The Tale of The Lyon Tattoo
Summary: Princess Regina's 20th Birthday Ball is coming and she still hasn't found her "True Love" so her parent's are arranging suitors for her. She has two weeks before she has to marry one of them. Can she find the one with the Lion Tattoo with the help of a Green Fairy in time and live happily ever after?
SwanQueen - AU - Cinderella Style
Disclaimer: I DO NOT own any Characters from Once Upon A Time.
AN: This story is based off Cinderella but in the Enchanted Forest. I am trying to make each chapter long and some chapters will be divided into sections that will be exploring Emma's and Regina's life like this chapter so please bare with me. Please Review! I want to hear the good and bad stuff! Thank you and Enjoy!
Chapter ONE: Green Fairy Dust and The Tavern
Regina is a Princess of the White Castle and it's Kingdom. Her older sister, Princess Snow, is now married to Prince David and living in the Summer Castle for their Honeymoon, waiting to make their first appearance at Regina's 20th Birthday Ball. Their Parents, King Henry and Queen Cora are talking to the planner and trying to figure out how to tell their youngest daughter the good news.
"Oh, Henry. Quit slouching and sit up straight." Cora whispered to her husband. Her dark red dress slid across the floor as she walked to the table. They were surrounded by millions of books that she hated. The 25 shelves were filled with dust and held despairing books that never felt the love of a reader. She scoffed, "Why in the world did I let you talk me into having the meeting in this filthy room?" She ran a finger across the newly polished desk and examined her clean finger in disgust. "I hate this room."
King Henry sat up and shook his head. He loves his wife, even at this state. He knew Cora had trouble showing her feelings but he loved her anyway and she gave him Regina, his pride and joy. She was married before she met him and she had Snow with her now Late Ex-Husband, King Leopold and King Henry tried to love her but Snow was distant, just like her mother. He knew that Snow still cares deeply about her Late-Father and didn't want to replace him so he gave her the space she needed but she did love Regina and that is what mattered to him. "My love, please calm down. The planner will arrive shortly. Why don't you have a seat and we can have a cup of tea?" As soon as he spoke, the double doors in front of them opened and reviled a maid with a tray of a pot of tea, two cups and a small bowl of sugar. She walked in, placed the tray on the table then bowed and left the King and Queen alone.
Cora sneered and sat down and poured herself some tea and put two spoonful's of sugar into her cup. Henry copied her. His black blazer covered his gray vest and back tie which Cora knew it will soon be stained. He smiled into his cup and Cora sipped her cup and looked at him. Then he started to giggle to himself. "Henry? Is something the matter?"
"Hmm?" He looked up at his wife and saw her confused look and smiled and took another sip of his tea. "It seems like it was yesterday...the day you told me you were pregnant of Regina." Henry sipped his cup and saw Cora smile in the corner of his eye. She tried to hide it by drinking her tea.
"Yes. It's amazing how fast they grow up."
"But she will always be our baby. Right, My Love?" She smiled again.
The doors opened and the butler, Mr. Geppetto, walked in and bowed. "Your Majesties." The King and Queen nodded. "The Planner has arrived." Cora sat straighter and wiped off the non-existent dust off her dress and fluffed up her hair.
"Show him in."
Emma Swan is a 19 year old girl, long lost to her parents when she was a small child near the woods far from where she is now. She found work and shelter when she needed it most. Some villagers are kind, some not so much. Now, she works in a tavern and sleeps in the attic.
Emma pulled down her corset as it was crushing spline. "Fuck, I hate these clothes." The dark brown corset crushed her fit body into an unhealthy hourglass figure with her puffy white shirt flowed over it.
"Oh please, you look great Em! Your boobs totally look great in it." Ruby smiled into her cup as Emma blushed. Ruby's red cloak hid her face and body away from the tavern's customers except the waitress, Emma. "What time do you get off? Maybe I can give you a proper room to sleep in."
"Ruby!" Emma shushed her friend and her face burned with embarrassment. The old tavern was packed as usual. And loud. Emma leaned over the table and her golden hair fell over her ear and shoulder. Emma saw Ruby's facial structure and gasped and hurried to the nearby window and saw the bright full moon. Emma hurried back to Ruby and whispered "Ruby! What the hell are you doing out so late? You are already turning!" Ruby pulled her cloak closer to her face and shushed Emma.
