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Note: Sorry. I meant to update sooner. I will try to update every week. Check out my other stories. Let me know if you like it!

Chapter 7:

"Well Lady Swan, I didn't realize that when I asked you to accompany me, it would include an entire entourage." Regina said, walking down the steps into the courtyard, pulling on her riding gloves and waving her hand at the small black and white shape that weaved around the knights ankles.

Confused, Emma looked down, and then back at Regina worried.

"I'm sorry, I just assumed that Vira would be welcome. We haven't seen much of each other the past two weeks and I thought it would be good for her to get some fresh air rather than be cooped up in the royal kennels."

"Relax. It was a joke. Technically, I was friends with your dog before I was with you." Leaning down, Regina ran a hand over the delicate muzzle and smiled softly.

Grinning, Emma relaxed. She had been so worried throughout the night about the ride, she had barely slept and had gotten up before the sun had risen and had spent her extra time preparing in the stables with both horse and dog.

Straightening, the princess smiled at Emma and walked over to her own horse, Hvezda. Ignoring the offered step stool, she pulled herself expertly into the saddle and stretched, yawning. Her lessons with Cora had continued into the wee hours of the morning. Her mother had been determined to discover the nature of her magic, as neither of them knew when she had snapped.

Analyzing a magic users snap would help them understand the type of magic they would use more effectively the rest of their life. For example, a user who snapped in a battle would most likely use fighting magic, or defensive magic, whereas others may snap in a moment of clarity and use their magic for scholarly work. Healers would snap early in their childhood, and illusionists would find their magic in their teens.

It was a frustrating evening for both of them, but still productive. She had been able to learn some basic skills and it was good to spend time with her mother, without the hovering influence of Leopold. He and Snow had both tried to come and watch and learn, but Cora had outright refused to let them in. She said something about the sanctity of a magic users first lessons, and had closed the door right on his face. Not only had she reconnected some with her mother, she was spending time with Emma today, and she was determined to enjoy the beautiful day.

"I hope you ride well, Savior, because I am not going to wait up for you." Regina winked and spurred her horse out of the courtyard and into the street. Winding her way through the crowd, she tried to move quickly to avoid the stares that would follow her and her new friend. Reaching the gate, she glanced back and grinned at Emma who was close behind. As soon as they were free, Regina leaned forward and took off, reveling in the feelings of the wind in her hair and the movement beneath her. Two weeks was too long to be off of her horse. She led both her and the knight away from the forest where they had come from, and aimed for the coastline.

As they reached the cliffs that overlooked the water, she slowed, aiming for a massive oak tree that filled a point in the cliffs. Aware that Emma was directly behind her, she nudged the horse beneath her, making her prance, giving the other woman a good view of her hips. She didn't know where this desire to flirt was coming from, but she was going to go with it. Pulling up next to the tree, she swung off and pulled off her saddle bags.

Emma dismounted and pulled the bridle off of Brouk, letting him wander, he wouldn't run. The monks who had trained him, bonded him to her, and he would not leave her side. Grabbing her wineskin, she walked over to where Regina was primly sitting and plopped down.

"This is a beautiful spot."

"I love it here. This is where my father and I would come. We would ride out here and stay for hours." Regina sighed, and looked out at the handed Emma a roll that had been baked that morning and they joked about what made a pastry different than regular bread, Emma arguing that a pastry had to include jam. Conversation rolled easily between the two of them and they began to relax, enjoying the company.

"Is that why you were surprised in the tavern? That I had met your father?" Emma suddenly asked. When Regina had first left her in the courtyard only two weeks before, she had realized that she had been riding with the daughter of the man she had saved.

"Ha. In a way, I wasn't surprised that he had met you. He made a point of talking to everyone he came across. He was a very loving man. I was the most surprised about the ring he gave you."

Emma pulled out the ring that was hanging around her neck and handed it to her.

"See, this ring is part of a pair. I have the other one." Regina pulled off her gloves and held out her right hand, where there was a matching ring.

"They are made to be worn by family, lovers, or friends, to know when the other is in danger. He told me he lost it. He died not that long after that trip. I stopped wearing it for a while because it was too painful to think about it."

"Well then, I believe this belongs to you. Maybe you and your sister Snow can wear them."

"She is not my sister." Regina spat.

"Woah. I meant no offense. I just assumed, I apologize." Emma said, holding up her hands in defense.

