part two of chapter one :)
He took the stairs downwards. Everyone was watching him. He hated all the attention he was getting now. This was not the life he had gotten used to. He barely has been in his own kingdom. All these people surrounding him these days were total strangers. How was he supposed to lead these people? He was never taught the traditions and ideals of his people. He did not know how they were thinking. He thought he had a few more years to train to be the king. All of this came too suddenly.
„There you are, your majesty." „Yes, your majesty, we have been waiting for you." „Stop calling me that, David and Graham. You are my two best friends, we grew up like we are brothers. Nothing has changed between us." „As you wish … your majesty." The two of them were giggling. Sometimes they were driving him crazy. He could not handle being king and they always reminded him of this huge responsibility he had now. He needed a bit normality in his life. He needed his friends to treat him no different than before. He may be the king now, but he has not changed. He was not a different person, he still was same-old Killian.
„Stop mocking me, after all I have lost my father yesterday." Now the two of them looked guilty. „Sorry, Killian, we were not thinking." Although he had hardly ever gotten to see his father, he still mourned him because he always had wished for them to be closer and now they were never getting the chance to get to know each other better. Nonetheless, he would forever be thankful for his father sending him away. He had a great childhood, filled with laughter and joy far away from war. He did not grow up living in fear. He knew his father had sent him away for the wrong reasons, for him to become a good fighter and ruler but that did not matter to Killian. All that mattered was, that he was happy. He felt loved and David and Graham became his family. He recalled all the times they were running around in the forests, playing hide and seek or just trying to catch each other or fooling with their teachers.
On the day he had returned into his kingdom, he saw all the children hiding from the warriors, some of them clutching to their mothers, some of them looking very poor and skinny like they were living on the street. There were too many of those. There were barely any men around, he guessed they were all sent to war, no matter if they had received a training or not, no matter if they were farmers, servants or soldiers. Children were growing up without their fathers and the whole kingdom was hungry, there was barely something to eat since most of the farmers were at war too. Happiness and carefree were words unknown to his people.
He realized he wanted to change things. He wanted to hear the children laughing, he wanted the farmers to work on the fields, he wanted the families to be back together like it should be. He wanted every child to have the worry-free childhood he had lived. His people deserved … peace.
He did not want to continue this useless war his ancestors had started. He held no grudge against the other kingdom since he did not know what had happened in the past, who started the war and so on. This war felt so wrong.
He had to stop it but not under the cost of more lives. No man should be killed on the battlefield anymore. His father could not see past his thirst for power, to rule more people and more land. But he was different. Killian just wanted to create a kingdom where the people wanted to live, where they could be happy.
David placed his hand on the shoulder of Killian. „You okay?" Killian's thoughts were interrupted. He turned around to face his loyal companions. Graham and David. They had to support his idea or else he would not be able to fulfill it. „I never thought I could be a good king…" „Killian, you will be a wonderful king no one is as…" „Please let me finish before you speak, okay?" Both were nodding. „But I have a duty now, a huge responsibility. All those people that count on me now, I don't want to disappoint them and I thought all I would do would be a disappointment to them, since I could not understand them since I did not grow up here. But I realized the only way to prove myself as king is to give them what they all secretly hope for. This was never our war to begin with, to my mind it is useless to continue it. I will do anything to make peace with the other kingdom but I want to spare my people from more suffering, from loosing more men. I have made up my mind about what the next step should be and I hope you will have my back. I will make a deal with the other kingdom. I am offering them a duel to stop this war, the winner will be the victor of the war. Their chosen warrior against myself. So only my life will be endangered."
His friends stared at him silently. He feared they thought him to be a coward for even suggesting such a thing. But then both their expressions changed and they proudly looked at him. „I always knew you would be a great ruler that leads his people out of darkness and show them the way to freedom and choice." „Thank you, David." Graham shook his hand. „A brilliant idea, Killian. I think you are exactly the king this land needs. They will be celebrating you and they should." Killian felt a wave of relieve overflowing him. They were the only two people whose opinion mattered to him. „Then I should better send someone to the enemy, to present the antagonistic king my offer."
