REAWAKENED

Prince Repulsive

(5 Months ago in the Enchanted Forest)

An arrow whizzed past Regina's ear as she ran quick as lightning through the forest. She skillfully dodged the fallen trees and brush throughout the woods she knew very well. Loud thumping drummed behind her as one of the Queen's horses and knight chased after her.

Queen Snow White wanted her dead ever since Regina spilled the queen's secret about her love for a stable boy to her mother. Once Snow's mother had foud out, she was quick to end their relationship by putting an end to him. It all happened right in front of Snow White's eyes. To this day Snow had vowed vengence on every drop of happiness Regina absorbed.

Regina navigated the forest like she was raised there. She knew the location of every log, rock and tree since she had been living as an outsider. Except for the trap set earlier by the huntsman behind her...

Regina stumbled over an ashy, camoflaged boulder and knocked her head off the edge of a sharp stone beside it. She fell flat on her chest and all of the air was knocked from her body. Before having a chance to try to catch a breath, leaves fluttered around her as a large net closed around her and hitched upward. Regina dangled several feet above ground entangled in the mesh.

She still couldnt catch her breath and felt a slight tickle as the blood streamed down from the gash on her forehead. Regina felt too dizzy to sit upright so she lay awkwardly with her face smashed against the netting. Her eyes were slightly blurry and her stomach twisted like the knots she was trapped in.

An ivory frosted horse trotted a few feet from the trap and the knight hopped off. He wore an iron helmet peppered with dirt and mud. Milky swan feathers stuck from the sides going up his face. A metal part just covered his nose. Underneath was a wrinkled forehead and long silky copper hair.

"Well, Dearie..I figured I might find you hanging around these parts of the woods." Regina huffed while the knight laughed at his joke. "Why don't you cut me down and fight me like a real man." She said, her speaking slurred. He raised an eyebrow at the imprisoned fugitive. "Fiesty, aren't you?" His expression changed when he caught sight of the cut on her head. He needed to bring the woman back alive to Snow so she would have the pleasure of finally getting to see her worst enemy crumple before her.

"Are you okay?" He asked as a drop of blood fell and splattered at his feet. "Do I look okay to you?" Regina growled, touching the wound slightly and wincing. "I don't need your help." As soon as she said it she thought better of it, a plan forming in her head. "Actually, I could use a hand. My head's killing me. Literally" She groaned, emphasizing her agony. Another drop of blood, this time larger, plunged down, drenching the soil. Regina smiled to herself knowing as soon as he cut her down and her foot hit the dirt she would be gone. She could lose him through the thicker part of the woods.

The man cautiously walked toward the swinging net and took out his sword. In one quick, clean slice, the rope was cut and Regina came plunging down. Before she could reach her bow, the huntsman swept it up and put in on his shoulder with is own. "Ah, ah, Dearie." He helped her up and took a closer look at her cut. He could tell it would become infected from all of the dirt clogged in it. Regina brushed his hand off and turned to run. The knight caught the back of her fur vest and held her in place.

She turned around offened. "Get off of me, Prince Repulsive." He laughed slightly at her quirk and his grip tightened on her in case she tried to run again. "Actually, it's Rumplestiltskin."

"Alright Rumple-whosit," Regina growled struggling to get away from him. "Let me go." Rumplestiltskin ignored her and began dragging her towards his horse. "Oh ho, taking me to the all mighty Queen Snow Whie now aren't you? All of you knights are the same; cowardly slaves too afraid to stand up for yourselves under the Queen." Rumple grunted, holding both of her hands behind her back. He pulled out the cuffs the Queen had given him for this occasion and cuffed her hands together. He slipped the key into his satchel, guiding her toward the stallion. "Actually, Dearie, I'm taking you to some friends of mine to get your cut all fixed up so you'll be presentable to the Queen." Regina rolled her eyes as he helped her up onto the steed. She once again felt nauseous being up so high on the horse and her vision blurred from the pain shooting through her head. "And who are these "friends" of yours?" She asked refusing to look at him. "They're actually my brothers," Rumplestiltskin replied hoisting himself up in front of her. "All seven of them."