Story prompt by EvilQueensDaughterRapunzel.

Hope you like it!

Chapter 1

Sat slumped against the stone window frame, knees drawn up to her chest, a quiet brunette stares out into the crowded forest. To some it could feel claustrophobic but to this woman, it would feel like freedom compared to her hidden home. Looking out at the mountains of trees overtaking far away lands, Regina sighs as she rests her chin upon her hand as she dreamt of running through such a vast space. Unfortunately, she knew it would never happen. Not if her mother had anything to do with it and what made it worse, was she had no idea why. She had lived within this tall prison for as long as she could remember with no company to speak of. Hearing a rattle of keys and a loud click of a lock, the brunette slips down from her favourite spot and waits anxiously with a guilty expression as an older woman appears.

"Mother..."

Taking in the sight before her, the older brunette named Cora sighs. "Regina my dear, how many times have I told you about sitting at that window? You could fall!"

Glancing down, Regina bites her lip. "I'm sorry, I just..I was in need of some air.."

Waving a hand half heartedly, the older brunette approaches the girl while inspecting her closely. "I see your hair has grown..people are starting to become suspicious over the use of this tower so I will need to block the door"

Frowning a little, the brunette plays with a long, dark strand. "You're blocking the door? What if something were to happen? How would I get out?"

Chuckling, Cora shakes her head. "Oh Regina, why would anything happen..there is nothing and no one for miles. Besides even if there were anyone around, why would they want to approach you really? What have you got to offer besides this tower?"

Turning away sadly, Regina responds quietly. "I don't know why I need to be in this tower..."

"I don't want you ending up like me! I told you before my sweet girl that if you leave this tower, you will use dark magic and you will hurt a lot of people. Maybe even kill them!"

"I could control it! You have..I just don't get it. Am I going to be here forever? What about when the day comes for a family?"

Scoffing, Cora rolls her eyes as she begins to unpack a food basket she has brought. "I have also told you before, families are pointless..love is pointless. Here you are safe.."

Clasping her hands together, the brunette rocks slightly on her feet as she questions with a crack in her voice. "So..you don't love me?"

Stepping towards her daughter, the older woman takes hold of her hands. "Of course I love you dear..but honestly it's compulsory as you're my daughter so I have to..but if you were to meet someone..they can always hurt you and leave, at least I will always be here"

Trying not to let her mother's words sting, Regina slowly nods while biting on her lip to prevent a tremble.

Watching, Cora runs a hand through the girls hair with a small smile before flicking her wrist, twisting all the strands into a brunette braid.

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Walking along the main corridor of the castle, Zelena Mills glances in each room that passes before arriving at her father's study. "Father?"

Lifting his gaze from important kingdom papers, Henry smiles upon seeing his daughter. "Zelena, what is the matter?"

Stepping inside the room, the redhead clears her throat. "Do you know where mother is? I thought she had a meeting over tax money but she is no where to be found"

Raising an eyebrow the gradually ageing man scratches his neck. "I'm sure she has just gone to the village for some material. I overheard her talking to the maid about a new dress for you before next weeks ball"

"Oh..right." Smiling, Zelena backs up and turns to leave. "I'll let you get back to your papers"

"Zelena honey?"

Pausing in the doorway, the redhead peers over her shoulder. "Yes father?"

"If you do see your mother can you inform her that I need to see her. It's important"

"Of course" nodding in gesture, Zelena makes her way back towards her chambers.

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Resting back against her feet upon her bed, Regina shuffles lightly on her knees as she watches her mother prepare for her departure. "Do you really need to go so soon?"

Sighing, Cora fixes her cape and reaches for her basket. "Really girl you are not five, stop acting like such a child!"

"But..I don't want to be alone mother"

"Then read a book. If you continue with such a whiny attitude I won't be returning at all"

Inhaling in fright at the prospect, the brunette looks down. "Sorry mother. I will be good"

"Thank you" strolling up to her daughter's bed, Cora kisses her head. "I'm only doing what's best dear. I will see you tomorrow"

"Yes mother.." Stroking her braid, Regina pouts as Cora turns towards the door and walks out without so much as looking back before hearing the heavy door slam shut and bolt up for good measure.

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Entering her husband's study, Cora smiles tightly at the man before sitting herself on the opposite side of the desk. "Zelena informed me that you wanted to talk"

Henry sits back against his chair and nods. "Yes I do. I noticed a few weeks prior that an invoice for a large sum of money belonging to the kingdom was used approximately eighteen years ago. I also found it among the stored files that are needed to be burnt. Care to explain?"

Swallowing hard, the older brunette clears her throat. "Dear husband, it was suppose to be a surprise..I had acquired a hidden gem that is currently being renovated. I thought maybe we could hand it over to Zelena when she comes of age"

"Why did you feel the need of secrecy? If anything I would have found out within the year when our daughter turns twenty one"

"That is true but I know you Henry. If I told you, you would want to visit it and let's be honest, anywhere you go you have followers as you are the king of this land. It would no longer be a surprise for Zelena"

Taking a deep breath, the King knows that his wife speaks true. "Just inform me of when it's done"

"Of course Henry"

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Catching her mother leave her father's study, Zelena hurries over and walks alongside the older woman. "Mother, did you fetch the material needed for my dress?"

Appearing confused, the brunette glances across at her eldest. "What are talking about child?"

"You were gone from the castle for a while so I asked father, he said you had gone to the village?" The confused redhead frowns. "Where did you go?"

"Not that it is any of your business dear, but I did in fact go to the village but there are more important things to be concerning ourselves over than a simple dress!"

Eyes widening slightly at her mother's raised tone, Zelena remains quiet and stops within her step as Cora walks on annoyed.

