A/N: Thanks for all the great feedback you guys rock ! So..How to plan a wedding in just a few hours... ? Enjoy ! DM x
Chapter 11
Regina needed a plan. The truth of the matter was that she knew Cora would punish her for this no matter what, she had already accepted this and would endure her mother's punishments for as long as she must if it ensured Emma's safety, but first she needed to work out how to turn her proposal into a lawfully binding reality. Regina sighed thoughtfully, as her mind began to formulate a plan she realised thier were two major factors in pulling it off. Firstly, they obviously had to marry in secret, which meant they had to find a way to sneek out of the castle without alerting the guards or raising suspicions. Secondly and perhaps the most differcult, they had to make thier marriage lawfully binding and unbreakable even with the Queen's power and authority. The only way this was achievable was to have the marriage signed and witnessed by high ranking officials or preferably members of the Queen's council, Regina had a few allies on the council but she was unsure how willing they would be to help, as there was no doubt that Cora would inflict some form of consequence on them if they did. In fact there was only one thing she was sure of, they couldn't do this alone, they needed help.
"Emma, I need you to wake now." Regina whispered gently as she stroked the young woman's back encouragingly. Eventually two sleeply green eyes looked up from were her head laid on Regina's chest.
"Sorry, I fell asleep in you." Emma mumbled apologetically but made no attempt to move, instead returning her head back to its original position.
"Emma, as much I actually may have enjoyed this past hour, I really do need you to move. I think I have a plan." Regina said encouragingly. This got Emma's attention as she pulled her head back up and smiled sleepily.
"You do ?" Emma asked hopefully.
"Yes, I think I do." Regina replied. "I Can't tell you specifics yet as there some people I have to speak with first and make some arrangements."
"What can I do ?" Emma said excitedly.
"Nothing for now, except to trust me. I also need you to keep our secret, both of our plans to wed and of our feelings for each other, if the Queen catches on, its all doomed before it can start." Regina added with seriousness.
"I do trust you Regina. I love you." Emma replied with a genuine smile, a smile that was mirrored by Regina.
" I must go." Regina said gently as she began to untangle herself from Emma.
"Do you want me to come with you ?" Emma asked curiously as she watched Regina put her boots and jacket back on.
"No, I think it's best if you remain here for now. Try and get some rest, you may need it." Regina said as she finishing buckling the sword belt. "I will return before the council meeting." Emma watched as Regina smiled at her once more before leaving, she had barely let out a sigh before Regina came rushing back into the room startling her.
"What's wrong?" Emma squeaked in shock.
"I forgot something." Regina said as she raced over to where Emma stood and pulled her into a passionate kiss which was so intoxicating it left Emma feeling flustered as her knees went weak. Regina pulled away and flashed Emma a victorious smirk before exiting the room once more.
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Regina didn't stop once as she raced through the castle and upto Ruby's room and the thought of knocking didn't even register in her mind as she plowed through the door and into Ruby's room to find two very alarmed faces.
"Ruby I need your help." Regina demanded as she entered, before registering the scene laid out before her. Regina's first reaction was one of jealously, the fact that Ruby was now enjoying something that was once hers but upon seeing the marks she had forever left on Belle's pale skin her jealously was replaced by guilt and remorse. Ruby just smirked at Regina's sudden intrusion on the comprising position she and Belle where in whilst Belle on the other hand panicked, scrambling off the bed and attempting to make herself decent whilst retrieving her clothes from the floor.
"Sorry Commander, I ...". Belle pleaded hysterically. Regina raised her hand to stop the young girls panicked ramblings.
"It is of no matter." Regina said slowing trying to avoid looking at the marks she had left on the girls body. "Now, leave us." Regina ordered, allowing Belle to hastily finish dressing before leaving the room. Ruby finally spoke as soon as Belle shut the door.
"Way to ruin the mood, Commander." Ruby sighed as climbed out of bed.
