A/N: Hello everyone! Here we are at last, back with the second part of what has been such a joy to write. We pick up exactly where we left off, with Elsa and Liam about to meet again and share the whole truth. Don't worry though, there is still a healthy dose of CS in this chapter, and enough feels to last a lifetime. I mean, honestly, I outdid myself here. It's fluff fit for the Fluff Queen title so many of you have bestowed on me, AND when this chapter is done, I will get to move onto the real cutesy stuff. Anyway, thanks so much for reading and hope you all enjoy!
"And you're sure it's her?" Killian asked, looking at the old photograph Liam had just unearthed.
This image was not located within the bound family photos tucked away in the royal offices. Instead, it was a rare print that existed outside of any professional accounting. If Killian's hunch was correct, it had been shown to no one, the precious property of Liam alone. Killian certainly had never seen it, or the antique chest it was stashed in. That made sense, seeing as no one was allowed in this area of the palace without express permission, and even his mother and Gran would never dare to intrude without invitation.
This compartment was so infrequently used, that Liam himself seemed to have forgotten about it during his search. For hours prior to Killian's arrival, his brother was sifting through every royal archive he could think of. He had looked through every photo book possible, but to no avail. There was no trace of any Elsa in the archives. That didn't stop the King, not when he was beholden to this nagging feeling that he and Emma's friend had met before. While Killian thought they may change course and focus on the future instead of the past, Liam shook such a suggestion aside. He began to hunt elsewhere, looking through other parts of the palace before arriving here, in his personal apartments.
Sure enough, after some time spent down unhelpful rabbit holes, the pictures Liam remembered were found. They were all somewhat dated, and each of them were taken well before Liam had ascended to the throne. Liam had taken these in their youth, of that Killian was sure. Back then photography had been a favorite hobby of Liam's, but it had been many years since Killian had seen his brother directing a camera. Within the collection, there were some shots of their mother and Gran, as well as Liam's few friends from school and from the little time he'd been in the service. There were photos of Killian sailing, both as a boy and when he was a bit older. The transformation from gangly teen to young adult was all here, and his favorite of the bunch were the ones with both brothers together, happily ensconced in the before times, prior to Liam's becoming King. But this photo now in Killian's hand was different. The age of the photo had faded some of the color slightly, same as the others. It was dated enough so that Killian knew it was at least ten years old, but the emotion behind it was still palpable.
"It's her," Liam said, his eyes never straying from the photo even while Killian kept hold of it.
The subject of the image was a beautiful girl, young, maybe fifteen or sixteen. Her icy blonde hair was loose and curling, her blue eyes were bright and her smile was familiar. The more Killian looked at the picture, the more he had to admit that the subject did bear a striking resemblance to Elsa. He flipped to the back to see if there was any note, but all it bore was a name. A different name than the one he expected.
"The caption says 'Selene.'"
"I know that," Liam snapped, reaching for the photo once more. Killian handed it over, knowing not to push his brother, and the moment his fingers held the long-lost picture again Liam seemed to calm considerably. "I don't know how it's possible, or why she told me what she did. Hell, I don't even really know her name. But I know this is her. This is my Elsa, my Selene."
Killian watched his brother for a few moments, and he could see that this girl from the past, a girl he had never told Killian about, was special. It was clear as day that Elsa also meant something to him too, and if by chance they were one and the same… well that would be a trick of fate more intriguing than most others. He hoped, for Liam's sake, that it was true.
Looking back to the photos in the trunk, there were two more that bore the same ethereal lighting as the one Liam was holding. One was of Liam, caught in the middle of a laugh as he reached for the camera back. Whoever was taking the picture had likely stolen it, but his brother was by no means mad. Bloody hell, this girl must really be special, because for years Liam had hated having his picture taken. It was a part of their lives he couldn't avoid, but he certainly never enjoyed it. The other photograph was taken in a garden somewhere. The same girl was the subject of the photo once more, but this time she sprawled out on a blanket in the grass. There were flowers all around her at the edges of the lawn, but her eyes were glued to the book in front of her. Somehow Killian knew this photo was from before they'd spoken – for the girl had no idea she was having her picture taken. It was a true candid, and bore another hint that Liam may actually be right.
"Brother look," Killian said, handing Liam the new picture. Liam's eyes traced the image, as if he was reliving a cherished memory.
"She's beautiful." Liam's praise was unwavering and heartfelt. It struck Killian down to his bones, and his own happiness rose. It was amazing to see his brother feel such passion, especially after years of wondering if Liam would ever find some in the first place.
"Aye she is, but note her hair." Liam looked and low and behold it was braided, intricately. To Killian this was perhaps the best proof they had, for he had never seen anyone but Elsa tie their hair back the same way. "Elsa's braids have always been unique. I've never seen her without them, and I've never seen another's done in a similar style."
