Quelling My Bloodlust

Chapter Ten

Inside of Emma's room once Mary Margaret left her own so she could help her daughter finish getting ready for the ball as well, she stood behind Emma who was sitting in front of the mirror, as she carefully laid the flowered crown over her daughter's head to add to her elegant, flowing white gown while she spoke in reverie saying, "I remember my first ball. I was eight years old, and my mother said I was finally old enough to go. It was magical… All of the lights, the music. And I remember thinking, 'I can't wait to someday share all of this with a daughter of my own."

Emma smiled up at her mother through the mirror's reflection and reached out to take her hand, then whispered softly, "I'm glad I get to share it with you, too, Mom."

"I know you are," her mother replied happily, until she saw the sadness in her daughter's eyes as Emma laid her head over the back of her hand seeking some small comfort. "But you're worried about something too. Is it Killian?"

"I think that's the first time you've ever really called him by his real name," the Savior responded in surprise when she turned around to face her, as Mary Margaret helped her to stand up, then walked her over to the bed so they could sit down together. "It's nice to hear it. Does this mean you no longer see him as the man he used to be like Dad still does?"

Snow White faced her daughter as she answered sincerely, "Emma, I haven't seen the man you love as Captain Hook for a long time, and while your father may not admit it… neither has he really. Especially after all Killian's done for you, especially now with him willingly becoming the Dark One in order to keep you from having to make that sacrifice. We just continue to call him Hook because it's still a part of who he is. The version of Hook who loves you. He loves you so… so much and he's proved it to you, and to us, time and time again. We are going to save him. You'll see."

Emma smiled sadly as she reached up with one hand to wipe away the few tears that began to fall down her face and replied quietly, "I'm thankful for that, Mom. Really, I am. It's just… He's scared right now. And the truth is, I am too. I know Killian didn't mean to allow the darkness to take over him at the village. He never would have hurt anyone if it hadn't have forced him to. But his guilt is tearing him apart inside because he doesn't see it that way. He won't talk about what happened with me yet, but I can tell. I've always been able to tell when he blames himself for things, even when he doesn't have anything to be ashamed about. He wears his guilt all over his face, even when he was still… Captain Hook."

"Tell me about your first ball again," Mary Margaret then said to try to pull her daughter out of her mind that was full of fear for the man she loved in hope that she would be able to enjoy herself at the ball. "When you and Killian went to the one thrown by King Midas after you became trapped in our past."

"It was… magical," the Savior responded as her mother had moments ago with sudden cheerfulness in her eyes and in her heart. "Just like it was for you and Dad every time you ever went to a ball. I didn't really think so at the time. I mean… I did, but… I was terrified at first. So was he for that matter. At least when we were confronted with having to make up names for ourselves when Midas asked us who we were so his herald could announce us. But then… he changed and Killian became…dashing. A perfect gentleman."

Back when Emma and Killian fell through Zelena's time portal…

Upon arriving at the ball where Emma hoped both of her parents would soon be, she began to go on and on to Hook about how her parents liked to reminisce about their pasts as she and Killian began to walk through the crowds of guests while she quietly muttered, "Mary Margaret and David are always going on about this ball and that ball. What's the big deal about these things?"

When they made their way through to where the people were dancing to the music playing around them, Emma then froze as she began to watch the dancers in amazement, then Killian leaned in closer to her with a smile on his face and whispered, "You were saying?"

"What I'm supposed to do?" she then asked him while she stared at how perfect their moves were and how graceful the women looked as they danced with their men.

"Blend in," he answered confidently, smiling again while he took her by the hand and then guided her over to the dance floor.

The Savior allowed herself to be led by Hook as she looked at him in surprise and replied, "Wait. Are you saying you know how to do whatever this is?"

Killian laid her hand down on top of his right shoulder, then reached down to place her other hand within his wooden one and wrapped his arm around her to lay his good hand over the small of her back so he could hold her before he finally looked into her eyes as they began to dance, all while he responded, "It's called a waltz. There's only one rule… Pick a partner who knows what he's doing."

The Savior and the pirate captain continued dancing without words while they looked into each other's eyes, for awhile allowing themselves to forget the reason why they were there that night and that they were in any danger. Neither Prince Charming, nor Snow White had made an appearance and Emma was actually having fun being at a ball with Killian.

"Watch the mocking," she finally stated as she noticed him smiling smugly at her while they were side by side. "I'm actually getting the hang of this."

"I'm not mocking you, Swan," he answered her as he knelt down on one knee to allow Emma to dance around him like the dance called for them to do. "I'm just thinking about what you said in Storybrooke, about not being a princess."

Emma smiled at him at in disbelief and replied, "Really? You get my first dance at my first royal ball and all you can say is 'I told you so?"

Killian stood again and bowed to her before pulling her close to him like before while he responded in sincerity, "I believe what I'm trying to say, Your Highness… is that you appear to be a natural."

Back in the present once more…

Emma was smiling happily as she spoke to her mother of that night which now seemed so long ago, until she finally remembered she was no longer there in another time or in similar circumstances where the two of them were just themselves. Even if they did have to give fake names so they could blend in without being made as imposters.

"It wasn't long after that we remembered our reasons for actually being there, but until all disaster struck… it was wonderful," the Savior continued until she finished, then Mary Margaret pulled her daughter into her arms to hold her until it was finally time for them to head down to the ball within Camelot.

"I know Killian is worried and hardly in the mood for dancing and celebrating," she said again worryingly as they walked through the castle's corridors arm in arm. "I'd be too if I were the Dark One as I would have been were it not for him. We should be trying to figure out how to free Merlin like Regina was saying to you and Dad. The longer the darkness is inside of him… the more Killian suffers and I can't stand that there's nothing I can do to help him."

Her mother nodded in understanding as they came upon the top of the stairwell overlooking the main hall where the ball was being held, then she answered, "Just try to think about your love for him, as I'm sure he'll be thinking about you as well. Everything's going to be all right. You'll see."

All of a sudden, one of King Arthur's heralds presented Emma and her mother, as they turned to face the people below when he loudly cried out, "Now presenting… the Savior, Emma Swan and Lady Mary Margaret!"