Disclaimer: I do not own any Once Upon A Time characters; or any other previously established fairy tale characters. However, the plot is mine.

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Far, Doth Not the Apple Fall

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Prologue: Mirror, Mirror

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The Evil Queen… the Evil Queen … Evil… Evil… That was all that they would ever see her as. To them, that was all she'd ever be…

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"Why do I even bother?" Regina huffed to herself as she made her way to her bed chamber. Three weeks. It had been three weeks since the Wicked Witch was defeated and they all had returned to the Enchanted Forest. Everyone. Including Emma and Henry. Yes, Henry was here; and she should be delighted, but… She hadn't seen him since they first arrived. Emma and the two idiots were doing their best to keep her away from her son. And it was making her infuriated. Even after all that she had done; after all she had sacrificed. All they saw in her was the Evil Queen. She would never escape her past.

She passed by several guards on her way; each one sending her a hateful glare. Once upon a time, they would never have dared to even look upon her, for fear of her wrath. However, now-a-days she was like a de-clawed, de-fanged tiger; not very much a threat at all. The restraint alone that she showed every day by not doing harm to those who wish and have exceedingly tried to do harm to her should at the very least prove her change. But no… not when it comes to the narrow-minded former citizens of Storybrooke. To them, she is the Evil Queen; and that it all there is. No one dares to approach her. Even Henry, the one person who matters, won't approach her. She quickened her steps; she needed to be alone, where prying eyes could not see.

Upon entering her room, Regina slammed the large double doors shut with the usage of her magic. Suddenly short of breath, she grabbed onto the poster bed in the middle of the room. It was times like this that she needed to remind herself to use her magic sparingly. She had lost a great deal from the final battle with her sister; and still it had not replenished. This worried Regina. All magic had a cost. This time she got to keep Henry… somewhat, so what had the cost been this time? Shaking her head, she decided to worry about it later.

Calmly, she walked over to her vanity, and stared at her reflection in the mirror. "Magic mirror on the wall," She began sadly, thinking of the last time she said those very words, "who is the most tragic one of all?" She asked, pitiably partially believing that Sydney would not show. How surprised she was, when his face finally appeared in the reflection.

Now that they were back in the Enchanted Forest, Sydney was placed back within his curse within the mirror. As angry as he was with Regina, for some unexplainable reason, he still loved her. When she was happy, he was happy. And when she hurt, well… There was no smile upon his visage as he stared at his lonely Queen… still as lonely as the days when they first met. He let out a sigh, before answering her question. For it was an answer most heartbreaking and most true. "Why it is you, my Queen." He answered solemnly. Disgusted with himself immediately upon the lone tear he watched slide down her cheek. Desperate to wipe it away, he was quickly reminded of his mirrored situation. His heart broke all over again as he watched his Queen turning away from him. The last thing he saw before disappearing from the glass was the shaking of her shoulders as she fell onto her knees.

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"This is not up for discussion. We want the witch's head, and we want it now!" Shouted a disgruntled Grumpy, while the crowd surrounding him nodded their heads and cheered in agreement.

"Let's not be hasty my friends. It is because of her Majesty that we are finally home safe and sound." Reasoned the voice of Captain Hook, from his place beside Emma at the great table in the throne hall. Beside them were the Charmings with Emma next to her mother and David next to Philip, then Mulan, and then the Blue Fairy who was beside Jiminy Cricket. It was this lot that comprised of the Charmings temporary counsel.

"It's because of her we were there in the first place." Granny snorted in annoyance.

Hook merely shrugged, as though that meant nothing. "Well one could argue that it was Rumple who did indeed give her the curse to begin with."

"Not helping." Emma mumbled to him.

"Easy for you to say pirate; you weren't even a part of the curse that ripped the rest of us away from our homes, for some of us our very families." Voiced a slightly large man Emma remembered to be father to the two orphans they found in Storybrooke, well, supposed orphans.

"That witch deserves to burn for everything she's done!" Growled another unnamed villager.

David held up a hand. "There will be no burning of witches at the stake in this kingdom." He stated loudly and firmly. Thoughts of the other world's dealings with Salem crossing his mind.

"What of our children?!" A woman shouted this time. "Do you truly expect us to remain in a kingdom that houses the Evil Queen while our young ones remain in danger? She's done so many terrible things…" They woman began to slowly cry, as her husband reached for her.

The man held onto his crying wife. "She cannot be permitted to live, your Majesties; For the sake of our children."

