I'm almost at a hundred follows! What? Thank you all so so much!

I've never been able to write anything yet that didn't involve a time-jump. Oh well.

A couple of things to clear up, in case of confusion: Emma is nineteen, but in her twentieth year (since her birthday's in October), like I'm in my seventeenth year, but I'm not seventeen yet. Also, Rose is Rumple and Belle's daughter; I've always imagined that's what they'd call her.

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Guest said: This is getting so good, can't wait for the next update!

Awww, thank you so much! Hope you like it!

Chapter Four

The Enchanted Forest was overcome with balls, in Princess Emma's twentieth year of life. There was one for the birthdays of her mother and brother (her and her father's birthdays fell later in the year), one to officially announce her engagement to Baelfire, another for the wedding anniversary of her parents (for their second wedding, she had found out when she was twelve) and one for Melody's coming of age.

It was at the latter that Emma found herself the happiest. Unlike the parties that were hosted at her home, she had no responsibility here. She could spend her time with her friends. She sat (thank the Gods the party had tables) with Leo, Liam, Killian, and Melody, when she wasn't with a suitor. Yet the younger princess too was happy, despite the duty she had to her kingdom. She danced with the young suitors, pointedly ignored the old, and always returned to the table. Not to seem ungrateful guests, Emma danced with her brother, Liam, Killian and even King Eric, but no suitors. There was an etiquette there, it seemed.

"Are you going to ask for her hand or not?" Killian asked his brother, after Leo and Ariel decided to dance together, after they had noticed an older suitor making his way through the crowds.

"They're not going to say no," Emma added, nursing a glass of wine (it had been watered down; Ariel had personally ensured). "You're a well-respected naval lieutenant, and it's really quite obvious that you're in love."

"You can do it, brother," Killian grinned, clapping him on the back.

Emma smirked, taking a sip of her wine. "Go get her."

"I think I preferred it when you two were fighting," Liam sighed long-sufferingly, but he left the table, stepping over to where the king and queen danced together.

"It's nice to see them happy," said Emma.

Killian murmured something that sounded like agreement in reply.

"You think you'll ever find that?"

"Are you not happy, Swan?"

"I meant true love."

"Well, there's supposed to be someone for everyone," Killian replied. "And all of these happy couples we seem to have certainly give hope."

"Happy endings always start with hope," Emma murmured to herself. It was a phrase her mother had used before, when telling Emma stories about her past.

Liam returned to them, the smile on his face making it clear that his talk with the king and queen had gone well.

Emma stood, Killian a half-second after. "Are you to be the prince consort?"

He nodded. "I have been given permission to court the princess. Assuming she agrees, of course."

The two of them hugged him in the same instant, resulting in him grumbling at them to leave him alone.

"Of course she's going to agree," said Emma, releasing Liam. "I'll go get her." Before he could open his mouth, she disappeared in a swirl of skirts. She wove her way through the crowd on the ballroom floor, locating her brother and Melody.

"Everything okay?" Melody asked. Leo's eyebrows furrowed, clearly concerned.

"It's fine," she waved away her fears. "Just need you to come with me."

She led Melody by the hand across the room to where Liam and Killian still stood, Leo following close behind.

"Here," said Emma, placing Melody's hand in Liam's. "No need to thank me."

They stepped away, conversing in low tones.

"Mind telling me what's going on?" Leo asked, as the three of them took their seats.

Emma took a drink of wine before answering. "Our dear lieutenant has, with some persuasion, asked permission to court our dear princess."

He glanced between his sister and Killian, searching for verification that she spoke the truth. Emma smiled wryly.

"Get yourself a suit, brother. We'll be going to a wedding."

"He had no intention of asking for her hand tonight," Killian remarked with a smile.

"No time like the present. You haven't got long until you return to sea."

"Where are you going this time, anyway?" asked Leo, recovering his ability to speak.

"To the East," Killian replied. "To negotiate trade with the king and queen."

"I remember mother and father talking about it …" Emma nodded.

