Chapter 2 is up – obviously! anyways, hope you like it, hit me with ideas, ways you'd like this story to go. I don't have an actual storyline mapped out or set in stone at this particular point, though the main ideas are there, brewing quite deliciously ;) It could really go either way from here. We shall see! :) Have fun reading, and review if you feel like it!

xoxo

Amazingly enough, the entire incident was soon forgotten , as if it had never happened, as far as her mother was concerned. She ordered the musicians to keep playing, the cooks to keep the food coming and even turned to her husband, King James, and whispered something in his ear, a seductive giggle in the tone of her voice. Her daughter looked on, appalled. She'd expected at least some form of explanation as to the woman's actions, but it seemed none was forthcoming.

She turned on her heels and high-tailed it to her chambers for the night. As she entered, the full oak doors swung and shut forcefully behind her. She stepped in front of the huge full length mirror, and ripped the puffy pink monstrosity of her body, sliding into a more casual version of sleepwear. She hated balls. Henry was fast asleep, she assumed. She would have loved to have said good night to him, but just didn't trust herself to remain calm, so she allowed her ladies-in-waiting to take him up for his bath and tuck him in.

As she slid in between the plush duvets, she thought back to the time she was first given the opportunity to hold her son...she wondered if it was wrong calling him that. After all, she was, by no means his birth mother, and the way he came to be in her life was an odd one. Nevertheless, she WAS his mother and no one could take the feeling away from her.

-Flashback, 6 years prior -

Princess Emma had just turned eighteen,and her parents had decided to let her have the one birthday present she so desperately desired. A few days' ride in the woods, away from the kingdom, all by herself. Free to hunt, gallop, and do none of the courtly things which were the bane of her existance since she was born. Imagine, two whole days without having to curtsey!

She was beyond happy, and had saddled her horse bright and early, so she could have as much time as possible ahead of her. The Queen was less than enthused about her baby's departure, but the King had persudaded her,and Snow trusted the man more than anyone else in the world, so she gave her daughter her blessing.

As Emma departed, she never looked back. It was the middle of July, and the warm honey-scented wind brought with it a certain feeling of lush abandon, and the Princess could certainly see herself living away from the castle, maybe even away from the kingdom. Alas, such a fate was most certainly not in her cards, for she would never run away and in so doing break her parents' hearts, no matter how much she yearned for freedom and interesting loose ends.

After about an hour or so of a high-speed gallop, she slowed her horse down, and dismounted, choosing a beautiful clearing as her place of rest. She tended to the fire with all the ease of a seasoned woodsman. Her father had once been a commoner, and had granted her the gift of knowing what it was like to be on the other side, and she lacked none of the essential survival tactics all peasants were taught since the first day they were born.

As she unpacked her meal -a slice of cheese, a bottle of the kingdom's finest wine, a slice of glazed ham and a bright red apple - she gazed about, taking in the heat of the summer and the collage of colors this particular year had granted it.

For the first time in a long time, Emma could finally say: ''I am content with my life.'' She felt air coming into her lungs, tasting its every ingredient as if she'd never breathed before. The way her chest heaved, it felt like she could never have enough. And that's exactly what she realized when she came down from her brief, yet very pleasurable high. This was just a taste of the forbidden fruit. A glimpse of the simple life she coud never have.

She sighed dejectedly, and packed up the remainder of her food, continuing her adventure. She would have to deal with the after-effects of depression later on, she knew it, but decided to let it go for the time being, and just enjoy herself.

She had arrived at the village nearest to the castle after about another 3 hour gallop, and immediately looked for a room in the one inn the village had. Luckily, they had one room left, so she paid for the night and sprinted up the flight of stairs.

Her room was all but glamorous, but it didn't bother her one bit. Glamourous was boring and a it was hard work. This – the drab drapes, worn, but comfy bed and comforter – this she could do with just fine.

Before she turned in for the night, she went to check up on her horse, and take a brief walk. She changed into new leather breeches, cotton tunic and matching forest-green velvet vest she had made especially for this trip, and walked towards the stables.

The scent of hay and drizzling rain hung heavily in the air, and soaked her entire being. She smiled, the dimples on her cheeks becoming more prominent. Absent-mindedly, she stroked her black mare's mane.

So lost in her own thoughts and musings (which she had to admit, in hindsight, wasn't the smartest thing to do) she didn't even notice the man that had entered the premises and was now watching her intently, a smile adorning his boyish features.

Suddenly, she snapped out of her reverie, and turned to him, assuming a battle stance, her arm going behind her back, hand ataching itself to the hilt of the dagger she had brought with her for protection(she was no Mulan, but she could sure as hell deal with this one!)

He laughed lightly and held up his hands in mock surrender. He seemed younger than his age somehow, for she knew he must have been at least seven or eight years her senior. She refused to admit it by smiling back, but she liked him instantly.

''Whoa there, I didn't mean to startle you. I work here. I came to see if any of the horses needed food.''

''Oh...I'm sorry...I just...where I come from, it's best to be on your toes.''

''No worries. I was about to go home and have some supper, if you're hungry, I'm sure I could get you something, too, I know the inn doesn't serve food this late at night.''

Emma paused for a second, and thought about the possible consequences if she said yes. However, she found that thinking often led to over-analyzing, so her brain just skipped ahead a phase and then her mouth did her bidding of their own accord.

''Yes, actually, I am a bit hungry, thank you for the offer. My name's Emma, by the way.''

He took her proferred hand and bowed slightly, the smile never disappearing from his face.

''Hello Emma, it is an honour to meet you. I am Daniel.''