Chapter 8

The evening of the ball arrived.

Royalty began to arrive from all over. It was like every princess on the planet had been invited. Ariel had truly outdone herself this time. She was convinced this was going to be a historic gala, The ball to top all others. Every princess entering the palace knew that Prince Killian would most likely be picking his future queen tonight. The ballroom was flooding with people. The grand staircase from the double doors was lined with a teal carpet as the gold from the staircase stood out from underneath, catching the eyes of the guests. The gold pillars of the ballroom accented by deep purple curtains. It truly was a sight to behold.

Scuttle was weaving his way through the crowd, trying to get to the chambers of the prince, where the queen resided. With a loud knock he opened the door.

"Ahem, excuse me your majesty," Scuttle began

"Yes, Scuttle what is it?" The Queen responded, sitting at the vanity as Killian stood at the mirror adding the last touches to his appearance.

"It's getting rather crowded in the ballroom."

"Very well you may begin the introductions. Oh, and Scuttle?" Ariel asked.

"Yes?" Scuttled answered slyly.

"No mistakes this time old friend. Everything must be perfect."

"Oh, no, I mean yes ma'am, everything will be p-p-p-perfect. Hehe." Scuttle stuttered and with that he made his leave.

The queen stood from the vanity. She was dressed in a ballgown of teal that had sheer teal accents on the skirt that started at the hips and flowed down embroidered with starfish. The sleeves were sheer and came off the shoulder. In the middle of the sweetheart neckline was a purple shell that had match shell earrings, the subtle nod to the sea. He ruby red locks pinned up in a elegant up-do with a matching purple shell comb. Last but not least, her crown sat proudly on her head, standing out amidst the red.

Killian was dressed in black leather pants and tan jacket which a high black collar and black cuffs on the sleeves lined with buttons. The jacket had diamond embroidery detailing and gold buttons and black detailing down the front. Underneath the jacket laid a black vest and white shirt with sleeves that went past the cuffs. Killian's final touch was the necklace of pirate charms given to him by Emma.

Ariel stood behind Killian as he put on the final touches to his ensemble. He looked so much like his father it was almost frightening, like a ghost was staring at her. She laid her hand on his shoulder and met his eyes in the mirror.

"You look beautiful mother." Killian said with a smile.

"Thank you, son." Ariel responded with a smile. "Are you ready?"

"Yes mother." He extended his arm for Ariel to take.

"Promise me Killian you will tell me who it is the moment she arrives." Ariel commented.

"Don't worry Mother you'll know." he winked at his mother, "Believe me, you'll know."


Meanwhile in the tower of the Mad King's Castle.

Robin broke through the surface of the water, making his way back to the chain he had been holding on to.

"There's a hole Emma." He said as she swam up to him. 'It's not very big though. We need something larger to break through it. Don't lose hope."

Emma's heart sank. They were running out of time.

Applause filled the ballroom and the Queen, and the Prince entered and took their seats at the head table.

"Thank you, everyone for being here this evening." Ariel announced, standing from her seat. "I know some of you have traveled a very long way, so I will not delay any longer. Let the presentation of the Princesses begin!"

Killian rolled his eyes and slumped back in his chair. He absolutely abhorred this part, it was like the princesses were on parade. He watched it at different balls as a child and he still hated it.

The first princess stepped to the table and bowed to Killian. She was blonde with a green and white dress on with corn patterned on the dress and corn in her hair and on her shoulders.

"This Princess comes from Colchester where corn and cotton grow," Marcos voice boomed over the top of the crowd, "She plays croquet, plays harpsichord, and sew her own clothes." Killian bowed politely, trying to stifle a laugh at the corn.

The next princess approached. A dark-haired princess with a yellow and periwinkle dress. The sleeves were puffy all the way down the arms. She cartwheeled up to Prince Killian and struck a pose. He really didn't know what to do so he stood and bowed.

"Antonia is known for taking the path of least resistance." Marco announced.

Killian rolled his eyes. Obviously, He thought.

"She hails from south-east Rajasthan and came the furthest distance." Marco continued.

Princess Antonia bowed to the prince and made her leave. A princess approached Killian and tried to take his hand and spin him. Killian backed up and politely bowed, a little disconcerted by this woman. Her blonde hair was short and was a dirty blonde color. It didn't resemble the rays of the sun like Emma's did. Her dress was in black and white with a ruffle on each layer. A black beret sat atop her head and she had on a pink shawl around her shoulders.

"Griselda lives to help the world. She finds no task too menial." Marco announced sounding as bored as Killian looked. Griselda aggressively shook Killian's hand and made her leave.

