"it wouldn't be proper!" Elsa argued again as they all sat on the Jolly Roger a few hours later. They were transporting Anna, Kristoff, and Elsa back several hours to the capital. "The two of you aren't married. "
"I assure you. It is perfectly fine if Killian and I share the captains quarters." Emma paused. "We already haven't done things the proper way. I would most likely already be sleeping in his quarters even if you weren't here."
"I understand that. But won't people talk." Elsa asked.
"As far as most the world is concerned I'm nothing to gossip about. I'm just an orphan raised by the fairies. By the time there will be anything to say, Killian and I will be married and it won't matter."
"when are you planning to wed?" Elsa asked.
"As soon as we reach Winterhaven. I won't risk the chance that my parents do not approve. Killian is to be my husband before we reach the capital." Emma explained.
"You could marry just as easily in Arendelle then." Anna said. Killian cringed.
"he is obsessed with marrying in the kingdom of Misthaven. He thinks the marriage won't be recognized if we don't marry there. He is very afraid of my parents disapproval." Emma explained.
"I'm a pirate captain Swan, I don't know of many kings and queens that would want their daughter to marry me." He argued. "on top of that I come from the poorest stock there is. My father sold me and Liam to pay off his debt."
"You've never met Snow white." Anna said reverently. "She was a bandit for years herself, she approves of true love no matter what form. She would probably like you better after hearing that story."
"You've met her then." Emma asked.
"just once." Anna explained. "our parents took us with them on a diplomatic mission when we were young. She was kind to us."
"She isn't a traditional queen. She cares very much about her subjects, and very little about class or creed." Elsa explained. "I hope to be just like her someday."
"do I look like her?" Emma said hopefully. "I've heard she is beautiful."
"no, not at all." Anna blurted.
"she's right, you don't look much like her." Elsa said. Emma's face fell. "But you look very much like the king, so much so that I doubt your relationship could be denied."
"I guess that's a compliment." Emma said.
"it is. You are gorgeous afterall." Anna said. Her filter was still off. Kristoff smiled.
"I say you just look like Emma." Killian smiled. She laughed. "and I love her."
"I love you too." She said in answer. He grinned devilishly.
"So what do you say your majesty will you come with us to Misthaven?" Killian asked.
"you really should." Anna said.
"Maybe." She paused. "if we can figure out a proper sleeping arrangement."
"I will not have the queen of Arendelle sleeping amongst the crew. It isn't the most comfortable situation but Granpabbie said you must come with us." Emma said. "Killian and I can share a room."
"Granpabbie doesn't understand that I have an entire country to run, I shouldn't leave Arendelle without a leader." She tried.
"Kristoff and I will handle everything. It's important that you do this for the kingdom. The dark one must be defeated. You need to be a part of that." Anna said. "the prophecy says the plan will fail without you."
"No offense Anna but you are not a natural born leader." Elsa tried to tread carefully.
"I will have Kristoff." She tried with a half smile.
"I think Sven might be a better choice." Elsa teased.
"I'm the daughter of a king and Queen too. I can do this." Anna argued. "Its in my blood the same as yours."
"what will we tell the people. I haven't even been Queen for a year. I should not leave." Elsa tried. Emma could sense that her apprehension was due to fear.
"We will tell them that you are on a diplomatic mission to Misthaven." Anna explained. "mom and dad did those all the time."
"mother and father died at sea, while traveling to Misthaven." Elsa said. The real reason for her protests was now clear.
"I assure you, I will not let that happen." Killian promised.
"You will succeed. I know you are scared but you are strong. You can do this." Kristoff said surprising all of them. "Anna and I will be okay. We will protect Arendelle."
"ok." Elsa said her voice barely squeaking out. "if I must go then I will."
"I will prepare my men." Killian explained. He knew it would be hard to explain the situation to a crew of pirates. He knew that the time for secrets was coming to an end. It was getting harder to lie. The queen and princess could probably be ransomed for more money then any of his men had ever seen.
"what are we going to tell them?" Emma asked.
"the truth." Killian said.
"Can we trust them?" Anna asked.
"We will soon find out." He explained.
"I'm not quite done with my terms yet." Elsa said. There was a flicker of mischief in her eye.
"ok, what do you want then?" Emma asked. Elsa smiled broadly.
