A/N: My muse decided to throw me a bone and this chapter popped onto the page without too much coaxing. It's only a short one but it felt the right spot to break. Once again, you kind people have blown me away with your responses.

Chapter 19: The First Lesson

To make good on his promise to teach Emma how to tie knots, after breakfast the children went to the stables to pick up some rope. They also picked up some leather strips from which to make leashes for their puppies. Once they had all they needed, they reclaimed their pups from Betsy, the scullery maid, who was most disappointed to relinquish her charges. and headed to the walled garden.

The pups were full of energy, which they expended very quickly chasing each other and the children. After about an hour, Killian took one look at Emma's flushed cheeks and called a rest stop. They sat in the shade at the base of one of the immense pines and Killian began teaching Emma some of the easiest knots he thought she could manage.

Unless they could play tug-o-war with the rope, knot tying was of no interest to the pups. Safe within the confines of the walled garden, the dogs were occupied trying to catch the squirrels that took great delight in taunting the yapping interlopers invading their domain. Using the intermingled tree branches like a jungle gym, the squirrels quickly learned the pups were all noise and short of reach.

Killian proved an excellent tutor and he beamed with pride when Emma finally conquered her first reef knot with a bow.

"Show me more!" Emma exclaimed. "I knew I wasn't too little to learn."

"Well, you need to practice that one a bit more, so you can do it all the time without thinking too much," Killian advised. "Knots can be tricky. If you don't do them lots, sometimes they get away from you." He didn't mention it, but in his mind's eye he saw the mess Emma had made on her bootlaces that he'd had to untangle the night before.

Emma thought that Killian sounded very wise and she wanted him and her parents to be proud of her. It was her plan to be able to tie her own shoe laces and the bow on her dress for her birthday party that was taking place in six days.

"Alright. I'll just practice this one until you say I can do another one," Emma promised.

"Do you want to help me make the leashes?" Killian asked. "I'll do the weaving and you can hold the pieces so they don't tangle."

"You're so clever, Killian. Did you learn on the boat? Did Liam teach you?" Emma put the tied rope down and held the leather strips as Killian instructed.

"Ship, not boat. Liam taught me some of the knots, but, Nobby, the First Mate, showed me how to weave and splice, and the more tricky knots."

It took them a few tries to get their rhythm, but destiny had designed these two to work well together, and Emma caught on fast as Killian's teaching style suited her way of absorbing information. She was fascinated and paid close attention, as Killian's clever fingers worked the complicated weaving he used for the two leashes. He finished off by attaching them to the metal fastenings that would connect to the dog collars.

"They're so pretty," Emma said, running her fingers reverently along one of the neatly woven leads. "And I helped! This is so much more fun than boring old 'broidery." She was so excited to have been a part of the creations and couldn't wait to show her parents.

"We still have to oil them so the leather doesn't crack, then they'll really be handsome. Fit for noble dogs living in a castle," Killian said; trying not to look too pleased with himself, as he was not accustomed to praise from anyone but Liam.

The puppies had finally exhausted their current supply of energy and had dropped in a heap at the children's feet. It was no trouble to put on the dogs' new leads, but both pups just looked as them wistfully when the children attempted to urge them to their feet. When Emma tried lifting the front end of her puppy, the back end stayed down. When she tried lifting the back end, the front end dropped again. She put her hands on her hips and huffed, making Killian laugh.

"If I knew how to use my magic, I could magic them inside," Emma said.

"Better not try that until you know what you're doing. They could end up anywhere!" Killian cautioned. He wasn't at all keen to see Jib vanish to who knew where.

"You try," Emma said, and it was her turn to laugh when Killian tried to get Jib up by lifting her middle, but the pup just yawned and rolled over on her back.

After several more abortive attempts it became clear they would have to carry the sleepy pups to get them back inside for lunch. Always the gentleman, Killian picked up Emma's puppy and gave him into her arms. She could just manage the weight and tottered her way to the kitchen door, with Killian holding Jib and following right behind.

Unbeknownst to Emma and Killian, David, and the rest of his group, including Liam, had already arrived; having pushed their horses to move a little faster once David received Snow's note. His wife nearly knocked him off his feet when she quite literally threw herself into arms as soon as he'd dismounted. The kiss she laid on him curled his toes and caused a few uncomfortable feet shufflings by those present.

"I have so much to tell you," Snow said, a huge smile on her face. "You'll need something strong to drink," she added, which effectively wiped the smile off David's face.

"No, no, it's good news. Wonderful news, and, well, just dismiss the men and come in so we can talk," Snow said, bouncing over to pull Liam into a hug. "Welcome home. We missed you."

Liam blushed a little and, when Snow released him, he scratched behind his ear. "Thank you, Snow. It's good to be back. Has Killian behaved himself?"

"He's been nothing short of heroic . . . again," Snow said.

"Why has Killian needed to be heroic? Where's Emma? Snow, we were gone one night, what's been going on?" David asked, his volume dropping as he became more concerned and not wanting the others present to hear their private business.

"So much. So, so much and I can't tell you how relieved I am to have you home," Snow said as she moved back to her husband and kissed his cheek. "Just come in." She turned back to Liam. "I know you want to see Killian right away, but I must speak to you first. Emma and Killian are in the walled garden and Johanna has instructions to keep them occupied if they come in before we're finished. Please, can you take David's things with you to your chambers. I will come and get you when we're ready for you. Alright?"

Liam looked both concerned and confused, but he wouldn't dare disobey.

"It's serious, but no-one is angry with Killian," Snow whispered in Liam's ear before sending him on his way. "Come on, I can't wait any longer," Snow said, and held out her hand to David. He took her hand and they ran inside and up to their chambers.