"I told you," Liam said, with something like pride in his voice. "I told you it was her."
Before he could respond that Liam may very well be right, Killian's phone began to ring, buzzing in his pocket with the thrum of tiny hornets. Pulling it out, he saw Emma's face, knowing it was the woman he loved on the line, and he answered without delay. "Miss me already, Swan?"
"Something like that," Her voice was tantalizing, and he could hear the subtle tones of unshared laughter. He knew she was smiling, and it filled him with peace. "Listen, I'm here with Elsa and Anna and I think it would be good if Elsa and Liam talked."
"Elsa?" Liam mouthed to him. Killian nodded, and then in a move so quick Killian almost failed to avoid it, his brother reached for the phone. Liam was fast enough to knock the bloody thing from his grasp, but after a moment of wrestling to get the damned device, Killian was victorious. He shot his brother a look of warning. Liam was far too riled up, and he needed to tone it down. Way down.
"Sorry, love," he said back to Emma once more, knowing his breathing was more labored than it had been seconds prior. "Suffice it to say my brother is enthused by the prospect."
"When?" Emma asked, and the word was barely out before Liam took it upon himself to respond.
"Now!" Liam said, yelling loud enough for Emma to hear and Killian bit back a groan. Gods above, his brother was a wreck. It would be hilarious if it wasn't quickly become a security hazard.
"The sooner the better it seems."
"Okay, so in an hour then?" Emma asked. The only thing Killian had going for him was that Liam seemed to miss that. Killian took from his silent look of hope that he had not heard a whole sixty minutes would still pass before he saw Elsa again. Relaying that would not be fun.
"Aye." He whispered 'One hour' to Liam and that set his brother in motion again. Pacing around the office and then looking towards the hall when they heard the footsteps of some staff approaching. An idea occurred to Killian that he hoped would be appealing to both Elsa and his brother. "Might I suggest my place, so they may have some privacy."
"Perfect," Emma agreed, at the same time that Liam's expelled a relieved breath. He was still piqued, but it was one less element to consider. He would have actual peace and quiet at Killian's, and the distractions of his duties would be at a minimum. "She'll be there."
Liam managed to hear that last part, and whether he knew it or not, his lips curled up into a small smile, one Killian hadn't seen in so long on his brother's face. He was not totally satisfied yet, but he was on the road to getting there, and it all came back to Elsa and the magic she seemed to wield over him.
"Brilliant. And Emma?"
"Yes?"
"I love you." He heard her soft intake of breath, as if their newly spoken words still overpowered her. He felt the need to be with her, to see her, to hold her, but he reminded himself that there was only an hour separating him and his Swan. Soon enough he'd make good on those urges. Soon enough he'd be with his love again.
"I love you too."
It was impossible to feel anything but goodness in the face of those words from Emma, and as he hung up the call, he knew his own smile fully outpaced that of his brother. For as strongly as Liam may feel, he didn't have one thing that Killian held in his own heart: assurance that he and Emma were in this together, and that they were only at the beginning of a story he had every intention of writing for the rest of his days.
"I'll have cause for that kind of smile soon enough," Liam said, pulling Killian back from thoughts of his Swan.
"You think so?" Killian rebutted, mostly in jest but also intrigued at Liam's confidence given that there were clearly many unanswered questions between him and Elsa.
"I know so. That's the smile of a man in love, given the chance to be with the woman who owns him." The statement was accurate, and Killian made no move to deny it. Liam's gaze turned away, back out to the window and into the later morning sun. It was beautiful outside, but Killian had a hunch that his brother saw none of the greenery or gold. He was thinking of Elsa, and nothing else. "I may not be there yet, and perhaps it won't be easy, but I won't lose her. Not again."
"She's made quite an impression on you, both times it would seem."
"Aye," Liam agreed, but where Killian expected his brother to share the story, Liam remained mum, holding the photos of the girl from his past and running his thumb across them gently. Killian didn't press for details. It wasn't his place to beg for answers. Soon enough to truth would be sorted. He only hoped that his brother would have his wish, and that somehow, he and Elsa would find a way to pursue this attachment between them.
"It's probably best we get a move on. We'd hate to hit traffic and keep her waiting."
"Under no circumstances would I allow that to happen," Liam replied gruffly, but the comment had its desired effect.
The feeling in the room shifted immediately, and Liam was set into motion, calling on his guards to enact a protection plan that involved getting him and Elsa to Killian's compound safely. It was an interesting blend to behold, a mix of Liam's kingly competence and command and his earnest desire to make his heart whole. If Killian had to guess, it was only a taste of what may come should Elsa decide to give him a chance. He only hoped the lady was amenable, and that his brother might be as lucky in his choice of partner, as Killian was with his Swan.
