CHAPTER 3

Thank you for the lovely reviews, as well as the new favourites and follows… Morgana is one of my favourite characters ever so I love playing with her. Take that as a warning that I will take serious liberties with her history, life and powers. As for how sane she is… Well decide for yourself… :D

DISCLAIMER: Still not mine.

The boy looked afraid where he cowered in the corner of the majestic throne room of the castle she had created in the mountains and Morgana scowled. He was not supposed to be scared, it was not supposed to happen like this. She morphed her features into a friendly smile and knelt in front of him, her eyes wide.

"Mordrid… don't be scared, sweetheart. I love you. I want to take care of you, I want to make you king…"

Perhaps the sincerity in her eyes got through to him, because a nervous smile appeared on his face and he reached out to touch her cheek.

"You're pretty."

A true smile lit up Morgana's face and she tucked a strand of raven hair behind her ear.

"Thank you, Mordrid."

He frowned slightly and tilted his head, curiosity shining in his eyes.

"Why you call me Mordrid? I'm Roland."

"No."

Morgana shook her head insistently and grabbed his chin firmly.

"You're not… Those people, the people I saved you from… They are bad people, Mordrid. They made you believe that you're someone you're not… But I know the truth, I saw it… I saw through their tricks. They tried to take you from me."

"No… My mama and papa are not bad. They love me."

"I am the one who loves you, Mordrid! Not them. They tricked you. That woman is not your mother and you know that!"

A note of hysteria slipped into her voice as she ended her sentence, and it was the hint of doubt in Roland's eyes that brought a glimmer of sanity back and she searched his eyes, carefully screening through the memories he had tried so hard to bury.

"A real mother would never forget her son. I didn't forget you, I came back for you Mordrid… I saved you from them."

Her bottom lip trembled with emotion and Roland took a hesitant step forward to wrap his arms around her neck.

"Don't cry."

Morgana wiped the tears from her cheeks and a sad smile appeared on her face.

"I just… I wish you could remember that I'm your mama."

Roland bit down on his lip nervously as he looked at the pretty stranger who seemed really sad. He knew that Robin and Regina were his papa and mama, but he didn't want the kind lady to cry so he slipped his hand into hers.

"I'll try."

Morgana nodded and stood, picking him up into her arms and wrapping her arms around him protectively.

"Let's get you something to eat. I picked raspberries this morning. They're fresh and you've always loved them."

Roland pouted slightly.

"I like chocolate."

Morgana slowly let him sink to his feet and her face turned serious.

"I have no idea what chocolate is, Mordrid. But if you want chocolate… I'll get it for you."

Back at their castle, Regina dropped the stuffed toy with a frustrated groan and looked up at Robin, anger visible in every fibre of her being.

"It's not working! My locator spell has never failed before, but now… I can't find anything!"

She did not even notice the mirror behind her smashing with the magic that radiated from her, focusing back on the table in front of her.

Her knuckles whitened as she gripped the sides of the table, her entire body trembling.

"Regina…"

Robin approached her carefully, wrapping his arms around her tense figure.

"We will find him."

She spun round in his arms, her eyes blazing.

"How? How, Robin? My magic is failing me… I can't find him and… Every time you look at me, I see that you expect me to. And I know you mean it well, I know you are trying to be supportive but the only thing you are doing… is putting pressure on me. And I cannot handle that right now."

Robin looked taken aback, but as much as she loved him Regina was unable to stop the words from flowing over her lips.

"I can't keep being the strong one, Robin! I can't keep saving the day, I am not a hero. I love Roland, I do, but… I can't do this. I can't be sure that I'm going to be able to save him and every time I look at you, every time I see that expectation in your eyes… It just kills me."

Robin took a step away from her, accusation creeping into his eyes.

"Wait… you think… you think I'm weak?"

Regina pursed her lips and looked away, unable to face him directly and Robin gasped indignantly.

"You do think so. You blame me for Morgana taking Roland?"

