Killian was a ponce and he absolutely knew it.
What had he been thinking, verbally attacking her like that? Did he think it would promote his cause, though at this point he wasn't entirely sure what his cause particularly was. Did he think it would help anything about the situation, whatsoever?
He'd been totally blindsided when Cassandra had sidled up to him at the pub. Having spent the last few hours feeling like the last man in the realm that any woman would look at, it took him by surprise to suddenly be met with a lap full of willing bar maid. And willing she obviously was. Cassandra was a loose acquaintance at best, loose perhaps being the operative word. He'd seen her from time to time at various ports of call, no clue why or how she'd ended up now at the Snuggly Duckling of all places. He'd shared some drinks with her and maybe let his hands wander too far a time or two, but all that was long in the past. The earlier months of his elongated voyage had seen him dark and bitter, his unanswered letters fueling him deeper and deeper into drink and woman. But he'd come out of that cloud and had established himself as a reliable, responsible righthand man for Liam. In fact, he was surprised to discover that Cassandra remembered him at all.
But now here he was. Having risen to Emma's bait he'd made an absolute fool of himself, chastising a royal princess of all people. He'd been so incensed by it, after that ludicrous morning watching the woman he most admired in the world acting as if her most important decisions were whether or not to go with gold or lavender lace. It made no difference that she was his childhood best friend, propriety wouldn't allow it, and he knew he had to apologize sooner rather than later.
That was his current mission, as he weaved back through the cobblestone streets of the village after having bid a hasty farewell to the royal traveling party. Emma couldn't have gotten far, and now he and Liam were walking briskly through the alleyways, intent on finding their princess.
"Killian, look here," Liam said abruptly, pausing his gait. "This is new."
Killian looked up, seeing a structure that was indeed on the newer side. It was a modest building, but larger than anything else in the area. A two-story building that was long, revealing the fact that there must be many rooms inside. Its white walls were punctuated by a neat, pretty garden in the front yard, filled with green grass and blooming flowers of yellow, pink and blue. A clothesline on one side of the building showcased linen sheets drying in the sunshine. Killian even thought he saw a few butterflies and a small wishing well, as well as a pair of two young girls sat to the side, looking to be digging in the soil in some way. In the distance, Killian felt he could hear the sounds of even more children, playing or calling out to one another. In contrast to the rest of the village, which held traits closer to a big city, this was more pastoral and set apart. Why, it was downright idyllic.
"Misthaven's Home for Lost Boys and Girls."
"How's that?" Killian asked Liam, not sure he had heard right.
"It's what the building's called," Liam clarified, pointing to a sign above the arched doorway. Killian squinted his eyes, getting a closer look. Liam was right, the establishment seemed to be a home for children of sorts, though Killian couldn't recall any such place ever existing when he and Liam were boys. Would have bloody well come in handy.
"Should we take a look?" Liam asked, already moving to walk through the front door, stopping to tip his hat and smile at the two girls in the garden. Killian followed, totally confused as to what he might find inside.
But then again, nothing could have really prepared him. Killian stood at the foot of a large, wide staircase in the center of a charming foyer, absolutely full of children. Two teen boys sat on a bench in the foyer, reading books, while a trio of pigtailed girls ran up the stairs chasing one another. The walls of the foyer were dotted with open doorways, revealing more rooms filled with more children, who seemed to be engaged in some sort of lessons. Children were scribbling on handheld blackboards, writing out maths problems on parchment, mixing chemistry ingredients in another room. It was altogether overwhelming.
"What is this place?" Killian asked with wonder.
"Why an orphanage, of course."
Killian looked up to find a tall, slender woman of advanced age, dressed in a crisp black uniform, her gray hair pulled back in a tight knot and her one hand holding a brass time piece that also held several large, thick keys. Despite her appearance, she didn't seem cold in the slightest, her small smile making her seem at once approachable but also in control. Whatever was going on here, she was clearly in charge.
"I am Madame Harmony," the woman said at last. "Headmistress of this school. And who do we have the pleasure of hosting today?"
"We are Captain and Lieutenant Jones," Liam said, "newly returned home of the Jewel of the Realm. We are very glad to make your acquaintance, and very excited to see your school, which is obviously a merit to our kingdom."
Killian had the good grace to nod and smile in agreement, thankful that Liam had somehow found his voice. For Killian had been left speechless. An orphanage? A home and school for unwanted children? What a marvel.
"And how many children do you house here, milady?" Killian asked, finally finding some words.
