Chapter 7: In Which the Pirate and the Princess Finally Reach the Kingdom
Emma was in awe of everything she saw upon entering Misthaven; the merchants and their customers, the children playing in the square, and the large fountain that streamed glittering water in the mid morning light. There were red banners with yellow buttercups embroidered on them hanging from above off of the buildings, and the whole town was buzzing with the impending celebration.
"This is…." Emma trailed off at a loss of words as she took careful steps further into the market. Her mouth hung open and her eyes were wide as she soaked it all in.
"Come along, Swan. I know you're famished, as am I. I know just the place to get us some sustenance."
Killian brought Emma to one of his favorite pubs for breakfast by the docks. After they finished their meal (and after he secretly talked to the bar tender about renting his boat) they headed out. Breakfast also gave him the opportunity to switch his hook out for the fake hand he carries with him.
They left the pub to explore the city. He has been looking over his shoulder constantly, scanning their surroundings for guards all the while pulling Emma along by the hand (her hand, the hand that felt so nice in the palm of his) as she looks around the city in awe.
They found the biggest bookshop in Misthaven by noon. This is what he was looking forward to most. He wanted to see her face when she laid her eyes on the store and Emma was thrilled. Seeing her enthusiasm made him remember his own love of fiction.
"Have you ever read this one before?" Emma asked as she pulled a rather large volume off of the shelf.
"Can't say I have. But, this was one of my favorites." Killian reached for little book of fairy tales and fables. "Liam would read it to me when ever I couldn't sleep." He rubbed the cover with his thumb. Before placing it back on the shelf.
They looked through a few more books, and he noticed that she held a small book. "What's this? Ah, The Bear and The Bow. I remember this one too; it's great!" He took it from her hand. He looked around the store quickly before finding the shop owner and heading over to him. This would make the perfect birthday gift for her.
"Where are you going?"
His only response was looking over his shoulder with a wink. Her face was a priceless look of confusion.
"Would you like a pamphlet about the lost Princess whose birthday we are celebrating today?" The shopkeeper queried as Killian handed over a few coins.
"Aye," he said not paying much attention and shoving the brochure in the book.
"Cheers." Killian turned, book in hand, only to find Emma staring at him with a raised brow.
"Happy Birthday." He said, handing her the book. "You'll love it; I'm sure."
"What? I—" Emma looked almost guilty as she looked from the book and back to him. "But you've done so much already— I can't—"
"I believe thank you is customarily said in these situations. Besides, you did save my life so…" He trailed off hoping to make her feel better about the gift. She let out a soft chuckle and carefully took the book from his hand. She tenderly ran her hand over the cover. Killian couldn't help but wonder when the last time she was given a present.
He lead them out of the book shop and figured a nice little snack would be good to keep them going until dinner. Emma followed him to the pastry cart looking at all the sweets in wonder.
"What do you fancy having?"
"Surprise me." A coy smile lit her face.
Killian scratched the back of his head before addressing the merchant. "Two chocolate cupcakes please." They made their exchange and he took the small box from the merchant.
He turned to Emma and noticed a guard to their right. Killian quickly tucked the box under is left arm, grabbed her hand, and led them down an eyed, she clung on to his hand.
"Sorry, love." He said out of breath as he reluctantly let go of her hand.
"It's kinda fun sneaking around."
"Even more fun when you're with the right person." Emma looked a little taken by that so to lighten the mood he added, "and when you have good food. Though I fear I may have squeezed the box a tad too hard"
Emma took the lopsided cupcake he offered from the box. "So, what is this celebration even about?"
"Something about a lost princess. They've had this celebration for as long as I can remember."
"Huh, thats… sad…" she trailed off as she took the first bite of her cupcake looking at the banners she could spy from the alley. She had a bit of frosting on her lip that caught his eye and she licked it off before adding, "I wouldn't guess everyone would be happy about that."
That shook him from a bad train of thoughts. "I think it's more of a celebration of her memory and hope for her return." Killian took a bite of his cupcake as he thought it was funny that she and the princess had the same birthday. He dismissed that train of thought, dwelling on whether or not Emma would come with him and he could possibly have another chance to remove frosting from her lip. Maybe she could help him rescue Milah. Maybe they could go on adventures after that. If she was the princess… would she be able to do any of that?
Emma was certain this was the best day of her life; she went to the biggest bookstore in Misthaven, ate cupcakes, been to a pub, and ran from guards! Okay, maybe the last thing wasn't the best, but it was still exciting. She could use exciting after the life she's had thus far.
And Killian's been great today. Too great. She has noticed how he has been looking at her since last night, and she doesn't know how to handle it. Not to mention his offer to join him and his crew aboard the Jolly Roger. She was absolutely leaning towards yes, even if it means she ends up helping him in his revenge in some way. That isn't her business. But she could help him rescue his brother's love.
She heard music to her left that took her away from her musings. She followed it, finding a square filled with people dancing. Emma's eyes widened, and she couldn't help the smile that crept up her face as she watched everyone. The women's dresses spun round in a kaleidoscope of colors. Everyone was so happy; it was like living in one of her books.
"Care for a dance, love?" Killian asked, she felt his warm breath brush against her ear.
She turned to look at him, finding him so close and looking in to his eyes, she felt a bit off balance. He was excited by the prospect of dancing with her but she couldn't help the bit of fear she felt. "I-I don't know how."
"All you have to do is pick a partner who knows what they are doing." He slipped his hand around her waist and lead them to the dancing citizens of Misthaven.
He placed her left hand on his shoulder before putting his hand back on her waist and nudged her free hand with his wooden one. "Follow my lead."
Emma only nodded in response. He started moving them out into the crowd, and she tried to pay close attention to his movements.
