The Lost Princess Found

The first thing he felt was pain; blinding pain like a hot poker stabbed into his chest. Clenching his fists he cried out in agony as convulsions rippled through his body, coming into contact with the floor he realised he must have fallen onto all fours. No longer in control of his body he curled up into a ball writhing in torment. Everything was dark, or maybe he couldn't open his eyes, it was hard to tell because as his chest dulled into a throbbing reminder of what he'd just done all he could focus on was a memory playing on the back of his eyelids so vivid he was sure he was living it again. An infant screaming, being ripped from his arms while his Father tried to attack the beast with his sword, only succeeding in being knocked out. Liam pulling him back as he tried to go after her, screaming her name over and over "Emma!" The horror and despair clawed at his chest "no, no, no!" he whimpered.

Killian tried to wake from the nightmare and somewhat succeeded as the scene became smaller and smaller as if he was being lifted away in the sky only to be dropped next to his mother's bed. The air was thick with silence and as he looked at his mother's lifeless body he was overwhelmed with sadness; it was the weight that struck him, how could a feeling of complete emptiness feel so heavy on his soul. His mother was gone.

In the blink of an eye he found himself as an older lad in his father's bedroom where the servants had laid him after finding the king swinging from the ceiling. Killian felt numb but his body was shivering, Liam's hand rested on his little brother's shoulder trying in vain to offer some sort of comfort. Abandonment settled over him like a dark cloud, no sooner could he take in the gruesome scene before he was falling down a dark pit landing on board his old navy ship; his eyes dropped down to see Milah lying limp in his arms, the colour gone from her face and her eyes dull, his heart constrict then flinched when he heard the eerie cackle of the Dark One ringing in his ears. He clung to her lifeless body willing it back to life, this time devastation gave birth to rage.

It started as a spark and quickly caught into a flame that engulfed his soul turning it black, and burning him from the inside out. He gritted his teeth to prevent screaming. Yet again as quickly as he found himself there he was whisked away his body being pulled as if someone tied a rope around his waist and was pulling him with all their might. He was in a tavern, drunk, when Robin found him and sobered him up instantly with the news that his brother and sister-in-law had died. Now the pain was new, and it was just as unbearable as he feared it would be; Liam, his brother and best friend, the man who had practically raised him when they became orphans. Liam was gone and it was there, filling every crevice of his heart, mind, and soul; it was the worst feeling yet, worse than the despair, sadness, abandonment, and vengeance – loneliness.

Killian Jones was alone in this world; everyone who had loved him had died, including that tiny child he was betrothed to. There was no doubt in his mind that he was cursed, was the princess's fate sealed the day her father bound her future to his? He sobbed, crying out for his brother, he'd wasted years chasing after The Dark One, years he could have spent with Liam helping him rule Aaralyn, years of memories he would never have because he'd allowed vengeance to consume him.

/

"What's happening to him?" Robin cried anxiously, watching his friend roll on the floor calling out in pain.

"He and his heart have some catching up to do – he'll be ok" Merlin answered.

Robin wasn't convinced, he could make out muttering, Milah and Liam's names, he couldn't understand the rest, Killian's body was shaking and his eyes had rolled to the back of his head, he looked possessed. Robin grimaced forcing himself to look away. Suddenly the violent shaking stopped and he was whispering her name, so faintly it was almost impossible to make out but Robin knew it was Emma he was speaking to.

/

A brilliant light cut through the darkness radiating heat that warmed his shivering body to its core, he saw her, his salvation, Emma Swan. More than that, he felt her, he could feel her love pouring over him like a balm soothing every scar and wound. Her porcelain skin glowed gloriously and he soaked it all in from the dimple in her chin, to her strong cheekbones, to her arched brow and mischievous glint in her emerald eyes. Suddenly the loneliness faded, the sadness lessened, and the vengeance was pushed aside, he reached out to stroke her cheek, tucking a strand of golden hair behind her ear; she smiled and he knew; he'd been dead inside for all this time and Emma Swan had brought him back to life. He loved her, and the intensity of that love burned fiercely chasing away the darkness inside that had haunted him for so long. "Emma" he whispered her name and as quickly as she had appeared she was gone, replaced by that all too familiar cackle of the Dark One.

Killian gasped for breath as his eyes flew open; standing above him were Merlin and Robin, the old wizard smiling knowingly and Robin looking horrified at what he'd just witnessed.

"Killian, are you ok?" Robin kneeled down by the prince, his voice laced with concern.

Killian let his friend help him up then grabbed robin's shoulder "We need to go save Emma, now!" then turning to Merlin he asked "How do we find her?"