"Quite." Regina mused unapologetically, as she watched Ruby stretch out her long limbs. Regina watched as the afternoon rays of sunlight danced across Ruby's smooth skin, she watched as Ruby's muscles danced across her taut abdomen, and the way her perky breasts pointed towards the sky as she stretched out her back.
'Yep, still got it' Ruby thought to herself as she felt Regina's lustful gaze roam across her body, but when Ruby's wolf senses caught the scent of Regina's building arousal, as the Commander's gaze seemed transfixed on her toned thighs and firm backside, she decided that was probably enough teasing.
"So you wanted something." Ruby asked breaking Regina free from her dark lust.
"Eh, yes." Regina stammered. "Although it would be much easier to talk to you if you weren't naked." Regina pointed out as she finally managed to regain her composure.
"Fine, but you might as well tell me what it is you wanted whilst I dress." Ruby said encouragingly as she began to get dressed. So Regina spent the next twenty minutes telling Ruby about her and Emma's declarations of love, the tour of the castle, her marriage proposal and her reasons for doing so. Ruby felt giddy with glee and excitement at her friends newfound hope and happiness.
"I'm so happy for you, Regina." Ruby squealled excitedly as she dashed across the room and engulf Regina in a fierce hug with literally lifted Regina clear off the floor.
"Thank you, but let's hold off the celebrating for now, it is still very complicated." Regina said seriously causing Ruby to finally release her from the rib-chrushing hug she had found herself in.
"What do you mean by complicated ?" Ruby asked a little confused.
"Well the problem, is that Emma said yes.." Regina began but was quickly interuppted.
"That's not a problem, Regina. In fact I'd say it was more like a miracle actually." Ruby stated with a humorus smirk, earning her a famous Regina eye roll.
"If you would let me finish, I will explain." Regina said with an exasperated sigh. Ruby playfully made a silencing motion across her mouth, and gave Regina a nod to continue. Regina filled Ruby in on the plan her and Emma had concocted, and what they would have to do to ensure that there was no way Cora could not end it or break it in anyway and once she had finished, she looked over at a fasincated Ruby with a hopeful expression.
"Will you help me ? I know its alot to ask, you would be putting yourself at great risk if my mother finds out you helped me, but I need you with me in this. I'm not sure I could do it without you, Ruby." Regina said in an almost plea. Ruby had witnessed and been a victim to many of Regina's different traits and emotions, but up until Emma had arrived in her friends life, she had never seen Regina so vulnerable, the kind of vulnerability that comes from a place of love, the kind of love that either completes or destroys you.
"Of course I will help you." Ruby said with determined sincerity. "I want you to be happy Regina and would gladly risk my life to help you get it." Regina stood before her friend with a radiant smile, although she never doubted Ruby's willingness to help her, Regina felt reminded that Ruby never failed her. No matter what she had done or asked Ruby to do, not once had she let her down and obviously had no intention of doing so now despite the fact that Regina was asking Ruby to sign her own death sentence.
"Thank you, Ruby." Regina managed weakly, overwhelmed by her emotions. Ruby sensed Regina's unease at being emotionally overwhelmed and just shrugged it off
"No worries." Ruby replied coolly like Regina had only asked her to make her a sandwich or something, allowing Regina a free pass from her emotions and the difficultly she was having in asking Ruby for her help.
"So what is it you need me to do ?" Ruby asked trying to help Regina regain some of her focus and it worked.
"Well we need church..." Regina began as she reeled of her mental tick list. The two woman talked it over until a much more firmer plan was set in place. They decided that the small church on the edge of the Dark forest would be best as it was only about an hours ride from the castle but quite and secluded enough that no-one would see or hear them. It was agreed that Ruby would go to commandeer the church and the services of the pastor and then return to the castle to inform Regina that everything was successfully arranged, whilst Regina went to see Sir Robin and Sir Killan who were her most trusted allies on the council and try and enlist thier help. As they prepared to leave on thier separate missions Regina sudden felt overcome with doubt and turned to her friend with panic in her eyes.
"Ruby, what if I can't pull this off, what if I can't ..." Regina began fearfully but Ruby cut her off mid flow.
