Chapter Text
Chapter 30 - Epilogue
The Enchanted Forest – The Present
The celebration was in full swing and had been for several hours. People from all over the realm continued arriving and were fully expected to do so for the next few days. Maleficent was quite sure that after tonight she would find a nice, dry cave to live in until all the pomp and circumstance had died down.
“How long must we remain here?” Zelena asked, standing at Mal’s side. The sneer on her face matched how the dragon felt.
“I will stay until the morning hours,” Mal said, watching the dancers swirl around the floor. “Then I will return once everyone has left.”
“You’re going to hide out in some moldy, old cave?”
Mal sniffed. “It will not be moldy.”
“I have a castle, you know,” Zelena said, swirling the drink in her hand. “I’m sure I could make room for you in one of the many guest bedrooms.”
“I don’t need your castle,” Mal said, turning to face her. “I have one of my own.”
Zelena looked genuinely surprised. “Really?”
“Yes, really,” Mal was put out. Did her reputation not precede her? “Where exactly did you think I lived?”
In an attempt to buy time, Zelena threw back her drink. Then spotted her escape, “Ruby!” She reached out and dragged the wolf into their circle. “It’s good to see you. It’s been simply ages.”
“You saw me ten minutes ago at the buffet table,” Ruby said, hooking her thumb towards the table. Zelena glared at her.
“Wolf, I have a question for you,” Mal said. She waited until she had Ruby’s full, confused attention. “Where do I live?”
Ruby frowned. “You used to live in the Forbidden Fortress.”
“See, I told you-” Maleficent paused, turned back to Ruby. “What do you mean ‘I used to’?”
Behind Maleficent, Zelena shook her head and mouthed the word ‘no’ to Ruby, trying to warn her off. The wolf frowned at the witch, but then backed up a step when the dragon crowded her. “Uhm, well, I mean, you haven’t been there in a couple of years, right? I just figured with Emma and Regina getting back and all, you’d be sticking around here.” Ruby shrugged. “I know they want you here.”
Mal stepped back, frowning. She was not accustomed to her company being desired. Yes, she’d stuck around after the war but that had been to teach Emma magic. She certainly hadn’t been able to leave after the wedding fiasco, but now that all that seemed to be behind them… “I shall have to consider my options.”
“Options for what?” Emma asked as she and Regina joined the trio. Both queens had color high in their cheeks from the dancing and were sporting matching expressions of joy.
“Hors d’oeuves,” Mal answered dryly. Zelena picked up another glass of champagne from a passing waiter, biting her tongue.
“The cakes are delicious!” Emma said, eyeing the table in question.
“Not to bring down the mood,” Regina said, sobering despite her claim. “Were the two of you able to take care of our problem?”
“Of course, we did,” Zelena said, looking affronted. “This isn’t amateur hour.”
“So, she’s really gone then?” Regina asked quietly.
“Yes, little one,” Mal said, matching her demeanor. “After the sentence of banishment was passed on Cora, we dumped her through a portal.”
“We sent her to the Land without Magic,” Zelena said, grinning gleefully. “We thought it a fitting prison for her.”
“No money, claiming to be royalty, and talking about magic,” Ruby mused, “she’ll be locked up in no time.”
“Only if someone bothers to look for her in the middle of the desert,” Zelena muttered behind her drink. Mal clinked their glasses together.
“That’s good, I guess,” Regina said, missing the comment and the toast. Emma hugged her from behind, offering her support.
Zelena reached out and squeezed Regina’s upper arm. “She’ll never be able to bother us again, sis.”
Regina nodded, then smiled when Emma kissed her cheek and whispered something in her ear. “Oh, yes.”
The newly reunited queens moved to stand side-by-side as they beamed at their friends. Emma looked to Regina who nodded for her to start. “Today marks the first day that Regina and I have been able to begin our rule together. As one of our first acts, we have decided to create a Queens’ Council.”
“And we’d like for the three of you to be on it,” Regina finished, looking hopeful. When none of the three older women immediately answered, she added hastily, “We wouldn’t expect you to be here all the time! We understand you have your own obligations.”
“We know it’s unusual,” Emma said, “but, let’s be honest, nothing about Regina and I’s reign has been normal.” She looked to Ruby. “You’ve been with me since the beginning. You’re steadfast, loyal, a fierce warrior and protector, you know the people and the land. I don’t know how to even try and do this job without your support and advice.”
“The same could be said for you,” Regina said, reaching forward and grabbing the reluctant dragon’s hand. “Aside from Emma, you’ve been the one presence in my life that I knew I could always count on. Please don’t leave me bereft now when I need your guidance more than ever.”
Mal huffed. “You’re a queen now, little one. That sort of flowery speech is beneath you.”
Regina smirked. “A queen does what she has to in order to get what she needs.”
Zelena laughed at Mal’s look of indignation. “How are those hors d’oeuves looking now, you old dragon?”
“And Zelena,” Regina started, not releasing Mal’s hand until she agreed, “We know you have your own land and your own kingdom to run, but I can’t lose you now when I’ve only just found you.”
“You’re new to the family, Z, but you came when we didn’t even know we needed you,” Emma added. “You stayed when you didn’t have to; you protected Regina when she didn’t know you. You’re a brilliant strategist and a wickedly clever witch. We want you to stay.”
“I don’t think your court can handle someone like me,” Zelena argued half-heartedly.
“If you leave me alone with all these sickly-sweet Snow-White-types, I’ll bite you in half and use your broomstick to pick my teeth,” Mal growled.
“You leave my broomstick out of this!”
Ruby boldly stepped between them, slinging one arm over each of their shoulders, and faced the queens. “We’re in.”
A blast of the trumpets saved Mal from a round of frantic hugging. The former queen and king were entering the hall. Emma waved to her parents in a very un-royal like manner eliciting a slight shake of the head from Regina. The queens said quick goodbyes to the three women and headed back down to the main floor to continue their royal duties.
The newly formed council watched as a ceremonial tradition was observed. The former queen and king bestowed their blessing to Emma and Regina. Music began to play as Regina danced with Charming and Emma danced with Snow. Through a series of turns and moves they traded partners until Emma and Regina were once again in each other’s arms and Snow and Charming left the floor. A new melody began to play as the queens practically floated in each other’s arms.
“Hear this song and remember,” Ruby sang softly. At Mal and Zelena’s questioning look, she smiled. “It’s the third verse of the song. Emma never remembers it.”
But Emma did know it and as she and Regina swayed in each other’s arms, she quietly sang, “Soon you’ll be, home with me.”
Regina finished with her, “Once upon a December.”
The End