Snow had a frown on her face. She heard what the villagers were saying, but she believed that Regina had finally changed. Still, after years and years of forgiving the woman and to be let down had hardened her feelings for her Step Mother. Snow has experienced having a child ripped away from her; years that she will never get back. When she thought of her new beautiful bouncing baby who was currently with Aurora and her child in the nursery, a cold fear gripped her heart. "He's right." She said softly.

All heads at the table and in the room turned to look at Snow White in shock. "What?" Was all Emma could say.

Snow looked up as though surprised to find so many eyes on her. She pressed on, "Regina is responsible for so many terrible… terrible things. But in these past couple of years, she has redeemed herself and saved us all. She's changing… She has changed, for the sake of Henry." Snow spoke, then turned to face her daughter. "But she still has magic. She's still dangerous, as much as it pains me to say this."

"What are you doing?" Emma questioned.

But Snow shook her head to prevent her from speaking anymore. "You've never seen the Evil Queen Emma. You don't know what she's capable of. And you've never seen her as the light hearted loving woman that she was before she married my father." Then she turned to look at everyone else. "None of you have. And if she as someone who was good and pure could turn into the Evil Queen; what's to stop it from happening all over again?" Snow questioned. Everyone was quiet at first, but then one by one the villagers began to agree.

David simply eyed his wife. He knew what Regina meant to her, so he couldn't understand her change of heart. "Snow, do you know what you are saying? You really want to execute Regina?" He asked in slight shock.

Snow's eyes widened. "Oh no! No, not executed. I think we should exile her. She deserves the chance to be happy, and maybe she could start over one day." Her eyes became watery. "Just someplace else."

"Regina will never be happy unless she has Henry." Emma pointed out. "I'm not giving up my son-"

"Henry will be staying here Emma. She won't attack us or fight us, not with him here." Snow stated.

Emma narrowed her eyes. "You want to use my son as a shield."

"Of course not, but he's safer here with us. And Regina won't want to disappoint him by becoming evil again; even if he's not with her." Snow finished. Emma's frown only deepened, while Hook remained silent at her side.

"I doubt that we need to fear Regina's power." The Blue Fairy spoke up.

This caught everyone's interest. "Why is that?" Asked Mulan.

Blue gave a soft smile. "There is a price for all magic. This time around, the price for Regina using magic to defeat Zelena was her magic itself." The hall grew silent. "That is not to say that she is not a danger. Just that right now she weaker than usual. It will take time for it to all be restored; and even then, it may not be the same." She looked at Snow. "As a fairy, I do not suffer from bloodlust. If you wish to grant Regina the chance to start over and find happiness, then I will not stand in the way. But the people have spoken; she must pay for her crimes."

"Where will she go?" Asked the deep voice of Prince Philip. "Like you, I shall banish her from my kingdom; as I am sure all of the other reigning monarchs will do the same."

David shrugged his shoulder. "That is not our concern. If Regina is to be exiled, she'll need to find refuge wherever she can. It's for the fates to decide."

"I'm not sure that sending the Queen off on her own, with no family or some form of support system is a good idea at all." Offered the small voice of Jiminy. "In Storybrooke, she showed so much progress in her sessions with me. I fear that doing this will only set her on a destructive path." He finished in concern.

"The cricket's right. To send the lass away whilst removing her away from her son is cruel. Something I never pegged you for Princess." Hook said to Snow in disgust. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes as he noticed that Snow had the nerve to look affronted.

"For this to work, she can have to further contact with Henry. Once she's exiled, that's it. They both move on with their lives separately." Emma said, laying out her condition. She promptly ignored the look that Hook was currently giving her. Snow nodded her head, as did the rest on the counsel; even little Jiminy doing the same, albeit disparagingly.

On that note, David rose from his seat, "With that said, I hereby-"

"Wait a bloody second!" Shouted Hook as he jumped from his seat. "Are we seriously going to place all of the blame on the Queen?!" He asked, not believing what was going on. "There were others involved in the casting of this curse. Though I won't start naming all of the small fry besides Whale is now off in his own realm. But let's not forget Rumplestiltskin designed the entire scheme!" He shouted frustrated that they were turning on Regina after all that talk of family in Storybrooke; as well as the fact that the crocodile once again was getting away with not paying for his crimes.

"There is nothing with can do about Rumple. He is far too powerful." David pointed out.

"Besides, he's gone back to his castle with Belle. As long as we never bother him, he won't bother us." Snow told Hook calmly.

Hook didn't care their reason. He was already shaking his head, when he felt a soft hand grip onto his. "Hook, calm down. Please." Emma insisted, eyes big and imploring.

