A?N: On her 16th birthday Princess Emma is taken by the Dark One to be held ransom until his son returns to him, but Emma doesn't know anyone named Baelfire and even if she did doubts he'd come anyway. When Killian finds out where Emma is being held hostage he sets out to rescue her with the aid of his best friend Neal. But Neal has been keeping secrets of his own.
Once Upon a Time AU. What if there was no curse and Emma grew up in the enchanted forest. I'm sure this has been done to death but I have not yet read any stories in this niche therefore I hope you find my idea's and twists captivating enough. Emma as the Swan Princess, Rumpel as Rothbart (obviously) :)
I own nothing, this is just for fun.
They never got along, Emma and Killian, but that didn't stop their families from bringing them together every summer. Killian would have preferred to spend his summers aboard his father's ship, and Emma would have rather spent hers alone.
Princess Emma, daughter of Snow White was being raised to be the heir of the kingdom of the Enchanted Forest. The Evil Queen was long since banished and forgotten.
It all started when Emma was just new born, Killian, his elder brother Liam and their father coming from a distant kingdom to present the babe with a gift.
"King Eric sends his regards" the ambassador announced, "but His Royal Highness is busy with the birth of his own daughter. As Admiral of the Kings Navy I hope I am a suitable substitute."
"Yes, of course" Queen Snow gushed, "and send my love to Queen Ariel, I wish her, the King, and their child every happiness.
"I shall pass along your message" the Admiral confirmed, "and allow me to present my sons, Liam, and Killian."
The two boys bowed respectively as their names were called. The Admiral stepped forward with a beautifully wrapped box and when opened produced a small golden music box.
"Oh it's beautiful" the Queen cooed, "isn't Charming?"
"Perfect" he agreed, "please pass along our compliments."
"Of course your majesties" The Admiral bowed low, ready to make his departure and head home when his youngest son tugged at his coat. Killian was only four and extremely shy, his speaking had been coming along great until the sudden death of his mother, after which he had yet to utter a word. He had a rectangular silver box in his hand and was using it to point at the crib, in which the baby princess lay sleeping.
"We too have a gift for the child." The Admiral admitted. It had been Liam's idea they bring their own gift as well upon stopping by a jewellers that sold the most beautiful designs. Killian was the one to pick out a rather plan silver chain with a swan pendant hung on it. It would be the least expensive gift the princess would receive but the boys had been insistent.
"You really didn't have to" the King was saying, acknowledging that they were here on behalf of the kingdom they herald from and that was enough.
"I am sorry, but the lads insisted" gently prying the box from Killian's chubby pink hand Admiral Jones presented the royal couple with the ordinary piece of jewellery. He almost felt ashamed, what would a princess want with a silver necklace. She would likely never wear it, but he had promised his boys he would give their gift to the babe, so he had.
"It's lovely" for a moment the Queen's cry startled him, "Where ever did you find it?" she asked all genuine curiosity.
"Just an ordinary village market my Lady. We happened upon it on our travels."
"I spent my fair share of time among the people of this land" she confirmed, "and never have I seen such excellent craftsmanship, such detail." She held up the necklace inspecting it, "your sons have good taste in jewellery, they will make fine husbands one day, no doubt." Her smile warmed him to his core.
"Your compliments my Lady, are too much" with that said and a final bow the Admiral and his sons departed. Thankfully they missed the appearance of The Dark One.
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Emma never knew who the necklace was from she just knew it was a part of her, like her soul. Idly she rubbed the swan pendant, not even noticing she was doing it, she did that when she was nervous. And she was nervous. Her sixteenth birthday was approaching and that meant big changes were coming. The silver chain brought to her a quiet comfort, it was the nicest piece of jewellery she owned, as far as she was concerned and not a day went by that she didn't wear it. It wasn't gaudy or cumbersome as some of her other pieces were. It was something she could wear while running through the woods chasing a hunt, its steady beating against her chest as steady as her own beating heart.
Emma had been fairly free to live her life, for being a princess. Being the product of True Love Emma was never pressured into a betrothal, her parents firmly believing she would find her own true love one day. Her closest confidant and friend Pinocchio was the son of a humble wood carver and was always there for her. Of course she had certain expectations thrust upon her but none as awful as having to play host to the Jones brother's. Every summer for the last ten years Liam and Killian Jones, and Killian's best friend Neal were brought to the summer palace by their father to wait for him to return from the dangerous journey up North.
