Held in Stasis

Chapter 3

Emma sighed as she tried to resist scratching her legs for the umpteenth time. Her mother shot her a look, her green eyes glowing as she watched Emma fidget. The ball they'd planned for the evening was going well but Emma still showed no interest in the suitors that came calling. Emma sighed, the light green gown brought out her eyes but it was uncomfortable for the usually tomboyish girl to wear. She didn't like having to dance with all these men, she didn't like having to pretend to be interested while they prattled on about their accomplishments and how she would make them a wonderful wife and mother to his children. Did they have no concept of equals? Just because a woman was your wife didn't mean she couldn't sword fight and go on adventures with you. It didn't mean she had to stay home pregnant and waiting as the days passed while her prince was out making a name for himself. She would be out there to with them and they would both make names for themselves that's how she wanted it to be anyways.

It had been four days since she'd been to see the sleeping woman and she was growing antsy. She found herself anxiously waiting for any free time where she could sneak off into the woods and talk to her new found friend. Even though said friend couldn't talk back Emma found her company much better than having to listen to these idiots prattle on and on. After the last man stepped on her already aching feet during their dance she broke away with the excuse that she needed a bit of air. She made her way quickly to the large open doorways that led out to the terrace giving her the opportunity however brief to escape into the cool night air. Winter was setting in and Emma knew her birthday was coming up soon. Soon she would be twenty-one and her parents were pushing her to find her true love and settle down. Though they were doing so because they loved her and she knew this it was still difficult to pretend to enjoy these events.

"I thought you weren't going to escape tonight." Snow remarked softly to her daughter coming to stand at her side. "Your father and I worked hard to put this together for you."

Emma sighed softly laying her elbows on the stone railing. The large fountain a center piece seen through the large windows and doors bubbled happily, its large fish spurting water up high from its mouth to land in the two tiered pools underneath it. "I know you did Mom. It's just rough on me that's all. They don't even see me any of them. And if I have to dance with one more of them tonight I think I'll lose my feet and then where will I be?"

Snow laughed, "You exaggerate just like your father when he gets excitable."

Emma shrugged sheepishly looking over at her mother. Dressed in lilac Snow was a vision to behold. She was truly beautiful and so graceful something Emma envied about her mother. Snow reached out tenderly tucking a blonde curl behind her daughter's ear. "Would you like me to make excuses for you?" She offered by way of a peace treaty. She knew her daughter had just about reached her limit.

Emma frowned but nodded, "Please and tell Dad I'm sorry. I'm just not feeling well tonight."

"You've been distant lately. Has something happened?"

"No. Nothing; I'm just tired." Emma smiled at her mother trying to convince her that there was nothing. Her mother's eyes were sharp though and she knew to carefully watch her step. She wanted to keep her little sanctuary and her beautiful sleeping princess to herself. At least she was happy to assume the woman was a princess. She was so beautiful how could she not be?

"If you say so; you would talk to me though if something were bothering you right?" Snow's green eyes met her daughter's same color eyes.

"You know I would. You're my mother and I love you very much."

That made Snow smile radiantly. "I love you too. Very much; now go ahead and escape."

"Thanks Mom."


"I'm back." Emma greeted as she dismounted her horse.

She walked over to the glass coffin, a twig snapped loudly but she didn't notice all her focus on the dark haired beauty in the coffin. "Did you miss me? I'm sorry I didn't come sooner. Mom and Dad had me pretty occupied." She explained. The pine needles creaked and crackled beneath her feet, winter beginning to take its toll on nature. She had come prepared though. She'd even brought herself a light lunch and her thick fur-lined cloak and gloves. She was going to stay awhile after all. "Mom was pretty insistent that I stay around and meet a few new suitors. I don't know why they all seem to think I'm content to stay in the palace and have babies. I'm not even sure I want kids…well maybe a son wouldn't be too bad. Not a daughter though. Too fragile, a son though I could teach him to sword fight and how to ride a horse and how to be brave and strong." She paused. "I wonder if you want kids. I bet you'd be great with them. Especially a little girl; I'm sure you'd dress her up in frilly little outfits." She laughed, "I wouldn't have any idea how to do any of that. I bet with those long fingers you know how to play an instrument of some sort and you could teach her that too. Maybe the violin or the piano; those are very elegant. You look like you'd play something really elegant. Hell for that matter you are very elegant."

