Finding You

Chapter Three

Riley has stayed in the castle for about two weeks now. She has an unbreakable bond with Regina. She even calls her Mommy now. Today was filled with joyful games that mother and daughter were playing. Soon after they drifted to sleep.

Their slumber was interrupted by noise inside the castle walls. Riley whimpers as she shakes Regina's shoulder. Regina wakes up in the darkness to hear the little girl crying. Regina instantly wraps the small girl in her arms and wipes her tears.

"Mommy, the noise is scary!" Riley cries as she covers her ears.

"Everything will be okay honey. I'll go see what all the commotion is about." Regina says carefully to the little one who just called her mommy.

"No, stay with me." Riley says as she clings to Regina's thin nightgown.

"Honey, I'll be really really quick. You won't even know I'll be gone." Regina says as she rubs the young girl's back.

"You have to promise you'll be back." Riley says with a small smile.

"I promise." Regina says and she kisses Riley's forehead. "I love you honey." Regina says as she exits the room.

Riley felt a strong urge to follow her mother but fought it. In situations like this she knew it was best to listen to the adult. There was a small part of her that thought that something bad was going to happen and she was too afraid to move from her spot. Maybe she should follow anyways.

"What the hell is going on?" Regina yells through the halls.

"The castle is under attack by Robin Hood." A knight informs the Queen.

"Robin Hood?" Regina asks surprised a pathetic thief got into her protected castle.

"Yes your majesty. Ten men are dead and-" The knight was cut off by a scream as an arrow slices through his hand.

"Step away from the Queen if you value your life." Robin says with his bow in hand and another arrow ready to fly.

"You should leave." Regina whispers to the knight and he scurries away. "What do you want?" She says turning her attention to the thief.

"I want you dead." Robin says as he pulls a knife up to Regina's throat. "Give me a good reason not to kill you now."

Regina is beyond terrified. This is one of her most vulnerable moments. She knew that man was going to break her as a tear rolled down her cheek. She didn't want to die. Any other day months ago she wouldn't have cared. Now, she has a reason to live, Riley.

"Please, my daughter." Regina croaks claiming his child as her own.

Robin tightens his grip on the knife. He makes a small cut on her throat and stops. She has a daughter. The Evil Queen of all people has the thing that he yearns for most, his daughter. He removes the knife from her neck and watches her collapse on the floor. He looks at the poor woman with sadness and then he looks up only to find his daughter.

"Riley?" Robin asks as he stares at the small child.

"Papa!" Riley yells as she runs into her father's arms.

Robin caught her and hugged her tightly, afraid to let her go. There aren't enough curse words to describe what Regina is thinking. The father of the kind child she absolutely loves just tried to kill her. Not only that but Riley's father was freaking Robin Hood! This was a low blow and Regina was profusely cursing fate.

It dawned on him. His daughter was in the Queen's castle. The Queen was keeping his daughter hostage. Fire towards this dishonorable woman flared in his eyes. The large flames were extinguished once his eyes laid on his little girl.

"Papa, I missed you!" Riley beams but the her eyes land on Regina. "Mommy, you hurt?"

Mommy? Oh, heck no. This was not happening. How could his little girl be the daughter that the kingdom was gossiping about? The Queen even refereed to Riley as "her daughter". Robin was devastated and he just couldn't believe that fate screwed him over again.

"Papa, please help Mommy." Riley cries and Robin's heart breaks.

Robin stood up and held out a hand for Regina to take. As usual she was being her stubborn self and ignored his hand.  She then looked at the child that smiled up at her. She had to do it for Riley. Regina grabbed Robin's hand and he helped her up.

Their hands never parted due to the sensation that both of them were feeling. It was odd, new and definitely exciting. Robin stared at her beautiful brown and cursed himself. He liked this woman and it would be the death of him.