"The same way the Dark One did, using a locator spell, all you need is an object of hers; he used the crown." The old man answered, peering at Killian waiting for the truth to sink in.

"But that makes no sense? Emma was with the crown, she was wearing it! Why would he steal it just for it to lead him straight back to her?" Robin asked

Merlin smiled, "Perhaps he was looking for a previous owner?"

Killian couldn't make sense of Merlin's riddles and was just about to ask him to stop and just tell them what the bloody hell was going on but before he could open his mouth the door flew open. Will, Graham, and Ruby stumbled in.

"Your Majesty, you have to see this!" Graham rushed over to Killian placing the silver chain into his hand, "It is the Queen's, she gave it to me before she was taken and told me to give it to Henry; she said it was all she had left of her parents…but that would mean…"

Killian opened his hand and lifted the necklace up to examine it, it was a long silver chain with a large pendant; it was an intricate silver star with a swan in its centre. "The Misthaven Star" Killian gasped "I've seen this necklace before…but…it's not possible!"

"Where did you see it?" Robin asked getting increasingly frustrated that he seemed to be in the dark about everything.

"On the neck of an infant, many years ago…a parting gift from her father."

"The Swan Princess?" Robin asked.

"Aye" Killian shook his head in disbelief; the pieces were starting to fall into place.

"She's alive?" Ruby gasped.

Killian turned to Merlin "The Dark One wasn't looking for Emma Nolan or even Captain Emma Swan…" Ruby and Will shared a confused glance, how many names did Queen Emma have? Killian continued "He was looking for the Swan Princess, the crown's true owner, only he discovered something he never expected…"

"What?" Will asked.

"…oh he must have revelled in my folly; I can only imagine his delight at the irony…"

"What irony?" Ruby demanded.

"Queen Emma…" Graham said quietly "…is the Swan Princess"

Killian bowed his head and Merlin nodded. The weight of their situation hung heavy above their heads. Killian stormed out the house, slamming the door behind him. They could hear him shouting outside followed by the clatter of pots and baskets being smashed and thrown around. Everyone in the room looked up at Robin expectantly. Sighing in resignation he said, "I'll go talk to him then."

Emma awoke to a dull ache in her back and shoulders, her eyes brought into focus the railing of her ship, and the helm in the distance; she was tied to the mast of The Jolly Roger. All around her the crew were scurrying silently working at the ship checking the riggings, scrubbing the deck and moving barrels around. The wind in her face and steady rocking of the ship told her they were sailing, though it was too dark to see what was beyond the railing of her ship. She heard his boots scraping along the wooden deck as he approached her. Raising her chin she looked up at him defiantly.

"Hello dearie, you're awake!"

"What do you want from me?" She demanded with a fearless resolve.

"Oh my, feisty one aren't we?"

Her eyes narrowed and jaw set.

He leaned forward and grinned, flashing his yellow teeth, his scaly skin reflecting like broken glass. "How about you tell me where Baelfire is?"

"We parted ways some time ago" Emma feigned indifference but her mind was in overdrive "What does he want with Bae? If he is the buyer for the crown, he got it, what more could he need from him?"

The Dark One sneered "But you saw him tonight, tell me what became of him!"

Emma's brows furrowed "Last I saw him he stole my crown, which you had in your possession so it seems to me of the two of us, you were the last to see him!"

Her words resonated with him. He looked at her suspiciously then turned around and walked to her first mate Smee. He twirled his hand theatrically and said "Pirate, the ship is yours! Don't come looking for us!" Walking back to Emma he leaned in menacingly, "Let's slip into something a little more comfortable". He clicked his fingers and they disappeared in a cloud of purple smoke, reappearing in a dark dungeon with bars separating them, Emma spun around she was in a cell, he was outside grinning at her.

All patience escaped her, "Why don't you just tell me what you want?" she demanded, tired of his riddles and games.

"I want you right where you are, locked up away from everyone where you can't cause me any trouble!"

Emma didn't understand. "Why don't you just kill me?"

"Now where would be the fun in that" he taunted. "Oh and don't count on your experience as a pirate to get you out of here, it's locked with blood magic, only a blood relative of mine can open it!"

Emma's eyes widened "Baelfire…that's why you asked about him…he's your son!"

For the first time Emma saw the Dark One falter, his expression betraying him. He immediately recovered "It matters little now that you know, once I find him, I'll make sure he doesn't try to help you."

Panic gripped her heart like a vice; what if Baelfire told his father he suspected Henry was his son. Henry and Killian could both be in danger! She tried to stay calm, "What will you do to him, to Baelfire?"

