poise and composure of a Queen

Regina Mills indie blog; private for the onceuponanask family only.

[reginamillsgifs]

                                                          104/365 days with regina mills

[onionringz]

The Snake & The Raven

[miladyqueen]

onionringz:

Now Zelena was getting frustrated. She was certain she had done the spell right, but obviously it hadn’t. Now she was short of days work of work, planning, and gathering of expensive ingredients, and all she had to show for it was a splinter on her finger from the drop of blood she had to add to the potion. It was all waste.

It was impossible to try and grab the cloth at this point. It was tight into the younger girl’s pocket, and unless she wanted to get in more trouble, it wasn’t going anywhere. The last thing she needed was a lecture from McGonagall about personal boundries. She would just have to accept the fact she was toast, and this Slytherin would be turning her into Snape lickity split. That is, unless she could use her Ravenclaw thinking to convince her otherwise.

“Fine, you’re right,” Zelena said, “This isn’t a normal spell. I lied. I’m just trying out something, and obviously it didn’t work as planned.”

Zelena continued her quick thinking, hoping to ripen the deal to something that would keep the first year Slytherin’s mouth shut. Something that any normal Slytherin would jump at the offer to.

“Look, if you don’t tell anyone about this, I’ll…I’ll tell the professors that you were involved in the experiment, and you’ll probably get loads of glory or something. Especially since you’re a first year. Alright?”

Zelena bit her lip hoping the girl would take her offer. But something told her this first year was more clever than she let on. 

“I have no interest in your glory,” she shot straight, frowning and shaking her head at the mere thought. It was a golden opportunity any other Slytherin would take without asking questions, but Regina was not a typical Slytherin, and much more clever than that. Even if she did believe the other girl’s story, glory was the last thing on her mind.

“And anyway, I wasn’t going to tell on you. I'm not a snitch, despite what you may think of me.”

Regina was so done with people judging her for being a Slytherin. She’d heard the whispers, saw the looks of pure despise every time she or a fellow housemate walked past the other students. It nearly brought her to tears one time, when she heard two Gryffindors talking about her without realizing she was sitting right behind. Regina skipped class that day- transfiguration. Her favorite.

Then again, she didn’t fit with her housemates, either. She knew Slytherin’s reputation but hoped to find someone, anyone, she could become friends with, until she’d eventually accepted the sad truth- everyone she knew was a bully, or just a plain idiot. Her time at Hogwarts just began and it already was a living hell. Studying magic had been a dream since she could remember, but the price of being lonely was hard on her. She often wondered what it could have been like if she chose Gryffindor instead.

Regina ran her fingers against the enchanted cloth again, before addressing the Ravenclaw, handing it back to her. A peace offer. She didn’t buy the girl’s lies about experiments, but she could tell she honestly believed something went wrong with the spell.

“For what it’s worth, I don’t think your spell failed, though. I think--I think it tried to find me.” But why? She left that question hanging in the air.

[miladyqueen]

themillersdxughter:

“It’s all right,” Cora said, reaching one hand around to take hold of Regina’s as they walked. “I just wish you weren’t still here.” It wasn’t all right, exactly, but it seemed like the right thing to say in that moment. She’d had no reason to think Regina would trust her, after all. Gambling with her husband’s soul had been exactly that- a gamble. Cora had thought the threat would work where trust didn’t.

But Regina was stronger than that, wasn’t she? 

“I know,” Cora sighed. Out in the light of day once more, she was finally free of that prison- but not free of the real prison keeping her here in the first place. “Regina…I’m sorry about before. Hades wanted you gone, badly, and I was afraid…afraid of what he’d do to you.” 

Cora glanced around the empty street, looking for any sign that the man himself was coming. There was no sign of him, but that didn’t stop the thrill of anxiety which crept its way up the length of Cora’s spine. 

“All this-” she gestured towards the crack in the library’s fallen tower which led towards the caverns- “was punishment for failing to get you to leave.” And Cora suspected there was some sort of vendetta Hades had against her for abandoning Zelena, though she couldn’t fathom as to why. Only that he had seemed intensely curious about her firstborn, going so far as to torture Cora just to find out Zelena’s birthday.