"Hush Emma!" Emma turned her head around to see if anyone was eavesdropping. "I have everything under control, plus I just wanted to check in on you. I heard you went to tattoo recently. What did you get?"
"Ruby, you know you can't be out so late! This is ridiculous! You need to go to the woods. Now!" Ruby scuffed and pushed her empty cup towards the blonde.
"Emma, come on. You've known me for practically your entire life and when Granny gave you a place to stay for that entire year, you saw me" Ruby leaned her head closer to her and whispered, "change and do some terrible things. You can trust me. Have I ever ruined your trust?"
Emma laughed quietly. "Well there was that one time when you hid my baby blanket from me and you said you didn't know where it was."
"Hey, I was nine. And you carried that white fluffy thing like your life depended on it."
"Yeah, but it was the only thing I had left of my parents." Emma's voice scratched her eyes.
"Oh Em. I remember when those boys tore it when we were fourteen. You cried for days. I'm sorry I didn't step in."
Emma shook her head. "No, it's in the past now. I still have it and I tried to mend it but I dont have the right materials to do so."
Ruby mentally shook her head and tried to cheer up the hot blonde. "So. The tattoo?"
"How did you know about that?" Emma's eyes grew and she hid her hands behind her back.
"Really? You're my best friend" and crush, she thought. "So there isn't anything you can hide from me.
"Uh huh. Have you found that necklace?" Ruby giggled.
"Emma Swan, quit trying to change the subject." Damn it. I swear she never even hid it anywhere. Even though that was four damn years ago. "Come on. Spill. I wanna see it!" Emma slowly moved her hands toward Ruby but was stopped by a masculine voice behind her.
"Hey, girl! Gimme another!" Emma sighed and nodded towards the man and looked at Ruby.
"I gotta get back to work. You should leave, your...ears are starting to grow too much hair for my liking." Emma winked and turned to the man.
King Henry and Queen Cora sat at the table and sipped their tea.
"So, you want to have a Birthday Ball for Princess Regina. Am I correct?"
"Mr. Cricket!" Cora breathed
"Oh please, Your Majesty. You may call me Jiminy." The green insect took off his hat and bowed.
Henry could feel the heat coming from his wife's rage so he leaned the opposite way and Cora yelled, "Little Bug. We have been telling you want we want, who it is for and all the damn information you need for this ball. You either make it happen or you have just wasted a full hour of my time and I promise you, it will not end well for you, Cricket." The small cricket that stood on the table now shivered as it nodded and grabbed its small bag. His small green body shook with fright in his tuxedo. King Henry shook his head and nodded toward the cricket.
"Mr. Jiminy, our daughter, Regina, is turning 20 in two weeks and we want to throw her a Birthday Ball in her honor. We are also going to introduce her to a few suitors The Queen and I have picked out." The King's sweet, raspy voice spoke and the cricket nodded in return. "Her favorite colors are purple and black. Do you think you have enough information to make these work?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Of course. I will get right on it." The cricket bowed, jumped off the table and made his way through the doors.
"For a cricket, he isn't very bright." Cora scrunched her face and walked to the window. Henry walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her and kissed her neck.
"My love, he is just trying to help." She laughed. "Come. We must tell our daughter the good news." He grabbed her hand and lead her to the hall.
Regina sat at her desk, staring into her mirror. He white silk nightgown flowed over her body like water. Her white room had stayed plain over the years, representing how pure her heart is, or so her mother says. The only thing she liked about this room is the balcony that let her view the castle's court yard and the rest of the forest. She grabbed her small brush and ran it through her long black hair slowly then started singing.
"Hush now, my baby. Be still now, don't cry. Sleep as your rocked by the stream. Sleep and remember my last lullaby so I'll be with you when you dream."
A sudden knock frightened her and stopped her from finishing her lullaby. She walked to her bed and pulled the covers back and seated herself on it and got comfortable. "You may come in." She said politely. The doors opened and her parents walked in.
"Mama. Daddy." She greeted them by bowing her head slightly.
"Regina, we have come to bid you good night." Regina smiled and nodded.
"Yes, thank you. Good night." Regina pulled the covers closer to her bent down to blow out the candle but was stopped when her Mother walked into her room.
"How very rude of you, Darling. Have we taught you anything?" Cora pushed her way through the door. Regina groaned, turned her head towards her father and smiled softly.