"That's none of your concern!" With that her captor left in his signature puff of purple smoke.

It didn't take Robin long to find his friend outside; hidden in the shadows Killian was slumped down at the bottom of a tree; his knees to his chest and head in his hands. The leaves and twigs on the ground softly crunched underfoot as Robin approached the King.

"How can one man make so many mistakes in his life?" Killian whispered to the ground.

"Aye, you've made a right cock up of everything, mate. So how about we go fix it now?"

"She told me she love me and I sent her away, I said I'd never love her…those were my last words, Robin, she doesn't know…wherever she is she is alone and doesn't know that I love her. I broke her heart because I was too scared to return mine to my bloody chest."

Robin sat down next to Killian "You can't change what you've done, but we can find her and you can tell her how you feel, then once we rescue the Queen you can spend the rest of your life making it up to her, loving her the way she deserves to be loved."

Killain looked up shaking his head. "I can't expect her to take me back after how I've treated her but you're right, we can save her, I can beg her forgiveness, the rest will be up to her."

Robin slapped his back then stood up and held his hand out for the King "Then let's save the Queen!"

They walked back into Merlin's house to find the others still reeling from the shock that Queen Emma is the Swan Princess and the seriousness of their current situation. They lifted their heads to look at Robin and Killian.

Killian cleared his throat "In the light of current events it is imperative that we find Queen Emma and free her from the Dark One. We cannot rest until the she is safe; then we will figure out our next move." He turned to Merlin, "Can you use Emma's necklace to do a locator spell?"

The old man nodded and held out his hand. Killian rubbed the pendant between his thumb and forefinger, memorising every detail before reluctantly handing it over.

"Don't worry, I know it's all you have of hers, but it won't leave your sight." The old man gently assured him.

With that the wizard pulled out an old dusty book from a shelf above his table and opened it with a thud. "Let me see, L…Laughing spell…Leeches…Lightning curse…Location spell…here it is!" He laid the necklace on the table and waved his hand over it muttering what sounded like gibberish. The necklace began to tremble as it sprang to life, and then slowly rose into the air glowing bright blue. It only hovered for a moment before gliding out the door while they all stood watching in wonder.

"What now?" Will asked.

"I suggest you follow it!" Merlin urged them.

Killian took the lead hurrying out the front door, climbing on his horse and galloping after the blue glowing haze in the distance, his companions close behind him.

Emma woke on the hard ground with a groan. Her eyes slowly adjusted to the light, bringing with them the realisation that this wasn't just a bad dream. Aaralyn was gone; she was separated from her husband and son, and trapped in The Dark One's…well whatever this place was. That woke her up; her fingers stroked the ground beneath her, dirt. She jumped up and walked to her prison walls to inspect them, her hands drifted across the rough bumpy stone; it was natural, like she was in a cave. Her eyes moved along the wall looking for any sort of loose stone or light, following with her hands to try and find anything, a change in temperature, moisture, or even a draft – nothing.

She sighed then turned to the front of her cell and wrapping her fingers around the bars, they were thick iron, there was no lock on the door, just a large handle, she pushed her arm through the bars and wrapped it round so her hand could grip it and turn – nothing. "Obviously Emma, you knew it wouldn't be that easy!" she scolded herself. It suddenly struck her that she could see, but there were no lights in her cell, her gaze lifted and she saw she was in some sort of dark cave but at the end there was an opening allowing some light in. She listened carefully, holding her breath. Birds, she could hear birds…she was in the forest perhaps?

It wasn't much to go on but it was something. Killian would come for her, she was sure of it. And when he did she needed to do whatever she could to help him find her, but in the meantime what she needed was a plan. She slumped to the floor thinking; the only way she could get out was Baelfire, she would need to tell Killian to find him and convince him to help her escape. That wasn't going to be easy…

That moment purple smoke signalled her captor's return, "Good mornin' dearie!" he smirked. He was holding a bowl in his hand. "I come bearing gifts…well breakfast"

"I didn't realise breakfast came with the room" she muttered sarcastically, though her rumbling stomach gave her away.

"I'm feeling benevolent. The tides have turned in my favour and I have some good news…I've just learned your only chance of escape has been…devoured, so to speak…anyway, enjoy your last meal and your final days rotting away in this cave."

Emma stood level with him staring straight into his dark eyes, the eyes that wrought fear in so many yet did nothing to her. She didn't fear him in the slightest, he hadn't killed her; the famous Dark One who had slain thousands without a second thought hadn't so much as laid a finger on her, why? She reached out to him and he took a step back, she saw it, he'd dropped his guard and she saw it, clear as day despite how fleeting it was – The Dark One was afraid of her!