He’d managed it, in the end, though Cora said nothing of it to Regina. 

Regina shook her head, dismissing her mother’s apology. “It wasn’t your fault,” she whispered back. None of this was on her, it was all Hades. And besides, her father was okay; it didn’t matter anymore.

A small smile graced her face as she met her mother’s eyes. “Daddy is fine. He moved on. And I’m still in one piece.” For how long though, Regina didn’t know. But if they couldn’t turn Zelena against Hades, it wouldn’t take long for him to complete his plan and leave them to rot in the Underworld for good. This was exactly why Cora’s help was crucial. Who was better to tear this blooming relationship apart than her own mother?

Regina examined the destruction around them. It was more than just punishment for Cora’s failure to get her out, she was certain of it now. And by the look on her mother’s face, she must have known it too but Regina doubted she knew exactly why.

But first things first. She’ll get to the Zelena part eventually.

“Although,” she continued, eyes glancing around to make sure they weren’t being overheard. “Leaving this place just became more difficult than before... Hades put our names on tombstones, trapping us here. He plans to get out of the Underworld and take over Storybrooke.”

[miladyqueen]

themillersdxughter:

Zelena was beyond grateful and relieved that her sister didn’t hold her accountable for anything that had happened. Despite blaming herself for everything, it was nice to have support for once in her life. It was something she was going to have to get used to.

Still, the threat from Hades remained unwavering. Zelena thought to herself any possible way to alter Hades’s motivation, any thing whatsoever to use as a weakness to talk him down, or…strike him down. A gut formed in her stomach thinking about it, but there weren’t many other options.

“The biggest problem here is that Hades is a god.” Zelena said frankly. “I’ve read every magical book there is talking about the rarest and unbreakable forms of magic, and killing deities was never even a footnote. At least they’re not as frightening as Genies.”

Zelena reflected on everything she’d learned about Hades in the time that he’d know him. He ruled the Underworld, he favored blue flames, and he “loved” Zelena. But that wasn’t enough, there had to be more. He loved decay, hated hope, he despised his brother for cursing his heart–

That was it. Zelena had an idea.

“Wait a second–” Zelena said to her family, “His heart! Our kiss restarted it, so that means he has to have one. We might not able to crush it, but what if we could control it? You’re the expert on this, mother, what do you think?”

Cora’s face paled considerably at the suggestion; the very idea of them going up against the god of death in such a way was terrifying to her. She faltered, stepping back slightly in fear. Of what precisely, she couldn’t say, but Cora remembered too clearly the many awful things he had done to her- what would happen to her daughters if this would fail? 

“…there’s…no record anywhere of…of controlling the heart of god,” Cora said, swallowing hard. “Zelena’s the only one who could easily get close enough to him…and if it…if it failed…it’s too risky.”

But then Cora thought for a moment, and reasoned that if she herself could get close enough, it may be worth the risk. She, after all, had already been dead. It was where she ought to still be by all accounts. Her life meant far less, anyway, by comparison.

“I’m not letting either of you put yourselves in danger. I never…I never protected you, in my life,” Cora said, glancing down a the child in her arms and thinking of the two babies she ought to have loved. “So if there’s no other way…let me do it.”

Regina remained quiet and swallowed the lump in her throat. They were indeed going up against a god and as Zelena pointed out, no book ever talked about defeating one, let alone killing one. The odds were certainly not in their favor and it scared the hell out of her. They nearly lost the fight once already, nearly ended up stuck in the Underworld for good, and if they lost now... well, that was just not an option.

Her blood ran cold at her sister’s idea. Using Zelena was their best option, Hades trusted her more than anyone, but Cora was right. It was too risky, and as much as Regina wanted her sister out of her life not too long ago, the thought of using her as a bait and putting her in such great danger made her sick to her stomach.

“No.” Regina didn’t even have to think before speaking her mind out as their mother suggested an alternative. “Mother, even if either one of you can get close enough to do it, Hades is no fool. His heart must be protected with some powerful magic beyond our abilities. We can’t touch it."

