Chapter Text
ROLAND
He was playing hide and seek with Little John, he knew where to hide so that he couldn't be found. He was little, and unlike his name Little John was actually very big. So long as he stayed really low John could hardly ever find him.
Roland ran and hid in a gap bellow a hollow tree trunk, hiding by the shadows, and being very careful not to snicker when Little John walked nearby.
"Roland, come on out! I know you're here somewhere. We are too far from camp. C'mon your mom is going to kill me..." Little John continuously walked, looking for Roland further north.
[this is fun! I'm going to hide again. He can't find me]
Roland ran further east, [I'll go meet the sun!]
He kept his head down watching his steps as he clambered through the wet forest, he looked up to make sure he was still walking toward the sun. When something shiny glimmered past the tree tops, effectively catching his eye, and sparking his curiosity.
[What's that?]
He traveled in the general direction of the shiny point. He stopped cold when he saw a monumental Ice palace. "Wow!"
Running to the palace he tried to open the large doors, but they were far too heavy and far too cold.
[A queen lives in a castle. My friend Regina is a queen, and she likes Rocky Road Ice Cream. Ice cream is cold. This castle is cold, this is her castle, like the one in the Enchanted Forest]
"Regina! open the door, I wanna play!" He hit the door with his fist, trying to make enough noise so that his friend would come out to play.
Without a reply he halted his attempts and turned around, slightly pouting. [She's not in her castle. Oh! I know! She's eating breakfast, with Granny!]
Roland had spent enough time playing in the forest to know in which direction he would find the road. He ran giggling towards the road, then once on the road he made his way to the diner, humming a cheerful tune.
...
Sure enough as he made his way into the diner, he saw Regina at the counter, drinking a coffee and looking at some papers.
"Hi!" he climbed up on the stool next to hers.
"Roland? Hi. Where are your parents?" She asked looking around frantically, she seemed ready to vanish out of the establishment.
"In camp. I'm with Little John, playing."
"Oh. Okay, good." she sighed in relief, but looked around for the child's caretaker "I don't see him anywhere."
"Yea, we are playing hide an' seek... I'm hungry can I please have ice-cream?"
"No, but I can order you a big breakfast platter, would you like that?"
Roland nodded his head in affirmation.
"Okay good, but you really shouldn't run off from the adults. Little John is out there waiting for you to find him. He'll get lonely and scared by himself"
Roland laughed, giving her a large grin, showing off his precious little dimples. "No, I'm hidin'. He's seek. An' he is big, he's not scared."
"Oh, well in that case this is a good hiding spot. You can enjoy some breakfast and wait for him to find you."
When his meal arrived, he plunged into the eggs and orange juice. He really was hungry. He didn't realize how hungry until the food hit the pit of his tummy.
With a mouthful he looked up at her and asked, "Regina? Um, I foun' your castle. Can we go play in it, later?"
"I don't have a castle here in Story Brooke."
Swallowing hard he perked up in protest. "Yea, Yeah you do! In the fores', made of coldt ice. and it has a heavy doors"
"You saw a castle made of ice? In the forest? Where? Who else saw it?"
He took a long drink from his orange juice before looking up at her again. "It's not your castle? I sawd it when I was playing, only me, no one else. You wanna come with me and see it!"
"Roland, can you tell me where you saw it?"
"In the fores'! It was coldt. but nobody, nobody was home inside. I can take you, and mommy and daddy and Little John."
"Okay, okay. Just...How about we finish breakfast, and I-someone will take you back to your parents. The adults need to check to make sure the castle is safe. So you will tell us where you found it alright?"
"I'll show you" He nodded in response.
He didn't know why his friend seemed alarmed. Between mouthfuls of food he looked up to see her pulling out her cell phone. Watching her thumbs quickly press on the little box, hearing swishing sounds every so often in between the pauses of her fingers.
When he finished his meal, he whipped his mouth with a paper napkin, then leaned over to see what she was doing with the box.
As one of the waitresses passed by Regina held onto her arm to stop her, speaking in a slow but slightly pleading tone, before ending coldly . "Ruby, I need your help. Roland here needs to be escorted back to his parents, If you could please... Don't give me that look. Something is amiss in Story Brooke yet again, and I need to make sure he gets home safe while I wait for David."
REGINA
She typed out a quick text message to David. Trying to portray the importance of the situation without actually going into too much detail. Though Emma was back, the thought of dealing with the sheriff was not something she wanted. It would be much more preferable to deal with Deputy Charming than it would have been to deal with 'The Savior'.