-/-
"I know the last few weeks have been filled with strife. I am sorry for that." Killian said as he stood on the deck of the jolly roger addressing his crew. "we are stopping for three days in the capital city of Arendelle. Then we are going to be continuing our trip to Winterhaven. I will be accompanying Emma to the capital by land after that."
"is it true that the queen and princess of Arendelle are aboard the ship?" one of the sailors asked.
"It is." Emma stated. She looked around the deck. "and it is time you knew why."
"The dark one threatens all of us. His presence in our realm is no longer a mere inconvenience. He will kill anyone of us in order to gain more power." Killian interjected. "We are going to Misthaven because of a prophecy from Merlin. We believe as many do, that this is the only way to defeat the dark one for good."
"we're pirates we didn't sign up for this. I pillage and plunder. It's not my job to save the world" One man argued it was one of the new crew members. Killian cringed. He didn't know them that well. Several others nodded in agreement.
"No it isn't your job, but it's the right thing to do." Emma snapped. "and if you don't want to stay you don't have to. We have said that from the beginning. The dark one is a threat to all of us. I am the only person who may be able to beat him. I wish I could run away as well. I can't. Neither can the captain. He is part of this now."
"The treasure that Emma offered all of you back in our kingdom was a lie." Killian began.
"you mean we're not even going to be paid." A surly man cried.
"you will be paid as promised. It's just not from a treasure. It's a reward." Killian explained.
"the only reward that large in all the kingdoms is for the return of the lost princess." One of Killian's oldest and most loyal soldiers protested. Then the man stopped in his tracks, understanding over came him.
"The fairies have hidden this secret from me all these years. Some of you knew me when I was with Liam. I did not know then. I have no doubt of it now. I know you are pirates, but I assure you as long as you don't betray us you will get paid." She smiled. To her surprise the men began to bow. The new crew member who had argued first was the last to join them. Smee smiled at her from the back of the deck. She couldn't believe it.
"I would also like to introduce Elsa." Emma said. At her name Elsa emerged from where she had been at the top of the stairs. "Queen of Arendelle." None of the men dared stand.
"I will be traveling with all of you to Misthaven. Your Captain has promised me safe passage. I don't know if I can trust you but I will try if you will. My kingdom is also willing to pay when I arrive in Winterhaven safely." The queen said. "You don't need to bow any longer. I will be treated like anyone else aboard this ship." The men began to stand.
"and once again, the previous offer stands. If this is not what you want. I will not hold it against you if you stay in Arendelle." Killian explained.
"We are not quite done." Elsa said clearing her throat.
"There is one more detail." Killian said. Emma could see his nerves spiking. "As many of you are aware Emma and I have recently begun to care deeply for each other." There were several snickers and a duh from somewhere. "At first I felt guilty because of my brother. But I love Emma. I have loved her for longer then is proper. I want to spend my life with her. Even if it means I have to give this up. Even if it means that I become a king someday."
"Get on with it Hook." Someone teased.
"We will be staying in Arendelle for three days so that Emma and I have time to wed." He said.
"the queen has requested this as a term of helping us to complete the prophecy. It will be a small ceremony, but you are all invited to join us." Emma explained. "She has graciously agreed to provide a small hall for us as well as food and drink. We all need some merriment. that is all." The deck erupted with cheers, Killian smiled at Emma. The secrets of the last few minutes faded.
-/-
"you okay." Emma asked once they had returned to the captains quarters. He held her silently.
"I want to marry you so badly that part of me just wants to go up on deck and perform the ceremony myself, but it makes me nervous Swan." He explained.
"I know you wanted to wait but as Elsa said, they won't be able to deny us if the Queen of Arendelle is in attendance. It will be fine." She kissed his neck. "She would feel better about everything if we do this now."
"You really like her don't you?" Killian asked.
"yes, I can't explain it. I've never had a lot of friends. The fairies were great but they didn't really understand. It's nice to get to know another human magic user." She smiled. "I think we are going to be great friends."
"I like her too. She seems like she is a great leader, she actually cares." He said "her sister is bloody hilarious."
"She has no filter. I think Kristoff really grounds her. They are a great couple." Emma said.
"like us?" Killian teased. He moved his kisses to her neck.
"We have people waiting for us." Emma said as Killian's face fell. She was right. In a few hours they would be in the capital. They were staying in the palace as personal guests of the Queen. The wedding would be the day after tomorrow.
"that didn't stop you in the forest." He teased. His hook touching her inner thigh.
"I know. I don't know what came over me. In my defense I had just seen a photo of your dead body." She explained. "that whole scene still frightens me."
