This was not a conversation she wanted to have now and she hoped Robin would drop it.

"Your Majesty?" Tink's voice was a welcomed distraction. "I have the soup set up in here."

Robin sighed. "Thank you. You can retire for the night. I will take care of everything."

"Good night," she replied, though Regina heard the hesitancy in her voice.

"Regina? Can you look at me?" Robin asked once Tink was gone.

Taking a deep breath, she lifted her head until she met Robin's eyes. She saw concern there but also felt anger radiating off him as he sat back down next to her.

He took a deep breath. "I get you don't want to talk about it, so I'm not going to push it tonight. We'll go have something to eat and then you can get something to rest. But we're going to take about it tomorrow."

"Alright," she whispered, pushing the blankets back to climb out of bed. She wobbled a bit on her feet and he supported her to the sitting room.

Her stomach twisted into knots as they walked to the table Tink had set for their meal. She had been given a brief respite but she was going to have to answer some very uncomfortable questions. The worst part was that she wasn't sure how her marriage would be after her confession.

As Robin pushed in her chair, a clap of thunder broke overhead and rattled the windows in the room. She shrank in on herself as Robin frowned, staring up as if he could see through the ceiling to the clouds overhead.

"The storms have come."

Rain pelted the windows, obscuring Regina's view outside. She imagined she wasn't missing much—everyone was inside due to the rain and the winds that howled nonstop. Robin had left early that morning to meet with his council to ensure the kingdom was prepared for any flooding and other storm-related issues.

The fire crackled in the hearth but provided little warmth. She even had put on one of her warmer dresses but nothing could ward off the chill that had settled in her bones. Regina knew she would have to tell her story to Robin soon and dread weighed down her limbs. He still seemed so angry when they had parted that morning and she worried he would explode once he heard the whole story.

"Regina?" Robin's voice made her jump and she turned from the window to find him standing by his chair. She hadn't heard him come in.

"Is everything fine?" she asked, stepping closer to him.

He nodded. "Everything seems to be holding, but the rains have only started. The real danger lies in how many days they last."

Robin sighed, running his hand through his hair. "I've cleared the rest of the afternoon, Regina. And I'm hoping you'll tell me what exactly you're doing with the Dark One. Please."

"Alright," she said, voice soft. "The Abbot was right. About my mother, I mean. She's a very powerful witch but a very dark one as well. I once saw her pull a man's heart out of his chest and crush it, killing him. All because he couldn't give her what she wanted.

"Mother always got her way. She had a plan and we all had to stick to it, me especially. If she thought I wasn't following it, she would use her magic on me. She'd immobilize my arms and legs while lifting me in the air. I learned early not to struggle or it would get worse, cutting off my air and making me pass out."

"Oh, Regina," he sighed, reaching for her. But she stepped back, certain that if he touched her, she wouldn't be able to finish her story.

She sat down as she continued: "You know she was against our marriage. Used her magic to convince me to go back to Leopold. She even threatened to destroy everything I loved—Rocinante, Daniel, even Daddy. Leopold wanted to help but I knew his soldiers were no match for her, not when she could just kill them all with a flick of her wrist.

"I almost gave up, Robin," she admitted. "I almost thought we'd never be together even though I was so drawn to you. But Snow reminded me that love was worth fighting for, so I decided to fight fire with fire as it were."

Robin sat down next to her, resting his head against his hand as he studied her. "Your mother didn't run away. Did the Dark One do something to her?"

"Not directly. He gave me a mirror and I tricked Mother into standing in front of it. I then pushed her into it, banishing her into another realm altogether. She tried to hold on for dear life, pleading with me to pull her back. I almost did but thought about how she controlled me for so long, so I just let it suck her in. The mirror then shattered so she couldn't return."

He stood, rubbing his face as he paced a bit. "What did you agree to give the Dark One in return for this mirror?"

"He didn't specify," Regina replied. "I figured it would be something I could quietly give him—money or jewels."

"But he doesn't want those, does he?" Robin guessed.

She shook her head. "He wants me, Robin. He believes I have magic like Mother and wants me to become his student. I keep refusing but he won't take no for an answer."

Robin ran his hand through his hair. "So you've had this deal with him before you even arrived in Sherwood?"

"Yes, though I didn't know he wanted me until after our wedding."

He stared at her aghast. "How many times has he come to you here in Sherwood?"