Her answer was prevented by Snow entering the room with a crying Sarah against her shoulder, green eyes flashing with an unfamiliar irritation.

"Regina. Robin."

They turned to face Snow, Regina's anger fading when she saw her daughter and she reached out to take her. Her entire body froze when Sarah flinched away from her and her eyes widened.

"Sarah?"

Snow shook her head lightly and stroked over Sarah's hair, the irritation in her eyes fading.

"She had a nightmare and… when she woke up and went to look for you…"

Robin groaned softly and covered his face with his hand.

"She heard us fighting…"

Snow nodded gently and smiled at the little girl who cuddled up against her shoulder. With whispered encouragement Sarah allowed her mother to take her into his arms and with a last look at Robin, Regina left – her heels clicking against the floor with a hollow sound. Before Robin could attempt to follow her, Snow held her arm out to stop him and he froze, looking at the princess sadly.

"I don't know what to say, Snow."

"Then just listen."

He nodded and she gestured to a sofa, sitting down on it and waiting for him to join her.

"Roland being gone… it's hard on her, Robin. She feels as though she's failed – not only failed Roland, but she feels like she failed you."

Robin shook his head bitterly.

"I think I'm the one who failed. And clearly she thinks so too."

"Regina lashes out when she's afraid and she is. She's afraid that she's not going to be able to save Roland and she's afraid that… that if the worst happens, she'll lose you both."

Robin shook his head immediately.

"If anything happened to Roland… It would destroy me and I would never forgive myself. But I would never blame her. She can't lose me, Snow. I love her too much."

Snow smiled gently and squeezed his shoulder.

"Then tell her that. Don't tell her you believe in her – because then she thinks that your love for her is dependent on her success in saving the world. Regina still struggles to accept unconditional love, Robin and… she needs to know she has it."

Robin nodded slowly and a small smile formed on his face.

"How do you know these things?"

"Easy. I've known her my whole life and… well… I'm a woman. We're complicated, don't try to understand."

Robin stood and squeezed Snow's hands in a thankful gesture.

"If you'll excuse me… I need to talk to my wife."

He found her in Sarah's bedchamber, sitting next to their daughter and telling her a story with a soft voice. She froze when she became aware of his presence, but he stood in the door quietly – waiting for her to finish the story and watching as his daughter fell asleep. When she was certain that Sarah was asleep, Regina made to leave – only to be stopped by her husband grabbing her upper arm as she attempted to pass him.

"We need to talk."

His voice was low and she nodded, following him to their own room silently. The second they entered their room, Robin gathered his wife into his arms and pulled her flush against his chest – his lips gently caressing hers.

"I love you, Regina. Roland being gone is not your fault, it is not your responsibility to defeat Morgana. Especially not alone."

"Robin…"

Her voice was small, vulnerable, and he shook his head.

"No. I made you feel like it was your job to save our son, and while I do believe you can… that is not why I love you, Regina. I love you because you are smart, funny, beautiful and you make me feel more alive than I have ever felt. We'll find Roland. But we'll do it together. As a team."

Regina lunged forward and wrapped her arms around his neck with a sob.

"I'm scared, Robin. It scares me that she took him, it scares me that she was confident enough to let Charming and Hook see her… It scares me that I can't find Roland."

Robin buried his fingers in her hair and rested his forehead against hers.

"I'm scared too… but I don't want to fight with you. We can be scared together."

Regina nodded slightly and took a step away from him, wiping the tears from her cheeks.

"I've been thinking and… there's someone who could help us…"

She didn't have to say it – the hesitance in her eyes was enough, and Robin groaned.

"Not the imp?"

Regina let out a shaky breath and nodded, turning away from Robin. Her own voice betrayed her reluctance to call him, but she was certain that they did not have a choice so she went ahead with it.

"Rumpelstiltskin… we need you."

The famous giggle rang through the room before the man became visible, and the couple turned to face the man who was lounging comfortably on their bed – looking at them with mild surprise.

"Well… what an honour to be called by the King and Queen. How may I help you… dearies?"