"Me too." He said. The pages were back in their envelope. Neither of them wanted to talk about what was in them, but they had to.
"any ideas about the rest of the people we need to find?" Killian asked.
"Well Anna did say my mother was a bandit before she was queen. She could be the bandit." Emma said.
"could be." He said. "no idea about the others though?"
"none." Emma said. Just then there was a knock on the door. Killian groaned having still been hoping to convince Emma that they had time for a quick romp. For some reason he just couldn't get enough of her.
"We are nearly there." Smee said. He smiled at the two of them. Then he looked solemn. "I know of at least three men planning to leave in Arendelle. I couldn't believe you just let it all out there like that."
"We couldn't keep the secret." Emma explained. "with the Queen coming aboard and everything. We had to tell the truth. I'm sorry for causing trouble."
"I didn't much like being a pirate anyway." Smee admitted. "I hope that you will Let me do whatever I can to help."
"Thank you for sticking with me." Killian smiled.
-/-
The next few hours were chaos. By the time they had tied off the ship at Port and made the short walk to the palace, Emma was exhausted. She was also anxious to get to know Elsa better.
"what can you teach me about magic?" Elsa asked once she had showed Killian to his quarters, she and Emma were alone for the brief walk between the rooms.
"I don't know much about ice magic." Emma admitted. "But I know a lot about control and how to keep your magic in check. That stuff is the same no matter what magic you use."
"I need help with that definitely." Elsa said. "I nearly froze the kingdom and killed Anna at my coronation. I could use whatever training you can give me."
"I'm happy to help." She explained. "Whenever."
"I really hope that we can be friends." Elsa admitted.
"I would like that very much." Emma smiled. They reached a door at the end of the hall.
"This is you." Elsa explained.
"thanks." Emma smiled as they walked inside. The room had a nice four poster bed. It reminded her some how of her room back in the monastery. Suddenly she missed it there. It was frightening how much her life had changed in the months since then. "seriously Elsa. Thank you for everything. Killian and I appreciate it."
"Its no problem." Elsa assured her. "I'm sorry if I seemed scared earlier. I've never been a part of anything like this before."
"Me either." Emma admitted. "a few months ago. I was just a simple girl, about to get married to a simple sailor."
"was Killian in the Navy then?" Elsa asked.
"yes, but I wasn't talking about Killian I was taking about his older brother Liam." Emma admitted.
"Wait you were engaged to Killian's brother." She asked confused.
"yes, but he died." She paused. She had been trying not to think of Liam. She finally let herself remember him now.
"I'm sorry." Elsa said sensing the change in Emma's mood. "that must have been very hard."
"There were days when I was sure if I even wanted to go on. The fairies sent me to find the jolly roger. I met Killian again and it was like I woke up. We were never close when Liam and I were together. Now I realize it's because we were both afraid." Emma admitted. "I think I always knew in the back of my mind.
"I but that is not easy to figure out." Elsa said. "when did you know?"
"it wasn't until Killian lost his hand and nearly died in my arms that I realized I loved him. I sitting there watching some one else is loved die and I couldn't hide it anymore. I knew." She explained. "I just kept it buried for a long long time. The worst part is that I struggle between feeling guilty for loving Killian and being so happy I could burst."
"Liam would want you to be happy. I don't believe he would be angry that you found true love with Killian." Elsa soothed.
"Liam could be very stubborn. But you are right, he wouldn't want me to sad, he'd want me to move on and be happy." Emma smiled. "thanks."
"Anytime." Elsa smiled. "I will let you rest now. I have things to prepare for in my absence."
"okay, if you need anything." Emma started.
"I will let you know." Elsa said. She reached the door jam before turning back to Emma. "Do me a favor?"
"Sure."
"Wait until I'm at least out of the hallway before sneaking back to Killian's room." She smiled wide. Emma laughed.
-/-
Emma waited patiently for Killian to arrive. She had been certain he would come to her. She sat in the room for 20 minutes before finally heading back in the direction of Killian's room. Once she reached it. She found it locked. She knocked twice before finally just appearing on the other side of the door. Killian sat inside on the bed. He had taken his boots and brace off but only just. He was fast asleep exhausted from everything. Emma smiled. She silently removed her dress leaving on only her shift before slipping into bed beside him. He put his arms around her and mumbled something not really waking up. Emma watched him for several moments before giving in and drifting off herself.