"A few times."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Robin sat down next to her again, taking her hand. "Why didn't you trust me with that?"

"And tell you how awful I really am?" She shook her head, jumping up as tears threatened to fall. Regina brushed them away.

He sighed, standing as well. "You're not awful. You should've trusted me. You should've trusted my love for you!"

"Love is weakness," she snapped, hearing her mother's voice in her ear. "And what about you? You're hiding something from me."

"Regina, no…" He tried to placate her but she was riled up.

Backing up, she shook her head. "No. Tell me what has you so spooked every time we eat. Why do you ask Tink who prepared your food? What are you scared of?"

"Nothing. I'm just curious," he insisted, but he didn't meet her eyes. She knew what it meant.

"I'm not accepting that." She pointed her finger at him accusatorily. "You're hiding something from me!"

His face grew red and he narrowed his eyes. "If I'm hiding anything from you, it's not having a deal with a powerful magician who could do who knows what to my country until he gets his way!"

"So you blame me?"

"No, that's not what I'm saying!" His anger, though, told her otherwise and she seethed.

She frowned, getting closer to him. "It's what you're thinking though. Admit it!"

Robin opened his mouth and then closed it, meaning he couldn't refute her. She took no satisfaction from the fact she was right. Instead, she turned away and walked toward the window to await his next move.

"Regina," he said and she heard him step closer. "Regina, this is serious."

"I know that," she snapped, still not looking at him.

"Then turn around and talk to me like an adult!"

She saw red, spinning around to meet his angry eyes. "Did you just call me a child?"

"No," he said. "But you're not really acting like an adult either!"

They glared at each other and Regina knew they were both seconds away from saying something they couldn't take back. She prayed it wasn't her but she didn't want to hear what he could say either as thunder cracked overhead.

"Your Majesty," John said, entering the room without knocking. She had never been so happy to see him.

Robin closed his eyes, swallowing before turning to face his friend and captain. "What is it?"

"There was a lightning strike in the city, Your Majesty," John explained. "Fire has consumed several houses and threatens to destroy several more."

"Shit. Tell the guards I'll be right there to help," Robin said, his voice shaking. John bowed before closing the door behind him.

Turning back to Regina, Robin leaned closer. "We're not finished with his conversation. We'll continue it when the fire is under control."

Regina just glared at him as he left the room, seeming to slam the door for good measure. Once he was gone, she collapsed onto the couch and tried not to cry as she prayed her marriage hadn't just ended.

Hours ticked by and Regina heard nothing from Robin. She spent most of her time pacing as well as writing, hoping to gather her thoughts before he came back. Their next conversation was going to be crucial, she knew, and she wanted to be prepared.

Tink brought in a tray. "I have some supper for you. It isn't much, just a stew, but it should fill you."

"Thank you," Regina replied. She bit her lip. "Tink? Have you heard anything about the fire?"

"It's massive and the rain isn't helping with the fight because the winds are making it worse, according the townspeople seeking refuge with the friars. There are so many people, the friars are overwhelmed. That's why dinner is really only the stew," Tink explained, setting up Regina's meal.

She frowned, stepping closer to the table. "Where are the friars putting everyone?"

"They don't know," Tink replied. "Most of them are standing around the kitchen fire trying to warm up and dry off while the friars figure it out."

Regina bit her lip. "Can't they go into a hall? We have so many."

"They would need permission from His Majesty and he's out fighting the fire with the others."

Regina felt like she had been punched in the gut as she had naively thought Robin was only locked up in his study, surrounded by his advisors. The thought that that he was out there in the storm fighting the flames hadn't crossed her mind. She swallowed down the sob rising up her throat. "Oh."

"I need to get back down the kitchens. More people keep arriving." Tink wiped her hands as she looked repentant about leaving. "Just ring the bell when you're done. Someone will come up."

Once Tink was gone, Regina ate her stew, her mind now focused on the people cramming into the kitchens several floors below her. There were plenty of halls to use and it seemed silly that only Robin could give permission to use one. Someone else had to be able to give it as well.

It hit her with a jolt—she was the other person who could give permission. Robin had had invested her with almost all the same powers he had. So if she said the displaced townspeople could use a hall, it had to be done.

She rang the bell to summon someone to collect her dishes. When the harried manservant appeared, Regina smiled at him. "With whom do I discuss moving the people into one of the halls?"

