Chapter 30: Cleansing Rains

A loud clap of thunder woke Robin. He sat up in bed as lightning illuminated the room even though the curtains were drawn. Rain pounded on the window, almost drowning out Henry's cries. Pushing back the blankets, Robin climbed out of bed and hurried over to his son's cradle. He picked up the baby boy, rocking him. "I've got you, Henry. You're safe," he assured his crying son.

He checked his son's diaper but it was dry, so Henry didn't need a change. It also didn't seem that he was hungry either so Robin figured it was the storm that had upset the boy. When another loud clap of thunder seemed to rock the room and cause Henry to wail louder, Robin's suspicions were confirmed.

Regina slept on and he didn't want to wake her, knowing she needed all the rest she could get. He carried Henry out into the parlor, sitting in the rocking chair and slowly starting to rock him. "It's alright, my boy. You're safe. The storm can't get you," he soothed Henry.

Henry curled his little fingers around Robin's night shirt, clinging to it as his wails quieted down to whimpers. Robin kept rocking him, hoping to lull his son back to sleep soon. But as thunder continued rumble outside, he believed he was going to be in for a long night soothing his son.

"Do you want me to sing you a lullaby?" he asked Henry. "Maybe I can try to drown out the thunder."

Henry started to hiccup as Robin sang a lullaby his mother used to sing when he was younger. Patting his son's back, he continued to rock him as Robin hoped he would fall back asleep or at least stop whimpering.

After a few verses, it seemed to work. Henry quieted down though he remained awake. So Robin kept rocking him and singing, hoping to keep him comforted until the storm subsided. Though if it meant the stormy season had arrived in Sherwood, it was likely that there would be many sleepless nights between his son and the work he would need to do to keep their people safe during the next few weeks.

"Papa may not always be here to comfort you," he told his son. "There will be times when our people may need me more. But I promise you that you will always be important to me and that it will pain me to be away from you."

Henry yawned in response before snuggling against his father's chest. Robin chuckled, deciding it was his son's way of saying he understood. He kissed the boy's head. "I love you, Henry."

Robin must've dozed off because the next thing he knew, someone was shaking him gently. He opened his eyes to find his wife standing over him, cradling a sleeping Henry in her arms. "I think you'll be more comfortable in bed," she said.

"Probably," he replied, rubbing his neck as a dull pain emanated from it. "The thunder upset Henry."

She tilted her head. "It sounds like it's quieted down."

"For now," he said as he stood. He leaned forward and kissed Henry's forehead. "Sweet dreams, my boy."

Regina reached out and took his hand. "Come on. Let's all go to bed. There's still a couple more hours before you need to begin your day."

He nodded, walking with her into their bedroom. Robin sat down on their bed as she laid Henry in his crib, covering him with a blanket. She then turned back to him and raised an eyebrow, gently pushing him down. "Get some sleep. If the rainy season has come, you're going to need it," she told him.

"I'm also going to be very busy," he pointed out, pulling her down with him. "Who knows when the next time we'll be together again is?"

"Nice try," she said, moving away from him. "But you really need your sleep."

He knew she had a point but there was an ache inside him that had been growing. For a while, he had been able to push it down as he told himself he couldn't be selfish at that time. But as more weeks passed since Regina woke from her coma, it was getting harder and hard to do so. Swallowing, he took a deep breath and confessed: "I miss you."

"What do you mean?" she asked, frowning. "I'm right here."

"I know. But I mean, I miss being with you," he said. "I miss being intimate with you. I know you've needed time to recover from Henry's birth, the blood loss and the coma and I wanted to everything possible to make certain you got strong again. And you have. So I was wondering…well…hoping…"

She bit her lip before reaching out to take his hand. "I miss you too then. But I think you need your sleep more. We can…reunite…later."

He bit his lip as he smiled. "You promise?"

"I do," she replied, kissing him. They laid down together and cuddled together as sleep claimed both again.