She could feel Roland's tiny breath against her neck as he leaned over to see what she was doing on the phone. [I need to get him home to Robin. I can't... I can't actually go to their camp.] Just then she saw Ruby returning from one of the tables she was waiting. She reached out and grabbed the lycanthrope.
She couldn't stop the need that escaped her from her voice . "Ruby, I need your help. Roland here needs to be escorted back to his parents, If you could please..."
The woman in red gave her a pitting look. Spurring deep within Regina a flicker of agitation and anger. "Don't give me that look. Something is amiss in Story Brooke yet again, and I need to make sure he gets home safe while I wait for David."
The she-wolf gave out a little sigh, and simply nodded.
Regina turned her attention to the little mop haired boy beside her. "Roland, you are going to go back to camp with Ruby here okay."
"But the castle. I wanna show you, we can play and...okay." he resigned.
She could feel her heart strings being tugged. His sweet little face looked so sad and broken.
She packed her papers back into her portfolio, left enough money on the counter for both breakfast and a generous tip.
Ruby, Roland and herself walked out of the diner together. She looked around, hoping to see David, or Little John or even one of the dwarves. She turned her attention to Ruby.
"When you take him back, let the Merry Men know that the cause for our early winter is probably residing in the forest. Roland here found something and we need the general direction in which to search. I'm going to wait for David." Her business like demeanor fell as she glanced down at the little boy and added with a sad smile, "He's a precocious little guy, please keep a close eye on him, deliver him safely."
She held herself as she watched them depart hand in hand towards the forest.
...
David approached with a slight trot, "Hey what's going on?"
"Not only has there been a change in weather, but apparently there is now also an Ice Palace in the middle of the forest."
David sighed, sounding exhausted "So we have another visitor to Story Brooke already? Why can't we have at least a week of peace?" He eyed her as if she were to blame for all the misfortunes of the world.
She rolled her eyes, moving past his comment and the look of contempt he was throwing her way. "Roland saw where the Ice palace was, we have to investigate it. He can direct us to the general area. I suggest some back up, the dwarves or if you prefer just the two of us."
"I've already called Grumpy, he'll call Emma, and he'll call Hook. They should be on their way soon."
She internally grimaced [I suppose it's unavoidable, dealing with the damned sheriff 'Savior'. I am in no mood to deal with the self righteous twit. I'm in no mood to travel into the forest or anywhere near that camp either.] She began to reason with herself providing excuses to walk away. [Why am I doing this? Whom or whatever this is, if they stay out of my way, I have no need to confront or investigate. So what if the town is buried in a few meters of snow. I did my duty I alerted the authorities. They can handle it without me, or get killed in the process. I can simply go back to my office.]
She almost did turn to walk away until two little names popped into her head [Henry. Roland.]
She stood her ground. Waiting with Charming for the rest of the cavalry to appear. The first was Hook.
"G'day your majesty. What's this of a new threat to your little town? Someone else you've managed to piss off, or is this an elaborate plan of yours to exact revenge?"
She gritted her teeth, tempted to magically remove his hook and stab him with it. [Hurting the pirate is not worth it. I'll be cast as evil, yet again. He's baiting. But I'm a queen, not a cod fish, his bait won't work] Instead she gave him a sucrose grin. "I'm sorry we can't all sail through life plundering as we please without repercussion. Either you were a very good pirate or a very bad one. Either way feel free to hoist off."
He replied with a silent smirk, then looked up onto the sky.
Grumpy was the next to arrive, "So we're here to investigate a visitor who's freezing us out? Flying monkeys and now what?! Frosty?"
"Frosty? The Snowman? Really?" Sheriff Emma's voice drifted into the conversation from behind Regina.
Regina didn't bother acknowledge the new company, she started walking towards the forest and called out in a cavalier voice, "C'mon! I want to get this over with before lunch."
...
From the road, they could make out the camp. Ruby was talking with the Merry Men, as Roland seemed to be retelling his mother what he had seen with exaggerated hand movements.
Regina tugged at Davids sleeve. "I'll wait back here and follow when you have a general direction."
With sad and compassionate eyes, David replied "Yea ok, I understand this is hard for you, so if..."
She could feel the ire rising as yet another person looked at her with pity. A pity she did not want to tolerate from these people. Without letting him finish she cut him off with a snarl and eye roll.