"We are fortunate enough to ward 53 children currently, lieutenant. It is a fair few more than we had originally planned for upon opening a year ago, but we have plans for a new wing to be completed by late this fall meaning we should be able to bring in dozens more."
"And is there truly such need?" Liam asked.
"Oh unfortunately so, sir," Madame Harmony said with a slight frown. "Many of the kingdom's fathers perished in the dark wars, as I'm sure you well know. And men and women alike have struggled to find work in the years that followed. It seems there is never a shortage of a hungry young mouth or a child in need of shelter, clothing and schooling. And the Misthaven Home has a strict policy of never turning a child away."
"And how is it all paid for?" Killian interrupted. "Is there a tuition, I suppose?"
"Oh no, sir. Her highness is quite adamant on that, we'll accept no payment from a child in need."
"Her highness?" Killian repeated.
"The Princess Emma," Madame Harmony clarified. "This is her school of course, conceived of and executed entirely by her. Why, I don't think this place could run even one day without her."
"I don't understand," Killian rushed. "The king and queen spoke for years about the need of such a place, but there were never any funds. People were just scraping by, there wasn't even any land to be found for such a cause."
"Yes, well," the elder woman said slowly, clearly confused as to Killian's interest. "The princess found a way around all that. If you are acquainted with their majesties, perhaps you are aware that the princess travels with a young group of fashionable lords and ladies. Well they proved just the thing. Princess Emma has taken to hosting all sorts of balls and parties, charging admission to the events, with all of the proceeds coming to our school. And she's even taken to shopping in the local marketplace. Anything she buys becomes the height of fashion and the other ladies quickly buy it all up. The grateful vendors in turn send us a share of the profit. In fact just this morning we received a large delivery of some beautiful fabric that…"
"That the princess bought in the village this morning?" Killian finished needlessly for the woman.
"Why yes," she said. "Beautiful velvets that will make lovely outfits from some of our older girls looking for employment after their graduation."
Killian nodded, though his thoughts weren't anymore clear. Of course. A school, a scheme, and a way to take Misthaven's children off the street. And here he'd been, putting her down for buying one too many frocks. He should have known.
For the next quarter of an hour Liam and Killian trailed Madame Harmony, who graciously gave them a tour of the school. They were able to see the rows of classrooms on the bottom floor, meeting many of the bright pupils in the process. And upstairs they toured the clean, charming dorm rooms where each of these children had clearly made a home for themselves. There was even a common area where youngsters were playing board games, sketching or just chatting between classes. It was positively cozy.
They were at the entryway to what was obviously the kitchens, dried herbs and baskets of apples hanging from the ceiling beams overhead, when Killian heard a familiar voice and froze. It was a voice he would recognize anywhere, a voice belonging to someone that he really didn't think he could face at just that moment.
"And what do you mean you can't take them?" Princess Emma asked of someone from beyond the entryway. Madame Harmony walked in, clearly comfortable in the space and unfazed by the royal presence, while Killian and Liam stood awkwardly in the doorway, not wanting to intrude. On one side of the room was a great big fireplace that took up almost the entire wall and in the center of the space was a sturdy wooden table, laden with pies, pastries, dried fruits and other sundries.
Emma didn't seem to notice their presence anyway, so focused was she on a small, thin boy of about eight. He wore clean clothes that Killian recognized as the uniform of the school, but his feet were bare, a mystery solved by the pair of brown suede shoes sitting in Emma's lap, adorned with a set of thick leather laces that Killian had seen her buy just that morning.
"It's charity, ma'am," the small boy said. "And me da says I'm not to be takin' charity."
"He sounds like a very wise and caring man," Emma agreed, finishing the laces on the left shoe and moving to slip it onto the boy's foot as he listened to her, enraptured. "Do you know what my job is, Jacob?"
"Yer the princess, ma'am," little Jacob replied.
"Yes, and as princess I have a job to do. I must look after the people of this kingdom and make sure they have all they need in order to do their work. Because we all have a job in this life, Jacob, every one of us. Your job is to grow big and strong and mind Madame Harmony, until you're old enough to take up a trade and contribute to our community."
Emma continued to talk as she slipped the second shoe onto the boy's other foot, both Jacob and Killian alike hypnotized by the princess and hanging onto the words so similar to those Killian had heard from King David oh so many years ago.
"And besides. Madame Harmony depends on you. How are you meant to run fetch her post without sturdy, strong shoes to help you run fast and true?"