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Something was tickling Emma's throat. Her eyes shut open, taking in Rumpelstiltskin pressing a sword to her esophagus. She could feel the sword nicking her skin. A drop of blood was running down her neck. All of her senses were sharpened, everything in her was alarmed, her muscles tensed and yet, everything in her was ready to fight him. She had no idea if this was part of his training or if this was his plan all along. Killing the princess or rather kidnapping her and making a lot of gold with her. The imp was staring down at her. His sword drew further down, ripping her skin slightly open while doing so. She needed to wait for the right moment. He needed to think she was vulnerable and not able to protect herself. She could see out of the corner from her eyes that the sword he had given her yesterday was only lying inches away from them.
His sword reached the collar of her dress, tearing it apart. His eyes wandered down, they left her's. He was admiring her cleavage. That was the moment she had been waiting for. With all her strength she kicked him with her foot. He tumbled a few steps behind. Within the blink of his eyes Emma had grabbed the sword and had jumped up. She was watching him, waiting for him to make a move.
He struck with his sword but she parried without effort. The small man lunged for her again and met her sword. Steal against steal. They were circling each other. Emma had a good eye to catch his lack of defense when there was any and she tried to stab him there. But he was in good form. She did not reach his skin once. They both struck the other with equal fierce. Their fight seemed to last for hours and then suddenly, Emma had him cornered, he was surrounded by trees there was no chance for him to escape her. On her forehead sweat was glancing, her clothes were drenched with her sweat and she could feel her muscles getting sore. Nonetheless, she gathered all the strength she had left and with one final blow of her's his sword flew out of his hand. Now she was the one pressing her sword against his skin.
They were many reactions Emma had expected from him, every expect the one she received. He was disappearing in front of her eyes in a cloud of purple. She looked around but could not glimpse him. Suddenly, she heard someone clapping from above her. She looked up and he was sitting on a branch. „You are a natural, dearie. Your blows were so precise and I was not even close to hurting you. I have to admit I had not expected you to be this good at fighting." He jumped down and was now standing in front of her again.
„You implemented the training on the cornfield perfectly in our fight." Emma knew he was right. Her strokes never missed the spot she had aimed for, just like all the days when she had tried to cut the corn in equally long hems. And due to days of training she was used to the weight of the sword, her body was seeing it as the extension of her arm. She knew exactly how to move with the sword. Yesterday she had thought she wasted her time on the cornfield but now she could see the sense behind it.
„I guess you are right." „Good, dearie, then we can go on to the next step. Bow and arrow." „But don't you think I need more training?" „We don't have much time, dearie, you have to be back in the castle in three days." „How do you know that? What exactly are you, Rumpelstiltskin?" „Well, you can think of me as your fairy godmother." „Fairy godmother?" One of her eyebrows was raised. „Anyway, there is not much more I can show you with the sword. You seem to have it in your blood. We should move on." „Go ahead then."
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Killian was sitting on his white horse. He, Graham and David were riding in the forest, the wind was blowing in his face. He was riding in the front, David and Graham chasing him. He had needed a time away from the castle. He could not bear it to be trapped in the castle for so long. He loved being outside, being one with nature. David and Graham shared this feeling. He could hear the rataplan of hooves behind him and the yelping of the guys.
Since the enemy king was considering his offer, they had declared armistice for the time being. So this was a small victory, although the men could not be sent home since Killian could not know if he could trust the other king with his word. He was praying for the king to accept the duel. Their kingdom needed it as much as his.
„Killian, stop! We are far too near to the enemy's border." But Killian did not listen and just hied the horse beneath him. He loved this horse, it was so much faster than any livestock he knew. Graham and David were far behind him. Killian was grinning, he had not felt this alive in days.
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„Just like that, but stretch it a little more and hold your arm a little higher up." He helped her adjust her arm. „What is my target? Should I aim at one of the trees?" „No, they are far too near. Aim at…" He was grinning because he knew everything would work like he had always foreseen it. „..the sun." Emma let the bow down. „What? But that's not possible! You cannot reach the sun, I have read that it is very far away from earth." „Just do it, dearie." „That's impossible!" „Nothing is impossible, darling, if you just believe it!" He lifted the bow again and adjusted her arm. He was standing behind her. „You have to erase that word out of your vocabulary." Emma drew the bow. She knew that she was never going to hit the sun but she wanted to prove it to him, so she took aim at the sun. Her muscles were burning. „Take your time, dearie." Emma positioned the bow so that the arrow was pointing in the middle of the sun. Her breaths were even and shortly before she was ready to fire, she closed her eyes and counted to three.