She stood a little taller, channeling the inner regality instilled into her by her mother. The epitome of poise and perfection. She met his soft eyes with cold hard ones, and stalked forward now leading the team.
She called out with an authoritarian tone. "Step forward if you will be joining us in this investigative expedition?"
Ruby and a few of the Merry Men stepped forward. Little Roland also leapt forward, only to be swept back by his mothers protective arms. She also noticed that Robin did not step forward, he simply stared at her as if she were standing at the precipice of a cliff too far for him to reach or call out to.
"Good. Let's go."
Little John led the way for the group, closely followed by Regina. Everyone hiked in silence, careful not to say anything or tread on any toes.
...
Just as the palace came into clear view a familiar soft and defiant voice called out from a few yards behind them. "Wow. It really is a palace made of ice." Snow spoke up, astonished by the grandeur of the palace. She was followed by Robin, who didn't say a word or look up from the ground either.
David walked toward Snow, pulling her aside presumably to argue. Whatever their quarrel was about, Snow joined the team with a large smile and a ready bow. While David scowled like a told off puppy.
...
Both David and Emma made their way to the large doors, and with gloved hands used all their strength to pry one of the doors open. The group filed into the palace, astounded by its architectural splendor.
They split up and search the palace, climbing stairs, entering chambers, patrolling halls. Coming up empty, they all gathered in the palaces' large vestibule.
Red is the first to speak up. "I can smell that someone has been living here, but I haven't found a good lead. We can stake out and wait for their return or search the nearby area for a lead."
Regina could feel herself growing inpatient. She had been on a stakeout once before and wasn't eager to repeat. "No. We'll flush 'em out. If this castle was fashioned by magic then it is threaded with its creator."
Everyone stepped back, keeping their silence and their distance as she began to assault the elegant stairway and the top balcony it lead to. Hurling continuous fireballs each bigger than the last, until her hands trembled and she could no longer produce a decent sphere of flames.
"Regina, stop. This isn't accomplishing anything." Emma called from the back wall
As she put her hands down, a snow flake fell from the ornate chandelier in the center of the atrium, growing larger and larger. Until before them stood a platinum blond woman, in a crystallized powder blue gown. The woman fiercely looked around at the palace intrusion. Scanning their faces, and weapons.
Instinctively Regina produced the flames in her palms. The flames caught the sight of the regal blonde. With a cold gust the woman quickly closed the distance between herself and Regina.
As her comrades moved towards them, arms raised and at the ready, they were stopped by the Ice Sorceress who brushed them back with another gust. The Ice Sorceress then erected an ice dome which blocked both women from the others.
"I won't go down without a fight" Regina snarled.
"I don't want to fight you, but I will defend myself" the blonde countered.
Thumping echoed in the dome as the cavalry grouped around, striking at the thick walls hoping for a crack or break in the shield.
The frosty witch paid them no mind. Her eyes were solely fixed on Regina. With her chest held high, and a royal tone, "I am Elsa, Queen of Arendelle."
[Royalty? At least we might be able to diplomatically communicate in the same language.]
Imitating Queen Elsa's stance and tone Regina replied "I am Regina, Queen of the Enchanted Forest"
Elsa immediately dropped her shoulders and displayed a warm smile. "You're Henry's mother!"
The fire in Regina's palms grew tenfold at the mention of her son. "How do you know my son!"
"We met at the government building. He gave me a map of Story Brooke. He, he didn't mention me? He agreed to consult with you on my behalf for acquisitioning aid."
"He didn't mention you at all"
Elsa looked sad. She thought he was sincere about offering help. "He showed me where the graveyard was. I was hoping to find you there again. I had previously seen you there, crying, laughing, burning something."
Regina was baffled. She didn't know what to make of this Icy Queen. She wasn't sure what to make of the mention of Henry, or that this woman had spied on her.
The pounding on the dome became continually louder, vibrating the dome walls. None of it seemed to register, an extraneous change to either queen.
Elsa looked and sounded very tired, "Queen Regina, I am no threat. I simply want to find my way home. I don't want to exert power, I don't want to be trapped, I don't want to be misjudged, I just want to be with my family."
That was something the former Evil Queen could relate to. Both women looked away from each other. Sadness creeping up on their expressions, neither wanting to admit their small insecurities to the other.
