7
The Hope Diamond
This is being posted a day early! Suprise! This is one of my favorite chapters that I have written for this story but that not the reason for posting tonight, I will be busy tomorrow and instead of posting later to tomorrow I decided to do it today.
Next week I will be back at my regular schedule of Saturday 10 am.
It was just after breakfast time when Emma and Killian made their way home the next day. Emma couldn't keep the smile off her face. She had a feeling Charles and Liam already knew Killian was going to propose, but Emma couldn't wait to see Victoria's reaction.
When entering the house, Henry ran over to them. It was nice seeing her son so happy. Emma picked him putting a kiss on his forehead.
"Mama! Papa! You're home! I missed you!" Henry said, pulling a smile from both Killian and Emma.
"We missed you too, Henry," Emma said as Henry laid his head on her shoulder.
Vicky and Liam were playing with little Dorothy. Emma's niece, succeed in calling her 'Em' a few days after Dorothy's birthday. When they walked in Liam had a knowing smile, but Victoria didn't notice. Just as Emma was going to announce their engagement, Charles walked into the house, who also had a knowing look.
"Well?" Charles asked causing Vicky to look confused.
"Well, she said yes!" Killian said to which Liam jumped up to give him a brotherly pat on the back.
"What's going on? Emma, what are they talking about?" Vicky asked, and Emma showed Vicky her ring.
"Killian proposed last night, and I accepted..." Emma said to her friend and looked to where Charles and Liam. "I had a feeling both of you knew!" Emma said with a smile, and both men laughed.
Vicky handed Dorothy over to Charles to give her friend a hug. "Congratulations," Victoria said to both Emma and Killian.
OUAT
Emma was thrilled after her birthday. She had her friends, her son, and now her fiance. But her grief over her parents came in full force a week before the anniversary of their death. She didn't feel like eating, she stayed in her room most of the time, and avoided her friends and Killian.
There were knocks at her door, but Emma never answered it, and whoever was knocking left her alone. Henry brought a smile to her face, but it wasn't how it used to be. When she sees Henry or her engagement ring she is reminded of everything her parents are missing.
There was another knock at her door, but Emma didn't answer, but this time they didn't leave, they knocked again. "Emma, Love, open the door." Another knock. "Come on Emma. I want to know what is wrong; you haven't been out of this room in three days, please open the door."
Emma heard his voice and finally conceded. She opened the door just enough to pull him into her room. Once he was inside, she closed the door behind him while pulling him into a hug. During the embrace, Emma started crying on his shoulder.
"Emma? What's wrong?" Killian asked pulling away to look into her eyes.
"It's... It's going to be fifteen years... Fifteen years Killian! I miss them! They didn't get to see me grow up; they weren't there when Henry was born, and they would be there for when we get married." Emma said while sobbing. "I never got to say goodbye to them. There was never a funeral... I don't know where they are buried... I love you, Vicky, Charles, Liam, and Henry but I... I miss my parents." Emma said sobbing.
"Emma look at me." Emma followed his directions and looked into his eyes. She could feel his fingers wipe away her tears. "I might know of a way to help."
"What? How is there a way to help? The magic in this realm can do a lot, but it can't bring anyone back from the dead." Emma asked with tears still falling down her cheeks.
"That is true, but over the years I have a legend of a diamond they can direct you to the final resting place of anyone you think of."
"Um... What is the legend?" Emma asked wiping more tears from her eyes.
"There is jewel called the Hope Diamond." Emma scoffed at that. "A queen owned the diamond, it was supposed to be able to lead her to her child, but it took the Queen and her husband to a final resting place of their child. The queen believed that fairy who enchanted the diamond placed a curse on it instead of a blessing, and the Hope Diamond has been declared cursed to find though who are dead, causing the queen to dispose of the diamond. From thoughts which speak of this jewel; it sits atop a beanstalk guarded by a giant." Killian finished.
"So, if the legend is true and I had the diamond and thought of my parents it will take me to where they are buried?" Killian noded.
"Yes, if it is true. You could find where they are buried and get some closure."
