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delightfully-difficult-pirate · 7 years ago

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Assassin’s Creed: Misthaven (17/18)

Summary: For hundreds of years, the Brotherhood of Assassins and the Templar Order have waged war. For Princess Emma of Misthaven, that war has become personal. After a mission gone wrong, the Templar Grandmaster, placed a curse on Emma’s son that is slowly killing him. Emma will stop at nothing to save Henry, even if it means going rogue from the Brotherhood and consorting with pirates.

Rating: Explicit

Warnings: Graphic Violence, Sex, Adult Language.

AN: A special thank you to @preciouscucumber for being an ever patient and diligent beta. To @cocohook38 and @utopiozphere for the awesome artwork they have created. And to @icecubelotr44 for her encouragement every step of the way.

AO3

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Art for Chapter 17 by @cocohook38

Emma sat on the high branch of a tree, her eyes on the Royal Castle of Misthaven. She had been there for hours, contemplating the best means of retaking her longtime home without getting killed in the process.

Her parents had taken the castle by turning the locals against King George and driving him out; Queen Regina through a combination of surprise, magic, and military might. Emma didn’t have time for the first, nor the manpower for the second.

Her best bet would be to take the castle from the inside. As a child, Emma had explored every inch of the Royal Castle of Misthaven. She knew every nook and cranny of the old stone fortress. She’d been twelve years old when she discovered the hidden passageway behind the kitchen’s fireplace that lead to the library. Fifteen when she had first used it to sneak out for a rendezvous with one of the grooms who worked in the stables.

Regrettably, there were no secret passages that led off the island on which it was built. The only way on or off the grounds was by the long bridge that connected it to the mainland.

“Just like Camelot,” Emma muttered to herself. Except this time, there was no ball to use as cover, or sexy pirate captain watching her back. She had twenty of the most highly trained Assassins in all the realms but she would feel more confident on her chances of success if Killian was there with her.

Emma grasped the mermaid shell she wore. Two days had passed since the events at the cove and she hadn’t heard from Killian. She had tried to use the shell to communicate with Captain Nemo, to ask if he had located The Aquila, but she had received no response. Emma theorized that her shell could only communicate with the one Killian wore.

Romantic, in a way, but inconvenient.

When night began to fall and Emma could no longer see the movement of the guards on the bridge, she climbed down from the tree and headed back toward the camp her group had set up. She joined Aziz at the fire and absorbed its heat.

She’d left Misthaven nearly three months ago, at the beginning of autumn, and had returned to find it in the grips of an early winter. The trees of the forest protected them from the worst of the snow and wind, but they still had to contend with the blistering cold of the season. The frozen ground made for an uncomfortable bed as well. Once again, she wished Killian was with her. He always seemed to be warm, no matter the weather.

Emma shook her head to clear her mind. She had a mission to plan and thoughts of Killian would only distract her.

She picked up a stick and sketched a quick drawing of the castle and the surrounding area in the dirt. She was making notations about guard movements when Aziz handed her a bowl of rabbit stew.

“Thank you,” she said through a mouthful of food. The stew was surprisingly good. Some of her group must have found some herbs to make the dish more flavorful. It was a huge improvement over the bland, roasted boar they had the night before.

Aziz sat down next to her. “Work anything out yet?” He asked as he studied what Emma had drawn.

“Not one I like,” Emma admitted, “but that seems to be the trend with every situation I’ve found myself in lately.”

Her fellow Assassin chuckled. “Never imagined you would have to sneak into your own castle?”

Emma shook her head. “The only way I see we are all going to get in is by using the bridge,” she said as she tapped her drawing with the stick. “We’re going to go under it.”

---

Every member of the Brotherhood of Assassins undergoes extensive physical training. Not just so that their bodies are as much of weapons as the blades they wore, but also so they can access places most think impossible. Her home was that impossible place and the only way she and her group of Assassins were going to gain access to it was going to be by climbing their way across the underside of its bridge.

Emma’s plan, when she proposed it to her fellow Assassins, was not met with enthusiasm. None, however, had any other ideas, so they all agreed it was their only option. Just before dawn the next morning, Emma led her team to the base of the bridge. As the genius behind this plan, she climbed up the inside of the archway first.

When she reach the midway point, she curled her legs up and, with her feet flat on the stone, pushed off, launching herself across the gap to the other side. She could feel her nails bending as she grasped at the stone before the metal hooks of her climbing gloves found purchase and halted her downward fall. Her heavy breathing was visible in the cold morning hair as she carefully positioned herself near the edge of the archway.

There, Emma waited.

A whistle sounded through the air, telling Emma the coast was clear. She scrambled out of the first archway and across the pillar to the next. Once there, she repeated the leap from one wall to the next. Then she waited again.

A whistle and Emma swung her body out onto the side of the pillar. This one was larger than the last and took more time to cross. Emma’s heart beat in her chest the entire way, afraid one of the guards on patrol would look down and see her. However, no cries of alarm rose and within a minute, Emma was safe in the curse of the third and final archway.

One more leap and Emma was across the final gap. After, she climbed down the wall until she was able to grasp of sturdy branch of a nearby tree and pull herself onto it. From her perch, Emma watched as, one by one, the twenty Assassins she had recruited had their climbing skills put to the test.

The fall would be deadly for anyone who lost his or her grip on the stone or was unable to find one after a jump.

There were a few near misses, but after what felt like hours, every one of the Assassins had made it safely across the bridge. After that, they traversed the trees that surrounded the walls of the castle until they were at its back.

“Onward and upward,” Aziz murmured as they prepared to climb the exterior wall.

Emma chuckled at him as she brushed moss off the stones, looking for good hand or footholds. Once she had found a few, she began her accent. It was slow going. The stones had been worn almost smooth by years of wind blowing water from lake upon them. More than once, Emma had to dig in with the claws of her climbing gloves and make a hold where there were none to be found.

Emma’s muscles were shaking by the time she reached the battlements at the top of the wall. She had no time to rest, however, when she heard the boots of a guard on patrol. With nowhere to go, Emma crouched and waited for the guard to come closer. When he was finally within reach, she grasped both his ankles and gave a sharp pull.

The guard went down with a thunk and Emma jumped across his body to plunge her blade into his neck. He jerked under her when she pulled it free and blood gushed from the wound. A moment later, he lay still.

Aziz joined her on the battlements as she was cleaning the guard’s blood off her blade. After they stripped him of his armor so that one of the Assassins could use it as a disguise, they dropped his body off the wall.

Emma itched to get moving but she forced herself to wait until all twenty of her fellow Assassins had successfully climbed the wall. After that, though, they split up. The plan was for most of the Assassins to take out the black guards patrolling the castle. She, Aziz, and two others, Olivia and Jacob, would deal with Regina.

Knowing Regina’s love of opulence, Emma guided her group toward the finest living quarters in the castle: the royal apartments. They killed a dozen guards as they navigated the halls of the castle. They stashed the bodies in empty rooms or behind decorations so that their brethren would be unlikely to stumble upon them and raise the alarm. Emma tried not to think about doing this with Killian in Camelot as they did so.

A pair of guards were outside the door that lead to the suite of rooms Emma shared with her parents and Henry. They were quickly dispatched and their bodies dragged away as Emma reached out with a little of her magic to check for protective wards placed on the room.

Finding none, Emma decided that it was unlikely Regina had taken-up residence in those. Regardless of that, Emma wanted to be completely sure so she used her key and slowly crept into the sitting room beyond. She had to keep herself from sneezing when her movements disturbed the fine layer of dust that had settled in the room. No one had been in them for some time.

Contrary to the undisturbed sitting room, Emma found her own quarters in disarray. Her armoire hung open, her books were tossed about the room, and every single one of her gowns lay in shreds.

“Was she searching for something? Or just taking out her frustrations?” Aziz asked as they took in the sight.

“From what I know about Regina, it could easily be either,” Emma replied. She lifted her mattress and pulled a small box out from underneath it. Inside were the other ingredients Emma would need to lift the spell on Henry. None were particularly rare or hard to come by, so even if Regina had found them it wouldn’t have been too much of an issue to find replacements, but Emma was glad she wouldn’t have too.