The boys always loudly protested, as did Emma, but that didn't stop it from happening. Liam mostly kept to himself spending his time divided between the great library studying and taking sword lessons with the King. Killian and his mate Neal were more the causing trouble sort often finding things to keep them occupied avoiding the prying eyes of the nosy princess was one such game.
Emma watched the boys play with envy, not for lack of trying. She could play knights or pirates just as well as any of them. She had taken sword lessons from her father, and had her mother's prowess with a bow, but no matter how hard she tried to engage the boys they refused to let her join in. It really wasn't fair. And all these years the Queen was more than happy to have the boys stay with her for the course of the summer, their laughter and shenanigans filling the halls. This year however, would be different Killian and Neal would be joining Liam and the Admiral aboard his ship, after attending her party. It would be the first time they were permitted to take the perilous trek to the north Kingdom of Arendelle.
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Rumpelstiltskin appeared in a puff of gold smoke startling those nearest him.
"What's this dearies, having a party? Nobody invited me." He scoffed making his way through the crowd.
"That's because you weren't wanted." Grumpy growled somewhere to Rumpels' right, he threw him a disgusted look.
"I just came to warn you all to have a happy little time, while you can." He threatened in a cheerful tone.
"What are you planning Dark One" Snow demanded
"Nothing yet, dearie, besides shouldn't you at least thank me. Without my assistance you two would never have ended up together." When they didn't reply he continued, "No? What a shame. Well I had to make sure you ended up together so that she would be born, the product of True Love. It has been prophesised only she will be able to reunite me with my long lost son." He pointed to Emma's crib.
"And how is that?" Snow asked worry leaking into her voice.
"On her sixteenth birthday she will become cursed" here he paused for dramatic effect and those in attendance appropriately gasped. "She will become my slave until my son returns to me."
"No!" the Queen shouted in agony moving to stand in front of her baby. "You'll not lay a finger on her."
"I won't have to" he declared triumphant reigning clear in his voice "She was born with this curse."
Another shocked gasp from the bystanders made him look around, eyeing them wearily. With all eyes on him Rumpel decided to perform another magic trick in front of the crowd. As though from thin air he pulled a piece of gold thread that had been spun from straw and fashioned it into a broach. It was nothing overly special, just an ordinary looking clasp for a cape; it was shaped like an arrow.
"A gift, for the child" he said handing it to the Queen, "take good care of her" and just as suddenly as he had popped into existence he was gone again.
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Lost in the thoughts of the past Emma's parents startled her as they entered her room.
Emma hadn't been to many balls and didn't really like to dance. The only time she felt graceful on her feet were with a sword in her hand or if she were silently stalking through the woods. Not to mention she would be expected to dance with all the young men in attendance, which would include Killian, someone Emma despised. He had never been kind to her the few words they had traded over the years were barbs to her ears. And while their banter may have been amusing to those who witnessed it Emma could not forgive the cruel words that had stung her as a child.
"Oh Emma, you look beautiful" her mother cooed lovingly.
"She's right, you do" her father agreed.
"Thank you." Emma sighed in relief, "I was so worried I wouldn't look right, or fit in." Emma was used to wearing trousers and dashing through the woods, a sword at her hip or bow on her back, not puffy dresses and glass slippers. Of course her mother hadn't let her wear a puffy dress tonight either. Emma had picked out a bright red fabric and bell shaped pattern for her dress which her mother had said no to, with a gentle "maybe when you're older" tagged on. Instead she was wearing a slim white gown with turquoise corset and over skirt. Her shoes weren't made of glass either, thankfully.
Her long golden hair flowed freely down her back, for the last time. Tomorrow, when she was sixteen she would be forced to wear it up in braids because only little girls wore their hair down.
"Oh, Emma, this is your home, you will always fit in." Her mother drew nearer, "now let's pick out a necklace to go with that dress." Snow had picked the fabric especially to match a necklace of turquoise stones she was having made just for Emma, and withdrew the gift from her dress pocket to present to her daughter.
"Oh mother its beautiful" Emma said, genuinely liking it, "but, I thought I'd just wear this one tonight." She explained fingering the aged pendant again. The back was smooth from where she had spent years rubbing it but the front looked as though it had been etched the day before.
"Emma" her mother said, almost sounding like a scold, "Not tonight, it's your birthday party."
"And it was a birthday present, besides I don't turn sixteen until midnight. I am aloud to stay up until midnight, right?" she asked.
"Remember what happened to my friend Ella?" Snow asked
"I promise I won't turn into a pumpkin mom." Emma said, and for a moment her mother looked fearful as if her daughter might actually transform into a gourd upon turning a year older.