Regina pulled out her cell phone and dialed Henry's number. The phone rang and within the second ring he replied "Hey mom, what's up?" "What do you know about a Queen Elsa?""Oh yea, she came to your office yesterday, she was looking for help finding a way home to her sister, sorry I forgot. Is everything okay?" "It will be. Henry, that was somewhat important to mention to me don't you think?" "Yea I'm sorry mom" "It's fine, I'm dealing with it. I'll see you for diner. And Henry, remember that everything we do has consequences, please try to be more considerate next time." She hung up the phone and looked up at a perplexed Ice Queen.
"Queen Elsa, we might owe you an apology for any misunderstandings. I hope we can put this behind us, and find some amnesty regarding this...situation."
Elsa timidly approached Regina, giving her a small meek smile "Henry mentioned that you were a powerful magic practitioner. I too have magic, although I still need to hone my skills and abilities...could you, is there any way, that maybe you could help me find a way home."
Regina let out a loud sigh, and smiled as she looked into clear blue eyes. "There are no known portals here, but If you would join my son and I for dinner we might search through my old text and perhaps find a way to get you home."
Elsa couldn't contain herself, launching into a hug with the Queen of the Enchanted Forest.
Regina stammered and pushed away "Don't think of me as cold, but I'm not really up for warm hugs"
Elsa looked back at her, as if seeing past the Queen and the Mayor, seeing only a heart broken and meek Regina. "Your majesty, I can see the pain in your heart. I'm sorry, I wish I could help ease it."
Regina took another step back, [What is this? This girl doesn't know me. I don't need her pity or anyone's sympathy.] she wanted to glare at Elsa, but couldn't muster the facial expression.
Elsa raised her hands and dissipated the dome around them.
The sounds of charging and arrows leaving taught bows suddenly came rushing in.
Regina raised her arms instantly immobilizing everyone and everything. Luckily all before an arrow could strike Elsa in the eye.
The Ice Queen took the opportunity to stand behind Regina. Leering at the violent intruders.
Regina returned everyone to normalcy and spoke as if dictating a royal decree "This is Queen Elsa, ally and ambassador from Arendelle. She is to be protected and regarded as a personal friend to me and Henry. We will leave her alone, and she will promise not to alter our weather. You are all dismissed, go back to your regular activities there is nothing to see or do here."
As the group looked around confused and worried, they seemed ready to protest. Regina didn't allow for another word, she magically transported herself and Elsa in a swirl of purple smoke.
EMMA
As they trudged through the forest, she couldn't avoid the acid building up in her stomach. She desperately wanted to catch up with Regina and apologize, but the queen was all business. She also wanted to avoid the way Killian looked at her longingly, the way he tried to brush up against her. She couldn't find the strength to walk beside her dad, because her thoughts would often creep up on her insecurities regarding her baby brother.
She positioned herself between Grumpy and a couple of the Merry Men. Walking without saying a word. No one said a word really. The tension was thick, thicker than the snow covering the terrain.
...
It was getting colder, and though she had her jacket and gloves on, she could feel the frigid temperatures permeate her clothes.
They reached a clearing and in all its glory there stood a magnificent ice palace. [It's beautiful, sorta like the one from the Disney movie.]
Her thoughts were cut off by the voice of her mother. "Wow. It really is a palace made of ice."
Emma turned around to see her mother's wide bright eyes as she stared at the frosty monument. Behind Snow she saw a recoiling Robin, [somehow a cowering Robin Hood seems really uncharacteristic from what I remember in the stories.] the man never looked up from the patch of dirt at his feet.
Her dad pushed past her and forcefully grabbed at Snow, pulling her aside. She was close enough to hear their arguing mumbles, but not close enough to hear what they were actually saying. What she did see, was her mother pulling her arm away and giving her dad a very frigid stare. Until his shoulders slumped and Snow marched forward with a grin. [Don't know if I should be worried about mom and dad or if I should commend Snow for her command on Charming]
David put his arm around her and gave her shoulder a small squeeze "Come on, let's confront Jack Frost"
They trotted in unison to the large doors. Initially they each tried a door, but feeling the un-budging weight she joined David at the left door and used all her strength to pry it.
The group filed into the palace, [Incredible, the walls, the floor, the damn ceiling it's all ice] she felt her mouth gape open.
The Merry Men were the first to shake off whatever impression the palace had made and ran up the frozen staircase. Every one present split in different directions, trying to cover as much ground as possible, not staying in any spot for too long.
