Disclaimer: I don't own shit.
A/N: I couldn't sleep so I wrote this. Idk why but it got dark real fast. wtf brain.
How much is a life worth?-Chapter 1
The sun had already set and all the villagers had already taken their leave, resting for the next day that is sure to come. That is, all the villagers but one.
Emma Swan sat alone in the dark with nothing but a single candle for light. She sat there staring at the contents in her hand, 20 gold pieces. 20 gold pieces is what her life is worth. After the Dark King and Queen of the Enchanted Forest decreed that taxes be raised due to the never ending war with the White Kingdom, the blonde found herself in a never ending nightmare. Her choices were taken from her. Her body sold countless times resulting to the 9 month son now sleeping in his bundle.
Sadly, her efforts weren't enough. The young woman scoffed at this thought. It's never enough. It didn't matter how much men she "entertained"—her debts kept getting higher and higher and she began to lose her strength. No longer did she see a happy ending in her future. No longer did she see things in color. No. She had lost all hope and in the end, she lost herself. The idea of death came to her in her dreams countless times and she couldn't help but wish for such a sweet escape from this hell she called life.
Had it not been for the new born sleeping peacefully against her chest, she would have taken her own life a long time ago. If it weren't for him, she'd be sleeping peacefully too. But the more permanent sleep.
Taking a deep breath, she carefully put the 20 gold pieces into her sack before gathering the precious bundle into her arms, looking back at the place she once called home giving it a silent good-bye. Not being able to look any longer, she rushed out into the cold air never to return again.
After a full nights walk, the young woman finally reached her destination. Careful not to wake the child in her arms, she slowly climbed the steep steps leading to the small cottage up the hill. Keeping in mind the time of day, she knocked lightly on the door praying for an answer. Time seemed to slow until finally the door swung open.
On the other side of the door stood a thin brunette with big brown eyes and a brilliant smile placed on her lips.
"Emma," she said with such love in her voice the blonde began to weep clutching the infant in her arms as if he were the only thing keeping her from floating away.
The younger of the two looked at her with curiosity not knowing the reason of her friends' grief. She slowly pulled the other woman into the warm house hugging her as best she could with a still sleeping child between the two.
"Emma, what's wrong?"
"Ruby, I need to speak with granny. I need to speak with both of you."
Ruby nodded, not wanting to push further knowing that things would be explained in a short while. She turned to wake her grandmother only to see that she had seen the whole ordeal.
The eldest of the three looked at the blonde with sad eyes already knowing the words about to be said.
"Ruby, go put on a pot of tea. Emma dear, come. Let us sit."
Emma nodded walking with granny towards the fire place where a sitting area had been placed, waiting for her young friend to join knowing she had a lot to ask of the two women.
Once Ruby came with a tray of tea, Emma looked at the matching pair of chocolate eyes and began to explain herself.
"Granny…Red. I've done some things that I'm not proud of. Once the taxes were raised, I had no other choice. It was either live on the streets or—or," she choked on her own words beginning to sob.
Closing the distance between the two, the elderly woman enveloped her into a gentle embrace providing what little comfort she could give.
"hush child. We know, we know. The days that we live in, a woman has to do what she must in order to survive. And you…YOU are a SURVIVOR. Do you hear me? You, Emma Swan are a SURVIVOR and don't you ever apologize for it."
Emma nodded into the crook of the older woman's neck reducing her sobs to uncontrollable jerks. Taking a deep breath, she released herself from the warm embrace, thankful to not have to explain and relive those awful years tending to the needs countless men.
"I need to ask something of you two. And I know you owe me nothing but…you are the only family that I have," silent tears began to roll down her checks thinking about the request she is soon to ask. "I need you to please, please care for my child."
"Emma, what's going on? Are you in trouble?" Ruby asked, her eyes wide with confusion and worry.
Not being able to look either of them in the eye, Emma told her story.
"All my life, I've fought. I fought for the house I once owned. I fought for love and I fought for what I believed was right. I once thought that true love could break any spell and that there was good in everyone. And then this…this WAR started. I lost my small shop in the market place. I lost my home. I lost my parents. I thought I had lost everything. But I was wrong…I was so wrong.
After Neal came up to me that one night on the streets, it—it was so cold. I remember how well groomed he was and how nice he was to me. It had been months since someone smiled at me or talked to me—even looked at me. I remember how he told me he could give me a place to stay the night. Somewhere warm and dry. I was so cold. So hungry. And so…so lonely. I didn't think twice, I thought he was the kind gentlemen that he led me to believe. Ha! If only…
Once we got to his house, I knew something was wrong. There were men—countless men in line to enter what I thought was a tavern. Not thinking twice, I walked into the door he oh so kindly opened for me. That's when I saw the naked women…tending to the men. Unashamedly pleasuring them for the small price of a coin."
Emma looked down at the sleeping infant in her arms, finding some peace by looking at his innocent face. Taking a deep breath, she continued her story.
