A/N: Recently, I was inspired (then somewhat challenged) to explore an AU story in which OUAT meets Gone with the Wind. I don't claim to be an 'expert' on either, though I am a huge fan of both, so I figured I'd give it a try. It goes without saying that several of the OUAT characters will be OOC – at least for awhile. Imagine GWTW set in the EF with a hint of Lieutenant Duckling in which the Lieutenant is more dashing rapscallion than naval officer. Anyhow, I hope you enjoy it. I definitely, humbly beseech you for feedback on this one, since it is somewhat of an experiment. Thanks!

Chapter One

"Hold still, your highness!"

Emma silently tightened her grasp on the bedpost, wincing as the corset bit further into her waist. "What is it now?" She asked, her voice somewhat strained by lack of oxygen.

Granny slipped the measuring tape around Emma's waist. "Eighteen inches," she replied. Her ruddy cheeks were more flushed than usual, strands of gray hair escaping her severe bun. "Vanity is certainly not a becoming quality," she muttered. "Not even for a princess."

Emma's lips twitched at Granny's grumbling. After all these years, Emma knew better than to take offense at her words. While not her true biological grandmother, Granny had watched over Emma since birth. She knew that any criticism was weighted with equal parts affection and trusted her above almost anyone else, certainly beyond any of the other servants. "You always say that, but you take almost as much pride in my appearance as I do."

Granny's mouth tightened. "And I see your modesty has not improved, either."

Smile widening, Emma turned toward the full length mirror, holding her new gown before her. The pattern of delicate moss dancing in the billowing white chiffon and taffeta set Emma's own green eyes sparkling. "I want to look so beautiful that all the young men will fall instantly in love with me," she remarked. Emma's thoughts filled with a pair of gentle brown eyes and an easy smile set within a handsome face. She meant what she said about desiring attention, but in truth, there was only one man she truly wanted.

Granny huffed. "I pity those young men already." Taking the dress from Emma's hands, she motioned toward the tea tray set beside the bed. "Eat your breakfast and then we'll finish getting you dressed."

Emma scowled – a patented sort of pout that she'd perfected as child. "I'm not hungry. I'm too excited to eat a bite. Besides, I prefer to wait for the banquet."

"You'll do no such thing. You'll make a glutton of yourself and turn away all those young men you plan to ensnare," Granny chastised.

"That's just a myth," Emma challenged. "Why, just the other day, Lord Cassidy commented that he admired a woman with a healthy appetite."

Granny's head tilted, her sharp gaze cutting straight through Emma's argument. "He may admire a woman like that, but I don't see him clamoring to ask for your hand."

Emma's eyes darkened, a true sulk furrowing her brow. With indulgent footsteps, she carried herself to the settee and proceeded to shove two pastries past her pouting lips. Granny rolled her eyes but said nothing. At nearly twenty years of age, Emma knew she was well beyond such childish behavior, though as the only child of Queen Snow White and Prince Charming, no one – not even Granny – dared to say too much about it.

"Have you decided which gown you'll wear this afternoon?" Granny asked, quite effectively changing the topic.

"The white one," Emma replied.

Granny spun to face her. "That dress isn't suited for the daytime. People will talk."

Emma laughed, her mood instantly lightened. "Yes. They will, won't they?"

"Emma darling, are you nearly ready? The carriage is here." The soft voice of Emma's mother preceded her appearance. Queen Snow White was widely recognized as the most beautiful lady in all the realms. With porcelain skin, hair as black as a raven's wing, and eyes like the purest emerald, her beauty was already almost too attracting. That she possessed a charitable nature and a true heart made her irresistible. Snow White's people loved her, as did her family. But that love was returned ten-fold. From Emma's earliest memory, she'd been in awe of her mother; admiring, yet not fully understanding Snow White's dedication to giving of herself so selflessly.

"Yes, almost," Emma replied. Setting aside the remains of her breakfast, Emma motioned for Granny to help her dress. A wordless battle ensued as the older woman hesitated, displaying her disapproval most clearly. Emma nodded her head firmly, insistence plain in her eyes. Granny sighed before slipping the fabric carefully over Emma's blonde curls.