Unless the King of Hell himself literally gave his heart to her sister, she thought, but Regina let the words remain unspoken. Even then, there was no guarantee they’d be able to use it in their favor.

[miladyqueen]

themillersdxughter:

For a moment Cora just held on tight, one hand tangling in Regina’s hair. She was so relieved to see Regina still alive, still all right; so relieved to even see her at all. Something akin to hope had re-ignited itself in her chest, and though part of Cora would have preferred for Regina to have left this horrible place by now, that light-hearted feeling was impossible to deny. For a moment even her own guilt was overpowered by the sheer force of it- love. How had she ever believed this was weakness?

“It’s all right, it’s all right,” Cora murmured, taking hold of Regina’s arms as she pulled back from the embrace. “I’m all right, darling. I just wish you weren’t still here.” Cora reached up, wiping the tears away from Regina’s cheeks. Traces of soot smeared her daughter’s face, but the touch was gentle nevertheless. Cora smiled apologeticaly. 

And then with the short flick of Regina’s hand, the block on her magic dissolved. Just like that her power rushed back to her, filling her with its strength. Cora’s smile widened, and she stepped back only for a moment to rid herself of the filthy rags she wore. In a whirl of smoke she was dressed once again in a clean pantsuit, the layer of dirt gone from her skin, hair restored to its untangled state. She felt like herself again- not the miller’s daughter, but Cora. 

“We need to get out of here, before Hades notices,” Cora said, taking hold of Regina’s arm again. “Come on.”

They wasted no more time on talking, as Regina nodded and led her mother back through the tunnels, not stopping until they were out in the open, right outside the library.

Only then Regina allowed herself a moment to recover and look at Cora again. She looked sharp, finally out of those hideous, humiliating rags and despite the circumstances, despite the fact they were standing in the middle of the Underworld in plain sight like two sitting ducks, Regina smiled. Her mother was safe, and she was just too happy to hide it.

Holding onto her mother’s arm, Regina lowered her gaze as she spoke. “I know you tried to do what was best for me, and I’m sorry I didn’t listen,” she confessed, because she truly did. She would have accepted her mother’s help and get Henry and Robin back home if she could, but things weren’t as simple as that down here. There was too much at stake.

It still stung to think Cora pushed her to the very edge in order to make her leave. She nearly had to sacrifice her father, and the image of him being so close to be taken by the eternal flames was still fresh and painful. Regina tried to push it to the back of her mind and concentrate on the pressing matters. “But as I said, I couldn’t just leave my friends behind. They needed my help, and right now we need yours.”

[onionringz]

The Snake & The Raven

[miladyqueen]

onionringz:

As she was racing at the speed of light, Zelena stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the innocent, first year, black haired Slytherin girl who’d caught her red handed. Panic shivered down Zelena’s whole blody. If there was anyone who would go running to Snape, it was a first year Slytherin. This was it for Zelena. All the hard work he’d put in, all her dreams of becoming Head Girl and winning the house-cup for Ravenclaw on her merits alone were now out the window. She would never be a prefect. She wouldn’t even get into fourth year, she was getting expelled. She was getting expelled that night.

In a pinch she tried to cough up something to distract the girl’s attention, “Hi! U-Um, right, you’re a Slytherin, I’m a Ravenclaw, I really shouldn’t be here. I’ll just be going…” 

The attempt to change the subject failed, and Zelena noticed that the girl was fixated on the floating piece of cloth that Zelena had enchanted. The advanced medieval blood magic that wasn’t even taught at Hogwarts anymore. She was a Ravenclaw, she had to come up with a clever excuse quick. “Oh, that–t-that’s not–don’t worry about that, one of Flitwick’s students broke his wand. Happens a lot. H-He…sent a Ravenclaw to retrieve it! He’s head of house, after all. Alright, bye!”

Zelena reached her hand forward to grab the now brightly glowing blue cloth, but her grip slipped into the air when the cloth scurried out of the way like a clever ground squirrel. Thanks to Zelena’s brilliant spell, the cloth now had a mind of its own. Brilliant. Every time Zelena tried to grab it, it did a mid-air dance and evaded her hand swiftly. It was like it was taunting her.

