A Kingdom Divided

Chapter 4

A few days passed, and still no change with Emma's condition. Regina refused to leave her friend's side but as each hour passed she became more agitated. "You should eat something." Red coaxed her, holding out a bowl of soup. "I'll eat when Emma wakes up." The girl had answered, her gaze unwavering from the pale blonde.

Belle and Ruby exchanged a worried glance. Regina glanced up as the Blue Fairy put her hand over hers. "You don't have to wish so loudly. I can hear you, dear." The older woman said gently. Regina's face flushed bright red. She had heard about the fairies' ability to know of people's wishes.

"I'm sorry." She sighed. "I'm just worried about Emma."

"If it's meant to be, Emma will wake. She's still recovering." Blue said. Regina frowned at her comment. If only there was someone who had the power to wake Emma. "Rumpelstiltskin." The name slipped out before she could stop it. "What did you say?" Belle's head turned towards her.

"Nothing." Regina answered quickly. "I was just thinking."

Her mother had told both her and Zelena about Rumpelstiltskin, warning them of the conniving and malicious intent of the man. She mostly told them tales of the Dark One to frighten them into behaving. Zelena had promised with wide eyes never to have anything to do with him, clearly afraid.

When Cora had turned to her youngest daughter, Regina had mimicked her older sister, promising to not even mention his name. Inside however, she was curious. What made this Rumpelstiltskin so feared? From what her mother had told her, the man just sounded extremely selfish.

"Regina." Belle's voice broke her out of her thoughts as she knelt in front of her. "You mustn't have anything to do with Rumpelstiltskin. Nothing good will have come of finding him."

"He could wake Emma." The brunette argued. "That's true, but you would be paying a very high price. It's not worth it." Belle said firmly. "I would do anything to get Emma to wake up! She's my best friend. She never deserved this!" Regina said loudly, biting her lip to hold back tears.

"Emma will be okay. You just have to have faith that she will be. Just promise us you won't go looking for Rumpelstiltskin." Belle pleaded. "Okay." Regina finally answered. She ate dinner to lessen their worry, climbing onto the small bed next to Emma.

A strange whispering woke the girl from her dreams. She looked around to see the cottage was quiet and everyone else was asleep. She checked to make sure it wasn't Emma finally waking up, even going so far as to shake her and whisper her name. The blonde didn't budge.

As the whispers grew louder, Regina thought one of the adults would wake up. "Ruby. Belle." Regina whispered loudly to the two women curled up on the bed across the room. "They can't hear you, dearie."

Regina whipped her head around to see a man standing by her bedside. Instinctively, she shifted closer to Emma. "Who are you?" She demanded. The man giggled, a sly grin on his face. "Well don't you know?"

Regina's eyebrows furrowed, her eyes looking the man up and down. He didn't look familiar. His skin was a shiny gold, almost green. His eyes glinted in the moonlight, his mouth pulled back in a wide grin. His long nails tapped his chin, patiently waiting for her to speak.

"I am Rumpelstiltskin." He said, bowing. Regina's eyes widened in fear, and she looked around for something to protect herself with. "No need to fear me, dearie. After all, you are the one that summoned me."

"I didn't mean to." Regina said. "Ah, but you did. You were going to find me even after you promised you wouldn't. Being a royal princess you should know better, but you're not like your sister, are you?" The man observed. "How do you-?"