At one point, she and her mother where in a large hall. Their footsteps echoing in the empty space. Emma couldn't help herself, she spoke before she could stop and think "So what, did you abandon Neal too? All to save the kingdom, the people of Story Brooke?"
Snow shut her eyes and pursed her lips, she sadly looked up at Emma, "Is this why you've been avoiding me? Because of Neal? I didn't abandon him, Henry is watching him at Granny's"
Emma didn't have a reply, she didn't even know why it came out of her mouth. She simply mumbled "I'll look over this way" and made her way out.
While she was making her way through one of the hallways she caught a glimpse of Hook walking in her direction. She quickly entered the nearest room, nearly crashing headfirst into one of the Merry Men.
He looked at her and smiled, "This room is clear"
"Right, I was just double checking" she tried to move past him further into the room.
He lightly tapped her shoulder, "Thank you, for saving Marian. She is like our sister, we love her very much, and now Roland can be with his mother again."
Her lips stretched out into a thin forced smile. The man walked out. And then she could see the room clearly.
She shifted her weight onto her hip and commented "Really?" [It's a bathroom made of ice. How does that even work?] She inspected the tub, and the ornate basin, she also noted that a large sheet of ice was polished so that she could see her reflection.
...
She made her way back down to the large entrance. She wasn't the only one who came up empty, everyone else seemed to cluster in the area, some shrugging, others shaking their heads.
As the last few stragglers joined the group Ruby commented "I can smell that someone has been living here, but I haven't found a good lead. We can stake out and wait for their return or search the nearby area for a lead."
[Stakeouts are good. I can do it, give myself some space from everyone, find frosty or jack or whoever this is...]
Regina spoke in an inpatient cutting tone "No. We'll flush 'em out. If this castle was fashioned by magic then it is threaded with its creator."
The former Evil Queen began to attack the stairway and top floor, launching ever growing fireballs.
After what seemed like an eternity, Emma couldn't take it any longer "Regina, stop. This isn't accomplishing anything."
She was going to comment on how stupid it was for Regina to exhaust her magic when a threat could be looming. Before she could open her mouth she saw that Regina's gaze was set on a snow flake in the middle of the hall. A Snow flake that seemed to be growing. As it grew in its place stood a woman in a blue dress.
[The Disney Ice Princess?! From the movie!?]
But this princess had defiance in her eyes. Everyone else raised their weapons ready for the fight. Emma got the cue as she looked around and raised her gun.
With a frosty gust the woman crossed the hall until she was meters away from Regina, a gust of powdered snow left in her wake. Robin was the first to step forward and ready his bow. Everyone else followed raising their armaments, the Frozen Princess magically pushed them all back, they tumbled and toppled over one another.
By the time Emma stood the Frozen Princess had trapped herself and Regina in a dome of ice.
[What the hell? Wasn't she a good guy? Damn the movies and stories inaccuracies.]
All rushed forward, trying to crack the dome with their fist and aimed kicks.
Killian bashed the dome with his hook, and though he had created the most damage soon there were ice crystals forming on the smooth metal of his hook creeping up to his arm until he wretched back in pain. Emma reached over and removed his hook, rubbing his cold stub with her warm hands. He peered at her from his dark eyelashes, consuming her with his blue eyes. They might have been standing there for some time but she wasn't sure, their longing stares were broken when they heard a large thump against the dome.
The other group members had lugged in a large tree trunk and were ramming into the dome. They got behind and joined the team.
Just as the dome began to show slight hairline fractures trailing from the point of impact, the dome began to dissipate from bottom to top. They all jumped back and reached for their weapons, readying their attack.
The minute the women were revealed, Emma could see Robin releasing an arrow aimed to kill.
The arrow never made its mark, they had been frozen in place.
When they were released Regina diplomatically spoke "This is Queen Elsa, ally and ambassador from Arendelle. She is to be protected and regarded as a personal friend to me and Henry. We will leave her alone, and she will promise not to alter our weather. You are all dismissed, go back to your regular activities there is nothing to see or do here."
[Huh? Did we miss something?] She turned to look at her father, just to make sure she was hearing right. Then the queen and her icy friend vanished.
"So the Disney Frozen Princess girl is friends with the Evil Queen? What just happened, what's going on?"
SNOW
Early that morning there was a knock at the door. Since she was nursing Neal, David sleepily rubbed his eyes and went to the door.
Henry was standing there with a bright smile and his story book tucked under his arm. "Hey guys, I came to hang out with my uncle for a while"
"Great kiddo. Do you want some breakfast?"