"Do you know where this beanstalk is?" Emma asked and Killian noded.
"I know of a beanstalk that is a few days ride from here. I don't know if it is the same one from the legend or if the jewel still exists, but it must be called the Hope Diamond for a reason, we can only hope it is atop the beanstalk." Killian said, and Emma kissed him. They just stayed there in her room as Killian comforted her. Emma was still depressed about her parents, but she now was determined to find the Hope Diamond and find peace with her parents' death.
Later that day, Emma told the rest of her family what she was feeling and they were able to find some understanding. Killian told them about the Hope Diamond and how he and Emma were going to locate it. Emma was waiting for Liam to protest but he didn't, he gave them wishes of good luck and told them that Henry would be taken care of until they returned. Emma retired to bed earlier that night because, in the morning, Emma and Killian would be going on an adventure for the legend of the Hope Diamond.
OUAT
Emma felt terrible about leaving Henry for this long, but she knew that once she returned she would finally have peace over her parents' death. Emma and Killian both said goodbye to their son, he said it back, but he didn't know what it meant. By mid-morning, Killian and Emma were off on their adventure to find the beanstalk and the Hope Diamond.
Horseback riding was something that calmed Emma after she learned how to ride, but she knew that Killian hated horseback riding, so it was weird seeing him smiling while on his horse.
"What are you smiling about?" Emma asked playfully.
"Oh... It's just that we are traveling down the road where Snow White met her Prince Charming." Killian answered, and Emma hummed in response.
"You know you said my archery skills were comparable to Snow White and Robin Hood. I still don't know who they are... and we have quite a bit of time... do you think you could tell me their stories?" Emma asked, and Killian smiled.
"Of course, Robin Hood was an outlaw. He stole from the rich and gave to the poor. He had quite the shooting range. He had many wanted posters post throughout the Enchanted Forest. Now, he is married to Queen Regina... The one you met at the Navy Ball." Killian said causing Emma to look at him dumbfounded.
"An outlaw married a queen?" Killian noded.
"Yes. But then there is also the princess who married a shepherd." Emma didn't say anything, and he continued. "It started when Snow White's father married the daughter of Cora Mills, Regina. Cora's daughter was only a few years older than Snow. Snow told a secret that took the life of the man Regina loved, because of this Regina killed her new husband and sent a huntsman after her step-daughter."
"Wait... Is this Regina the same one I met?" Killian nodded. "She didn't seem like the type to kill anyone, let alone a child," Emma commented.
"The Huntsman let Snow White go. After a few years on the run, Snow White stole jewels from a carriage belonging to Prince James. The original Prince James died and to cover up the death of his son, King George found James's twin was a shepherd and forced him to pretend to be his brother."
"So, the 'James' in the carriage was his twin?" Killian nodded. "Okay, so Snow White stole from the twin of Prince James." Emma clarified.
"Yes. And he went after her. He saved her from Regina's black knights and Snow saved him from trolls. After that, they went their separate ways... But neither could forget about each other. They fell in love... A lot was keeping them apart, Snow's Prince Charming, was taken by King George and then handed over to the Evil Queen Regina. Regina locked him up in her dungeons and forced Snow to eat a poisoned apple that would put her under a sleeping curse... Charming got out and found the love of his life in a coffin. To say goodbye, he kissed her and with true love's kiss she woke up.
"Regina found out and was furious. She threatened to kill everyone in the kingdom if Snow didn't emit defeat and go into exile. So they did. They got married and lived in exile for nine or ten years... Then Regina found them and apologized for everything she did. It was Cora when she killed the man Regina loved, took her daughter's heart, and handed it over to the dark one. He wanted to use Regina to cast a curse, and when Regina found out she was furious. It is said she imprisoned both her mother and the dark one."
"So Regina did everything because she was being controlled."
"Yes. So, Snow White and Prince Charming came out of exile with Regina by their side to take down King George. Just, before they went to war with King George, they found out Prince James only faked his death to get away from his father... The four of them were able to overthrow King George; Prince James became King. Snow White and David Nolan took back her father's land, and Regina took over the castle that belonged to the Dark One."
