The Saving of the Queen

The Frozen Heart, The Broken Heart

Time Lapse

Regina POV

Six months. It's been six months since my father passed away. Six months since my mother tore out her heart. I didn't even know she had magic!

Six months of sorrow for both of us. Six months of my mother blaming me for what happened. Six months since I felt happiness, longer since I felt at peace.

Mal was at the funeral, as was the entire kingdom, and some from others. The young bachelor nobles tried to woo me at my own father's funeral! Have they no honor, no filter!?

It doesn't matter anyway, in her agony, and anger, my mother has betrothed me to a man twice my age, in a kingdom to realms over! I'll never see my friends... Well, Mal, ever again.

Mal assured me that when she grew into her wings, she would fly to visit me. Her family has been part dragon for ages, I frankly don't understand any of it.

I'm riding my favored steed, Rocinante, probably for the last time. I'm thinking about how much my life has changed in what feels like such a short time.

In a fortnight, I leave for my new home, if you could call it that. A place I have never been, surrounded by people I have never met, marrying a man whom I don't even know.

I wish I could ride away forever. Never to return. Maybe I'd find true love, and we could live in the mountain range, north of the great river, south of the sea. We could live out our days in peace there. No politics, no people to rule over, no people to rule over us, just us and our love.

'Love is weakness!'

I hear my mother's voice in my head. That's her new mantra, 'Love is weakness.' Father was not perfect, but losing him has turned mother into a monster.

The pain from losing him drove her mad, so she tore out her heart, but alas, her heart carried her love. When she tore it out, she tore out her ability to love anyone or anything. Even me.

I'm turning back to the stables now, it getting late in the afternoon, and there's a ball tonight. Mother arranged it. My new betrothed will be there, as will many nobles from our kingdom, here to say farewell.

Mal can't be there because she's away, in the mountains, on a quest or some nonsense. It has to do with her dragon background, I know that.

It's times like these when I wish I could tear my own heart out, but then I would be just like my mother. So no, I won't be the coward who runs from their sadness, I will face mine head on.

And win.

SQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQ

Emma POV

We have been traveling for what feels like years, but in reality it has probably only been about a fortnight.

So here I am, riding my steed, part of the Royal Guard like I've been dreaming since I was young. One of the King's most loyal, and trusted advisors... And I hate every minute of it.

Ever since that night, when the King noticed me, noticed my potential, I've been flying through the ranks to where I am today.

I did wonder why the Guard didn't move from their standings, even when I attacked one of them. Turns out, the King was amoung us the whole time.

Flashback

I eventually wake up, shivering in the cold night, soked to the bone. I use what little strength I have to raise up out of the icy water.

As I stand, I look around me, and coming out of my daze, I remember. The situation hits me like lightning, all over again.

Khloe.