Rain continued to beat against the windows of the palace when Robin awoke. There wasn't any thunder, though, so Henry wasn't as scared or as fussy. It eased Robin's mind as he kissed his son's forehead and then his wife's lips before leaving to understand what preparations for the rainy season had been made and what still needed to be completed.

"Have the levees been reinforced?" he asked his council.

Lord Hutton nodded. "They have but I know John ordered some soldiers to go out to double check the levees at the Nott River to be safe."

"Good. And have we evacuated the low-lying areas?" he asked.

Lady Wellingsbury nodded. "We have. They have been relocated to Fort Nott for the time being."

"And we've redirected rations there to help support the people while they need to stay there," Lord Jonstone added.

"It sounds like everything is under control," he replied. "Or is there something we haven't addressed yet?"

Lady Langston raised her hand. "What of the Mist Haven princess? Wasn't she supposed to leave soon?"

Robin frowned, realizing that was the case. "We can't let her leave now. She'll be safer with us."

"But her father will be expecting her back," Lady Langston pointed out. "What if he thinks we're holding her hostage?"

Lady Robertshire frowned. "We can't risk war with Mist Haven."

"Peace," Robin told her. "We can send a messenger to Mist Haven but I am certain my Uncle Christopher, who remained in Mist Haven, would be able to explain that what is happening so that King Leopold knows we are protecting his daughter, not hurting her."

"I agree with His Majesty," Lord Hutton said. "King Leopold will not declare war on us because the princess is delayed by a week or two."

Lady Wellingsbury nodded. "I will see if there's messenger we can send."

"Thank you," Robin replied. He looked around at his council. "Anything else?"

"Yes. May I respectfully ask Your Majesty to avoid flooded rivers?" Lord Sumner asked. Everyone else looked at Robin, waiting his response.

He chuckled before nodding. "You have my word that I will avoid flooded rivers. I shall keep my work to safer areas or will assist my wife if she needs to set up shelter here in the palace again."

"Hopefully, it won't come to that," Lord Hutton replied. "We did a lot of work to reinforce the protections along the river."

"Queen Regina and I certainly hope it holds but we will stand ready to serve our people if it doesn't," Robin said. "Otherwise, I will end this meeting and thank you all for your help. Please stay safe yourselves."

They all thanked him before standing and waiting for him to leave. He gathered his papers and walked toward the door, Will following him. As they entered the hallway, his friend asked: "What would you like to do now, Robin?"

"Have the midday meal with my family," Robin replied. He turned and clasped Will's shoulder. "That includes you."

Will grinned. "Well, who am I to turn down a good meal?"

Robin laughed as the two men returned to his rooms. He was surprised to find them empty save for Tink, who was cleaning their bedroom. She smiled when she saw him. "If you're looking for Her Majesty and the prince, they are with your mother in her rooms," she told him.

"Thank you," he said. "We will most likely be having our midday meal there."

"Of course. I'll let the kitchens know," Tink replied with a curtsy. "Enjoy."

He thanked her again before turning back to Will. "Looks like we're going to my mother's rooms."

"You go. I want to go to my rooms and get Ana," Will told him as they walked back toward the door.

"She's probably already with my mother. I wouldn't be surprised if everyone is there," Robin replied.

Will nodded. "You're probably right. And if not, our rooms aren't too far away. I wouldn't be too long anyway."

They arrived at Mother's rooms and Robin opened the door, stepping inside. He heard rain pelting against the windowpane as his family sat around the table inside, discussing something. Regina sat between Ana and Snow while Prince Henry cuddled with his namesake as he napped.

It was a beautiful sight.

Mother noticed them first and smiled, motioning for them to come to the table. "Good timing. We've just sent down for the midday meal."

"Tink was going to send someone down to the kitchens as well," he said, approaching his wife's chair. He leaned down and kissed her cheek before saying: "I'm certain then the kitchens will send up our food straight away."

"No doubt now that you've probably caused a panic thinking His Majesty is starving," Ana teased him as her husband sat down next to her.

