The cruellest way
Here it is! The first May Muses oneshot! My idea for today is: what if Emma had been a few months old when she was put into the wardrobe instead of a newborn?
To my fellow writers, feel free to do your own version of May Muses. In fact, I set a challenge to you all to do so!
I look forward to seeing all your requests. Remember, most of the story rules are gone for this month only!
Also, May isn't special for being May Muses month. Firstly, today is dad JMAMK's 50th birthday :P. Secondly, May is Mental Health Awareness month. So, if you have a mental health disorder, keep fighting, you're winning every day you're here. If you think you might, don't be ashamed, go to your doctor! And if you don't, please support those you know who do :).
"It's here!" Grumpy bellowed at the top of his lungs as he rang the bell loud and clear for the whole kingdom to hear. Purple fog began to envelope the kingdom, engulfing whole villages as thunder clapped loudly and lightening split the skies open. Emma was not a fussy baby, but sensing the fear coming from both of her parents, as well as the carniage around her, she was screaming in her mother's arms. Snow did her best to soothe her, doing all the things she knew helped Emma whenever she did cry. Nothing seemed to be working. Tears were streaming down her mother's face, also.
"How could she be so cruel?" Snow asked her husband. "We thought the curse hadn't worked. We thought she was thinking about another way to torment us. She was just waiting until we'd bonded with her. Until she knew it was cruellest to rip our daughter away from us." Snow helped four-month-old Emma close to her. Charming stepped forward, placing a hand on Emma's head, kissing Snow's forehead.
"We don't have to put her in the wardrobe." He reminded Snow. "She could stay with us. Whatever the Evil Queen has in store, we will always protect Emma…" Snow shook her head. Although it was breaking her heart, she knew what they must do. She looked up at Charming, the tears shining in her eyes.
"We have to believe that she'll come back for us." She croaked. Charming knew Snow was right, but he didn't want to believe it. "We can't condemn her to a cursed life. She deserves better than that, even if that means being separated from us." Snow knew there wasn't much time. She readied herself. "We need to hurry. You can bet she will be here soon. If Emma's not gone by the time she arrives…" Snow couldn't even finish the sentence.
Charming and Snow began their charge to Emma's nursery, where the enchanted wardrobe remained. Snow pushed forward with Emma, getting her to the safety of the room as quickly as possible. Charming remained behind, fighting off the black knights that had pushed their way into the castle. When he arrived in Emma's nursery a minute or so after Snow, he had already been attacked by two of the black knights. Snow gasped at the noticeable wound on his shoulder.
"Charming…"
"It's just a scratch." Charming lied. They didn't have time to worry about him. This was his last chance to see his baby girl before she was all grown up. Snow knew he was lying too, but understood that he wanted to have the chance to say goodbye as well. Snow held Emma up to her face, memorising every tiny detail.
"My beautiful little princess." Snow whispered. "Never forget how much you are loved." Snow picked up Emma's blanket and wrapped her in it. She didn't know where Emma would end up, but didn't want to risk her freezing to death before she was found. Then, she passed Emma to Charming so he too could say goodbye. Charming held Emma close to him, inhaling her sweet baby scent.
"Goodbye, daddy's baby girl." Charming said, voice filling up with emotion. "You are the most precious little girl in the world, and you always will be." Charming then brought Emma over to the wardrobe with Snow by his side. The pain in his shoulder was excruciating, but nothing compared to the pain of knowing he was about to be separated from Emma. Snow and Charming then gave Emma one final kiss each.
"Find us." Charming whispered with Snow by his side as he closed the doors, sending Emma off into the unknown. Snow was about to break down in tears, when suddenly, Charming collapsed.
"No!" Snow whispered, pressing her lips to his, but nothing happened. "Please," Snow pleaded. "I can't lose you too." But Charming did not wake. Snow knew the Evil Queen would arrive to gloat any second, but Snow did not care. She now had nothing left to lose.