"Nah, I already had some at Granny's with mom. She is going back to the office to drop off some papers and then coming over later."
"yea? what is your mom doing in the office?"
"She's organizing everything for the next election, In case she doesn't win she wants to leave everything in order"
David and Snow shared an incredulous look. But left the topic alone. [I wonder what that's about?]
Henry sat by her and opened the book to one of the stories about Bandit Snow White. David grabbed his large mug and drank his coffee cherishingly.
Just when the story was getting exciting and Snow was running through the forest escaping arrows, Davids phone beeped. Then another Beep.
Snow leaned over far enough to see the words from the second message "In The Forest Might Lie The Reason For Our Frosty Weather" Sent by Regina.
David polished off the rest of his coffee and quickly typed out a few messages of his own.
Snow looked up at him as he shrugged on his jacket. "What was that about?"
"Nothing Snow, just a little searching party." David pulled out his keys and headed out without saying good bye or looking back.
[Right, and I believe you.]
"Henry would you be willing to watch little Neal for a few hours?"
"Yea, I'd love to, are you going to go follow him?"
"Yep, I'm gonna help with the search party, will you help me pack up a diaper bag? You can watch the baby at Granny's that way Red or Granny can help you if you need it."
"Sure, but shouldn't you catch up to him before you lose him?"
"I'll find him" She gave Henry a cheeky grin. [I'll always find him]
They set up the diaper bag, turned off the stove, fixed a few things in the house, and headed out.
...
With a few clues from the gossiping town folk, and a trail left by the forest road, she soon made her way to the Merry Mens' encampment.
She made her presence known, and asked around for who knew what direction they had gone in. Robin stepped forward, walking towards the direction in which everyone else had left. Before they made it completely out of the camp Marian called out to them from behind. "Robin? Where are you going?"
The man half turned and called back "I'm leading Snow to the others, we will be additional enforcement, I'm helping keep our home safe. I'll be back."
Snow looked between both of them, this situation looked far too uncomfortable [Poor Robin]
They both continued forward, and Robin explained what his son had seen, and how everyone else found out. He gave Snow a sad smile, and they continued most of the trek in silence.
As she trudged through the terrain, she tumultuously asked "So you are reconciled with your wife, that's good. We are Regina's family, we will make sure she is alright. Do you still love her? Probably not, she tried to kill your wife, it took me a long time to forgive her and she was family whom I admired for a long time..." before she could continue rambling Robin cut in roughly
"Snow our situation is not similar, and it is none of your business. Please stay out of it."
His voice was gruff, but his eyes were soft and hurt, he timidly looked down, not saying another word as they followed the trail the others left behind.
As they marched through the cold wet forest they were soon surrounded by snow powdering the immediate flora, icicles hung from the tree tops and ahead she could make out a clearing.
She could make out the beautiful blond curls of her daughter, as they approached the search party group, they were all looking up at an immense statue of ice. [Or is it a castle ?] She excitedly strutted forward to get a better look.
"Wow. It really is a palace made of ice." She exclaimed as she managed to get a good look at the frosty fortress.
She didn't take her eyes away from the palace until her husband cogently pulled her aside to speak.
"What do you think you are doing here? It could be dangerous. Where is Neal?" He demanded, with brittle patience.
Snow looked at his hand as it firmly grasped her arm, the gesture was more hurtful than the pressure. She tried not to let his tone get to her. "He is with his nephew and Granny. I'm here to help the search party. I'm here to help keep my daughter, my husband, my family and my home town safe. I know how to take care of myself, I'm not a novice. Shall we do this, or are you going back home to Neal?"
She pulled her arm away, giving David an icy forewarning glare. Her husband caved, his shoulders drooped, as he relented. Snow marched forward with a satisfied grin. [That's what I thought]
...
The group divided and searched in different directions.
At one point, she had entered the great chamber of the palace [well it is a small palace after all, maybe this is the great hall], on the opposite side of the hall she saw her daughter approaching from the west side entrance.
Hearing her daughters footsteps echoing in the empty space. She couldn't help but imagine a young Princess Emma playing in the great chamber of their own palace, singing and dancing, young and gleeful.
Emma's bitter voice cut through her fantasy "So what, did you abandon Neal too? All to save the kingdom, the people of Story Brooke?"
The frigidity in Emmas voice and words had no parallel, even their environment was no match for the cold Snow felt.