Ever since Baelfire's death, the two had grown close. He remained her rock when she needed him to. And he admired her strength through it all. But now as he looked down on her, he realized he was looking at a stranger. In fact, they were all strangers to him now. He recognized no one. Hook removed his hand from Emma, and stepped away from the table. "I'll not be a part of this… this backstabbing. This betrayal, because that's what it is. Though I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. That is after all, your specialty isn't it, Snow?" He asked her looking right into her eyes where he could see the shame building up.

"That is enough Hook!" David shouted, not wanting the man to upset his family further.

"Killian, please." Emma begged in a hushed whisper, looking distraught at what was happening.

Hook held his heads up in defense. "Oh I'm done here luv. I'm not much for hypocrites and all that. You're not the people I thought you were." He began making his way out the hall, the crowd giving him a wide berth towards his exit. He halted in his step midway. He turned back around to face Snow. "You could have put an end to all of this, here and now Princess. I sincerely hope, you know what you are doing." He told her, before turning around and leaving the hall without once glance back.

Snow flinched at his words. Was she making the wrong choice? No, she shook her head. This was right. She reached down and grabbed Emma's hand, knowing that though she did not show it, Hook hurt her by leaving. "Everything will be alright." She whispered to Emma while David once more spoke to the crowd.

"I hereby strip Regina of her title and position as Queen and thereby exile her from this kingdom for all of time!" David shouted so that all could hear him.

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Henry stood looking in the mirror at his attire. He still could not get used to the sight. He looked like a knight, or more accurately, a prince. He was still very excited to be in the Enchanted Forest at last with his family. So much had happened in the last few weeks, it all was a blur really. However, there was one thing he noticed amiss. Where was Regina? Where was his mom?

Granted at first, he was too enthralled by everything to really pay attention to his surroundings. And there was the period that he mourned the loss of his birth father the moment his memories returned to him. He knew that Emma was trying to protect him. But every time he tried to see Regina, they would tell him that she was resting or that things needed to be settled. At the time, he accepted that; after all she was or had been the Evil Queen. It made sense that the dust needed to be settled before they could all move on. Problem was, he was done waiting.

Thrusting his chamber doors open, he eyed the two guards standing there. "Where is my mom?" He asked them.

One guard spoke up, "Princess Emma is in a meeting in the throne hall."

Henry shook his head, "Not Emma, my mom… where's Regina?" He asked again.

"The Evil Queen? We have explicit orders to keep you away from her." The second guard answered.

The young boy glared at them. "She's not the Evil Queen anymore. So it doesn't go against your orders to let me see Regina." He tried again.

"Not happening Prince Henry." The first one told him sternly.

Henry's face turned into a scowl. Why were they keeping him from his mom? "Fine. I'm going to see Emma." He told them, as he walked down the hall; noticing a third guard coming out of nowhere to shadow him. Resisting a sigh, Henry decided that it was time to have words with Emma.

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Regina was now pacing the floor of her room. After she had broken down, she rose herself up and dusted herself off. A queen did not behave in such conduct. They were all making her mad. She needed to see her son. She suddenly halted her steps. "What if he doesn't want to see me?" She asked out loud. However, she didn't have long to contemplate that thought, as there was a banging on her door before it was thrust open. A barrage of armed men bombarded into the room, surrounding her efficiently. "What is the meaning of this?!" She shouted to them.

"You are to come with us witch!" The bravest of the men shouted.

"Have care in how you speak to your Queen." Regina warned him in her most terrifying voice.

"You're no Queen… not anymore!" Another shouted as they all laughed, thrusting their weapons towards her.

Regina was not amused. She itched to use her magic, but every little spell weakened her considerably. Instead, she opted to allow them to lead her away. Where? She knew not.

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In no time, Hook reached the docks where his beloved Jolly Roger awaited him. Stepping on board the lovely ship, he shouted to one of the few crewmen on board, to go rally the rest of the crew from the taverns and whore houses they were visiting; it was time to set sail. For so long he thought his place was beside Emma; he was wrong. No, his place was with the sea and the Jolly Roger; and he looked forward to whatever adventure they set him on next.

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Regina was brought into the throne hall. She noticed the not so small group of the villagers, as well as the small group consisting of the Charmings and other insignificant little creatures. What she found odd, was that Henry was nowhere in sight; nor was Hook oddly enough; considering his recent attachment at Emma's side. She was taken to stand before the smaller group. "What is the meaning of this?" She inquired loudly and foreboding. "What authority have you to strip me of my title as Queen? Though not a title that was wanted, but mine all the same."

"This is our kingdom now Regina." David started, already upset with her speaking as though she were in charge.

However, Snow stepped forward. "Regina, the people have spoken, and as the counsel, we've decided…" She trailed off, unable to continue.