With that, Emma finished tying both of the shoes on the boy's feet, seeming unsurprised when he quickly leaned forward and kissed her cheek in thanks. It was the first time Killian could ever remember having felt jealous of a child.
Jacob was off then, running out the back door and out into the garden, but stopping just before he was fully gone to shout, "I will make you proud, ma'am, I will!"
Emma kept her gaze on the spot where the boy had just disappeared, a private smile on her face as she was clearly pleased with how the exchange had gone.
"This is incredible."
Both Emma and Killian startled at Liam's declaration. Killian had almost forgotten anyone else was in the room, and Emma seemed equally surprised to find them both standing there in the kitchens doorway. She hid it almost immediately, though, steeling her face back into the resigned expression of one destined for the throne.
"Yes, well," Emma said begrudgingly. "We do try to look after them here."
"No don't do that, Emma," Liam said, using her given name and startling Emma with his familiarity. Both he and Killian called her such in private of course, but Liam had long taken up the etiquette of court when in public and could rarely be seen calling the princess plain 'Emma' if anyone else was in earshot.
"Don't undersell it, Emma," Liam continued. "It's remarkable what you have done here. I am so, so proud of you."
Liam reached out and squeezed Emma's hand, a watery smile forming on the princess's face.
"Thank you," she said finally, before letting go of Liam's hand and turning to Killian. They stared evenly at each other, as if each was daring the other to speak first, and of course Killian had to oblige his princess.
"I'm sorry," he said first, and then, "I'm an idiot."
"Yes, well, that remains ever obvious."
"I should have never said those things to you, please accept my apologies."
Emma went to shrug but Killian stopped her, stepping one pace closer and forcing her to lift her gaze to look up at him.
"What you've done here is a miracle, you'll never know how much…what these kids…" Killian struggled to find the words to convey how touched he was. "You've created heaven on earth for these children, Emma. You're a savior."
Emma stood holding his gaze, both of them almost swaying together in the moment as a small blush lit up her cheeks, followed by a smaller, quieter smile.
"Thank you," she whispered. "I made it for you."
She gave him no time to respond to her stunning declaration before she turned and moved to the table at the center of the kitchen, rolling up her sleeves and pulling a large dough bowl toward her.
"If you're going to be here you might as well make yourselves useful," she said, starting to punch down a newly risen dough. "I assume you boys still remember how to make pashka bread?"
Killian let out a short laugh as he and Liam both moved to follow suit and roll up their own sleeves, ready to partake in the making of the classic treat they spent so many hours making with Granny in the palace kitchens. If there was one thing the Jones brothers knew how to do, it was earn their keep.
It was over a three hours later that the three of them emerged into the sunlight from the darkened kitchen, each of them covered in flour and bidding a fond farewell to the children, Madame Harmony and other staff. One girl in a long braid handed Emma a small bundle of daffodils and all of the children called out and waved as they walked away, Emma promising to return in a few days. It had been an afternoon well spent and Killian dearly hoped he would have cause to return again soon, as well.
"That was wonderful," Liam said as they were clear of the school, and onto a narrow road in the woods that led straight back to the palace. "Truly, I feel invigorated."
"Yes, they do have a lot of energy," Emma laughed. Killian held out his hand in offer of taking the basket Emma carried, a few of the pashka loaves the school's head cook had insisted they take. They'd started a little ways down the road when Liam stopped, patting down his captain's coat frantically.
"My watch, I seem to have misplaced it."
"I'm sure it's at the school, it won't take long to go back," Killian said.
"No, I don't like the look of those clouds overhead, you two get moving along and I'll be just behind you."
Liam took off at a jog back toward the school without listening to argument. Killian felt only a slight level of dread at the idea of being left alone with Emma, but surely he'd faced greater fears before, though none came quickly to mind.
"It's not that far ahead," Emma said with a conciliatory nod. Killian supposed she was right, and the two walked off toward the palace in an almost companionable silence. And it might have remained companionable, if not for a sudden a sharp whizzing noise that sliced right past Killian's left ear. In the days that would come later he would look back and wonder how he had missed this, how he had let his guard down, how he hadn't sensed the danger that was to come. But then he had always been hopelessly distracted when it came to Emma.
Such distractions would have to be put aside now, however, as Killian saw to his horror an arrow stuck deep in the tree just behind them, having only narrowly missed his ear. His horror only grew as two more arrows flew toward them, and he realized two facts at the exact same moment—they were under attack, and they were completely alone.