Just as Emma and her group were about to leave the royal apartments they heard footsteps in the hall. The steps stopped outside the door to the sitting room, and Emma signaled her team to conceal themselves. In a matter of seconds, all four of them were hidden behind various pieces of furniture and would not be seen by anyone entering through the door. Emma released her hidden blades in preparation as a key clicked in the lock.

The door opened and her son walked into the room.

Emma forced herself to assess the situation, barely resisting the urge to jump from her hiding spot and wrap her son in her arms. She wouldn’t put it past Regina to use Henry as bait. However, it was her mother who entered next, then her father. Emma tensed when she saw a black guard enter the room after the three of them. She relaxed, though, when the guard removed his helmet and she saw that it as Graham. Since her family did not appear to be in distress, she figured he was acting on his own and not following Regina’s orders. That was enough to convince Emma that it was safe to reveal herself. She rushed from her hiding spot and wrapped her arms around Henry.

“Mom!”

“Emma!”

“Sweetie!”

Emma fell to her knees and pulled her son as close to her as possible. A couple of tears fell as she buried her face in his shoulder.

Her mother and father kneeled on either side of her and wrapped her in their arms. For just a moment, Emma allowed herself to relax. After so many months away, she was finally reunited with her family.

“Emma, sweetie, what are you doing here?” Snow White whispered against her daughter.

“Me?” Emma said through a laugh. “What about you? I thought Regina would have you locked in the dungeon!”

“She did,” Graham said from behind Emma. “When I saw Assassins sneaking about, I released them.”

Emma lifted her head and smiled at her friend. “Thank you,” she choked out.

Graham returned her smile. “I was hoping they would be safe from any fighting here.”

Emma studied her longtime friend and fellow Assassin. Regina must have treated him well in the time he had been her captive; he showed no signs of having been starved or physically abused. He looked tired and his beard was a bit shaggy, but that was all.

“Is it true that Regina has your heart?” she asked.

Graham’s shoulders slumped and he nodded.

Emma detangled herself from her Mother’s arms and approached Graham. “Is it here in the castle?”

“I believe so. She has used it to influence my actions a couple of times since the takeover,” Graham answered.

Emma frowned as she contemplated the implications of Regina having control of her ally. Longtime friend that he was, at any moment, Graham could turn on her and her family.

She laid a hand on Graham’s arm. “I’m sorry, Graham,” she said to him, “Having you with any of us is too much of a risk.”

Graham sighed. “I understand,” he said.

Emma reached into one of her pockets and pulled out a sleeping potion tipped dart. She knew Graham saw her action but he made no move to stop her. If anything, he tilted his head to give her a better target. Emma jabbed the dart into the curve of his neck. He gave her a wild grin before the potion took effect and his body began to collapse. She and Aziz, who had been standing behind him, help lower his body to the floor and position him comfortably.

Emma ignored her Mother’s disapproving look as she took a moment to study her family. Captivity had not been easy on them. Her father had dark bruises under his eyes and more wrinkles than she remembered him having. He also had a beard, which was not a look he usually favored, and even though its color was as light as the blonde hair on his head, she could see the grey hairs mixed in.

Her mother looked a little better, but not by much. She was far too pale, even for a woman known for her light complexion. Her lips were dry and nearly bloodless except for a vivid red streak where one had been recently split.

Only Henry looked no worse for wear, once Emma got past the dirty clothing he wore. All three were in desperate need of a bath and fresh clothing.

“Was there anyone else being kept in the dungeons with you? Red? Or Belle?” Emma asked her parents. Though she had been predominantly worried about her parents, she had also been concerned with the fate of her friends and the other inhabitants of the castle.

“Everyone loyal to your Mother and I was kept in the dungeons,” her father told her. “Belle ran off to the library the instant Graham released us.”

“The library?” Emma interrupted, incredulous.

Snow White gave a soft smile. “You know Belle. She values her books more than she does her own life. Red and Dorothy went with her to keep her safe. Granny, the dwarves, and some of our guards said they were going to head to the armory.”

Widow Lucas, or Granny as the inhabitants of the castle knew her, was Ruby’s grandmother and a Master Assassin. She had been the one to assist Snow when she had been on the run from Regina and later establishing the Brotherhood’s foothold in Misthaven. Though elderly, she was still a force to be reckoned with, especially if she got her hands on a crossbow. Emma was pleased that her mentor, even after weeks in the dungeon, was willing to take up arms to retake the castle.

“There are sixteen Assassin’s in the castle working their way through Regina’s troops,” Emma explained to her parents. “I plan on confronting Regina. It is long past time we dealt with her head on.”

Snow White stood and brushed her hands down the ratty dress she wore. “I’m coming with you.”

“No!”

Emma wasn’t sure who yelled louder, her or her father. Regardless, Snow White only crossed her arms and glared at her husband and daughter.

“I started this, long before you were born, Emma. It is only fitting that I help end it,” Snow White stated.

“This has moved far beyond that, Mom. If Regina was after you, or your heart, she could have ended it as soon as she took the castle,” Emma argued. Her father nodded in agreement. “I believe the only reason she has kept you alive is so she can use you against me.”

Her mother’s lips drew together in a tight line, but she didn’t argue.

“Olivia, Jacob,” Emma called to the other two Assassins that had accompanied her besides Aziz. “You two are going to take my parents and Henry to the stable and get them out of the castle.”

Her father frowned at her. “We should all escape while we still can,” he said.

Snow White nodded solemnly in agreement.

Emma thought, for one instant, about leaving, but her mind flashed back to the sight of the Morrigan burning in the cove. Had all the men aboard died? They may have been Templars, or in the service of the Templars, but had they deserved the deaths they had gotten? And what about those on the Aquila? Killian and his team?

“I can’t leave with you,” Emma told her parents. “Men died so that I could get here today. If we don’t succeed in retaking the castle, the Kingdom, their deaths would have been in vain.” Emma fought tears as she spoke.

Snow White grabbed Emma’s hand and gave it a squeeze. Her father continued to frown, but he softly nodded his understanding.

Emma took a deep breath to compose herself before she turned back toward Olivia and Jacob. “Hide in the forest and only return after another Assassin comes to bring you back. If no one comes within a day, find a way to take them to Arandelle.”

Olivia and Jacob nodded their acceptance of their orders.

Emma kneeled down so that she was face to face with Henry. “I need you to go where you’ll be safe, okay?”

Henry nodded and Emma pulled him into her arms again. Emma hated herself for being unable to protect him from Regina’s retribution. He was too young to have dealt with all he had in his ten years.

“Please don’t do anything rash,” Emma whispered as she hugged her mother, who chuckled in response. Emma had grown up hearing stories about the adventures of young Snow White from her father. She knew exactly what her mother capable of.

“I would never,” her mother admonished, though she wore a mischievous grin.

Her father rolled his eyes. “I promise to try and keep her out of trouble,” he said as he pulled Emma close. His hand cradled the back of her head, as it had always done, and Emma relaxed into his embrace.

After allowing herself one final minute of familial comfort, Emma pulled back. At her nod, Olivia and Jacob guided her family from the royal suites.

“May the Gods protect you,” Emma whispered to herself as she watched them go.

With a sigh, Emma turned to Aziz. “We’re going to the library. Despite what my mother said, Belle wont risk her life over a couple of books. It is likely there is something there she thinks can help with the situation.”

“I hope so,” Aziz breathed as they made their way toward the library. “I wasn’t keen on the idea of taking on Queen Regina with just our wits and blades.”

Emma let out a light chuckle. Though she wouldn’t admit it, neither was she.

They encountered only a couple of black guards, they easily dispatched, before Emma lead Aziz through one of the lesser-known entrances to the castle library. They entered cautiously, in case there were any of Regina’s men lurking within. They followed the low murmur of voices until they came across Belle, Red, and Dorothy. The three woman had taken a moment to change from their dungeon-grime covered rags. They all wore a mix of various Assassin uniform items, many in Red’s preferred colors of black and red, plus an assortment of weapons. Even Belle had a dagger tucked into her belt.