A princess entered in on a horse completely dressed in armor. Her dress was completely made of armor, including a helmet that hid her face. Marco and Killian shared a glance of extreme uncertainty. The princess dismounted off her horse and bowed at Killian.

"Brunhilde is from Stuttgart, where our swords and armors are made." Marco announced, still a little frightened. Killian bowed politely but made no effort to move.

This went on for what seemed like ages, princess throwing themselves at Killian. He heard whispers through the crowd, things like "This is the likely occasion where the heir to thrown picks a wife." Girls would ask him things like "Where have you been all my life?" before fainting. It was getting a little ridiculous.

Killian was getting worried. Where is she? He thought.


Outside of the palace

The Dark One and Milah lurked outside of the window, waiting for the opportune moment. The longer they watched the more glee filled Rumple as he prepared to destroy the Kingdoms.

"Soon, that wretched Prince will be dust in my fingers, and the Kingdom will be mine." He sneered "Its time."

Milah nodded and stood with her arms out and red smoke started to swirl around her. Standing in front of him was an identical twin to Princess Emma.

"Well, well." Rumple stood back and admired his work. "Not bad if I do say so myself. You know your mission, obtain the vow so Emma will die. Leave the Prince to me."

"Yes Master."

With a gleeful giggle, Rumple sent Milah to the door.


Applause filled the ballroom after the presentation of the princesses was completed. Killian was relieved even though he didn't see his princess. A knock on the door silenced the entire ballroom. He turned to look at the door, a tiny spark of hope rekindling in his gut.

"Scuttle," The queen stated, " All those who were invited are present, are they not?"

"Yes, well uh, yes I believe so." Scuttle stuttered.

Another knock sounded at the door, This time louder.

"Open the door Scuttle." The Queen commanded.

"How could it possibly be?" Scuttle muttered and he sulked to the door, "It's the milkman, It must be the milkman."

The door swung open and everyone gasped, everyone except Killian. Milah entered but all anyone could see, was Emma. Milah came through the door and stood at the top of the stairs. She wore a dress of deep red with long sleeves and a sweetheart neckline. Red beading lined the shoulders and the neckline of the dress and the sleeves came to a point at her hands. The back of the dress was a corset and the skirt was full and flowed around her. Milah bowed her head at scuttle and made her way down the stairs.

"Oh no.. No, it can't be!" Ariel whispered. She rose from the table and made her way to Marco.

"Marco, Marco!" Ariel whispered, tapping his shoulder "Who is it? Do you know her?"

"I don't know your majesty!" Marco replied

"Come on Marco, I know he confides in you. Now who is it?"

"I promise, I have never have seen her before!" Marco insisted. "Although, she looks a great deal like.." Marco and Ariel shared a look.

"It couldn't be…" Ariel whispered, "Could it?"

Milah disguised as Emma approached Killian and bowed. He felt like something seemed off with her, But he was so happy to see her, he shoved the thought back to the back of his mind.

"Swan." Killian began, "You had me worried there, love. I thought maybe..."

Milah put her hand up to silence him. "Nothing could keep me away."

Killian smiled, and with a snap the music began.


Meanwhile at the Tower

Emma kept diving, trying to get the hole to be bigger. She had to get to Killian, before it was too late. The animals she had helped while being there surprised her. The turtle lured away the crocodiles in the moat to give her an opening. The frog tried to squeeze his way through the hole in the bottom of the tower. The turtle dug through the rest of the way, giving Emma the escape, she needed. She swam over to Robin and started pulling on his sleeve.

"Emma, stop." Robin said gently. "You need to get to Killian. You can fly I cannot. Go. I will get out now that there is an opening, but you need to go. Now!"

Emma nodded and him and dove for the hole. As she went to swim out, the crocodiles spotted her and started to follow, getting on her tail and snapping. She swam faster, trying to get to the surface. The crocodile snapped, missing her neck by a mere centimeter. Suddenly the puffin appeared, distracting the crocodiles. It gave her the out she needed. Emma broke the surface and started to flap her wings.

Killian's palace was the only place in her mind now.


As Killian and Milah continued to dance, something just felt off. There was no playful banter, she was a much better dancer than she normally was, and her locket was missing.

Her locket, He thought. Where is her locket?

Killian had stopped dancing with her and just looked her over.

"Swan, something about you seems… Something seems different."

Emma's locket appeared in Milah's hand, which did not help his suspicions. "Don't worry, after tonight, everything will be perfect." She said, handing Killian the locket.

"Aye, of course." He responded cautiously as he placed it around her neck. Walking over to Marco, Killian he whispered in the man's ear, "Marco I want to make an announcement, stop the music." Marco nodded, and silenced the musicians.

It was time.

