A tall man wearing a red cloak with a fur trim stood up from his throne as did his wife, a beautiful woman with jet black hair and pallid skin. Queen Snow and King David. They rose as through the large oak doors of their reception hall walked in a man in a naval uniform with cap upon his head and two boys either side of him. Both boys stood with their heads hung yet the man between them walked proudly. He shared the same dark hair as his boys, the youngest of which was 7 and the other eleven.

Queen Snow and King David's daughter with bright blonde hair and green eyes peeked around the thrones that her parents had been sitting on ready to receive their guests. Her green eyes blinked widely as she dropped the toy she was playing with behind the throne and hurried up to her father her small hand gripping tight of his cloak. He looked down at her and smiled. The man and the two boys bowed before her parents and she tilted her head as she looked at the younger one. His blue eyes met her gaze he looked cautious and afraid. She grinned at him as she squinted up her eyes and showed off her teeth. The young boy perhaps only a couple of years older than her gave her a shy smile in return.

"Your majesties," greeted the man. "I thank you for this audience,"

"It is our pleasure," smiled Snow, "You are part of our navy after all and I knew your sister well. She was a marvellous seamstress as well as a wonderful person. I was sad to hear of her passing, I am terribly sorry for your loss,"

"Aye she was," he nodded, "Thank you for your kind words, it has only been a couple of weeks but it still feels like yesterday."

"What is it we can do for you?"

"Her sons," he said his hands upon the backs of the two boys and pushing them forward slightly as if to make it clear he was talking about these two boys. "Their father has abandoned them, I turned up to their home today to find he had fled. I do not know why. I gladly and proudly take them as my own but my duties restrict how I may care for them. I know it is a lot to ask of you but whilst I am at sea I was wondering if you may keep an eye on them, I will try to find someone who can care for them whilst I am away,"

"Jack," smiled David, "I owe you my life, I owe you many things you have been a great friend to me. You are great man." He turned to Snow it seemed as if a conversation was passing between them without any words being spoken. She nodded. "They can stay here and will be cared for within the castle,"

"I," Jack's mouth was agape, "I just,"

"Please," smiled Snow, "This castle is huge. Your sister was a friend of mine, made many of my finest dresses I would be a privilege to have her sons here with us. We can take care of them whilst you are out at sea,"

"Thank you," sighed Jack. "You two are honestly the kindest people I have ever met. I am so proud and honoured to be part of your navy and get to serve under your ruling. Thank you. I owe you everything."

"You owe us nothing," smiled Snow. She stepped forward and crouched down so she was on the same level as the oldest boy and held out her hand to him. His eyes were wide and he took her hand gingerly and shook it, "Thank you your majesty," he said. "Your kindness is great. I was worried of what was to become of my brother and I."

"You need not worry Liam,"

"You know my name?"

"Of course I do," she laughed. "Your mother spoke very highly of both of you boys. I am glad to finally have met you."

"As I am you," he said. Snow and David were impressed of how well spoken both the boys were. Slowly Emma let go of her fathers cloak and ran over to the youngest boy and slid on the floor in her shoes. "Emma," David warned but she just giggled in response. She curtseyed before the youngest boy before grabbing his hand and shaking it "I'm Princess Emma," she said, "You can call me Emma though,"

"My name's Killian Jones,"

"Do you wanna build a snowman?" she asked her other hand that wasn't holding onto his pointing out at the window where you could see the snow fall. Killian's eyes looked over at is brother then his Uncle. "That sounds lovely," Snow said as she stood up and straighted up her dress, "Why don't you two and Liam go outside, whilst we speak to Jack and organise a few things."

"I'll show you the garden," smiled Emma as she pulled Killian over to Lian amd grabbed Liam's hand so she had hold of both the boys. Snow's eyes looked over at the maid in the room, "Will you get Emma into her coat and boots please before she goes running out just like that."

That was the day Emma met Killian Jones.

There was a series of miscellaneous knocks then a quiet whisper of "Killy, Killy, Killy," into the key hole of the room. The door slowly opened to reveal a tired looking 10 year-old Killian as he rubbed his blue eyes before taking note that the 7 year old Emma was wearing her riding gear. "I told you not to call me that."

"You love it," she grinned.

"What do you want Emma? It's still night time,"

"Well Jones," Emma stated as she put her hands on her hips, "I as princess order you to put your riding gear on and join me for a night time ride,"

"We can't do that!" he exclaimed suddenly very awake as he looked at Emma's playful face.