…
An hour had never passed so slowly before. At least not in Liam's experience.
The duties of a King had thrown him into all sorts of situations. Unbearably long peace talks and diplomatic visits, tours of the royal navy that were so thorough he practically inventoried each part of each ship himself. Then there were the required social events that the people of Montenaro expected him to champion or at the very least show up for. Many of these things could be considered tedious, and in the privacy of his own mind, he'd considered them effective mechanisms for the slowing down of time, but they were all nothing compared to this.
Waiting for the woman who had restarted his heart, Liam knew a sense of hope and agitation that was difficult to endure. He was looking at the clock all the time, glancing at the watch he'd been gifted by his grandfather ages ago as if he could will the second hand to speed by faster. Instead it had the opposite effect. He'd finally felt momentum this morning with Killian, first in confessing his attraction to Elsa, then in the discovery of a memory he was certain that they shared. To be stuck now in limbo, waiting for answers, and more importantly, a chance to see her again, Liam knew every other trial he'd ever faced was merely preparation for this.
"The perimeter has been handled as you requested, Your Highness," Jefferson reported. On a good day, when Liam was operating with enough sleep and a clear head, it was rare that he heard his head of security sneak up on him. Today he stood no chance, but he didn't flinch. Indeed, he only spared his old friend a fleeting glance. Jefferson continued, "The detail has been removed to the outskirts of the property. The two of you will be completely alone."
"Good. And as we discussed, I want no interruptions."
"Understood, sir."
"Do you have eyes on her currently?" Liam asked, and Jefferson nodded.
"Yes, sir. Two escorts as you requested. Totally undetectable. They're en route now. Just a matter of minutes."
"And my Grandmother?" Liam asked, hopeful for the right answer.
"Both of the dowager Queens are fully accounted for. Their day trip to the coast has proceeded as planned. They're at least an hour away, neither of them the wiser regarding the morning's events."
"Thank God for small mercies," Liam said, truly grateful for that. Not that he didn't love his two maternal figures, but he was not interested in the interference that they'd displayed with Emma and Killian.
"What some call small mercies, others call diligent planning. Their team has been briefed on the basics. Neither Queen is to know about your visit here, and they are to use any means necessary to ensure their Highnesses remain out of the area."
"Such as?"
"Feigned issues with transport, 'accidental' stops by your mother's favorite chocolatier, and conversational distraction tactics wherein which Gus and Boothe ask your grandmother about her thoughts on Killian and Emma's impending wedding."
"Lord knows she has plenty of those. Doesn't matter that he's yet to properly ask her."
"All in due time."
"Do you know something I don't?" Liam asked, for the first time somewhat distracted from his own impending interlude. He was intrigued by the rare smirk that Jefferson offered when discussing Killian's eventual proposal.
"I know everything, sir. That's my job," Jefferson said, his eyes flicking away briefly, a small tell that he'd heard something through his earpiece. "The car is pulling up now."
Instinctively, Liam moved forward, already changing his initial plan of staying out back. He didn't want to overwhelm Elsa, but he also needed to see her. When out front, he saw Killian once more. His younger brother chuckled at the sight of him. Shaking his head in amusement, Killian murmured that he knew it would be this way. Liam didn't bother to argue. He was beyond defending himself, and then the car came into view and she was there, stepping out and looking even more beautiful than she had that fateful day…
"Another party filled with nothing but duplicitous debutantes and scheming mothers. Is this what my life is to be now? Is this all I have to look forward to?"
Liam grumbled the words aloud but posed the question to no one but himself. He had deliberately removed himself from what could only be described a disastrous soiree, and the only silver lining was he was certain that he had evaded the last of the leeching well-wishers who descended from the moment he and his mother walked into today's garden party.
His mother had assured him prior to arrival that their hostess was known for her decorum and that no one would dare to approach him without the right advances from him. The people here in France were different, not so desperate, and unimpressed with royalty. Ha! All evidence over the past twenty minutes had proved the total opposite to be true, and eventually he grew tired of his mother's pained and apologetic glances and simply removed himself. Perhaps it was ungentlemanly, but it was either that or go mad, and he felt he'd made the safer choice.
Will I ever know peace again? I'm not even King yet and it's already this bad. When I take the throne…
He couldn't even finish that thought, instead shaking the uneasy feelings away. There was no way around it, he was destined for discomfort, it was the role he was born into, and he would simply have to find a way to weather it. The last thing he wanted was to bring dishonor on his family, and for that reason, he would give himself this moment of quiet and then return, facing the music and the torturous small talk that would accompany it.