The arrow was flying high in the sky, it was climbing higher and higher until you could almost not glimpse it anymore due to the shining sun. But then Emma saw it falling down. Feeling good she turned around and said to him: „See, I told you it was impossible." „We shall see." „the goddamned arrow crushed down, haven't you seen it?" „I am afraid not." „I will prove it to you, we will look for that stupid arrow and I will shove it up your arse." „Such a language for a princess, who taught you that?" „Books." She trotted in the direction the arrow had been flying, not even caring if the imp was following her.
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Killian was enjoying this trip more and more. The fresh breeze was doing wonders to his mood. He had felt so tensed for days. Now it felt like this huge weight has been lifted from him. The horse jumped over a stump. The second it landed down, Killian saw something flying towards him with an awfully fast speed. He turned his head in the right moment, so that the thing only nicked his skin on the cheek slightly. He had a scratch that was bleeding lightly. The thing crushed into the tree behind him and now Killian could see that it was an arrow. Was this an assault on him? Had King James hired someone to kill him off?
Killian looked around, he saw nothing. But then the sun fought it's way through the trees. He caught sight of golden curls that were running away from him. This day just got better.
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Where was her fairy godmother when she needed it? Emma was sprinting as fast as she could but she knew she could never compete with the soldier on the horse. That's why she jumped into the scrubs where she thought he would not follow her or at least not on horse. The thorns were scratching her skin but she did not mind. She just did not want to meet anybody so close to the border. Maybe he was an enemy. Maybe he would recognize her as the princess. Maybe he was going to kill her and she did not even have that sword with her. She cursed herself for leaving it behind. What was all the training worth for when she did not bring any weapons with her?
She could hear the stranger yelling but only when he got closer, she understood what he was saying. „Wait! Please, I am not going to hurt you! Where are you, come out?" Emma did not move, so that she would not make a sound. At first, she could not see him but when he got off of his horse, Emma got a good look on him. Dark hair, a dark beard, weird clothes (much black leather mixed with fur which she has not seen anywhere before) and the bluest eyes she has ever seen. She had to admit he was not bad for a man, although she would never admit that aloud. She cursed herself for even thinking of this man as being a bit attractive. But she wanted to get a better sight on him, that's why she leaned a bit forward. In the process, she lost her balance and had to steady herself with her arm. She heard the clicking of a breaking branch or something like that. She held her breath, she hoped he had overheard that.
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Killian did not know why he had followed her. He had not even seen her face. But she was just so appealing to him since it seemed she has sent that arrow. Did she really want to hurt him? Or was she just practicing in the woods? Did she confuse him for an animal? Why was she even caring bow and arrow with her? He had never imagined a woman being interested in that stuff. And he had met quite many women. None of them had ever asked him to show them how to use a bow. Most women he had met were beautiful but nothing more. He had always gotten bored of them after a few days, he only enjoyed the time in bed with them but could not stand them outside of bed. All their useless talks about dresses, shoes and balls. Maybe that was the reason he followed her, to get to know her story.
But somehow he had lost sight of her. He dismounted the horse and started talking. Maybe he could lure her out. „Please, I am not going to hurt you. Are you still there? Come out, will you?" He had almost lost hope when he suddenly heard a noise coming from the brushwood. He turned his gaze in the direction of the noise. At first he saw nothing, but then again there was this shimmering of gold from far in the scrubs. He drew his sword to fight his way deeper into the scrubs.
And then he saw the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen, they were like from a fairytale, like green gems. He had stopped in his movements, paralyzed by those eyes. He could not see much more of her, expect of her long, golden curls. He lay his sword down so that she did not think he would hurt her. But when he looked up, she was gone. „No, please stop!" He took the sword again and hurried after her. And then he heard a scream.
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Once his eyes had met her's, Emma's whole body screamed at her to flee instantly. Her whole body was tingling. And when his eyes left her's she took the opportunity and pushed backwards through the scrubs. But then one of her foot touched into nothingness, she tried to hold onto something but she only ripped the scrubs with her, she was falling. A scream escaped her mouth.
Mercifully, she was able to grip a strong root and she stopped falling. Her arms screamed at her for the sudden halt and the sudden strength she needed to hinder herself from falling down. She glanced downwards, a few meters below was a lake or something. She would just let go if there were not those rocks she was not sure she could avoid.
She heard noises coming from the cliff. She still hoped he would not find her. Even if she might needed help to get up there.