He shrugged. "If so, I can always go down there later and apologize for any distress I may have caused."

"He probably will," Regina commented, patting his knee. She then turned to her father. "Daddy, do you want me to take Henry?"

"No, we're good," he replied, still rocking the baby. "I can eat with one hand."

Robin chuckled as his wife sighed, looking at him as she said: "I don't think we're going to get our son back for the rest of the afternoon."

"Oh, I am certain of that," he said, taking her hand and kissing it. "Even if your father does surrender Henry, he will only go straight into his grandmother's arms."

"That is true," Mother replied. "Though I would point out that it should be when and not if Henry surrenders little Henry."

Robin raised his hand, bowing his head. "My apologies."

Their meal arrived and Tink led servants in setting the table for them. Robin started worry that he did cause a panic in the kitchens if so many servants were sent to help with the midday meal. He looked at each one as he said: "Thank you for your help."

"You can head back down to the kitchens," Tink told the others. "I will stay with their Majesties."

"We'll be fine, Tink. You should head down to the kitchen and enjoy your own midday meal," Regina said, frowning as she filled her plate with food.

Robin nodded in agreement. "We can always summon you if we need you. Go and eat with the others. It'll be much more interesting than watching us eat."

Tink still hesitated. "If you are certain…"

"We are," Regina assured her. "Go. Enjoy."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Tink replied, dropping into a curtsy. "Enjoy your lunch."

As she left, Snow looked at them curiously. "Why didn't you want her around? Are you afraid she's a spy?"

That surprised Robin and Regina frowned. "No, of course not. Tink has proven herself to be a very trustworthy friend."

"Friend?" Snow asked, confused. "But she's a servant."

"And she's my friend," Regina replied.

"She's not the same as us though," Snow said, no doubt parroting her father and other members of his court.

Robin frowned, leaning back in his chair. "Would you say that Will is the same as us?"

Snow glanced at his friend before nodding. "Of course he is."

"Why?" he asked her.

That seemed to baffle her and she looked between him and Will a few times. "What do you mean?" she finally asked.

"Why do you assume Will is one of us?" he asked.

She glanced at Will again before saying: "He's married to Lady Anastasia and is your family."

"And that makes him one of us," Robin replied. "But Will doesn't have a title or a drop of noble blood in his veins."

Her mouth fell open for a moment before she remembered herself. She closed her mouth before asking: "Truly?"

"My mother was a scullery maid and we don't know who my father was," Will said, relaying his story of being chosen to be Robin's whipping boy but going down the path to becoming his secretary instead.

"I should be just his manservant," Will finished. "There are probably many in this court who think I still should be. But King Edward and Queen Catherine saw my potential and knew the circumstances of my birth shouldn't keep me down."

Mother nodded. "While many people don't befriend the servants, we do strive to treat them like people and respect them."

"And that inspires the same in the people who work for them," Will said. "I trust Robin with my life and know he trusts me with his. And Tink was absolutely devoted to Regina while she was sick. I once had to pick her up and carry her to her room before she collapsed of exhaustion."

"I didn't know she had done that for you," Snow told Regina softly.

Regina nodded. "And she also takes very good care of Henry for us."

"We never have to worry because we know he's in good hands between our family and her," Robin agreed.

"Do you consider Johanna to just be another servant?" Regina asked Snow. Robin wasn't too sure who Johanna was but knew his wife was on her way to making a point so he pulled back from the conversation for now.

Snow frowned. "I don't know. She's always been in my life and is like a second mother to me. She knows everything about me."

"Sounds like she is family to you too," Robin commented, starting to cut up his meal.

"I suppose she is," Snow replied softly. "I never thought of it like that before."

Regina reached over and took her hand. "Maybe you should."

"I agree," Mother replied. "We've found that people respond better when they respect you rather than fear you."

Snow frowned and seemed to grow pensive. Regina gave her hand a squeeze. "We can talk about it more later. You should eat."

