Everything Has Changed

Chapter 9 - Don't Let Me Be Lonely

He couldn't just let her go back home. Back to the man that was doing her wrong. Robin rolled his shoulders as he followed the black Mercedes down Main Street. He had never met the King back in their world, but everything he had heard about him was wonderful, and kind, there was never any indication that he could be a violent man. He watched as Regina turned left at the next light and headed away from him down Mifflin Street. He debated about whether or not he should follow her, ultimately deciding that he didn't want to cause her any extra trouble should Leo see them together.

Instead, with one last look down the street Robin continued heading straight, stopping in front of the library and climbing out. It was a book that had done this, had made him remember everything, and there was one person in this town that knew books better than anybody, Belle. Lacey, he reminded himself here her name was Lacey. He was mumbling to himself as he opened the door and was greeted by the soft smell of old books.

"Can I help you with something?" Robin turned to see Lacey standing behind the circulation desk, looking at him.

He was about to say no, that he would just look around for a bit, but something in her eyes seemed to change his mind. It was like she knew why he was there, like she knew that something was going on, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what. "You know what, maybe you can. How much do you know about the history of this town?"

Her expression changed as she thought about it, and then grew funny when she focused on him again. "It's odd, I have lived here my entire life, and yet I don't think I know any of it. How can that be?" She started rummaging through the files in the drawer under her desk. "Honestly I don't think we have any of the records here. Strange, you may want to check with the Mayor's Office." She was startled by the fact that he had moved so close to the desk while she wasn't watching.

"That's okay, I don't need them, I was just curious what you remembered. I actually came here because I have a favor to ask of you."

"Oh?"

"It's about Regina, I think she needs a friend right now, and given the situation,"

"You mean given Leo's possessiveness...?"

He just gave her a look and continued talking, "Given the situation, I think it would be best if that friend was you and not me."

"Ah, I see. Well what do you want me to do?"

"Come on," he jerked his head towards the door, "I'll buy you lunch."

She looked at him hesitantly; after all she didn't know him all that well. But there was something about him...His hand reaching out towards her broke her chain of thought.

"Do you trust me?"

"What?"

"Do you trust me?"

Her answer was hesitant, but she slowly reached up and looking in his eyes, took his hand, "Yes..."

Rumplestiltskin had been telling the truth, the Queen was gravely ill when Cora had paid the palace a little visit. There was nothing that could be done to help her; even magic wouldn't have saved her, not that Cora had offered. No one even knew that she was there she had gone in secret. Checking to see if maybe one day her daughter would be able to replace the Queen.

She had not been disappointed. Cora watched from the window as the Queen held her young daughter's hand and gave her some very honorable advice, before finally succumbing to death. As the tears fell down the young princess's cheeks Cora's smile grew, and in a puff of dark smoke she disappeared from the palace grounds.

"Zelena!" Her voice echoed through the halls as she searched for her eldest daughter. She had a plan, and the Queen's death was the perfect start to it. "Zelena!" She heard the tell tale signs of someone running in long skirts and turned on the spot to see her favorite child approaching her.