Sighing, Regina relaxed. "I'm sorry. Snow and I don't exactly get along. She is talkative and has the social graces and charm that I so often lack. Not to mention, she never remembered the parent that she lost. And I cannot forgive her father for trying to take the place of mine."

"I don't know why anyone would considering you not charming." The blonde frowned.

"Ha. "Ice Princess" or "The Woman With No Heart". I have no desire to show people what I am feeling all the time, but apparently that isn't acceptable." Looking away, Regina focused on the white crests of the waves as they thundered towards the cliffs. She didn't even realize she was crying until a calloused finger brushed away her tears. She was even more surprised when the knights hands continued down her arms and gripped her hands.

"Then they don't know what they are looking for."

Blushing, the princess leaned forward and tucked a strand of hair behind the other woman's ear. "You know Savior, you aren't anything like the legends describe."

It was the blonde's turn to laugh.

"And how do they describe me?"

"Hmmm. You are always described as tall and brusque. And I didn't even know you were a woman. Not to mention they always talk about a fearsome black war horse," Regina looked pointedly at the calm brown steed grazing a short distance away, "and a large wolf that eats the hearts of men." She looked calmly down at the small head that was resting in her lap, completely content to sleep there until further notice. "I think the only thing they got right was that the sun wraps around you and that you are fearsomely good with a sword." The hand that had tucked the hair behind her ear was now absentmindedly twirling a lock around her finger, arm resting on the other woman's shoulder.

"I'm not surprised. People are usually too intimidated to try and talk to me. It is rather lonely being the Savior." Emma closed her eyes, reveling in the companionship of the moment.

"Do you ever get to see your family?"

"I don't have any."

Regina pulled back sharply, concerned she might have offended the other woman. Emma eyes opened and she smiled sadly.

"It's alright. I just usually don't talk about it. I was abandoned outside a monastery in the Mist Mountains. I grew up there until I was old enough to become a page at a local castle."

"Have you ever been back to your home?"

"I went back, some years later. The building was burned to the ground and I found bodies. Apparently a conquering warlord had swept through and didn't believe that the only thing the monks could offer was food and piety. They were unarmed, and it was a massacre. I haven't been back since." Emma leaned her face into Regina's wrist and breathed in her scent, attempting to forget the scene that was playing through her head.

"Oh, Emma," Regina stroked her head, pain shooting through her heart, "I am so sorry."

"Its better than it used to be, but it is still hard not having a home."

"Well you have one now." Regina smiled and squeezed the hand she was still holding.

Emma breath caught as she looked into the warm brown eyes of her companion. Neither of them moved as the intensity of the moment rose. Both were startled when the thundering of hooves appeared close by. Realizing what a compromising position she was in, in this intimate embrace with the White Knight, Regina leapt backward and stood quickly, brushing grass from her lap and turning towards the sound. Emma followed suit, mourning the loss of contact between the two of them, but hastily placing a hand on her sword, ready to defend. She relaxed her grip when none other than Snow White came galloping, rather badly, up the hill, leading a pack of guards as well as a hoard of eligible young men who were eagerly vying for her attention.

"I thought I might find you up here." Snow smiled sweetly, jerking her horse to a stop next to where Regina and Emma stood. "I was worried that you hadn't taken any guards, so I came to make sure you were alright." Her words were aimed at her step-sister, but her flirtatious smile never left Emma's face.

Regina rolled her eyes and ignored the newcomers. Striding over to her horse, she cursed Snow for interrupting the moment between her and Emma. Such was her anger, that she was having difficulty even tightening the girth, and was pleased when two strong hands gripped the leather tightly and buckled it. The Savior offered her another small smile, and squeezed her hand before turning to her own horse where she swung up and settled into the saddle. Giving a disdainful look at the inexperienced courtiers, she also mounted and quirked her eyebrow at the blonde.

"It would be a shame if you lost to me twice in a row."

Without a backward glance she raced off, desperate to lose the others and gain more more minute with her new friend.

Emma was impressed with the other woman's horsemanship and was chagrined when Regina pulled ahead of her right was the drew next to the gate. The brunette smirked at her second success against the legend, she handed the reins to a waiting servant and walked towards the main hall. Disappointed at the lack of goodbye, she dismounted and turned to Brouk and was surprised when a small hand slipped into hers.

Green eyes met brown and the princess whispered, "I don't know why he gave it to you, but I am glad he did. Keep it." She walked away and Emma looked down to see the ring back in her hand. She glanced up to see Regina look back, looking less like a bird trapped in a cage, and more like a Queen surveying what was hers.