Quick thinking, Zelena grabbed her dark green wand from her robe and pointed it at the cloth, declaring, “Immobu–”

–But the cloth was quicker. Like an attracted magnet, the cloth zoomed into the Slytherin girl’s pocket and clinged to her skirt for security. Zelena’s eyes widened. She could already picture the smug, crooked nose face of Professor Snape when he proudly gave Zelena detention for the rest of her life.

Something was very apparently odd about the behavior of the enchanted cloth. The spell was crafted to hone in on the nearest blood relative of Zelena, and she was positive she’d done it correctly, so why was it sticking to a first year girl she’d never even seen before? 

Zelena had nothing else to say that could save her skin. She just stood and stared absolutely distraught and jaw-dropped. 

“Wait!” she nearly screamed at the stranger, attempting to stop the girl before she ran off. She might have been a first-year, but Regina was no fool. She’d seen and lived magic since before she could even walk, and the one she just witnessed in front of her eyes was, without a doubt, much more powerful than her fellow student’s unconvincing explanation.

Regina carefully examined what happened next. The magical cloth so easily evaded the girl’s grasp, including her magic and within seconds, it quickly lunged itself onto her skirt and held tight like its entire existence depended on Regina keeping it safe.

Whoever this student was—that was not an ordinary spell, Regina was certain of it now, and for a long moment all she could do was gape at the enchanted object in awe, wondering what it was supposed to mean.

Regina slowly reached for the cloth and easily tore it away from her skirt. She could feel every fiber of magic running through the material, tingling at the tips of her fingers. It didn’t make any attempt to fight, or get away from her grasp, it almost felt like it was on a mission to find her.

“This—this thing,” she muttered, glancing up to meet the older girl’s distraught and bewildered expression. Regina kept a surprisingly calm tone, despite the unusual circumstances. For some reason, she just knew she shouldn’t be worried. But she did insist on getting some answers. Real answers.

“That is not a regular spell. Why was it running from you?”

[onionringz]

The Snake & The Raven

@miladyqueen​

Zelena was completely over the hassle. The whole day had been exhausting–from skipping around on the Time-Turner to make all her classes and getting stuck with the dung-duties in Care of Magical Creatures, nothing was going right. But nothing was getting in the way of what she was about to do.

Getting a note to the restricted section of the library was draining. But, luckily, Zelena had the privilege of getting top marks in Professor Binns’s History of Magic class, the rarest feat known to wizard-kind, so it was easy to play the teacher’s pet card and get him to write her a note. She didn’t know why more people didn’t make more of an effort in History of Magic, it was by far the easiest class she had.

Zelena was planning a potion-induced spell, and it wasn’t going to go wrong. She already had the book, and she already had the potion brewing secretly under a table in the most cobweb infested section of the library. Today was the day. The last thing she had to put in the potion…was her blood.

Zelena had one plan and one plan only–find out where she came from. If writing countless letters to the Ministry wouldn’t work, then she would find out herself. If everything went as planned, Zelena would enchant a rag with a locator charm to light up whenever one of her immediate family was near. With the school year ending, it would be the perfect opportunity to make a trip to the popular wizarding hotspots and see if she would get lucky and get a reaction.

And so, Zelena did everything the book said. After adding her blood, she stirred twice counter-clockwise, and added the piece of cloth. After soaking for a second, she removed the cloth and recited the words “Genus Locus!”

Suddenly, much to Zelena’s surprise, there was a reaction. Immediately, Zelena figured something had gone wrong and one of Professor Snape’s ingredients was miss-labeled, causing the whole thing to go awry. She tried to grab it, but strangely, as not listed anywhere in the spellbook, the cloth began to levitate away at running speed.

Zelena panicked. If she got caught breaking all these school rules, she’d loose her chances for becoming a prefect in 5 years for sure. Zelena tried casting spells at the flying cloth, but it was no use. The piece of cloth was on the move, and it was on the way to the Hogwarts dungeons. Specifically, the Slytherin common room.

[miladyqueen]

It’s been an excruciating long day for Regina. As the end of the school year approached, the stress has been overwhelming than before, causing her more than a few breakdowns already (not that she would ever admit it, though).