She looked up at him and saw him beaming at her. She beamed right back at him. It really was a dream.
Until the look of pain that flash across Killian's face. Emma looked down and saw that she stepped on his foot.
"Sorry!"
"'S'alright,love. I've got another"
After taking it a bit more slowly, she got the movements down (with out stepping on his foot) and they danced for a while. Emma's thoughts lingering only on this moment with him and how good it felt to be in Killian's arms.
When the music was over they lingered just a bit too long. Emma realized and backed up. She played with her hands and squashed any thought of how she did not want to let go.
"May have had a rough start, but it turns out you're a natural." Killian said with his head ducked scratching once again at that spot behind his ear. He looked at her with such intensity in his eyes it made Emma have to take a deep breath to steady herself.
"When should we find a spot for the lanterns?" She asked, a little too shakily for her liking.
"Already taken care of."
Killian was so glad he thought ahead to rent a boat for them. He led Emma through the winding alleys and side streets to make it to where the bartender told him to go. She followed him quickly, excitement radiating off of her in waves.
The air around them cooled as they reached the docks. He heard Emma let out a low noise of wonder as she looked around the docks. At that, his heart skipped a beat. All day, witnessing her experience life and dancing with her, he felt honored to be with her. He wouldn't trade today for anything.
Killian was hoping she would be happy with the boat, and maybe that would sway her to come with him (which, if he was being honest with himself, he so desperately wanted). He looked around the abandoned dock before finding the bartender's rowboat. It certainly wasn't the Jolly Roger, but it would do. It was on the puny side, but enough room for them to be comfortable.
Suddenly, he felt a light touch right above his brace on his left arm stopping him in his tracks.
"Where are we going?" Emma asked with cautious amusement.
He couldn't help but look at her lips he had to tear his eyes from them to look at her.
"Best day of your life right? You deserve to have the best view as well."
"You would think that's from a boat."
"I just figured you should be able to make an informed decision about whether or not to join my crew." He stepped down into the boat getting it in order before setting sail. "And trust me, you won't be finding a better view."
"I hope your boat is bigger than this."
"I'll have you know I have a ship, not a boat, and she's a bloody marvel."
Emma tentatively took the hand Killian offers and steps into the boat. This is it.
This was also her first time on a boat. Her stomach dropped a little with the rocking of the boat under her feet. She stumbles a little before she feels Killian's hand on her waist.
"Don't worry, you'll get your sea legs," he manages to steady the both of them.
She sat down carefully, fingers gripping the side of the boat as Killian unlocks the wooden hand in his brace and clicked the hook back in to place. Then he looped the hook around one oar, grabbed the other, and started to row the boat.
The sudden movement caught Emma off guard and she gripped the side a bit more forcefully before getting used to the rocking of the boat. He rowed them between the island of the kingdom and the shore, it did look like it would be the perfect place to watch from.
The cool breeze danced across Emma's skin as she kept watch on the kingdom before her. She was out of her tower and was going to see the lights. She's dreamt of this moment for as long as she could remember, and here she is. Suddenly, the thought of tomorrow frightened her. What would happen now that she is here? She couldn't go back to her tower, and she was so unsure of going with Killian. She wanted to go, but what if she hated life on a boat, well, ship. All of the sudden, when faced with her dream, all these horrible 'what if's' came in to her mind. The anxiety clawed at her being.
"You look vexed." Killian's voice broke her spell.
She shrugs, keeping her eyes on the mesmerizing pattern of ripples dancing across the water from the little rowboat.
"I've been told I'm a good listener."
She would respond with a quip and run (figuratively, since she can't run off a boat). Instead, she finds herself wanting to talk to him. This adventure not only allowed her to follow her dream, but it also gave her a friend (though her feelings seem to be growing beyond friendship, and she didn't want to think about that. That she will run from.) and looking at her friend, she saw he was genuinely worried.
"What if it's not what I dreamt it would be?" She fretted as she played with the fabric of her skirt, waiting for his response.
"It will be." Killian reassured her.
"And if it is… what do I do then?" Emma's stomach dropped with voicing her fears out loud.
"You get to find a new dream." Killian reassured her softly.
"I don't know if—"
"I'm confident you can do anything you put your mind to." He said, looking at her like he was seeing the sun for the first time.
"So, does that offer to be part of your crew still stand?" Emma queried, incredibly self conscious.
"And here I was fearing you'd never ask." He cocked an eyebrow as he looked happily at her. "Of course it does. We do make quite the team after all."
Emma smiled at him, immediately relieved of all her stress. Now she can enjoy the night.
"Oh, bugger, I almost forgot. Here you are." Killian pulled out two lanterns from behind his back. "We have to wait, but now we will be ready."
Seeing lanterns filled her with even more excitement. This was all real. It's really happening.
"I have something for you too." Emma dug in her bag until she found Killian's satchel that contained the crown. She handed it over to him. He looked at her with a sly smile as he saw the crown resting in the bag.
"I always knew there was a little pirate in you, Swan." He said with a sinful smile and raised brow.
Regina sat at her vanity watching both Emma and Killian through the mirror. Frustration filled her being. The pirate wouldn't leave her; he was falling in love with her! She grabbed his first mate's heart as she rose storming away from the mirror.
"Huntsman!" Regina yelled.
"Right here your highness." Graham emerged from the hallway into her chambers.
"Come with me. We have a mouse to catch. And a pirate to ruin." Regina sneered as she grabbed a hold of the huntsman and made them both disappear in a cloud of smoke.
So sorry for the delay! I was interning abroad for two months and had no time. I hope you enjoyed the new chapter, I should have the next out quicker! Thanks to sticking with me and for the follows and favs!