Red was glaring at the white crystal she held in her hand. “What do you mean you aren’t sure if this will even work?”

Dorothy was holding another crystal in front of a lantern and it glowed in the light. “Is this fairy dust?”

“Of a sort,” Emma said as she stepped from behind the shelf she had been concealed behind. Both Belle and Dorothy startled at her sudden appearance, but Red only smiled. She’d evidently known Emma and Aziz had arrived.

Emma gestured to the two crystals that Belle had in front of her. “These were developed by the Brotherhood as a way to incapacitate magic users. When all four are crushed, the shield spell they hold will release and form between the four points. No magic can be used within it.”

“Except, the shield only lasts a couple of minutes,” Belle interjected. “Less when used against powerful sorcerers or those who practice dark magic.”

“So on Regina…” Dorothy’s voice trailed off.

“A minute, maybe less,” Belle confirmed.

The hidden blade on Aziz’s wrist snapped free with a soft click.

“A minute is all we need.”

---

According to the information Red had overheard from the guards, Regina spent most of her time in the in the east wing of the castle, so that is where Emma decided the group would resume their search. As the group of three Assassins, a librarian, and adventurer slowly traversed the corridors toward the east wing, Emma recalled the conversations she had had with Belle before they had left the library.

She had cut straight to the point with her friend and had asked, “If I die, how long will Henry have to live?”

Belle’s brow had wrinkled. “The spell we cast that bound Henry to your magic halted the progression of the curse Regina placed on him. It has been draining your magical energy instead of his life force. Essentially, your death would be the same as if you ran out of magical energy to give. The curse would start acting on Henry again.”

“How long, Belle?” As much as she usually enjoyed Belle’s very thorough explanations, she wasn’t in the mood for a magic lesson.

“There is now way to be sure,” Belle eventually said. “Based on what I was able to learn of the curse, I believe Henry will have only a couple of weeks.”

This, in Emma’s mind, was good news. She had been extremely worried that Henry would die the instant her magical reserves could no longer sustain the spell that bound them, or if she were to die.

“Robert Gold is in Arandelle,” Emma told Belle, whose eye’s had widened in surprise. “I already told my parents to go to Arandelle if they do not hear from me by tomorrow. I need you to promise me, that if the battle with Regina appears to not be going in our favor, that you will join them.”

“I can’t just abandon you!” Belle argued.

Emma shook her head. “You know the spell that will save Henry. The ingredients we gathered are in my chambers. Take them, and save my son.”

It had taken some persuasion, but Belle had ultimately agreed to the request, which put Emma’s mind at ease. Even if she failed to free her castle and kingdom from Regina’s grasp, Henry would be free of the curse and be able to live a long, happy life.

Emma was still wrapped up in these thoughts when Red raised her hand, signaling them all to stop. Her friend crept forward, crouched low to the floor, and looked around the corner into the next corridor. After a moment, she darted forward. A surprised yell sounded before it was abruptly cut off.

Emma rushed forward, Aziz and Dorothy at her heals. One black guard lay dead, his throat slashed and a large pool of blood forming below his body. Red had the other pinned against the wall, his arm twisted behind his back.

“Where is Regina hiding?” Red hissed near guard’s ear.

The guard’s body bucked in attempt to dislodge Red, so Red twisted his arm further up his back. Emma flinched when she heard a small pop and guard let out a grunt of pain.

“Red…” Emma cautioned.

Her friend ignored her. “Where is Regina hiding?”

The guard muttered something Emma couldn’t hear, but whatever it was only made Red twist his arm harder. Another pop sounded and the guard screamed.

“The council room!” He yelled through sobs of pain. Red released him and he dropped to his knees. He gently cradled his arm against his body. From the awkward angle, Emma knew that both his wrist and shoulder were dislocated.

“Was that really necessary?” Belle said reproachfully.

Red shrugged. “Would you rather we wander the halls like lost children?”

“No, but…” Belle stuttered.

Emma ignored the two of them as she knelt next to the guard. She laid a hand on his shoulder but he jerked away from her touch with a whimper of pain. His shoulder, and from the look of it, his wrist, were both dislocated. With a sigh, Emma pressed the tip of a sleeping dark into the guard’s neck. The drugged slumber would, for a time, spare him some pain.

“The council room is one floor above,” Emma said as she stood. Her movement interrupted the glaring match that had begun between Red and Belle.

“We should take the old servant’s stairwell,” Belle suggested. “Very few people know of it, so I doubt Regina knows of its existence.”

“And once we’re there?” Dorothy inquired.

“The four of us with crystals will need to surround Regina as best we can before we crush them.”

Aziz tapped his lips. “There are columns in the council room, aren’t there? One between each window?”

Belle nodded.

“Enough space between the column and the wall for a person to hide?” He inquired.

Belle’s nose scrunched up. “It’ll be a tight fit, but, yes.”

Emma nodded in agreement. She and Red used to hide behind the columns in the council room when they were younger, so they could spy on her parent’s meetings. She’d still fit behind the columns, however, when Granny had used the room to train she and Red in moving silently between hiding spots after she had joined the Brotherhood.

The plan set, Emma lead the group toward the rarely used servant staircase. Queen Snow did not conform to the belief that servants were not to be seen by the people they served, so few people made use of the small, confining staircase that connected the lower and higher levels of the castle.

The interior of the stairwell was covered in a thick layer of dust and cobwebs and Emma had to suppress a shudder when her lantern revealed a spider skittering along the wall. She remembered Killian’s disbelieving laugh when he had discovered her dislike of the eight-legged creatures one evening after the Jolly Roger had left Camelot. She’d let out a rather shrill shriek when she had come across one in the hold, one afternoon after her shift watching Rumpelstiltskin. Killian and Starkey had come running into the hold, thinking that the sorcerer had attacked her, only to discover her grinding the offending spider under her boot.

The memory brought a smile to Emma’s face as she picked the lock on the door that led to the council room. Even after hearing the final click of the lock releasing, Emma didn’t open the door immediately. Instead, she grasped the collection of necklaces she wore and brought them to her lips.

She laid a kiss on the golden rose that represented the magical connection she had to her son. It was a relief to know that Henry would survive, at least for a time, even if she died fighting Regina.

The silver ring pressed against her lips as Emma whispered into the mermaid shell, “I love you, Killian Jones. I don’t know where you are, if you can hear me, or if you are even alive, but know that I love you.”

AN: Surprise!

Chapter 18 (end)

#CSBB #Assassin's Creed: Misthaven #CS FF #Captain Swan #CaptainSwan!AU #AC:M

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hannahhook7744 · 2 years ago

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Stolen away;

Summary; the story of how Harry Hook was stolen away from his parents, Captain Swan, and taken to another dimension along with his uncle Chad-- only to be returned to them years later.

Trigger warning; Kidnapping 2x, feelings of loneliness, crying, attempts at self multiation, child neglect, child abuse, etc.

Tag; @cosette141 .

🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️

Harrison David Jones was born to the savior and the legendary Caprain Hook on October 22nd, like his mother before him.

23 years after his half brother, Henry, was born.

9 years after his uncle, Leo, was born.

5 years after his sister, Hope, was born.

Roughly 2 1/2 months after his uncle, Chadwick, was born.

And from the moment he was born, he had everyone wrapped around his little finger.

"Are we sure he's not a clone? Because he looks just like you, Killian" Emma joked softly, smiling down at the positively tiny bundle in her arms.

"I rather hope he doesn't look just like me. I'd hate to explain to your parents why our newborn has a beard" the pirate captain quipped back, shooting her a mischievous grin.

"Oh stop it" the blonde swatted him lightly with one hand, holding their son in the other as she rolled her eyes.

"Ok, ok" He raised his hook and hand up in surrender "but in all seriousness luv, he's not a clone of me. You wanna know how I know?"

Emma raised an eyebrow "besides the obvious you mean?"

"Aye."

"Well, color me intrigued. Go on then. Tell me how you know he's not a mini clone of you"

Killian leaned over her shoulders and carefully pulled back the edge of the towel that was covering their son's face before pointing at it. "There. Right there. He has your face. Your skin tone. Your ears--"

"You know what my ears look like?"