Emma paused and cringed, "There I go again cursing in front of you. I'm going to have to break myself of that around you. I don't want you thinking I'm some sort of scoundrel."

"Mom and Dad threw me a ball a few days ago. Everyone was there I even got to see Alexandra and my mom's friend Aurora's daughter Claire. She's a few years younger than me but she's really cute. Alexandra says she idolizes me for some reason. I don't get it but she does follow me around a lot when she's nearby. Mom says I have to be a good influence on her since she likes me so much. I don't know how to be a good influence but I try to do right by her when I see her. I guess that's all I can do huh?"

Emma paused, "I hope you don't mind me coming around here so often. I get bored talking to people who don't listen all the time. At least you listen. Even if you're kind of forced to; I hope you don't hold that against me."

"Anyways, I learned some new techniques from Ander. He's teaching me how to use other weapons not just the sword. I'm sort of partial to the knife cause it's just like a small version of the sword. Ander says I like pointy objects a little too much but I just want to be able to do damage if I need to and not have to worry about some idiot running me through."

"I bet you've never picked up a sword in your life. You're too delicate looking for that. But that's okay. Cause I'm not. And I'll defend you if something happens. Maybe I'll be your knight instead of having to worry about some idiot trying to steal you away from me." Emma smiled at her studying her pretty features. "I'd have the prettiest lady for my own. Everyone would be jealous of me but I wouldn't share you with anyone. You'd be my lady and well that would make me your knight. I like the sound of that. I hope you do too."

Emma paused, "Mom says I should spend some more time learning to read and needle point and other more lady-like pursuits and I mean I enjoy reading but I don't want to do it all the time especially not when the action is happening outside. I don't think it's fair to expect me to be locked up in some dark dank castle while everyone else goes out and wins glory all for themselves. Why can't a woman have as much glory as a man? What's wrong with that? I think I'm the only one that thinks like that. I have a feeling you'd agree with me though. You may seem like a delicate flower but I bet you've got a sharp mind under that beautiful face. You wouldn't let someone push you around."

"I'm hungry I would share with you but it's not really an option at the moment. I hope you don't mind me eating near you. I know it's probably rude since you can't eat but I worked hard this morning at my studies and then riding here to see you worked up my appetite." Emma sat down on the ground not at all minding the cold harness that invaded her as she pulled her leather bag from her shoulder. She laid out a small lunch of bread, cheese, grapes, and a few slices of dried meat. She ate quickly but quietly not wanting to draw out her meal more content to speak on any subject that came to mind.

"Hey maybe I should try reading to you? Would you like that?" She asked when she was done and had packed everything back up. "Maybe I'll bring a few books that I like and we'll read them together and discuss them. Well I'll discuss them anyways." She sighed before smiling softly at her. "I really do wish you were awake and able to respond but I guess I can't get my hopes up on that one huh?"

Emma stood up and laid her hand back on the glass coffin. "My parents aren't expecting me back for a while so I've got plenty of time. I think they know they pushed me a bit too hard to play nice with those stupid boys that keep coming around. I wish they'd just leave me alone. I'm not going to marry any of them. They just want a prize or a breeding mare maybe a cross between both."

She laid her hand back against the glass in it's now familiar spot. "I bet you wouldn't be content with that position either. You don't seem the type at all. But then I guess I can't make judgments based on purely aesthetic reasons. I guess I am making a lot of judgments about you without ever having spoken to you or even knowing your name. I hope one day though I get to find out all of that. Hopefully from you," Emma's grin was a bit goofy as she looked down at her.

"Well I guess I'd best get going. I don't want them sending out the guards to find me. And I really don't want them finding you. You're my secret, mine and well Alexandra's. She'd better not tell anyone you're here. But don't worry I'll protect you if anyone finds out about you. I promise."


Author's Ending Notes: Come on guys! What happened to all my lovely reviews? Those that did review the last chapter though thank you very much you guys are the reason I went ahead and posted this next chapter. Just saying. I have today off so I'm using it to write A LOT...that can be a good thing...or a bad thing...depending on how it's viewed. As always I love reviews in all forms just not flames no point in being cruel but you are entitled to your opinion I suppose. Anyways, just let me know what you think and don't forget to check out my other work...I know shameless self-plug here. ~ Bella