Disclaimer: The characters aren't mine, just borrowing them for a while for my own entertainment!

A/N: I loved the scene were Regina was riding out in the open in her red coat on her way to her palace. Then this little idea grew and grew some more into a story. :) Please enjoy and reviews are always welcome! Beta work done by Madam Mayor.

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The Queen smiled with satisfaction as she rode down the road. She glanced from side to side, watching the townspeople bow before her. Regina pulled her horse to a halt. She stared at the sight before her; a strange blonde woman in a red jacket.

"Kneel before your Queen," A guard shouted.

"Queen?" the stranger stuttered.

"Bow before your Queen, or die!" the guard said again as he got down from his horse. He strode towards the young woman and drew out his sword.

"Wait!" the Queen ordered holding up her glove covered hand.

"But, Your Majesty…" he argued.

"Enough!" Regina barked, clenching her hand into a fist. Suddenly the guard clutched at his throat, gasping for air. The Queen's red full length coat swished as she dismounted her steed. The blonde woman seemed to grow more nervous with each step that the Queen took towards her.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty," she muttered, bowing deeply.

"My dear," Regina whispered, taking her hand and pulling her to her feet. "There is no need to apologise." Another guard approached the Queen.

"Your Majesty, if we are going to reach your Summer Palace on schedule, we need to continue on our journey," he advised her. Regina tilted her head to the side and spun around.

"Who gives the orders around here?" she asked.

"You do, my Queen," the guard answered hesitantly.

"Correct," Regina nodded.

"But, Your Majesty, we really must be going," he protested.

"We will leave when I say so!" Regina snapped annoyance evident in her voice. He opened his mouth again, but Regina flicked her wrist, and he suddenly fell to the ground, dead. "Anyone else want to make more suggestions about my motives?" Regina questioned, staring at the rest of her guards who remained completely silent. "Excellent," she smirked hearing silence. "Come, my dear," she said to the blonde and they disappeared into the wood.

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"Did I frighten you?" Regina asked as they stepped into a clearing. The blonde stared at her questioningly. "With the guards before," Regina explained further.

"You didn't have to kill that man," the blonde pointed out.

"Yes I did. I can't have disobedient guardsmen," Regina retorted.

"A Queen shouldn't act like this. Queens are graceful, elegant, respected, and unselfish. Someone like Snow White," she explained.

"How do you know Snow White?" Regina spat. The Queen flicked her hands and three thick vines wrapped around the blonde. "She is a murderous traitor who killed my true love!" Regina shouted as the vines squeezed tighter around its prisoner.

"It's just a story," she said trying to wriggle free.

"Story?" Regina frowned, confused.

"Yes, a fairy-tale; Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs."

"Dwarfs?" Regina muttered thoughtfully. The blonde didn't understand, everyone had heard of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

"Where are we?" she asked suddenly.

"The Enchanted Forest," Regina answered as the vines suddenly disappeared, and she headed back to her horse.

"Hey… wait!" the blonde shouted, but the Queen did not stop.