"They had quite the story, didn't they?" Emma responded. Emma was lucky to have a family that was so stable.
"Yes. King James married a woman named Jacqueline, and they had a daughter named Ruth. Robin already had a son, but Regina and Robin also had a daughter named Roni. Snow White and David have a son named Leo; there are rumors that they had a daughter while in exile but they the royals never confirmed or denied it."
"So, essentially most of the current rulers are all related," Emma asked.
"Yes, you will find that is how royalty is, everyone has relations to everyone else."
OUAT
After three days, Killian and Emma found the beanstalk. Killian warned Emma that giants aren't fans of humans, but that could just be a legend.
The climb was one of the hardest things Emma ever had to do. It took them hours to get up to the top of the beanstalk. By the time they were above the clouds and up atop the giant's home her arms gave out. Killian had his sword in on his hip while Emma had her bow and arrow across her back.
They must have made enough noise to summon the giant. He looked deadly, but he also looked lonely.
"Why are you here?" The giant demanded.
"Um... Mr. Giant. We-" Emma was cut off by the giant.
"My name is Anton." The Giant - Anton - corrected.
"Anton, we have learned of a jewel that could show me where my parents are buried. They died almost fifteen years ago, and I never got a chance to say goodbye to them. We wanted to use the Hope Diamond to find where my parents are buried." Emma said, but the giant's expression didn't falter.
"Why should I let you use the Hope Diamond? Why should I help you humans when humans took away my family?" Anton asked.
"I have no right to ask for your help. And I am sorry for what happened to your family, but if it made you feel better, we could bring the diamond back to you when we are finished with it." Emma said, and the giant's demeanor changed.
"I don't need the diamond; you can have it. But the diamond was placed here under a spell. Only someone with the blood of the queen who owned the jewel can remove it from its current home." That caused Emma to deflate. The only way to get the diamond was having some relation to the queen who owned the Hope Diamond originally.
"May we at least see the jewel? We might still be able to go around the spell." Killian asked, and Anton nodded.
OUAT
Emma and Killian followed Anton into his enormous house. Once inside the building in the clouds, there were piles and piles of gold that pirates and thieves would kill for. Emma assumes that is what happened to Anton's family; thieves wanted the gold, and they killed those that got in the way.
It felt weird walking around a place that made Emma feel like a bug. The pieces of gold were gigantic. Other than the gold and treasure - everywhere - there were tripwires every few feet that were attached to cages in the ceiling, and there were bones and swords left over from the attacks on the giants.
"Here is the Hope Diamond. I will give you two ten hours to figure out how to get the diamond before I kick you out of my home." Anton said before walking away.
"Thank you!" Emma called out, but the giant didn't respond.
"Shall we get started, Love?" Killian asked causing Emma to nod. Ten hours - they could figure out a way to get the jewel in ten hours, right?
OUAT
The last eight hours were futile. Emma and Killian tried so many different ways to break through the barrier. Every time they tried the spell seemed to get stronger. It also didn't help that they only had what was around them. At one point Emma grabbed an abandoned sword to cut through the barrier spell, just to have the sword be blasted against one of the walls. They had two hours left, and it wasn't looking good.
"Why don't I just try and grab it?" Emma asked.
"Are you a descendant of the queen who owned the Hope Diamond?" Killian asked with sarcasm.
"Well, no... I think I would know if I was related to royalty." Emma answered.
"I will try... I would rather keep you safe. We don't know what that magic will do to someone who isn't part of the queen's bloodline." Killian said.
"No, we will find a - Killian! Don't!" Emma shouted just as Killian's hand made contact with the invisible forcefield. Killian went flying through the air and collided with the wall.
Emma ran over to her fiancee who was now lying still on the ground. Killian didn't move he was lying there, Emma checked for to see if he was breathing but he wasn't. And now the timer went to nine hours, one hour remaining...
It didn't matter now, Killian was dead and was Emma's fault. What was she going to tell Henry? Or Liam? God Liam will be heartbroken. Emma was sobbing. It was now that Emma realized that death followed her, everyone she cared about ended up dying. Emma sat by Killian's lifeless body crying and realized she had to say goodbye. So, Emma took a page out of the story told Killian about Snow White and Prince Charming.
