"Don't think about that Emma! Think about what I'm telling you! I'm telling you that I love you!" The dashing prince held his princess close to him and gently touched his lips to hers. She pulled away, a small smile formed on her lips as she returned the kiss with the same gentle passion.

"Emma! Emma!"

"Emma wake up!" The princess rolled over in her bed, pulling the blanket up over her head.

"Mother…" She drawled out slowly, "The prince just told me he loved me! Please let me go back to sleep! Maybe the dream will come back."

Snow White laughed at her daughter and shook her again, "Emma come on wake up! It's not every day a girl turns eighteen and I will not have my daughter sleeping through her birthday! Cook made your favorite peach hot cakes and Geppetto sent you black wooden roses that you love so much."

Emma sat up slowly and ran a hand through her unruly curls, "I always thought I'd find my true love before I turned eighteen." She sighed dramatically, "I suppose this means I'll end up an old maid."

"An old maid with a kingdom. I don't think that could be the worst thing that's ever happened." Snow White pulled a pretty green dress out of the wardrobe and set it out for her daughter to put on. "And though you may not have a suitor, you do have the next best thing. Your father comes home today."

Although Emma and her mother were very close, Emma and King James (otherwise known as Prince Charming) were inseparable. Her father taught his little girl everything she needed to know about the world of men. How to barter, how to ride, how to handle a blade, along with every other thing a young woman should know.

Emma hurriedly put on her dress, brushed out her curls and rushed downstairs to eat her breakfast. Her mother promised that once she ate she could meet her father beyond the gates. Emma gulped down her food, kissed her mother, and ran to the stables. "Hello Hades! Are you ready to go meet father?" The valiant black steed nuzzled his mistress affectionately. Hades wasn't an evil horse as his name would suggest. Charming had found Hades as a pony and decided to keep him for his daughter. As Charming worked to tame the horse he found that the free spirit in him could not be quenched. Thus the wild horse earned his name, Hades. Hades took a liking to Emma though and their friendship began.

The guards at the gate bowed low to their princess who galloped by without so much as a nod in their direction. She was much too excited to notice anyone. She rode hard for several minutes until she spotted a large group on horseback. As she approached them she met her father's smiling face. Emma dismounted hurriedly and was caught up in a loving embrace.

"Father! I've missed you! I read a book about sword play and I want you to teach me new moves! Also mother has been moping around the castle ever since you left. A few nights ago she even had me stay in your room because she said the room was too cold without you there beside her."

Charming smiled and listened to his girl rattle on about everything that had happened since his departure. "Well I'm home now! And I have something for you." He dug around in his pocket until he dangled a chain in front of Emma. "I found this for your key collection." Emma started collecting old keys ever since she was a child. She loved the way they looked propped up on her walls. The one she held in her hand was an exceptionally beautiful one. It sparkled gold and engraved on the head was a beautiful ship riding through the sea.

"It's beautiful!" She beamed, kissing her father's warm cheek. "Thank you!"

"Only the best for my girl! Now let's get back to your mother. I have some news for the pair of you."

The King was met with a happy embrace and passionate kiss from his beautiful wife and a round of applause by his subjects. He said a few words of encouragement to his people and retired into his castle, his wife in one arm and his daughter in the other.

The trio sat in the king's chamber and talked of his travels. "What of your news father?" Emma asked deeply interested in any sort of news from other kingdoms.

He took a deep breath and began, "Well, as the both of you know I visited King Gerard of the sea region. I observed his kingdom and was very impressed. He and his wife are fair, kind rulers and their son is very well liked by all. Their kingdom has prospered and the King and I discussed the possibility of joining our kingdoms."

"What changes must be made dear?" Snow knew very well that there were terms to agreements such as these.

"A few border treaties must be signed but most importantly the union of our children will be the key to this plan." Emma froze. She hoped with all her might that her father wasn't speaking of her. "Emma, this means that you would be married to Prince Killian."

Emma struggled momentarily but found her voice, "Why? Our kingdom is fine! The people are happy. You are loved by everyone. Why do we have to join with King Gerard?"

"Emma," Snow spoke up, "Our kingdom is prospering but we need to form allies with neighboring kingdoms. We have many enemies and we must have people to help us if we want to continue to prosper."

"Your mother is right Emma. Our kingdom will not last if we don't find help soon. I fear that this is the only solution."

"But I don't want to get married."

"Emma you were telling me just this morning that you wanted to be married by today!"

"I said true love mother. Not an arranged marriage to a man I've never met. What if I hate him? What if he isn't a kind person? Am I to be unhappy for the rest of my life?"

