After three days, the Jolly had barely caught up with the navy ship. When they slipped into port alongside them, all Hook had seen was the royal carriage leaving the docks.
The next step in getting back to Emma was getting into the palace and since he had first heard of the celebratory ball, he had known where he had to be. All it required was a change in outfit and a forged invitation and he was in.
However, nothing prepared him for actually seeing Emma. When she came down the marble stairs, arm linked with her mother, she stole the very breath from his lungs. Asides from the miniature portrait in her locket, he had never seen her in anything other than a raggedy peasant cloak and pirate clothes but now she was entirely befitted in an indigo blue ballgown that billowed and flowed in true royal fashion, studded with glittering jewels which reflected everything in the exact green of her eyes. She seemed to glow from within.
Hook stood in the far corner of the ornate hall, tugging at the cravat that was pinching at his neck. His focus was entirely on Emma as she danced with one partner then another then another for what seemed like forever until he had worked up the nerve. When she excused herself from some minor lord, he approached fom behind, tapping her on the shoulder.
"Would you care to dance, Princess?" She heard the familiar lilt of an accent. When she turned and saw him, her eyes widened with shock, an intense verdant ocean.
Emma wouldn't admit to her mother but she wasn't really enjoying the ball. The dancing was endless and the guests were dull at best. But, when she turned and came face to face with Hook of all people, she couldn't help but let out a gasp.
"Hook? What are you doing here?" she asked, hardly daring to breathe. He smiled.
"The Jolly and I followed you and that ship here. Then all I had to do was find you amidst the crowd, Princess."
"Hook, it's still just Emma." she said.
"Then you shall have to call me Killian." he countered. Emma nodded and Killian extended his hand. Emma noticed that he had replaced his hook with a fake wooden hand.
"Now, about that dance?" Emma took his hand and led her out onto the floor. He put her hand on his waist and she took the wooden one in hers. As they began to waltz, Emma was surprised at how well he seemed to know the steps.
"I didn't know that a pirate could waltz." she said as he spun her around.
"I didn't know a princess could gamble." he teased. Suddenly the music changed but before another hopeful partner could approach Emma and ask for a dance, Killian swept her into another waltz. Emma didn't mind. He was the only one who she really wanted to dance with anyway. This continued in a pattern for the next four or so dances.
Across the magnificent ballroom, Snow stood with her husband, watching Emma and her handsome partner.
"Who is that she's dancing with?" Snow wondered aloud. David shrugged.
"I haven't a clue, dear."
"She's danced with him more than anyone else tonight." she noted. "Perhaps he's a suitor?"
"Perhaps . . . but you shouldn't count your chickens before they hatch." David intoned. Snow laughed.
"I was merely curious, Charming. I want Emma to be happy."
"So do I. If someone deigns to court her, who are we to deny her true love?" David said. Snow sighed and linked her hand with his.
Yay! I managed to squeeze in some Snowing!
