To Ignite

2

8-year old Emma ran through the Enchanted Forest with tears streaming down her face until she crashed into a dark figure near a huge brown horse with a white stripe down its snout.

"Umpf!" Emma said after crashing into the person and onto the ground.

The mysterious person reached out a hand with black painted nails towards the young blonde girl.

The green eyed princess hesitantly took the hand of the stranger to let out a gasp from the spark released from the contact they made.

The rainbow sparks that appeared
disappeared just as fast as the came as they descended towards the ground below.

Deep brown eyes locked with blotchy jade ones shimmering from tears.

"A-are you ok?" A rich, husky voice asked the blonde.

"Y-yes. I apologize Miss for running into you. I must be more cautious with my actions. Please let me assist you with the mess I have caused," Emma said politely while looking around at the red fruits littering the floor and the nearby basket.

"No you're not," The brown eyed figure said.

"I am sincerely sorry!" Emma wailed out slightly confused on why she was hurt that the figure didn't believe her.

The covered figure let out a smooth chuckle causing Emma to blush and pout.

"I know your sorry, dear. Just as much as how I know your not ok," the figure said kindly. "How about you tell me what's wrong while we pick up the fallen apples?"

"Ok."

After picking up the fallen apples, the unknown figure finally broke the comforting silence, "What happened to cause a beautiful young girl such as yourself to cry and come running through the forest?"

Emma blushed at the compliment, "I don't want to trouble you with my troubles Miss..." The blonde trailed off waiting for a name.

"R. You can call me R," the cloaked figure with the wonderful chuckle said.

"Then you call me Swan," the girl said with a cheeky smile causing R to smile too exposing her white teeth from the darkness that the hood of the cloak created.

Emma knew that she should have been wary of a person in a hooded cloak speaking to her in the darkness of the forest, but she couldn't she felt safe and happy with the unknown woman.

"Alright... Miss Swan, What has you crying in the forest?"

"My mother. She tells me that I must be obedient and lady like instead of parading around with the idea of being a knight. But I really want to R! I don't want to be a princess!" The 8-year old girl cried her hands shaking with gold and white sparks at the fingertips.

"Calm down little Swan. Count to 10 and think of what makes you happy," R said noticing the sparks that Emma didn't.

"Ok, I'll think of you then R," Emma said the sparks dying down instantly.

"The princess is missing! The Evil Queen must have got her!" A guard yelled in the nervy trees.

R tensed at the mention of the Evil Queen.

Emma noticed and said, "The Evil Queen isn't really evil, so don't worry R."

She then kissed R's cheek and ran in the direction of the White Kingdom.

Present Emma awoken from her dream/memory refreshed and content the thought of the mystery that is R bringing an instant smile to her face.

It was now 13 years later for Emma is turning 21 in a week on April 12th.

"Emma!" Snow barged in killing the young princess' mood instantly. "We have the most perfect dress for you to wear during the ball! You're actually going to look like a beautiful woman!"

That comment hit Emma hard, "So are you telling me that I'm not beautiful now?!" Emma asked her voice a mixture of hurt and anger. A tone usually used in relation to Snow White.

"Now, Emma don't be ridiculous! I'm just saying you're going to look better. Now, the maids will be in here shortly," the White Queen said before exiting the room.

"Good morning to you to," Emma mumbled.

(Continuation of dream that Emma or R didn't catch)

Unknown to Emma, the Dark figure pulled down the hood to reveal the gorgeous face of the Dark Queen with a light blush coating her olive cheeks.

She mounted her now awake horse displaying the Dark Kingdom's code of arms, and headed off in the opposite direction Emma did.

In the spot that Emma and R first touch sprouted a seedling in preparation to bloom.