"Please come in, Daddy." He smiled and walked towards his daughter.
"Why thank you, Regina. How are you on this fine evening?" She giggled as he kissed her forehead.
"Regina, darling. Please sit up. Your father and I have news for you."
Regina sat straighter. Her mother sat herself on the chair in front of the mirror and Henry stood beside her.
"We are going to throw you a Birthday Ball." Cora said with as much enthusiasm as she could, which isn't much.
Regina rolled her eyes with her reply, "Mother, I don't want another ball. They are all so...tedious and lifeless. Princess Aurora even fell asleep during last year's ball." Henry giggled at the memory of Aurora snoring and slipping off her chair.
"Young Lady! You will not have this tone with me. You are a Princess and with that title, you have expectations and duties." Henry's face fell as the Queen spoke. Regina knew there was something wrong.
"Mother. What are you talking about?"
Cora inhaled as much air as she could hold and Henry's hand landed on her shoulder for support, she then released the air and stared at her beautiful daughter.
"When your sister met and married David, she was your age." Regina got up and felt all of her blood leave her head. "I think it's time you do the same."
Regina headed toward the balcony and stumbled to the rails, gripping it as she desperately tried to catch her breath. Her Mother and Father ran toward their daughter.
ME? MARRY? Snow married because she fell in love! I haven't yet! Regina's mind was going crazy. She couldn't think straight and the more she tried, the tighter her grip got.
"Regina?" Henry grabbed her shoulders gently and rubbed her back. "Darling."
"No." She barley whispered.
"What?"
"No!" She turned around to look at her parents. "NO! I WILL NOT!"
Cora's face grew in color as did her voice "REGINA EVANGELINE SOPHIA MILLS! YOU WILL NEVER RAISE YOUR VOICE AT ME EVER AGAIN, AM I UNDERSTOOD." Regina stood closer to her father. "You will attend the ball and meet your suitors."
"Suitors? Mother I-"
"REGINA!" Regina shut her mouth as her name escaped her mothers lips.
"You will meet your suitors and you will dance with them and you will decide that night. We have a limited amount of time for you to choose. We thought that you would have found a nice prince by now but now we are contrived to take things into our own hands."
Regina turned around and glared at the court yard.
"Allow me to comprehend my decision over the night and I will give you my answer in the morning."
Cora looked at her husband then nodded. "As you wish, My Darling." Then turned around and left the room with her husband at her side.
Regina slowly walked to her bed and tucked herself in, trying to close her eyes and find sleep.
She stared at her ceiling for what seemed like forever and removed herself from her bed and made her way to the balcony and stared at the night stars and sighed.
"You look like you had a rough evening, Regina." Regina turned her body roughly toward the voice. A Fairy, who wore everything green, floated down to the rail and sat down. Regina let go of the breath she didn't know she was holding.
"Tink, please stop scaring me like that." Tinkerbell chuckled.
"I'm sorry Regina. It's just hilarious to see you jump. Plus your reaction is cute." Regina shook her head and turned her back towards the fairy.
"What are you doing here Tink?" Tinkerbell jumped up from her spot on the rail and transformed into a human and landed beside her.
"You seemed like you could use a friend. And today," Tink moved around the balcony with her hands behind her back. "Is the day I met you four months ago."
"Already?" Regina sounded rather surprised. "I'm sorry, Tink. I have had so much going on that I forgot." Tinkerbell smiled and nodded.
"It's okay. I get it."
"You know, I'm glad I have you as a friend." Regina shifted her body and leaned on the rail. "In fact, you are my only friend."
Tinkerbell smiled softly and moved a little closer to her best friend. "Let's do something."
Regina raised her eyebrow. "Such as?"
"Something...daring...exciting!"
"I don't know, Tink."
"Oh come on." Tink grabbed her hands and held them. "Trust me."
"I... I don't-"
"When have I ever proven to you that I am untrustworthy?" Tink made a pouty face and Regina broke.
"Ugh fine. But I have to be back before my parents notice." Tink clapped her hands excitedly and transformed back into a fairy.
Emma's eyes grew tired as she cleaned up the tables, grabbing all the left behind change she found on the floor from the drunken men. She fell on her knees and groaned as she cleaned up the dried blood from a recent fight.