Walking through the hedge row, Liam noted the immaculate designs of this garden. They may not be at the level of his mother's back home, but they boasted a different array of flora and fauna. His mother was enamored with roses of all kinds, but this garden boasted wilder varieties, with pops of color and ivy-like growth, creating spritely blossoms up and down the green arches all around. The sweet fragrance in the air hung about, strengthened by the edge of heat clinging to the summer breeze. If the air stilled, it would be downright uncomfortable, but as it was, the day was made for lazing and leisure. Too bad he was bound for neither.
His thoughts remained critical as he rounded the corner of the garden topiaries, but when he spotted someone else across the way, all negativity fled his mind. Words of any kind were gone for a moment, and instead he felt only the pounding of his heart and a surge of intrigue. His veins thrummed with a blend of raw interest and excitement, a mixture as foreign as it was fascinating.
For longer than was polite, he stood stock still, enraptured by the girl before him and taking in every part of her. She had yet to notice his pressence, giving him the freedom to take her all in, from her gorgeous white-blonde hair and fair skin, to the upturned sweetness of her lips. She was pouring over a book in the center of the garden, surrounded on all sides by brilliant blossoms that could hold no candle to her. His only regret was that he couldn't see her eyes. Instinctively, he lurched forward, hell bent on meeting this gorgeous creature, but then his mind stopped him and he moved for the camera at his hip. To waste this morning, and the trick of light as it filtered down on her would be a crime. With quick precision he snapped the picture, and the sound pulled her attention straight to him.
"Oh please don't take my picture, I…" Her words were etched with concern until he brought the camera down and revealed himself. It filled him with a rush of pride when he noticed her eyes going wider. Appreciation and interest, that was what was swirling in them, at least he hoped that was what it was.
"You made for an image so striking I couldn't resist." He confessed, as he walked over to her. Without waiting for invitation, he sat beside her, invigorated when he was close enough to catch the scent of her perfume in the air, and hear the quiet intake of breath she made in surprise. "If you insist, I'll delete the shot, but perhaps you should see it first?"
His mystery woman blinked up at him, still caught in the newness of this interaction, but she quickly got hold of herself and a trace of pink graced her cheeks. Her blush was so beautiful, he watched as it grew, but she cast her eyes down to his camera and her expression softened. She appeared to be looking at herself for the first time in a long time, and he yearned to know if she comprehended just how breathtaking she was.
"I look so…"
"Beautiful? Stunning? Gorgeous?" Her gaze flashed back up to him faster than could be comprehended, and her icy blue eyes searched his for something like deception. She would find none. He meant every word, and indeed felt none of them did her justice.
"I was going to say peaceful," she murmured, wetting her lips. He bit back a groan, but from the response she shared he wondered if it was successful. A shaky hand moved up to brush her hair back, and he wished it was his. He tracked how she tucked a wayward tendril behind her ear, and then she spoke, with enough conviction to make his head spin. "Do you make a habit of flattering girls to such extremes, Mr…"
"Liam. Just Liam," he said, a new thrill racing through him that nothing like recognition flickered in her gaze. "And you are?"
She looked poised to respond but stopped for the briefest moment as if debating whether to tell him. Then she supplied a whispered reply, her eyes casting down to her lap and leaving him missing them already, "Selene."
"You're the first," he admitted abruptly, and the confession had its desired effect. Her eyes sprang back to his again and her lips curved ever so slightly. She was surprised, but also happy for the news. Emboldened by her response he took her hand in his, feeling the divine pleasure of their first touch. She felt it too, of this he was sure, and though he wanted to pull her into his arms, and never let go, he had the good sense to take his time and savor the moment…
"The trouble is I didn't have time to waste. If only I'd realized that then."
"Did you say something, brother?" Killian asked, but Liam ignored him. He was speaking to himself after all, but it wasn't worth having the conversation. This was his second chance, his chance to do things right.
With easy steps he walked towards Elsa, and he saw the way her eyes widened, with the same blend of curiosity and fear. Yesterday she'd regarded him with politeness but also trepidation. Today things were totally different. Perhaps she could see the truth in his eyes, the recognition and understanding. Whatever the reason, they were no longer a King and a beautiful children's counselor. They were two teenagers continuing a moment from long ago, both hopeful but hurting, invested but insecure about where the road may take them. He wouldn't allow the doubt to overcome him though, not when he had such a woman before him.
When he was close enough to touch her, he took her hand in his, this time not resisting the instinct to press a kiss to her soft skin. When his lips brushed softly on her hand, her energy shifted, and the cooled exterior she held together yesterday at the center faded away. She shared his yearning, but she was still holding back, and God above he would get to the truth, and most importantly make her realize that with him she would always be safe.
"You can't leave me again," he said, allowing his deepest thoughts to be blurted out. Bloody hell, all his manners and tact had abandoned him. He was too lost in her.