"Yes," Robin said, encouraging Snow. "Due to the storms, I am afraid it is too dangerous for you to travel right now. You'll have to stay a few more days with us."

"My guard said the same. He was working with one of your captains to try to get a message back to my father," Snow replied.

Relief filled Robin at that and he nodded. "Good. I am certain your father would want you to wait until it's safe to travel."

"How long do the rains last?" Snow asked, looking at the window. Nothing could be seen out of it as sheets of water battered the glass.

"Usually a couple weeks," Ella replied, "though its usually the heaviest during the first week and it grows lighter in the second."

Robin nodded. "I am concerned that it came earlier than expected. We thought today would be a good day to leave and you would be safely in Mist Haven before the rains came."

"It is concerning," Uncle Joseph agreed. "I hope this doesn't mean either the flooding will be bad. Or that we're in for a bad winter."

"How bad do the winters get here in Sherwood?" Snow asked. "Regina wrote about all the snow you received. Is that normal?"

"We experienced a normal winter this year, yes," Mother replied.

Aunt Eleanor nodded as she dabbed her mouth with a napkin. "We're used to the extreme weather here in Sherwood. Hot and rainy summers, cold and snowy winters with fall and spring something in between."

Snow frowned. "I don't know if I could handle such weather. I admire Regina for doing it."

"Well, it's easy for me. I live here in the palace and am pretty sheltered from the rain and snow," Regina pointed out. "We should admire those who don't and handle this weather with ease."

"I can't even imagine that," Snow replied.

Mother nodded. "Exactly. That's why we try to provide whatever help we can when our people are in need due to the weather. We are fortunate and therefore it's only right to share it."

Snow grew more thoughtful as she turned back to her meal. Robin made a note to have a conversation with her, knowing that one day her head would bear the heavy burden of the crown. If he could give her some advice that could help shape who she was as a monarch and hopefully make her a good one for the people of Mist Haven, he was going to do that.

Regina pushed his plate closer to him. "Eat. You need your food just as much as the rest of us," she said.

He chuckled, digging into his food as the conversation changed to a lighter topic. It was great to enjoy a nice meal with his family.

"Any reports of flooding, John?" Robin asked his captain after the evening meal.

"None yet," John replied, "but it's still early in the season. We're ready for flooding when it should happen."

Robin nodded, clapping John's shoulder. "Good. Let me know if any distress calls come in, please. Even if I can't go out to help myself, I'd like to be aware and prepared to offer whatever aid I may be able to provide."

John promised he would before excusing himself. He stepped aside, bowing slightly. "Your Majesty," he said, though it was clear he wasn't addressing Robin.

"John," Regina replied, her voice coming from behind him. "I hope you are staying safe during this weather."

"I am, though it's mostly because the floods haven't come yet," he replied as she linked arms with her husband.

She nodded as Robin pulled her closer to him. "Well, if and when they do come, please stay safe."

"I will, Your Majesty," he replied, bowing before taking his leave.

Robin then turned to his wife, smiling at her. "Are you ready to retire for the evening or are you having too much fun?"

"I think I am ready to retire, though it is more enjoyable to have court dinners without your council," she said, lowering her voice so she wasn't overheard.

He chuckled before motioning to a nearby servant, asking them to relay to Will that the king and queen had retired for the night. The servant bowed and hurried off. Knowing that Will would make their excuses for them, Robin patted Regina's hand. "To our rooms then?"

She nodded and they returned to their chambers. Once they got inside, she headed straight for Henry's crib and picked him up, rocking him gently. "Mama's back," she told him, rubbing his back.

Henry settled against her shoulder, one hand gripping her arm as he pressed his face against her neck. She smiled softly, clearly relishing the moment with their son. Robin hung back, watching them as his heart swelled with love for his family.

"You look happy," Regina told him, now facing him.

"So do you," he replied, walking closer to her. When he got close enough, he pressed a kiss to her forehead.