"Emma?" She turned to see an old woman with round glasses sitting on her nose with bright white hair. "Sweet heart, what are you doing here so late?"
"Granny!" She got up and hugged the woman who's heart was as bigger than anyone in this god forsaken village. "How are you?"
"I'm fine, Darling, but the moon is about to be at it's highest! You should be in bed, asleep!" Emma released her and looked out the window.
"Oh I'm just about finished." Emma turned her head towards Granny. "What are you doing out so late at night...and in a tavern?"
"Oh!" Granny physically shook her head and reached over to the table next to her and grabbed a large cross bow. "I heard a wolf cry."
Emma raised her brow, "Ruby?" Granny shook her head and stepped closer to the window.
"This cry was a male." A male?!
"Wait! There are others?" Emma rushed towards the window but was pushed back by Granny's arm.
"No, don't get close towards the windows." Emma stepped back and watched Granny look around the window. She then sighed and stepped away from it. "There are others but I thought their den was at least a three day's trip from here." Granny turned to Emma and her facial expression changed.
"We have to find her. Now!"
"What? Why? Isn't this a good thing?!" Granny grabbed Emma's green cloak and tossed it towards her.
"No. Wolves are territorial. If they smell another on their land, they will defend it...with their life." Oh no! Ruby! Emma quickly wrapped her cloak around her body and head and followed the woman with the cross bow.
Tinkerbell grabbed her small green pouch that was strapped on her side and pulled something from inside.
"Close your eyes, Regina." Regina looked skeptical at her best friend.
"May I ask why?" She stepped back slowly.
Tinkerbell groaned and removed her hand and showed Regina the Green Fairy Dust that covered it. Regina nodded her head and closed her eyes and waited.
Tinkerbell pulled a hand full amount of dust and threw it on her friend then closed the pouch back up. "Ready?"
"I am." Regina slowly opened her eyes as she was lifted from the ground. "Where are we going again?"
"The village." Tink said politely.
"What? Why?"
"Regina! Enough with the questions!" Tinkerbell chuckled. For as long as she knew her, Regina always liked to know what was going on or have things her way. But not this time. Tink drew her breath and turned to Regina as they floated through the sky. "Fine, I ask you a question then you ask me, got it?"
"Fine." Regina hated this, she knew what she was going to ask.
"So, what happened tonight?" I was right.
"My parents want to throw a ball in my honor." Tink looked at Regina questionably.
"That's good right?"
"Yes, but it's for my twentieth birthday and they said that I should have found my True Love by now just like my older sister has." Tink nodded her head, understanding Regina's frustration.
"So why are you so upset for?"
"Because they want me to meet my suitors at the ball." Tinkerbell stopped in the middle of the sky.
"What! Suitors?! Are you serious?"
"Excuse me, but I do believe it is my turn! You owe me two questions." Tinkerbell nodded and continued flying towards the village.
"Okay, where are we going exactly?"
"The village tavern."
"Why?"
"Something exciting is going to happen."
"What is it?"
Tinkerbell laughed, "Regina, you have already asked your questions and we are almost there so you will see soon." Regina accepted her statement and gazed at the stars and the woods.
Emma hid her face in the green scratchy fabric as she slowly and soundless walked across the village road, behind the old woman. Granny pointed her crossbow at each direction before she took each step, listening to the sounds of the forest.
"Have you heard anything yet?" She whispered.
"Shh child!" She turned to Emma, quickly shutting the girls mouth with her hand. "Do you want to get us killed?" Emma shook her head rapidly. Granny removed her hand and walked forward a few steps then stopped. "He isn't far from us now." She quickly walked into the village clearing where they would hold markets and food stands during the day.
Emma looked around the clearing, trying to find any kind of sign of her best friend, then a large black wolf appeared and Emma sighed, "Granny, its Ruby." Emma made her way to the wolf who was growling at them and Emma stopped and stared at the beast. "Ruby?"
"EMMA! GET BACK! THAT ISN'T RUBY! IT'S THE MALE!" Granny yelled as she aimed her crossbow at the beast.
Tinkerbell and Regina landed on the roof of one of the village houses and Tinkerbell began to look around.
"Tink?" Regina asked politely with her most innocent voice she could make. "Where exactly are we going?"