"I don't want to leave," she admitted, setting his whole being alight, but her face was cast in shadow as she whispered out the rest. "But I have so much to say… you may feel differently… you might -,"
"Nothing will change the way I feel, Selene," two gasps were heard, but they came from Emma and from the woman Liam only knew as Anna. "No, that isn't right. It's Elsa. I might not understand, but I can feel that much is true."
"He remembers," Anna whispered loudly, to no one in particular. "Oh my God, he remembers!"
"Perhaps you two should continue this somewhere more private?" Killian offered. Liam spared a glance to his brother, who had wrapped his arm around Emma with a possessive sense of love. Emma looked totally at peace with his brother, and offered a smile and a nod to Elsa and then to Liam.
"The gardens are beautiful," Emma supplied softly, "and Elsa hasn't had the pleasure yet of seeing them yet."
"Would you join me, love?" he asked, accepting the advice of the others, but only wanting to make Elsa happy with the choice.
"Yes. Yes, I will."
Her affirmation filled him with purpose, and they walked together back behind the house, through the grounds to a private spot he felt would suit the purpose. He hoped that she would take comfort here, for though the surroundings were unfamiliar, they weren't quite so different from the day they'd shared together. There were summer blossoms still in bloom, and the privacy of topiaries granting them some much needed alone time.
When they'd settled on a place, Liam sought a way to begin this conversation. He had so many questions and yet a significant amount of fear. He didn't want to push her too quickly, for if he did, she may leave him again. That risk was too glaring to fathom, and his tongue was paralyzed with worry for the first time since seeing her again. Absentmindedly he plucked a flower from the hedgerow, with petals in a striking shade of blue, close to the color of her eyes. He offered it to her, and she smiled, a brief, but beautiful thing.
"It's beautiful, thank you," she said, holding it dearly.
"It is nothing compared to you, love."
A blush tinted her cheeks and his mind swept back to their day in the sun years ago. Scattered in those memories was a particularly brilliant one, where he'd stopped resisting. He'd complimented her, speaking only the truth, and she'd turned the same shade of delicate pink. He couldn't resist any longer and he'd kissed her cheek, then, when he felt her shiver of anticipation, he'd tasted her lips and felt the whole world tilt into focus.
"I know you must have questions, so many questions," she whispered, drawing him back to the here and now. His thumb ran against her hand in an attempt at comfort and she squeezed slightly, as if grateful for the lifeline. "But I think it'll be best if I just tell you everything and we go from there."
He agreed with her approach, more than happy to let her lead, but he must admit to being amazed by all that she told him. The story of who she was and where she'd come from was incredible, and almost beyond belief. It explained so much and still sparked pain in his chest, not because she had deceived him, but because she had endured so much. He knew the pain of losing a parent, and yet his father was never one who inspired deep affection. He'd loved the man in an abstracted, childish way, but he had also resented him and the pain he put them all through. Elsa's parents were the opposite, two people so devoted to love of each other and their family, that they would give anything to be together. In the end, they gave their lives for their daughters and for their country, and yet their daughters had given themselves just as surely, living a lie that had cost them so dearly.
He listened as Elsa explained the dips and valleys of her childhood. She framed it in the best of ways, listing all the good and everything there was to be grateful for, but Liam knew the truth. Elsa had to be the source of strength, especially for her younger sister. She was a caregiver by nature, with a good heart and a value for the truth, but she had been forced to hide who she was and keep it inside for far too long. The pain of that secret must have been excruciating, especially to someone as good as she.
While he was glad she had her grandmother and her sister, Liam could also tell that Elsa's childhood was lonely. Strangely it was a familiar loneliness to the one he'd always suffered, though manifesting for radically divergent reasons. He and Killian had been lonely because everyone in life had wanted something from them instead of wanting to truly know them. People saw titles and a one-day crown and developed other motives. While there may always be 'friends of the crown,' true connections never came beyond their family. For Elsa and Anna, true connections couldn't ever be forged for risk of discovery.
"When I met you that summer, I almost told you who I really was. I came so close, especially when we…" she trailed off, but he knew she was thinking about their stolen kisses, exchanged just before their years-long separation. "But I had made a promise to my Grandmere. I swore I'd never tell, and while she lived, I kept that promise."
"I understand, love."
"You have to know, I had no idea who you were then. I know it sounds ridiculous, I mean how does a would-be princess not know a prince when she meets him? There are only a handful in the world, after all. But Grandmere saw no need for a royal education. We were just ordinary girls and we always would be."
"I can assure you, Elsa, that you are anything but ordinary." His words sparked something in her, and she moved slightly closer to him. He took it as a sign to wrap her in his arms and she acquiesced, leaning into him for support and giving him the world by beginning to truly trust him.