Including his very own infant uncle, who somehow managed to always pop up wherever Harrison happened to be.

Chadwick laid curled around Harrison, pale chin resting atop strains of black hair. Curly blonde hair sticking up all over the place, arms wrapped around the smaller infant in his to-go crib that Emma got for when he was staying over at her parents for the night.

David let out a sigh of relief and called out to his wife, who was still frantically searching through the living room with their other son and granddaughter.

"Found him!"

which is why everyone was devastated the day they disappeared-- almost 2 years after Harrison was born-- and every day after.

The day had started out like every day before it.

Killian arose with the sun, changed into his work clothes, and changed Harrison's diaper before carting him and his toy hook off to the kitchen were he settled him down in his highchair.

From which Harrison babbled at him as he made breakfast. Happy and unable to sit still, an urge to escape and explore rushing through his veins as Hope shuffled in. Hair a mess as she placed a kiss on Harrison's forehead-- their 3 legged golden retriever, Indiana Bones, hot on her trail.

Emma following not long after, half asleep and ready for work.

They ate breakfast, put the dishes in the sink, and got the kids ready for the day ahead.

Dropping Hope off at school where Snow and little Neal ,or Leo as he preferred, were waiting to walk her in like they did every day before doing the same with Harrison at the day care. Where a very excited Chadwick was waiting with a frazzled looking Nova.

They went to the station, greeted David, and got to work. Doing paperwork, answering calls, going out into the field. Nothing major occurring. Nothing to clue them on what was about to happen.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEY'RE GONE?!" Emma yelled almost frantic at the nun, craining her neck to see into the empty classroom.

"Emma, I know you're upset--"

If it wasn't for Killian, the blonde was sure she would have throttled the woman in front of her. The woman who was supposed to have been watching her baby brother and son. The same woman who was now saying that they were gone and she didn't know where they went.

"I mean they're gone. Not here" Nova replied meekly, not looking at the duo. "You... you picked them up hours ago.."

"WELL OBVIOUSLY I DIDN'T BECAUSE I'VE BEEN AT WORK WITH MY HUSBAND AND FATHER ALL DAY!" Emma snapped, as Killian pulled her back. Already texting Her parents and Henry, telling them to get a search party ready.

"It was you! A-at least she looked like you..." Nova protested weakly. "How was I supposed to know she wasn't you?"

The savior had to admit that the nun had a point. But that didn't quell the fury she felt at all. So she just spun around and stormed out, tears welling up in her eyes before she said something she'd regret.

They didn't find them.

Not after a hour. Not after a day. Not after a week. Not after a month or a year. Or 10.

They didn't find them alive or dead. They didn't find the toys they had brought with them that day or the clothes they had worn. Not even a shoe.

No one knew whether that was better than finding any of that or not. All any one knew was that the two boys were gone, seemingly without a trace.

And that broke their family's heart.

Year after year passed, with Emma and Killian unable to move on from their search for Harrison and Chadwick.

With them lamenting all of the time and milestones they were missing.

No one knew who was more of a wreck. Emma and Killian or Snow and David. All anyone knew was that they missed their boys.

Wherever they were.

"I dream about them, you know" Emma whispered to him one sleepless night as they laid in bed. Too tired to get up but too sad to sleep.

"Who?" Killian asked, even though he already knew the answer.

"Harrison and Chadwick."

"Oh? What are they like? The dreams I mean?" He questioned, eager to know more. Needing something to take his mind off of the dark places it kept venturing into.

"They're... oddly colorful. Like eye bleeding levels of colorful that doesn't fit the vibe of the places they show." He leaned closer to her, wrapping his arm around her and pulling her close.

"And the places. They're... lonely..."

"Lonely?" Killian asked baffled.

"Like, both places are full to the brim with people but every one is on edge. Their walls up high. Like mine were"

"Oh.."

"And the boys, they're separated. One in each place. Harrison's on a flithy island with 3 girls he calls his sisters and a crew to back him... And Chadwick's in a castle, surrounded by people who call themselves' his friends. A-and they're both fighting a silent losing battle with themselves, knowing they don't quite belong but not knowing why" Emma began to tear up, feeling hopeless.

Killian wanted to comfort her but didn't know how. How could he, when he was feeling just as hopeless and worthless as she was?

Every so often, Emma would mention these dreams of hers but only ever to him.

Chadwick's insecure and is starting to bully other children.

Harrison is losing his sanity and keeps trying to get a crocodile to bite off his hand.

The adults they live with aren't good to them. Chadwick's guardians ignore him in favor of their biological daughter and Harrison's has fits of rage where he slashes at him and the girls with his hook.

The boys cry themselves to sleep every night.

They keep getting rejected by the boys and girls they like.

Chadwick tried to get a girl expelled because of her parentage after using her to cheat.

Harrison and his crew kidnapped a boy king.

Harrison still has his hook and jumped in polluted, shark and crocodile infested water after it.

Chadwick teamed up with the girl who broke his heart to get revenge on the kingdom only to be mistreated by her.

Harrison fought a group of knights and helped save a kingdom and free Chadwick.

Killian both savored and dreaded every dream Emma shared with him. Not sure whether or not these dreams were healthy or if even entertaining the idea that they might be real was cause for concern.

Not sure whether or not he wanted the dreams to be real.

Not sure whether or not this was a sign that the boys were alive and making their way back to them.

He soon got his answer, 17 years after the boys had been lost, when the doorbell rang on his and Emma's day off.

Killian reluctantly got up and answered the door, with Emma right behind him. Befuddled by the sight that met them.

Because there, on the porch, was a small group of people young adults. A boy dressed in red, white, and black standing at the front-- fidgeting with a hand held hook. He had Killian's eyes, nose, and hair. And Emma's face and ears.

And that nervous smile of his, a mix of their own. As blue eyes met blue eyes. "Hi. I'm Harr'. Harr' Hook... and yer son"

And behind him stood a boy with long curly, dirty, blood hair and familiar eyes dressed in blue. Grinning like her mother did.

"Hello sister of mine".

At long last, their prayers had been answered. Their boys were home.

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exhaustedpirate · 2 years ago

Text

another late contribution for this year's CS Supernatural Summer - hopefully it'll be worth your while ! i clearly lied last year so i'm posting the long-awaited second chapter of last year's entry today. you should definitely check out the first chapter before.

i hope you like it and feel free to share your thoughts!

thank you so much to @th3capta1n for being my beta

Summary: Ever since he was a boy, Killian Jones could see ghosts. Some were kind, others were a nuisance and rarely, he found the worst of them. This time he meets a woman who remembers nothing, except her name. Together, they’ll find out her story and help each other.

Word count: 7211 words

Rating: Teen and Up

tag list: @thisonesatellite @profdanglaisstuff @winterbaby89 @stahlop @winterbythesea @sotangledupinit

read on AO3 | read the first chapter here and AO3

Chapter Two The Swan

“Alright, can we all just calm down?”

Killian stepped away from the table under the looks of barely contained excitement from Emma and Henry. One of them should have a leveled head and it apparently fell on him.

“There is a mysterious book written in a completely foreign language that conveniently appears exactly when we need it and you’re not even the slightest bit suspicious?” His nervous expression didn’t seem to dissuade his audience as they just smiled.

“It’s clearly a magic book.”

“It’s magic, Mr. Jones!”

He exhaled a defeated sigh as he threw his head back.

“Magic? That’s your justification?”

“Mr. Jones,” Henry crossed his arms with a completely unimpressed look that almost put his mother’s to shame. “My gym teacher is a mermaid and a werewolf serves me hot chocolate every Friday. Magic is the only explanation.”

There was a satisfied smile on Emma's face as she mimicked the boy’s pose.

"So, Mr. Jones." Emma's use of his last name called his attention to her. "Do you have any other easily explainable issues or can you take a leap of faith and see what's in that magical book?"

A leap of faith. As he looked between Henry's eager eyes and Emma's worriedly excited expression, he thought he could. That it would take the sheer belief in a centuries old ghost and a 10-year-old boy to get him to believe wasn't lost on him.

