Disclaimer: I do not own OUAT. I really wish I did, but unfortunately….I don't. *sigh*

Chapter One

It was the coldest night of the year,

Snow-covered street lamps and Belvedere

Five Years Earlier….

"Emma, they're waiting for you! Are you dressed yet?" Snow White knocked on the door, patiently waiting for her daughter to come out. "It's only for one night." Straining an ear, she could hear the soft footsteps of the slippers she had made for her to wear on this special night.

Snow suppressed a sigh.

"You know, I don't believe she's spoken one word to either of us since we informed of her tonight's ball," a voice said from behind her.

"Unfortunately, I will have to agree with you on that," she replied without turning around. She sighed, audibly this time.

Prince Charming put an arm around her shoulder and squeezed. "She'll come around eventually, Snow. She knows her duty. We've given her a considerable amount of freedom the last 18 years, but we've always made sure she understood that once she comes of age she'll have more responsibilities. Just give her some space. Let's go downstairs and greet our guests. I wouldn't want us being tardy for our own ball the cause for a war among all the kingdoms." He chuckled.

Snow looked at her husband and smiled but it faded as she glanced back at the closed door.

"Very well, then," she replied. Charming thought he could hear a hint of sadness in her voice but he remained silent on the matter as he steered his wife away from the door and down the corridor.

On the other side of the door, their daughter could hear their conversation quite clearly. Emma knew she was causing her mother heartbreak and worry, but she couldn't help it. Today was her 18th birthday, a cause for celebration for her and her loved ones. Unfortunately, due to royal custom, it was also a reason to hold a ball so all the eligible bachelors can come call and view the beautiful princess.

While Emma didn't consider herself extraordinary in regards to her looks, she knew many others thought her beautiful. Her long blond hair and tan complexion was the envy of all her mothers' ladies and her ability to ride a horse surpassed many men in the Guard. Thanks to her father, she was as skilled at the sword and due to her mother's tutelage, she was just and compassionate. In truth, she inherited, in equal parts, Charming's skill for diplomacy and Snow's love of justice. Combine that with her own personality, Emma Swan was a queen in the making.

But tonight, for just one night, Emma wished she wasn't born a princess with a kingdom to inherit and a people to rule, but a simple peasant, a girl on the brink of womanhood, with all the world to play for and all the freedom to play with.

I suppose I should go down, she thought grudgingly. She moved her hand to the doorknob, as if that simple movement would help her but instead she grasped the metal and held on as if her life depended on it. You can do this, Swan. It's just one night. They promised you there would always be a choice. This is just to satisfy the nobles and the surrounding kingdoms. And give gossip for the old women. You've been to balls before. There's nothing different with this one; they're all the same.

Instead of opening the door, she let go and walked out to her balcony. The moon's cycle had just restarted, so what glow could be seen was only a light sliver. The stars were bright, however, and the night air was brisk, unnatural for this time of year. The days were still summer, but the cool nights were a sign that autumn was close. Her father's favorite time of year. She leaned against the railing, grateful her chambers were located away from the gates to the palace. She could see the stars' reflection on the lake and briefly wondered what stories the stars saw in their lifetime. Surely they could see her own story unfolding; it was too bad no one could see the future without paying a price.

She sighed and turned away. She had dallied too long and it was time to greet her guests. With one last glance towards the sky, she made her back into her room and was opening the door when she heard a crash and a yelp from behind her. She slammed the door and whipped around, stifling her scream with her hand. And her eyes widened at the sight that greeted her.

What should have been an empty balcony, instead was a mess of leaves and debris drifting around a man who seemed to have fallen from above. She remained silent as she watched him groan then rouse himself. He stood up slowly, shaking his head as if to clear it from cobwebs, and proceeded to brush himself off.

Emma cleared her throat, loudly enough for him to hear her. He looked up and immediately made eye contact with her.

"My apologies, my dear girl. I swear I did not mean to frighten you." He had a pleasant voice, deep but reassuring. She thought she could detect a slight accent.

She didn't say a word. One hand went up to her throat and the other grabbed the doorknob again.

