wow wow wow! I am so floored by the responses to this story. You guys are so great and I love reading all the comments! The plan is to update every Wednesday, but I also work full time and night shifts, so if that doesn't always happen just understand the next chapter is coming. Hope you guys enjoy!
Dinner was filled with small talk, mostly Anna and Elsa inquiring about Emma's brother, Leo and her parents. Emma asked about the details of Anna and Kristoff's wedding. It almost felt like old times until the King brought the conversation to a grinding halt.
"Are your gloves like Elsa's old ones?" The air in the room felt like it was heavy and thick, no one dared to breathe. "To help you control your magic? Elsa said your parents' approach to magic was better than hers, but perhaps they changed their minds." Emma could see Killian stiffen out of the corner of her eye.
"Liam!" Elsa hissed and Liam ignored her, never taking his eyes off of Emma, his hard gaze trained on her and no one else. Emma's gritted her teeth in an attempt to keep the insults from flying out.
"Normally I wouldn't inquire, but you are going to marry my brother and I will not have anything happen to him. He's my only brother," Liam said curtly.
"Liam, this isn't necessary," Killian whispered. Without breaking eye contact with Liam, Emma removed the right glove revealing her scars for all to see, clutching the glove in her left hand. Anna and Elsa gasped at the sight; she doesn't blame them. It is an ugly sight. Kristoff barely flinched. Killian and Liam's faces remained expressionless. Pity flashed in Liam's eyes and something akin to understanding sparked in Killian's.
"Your brother is safe. I no longer have magic, haven't for a few years now," there was a pause in which silence filled the room, "If you'll excuse me the journey here was quite exhausting, I'll be turning in early." Emma didn't wait for a proper dismissal because she's not sure she would have gotten it. She stormed out of the dining room and almost ran smack dab into Graham.
"Princess?" he asked, seeing her exposed arm. Snow and Emma had decided to keep it covered as long as possible. They thought that perhaps the deal could be called off by this. Graham knew of their plan.
"Did they take it off of you?" Emma shook her head and moved out of his grasp. "Did they hurt you?"
"No." Emma turned on her heel and walked back to her suite without another word, not even sure what she would say if she wanted to.
There was incessant knocking on Emma's door later that night. Emma groaned, knowing she couldn't ignore it. She pulled on a robe and walked over to the door opening it just wide enough to see out of. Elsa stood there wringing her hands.
"Emma."
"Why are you here?" Emma asked, getting straight to the point.
"To talk, to apologize, to explain." Elsa looked distraught and Emma wouldn't mind the opportunity for a word alone with her. Emma opened the door wider and stepped aside to allow her in.
"I'm sure you have questions," Elsa said calmly as she walked through the door.
"Sure, let's start with why they hell you thought it'd be a good idea to me to marry him," Emma snapped. The subject had been bothering her since she was told it was Elsa's idea.
"This war needed to end, and they have their reasons as do you. Marriage was the only way to stop our people dying. Emma, despite all you know about them, about Killian. He's a good man. He won't hurt you and you know that's a hell of a lot better than most arranged marriages."
"This isn't what I wanted." Elsa placed a hand on Emma's shoulder.
"I know how you feel." A look of understanding passed between them.
"The rumors were true. You were forced to marry him. You didn't make that choice." It's not a question, it's a statement, the truth.
"I made a choice for my people, granted my options were rather limited, but I did it with my head held high. It's what you chose too. You didn't come all this way to not follow through. You know this is your best option for your people. In time I came to love Liam, I know you won't understand that now. I get you're mad about dinner, about what Liam made you reveal, but don't take that out on me." Elsa's cold, hard gaze sliced through Emma. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. Emma didn't want to fight with her. Emma walked a few steps to a chair by the fireplace and gripped the back of it.
"You're right. I'm sorry," Emma whispered, her gaze on the flickering flames of the fire.
"Do you want to talk about your magic?" Elsa asked and Emma traced the scars visible on her palm absentmindedly.
"No, it's been years now. I've adjusted." Emma crossed her arms, not quite meeting her friend's eyes.