Tinkerbell kept looking at the ground below them, "We are going to the Village Clearing." She stated. Tinkerbell saw it was safe to keep going, so she flew up into the sky and gestured Regina to follow.
After a few minutes of stopping on each roof, they finally made it to the clearing where two hooded figures stood looking around. Tinkerbell found a spot on a roof, closest to the clearing and grabbed her wand and waved it around her hand and two breads and cakes magically appeared.
"Tink, who are they?"
"Shh!" Tink said as she stuffed her face. "Watch!" Tink handed Regina a piece of cake and pointed at the hooded figure who was wearing green.
"Granny, it's Ruby." The hooded figure spoke as it made its way to the other side of the clearing. Regina looked where the hooded figure was going and saw the black wolf. Regina got up to try and warn the figure but was stopped by Tinkerbell.
"No! We mustn't interfere! At least, not yet." Regina returned to her spot and watched. Then she saw the other hooded figure raise up a weapon and screamed out to the other figure. "GET BACK! IT'S THE MALE!" The hooded figure closest to the beast slowly stepped back but tripped over something and fell backwards, reviling its long blonde hair.
"That person, she is a girl!" Tink nodded and continued stuffing her face. "We have to help her!" Tink shook her head.
Emma stepped back slowly and saw the black wolf was mimicking her steps towards her. Emma turned her head to look at Granny but fell backwards in the process and her hood fell from her head. She saw the wolf look towards her, ready to jump. Emma lifted her hands to shield her face but felt a cool air flow over her and heard the wolf cry out in pain. Emma removed her hands and saw a grey wolf stand in front of her, growling at the male.
"Ruby!" Granny yelled from afar. Oh god, Ruby! I owe you big time! Granny lifted her crossbow and aimed. "Ruby! Get down!"
Emma turned her head to Ruby and saw her jump to the side and an arrow flying by her and piercing the male. He shrieked in pain and ran off the opposite direction.
Ruby turned to Emma and bowed her head and slowly walked up to her. "Thanks, Ruby. You saved my life. Granny didn't do shit, though."
"I heard that." Granny whined as she was walking towards them, still on the other side of the clearing.
"And I forgot she has wolf hearing too. Silly me." Emma laughed as she pet Ruby.
Ruby nuzzled against her best friend protectively and saw Granny come closer. Ruby stood in front of Emma, widened her stance and growled at the old woman. Granny stopped walking and looked at her Granddaughter, Ruby, then at Emma. She lowered her hands and placed her cross bow on the ground beside her and stood up with her hands close to her head.
"Ruby, I don't want to hurt you or her." Granny whispered and Ruby growled in reply. "Okay, yes. You are right, I shouldn't have brought her here but-" Ruby growled even louder and took a step back, closer to Emma. Granny lowered her hands, "Don't you dare raise your voice at me, Pup. That male was trying to find a mate." Ruby stood straighter and looked back at Emma. "I know, Ruby. That is my reason." Granny said apologetically and Ruby turned her head towards the old woman and bowed her head and ran around her and into the woods.
"Ruby, wait!" Emma cried but stopped by Granny.
"No, Darling. Let her go. She needs time." Emma looked at Granny's hand that was holding her arm and nudged it off.
"Why? What is going on? Why did she run off? What aren't you telling me?" Granny shook her head and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"She will tell you soon, Darling." Granny removed her hand from Emma's shoulder and started to walk back to her home. "Do you need a place to stay? I will always have a place for you."
Emma shook her head, "No I have a room at the Tavern, plus I have to finish cleaning up before sunrise." Granny nodded and made her way to her home.
Regina and Tink stayed quiet on the roof, watching the strange interaction between the figures and the beasts. Regina, confused as ever, watched the blonde pet the grey beast as it nuzzled against her and protecting her from the weapon the other figure held.
"What is going on, Tink? What aren't you telling me?" Tink swallowed her cake and sighed at her friend.
"Do you remember how we met, four months ago?"
Regina looked up at the stars and thought to herself. "Yes, if I do recall," Regina sat straighter and wiped off the dirt from her silk nightgown. "You came to me and told me that you have found my, so called, True Love."
Tinkerbell laughed and laid down on the roof made of hay and wood. "Right you are, my friend. I told you that your True Love has a tattoo of a lion." Regina nodded and laid with her friend.
"So, what does that have to do with all of this?"