"Sure we can!"

"It's dangerous. We can't go out at night, without supervision. That's bad form Emma, something could happen to you,"

"Puh-lease. I can handle myself I am Snow White and Prince Charming's daughter,"

"You are a princess, a lady, it isn't good form for you to disappear off at night, anything could happen to you,"

"I am not a lady," huffed Emma, "You take that back Killian Jones,"

"But you are,"

"Am not,"

"Ladies don't do anything fun like fighting, stuffing their face, burping, rolling about in the mud, going off on adventures. They are expected just to wear dresses and be proper with manners. They are boring, I am not boring. Come on we are going off for a ride. Get your gear on,"

"Emma," he pleaded.

"I'll just go myself if you don't come Jones." She saw the panic in his face and knew when he sighed and relaxed his shoulders that she had won. She didn't understand why her best friend could be so straight-laced she had to practically drag him everywhere and blackmail him into doing fun things. He was too cautious even Liam thought so. Liam was fun but he acted like he was too old and cool for them now plus he had ideas about joining the Navy, which he could do when he was sixteen which was in two years time.

Emma had hold of Killian's hand as she pulled him through the corridors his blue eyes darting every which way. His voice quiet but constantly trying to talk Emma out of going. She just teased calling him a "chicken" and making clucking sounds each time. Soon she had him out at the stables and she was saddling her horse. "Come on Jones" she told him. "The princess orders you to saddle your horse."

"We could get in so much trouble,"

"If we get caught I'll take all the blame,"

"This is wrong Emma,"

"No, this is fun. Please Killian I just want to show you something. Please," she fluttered her eyelashes at him and knew when he sighed that she had won again. "I've got a knife in my boot we'll be fine," she assured him once she up on her horse. Emma shifted until she was comfortable and then kicked the side of her horse and went off at a gallop into the crisp night air, with only the stars and moon as light. "Emma!" Killian shouted out after her. He quickly jumped onto his horse and followed her. If he let anything happen to Princess Emma under his watch he was going to be killed. He couldn't let any harm come to her.

As they rode into the woods at the back of the castle gardens Killian could hear Emma's joyous laughter, her blonde hair falling out of her braid from the speed she was travelling at. "I'm faster than you!" she shouted back to him.

"No you are not!" and soon the two of them were racing and laughing the whole time. Killian soon forgot about the danger and fear and the worry and how they shouldn't be leaving the castle unprotected. Instead his mind was full of laughter and happiness.

The two collapsed down on the ground their breathing rapid, even in the lack of light Killian could see how flushed Emma's face was. Their horses were tied to a branch of the tree and they just lay down in silence. Once the adrenaline had worn off Killian's fears began to crop up again. "That was fun," sighed Emma as she sat up. "The fact that it's night-time make it even more fun,"

"More the fact that we shouldn't be doing it probably," stated Killian bitterly as he crossed his arms. "I'm chilly Killy," said Emma as she rested her head on his shoulder.

"We should go back,"

"Not before I show you something. That's why we are here," Emma quickly jumped to her feet and collected a couple of fallen branches around them and placed them in a pile before Killian. "I want to show you something. It's a secret though okay? You can't tell anyone not even my mum and dad. Promise?"

"I don't know Emma,"

"Promise!" she demanded,

"As you wish," he sighed, "I promise"

"Good. Watch this," she crouched down before the wood pile. Her hand tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear before her face became very concentrated and her two hands reached out before her and tensed; her eyes focusing completely on the pile of wood. Her eyebrows furrowed and she bit her lip. Her eyes quickly glanced up at Killian before she waved her right hand inwards. As soon as she did the pile of wood was ablaze with fire. He could see through the flames her triumphant smile.

"How, how, how did you do that?" he asked perplexed as he stared at the fire,

"Magic," Emma grinned. "I accidentally caused some things to levitate in my room and I thought that's weird. So I have been reading and teaching myself. But it's our secret Jones. You can;t tell anyone,"

"Magic is dangerous Emma,"

"You think everything is dangerous. Anyway I am not stupid I am being careful. You can't tell Mum and Dad,"

"But,"

"No buts Jones. You promised, you cannot break that promise,"

"Okay," he sighed. "Just lets go back to the castle now Emma. It isn't safe out here."

"Fine," she nodded and with another wave of her hand the fire went out.