"You always encouraged me to accept who I was. That my magic wasn't bad or to be feared. You gave me the courage to take off the gloves and live my truth."
"I am living my truth. My actions led to this. The consequences are these scars. Magic always has a price."
"I'm sorry I wish I could help." Elsa brought Emma into a hug and it was surprising at first, but the tears Emma had been holding in for so long came out and while the pain of losing her magic may still be there Emma felt more herself than she has in years.
The next morning, they planned to meet and negotiate the treaty. While Emma got ready for the day, she left the gloves in her trunk. The secret was already out, no point in hiding anymore.
Graham joined her for the negotiations, which calmed her nerves. This trip was of great importance for her. Ever since she lost her magic her parents had been too scared to let her go far past the castle walls. They never made her stay, but their fear was palpable and over time it became easier to stay. This was a chance to prove herself and that her parents' fears were wrong.
In the study Liam, Elsa, and Killian were waiting for them. Killian's eyes trained on her the moment the door opens. His stare was unnerving, it was as if he saw her. Saw the real Emma, no one had ever looked at her like that. She had suitors throughout the years, none of them were there for Emma, they were there for the crown, the power. Maybe Killian was too, but there was something different about him, something that she couldn't put her finger on.
"Good morning," Killian bowed to her ever so slightly.
"Good morning," she responded before turning to Liam, "I believe we have a treaty to finalize."
"Of course, but before we do, I wanted to apologize for my behavior last night. I never should have approached the subject in that manner. I was worried for my little brother." Liam nodded and Elsa looked pleased. Clearly this was her doing.
"Younger," Killian said trying to mask it as a cough. Elsa chuckled at this.
"I understand your worry, as I have a brother of my own. Now, to business," Emma gestured to the desk full of papers. They all pulled chairs to sit around the desk. Killian offered her a chair before she could grab one. Raised a gentleman it seemed. Elsa shot her an I-told-you-so look.
Their deliberations lasted throughout most of the morning and well into the afternoon. There were things that neither side will concede. Her parents want this war over quickly, but they weren't ready to hand over everything the other side wanted so easily. Liam had grown frustrated throughout the day. Emma had managed to keep a relatively cool head.
"What of Killian's title when you marry?" Liam asked barely looking up from his notes.
"He'll be King naturally." What Emma falls to mention is that Misthaven is a matriarchal society and had and always will look to their queen. Killian's title had little significance to what his power would be.
"Not Prince Consort?" Liam's head snapped up, looking from her to Killian.
"No, my father and mother rule side by side, as King and Queen. That is how my kingdom does things. Prince Consort would demote him, if that's what you wish it can be arranged," Emma said dismissively, knowing Liam will not go for it.
"No, of course not," there was a pause as Liam scribbled some notes to himself.
"The matter of your magic is all that remains for today."
"What of it?" Graham snapped, coming to her defense.
"Will it always be dormant? Or is this something that will come back with time and healing?" A sharp edge present in the King's voice.
"Liam…" Elsa said in a warning tone.
"I don't know how that pertains to the treaty or if that is any of your business frankly," Graham defended her once again, before she could get a word in edgewise.
"Why don't we save this for tomorrow? It's been a long day we can come back at this with fresh eyes tomorrow," Killian said in an attempt to diffuse the tension.
"I think that's a great idea," Elsa concurred. Emma had kept her eyes on Liam this entire time, her gaze unyielding.
"No." The room fell silent. "You don't believe me when I say that it's gone. The scars aren't enough for you."
"Princess, I'm sure that's not-" Killian started and when Liam didn't disagree with her, Killian fell silent, staring at his brother in shock once he came to the same conclusion.
"Don't worry, Your Highness, if I were him, I wouldn't believe me either. After all, it's not like Misthaven hasn't played dirty in the past. It's been a long, hard war. Would you like a demonstration, Your Majesty?"
"Yes." Elsa placed a hand on her husband's shoulder.
"Liam, no. I believe Emma, those scars aren't natural." Her pleas may as well have fallen on deaf ears.