"I hoped I would find you again before we left the party, but as soon as I saw Grandmere we practically ran out the door. She'd been beside herself the entire afternoon, from the moment you and your mother arrived. She kept saying how lucky we were to have escaped your notice, only I didn't know you were the person she was scared of. It was impossible to comprehend. Here I was, on the wings of the best day I'd ever had, and she was in crisis, more petrified than I'd ever seen her."
"I am sorry she felt that kind of pain. But I can assure you, even if my mother had deduced the possibility, she would never have said anything. Your secret would have been safe."
"Maybe," Elsa said, releasing a deep breath. "But the truth always finds a way out in the end."
"Only if you want it to," Liam promised, drawing her eyes to his curiously. "You think that after everything you have been through, I would allow you to be hurt? I would move mountains to prevent that, love. Surely you can see that."
"I know," she replied. "But it's… well it's so very complicated, I wouldn't blame you for changing your mind or how you feel or…"
That was the last straw for Liam. He could not allow this woman who had long held a part of him to doubt any longer. He brought her closer and kissed her lips, gently at first, but then with the fervor and passion of a man long starved for the touch of his woman. Elsa matched his desire, and together they washed away the fear that she was feeling. By the time they broke apart, he could see she was halfway to the truth, that he loved her, but he took the opportunity to make all things abundantly clear.
"Everything you've shared today has only proven the wisdom of my heart. I think I loved you as a boy, and now, I am certain that I do. It's you, Elsa. It has always been you, and, whether or not you choose me, it will always be you." She looked poise to reply, but he pressed a finger to her lips gently signalizing he was not done. "But as much as you've told me today, it is I with less to offer. You have given me everything in giving me your story, but I am restricted, bound to be King for years and years to come. I am free to marry anyone my heart desires, and God knows that that is you, but I cannot give you the same gift that your father gave your mother. I cannot leave my throne behind, both because of my people, but also because doing so would place the burden on Killian, and that is something I could never do."
"I understand, Liam."
Her tone was measured, revealing very little, and for a moment he was struck by the possibility that she may leave even though he could not. He had never resented the throne as much as he did in that moment, but then her hand came up to stroke his cheek and he held his breath, praying for a different outcome.
"Your situation is so different than my father's. I know that. You are freer and yet more trapped than he could ever be. Free to make your choices, free to love as you see fit, but also beholden to your kingdom in ways he never was. The people loved my father, but they needed change he could not bring. You can bring that change, and you work to do so every day. I know that soon you'll see it through, I've followed all your bills and all your votes. You want to give the people more say, and they will love you for it. But even when that's done, there will always be more for you to give. I could never ask you to give that up, not when I've seen for years how much you do for this country and for its people."
"But where does that leave us? I've only just found you again and I…"
This time it was Elsa's turn to silence the worries he was feeling with her own kiss. Her actions gave him hope, which washed throughout his being as he held her in his arms. Please God, let her choose him, let her risk whatever may come for this. He'd make it right for her. He swore he would. He just needed a chance.
"Do you feel this too?" she asked, when they came up for air. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes were darkened, but her smile was serene and her voice rang out with confidence and care.
He nodded, spellbound by her and unable to say more than a resolute, "Yes."
"My mother used to say that love was the world's most powerful magic." Her fingertips traced along his chest above his heart. He felt the lightest grazes and took strength, while thinking how much he'd give to bring Elsa's mother back for her. "She told me love would always lead me towards the next right thing, and my heart… well it tells me that my next right thing is giving this a chance. No matter the risk. I want this. I want you."
"You have me, love," he promised, and when she looked at him with what he hoped were happy tears in his eyes, he felt his heart clench from the impact. "And as far as the risk, I'll never let you face it. I'll protect you, Elsa. I swear it."
"I don't know how we'll do it," she confessed. He only held her closer.
"We'll find a way."
"It's not going to be easy," she reminded him, though she leaned in ever more slightly.
"The best things never are."
"My sister is super nosey," she blurted. "She has no boundaries, and she never met a question she was afraid to ask. But I love her, and I need her, and I know that's random, but it's probably best to just get it out there
Liam laughed. "Believe she has nothing on the women in my family, love. But none of that matters. Not if you love me."
"I do," she said her voice quiet but clear. "I love you."
And for now, that affirmation was more than enough. Everything else would get figured out with time. In this moment, all that mattered was that they were together, and that Liam had no intention of them ever being truly parted again.
…..
Maybe it was wrong of them to be spying on Elsa and Liam, but Emma couldn't find it in her heart to be sorry for this. They were peeking out at the long-lost lovebirds from a distance. They could hear none of their words, but they saw their intimate embrace and felt their attraction even from this distance. It was beautiful to see two people who cared so deeply for each other share this moment, and seeing how perfectly Elsa fit with Killian's brother, Emma was reassured that her gut was right. The two of them were in this for the long haul, and no matter what came, from Liam's being King or Elsa's long secret past, they would weather it all with love as an anchor.