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He finally saw the end of the scrubs. He had sped up his movements since she sounded like she needed help. „Stop right there, intruder", a voice like the tweeting of a bird was saying. In front of Killian a woman was standing. Her skin completely white, her dress completely white, her hair completely white. Her eyes not human since he could not see his reflection in them but moving animals. He had never seen someone like her. She was not standing but floating. „I am the forest spirit, the protector of everything living just like the plants you where destroying." „I am sorry, I did not mean too." „Well, you cannot undo the damage you caused. I want you to leave immediately."
„I am looking for someone." „No human being ever strays into this part of the forest." „But I saw this woman with beautiful eyes and long hair, I could not see much more." „Ah, the woman you describe is not of your kind. She is a nymph." „But her scream sounded rather human." „That's only because human eyes have surprised her, soldier." „I don't care what she is, I need to find her." „I am sorry, but it is not allowed for a nymph to meet with human beings. You will get her into trouble. The nymphs are very strict if someone disobeys their rules." Killian felt like someone was taken from him although he had never met her. It was like there was this instant feeling of him that she would be important to him, something special, someone he wanted to have in his life. And now … he would not meet her.
„Why is it so important for you, human? You look like you don't have problems finding women in your world." „I don't know. I just thought… Forget it. I am sorry for destroying the plants and I swear, I will never come back for her sake. I don't want anything to happen to her." Killian wanted to leave. „Wait, stranger, I may give you esperance. Find the eyes of the nymph in the eyes of a human and you will find the love you sought your whole life." „Your words give me hope, I wish for them to become true one day." „Good luck, human." „Thank you." „And now go, just like the nymphs I can endure the presence of humans not very long either." Without glancing back Killian left, praying that someday he might see those beautiful eyes again.
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Emma had listened to the whole conversation. She wondered the whole time why the forest spirit was helping her. She was glad for her help and questioned if the forest spirit wanted something from her in return. She heard the man leaving and then a hand was offered to her. Emma was pulled up and saw the pretty forest spirit. „He is gone now dear, you don't have to fear him anymore." „Thank you so much for helping me." The spirit was smiling at her. „Why did you help me?" „I am an old friend of Rumpelstiltskin. He told me to have an eye on you." „Oh."
Suddenly, Golden Mane came galloping towards them. „I have taken care of your horse while you and Rumpelstiltskin have been training. He asked me to bring it to you. From this part of the forest it takes two and a half days to reach your castles. You should sally right away if you want to make it in time." „I don't have made up my mind about going back yet." „Rumpelstiltskin told me you should since something surprising will be happening, something he was sure you would like. And in addition, you cannot hide forever. You cannot run from your fate." „What fate?" „Something he is not very specific about. You should do him that favor, dear. Hasn't he been a good trainer to you? Hasn't he took you in his care, when everyone has abandoned you? He gave you a place to sleep and something to eat." „You are right. I really have to be grateful. But why isn't he here to tell me this himself?" „There was an emergency he had to attend to." „I see. Well, then please tell him that I appreciated what he did for me. He showed me of what I am capable of, he believed in me. Not many people have done that." Emma mounted the horse. „I have packed you something to eat in your bag for your journey. Farewell, Emma, may our paths cross again."
Emma and Golden Mane rode away. Golden Mane seemed to know the exact path to get to their kingdom. Maybe it was really time to face her father again. She had to convince him that he could not marry her off just like that. And of course, that the war was useless. She had to change things in her kingdom, more freedom for women, more education for them. Why should a woman be any less worth than a man? Emma was the best example that this was not true. She could read, she could fight, she considered herself as rather smart. She would fight for rights for women, even if her father repudiated her.
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„Without you, Lacrima, my plan would not have worked out as I have intended it." „Well, I still owed you that favor for protecting the forest with a spell." „It's always a pleasure making deals with you, White Witch." „This one was the last." „We shall see." „Why was it so important for you to make them meet and for him to fall in love with her?" „The future is often not very clear to me, sometimes the pictures I see in my head are quite a mess and I cannot place them, but upon asking the future to reach my goal, it always showed me the two royals to fall in love. Of course, that's only the first step in a couple of events to finally get back what I have lost. But why do you ask? They are only humans."
„Since I have no business with the human world, it does not matter to me, if you play god with them. I was just curious." „Be careful, dearie, curiosity has been the downfall of many." „Well, then goodbye, Rumpelstiltskin. I wish you good luck to accomplish your goal."