"I've met Prince Killian and trust me when I say, he is suitable for you. He's a kind man who will take care of you."

Emma stood defiantly, "I won't go through with this! I would rather never marry and be kept in a dungeon for the rest of my life than marry a stranger! I won't do this father I won't!" Tears sprung to her eyes as she ran from the room.

Snow moved to her husband's side and took his hand, "Don't worry my love. Emma will come to her senses."

"I hope so. Or I will forever be the monster who made her give up her dreams."

For the next few days Emma moped around the castle, hoping that her sadness would rub off on her parents and they would change their mind. It didn't work. By the end of the week the engagement ball was planned and the wedding was well under way.

Nine days after her father returned, King Gerard, Queen Lizbeth, and Prince Killian set out to the neighboring kingdom to attend their son's engagement ball. Emma had no desire to meet Killian. In her mind he was old and grumpy and had no love for books, art, music or any good thing for that matter.

"Emma don't give the maid a hard time! You will put on that ball gown and you will put it on now!" Snow scolded her difficult daughter. "We only have a half hour before the guests arrive and you must be out with us greeting them."

Emma didn't care about the ball. She didn't care about the breath taking midnight blue ball gown she was to wear. All she cared about was her sorrow.

The guests had arrived, the food was being eaten, and Emma was about to meet her fiancé for the first time. King Gerard and Queen Lizbeth approached and Emma held her head high. "Good evening," She curtsied politely.

"Good evening Emma, dear. You look lovely and may I say we are very excited to have such a gorgeous girl as our daughter-in-law." Queen Lizbeth smiled. Emma thought she seemed like a nice enough person. "I do hope we can be friends."

"Of course Your Majesty."

"Princess Emma," King Gerard spoke, "May I present my son, Prince Killian."

Emma's heart stopped beating. Her lungs stopped working. And the world around her seemed to freeze as she looked at the man she would be married to. He wore traditional prince clothing but that's not what she was looking at. She was mesmerized by his features. He was clean shaven, perfect black eye brows fitted round flashing blue eyes and his hair was tousled just right. It made her want to run her fingers through his hair and stare into his eyes for the rest of her life.

Killian approached her, took her hand in his and lightly kissed her knuckles, "Princess. It is an honor to meet you."

She somehow found her voice enough to squeak out, "Thank you. A pleasure to meet you as well."

Snow White smiled mischievously and took her daughter aside, "Not too bad looking for a man of twenty five is he dear?"

"I didn't… He's not… I just… didn't think he'd be so… Handsome?"

"Your father knows what he's doing my love. I think you and Killian will be very happy together."

Emma thought this too, until it came time for their first dance as a couple. Killian gently slid a hand round her waist and began moving in time to the music. Emma blushed deeply as he pulled her close to him. "So, Prince Killian," She started, "What do you think about this treaty?"

"Marriage is a waste of time." He said very bluntly.

"Excuse me?" She choked out.

"Not just this marriage, marriage in general. A man does not need a woman to help him rule a kingdom. A man should not be tied down to one woman for the rest of his life. He should be able to go on adventures, rule a kingdom, and sail to the ends of the world if he wished without having anyone to answer to."

"I agree with the adventure part but what about love? If two people love each other then shouldn't they get married?"

"Ah yes the infamous 'L' word! All our lives we are encouraged to go out and meet people until we find the 'one'. But let me ask you this princess, if you were never encouraged to do so would you? If marriage and love were never spoken of and your life was dedicated to more important things then things like arranged marriages would never happen."

Emma didn't know what to say. Part of her knew that he was right but she didn't want to believe him. All her life she had longed for love, now she was being given to a man who didn't believe in the one thing she wanted. "Well sire, if situations were different, what would you do? If you could be whatever you choose, if you could do whatever you wished? If you didn't have to marry me?" She lowered her head feeling suddenly unworthy.

Killian took notice and sighed, "Forgive me Princess, I meant no offense. I'm sure you are a lovely person. I just didn't think my life would be like this."

"Your apology isn't required."

They spent a few moments in silence until Killian answering her question said, "I would be on my ship."

"You captain a ship? That must be exciting!"

"It's heaven! There is nothing but air, and wind, and water, and freedom! My crew is strong and hard working and the places I've been… I can't begin to describe. And the best part is.." He motioned for her to come closer. "My father doesn't know about it." He grinned as Emma giggled. For the first time she saw a happy, contented look on Killian's face.

"Maybe…. Maybe someday you can show me your ship." Emma asked shyly.

"Someday."