Tinkerbell sat up and transformed into a fairy and held out her hand to the girl laying down, "Come on. It's time." Regina took her hand and flew up in the air and slowly made her way to the castle. Then Tinkerbell suddenly stopped, looked at her best friend and smiled then vanished in green smoke.
"Tink?" Regina said to the sky. "TINKERBELL!" She looked around to try and locate the pesky green fairy.
Without warning, she felt the magic flee her body and she fell from the sky. She closed her eyes and held in her scream, preparing for the worst but felt herself bounce. She opened her eyes and found herself on a wagon full of fresh hay and she let go of the breath she'd been holding in. She quickly jumped off and brushed off the hay that was stuck on her nightgown. Regina looked around and saw houses and shops that surrounded the small walk-way.
"Ugh, of course. It's the middle of the night and she just...dumps me in the middle of now where. Typical." She wrapped her arms around her and chose to walk north. "Damn fairies." She walked with her head down and watched her feet walk along the pebbles. She then felt her body collied with something then heard someone gasp, she looked up and apologized.
"Oh my! I am so sorry I-" She saw the blonde hair from earlier and finally saw her face. Her green blue eyes caught her eyes and her lips opened to say something but nothing came out. Her blonde curls fell from her face and Regina remembered to talk. "I'm sorry I bumped into you. I wasn't looking. Are you okay? Are you hurt?" Regina helped up the blonde in front of her, who still hasn't spoken a word. She held up the blonde who was still staring at her so she stepped back. "Well, I hope you are okay. I should get going." She blonde shook her head.
"I'm sorry, I know it's rude to stare but I have never seen you before. Are you new around here?" Regina looked at her questionably.
"You don't know who I am, do you?" The blonde looked at her up and down which made Regina's back shiver.
"No? Should I know you?" The blonde looked sorry but there was something off. "What is a girl like you doing out so late anyway?"
"I...I...Well, don't laugh" The blonde nodded. "But I am kind of lost."
"Lost?" The blonde chuckled. Regina shifted her weight to the other side and the blonde shut her lips and cleared her throat. "I can help you, if you want. I can go and get some stuff from my room and walk you home."
Regina raised her brow and smiled. "I'm sorry but I hardly know you and I can't ask you to do such a thing." The blonde stared at her smile.
"Nonsense. I will help you home. It's the least I can do." Regina put her hands behind her and nodded politely. "I'm Emma, by the way. Emma Swan." Emma held out her hand, waiting for a hand shake.
Regina smiled again, "My name is Regina." She thought to keep her last name a secret from her for now, if she knew it then she would know she is the princess of this kingdom. Regina placed her hand in Emma's and felt hot sparks go through their hand and up their arms. Both of them pulled away quickly but neither of them mention anything of it.
Emma walked down the narrow walk way, staring up at the stars and thinking about what happened a few moments ago. What did Granny mean by she knew. What is she hiding from me? What is Ruby hiding from me? Just as she drew her breath, something collided with something and it made her stumble back and fell on her butt. She was about to complain, she saw dark brown eyes, staring into hers. Her dark long hair fell over her shoulders and her plump lips where moving but she couldn't hear anything. Emma noticed a scar on her upper lip and every time she moved her lips, it would bend and straighten. She noticed the girl stand up and say, "Well, I hope you are okay. I should get going." Emma quickly shook her head and stood up.
"I'm sorry, I know it's rude to stare but I have never seen you before. Are you new around here?" The girl looked at Emma weirdly as if she just asked the most stupidest question.
"You dont know who I am, do you?" Said the girl. What? Am I supposed to know her?
"No? Should I know you?" She saw her shiver a little. Must be the cold, she IS wearing a thin silk dress OUTSIDE! Emma thought to herself, scanning the girls body. What the hell is she doing out with something like that on?! I mean, she looks amazing in it anyway but...wow, someone shouldn't be wearing that outside.
Emma cleared her throat. "What is a girl like you doing out so late anyway?"
"I...I...Well, don't laugh" Emma nodded. "But I am kind of lost." Emma tried to hold in her laugh but was unsuccessful.
"Lost?" Emma held her hand to her mouth to try and contain her chuckles but saw the discomfort in the brunette in front of her so she cleared her throat. "I can help you, if you want. I can go and get some stuff from my room and walk you home."
