Murphy's Law

by: just-a-story


~ Chapter V ~

Follow Me Into The Dark (Pt 1)


"Are you alright? You look rather pale."


She let her head fall back on the painted wall as she looked out of the bay window which is sat in. Her book rested on her thighs as she looked out into the garden below her. She thought back to yesterday, as her carriage rolled up. Picturing herself walking down that gravel road with Arthur by her side. She would be lying if she said a small smile didn't form across her lips. Not because she wanted to be married, not because she was far from home but because there was a moment. A moment where right now she could sit and picture her future. Becoming Queen of Camelot and taking over for her parents. For a moment, she didn't feel like she had to run.

But she did want to move. She turned her legs and stood up, making her way over to where her shoes where.

"Emma?" Snow asked as she opened the door.

"Hi," Emma replied as she finished putting on her left shoe.

Snow walked over to Emma and raised an eyebrow. "Where are you going?"

The princess straightened up and looked at her mother, "For a walk."

"You're going to take your dog right?"

Emma laughed. "I'm staying in the castle, I'll be fine."

"Well you should at least try to bond with him-" Snow looked at the dog and titled her head. "Her?"

She looked over at the dog that was still lying down by the fireplace. "It's a girl."

"Did you name her?" Snow asked.

Emma looked down at the dog and watched her eyes shift between her and her mother. "Dog?" Emma said.

The Queen crossed her arms. "You can't name your dog, Dog." The Queen replied as she watched her daughter head for the door.

"Well, you love animals. So while I'm exploring the castle, why don't you try to come up with a name."

Snow smiled and looked down at the dog, "Perdita." She said in a high pitch voice as the dog looked at her blankly.

Emma smiled before she turned the knob on the door. "Yeah, good luck with that."

As she closed the door behind her, leaving her mother with the dog, she let out a breath. She began walking down the carpet that lined the hallway. With no particular destination in mind she took lefts and rights and something straight. She didn't worry about how she would get back to her room. All she was focused on was learning more about her surroundings. Wanting to know how everything worked vs. how it did back home. She would stop at times to look at the paintings that lined the halls. She stopped at one painting, one that captured an image of a woman wearing a purple dress. Emma studied her smile, one that looked at peace and genuinely happy. She looked down and saw an engraved piece of brass. Her Royal Majesty Queen Igraine.

He grabbed her arm and tugged her towards him causing her to stumble. His grip was tight as he ran with her close behind but nothing that caused pain. She found her footing and grabbed onto his shoulder with her free hand, taking his clothes in a fist. He slowed down, to a halt and looked at her wide-eyed. "You're wasting time, let's go."

"You..." She breathed. "Wha-how-..." She stood up straight and looked down at him. "Where do you come from?"

"No questions." The brown-haired boy said as she tried to reach for her arm once again.

Emma brought her hand to her chest. "Yes questions," She snapped back. "For one, how are you here? How did you get on my ship?"

"If you come with me, then I will tell you everything you want to know."

She raised an eyebrow. "I'm supposed to trust that?" She paused as she looked at the wide-eyed boy. "I'm supposed to believe that you're not just going to run away again?"

"Yes."

Emma let out a sigh. "Where are we going?"

Henry smiled. "It's a surprise."

She paused for a moment and looked around her. "Of course it is." As the small child in front of her began to walk, she followed close behind. She looked around her as they walked through the halls of the castle. As they turned a corner she was a maid walking by and felt her throat tighten. She watched as Henry continued to walk, and kept his eyes straight. She stopped once the noticed the maid looking at her. "M'lady!" The maid said, causing Emma's feet to freeze. "Do you need something?"

Emma looked down at Henry standing beside her and back up at the maid who followed Emma's gaze. "Do you need something M'lady?" The maid said again. "I'd be happy to get you whatever it is you need."

"Come on." Henry told her. "We need to keep moving, it's important."

Emma quickly looked down at Henry and felt her heart race.

"Your highness?" The maid said with concern growing in her voice. "Are you alright? You look rather pale."

Emma put up her hand. "No," she told her. "It's fine."

"Hello!" Henry yelled.

"Are you sure?" The maid asked.

Emma took in a breath. "Yes." She replied with a forced smile. "Just still recovering from the journey over here."

The maid smiled. "Of course." She said as she curtsied and went on her way.

"We need to hurry." Henry continued.

The princess looked down at the ground. "They can't see you." She paused as she looked up towards the boy. "Can they?" She walked over to him and grabbed him. "Who sent you?" She growled. "You're trying to kill me aren't you? That where you're leading me."

Henry eye's grew wide as he struggled free. "No!" He cried. "I'm not going to kill you, I'm trying to help you." He begged as he squired. "Please." He paused as he closed his eyes tight. "You have to trust me."

"And why should I?" Emma snapped.

"Because," The small boy said quietly. "I'm you're only chance." He watched as she stared at him. "Use your super power," He told her, "see if I'm lying."

Emma swallowed as she released her grip on the boy's clothes. "How do you know about that?"

Henry looked up at the princess. "Please, just come with me. If I could give you the answer's I would, but I can't. It doesn't work that way."

"Tell me where you're taking me." Emma told him with a straight face.

"To see Arthur. There's something you have to know."