A white Swan with a gold stripe across her forehead burst through the trees. Emma was almost to Killian's Palace. She was exhausted, but she couldn't stop. Not when she was so close.

Killian and Milah bowed after their final dance as the crowd applauded. The walked hand in hand to the front of the ballroom.

Emma soared through the houses and by the sea. She flapped her wings harder and made it to the window and she looked in. The sight made her heart stop. There stood Killian next to a woman who looked just like her, and Emma knew it was Milah. The Dark One had taken her locket; it would have been the only sure-fire way to believe. But he couldn't believe it could he? He knew her better than anyone, her mannerisms and her ticks. He had to have seen through it.

Killian looked at Milah and took a deep breath. He stepped away from her and began his speech.

"Kings and Queens, Ladies and Gentlemen. I have an announcement to make. Today I have found my bride."

Emma started to tap her beak on the glass in a panic. No Killian, No! It's a trick! She thought.

"I present her to you as the future queen of our fair Kingdom." Killian continued. He gut was in a twist. Something didn't feel right.

Emma spotted another window. She flew across to it, trying to get in Killians line of sight. The tapping on the window continuing.

"As proof of my love for her," He continued. As he did Milah spotted a swan outside desperately trying to get the princes attention. She took his hand and batted her eyelashes, doing her best to distract him. "I make a vow to break all vows. A vow that's stronger than all of the powers of this earth."

Emma flew to the next window, Milah turned Killian and put her head on his shoulder so he couldn't see Emma out the window. But what Milah didn't realize is out of the corner of his eye, Killian spotted a swan out the window.

Killian broke out of Milah's embrace and faced her. "Emma, before I left with the Navy; Do you remember what I told you?"

Emma's heart gave a little flutter, he knew it wasn't her. This was a test, the day he left the only people that were around when he said goodbye to her was the two of them. Her thoughts flashed back to that day four years ago...

Emma was standing alone on the balcony of her room in Killian's palace as she stared out to sea. He was leaving today with the Navy to go fight the Dark One as his threats had been on the rise again. She knew it was his duty to go and protect his kingdom, but she wanted to be selfish and keep him here with her. Her feelings ran deep for him, and that's what scared her. What if he didn't make it home? She would have to suffer a loss that she most likely would never come back from. As her thoughts started to drown her, two strong arms came around her waist and a head came to her shoulder.

"Penny for your thoughts love?" Killian whispered into her ear.

"Trust me, you don't want to know." She answered quietly, leaning her head back into his shoulder.

"Oh, but I do love." Killian said, tightening his grip around her.

"I don't know what I'll do if you don't come home." Emma spun around in his arms and threw her arms around his neck, losing all control of her emotions.

Killian held her and stroked her back. "Shh. Don't cry my darling. You mustn't think that way."

Emma stepped back, and Killian took her face in his hands. "Emma, I have to go. Please don't cry love. I will be back before you know it."

Emma just nodded and went to pull away, but he held steadfast. "There's not a day that will go by that I won't think of you"

"Good." Emma whispered.

Kilian's lips crashed onto hers with an intensity that left her weak in the knees. Her hand gripped the lapels of his jacket and his hand tangled in her hair. He poured every amount of emotion he could. She could feel his feelings without him saying the words. Their kiss was passionate, and powerful. The pair broke apart when the need for air became too strong.

"That was…" Killian began

"A one-time thing." Emma concluded. "A goodbye in case you don't come home."

Killian raised a brow at her and shook his head. "Emma, when I win your heart, and I will win it. It won't because of any trickery. It'll be because you want me."

Emma had to choke back her tears. Didn't this silly man know he already had it? Killian took her hand and kissed it gently.

"I have to go, stay safe my princess. Look for my letters." Killian bowed deeply, gave her a sad smile and left.

Emma gripped her locket, sank to the ground and completely fell apart, thinking she would never see her prince again.

She broke in through a window and sat perched on top of one of the pillars, awaiting to hear the wench's answer.

Milah panicked, this wasn't supposed to be happening. The Dark One never prepared her on answers and he was nowhere to be found.

"Why of course I do my dear." Milah purred to Killian.

Strike one, He thought. That's not what Emma calls me. "And what was it love?"

"Oh, you know I don't want to say. It's too embarrassing."

Strike two. "Humor me."

"Oh, why does it matter? I'm beautiful and that all that matters to you anyway." Milah responded quickly.

Strike three Emma thought.

Killian nodded to Marco and quickly drew his sword holding it to Milah's throat as the guards filled the hall. Emma watched safely from her perch.

"Now," Killian began. "I know you are not my Emma, so who the bloody hell are you and where is my Princess?"

With that lightening stuck and a hooded form appeared in the ballroom in a swirl of read smoke.

The Dark One.