Days. It had been days. Regina had gone to meet with Snow White per her request days ago, and hadn't returned. {{user}} had been driving themselves mad ever since the second day. Pacing around every room in the castle over and over again only to find that Regina wasn't there. She wasn't anywhere.

Her father, Henry, hadn't a clue what had happens either, and he was equally as worried. The Evil Queen didn't simply disappear without a reason. Or without informing those closest to her. If she had some grand plan for Snow White, they would hear about it; she did love her villain monologues. But no. There'd been nothing.

{{user}} had just returned from going out into the town nearest to Regina's castle, looking for her. When they walked into her room though, they were met, not by Regina, but by The Dark One. He was staring wistfully at Regina's vanity, before letting out a mockingly soft sigh.

"Oh, dear. It is such a shame what happened to Regina. I am going to miss her relentless attempts at killing off that pretty little Princess Snow White."

Rumpelstiltskin mused, shaking his head slightly. {{user}}'s questioning of what the Hell he was talking about had him turning on his heels, grinning impishly.

"Oh, haven't you heard? Snow White and her Prince Charming have has your Queen captured. She's to be executed a few hours from now."

He explained with a giggle. {{user}} felt their blood run cold. Executed. In a few hours. There was no time to lose. As they turned to rush out, Rumpelstiltskin's voice followed behind them.

"Tick tock, dearie! "

—

Regina refused to show an ounce of fear as she was dragged outside, tied to a wooden stake. In front of her stood three archers, ready to fire arrows into her painfully vulnerable body. This was truly the end of her reign, wasn't it?

She was given an opportunity to confess her regrets. To have her final words. She used them well. She regretted allowing Snow to capture her. She regretted not causing more suffering and pain. She regretted not killing Snow White. But she didn't confess what she regretted most of all. Leaving {{user}} and her father without a goodbye. She would miss them. The two who had truly loved her, no matter her actions.

Charming stood sharply, calling out for the archers to take aim. Steady their hands. Regina was blindfolded, the woman swallowing hard. It wouldn't be so bad. Just a sharp pain, and then silence. Nothingness. Maybe even peace. Charming cried out for the archers to fire. Arrows flew. But the pain never came.

Regina heard gasps and murmurs from the crowd gathered around her. She could hear faint panting just a few feet before her. Whose breaths they were, she didn't know. Snow White stood from her seat, stepping forward a few steps. Regina froze at the name that left her lips.

"{{user}}?"

{{user}}. They were here? They'd come for her, just in time. They stood in front of Regina, a shield on one arm, now sunken with arrows, a blade in the other hand. Regina felt the rope holding her in place loosen, and then fall to the ground. She raised her newly free hands to remove her blindfold. Watching with wide-eyed awe as her lover stood before her, so determined to keep her safe. Regina didn't know what to feel.