The girl raised her brow and smiled. "I'm sorry but I hardly know you and I can't ask you to do such a thing." Emma was stunned by her smile. She had never seen someone smile that beautifully, her lips curled and her scar curled and showed her white teeth.
"Nonsense. I will help you home. It's the least I can do." The girl nodded and put her hands behind her back "I'm Emma, by the way. Emma Swan." Emma
She smiled again. "My name is Regina." Regina placed her hand in Emma's and felt hot sparks go through their hand and up their arms. Both of them pulled away quickly but neither of them mention anything of it.
Emma turned around and pulled the cloak off her body and handed it to her. "Here. You look like you are cold. It should be warm enough." Regina stared at it but took it anyway and threw it over her body.
"Thank you. It is warm." Regina smiled at her and Emma smiled in return.
"Great. Follow me." Emma walked southward and Regina walked beside her.
"Aren't you cold? I feel bad for taking your cloak." Emma laughed and shook her head.
"No, I'm okay. I love the cold and besides," Emma turned her head towards her new friend. "You need it more than I do." Regina nodded and continued walking beside Emma.
"So, Emma." Regina spoke quietly. "How long have you lived in this village?" Emma stopped walking and looked down at her feet. Regina slowly walked towards her. "Are you okay?" Emma stayed still. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have been so nosey. I...I think I can find my way home from here."
Emma looked up and walked towards Regina. "No, it's fine. I will tell you on the way to my room. Come on." Emma grabbed her wrist and pulled her forward. They walked for a couple of minutes before Emma spoke.
"I was found in a near by forest when I was around three." Regina looked at Emma to say something but Emma kept talking. "I don't really remember anything from my parents but I was carrying a white blanket with purple ribbon and the name Emma sown into the blanket. I've tried to find shelter anywhere I could but nothing was forever. Until an old woman found me, along with her granddaughter and they took me in. But I knew that my family would come find me one day so, like usual, I ran. I came back a few years later from another village and I found work and a room above it." Emma stopped with her eyes wide open. "Oh my gosh, I am so sorry. I honestly didn't mean to tell you all of that. It just sort of came out."
Regina nodded and placed her hand in Emma's. Emma looked down at their joined hands and felt her heart beating faster. "It's okay, Emma." When Regina said her name, Emma's face grew hotter and brighter so she turned away and removed her hand and kept walking until they were in front of the Tavern.
"Okay, come in side and I can go up and get my things." Regina stayed still and looked at the wooden sign.
"The.. The Tavern?" Emma nodded
"Yep. We are usually really busy at night but tonight, everyone just vanished. So you have nothing to worry about." Regina swallowed whatever was stuck in her throat. Emma saw her facial expression. "Hey, Regina." The brunette heard her name come from Emma's mouth and she felt her heart beat faster. "Are you okay? You look creeped out."
"No, not at all." Regina smiled politely and Emma opened the door.
"After you, mi 'lady." Emma bowed her head and placed her arm on her back. Regina chuckled and went inside.
The room around them smelled of liquor, sweat and blood and it made Regina's stomach feel terrible. Emma saw Regina's face turn green and she winced. "Yeah sorry about the smell, there was a fight earlier and I was trying to clean up the blood and get rid of the smell." There was a small bar section at the end of the room and the rest of the room was filled with wooden benches and chairs connected with the tables. To the left of the room, a wooden stair case led up to the rooms and the attic.
"It's quite alright, Ms. Swan. I can handle this...aroma." Regina said as she sat down lady like.
"Wow, you sure are a lady." Said Emma as she watched Regina wipe off the excess dirt on the bench, flatten down her silk white dress, slowly sat down, crossed her feet and sat straight up.
"I beg your pardon?" Emma threw her hands up in defense.
"Woah, no. I didn't mean it like that. It's just I've never seen a pretty girl like you and act like a royalty." Regina looked down to hide her smile.
"Yes, well I was raised...punctually."
"Punctually?" Emma echoed.
"Yes. Meaning every move I make have to be perfect and punctual. If not, than I am a disgrace to my family." Regina continued to look down at her fingers.
"Woah, tough childhood."
Regina looked up and sighed. "You have no idea."
Emma looked at Regina and couldn't help but stare at her vulnerable beauty.
"So, why are you out here so late, Regina? Did something happen?" Regina stared at Emma, feeling like she could trust her with everything and she couldn't shake that feeling.