Feeling a new boldness build inside her she spoke in a cold, quiet, yet authoritative, voice "They will come for me and I will get out of here and when I do there will be nowhere for you to hide. I will find your weakness and I will kill you!"

He waved his hand over the bowl and it magically appeared in her cell. "Don't count on it princess, you are trapped here forever, there is no magic that can break a blood magic enchantment – none!" he hissed, wrapping his gruesome tongue around the last word. "Let them come, they won't be able to set you free, and what then? So your precious King may come visit you but for how long? How long will he make the trip, bring you supplies, and entertain you before he gets bored or distracted or old? You think your love will sustain with these bars between you? Your parents will be frozen in time forever as their punishment for hiding you from me; eternally in torment wondering why you never came for them. Did you die? Did you forget about them? They will never know. Your husband is weak, he's no match for me, he's tried for years to kill me but he is too focused on himself to ever succeed. I'm afraid, Princess Emma, your story is over."

With a click of his fingers he left her for good.

Killian, Robin, Ruby, Graham, and Will rode through the forest following the enchanted necklace for hours; they were miles from Camelot and into the next land. They hadn't dared stop in case they lost track of the necklace, Killian was beginning to wonder how many days ride away Emma was when it slowed down to a stop, hovering in a clearing. The King got down from his horse and carefully approached the necklace, suspended in the air as if on an invisible thread. Just when he was eye level with the jewellery it started to twitch back to life and shot towards the forest, Killian ran after it, leaving his horse and the others behind. It finally came to a stop at the entrance of a dark cave then slowly floated inside.

Carefully, he pulled out his sword and entered the cave, blinking while his eyes adjusted to the dim light.

She heard running and heavy breathing followed by slow careful steps. Emma rose from the ground and walked into the centre of her cell. Tilting her head to the side and straining her eyes she could just make out the silhouette of a man walking into the cave with a familiar stride. She'd imagined this moment, dreamed of it so many times she wasn't sure if this was real or not. She didn't care, she missed him, and even if he didn't love her she wanted nothing more than to see his face again.

As he came closer he slowed down, shadows covered his face but she knew it was him even before she heard his voice in a breathless whisper "Emma!"

"Killian" She didn't move, she wanted to reach out to him but his parting words echoed in her mind, was he here out of a feeling of obligation or guilt? "You came after me?"

He wasn't stopping, he continued towards her cell slowly and gradually his features came into view; his unruly black hair, pixie ears, stubble kissed jaw, and those piercing blue eyes glistening with emotion.

"Emma" he whispered again, his words completely escaped him when he saw her face full of uncertainty, hating that he'd made her feel that way.

He wrapped his hand around the bars of her cell, not breaking eye contact, there was something different – he was different. She walked towards him until they were inches apart her hands on the bars next to his. His eyes were soft and to her surprise she watched a tear escape and followed its path down his cheek and falling on her hand. Her eyes darted back to his.

"I love you Emma" He said hoarsely starting to shake. "I love…"

Emma pressed her lips against his cutting him off. She reached her hand through to the bars to hold his head to hers while he slipped his hands around her waist. Their lips parted as they gently rested their foreheads together; standing there with just the sound of their breathing she closed her eyes and laid her hand gently on his chest. A sharp inhale left her lips when she felt it, the steady rhythmic beat beneath her trembling fingers. Her body went limp as she crumbled into tears, his grip around her waist tightened keeping her upright until she composed herself.

"What made you change your mind?" She asked, her voice still choked.

"I heard you were captured by The Dark One, I had to find you, I had a feeling my heart would lead the way." He smiled lovingly "And it did!"

She placed her hand over his heart again. "Does it hurt?"

"It did" he laid his hand over hers "what hurt most was the realisation I'd sent you away…those things I said Emma…"

"It wasn't you." She forgave him. He had his heart back, he was complete and he loved her; Emma was bursting with happiness.

"I thought you and Henry would be safer away from me…"

"How many times have I told you we are stronger as a team?" She lightly scolded him.

"Aye, I'm an idiot, I know."

Emma took his other hand and brought it through the bars to her lips. "I'm just glad your heart is back in your chest. How is Henry?"

"He's safe! You can see for yourself once I get you out of here…"

Killian started shaking the handle, when it wouldn't turn he raised his sword and smashed it against it but the door didn't move "there must be a way to…"

"Killian…you can't" She insisted "It's locked with an enchantment, it's blood magic, only a blood relation of The Dark One's can open it."