He looked to be about mid-20s, maybe a little older. He was dressed completely in black. His leather coat was open, showing just a peep of a silk shirt underneath. His sword was hanging at his side, safely in its scabbard and on the opposite side she could see a pouch slung across his shoulder. His dark brown eyes were lined in black and his tousled hair waved gently in the passing breeze. What struck her the most, however, is where a normal hand should have been, instead was a silver hook gleaming in the moonlight at his side.

"Do you speak, lass? I said I was sorry. There's really no need to look so shocked."

"Who are you?" Emma knew she should scream. That would be the proper thing to do. If there was a way to fight in this awful gown, she would, but unfortunately it was too constricting and would hinder her from moving properly.

"She can speak!" The man executed a gallant bow. What flourishes accompanied it seemed to diminish in the way he rose; he made it seem simple though she knew it was not. "Captain Hook at your service, lass."

Emma had heard that name. Alarms were going off in her head, warning her that she should run. But despite the danger, she couldn't. Her intuition said this man meant her no harm, even though he had the advantage right now.

"May I ask who you are?"

She found her voice then. He didn't recognize her; perhaps he wasn't from this kingdom. While she wore a tiara tonight, that didn't mean she was Emma. She could be a visiting princess.

"I don't think that would be wise to give you my name, sir. As it is, I should not be alone with you to begin with. This meeting is highly improper." She said in her most condescending voice.

"Really now? I should think that a princess is supposed to be kind and merciful to everyone she meets, even strangers," he replied. There was just a hint of mockery in his voice. "Especially a stranger who has fallen from a great height and might possibly be injured."

"I doubt you're injured. You got up well enough without my help. What were you doing up there anyway? Don't you know you could be arrested for scaling the castle walls?"

He chuckled. "Of course I knew that. But it beats walking through the front doors right now. What is exactly going on down there tonight, anyway?"

Emma glared at him. She really didn't need a reminder about the reason for the ball. "That's none of your business," she snapped. "Now if you excuse me, sir, I have an engagement I need to attend. You can either leave now or I can call the guards to escort you out."

Quick as a flash he was in front of her, pressing her against the door. With one hand on her arm, the hook holding her wrist in place by the doorknob, and his whole body against hers, it was impossible to squirm out from under him. "You won't call the guards," he said quietly.

"What makes you think I won't?" she asked. This entire situation had somehow gotten out of hand and it was time for her to make her escape as soon as she could. What would her mother think if she caught her in such a compromising position? And with a pirate, no less?

That's where she had heard his name! He was on the list of pirates who plagued all the kingdoms!

"Because you would have called them the moment you heard a noise. Now I'll let you go if you promise to forget this encounter." He was dangerous. And Emma wasn't quite sure she could trust his word. But beneath the hard exterior she sensed a good man fallen on rough times.

"Will you promise to let me go and not steal anything of worth in this castle?"

He released her and bowed low over her hand. "I give you my word on my dearly departed wife's name, Milah that I will let you go, without harm. I also promise to steal nothing of value from behind these stone walls, lest I wish my other hand to be cut off and my soul to rot a thousand years in hell."

He looked her straight in her eyes, not flinching once while making his vow. There was no false sincerity in his voice, despite the flashy words. Emma trusted him. She knew she shouldn't but she did. And she didn't know why.

She nodded. "Very well. Then I give you my word that I will not call the guards to arrest you for breaking and entering into my chambers."

He smiled and kissed her hand. "Thank you, lass." He backed away, allowing room for her to open the door. "Enjoy the dancing tonight, lass. It looked like there are plenty of suitors lined up for all the women in the kingdom."

She narrowed her eyes at his light teasing but left the room without another word. Her last image of him was of his eyes twinkling and a grin plastered on his face.

A/N: Yay! First Chapter is up! Much longer than the Prologue, don't you agree? I want to thank everyone who has responded to this story, whether it's adding it as a favorite or following it or reviewing. However, I would love MORE reviews this time, if you can. Reviews make me want to write faster!

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this first chapter. I really have no idea how long this will be, though I have a general idea of what the plot will be like. I have to say I'm so glad I have a working computer. I can't tell you how difficult it has been to do EVERYTHING (emails, homework, facebook…..) from my little phone. Well, it's not little but without a keyboard it can get a little frustrating.

Don't forget to review!
-alcatluvr13