Chapter 4

Strolling along the corridor in silence, both unaware of what to say, the two women pause before a large iron door. Taking in her new surroundings, Emma frowns.

"Wait..this..this is where you found me last time and practically blew my head off. I thought no one was allowed in this side of the castle?"

Shaking her head, the Queen looks towards the blonde with a raised eyebrow. "Emma, I think it's safe to say that certain events have changed that, wouldn't you?"

Hearing the regal woman say her name once again, Emma bites her lip sadly and simply nods her answer. Picking up on her awkwardness, the Queen continues with her task and conjures up a knife.

Growing wide eyed at the sudden action, the blonde holds her hand out in a panic. "What are you doing?!"

"I sealed everything in here. It needs my blood to open. It's the only way to keep things safe nowadays with the amount of thieving guards I appear to have, not to mention the amount of magic about or Rumplestilskin" the brunette explains as she slides the metal blade across her open palm carefully then squeezes her hand into a fist to release small droplets of blood onto the lock.

Cringing at the sight, Emma gulps slightly before exhaling slowly. "I did not need to see that.."

Side glancing the blonde, the Queen appears apologetic. "Right. Pregnancy hormones..probably not helping"

Shrugging, Emma gives a small smile for the concern. "It comes and goes.." Looking down towards the brunette's hand, she reaches out on instinct. "You're still bleeding.."

Staring down towards the blondes hand clutching her own gently, the regal woman hitches her breath and freezes. "It's not a big deal"

As the Queen waves her free hand across the top, both women watch as the wound heals and disappears from sight.

"See. All gone" taking her hand back, the brunette clears her throat and pushes the iron door open.

Stepping inside behind the brunette, Emma looks around the secret room filled with numerous shelves containing potion bottles of different shapes and sizes and large wood trunks around the outskirts.

"Your vault..." Whispering her current thought, the blonde eyes the regal woman as the woman simply stares curiously. "At home..you..you have a vault which contains all this.."

"Oh..." Beginning to search her potions, the Queen questions. "Well dear do you have any idea as to where I can find ingredients for a way out of here?"

Chuckling, Emma walks forward to join the search. "That has to be the first time you have ever asked for my magical advice. You normally scold me for going anywhere near these bottles.."

"I can be quite possessive with what is mine. Maybe you should stand by the door.." Giving a smirk, the regal woman takes a few ingredients for a memory potion for when this is all over.

Smiling at the banter, the blonde continues looking. "Got any magic beans?"

Starting to laugh, the brunette rolls her eyes. "If I did we wouldn't be standing here but somewhere far away..preferably where I can live out my days alone without having to constantly look over my shoulder"

Biting her lip, Emma looks across and meeting the woman's eyes. "You get it eventually, just not alone"

Giving a coy smile, the Queen looks away embarrassed. "I can live with that.."

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Sitting upon the large, quilted bed within her temporary chamber, Emma scans her eyes across the pages of the spell book down in front of her. As she turns the page, she places her hand lightly against her stomach which is threatening to block her view. "I knew your mother would pull through for us kiddo. Hopefully we can find a solution home before she casts a curse of some kind.."

"I believe I can help you with that in some way.."

Lifting her head towards the door, the blonde closes the book and stares eager for more information. "You found us a way home?"

Seeing the young woman's eyes light up in hope, the Queen purses her lips while furrowing her brow. "No..but, there is a way we can send a message to your realm..so that she..the other me, can know that you're okay and safe.."

"Really? How?!" Shifting off the bed, Emma approaches the regal woman with an excited smile. "It would put my mind at rest too knowing that she knows we are okay"

"Write a note and include a piece of information that only you would both know. We don't want her thinking you've been kidnapped and that the note is fake. If she is still anything like me, she will make whoever stands in her way, pay"

"Of course she is still like you. She will always be a known as a Queen"

"I meant my added status dear, in which people fear me.." The brunette explains sadly while looking towards Emma's bump. "I hope they don't..I wouldn't want my- our children to suffer for my mistakes.."

Reaching for the Queen's hand, the blonde smiles softly as she steps closer. "Past mistakes. All of which was because you were misunderstood, you never really meant to hurt anyone did you? It was just a coping mechanism. People treated you unfairly..starting with your mother and put you down so you just assumed if I were to be shown as a person of evil, I may as well act on it to survive. Am I right?"

Feeling her eyes begin to glisten, the brunette swallows hard as she nods. "You really know everything about me don't you?"

"Yes. It's all part of the commitment I made to you. To love all of you"

Letting slip a small smile, the Queen squeezes Emma's hand back. "Maybe once you've done your note, I could learn a little more about you"

"Sure.." Continuing to smile, Emma runs her thumb across the brunette's hand.

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Following on behind the reigning monarch, Emma tightens her borrowed cloak, having been told by the woman that they are to make a trip. Pausing behind the Queen who comes to a stop at the castle entrance, she waits patiently as the brunette exchanged words with her guards on watch.

"I have business to attend to. Make sure you are on guard at all times" gesturing to the blonde behind her, the Queen states. "She's coming with me"

"Of course your majesty" stepping towards the pregnant woman, the guard retrieves some shackles from his pouch and snaps them on her wrists causing Emma to go wide eyed.

Watching what her guard does, the regal woman glares in anger over his decision. "What the hell do you think you're doing?! Get your hands off of her!" Approaching the pair, the brunette shoves her guard back and tugs Emma gently towards her, making the shackles disappear in the process. "Don't you dare do that ever again. Do I make myself clear? Or so help me your head will be the next one to be displayed above my gate!"

Moving quickly back to the door in fear, the guard nods. "..yes..your majesty.."

"Emma here is not a prisoner but a guest. Treat her with respect" subconsciously slipping her hand into the blondes and gripping tightly, the Queen moves past the guard and out to her carriage.

"Where are we going?" Allowing her curiosity get the best of her, Emma waits for a response as the regal woman opens the door and helps her into the carriage first, giving the footman a death glare to stay back.

Climbing in beside her, the Queen fixes her dress and taps on the wall in front to signal to her horseman to go. "To see a mermaid.."

Raising an eyebrow, the blonde drops any further questions and stares out the window towards the never ending forest, admiring it's scenery but feeling a loss for her small town, wishing she was at home.