She always thought that Hogwarts, finally learning magic, would be an amazing opportunity for her. She’d become a proud Slytherin, just like Mother, be at the top of her classes and make her proud. 

In reality, none of that happened. Ever since Regina was old enough to study more and satisfy her need to learn about Hogwarts and its history, Regina questioned her house loyalties. Slytherin was all she knew since the day she was born, her mother made sure of it, but Regina realized that was not who she wanted to be. Reading about the powerful and terrible wizards and witches that came out of this house frightened her. Surely the houses couldn’t really be just a simple matter of black and white like that, though. Her mother wasn’t evil and Regina loved her deeply, but she didn’t want to grow up and become like her, and being in Slytherin -- it might be inevitable... No. Regina’s loyalties laid with Gryffindor. This is where hear heart truly belonged, she knew it without a doubt. But her mother would never accept it. Cora Mills’ daughter could never be in any house other than Slytherin.

So when the Sorting Hat proved her heart to be right, even though she presented signs of a true Slytherin as well, Regina found herself making a choice. She chose Slytherin and the Hat accepted.

She hated every second of it. The only source of solace for her this year was the woods. This was the place where she felt free, even if just for a while, and this was where she headed now. Regina needed to pull herself together in order to pass her finals and leave this year behind.

Before she could make her way out of the dungeons, though, something flew straight at her direction and floated in front of her. Regina let out a gasp and looked around to find a young girl standing not too far ahead, looking as stunned as her. Regina frowned. A Ravenclaw. Well, that was... unexpected.

But she was immediately fascinated by the stranger, as the cloth started to glow on its own accord. Something told her she could trust the girl, unlike any of her so called house 'friends', and Regina found herself gaping with awe. “How did you do that?” She questioned the red-head. She seemed no more than a year older than her, maybe two, and Regina already admired her skills.

“You’re not supposed to be down here, you know. No one goes anywhere near the Slytherin common room except for Slytherins,” Regina warned. If any of her housemates found an intruder down here, it wouldn’t end well. Regina was curious, though, and she narrowed her eyes at the girl. She couldn’t imagine any person who’d go there on their own free will.

[hermajestygifs]

[themillersdxughter]

“I really like Hunter. I know I got it from a paint catalogue, but if you think about Robin being a thief and witches being hunted there’s kind of a cute irony, don’t you think?” Zelena was skipping through her words brightly and thoughtlessly, just so happy that her whole immediate family was reunited in the land of the living.

However, the vibe she was getting from her mother and her sister was that there wasn’t a lot more time for happy celebration. As much as she wanted to ignore it, the immediate threat that Hades was posing shouldn’t be ignored any longer. She knew this, but she really didn’t want to talk about it.

“Mother told me about what happened with Hades.” she said unhappily. There was a moment in her head where she thought perhaps Regina assumed Zelena was involved somehow, so she began to ramble, “I had no idea he was trying to do that, I swear I didn’t. He was lying to me the whole time. I can’t even tell if that ‘true love’s kiss’ was a lie or not.”

Zelena and exhaled and atempted to grin again. She turned to her mother, who was holding her granddaughter without letting a peep come out of her. She had a docile baby, but it was reassuring that she felt comfortable in Cora’s arms. “But hey, we all made it, didn’t we? That’s more than I was expecting during that whole ‘trip to hell’ thing,” she jested, hoping to lighten the mood with a wicked joke.

Cora smiled at Regina, relieved her daughter had picked up on her silent cues, and that Zelena seemed oblivious to their communication. For all that Cora would insist Zelena was every bit as much her daughter as Regina, there was no way to alter the fact that Cora would always have the more natural relationship with Regina. Whatever faults she’d had, Cora had raised Regina. The two knew each other in ways Zelena did not. 

“Hunter? Is that not a boy’s name?” Cora asked, yanked from her thoughts when Zelena spoke. It was clever, perhaps, but Cora inwardly cringed at the thought of calling her granddaughter Hunter. Though she said nothing else, conscious of how hyper-critical she had been with Regina. The last thing she wanted was to push Zelena away in the same fashion.