"Regina, you can pull this off, we will pull it off together OK." Ruby stated with so much certainty there was very little room for Regina's doubt. Regina steeled herself once more latching on to Ruby's certainty like it was her own.
"Your right, let's do this." Regina said with as much courage she could muster and the two woman left Ruby's room in separate directions.
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Regina stopped briefly by the kitchens on her way back to Emma, to inform Granny that Emma would be eating in her chambers that evening. Granny said that would be fine and that she would send Elsa as the they seemed to be getting along quite well. The harmless suggestion provoked a small amount of jealous rage but when Granny scolded her with one of her disapproving glares, Regina knew she was totally over reacting.
When Regina returned to her chamber's she found Emma sitting by the fire and as she got closer she realised Emma was writing in a small leather bound book she had never seen before.
"What's that?." Regina asked inquisitively but Emma didn't respond, not until she finished her sentence and closed the book. Emma finally looked up at Regina and smiled warmly.
"It's my journal, I've had it since I was eight." Emma explained honestly and it made Regina suddenly very uneasy.
"How much do you write in it ?" Regina asked nervously.
"Anything and everything, I try and write in it every few days." Emma said with confusion at Regina's sudden change in behaviour, unaware that Regina was now verging on the edge of panic.
"Give it to me." Regina demanded non negotiably.
"What, no, why ?" Emma stammered shocked and confused as to why her journal would cause Regina so much distress. Regina stormed over to where Emma sat and snatched it from her grasp.
"Do you have any idea how dangerous this is Emma." Regina growled out angerily as she waved said book around in the air. "If my mother ever found this." Regina snarled.
"She won't I promise." Emma pleaded with desparation in her eyes.
" I'm sorry Emma but I can not take that risk, it must be destroyed." Regina said firmly as she turned towards the fire.
"Please don't do this Regina, its one of the only things I have left of my past." Emma begged her eyes now full of tears as her voice cracked with emotion. Regina couldn't bear that sound in Emma's voice and turned back round to face her. Regina knew she should destroy it, it was far too risky to keep but at seeing the pure heartbreak in Emma's eyes she just couldn't bring herself to do it. Regina sighed defeatedly and walked back over to Emma and gently pulled her up onto her feet.
"Come with me." Regina said gently taking hold of Emma's hand leading her into the bedchamber, across the room and into the closet, then pushed on the corner of the middle panel on left wall which immediately sprang open revealing a secret compartment which was sealed by a door with a small hole. Regina wordlessly handed Emma back her journal and brought out the smallest key Emma had ever seen, which was attached to a very long, virtually invisible necklace, Regina unlocked it and silently opened the door. Emma noticed several items were in thier, a few bits of parchment, a jewel of some sort but what really caught her eye the most was a ceremonial dagger wrapped in what looked like a baby blanket. Regina cleared her throat pointedly and nodded towards the open compartment, Emma took the hint and gently placed her journal inside. Regina immediately locked it and closed it all back up before returning the key to its usual spot. Regina looked Emma dead in the eyes then before speaking.
"Never tell or show anyone this." Regina said firmly.
"I won't." Emma quickly replied knowing that Regina was really trusting her in that moment.
"No, promise me Emma." Regina said slow and unwaveringly as she firmly held Emma's gaze.
"I promise you Regina that not another living soul will know about this from me." Emma replied with absolute certainty. Regina gave Emma a small thankful smile before leading them out of the closet and back into the sitting room. Emma watched as Regina moved to look at some papers on her desk, thier was a tension in the room that was making Regina obviously as uncomfortable as Emma felt.
"Thank you." Emma said gently cutting through the awkward silence like a fog horn. Regina snapped her head up from what see was doing and looked at Emma with confusion in her eyes. "I mean, thanks for letting me keep my journal." Emma said a little embarrassed.
"You shouldn't be thanking me, for not burning your book Emma. It is I who should be apologising to you for my outburst. I am sorry, I do not trust very easily." Regina said her tone bordering on one of self loathing, as she turned away from the compassionate look in Emma's eyes.