"Oh Emma," Snow White breathed. "That dress is lovely. But, it's been so long since I've attended a gathering such as this that I fear I'm behind on the latest fashions. Times really have changed, it seems. Young ladies were never encouraged to share so much of their…delights…before the actual ball."

Granny's mouth curved upwards as Emma's own expression fell. "Yes, mother."

"Perhaps you'd like to borrow my shawl for the afternoon?" Snow White suggested. "It would certainly help keep your gown fresh for the evening."

"I'll just go and find it," Granny offered, leaving mother and daughter alone.

Emma searched her mother's expression, ever seeking her reassurance. Snow White smiled wryly before stepping closer and smoothing several ruffles which framed Emma's bosom. "My beautiful girl; you'll break some man's heart one of these days."

Warmth lifted through Emma's body from her toes to the fine bones of her cheeks. Beaming, she replied, "Shouldn't I rather try to claim his heart?"

Snow White's expression turned wistful. "I hope for nothing less. And one day, you'll find a man that your own heart won't be able to resist."

"Perhaps," Emma acknowledged, all the while feeding her imagination again with images of a crowded ballroom, bedecked in her beautiful gown and sweeping across the room in a perfect waltz with Neal Cassidy.

"Shall we go?" Snow White interrupted Emma's day-dreaming. She looped her arm through Emma's as they descended toward the large entryway of the royal palace. "I'm anxious to meet with the visiting delegates about the ogre problem. Lord French will be there," Snow White said, squeezing Emma's arm lightly.

"I'll be glad to see Belle. It's been awhile since we've had a chance to catch up, not since she left on her tour of the neighboring realms." Emma eyed her mother with a hint of accusation. It was no great secret that Emma had greatly desired to join Belle on her trip. Snow White and Charming had objected, claiming it wasn't safe for the royal heir to journey so far from home given the mounting tension with the ogres.

Snow White patted Emma's arm. "Yes, I imagine she'll have quite a lot to tell you. I hear even King Alaric of the fairies is attending, and he's bringing his daughter, Tinker Bell. You used to be such great friends."

A bitter taste welled in Emma's mouth as heavy discord chased all the remnants of her happy fantasy away. She scoffed; "We used to be friends. Perfect, sweet-natured, pixie-faced Tinker Bell. Never one to offer an opinion except to say yes or no, and so naïve she believes every word she's told."

Snow White's mouth opened in shock. "Emma! I'm surprised at you. Tinker Bell has never been anything but polite and welcoming toward you."

The burn of her mother's disappointment – not genuine shame – lit Emma's cheeks. It wasn't that she disliked the fairy girl; what her mother said was true. However, Emma had seen the way Neal Cassidy acted around her, had heard the rumors. The older generation made no attempt to hide their theory that the Cassidy family would look to strengthen their alliance with the Bells through marriage of their children.

"What's this?" Prince Charming approached Snow White and Emma, concern clouding his eyes. "I can't have my favorite girls frowning on such a beautiful day."

Snow White leaned in to accept Charming's kiss on her cheek. "Who's frowning?" She teased, gracing him with a wide smile. "Is everything ready?"

Emma couldn't contain her own slight grin as she watched her mother successfully navigate her father toward the awaiting carriage and away from his original observation. Just another of Snow White's many talents, she reasoned. Someday, perhaps she would be able to command a man's attention so thoroughly, and for more than just her beauty. But for now, she would work with what she had.

"Here you are. Be sure to keep this tucked around you," Granny instructed as she wrapped a lace shawl around Emma's bare shoulders. "I still say this dress is indecent," she commented under her breath.

Choosing to ignore Granny's remark, Emma tilted her face toward the azure sky and breathed deeply. "Wish me luck, Granny. My father's right; today is a beautiful day." Then, with the sun shining its blessing down upon her – at least that's how Emma saw it – she stepped into the carriage.

Thanks for reading! Thoughts?