“We really shouldn’t all be here,” Cora said. “I shouldn’t be, anyway.” She stared down again at the baby, caught in between concern over Hades and the safety of her family, and enjoying this small moment between the four of them. Her family had never felt so large, nor so complete. Cora shifted slightly, such that she could move one hand of her own to join the interlocked hands of her daughter and granddaughter. 

“…we’ll need a plan, before dealing with Hades…”

[miladyqueen]

Her mother’s comment on the baby’s name suggestion hasn’t surprised Regina. Not in a bit. Zelena, however... she didn’t know Cora like Regina did, and so as not to stir any fuss on the matter, Regina shot a glance at her mother and quickly interrupted. “I like Hunter,” though if she was being honest, witches and thieves, their child... something she and Robin could never have... that wound still hurt. But now wasn’t the time to dwell on it. Not under the circumstances and not when her beautiful niece already owned her heart and made it easier on her. “I’m sure Robin would appreciate the irony,” she added with a smile.

The air was heavy with tension as they tried to ignore the most important subject, but it didn’t take long for Zelena to bring it up. And Regina knew, before she even said a word, her sister worried she might have assumed she was part of it all along. But Regina was quick to dismiss her fear. “I know you weren’t part of it, Zelena. None of this is your fault. I’m just glad you and the baby got away before it was too late.” She swallowed, trying not to think of the consequences if Cora hadn’t found Zelena on time or if Zelena had thrown a tantrum and ran back to Hades with her daughter.

When her mother interlocked their hands she turned to look at her again. “You are here now, mother. Nothing else matters. And we will find a plan,” she promised. How? That was the hardest part to figure out but Regina knew they weren’t going to just give up without a fight. They would do whatever it takes to keep the town safe. She looked at her sister with a hopeful glance for something, anything that might help them defeat him. After all, there was no one who knew Hades as well as Zelena did.

[themillersdxughter]

The Underworld wasn’t supposed to be hell. But that was the only way Cora could truly describe it- locked away down in the depths of this prison, only the dank, rancid air to breathe, and nothing but the constant, back-breaking work. It was worse now than what she remembered. She was older now, not as strong as she’d been when she was young. And at least her father’s mill had been outside. She’d had a little more freedom, and Cora never would have thought she’d actually miss it in comparison. 

As the days turned to weeks, Cora was losing hope that anyone was going to find her. She supposed she couldn’t have really expected anyone to, after what she had done. Yet it had been difficult not to imagine that Regina, at least, might come. When she had not, Cora was forced to accept the truth- her daughter had abandoned her to her fate. No one was coming.

Not that Cora could really begrudge Regina for refusing to forgive- she stumbled against a rocky ledge, nearly dropping the cart full of flour- after what she had done to Regina’s father. It was no real surprise. Cora straightened, running her hands across her face.

The voice of a guard interrupted her thoughts, bidding her return to work. Cora took a moment to glare defiantly. One moment to wipe sweat from her eyes, was that so much to ask? But she knew better by this point than to do anything but obey. There was a price for disobediance,after all, as she had learned the hard way from Hades himself. Cora turned back to the grain.

There was a loud thud, and a most familiar voice rang out. Cora’s head shot up, grain falling to the ground in a cascade of wheat seeds. She turned to see a shock of black hair flying at her, and Cora didn’t think twice before catching Regina in her arms. Her daughter had come after all.

“Oh, Regina…” 

[miladyqueen]

“Mother,” she choked out as she ran straight into her mother’s welcoming embrace, holding her tight. It was impossible to believe she’d get the chance to hold her again and given the last time they saw each other, Regina still felt guilty for not parting on good terms.

“I’m sorry, I am so sorry,” tears were running down her face as she let go of Cora, only barely, and looked at her. “I was so stupid to think Hades would just let you leave, I should have come sooner, I--” she paused and looked down as she ran her hand over her mother’s arm and felt something on her wrist. A bracelet to block her magic. Of course. Regina wasted no time and removed it with a quick motion, finally freeing her mother from Hades’s grasp.

“I’m sorry,” she mumbled again in tears. Seeing her mother in this state only increased the sense of guilt that was clinging onto every cell of Regina’s body, refusing to let go.