"I understand." Emma said encouragingly as she slowly began to walk over to where Regina was staring down at the papers at her desk. Emma reached out for Regina, who instinctively flinched when Emma's hand made contact with her arm. There was so much of Regina's behaviour Emma didn't understand, she was starting to get a vague idea as to why Regina was the way she was but clarity was something that Regina gave little of. Emma used her other hand to brush a few stray strands back behind Regina's ear causing shame filled eyes to meet her own once more.
"You can trust me Regina. I would never betray you, not for anything or anyone."Emma said firmly, and Regina knew Emma meant every word. "But you have to start letting me in Regina, we are to be married and I although I'm happy to spend the rest of my life trying to understand you, maybe you could try and help me just a little." Emma said with a loving smile. Regina took Emma's hand and kissed it.
"You are to good for me Emma. I cannot promise complete openess, but I promise I will try." Regina replied.
"I'm good with that." Emma said casually, causing both women's to giggle a little as all the tension left the room and was replaced by a shared easiness. Regina smiled before looking back down at the papers in front of her.
"Does this have anything to do with the plan?" Emma asked curiously as she glanced over Regina's shoulder at the papers she could make no sense of.
"No. This are the new orders for me and my men." Regina replied. "We are due for re-deployment in six weeks."
"Oh, OK." Emma replied despondently, as she began to walk away from the desk.
"What's wrong Emma ?" Regina asked a little confused at the other woman's sudden change.
"Nothing really, its just... I don't know, I mean I'm just not sure how I fit in your life, what happens when you leave, do I stay here or go with you?" Emma rambled, the thought of Regina leaving her alone at the castle terrified her. Regina could see everything, Emma was thinking and went over to where Emma was now frantically pacing. Emma stopped and looked at Regina, her eyes begging for answers. Regina pulled Emma into her arms,
"I will not leave you here alone Emma, that I can promise. As for the rest I guess we will just have to figure it out in time." Regina said reassuringly and was relieved when she felt Emma relax into her arms. "For now how about we just focus on our wedding." Regina whispered into soft blonde waves.
"Your right, were are we with that ?" Emma asked curiously, as she snuggled deeper into Regina warm and protective embrace.
"Things are in motion, Ruby is on her way to procure the church and I need to go to the council meeting and speak to a few members I can trust. Speaking of which, I really must get going soon." Regina said informatively.
"Oh, OK." Emma said disappointedly as she tried to pull away from Regina's comforting embrace, only to be brought back and held onto a little tighter.
"I still have a little time, and right now I can't think of a better way to spend it than like this." Regina said sincerely. Emma had no idea how long they had been standing that way before Regina finally moved to get changed and head off to the council meeting. Emma found that time had just two settings when she and Regina were together, either time stood still or evaporated in the blink of an eye.
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By the time Regina reached the council chamber's, everyone was already starting to gather for the pre meeting dinner, the Queen always insisted on. As Regina surveyed the room she spotted both Sir Robin and Sir Killan chatting to each other on the other side of the room, not wanting to draw to much attention to herself she casually moved across the room greeting other members on the council on her way past. As she drew nearer she could hear Sir Robin and Sir Killan discussing the latest restrictions the Queen had placed on thier powers neither of which seemed very happy about it and hopefully that would work in her favour.
"Good evening, gentlemen." Regina said formally as she finally reached where the two men were standing.
"Commander, its been a while since the last time we saw you. How have you been ?" Sir Killan asked in his usual swagger. Sir Robin however just continued to stare at Regina with the puppy eyes of a lovestruck teenager.
"Yes, I've been with my army in the north of our lands, dealing with some unrest issues hence my absence from the recent council meetings." Regina informed him, trying to keep the irritation from her voice, at Sir Robin's insufferable infatuation with her and it was only after a discreet elbow from Sir Killan, that the lovesick idiot finally snapped out of his stupor.