"I don't suppose he left his family tree lying around?"

Emma shook her head "we don't need it! Baelfire is his son! If you can find him before he does perhaps…"

"Emma"

His face grew serious, the colour draining from his cheeks. "What?"

"Baelfire is dead"

"What…how?" she gasped.

"He ambushed Graham in the woods, he was trying to take Henry and Graham wouldn't give up the boy, Ruby came to their rescue. Graham tried to warn him but he didn't believe him. Ruby saw a threat and she dealt with it…I'm sorry Emma, they didn't know…they still don't know that he is…"

Emma reached out and squeezed his arm, the answer to their dilemma striking them both at the same time. Their eyes widened – Henry!

"Henry is…" Killian started but was interrupted by Emma shaking her head.

She knew where he was going with this; it was too dangerous! She also didn't know if The Dark One had means of listening to what was said in his dungeon. The fact that he hadn't appeared suggested that he didn't know Killian was there; then again, he'd said it himself, Killian was no threat, he couldn't open Emma's cell. She looked frantically at her husband then shifted her eyes around the room trying to indicate to him that The Dark One had spies everywhere. She had to make sure he understood how dangerous this could be for Henry.

"You shouldn't be here right now, he could return any second. Henry needs you, and he should have at least one of his parents with him!" Her eyes widened, pleading with Killian to understand it was more important now than ever that people believed Henry was his son. "One day, when he is older, he will do great things, I know it! But you shouldn't be wasting time here that you could be spending with him."

The sadness in Killian's eyes showed he understood. "I'll do everything in my power to be the father he deserves"

"I know you will" she smiled, kissing his hand again then gently nestling her cheek against it.

He swallowed back the lump in his throat. Fate was cruel, if Henry was the only one who could open the door it meant waiting; waiting until he was old enough and keeping him and his secret safe until then. It also meant waiting until he and Emma could be together again.

"I'll have Ruby stay here with you; she can hunt and cook keeping you fed and watered and keep you company. I will come visit you whenever I can!"

"How far am I from…from home?"

"Two days ride"

"That's a long trip…" she said thoughtfully.

He lifted her chin so she was looking at him. "I'd go to the ends of the earth for you"

"I like this new Killian with his heart!" she giggled.

Her laughter was like sweet music. He pressed his forehead against hers again closing his eyes. "I have so many regrets Emma"

"shhhh" she soothed him "We can't change the past, promise me you won't lose hope!"

"I promise" he whispered "After all this time; I can't believe it was you."

Emma furrowed her brows and pulled back "what was me?"

Killian's jaw dropped. "He didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

"Emma, I just found out after I put my heart back…I was trying to figure out a way to find you and Graham brought me this…" he reached into his pocket and pulled something out.

"My necklace?"

"Do you know what this is?" He pointed to the pendant.

"A swan…that's where I got my name from…I don't understand…"

"Yes it's a swan, but behind it is the Misthaven star"

Emma stared blankly.

"Emma, Misthaven is where I'm from…where you're from; your father gave you this!"

"How do you know that?"

"Because I saw him give it to you"

She dropped her hands and took a step back from him shaking her head. "I don't understand"

"Emma…you were that child, you're the Swan Princess. I watched your father, the King, put that necklace around your neck the day we took you away. I looked at it while I held you in my arms in that carriage. It's forever burned in my memory."

"I am? But I thought you said she died!"

"I thought she had! I thought you had." He corrected himself. "You are the crown princess of Misthaven and the only one who can break the sleeping curse they've been under all these years."

She should have been overwhelmed by her situation, by the fact that so many people relied on her while she was trapped in this cage. She should have been angry for the childhood she was made to suffer trapped in that witches tower all because of The Dark One and his evil plan. She should have felt saddened by her predicament but all she could think about was her parents. They hadn't abandoned her; they'd tried to save her.

"You knew my parents?"

"Aye, I knew them well and loved them as if they were my own family!"

All those years she felt alone there was a whole kingdom praying for her safe return, there was a little boy grieving her, a loss he would carry with him into adulthood. Killian didn't start loving her when he put his heart back in his chest; he'd loved her his whole life. That thought alone filled her with such warmth and comfort she had no space left in her heart for anger or fear.

"Thank you" she whispered.

He cocked his eyebrow as a question.

"For loving me all this time" she answered.

"Our parents may have matched us but we found each other and fell in love with each other on our own."

"Well you said yourself that you were destined to be with that princess"

He reached up and cupped her cheek "I was destined to be with you" he leaned in a kissed her sweetly then added "and that is what gives me hope and that is why I know we will overcome this!"