It opened in a swirl of magic and power. The waves kicked up and the sky turned dark. Killian went over to Emma and wrapped a protective arm around her midsection feeling their child on the palm of his hand. He swore he could feel the baby kick at his hand and Emma looked at him smiling. "She wants to say hi dad." Emma smirked. Killian smiled. "It could be a lad." He scoffed. Emma shook her head. " I think it's a girl." She replied. They went through the portal a few minutes later.
Blackbeard let out several expletives. He was pissed. "I can't believe we missed them by a mere meter!" He yelled at no one in particular. "Well at least we know where they are going." Hans said. "If we are on some kind of wild goose chase I'm going to tan your hide prince." Blackbeard grumped.
Hans just rolled his eyes. He would get to Emma Swan soon enough and extract his revenge on her and everyone else who played a part in Ruining his life.
Chapter 8
The Enchanted Forrest was just like Emma remembered. The deep woods, little bustling towns and the harbor. This was her mother's kingdom. She still was amazed when she thought about her mother being a "Queen." The term was not one that was familiar with today's society. It was …old fashioned. When they reached the port, Emma changed clothes into a beautiful old sun yellow gown that accentuated her blonde hair and blue eyes.
Snow wore her signature red dress. Her age was finally starting to show as she let Charming help her off the ship. When the passerby's noticed who was on the ship they immediately bowed in respect for Snow and Charming's position. "Your majesty's! You've returned!" A commoner spoke clearly surprised to see them. She nodded smiling. "Yes, we've returned to stay for a while." The man smiled "Thank the god's. It's been hell since you've been away. That awful Maleficent…." He began but was silenced by his wife who looked nervous. "What do you mean…she's not supposed to be anywhere near this kingdom." Charming asked standing next to Snow. "Well you see your majesties, since you've been gone that's given the les desirables …. more of a chance to rule." He tried explaining. "And since none of us are royal, we couldn't do nothing about it." He said.
"Richard…." His wife chided. "No no, it's okay thank you for telling us." Snow said trying to comfort the woman. She and Charming exchanged glances. Emma, Killian, Henry and the rest of the crew and passengers exited the ship and was watching the exchange. "What's going on mom?" Emma asked. "Well, we seem to have a slight problem with Maleficent, but we will figure it out. Nothing for you to worry about. You just focus on you and the baby." She tried reassuring. Emma sighed. Was this how it was going to be? Everyone was going to be worrying about her not being able to do anything? She did have a child before. She thought to herself.
"You look beautiful in that dress Swan." Killian purred in her ear as they rode to the castle in a cartridge Charming got for the family. Emma smiled snuggling in closer to him. "I can't believe were actually here. It seems like we were just on another one of our adventures…." She said going off dreamily looking out the window. Killian nodded. In this realm, he was also now considered a Prince. He thought of what his brother would say. He would probably tease him that was for sure. Once they arrived at Snow and Charming's castle, they got unpacked and had a group lunch. Emma met Anna and Elsa for a tour of the grounds and Emma was enjoying herself for once in her life. "I actually am really liking it here." She said to Elsa. Elsa nodded smiling. "Yes, I do love this world. There is just something about your world that seems so cold and distant. This one is just richer and fulfilling." She said throwing a croquet ball at the goal. Anna clapped excitedly waiting for her turn. She hadn't seen her mother.
The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day out. The world was different in the Enchanted forest. They didn't have Netflix, or tv, or pizza. They had to come up with activities to keep them entertained. That's why there was so many balls. Emma thought.
Killian was assisting David and Henry with the news about Maleficent.
Finally, Emma saw him coming out of the hall. "Killian. What did you find out?" She asked. He looked a bit nervous. "Well it seems as though Maleficent thinks she's in charge of the whole realm. She's got spies everywhere waiting to attack when they hear that the king and queen have returned, and apparently there is a plot to kill you." He sighed. Elsa and Anna moved closer to Emma protectively. They had all become very close and were as sisters now. More like best friends, but close enough. "What can we do? We can help!" Anna said. Killian smiled. "I appreciate it lass, but we just need to stick together. We don't know what this mad woman has planned." He said. "Until then I think, well your father and I, think it's safest if you stay in the castle." He said. He was waiting for the blow. He knew Emma wouldn't like this idea.
She had to hold her breath. She knew they were just watching out for her but she wasn't an invalid she thought irritated. "I've got to get something to drink." She said walking away. "Emma waits." Killian turned to go after her but Elsa stopped him. "Give her some space. She's dealing with a lot right now and if I know Emma, she needs some time to think." She reassured. Killian nodded sighing. "I knew she wouldn't like this." He said. "Emma is a strong independent woman, of course she's not going to like being told what to do, but you are doing it because you love her. I would understand." Anna added. Kristoff came up a few seconds later. "I went and scouted around the castle grounds, and everything looks to be in order." He said reporting to Killian. "Thanks mate. I need someone like you on our side." He said. Kristoff nodded. He was a great woodsman and knew how to navigate the dark woods and mountain side. He was good at picking out traps as well and that would be a big help but Killian knew they had to go back to Arendelle soon. Elsa would stay of course, but Anna was second in charge and she could rule the kingdom while Elsa stayed to help Snow and Emma.