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Allowing her curiosity to get the best of her, the redhead cannot help but pace along the corridor a few hours later as she witnesses a carriage being loaded up outside. Hurrying out towards the stables, Zelena saddles up her horse then slips out of view as she glances towards her mother who hastily climbs in and orders the footman to close the door before driving off. Checking the courtyard, the redhead then mounts her horse and pulls on the reins to direct her dear friend to follow.

Coming to a stop in the middle of the forest, Zelena sighs as she scans the area. She was in fact lost and also had no clue as to where her mother went. Hearing a distinct clicking noise, the redhead looks around warily before sliding off her saddle at seeing a figure come into view. "Hello?"

Lifting her head from her search, the blonde newcomer smiles a little. "Hi..sorry did I scare you? My horse has gone wondering and I was trying to find him, the rascal"

"No, it's fine. I hope you find him" observing the woman before her, Zelena bites her lip in thought over how familiar she seems. "Actually, could you possibly help me? It would appear that I have gotten lost..I was trying to find my mother but..there is nothing out here so I should be heading home"

"Sure.." Giving another smile, the young woman holds her hand out. "I'm Emma by the way.."

Realising her mistake, the redhead chuckles. "Of course you are! I thought I recognised you, from the white kingdom? I'm Zelena Mills" accepting the offered hand, Zelena also smiles.

"Ah..fellow princess, I feel your pain. It's why I'm out riding actually, bit of freedom from all the boring duties. How is King Henry nowadays? Well I hope. Mom said she hasn't spoken to him in some time nor your mother actually since she brought what was left of our summer palace" Emma looks curious as she leans against a nearby tree and straightens her riding jacket.

"Yes some duties can be quite tiresome. My father is fine thank you, busy as always" dropping her smile, the redhead frowns. "although I must apologise as I do not have any idea as to what you are talking about?"

Sniggering, the blonde princess grins. "Why should you? Even I'm technically not suppose to know but I do tend to eavesdrop on occasion when my parents have important meetings. I mean it is not as though I am still a child, if they are expecting me to take over some day they should at least let me sit in! Anyway, we used to have a summer palace here, if you head north you could find it within the hour. The last summer we spent there we found out that there were significant damage to the foundations from the previous ogre war and so it had to be torn down...what was left was a tower. My tower to be precise, it was my chamber when we stayed"

Taking in what is being said, Zelena questions. "And my mother brought the tower from you?"

Nodding in response, the blonde picks at her jacket button. "Along with the surrounding lands, yes"

"Oh.."

Raising an eyebrow intrigued by the fellow princess' reaction, Emma pushes herself off the tree trunk and grins. "Do you want to go and find out why she brought it? I can show you exactly where it is and then you can give me a ride back to the castle. My horse will eventually show at the stables"

"Yes actually I do..." Remembering her mother's carriage, the redhead frowns again. "She had a good basket..my mother never carries a food basket..it's too beneath us to do such a thing. That is why we have servants"

Appearing rather shocked, the blonde bites her lip as she begins to follow the princess to her horse. "Wow, your mother does seem strict. I'm always hanging around down in the kitchen waiting for food! Granny makes the best pies in the kingdom I'm sure of it"

Holding her hand out to help her new found friend onto the saddle, Zelena shakes her head at how spirited the girl seems.

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As the distinctive sound of hooves begin to disappear as their horse padded its way onto fresh grass, abandoning the dirty road, both princess' glance up at the worn down stone column with dismay. You could tell it used to be a thing of beauty and now it was left to rot with its foliage suffocating in numerous directions around the tower.

"It's going to need a lot of work done if your mother wishes to use it again" Emma states sadly as she stares at a place she used to love spending her childhood at.

"I just don't understand it..." Sliding from her saddle, Zelena wraps the rein around a tree branch and begins to venture towards it in search of a door.

Jumping down, the blonde princess follows, never tearing her eyes away from the building. "Maybe it's not the tower but the land? Maybe your mother will knock it down?"

Shrugging lightly, the redhead comes to a halt with wide eyes as she hears a sudden rush of footsteps that did not come from either princess. "I think my mother is here" peering over towards Emma, Zelena gestures with her head in a hurry to hide within the forest. Hiding behind a tree, the two women watch quietly as an older brunette appears and hastily bolts up the wooden door before fleeing.

"Was that?..."

"My mother..yes" pursing her lips in confusion, the redhead steps out from their hiding place and tilts her head up towards the window. "I think someone is up there..but I have no idea who"

Wriggling her eyebrows playfully, the blonde princess turns towards the tree trunk. "Well there is only one way to find out"

"What are you doing?! You'll get yourself killed!"

"No I won't. My father and I used to climb trees all the time..without my mother knowing of course" Emma explains as she begins to pull herself up and correct her footing as she climbs higher into the tree.

Biting her lip in concern over to fellow princess' safety, Zelena backs away so she can keep an eye on her if she falls, even though she wouldn't have a clue as to what she would do if the woman did.

Reaching midway, the blonde manages to perch herself on a solid branch then shuffle carefully along to the edge so she can look inside. "I don't think-" pausing in her speech, Emma stares in shock over seeing a young brunette appear by the window ledge. Gulping at the sight, the princess leans forward to get a better look before gazing in wonder over the young woman. Forgetting the fact that Zelena is waiting below, Emma smiles to herself as the brunette, clearly oblivious, begins to play with her braid in a rather lost manner.

"Emma?! Do you see anything?!"

Gasping at the loud call, the blonde stumbles back against the branch as she is met with piercing brown eyes staring back at her with fear.

A/N: thoughts?