Snow griped her eyes shut and pressed her lips into a hard thin line [Abandon? I would never... I did once, but it was the only way... I...] She was broken, realizing that Emma still felt like a lost girl. An unloved abandoned orphan, Emma assumed that to her parents the kingdom & its denizens were more important than their children.
She sadly looked up at Emma, "Is this why you've been avoiding me? Because of Neal? I didn't abandon him, Henry is watching him at Granny's" [I love you both, I wouldn't willingly give up my children for the masses.]
Emma mumbled "I'll look over this way" as she walked passed Snow.
Snow stood in place, immobilized. Her chest hurt, her heart heaved heavily. [I am a bad mother. I've been having a hard time with Neal, I left him to come here, I abandoned my daughter.] She wiped the tears from her eyes. [I did it for her, without the wardrobe she would have been ripped from us when she came here, she would have been lost in the stasis of Story Brooke, otherwise we would have never been together.] She stopped her quivering chin, wiped the remaining tears and continued to search for the inhabitant of the ice castle.
...
The search turned up empty for Snow, and apparently all the other members. That is until Regina assaulted the castle with fire, summoning a regal [Snow fairy?] woman.
Though she and Robin had their bows taught and ready to attack, the woman in blue had used her magic to blast them back. Effectively separating all of them from herself and Regina, whom she ensnared in a large thick ice dome.
Everyone scrambled to their feet and rushed the barrier. Snow tried breaking through the ice kicking with the butt of her boot, without success. David who was pounding beside her started to rub his fist, he removed his gloves to reveal his throbbing hands they were bright red from the cold which the gloves were weak against.
Robin pulled away, calling everyone over. They followed behind him running as he made his way into the woods and started looking around frantically. Finally he pointed at a tree that had fallen over, "There! Saw off the top. We will ram the damn thing open." He directed, and the merry men quickly got to work.
Soon between them they hauled the large husk of tree and with a running start rammed the dome.
The dome seemed unaffected. Robin let out a guttural growl and counted off as they paced their ramming. Finally at the sight of hairline fractures trailing their spirits rose, however the dome began to magically fritter away from bottom to top.
Again Snow and Robin were the first to react, they picked up their bows and aimed at the woman in blue. When the women were revealed, Snow heard Robins arrow leave his bow, she released hers then. Only their arrows were frozen in place and when she tried to reach for another arrow she realized she had been magically stilled.
Their target hid behind Regina, who diplomatically declared to them that the woman was a queen who was also an ally. Before anyone could approach or question either queen they vanished in a blur of purple smoke.
Emma raised her arms in confusion and walked toward her parents asking, "So the Disney Frozen Princess girl is friends with the Evil Queen? What just happened, what's going on?"
Snow shook her head without an answer, it was her husband who spoke up.
"I've heard of the Snow Queen, I had a friend who spent time in Arendelle, he told me how the queen was a wicked sorceress who froze the land and corrupted his love Princess Anna against him. Looks like the Evil queen is back and worse she has a frigid ally." David peered around the room, everyone but Robin looked aghast.
Robin spoke with a sharp edge to his voice, "Regina, is no longer the Evil Queen. If she says this Queen of Arendelle is a friend of hers and Henry, then I choose to believe and respect that. Come men. There is no threat here. On with it." The men retreated.
Ruby and Grumpy followed suit, mumbling with each other. [Undoubtedly getting their story straight, for what they are going to tell the rest of the town]
She turned to look at her family, shrugging off Davids concerned look.
She stood between Hook and Emma, placing her hands on their backs, "It's early but I'm ready for lunch, shall we?"
She led her family out of the palace.
ELSA
Her head cleared after the disorientation and slight haze she was left with after the queen had transported them from her palace to [Regina's humble abode?] the queens home.
Elsa looked around, everything was so pristine, clearly this was the home of someone important. "Your majesty is this your domicile?"
The queen from the enchanted forest looked around her own home, she didn't seem particularly proud of it, but she smiled when her eyes stopped at a door upstairs. "Yes, and please call me Regina, or Ms. Mills, the practicing government of this land is democratic not monarchial."
Elsa nodded "Yes, Henry had explained it to me. He is very well learned and quite an impressive young man."
Regina beamed a very large smile at her, "Thank you, he is the light of my life. I am very proud of my son."
Regina led her to the kitchen. "Elsa is there anything I could offer you to drink? How about some of the best apple cider you've ever had?"
"That would be lovely thank you, Regina."