"Decided what dear? Let's do try and complete our sentences." Regina said condescendingly.

"You're exiled Regina." Emma butted in. "That complete enough for you."

Regina's eyes widened. "Exiled?" She questioned, completely in shock. A few years ago, sure exile, execution, all the above; she could see it. But after everything she did, after everything they've all been through together. Snow's talk about family… Her mind drifted to her son.

"Yeah, exiled, banned, banished, expelled, ejected, kicked-out never to return." Emma listed for her, crossing her arms. She was not in the mood for Regina's attitude. Not after Killian left her like that.

Regina was still shell shocked. She could feel her knees buckling, but fought to remain standing. "Ex… exhi…" She couldn't say it. "Wha… what about Henry?" She asked.

"What about him?" Emma asked, uncaring.

"Emma." Snow reprimanded.

"What about him?" Regina asked admonished. "He's my son Ms. Swan. You cannot keep me from my son!" She yelled, getting angry. She could feel the power pulsating in her blood, but she knew she was still much too weak.

Emma took several steps forward, and stood right in Regina's face. "He's my son, Regina. Mine. You are banished, and you will never see Henry again!" She shouted nastily, watching as all of the color drained from the other woman's face.

"Nooooooooo!" Came the pitched cry of a young boy. Everyone turned in surprise to see the dark haired young man standing at the threshold of the throne room.

It was Emma's turn to lose all color in her face. "Henry…"

"NO!" He shouted once more, running into the room, to Regina. Emma stepped in his way and grabbed for him. "No! Let me go!" He screamed, pushing Emma away from him.

Though now a pre-teen, the boy was getting stronger and Emma lost her footing, falling onto the hard marble floor. David and Snow were immediately at her side. Emma looked at her son. "Henry."

But Henry paid her no mind. He ran into Regina's open arms. "No Mom! You can't leave! You can't leave me!" He cried tears sliding down his face. He could hear Emma calling to him. He looked over her shoulder and gave her the angriest look he could muster. "She's my mom!" He shouted, not caring how Emma's face broke. He turned back to Regina. "Don't go!"

"I.." Regina began, her voice breaking, tears welling up in her eyes. "I don't have much of a choice Henry."

Suddenly at her words he felt guilty; Guilty because he had been treating her horribly all this time. And still she fought for him, fought to keep him. But now, there was no fight. He gasped at the thought. "Don't you want me anymore?" He asked fearfully.

She could not hold it in anymore, she let the tears rain down her face while dropping down onto her knees. She tightened her arms around him, sinking into their embrace. "Oh baby, I will always want you. I love you so much Henry." She told him, not caring about their audience.

He nodded his head at her words, and then his eyes brightened. "I know! Take me with you!" He shouted in excitement. This caused the Charmings to move closer to them and the guards tensed at those words.

Regina almost felt her heartbreak at those words. "Oh Henry," She began, "if only I could." She let out a sob at that. The one time she needed her magic, she didn't have it to rely on. If only she weren't so weak. "I would give nothing more than to take us far far away where we could live happily ever after. Our own little fairy tale." The look on his face succeeded in breaking what little was left of her heart. "I'm weak Henry. Magic will not come to me right now." She explained as calmly as she could.

Henry took in his mother's features. "So… this is it."

Regina nodded her head. "This is it."

"You're not even going to fight?" He asked, a little angry.

Regina noticed his tone, "Henry…" She began, but found she could not continue. She didn't want to leave with him angry at her, but perhaps it was for the best. They were quiet for a moment longer, before Emma stepped in and pulled Henry away from Regina. He didn't fight this time; all of the fight leaving him suddenly.

"Regina, it's time." Snow told her, as David motioned for the guards to lead Regina out to the edge of the kingdom.

Henry watched as the woman who raised him was turned away from him. It all happened in slow motion for him. As they neared the exit of the throne room, Henry couldn't take it anymore. If she wasn't going to fight, then he would. He broke away from Emma and ran after them; ignoring the calls of his name from those behind him. "Mom! Mom, please don't go! I'm sorry!" He was suddenly snatched back by David, but he didn't stop fighting. "Mom please, I'm sorry don't…" He began crying harder, as he looked at David, "Please don't make my Mom leave." At the look David gave him, Henry knew it was a lost cause. He looked back to where the guards were pushing his mother out of the door. "I will find you! You hear me mom, I will find you!" He shouted, hoping that his voice carried to her.

Henry slumped down in David's arms completely distraught. He looked over to Snow and Emma and could see clear horror written upon their faces. They didn't know… they didn't expect that this would affect Henry so. He always seemed like he didn't care about Regina. The town's people still in the room stared on in awe of the boy.