He pulled back and gently caressed Henry's cheek. "I think he looks happy too."

Cooing, Henry reached out his free hand to Robin, who took it and kissed it. "I'll take that as a yes, he is very happy."

"Of course he is," she said. "Everyone wants to hold him and cuddle him. He's the most loved boy here."

"That is true. I'd be very happy if everyone was giving me their attention all the time and I could nap whenever I wanted," Robin replied.

She laughed before heading over to the couch. He joined her as she sat down and she leaned against him as Henry's eyes started to close. "Can you sing for us?" she asked him.

Robin tilted his head. "What?"

"I heard you singing him a lullaby the other night," she said. "You have a lovely voice and I would love to hear you sing it again."

That surprised him and he felt his cheeks warm up. "I didn't realize you had heard me."

She nodded. "So will you sing for us? Please?"

"Yes," he said, kissing her forehead. "I will sing for you two."

He stated to sing the lullaby and he saw Henry yawned. The baby curled up against his mother, who then leaned her head against Robin's shoulder. Regina closed her eyes and he held them close as he finished the song.

"That was beautiful," she murmured. "You should sing more."

"I'll keep that in mind," he replied, playing with her hair. He put his feet up, getting more comfort as he enjoyed this moment with his family.

Robin realized he had dozed off when knocking jolted him. He sat up, waking Regina as well as Henry. The baby let out a displeased howl and she started to rock him to sooth him. Rubbing his sore neck, Robin stood to see who had disturbed his family.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty," a somber John said once the door was opened. "But we've received word that a tributary of the Nott River has flooded."

"Is there a village near it?" Robin asked, his heart sinking when John nodded. "Then take however soldiers you may need."

John hesitated. "What shall we do with the villagers, Your Majesty?"

"You can bring them here," Regina said, coming up behind him again. She slid her arm through Robin's. "We will be ready for them."

"Yes, Your Majesty," John said, bowing before heading back down the hall.

Regina pulled away from Robin and headed toward the rope to summon Tink. "I will alert the servants to prepare one of the halls to receive displaced villagers and ask Tink to stay with Henry for us."

He nodded, heading toward their bedroom. "I'll pull out simpler clothes for us to wear."

A few moments later, he heard Regina talking softly with someone – no doubt Tink. He slipped on a simple linen shirt and tucked it into the pair of trousers he wore when he went to the village – though he realized with a pang of guilt that it had been almost a year since he last went there. As he pulled on his boots, he made a vow to head there at least once before the harvest times came and the colder weather would once again trap them all inside for a few months.

"Robin? Are you alright?" Regina asked, placing a hand on his shoulder. She looked down at him, frowning in concern.

"Yes," he replied, giving her a reassuring smile. "I was just thinking it's been far too long since I went to the village. They probably think I abandoned them."

She shook her head. "I doubt it. They know you've had a lot happen this spring and summer and I'm certain they understand why you haven't been to visit."

He nodded, standing to help her undo the laces on her dress. "I suppose you're right but I do want to visit them if I can before the cold comes. Do you want to come with me?"

"I would love to," she replied, glancing over her shoulder at him. "Thank you."

Her dress slid down her body and she changed into the simple linen one he had picked for her. After he laced her into that, he took her hand. "Shall we let the others know?" he asked.

"I've already asked Tink to send servants to their rooms," she replied. "We can head straight to the hall."

Robin nodded, first walking over to the crib. He leaned over and kissed Henry's forehead. "Sweet dreams, my boy," he whispered.

"I'll return for his nightly feeding," Regina told Tink. "If he needs us, please don't hesitate to send for us."

"Everything will be fine," Tink assured her. "Go and be the Merciful Queen once again."

Robin took his wife's hand again. "She's right. It's time for you to be the amazing queen our people love."

They headed down to the hall as the first few villagers started to stagger into the palace. Regina greeted them and ushered them into the hall. She guided them to cots already set up by the servants and had blankets brought to them. "Can I get you some stew?" Robin offered, feeling like he had to pull his weight next to his wife.