"Love you, Killian. I will always love you." Emma said through her tears and placed a kiss on his cold lips.
Then it happened, a wave of magic went through her body. Emma didn't have enough time to think when she heard Killian breathing.
"I love you too, Emma," Killian said leaning up to kiss her again.
"Killian, what happened?" Emma asked, two minutes ago Killian was dead and now he was awake and taking.
"Touching the magical barrier puts the person under a sleeping curse," Killian said. If it was a sleeping curse, then it meant they were true love.
"So that means we are..." Emma trailed off, but Killian had a smile on his face.
"True love. Emma, we have true love." Emma kissed him again. She thought she lost him forever, but she didn't he is right here with her.
"I thought I lost you, Killian. You weren't breathing... I thought it was my fault." Emma said sobbing into his chest.
"You could never lose me. I am right here, Love." Killian said causing Emma to swallow a sob with a laugh.
Killian was soon walking back over to the diamond. He picked up a gold coin and threw it at the area the surrounded the hope diamond, and this time didn't ricochet off. Killian then went for the jewel once more, but this time he didn't fly against the wall, his hand went through the spell that was once there was now able to grab the Hope Diamond.
When Killian finally walked over to Emma, and she tackled him in a hug. The last twenty-minutes were emotionally draining thinking that Killian died, but he didn't, and he was able to retrieve the diamond that they were searching for.
"Killian!... Are you okay?" Emma asked she couldn't help but worry after he was laying on the floor in a state that mimicked death.
"I am fine, Love. It appears that your lovely kiss not only woke me up but also broke the spell guarding the mystical Hope Diamond." Emma wrapped Killian in a hug once again, and she never wanted to let go. Their moment was soon interrupted by the walls shaking and Anton coming back into the room.
"Okay! That was ten hours! It is time for you to go." Anton commanded.
"Thank you for everything, Anton. We were able to get the diamond, so thank you!" Emma said causing the giant's demeanor to change but she didn't comment.
"Well, that means our business is done. I am sure you both can see yourselves out." The giant spoke which made Emma drag Killian out of the room to the edge of the bean stock. All they had to do was climb down.
OUAT
Emma honestly didn't expect that kind of event to happen when they climbed the beanstalk. And to think she thought her family was more stable than the Snow-Regina-James saga. By the time the pair made it back on solid ground, Emma had kissed Killian once again.
"You scared me, Killian," Emma said looking into his eyes. "I love you, Killian and I am never going to let you go," Emma stated matter-of-factly, and Killian leaned in for another kiss.
"Well, I would despair if you did," Killian said with a smirk. He took the Hope Diamond that was attached to a chain and put it around Emma's neck.
"Shouldn't be doing something... I am thinking of Mary Margaret and David Swan." Emma asked Killian while holding the diamond. Nothing happened.
"I am not sure... My mother is buried a few hours away from here; you could try her... Alice Jones."
"Okay." Emma held onto the diamond and thought of a woman who had the name Alice Jones and this time it glowed, and a shot of black light went through the trees in the direction of where Alice Jones was buried. Emma gave him a questioning look, but her fiance just shrugged.
"I don't know maybe it needed a warm-up," Killian commented but followed the path made by the jewel.
After an hour, they found the headstone that marked the resting place of Alice Jones. The diamond worked, but for some reason, it didn't work for her parents. She tried multiple times, but it never pointed any other direction.
OUAT
Emma was going to figure out why the jewel didn't work; she just needed time to figure out how to do that. They currently were a days ride away from Vicky's house. Emma couldn't wait to see her son; she missed him, but going to the beanstalk was the best way Emma was able to start the process of healing. She will always miss her parents, but she can't close herself off to those who want to help, plus she is a parent herself and needs to do what is best for her son.
"Killian! It is getting dark we should rest soon. I might fall off of this horse. And I am still worried about you, after climbing a beanstalk, getting thrown across the room, and then slipping into a sleeping curse." Emma said. Killian seemed fine, but it didn't stop her from worrying.