"Regina.. I mean Commander. It's so good to see you again, you have been sorely missed at the council meetings." Sir Robin said awkwardly spluttering his words out. It took every ounce of Regina's self control not to roll her eyes at the man's foolish behaviour, but luckily enough Sir Killan did it for her.
"I'm sure." Regina said dismissively before pushing on to the real reason she was here talking to this idiot and an ex pirate with alcohol issues. "I actually wish to speak to you both on a personal matter. As you are both well aware, the Queen and I have always had somewhat of a strained relationship at best, but recent events have led me to take some extreme measures. I know that both of you have recently suffered at the hands of my mother due to her greed and thirst for power, and was hoping you may want to indirectly get back at her a little." Regina said in her usual authoritive way but both men clearly heard the hopefulness that resonated throughout her tone.
"Well you've definitely peaked my curiousity." Sir Killan replied. "Please continue." Regina looked to Sir Robin who just nodded his head in agreement.
"Well I can't go into exact details but let's just say the Queen has always liked to revel in my misery and suffering but this time I will not let the past repeat itself." Regina said with fierce determination.
"What did you do?" Sir Robin asked in a child-like fashion.
"I fell in love." Regina stated matter of factly but inwardly rejoiced at the soul crushing look on Sir Robin's face. Sir Killan was the first to congratulate her.
"I'm happy for you Commander, everyone deserves a little love in this world." He said with a grin. "Although I'm a little confused as to why you need our help ?"
Regina explained about her plan to get married in secret that evening, as thier was no way the Queen would ever permit it to happen otherwise and how even after they were married the Queen could still lawfully end thier marriage unless it was witnessed and sanctioned by high ranking officials or council members and that's where they came in. Regina told them that she understand if it was too much to ask as it was not without risk and probable consequence but to her surprise they both agreed and accepted her proposal with very little hesitation.
"So when is this all likely to happen ?" Sir Robin asked curiously if not a little dejectedly, as he wished it was him the Commander was choosing to marry.
"Well I'm currently waiting for my aid to return with a definitive time and place but I imagine it will be very late into the night or in the early hours." Regina informed them. "I shall send word as soon as I can."
"Members of the council, please make your way into the dining room, dinner will be served shortly". The footman announced, thus ending thier conversation.
The pre meeting dinner passed without interupption except for quite chatter and polite conversation. The whole time Regina spent watching the shadows of the room for any sign of Ruby bit wasn't until dinner was over and everyone was milling about waiting for the actual council meeting to begin that she finally appeared. As soon as she did, Regina made a beeline for her.
"Is everything set ?" Regina asked authoritively. Ruby knew Regina didn't really mean it that way but she was in Commander mode as Ruby referred to it so therefore Regina's demeanour wasn't exactly unexpected.
"Yes, it took a some gentle persuasion but the pastor has agreed the use of his services and the use of the church, the ceremony will take place shortly after midnight." Ruby said happily.
"Do I wish to know, what your gentle persuasion entailed ?" Regina asked with a quizzical eyebrow.
"Probably not. How did things go with Sir Killan and Sir idiot ?" Ruby asked humour lacing her tone. Regina couldn't help let out a little chuckle at Ruby's pet name for Sir Robin especially as it was so apt.
"They have both agreed to help us and will be joining us later at the ceremony." Regina replied with a small smile, something Ruby was pleasantly seeing more often.
"So what do you need me to do now ?" Ruby asked supportively.
"Firstly could you please go and update Emma. Then I need you to gather a few things for me." Regina said as she fished out a small list from her jacket pocket. Ruby scanned the list methodically before looking back at Regina.
"Looks do able, although I don't know about the last one?" Ruby said as she put the list in her own pocket.
"I'm sure you can figure out something it doesn't have to be exact". Regina said hopefully. "Now get to it, the meeting is about to start and we do not have alot of time." Regina ordered with a friendlier tone than she expected. Ruby just nodded and disappeared back out the way she had come in, leaving Regina and the other council members waiting for the meeting to be called.