A/N: *Peeks out from behind my computer screen* Hi! So here I am, with another story and I know I suck at updating guys, I know, but this story has been in the works for almost three years. Just sitting in my documents. This story is my baby. I am terrified that you guys will hate it, or that no one will read it. I admire so many swen writers and I know I'm not the highest caliber writer but this story means so much to me, so please read, review, favorite, follow. I want your thought. I want to know what you like, what you dislike, tell me.

For all of you who read Majoring in Forbidden Fruit (MIFF) I am trying to make this story work. This story took a hard turn from where I originally intended for it to go and I'm trying to get my barrings but please, bare with me. And in the meantime, here's something to tide you over.

Enjoy

~Jem

"Emma dear, are you prepared to take your leave? The signing of this treaty is very important." Snow White's voice was heard before she came into view. She was dressed in a simple white gown, floor length. Her hair flowed in waves, framing her face. She seemed to glide across the threshold as she entered Emma's chambers.

Emma stood looking out of her window, taking in her parent's kingdom. She wore suede dark brown riding pants, two-thirds of which encased in brown leather riding boots. Her favorite riding coat, a gift from her father, adorned her upper half. Her stance was strong, stiff, as the wind blew through her hair. Snow took in the sight of her daughter; a small smile graced her features.

"Emma," the blonde turned her head slightly acknowledging her mother,

"Your father has sent for the horses to be prepared. Are you ready?"

Nodding her head slightly, she turned her attention back to the window, to the kingdom. Her mind lost in thought, contemplating the peace her parent's people would feel in just four days time, just by her signing her name on a piece of parchment. The Evil Queen would no longer place fear in the people's hearts. This should be a glorious day, but Emma couldn't seem to be happy about it. This was a woman who had done terrible things to Emma's parents and their people. Just deciding to make peace with her seemed like a cop out. Since Emma could remember they had been at war with Regina. The reason behind their feud was unknown to her. All she knew was it happened when her mother was but a small child. And yet, the feud had lasted all these years. Emma needed to understand why now; over a decade of fighting and now, peace is the way to go.

Charming entered the chambers stopping at his wife's side. "Is she well?" Snow nodded turning to give her husband a kiss.

"Yes, just deep in thought," even though it was whispered, Emma heard but chose not to respond. There was nothing for her to add, her mother spoke the truth.

"Are you well?" His hands fell to the swell of her belly causing the brunette to smile up at him. "I am."

Charming looked from his wife to his daughter. "Emma, it's time," the blonde sighed, turning to look at her parents,

"We are to be at her castle by nightfall. Dawn has just broke, why must we leave now?"

"Because we intend to give Regina no reason to renege on this treaty of peace," Emma rolled her eyes, repressing the urge to scoff at her father's words.

"It is she who asked for peace; I see no reason for her to renege."

Snow cleared her throat, "You do not know Regina as well as we do. We have been at war for many years."

Emma took a deep breath walking towards her vanity in search for a leather tie for her hair. "And she has yet to best our Army." Emma cut in as she sat at her vanity, maneuvering all of her hair into the leather tie.

Charming looked down at his wife before addressing his daughter. "We will fight no longer. We shall have peace."

"Must we father, her army cannot best ours, this has been proven time and time again. It is she who should fear us. There is no need to grovel before her feet begging her to spare us." Emma spit, rising from her seat at the vanity.

"I will not risk it, Emma, especially not now." Charming caressed his wife's swollen belly. "You're brother shall not be born during a war."

Emma turned toward her parents and sighed, "I was born in the midst of a war." her rebuttal was soft but her words were full of pain. It was well known that her parent's need for another child hurt the Princess more than she cared to admit or show. She hadn't actually met her parents until she was seven years old, due to them hiding her away in another realm. She knew it was done for her own good but there was bitterness at the fact that they wished to protect her brother in a way they failed to protect her.

Snow spoke up first, moving across the open space to take her daughter's face in her hands. "This is why we wish to save your brother from the same fate. Missing out on the first seven years of life was the most painful thing I have ever endured. I wasn't there for your first word or your first step. For seven years you called another woman mother. Though I love Johanna and am thankful for her sacrifice, I will never forgive myself for not being there for you. I know we've talked about this before but Emma I need you to know that we did it for you. We wanted to give you your best chance."

Emma nodded casting her eyes downward, the pain of being abandoned surfacing. She didn't want to feel the resentment that came with it. "Emma, I had to say goodbye to you when you were but a child, swaddled in a blanket that I knitted for you. And that was painful. I've seen you lie on your deathbed only for you to pull through. I feel as if our luck may soon run out. Fight no more, let us have peace."

Emma seemed lost in thought, the end of her mother's speech falling on deaf ears as flashes of the beast that nearly claimed her life plagued her mind. She remembered his weight, how the animal rendered her helpless. Weak. She remembered his sharp claws pulling at her pliant flesh, his teeth snapping at her jugular, his breath on her face. She remembered thinking she would die. Remembered feeling hopeless until the beast howled in pain and she was able to maneuver behind his weight, grabbing a fallen soldiers sword and plunging it deep into the beast's chest. Shoving the dead animal off of her she saw her mother running towards her frantic. That last thing she heard was her own name. She still had the scar on her back from when he attacked her. A coward's move, that's what her father called it.

"Emma….Emma?" She looked up at her mother, "Hey where'd you go?" Snow asked, wiping the stray tear that had escaped her daughter's stormy eyes,

"It's nothing, I'm fine." she sighed, giving her mother a small smile, "I will ride with father and I will be there to sign this treaty. We will have peace, and my brother will be born to a happy and peaceful realm." Snow looked at her daughter with a doubtful expression before her face broke into a smile and she placed a gentle kiss on her daughter's cheek. Looking down at her daughter's attire again, she worried her lip and took a deep breath,

"Emma, must you dress—" Emma cut her mother off with a slight raise of her eyebrow causing her father to chuckle, which he attempted to cover with a cough when Snow turned to look at him incredulously.

"Mother" Emma started garnering the brunette's attention, "It was agreed upon that I would not dress the part of a princess but the part of a warrior because that is what I am."

"You are also a princess Emma." Emma chuckled looking at her father who gave her a smile. She smiled back before returning her attention to her mother "I am a knight in my father's army. The best knight his army has ever seen. My name is known all over this realm, she needs to see that, see me. Not the princess but the knight. And we will be riding to her castle; it is not practical for me to wear a ball gown. In four days time, we will ride back, with her in tow and you will have your ball, proclaiming peace in the realm. And at that time, I shall dress as a respectable princess; and future queen." Snow smiled at her daughter, reaching up to remove the leather tie that Emma used to bond her hair.

"You could at least wear the purple riding coat" Emma turned towards her wardrobe to look at the purple velvet riding coat hanging.

Looking back at her mother, she smiled and shook her head, "That's her favorite color is it not?" Snow fell silent and looked away from her daughter. Emma ruffled her hair before speaking, "I'm going to sign the treaty; I will not kiss her ass in the process."

Before Snow could reprimand her daughter, Charming spoke up "Emma we must leave now." She smiled at her father's words, nodding her understanding. She leaned in and kissed her mother on the cheek causing the woman to smile, "Go make peace. This realm deserves it."