"You right, Love. We wouldn't want you to fall off your horse." Killian said just before slowing down his horse. Killian got off of his horse and went over to help Emma.
Soon Killian was leaning against a tree with Emma's head on his chest. The sound of his heartbeat quickly allowed Emma to fall asleep. The two of them stayed like that for the rest of the night.
OUAT
Emma woke up to noises in coming from the woods. The sounds became louder as Emma went to wake Killian, but he was already pulling her up with his sword in his hand. Once Emma was on her feet she quietly grabbed her bow and arrow. Emma concluded where the sounds were coming from and readied her weapon in case of an animal. As the sounds came closer, they turned into voices, which in Emma's opinion could be just as dangerous as an animal.
"Come any closer, and I will shoot!" Emma said. Killian was right beside her with his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"No need to shoot dear. We come in peace," A familiar voice said coming through the trees, and it was Regina... Well, Queen Regina and a man Emma assumed was the legendary Robin Hood. When Emma saw it was them, she put her bow on her back and the arrow back into her quiver.
"I am so sorry, Your Majesties. I didn't mean to threaten you." Emma apologized as she drops into a short curtsy.
"None of that. I am truly impressed you were able to get your bow readied without us hearing you." The queen praised and the man beside her nodded in agreement.
"Thank you're Majesty," Emma said, but Regina gave her a pointed look. "Thank you."
"Robin..." Regina said looking at the man next to her. "This is the young woman I met at the Navy Ball, Emma."
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Emma. My wife was very taken with you at that ball." The man said causing Emma to blush.
"The honor is all mine. Um... This is Lieutenant Killian Jones, my fiance..." Both royals nodded to Killian in acknowledgment.
"Pleasure to meet you both," Killian added.
"Emma, dear, what are you doing in this forest this early in the morning?" The queen asked in concern.
"Well, you see... We were coming back from the beanstalk. We... We went to find the Hope Diamond." Emma answered and both Regina and Robin's demeanor changed.
"Did you find it?" The queen asked, and Emma nodded pulling the jewel Emma placed under her corset.
"Yes... Sadly it didn't help me find where my parents are... They died fifteen years ago; I just don't know where their bodies are located. The jewel does work; it took us to where Killian's mother is buried, but I don't know why it didn't work for my parents..." Emma trailed off; her sob story was most certainly not crucial to a queen of the Enchanted Forest.
"Well, From what I have -heard- that stone only takes you to the final resting place of someone you think of... Is there any possibility that your parents are alive?" The queen suggested, and Killian grabbed Emma's hand which was a comforting gesture.
"I don't know for sure... but my parents would never have left me to live on my own of fifteen years. I... It would only make sense that they died... They couldn't be alive." Emma said, if what Regina was asking was true it meant her parents might be out there somewhere, but it would also mean they abandoned her, and they would have never done that.
"They could have thought you died... I don't know. The Hope Diamond was cursed to take you to where someone you think of is buried or to their final resting place. If the person you think of isn't dead... the stone wouldn't be able to find the person you are looking for..." The queen said. Could her parents have thought she died? Did they come looking for her after Graham died and his family left her? What would that mean for her and her parents if they were alive? Would they be disappointed in her? Would they be happy to see their daughter after so many years?
"Or... The jewel isn't all that it is made out to be, dear. I am assuming Killian already knew where his mother's grave was so maybe the magic in the stone pick up on that knowledge." The queen offered.
"You may be right. It was a pleasure to speak with you both, but I must get back to my son." Emma said, and Killian went over to check on the horse.
"You have a son, dear?" The queen questioned.
"Yes, my first husband died a month before I found out. Henry... He just turned three in a few months ago." Emma answered.
"Well, we will let you two get back home then, we must be getting back to Roland and Roni. Good luck my dear." The queen started to leave but then turned back to her. "I wouldn't worry about your parents too much; I am sure they would be proud of you where ever they are..." And with that final statement, the queen and her outlaw left.
"What do you think, Killian? Do you think my parents are out there? Or do you think the diamond is a joke?"