Emma was frustrated. She was not having any symptoms, she felt perfectly fine. It was eight weeks into her pregnancy and she felt like an invalid. She paced the great hall in deep thought. "Emma?" Snow asked coming out of a side room where some knights were leaving. "Who are they?" Emma asked watching the new men leave. "They are your father's and mines guards from before and we were asking them to return to their old positions." Snow replied. "What's the matter honey? You look upset." Emma sat down next to the fire place at the end of the room. Each room in Snow's castle had a fireplace. That was one of the many warm and inviting features of the palace. "I just feel like you are all so worried about me and I am fine. All I want to do is help you guys with Maleficent and I feel like I need to, but if I do I'm afraid that I will hurt the baby with my magic." She finally spilled everything she was thinking.
Snow nodded in understanding and placed her hand on Emma's knee. "We all love you Emma, and you are the most important person in this family right now. Your health and that of my grandbabies' is the most important and we are probably going to annoy the heck out of you with worrying over you but I will try to be better at showing it. How about that?" Snow asked. Emma smiled that was all she could ask for. "Can I come with you guys on missions and not be left here to worry about my family when I know I can help?" She asked. Snow reluctantly nodded. "Until it becomes an obvious burden on you and I know you can't handle it. Then I will say something." She said.
"Sounds good. Thanks mom." Emma hugged her tightly. She felt a lot better just talking. Killian entered to room a few seconds later. "I thought I heard your voice. Anna and Kristoff wanted me to let you know they had to head back to Arendelle to oversee things. Elsa is going to stay here if that is alright with your majesties." Snow smiled. "You can call me Snow now Killian. I'm still the same person in this world as I am in Storybrooke." She said. Killian nodded. "Sorry Snow." He said. Emma placed her hand to her stomach. "I think this baby is telling me to eat something because I just became starving all of a sudden." Killian smiled and helped Emma up. "I'll have the cook prepare something for you and the future prince or princess." Snow said.
"So?" Killian asked after she left. "Everything's fine." Emma replied. He nodded. "I have to go back to the ship to secure her would you like to come with me get out of the castle for a little bit?" he knew she wanted to and wouldn't say no. Smiling she nodded. "I'd love to Captain." She took his hand and he led her to the table where she ate a fine meal of bread and cheese and meats. After eating her fill and feeling completely stuff and satisfied she informed her family of where she was going. Charming and Henry were going to stay at the castle, Henry was way too excited to be in his Grandfather's presence and was soaking up everything. "In this realm, I want you to be wary love, I may be your Prince now but to a lot of people here I am still a feared Pirate, one of the worst. I have a lot of enemies and if anyone were to attack you I would kill them." He had a fierceness about his tone that startled her, and at the same time made her stomach flip. He was so handsome and strong. Why anyone would want to threaten him was a mystery to her. "I trust you." Was all she could manage to say. "Stay close by me at all times." He said as they got on two horses and began the ride to the port.
It was a longer than usual ride for Emma, she was beginning to get a little tired. Probably a side effect of being pregnant. She yawned. "Everything alright love?" Killian asked after a while. She nodded. They had been riding for a few hours. "Just a little tired." She said. "It's been a long day." He agreed.
Suddenly a group of bandits flew out of the woods surrounding them. Emma gasped pulling her horse to a halt. Killian jumped into action. There had to be at least six of them. Masked bandits. He cut down two right away. Emma whirled around as one tried to grab her around the waist but she fought him off. She felt the magic building in her and she lashed out at one coming at her front. She flung a white flair of magical power at him knocking him back. The others stepped back clearly shocked but the biggest one wrapped his hand around her mouth grabbing her from behind. "The queen wants this one alive." He growled to the others. "Mate you better release her if you know what's good for you." Killian said aggressively pointing his sword at the attacker.
" Sorry mate, I have orders, bring the princess alive." The unknown man said. Emma was trying to contain herself but she felt a magic she had never known well up inside of her and before she knew it she began to glow a white orb of powerful magic. Knocking the men around her unconscious immediately. She ran into Killian's arms feeling extremely light headed but some irrational part of her brain didn't want to mention that to him right now. There was a look in his eyes that she had never seen before and she didn't want to push it. He grabbed her and lifted her like a feather onto his horse they left the other horse, it would find its way home. He needed to get them far away from here.
"Are you okay?" he asked as he pushed the horse as hard as it would run.
She didn't quite know how to answer so she just nodded and said Yes.