People streamed into the hall designated to them. Regina walked among them in a simple gray dress and her dark hair braided, assisting however she could. She directed families to places for them to lay down their bedrolls, handed out blankets, calmed frantic citizens and even rocked a fussy baby while the mother tended to her other children. It felt good to be useful.

The hours blended together as Regina found herself busier than she had ever been before in her life. She enjoyed it, though, whether she was ladling out stew or mediating arguments between neighbors. Tuck also took her under his wing, teaching her some basic healing skills. "You're a natural," he praised. "Perhaps I could teach you more once everything calms down."

"Perhaps," she agreed, smiling before moving onto the next item that needed her attention.

Despite how busy she was, Robin was often on her mind and she longed to have him by her side as she tended to their people. Still, she had a steady stream of helpers. Ella stayed by her side most of the time and she was grateful for the young woman's energy. Maggie and Chloe also often helped the townsfolk, leading a few other noblewomen to volunteer. Catherine and Eleanor provided guidance and were mothers though and through, often making certain Regina ate and slept.

"You can't lead if you're ready to pass out," Catherine told her, escorting Regina to Daddy's rooms.

Sleeping, though, was the worst as she missed Robin the most when she was in bed. Regina missed his strong arms wrapped around her, his steady heartbeat under her ear and the warmth that radiated off him as they laid together under the blankets. Everything about him was soothing to her.

They hadn't seen each other since their fight, when he left to fight the fire. Though he and his men had gotten the fire under control, the part of the Nott River that flowed by Locksley threatened to break the levees and flood the town. Robin had joined the others who were trying to reinforce it before that happened.

Regina knew that Robin had returned to the palace a few times but that he never went past the barracks, where he would get some rest. She wished he would come see her at least once so she could see he was fine and perhaps gauge how angry he still was.

Or perhaps the fact he stayed away told her that.

When she was awake, Regina then threw herself into caring for her people. She felt a deeper bond forming with them as she moved about the hall. She started to learn their names and their eyes lit up every time she addressed them. Many shared their stories with her, some good, some bad. All were concerned about what would happen once the storms passed and Regina assured them she and Robin would work to rebuild as quickly as possible.

They addressed her with such reverence, it brought tears to her eyes and made her heart feel full. "You're their queen," Daddy told her as he helped her hand out bread. "They love you for you care about them."

"They seemed to approve of my marriage to Robin, and I am always welcomed at the village nearby…but to be around so many who look at me like I am their salvation…" She shook her head, sighing. "I guess it's overwhelming."

Daddy hugged her. "You're a good queen, Regina. I'm so proud of you. And I'm certain Robin would be too."

"I would hope so," she whispered, a lump forming in her throat as she remembered the anger in his eyes the last time she saw him.

"Regina?" Catherine slid up next to her, taking her arm. "I need you to come with me. It's about Robin."

Regina's heart stopped and she struggled to breath as Daddy placed a hand on her back. "Is he hurt?"

Her mother-in-law shook her head. "He fell into the river while trying to help repair the levee. John, Lord Nottingham and Keith rescued him and John is bringing him back here to get some proper rest." Catherine stopped, brushing some loose strands of Regina's hair from her face with a soft smile. "I figured he'd want his wife."

Though Regina doubted it, her selfish desire to see him for herself won out. Ella Daddy promised to keep an eye on everyone in the hall and Chloe arrived to help as well. Regina thanked them before hurrying to her room. Images of Robin struggling in the dark, surging water flashed in her mind and the lump grew as tears blurred her vision. Only her curiosity about why the Nottinghams would rescue Robin kept them at bay. She wondered what they were planning but pushed the thought to the side for now.

She needed to focus on Robin.

When she got to their rooms, it was clear Robin had not yet returned. It was also clear no one had been there for a few days. There was no fire in the hearth and a chill had settled in the air. While it took her several tries, she managed to get a fire going in both the sitting room and the bedroom. The air started to warm immediately.

She then pulled out towels as well as clean clothing for Robin to put on when he got back. As she thought about it, Regina drew him a nice hot bath as well. It was enticing but she resisted the urge to climb in as well. This was all about Robin, she reminded herself. She could take a bath later.

The door opened and his voice filled the room. "I don't need any more help, John," he said. "I'm not injured."

"You're walking weird," John insisted.

