The Swan Princess, pt. 5

CS genre: Lieutenant Duckling

Killian had very little time to ponder the strange new feelings he was having for his best friend in the coming days. The very day after the picnic on the beach, Liam's ship came in, and Killian's world zeroed in on his brother and hero.

Having received word that The Jewel of the Realm was spotted only a few miles out, Killian raced to the docks with the enthusiasm of a young child faced with the prospect of a pile of gifts. It had been too long, too bloody long since he'd seen Liam, and he couldn't wait. Killian had briefly considered asking Emma if she wanted to accompany him to the docks, but she was in a flurry of activity preparing for Elsa's imminent arrival a few days later.

And then there was the matter of the strange shyness that had suddenly descended on him at the thought of Emma. He'd never given it a second thought before when he'd spoken to her or asked for her company, but now…well now, it would matter if she declined his invitation.

At the thought of Swan, Killian felt his heartrate pick up and a silly grin draped his face. He stared sightlessly out at the horizon, remembering the delicate feel of her hair brushing against his arm, her soft lavender scent, the music of her laughter, the way her eyes sparkled as she spoke in animation…

"Are you going to stand there admiring the sunrise all day, little brother, or are you going to welcome me home?" Liam's voice boomed from the dinghy that had just pulled up to the docks.

Killian jolted back to reality, and then let his grin blossom into a full-blown smile. Rushing forward, he pulled Liam into his arms, slapping his back a time or two, laughing in delight, thrilled to be reunited with his last remaining family.

"Welcome back Liam! And that's 'younger brother' to you!"

Liam ruffled Killian's hair playfully, laughing with him. "It's good to see you younger brother! Now, if you'll excuse me, the longboat will be arriving on shore momentarily and I've got a distinguished guest to deliver to the king and queen.

Killian craned his neck around his brother to peer at the boat approaching at a rapid rate. In addition to the sailors bringing the vessel in, Killian clearly spotted a woman who appeared to be some manner of lady's maid and…and was that…

"Queen Elsa?" Killian asked his brother, his eyebrows raised to his forehead. "Your distinguished passenger was Queen Elsa of Arendelle?"

Liam's smile gentled as he looked out to sea and watched the lady herself arrive. "The very same, brother. King David wanted to surprise Princess Emma and arranged for the Jewel to make an unexpected stop in Arendelle to collect the queen. The remainder of her retinue will arrive at the expected time two days hence, but Elsa simply could not wait to see her childhood friend once again."

Killian shot his brother a suspicious look. It was quite familiar to refer to a queen of the realm by her given name alone. He shrugged it off after a moment. It hardly mattered.

"Swan will be overjoyed," he assured. "She's been looking forward to the queen's visit for weeks."

This time it was Liam's turn to look closely at his brother. After a moment a teasing grin lit up his face. "Swan, is it? It seems the pot is calling the kettle black when it comes to addressing the royalty with informality. Could my little brother, the one who would grouse and complain for days leading up to his visits to King David and Queen Snow's castle, truly be referring to Princess Emma with such fondness?"

Killian felt his face flame. He ducked his head, scratching behind his ear. "Leave off, Liam! You know Emma and I have become friends."

"Friends, is it?" Liam asked, tone still playfully teasing. "Is it your feelings of friendship that stain your cheeks and the tips of your ears that delightful shade of red? If I didn't know better, I'd say you've come to fancy the lovely 'Swan Princess'!"

"Of course not!" Killian blustered, but then withered under his brother's knowing stare. "Well, perhaps I have. I hardly know. It's all so sudden and confusing and I dare say I haven't a clue what these new feelings are. I merely know that I cannot stop thinking of her soft hair, her beguiling eyes, her wit and vivacity, and it leaves me breathless in a way I haven't ever been before."

Liam clapped Killian comfortingly on the back. "It sounds as though you, little brother, are perilously close to tumbling head first into love."

Killian was (mercifully) saved from having to reply to this observation by the arrival of the long boat. Killian peered toward the now-docked vessel to note Queen Elsa, robed splendidly in a sky-blue dress, a small, silver tiara topping her braided hair. Her blue eyes shown as she looked up into Liam's face…and a small blush painted her cheeks.

Perhaps Killian wasn't the only one recently pierced by one of cupid's arrows. It would seem the queen was rather afflicted as well…and judging by the tender look in Liam's eyes, the gentle sweep of his thumb against the back of Elsa's hand as he helped her from the boat, it would seem the queen's feelings were reciprocated.