"Don't forget this." Her father interjected holding out a beautiful white feathered mask, it too had tiny pieces of turquoise attached to it, and a silk turquoise ribbon to tie it on with.
Emma smiled gratefully as she held up the mask to her face and her mother attached it for her. That had been one of her requests, that it be a masked ball. If no one knew who she was, she wouldn't be forced to dance with certain people.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
So far Emma's grand plan was failing spectacularly, everyone wanted to dance with the mysterious girl in white. After having trying on her mother's gift and eliciting a smile from the woman, Emma had forgone the stone necklace finding it heavy. It sat awkwardly on her neck, the rough, unpolished stones sticking into her collar bone. Emma replaced it once again with her swan pendant where it sat perfectly, just above her bust.
The music was playing and once again she was being approached by male figure. Emma nearly rolled her eyes ready to refuse as he bowed low in front of her, signalling the start of the dance, with no time to back out Emma merely curtsied her response and they started moving across the floor, she letting him led. It wasn't so bad she thought as he spun her around the polished marble.
Her partner was dressed all in black velvet, his long tail coat trimmed in silver to match his mask. His raven hair was just long enough to be tied at the back of his neck with a silver ribbon and Emma was almost drowning in his ocean blue eyes, when he spoke and spoiled the illusion.
"If you didn't want anyone to know it was you, Princess, you shouldn't have chosen that necklace." Her dance partner jousted, revealing himself to be Killian Jones.
"If you knew it was me, why did you ask me to dance." She parried.
"It appears the duckling has turned into a swan after all." He said bowing low again as the song ended and before she could retort he had turned tail and walked off.
Emma turned around flustered and frustrated, what in the world had that meant. Lost in her thoughts she didn't see where she was headed and ran right into someone. (Then again, maybe not.)
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry" she said apologising instantly.
"No, need to worry, it's only me." The man she had run into pulled up his beaky nosed mask to show a familiar face.
"Pinocchio" she sighed in relief.
"Emma, what's the matter." He asked suddenly full of concern.
"Killian" she began and before she could finish Pinocchio turned murderous
"What's he done to you now Emma, this is your party he shouldn't be ruining your birthday."
"No, its fine really, we just danced." She confessed, she loved it when Pinocchio came to her defense, especially against Jones but this time it felt different. "He actually said something I think was supposed to be nice."
Pinocchio's face relaxed into a warm smile, like he was guarding a precious secret.
"It's because he likes you Emma, he always has."
"That's not possible, he loathes me." Emma countered, "Remember how he used to tease me?"
"Yes, he called you names, and pulled your hair. He was a little boy Emma, it's the only way they know how to show affection."
"He called me an ugly duckling." Emma said frowning, just remembering his taunts was enough to make her ire rise.
"So he really liked you." Pinocchio said.
"I don't think so." Emma shook her head, after all this time, even if it was true then, she didn't want it to be true now. Too much time had passed, to many awful things said.
"Oh look, there's Neal, why don't you go dance with him." Pinocchio said looking for a distraction of any kind. He knew which battles were worth fighting, and this wasn't one of them.
He gave Emma a gentle push sending her in Neal's general direction. Unlike Killian, Neal had always been decent to Emma, often running into each other in the library and sharing a few quiet moments together over the summers.
Tonight Neal was dressed, not necessarily to match, but to complement his companion, Neal was dressed in brown where Killian was black, and gold in place of silver, his jacket was short sitting at his waist. His brown hair was a like a mop on top of his head, not near long enough to be tied back and not short enough to look clean.
He bowed to her excepting Emma's rushed curtsy as an invitation to dance which she only implemented to stop herself from falling.
"How are you this evening Princess?" Neal asked cordially.
Emma didn't reply, she was still rattled from her encounter with Killian. She knew she shouldn't let his words get to her but they did.
"My compliments to your dance tutor." Neal said grinning wickedly, cutting through her thoughts.
Emma smiled at that remembering how they had spent countless afternoons practicing in the library last summer. It was more than she could have hoped for. Neal hadn't complained as she'd stepped on his feet multiple times.
"Thank you" said Emma acknowledging his prowess as a dance teacher.
"Anytime Princess" Neal nodded accepting her compliment.
"You leave tomorrow?" She asked, it was better to make idle conversation then not talk at all.