"I fear I'll have to suffer Liam for the journey. He'll be a lovesick pup."

"He'll have to get a ring there," Emma smiled. "To woo the princess."

Killian rolled his eyes.

Three days later, Emma, Leo, Liam and Killian stood before the former's parents, who had called them to the throne room to talk to them.

"I believe congratulations are in order," said David first, directing a smile to Liam. The four of them smiled.

"Thank you, sire," replied Liam politely, inclining his head ever so slightly.

"To our first order of business; Captain Williams is leaving The Jewel of the Realm to spend more time with his family. Liam, you will become captain in his stead, and Killian, you will take your brother's place as lieutenant."

"Are you sure? What about the sub-lieutenant?" Killian asked. Liam elbowed him in the ribs. Leo smirked.

"The sub-lieutenant shall remain the sub-lieutenant," said the king.

"Of course we're sure," Snow added, with a smile, in response to the first question. "We've discussed this at length."

Emma frowned, and Leo voiced her thoughts, "Not with us."

"We knew you'd approve of our decision."

She nodded. That made sense.

"Thank you, your majesties," said Killian, at Liam's prompting look. "You are most kind."

"You are most welcome."

"You're wondering why we asked you here, too," Snow told her children. "The trade negotiations require at least one royal representative. To talk to Philip and Aurora."

"Us?"

"You are to be the princess of two kingdoms, Emma," said her father. "Your mother and I will not be here forever. There may be a time where you, Leo, need to take over ruling responsibilities for this kingdom."

"What? Why?"

"We are … unsure how this marriage would work," Snow explained. "None of us are willing to merge the kingdoms, but they can be ruled as one. Such responsibility cannot be shouldered by merely two people."

"What about Rose?"

"She will likely have to share some of the burden, too."

"And what about kings and queens who rule regnant?" asked Emma.

"Regina ruled regnant," the king reminded her. "How well do you think it went for her?"

"That was because she's evil," said Leo. "Not because she didn't have someone to help her rule."

"I understand that you do not expect to have to rule, but you will take this journey with your sister, if nothing more than to support her, understood?"

He nodded.

"I thought you'd be pleased," said Snow, obviously puzzled. "You all have more time together now."

Before we're separated by marriage, Emma thought. Instead she smiled. "No, I'm pleased. I haven't seen Amelia in years. Do you remember her, Leo?"

"I was thirteen, Emma, not three."

"It just came as a surprise," Emma added, her smile widening.

She could enjoy the journey, she supposed. It would be strange to go on royal business without her parents, but her brother would be there, and she expected there'd be a sense of freedom with it. She could work, rather than sitting and watching the waves. She could follow the Joneses around the ship, teasing them, helping them, enjoying their company.

"When do we leave?" asked Liam.

"A week from tomorrow. You may go now. I'll call the crew in and tell them that you are their new captain, and that they are to take their orders from you."

"Thank you, your majesties," Liam bowed low. Killian and Leo did the same, and Emma curtseyed.

"You promised me I wouldn't have to rule," said Leo, immediately after they had left.

"I didn't know this was going to happen."

"You promised, Emma," her brother pouted. And she smiled at him, reaching on her tiptoes to kiss the top of his head.

"Shall we go down to the river?" Liam suggested. "Perhaps the water will brighten your spirits."

Leo merely huffed, and Emma and Killian laughed.

"You never did give me the grand tour," Emma remarked, as she stepped aboard The Jewel of the Realm, helped by Killian. She was wearing a dress, but she intended to change out of it as soon as she was below deck. Dresses were highly impractical for ships.

His lips quirked. "Forgive me, Princess."

She shot him a look that conveyed her distaste, instead of hitting him, and drew her cloak more tightly around her shoulders from the breeze.

The sailors came on board the ship, after loading the cargo, lining up before Killian and Emma. Leo appeared at her shoulder, and Liam joined them after a moment.