Interesting that!

Perhaps before the month was out, Liam could give him pointers on how a gentleman comported himself around a lady who'd caught his fancy. Heaven knew Killain currently felt like nothing quite so much as a bumbling fool when it came to his Swan.

~l~d~l~d~l~d~l~d~l~d~

Emma sat in her bedchamber, gazing out upon the early morning sunrise, enjoying the summer breeze against her face, and letting her mind wander. She wasn't one to sit idle and daydream, but…well, she hardly even know what to make of her afternoon with Killian the day before.

It had begun normal enough. They'd talked and laughed as they set out for their picnic just as they always did, but as the afternoon had dragged on, she'd noticed him giving her strange looks. His eyes seemed very…intense. He'd never looked at her like that before, and it made her want to squirm where she'd sat, there on the blanket.

It wasn't an unpleasant sensation just…well she didn't know how to describe it. With his bright blue eyes trained on her with such…tenderness, she was suddenly hyper-aware of his handsome features, the stubble on his cheeks, the way the wind whipped at his dark hair, the way his graceful hands fidgeted against the picnic blanket.

Why had she never noticed how incredibly handsome he'd become?

Emma shook her head, willing away the confusing thoughts. Killian was her friend. Her friend. She wasn't about to throw that away because of strange and confusing feelings beginning to swirl deep within.

A knock on her bedroom door brought merciful relief from Emma's swirling thoughts. Getting to her feet, she tossed a dressing gown over her nightgown, stepped into soft slippers and made her way toward the door.

Emma squealed in delight when she opened the door to reveal a smiling Elsa on the other side. Rushing forward, she wrapped her best female friend in a hug and then pulled her into the bedroom.

"Elsa! What are you doing here? You weren't due to arrive for another two days!" Emma said. "Not that I'm complaining; it's been way too long since we've gotten to see each other, and you have to tell me all about the coronation and becoming queen and…"

Elsa laughed, holding up a finger to Emma's lips. "I don't think I've ever seen you so excited, Emma," she said. "I should surprise you more often!"

Emma led her friend to one of the chairs in the "sitting room" portion of her room and then plopped down into the other. Elsa was a couple of years older than she, but ever since they'd met at Emma's fourth birthday party, the two had been fast friends.

Confusing new feelings aside for the moment, Emma dearly loved Killian's friendship, but there was something different, something special in the bond between girlfriends. She'd been looking forward to Elsa's arrival ever since it had been planned, and she couldn't believe the day had finally arrived—and two days earlier than expected, no less!

"So how are you here?" Emma asked again. "I thought you told me with the schedule of Arendelle's ships, you wouldn't be able to make it until later. Did one of your ships return sooner than expected?"

To Emma's surprise, Elsa dropped her eyes, a secret smile playing across her lips as her cheeks tinted pink. "No," she said finally. "It was your father, actually. He wished to surprise you, and sent the Jewel of the Realm to Arendelle to provide me passage. The captain and…and…Liam were so kind as to see to my every need while we travelled."

Emma grinned, starting to get an idea of the cause of her friend's strange behavior. "Liam?" she asked gently, "As in Liam Jones? Lieutenant Liam Jones?"

"Well of course, Emma!" Elsa said, "what other Liam sails on the Jewel?"

"None that I know!" Emma said with a laugh. "I just find it very interesting that my best friend, sovereign queen in her own right, spurns decorum and calls a sailor in the royal navy by his given name. It sounds like something I would do, but never the prim and proper Queen Elsa!"

Elsa's blush only deepened. "I don't mean to be improper," she said. "It's just…Liam and I spent quite a bit of time together. On the second day of our journey we found ourselves becalmed at sea and there was little for the lieutenant to do until the wind picked up again. He…he found me sitting on deck, staring across the water, and…we struck up a conversation."

"It must have been quite a conversation…."

"Yes," Elsa said with a smile. "Liam's…he's fascinating. He has so many stories of his voyages and the lands he's traveled. He has a kindness and gentility that I've rarely met before, and he listened as I spoke. Listened and seemed genuinely interested in what I had to say—not because I was the queen or because he wanted something from me, simply because he enjoyed my company."

Emma smiled, easily reading between the lines. "And it doesn't hurt that he's quite handsome either, right?"

"No," Elsa said, her smile blooming farther. "I must admit that it doesn't."

"You like him, Elsa!" Emma said, clapping her hands. "That's great! You two would be perfect together! You're both so serious and so insistent on following the rules and so formal!"