"Fine." Killian sighed amused at the excitement clear on Henry's face. He turned a reassuring smile to Emma's steadying breath. "Let's see if the magic book has some answers."

“Yes!” Henry was quick to reach for the book while rushing around the desk to sit at Killian’s chair.

“You said it was written by Alice Jones?” Killian asked as he stepped to Henry’s left side.

“Do you know her?”

“Alice was my mother’s name, but I don’t believe I’ve ever seen her write a book, much less in a language she didn’t speak.”

“Maybe it’s your ancestor?” Emma offers. “I have been dead for a long time.”

“My mother named me after my grandpa, maybe it’s the same?”

Killian’s fingers stroke the ring still clutched in his hand trying to rationalize their suggestion. “This situation just gets curiouser and curiouser.”

“Maybe I should read the book?”

“We should see what Alice Jones has to tell us.”

Killian nods. Trusting a mystery book seemed to be the least crazy thing for him today.

There is a story that no one knows, the story of the Princess and the Huntsman. Of how they fell in love and wished for happily ever after. The story that no one knows but me.

“I can see now why you’re so dramatic.”

Killian rolled his eyes at the teasing kid - and the snickering ghost - despite the uptick of his lip, gesturing for him to carry on reading.

Misthaven was a kingdom of peace and prosperity and it had been so since before my youth. Its people loved their royalty and they loved them back. Those good times didn’t last for long. I remember my mother’s solemn face as she returned from work - a handmaiden to the Queen must be her confidant, but even she couldn’t keep Queen Snow’s worry to herself.

Ships with black sails threatened to surround Misthaven’s borders; black armored knights terrorized provinces; a menacing cloud of dark magic frightened everyone.

No powerful villain stepped forward to claim such attacks and no accomplice confessed. The Queen appeared to be frightful even as she summoned every war council available.

Despite their efforts, the darkness seemed undefeatable. The fairies’ light magic barely managed to keep it at bay. The kingdom needed a solution.

A neighboring kingdom housed a powerful King. A King whose army was unbeaten by any forces that threatened him. A King whose power didn’t compare to Misthaven’s light. A King who wanted unlimited power. King Rumplestilskin.

Misthaven was, for a while, blessedly ignorant over the imminent threat. As well as its young Prince. As for Princess Emma, she had been allowed to participate in the war councils presided by her parents since she became of age. Now, a decade after the first, she was more than ready and shared opinions with intelligence and level-headedness.

Killian could see Emma’s blush covering her cheeks and he wished he could hold her hand. He wished she wouldn’t be so surprised to hear such compliments. He wished a lot when it came to Emma.

I have been her handmaid since we were both children. I have watched her grow beside me, never feeling like less, but like an equal. I still hold fond memories of afternoons of joy and companionship. I also learned things that I will take to my grave, however her story of love won’t be one of them and for that I apologize. This I do to guarantee my princess’ rescue.

“Do you want me to keep reading, Emma?”

She seemed startled from Henry’s sudden stop, looking from the book, to the boy and back before looking at Killian. He hoped she saw the reassurance he was trying to show. She nodded.

“You can carry on, lad.”

Henry nodded and cleared his throat.

Once she became of age, there was no end to the line of suitors hoping to gain her hand in marriage. (Killian pushed down on the surge of jealousy in his chest.) However, the Queen and her Prince had married for love and they wished the same on their daughter. Every suitor she refused was led out with a tight lipped smile and well wishes. There was no talk of arranged marriages for the throne was hers regardless of matrimony.

And the Princess treasured her freedom - if not of life, of heart. Her father had started his life as a shepherd and was now the Queen’s prince consort. Perhaps an unknown sailor would have the same luck.

But it was no sailor or baker who won such honor as to hold the Princess’ heart in his hand. It was a huntsman.

As the Princess’ closest friend and confidant, I was able to hear about their first meeting, when he was nothing but a crude hunter. How she had been out for a pleasant ride. How he was ready to kill a defenseless deer. How she didn’t quite like my reminder that her table was regularly filled with defenseless animals too. How she blushed and said her issue was his rudeness, not his eating habits. How he had finally let the animal go. How she could not stop talking about him for the next few days.

I was also able to witness their second interaction. See the Princess’ provoked by the handsome Huntsman’s quips. See how she liked his quick wit and he enjoyed the irritated blush on her cheeks. See how she gave him her name with her nose in the sky and how he smiled and gave her his. I was able to hear it all again for the next week.

During the next month, Emma would go see him alone. And when she came back, there was always something to talk about. From the annoyance she felt about him to the quiet confession about her restless heart when around him. From the way he had almost hit her with an arrow to the way he had helped her off her horse. From the way he was also too close to the way he was never close enough. From crude hunter to Graham.

“Graham…”

Her whisper caught his attention and he saw a multitude of emotions behind her eyes.

“Do you remember him?” Killian asked.

Henry had stopped reading and was now looking between them.

“I do.” Her voice quivered and when she looked at him, he saw her glassy eyes.

“Should I stop?”

That seemed to bring Emma back, the determination replacing the grief.

“No, I need to know how it ends.”

“Are you sure, love?”

“I am.” The strong tone in her voice was enough to convince him even as worry filled him.

Killian nodded to Henry who seemed to feel the same as him.

Emma wished to keep him secret. He didn’t know she was the Princess, as he seemed to have lived in the woods since childhood and she wanted to keep it as such. She wanted to keep the pressure away from their budding romance. For that’s what it was. From blushing cheeks to tangled hair. To stained riding pants. To-

“I think you should skip to the next paragraph, lad.” Killian insisted as he scratched behind his ear.

“Why? What does this mean?”

“It just means that Emma and Graham became boyfriend and girlfriend.” He screamed internally as he wished he didn’t have to have this conversation with his boss’ son.

He didn’t have to look at Emma to see her blushed cheeks and embarrassment.

“Oohh!” Henry’s expression would have made him laugh if he wasn’t so focusedly hoping that the subject be put to rest. “I understand.”

He really hoped for this not to get back to Regina. She’d kill him faster than one can say ‘fireball’.

Their secret courtship turned into love. Her books were filled with dried flowers, one for every encounter. I was the only one who knew of their relationship. Despite her trust in her mother, Emma knew how difficult it would be to bring Graham into this life, keeping the Queen in the dark was the only way to assure the ease in their romance.

However, every good thing must come to an end.

The threat becomes more dangerous. The dark magic encroaches them. There is no other solution. The fairies’ light magic isn’t strong enough. Emma wants to help, as she did before.

Once, when the Princess was no older than 11 years old, Prince James invaded the kingdom. A Prince from a kingdom led to poverty by its careless royalty. A Prince who wasted his years fighting battles that did not involve his kingdom and spending its money. Until his father died and there was no kingdom left to rule - its people either migrated or dead. A Prince who was the Prince Consort’s twin, since the King had wanted a child and took one of the shepherd’s wife’s twins, a mother who only wished the best for her children. A mother who accepted the deal to make sure her babies did not succumb to illness.

Prince James invaded the kingdom claiming injustice for the way his twin brother’s life had progressed while he rotted away in misery. It should have been a quick matter to resolve had it not been the dragon whose wrath James had unleashed on the kingdom. The dragon had wreaked havoc in the kingdom and as everyone watched, threatened to burn the royal family to a crisp had it not been for the burst of magic that saved them.

No one knew exactly what happened, but the ones who saw remember seeing a bright white light coming from the Princess making her resemble a wide winged bird - a swan. The dragon was quick to escape as the wave of magic because there was no other name for it, incapacitated Prince James and his crew. Everyone clamored Emma’s bravery and songs were written and played in the streets.

However, despite their efforts that seemed to be the only magical experience the Princess would experience. Nothing the fairies did seemed to bring forth another hint or spark from the young girl. Songs were corrected and Emma’s magical achievements were seen as a simple blessing, a power born from her parent’s true love that protected the family. They called her the Swan Princess - not only for the circumstance of her magic, but also for the fact that under her beauty hid a vicious bravery.

