I hope everyone enjoys this alternate universe fanfic as much as me and my rp partner (CaptainHookSparrow) enjoyed writing it.
Chapter 1 – Once Upon A Time
It was a sunny, warm day as she watched the waves, her green eyes staring straight ahead as she waits for the Jewel of the Realm. The Naval ship was to arrive a few hours after lunch and the almost eighteen year old princess looked impatient and somewhat nervous as she bit her lip seeing the outline of the ship she knew so well appearing on the horizon.
However, she was not the only one waiting for the grandest ship of the Royal Navy. A young man, a few years older than her, waited patiently too. The Jewel was to bring his older brother Liam, the youngest Captain ever.
But waiting was boring, so when Killian saw Emma approaching the docks, he jumped off the barrel he was sitting on and approached her with a smile.
"Hello, Princess." Killian started, knowing perfectly well she hated to be called like that.
Closing her eyes in annoyance, Emma huffed. She knew who that low, playful voice belonged to. Killian Jones. The arse. He always found ways to annoy and tease her, like she was some kind of game. She always saw the amused expression on his face, even when she retorted back. And calling her Princess was one of his favourite ways.
"Jones." Emma not even attempted a smile, when she glanced at him.
Killian offered her a bow and a wink. "Waiting for my brother as well?" He asked as he took a place on her side, looking at the ship approaching. "Be careful. I might get jealous."
Emma whiplashed her face towards him, glaring. "Jealous? Why would /you/ be jealous?"
Without answering, Killian shrugged, slightly amused by her reaction. "Look. One more hour and they're here."
"You can tell that by looking at the distance?" Emma raised her brows, surprised.
"Aye. You forgot I'm a sailor, Your Highness?" He glanced at her, his cocky way showing up since he was considered one of the best sailors alongside with his brother. "Next time it sets sail, I'll be going too."
Since he wasn't looking, he didn't see Emma's smile falter at the mention of his impending first great mission. And since there was too much silence, he continued. "What do you think are the news my brother brings?"
"I hope good news." A voice says from below, near the splashing water.
Startled by the sudden appearance, Killian looked down to the water where a mermaid was looking for something on a small purse. Finally, she puts what it looked to be a bracelet. Quickly she gets out of the water as human legs magically appear and a beautiful baby blue dress is put upon her almost bare body.
"Hey, Ariel. I was wondering when you'd get here." Emma smiled, hugging her best friend as the mermaid reached for them.
"Of course. I wouldn't miss Liam's arrival." Ariel let out softly, blushing at her own mention of the older Jones. Emma grinned, taking her friends hand.
Killian raised a brow, curious. "What are you ladies speaking of?"
"Nothing..." Emma eyes Ariel teasingly, both giggling as the red haired girl blushes even more, nudging the blonde one softly.
With a raised brow and boring look, Killian looked away from them, distancing himself from the girls giggle and chat.
An hour later, the Jewel of the Realm docked and Liam came down the gangplank with a bright smile. Both girls run for him, Emma letting Ariel hug him first.
"Someone missed me." Liam laughed as he hugged Ariel tight. Both exchange a few words in a soft whisper, before the ship's Captain looked to the other awaiting two. "Your Highness." He bows to Emma that curtsies him with a smile. "I hope all is fair and well with you." He took her hand and kissed the back.
"I bid well, sir. How was your journey?" Emma asked, slightly blushing.
"It was profitable, I believe. I will have a meeting with the King later."
"Yes. My father told me." She smiled, approaching Liam and hugged him. "Welcome home, Liam." She said to one of her oldest friends.
"Thank you, Emma." He hugged her back with a smile. Then, he looked at his younger brother and hugged him too, as they exchanged a few words between them aswell.
And as they do this, Ariel leans to Emma and whispers watching the brothers. "Aren't you suppose to get ready for a ball?"
"Don't remind me…" Emma rolled her eyes with an annoyed look.
"I can help. My father lets me stay up here for now." Ariel replied with a giggle, getting a smile out of Emma.
Though she was listening to her friend, Emma's green eyes were watching the Jones brothers as they talked. "How do you know when you're in love?" She suddenly asked to Ariel in a whispered tone.
The mermaid looked over to Liam and smiled. "I don't know… Maybe, when you can't wait to see them again, once you part ways for a while. Even if for an hour. Or when you smile as soon as you hear his voice, even before you see him… Why, Emma?"
The Princess cleared her throat. "Well… it's just… you're older and you seem to be in love already…"
"Liam is a great man. The best I know. He's gentle and strong. When we met, my father says I kept singing all the time."
In a second Emma beams, but immediately fades, sighing. "My parents say I should fall in love soon and marry a prince, then become a Queen…"
"That is true… But…" Ariel nods and then whispers with a teasing smile. "Killian is no prince."
"Pardon?" For the second time that day, Emma whiplashed, looking at Ariel.
The mermaid just winks as she sees the Jones brothers approach them.
"Here, they are. Whispering again, brother." Killian grumbles to Liam, gaining narrowed eyes from Emma. He chuckled. "Me and Liam are going somewhere else. See you ladies, later." He winked at both and starts to go ahead, letting his brother say goodbye to Ariel.
"He's so full of himself…" Emma mutters, seeing him disappear.
Liam chuckled. "Is like you didn't grew up with him, Emma. You should know him better."
"Oh, trust me. I do." She rolled her eyes, seeing Liam and Ariel exchanging a knowing look.
"I think you should go get ready for a ball, Your Highness." He took Emma's hand and kissed the back as well as Ariel's. "Ladies." Liam bowed and went to find his brother.
As both princesses see Liam disappear into the village and they start on the path back to the castle, Emma gives a deep sigh of annoyance. "What's so big about this ball anyway? It's only my birthday…"
"I don't know. But it's your eighteened birthday and that's always a good age to celebrate." Ariel smiled. "And I'm here to help you go through it. I know how much you hate balls." She looped her arm around Emma's arm knowing her friend well.
And Emma, like Ariel was expecting, huffed. "You better come with me. I don't want to get stuck with prissy girls. Or worse… Kid Brother Jones." She end up smirking, thinking of Killian.
"Does he know you call him that?" Ariel glanced at Emma.
"Of course not. But he calls me Princess, so now we're even." She winked at her friend that end up giggling.
The rest of the day is spent choosing gowns and make ups, getting ready for the ball in the middle of conversations, giggles and unexpected thoughts.
Ps: Reviews, pretty please? Me and CaptainHookSparrow would love to hear your opinion.