The mayor, began to roam around the kitchen acquiring two tumblers with hard cider. Giving Elsa one as she gingerly drank from the other.
"Will you tell me what happened to you? If it is too painful, you can just give me the general information, it might be helpful to relieve your stress and to aid our investigation for how you came to be here and how we can get you back home."
"I broke free from an urn that a dark wizard had incarcerated me in, approximately three nights ago. I awoke in a barn by an old abandoned farm house" Remembering Henry's map, she pulled it out and pointed to the general area.
Regina, pressed two fingers to her temples and furrowed her brow as she rubbed. "Of course, it was the same portal that brought Marian. We have the sheriff to thank for your appearance here. The portal you went through was one that traverses great lengths in time and space. Duplicating it is unfathomable, but perhaps we can find another way."
Elsa could see how tired Regina seemed, and the task at hand seemed to be tremendous, but the thought of going home to Anna filled her heart with glee, and she looked at the former queen with large hopeful eyes. [This is a kind and bighearted queen, how had I not heard of the Benevolent Queen of The Enchanted Forest before?]
The queen circumspectly spoke again "Elsa, If we ever get you back, If it is ever possible... you might not find your sister the way you remembered her. It is quite possible that in Arendelle 31 years have gone past."
"What!?" Elsa was disbelieving but upon seeing Regina flinch she delicately amended, "What do you mean? Why would 31 years have passed?"
Regina let out a small sigh, and masked any emotions from her features. With a porcelain set face and a detached tone, "I was once known as the Evil Queen, I cast a curse that would tear away subjects from my kingdom and from my desire to this town. Here they would be ripped away from their happiness, and all were frozen in time for 28 years until the savior broke the curse. I have since reformed. The savior, the sheriff, foolishly went through the portal that took her back 31 years in time to our realm, there she altered the past, and apparently also brought you back."
Elsa looked into her tumbler, examining the amber liquid as she processed everything. [Even if I find a way back, I would have lost 31 years. 31 missed birthdays. Would Anna have kids by now? Would our kingdom have maintained its status, its economy?] The liquid in the glass began to ripple, her tears had fallen in.
Regina reached over the kitchen counter and wiped away the tears, "Elsa, I am so sorry."
She placed her hand atop Reginas, stifling a sniffle as she trembling smiled up at her. "Thank you, but even if all those years past, I would still want to go home and see my sister, for whatever remainder of time we have left. And thanks to your wife the sheriff I am free from the wizards urn, if anything I am thankful for a way out of there."
This time It was Regina's turn at bewilderment "What?! The sheriff, the savior is not my wife!" Regina saw how the tender moment between them had been broken by her exclamation, so she too amended by softening her voice and returning her hand to Elsa's, "Why would you think I was wed to the sheriff?"
Elsa had a hard time regaining her thoughts and her breath, first the news of 31years gone, then Regina shouting at her bemused.
"Henry, told me he had two mothers. The mayor and former queen, and the sheriff daughter of a princess, and a father who is son of a mighty sorcerer."
Regina let out the breath of air that she was apparently avariciously holding. She then proceeded to explain how adoption in this realm worked, how Henry had sought out his birth mother, and inadvertently found his birth father who was now resting in peace.
The women sat and drank, retelling their personal life stories. Sharing pleasant anecdotes with one another; recalling challenging times when they ruled a kingdom and the weight of the world was on their shoulders.
Regina hummed "You know, despite being the Evil Queen I was actually a good ruler. That is, when I wasn't after my stepdaughter, killing all who aided her. The king had left behind a thriving kingdom, but I kept it running smoothly."
"You really killed entire villages? How could you live with..."
Elsa was cut off at the sound of the front door resounding shut, and Henry calling out "Mom, I'm home!"
Both ladies smiled at Henry as he entered the kitchen.
"Elsa! Hi." He smiled and greeted her with a hug. "Mom I'm hungry are we having diner here or are we going out?"
"I'll whip something up. It'll be ready in 30-45 minutes, please be washed up and ready by then. Elsa would you like to help me in the kitchen or would you rather spend time with Henry?"
She looked at both of them, [I'd definitely be no help in the kitchen, just a hindrance] she gave Regina an apologetic look, "I'd rather spend some time with Henry, maybe he could further explain all these wonderful things your realm has to offer."
Regina nodded with a smile and started busing herself in the kitchen. Henry pulled on her arm and beamed "Let's start with the TV I can show you what a movie is."