[onionringz]

“I promise” Zelena said genuinely. For one of the first times in her life she meant every word of what she was saying. She gazed happily at her daughter, and then her eyes turned back onto her sister with a grin, “Would you like to hold her before we go? You’re practically as much of her mummy as I am.” Even though Zelena had just been given the trust of her daughter again, she really wanted to give Regina a demonstration of her trust. But more so, she wanted to see Regina smile. 

[miladyqueen]

Zelena’s genuine reply left no doubt in her heart that she’d made the right choice by trusting her. Her sister truly meant it. And once they’d get the hell out of here, they could be a real family. A family with some issues to figure out, but it was a start. As these thoughts ran across her mind, Regina looked up and met Zelena’s glance, her words catching her off guard. She never imagined she’d ever get to hear her sister’s approval of the role she’d play in her daughter’s life but she just did and Regina was left speechless. Without being able to find any words, she just nodded, tears ready to burst any moment but the smile on her face as she looked at the baby showed just how happy she felt right now.

[smells-likeforest]

Roland had wandered away from his father. The man was working on something, he wasn’t sure what. He didn’t like just sitting there. The young boy got bored quickly. He had wandered away from his father and a couple of the other Merry Men, heading outside. He liked spending time with Regina, perhaps he culd find her.

The little boy didn’t find her after a few minutes of looking, so he decided to climb Regina’s apple tree so he could have an apple. He was about to reach a branch, having not noticed Regina beside him. “My Majesty!” He cheered happily. He shook his head and snuggled her.

Robin had noticed his son was missing, unsure as to where his son had gone. He and the Merry Men set off in the direction of outside. Once outside, they split up. Roland’s favorite place to be was outside, so it made sense. “Roland?” He called, walking across the castle grounds. He spotted the boy then, as well as the queen.

“Your majesty…” He came up, letting her know she was not alone; or not alone with Robin. He smiled gratefully at the Queen. “It seems m’boy and I owe you a debt, Your Majesty.”

[miladyqueen]

As heartbroken as the Queen was after losing her son for good, Regina couldn’t resist Roland’s charms as the boy quickly found his way into her heart. She was amazed by the capability of this young child to display so much affection to her, to be completely oblivious to who she was back in this realm. Here, she was still the terrible Evil Queen. Even though she’d changed so much in such a short time, her dark past was something that people weren’t too keen to forget (and who could blame them, really?)

His insufferable father, however, didn’t seem bothered by it either. The man was an enigma to her. No matter how hard she tried to push away, the thief was never taken aback by her attitude or harsh words. Not even once. And the fact that deep down Regina like it made her terrified and excited at the same time.

Regina caressed Roland’s back and reached out for one of the branches that carried the most beautiful red apple and picked it for him. She sat on the fence next to the boy and handed him the fruit. “There you go, sweetheart,” she said, keeping an arm around him as he snuggled against her side.

She felt his presence then, before the man even had the chance to address her. While Roland was too occupied with the apple, Regina looked up at the thief with a sigh. “Aren’t you tired of your honorable nonsense?” she questioned him, a clear sign of annoyance in her voice. The last thing the Queen needed right now was the outlaw owing her another debt.

[miladyqueen]

@themillersdxughter

Regina’s heart was beating fast as she made her way through the dimly lit Underworld tunnels. She couldn’t believe she was stupid enough to believe her mother was gone, that Hades would have ever let her leave his realm...

What Cora did to her father, or tried to do, still hurt Regina. A fresh, sting memory of almost losing him to the eternal flames caused her to swallow hard. And yet, it was her mother. And more than the fact that she needed her, needed her help now, the thought of Hades torturing her... Regina will not let this happen. She will not let Hades hurt her sister or anyone else, either. Not if she could do something to prevent it. Right now, Cora was the only one who could help.

“No time for rest now. There’s more flour to mill.” The voice filled the air as Regina peeked out of the corner and saw a strangely familiar woman standing in front of two men.

