Prologue:

In a land where magic has been defeated once by the birth of a savior a kingdom lay in constant threat of attack by the would-be Queen Regina and her mother, the witch Cora. Blinded by the desire to rule the land and a lacking conscious to see the wrong from their believed right, a prophecy was written by the man known as the Dark One. On the shoulders of the Princess Emma lay the safety of every man and beast with in the kingdom's limits and the knowledge that when they day comes she may sacrifice herself to save her people.

Chapter One

The Palace was in a state of unrest as the guards dragged the pirate through the halls from the dungeon. Whispers had already gone through the castle like a winter wind, bringing forth the unfortunate news that he was in league with the witch Cora, who was bent on destroying the kingdom with the aid of her daughter Regina. The two had been trying for nearly twenty-eight years to kill the Princess – in hope of ruining the prophecy that prevented them from ruling the kingdom in place of Prince Charming and Snow White.

"You're stretching my shirt out lads," The pirate retorted snidely as they pushed him forward onto his own two feet. "Finally, a bit of freedom." He rubbed his wrists, paying careful attention to the pain where his hand had been and now sat a threatening hook – if they'd permitted him to keep it on. But, no – the guards had forced it off of him with a searing pain. Heathens, the lot of them.

"He was caught stealing from the carriage." Charming said firmly, shooting a disparaging glare at the pirate captain. He turned to Snow, asking her opinion of the situation without having to utter a word.

"There is a punishment that must be doled out for all thieves." Snow sought to be a just Queen, instead of forcing cruelties upon the innocent. But this man was far from innocent.

The Princess sat entranced as she stared at the blue eyed pirate. She knew him – knew those eyes. But perhaps she was being a fool to even place that face onto this form. The last she had seen of him was… No, she wouldn't allow herself to even think of him.

As she looked at the man who had had every intent to kill her in the carriage, she spoke words that she knew she must "Spare him." There was something in him that she had never seen in another man.

"Emma?" Snow asked curiously, the tilt of her head mirroring her husband's as they stared at their daughter. She was truly old enough to know the difference between good and bad. Though sheltered as she may have been with the weight of a prophecy to protect the kingdom with her very existence, she was not seeing things clearly now.

Her eyes stayed on the pirate's face, willing him to meet her eyes instead of ducking his head like a coward. Slowly she spoke to Snow, "Weren't you stealing from father when you met?" Emma smirked, rising to her feet suddenly. She swept her blond hair behind her shoulders, turning on her heels to face her parents. "Spare him."

A cough came from the pirate and they all turned to stare at him. "If I might speak?" Hook interjected, raising his hand in a show of mock surrender, "It would seem that you've got yourselves quite a challenge on your hands there." His blue eyes finally met Emma's and he kept them locked on face, "And I do love challenge."

A laugh escaped the princess' lips as she made her way down the stairs of the throne platform. "I will ask only once more that you spare him."

"He is working with Cora." Charming insisted, unsure of what had gotten into their typically level-headed daughter.

"James," Snow said quietly, stroking her husband's arm. "Let him stay in the dungeon. It is not death and it is not the final sentencing." Her eyes met her daughter's, sending her an unsaid warning to beware of what might occur. A pirate was not to be trusted with anything. Especially one who was perhaps working for the opposite side of the line.

Emma retired to her chamber for the evening, knowing that the pirate that had attacked the carriage was safely kept within the dungeons of the palace. Not even Cora, intent on retrieving her puppet, would be able to break through the magic that was cast over the castle. Magic that was used to protect her. Because she was the savior of the kingdom whether she liked it or not.

She longed for the days where she once found freedom in a world so very different from this land, but those days were lost to childhood innocence To hear everyone tell it, she had far more pressing issues to be concerned with. Like being prepared to sacrifice everything she had for a kingdom she didn't care about. There was nothing special, nothing wonderful here. Not after everything she saw in… That other land.

A land she left behind because she felt obligated to.

Emma stared out her window, pressing her forehead to the cool glass. There were so many memories of a world beyond this window. The gentle tap of knuckles against the window and the excitement in the pit of her stomach.

Blue eyes.

Her eyes flew open at the realization that she knew without a doubt who the man in the dungeon was. There was only one person in the entire world and all other worlds who could make her feel that way. That rush of excitement and nerves and the desire to see the stars at night as they faded into the amber hues of morning.

Emma slipped into a comfortable shift before making her way through the winding corridors until she reached the door way to the dungeon.

"I'd like through thank you." Emma said firmly to the guard, giving him a very stern look. "Now, move aside."

The guard shook his head , "Prince Charming's orders."

"Who is my father and I have his permission to go below. Step aside." She blinked, unfaltering as she moved to go around the guard. "Thank you." Was her curt reply before descending into the depths of the dark dungeon. It was musty and wet smelling below the castle and she feared for anyone who was trapped down here indefinitely. Death seemed kinder.

"Don't they frown upon princesses come out of their chambers? You might get dirty." Killian stated dryly, watching as the young woman approached his cell. Gods, she'd grown up well. Beautifully. He masked the longing in his eyes with his haughty attitude, trying to ignore the way his pulse rushed.

"Maybe I want to get dirty." Emma replied as her eyes widened at his shockingly blue eyes as they met hers. "Everyone needs a little adventure in their life." Something he'd once given her, she was sure of it now.

Killian shook his head with a judging little sigh. "I believe that your parents keep you under lock and key because of that little prophecy Rumplestiltskin wrote about you." He swallowed shakily as she approached even closer. Oh Emma, how she'd aged so beautifully.

Emma gave him a knowing smile, "I'm well aware of why you were attacking the carriage." That knowledge made her heart sink within her chest. "I know that you were sent to kill me."

Killian's eyes flickered to her fingers as they wrapped around the bars of his cell. With his right hand he covered her hand, stroking her fingers slowly. Having her so near again made everything seem better, except the flaws. The flaws of who he was today. "I'm not a good man, princess."

"I've never asked you to be," Emma replied quietly, her eyes closing at his touch. She had him back and she'd fight heaven and hell not to lose him again.

A/N: Art for this fanfiction may be found on Tumblr on aazelma, beneath the tag 'thepirateandtheprincess'. I look forward to continuing the story that began as a set of AU, drabble fics.