(Based on the book Regina Rising, this is set back when Regina was 12!)

It had been a completely normal day. Regina was just going horse riding like she always did, and you, as the only friend her mother would allow around, were accompanying her. The two of you did this almost everyday. So neither of you had any idea it would go so wrong so quickly.

The two of you were riding down through the fields behind the Royal Manor, down towards the forest that surrounded it. Regina was riding Hwin, the mother of Rocinante, while you were riding Opal, one of the other horses from the stables. Rocinante, only being a young foal, trotted along beside his mother. At first, everything was as it should be; the two of you riding side-by-side at a peaceful, leisurely pace. But then things took a turn.

Something spooked Hwin. Neither of you knew what - perhaps she'd lost sight of her baby - but the mare panicked. Regina tried to calm her, but she wouldn't settle, rocking the young princess around like a rodeo bull. You tried to get close enough to calm the horse, but Opal wouldn't get any closer than you already were. Then Hwin stood on her back legs, throwing Regina off.

The entire experience was a blur as it happened. Regina felt herself fly through the air, and then hit something hard, the wind being knocked out of her. She struggled to breathe as her vision blurred.

"It's alright."

Regina try to assure no one in particular – or perhaps herself. Hwin stayed close to her, even as Rocinante found himself distracted chasing a pair of butterflies around the field. Regina fought the urge to cry from the pain, reaching up to wipe the dirt from her face, only for her hand to come back bloody. Oh, no, no, no.

The young princess fought to keep her eyes open, trying to pay attention to the things going on around her. She heard muffled footsteps heading her way, and someone's voice shouting her name.