Her blood boiled when she recognized the face. Her mother. Her regal, fierce mother. The one who never showed any signs of weakness, always the person in charge, was standing in front of her wearing nothing but filthy rags filling other people’s orders. For the first time in her life, Regina realized what her early life as a miller’s daughter must have been like.

She was going to put an end to it. Right now.

With a wave of her hand, the two men fell to the ground with a loud thud and Regina made her way out of her hiding place, quickly rushing over to her mother’s side.

“Mother!”

[onceuponadaily]

[darkparadiseprodz]

[themillersdxughter]

“I have had quite a few ideas…” Zelena smiled to her mother, who’s own grin while holding the baby was a sight for sore eyes after being stuck in the land of the dead. “I haven’t had the chance to run them by Robin, or Regina, but I suppose I could squeeze a few by you–”

In her excitement, Zelena looked up and caught the eye of the oak tree behind Cora that now had a familiar face next to it. Seeing the black clothing, she had a moment of panic in case it might have been Hades, but it wasn’t. It was Zelena’s sister.

The relief flooded Zelena’s face and turned every pale spot rosy red. The fear boiling in her stomach that she’d never see her sister again instantly melted away. She couldn’t grin happier. They exchanged eye contact and smiles for a brief second, and while Cora was holding the baby, Zelena bolted forward as fast as her heels could take her, crying out, “Regina? REGINA! You made it! You made it out!”

Cora’s head shot up, eyes locking with her youngest daughter as Zelena rushed towards her. Cora lifted an eyebrow, as if to say didn’t I tell you not to come? But the small smile reassured that everything was all right regardless. For now it seemed, Zelena was quite firmly with them. So Cora gave a small nod, letting Regina know that her mission had been successful.

Though that may have been obvious by Zelena’s reaction alone, which warmed Cora’s heart more than she could say. For a moment she could imagine the two girls were still children. She could picture the bright pink dress up clothes and the ridiculous make up- and wondered again at her own foolishness. Why hadn’t this been enough?

Cora shifted the babe in arms just slightly, and moved towards her daughters, a smile on her face. “I see you made it here,” Cora said rather ambiguously, making no mention of their rather covert agreement in regards to Zelena. She lifted her eyebrows again, silently indicating that Regina should play along. “We were just discussing your niece here…she still doesn’t have a name.”

[miladyqueen]

When Zelena made an eye contact, Regina returned it with a smile but her nerves quickly settled in as she tried to get a hint, any sign that might tell her if their mother had already broken the news to Zelena. She found what she was looking for when Regina inevitably exchanged a glance with her mother -- a small reassuring nod to say it was done (not before Cora had given her one of those scolding glances for disobeying her, which did very little to startle her.)

Shifting her gaze back to her sister, Regina walked to meet her halfway. “I promised I would,” she replied and without much thinking, Regina pulled her into a quick hug. They haven’t been apart for too long, granted, but there was a moment down there that Regina thought they would never make it out, that she never again would get the chance to see her sister. Or her niece.

She let go of Zelena just as their mother joined the two. Cora’s greeting confused her and Regina narrowed her eyes, wordlessly gaping at the woman. She quickly got the hint, though, and responded immediately. “Just barely,” she whispered, looking down at the baby in her mother’s arms. Regina couldn’t help but catch one of her tiny flailing hands and run her thumb across the back of the baby’s palm. “Yeah, I’m not sure Baby Hood might work when she’s twenty,” she laughed, trying to push aside any thought about battling evil Gods and focus on this more than precious family moment.

[onionringz]

Zelena was taken aback by the honestly. Not because it hurt, but because it felt so genuine. “You really feel that way?” she said, trying to hide a smile but mostly fighting back a tear that was resting behind her eyeball waiting for the right moment. “I don’t want to give you any reason to regret trusting me. I want both of us to be happy. Plus the four of us–the five of us.”

[miladyqueen]

“I know you do. We can have that,” she smiled reassuringly at her sister before her face grew serious again. “Robin is...” Regina started but paused immediately, trying not to turn her gaze towards the man, not trusting herself to keep her emotions at bay if she sees him. "He probably hates me right now for doing it... but I really do believe in you. You just have to promise me you’d never give me, or Robin, a reason to regret this.”