"Well, yes." Emma sat beside her and watched her. "I turn twenty in two weeks and my mother and father are upset with my...lack of love life." Emma raised her eyebrow.
"Your parents are mad at you for not having a boyfriend"?
"Not exactly. You see, when my sister was my age, she found her True Love and they married as soon as possible. My Mother and Father want the same thing for me but I haven't found my...whatever. "
Emma looked at the tables in front of them and thought hard. "So what are you going to do if you don't find your True Love?"
Regina exhaled and placed her head in her hands. "They found me suitors if I don't find them in time."
"So...Two weeks is your dead line? That must be hard." Regina nodded her head. Emma saw the liquor bar and smiled.
"I think you need my special Cheer Me Up Remedy." Regina looked up at Emma.
"Your what?"
"My Cheer Me Up Remedy." Emma stood up and grabbed Regina's hand and led her to the bar and sat her down in front of it. "Sit and wait here while I fix it up." Regina didn't have time to reply as Emma walked behind the bar and mixed drinks. About a minute later, Emma came back with a drink in each hand and put them on the table in front of Regina.
"Here ya go."
Regina looked at the drink suspiciously and finally said, "Alcohol? Really?"
"Really? You mean you have never had liquor before?" Regina shook her head and Emma hesitantly pulled the drinks toward herself. "Maybe I shouldn't give you this. Let me make something less... well less than this.."
Regina quickly grabbed her drink. "No, I can handle it. And I need the encouragement for tomorrow." Before Emma could ask, Regina drank all of the liquid.
"Uh, maybe you shouldn't have drank all of that so fast." Said Emma. Regina slammed down her drink and gasped and stared at the cup. "Regina? Are you okay?" Emma slowly placed her hands on Regina's. "Regina?"
"Hmm?" Regina looked up from her cup and stared into green orbs.
"Are you feeling okay?" Regina looked down at their hands and slowly moved them away but saw a tattoo on Emma's wrist. Regina gently grabbed her wrist and traced the scarred skin.
"What's this?" Emma's body reacted to Regina's touch and her arm filled with goosebumps.
"I got it four months ago. Each petal indicates each moment my humanity was taken from me. The top one is from the time I was found in the forest. I was all alone and I almost died from frostbite. The second one is from my second home. The husband was a drunk and nearly killed his wife and me. The third one is from when I ran away from that home; I was sleeping in the woods for a month and nearly starved to death. The fourth one was for my sixteenth year and a drunk, crippled man came from the Ogre Wars and tried to use me as bait for inhumane creatures. The last one is the worst of all... It's too painful to talk about." Emma pointed to each petal as she described the meaning for each petal meant and Regina gently rubbed Emma's wrist as she was listening to her story.
"I'm sorry, Ms. Swan." Emma nodded and roughly wiped away her tears with her wrist.
"It's okay. Let me get my stuff and I can take you home before you get any worse."
Regina nodded and watched Emma climb the stairs. Regina stared at her cup, waiting and thinking.
How could I ever tell her that I am the Princess or I already have my True Love waiting for me in a Tavern but with a Lion Tattoo and not a simple flower. But that moment when we touched for the first time...she must have felt that too. Ugh, if she were to ever find out I am THE PRINCESS she wouldn't want to talk to me anymore... She heard Emma come down the stairs so she quickly got up but felt the blood in her body evaporate and she became light headed and tipped over but felt strong arms around her.
"Woah, Regina! Are you okay?" Emma held Regina by the waist and her head on her shoulders, close to her face.
Regina placed her hand on Emma's bicep and felt a large amount of muscle and she quickly retracted her hand as her face blushed deep red. "I..I am fine. You may release me now." Emma pushed her up and didn't let go until she felt Regina steady herself.
"Are you sure you are okay? You look a little red there." Regina glared at her and walked to the door and waited for Emma to open it. "You know, a simple Thank you will do wonders." Regina groaned in reply.
AN: Woo! What do you think Regina will say when Emma asks her where she lives? Lol. Poor girl. I hope you guys like this story so far! Let me know what you think in the reviews!
AN: I am sorry about the hideous misspellings and punctuation, but I do believe I have fixed everything. Thank you for understanding!
SEE YOU IN THE NEXT CHAPTER - AlexieMarie96