Robin sighed. "I'm fine. Go get some rest yourself."

The door closed and Regina held her breath, waiting for Robin to appear. He did, his clothes caked in dried mud and his hair dark from the river water. There were dark circles under his eyes, so he wasn't sleeping as much as usual. His blue eyes swept over her and she felt her heart speed up, wondering what he thought.

"There's a bath for you," she said, motioning to the bathroom. "And a change of clothing. I can have food brought up as well. It'll probably be stew. The kitchens are feeding a lot of people."

He nodded. "Stew sounds fine."

She stepped closer to him, trembling as she reached out. He batted her arms away and she felt her heart break. Taking a deep breath to keep her tears at bay, she said: "I'll go see to that. You take your bath."

"Regina," he started but she just brushed past him and closed the door behind her.

Once she had ordered for supper to be brought up, she collapsed on the couch and sobbed into a pillow. Her worst fear had come true—everything had changed and Robin no longer felt as strongly for her. He saw her for what she was—a woman with darkness in her soul—and it repulsed him. Everything was ruined.

By the time the servant brought their food up, Regina had brushed aside her tears and retreated inside herself. She would deal with Robin's silence and then go back to her father's rooms. Robin's honor would keep him bound to her. While part of her wanted to cling to that, to stay by his side and in this place where she finally felt like she belonged, she also knew it was not fair to either of them. He would grow to resent her and she would have to live with the ghost of the love they had once shared. So she would take care of him one last time and then leave.

Regina poured them both glasses of whiskey, which she placed on the table by their bowls. As she did so, strong arms wrapped around her and Robins' familiar pine scent washed over her.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, sending relief coursing through her. "I didn't want you to hug me for I was covered with mud, sopping wet and, honestly, I reeked."

She leaned against him as fresh tears poured down her cheeks and she sobbed anew. "I thought you didn't love me anymore."

"Regina." He turned her in his arms so that she could look into his eyes, still full of the same love she had seen so many times. Robin cupped her cheek as he smiled. "My affection is not so easily lost, I assure you. I still love you."

"I love you," she said, finally voicing the feeling that had been growing in her heart. "I love you so much and the thought of losing you because of a stupid decision I made…"

Robin brushed her tears away. "It wasn't a stupid decision. From everything you told me, it seemed you had no other option to keep you and your father safe from your mother. I wish you hadn't had to resort to asking the Dark One for help, but I understand why you did it.

"I'm not happy, though, that you didn't tell me about your deal or that he was bothering you. We could've been working on solving this problem together earlier if I had known," he said.

She nodded, resting her hand over the one he had against her cheek. "I didn't mean to put Sherwood in danger. I love our country and our people, you must know that."

He smiled. "I do. The fact you've been spending so much time tending to them proves that. I've heard quite a few people praising their Queen of Compassion."

"They call me that?" she asked, smiling as well. "I think I like that."

"It's a good title for you." Robin sighed before kissing her forehead. "I'm sorry. I said some things out of anger that I didn't really mean."

"Me too," she replied, resting her hand over his heart. "I don't think love is weakness. That was something my mother drilled into my head. But I know she's wrong. Your love has made me so much stronger."

Robin kissed her. It was a sweet, chaste one compared to some of their past kisses but it was her favorite one so far. She felt the promise in it, that he would always love her and that he would never leave her. And she felt the freedom her words had given her. She loved him and wasn't going to hesitate to show it.

When they broke, he held her close. "I'm sorry I left without kissing you. When I fell into that river…"

She clutched his shirt, shaking her head as she fought back the images rising back up in her mind. "Don't talk about it. I can't bear to think of losing you."

"Alright," he agreed, rubbing her back. "Let's eat and then get some rest. I've been sleeping horribly without you beside me."

Regina laughed, feeling lighter than she had in days as she took her seat. With Robin across from her, loving her, all felt right in her world again.

A/N: Here's the next chapter! And the big moment for OQ was both Robin finding out about Rumple AND Regina finally saying "I love you" to him!

I know a lot of you were hoping for OQ baby. You just have to hold on a little bit longer but we're getting there, I promise you.

So, we got some good news this week: Sean's coming back as Robin for a multi-episode arc! We don't know much else and I'm trying not to get my hopes up too much, but even this seems like a victory. So Hoodies/OQers should pat themselves on the back.

Happy Outlaw Queen day!

-Mac