It also meant so much to Emma that this moment could happen for Elsa and for Liam in a place that already meant so much to her. As the site of her and Killian's first date, and the place that Killian called home, there was an energy here of goodness, and a call to happiness that everyone must answer. She and Henry had visited here a few times already, and the memories they made were all good ones, holding promise for more to come. Knowing that it was a safe place for her friend and for Liam to reconnect made Emma's own peace bloom further, and she was fast beginning to consider this one of her favorite places in the world. It was right that after everything Elsa and Liam meet again among a gorgeous garden. History didn't repeat itself per se, but it set a scene, and the poetry of the moment wasn't lost on any of them. This was special and serene, with a symphony of birds chirping, summer winds swerving through the bramble, and… wait, was that…
"Anna? Anna, are you crying?"
"No," her friend said, followed immediately by a choked-out hiccup. Only after that tell-tale sound did Anna look Emma in the eyes, totally caught. The tracks of her tears still lingered on her slightly freckled face. "Okay, yes, I am crying, but can you blame me? My sister just reunited with her soul mate after years of seperation. Look at how happy she is. No one deserves that more than Elsa. No one."
"They really do look so happy," Emma agreed, feeling Killian squeeze her hand. "And I've got a feeling they're going to give our whole 'whirlwind romance' thing a run for its money."
"Perhaps," Killian acquiesced, "But I've a few tricks up my sleeve, love. Don't count us out just yet."
Emma looked at Killian and could see the depth of his promise swirling in his cerulean eyes. She had gotten lost in those blue pools more times than she could count, but this time she knew that he was hinting at something much bigger. They'd only just confessed to loving each other, but Emma saw the future so clearly in this man. She wanted to be brave and chase that happiness together. The question was, when would he ask her to really start that journey? She didn't know for sure, but from his expression, she assumed it may be sooner than she ever dreamed possible. As if he could read her deductions, Killian only grinned and stole a fleeting kiss. It was too quick, but also just right, and Emma melted into his side, looking back to Elsa and Liam and then over to Anna.
"What do you think your parents would think of all this, Anna?"
"They'd be beside themselves," Anna admitted. "Our father knew in his heart that Arendelle's laws were fastidious and illogical. Marrying my mother did nothing but embolden his heart. He would have remained a brilliant leader, and someday Elsa would have taken his place. He never regretted his decision, but there were times even I could see the pain of giving it all up. He and Mama always called us their princesses, even if the title no longer belonged. Seeing this play out… I just know that wherever they are now, they're happy. Actually, now that I think of it, Mama's probably crying just as much as I am. Maybe even more."
Moving back towards Anna, Emma brought her friend in for a hug, and the few tears that had misted over in her eyes as Anna discussed their parents fell, though with far more discretion than Anna's. She couldn't help it though. It was such a touching moment, and, fast as it was, they all knew that Elsa and Liam were going to go the distance. Whether it was fate, or maybe a little nudging from the parents they'd lost too young, Emma didn't know. Either way they were all so grateful that Elsa and Liam had this chance and they knew neither of them would ever waste it.
"So, is this it? Or are there any other long-lost romances I should know about?"
Emma asked the question with a teasing flare, but she saw something pass across Anna's eyes, and instinctively she knew that her friend did think of someone. Before she could answer though, the sound of a car pulling up in the driveway at high speed caught their collective attention. The three of them looked, and Emma's jaw actually dropped when the driver was revealed as Killian's Grandmother. Queen Meera was in the passenger seat, and from what Emma could tell there was no security with them. What in the world was going on?
"Your Majesties, what are you -," Jefferson looked flummoxed for the first time in Emma's experience with the man, but he didn't get the chance to finish the statement. Queen Eleanor held up her hand and shot him a look designed to kill.
"Save it, Jefferson. If you so much as cross my path, I'll have you excommunicated."
"Eleanor, that might be a tad harsh," Meera said with a softer look.
"Fine. The dungeons have been empty for centuries. He can stay there," Eleanor said, straightening her spine. "After all, this – this heathen kept me from watching my eldest grandson fall in love. Can you imagine the audacity? Denying an aging queen the pleasure of her hard work's payoff. I found that girl at the same time that I found Emma, but I had to play a longer game. Getting Killian there was one thing, but getting Liam there was quite another. It required patience and expert timing. The wait was long, but I endured, and do you know why? For this moment. Look at him, smitten as can be. Already halfway in love, just as I planned."
"Gran, Jefferson was simply following orders," Killian offered. Queen Meera immediately walked over, hugging Killian tightly before offering Emma her own hug. "Besides, haven't you heard? They fell in love ages ago."