"My dear, Emma. I think that the queen is right about your parents... No matter if they are out there alive or if they truly are dead, they are proud of you... Just like I am, along with Victoria, Charles, Liam, and Henry... I mean Queen Regina is even proud of you... Emma people love you. And I am sorry you haven't seen your parents in over a decade... but you grew up to be the woman that I love." Killian paused and then kissed her before continuing, "the woman I am going to marry, and my true love..."
"I love you, Killian... Thank you... I think you are right... I don't need to know where they are to be proud of myself... I mean if I didn't lose them, I might not have had Henry or met you, Vicky, Liam, or Chas... And what would my life be without you all..." Emma stated pressing a kiss to Killian's lips.
"We would have met even if your parents were alive... True love isn't something that happens every day; now is it?" Killian countered causing Emma to shake her head.
"I suppose you are right. Well, we now have our own personal fairytale adventure to tell Henry as a bedtime story." Emma said to which Killian laughed.
"Of course we do. 'Once upon a time, the Lieutenant and the Lady Swan climbed the beanstalk in search of a mystic diamond. The giant atop of the beanstalk gave the pair ten hours to find a way to break the spell... Time was running out, so the Lieutenant bravely reached for the jewel only to be thrown against the wall and fell into a sleeping curse. The Lady Swan believed that her love had died... To say goodbye, she gave him one final kiss. The kiss broke the curse the Lieutenant was put under and he woke up. That is when the Lieutenant and his Lady Swan shared some of the rarest magic in all the land - true love. The kiss not only woke the Lieutenant up from the sleeping death; it also broke the enchantment guarding the Hope Diamond. The Lieutenant and the Lady Swan soon climbed down the beanstalk and made their way home to their son who was being taken care of by his aunt and uncle…' I mean it practically writes itself, Swan." Killian recited. The way that Killian told the story made it actually sound like a fairytale.
"Very good, my dear Lieutenant," Emma said with a smile. "I am sure your brother will be overjoyed when we tell them that we share true love, and the only way we know this is because you were put under a sleeping curse," Emma said sarcastically, but Killian laughed it off.
"It was better it was me than you, my dear, Lady Swan," Killian said causing Emma to giggle. Emma was happy. The last few days were draining, but after her talk with both Killian and the queen, Emma realized that she didn't need to know where her parents were, they would always be in her heart.
OUAT
Emma and Killian were finally home. They were gone a good week. They didn't want to take that long, but Emma was more concerned with Killian's health than trying to get back home. Now they were home; they found Liam in the living room with Henry and Dorothy while Victoria was in the kitchen. Emma could smell tea, and could only assume that her sister would be coming out to be with Liam any second, and Emma was right. A moment later, Vicky was coming into the room with two cups of steaming tea.
"We're back!" Emma said, she could see Vicky almost jump.
"I see you both are back in one piece, and you Emma, look happier than when you both left a week ago. So, I can only assume that you found the Hope Diamond and your parents..." Liam said.
"We found the diamond... It doesn't work as we expected... It didn't lead me to my parents, but it did lead me to my true love..." Emma said smiling at Killian who kissed her forehead.
"You two are true love?" Vicky asked, and Emma nodded. Emma and Killian sat down while pulling Henry into her lap and told them about their adventure. Going on the beanstalk, and the giant. How she believed Killian was dead but then woke him up from the sleeping curse. And then told them about talking to Queen Regina, and finally, that she let go looking for the resting place of her parents because they will always be in Emma's heart.
Liam and Victoria were still in shock from the story Emma and Killian were telling, she could see it in their faces. It wasn't every day you learn that the person you are going to marry is your true love.
Emma and Killian's adventure to find the Hope Diamond didn't go as Emma planned but it gave her more than she could ever hope for it gave her hope for the future she has with her soon-to-be-husband and true love.
Thanks for reading...
I don't own Once Upon a Time, but I do like reviews; they really make my day.
Sneak Peek:
"Sorry I am late… Please continue." The Queen apologized taking a seat in the back row of seats. If it was one thing the queen was good at, it was making an entrance.