"Yes" he confirmed
"Are you nervous?" it was a silly question but something prompted Emma to say it aloud. Neal had no doubt logged numerous hours aboard Admiral Jones ship just not on the risky voyage to Arendelle. Killian had been beyond furious the past two summers having to stay behind yet again.
"Not especially, I know it's a dangerous journey but they've been doing it for years, the whole crew is more than capable of handling the conditions." Neal reasoned, saying it out loud helped to calm his nerves too. He wasn't born on sea legs like his friend, Neal felt much more comfortable on land.
The song ended and Emma stepped away from Neal giving him room to bow.
"Excuse me please; I think I'll fetch a drink." Emma pardoned herself not giving Neal a chance to continue the conversation.
She was feeling jittery and she couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to happen. Everyone she talked to seemed on edge for some reason, even her parents, untraditionally throwing her party the night before her actual birthday. She needed to sit down.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Neal was watching Princess Emma from afar, she looked lost in her own home, dazed, when a dark voice pulled him from his thoughts.
"I saw you."
"Hello Killian." Neal said turning to face his friend, a giant smile plastered on his face.
"I saw you." Killian repeated darkly.
"Then do something about it." Neal pushed out. Killian would never have gotten anything accomplished if Neal hadn't been pushing him every other step of the way, and Liam the others.
"I can't" Killian moaned, defeated, actually hanging his head in shame. "Look at her Neal, she's beautiful, when did that happen?" Killian asked with genuine shock, like he had missed a child growing up. One day it was a baby, newly born and the next morning you woke up and it was a fully formed adult.
"What else?" Neal asked looking over at Emma. Neal took a moment to consider his own question, when he looked at Emma he saw a smart young woman, a good tracker, and a better sword fighter than she was dancer. He knew she was funny and liked to read, she was good at cards but loathed chess, and was as honest and kind hearted as her mother ever was. He hadn't spent much time with the young princess over their summers together, but he had gotten to know her better than Killian.
"I don't know." Killian admitted in defeat. His friend was right; he would never be able to properly woo a girl if he couldn't see anything beyond their appearance. It's not that he wasn't interested in finding out more about the women he met he just wasn't good at talking to them.
The young princess had always held his attention captive when she was anywhere near him but every time he went to say something nice the words would come out all wrong. It didn't help she was better than him at almost everything. It really wasn't fair.
"I have to tell her before we leave." Killian suddenly demanded shaking his friends' shoulders.
"Tell her what exactly?" Neal asked suspiciously.
"That I love her." Killian stated as if it was the next logical step.
"You do?" Neal asked confused, suddenly seeing the look on his friends' face he knew it was true, "you do."
"I need you to help me." Killian begged, "Please?" Killian flashed his biggest and brightest smile at Neal, the one he knew Neal couldn't refuse.
"Is this because we're leaving tomorrow on a dangerous expedition and you might never see her again? Because if that's the case just wait till you come back" Neal reasoned. While Neal hoped they both came back safely, on the off chance Killian didn't return he wouldn't make this colossal mistake.
"Danger, ha, I laugh in the face of danger. Hahaha!" Killian laughed mock manically.
"Right" Neal had a bad feeling about this. There wasn't too many of Killian's scams that he didn't go along with, but he was still a voice of reason, Killian's conscience if you will, keeping him from straying too far from the path. As long as Neal pointed out the right path he felt no guilt over Killian's ultimate decision.
"I need you to write her a note telling her to meet you by the lake at, say, midnight." Killian explained, he was too far gone there was no talking him out of this.
"Me, you want me to meet her by the lake?" Neal asked just to be sure.
"No, no, just say that in the note. I will meet her by the lake. But if you ask her to meet me she won't come." Killian detailed.
Yup, Neal was lost.
They found some parchment and ink in a nearby drawing room and Neal drafted up a short note.
Emma,
Please meet me on the bridge on the lake at Midnight.
Yours in faith, Neal
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Neal asked Killian one final time, after this there was no going back.
"Yes" Killian breathed out, like his life depended on it.
Still not totally convinced Neal made his move. He found the long nosed mask figure dressed in bright red and blue that could only be Pinocchio and advanced.
"A letter for Princess Emma, can I trust you to get it to her?" Neal said bowing to the multi-coloured figure in front of him. He could feel Killian watching him from behind his pillar across the room.
"Yes, of course." Pinocchio said.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Emma was a little surprised but not displeased when a light rap came at her door and she opened it to reveal her oldest friend Pinocchio.
"You left your own party early" he accused.
"I'm still in costume" she pointed out, "I just wasn't feeling myself. Needed a quick rest was all."