"I'd hardly call yesterday ages ago, though to be fair, it did feel like a small eternity waiting to get him to the center to meet that lovely girl," Gran quipped before placing a kiss on Killian's cheek and offering a smile to Emma and Anna. The look assured them all she was just playing at anger. This woman was feisty, and Emma and Anna both giggled at the sight of her authority. Eleanor meanwhile directed her next words to Anna. "I am sorry my dear, I only wish I had a third grandson for you, but not to worry. I have quite a few options waiting in the wings. We'll find you a match soon enough."
"Uh, well that's, um, very, uh, kind of you but -," Anna looked to Emma for some kind of help and Emma did her best to distract the meddling monarch from her latest target.
"Actually, Queen Eleanor, it turns out Liam and Elsa had already met, well before yesterday," Emma said.
"They what?!"
Eleanor and Meera yelled so loudly that it was enough to be heard across the gardens, and to pierce Liam and Elsa's private bubble. The two of them looked over immediately, but where Elsa looked a bit shy at the audience, Liam was not interested in letting her go. He held her close and tipped her chin back to him. Then he pressed a kiss to her lips that had Elsa melting into him. When they broke apart, they continued talking to themselves, no doubt preparing themselves for the Queens' inquisition. It warmed Emma's heart to see how well they already suited each other.
"How did this happen?" Meera asked.
"And more importantly when did it happen?" Eleanor quipped.
"In France, when they were still teenagers," Anna explained. "Trust me, I'll tell you the whole story just as soon as I get the rest of the details from Elsa, but in the meantime, maybe we could take it easy on her? My sister's having quite a day so far."
"So she is, so she is," Queen Meera replied. "We will be on our best behavior, won't we Eleanor?"
"Of course, we will."
"Oh great," Jefferson muttered to Killian. "And to think that all it took to get them there was evading and abandoning their protective detail, driving a state-vehicle at twice the legal limit with sirens blaring, and side swiping an undercover unit."
"Gran?" Killian asked, a mix of shocked and awed by the old woman.
"I did not such thing. I am an impeccable driver. Meera?"
"It's true. She was amazing. The side swipe in question was the fault of the undercover agents. They thought to call her bluff, only Eleanor wasn't bluffing."
"Queen's follow through," Eleanor said proudly before looking to Anna again. "Your sister will learn that soon enough."
"I can honestly say I can't wait to see that," Anna said.
From there Liam and Elsa finally moved to rejoin the group, and Anna, Queen Meera and Queen Eleanor all moved forward to great them. Emma thought to do the same, but Killian held her back for a moment, whispering to her that five well-wishers at once may be a bit more than they could handle. Emma agreed after watching for just a few moments, and though everyone was showering them with love, it was a lot of hubbub for sure. Besides, hanging back meant being just with Killian for a few more minutes, and that was something she could never regret.
"Do you think it will always be like this?" Emma asked, nodding towards the frenzy prompted by Liam and Elsa's reuniting.
"Depends on what you mean, Swan. Will there always be grand reunions and long-lost loves? Probably not. Nearly everyone is accounted for, save for Anna, and as my grandmother promised, it's only a matter of time before she finds her match too."
"But even so, I have a feeling your mother and your grandmother aren't anywhere done with scheming."
"Their work is never finished, love. Love was simply a first step in their grand design."
"First comes love," Emma intoned, quoting a rhyme that might be American but was still recognizable to him.
"Then comes marriage," he murmured, bringing up her hand and pressing a kiss where she hoped he might put a ring one day soon. Wait did she hope for that? Oh God she did! He ran his thumb across her skin, no doubt feeling her shiver of anticipation as her eyes watched his every move.
"Killian?" She whispered, her eyes glancing up to his belatedly, a mix of desire and curiosity in swirling all around her.
"Do you trust me, Swan?" she nodded immediately, and his responding smile made her world even brighter than it already was. "Good. And in the meantime, just know I love you. More than any words could ever say."
With her own quiet affirmation, they kissed once more, lingering in the moment as long as they could before breaking apart and joining the others.
Post-Note: So there we have it! I hope that it was everything you all had your hearts set on. I for one wanted a secondary love story that was sweet and romantic and hopeful. You all know I love a good second chance romance, I've engaged with the trope many times, and my soft spot for Elsa and Liam as a couple is undeniable. For a couple that never even met in the show, they sure get my muse to write all sorts of stuff. Anyway, as you may expect, we will now be pivoting back towards a primarily CS focus. There are also only a few chapters left. I know, I know! It's crazy, but, I promise to include my usual cheesy fairytale happy ending. My current plan includes two more chapters (for a proposal and at the very least glimpse of a wedding) and then eventually an epilogue. I don't have a real timeline for when these posts will be put up, but please trust that I am doing my best to get this story written. As always, I appreciate all of your kind words and reviews. Each and every one inspires me to write more, and I love reading them. Thanks again, stay safe, and take care! xE