"Elsa, it's okay. I wouldn't offer if I wasn't prepared to do it," Emma told her old friend. Graham snatched her hand, catching her attention.
"You'll do no such thing. Are you mad? After last time… I was sent here to ensure your safety and I won't let you do this." Emma snatched her hand back from him.
"Good thing what I do is not up to you."
"Princess, I have to agree with your knight here. This seems like a bad idea," Killian shook his head.
"Your King thinks otherwise," she said staring directly into his blue eyes, which seemed to have a bit of panic in them. Quickly Emma grabbed the spare knife from Graham's boot and cut open the sleeve of her dress, exposing more of her scars. Graham grumbled and took it back from her.
"I'll remember this moment, Your Majesty," Emma said bitterly. Holding her palm up, she closed her eyes for a minute to concentrate. For a moment there was a familiar sensation of warmth spreading through her. A ball of light flickered faintly in Emma's hand before pain shot up her arm causing her to cry out. The ball of light faded, and more scars appeared on her arm spreading just above her elbow. Elsa gasped. Killian looked upon her in horror. Perhaps he finally realized that he was getting the short end of the stick out of this treaty.
"Your parents are going to kill me for letting you do that," Graham grumbled.
"They already know you can't stop me, don't worry I'll be taking the blame here," she managed to get out, pain still shooting up her arm, but the scars no longer advancing.
"There you have it, Your Majesty. No magic here, no threat, no cure. My parents already tried and failed."
"Princess, I had no idea. I didn't-" Liam stuttered clearly shaken by what happened.
"Of course, you didn't. You don't trust me. Not that I blame you, but at the same time this truce isn't going to last without it, so you better start. I have put my trust in you. I sailed here with a minimal crew and only two knights. My father wanted ten. I have also agreed to marry your brother, a man who until recently was my sworn enemy. So, if you'd like this peace to last then I suggest you try to trust me." Liam simply nodded, words failing him.
"I'll be retiring for the evening. I'll see you all in the morning," Emma said curtly. When she struggled to stand Graham aided her and gave her a hand to hold onto. Killian tried to move to her, but Graham gave him a menacing glare. As the door shut behind the pair Elsa immediately turned on her husband.
"I hope you like sleeping on the couch because that was a despicable display," she hissed at him.
"I had to-" Liam tried to defend himself, but fell short because he knew Elsa was right.
"What the hell is your problem? I don't need your damn protection," Killian fumed before storming out.
"Liam, if I were in that position would you make me do that? I can't-" Elsa shook her head and stood up from the table.
"No, of course not. I didn't know," Liam said dejected.
"That's not the point, Liam. She's right, you need to trust her or at least try. We all need this war to end and if you humiliate her again, she will leave." Elsa stalked out of the room without glancing back at him.
Killian stood in front of Princess Emma's door shifting his weight from foot to foot. He held his closed fist in front of the door, unsure whether or not he would be welcomed at her door. They would be married soon however, so they would have to get used to one another, he reasoned with himself. His closed fist rapped against the wood hard and fast before he could change his mind.
A muffled come in was heard through the door, Killian opened the door, and stepped into the room. Emma sat in an armchair by the fire with a blanket thrown over her legs. She moved to stand when he entered, but he stopped her.
"Please don't get up on my account." She stayed seated, grateful to not have to get up.
"Thank you, is there something I can help you with?" She raised her eyebrow, not entirely sure about what he was doing here, in her room.
"I wanted to make sure you were alright."
"I'll be okay. That takes a lot out of me and I haven't done it in a few years," she nodded.
"I'm glad you'll be alright. You scared me- I mean us there," he said, nervously scratching his ear. Emma tilted her head and blinked a few times. Was he worried about her? This trip was nothing like she'd thought it'd be.
"I've done this before." Emma wanted this conversation over with already.
"Aye, of course. I'll let you rest. Please let me know if you need anything, my room is just down the next corridor." Emma nodded as she watched him leave. Once the door shut Emma pushed herself up from the chair and moved slowly to the bedside. She stripped out of her gown before climbing into bed. The fatigue from her attempt at magic hit her like a brick wall and sleep came easily after the day she had.