"That first night, I wasn't offered to those men. No, Neal wanted me first—at least that's what he told me. He said that I belonged to him now. That I was to pleasure and fuck who and when at his command. That was when I realized that we were alone in a small room which only contained a four post bed and a dresser. He told me that this was now my room, where I'd work for his 'great hospitality.' He took my innocence that night. I thought I had lost all that I held dear to me. But he proved me wrong by taking the one thing I had left, my dignity.
He would rarely allow another man to touch me or fuck me. But he did. He would stand there, watching, making sure I put on a good show for his friend. I had to pretend to like it—want it. As if it were my choice to sell my body to anyone who desired.
Once he noticed my body changing, he sent me to a secluded house where I would stay until his child was born. I overheard him one night, he was drunk and talking with his friends telling them that the moment my child entered the world, he would sell it to the first bidder to do as they pleased with my baby. He said he wasn't the father. That I was a whore, but I knew that this child growing in me was his. I begged him to leave his child be. That he would never have to lay his eyes on him. My answer was a beating that I can never forget.
Once he left me at the house, I fled not caring where I went. My only thought was to keep my child safe from the clutches of his father. I was able to find refuge at a church where I pleaded for refuge. I stayed there until my child was born and with the help of the priest, I found work that allowed me to rent a room.
I thought I had finally found my peace. But then they rose taxes again and I slowly began to drown in debts. I had no choice…I—I sold myself to the royal house in order to erase all debts and received 20 gold pieces. That's how much my life is worth!" The blonde began to sob, tasting the salty tears running into her mouth.
Seeing the distraught woman before them, Grandmother and Granddaughter closed the gap, holding the sobbing mother. As they silently rocked the woman until it was just silent tears running down a tired face.
Gaining her composure, Emma spoke again.
"I've come her to ask you two to take care of Henry. I know it's a lot to ask…but you're the only ones I trust to take care of him. Love him. Teach him right from wrong. If you are to refuse, he will become a slave like me. Not being able to have the freedom he so rightfully deserves. I am expected at the palace once the sun is highest in the sky. So I must know, do you accept my request?"
Emma didn't look at them while speaking. She couldn't make eye contact, seeing the pain in their face reflecting her own. So she held herself together as best she could, waiting for the answer that would define her sons' life.
Stroking blonde curls out of the woman's' face, granny spoke.
"The boy will be safe with us. We will love him as our own. He will not know the ache of an empty stomach or the pain of cold. And he will never—NEVER feel alone."
Tears of joy and heartache rolled down the blondes cheeks from these words. She slowly brought her lips to the forehead of the perfect creation in her arms before handing him to elderly woman. Not being able say another word, she handed Ruby the sack of gold hoping it held them off for a while knowing it wouldn't before leaving the one thing she loved most, her son.
#
She reached the Dark Castle, who had a guard waiting for her arrival. He led her into the crown room where they awaited their turn to speak to the royals. Before she knew it, it was time.
The blonde walked with as much confidence she could muster up until she reached the two royals seated at their respective thrones. She saw the King first, careful not to make eye contact. She noticed his bear belly and wrinkled body, he was probably in his late 60's shown by the abundant white hairs gracing his bolding head. Next to him sat his Queen. Emma couldn't help but run her eyes along the sitting royal appreciating every dip and curve of her body. The Queens hair was done up in an elegant high pony tail, cascading down reaching her lower back. Her make-up was dark, accenting her almond eyes and plump red lips. It wasn't until the young woman made eye contact with the Dark Queen did she realize the thoughts running through her mind making her quickly turn her gaze in fear of punishment sure to be brought by her disrespect. But it never came.
Once she was a couple meters away from the Royals, she went on her knees as gracefully as she could, bowing on her hands and knees waiting to be addressed. She sat there for what felt like hours but probably a minute at most. Getting the nod from the King, the royal announcer began to speak.
"State your name and reason."
Still bowing she kept her eyes to the ground," My name is Emma Swan and I have come here to report to your Highnesses as I have sold my freedom to the Royal family of the Dark Kingdom. I am here to state my loyalty and pledge what is left of my life to my beloved King and Queen, awaiting your wishes of me."
Seeing her Husband's wandering eyes of the slave, the Queen felt a pang of possessiveness towards the blond and before the King barked out orders to be sent to his chambers she subtly placed her hand on his thigh squeezing suggestively. Distracted by the Queens touch, words forgotten, the Queen spoke
"Yes, Emma Swan. You will be my personal servant. Guards, escort her to the servants' quarters and have Jasmine explain her responsibilities. Tell her that I expect my new slave in my chambers this evening."
Nodding to his Queens orders, the guard does as told.
Watching the blondes retreating form, the Queen smirks excited to play with her new toy come dark.
A/N: Let me know what you think. and give any ideas for how things play out. thanks for reading, hoped you liked it. :3