But none of that mattered, not to Henry. He stood up and pushed David away from him. "I'm tired; I want to be left alone." He told them coldly.

"Come on Kid, I'll walk you to your room." Emma told him

"No, where's my mom's room? Take me there." He ordered.

Snow was very sensitive to her daughter's feelings as she could see that Emma was hurting deeply. "I'm not sure that's such a good idea."

"Isn't it enough that you took away my mom, Snow?" He asked her. She flinched at the usage of her name. Usually it's grandma, or at the very least Mary Margaret when they were in Storybrooke. "You'll take all that I have left of her too?"

David grabbed Snow's hand to put her at ease. "It's not that Henry. Her room could be dangero-"

"I'm not a stupid kid. I know that when we got back her you had her room cleared of her magic kit. You never did trust her. Never gave her a chance." Henry told him. He then looked at Emma, realizing in order to get want he wanted; he'd have to appear to her mothering senses. "I need this Emma. It hurts that she's gone. If I'm going to move on, I need to grieve first."

Emma nodded her head. "He's right. He should grieve." She told her parents. "I'll walk you." She told him, grabbing onto his shoulders and walking with him out of the room.

As they walked away, Snow turned to David. "I hope we made the right choice."

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The doors to Regina's room were still open. Henry walked in with Emma trailing after. The room was large; larger than Snow and David's. He guessed that it made sense; she was the Queen after all. After looking over the room, he turned to stare coldly at Emma, wondering why she was still there. It was funny. He left and brought this woman into his life because he thought Regina didn't love him. He couldn't hate Emma for what happened; in truth it was his entire fault. This was the woman who upon his birth said that she didn't want him. Then she had the audacity to claim him as hers now. Eventually, he would find a way to set thing right, but for now… now he just needed to mourn his true mother. "You walked me to her room." He reminded her.

Emma watched as Henry took in his surroundings. He seemed so different from the boy she came to know. She was just now realizing that she didn't know everything about Henry. But she was determined to change that soon. Once his mourning period was over, and he began moving on, she would be there for him. Before she knew it, he was staring at her again; reminding her that she brought him to the room. "Okay Kid, I guess I'll leave you to it then." She said awkwardly. When Henry just continued to stare at her coldly, she felt a pain in her chest. She turned to exit the room. Grabbing onto the doors closed them shut behind her. Walking down the hall, she knew that it would be a long road to his forgiveness. She just hoped he wouldn't hate her forever.

Once the doors closed shut behind Emma, all of the strength left Henry's body. His face turned red as the tears once more appeared. He missed his mother so much. Taking a few steps towards the bed, he made it halfway before falling to the floor; unknowingly in the very spot his mother fell earlier. "I'm so sorry… I'm so sorry…" He murmured over and over.

After a few minutes, Henry furiously wiped the tear streaks from his cheeks. He climbed to his feet and began looking around the room. He looked in the closet, under the bed, and finally around her vanity. Finding nothing there either, except jewelry and make-up he felt like giving. Angry at his acceptance of defeat, he pushed everything on top of the table onto the floor. Upon looking at the mess, he immediately regretted his actions. These were his mother's things. Once by one, he proceeded to pick up every piece and put them in their proper place.

Looking at his reflection in the mirror, he did not like what his saw. However, before he knew it, he was soon smiling and then laughing. Though any outsider might have thought he lost his marbles, really young Henry was just thinking of the significance of a mirror to the 'Evil Queen'; at least back in the real world. "Mirror, mirror on the wall…" He began in jest. The room was deafeningly quiet and his jovial spirit was fleeting as he thought of Regina. "I don't know when… and I don't know how… but I promise you Mom, I will find you." He vowed; before being completely mesmerized by the glowing of the vanity mirror before him. Henry heard the voice, before he saw him.

"Well, in that case, perhaps I can be of some assistance to you, my Prince."

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AN: Please let me know what you think and if I should continue. I think it works fine as a one-shot, but I actually have something in mind if I do continue it. Notice Regina says "Magic Mirror" where Henry says "Mirror Mirror"; I did it like that because the actual quote from the original story is "Magic Mirror", but it's a common misconception that it's "Mirror Mirror". So being that it's Regina's mirror, she'd know the proper way of saying it, where Henry grew up in the regular world where he consistently heard the common misconception of the phrase. As far as the title to the chapter, Mirror Mirror just sounds better.

Seriously, first OUAT fic. So don't be too harsh. Reviews are always appreciated. Thank you Bunches!