To say that Emma had been disappointed over her magical failure was an understatement. But so much like her family, she chose not to give up and dedicate herself to learning sword fighting from the soldiers, something she could actually grasp.

And now, just as before, Emma wants to help. She offers to join the soldiers, defend her home and her people. Unfortunately, that is not what her parents have in mind. “We can’t risk losing you, Emma”, They said. “We need a powerful alliance.” And Emma was smart enough to understand what they meant even before they confessed their plans.

An arranged marriage. Something she had been assured all her life wouldn’t happen. The tears that fall down her face are unconscious as she begs her parents for a different solution. She speaks to them, for the first time, of how her heart belongs to another even though his name is never even whispered. But Emma knows. This is her parent’s plan, the only solution that will keep her and the kingdom safe. So she accepts, even as her heart breaks.

I try to console her tears that night, to no avail.

The arranged marriage would be to the Kingdom’s closest neighbor. A Kingdom whose King owns the strongest army. A Kingdom whose King has fathered only one son, close to Emma’s age. Give or take a couple of years. There isn’t much to say about Prince Baelfire. King Rumplestilskin shelters him from everyone, practically confined to the castle. His mother escaping a life of such imprisonment, according to rumors, by joining a band of pirates. The young man is said to be a fairly nice Prince, educated and capable.

This union would entail a merging of Kingdoms. Such creation would result in the strongest Kingdom in existence. A merging that still required more planning, were not for the desperation of Queen Snow and Prince David for Misthaven.

But Emma’s stubbornness is unrivaled. Her room is vacant the next morning when I arrive to wake her up. Nothing, but a letter. A letter explaining that she will be leaving in search of another solution. That her heart is not ready to forget her love. That despite the love she has for her kingdom, she doesn’t wish to marry someone she doesn’t love. But she promises to return, after she finds a solution or once she realizes her journey is fruitless.

At the breakfast table, the Queen, her Prince and the Princeling await the arrival of the heiress. They receive me and the letter. Their expressions are full of pain and the whole castle is sent to a frenzy as they prepare an expedition to find her.

As a handmaiden, I am given no task except to wait for my charge. But I know I must attempt to find her. She is my Princess, but most of all, a friend, the only one I’ve ever had. The journey to that place in the woods isn’t familiar, but it takes merely a blink of an eye. But the camp is empty. The Huntsman has left - not in search of a new home but, I suspectbecause a stubbornly determined Princess has asked for his help in her quest.

The Princess has always been more than capable to defend for herself, that is without doubt. She who survives a dragon, can survive much worse. But I worry. And such worry is blinding when it comes to the ones you love.

Killian pretends not to notice Emma’s quiet sniff.

The Blue Fairy was known by all of Misthaven. If there was ever a blue star in the sky, children were told to wish upon it for she would grant their wishes if they were pure of heart. A child’s story for centuries, she seemed to be on familiar terms with the royal family.

The Blue Fairy was, once, Misthaven’s savior. When Queen Snow was but a runaway Princess, she was the one who helped her regain her throne. Regardless of her lack of involvement now, I was sure she would still be eager to help. My worry grew when Emma hadn’t gone to her first.

Under the shade of a willow tree, I called for her. My heart was put to the test but it seemed to be pure enough. Her voice called my name and there she was, in front of me. She was the size of a human, not as small as an acorn as my mother had told. It didn’t matter, in the end. I urged for her help, to bring back my Princess safe and sound.

Her magic was a light blue and it felt cool to the touch. I saw as she surrounded herself with magic and then sigh in disappointment as it got warmer once more. She said that my wish was a wish she couldn’t fulfill, for my Princess was no longer safe and sound. “Emma is no longer in our plane, I’m afraid she has been taken from us.” She explained and I attempted to fight my tears.

His hand reaches for hers, subconsciously. The cold feeling extends to his whole hand as he sees Emma do the same. There was no feeling of her hand in his, but there was something.

I begged for another wish. I wished for a way to save Emma. A way to bring her back to the people who loved her. My vision was filled with blue and I was able to feel the coolness of the Blue Fairy’s magic. I felt no different. “Your wish was granted. I have given you all I can to realize your heart’s desire.” It wasn’t much of an explanation.

Magic, she said, was as hard to explain as it was to understand. Their magic came from a higher entity, a Sorcerer. A powerful being capable of seeing the future. She couldn’t bring Emma back as it was far beyond her capabilities, but she had granted my wish, given me a tool that would help. I saw her when a blur of yellow caught my attention. She was sitting closer to the branches as if she had been there since I had arrived, but that wasn’t possible. I hadn't seen her.

There was an odd expression in the Blue Fairy’s face when I asked about her. Though I received no explanation except for an expression of grief in her face, I was told as to what gift I had been given. A capacity to see those who are no longer in the plane of the living.

"How will I be able to bring her back with this?" I asked, feeling as if the Fairy's help hadn't been so helpful. "This gift will help you save the Princess." Cryptic as all magic is. I tried not to feel frustrated as I exited the willow tree. When I reached the Huntsman's camp, I saw him.

I was angry and I snapped as I could only think he had left Emma alone. He simply looked at me with surprise. Surprised, I learned, that I was able to see him. He told me how he had attempted to beg for help from anyone whose path he'd crossed, but no one seemed to see him.

He was dead.

"He was dead."

That was the only explanation. As cryptic as magic was, it seemed to work. I wasted no time asking for Emma's whereabouts. He told me that he had been killed at the neighboring Kingdom's castle when Emma and he had requested an urgent meeting with the King.

The shrill sound of a phone startled them all. Henry took a breath as he saw the name on his phone's screen.

"It's my mother." One look at the clock and he winced. "I was supposed to be in her office ten minutes ago."

"Go, lad, we'll stay here." Killian reassured the curious boy as he glanced at Emma's expression, an expression of grief that clawed at his heart.

"I'll be back." In a rush that none of the other adults could muster, he exited the library.

"Are you alright, Emma?" He gave her a moment in the silence, hoping her whirling thoughts had the chance to calm.

"I can't believe I would forget all of this. I would forget falling in love, the love of my family."

"It isn't your fault, there is clearly something else at work here."

When she looked into his eyes, his heart broke. There was pain, grief, anger. "I remember what happened, I remember why Graham died. I know who did this."

300 years earlier

His hand in hers gave her strength, strength she wasn't sure she felt. Emma needed this mission to be successful, she didn't intend to spend her life attached to someone she didn't love, burdened by duties that she never thought she had to fulfill. Her heart was still set on saving her kingdom and she would, if there was no other way, but she needed to try first.

The halls of the castle were cold, quiet and dark. There was a prickling under her skin at every step, as if she was being watched, pursued. There was an eagerness in the dark corners of the room, eager to pull you in, drag you. The great hall wasn't better - still as cold, quiet and dark as the rest of the castle. And the man sitting on the large throne was the epitome of darkness.

He wore a wide, almost mad, smile, his eyes expectant. She felt like a prey. Graham's hand was no longer wrapped in hers, but she still felt his strong presence. She had a hunter on her side, it would all work out.

Next to his father's throne, sat a young man, close to her age. Give or take a year. Prince Baelfire, of course. A curious man, he was. The darkness didn't seem to reach him but entrap him. He seemed fragile - not by choice.

“Welcome to Aur, your Highness.”

As she was taught, Emma bowed. And so did Graham, playing the part of her escort. She saw the Prince bow to her from the corner of her eye and ignored his father’s admonishing gesture in response.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit in this early morning?”

Emma swallowed at the predatorial look in his eyes. It didn’t help that there was no one else in the room but the four of them. She could sense Graham’s discomfort matching hers.

“I’ve come to discuss the agreement you have made with my parents.” She attempted to keep her voice determined, brave - all she knew she was despite the threatening aura of the room.

“Yes, Prince Baelfire and I are looking forward to this union.”

“That’s what I wanted to discuss, your Majesty. You see, I don’t wish to marry your son if there is another alternative.” She held her breath as the royal looked at her, analytical. Emma sees Prince Baelfire await his father’s judgment - no disappointment, no joy, merely expectant with a hint of fear.

