The Saving of the Queen

A Night of Knights

*Author's Note
Ok, hi. Like you may have read in the description, this is my first fic, and I'm writing it on my phone. So yeah. Even though Jennifer Morrison isn't even on the show now, I still and forever will, ship SwanQueen. Ok, now... On to the story.

As the sun set out over the horizon, the creatures of the night began to awaken. The sounds of night animals crescendo through the twilight.

The queen stood on the balconey of the great hall, desparte for a break from the annoying suitors from other kingdoms, near and far alike. From the poorest kingdoms, to the richest; from lords and dukes, to princes and even kings. All were there at the summer festival to woo and charm her. And she despises it.

Princess Regina looked out over the land of the kingdom she would one day rule. The sun cast a glow over everything as it sat low in the sky, passing between the northern mountains on its way. The rays of the dying light cast an angelic peace over the princess's face, laying warmth on her cheeks and turning her chocolate eyes a golden hue.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"a female voice from the shadows of the doorway called. The princess spun around at the familiar voice and grinned.

"Maleficint!"she cried as she jumped into the blonde girl's arms for a much welcomed hug.

"I figured you'd be out here. I just arrived, and when I didn't see you at the great table or being wisked around the dance floor, I figured I'd find you out here."the blonde said pulling back. "So, any good choices? Most girls go for the tall, dark, and handsome look. How about you?"she laughed.

"Honestly Mal, I think they were all raised with ten nannies at their beck and call, using their parents money to buy their fancy clothes." Regina huffed.

"Princess, remeber you wear fancy clothes." Mal laughed. "What about the poorer kingdoms? You can't tell me they're all pompous asses, too?"

"Mother keeps hovering around every conversation, and when a lord or Duke approaches me, mother thinks of another prince whom I just need to be properly introduced to.'"Regina sighed. "Mal, I'm not even ready for marriage, let alone to one of those...those--"

"Pompous asses."Mal finished. They both laughed.

Princess Regina sobered. "Yes, exactly. Father says that because we have a powerful kingdom, we need to ally ourselves with a kingdom of slightly less, if not equal power. It's in this way, he says, that we can stay 'stable' for years to come. I honestly think that my mother has some sort of hold on him. She's the one always talking about power, and how power can make things happen for you." Regina sat on an outdoor lounge. "I wish I didn't have to be here, doing this. Marriage is for life, and quite frankly, I don't think I want to live my life with a king always telling me what I can or can't do."

Looking passed the trees and the lake, Regina watched as the last rays of sun sank into darkness. She couldn't help but feel it was a metaphorical mirror image of her own life. The rays of her childhood slowly sinking away, but with no moon, she has no other to guide her on the pathway. She feels lost, with no control over her own choices.

She felt the cousion dip and a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You know, I could try to talk to my parents and...maybe you could come visit us for a fortnight. Just a small vacation for a very stressed future queen. Maybe my parents can convince your mother to let you rest for a while."Mal proposed.

Regina smiled and stood, eyes shinning in the low light at the idea. "Mal! That's a great idea! The only problem is convincing mother, like you said."

Mal stood and linked her arm with her friend's, turning them toward the door she said, "Well, let's get to it then. Better put your best exhausted face on princess."

Regina smiled gently. "That's honestly not hard to do."

†††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††

Ok, so just want to point out that Maleficint is just a friend, and will stay that way through the entire thing.
Secondly, no, we didn't see Emma in this chapter, I think she'll maybe come in during the third one... Or I might write the next chapter about her. Idk.
Let me know what you think!
I'll probably only continue this if I get a few reviews, so hint hint... Haha!
Ok, have a great day/night everyone!