I Will Always Find You

Disclaimer: I don't own OUAT.

Sorry I've been gone so long. I haven't forgotten about this fic; I've just been busy with other things.

He hated it when she was gone. It was only for a day, but still. How was he supposed to concentrate without hearing her laughter in the distance or watching her beautiful raven curls bounce when she walked?

The palace felt empty without her. The whole castle felt empty without her.

She'll have a wonderful outing with Princess Emma, he reminded himself, picturing the look on her face when she and her daughter rode off into the distance together. Both of their green eyes had sparkled with excitement and the little girl had giggled in delight. How could he stand in the way of her happiness? Of their happiness?

He closed his eyes and settled for seeing her in his mind's eye. It didn't take much effort. Her warm smile and beautiful body were with him constantly.

OOOOOOOOOOO

When she didn't return the next day, he worried. Had something happened to her or the princess? Horrifying pictures appeared in his head before he could stop them. Outlaws capturing her. Wild animals attacking her. Or worst yet, what if the Evil Queen had found her?

His heart almost stopped at that.

He knew the queen was a great fighter in her own right; it was one of the best things about her. Watching her practice archery was one of his favorite pastimes. But what if something happened anyway?

Before he could think further, he mounted a horse and headed for the forest. His armor dug into his sides as he pressed himself into the horse's back, but he ignored it.

He had to find her. Queen Snow White.

OOOOOOOOOOO

Heart thumping louder and louder as he raced through the forest, he searched diligently. Behind fallen logs. Inside caves. Near the presence of wolves. He would find her. Always.

Smiling, he pictured the look on her face after he'd rescued her. She'd smirk and shake her head a little, because the queen didn't like to admit she needed any protection. Or maybe she'd even laugh a bit. But then her face would light up as she thanked him. Maybe she'd even throw her arms around him, honoring him as her special knight.

And suddenly, he saw some familiar dark curls in the distance. Could it be? He urged the horse to go faster. "I will always find you, my queen," he told her as finally approached her.

Queen Snow White shook her head as Princess Emma gave her another flower. "Thank you, but I don't really need to be found today," she laughed, just as he thought she might. He still loved that sound.

"I can see that, but I was worried when you didn't return," he tried to explain.

Then Snow White's face turned hard and fierce. "And for future reference, the only man who should be finding me is my husband, the king. Do you understand?"

"Yes," he replied, feeling a little nervous at the look in her eyes. He stared down at his armor. "But as your knight, shouldn't it be my job as well?" he protested in a small voice.

"Only when we ask you to do so," said a deep voice from behind him.

He turned around to face the king, looking just as dangerous, even though he was carrying their youngest son one arm. The queen broke into one of her beautiful smiles that lit up her entire face. "Hello, Charming. Hello Neal. Did you honestly think we needed protecting, too?"

"Hi Daddy," Princess Emma greeted her father, running to hug his legs.

"Really, we knew you would be fine," the king said with a chuckle. "Although I was a little concerned when you didn't return last night as you said you would. But we didn't decide to leave until this knight decided to find you first!" he practically growled as he leaned over for a kiss.

Sir Julian walked away, feeling like an idiot. Did he really think the queen would prefer him over the king? He may be a knight, but she had someone special already. Her husband. He really wasn't needed today.

Thank you for the reviews from the last chapter. I hope you will give me a review for this chapter as well.

Here's some responses.

Baratta Jennifer: Thank you again.

Austenphile: Thank you. I do so love the family/romance mix. :)

Bloomangrow: Thank you for continuing to review this story. :) Poor Snowing children and their parents' PDAs…