“It doesn’t seem to be your decision, is it, Princess? Your parents, as rulers of the Kingdom, have blessed this union, therefore there is no other choice.”

“I understand that it was their decision, but I am here hoping to reach another solution. The merging of our two Kingdoms won’t be easy and it might lead to complications with lineage.” As she speaks, she realizes just how complicated this deal is.

“I have no intention in merging our Kingdoms, Your Highness, so there will be no complications.” King Rumplestilskin’s smile turns wider, his eyes glinting with excitement. Prince Baelfire lowers his head at his words. Graham takes a step closer to her.

“What do you mean?” Emma was confused. There was a feeling deep in her gut that told her to run - her stubbornness was unrivaled. “My parent-”

“Your parents made a deal with me. I would help them with their threat in exchange for you marrying my son.” His giggle was manic and caused shivers down Emma’s spine. “They were so desperate, poor things, that they didn’t question my intentions.”

“And what are your intentions?”

“To take over Misthaven, of course. You’ll marry my son ensuring lineage and after your parents mysteriously pass away, I will be free to reign Misthaven as I see fit.”

“And what makes you think I will let that happen?” There was a scowl in Emma’s face as she balls her fists.

“There is nothing you can do about it, dearie.” Rumplestilskin rises from his chair, a far more threatening presence than she expected. “You underestimate my power.” He makes his way slowly to her. “Who do you think has been terrorizing Misthaven in order to make this happen?”

“It was you…” She whispered, reluctantly surprised. “But how? You don’t have magic. Especially not magic as dark as that.”

“You’re right, I don’t.” Emma tried not to feel like a caged animal as he began walking in a circle around her. “But I made a friend, a friend who does indeed wield such magic. A friend whose plans match mine.”

“You won’t get away with this, I promise you that.”

Her threat lost its power at the King’s loud laugh. He seemed relaxed as if she posed no danger to his plan. And she believed it, it made her feel small. She wasn’t accustomed to being made to feel small.

“There is nothing you can do, dearie.”

With a snap of his fingers, dark tendrils wrapped around the two visitors. While her restraints seemed focused on her wrists, Rumplestilskin had Graham by the neck. As strong as he was trying to be, he was no match for such powerful magic.

“Please, he has nothing to do with this, just let him go!” Emma kept her eyes on the King’s hoping he wouldn’t see exactly how much it hurt to see Graham suffer as he was.

But she couldn’t help it.

She could pinpoint the moment he noticed, the way his smile widened and his tongue ran through his teeth - like a crocodile preparing to eat his prey. Her heart hammered against her chest praying to every entity she knew for their safety.

But no one was listening.

There was a crack and a heavy body falling to the ground. Her heart stopped. Her future destroyed in a second. The love of her life gone. There was no stopping the distraught cry that exploded out of her.

She didn’t notice how she had freed herself until she had her arms around Graham’s lifeless body. Her tears had landed on his unmoving face. And there was silence around her. She saw the King’s unconscious form laying on the floor as well as the absence of dark magic. A burst of magic, it seemed, to save her.

Unfortunately, not to save her from heartbreak, as she continued to hold a dead Graham in her arms. Her hands caressed his face and she felt it growing cold under her touch. She wished, more than anything, to have him open his eyes, to have him smile at her one more time.

“Princess?” A too small voice from a young man startled her and she raised one hand, hoping for another burst of magic to save her - but there was nothing, not even a spark.

Thankfully, she knew where her Huntsman kept his dagger and she quickly wielded it. She kept herself embracing him, however, one hand on his face.

“Take one more step and you’ll regret it.” Her voice was shaky but her determined stare wasn’t.

To her surprise, the dagger pointed at him doesn’t seem to frighten Prince Baelfire. He approaches with his hands raised to his chest until he stops a step away from her.

“I’m sorry.” He sounds honest in his whispered words as he looks into her eyes.

Emma lets out the breath she didn’t realize she was holding and her whole being deflates as even the dagger falls to the floor. She turns back to the man laying on her lap, her hand cupping his cheek.

“If you must kill me, do so now. Your father won’t have my Kingdom.” Her voice is small, not usual for her.

“I have no intentions of killing you or of marrying you.”

That calls her attention and she looks back to the Prince.

“I simply do as my father wishes, he’s a powerful man.” He sighs as he kneels in front of her. “I have been carrying this for years.” Her eyes watch him closely as he removes a small vial from his coat pocket. “And I think it’s supposed to help you.”

“What is that?” She is wary, nothing good should come from such a dark liquid.

“I’m not quite sure, I was never fond of magic. I found it in the library. It had a note.” He removes a small paper from the same pocket which he gives to her.

She will need this.

“Who is ‘she’?”

“I don’t know. There isn’t anyone I know who would need this but you. My father won’t give up. This is all I can do to help.” He extends the vial to her.

“How do I know you speak the truth?” She took the vial even as she kept her eyes on him.

“I don’t know. But I am.” The Prince shrugged his shoulders as he returned the eye contact. She had always been able to tell when someone was lying to her. He was telling the truth.

Both turned when they heard a groan from their right. Rumplestilskin was regaining consciousness. She needed to act fast.

“Thank you.” She quickly said to the Prince as she removed the cork from the vial.

There was no time for second thoughts. It was trusting a mysterious vial with an even more mysterious message or seeing her Kingdom conquered by this villain.

With a deep breath and a final look to her hunter, she drank the strange liquid to the last drop.

Everything went black.

Now

“The potion killed you, then.” Killian didn’t know what to think, it had been a strange story. He wasn’t sure whether he’d like to hug Emma or punch someone who had probably been dead for centuries.

“I don’t think so… Remember the garden?” Killian nodded. “No other ghost has been there, I don’t think I was dead.”

“Aye, I just-” Killian interrupts himself when he turns to her. There is the wet streak of a tear on her cheek. “I’m sorry, love, I’m sorry about Graham.” His hand inches closer to hers.

“That’s alright, I remembered…”

The door opens suddenly for Henry to run inside.

“My mum is going for a meeting so I still have an hou- is everything alright?” Henry asks as he looks at Killian’s expression. The small lamp on his desk flickers on and off slowly. “Emma?”

His call seems to catch her attention. She turns to him with a small smile.

“I’m alright.” The lamp stops flickering.

“Everything’s alright, lad.” His smile is reassuring and Henry seems to deflate as he feels a more calm environment.

Wanting to give Emma a few moments to rearrange her thoughts, Killian busies himself giving Henry a resumed version of what Emma had told him.

“So that Baelfire turned her into a ghost!”

“Actually, the potion did.”

“Someone must have given that to him, someone who knew what was going to happen!” Killian swore he could see the cogs in Henry’s brain turn.

“Perhaps we’ll get some answers if we carry on reading.” Emma’s voice seemed back to normal, quieter but more herself. Looking into her eyes, she nodded.

“Aye, we should keep reading, lad.”

“Right!” Henry quickly ran to the book that had remained open on the desk.

Graham told me what happened. How the King-

“Okay, she’s saying what we know, I’m just going to skip.” Henry interrupted.

After he passed away, there was too much. Too much confusion, too many sounds, too many colors. Once he was able to concentrate on his whereabouts, all he saw was Emma laid on the floor next to him as Rumplestiltskin paced angry. Prince Baelfire seemed to be telling him how Emma had killed herself out of grief. How she had taken a potion, a poison he assumed, how he had been unable to stop her.

“He’s protecting you.” Henry seemed surprised by the revelation.

“He didn’t seem to be as bad as his father.” Emma admitted.

“Aye, the lad had courage.”

Unfortunately, there was nothing else I could do. I couldn’t go to the castle to retrieve the Princess nor could I tell the Queen where she was. While magic is common, talking to the deceased did not seem to be something that would be celebrated.

“Right you are.” Killian whispered. Henry turned to him followed by Emma, making him blush. He cleared his throat. “Carry on, lad.”

It was hard to see how distraught the Royal Family was about the Princess’ disappearance. The castle seemed too quiet at times and her room even emptier. But it didn’t take long to receive news. Prince Baelfire arrived at court with Emma’s body carried by a fleet of guards.