"Yes, please, Your Majesty," a shivering young mother said as she wrapped her children in blankets. "My children would appreciate it."

He nodded before handing her another blanket. "Please, warm yourself as well."

She thanked him as he walked away to get her some stew. More people streamed into the hall, most cold and wet from either the rain or the floods. Ana guided them to cots while Ella asked a servant to light another fire. Everything seemed to be going well so far.

Robin retrieved several bowls of stew and placed them on a tray. He balanced the tray as he walked through the growing crowd, wanting to get the bowls to the young family he had just helped before distributing the rest. As he weaved around people, he heard Snow White call out to him. He stopped, finding her in the doorway with a confused look on her face. "What's going on?" she asked.

"One of the smaller rivers flooded," he explained. "The waters have displaced these villagers for now so we've opened our hall to them. They can stay dry, get warm and get some food while we wait for everything to subside."

Snow looked around the room, her eyes wide. "And you're serving them?"

"Yes," he replied. "They need our help and so we are giving it to them. Regina started this last year."

"She did?" she asked, surprised yet impressed.

He nodded. "It was how she won the hearts of our people – they call her the Merciful Queen and see her as someone who truly cares about them."

"That certainly sounds like Regina," she replied, looking to where Regina was entertaining a growing group of children.

Robin smiled when he saw it. "Children are just drawn to her as well."

Snow nodded before looking up at him. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Can you help distribute blankets to people as they come in?" he asked her. She nodded and took a stack of blankets from a servant, heading off as more people entered the hall.

Robin took a few more bowls of stew and brought them to another family. He helped feed a young boy while his mother ate. Once she was done, she took over, thanking Robin profusely. "You're welcome. Get some rest. You're all safe here," he assured them, standing again.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," the husband said, looking relieved. "We appreciate having a safe place to go."

"You're welcome. I am glad we can provide a haven during these storms," he replied before moving on.

He met up with Regina, rubbing her back. "Do you need anything?" he asked her.

She shook her head. "I think we're good for now. But I'll let you know if that changes."

"Alright, sweetheart," he said, kissing her forehead. "I'm going to see if there's any updates from John and the soldiers."

They parted ways and Robin left the hall. He spotted Will and waved his friend down. "Any word?" he asked.

"I was just coming to get you," Will replied. "John is waiting for you."

He led Robin to a nearby room and John bowed as they entered. "So far the other dams are holding but we're starting to evacuate a few other villages just to be safe."

"Good plan," he said. "Are they coming here?"

"Two villages are," John replied. "The other two are closer to Fort Nott and the captain there has assured me that the fort is fully prepared to take them in until the danger has passed."

Robin nodded, knowing that was probably for the best. He clapped John on the shoulder, feeling how damp the man's uniform was. "Thank you. Why don't you get something to eat before you head back out? We have stew in the hall."

"That sounds good. Thank you," John said, looking as relieved as he sounded. Robin escorted him back to the Great Hall and asked a servant to bring John a bowl of stew. John went with her to get it and Robin moved on, looking for the next person or family who needed his help.

As he surveyed the hall, he smiled at the sight of many members of his court helping the villagers. They put their pride aside to serve the people of Sherwood and he was so proud that Regina inspired them to do that. She truly was a queen in every sense of the word.

Regina stood with another family. Snow White was by her side and she was handing out blankets to the children. Then she straightened up, staying by Regina as she watched the older woman talk with the parents. He knew she was studying everything Regina did and was learning how to be a queen like her.

If Snow was even half the queen Regina was, then Mist Haven was in very good hands.

A/N: Snow came to Sherwood to celebrate Henry's birth and is getting a lesson on how to be a queen instead. These are probably lessons Eva intended to give her and we all know Leopold certainly wasn't.

Regina is sliding back into her normal routine. And we'll get to see her and Robin resume the more intimate parts of their life in the next chapter.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter!

-Mac