"Anything I can help with?" he asked concern clouding his face.
"No, I'm fine now, thank you. Was there something you needed, or were you just looking for me?" She asked as he lingered in her doorway. It wouldn't be appropriate to let him in, even though they were only friends.
"Oh, yes, you've a letter." He explained handing over the tightly folded paper.
"Oh, thank you." She smiled politely before accepting the note and closing the door behind her. She still wanted to be alone.
She read the note three times before its message began to sink in. Neal wanted to meet her before he left. How odd. While she accepted his companionship readily enough she never expected him to wish for a rendezvous before leaving. The boys' absence would be noticed this summer but Emma had already made peace with that. Hadn't earlier been enough of a good bye? She could send them off in the morning.
Emma looked out her tower window at the moon, it was high in the night sky, it must be almost midnight now. In a moment of rash decision Emma grabbed her red velvet cape, the one with the arrow clasp, and threw it on, pulling the hood up to disguise her better. It didn't matter she still had her mask on, most of the guests had already figured out who she was.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Killian was pacing back and forth on the wooded path by the lake. He was sure the roots of old trees were ready to snake up his legs to hold him in place but he was just so nervous. Emma was coming to meet him, to see him before he left. It was too much to hope for. Well she thought she was coming to meet Neal but once she saw it was him. What then? Would she run away terrified and disgusted? Would she simply see it as another one of his cruel jokes? Maybe he wouldn't let her speak; just capture her lips in a kiss. Whoa, were had that come from?
He really shouldn't have been surprised it was a thought that had captured his attention earlier. When they were dancing they had been so close for a fleeting moment he thought he might just lean forward and…
"Neal, is that you?" a soft voice called from somewhere to his left, the direction of the lake. It was Emma, and damn it all if she didn't sound just a little hopeful.
Well that was it then. All the rage and anger he had felt earlier was justified. He had become overwhelmed, completely consumed with jealousy when he had seen Emma dancing with who he thought was supposed to be his best friend. It had left him physically shaking until Neal had agreed to help him. But if Emma was in love with Neal, then it was already too late. Killian was about to make his confrontation with the lovers and declare that he too loved Emma and she would have to choose between them when he heard her scream.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Emma had managed to sneak out of the palace undiscovered and made her way to the lake. It was only mid-June but the night was warm. The moon almost complete and its light shone down on her illuminating the lake and its pathways leading to the bridge. Emma opted for the shortest path, forgoing the one that lead through the woods.
She stood on the bridge but a moment when she heard a rustling deep in the woods. She had just convinced herself it was one of her mother's animal friends when the rustling came again, this time closer to the lake's edge.
Gathering her courage and taking a chance she called out, "Neal, is that you?" she couldn't help it as a little bit of hopefulness leaked into her tone. She really hoped it was Neal, or an animal, this close to full moon, was it her mother's friend, Red? Emma didn't remember seeing Red inside.
"Red" she called, more softly.
"Hello Princess" said a sharp voice from behind Emma which startled her.
Pleased when she didn't scream Emma turned around to face the intruder who definitely wasn't Neal.
"Who, who are you?" she stammered out.
"You haven't herd of me?" he asked doing a sort of jig and twirling his spindly fingers in the air.
"No, sorry" Emma said, shaking her head. No one had told her of a strange man dressed in gold.
"The name is Rumpelstiltskin dearie, and I'm here to take you away." He said jovially.
"To take me away?" Emma asked startled, "Whatever for?"
"They really didn't tell ya, did they dearie" said Rumpel his face falling, clearly disappointed.
"Who tell me what?" Emma was just getting frustrated with this Imp, and where was Neal?
"Your parents" Rumpel said accusingly. "You are coming to live with me, it's the only way I'll ever see my son again." He explained his tone softening somewhat.
"Excuse me!" Emma extinguished clearly beyond baffled, if this was a trick it was the meanest trick anyone had ever played on her, including the time Killian had sent her tumbling into the lake during a game of seek.
For one wild moment Emma thought about shouting his name. The look on his face when he realised she had figured out his trick would be funny, and they would laugh it off. But something made her hesitate. This man before her was magical, she could feel his powers emitting off him in waves, and it was dark magic.
"I'm sorry sir, but I don't believe I know your son." Emma said, taking the gentle approach, "what was his name?"
"It doesn't matter if I have you, he will come back to me" with that the man advanced, hands out stretched, and when his cold hand wrapped around her wrist she really did scream.