The tall ceilings of the hall echoed the Queen’s cry of anguish as she saw her only daughter’s lifeless body. The Prince with a wall of bravery behind his heartbreak, commanded the servants to take Emma to another room. Everyone was dismissed. As the last to leave, I saw as the Prince attempted to comfort his wife, even as he cried with her.

Prince Baelfire was quick to leave the castle. I, however, couldn’t stay far from my Princess. I followed the procession as they took Emma to a guest room. I entered as they did, but did not leave as they did. I touched her hand, it wasn’t cold, it was rigid, it was as if she was sleeping. Graham stood by my side, a mournful expression in his eyes as he kneeled at her bedside. I pretended not to see his sadness as he attempted to hold her hand.

“Do you want me to continue? I know this can’t be easy…” Henry interrupted, looking to where he felt Emma’s presence.

“We need to know what happens next.” Emma’s voice was determined even as she wiped a fresh tear from her cheek. Hearing her parent’s pain wasn’t easy. She then turned to Killian with a nod. “I’m alright.”

Henry turned to him when he didn’t say anything, but Killian couldn’t take his eyes off Emma’s, hoping he was able to give her some reassurance. Finally, he nodded.

“She is not dead.” The Blue Fairy watched from the end of the bed. She startled me. I had never known her to be able to appear wherever she wished. Regardless, it was reassurance. She wasn’t dead. “I was told that I needed to come to this room at this time, now I see why.” Cryptic.

With a wave of her hand over Emma’s body and a familiar spark of cold, blue magic, she seemed to have her answer. “She is asleep. A cursed sleep.” She said. The half-answers and enigmatic posture were maddening. And I said so. “She will remain asleep until someone breaks her curse.” I turned to look at Graham, but he hadn’t moved, he seemed unwilling to care about anything else but the sleeping Princess. He was dead, unable to be with her again.

“Oh, Graham…” Emma whispered.

I was determined to break the curse. Not only to spare her parents the heartache, but also because I needed her back. “You mustn’t wake her up now.” The Blue Fairy told us. I was angry, why should Emma be suffering when we can help her? “Rumplestilskin believes her dead, his plan has been stopped. Wake her now and we’d be doomed.”

“She knew Rumplestilskin’s plan?!” Killian’s fist was balled against the table as he attempted to hold back his anger.

She knew his plan, even though no one had told her! “The Sorcerer knows all, Alice Jones. He’s seen this and more and we are to follow his plan.” His plan to destroy a family? To take their daughter from her? “Yes. All is as it should be.” I cursed. I never cursed anyone before. But I did now. “I understand your frustration, but all is as it should be.” She repeated, with an infuriating calm.

The feeling of inadequacy was like a fireball in my chest. But as angry as I was, the Blue Fairy was right, Emma was safe while she was asleep. What was I to do next? “I will place a preservation spell on her body, you will urge her parents not to bury her for it will surely kill her.” Before I could say anything else, she was gone.

Bloody fairies.

Bloody fairies. As helpful as she was, the hardest part was my chore. I left Graham to his vigil. I only returned the next day, her parents having had some time to compose themselves. But still I saw the lack of light in the Queen’s eyes and the slumped shoulders in the Prince’s posture - for a stranger, they would look the image of collectedness but not for me.

It was easier than I thought to convince them not to bury Emma. I was never fond of lying but saying that the Blue Fairy had blessed Emma’s form to withstand the course of time was nothing more than a half-truth. In a matter of days, a glass coffin was produced to hold the Princess. It was placed in the family’s mausoleum and everyday for years, the royal couple would place fresh flowers, usually accompanied by the young Prince.

The story was kept quiet. Both to ensure the Kingdom’s trust in their leaders’ safety but also to prevent any conflict between the two Kingdom’s involved. King Rumplestilskin remained quiet, his plan had failed. The dark magic surrounding the Kingdom was unable to get in. Even with Emma gone, there was too much light to let in the darkness.

His failure drove him to madness, pushing the darkness as far as it could. Until, decades after, he was killed with a dagger through his heart. A culprit was never found and the Kingdom, as fragile as it was, accepted the new King without protest. King Baelfire would do great things. Both Kingdoms fell into peace once more.

Life had returned to normal after Emma’s presumed death. Even as the country mourned, they celebrated Prince Leopold’s milestones.

Despite mine and the family’s desire to keep working with them, they had no need for me, not with the Princess gone. But, a year or so later, I was married. This might not seem important to you, but I discovered something. I welcomed a son soon after. A son who would grow up, as children do and would talk to entities no one else could see but me. The Blue Fairy’s gift was passed down. I was able to witness a granddaughter with the same gift.

We kept it secret, as well we could. I attempted to share this story with my kin, but I see now my time is short so I’m hoping that writing it will preserve it in its most perfect state. I understand now that I am not the one supposed to save Emma. But I hope that one of my own blood will.

I saw her, long after Rumplestilskin was killed, after her parents passed away - one not far from the other -. She was as if no day had passed her by, still in the clothes she wore when she fell asleep. She did not recognise me, but she was the one who found me. She did not recognise me because she did not remember who she was. All she knew was her name.

Emma.

You, who reads this book, my kin, I hope your heart remains true. For that is the only way to save her. Please, save her.

“Wow…” Henry breathed.

“Indeed.” Killian sat on his desk feeling his shoulders tight.

“I’m sorry.” Emma spoke softly, catching his attention.

“What do you mean? Why are you apologizing?”

“This was never supposed to be your burden.” Emma looked at him, her eyes a mix of apology and determination. “The only one who’s supposed to save me is me.”

“This isn’t a burden, Emma. I’ve spent years helping people like you. Apparently, generations. This is my mission and I’m gladly doing it for you too.” His smile was reassuring and he hoped that he wasn’t showing too much.

She doesn’t seem to notice as she looks down with a hint of pink in her cheeks. “Thank you, Killian, for helping me.” Her smile when she looks back at him sets his heart hammering against his chest.

Henry’s attempt at being quiet is louder than he seems to want as it breaks their moment. His cheeks are red and he tries to hide his satisfied smile.

“There’s nothing else in the book?” Killian asks, clearing his throat, hoping to get the attention off their small moment. “There seems to be some writing on that side.”

“Oh!” Henry’s brow furrows as he stares at the strange writing. Emma, he sees, has moved back to standing next to the boy. “I can’t read it.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s in a weird language, even weirder than what I just read.”

“Hmm, strange.”

The library door is opened once more, the sound catching their attention.

“Henry?” Principal Mills calls from the door as she looks around for her son.

“It’s time to go already?” Killian can hear the pout in the boy’s voice and knows it’s there when Emma shows that soft smile that, he learns, is reserved for Henry.

“Yes, I’m done with the meeting. Come on, you have homework to do.” There is a smile on the Principal’s face too, it seems involuntary when Henry is involved.

“Fine.” He huffs as he rushes to put his backpack on. “See you tomorrow, Mr. Jones.”

Killian nods with a grin. “Master Mills.”

“Mr. Jones.” Regina dismisses him with barely a look. As Henry reaches her, she places her arm around his shoulders and kisses his forehead.

“You may think she’s scary, but Henry knows how to soften her.” Emma quipped as the door shut behind the mother and child.

“The lad has abilities that we don’t know half of.” Killian winks.

After such a heavy afternoon, it seems odd to be in silence. There is much he wants to say but doesn’t know how to start or if he should. He shouldn’t.

“Would you like to watch a film tonight?” Killian asks quickly.

She seems to startle but relaxes almost as quickly. “In the box that has the people inside?”

“The people aren’t exactly ins- Nevermind,” He laughs. “Aye, in the box.”

“I would love to.”

The headiness her smile causes chases him out of the door. They keep silent. There is no need for anything to be said. Nothing needed to change the quiet, light mood between them.

Of course, their plans are meant to be ruined. A short blonde woman carrying a bright pendant stops in front of them, stopping their walk. She looks at him with curious eyes.

“Are you Killian Jones?” She asks, igniting his curiosity.

“I am, who is asking?”

“The Blue Fairy wishes to speak with you.”

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