Elsa playfully swatted her. "We can be carefree and informal too!"

Emma shot her a sly look. "So…does Liam know how you feel? Are you a couple now? Has he kissed you yet?"

"Emma!" Elsa gasped. "A lady doesn't kiss and tell!"

"So he has kissed you?!"

"No!" Elsa said, looking as distinctly flustered as Emma had ever seen her. "Well, not really, anyway. He did kiss my hand once and it was…" Elsa sighed happily. "It was quite possibly the most romantic moment of my life. I…I think he may have feelings for me too, but we haven't discussed anything."

Impulsively Emma leaned over and hugged her friend. "Well the two of you are both here at the castle for the next month. Who knows what might happen in that time!"

"Who indeed?" Elsa agreed, hugging Emma back. "Speaking of the Joneses, how's that brother of his—other than what I already saw: so happy to have his brother back he can hardly contain himself?"

This time, Emma felt the heat in her cheeks and turned away quickly, not entirely sure she was ready to tell Elsa about what was going on with Killian—not even sure she knew what was going on with Killian.

"Oh, Emma!" Elsa said with a frown. "Don't tell me you and Killian are fighting again! You'd become such good friends!"

Emma shook her head quickly and then cleared her throat. "No! It's nothing like that! It's just…well, things are…weird right now."

"Weird how?"

Emma sighed. Whether she was ready for this conversation or not, it looked like she was about to have it. "Yesterday we had a picnic and suddenly things were just…different. He kept giving me this…I don't know…almost longing look (either that or he was starting to get nauseated…)"

Elsa laughed. "I think we can safely rule out nausea. I think that man must have an iron stomach given the sheer volume and variety of the food he consumes! No, I think you were probably closer with the 'longing'."

Emma felt her embarrassment bubble up, and she dropped her eyes, focusing her energies on picking at a loose thread in her bathrobe. "You think he…you know…has feelings for me?"

Elsa caressed Emma's arm. "I'm almost sure of it, Emma. I've seen the fond way he's looked at you for some time. I don't think he was aware of it at the time, but I've been convinced for a while that your parents' hope for a love match between you two is much less far-fetched than it seemed when you were younger."

Emma felt her heartrate spike and the fear flood her at her friend's use of the "l" word. That was far, far too much! Whatever these feelings were…she wasn't ready for that yet!

"Elsa!"

"What?" her friend asked calmly. "Are you telling me you don't have feelings for Killian?"

"Yes!" Emma said vehemently before looking aside. "I mean…no….I mean…I don't know. Elsa, I don't even know how I feel! All I know is that things suddenly got complicated and confusing and I don't know what to do with it. I…I don't even know how to act around him now, and I kind of hate it!"

"Why?" Elsa asked gently.

"Because…." Emma started, digging deeply within herself to find the truth. "Because Killian's my dearest friend…other than you, of course…things with him were good. Our friendship was easy/ Now…well, now things are just weird. I can't lose his friendship; I just can't."

Elsa leaned over and hugged Emma again. "I hardly think that's going to happen. You and Killian have a bond of friendship stronger than any I've seen. Whether or not anything happens with these new feelings you're having, that's something I'm absolutely sure of."

"I hope you're right," Emma said, the worry still present in her voice.

Elsa laughed. "Of course I am. I'm older and wiser than you!"

Emma rolled her eyes good-naturedly.

"Between you and Killian and Liam and me, I think there's one thing we can say for sure," Elsa continued. "This coming month is going to be anything but boring!"

Notes:

-I don't know why I make plans about how much I want to accomplish in any given chapter; I think I always bite off more than I can chew, lol! I had hoped to get to a scene where Emma and Killian discuss their growing awareness of each other, but the conversations with Elsa and Liam, respectively took far too much space.

-Up next: On the night before Elsa (and Liam and Killian) set sail, the Charmings hold a royal ball. This time Emma doesn't punch Killian in the face…but the two of them do have a rather interesting conversation that may or may not end with some facial contact of a different sort… (No, really! It may or may not; I haven't decided exactly whether or not I want to go there yet!) I'd like to also bring in a scene introducing the complication (and/or "villain") of the story, but let's be real; the chances of me actually getting there in the next chapter are rather slim.

-Also: I have fallen ridiculously behind in responding to reviews and comments, and I'm terribly sorry! I will get to them as soon as life slows down a little more, but in the meantime, know that I am so very, very grateful every single time someone takes the time to send me feedback (on this or any of my stories)!