"Though it has saddened us that Captain Williams has left our ranks," he said. "I hope that you will hold me in the same regard as you did him, and that I will be as good a captain as he."

He nodded to the sailors, and stood back.

"I'm sure you recognise our prince and princess," said Killian. "They will be discussing with Phillip and Aurora when we reach the East. You will treat them with the same respect you show to the Captain while they are here, understood?"

There was a grumble of assent, and the sailors left to start with their duties.

"Let me know whenever you want the tour," said Killian, and he left.

Emma made her way over to the side of the ship, watching the shore as it grew smaller, leaving land behind in favour of the ocean. She smiled, the sea breeze ruffling her loosely braided hair.

"Princess."

She looked up to see Liam standing there, holding his hat in his hands. Leo had gone below deck. She hadn't noticed.

"You know that thing looks ridiculous, right?" she replied, smiling at him.

"I'm aware," he said, leaning against the railings of the ship beside her. "I don't choose the uniform."

"I won't rat you out if you'd rather not wear it."

"I'll wear it. I'm proud of my achievements."

Emma grinned. "All the more to impress Melody with. You wouldn't want her to go finding someone else while you're away."

He made a face. "What about Baelfire finding someone else while you're away?"

"Oh, I hope on it."

"You haven't grown any fonder of him, then," Liam deduced with a frown.

"No."

"Surely you don't have to marry if you have no love for each other."

She shook her head. "My parents told me that I didn't have to go through with it if I didn't want to, but our kingdom needs this alliance."

"If you met someone, it would change your mind, believe me."

"But I haven't."

"No," Liam sighed. 'You haven't."

"I've accepted my fate," said Emma, trying to sound as if she were happy about it. "I'm fond of Baelfire, and the king and queen seem to like me. I can become used to such a life."

"I wish you the best, Princess. I really hope that you find love."

"Thank you, Captain."

He left to observe the crew. Emma returned her gaze to the ocean. Liam, having just turned twenty-two years of age, was likely the youngest Captain in a long time. Not a bad match for the princess, to be sure. Emma was happy for her friends. She had watched them fall in love, and that was a treasured thing. It was enough to get her through a loveless marriage, wasn't it?

She shook her head. She wasn't going to think about it. She glanced over to where Killian was talking with an elderly sailor. Had her father asked him to find a wife, as he had Liam? She couldn't imagine Killian actively searching for someone. Either they would meet by chance, or Emma and Liam would have to have a hand in it.

"Would you like your tour now, Princess?" asked Killian, the ever-present teasing in his voice evident.

"Lead the way, Lieutenant," she returned, smirking.

He led her below deck, pointing out the Mess Hall, the sailor's cabins, the empty cabins, helpfully located next to each other, where she and Leo would be staying, and his and Liam's own cabins.

"Very nice," she remarked, as they returned to the Mess Hall to eat. Emma sat apart from her brother, with three strangers, and soon learned more about them. Franz was the son of a shepherd, had joined the Navy to earn money for his parents, and became sub-lieutenant, certainly achieving his goal. George (the sailor Killian had been talking to) had been in the Navy all his life, and would be leaving as soon as his grandson, Michael (who ducked his head, embarrassed, at the mention of his name) was settled.

"My father was a shepherd, too," said Emma, nodding her head towards Franz. "He was never meant to be a prince."

They asked her questions about her own life, what she thought of the ship, and about Baelfire.

They ate ("Not a meal fit for a princess, I fear," George smiled at her) and the chatter and laughter lit up the hall.

Afterwards, Liam escorted her to her cabin.

"Were you frightened that I'd lose my way?" she teased, as they walked through the ship.

"A princess deserves an escort," he replied.

"And a prince doesn't?"

"He has elected to remain with the others until they retire for the evening."

She smiled at him. "Thank you. You and Killian both."

She kissed his cheek, and disappeared into her cabin, before he could ask her what she was thanking him for.

She feared she would drift apart from the Jones brothers, when she married. Killian would be nothing but a loyal subject, and Liam an ally.

She didn't want that.